Device whereby a wristwatch in particular is rendered reversible and interchangeable relative to a holder

Abstract

The aim of the present invention is to provide a device whereby various wristwatch movements can be fitted to a single strap, meaning that the watch can be replaced or reversed quickly without opening the strap or case. This aim is achieved by means of a device whereby an object such as a watch case is rendered reversible and interchangeable in a supporting element that is open on one side so that the reversible and interchangeable object can be inserted or withdrawn through said side opening, characterised in that said side opening is sealed by a portion of the reversible and interchangeable object that fits snugly onto the open side of the supporting element, thereby locking same. The device comprises retaining means for retaining the reversible and interchangeable object within the supporting element. It should be noted that in one embodiment of the device, there is no strap (100) and a clip (300) is inserted into portions (202, 203) of the supporting element (200) so that the assembly can be used as an adornment.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of jewelry and watch-/clock-making, more particularly to devices allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object, particularly a watch, relative to a holder.

[0002] With the market for modulable watches experiencing active growth, more and more watch manufacturers are proposing goods based on the use of modules.

[0003] The functional modules that make up a modulable watch are, in particular, a strap, a watch case, and a supporting element. These functional modules are obviously supplemented by all the components that make up the range of decorative elements that can be placed, in particular, on said functional modules. Watch users seeking modulable devices are thus able to convert their watches in accordance with their wishes at any time.

[0004] A watch strap is an adornment that generally surrounds the wrist and is fitted to the watch case by means of fastening elements such as small bars or small screws that are fixed in studs of said case, the latter having a case band in which the movement is placed.

[0005] In order to insert and to fasten a watch case on its holder, it is known to use a device such as that illustrated in publication JP 2001091672, in which the watch case is inserted laterally into a case support forming a holder closed by a lever. Once the latter has been immobilized, the watch case is completely surrounded by the holder and thus fastened.

[0006] Such a device is fragile around the pivot point of the lever and difficult to produce. Indeed, rotation of the closure lever around a small-diameter rod may give rise to the unexpected exit of said rod or, in the worst case, breakage of the rod, thus leading to the opening of the lever and consequently the unexpected exit of the watch case.

[0007] The major drawback of this device lies in the fragility of the components that require a high level of precision and consequently are expensive to manufacture.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to propose a device that is easy to handle, reliable, robust and that allows the insertion and sideways removal, particularly of a watch case carrying a watch movement relative to a holder.

[0009] This object is achieved by means of a device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element open on a lateral side allowing the insertion and the removal of the reversible and interchangeable object via said lateral opening, characterized in that this lateral opening is closed by a portion of the reversible and interchangeable object that fits snugly on the open lateral side of the supporting element, thus fulfilling the function of a lock for the supporting element, the device including closure means for retaining the reversible and interchangeable object in the supporting element.

[0010] A device according to the invention allowing the reversal and interchanging, in particular of a watch case relative to an open supporting element is advantageously composed of a strap, a supporting element--for example an open case band--a watch case and at least one closure pusher.

[0011] The watch case is inserted sideways into its holder and secured to the latter by at least one closure pusher that immobilizes the entire device when the case reaches the end of travel in its housing. The case band is fitted to the strap, for example, conventionally by means, in particular, of screws that fasten said strap to the supporting element.

[0012] It should be noted that in one specific case, the user may have a clip-style watch or a bedside watch instead of a wristwatch.

[0013] Furthermore, the device that is the subject of the invention includes a watch case or an assembly of two cases that can be reversed and interchanged.

[0014] The invention will be better understood by virtue of the following description, given by way of example, referring to the appended drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the non-assembled components of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the components of the invention assembled and fastened to a strap;

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a supporting element including an assembled closure pusher and a second closure pusher in exploded view;

[0018] FIG. 4 shows an enlargement of the closure pusher in exploded view of FIG. 3;

[0019] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a supporting element including two assembled closure pushers;

[0020] FIG. 6 shows a section along the axis A-A' of FIG. 5, after the mounting of a closure pusher in a supporting element;

[0021] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a watch case into which a watch movement has been inserted;

[0022] FIG. 8 shows a guide plate in perspective view;

[0023] FIG. 9 shows a closure pusher in perspective view;

[0024] FIG. 10 shows a bottom view, in perspective, of a strap and supporting element assembly;

[0025] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a clip-style watch, as a variant embodiment of the invention.

[0026] A device allowing the reversal and interchanging, in particular, of a watch relative to a support, is composed of a watch case (400--FIG. 1), a holder (200--FIG. 1) in the form of a "U" into which the case (400) is inserted sideways, at least one closure pusher (500--FIG. 1) in order to immobilize the device, and a strap (100--FIG. 2).

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an assembly of the elements that make up the device allowing the reversal and interchanging, in particular of a watch relative to a holder, into which a watch movement (404) is inserted, this being in the case of a wristwatch.

