Bracelet clasp

Abstract

The invention relates to a bracelet clasp of the folding buckle type comprising a base element (10) whose first and second long sides are formed respectively of first (1) and second (2) spars, at least one folding (3, 4) pivoting and articulated on the first and / or second short side of the base element (10), and at least one cover (5, 6) pivoting and articulated on the at least one folding (3, 4), the at least one cover (5, 6) being arranged to be folded down on the base element (10) and to be held therein in response to a flexible member associated with a locking and unlocking mechanism affecting the base element (10) and the at least one cover (5, 6) to allow the at least one cover (5, 6) to be attached to the base element (10) and then detached.According to the invention, the basic element (10) comprises first (11) and second (12) openings attached to the first (1) and second (2) stringers so that they constitute the flexible member, pressure exerted simultaneously on each of the stringers (1, 2) in a transverse direction relative to the clasp leading to an elastic deformation of the stringers (1, 2) and to the unlocking of at least one cover (5, 6) of the basic element (10) to allow the wearer to open the clasp.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention falls within the field of clasps of the folding buckle type whether equipped with two folds or a single fold, this or these folds being articulated on a basic element. Technological background

[0002] A folding buckle type clasp is known from the prior art, comprising a substantially rectangular base element, the first and second long sides of which are formed respectively of first and second longitudinal members, and first and second folding pieces pivoting and articulated on the first and second sides of said base element, said folding pieces being arranged to be folded down onto said base element and held therein in response to an elastic device associated with a locking and unlocking mechanism affecting said base element and said folding pieces to allow respectively the hooking of said first and second folding pieces onto said base element and then their unhooking.

[0003] Document EP 1 925 227 discloses a clasp consisting of a base and two fold-outs arranged to be folded down onto the base and held there in response to an elastic device consisting of one or two coil springs.

[0004] To avoid this spring (or these springs) and simplify the clasp's construction, document CH 703294 proposes a clasp consisting of a base element onto which two leaflets can be folded and held in place by utilizing the elasticity of the longitudinal members forming the base element. By pressing on pushers integrated into the longitudinal members, the leaflets are released from any attachment, allowing the clasp to open.

[0005] The solution proposed by document CH 703294 does not allow the basic element to have good structural rigidity while giving the constituent stringers the elasticity necessary for the proper holding of the folding on the basic element and allowing the release of said folding when a force is exerted on said stringers.

[0006] Document JPS6365802 discloses a clasp according to the preamble of claim 1. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention aims in particular to overcome the various drawbacks of prior art clasps.

[0008] More specifically, one objective of the invention is to provide a clasp of simple and reliable construction while having good rigidity to prevent unintentional opening.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a bracelet clasp of the folding buckle type comprising a base element whose first and second long sides are formed respectively of first and second spars, at least one folding leaf pivoting and articulated on the first and / or the second short side of the base element, and at least one cover pivoting and articulated on the at least one folding leaf, the at least one cover being arranged to be folded down on the base element and held therein in response to a flexible member associated with a locking and unlocking mechanism affecting the base element and the at least one cover to allow the at least one cover to be attached to the base element and then detached.

[0010] According to the invention, the basic element comprises first and second openings attached to the first and second longitudinal members so that they constitute the flexible member, pressure exerted simultaneously on each of the longitudinal members in a transverse direction relative to the clasp leading to an elastic deformation of the longitudinal members and to the unlocking of at least one cover of the basic element to allow the wearer to open the clasp.

[0011] In accordance with other advantageous variants of the invention: the locking and unlocking mechanism comprises at least first and second hooks carried by at least one hood, the at least first and second hooks being arranged to clip respectively onto at least first and second latches carried by the first and second side members; the first and second side members carry first and second pushers respectively; the first and a third latches are placed side by side of the first pusher, and the second and a fourth latches are placed side by side of the second pusher; the first and second openings have a length less than the length of the base element and greater than the total length of the pushers and latches; the first, second, third and fourth latches, and the first and second pushers form a single unit with the base element;The clasp includes support elements arranged on the side rails and configured to cooperate with ribs when pressure is applied to the pushers, so as to limit the maximum stroke for the pushers and restrict the deformation of the side rails to prevent exceeding the plastic deformation threshold; the ribs are integral with the base element and formed in the immediate vicinity of the openings; the support elements are integral with the side rails and positioned on the back of the pushers; each support element has a lower inclined plane oriented towards the inside of the clasp, the lower inclined plane being configured to cooperate with the ribs; each support element includes an upper inclined plane oriented towards the outside of the clasp and configured to cooperate with the covers; the base element, the first and second leaflets, and the first and second covers are made of a ceramic-filled plastic material;One end of the first cap is attached to a first strand or link of the bracelet, and one end of the second cap is attached to a second strand or link of the bracelet. Brief description of the figures

