GB2612291A

GB2612291A - A bracelet

Info

Publication number: GB2612291A
Application number: GB2112534.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Macer Law Euan; Lewis Heath Thomas
Original assignee: An Ordain Ltd
Current assignee: An Ordain Ltd
Priority date: 2021-09-02
Filing date: 2021-09-02
Publication date: 2023-05-03
Also published as: WO2023031608A1; GB202112534D0

Abstract

A bracelet 120 comprising a plurality of metallic members 122 and flexible members 124 arranged such that two consecutive metallic members are interconnected via a flexible member. Each metallic member includes a first portion (122a, fig. 2a) attachable to a second portion (122b, fig. 2a) that together form a clamp for holding the flexible member. Preferably the flexible portion comprises a central region provided between two connector regions, and the first and second metallic portions respectively form a pair of cavities to receive the connector regions. The first and second recesses may have a dovetail shape, and the flexible members may be made from rubber or silicone. The first and second metallic portions may be connected via a pair of screws (126, fig. 2a). Also claimed is a watch having a watch case body 110 coupled to such a bracelet.

Description

A BRACELET

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a bracelet and in particular to a metallic bracelet that can bend easily.

Background

Traditional metallic bracelets, such as watch bracelets, have a limited degree of flexibility, which can make them relatively uncomfortable to wear. It is an object of the disclosure to address the above mentioned limitation.

Summary of the disclosure

According to a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a bracelet comprising a plurality of metallic members and flexible members arranged such that two consecutive metallic members are interconnected via a flexible member; wherein each metallic member comprises a first portion attachable to a second portion, the first and second portions forming a clamp for holding the flexible member.

Optionally, each flexible member comprises a central region provided between two connector regions and wherein the first and second portions of the metallic member form a pair of cavities for receiving a first connector region of a flexible member and a second connector region of another flexible member, respectively.

Optionally, each portion comprises a first recess extending along a first side, and a second recess extending along a second side of the metallic member.

Optionally, the first recess forms an interference fit with the first connector region, and the second recess forms an interference fit with the second connector region.

Optionally, each one of the first recess and the second recess have a dovetail shape.

Optionally, the flexible members are made at least in part of rubber or silicon.

Optionally, the first portion and the second portion are attachable with a pair of screws.

Optionally, the bracelet is bendable both clockwise and anticlockwise.

Optionally the bracelet comprises a connector adapted to attach the bracelet to a watch case body.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure there is provided a watch comprising a watch case body coupled to a bracelet according to the first aspect.

The watch according to the second aspect of the disclosure may comprise any of the features described above in relation to the bracelet according to

the first aspect of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

The disclosure is described in further detail below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure lA is a profile view of a watch provided with a bracelet

according to the disclosure;

figure 1B is a side view of the watch according to figure 1A; figure 2A is a profile view of a portion of the bracelet of figure 1; figure 2B is a side view of the bracelet portion of figure 2A; figure 3A is a transparent side view of the bracelet portion of figure 2; figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the bracelet of figure 3A; figure 4A is a top see-through view of the bracelet of figure 2; figure 4B is another transparent side view of the bracelet portion of figure 2; figure 4C is another profile view of the bracelet of figure 2.

Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a watch 100 that includes a watch case body 110, a bracelet 120 and a watch connector 130. The bracelet 120 is provided with a plurality of metallic members 122 and flexible members 124 arranged alternatively. Two consecutive metallic members 122 are interconnected via a flexible member 124. Each metallic member 122 is made of a first portion, also referred to as bottom portion 122a coupled to a second portion, also referred to as top portion 122b. The watch connector 130 has two flexible connectors to connect to each side of the bracelet. For instance the watch connector may be adapted to fit a G1226 case. The bracelet 120 may include a stock butterfly clasp for instalment (not shown).

Figures 2A and 2B show a profile view and a side view of a portion of the bracelet of figure 1, respectively. The metallic members 122 and flexible members 124 form a link chain. The members are detachable and removable, hence allowing to adjust the length of the bracelet. The metallic members may be made of a metal of metal alloy material. For instance the metallic members may be made at least in part of silver.

One metallic member 122 is shown in exploded view. The bottom portion 122a is an elongated plate having an inner side facing the top portion 122b, and an outer side facing outwardly. The inner side is provided with a first recess 128a extending along a longitudinal axis of the plate and a second recess 128b, mirror image of the first recess, also extending along the longitudinal axis of the plate but on the opposite side. The first and second recesses are separated by a central wall 129 in the middle of the plate, and open on the other side. Each recess is shaped to hold or hook in place a portion of the flexible member. In this example the first and second recesses 128a, 128b have a dovetail shape, however it will be appreciated that other shapes could be envisaged. A first opening 121a is provided at the first end of the plate and a second opening 121b is provided at the opposite end of the plate.

