ELEMENT FOR ATTACHING A STRAP TO A WRISTWATCH CASE

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a member for attaching a strand of a bracelet to a watch case. More particularly, the attachment member comprises an insert or frame arranged to be inserted and removably connected between the lugs of the watch case. State of the art

[0002] Many solutions have already been proposed in the prior art to simplify the disassembly or assembly of bracelets on watch cases to avoid having to use a specific tool. This allows the user of the watch to be able, for example, to change the style or color of bracelet as desired, without complicated manipulations and without risking damaging or scratching the watch by the clumsy use of a tool.

[0003] For example, CH707056 discloses an interchangeable strap for a wristwatch, comprising a fastening member at one end of each strand to be removably connected to a watch case. The fastening member comprises a cylindrical housing intended to cooperate with a fastening bar to ensure the fastening of the strap to the case. This housing has an opening, in its longitudinal direction, forming a passage to allow the insertion of the bar. The fastening member further comprises a lock mounted to move between a first position in which the passage is free and a second position in which the lock obstructs the passage in order to lock the strap to the watch case.

[0004] Other examples, notably in publications CH712656B1, EP2353428B1, EP3213654A1 and CH698584B1, of an attachment member intended to simplify the disassembly / assembly of bracelet strands on a watch case.

[0005] These attachment members have the disadvantage of requiring modifications to the watch case so that it is adapted to cooperate with the attachment member, in particular for the integration of a push-button allowing the attachment member to be unlocked from the watch case.

[0006] An aim of the present invention is therefore to propose an attachment member making it possible to connect a strand of a bracelet to a watch case in a removable manner without having to modify the watch case for this purpose.

[0007] Another aim of the present invention is to propose a space-saving attachment member which does not require the use of a bar to create the link between a strand of the bracelet and the lugs of the watch case. Brief summary of the invention

[0008] These aims are achieved in particular by a fastening member for a bracelet strand, adapted to be removably connected to a watch case. The fastening member comprises: a housing in which are retained a first and a second stud arranged to be able to slide in a direction transverse to the length of the strand and to cooperate with respectively a first and a second pivot secured to the horns of the watch case; an elastic member arranged to separate the first and second studs from each other; and a lock arranged to, on the one hand, lock the fastening member when the lock is in a locking position and, on the other hand, allow the fastening member to be detached from the watch case when the lock is actuated to be brought into an unlocking position and a force making it possible to separate the fastening member from the watch case is applied against the elastic member.According to the invention, the lock and the first and second pads are configured so that actuation of the lock from the locking position to the unlocking position does not transmit any movement to the first and second pads.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the lock comprises a body comprising a first portion accessible by the user and a second portion in order to block the movement of the first and second studs when the lock is in the locking position.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the lock is arranged to be returned to the locking position by an elastic member.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the lock comprises a recess, preferably cylindrical, inside which the elastic member is arranged, preferably a compression spring, in order to force the lock into the locking position.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the attachment member further comprises a cover mounted on the housing. One end of the elastic member bears against the cover.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the second portion of the body comprises a stop which prevents any movement of the studs towards each other when the lock is in the locking position.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the second portion comprises a notch which extends in a plane intercepting the direction of movement of the lock. A portion of each stud is configured to slide in the notch when the lock is in the unlocked position.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the attachment member comprises two lateral flanks and a receiving portion arranged on each lateral flank to receive the first and second pivots. The receiving portions are shaped to limit the detachment to a relative movement exerted in a predefined direction.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each receiving part is arranged to introduce one of the first and second pivots from an inlet to an outlet opening into the housing.

[0017] According to one embodiment, each stud comprises a first lateral side arranged opposite a corresponding lateral edge of the housing. This first lateral side comprises a hole arranged to receive one end of the corresponding pivot when the attachment member is connected to the watch case.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the first lateral side of each stud further comprises a guide surface leading to the hole. The guide surface is profiled in order to induce a transverse displacement of each stud when the end of the corresponding pivot moves along the guide surface.

[0019] Another aspect of the invention relates to a watch strap strand comprising the attachment member.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to a wristwatch comprising at least one bracelet strand comprising the attachment member.

