WO2013050702A1 - Bracelet closing device - Google Patents

Abstract

This device comprises a housing (2), at least one connecting member (3) intended to connect a strand of the bracelet to the device (1), the connecting member (3) being mounted inside the housing (2), and a cover (4) movably mounted on the housing (2) between a closed position, in which the cover covers the connecting member (3) in such a way as to hold the strand relative to the connecting member, and an open position, in which the cover (4) is intended to allow release of the strand.

Description

 Device for closing a bracelet

The present invention relates to a device for closing a bracelet.

 A device for closing a bracelet known from the state of the art comprises a mechanism for closing a strand of the bracelet that is visible to the user. Indeed, the closing mechanism is generally visible on the back of a hood.

 Such a device of the state of the art is therefore not entirely satisfactory, in particular for the following reasons:

 - The closing mechanism is subject to the accumulation of dust and dirt on the back of the hood, which contributes to its rapid degradation,

 - The visibility of this mechanism by the user is not aesthetic. The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks and concerns a device for closing a bracelet comprising at least one strand, the device being characterized in that it comprises:

 - a housing,

 at least one connecting member intended to connect the strand to the device, the connecting member being mounted movably inside the casing between a plurality of positions for adjusting the length of the strap,

 a cover mounted on the housing between a closed position in which the cover covers the connecting member so as to maintain the strand relative to the connecting member in a selected position among the plurality of adjustment positions, and an open position in which the cover is intended to allow the release of the strand from said selected position, the cover having at least two projecting portions in each of which are provided with at least two openings, and

 - Locking means arranged to lock the cover in the closed position comprising at least one rod shaped to engage in each opening of each projection.

Thus, such a device according to the invention allows to conceal the connecting member inside the housing. The connecting member is further covered by the hood in the closed position. Such a liaison body is therefore concealed for aesthetic reasons and to protect it from dust and dirt. The connecting member in conjunction with the hood in the closed position ensures the closure of the bracelet strand. In addition, such a connecting member concealed inside the housing can protect it from impacts that are likely to damage it.

 The connecting member is movably mounted inside the casing between a plurality of positions for adjusting the length of the band, and the cover in the closed position covers the connecting member so as to maintain the strand relative to the body connection in a selected one of the plurality of adjustment positions, and in that the open-position hood is for allowing the release of the strand from said selected position.

 The locking means make it possible to prevent the hood being placed in the unintentional open position and an uncomfortable situation for the user. The cooperation of the openings formed in the projecting parts of the cover and the rods makes it possible to unlock the locking means, simply by lifting the cover and then sliding the cover along the longitudinal axis of the casing.

 Preferably, the strand of the bracelet is removably mounted with the connecting member. Thus, the strand of the bracelet is interchangeable.

 In one embodiment, the cover has an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, and in that the locking means are arranged to unlock the cover in the closed position when the latter is moved to the intermediate position.

 Thus, the unlocking of the hood in the closed position is easily obtained by a simple movement of the cover, and without the intermediary of an external element.

 Advantageously, the locking means comprise elastic return means arranged to return the cover from the intermediate position to the closed position.

 Thus, such return means can prevent an inadvertent open position of the cover if it has been inadvertently moved to the intermediate position.

In one embodiment, the device comprises guiding means arranged inside the casing for guiding the connecting member between the plurality of adjustment positions. Thus, such guide means allow easy movement of the connecting member.

 According to one embodiment, the housing extends substantially along a longitudinal axis, and the guide means are arranged to guide in translation the connecting member along the longitudinal axis.

 According to one possibility, the guide means comprise a plate in which is formed a slot.

 Thus, such guidance means are simple to implement, and low cost.

 Advantageously, the slot has a portion, preferably central to the plate, shaped to receive the connecting member.

 Thus, such a portion facilitates the mounting of the connecting member inside the housing.

 According to another possibility, the guide means comprise the bars and the connecting members have a width substantially equal to the distance between the bars.

 In one embodiment, the device comprises indexing means arranged inside the housing for indexing the adjustment positions.

 Thus, such indexing means can easily define the adjustment positions.

