CH720432A1 - Device for attaching a bracelet to a watch case having a bar - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for attaching a bracelet (20) to a watch case (1) having a lug (6), comprising: – a bracelet end link (22) comprising a lug housing (19) and arranged to receive the lug (6), the housing (19) comprising a beak (18), and – a locking member (15) arranged to define with the beak (18) a passage opening towards the lug housing (19), and movable between: – an open position in which the passage opening has a passage width greater than a section of the lug (6), so as to allow insertion or extraction of the lug (6) from the housing (19), and – a locking position in which the passage opening has a passage width smaller than the section of the lug (6), so as to block extraction of the lug (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of watchmaking and jewelry, more particularly to the field of devices for attaching bracelets to watch cases having a bar.

[0002] Interchangeable systems are known for attaching bracelets to watch cases. For example, document CH715870 discloses a lock configured to engage with a gripping member, such as a bar, and maintain tension with the latter so as to press an insert against the case middle.

[0003] The prior art system has the disadvantage of being more complicated to implement and of requiring assembly work on the lower face of the watch case to manipulate the lock.

[0004] The present invention aims to propose a new construction of fixing device, facilitating the manufacture and installation on the watch case, while being intuitive to use, more robust and more comfortable for the wearer of the watch.

[0005] The invention relates, in a first aspect, to a device for attaching a bracelet to a watch case having a lug, the attachment device comprising: – a bracelet end link comprising a lug housing formed in the bracelet end link and arranged to receive the lug, the housing comprising a beak, and – a locking member arranged to define with the beak a passage opening towards the lug housing, and movable, preferably in rotation, between: – an open position in which the passage opening has a passage width greater than a section of the lug, so as to allow insertion or extraction of the lug from the housing, and – a locking position in which the passage opening has a passage width smaller than the section of the lug, so as to block extraction of the lug.

[0006] This makes it easier to manufacture and install the fixing device on the watch case, while being intuitive to use, more robust and more comfortable for the wearer of the watch. The user thus only has to position the bracelet terminal link above the bar and press on the terminal link to lock the device on the bar.

[0007] Preferably, the bar is pressed into the housing by the locking member.

[0008] This ensures efficient locking of the bar in the housing.

[0009] Advantageously, in the locking position, the locking member has a protruding counter-shape facing the beak.

[0010] This ensures that the passage opening has a smaller passage width than the section of the strip, and thus prevents the strip from coming out of the housing.

[0011] Advantageously, in the open position, the locking member has a hollow counter-form, opposite the spout.

[0012] This makes it easier to insert the bar into the housing, particularly when the user presents the terminal link above or opposite the bar.

[0013] Advantageously, the fixing device further comprises a first stop portion, arranged to abut against the box, on the side of a bottom of the box.

[0014] This makes it possible to block the terminal link on the watch case, while cooperating with the blocking member, and in particular in the case of an extraction torque in a first direction.

[0015] Advantageously, the fixing device further comprises a second stop portion, arranged to abut against the box at a lateral surface (of the box).

[0016] This makes it possible to block the terminal link on the watch case, while cooperating with the blocking member and with the first stop portion, and in particular in the case of an extraction torque in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

[0017] Advantageously, the fixing device further comprises an elastic return element, arranged to return the blocking member so as to reduce the passage opening.

[0018] Advantageously, the fixing device further comprises an elastic return element, arranged to return the locking member towards or against the bar.

[0019] This ensures that the locking member presses the bar or is returned towards it.

[0020] Advantageously, the locking member comprises a lever portion, arranged to tilt the locking member between the locking position and the open position, or from the open position to the locking position.

[0021] This makes it possible to provide a gripping means so that the user can act on the locking member, for example for disassembly purposes.

[0022] Advantageously, the fixing device further comprises a ball arranged to be pressed against the bar by a ball spring, when the locking member is in the locking position.

[0023] This makes it possible to provide an additional means of fixing the bar, the ball also being called a locking ball.

[0024] Advantageously, the fixing device further comprises a damping portion, preferably made of elastomer, and arranged to absorb or compensate for residual assembly play between the bracelet and the case.

[0025] Preferably, the ball is arranged to be between the bar and the damping portion.

[0026] Advantageously, the fixing device further comprises a locking member arranged to lock the blocking member in the blocking position.

[0027] Advantageously, the locking member is arranged to lock the blocking member in the open position.

[0028] Advantageously, the locking member is arranged to switch between the open position and the locking position.

[0029] A second aspect of the invention relates to a timepiece comprising a fixing device according to the first aspect.

[0030] This makes it possible to offer a timepiece with the advantages mentioned above.

