Strap

Abstract

To provide a bracelet strap equipped with a removable connection.SOLUTION: A strap (1) comprises: a strand or a plurality of links of a first type; at least one connecting element (7b) connected inseparably to a strand or link of the first type; and at least one adjusting link (32) which is intended to be connected to a watch case (2) or to a clasp and which can be connected separably to a connecting element, the at least one adjusting link including a button (6b) for locking and / or unlocking the connection to the connecting element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bracelet strap, for example, a strap for a wristwatch bracelet.

Background Art

[0002] Numerous bracelet straps have been devised in the field of watches, especially in the field of jewelry. A bracelet strap (metal band of a wristwatch) having two strap portions intended to surround the wearer's wrist and a clasp for securing the strap portions is particularly well-known. The clasp is often permanently or semi-permanently fixed to one or both of the strap portions. Conversely, the strap portions would be fixed to the watch case.

[0003] The strap portions would be made of a flexible material, such as leather, rubber, elastomer, fabric, etc., to fit snugly around the wrist. Strap portions formed from a plurality of rigid links jointed to each other, such as metal or ceramic links, are also known. Certain bracelet straps combine rigid links and flexible portions.

[0004] Examples of wristwatches equipped with the strap 1 of a conventional articulated bracelet are shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. For simplicity, only one of the two strap portions of the bracelet strap is shown. The bracelet strap in this example is a strap of an articulated link bracelet having a row of first type 31 metal links, which are connected to each other by a row of second type 30 links and are constituted by studs (parts connecting the pieces) in this example. Each of the two strap portions is connected to the watch case 2 by a rod connection 4 that can be removed by a pin driver so that the bracelet strap can be replaced. In this example, the rod passes through the links for these studs and the studs 30 of the first row of the two housings formed in the center of the case. Similar rod connections may be provided to connect the ends of each bracelet strap portion to a bracelet strap intermediate portion (not shown).

[0005] Other connecting means between the bracelet strap and the case or the intermediate portion have been conceived, for example, the use of screws.

[0006] The user may want to replace the watch strap himself / herself when the watch strap is worn out or when adjusting the bracelet strap according to clothing or activities. For example, it is desirable to prepare a number of easily replaceable bracelet straps so that the optimal bracelet strap for a specific activity can be selected for each outing.

[0007] However, the replacement of the bracelet strap and the intermediate portion is not very practical and generally requires appropriate tools such as a driver, a pin driver or tweezers.

[0008] Improper use of tools on high-quality watches may cause scratches and other damages. Removal and reattachment often involve handling very small-sized screws and pins that are easily lost. For these reasons, these removal and reattachment operations are usually the work of experts.

[0009] The prior art already includes systems that do not require tools to attach the strap of a bracelet. These systems usually have visible parts such as push buttons that can be operated to fix or release the strap of the bracelet. However, the presence of these parts impairs the aesthetic appearance of the watch or the strap of the bracelet. Furthermore, these parts can be operated inadvertently or maliciously, posing a risk of loss or theft of the watch.

[0010] Strap fixing systems for bracelets that do not require tools usually target watch cases or clasps that are specially designed for this purpose. When watches and other products are designed to have traditional connecting devices, it is generally not possible to switch to a tool-free system. Conversely, watch cases or clasps equipped with tool-free fixing systems are usually not intended to be attached to conventional bracelet straps.

[0011] Finally, such systems are difficult or impossible to adapt to existing watches and bracelet straps without changing the appearance of both the bracelet strap and the case or clasp. There is a need for a removable bracelet strap that can be used without changing the appearance of the watch case range, the clasp range, and, as much as possible, the existing bracelet strap range.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least some of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

[0013] In particular, an object of the present invention is to propose a bracelet strap having a removable connection part attached to at least one of a conventional or existing aesthetic element, particularly a watch case and a clasp.

[0014] One objective is to design an aesthetic element, particularly a strap of an interchangeable bracelet that can be connected to a watch case or a middle part, which was not designed to be connected to the strap of an interchangeable bracelet.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0015] According to the present invention, these objectives are a strap part, at least one fitting link intended to be connected to an aesthetic element, and at least one connecting element, wherein the connecting element is inseparably connected to the strap part on one hand and is detachably connected to the at least one fitting link on the other hand such that the strap of the bracelet can be opened without tools. These are significantly achieved by a strap of a bracelet comprising the above. At least one of the fitting links comprises a fixing and releasing button for fixing and releasing the connection with the at least one connecting element. When this fixing and releasing button is actuated, it is intended to move the at least one connecting element from a fixed position where it is fixed to the fitting link to a releasing position where the at least one connecting element can be detached from the fitting link. The fixing and releasing button is hidden when the strap of the bracelet is worn.

