WO2014068517A1

WO2014068517A1 - System for adjusting the length of a strap, such as a watch strap or a belt

Info

Publication number: WO2014068517A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/059825
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roland Iten
Original assignee: Roland Iten Mechanical Luxury SpA
Current assignee: Roland Iten Mechanical Luxury SpA
Priority date: 2012-10-31
Filing date: 2013-10-31
Publication date: 2014-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-30

Abstract

An adjustment system for a fine and precise adjustment of the size of a strap, such as watch strap, or belt, comprising at least a plurality of balls (12) which are driven in rotation thereby acting on an actuating element (32) with at least one pin (33, 34) linked to a movable part of the strap/belt, said actuating element (32) moving in a longitudinal groove (11) such that said rotation of the balls (12) creates a rectilinear motion of the actuating element (32) that moves two parts (5, 6) of a strap/belt relatively to each other to adjust the length of said strap/belt.

Description

SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING THE LENGTH OF A STRAP, SUCH AS A WATCH STRAP OR A BELT

CROSS RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to the earlier Swiss application N°02189/12, filed on October 31 , 2012 in the name of Roland ITEN, the content of which earlier application is incorporated in its entirety in the present application. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns the field of adjustable straps, such as watch strap or belts. More specifically, the present invention concerns a calibration system allowing a fine and precise adjustment of the size of a strap such as watch strap or belt and other similar products.

BACKGROUND ART

Straps for wrist watches with clasps or buckles are known in the art and they have different shapes.

For example, figures la to 1 c illustrates a first example of a first clasp mechanism with a lever 1 , a pin 3, the Sever 1 comprising an axis 4. As illustrated in figures 1 A, the strap comprises two ends 5, 6, the lever 1 being fixed to the end 6 via axis 4 and the pin 3 penetrates into hole 51 of the other end 5 of the strap. By moving the lever 1 upwards, the pin 3 is freed from its hole 51 and the position, of end 5 may be moved relatively to end 6 of strap. Once the desired position of end 5 has been reached (a destred size of the strap/belt), the lever 1 is moved downwards such that the pin 3 penetrates into a hole 51 of the end 5, in order to block the relative movement of the two ends 5, 6.

Examples of clasps/buckles allowing an adjustment of the length of the strap or buckle are for example given in the following documents: EP 1815765, EP 1981365CH 702523, WO 2008064931 , GB730846. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aim of the present invention is to improve the known clasps and buckles of the prior art.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a clasp that allows a fine and symmetrical adjustment of the size of the strap/belt and also a stable position and adjusted length of the strap/belt once the desired length has been chosen.

In one embodiment, the system for a fine and precise adjustment of the size of a strap, such as watch strap, or belt, comprise at least a plurality of balls which are driven in rotation thereby acting on an actuating element with at least one pin linked to a movable part of the strap/belt, said actuating element moving in a longitudinal groove such that said rotation of the balls creates a rectilinear motion of the actuating element that moves two ends of a strap/belt relatively to each other to adjust the length of said strap/belt.

In one embodiment, the adjustment system may comprise a top plate that rotates relatively to the platform. The balls are placed between said top plate and said platform and are in friction engagement with the top surface of the platform and the bottom surface of the top plate such that rotation of the plate relatively to the platform induces a rotation and circular movement of the bails. The bafts are preferably rubber balls. Other materials are also possible in the frame of the present invention.

The platform is preferably made of metal or another equivalent or suitable material. In one embodiment, the top plate preferably comprises a glass, such as a sapphire glass. Alternatively, the fop plate may not comprise a glass.

In one embodiment, the actuating element is preferably attached to a chain at one end of said chain, and the other end of said chain is attached to the platform on which the balls are placed. In one embodiment, the actuating element is attached to a loop which encloses the balls. In one embodiment, the !oop is a chain loop.

In one embodiment, the invention concerns a strap, such as a watch strap, or a belt with an adjustment system as defined herein. in one embodiment, the invention concerns an object in combination with an adjustment system as defined as defined herein or a strap as defined herein.

In one embodiment, the invention concerns a door knob with a system as described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FiguresIA to 1C illustrate a clasp or buckle of the prior art used on a belt or a watch strap. Figures 2A to 2C illustrate side and top views of the principle of an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 3A, 3B and figures 4A and 4B illustrate details of an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 5A to 5C illustrate another embodiment of the invention; Figures 6A to 6C illustrate another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will explained now by reference to the figures. The adjustable system attached to a fixed strap or half of a belt according to the invention comprises mainly (see figures 2A and 2B) a platform 10 which is attached to the belt or strap 6. This platform comprises a longitudinal groove 1 1 in which moves an actuating element 32. The actuating element 32 comprises two pins 33 and 34 which are meant to be introduced into holes 51 of a movable part of the strap/belt 5. The actuating element 32 is attached to a first end 30 of a chain 31 the other end 13 of which is attached to a side of the platform 10. The element may comprise only one pin 33 or 34. Over the platform 10, there is a rotating element, for example a disc or a top plate 20, which is able to rotate relatively to the platform 10 and which forms with said platform a closed volume.