The bottom portion 122a and the top portion 122b are identical and attachable such that the inner face of the bottom portion is placed against the inner face of the top portion. On assembly, a pair of screws 126 is fitted within the openings to hold the top and bottom portions in place. A screw top 127 may be inserted in the openings of the top portion to receive the screw 126. It will be appreciated that other fastening means may be used to attach the top and bottom portions together.

Figure 3A is a transparent side view of the bracelet portion of figure 2 showing internal parts assembled including the thread present within the opening of the bottom portion and the thread present within the opening of the top portion.

Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the bracelet of figure 3A along the axis A-A. The view shows six bottom portions 122a interconnected via five flexible members 124. Each flexible member 124 comprises a central region 124a provided between two connector regions 124b and 124c. The flexible member 124 may be an integral member formed in one piece of flexible material. For instance the flexible material may include rubber or silicon.

The shape of the connector regions (124b, 124c) and the shape of the recesses (128a, 128b) may be designed to match so that when a connector region is inserted into a corresponding recess, the connector region and the recess cooperate to form an interference fit. In figure 3B, the shape of the connector region 124b complements the dovetail shape of the recess 128b. Similarly, the shape of the connector region 124c complements the dovetail shape of the recess 128a.

Upon assembly, the bottom and top portions 122a, 122b form a pair of open cavities for receiving a first connector region of a flexible member on one side and a second connector region of another flexible member on another ID side of the metallic member 122, respectively. The thickness of the flexible member 124 may be designed to match the size of the cavity formed by two opposite recesses. For instance the thickness of the flexible member 124 may be about twice the depth of the recess.

The complementary dovetail shape of the flexible member connector region (124b, 124c) permits to hold securely the flexible member 124 between the bottom and top portions of the metallic member 122, hence preventing any slippage between moving parts. It also permits to distribute forces through the flexible member 124 more evenly when the bracelet is bent.

Figure 4A is a top see-through view of the bracelet of figure 2 showing the bracelet assembly in which the flexible members 124 are arranged successively between two metallic members 122. A watch connector 130 is provided at one end of the bracelet. It will be appreciated that another watch connector (not shown) is also provided at the other end of the bracelet.

Figure 4B shows another transparent side view of the bracelet portion of figure 2. This view shows the watch connector 130 that includes a metallic case 130a and a flexible connector 130b. The flexible connector 130b has a first part that includes a connector region similar to 124c for connection to a metallic member, and a second part attachable to the metallic case 130a. Figure 4C is another profile view of the bracelet of figure 2, showing the watch connector 130. Spring-bar fittings (not shown) may be provided to allow assembly with the intended watch case.

The various components of the bracelet 120 can be assembled easily by fitting a flexible member 124 between two bottom metallic member portions 122a. The connector regions (124b, 124c) of the flexible member are slotted within the recesses on two opposite sides. Then the top portions 122b of the metallic members 122 are attached on top of the bottom portions 122a using the screws to clamp the flexible members 124. The length of the bracelet is easily adjusted by adding or removing one of more sets of flexible member/metallic member.

Unlike traditional metallic bracelet which have a limited flexibility, the bracelet of the disclosure can bend easily and to a greater extent. The bracelet is free to articulate and can bend both clockwise and anti-clockwise.

The degree of flexibility can be adjusted by varying the material and the size of the flexible members. This improves overall comfort for the user as the bracelet is less restrictive. The bracelet of the disclosure may be used for different applications. For instance the bracelet may be used as a watch band as described above or as a single bracelet. It will also be appreciated that the bracelet may be adapted to be worn on different parts of the body. For instance the bracelet may be worn around the wrist, but it may also be worn around the ankle as an ankle bracelet.

A skilled person will appreciate that variations of the disclosed arrangements are possible without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the above description of the specific embodiments is made by way of example only and not for the purposes of limitation. It will be clear to the skilled person that minor modifications may be made without significant changes to the operation described.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bracelet comprising a plurality of metallic members and flexible members arranged such that two consecutive metallic members are interconnected via a flexible member; wherein each metallic member comprises a first portion attachable to a second portion, the first and second portions forming a clamp for holding the flexible member.
2. The bracelet as claimed in claim 1, wherein each flexible member comprises a central region provided between two connector regions and wherein the first and second portions of the metallic member form a pair of cavities for receiving a first connector region of a flexible member and a second connector region of another flexible member, respectively. 3. 4. S. 6.
The bracelet as claimed in claim 2, wherein each portion comprises a first recess extending along a first side, and a second recess extending along a second side of the metallic member.
The bracelet as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first recess forms an interference fit with the first connector region, and wherein the second recess forms an interference fit with the second connector region.
The bracelet as claimed in claims 3 or 4, wherein each one of the first recess and the second recess have a dovetail shape.
The bracelet as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the flexible members are made at least in part of rubber or silicon.
7. The bracelet as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the first portion and the second portion are attachable with a pair of screws.
8. The bracelet as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the bracelet is bendable both clockwise and anticlockwise.
9. The bracelet as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the bracelet comprises a connector adapted to attach the bracelet to a watch case body.
10. A watch comprising a watch case body coupled to a bracelet according to any of the preceding claims.