[0016] Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, an aesthetic element such as a watch case or a middle part that is not designed to be connected to a strap of an interchangeable bracelet has an extended range of use so as to be compatible with such a strap of a bracelet by having at least one fitting link.

[0017] The compatibility of the bracelet strap is achieved by a removable connection between two links of the bracelet strap or between one link and the strap part, rather than between the strap part of the bracelet and the aesthetic elements. Thus, it is possible to manufacture the bracelet strap such that all parts except at least one fitting link can be specifically separated from the watch case or the conventional middle part.

[0018] In other words, the bracelet strap can be opened using the fitting link that remains connected to the case or the middle part and the first type of link or the strap part.

[0019] The first type of link preferably has at least one of appearance, for example, shape, dimensions, orientation, and color that are similar or uniform to each other.

[0020] The bracelet strap may include a second type of link different from the first type of link. The second type of link preferably has at least one of appearance, for example, shape, dimensions, orientation, and color that are similar or uniform to each other. Therefore, it is possible to immediately determine whether the link is a first type of link or a second type of link, even if there are differences between links of the same type.

[0021] The bracelet strap may include at least one fitting link and at least one link of the second type that has the same appearance when the bracelet strap is worn.

[0022] The connecting part employs a connecting element that connects the fitting link and the strap part. By this connecting element, the strap part can be fixed to the relevant fitting link in the closed position and detached in the open position.

[0023] The connection between the fitting link and the connecting element is fixable, that is, it can only be opened by acting on a fixing or releasing button.

[0024] Since the fixing or unlocking button is incorporated into the adapter link, it remains fixed to the aesthetic elements such as the watch case or the middle part. Therefore, most of the bracelet strap can be replaced without replacing the fixing / unlocking button, which is potentially a complex member.

[0025] The fixing button constitutes a tactile component, that is, a component intended to be directly operated by the user using numbers, for example, by pressing or twisting.

[0026] The adapter link may be connected to, for example, a watch case or a middle part by a conventional detachable connection, for example, a connection that can be detached using a tool, for example, a rod or a screw. Therefore, the adapter link is attached to at least one of the watch case and the middle part provided with the conventional bracelet strap connection means.

[0027] Thus, the adapter link is designed to be connected to the watch case or the middle part by a semi-permanent fixing such as a rod, while on the other hand, it is designed to be detachably connected to a connecting component fixed to the strap part or the first type of link.

[0028] The connecting element can be connected to the first type of link or the strap part of the bracelet by an inseparable connection. For example, it is driven into the strap part, welded, adhered, or overmolded. In one embodiment, the connecting element may constitute an integral part of the second type or the link of the strap part.

[0029] In one embodiment, the fixing / unlocking button may consist of a push button on the lower side of the bracelet strap, that is, under the surface facing the wrist when the bracelet strap is worn.

[0030] In one embodiment, the fixing / unlocking button may comprise a rotating link.

[0031] The mating link may have a female opening. The connecting element may have a male part that can be inserted into the female opening. This arrangement may be reversed.

[0032] The lock / unlock button prevents the male part from being pulled out of the opening in the fixed position and allows this pulling out when the button is operated to the unlock position.

[0033] The bracelet strap may comprise at least one row with a plurality of mating links.

[0034] The bracelet strap may comprise at least one row with at least one link of a second type and at least one mating link.

[0035] The appearance of the mating links in the same row as the links of the second type may be the same when wearing the bracelet strap.

[0036] At least one mating link may be intended to be firmly connected to the middle part of the bracelet strap.

[0037] At least one mating link may be intended to be firmly connected to the watch case.

[0038] The connecting element may be hidden when fixed to the mating link.

[0039] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the description illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040]

Figure 1a

Figure 1b

Figure 2a

Figure 2b

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0041] Figures 1a and 1b depict a timepiece according to the prior art. The strap of the bracelet consisting of two strap parts, only one of the strap parts 1, in particular the first strap part 1, is visible, and in this example, it is connected to the watch case 2 via the link of the second type of link 30 configured as a stud. The second type of link 30 is engaged with the housing within the watch case and held in place by the screw rod 4.

[0042] Figures 2a to 3b show a first embodiment of the present invention in which the strap 1 of the bracelet is removably connected to the middle part 5a. The figures proposed to explain this embodiment show a strap of a bracelet made of a flexible material, such as rubber, elastomer, leather, fabric, etc. However, the embodiment may be adapted to be suitable for a removable connection between the strap of an articulated link bracelet and the middle part.

