Watchstrap, fastening system for a watchstrap and corresponding watch

Abstract

A watchstrap including two separate strap sections, a first section including one or more holes in correspondence to which fastening a second section, to fasten the strap and the watch around a wrist. The strap includes a fastening system with a male part removably fixed to the first section through one of the holes to set a predefined width of the strap, and a female part, fixed on the second section and provided with a receiving seat for snap-engagement of the male part, for an automatic and pre-adjusted fastening of the strap around the wrist, the female part for releasing the male part, to open the strap. Also a fastening system for the strap of a watch and a watch comprising the strap with the corresponding fastening system.

Claims

1. A watchstrap, comprising: two separate strap sections including a first section and a second section, the first section including one or more holes in correspondence to which the second section is configured to be fastened in order to fasten the watchstrap and associated watch around a wrist; and a fastening system including: a male part removably fixed to the first section through one of the one or more holes for setting a predefined width of the watchstrap; and a female part fixed on the second section, the female part provided with a receiving seat for snap-engagement of the male part and for an automatic and pre-adjusted fastening of the watchstrap around the wrist, the female part including means for releasing the male part to open the watchstrap; wherein the female part forms a terminal part of the second section and includes a ring; wherein the female part is fixed on the second section by a pin inserted through both a slit of the terminal part and the ring.

2. The watchstrap according to claim 1, wherein the male part includes a male element and a female element removably joined together, at least one of the male or female elements including a shank insertable through the one or more holes and both of the male and female elements including a respective head with a larger cross-section than a section of the one or more holes, the heads arranged on generally opposite sides of the first strap section.

3. The watchstrap according to claim 2, wherein the male part includes a tip that during use is directed towards the wrist and projects from the first strap section, the tip being snap-engageable and hidden inside the receiving seat of the female part of the fastening system and being formed on the head of the male element.

4. The watchstrap according to claim 2, wherein the male element and the female element are screwed, along a section involving the one or more holes and an entire thickness of the first strap section.

5. The watchstrap according to claim 2, wherein the head of the female element is arranged against and substantially coplanar with the first section, and the head is also visible during use of the watchstrap on the wrist.

6. The watchstrap according to claim 2, wherein the head is circular.

7. The watchstrap according to claim 2, wherein the head of the male element has a mushroom-like form.

8. The watchstrap according to claim 1, wherein the male part and the female part are formed from a metal material or an alloy.

9. The watchstrap according to claim 1, wherein each of the first section and the second section is made of hide, leather, plastic, or rubber.

10. A watch comprising the watchstrap according to claim 1.

11. A watchstrap, comprising: two separate strap sections including a first section and a second section, the first section including one or more holes in correspondence to which the second section is configured to be fastened in order to fasten the watchstrap and associated watch around a wrist; and a fastening system including: a male part fixed onto the second section; and a female part removably fixed to the first section through one of the one or more holes to set a predefined width of the watchstrap, the female part provided with a receiving seat for snap-engagement of the male part and for automatic and pre-adjusted fastening of the watchstrap around the wrist, the female part including means for releasing the male part to open the watchstrap; wherein the male part forms a terminal part of the second section and includes a ring; wherein the male part is fixed to the second section by a pin inserted through both a slit of the terminal part and the ring.

12. The watchstrap according to claim 11, wherein the female part includes a male element and a female element removably joined together, at least one of the male or female elements including a shank passing through the one or more holes and both of the male and female elements including a respective head having a cross-section greater than a cross-section of the one or more holes, the heads arranged on generally opposite sides of the first strap section.

13. A fastening system for a watchstrap, the fastening system comprising: a male part; and a female part; wherein one of the male part or female part is removably fixed through a hole in a first section of the watchstrap, the first section including a plurality of holes for setting a predefined width of the watchstrap, and the other one of the male part or the female part fixed onto a second and separate section of the watchstrap and provided with a receiving seat for snap-engagement of the male part for an automatic and pre-adjusted fastening of the watchstrap around a wrist, the female part including means for releasing the male part to open the watchstrap; wherein the female part is configured to form a terminal part of the second section and comprises a ring and in that the female part is adapted to be fixed on the second section by means of a pin inserted through both a slit of the terminal part and the ring.

14. A watch comprising the fastening system according to claim 13.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the strap according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of the strap according to FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the strap according to the present invention, in an embodiment thereof;

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view of a male part of a strap fastening system according to the present invention, in one of its possible embodiments;

(5) FIG. 5 is a laterally sectioned view of the strap fastening system according to the present invention, in one of its possible embodiments;

(6) FIG. 6 is another perpendicularly sectioned view of the system according to FIG. 5;

(7) FIG. 7 is a front, enlarged and partial view of the system according to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) With reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference number 1 schematically denotes a watchstrap, in particular a watchstrap for a wrist watch, of the type comprising two different strap segments or sections 2, 3, each of which is designed to be fixed at one of its end to a watch structure, by means of fixing means.