[0021] An additional aspect of the invention relates to a method of detaching the attachment member, comprising: actuating the lock to bring it into the unlocked position, and applying a force to separate the attachment member from the watch case, while maintaining the lock in the unlocked position. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which: there figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of the attachment member according to a preferred embodiment; the figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the attachment member frame; figure 3 illustrates a perspective view from below of the attachment member frame; figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a stud of the locking / unlocking mechanism; the Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the plot of the figure 4 according to another orientation; the figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the lock body of the locking / unlocking mechanism; figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the body of the lock of the figure 7 according to another orientation; the figure 8 illustrates an elevational view of the lock body; the figure 9 illustrates a top perspective view of the attachment member cover; figure 10 illustrates a perspective view from below the hood of the figure 9 ; there figure 11 illustrates a side view of the attachment member connected to a watch case, of which only the lugs are shown, when the lock is in the locking position; figure 12 illustrates a sectional view of the figure 11 according to AA; the figure 13 illustrates a sectional view of the figure 12 according to BB; the figure 14 illustrates a view similar to the figure 11 when the lock is in the unlocked position; the figure 15 illustrates a sectional view of the figure 14 according to CC, the figure 16 illustrates a sectional view of the figure 15 according to DD, the figure 17 illustrates a schematic view of the lock and the studs of the attachment member according to an alternative embodiment, when the lock is in a locking position, and the figure 18illustrates a view similar to the figure 17 when the latch of the attachment member is in an unlocked position. Examples of embodiments of the invention

[0023] According to a preferred form and with particular reference to figures 1 to 3 , the attachment member 10 of a bracelet strand to a watch case comprises a frame 12 comprising a housing 14 of substantially rectangular shape intended to accommodate elements of a locking / unlocking mechanism. This is intended to secure and detach the frame 12 from two pivots 72a, 72b, for example two screws, mounted on the horns 70 of the watch case (only the horns are illustrated). The attachment member 10 further comprises a cover 50 mounted on the frame 12 so as to cover the housing 14 comprising elements of the locking / unlocking mechanism. A lower part of the cover 50 can for example be driven, clipped or screwed into the housing 14.

[0024] The housing 14 of the frame 12 comprises two opposite lateral edges 16 each comprising an opening 18. These openings open onto respectively a first and a second receiving part 24 arranged on the lateral flanks 22 of the frame 12 to receive the two pivots 77a, 77b. The first and second receiving parts may for example be in the form of rails. These rails 24 are preferably shaped so that a portion of the two pivots 72a, 72b can be introduced into the rails by positioning the attachment member 10 above the horns 70 of the watch case, then lowering the attachment member 10 relative to the horns until the bottom of the rails rests on the pivots. The attachment member 10 can thus freely pivot around a pivot axis which is coaxial with the axis of the pivots when this attachment member 10 is locked to the watch case.

[0025] According to the Figures 2 and 3, the bottom 20 of the housing 14 comprises a hole 21 passing right through the frame 12 of the attachment member. The mechanism for locking / unlocking the attachment member to the watch case comprises a lock 60 which is mounted in the through hole 21 so as to be actuable in an oblique direction, preferably substantially orthogonal, to the pivot axis of the attachment member 10, for example in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis. The attachment member 10 comprises an attachment part 26 provided with a transverse slot 28 for receiving one end of a strand of the bracelet.

[0026] With particular reference to figures 1 to 5, the locking / unlocking mechanism further comprises a first and a second stud 30a, 30b arranged in the housing 14 to be able to slide in a direction transverse to the length of the strand of the bracelet and to cooperate with the first and second pivots 72a, 72b respectively through the openings 18 located on the two lateral edges 16 of the housing 14.

[0027] Each stud 30a, 30b comprises a first lateral side 32a arranged opposite the corresponding lateral edge 16 of the housing 14. The first lateral side 32a of each stud comprises a hole 38 arranged to receive one end of the corresponding pivot 72a, 72b, when the attachment member 10 is connected to the watch case. The first lateral side 32a of each stud further comprises a guide surface 39 leading to the hole 38. The profile of the guide surface 39 makes it possible to initiate and impart a transverse movement to the respective stud when the end of the corresponding pivot moves along this surface.

[0028] Each stud 30a, 30b has a second lateral side 32b. The second lateral sides of the studs are arranged opposite each other and each have a blind hole 34. Each blind hole 34 receives a portion of an elastic member, preferably a compression spring 30, arranged between the two studs.

[0029] The lock 60 is arranged to, on the one hand, lock the attachment member 10 when the lock 60 is in a locking position and, on the other hand, allow the attachment member 10 to be detached from the watch case when the lock 60 is actuated to be brought into an unlocking position. The particularity of the locking / unlocking mechanism lies partly in the fact that the lock 60 and the first and second studs 30a, 30b are configured so that the actuation of the lock 60 to bring it into the unlocking position does not transmit any movement to the first and second studs 30a, 30b. In other words, the lock 60 makes it possible to lock and unlock the transverse movements of the first and second retractable studs without acting on the latter.

[0030] To this end, according to the figures 6-8, the lock comprises a body 62 comprising a first portion 62a accessible by a user and a second portion 62b arranged inside the housing 14 in order to block the movement of the first and second studs 30a, 30b when the lock 60 is in the locking position as illustrated in figure 13 .

