Locking device for band fasteners

Abstract

To provide a locking solution for a wristlet clasp that is reliable and robust and for a wristlet clasp that has minimal bulk, and a locking solution for a wristlet clasp that has an esthetic appearance of the clasp.SOLUTION: A clasp for a wristlet comprises: at least two movable blades 4, 5 articulated with respect to one another about a blade axis 51; and a locking device making it possible to lock or unlock a first blade 5 relative to a second blade 4, respectively in closed and open configurations of the clasp. The locking device is linked to the first blade 5, and comprises: an actuation lever 2 intended for the actuation of the locking device by a user; a locking element 1 capable of cooperating with a complementary hook element 4a of the second blade 4; and an intermediate element 3 linked to the locking element 1 by a first link device and to the actuation lever 2 by a second link device, where at least one of the two link devices is provided with at least two degrees of freedom.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a buckle for a band, including at least one locking device. The present invention also relates to a band and a wristwatch including the buckle.

Background Art

[0002] There are multiple solutions for fastening two length members of a small watch band around the wrist of a wearer of the band. The first solution is simple and consists, for example, in providing at each end of each length member a cooperating means having a shape that cooperates a simple loop on one side with a hole on the other side. However, this solution has the drawback that when the cooperating means is opened, the two length members of the band immediately separate, leading to the risk of the wristwatch falling.

[0003] To mitigate this drawback, another solution consists in providing an intermediate buckle-type element that is arranged between the two band length members and is always fixed to the ends of these two length members. This buckle occupies two positions: a closed position provided for the wearing of a small watch, in which the band and the buckle extend around the wrist with an overall length that allows the wristwatch to be worn, and an open position that allows the length of the band and the buckle to be increased by separating the two ends of the two length members of the band without removing the buckle from it, and allows the hand to pass through to remove the small watch. In this open configuration of the buckle, the two length members of the band are not separated, thereby reducing the risk of the small watch falling.

[0004] The buckle generally includes two or three foldable blades that are at least partially folded over each other in the closed position of the buckle and are deployed in the open position. To ensure that this closed position is stably maintained, a locking and unlocking mechanism is used. For example, such a locking solution is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 1654950 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, an alternative locking solution for the band clasp is needed. Therefore, the present invention aims to achieve all or some of the following objectives.

[0007] The first object of the present invention is to propose a locking solution for a reliable and robust band fastener.

[0008] A second object of the present invention is to propose a locking solution for a band fastener having the minimum volume.

[0009] A third object of the present invention is to propose a band clasp locking solution that is compatible with an aesthetic pursuit for the appearance of the clasp. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] Therefore, the present invention relates to a locking device for a band clasp, comprising an operating lever intended for user operation of the locking device and a locking element capable of cooperating with a complementary hook element, wherein the device includes an intermediate element connected on one side to the locking element by a first coupling device and on the other side to the operating lever by a second coupling device, and at least one of these two coupling devices has at least two degrees of freedom.

[0011] The present invention is defined in detail by each claim.

[0012] The object, features, and advantages of the present invention are described in detail in the following description of specific embodiments given in a non-limiting manner with respect to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an open and partially unfolded clasp according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows another perspective view of an open clasp according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a top view of a clasp in a closed configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a side view of a cross-section passing through the midline perpendicular longitudinal section of a clasp in the closed position, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a side view of a cross-section passing through the second vertical cross-section of a clasp in the closed position, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a side view of a cross-section passing through a third vertical longitudinal section of a closed clasp according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a side view of a cross-section passing through the midline vertical section in the opening stage, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a side view of a cross-section passing through the midline perpendicular longitudinal section of a clasp in the closing stage, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] For the sake of simplicity, and as a matter of convention, the term “longitudinal direction” refers to the longitudinal direction along the length of the clasp or band, and “transverse direction” refers to the perpendicular direction of the clasp surface (more specifically, the surface of the clasp blade or cover), particularly in the closed configuration of the clasp. The perpendicular direction is the direction perpendicular to the aforementioned two directions and is positioned perpendicular to the clasp surface (more specifically, the blade or cover of the clasp).

