Adjustment system for continuous adjustment of the size of a strap, such as a watch strap or a belt

Abstract

An adjustment system for continuous adjustment of the size of a strap comprises: - at least one base (30), intended to be fixed to a part of the strap, and - a rotary part (10), intended to cooperate with an adjustment element (13) which is intended to be connected to another part of said strap, such that rotation of said rotary part (10) relative to said base (30) creates a translational movement which is intended to move the two parts of the strap with respect to one another in order to adjust the total length of said strap, and comprising a pinion (11) able to cooperate with a rack (21) secured to the base (30), and - a support (20), fixed to the base (30) and comprising the rack (21) and a rib for guiding the pinion (22) coming into place under the pinion (11).

Description

[0001] ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS SIZE ADJUSTMENT OF A STRAP, SUCH AS A WATCH STRAP OR A

[0002] BELT

[0003] The present invention relates to a system for adjusting a strap, such as a watch band or belt. The invention pertains to the field of adjustable straps, such as a watch band or belt.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a system allowing continuous adjustment of the size of a strap, such as a watch band or a belt.

[0005] Watch straps with clasps or buckles are a well-known technical term and come in various forms. Typically, such straps consist of a continuous piece with two ends joined by a buckle or clasp mechanism. One drawback of this design is that it only allows for fixed sizes and not for continuously adjustable strap lengths.

[0006] In the remainder of this description, the notion of belt or strap shall be used interchangeably, the principle of the present invention applying to any equivalent product, this being a bracelet or a belt or other similar product and not limited by its final use or application.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] Mechanisms have been developed in the past to provide an option for fine and continuous adjustment of a strap with moving parts.

[0009] We are also familiar with document CH 712708, which describes an adjustment system for continuously adjusting the size of a strap, such as a watch strap or belt. The system comprises at least one base intended to be fixed to a portion of the strap and a rotating part intended to cooperate with an adjustment element formed by a pin and intended to be connected to another portion of the strap. The rotation of the rotating part relative to the base creates a movement of the pin intended to move the two portions of the strap relative to each other in order to adjust the overall length of the strap. The movement of the pin is a translation; the pin is intended to cooperate with a hole in a portion of the strap. The pin is fixed to the rotating part and includes a pinion that cooperates with a rack, the rack being fixed to the base.

[0010] Other examples of clasps allowing adjustment of the length of a strap or buckle are given for example in documents EP 1815765, EP 1981365, CH 702523, WO 2008 / 064931, GB 730846 and WO 2014 / 033662.

[0011] Description of the invention

[0012] One aim of the present invention is to improve the clasps and buckles known from the prior art, in particular by proposing a simplified and less bulky system, especially one that is thinner.

[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a system that allows precise adjustment of the strap size and also a stable position and adjusted length of the strap once the desired length has been chosen.

[0014] According to the invention, an adjustment system for continuously adjusting the size of a strap, such as a watch strap or belt, comprises: at least one base, intended to be fixed to a portion of the strap, and a rotating portion, intended to cooperate with an adjustment element intended to be connected to another portion of said strap, such that the rotation of said rotating portion relative to said base creates a translation of the adjustment element intended to move the two portions of the strap relative to each other in order to adjust the total length of said strap, the adjustment element being formed by a pin intended to cooperate with a hole in a portion of said strap, the pin being fixed to said rotating portion, and comprising a pinion adapted to cooperate with a rack fixed to the base, and a support, fixed to the base.and including the rack and a pinion guide rib that fits under the pinion.

[0015] The rack and pinion guide rib are a single piece in the form of the support, which simplifies the assembly of the adjustment system.

[0016] In one embodiment, the rotating part and the barb are a single unit.

[0017] In one embodiment, the pinion comes flush with the lower surface of the rotating part and the lower surface of the rotating part comes into contact with the rack.

[0018] In one form of execution, the support has a notch through which the pinion and the barb pass.

[0019] In one embodiment, the rack is located on one side of the notch and the rib is located on the other side of the notch.

[0020] In one embodiment, the rotating part includes a washer positioned under the pinion, with a groove formed between the pinion and the washer. The washer ensures vertical retention of the rotating part, preventing it from detaching from the base and the support.

[0021] In one embodiment, the system may include a circumferential cover ring for the rotating part arranged to receive the support concealed within the thickness of said cover ring. In another embodiment, the support is fixed to the upper surface of the base.

[0022] In one embodiment, the system may include a ratcheting mechanism comprising at least one ball and one spring.

[0023] The invention relates in particular to a strap, such as a watch strap or a belt, comprising an adjustment system as described and claimed.

[0024] The invention relates in particular to an object, such as a watch, comprising an adjustment system as described and claimed.

[0025] The invention relates in particular to an object, such as a watch, comprising a strap as described and claimed.

[0026] The invention relates in particular to a method of adjusting a strap as described and claimed, in which the length of the strap is continuously varied by rotating the rotating part in one direction or the other relative to the base.

