EP0868863B1 - Watchband - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to bracelets and bracelets watches made of metal, in particular precious metal, gold, platinum, silver or steel.

When these bracelets do not have only metal links precious, for reasons of strength or economy of precious metal, precious metal elements are attached to the support members hinged to each other which can be made of steel. Such bracelets are known by documents EP-0 549 979, EP-0 347 841 or FR-2 502 916. All of these documents describe wristbands whose support elements slip into the decor elements.

These constructions are complicated, require complex machining and a difficult assembly.

The object of the present invention is to produce such a bracelet comprising decor elements and support elements requiring few parts different, easy to machine and assemble.

The bracelet according to the invention comprises decorative elements and support elements connected by connecting pins and presents the The features set out in claim 1.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a watch case provided with a strap according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the watch strap according to the invention assembled with a watch case.

Figure 2 is a top view of the bracelet laid flat and separated from the watch case.

FIG. 3 is a section along line A-A in FIG. 2. Figure 4 is a section along line B-B of the figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a strand of the bracelet assembled to the watch case as well as how to assemble a terminal link at the end free of the bracelet.

Figure 6 illustrates in exploded perspective the attachment of an end decoration element of the bracelet and a strap end support element on the watch case.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate in perspective below and above a decorative element of the bracelet.

Figure 9 illustrates in perspective an element of bracelet support.

Figure 10 illustrates on a larger scale, in perspective, the assembly and the connection between them decor and support elements to close the bracelet.

The bracelet according to the present invention illustrated in design like a watch strap, could of course be a continuous jewelry bracelet, without watch, like it will be explained later.

Figure 1 illustrates a watch case 1 provided with a bracelet according to the invention. This bracelet has decor elements 2 generally made of precious metal but which could also be made from other materials such as precious or semi-precious stone, wood, steel, etc. and supporting members 3 connected to each other by pins 4.

The bracelet still has decorative elements end 5 intended to be connected using bars 6 to the watch case and support elements end 7 also intended to be fixed to the box watch using the same bar 6.

The free ends of the bracelet links each have a terminal link 8 consisting of a single decorative element connected to the support element 3 of the adjacent link of the bracelet with a screw 9.

Apart from the terminal links of the bracelet which are monobloc and made up of a decorative element only, each link of the bracelet is made up of a decorative element 2.5 and a corresponding support element 3.7.

Each decorative element 2 of the bracelet (Figures 7 and 8) is formed in the illustrated example of a body rectangular parallepipedic, the upper face 10 being able be worked, guilloche, set with stones or manufactured in any other way to give the aesthetic desired bracelet. As seen in Figures 1 and 2 in particular, the bracelet being assembled, only this surface 10 as well as the lateral faces 11, which can also be provided with decoration, the bracelet are visible; they alone contribute to the appearance of the bracelet. In variants, the shape of the body could be different, for curved example.

Each decorative element 2 has a recess 12 emerging on its underside 10a and on its two frontal sections located perpendicular to the axis longitudinal of the bracelet. This recess 12 is shaped so as to receive, by simple fitting, an element of support 3. There is therefore no mechanical connection fixing a decorative element 2 to a support element 3; the element support 3 is simply placed in the housing 12 of the corresponding decorative element 2.

The recess 12 has a narrow opening part on one of the front sections 14, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bracelet, of the decorative element 2. This front edge 14 of the decor element 2 comprises, on either side of the recess 12, recesses 15 of straight semi-cylindrical shape whose axis extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bracelet and therefore of the recess 12.

The recess 12 has a wide opening part on the other front edge 16 of the decor element 2 which also extends perpendicular to the axis longitudinal of the bracelet, respectively of the recess 12. This second frontal section 16 is provided, on the and other of the recess 12, protrusions 17 of shape straight semi-cylindrical.

The end decor element 5 attaching to the box watch, has a flat front edge 18 intended to come into contact with a face 19 of the box 1, located between the horns 23 of this watch case 1. A near this flat front edge 18, the element of decor 5 has a through hole 21. When this decorative element 5 is assembled to the watch case 1, a bar or pin 6 passes through the bore 21 and its ends are housed in holes 22 which comprises the horns 23 of the watch case 1.

This end decoration element 5 comprises a recess or groove 13 opening on its faces lower and front 18.15 for receiving an element end support 7.

In the assembled position, this support element 7 is placed in the groove 13 of the end decor element 5. This support element 5 has a first bore 24 coming in the assembled position lie in the axis of holes 21. This hole 24 is also crossed by the bar 6 which thus connects the decor element 5 and the support element 7 to the watch case 1.

The other front edge of the support element end has a semi-cylindrical projection 25 pierced with a bore 26 coaxial with this semi-cylindrical projection 25 and which once assembled in box 1 and disposed in the groove 23 is also coaxial with the axis semi-cylindrical recesses 15 of the front face 14 decoration element 5.

