Bracelet clasp comprising a system for adjusting the length of the bracelet

Abstract

The invention relates to a clasp (10) for a bracelet comprising two strands, said clasp (10) comprising a system for adjusting the length of said bracelet by relative movement of said strands, said system comprising at least one cover (30), an adjustment system (50) fixed to said cover (30) by fastening means (32-35, 52, 57) and a carriage (40) sliding on the cover, the carriage being linked to one of said strands and allowing, by its movement, the adjustment of the bracelet length, said clasp comprising locking means for blocking the movement of said carriage, said locking means comprising at least one actuating means movably mounted on the guide (50, 50') to ensure at least a first locked position of the carriage and a second released position of the carriage, an indexing member placed on the carriage,The cooperation between the actuating means and the indexing element prevents the carriage from sliding relative to the adjustment system in the carriage's locked position.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clasp for a bracelet, in particular a watch bracelet, and in particular a clasp comprising a system for adjusting the length of the bracelet by movable means.

[0002] The invention also relates to a clasp and a wristwatch comprising such an adjustment system.

[0003] In other embodiments, the adjustment system according to the invention can be applied to other products such as a belt for example. State of the art

[0004] Wristwatch straps typically include a mechanism for adjusting the strap length while the watch is being worn. For example, in the case of two-strand leather or synthetic straps, the free end of one strand has a series of holes running lengthwise along the strap. The free end of the other strand has a connecting device, such as a pin buckle, that allows the two strands to be joined by inserting the pin into the hole corresponding to the desired length. In the case of metal link bracelets, the strap length can be adjusted, for example, by removing or adding a link to one or both strands.However, in both cases, the possible adjustments to the usable length of the bracelet are quite crude, and it is possible that the circumference of the wearer's wrist will fall between two adjacent settings, making it difficult to achieve a comfortable fit.

[0005] Clasps equipped with a mechanism for finely adjusting the bracelet length are known from the prior art. These mechanisms include a locking or blocking device to prevent unintentional or accidental lengthening and / or shortening of the bracelet. Generally, the aim is to prevent unintentional lengthening, as the risk of unintentional shortening is lower. Furthermore, the ability to quickly shorten the bracelet without activating a release mechanism is also desirable for the wearer, as it allows them to easily tighten (or adjust) the bracelet around their wrist at any time.For example, a user whose hand on the arm wearing the wristwatch is occupied can still tighten the bracelet around their wrist by applying pressure with the other hand on a strand of the bracelet in the direction aimed at decreasing the length of the bracelet.

[0006] Publication EP2868222 describes a bracelet clasp with means for adjusting the bracelet length. More specifically, this publication describes a folding bracelet clasp comprising a sequence of at least two longitudinal segments articulated relative to each other to form folding clasp blades; a first and a second bracelet connecting member for connection to a first and a second free end of the bracelet, respectively, the first connecting member being fixed to a first longitudinal segment and the second connecting member being fixed to another of the at least two longitudinal segments; clasp locking means for opening and closing the clasp; and a bracelet length adjustment device comprising a movable part connected to one of the two connecting members and a support rigidly fixed to one of the longitudinal segments.said adjustment device includes a locking device capable of being in two stable positions: an unlocked position in which the moving part can be moved along the length of the bracelet to allow for length adjustment, and a locked position in which any movement of the moving part relative to the support is blocked. To this end, the system known from this publication includes, in particular, a carriage with a toothed rack having several teeth and a support with a locking piece in the form of a pin combined with a jaw designed to cooperate with teeth of the rack. The jaw and the teeth have complementary shapes, such that the jaw fits between two teeth of said rack and occupies the space between said teeth. In the locked position,The jaw blocks the movement of the rack and therefore the length adjustment. The locking effect is achieved by a slider that acts on the pin and the jaw to push them towards the rack. When the user wishes to adjust the bracelet length, they move the slider to an unlocked position, which releases the pin and the jaw, allowing the rack to move and the bracelet length to be adjusted.

