DEVICE FOR SETTING THE LENGTH OF A BRACELET, BRACELET PROVIDED WITH SUCH A DEVICE AND WATCH FITTED WITH SUCH A BRACELET

• US 20070125123A1
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Werthanor SA
• Original Assignee: Werthanor SA
• Inventors: SIERRO, Alain
• Granted Patent: US 7,571,519 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 63/3.200
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/185 Attachment of fasteners to straps or chains
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/246 having size adjusting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2147 Strap tightener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2155 Jewelry-watch straps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4782 Watch strap

Abstract

The invention proposes a device for adjusting the length of a wristband or bracelet including a base plate and an adjusting link, the adjusting link being hinged on the base plate via at least one connecting rod which is hinged on the base plate via a main pin which is hinged on the adjusting link via a secondary pin, wherein the adjusting link is arranged so as to slide relative to the base plate, including a locking device allowing the adjusting link to catch on an anchoring element arranged on the base plate in at least two indexed longitudinal positions, respectively defining two lengths of the bracelet, characterized in that the anchoring element is arranged on the main pin. The invention also proposes a bracelet fitted with this adjustment device and a watch fitted with such a bracelet.

Claims

1. A device for adjusting the length of a wristband or bracelet, particularly fitted with a clasp with unfolding strips, to be inserted generally longitudinally between two end strands of the bracelet, the adjustment device including a base plate at a first longitudinal end and an adjusting link at a second longitudinal end, the adjusting link being hinged on the base plate via at least one connecting rod, which is hinged, by a first end, on the base plate via a first transverse articulation pin called the main pin and which is hinged, by a second end, on the adjusting link via a second transverse articulation pin called the secondary pin, wherein the adjusting link is arranged so as to slide relative to the base plate along the longitudinal direction of the bracelet, including a locking device enabling the adjusting link to catch on an anchoring element arranged on the base plate in at least two indexed longitudinal positions respectively defining two bracelet lengths, wherein the anchoring element is arranged on the main pin.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting link is hinged on the base plate via two connecting rods which are arranged on either side of the transverse ends of the adjusting link.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the anchoring element is formed by the median section of a main pin which is secured to the base plate and which forms the main pin, each connecting rod being hinged on one transverse end section of the main pin.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the base plate includes several pairs of opposite housings that are distributed in several longitudinal positions and which are for receiving both ends of the main pin so as to allow an additional adjustment of the length of the bracelet by altering the longitudinal position of the main pin on the base plate.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device includes at least two notches arranged in the adjusting link for cooperating by a snap fit with the anchoring element.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein each notch includes in the inner wall thereof at least one raised portion for holding the adjusting link on the anchoring element by a resilient snap fit.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the notches are integral with the adjusting link.

8. The device according to claim 2, wherein the adjusting link includes an oblong longitudinal hole, and wherein the secondary pin is formed by a secondary pin which is secured to the connecting rods and which slides into the oblong hole.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein, in at least one of the indexed longitudinal positions of the adjusting link, one longitudinal end of the adjusting link is substantially aligned with the longitudinal end of a connecting rod.

10. The device according to claim 1, including at least one locking element that restricts the pivoting of the connecting rods about the main pin in a determined angular sector.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting link is hinged on the inner face of the base plate, on the side of the wrist that is wearing the bracelet.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the base plate is formed by the cover of a clasp with unfolding strips.

15. The device according to claim 6, wherein the notches are integral with the adjusting link.

13. A wristband or bracelet, particularly for a watch worn on the wrist, including a device for adjusting the length of a wristband or bracelet, particularly fitted with a clasp with unfolding strips, to be inserted generally longitudinally between two end strands of the bracelet, the adjustment device including a base plate at a first longitudinal end and an adjusting link at a second longitudinal end, the adjusting link being hinged on the base plate via at least one connecting rod, which is hinged, by a first end, on the base plate via a first transverse articulation pin called the main pin and which is hinged, by a second end, on the adjusting link via a second transverse articulation pin called the secondary pin, wherein the adjusting link is arranged so as to slide relative to the base plate along the longitudinal direction of the bracelet, including a locking device enabling the adjusting link to catch on an anchoring element arranged on the base plate in at least two indexed longitudinal positions respectively defining two bracelet lengths, wherein the anchoring element is arranged on the main pin.

14. A watch including a wristband or bracelet fitted with a device for adjusting the length of a wristband or bracelet, particularly fitted with a clasp with unfolding strips, to be inserted generally longitudinally between two end strands of the bracelet, the adjustment device including a base plate at a first longitudinal end and an adjusting link at a second longitudinal end, the adjusting link being hinged on the base plate via at least one connecting rod, which is hinged, by a first end, on the base plate via a first transverse articulation pin called the main pin and which is hinged, by a second end, on the adjusting link via a second transverse articulation pin called the secondary pin, wherein the adjusting link is arranged so as to slide relative to the base plate along the longitudinal direction of the bracelet, including a locking device enabling the adjusting link to catch on an anchoring element arranged on the base plate in at least two indexed longitudinal positions respectively defining two bracelet lengths, wherein the anchoring element is arranged on the main pin.