Removable bracelet included in a portable object

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a removable bracelet (2) that can be connected to the body (3) of a wearable object (1), said bracelet (2) having a flexible body and comprising at least one attachment end (15a) of the bracelet (2) to this body (3) of the wearable object (1), said attachment end (15a) having an attachment zone (5) having two rigid attachment parts (4a, 4b) and a deformable part (6) configured to participate in the reversible attachment of said bracelet (2) to said body (3) of the wearable object (1), said deformable part (6) being arranged between the two rigid attachment parts (4a, 4b) of said zone (5).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a removable bracelet having a flexible or supple body which is reversibly mounted on the body of a portable object such as a timepiece or piece of jewelry.

[0002] The invention also relates to such a portable object comprising such a bracelet. Technological background

[0003] Flexible straps for wearable objects, such as watches, most often consist of two strands attached to the watch case by means of a bar that passes through a hole in the strap to connect it to the lugs of the case. A strand can be defined as a segment of the strap with at least one end attached to the case, sometimes via an intermediate piece. The other end of each strand may be free or attached, for example, to a strap clasp. Straps made of a single strand also exist.

[0004] In such a configuration, when it is necessary to disassemble or replace a strand, it is then necessary to remove the bar that connects this strand to the housing. Typically, this operation is carried out using a tool called " tool with bars These spring bars are designed to be inserted between the bracelet and the case lugs. This operation is often difficult for an inexperienced user, who risks scratching the lugs or damaging the bracelet. Furthermore, it should be noted that in this configuration, such spring bars are removable, known to be fragile and complex to manufacture. In this context, it is understandable that there is a need to find a solution, one that avoids the drawbacks of prior art.

[0005] Document EP3480665 A1 describes the preamble to claim 1. Summary of the invention

[0006] In this purpose, the invention relates to a removable bracelet that can be connected to the body of a wearable object, said bracelet having a flexible body and comprising at least one end for attaching the bracelet to this body of the wearable object, said attachment end having an attachment zone having two rigid attachment parts and a deformable part configured to participate in the reversible attachment of said bracelet to said body of the wearable object, said deformable part being arranged between the two rigid attachment parts of said zone, said deformable part being formed by a region of the flexible body of said bracelet and having a hollowed-out area comprising a part of a peripheral wall of the bracelet included between the two rigid attachment parts, each rigid attachment part being formed by an outgrowth of material from the body of said bracelet.

[0007] In other embodiments: Each rigid part includes a gripping area configured to deform the deformable part of the attachment area; each rigid part includes a passage area having a through hole that connects the inner and outer faces of the bracelet; each rigid part includes a passage area having a concealed entry orifice included on an inner face of the bracelet and an exit orifice included on an outer face of the bracelet; each rigid part includes a passage area configured for the insertion of a free end of an instrument to aid reversibly attaching the bracelet to the body of the wearable object; said deformable part is configured to vary a defined gap between the two rigid attachment parts; each rigid attachment part includes a housing in which a fastening element is arranged; the bracelet includes at least one strand.

[0008] The invention also relates to a wearable object comprising a removable bracelet provided with an attachment area configured to achieve reversible attachment of this bracelet to the body of said object.

[0009] Advantageously, the said object is a timepiece or a piece of jewelry. Brief description of the figures

[0010] One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a removable bracelet for a wearable object such as a timepiece, said bracelet properly combining perfect aesthetics, impeccable support, great robustness and ease of assembly / disassembly to the body of this wearable object.

[0011] Another goal is to have this removable bracelet whose reversible attachment to the body of this wearable object can be achieved without damaging the object and even less the bracelet.

[0012] In addition, one of the aims of the invention is also to have a bracelet with gripping areas used specifically during its assembly / disassembly with the body of the wearable object, these areas being hidden / concealed in the body of the bracelet.

