Device for securing the clasp of a bracelet

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for securing the clasp of a bracelet (6) against unintentional opening. Bracelets and watches are frequently stolen, and therefore an additional security device for the clasp of a watch bracelet is required. The object of providing a device for improved protection of a bracelet is achieved in that the device has a first shell (1) for receiving at least part of the inside of the clasp, and a second shell (2) which is hinged thereto via a joint (3) and which, in a closed position, engages over a corresponding part of an outside of the clasp, as well as by a connecting device with which the first shell (1) can be detachably connected to the second shell opposite the joint (3) in the closed position. The invention further relates to the use of a corresponding device for securing a bracelet or watch strap.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for securing the closure of a bracelet, in particular a watch strap, against unintentional opening and to the use of a device with two shells for securing a watch strap.

[0002] The theft of bracelets or wristwatches is a frequent subject of media coverage and is no longer confined to countries with disproportionately poor populations, but increasingly also in industrialized countries. Thieves typically steal expensive watches directly from the wearer's wrist, either through clever manipulation, for example, in a crowd, or by roughly tearing the bracelet off the wearer's wrist, even at the risk of injury.

[0003] Watch and jewelry manufacturers have developed bracelets that make it increasingly difficult for third parties to accidentally open and remove them from the wearer's wrist. Nevertheless, it is often easy for experienced thieves to open even such optimized bracelet clasps and steal the watches.

[0004] The documents US 2021 / 0 045 505 A1, DE 10 2016 011 576 A1, DE 92 14 194 U1 and US 5 699 590 A describe a device for securing the clasp of a bracelet against unintentional opening, with a first shell for receiving a part of the inside of the clasp and a second shell which is hinged thereto via a joint and which, in a closed position, engages over a corresponding part of an outside of the clasp, as well as with a connecting device with which the first shell can be detachably connected to the second shell opposite the joint in the closed position.

[0005] The object is to provide a device for protecting a bracelet or wristwatch wearer which is particularly practical.

[0006] These objects are achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims.

[0007] An embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show: Fig. 1: A device according to the invention in an open position in a perspective view; Fig. 2: The device from Fig. 1 from the side; Fig. 3: The device from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 from the front; Fig. 4: The Fig. 1 to 3 shown device in the closed position from the side; Fig. 5: The device according to Fig. 4 in perspective view; Fig. 6: The device according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 from side-front; Fig. 7: The devices from the Fig. 1 to 6 in the closed position with the bracelet inserted in a perspective view; Fig. 8: The device according to Fig. 7 from the front.

[0008] The Fig. 1 to 3 show a device according to the invention for securing the closure of a bracelet, in particular a watch strap, against unintentional opening by third parties in an open position. The device comprises a first shell 1 and a second shell 2, which is connected to the first shell 1 via a joint 3. Both the first shell 1 and the second shell 2 are preferably made of a hard plastic. The second shell 2 is in Fig. 1 is shown in an open position relative to the first shell 1 and in this position forms an angle of approximately 90° to the first shell 1. On its side opposite the joint 3, the first shell 1 has an eyelet 4 which runs parallel to the axis of the joint 3. On its side opposite the joint 3, the second shell 2 also has an eyelet 5, the opening of which also runs parallel to the axis of the joint 3. The eyelets 4 and 5 are located at mutually offset locations on the sides of the first shell 1 and the second shell 2, respectively, as best shown in Fig. 3. There you can see that the eyelet 4 of the first shell 1 is positioned centrally, while the eyelet 5 of the second shell 2 is offset to the right.

[0009] The second shell 2 has a window 8 approximately in its center, which in the illustrated embodiment is square with rounded corners.

[0010] Furthermore, the second shell 2 has on its inner side engagement elements 7 which are integral with the material of the second shell 2 and have a periodicity corresponding to the periodicity of the elements of a bracelet to be protected.

