EP4159079B1 - Bracelet clasp with length adjustment - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a bracelet clasp with a device for adjusting the useful length of the bracelet.

The present invention also relates to a wristwatch provided with such a clasp.

State of the art

The problem relating to the need to provide a device for adjusting the useful length of a bracelet is well known.

On the one hand, in the case of bracelets made up of links, it is possible that the wearer's wrist has a circumference whose value is located between two configurations of the bracelet differing from each other by a single link. Also, it is useful to provide a device for adjusting the useful length of the bracelet allowing a finer adjustment of the length of the bracelet than removing or adding a link.

On the other hand, it is also known that the value of the wrist circumference varies depending on the seasons, with a maximum value generally being reached in summer and a minimum value being reached in winter. It is again preferable to provide a device for fine adjustment of the useful length of the bracelet allowing the wearer of the bracelet to adjust this length to improve the comfort of the bracelet when worn.

For example, the patent application EP 09131060 A1 describes a clasp of the folding clasp type comprising a cover having a series of pairs of holes intended to accommodate the ends of a fixing bar of a bracelet. Two adjacent pairs of holes are spaced at a distance defining an adjustment step for the useful length of the bracelet, to address the problems mentioned above.

However, such a device for adjusting the length of the bracelet is not very aesthetic given that the adjustment holes are visible on the sides of the cover. In addition, the adjustment operation of such a clasp requires a certain dexterity because it requires inserting a pointed tool into the holes to compress the bracelet fixing bar, which risks leading to damage to the cover. in case of clumsiness of the person making the adjustment.

To avoid such a situation, alternative devices have already been disclosed, such as in the patent EP 0350785 B1 which describes a clasp similar to the previous one but alternatively comprising a device for adjusting the useful length of the bracelet which can be manipulated without tools. Indeed, the clasp described in this patent is of the folding clasp type comprising two blades articulated together by means of a rod passing through both of them, each of the blades carrying at its free end a member for fixing to a bracelet. A first blade carries a hook intended to engage in a hole provided in the second blade to cooperate with a trigger making it possible to lock the hook and therefore the clasp in a closed state. The second blade comprises two parts capable of sliding relative to each other in a certain predefined range, defining a step of adjustment of the useful length of the bracelet. A first of its two parts carries the hinge connecting it to the first blade while the second part carries the locking trigger. The hole in which the hook engages to lock the clasp has a length, following the longitudinal direction of the bracelet, corresponding to the sliding range between the two parts of the second blade. The trigger has a central part defining two locations for the hook, following the longitudinal direction of the bracelet, corresponding to two different useful lengths of the bracelet. A control member comprising in particular a pusher makes it possible to activate the trigger to release the hook and open the clasp.

The document EP2740381A1 discloses a clasp according to the preamble of claim 1.

It may be noted that a disadvantage resulting from this structure is the loss of adjustment of the length of the bracelet each time the clasp is opened. Therefore, the wearer of the bracelet must ensure each time the clasp is closed that the hook is inserted on the side of the central portion of the trigger corresponding to the desired length for the bracelet.

Adjustment devices comprising a specific locking member have also been proposed, as an alternative, to avoid this type of inconvenience.

Disclosure of the invention

A main aim of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the clasps known from the prior art, by proposing a bracelet clasp comprising a device for adjusting the useful length of the bracelet of simple structure, preferably offering a stable adjustment, including when the clasp is open, and easy to handle.

For this purpose, the present invention relates more particularly to a clasp for a bracelet comprising first and second blades articulated relative to each other, by a first of their respective ends, between a closed position, to wear, and at least an open position, said first blade carrying a member for fixing a first strand of bracelet, said second blade, lower, being connected to a loop at its second end, the loop defining a passage for a second strand of bracelet and carrying a nipple intended to be inserted into a suitable hole in the bracelet strand to define an anchoring point of the latter to the clasp, the clasp further comprising at least one locking member to maintain said first and second blades in their closed position.

