Watch case

Abstract

Watch case comprising at least one pair of lugs for attaching at least one strap link (2) to the watch case (1), at least one lug (3) of the at least one pair of lugs comprising a blind groove (30) for inserting one end of a bar (20) of a strap link (2) from an opening (31) of the groove (3) towards a bottom (32) of the groove (3); the watch case comprising: a rocker (5) for at least partially closing the groove (30) of the at least one lug (3), the rocker (5) being pivotable between a rest position in which the rocker (5) at least partially closes the groove (30) and a retracted position in which the rocker (5) is spaced apart from the groove (30); elastic return means (6) for maintaining the rocker (5) in the rest position; and a pusher (4) for pushing the rocker (5) into the retracted position against the return force of the return means (6). Watch comprising such a watch case and a strap.

Description

[0001] Watch box

[0002] The present invention relates to a watch case allowing a strap to be attached and / or detached from the case without tools. The present invention relates in particular to a watch case comprising a mechanism allowing a user to easily and without tools change the strap of a watch comprising such a case, for example to match the watch to his outfit or to adapt it to a particular activity.

[0003] There are various solutions that allow a user to change the strap of their watch without tools.

[0004] Some solutions, for example, use a mechanism integrated into the strap to allow it to be easily attached to the watch case and detached without tools. These solutions, for example, incorporate a push button or sliders on each strand of the strap to retract the pivots allowing it to be attached to the lugs of the case. A disadvantage of such solutions is that the strap strands can easily detach from the watch if the mechanism is activated inadvertently, for example if the user inadvertently presses the push button or catches the sliders in the sleeve of a garment. In addition, each strand of each interchangeable strap must incorporate the mechanism for retracting the pivots, which increases the cost of the strap and limits the choice in strap materials and / or dimensions.Another disadvantage is the risk of damaging the watch case and / or the pivots of the bracelet strand by incorrect maneuvering when attaching the bracelet, especially when inserting the pivots between the lugs of the case.

[0005] Other solutions use a mechanism built into the watch case, for example, a mechanism to press the end of the pivots of each strap strand attached to the watch to retract them enough so that the strand can be detached. A disadvantage of these solutions is that attaching the strap to the watch requires a certain amount of dexterity to ensure that the pivots of each lug are correctly inserted into the corresponding holes and to avoid damaging the case lugs and / or pivots when attaching the strap.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a wristwatch case allowing a user to detach the strands of the watch strap without tools and providing increased security against any involuntary detachment of the strap.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wristwatch case allowing a user to detach the strands of the watch strap without tools, allowing the use of standard and / or simple construction straps.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wristwatch case allowing a user to detach the strap strands from the watch without tools and allowing the attachment and detachment of the strap strands without risk of damaging the case.

[0009] These aims and other advantages are achieved in particular by a watch case comprising at least one pair of horns for attaching at least one bracelet strand to the case, at least one horn of the at least one pair of horns comprising a blind groove for the introduction of one end of a bar of a bracelet strand from an opening of the groove towards a bottom of the groove; the case comprising: a lever for at least partially closing the groove of the at least one horn, the lever being pivotable between a rest position in which the lever at least partially closes the groove and a retracted position in which the lever is spaced from the groove; elastic return means for holding the lever in the rest position; and a pusher for pushing the lever into the retracted position against the return force of the return means.The case of the invention allows different bracelet strands of simple construction to be attached alternately to the case, requiring only a standard bar or pivots of similar configuration to that of the ends of a standard bar. In addition, the grooves allow guidance of the insertion movement of at least one end of the bar or at least one pivot until they are fixed to the bottom of the groove, thus limiting the risk of damaging the case by incorrect handling when attaching the bracelet to the case.

[0010] Preferably, each horn of the at least one pair of horns comprises such a groove and such a mechanism for closing the corresponding groove. The similar and preferably symmetrical configuration of each horn of the at least one pair of horns makes it possible to keep the bar horizontal relative to the watch case and parallel to the axis of the inter-horn during its attachment, thus avoiding any rotational movement of the bracelet strand relative to the watch case and allowing the attachment of rigid strands adjusted to the profile of the inter-horn.

