CH701804B1

CH701804B1 - Clasp of bracelet with setting feature length.

Info

Publication number: CH701804B1
Application number: CH14102009A
Authority: CH
Inventors: Cyril Tirolle
Original assignee: Oreade Manufacture De Boites Sa
Priority date: 2009-09-10
Filing date: 2009-09-10
Publication date: 2014-03-31
Also published as: CH701804A2

Abstract

A bracelet or belt clasp provided with a length-adjusting device comprising a sliding element in a direction parallel to the axis of the bracelet making it possible to adjust the length of the bracelet and a pin or a safety button engaged with one of the Strands of the bracelet. The clasp is characterized by the fact that the lengthening mechanism and the slide are concealed under the bracelet when the bracelet is worn for a better aesthetic effect. The clasp may optionally have a lid, not directly connected to the bracelet, without safety functions.

Description

Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for lengthening a bracelet, in particular a watch bracelet, and more particularly a bracelet comprising two flexible strands and a deploying clasp arranged so as to Forming an unfolding loop for a watch. It would, however, be possible to adopt the lengthening device and the clasp of the invention to other similar applications, such as, for example, jewelery bracelets, belts, and so on.

PRIOR ART Known in the prior art are clasps of a bracelet with an unfolding buckle making it possible to easily insert a watch on the wrist when the buckle is deployed and then to tighten the wrist in the closed position. These bracelets generally consist of a clasp comprising two, three or more foldable articulated blades, and two preferably flexible strands. The strands are conventionally made of leather, rubber, fabric, or by articulated rows of metal links.

[0003] The leather or rubber bracelets comprise, in a known manner, several adjustment holes intended to cooperate with a barb placed in the cover of the clasp as described, for example, in GB 2 158 145. This solution offers an adjustment Coarse of the length by notches corresponding to the spacing between the perforations of the bracelet. It is therefore impossible to obtain an accurate setting. Moreover, it is difficult to change the length once the adjustment has been made. The same limitations are also found in the case of metal bracelets, where the lengthening is obtained by eliminating rows of links.

[0004] Devices are also known for fine adjustment of the length of the bracelet. WO 2008/064 931, discloses a metal watch strap with a screw adjusting device in the lid of the clasp. This device is specially adapted for a metal bracelet and, being relatively bulky, is not suitable for use with leather or textile bracelets passing through the clasp.

[0005] EP 1 815 765 describes a watch bracelet with a clasp provided in the lid with an adjusting wheel rotating about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the bracelet. This device allows precise adjustment. It is however quite visible and contributes to increase the height of the clasp.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] An object of the present invention is therefore to propose a wristband clasp that is free from the limitations of known devices.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to propose a bracelet clasp with a lengthening device that can be used with the whole range of bracelets available. Moreover, the present invention also proposes to propose an aesthetically-designed and original bracelet clasp, presenting the user with a virgin surface and not encumbered with technical elements, suitable for all kinds of customizations.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved in particular by means of the device which is the subject of the main claim, the dependent claims relating to preferential embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a bracelet clasp according to a first aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section along the plane AA of the clasp of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates, according to a second aspect of the invention, a bracelet clasp without a lid, a strand of the bracelet held by a security button.

Figs. 4 and 5 are two cross-sections along the planes AA, respectively BB, of the clasp of FIG. 3.

Figs. 6-8 show a further embodiment of the invention.

[0010] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the clasp 10 illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises two longitudinal members 31 articulatedly connected by the axes 35 to a first and a second leaflet 32, 33, so as to produce a "butterfly" type clasp. Preferably, the longitudinal members 31 are separated by an opening in which the leaflets 32, 33 are housed in the folded-down position. The opening of the clasp is possible only by acting on the pushers 36, positioned on either side of the clasp.

The connection element 54 is fixed, preferably in an articulated manner, on the end of the first leaflet 32 and carries screwed axes 53 for connection to the end of a first flexible strand of the bracelet. It should be understood that the screwed shafts 53 can be replaced, depending on the nature of the bracelet chosen, with any other suitable fixing element.

The second flexible strand of the bracelet (not shown in the figures) is fixed, preferably also in an articulated manner, to the length-setting device 55 secured to the second leaflet 33 of the clasp. The length-setting device 55 comprises a slide 72 which can move in both directions in the direction parallel to the axis of the bracelet. A safety pin 76 perpendicular to the plane of the bracelet, or another suitable connecting element, is intended to be inserted into the perforations of the bracelet.

