Bracelet Clasp

Abstract

To provide a bracelet clasp.SOLUTION: A bracelet clasp of a folding clasp type is provided, the bracelet clasp comprising: a base element 10 whose first and second long sides are formed respectively of first and second spars 1, 2; and covers 5, 6 which are pivotable and articulated on first and / or second short side of the base element 10. Regarding the bracelet clasp, the covers 5, 6 are arranged to be folded over the base element 10 and maintained thereon in response to a flexible member joined to a bolting and unbolting mechanism to allow the covers 5, 6 to be hooked to the base element 10 then unhooked. The base element 10 comprises first and second openings joined to the first spar 1 and second spar 2. When a pressure is exerted on each of the spars 1, 2 simultaneously in a direction transverse to the clasp, the spars 1, 2 are elastically deformed to achieve the unbolting of one cover 5, 6 to allow the wearer to open the clasp.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to the field of clasps of the folding clasp type, whether fitted with two leaflets or with a single leaflet, this or these leaflets being articulated on a base element. [Background technology]

[0002] Folding buckle type clasps are known in the art comprising a substantially rectangular base element having first and second long sides thereof formed by a first and second spar, respectively, and first and second leaflets pivotably articulated at first and second sides of said base element, said leaflets adapted to be folded onto said base element and maintained thereon in response to a resilient device coupled with a bolting and unbolting mechanism which acts on said base element and said leaflets to hook and then unhook said first and second leaflets, respectively, to said base element.

[0003] Document EP 1 925 227 discloses a clasp formed with a base and two leaflets adapted to be folded over the base and maintained thereon in response to an elastic device constituted by one or two coil springs.

[0004] To avoid this or these springs and to simplify the construction of the clasp, document CH703294 proposes a clasp consisting of a base element in which two leaflets can be folded and kept hooked by the action of elasticity contained in the spar forming the base element. By pressing a push piece formed integrally with the spar, the leaflets are released from any hooking and the clasp can be opened.

[0005] The solution proposed by document CH703294 does not guarantee good structural rigidity for the base element, while endowing the spars forming it with the necessary elasticity to properly hold the leaflets on the base element and also to allow release of said leaflets when a force is applied to said spars. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] EP1925227 [Patent Document 2] CH703294 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is, inter alia, to overcome various drawbacks of prior art clasps.

[0008] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a clasp which is simple in construction and highly reliable while having good rigidity to avoid inadvertent opening. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To that end, the present invention relates to a bracelet clasp of the folding clasp type, comprising a base element, the first and second long sides of which are formed by a first spar and a second spar, respectively, at least one leaflet pivotable and articulated on the first and / or second short sides of the base element, and at least one cover pivotable and articulated on the at least one leaflet, the at least one cover adapted to be folded over the base element and maintained thereon in response to a flexible member coupled with a bolting and unbolting mechanism that can affect the base element and the at least one cover to hook and then unhook the at least one cover from the base element.

[0010] According to the invention, the base element comprises a first opening and a second opening connected to a first spar and a second spar, which thus constitute flexible members, and when pressure is simultaneously applied to each of the spars in a lateral direction against the clasp, the spars undergo elastic deformation and release the bolting of at least one cover of the base element, allowing the wearer to open the clasp.

[0011] According to another advantageous variant of the invention, - The bolting and unbolting mechanism comprises at least a first hook and a second hook carried by the at least one cover, the at least first hook and the second hook adapted to be clipped with at least a first bolt and a second bolt carried by the first spar and the second spar, respectively. The first spar and the second spar carry the first push piece and the second push piece, respectively. The first bolt and the third bolt are located next to each other on either side of the first push piece, and the second bolt and the fourth bolt are located on either side of the second push piece. The first opening and the second opening have a length that is less than the length of the base element and greater than the overall length of the push piece and the bolt. the first bolt, the second bolt, the third bolt and the fourth bolt as well as the first push piece and the second push piece form a one-piece element with the base element. The clasp comprises a support element arranged on the spar and adapted to cooperate with the rib when pressure is applied to the push piece in order to limit the maximum movement of the push piece and to limit the deformation of the spar so as not to exceed a plastic deformation threshold. The rib is integral with the base element and is formed immediately adjacent the opening. - The support element is integral with the spar and is placed on the rear side of the push piece. The support elements each have a lower inclined plane oriented towards the inside of the clasp, the lower inclined plane being adapted to cooperate with the rib. The support elements each have an upper inclined plane oriented towards the outside of the fastener and adapted to cooperate with the cover. - the base element, the first leaflet and the second leaflet, as well as the first cover and the second cover are made of a ceramic filled plastic material. - one of the ends of the first cover is secured to a first strand or link of the bracelet and one of the ends of the second cover is secured to a second strand or link of the bracelet.