[0031] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention given as a non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a device for fixing a bracelet according to the present invention, in a position in which the device is detached from a bar of a watch case, - Figure 2 shows the device in an initial position for inserting the bar into a housing of the device, - Figure 3 shows the device in a final phase for inserting the bar into the housing, - Figure 4 shows the device in a locking position, - Figure 5 shows the device in another sectional view, at the level of a locking ball.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a fixing device 100 of a bracelet 20 according to the present invention, in a position in which the device 100 is detached from a bar 6 of a watch case 1.

[0033] The watch case 1 comprises in a known manner a back cover 4, a crystal 3 opposite the back cover 4, a caseband 2, horns 7 and two bars 6 between the horns 7. The watch case 1 is arranged to house a movement 5. Only a portion of the case 1 is shown here, with the device 100 on the right side of FIG. 1, but it is of course possible to have a bar 6 and the fixing device 100 on the left side of FIG. 1 (not shown).

[0034] The fastening device 100 comprises a bracelet end link 22 which is intended to be secured to a bracelet 20 having links 21 successively attached.

[0035] The terminal link 22 comprises a bar housing 19 formed in the terminal link. The bar housing 19 is arranged to receive the bar 6. The bar 6 comprises an axis of circular section and the bar housing 19 is a housing with a circular portion, arranged to receive the bar 6. The bar 6 can be a spring bar, a screwed axis, a driven axis, a notched pin and tube, an axis machined in the caseband (in one piece with the horns), it is in any case integral with the case 1.

[0036] The housing 19 further comprises a beak 18 at one end thereof, on the side allowing the insertion of the bar 6 into the housing 19.

[0037] The spout 18 is thus a projection, a bossage or an outgrowth. The spout 18 is arranged on the outside of the housing 19. The spout 18 thus forms a baffle.

[0038] The device 100 further comprises a locking member 15. The locking member 15 is arranged to define with the beak a passage opening towards the bar housing 19.

[0039] The locking member 15 is movable, preferably in rotation. It can switch between an open position, in which it allows the bar 6 to pass towards the housing 19 to allow the insertion of the bar 6 into the housing 19, and a locking position, in which it blocks the extraction of the bar 6 from the housing 19. It is noted that in the open position, the locking member 15 also allows the bar 6 to pass out of the housing, if it is already inserted, so as to allow its extraction from the housing 19.

[0040] In the open position, the passage opening is wider than the section of the bar 6, and in the blocking position, the passage opening is narrower than the section of the bar 6.

[0041] The locking member 15 can switch between the open position and the locking position, by pivoting around an axis 14 provided for this purpose.

[0042] The device 100 further comprises an elastic return element 12 (such as a spiral spring, a helical spring or a spring blade), arranged to return or bias the blocking member 15 towards the bar 6, so as to close the passage opening. The blocking member can also press the blocking member 15 against the bar 6, when the latter is in the housing 19.

[0043] The locking member 15 comprises a protruding counterform 15p, arranged opposite the beak 18 in the locking position, and a hollow counterform 15c, opposite the beak 18 in the open position. In other words, the locking member 15 comprises a cam track and the bar 6 can travel along the cam track during the insertion of the bar 6 into the housing 19.

[0044] The terminal link 22 further comprises a first covering piece 11 making it possible to mask the elastic return element 12 and a second covering piece 10 making it possible to mask the housing 19.

[0045] In Figure 1, the arrangement 100 is shown before insertion of the bar 6 into the housing 6. The locking member 15 is in the locking position because it is returned by the elastic return element 12.

[0046] The housing 19, indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1, preferably has a partial circular section in order to receive the bar 6, that is to say that the housing 19 preferably has a counter shape of the shape of the bar 6. The housing 19 can cover an arc of 180 degrees or less.

[0047] The blocking member 15 comprises a bearing surface (or contact surface) which is indicated in solid lines in FIG. 1. The bearing surface is arranged to bear on the bar 6, or to be in the immediate vicinity thereof, when the blocking member 15 is in the blocking position. The arc formed by the bearing surface of the blocking member 15 and by the arc of the housing 19 is preferably greater than 180 degrees, so as to block the passage of the bar 6 and prevent its extraction.

[0048] The spout 18 can be extended by an insertion surface, in the direction outside the housing and indicated in a strong line in FIG. 1. The insertion surface of the spout 18 makes it easier to insert the bar 6 into the housing 19.

[0049] Figure 2 shows the fixing device 100 in the initial position of insertion of the bar 6 into the housing 19.

[0050] This initial insertion position corresponds to an open position because the passage opening is larger than the section of the bar 6 and allows the latter to be inserted into the housing 19.

