EP3119232B1 - Watch strap - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a watch strap. More specifically, the invention relates to a watch strap in which are housed one or more electronic components arranged to perform at least one electronic function.

Technological background of the invention

A strong trend of the current market is connected watches connected with one or more electronic functions and able to communicate for example with a smartphone-type mobile phone. In the case of connected watches, however, the focus is more on the range of electronic functions that such watches offer to their users than on the aesthetic, horometric and sealing qualities of such watches. Connected watches currently available on the market are unsightly and relatively fragile objects whose daily use requires a lot of care on the part of their carriers.

In the document FR 2,641,092 A1 , connections are provided on the watch and the bracelet to ensure the electrical connection between the watch and the memory when the watch is attached to the bracelet. Therefore, for the electronic functions of the bracelet can work, it is necessary that it is electrically connected to the watch case. The watch case must, in turn, be modified to be equipped with connectors.

In the document FR 2,641,092 A1 , the watch case is not independent of the bracelet. Note also that in the absence of the watch case, the bracelet is unusable because it includes only a memory and a battery, but no microprocessor providing the necessary means for processing data stored in the memory.

Similarly, in the document US 2012/0194976 A1 , a mobile electronic device can be used independently of the electronic bracelet. On the other hand, the electronic bracelet can not be used independently of the mobile electronic device. For the functionality of the electronic bracelet can be used, the latter must be mechanically and electrically connected to the mobile electronic device by means of a connector. It is therefore necessary to modify the mobile electronic device and equip it for example with a jack type jack.

In the document EP 2 990 888 A2 , a portable device comprises a display device and a fixing device. The display device includes an interface device that is physically connected to a device for interfacing the attachment device to establish an electrical connection between the integrated circuits of the attachment device and the integrated circuits of the display device.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy the problems mentioned above as well as others by providing a bracelet that will allow to associate with a watch case one or more electronic functions.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a watch strap comprising a first bracelet strand in which is housed a first printed circuit board and a second bracelet strand in which is housed a second printed circuit board, the first strand of bracelet being connected to the second bracelet strand via a middle portion arranged to seat a watch case and which includes means for providing electrical continuity between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board, one of which is least first and second printed circuit portions carrying at least one microcontroller and the other printed circuit sheet carrying at least one source of electrical energy supplying the microcontroller with electric current, the watch case being electronically totally independent of the bracelet.

According to a complementary feature of the invention, the first printed circuit sheet, the second printed circuit sheet and the middle portion which comprises the means for providing electrical continuity between the first printed circuit sheet and the second printed circuit sheet are made in one piece.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first printed circuit sheet and the second printed circuit sheet are overmoulded by means of a first plastic material.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the median part is overmolded by means of the first plastic material.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the middle portion is capped by a rigid insert.

According to a complementary feature of the invention, the bracelet which is formed of the first and second printed circuit sheets overmolded by means of the first plastic material and the middle part which is capped by the rigid insert, is overmolded by means of a second plastic material or elastomer or inserted in a sheath.

According to a complementary feature of the invention, the sleeve is made of a single piece or is formed of an upper band and a lower band made integral with each other along their peripheral edges.

According to a complementary feature of the invention, the watch case comprises two diametrically opposed pairs of horns and the rigid insert comprises two guide elements arranged to be placed between the pairs of respective horns and each pierced with a hole for the passage a pin to attach the bracelet to the watch case.

With these features, the present invention provides a bracelet in which are housed the electronic component or components necessary for the performance of at least one electronic function and which is attached to a watch case containing a clockwork movement. This watch movement can be an electronic movement, a mechanical movement or a combination of two such movements. In all cases, the watch case that encloses the watch movement is not affected by the addition of the bracelet according to the invention that allows one or more electronic functions to be performed. The watch case thus retains intact its aesthetic, sealing and horometric properties while offering its user, through the addition of the bracelet according to the invention, additional electronic functions.

If the bracelet is worn or if the power source it contains is exhausted, it can be easily exchanged for a new bracelet. Of course, according to one variant, the source of electrical energy can also be rechargeable. It is also conceivable to make bracelets arranged to perform different electronic functions, which leaves the user the opportunity to choose the bracelet that offers the electronic function that corresponds to his needs, or to buy several different bracelets simultaneously.

