JP2013180208A - Clasp with extensible buckle - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the disadvantages of known clasps, a clasp with a simple structure and increased locking reliability is provided. First and second plates articulated around a hinge are provided. A clasp with a deployable buckle having a first plate attached to the first strand of the band and a second plate attached to the second strand of the band to close the clasp The clasp further comprises a locking device for securing the first plate 1 to the second plate with the two plates folded toward each other in position, the locking device being in the closed position of the clasp A first locking element of a male type and a second locking element of a female type that are engaged with each other, and either one of the first plate and the second plate is in a closed position of the clasp In order to maintain the engagement between both plates at Characterized in that the action of locking force between the second locking element.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an intermediate clasp with a deployable buckle, and more particularly to such a clasp locking device.

  In horology, a band called “open type” in which two strands can be removed from each other, and two strands connected to an intermediate clasp with a deployable buckle consisting of multiple plates. As a result, it is often distinguished from a band called “continuous ring type” in which the band is attached at the deployed position and the wrist can be sufficiently tightened at the closed position. An open band usually consists of two leather strands, one strand with a buckle and pin at the end, and the other strand with a row of holes, one of these holes. Thread the pins according to the desired band length. Very often, a continuous band with a deployable buckle is made of steel and usually has a push button that, when activated, opposes the spring bar in the opposite direction perpendicular to the plate. Move the band to. In this case, the length adjustment is performed by removing several rows of frames.

  In order to alleviate the disadvantages of the fineness of the length adjustment of the continuous band and the disadvantages related to the convenience of use and the service life of the open band, a deployable buckle is formed in the prior art. Mixed-type solutions are known for flexible bands that simultaneously comprise a plate and a buckle with a protrusion provided to penetrate one of the strands of the strand. For example, when the size of the wrist changes significantly according to the temperature and changes occur from season to season, the length can be finely adjusted if necessary. It is also possible with the above-mentioned system to use a clasp using a system of the type with a deployable buckle to enable the closing operation.

  Usually, with respect to the clasps of the type described above, a plurality of plate mutual fixation device devices are typically notches suitable for receiving spring bars in a shape protruding above the plate, or of the plate. A tongue that is provided on one side and penetrates a hole provided on the other plate is used. The disadvantage of this type of locking part is that, first of all, this part wears quickly, and then the part easily breaks due to its relatively lack of strength due to its shape. There is a risk of doing.

  Therefore, there is a need for a type of clasp with a deployable buckle that is not limited by the prior art described above.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution with improved lock reliability with a simple structure as an alternative solution for known clasps of the type with a deployable buckle.

  This object is achieved in particular by a clasp comprising a deployable buckle comprising a first plate and a second plate articulated around a hinge. In this clasp, the first plate is attached to the first strand of the band, the second plate is attached to the second strand of the band, and the two plates are connected to each other in the closed position of the clasp. In its folded state, the clasp includes a locking device for securing the first plate to the second plate so that the locking devices engage one another in the closed position of the clasp. A first locking element of a male type and a second locking element of a female type, and the above-described inner clasp includes either a first plate or a second plate closed by the inner clasp. A locking force is applied between the first locking element and the second locking element for the purpose of maintaining the engagement between both plates in the integrated position.

  The advantage of the proposed solution is that the locking parts do not have to be plastically deformed for the purpose of fixing the deployable plates together, thereby minimizing the wear of the locking elements.

  Another advantage of the proposed solution is that it improves the reliability of the lock on the clasp, in particular pressing the plate towards the other in the closed position of the clasp, and more securely and firmly engaging the locking parts It is to ensure the improvement of the tolerance with respect to an impact by applying the locking force which maintains the above.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are as follows.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the various components that make up the preferred flexible band clasp of the present invention. 2 is a top view of the preferred clasp of FIG. 1 in an assembled and closed position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clasp according to a preferred variant of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, with the plate in the deployed position and the band strand attached to the end of the plate. FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the preferred clasp of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-3 in a locked position. FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of FIG. 4A and shows in more detail the preferred centering male first locking element of the present invention inserted into the female second locking element.

Detailed Description of the Invention

  In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention suitable for flexible bands will be described in detail. However, it can be seen that the plate locking device proposed within the framework of the present invention can be used for other types of bands, such as metal bands.

  FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the various components making up a flexible band clasp 100 according to a preferred variation of the present invention. The intermediate clasp is folded between the first leg 21 and the second leg 22 of the shaft in the closed position of the clasp 100 so as to minimize the overall height of the assembly. A first intermediate plate 1 is provided. The first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are articulated by a hinge 3 formed from a tube 31 whose end is closed by a stopper 32 in the region of the end, for example. Further, the intermediate plate 1 is provided with a fixing metal fitting 14 for fixing the first strand 101 of the band shown in FIG. 3 to the attachment piece 6 at the other end, while the shaft is at the other end. The buckle 5 is connected to a first fixed spring bar 4 for fixing. Furthermore, the buckle top bridge 51 comprises a projection 54 formed here of a threaded tube 541 and a truss screw 542, which projection is inserted into one of the holes 10 in the second strand 102 of the band. The points that are intended to be used are also shown in FIG. 3 described below. The attachment piece 6 includes the center flange 61 so that the first strand 101 can be centered.

  The intermediate plate 1 is provided with a first transverse hole 12 for passing a pin projecting from both sides of the intermediate plate 1 as a pin forming the male first locking element 7, and a protrusion 54. Is provided with a second transverse hole 13 intended to completely fold the buckle 5 on the plate in the closed position of the clasp. Preferably, a cylindrical first recess 11 is provided in the region of the upper surface 15 of the intermediate plate 1 in order to allow passage of the first fixed spring rod 4, and further, the second recess and the third As for the concave portion, the reference numeral 211 is assigned to the first leg portion 21 of the shaft, and the reference numeral 221 is assigned to the second leg portion 22 of the shaft. The second recess 211 and the third recess 221 form a groove for accommodating the protruding end of the pin, and these recesses are provided in the region of the lower surface 24 of the shaft shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The female second locking element 8 is formed. The arrangement as shown above the male locking element 7 and the female locking element 8 not only makes it possible to minimize the overall height in the closed position of the clasp, but also the locking element described above. The locking element is not visible from above the clasp 100.

  Since the buckle 5 needs to allow passage of one of the strands having a width larger than the interval between the side surfaces 20 of the shaft, in order to widen the width of the buckle, the expansion tube 9 is connected to the first of the buckle 5. 1 at the end of the fixed spring bar 4. It can be confirmed that the distance between the first branch 52 and the second branch 53 of the buckle 5 is larger than the distance between the side surfaces 20 of the shaft.

  In the region of the second recess 211 and the third recess 221, a projecting portion is also provided for the purpose of improving the holding of the pin in the closed position of the clasp, and the middle plate further has the first leg 21 of the shaft. An inclined contact surface is provided to minimize deformation of the intermediate plate when bent so as to enter between the first leg portion 22 and the second leg portion 22. A first protrusion provided on the first leg 21 of the shaft is indicated by reference numeral 212, and a protrusion provided on the second leg 22 of the shaft is indicated by reference numeral 222. Similarly, the first support surface of the first leg 21 of the shaft is indicated by 213 and the second inclined support surface of the second leg 22 of the shaft is indicated by 223. A view showing details of the protrusion and the inclined surface is shown in FIG. 4B, which will be described in more detail below.

  FIG. 2 shows a top view of the clasp 100 where all the components of FIG. 1 have been assembled. The clasp is shown in the locked position (PV), in which the first intermediate plate 1 is between the first leg 21 and the second leg 22 of the shaft and between the buckle 5. It is located, connected to the shaft via the first fixed spring bar 4 and the expansion tube 9, folded on the first intermediate plate 1, and the protrusion 54 is engaged with the second hole 13. The arm portion of the pin forming the male first locking element 7 of the locking device of the present invention is parallel to the axis of the hinge 3 formed from the tube 31 and the stopper 32 in the vicinity of the first fixed spring rod 4. On the other hand, it can be understood that the attachment piece 6 is connected to the fixing bracket 14 of the intermediate plate 1.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as is apparent from FIG. 1, and as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 4A below, the radii of curvature of the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are closed. Equal in position. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the curvature radius C1 of the first intermediate plate 1 is larger than the curvature radius C2 of the second plate 2, that is, the first plate 1 is in a resting state, for example, the above-mentioned In the lock release position (D) of the clasp 100 shown in FIG. 3, the curvature is smaller than that of the second plate. In FIG. 3 above, the male locking element 7, the first strand 101 and the second strand 102, and the elements for fixing these strands to the plate, i.e. the attachment piece 6, the second strand in the first strand. The buckle 5 can be distinguished from the other strand, and the protrusion of the buckle (not visible in the above figure) provided on the lower surface of the bridge 51 is used to adjust the length of the band. It penetrates through one of the holes 10. In the mounting piece 6, it is inserted into the slit at the end of the first strand 101, and further, the center collar 61 that can secure the centering around the fixed spring bar (not visible in the above figure) is identified. Can do.

