EP3449756B1 - Watch or jewellery piece with removable bracelet - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a timepiece or jewelry comprising at least one bar, and comprising a removable bracelet comprising at least one strand arranged to be assembled with a watch or jewelry bar, the bar being inscribed in a geometric envelope of given profile and given dimensions, the bracelet comprising, at the end of said at least one strand, a chamber of profile and dimensions complementary to this given profile and to these given dimensions and arranged for housing a bar, said chamber comprising a lateral opening on a first side of said strand for the introduction or extraction of said strip, said strand comprising a latch movable in a longitudinal direction of said strand against an elastic return means and further comprising a pusher for controlling said latch, said pusher being movable in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudi direction nale and according to the thickness of said strand, and comprising a first arranged to cooperate with a second profile that comprises said pawl for the transformation of a transverse movement of said pusher into a longitudinal movement of said pawl, and said bracelet comprising a closure means arranged on said first side to retain said pusher in the thickness of said strand.

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking or jewelry.

Invention background

The watch or jewelry bracelet is an important accessory, which must ensure both a comfortable wearing for the user, and the security of maintaining the watch or the jewelry, in all circumstances and in particular in professional or sports use, at during which the object can be subjected to strong accelerations.

The bracelet plays an important role in the aesthetics of the watch or jewelry, gives it its own physiognomy, and makes it possible to highlight the style of the user or of the clothes he is wearing, which explains the interest of removable bracelets, designed for personalization of the object, and which are supposed to be exchanged by the user himself.

However, it is rare to find bracelets that correctly combine perfect aesthetics, impeccable support, great robustness, and ease of exchange by the user, in particular without requiring a specific tool.

The document US1653058A in the name of NELSON describes a timepiece or jewelry in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, the piece comprising inter alia a strap end hook, with a closing latch operable from the side.

The document US3036353A in the name of MINUTOLI describes a strap end hooking mechanism, similar to a clasp mechanism with spring-loaded pushers.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to define a bracelet provided with a fastening system fulfilling all these requirements, designed for the most common case of a watch or jewel comprising a hanging bar, and so as to avoid disassembly of this bar, if however this is possible, since, especially on jewelry this bar is generally removable from the body of the jewel.

To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece or jewelry comprising at least one bar, and comprising a bracelet, according to claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, et en perspective, une extrémité de bracelet selon l'invention, notamment réalisée sous forme d'un insert facile à adapter à un brin de bracelet existant, comportant une chambre agencée pour enfermer une barrette, cette chambre comporte une ouverture obturable par un linguet dont la course est commandée par un poussoir à ressort, cet insert est représenté dans une position d'ouverture autorisant l'échange du bracelet ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue de dessus l'ensemble formé par l'insert de la figure 1, en coopération avec une barrette qui dépasse de chaque côté ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de côté de l'ensemble de la figure 2, dans une position d'ouverture autorisant l'échange du bracelet ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe du même ensemble, dans la même position, selon la section AA de la figure 2, montrant le poussoir comprimant un ressort de rappel et dégageant le linguet de l'ouverture de la chambre;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe du même ensemble, dans la même position, selon la section BB de la figure 2, montrant le guidage du poussoir dans sa course;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée, le même insert seul en perspective éclatée vue de dessus ;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon schématisée, le même insert seul en perspective éclatée vue de dessous ;
• les figures 8 à 14 sont le pendant des figures 1 à 7, dans une position de fermeture où la barrette ne peut franchir le linguet sans action volontaire de l'utilisateur, et où le ressort de rappel est dans son extension maximale ;
• les figures 15 et 16 illustrent, chacune, un profil particulier de barrette, et de logement correspondant de la chambre de l'insert, pour la différenciation d'un brin supérieur et d'un brin inférieur d'un même bracelet ;
• les figures 17 à 22 illustrent, en vue en coupe similaires à la figure 4, des exécutions comportant une lèvre surmoulée, représentée en hachure quadrillée, immobilisant dans l'insert tout ou partie de ses composants : le linguet sur la figure 17, le linguet et le ressort de rappel sur la figure 18, le linguet et le poussoir et le ressort de rappel sur les figures 19 et 21, le linguet et le poussoir sur la figure 20, le poussoir et le ressort de rappel sur la figure 22 ;
• les figures 23 et 24 représentent respectivement une montre et un bijou comportant chacun un bracelet ainsi équipé.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, where:

• the figure 1 shows schematically and in perspective, one end of the bracelet according to the invention, in particular produced in the form of an insert easy to adapt to an existing bracelet strand, comprising a chamber arranged to enclose a bar, this chamber comprises a opening closable by a latch, the stroke of which is controlled by a spring plunger, this insert is shown in an open position allowing the exchange of the bracelet;
• the figure 2 shows, schematically, and in top view the assembly formed by the insert of the figure 1 , in cooperation with a bar that protrudes on each side;
• the figure 3 is a side view of the entire figure 2 , in an open position authorizing the exchange of the bracelet;
• the figure 4 is a sectional view of the same assembly, in the same position, according to section AA of the figure 2 , showing the pusher compressing a return spring and releasing the latch from the opening of the chamber;
• the figure 5 is a sectional view of the same assembly, in the same position, according to section BB of the figure 2 , showing the guidance of the pusher in its travel;
• the figure 6 shows, schematically, the same insert alone in exploded perspective seen from above;
• the figure 7 shows, schematically, the same insert alone in exploded perspective seen from below;
• the figures 8 to 14 are the counterpart of Figures 1 to 7 , in a closed position where the bar cannot cross the pawl without voluntary action by the user, and where the return spring is in its maximum extension;
• the Figures 15 and 16 each illustrate a particular profile of bar, and corresponding housing of the chamber of the insert, for the differentiation of an upper strand and a lower strand of the same bracelet;
• the Figures 17 to 22 illustrate, in sectional view similar to the figure 4 , executions comprising an overmolded lip, represented in checkered hatching, immobilizing in the insert all or part of its components: the latch on the figure 17 , the latch and the return spring on the figure 18 , the latch and the plunger and the return spring on the Figures 19 and 21 , the latch and the pusher on the figure 20 , the pusher and the return spring on the figure 22 ;
• the figures 23 and 24 represent respectively a watch and a jewel each comprising a bracelet thus equipped.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The invention relates to a timepiece or a piece of jewelry, in particular a watch 1000 or a jewel 2000, comprising a hanging bar 101, 102, and comprising a bracelet 100, provided with a fixing system to be integrated into a such a watch 1000 or such a jewel 2000, and designed so that this bar can remain in place on the watch 1000 or the jewel 2000 during the exchange of its bracelet.

This removable watch or jewelry bracelet 100 includes at least one strand 1 arranged to be assembled with a watch or jewel bar.

This bar 101, 102, is inscribed in a geometric envelope of given profile and given dimensions.

The bracelet 100 includes, at the end of a strand 1, a chamber 2 of profile and dimensions complementary to this given profile and to these given dimensions, and which is arranged for housing and enclosing a bar 101 , 102.

It is understood that the strap 100 can be a versatile strap, suitable for being mounted on many commercial watch boxes which have bars relatively standard, at least in terms of their diameters, but also be a bracelet specific to a watch or jewel case with bars of special profile, so as to prevent the fitting of any bracelets likely to distort or trivialize the object .

The figures illustrate the particular case of a bracelet 100 comprising an insert 40 at the end of the strand, which has the advantage of being able to be produced in series and of reducing storage costs. However, of course, a bracelet, for example made of ceramic or metallic material, or the like, may comprise a strand the end of which is directly equipped in the manner described below in this particular application and preferred in the case of the bracelet with insert.

The chamber 2, in particular but not limited to produced in the structure of the insert 40, has a lateral opening 3 on a first side of the strand 1, for the introduction or the extraction of the bar. This strand 1 comprises a latch 4 movable in a longitudinal direction DL of the strand 1, against an elastic return means 5, and further comprises a pusher 6 for controlling the latch 4.

The pusher 6 is movable in a transverse direction DT substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction DL and according to the thickness of the strand 1, and has a first profile 7 arranged to cooperate with a second profile 8 that includes the latch 4, for the transformation d 'A transverse movement of the pusher 6 in a longitudinal movement of the latch 4, in particular along a flat surface sloping both with respect to the transverse direction DT and the longitudinal direction DL.

And the bracelet 100 includes a closure means 9, which is arranged on the first side, for retaining the pusher 6 within the thickness of the strand 1 or of its insert 40.

