CH717500A1 - Device for attaching a bracelet to a watch case. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for attaching a bracelet to a watch case (100), comprising: - a first half-link (10) comprising a first attachment portion (A) arranged to attach removable manner on an attachment portion of the watch case (100) formed for example by a first bar (101), - a second attachment portion (B) arranged to attach the bracelet, - a second half-link (20 ) mounted in sliding connection on the first half-link (10), so as to form a movable locking member between: - an open position, in which the second half-link (20) allows the first portion to attachment (A) to be attached or detached from the watch case (100), and - a locking position, in which the second half-link (20) cooperates with the first attachment portion (A) to lock it on the watch case (100), – elastic return means, arranged to return the second half-link (20) to position on lock.

Description

This disclosure relates generally to the field of watchmaking, and in particular the present disclosure relates to a removable attachment device with respect to a watch case.

[0002] It is known in the prior art flexible bracelets in one piece to slide between the case of a watch and the bars held by the lugs of the case, otherwise called "NATO" bracelets. This type of bracelet has a predetermined width (generally 20 mm) and it is impossible to attach it to a watch whose distance between the lugs is insufficient.

[0003] Furthermore, it is known to provide strap attachment devices that are removable from a watch case, such as that disclosed by document CH704810A1. On the other hand, this system notably has the drawback of having a large number of parts, some of which are complex in shape and/or require meticulous assembly operations.

An object of the present invention is to respond to the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, to provide a device for attaching a bracelet to a watch case, which is simple to manufacture and to be assembled, that is to say in particular without requiring meticulous assembly operations.

[0005] For this, a first aspect of the invention relates to a device for attaching a bracelet to a watch case, comprising: - a first half-link comprising a first attachment portion arranged to attach in such a way removable on an attachment portion of the watch case formed for example by a first bar, – a second attachment portion arranged to attach the bracelet, – a second half-link mounted in sliding connection on the first half-link, so as to form a movable locking member between: – an open position, in which the second half-link allows the first attachment portion to be attached or detached from the watch case, and – a locking position, in which the second half-link cooperates with the first attachment portion to lock it to the watch case, – elastic return means, arranged to return the second half-link to the locking position. The attachment according to the implementation above comprises a first and a second half-link, which makes it possible to limit the number of components. As a result, manufacture and assembly are simplified.

[0006] Advantageously, the first half-link comprises the second attachment portion.

[0007] Advantageously, the second attachment portion comprises a passage opening such as a slot formed by a second strip, arranged to form a loop for a flexible strand in one piece. The fastening device according to the implementation above comprises a passage opening or slot which forms a loop for a flexible strand. Thus, once the attachment device has been fixed to the watch case via the first attachment portion, it is possible to attach the flexible strand to the watch case via the second attachment portion, even if the case of a watch has for example a distance between the lugs that is too small or an incompatible attachment interface for passing a flexible strand in one piece, for example of the NATO type.

[0008] Advantageously: a length of the passage opening is at least greater than 18 mm, and preferably at least greater than 20 mm, and/or a width of the passage opening is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.

[0009] Advantageously, the attachment device comprises a closure plate, removably mounted on the attachment device, and the elastic return means are arranged between the closure plate and the second half-link. It is for example possible to provide a guillotine-type closure plate to be housed in a slot, for quick and easy installation.

[0010] Advantageously, the closure plate comprises at least one indexing means such as a blind hole or a tenon (formed for example by a driven pin) arranged to receive one end of the elastic return means, the device for fastener comprising a cavity arranged to house the elastic return means, arranged to be closed by the closure plate. Such a blind hole improves the total compactness of the system, and serves as pre-positioning for the elastic return means (a spring for example) before mounting.

[0011] Advantageously, the attachment device comprises means for locking the closure plate once mounted on the attachment device. The closing plate is locked once mounted. We can provide a tight assembly (zero or slightly negative clearance), a pin mounted in force, gluing or any other suitable means...

[0012] Advantageously, the elastic return means comprise at least one spring

[0013] Advantageously: the first half-link comprises at least a first slide surface which has a first surface length, the second half-link includes at least a second slide span that has a second span length, and the first span length is equal to the second span length within ±10%, and preferably the first span length is equal at the second span length. Equal length slide spans provide a compact attachment device.

[0014] Advantageously, in the locking position, the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are completely nested one inside the other.

[0015] Advantageously, the first attachment portion is arranged to be attached to a first bar of the watch case having a free length of less than 12 mm.