[0043] The middle part 5a is connected, preferably by a pin or some other type of rod not shown, to a row of fitting links comprising a fixed fitting link 32a and a movable fitting link 32a'. The strap part 3a is connected to a connecting element 7a that can be connected and fixed to the links of this row. In one embodiment, the strap part 3a is overmolded on the connecting element 7a. The strap part 3a may also be connected to the connecting element 7a by a pin.

[0044] The connection between the row of fitting links 32a, 32a' and the middle part 5a may be semi-permanent, that is, not intended to be opened every time the strap of the bracelet is replaced, but can be done, for example, using tools if necessary. In addition, the connection between the connecting element 7a and the strap part 3a may be non-detachable.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting element 7a comprises a male part, for example a post 9, and an opening 10a formed in one of the mating links connected to the buckle, for example a groove, which can engage with a different central link in this case, the two lateral mating links 32a, 32a'. The groove extends in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the strap of the bracelet extends and reversibly connects the two components. The groove 10a opens in one lateral direction and the post 0 can enter and exit the groove so as to releasably connect the two parts described above.

[0046] The first row of moving mating links 32a' connected to the buckle 5a forms the fixing and unlocking buttons 6a. For this purpose, this link may be pivoted by the user about an axis essentially parallel to the direction of the groove 10a so as to be able to move between the fixed positions as depicted in FIGS. 2b and 3b. In this case, this mating link 32a' closes the open end of the groove, thereby preventing the post 9 from exiting the groove, and the released position depicted in FIGS. 2a and 3a, where the post can be introduced into or removed from the groove 10a.

[0047] Advantageously, the mobile mating link 32a' is designed so as not to be able to invert to the released position when the strap of the bracelet is fixed around the wearer's wrist, providing safety against accidental opening of the strap of the bracelet. For this purpose, the second strap part of the strap of the bracelet introduced into the buckle 5a and the retaining ring 19 prevents the mating link 32a' from rotating towards the released position, as can be seen in FIG. 3b. Thus, in this example, the opening of the connection between the first row of links and the connecting piece 7a requires the strap of the bracelet to be opened in the buckle 5a in advance in order to be able to remove the second strap part of the strap of the bracelet.

[0048] FIGS. 4a and 4b show the same connection as FIGS. 2a to 3b, but intervening between the strap part of the bracelet and the unfolding buckle 5b via the buckle.

[0049] Figures 5 through 7c show another embodiment in which the strap of the bracelet can be opened without tools due to the connection between one strap portion of the bracelet strap and row 32b of the mating links directly connected to the watch case.

[0050] Figures 6a through 6c show an example of a strap portion of a flexible bracelet having row 32b of the mating links and flexible strap portion 3a.

[0051] Figures 7a through 7c show an example of a strap portion of a multi-articulated link bracelet having a plurality of rows of type 1 links 30a and a plurality of rows of type 2 links 30b, with the various rows of links being interconnected.

[0052] In both of these examples, the watch case includes a housing for the type 2 links 30b, for example in the form of studs. These housings can accommodate either the type 2 links 30b of a conventional bracelet strap or the mating links 32b of the bracelet strap according to the invention. The mating links 32b are attached to these housings and are held there semi-permanently, for example using a rod passing through transverse holes 23 in these links. By semi-permanent in this context is meant that the mating links 32b are not intended to be removed from the watch case 2 each time the bracelet strap is replaced, but nevertheless are separable from the watch case, for example using tools or in a workshop, in order to be replaced with the type 2 links from a conventional bracelet strap.

[0053] Each mating link 32b incorporates a locking / unlocking button 6b for locking and unlocking the connection to the type 2 strap portion or link. The locking / unlocking button is preferably hidden and not actually visible when the bracelet strap is being worn. For this purpose, preferably, the locking button is only displayed on the face of the mating link that is hidden when the bracelet strap is being worn.

[0054] An example of the adaptable link 32b with the fixing / fixing release button is illustrated in FIG. 5. The only face of this link that is visible when the bracelet strap is worn is the upper face, which is substantially identical to the corresponding face of the type 2 30b link. On the other hand, the lower face, i.e., the face that faces the wrist when wearing the bracelet strap, is provided with a fixing / fixing release button in the form of a push button 6b.

