DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE LENGTH OF A WATCH STRAP

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to watch straps, and in particular, it relates to a watch strap length adjustment device that allows for fine, precise, quick, and convenient length adjustments. Such a length adjustment device is generally called a sizing system and allows the strap length to be adjusted in finer increments than by removing or adding a link in a link bracelet, or by adjusting the spacing between two consecutive holes in a leather or rubber strap. This adjustment can also be made without removing the strap from the wrist and is easily reversible. State of the art

[0002] In the prior art of watch straps and their length adjustment, we know of document EP2875747A1, which describes a strap length adjustment device with a movable element housed in a clasp cover of the folding clasp type and including a locking element in the clasp to determine the strap length. However, this system comprises numerous parts, particularly very small parts articulated relative to one another, making the device complex to manufacture and assemble.

[0003] We also know of document US10722006B2, which discloses a bracelet length adjustment device with a toothed system formed in a folding clasp cover, defining different bracelet lengths, and a movable carriage with a lug that can engage in one of the notches of the toothed system. However, this system comprises numerous parts, particularly very small parts articulated relative to each other, making the device complex to manufacture and assemble. Document WO2020121191A1 discloses a device for fine-tuning bracelet length. Description of the invention

[0004] One aim of the present invention is to address the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to provide a watch strap length adjustment device that is easy for the user to operate, small in size and does not require complex and / or very small parts.

[0005] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a device for adjusting the length of a watch strap, comprising: a base piece, comprising a first attachment to one of a bracelet clasp or bracelet strand, a slide, mounted in a sliding connection on the base piece and comprising a second attachment to the other of the bracelet clasp or bracelet strand, a cover, hinged on the base piece and movable between a locking position and an adjustment position, a retaining member, arranged to hold the cover in the locked position, in which one part of the cover or slide comprises a locking lug, the other part of the cover or slide comprises a rack with a plurality of locking slots, each arranged to: receive the locking lug and provide locking of the slide to the base piece when the cover is in the locked position, and release the locking lug and allow adjustment of the distance between the first and second fasteners when the cover is in the adjustment position, characterized in that the cover is hinged to the base piece on the side of the first fastener. According to the above embodiment, the length adjustment device is separate from the clasp, and the cover itself provides the locking / unlocking function, thus allowing it to be operated independently of the bracelet clasp (typically a buckle, pin buckle, folding clasp, or double folding clasp, also known as a butterfly clasp).Consequently, the ergonomics of use are improved; there is no need to operate the clasp to finely and precisely adjust the bracelet length. Furthermore, separating the length adjustment mechanism from the clasp allows for the design and manufacture of parts that can be created and manufactured independently of the constraints of integration within the clasp: manufacturing and assembly are less complex. In particular, the direct articulation of the cover onto the base piece that forms the slide for the slider results in a system with few parts. In the implementation described above, the cover forms a part or device intended to protect an object and remain visible to the user during normal use (for example, when the watch is worn on the wrist).In particular, the cover, visible to the user, forms a part or device intended to protect and / or cover and / or conceal, at least in part and at least in the locked position: the retaining member, and / or the lug, and / or the rack, and / or the slide.

[0006] The term "hood" is also sometimes used to refer to the hood. The visible part of the hood primarily serves an aesthetic function. Nevertheless, the inner part of the hood can have a technical function, as in the present invention. It should be noted that the hood or hood must have: On one side, there is an aesthetic function (the part visible to the user), and on the other side, a technical function (the part invisible to the user, which supports the locking lug or the rack). A simple thin wall can separate the two sides (that is, a wall with a thickness significantly less than the width and / or length, for example, 4 or 5 times less).

[0007] In one embodiment, the hood hinge comprises a rotation axis coaxial with a pivot axis of the first fastener. According to this implementation, the device exhibits good compactness, with the hood's rotation axis coinciding with and common to that of the first fastener. This implementation also reduces the number of components.

[0008] According to the invention, the hood comprises: A first end, on the side of which the hinge is arranged on the base piece, and a second end, opposite the first, comprising an actuating portion that can be directly manipulated by a user to move the cover. The actuating portion can be a tab, a control button, or a lever. The user can directly manipulate, grasp, or lift the actuating portion to move the cover and unlock the adjustment device. Advantageously, the actuating portion is formed as a single piece or integral with the cover. This implementation also reduces the number of components.

