EP3653074A1 - Assembly of elements such as links of a bracelet - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a part (21) comprising at least two sets (1) of assembled elements, interconnected with a permanent fixing device (9 '). The permanent fixing device (9 ') comprises a pin (11') mounted in a through hole (24) of a central element (7) of an assembly (1). This pin (11 ') is mounted at each end in a blind recess (27, 28) of a lateral element (3, 5) belonging to another assembly (1). At one end, the pin (11 ') is fixed in the blind recess (27) using locking means (8'), for example by screwing. At its other end, it is welded to a socket (13 ') which is itself fixed by means of locking means (18') within the blind recess (28) of the lateral element (5).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an assembly of elements and more specifically to a part comprising several sets of elements assembled together. The elements can form the links of a bracelet, a decorative article or a piece of jewelry.

PRIOR ART

We know of the document EP 2,803,286 a link assembly system with at least part of the links made of a hard material such as diamond or ceramic, accepting little or no plastic deformation during assembly. In the illustrative case of a bracelet, the latter is the result of an assembly of several assembly systems. For a three-row bracelet, each assembly system has two external links and a central link. The outer links each include a blind hole and the central link has a through hole. The assembly system includes a pin mounted in the through hole of the central link. The pin comprises at one end a thread cooperating with a thread formed in the blind hole of one of the outer links. At its other end, the pin is force-fitted and welded into a socket screwed into the blind hole of the other external link. This assembly system makes it possible to secure the three rows of links without plastic deformation of the external links, with a permanent fixing carried out by welding the pin within the socket. Then or concomitantly, the assembly system is fixed to another assembly system and so on to constitute the bracelet. To ensure mounting between two assembly systems, each outer link has a second hole (blind or through) and each central link has a second through hole. The second hole of each outer link of an assembly system is respectively intended to receive one end of a dowel which is mounted within the second through hole of the central link of another assembly system. The ends of the dowel ensuring the mounting between the two assembly systems are mounted free in the outer links. In practice, it is observed that this assembly between the two assembly systems is not optimal. Indeed, the outer links can slightly move from their initial position, one day revealing with the central link, which deteriorates the aesthetic appearance of the bracelet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing an assembly between the assembly systems making it possible to stiffen the part obtained in order to avoid this displacement of the external links.

To this end, the invention relates to a part comprising at least two assembly systems, which will be described here as assemblies of assembled elements, interconnected with a permanent fixing device. According to the invention, the permanent fixing device comprises a pin mounted in a through hole of a central element of an assembly. This pin is mounted at each end in a blind recess of a lateral element belonging to another set. At one end, the pin is fixed in the blind recess using locking means, for example by screwing. At its other end, it is welded to a socket itself fixed using blocking means within the blind recess of the lateral element. Alternatively the other end is driven into the socket itself fixed with the aid of blocking means within the blind recess of the lateral element. The part of the invention is defined in accordance with claim 1.

The addition of a permanent fixing device to connect the assemblies together makes it possible to stiffen the bracelet by limiting deformation during folding, extension and twisting and thereby guarantees the initial aesthetics.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description of a preferred embodiment, presented by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• The figure 1 is a sectional view along the longitudinal axis of a part according to the invention.
• The figure 2 is a partial view of a pin according to the invention.
• The figure 3 is a sectional view of a socket according to the invention.
• The figure 4 is a top view of another part according to the invention.
• The figure 5 is a sectional view along the AA axis of the figure 4 .
• The figure 6 is a view of the fixing devices used for the part of the figure 4 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an assembly between at least two sets of assembled elements. Said elements are, for example, links intended to form a bracelet, a decorative article or a piece of jewelry. The assembly is more specifically adapted for the assembly of elements produced in whole or in part with hard materials. The term “hard materials” according to the invention designates materials whose hardness is substantially equal to or greater than 600 HV and which accept little or no plastic deformation before breaking. Mention may be made, by way of non-limiting example, as hard materials, for example, enamels, stones, precious or not, such as ruby, sapphire or quartz, ceramics such as an oxide, a carbide or a nitride. metallic or non-metallic, or hard metals.

According to the invention, each assembly comprises elements assembled in a similar manner to that described in the document EP 2,803,286 . Concomitantly with the assembly of the elements within each assembly, the assemblies are mounted together by means of a permanent fixing device.

