Jewelry item with a clasp featuring a swiveling latch

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article of jewelry, in particular a bracelet, comprising a pivoting locking clasp which is virtually concealed when the article of jewelry is worn. State of the art

[0002] Bracelets already exist, comprising a closing or fastening mechanism comprising a lock arranged to pivot around a pivot to bring the bracelet from a locked configuration, in which the two branches of the bracelet are connected to each other, to an unlocked configuration, in which the two branches of the bracelet are disconnected.

[0003] By way of example, FR3098095 discloses a clasp, in particular for a bracelet, which is capable of occupying a locked position and at least one unlocked position. This clasp comprises two end pieces which are each capable of being connected to one end of the bracelet or of forming part of such an end as well as a lock which, for assembling the clasp in the locked position, is arranged between the two end pieces and assembled with them in a longitudinal arrangement. The lock is rotatable relative to the two end pieces around the longitudinal arrangement, in order to move the clasp from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0004] US2016058135 discloses another example of a jewelry clasp, comprising a male connector, a female connector, a locking sleeve, and locking cylinders. The locking cylinders are arranged on the outer ends of the male connector and the female connector. The male and female connectors are inserted into either end of the locking sleeve. Rotating the locking sleeve reliably and securely locks and couples the male connector to the female connector.Also known from DE29519652U is a piece of jewelry, in particular a bracelet, comprising two branches, and a clasp comprising a lock pivotally mounted on a pivot secured to one end of one of the two branches, the lock comprising a central passage extending along the axis of the pivot, the clasp further comprising a connecting member secured to one end of the other of the two branches and intended to be inserted into the central passage of the lock, the connecting member being shaped to allow, on the one hand, bringing the piece of jewelry from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration by rotating the lock around the pivot in one direction after inserting the connecting member into the lock and, on the other hand, bringing the piece of jewelry from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration by rotating the lock around the pivot in an opposite direction in order to be able to remove the connecting member from the lock.

[0005] These clasps have the disadvantage of having a large number of parts and being difficult to design.

[0006] An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a piece of jewelry comprising a clasp of simplified design.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a piece of jewelry comprising a clasp which is simple to handle.

[0008] An additional aim of the invention is to provide a piece of jewelry comprising a clasp which is barely visible, or even almost imperceptible, when worn. Brief summary of the invention

[0009] These aims are achieved by a piece of jewelry, in particular a bracelet, comprising two curved branches and a clasp comprising a lock pivotally mounted on a pivot secured to one end of one of the two curved branches. The lock comprises a central passage extending along the axis of the pivot and a cavity communicating with the central passage and opening onto one of two lateral sides of the lock. The clasp further comprises a connecting member secured to one end of the other of the two curved branches and intended to be inserted into the central passage and the cavity of the lock. The connecting member and the cavity are shaped to allow the piece of jewelry to be brought from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration by rotating the lock around the pivot in one direction after the connecting member has been inserted into the lock.Rotating the lock around the pivot in the opposite direction moves the jewelry item from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration so that the connecting member can be removed from the lock.

[0010] The latch has a wall extending toward a longitudinal side of the latch. Rotation of the latch in the locked configuration forces a portion of the connecting member against the wall to prevent removal of the connecting member.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the connecting member comprises a guide element of substantially cylindrical shape intended to be inserted into the central passage of the lock and a protuberance arranged next to the guide element and intended to come into abutment against the wall.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the clasp comprises a clipping system in order to clip the lock in two indexed angular positions. One of the two indexed angular positions corresponds to the angular position of the lock when the jewelry item is in the locked configuration. The other of the two indexed angular positions corresponds to the angular position of the lock when the jewelry item is in the unlocked configuration in order to allow the removal and insertion of the connecting member.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the clipping system comprises a pin mounted on an elastic member. The pin and the elastic member are arranged in a housing located on the end of the curved branch comprising the pivot. The end of the pin projects into a curved groove arranged on the adjacent lateral side of the lock. A cavity is present at both ends of the curved groove in order to receive the end of the pin under the action of the elastic member in order to clip the lock in one or other of the two angular positions.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the end of a branch of the bracelet comprises a curved groove arranged to receive a stop secured to the lock so that the stop blocks the rotation of the lock around the pivot when the pin is located in one or other of the two cavities. This makes it possible to avoid a shearing effect on the pin of the clipping system during stresses exerted on the lock when changing from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration and vice versa.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the curved groove of the lock and the curved groove of the branch are substantially diametrically opposed when the jewelry item is in the unlocked configuration.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the lock has a substantially identical appearance to the two curved branches when the jewelry item is worn.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the end of each curved branch comprises a flat surface arranged against a flat surface respectively of one and the other of two opposite lateral sides of the lock.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the guide element comprises a longitudinal slot separating the guide element into two parts so that the walls of the central passage of the lock can exert a force on said parts tending to bring them closer to each other to ensure good retention of the guide element.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the central passage comprises a first cylindrical portion comprising a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The pivot is a screw arranged in the central passage and screwed into the end of the corresponding curved branch.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the lock is a single piece.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the pivot axis of the lock is offset relative to the inertia axis of the lock.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the two curved branches are connected to each other by a hinge.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the jewelry item is in the form of a bracelet. Brief description of the figures

