Assembly of wrist band on small-sized watch casing
The wristband assembly system for miniature watches uses a fastening element with immobilized pivots to ensure secure and easy attachment, addressing reliability, robustness, and aesthetic concerns, while minimizing wear and maintaining visual appeal.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025061929
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-04-11
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing solutions for securing a wristband to a miniature watch case lack reliability, robustness, ease of use, and aesthetic appeal, particularly in high-end watches.
A wristband assembly system using a fastening element with transverse openings and pivots, immobilized by screws or keying arrangements, to securely attach the wristband to the watch case while allowing easy detachment and minimizing wear.
The system provides a reliable, robust, and user-friendly attachment that maintains aesthetic integrity, preventing unintentional detachment and reducing wear, thus enhancing the functionality and appearance of high-end watches.
Smart Images
Figure 2025161761000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece including an advantageous assembly of a wristband to a miniature watch case, in particular to a miniature watch body. [Background technology]
[0002] Various devices are utilized to removably and articulately secure a wristband to a watch case. For example, in one common prior art solution, the watch case has two pairs of projections, each of which defines a housing that receives a link assembly at the end of the wristband. A pivot extending between the two projections of each projection pair interlocks with the wristband's link assembly, maintaining the position between the two projections while allowing the wristband and the watch case to pivot relative to each other by pivoting about the pivot.
[0003] The fastening of such a wristband to the miniature watch casing, and in particular to the case, should ideally achieve the following objectives: - It must be reliable, more specifically to prevent premature removal of the wristband, - must be robust and, above all, must be resistant to wear that would impair its functionality over time; - It must allow for user-friendly removal and fastening of the wristband, e.g. allowing for easy and quick replacement; - It must have an appealing aesthetic appearance, in particular compatible with the aesthetic requirements of a high-end watch.
[0004] While existing solutions achieve at least some of the above objectives, there is room for improvement, and therefore the present invention has the object of improving these existing solutions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] A general object of the present invention is therefore an improved solution for fastening a wristband to a watch case, and more generally to a watch casing.
[0006] More particularly, a primary object of the present invention is a reliable and robust solution for fastening a wristband to a miniature watch casing.
[0007] A second object of the present invention is a user-friendly solution for fastening a wristband to a miniature watch casing.
[0008] A third object of the invention is preferably an aesthetic solution for fastening the wristband to the miniature watch casing. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] Thus, the present invention provides a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, including at least one wristband portion extending longitudinally and removably fastened to a body, the at least one wristband portion being in a first, fastened configuration in which the at least one wristband portion is fastened to the body, and in a second, assembled configuration in which the at least one wristband portion is detached from the body, the body includes at least one protrusion including a transverse opening; the watch includes at least one fastening element separate from the case and the at least one wristband portion, the fastening element including a transverse opening; the end of the at least one wristband portion includes at least two connecting portions, in particular at least two connecting links, protruding in the longitudinal direction of the end of the at least one wristband portion and separated in the transverse direction by gaps, each of the at least two connecting portions including a transverse through-opening; In a first, fixed configuration, at least one pivot is received within the transverse opening of the at least one protrusion, within the transverse opening of the at least one fastening element, and within the transverse opening of each of the at least two connecting portions of the wristband such that the body portion, the at least one wristband portion, and the at least one fastening element are fixed therebetween; In a first, fixed configuration, the immobilization means immobilizes the at least one pivot axis relative to the at least one protrusion and relative to the at least one fixing element, or relative to the connecting portions, such that only at least two connecting portions of the at least one wristband portion, or the at least one protrusion and the at least one fixing element, respectively, are movable in rotation about the at least one pivot axis. It consists of a clock.
[0010] The invention is more particularly defined in the claims.
[0011] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an assembly configured to secure a wristband to a miniature watch casing according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of the wristband on the watch casing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the assembly of a wristband on a watch casing according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an assembly of a wristband on a watch casing according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a top view of the assembly of a wristband on a miniature watch casing according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] To simplify the description of the invention, identical or corresponding elements in different variants are given the same reference numerals.
[0014] By convention, "longitudinal" means the direction in which the wristband extends from the small watch casing, considering the watch and its wristband resting on a plane that is conventionally called a "horizontal plane." The transverse direction designates the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction within the horizontal plane. The vertical direction is the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse directions.