 According to one embodiment, the indexing means comprise at least one toothing shaped to be in engagement with the connecting member.

 Advantageously, the connecting member comprises an elastically deformable blade shaped to be in engagement with the toothing.

 Thus, such a blade makes it easy to move the connecting member in the desired adjustment position while maintaining a good stability of the adjustment position by being arranged between two teeth of the toothing.

 According to another embodiment, the indexing means comprise at least one elastically deformable member movably mounted in a connecting member between:

a holding position in which the elastically deformable member prohibits the displacement of the connecting member relative to the housing, and a release position in which the elastically deformable member allows the displacement of the connecting member relative to the housing, and

 in that the elastically deformable member is capable of moving from its retaining position to its release position by deforming elastically in response to a predetermined force exerted on the connecting member.

 Preferably, the casing has a plurality of recesses formed along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing, and the elastically deformable member is designed such that in the release position the elastically deformable member is constrained inside the connecting member, and cleared of any recess, and in the retaining position the elastically deformable member is released outside the connecting member and engaged in a recess.

 In the retaining position, each elastically deformable member allows the sliding of the connecting members. In the release position, each elastically deformable member prohibits the sliding of the connecting members.

 Other characteristics and advantages will become apparent in the following description of an embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first device according to the invention,

 FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 showing a hood in the open position,

 FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 showing a cap locked in the closed position,

 FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 showing a cover in intermediate position,

 FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the device of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the device of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the figure device

1 representing a hood in the open position; FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a second device according to the invention;

 - Figures 9 to 1 1 are partial perspective views of the device of Figure 8.

 A device 1 for closing and adjusting the length of a bracelet is now described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

 The device 1 comprises:

 a casing 2,

 two connecting members 3, each being intended to connect a strand of the bracelet (not shown) to the device 1, each connecting member 3 being mounted movably inside the casing 2 between a plurality of adjustment positions of the length of the bracelet,

 a cover 4 mounted movably on the casing 2 between a closed position (visible in FIG. 3) in which the cover 4 covers each connecting member 3 so as to maintain the strand relative to the corresponding connecting member 3 in a position selected from the plurality of adjustment positions, and an open position (visible in Figures 2 and 6) in which the cover 4 is intended to allow the release of the strand of said selected position.

 The casing 2 is made in the form of a substantially parallelepipedal box. The housing 2 has two side walls 20 facing one another. Each side wall 20 is provided with a notch 200, of substantially rectangular section, and shaped to receive a portion of the connecting member 3. The casing 2 comprises studs 21 arranged to receive fastening screws 210. The casing extends substantially along a longitudinal axis.

 Each connecting member 3 comprises a body 30 in which is formed a housing 300 shaped to receive a strand of the bracelet. The housing 300 has a substantially T-shaped section.

 The cover 4 comprises two projecting portions 40 (only one is visible in Figure 1 from the perspective). Each projecting portion 40 has two openings 400 formed therein having a substantially U-shaped section.

The device 1 comprises locking means arranged to lock the hood in the closed position (illustrated in FIG. 3). The means of locking comprise rods 401. Each rod 401 is shaped to engage in an opening 400 of a projecting portion 40 of the cover 4.

 The locking means also comprise two bars 5. Each bar 5 comprises a longitudinal groove 50. "Longitudinal" means a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 2. Each groove 50 is shaped to receive a projecting portion 40 of the cover 4. Each bar 5 has side walls 51 provided with orifices 510 through. Each orifice 510 is shaped to receive a rod 401. The rods 401 are fixed to the bars 5. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the locking of the cover 4 in the closed position is obtained by locking in translation along a substantially vertical axis of the rods 401 relative to the openings 400 of the projecting portions 40 of the cover 4. .

 The cover 4 has an intermediate position (illustrated in Figure 4) between the closed position and the open position. The locking means are arranged to unlock the cover 4 in the closed position when the latter is moved to the intermediate position. The displacement of the closed position to the intermediate position is by a longitudinal sliding of the cover 4 so as to allow a substantially vertical movement of the rods 401 relative to the openings 400 of the projecting portions 40 of the cover 4.