[0013] More generally, an aim of the present invention is to provide a removable bracelet that can be assembled / disassembled from the body of the wearable object while being free from the limitations of known solutions.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, with reference to the attached figures, where: there figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable object such as a timepiece, equipped with a removable strap according to an embodiment of the invention; the figure 2 is a larger-scale view of a part referenced A on the figure 1 ; THE figures 3 and 4are perspective views of a strand of the removable bracelet, one attachment end of which includes an attachment zone capable of cooperating with an attachment part of the body of the wearable object, and a surface of this attachment zone having a shape / relief complementary to that of said attachment part so as to ensure the reversible attachment of this strand to the body of the object, according to the embodiment of the invention; the Figure 5 is a larger-scale view of a part referenced as B on the figure 4 ; THE figures 6 to 8 are different perspective views of the fastening end including the attachment area of ​​this strap strand, according to the embodiment of the invention; the Figures 9 and 10are perspective views of a strand of the removable bracelet, one attachment end of which comprises gripping areas, each provided with a concealed entry hole and a passageway for the insertion of a free end of an aid / assistance device for the reversible attachment of the bracelet to the body of the wearable object, according to the embodiment of the invention; the figure 11 is a perspective view of a fastening element intended to be arranged in the bracelet attachment area, according to the embodiment of the invention; the figure 12 is a perspective view of the body of the wearable object, here a watch case, this body being fitted with the strap, the exit holes of which, shown here in dashed lines, are concealed by the body of this object when the strap is assembled to this body, according to the embodiment of the invention; the figure 13is a perspective view of the body of the timepiece equipped with the attachment part, shown here from the front, according to the embodiment of the invention; the figure 14 is a perspective view of the body of the timepiece equipped with the attachment part, shown here in profile, according to the embodiment of the invention, and the figure 15 is a larger-scale view of a part referenced D on the figure 14 . Detailed description of the invention

[0015] On the figures 1, 2 And 12 A portable object 1 is represented, such as a timepiece comprising a case 3 and a bracelet 2, one of the strands of which is illustrated here. This portable object 1 can alternatively be a piece of jewelry, or more broadly any object 1 that can be worn by an individual on a part of their body, such as one of their arms, one of their legs, their torso, or their neck, etc.

[0016] As we have seen, this bracelet 2 can include a strand as illustrated by the figure 1 More specifically, in the embodiment of the invention, such a bracelet comprises at least one strand. The bracelet 2, or said at least one strand, has two faces 11a, 11b which are opposite each other, namely, an inner face 11a and an outer face 11b which is visible when the wearable object 1 is worn by the user. These two faces 11a, 11b are connected to each other by a peripheral wall 8 (visible, among other things, on the figure 4 ) of this bracelet 2 also corresponding to the thickness of the latter.

[0017] In reference to the figures 3 to 10This bracelet 2 comprises a flexible body. It is important to understand here that the entire body of this bracelet 2 is completely flexible, with the exception of rigid attachment parts 4a and 4b, which are equipped with rigid fastening elements 9, as described later. It follows that when the bracelet 2 is devoid of these fastening elements 9, its body is entirely flexible.

[0018] It should be noted that such a body includes, in particular, one or more attachment points 5 of the bracelet 2 to the body 3 of the wearable object 1, as we will discuss later, the point(s) being located in a flexible region of this body. Such a bracelet body 2 can be made of leather, shagreen, rubber, plastic, or any other flexible material.

[0019] It is understood that such a bracelet 2 can have two strands when the wearable object 1 is a timepiece, as illustrated on the figure 1In this configuration, each strand comprises two ends 15a, 15b: a first end 15a called " fixing end which is intended to be fixed / attached / assembled / mounted / connected to the body 3 of the wearable object 1, here the casing 3 when this object 1 is a timepiece, and a second end 15b called " free end » which is intended to be attached / connected to the free end 15b of the other strand of the bracelet 2 of the wearable object 1.

[0020] This bracelet 2 can in a variant be a single piece by being made of a single strand whose two ends 15a are fixing ends 15a intended to be fixed to the body 3 of the portable object 1 here the case 3 when this object 1 is a watch part.

[0021] On these figures 1, 2 , 3 à 8 , 9, 10 And 12The bracelet 2 therefore preferably comprises two attachment ends 15a, whether it consists of one or two strands. Each attachment end 15a includes the attachment zone 5 mentioned previously. This attachment zone 5 is provided with a deformable portion 6 and two rigid attachment portions 4a, 4b. Within this zone 5, these two rigid portions 4a, 4b are separated by the deformable portion 6, which is configured to participate in the reversible attachment of the bracelet 2 to the body of the object 1.

