EP0196996B1 - Bracelet with articulated links - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Articulated bracelet with links, composed of a set of inner elements articulated to one another and a set of outer elements each of which encloses an inner element, the width of the outer element corresponding, with a slight clearance, to the distance between the axes of articulation of the inner element, characterized in that the outer element (10, 12) consists of two parts, namely a part in the shape of a bridge (26) and an ornamental flat part (30), in that the part in the form of a bridge (26) is welded to the latter in order to form the outer element in the form of a tunnel, and in that the inner element (14) is joined by pins (20) to the adjacent inner elements, the part in the form of a bridge (26) of the outer element having a horizontal interior surface which is slightly arched and intended to be accommodated in a corresponding recess (24) of the inner element, or vice versa.

Description

The subject of the invention is an articulated bracelet with links, in particular an articulated bracelet for watches, composed of a first set of articulated elements and a second set of elements framing the elements of said first set.

The invention also relates to an extension link suitable for use with this bracelet.

There are already known articulated bracelets of the kind indicated, namely those which include a first set of elements articulated to each other, forming the internal elements, also called "connecting links or" wagons •, and a second set of elements. external, called "locking elements or called, depending on their configuration," frames or "tunnels •, the elements of the two sets having substantially the same dimension in the direction of the length of the bracelet, the external elements surrounding or enclosing the internal elements.

British patent no. 1,495,853 describes several embodiments of an articulated link bracelet; these links consist of two main elements, namely the first so-called ornamental elements, and second elements used to connect the first elements to each other. The purpose of this bracelet is to provide a series of elements which are the so-called second elements, free of pin holes visible or accessible from the outside. Inside a series of ornamental elements, there is provided a sort of “chain formed of connecting elements, constituted by said second elements.

The bracelet according to CH-A 630 789 comprises a first series of internal elements of generally parallelepiped shape each having a groove of circular section, opening on one of the transverse sides of each element and, on the opposite transverse side, a projection of circular section also. The joint is formed by the introduction of the projection of an element in the groove of the adjacent element. The bracelet comprises a second series of elements, namely the external elements, in the form of stirrups which are juxtaposed and cover the internal elements which they maintain assembled, preventing them from moving transversely. The elements of the two series are bevelled on their transverse sides to allow limited movement around the axis of the projection.

The articulated bracelet described in CH-A 633 170 and, in an identical manner, in EP-A1 / 0 030 705, is formed of a chain of internal elements each having two transverse projections of straight cross section in L, oriented in direction reverse, and these elements are articulated to each other by reciprocal engagement of their projections. The bracelet comprises a second set of elements in the form of frames which are juxtaposed and each engaged on one of the internal elements which they maintain assembled, preventing their projections from coming off from each other.

It is already apparent from the description of the two known bracelets that they have obvious drawbacks. First, although they are very solid and robust constructions, their manufacture is difficult, complicated and expensive. Indeed, it is very complicated to manufacture the internal elements of the bracelet according to CH-A 630 789 by machining profiles and bevelling them; in addition, the external element must either be crimped to its corresponding internal element - which also excludes the disassembly of the bracelet in order to shorten or lengthen it - or else be milled inside in dovetail ( which causes, during use, undesirable jamming with the internal elements). External elements (frames) according to CH-A 633 170 and GB-1 495853 are also expensive because their milling is difficult; this is valid for milling all quadrangular openings or recesses.

In addition, there is an additional problem with bracelets of this kind in which the internal elements are not attached to the external elements. First, when fixing the first to the second, the bracelet can no longer be shortened or lengthened by the seller to adapt it to the different wrists; what has been said about the bracelet according to CH-A 630 789. On the other hand, if the external element is not fixed to the internal element, as in British patent 1 495 853, the clearances between the external elements can add up along the bracelet, when the latter is placed or held straight, and the articulations between two internal elements then being at the place of the accumulated play, fall off. Said clearance between two external elements is, on the one hand, inevitable by the manufacturing data and, on the other hand, necessary so that two adjacent elements can form a small angle - generally of the order of 5 to 10 ° - allowing the bracelet, by folding, to follow the shape of the wrist, see figs. 2 and 3 of the cited patent.

