Rigid bracelet, in particular for a timepiece

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rigid bracelet (10), in particular for a timepiece, comprising a first and a second rigid branch (12, 22) hinged to one another at one end, and a clasp (60) in order to lock the other end of the first and second branches (12, 22) against one another so as to close the bracelet. The clasp (60) includes a first and a second part (70, 80) mounted in a first and a second housing (16, 52), respectively, which housings are located on an inner side and at an end portion of the first and second branches (12, 22), respectively, and locking means comprising a flexible member (62), anchoring means (66) rigidly connected to or integral with the flexible member (62) and retaining means (84, 86) arranged to engage with the anchoring means (66) in order to lock the end portion of the first branch (12) against the end portion of the second branch (22). The clasp (60) further includes actuating means (68) arranged to deform the flexible member (62) in order to release the anchoring means (66) from the retaining means (84, 86) to ensure the opening of the bracelet. The flexible member (62) is held in one of the first and second housings (16, 52) by one of the first and second parts (70, 80) while the retaining means (84, 86) are arranged in the other one of the first and second parts (70, 80) mounted in the other one of the first and second housings (16, 52). The invention also relates to a timepiece (100) including the bracelet (10).

Description

Rigid bracelet, especially for timepieces Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rigid bracelet, in particular for a timepiece. More particularly, the rigid bracelet comprises a hinge-type joint and a clasp integrated into the bracelet invisibly when the latter is worn. The present invention also relates to a rigid bracelet as such for the field of jewelry. State of the art

[0002] Bracelets are already known comprising two rigid parts in an arc of a circle connected at one end by a hinge and at the other end by a clasp. Examples of this type of wristwatch bracelet are disclosed in particular in GB2522510A and WO2015188789.

[0003] Non-rigid bracelets are also known comprising a clasp equipped with a flexible part secured to one end of the bracelet and a housing secured to another end of the bracelet as disclosed in KR101871182. The flexible part and the housing are configured to ensure the locking and unlocking of the bracelet by elastic deformation of the flexible part.

[0004] The wristbands disclosed in GB2522510A and WO2015188789 incorporate electronic functions. WO2015188789 discloses a wristband including a digital display for displaying the time in an analog or digital manner. Brief summary of the invention

[0005] An aim of the present invention is to provide a rigid bracelet, in particular for a mechanical or quartz timepiece according to an alternative construction.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a rigid bracelet having an improved aesthetic appearance, with the clasp being almost invisible when the bracelet is worn.

[0007] An additional aim of the present invention is to propose a timepiece equipped with a mechanical or quartz movement, comprising such a rigid bracelet.

[0008] These aims are achieved, at least in part, by a rigid bracelet, in particular for a timepiece, comprising a first and a second rigid branch articulated together at one end, and a clasp in order to lock the other end of the first and second branches against each other for closing the bracelet.The clasp comprises for this purpose: a first and a second part mounted respectively in a first and a second housing located on an internal side and at the level of an end portion respectively of the first and second branches, locking means comprising a flexible member, anchoring means integral or integral with the flexible member and retaining means arranged to cooperate with the anchoring means in order to lock the end portion of the first branch against the end portion of the second branch, and actuating means arranged to deform the flexible member in order to release the anchoring means from the retaining means to ensure the opening of the bracelet.

[0009] The flexible member is held in one of the first and second housings by one of the first and second parts while the retaining means are arranged in the other of said first and second parts mounted in the other of the first and second housings.

[0010] In one embodiment, the flexible member and the anchoring means together form a component resembling the shape of the Omega Q symbol.

[0011] In one embodiment, said component is made in one piece.

[0012] In one embodiment, the actuating means are in the form of two pushers arranged to bear against the flexible member and through holes passing through two opposite walls of the housing receiving the flexible member. One end of each pusher projects from a lateral flank of the bracelet.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first and second housings are each delimited by two side walls, and a third wall perpendicular to the two side walls and set back from the other end of the first and second branches. An edge of the first and second parts mounted in the respective housings constitutes a portion of said other end respectively of the first and second branches.

[0014] In one embodiment, the retaining means comprises two inclined guide surfaces and two lateral clearances arranged according to a plane of symmetry. The anchoring means are in the form of two hooks intended to come into abutment against the guide surfaces and slide along them when the bracelet is closed in order to bring the two hooks together under the deformation of the flexible member. The two hooks then come to rest at the end of the stroke in the two respective lateral clearances under the action of the flexible member thus locking the closure of the bracelet.