[0022] In this fastening end 15a, the deformable part 6 is formed by the flexible body region of the bracelet 2 and includes a hollow area 7, also called a hollow volume. This hollow area 7 has a shape essentially similar to that of the letter "V" or a flared shape open onto a peripheral wall 8 of the bracelet 2. In other words, this hollow area 7 includes a portion of the peripheral wall 8 located / contained between the two rigid fastening parts 4a, 4b. This deformable part 6 is configured to vary a gap G, also called a distance G or an interval G, defined between the two rigid fastening parts 4a, 4b. More precisely, this gap G is defined between active parts 17 of the attachment elements 9 described below, which are contained within these rigid parts 4a, 4b.As we will see, the variation of this gap G contributes to the realization of the removable attachment of the bracelet 2 with the body 3 of the portable object 1.

[0023] As we mentioned earlier, the attachment area 5 comprises two rigid attachment parts 4a, 4b separated by this deformable part 6 which is configured to participate in the reversible attachment of said bracelet 2 to the body 3 of said object. Each rigid attachment part 4a, 4b is formed by an outgrowth of material from the body of said bracelet 2. In other words, each rigid part 4a, 4b projects from a portion of the inner face 11a of the bracelet 2 within the attachment zone 5. More precisely, each of these rigid parts 4a, 4b is preferably located in a distal portion of the attachment end 15a within the attachment zone 5. These rigid parts 4a, 4b are arranged on the inner face 11a of the bracelet 2 equidistant from an axis of symmetry D of this bracelet 2, the axis D extending longitudinally along the body of this bracelet 2.This axis of symmetry D separates this bracelet 2 into two equal parts and coincides with an axis of symmetry E of the hollowed-out area 7, also separating this area 7 into two equal parts.

[0024] Each rigid part 4a, 4b includes the attachment element 9 visible for example on the figures 3 to 11This attachment element 9 contributes to the reversible attachment of the wristband 2 to the body 3 of the wearable device 1. Such an attachment element 9 comprises an anchoring portion 16 of this element 9 within the body of the wristband 2, specifically within the attachment zone 5, and the active portion 17, also called the functional portion, which achieves the attachment / fixation of the wristband 2 to the body 3 of the wearable device 1. It should be noted that the anchoring portion 16 of this attachment element 9 partially surrounds this active portion 17, from which it is formed. In this regard, the attachment element 9 is a single-piece component, preferably made of metal, hard plastic, or a rigid composite material.

[0025] Each rigid part 4a, 4b is provided with a housing comprising the attachment element 9. More specifically, this housing includes the anchoring part 16 of this attachment element 9. In this configuration, each rigid part 4a, 4b is preferably overmolded onto the anchoring part 16 of this attachment element 9. This anchoring part 16 could also be bonded to the internal wall of this housing.

[0026] Each rigid attachment part 4a, 4b includes a gripping zone 10, also called a manipulation zone, which is configured to deform the deformable part 6 of the attachment zone 5. This deformation of the attachment zone 5 is notably carried out during the attachment / assembly / mounting of the wristband 2 with the body 3 of the wearable device 1. This gripping zone 10 is visible, in particular, on the figures 3 to 10includes a passage zone, also called an insertion zone. This passage zone is formed by a through hole that connects the inner and outer faces 11a, 11b of the bracelet 2. This passage zone includes a concealed / masked / hidden inlet 18, which is defined on the inner face 11a of the bracelet 2, and an outlet 19, which is included on the outer face 11b of the bracelet 2. These two outlets 18, 19 also constitute the inlet and outlet 18, 19 of each gripping zone 10 comprising the corresponding passage zone. Such a passage zone is configured to allow the insertion, into the gripping zone 10, of a free end of an aid / assistance device for the reversible attachment of the bracelet 2 to the body 3 of the wearable object 1.

[0027] Each passage zone extends in a straight line or substantially straight line through the thickness of the bracelet 2 in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of this bracelet 2, or to the axis of symmetry D of this bracelet 2. This passage zone opens onto: one of its two ends on the inner face 11a of the bracelet 2, describing in this face 11a the inlet orifice 18 which is a flexible opening having for example the shape of a slot comprising flexible lips which are in contact when they are not constrained, i.e. when they are at rest, in order to ensure the automatic closure of the corresponding passage area, and the other opposite end of the passage area on the outer face 11b of this bracelet 2, describing in this face 11b the outlet orifice 19 which is preferably an opening of circular shape.

