阅读说明：本技术 链紧固系统 (Chain fastening system ) 是由 J-C·马丁 C·尼古拉斯 于 2019-04-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种链,其包括两个条带(1,2),所述两个条带设有紧固系统,所述紧固系统包括在两个条带中的一个条带上的至少一个纵向凹槽(4)和在另一条带上的至少一个纵向突起(5)。凹槽和突起的材料和形状被构造成使得在链使用者在链条带的两个重叠部分上施加的压力下这两个元件互锁。条带(1,2)之间的连接可以容易地分离,这优选地通过从下条带(1)剥离上条带(2)来实现。本发明的链的长度可连续调节,不需要笨重或复杂的元件。(The invention relates to a chain comprising two straps (1, 2) provided with a fastening system comprising at least one longitudinal groove (4) on one of the two straps and at least one longitudinal projection (5) on the other strap. The material and shape of the groove and protrusion are configured so that the two elements interlock under pressure exerted by a chain user on the two overlapping portions of the chain strap. The connection between the strips (1, 2) can be easily separated, which is preferably achieved by peeling the upper strip (2) from the lower strip (1). The length of the chain of the invention is continuously adjustable without the need for bulky or complex elements.)

1. Chain comprising a first strap (1) and a second strap (2), wherein one surface of one of the straps at least partially covers one surface of the other strap when the chain is fastened, characterized in that:

-the chain is provided with a fastening system comprising at least one groove (4) extending in the longitudinal direction of the first strip on the surface of the first strip and at least one protrusion (5) extending in the longitudinal direction of the second strip on the surface of the second strip, wherein the protrusion (5) and groove (4) comprise a seat (10, 12) and a neck section (11, 13), the neck section (11, 13) being located between the seat (10, 12) and the respective strip surface,

-the material of the projection (5) and/or the groove (4) has a degree of flexibility which allows the seat (10) of the projection (5) to interlock with the seat (12) of the groove (4) when the user of the chain presses the two respective overlapping portions of the two strips (1, 2), one of the first and second strips (1, 2) being in the lower position and the other of the first and second strips (1, 2) being in the upper position.

2. Chain according to claim 1, wherein the chain is configured such that: in the chain fastening position, the upper strap (2) is peeled off from the lower strap (1), allowing the protrusion (5) to be removed from the groove (4), thereby unlocking the chain fastening system.

3. Chain according to claim 1, wherein the strips (1, 2) are uniform elements formed of flexible material.

4. A chain according to claim 3, wherein the strips (1, 2) are formed of a polymer or rubber.

5. Chain according to claim 1, wherein the at least one groove (4) and/or the at least one protrusion (5) are elements formed of a flexible material, which is attached to the first and/or second strip and which is different from the material of the strip to which the groove and/or protrusion is attached.

6. Chain according to claim 1, wherein the first strip comprises two grooves (4) and the second strip comprises two protrusions (5), arranged in a symmetrical manner on both sides with respect to a central longitudinal plane (6) of the respective strip.

7. Chain according to claim 1, wherein the first strip comprises a single groove (4) having a width close to the width of said first strip and said second strip comprises a single protrusion (5).

8. Chain according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the strip (1) in the lower position is convexly curved in cross-section.

9. Chain according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the grooves (4) and/or the protrusions (5) is provided with one or more areas (15), the surface of said areas (15) being provided with a structure or coating that increases the roughness of said surface.

10. Chain according to claim 1, wherein the surface of at least one of the grooves (4) and/or protrusions (5) has dimensional variations on said surface at regular intervals.

11. Chain according to claim 1, wherein the seats (10, 12) of at least one protrusion (5) and of a respective groove (4) have a circular cross section.

12. Chain according to claim 1, characterized in that said first and second straps are connected to each other by one of their ends to form an integral strap.

13. Chain according to claim 12, characterized in that said first and second strips are made in one piece.

14. The chain of claim 1, wherein the chain is a watch chain or a jewelry chain.

15. A watch (14) or jewellery, comprising a chain comprising a first strap (1) and a second strap (2), wherein one surface of one of said straps at least partially covers one surface of the other strap when said chain is fastened, characterized in that:

-the chain is provided with a fastening system comprising at least one groove (4) extending in the longitudinal direction of the first strip on the surface of the first strip and at least one protrusion (5) extending in the longitudinal direction of the second strip on the surface of the second strip, wherein the protrusion (5) and groove (4) comprise a seat (10, 12) and a neck section (11, 13), the neck section (11, 13) being located between the seat (10, 12) and the respective strip surface,

-the material of the projection (5) and/or the groove (4) has a degree of flexibility which allows the seat (10) of the projection (5) to interlock with the seat (12) of the groove (4) when the user of the chain presses the two respective overlapping portions of the two strips (1, 2), one of the first and second strips (1, 2) being in the lower position and the other of the first and second strips (1, 2) being in the upper position.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a chain fastening system, particularly for flexible chains made of synthetic material, for example for watchbands or jewelry chains.

