A fastener that attaches the band to the watch case

Abstract

To detachably connect a strand of a watch band to a watch case without modifying the watch case. The invention relates to a fastening element (10) for a strand of a band adapted to be removably connected to a watch case, the fastening element (10) comprising a housing (14) in which are held first and second pads (30a, 30b) arranged to be slidable transversely of the length of the strand and to cooperate with first and second pivots (72a, 72b) respectively fixed to lugs (70) of the watch case, a resilient member (40) arranged to move the first and second pads (30a, 30b) away from each other, and a fastener (60) arranged on the one hand to fasten the fastening element (10) when the fastening element (60) is in a fastening position, and on the other hand to release the fastening element (10) from the watch case when the fastening element (60) is actuated to a release position and a force is applied to the resilient member (40) to move the fastening element (10) away from the watch case. In the present invention, the fastener (60) and the first and second pads (30a, 30b) are configured such that operation of the fastener (60) from the fastened position to the released position does not transmit movement to the first and second pads (30a, 30b).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener for attaching a strand (a section, a portion) of a band to a watch case. More specifically, the fastener comprises an insert or a cage adapted to be inserted between the lugs of the watch case and removably connected thereto. [Background technology]

[0002] Numerous solutions have already been proposed in the prior art to simplify the removal and installation of bands on watch cases and to avoid the need to use specific tools, allowing, for example, the user of a watch to freely change the style or color of the band without complex operations and without the risk of damaging or scratching the watch through the careless use of tools.

[0003] As an example, U.S. Patent No. 5,399,633 discloses an interchangeable wristwatch band with a clasp at one end of each strand for removably connecting it to the watch case. The clasp comprises a cylindrical housing with a clasp barrette for fastening the band to the case. The housing has an opening along its length defining a passageway to allow insertion of the barrette. The clasp further comprises a fastener mounted for movement between a first position in which the passageway is free and a second position in which a bolt closes the passageway to fasten the band to the watch case.

[0004] Other examples of fastenings intended to simplify the removal and installation of the strands of a band on a watch case can be found, inter alia, in publications US Pat. No. 5,399,623, US Pat. No. 5,499,633, US Pat. No. 5,523,661 and US Pat. No. 5,613,623.

[0005] These fastening members have the disadvantage that modifications must be made to the watch case so that it is adapted to cooperate with the fastening member, in particular to integrate a push button that allows the fastening member to be unlocked from the watch case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Swiss Patent No. 707056 [Patent Document 2] Swiss Patent No. 712656 [Patent Document 3] European Patent No. 2353428 [Patent Document 4] European Patent Application Publication No. 3213654 [Patent Document 5] Swiss Patent No. 698584 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fastening member which makes it possible to fasten in a removable manner the strands of a band to a watch case, without modifying the watch case for this purpose.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastening member that occupies a small space but does not require the use of barrettes to create a fastener between one strand of the band and the lug of the watch case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] These objects are achieved in particular by a fastening member for a strand of a band, adapted to be removably connected to a watch case. The fastening member comprises: a housing in which the first and second pads are retained, the housing being slidably mounted transversely to the length of the strand and adapted to cooperate with first and second pivots respectively fixed to lugs on the watch case; an elastic member provided to move the first pad and the second pad away from each other; a fastener adapted to fasten the fastening member when the fastener is in the fastening position, on the one hand, and adapted on the other hand to release the fastening member from the watch case when the fastener is actuated so that the fastener is in the release position and a force is applied to the elastic member tending to move the fastening member away from the watch case; In the present invention, the fastener and the first and second pads are configured such that actuation of the fastener from a fastened position to an unlocked position does not transfer any movement to the first and second pads.

[0010] In one embodiment, the fastener comprises a body including a first portion accessible to a user and a second portion that prevents displacement of the first and second pads when the fastener is in a fastened position.

[0011] In one embodiment, the fastener is adapted to be returned to the fastened position by a resilient member.

[0012] In one embodiment, the fastener comprises a groove, preferably a cylindrical groove, within which is disposed a resilient member, preferably a compression spring, for biasing the fastener into the fastened position.

[0013] In one embodiment, the fastening member further comprises a cover attached to the housing, one end of the elastic member abutting against the cover.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second portion of the fastener body includes a stop that prevents the pads from moving towards each other when the fastener is in the fastened position.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second portion includes a notch extending in a plane transverse to the direction of displacement of the fastener, and a portion of each pad is configured to slide within the notch when the fastener is in the released position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the fastening member comprises two side walls and a receiving portion in each side wall adapted to receive the first and second pivots, the receiving portions being configured to limit removal for relative movement exerted in a predetermined direction.

[0017] In one embodiment, each receiver is adapted to receive one of a first pivot and a second pivot leading from an entrance to the housing towards an exit opening.

