EP1374716B1 - Buckle for bracelet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to clasps, of the type intended to connect, removably, the two ends of a bracelet, for example a wristwatch. It is more particularly a folding clasp, comprising two rigid arms, connected to one another in an articulated manner at one of their ends and a locking system. The arms can occupy an open position, allowing the wearer of the bracelet to remove or slide the bracelet on the wrist, and a closed position in which the two arms are secured to one another removably by means of the system. locking.

There are currently on the market many bracelets with clasps of the type comprising two rigid arms connected to one another by means of articulation located at one of their ends. Each of their other end is provided with fastening means to the bracelet.

For example, one of these clasps comprises a locking system in two parts each disposed on one of the two arms. The upper arm has a stud having a lateral slot and a domed head, while the lower arm is traversed transversely by a generally parallelepipedal housing. The wall of the housing in contact with the upper arm is pierced with a hole placed opposite the peak when the two arms are assembled.

A pusher, also pierced with a hole, is mounted movably in the housing and held in place by a spring. The hole is positioned substantially opposite the hole drilled in the lower arm. So, depending on the position of the pusher, the hole facing the pin, formed by the superposition of the holes formed in the pusher and in the housing, is sometimes a circle, sometimes a portion of a circle.

Thus, when we want to close the clasp, simply superimpose the two arms, the peak, with its bulging head, coming into contact with the wall of the hole in the pusher through that made in the housing. The support deviates the pusher by putting the spring in tension until the lateral slot of the peak is at the level of the pusher and that, when resuming its rest position, engages in the slot, thus making it impossible to open the clasp.

To open it again, it is necessary that the user actuates the pusher so that it releases it from the piton slot and it perfectly circular leaves the hole present opposite the piton.

This solution gives, in general, complete satisfaction, however, the pusher can be actuated inadvertently, which may cause the opening of the clasp and possibly the loss of the bracelet.

The principle of such a pusher is for example included in the document EP 0 913 106 A .

• deux parties, chacune solidaire de l'un desdits bras, mobiles l'une en référence à l'autre et susceptibles d'occuper une première position, dans laquelle elles coopèrent pour maintenir les bras fermés, et une deuxième position dans laquelle elles sont libres l'une en référence à l'autre pour permettre l'ouverture des bras, et
• un poussoir, monté mobile sur l'un des bras et agencé pour assurer le déplacement de l'une des parties en référence à l'autre, de manière à ce qu'elles passent de la première à la deuxième position, et
• un organe élastique coopérant avec le poussoir est agencé de manière à ce que lesdites parties passent de la deuxième à la première position,

le système de verrouillage comportant, en outre, un organe de blocage susceptible d'occuper des première et deuxième positions permettant respectivement l'actionnement et le blocage du poussoir lorsque les bras sont maintenus fermés par les deux parties du système de verrouillage.The present invention provides a clasp for a bracelet to prevent untimely openings. It comprises, in known manner, two rigid arms, connected to one another in an articulated manner at one of their ends and a locking system comprising:

• two parts, each secured to one of said arms, movable with respect to each other and capable of occupying a first position, in which they cooperate to keep the arms closed, and a second position in which they are free one with reference to the other to allow the opening of the arms, and
• a pusher, movably mounted on one of the arms and arranged to move one of the parts with reference to the other, so that they move from the first to the second position, and
• an elastic member cooperating with the pusher is arranged so that said parts pass from the second to the first position,

the locking system further comprising a locking member capable of occupying first and second positions allowing respectively actuating and blocking the pusher when the arms are kept closed by the two parts of the locking system.

According to the invention, the locking member consists of a cam, pivotally mounted in the arm in which is mounted the pusher and having a cut defining a finger, on one of its sides, which serves as a guide to a rod and a spring interposed between the rod and the cam, forming said elastic member and applying the rod against the pusher.

Advantageously, when the cam occupies its first position, the rod bears against one of the ends of the pusher, so that if pressure is exerted on the latter, it drives the rod, which arms the spring. The pusher can thus be moved in its housing by a pressure at its free end. The spring returns it to the rest position when the pressure is interrupted. When the cam occupies its second position, the finger bears against the pusher, the latter being thus blocked.