[0024] Examples of implementation of the invention are described in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which: there figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a bracelet comprising two branches and a clasp comprising a lock arranged between one end of each branch and being in a locked configuration, according to one embodiment; figure 2 illustrates a view similar to the figure 1when the bracelet clasp is open; the figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the clasp of the figure 1 comprising the lock cooperating with the respective ends of the two branches; the figure 4 illustrates a bottom view of the clasp of the figure 3 ; there Figure 5 illustrates a longitudinal section of the clasp of the figure 3 at the level of the pivot axis of the lock; the figure 6 illustrates a longitudinal section of the clasp of the figure 3 at the level of a clipping system; the figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the clasp when the lock is in an unlocked configuration; the figure 8 illustrates a side view of the clasp of the figure 7 ; there figure 9 illustrates a longitudinal section of the clasp of the figure 7 at the level of the axis of rotation of the lock; the figure 10 illustrates a longitudinal section of the clasp of the figure 7 at the level of the clipping system; the figure 11illustrates a perspective view of the clasp when the connecting member secured to the end of one of the two branches is detached from the lock; the figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of the lock where one of the lateral sides of the lock is visible; the figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of the lock where the other side of the lock is visible; figure 14 illustrates a front view of the lateral side of the lock visible on the figure 12 , there figure 15 illustrates a front view of the lateral side of the lock visible on the figure 13 , there figure 16 illustrates a sectional view at the hinge connecting the two branches of the bracelet according to one embodiment, the figure 17 illustrates a view similar to the clasp of the figure 11 according to another embodiment, the figure 18 illustrates a perspective view of the clasp lock of the figure 17 where one of the lateral sides of the lock is visible; the figure 19illustrates a perspective view of one end of a branch of the bracelet cooperating with the lock of the clasp of the figure 17 , there figure 20 illustrates a perspective and transparent view of the clasp of the figure 17 in a locked configuration; the figure 21 illustrates a view similar to the figure 20 when the clasp is in a locked configuration, and the figure 22 illustrates a view similar to the figure 21 when the clasp lock is halfway between the locked and unlocked configuration. Examples of embodiments of the invention

[0025] In the present application, the jewelry item is in particular a bracelet 10 as illustrated in particular by the Figures 1 and 2. The bracelet 10 comprises a first and a second branch 12a, 12b which can for example be rigid and curved in order to fit the contour of the wrist. One of the ends of each branch 12a, 12b of the bracelet can be connected by a hinge 18. According to a non-illustrated variant, the hinge can be replaced by a flexible blade arranged in a housing located on an inner surface of the two branches as disclosed in the publication WO2021038395.

[0026] The other end of each curved branch 12a, 12b of the bracelet are shaped so as to cooperate with a lock 40 of a clasp 20, illustrated in particular in figure 3 The two opposite lateral sides 42a, 42b bear against the respective ends 13a, 13b of the two branches of the bracelet 10, as can be seen in particular in figure 8 The shape of the lock 40 and of the ends of the two branches 12a, 12b are such that the lock 40 illustrated in particular in figures 1 And3 is almost imperceptible, or at least barely visible when the bracelet 10 is worn.

[0027] In other words, the appearance and the external envelope of the lock 40 make it possible to ensure continuity between the first and second curved branches 12a, 12b of the bracelet 10 and the lock 40 both in terms of shape and appearance, which makes the lock 40 difficult to distinguish from the two branches of the bracelet 10.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment not illustrated, the upper surface of the two curved branches as well as the upper surface of the lock may comprise patterns. The patterns may be chosen so that the two interfaces between the two lateral sides 42a, 42b of the lock 40 and the respective ends 13a, 13b of the two branches merge with the patterns. For example, the patterns may comprise a series of subtly oriented carvings so that the two interfaces can be likened to two carvings merging with the other carvings making the lock of the clasp imperceptible when the bracelet is worn.

