Bracelet with chain links made of hard material

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a bracelet formed of interconnected elements, in particular links, at least some of which are made of a hard material. It also relates to a component, including a timepiece such as a watch or a piece of jewelry, comprising said bracelet. Technological background

[0002] In the watchmaking and jewelry industries, a variety of materials are used to manufacture bracelets of diverse appearances. It is particularly well-known to manufacture bracelets from hard materials. Hard materials are defined as those with a Vickers hardness greater than 1200 HV. Examples of such hard materials include ceramics like silicon nitride, zirconium oxide, and aluminum oxide. Cermets are another option. Hard materials are valued for their mechanical properties, especially their resistance to scratching.

[0003] The disadvantage of these materials is their fragility with an increased risk of breakage during machining and when the bracelet links move or even collide with each other during bracelet handling.

[0004] Document WO98 / 08408A1 discloses a bracelet according to the preamble of claim 1. Summary of the invention

[0005] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages by proposing an assembly between links that allows control of the amplitude of rotation of the links in order to avoid collisions.

[0006] To achieve this, the connecting rods that join the different rows of the bracelet have two stops at each end, which respectively bear against an insert housed within the lateral links that frame the central links. These two stops limit the angular displacement of the lateral links relative to the connecting rod.

[0007] More specifically, the present invention relates to a bracelet comprising: a first row with at least one central link having two through holes, called central link holes, a second row and a third row arranged respectively on either side of the first row, the second row and the third row each comprising at least one lateral link, said lateral link having two holes, called lateral link holes, with one hole of the lateral link of the second row aligned with one hole of the central link of the first row and with one hole of the lateral link of the third row to form an assembly with three aligned holes, a connecting rod positioned in the three aligned holes, said connecting rod being fixed relative to the central link of the first row and forming an axis around which the lateral link of the second and third rows is pivotally mounted, the bracelet being characterized in that the lateral link is hollowed out and has in its hollow an insert delimited by two external lateral walls, the connecting rod comprising at each end a first stop and a second stop respectively bearing on a portion of the external lateral wall when the lateral link pivots around the connecting rod so as to limit the amplitude of rotation of said lateral link around the connecting rod.

[0008] Thus, according to the invention, the axles serving as junctions and pivots between the links are used to limit the amplitude of rotation of the links and absorb all or part of the stresses during the final contact. These axles, as well as the insert, are protected externally by the links and can therefore be made of a less hard material such as steel or a titanium alloy, which facilitates their machining.

[0009] Furthermore, the central link features a protruding section, also known as the overlap zone, which extends into the second and third rows between the side links. This protruding section of the central link, as well as the side link itself, has a distinctive shape that adds an aesthetic touch to the bracelet without any contact between the protruding section and the side links when the central link pivots. This lack of contact prevents stress on the links made of the hard material.

[0010] In conclusion, the bracelet assembly according to the invention makes it possible to control the range of mobility of the links of a bracelet made of hard material with a design including coverage areas in order to ensure its solidity by avoiding collisions or stressing of fragile parts made of hard material during its handling.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description of a preferred embodiment, presented by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the figures

[0012] There figure 1 is a partial three-dimensional view of the bracelet according to the invention. The Figures 2A and 2B These are partial exploded and three-dimensional views of the bracelet according to the invention. figure 3 is a three-dimensional view of the central link, the lateral link, and the connecting rod according to the invention. Figures 4A and 4B These are partially cross-sectional views of a portion of the bracelet, respectively in a flat position and in a rotated position. Figure 5A is a side view of the bracelet in a flat position with a magnification A at the figure 5B . There figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the bracelet according to the Figure 5A with a C enlargement to the Figure 6B . There figure 6Cis a partial cross-sectional view of the bracelet in a flat position. figure 7A is a side view of the bracelet in a rotated position. Figure 7B is a cross-sectional view of the figure 7A with an enlargement to the figure 7C . THE figures 8 to 10 These are views of a portion of the bracelet during assembly. figure 11 is a section of the end of the connecting rod with the angle α between the two flats. Detailed description of the invention