[0028] The supporting element (200), illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, includes two rectilinear portions (202, 203) connected together by a curved portion (204), thus giving a "U" or "C" shape to said holder (200). The rectilinear portions (202, 203) include grooves (210) over their entire outer length, allowing the insertion of the ends (111--FIG. 10) of the strap (100), and cavities (201) on the upper face where the pushers (500) are accommodated.

[0029] The inside of the supporting element (200) includes a semicircular milling (208)--called a "rail"--in which cavities (812) are machined perpendicularly to the cavities (201) so as to allow the insertion of guide plates (820) that will be fastened to the pushers (500) by means of screws (830) after said pushers (500) have been inserted into the cavities (201), compressing springs (840).

[0030] One side (1000--FIG. 5) of the holder (200) remains open in order to allow the insertion of the watch case (400).

[0031] The watch case (400), illustrated in FIG. 7, includes two rectilinear sides (410, 420) connected together by means of two curved sides (401, 430). A semicircular boss (402), designed to be inserted in the rail (208) in order to guide the watch case (400), is milled on the sides (410, 420, 430).

[0032] On its sides (410, 420) the boss (402) bears perpendicular millings (403) that allow the insertion of the guide plates (820), which has the purpose of immobilizing the watch case (400) in the supporting element (200).

[0033] It should be noted that the side (401) does not bear a boss (402) and fits snugly on the open side (1000) of the supporting element (200).

[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates a guide plate (820) that includes a rear face (950) with a particularly rectangular surface from which projects a guide stud (903) designed to be inserted in the closure pusher (500), two lateral faces (960, 970) and a front face (950).

[0035] It should be noted that a central orifice (902) designed to receive the fastening screw (830) passes right through the guide plate (820).

[0036] The front face (950) of the guide plate (820) is machined such that the lateral face (960) includes a rectilinear portion (900) that is shorter than a rectilinear portion (911) of the lateral face (970) located opposite the latter. This machining is obtained by increasing the radius of curvature (904) of the lateral face (960) progressively up to the radius of curvature (912) of the lateral face (970). The result of this machining is the production of a ridge (907) that is asymmetric relative to an upper face (908) of the guide plate (820), said ridge (907) serving to guide the boss (402) of the watch case (400) via its lateral face (970) and to immobilize the watch case (400) via its lateral face (960) when the guide plate (820) is inserted in the groove (403) of said boss (402).

[0037] The closure pushers (500), as illustrated in FIG. 9, have an upper face (505) on which a user has to press in order to release the device, a lower face (506) in which the springs (840) that hold the pushers (500) in the position of immobilizing the device are accommodated, a front face (503) that has a milling (507) in which the guide plate (820) is accommodated, a rear face (504) that has a recess (520) in which an end-of-travel screw (860--FIG. 6) is accommodated, and two lateral faces (501, 502) joining the rear and front faces of the pushers (500).

[0038] It should be pointed out that the milling (507) includes, at its center, a bore (521) designed to receive the stud (903) of the guide plate (820), said bore (521) having a central orifice (508) in which the end of the fastening screw (830) is accommodated.

[0039] The strap (100) is, in particular, a conventional strap. Its ends (111) are inserted in the rectilinear portions (202, 203) of the supporting element (200) and are held, in particular, by the screws (205) and fastening plates (110) as illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0040] The compression springs (840) are inserted in extensions (890--FIG. 6) of the cavities (201) located on the rectilinear portions (202, 203) of the supporting element (200) and provided for this purpose.

[0041] The closure pushers (500) are arranged on the springs (840), the latter being inserted in said pushers (500) via the lower faces (506) of the latter.

[0042] By pressing on the upper faces (505) of the pushers (500) the springs (840) are compressed until the cavities (880--FIG. 6) located in the recesses (520) of the pushers (500) are positioned opposite the end-of-travel screws (860), which makes it possible, by inserting the screws (860) in said cavities (880), to prevent the pushers (500) exiting the cavities (201), to keep the springs (840) compressed, and to limit the travel of the pushers (500) from one wall to the other of the cavity (880). The upper wall of the cavity (880) abuts against the screw (860) when the pusher (500) is pushed into its inner, working position, whereas the lower wall of the cavity (880) abuts against the screw (860) when the pusher (500) is released into its outer, rest position.

[0043] When the pusher (500) is in its rest position, the recess (507) of said pusher (500) is positioned over the cavity (812) of the rectilinear portions (202, 203) of the supporting element (200), thus allowing the insertion of the guide plate (820) positioned by the stud (903) of the plate (820) inserted in the cavity (521) of the pusher (500). The assembly is then secured by the screws (830).

[0044] It should be noted that the faces (970) of the plates (820) are positioned on the side (1000) of the supporting element (200) so that the radius (912) of the plates (820) corresponds to the radius of the guide (208).

[0045] The watch case (400) is inserted via the open side (1000) of the supporting element (200) by placing the rectilinear flanks of the guide (402) in the rail (208). The latter thus controls the insertion of the case (400) with the aid of said guide (402).

[0046] The flanks of the guide (402) are inserted in the guide plates (820) and bear, moving in the rail (208), on the ridges (907) of said plates (820), which has the result of bringing the pushers (500) into their inner, working position, compressing the springs (840).

