Watch strap, in particular with hook and loop fasteners

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch strap comprising a first and a second strap section (101, 102) which can be connected by reversible locking means and each have an end section (103, 104) designed for attachment to a watch case (200). The respective end section (103, 104) of the first and / or second strap section (101, 102) is designed to be folded, refolded, or folded to form a loop and is provided with locking means arranged such that folding, refolding, or folding closes or fixes the loop. The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and, in the case of an interchangeable watch strap, in particular to improve wearing comfort and to make the external appearance more in line with usual expectations.The problem is solved by the fact that the closure means comprise two mutually complementary and mutually releasable adhesive devices which are arranged one behind the other on an inner side (110) of the band associated with the human arm at a distance (107) such that when the band is folded, flipped or folded, the complementary adhesive devices come into contact with each other and are releasably engaged, forming the loop.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a watch strap comprising a first and a second strap part, which can be connected by reversible closure means. Each strap part has an end section designed for attachment to a wristwatch case.

[0002] The invention also relates to the arrangement of such a watch strap with a wristwatch case. The case has two pairs of opposing, parallel protruding lugs (also called horns), each pair serving to hold one of the strap parts. Strap bars are attached between the lugs, which protrude parallel from the case, to hold one strap part and its end section.

[0003] Watch straps are primarily used to hold a wristwatch on the wrist. They also serve as a valuable piece of jewelry and should, in particular, match the wearer's current attire. In this regard, there is a significant need to be able to easily and quickly remove the watch strap from the watch case—while retaining the original watch—and replace it with a different watch strap that better matches the wearer's current attire.

[0004] An interchangeable strap for a wristwatch is known from the prior art, namely EP 1 308 105 A2: In a watch case with strap bars on both sides, the strap ends can be passed through the respective gap between the watch case and the strap bar to form a loop and can be fixed on the opposite inner side of the strap by means of a hook and loop fastener.

[0005] However, the watch strap shown in the prior art also has disadvantages. For example, the adjacent adhesive layers on the inside of the loop created by threading it through the gap result in a thickening of the watch strap, which impairs its comfort and appearance. Furthermore, the adjacent barbed and looped sections of the hook-and-loop fastener, each of which corresponds to the overall width of the watch strap, are clearly visible when worn. This may not appeal to the aesthetic tastes of many watch wearers.

[0006] Another variant of such a watch strap is disclosed in DE 25 33 730 A1. The watch strap described therein comprises two strap parts which are to be attached to the strap bars of a watch case (also known as spring bars) by means of a hook and loop fastener. Each strap part has a so-called velour section and a so-called adhesive section which are attached to the inside of the watch strap at a distance from one another by an intermediate section. After one strap part has been pulled through the bar of the watch case, a firm but detachable connection is to be created by pressing the adhesive section onto the velour section, with the intermediate section being folded or folded over around the bar. A disadvantage of this variant is, among other things, that the strap parts do not have a clearly defined folding or folding point which specifies their positioning relative to the strap bar.Instead, the adhesive section and the velour section are pressed together by eye alone, resulting in the strap bar being positioned randomly between the velour and adhesive sections. This often results in the sections not fitting snugly together, but rather being slanted or even overlapping, which not only reduces comfort and aesthetics, but also reduces the strength of the connection.

[0007] It is the object of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to improve the wearing comfort of an interchangeable watch strap and to make the external appearance more in line with usual expectations.

[0008] The problem is solved by the watch strap specified in claim 1. A watch strap according to the invention of the type described above is characterized in that the closure means comprise two mutually complementary and detachable adhesive devices, which are arranged one behind the other on an inner side of the strap associated with the human arm (not visible during normal wear) at a distance such that when the strap is folded, turned over, or folded, the complementary adhesive devices come into contact with one another and releasably engage with one another, forming the loop. By maintaining a distance between the adhesive devices arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the strap, the respective end section of the strap can be wrapped around the respective strap bar in a largely form-fitting manner and nestled against it.

[0009] Optional, exemplary embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent subclaims.