[0016] Advantageously, the second half-link is free of a control button. In particular, the second half-link can be one-piece and in one piece,

[0017] Advantageously: the first half-link has a first width, the second half-link has a second width, and wherein the second width is at least equal to 80% of the first width. The first half-link and the second half-link both have similar dimensions, which do not require technologies specific to micromechanics for example.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a wristwatch, comprising: a watch case, a bracelet, at least one attachment device according to the first aspect of the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, wherein : FIG. 1 represents a partial view of a bracelet comprising a flexible strand and a fastening device, in perspective; FIG. 2 represents in perspective an exploded view from above of the attachment device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 represents in perspective an exploded bottom view of the fastening device of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 represents a cross section of the fastening device of FIG. 1, with a locking member in a locking position; Figure 5 shows the cross section of the attachment device of Figure 1, with the locking member in an open position; FIG. 6 represents a top view of the fastening device of FIG. 1; Figure 7 shows a section of the top view of Figure 6; FIG. 8 represents a cross section of a bracelet comprising a flexible strand and two attachment devices each attached to a watch case.

Figure 1 shows in perspective a flexible strand 200 equipped with a removable attachment device consisting of a first half-link 10 and a second half-link 20. According to the particular example described here, the flexible strand 200 is typically a single-strand fabric strap, in one piece, and of sufficient length to attach a watch to a user's wrist.

[0021] Such a flexible strand can be called a NATO strap or a G10 strap and generally has a width of 20 mm, and a length of at least 250 mm, for example 280 mm. Such a flexible strand 200 therefore requires that the watch case has a distance between lugs compatible with the above dimensions, in particular because of the width of the flexible strand 200. As will be explained below, the attachment device makes it possible to removably attach the flexible strand 200 to a watch which is not initially intended for this function, with for example a distance between the lugs of less than 20 mm, or an insufficient width of the slot between the first strips of the watch and the case. However, it is possible to envisage implementing the invention for other types of bracelets, such as two-strand bracelets.

[0022] Figure 2 shows in perspective an exploded top view of the fastening device of Figure 1, which comprises the first half-link 10, the second half-link 20, a second bar 30, a closure plate 40 , and two springs 50.

The first half-link 10 supports the second bar 30 via horns 14 and includes a beak 11 opposite the second bar 30, and two first slide bearing surfaces 13 side. Beak 11 forms a groove, visible in a side view, arranged to receive a first bar 101 of a watch case 100 as will be shown in Figure 8.

Figure 3 which shows in perspective an exploded bottom view of the attachment device of Figure 1, shows that the first half-link 10 also includes a slot 12 which can receive the closure plate 40 visible in the figures 2 and 3.

The second half-link 20 also visible in Figures 2 and 3 comprises a clasp portion 21, an indentation 24 opposite the clasp portion 21, a support wall 22 and two second slide portions 23 lateral . The second slide portions 23 are arranged to cooperate with the first slide portions 13, so that the second half-link 20 is arranged to be mounted on the first half-link 10 according to a slide connection in order to form a locking member . The term sliding connection should be understood in the broad sense, and other means of cooperation in translation of the two half-links are possible.

The closure plate 40 is a wall to be housed in the slot 12 of the first half-link 10, so as to trap the springs 50 between the closure plate 40 and the bearing wall 22 of the second half-link 20 as shown in Figure 4. It can be provided that the closure plate 40, once mounted in the slot 12, remains in position due to a tight assembly provided, or thanks to an elastic locking element (clipping), or a blockage by a pin or a screw, or a point of glue, or even a weld.

The attachment device of Figure 1 allows the flexible strand 200 to be removably attached to a watch case 100 comprising two first attachment interfaces such as two first strips 101 (visible in Figure 8 only). To this end, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the attachment device comprises: a first attachment portion A designed to be removably attached to one of the first strips 101 of the watch case 100, and a second attachment portion B comprising a passage opening, here a slot 60 formed by the second strip 30, arranged to attach the flexible strand 200 according to the specific example described.

As seen above, the second half-link 20 is movable in translation relative to the first half-link 10 and can occupy a locking position (Figure 4) or an open position (Figure 5).

As shown in Figure 4 which is a cross section of the attachment device of Figure 1, the second half-link 20 forming a locking member is pushed by the springs 50 in a locking position. In this locking position, the clasp portion 21 of the second half-link 20 is opposite and above the beak 11 of the first half-link 10, so that the groove formed by the beak 11 is closed and the device for clip is locked on the watch case if a first bar 101 of the watch case is engaged in the groove formed by the spout 11.

Figure 5 shows the cross section of the attachment device of Figure 1, with the second half-link 20 forming the locking member in an open position. Indeed, under the action of a user, the second half-link 20 has been pushed to the left, compressing the springs 50, which allows the clasp portion 21 to clear the groove formed by the spout 11. Accordingly, the user can attach or detach the attachment device from the watch case.

The second half-link 20 is in one piece and/or in one piece, and can be controlled directly by the user. There is no need to provide an added control button, which provides a fastening device with few components, and few assembly operations. In other words, the second half-link 20 is to be actuated directly by the user, without intermediate parts, to unlock the attachment device.