[0007] Publication WO2019 / 166671 describes another bracelet clasp with means for adjusting the bracelet length. In this publication, the device for adjusting the usable bracelet length is integrated with the cover. The adjustment device includes a movable part with a carriage mounted to slide inside the cover. For this purpose, the carriage has a pair of lateral guide pads designed to fit into two guide grooves, respectively formed on either side of the inner faces of the two side walls of the cover. The guide grooves have the same curvature as the cover. Each groove opens at one end of the corresponding side wall. Each guide pad is designed to cooperate with one guide groove. These features allow the carriage to be engaged under the cover by engaging the guide pads and sliding within it.The guide pads preferably have an elongated shape along the longitudinal direction of the bracelet, such that the carriage can only move by sliding along the guide grooves. The carriage houses a transverse piece which, in the embodiment shown, has an elongated shape and the general appearance of a bar. The piece has a stop structure comprising two teeth. The two teeth are arranged on the same transverse axis and are separated by a gap in which a stop pin is located. A central longitudinal groove is formed inside the upper wall of the cover. On either side of the central groove, two indexing members are formed in the underside of the cover wall; these indexing members are in the form of two parallel racks or teeth. When the moving part is mounted in the cover, each tooth engages with one of the teeth.A maximum travel finger is positioned in the middle of the part and is designed to slide in the central groove, so that the ends of the groove act as a travel stop for the carriage. A distinctive feature of the clasp according to this publication is that it does not require an actuating or manipulating element to release the fine adjustment stop from its engagement with the indexing element. Such a release is necessary in prior art clasps to allow the moving part to move in at least one of the two directions of the usable length adjustment. Generally, at least the adjustment allowing the usable length of the bracelet is prevented by such a locking or blocking mechanism, which then requires unlocking by means of a suitable actuating element. The clasp according to this publication lacks such a manipulating element for releasing the fine adjustment.The clasp is preferably also devoid of a locking mechanism that completely prevents the movement of the moving part in both longitudinal directions. The described clasp thus allows adjustment in both directions by simply acting on the two ends of the strap: pushing to decrease the length or pulling to increase the tension. The shapes and / or geometric configurations of the contact surfaces between the carriage and the cover are arranged in such a way that the pulling force required to move the strap in the direction used to lengthen it is greater than the pushing force required in the opposite direction to shorten it. The risk of accidental lengthening is therefore lower than that of accidental shortening, which is the desired effect.

[0008] Publication EP4059374 describes an alternative bracelet clasp construction incorporating means for adjusting the bracelet length, allowing for quick adjustment. More specifically, this publication relates to a bracelet clasp comprising a length adjustment device, characterized in that said adjustment device includes a pivoting element, said element being actuable by a user to activate the length adjustment. Preferably, said pivoting element forms part of the clasp cover.

[0009] Publication EP2875747 shows a clasp that allows for fine-tuning the bracelet length by applying force to the bracelet strand attached to a moving part. This clasp includes a locking mechanism with a tooth to hold the moving part in a predefined position. To lengthen the bracelet, the user must open the clasp and press down on a support surface to release the tooth and move the moving part in the desired direction. The construction of the clasp shown in document EP2875747 is relatively simple compared to other clasps with a fine-tuning mechanism for bracelet length.

[0010] Existing systems have certain drawbacks: for example, a large number of parts makes them complex and expensive to manufacture. In other designs, this can be a reliability issue: the bracelet adjustment is not consistently secure and tends, for example, to allow accidental and unwanted extensions of the bracelet, thus risking loss of the watch.

[0011] In some designs, when the clasp cover includes a rack and / or slides, the cover cannot (or only with great difficulty) be produced from certain materials such as ceramics, precious metals, or other high-quality materials. This consequently limits the choice of materials available for manufacturing at least this part of the clasp. Since the cover is a visible part of the system, it is sometimes desirable to make it from such high-quality materials, which is not always possible, as explained above.

[0012] Other constructions are not easy to manipulate to obtain the desired result (shortening or lengthening the bracelet) or are not intuitive for the user, making them impractical. Summary of the invention

[0013] One aim of the invention is therefore to improve existing systems.

[0014] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and reliable system for finely adjusting the length of a bracelet.

[0015] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a system for finely adjusting the length of a bracelet that requires few parts and / or uses standard parts from the technical field.