[0015] 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention in which a particular arrangement allows the assembly of a wristband 30 onto a watch case 20 by means of a fastening element 1.
[0016] According to this first embodiment, the wristband 30 includes link assemblies extending longitudinally and articulated to one another, each consisting of a different link. In this embodiment, the link assemblies include five links distributed transversely, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. More specifically, each link assembly includes two end links 34, two intermediate links 33, and a central link 32. These five links are articulated to one another using a pivot. Furthermore, the two intermediate links 33 are offset by one-half link in the longitudinal direction of the wristband relative to the two end links 34 and the central link 32. This offset allows for the assembly of such link assemblies with other similar link assemblies, whose two intermediate links are adapted to articulate with the two end links 34 and the central link 32 and are aligned with the two intermediate links 33. When assembled, the wristband 30 has a continuous appearance, with little perceptible distinction between the various link assemblies. The wristband ultimately includes five rows of links. Each row includes links aligned longitudinally. The rows are also juxtaposed transversely, with two directly adjacent rows offset longitudinally by half a link. The end link assembly of the wristband 30, visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, is intended to be fixed to the watch case 20. The intermediate link 33 of the end link assembly projects across the entire wristband 30 and forms the two connecting links of the wristband. More generally, the wristband 30 may have a different shape than the two connecting links at its end, as long as it includes at least two connecting portions 31 at its end. Thus, in this first embodiment, the wristband 30 includes two connecting portions 31 formed by the two connecting links.
[0017] On the other hand, in this first embodiment, the case 20 of the miniature watch casing comprises two traditional lugs 21 adapted to receive the assembled wristband 30. The distance between the two lugs 21, referred to as the lug-to-lug distance, is preferably less than 20 mm, or less than 15 mm, or even less than 10 mm, for example of the order of 10 mm or of the order of 9 mm. Finally, a fastening element 1, separate from the case 20 and the wristband 30, is arranged in an intermediate manner between the case 20 and the wristband 30 and participates in the assembly of the wristband 30 onto the case 20.
[0018] In this first embodiment, the fixing element 1, which can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, includes a base intended to be received between two protrusions 21 of the barrel. The fixing element 1 is configured for positioning with little or no degree of freedom relative to the barrel. To this end, the base has a volume defined to fit between the two protrusions 21 of the barrel 20. To this end, the base includes a lateral side 1d configured to contact the inner side 21b of the protrusions 21 so that the fixing element 1 has no degree of freedom of movement in the transverse direction extending from one protrusion 21 to the other. On the other hand, the base of the fixing element 1 includes a surface intended to apply weight to the surface of the barrel between the two protrusions, thereby supporting the curvature of that surface of the barrel. Furthermore, this surface of the base includes a complementary recessed portion 22 of the barrel 20, which can be seen in FIG. 3, and a protruding connecting portion 1c in the form of a rib intended to cooperate with a groove machined in particular between the two protrusions 21 of the barrel 20. Alternatively, the recessed portion may be located at the base of the fixation element 1 and a complementary protrusion may be located on the surface of the barrel 20. The cooperation of the connecting portion 1c protruding from the fixation element 1 and the recessed portion of the barrel prevents or limits vertical movement of the fixation element 1 and prevents rotation. The fixation element is not limited to the above-mentioned features. The fixation element may alternatively have only one or only a subset of the above features.
[0019] The fastening element 1 further comprises a protruding part 1e extending from the base in a longitudinal direction away from the body 4. The protruding part 1e is substantially parallel to the protrusions 21 in the fastening configuration of the assembly. The protruding part 1e is located in the central part of the fastening element, which are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the protruding part 1e. On the other hand, the protruding part 1e advantageously has a shape similar to the links of the wristband 30 in order to create a visual effect of continuity with the wristband 30.
[0020] The wristband 30 is assembled to the torso 20 using the pivot 2 and the above-mentioned fastening element 1. The pivot 2 actually cooperates with these three separate parts 1, 20, and 30. To this end, the pivot 2 includes ends that are accommodated in respective transverse openings 21a, preferably blind holes, in the lateral surfaces 21b of the two protrusions 21. The pivot 2 then passes through transverse through-openings 31a in each connecting portion 31 of the wristband 30, i.e., in this embodiment, in the intermediate links at the ends of the wristband. The pivot 2 then passes through the transverse opening 1a in the protruding central part 1e of the fastening element. It is emphasized that, due to this arrangement, the pivot 2 extending transversely from one protrusion 21 to the other allows for the completion of the fastening of the fastening element 1 to the torso 20, while also allowing the wristband 30 to be maintained in an articulated manner in the assembly formed by the fastening element 1 and the torso 20.
