Fastener for watch chain

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastener (100) for a watch chain, comprising a cover (1) connected on a first side to a chain link (200) and on a second side to a folding system (300), connecting means being assembled between the chain link and the cover of the fastener, the connecting means comprising a slider (3), the slider slides in the longitudinal direction of the fastener between a first position, in which the slider engages in the cover of the fastener, and at least a second position, in which the slider is at least partially disengaged from the cover of the fastener, the fastener comprising a lever equipped with a toothed element (20), the toothed element (20) being engaged with the slider when pressed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the cover. The lever moves the toothed element from a rest position, in which the toothed element meshes with a rack tooth member integral with the slider, to an actuated position, in which the toothed element is released from its engagement with the rack tooth member, the cover comprising an opening (11) for actuating the lever from outside the cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener for a watch strap. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fastener for a watch strap, which fastener comprises means for finely adjusting the length of the watch strap. Background Art

[0002] Fasteners are known in the prior art that include means for finely adjusting the length of a watch strap. The term "fastener for finely adjusting the length of a watch strap" is understood to refer to a fastener that allows the length of the watch strap to be adjusted over a short distance in order to adjust this length as precisely as possible to optimize the comfort of the person wearing the watch. Such a fastener typically includes a connecting link, one of the watch strap links being connected to the cover of the fastener via the connecting link. This end link is capable of sliding between a first retracted position and a second protruding position in the longitudinal direction of the fastener, in which first retracted position the end link is received within the cover of the fastener and in which second protruding position the end link projects from the fastener. Thus, the available length for fine adjustment is determined by the travel of the end link between its first and second positions. For example, European patent number EP 2767184 discloses a fastener. This fastener has a pusher located on the bottom side of the fastener, which pusher is mounted on a slider and engages with a toothed member. When the pusher is actuated, the toothed member is released and the length of the watch strap can be adjusted, possibly via the slider, which moves along its longitudinal axis within the closed cover.

[0003] Another system is described in European patent number EP 3769640. The system uses a rocker instead of a pusher, which rocker is mounted on a slider and engages with a rod that is mounted at right angles to the direction of travel of the slider.

[0004] What the above two systems have in common is that the operating mechanism is located on the bottom side of the fastener, which means that the length cannot be adjusted while wearing the watch. In addition, the extension occurs only in one direction, which can be disadvantageous for wearing comfort. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above and other drawbacks by providing a fastener for finely adjusting the length of a watch strap for particularly simple and rapid adjustment and manipulation.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a fastener for a watch bracelet, the fastener comprising a cover member which is connected on a first side to a bracelet link and on a second side to a folding system, connection means being assembled between the bracelet link and the cover member of the fastener, these connection means comprising a slider which slides between a first position and at least a second position in a longitudinal direction of the fastener, in the first position the slider being engaged in the cover member of the fastener and in the second position the slider being at least partially disengaged from the cover member of the fastener. According to the invention, the fastener comprises a rod provided with a toothed element which, when pressed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the cover member, causes the toothed element to move from a rest position to an actuated position, in which rest position the toothed element meshes with a rack tooth member integral with the slider and in which actuated position the toothed element is released from its engagement with the rack tooth member so as to allow the slider to slide freely, and the cover member comprises an opening for actuating the rod from the outside of the cover member.

[0007] According to other features of the invention:

[0008] - The rod is arranged such that it pivots relative to the cover member when moving from the first position to the at least second position;

[0009] - The rod is held in the rest position by a spring housed within the slider;

[0010] - The at least one toothed element and the rod form an element made in one piece;

[0011] - The slider is provided with stop means which prevent the slider from being removed from the cover member of the fastener;

[0012] - The stop means are formed by a screw which projects into a groove formed in the cover member and defines two end stop mechanisms;

[0013] - The cover member has an overall U-shaped cross-section and is provided with two wings facing each other, each of these wings carrying on its inwardly facing surface guide grooves for guiding the translation of the slider;

[0014] - The slider comprises side guide surfaces for being guided when sliding in the grooves of the wings of the cover member;

[0015] - The rack tooth member comprises teeth which are asymmetrically shaped in such a way that a part of the teeth is aligned almost perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slider along its longitudinal axis, while a second part of the teeth has an angle which is approximately the intermediate value between the angle of the first part of the teeth and the direction of movement of the slider;

[0016] - The toothed element of the rod is designed in an asymmetric way complementary to the teeth of the rack tooth member;

[0017] - The rod member includes two toothed elements;

[0018] - The rod member includes a groove for receiving a spring that abuts at least against the bottom of the groove and the slider. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] - Figure 1 is a top perspective exploded view of a fastener according to the present invention;

[0021] - Figure 2a and 2b are respectively a top view and a side view of a fastener according to the present invention;

[0022] - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a connecting device of a fastener according to the present invention;

[0023] - Figure 4a and 4b are respectively a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of a cover member of a fastener according to the present invention;

[0024] - Figure 5a and 5b are respectively a top view and a bottom view of a rod member of a fastener according to the present invention;

[0025] - Figure 6a and 6b are respectively a top view and a bottom view of a slider of a fastener according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention provides the user with the possibility of easily changing the length of the watch strap without removing the watch from the wrist.