[0010] It is therefore advisable to implement the fastening means as a hook and loop fastener, with one adhesive device being designed as a barb part and the other adhesive device as a fleece or loop part.

[0011] In an exemplary further development, a so-called industrial hook-and-loop fastener tested according to DIN EN 2242:1999-12 is used for the barb section and the loop or loop section. Industrial hook-and-loop fasteners have a significantly higher holding force than standard hook-and-loop fasteners, at least 1 pound per square inch. To ensure that the watch strap, if attached to the watch case, cannot come loose or slip while the watch is being worn, but still allows the hook-and-loop connection to be easily opened for removing or changing the watch strap, an industrial hook-and-loop fastener with high tensile shear strength and medium peel resistance is used in this exemplary variant.

[0012] Tensile shear strength indicates the resistance of an overlapping connection (e.g., adhesive or hook-and-loop fasteners) to loosening when tensile forces occur longitudinally along the connection, such as those typically encountered in everyday use when using a watch strap. Peel strength, on the other hand, indicates the resistance to continuous pulling or detachment of the barb portion from the loop portion (or vice versa). The resulting tensile forces act not longitudinally, but transversely or perpendicularly on the connection. To achieve high tensile shear strength and medium peel resistance, a hook-and-loop fastener with so-called "thick hooks" on the barb portion can be used, for example.

[0013] It is particularly useful to use a Velcro fastener comprising the material aramid or consisting of aramid, the load limit of which is in the range between 290 N / cm and 310 N / cm, for example 300 N / cm and / or whose elongation at break is in the range between 65% and 75%, for example 70% and / or whose tear strength is in the range between 0.8 N / cm and 1.2 N / cm, for example 1.0 N / cm and / or whose shear strength is in the range between 5 N / cm 2< and 9 N / cm 2< , for example 7 N / cm 2< and / or whose tensile strength is in the range between 3.5 N / cm 2< and 5.5 N / cm 2< , for example 4.5 N / cm 2<. Further properties of an aramid Velcro tape include high temperature resistance of approximately 140°C under continuous load and 260°C under peak load, resistance to sub-zero temperatures, good resistance to alkaline products, solvents, hydrocarbons and alcohols, and low resistance to acids.

[0014] An exemplary embodiment of the invention consists in dividing the end section(s) into two subsections lying one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the strap, each of which has one of the two adhesive devices. The outer subsection having the free strap end is designed with a smaller thickness than the inner subsection. Due to the smaller thickness of the outer subsection, the overall strap thickness or strap strength is visibly reduced in the area of ​​the superimposed, complementary adhesive devices. By reducing the thickness, the stiffness is also reduced, whereby the strap fits better to the wrist and protrudes from it can be prevented. In addition, the respective strap end section can be wrapped around the respective strap bar in a largely form-fitting manner and snug against it. Furthermore, pressure on the wearer's wrist can be reduced.In further development of this idea, the thicknesses of the subsections of the watch strap end sections are dimensioned such that the thickness of the inner subsection exceeds a total thickness formed from the smaller thickness of the outer subsection and a thickness of the adhesive device applied to the outer subsection.

[0015] In order to prevent the hook-and-loop fasteners or other interlocking adhesive devices from being visually prominent when wearing the watch strap, but rather to make them virtually "invisible," an optional embodiment of the invention is proposed as follows: The end section(s) are each divided into two subsections located one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the strap, each containing one of the two adhesive devices. The outer subsection, containing the free end of the strap, is narrower or has a smaller width than the inner subsection. If one or both adhesive devices are still wider than or equal to the width of the outer, narrower subsection, or approximately the width of the outer, narrower subsection, then the hook-and-loop fasteners are covered or barely visible when wearing the watch strap.Because of the greater width of the inner subsection compared to the width of the outer subsection and the two adhering hook-and-loop fastener parts or the two engaged adhesive devices, the inner, wider subsection outwardly overlaps the narrower, outer subsection and the narrower, engaged adhesive devices. In this regard, it is expedient for the outer subsection to have a tongue portion projecting symmetrically from the inner subsection.