[0021] In this first embodiment, the pivot 2 is a conventional barrette, including a body 2b and at least one end forming a pivot 2a at one end, preferably two pivots 2a, one at each end. Each pivot 2a slides within the body 2b. A resilient element 2c, such as a coil spring, as can be seen in FIG. 3, is housed within the body 2b to exert a force on the pivot or pivots 2a that tends to maintain them in a position protruding beyond the body 2b. Thus, the overall length of the pivot 2 is slightly greater than the inter-protrusion distance, and the pivots 2a can be housed within the holes 21a in their protruding position.
[0022] The length of the body 2b extends beyond the side surface 1b of the protruding part 1e of the fastening element 1 in a manner that cooperates with the transverse opening 31a of the connecting part 31. Thus, the pivots 2 are slidable within the transverse openings 1a of the protruding part of the fastening element 1, at least during the assembly stage of the assembly. Each pivot 2a of the pivots 2 is designed to be arranged to alternately protrude or retract from the outer side surface 31b of the connecting part 31, respectively, to enable a first configuration in which the wristband 30 is fastened to the torso 20 and a second, assembled configuration in which the wristband 30 is fastened or released to the torso 20. Thus, each connecting part 31 has the pivot 2 passing through it and is consequently assembled between the side surface 1b of the fastening element and the inner side surface 21b of the protrusion 21. In the first, fixed configuration in which the wristband 30 is fastened to the torso 20, each pivot 2a is arranged within the blind transverse opening 21a of the respective inner side surface 21b of the protrusion 21. The arrangement is stable due to the elastic retaining effect of the elastic element 2c. It should be emphasized that in this first, fixed arrangement, all of the above-mentioned openings 21a, 1a, 31a are aligned coaxially in the same direction along the axis A1. The pivot 2 is then arranged transversely of the axis A1, extending from one projection 21 to the other. The pivot 2 may be made of a metal alloy such as steel, or a superalloy, a composite material, or a precious metal such as gold or platinum, or may be made of a material that allows limiting wear by friction, such as a sintered ceramic, advantageously based on zirconia.
[0023] Additionally, in order to reduce wear of the friction surfaces during articulation, the pivot 2 is rotationally immobilized relative to the fixation element 1 and relative to the body 20. For this purpose, means 3 for immobilizing the pivot 2 are used, which would otherwise be free to rotate about its longitudinal axis and rub against the opposing surfaces of the body 20 and the fixation element 1. In this first embodiment, the immobilization means 3 essentially comprises a screw that is threaded longitudinally into the thread 3a of the central part of the base of the fixation element 1. Such a screw is arranged to project perpendicularly into the through-opening 1a of the fixation element 1 until it comes into contact with the pivot 2 in the first, fixed configuration. This configuration is particularly illustrated in FIG. 3. In this fixed configuration, the body 2b of the pivot 2 is therefore clamped by the screw in the through-opening 1a so that it is rotationally and translationally immobilized. As a result, the body 2b of the pivot 2 no longer has any degree of freedom relative to the fixing element 1, or indirectly relative to the protrusion 21 of the body 20. Preferably, the threads 3a are machined in such a way as to hide the threads forming the immobilization means 3 when the wristband 30 is assembled on the body 20. The threads of the immobilization means 3 are preferably grub screws so that they can be completely embedded in the threads 3a. In this first embodiment, the threads of the immobilization means 3 are thus hidden or concealed between the two protrusions 21 when the wristband 30 is assembled on the body 20. This advantageously means that the threads cannot be unscrewed unintentionally and / or accidentally. Furthermore, hiding or concealing the threads of the immobilization means 3 makes it possible to avoid damaging the overall aesthetic appearance of the assembly. In a complementary manner, the movement of the screw of the immobilization means 3 in the clamping direction may optionally be limited by an axial abutment machined on the thread 3a and / or on the screw 3. By controlling the axial position of the screw, said axial abutment makes it possible to define an optimum clamping of the pivot axis, in particular to prevent too strong clamping of the pivot axis 2.
