Clasp structure for bands, watch bands and watches

Abstract

The unique design allows for fine adjustment of the band length at the clasp. [Solution] The clasp structure 10 comprises a clasp body 20, a slide member 30 that slides within the clasp body 20 in the longitudinal direction of the band, and an operating member 40 with an operating part 41 exposed on the back side of the clasp body 20. The clasp body 20 also has a clasp body side engaging part 22 on its inner surface 21. The clasp body side engaging part 22 has six engaging portions 23 that engage with the operating member side engaging part 42 of the slide member 30, arranged continuously in the longitudinal direction of the band. When the operating member 40 is biased by the biasing member 60, the operating member side engaging part 42 engages with the engaging portion 23a of the clasp body side engaging part 22.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an intermediate part for a band that opens and closes when attaching and detaching a band such as a watch band.

Background Art

[0002] When adjusting the length of a band, in the case of a metal band, it is adjusted by removing or attaching the band pieces that make up the band. However, this operation sometimes requires a dedicated tool and is complicated, so a band intermediate part having a fine adjustment function for length has been developed.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, the intermediate part structure includes a pair of push buttons, a push button holding member that houses the push buttons so that they can protrude and retract from a push button opening formed in the short direction of the mounting member, and a retaining means for preventing the push buttons from falling out of the push button holding member. The mounting member length fine adjustment means includes a button-side engaging means that can slide in the short direction of the mounting member in conjunction with the operation of the push buttons, and a slide plate that can engage with the button-side engaging means. A structure in which the intermediate part structure and the mounting member length fine adjustment means are attached to the intermediate part main body of the mounting member is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Certainly, Patent Document 1 is very convenient because the length of the band can be easily finely adjusted at the intermediate part with the band pieces left as they are. However, since the adjustment button is also used for opening and closing the clasp, there is a risk of accidentally activating the adjustment when opening or closing the clasp. Also, since the push button protrudes from the clasp, there is a possibility of accidentally snagging it and causing a malfunction.