[0055] The operation of this push button will be better understood with reference to FIGS. 6a to 6c. As can be seen from the figures, the adaptable link 32b comprises a housing 14 with a push button 6b disposed therein. This push button has a moving body 9 designed to cooperate with a spring, for example a compression spring 13, located at the bottom of the housing 14. The moving body 9 is designed to move in a direction preferably orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the plane of the bracelet strap 1 when the push button 6b is actuated. The adaptable link 32 has, on one side, a passage 16 communicating with the housing 14. The moving body 9 is provided with an opening 10b as well as teeth 15 disposed opposite the passage 16. The bracelet strap 1 is provided with two connecting elements 7b designed to be connected to the bracelet strap portion 3a and to be clipped (held) inside the corresponding adaptable link. Since the fixing mechanism is the same for each adaptable link 32b, the following description refers to only one of the adaptable links. The strap portion may be overmolded, for example, on the connecting element 7b or fixed by other permanent or semi-permanent means.

[0056] The connecting element 7b is provided with a hook 11 that is inserted into the opening 10b of the adaptable link 32b. The hook 11 and the opening 10b may have a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 5.

[0057] The hook 11 may be clipped into the opening 10b to fix the connecting piece to the adapter link. FIGS. 6a and 6b show the adapter link 32b in a configuration detachably attached from the connecting element 7b respectively. In the connecting configuration of FIG. 6b, the strap portion 3a of the bracelet and the adapter link 32b are fixed facing each other.

[0058] The strap portion 3a of the bracelet and the connecting element 7b can be fixed by a simple snap fastener. For this purpose, the hook 11 of the connecting element 7b is introduced into the passage 16 of the adapter link 32b, the inclined surface of the hook 11 is pressed against the back of the tooth 15, the moving body 9 is moved to compress the spring 13, and the end of the hook 11 enters the opening 10b of the moving body 9. The tooth 15 of the moving body 9 of the push button 6b automatically retracts behind the inclined surface of the hook 11 by the action of the spring 13, fixes the two parts 7b, 32b in the configuration of FIG. 6b, and prevents the extraction of the connecting piece 7b from the opening 10b. The side surface of the tooth 15 that contacts the hook 11 is preferably re-enterable to prevent the tooth from slipping against this hook when the bracelet strap is pulled.

[0059] The strap portion 3a of the bracelet and the connecting element 7b can be detached by actuating the push button 6b as shown in FIG. 6c. When the push button 6b is pressed, the tooth 16 disengages from the hook 11, enabling the disassembly of the connecting element 7b.

[0060] FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c show a watch with a bracelet strap that can be removed without using the tool according to the present invention. FIG. 7a is an enlarged cross-section on "C-C" of FIG. 7b.

[0061] The watch case 2 preferably comprises two fitting links for connecting to the strap portion 3b of the bracelet strap 1. The same arrangement is symmetrically replicated on the opposite side for connection to the strap portions of other bracelets that are not visible. Advantageously, each strap portion of the bracelet strap 1 is connected to the watch case 2 by two separate fitting links 32b. This setting enhances the safety in case one of the fixing functions of the fitting link accidentally opens.

[0062] In FIG. 7b, the strap portion 3b of the multi-articulated link comprises a plurality of first-type links 30a and a plurality of second-type links 30b. The two fitting links 32b are substantially indistinguishable from the second-type links 30b when the bracelet strap is worn. In the example of FIG. 7b, the strap portion 3b of the multi-articulated link comprises two second-type links 30b per row. In a variant not shown, the bracelet strap consists only of one fitting link and one second-type link per row. According to another variant not shown, the bracelet strap comprises three fitting links and three second-type links per row. The dimensions of the fitting links and the second-type links are adapted according to the number of second-type links per row.

[0063] The detailed description and figures relate to an example consisting of a pocket watch and a case, but this is not a limitation of the present invention which is equally applicable to items of objects intended to be worn around the body using jewels, necklaces, belts, any chain fixed to a part of the body, or chains.

[0064] Accordingly, the delicate operation of changing the elements of the fixed chain is not designed to remove the elements without using tools, so it is very simplified, does not require special-purpose tools, and allows everyone to start working faster without the risk of damaging parts due to improper handling. The present invention advantageously enables the provision of compatibility functions for new developments while reusing existing parts not designed for that purpose. For example, the strap or the middle part of a bracelet can be easily replaced, and there is no need to change the middle part or the strap of the bracelet. Finally, the present invention provides the further advantage of achieving compatibility with very limited aesthetic impact, if not zero, without sacrificing the style of the product, without the need for tools.