[0009] In one embodiment, the retaining element is formed by an elastic element arranged to exert a return force on the cover towards the locked position. A spring may be provided, and the return to the locked position is automatic so as to further facilitate the use of the adjustment device.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the retaining element is formed by a lock to be operated by the user.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the slider is arranged to move relative to the base part between at least: a first adjustment position defining a first bracelet length, and a second adjustment position defining a second bracelet length.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the locking lug and the plurality of locking housings are arranged to lock the slide at least in the first adjustment position and in the second adjustment position.

[0013] In one embodiment, the locking lug and each locking housing each comprise a locking face arranged in a plane oriented between 75° and 90° relative to a sliding direction of the slide on the base piece. Such a relative orientation ensures that there is no slippage and / or unintended misalignment.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the rack provided on the other side of the hood or slide includes at least four locking housings.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the locking housings are spaced apart in a sliding direction with a pitch within a range of values ​​from 1 mm to 3 mm.

[0016] A second aspect of the invention relates to a closure device for a watch strap, comprising: A clasp, designed to open or close the bracelet, and at least one length adjustment device as described in the first aspect, in which the first attachment is fixed to the clasp and the second attachment is designed to be attached to a bracelet end. The closure device therefore comprises a clasp (a buckle, pin buckle, folding buckle, or double folding buckle, also known as a butterfly clasp) and a length adjustment device, which are separate components, allowing for simple and standardized parts. In particular, it is possible to offer the complete bracelet with or without the adjustment device, without affecting the clasp design.

[0017] In one embodiment, the clasp comprises at least one folding buckle with two V-shaped hinged levers, wherein the first fastener is attached to one end of one of the two hinged levers. In particular, the first fastener is attached to the end of one of the two hinged levers that is opposite the V-shaped hinge.

[0018] A third aspect of the invention relates to a watch strap comprising: at least one bracelet strand, at least one clasp, at least one length adjustment device according to the first aspect, in which the first attachment is fixed to the clasp and the second attachment is fixed to the bracelet strand.

[0019] In one embodiment, the clasp is of the folding buckle type with two V-shaped hinged levers, and in which the first fastener is directly attached to one end of one of the clasp levers. While remaining separate from the clasp, the adjustment mechanism is directly connected to it, without any intermediate part or link.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the watch strap comprises: The bracelet consists of two parts: a first and a second bracelet strand, a butterfly clasp positioned between the first and second strands, a first length adjustment device (see first design) located between the first strand and the clasp, and a second length adjustment device (see first design) located between the second strand and the clasp. The butterfly clasp comprises two levers, each hinged on a base plate, and is typically situated in the middle of the bracelet. Two length adjustment devices are provided on either side of the butterfly clasp to offer increased adjustability while maintaining aesthetic symmetry.

[0021] In particular, on the side of the first length adjustment device, the first attachment is fixed to the butterfly buckle type clasp and the second attachment is fixed to the first strap strand.

[0022] [In particular, on the side of the second length adjustment device, the first attachment is fixed to the butterfly buckle type clasp and the second attachment is fixed to the second strap strand.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the butterfly buckle type clasp includes a control device, and, when the clasp is closed, the control device is opposite the hinge of the hood of the first adjusting device and the hinge of the hood of the second adjusting device.

[0024] The butterfly clasp control device typically includes two side buttons located in the middle of the clasp's base plate, and the arrangement of the hinges of the covers opposite the control device ensures that the actuation portion of each cover is arranged away from the control device, thus improving overall ergonomics of use.

[0025] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a wristwatch comprising a watch strap according to the third aspect. Description of the figures

[0026] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: [ fig. 1 ] represents a perspective view of a central part of an articulated bracelet comprising two length adjustment devices according to the invention, defining a first bracelet length; [ fig. 2 ] represents in perspective the central part of the articulated bracelet of the figure 1 , with the two length adjustment devices defining a second bracelet length; fig. 3 ] represents an exploded view of one of the length adjustment devices of the articulated bracelet of the figure 1 ; fig. 4 ] represents a cross-sectional view of one of the length adjustment devices of the articulated bracelet of the figure 1 in a locked state; fig. 5 ] represents a cross-sectional view of the length adjustment device of the figure 4 in an unlocked state; fig. 6 ] represents a cross-sectional view of the articulated bracelet of the figure 1 in an open state, with the adjustment devices in the locked state; [ fig. 7 ] represents a cross-sectional view of the articulated bracelet of the figure 2 in an open state, with the adjustment devices in the unlocked state; [ fig. 8 ] represents a perspective view of the articulated bracelet of the figure 1 in an open state, with the adjustment devices in the unlocked state; [ fig. 9 ] represents a perspective view of the articulated bracelet of the figure 2 in an open state, with the adjustment devices in the unlocked state; Detailed description of implementation method(s)

[0027] There figure 1 represents a central part of an articulated bracelet with: a clasp 400 of the butterfly folding buckle type, with a control device 410, a first length adjustment device 100, connected on one side to the clasp 400 and on the other side to a first bracelet strand 310 comprising links, a second length adjustment device 200, connected on one side to the clasp 400 and on the other side to a second bracelet strand 320 comprising links.

