Interchangeable buckle device

Abstract

To provide an interchangeable buckle device.SOLUTION: An interchangeable buckle device (1) includes a buckle (2) including a bar (3) around which a tongue (4) is articulated. The device includes an insert (5) provided with a channel (50) arranged to receive the bar (3), and a lever (6) arranged to cooperate with the insert (5) to hold the bar (3) in the channel (50). The lever (6) is pivotally assembled relative to the insert (5) and arranged to move from a locked position, in which the bar (3) is held in the channel (50), to an open position, in which the bar (3) is free to leave the channel (50). The device includes means for holding the lever (6) in the locked position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of timepieces or jewelry. More particularly, the present invention relates to a replaceable clasp device.

Background Art

[0002] The band typically consists of leather or metal and has a clasp attached to the band by a rod.

[0003] In the watch manufacturing industry, solutions have been proposed to enable the user to easily change the watch band, particularly when the band is severely worn and needs to be replaced, or to make, for example, leather and metal bands interchangeable. In recent years, a great deal of effort has been devoted to improving these systems for separating the band from the case, and numerous solutions have been proposed.

[0004] However, this effort has not been devoted to the removal of the clasp, and there are not enough advantageous solutions. The usefulness of a precious metal clasp or a middle piece is such that the wearer wishes to be able to replace the band simply, quickly, and safely without using tools and without changing the clasp.

[0005] Another need addressed by the present invention is to enable the replacement of the band with a completely unmodified band, i.e., a standard band, which is not met by most of the solutions proposed to date.

[0006] More specifically, while the band is usually at a distance from the case due to the mounting height of the band relative to the watch, the band touches the wearer's wrist at this mounting side of its components. This causes the latching parts of the bar to rub against the skin, resulting in discomfort, and the bar mechanism (made from multiple different metals) is exposed to the wearer's sweat. As a result, not only is there a problem with product degradation (oxidation, etc.), but the risk of allergies to the wearer is also increased, as materials containing nickel or other allergens are most frequently used.

[0007] U.S. Patent Document No. 5951193 describes a method for mounting a buckle on a component in which a rod cooperates with two elastic elements assembled within a band, allowing the rod to be attached by sliding it through an elongated opening that opens into the band. This solution has several drawbacks when used to achieve universal interchangeability, as it requires a band that has been modified to incorporate these assembly elements. Therefore, this solution limits interchangeability with commercially available bands, as it does not allow the buckle to be mounted on a standard band. Furthermore, because the position for attaching and detaching the buckle to the attachment element is in the direction of the band's operating position, the buckle may come undone when the watch is worn, especially if the watch is worn fairly loosely, or in the case of a watch worn over a neoprene wetsuit during diving, as the thickness of the wetsuit shrinks and the band loosens. Finally, the width of the holes for receiving the rods should not be such that part of the hole remains visible after assembly. This not only looks bad, but can also create recesses where debris can accumulate, potentially disrupting the device's operation.

[0008] Patent document CH714409 describes a replaceable buckle and a method for assembling the same, in which the pin must be moved along the axis of the rod to remove the pin, and the band must be modified so that the opening intended to receive the pin is wide enough to allow this movement. Therefore, this solution is not universal as it only fits bands with openings wider than usual. Furthermore, when assembling and disassembling the buckle, the force that the user applies to the pin to push in the loading rod is always applied to the same side of the band's components, causing deformation of the component parts, increasing the play in the radial movement of the pin, and compromising the security of the buckle and the aesthetics of the band. Finally, the buckle assembly / disassembly process does not provide the user with signals to inform them of correct assembly, such as tactile and / or audible cues, which can lead to the risk of incorrect assembly and thus unintended separation.

[0009] Patent document CH713108 describes a buckle device intended to be easily assembled and disassembled by a clip fastening of the first element of the buckle to the second element of the buckle as the first element rotates. This document shows an example of application to a folding clasp buckle, and embodiments for a pin-type buckle are neither described nor illustrated. However, it is advantageous to propose a device that can be applied to both pin-type and folding clasp buckles.

[0010] The fastening devices described are typically used in interchangeable buckles that can be replaced at the wearer's discretion. However, these fastening devices have drawbacks. In particular, they require significant structural modifications to the rod, such as creating an opening into the tube or modifying the piston. Such modifications lead to substantial additional manufacturing costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 5951193 [Patent Document 2] CH714409 [Patent Document 3] CH713108 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The main objective of this invention is to overcome various drawbacks of prior art devices.