[0012] The invention also relates to a bracelet equipped with a clasp according to the invention.

[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description, given as a non-limiting example and made with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective top view of a clasp according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective bottom view of the clasp according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of a clasp according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a closed position. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the clasp according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along line BB in FIG. 3. [Figure 5a] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the interior of the clasp according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5b] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the exterior of the clasp according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a clasp according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] 1 and 2 are exploded perspective views of a folding clasp type bracelet clasp.

[0016] In the following description, the term lower portion refers to the portion of the clasp that faces the wrist of the wearer, and the term upper portion refers to the portion of the clasp that is externally accessible to the wearer.

[0017] The clasp comprises a substantially rectangular base element 10. As shown, the base element 10 has a slight curvature to accommodate the curvature of the wearer's wrist.

[0018] The base element 10 has first and second long sides formed by a first spar 1 and a second spar 2, respectively. The clasp also has a first leaflet 3 and a second leaflet 4, which are pivotally mounted and articulated on the first and second short sides of the base element 10, respectively, around a first bar 20 and a second bar 21.

[0019] The leaflets 3 and 4 are intended to be folded onto the base element 10, and more particularly inside the base element 10 as shown in FIG.

[0020] The clasp also comprises a first cover 5 and a second cover 6 pivotable and articulated on the first leaflet 3 and the second leaflet 4, respectively, around bars 22, 23 passing through connecting elements 51, 61 integral with the covers, the covers 5 and 6 being adapted to be folded onto the base element 10.

[0021] The covers 5 and 6 are maintained in a folded position on the base element 10 in response to a resilient device coupled with a bolting and unbolting mechanism which acts on the base element 10 and the covers 5, 6 to hook and then unhook the first cover 5 and the second cover 6, respectively, to the base element 10.

[0022] According to the present invention, the base element 10 is coupled to the first spar 1 and the second spar 2 and has a first opening 11 and a second opening 12 arranged at the bases of the first spar 1 and the second spar 2.

[0023] Thanks to these openings 11,12 the spars 1,2 form flexible members, which, when pressure is applied simultaneously to each of the spars 1,2, undergo elastic deformation and release the bolting of the covers 5,6 of the base element 10.

[0024] 1 and 2, the openings 11, 12 have an oblong shape to facilitate their machining in the base element 10. Other shapes, such as rectangular, circular, oval or other elliptical shapes, are obviously feasible.

[0025] The bolting and unbolting mechanism is implemented to hook the first cover 5 and the second cover 6 to the base element 10 and to unhook the first cover 5 and the second cover 6 from the base element 10, respectively. As can be seen from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the bolting and unbolting mechanism comprises a first hook 15 and a second hook 16 carried by the first cover 5 and a third hook 15' and a fourth hook 16' carried by the second cover 6, the first hook 15 and the second hook 16 being adapted to be bolted by the opposite first bolt 13 and the opposite second bolt 14 carried by the first spar and the second spar 1, 2, respectively, and the third hook 15' and the fourth hook 16' being adapted to be bolted by the opposite third bolt 13' and the opposite fourth bolt 14' also carried by the first spar and the second spar 1, 2, respectively.

[0026] The bolts 13, 13' and 14, 14' are moulded onto the first and second spars 1, 2 of the base element 10, respectively, in order to form a one-piece element and to obtain a more rigid fastening. These bolts are preferably located in the upper parts of the spars 1, 2.

[0027] It will be seen that the lateral pressure applied simultaneously to each of the spars 1 and 2 in combination causes the bolts 13 and 14, as well as the bolts 13' and 14', respectively, to release the hooks 15 and 16 integral with the first cover 5, and the hooks 15' and 16' integral with the second cover 6. The clasp is then opened. To facilitate the manual action applied to each of the spars, a first push piece 7 and a second push piece 8 are fixed on the first spar 1 and the second spar 2, respectively.

[0028] According to the invention, the bolts 13, 13' and 14, 14' have an evolving profile, as can be seen in figure 5b. The thickness of the bolts gradually decreases as they move away from the push pieces 7 and 8. Such a construction makes it possible to compensate for the deformation of the spar, reducing its movement away from the push pieces.

[0029] As can be observed in figure 4, ribs 17, 18 are formed on the base element 10, immediately adjacent to the openings 11, 12. These ribs 17, 18 make it possible, on the one hand, to stiffen the base element 10 and, on the other hand, to form a stop for the spars 1, 2 when the spars deform and unbolt the clasp.

