Clasp locking device

Abstract

A device ( 10 ) for locking a clasp ( 20 ), including: a push-piece ( 100 ) which can move translatably in a support structure ( 110 ) between a rest position in which it is intended to prevent the clasp ( 20 ) from opening and an active position in which it is intended to no longer prevent the opening of the clasp ( 20 ); and a blocking member ( 120 ) for blocking the push-piece ( 100 ), which member is configured to occupy a locking state in which it immobilises the push-piece ( 100 ) in the rest position, and an unlocking state in which it releases the push-piece ( 100 ) translatably.

1 . A device ( 10 ) for locking a clasp ( 20 ), which device comprises a push-piece ( 100 ) which can move translatably in a support structure ( 110 ) between a rest position in which it is intended to prevent the clasp ( 20 ) from opening and an active position in which it is intended to no longer prevent the opening of the clasp ( 20 ), the locking device ( 10 ) being characterised in that it includes a blocking member ( 120 ) for blocking the push-piece ( 100 ), which member is configured to occupy a locking state in which it immobilises the push-piece ( 100 ) in the rest position, and an unlocking state in which it releases the push-piece ( 100 ) translatably, the push-piece ( 100 ) is connected to the support structure ( 110 ) via a locking rod ( 111 ), the blocking member ( 120 ) comprising a cam ( 112 ) that is capable of moving relative to the push-piece ( 100 ) so as to constitute an abutment for the locking rod ( 111 ) when the blocking member ( 120 ) occupies the locking state, and so as to move out of the path of the locking rod ( 111 ) when the blocking member ( 120 ) occupies the unlocking state. 
     
     
         2 . The locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the cam ( 112 ) is rotatable and has a cam profile ( 113 ) against which the locking rod ( 111 ) abuts when the push-piece ( 100 ) is urged from its rest position and when the blocking member ( 120 ) occupies the locking state, said cam ( 112 ) being provided with a radial notch ( 114 ) in which the locking rod ( 111 ) engages when the push-piece ( 100 ) is in the active position and when the blocking member ( 120 ) occupies the unlocking state. 
     
     
         3 . The locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the cam profile ( 113 ) has a radial recess, the shape of which matches that of the end of the locking rod ( 111 ), so as to prevent rotation of the cam ( 112 ) when the push-piece ( 100 ) is urged from its rest position and when the blocking member ( 120 ) is in the locking state. 
     
     
         4 . The locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the blocking member ( 120 ) includes a control element ( 121 ) connected to the cam ( 112 ) so as to rotate the cam when it is operated by a user. 
     
     
         5 . The locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the control element ( 121 ) consists of a roller, the axis of rotation of which coincides with that of the cam ( 112 ). 
     
     
         6 . The locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the control element ( 121 ) is held in a stable angular position by a jumper ( 122 ). 
     
     
         7 . The locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the control element ( 121 ) has more than three stable positions, in only one of which is the blocking member ( 120 ) in the unlocking state. 
     
     
         8 . The locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 7 , wherein the control element ( 121 ) has more than three stable positions, in only one of which is the blocking member ( 120 ) in the unlocking state, and wherein the cam profile ( 113 ) has as many recesses as there are stable positions, except for the position in which the blocking member ( 120 ) occupies the unlocking state, said recesses being distributed evenly. 
     
     
         9 . The locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the control element ( 121 ) includes a guide mark ( 123 ), whose position is representative of the locking or unlocking state of the control member. 
     
     
         10 . The locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the push-piece ( 100 ) is biased to move towards its rest position by a spring ( 117 ) and includes at least one guide rod ( 101 ) slidingly engaged in the support structure ( 110 ), the latter further including at least one guide rod ( 116 ) slidingly engaged in the push-piece ( 100 ). 
     
     
         11 . The locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide rod ( 101 ) slidably engaged in the support structure ( 110 ) has an axial abutment ( 102 ) configured to rest against the support structure ( 110 ) when the push-piece ( 100 ) is in the rest position. 
     
     
         12 . A folding clasp ( 20 ) of a watch or a piece of jewellery, comprising at least two blades connected to each other so as to be able to move rotatably, and the locking device ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , the support structure ( 110 ) of which is formed by one of the blades of the clasp ( 20 ).