[0029] In reference to the Figure 5, the lock 40 of the clasp 20 is pivotally mounted around a pivot 22 secured to one end 13a of the first branch of the bracelet. The pivot 22 is preferably in the form of a screw which is screwed into a thread 15 opening onto a flat surface 14a of the end 13a of the first branch. The lock 40 comprises a central passage 54 extending along the axis of the pivot 22 as well as a cavity 58 ( figure 11 ) whose specific shape will be described in detail later. The cavity 58 is arranged to communicate with the central passage 54 and opening onto one of two opposite lateral sides 42a, 42b of the lock 40.

[0030] The central passage 54 comprises a first and a second cylindrical portion 56a, 56b. The first cylindrical portion 56a extends over a large part of the length of the lock 40. The second cylindrical portion 56b has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 56a and opens onto the other of two lateral sides 42a, 42b of the lock 40.

[0031] The lock 40 is made integral with the end 13a of the first branch 12a by inserting the screw 22 into the central passage 54 so that the screw body 22a is screwed into the tapping 15. The difference in diameter between the first and second cylindrical portions 56a, 56b defines a shoulder against which the screw head 22b bears in order to ensure that the lock 40 is held against the end 13a of the first branch.

[0032] With particular reference to the figure 11, the clasp 20 further comprises a connecting member 24 secured to one end 13b of the second branch of the bracelet. The connecting member 24 is intended to be inserted into the central passage 54 and the cavity 58 of the lock according to the Figure 5 .

[0033] The connecting member 24 and the cavity 58 are shaped, according to the detailed description below, so as to be able to bring the bracelet from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration by rotating the lock 40 around the pivot 22 in one direction after inserting the connecting member 24 into the lock. When the bracelet is in the locked configuration, it is sufficient to turn the lock 40 around the pivot in the opposite direction in order to be able to remove the connecting member 24 from the lock 40.

[0034] As illustrated in particular by the figures 6 , 10 , 13 and 15, the clasp further comprises a clipping system 30 in order to clip the lock 40 in two indexed angular positions. The first indexed angular position corresponds to the angular position of the lock 40 around pivot 22 when the bracelet is in the locked configuration. The second indexed angular position corresponds to the angular position of the lock 40 around pivot 22 in order, on the one hand, to allow the introduction of the connecting member 24 into the central passage 54 of the lock 40 for the purpose of locking the bracelet and, on the other hand, to allow the removal of the connecting member 24 from the lock 40.

[0035] For this purpose, the clipping system 30 comprises a pin 36 mounted on an elastic member 34. The pin and the elastic member are arranged in a housing 17 located at the end 13a of the first branch 12a of the bracelet. The end of the pin 36 projects into a curved groove 48 arranged on a lateral side 42b of the lock 40, illustrated by the figures 13 and 15 .

[0036] A cavity 49a, 49b of substantially semi-spherical shape is present at the ends of the curved groove 48 in order to receive the end of the pin 36 under the action of the elastic member, for example a compression spring 34, in order to clip the lock 40 in one or the other of the two angular positions. The end of the pin 36 thus moves along the groove 48 when the lock is pivoted to pass from one to the other of its two indexed angular positions.

[0037] In particular in view of the figure 11, the connecting member 24 comprises a guide element 25, which comprises a part of essentially cylindrical shape and a distal part 26 of diameter slightly greater than the cylindrical part and the diameter of the central passage 54 of the lock 40. The guide element 25 further comprises a longitudinal slot 27 separating the cylindrical part and the distal part into two distinct portions whose section is of substantially semi-cylindrical shape.

[0038] The longitudinal slot 27 gives the guide element 25 elastic properties so that the walls of the central passage 54 of the lock 40 exert a force on the two separate portions of the distal part 26 tending to bring them closer to each other to ensure good retention of the guide element 25 in the central passage of the lock as illustrated in Figure 5 .

