HK1254235B - Attachment device - Google Patents

Description

Attachment device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of attachment devices, more particularly to attachment devices for timepieces for attaching a watch strap strip to a watch case or a clasp to a watch strap strip.

The present invention also relates to an attachment device for a leather wrist strap or jewelry bracelet.

Background Art

Typically, the means for attaching the wristband to the watch case or clasp are constructed in the form of a rod or pin. The pin must be attached or detached by a tool, so that, for example, the wristband can be removed from the watch or the clasp can be replaced.

It would be desirable to be able to separate the wristband into two parts to make attachment/detachment of the wristband to the watch case and/or the clasp to the wristband easier.

In the prior art, wristbands or clasps require the use of tools to be able to attach and/or detach the wristband and clasp, which is not practical for a user when he/she wishes to replace the wristband or clasp.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to remedy all or some of the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing an attachment device that allows rapid attachment/detachment, in particular without requiring the use of tools.

Another object of the present invention, at least in certain embodiments, is to provide an attachment device that is easy to use and inexpensive.

To this end, the invention relates to an attachment device for two elements of a watch strap, said attachment device allowing the two elements to be hooked in place or not, wherein the first element comprises at least one bar at one of its ends.

According to the invention, the second element comprises two fixing grooves, the two fixing grooves comprising longitudinal openings facing away from each other, and one of the two elements can be moved from an unhooked position, in which one of the two elements is oriented at a predetermined angular position relative to the other element, to a hooked position, in which the two elements are coplanar after one of the two elements is rotated by a predetermined angle relative to the other element, so that each fixing groove is hinged on the rod, so that the two elements remain hooked to each other.

Thanks to these features, such an attachment device enables easy and quick attachment or detachment of, for example, the clasp to or from the wristband strap.

According to other advantageous variants of the invention:

The size of the longitudinal opening of the fixing groove is slightly smaller than the size of the rod;

The fixing groove comprises a straight cylindrical groove, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the rod;

The first element comprises a central element surrounding the rod;

the second element comprising a free space arranged between two fixing grooves, said free space being arranged to receive said central element of the first element;

The predetermined angular position is within the range of 45° to 90°;

• The second element is made as a single block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention given as a non-limiting illustrative example and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

2a to 2d show different stages of using the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The attachment device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2a to 2d.

As shown in FIG1 , the attachment device comprises two elements 1 and 2 of a watch strap, such that the two elements 1, 2 can be hooked in place or not. As can be seen, the first element 1 comprises at least one rod 10 at one end thereof. The two elements 1, 2 can, for example, be formed by a wristband strap for the first element and a clasp for the second element.

The second element 2 comprises two fixing grooves 20, 21 comprising longitudinal openings 210, 220 facing away from each other. Advantageously, the second element 2 is formed from a single block.

According to the invention, one of the two elements can be moved from an unhooked position, in which one of the two elements is oriented at a predetermined angular position relative to the other element, to a hooked position, in which the two elements 1, 2 are coplanar after one of the two elements is rotated by a predetermined angle relative to the other element, so that each groove is hinged on the rod 10, thereby hooking the two elements 1, 2 to each other.

Preferably, one of the two elements is positioned perpendicularly relative to the other, with one element being in a transverse plane and the other in a sagittal plane. Thus, one of the two elements can be rotated within a range of 0° to 90°, more preferably within a range of 45° to 90°. Depending on the orientation of the grooves 20, 21, the rotation can be in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Advantageously, the respective longitudinal openings 210, 220 of the grooves 20, 21 are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the rod 10 to prevent any untimely disengagement, and have a width slightly smaller than the diameter of the rod 10. Thus, during the placement of the grooves 20, 21 on the rod 10, the user must use less force to insert the rod 10 and hear a "click" sound indicating that the grooves 20, 21 have been properly positioned on the rod 10.

As shown in Figure 1, grooves 20 and 21 each comprise a straight cylindrical slot into which longitudinal openings 210, 220 open, wherein the diameter of the straight cylindrical slot is set slightly larger than the diameter of the rod 10 to limit friction and facilitate rotation during pivoting of one element relative to the other. However, the diameter of the straight cylindrical slot should not be too large to prevent excessive play that is uncomfortable for the wearer.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the first element comprises a central element 11 surrounding the rod 10, and the second element 2 comprises a free space 22 arranged between two fixing grooves 20, 21 and arranged to receive the central element 11 of the first element 11. The two fixing grooves 20, 21 are remote from each other and define between them the free space 22, which is arranged to receive the central element 11 during positioning of the first element with the second element.

According to the invention, this attachment device can be equally applied to a flexible wristband made of leather, textile or plastic material to attach the wristband to a watch case or clasp, just as a link wristband is attached to a clasp.

2 a to 2 d show different stages for assembling the two elements 1 and 2 .

First, as shown in Figure 2a, the first element 1 and the second element 2 are arranged perpendicular to each other. The two elements 1 and 2 are then placed perpendicularly one relative to the other so that the central element 10 rests in the space 22, as shown in Figure 2b.

The user then causes one of the two elements to pivot relative to the other about the central element 11 , as shown in FIG. 2 c , until the rod 10 enters each groove 20 , 21 .

It is also conceivable that the first element does not have a central element 11 surrounding the rod 10 , wherein the central element 11 contributes to the positioning of the second element 2 and serves as a reference for the rotation.

Thanks to these different aspects of the invention, an attachment device is provided that enables two elements of a wristband to be attached and/or detached, or enables a wristband to be attached to/detached from a watch case quickly and easily, without requiring any special tools.

The invention is of course not limited to the examples shown and comprises different variants and modifications that are obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Claims (6)

1. An attachment device for two elements (1, 2) of a watch strap, the attachment device allowing the two elements (1, 2) to be hooked in place or unhooked, wherein the first element (1) includes at least one rod (10) at one end. The second element (2) is characterized in that it includes two fixed grooves (20, 21) with longitudinal openings (210, 220) facing away from each other, and one of the two elements (1, 2) is movable from a non-hooked position to a hooked position. In the non-hooked position, one of the two elements (1, 2) is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the other element. In the hooked position, the two elements (1, 2) are coplanar after one element has rotated a predetermined angle relative to the other element, such that each fixed groove is hinged to the rod (10) to keep the two elements hooked to each other. The first element (1) includes a central element (11) surrounding the rod (10). 2. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the longitudinal openings (210, 220) of the fixing grooves (20, 21) are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the rod (10). 3. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing groove (20, 21) comprises a straight cylindrical groove, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the rod (10). 4. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the second element includes a free space (22) disposed between the two fixing grooves (20, 21), and the free space (22) is arranged to receive the central element (11) of the first element (1). 5. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined angular position is in the range of 45° to 90°. 6. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the second element (2) is made as a single block.