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in a supporting element that is open on one side so that the reversible and interchangeable object can be inserted or withdrawn through said side opening, characterised in that said side opening is sealed by a portion of the reversible and interchangeable object that fits snugly onto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.

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.