[0039] According to the figure 11, the connecting member 24 further comprises a protuberance 28 arranged next to and at a proximal portion of the guide element 25. The angular orientation of the lock 40 around its pivot 22 makes it possible to engage this protuberance, which is partially oblong in this example. For this purpose, the cavity 58 communicates with an orifice 44 located on the lateral side 42a of the lock which is opposite the connecting member 24. With particular reference to figures 7 And 11 , the cavity 58 further communicates with an opening 52 located on a longitudinal side 50 of the lock. The opening 52 is defined in particular by a first and a second wall 53a, 53b which extend towards the external surface of the longitudinal side of the lock in a direction orthogonal to the pivot axis of the lock.

[0040] When the clasp 20 of the bracelet is brought into an unlocked configuration, that is to say when the lock 40 is pivoted around its pivot into the indexed angular position allowing the insertion or removal of the connecting member 24, as illustrated in particular by the figures 9 And 11 , the protrusion 28 as well as the guide element 25 can be introduced into the cavity 58 through the oblong opening 44 in order to house the guide element 25 in the central passage 54 of the lock.

[0041] In order to lock the clasp 20, the lock 40 is pivoted about its pivot into the other indexed angular position. In this position the protrusion 28 of the connecting member 24 is located in the opening 52 between the first and second walls 53a, 53b as illustrated in particular by the figures 3 to 5 The protrusion 28 of the connecting member 24 is thus opposite the first wall 53a ( Figure 5), which acts as a stop preventing the clasp 20 of the bracelet from opening.

[0042] To unlock the clasp, it is sufficient to pivot the lock 40 around its pivot in the opposite direction in order to return the lock to the other indexed angular position in order to release the wall 53a from the protuberance in order to be able to remove the connecting member from the lock.

[0043] In reference to the figures 8 and 9 , the end 13a, 13b of each branch 12a, 12b of the bracelet comprises a flat surface 14a, 14b arranged against a flat surface 43a, 43b respectively of one and the other of two opposite lateral sides 42a, 42b of the lock 40 which slide one on the other when the lock pivots from one to the other of its two indexed angular positions.

[0044] It should be noted that depending on this clasp, the pivot axis of the lock is offset from the inertia axis of the lock. This is a single piece which has the advantage of simplifying the manufacture of the clasp and reducing its production cost.

[0045] In reference to the figure 16 , the bracelet may include a friction ring 19 mounted on the rod 18a at the hinge in order to slow down the movement of the two branches when opening and closing the bracelet. In this case, the connecting member 24 may be devoid of a longitudinal slot as shown in figure 17 .

[0046] According to another embodiment illustrated by the figures 17 to 22, the end 13a of a branch 12a comprises a curved groove 16 arranged around the thread 15 intended to receive the screw body for fixing the lock 40. The latter comprises on its side 42b a housing 47 in which is fixed a stop 47a for example in the form of a pin driven into the housing.

[0047] According to the figures 20 to 22, the free end of the pin 47a is arranged in the curved groove 16 present on the end of the branch. When the clasp 20 is in a locked configuration, the pin 47a abuts against an edge of the groove 16. This pin 47a moves along the curved groove 16 and finds itself abutting against the opposite edge of the groove 16 when the clasp 20 is brought from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration. This makes it possible to avoid shearing of the pin 36 of the clipping system during stresses exerted on the lock 40 when changing from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration and vice versa.

[0048] The curved groove 48 of the lock 40 and the curved groove 16 of the arm 12a are preferably substantially diametrically opposed when the bracelet is in the unlocked configuration as illustrated in figure 22 .

[0049] It goes without saying that various modifications can be made to the jewelry joint without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims, in particular on the shape of the protuberance of the connecting member as well as on the configuration of the cavity of the lock to ensure, on the one hand, locking of the connecting member in one of the two indexed angular positions of the lock and, on the other hand, unlocking of the connecting member in the other of the two indexed angular positions of the lock to allow removal of the connecting member from the lock.

[0050] For example, in order to completely conceal the closing mechanism, the cavity 58 may comprise a groove defining the first and second walls 53a, 53b in place of the opening 52 present on one of the longitudinal sides of the lock 40.