[0024] Finally, in the first configuration, only the connecting portion 31 retains the freedom of movement in rotation relative to the pivot axis 2, thus allowing articulation of the wristband 30 around the pivot axis 2 and relative to the torso 20 and the fixation element 1.
[0025] Additionally, in this first embodiment, optionally, inserts 4 are arranged at the respective contact surfaces of the pivot 2 with the connecting portion 31 in order to reduce wear at the level of these respective contact surfaces. Rubbing therefore occurs at the level of the contact points between the pivot 2 and one or more inserts 4. The inserts 4 advantageously and preferably take the form of tubes or bearings, fixed or simply arranged in the transverse openings 31a of the connecting portion 31. In embodiments in which the inserts 4 are not fixed to the connecting portion 31, the transverse openings 31a may include bearing surfaces 31d, which serve to limit the axial movement of the inserts 4 and control their position within the connecting portion 31. Alternatively, the inserts 4 may or may not be fixed to the body 2b of the pivot 2. The body 2b of the pivot 2 advantageously extends at the level of the transverse openings 31a of the connecting portion 31 in such a manner as to cooperate with such inserts 4.
[0026] Such an arrangement allows, in the second, assembled configuration, the pivot 2 to form a fastened assembly including the fixation element 1, the connecting portion 31 of the wristband 30 and the optional insert 4. Immobilizing the pivot 2 in translation indeed makes it possible to prevent these elements from separating.
[0027] Finally, the connecting portion 31 is articulated relative to the body 2b of the pivot 2 and the fixing element 1 through the cooperation of the insert 4. Wear of this articulation depends on the insert 4. To minimize this wear, the insert is advantageously made of a suitable material. For example, the insert 4 may be made of a sintered technical ceramic based on zirconia. Alternatively, the insert may be made of a composite material, for example, formed from a mixture of ceramic with a metal or a polymer (e.g., a thermoplastic polymer). The insert may be entirely or partially made of such a material. For example, such a material may form a simple coating. The insert 4 advantageously has a hardness of 800 HV or more. The use of such an insert emphasizes that a protruding body made of metal, in particular a precious metal such as gold or platinum, allows the fixing element 1, and thus the connecting portion 31, to achieve the desired aesthetic appearance. The connecting portion 31 can, in particular, be made of the same material as the links of the wristband. Similarly, the pivot 2 can be made of steel or a precious metal. Such an insert 4 can thus reduce wear on parts such as the body 20, the wristband 30 and the pivot 2 made from materials such as steel, composite materials or precious metals such as gold or platinum. Of course, other materials, such as composite materials, are also foreseeable.
[0028] The connecting part 31 preferably includes a notch 31c on its rear side, hidden from the wearer of the wristband, which notch 31c opens into a transverse opening 31a to allow the user or watchmaker to access the pivot 2a. Using conventional watchmaking tools, such as tweezers, pins or pin forks, the pivot 2a can be manually positioned back from the outer side 31b of the connecting part 31, acting against the elastic element 2c to allow the wristband 30 to be removed from the body 20. Alternatively, such a notch may be provided in the projection 21 of the body 20 or in the fixing element 1, to allow actuation of the end that also forms the pivot of the swivel.
[0029] More generally, the solution according to the invention advantageously allows the wristband 30 to be mounted and removed in a conventional manner. The pivot 2a may include, inter alia, a notch or groove dimensioned to receive a watchmaking tool and facilitate retraction of the pivot 2a. When the wristband 30 is to be removed from the case 20, the pivot 2 may be removed from the fastening element 1, preferably by unscrewing the immobilization means 3. However, this solution is advantageous because it allows the wristband 30 and the fastening element 1 to be maintained in an assembled state with the pivot 2 in a second, assembled configuration. This configuration thus simplifies the handling and assembly of the combination. Thus, the connecting part 31 and the fastening element 1, connected to each other by the pivot 2, in effect form a fastening device fastened to the end of the wristband part 30, which can easily take its position between the two lugs 21 of the case 20. This advantage also applies to the other embodiments.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly according to a second embodiment, which is distinguished from the first embodiment only by the immobilization means 3; the other parts are substantially identical. In this second embodiment, rotation of the body 2b of the pivot 2 is prevented by a keying-type arrangement. To this end, the threads 3a are arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis A1, so that the peripheral wall is substantially tangential to the peripheral wall of the transverse opening 1a. The body 2b of the pivot 2 includes a groove 2d extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis A1 and intended to be aligned with the threads 3a. The threads of the immobilization means 3 are therefore received in the groove 2d of the pivot 2. More specifically, the threads are preferably cylindrical and include an end portion 3b designed to be received in the groove 2b. This arrangement allows the threads to prevent rotational and translational movements of the body 2b of the pivot 2 relative to the fixing element 1 with less play. As a result, the body 2b of the pivot 2 no longer has any degrees of freedom relative to the fixing element 1. In this embodiment, the base of the thread 3a advantageously has an abutment function, whereby the screw of the immobilization means 3 abuts axially against the base of the thread 3a at the end of tightening in order to control its axial position and clamp it in the thread 3a without applying excessive pressure to the pivot 2.