[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1 represents an exploded perspective top view of a clasp according to a first embodiment of the invention; the figure 2 represents an exploded perspective view of the underside of the clasp according to a first embodiment of the invention; the figure 3 represents a top view of a clasp according to a first embodiment of the invention in the closed position; the figure 4 represents a cross-sectional view of a clasp according to a first embodiment of the invention along line BB of the figure 3 ; THE figures 5a and 5b illustrate respectively detailed views of the inside and outside of a clasp according to a first embodiment of the invention; the figure 6 represents an exploded perspective view of a clasp according to a second embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0013] THE figures 1 and 2 These are exploded perspective views of a folding clasp type bracelet clasp.

[0014] In the following description, the lower part refers to the part of the clasp that is arranged to be against the wearer's wrist, and the upper part refers to the part of the clasp that is arranged to be accessible from the outside by the wearer.

[0015] The clasp comprises a basic element 10 that is substantially rectangular. As illustrated, the basic element 10 has a slight curve to accommodate the curvature of the wearer's wrist.

[0016] The basic element 10 comprises first and second long sides formed respectively by first 1 and second 2 longitudinal members. The clasp further comprises first 3 and second 4 folding members which are pivotally and articulated respectively on the first and second short sides of the basic element 10 around first 20 and second 21 bars.

[0017] Leaflets 3 and 4 are arranged to be folded over base element 10 and more specifically inside base element 10 as illustrated in the figure 4 .

[0018] The clasp also includes first 5 and second 6 pivoting and hinged covers respectively on first and second fold-outs 3 and 4 around bars 22, 23 passing through connecting elements 51, 61 attached to the covers, the covers 5 and 6 being arranged to be folded down onto the base element 10.

[0019] The hoods 5 and 6 are held in a folded position on the base element 10 in response to an elastic device associated with a locking and unlocking mechanism affecting the base element 10 and the hoods 5, 6 to allow respectively the hooking of the first 5 and second 6 hoods on the base element 10 and then their unhooking.

[0020] According to the invention, the basic element 10 comprises first 11 and second 12 openings attached to the first 1 and second 2 stringers, and positioned at the base of the latter.

[0021] Thanks to these openings 11, 12, the longitudinal members 1, 2 form the flexible organ, a pressure exerted simultaneously on each of the longitudinal members 1, 2 leads to an elastic deformation of the longitudinal members 1, 2 and to the unlocking of the hoods 5, 6 of the basic element 10.

[0022] As depicted on the figures 1 and 2, the openings 11, 12 have an oblong shape to facilitate their machining in the base element 10. Other shapes, such as a rectangular, circular, oval or elliptical shape, are obviously feasible.

[0023] The locking and unlocking mechanism is used respectively to attach the first 5 and second 6 covers to the base element 10, and to detach the first 5 and second 6 covers from the base element 10. As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, the locking and unlocking mechanism includes first 15' and second 16' hooks carried by the first hood 5 and third 15' and fourth 16' hooks carried by the second hood 6, the first 15' and second 16' hooks being arranged to be locked respectively by first 13' and second 14' opposing latches carried by the first and second longerons 1, 2 and the third 15' and fourth 16' hooks being arranged to be locked respectively by third 13' and fourth 14' opposing latches also carried by the first and second longerons 1, 2.

[0024] The latches 13, 13' and 14, 14' are respectively molded onto the first and second stringers 1, 2 of the base element 10 so as to form a single piece and obtain a more rigid clasp. Preferably, the latches are positioned on the upper part of the stringers 1, 2.

[0025] It will be understood that lateral pressure applied simultaneously to each of the side rails 1 and 2 will bring together the latches 13 and 14, as well as the latches 13' and 14', to release the hooks 15 and 16 attached to the first cover 5, and the hooks 15' and 16' attached to the second cover 6, respectively. The latch is then in the process of opening. To facilitate manual action on each of the side rails, the first 7 and second 8 pushbuttons are fixed to the first 1 and second 2 side rails, respectively.