  When the male locking element 7 is used, it is possible not only to take the shape of a pin as described above, but also to be composed of an arm portion formed integrally with the first intermediate plate 1. It becomes possible. According to one variant, a part of the male locking element 7 and a part of the female locking element 8 are provided on one side of the plate, the male first locking element 7 and the female locking It is also possible to provide another part of the element 8 on the other plate. The advantage of selecting a pin that is preferably press-fitted into the first intermediate plate 1 as a preferable one is that it is possible to select a material for the pin that is harder than the material for the plate. It is possible to add sufficient deformation to enable deformation for fixing the plate without using excessive force on the side. Similarly, the second plate 2 in which the female second locking element 8 (the second recess 211 and the third recess 221) is formed has a hardness higher than that of the first plate 1. By making it possible to select a higher material, preferably a material harder than the pin, the pin can be used as a wear part, ie a replaceable part after a certain period of time. This is because the replacement cost of the pin is lower than the replacement cost of the entire shaft. According to one variant, the pin is brazed after insertion into the first hole 12 in the middle plate to increase the durability of the pin and to sustain any misalignment that occurs laterally along the hole axis It becomes possible to prevent.

  Whatever material is selected to implement the first locking element 7 and the second locking element 8, the locking device proposed by the present invention uses a locking part fixed to the plate. It has a high resistance compared to the resistance of various conventional saddles, such as using a snap fit of a male element into a female element. This is because, in such a fixing method, plastic deformation of the lock element inevitably occurs every time the opening operation and the closing operation that occur each time the fastening is performed. Furthermore, in order to ensure the reliability of the lock in the closed position, the plastic deformation is inevitably large, which on the one hand acts for the purpose of engaging and disengaging the locking elements from one another. In view of the forces that need to be applied, the use of the lock becomes impractical, while on the other hand, inevitably rapid wear of the parts used for the lock occurs.

  Contrary to the above, according to the invention, plastic deformation of the locking element is no longer necessary. This is because only one of the plates needs to be deformed to engage and disengage. In addition to the ease of assembly provided by the present invention, the proposed solution also provides a lateral slide that was previously maintained in a protruding position outside the clasp cover of the metallic band. The elastic member that is additionally provided to apply the return force required for the member is also unnecessary.

  FIG. 4A shows a top view of the preferred embodiment clasp 100 shown in the above figures in a locked position (PV). On the left side of FIG. 4A you can see the mounting piece 6 and the buckle 5, the male locking element 7 and the expansion tube 9 on the extension of the axis of the first fixed spring bar 4 (not visible in this view). In the center, a lower surface of the plate, in particular, a lower surface 24 of the second plate is provided with a recess for accommodating the female second locking element 8, that is, the male locking element 7. And the second hole 13 of the intermediate plate are recognized. On the right side of the figure, the second plate, here the middle plate and shaft, and the hinge for fixing and articulating the first plate are recognized.

  FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of FIG. 4A in the region of the part to be locked. Here, the locking force F acting on the bottom of the female second locking element 8, that is, the second concave portion 211 and the third concave portion 221, from the middle plate connected to the male locking element 7. Is recognized. In the above figure, only the cooperative action of one of the pin arm portions and the second recess 211 with respect to the first leg portion 21 of the shaft has been described. Of the female locking elements 8, this is the only element visible from the above figure. In this way, the direction corresponding to the direction in which the intermediate plate pressed at the closed position of the clasp so as to have the same curvature radius as the curvature radius of the shaft is returned to reduce the curvature and reach the rest position again. In addition, the locking force F acts. In the present embodiment, the locking force F corresponding to the return force of the intermediate plate toward the rest position is substantially 45 ° to the left with respect to the vertical direction, that is, on the left bottom of the second recess 211. By setting the direction to go, it is possible to stably maintain the two plates pressed against each other at the lock position.