[0016] In a particularly practical variant, the width of both complementary adhesive devices is identical and corresponds to the width of the outer, narrower subsection or approximately the width of the outer, narrower subsection or is less than this width, so that the complementary adhesive devices can be aligned with each other when folded, turned over, or folded. Regarding the dimensions, particularly the width of the complementary adhesive devices, a compromise must be found between visibility and sufficient strength, i.e., sufficient resistance to accidental release of the connection. This can be achieved, for example, by ensuring that the width of the outer subsection and the complementary adhesive devices corresponds approximately to 55% - 75%, preferably 60% - 70%, of the width of the other sections of the bracelet.

[0017] The complementary adhesive devices are preferably glued to the watch strap. When wearing the watch, and especially when releasing the fastening means, for example, when pulling apart the hook-and-loop fastener, the same forces acting on the fastening means also act on the adhesive connection. To ensure that the adhesive connection can withstand repeated opening or releasing of the fastening means, such as the hook-and-loop fastener, an additional, redundant fastening can be provided by seams or seam sections aligned transversely to the strap. Those areas of the adhesive device that are immediately adjacent to the gap between the adhesive devices are subject to particular stress.In order to specifically strengthen the fastening of the adhesive devices in these areas, the adhesive devices in this area can be realized with a width corresponding to the width of the bracelet and can be connected or sewn to the bracelet by a seam section running from the outside of the bracelet to the inside of the bracelet.

[0018] The wrapping of the end section of the watch strap around the strap bar of the watch case is made easier if a film hinge, a fold, a groove or another depression is formed between the two spaced-apart adhesive devices, each of which runs on the inside of the strap transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strap.

[0019] In an advantageous further development, in which the distance between the two adhesive devices is designed as a film hinge, a predetermined folding or folding point is arranged on the inside of the strap, running transversely or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the strap, between an outer sub-section of the first or second strap part and the film hinge and / or an inner sub-section of the first or second strap part and the film hinge, so that the adhesive devices located on the sections are precisely aligned, in particular congruent with one another, when the film hinge is folded or folded around the strap bars of the watch case. In this way, it can be avoided that the adhesive devices come into contact at an angle to one another and / or projecting over one another when the closure means is manually closed.In addition, the desired folding or folding point determines a predefined position for the respective end section of the bracelet, which allows it to be placed around the respective strap bar in a largely form-fitting manner and nestled against it.

[0020] Preferably, the intended folding or folding point is defined as an edge or step between the corresponding sections, wherein in particular the film hinge and the outer sub-section have a smaller thickness or strength than the inner sub-section and / or the other sections of the bracelet part. This achieves the particular advantage that the outer sub-section can be guided much more easily through the gap located between the watch case and the bar for attaching the bracelet parts. In this way, the watch strap according to the invention can be combined with a greater variety of watch cases, which, for example, also have a narrower distance from the bar, thus simplifying the retrofitting of conventional watch cases with a bracelet according to the invention.The inner and thicker sub-section following the edge or step forms a kind of stop to limit the sections of the bracelet part that can be guided through the gap.

[0021] The fastening means for connecting the bracelet parts are often designed as a pin buckle with a bow or frame and a pivoting pin on one of the bracelet parts, and on the other part of the bracelet as a central row of holes. In conjunction with the hook and loop fastener or adhesive fastener in the area of ​​the strap bars, it serves to stabilize the bracelet holder if the pin has a profile in side view whose free end section transitions into a connecting section at a right angle or an approximately right angle. This allows the bracelet hole penetrated by the pin to be further lowered compared to the bow or frame, which also reduces hole wear. If the connecting section transitions into a hinged or pivoting end section attached to the bow or frame at an angle between 90° and 100°, this results in an increased distance between the hole penetrated by the pin and the pin pivot axis, which further promotes the aforementioned sinking.

