EP3531860A1 - Secure buckle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention proposes a folding buckle (1) comprising a lower arm (10) and an upper arm (12) articulated relative to one another, and a return buckle (20) articulated to the upper arm (12). The buckle can take up a folded position in which the upper arm is folded on the lower arm and the return buckle is folded on the upper arm, in a longitudinal direction of the buckle. A locking system (40, 50) is in part housed between the return buckle (20) and the upper arm (12) to lock the buckle in a folded position, the locking system being able to be unlocked by a single means or a means only known by and/or available to the holder, such as, for example, a removable outer element (90).

Description

 SECURE LOOP

Description: [0001] The present invention relates to a clasp for a watch. More specifically, the present invention relates to a folding clasp.

[0002] A folding clasp is a type of clasp for a watch bracelet. The folding clasp includes a system of articulated arms that unfolds to open the wristband and that can fold on itself when closing on the inside of the wristband. Such a closure system allows never to loose the two parts of the watch strap, and generally does not open unexpectedly.

[0003] There are different types of folding clasp. A simple folding clasp has only one hinge, that is to say that the arms of the buckle fold in "V" under the bracelet, on one side. A double folding clasp, also called butterfly folding clasp, has two joints, and the arms located inside the bracelet fold on both sides of the loop. To prevent unintentional opening of the loop, security systems have been developed to lock the closure of the loop. For example, one or two push buttons may be located on the side of the loop housing, or a flap may be provided on the loop. In both systems, the user just press the buttons or unfold the flap to allow the deployment of the loop. Document CH 657 763 describes such an example of a folding clasp.

However, conventional folding loops can be quite easily unlocked by a malicious person, while some watches are real valuables, since it is to press the buttons of the loop to unlock that- this. A pickpocket or trained robber can steal a worn watch.

An object of the present invention is to improve the locking of a folding clasp, in particular for protection against theft, in particular against the pickpocketing.

FIRE I LLE OF REM PLACEM ENT (RULE 26) For this purpose, the invention proposes a folding clasp comprising a lower arm and an upper arm articulated with respect to each other, and a return loop articulated on the upper arm, the loop being able to assume a position folded in which the upper arm is folded over the lower arm and the return loop being folded over the upper arm, in a longitudinal direction of the loop, a locking system (partly housed between the return loop and the upper arm for lock the loop in the folded position, the locking system can be unlocked by a single means or only known by and / or available to the carrier, such as for example a removable outer member.

Thus, according to the invention, the folding clasp can be unlocked only by means external to the loop and available to the wearer. Thus, it is not possible to deploy a clasp without this external means preferably single, which should help to ^avoid the theft of a watch worn integrating such clasp. The wearer of the watch can thus plan to go out with the watch on the arm and leave the external unlocking means at home for example.

According to one embodiment, the locking system comprises at least one of a mechanical lock or an electronic lock. A mechanical lock can include, for example, lock and key means, barrels. An electronic lock may comprise for example a device with code or ergonomic recognition such as an index sensor, a device with RFID chip.

In one embodiment, the locking system comprises a drawer sliding in a sliding direction, preferably in the transverse direction of the loop, the drawer having a locking recess cooperating with a locking pin, the locking pin. being inserted into the locking recess when the buckle is in the folded position. The drawer can be attached to the upper arm or the return loop, and the locking pin can be attached to the lower arm. Thus, one can integrate the locking system so that it is not or little visible when the loop is folded.

Providing a locking recess with a diameter increasing in the sliding direction, with a locking zone, of diameter less than one diameter maximum of the locking pin, and a passage area of diameter greater than the maximum diameter of the locking pin. Thus, by sliding the drawer, one can vary the size of the recess vis-à-vis the locking pin, to allow or not the passage of the head of the locking pin through the recess.

According to one embodiment, the locking system comprises a lock for locking the drawer, the lock comprising a set of springs aligned with a corresponding set of pistons, wherein, when the loop is in the folded position and when the springs are at rest, the pistons open into the drawer to block the sliding of the drawer. A lock type system is relatively simple to implement and compact.