The first object of the invention is to find a solution to the stated problems and to eliminate them. Another goal is to create a new construction of such a bracelet with 'links and tunneis _' . namely comprising a series of internal elements articulated to each other, and external elements ensuring the cohesion of the assembly and giving it its desired final shape and limiting the angle of bending between two adjacent internal elements. Yet another object of the invention is to develop this new construction with a view to a special execution of bracelets which are particularly decorative and which surprise the public by the appearance of a mechanical paradox in that they have the appearance the impossibility of conforming to a wrist because the shape of the ornament does not seem to lend itself to articulation. These include “wave” bracelets for which the applicant has protection by registered model.

A special object of the invention is the construction of the extension links allowing easy and problem-free adaptation of the length of the bracelet, without the whole bracelet running the risk of falling apart.

The aims set out above are achieved by virtue of the characteristics defined in the independent claims 1 and 6, while particular embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

In the present document, any element described or drawn and any combination of elements which is not technically insane, can present an invention or contain inventive characters and can thus constitute without being said expressly, the base of additional claims .

It has been found that, if the external elements of two parts are each made up, namely a lower part in the form of an inverted bridge and a generally flat ornamental upper part, the problem of milling is eliminated. complicated and, surprisingly, one gains an additional advantage. Indeed, it is therefore possible to provide the upper part in a solid noble metal or strongly plated, or even laminated, and the lower part can be executed for example in stainless steel, which ensures good solidity to the assembly.

The two parts of this external element are joined, to form the "tunnel", by a special welding technique described and claimed in patent no. (Swiss patent application no. 5234/82, filed on 03.09.82) developed by one of the inventors of the bracelet according to the invention. Among other things, this technique allows welding between identical or different metals, and a solid, durable, robust bond that is relatively unassailable by corrosion is obtained.

A second important characteristic is the fact that the internal elements have a special shape which allows the insertion of pins, and that pins are used to join and articulate these elements. At first glance, it seems that the joints according to the two Swiss patents mentioned above, joints which do without pins, are more advantageous. However, although the absence of pins is mentioned in the patents as an advantage, it has been unexpectedly found that this is not the case. Indeed, to adapt the bracelet to a wrist, it is normally necessary to shorten or lengthen it. The links to be removed or added are those in the center. Only the bracelet according to the invention allows this operation while eliminating the risk that the whole bracelet will disintegrate in the manner of a broken pearl necklace. because the pins are replaced, in a number of links in the middle, by screw dowels. During the manufacture of the links, there is no need to provide different links because, according to a feature of this bracelet, these screw dowels have the same diameter as the pins.

Thirdly, the problem of the external elements being able to slide freely on the internal elements and being able to free the place of a hinge pin by accumulation of the clearance, is solved according to the invention by a measure which prevents this free sliding but which not prevent disassembly of individual components even by an untrained person. This measure consists in providing a partial frictional resistance between an internal element and the external element. In this way, the elements are held in place, and the limited longitudinal movement of each external element relative to its internal element is ensured, but this resistance must be overcome when one wants to mount and dismount the bracelet. However, the extension links have a different construction.

Other advantages and particularities of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawing and giving, by way of explanation but in no way limiting, a practical embodiment of the bracelet.

• la figure 1 est une vue en plan d'une moitié du bracelet,
• la figure 2 est une vue latérale de ce même bracelet,
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un maillon,
• la figure 4 est une vue éclatée en perspective d'un « tunnel •,
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'une ébauche d'un maillon, et
• la figure 6 est une vue semblable à celle de la figure 4 mais montre un maillon de rallongement.

