Clasp and timepiece

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10609991-B2
Application number	US-201816005994-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 12, 2018
Priority date	Jun 13, 2017
Publication date	Apr 7, 2020
Grant date	Apr 7, 2020

Abstract

Provided are a clasp that simplifies assembly and reduces the parts count, and a timepiece having the clasp. A first push button has a first button catch to engage a lock pin, and a second push button has a second button catch to engage the lock pin. The first and second button catches move closer together in a second direction when the first and second push buttons move in the urging direction of a first spring. The opposing faces of the first and second button catches opposite each other in the second direction are flat surfaces perpendicular to the second direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A clasp connecting a first band and a second band, comprising:
an outside plate and an inside plate pivotably connected such that the inside plate folds to nest within the outside plate, the inside plate being pivotably connected to the first band and having a lock pin;
a clasp frame pivotably connected to the outside plate;
a slide plate connected to the second band, and disposed slidably in a first direction within the clasp frame, the first direction being a longitudinal direction of the clasp frame;
a first push button and a second push button engaged with the clasp frame and disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction as seen from a face side, the second direction being a lateral direction of the clasp frame;
a first spring configured to urge the first and second push buttons away from each other in the second direction;
a first latch member and a second latch member configured to engage the slide plate and restrict the slide plate from sliding, and disengage the slide plate when the first and second push buttons move in the opposite direction as the urging direction of the first spring; and
a push button holder configured to house the first and second push buttons, the first spring, and the first and second latch members, the push button holder having a through-hole into which the lock pin inserts and a slot through which the first and second latch members project,
the first push button having a first button catch configured to engage the lock pin inserted to the through-hole,
the second push button having a second button catch configured to engage the lock pin inserted to the through-hole,
the first and second button catches moving closer together in the second direction when the first and second pushbuttons move in the urging direction of the first spring, and
opposing faces of the first and second button catches opposite each other in the second direction being flat surfaces perpendicular to the second direction.

2. The clasp described in claim 1 , wherein:
the first pushbutton has a first button body of which part protrudes from the clasp frame in the second direction,
a first button arm protruding from the first button body in the opposite direction as the second direction, and
the first button catch protruding from the first button arm in the first direction;

the second push button has a second button body of which part protrudes from the clasp frame in the second direction,
a second button arm protruding from the second button body in the second direction, and
the second button catch protruding from the second button arm in the opposite direction as the first direction, and opposing the first button catch in the second direction;

the first button catch positioned in the second direction between the second button body and the second button catch, and the first button catch contacting the second button arm; and
the second button catch positioned in the second direction between the first button body and the first button catch, and the second button catch contacting the first button arm.

3. The clasp described in claim 2 , wherein:
the first and second button catches are shorter than the first and second button bodies in a thickness direction from a back surface to a face surface.

4. The clasp described in claim 1 , wherein:
the lock pin inserted to the through-hole passes between the opposing faces of the first and second button catches, and engages a face side of the first and second button catches; and
the first and second button catches have a beveled or curved surface continuing from an outside edge on a back side of the opposing face, and extending in a direction away from the lock pin.

5. The clasp described in claim 1 , further comprising:
a second spring urging the first and second latch members away from each other in the second direction;
the slide plate disposed to the face side of the first and second push buttons;
the first and second latch members protruding from the first and second push buttons to the face side; and
the second spring located closer to the face side than the first spring.

6. A timepiece comprising the clasp described in claim 1 .

Assignees

• Seiko Epson Corp

Inventors

• Yamashita Yuki
• Momose Tomonori

Classifications

• A44C5/24 Primary

  with folding devices · CPC title

• A44C5/243 Primary

  Automatic folding spring closure · CPC title