[0006] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention has completed the present invention in order to enable fine adjustment of the band length at the clasp portion with a structure different from that of the conventional invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention of the present invention relates to a clasp for a band that is located between bands and opens and closes when the bands are attached or detached, comprising: a slide member connected to one end of the band and sliding within the clasp body in the longitudinal direction of the band; an operating member attached to the slide member and locking the slide member within the clasp body; and a biasing member that biases the operating member in the thickness direction within the clasp body, wherein the operating member has an operating part exposed on the back side of the clasp body and capable of pressing the operating member biased by the biasing member toward the opposite biasing side; and an operating part that is linked to the operating part and engages with the clasp body. The clasp structure for a band is characterized by having a material-side engaging portion and a clasp body having a clasp body-side engaging portion which has two or more engaging portions that engage with the operating member-side engaging portion on the inner surface of the clasp body facing the slide member in the longitudinal direction of the band, and the operating member-side engaging portion of the operating member biased by the biasing member engages with one of the engaging portions of the clasp body-side engaging portion to fix the slide member within the clasp body, and by releasing the engagement by pressing the operating portion, the position of the slide member can be adjusted, thereby providing a fine adjustment function. The second invention is a band clasp structure according to the first invention, characterized in that the operating member side engagement portion has an engagement inclined surface that is inclined in the biasing direction of the biasing member, and the clasp body side engagement portion is provided with an inclined engagement portion corresponding to the engagement inclined surface. The third invention is a band clasp structure according to the first or second invention, characterized in that the operating member has an operating portion and an operating member-side engaging portion integrally molded. The fourth invention is a band clasp structure according to the first or second invention, characterized in that the operating member consists of an operating part and an operating member-side engaging part, which are separate components that are combined together. The fifth invention is a band clasp structure according to either the first or fourth invention, characterized in that a locking projection is provided on a folding member that connects to the other end of the band and closes the clasp by folding it toward the back side of the clasp body, and this locking projection is locked to a receiving device provided on the clasp body. The sixth invention is a band clasp structure according to either the first or fourth invention, characterized in that a locking claw is provided on a folding member that connects to the other end of the band and closes the clasp by folding it toward the back side of the clasp body, and this locking claw is locked onto a connecting pin inside the clasp body. The seventh invention is a watch band characterized by having a clasp structure for a band according to any of the first to sixth inventions described above. The eighth invention is a wristwatch characterized by having a watch band according to the seventh invention described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention has the following effects. (1) In this invention, the operating part is located on the back side of the clasp body, so it is not exposed when the band is attached, eliminating the risk of malfunction due to contact with the outside, and also resulting in a clean appearance. Furthermore, by providing a clasp body side engaging part that engages with the operating member side engaging part on the inner surface of the clasp body facing the sliding member, the clasp body can be used effectively and the number of parts can be reduced. (2) The sliding member is fixed by the engagement between the inclined engagement surface of the engaging part on the operating member side and the inclined engagement portion of the engaging part on the clasp body side. Therefore, fine adjustment of the sliding member in one direction (one direction) is possible without the need to release the engagement state by pressing on the operating part. (3) The number of parts can be reduced by having the operating part and the operating part-side engaging part integrally molded into the operating member. (4) The operating member consists of an operating part and an operating member-side engaging part, which are separate components and can be combined to allow for free variation of the pressing operation. (5) By creating a clasp structure in which the locking claws are locked onto a connecting pin inside the clasp body, even if the clasp is given a fine adjustment function, it can be kept in a compact size without becoming larger. (6) By creating a clasp structure in which a locking projection is locked to a receiving device provided on the clasp body, the fine adjustment function of the present invention can be provided even to conventional push-type clasp structures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Diagram (1) illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Diagram (2) illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Diagram (3) illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Diagram (4) illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Diagram (5) illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Diagram (6) illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Diagram (7) illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Diagram (1) illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Diagram (2) illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Diagram (3) illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Diagram (4) illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Diagram (5) illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] Diagram (6) illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Diagram (7) illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] Explanatory drawing (8) for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] Explanatory drawing (9) for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Figs. 1 to 7 are explanatory drawings for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is an overall view showing the hand intermediate storage structure 10 according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 1(a), a perspective view from above the hand intermediate storage structure 10 (hereinafter, the intermediate storage structure 10) is shown, and in Fig. 1(b), a perspective view from below the intermediate storage structure 10 is shown. As shown in the drawing, the intermediate storage structure 10 includes an intermediate storage main body 20, a slide member 30 that slides in the longitudinal direction of the band within the intermediate storage main body 20, and an operation member 40 having an operation portion 41 exposed on the back surface side of the intermediate storage main body 20.

[0011] Further, the intermediate storage main body 20 has an intermediate storage main body side engaging portion 22 on its inner surface 21 and slide grooves 24, 24 on both of its inner walls. The intermediate storage main body side engaging portion 22 has six engaging sites 23 that are continuously provided in the longitudinal direction of the band and engage with the operation member side engaging portion 42 of the slide member 30 shown in Fig. 2 (note that the number of these engaging sites 33 is arbitrary).

[0012] Fig. 2 shows the slide member 30. As shown in the drawing, an operation member 40 is attached to the slide member 30 via a connecting member 43. By providing a coil spring as a biasing member 60 on this connecting pin 43 (spring rod), the operation member side engaging portion 42 of the operation member 40 protrudes from the slide member 30 in a state where the operation member 40 is biased. Both ends of the spring rod 31 and the connecting pin 43 are fitted into the slide grooves 24 of the intermediate storage main body 20 to restrict the sliding of the slide member 30.

[0013] From the above, it can be said that the connecting pin 43 plays the following role. (1) Fixes the operating member 40 and also serves as the rotating shaft. (2) Role of the pivot shaft of the biasing member (coil spring) 60 (3) Role of fixing the sliding member 30 and the clasp body 20 Furthermore, the sliding member 30 is constructed to be combined with the operating member 40 using the connecting pin 43, and can be completely disassembled without welding or other modifications.

[0014] Figure 3 shows the operating member 40 from different angles. As shown in the figure, the operating member 40 is roughly L-shaped (a right-angled isosceles triangle) and has a connecting pin 43 with a biasing member 60 at its center, and is an integrated operating member having an operating part 41 at one end and an operating member side engaging part 42 at the other end. The operating member 40 is attached to the sliding member 30, and the operating part 41 is exposed on the back side of the clasp body 20, allowing the sliding member 30 to slide within the clasp body 20 in the longitudinal direction of the band.