[0028] The first bracelet strand 310 and the second bracelet strand 320 are each also connected to a watch case (not shown). Both the first bracelet strand 310 and the second bracelet strand 320 have links articulated to each other in a known manner, and a first link 311 is attached to the first length-adjusting device 100 while a second link 321 is attached to the second length-adjusting device 200.

[0029] The clasp here is a folding clasp, and in particular a butterfly folding clasp as described below. However, it should be noted that the invention can be implemented with other types of bracelets, such as a leather or fabric bracelet with simple folding clasps, or simple pin buckles.

[0030] It can be noted that the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200 are indeed attached to the clasp 400, but are distinct and separate from the clasp 400. One or more intermediate link(s) could even be provided between the clasp 400 and each of the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200.

[0031] On the figure 1 The first length adjustment device (100) and the second length adjustment device (200) are configured to set a first length for the articulated bracelet, while on the figure 2 which represents the same articulated bracelet as the figure 1 The first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200 are configured to define a second length for the articulated bracelet, greater than the first length. In particular, it can be noted that the space between the first link 311 and the first length adjustment device 100, and the space between the second link 321 and the second length adjustment device 200 are greater on the figure 2 .

[0032] In detail, the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200 are identical or at least symmetrical, and each comprises the following parts, as shown in the figure 3 : a base piece 10, comprising a first attachment A with the clasp 400, a slide 20, mounted in a sliding connection on the base piece 10 and comprising a second attachment B with one of the bracelet strands, a cover 30, articulated on the base piece 10 and movable between a locking position and an adjustment position, a retaining element, here a spring 40, arranged to hold the cover 30 in the locking position.

[0033] The slide 20 is designed to slide within the base piece 10, and a translational movement, as in the example shown, is possible, but a circular or any other trajectory is also acceptable. The sliding connection can be formed by grooves on the side walls of the base piece 10, with markers or projections extending from the sides of the slide 20. End stops can also be provided to prevent accidental disengagement between the base piece 10 and the slide 20. One of the end stops can be removable, such as one of the shafts or axles that form either the first attachment A or the second attachment B. In any case, the distance between the first attachment A and the second attachment B can be adjusted to modify the overall length of the bracelet.

[0034] As shown more precisely by figure 4 et 5 The slide 20 comprises a plurality of locking slots 21, and the cover 30 comprises a locking lug 32 and an actuating portion 31. The cover 30 is mounted on the base piece 10 by means of a pivot joint, so that it can pivot around the shaft defining the first attachment A. The slide 20, for its part, includes a bore to receive a shaft that defines the second attachment B. Thus, the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200 are each pivotally mounted relative to the clasp 400 and the bracelet strands. However, other types of mounting or articulation with intermediate or flexible parts can be considered.

[0035] There figure 4 shows the length adjustment device in locked configuration, i.e. the hood 30 is in a locked position with the locking lug 32 engaged in one of the locking housings 21. In this configuration, the slide 20 cannot move relative to the base piece 10.

[0036] There figure 5 shows the length adjustment device in the unlocked configuration, i.e. the cover 30 is in an adjustment or unlocking position (operated by the user who pulls up the actuating portion 31) with the locking lug 32 free from the locking housings 21. In this configuration, the slide 20 can move freely relative to the base piece 10, and the user can finely adjust the length of their watch strap.

[0037] It can be noted that at least one face of the locking lug 32, as well as at least one face of each locking housing 21, is inclined between 90° and 75° relative to the sliding direction. This facilitates the engagement of the locking lug 32, while ensuring effective locking without the risk of skipping notches, as the angle is too great for a pull to constrain the spring 40.

[0038] There figure 6 shows the bracelet portion of Fig. 1, with the clasp 400 partially deployed or open (although the latter term "open" does not mean that the first bracelet strand 310 is "detached" from the second bracelet strand 320). As can be seen on this figure 6 The clasp 400 includes a base plate 403, on which are mounted a first lever or blade 401 and a second lever or blade 402 to form two V-shaped joints with the base plate 403. The first lever 401 and the second lever 402 are mounted for rotation on the first attachment A of the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200 respectively.