[0016] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fine adjustment system for the length of a bracelet that can be used on bracelet clasp parts made of different materials, such as metal (precious or not), ceramics, sapphire and other various materials (precious or not).

[0017] In some embodiments, the invention relates to a clasp for a wristwatch strap in which the means for finely adjusting the length are gathered in an adjustment module.

[0018] This modular construction makes it possible, on the one hand, to overcome the limitation recognized above in the materials that can be used to manufacture the clasp, in particular its visible parts: the invention allows the use of many more materials for these parts of the clasp, such as the lid.

[0019] Furthermore, its modular construction allows it to be added to existing clasps with a few simple adaptations.

[0020] In some execution modes, the adjustment means are invisible when the bracelet is worn, for example with a wristwatch.

[0021] In some execution modes, the adjustment means are visible in a limited way when the bracelet is worn, for example with a wristwatch.

[0022] In some execution modes, the adjustment means are accessible when the clasp is in an open configuration.

[0023] In some execution modes, the adjustment means are accessible when the clasp is in a closed configuration.

[0024] In embodiments, the invention relates to a clasp for a bracelet (for example, for a watch) comprising two strands, the clasp comprising a system for adjusting the length of said bracelet by relative movement of said strands, said system comprising at least one cover, an adjustment system fixed to the cover by fastening means and a carriage sliding on the cover, the carriage being linked to one of said strands and allowing, by its movement, the adjustment of the bracelet length, the clasp comprising locking means for blocking the movement of said carriage, the locking means comprising at least one actuating means movably mounted on the guide to ensure at least a first locked position of the carriage and a second released position of the carriage, an indexing member placed on the carriage,The cooperation between the actuating means and the indexing element prevents the carriage from sliding relative to the adjustment system in the carriage's locked position.

[0025] In some embodiments, the indexing element is a rack with teeth.

[0026] In some embodiments, the actuation means is an internal push-lever accessible from an inside side of the cover for its actuation.

[0027] In some embodiments, the actuation means is an external push-lever accessible from an outside side of the cover for its actuation.

[0028] In some execution modes, the actuation means is an external button accessible from an outside side of the cover (30') for its actuation.

[0029] In some embodiments, the means of fixing the adjustment system are at least a spring bar and / or a screw.

[0030] In some embodiments, the push-lever is mounted on a first fixing means of the adjustment system or on a second fixing means of the adjustment system.

[0031] In some embodiments, the actuation means is held in a stable position by at least one spring.

[0032] In some execution modes, the internal and external push-levers or the button are fixed to each other.

[0033] In some embodiments, the internal and external push-levers are fixed by at least one screw.

[0034] In some embodiments, at least the lid is made of metal, precious metal, ceramic, or a mixture of materials.

[0035] In some embodiments, the invention relates to a watch strap, said strap being combined with a clasp as described in the present application.

[0036] In embodiments, the invention relates to a wristwatch combined with a strap as described in this application or with a clasp as described in this application.

[0037] The invention and its various embodiments will be better understood from the detailed description that follows and the figures in this application. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] There figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention seen from inside a watch strap. figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention as seen from the outside. figures 3 to 5 illustrate respectively a perspective view from below, a perspective view from above, and a cross-sectional view of a part of the invention according to one embodiment. figures 6 to 10 illustrate transparent and cross-sectional views of a part of the invention according to the embodiment of figures 1 to 5 . THE Figures 11 and 12illustrate a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention seen from the outside. figures 13 to 15 illustrate side and perspective views of a part of the invention according to the embodiment of Figures 11 and 12 . THE Figures 16 to 20 illustrate transparent and cross-sectional views of a part of the invention according to the embodiment of figures 11 to 15 . THE Figures 21 and 22 illustrate a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention seen from the outside. figures 23 to 25 illustrate side and perspective views of a part of the invention according to the embodiment of Figures 21 and 22 . THE Figures 26 to 30 illustrate transparent and cross-sectional views of a part of the invention according to the embodiment of figures 21 to 25 . THE Figures 31 and 32 illustrate a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention seen from the outside. figures 33 to 35 illustrate side and perspective views of a part of the invention according to the embodiment of Figures 31 and 32 . THE Figures 36 to 40 illustrate transparent and cross-sectional views of a part of the invention according to the embodiment of figures 31 to 35 . There figure 41 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention as seen from the outside. figures 42 to 47 illustrate transparent and cross-sectional views of a part of the invention according to the embodiment of the figure 41 . Digital references