According to the invention, a carriage connected to the second end of the second blade, said carriage being arranged to slide in the loop and able to move from a first indexed position to a second position indexed to define at least two predefined positions associated with a predefined useful length of the bracelet.

• ledit passant comprend deux rainures de guidage disposées en vis-à-vis et dans lesquelles le chariot coulisse dans le sens de la longueur du fermoir ;
• le passant comprend des moyens d'indexation définissant les première et deuxième positions indexées ;
• les moyens d'indexation comprennent au moins deux encoches disposées sur au moins une des rainures de guidage ;
• le passant comprend un organe de commande agencé pour permettre le déplacement du chariot d'une position à une autre ;
• l'organe de commande se présente sous la forme d'un poussoir agencé sur le chariot, le poussoir comprenant un ergot agencé pour coopérer avec les moyens d'indexation ;
• le poussoir est agencé pour translater selon une direction perpendiculaire par rapport au sens de la longueur du fermoir ;
• le fermoir comprend des moyens de rappel agencé pour maintenir l'organe de commande sous contrainte ;
• le chariot comprend des moyens de limitation de la course de ce dernier ;
• les moyens de limitation de la course du chariot comprennent un pion solidaire du passant et agencé pour coopérer avec un trou oblong du chariot ;
• les extrémités du trou oblong définissent deux positions indexées du chariot.

In accordance with other advantageous variants of the invention:

• said loop comprises two guide grooves arranged opposite each other and in which the carriage slides in the direction of the length of the clasp;
• the loop comprises indexing means defining the first and second indexed positions;
• the indexing means comprise at least two notches arranged on at least one of the guide grooves;
• the loop comprises a control member arranged to allow the carriage to move from one position to another;
• the control member is in the form of a pusher arranged on the carriage, the pusher comprising a lug arranged to cooperate with the indexing means;
• the pusher is arranged to translate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the length of the clasp;
• the clasp comprises return means arranged to keep the control member under stress;
• the carriage includes means for limiting the travel of the latter;
• the means for limiting the travel of the carriage comprise a pin secured to the loop and arranged to cooperate with an oblong hole in the carriage;
• the ends of the oblong hole define two indexed positions of the carriage.

The invention also relates to a wristwatch comprising a bracelet provided with a clasp according to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un fermoir conforme à l'invention ;
• les figures 2a et 2b représentent une vue de dessus d'une partie d'un fermoir conforme à l'invention, avec le poussoir respectivement en position de repos et en position rétractée ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue éclatée d'un fermoir conforme à l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of a mode preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:

• there figure 1 represents a perspective view of a clasp according to the invention;
• THE figures 2a and 2b represent a top view of a part of a clasp according to the invention, with the pusher in the rest position and in the retracted position respectively;
• there Figure 3 represents an exploded view of a clasp according to the invention.

Mode(s) of carrying out the invention

The clasp illustrated without limitation in the figures corresponds to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. More precisely, the clasp 100 is of the folding clasp type and is intended to close a timepiece bracelet.

As emerges more particularly from the figures 1 And 2 , the clasp 100 comprises a first blade 1 articulated on a second blade. Each of the blades has an elongated shape following the longitudinal direction of the bracelet and slightly curved to better match the shape of a wearer's wrist.

The first blade 1 comprises two uprights 10 arranged in contact with each other at one of their ends and, each having a cutout such that they are not in contact with each other over the largest part of their length.

Each of the amounts 10 carries an extension 11, near its other end, extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bracelet, to form a pusher defining a control member making it possible to unlock the clasp, as shown by there figure 1 .

Furthermore, the free end of the first blade 1 carries means for holding the bracelet intended to be associated with the clasp 100.

The holding means comprise a cover 12 having an upper wall 13 carrying side walls 14. The side walls 14 are provided with two holes 8 making it possible to accommodate one end of a bar for fixing a bracelet strand, in a conventional manner .