[0015] In addition, the clasp according to the present invention may include, for example, one or two substantially identical locking devices arranged symmetrically with respect to the clasp. Thus, the same reference numeral can be used to refer to a possible second locking device component that is identical to a component of the first locking device, by distinguishing the second reference numeral from the first by adding the symbol "'".

[0016] The present invention relies on a clasp that has a locking mechanism using an operating lever positioned directly on the clasp cover, or even on the clasp blade, particularly as a movable part of the clasp cover. Such a part may appear, for example, as a simple cap for the cover. Such a solution makes it possible to achieve a purely aesthetic appearance and minimal volume.

[0017] Figures 1 and 2 show a band clasp 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The clasp 100 includes three blades, having two transverse blades 5, 5', respectively, called the first blade 5 and the third blade 5', which are symmetrically positioned at the two longitudinal ends of the central second blade 4 via transverse blade axes 51, 51'. The transverse blades 5, 5' can each occupy an open position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and a closed position, which is locked by locking devices 10, 10', described later, to fold over the central blade 4 and achieve the closed position of the clasp.

[0018] Since the two horizontal blades 5 and 5' are substantially identical, only the features of the first horizontal blade 5 will be described in detail hereinafter. A cover 6 is fixed on the said first horizontal blade 5. The said cover 6 is attached so as to rotate around a cover shaft 61 disposed at one end of the first blade 5 opposite to the end connected to the central second blade 4. The cover 6 has an inverted U-shaped cross section, with an upper surface visible to the user and two side walls that are substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, intended to cover from the side to hide the entire fastener and its mechanism, especially the locking device, and substantially cover it to ensure the aesthetic appearance of the solution. The cover 6 further includes a fixing device for one end of the band length at an end opposite to the cover shaft 61. In this embodiment, the said fixing device includes an opening 62 disposed on the side wall of the cover 6 for receiving an attachment bar for the band end link. In this open position, the cover 6 can be deployed by rotating around the fastener shaft 61 with respect to the blades 4 and 5 of the fastener, contributing to increasing the length of the fastener. In the closed position, the two covers 6 and 6' of the two horizontal blades 5 and 5' are positioned so as to be continuous with each other, and thus, as shown in FIG. 3, form the appearance of a single cover 60 of the fastener.

[0019] The locking device 10 of the first horizontal blade 5 will be described below. The locking device 10 first includes a locking element 1 attached so as to rotate around a first shaft 11. This locking element 1 includes at its bottom end a shape designed to cooperate with a complementary hook element 4a disposed at the central part of the central second blade 4. According to this embodiment, this shape is hook-shaped. As a variant, any other shape that enables a mechanical lock between the locking element 1 and the complementary hook element 4a is also possible.

[0020] Also, in order to lock the buckle, one or more return springs 8a, 8b acting on the locking element 1 are provided so that the locking element 1 is directed to a position where it can mesh with the hook element 4a of the central second blade 4. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, two springs 8a, 8b are arranged around the first rotation axis 11 and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center plane I-I, and on each plane shown in FIG. 3, they are respectively arranged on cross sections II-II and III-III.

[0021] The locking device 10 further includes an operating lever 2 arranged on the cover 6. More specifically, this operating lever 2 appears as a part of the upper surface of the cover 6. The operating lever 2 extends over the entire length of the cover 6 and is rotatably connected around the transverse second axis 21 at the longitudinal end of the cover 6 intended to receive the band end connection, on the opposite side of the end intended to be located at the center of the buckle in the closed position.