[0039] 10: Watch bracelet clasp 11: Base 12: Longitudinal 13: Spacer 14: Folding arm 15, 16: Folding arm arm 21: Bracelet end link 22: Bracelet end link 30, 30', 30", 30": Cover 31: Pushers 32: Opening 33: Opening 34: Opening 35: Opening 36: Opening for pusher 31 37: Window 40, 40': Carriage 41: Carriage fixing end 42, 43: Rack teeth 50, 50', 50": Adjustment system 50.1: System 50 through opening 50.2: System 50 through opening 51: Internal pusher lever 52: Spring bar or axle 53, 54, 53', 54': Teeth 55, 56: springs 57: axle or bar 58, 58': external push lever 59, 59', 59": crossbar 60: screw 61: screw 70: button 71: button opening 70 75: button 76, 77: button teeth 75 78: button springs 75 Detailed description

[0040] In the different embodiments of the invention described below, there are elements and parts having the same numerical references and they are identical or equivalent and their role / function applies in an identical or equivalent way to each embodiment.

[0041] In the figure 1 A general perspective view of the invention, viewed from the inside of a watch strap clasp 10 intended to be connected to two free ends of a strap, is shown. Schematically, the strap is illustrated by its two terminal links 21, 22, each being fixed to one end of the clasp 10.

[0042] The clasp 10 conventionally comprises a folding buckle with a base 11 including two spaced side rails 12 attached to a spacer 13, intended to be connected to the terminal link 21 of the bracelet, and a folding arm 14 including two prongs 15, 16 for holding the buckle in a closed position, as described in the publications mentioned above. This clasp is given as an illustrative example and other clasps may be used.

[0043] The clasp 10 also includes a cover 30 with pushers 31 for pressing the arms 15, 16 and opening the buckle, as is known for example from the publications mentioned above, and openings 32, 33. In the cover 30, a movable carriage 40 can also be seen, which will be detailed in the description of the following figures.

[0044] There figure 2 illustrates lid 30 seen from another side in relation to the figure 1, with openings 34-35 corresponding to openings 32, 33 views on the figure 1 , and an opening 36 for push button 31 (see figure 1 ).

[0045] On the right side of the cover 30, the fixing end 41 of the carriage 40 to the terminal link 22 of the bracelet can be seen (see figure 1 ).

[0046] THE Figures 3 to 5The illustrations in more detail depict the adjustment carriage 40 according to one embodiment of the invention. Said carriage 40 comprises a fastening end 41 for attaching to a link (22) of the bracelet. As will be understood from the remainder of this description, the carriage 40 is movable within the cover 30, which allows for fine adjustment of the bracelet length. To this end, the carriage 40 includes, in particular, a rack with two teeth 42, 43, located on the side of the cover 30 and situated on either side of an adjustment system 50. This system allows the carriage 40 to be held in a fixed position or, alternatively, allows it to slide for length adjustment, the movement being between the carriage 40 and the adjustment system 50. The latter is fixedly mounted in the cover 30, with the axes 52 and 57 (for example, bars) being inserted into the openings 32-35 of the cover (see the figure 1 ).

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, an internal push-lever 51 is mounted freely to rotate on an axis, for example a bar 52 which passes through an opening 50.1 of the system 50, and pressing on the internal push-lever 51 causes it to rotate around the axis 52 which disengages teeth 53, 54 from teeth 42, 43 and allows relative movement between the carriage 40 and the system 50.

[0048] The system 50 also includes one or more springs 55, 56 which allow the push-lever to be held in a stable position in which the teeth 53, 54 are engaged in the teeth 42, 43 which blocks the relative movement of the parts 40, 50.