[0015] In one embodiment, the housing receiving the flexible member comprises a fixing stud. The first part, holding the flexible member in the housing, comprises a through hole for fixing said part to the fixing stud by a fixing means.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first part comprises on an internal side an attachment portion having an excess thickness. The attachment portion comprises a cavity of a shape complementary to the fixing stud so that the latter can fit into said cavity.

[0017] In one embodiment, the flexible member is arranged around the attachment portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the flexible member is integral with the attachment portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, the second part, comprising the retaining means, further comprises a fixing element comprising a through hole for fixing the fixing element in a cavity by a fixing means. The cavity is adjacent to the housing receiving the second part and opens onto a surface intended to abut against a corresponding surface located at one end of the second branch.

[0020] In one embodiment, the rigid bracelet further comprises guide means secured to the surface and arranged on either side of the cavity in order to cooperate with two orifices opening onto the surface of the second branch.

[0021] In one embodiment, the clasp is invisible when the bracelet is worn, except for a portion of the actuating means.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first and second parts each have an outer side whose surface is profiled with a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the inner side of the first and second branches respectively and adjacent to the first and second parts respectively.

[0023] In one embodiment, said first and second rigid branches are articulated together by a hinge.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention relates to a wristwatch equipped with a mechanical or quartz movement and comprising the rigid bracelet according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0025] In one embodiment, the wristwatch comprises a support connecting the rigid bracelet to a watch case. The second rigid branch comprises a first and a second arched arm. One end of the first arched arm is hingedly mounted to the end of the first rigid branch. One end of the second arched arm comprises the housing receiving the flexible member. The other end of the first and second arched arms are fixed to the support.

[0026] In one embodiment, the support has a central opening in which a back of the watch case is fixed. Brief description of the figures

[0027] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which: - figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a timepiece, of the wristwatch type, comprising the rigid bracelet, according to one embodiment; - figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the timepiece of figure 1 from another orientation; - Figure 3 illustrates a view similar to Figure 2 when the rigid bracelet is in an open configuration; - figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the rigid bracelet as well as the support connecting the bracelet to the watch case; - Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of an arched arm of one of the two branches of the bracelet, the arm comprising a housing for receiving part of the locking means of the bracelet; - figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the part intended to hold part of the locking means in the housing of figure 5; - figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the other of the two branches of the bracelet, comprising a housing for receiving a part comprising the other part of the locking means of the bracelet; - figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the part intended to be mounted in the housing of figure 7; - figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the clasp comprising the two parts of the locking means; - figure 10 illustrates a partial perspective view at the level of the attachment of one of the two branches of the bracelet to the support connecting the bracelet to the watch case, and - Figure 11 illustrates a sectional view of Figure 10. Example embodiment of the invention

[0028] With reference to the figures, in particular to figures 1 to 3, the rigid bracelet 10 is preferably adapted to be connected to a watch case 102 by means of a support 90. The rigid bracelet can nevertheless be adapted for use in the field of jewelry as a simple bracelet according to a non-illustrated variant.

[0029] The bracelet 10 comprises a first and a second rigid branch 12, 22 hinged together at one end, and a clasp 60 in order to lock the other end of the first and second branches 12, 22 against each other for closing the bracelet 10. The first branch 12 has a curved profile and extends over approximately 180°. The second branch 22 comprises two arched arms 24, 44.

[0030] One of the ends of the first arcuate arm 24 is articulated to one end of the first branch 12 while the other of its ends is fixed to the support 90, which fulfills the function of interface between the bracelet 10 and the watch case 102. One of the ends of the second arcuate arm 44 comprises a part of the locking means of the clasp 60 while the other of its ends is fixed to the support 90 in order to form, with the first arm 24, the support 90 and the first branch 12, the entire circumference of the bracelet 10.

[0031] Referring more particularly to Figure 4, the end of the first arcuate arm 24 of the second branch is pivotally mounted on the corresponding end of the first branch 12, preferably by means of a hinge. More particularly, the end of the first branch 12 has two lateral edges 14 facing each other and each having a through hole 14a. The end of the first arcuate arm 24 has a portion provided with two opposite edges set back from the lateral edge of the bracelet. A hole 32 passes right through this portion. The two lateral edges 14 are mounted against the opposite edges set back from the portion of the first arcuate arm 24 in the extension of the lateral edges of the bracelet.