The second blade 2 comprises two arms 20 connected on the one hand to the first blade 1, and on the other hand to a loop 3 via a carriage 4. The loop 3 includes bent portions 30 for the passage of a bracelet strand , offset relative to the general direction of the arms 20 to define a passage for the bracelet strand.

The loop 3 has a first stud 7 and a second stud 31, both intended to be engaged in a different hole in the bracelet to define a first and a second anchoring point of the bracelet strand to the clasp 100 and thus hold it securely aligned with the clasp.

Advantageously, the loop 3 disposed at the end of the second blade 2 carries a device for adjusting the useful length of the bracelet intended to be associated with the clasp.

The device for adjusting the useful length of the bracelet comprises in particular the carriage 4 which is provided with a base 40 of rectangular shape and two uprights 41, and which is arranged to move in the loop 3 in the direction of the length of the bracelet. clasp. The uprights 41 are arranged to slide in corresponding guide grooves 33 provided on the side edges of the loop 3.

According to the invention, the carriage 4 comprises an oblong hole 42 formed on the base 40, the oblong hole 42 cooperating with a pin 32 secured to the loop 3. Thus, the pin 32 passes through the oblong hole when the carriage 4 is mounted in the passing 3, the uprights 41 being housed in the grooves 33. The oblong hole 42 and the pin 32 make it possible to define the length of the stroke of the carriage 4 by relative to the loop 3, the ends of the oblong hole 42 thus defining the extreme positions of the carriage 4.

As illustrated in figures 2a and 2b , the loop 3 comprises indexing means defining at least first and second indexed positions, these positions making it possible to adjust the comfort of the clasp. Advantageously, the indexing means comprise at least two notches 34 arranged on at least one of the guide grooves 33 to form said at least first and second indexed positions.

The loop 3 also comprises a control member arranged to allow the carriage to move from one position to another, the control member being in the form of a pusher 5 arranged on the carriage 3 and moving with the latter . As we can see in figures 2a and 2b , the pusher 5 comprises on its upper face a lug 50 arranged to cooperate with the notches 34 of the groove 33 so as to lock the chosen position, namely the first or second position in the example illustrated. The pusher 5 extends over a large part of the width of the carriage 4 and has a flat portion 51 directly after the lug 50 and being housed in one of the uprights 41 of the carriage 4. Such an arrangement makes it possible to prevent the pusher is dislodged from the carriage 4 during its handling.

Obviously a higher number of positions for adjusting the length of the clasp, for example three, four or five, is entirely possible for the skilled person who only has to increase the number of notches 34 .

The pusher 5 is arranged to translate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the length of the clasp, that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the carriage 4, and has on its upper face a textured portion to facilitate the gripping the pusher 5.

In order to maintain the pusher 5 in its locked position, the carriage 4 comprises return means, in the form of a leaf spring 6, arranged to keep the control member under stress. So, for move the pusher 5, the user must slide the latter to force the leaf spring 6 and dislodge the lug 50 from the notch 34 in which it is located.

As we can observe in the Figure 3 , the carriage 4 comprises an L-shaped recess for receiving the pusher 5 and the spring blade 6, the foot of the L receiving the spring blade, and the body of the L receiving and guiding the pusher 5 which is slightly protruding relative to the 'obviously.

The carriage 4 comprises means for limiting its travel relative to the loop 3, these means for limiting the stroke being in the form of a pin 32 secured to the loop 3 and which is arranged to cooperate with an oblong hole 42 of the carriage 4. Such an arrangement makes it possible both to define the extreme positions of the carriage 4 relative to the passer 3, and to prevent the carriage 4 from becoming dislodged from the grooves 33. So as to be able to easily disassemble the carriage 4 from the loop 3, pin 32 is screwed onto loop 3.