[0027] The present invention will now be described with reference to a watch bracelet. For the sake of clarity, only one side of the fastener is described. The fastener may be mounted on a classic folding fastener or a butterfly fastener, as illustrated in the figures, which allows both sides to be extended to ensure a symmetrical fit of the fastener on the wrist, thus maximizing comfort.

[0028] A fastener 100 according to the present invention includes a cover member 1 that is connected on a first side to a first watch strap link 200 and on the other side to a folding - buckle fastening system 300 and a fastener locking device, the structures of which are known and will therefore not be described further herein. The first watch strap link is connected to the cover member by means of a slider 3 for fine adjustment of the length of the watch strap.

[0029] As Figure 1As explained, the bracelet links are formed by a series of link elements, but the bracelet links can also be links made of leather, fabric or even elastomeric materials.

[0030] The fastener 100 includes connecting means which are assembled between the bracelet link and the cover member 1 of the fastener 100. These connecting means include a slider 3 which is able to slide between a first position and at least a second position along the longitudinal direction of the fastener. In the first position, the slider 3 engages in the cover member 1, and in the second position, the slider 3 disengages at least partially from the cover member.

[0031] As Figure 1 、 4a As shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b, the cover member 1 has an integral U-shaped cross-section and is provided with two wings 14 facing each other. Each of these wings 14 has a groove 12 on its inward-facing surface. In addition, at least one slot 13 is formed in the cover member 2, and the slot defines the travel length of the slider 3 relative to the cover member 2. The slider 3 includes side guide rails 34 to be guided when sliding between the wings 14 in the cover member 1.

[0032] Figure 3 It is shown that the connecting means include a slider 3 which is able to slide between a first position and at least a second position along the longitudinal direction of the fastener 100. In the first position, the slider 3 is engaged in the cover member 1 of the fastener 100, and in the second position, the slider 3 disengages at least partially from the cover member 2 of the fastener 100. The travel of the slider 3 between its first position and at least the second position determines the available length for adjusting the bracelet.

[0033] The slider 3 includes two ends spaced apart from each other, and one end of a link element or link of the second bracelet link is interlocked between the two ends. This assembly is ensured by a rod 9 passing through a hole 35 at the end of the slider 3 and the link element / link of the second bracelet link.

[0034] The slider 3 further includes at least one rack tooth member 30 along the longitudinal direction on its bottom side, and each tooth 31, 32 defines a different locking position of the slider 3 relative to the cover member 1.

[0035] The slider 3 also includes at least one through hole 36, and a cylindrical element, such as a screw 6, is inserted into the through hole. The screw 6 is designed to engage into at least one slot 13 and thereby form an end stop mechanism to limit the travel of the slider 3 within the cover member 1.

[0036] The connecting device further comprises a rod 2 which is hinged to the cover piece 1 by means of a hole 24. The rod 2 has an actuating part 23 which is intended to be operated by the user and which, when the fastener is worn by the user, is arranged in the opening 11 of the cover piece 1 in a direction opposite to the wrist, such that the actuating part can be operated by the user when the fastener is worn. Thus, the rod 2 has two positions, namely a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a rest position and the second position corresponding to an actuated position, and the rod 2 rotates about its fastening axis 7.

[0037] As can be seen possibly in Figure 3 、 5a and 5b, the rod 2 is provided with a toothed element 20 which meshes with a rack tooth member 30 integral with the slider 3, each tooth 31, 32 of the rack tooth member 30 being designed to cooperate with at least one toothed element 20 to lock the slider 3 in place.

[0038] It is possible to consider a single toothed element 20, but a pair of toothed elements 20 is safer and the positioning of the toothed elements 20 is more precise.

[0039] As illustrated, the teeth 31, 32 of the rack tooth member 30 are shaped asymmetrically in such a way that a part of the teeth is aligned almost perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slider 3 along its longitudinal axis, while the angle of a second part of the teeth is approximately the intermediate value of the angle between the first part of the teeth and the direction of movement of the slider;

[0040] Advantageously, the toothed elements 20 of the rod 2 are designed in an asymmetric manner complementary to the teeth 31, 32 of the rack tooth member 30.

[0041] The rod 2 can be moved from its rest position to an actuated position, in which the toothed element 20 is released from engagement with one of the teeth 31, 32 of the rack tooth member 30, such that the slider 3 slides freely.

[0042] When the rod 2 is moved to its actuated position by pressing the actuating part 23 of the rod 2, the locking between the toothed element 20 and the teeth 31, 32 is released, and the slider 3 can be pulled away from the cover piece 1 via the watch strap link 200, thereby allowing the length of the watch strap link 200 to be extended.