 The locking means comprise elastic return means arranged to return the cover 4 from the intermediate position to the closed position. For this purpose, each bar 5 is provided with two spiral springs 52 arranged in the groove 50 on either side of the projecting portion 40 of the cover 4. Thus, each projecting portion 40 of the cover 4 is mounted in a groove 50 of a bar 5 against the action of two springs 52.

The device 1 further comprises guiding means arranged inside the casing 2 to guide the connecting members 3 between a plurality of adjustment positions. More specifically, the guide means are arranged to guide in translation the connecting members 3 along the longitudinal axis of the housing 2. The guide means comprise a plate 6 in which a slot 60 is formed. The slot 60 has a portion 600 central shaped to receive a connecting member 3. The slot 60 has a substantially cross-shaped section of St. George. Such a slot 60 formed in the plate 6 forms rails for guiding the organs 3 to the inside of the housing 2. For this purpose, each connecting member 3 has a guide portion 31 extending from the body 30. The guide portion 31 has a substantially T-shaped section. 31 is shaped to engage the rails formed by the slot 60 formed in the plate 6.

 The device 1 further comprises indexing means arranged inside the casing 2 to index the adjustment positions. The indexing means comprise two plates 7. Each plate 7 is provided with two toothing 70. Each toothing 70 is shaped to be in engagement with a connecting member 3. More specifically, each connecting member 3 comprises a blade 32 elastically deformable shaped to be in engagement with the corresponding toothing 70.

 A device 1000 for closing and adjusting the length of a bracelet is now described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.

 The device 1000 comprises a casing 1002 made in the form of a U-shaped profile. The casing 1002 comprises a plate 1020 and two bars 1005 fixed to the plate 1020. The casing 1002 extends mainly along a longitudinal axis.

 The device 1000 comprises two connecting members 1003, each being intended to connect a strand of the bracelet to the device 1. Each link member 1003 is slidably mounted within the housing 1002 between a plurality of positions for adjusting the length of the strap. Each liaison body

1003 comprises a body 1030 in which is formed a housing 1300 shaped to receive a strand of the bracelet. The housing 1300 has a substantially T-shaped section.

 The device 1000 comprises a cover 1004 movably mounted on the housing 1002 between a closed position in which the cover 1004 covers each connecting member 1003 so as to maintain the strand relative to the corresponding connecting member 1003 in a selected position among the plurality setting positions, and an open position in which the hood

1004 is intended to allow the release of the strand of said selected position.

The cover 1004 comprises a plate 1041 and two projecting portions 1040 fixed to the plate 104. Each projecting portion 1040 has two openings 1400 formed therein having a substantially U-shaped section. The device 1000 comprises locking means arranged to lock the cover 1004 in the closed position. The locking means comprise rods 1401. Each rod 1401 is shaped to engage in an opening 1400 of a projecting portion 1040 of the cover 1004.

 The locking means comprise the bars 1005. The bars 1005 are identical to the bars 5 except that it comprises at their ends bores 1053 extending longitudinally whose function is described below.

 The cover 1004 has an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position. The locking means are arranged to unlock the cover 1004 in the closed position when the latter is moved to the intermediate position. The movement of the closed position to the intermediate position is by a longitudinal sliding of the cover 1004 so as to allow a substantially vertical movement of the rods 1401 relative to the openings 1400 of the projecting portions 1040 of the cover 1004.

 The locking means comprise elastic return means arranged to return the cover 1004 from the intermediate position to the closed position.

 For this purpose, each bar 1005 is provided with two elastically deformable members 1052 disposed in the bores 1053. Thus, each projecting portion 40 of the cover 4 is mounted in a groove 1050 of a bar 1005 against the action of two elastically deformable members 1052.

 The device 1 further comprises guiding means arranged inside the housing 1002 for guiding the connecting members 1003 between a plurality of adjustment positions. More specifically, the guide means are arranged to guide in translation the connecting members 1003 along the longitudinal axis of the housing 1002. The guide means comprise the bars 1005. Indeed, each connecting member 1003 has a width substantially equal to the distance between the bars 1005.