[0032] Figure 6 shows a top view of the attachment device, where we see that the second attachment portion B comprises the slot 60 formed by the second strip 30 and the rest of the attachment device (in particular the horns 14 of the first half-link 10 and the notch 24 of the second half-link 20). The slot 60 (hatched to be clearly visible) forms a loop and its dimensions are designed to easily accommodate the flexible strand 200. The width of the slot 60 is typically greater than or equal to 20 mm, and its width is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.

In this top view, it is noted that the width of the first attachment portion A is significantly less than the width of the slot 60, so that the attachment device shown makes it possible to attach a flexible strand 200 NATO type for example on a watch case which cannot itself form a loop for such a type of flexible strand.

[0034] Figure 7 shows a section of the top view of Figure 6, where we see the springs 50 mounted between the closure plate 40 and the support wall 22. It is noted that the closure plate 40 and the support wall 22 both include blind holes 41 and 220 respectively, so that the overall size is reduced and assembly facilitated because the blind holes pre-position the springs 50.

It can also be noted that the first slide portions 13 are completely nested with the second slide portions 23 when the second half-link 20 is in the locking position.

Finally, the first half-link 10 has a first width L10 and the second half-link 20 has a similar second width L20, with for example: 0.8 x L10 < L20 < 1.2 x L10

[0037] Figure 8 shows a watch case 100 comprising two first strips 101, with an attachment device coupled to each of them via the first attachment portion A, and a single-strand flexible strand 200 is attached to the two devices attachment via their second attachment portion B. The second half-link 20 of each attachment device forms a locking member that is easy for the user to actuate, since it is accessible directly from above.

[0038] Moreover, as seen above, even if the watch case 100 has first bars and/or a distance between lugs incompatible with a flexible strand of standardized width, the two fastening devices provide the possibility of attach this type of strap to the watch case.

However, it should be noted that it is just as possible to attach another type of bracelet to the second strips 30, such as for example a bracelet in two strands whose ends to be attached to the case 100 would not be compatible with the first strips 101.

It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

[0041] In particular, reference is made to the first bars 101 of the watch case 100, but one can consider designing the first attachment portion A to be compatible with any other attachment interface of the watch case 100: a tenon, or a comb for example...

[0042] Furthermore, reference is made to two springs 50, but other elastic return members can be considered, such as leaf springs, blocks of deformable and elastic material, etc.

Claims (14)

1. Device for attaching a bracelet to a watch case (100), comprising: – a first half-link (10) comprising a first attachment portion (A) arranged to be removably attached to an attachment portion of the watch case (100) formed for example by a first bar (101) , – a second attachment portion (B) arranged to attach the bracelet, – a second half-link (20) mounted in sliding connection on the first half-link (10), so as to form a movable locking member between: – an open position, in which the second half-link (20) allows the first attachment portion (A) to be attached or detached from the watch case (100), and – a locking position, in which the second half-link (20) cooperates with the first attachment portion (A) to lock it on the watch case (100), – Elastic return means, arranged to return the second half-link (20) to the locking position. 2. Fastening device according to claim 1, wherein the first half-link (10) comprises the second fastening portion (B). 3. Attachment device according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the second attachment portion (B) comprises a passage opening such as a slot (60) formed by a second bar (30), arranged to form a loop for a flexible strand (200) in one piece. 4. Fastening device according to claim 3, wherein: – a length of the passage opening is at least greater than 18 mm, and preferably at least greater than 20 mm, and/or – a width of the passage opening is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm. 5. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a closure plate (40), removably mounted on the fastening device, and in which the elastic return means are arranged between the closure (40) and the second half-link (20). 6. Fastening device according to claim 5, wherein the closure plate (40) comprises at least one indexing means such as a blind hole (41) or a tenon arranged to receive one end of the elastic return means , the attachment device comprising a cavity arranged to house the elastic return means, arranged to be closed by the closure plate (40). 7. Fastening device according to one of claims 5 or 6, comprising means for locking the closure plate (40) once mounted on the fastening device. 8. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the elastic return means comprise at least one spring member. 9. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: – the first half-link (10) comprises at least a first sliding surface (13) which has a first surface length, – the second half-link (20) comprises at least one second sliding surface (23) which has a second surface length, and wherein the first span length is equal to the second span length within ±10%, and preferably the first span length is equal to the second span length. 10. Fastening device according to claim 9, wherein, in the locking position, the first slide bearing (13) and the second slide bearing (23) are completely nested one inside the other. 11. Attachment device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first attachment portion (A) is arranged to attach to a first bar (101) of the watch case (100) having a length free less than 12 mm. 12. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second half-link (20) is free of control button. 13. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: – the first half-link (10) has a first width (L10), – the second half-link (20) has a second width (L20), and wherein the second width is at least 80% of the first width. 14. Wristwatch, including: – a watch case (100), - a bracelet, – At least one fastening device according to one of the preceding claims.