[0011] Preferably, each groove is oblique to the watch case, so that the opening of the groove is closer to the center of the case than the bottom of the groove. Thus, when the watch is worn, the force exerted on the bracelet tends to hold it against the bottom of the groove, preventing it from being able to inadvertently come out, even if the case mechanism is unlocked.

[0012] Optionally, each lever includes a beveled portion, configured so that one end of a bar inserted into the corresponding groove from the opening can be retracted by pressing against the beveled portion. Thus, the bracelet can be attached to the case without the user having to press the corresponding pushers.

[0013] Each of the elastic return means acts, for example, on the corresponding pusher to maintain the rocker in the rest position. This makes it possible, for example, to use springs housed between the bottom of the pusher housing in the box and the pusher to maintain it in the deployed position relative to the box. 1.

[0014] Usually, the watch case comprises a case middle. According to certain embodiments, the case middle comprises the at least one pair of horns, as well as the lever, the return means and the push-piece associated with the at least one horn of the at least one pair of horns.

[0015] Each rocker preferably pivots in a horizontal plane relative to the box between the rest position and the retracted position when the corresponding pusher is moved horizontally relative to the box, respectively between a deployed position and a depressed position.

[0016] For example, a screw is screwed onto each pusher, the head of the screw being captive in an opening in the corresponding rocker to rotate the rocker when the pusher is moved, the screw further cooperating with a recess in the case to limit the range of movement of the pusher on the case.

[0017] The above aims and other advantages are also achieved by a watch comprising such a case and a bracelet comprising at least one strand, the at least one strand comprising a bar intended to be attached to the at least one pair of lugs.

[0018] Preferably, the profile of the strand and the profile of the case between the lugs of the pair of lugs are configured to allow the ends of the bar to be inserted into the grooves of the lugs of the pair of lugs only when the strand is pivoted through a non-zero sliding angle relative to the horizontal plane of the case around the bar. The cooperation of the profiles of the strand and the case thus provides additional security against any involuntary detachment of the bracelet and locks the strand onto the case as long as it is not inclined through the determined sliding angle.

[0019] The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description, illustrated by the figures, where: - figure 1 is a perspective view of a watch comprising a case according to the invention, with a bracelet;

[0020] - figure 2 is a perspective view of the watch of figure 1, with another bracelet;

[0021] - figure 3 is a detail of the watch of figures 1 and 2 seen from below, where only the strap bar is shown and where the mechanism of the case of the invention is locked;

[0022] - figure 4 corresponds to the detail of figure 3 where the mechanism of the box of the invention is unlocked;

[0023] - figure 5 is a vertical section of the detail of figure 3 in which the bottom of the watch is not shown;

[0024] - figure 6 is a partial exploded view of the watch of figure 2;

[0025] - figure 7 is a detail of the case and bracelet of the watch in figure 2 seen from below where the case mechanism is locked;

[0026] - figure 8 is a horizontal section of the view of figure 7 at the height of the scale;

[0027] - figure 9 corresponds to the detail of figure 7 where the mechanism is unlocked;

[0028] - figure 10 is a horizontal section of the view of figure 9 at the height of the scale;

[0029] - figure 11 is a vertical section of a box according to the invention and an associated bracelet where the mechanism of the box is locked;

[0030] - figure 12 corresponds to the section of figure 11 where the box mechanism is unlocked;

[0031] - figure 13 is a horizontal section of the detail of figure 7 at the height of the pusher;

[0032] - figure 14 is a vertical section of the detail of figure 7 at the height of the pusher; - figure 15 is a horizontal section of the detail of figure 9 at the height of the pusher;

[0033] - figure 16 is a vertical section of the detail of figure 9 at the height of the pusher.

[0034] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the watch case of the invention is for example rectangular and is intended to equip a wristwatch 9. The shape of the case of the invention may however be different from that illustrated, for example square, round, barrel-shaped, or any other suitable shape. In a known manner, the watch case of the invention comprises a caseband 1, for example a caseband incorporating the bezel, and a back cover not visible in Figures 1 and 2. The watch 9 comprising the watch case of the invention comprises a bracelet 2 and also a crystal 90, a watch movement, and all the usual components of a mechanical or electronic watch, with or without complications, which are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be detailed here further.