[0018] In one embodiment, each pad has a first lateral side facing a corresponding side edge of the housing, the first lateral side having a hole adapted to receive one end of a corresponding pivot (either the first pivot or the second pivot) when the clasp is connected to the watch case.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first lateral side of each pad further comprises a guide surface in communication with the aperture, the guide surface being contoured to induce lateral displacement of each pad as the end of the corresponding pivot moves along the guide surface.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to a watch band strand comprising the aforementioned fastening member.

[0021] Another aspect of the invention relates to a watch comprising at least one strand of a band comprising a clasp.

[0022] An additional aspect of the present invention is - actuating the fastener to a release position; applying a force to move the fastening member away from the watch case while maintaining the fastener in the released position; The present invention relates to a method for removing a fastening member, comprising:

[0023] Examples of embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fastening member according to a preferred embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the frame of the fastening member. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view from below of the frame of the fastening element. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the pad of the fastening / releasing mechanism. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the pad of FIG. 4 in a different orientation. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the fastener body of the fastening / unfastening mechanism. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the fastener body of FIG. 7 in a different orientation. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the fastener body. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the cover of the fastening member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view from below of the cover of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view of the clasp connected to the watch case, showing only the lugs when the fastener is in the fastened position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 taken along line AA. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but with the fastener in the released position. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows a schematic diagram of the fastener and pad of one variant of the fastening member when the fastener is in the fastened position. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 shows a view similar to FIG. 17 when the fastener of the fastening element is in the released position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, and with particular reference to Figures 1 to 3, a fastening element 10 for attaching the strands of a band to a watch case comprises a frame 12 with a substantially rectangular housing 14 intended to accommodate the elements of a fastening / release mechanism. This mechanism is designed to connect and disconnect the frame 12 to and from two pivots 72a, 72b (e.g. two screws) attached to lugs 70 of the watch case (only the lugs are shown). The fastening element 10 further comprises a cover 50 attached to the frame 12 so as to cover the housing 14 comprising the elements of the fastening / release mechanism. The lower part of the cover 50 can be, for example, hammered, clamped or screwed into the housing 14.

[0026] The housing 14 of the frame 12 has two opposing, side edges 16 each with an opening 18. These openings open onto first and second receiving parts 24 arranged on the side walls 22 of the frame 12 to receive the two pivots 77a, 77b, respectively. The first and second receiving parts may, for example, be in the form of rails. These rails 24 are preferably shaped so that the fastening element 10 can be positioned above a corner 70 of the watch case and then lowered relative to this corner until the bottom of the rail rests on the pivots. In this way, the fastening element 10 is free to pivot about a pivot axis (singular) that is coaxial with the axis of the pivots when the fastening element 10 is fastened to the watch case.

[0027] 2 and 3, the bottom 20 of the housing 14 comprises a through hole 21 provided in the frame 12 of the fastening member. The fastening / unfastening mechanism for attaching the fastening member to the watch case comprises a fastener 60 mounted in the through hole 21 so as to be operable in an oblique direction, preferably substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of the fastening member 10 (e.g. substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis). The fastening member 10 comprises a fastener 26 having a transverse slot 28 for receiving one end of a strand of the band.

[0028] With particular reference to Figures 1 to 5, the fastening / unfastening mechanism further comprises a first pad 30a and a second pad 30b disposed within the housing 14, slidable laterally relative to the length of the strands of the band and cooperating with first pivots 72a and second pivots 72b, respectively, via openings 18 located on opposite side edges 16 of the housing 14.

[0029] Each of the pads 30a, 30b has a first lateral side 32a disposed opposite the corresponding side edge 16 of the housing 14. The first lateral side 32a of each pad has a hole 38 disposed to receive an end of a corresponding pivot 72a, 72b when the clasp 10 is connected to the watch case. Each of the first lateral sides 32a of each pad also has a guide surface 39 leading to the hole 38. The guide surface 39 is contoured to initiate and cause a lateral displacement of the respective pad as the end of the corresponding pivot moves along said surface.

[0030] Each of pads 30a, 30b has a second lateral side 32b. The second lateral sides of the pads are disposed opposite each other and each has a blind hole 34. Each blind hole 34 receives a portion of a resilient member (preferably a compression spring 30) disposed between the two pads.

[0031] The fastener 60 is provided such that, on the one hand, it locks the fastening member 10 when the fastener 60 is in the fastening position, and, on the other hand, it allows the fastening member 10 to be released from the watch case when the fastener 60 is actuated to the release position. The particularity of the fastening / release mechanism is in part that the fastener 60 and the first and second pads 30a, 30b are configured such that actuation of the fastener 60 to put it in the release position does not impart any movement to the first and second pads 30a, 30b. In other words, the fastener 60 allows locking and unlocking of the transverse displacement of the first and second retractable pads without acting on the first and second retractable pads.