[0022] The general inventive concept also includes an arrangement of a watch strap, in particular of the aforementioned type, with a wristwatch case. The inventive arrangement is characterized by the following features: The watch strap has a first and a second strap part, which can be connected by reversible closing means. The case has two pairs of opposite, parallel projecting lugs, each serving to hold one of the strap parts, between which a strap bar runs at a distance from the rest of the case. The first and the second strap part each have an end section designed for attachment to one of the strap bars. A free end region of the respective end section of the first and second strap part is guided through a gap between the respective strap bar and the rest of the watch case and, forming a loop surrounding the strap bar, is folded, turned over, or folded around the holding bar to such an extent that closure means arranged on the inside of the strap in the respective end section are actuated to fix or close the loop.The closure means are realized with two mutually complementary adhesive devices, which engage with each other in the end section on the inside of the band.

[0023] Further details, features, feature (sub)combinations, advantages and effects based on the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and the partially schematic drawings. These show in Fig. 1 a perspective, exploded view of the inside or back of the watch case and the two parts of the watch strap Fig. 2 a perspective view of the still unfinished arrangement of the watch strap according to the invention with a conventional watch case Fig. 3 a top view of the completed arrangement of the watch strap with the watch case Fig. 4 a technical drawing for a detailed representation of a watch strap according to the invention Fig. 5 a perspective representation of an inventive, opened clasp for the watch strap Fig. 6 a perspective representation of the closed clasp

[0024] According to Figure 1The watch strap according to the invention comprises a first, perforated strap part 101 and a second strap part 102 without a row of holes. Both strap parts have end sections 103, 104 formed at one end, which serve for attachment to a watch case 200, at a respective strap bar 201, 202. Each end section 103, 104 has a hook-and-loop fastener arranged on the inside of the strap, which is not visible when the watch strap is worn. The hook and loop fastener comprises a barb part 105 applied to the outer, free end and a fleece part 106 applied in front of it in the longitudinal direction of the band. Between the barb and fleece part 105, 106 there is a distance 107 where a film hinge, a fold, a groove or a recess could be formed to facilitate folding and nestling against the respective band web 201, 202 (not shown).The second bracelet part 102 is provided with a clasp 108 at the end opposite the end section 104 with hook and loop fastener 105,106.

[0025] According to Figure 2 During the replacement of the watch strap, the two respective end sections 103, 104 are partially guided through the respective free gap 203 between strap bar 201 and 202, respectively, and the opposite watch case wall. The free end areas, each with its attached barb parts 105, still protrude at an angle, and a strap loop created in the respective end section 103, 104 is not yet closed.

[0026] According to Figure 3The watch strap change is complete. The free end areas with the barbed parts 105 are positioned against the corresponding loop parts 106 in such a way that both parts engage with each other, and the hook-and-loop fastener secures the now closed strap loop. To change the watch strap again, the hook-and-loop fastener can be released with a little force.

[0027] Further technical details and details, especially regarding the band geometry, can be found in the Figure 4 in conjunction with the reference symbols entered therein. Reference should be made, among other things, to the narrow side longitudinal views of the first bracelet part 101 (third view from above in Figure 4 ) and the second bracelet part 102 (lowest longitudinal view in Figure 4). Each of the end sections 103, 104 of the bracelet parts can then be divided into two subsections 111, 112 located one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the bracelet, each separated from the other by a distance 107. The outer subsection 112, which has the free end of the bracelet and carries the barb part 105, is designed with a smaller thickness (1.3 mm in the example shown) than the inner subsection 111 carrying the fleece part 106 (2.5 mm thick in the example shown). The total thickness, which results from the 1.3 mm thickness of the outer subsection 112 and the thickness of the attached barb part 105, is also less than the 2.5 mm thickness of the remaining bracelet part 101, 102, including the inner subsection 111.

[0028] The Figure 4The dimensions given can be varied within the scope of the invention: For example, the thickness of the watch strap, including the inner subsection 111, can be between 2.1 mm and 2.6 mm, while the strap thickness in the outer subsection 112 with the strap end area can be between 0.7 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0029] The inner and outer subsections 111 and 112 of the respective end sections 104 and 105 of the two bracelet parts 101, 102 are also in Figures 1 and 2 The outer subsection 112 forms a narrowed, tongue-like projection compared to the rest of the bracelet part, including the inner subsection 111, with which the barb type 105 applied to the inner side 110 of the band is largely congruent. As a result, the barb part 105 is also narrower than the rest of the bracelet part, including the inner subsection 111. This corresponds to the Figure 4 The width of the tongue-like part of the outer subsection 112 is shown as 14 mm. In contrast, the remaining bracelet part 101 or 102, including the inner subsection 111, is significantly wider with a width of 20 mm.