[0035] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the middle 1 comprises at least one pair of horns 3 to allow the attachment to the middle 1 of at least one strand of the bracelet 2. The middle 1 further comprises at least one pair of pushers 4 making it possible to actuate a mechanism of the middle to detach the at least one strand of the bracelet 2 from the at least one pair of horns 3. According to the invention, a user can detach the at least one strand of the bracelet 2 without a tool by simultaneously pressing the two pushers 4 of the at least one pair of pushers 4 to unlock the mechanism, then sliding the at least one strand out of the at least one pair of horns 3, as explained in more detail below.

[0036] Preferably, the case 1 comprises two pairs of horns 3 each arranged on an opposite side of the case 1, typically at noon and at six o'clock, to allow the two strands of the bracelet 2 to be attached to the case 1. The case 1 then preferably comprises two pairs of pushers 4, each pusher 4 preferably being arranged close to a horn 3, for example at a corner of the case 1. Each pair of pushers 4 is associated with a pair of horns 3 and allows the corresponding strand of the bracelet 2 to be detached from the case 1. The bracelet 2 can thus be detached easily and without tools from the case 1 and replaced by another bracelet 2, thus giving the watch 9, for example, a different aesthetic appearance. As an illustrative but in no way limiting example, the watch 9 is illustrated in figure 1 with a leather or polymer strap 2 and in figure 2 with a metal strap 2.

[0037] Figures 3 to 5 are detailed views illustrating the operating principle of the watch case mechanism of the invention.

[0038] According to the invention, each horn 3 comprises a blind groove 30 preferably open on the bottom of the caseband 1, i.e. on the side of the back 8 of the watch 9. The groove 30 is preferably formed on the wall of the horn 3 oriented towards the side of the inter-horns, i.e. on the wall of the horn 3 facing the other horn of the pair of horns. The other horn of the pair of horns also comprises a blind groove, which is preferably symmetrical to the groove 30 illustrated, relative to the median plane of the inter-horns. The inter-lugs and the grooves 30 are preferably configured and dimensioned so that the two ends of a bar 20 of the strand of a bracelet can each be introduced simultaneously into a groove 30 of a lug 3 of the pair of lugs from the bottom of the middle 1 and slid along the grooves 30 to the bottom of the latter, in the position illustrated by figures 3 to 5.For reasons of readability of the figures, only the bar 20 of the strand is shown. The bar 20 is for example a standard bar well known in the state of the art, comprising a rod with a retractable pivot at each end, the pivots being pushed towards the outside of the rod under the action of a spring housed in the rod, as illustrated for example in the sections of figures 11 and 12. According to the illustrated embodiment, the groove 30 is rectilinear, which simplifies the movement of insertion of the bar 20 into the groove 30. Other groove shapes are however conceivable within the scope of the invention, for example a groove in the shape of an arc of a circle, a groove comprising a succession of two rectilinear segments forming an angle between them, etc.

[0039] According to the invention, each pusher 4 acts on a lever 5 making it possible to at least partially close the corresponding groove 30. The lever 5 is mounted so as to be able to rotate on the middle 1 and is pivotable between a rest position (figures 3 and 5) and a retracted position (figure 4) by actuating the pusher 4. The lever 5 is for example at least partially inserted into a housing 35 of the horn 3 communicating with the groove 30.

[0040] In the rest position, the lever 5 at least partially closes the groove 30, to prevent the end of a bar 20 inserted in the groove 30, against the bottom 32 of the latter, from sliding along the groove 30 and reaching the opening 31 of the groove 30. The mechanism of the watch case of the invention is then locked. Preferably, elastic return means not visible in Figures 3 to 5 hold the lever 5 in the rest position. When the pusher 4 is pushed against the caseband 1 by an external force exerted for example with his finger by a user of the watch, the lever 5 is pivoted into the retracted position (Figure 4) against the return force of the elastic return means.In the withdrawn position, the lever 5 is moved away from the groove 30, at least sufficiently to allow the end of a bar 20 inserted in the groove 30, against the bottom 32 of the latter, to slide in the groove 30 and reach the opening 31. The mechanism of the watch case of the invention is then unlocked.