[0049] THE figures 6 to 8 illustrate a position in which it is possible to lengthen the bracelet, the figure 7 illustrating the section along axis AA of the figure 6 and the figure 8 illustrating the section along the BB axis of the figure 6In this position, for example "unlocked", the internal push lever 51 was pressed, causing it to rotate around the axis 52 and disengaging the teeth 53, 54 from the rack teeth 42, 43, as seen in the figures 7 and 8 The position shown is the one in which the bracelet has its largest diameter, since the carriage 40 is against the adjustment system 50, which is fixed in the cover 30. As can be understood from figures 7 and 8 Due to the shape of the teeth 42, 43 and 53, 54, it is necessary to press the internal push-lever 51 to lengthen the bracelet. However, to shorten the bracelet, this is not necessary, and the slope of the teeth 42, 43 allows for shortening by simply acting on the bracelet.

[0050] THE Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a position in which the bracelet is shortened, the figure 9 illustrating the section along axis AA of the figure 6 and the Figure 10 illustrating the section along the BB axis of the figure 6 In this position, called for example "locked", the internal push-lever 51 is not pressed but remains in its stable position thanks to the springs 55, 56. The teeth 53 are meshed with the teeth 42 as can be seen in the figure 9 .

[0051] As can be understood by considering the position of the end 42 of the carriage relative to the cover 30, in the Figures 9 and 10 , the bracelet is in a state of maximum shortening (carriage 40 against system 50) and its lengthening is not possible without pressing on the internal push-lever 51.

[0052] There figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the elements identical to those in the previous embodiment have the same numerical references: in this embodiment, as can be understood by comparison of the Figures 11 And 2The adjustment system 50 includes an external push-lever 58 accessible from the top of the cover 30'. This cover 30' is therefore similar to cover 30 with openings 34, 35 and 36, but also includes a window 37 which allows the external push-lever 58 to be actuated to unlock the bracelet length adjustment system. figure 12 shows the same view as the figure 11 , but the push-lever 58 is in a different position. More precisely, the figure 11 illustrates a position allowing for an increase in the bracelet length, while the position of the figure 12 is a locked position, which only allows the bracelet to be shortened.

[0053] THE figures 13 to 15 illustrate in detail the external push-lever 58 mounted on an adjustment system 50 similar to that described in the preceding figures. As illustrated in the figures 13 to 15This embodiment includes, in particular, an adjustment system 50 as described previously, with an internal push-lever 51, openings 50.1 and 50.2, a shaft 52 (the shaft present in opening 50.2 during assembly is not shown but is, for example, similar to shaft 52, for example, a bar), and teeth 53, 54, the internal push-lever 51 being mounted on shaft 52, springs 55 and 56 maintaining the internal push-lever 51 in a stable position. This embodiment further includes an external push-lever 58 which allows activation of the system from outside the cover 30'. The push-lever 58 is, for example, mounted on a cross member 59 located between teeth 53, 54.To allow the assembly of the system and as the push-lever 58 may be larger than the opening formed by the window 37 in the cover 30', the push-lever is preferably fixed in a removable manner to the cross member 59, for example by means of the screws 60, 61 so that the adjustment system can first be mounted in the cover 30' without the push-lever 58, then the latter is mounted by screwing it onto the cross member 59. Other equivalent means of fixing are of course possible.

[0054] THE Figures 16 to 20 illustrate the operation of this embodiment of the invention in a manner similar to figures 6 to 10 and reference is made to the description of these figures, the figures 17 , 19 And 18 , 20 illustrating sections respectively along axes AA and BB of the figure 16 The difference in the execution method of Figures 16 to 20is that the adjustment system 50 includes an external push-lever 58 which allows actuation from the outside. As seen in the Figures 17 and 18 The push-lever 58 is tilted to the right (which corresponds to the position illustrated in figure 11 ), and in this position, tooth 53 is away from teeth 42, which allows relative movement between the carriage 40 and the adjustment system 50, and therefore the lengthening of the bracelet. In the Figures 17 and 18 , like figures 7 and 8 , we are at the stop (see the position of the carriage 40 relative to the adjustment system 50) which corresponds to the maximum elongation of the bracelet.

