BRACELET FOR A WEARABLE OBJECT, SUCH AS A WATCH, WITH A MAGNIFICING DEVICE

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a bracelet intended to be attached to the case of a portable object, such as a timepiece, for example to a watch case.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a bracelet comprising a magnifying device enabling the user to observe components or details of the wearable object or of another object, for example a timepiece. Technological background

[0003] Such bracelets incorporating a magnifying device such as a magnifying glass or Fresnel lens are known. For example, US patent 5601222 describes a watch bracelet having a magnifying band integrated into one end of the bracelet. US patent 2011 / 005274 discloses a watch bracelet having a first end with an optical device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] However, the magnification of such a device is limited and not very convincing when it comes to observing very small details, for example of a clockwork movement equipping the timepiece.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to improve such devices. Summary of the invention

[0006] In this context, the invention proposes a bracelet for a wearable object comprising a first strand and a second strand, each strand having a first end suitable for being attached to a case of the wearable object, characterized in that: the first strand comprises a first optical device having a first diameter; the second strand comprises a second optical device having a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter of the first optical device; the first optical device and the second optical device being configured so that the superposition of the first optical device and the second optical device, by the superposition of the first strand and the second strand, forms a microscope having an eyepiece constituted by the first optical device and an objective constituted by the second optical device.

[0007] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the bracelet according to the invention may have one or more additional characteristics from among the following, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations: the first optical device is a first optical lens; the second optical device is a second optical lens; the first optical lens of the first optical device has a focal length f1 of 100 mm and said second lens of the second optical device has a focal length f2 of 27 mm; the first optical device and / or the second optical device are made of synthetic material, polymer material, mineral material, preferably glass or sapphire glass; the first optical device is integrated, at least partially, into the thickness of the first strand, preferably totally into the thickness of the first strand; the second optical device is integrated, at least partially, into the thickness of the second strand, preferably totally into the thickness of the second strand;The bracelet includes at least one spacer configured to ensure spacing between the first optical device and the second optical device when the first and second strands of the bracelet are superimposed; the bracelet includes a loop, said at least one spacer being formed by said loop; the bracelet includes two spacers; the bracelet includes a first loop and a second loop forming said two spacers, the first and second loops having dimensions configured to ensure spacing between the first optical device and the second optical device when the first and second strands are superimposed; the two loops are adjustable in position to cover the first or second optical device to form a protective element for the optical devices, particularly when the wearable object is worn;The bracelet includes means for ensuring concentric superposition of the first optical device and the second optical device; the bracelet includes coupling means for maintaining the position of the two superimposed strands; the bracelet is made of leather, metallic material, polymer material, synthetic material, ceramic material, natural material, bio-based material or a combination of at least two of the aforementioned listed materials.

[0008] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a case integrating a watch movement and a bracelet according to the invention attached to the case. Brief description of the figures

[0009] The aims, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, which refers to the following figures: there figure 1schematically represents a top view of a portable object 1 according to the invention; the figure 2 schematically represents a side view of the portable object 1 illustrated in the figure 1 .

[0010] In all figures, common elements bear the same reference numbers unless otherwise specified. Detailed description of the invention

[0011] There figure 1 schematically represents a top view of a portable object 1 according to the invention.

[0012] There figure 2 schematically represents a side view of the portable object 1 illustrated in the figure 1 .

[0013] This wearable object 1 here takes the form of a timepiece, such as a wristwatch intended to be worn on the user's wrist. It should also be understood that wearable object 1 can be any other wearable object intended to be worn via a bracelet, for example, on the wrist.

[0014] The portable object 1 includes a casing 2, intended to house, for example, a clockwork movement (not shown here for clarity). The clockwork movement carries and drives means for displaying information, for example, the current time.

[0015] The wearable object 1 also includes a flexible or articulated bracelet 10, two ends of which are intended to be coupled, for example in a removable manner, to the case 2, via an ad hoc fastening system which will not be detailed in this application.

[0016] The bracelet 10 comprises a first strand 11 having a thickness e 1 and a second strand 12 having a thickness e 2, each of the strands 11, 12 being attached at one end to the box 2.

[0017] The bracelet 10 classically includes a clasp 15, for example a pin buckle, a single or double folding buckle, a clip clasp, a sliding clasp, a hook and loop clasp, an elastic clasp, allowing the two other ends of the strands 11, 12 of the bracelet 10 to be attached and the wearable object 1 to be carried on the wrist.

[0018] The first strand 11 includes a first optical device 21 integrated, at least partially, in the thickness e 1 of the first strand 11. The first optical device 21 is, for example, an optical lens.

