Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
  • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
  • A44B17/00—Press-button or snap fasteners
  • A44B17/0011—Press-button fasteners in which the elastic retaining action is obtained by a spring working in the plane of the fastener
  • A44B17/0017—Their fastening
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
  • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
  • A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
  • A44C5/18—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like
  • A44C5/22—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for closed straps
  • A44C5/24—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for closed straps with folding devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
  • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
  • A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
  • A44C5/18—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like
  • A44C5/22—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for closed straps
  • A44C5/24—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for closed straps with folding devices
  • A44C5/246—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for closed straps with folding devices having size adjusting means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41F—GARMENT FASTENINGS; SUSPENDERS
  • A41F9/00—Belts, girdles, or waistbands for trousers or skirts
  • A41F9/02—Expansible or adjustable belts or girdles ; Adjustable fasteners comprising a track and a slide member
  • A41F9/025—Adjustable belts or girdles
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
  • Y10T24/21—Strap tighteners
  • Y10T24/2143—Strap-attached folding lever
  • Y10T24/2155—Jewelry-watch straps

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a clasp for a watch strap or belt. More specifically, the present invention relates to a clasp for a watch strap or belt comprising means that allow a fine adjustment of the length of the bracelet or the belt.
• Clasps comprising means for a fine adjustment of the length of the wristband of a watch are already known from the state of the art.
• Clasp for fine adjustment of the length of a bracelet means clasps that allow to adjust the length of a short strap to allow to fit the fairest length for optimal comfort when wearing the bracelet. shows.
• Such clasps usually include a terminal link through which one of the strands of the bracelet is connected to the lid of the clasp. This terminal link is slidable in a longitudinal direction of the clasp between a first retracted position in which it is housed in the lid of the clasp and a second extended position in which it is disengaged from the clasp. Therefore, the length available for the fine adjustment is determined by the travel of the end link between its first and second positions.
• the end link cooperates via a toothed element with a toothed rack.
• the rack can be secured to the lid of the clasp and the toothed element be carried by the terminal link.
• the permutation of the rack teeth and the toothed element is also possible.
• the end link When the toothed element is engaged with the rack teeth, the end link is immobilized. To disengage the toothed element from its engagement with the rack teeth, resilient means of uncoupling are provided. These elastic means usually offer a low uncoupling race. Due to the short stroke of the elastic disengagement means, the teeth of the rack teeth can not be very high. Consequently, the force of the notching between the toothed element and the rack tooth is relatively small, so that the position of the end link can be easily deindexed, for example by pulling or pushing the end link, which is not not acceptable. In addition, it is easily understood that, the teeth of the rack teeth are small, the higher the manufacturing tolerances, which increases the cost of such a clasp.
• the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above as well as others by providing a clasp for the fine adjustment of the length of a watch strap or a belt allowing in particular to keep the setting the length of the bracelet or belt without the risk of losing it inadvertently.
• the present invention relates to a clasp for a watch strap or belt comprising a cover connected from one side to a first strand of bracelet or belt and from a second side to a second strand of bracelet or belt, connecting means being interposed between the second strap or belt strand and the cover of the clasp, these connecting means comprising a terminal link sliding in a longitudinal direction of the clasp between a first position in which the terminal link is at least partially engaged in the lid of the clasp, and a second position in which the end link is disengaged from the lid of the clasp, the end element comprising a push-button by pressure on which it is possible to pass a toothed element of a first position in the toothed element is engaged with a toothed rack integral with the lid of the clasp, at a second position wherein the toothed element is released from its engagement with the rack teeth, the clasp being characterized in that the terminal link comprises a housing in which is disposed at least one spring, the spring being capped by the push button.