 The device 100 finally comprises indexing means arranged inside the housing 2 to index the adjustment positions of the connecting members 1003. The indexing means comprise elastically deformable members 1032 movably mounted in the connecting members 1003 between :

a holding position in which the elastically deformable member 1032 prohibits the displacement of the connecting members 1003 with respect to the casing 1002, and - A release position in which the elastically deformable member 1032 allows the displacement of the connecting members 1003 relative to the housing 1002.

 The elastically deformable members 1032 are able to move from their retaining position to their release position by deforming elastically in response to a predetermined push or pull force exerted on the connecting member 1003.

 More specifically, the housing 1002 has a plurality of recesses 1007 formed along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 1002. The elastically deformable members 1032 are designed such that in the release position these elastically deformable members 1032 are constrained inside the connecting members 1003, and released from any recess 1007. In the retaining position, these elastically deformable members 1032 are released outside the connecting members 1003 and engaged in the recesses 1007.

 Of course, the embodiment of the invention described above is not limiting in nature. Details and improvements can be made in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Device (1; 1000) for closing a bracelet comprising at least one strand, the device being characterized in that it comprises:  a casing (2; 1002),  at least one connecting member (3; 1003) for connecting the strand to the device (1; 1000), the connecting member (3; 1003) being mounted movably inside the housing (2) between a plurality adjustment positions of the length of the bracelet,  a cover (4; 1004) mounted on the housing (2; 1002) between a closed position in which the cover covers the connecting member (3; 1003) so as to maintain the strand relatively to the connecting member in a position selected from the plurality of adjustment positions, and an open position in which the cover (4) is intended to allow release of the strand from said selected position, the cover (4; 1004) having at least two projecting portions (40; 1040) in each of which there are at least two openings (400, 1400), and  - locking means arranged to lock the cover (4; 1004) in the closed position comprising at least one rod (401; 1401) shaped to engage in each opening (400; 1400) of each projecting portion (40; 1040); .  2. Device (1; 1000) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (4; 1004) has an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, and in that the locking means are arranged to unlock the cover (4; 1004) in the closed position when it is moved to the intermediate position.  3. Device (1; 1000) according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking means comprise resilient return means arranged to bias the cover (4; 1004) from the intermediate position to the closed position. 4. Device (1; 1000) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises guide means arranged inside. the housing (2; 1002) for guiding the connecting member (3; 1003) between the plurality of setting positions.  5. Device (1; 1000) according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing (2; 1002) extends substantially along a longitudinal axis, and in that the guide means are arranged to guide in translation the organ link (3) along the longitudinal axis.  6. Device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the guide means comprise a plate (6) in which is formed a slot (60).  7. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the slot (60; 1060) has a portion (600; 1600), preferably central relative to the plate, shaped to receive the connecting member (3). .  8. Device (1000) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the guide means comprise the bars (1005), and in that the connecting members (1003) have a width substantially equal to the distance between the bars (1005).  9. Device (1; 1000) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises indexing means arranged inside the housing (2; 1002) for indexing the adjustment positions.  10. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the indexing means comprise at least one toothing (70) shaped to be in engagement with the connecting member (3).  1 1. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting member (3) comprises a blade (32) elastically deformable shaped to be in engagement with the toothing (70).  12. Device (1000) according to claim 8, the indexing means comprise at least one elastically deformable member (1032) movably mounted in a connecting member (1003) between: a holding position in which the elastically deformable member (1032) prohibits the displacement of the connecting member (1003) with respect to the casing (1002), and a release position in which the elastically deformable member (1032) allows the displacement of the connecting member (1003) with respect to the casing (1002), and  in that the elastically deformable member (1032) is able to move from its retaining position to its release position by deforming elastically in response to a predetermined force exerted on the connecting member (1003).  13. Device (1000) according to claim 9, characterized in that the housing has a plurality of recesses (1007) formed along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing (1002), and the elastically deformable member (1032) is designed such that in the release position the elastically deformable member (1032) is constrained within the connecting member (1003), and cleared of any recess (1007), and that in the retaining position the elastically deformable member (1032) is released outside the connecting member and engaged in a recess (1007).