[0030] Furthermore, support elements 7', 8' are arranged on the rear side of the push pieces, on the parts of the spars facing the inside of the clasp. These support elements 7', 8' are adapted to cooperate with ribs 17, 18 when pressure is applied to the push pieces 7, 8. The cooperation of the support elements and spars 1, 2 with the ribs 17, 18 allows to define the maximum movement of the push pieces and at the same time to limit the deformation of the spars 1, 2 so that their plastic deformation threshold is not exceeded. When the wearer presses the push pieces 7, 8, the spars 1, 2 are deformed such that the lower vertical flanks of the spars rest against the ribs 17, 18 of the base element 10, the vertical flanks of the ribs 17, 18 acting as stops.

[0031] It should also be noted that the support elements 7', 8' each have a lower inclined plane 80, 81 oriented toward the inside of the fastener, the lower inclined planes 80, 81 being adapted to cooperate with the upper portions of the ribs 17, 18 to guide deformation of the spar and prevent twisting of the spar.

[0032] The support elements 7', 8' also allow the covers 5, 6 to move away from the base element 10 when the clasp is opened, and the support elements 7', 8' are provided with upper inclined planes 82, 83 oriented towards the outside of the clasp and adapted to cooperate with the covers 5, 6. When the wearer presses the push pieces 7, 8, the spars 1, 2 are deformed and when the covers are released from the bolts, the upper inclined planes 82, 83 of the support elements 7', 8' gradually guide the covers towards the outside of the base element 10.

[0033] A first push piece 7 and a second push piece 8 are also moulded onto the first spar 1 and the second spar 2 and are positioned between respective pairs of bolts 13, 13' and 14, 14'.

[0034] Advantageously, the first 11 and second 12 openings have a length that is shorter than the length of the base element 10 and longer than the overall length of the push piece and the bolt, such an arrangement makes it possible to reduce the risk of accidental opening, while allowing sufficient elastic deformation of the spars 1, 2 to easily unbolt the clasp if the wearer wishes to open it.

[0035] To bolt the fastener, the wearer folds the covers 5, 6 towards the base element 10 to engage the hooks 15, 16, 15', 16' with the bolts 13, 14, 13', 14'. The bolts have a slope to facilitate the engagement of the hooks onto the bolts, thus allowing the covers to be guided incrementally over the base element 10, and then the covers 5, 6 are pressed against the base element 10, which allows the spars 1, 2 to be progressively deformed and pressed back.

[0036] Once the hooks are engaged, i.e. clipped, onto the bolts, the spars 1, 2 return to their rest position and the covers 5, 6 are bolted onto the base element 10. By clipping the hooks onto the bolts, it is possible to obtain a notch that can be perceived by the wearer when the clasp is closed, ensuring that the clasp is properly bolted.

[0037] Although not shown in the figures, it goes without saying that a first strand or first link of the bracelet is fixed to one of a plurality of ends 50 of the first cover 5, and a second strand or second link of the bracelet is fixed to one of a plurality of ends 60 of the second cover 6.

[0038] The various elements making up the clasp are made of a plastic material, preferably one filled with ceramic particles.

[0039] Other materials for manufacturing the clasp are also possible, such as, for example, metals or metal alloys.

[0040] A person skilled in the art would have no difficulty in using a similar clasp having a single leaflet and a single cover as shown in FIG.

[0041] According to this embodiment, shown in figure 6, the clasp comprises a base element 10 with a first long side and a second long side formed by a first spar 1 and a second spar 2, respectively. The clasp comprises a leaflet 3 pivotally mounted and articulated on the first short side or the second short side of the base element 10 around a bar 20.

[0042] The leaflet 3 is adapted to be folded onto the base element 10 , more particularly onto the inside of the base element 10 .

[0043] The clasp also comprises a cover 5 pivotable and articulated on the leaflet 3 about a bar 22 passing through a connecting element integral with the cover, the cover 5 being adapted to be folded onto the base element 10. A strand or link is fixed to the base element 10 and another strand or link is fixed to one of a number of ends 50 of the cover.

[0044] The cover is maintained in a folded position on the base element 10 in response to a resilient device coupled with a bolting and unbolting mechanism that acts on the base element 10 and the cover to hook and then disengage the cover from the base element 10.

[0045] The bolting and unbolting mechanism comprises at least a first hook 15 and a second hook 16 carried by the cover and adapted to be bolted by opposing first and second bolts 13 and 14 carried by the first and second spars 1, 2, respectively. The bolting mechanism also comprises a third hook 15' and a fourth hook 16' adapted to be bolted by opposing third and fourth bolts 13' and 14' carried by the first and second longitudinal spars 1, 2, respectively.

[0046] The invention also relates to a bracelet equipped with a clasp according to the invention.