• the present invention provides a watchband clasp or belt in which the disengagement between the toothed element and the rack teeth is controlled by at least one spring.
• a spring provides the push button a substantial stroke, this stroke being determined only by the length of the spring.
• the push button directly controls the passage of the toothed element from its first position in which it is engaged with the rack teeth to its second position in which it is released from its engagement with the rack teeth, the race of the toothed element between its two extreme positions is also larger.
• the teeth of the rack teeth can be made higher than was the case in the state of the art and therefore the spaces between the deeper teeth.
• the force of the notching between the toothed element and the rack tooth is therefore higher, so that the position of the end link can not be deindexed, except to destroy the clasp.
• the manufacturing tolerances are less stringent, which allows for gains in terms of cost.
• the pushbutton is equipped with a stop means preventing extraction of the end link from the clasp cover.
• the connecting means between the clasp cover and the second strap or belt strand are captive, except to destroy the clasp.
• the stop means is removable, which makes it possible, if necessary, to replace the end link or the push-button during a return of the wristwatch or the belt. in after-sales service.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view and in the dissociated state of the clasp according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clasp of Figure 1 in the assembled state, the end adjusting end link being in the retracted position;
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, the fine adjustment link being in the extended position;
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the end link fine adjustment according to the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 in which the coil springs have been replaced by a leaf spring
• FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a belt equipped with the clasp according to the invention.
• the present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea of using a spring as an elastic means controlling the uncoupling between a toothed element and a rack tooth of a fine adjustment link of a clasp for a watch strap or belt.
• a spring provides a greater stroke to the pushbutton associated therewith, so that the displacement of the toothed element controlled by the push button from its first position in which it is engaged with the rack teeth at its second position in which it is released from engagement with the rack teeth is also more important.
• the teeth of the rack teeth can therefore be provided higher with deeper teeth recesses, which ensures a better notch of the toothed element and reduces the manufacturing tolerances of the teeth of the rack teeth.
• the present invention will be described in connection with a watch strap. It goes without saying, however, that this example is given for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes only and that the clasp according to the invention can also be used for a belt.
• FIG 1 is a perspective view in the dissociated state of the clasp according to the invention while Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same clasp in the assembled state.
• the clasp according to the invention comprises a lid 2 connected on one side to a first strand of bracelet 4, of which only one link is visible in the drawing with the interposition of a closure system. with folding clasp 6 whose structure is known per se and therefore will not be described further here.
• the clasp closure system 6 can be omitted and the cover 2 can be connected to the first strand of bracelet 4 directly.
• the lid 2 is connected on the second side to a second strand of bracelet 8, three links of which are visible in the drawing with the interposition of a terminal link 10 for fine adjustment of the length of the wristband of the watch.
• the cover 2 has a U-shaped general section and is provided with two flanges 12 facing each other, these flanges 12 each bearing on their inwardly facing face a
• a groove 1 6 is formed in the bottom of the cover 2 and defines two end stops18 whose role will be described in detail later.
• the end link 10 comprises lateral guide surfaces 19 so as to be slidably guided in the cover 2 between the bottom of the cover 2 and the wings 12. It will be appreciated by comparative examination of FIGS.
• the end link 10 is capable of sliding in a longitudinal direction of the clasp 1 between a first position ( Figure 2) in which the end link 10 is engaged in the cover 2 of the clasp 1, and a second position ( Figure 3) in which the end link 1 0 is released from the lid 2 of the clasp 1.
• the length available for adjustment the bracelet is determined by the race of the terminal link 1 0 between its first and second positions.
• the end link 10 comprises two end knuckles 20 between which the middle knuckle 22 of the adjoining link of the second strand of bracelet 8 is interlocked.
• the assembly between the links is ensured by a bar 24 freely traversing the knuckles 20 and 22 and which is held by two end screws 26.
• the terminal link 10 comprises at least one and, preferably, two cylindrical blind housings 28 in each of which is disposed a helical spring 30, these springs 30 being capped by a push-button 32.