[0032] A fixing rod 34, having a head at one end, is housed partly along the hole 32 of the first arcuate arm 24 and further passes through the holes 14a of the two lateral edges 14 of the first branch 12 in order to fulfill the pivot function for the first branch 12 and the first arcuate arm 24 of the second branch. A fixing screw 36 is screwed into a threaded portion of the other end of the rod 34. Two washers 38, for example of the Delrin type, are mounted against the two opposite recessed edges in order to create a certain resistance during the opening and closing of the bracelet 10.

[0033] The second arcuate arm 44 of the second rigid branch 22 comprises on an internal side at an end portion, a housing 52 inside which is fixed a first part 70, preferably rigid. This first part 70 holds in the housing 52 a flexible member 62 whose shape is similar to the Omega Q symbol. Like the second arm 44, the first rigid branch 12 comprises on an internal side at an end portion a housing 16 inside which is arranged a second part 80, preferably rigid.

[0034] More particularly, according to Figures 5 and 6, the housing 52 of the second arcuate arm 44 of the second rigid branch comprises a fixing stud 54 while the first part 70, holding the flexible member 62 in the housing 52, comprises on an internal side an attachment part 74 having an excess thickness having a substantially oblong general shape. This excess thickness comprises a cavity 76 of a shape complementary to the fixing stud 54. The fixing stud 54 is thus fitted into the cavity 76. In the example illustrated, the fixing stud is of oblong shape. Referring to Figure 4, the first part 70 further comprises an orifice 73 on an external side 72. The orifice 73 opens into the cavity 76 (Figure 6) in order to fix the part 70 to the fixing stud 54 by a fixing means, preferably by a screw 79.

[0035] The first and second parts 70, 80 illustrated in Figure 4 each have an outer side 72, 82. The surface of this outer side of each part is profiled with a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the curved surface of at least a portion of the inner side of the first and second branches 12, 22 which is adjacent to the first and second parts 70, 80 respectively in order to ensure a continuous surface with the same degree of curvature.

[0036] According to Figure 9, the flexible member 62 is arranged around the attachment part 74 and is secured to the latter by a male element 67 forming a body with the flexible member 62 and arranged inside a female element 77 of the attachment part 74. In the example illustrated, the male element comprises an extension at the top of the Omega symbol with a substantially circular terminal portion for example. This circular portion is mounted in a housing of complementary shape located close to one end of the attachment part 74.

[0037] The flexible member 62 comprises two hooks 66 intended to cooperate with retaining means 84, 86 of the second part 80 according to the description which will be given later. According to the illustrated embodiment, the two hooks 66 form a single piece with the body 64 of the flexible member. According to a non-illustrated variant, the two hooks can be in the form of separate elements fixed to the body of the flexible member.

[0038] With regard to Figure 6, the first part 70 further comprises two lateral cutouts 78 of substantially semi-cylindrical shape partially receiving two pushers 68, the ends of which are arranged against two projections 65 present on the body 64 of the flexible member 62 and arranged in a diametrically opposite manner as illustrated in Figure 9. Referring to Figure 5, two opposite walls of the housing 52 comprise holes 56 through which the two pushers 68 pass, which are also partially arranged in two cavities 58 arranged on either side of the fixing stud 54.

[0039] The housing 52 is delimited by the two opposite walls and a third wall substantially orthogonal to the two opposite walls. A side opposite the third wall is devoid of an edge so that an edge of the first part 70 mounted in the housing 52 constitutes in part an edge of the terminal portion with two openings through which the two hooks 66 of the flexible member protrude as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3.

[0040] According to Figures 7 and 8, the means for retaining the second part 80 comprises two inclined guide surfaces 84 and two lateral clearances 86 arranged according to a plane of symmetry close to the lateral edges of the second part 80. The latter further comprises a fixing element 88 comprising a through-orifice 88a for fixing the fixing element 88 in a cavity 18 by a fixing means, preferably by a screw 88b (Figure 4). The fixing element 88 has a cross-section, perpendicular to the axis of the through-orifice 88a, of substantially oblong shape in the example illustrated.

[0041] The cavity 18 is adjacent to the housing 16 and opens onto a flat surface 17 extending between two lateral edges of the first branch 12. This flat surface 17 is intended to come into abutment against a corresponding flat surface 59 of the second arcuate arm 44 of the second branch according to the illustration in FIG. 5. The second part 80 also comprises an insert 89 intended to be fitted into an opening 16a located at a level with the bottom 15a of the housing 16. The part is positioned in the housing in order to form two openings arranged to allow the introduction of the two hooks 66 of the flexible member 62 so that they can cooperate with the retaining means 84, 86 of the second part 80.