[0031] The present invention has been described with respect to a body 20 including two protrusions 21. However, the present invention is not limited to such a body 20. For example, FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment in which the body includes a single protrusion 21 having two blind transverse openings 21a or two transverse through-openings (particularly adapted to form a single transverse through-opening) arranged at the height of two opposite faces of the protrusion and oriented along a transverse axis A1. To accommodate this body, the fastening element 1 includes two protruding parts 1e arranged symmetrically around the protrusion 21 at a distance from the protrusion 21 substantially equal to the width of the wristband link. These protruding parts 1e include blind transverse openings 1a oriented along the axis A1 at the height of their inner faces. In this embodiment, the shapes of the protrusion 21 and the protruding parts 1e are reversed compared to the previous embodiments. It should be emphasized that the two protruding parts 1e may be arranged on a single fastening element 1 or on separate fastening elements 1. The wristband portion 30 may be identical to that of the first two embodiments. The two connecting portions 31 of the wristband portion 30 are received around the protrusion 21 between the protrusion 21 and the respective protruding part 1e. In this third embodiment, two pivots 2 are arranged along the axis A1 to fix the respective connecting portion 31 in the protrusion 21 and on the protruding part 1e. Each pivot 2 comprises at least two pivots 2a arranged in a transverse opening 21a of the protrusion 21 and in a body 2b arranged in the protruding part 1e and at least partially passing through the transverse opening 31a of the connecting portion 31. On the other hand, each pivot 2 is rotationally immobilized by an immobilization means 3 arranged at the level of the protruding part 1e.
[0032] This third embodiment therefore comprises two immobilisation means 3, each cooperating with a respective pivot 2. Furthermore, each immobilisation means 3 may embody one of the solutions of the two previous embodiments. At least one insert 4 is arranged in each connecting portion 31 and functions as described for the first embodiment. It should be emphasized that in this embodiment the protrusion 21 of the body portion 20 is arranged in the space between the two connecting portions 31 of at least one wristband portion 30 and is no longer a protruding part 1e of the fixing element 1 as in the previous embodiments.
[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the transverse positions of the protruding part 1e and the connecting portion 31 may be interchanged.
[0034] Of course, the invention is not limited to the precise forms of the various elements shown.
[0035] As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the connecting portion is at the end of the wristband. Two connecting portions have been described as an example. Alternatively, the wristband may include more than two connecting portions, particularly three connecting portions, and more typically at least two connecting portions.
[0036] On the other hand, if the wristband includes an assembly of links, especially metal links, the connecting portion advantageously takes the form of a connecting link located at the end of the wristband, advantageously protruding from the wristband and having the same or similar shape as the other links of the wristband to give it a continuous aesthetic appearance. The present invention has been described with reference to a wristband including five rows of links. Of course, the present invention may also be applied to wristbands including a different number of rows of links, for example three rows of links. The connecting portion is advantageously a link of the wristband. However, the connecting portion may instead be separate from the links of the wristband and have a different shape from these links. If the wristband includes rigid links connected to one another in an articulated manner, the wristband may include at least three or five rows of links extending in the longitudinal direction, the rows of links being juxtaposed and offset from one another, so that two directly juxtaposed links belonging to two rows of separate directly juxtaposed links are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction. The connecting portion is advantageously formed by at least two end links forming a connecting link and being part of two respective rows of intermediate links separated by at least one row of links, the two end links being separated from each other by a space corresponding to the width of at least one link.
