Adjustable Bracelet Clasp With Movable Stud And Spring Ratchet
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bracelet clasps with folding mechanisms lack a simple and dexterous way to adjust the length without losing settings, often requiring tools and risking damage, and are unattractive with visible adjustment holes.
Innovation Solution
A folding clasp design featuring hinged blades with a movable stud and spring pawl mechanism, allowing for easy adjustment of the bracelet length without tools, using a sliding base within a loop with complementary guide means and a cover for precise positioning, maintaining the adjustment even when the clasp is open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a folding clasp with visible adjustment holes is used, then bracelet length adjustment is enabled, but the appearance becomes unsightly and the adjustment mechanism is complex to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is extracted from the visible exterior and relocated to the interior of the clasp. The stud can be moved along the blade to adjust bracelet length, but this movement occurs inside the clasp structure rather than through visible holes in the case, thereby maintaining aesthetic appearance while enabling adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is nested within the clasp structure itself. The stud is integrated into the blade, and its movement path is contained within the clasp's internal geometry. The blade's articulation path serves as the guide for the stud's movement, nesting the adjustment function within the existing clasp components rather than adding external adjustment elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a folding clasp with tool-based adjustment mechanism is used, then bracelet length adjustment is enabled, but the operation becomes difficult and risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clasp structure itself provides the adjustment mechanism. The stud can be manually moved along the blade by the wearer without requiring external tools. The blade's articulation and the stud's movement path work together to enable direct manual adjustment, making the system self-sufficient for its own adjustment needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The stud is designed to be movable along the blade during the clasp's articulation cycle. As the clasp opens and closes, the stud naturally moves along the blade's articulation path, allowing the wearer to adjust the bracelet length dynamically during normal wear rather than requiring a separate adjustment action.
3Ease of operation
If a sliding mechanism without retention is used, then adjustment is simple, but the setting is lost when the clasp is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The blade's articulation path is pre-configured with specific positions that correspond to different bracelet lengths. As the clasp is closed, the stud is guided along this pre-determined path and naturally settles into one of the predefined positions, automatically setting the bracelet length before the clasp is even fully closed. This preliminary positioning action ensures the adjustment is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a separate retention mechanism to hold the stud in position, the invention inverts the approach by using the blade's articulation motion itself to define and retain the positions. The stud's movement is constrained by the blade's geometry rather than by springs or detents, using the articulation path's shape to provide stable positioning at predetermined lengths.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables stable and easy adjustment of the bracelet length without losing settings, improving user comfort and reducing the risk of damage, while being more aesthetically pleasing with a hidden adjustment mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the actuation means comprise a spring-loaded ratchet disposed in the nipple, the ratchet being partially projecting at the level of the base
Implementation Method 2
spring-loaded ratchet disposed in the nipple
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~5c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a clasp (1) for a bracelet, of the folding buckle type, comprising first and second blades (2, 4) articulated relative to each other, by a first of their respective ends, between a closed position, for wearing, and at least one open position, said first blade (2) carrying a fastening member (20) for a first bracelet strand, said second blade (4), lower, comprising a loop (28) at its second end defining a passage for a second bracelet strand and, carrying a stud (30) intended to be inserted into a suitable hole in the bracelet strand to define an anchoring point of the latter to the clasp (1), the clasp (1) further comprising at least one locking member (11) for holding said first and second blades (2, 4) in their closed position,characterized in that said nipple (30) is movable relative to the loop (28) and includes actuating means (34) arranged to move it and thus define at least two predefined positions associated with a predefined usable length of the bracelet..,