[0013] The present invention relates to a bracelet 1 comprising at least three rows of links, with a first row 8 comprising the central links 2, and a second row 9 and a third row 10 on either side of the first row 8 comprising the lateral links 3. A partial view of this bracelet 1 with two adjacent central links 2 and three lateral links 3 is shown in Figure 1. figure 1This bracelet is designed, for example, to be fitted to a timepiece such as a watch or a piece of jewelry. The assembly described below is specifically adapted for a bracelet in which some links are at least partially made of a hard material. A hard material is defined as one with a hardness of approximately 1200 HV or greater, and which can withstand little or no plastic deformation before breaking. Examples of hard materials include, but are not limited to, enamels, precious or non-precious stones such as rubies, sapphires, or quartz, ceramics such as metallic or non-metallic oxides, carbides, or nitrides, cermets, and hard metals. It should be noted that although the assembly is specifically adapted for links made of hard materials, it is also applicable to links made of more ductile materials.

[0014] According to the invention and as illustrated in Figures 4B And 7A , the range of rotation of the links is limited. To achieve this, the connecting rod 4 between the central link 2 and the two lateral links 3 has at each end two adjacent flats 4a,4b which respectively form a first stop and a second stop for the lateral link 3 when it pivots ( figures 7C , 8 and 11 ).

[0015] As is known, the central link 2 has two through holes 2a, each intended to receive the connecting rod 4, which will also be referred to as the axle. According to the invention, the connecting rod 4 is fixed to the central link 2, and the lateral links 3 have a relative rotational movement about the axis formed by the connecting rod, with respect to this fixed block formed by the connecting rod and the central link. There are several ways to secure the connecting rod and the central link. Preferably, the connecting rod has a non-circular cross-section between its ends that fits into the through holes of the central link, which also have a non-circular cross-section. For example, the non-circular cross-section of the connecting rod has at least one flat 4c that fits against a plane 2e inside the through hole 2a of the central link 2.In the illustrated example, the non-circular section portion has two flats 4c, for example diametrically opposed, which are positioned against two planes 2e which delimit the through hole 2a of the central link 2 (. figures 3 And 6C The fastening could also be achieved by gluing within the through hole of the central link. Alternatively, the connecting rod could simply be attached within the through hole of the central link by gluing, without requiring a non-circular cross-section at the level of the connecting rod and the through hole.

[0016] According to the invention, the lateral link 3 is hollowed out and provided with an insert 5 which is disposed within the hollow 3a ( Figure 2BThe lateral link 3 is thus composed of a cap 3e which gives the lateral link its external appearance. The lateral link is made of a hard material that ensures good scratch resistance, while the insert is hidden within the cap. This insert, as well as the connecting rod concealed within the links, can therefore be made of a less hard material, which facilitates shaping by machining. For example, the insert and the connecting rod can be made of steel or a titanium alloy. Typically, they are made of a material with a hardness of less than 1200 HV. The insert 5 has two external lateral walls 5a on which a connecting rod 4 is positioned respectively ( Figure 6B ).

[0017] The amplitude of the relative rotational movement between the fixed block formed by the connecting rod 4 and the central link 2, and the lateral link 3 is limited by the two stops 4a, 4b of the connecting rod 4 which bear against one or the other a portion of the outer wall 5a of the insert 5. More precisely, the ends of the connecting rod have two adjacent flats 4a, 4b framed by a portion of a circle 4d ( figure 11 The two flats are inclined relative to each other at an angle α between them, ranging from 10° to 220°, with this angle α defined with respect to the line formed by one of the flats. This angle defines the range of rotation of the lateral link around the connecting rod. Preferably, the respective stops bear against a portion of the outer wall of the insert, which is a vertically oriented flat wall as shown in the figure. Figure 6BThe vertical direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the links lying flat. There is the first stop 4a, which occupies a higher position relative to the second stop 4b, which occupies a lower position. The upper position, as opposed to the lower position, is the position closest to the top of the link. When the bracelet is lying flat, the stop 4a in its upper position rests against the portion of the outer wall 5a of the insert ( Figure 6B ). When the bracelet is rotated to its maximum, it is the stop 4b in the lower position that bears against the portion of the outer wall of the insert ( figure 7CWithin a side link, two connecting rods are positioned respectively with the first stop against the outer side wall of the insert when the bracelet is in a flat position and with the second stop against the outer side wall of the insert when the bracelet is in a fully rotated position. This arrangement of the connecting rods within the side links allows the bracelet to be curved inwards as shown in the figure 7A .