[0037] In a variant embodiment, the wristband may be made of a flexible material, for example leather or a polymer (elastomer, thermoplastic polymer, thermoplastic elastomer). In this case, the connecting parts may be arranged at the ends of the flexible wristband and may be made of a material that allows for limited wear by rubbing, such as steel, composite material, or precious metals such as gold or platinum, or sintered ceramics, advantageously based on zirconia. Alternatively, the connecting parts 31 may be part of wristband parts 30 made of a flexible material, which connecting parts 31 are also made of a flexible material. Advantageously, at least one insert 4 must be arranged therein.
[0038] Furthermore, the present invention has been described with respect to a conventional case having one or two projections. These projections may, of course, have any other shape, which need not necessarily be standardized. Likewise, the case may have any other shape that forms part of the miniature watch casing.
[0039] The body is advantageously aligned with the wristband and has an overall width substantially equal to the width of the wristband measured in the transverse direction. The distance measured from the outer or inner end, preferably the outer end, of the first protrusion to the outer or inner end, preferably the outer end, of the second protrusion substantially corresponds to the width of the wristband in the case of a body with two protrusions as described in relation to the first two embodiments. Alternatively, in the case of a body with only one protrusion as described in the third embodiment, the distance measured from the outer or inner end, preferably the inner end, of the protruding first part to the outer or inner end, preferably the inner end, of the second protruding part substantially corresponds to the width of the wristband, the protruding part being part of one or two fastening elements.
[0040] As mentioned above, the arrangement may include one, two or more pivots. Thus, the arrangement includes at least one pivot. Each pivot may have any shape other than that described. For example, the pivot may be wholly or partially non-cylindrical, and may have, for example, a square, three-lobed or half-moon-shaped cross section, in particular to immobilize it against rotation within the respective housing. The pivot may also include at least one bearing surface forming an axial abutment that allows precise positioning within the housing. The pivot or pivots are advantageously integrated into at least one protrusion of the barrel.
[0041] The immobilization means are used to prevent rotation of the pivot shaft relative to the particular component, as explained, in order to limit wear. Indeed, it is advantageously sufficient to maintain the expected rotation of the wristband relative to the miniature watch casing, either by rotation of the wristband around the pivot shaft or by rotation of the miniature watch casing relative to the pivot shaft. In the described embodiment, the immobilization means act on the pivot shaft at the level of the fixing element. Alternatively, they may act at the level of the projection or at the level of the connection part of the wristband. In the latter case, the pivot shaft 2 is fixed to the connection part 31 and is free to rotate at the level of the fixing element and at least one projection. Optionally, one or more inserts are arranged at the level of the pivot shaft, if it is free to rotate, to form a robust and controlled friction surface.
[0042] On the other hand, the immobilization means may be implemented in solutions different from those described. For example, it may comprise a non-circular pivot cross-section that cooperates with the corresponding cross-sections of the transverse openings 31a of the at least two connecting parts 31 or the transverse openings of at least one protruding part of the fixing element and / or the transverse openings of the at least one protruding part, respectively, in order to prevent rotation of the pivot relative to the fixing element and / or the at least one protruding part. Alternatively or additionally, the immobilization means may comprise a mounting element, in particular a key or screw as described above, protruding into the transverse opening in order to come into contact with the pivot and prevent its rotation and possibly translational movement by friction and / or the formation of an obstacle.
[0043] The fastening element makes it possible to complete the case and / or the wristband by forming a separate and complementary element that simplifies the fastening of the wristband to the miniature watch casing. To this end, the fastening element may have any shape that allows it to receive a pivot. The fastening element may be associated with the miniature watch casing by several approaches. For example, the association may be a simple nesting without fastening, using a shape that allows it to limit or eliminate the degrees of freedom, in which case an articulating pin or pins ensure its retention. The fastening element may alternatively be fixed to the miniature watch casing by means of screws or clips, or by fastening means such as hammering, gluing or welding.