According to an additional advantage of the invention, the fact that the printed circuit sheets are arranged in the two strands of the bracelet and that these printed circuit sheets are also electrically connected together allows the choice to increase the number of electronic components. housed in the bracelet and thus to increase the number of electronic functions made available to the user, or to optimally distribute the electronic components between the two bracelet strands.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective du bracelet selon l'invention dans laquelle une première feuille de circuit imprimé est reliée à une seconde feuille de circuit imprimé via une partie médiane agencée pour servir de siège à une boîte de montre, cette partie médiane comprenant des moyens pour assurer la continuité électrique entre la première feuille de circuit imprimé et la seconde feuille de circuit imprimé et étant coiffée par un insert rigide ;
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 1 dans laquelle la première feuille de circuit imprimé et la seconde feuille de circuit imprimé sont surmoulées au moyen d'un premier matériau plastique ou élastomère ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe verticale selon l'axe longitudinal du bracelet de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue d'un fourreau dans lequel est inséré le bracelet de la figure 2 ;
• les figures 5A et 5B illustrent une variante de réalisation du fourreau qui comprend une bande supérieure et une bande inférieure entre lesquelles est disposé le bracelet selon l'invention et qui sont assemblées l'une à l'autre le long de leurs bords périphériques par exemple par couture ou par thermo-soudage, et
• la figure 6 est une vue d'une variante de réalisation de la partie médiane qui ne comprend qu'une seule arche pour supporter les pistes conductrices permettant de relier électriquement entre elles les première et seconde portions de circuit imprimé.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description which follows of an embodiment of the bracelet according to the invention, this example being given purely by way of illustration and not only limiting, in connection with the drawing. annexed in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of the bracelet according to the invention in which a first printed circuit sheet is connected to a second printed circuit sheet via a median portion arranged to serve as a seat for a watch case, this middle part comprising means for providing electrical continuity between the first printed circuit sheet and the second printed circuit board and being capped with a rigid insert;
• the figure 2 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 wherein the first printed circuit sheet and the second printed circuit sheet are overmolded with a first plastic or elastomeric material;
• the figure 3 is a vertical sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the bracelet of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a view of a scabbard in which is inserted the bracelet of the figure 2 ;
• the Figures 5A and 5B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the sheath which comprises an upper band and a lower band between which is disposed the bracelet according to the invention and which are assembled to one another along their peripheral edges for example by stitching or by thermo -soldering, and
• the figure 6 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the middle portion which comprises only one arch to support the conductive tracks for electrically connecting together the first and second portions of the printed circuit.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists in associating with a watch case containing a watch movement preferentially but non-limitatively mechanical a bracelet in the thickness of which are housed the electronic component or components necessary for the execution of at least one electronic function. Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to keep unchanged the aesthetic appearance, the mechanical properties and the horometric qualities of the watch case while adding one or more additional electronic functions that will make it possible to transform such a watch into a connected watch. The present invention is particularly interesting in the case where one is dealing with a mechanical movement because it preserves the emotional aspect of such a mechanical movement while increasing the range of services that such a watch is able to render to his user.

The figure 1 is a perspective view of the bracelet according to the invention. Designated as a whole by the general reference numeral 1, this bracelet comprises a printed circuit sheet 2 formed of a first printed circuit portion 4 connected to a second printed circuit portion 6 via a middle portion 8 which comprises means for ensuring the electrical continuity between the first printed circuit portion 4 and the second printed circuit portion 6.

The middle portion 8 could be separated from the first and second printed circuit portions 4 and 6. In this case, however, it would be necessary to provide additional electrical connection means such as electrical son between the first printed circuit portion 4 and the middle portion 8 , and between the middle portion 8 and the second printed circuit portion 6, which is not necessarily very convenient. Therefore, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first printed circuit portion 4, the middle portion 8 and the second printed circuit portion 6 are made in one piece. The median portion 8 will thus also consist of a printed circuit sheet portion on which will be structured the electrically conductive track or tracks for ensuring electrical continuity between the first and second printed circuit portions 4 and 6.