[0041] Preferably, the lever 5 is positioned along the groove 30 so that when the mechanism is locked, the end of the bar 20 inserted into the groove 30 is held against the bottom 32 of the groove 30, thus limiting or even preventing the movements of the bar 20 relative to the watch case when the bracelet is attached to the watch and the mechanism is locked.

[0042] The groove 30 is preferably oriented obliquely relative to the plane of the caseband 1 so that the opening 31 of the groove 30 is closer to the center of the caseband 1 than the bottom 32. Thus, when the watch is worn, the force exerted on the bracelet by the user's wrist tends to hold the end of the bar 20 against the bottom 32 of the groove 30, preventing any involuntary sliding of the bar 20 towards the opening 31, and therefore any detachment of the corresponding strand, when the watch is worn, even if the mechanism is inadvertently unlocked.

[0043] Preferably, the end of the rocker 5 which at least partially closes the slide 30 when the mechanism is locked has a bevel to allow the introduction of the bar 20 into the bottom 32 of the groove 30 without actuation of the pusher 4 by the user.

[0044] Preferably, the bevel is arranged and configured in such a way that during the attachment of the bar 20 to the pair of horns 3 while the mechanism is locked, the end of the bar 20 sliding from the opening 31 of the groove 30 towards the bottom 32 comes into contact with the bevel of the rocker 5 and that the reaction force at the support of the bar 20 on the rocker 5 resulting from the force exerted on the bar 20 by a user for its insertion into the groove 30, comprises at least one component in the opposite direction to the direction of the elastic force exerted on the corresponding pivot. The restoring force of the elastic restoring means exerted on the rocker 5 being preferably greater than the restoring force exerted on the pivots of the bar, for example of a standard bar, the pivot is retracted while the rocker 5 remains substantially immobile.The bar 20 can thus continue its movement, passing over the lever 5 in the rest position, and slide to the bottom 32 of the groove 20. Once the bar 20 has reached the bottom 32 of the groove 20, the corresponding pivot returns to its rest position under the effect of the return force of the spring of the bar 20. The mechanism is then locked with the bar 20 held between the horns 3 of the pair of horns. In this way, the bar 20, and consequently the corresponding bracelet strand, can be attached to the middle 1 without the user needing to actuate the pusher 4 to unlock the mechanism.

[0045] Optionally, the bevel is arranged and configured in such a way that during the attachment of the bar 20 to the pair of horns 3 while the mechanism is locked, the end of the bar 20 sliding from the opening 31 of the groove 30 towards the bottom 32 comes into contact with the bevel of the rocker 5 and that the force exerted on the bar 20 by a user for its insertion into the groove 30 also results in a force on the rocker 5 of which at least one component is in the opposite direction to the direction of the force exerted by the elastic return means on the rocker 5. Thus, in the case of use of a bar without retractable pivots, the rocker 5 can be moved away from the groove 30 by pressing the end of the bar 20 against the bevel to allow the bar 20 to slide to the bottom 32 of the groove 30 against the return force of the elastic return means.Once the bar 20 has reached the bottom 32 of the groove 30, the lever 5 is no longer in contact with the bar 20 and returns to its rest position under the effect of the return force of the elastic return means. The mechanism is then locked with the bar 20 held between the horns 3 of the pair of horns. In this way, the bar 20, and consequently the corresponding bracelet strand, can be attached to the middle 1 without the user needing to actuate the pusher 4 to unlock the mechanism.

[0046] The configuration and operation of the watch case mechanism are described above in relation to one horn 3 of a pair of horns of the caseband 1. Those skilled in the art will understand that the other horn of the pair of horns is configured symmetrically to the illustrated horn 3 and operates in a similar and preferably simultaneous manner to the horn 3 when a bar 20 is attached to or detached from the caseband 1.

[0047] The configuration of the grooves 30, open on one side of the middle 1, preferably on the bottom of the middle 1, allows the bar 20 to be guided from its contact with the middle 1 until its introduction into the bottom 32 of the groove 30, thus facilitating the attachment of the bracelet and limiting the risks of damaging the horns 3 of the middle 1 with the ends of the bar 20, or with the pivots, of the bracelet strand.