[0028] This gripping zone 10 is present on the part of the bracelet 2 comprising the attachment zone 5. In this configuration, the passage zone of this gripping zone 10 passes through the rigid part 4a, 4b so as to connect the inner and outer faces 11a, 11b of the bracelet 2. It is understood that this passage zone also passes through the attachment element 9 arranged in this attachment zone 5 at a through opening referenced 20 on the figure 11 In other words, this passage zone is formed, among other things, by this opening 20 of the attachment element 9.

[0029] In this bracelet 2, the gripping zones 10, in particular their passage zone, are configured to receive the free ends of the instrument for reversibly attaching the bracelet 2 to the body 3 of the wearable object 1. More specifically, the ends of this instrument are inserted into the passage zones of these gripping zones 10 via their entry orifice 18. As part of this insertion, these ends are guided towards the gripping zones 10 so as to be introduced into the entry orifices 18, here the slots 18, which are concealed in the body of the bracelet 2. Such insertion into this slot 18 causes the lips of this slot 18 to spread apart and continues until this end reaches and passes through the exit orifice 19 of this passage zone (or gripping zone 10), here the opening 19, to emerge at the external face 11b of bracelet 2.

[0030] Once these free ends are arranged in the gripping areas 10, the instrument then participates in manipulating / controlling the attachment area 5 relative to the housing 3 during its attachment to this housing 3. More specifically, this instrument, when used, contributes to generating / causing the deformation of the deformable part 6 of the attachment area 5 in order to achieve the reversible attachment of this bracelet 2 to the housing 3.

[0031] Furthermore, it should be noted that once these free ends are removed from the entry holes 18, the lips of the slots close, thus concealing the passage areas. This particular feature of these slots 18 helps preserve the aesthetic appeal of the bracelet 2 by obscuring the presence of the passage areas and therefore the gripping areas 10; in other words, by obscuring the entry hole 18 of each passage area. This feature also helps prevent the bracelet 2 from being disassembled by someone unaware of the precise location of these passage areas within the bracelet 2, and therefore the gripping areas 10. In other words, this feature helps prevent a child from disassembling the bracelet 2 by identifying the gripping areas 10 and the associated risks and serious consequences of ingesting the bracelet 2 or any of its components.

[0032] In reference to the figures 1, 2 And 12 à 15 The wearable object 1 includes an attachment part 12 configured to cooperate with the attachment area 5 of the removable bracelet 2 for the purpose of attaching this bracelet 2 to the body 3 of this object 1. The attachment part 12 and the attachment area 5 each have a surface whose shape / relief is complementary to that of the surface of the other, so as to ensure optimal cooperation between them for attaching the bracelet 2 to the body 3 of the wearable object 1. In other words, the surface of the attachment part 12 has a shape / relief that is complementary to the shape / relief of the surface of the attachment area 5.

[0033] This attachment portion 12 of the body 3 of the wearable object 1, here the case 3 of the timepiece 1, includes a recess 13 which is configured to receive the attachment area 5 of the strap 2. This recess 13 is formed in whole or in part by the surface of this attachment portion 12. Such a recess 13 comprises: a first part comprising parallel or substantially parallel walls 14a, capable of: ▪ guiding the arrangement of the corresponding attachment zone 5 in this housing during the operation of fixing / assembling / mounting the bracelet 2 with the body 3 of the wearable object 1 and, ▪ participating in maintaining this attachment zone 5 in the housing when the bracelet 2 is fixed to the body 3 of the wearable object 1, ▪ masking, hiding, concealing the exit holes 19 of the gripping zones 10 of the bracelet 2, and a second part comprising cavities 14b, forming attachment zones, configured to receive and cooperate with the active parts 17 of the attachment elements 9 of the attachment zone 5 in the context of fixing the bracelet 2 to the body 3 of the wearable object 1.

[0034] It should be noted that when the portable object 1 is a watch part, it preferably includes two attachment parts 12 defined in a peripheral wall of this case 3. In such a case 3, these attachment parts 12 are arranged opposite each other and equidistant from an axis of revolution F of this case 3.

[0035] Furthermore, it should be noted that an unclaimed embodiment also relates to a system for attaching the bracelet 2 to the body 3 of the wearable object 1. This system includes, in addition to the wearable object 1 and its bracelet 2, the instrument for manipulating the attachment area 5 of the bracelet 2 relative to the attachment part 12 of the body 3 of the wearable object 1 during assembly (or disassembly) operations of the bracelet 2 to the body 3 of the object 1.

