STRAP

Abstract

Strap (1) comprising: a strand or a plurality of links (31b) of a first type; at least one connecting element (7b) connected inseparably to a strand or link of the first type; at least one adjusting link (32) which is intended to be connected to a watch case (2) or to a clasp and which can be connected separably to a connecting element; the at least one adjusting link including a button (6B) for locking and/or unlocking the connection to a connecting element.

Claims

1. A bracelet strap comprising: a strap portion; at least one connecting element connected inseparably to said strap portion; at least one adaptation link, intended to be connected to an esthetic element and to be detachably connected to said at least one connecting element; said at least one adaptation link including a locking and/or unlocking button intended, when actuated, to bring the adaptation link from a locked position, in which said at least one connecting element is locked to the adaptation link, into an unlocked position, in which said at least one connecting element can be disconnected from the adaptation link, the locking and/or unlocking button being hidden when the bracelet strap is being worn.

2. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strap portion is either a strap portion formed completely or partly from a flexible material, or a strap portion made up of articulated links.

3. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element and the or each adaptation link are connected to one another removably by means of a male portion inserted into a female opening, said locking and/or unlocking button making it possible to prevent the male portion from being extracted from said female opening when said at least one adaptation is in the locked position, and allowing this extraction when said at least one adaptation link is in the unlocked position.

4. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 3, wherein said female opening forms part of a clasp and forms a groove in a transverse direction relative to the length of the strap portion, the male portion being designed to slide in the groove as it is being inserted or extracted.

5. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 4, comprising at least one row of links comprising a fixed adaptation link and a mobile adaptation link, the fixed and mobile adaptation links being intended to be connected to the clasp, the mobile adaptation link being intended to perform the function of the locking and/or unlocking button, said mobile adaptation link being designed for this reason to pivot about an axis parallel to the groove between the locked position and the unlocked position so as to allow or respectively to block the insertion or the extraction of the male portion relative to the groove, the male portion being, for example, a post.

6. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 5, designed so that a second strap portion of the bracelet strap prevents said locking and/or unlocking button from being manipulated when the bracelet strap is fastened.

7. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 3, comprising at least one adaptation link, preferably two adaptation links, connected to a watch case when a strap portion of the bracelet strap is connected to said watch case.

8. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 7, wherein the or each adaptation link comprises a housing and wherein the locking and/or unlocking button is in the form of a pushbutton arranged inside the housing of the or of each adaptation link so that it can move therein when the or each adaptation link is brought from the locked position to the unlocked position.

9. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 8, wherein the or each adaptation link comprises, on one side, a passage communicating with the housing, the or each pushbutton comprising a mobile body and an elastic member arranged in the housing to collaborate with the mobile body, said mobile body comprising the female opening, and wherein at least one connecting element, preferably two connecting elements, is or are connected inseparably to said strap portion and is or are designed to be introduced into the passage and the female opening of the or of each corresponding adaptation link so as to lock said strap portion to the watch case without the need to actuate the pushbutton or pushbuttons.

10. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mobile body has a tooth arranged facing the passage, the or each connecting element comprising a hook engaging with the tooth in the locked position, actuation of the pushbutton allowing the tooth to disengage from the hook so that said strap portion of the bracelet strap can be disconnected.

11. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 7, wherein the articulated-links strap portion comprises a plurality of links of a first type and a plurality of links of a second type, the or each adaptation link being substantially indistinguishable from said links of the second type when the bracelet strap is being worn.

12. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 11, the links of the first type having an appearance, for example a shape, a dimension, an orientation and/or a color that are substantially identical to one another, the links of the second type having an appearance, for example a shape, a dimension, an orientation and/or a color that are substantially uniform in relation to one another, the or each adaptation link having an appearance, for example a shape, a dimension, an orientation and/or a color that is substantially identical to that of the links of the second type when the bracelet strap is being worn.

13. A wristwatch comprising a bracelet strap as claimed in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are indicated in the description which is illustrated by the attached figures in which:

[0040] FIGS. 1a and 1b depict a bracelet strap according to the prior art, notably a bracelet strap for a wristwatch, in the open and closed positions respectively.

[0041] FIGS. 2a and 2b depict perspective views of a bracelet strap portion according to a first embodiment, connected to a clasp, and in the open and, respectively, closed and locked, positions.

[0042] FIG. 3a depicts a side view of a bracelet strap portion according to the first embodiment, connected to a clasp, in the closed but not locked position.

[0043] FIG. 3b depicts a side view of a bracelet strap portion according to the first embodiment, connected to a clasp, in the closed and locked position, the strap portion being connected to a second bracelet strap portion by means of a clasp.

[0044] FIGS. 4a and 4b depict perspective views of a strap portion according to the first embodiment, connected to a deployment clasp, in the open and respectively closed and locked positions.

[0045] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a bracelet strap link of the second type according to a second embodiment of the invention, intended to be connected to a watch case.

[0046] FIGS. 6a to 6c depict perspective views of a bracelet strap portion according to the second embodiment, in the open position (6a), in the closed and locked position (6b), and in the closed but unlocked position (6c).