According to one embodiment, the drawer has a lateral passage for the introduction of the removable outer member, in particular the removable element that can align the pistons to allow the unlocking of the drawer.

According to one embodiment, a return spring is provided to return the drawer to a position in which the pin is in the locking zone when the loop is in the folded position. Advantageously, the drawer can be maintained in a position preventing the opening and the deployment of the loop.

In one embodiment of the invention, a set of unique removable means for unlocking is provided, which allows for a unique means of relief, for example in case of loss of a removable means for the unlocking. In addition, by providing an additional unlocking tool designed to be held in place in the loop in the locked position, in particular also with a holding device in place in the folding clasp of the additional unlocking tool, it is possible to avoid removing or releasing the removable unlocking means once the locked loop, for example in cases where a user wishes to wear the folding clasp without the anti-theft device is necessary.

The invention also proposes a method of unlocking such a folding clasp in the folded position, the method comprising the steps of: unlocking the sliding-movement of the drawer by means of a key inserted in the lateral passage, slide the drawer, preferably by pressing with the key against the return spring, to aligning the locking pin inserted in the latching recess with the passage area of the recess, to allow passage of the latching pin through the recess, and pivoting the return loop or the upper arm to deploy the loop. A locking method of a folding clasp according to the invention comprises the steps of unlocking the sliding of the drawer, with the aid of a key inserted in the lateral passage, and slide the drawer, preferably to the using the key, to align the locking pin with the passage area of the recess, to allow the passage of the locking pin in the recess, fold the folding clasp and insert the pin into the recess, and slide the drawer, with or without the key, so that the locking pin can no longer pass through the recess.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment having no limiting character, among which: Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a loop folding, respectively in the folded position and in the deployed position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

 Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the loop of Fig. 1 according to one aspect of the present invention;

 Figure 4 illustrates a top view of a locking system integrated in the loop of Figure 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a locking system integrated in a folding clasp according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the locking or release position;

 Fig. 6 illustrates a locking method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

 Figure 7 illustrates an unlocking method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, identical or similar elements are indicated with identical or similar reference numerals. FIG. 1 illustrates a folding clasp 1 in the folded position, FIG. 2 illustrates the folding clasp 1 in the deployed position, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the clasp 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention. . The folding clasp 1 comprises a lower arm 10, an upper arm 12, articulated on the lower arm 10, and a return loop 20 articulated on the upper arm 12, and provided to keep closed the folding clasp 1, in position folded of the loop 1.

The upper arm 12 comprises a first upper end 12a pivotally mounted about a hinge 14 at a first lower end 10a of the lower arm, and a second upper end 12b attached to a first end 20a of the return loop 20. The return loop 20 includes a second housing end 20b, which can be pivotally attached to one strand of the bracelet, and the second lower end 10b of the lower arm 10 can be attached to another strand of the bracelet (not shown).

The loop 1 can thus move from an extended position to a folded and closed position in which the upper arm 12 is folded over the lower arm 10, and is kept closed by the return loop 20 folded on the upper arm 12 .

The folding clasp of Figures 1 and 2 is a simple folding clasp. This is only a non-limiting example. The folding clasp can also be a double or butterfly folding clasp. A locking system 30 is provided to lock the closing of the return loop. The locking system 30 is unlocked externally, that is to say that it can unlock with an associated unlocking tool, removable or acting remotely or without contact. Furthermore, the associated unlocking tool can also be formed by a device with code or ergonomic recognition such as an index sensor. The associated unlocking tool is preferably unique, and / or only known by and available to the wearer of the bracelet incorporating the folding clasp.

In the illustrated embodiment, the locking system comprises a lock type mechanism 40 and the removable tool is a key 90. As can be seen in Figures 3 to 5, the lock 40 is arranged under the return loop, and in the embodiment shown, it comprises a set of springs 42, housed in a spring door 44, bearing against a corresponding set of pistons 46, 47 sliding in a piston holder 48.