The support element 3 corresponding to the elements of decor 2 is housed in the recess 12 thereof and has a narrow part 27 whose end 28 has a convex semi-cylindrical shape with a coaxial bore 29 concentric with this cylindrical surface 28. The other part of this support element 2 is wide and formed of two studs 30, the end 31 of which has a semi-cylindrical shape provided with holes 32 coaxial with these convex semi-cylindrical surfaces 31. The two tenons 30 are separated by a groove 33.

The particularity of these support elements 3 resides in the fact that their dimensions are such that they are housed in the recess 12 of a decor element 2 and that once in this position, the coaxial bore 29 of the semi-cylindrical end 28 is perfectly aligned on the axis of the semi-cylindrical recesses 15 of the element of decor 2. Similarly, in this position, the surfaces semi-cylindrical 31 are perfectly aligned with the semi-cylindrical projections 17 of the decor element 2, the holes 32 being located in the axis of these semi-cylindrical projections 17.

When the support member 3 is placed in the recess of a decorative element 2 its flat face 34 is located in the plane of the lower face 10a of this decor element 2.

The bracelet assembly is done step by step. First place the end support member 7 in the groove 23 of the end decor element 5. Then this 5.7 end link is disposed between the horns 23 of watch box 1 so that the holes 22, 21 and 24 are aligned. We then introduce the bars or pins 6 in these holes 22, 21 and 24 and secures thus the end link 5.7 to the watch case.

Then place a support element 3 of such so that its semi-cylindrical surfaces 31 of the studs 30 are housed in semi-cylindrical recesses 15 of the end decoration element 5, of on either side of the end 25 of the support element 7. In doing so, the holes 26 and 32 are aligned and a pin 4 is inserted there to assemble these two support elements to each other.

We then place a decorative element 2 on the element of support that we just assembled, doing the semi-cylindrical projections 17 of the decor element 2 are housed in semi-cylindrical recesses 15 of the adjacent decor element and the coaxial bore 29 of the support element is then aligned on the axis of the semi-cylindrical recesses 15 of the element decoration 2. We can then mate again a support element 3 to the previous one, then set up the following decorative element 2. We can thus constitute close by close the bracelet to the desired length.

To complete the free end of the bracelet, we uses a terminal link 8. This terminal link, monobloc, has a front edge similar to that decorative elements provided with semi-cylindrical projections. Only for this end link, one of the projections 17 is drilled with a hole 35 while the other is provided with a tapping. So, by placing this terminal link 8 with its semi-cylindrical projections 17 in the semi-cylindrical recesses 15 of the last decorative element 2 assembled, of on either side of the end 28 of the last element of assembled support, drilling and tapping of this link are aligned with the coaxial bore 29 of the element support. A screw 9 is then introduced into the hole 35.29 and screwed into the thread of the link 8 which completes the assembly of the bracelet.

Alternatively, the bore 35 of the end link 8 can be threaded and cooperate with the threaded head of screw 9. In this case, the other semi-cylindrical projection of the link 8 has a blind hole receiving the end of the screw 9.

It should be noted that in such a bracelet, there is no fixing between the decoration elements 2 and the support elements 3. Support elements 3 are articulated and connected to each other by pins 4, but the decor elements are simply fitted onto the corresponding support elements and also nested by their front edges with the elements of neighboring decor.

The decoration elements cannot be moved laterally because they are held in line by the support elements and they cannot separate from adjacent decor elements with which they are engaged by their semi-cylindrical frontal sections.

The free edge of the terminal link 8 may include all means of coupling to a traditional clasp for allow the bracelet to close on itself.

Once assembled, the decorative elements surround and hide its three sides, the support elements are not visible only on the inside of the bracelet and therefore invisible when the bracelet is worn.

The length setting of the bracelet is very simple, it just remove or add a decorative element 2 and a support element 3 to modify the length of the bracelet.

It is obvious that the width of the decor elements 2 may vary to allow the bracelet to be produced not having a uniform width, in doing so we use always the same support elements.

An advantage of the bracelet described also lies in the fact that the pins 4 articulating two elements of support neighbors cannot escape since they are trapped laterally between two projections 17 of a decor element 2.

The recesses 12 of all the decor elements 2 are the same as all the support elements 3 which facilitates and reduces the manufacturing cost of these elements and therefore the bracelet.

When the strap is not a watch strap and must be continuous and closed on itself, two possibilities exist. Either end of the bracelet has a terminal link 8 and a classic clasp is used to connect the two ends of the bracelet. Is a decor element 2 is used, the projections 17 one has a hole, the other has a thread, and the ends of the bracelet are assembled using a screw 9 as in the case of fixing the terminal link 8 to the end of the strand of a watch strap.

1. Les éléments de décor et les éléments de support ne sont qu'emboítés l'un dans l'autre mais non fixés mécaniquement les uns aux autres.