[0047] FIGS. 7a to 7c depict views in lateral section, from above and, respectively, from the side, of a watch case connected to a bracelet strap portion according to the second embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0048] FIGS. 1a and 1b depict a timepiece according to the prior art. A bracelet strap comprising two strap portions, of which just one strap portion 1, particularly a first strap portion 1, is visible and connected to a watch case 2 via links of the second type 30 configured in this example as studs. The links of the second type 30 are engaged in housings in the watch case and held in place by means of a screw bar 4.

[0049] FIGS. 2a to 3b depict a first embodiment of the invention in which the bracelet strap 1 is connected removably to a clasp 5a. The figures proposed for illustrating this embodiment show a bracelet strap made of a flexible material, for example a bracelet strap made of rubber, elastomer, leather, textile, etc. The embodiment may, however, also be adapted to suit removable connection between an articulated-links bracelet strap and a clasp.

[0050] The clasp 5a is connected by a pin or some other type of bar, not depicted, to a row of adaptation links comprising, for preference, a fixed adaptation link 32a and a mobile adaptation link 32a. The strap portion 3a is connected to a connecting element 7a which may be connected and locked to this row of links. In one embodiment, the strap portion 3a is overmoulded over the connecting element 7a. The strap portion 3a may also be connected by a pin to the connecting element 7a.

[0051] The connection between the row of adaptation links 32a, 32a and the clasp 5a may be semi-permanent, which is to say not intended to be opened each time the bracelet strap is replaced, although it can be if necessary, for example using a tool. The connection between the connecting element 7a and the strap portion 3a may be inseparable.

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated, the connecting piece 7a comprises a male portion, for example a post 9, that can be engaged in an opening 10a, for example a groove, formed in one of the adaptation links connected to the clasp, in this instance a central link that differs from the two lateral adaptation links 32a, 32a. The groove extends in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the bracelet strap extends. The groove 10a is open at one lateral end to allow the post 9 to enter and exit the groove so as to reversibly connect the two components.

[0053] The mobile adaptation link 32a of the first row connected to the clasp 5a forms a locking and unlocking button 6a. To this end, this link may be pivoted by the user about an axis essentially parallel to the direction of the groove 10a, so as to be able to be moved between a locked position as depicted in FIGS. 2b and 3b, in which this adaptation link 32a obstructs the open end of the groove, thus preventing the post 9 from exiting the groove, and an unlocked position depicted in FIGS. 2a and 3a, in which the post can be introduced into the groove 10a or removed therefrom.

[0054] Advantageously, the mobile adaptation link 32a is designed so that it cannot flip into the unlocked position when the bracelet strap is fixed around the wrist of the wearer, so as to offer security against accidental opening of the bracelet strap. To this end, the second strap portion of the bracelet strap introduced into the clasp 5a and into the keeper loop 19 prevents the adaptation link 32a from rotating toward the unlocked position, as may be seen in FIG. 3b. The opening of the connection between the first row of links and the connecting piece 7a thus in this example requires the bracelet strap to be opened at the clasp 5a beforehand, in order to be able to remove the second strap portion of the bracelet strap.

[0055] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a connection similar to that of FIGS. 2a to 3b but interposed between a bracelet strap portion and a deployment clasp 5b by way of clasp.

[0056] FIGS. 5 to 7c illustrate another embodiment in which the bracelet strap can be opened without a tool thanks to a connection between one strap portion of the bracelet strap and a row of adaptation links 32b which are connected directly to a watch case.

[0057] FIGS. 6a to 6c illustrate an example with a flexible bracelet strap portion comprising a row of adaptation links 32b and a flexible strap portion 3a.

[0058] FIGS. 7a to 7c illustrate an example with an articulated-links bracelet strap portion comprising several rows of links of a first type 30a and several rows of links of a second type 30b, the various rows of links being articulated to one another.

[0059] In both of these examples, the watch case comprises housings for links of the second type 30b, for example in the form of studs. These housings may accommodate either the links of the second type 30b of a conventional bracelet strap, or the adaptation links 32b of a bracelet strap according to the invention. The adaptation links 32b are mounted in these housings and held there semi-permanently, for example using a bar passing through a transverse hole 23 through these links. What is meant in this context by semi-permanent is that the adaptation links 32b are not intended to be disconnected from the watch case 2 each time the bracelet strap is replaced, but that they may nevertheless be separated from the watch case, for example using a tool or at a workshop, to be replaced with the links of the second type from a conventional bracelet strap.

[0060] Each adaptation link 32b incorporates a locking and/or unlocking button 6b to lock and/or unlock the connection with a strap portion or link of the second type. The locking and/or unlocking button is preferably hidden and practically invisible when the bracelet strap is being worn; to this end, the locking button is preferably visible only on those faces of the adaptation links that are hidden when the bracelet strap is being worn.