[0039] In other words, the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200 are each mounted between the clasp 400 and the first bracelet strand 310 and the second bracelet strand 320, respectively. As will be explained below, it is important to note that the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200 are separate, independent, and distinct from the clasp 400.

[0040] On the figure 6 The first length adjustment device (100) and the second length adjustment device (200) are each in the adjustment configuration of the figure 1 That is to say, they define the first (shortest possible) length of the bracelet. Indeed, we can note that the first link 311 is attached to the first length adjustment device 100, without significant space, which indicates that the slider 20 is as close as possible to the first attachment A (the distance between the first attachment A and the second attachment B is the smallest possible).

[0041] There figure 7 represents a cross-sectional view of the articulated bracelet of the figure 2 in an open state (as on the figure 6 ), with the adjustment devices in the unlocked state. Indeed, the covers 30 are shown in this figure in the adjustment position, so that the slides 20 can move relative to the base part 10. We can see figure 7 that the slides 20 are away from the first attachment A, so that the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200 are each in the adjustment configuration of the figure 2 That is to say, they define the second (largest possible) length of the bracelet. Indeed, it can be noted that the first link 311 is a significant distance from the first length adjustment device 100, indicating that the slide 20 is at its furthest point from the first attachment A (the distance between the first attachment A and the second attachment B is the greatest possible). In particular, for each length adjustment device 100 and 200, the locking lug 32 is aligned with the last locking slot 21, and the slide 20 is abutted against a stop face or the aforementioned end stops of the base piece 10 to prevent it from coming out of the slide formed in the base piece 10.

[0042] There figure 8 represents a perspective view of the articulated bracelet of the figure 1 in an open state, with the adjustment devices in the unlocked state (cover 30 is in the adjustment position), and defining the first bracelet length, in this case the minimum length. figure 9 represents, in turn, a perspective view of the articulated bracelet of the figure 2 in an open state, with the adjustment devices in the unlocked state (the cover 30 is in the adjustment position), and defining the second bracelet length, in this case the maximum length. Thus, these two figures show the two extreme possibilities for length adjustment.

[0043] As is known, the clasp 400 includes a visible control device 410 figures 1, 2 , 8 et 9 , intended to provide a locking mechanism for the clasp 400 when it is in the closed position as shown figures 1 ou 2 The 410 control device includes, in particular, two lateral control buttons which must be activated (by pressing them towards each other) to unlock the deployant loop and allow it to move from the closed state to the figures 1 ou 2 in the open state of figures 8 ou 9 .

[0044] We can note on the figure 9 The presence of multiple locking slots 21 on the slide 20, each defining an intermediate length adjustment option. Since each slide 20 has, for example, five locking slots 21, the system provides numerous length adjustment possibilities.

[0045] It can also be noted that the actuation portion 31 of the hood 30 covers the locking housings 21 once the hood 30 is in the locked position, which provides an aesthetic system.

[0046] It should also be noted that the control device 410 for the clasp 400 is separate and well separated from the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200. This makes operating the cover 30 easy and avoids confusion for the user between unlocking the clasp 400 to fully open / close the bracelet and unlocking the cover 30 to finely adjust the bracelet length. The independence between the length adjustment devices and the control system should be emphasized. Unlike many prior art systems, closing the bracelet is not necessary to lock the length adjustment devices in the desired position. On the contrary, these devices can be adjusted independently of the bracelet's state, whether it is open or closed.

[0047] It can also be noted that the first lever 401 and the second lever 402 each have a simple structure that is not affected by the presence or absence of the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200. The clasp 400 retains a standard design. In other words, the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200 each function as a link of the first bracelet strand 310 or the second bracelet strand 320: they are articulated via a pivot joint at the first attachment A and the second attachment B. The option for fine length adjustment or sizing simply requires replacing the last link that attaches to the clasp 400 with the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200.It can be noted that the first length adjustment device 100 and the second length adjustment device 200 could be placed at the other end of the first bracelet strand 310 or the second bracelet strand 320 to be attached to the watch case, or could even be placed in the middle of the links (with, for example, a special marking to distinguish them from normal links and indicate the length adjustment function). Industrial application

[0048] A length adjustment device, and a bracelet comprising such a length adjustment device according to the present invention, and their manufacture, are capable of industrial application.