The springs and pistons, otherwise known as pins, are sized to form a key pattern, varying the length of each piston and / or the stiffness and length of each spring.

When the springs 42 are at rest, the pistons 46,47 open into a drawer 50, which comprises a lateral passage 52 to introduce the key 90.

The drawer 50 is slidably mounted on a slide 53 to allow the transverse translation of the slide 50 relative to the return loop 20. The slide 50 is integral with the piston holder 48, which can slide with the drawer 50 along the a sliding surface 49 of the piston holder 48 vis-à-vis the spring door.

In the embodiment shown, the slideway 53 is fixed on the return loop 20.

The drawer 50 is provided with an upper wall 51, positioned on the inside of the return loop, comprises a recess 54, to cooperate with a locking pin 35. The locking pin 35 protrudes the lower arm 10 towards the return loop, with a rod 37, fixed on the lower arm 10 and a head 39, of greater width or diameter than the rod 37 (Figure 3).

The locking pin may be an attached and fixed element, for example glued or welded, on the lower arm. The pawn may otherwise be an integral part of the lower arm, for greater strength.

A passage 19 is also provided in the upper arm 12 for the passage of the locking pin 35. The recess 54 of the slide 50 is oriented transversely to the return loop 20, and has a variable diameter, ranging from a locking zone 56, of diameter less than a diameter of the head 39 of the locking pin 35. , at a passage or release zone 58, of diameter greater than the diameter of the head 39 and thus allowing the passage of the pin 35.

A return spring 64 is positioned laterally, to exert a restoring force on the slide 50 to a rest position in which the locking pin 35 is in the locking zone. In the example shown, the return spring 64 is a bending spring blade. Other types of return spring may be provided, for example a coil spring positioned on the side wall of the return loop, vis-à-vis the drawer.

Thus, when the loop 1 is folded, the drawer is held in the rest position, wherein the diameter of the head 39 is greater than the diameter of the recess, not allowing its passage through the recess for to leave of course. In other words, the lower arm and the return loop can not open, the locking pin being blocked in the recess. Thus, as will be explained later, if the key 90 has the associated key pattern, the key inserted in the drawer 50 can come to position the pistons so that the pistons are aligned on the sliding surface 49 of the door piston 48, the drawer 50 and the piston holder 48 being integral. This allows to allow the translation or sliding of the slide 50 in the transverse direction. This sliding makes it possible to vary the diameter of the recess vis-à-vis the locking pin 35, allowing the passage of the head thereof, for an operation of locking or unlocking the return loop. The lock 40, arranged under the return loop 20, serves to lock or release the locking pin 35 inserted into the recess of the sliding drawer in the folded position of the loop 1. Optionally it can be provided that the Key inserted into the drawer comes to press the pistons, unlocking the pistons and pulling the pistons out of the drawer 50, in one embodiment. In the example shown, the locking system comprises a lock system with piston and springs. In this example, one can vary the number, the length of the springs, depending on the type of lock to obtain. This lock example is compact and can be discreetly integrated into a folding clasp.

Other types of locks are possible, whether mechanical or electronic, electromagnetic. For example, a barrel type system is also conceivable. Otherwise an electronic locking system, which can be unlocked with an electronic key, is also possible. An unlocking tool acting remotely or without contact, or formed by a code device or ergonomic recognition such as an index sensor is also possible. The external tool is only available to the wearer or to a limited number of persons known to the wearer.

It is understood that the external and removable tool element, here the key, is essential for unlocking, but also for locking the loop in the folded position.

A method of unlocking a folding clasp 1 is illustrated in Figure 6, with reference to the loop described in Figures 1 to 5a-5b. To allow the opening of the folding clasp, when it is locked, it is first necessary to insert the key in the lateral passage 52 of the sliding drawer (step SI), to unlock the drawer 50.

In a second step S2, slide the slide 50, preferably with the aid of the key, in a transverse direction against the return spring 54, to bring into alignment the locking pin 35 inserted in the locking recess with the passage area 58 of the recess, to allow passage of the locking pin through the recess, and thus the release of the lower arm. Then, it remains to rotate the return loop or the upper arm to deploy the loop (step S3).