[0015] Figures 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views (longitudinal direction) illustrating the fine adjustment function of the hand clasp structure 10 according to the first embodiment. First, as shown in Figure 4, the operating member 40 is biased by the biasing member 60, and the engaging portion 42 on the operating member side engages with the engaging portion 23a of the engaging portion 22 on the clasp body side. In other words, the sliding member 30 is fixed inside the clasp body 20.

[0016] Next, as shown in Figure 5, pressing the operating part 41 of the operating member 40 causes the operating member 40 to rotate around the connecting pin 43, disengaging the engagement between the engaging part 42 on the operating member side and the engaging part 23a of the engaging part 22 on the clasp body side. In other words, the slide member 30 becomes free (not fixed) within the clasp body 20.

[0017] Then, by sliding the slide member 30 to the desired position and releasing (stopping) the pressure (PUSH) of the operating member 40 on the operating part 41, as shown in Figure 6, the engaging part 42 on the operating member side engages with the engaging part 23f of the engaging part 22 on the clasp body side. In other words, the slide member 30 is fixed again within the clasp body 20. This allows the clasp structure 10 for the band to be finely adjusted in units of distance (length) between the engaging members 23, 23 of the main body side engaging portion 22.

[0018] Figure 7 illustrates the usage state of the hand clasp structure 10 of the first embodiment. The operating part 41 of the operating member 40 is exposed on the back side of the clasp body 20. The bending member 13 that connects to the other end of the band is folded towards the back side of the clasp body 20 when the band is attached. Therefore, the operating part 41 will not malfunction due to accidental contact, and it can be used with peace of mind. In addition, the fine adjustment function cannot be recognized from the appearance of the clasp alone, which reduces constraints in the design of the clasp.

[0019] As a locking structure for the bent member 13, the bent member 13 is provided with a locking projection 17, and the clasp body 20 is provided with a locking box 18 as a receiving device to lock the locking projection 17. Furthermore, the push button 19 on the clasp body 20 is an operation button for releasing the locking projection 17 in the locking box 18. In addition to the locking structure for the bent member 13 shown in Figure 7, the bent member 13 may also be provided with a locking claw, which can be locked onto a connecting pin inside the clasp body (a connecting pin for connecting the bent member 13 to the clasp body 20). This allows for a reduction in the size of the clasp body 20 (by eliminating the need for a locking box 18).

[0020] Figures 8 to 15 are explanatory diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for components that are common to both the first embodiment and the first embodiment. The difference between the clasp structure 10 of the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the integrated operating member 30 of the first embodiment has been replaced with a separate operating member 50. In order to use this separate operating member 50, the slide member 35 to which the operating member 50 is attached has also been changed.

[0021] Figure 8 is an overall view showing the hand clasp structure 10 according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the clasp structure 10 from below. As shown in the figure, the clasp structure 10 comprises a clasp body 20, a sliding member 35 that slides within the clasp body 20 in the longitudinal direction of the band, and an operating member 50 with an operating section 51 exposed on the back side of the clasp body 20.

[0022] Figure 9 shows the sliding member 35. The sliding member 35 has a mounting portion 36 that is cut out in a roughly U-shape for attaching the operating member 50. Here, the mounting wall 37 formed by this mounting portion 36 prevents the operating member 51 shown in Figure 10 from rattling. Furthermore, a coil spring is provided as a biasing member 65 for biasing the engagement portion 55 on the operating member side of the operating member 50 toward the engagement portion 22 on the clasp body side.

[0023] Figure 10 illustrates the components that make up the operating member 50. As described above, the operating member 50 is of a separate type and is formed by combining the operating part 51 and the operating member side engaging part 55. First, the operating section 51 is roughly U-shaped and includes an exposed surface portion 54 that is exposed on the back side of the clasp body 20 and a contact piece 52 that extends from the opposing part opposite to it, with the inner tip 53 of the contact piece 52 being inclined.