[0022] Finally, the locking device 10 includes an intermediate element 3 which is connected to the locking element 1 by a first connecting device on one hand and to the operating lever 2 by a second connecting device on the other hand.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the locking element 1 and the intermediate element 3 of the locking device are connected so as to rotate relative to each other around the first intermediate axis 31. Therefore, the first connecting device is a rotation axis. On the other hand, the operating lever 2 and the intermediate element 3 of the locking device are connected by a second connecting device including a groove 22 arranged on the operating lever 2, and in the groove 22, the second intermediate axis 32 which connects the operating lever 2 and the intermediate element 3 so that they can pivot around each other is movable. Therefore, such a second connecting device makes it possible to give two degrees of freedom between the operating lever 2 and the intermediate element 3. Of course, it is also completely possible to reverse the above-described configuration by arranging a groove on the intermediate element 3 and an axis on the operating lever 2.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first intermediate shaft 31 and the second intermediate shaft 32 are positioned at the two longitudinal ends of the intermediate element 3, respectively. They are also positioned on both sides of the first shaft 11 in the closed configuration of the clasp, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5.

[0025] Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The present invention extends to any other solution in which at least one of the two connecting devices of the locking device is designed to give two degrees of freedom to the two elements it connects. This connecting device gives, for example, a first degree of freedom to rotation and a second degree of freedom to translational movement guided within a groove. This groove can extend longitudinally. In a variation, the groove may be arranged in another direction, for example, longitudinally. The concept of “groove” should be considered in the broad sense of the term, and it is clear that it is not necessarily linear, and its trajectory is adaptable to the kinematics of various components of the locking device. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the other connecting device gives one degree of freedom. In a variation, the other connecting device may give at least two degrees of freedom, similar to the at least one connecting device described above.

[0026] Therefore, in the modified embodiment described above, the first connecting device is given two degrees of freedom, and the second connecting device is given one degree of freedom. Furthermore, these degrees of freedom can be based on movements other than the rotation and translation described above.

[0027] Note that in the embodiments described above, the first axis 11, the first intermediate axis 31, the second intermediate axis 32, and the second axis 21 appear to be separate and parallel. All of these axes are arranged in the transverse direction.

[0028] The fastener according to this embodiment also includes an element 7, which is fixed to the cover 6, particularly as shown in Figures 4 to 6, and is fixed on one side to a cover shaft 61 and further fixed to a parallel transverse shaft 71 connecting the two side walls of the cover. The first rotation axis 11 of the locking element 1 of the locking device 10 is rotatably mounted to the element 7 fixed to the cover 6. The element 7 further includes a recess having a shape for receiving return springs 8a, 8b around the first axis 11 in the vertical longitudinal sections II-II and III-III of Figures 5 and 6, particularly as shown more clearly in Figure 3.

[0029] This embodiment relies on the arrangement or connection of a partial locking device to the clasp cover. In a variation, the present invention can be implemented for clasps without a cover, or for clasps in which the cover and blade are combined within the same element. In such cases, the actuating lever 2 is directly attached to the movable blade instead of the cover, for example, as a movable part of the movable blade. According to another variation, the actuating lever 2 may take any other shape and may be any part of the clasp cover. Advantageously, in the closed position, the actuating lever 2 forms a surface substantially continuous with the rest of the clasp cover.

[0030] According to this embodiment, a grip element 2a is positioned on the operating lever 2 to facilitate user operation of the operating lever 2. More specifically, it is positioned at the central end of the operating lever, opposite to the second axis 21.

[0031] The described embodiment relies on a clasp having three blades. As previously mentioned, the transverse blades 5, 5' are each lockable and unlockable relative to the central blade 4 by their respective locking devices 10, 10'. These two locking devices 10, 10' are substantially identical and are positioned symmetrically with respect to the vertical transverse midline P of the clasp, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. According to the embodiment, the transverse blades 5, 5' are distinguished by grip elements 2a, 2a' having complementary shapes that overlap perfectly with each other in the closed position of the clasp, and their shapes are therefore selected for aesthetic and ergonomic reasons. In particular, the grip elements 2a, 2a' are shaped so as not to enforce the order in which the transverse blades 5, 5' of the clasp 100 are opened and closed, and especially the operating order of the respective locking devices 10, 10'. Of course, since the grip elements 2a, 2a' are identical, their shapes can be determined.

