Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Drawstring – laced-fastener – or separate essential... – Having loop or sleeve shaped directing means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-20
2001-02-13
Brittain, James R. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Drawstring, laced-fastener, or separate essential...
Having loop or sleeve shaped directing means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185799
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a folding fastener according to the preamble of the independent claim. It more particularly relates to a folding fastener for fastening straps, such as e.g. used for wrist-watches.
Folding fasteners with two-part folding clasps for fastening straps are known. Each of the two clasp parts are interconnected in rotary manner at one of their ends by means of a pin. At the in each case other end the clasp parts are linked with in each case one strap half. In the closed state the two clasp parts are folded together and are substantially located on top of one another. They are held together by means of a closure cap through a snap closure. In the opened state the two clasp parts are folded out and increase the overall diameter of the strap, so that said strap can be drawn on and off with respect to the hand and wrist.
The known folding fasteners have very flat and therefore flexible, pliable clasp parts. Due to this flexibility the locking of the fastener can, under the action of certain forces and/or torques, become released in an undesired manner. The resulting lack of security is a disadvantage of known folding fasteners.
Another disadvantage of the hitherto known folding fasteners is that they can be opened through unintentional manipulation on the closure cover. The intention is that the folding fastener opens when the front end of the cover is raised, i.e. that end which points to 6 o'clock of a wrist-watch fixed to the strap. However in certain circumstances it is also possible to open a conventional folding fastener by lifting the rear end of the closure cover, i.e. that end which points to 12 o'clock. This is undesired and also reduces the security of the folding fastener.
In the case of certain known folding fasteners, individual components are soldered together. Soldering changes the quality and appearance of the metal in the vicinity of the soldered joint and metal, e.g. stainless steel can oxidize and soften in the vicinity of such joints, which is undesired.
The problem of the invention is to provide a folding fastener, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages. It is intended to combine security and esthetics, whilst obviating the use of soldered joints.
This problem is solved by the folding fastener, as defined in the independent claim.
The folding fastener according to the invention has a two-part, lockable folding clasp and a closure cover or cap. The two clasp parts are thick, solid and therefore correspondingly rigid and dimensionally stiff. This avoids any expansion and/or bending of the clasp parts under external actions and the undesired release of the fastener locking system.
To a first clasp part is fixed a first strap half and to the closure cover is fixed a second strap half, whilst a second clasp part links the first clasp part with the said cover. The connections between the second clasp part and the first clasp part or the closure cover are rotary and are advantageously implemented by bolts, pins or hinges. To permit a locking of the folding fastener, the two clasp parts are also interconnectable in a positive, reversible manner by a locking mechanism. This positive, reversible connection is preferably in the form of a snap closure, e.g. by at least one claw on one free end of the second clasp part, which engages in slightly resilient, corresponding shapes on a free end of the first clasp part. The at least one claw is preferably so designed and positioned, that it prevents an opening of the folding fastener when the rear end of the closure cover is raised, which gives additional security against undesired opening.
Whereas in conventional folding fasteners the closure cover is important for locking purposes, it does not contribute thereto in the case of the folding fastener according to the invention. Its technical function is limited to an aid on opening the locking system and also provides a connection between the clasp and the second strap half. In addition, the closure cover has an esthetic function, namely that of hiding the clasp in the closed state. This gives rise to the impression that the strap passes continuously beneath the closure cover and is not interrupted by any fastener, as if the said cover was merely placed on the strap. In order to reinforce this elegant impression, when considered from above the claws can have the same appearance as the strap members. The closure cover can be open at both ends and only have on the sides wrapped round edges. Thus, the folding fastener according to the invention combines security and esthetics in an optimum manner.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1756769 (1930-04-01), Tost
patent: 3521331 (1970-07-01), Gay
patent: 3913182 (1975-10-01), Fontana
patent: 5689859 (1997-11-01), Cuche
patent: 5771543 (1998-06-01), Froidevaux et al.
patent: 5781968 (1998-07-01), Widmer
patent: 347968 (1930-07-01), None
Brittain James R.
Lacasse & Associates
Montres Rolex S.A.
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