[0048] Figure 6 is a partial exploded view, from below, of the watch 9 of Figures 1 and 2 with, as an illustrative but in no way limiting example, the metal bracelet 2 of Figure 2. Usually, the watch 9 comprises a casing ring 7 to hold the movement (not shown) in the caseband 1, and a back 8 intended to be fixed on the caseband 1, for example using screws 80, to close the case of the watch 9 on its lower part. The caseband 1 preferably comprises two pairs of horns 3, each pair of horns 3 being intended to receive one strand of the bracelet 2. For reasons of readability, only one strand of the bracelet 2 is partially shown in Figure 6.

[0049] The case 1 preferably comprises for each horn 3 a pusher 4, a lever 5 and elastic return means 6 for holding the lever 5 in its rest position. According to the illustrated embodiment, the lever 5 is for example mounted to move in rotation about an attached axis 50 driven or otherwise fixed on the case 1. Each pusher 4 is arranged on the case 1 so as to be accessible from the outside of the watch case when the latter is mounted. Preferably, each pusher 4 is positioned in a housing formed on a side wall of the case 1, close to the corresponding horn 3. Each pusher 4 is mechanically connected to the corresponding lever 5 to drive the lever 5 in rotation around the axis 50. According to the illustrated embodiment, a screw 40 is screwed onto the pusher 4, for example onto a protuberance of the pusher 4 intended to be arranged in the housing when the pusher 4 is mounted on the middle 1.When the box is mounted, the head of the screw 40 is held captive in an opening 51 of the rocker 5, preferably on the end of the rocker 5 opposite the end intended to at least partially close the groove 30. Other means are however conceivable within the scope of the invention for mechanically connecting each pusher to the corresponding rocker, comprising for example a pin, a gear, or any other suitable means. The elastic return means 6 are for example springs arranged in the housing of each pusher 4, between the bottom of the housing and the pusher 4, and tend to maintain the pusher 4 in its deployed position, in which the corresponding rocker 5 is in its rest position and the mechanism is locked.Other forms of elastic return means are however conceivable within the framework of the invention, for example one or more spring blades acting directly on the rocker and / or on the pusher, or any other suitable elastic return means.

[0050] With reference to Figures 7 to 10, according to the illustrated embodiment, the lever 5 is mounted to rotate about its axis 50 on the lower face of the caseband 1. The axis of rotation 50 of the lever 5 is oriented vertically relative to the caseband 1, so that the rotational movements of the lever 5 take place in a horizontal plane. The lever 5 is for example held on its axis 50 using a screw 80 also serving to fix the back to the caseband 1. Other means of fixing the lever 5 to the caseband 1 are however conceivable within the scope of the invention, in particular fixing means independent of the means of fixing the back of the case.

[0051] Preferably, the lever 5 is arranged on the middle 1 so that its end intended to at least partially close the corresponding groove 30 is housed in the housing 35 of the horn 3 communicating with the groove 30. As explained previously, the other end of the lever 5 is preferably mechanically connected to the corresponding pusher 4. According to the illustrated embodiment, the opening 51 of the lever 5 in which the screw 40 of the pusher 4 is captive is oblong, so that when the pusher 4 is moved linearly and drives the lever 5 in rotation to lock and / or unlock the mechanism, the head of the screw 40 can move along the opening 51 to compensate for variations in the distance between the screw 40 fixed to the pusher 4 and the center of rotation 50 of the lever 5.

[0052] Figures 11 and 12 are vertical sections of a pair of horns 3 of the caseband 1 to which a bracelet strand 2 is attached. Figure 11 shows the locked mechanism and Figure 12 shows the unlocked mechanism. With reference to Figure 11, when the mechanism is locked, the two levers 5 of the pair of horns 3 are in their rest position and their end at least partially closes the corresponding groove 30. The bar 20 is held against the bottom of the groove 30. With reference to Figure 11, when a force is exerted on the two pushers (not shown) acting on the pair of horns 3, the levers 5 are brought into their retracted position and their end is moved away from the corresponding groove 30, at least sufficiently to allow the bar 20 to be detached from the caseband 1 by sliding its ends in the respective grooves 30.