[0044] To minimize wear due to sliding, an optional insert is envisaged. The insert may be wholly or partially non-cylindrical and may have, for example, a square, three-lobed or half-moon cross section, in particular to prevent rotation within the respective housing or relative to the pin. The insert may also include at least one bearing surface forming an axial abutment that allows precise positioning within the housing. [Explanation of symbols]
[0045] 1 Fixed elements 1a Transverse opening 1e Protruding parts 2 pivot points 3 Immobilization means 20 Torso 21 Protrusion 21a Transverse opening 30 Wristband part 31 Connection part 31a Transverse opening
Claims
1. A timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising at least one wristband portion (30) extending longitudinally and removably fastened to a body (20), the at least one wristband portion (30) assuming a first, fastened configuration in which the at least one wristband portion (30) is fastened to the body (20) and a second, assembled configuration in which the at least one wristband portion (30) is detached from the body (20), The body (20) includes at least one projection (21) including a transverse opening (21a); the watch comprises at least one fastening element (1) separate from the case (20) and from the at least one wristband portion (30), the fastening element comprising a transverse opening (1 a); the end of the at least one wristband portion (30) comprises at least two connecting portions (31), in particular at least two connecting links, projecting in the longitudinal direction of the end of the at least one wristband portion (30) and separated transversely from each other by a gap, the at least two connecting portions (31) each comprising a transverse through-opening (31 a); In a first, fixed configuration, at least one pivot (2) is received within the transverse opening (21 a) of the at least one protrusion (21), within the transverse opening (1 a) of the at least one fastening element (1), and within the transverse opening (31 a) of each of the at least two connecting portions (31) of the wristband, such that the body portion (20), the at least one wristband portion (30), and the at least one fastening element (1) are fixed and maintained therebetween; In a first, fixed configuration, the immobilization means (3) immobilizes the at least one pivot axis (2) relative to the at least one protrusion (21) and to the at least one fixing element (1) or relative to the connecting portion (31) such that only at least two connecting portions (31) of the at least one wristband portion (30), or the at least one protrusion (21) and the at least one fixing element (1), respectively, are movable in rotation about the at least one pivot axis (2); clock.
2. In the first, fastening configuration, a protrusion (21) of the body (20) or a protruding part (1e) of the at least one fastening element (1) including the transverse opening (1a) is arranged in the gap between the two connecting portions (31) of the at least one wristband portion (30).
2. The watch according to claim 1.
3. an insert (4), in particular a tube or a bearing, is arranged in the transverse opening (31 a) of each connecting portion (31) of the at least one wristband portion (30) or in the transverse opening (1 a) of the at least one fastening element (1) and / or in the transverse opening (21 a) of the at least one protrusion (21) to form a first fastening connection surface and limit wear due to friction; 3. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2.
4. the insert (4) is entirely made of a sintered technical ceramic or a composite material made from a mixture of technical ceramic and metal or polymer, or comprises a sintered technical ceramic coating or a composite material made from a mixture of technical ceramic and metal or polymer, and / or has a hardness of 800 HV or more; 4. The watch according to claim 3.
5. the at least one wristband portion (30) comprises rigid links connected in an articulated manner and comprising at least three or five longitudinally extending rows of links, the rows of links being juxtaposed and offset from one another such that two directly juxtaposed links belonging to two distinct and directly juxtaposed rows of links are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction, the at least two connecting portions (31) consisting of two end links belonging to each row of links separated from one another by at least one row of links such that two end links are separated from one another by the gap corresponding to the width of at least one link, or The at least one wristband portion (30) is flexible and includes the at least two connecting portions protruding at its ends. A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. In a first, fixed configuration, the immobilization means (3) immobilize the at least one pivot axis (2) against translational movements in the transverse direction. A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. In a second, assembled configuration, the immobilization means (3) immobilize the at least one pivot axis (2) against translational movements in the transverse direction so as to maintain the assembly of the at least one fixing element (1) to the at least two connecting parts (31). A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The immobilization means (3) is a non-circular cross section of the at least one pivot axis (2) which cooperates with a corresponding cross section of the transverse opening (31 a) of each of the at least two connecting parts (31) or the transverse opening (1 a) of the at least one protruding part (1 e) of the at least one fixing element (1) and / or the transverse opening (21 a) of the at least one protrusion (21) so as to immobilize the at least one pivot axis (2) against rotation relative to the at least two connecting parts (31) or the at least one fixing element (1) and / or the at least one protrusion (21), or