[0055] Similarly, in the Figures 19 and 20 like the Figures 9 and 10 , we are at the opposite end of the range, which corresponds to the maximum shortening of the bracelet (see the position of the carriage 40 relative to the adjustment system 50). As can be seen in the figure 19, tooth 53 is meshed with teeth 42, which blocks the movement of the carriage 40 relative to the adjustment system 50) and this position corresponds to that illustrated in figure 12 To extend the bracelet, press the external push-button lever 58 as illustrated in the Figures 11 , 17 and 18 As can be deduced from the figure 19 Given the shape of tooth 53 and teeth 42, it is possible to move from the position of the figure 17 to that of the figure 19 without acting on the external push-lever 58 (or internal 51): the bracelet length can therefore be easily shortened. However, lengthening it requires acting on the external push-lever 58 (or internal 51 as in the previously described embodiment) to disengage the teeth 53, 54 from the teeth 42, 43 (as illustrated in the Figures 17 and 18 , Or 7 and 8 ).

[0056] As can be understood from the description above, in the execution mode of Figures 11 to 20 , a user can act from outside the cover 30' on the external push-lever 58 or from inside on the internal push-lever 51.

[0057] THE Figures 21 to 30 illustrate another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is based on the one illustrated in the Figures 11 to 20 but in this other mode, the push-lever 58' is mounted on the axis 57 and not on the axis 52 so that its movement is reversed compared to the mode of Figures 11 to 20 This reversal is visible on the Figures 21 and 22 compared with the Figures 11 and 12 As can be seen on the Figures 21 and 22 , the movement of the 58' push-lever is to the left and not to the right as in the Figures 11 and 12 .

[0058] THE figures 23 to 25illustrate in more detail the construction of the 50' adjustment system, the elements identical to the previous execution modes having the same numerical references. In this mode, and as can be seen in particular in the figures 23-25 The push-lever 58' is mounted on the shaft 57 and can rotate around this shaft when the system is activated. More specifically, the springs 55 and 56 and the internal push-levers 51 and external push-levers 58' are mounted on the shaft 57 and no longer on the shaft 52 as in the previously described embodiments. The general operation is the same, while the direction of actuation of the push-levers is reversed.

[0059] In the Figures 26 to 30 We will see in more detail how this execution mode works. Figures 27 and 28 illustrate sections respectively along axes AA and BB of the figure 26 As illustrated in the Figures 27 and 28The tooth 53' is lifted by the rotation of the external push-lever 58', which allows the carriage to slide on the adjustment system 50'. In these figures 27 / 28 The system is at its limit and we are in a position that corresponds to the maximum shortening of the bracelet (see the position of the carriage 40 relative to the adjustment system 50', see also the Figures 19 and 20 In the Figures 23 , 28 And 30 , we see screw 60 which, as illustrated in the figure 15 allows the push-lever 58' to be mounted on the cross member 59' in the same way as described with reference to the execution method of the Figures 11 to 20 whose screws 60, 61 are found in the execution method of the Figures 21 to 30 as illustrated in these figures. Equivalent means are of course possible in place of screws 60, 61.

[0060] In the Figures 29 and 30 , which are sections respectively along axes AA and BB of the figure 26The system is blocked because tooth 53' is meshed with teeth 42 and blocks the relative sliding between carriage 40 and adjustment system 50'. In the Figures 29 and 30 , we are in a position approximately halfway through the travel of the carriage 40 relative to the adjustment system 50'.

[0061] This execution method has the advantage of being more intuitive and may be preferred by some users, and can be applied to the execution method of figures 2 to 10 : in such a case, the push-lever 51 is mounted on the bar 57 and not the bar 52 and the above description applies accordingly.

[0062] In some variants, the system includes only an internal push-lever 51 and in other variants only an external push-lever 58, 58'.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiments including an external push-lever 58, 58', or button 70, an internal push-lever 51 has also been illustrated so that the setting can be made by operating either of said push-buttons / button, but it is obvious that if the system includes an external push-lever 58, 58', or button 70, the internal push-lever 51 can be dispensed with and the construction simplified.

[0064] THE Figures 31 to 40 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the external push-lever has the form of a button 70 which moves in translation and not in rotation as in the embodiments described above.

