Bracelet, particularly a watch bracelet

Abstract

The external surface of this bracelet, particularly of this watch bracelet, is formed, at least in part, of a number of adjacent elements (1, 2) made of leather or some other supple material, hinged together, each of these elements (1, 2) comprising a metal substrate of which at least the upper face and the lateral faces which are visible from the outside are covered with leather (6), these substrates being joined together by hinge pins (3) transversal to the bracelet, each of them passing through at least two of the said adjacent substrates.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bracelet, particularly a watch bracelet.

[0002] Leather watch bracelets are known. Claspless watch bracelets, formed of one or two bowed spring leaves, sheathed with leather and which fit elastically around the wrist are also known. Metal bracelets formed of links articulated about pins transversal to the bracelet and giving it flexibility to allow it to adapt to the shape of the wrist are also known.

[0003] These link-type bracelets make it possible to produce multi-coloured bracelets by using different metals. These metals may be precious metals or stainless steel or a mixture of both, for example. It is also possible to set precious stones into these links. However, no bracelet, particularly no watch bracelet, formed of leather elements hinged together in the manner of the metal bracelets is known, as this material does not actually lend itself to this type of bracelet and to produce one would raise problems that were difficult and expensive to solve, given the small size of the elements that would have to be assembled and the nature of the material.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to this problem.

[0005] To this end, the subject of the present invention is a bracelet, particularly a watch bracelet, as defined by claim 1.

[0006] The appearance of such a bracelet is obviously surprising, given how much the idea of articulating small adjacent leather elements to form a bracelet seems to go against the nature of leather. Furthermore, as leather is a naturally supple material, articulating small leather elements of leather is unexpected. Now, concealing the metal substrates of these leather elements makes it possible to preserve the extraordinary aspect of such a bracelet. The structure of this bracelet allows leather links to be combined with links or other elements made of metal, or even with elements made of metal set with precious stones. It is obviously possible to combine leather with different colours and/or textures or even supple materials of different kinds. Obviously such a solution makes it possible to create bracelets of a novel type offering designers possibilities which have been unknown hitherto, allowing combinations and associations of extremely varied shapes, colours and materials.

[0007] As can be seen, because of its nature, the use of leather in the manufacture of bracelets was actually limited and had not yet made an appearance in bracelets made of articulated elements.

[0008] The details of this invention will become apparent in the course of the description which follows, given in conjunction with the appended drawing which, schematically and by way of example, illustrates one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a view from above of this embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a view from above of one of the elements that forms the bracelet of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a view in section on III-III of FIG. 2;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a view from above of another element that forms the bracelet;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a view in section on V-V of FIG. 4.

[0014] The bracelet illustrated by FIG. 1 is formed of two kinds of elements, central elements 1 which have a square or rectangular shape, as can be seen in FIG. 2 and which, inside this square, have a raised diamond 1a. When two central elements 1 are placed side by side, two triangular spaces are formed between the edges of the raised diamonds 1a. These spaces are occupied by two lateral elements 2 of triangular overall shape which extend laterally beyond the central elements 1 and the outer lateral edges of which are convex.

[0015] As the sectional view of FIG. 5 shows, that part of these lateral elements 2 which covers the central elements 1 has a smaller thickness to allow them to cover the thinner parts of these central elements 1 located between the diamonds 1a. Drillings are formed along transverse axes 3 through the central elements 1 and that part of the lateral elements 2 which protrudes laterally beyond the central elements 1, to allow for the passage of the hinge pins which can be fixed by screwing, riveting or welding for example. Screwing has the advantage that one element of the bracelet is readily changeable if necessary.

[0016] In the embodiment depicted, circular decorative elements 4 project at the four corners of the raised diamond 1a.

[0017] Small spaces 5 are formed between the parallel adjacent edges of the raised diamonds 1a of the central elements and of the triangular lateral elements 2. These spaces 5 are of the order of a few tenths of an mm in size and are intended to provide a certain degree of freedom so as to allow the elements 1, 2 of the bracelet to pivot in a limited manner about the transverse hinge pins 3 which connect these elements together.

[0018] These spaces 5 are also designed to allow the raised diamonds 1a of the central elements, and the lateral edges 1b (FIG. 3) of these diamonds and the entire external surface of the lateral elements 2, including the internal and external lateral faces of these lateral elements 2, to be covered with a very thin layer of a supple material, particularly leather 6. The thickness of this layer of leather 6 may be of the order of one tenth of an mm. It may advantageously be bonded onto the visible surfaces of the elements 1 and 2 which act as a substrate for it. The elements 1, 2 thus covered appear to be elements made of leather. In this example, only the circular decorative elements 4 are not covered and reveal metal, for example gold. These elements could also be shaped to allow diamonds to be set into them, for example.

