MC200056A1 - Quick closure for watch strap - Google Patents

Description

Quick-release clasp for watch strap

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200056

00248 2 2 0 FEB. 2002 #11 15

Introduction: The metal bracelet, or any other leather or plastic strap that extends the watch case, is very often composed of two arms hinged around the spring bars (springs) between the lugs of the case, and a classic or folding clasp joining the two arms. The classic clasp is simple but not very attractive, while the folding clasp is often quite complicated to make if it needs to be adjustable.

The invention described here completely eliminates the buckle if the designer believes the bracelet can stand alone as a work of art. The bracelet is therefore simpler, made from a single piece, with the clasp attached by the last link and the band. For clarity, a metal bracelet has been depicted in the text and illustrations.

Description of the invention: Fig. 1 shows the case (5) of the watch and its metal bracelet (6). Lugs (7) extend from each end of the case (5). The terminal link (4) is fitted between the lugs on each side of the case (Fig. 3). In order to retain the terminal link of the bracelet in the opening of the case, a hole has been drilled inside each lug (7) to house the barrel (8) and the pusher (2), which is pushed outwards from the case by a spring (9) (Fig. 5). This pusher (2) is housed in the lugs (7) of the case (5).

In the terminal link (4) a hole is made on each side to allow the expulsion of the case (1) releasing the retractable lug (10) pushed back by the spring housed in the case (1) Fig.4.

On the horns (7) a small inclined groove (3) is also made allowing the retractable spur (10) to retract; this ramp is sufficiently inclined to push back.

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the lugs (10) in their case(l) and allow the link (4) to pass between the lugs (7) and to come to position itself in the hole of the barrel (8) for locking. Attaching the bracelet: After putting the bracelet to the length of the wrist by removing or adding links, the terminal link (4) is presented under the lugs (7) of the case (5) and it is raised: see arrow(B) Fig.3 until the lug (10) fits along the inclined ramp of the groove (3) of the lug (7) and under the effect of the inclined plane the lug (10) goes inside the case (1) Fig.l. At the end of the travel of the terminal link (4), the lug (10) encounters the bore hole (8) Fig. 5 and is released by the force of the spring housed in the case (1), also locking the link (4) in the locked position. Detaching the bracelet: To detach the terminal link (4) from the lugs (7) and the case (5), simply press the two pushers (2) simultaneously on one side or the other of the case (5) as indicated by the arrows (A). This causes the lugs (10) to retract, thus releasing the retaining mechanism in the case (1) and freeing the terminal link (4).

Claims (1)

-3- CLAIM S -1- Assembly consisting of a watch case (5) Fig.1 whose lugs (7) Fig.2 are machined to receive four pushers (2) Fig.5 which act as pistons during unlocking associated with two inclined ramps (3) Fig.3 allowing the lugs (10) Fig.4 to retract before locking them into the bore of the barrel hole (8) Fig.5 of the lug (7). -2- Assembly according to claim -1- characterized in that the pushers (2) Fig. 1 must be actuated simultaneously to unlock the link (4). -3- Assembly according to claims -1-2- characterized in that the end links (4) can be combined with a flexible two-pronged bracelet with a conventional clasp. -4-