The clasp according to the invention therefore enables fine straping of the bracelet by the longitudinal displacement of the slide 72. The movement of the slide 72 is controlled by a rack device consisting of the adjusting notched spring 58 or Any other means of equivalent adjustment. Advantageously, the length-setting device 55, the slide 72 and the adjustment notch spring 58 are hidden under the bracelet when the buckle is worn.

The clasp of the invention also includes a cover 45, the opening of which can be traversed by the second strand of the bracelet. It is important to note that the lid 45 in this embodiment of the invention is not directly connected to the two strands of the bracelet and it has no safety function. The upper surface 47 of the lid 45 may be advantageously employed to add decorative or graphic elements, for example.

[0015] According to a second embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 3-5, the clasp does not have a lid and the second strand of the flexible bracelet is connected to the slide 72 by the safety button 75. This button is held in position by a ratchet closure 79, visible in FIG. 5, so as to prevent unexpected disconnection. Preferably, the button 75 has an upper surface 77 of large dimensions, on which decorative or graphic elements, for example a logo, can be added.

[0016] According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the clasp of the invention also includes two longitudinal members 31 hingedly connected to first and second leaflets 32, 33, so as to produce a "butterfly" type clasp. In the example illustrated, the clasp does not include security pushbuttons, but it would be possible to add such elements without departing from the scope of the invention.

A first flexible strand of the bracelet (not shown) is secured to the clasp by the axes 53 screwed onto the end of the first folding leaflet 32, or to another equivalent fixing element. The second flexible strand of the bracelet (not shown in the figures) is fastened, preferably also in an articulated manner, to the button 85 by virtue of the safety pin 86 perpendicular to the axis of the bracelet and intended to be inserted in the perforations Of the bracelet. The button 85 is part of a lengthening device and can be moved by the wearer in both directions in the direction parallel to the axis of the bracelet in order to put the bracelet in the desired length.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-section along the plane CC of the clasp of FIG. 7 and illustrates the lengthening device comprising a slide 72 secured to the button 85 and to the pin 86 and being able to slide in the direction parallel to the axis of the bracelet inside the opening 48 of the cover 45. The Displacements of the slide are prevented by a rack device comprising the two elastic arms 89 which interact with the notched surfaces 49 of the opening 48.

[0019] In the variant of FIGS. 6-8 the slide and the rack device are hidden by the button 85 when the bracelet is worn.

Although the above description relates only to the particular case of a clasp attached to a folding loop of the butterfly type, it is important to see that the invention can be applied to any type of foldable loop, for example Wallet type, etc., comprising two, three or more leaflets or blades articulated in any way, as well as conventional barbed clasps. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to watch straps, but can also be used for making belt buckles, for example.

Reference Numbers Used in the Figures [0021] 31 spars 32 1st folder 33 2nd fold-out 36 push-buttons 45 cover

Claims

47 top surface of lid 48 opening 49 notched surfaces 53 threaded axes 54 connecting element 55 length adjustment device 58 adjustment notched spring 72 slide 75 safety button 76 safety pin, connecting element 77 upper surface of safety button 79 Ratcheting 85 button 86 safety pin 89 elastic arm Claims

1. A clasp (10) for connecting two strands of a bracelet or belt to open or enlarge said bracelet or belt, the clasp being provided with a length-setting device (55) comprising a sliding element ) In a direction parallel to the axis of said bracelet or belt for adjusting the length of the bracelet, and a safety pin (76, 86) for cooperating with a perforation in the strand of the bracelet and perpendicular to the axis Of said bracelet, characterized by a rack device (58, 77) for controlling movement of the slide member (72).

2. The clasp according to claim 1, wherein the sliding element and / or the rack device are concealed by a member of the bracelet or the clasp when the bracelet is worn.

3. The clasp according to claim 1, further comprising a cover (45) free in rotation said cover having an opening that can be traversed by a strand of the bracelet.

4. Clasp according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of folding elements (32, 33) hingedly connected to two longitudinal members (31) and thus forming a "butterfly" type clasp.

5. The clasp according to claim 1, wherein the rack device comprises a notched spring.

6. The clasp according to claim 1, wherein the rack device comprises two elastic arms interacting with two notched surfaces.