[0049] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described in this description without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0050] In particular, it can be noted that the hood could be formed with the locking housings and the slide with the locking lug.

[0051] The bracelet can be made with strands of leather, fabric, rubber or any other material rather than having links.

[0052] The slide can be provided by grooves or openings in one of the slide or base piece and by tenons or projections in the other of the slide or base piece.

[0053] The hood retaining device can be a spring, a coil spring, a leaf spring, but a lock or latch can also be considered to hold the hood in the locked position.

[0054] The first attachment can very well be connected to the bracelet, and the second attachment can then be connected to the clasp.

[0055] It is possible to produce all or part of the described parts in metal (stainless steel, treated steel, plated steel, precious metal, titanium, silver, gold), in non-metallic materials, such as composites, engineering plastics...

Claims

1. A device (100, 200) for adjusting in length a watch bracelet comprising: - a base piece (10) comprising a first fastener (A) with one of a bracelet clasp (400) or of a bracelet strand (310, 320), - a slider (20) mounted in slide connection on the base piece and comprising a second fastener (B) with the other of the bracelet clasp (400) or of the bracelet strand (310, 320), - a cover (30) hinged on the base piece (10) and movable between a locking position and an adjustment position, - a holding member arranged to hold the cover (30) in the locking position, wherein one of the cover (30) or of the slider (20) comprises a locking lug (32), the other of the cover (30) or of the slider (20) comprises a rack with a plurality of locking housings (21) each arranged to: - receive the locking lug (32) and provide a blocking of the slider (20) on the base piece (10) when the cover (30) is in the locking position, - release the locking lug (32) and allow an adjustment of a distance between the first fastener (A) and the second fastener (B), when the cover (30) is in the adjustment position, wherein the cover (30) is hinged with the base piece (10) on the side of the first fastener (A), characterized in that the cover (30) comprises: - a first end on the side of which the hinge on the base piece (10) is arranged, - a second end opposite to the first end and comprising an actuation portion (31) to be directly manipulated by a user to move the cover (30).

2. The length-adjustment device (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the hinge of the cover (30) comprises an axis of rotation coaxial with a pivot axis of the first fastener (A).

3. The length-adjustment device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the holding member is formed by an elastic member arranged to exert a return force on the cover (30) towards the locking position.

4. The length-adjustment device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking lug (32) and each locking housing (21) each comprise a blocking face arranged in a plane oriented between 75° and 90° with respect to a sliding direction of the slider (20) on the base piece (10).

5. The length-adjustment device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rack provided on the other of the cover (30) or of the slider (20) comprises at least four locking housings (21).

6. The length-adjustment device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking housings (21) are distant from each other in a sliding direction at a pitch comprised in a range of values from 1 mm to 3 mm.

7. A closure device for a watch bracelet, comprising: - a clasp (400) arranged to open or close the bracelet, - at least one length-adjustment device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first fastener (A) is fixed to the clasp (400) and the second fastener (B) is arranged to be fastened to a bracelet strand (310, 320).

8. The closure device according to claim 7, wherein the clasp (400) comprises at least one unfolding buckle with two V-shaped hinged levers, and wherein the first fastener (A) is fixed to one end of one of the two hinged levers.

9. A watch bracelet comprising: - at least one bracelet strand (310, 320), - at least one clasp (400), - at least one length-adjustment device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first fastener (A) is fixed to the clasp (400) and the second fastener (B) is fixed to the bracelet strand (310, 320).

10. The watch bracelet according to claim 9, wherein the clasp (400) is of the unfolding buckle type with two V-shaped hinged levers, and wherein the first fastener (A) is directly fixed to one end of one of the levers of the clasp (400).

11. The watch bracelet according to claim 9 or 10, comprising: - a first and a second bracelet strand (310, 320), - a clasp (400) of the butterfly buckle type arranged between the first bracelet strand (310) and the second bracelet strand (320), - a first length-adjustment device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, arranged between the first bracelet strand (310) and the clasp (400), - a second length-adjustment device (200) according to any of claims 1 to 6, arranged between the second bracelet strand (320) and the clasp (400).

12. The watch bracelet according to claim 11, wherein the clasp (400) comprises a control device (410), and wherein, when the clasp (400) is closed, the control device (410) is facing the hinge of the cover (30) of the first length-adjustment device (100) and the hinge of the cover (30) of the second length-adjustment device (200).

13. A wristwatch comprising a watch bracelet according to any of claims 9 to 12.