EP0576648B1 - Strap, in particular for wristwatches - Google Patents

Abstract

A strap consisting of a series of central (3), intermediate (2) and side (1) links. Each end of every central link (3) comprises two connecting elements (13) passing through a separate intermediate link (2), and the ends of the connecting elements (13) which are located on the same side as the central link (3) are axially held in an outer link (1) by means of a fastener (19) which enables said connecting elements (13) to rotate in relation to the outer links (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a watch strap formed of a succession of links hinged to each other. There are many bracelets of this type which generally include a certain number of removable links to allow the length of the bracelet to be adjusted according to the wrist of the user.

These bracelets are generally intended to equip a given type of watch case to which they are particularly intended by their shape or their decoration.

Currently, for the same type of watch case, there are often several variants, gold, gold and color versions, with or without diamonds or precious stones. For each of these variants, it is desirable to have a particular variant of the bracelet so that the decorations correspond and that the wristwatch forms a unit. This implies having a large assortment of bracelet and despite this does not allow the buyer to personalize his watch since the variants of bracelets, matched to the variants of cases, are decided by the manufacturer.

The present invention aims to reduce the number of variants of bracelets to be stored while allowing a greater number of variations to be made at the purchaser's desire by assembling standard elements in different configurations. Another object of the invention is to produce a robust bracelet, easily removable and whose elements necessary for the assembly and fixing of the decorative elements remain discreet or even invisible. Another object is to be able to produce central links of large dimensions, hollow or solid, in particular solid in stone, while avoiding the problem linked to the brittleness to impact of such elements.

Document EP-A1-0.118.774 discloses a watch strap formed from the succession of central, intermediate and lateral links in which each central link comprises at each of its ends two connecting members passing through a separate intermediate link and the ends of which , located on the same side of the central link, are connected to a side link.

In this embodiment, the central links provided on their lateral edges with threads or bores in which are screwed or driven out screws or pins passing through two adjacent intermediate links and a lateral link. The head of these screws or pins is supported on the outer edge of the side link and are visible on the outer edge of the side links. Such a bracelet therefore does not make it possible to solve all the problems solved by the present invention or to achieve all of the aims that the licensee has set for itself.

These objects are however obtained by the watch strap according to the invention which is characterized by the characteristics listed in claim 1.

The accompanying drawing partially illustrates, schematically, and by way of example an embodiment of the bracelet according to the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 each illustrate the succession of three links of the bracelet, the execution of Figure 1 comprising stone links and the execution of Figure 2 of the metal links, all these links being interchangeable and removable. Figure 3 illustrates the metal body of a central link of the bracelet.

FIG. 4 illustrates a central link flange cooperating with a metallic central link body of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two flanges of central link cooperating with a body of stones of central link of the bracelet illustrated in FIG. 1.

Figure 7 illustrates in perspective an intermediate link.

Figures 8 to 10 illustrate an external link and its jumper seen from the side and from below.

The bracelet which is the subject of the invention comprises central links, intermediate links and external links. The intermediate and external links are all standard, identical, while the central links can be either metallic, or include a stone as the main decorative element. The bracelet is designed so that all the links are removable and especially so that the central links, metallic or comprising a stone, are interchangeable at the option of the buyer in order to modify the appearance of the bracelet while using only standard elements. removable and interchangeable.

The bracelet naturally includes end elements intended to be connected either to the watch case or to a clasp. These elements will not be described here since they are not the subject of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bracelet comprises external links 1, intermediate links 2 and central links 3, the main decorative element of which is constituted by a cylinder of precious or semi-precious stones 4.

Each central link 3 comprises a stone cylinder 3, pierced with an axial through hole, and two metal flanges 5, 6. The flanges 5 have three through holes, a central bore 7 having a recess of larger diameter opening onto its external face 8 and two lateral holes 9 having recesses of larger diameter opening onto its internal face 10. This internal face 10 has a ledge 11 coming into the service position surround one of the ends of the cylindrical body 4.

The flange 6 of each central link 3 has, like the flanges 5, holes 9 and a flange 11, but the hole 7 is replaced by a tapping 12.

In the assembled service position, the body 4 is clamped between two flanges 5, 6 which are held by means of a screw 18, the head of which abuts against the shoulder of the bore 7 of the flange 5, passing through the body 4 and of which the threaded end is screwed into the internal thread 12 of the flange 6.

The assembly formed by the body 4, the flanges 5,6 and the screw 18 constitutes a central link 3.

Such a central link 3 is connected at each of its ends to two neighboring intermediate links 2 by fixing pivots 13. Each pivot 13 comprises a cylindrical head 14 trapped in the recess of larger diameter with a hole 9 in a flange 5 , 6. The pivot 13 passes through this flange 5, 6, also passes through an intermediate link 2 through a hole 15 of the latter (FIG. 7) and comprises, near its other end, a groove defining a portion of smaller diameter 16 of this pivot 13.

The ends comprising the reduced diameter portion 16 of two adjacent pivots 13, journalled in the same flange 5, 6, are engaged in a blind recess 17 formed in an external link 1. A jumper 19 connects two adjacent pivots 13 by spouts 20 being introduced into the grooves of these pivots 13. This jumper 19 is, in the service position, also housed in the recess 17 of the outer link and it is held in this position by a screw 21 passing through the wall of the outer link and screwed into a thread 22 of the rider.