[0013] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a buckle that is easy to remove, easy to operate, and applicable to new products, while still being retroactively compatible with existing products and adaptable to standard commercially available bands. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a replaceable buckle device comprising a buckle having a rod member around which a pin is connected, the device comprising an insert having a passage configured to receive the rod member, and a lever configured to cooperate with the insert to hold the rod member in the passage, the lever being assembled to pivot with respect to the insert and configured to move from a locked position in which the rod member is held in the passage to an open position in which the rod member is free to leave the passage, and the device comprising means for holding the lever in the locked position.

[0015] According to other advantageous alternative embodiments of the present invention, - The insert has a recess intended to receive the lever in a locked position, - The recess is provided with a first pair of blind holes in the inner side wall of the insert, the first pair of blind holes are configured to cooperate with a pivot catch integrated with the lever, the cooperation forming a pivot axis for the lever, -The passageway is equipped with a path for the batons, - The lever comprises a retaining member configured to hold a rod in a passage, the retaining member having a passage for the rod, - The lever holding mechanism includes a pair of ball catches, - The insert has a second pair of stop holes configured to receive the ball catch, and the first pair of stop holes and the second pair of stop holes are in the same plane. - The lever includes an operating tab for moving the lever from the locked position to the released position. - The insert has a shoulder on which the stem is placed in the locked position.

[0016] The invention further relates to a watch comprising an interchangeable key device according to the invention.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which is presented by way of non-limiting example and is in no way limiting, when reference is made to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [[ID=十八]] [[ID=十九]] [Figure 1] [[ID=二十]]It is an exploded perspective view of an interchangeable key device according to the invention. [[ID=二十一]] [[ID=二十二]] [Figure 2] [[ID=二十三]]It is a perspective view of an interchangeable key device according to the invention in the closed position. [[ID=二十四]] [[ID=二十五]] [Figure 3] [[ID=二十六]]It is a perspective view of an interchangeable key device according to the invention in the open position. [[ID=二十七]] [[ID=二十八]] [Figure 4a] [[ID=二十九]]It is a cross-sectional view of an interchangeable key device according to the invention in the closed position. [[ID=三十]] [[ID=三十一]] [Figure 4b] [[ID=三十二]]It is a cross-sectional view of an interchangeable key device according to the invention in the open position. [[ID=三十三]] [[ID=三十四]] [Figure 5] [[ID=三十五]]It is a perspective view of an interchangeable key device according to the invention with the key released from the device. [[ID=三十六]] [[ID=三十七]] [[ID=三十八]]

Embodiments of the Invention

[0019] [[ID=四十二]] [[ID=四十三]]Figure 1 shows an interchangeable key device according to the invention. [[ID=四十四]] [[ID=四十五]]

[0020] [[ID=四十六]] [[ID=四十七]]The interchangeable key device 1 is intended to be attached to and removed from the stem 4 of a watch key 2 adapted to fit the second band component by attaching the end of the first band component to the watch key 2.

[0021] Only examples of pin-type buckles are shown, but such devices can also be adapted to stud-type buckles. Stud-type buckles are similar to pin-type buckles but lack pins; in this case, studs are used to fasten components that typically interact with pins.

[0022] The band is fastened to the buckle by an interchangeable fastening device, which comprises a buckle 2 and a rod 3 on which a pin 4 is connected around its circumference. The device includes an insert 5 with a passage 50, which is configured to receive the rod 3 by guiding it in the direction of the rod 3's axis (X). The “axis” of the rod should be understood to mean the rotational axis (X) of the rod 3 itself, or, if the body of the rod is not perfectly axially symmetric, the axis along which the rod extends.

[0023] The device further includes a lever 6 configured to cooperate with the insert 5 to close the passage 50. The lever 6 is configured to pivot relative to the insert 5 from a locked position in which the rod 3 is held within the passage 50 to an open position in which the rod 3 is free to move away from the passage.

[0024] The lever 6 is held in a locked position by a pair of ball catches 66 integrated with the lever 6, each ball catch 66 cooperating with a blind hole 56 formed in a recess 51 of the insert 5, and this cooperation forms a pivot axis for the lever 6.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the passage 50 has a passage 55 through which the pin 4 passes, and this configuration allows the pin 4 to pivot together with the rod 3 when the device is in the locked position. Thus, when the buckle system is assembled onto the band component, the rod 3 is inserted into the passage 50 of the insert 5.

[0026] The insert 5 includes a recess 51 configured to receive a lever 6, the lever pivoting within the recess 51 from a locked position to an open position. The recess 51 is substantially parallelepiped in shape and has two internal side walls 52, 53, a rear wall, and a back surface.