[0018] Preferably, the cap 3e of the lateral link 3 has a shape with two circular ears 3c which are positioned in a circular recess 2c made in a protruding part 2b of the central link 3 arranged between the two through holes 2a ( figures 3 And 5BThe protruding portion 2b of the central link 2 is interposed between two lateral links 3 to form, respectively, the second and third rows with the lateral links. Typically, the protruding portion of the central link has a thickness approximately equal to that of the lateral link. The lugs 3c of the lateral links 3 fit without contact within the circular groove 2c of the protruding portion 2b of the central links. The lugs 3c of the lateral link are surmounted by a recessed portion 3d relative to them. This recessed portion 3d is positioned without contact opposite the apex 2d of the protruding portion 2b, which overhangs the groove 2c. We observe at the figure 5B The minimum space d between the apex 2d of the protruding part 2b and the recessed part 3d of the lateral link. Positioning is done without contact to avoid stressing the hard material.

[0019] According to the invention, the insert 5 is positioned within the cap 3e between the two ears 3c with the connecting rods 4 which fit within the recess of the ears 3c ( Figures 6A and 6BAdvantageously, the connecting rod has a specific profile between the ends equipped with stops 4a, 4b and the central flats 4c to allow its positioning within the circular lug against the insert. For example, the connecting rod 4 has a circular cross-section portion 4e following the flats 4c, followed by a groove 4f before ending with the partially circular cross-section portion with the two stops 4a, 4b. Preferably, the circular cross-section portion 4e has a diameter substantially equal to the partially circular cross-section portion with the two stops 4a, 4b. This circular cross-section portion 4e fits into a circular notch 5b formed in the outer lateral wall 5a at the entrance of the insert 5, intended to be positioned opposite the central link 2 ( Figure 2B ). The groove 4f can be intended to receive locking means 5c for the connecting rod shown summarily in the Figure 2BThese locking means 5c are positioned in the insert 5 and are designed to reversibly lock the connecting rod in its transverse position, i.e., in the position perpendicular to the axial direction of the connecting rod. These locking means are disclosed in patent EP 1 977 658.

[0020] The assembly of the different elements of the bracelet is done as follows, with reference to figures 1 And 8 has 10 . There figure 10 This presents a simplified view where the central link is absent. The ends of the two connecting rods 4 are mounted between the insert 5 and the cap 3e within the lateral link 3. The portion with the flats 4c is mounted in the respective holes 2a of the central link 2 against the planes 2e. Then, the lateral link 3 with the insert 5 is mounted on the other end of the two connecting rods 4, and so on to complete the entire bracelet assembly. Legend

[0021] 1. Bracelet 2. Central link a. Through hole b. Protruding part c. Circular recess d. Top of protruding part e. Plane 3. Side link a. Recess c. Circular ear d. Recessed portion e. Cap 4. Connecting rod a. First flat at the end of the rod, also called the first stop, bracelet stop in the flat position, or stop in the upper position b. Second flat at the end of the rod, also called the second stop, bracelet stop in the maximum pivoted position, or stop in the lower position c. Third and fourth flats between the ends of the rod d. Portion of a circle e. Portion of a circular cross-section f. Groove 5. Insert a. Outer side wall b. Circular notch c. Locking means 8. First row 9. Second row 10. Third row