As is clear in particular from the figure 1 , the median portion 8, of approximately annular shape, is formed of two arches 8a and 8b which define an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the outside diameter of a middle part of a watch case 12 which is intended to be disposed above the middle portion 8 with the interposition of an insert 14 between the watch case 12 and the middle part 8. This insert 14 comprises a rigid ring 16 whose geometry is similar to that of the median portion 8 and which is fixed on this middle part 8 by any suitable means such as gluing. This rigid ring 16 gives the middle portion 8 rigidity and mechanical strength and serves as a seat for the watch case 12. It is understood that, because of its ring shape, the middle portion 8 leaves the bottom of the watch case visible. 12.

We now examine the bracelet 1 according to the invention with particular reference to the figure 3 which is a sectional view along a plane extending along the longitudinal axis of the bracelet 1. As can be seen from this figure, the watch case 12 encloses a watch movement 18 which causes a set of hands of the hours 20a and 20b minutes. These hour hands 20a and 20b move over a dial 22 and are covered by an ice 24.

It is important to understand that the watch movement 18 housed in the watch case 12 can be of any type. It can be a purely mechanical movement, or a purely electronic movement, or even an electromechanical movement. The mechanical or electronic nature of the watch movement 18 is in fact of no importance for the purposes of the present invention since the watch case 12 is completely independent of the bracelet 1 according to the invention and the addition of such a bracelet 1 does not require any modification of the various components housed in the watch case 12.

It is thus clear from the foregoing that the present invention is of interest especially in the case where the watch movement 18 is a mechanical movement. Indeed, the addition to a watch case 12 enclosing such a purely mechanical watch movement 18 of a bracelet 1 according to the invention makes it possible to offer the user novel electronic functions without in any way altering the aesthetic appearance, the qualities mechanical and sealing of the watch case 12.

As mentioned above, the first printed circuit portion 4 is electrically connected to the second printed circuit portion 6 via the middle portion 8 on which are structured the or electrically-conductive tracks to ensure electrical continuity between these two printed circuit board portions 4 and 6. Such an arrangement has many advantages, among which may be mentioned the possibility of having more electronic components in the bracelet and thus to increase the number of electronic functions made available to the user, or to optimally distribute the electronic components between the two bracelet strands. In particular, it is conceivable to mount the source or sources of electrical energy on one of the printed circuit boards, and the electronic components on the other printed circuit board.

As visible in the examination of the figure 3 , electronic components such as a microcontroller 26 for an accelerometer 28, an atmospheric pressure sensor 30 and a magnetic sensor 32 are mounted on the surface of the first printed circuit portion 4, while a power source 34 electric current and an integrated circuit 36 adapted to communicate with another device using, for example, a Bluetooth, Wifi or NFC type interface are mounted on the second printed circuit portion 6.

One sees in particular the examination of the figure 1 that the watch case 12 comprises two diametrically opposite pairs of horns 38 and the insert 14 comprises two guide elements 40 arranged to fit between the respective pairs of horns 38 when the watch case 12 is placed on the insert 14. These two guide elements 40 are each pierced by a hole 42 for the passage of a pin 44 for attaching the bracelet 1 to the watch case 12.

When the set of electronic components is mounted on the respective printed circuit portions 4, 6 and the insert 14 has been properly disposed on the middle portion 8, the whole is overmolded with a first layer 46 of a plastic material or elastomer to form first and second arms 48 and 50. This first overmolding layer 46 is intended to protect the electronic components mounted on the printed circuit portions 6, 8 external aggression and to give the arms 48 and 50 resulting from shape and their mechanical strength. Preferably, the pins 44 are engaged through the horns 38 and the guide members 40 at the time of the overmolding operation to prevent the holes 42 from being obstructed by the overmoulding material.

