Modular element for adjustable strap for watches

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular element (M) for adjustable strap (1) for watches comprising: a first link (M1) configured to be associated with at least one second link (M2) arranged consecutively, a fixed element (F) arranged where there is a first side (L1) of the first link (M1) and a rotatable element (R) arranged where there is an opposite second side (L2) of the first link (M1), a first pin (P1) extending from the fixed element (F) towards the first link (M1) to insert into a first opening (Al) obtained in the first link (M1), a second pin (P2) extending from the fixed element (F) towards the rotatable element (R) and passing through a first through channel (C1) obtained in the second link (M2), a third pin (P3) extending from the rotatable element (R) towards the first link (M1) to insert at least partly into a second through channel (C2) obtained in the first link (M1).

Description

[0001] MODULAR ELEMENT FOR ADJUSTABLE STRAP FOR WATCHES

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a modular element for adjustable strap for watches. Art

[0004] As is well known, there are straps for watches composed of a plurality of modular elements which are connected to each other in succession to form a deformable chain so that the user can put it on and take it off The length of such straps is generally fixed and can only be adjusted by experienced personnel who are responsible for disassembling the modules to insert or remove new ones in order to adjust the fit of the strap to the user’s wrist.

[0005] Description of the Invention

[0006] The Applicant realized the need to develop a solution that would allow even inexperienced users to be able to independently adjust the length of the straps having modular elements without the need to perform complicated operations and thus to simplify the disassembly / assembly operations of the modular elements. The aforementioned objects and benefits are achieved by a modular element for adjustable strap for watches in accordance with claim 1.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is achieved by an adjustable strap in accordance with claim 9.

[0008] Still a further object of the present invention is achieved by a watch comprising a modular element for adjustable strap for watches in accordance with claim 10. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a modular element for adjustable strap for watches, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the modular element for watch strap according to the invention;

[0011] Figures 2 and 3 are side perspective views of a plurality of modular elements for straps according to the invention;

[0012] - Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a strap link in accordance with the invention;

[0013] - Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, and 3 are front views of the adjusting method of a strap according to the invention.

[0014] Embodiments of the Invention

[0015] With particular reference to these figures, reference letter M globally indicates a modular element for an adjustable strap 1 for watches.

[0016] The strap 1 comprises a plurality of central modular elements M, hereafter also called links, arranged consecutively to each other along a longitudinal direction X-X. The links M are connected to each other by means of the connection to lateral elements F, Rby means of pins P allowing the partial rotation of the lateral elements F, R and of the links M in order to make a decorative chain to be connected to a watch case.

[0017] As shown in the figures, the strap 1 comprises a predefined number of links M selected according to the user’s wrist diameter. Specifically, the figures identify a first link Ml, a second link M2, a third link M3 and so on arranged consecutively.

[0018] In detail, the first link Ml comprises a fixed element F arranged where there is a first side of the first link Ml and a rotatable element R arranged where there is a second opposite side.

[0019] The links M and the elements F, R preferably have a convex concave profile. It cannot, however, be ruled out that the links M and the elements F, R may have a different profile, e.g. straight on both upper and lower surfaces.

[0020] In each link M, two opposite sides LI, L2 are identified from which various openings, channels and holes are obtained as described in detail below. In order not to overburden this description, the characteristics of the first link Ml only will be listed below, pointing out that the remaining links M of the strap 1 have a substantially similar, if not identical, feature to each other.

[0021] In detail, taking the first side LI of the first link Ml (which, with reference to Figure 2, is conventionally the right side) as a reference, in the first link Ml at least the following items are identified:

[0022] - a first opening Al obtained transversely from the first side LI to the second side L2 by a stretch of predetermined length,

[0023] - a second opening A2 obtained transversely from the first side L 1 to the second side L2 by a stretch of predetermined length,

[0024] - a first through channel Cl obtained transversely from the first side LI to the second side L2,

[0025] - a second through channel C2 obtained transversely from the first side LI to the second side L2.

[0026] Preferably, the openings and the channels described above are arranged consecutively in the following order (along X-X and from bottom to top with reference to the example in Figure 1): first channel Cl, first opening Al, second channel C2, second opening A2.

[0027] The first link Ml comprises a first pin Pl extending from the fixed element F towards the first link Ml, or vice versa. Its ends Pl’, Pl” are configured to insert and engage in a fixed maimer into the first opening Al obtained in the first link Ml and into a first cavity Hl of the fixed element F, respectively.