To lock a folding clasp, as shown in Figure 7, it is necessary to insert the key 90 in the drawer to unlock the pistons (S21) and slide the drawer, preferably with the help of the key, in a transverse direction, to be able to match the pion of locking 35 with the locking recess with the passage area 58 when the loop is folded. In parallel, or then fold the folding clasp, taking care to pass the locking pin 35 through the passage 19 formed in the upper arm and in the recess 54 of the drawer 50 (S22).

Then, the drawer slides, with or without the key, so that the locking pin can no longer pass through the recess. The loop is locked.

For example, it is possible to provide a user with a set of associated unlocking means, each means of the assembly being removable and being able to unlock the buckle. On the one hand, this makes it possible to mitigate a possible loss of the unlocking tool. On the other hand, an additional unlocking tool can be designed to be held in place in the folding clasp, once locked, by a device for holding the tool in the loop. This option is useful when theft protection is not needed, and the unlocking tool can remain on the watch. This avoids having to look for the tool especially when the user is at home or with the family. Preferably, the additional unlocking tool is designed to be held in the folding clasp so as to be little or not visible when the additional tool is in place in or on the buckle. In the case of a key, the gripping portion can be reduced to not exceed the loop.

In sum, it remains to be seen that the present invention provides a folding clasp locking system, with an individual locking or unlocking tool or customized preferentially external and removable. Thus, the unlocking of the folding clasp requires a single means or only known / available to the wearer, such as for example a tool, external and removable, preventing the pickpocketing of the watch.

Claims

claims 1. Folding clasp (1) comprising  - a lower arm (10) and an upper arm (12) articulated with respect to each other, and a return loop (20) articulated on the upper arm (12),  the loop being able to assume a folded position in which the upper arm is folded over the lower arm and the return loop being folded over the upper arm, in a longitudinal direction of the buckle,  - a locking system (35, 40, 50) partially housed between the return loop (20) and the upper arm (12) for locking the loop in the folded position, the locking system being unlockable by a single means or only known by and / or available to the wearer, such as for example a removable outer member (90). 2. Folding clasp according to claim 1, wherein the locking system (35, 40, 50) comprises at least one of a mechanical lock or an electromagnetic lock, in particular a spring lock system, a typical lock. barrel, an electronic key lock system, a magnetic key system, an RFID chip system, a code device or an ergonomic recognition device. Folding clasp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking system comprises a slide (50) sliding in a direction of sliding, preferably in a transverse direction of the loop, the slide having a locking recess (54) cooperating with a locking pin (35), the locking pin (35) being inserted into the locking recess (54) when the loop is in the folded position. 4. Folding clasp according to claim 3, the drawer (50) being fixed on the upper arm (12) or the return loop (20), and the locking pin (35) being fixed on the lower arm (10). The folding clasp according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the locking recess (54) has a diameter increasing in the sliding direction, with a locking zone (56) having a diameter smaller than a maximum diameter of the locking pin. locking (35), and a passage zone (58) of diameter greater than the maximum diameter of the locking pin (35). 6. Folding clasp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking system comprises a lock (40) for locking the slide (50), the lock (40) comprising a set of springs (42) aligned with a corresponding assembly pistons (47), wherein, when the loop is in the folded position and when the springs are at rest, the pistons (47) open into the drawer (50) to block the sliding of the drawer (50). Folding clasp according to claim 3 to 6, wherein the slide (50) has a lateral passage (52) for the introduction of the removable outer element, in particular the removable element which can align the pistons to allow the unlocking of the drawer. 8. Buckle according to one of claims 3 to 7, comprising a return spring (64) for biasing the drawer in a position in which the pin (35) is in the locking zone (56) when the loop is in folded position. 9. Folding clasp according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a set of removable single means for unlocking, and wherein the single removable means set comprises an additional unlocking tool designed to be held in place in the loop. locked position. 10. Folding clasp according to claim 9, comprising a holding device in place in the folding clasp of the additional unlocking tool.