Grooved Bar Snap Hook for Watch Strands

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening mechanisms for portable timepieces and jewelry often compromise security or protection when attempting to ensure easy removal, leading to potential damage from friction or scratching.

Innovation Solution

A structure featuring a set of horns with a grooved bar that removably receives a carabiner with an elastic latch, limiting lateral and angular movement to prevent extraction without user manipulation, ensuring secure attachment while allowing easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional fastening mechanism is used to allow easy removal, then ease of operation is improved, but security and protection against accidental detachment deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removalVSAvoidsecurity against accidental detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening mechanism transitions from a static connection to a dynamic one where the bar can be inserted easily but removal requires specific user manipulation. The elastic tab provides dynamic response to insertion force while maintaining secure holding under normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the bar have different properties: the main body provides structural strength and positioning, while the insertion end has specific geometric features (grooves, chamfers) that enable easy insertion. The elastic tab provides localized flexibility for insertion while maintaining overall security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a secure fastening mechanism is used to prevent accidental detachment, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against accidental detachmentVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is divided into distinct functional elements: the bar with positioning grooves, the elastic tab for secure holding, and the bead for user manipulation. Each segment performs a specific function that contributes to overall security while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic tab automatically secures the bar upon insertion without requiring additional user action. The mechanism self-locks through the elastic deformation of the tab, providing secure fastening immediately after simple insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If the bar is made fixed and rigid to ensure stability, then stability is improved, but adaptability to different attachment conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of bar positionVSAvoidadaptability to different attachment conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bar's effective parameters change based on attachment conditions. The positioning grooves allow the bar to accommodate different lateral positions and angles, while the elastic tab adjusts its deformation to match different insertion forces and orientations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bar provides stability in its primary longitudinal axis while allowing freedom in lateral and angular dimensions through the positioning grooves. This creates conditional stability that adapts to different attachment geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This solution provides enhanced protection and security for timepieces and jewelry by preventing accidental detachment and damage, while allowing for easy adjustment and use in various conditions, including extreme environments.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic tab or one elastically fixed to said hook and defining with it an eye, and arranged to allow the insertion of said first bar into said eye of said snap hook by pressure in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of said first bar, and to prohibit its removal from said carabiner in the absence of manipulation by a user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The bar has, at a distance from each of the first attachment points to the structure, a groove having two flanks, which are arranged to limit the lateral travel of the beak, and to limit the angular travel of the carabiner relative to the bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3598244B1Timepiece or piece of jewellery
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 OMEGA SA
  • EP3598244B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3598244B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP3598244B1 patent drawingFigure 9~12

AI summary

A watch or jewelry component (2000) comprising a structure (1000) with a set of lugs (1500; 1600) carrying a bar (10; 60) receiving a removable snap hook (20) attached to a strand (40), which bar (10; 60) has, at a distance from each of the attachment points (1100; 1200) to the set of lugs (1500; 1600), a groove (11) having two sides (12; 13) limiting the lateral travel of a beak (22) of the snap hook (20), and limiting the angular travel of the snap hook (20) relative to the bar (10), so as to prevent any contact between the snap hook (20) and this set of lugs (1500; 1600) to which said bar (10; 60) is attached.