The bracelet thus produced is extremely flexible and each link 1,2,3 is removable and interchangeable. This is particularly advantageous for the central links 3, the body 4 of which can be replaced by another, provided with a stone having another color or another texture, at the request of the purchaser thus making it possible to personalize the bracelet.

In the embodiment of the bracelet illustrated in FIG. 2, comprising central metal links 3, the bracelet comprises the same intermediate 2 and external 1 links as in the execution of FIG. 1.

Here the central links 3 comprise a tubular metal body 23 whose external surface is grooved, but which could have another finish or another decoration. This tubular body is closed at its ends by flanges 24 having a flange 25 surrounding the corresponding end of the body 23. Each flange 24 has two holes 26.

In this embodiment, the bracelet also has pins 27, the ends of which are shaped like those of the pivots 13 and are held identically in the recess 17 of an external link 1 using a jumper 19 and a screw. 21.

Two adjacent axes 27, fixed to the same external link 1, pass through two adjacent intermediate links 2 through the holes 15 and pass through a central link 3 through the holes 26 of the flanges and the interior of the tubular body 23.

In this embodiment also each link 1, 2, 3 is removable and each central link 3 can be exchanged without the entire bracelet having to be dismantled. We can therefore here also by offering several tubular bodies 23 of different appearance customize the bracelet at the request of the customer and change link by link to obtain the desired appearance without undoing the entire bracelet.

Since, moreover, the ends of the axes 27 are shaped identically to the ends of the pivot 13, it is also possible to replace a central metal link 3 (FIG. 2) with a central link 3 comprising a stone body 4 and thus produce a composite stone bracelet metal which has never been offered so far.

The main interest of this new bracelet resides in its design which makes it possible to replace a link, in particular a central link by another without dismantling all the bracelet and also to be able to interchange indifferently metallic central links with central links having a stone body or other matter.

It is obvious that, in a variant, the central metal links can be provided with a tubular flange 5.6 and pivot 13 body, the whole being kept assembled by the screw 18.

This solution which has more metal parts is optional for a tubular metal central link, it is however necessary in the case of a central link having a stone body because it cannot be pierced with two longitudinal holes which would make it too fragile.

Thus, the present bracelet is essentially distinguished in that it comprises central links provided on each side with two lateral connecting members each passing through an intermediate link, and secured axially but not in rotation with an external link. Thus, each central link of the bracelet can be removable and interchangeable without dismantling the entire bracelet and different types of central links, metallic or comprising a stone body, can be provided to customize a bracelet on request.

It is obvious that the ends of the bracelet could have a smaller width. In this case, the so-called central drop links are provided which would gradually reduce the width of the bracelet. Likewise, the ends of the bracelet are provided with elements suitable for connecting them to the watch case or to a clasp.

In some versions, seals may be interposed between the flanges and the body of the central links.

It goes without saying that the body of the central links, whether tubular or solid, may have a circular, oval, elliptical, polygonal or other section.

Another important advantage of the present invention in the case of central links in stone, in particular in precious or semi-precious stones, resides in the fact that this central link can be axially prestressed using the screw 18 and the flanges 5 , 6 which very significantly reduces the brittleness to impact of these stone elements.

Claims (7)

1. A strap, in particular a strap for a wrist watch, comprised of a succession of central links (3), intermediate links (2) and lateral links (1), in which each central link (3) has at each one of its ends and situated on the two sides of the longitudinal axis of the strap, two linkage members (13) extending freely through a separate intermediate link (2) and of which the ends (16) situated on the same side of the central link (3) are connected to a lateral link (1); characterized in that the linkage members (13) are mounted rotatably, while having a fixed axial position, on the central links (3); in that each lateral link (1) includes a blind housing (17) opening on its internal face; in that the housing (17) receives, on the one hand, the ends (16) of the two linkage members (13) of a central link (3) and, on the other hand, a fastening device (19 to 22) which holds said ends (16) to the central link (1) while authorising their relative rotation.
2. A strap according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening device (19 to 22) includes a saddle (19) having two hooks (20) engaged into grooves provided on the ends (16) of the linkage members (13); and in that a screw (21) extending through tile lower face of the lateral link (1) is screwed into a threaded hole (22) of the saddle (19), thus setting the axial operative position of the linkage members (13) with respect to the lateral link (1).
3. A strap according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate links (2) have two holes (15) allowing the passage of the linkage members (13) of two adjoining central links (3).
4. A strap according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the central links (3) have a tubular body (23) and two end plates (24) closing the ends of the body (23), these end plates (24) having bores (26) for the passage of two shafts (27) of which the ends (13) protruding laterally from the end plates (24) provide said linkage members.
5. A strap according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the central links (3) have a cylindrical or a polygonal body (4) having an axial through bore of which the ends are each one blocked by an end plate (5, 6); in that the two end plates (5, 6) have bores (9) with counterbores of a larger diameter on the inner face adjoining the body (4) and in that a screw (18) connects the two end plates (5, 6) and extends through the body (4).
6. A strap according to claim 5, characterized in that each central link (3) has four pivots (13) protruding from the end plates (5, 6) and captured therein by a head (10, 14) housed in the corresponding counterbore, these pivots (5, 6) forming the linkage members extending through two intermediate links (2) adjoining, and linked to a lateral link (1).
7. A strap according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the central link (3) is made of precious or semi-precious stone and in that it is prestressed axially by means of the end plates (5, 6) and of the screw (18).

Images