Two-part watch strap

Abstract

A two-part watch strap (1) including a clasping part (2) and a clasped part (3). The clasping part (2) includes: a clasping-part watch-attaching end; a clasping end opposite the clasping-part watch-attaching end; a strap/band/bracelet portion (4) extending between the watch-attaching and clasping ends of the clasping part (2); and a groove (11) arranged in the strap/band/bracelet portion (4). The clasped part (3) includes: a clasped-part watch-attaching end; a free end (9) opposite the clasped-part watch-attaching end; a strap/band/bracelet portion (6) extending between the watch-attaching and free ends of the clasped part (3); and a protruding portion (10) adjacent to, near, or at the free end (9). The protruding portion (10) is configured to engage with and at least partially lock into the groove (11) of the clasping part (2) so as to secure the free end (9) of the clasped part (3) to the clasping part (2).

Claims

1. A two-part watch strap comprising: a clasping part comprising: a clasping-part watch-attaching end that is proximal to a watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasping end, opposite the watch-attaching end of the clasping part that is distal from the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion that extends between the watch-attaching end of the clasping part and the clasping end of the clasping part in a clasping-part longitudinal direction; and a groove arranged in the clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion that extends completely through the clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion in a thickness direction orthogonal to the clasping-part longitudinal direction; and a clasped part comprising: a clasped-part watch-attaching end that is proximal to the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a free end, opposite the watch-attaching end of the clasped part, that is distal from the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasped-part strap, band, or bracelet portion that extends between the watch-attaching end of the clasped part and the free end of the clasped part; and a protruding portion arranged adjacent to, near, or at the free end of the clasped part, the protruding portion being configured to engage with and at least partially lock into the groove of the clasping part so as to secure the free end of the clasped part to the clasping part; wherein the clasped part further comprises: at least one clasped portion configured to be secured to the clasping end of the clasping part to secure the watch to a wrist of a user when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; wherein the groove of the clasping part has a length equal to or greater than a length of the clasped portion; and wherein the groove of the clasping part has the length equal to or greater than a length of the clasped portion so that the protruding portion can slide along the groove when the protruding portion is engaged with and at least partially locked into the groove.

2. A two-part watch strap comprising: a clasping part comprising: a clasping-part watch-attaching end that is proximal to a watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasping end, opposite the watch-attaching end of the clasping part, that is distal from the watch when the two-p art strap is attached to the watch; a clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion that extends between the watch-attaching end of the clasping part and the clasping end of the clasping part in a clasping-part longitudinal direction; and a groove arranged in the clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion that extends completely through the clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion in a thickness direction orthogonal to the clasping-part longitudinal direction; a clasped part comprising: a clasped-part watch-attaching end that is proximal to the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a free end, opposite the watch-attaching end of the clasped part, that is distal from the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasped-part strap, band, or bracelet portion that extends between the watch-attaching end of the clasped part and the free end of the clasped part; and a protruding portion arranged adjacent to, near, or at the free end of the clasped part, the protruding portion being configured to engage with and at least partially lock into the groove of the clasping part so as to secure the free end of the clasped part to the clasping part; wherein the groove extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion in the longitudinal direction.

3. The two-part watch strap according to claim 2; wherein the groove is centrally located, in a clasping-part transverse direction orthogonal to the clasping-part longitudinal direction, in the clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion.

4. A two-part watch strap comprising: a clasping part comprising: a clasping-part watch-attaching end that is proximal to a watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasping end, opposite the watch-attaching end of the clasping part, that is distal from the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion that extends between the watch-attaching end of the clasping part and the clasping end of the clasping part in a clasping-part longitudinal direction; and a groove arranged in the clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion that extends completely through the clasping-part strap band, or bracelet portion in a thickness direction orthogonal to the clasping-part longitudinal direction; a clasped part comprising: a clasped-part watch-attaching end that is proximal to the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a free end, opposite the watch-attaching end of the clasped part, that is distal from the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasped-part strap, band, or bracelet portion that extends between the watch-attaching end of the clasped part and the free end of the clasped part; and a protruding portion arranged adjacent to, near, or at the free end of the clasped part, the protruding portion being configured to engage with and at least partially lock into the groove of the clasping part so as to secure the free end of the clasped part to the clasping part; wherein the protruding portion is configured to slide along the groove of the clasping part when the protruding portion is engaged with and at least partially locked into the groove of the clasping part.