[0061] An example of an adaptation link 32b comprising a locking and/or unlocking button is illustrated in FIG. 5. The only face of this link that is visible when the bracelet strap is being worn is the upper face, which is substantially identical to the corresponding face of the links of the second type 30b. The lower face, which is to say the one that faces toward the wrist when the bracelet strap is being worn, on the other hand comprises a locking and/or unlocking button in the form of a pushbutton 6b.

[0062] The operation of this pushbutton will be better understood in the light of FIGS. 6a to 6c. As can be seen, the adaptation link 32b comprises a housing 14 inside which the pushbutton 6b is arranged. This pushbutton has a mobile body 9 designed to collaborate with a spring, for example a compression spring 13, positioned in the bottom of the housing 14. The mobile body 9 is designed to move, preferably in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the plane of the bracelet strap 1, when the pushbutton 6b is actuated. The adaptation link 32 comprises, on one side, a passage 16 communicating with the housing 14. The mobile body 9 comprises an opening 10b as well as a tooth 15 arranged facing the passage 16. The bracelet strap 1 comprises two connecting elements 7b connected to the bracelet strap portion 3a and designed to be clipped inside the corresponding adaptation link. Because the locking mechanism is the same for each adaptation link 32b, the description that follows refers to just one of the adaptation links. The strap portion may for example be overmolded over the connecting element 7b, or secured by other permanent or semi-permanent means.

[0063] The connecting element 7b comprises a hook 11 intended to be inserted into an opening 10b in the adaptation link 32b. The hook 11 and the opening 10b may have a rectangular cross section with rounded corners, as may notably be seen in FIG. 5.

[0064] The hook 11 may be clipped into the opening 10b to secure the connecting piece to the adaptation link. FIGS. 6a and 6b show the adaptation link 32b in configurations respectively separate from and attached to the connecting element 7b. In the connected configuration of FIG. 6b, the bracelet strap portion 3a and the adaptation link 32b are against one another and secured together.

[0065] The bracelet strap portion 3a and the connecting element 7b may be secured by simple clip fastening. To this end, the hook 11 of the connecting element 7b is introduced into the passage 16 of the adaptation link 32b, and an inclined surface of the hook 11 pushes against the back of the tooth 15, causing the mobile body 9 to move thus compressing the spring 13 and allowing the end of the hook 11 to enter the opening 10b of the mobile body 9. The tooth 15 of the mobile body 9 of the pushbutton 6b drops back automatically behind the inclined surface of the hook 11 under the action of the spring 13 so as to lock the two parts 7b, 32b in the configuration of FIG. 6b, so as to block the extraction of the connecting piece 7b out of the opening 10b. The flank of the tooth 15 that bears against the hook 11 is preferably re-entrant so as to prevent the risk of the tooth slipping against this hook if the bracelet strap is pulled.

[0066] The bracelet strap portion 3a and the connecting element 7b may be disconnected, as shown in FIG. 6c, by actuating the pushbutton 6b. Pressing the pushbutton 6b disengages the tooth 16 from the hook 11 thus allowing disassembly of the connecting element 7b.

[0067] FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c illustrate a watch with a bracelet strap that can be detached without the use of tools according to the invention. FIG. 7a is an enlarged cross section on C-C of FIG. 7b.

[0068] The watch case 2 is preferably equipped with two adaptation links for connection to a strap portion 3b of the bracelet strap 1. The same layout is replicated symmetrically on the opposite side for connecting to the other bracelet strap portion, which is not visible. Advantageously, each strap portion of the bracelet strap 1 is connected to the watch case 2 by two distinct adaptation links 32b. This configuration offers additional security in case one of the locking features on one of the adaptation links accidentally opens.

[0069] According to FIG. 7b, the articulated-links strap portion 3b comprises a plurality of links of a first type 30a and a plurality of links of a second type 30b. The two adaptation links 32b are substantially indistinguishable from the links of the second type 30b when the bracelet strap is being worn. In the example of FIG. 7b, the articulated-links strap portion 3b comprises two links of the second type 30b per row. In a variant which has not been illustrated, the bracelet strap comprises just one adaptation link and just one link of the second type per row. According to another variant which has not been illustrated, the bracelet strap comprises three adaptation links and three links of the second type per row. The dimensions of the adaptation links and of the links of the second type are adapted according to the number of links of the second type per row.

[0070] The detailed description and the figures relate to an example consisting of a wristwatch with a clasp and a case, although this is not a limitation of the invention which could equally well be applied to an item of jewelry, a necklace, a belt, any chain to be fixed to part of the body, or else an object intended to be worn about the body using a chain.

[0071] Thus, the delicate operation of changing an element of a fixing chain, which element was not designed to be removed without the use of tools, is considerably simplified, becoming accessible to all, faster, without the need for special purpose tooling and without the risk of damaging a component through inept handling. The invention advantageously makes it possible to offer the function of interchangeability for new developments while reusing existing components not designed for that purpose. For example, it is possible to render a bracelet strap or a clasp easily interchangeable without the need to modify either the clasp or the bracelet strap. Finally, the invention offers the further advantage of achieving interchangeability without the need for tools and with a very limited if not to say zero esthetic impact so as not to detract from the style of a product.