Before detailing this assembly between sets, the assembly within each set of elements is described with reference to this document EP 2,803,286 . Each set 1, delimited by dotted lines at the figure 1 , comprises at least three elements 3, 5, 7 which can be formed in whole or in part in hard materials. It comprises a first lateral element 3 and a second lateral element 5 substantially symmetrical with respect to a third element 7 disposed between the lateral elements. Note that the elements 3, 5, 7 are preferably mounted in staggered rows.

The first and second elements 3, 5 each have a first blind recess 2, 4 while the third element 7 has a first through hole 6. As shown in the figure 1 , the recesses 2, 4 and the hole 6 are intended to be aligned in order to secure the first, second and third elements 3, 5, 7 together. To this end, the assembly 1 comprises a device 9 for permanent fixing in order to secure, in a non-removable manner, the first, second and third elements 3, 5, 7 together.

The device 9 for permanent fixing comprises a pin 11 mounted in the through hole 6 of the third central element 7. The pin 11 comprises, at a first end, first means 8 for blocking in the blind recess 2 of the first element 3. As best visible on the figure 2 , the pin 11 has three parts 14, 10, 12 monoblocks. The main part 10 of the pin 11 has a cross section of intermediate size with respect to the other two parts and is intended to be received in the through hole 6 of the third element 7. Depending on the clearance left or the respective shape of the through hole 6 and of part 10, the first and second lateral elements 3, 5 may or may not pivot relative to the central third element 7. By way of nonlimiting example, the through hole 6 may have a cross section of corresponding non-circular shape with that of the part 10 of the pin 11 in order to prevent any relative pivoting of the first, second and third 3, 5, 7 elements. On the contrary, it can be envisaged that the through hole 6 has a cross section of circular corresponding shape with that of the part 10 of the pin 11 in order to allow the pivoting of the third central element 7 relative to the first and second elements 3, 5 lateral.

Part 14 of pin 11 forms said first end where said first locking means 8 are present. In the example visible to Figures 1 to 3 , the first locking means 8 are formed by a thread 15 formed in the blind recess 2 of the first element 3 and by a thread 16 on the first end, that is to say the part 14, of the pin 11. Finally, the part 12 of the pin 11 has the smallest cross section of the pin 11 and is intended to be received in a socket 13 of the device 9 for permanent fixing.

The socket 13 shown in more detail in the figure 3 comprises at its external wall 17 second means 18 for blocking in the blind recess 4 of the second element 5. In the example visible to Figures 1 to 3 , the second blocking means 18 are formed by a thread 25 present in the blind recess 4 of the second element 5 and by a thread 26 on the external wall 17 of the sleeve 13. The internal wall 19 of the sleeve 13 is welded to the second end, that is to say the part 12, of the pin 11 in order to secure the first, second and third elements 3, 5, 7 together without plastic deformation of the first and second elements 3, 5.

In a variant presented to figures 4 to 6 , each set 31 has five elements. Indeed, in addition to the three elements 33, 35 ', 37 comparable to those 3, 5, 7 of the first type of assembly 1, the assembly 31 of the second type comprises an intermediate row with a second central element 37' and a intermediate element 35.

This set 1, 31 is assembled with another set and so on so as to form a part such as, for example, a bracelet, a decorative article or a piece of jewelry.

The invention thus relates to a part 21, 51 comprising at least two sets 1, 31. According to the invention, the two sets 1, 31 are also interconnected by a device 9 'for permanent fixing.

Referring to Exhibit 21 of the figure 1 , the device 9 'for permanent fixing comprises a pin 11' mounted in a second through hole 24 of the third element 7 of an assembly 1. Each end of the pin 11 'is mounted respectively in a second blind recess 27, 28 formed in a first and second elements 3, 5 of another adjacent assembly 1. The pin 11 'intended to be mounted in the second through hole 24 has a configuration similar to that intended to be mounted in the first through hole 6. It thus comprises, as on the figure 2 , three parts 10 ', 12', 14 'in one piece with a first end 14' where there are locking means 8 'formed by a thread 16' cooperating with a thread 15 'formed in the second blind recess 27 of the first element 3 Finally the second end 12 'of the pin 11' has a smaller cross section than the central part 10 '. It is intended to be received in a socket 13 'of the permanent fixing device 9'. This sleeve 13 'is mounted within the second blind recess 28 of the second element 5 with also blocking means 18'. It has a configuration similar to that of the figure 3 with blocking means 18 'formed by a thread 25' present in the blind recess 28 of the second element 5 and by a thread 26 'on the external wall 17' of the sleeve 13 '. The internal wall 19 ′ of the sleeve 13 ′ is welded to the second end, that is to say to the part 12 ′, of the pin 11 ′ in order to secure the two assemblies 1 to form the part 21.