Claims

1. A wristlet (1) comprising: - a first row (8) with at least one central link (2) provided with two open-through holes (2a), said holes (2a) of the central link (2), - a second row (9) and a third row (10) disposed respectively on either side of the first row (8), the second row (9) and the third row (10) each comprising at least one lateral link (3), said lateral link (3) being provided with two holes (3a), called holes (3a) of the lateral link (3), with a hole (3a) of the lateral link (3) of the second row (9) aligned on a hole (2a) of the central link (2) of the first row (8) and on a hole (3a) of the lateral link (3) of the third row (10) to form a set with three aligned holes, - a connecting rod (4) positioned in the three aligned holes, said connecting rod (4) being fixedly mounted with respect to the central link (2) of the second row (8) and forming an axis about which the lateral link (3) of the second row (9) and of the third row (10) is pivotally mounted, the wristlet (1) being characterised in that the lateral link (3) is hollow and includes in its hollow (3a) an insert (5) delimited by two external lateral walls (5a), the connecting rod (4) comprising at each end a first banking (4a) and a second banking (4b) respectively bearing on a portion of the external lateral wall (5a) when the lateral link (3) pivots about the connecting rod (4) so as to limit the amplitude of rotation of said lateral link (3) about the connecting rod (4).

2. The wristlet (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that each external lateral wall (5a) includes a planar portion on which the first banking (4a) and the second banking (4b) respectively bear.

3. The wristlet (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the planar portion is directed in a vertical direction, said vertical direction being defined with respect to a horizontal direction in which the wristlet (1) is laid flat.

4. The wristlet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting rod (4) includes at each end two adjacent flat surfaces (4a, 4b) which respectively form the first banking (4a) and the second banking (4b) when the lateral link (3) pivots about the connecting rod (4).

5. The wristlet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the two adjacent flat surfaces (4a, 4b) are inclined with respect to each other by an angle α between the two flat surfaces comprised between 10° and 220°, this angle α being defined with respect to a line formed by one of the two adjacent flat surfaces (4a, 4b) and defining the maximum amplitude of rotation of the lateral link (3) about the connecting rod (4).

6. The wristlet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first banking (4a) occupies an upper position with respect to the second banking (4b) which occupies a lower position, the upper position being defined by the position the closest to the top of the lateral link (3) and in that when the wristlet (1) is laid flat, it is the first banking (4a) in the upper position which bears on the portion of the external wall of the insert (5) and in that when the wristlet (1) is fully pivoted, it is the second banking (4b) in the lower position which bears on the portion of the external wall of the insert (5).

7. The wristlet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the central link (2) includes at each of its ends between the two open-through holes (2a) a protruding portion (2b) which extends in the second row (9) and in the third row (10) next to the lateral link (3).

8. The wristlet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the protruding portion (2b) of the central link (2) has a thickness substantially equal to that of the lateral link (3).

9. The wristlet (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the lateral link (3) includes two circular lugs (3c) with a circular lug (3c) which fits without contact into a circular recess (2c) formed in the protruding portion (2b) of the central link (2).

10. The wristlet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that a connecting rod (4) is positioned in each circular lug (3c) against the insert (5).

11. The wristlet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting rod (4) has a portion with a non-circular section and in that each hole (2a) of the central link (2) also has a portion with a non-circular section, the portion with a non-circular section of the connecting rod (4) fitting into the portion with a non-circular section of the hole (2a) of the central link (2) so that the connecting rod (4) is fixedly mounted with respect to the central link (2).

12. The wristlet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the portion with a non-circular section of the connecting rod (4) includes at least one flat surface (4a) which bears on a plane (2e) of the portion with a non-circular section of the central link (2).

13. The wristlet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the connecting rod (4) includes on each side of the portion with a non-circular section a portion with a circular section (4e) followed by a groove (4f) before terminating in the end comprising the first banking (4a) and the second banking (4b), said first banking (4a) and said second banking (4b) being delimited by a circle portion (4d).

14. The wristlet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the portion with a circular section (4e) fits into a circular notch (5b) formed in the lateral external wall (5a) upon entry of the insert (5) placed opposite the central link (2) and in that the groove (4f) receives means (5c) for blocking the connecting rod (4), the blocking means (5c) being located in the insert (5) and allowing blocking the connecting rod (4) in a direction perpendicular with respect to its axis.

15. The wristlet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the central link (2) and / or the lateral link (3) is at least partially made of a material whose hardness is equal to or higher than 1,200 HV.

16. The wristlet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the insert (5) and possibly the connecting rod (4) are made of a material having a hardness lower than 1,200 HV.

17. A piece, in particular a timepiece, comprising the wristlet (1) according to one of the preceding claims.