mounting elements, in particular grub screws, projecting into the transverse openings (31 a) of each of the at least two connecting parts (31) or into the transverse openings (1 a) of the at least one protruding part (1 a) of the at least one fixing element (1) and / or into the transverse openings (21 a) of the at least one protrusion (21) so as to come into contact with the at least one pivot axis (2) in order to immobilize it against rotation and possibly against translational movements by friction and / or by forming an obstacle; Consists of: A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. In order to prevent premature release, in the first, fixed configuration, the immobilization means (3) are adapted to be hidden or concealed and are inaccessible. A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. the immobilization means (3) is a screw threaded into a thread (3a) of the transverse opening (31a) of each of the at least two connecting parts (31) or of the transverse opening (1a) of the at least one fixing element (1) and / or of the transverse opening (21a) of the at least one projection (21), the immobilization means (3) and / or the thread (3a) comprising abutments that allow an optimal fastening clamping of the pivot shaft (2) in the first, fixed configuration; A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. In the first, fixed configuration, the at least one fixing element (1) is arranged in a housing of the barrel (20) to provide a rigid connection between the at least one fixing element (1) and the barrel (20), or in the first, fixed configuration, the at least one fixing element (1) is fixed to the barrel (20) by a fixing means such as screwing, hammering, gluing or clipping. A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. the fastening element (1) comprises, in the case of a body (20) having two protrusions (21), a base with a defined volume to be arranged snugly between the two protrusions (21) of the body (20), and / or the fastening element (1) comprises a base comprising a surface intended to apply a weight against the surface of the body (20) so as to support the curvature of said surface of the body (20), and / or the fastening element (1) comprises a protruding connecting portion (1c), in particular in the form of a rib, and a base comprising a recessed portion, each recessed portion intended to cooperate with a complementary protrusion of the body (20), in particular a recessed portion (22), in each case a complementary protrusion of the body (20).
12. The watch according to claim 11.
13. the at least one pivot (2) comprises at least one end forming a pivot (2a) that continues to project under the influence of an elastic element (2c), such as a coil spring, and which at least one end forms a pivot (2a) that is accommodated in a transverse opening (21a) of the at least one projection (21) in the first, fixed configuration; A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
14. a connecting portion (31), a protrusion (21) of the body (20), or the at least one fixed element (1) includes a notch (31c) for enabling actuation of the at least one end forming a pivot (2a) projecting from the at least one pivot (2) and moving it from the first, fixed configuration to the second, assembled configuration or vice versa, towards a retracted position and a projecting position against the force exerted by the elastic element (2c); 14. The watch of claim 13.
15. the body portion (20) comprises two protrusions (21), each comprising a blind transverse opening (21 a); the at least one fastening element (1) comprises, in a first, fastening configuration, only one protruding part (1 e) arranged between the two protrusions (21) and extending substantially parallel to the two protrusions (21); the at least one wristband portion (30) comprises two connecting parts (31) arranged between each protrusion (21) and the protruding part (1 e) of the at least one fastening element (1) in order to align, in the first, fastening configuration, the blind transverse openings (21 a) of the two protrusions (21), the transverse opening (1 a) passing through the at least one fastening element (1), and the two transverse through openings (31 a) of each of the two connecting parts (31), all of which openings receive the at least one pivot shaft (2) in the first, fastening configuration; A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 14.
16. the body portion (20) comprises a single protrusion (21) comprising at least one transverse through-opening (21a); the fixing element or elements (1) comprise two protruding parts (1e) arranged on opposite sides of the protrusion (21) and extending substantially parallel to the protrusion (21) in the first, fixed configuration; the at least one wristband portion (30) comprises two connecting parts (31) respectively arranged between the protrusion (21) and the protruding part (1e) for aligning, in the first, fixed configuration, the at least one transverse opening (21a) of the protrusion (21), a respective stop transverse opening (1a) of one of the two protruding parts (1e) and two transverse through-openings (31a) of each of the two connecting parts (31), all of which openings receive the at least one pivot shaft (2) in the first, fixed configuration; A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 14.
17. the total length of the at least one wristband (30), measured in the transverse direction, is equal to the distance measured from the outer or inner edge of a first protrusion (21) to the outer or inner edge of a second protrusion (21), in the case of a body (20) having two protrusions (21), or equal to the distance measured from the inner or outer edge of a first protrusion (1e) of the at least one fastening element (1) to the inner or outer edge of a second protrusion (1e), in the case of a body (20) having only one protrusion (21); 17. A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 16.