  In order to increase the sustainability of the fixed state, the female second locking element 8 is preferably at least equal to the size of the male first locking element 7, ie here the diameter of the protruding part of the arm of the pin A groove having a depth is defined. The first leg 21 and the second leg 22 of the shaft include a first protrusion 212 and a second protrusion 222, respectively. Of these two protrusions, only one of the two protrusions sufficiently performs the holding function of the arm portion of the pin. Although only the first protrusion 212 is shown in FIG. 4B, the second protrusion 222 is shown. Is preferably the same shape as the first protrusion. The first protrusion 212 is positioned below the first recess 211 to form a bulge that forms the end of the groove into which the pin arm is inserted in order to lock the clasp. The lower portion of the first protrusion is formed on the first inclined support surface 213 (note: the second support surface 223 is also preferably formed on the second leg portion 22 of the shaft, but in FIG. The pin is more easily slid, i.e., slightly deformed up to the area of the protrusion of the midplate, so that the clasp is locked and unlocked. It becomes even easier. The inclination of the two support surfaces is preferably around 45 ° so that the deformation of the intermediate plate does not become excessively large while the pins slide on these support surfaces, and the pins are nevertheless It is possible to configure an intermediate threshold value for deformation before engagement between the arm portion and each groove occurs. A vertical wall, such as the wall of the right part of the groove, can also be envisaged within the framework of the present invention, but compared to the case where no wall is provided, a threshold of force for mutual engagement between the locking parts. This has the disadvantage that the initial value of becomes higher. Furthermore, if the protrusion is not provided, there is a disadvantage in locking reliability. This is because, for example, when there is an impact, it becomes easier to pull out the intermediate plate from the groove by a force for moving the end portion of the intermediate plate downward. The support surface preferably extends over a length of up to 1 to 2 mm and over a distance that is less than or equal to the radius of the pin.

  In FIG. 4B, the arm of the pin extends to the outer side wall 20 of the second leg 21 of the shaft, so that the line of sight is directed in the lateral direction of the clasp, that is, in the direction parallel to the axis of the hinge 3. It becomes possible to easily check whether or not the clasp is actually in the closed position. On the other hand, since the lock device is hidden by the buckle 5 in the above-described embodiment, it can be confirmed that it cannot be seen from above. Furthermore, when the extension of the size of the pin arm is matched to reach the same height as the area of the lateral outer wall, the contact surface between the male and female elements of the locking device is expanded. And, as a result, increase the sustainability of the fixed state. Nevertheless, preferably the length of the arm of the pin is selected so that the protruding part does not come out of the side wall at all, so that an external element (for example the skin or clothes of the wearer of the band) is involved. Avoid the situation of being caught.

  Similarly, in FIG. 4B, that is, not visible in this figure, the axis of the first fixed spring bar 4 for fixing the second fixed end 220 of the second leg 22 of the shaft and the buckle 5 is shown. The first fixed end 210 of the first leg 21 of the shaft to be determined and the pin axis are located adjacent to each other. The first fixed end 210 and the second fixed end 220 are located at the ends of the first leg 21 of the shaft and the second leg 22 of the shaft, respectively, preferably up to 5 mm from the pin. Is spaced. In order to maximize the lever action and the moment acting by the locking force F in the closed position, as described in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the distance between the pin axis and the spring bar axis is a maximum of 2 3 mm will be selected.

  By providing the first groove and the second groove on the lower surface 24 of the shaft and providing the cylindrical groove 11 on the upper surface 15 of the intermediate plate, not only can the locking device be hidden, but also the mounting piece 6 Due to the acting pressure, the locking device described above can be easily unlocked. As a result, the intermediate plate is bent downward, and an unlocking force acting in a direction opposite to the locking force F is generated. On the contrary, the bridge 51 of the buckle 5 constitutes an ideal support surface for locking the clasp when the plate is in contact with the user's wrist. On the one hand, the bridge 51 is shifted with respect to the axis of the first fixed spring bar 4, and on the other hand, the size of the fixing bracket 14 of the mounting piece 6 is made large so that the lever can be easily locked. This increases the momentum of the force acting on the fulcrum area by creating a fulcrum with a greater distance from the axis of the fixed spring bar.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the pin and the entire male locking element 7 are configured to face in a direction perpendicular to the locking force F so that the entire contact surface with the female locking element is maximized. . Furthermore, the arrangement of the pins eliminates the need to form male elements along the curve of the plate to which the male elements are fixed.