[0024] Next, the operating member-side engaging portion 55 is roughly Y-shaped and includes a pair of engaging protrusions 56, 56 and a contact surface 58 that is set back between the engaging protrusions 56, 56. The tips of the engaging protrusions 56, 56 and the tip of the contact surface 58 are both inclined. Furthermore, below the engaging protrusions 56, 56 there are biasing member spaces 57, 57 in which the biasing members 65, 65 provided on the slide member 35 are housed.

[0025] Figure 11 illustrates the structure of the operating member 50. Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the operating part 51 and the operating member-side engaging part 55 combined and attached to the slide member 35. As shown in Figure 11(a), the operating member-side engaging part 55 is biased by the biasing member 65, causing the engaging projection 56 to protrude from the slide member 35.

[0026] Then, when the exposed surface portion 54 is pressed horizontally and the operating portion 51 is slid, as shown in Figure 11(b), the inclined inner tip 53 of the contact piece 52 comes into contact with the contact surface 58 at an angle, which naturally pushes the operating member side engaging portion 55 downward toward the opposite biasing side. As a result, the engaging projection 56 that was protruding from the slide member 35 retracts into the slide member 35.

[0027] Figures 12 to 14 are cross-sectional views (longitudinal direction) illustrating the fine adjustment function of the hand clasp structure 10 according to the second embodiment. The fine adjustment function of the hand clasp structure 10 using the structure of the operating member 50 shown in Figure 10 is the same as in the first embodiment, so its explanation will be omitted, but we will mention the points that are characteristic of the second embodiment.

[0028] First, the difference between the operating member 50 of the second embodiment and the operating member 40 of the first embodiment is that the operating member 50 of the second embodiment pushes the operating part 51 horizontally in order to retract the engaging projection 56 into the sliding member 35. In the operating member 40 of the first embodiment, the operating part 41 was pushed vertically. However, in the second embodiment, the operating member 50 is pressed horizontally, which is the same as the sliding direction for fine adjustment, allowing simultaneous disengagement of the engaging portion 55 on the operating member side and the engaging portion 23 on the clasp body side, as well as adjustment of the sliding position.

[0029] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the engagement between the engaging projection 56 and the engaging portion 23 is achieved by contact with a surface of the biasing member that is inclined in the biasing direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14, when sliding the slide member 30 to the left, there is no need to press the operating portion 51; the slide member 30 can be slid by simply pushing it to the left. This is an effect of inclining the engagement between the two in the biasing direction. Furthermore, this can also be achieved in the first embodiment by engaging the operating member-side engaging portion 42 and the engaging portion 23 in the same way as in the second embodiment (contact on an inclined surface).

[0030] Figure 15 illustrates the usage state of the hand clasp structure 10 of the second embodiment. The operating part 51 of the operating member 50 is exposed on the back side of the clasp body 20. The bending member 13 that connects to the other end of the band is bent towards the back side of the clasp body 20 when the band is attached. Therefore, the operating part 51 will not malfunction due to accidental contact, and it can be used with peace of mind. In addition, the fine adjustment function cannot be recognized from the appearance of the clasp alone, which reduces constraints in the design of the clasp. The rest of the explanation is the same as in the first embodiment and will be omitted.

[0031] Figure 16 illustrates a variation of the second embodiment of the present invention. First, in Figure 16(a), the operating part 51 and the operating member-side engaging part 55 are in surface-to-surface contact (part indicated by symbol A). At this time, since the contacting surfaces are inclined with respect to the thickness direction within the clasp body 20, when the operating part 51 is pressed horizontally, the operating member-side engaging part 55 is pushed down in the opposite biasing direction, and the engagement between the operating member-side engaging part 55 (engaging projection 56) and the engaging portion 23 is released. This makes fine adjustment in the X direction possible. In other words, both release and fine adjustment can be performed at the same time by pressing the operating part 51.

[0032] Next, Figures 16(b) and 16(c) show that the operating part 51 and the operating member-side engaging part 55 are in contact with each other by a surface and a line (parts labeled B and C). At this time, the contacting surface is inclined with respect to the thickness direction within the clasp body 20, so when the operating part 51 is pressed horizontally, the operating member-side engaging part 55 is pushed down in the opposite biasing direction, and the engagement between the operating member-side engaging part 55 (engaging projection 56) and the engaging part 23 is released. This makes fine adjustment in the X direction possible. In other words, both release and fine adjustment can be performed at the same time by pressing the operating part 51.