[0028] The strap 1 also comprises a second pin P2 extending from the fixed element F towards the rotatable element R and passing through a first through channel Cl obtained in the second link M2. The ends P2”, P2’ of the second pin P2 are configured to insert at least partly and engage in a fixed manner in a third cavity H3 obtained in the fixed element F and in a second hole 02 of the rotatable element R, respectively. The second pin P2 is movable idle within the first channel Cl of the second link M2 allowing the latter to be able to rotate axially around the second pin P2.

[0029] The presence of the pins Pl and P2 allows the interlocked union of the fixed element F to the first link ML

[0030] Advantageously, the rotation of the rotatable element R is possible due to the presence of a third pin P3 extending from the rotatable element R towards the fixed element F to pass through the first link ML Specifically, the end P3’ of the pin P3 facing the rotatable element R is configured to insert at least partly and engage in a fixed manner into the first hole 01 of the rotatable element R. Specifically, the third pin P3 passes through the first link Ml passing idle through the second channel C2. Such a configuration allows the rotatable element R to be movable between a first position, wherein it is moved close to the first link Ml and to the second link M2, and a second position, wherein it is moved away from the first link Ml and from the second link M2 to allow the element to disengage the second pin P2 from the second hole 02 and to pull the second link M2 off the second pin P2 so that the second link M2 can be removed from the strap C.

[0031] Conveniently, the first link Ml comprises elastic means S, preferably a spring, arranged between the third pin P3 and the first channel Cl. As shown in Figure 4, the first channel Cl has a shoulder B to counteract the axial movement of the spring S towards the rotatable element R when the latter is in the second position moved away from the first link Ml.

[0032] Advantageously, the spring S is fitted on the third pin P3 and also inserted into the second channel C2 of the first link Ml. As illustrated, the free end P3” of the third pin P3 is configured to compress the elastic means S when the rotatable element R is in the second position. The free end P3” of the third pin P3 is substantially enlarged in a radial pattern with respect to the main body of the third pin P3 so that the rotatable element R is forced to move from the second away position to the first position when the user releases the rotatable element R. The spring S is substantially pre-compressed to keep the rotatable element R normally adhered to the first link Ml.

[0033] When the rotatable element R is in the first position, i.e., adhering to the second side L2 of the first link Ml, the free end P3” of the third pin P3 is found to rest on or otherwise positioned flush with the inner side (i.e., the side facing the first side LI) of the fixed element F.

[0034] In accordance with one embodiment, the first link Ml may also comprise an additional pin P4 quite similar to the first pin Pl which also extends from the fixed element F towards the first link Ml to insert into a second opening A2 obtained in the first link Ml and into a third cavity H3 of the fixed element F, respectively. The two pins Pl, P4 allow the fixed element F to remain, in use, always adhered to the first link Ml. Preferably, the pins Pl, P4 are substantially similar, if not identical, to each other and have a greater length than the width of the fixed element F and less than the width of the first link Ml.

[0035] Preferably, the length of the second pin P2 and of the third pin P3 is greater than the length of the cavity Hl and less than the overall width of the strap 1.

[0036] Preferably, the length of the second pin P2 is greater than the length of the third pin P3.

[0037] Preferably, the cavities H1-H3, the openings Al, A2 and the holes 01, 02 are blind while the channels Cl, C2 are passing through.

[0038] Preferably, in the second fixed element F, the second cavity H2 is arranged between the first cavity Hl and the third cavity along X-X, the second cavity being substantially obtained in a central position. Even more preferably, the second cavity H2 is arranged closer to the third cavity H3.

[0039] With reference to the examples shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5, the strap 1 may comprise a plurality of links M as described above combined with another plurality of standard links M’, i.e., without any rotatable element R. In such a case, each standard link M’ may comprise up to three channels, at least two of which (the external ones) passing through to receive by shape coupling as many pins P the ends of which are intended to fit two opposite fixed elements F’, F”. Preferably, the links, the fixed elements and the rotatable elements are made of metal but it cannot, however, be ruled out that they may be made of other materials such as leather, plastic, etc., or a combination of these.

[0040] Advantageously, in use, the strap 1 has:

[0041] - the first cavity Hl, the first pin Pl and the first opening Al oriented coaxially with each other,

[0042] - the third pin P3, the spring S, the second channel C2 of the first link Ml and the first hole 01 oriented coaxially with each other,

[0043] - the second cavity H2, the fourth pin P4 and the second opening A2 oriented coaxially with each other,

[0044] - the third cavity H3, the second pin P2 and the first channel Cl of the second link M2 oriented coaxially with each other.

