Bracelet of a watch or of an article of jewellery, formed by a link assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a bracelet comprising a plurality of articulated assemblies (10) formed by two central links (13) joined together by first and second lateral links (11, 12) between which the central links (13) are interposed, the first lateral link (11) comprising two pins (111) each engaged in a hole (131) extending through one of the central links (13), each pin (111) being fixed to a socket (121) with which the second lateral link (12) is fitted, each socket (121) comprising two distinct fixing zones (123) through each of which the pin (111) is driven into the socket (121).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a watch bracelet or a jewelry or precious metal article, formed by an assembly of articulated sets. Technological background

[0002] Bracelets comprising link assemblies with at least some of the links made of a hard material such as diamond or ceramic are well known in the prior art. Such bracelets are described, for example, in documents EP2803286 and EP2057914.

[0003] A three-row bracelet consists of several side links with central links between them. The side links typically each have a blind hole, and the central link has a through hole. A pin is inserted into the through hole of the central links and has, at one end, a thread that engages with a threaded hole in the blind hole of one of the side links. At its other end, the pin is driven in and possibly welded into a socket screwed into the blind hole of the other side link.

[0004] This assembly solution allows the three rows of links to be joined without plastic deformation of the lateral links, while ensuring permanent fixing of the links to each other.

[0005] However, it has been observed that under a certain level of tensile stress on the lateral links, the pins are dislodged from the bushings. Therefore, there is a need to increase the strength of the link assembly. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and, to this end, relates to a bracelet comprising a plurality of articulated assemblies formed by two central links joined to each other by first and second lateral links between which the central links are interposed. The first lateral link comprises two pins, each engaged in a hole extending through one of the central links, each pin being fixed to a socket on the second lateral link. Each socket comprises two distinct fixing zones through each of which the pin is driven into the socket.

[0007] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations.

[0008] In particular embodiments, the sockets extend into the central links by a distal part and extend into the second link by a proximal part.

[0009] In particular embodiments, the proximal and distal parts each have one of the fixation zones.

[0010] In particular embodiments, one of the fixing areas is formed by a radial boss of the sleeve configured to apply clamping forces on the pin, the boss having a convex cross-section shape.

[0011] In particular embodiments, one of the fixing areas is formed by a collar configured to apply clamping forces on the pin, the collar being formed by a constant reduction in the cross-section of the sleeve.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the pins comprise a proximal part and a distal part, each cooperating with a different fixing area of ​​the sleeve, the distal part having a smaller cross-section than the cross-section of the proximal part, the pin having a larger internal diameter at the boss than at the neck. Brief description of the figures

[0013] 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 1represents an exploded perspective view of an articulated assembly for making a bracelet in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the figure 2 represents a cross-sectional view of an assembly articulated according to the figure 1 , there figure 3 represents a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a socket of an assembly according to the figure 1 .

[0014] Note that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for reasons of clarity. Detailed description of the invention

[0015] The present invention relates to a watch bracelet or a jewelry item comprising several articulated assemblies 10 formed by two central links 13 joined to each other by two opposing lateral links 11 and 12, as shown in the figure 1 .

[0016] The bracelet according to the invention is particularly adapted so that the lateral links 11 and 12 and central links 13 have a body 130 made of ceramic material, but the invention is not limited to the use of such a material.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first lateral link 11 comprises a body 110 to which two pins 111 are fixed without degrees of freedom. In particular, the body 110 of the first lateral link 11 includes two recesses 112, each receiving a pin 111 with which it cooperates via a helical connection. Each pin 111 is preferably also bonded in the recess 112 with which it cooperates.

[0018] As seen on the figure 1 , the pins 111 extend parallel to each other.

[0019] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the second lateral link 12 comprises a body 120 to which two bushings 121 are fixed without degrees of freedom. In particular, the body 120 of the second lateral link 12 includes two recesses 122, each receiving a bushing 121 with which it cooperates via a helical connection. Each bushing 121 is preferably also bonded in the recess 122 with which it cooperates.

[0020] The sockets 121 extend parallel to each other, in a manner analogous to the pins 111.

[0021] As seen on the figures 1 and 2 The pins 111 and the bushings 121 are intended to cooperate with each other so as to ensure the assembly of the first and second lateral links 11 and 12 and the central links 13 with each other to form an articulated assembly 10. This cooperation is described in detail later in the text.

[0022] Preferably, the pins 111 are made of titanium, as are the bushings 121. The use of titanium to make the pins 111 and the bushings 121 has the particular advantage of making a more rigid fixing of the links than with the use of steel and therefore allows better resistance to the mechanical stresses of the articulated assembly 10.

[0023] Each central link 13 has two through holes 131, visible on the figures 1 and 2 , through each of which one of the pins 111 is engaged. In particular, the pins 111 of the first lateral link 11 are intended to be engaged respectively in holes 131 of two different central links 13 to form an articulated assembly 10. It goes without saying that the pins 111 and the holes 131 are dimensioned so as to allow rotational mobility of the central links 13 relative to the first and second lateral links 11 and 12.