[0032] In this embodiment, the different axes 11, 11', 21, 21', 31, 31', 32, 32', 51, 51', 61, 61', 71, and 71' of the clasp are all parallel and appear to be oriented transversely. Throughout this specification, the concept of “axis” refers equally to both the concept of a geometric axis and the concept of a physical axis. For example, in this embodiment, the first axis 11 is the axis of rotation of the locking element 1, which may or may not be fixed to the locking element 1. The same is true for the other axes of this embodiment, in particular the second axis 21 and the two intermediate axes 31 and 32.

[0033] As a variation, one can imagine other embodiments in which all or some of these axes are oriented in other directions. In particular, the first axis 11 and the two intermediate axes 31, 32 may be perpendicular to the second axis 21. In another variation, all these axes may be parallel but in different arrangements.

[0034] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, each axis of the locking device may be a pivot axis. Alternatively, at least one of these axes may be an axis that defines a translational trajectory. For example, the operating lever 2 may take the form of a component that is translationally movable relative to the cover 6, in a direction substantially corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the cover 6.

[0035] Furthermore, as a variation, the clasp may be a clasp having only two deployment blades, and as described above, including a locking device between the two blades. In this case, the cover 6 described above may correspond to the entire cover 60 of the clasp.

[0036] The present invention also relates to a band including the aforementioned locking device or clasp. The present invention also relates to a wristwatch including such a band.

[0037] The operation of the fastener according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0038] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the clasp in Plane II, showing the state in which the locking device 10 is operated to open the clasp 100, more specifically, to open the first blade 5 relative to the central second blade 4. Therefore, the user operates the grip element 2a to initiate clockwise rotation of the operating lever 2 around the second axis 21. This operation of the operating lever 2 causes the locking element 1 to rotate in the same clockwise direction around the first axis 11 against the springs 8a and 8b. This rotation is made possible by the intermediate element 3, and the transmission of rotational motion allows the locking element 1 to retract from the hook element 4a of the central second blade 4. During this opening stage, the second intermediate axis 32 is located at the first longitudinal end of the groove 22, on the central side of the clasp.

[0039] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the clasp on the same plane II, showing the reverse stage of closing the first blade 5 to the central second blade 4. The operating lever 2 is swung clockwise around the second axis 21, thereby engaging the locking element 1 with the hook element 4a of the second blade 4. In this second stage, the two degrees of freedom of the intermediate element 3 relative to the operating lever 2 are particularly advantageous because they allow the movement of the locking element 1 relative to the complementary hook element 4a, enabling the locking element 1 to intersect the end of the hook element 4a so that it can be positioned below the hook element 4a, and reach the final closed position shown in Figure 4. In particular, the movement of the operating lever 2 in the groove 22 of the second intermediate axis 32 in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction is advantageous for the correct positioning of the locking element 1 as described above. In this closing stage, the second intermediate axis 32 is first positioned at the second longitudinal end, which is the end side of the clasp in the groove 22, and then moved to the opposite first longitudinal end. In other words, the arrangement of the intermediate element allows for a primary operation by the clockwise rotation of the locking element 1 while the actuating lever 2 rotates counterclockwise around the second axis 21, enabling the locking element 1 to intersect the end of the hook element 4a and take a position below the hook element. The intermediate element 3 thereby ultimately gives the locking element 1 a certain degree of autonomy with respect to the actuating lever 2 that is sufficient to ensure the correct position in all operations of the actuating lever 2. Thanks to the intermediate element 3, the actuating lever 2 is fixed, in particular, during the closing phase of the latch. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1. Locking element 2. Operating lever 2a Grip element 3. Intermediate elements 4. Second Blade 4a Complementary hook elements 5. First Blade 6 Covers 8a, 8b return springs 10 Locking device 11 1st axis 21 2nd axis 22 Groove 31. First Intermediate Axis 32. Second Intermediate Axis 51 Blade shaft 61 Cover shaft