Claims

1. a strap portion (3a, 3b); at least one connecting element (7a, 7b) inseparably connected to the strap portion (3a, 3b); at least one adaptor link (32a', 32b) intended for connection to an aesthetic element (2, 5a, 5b) and removably connected to the at least one connecting element (7a, 7b); when actuated, the adaptor link (32a', 32b) is moved from a fixed position where the at least one connecting element (7a, 7b) is fixed to the adaptor link, to a release position where the at least one connecting element (7a, 7b) can be detached from the connection to the adaptor link, the at least one adaptor link (32a', 32b) comprising a fixing / release button (6a, 6b) intended to move it; the fixing / release button (7a, 7b) is hidden when the bracelet strap (1) is worn; the bracelet strap (1).

2. The bracelet strap (1) according to claim 1, wherein the strap portion is a strap portion (3a) formed entirely or partially of a flexible material or a strap portion made on a multi-joint link (3b).

3. The connecting element (7a, 7b) and the or each adaptor link (32a', 32b) are removably connected to each other by means of a male part (9, 11) inserted into a female opening (10a, 10b), the fixing / release button (6a, 6b) being able to prevent the male part from being pulled out of the female opening when the at least one adaptor link (32a', 32b) is in the fixed position, and enabling this pulling out when the at least one adaptor link (32a', 32b) is in the release position; The bracelet strap (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The female opening (10a) forms a middle part (5a, 5b) and forms a groove in the transverse direction with respect to the length of the strap portion (3a), the male part (9) being designed to slide in the groove as it is inserted or pulled out; The bracelet strap (1) according to claim 3.

5. comprising at least one row comprising a fixed adaptor link (32a) and a movable adaptor link (32a'); The fixed mating link (32a) and the movable mating link (32a') are intended to be connected to the intermediate portion (5a, 5b), For this reason, the movable mating link (32a') is designed to pivot about an axis parallel to the groove between the fixed position and the release position, so as to be inserted into or withdrawn from the groove (10a) of the male part (9), or to individually prevent the insertion and the withdrawal, wherein the male part is, for example, a support column (9), The bracelet strap (1) according to claim 4.

6. The bracelet strap (1) according to claim 5, wherein the second strap portion of the bracelet strap is designed to prevent the fixing / fixing release button (6a) from being operated when the bracelet strap is tightened.

7. The bracelet strap (1) according to claim 3, wherein when the strap portion (3b) of the bracelet strap is connected to the watch case (2), at least one mating link (32b), preferably two mating links (32b), is connected to the watch case (2).

8. The said or each mating link (32b) comprises a housing (14), The fixing / fixing release button is in the form of a push button (6b) provided in the housing (14) of the said or each mating link (32b), and the fixing / fixing release button is movable within the housing (14) when the said or each mating link (32b) is moved from the fixed position to the release position. The bracelet strap (1) according to claim 7.

9. The said or each mating link (32b) comprises, on one side, a passage (16) communicating with the housing (14), The said or each push button (6b) is provided in the housing (14) and comprises a movable body (9) and an elastic member (13), The movable body comprises the female opening (10b), At least one connecting element, preferably two connecting elements (7b), is inseparably connected to the strap portion (3b), The strap portion (3b) is designed to be fixed to the watch case (2) without the need to operate the push button or the plurality of push buttons (6b) when the at least one connecting element is introduced into the passage (16) and the female opening (10b) of the corresponding said or each mating link (32b). The bracelet strap (1) according to claim 8.

10. The movable body (9) is provided with teeth (15) facing the passage (16), The said or each connecting element (7b) is provided with a hook (11) that engages with the teeth (15) in the fixed position, The bracelet strap (1) according to claim 9, wherein when the push button (6b) is actuated, the teeth (15) are disengaged from the engagement with the hook (11) so that the connection of the strap portion (3b) of the bracelet strap (1) can be disengaged.

11. The strap portion (3b) of the multi-joint link is provided with a plurality of first-type links (30a) and a plurality of second-type links (30b), The bracelet strap (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein when the bracelet strap is worn, the difference between the said or each fitting link (32b) and the second-type link (30b) is not practically distinguishable.

12. A plurality of the first-type links (30a) have at least one appearance that is substantially the same as each other, for example, at least one of shape, dimension, orientation, and color, A plurality of the second-type links (30b) have at least one appearance that is substantially uniform with each other, for example, at least one of shape, dimension, orientation, and color, When the bracelet strap is worn, the said or each fitting link (32) has at least one appearance that is substantially the same as that of the second-type link, for example, at least one of shape, dimension, orientation, and color. The bracelet strap according to claim 11.

13. A wristwatch comprising the bracelet strap (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images