5. A two-part watch strap comprising: a clasping part comprising: a clasping-part watch-attaching end that is proximal to a watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasping end, opposite the watch-attaching end of the clasping part that is distal from the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion that extends between the watch-attaching end of the clasping part and the clasping end of the clasping part in a clasping-part longitudinal direction; and a groove arranged in the clasping-part strap band, or bracelet portion that extends completely through the clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion in a thickness direction orthogonal to the clasping-part longitudinal direction; a clasped part comprising: a clasped-part watch-attaching end that is proximal to the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a free end, opposite the watch-attaching end of the clasped part, that is distal from the watch when the two-part strap is attached to the watch; a clasped-part strap band, or bracelet portion that extends between the watch-attaching end of the clasped part and the free end of the clasped part; and a protruding portion arranged adjacent to, near, or at the free end of the clasped part, the protruding portion being configured to engage with and at least partially lock into the groove of the clasping part so as to secure the free end of the clasped part to the clasping part; wherein the clasped part comprises a surface that extends in a clasped-part longitudinal direction and in a clasped-part transverse direction orthogonal to the clasped-part longitudinal direction; wherein the protruding portion protrudes from the surface of the clasped part and is formed as a spigot comprising: an enlarged head portion; and a stem, arranged between the enlarged head portion and the surface of the clasped part, having a maximum dimension in the clasped-part transverse direction that is smaller than a maximum dimension of the enlarged head portion in the clasped-part transverse direction; wherein the groove of the clasping part is configured to receive and retain the protruding portion so that the stem of the protruding portion is arranged in the groove and the enlarged head portion of the protruding portion abuts against an underside of the clasping-part strap, band, or bracelet portion of the clasping part; wherein the groove of the clasping part comprises a stepped profile comprising: a central groove portion in which the stem of the protruding portion is arranged when the protruding portion is received and retained in the groove; and a shoulder recess portion in which the enlarged head portion of the protruding portion is arranged when the protruding portion is received and retained in the groove; and wherein the central groove portion has a dimension between two opposite surfaces, which at least partially form the groove, that is smaller than the maximum dimension of the enlarged head portion in the clasped-part transverse direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1.1-1.3 show a top, a side, and a bottom, respectively, of a two-part watch strap according to an embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIGS. 2.1-2.3 show a top, a side, and a bottom, respectively, of a two-part watch strap according to another embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the free ends of a two-part watch strap according to an embodiment of the invention in a buckled state of the strap.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a two-part watch strap according to an embodiment of the invention in a state where a protruding snap at the free end of the clasped part is secured in a groove of the clasping part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(5) It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.

(6) The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments. It is noted that any numerical ranges disclosed herein are included to individually disclose every sub-range and number, both whole integer and partial fraction, within the disclosed range. For example, a disclosed range of 1-100 is intended to individually disclose 20-90, 40-80, 30.5-50.2, 20, 67.3, 84.512924, and every other range and number that falls within the recited range.

(7) FIGS. 1.1-1.3 show a top, a side, and a bottom, respectively, of a two-part watch strap 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The two-part watch strap 1 has a clasping part 2 and a clasped part 3. The clasping part 2 has a strap portion 4 and a clasp 5such as a buckle, deployment clasp, or other clasp. The clasped part 3 includes a strap portion 6 and a clasped portion or portions 7such as one or more holesthat engages with the clasp 5 of the clasping part 2 to secure a watch (not shown) to the wrist of a user when the two-part strap 1 is attached to the watch.

(8) Each of the clasping part 2 and the clasped part 3 includes a watch attaching portion 8 to attach each of the two strap parts to a watch. Each watch attaching portion 8 may be formed by a corresponding strap portion 4, 6 itself. Alternative, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 2.1 and 2.3, one or more of the watch attaching portions 8 may be completely separate and distinct from the corresponding strap portion 4, 6 to link the corresponding strap portion 4, 6 the watch. In such an instance the distinct watch attaching portion(s) 8 may be permanently affixed to or removable from the corresponding strap portion 4, 6. In the case where the distinct watch attaching portion(s) 8 is removable from the corresponding strap portion 4, 6, the distinct watch attaching portion(s) 8 may not even be part of the strap 1 as finally manufactured, but instead may be an additional part purchased separately from the two-part strap 1.

(9) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the clasped portion(s) 7 is engaged with the clasp 5, the free end 9 of the clasped part 3 that extends past the clasp 5 is secured to the clasping part 2 via a protruding snap 10 that engages with and locks into a slot or groove 11 in the strap portion 4 of the clasping part 2. The protruding snap 10 can slide along the groove 11 to arrive at a final resting position depending on which clasped portion 7 is engaged with the clasp 5. To unlock the protruding snap 10 from the groove 11, a user must affirmatively and actively pull the free end 9 of the clasped part 3 away from the strap portion 4 of the clasping part 2. This locking feature prevents the free end 9 from coming loose from the strap portion 4, and ensures that the clasped part 3 does not unintentionally come unsecured from the clasp 5. The groove 11 may be formed to have a stepped profile, as shown in FIG. 4, to securely retain the protruding snap 10.

(10) In a preferred embodiment, groove 11 is at least as long, or longer, than the length from the clasped portion 7a closest to the free end 9 to the clasped portion 7z furthest from the free end 9. In this way, the protruding snap 10 is allowed to slide along the groove 11, thereby reliably securing the free end 9 of the clasped part 3 to the strap portion 4 of the clasping part 2 regardless of which clasped portion 7 is engaged with the clasp 5.

(11) The strap portions 4, 6 may be formed of any suitable watch-band materialswhether pliable or nonpliableso long as the protruding snap 10, the groove 11, or both are formed from a pliable material (e.g., an elastomer, rubber, leather, synthetic fabrics, synthetic leathers, foams, etc.) so that the protruding snap 10 can be snapped into or through the groove 11. For example, the strap portions 4, 6 may be formed from a nonpliable and rigid material (e.g., metal, polycarbonate, hard plastic, wood, carbon fiber, etc.), while the material of the clasping part 2 in which the groove 11 is formed of a pliable material such as an elastomer, rubber, or leather. In a preferred embodiment, the strap portions 4, 6 are completely formed from a pliable material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer (which may be injection molded or otherwise molded) or leather.

(12) It is noted that the terminology used above is for the purpose of reference only, and is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as upper, lower, above, below, rightward, leftward, clockwise, and counterclockwise refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. As another example, terms such as inward and outward may refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the component described. As a further example, terms such as front, rear, side, leftside, rightside, top, bottom, horizontal, and vertical describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology will include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

(13) While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.

(14) In addition, it is noted that citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.