[0026] According to the invention, the locks 13, 13' and 14, 14' have an evolving profile as seen in the figure 5b The thickness of the locks gradually decreases as they move away from pushers 7 and 8. Such an arrangement makes it possible to compensate for the deformation of the side rails which is less and less as one moves away from the pushers.

[0027] As can be seen in the figure 4Ribs 17, 18 are formed on the base element 10, in the immediate vicinity of the openings 11, 12. These ribs 17, 18 serve on the one hand to stiffen the base element 10, and on the other hand to form stops for the stringers 1 2 when the latter are deformed to unlock the clasp.

[0028] Furthermore, support elements 7', 8' are positioned on the back of the pushers, on the portion of the side rails facing inwards towards the clasp. These support elements 7', 8' are arranged to cooperate with the ribs 17, 18 when pressure is applied to the pushers 7, 8. The interaction of the support elements and the side rails 1, 2 with the ribs 17, 18 allows the maximum travel of the pushers to be defined and, at the same time, limits the deformation of the side rails 1, 2 to prevent them from exceeding their plastic deformation threshold. When the wearer presses the pushers 7, 8, the side rails 1, 2 deform, and the lower vertical flanks of the side rails come to rest against the ribs 17, 18 of the base element 10, with the vertical flank of the ribs 17, 18 acting as a stop.

[0029] It is also noted that the support elements 7', 8' each have a lower inclined plane 80, 81 oriented towards the inside of the clasp, the lower inclined plane 80, 81 being arranged to cooperate with the upper portion of the ribs 17, 18 so as to guide the deformation of the spar and prevent it from twisting.

[0030] The support elements 7', 8' also allow the hoods 5, 6 to be moved away from the base element 10 when the clasp is opened, the support elements 7', 8' comprising an upper inclined plane 82, 83 oriented outwards from the clasp and arranged to cooperate with the hoods 5, 6. When the wearer presses the pushers 7, 8, the longitudinal members 1, 2 deform and the upper inclined plane 82, 83 of the support elements 7', 8' gradually guides the hoods outwards from the base element 10 once the hoods have been unhooked from the locks.

[0031] The first pusher 7 and the second pusher 8 are also molded onto the first and second stringers 1, 2, and placed between each pair of locks 13, 13' and 14, 14'.

[0032] Advantageously, the first 11 and second 12 openings are shorter than the length of the base element 10 and longer than the combined length of the pushers and latches. This configuration reduces the risk of accidental opening while allowing sufficient elastic deformation of the side rails 1 and 2 to easily unlock the clasp when the wearer wishes to open it.

[0033] To lock the clasp, the carrier folds the covers 5, 6, towards the base element 10 so as to engage the hooks 15, 16, 15', 16' with the latches 13, 14, 13', 14'. To facilitate the engagement of the hooks on the latches, the latter have a slope that allows the covers to be progressively guided onto the base element 10, then to deform and push back the longitudinal members 1, 2 as the covers 5, 6 are pressed against the base element 10.

[0034] Once the hooks are engaged or clipped (or clipped) onto the locks, the side rails 1,2 return to their rest position and the covers 5, 6 are locked onto the base element 10. Clipping the hooks onto the locks provides a notch that can be felt by the wearer when closing the clasp and ensures that it is properly locked.

[0035] Although not shown in the figures, it is understood that at one end 50 of the first cover 5 is fixed a first strand or first link of the bracelet and that at one end 60 of the second cover 6 is fixed a second strand or second link of the bracelet.

[0036] The various components of the clasp are made of a plastic material, and preferably of a plastic material filled with ceramic particles.

[0037] Other materials are possible for the manufacture of the clasp, such as metals or metal alloys for example.

[0038] A person skilled in the art will have no particular difficulty using a similar clasp having a single leaf and a single cover as illustrated in the figure 6 .

[0039] According to this embodiment illustrated in the figure 6The clasp comprises a basic element 10 having first and second long sides formed respectively by first 1 and second 2 longitudinal members. The clasp includes a folding 3 which is pivotally and articulatedly mounted on the first or second short side of the basic element 10 around a bar 20.

[0040] Leaflet 3 is arranged to be folded over base element 10 and more specifically inside base element 10.