(9) These means consist for example of a pin which is inserted inside a slit formed at the end of the section 2, 3, for example formed by means of folding over of the section onto itself; the pin has two opposite ends which emerge from the strap section and are fixed between two seats formed in the watch case.

(10) The strap is for example made of hide or leather, but may also be made of plastic or rubber, as will become clear from the description below.

(11) A first strap section 2 has one or more holes 4 which are formed in the thickness of the strap and in correspondence to which the end of a second section 3 is fastened, to fix the strap and the watch around a wrist. Preferably, the holes 4 are not formed along the entire length of the strap; for example, a first hole 4 is near the end 2x of the first section 2 opposite to the end 2y where the section 2 is fixed to the watch structure; the holes have a predefined interval which allows the strap to be adjusted between a maximum width, obtained by aligning the end of the second section with the first hole 4, and a minimum width, obtained by aligning the end of the second section with the last of the holes 4.

(12) According to the present invention, a fastening system 5 for the strap comprises a male part 6, which is removably fixed to the first section 2 via one of the holes 4, and a female part 7, which is fixed to the second section 3, so as to receive the male part and fasten together the two sections in a predefined width of the strap. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the male part and female part during fastening of the strap.

(13) Advantageously, once the user has defined, from among the plurality of holes available, the hole 4 which corresponds to the preferred width of the strap, the male part is fixed once only to the hole 4, thus setting a width which is maintained between successive strap opening and closing operations. The male part, however, may be removed and the width may therefore be varied if required, for example if the user wishes to widen the strap, following slight variations in the size of the wrist, or if a different user intends wearing the watch or immediately after purchase.

(14) Moreover, closing and opening are performed avoiding any structural stress affecting the strap, by moving the two sections towards each other and joining the male part together with the female part, without folding the sections or causing them to rub together, thus avoiding-structural weakening of the strap.

(15) In particular, with reference to FIG. 3, the female part 7 is provided with a receiving seat 8 for snap-engagement of the male part 6, for automatic fastening, and comprises release means 9 for the male part 6, for opening of the strap. This figure shows a non-limiting example of embodiment of the fastening system 5, in which the receiving seat 8 for the male part is formed in a structural block 7a of the female part 7 and is associated with a lever 9.

(16) The lever 9 is provided with a hole 99 and is kept by means of resilient means in a position partially interfering with the passing movement of the male part 6 inside the receiving seat 8, for example by means of a spring 9a. The lever 9 is movable and accessible on the outside of female part, so as to centre the hole 99 with respect to the receiving seat 8, allowing the male part 6 to be received inside the receiving seat 8.

(17) In particular, in order to fasten the system 5, a tip 15 of the male part is aligned inside the receiving seat 8 and a light pressure is applied onto the male part 6 in order to displace the lever 9 by means of the tip 15, overcoming the resilient means and causing the lever 9 to move backwards, thus centring the hole 99 with the receiving seat 9 and allowing the male part 6 to enter into the receiving seat 8 in a predefined manner. Once insertion has been performed, the lever 9 returns automatically into the position where it partially interferes owing to the action of the resilient means, and prevents the male part 6 from coming out of the receiving seat 8, retaining the tip 15 thereof.

(18) For example the tip 15 has a substantially conical, preferably rounded, cross-section, and the male part has a shank with a smaller cross-section than a larger base of the tip 15; when retracted into the partly interfering position, the plate 9 engages with the base of the conical tip 15 and prevents the male part 6 from coming out.

(19) In order to open the strap, a lug 9d, which is accessible on the outside of the female part 7, allows a pressure to be applied onto the lever 9, which overcomes the force of the resilient means, centring the hole 99 with the receiving seat 8, and therefore allowing extraction of the male part from the female part. The above description can also be understood with reference to FIGS. 5-7, where the fastening system 5 is shown with the male part and female part joined together.

(20) According to another aspect of the present invention, the male part 6 and the female part 7 are made of metallic material or an alloy. Advantageously, the structural stresses of such a fastening system 5 affect only the male part and the female part and not the strap.

(21) According to another aspect of the present invention, the male part 6 comprises a male element 10 and a female element 20 which can be removably joined together, at least one of the male element and female element has a portion, also called shank, which passes through the holes 4, so as to fix the male part 6 to the first strap section, and both the male element and female element have a respective head 11, 21 with a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the holes 4, in order to prevent the male part from coming out of the holes of the first section. When the parts are assembled, the heads 11, 21 are on opposite sides 2A, 2B of the first strap section 2.