[0027] Brief description of the drawings

[0028] The features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the description of several embodiments given solely by way of example and not limiting the scope of the invention, with reference to the schematic figures, in which:

[0029] - Figures 1 represent an adjustment system in two translation positions according to the state of the art;

[0030] - Figures 2 show an overview of the adjustment system in two translational positions according to the invention; Figures 3 show an exploded view and an isometric assembled view of the adjustment system of the invention; Figures 4 show views from several angles of the rotating part according to the present invention;

[0031] - Figures 5 represent views from several angles of a rack and pinion system according to the present invention;

[0032] - Figures 6 show, from different views, a connection base for a spring bar and its mounting on a rotating part; and

[0033] - Figures 7 represent the lower and upper views of a cover ring of a tang disc arranged to receive a rack concealed in the thickness of said cover disc;

[0034] - Figures 8 represent views from several angles of the rotating part according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] - Figures 9 show views from several angles of a rack and pinion system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0036] - Figures 10 represent the lower and upper views of a rotating part arranged to receive a concealed rack.

[0037] Detailed presentation of preferred forms of implementation

[0038] As illustrated in Fig. 1, a prior art strap adjustment system for continuous adjustment of the size of a strap comprises a prong 2 connected to a rotating disc 1 and rotating horizontally on a base 3 comprising a spring bar 5.

[0039] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the invention integrates the rotating disc 1 and the pin 2 in a single piece and conceals a support 20 in the form of a plate equipped with a rack 21. As illustrated in Fig. 3, an exploded view and an assembled view of the invention shows the number of parts and the location of the main elements.

[0040] Fig. 4 represents the beginning of the one-piece manufacturing of the rotating pinion disc 10. Figure 4b represents the final milling process of the rotating pinion disc 10 during the formation of the guided friction groove 12 and the pin 13.

[0041] Fig. 5 illustrates the locking interaction between the rack support 20 21 and the rotating pinion pinion disc 10 and how the pinion guide rib 22 comes into contact with the guided friction groove 12. The movement of the rack support 20 21 along the rotating pinion pinion disc 10 demonstrates that the support 20 never exceeds the periphery of the rotating pinion pinion disc 10.

[0042] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the spring bar connection base 30 screws onto the support 20 and locks the pinion 11 onto the tang disc of the rotating pinion 10.

[0043] Figs. 7 show the lower and upper views of the cover ring 40, the cover ring 40 using the cover space of the rack 41 to conceal the rack support 20 21. In this example, the pinion 11 engages and interacts with the support 20 in a horizontal sliding movement along the teeth of the rack 21 and is locked in place by the connecting base of the spring bar 5.

[0044] Figures 8 show the various component parts of the rotating part 100 fitted with its pinion 11. Figure 8a shows the pin 110, the washer 111, the pinion 12 and the fixing square 102. The washer 111 is offset from the pinion 11 and defines the groove 12. Figure 8b shows the lower face of the rotating part 100.

[0045] Figures 9 show the interaction between the support 20, equipped with the rack 21 and the rib 22, and the rotating part 100, equipped with the pinion 11, the washer 111, and the groove 12. The rib 22 fits into the groove.

[0046] 12, preventing separation of the rotating part 100 and the rack support 20 21. In a manner analogous to the embodiment of Fig. 5c and in its two extreme translation positions, the support 20 remains inside the circular surface delimited by the rotating part 100.

[0047] In Figs. 10, the cover ring is a single piece with the rotating part 100, the circumferential rim extending perpendicularly to the lower surface of the rotating part 100. Only the base 30 protrudes from the circumferential rim, when the support 20 is attached to the rotating part 100.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated. Numerous modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The materials used for the adjustment system can be varied, and by way of example, steel, titanium, gold and platinum, or even rigid plastic materials can be used.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. An adjustment system for continuously adjusting the size of a strap, such as a watch strap or belt, comprising: at least one base (30), intended to be fixed to a portion of the strap, and a rotating portion (10), intended to cooperate with an adjustment element (13) which is intended to be connected to another portion of said strap, such that the rotation of said rotating portion (10) relative to said base (30) creates a translation of the adjustment element (13) which is intended to move the two portions of the strap relative to each other in order to adjust the total length of said strap, the adjustment element being formed by a pin (13) intended to cooperate with a hole in a portion of said strap, the pin (13) being fixed to said rotating portion (10), and comprising a pinion (11) adapted to cooperate with a rack (21) fixed to the base (30), and a support (20),fixed to the base (30) and comprising the rack (21) and a pinion guide rib (22) which is positioned under the pinion (11).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the rotating part (10) and the barb (13) are in one piece.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pinion (11) is flush with the lower surface of the rotating part (10) and the lower surface of the rotating part is in contact with the rack (21).

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (20) has a notch through which the pinion (11) and the barb (13) pass.

5. System according to claim 4, wherein the rack (21) is located on one side of the notch and the rib (22) is located on the other side of the notch.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotating part (10) comprises a washer (111) positioned under the pinion (11), a groove (12) being provided between the pinion (11) and the washer (111).

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a circumferential cover ring (40) of the rotating part (10) arranged to receive the support (20) concealed in the thickness of said cover ring (40).

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (20) is fixed to the upper surface of the base (30).

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a ratcheting mechanism including at least one ball and one spring.

10. Strap, such as a watch strap or belt, comprising an adjustment system according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. Object, such as a watch, comprising an adjustment system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

12. Object, such as a watch, comprising a strap according to claim 7.

13. Method of adjusting a strap according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the length of the strap is continuously varied by rotating the rotating part (10) in one direction or the other relative to the base (30).

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