Chain – staple – and horseshoe making – Chains – Ornamental
Patent
1999-02-18
2000-06-27
Jones, David
Chain, staple, and horseshoe making
Chains
Ornamental
63 4, F16G 1308
Patent
active
060791969
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a band or bracelet, in particular a watchband. More precisely, this invention relates to a watchband having articulated links. This invention likewise concerns a watch equipped with such a band.
Among the different types of watchbands known, the bands made up of several rows of articulated metallic links are particularly sturdy and their aesthetic quality is well suited to sport watches, for example.
One object of the invention is to improve the ergonomics and the comfort of this type of band.
One aspect of the invention is that the band includes stop elements limiting the pivot angle of the links. Thus any pinching of skin or hair between the links is avoided even when the angle of curvature of the band has to be very small.
Although the patent CH-A5-661 184 describes a band including stop elements to limit the pivot angle of the links, the solution described is limited to bands provided with a single row of links. Moreover, this band is complicated to manufacture.
The band described in the patent CH 482 421 likewise has only a single row of links. The opening of the band is limited by the stops, which are made up of lines of contact on the upper face of the band.
The patent CH-C-669316 describes a bracelet with three rows of links in which the angle of pivoting of the articulated links is only limited by portions of the upper, respectively lower, faces of the links.
A further advantageous aspect of the invention is that the stop elements prevent any direct contact between links. Avoided in this way is. the wear and tear caused by friction on the lines or surfaces of contact between inks. This feature is particularly advantageous for bands covered with a precious metal plating, which tends to be damaged if the links enter into direct contact.
According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, the successive links of at least one row are separated by interstices. These interstices remain, regardless of the curvature given to the band. The width of these interstices can be perfectly controlled by means of the stop elements. These interstices suffice to avoid any pinching of the skin or hair and to improve the aeration of the skin and the evacuation of perspiration between the links. This feature, moreover, makes it possible to produce more aesthetic bands. In a preferred variant, the successive links on the inside of each row are separated by interstices.
According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, the curvature of the band can be perfectly controlled by means of stop elements. It is thus possible to obtain, for example, a regular curvature between successive links, and thus an especially aesthetic band.
The stop elements are visible preferably only very slightly, or not at all, from the exterior of the band, and stop against a portion of links distinct from the main faces, for example, against the inside of an aperture through the links. In this way the contact and the wear and tear between links takes place solely at those places which are barely visible or not visible at all.
According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, at least certain links can be easily removed or added in order to adjust the length of the band with respect to the wrist of the wearer. The links can be removed preferably without removing the corresponding stop element.
According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, the band is of simple and inexpensive construction, having a limited number of separate parts and allowing easy assembly.
Other advantages and details of the invention will be better understood from reading the examples described in more detail in the following, and from the corresponding figures which illustrate:
FIG. 1, a view in perspective of a first variant of the band having stop elements in the form of tongues connected to the links of the first row,
FIG. 2, a lateral view of the band according to the first variant, illustrating, superimposed, two extreme positions of the links of the first row,
FIG. 3, a view in perspective of a second v
REFERENCES:
patent: 1995517 (2000-02-01), Neugass
patent: 2392116 (1946-01-01), Blumstein
patent: 3690064 (1972-09-01), Pompeo
patent: 4089161 (1978-05-01), Aoki
patent: 6026637 (2000-02-01), Dombre et al.
Carraro Silvano
Linder Stephane
Jones David
Tag Heuer SA
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