We understand that, as for the first through hole 6, depending on the clearance left or the respective shape of the through hole 24 and the pin 11 ', the third central element 7 may pivot or not relative to the first and second lateral elements 3, 5 who frame it. As with the first through hole 6, the through hole 24 may have a cross section of corresponding non-circular shape with that of the pin 11 'in order to prevent any relative pivoting between the third element and the first and second lateral elements. On the contrary, it can be envisaged that the through hole 24 has a cross section of corresponding circular shape with that of the pin 11 'in order to allow this relative pivoting.

For room 51 visible at figures 4-6 , similarly to the explanation above, the part 51 comprises devices 9 for permanent fixing within each assembly 31 (a pin 11 fixed to a socket 13) alternating with devices 9 'for permanent fixing (a pin 11 'fixed on a socket 13') between sets. On the other hand, it is noted that the pins 11, 11 'no longer have a second end with a smaller cross section than the main part. It is therefore understood that this narrowing of the section is only optional both for this type of part and for that of the Figures 1 to 3 . It is also noted that several assemblies 31 can be connected together by a clasp 61 in order to form a bracelet intended to be mounted on a middle part of a timepiece.

The assembly method for the assemblies 1 is explained below. Initially, elements 3, 5, 7 are manufactured with, by example, the different holes or recesses 2, 4, 6, 27, 28, 24 formed directly or machined afterwards. In a second step, the sockets 13 and 13 'are mounted respectively in the recesses 4 and 28 of the lateral element 5 by means of the blocking means 18 and 18'. In a third step, the pins 11, 11 'are mounted respectively in the recesses 2 and 27 of the lateral element 3 using the locking means 8 and 8'. Of course, the second and third beats can be reversed.

In a fourth step, the parts 10, 10 'and 12, 12' of the pins 11, 11 'protruding from the first lateral element 3 are threaded respectively for the first pin 11 into the first through hole 6 of a third element 7 d 'a set 1 and for the second pin 11' in the second through hole 24 of the third element 7 of an adjacent set 1. In a fifth step, the second end of each pin 11, 11 ', that is to say the part 12, 12', projecting from the third elements 7 is force fitted against the internal wall 19, 19 'of each socket 13, 13 'mounted in the second side element 5.

Finally, in a sixth and final step, the second end of each pin 11, 11 'is welded to the internal wall 19, 19' of the corresponding socket 13, 13 '. This welding is advantageously carried out without contact and, preferably, by magnetic induction heating. Therefore, it is understood that the pins 11, 11 'and the sockets 13, 13' are preferably formed by an electrically conductive material such as a metal such as, for example, steel. Advantageously, the force fitting carried out during the fifth step, makes it possible to promote the welding of the sixth step and avoids heating the assemblies for too long. At the end of the sixth and last time, the elements 3, 5 and 7 within each set, as well as the sets between them are completely integral and can only be separated by breaking the weld between the sockets 13, 13 ' and pins 11, 11 '.

In the presence of more than three elements as illustrated in figures 4 to 6 , the principle is substantially the same with the elements 37, 37 'forming the third central element. The first and second through holes of these elements 37, 37 'communicate with two through holes formed respectively in the intermediate elements 35 of two adjacent assemblies 31 to receive respectively the two pins 11, 11' extending between the lateral elements 33, 35 'with blind recesses.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated but is capable of various variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art. In particular, the different locking means 8, 8 ', 18, 18' may be of a different nature than devices of the tapping type 15, 15 ', 25, 25' - thread 16, 16 ', 26, 26' and / or not be of the same kind in relation to each other. By way of non-limiting example, one or more of the blocking means could also be formed by devices of the bayonet type allowing a durable and low-stress fixing like the devices of the thread-thread type.