[0031] In one embodiment, the second portion 62a of the body of the lock 60 comprises a notch 64 extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the lock 60. Each stud 30a, 30b comprises a corner 36 arranged to abut against respectively a first and a second shoulder 66 of the body 62 when the lock 60 is in the locking position. The two shoulders 66 are arranged on either side of the notch 64 above the latter. The corner 36 of each stud is aligned with the notch 64 when the lock 60 is in the unlocking position. The thickness e of the corner 36 of each stud 30a, 30b is less than the height h of the notch 64 of the body of the lock so that the corners can slide inside the notch.

[0032] The body 62 of the lock 60 also comprises a housing 68, which is cylindrical in this example, inside which is partly arranged an elastic member which is preferably in the form of a compression spring 69. One end of the spring 69 bears against the bottom of the housing 68 while a portion of the spring is housed in a cutout 56 made on a longitudinal edge 54 of the cover 50 as illustrated by the figures 9 and 10 This cutout comprises a cylindrical cavity 58 arranged to receive the other end of the spring 69.

[0033] This spring makes it possible to force the lock 60 into the locking position in which the attachment member 10 is secured to the watch case.

[0034] When the lock 60 is in the locked position according to the figures 11 to 13, the corners of each stud 30a, 30b are in abutment against the two shoulders 66 of the body 62 of the lock in order to prevent transverse displacement of the studs. In this position, the end of each pivot 72a, 72b is arranged inside the hole 38 of the first lateral side 32a of each stud. The transverse displacement of the studs 30a, 30b being locked by the lock 60, the attachment member 10 is in this configuration secured to the horns 70 of the watch case.

[0035] When pressure is exerted on an actuating surface 63 of the lock 60, the latter moves in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pivots to be brought into the unlocking position according to the figures 14 to 16 . The actuation of the lock 60 does not transmit any movement to the two studs 30a, 30b when it is brought into the unlocking position. On the other hand, the notch 64 of the body 62 of the lock is aligned with the corners of each stud.

[0036] This alignment allows the two studs 30a, 30b to slide inside the notch 64 under the action of the force exerted by the end of the pivots 72a, 72b on the studs when a relative movement is imparted between the attachment member and the watch case. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member 10 must be moved above the watch case in a direction dictated by the inclination of the rails 24 in order to separate the attachment member from the watch case.

[0037] The movement of the attachment member 10 relative to the watch case makes it possible to dislodge the ends of the pivots 72a, 72b from the respective holes 38 under the stress exerted by the latter on the respective studs 30a, 30b, which causes the displacement of the corner 36 of each stud 30a, 30b in the notch 64 ( figure 16 ). The transverse displacement of the two studs in an opposite direction compresses the compression spring 40 as illustrated in figure 15. According to this figure, the pivots 72a, 72b are located opposite the rails, which allows the attachment member to be detached.

[0038] Once the attachment member is detached from the watch case, the two studs 30a, 30b are released from the notch 64 of the body of the lock under the action of the compression spring 40. The lock 60 returns to the locking position under the action of the compression spring 69 as soon as the lock is released.

[0039] To secure the attachment member to the watch case, the two pivots 72a, 72b secured to the horns 70 of the watch case are arranged in the rails 24 of the attachment member, then pressure is exerted on the actuating surface 63 of the lock 60 while moving the attachment member relative to the watch case in order to move the pivots 72a, 72b in the respective rails until the ends of the pivots exert a stress on the guide surfaces 39 in order to induce a transverse movement of the two studs 30a, 30b in an opposite direction, thus compressing the compression spring 40.

[0040] When the ends of the pivots 72a, 72b are aligned with the respective holes 38 of the two studs 30a, 30b, the latter return to their initial position under the action of the compression spring 40. The lock 60 can at this moment be released so that it returns to the locking position under the action of the compression spring 69 of the lock in order to lock the attachment member to the watch case.

[0041] According to another embodiment, illustrated by the figures 17 and 18 , instead of being actuated in translation, the lock is adapted to be actuated in rotation between two angular positions corresponding respectively to a locking position and to an unlocking position. To this end, the lock comprises an eccentric lock body 162 comprising a first width, in a first direction, which is greater than a second width in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0042] According to the figure 17, the angular position of the lock 162 corresponds to the locking position. The lock body 162 is oriented so that the first width of the lock body 162 is arranged in the direction of movement of the first and second studs 130a, 130b so that the latter abut against the lock body 162.