Thus, when the wearer wishes to change the length of the bracelet, the wearer can modify the position of the carriage 4 by pressing on the pusher 5 to dislodge the lug 50 from the notch 34 formed in one of the guide grooves 33, then slides the carriage 4 or the loop 3 towards a second position where the notch 34 faces the lug 50. Once the position is chosen, the wearer releases the pusher 5 and the position is locked when the lug 50 is housed in the second notch.

Furthermore, conventional locking means are provided to ensure that the closed state of the clasp is maintained. For this purpose, a conventional locking mechanism is arranged to keep the first blade 2 attached to the second blade 1 when no pressure is exerted simultaneously on the pushers formed by the extensions 11. The extensions 11 each have fixed hooks configured to cooperate respectively with the first stud 7 placed on the loop 3.

When the extensions 11 are actuated, the hooks move away from each other to move the clasp into its open state.

The patent application EP 09131060 A1 describes in detail a clasp of this type and those skilled in the art can refer to it if necessary.

The clasp 100 is shown in its long configuration on the figure 2a . If the carriage is moved towards the second free notch, the bracelet (not shown) is then elongated and occupies the position of Figure 3a.

It appears from this presentation that the clasp according to the present invention comprises a movable element capable of being moved to adjust the useful length of the bracelet. The construction and handling of this clasp are simple and allow the user to easily adjust the clasp when necessary.

The preceding description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration and the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular characteristics which have just been described, such as for example the shapes specifically illustrated and described for the blades or their mode of cooperation to ensure the locking of the clasp.

Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the content of the present disclosure to their own needs and implementing a clasp, in particular for a timepiece, without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be noted for example that the adaptation of the present teaching for the construction of a folding clasp of structure different from that illustrated and described will not pose any particular difficulty to those skilled in the art.

Claims (12)

1. A wristlet clasp (100) comprising first and second blades (1, 2) hinged relative to each other, by a first of their respective ends, between a closed wearing position and at least one open position, said first blade (1) carrying a member (8) for fastening a first wristlet strand, said second lower blade (2) being connected to a loop (3) at its second end, the loop defining a passage for a second wristlet strand and carrying a stud (31) intended to be inserted into an adapted hole in the wristlet strand to define a point for anchoring the latter to the clasp (100), the clasp (100) further including at least one locking member (12) for holding said first and second blades (1, 2) in their closed position, characterised in that it comprises a carriage (4) connected to the second end of the second blade (2), said carriage (4) being arranged to slide in the loop (3) and able to switch from a first indexed position to a second indexed position to define at least two predefined positions associated with a predefined useful length of the wristlet.
2. The clasp (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that said loop (3) comprises two guide grooves (33) disposed opposite each other and wherein the carriage (4) slides in the direction of the length of the clasp (100).
3. The clasp (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the loop (3) comprises indexing means defining the first and second indexed positions.
4. The clasp (100) according to claim 3, characterised in that the indexing means comprise at least two notches (34) disposed on at least one of the guide grooves (33).
5. The clasp (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the loop (3) comprises a control member arranged to allow the movement of the carriage (4) from one position to another.
6. The clasp (100) according to claim 5, characterised in that the control member is in the form of a push-piece (5) arranged on the carriage (4), the push-piece comprising a lug (50) arranged to cooperate with the indexing means.
7. The clasp (100) according to claim 6, characterised in that the push-piece (5) is arranged to translate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the length of the clasp.
8. The clasp (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises return means arranged to maintain the control member under stress.
9. The clasp (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carriage (4) comprises means for limiting the stroke of the latter.
10. The clasp (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that the means for limiting the stroke of the carriage comprise a pin (32) integral with the loop (3) and arranged to cooperate with an oblong hole (42) of the carriage (4).
11. The clasp (100) according to claim 10, characterised in that the ends of the oblong hole (42) define two indexed positions of the carriage (4).
12. A wristwatch including a wristlet provided with a clasp (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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