Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Strap tighteners – Strap-attached folding lever
Patent
1999-05-06
2000-06-13
Knight, Anthony
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Strap tighteners
Strap-attached folding lever
24 71R, A44C 524
Patent
active
060733160
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fasteners and more particularly to a safety clasp fastener for a watch strap or bracelet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Usually, straps of wrist-watches are opened and fastened by using known fastener devices like a buckle or a clasp. The application of one of these fastener devices depends often on the material from which the watch strap is made. For example, a watch strap made from soft material like leather is fastened by actuating a buckle. By contrast, a watch strap made from rigid or metallic material is often fastened by snapping a clasp.
A watch strap having a buckle is fastened in several stages. First, an end portion of the watch strap is inserted into a first loop, then a tongue of the buckle is engaged in a strap hole and finally the buckle is fixed by inserting the end portion of the watch strap into a second loop of the buckle. The end portion is secured by sliding its end in a guide loop of the watch strap. A watch strap having a clasp, by contrast, is snapped in one or two stages by fixing the clasp to a stud of the watch strap.
Hereinafter, discussion will be limited to the advantages and disadvantages of a clasp fastener of a watch strap.
A clasp fastener is generally provided with an adjusted closing force. Usually, the closing force is regulated during manufacture and is adjustable by a specialist during maintenance of the watch strap. This force can differ in function of the watch strap model chosen. Models destined for male or sporting users are activated with a closing force higher than that of a model destined for female users. One disadvantage is that the closing force of a watch strap clasp cannot be regulated by users as a function of daily or leisure activities.
A clasp fastener which is not provided with a security device for securing its fastening procedure, can, in accordance with the strength of the closing force, open as the result of a heavy shock, for example during a sport activity. One disadvantage is that a watch strap clasp having no security device cannot prevent unintentional fastener opening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a clasp fastener with general application, for example for a wrist-watch, which has a particularly compact construction and is compatible with known, proven manufacturing methods.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a clasp fastener with a completely novel concept. The clasp fastener is made from elements which allow positioning and securing or safety engagement of the clasp and which allow individual regulation of the closing force.
By a latching force, in a first stage, a locking device of the clasp carries out a positioning closure, i.e., the actuation of the locking device allows its positioning against a locking projection of the clasp (first snap engagement). In a second stage, a security cover of the clasp carries out a securing closure, i.e., the clasp is fixed by the securing cover (second snap engagement), increasing therefore the latching force of the first snap engagement of the clasp with the locking projection.
Moreover, one or more variable-diameter pins of the locking device are provided, these pins having spring characteristics and/or different diameters for allowing some movement or clearance relative to one or more locking elements of the locking device, reducing therefore the closing force effectively exerted on the locking projection and allowing individual regulation of the closing force.
Finally, the securing cover is mounted in a detachable manner about an axis of articulation of a hinge. One or more locking elements having straight and rigid portions constitute a resisting axis, which axis resists closure of the security cover in a closure plane. The one or more locking devices are adjustable with respect to the hinge, so as to be able to vary the mutual distance from the straight and rigid portions to the hinge for increasing or reducing the resisting force. This resisting force resists the securing closure of the
REFERENCES:
patent: 2532840 (1950-12-01), Gaun
patent: 5331723 (1994-07-01), Mathieu
patent: 5689859 (1997-11-01), Cuche
patent: 5857243 (1999-01-01), Champion
Ferrario Luigi
Gay Jacques Hubert
Farley Walter C.
Knight Anthony
Montres Rolex S.A.
Sandy Robert J.
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