The bracelet 1 which results from the overmoulding operation and which comprises the two arms 48, 50 interconnected by the middle part 8 capped by the insert 14 and in the thickness of which are housed the electronic components necessary for achieving the desired electronic function or functions is finally slid into a sheath 52 which, in the example shown in FIG. figure 4 , comprises a first strand 54 and a second strand 56 interconnected by a connecting portion 58 which is adapted in shape and size to receive the middle part 8 of the bracelet 1 capped by the insert 14. This sleeve 52 is for example obtained by molding or injection of an elastomeric material, ensuring that the first and second strands 54 and 56 are hollow and each provided with an opening 60 in order to be able to slide the two arms 48 and 50. According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B , the sheath 52 comprises an upper band 62 and a lower band 64 between which is arranged the bracelet 1 according to the invention and which are assembled to one another along their peripheral edges 66 for example by stitching or by thermo -welding.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and that various modifications and simple variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, it may be envisaged as an alternative to the sheath 52 to subject the bracelet 1 according to the invention to a second overmoulding operation for covering the two arms 48, 50 and the medial portion 8 which connects them with the aid of a second layer of a plastic or elastomeric material which may be the same or different from the material used for the first overmolding layer 46. Also, as illustrated in FIG. figure 6 , the median portion 8 may comprise only one arch 68 to support the conductive tracks for electrically connecting together the first and second printed circuit portions 4 and 6.

Nomenclature

• Bracelet 1
• Printed circuit board 2
• First portion of circuit board 4
• Second portion of circuit board 6
• Middle part 8
• Arches 8a, 8b
• Carrure 10
• Watch box 12
• Insert 14
• Rigid ring 16
• Watch movement 18
• Hour set 20a and 20b
• Dial 22
• Ice 24
• Microcontroller 26
• Accelerometer 28
• Atmospheric pressure sensor 30
• Magnetic sensor 32
• Power source 34
• Integrated circuit 36
• Pair of horns 38
• Guiding elements 40
• Hole 42
• Pin 44
• First layer of overmoulding 46
• First arm 48
• Second arm 50
• Sheath 52
• First strand 54
• Second strand 56
• Connecting part 58
• Opening 60
• Upper band 62
• Lower band 64
• Peripheral edges 66
• Ark 68

Claims (10)

1. Watch including a bracelet or strap and a watch case (12), the bracelet (1) including a first arm (48) in which is housed a first printed circuit portion (4), and a second arm (50) in which is housed a second printed circuit portion (6), the first arm (48) being connected to the second arm (50) via a median part (8) arranged to act as a seat for the watch case (12) and which includes means for ensuring electrical continuity between the first printed circuit portion (4) and the second printed circuit portion (6), at least one of the first or second printed circuit portions (4, 6) carrying at least one microcontroller (26) and the other printed circuit portion carrying at least one electrical energy source (34) supplying the microcontroller (26) with electrical current, the watch case (12) being electronically totally independent form the bracelet (1).
2. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the first printed circuit portion (4), the second printed circuit portion (6) and the median part (8), which includes the means for ensuring electrical continuity between the first printed circuit portion (4) and the second printed circuit portion (6), are made in one piece.
3. Watch according to claim 2, characterized in that the median part (8) includes at least one arch (8a, 8b, 68).
4. Watch according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the median part (8) is covered by an insert (14).
5. Watch according to claim 4, characterized in that the watch case (12) includes two pairs of diametrically opposite horns (38) and the insert (14) includes two guide elements (40), arranged to be placed between the respective pairs of horns (38) and each pierced with a hole (42) for the passage of a pin (44) to enable the bracelet (1) to be attached to the watch case (12).
6. Watch according to claim 5, characterized in that the first arm (48) and the second arm (50) are formed by the first printed circuit portion (4) and the second printed circuit portion (6) overmoulded with a first overmoulding layer (46).
7. Watch according to claim 6, characterized in that the insert (14) is also overmoulded with the first overmoulding layer.
8. Watch according to any of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it includes a sleeve (52) formed of a first strand (54) and of a second strand (56) connected to each other by a connecting part (58), the first and second strands (54, 56) being hollow and each provided with an opening (60) so that the first and second arms (48, 50) can slide therein.
9. Watch according to claim 8, characterized in that the sleeve (52) is formed of an upper band (62) and a lower band (64) joined to each other along the peripheral edges (66) thereof.
10. Watch according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the bracelet (1) is overmoulded with a second layer of plastic or elastomeric material.

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