Interchangeable decoration for a flexible wristband

Description

[0001] Bracelets worn on the wrist are very common accessories. They are manufactured as fashion jewelry, jewelry products, functional bracelets, wearable electronics, and other items.

[0002] The accessibility of a large surface area around the wrist offers designers and jewelers ample opportunity to realize various ideas. However, the more design variations and functions of bracelets there are, the more difficult the choice becomes for the user. Such an accessory is already quite eye-catching, and selecting a suitable bracelet based on style, function, and personal preferences becomes a challenging task. The same applies if the user needs to quickly change the style or function of the bracelet. In this case, they must either replace the bracelet or transform it, if the design allows for this.

[0003] The function of replacing the outer part of watch straps is currently only partially implemented and presents a number of technical challenges. For example, several compromises must be made when designing watch straps with interchangeable decorative elements. The decorative elements must be attached to the straps in a specific way that allows the user to change the decoration quickly, easily, and conveniently. This attachment must securely hold the decoration, be durable, lightweight, and compact, among other requirements.

[0004] Background technology (Document A) from the priority-establishing prior application is cited as US 2017 / 0231338 A1, which discloses a plate bracelet with a plurality of plates configured to be selectively interchangeable within the bracelet, each plate having parallel ends configured to be perpendicular to the width of the bracelet and longer parallel sides configured to extend along the circumference of the bracelet, each plate having a circumferential groove around the circumference of the plate, a pair of plate support tracks, each open plate support frame being oriented to hold a plate therein, and each plate support frame having a retaining bead that engages in the circumferential groove of the plate held in the plate support frame to receive and hold the plate therein.

[0005] The most common solutions for attaching decorative elements to the bracelet are: Buttons used to securely attach the decorative element to the bracelet. Note: The smaller the button, the more difficult it is to precisely position it at the moment of attachment; through-holes through which the decorative element is placed on the bracelet like a bead; the presence of these holes in the decorative elements, with their specified parameters, is a technical necessity; inverted buttons used to firmly insert the decorative element into the bracelet; a specific recess in the bracelet body is required to accommodate the decorative element; pendants and lobster clasps used to attach the decorative element freely to the bracelet, leaving the decorative element outside the bracelet and dangling freely.

[0006] The limitations listed above emphasize the urgency of the task for developing such an interchangeable decoration that is easy, quick and convenient to apply and remove, has small dimensions and low weight, and ensures high reliability and durability.

[0007] The present invention solves this problem with a bracelet with removable decoration according to claim 1.

[0008] An interchangeable decorative element was developed for a flexible wristband. This element features a flexible, but preferably non-elastic, band on the outside, capable of compensating for the difference in length between the decorative element and the wristband's surface when it is rolled up or unrolled. The decorative element is positioned by the magnetic field when it is attached to the wristband, causing it to firmly adhere to the outer surface.

[0009] The drawings show: Fig. 1 The interchangeable decoration of the flexible bracelet. The decoration - a, the decoration and the counterparts of the clasps in the bracelet body - b. Decorative band - 1, the base - 2, the fins - 3, the magnetic clasps - 4, the bracelet body - 5, the magnetic clasp with compensator (enlarged magnets) - 6, additional mechanical clasps - 7, guide track - 8. Fig. 2 The interchangeable decoration for the open bracelet: the decorative band - 1, the bracelet body - 5, the magnetic clasp with compensator - 6, the folding band - 9, the hinge - 10.

[0010] The interchangeable decoration of the flexible bracelet can consist of two parts: a decorative band 1, which is a strip of flexible material, and a base 2, which consists of a cascade of flat elements in the shape of lamellae 3 with magnetic clasps 4 and is attached (individually) to the underside of the band. The distance between the lamellae is chosen so that the entire decoration can bend towards the base with the bending radius of the bracelet.

[0011] Each magnetic lock consists of two parts, one of which is built into the lamella and the other into the body of the bracelet 5.

[0012] At least one of the lamellae has a magnetic lock with compensator 6, i.e. with such a magnet length that exceeds the maximum displacement of the decoration in relation to the surface of the bracelet when rolled up or unrolled.

[0013] Furthermore, each lamella can have an additional mechanical lock, e.g. of the tongue-and-groove type 7, one part of which is built into the lamella and the other into the body of the bracelet 5.

[0014] In Fig. 1 One of the possible variations of the developed decor is shown.

[0015] The interchangeable decoration is placed on the bracelet from above, where it is positioned and held in place by the magnetic clasps using the magnetic field.

[0016] When the bracelet rolls up, one side of the decoration remains stationary relative to the bracelet and is prevented from shifting along the A-axis by the locks 7. The other side can be designed to move along the surface of the bracelet on the A-axis and can be pressed / held against the bracelet by the magnetic locks with the compensator 6, as shown in Fig. 2 The size of the magnets for such locks exceeds the maximum displacement of the decoration in place with the magnet, and the locks remain stuck in all states of the bracelet.

[0017] The lamella with the magnetic lock and compensator 6 can be modified by installing an additional lock 7, whereby the groove can have the shape of the guide track 8 along the A-axis, as shown in the Abb. 1b This is shown. This protects the interchangeable decoration from accidental displacement along the B-axis during use and increases the reliability and strength of its fixation.

[0018] Such a decoration is removed by peeling it off the surface of the bracelet with a force that exceeds the force of the magnetic clasps, whereby it is easier to peel it off when the bracelet is rolled up, because the magnetic clasps have a smaller holding force in this position due to the displacement of the running parts 5 and relative to each other.

[0019] The presented interchangeable decoration, preferably for open bracelets, can be modified by the additional folding strap 9, as shown in Fig. 2 This is illustrated. This increases the reliability of the decorative element's fixation when the magnetic clasps shift while the bracelet is rolled up. Furthermore, the additional folding band serves to ensure a particularly secure fit of the bracelet on the wrist.

[0020] As far as aesthetic properties are concerned, the additional folding band of the interchangeable decoration can maintain the holistic appearance of the entire bracelet thanks to the use of the hidden hinge 10 and the decorative band 1 with a length equal to the length of the open bracelet with the folding band, as shown on the Abb. 2 is shown.

Claims

1. Bracelet with removable flexible decoration comprising • a fastening mechanism which connects the decoration to the bracelet, • the fastening mechanism has a removable part (1, 2, 3) and a base body (5) to which the removable part is reversibly attachable, • the removable part (1, 2, 3) has a segmentally structured base (3) which has connection means (4) to the base body (5) and carries the decoration (1), characterized in that the individual segments of the base (3) are oriented transversely to a longitudinal direction of the bracelet and are spaced apart from each other, • the removable part (1, 2, 3) and the base body (5) have at least one mechanical connection along their contact area which fixes the removable part (1, 2, 3) to the base body (5) in a stationary manner in at least one section and • at least one end of the removable part (1, 2, 3) is provided with a magnetic connection to the base body, the width of which exceeds the distance of a relative displacement of removable part and base body when changing the shape of removable part and base body from a linear alignment to a wrist-encircling, namely curved form.

2. Bracelet with removable decoration according to claim 1 characterized in that a nose-groove guide is provided between the removable part (1, 2, 3) and the base body (5), along which a non-fixed section of the removable part is guided in the longitudinal direction of the bracelet and is displaceably mounted relative to the base body (5).

3. Bracelet with removable decoration according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that Individual magnetic connections are provided between the segments (3) and the base body (5).

4. Bracelet with removable decoration according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that a folding band (9) is arranged at one end of the bracelet or the decoration, which connects the two ends of the bracelet together.