Background

Watchbands or bracelets provided with buckles or unfolding clasps have been known for a long time. These systems are very susceptible to wear, particularly those made of synthetic material, which are relatively thick and therefore uncomfortable, and have the additional drawback that the chain length is adjusted in a discontinuous manner, i.e. at discrete positions, which means that its length cannot be adjusted properly to the diameter of the wearer's wrist. Alternatives have been proposed, such as chains with magnetic or snap fasteners, which allow for more flexible adjustment, but are generally heavy and difficult to use, and/or require complex and expensive manufacturing methods. Furthermore, the buckles and the deployable clasps have a considerable thickness, which in some cases may be greater than the thickness of the watch on which they are mounted, compromising the aesthetic appearance and possibly the comfort of the wristwatch.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a chain provided with a lightweight, slim, compact, continuously adjustable fastening system, which is easy to use and manufacture. This object is achieved by a chain according to the appended claims.

The invention relates to a chain comprising two chaining strips and provided with a fastening system comprising at least one longitudinal groove on one of the two chaining strips and at least one longitudinal projection on the other chaining strip. The material and shape of the groove and protrusion are configured so that the two elements interlock under pressure exerted by a chain user on the two overlapping portions of the chain strap. The connection between the chaining belts can be easily separated without opening, preferably by peeling the upper chaining belt from the lower chaining belt. The chain length of the invention is continuously adjustable without the need for bulky or complex elements.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be found in the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

fig. 1 shows a chain according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a mating element in the chain of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the completed chain of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the chaining belt with means for increasing the friction between the chaining belts arranged in the grooves thereof.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a chain according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows a watch provided with a chain fitted with a fastening system according to the invention.

Fig. 7 shows a chain according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein two chain belts are integral and form one belt.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows two bands 1 and 2 of a bracelet according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, and fig. 6 shows a watch 20 fitted with the bracelet. These strips are substantially flat and flexible and are provided with two attachments 3 for fixing a watch case 21 (fig. 6). To fasten the chain, the user covers one strap (called the "upper strap" 2) with a portion of the other strap (called the "lower strap" 1). The lower strip 1 has two grooves 4, said grooves 4 being parallel to each other and extending substantially over the entire length of the interacting surfaces of the lower strip 1 and the upper strip 2. Said upper strip 2 comprises two protrusions 5 extending substantially over the entire length of the interaction surface with the lower strip 1 and preferably in a continuous manner, so as to form two substantially parallel track portions. The protrusions 5 are positioned and formed such that the protrusions 5 fit into the corresponding grooves 4 when a user applies pressure on the overlapping portions of the straps to secure the lower and upper straps to each other.

The cross-section of the protrusion 5 and the corresponding groove 4 is shown in detail in fig. 2, in which case the strips 1 and 2 are homogeneous elements, i.e. formed of a single material. It can be seen that the cross-section of the protrusion 5 of the upper strap 2 comprises a rounded portion 10, called "boss", which is attached to the strap 2 by a neck section 11, the neck section 11 being narrower than the seat 10. The cross section of the groove 4 of the lower strip 1 also comprises a circular seat 12, called "seat", accessible via a neck section 13. Thus, the neck sections 11 and 13 are located between the interacting surfaces of the boss 10 and the socket 12 and the respective strips 2 and 1, respectively. The dimensions of the elements 12 and 13 of the recess 4 are equal to or slightly larger than the dimensions of the corresponding elements of the projection 5.

It is clear that in a variant the seat and the socket may have different shaped cross-sections, as long as there is a protrusion with a neck section and a groove with a neck section.

it should be noted that although in the illustrated example the protrusions and recesses are straight, protrusions and corresponding recesses extending in a curved or wavy line are also conceivable.