(22) With reference to FIG. 4, this shows an embodiment of the male part 6, in which the female element 20 has a head 21 and a female thread 23, and the male element 10 has a head 11 and a screw 13. The female thread 23 has a length and a diameter substantially corresponding to a thickness and a diameter of the holes 4 in the strap, for example 2 mm thickness and diameter, and can be inserted inside the hole 4, so as to occupy it completely, the head 21 resting on one side of the first strap section.

(23) The screw 13 of the male element is screwed into the female thread 23 of the female element until the head 11 of the male element is arranged against an opposite side of the first section, substantially gripping the strap between the heads 11 and 21.

(24) FIG. 5 shows in schematic form the male part 6 and the female part 7 during fastening. In this figure, the screw 13 of the male element 10 is not visible because it is engaged inside the female thread 23 of the female element 20; the strap is not shown and is intended to occupy the space between the heads 11 and 21.

(25) According to another embodiment, it is envisaged that only one of the male element 10 and the female element 20 (and hence only one shank) passes through the hole 4 and that the male element is screwed into the female element in a threaded portion of the latter defined in its head 21. This embodiment is advantageous for straps which are very thin or have holes 4 with a small diameter inside which it would be more difficult to fit two elements (male element and female element) rather than a single element.

(26) According to other embodiments, the system for joining together the male element and the female element is not of the screw/female thread type but is a different type of mechanical joining system which substantially comprises a shaft as a male element and a hole as a female element.

(27) The tip of the male part, for example the tip 15 in FIG. 4, is directed during use towards the wrist, projects from the first strap section and can be snap-engaged, preferably in a hidden way, inside the receiving seat 8 of the female part 7 of the fastening system 5. The tip 15 is preferably formed on the head 11 of the male element 10.

(28) Apart from the tip 15, the remaining portion of the head 11 is arranged against and substantially coplanar with the first section 2, being preferably circular, and not visible, when the strap is worn on the wrist, since it faces the wrist. The tip 15 of the male element has a mushroom-like form, with the terminal part having a larger cross-section, designed to locate against the release means 9 of the female part inside the receiving seat 8, and the shank 16 having a smaller cross-section. The head 21 of the female element is also arranged against and substantially coplanar with the first section 2, being preferably circular, but visible, when the strap is worn on the wrist, since it is arranged on the opposite side of the first section 2 with respect to the head 11 of the male element 10.

(29) According to another aspect of the invention, the female part 7 forms a terminal part 3T of the second section 3 of the strap. As can be seen in FIG. 3, a pin 40 can be inserted through a slit of the terminal part 3T, for example formed by means of folding back thereof, passing through a ring 41 of the female part 7.

(30) Many variations of embodiment are possible according to the proposed solution forming the basis of the present invention. For example, it is envisaged that the female element, and not the male element, may incorporate or form the tip 15 which can be inserted in the female part 7 of the fastening system.

(31) It is also envisaged that the female part 7 may be associated with the first section 2 (the section with the holes) and the male part 6 may be associated with the second section. In particular, according to this embodiment, it is envisaged that a strap may still comprise two separate strap sections 2, 3, a first section 2 comprising one or more holes 4 opposite which the end of a second section 3 may be fastened, in order to fasten the strap and the watch around a wrist. The fastening system 5 has a male part, fixed onto the second section, and a female part, removably fixed through one of said holes 4 to the first section 2, so as to set a predefined width of the strap, and provided with a receiving seat 8 for snap-engagement of the male part, for automatic and pre-adjusted fastening of the strap around the wrist, said female part including means 9 for releasing the male part, so that the strap may be opened.

(32) According to this embodiment, the female part comprises a male element and female element which can be removably joined together, at least one of them passing through the holes 4 and both comprising a respective head with a larger cross-section than the holes 4, so as to prevent the female part from coming out of the of the hole in the first section. Also according to this embodiment, the heads are on opposite sides 2A, 2B of the first strap section 2, which is gripped between them.

(33) The technical problem forming the basis of the present invention is also solved by a fastening system 5 for a watchstrap. For example, with reference to FIG. 8, the system comprises a male part 6 and a female part 7, either one of the male part and female part being designed to be removably fixed through a hole 4 of a first strap section, the other one of the male part 6 and female part 7 being designed to be fixed onto a second separate section 3 of the strap. The female part is provided with a receiving seat 8 for snap-engagement of the male, part 6, for automatic and pre-adjusted fastening of the strap around the wrist, and includes means 9 for releasing the male part 6, so that the strap may be opened.

(34) A watch according to the present invention, namely characterized in that it comprises a strap and a fastening system of the type described above, has significant advantages. It is simple and quick to put on, since the system for joining the male part to the female part is automatic. It has a strap which maintains a perfect appearance and remains always structurally intact, as well having a safe action, since opening and closing do not require folding or pulling of the strap, but only joining of the male part to the female part. Moreover, the adjustment defined by the user when the male part is fitted to the hole is maintained for the following strap opening and closing operations.