[0030] Furthermore, it can be seen that the fleece part 106, applied to the inner side 110 of the inner subsection 111, also has a narrowed, tongue-like projection, preferably with the same width as the projection of the outer subsection 112. In conjunction with the symmetrical, central arrangement of the tongue part of the hook-and-loop fastener fleece part 106 on the inner side 110 of the inner subsection 111, the distances d between the outer edges of the tongue-like projection of the fleece part 106 and the outer edges of the respective strap parts 101, 102 are equal on both sides. The advantage achieved with these distances d is that when wearing the corresponding wristwatch, it is no longer clearly visible that with the two subsections 111, 112, two strap layers lie on top of one another or on top of one another.The wider subsection 111, which is visible from the outside when worn, covers the narrower subsection 112, which lies directly on the arm when worn.

[0031] According to Figure 5 The second bracelet part 102 is provided at its end with a clasp 108, which has an approximately rectangular frame 113 and, in the center thereof, a pivoting pin 114. In side view, the pin has a profile whose free end section 115 transitions into a connecting section 117 via an approximately right angle 116. The connecting section, in turn, transitions into a hinged end section 118 via an angle greater than 90°, preferably between 90 and 100°, which is pivotally mounted in the remaining clasp 108.

[0032] According to Figure 6the pin 114 passes through one of the holes 119 of the first bracelet part 101, whereby only the pin tip 115 protruding from the affected hole 119 is visible. For this purpose, the first bracelet part 101 was guided through the clasp 108 in a conventional manner, and the pin was inserted through a suitable hole 119. List of reference symbols

[0033] 101First bracelet part 102Second bracelet part 103End section of the first bracelet part 104End section of the second bracelet part 105Adhesive device, in particular barb part of the hook and loop fastener 106Adhesive device, in particular fleece part of the hook and loop fastener 107Gap, e.g. film hinge 108Clasp 109Outer side of the bracelet 110Inner side of the bracelet 111Inner or interior subsection 112Outer or exterior subsection dGaps 113Frame 114Mandrel 115Free mandrel end section or mandrel tip 116Right angle 117Connecting section 118Articulating end section 119Hole 200Watch case 201Band bar 202Band bar 203Free gap

Claims

1. A watch strap comprising a first and a second strap part (101, 102) which can be connected by reversible closing means and each having an end section (103, 104) which is designed for attachment to a case (200) for wristwatches, and the respective end section (103, 104) of the first and / or second of the strap parts (101, 102) is designed to be folded, turned over or folded to form a loop and is provided with closure means arranged in such a way that the loop is closed or fixed when folded, turned over or folded, characterized in thatthe closure means comprise two mutually complementary and detachable adhesive devices (105, 106) which are arranged one behind the other at a distance (107) on an inner side (110) of the band assigned to the human arm in such a way that when the band is turned over, folded over or folded, the complementary adhesive devices (105, 106) come into contact with one another and detachably engage one another to form the loop.

2. Watch strap according to claim 1, characterized in that in the context of a realization as a hook and loop fastener, one adhesive device is designed as a barb part (105) and the other adhesive device is designed as a fleece or loop part (106).

3. Watch strap according to claim 2, characterized in thatfor the barb part (105) and the fleece or loop part (106), an industrial hook and loop fastener with a holding force of at least 1 pound per square inch and a high tensile shear strength and a medium peel resistance, each in relation to values ​​​​typical for hook and loop fasteners, is used.

4. Watch strap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end section(s) (103,104) are each divided into two subsections (111,112) lying one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the band, each having one of the two adhesive devices (105, 106), wherein the outer subsection (112) having the free band end is designed with a smaller thickness than the inner subsection (111).

5. Watch strap according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe thickness of the inner subsection (111) exceeds a total thickness summed from the smaller thickness of the outer subsection (112) and a thickness of the adhesive device applied to the outer subsection (112).