The material of at least one of the strips 1 and 2 is sufficiently flexible that when the user presses the overlapping strip portion, the protrusion 5 interlocks with the groove 4 in a snap-fit manner. Under the pressure exerted by the user, the protrusion 5 and/or the groove 4 undergo a slight elastic deformation, which allows the seat 10 of the protrusion 5 to pass through the neck section 13 of the groove 4, thus producing a connection that is fixed in a perpendicular direction with respect to the strips 1 and 2, but which can be easily separated, preferably by peeling the upper strip 2 from the lower strip 1. "peeling" refers to an operation by the user, which includes pulling back the upper strip 2 by grasping the end of the upper strip 2 and gradually separating it from the lower strip 1. This operation allows the projections 5 to be removed from their recesses 4 to unlock the fastening system. The number, location and size of the grooves can be adjusted according to the desired design, material and retention.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of the complete chain of fig. 1 in a fastened position. It can be seen that the two projections 5 are received in the respective recesses 4. The protrusions 5 and grooves 4 are on both sides and are symmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal plane 6 of the assembled strip. The friction between strap 1 and strap 2 will prevent sliding separation. Preferably, the cross-section of the interaction surface of the lower strip 1 is slightly convexly curved, so that the upper strip 2 follows the curvature of said surface in the fastened position. Thus, the upper strip 2 is pressed against the lower strip 1 by the retention force between the interlocking grooves 4 and protrusions 5, which will increase the friction between the strips 1 and 2.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the groove 4 of the lower strip 1 is provided with a region 15, the surface of which region 15 has been structured, said structuring increasing the roughness of said surface. Such a construction will increase the friction between the recess 4 and the protrusion 5 received therein. The structured surface may be arranged on the grooves 4, on the protrusions 5 or on both. For example, the structure may be formed by a series of protrusions forming waves extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove. The structures may be arranged continuously over the entire length of the protrusions and/or grooves or at regular intervals.

Instead of a structured surface, according to a variant, other anti-friction structures can be made on the grooves 4 and/or the protrusions 5, for example dimensional variations, for example waves or projections at regular intervals.

The number of protrusions 5 and the number of corresponding grooves 4 arranged on the chain belts 1 and 2 are not limited within the scope of the present invention. Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of a chain, the lower strip 1 of which has only one groove 4, the width of the groove 4 being close to the width of the strip 1. A single protrusion 5 is arranged on the upper strip 2. The protrusion 5 and the groove 4 further comprise a neck section 11, 13 and a seat 10, 12, which allow the chain to be fastened in an elastic snap-fit manner due to the fact that at least one of the materials used has a certain degree of flexibility.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each strip is a uniform element made of plastic material, which makes it possible to manufacture the strips by casting, injection moulding or extrusion or hot pressing. Various injection moldable polymers or vulcanizates may be used. Alternatively, combinations of different materials are contemplated, for example, a two-material injection molding process that forms regions of different stiffness may be contemplated. For example, rigid, semi-rigid or articulated straps may be used, for example with metal or ceramic or leather links. One of the bands then includes one or more grooves machined into the links. The other strap is provided with one or more protrusions made of a flexible material, such as rubber, which are attached (e.g., glued or overmolded) to the chain link surface.

Obviously, the position of the grooves 4 and the projections 5 can be reversed with respect to the position shown in the figures: the protrusion 5 may be on the lower strip 1 and the groove 4 may be on the upper strip 2.

Preferably, there is only one protrusion 5 for each groove 4. Alternatively, it is possible to provide each recess with a plurality of longitudinal projections 5 arranged in series, all of which interlock in the same recess 4.

The bracelet of the invention is not limited to a watch strap comprising a watch case and two separate straps. The invention also comprises a chain in which a first strip and a second strip are connected to each other by one of their ends so as to form a band B, for example called a "NATO" band, in a single piece of material and in which the two ends of the band partially overlap when the user wears the chain, as shown in figure 7, in which those elements described with reference to figures 1 to 6 refer to the same elements. As mentioned above, a chain of this type according to the invention comprises a first portion on one side of the belt, provided with at least one groove 4, and a second portion on the other side of the belt, provided with at least one protrusion 5. The two parts of the band B represent in this case the "first and second bands" in the chain according to the invention.

The chain according to the invention combines continuous length adjustment with a number of further advantages. The chain is easy to use and manufacture. It is light because there is no buckle or magnet to add weight. It is comfortable for the user, both because of the absence of rigid elements and because of its compact size. Furthermore, maintenance is very simple, avoiding the accumulation of dirt, just like an unfolding clasp.

It will also be noted that the insertion and peeling forces can be easily varied by adjusting the geometry, location and/or number of the projection/groove pairs.