Asymmetric butterfly clasp

• US 20120312052A1
• Filed: 06/10/2011
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yliluoma, Timo, Manni, Jukka, Sepänniitty, Mikko
• Granted Patent: US 8,789,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 63/10
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/246 having size adjusting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2155 Jewelry-watch straps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2166 Jewelry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4745 End clasp
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4782 Watch strap

Abstract

A clasp according to embodiments of the present invention is particularly well suited to wrist bands of diving watches, specifically metallic link type wrist bands. Such a clasp can be worn in a first closed position during normal usage against a user'"'"'s bare wrist. The same clasp can then extend so that the same watch and wrist band can be worn by a user over some additional material, such as a dive suit. The extension of the clasp is beneficial as it requires no tools, is simple and reliable.

Claims

1. A clasp for a band having a plurality of links comprising;

an asymmetric member having a first end shorter than a second end,

a first arm rotationally connected at a first end to the first end of the asymmetric member and rotationally connected at the opposite end to a first link,

a first means for releasably affixing the first arm to the asymmetric member,

a second arm rotationally connected at a first end to the second end of the asymmetric member and rotationally connected at the opposite end to a second link, and

a second means for releasably affixing the second arm to the asymmetric member which is independent from said first means.

2. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein a swivel link between said first arm and said first link, rotationally connected to both, connects the first arm and first link rotationally.

3. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first means is a friction means, mechanical means, and/or magnetic means.

4. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first arm is rotationally connected at a first end to the terminal end of the first end of the asymmetric member.

5. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first end of the asymmetric member comprises two extensions separated by a gap and the first arm is configured to fit within said gap while releasably affixed to the asymmetric member.

6. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second end of the asymmetric member comprises two extensions separated by a gap and the second arm is configured to fit within said gap while releasably affixed to the asymmetric member.

7. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second means is a mechanical means.

8. A clasp in accordance with claim 7, wherein said second means comprises at least one button which when engaged releases an affixed second arm from the asymmetric member.

9. A clasp in accordance with claim 7, wherein said second means comprises a button on either side of the second link which when engaged releases an affixed second arm from the asymmetric member.

10. A clasp in accordance with claim 7, wherein said second means comprises a button on either side of the second link which when engaged releases an affixed second arm and second link from the asymmetric member.

11. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second arm comprises two portions having a gap between them, said two portions capable of being pushed towards each other, thereby reducing the size of the gap, by said second means.

12. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second arm comprises two portions having a gap between them, said two portions capable of being pushed towards each other, thereby reducing the size of the gap, and said second means comprises a button on either side of the second link which when engaged pushes said portions towards each other thereby releasing an affixed second arm from the asymmetric member.

13. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second means includes a spring.

14. A clasp in accordance with claim 13, wherein said second arm comprises two portions having a gap between them, said two portions capable of being pushed towards each other, thereby reducing the size of the gap, by said second means, and said portions of the second arm act as springs.

15. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a third means for releasably affixing the first link directly to the second link.

16. A clasp in accordance with claim 15, wherein said third means is a mechanical means.

17. A clasp in accordance with claim 16, wherein said second means comprises a button on either side of the second link which when engaged releases an affixed second arm from the asymmetric member and releases the third means releasably affixing the first link to the second link.

18. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first arm is rotationally connected to the first link directly.

19. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first arm is rotationally connected to the first link via a connector.

20. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second arm is rotationally connected to the second link directly.

21. A clasp in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second arm is rotationally connected to the second link via a connector.

22. A wrist band comprising;

a first band portion and a second band portion,

an asymmetric member having a first end shorter than a second end,

a first arm rotationally connected at a first end to the first end of the asymmetric member and rotationally connected at the opposite end to the first band portion,

a first means for releasably affixing the first arm to the asymmetric member,

a second arm rotationally connected at a first end to the second end of the asymmetric member and rotationally connected at the opposite end to the second band portion, and

a second means for releasably affixing the second arm to the asymmetric member which is independent from said first means.

23. The wrist band according to claim 22, wherein the first and second band portions are connected to a time piece forming a wrist watch.