[0019] It is obvious that these elements 4 are not essential to achieving the present invention which applies to all types of bracelets with articulated elements covered with leather 6 or some other supple material and which gives the impression of being a leather bracelet with articulated elements. Of course, by virtue of the present invention, it becomes possible to produce multi-coloured leather bracelets, such as is done for metal bracelets, and to obtain entirely novel effects. It would also be possible to mix the leather with other supple materials; it is also possible to juggle leathers with different textures. It is also possible for not all of the elements of the bracelets to be covered with leather. Finally, the present invention offers designers possibilities of extremely varied combinations.

[0020] Of course, the bracelet could have a shape completely different from that of the bracelet illustrated. As a preference, the internal face of the bracelet adjacent to the arm is covered with a strip of leather, thus concealing the metal substrates.

Claims

1. Bracelet, particularly a watch bracelet, characterized in that its external surface is formed, at least in part, of a number of adjacent elements (1, 2) made of leather or some other supple material, hinged together, each of these elements (1, 2) comprising a metal substrate of which at least the upper face and the lateral faces which are visible from the outside are covered with leather (6), these substrates being joined together by hinge pins (3) transversal to the bracelet, each of them passing through at least two of the said adjacent substrates.

2. Bracelet according to claim 1, characterized in that decorative elements (4) made of a material other than leather, secured to at least some of the said substrates, are visible at the external surface of the bracelet between the said adjacent leather elements (1, 2).

3. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the said layer of leather (6) is <20 &mgr;m.

4. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said elements (1, 2) are covered with a layer of leather (6) of different colour and/or texture.

5. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its internal face, intended to be in contact with the arm of the wearer, is covered with leather.

6. (New) A bracelet, particularly a watch bracelet, wherein its external surface is formed, at least in part, of a number of adjacent elements comprising (1, 2) made of leather or some other supple material, hinged together, each of these elements (1, 2) comprising a metal substrate of which at least the upper face and the lateral faces which are visible from the outside are covered with leather (6), these substrates being joined together by hinge pins (3) transversal to the bracelet, each of them passing through at least two of the said adjacent substrates.

7. (New) A bracelet according to claim 6, wherein decorative elements (4) made of a material other than leather, secured to at least some of the said substrates, are visible at the external surface of the bracelet between the said adjacent leather elements (1, 2).

8. (New) A bracelet according to claim 6, wherein the thickness of the said layer of leather (6) is <20 &mgr;m.

9. (New) A bracelet according to claim 7, wherein the thickness of the said layer of leather (6) is <20 &mgr;m.

10. (New) A bracelet according to claim 6, wherein the said elements (1, 2) are covered with a layer of leather (6) of different colour and/or texture.

11. (New) A bracelet according to claim 7, wherein the said elements (1, 2) are covered with a layer of leather (6) of different colour and/or texture.

12. (New) A bracelet according to claim 8, wherein the said elements (1, 2) are covered with a layer of leather (6) of different colour and/or texture.

13. (New) A bracelet according to claim 9, wherein the said elements (1, 2) are covered with a layer of leather (6) of different colour and/or texture.

14. (New) A bracelet according to claim 6, wherein its internal face, intended to be in contact with the arm of the wearer, is covered with leather.

15. (New) A bracelet according to claim 6, wherein its internal face, intended to be in contact with the arm of the wearer, is covered with leather.

16. (New) A bracelet according to claim 7, wherein its internal face, intended to be in contact with the arm of the wearer, is covered with leather.

17. (New) A bracelet according to claim 8, wherein its internal face, intended to be in contact with the arm of the wearer, is covered with leather.

18. (New) A bracelet according to claim 9, wherein its internal face, intended to be in contact with the arm of the wearer, is covered with leather.

19. (New) A bracelet according to claim 10, wherein its internal face, intended to be in contact with the arm of the wearer, is covered with leather.

20. (New) A bracelet according to claim 11, wherein its internal face, intended to be in contact with the arm of the wearer, is covered with leather.

21. (New) A bracelet according to claim 12, wherein its internal face, intended to be in contact with the arm of the wearer, is covered with leather.

22. (New) A bracelet according to claim 13, wherein its internal face, intended to be in contact with the arm of the wearer, is covered with leather.