Claims

1. A clasp for a band, comprising a first blade (5) and a second blade (4) movably connected to each other around a blade axis (51), further comprising a locking device (10) that allows the first blade (5) to be locked or unlocked relative to the second blade (4) in a closed and open configuration, respectively, wherein the locking device (10) is connected to the first blade (5), and the locking device (10) comprises an operating lever (2) intended for user operation of the locking device, and a locking element (1) capable of cooperating with a complementary hook element (4a) of the second blade (4), wherein the locking device (10) comprises an intermediate element (3) connected on one side to the locking element (1) by a first connecting device and on the other side to the operating lever (2) by a second connecting device, wherein at least one of the two connecting devices has at least two degrees of freedom. At least one of the two connecting devices of the locking device provides a first degree of freedom of rotation around the second intermediate shaft (32) and a second degree of freedom of translational movement of the second intermediate shaft (32) guided within a longitudinally extending groove (22). A clasp for a band.

2. The fastener for a band according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever (2) and the intermediate element (3) of the locking device are connected by a second connecting device including a groove (22), the groove (22) is positioned on the operating lever (2) or the intermediate element (3), and a second intermediate shaft (32) connecting the operating lever (2) and the intermediate element (3) is moved within the groove, the operating lever (2) and the intermediate element (3) are pivotable around the second intermediate shaft, thereby allowing two degrees of freedom between the operating lever (2) and the intermediate element (3).

3. The band fastener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the two connecting devices of the locking device provides one degree of freedom of rotation around the first intermediate shaft (31).

4. The band fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking element (1) is mounted so as to be rotatable around a first axis (11), and the operating lever (2) is mounted so as to be rotatable around a second axis (21).

5. A band clasp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising one or more return springs (8a, 8b) arranged to act on the locking element (1) so that the locking element (1) is positioned to engage with the complementary hook element (4a) to lock the band clasp.

6. A band fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a cover (6) arranged to rotate around a cover axis (61) on the first blade (5), having an inverted U-shaped cross-section, its upper surface being visible to the user, and its two parallel side walls covering or substantially covering the locking device (10) of the fastener, the locking element (1) of the locking device (10) being rotatably mounted relative to the first blade (5) or the cover (6) around a first axis (11) located at the first longitudinal end of the first blade (5) or the cover (6), and the operating lever (2) of the locking device being rotatably mounted relative to the first blade (5) or the cover (6) around a second axis (21) located at the second longitudinal end of the first blade (5) or the cover (6).

7. A clasp for a band according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a cover (6) positioned on the first blade (5) and rotating around a cover axis (61), wherein the operating lever (2) is a movable part on the upper surface of the cover and is visible to the user of the cover (6).

8. The fastener for a band according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the locking element (1) and the intermediate element (3) of the locking device are connected so as to rotate relative to each other about a first intermediate axis (31).

9. The clasp for a band according to claim 8, referencing claim 4, wherein the first intermediate shaft (31) and the second intermediate shaft (32) are respectively positioned at the two longitudinal ends of the intermediate element (3) and are located at both ends of the first shaft (11) in the closed configuration of the clasp.

10. A clasp for a band according to claim 8, referencing claim 4, wherein the first intermediate axis (31), the second intermediate axis (32), and the first axis (11) are separate and parallel to each other, or the first intermediate axis (31), the second intermediate axis (32), the first axis (11), and the second axis (21) are separate and parallel to each other, or the first intermediate axis (31), the second intermediate axis (32), the first axis (11), the second axis (21), and the blade axis (51) are separate and parallel to each other.

11. The clasp for a band according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating lever (2) includes a grip element (2a) located at the first longitudinal end, which can be operated to unlock the clasp, and the operating lever (2) is rotatable about a second axis (21) located at the second longitudinal end of the operating lever (2).

12. It includes a third blade (5') connected to the second blade (4) and a second locking device (10') connected to the third blade (5'), The first blade (5) and the third blade (5') are movably connected to the second blade (4), The second locking device (10') is arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the locking device (10), The locking device (10) enables the first blade (5) to be locked against the second blade (4), The second locking device (10') moves the third blade (5') to the second blade (4) A clasp for a band according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which allows locking against the band.

13. A band comprising a clasp according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A wristwatch comprising at least one band as described in claim 13.

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