[0051] Furthermore, although the above description relates to a bracelet, the item of jewelry could also be a necklace. Reference list

[0052] Jewelry hinge 10 First and second branches 12a, 12b End 13a, 13b Flat surface 14a, 14b Thread 15 Curved groove 16 Housing 17 Hinge 18 Rod 18a Ring 19 Clasp 20 Pivot 22 Screw Screw body 22a Screw head 22b Connecting member 24 Guide element 25 Distal part 26 Longitudinal slot 27 Protrusion 28 Clipping system 30 Elastic member 34 Pin 36 Lock 40 First lateral side 42a Flat surface 43a Hole 44 Second lateral side 42b Flat surface 43b Central opening 46 Housing 47 Stop 47a (e.g. pin) Curved groove 48 Semi-spherical cavities 49a, 49b Longitudinal side 50 Opening / throat 52 First and second walls 53a, 53b Central passage 54 First cylindrical portion 56a Second cylindrical portion 56b Cavity 58 Perforated portion 59

Claims

1. Jewelry article (10), in particular a bracelet, comprising two branches (12a, 12b) and a clasp (20) comprising a lock (40) pivotally mounted on a pivot (22) connected to one end (13a) of one of the two branches (12a, 12b), the lock (40) comprising a central passage (54) extending along the axis of the pivot (22) and a cavity (58) communicating with the central passage (54) and opening onto one of two lateral sides (42a, 42b) of the lock (40), the clasp (20) further comprising a connecting member (24) connected to one end (13b) of the other of the two branches (12a, 12b) and intended to be fitted into the central passage (54) and the cavity (58) of the lock (40), the connecting member (24) and the cavity (58) being shaped so as to make it possible, on the one hand, to bring the jewelry article (10) from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration by rotating the lock (40) about the pivot (22) in one direction after the connecting member (24) has been fitted into the lock and, on the other hand, to bring the jewelry article (10) from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration by rotating the lock (40) about the pivot (22) in an opposite direction so that the connecting member (24) can be removed from the lock (40), wherein the lock (40) comprises a wall (53) extending toward a longitudinal side (50) of the lock (40), and wherein rotation of the lock (40) into the locked configuration brings a part (28) of the connecting member (24) against said wall (53) to prevent removal of the connecting member (24).

2. Jewelry article (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connecting member (24) comprises a guiding element (26) of substantially cylindrical shape intended to be fitted into the central passage (54) of the lock (40) and a protuberance (28) arranged next to the guiding element (26) and intended to abut against said wall (53a).

3. Jewelry article (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the clasp (20) further comprises a clipping system (30) to clip the lock (40) in two indexed angular positions corresponding to the angular position of the lock (40) around the pivot (22) when the jewelry article (10) is respectively in the locked configuration and in the unlocked configuration to allow removal and insertion of the connecting member (24).

4. Jewelry article (10) according to preceding claim, wherein the clipping system (30) comprises a pin (36) mounted on an elastic member (34), which are arranged in a hole (17) located at the end (13a) of the branch (12a) comprising the pivot (22), the end of the pin (36) projecting into a curved groove (48) arranged on the adjacent lateral side (42a) of the lock (40), a cavity (49a, 49b) being present at both ends of the curved groove (48) in order to receive the end of the pin (36) under the action of the elastic member so as to clip the lock (40) into either of said two indexed angular positions.

5. Jewelry article (10) according to preceding claim, wherein the end (13a) of a branch (12a) comprises a curved groove (16) arranged to receive a stop (47a) secured to the lock (40) so that the stop (47a) blocks rotation of the lock (40) about the pivot (22) when the pin (36) is in either of the two cavities (49a, 49b).

6. Jewelry article (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the curved groove (48) of the lock (40) and the curved groove (16) of the branch (12a) are substantially diametrically opposed when the jewelry article is in the unlocked configuration.

7. Jewelry article (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lock (40) has a substantially identical appearance to both branches (12a, 12b) when the jewelry article is worn.

8. Jewelry article (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the end (13a, 13b) of each branch (12a, 12b) has a flat surface (14a, 14b) arranged against a flat surface (43a, 43b) of respective opposite two lateral sides (42a, 42b) of the lock (40).

9. Jewelry article (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the guiding element (26) comprises a longitudinal slot (27) separating the guiding element (26) into two parts so that the walls of the central passage (54) of the lock (40) exert a force on said parts tending to bring them closer to each other to ensure the retention of the guiding element.

10. Jewelry article (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the central passage (54) comprises a first cylindrical portion (56a) of a first diameter and a second cylindrical portion (56b) of a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and wherein the pivot (22) is a screw arranged in the central passage (54) and screwed into a threaded hole (15) at the end of the corresponding branch (12a).

11. Jewelry article (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lock (40) is a single piece.

12. Jewelry article (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pivot axis of the lock (40) is offset from the inertia axis of the lock (40).

13. Jewelry article (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the two branches (12a, 12b) are connected to each other by a hinge (14).

14. Jewelry article (10) according to any preceding claim, in the form of a bracelet.