[0019] The first optical device 21 is characterized by a first diameter L1 and a first focal length f1.

[0020] The second strand 12 includes a second optical device 22 integrated, at least partially, in the thickness e 2 of the second strand 12. The second optical device 22 is, for example, an optical lens.

[0021] The second optical device 22 is characterized by a second diameter L2 and a second focal length f2.

[0022] The diameter L1 of the first optical device 21 is greater than the diameter L2 of the second optical device 22.

[0023] For example, the first optical device 21 is an optical lens with a plano-convex shape.

[0024] For example, the first optical device 21 is an optical lens with a diameter L1 of 15mm, a focal length f1 of 60mm and a central thickness of 2mm.

[0025] For example, the second optical device 22 is an optical lens with a plano-convex shape.

[0026] For example, the second optical device 22 is an optical lens with a diameter L2 of 9mm, a focal length f2 of 13.5mm and a central thickness of 2mm.

[0027] The bracelet 10 is configured to allow the first strand 11 and the second strand 12 to be superimposed so as to superimpose the first optical device 21 and the second optical device 22 in order to create a portable microscope-type magnifying device composed of an eyepiece formed by the first optical device 21 and an objective formed by the second optical device 22.

[0028] By combining the optical properties of the optical devices 21, 22 described above, and superimposing them with a separation distance d of 1.5mm, with the first optical device 21 as the eyepiece and the second optical device 22 as the objective, we obtain a magnifying device of the microscope type with a resulting focal length of the order of 11mm, which corresponds to a magnification of the order of x22.

[0029] Of course, the layering mentioned in the previous paragraph is possible when the user is not wearing the object on their wrist.

[0030] To form the portable microscope of the bracelet 10, the first strand 11 containing the first optical device 21 constituting the eyepiece of the microscope is positioned above the second strand 12 containing the second optical device 22 constituting the objective of the microscope.

[0031] Thus, to form the portable microscope, the first strand 11 is intended to be on the user's side and the second strand 12 is intended to be on the side of the object A to be observed, as illustrated in the figure 2 .

[0032] The first optical device 21 and / or the second optical device 22 are made of synthetic material, polymer material, mineral material.

[0033] Preferably, the first optical device 21 and / or the second optical device 22 are made of glass or sapphire glass.

[0034] Preferably, the first optical device 21 is fully integrated into the thickness e 1 of the first strand 11. Thus, the thickness e 1 of the first strand 11 is greater than the thickness of the first optical device 21.

[0035] For example, the first optical device 21 is flush with at least one upper external surface 11.1 or one lower external surface 11.2 of the first strand 11.

[0036] For example, the first optical device 21 may protrude from the upper external surface 11.1 of the first strand 11. On the other hand, a portion of the first optical device 21 should not protrude from the lower external surface 11.2 to avoid discomfort or inconvenience when carrying the wearable object 1.

[0037] Preferably, the second optical device 22 is fully integrated into the thickness e 2 of the second strand 12. Thus, the thickness e 2 of the second strand 11 is greater than the thickness of the second optical device 21.

[0038] For example, the second optical device 22 is flush with at least one upper external surface 12.1 or one lower external surface 12.2 of the second strand 12.

[0039] For example, the second optical device 22 may protrude from the upper external surface 12.1 of the second strand 12. On the other hand, a portion of the second optical device 22 should not protrude from the lower external surface 12.2 to avoid discomfort or inconvenience when carrying the wearable object 1.

[0040] In this application, the upper external surfaces are considered to be the surfaces of the bracelet 10 visible to the user, and the lower external surfaces are the surfaces of the bracelet in contact, at least partially, with the wearer's skin.

[0041] The bracelet 10 includes at least one spacer to provide a separation distance between the first optical device 21 and the second optical device 22 when the first strand 11 and the second strand 12 of the bracelet 10 are superimposed, so as to ensure the correct spacing d according to the characteristics of the optical devices 21, 22.

[0042] Preferably, the bracelet 10 has two spacers. The spacers are, for example, located on either side of the first optical device 21 and the second optical device 22.

[0043] Typically, bracelet 10 has two loops 13, 14 mounted on the second strand 12 of bracelet 10.

[0044] As an example, a first loop 14 is fixed on the second strand 12 and a second loop 13 is mobile, that is to say, movable along the second strand 12 and therefore adjustable in position on the bracelet 10.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the first loop 14 and the second loop 13 are mobile, i.e. movable along the second strand 12, and therefore adjustable in position on the bracelet 10.

[0046] Of course, the loops 13, 14 can be mounted on the first strand 11 of the bracelet 10, or each strand 11, 12 of the bracelet 10 can carry a loop 13, 14.