[0053] Preferably, the bracelet 2 and / or the bar 20 are dimensioned so that the strand cannot be pivoted relative to the middle part 1 around an axis perpendicular to that of the bar 20. The bracelet 2 is preferably dimensioned so that its width practically corresponds to the width of the space between the lugs. Thus, the strand of the bracelet 2 cannot be removed from the middle part without the two ends of the bar 20 sliding simultaneously in their groove 30. Preferably, the strand can therefore only be detached from the middle part 1 when the two levers 5 of the pair of lugs 3 are in the retracted position, thus avoiding involuntary detachment of the strand of the bracelet 2 if only one push-piece 4 of the corresponding pair of push-pieces is pressed.

[0054] Optionally, the profile of the end of each strand of the bracelet 2 intended to be attached to the middle 1 and the profile of the middle 1 between the horns 3 of a pair of horns are configured so as to allow the bar 20 to slide in the grooves 30 only when the longitudinal axis of the strand forms a determined sliding angle, preferably non-zero, relative to the horizontal plane of the middle 1, that is to say when the strand is pivoted by the sliding angle relative to the plane of the middle 1 around the axis formed by the bar 20 inserted in the grooves 30. When the strand is not inclined at this sliding angle, the profile of the end of the strand abuts for example against the profile of the space between the horns, preventing the insertion of the ends of the bar into the corresponding grooves 30.Once the strand is attached to the middle 1 and the mechanism is preferably locked, the strand can be pivoted around the bar 20 in the usual manner and for example aligned in the plane of the middle 1. The strand is then preferably held against the middle 1 by the cooperation of the profiles of the strand and the middle 1 as long as it is not inclined by the insertion angle relative to the plane of the middle 1. To detach the strand of the bracelet 2 from the case 1, the strand is pivoted around the bar 20 and inclined at the insertion angle relative to the horizontal plane of the case 1, the mechanism is unlocked by pressing the two corresponding pushers, and the strand is pushed downwards and towards the center of the case 1 to slide the bar 20 out of the grooves 30. This configuration of the profiles of the strands and the case adds additional security against any involuntary detachment of the bracelet 2, in particular when the watch is worn.

[0055] With reference to figures 13 to 16, the pusher 4 is preferably movable linearly, for example in a horizontal plane relative to the middle 1, between the deployed position (figures 13 and 14) corresponding to the rest position of the corresponding lever, and the depressed position (figures 15 and 16) corresponding to the retracted position of the corresponding lever. The pusher 4 is for example guided in its movement by the profile of the housing in which it is mounted on the middle 1, which cooperates with the profile of the pusher 4.

[0056] According to the illustrated embodiment, the tip of the screw 40 participating in the mechanical link with the lever 5 is inserted, when the pusher 4 is mounted on the middle 1, into a recess 41 made on a side wall of the housing in which the pusher 4 is mounted, that is to say on a wall extending parallel to the direction of movement of the pusher 4. Thus, when the pusher 4 is moved between its deployed position and its depressed position, the tip of the screw 40 moves along the recess 41 inside the latter. According to this embodiment, the amplitude of the movements of the pusher 4 on the middle 1 is limited by the dimensions of the recess 41, the tip of the screw 40 being in abutment against an inner wall of the recess 41 when the pusher is in the deployed position (figure 14) and in abutment against the opposite inner wall of the recess 41 when the pusher 4 is in the pushed-in position (figure 16).According to this embodiment, the pusher 4 in the deployed position is held on the middle 1 against the force of the elastic return elements 6 by the screw 40 in abutment against the inner wall of the recess 41 and the profile of the housing, preferably preventing it from tilting.

[0057] The operation of the mechanism of the watch case of the invention is described above in relation to a bracelet strand 2 comprising in a known manner a bar 20 whose ends allow the strand to be attached to a pair of horns of the case. Those skilled in the art will however understand that other forms of bracelets can be used with the case of the invention, in particular any bracelet whose strands have pivots on their ends that can be inserted into the corresponding grooves 30, for example fixed pivots formed directly on the strand, for example on the first metal link of the strand, or forming part of an insert integrated into the end of the strand.