[0047] When the plates (820) and the grooves (403) are in line, the springs (840) push the pushers (500) into their rest position, which has the result of opposing the faces (860) of the plates (820) vis-a-vis the inner edges of the groove (403), thus immobilizing the watch case (400) in the supporting element (200).

[0048] In the locked position of the watch case (400), the portion (401), which does not have a guide and is not machined, fits snugly on the open side (1000) of the supporting element (200), thus acting as a lock for the holder (200).

[0049] In order to release the device, the pushers (500) are pressed simultaneously in order to allow the guides (402) to be inserted into the rounded portions (904) of the guide plates (820). The guide (402) is thus able to guide the case (400) in the direction of removal.

[0050] In one embodiment, the device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element includes two watch cases (400) secured together back to back.

[0051] It should be noted that the device allowing the reversal and interchanging in particular of a watch relative to a holder includes, in the case illustrated, by FIG. 11, a clip (300) that replaces the strap (100) so that the watch can be worn as an adornment or be used as a bedside clock. The clip (300) is, for example, fastened to one of the rectilinear portions (202, 203) of the supporting element (200) and extends toward the opposite portion, bearing toward the rear face of the case (400) when the latter is inserted into the supporting element (200). In order to use it as a bedside clock, it is possible to make provision for the supporting element (200) to have other forms.

Claims

1. A device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element open on a lateral side (1000) allowing the insertion and the removal of the reversible and interchangeable object (400) via said lateral opening (1000), characterized in that this lateral opening (1000) is closed by a portion (401) of the reversible and interchangeable object (400) that fits snugly on the open lateral side (1000) of the supporting element (200), thus fulfilling the function of a lock for the supporting element (200), the device including closure means (500) for retaining the reversible and interchangeable object (400) in the supporting element (200).

2. The device for the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the closure means (500) act between the facing portions of the returnable and interchangeable object (400) and of the holder (200) when the reversible and interchangeable object (400) is inserted in the supporting element (200).

3. The device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reversible and interchangeable element (400) is of a generally circular shape.

4. The device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reversible and interchangeable element (400) has a guide (402) on a portion of its periphery.

5. The device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reversible and interchangeable element (400) includes two watch cases secured together.

6. The device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reversible and interchangeable element (400) includes at least one decorative element on one face.

7. The device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the supporting element (200) is in the form of a "U" or "C".

8. The device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the supporting element (200) has a rail (208) on a portion of its periphery.

9. The device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the supporting element (200) is an open wristwatch case band.

10-15. (canceled)

16. A device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object (400) such as a watch case in a supporting element (200), said holder (200) being open on a lateral side (1000) allowing the insertion and removal of the object (400) via said lateral opening (1000), the latter being closed by a portion (401) of the reversible and interchangeable object (400) that fits snugly on the open lateral side (1000) of the supporting element (200), the object (400) including on a portion of its periphery (410, 420, 430) a boss (402) for insertion in a rail (208) arranged on the inner surface of the supporting element (200) which has a closure means for locking the object (400), the device being characterized in that the closure means includes at least one pusher (500) arranged in a first cavity (201) located on a portion (202, 203) of the supporting element, a second cavity (812) being machined in the rail (208) perpendicularly to the first cavity (201) in order to allow a front guide face (950), arranged on the lower portion of the pusher (500), to be able to collaborate with the boss (402) of the object (400), said front guide face (950) being profiled in such a manner as to be able to be lowered vertically by means of the force exerted via the end of the boss (402) of the object (400) when the latter is inserted in the supporting element (200), said boss (402) including at least one milling (403) allowing the pusher (500) to rise through the action of a spring (840) when the object (400) is at the end of travel so that a portion of the flank (970) of said face (950) is juxtaposed on the lateral side of the milling (403), thus locking the object (400) in the supporting element (200), the front guide face (950) being lowered vertically when a pressure is exerted on the pusher (500) so that said portion of the flank (970) is no longer juxtaposed on the lateral side of the milling (403), thus allowing the object (400) to be able to be detached from the supporting element (200).

17. The device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the closure means has two pushers (500) located, respectively, on the first and the second portion (202, 203) of the supporting element (200), the object (400) including on the boss (402) a milling (403) on its sides (410, 420), it being possible for said object (400) to be detached when a simultaneous pressure is exerted on the two pushers (500).

18. The device as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that said face (950) is produced on a guide plate (820) integral with the lower portion of the pusher (500).

19. The device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the object (400) is of generally circular shape.

20. The device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the object (400) includes two watch movements secured together.

21. The device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the object (400) includes at least one decorative element on one face.

22. The device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the supporting element (200) is in the shape of a "U" or "C".

23. The device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the supporting element (200) is an open wristwatch case band.

24. A watch characterized in that it comprises a device as claimed in claim 16.

25. A watch case forming a reversible and interchangeable element of a device as claimed in claim 16.

26. The watch case as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that it is composed of an assembly of two cases secured back to back.