[0036] In this system, the free ends of this instrument are inserted into the gripping areas 10 of the attachment area 5 of the bracelet 2, and a force is then applied to this instrument to cause a separation of these free ends and thus an increase in the gap G defined between the two active parts 17 of the attachment elements 9 included in the rigid parts 4a, 4b of the attachment area 5 of the bracelet 2. In this configuration, the attachment area 5 can then be easily inserted into or extracted from the corresponding attachment part 12 of the body 3 of the wearable object 1, without the rigid parts 4a, 4b and in particular the attachment elements 9 coming into contact with the surface of the housing of the attachment part 12.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be noted that when the bracelet 2 is removably attached to the body 3 of the wearable object 1, each attachment zone 5 of the bracelet 2 is arranged in the corresponding attachment part 12 of the body 3 of the wearable object 1. In this configuration, the gripping zones 10, and in particular the exit holes 19 of the passage area of ​​each of these gripping zones 10, are concealed within the body of the wearable object 1. With reference to the figure 12 , when the portable object 1 is a watch part each exit orifice 19 of the gripping area 10 is concealed in a case 3 of this part 1.

[0038] In the described embodiment, the bracelet 2 is attached directly and removably to the body 3 of the wearable object 1 with each attachment area 5 of the bracelet 2 positioned in the corresponding attachment part 12 of the body 3 of the wearable object 1.

[0039] In an alternative not shown in the figures, this bracelet 2 can be indirectly and still removably attached to the body 3 of the wearable object 1 by means of attachment elements connected to the body 3 of the wearable object 1. More precisely, the wearable object comprises two attachment elements, each having a first end fixed to this body and a second end comprising an attachment portion similar to the attachment portion referenced 12 mentioned previously. In this configuration, each attachment zone 5 of the bracelet 2 can then be arranged in the attachment portion of the corresponding attachment element. In this context, it should be noted that when the wearable object is a timepiece, each attachment element is connected to the lugs of the case at its first end. Finally, it should be noted that this attachment element can be essentially flexible or semi-rigid.

[0040] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment just described and that various simple modifications and variants can be envisaged by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Removable bracelet (2) that can be connected to the body (3) of a portable object (1), said bracelet (2) being provided with a flexible body and comprising at least one end (15a) for fastening the bracelet (2) to this body (3) of the portable object (1), said fastening end (15a) including an attachment area (5) provided with two rigid fastening parts (4a, 4b) and a deformable part (6) configured to contribute to reversibly fastening said bracelet (2) to said body (3) of the portable object (1), said deformable part (6) being arranged between the two rigid fastening parts (4a, 4b) of said area (5), characterised in that said deformable part (6) is formed by a flexible region of the body of said bracelet (2) and is provided with a recessed area (6) comprising a part of a peripheral wall (8) of the bracelet (2) comprised between the two rigid fastening parts (4a, 4b), each rigid fastening part (4a, 4b) is formed by a protuberance formed integrally in one piece with the body of said bracelet (2).

2. Bracelet (2) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that each rigid part comprises a gripping area (10) configured to deform the deformable part (6) of the attachment area (5).

3. Bracelet (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each rigid part (4a, 4b) comprises a passageway having a through-hole which joins together the inner and outer faces (11a, 11b) of the bracelet (2).

4. Bracelet (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each rigid part (4a, 4b) comprises a passageway provided with a concealed inlet port (18) on an inner face (11a) of the bracelet (2) and an outlet port (19) on an outer face (11b) of the bracelet (2).

5. Bracelet (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each rigid part (4a, 4b) comprises a passageway configured for the insertion of a free end of an instrument for assisting with reversibly fastening the bracelet (2) to the body (3) of the portable object (1).

6. Bracelet (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said deformable part (6) is configured to vary a defined gap (G) between the two rigid fastening parts (4a, 4b).

7. Bracelet (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each rigid fastening part (4a, 4b) comprises a bed in which a hooking element is arranged (9).

8. Bracelet (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one strand.

9. Portable object (1) comprising a removable bracelet (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, said bracelet (2) comprising an attachment area (5) configured to procure a reversible fastening of this bracelet (2) to the body (3) of said object (1).

10. Object according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it is a timepiece or a piece of jewellery.

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