The cam comprises, on the opposite side to the pusher, an appendage protruding from the sides of the arm in which it is mounted, so as to form a lever that the user can actuate to tilt the cam from one to the other of its two positions.

Advantageously, the locking system is notched, the bearing surface of the rod against the pusher consists of a plurality of concave portions, the relief that separates them constituting this notch.

In order for the clasp to have optimal locking conditions, it is necessary for the two parts of the locking system to be hooked to one another. On the other hand, for the comfort of the user, the closure must be flexible. Another object of the present invention is to ensure both good rigidity in the closed position and great flexibility during the closing operation. For this purpose, in the clasp according to the invention, the first part comprises a peg and the second part a spring arranged to cooperate with the peg so as to lock the parts to one another when the arms are closed, and to fade when said peak is engaged therein. Such a structure allows, moreover, to close the clasp, even when the locking member blocks the pusher.

Advantageously, the stud has a groove, and the spring is a wire spring, whose diameter is slightly less than the width of the piton groove. The engagement of this spring in the groove ensures the locking of both parts.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective des deux bras assemblés, en position ouverte; et
• la figure 2 montre une vue en coupe du système de verrouillage, respectivement en position déverrouillée en a et verrouillée en b; et
• les figures 3 et 4 représentent des pièces constitutives du système de verrouillage.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of the two arms assembled, in open position; and
• the figure 2 shows a sectional view of the locking system, respectively in the unlocked position at a and locked in b ; and
• the Figures 3 and 4 represent constituent parts of the locking system.

On the figure 1 , there is shown a bracelet clasp according to the invention, comprising two upper rigid arms 10 and lower 12, connected to each other by hinge means 14 located at one of their ends. Each of their other end is provided with fastening means 16 to a bracelet.

The clasp comprises a locking system in two parts 18 and 20, respectively disposed on the lower arm 12 and upper arm 10, in the vicinity of the fastening means 16.

The lower arm 12 comprises a seat 21 and two branches 22 and has a U-shape. The part 18 of the clasp is mounted at the seat 21. The branches of the U 22 end with the hinge means 14 connecting the arms. 10 and 12 to each other.

The arm 10 consists of a single blade 24 whose width is slightly less than the width of the free space between the branches 22. This space makes it possible to receive the upper arm 10 when the two arms are brought together to close the clasp. The arm 10 has, in its length, an elbow which defines a first portion 26 and a second flat portion 28 which comprises the portion 20 of the clasp. The curvature of the elbow is dimensioned so that, when the clasp is in the closed position, the profiles of the portion 26 and the arm 12 are merged while the portion 28 is superimposed on the seat 21 of the arm 12.

The lower arm 12 is traversed transversely by a generally parallelepipedic housing 30 ( figure 2b ), made in the seat 21, closed on one side by an insert 31 and provided with two protuberances 32 with concave contours, which form a narrowing 33 at one of its ends. This housing 30 is intended to receive parts constituting part 18 of the locking system.

• un poussoir 34 monté mobile en translation dans le logement 30, du côté opposé à celui comportant les protubérances 32,
• un piton 36, rendu solidaire du poussoir 34 par exemple par soudage, dépassant du bras par une ouverture oblongue 38 de longueur définissant le débattement du poussoir et ménagée dans la paroi du logement 30, et destiné à coopérer avec la partie 20 du fermoir pour l'accrochage des deux parties 18 et 20, au moyen d'une tête 60 dont l'extrémité libre est bombée et d'une gorge 62 disposée sous la tête (figure 4), et
• une came 40, montée basculante dans le logement 30 du côté de son extrémité rétrécie, pouvant notamment occuper une première position extrême dans laquelle elle laisse libre la translation du poussoir (figure 2a) et une deuxième position extrême dans laquelle toute translation est bloquée (figure 2b).

Part 18 includes:

• a pusher 34 mounted to move in translation in the housing 30, on the opposite side to that comprising the protuberances 32,
• a pin 36, secured to the pusher 34, for example by welding, protruding from the arm by an oblong opening 38 of length defining the deflection of the pusher and formed in the wall of the housing 30, and intended to cooperate with the part 20 of the clasp for the l hooking of the two parts 18 and 20, by means of a head 60 whose free end is curved and a groove 62 disposed under the head ( figure 4 ), and
• a cam 40, pivotally mounted in the housing 30 on the side of its narrowed end, which can occupy a first extreme position in which it allows free movement of the pusher ( figure 2a ) and a second extreme position in which any translation is blocked ( figure 2b ).