[0047] The mobility of passers-by 13, 14 allows them to be positioned in relation to optical devices 21, 22 so as to cover them and form a protective element when the user wears the portable object 1 on the wrist.

[0048] Preferably, when the first passer 14 is fixed, the second passer 13 is mobile and has a width equal to or greater than the diameter L1 of the first optical device 21 in order to be able to completely cover the first optical device 21.

[0049] For example, the loops 13, 14 are configured to form the spacers of the bracelet 10 and ensure a spacing (or separation distance) d between the first optical device 21 and the second optical device 22. Thus, the loops 13, 14 have dimensions required to ensure the spacing d required according to the optical devices 21, 22 used.

[0050] The bracelet 10 may include means to ensure concentric superposition of the first optical device 21 and the second optical device 22.

[0051] The bracelet 10 may also include coupling elements to keep the two strands 11, 12 superimposed on each other in contact, so as to facilitate observation by the user who does not need to hold the two strands 11, 12 in position. The coupling elements are for example reversible mechanical or magnetic coupling elements.

[0052] Examples that are not exhaustive include mechanical coupling elements of the pressure type, or magnetic and ferromagnetic elements for magnetic coupling.

[0053] For example, each of the loops 13, 14 can incorporate in its thickness of material a ferromagnetic body 13.5, 14.5 and the strand of the bracelet 10 which do not carry the loops 13, 14 (in our example of embodiment, the first strand 11) can incorporate in its thickness two magnets 17, 18 configured to cooperate with the ferromagnetic bodies 13.5, 14.5 by magnetic attraction.

[0054] Bracelet 10 can be made of leather, metal, synthetic material, polymer material, ceramic material, natural material, bio-based material, or a combination of at least two of the aforementioned listed materials.

[0055] Depending on the material used to manufacture the bracelet 10, the optical devices 21, 22 can be inserted into cutouts, housings provided for this purpose and then secured by means of gluing, welding, etc.

[0056] The optical devices 21, 22 can also be attached to the strands 11, 12 of the bracelet 10 by overmolding.

Claims

1. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) comprising a first strand (11) and a second strand (12), each of the strands (11, 12) comprising a first end able to be attached to a case (2) of the portable object (1), the first strand (11) comprising a first optical device (21) with a first diameter (L1), characterised in that the second strand (12) comprises a second optical device (22) with a second diameter (L2), smaller than the first diameter (L1) of the first optical device (21); the first optical device (21) and the second optical device (22) being configured so that the superposition of the first optical device (21) and the second optical device (22), by the superposition of the first strand (11) and the second strand (12), forms a microscope having an eyepiece constituted by the first optical device (21) and an objective constituted by the second optical device (22).

2. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the first optical device (21) is a first optical lens.

3. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second optical device (22) is a second optical lens.

4. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first optical device (21) and / or the second optical device (22) are made of synthetic material, polymer material, mineral material, preferably glass or sapphire glass.

5. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first optical device (21) is integrated, at least partially, into the thickness (e1) of the first strand (11), preferably completely into the thickness (e1) of the first strand (11).

6. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second optical device (21) is integrated, at least partially, into the thickness (e2) of the second strand (12), preferably completely into the thickness (e2) of the second strand (12).

7. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bracelet (10) comprises at least one spacer (13, 14) configured to ensure a spacing (d) between the first optical device (21) and the second optical device (22) when the first strand (11) and the second strand (12) of the bracelet (10) are superimposed.

8. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the bracelet (10) comprises a loop (13, 14), said at least one spacer being formed by said loop.

9. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterised in that the bracelet (10) comprises two spacers (13, 14).

10. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the bracelet (10) comprises a first loop (13) and a second loop (14) forming said two spacers, the first loop (13) and the second loop (14) having dimensions configured to ensure spacing (d) between the first optical device (21) and the second optical device (22) when the first strand (11) and the second strand (12) are superimposed.

11. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the two loops (13, 14) are adjustable in position so as to cover the first optical device (21) or the second optical device (22) to form an element for protecting the optical devices (21, 22).

12. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the bracelet (10) comprises means for ensuring concentric superposition of the first optical device (21) and the second optical device (22).

13. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the bracelet (10) comprises coupling means (13.5, 14.5, 17, 18) for holding in position the first strand (11) and the second strand (120) superimposed.

14. Bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bracelet (10) is made of leather, metallic material, polymer material, synthetic material, ceramic material, natural material, biosourced material or a combination of at least two of the said listed materials.

15. Wearable object (1) characterised in that it is a timepiece comprising a case (2) incorporating a watch movement, and a bracelet according to one of the preceding claims attached to said case (2).