More particularly, the closure means 9 comprises a molded lip 10 of flexible material, such as elastomer, rubber, silicone, or the like, which is arranged to permanently enclose the pusher 6 in the thickness of the strand 1 or its insert 40.

More particularly, the molded lip 10 is designed to permanently enclose the elastic return means 5 in the thickness of the strand 1 or of its insert 40, as visible on the figures 18, 19, 20, 22 .

More particularly, the molded lip 10 is designed to permanently enclose the latch 4 in the thickness of the strand 1 or of its insert 40, as visible on the figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 .

In a particular embodiment, the molded lip 10 is in one piece with the strand 1, it can in particular secure the strand and the insert 40 which it comprises.

An alternative to overmolding is the use of the flexibility of the material constituting the strand, for example a leather, a textile, an elastomer, rubber, silicone, or the like, the strand being produced so as to constitute a pocket in which the insert is locked away.

In either case, the user can manipulate the pusher 6 through the skin of the strand, by a pressure in the transverse direction DT. The pusher 6, embedded in the thickness of the strand, is without contact with the outside, and cannot be handled unexpectedly.

More particularly, the pusher 6 comprises stop means 69 arranged to cooperate in abutment support with the shutter means 9, as visible on the figures 6, 7 , 13 and 14 . The pusher thus remains locked in its housing whatever its position.

In an advantageous embodiment, in particular allowing the user to feel the correct insertion or extraction of the bar, the chamber 2 is separated from the opening 3 by at least one notch 30 in relief formed in a flexible wall of the chamber 2 or carried by a flexible lip 24 delimiting one side of the chamber 2.

The closure system may also include a keying device to ensure that the bar is properly inserted and locked in its chamber, and that the system can close properly, for example in the form of a curved metal blade which is flexible to the bottom of the chamber 2, and which is deformed when the bar comes into abutment, then emitting a click of the correct position of the bar in its room. This blade projects through the opening 3 as long as the bar is not at the bottom of the housing, and, when the bar is at the bottom of the housing, it deforms the blade which retracts into the chamber 2 and is no longer projecting through the opening 3. This blade can be made of shape memory material, or of amorphous metal.

More particularly, the latch 4 forms a drawer which is movable, only in the longitudinal direction DL, in a yoke of an insert 40 which comprises the bracelet 100.

More particularly, this yoke of the insert 40 comprises, extending in the transverse direction DT, transverse guide means 46 arranged to guide the travel of complementary guide means 66 that comprises the pusher 6, as visible on the figures 3 , 6 , 7 , 13, and 14 .

More particularly, the elastic return means 5, in particular constituted by a spring, a coil spring in the case of the figures, is enclosed between a wall 41 of the yoke of the insert 40 and a bearing face 42 of the latch 4 .

More particularly, the chamber 2 is formed in the thickness of the yoke of the insert 40.

And, more particularly, the yoke of the insert 40 comprises at least one flexible lip 24 arranged to cooperate bearing on the bar after its insertion.

The manufacture of the insert 40 can be carried out by molding, for example by molding of metal powder. The elastic return means 5 can be in one piece with the body of the insert, for example in the form of a zig-zag spring.

Naturally additional safety devices can also be added, such as a quarter-turn locking by a flooded latch (of the aeronautical closure type "Riveklé" or similar) before allowing access to the pusher, this latch may include the manufacturer's logo and require a particular angular orientation for its opening.

According to the invention, for a distinction between an upper strand and a lower strand, the part 1000; 2000 comprises a first strip 101 inscribed in a first geometric envelope, and a first strand 11, a first chamber 21 of which is dimensioned to receive the first strip 101, and this part 1000; 2000 comprises a second bar 102 inscribed in a second geometric envelope different from the first geometric envelope, and a second strand 12, a second chamber 22 of which is dimensioned to receive the second bar 102 but not the first bar 101, the first chamber 21 being unable to receive the second bar 102, as illustrated in a particular example on the Figures 15 and 16 . With grooves arranged in different places. Other differentiations are possible: by the diameter of the bars, by the shape of their section (square, triangular, hexagonal, or other). This particular arrangement curbs counterfeits.

It is also possible, by such a differentiated assembly, to design bracelets for left-handers.

