Hinged Bracelet Links with Removable Precious Metal Shells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinged timepiece or jewelry bracelets face mechanical stresses, making it difficult to protect precious metal links, which are sensitive to shocks and twisting, while maintaining stiffness and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A hinged bracelet design featuring alternation of H-shaped links and central links connected by screws, with removable surface shells made of precious metal alloys that provide stiffness and decoration, allowing for easy assembly and customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precious metal links are made solid to ensure protection from mechanical stress, then strength and reliability improve, but weight and material usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bracelet is divided into multiple modular links (H-shaped links and central links) that can be assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows precious metal to be used selectively in decorative surface shells rather than throughout entire solid links, reducing overall material usage while maintaining protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin surface shells made of precious metal that can be applied to link surfaces for decoration and protection. These thin shells provide the necessary protective function and aesthetic appearance without requiring solid precious metal construction, thereby reducing material consumption.
2Quantity of substance
If electroformed components are used to reduce material usage, then quantity of substance decreases, but sensitivity to shocks, denting and twisting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracelet combines different materials strategically: base metal for structural links providing strength and shock resistance, and precious metal surface shells for decoration and localized protection. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function without requiring excessive precious metal or vulnerable electroformed components.
3Strength
If stiff hinges and links are used to withstand mechanical stresses, then strength improves, but compatibility with precious metal usage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracelet structure is segmented into H-shaped links with integrated hinge functionality and separate central links. This segmentation allows the hinge mechanism to be designed as part of the link structure itself, providing necessary stiffness while using less precious metal in the actual hinge components rather than making entire links from precious metal.
Data Source
AI summary
Hinged bracelet, for a watch or piece of jewellery, comprising an alternation of H-shaped links comprising side pieces forming the side ends of this bracelet, and central links, hinged to each other by arbors formed by pins or screws, wherein at least one central link is a decorated link comprising a removable surface shell arranged to be placed on a base which includes at least a first guide member and a second guide member both substantially of revolution respectively about a first axis and a second axis parallel to and distinct from one another, and arranged to receive these arbors, and the surface shell of each decorated link is surrounded and protected on either side of its width by the side pieces of the H-shaped links.