[0041] The clasp also includes a hood 5 pivoting and hinged on the fold-out 3 around a bar 22 passing through a connecting element integral with the hood, the hood being arranged to be folded down onto the base element 10. One strand or link is fixed to the base element 10 and another strand or link is fixed to one of the ends 50 of the hood.

[0042] The hood is held in the folded position on the base element 10 in response to an elastic device associated with a locking and unlocking mechanism affecting the base element 10 and the hood to allow the hood to be hooked onto the base element 10 and then unhooked.

[0043] The locking and unlocking mechanism includes at least first and second hooks 15, 16 carried by the hood and arranged to be locked respectively by first 13 and second 14 opposing latches carried by the first and second side members 1, 2. The locking mechanism may also include third 15' and fourth 16' hooks arranged to be locked respectively by third 13' and fourth 14' opposing latches also carried by the first and second side members 1, 2.

Claims

1. A bracelet clasp of the folding clasp type comprising a base element (10) whose first and second long sides are formed respectively of first (1) and second (2) spars, at least one leaflet (3, 4) which is pivotable and articulated on the first and / or the second short side of the base element (10), and at least one cover (5, 6) pivoting and articulated on the at least one leaflet (3, 4), the at least one cover (5, 6) being arranged to be folded over the base element (10) and maintained thereon in response to a flexible member associated with a bolting and unbolting mechanism affecting the base element (10) and the at least one cover (5, 6) to allow the at least one cover (5, 6) to be hooked to the base element (10) then unhooked, characterised in that the base element (10) comprises first (11) and second (12) openings joined to the first (1) and second (2) spars so that they constitute the flexible member, a pressure exerted simultaneously on each of the spars (1, 2) in a direction transverse to the clasp leading to an elastic deformation of the spars (1, 2) and to the unbolting of the at least one cover (5, 6) of the base element (10) to allow the wearer to open the clasp.

2. The clasp according to claim 1, characterised in that the bolting and unbolting mechanism comprises at least first (15) and second (16) hooks carried by the at least one cover (5, 6), the at least first (15) and second (16) hooks being arranged to be clipped respectively on at least first (13) and second (14) bolts carried by the first (1) and second (2) spars.

3. The clasp according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first (1) and second (2) spars respectively carry first (7) and second (8) push-pieces.

4. The clasp according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the first (13) and a third (13') bolts are placed on either side of the first push-piece (7), and asecond (14) and a fourth (14') bolts are placed on either side of the second push-piece (8).

5. The clasp according to claims 2 and 3, or according to claim 4, wherein the first (11) and second (12) openings have a length less than the length of the base element (10) and greater than the total length of the push-pieces and the bolts.

6. The clasp according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first (15), second (16), third (13') and fourth (14') bolts, and the first (7) and second (8) push-pieces form an element in one-piece with the base element (10).

7. The clasp according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that it comprises support elements (7', 8') disposed on the spars (1, 2) and arranged to cooperate with ribs (17, 18) when pressure is exerted on the push-pieces (7, 8), so as to limit the maximum travel for the push-pieces and limit the deformation of the spars so as not to exceed the plastic deformation threshold.

8. The clasp according to claim 7, characterised in that the ribs (17, 18) are integral with the base element (10) and formed in the immediate vicinity of the openings (11, 12).

9. The clasp according to claim 7, characterised in that the support elements (7', 8') are integral with the spars and placed on the back of the push-pieces (7, 8).

10. The clasp according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the support elements (7', 8') each have a lower inclined plane (80, 81) oriented towards the inside of the clasp, the lower inclined plane (80, 81) being arranged to cooperate with the ribs (17, 18).

11. The clasp according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the support elements (7', 8') each comprise an upper inclined plane (82, 83) oriented towards the outside of the clasp and arranged to cooperate with the covers (5, 6).

12. The clasp according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein thebase element (10), the first (3) and second leaflets (4), and the first (5) and second (6) covers are made of a ceramic-filled plastic material.

13. The clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a strand or link of the bracelet is fixed to one of the ends (50) of the first cover (5) and that a strand or link of the bracelet is fixed to one of the ends (60) of the second cover.

14. The clasp according to claim 13, characterised in that a single strand is fixed to one of the ends (50) of the first cover (5) and to one of the ends (60) of the second cover (6).

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