• This push-button 32 is substantially in the form of a rectilinear actuating bar which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the clasp 1 and which has at each of its ends a toothed element 34 for example in the form of a half-cylinder. These toothed elements 34 are intended to come into engagement with the toothing of the racks 14. It will be understood that when the terminal link 1 0 and its pushbutton 32 are slid between the two wings 1 2 inside the cover 2 of the clasp 1 As illustrated in FIG.
• the coil springs 30 which are compressed force the push-button 32 towards the racks 14, so that the toothed elements 34 engage with the teeth of the racks 14. Conversely, when pressed on the pushbutton 32 along the arrow A against the elastic restoring force of the springs 30, the toothed elements 34 are released from their engagement with the toothed racks 14. It will also be understood that the coil springs 30 give the button pusher 32 and therefore to the toothed elements 34 a large stroke, so that the teeth of the toothed racks 14 can be high and the spaces between these deep teeth. As a result, the toothed elements 34 are perfectly notched in the teeth of the racks 14, so that it is impossible to accidentally lose the setting of the terminal link 1 0. In addition, the requirements on the tolerances rack toothings 14 are lower, which allows for gains in terms of production costs.
• FIGS. 1 and 4 also show that between the two blind cylindrical housings 28 formed in the end link 1 0 there is provided a first threaded through hole 36 into which is screwed a screw 38 whose tip projects into the groove 1 6 formed in the bottom of the lid 2.
• a first threaded through hole 36 into which is screwed a screw 38 whose tip projects into the groove 1 6 formed in the bottom of the lid 2.
• this groove 16 is bounded at each of its ends by a stop 18 which marks the bottom of the groove 16
• the end link 10 of fine adjustment is completely captive once the screw 38 screwed.
• a second through hole 40 aligned with the first threaded through hole 36 is machined in the pushbutton 32.
• a plug (not shown) is driven or glued into the second through hole 40 to hide the screw 38 and not to reveal a hole in front of the user.
• the pushbutton 32 is permanently unmountable.
• a screw 42 is screwed into the second through hole 40. This screw 42 masks the screw 38 with respect to the user. However, the assembly remains removable to the extent that it is sufficient to remove the screw 42 to then be able to remove the screw 38.
• These two variants are preferred to the variant in which only one screw is provided that is long enough for the head of this screw is flush with the surface of the pushbutton 32. Indeed, in this embodiment, the head of the screw protrudes from the pushbutton 32 when it is pressed against the elastic return force of the 30 springs, which is not aesthetic.
• this leaf spring 48 has a V-shaped profile. is fixed at its center by means of a screw 50 in the bottom 52 of the terminal link 1 0 and the push-button 32 is in elastic support on the two arms 54 of the leaf spring 48.
• the degree of deflection of these arms 54 determines the stroke of the push-button 32 and thus of the toothed elements 34. The greater this degree of deflection, the greater the stroke of the push-button and the more the teeth of the rack teeth 14 can be high and the spaces between these deep teeth.
• the toothed elements 34 are perfectly notched in the teeth of the racks 14, so that it is impossible to accidentally lose the setting of the end link 10.
• the requirements on the tolerances of the toothed racks 14 are smaller, which allows to realize gains in terms of production costs.
• the tip of the screw 50 protrudes into the groove 16 formed in the bottom of the cover 4, so that the end link 10 of fine adjustment is completely captive once the screw 50 screwed.
• a screw 58 screwed into the push button 32 is aligned with the screw 50 to hide the screw 50 and not to reveal a hole in front of the user.
• the clasp according to the invention can also be used for a clothing belt.
• a first end 60 of the belt 62 is connected directly to the lid 2 of the clasp, while the second end 64 of the belt 62 is connected to the lid 2 of the clasp with the interposition of the connecting means according to the invention which comprise the terminal link 10.

Landscapes

• Buckles (AREA)
• Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=46875806

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications Before (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (15)

Family Cites Families (22)

• 2011
  • 2011-12-09 EP EP11192833.9A patent/EP2601856A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2012
  • 2012-09-17 WO PCT/EP2012/068255 patent/WO2013083305A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2012-09-17 CN CN201280060603.XA patent/CN103987290B/zh active Active
  • 2012-09-17 EP EP12759717.7A patent/EP2765883B1/de active Active
  • 2012-09-17 IN IN4163CHN2014 patent/IN2014CN04163A/en unknown
  • 2012-09-17 JP JP2014543812A patent/JP5993461B2/ja active Active
  • 2012-09-17 US US14/363,960 patent/US9615634B2/en active Active
• 2015
  • 2015-02-04 HK HK15101203.4A patent/HK1200669A1/xx unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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