6. Watch strap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end section(s) (103,104) are each divided into two subsections (111,112) lying one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the band, each having one of the two adhesive devices (105,106), wherein the outer subsection (112) having the free band end is designed with a smaller width, for example 14 mm, than the inner subsection (111), the width of which is for example 20 mm.

7. Watch strap according to claim 6, characterized in that the outer, narrower sub-section (112) is arranged to project symmetrically from the inner, wider sub-section (111).

8. Watch strap according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in thata width, for example 12 mm, of one or both adhesive devices corresponds to the width of the outer, narrower sub-section (112) or approximately to the width of the outer, narrower sub-section (112) or is even less than a width, for example 14 mm, of the outer, narrower sub-section (112).

9. Watch strap according to claim 8, characterized in that the width of both adhesive devices (105, 106) is identical, so that the complementary adhesive devices (105, 106) can come into contact with one another in a congruent manner when turned over, folded over or folded, wherein the width of the adhesive devices (105, 106) corresponds to the width of the outer, narrower sub-section (112) or approximately to the width of the outer, narrower sub-section (112) or is even less than the width of the outer, narrower sub-section (112) and is approximately 55% - 75% of the width of the inner sub-section (111).

10. Watch strap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a film hinge, a fold, a groove or other recess, which runs on the inside of the tape transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tape and is arranged between the two spaced-apart adhesive devices.

11. Watch strap according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe film hinge is implemented as a distance (107) between the two adhesive devices (105, 106), wherein a desired folding or folding point is defined on the inside (110) of the band, running transversely or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the band, between an outer sub-section (112) of the first or second bracelet part (101, 102) and the film hinge (107) and / or an inner sub-section (111) of the first or second bracelet part (101, 102) and the film hinge (107), so that the adhesive devices (105, 106) located on the respective sub-sections (111, 112) are precisely aligned, in particular congruent with one another, when the film hinge (107) is folded or folded over for attachment to the housing (200).

12. Watch strap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing means are realized as a pin buckle with a bracket or frame (113) and pivoting pin (114), characterized in thatthe mandrel (114) has a profile in a side view, the free end section (115) of which merges into a connecting section (117) via a right angle (116) or an approximately right angle (116).

13. Watch strap according to claim 12, characterized in that the connecting section (117) merges over an angle between 90° and 100° into an articulation end section (118) which is mounted in an articulated or pivotable manner on the bracket or frame (113).

14. Arrangement of a watch strap, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, with a case (200) for wristwatches, wherein the watch strap has a first and a second strap part (101, 102) which can be connected by reversible closing means, wherein the case (200) has two pairs of opposite, parallel projecting strap lugs, each serving to hold one of the strap parts, between each of which a strap bar (201, 202) runs at a distance from the rest of the case, wherein the first and the second strap part (101, 102) each have an end section (103, 104) which is designed for attachment to one of the strap bars (201, 202), and wherein a free end region of the respective end section (103, 104) of the first and second strap part (101, 102) is guided through a gap (203) between the respective strap bar (201, 202) and the rest of the watch case, and forming a band bridge (201,202) surrounding the loop around the band web (201,202) is turned, folded or folded so far that closure means arranged on an inner side (110) of the band in the respective end section are actuated to fix or close the loop, , characterized in that the closure means are realized with two mutually complementary adhesive devices which engage with each other in the respective end section (103,104) on the inside of the band (110).

15. Arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in thatthe end section(s) (103, 104) are each subdivided into two subsections (111, 112) located one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the band, each having one of the two adhesive devices (105, 106), wherein the outer subsection (112) having the free band end is designed with a smaller thickness than the inner subsection (111), so that a total thickness, summed up from the smaller thickness of the outer subsection (112) and a thickness of the adhesive device (105) applied to the outer subsection (112), is less than the width of the gap (203) located between the respective band web (201, 202) and the remaining watch case (200), and a total thickness of the inner subsection (111) and a thickness of the adhesive device (106) applied to the inner subsection (111) is greater than the width of the gap between the respective band web (201,202) and the other watch case (200) located gap (203).

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