[0058] According to the illustrated embodiments, the mechanism and the horns 3 of the watch case are essentially included in or on the middle 1 of the watch case. Other embodiments are however possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the horns can be formed at least partially on the bottom of the case and / or on a bezel of the watch case. The levers, the pushers and / or the return means can also at least partially be arranged in or on the bottom and / or a bezel of the watch case. According to the illustrated and described embodiments above, the watch case comprises at least one pair of horns and each horn comprises a groove for the insertion of one end of a bracelet strand bar and a lever for locking and unlocking access to the bottom of the groove.It is however conceivable within the scope of the invention that only one horn of the at least one pair of horns comprises such a mechanism, the other horn comprising in a known manner a hole for the introduction of the end of a bar. A bracelet strand is then attached to the watch case of the invention by the introduction of a first end of the bar into the hole of the horn not comprising a groove or a rocker, then the introduction of the second end of the bar into the groove of the other horn of the at least one pair of horns, and its locking in the bottom of the groove according to the principle described above.Such an embodiment, however, requires that the bar be introduced with a slight inclination relative to the watch case, thus requiring a bracelet strand of which at least the first link is flexible, for example made of leather or polymer, or has a slight clearance allowing such an inclined introduction of the strand between the horns.

Claims

Claims 1. Watch case comprising at least one pair of horns for attaching at least one bracelet strand (2) to the caseband (1), at least one horn (3) of the at least one pair of horns comprising a blind groove (30) for the introduction of one end of a bar (20) of a bracelet strand (2) from an opening (31) of the groove (3) towards a bottom (32) of the groove (3); the case comprising: - a rocker (5) for at least partially closing the groove (30) of the at least one horn (3), the rocker (5) being pivotable between a rest position in which the rocker (5) at least partially closes the groove (30) and a retracted position in which the rocker (5) is moved away from the groove (30); - elastic return means (6) for holding the rocker (5) in the rest position; and - a pusher (4) for pushing the rocker (5) into the retracted position against the return force of the return means (6).

2. Watch case according to claim 1, in which each horn (3) of the at least one pair of horns comprises a blind groove (30) for the introduction of one end of a bar (20) of a bracelet strand (2) from an opening (31) of the groove (3) towards a bottom (32) of the groove (3); the case comprising, for each horn (3) of the at least one pair of horns: - a rocker (5) for at least partially closing the groove (30) of the corresponding horn (3), the rocker (5) being pivotable between a rest position in which the rocker (5) at least partially closes the groove (30) and a retracted position in which the rocker (5) is moved away from the groove (30); - elastic return means (6) for holding the rocker (5) in the rest position; and - a pusher (4) for pushing the rocker (5) into the retracted position against the return force of the return means (6).

3. Watch case according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which each groove (30) is oblique relative to the watch case, so that the opening (31) of each groove (30) is closer to the center of the case than the bottom (32) of the groove (3).

4. Watch case according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which each rocker (5) comprises a beveled portion, configured so that one end of a bar (20) introduced into the corresponding groove (30) from the opening (31) can be retracted by pressure against the beveled portion.

5. Watch case according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which each of the elastic return means (6) acts on the corresponding pusher (4) to maintain the corresponding lever (5) in the rest position.

6. Watch case according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a case middle (1), the case middle (1) comprising the at least one pair of horns, as well as the lever (5), the return means (6) and the pusher (4) associated with the at least one horn (3) of the at least one pair of horns.

7. Watch case according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which each rocker (5) pivots in a horizontal plane relative to the case. between the rest position and the retracted position when the corresponding pusher (4) is moved horizontally relative to the box between a deployed position and a depressed position.

8. Watch case according to claim 7, comprising a screw (40) screwed to each pusher (4), the head of which is captive in an opening (51) of the corresponding lever to drive the lever (5) in rotation when the pusher (4) is moved, the screw (40) further cooperating with a housing of the pusher (4) in the case to limit the amplitude of the movements of the pusher (4) on the caseband (1).

9. Watch (9) comprising a watch case according to one of the preceding claims and a bracelet (2) comprising at least one strand, the at least one strand comprising a bar (20) intended to be attached to the at least one pair of horns.

10. Watch (9) according to claim 9, in which the profile of the at least one strand and the profile of the watch case between the horns (3) of the at least one pair of horns are configured to allow the ends of the bar (20) to be inserted into the grooves (30) of the horns (3) of the at least one pair of horns only when the strand is pivoted by a non-zero sliding angle relative to the horizontal plane of the watch case around the bar (20).

Images