2. les tranches frontales des éléments de décor comportent l'une une creusure semi-cylindrique et l'autre une saillie semi-cylindrique. Ceci permet à deux éléments de décor juxtaposés d'être maintenus en position tout en permettant leur articulation.

3. les éléments de support comportent à leurs extrémités des organes d'accouplement avec les éléments de support voisins. Ces éléments d'accouplement sont constitués, à une extrémité de l'élément par une surface semi-cylindrique convexe percée d'un passage et à l'autre extrémité de l'élément par deux surfaces semi-cylindriques convexes, séparées par un espace, toutes deux percées de perçages traversant.

4. en position d'assemblage les perçages des extrémités semi-cylindriques des éléments de support son alignés sur les axes de symétrie des surfaces semi-cylindriques, saillies ou creusure, formant les tranches des éléments de décor. Ainsi, l'axe d'articulation des deux éléments du support voisin coïncide avec l'axe d'articulation des deux éléments de décor correspondant.

From the above, we understand that the principle of this new bracelet lies in the very specific characteristics of it, which are:

1. The decor elements and the support elements are only nested one inside the other but not mechanically fixed to each other.

2. the front edges of the decor elements include one a semi-cylindrical recess and the other a semi-cylindrical projection. This allows two juxtaposed decor elements to be held in position while allowing their articulation.

3. the support elements have at their ends coupling members with neighboring support elements. These coupling elements are constituted, at one end of the element by a convex semi-cylindrical surface pierced with a passage and at the other end of the element by two convex semi-cylindrical surfaces, separated by a space, both pierced with through holes.

4. in the assembly position, the bores of the semi-cylindrical ends of the support elements are aligned on the axes of symmetry of the semi-cylindrical surfaces, projections or recess, forming the edges of the decoration elements. Thus, the axis of articulation of the two elements of the neighboring carrier coincides with the axis of articulation of the two corresponding decorative elements.

Claims (5)

1. A bracelet including decorative elements (2) exhibiting a recess (12) opening on their lower face (10a) and on their front sides (14, 16), one (14) of these front sides exhibiting semi-cylindrical hollows (15), whereas the other front side (16) exhibits semi-cylindrical protrusions (17) of matching dimensions ; this bracelet furthermore including support elements (3) housed each one in a decorative element (2); each one of these support elements (3) exhibiting at the first end thereof a coupling member having a semi-cylindrical convex surface (28) with a coaxial plain bore (29) and, at the second end thereof, two coupling members spaced apart laterally and having each one a semi-cylindrical convex surface (31), each one thereof being provided with a plain bore (32); these plain bores (32) being coaxial one with respect to the other and with respect to the semi-cylindrical convex surfaces (31), with pins (4) extending through the coaxial plain bore (29) and the plain bores (32) of two neighbouring support members (3), thus ensuring their coupling and their hinging ; characterised in that the shape of the support elements (3) matches that of the recesses (12) of the decorative elements, in such a manner as to fit snugly into these recesses (12), this fitting defining the relative longitudinal and transversal positions of the decorative element (2) with respect to the corresponding support element (3); in that, when the support element (3) is fitted into the housing (12) of the corresponding decorative element (2), the semi-cylindrical convex surface (28) of the first end of a support member (3) is positioned coaxially between the two semi-cylindrical hollows (15) of the corresponding decorative member (2), whereas the two semi-cylindrical convex surfaces (31) of its second end are coaxial with the semi-cylindrical protrusions (17) of the corresponding decorative element (2); and in that the semi-cylindrical convex surfaces (28, 31) of one support element (3) co-operate with the semi-cylindrical hollows (15) of two neighbouring decorative elements (2), in such a manner as to lock the position of the support element (3) in the housing (12) of the corresponding decorative element (2).
2. A bracelet according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes an end decorative element (5) of which the semi-cylindrical protrusions (17) are provided with plain bores, or one with a blind plain bore and the other with a threaded bore ; and in that the a screw (9) co-operating with these plain bores and / or the threaded bore as well as with the coaxial plain bore (29) of the support element of the other end of the bracelet makes it possible to close the same upon itself.
3. A bracelet according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes end decorative elements (5) having plain bores designed for being aligned in the assembled position with the plain bores (22) of the horns (23) of a watch case (1) and with at least one plain bore (24, 32) of a support element (7 ; 3); a pin (6) engaged in these plain bores (22, 24, 32) connecting these elements (2, 5 ; 3, 7) to the watch case (1).
4. A bracelet according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes end links (8) exhibiting each one a front side with semi-cylindrical protrusions (17), of which one has a plain bore and the other a concentric threaded bore ; a screw (9) co-operating with this plain bore and this threaded bore as well as with the coaxial plain bore (29) of the last support element of the bracelet.
5. A bracelet according to claim 4, characterised in that the other front side of the end link is provided with means for coupling the same with a clasp or forming a complete clasp or a portion thereof.

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