The invention relates more particularly to a watch 1000 comprising such a bracelet 100, arranged to receive at the first horns a first bar 101, and at the second horns a second bar 102, so as to distinguish a first upper strand 11 arranged for be attached to the level of the first horns, and a second lower strand 12 arranged to be attached to the level of the second horns.

The invention relates more particularly to a jewel 2000 comprising such a bracelet 100, and which can naturally include all of the arrangements described above, and is in particular arranged to receive at the level of the first horns a first bar 101, and at the level of the second horns a second strip 102, so as to distinguish a first upper strand 11 arranged to be attached at the level of the first horns, and a second lower strand 12 arranged to be attached at the level of the second horns.

Claims (14)

1. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) comprising at least one bar, and comprising a removable bracelet (100) including at least one bracelet portion (1) arranged to be assembled with a watch or jewellery bar, said bar being inscribed within a geometric envelope of given profile and given dimensions, said bracelet (100) including, at the end of said at least one bracelet portion (1), a chamber (2) of complementary profile and dimensions to said given profile and to said given dimensions and arranged for housing a said bar, said chamber (2) including a lateral opening (3) on a first side of said bracelet portion (1) for the insertion or removal of said bar, said bracelet portion (1) including a tongue (4) movable in a longitudinal direction (DL) of said bracelet portion (1) against an elastic return means (5) and further including a pusher (6) for controlling said tongue (4), said pusher (6) being movable in a transverse direction (DT) substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (DL) and along the depth of said bracelet portion (1), and including a first profile (7) arranged to cooperate with a second profile (8) of said tongue (4) to transform a transverse motion of said pusher (6) into a longitudinal motion of said tongue (4), and said bracelet (100) including a closure means (9) arranged on said first side for retaining said pusher (6) in the depth of said bracelet portion (1), characterized in that said timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) includes a first bar (101) inscribed within a first said geometric envelope, and a first bracelet portion (11) whose first chamber (21) is sized to receive said first bar (101), and in that said timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) includes a second bar (102) inscribed within a second said geometric envelope different from said first geometric envelope, and a second bracelet portion (12) whose second chamber (22) is sized to receive said second bar (102) but not said first bar (101), said first chamber (21) being unable to receive said second bar (102).
2. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to claim 1, characterized in that said closure means (9) includes an overmoulded lip (10) made of flexible material arranged to permanently confine said pusher (6) in the depth of said bracelet portion (1).
3. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to claim 2, characterized in that said overmoulded lip (10) is arranged to permanently confine said elastic return means (5) in the depth of said bracelet portion (1).
4. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said overmoulded lip (10) is arranged to permanently confine said tongue (4) in the depth of said bracelet portion (1).
5. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said overmoulded lip (10) is in one piece with said bracelet portion (1).
6. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said pusher (6) includes stop means (69) arranged to cooperate in abutment with said closure means (9).
7. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said chamber (2) is separated from said opening (3) by at least one notch (30) arranged in a flexible wall of said chamber (2) or born by a flexible lip (24) delimiting one side of said chamber (2).
8. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said tongue (4) forms a slide movable only in said longitudinal direction (DL) in a clevis of an insert (40) comprised in said bracelet (100).
9. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to claim 8, characterized in that said clevis of said insert (40) includes, extending in said transverse direction (DT), transverse guide means (46) arranged to guide the travel of complementary guide means (66) comprised in said pusher (6).
10. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said elastic return means (5) is confined between a wall (41) of said clevis of said insert (40) and a bearing face (42) of said tongue (4).
11. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said chamber (2) is arranged in the depth of said clevis of said insert (40).
12. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to claims 7 and 11, characterized in that said clevis of said insert (40) includes at least one said flexible lip (24).
13. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to one of claims 1 to 12, including a said first bar (101) on first horns and a said second bar (102) on second horns, so as to distinguish between a first upper bracelet portion (11) arranged to be attached to said first horns, and a second lower bracelet portion (12) arranged to be attached to said second horns, characterized in that said piece is a watch (1000).
14. Timepiece or piece of jewellery (1000; 2000) according to one of claims 1 to 12, including a said first bar (101) on first horns and a said second bar (102) on second horns, so as to distinguish between a first upper bracelet portion (11) arranged to be attached to said first horns, and a second lower bracelet portion (12) arranged to be attached to said second horns, characterized in that said piece is a piece of jewellery (2000).

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