[0045] It should be specified that the links M’ flanked by the first link Ml could be entirely similar to the latter, thus allowing the association thereof with an additional rotatable element R’. Alternatively, the link M’ which is placed on the side of the first link Ml could be a standard link and thus be associated with additional fixed elements F’, F”, as shown in Figure 5.

[0046] The operation of the strap 1 of the invention is as follows.

[0047] When a user needs to widen or narrow the circumference of the strap 1 around the wrist, he or she grasps the rotatable element R and moves it away from the first link Ml to allow the pin P2 to be disengaged from the hole 02. At this point, the rotatable element R can be rotated around the axis Y-Y (transverse to the X- X axis) of the third pin P3, e.g., by 45° (Figure 5a). The second pin P2 is then free to be pulled out of the channel Cl of the second link M2 to decouple the first link Ml from the strap 1 (Figure 5b). The channel Cl of the second link M2 is thus free to receive a new link.

[0048] At this point, a new link M” can be coupled to the strap 1 by inserting the pin P2 into the channel C 1 of the second link M2 and, when finished, rotating its own rotatable element R to engage it to the corresponding pin P2. The first link Ml previously decoupled from the strap 1 is finally re-coupled to the latter by inserting its own second pin P2 into the channel Cl of the new link M” (Figure 5c) and rotating the corresponding rotatable element R to the corresponding pin P2.

[0049] It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the modular element allows a strap to be adjusted in a highly simplified maimer even by inexperienced users. The type of structural combinations of the modular element as well as of the strap are potentially infinite and, obviously, a technician in the field, in order to meet contingent and specific needs, will be able to make numerous modifications and variations to the above-described examples of embodiments, all of which, however, are contained within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Modular element (M) for adjustable strap (1) for watches comprising: a first link (Ml) configured to be associated with at least one second link (M2) arranged consecutively, a fixed element (F) arranged where there is a first side (LI) of the first link (Ml) and a rotatable element (R) arranged where there is an opposite second side (L2) of the first link (Ml), a first pin (Pl) extending from the fixed element (F) towards the first link (Ml) to insert into a first opening (Al) obtained in the first link (Ml), a second pin (P2) extending from the fixed element (F) towards the rotatable element (R) and passing through a first through channel (Cl) obtained in the second link (M2), a third pin (P3) extending from the rotatable element (R) towards the first link (Ml) to insert at least partly into a second through channel (C2) obtained in the first link (Ml).2) Modular element (M) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first pin (Pl) is partly inserted into a first cavity (Hl) obtained in the fixed element (F) and blocked therein.3) Modular element (M) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second pin (P2) is partly inserted into a third cavity (H3) obtained in the fixed element (F) and blocked therein, engageable in a movable maimer in a second hole (02) obtained in the rotatable element (R).4) Modular element (M) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third pin (P3) is engaged in a fixed manner in a first hole (01) obtained in the rotatable element (R).5) Modular element (M) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable element (R) is movable between a first position, wherein it is close to the first link (Ml) and to the second link (M2), and a second position, wherein it is moved away from the first link (Ml) and from the second link (M2) to allowthe rotatable element (R) to rotate and to disengage the second pin (P2) from the second hole (02), to pull the second link (M2) off the second pin (P2) and, to remove the second link (M2) from the strap (1).6) Modular element (M) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first link (Ml) comprises elastic means (S) arranged between the third pin (P3) and the second channel (C2).7) Modular element (M) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first channel (Cl) has a shoulder (B) to counteract the axial movement of said elastic means (S) towards said rotatable element (R) when said rotatable element (R) is in the second position.8) Modular element (M) according to the preceding claim, wherein the free end (P3 ’ ’) of the third pin (P3) is configured to compress said elastic means (S) when said rotatable element (R) is in the second position.9) Adjustable strap (1) for watches, comprising: a plurality of modular elements (M) comprising at least one first link (Ml) in accordance with claim 1 and at least one second link (M2) arranged consecutively, a second fixed element (F’) arranged where there is a first side (LI) of the first link (Ml), and an additional fixed element (F”) or rotatable element (R’) placed side by side with said second fixed element (F’) arranged where there is a second side (L2) opposite the second link (M2), a first pin (Pl) extending from said second fixed element (F’) or rotatable element (R’) towards the second link (M2) to insert into a first opening (Al) obtained in the second link (M2), a second pin (P2) extending from the second fixed element (F’) towards said second fixed element (F’) or rotatable element (R’) and passing through a second through channel (C2) obtained in a third link (M3).10) Watch comprising at least one modular element (M) for adjustable strap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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