Said volume is filled with balls 12 (see figure 2C for example) which are held by friction between the top surface of the platform 10 and the bottom surface of the plate 20.

Through this friction, when the plate 20 is rotated relatively to the platform, the balls 12 also rotate and move in a circular motion around the platform {see figure 4A, where only some balls 12 are illustrated for the sake of simplicity). By this displacement of the bails 12 created by the relative rotation of plate 20 and platform 10, the chain 31 is pushed in the same direction than the balls 12. As the end 13 of the chain 31 is fixed to the platform 10, the other end 30 of the chain is forced to move, this movement of the chain end resulting in a displacement of the actuating element 32 along the groove 11 , as illustrated in figures 4A and 48.

As this movement of the element 32 is made in the groove 1 1 that is longitudinal (see figure 2b), this result in a relative movement of the two straps/belts parts (fixed and movable) with respect to each other by the induced rectilinear motion of the actuating element 32 carrying the pins 33 and 34 which has the effect of adjusting the overall length of the strap/belt.

The system according to the invention thus allows a very fine and simple adjustment to the desired position by the user, by the use of simple means and a relative rotation of two parts, a movement that is easy for the wearer of the watch or belt. In addition, it is not reversible so that once the size of the belt/strap has been adjusted to the desire of the wearer, there is no need for additional locking means between the platform 10 and the plate 20. Figures 5A to 5C illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. The principles exposed above in relation to the first embodiment apply here as well with the same reference numbers used for the same elements, unless described differently. In this embodiment, the chain 31 is replaced by a loop 301 which is filled with bails 12. By using the principle of the invention exposed above, a rotation of plate 20 relatively to platform 10, the balls rotate as well and move to the right as illustrated in figure 5B compared to figure 5A. This displacement of the balls 12 also moves the loop 301 to the right as shown in phantom lines in figure 5B. As the loop 301 is fixed to the actuating element 32 under the groove 1 1 , when the toop 301 moves the actuating element 32 also moves longitudinally in the groove thus displacing the pins 33, 34 allowing an adjustment of the strap/belt as explained above. The connection between loop 301 and element 32 is made for example via an axis 303.

Figures 6A to 6C illustrate another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the loop 301 is replaced by a chain loop 302 which is also filled with balls 12. The chain loop 302 ends are fixed to the eiement 32 at 303 such that when the balls are rotated and move to the right, the chain loop 302 also moves to the right (as illustrated by the arrow in figure 6B) thus pulling the actuating element 32 to the right as well. In accordance with the principles of the present invention as exposed herein, this allows an adjustment of the belt/strap on which the system is mounted.

The system of the invention may be made in any suitable material, for example metals, precious metals, alloys etc.

Preferably, the balls 12 are made of a synthetic material such as rubber.

The platform 10 may be made of a precious material, or metal such as gold. The plate 20 may comprise a transparent glass, such as a sapphire glass. The chain 31 is preferably made of metal. The chain may be replaced by an equivalent element that is rigid or not. if the bails 12 are made of steel or another hard material, then the platform 10 and the plate 20 should preferably comprise an inlay for protection purposes.

Preferably, the system according to the invention is used with a watch strap for a wrist watch. However, the system may be used with other objects, similar or not, such a belts, helmets etc.

In a specific application, the system of the invention may be used in a door knob. Any other application may be envisaged as well, where a rotational movement is transformed into a longitudinal movement. The examples given in the present specification are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed in a limiting manner. Other constructions are possible using equivalent means and within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustment system for a fine and precise adjustment of the size of a strap, such as watch strap, or belt, comprising at least a plurality of balls (12) which are driven in rotation thereby acting on an actuating element (32) with at least one pin (33,34) linked to a movable part (5) of the strap/belt, said actuating element moving in a longitudinal groove (11 ) such that said rotation of the balls (12) creates a rectilinear motion of the actuating element (32) that moves two ends (5,6) of a strap/belt relatively to each other to adjust the length of said strap/be!t.

2. The adjustment system as defined in claim 1 , wherein it comprises a top plate (20) that rotates relatively to the platform (10), wherein the bails are placed between said top plate (20) and said platform (10) and are in friction engagement with the top surface of the platform (10) and the bottom surface of the top plate (20) such that rotation of the plate relatively to the platform induces a rotation and circular movement of the balls.

3. The adjustment system as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the bails are rubber balls.

4. The adjustment system as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the piatform is made of metal.

5. The adjustment system as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the plate comprises a glass, such as a sapphire glass.

6. The adjustment system as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element is attached to a chain (31 ) at one end (30) of said chain, and the other end (13) of said chain is attached, to the platform (10) on which the balls are placed.

7. The adjustment system as defined in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the actuating element (32) is attached to a loop (301 ) which encloses the balls (12).

8. The adjustment system as defined in claim 7, wherein the loop is a chain loop (302).

9. A strap, such as a watch strap, or a beit with an adjustment system as defined in one of the preceding claims.

10. An object in combination with an adjustment system as defined in one of the preceding claims or a strap as defined in the preceding claim.

11. The object of claim 10 wherein said object is a door knob.