[0065] THE Figures 31 and 32 illustrate perspective views of the 30" lid in two positions of the 70 button: figure 31 The 70 button is pressed, which allows adjustment of the bracelet length and in the figure 32The system is locked so that any lengthening of the bracelet (at least) is not possible according to the principles of the present invention. The operating principle of this embodiment is similar to that illustrated in the Figures 11 to 20 Reference is made to the description of these figures above, the numerical references being identical for the same parts of the device. The difference lies in the means of actuation of the adjustment system as described below.

[0066] In this mode, a button 70 is used which has a translational movement to act on the internal push lever 51 and allow the length to be adjusted. For this purpose, the button 70 is linked to the crossbar 59", for example, by an opening 71 in the button 70 into which the crossbar 59" is inserted to make these two parts of the system fixed together so that the translational movement of the button 70 results in the rotation of the internal push lever 51.

[0067] THE Figures 36 to 40 illustrate how this execution mode works, figures 37 , 39 And 38 , 40 illustrating sections respectively along the BB and CC axes of the figure 36 When the user presses button 70 ( figures 37-38 ), the push lever 51 rotates clockwise around the axis 52 and the system is disengaged so that the bracelet length can be adjusted in both directions: as seen in the figure 38 , tooth 53 is raised relative to the teeth 42 of the rack and the carriage 40 can move freely by sliding on the adjustment system 50.

[0068] In the Figures 39 and 40 , button 70 is released and teeth 53-54 are meshed with rack teeth 42-43.

[0069] This mode of execution also includes springs 55, 56 which allow the push lever 51 to be kept in a stable position as described previously.

[0070] As can be understood from the shape of the teeth 42 of the rack, the system allows the bracelet to be shortened without it being necessary to press the button 70 (position of the push lever 51 as illustrated in the Figures 39 and 40 ) whereas the extension requires pressing said button 70 (position of the push lever 51 as illustrated in the Figures 37 and 38 ).

[0071] In an unillustrated variant, this execution mode can be applied using button 70 to the execution mode of Figures 21 to 30 in which the internal push lever 51 is mounted on the axis 57 and on the axis 52. The construction is similar to that of the Figures 31 to 40 but with the mounting on axis 57 as in the Figures 21 to 30 .

[0072] THE figures 41 to 47illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a button 75 is also used as in the embodiment described above, but in this embodiment, the button 75 has a different construction as described below.

[0073] There figure 41 shows a top perspective view of the 30" lid with button 75 in window 37. figures 42 to 47 illustrate in detail the operation of this embodiment. In this one, the carriage 40' differs from the carriages 40 of the embodiments previously described in that the rack teeth 42, 43 are located on the inner side of the carriage 40' (as can be seen in the figures 42-47 ) and not on an outer side as illustrated, for example, in the figures 4 , 17 , 18 , 24 And 34 .

[0074] The button 75 itself includes teeth 76, 77 which mesh with the rack teeth 42, 43 to achieve the locking of the system or its unlocking by translational movement of said button 75.

[0075] The functioning of this execution mode can be understood, for example, in the figures 45 to 47 , THE Figures 46 and 47 illustrating sections respectively along axes AA and BB of the figure 45 The knob 75 is mounted in the adjustment system 50" and its teeth 76, 77 mesh with the teeth 42, 43. This position is stabilized by the springs 78 which push the knob 75 away from the system 50". When the knob 75 is pressed, the device is in the position illustrated in the Figures 46 and 47 : the button 75 is moved towards the system 50" by compressing the springs 78 and the teeth 76, 77 disengage from the mesh with the rack teeth 42, 43, as illustrated in the figure 47Since the 75 button is mounted in the 50" adjustment system which is itself attached to the 30" cover, the movement of the 40' carriage allows the bracelet length to be adjusted by its relative movement with respect to the 30' cover.

[0076] When button 75 is released, it springs back up due to the action of springs 78, and teeth 76 and 77 engage with teeth 42 and 43, locking the adjustment. As in the other modes of operation, the shape of the teeth 42 and 43 of the rack allows the bracelet to be shortened without pressing the button. However, to lengthen it, it is necessary to press button 75.

[0077] The assembly of the means described above in its various modes of execution is carried out in a simple manner.