In the drawing,

• FIG. 1 is a plan view of one half of the bracelet,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of this same bracelet,
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a link,
• FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a "tunnel",
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a blank of a link, and
• Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 but shows an extension link.

The bracelet shown in Figure 1 is only one half, the other half being symmetrical to the first and connected to the latter by a special middle piece not shown. A connecting piece to a watch case is also provided at the end of each half (not shown either).

When the terms "length" and "width" are used to describe the elements of the bracelet, these refer to the links and not to the bracelet. So, for example, the "length of an element extends in the transverse direction of the bracelet.

In Figure 1, we see a number of external elements 10, bearing the ornament of a wave 30, of decreasing length from left to right, and external elements 12 of uniform length. If the waves were transparent, we would see links 14 (see also Figure 3); all the links have the same shape and the same dimensions and are rigorously of the same width measured in the direction of the length of the bracelet as the external elements or "tunnels that can be seen, in side view, in FIG. 2.

It can be seen in FIG. 2 that elements 40 extending from elements 12 towards the middle part of the bracelet reveal screw heads which belong to threaded pins 13. These elements are then easily removable and serve, by their removal or by adding others, adapting the bracelet to a wrist given. These elements 40 are described below.

The detail of a link 14 is shown, in an enlarged perspective view, in Figure 3. The body of the link 14 comprises four millings 16 which are distributed at an offset on the link so as to be able to receive the remaining tongues 18 of the next link, exactly like a hinge. The meeting between two links is ensured by the pin 20. This pin can have a diameter such that there will be friction in the bores 22 of the link, or a diameter such that there is a small clearance because the tunnel to be described prevents anyway the lateral exit of the pins. The latter execution is preferred.

Instead of four millings 16, there may be six, eight etc., depending on the length of the link (this is the dimension in the transverse direction of the bracelet).

The underside of the link 14 includes a narrowing portion 24 whose purpose will be described below.

FIG. 4 represents a clear perspective view of the two constituent parts of the tunnel 12; the external element 10 (FIG. 1) is constructed in the same way. Bridge 26 is first prepared by machining and internal milling. The lower parts are bevelled at an angle A of between 5 ° and 10 °, generally around 8 °. This angle A will determine the degree of radial flexibility of the bracelet. An angle A exceeding 10 ° will result in an unaesthetic play between two elements when folding the bracelet, and an angle less than 5 ° is not enough for the bracelet to completely conform to the shape of certain wrists.

The upper faces 28 of the bridge, preferably rectified, are welded according to the method described in Swiss patent application no. 5234/82, to the cover piece called "wave 30, the underside of which is flat. The wave can consist of noble metal, plated metal, or stainless steel for example. (It is obvious that according to the nature of the metals, when noble metal is used, it can have restrictions due to certain national legalizations.) The interior of the tunnel thus formed is delimited at the bottom by a curved face 32 convex (it that is to say curved) which reflects the shape of a milling head during the machining of the bridge 26, or else this convex shape can be obtained by an adequate deformation of the lower part of the bridge which is preferred. The dimensions and the lumen of the tunnel and of the link 14 (see FIG. 3) are chosen such that the link 14, when it is introduced into the tunnel 12 or 10, finds a certain resistance as a result of the contact of the respective horizontal surfaces. However, once introduced into the tunnel, the face 32 of the tunnel is opposite and inside the recess 24 of the link, and the latter can move freely relative to the tunnel, however within the limits imposed by the width of the recess 24.

FIG. 5 represents a perspective view of a blank of the link 14. It is obtained by driving out a meniscus 34 in a rounded flat bush 36, or by welding or sticking it inside the bush 36. Milling according to the arrows 38 directly supplies the link 14. FIGS. 4 and 5 have been introduced to demonstrate the great simplicity of the manufacture of the constituent elements of the bracelet according to the invention compared to that of similar previous bracelets.