[0024] In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, each pin 111 is made in one piece and has three successive portions. More precisely, as shown in the figure 2 In detail, each pin 111 has a first portion 113 by which it is fixed to the first lateral link 11, a second portion 114 extending the first portion 113 and engaged in a hole 131 of the central link 13 with a mechanical play allowing one degree of freedom in rotation, and a third portion 115 extending the second portion 114 and linked without degree of freedom with the sleeve 121.

[0025] Each socket 121 is configured to cooperate with a pin 111 by means of two distinct fixing zones 123 visible in detail on the figure 3and at each of which the pin 111 is driven in. The third portion 115 of each pin 111 comprises for this purpose two parts, including a proximal part 1150 and a distal part 1151, each cooperating with a different fixing zone 123 of the sleeve 121. As visible on the figures 1 and 2 , the distal part 1151 has a smaller cross-section than the cross-section of the proximal part 1150, so as to facilitate the engagement of the pin 111 in the sleeve 121.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment of the invention and as shown in the figure 3 , one of the fixing areas 123 is formed by a radial boss 124 of the sleeve 121 configured to apply clamping forces on the proximal part 1150 of the pin 111. The boss 124 is characterized by a convex section shape.

[0027] In addition, the other fixing area 123 of the sleeve 121 is formed by a collar 125 configured to apply clamping forces on the distal part 1151 of the pin 111. The collar 125 is characterized by a constant reduction in the cross-section of the sleeve 121, the contact area between the sleeve 121 and the pin 111 thus materializing a straight cylindrical surface.

[0028] It is understood here that the contact area between the boss 124 and the pin 111 is more restricted than that between the collar 125 and the pin 111. Thus, the clamping forces applied by the collar 125 on the pin 111 are more distributed on the latter than those applied by the boss 124.

[0029] Furthermore, it should be noted that the internal diameter of the pin 111 at the boss 124 is larger than at the collar 125, in order to facilitate the driving of the pin 111 into the sleeve 121.

[0030] As shown by figures 2 and 3 In particular, the bushings 121 advantageously have a proximal portion 1211 through which they extend into the second lateral link 12 and a distal portion 1212 through which they extend into one of the holes 131 of a central link 13. The distal portion 1212 is fitted into the hole 131 with a mechanical clearance allowing one degree of rotational freedom of the bushing 121 relative to the central link 13. The proximal and distal portions 1211 and 1212 each have one of the attachment zones 123, as can be seen in the cross-sectional view of the figure 3 These provisions make it possible to considerably increase the resistance of the articulated assembly 10 to mechanical stresses, in particular to tensile stresses.

[0031] Advantageously, the boss 124 is arranged on the distal part 1212 of the sleeve 121 and the collar 125 on the proximal part 1211. This feature helps to facilitate the driving of the pin 111 into the sleeve 121.

[0032] It should be noted that, in the bracelet according to the invention, the pins 111 are preferably all identical, as are the sockets 121.

[0033] It can be understood from the above that the assembly of an articulated assembly 10 is carried out by first fixing the pins 111 to the body 110 of the first lateral link 11 and the bushings 121 to the body 120 of the second lateral link 12. The bushings 121 are then inserted into the through holes 131 of different central links 13, and then each of the pins 111 is inserted into one of said holes 131, until it penetrates a bushing 121 into which it is then driven. At the end of this step, an articulated assembly 10 is formed.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples but is susceptible to various variations and modifications within the grasp of those skilled in the art. In particular, the number of central links 13 and lateral links 11 and 12 composing an articulated assembly according to the invention can vary. Furthermore, the sockets 121 and the pins 111 can be fixed to the lateral links 11 and 12 by any suitable fastening means such as bayonet-type devices, etc.

[0035] Furthermore, the number, dimensions and geometry of the elements for each articulated assembly 10 may differ without the advantages of the invention being lost.

Claims

1. Bracelet comprising a plurality of articulated assemblies (10) formed by two central links (13) joined to each other by first and second lateral links (11, 12) between which the central links (13) are interposed, the first lateral link (11) comprising two pins (111) each engaged in a hole (131) extending through one of the central links (13), each pin (111) being fixed to a socket (121) with which the second lateral link (12) is fitted, the bracelet being characterized in that Each socket (121) includes two separate fixing areas (123) through each of which the pin (111) is driven into the socket (121).

2. Bracelet according to claim 1, in which the sockets (121) extend into the central links (13) by a distal part (1212) and extend into the second link (12) by a proximal part (1211).

3. Bracelet according to claim 2, wherein the proximal and distal parts (1211, 1212) each have one of the attachment zones (123).

4. Bracelet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the fixing areas (123) is formed by a radial boss (124) of the sleeve (121) configured to apply clamping forces on the pin (111), the boss (124) having a convex section shape.

5. Bracelet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of the fixing areas (123) is formed by a collar (125) configured to apply clamping forces on the pin (111), the collar (125) being formed by a constant reduction of the cross-section of the sleeve (121).

6. Bracelet according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the pins (111) comprise a proximal part (1150) and a distal part (1151) each cooperating with a different fixing zone (123) of the socket (121), the distal part (1151) having a smaller cross-section than the cross-section of the proximal part (1150), the pin (111) having an internal diameter at the boss (124) larger than at the collar (125).

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