These different pieces will now be described in more detail by referring to the figure 2a , illustrating the part 18 of the clasp when the cam 40 occupies its first extreme position.

The pusher 34 is movably mounted in the housing 30 passing through the arm 12. One end of the pusher 34 extends beyond one of the sides of the arm 12, so as to form a button 42 on which a user can press to actuate the pusher 34. The cutout of its second end has four concave portions 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d disposed obliquely along the trajectory of the tilting of the cam 40, so as to allow the translation of the pusher and that it can occupy all positions, except for its second extreme position, without being in contact with the pusher 34.

The cam 40 is particularly illustrated on the figure 3 . It also takes place in the housing 30, in the extension of the pusher 34, the side of the protuberances 32. Next to the pusher 34, it has a cutout 46, so that it defines a finger 48 on one of the sides of the cut. The latter serves as a guide to a rod 50 mounted thereon. The rod 50, integral with a spring 52, is supported on one or the other of the concave portions 44, which arms the spring 52 and allows the pusher 34 to automatically resume its initial position after being actuated.

On the opposite side to the pusher 34, the cam 40 has circular contours 54 and an appendix 56 protruding from the sides of the arm 12 through the constriction 33 formed in the thickness of the arm 12 by the protuberances 32, so as to constitute a lever that the user can actuate to tilt the cam 40. The tilting of the cam 40 is guided by the support of its circular contours 54 on the concave contours of the protuberances 32, procured by the pressure of the spring 52.

Especially at the first position of the cam, illustrated on the figure 2a , in which the appendix 56 abuts against one of the protuberances 32, the rod 50 is engaged in the concave portion 44b and the finger 48 is disposed facing the portion 44a, which is deep enough so that the pusher can be actuated without it abut against the cam 40. Note that the portion 44a and the finger 48 may have other shapes, adapted to each other so that, in the unlocked position of the cam, the finger does not prevent the displacement of the pusher 34.

We will now refer to the figure 2b illustrating the same part 18 of the clasp, but this time, when the cam 40 occupies its second extreme position, in which any translation of the pusher 34 is prevented.

The dimensions of the cam on the one hand, and particularly the length of the finger 48, and concave portions 44 of the pusher 34, on the other hand, are adjusted so that, in this position, the appendix 56 being in abutting against the other protrusion 32, the finger 48 is engaged in the concave portion 44c. The rod 50 is then pressed on the portion 44d. Note that the relief between the portion 44c of the portion 44d is a notch of the locking system. The rod 50, thus passing from the portion 44c to the portion 44d, must overcome this notch. In this way, this position is guaranteed, unless voluntary action.

Thus, the two extreme positions of the cam 40 are defined by the abutment of the appendix 56 on the protuberances 32. In the first of these positions, the rod 50 is engaged in the concave portion 44b the pusher 34 being unlocked. In the second of these positions, the rod 50 is engaged in the concave portion 44d and the finger 48 in the concave portion 44c, the latter blocking the pusher 34.

• un logement 64 ménagé sur la face inférieure du bras 10, disposé latéralement et ouvert sur un côté,
• une rainure 68 orientée longitudinalement sur le côté dans lequel le logement 64 est ouvert,
• un trou 69 percé à l'extrémité de la rainure 68 opposée aux moyens de fixation 16, et
• un ressort-fil 66, logé dans la rainure 68 bordant le logement 64 et fixé dans le trou 69, avantageusement par soudage.

We will now, with reference to the figure 1 , describe the part 20 of the clasp disposed on the upper arm 10. It comprises:

• a housing 64 formed on the lower face of the arm 10, arranged laterally and open on one side,
• a groove 68 oriented longitudinally on the side in which the housing 64 is open,
• a hole 69 pierced at the end of the groove 68 opposite to the fastening means 16, and
• a wire spring 66, housed in the groove 68 bordering the housing 64 and fixed in the hole 69, advantageously by welding.