[0042] Advantageously, guide means, for example in the form of two pins 19, are integral with the flat surface 17 and are arranged on either side of the cavity 18 in order to cooperate with two orifices (not illustrated) opening onto the surface 59 of the second arcuate arm 44 in order to ensure alignment between the hooks 66 of the elastic member 62 and the means for retaining the second part 80 when closing the bracelet.

[0043] Thus, with reference to Figure 9, when the two hooks 66 come into abutment against the guide surfaces 84 of the second part 80, during the closing of the bracelet, these hooks move along these surfaces in order to bring them together under the elastic deformation of the flexible member 62. The two hooks 66 then come to be housed at the end of their travel in the two respective lateral clearances 86 under the action of the flexible member 62, thus locking the closure of the bracelet.

[0044] The bracelet is opened in two stages. The user must first actuate the two pushers 68 simultaneously in order to exert a simultaneous force on the two projections 65 of the body 64 of the flexible member 62. This force causes the compression of the body of the flexible member, which allows the release of the two hooks 66 from their respective lateral clearances 86 of the second part 80.

[0045] The user must then pull the first branch 12 and the second arm 44 of the second branch in an opposite direction while maintaining the actuation of the two pushers 68 to bring the bracelet into an open configuration as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0046] Figures 4, 9 and 10 illustrate the assembly of one end of the two arcuate arms 24, 44 of the second branch of the bracelet to the support 90. The latter comprises on a lower side two housings 94 in which are arranged a fixing part 26, 46 of the respective arms. Each fixing part comprises a flat surface 28, 48 and a pair of threaded studs 30, 50. The support 90 further comprises four holes 96 passing right through the thickness of the support 90 and which are positioned in correspondence with the pair of threaded studs 30, 50 of the fixing part 26, 46 of the respective arms 24, 44.

[0047] With reference to Figure 10, a fixing means, preferably a screw 98, passes through each hole 96 and is screwed into the thread which extends inside the arched arm beyond the stud. The lower side of the support 90 further comprises an annular housing around each stud of the fixing part of the respective arms in which is disposed a washer 99 bearing on the flat surface 28, 48 of the fixing part 26, 46 of the respective arms 24, 44 (Figure 4).

[0048] The support 90 also comprises a central opening 92 of circular shape inside which the bottom 104 of the watch case is mounted as illustrated in Figure 9 in order to obtain the wristwatch illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. It will also be noted that the support 90, illustrated in Figure 4, comprises along its periphery several holes for its attachment to the watch case 102 as illustrated in particular in Figure 1.

[0049] Various modifications may be made to the rigid bracelet according to the above description without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the flexible member may have a shape other than an Omega Q symbol. For example, the direction of the hooks of the flexible member may be reversed to work with guide surfaces whose angle is also reversed and to be housed in lateral clearances oriented symmetrically with respect to those shown in the illustrated embodiment. In this case, the guide surfaces as well as the lateral clearances are arranged not close to the lateral sides of the second part 80 but close to a central part thereof. Reference list Rigid bracelet 10 First branch 12 First end Side edge 14 Through hole 14a Second end Housing 16 Background 15a Opening 16a Flat surface 17 Cavity 18 Guide pins 19 Second branch 22 First arched arm 24 First end Fixing part 26 Flat surface 28 Tapped studs 30 Second end Hole 32 Fixing rod 34 Fixing screw 36 Washer 38 Second arched arm 44 First end Fixing part 46 Flat surface 48 Tapped studs 50 Second end Housing 52 Fixing pad 54 Hole 56 Cavity 58 Flat surface 59 Clasp 60 Flexible organ 62 (e.g. Q-shaped) Body 64 Projections 65 Anchoring means 66 (eg hook 66) Male element 67 Actuating means 68 (eg pushers) First part 70 External side 72 Through hole 73 Attachment part 74 Cavities 76 Female element 77 Side cutouts 78 Fixing means 79 Second room 80 External side 82 Means of restraint Guide surface 84 Lateral clearance 86 Fastening element 88 Through hole 88a Screw 88b Insert 89 Support 90 (eg ring support) Central opening 92 Cavity 94 Holes 96 Means of fixing 98 Washer 99 Timepiece 100 Watch box 102 Background 104