[0033] Furthermore, in Figures 16(a) to (c), in all cases, a portion of the engagement between the operating member-side engaging portion 55 (engaging projection 56) and the engaging portion 23 is in inclined surface contact (part indicated by symbol D). Therefore, when the slide member 35 is pressed in the Y direction, the operating member-side engaging portion 55 is pushed down in the opposite biasing direction, and the engagement between the operating member-side engaging portion 55 (engaging projection 56) and the engaging portion 23 is released. This makes fine adjustment in the Y direction possible. In other words, operation of the operating portion 51 is unnecessary for fine adjustment in the Y direction. [Industrial applicability]

[0034] The band clasp structure according to the present invention can be widely used as a clasp for bands that require length adjustment, such as watch bands and wristbands. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 10. Clasp structure for band (clasp structure) 13 Bending member 17 Locking protrusion 18. Locking box (receiving device) 19 Push buttons 20 Clasp body 21 Inner self 22 Clasp body side engagement part 23 Engagement site 24 Slide grooves 30. Sliding member (first embodiment) 31 Spring bars 35. Sliding member (second embodiment) 36 Mounting part 37 Mounting wall 40 Operating member (first embodiment) 41 Operation section 42 Engaging portion on the operating member side (first embodiment) 43 Connecting pins 50 Operating member (second embodiment) 51 Operation section 52 Contact piece 53 Inner tip 54 Exposed surface part 55 Engaging portion on the operating member side (second embodiment) 56 Engagement protrusion 57 Space for biasing member 58 Contact surface 60. Biasing member (first embodiment) 65. Biasing member (second embodiment) A Contact portion between the operating part 51 and the operating member side engaging part 55 B Contact portion between the operating section 51 and the operating member side engaging section 55 C Contact portion between the operating part 51 and the operating member side engaging part 55 D Contact portion between the operating member side engaging portion 55 (engaging projection 56) and the engaging portion 23

Claims

1. In a clasp for a band that is located between two bands and opens and closes when attaching or detaching the band, A sliding member that connects to one end of the band and slides within the clasp body in the longitudinal direction of the band, An operating member attached to the sliding member and locking the sliding member within the clasp body, It comprises a biasing member that biases the operating member in the thickness direction within the clasp body, The operating member has an operating section that is exposed on the back side of the clasp body and can be pressed in the opposite direction to the biasing member, and an operating member side engaging section that is linked to the operating section and engages with the clasp body. The clasp body has a clasp body side engaging portion on the inner surface of the clasp body facing the sliding member, which has two or more engaging portions arranged continuously in the longitudinal direction of the band to engage with the operating member side engaging portion. The operating member-side engaging portion of the operating member, which is biased by the biasing member, engages with one of the engaging portions of the clasp body-side engaging portion to fix the slide member within the clasp body, and also has a fine adjustment function that allows for position adjustment of the slide member by releasing the engagement through a pressing operation on the operating portion. The operating member is comprised of an operating part and an operating member-side engaging part, which are separate components that are combined. The operating part and the operating member-side engaging part are in contact with each other surface-to-surface or surface-to-line. By inclining these surfaces with respect to the thickness direction within the clasp body, pressing the operating part horizontally pushes the operating member-side engaging part downward in the opposite biasing direction, thereby releasing the engagement.

2. The band clasp structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating member side engagement portion has an engagement inclined surface that is inclined in the biasing direction of the biasing member, and the clasp body side engagement portion is provided with an inclined engagement portion corresponding to the engagement inclined surface.

3. A band clasp structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a locking projection is provided on a folding member that connects to the other end of the band and closes the clasp by folding it toward the back side of the clasp body, and this locking projection is locked to a receiving device provided on the clasp body.

4. A band clasp structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a locking claw is provided on a folding member that connects to the other end of the band and closes the clasp by folding it toward the back side of the clasp body, and this locking claw is locked onto a connecting pin inside the clasp body.

5. A watch band characterized by having a clasp structure for the band as described in claim 1 or 2.

6. A watch band characterized by having the clasp structure for the band described in claim 3.

7. A watch band characterized by having the clasp structure for the band described in claim 4.

8. A wristwatch characterized by comprising the watch band described in claim 5.

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