[0027] The recess 51 also opens into the passage 50 so that the lever 6 can hold the rod 3 within the passage 50 when the device is in the locked position.

[0028] The rear wall has a shoulder portion 57 that creates a height difference with respect to the bottom of the recess 51, thereby forming a space in which the wearer can grasp the end of the lever 6, called the operating tab 62, and move the lever 6 from the locked position to the released position.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 4a, the length of the lever 6 is shorter than the length of the recess 51. This configuration creates an open space within the recess at the shoulder portion 57, allowing for easy access to the operating tab 62 and operation of the lever 6.

[0030] The lever 6 has a first end comprising a retaining member 60 configured to hold the rod 3 within the passage 50, and a second end formed by an operating tab 62. Advantageously, the retaining member 60 has a beak-like shape with a recess to facilitate the passage of the rod 3 and includes a passage 61 for the thrust rod 4 so that the thrust rod 4 can pivot when the device is in a locked position.

[0031] When the device is in a locked position, i.e., when the rod 3 is placed in the passage 50 and held in the passage 50 by the lever 6, as shown in Figure 4a, the rod 3 is held by the lever's holding member 60, which holds the rod in the appropriate position and prevents it from moving to a free position, but the rod can pivot freely around its axis X.

[0032] When moved to the open position, lever 6 moves to its open position and pivots as shown in Figure 4b. When the lever pivots, the concave retaining member 60 rests on the bottom of the passage 50, leaving the passage 50 open and allowing the rod 3 to later move from the locked position to the free position. To release lever 6, sufficient force must be applied to lever 6 to dislodge the ball catches 65 and 66 from the blind holes 56.

[0033] When the passage 50 is opened or freed, the rod 3 is removed from the device as shown in Figure 5, and the user can change the band and retain the buckle.

[0034] In the above embodiments, the device is described for a so-called flexible band made from leather, synthetic fabric, or elastomer material.

[0035] For these various embodiments of the present invention, a secure and replaceable buckle device is obtained, which allows for easy, quick, and tool-free replacement of the band.

[0036] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the examples described, and various alternative embodiments and modifications that will be apparent to those skilled in the art can also be envisioned. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1. Replaceable buckle device 2 buckles 3 Bar material 4. poking stick 5 Inserts 6 Lever 50 aisles 51 Recess 52 Internal side wall 53 Internal side wall 54 blind holes 55 Passageway 56 blind holes 57 Shoulder 60 Retaining member 61 Passageway 62 Operation Tab 63. Pivot Catch 64. Pivot Catch 65 Ball Catch 66 Ball Catch X Rotation axis of bar material 3

Claims

1. A replaceable buckle device (1) comprising a buckle (2) having a rod (3) connected around a pin (4), wherein the replaceable buckle device comprises an insert (5) having a passage (50) configured to receive the rod (3), and a lever (6) configured to cooperate with the insert (5) to hold the rod (3) within the passage (50), wherein the lever (6) is assembled to pivot with respect to the insert (5) and is configured to move from a locked position in which the rod (3) is held within the passage (50) to an open position in which the rod (3) is free to move away from the passage (50), and the replaceable buckle device comprises means for holding the lever (6) in the locked position. The lever (6) is provided with an operating tab (62) for moving the lever (6) from the locked position to the released position. The insert (5) has a shoulder portion (57) that forms a space for handling the operating tab (62) located at the end of the lever (6), and the pin (4) is partially resting in the recess (51) when the lever (6) is in the locking position, in a replaceable buckle device (1).

2. The replaceable buckle device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the insert (5) comprises the recess (51) configured to receive the lever (6) in the locking position.

3. The interchangeable buckle device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the recess (51) comprises a first pair of blind holes (54) in the inner side walls (52, 53) of the insert, the first pair of blind holes (54) configured to cooperate with a pivot catch (63, 64) integral with the lever (6), the cooperation forming a pivot axis for the lever (6).

4. The interchangeable buckle device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the passage (50) comprises a passage (55) for the pin (4).

5. The interchangeable buckle device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lever comprises a retaining member (60), the retaining member (60) is configured to hold the rod in the passage (50), and the retaining member has a passage (61) for the buckle rod (4).

6. The interchangeable buckle device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lever (6) is held by a pair of ball catches (65, 66) that are integral with the lever (6).

7. The interchangeable buckle device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the recess (51) comprises a first pair of dead holes (54) in the inner side walls (52, 53) of the insert, and the insert has a second pair of dead holes (56) configured to receive the ball catch (65, 66), and the first pair of dead holes (54) and the second pair of dead holes (56) are on the same plane.

8. A watch comprising the interchangeable buckle device (1) according to claim 1.

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