Claims

Claims 1. Rigid bracelet (10), in particular for a timepiece, comprising a first and a second rigid branch (12, 22) articulated together at one end, and a clasp (60) in order to lock the other end of said first and second branches (12, 22) against each other for closing the bracelet, the clasp (60) comprising a first and a second part (70, 80) mounted respectively in a first and a second housing (16, 52) located on an internal side and at the level of an end portion respectively of the first and second branches (12, 22), locking means comprising a flexible member (62), anchoring means (66) integral or integral with the flexible member (62) and retaining means (84, 86) arranged to cooperate with the anchoring means (66) in order to lock the end portion of the first branch (12) against the end portion of the second branch (22),and actuating means (68) arranged to deform the flexible member (62) in order to release the anchoring means (66) from the retaining means (84, 86) to ensure the opening of the bracelet, and in which the flexible member (62) is held in one of the first and second housings (16, 52) by one of the first and second parts (70, 80), the retaining means (84, 86) being arranged in the other of said first and second parts (70, 80) mounted in the other of the first and second housings (16, 52)., 2. Rigid bracelet (10) according to claim 1, in which the flexible member (62) and the anchoring means (66) together form a component resembling the shape of the Omega symbol.

3. Rigid bracelet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the actuating means are in the form of two pushers (68) arranged to bear against the flexible member (62) and through holes (56) passing through two opposite walls of the housing (52) receiving the flexible member, one end of each pusher (68) projecting on a lateral flank of the bracelet (10).

4. Rigid bracelet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second housings (16, 52) are each delimited by two side walls, and a third wall perpendicular to said two side walls and set back from said other end of said first and second branches (12, 22), and in which an edge of the first and second parts (70, 80) mounted in the respective housings (16, 52) constitutes a part of said other end respectively of the first and second branches (12, 22).

5. Rigid bracelet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the retaining means comprises two inclined guide surfaces (84) and two lateral clearances (86), the anchoring means being in the form of two hooks (66) intended to come into abutment against the guide surfaces (84) and slide along them when closing the bracelet in order to bring the two hooks (66) together under the deformation of the flexible member (62), the two hooks (66) being housed at the end of their travel in the two respective lateral clearances (86) under the action of the flexible member (62) thus locking the closure of the bracelet.

6. Rigid bracelet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (52) receiving the flexible member (62) comprises a fixing stud (54), the first part (70), holding the flexible member (62) in the housing (52), comprising a through orifice (73) for fixing said first part (70) to the fixing stud (54) by a fixing means (79).

7. Rigid bracelet (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the first part (70) comprises on an internal side an attachment part (74) having an excess thickness and comprising a cavity (76) of a shape complementary to the fixing stud (54) so ​​that the latter can fit into said cavity (76).

8. Rigid bracelet (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the flexible member (62) is arranged around the attachment part (74), the flexible member (62) being integral with said attachment part.

9. Rigid bracelet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second part (80), comprising the retaining means (84, 86), further comprises a fixing element (88) comprising a through orifice (88a) for fixing the fixing element in a cavity (18) by a fixing means (88b), the cavity (18) being adjacent to the housing (16) receiving the second part (80) and opening onto a flat surface (17) intended to come into abutment against a corresponding surface (59) situated at one end of the second branch (22).) 10. Rigid bracelet (10) according to the preceding claim, further comprising guide means (19) integral with the flat surface (17) and arranged on either side of the cavity (18) in order to cooperate with two orifices opening onto the surface (59) of the second branch (22).

11. Rigid bracelet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the clasp (60) is invisible when the bracelet is worn, with the exception of a part of the actuating means (68).

12. Rigid bracelet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second parts (70, 80) each comprise an external side (72, 82) whose surface is profiled with a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the curved surface on the inner side respectively of the first and second branches (12, 22) and adjacent respectively to the first and second parts (70, 80).

13. Rigid bracelet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which said first and second rigid branches (12, 22) are articulated together by a hinge.

14. Wristwatch (100) comprising the rigid bracelet (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Wristwatch (100) according to the preceding claim, comprising a support (90) connecting the rigid bracelet (10) to a watch case (102) and in which the second rigid branch (22) comprises a first and a second arcuate arm (24, 44), one end of the first arcuate arm (24) being mounted articulated to the end of the first rigid branch (12), one end of the second arcuate arm (44) comprising the housing (52) receiving the flexible member (62) and in which the other end of the first and second arcuate arms (24, 44) are fixed to the support (90).

16. Wristwatch (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the support (90) comprises a central opening (92) in which a bottom (104) of the watch case (102) is fixed.

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