[0011] The Fig. The device shown in Figures 1 to 3 is shown in the Fig. 4 to 6 in a closed position. In this position, the second shell 2 is tilted downwards around the joint 3 by an angle of 90° and thus runs parallel to the first shell 1. The eyelet 4 of the first shell 1 is aligned in this closed position with the eyelet 5 of the second shell 2, as is particularly clearly shown in Fig. 4, but also in Fig. 6 can be seen. In this closed position, the second shell 2 can be locked to the first shell 1 by inserting either a pin or a screw through the aligned eyelets 4 and 5. This is possible, for example, if one of the two eyelets 4 or 5 has a thread for screwing in a locking screw that penetrates both eyelets in the closed position, or if a locking pin is inserted through both eyelets 4 and 5 and secured in this position in a suitable manner, for example by means of a split pin. Further measures for securing the second shell 2 relative to the first shell 1 in the closed position according to Fig. 4 to 6 are possible. The only important thing here is that the two eyelets 4 and 5 are connected to each other by a simultaneous engagement of a pin, a screw, or another device, such as a split pin or a spring, in such a way that a lateral movement of the second eyelet 5 relative to the first eyelet 4, and thus an opening of the device by pivoting the second shell 2 relative to the first shell 1 and the joint 3, is no longer possible.

[0012] The function of the device according to the invention using a bracelet 6, in this case a watch strap, is explained with reference to the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. These show the device in its closed position, although the locking of the two eyelets 4 and 5 to each other is not shown in detail. This can be achieved, as described above, by a pin, a screw, a cotter pin, or a similar device. It is important that the second shell 2 is secured relative to the first shell 1 in the closed position, and that this position cannot be quickly released; instead, a screwing operation or other mechanical release process is required.

[0013] In the Fig. 7 and Fig. In the closed position of the device shown in Figure 8, a bracelet 6 lies within the first shell 1 and is covered by the second shell 2 such that the closure of the bracelet is located within the device, i.e. between the first shell 1 and the second shell 2. The closure of the bracelet must be particularly secured, since the bracelet can be opened at this point. Since the device according to the invention closes the closure of the bracelet 6, as shown in Figures Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, completely encloses the device, opening the clasp in this closed position is not possible. Only after the connecting device between the eyelets 4 and 5 has been removed, which is generally time-consuming and laborious, can the device be opened by tilting the second shell 2 relative to the first shell 1 and the joint 3, and the clasp of the bracelet 6 can then also be opened.

[0014] In the illustrated embodiment, the window 8 is positioned so that a trademark on the clasp of the bracelet remains visible through the window 8.

[0015] Out of Fig. 7 also shows how the engagement elements 7, which fit particularly well in the Fig. 1 to 3, interact with the bracelet 6 or the clasp of the bracelet 6, which is designed in the same way as the bracelet 6. The periodically arranged engagement elements correspond to the periodicity of the elements of the bracelet 6, so that an engagement element 7 is located between each two elements of the bracelet 6, which ensures that the device is securely fixed to the bracelet 6 and protected against lateral slipping along the bracelet 6.

Claims

[1] Device for securing the closure of a bracelet (6) against unintentional opening, with a first shell (1) for receiving at least part of the inside of the closure, and a second shell (2) hinged thereto via a joint (3), which in a closed position engages over a corresponding part of an outside of the closure, and with a connecting device with which the first shell (1) can be detachably connected to the second shell opposite the joint (3) in the closed position, characterized by that the second shell (2) has a window (8). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the connecting device has a first eyelet (4) arranged on the first shell (1) and a second eyelet (5) arranged on the second shell (2), the two eyelets (4, 5) being aligned with one another in the closed position. [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized bythat at least one of the two eyelets (4, 5) has a thread for screwing in a locking screw which penetrates both eyelets (4, 5) in the closed position. [4] Device according to claim 2, characterized by a locking pin that passes through both eyelets (4, 5) in the closed position. [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first shell (1) and / or the second shell (2) has inwardly directed engagement elements (7) in the closed position.

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