[0047] The invention also relates to a watch equipped with a clasp according to the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. First Spar 2. Second Spar 3. First Leaflet 4. Second Leaflet 5 First Cover 6 Second Cover 7 First Push Piece 8 Second Push Piece 7', 8' Support elements 10 Base Elements 11 First opening 12 Second opening 13 First Bolt 13' 3rd bolt 14 Second Bolt 14' 4th bolt 15 First Hook 15' 3rd hook 16 Second Hook 16' 4th hook 17, 18 Ribs 20 First Bar 21 Second Bar 22, 23 Bar 50 End of first cover 60 End of second cover 51, 61 Connection elements 80, 81 Lower inclined plane 82, 83 Upper inclined plane

Claims

1. A bracelet clasp of the folding clasp type, comprising a base element (10) whose first and second long sides are formed by a first spar (1) and a second spar (2), respectively, at least one leaflet (3, 4) pivotable and articulated on a first short side and / or a second short side of said base element (10), and at least one cover (5, 6) pivotable and articulated on said at least one leaflet (3, 4), said at least one cover (5, 6) being folded onto said base element (10) and responding to a flexible member coupled with a bolting and unbolting mechanism that can affect said base element (10) and said at least one cover (5, 6) to hook and then unhook said at least one cover (5, 6) from said base element (10).

1. A bracelet clasp adapted to be held on a wrist of a wearer in response to a wristwatch, the base element (10) comprising a first opening (11) and a second opening (12) connected to the first spar (1) and the second spar (2), thereby constituting the flexible member, the first spar (1) and the second spar (2) being elastically deformed when pressure is simultaneously applied to each of the first spar (1) and the second spar (2) in a lateral direction relative to the clasp, releasing the bolting of the at least one cover (5, 6) of the base element (10) and allowing the wearer to open the clasp, the base element (10) further comprising a surface arranged to face the wrist of the wearer, the first spar (1) and the second spar (2) being integrally formed with the surface.

2. 2. The fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that the bolting and unbolting mechanism comprises at least a first hook (15) and a second hook (16) carried by the at least one cover (5, 6), the at least first hook (15) and the second hook (16) being adapted to be clipped onto at least a first bolt (13) and a second bolt (14) carried by the first spar (1) and the second spar (2), respectively.

3. 3. The clasp according to claim 2, characterized in that the first (1) and second (2) spars carry a first (7) and a second (8) push piece, respectively.

4. 4. The clasp according to claim 3, wherein the first bolt (13) and the third bolt (13') are placed on either side of the first push piece (7), and the second bolt (14) and the fourth bolt (14') are placed on either side of the second push piece (8).

5. 4. The clasp according to claim 3, wherein the first opening (11) and the second opening (12) have a length that is shorter than a length of the base element (10) and longer than an overall length of the first push piece (7) and the second push piece (8) and the first bolt (13) and the second bolt (14).

6. 4. The clasp according to claim 3, wherein the first bolt (13), the second bolt (14), the third bolt (13') and the fourth bolt (14') as well as the first push piece (7) and the second push piece (8) form a one-piece element with the base element (10).

7. 4. The clasp according to claim 3, characterized in that the clasp comprises support elements (7', 8') arranged on the first and second spars (1) and (2) in order to limit the maximum movement of the first and second push pieces (7) and (8) and to limit the deformation of the first and second spars (1) and (2) so as not to exceed a plastic deformation threshold, and adapted to cooperate with ribs (17, 18) when pressure is applied to the first and second push pieces (7) and (8).

8. 8. The clasp according to claim 7, characterized in that said ribs (17, 18) are integral with said base element (10) and are formed in the immediate vicinity of said first (11) and second (12) openings.

9. 8. The clasp according to claim 7, characterized in that the support elements (7', 8') are integral with the first spar (1) and the second spar (2) and are placed on the rear side of the first push piece (7) and the second push piece (8).

10. 8. The clasp according to claim 7, characterized in that the support elements (7', 8') each have a lower inclined plane (80, 81) oriented towards the inside of the clasp, said lower inclined planes (80, 81) being adapted to cooperate with said ribs (17, 18).

11. 8. The clasp according to claim 7, characterized in that the support elements (7', 8') each comprise an upper inclined plane (82, 83) oriented towards the outside of the clasp and adapted to cooperate with the cover (5, 6).

12. 2. The clasp according to claim 1, wherein said base element (10), said leaflets (3, 4) and said covers (5, 6) are made of a ceramic filled plastic material.

13. The clasp described in claim 1, characterized in that the covers (5, 6) include a first cover (5) and a second cover (6), and a bracelet strand or link is fixed to one of a plurality of ends (50) of the first cover (5), and also that the bracelet strand or link is fixed to one of a plurality of ends (60) of the second cover.

14. The clasp according to claim 13, characterized in that a single strand is fixed to one of the ends (50) of the first cover (5) and to one of the ends (60) of the second cover (6).

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