[0043] Advantageously, the angled nature of the teeth 31, 32 on the rack tooth member 30 and the similar toothed elements 20 of the rod 2 allows the watch strap link 200 to be pushed towards the fastener 100, which causes the teeth 31, 32 to slide over the toothed elements and the rod to rotate, without any operation of the rod 2 by the user.

[0044] As can be seen possibly in Figure 1 、 5aAs seen in Figures 5a and 5b, the rod 2 includes a blind groove 27 which is substantially parallelepiped-shaped on the bottom side of the rod, and in which the torsion spring 5 is pivotally mounted on a pin 4 which is inserted into a side hole in the rod 2.

[0045] The torsion spring 5 includes at least a first side arm 50 which bears against the bottom of the blind groove 27, and a central arm 51 which bears against a sliding channel formed in the top part of the slider 3. When the rod 2 is not actuated, this arrangement holds the rod 2 in its rest position, and when the watch strap link 200 is lengthened or shortened, the central arm slides in the sliding channel 33 in the slider 3.

[0046] Thus, when the slider 3, the rod 2 and the cover 1 are assembled together as shown in Figures Figure 2a and 2b the torsion spring 5 which is mounted so as to be compressed pushes the rod towards the cover 1, such that the toothed element 20 engages with the teeth 31, 32 of the rack tooth member 30 of the slider 3. Conversely, when the rod 2 is pressed against the elastic return force of the spring 5, the toothed element 20 is released from its engagement with the rack tooth member 30 of the slider 3 and the slider thus slides freely relative to the cover.

[0047] To adjust the fastener, the user does not have to unfold the fastener 1 to access the rod. The user simply presses the actuating part 23 of the rod 2 to disengage the toothed element 20 from the teeth 31, 32 so that the slider 3 slides freely, and the wearer can pull on the watch strap link to lengthen it. Finally, after selecting the length, the wearer releases the rod which returns to its rest position under the action of the spring 5, and at least one of the toothed elements 20 engages with at least one of the teeth 31, 32 of the rack tooth member 30 to lock the position. The wearer must then simply push on the watch strap link 200 to move the slider 3 towards the centre of the fastener and shorten the watch strap.

[0048] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and that various simple alternatives and modifications can be considered by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clasp (100) for a watch bracelet, the clasp comprising a cover (1) which is connected on a first side to a bracelet link (200) and on a second side to a folding system (300), connecting means being assembled between the bracelet link and the cover (1) of the clasp (100), the connecting means comprising a slide (3) which slides in the longitudinal direction of the clasp (100) between a first position in which the slide (3) is engaged in the cover (1) of the clasp (100) and at least a second position in which the slide (3) is at least partially disengaged from the cover (1) of the clasp (100), characterized in that The buckle (100) comprises a rod (2) provided with a toothed element (20), which, when pressed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the cover, causes the toothed element (20) to move from a static position to an actuated position, in which the toothed element (20) is engaged with a rack tooth member (30) integral with the sliding member (3), in which the toothed element (20) is released from its engagement with the rack tooth member (30), allowing the sliding member (3) to slide freely, and the cover (1) comprises an opening (11) for actuating the rod (2) from the outside of the cover (1).

2. The fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lever (2) is arranged such that, when moving from the first position to the at least second position, the lever pivots relative to the cover (1).

3. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that: The rod (2) is held in a rest position by means of a spring (5).

4. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The at least one toothed element (20) and the rod (2) form an integrally manufactured element.

5. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The slide (3) is equipped with a stopper which prevents the slide (3) from being removed from the cover (1) of the buckle (100).

6. The fastener according to claim 5, characterized in that: The stop means are formed by screws (6) which project into slots (13) formed in the cover (1) and define two end stops.

7. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The cover (1) has an overall U-shaped cross section and is provided with two wings (14) facing each other, each of these wings (14) having a guide groove (12) on its inwardly facing surface to guide the slide (3) in translation.

8. The fastener according to claim 7, characterized in that: The slide (3) comprises lateral guide surfaces (34) so ​​as to be guided when sliding in the guide grooves (12) of the wings (14) of the cover.

9. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The gear tooth member (30) comprises teeth (31, 32) which are asymmetrically shaped in such a way that a portion of the teeth (31, 32) is aligned almost perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the slide (3) along its longitudinal axis, while the angle of a second portion of the teeth (31, 32) is approximately midway between the angle between the first portion of the teeth and the direction of movement of the slide (3).

10. The fastener according to claim 9, characterized in that: The toothed element (20) of the lever (2) is designed in an asymmetrical manner complementary to the teeth (31, 32) of the gear tooth member (30).

11. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The lever (2) comprises at least one toothed element (20).

12. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The rod (2) comprises a groove, the groove is used to accommodate the spring, and the spring at least rests on the bottom of the groove.

13. A watch strap (9) comprising a buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A watch comprising a watch case configured to accommodate at least a watch strap according to claim 13.

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