[0051] When the user presses the locking member 15, at the level of the hollow counterform 15c against the bar 6, the locking member 15 will tilt so as to open the passage opening and allow the introduction of the bar 6 into the housing 19. The user must force slightly in order to overcome the return force of the elastic return element 12. In the positioning of the hollow counterform 15c against the bar 6, the user can be guided by a second stop portion 32, for example arranged on the first covering part 11. In this case, the second stop portion 32 abuts against the caseband 2 (i.e. the lateral surface of the case 1).

[0052] Figure 3 shows the device 100 in the final phase of introducing the strip 6 into the housing 19.

[0053] In the final introduction phase, the bar 6 is at the bottom of the housing 19. The protruding counter-form 15p is then against the bar 6.

[0054] Figure 4 shows the device 100 in the locking position.

[0055] The elastic return element 12 has caused the blocking member 15 to tilt, so that the protruding counter-form 15p is arranged opposite the beak 18. The passage opening between the blocking member 15 and the beak 18 is thus narrower than the section of the bar 6, preventing the extraction of the bar 6 from the housing 19.

[0056] The beak 18 closes the housing 19 in the sense that it forms an obstacle to the extraction of the bar 6 from the housing 19 in cooperation with the blocking member 15. In one embodiment, it can be considered as a portion of material (shown between the dotted lines) relative to a straight line parallel to the direction of insertion and passing through an end of the housing opposite the blocking member 15.

[0057] Figure 5 shows the device 100 in another sectional view, at the level of a locking ball 17.

[0058] The ball 17, also called a locking ball, provides additional locking of the bar 6 in the housing 19. It is housed in a ball cage and supported by a damping portion 16, such as a piece of rubber or elastomer, so as to take up any residual assembly play between the bracelet 20 and the case 1. The ball 17 is pressed against the bar 6 in the locking position.

[0059] The device 100 may further comprise a locking member in order to lock the blocking member 15 in the blocking position.

[0060] The device 100 may further comprise a lever portion in order to tilt the blocking member 15, and allow the user to force the tilting of the blocking member 15. The lever portion may for example be arranged at one end of the blocking member 15, on the side of the hollow counterform 15c.

[0061] The device 100 may further comprise a first stop portion 31 arranged on the side of the bottom 4 in order to block a torque applied to the device 100 in cooperation with the blocking member 15. The first stop portion 31 makes it possible to block a torque in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5 and the second stop portion 32 makes it possible to block a torque in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 5. The terminal link 22 thus forms an insert, the first stop portion 31 of which is inserted under the box 1.

[0062] It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described in the present description.

[0063] In particular, reference is made to the possibility of having other shapes of bars.

[0064] It is possible to combine the embodiments as much as possible or necessary.

Claims (12)

1. Device (100) for attaching a bracelet (20) to a watch case (1) having a bar (6), the attachment device (100) comprising: – a bracelet end link (22) comprising a bar housing (19) formed in the bracelet end link (22) and arranged to receive the bar (6), the housing (19) comprising a beak (18), and – a locking member (15) arranged to define with the beak (18) a passage opening towards the bar housing (19), and movable, preferably in rotation, between: – an open position in which the passage opening has a passage width greater than a section of the bar (6), so as to allow insertion or extraction of the bar (6) from the housing (19), and – a locking position in which the passage opening has a passage width smaller than the section of the bar (6), so as to block extracting the bar (6). 2. Fastening device (100) according to claim 1, in which, in the locking position, the locking member (15) has a protruding counter-shape (15p) facing the beak (18). 3. Fastening device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, in which, in the open position, the locking member (15) has a hollow counter-form (15c), opposite the beak (18). 4. Fastening device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a first stop portion (31), arranged to abut against the box (1), on the side of a bottom of the box (4). 5. Fastening device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second stop portion (32), arranged to abut against the box (1) at a lateral surface. 6. Fastening device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an elastic return element (12), arranged to return the locking member (15) against the bar (6). 7. Fastening device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the locking member (15) comprises a lever portion, arranged to tilt the locking member (15) between the locking position and the open position. 8. Fastening device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a ball (17) arranged to be pressed against the bar (6) by a ball spring, when the locking member (15) is in the locking position. 9. Fastening device (100) according to claim 8, further comprising a damping portion (16), preferably made of elastomer, and arranged to absorb or compensate for residual assembly play between the bracelet (20) and the case (1). 10. Fastening device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a locking member arranged to lock the blocking member (15) in the blocking and/or open position. 11. Fastening device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the locking member (15) is arranged to switch between the open position and the locking position. 12. Timepiece comprising a fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11.