  According to one variant, according to one variant, the radii of curvature are the same in the rest state, and a slight change in the respective radius of curvature occurs due to the engagement between the female element and the male element. A plate can be selected in which the first radius of curvature of the first plate is increased and the second radius of curvature of the second plate is slightly increased.

  The clasp 100 described within the framework of the present invention is particularly suitable for watch bands, regardless of whether this clasp has a buckle for mounting one of the strands so that it does not move. It is understood that it can be used for all types of bands.

Claims (15)

An intermediate clasp (100) comprising a deployable buckle comprising a first plate (1) and a second plate (2) articulated around a hinge (3),
The first plate (1) is attached to the first strand (101) of the band, and the second plate (2) is attached to the second strand (102) of the band and the clasp The clasp (100) is a locking device for fixing the first plate (1) to the second plate (2) in a state where the two plates are bent toward each other in the closed position The locking device further comprises a male first locking element (7) and a female second locking element (8) that engage each other in the closed position of the clasp, Either the first plate (1) or the second plate (2) is adapted to maintain the engagement between the two plates in the closed position of the clasp, the first locking element (7). And a locking force (F) is applied to the second locking element (8). Characterized in that, the clasp (100).   The male first locking element (7) is characterized in that the first plate (1) is fixed to any one of the second plates (2). A clasp (100) comprising the deployable buckle of claim 1.   The clasp (100) with a deployable buckle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the male first locking element (7) extends in a direction perpendicular to the locking force (F). .   The first plate (1) is an intermediate plate, and the second plate (2) is a shaft provided with a first leg (21) and a second leg (22). A midsole (100) comprising the deployable buckle of claim 3 characterized by the above.   The male first locking element (7) is a pin inserted into the first transverse hole (12) of the first plate (1), and the pin is connected to the axis of the hinge (3). 5. A clasp (100) with a deployable buckle according to claim 4, characterized in that it extends in parallel from one side of the first plate (1) to the other side.   The second locking element (8) is implemented in a first recess (211) implemented in the first leg (21) of the shaft and in the second leg (22) of the shaft. An inner clasp (100) with a deployable buckle according to claim 5, characterized in that it is formed from a second recess (221).   The first leg and the second leg (21, 22) of the shaft are connected to a first fixing spring rod (4) for fixing to a buckle (5), and the buckle is connected to the first leg. A protrusion (54) for fixing the two strands (102), the first intermediate plate (1) having a cylindrical recess (11) for passing the first fixing spring bar (4) An intermediate clasp (100) with a deployable buckle according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a second hole (13) for the passage of the projection (54).   The first and second recesses (211 and 221) are provided on the lower surface (24) of the shaft, and the cylindrical recess (11) is provided on the upper surface of the intermediate plate. An intermediate clasp (100) comprising a deployable buckle according to claim 7.   The first fixed spring bar (4) includes a first end (210) of the first leg (21) of the shaft and a first end of the second leg (22) of the shaft. 9. Deployment according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the axis of the first fixed spring bar (4) and the axis of the pin are spaced apart by a maximum of 5 mm. A clasp (100) with a buckle.   The female second locking element (8) defines a groove having a depth greater than or equal to the size of the male first locking element (7) and the first leg of the shaft. The second leg (21, 22) comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion (212, 222), respectively, according to any one of claims 4-9. A clasp (100) with a deployable buckle.   The first leg and the second leg (21, 22) of the shaft are provided with a first inclined contact surface and a second inclined contact surface (213, 223), respectively. A clasp (100) comprising the expandable buckle according to any one of 4 to 10.   12. A deployable buckle according to any one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the pin extends to an outer side wall (20) of the first leg and the second leg. Provided with clasp (100).   The first plate (1) includes a fixing bracket (14) for fixing the mounting piece (6) having a central flange (61) for fixing the first strand (101). A clasp (100) comprising a deployable buckle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   The first plate (1) and the second plate (2) have different radii of curvature (C1, C2) in a resting state in the unlocking position (D) of the clasp. An intermediate clasp (100) comprising the deployable buckle according to any one of the above.   The male first locking element (7) is characterized in that it is achieved with a material that is harder than the part formed on the female second locking element (8). Item 15. A clasp (100) comprising the expandable buckle according to any one of items 1 to 14.

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