The housing 64, of a length substantially equal to that of the opening 38, is superimposed thereon when the arms are closed. Its depth is sufficient to receive the peak 36.

According to the arrangement described above, it is well understood that the spring 66 has only one degree of freedom and that the movable end can only move outwardly of the arm 10.

The diameter of the spring 66 is slightly less than the width of the groove 62 of the peak 36. In addition, the height between the bottom of the housing 64 and the spring 66 is substantially the same as that separating the groove 62 from the top of the head 60.

Thus, when one wants to close the clasp, simply superimpose the arm 10 on the arm 12. When the spring 66 comes into contact with the head 60 against its curved portion, the support moves it away to allow the passage of the head 60, until it is placed in the housing 64 and the spring 66 takes up position in the groove 62. The stiffness of the spring 66 being much lower than that of the spring 52, the coupling of the parts 18 and 20 of the clasp is done so that the pusher does not move. The position of the cam 40 is therefore indifferent for closing the clasp.

The opening of the clasp imposes to actuate the pusher 34, so as to laterally move the head 60 until the spring 66 is located next to the groove 62. Therefore, if we place the appendix 56 of the cam 40 in the second extreme position described above, the head 60 can no longer be moved and the clasp is locked. It is impossible to open the clasp.

If you want to open the clasp, you must first unlock it by putting the appendix 56 in the first extreme position described above. Then, a pressure exerted on the pusher 34 makes it possible to disengage the head 60 from the spring 66. Nothing then prevents the relative displacement of the arms 10 and 12 and therefore, when the clasp opens.

Thus is proposed a bracelet clasp with a locking system to prevent inadvertent opening and ensuring both a good rigidity in the closed position and great flexibility during the closing operation.

The example which has just been described is only a particular application of the clasp according to the invention. It can, in particular, simply be adapted to a clasp with three arms.

It is also possible to arrange the spring 66 on the pusher 34 and mount the stud 36 on the arm 10.

Furthermore, the means used to ensure the blocking of the pusher can, of course, have very different configurations, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. An unfolding bracelet clasp, comprising two rigid arms (10, 12) connected to each other in a hinged manner at one of their ends and a locking system comprising:

   - two portions (18, 20), each integral with one of said arms, mobile in relation to each other and able to occupy a first position, in which they cooperate in order to keep the arms closed, and a second position in which they are free in relation to each other in order to allow opening of the arms (10, 12),

   - a push button (34), mounted mobile on one of the arms and arranged in order to ensure the movement of one of the portions in reference to the other, such that they go from the first to the second position, and

   - an elastic member cooperating with the push button (34) is arranged such that said portions (18, 20) go from the second to the first position,

   said locking system also comprising a blocking member capable of occupying first and second positions allowing the actuation and blocking, respectively, of said push button (34) when the arms (10, 12) are kept closed by the two portions (18 and 20), characterized in that the blocking member is made up of a cam (40), mounted pivotably in the arm in which the push button is mounted, and comprising a cutout (46) defining a finger (48) on one of its sides which serves as a guide for a rod (50) and a spring (52) inserted between the rod (50) and the cam (40), forming said elastic member and applying said rod (50) against the push button (34).
2. The clasp according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the second position of the cam (40), the finger (48) bears against the push button (34).
3. The clasp according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the cam (40) comprises, on the side opposite the push button (34), a projection (56) extending from the sides of the arm in which it is mounted, so as to form a lever which the user can actuate in order to cause said cam (40) to pivot to one or the other of its two positions.
4. The clasp according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking system is a notched system.
5. The clasp according to claim 4, characterized in that the support surface of the push button (34) on the rod (50) is made up of a plurality of concave portions (44), the relief which separates them constituting said notch.
6. The clasp according to claim 1, characterized in that the first portion (18) comprises an eye screw (36) and the second portion (20) comprises a spring (66) arranged in order to cooperate with said eye screw (36) so as to lock the portions to each other when the arms (10, 12) are closed, and to move aside when said eye screw (36) is engaged there.
7. The clasp according to claim 6, characterized in that the eye screw (36) comprises a groove (62), in that the second spring (66) is a wire spring, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the width of the groove (62) of the eye screw (36), and in that its engagement in said groove (62) ensures locking of the two portions (18, 20).

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