[0032] To this end, in Figures 6 to 8, the fastener comprises a body 62 having a first portion 62a accessible by the user and a second portion 62b provided inside the housing 14 to prevent displacement of the first pad 30a and the second pad 30b when the fastener 60 is in the fastening position, as shown in Figure 13.

[0033] In one embodiment, the second portion 62a of the fastener body 60 includes a notch 64 extending in a direction perpendicular to the displacement direction of the fastener 60. Each pad 30a, 30b includes a corner 36 that is adapted to rest against a first shoulder 66 and a second shoulder 66 of the fastener body 62, respectively, when the fastener 60 is in the fastener position. The two shoulders 66 are provided on either side above the notch 64. The corner 36 of each pad is aligned with the notch 64 when the fastener 60 is in the release position. The thickness e of the corner 36 of each pad 30a, 30b is less than the height h of the notch 64 of the fastener body so that the corner can slide inside the notch 64.

[0034] The body 62 of the fastener 60 further comprises a housing 68, which in this example is cylindrical, with a resilient member, preferably in the form of a compression spring 69, disposed partially therein. One end of the spring 69 rests against the bottom of the housing 68 and is partially received in a notch 56 provided in the longitudinal edge 54 of the cover 50, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The notch has a cylindrical groove 58 designed to receive the other end of the spring 69.

[0035] The spring can bias the fastener 60 into a fastening position in which the clasp 10 is secured to the watch case.

[0036] 11 to 13, when the fastener 60 is in the fastening position, the corners of each pad 30a, 30b abut against two shoulders 66 of the body 62 in order to prevent lateral displacement of the pads. In this position, the end of each pivot 72a, 72b is in the hole 38 in the first lateral side 32a of each pad. Since lateral displacement of the pads 30a, 30b is prevented by the fastener 60, the clasp 10 is fixed in this configuration to the lugs 70 of the watch case.

[0037] When pressure is applied to the actuation surface 63 of the fastener 60, the fastener moves in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis to the released position as shown in Figures 14 to 16. Actuation of the fastener 60 does not transmit any movement to the two pads 30a, 30b when it is in the released position. Nevertheless, the notches 64 in the body 62 of the fastener are aligned with the corners of each pad.

[0038] This alignment of the two pads 30a, 30b allows them to slide in the notches 64 under the action of the force exerted on them by the ends of the pivots 72a, 72b when a relative movement is imparted between the fastening member and the watch case. In the embodiment shown, the fastening member 10 must be moved above the watch case in the direction occupied by the inclination of the rail 24 in order to remove the fastening member from the watch case.

[0039] The movement of the clasp 10 relative to the watch case, under the stress exerted on the respective pad 30a, 30b, allows the ends of the pivots 72a, 72b to move out of the respective holes 38, so that the corners 36 of each pad 30a, 30b move into the notches 64 (FIG. 16). The transverse displacement of the two pads in the direction towards each other compresses the compression spring 40 as shown in FIG. 15. In this figure, the pivots 72a, 72b face the rail, which allows the clasp to be unfastened.

[0040] When the clasp is unclamped from the watch case, the two pads 30a, 30b come out of the notches 64 in the fastener body under the action of the compression spring 40. The fastener 60 returns to the fastening position under the action of the compression spring 69 as soon as it is unlocked.

[0041] To secure the fastening member to the watch case, two pivots 72a, 72b fixed to lugs 70 of the watch case are located in the rails 24 of the fastening member. Pressure is then exerted on the working surfaces 63 of the fastener 60 by moving the fastening member relative to the watch case in order to move the pivots 72a, 72b in their respective rails (until their ends stress the guide surfaces 39, inducing a transverse displacement in the direction of the pivots facing each other and thus a compression of the compression spring 40).

[0042] When the ends of the pivots 72a, 72b are aligned with the holes 38 in the two pads 30a, 30b, the pads return to their initial position under the action of the compression spring 40. At this point the fastener 60 can be released, so that it returns to its fastening position under the action of its compression spring 69 in order to fasten the clasp to the watch case.

[0043] In another embodiment illustrated by figures 17 and 18, instead of actuating the fastener in translation, the fastener is adapted to be actuated in rotation between two angular positions corresponding respectively to a fastened position and an unlocked position, for this purpose the fastener comprises an eccentric fastener body 162 having a first width in a first direction which is greater than a second width in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0044] 17, the angular position of the fastener 162 corresponds to the fastening position. The fastener body 162 is oriented such that a first width of the fastener body 162 is in the direction of displacement of the first pad 130a and the second pad 130b such that the pads abut against the fastener body 162.

