FR2732786A3 - Wristwatch with easily changed bracelet or strap - Google Patents

Abstract

The device enables easy detachment and changing of watch straps, by having the watch case strap lugs (1,2) with specially arranged fixing orifices. These permit the fixing and removal of the strap. The bracelet may carry fixing pins (3,4,5), dumbbell shaped, to maintain the pin in the bracelet and to slide into the lug orifices. Diametrically opposite lug orifices may be slotted longitudinally on the lug underside, to enable bracelet (6) movement at an angle of 45 degrees to the lug. However, when fitted to the watch, on the wrist, it cannot slide laterally, as the arrangement of the lugs, orifices and slots locks it in position. The bracelet may be metal or a leather strap.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for making the strap of a wrist watch removable and interchangeable at will.

The fixing of the strap on the watch is traditionally ensured by spring pins called "pump system" encased between the horns of the case. It is therefore impossible without a tool to operate these pins and detach the strap from the watch.

Certain systems allow the straps to be swapped, but in this case the watch case has different complex mechanical parts which must return to movement for the operation to be carried out.

The device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks.

 I1 indeed has, according to a first characteristic, a watch case whose horns, constitutive elements of the case, make it possible to slide along the case, pins secured to the bracelet.

The device according to the invention achieves two goals: on the one hand a cost of manufacture identical to traditional watch cases and on the other hand a simplicity of use never reached.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 (a-b-c): shows the watch case with specific horns.

Figure 2 (a-b): shows the bracelet and its specific fixing pins. The straps (L) are sewn on the pins (A).

Fi ure 3 (a-b-c): represents the fixing and detachment of the strap on the watch.

a) sliding position: introduction of the straps.

b) from the sliding position (I) to the locking position (V).

c) horn detail: sliding position (1), locking (V).

Figure 4: shows the detailed construction of the system.

With reference to FIG. 4, the device comprises:
The watch case including two diametrically and symmetrically opposite horns (2) are drilled right through a cylindrical hole (8) 32 / '"m / m in diameter and 25'0m / m long with a longitudinal slot (9) 25 '"m / m wide over the entire length and forming an angle of 45" with the base of the horn. Two other equally opposite horns (1) comprising a cylindrical cavity (7) of 32 / "" m / m in diameter and 20 / 'm / m in depth.

The bracelet which is made up of leather straps or metal links (6) fixed on dumbbell-shaped pins (3-4-5), in their central part (4).

The pins (3-4-5) are in their central part (4), 15'0m / m in diameter. At the ends two larger parts of cylindrical shape (3-5) whose function is to laterally block the elements (6) of the bracelet. The cylindrical ends (3) of 30 '"m / m in diameter and 20'0m / m long penetrating into the horns (1) comprising the cavity (7). The cylindrical ends (5) of 30'" m / m in diameter and 25 '"m / m long sliding in the horns (2) through an orifice (8) with a slot (9).

It is the very particular morphology of the horns (1-2) of the watch case, which allows without any tool aid or setting in motion moving mechanical parts the possibility of changing the strap at will.

On operation (Figure 3 abc), to attach the strap to the watch, it suffices to position in turn the two straps (6) forming the strap opposite the external orifices (8) of the horns (2) and to introduce these bracelet elements by sliding them in the longitudinal slot (9) formed in the horn (2) for this purpose.

The angle then described by the strap element (6) with the underside of the watch case is 45 "(Figure 3 -c- insertion position (I), locking position (V).

The element (3) of the pin having arrived in abutment in the orifice (7) of the horn (1), it suffices to raise the element (6) by 90, natural position of the bracelet on the wrist; this position prevents the bracelet from being in front of the access slot (9) and thus it is in the locked position because it is wedged between the horns (1-2) of the watch case.

It will be enough to change the strap to tilt it 90 "so that it is positioned again in front of the slot (9) and can slide laterally. It should be noted that this manipulation of the strap cannot be carried out when the watch is on the wrist hence the perfect security of the system.

The device according to the invention is intended for all forms of watch and allows the use of leather bracelets as well as metal bracelets.

Claims (4)

1) Device to make the straps removable and swappable on a wrist watch; characterized in that it comprises a watch case, the horns (1-2) of which have holes (7-8) of very specific architecture which allow the strap to be fixed and detached from the watch case. 2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, fixed on the bracelets, pins (3-4-5) in the shape of a dumbbell to laterally hold the bracelet, and intended to slide in the orifices (7 -8). 3) Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises a longitudinal slot (9) located under and in the horn (2) allowing the passage of the element (6) of the bracelet, when the latter describes a angle of 450 with the underside of the horn (2). 4) Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it allows the bracelet when it is attached to the wrist attached to the watch case, to be in a position such that it can no longer slide laterally, the specific architecture of the horn (2) of the orifice (8) and of the slot (9) fully playing its role of locking.