[0078] As an example: first, the "module" comprising the carriage 40 and the adjustment system 50, 50', 50", is assembled with the bars 52, 57, the springs 55, 56 and the internal push-lever 51, as illustrated in the figure 3 (figure in which bar 57 is still missing in aperture 50.2), or as illustrated in the Figures 15 Or 25 , but in these figures without the external push-lever 58, 58' if the window 37 of the cover 30' is smaller than said push-lever 58, 58' and then the "module" is inserted into a cover 30 or 30' (depending on the execution method) to arrive at the assembly of the figure 1The bars 52 and 57 respectively enter the openings 32, 33, 34, and 35 of the cover 30, 30' at their ends, and in this way the adjustment system 50, 50' is fixedly mounted in the cover. Of course, the bars 52 and 57 can be replaced by an equivalent system, for example, screws to fix the adjustment system 50, 50' to the cover 30, 30'. As the cover 30, 30' is fixed to the end link 21 of the bracelet by means of the arm 14 and the base 11, the adjustment system 50, 50' is fixed relative to the link 21. The bracelet length is therefore adjusted by sliding the carriage 40 along the adjustment system 50, 50', as illustrated in the figures. figures 7 to 10 , 17 à 20 And 27 à 30 This assembly principle can be applied to all modes of execution.

[0079] Any suitable material may be used to form the parts of the various embodiments described in this application: for example, metal, or metal alloys, precious or non-precious, synthetic materials, ceramics, any other suitable material, etc. In some embodiments, precious materials are used for the visible parts.

[0080] Embodiments have been described to provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles of structure, function, manufacture, and use of the systems and processes described in this application. Several of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings described above. The systems and processes specifically described in this application and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments of the scope of the present invention. The features illustrated or described in relation to one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0081] A number of problems with conventional methods and systems are noted here, and the methods and systems described herein can solve one or more of these problems. Furthermore, while this invention has been described along with several embodiments, the alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variants that are within the spirit and scope of the present invention are also covered by this application.

Claims

1. Clasp (10) for a bracelet comprising two strands, said clasp (10) comprising a system for adjusting the length of said bracelet by relative movement of said strands, said system comprising at least one cover (30, 30'), an adjustment system (50, 50') fixed to said cover (30, 30') by fastening means (32-35, 52, 57) and a carriage (40, 40') sliding on the cover (30, 30'), the carriage (40, 40') being linked to one of said strands and allowing, by its movement, the adjustment of the bracelet length, said clasp comprising locking means for blocking the movement of said carriage, said locking means comprising at least one actuating means (51, 58, 58', 70, 75) movably mounted on the guide (50, 50') to ensure at least a first locked position of the carriage and a second released position of the carriage, an indexing member (42,43,42',43') placed on the trolley (40,40'), the cooperation of the actuation means (51,58,58',70,75) and the indexing device preventing the carriage (40,40') from sliding relative to the adjustment system (50,50') in the locked position of the carriage.

2. Clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indexing member is a rack with teeth (42,43,42',43').

3. Clasp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuation means is an internal push-lever (51) accessible from an inner side of the cover (30) for its actuation.

4. Clasp according to claim 1 to 3, wherein the actuation means is an external push-lever (58,58') and accessible from an outside side of the cover (30') for its actuation.

5. Clasp according to claim 1 to 3, wherein the actuation means is an external button (70,75) and accessible from an external side of the cover (30') for its actuation.

6. Clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for fixing the adjustment system (50,50') are at least a spring bar (52,57) and / or a screw.

7. Clasp according to the preceding claim, in which the push-lever (51, 58, 58', 70) is mounted on a first fixing means (52) of the adjustment system (50, 50') or on a second fixing means (57) of the adjustment system (50, 50').

8. Clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating means (58,58',70,75) is held in a stable position by at least one spring (55,56,78).

9. Clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal (51) and external (58, 58') push-levers or the button (70) are fixed to each other.

10. Clasp according to the preceding claim, in which the internal (51) and external (58, 58') push-levers are fixed by at least one screw (60, 61).

11. Clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the cover (30,30') is made of metal, precious metal, ceramic, or mixture of materials.

12. Watch strap, said strap being combined with a clasp according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Wristwatch combined with a bracelet according to the preceding claim or with a clasp according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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