[0043] To bring the lock from the locking position to the unlocking position, the lock is rotated 90° so that the second width of the lock body 162 is arranged in the direction of movement of the first and second studs 130a, 130b as shown in figure 18. In the unlocked position, there is therefore a clearance J between the lock body 162 and the respective studs 130a, 130b, which allows the two studs 30a, 30b to slide under the action of the force exerted by the end of the pivots on the studs when a relative movement is imparted between the attachment member and the watch case. The attachment member may further comprise a torsion spring (not shown) in order to force the lock into the locked position. The lock body 162 may of course take different shapes in order to lock and unlock the sliding of the two studs 130a, 130b depending on the angular position of the body.

[0044] It is understood that various modifications may be made to the fastening member without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims. In particular, the shape of the studs and the locking body may vary to the extent that actuation of the lock from the locking position to the unlocking position does not transmit any movement to the locking mechanism, and in particular no movement to the first and second studs. Reference list

[0045] Attachment organ 10 Frame 12 Housing 14 Side edges 16 Opening 18 Base 20 Through hole 21 Side flanks 22 Receiving part 24 Attachment part 26 Transverse slot 28 First and second studs 30a, 30b, 130a, 130b First lateral side 32a Hole 38 Guide surface 39 Second lateral side 32b Blind hole 34 Corner 36 Thickness e Elastic member 40 Cover 50 Longitudinal edge 54 Cutout 56 Cylindrical recess 58 Lock 60 Body 62, 162 First portion 62a Actuating surface 63 Second portion 62b Notch 64 Height h Shoulders 66 Recesses 68 Elastic member 69 Horns 70 Pivot 72a, 72b

Claims

1. Fastening member (10) for a strand of a bracelet, adapted to be removably connected to a watch case, the fastening member (10) comprising: a housing (14) in which are held a first and a second pad (30a, 30b) arranged so as to be able to slide in a direction transverse to the length of the strand and to cooperate respectively with a first and a second pivot (72a, 72b) secured to the lugs (70) of the watch case, an elastic member (40) arranged so as to move the first and second pads (30a, 30b) away from each other, and a lock (60) arranged, on the one hand, to lock the fastening member when the lock (60) is in a locked position and, on the other hand, to allow the fastening member (10) to be disconnected from the watch case when the lock (60) is actuated to be brought into an unlocked position and a force allowing the fastening member (10) to be separated from the watch case is applied against the elastic member (40), characterized in that the lock (60) and the first and second pads (30a, 30b) are configured so that the actuation of the lock (60) from the locked position to the unlocked position does not transmit any movement to said first and second pads (30a, 30b).

2. Fastening member (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lock (60) comprises a body (62) comprising a first portion (62a) accessible by the user and a second portion (62b) for blocking the displacement of the first and second pads (30a, 30b) when the lock (60) is in the locked position.

3. Fastening member (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the lock (60) is arranged to be returned to the locked position by an elastic member (69).

4. Fastening member (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the lock (60) comprises a recess (68), preferably cylindrical, inside which the elastic member (69), preferably a compression spring, is arranged in order to urge the lock (60) into the locked position.

5. Fastening member (10) according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a cover (50) mounted on the housing (14), one end of the elastic member (69) bearing against the cover (50).

6. Fastening member (10) according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second portion (62b) of the body comprises a stop (66) which prevents the pads (30a, 30b) from moving towards each other when the lock (60) is in the locked position.

7. Fastening member (10) according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the second portion (62b) comprises a notch (64) which extends in a plane intercepting the direction of displacement of the lock (60), a part (36) of each pad being configured to slide in the notch (64) when the lock (60) is in the unlocked position.

8. Fastening member (10) according to any preceding claim, comprising two side walls (22) and a receiving part (24) arranged on each side wall (22) to receive the first and second pivots (72a, 72b), the receiving parts (24) being shaped to limit said disconnection to a relative movement exerted in a predefined direction.

9. Fastening member according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each receiving part (24) is arranged to receive one of the first and second pivots (72a, 72b) from an entry to an exit opening into the housing (14).

10. Fastening member (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that each pad (30a, 30b) comprises a first lateral side (32a) arranged opposite a corresponding side edge (16) of the housing (14), and comprising a hole (38) arranged to receive one end of the corresponding pivot (72a, 72b) when the fastening member (10) is connected to the watch case.

11. Fastening member (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first lateral side (32a) further comprises a guiding surface (39) leading to the hole (38), the guiding surface being profiled so as to induce a transverse displacement of each pad (30a, 30b) when the end of the corresponding pivot (72a, 72b) moves along said guiding surface (39).

12. Strand of a watch bracelet comprising the fastening member according to any preceding claim.

13. Wristwatch comprising at least one strand of a watch bracelet according to claim 12.

14. Method of disconnecting the fastening member (10) according to any preceding claim, comprising: - actuating the lock (60) to bring it into the unlocked position, and - applying a force to separate the fastening member (10) from the watch case, while maintaining the lock (10) in the unlocked position.