When mounting the bracelet, the pins 20 (Figure 3) are inserted between two adjacent links 14. The pins can be crimped or welded but this is generally not necessary because the pins 20 are prevented from leaving their housings by the presence from tunnel 12 (or 10). As seen in Figures 2 and 4, the links 14 can make a pivoting movement, driving the tunnel, around the axis of their pins, thanks to the bevel A of the tunnel. With angles A of 8 °, the maximum pivot angle is therefore 16 °.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an extension link 40. (There is also a connecting link - between the last element according to Figure 4 and this extension link 40 - whose construction will be obvious to humans of career.)

This link 40 has a general shape similar to the element 12 (Figure 4) except as regards the articulation. As in FIG. 4, a wave-shaped part 30 is welded to the upper planar faces 28 of the bridge 26A. The surface 32 is flat, so it is not curved. The upper part of the bridge 26A comprises two projections 42, 42A, symmetrical with respect to the vertical vertical plane. The projection 42 is pierced by a bore 44 while the projection 42A comprises a threaded blind bore 44A.

Grooves 46 are provided on the rear faces of the bridge 26A, intended to receive the projections 42, 42A of the neighboring link 40.

For mounting, a connecting link 14 (see FIG. 3) is inserted into the opening of the connecting link 40 which has just been described, and the dowel 13 is introduced first into the bore 44, then into the bore 22 of a connecting link, then in a bore 22 of the connecting link of the adjacent element, and finally the pin 13 is screwed into the blind bore 44A. This execution therefore includes the simultaneous attachment of the external element and the internal element, which greatly facilitates the adaptation of the bracelet to a given wrist even by a low-skilled person.

Those skilled in the art will understand that modifications and variations to the bracelet according to the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the choice of materials is virtually limitless. The ornamental piece 30 can take other forms. The angle A can be progressive, namely that the sides of the bridge 26 forming this angle can be rounded. All parts can be surface treated, chrome plated, plated etc. The curved surface 32 of the part 26 (FIG. 4) can be concave instead of convex, which gives the same effect from the point of view of limited mobility with respect to the tunnel when the connecting link 14 has the lower face corresponding curved.

Claims (6)

1. Articulated bracelet with links, composed of a set of inner elements articulated to one another and a set of outer elements each of which encloses an inner element, the width of the outer element corresponding, with a slight clearance, to the distance between the axes of articulation of the inner element, characterized in that the outer element (10, 12) consists of two parts, namely a part in the shape of a bridge (26) and an ornamental flat part (30), in that the part in the form of a bridge (26) is welded to the latter in order to form the outer element in the form of a tunnel, and in that the inner element (14) is joined by pins (20) to the adjacent inner elements, the part in the form of a bridge (26) of the outer element having a horizontal interior surface which is slightly arched and intended to be accommodated in a corresponding recess (24) of the inner element, or vice versa.

2. Bracelet according to Claim 1, characterized in that the ornamental parts (30) have the form of a wave.

3. Bracelet according to Claim 1, characterized in that the inner elements (14) have the shape of a hinge having two housings (18) at least on each side for the pin.

4. Bracelet according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outer element (10, 12) is bevelled on the sides extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bracelet, forming an angle (A) of between 5 and 10° with the vertical part of the said side.

5. Bracelet according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said angle is of approximately 8°.

6. Extension link, which can be used in the bracelet according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an inner element having the form of a hinge having two housings (18) at least on each side for a connecting pin (13), and an outer element consisting of an ornamental upper flat part (30) welded to a lower part in the form of a bridge (26A), the latter having on its vertical front face two lateral projections (42, 42A), one of which is pierced by a bore (44) and the other having a blind threaded bore (44A) which is coaxial to the first bore (44), a threaded pin (13) being intended to be inserted into the bores and screwed into the threaded bore (44A), the pin (13) also passing through the bores (22) of two adjacent inner elements (14) forming a hinge, and in that the part in the form of a bridge (26A) comprises on its vertical rear face two grooves (46) adapted to the form and size of the projections (42, 42A).

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