[0045] To move the fastener from the fastening position to the release position, the fastener is rotated through 90° so that the second width of the fastener body 162 is in the direction of displacement of the first pad 130a and the second pad 130b, as shown in FIG. 18. In the release position, there is thereby a play J between the fastener body 162 and each pad 130a, 130b, which allows the two pads 30a, 30b to slide under the action of the force exerted by the end of the pivot on the pads when a relative movement is applied between the fastening member and the watch case. The fastening member may be equipped with a torsion spring (not shown) to bias the fastener in the fastening position. Of course, the fastener body 162 may be shaped differently to lock and unlock the sliding of the two pads 130a, 130b depending on its angular position.

[0046] It is understood that various modifications may be made to the fastening member without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims, in particular the shape of the pads and the shape of the fastener body may be varied, as long as actuation of the fastener from the fastened position to the released position does not transmit any movement to the fastening mechanism, in particular to the first and second pads. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10 Fastening member 12 slots 14 Housing 16 Both edges 18 Openings 20 bottom 21 Through hole 22 Side wall 24 Receiving part 26 Fastening Part 28 Horizontal Slot 30a, 130a 1st pad 30b, 130b 2nd pad 32a First side part 38 holes 39 Guide Surface 32b Second lateral part 34 Blind hole 36 Corner e Thickness 40 Elastic member 50 Cover 54 Vertical Edge 56 Cutout 58 Cylindrical Groove 60 Fasteners 62, 162 Main unit 62a Part 1 63 Working Surface 62b Part 2 64 Notch h Height 66 Shoulder 68 Housing 69 Elastic Members 70 Rug 72a, 72b pivot

Claims

1. A fastener (10) for a strand of a band adapted to be removably connected to a watch case, comprising: a housing (14) carrying first and second pads (30a, 30b) arranged to be slidable transversely of the length of the strand and to cooperate with first and second pivots (72a, 72b) respectively, which are fixed to lugs (70) of the watch case; an elastic member (40) provided to move the first pad and the second pad (30a, 30b) away from each other; a fastener (60) adapted to fasten said fastening member (10) when said fastening member (60) is in a fastening position, on the other hand adapted to release said fastening member (10) from said watch case when said fastening member (60) is actuated so that said fastening member (60) is in a release position and a force is applied to said elastic member (40) tending to move said fastening member (10) away from said watch case; In the fastening member comprising: The fastening member (10), characterized in that the fastener (60) and the first and second pads (30a, 30b) are configured such that actuation of the fastener from the fastened position to the released position does not transmit movement to the first and second pads (30a, 30b).

2. The fastener (60) 2. The fastening device (10) of claim 1, comprising a body (62) including a first portion (62a) accessible to a user and a second portion (62b) that prevents displacement of the first and second pads (30a, 30b) when the fastener (60) is in the fastening position.

3. 3. The fastening element (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastener (60) is adapted to be returned to the fastened position by an elastic member (69).

4. 4. The fastening element (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastener (60) comprises a groove (68), preferably a cylindrical groove (68), inside which the elastic member (69), preferably a compression spring, is provided for biasing the fastener (60) in the fastening position.

5. The fastening member (10) according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a cover (50) attached to the housing (14), wherein one end of the elastic member (69) abuts against the cover (50).

6. The fastening member (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second portion (62b) of the body is provided with a stop (66) that prevents the pads (30a, 30b) from moving towards each other when the fastener (60) is in the fastening position.

7. The fastening member (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the second portion (62b) has a notch (64) extending in a plane transverse to the displacement direction of the fastener (60), and a portion (36) of each pad is adapted to slide within the notch (64) when the fastener (60) is in the released position.

8. 8. The fastening member (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising two side walls (22) and a receiving portion (24) provided on each side wall (22) for receiving the first and second pivots (72a, 72b), the receiving portions (24) being shaped to limit the removal for relative movement exerted in a predetermined direction.

9. 9. The fastening member (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that each receiving portion (24) is provided to receive one of the first and second pivots (72a, 72b) toward an opening that is an entrance into the housing (14) and an exit therefrom.

10. Each pad (30a, 30b) A fastening member (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a first lateral side (32a) arranged opposite a corresponding side edge (16) of the housing (14), the first lateral side (32a) having a hole (38) arranged to receive one end of a corresponding pivot (72a, 72b) when the fastening member (10) is connected to the watch case.

11. 11. The fastening member (10) of claim 10, wherein the first lateral side (32a) further comprises a guide surface (30) leading to the hole (38), the guide surface (39) being shaped to cause a transverse displacement of each pad (30a, 30b) when an end of the corresponding pivot (72a, 72b) moves along the guide surface (39).

12. A watch bracelet strand comprising a clasp according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A wristwatch comprising at least one strand of a watch bracelet according to claim 12.

14. Actuating the fastener (60) to bring it to a released position; applying a force to move the fastener (10) away from the watch case while maintaining the fastener (10) in the released position; A method for unfastening a fastening member (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising:

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