As an alternative embodiment, the first and second pins can be made of titanium and in this case said ends 12, 12 'of these pins are fixed by driving into said second sockets 13, 13', also preferably made of titanium. The use of titanium for pins and sockets has the particular advantage of achieving a more rigid attachment of the links than with steel pins and therefore better resistance of the bracelet.

In addition, the number, dimensions and geometry of the elements for each set may differ without the advantages of the invention being lost.

Claims (8)

Piece (21, 51) comprising at least two sets (1, 31) of elements (3, 5, 7, 33, 35, 35 ', 37, 37') assembled together, each set (1, 31) comprising a first (3, 33), a second (5, 35 ') and a third (7, 37, 37') elements with the first element (3, 33) and the second element (5, 35 ') arranged apart and other of the third element (7, 37, 37 '), the first (3, 33) and the second (5, 35') elements each comprising a first (2, 4) and a second blind recesses (27, 28) and the third element (7, 37, 37 ') comprising a first (6) and a second (24) through holes, the first through hole (6) of the third element (7, 37, 37') being placed in look of the first blind recess (2, 4) of the first (3, 33) and second (5, 35 ') elements within each assembly (1, 31), the second through hole (24) of the third element (7, 37, 37 ') of a set (1, 31) being placed opposite the second blind recess (27, 28) of the first (3, 33) and second (5, 35 ') elements of another set (1, 31), each set (1, 31) comprises a device (9) for permanent fixing comprising: - a first pin (11) mounted in the first through hole (6) of the third element (7, 37, 37 ') and in the first blind recess (2, 4) of the first (3, 33) and second (5, 35 ′) elements, the first pin (11) comprising at one end mounted in the first blind recess (2) of the first element (3, 33) of the first locking means (8), - A first sleeve (13) disposed within the first blind recess (4) of the second element (5, 35 '), the external wall (17) of the first sleeve (13) comprising second locking means (18) in said first blind recess (4) and the internal wall (19) being welded to the other end (12) of the first pin (11) or said other end (12) being fixed by driving into said first socket (13), the part (21, 51) being characterized in that it comprises another device (9 ') for permanent fixing connecting said at least two assemblies (1, 31), said other device (9') for permanent fixing comprising: - a second pin (11 ') mounted in the second through hole (24) of the third element (7, 37, 37') and in the second blind recess (27, 28) of the first (3, 33) and second (5 , 35 ') elements, the second pin (11') comprising at one end mounted in the second blind recess (27) of the first element (3, 33) of the third locking means (8 '), - a second bush (13 ') disposed within the second blind recess (28) of the second element (5, 35'), the external wall (17 ') of the second bush (13') comprising fourth locking means ( 18 ') in said second blind recess (28) and the internal wall (19') being welded to the other end (12 ') of the second pin (11') or said other end (12 ') being fixed by driving in said second socket (13 '). Piece (21, 51) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first, second, third and / or fourth locking means (8, 8 ', 18, 18') are formed by a device of the tapping type (15, 15 ', 25, 25'), net (16, 16 ', 26, 26') or bayonet type. Piece (21, 51) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the first and second elements (3, 5, 33, 35 ') is formed with enamel, stone or ceramic. Piece (21, 51) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that , within each set, the third element (7, 37, 37 ') is formed of several elements (37, 37') with a intermediate element (35) disposed between each of said several elements (37, 37 '). Piece (21, 51) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first through hole (6) and / or the second through hole (24) of the third element (7, 37, 37 ') have a cross section of corresponding non-circular shape with that of the first and second pins (11, 11') respectively to prevent relative pivoting first, second and third elements (3, 5, 33, 35 ', 7, 37', 37). Piece (21, 51) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first through hole (6) and the second through hole (24) of the third element (7, 37, 37 ') have a section transverse of corresponding circular shape with that of the first and second pins (11, 11 ') in order to allow the pivoting of the third element (7, 37, 37') relative to the first and second elements (3, 5, 33, 35 '). Piece (21, 51) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least five assemblies (1, 31) interconnected with the other device (9 ') for permanent fixing to form a bracelet , a decorative item or a piece of jewelry. Piece (21, 51) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second pins as well as the second sockets (13, 13 ') are made of titanium and in that said other ends (12, 12' ) pins are fixed by driving into said second sockets (13, 13 ').

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