BRACELET FOR A PORTABLE OBJECT, SUCH AS A TIMEPIECE, WITH A MAGNIFYING DEVICE

A bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) including a first strand (11) and a second strand (12), each of the strands (11, 12) including a first end able to be attached to a case (2) of the portable object (1), wherein the first strand (11) includes a first optical device (21) having a first diameter (L1); the second strand (12) includes a second optical device (22) having a second diameter (L2), smaller than the first diameter (L1) of the first optical device (21), the first optical device (21) and the second optical device (22) being configured so that the superposition of the first optical device (21) and of the second optical device (22), by the superposition of the first strand (11) and of the second strand (12), forms a microscope having an eyepiece constituted by the first optical device (21) and an objective constituted by the second optical device (22).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 23171138.3 filed May 2, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bracelet intended to be fixed to the case of a portable object, such as a timepiece, for example to the case of a watch.

The invention relates more particularly to a bracelet comprising a magnifying device enabling the user to observe components or details of the wearable object or of another object, for example a timepiece.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Such bracelets or straps incorporating a magnifying device such as a magnifying glass or Fresnel lens are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,222 describes a watch strap incorporating a magnifying strip integrated into one strand of the strap.

However, the magnification of such a device is limited and unconvincing when it comes to observing very small details, for example of a watch movement fitted to the timepiece.

Consequently, there is a need to improve such devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this context, the invention proposes a bracelet for a portable object comprising a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands comprising a first end capable of being attached to a case of the portable object, characterised in that:the first strand comprises a first optical device having a first diameter;the second strand comprises a second optical device with a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter of the first optical device;
the first optical device and the second optical device being configured so that the superposition of the first optical device and the second optical device, by superposing the first strand and the second strand, forms a microscope having an eyepiece constituted by the first optical device and an objective constituted by the second optical device.

In addition to the features mentioned in the previous paragraph, the bracelet according to the invention may have one or more additional features from among the following, considered individually or in any technically possible combination:the first optical device is a first optical lens;the second optical device is a second optical lens;the first optical lens of the first optical device has a focal length f1 of 100 mm and in that said second lens of the second optical device has a focal length f2 of 27 mm;the first optical device and/or the second optical device are made of synthetic material, polymer material, mineral material, preferably glass or sapphire glass;the first optical device is integrated, at least partially, into the thickness of the first strand, preferably completely into the thickness of the first strand;the second optical device is integrated, at least partially, into the thickness of the second strand, preferably completely into the thickness of the second strand;the bracelet comprises at least one spacer configured to ensure spacing between the first optical device and the second optical device when the first strand and the second strand of the bracelet are superimposed;the bracelet comprises a loop, said at least one spacer being formed by said loop;the bracelet has two spacers;the bracelet comprises a first loop and a second loop forming said two spacers, the first loop and the second loop having dimensions configured to ensure spacing between the first optical device and the second optical device when the first strand and the second strand are superimposed;the two loops can be adjusted in position so as to cover the first optical device or the second optical device to form a protective element for the optical devices, particularly when the portable object is being worn;the bracelet comprises means for ensuring concentric superposition of the first optical device and the second optical device;the bracelet comprises coupling means for holding the two superimposed strands in position;the bracelet is made of leather, metal, polymer, synthetic material, ceramic, natural material, biosourced material or a combination of at least two of the said materials listed.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a case incorporating a watch movement and a bracelet according to the invention attached to the case.

In all figures, common elements have the same reference numbers unless otherwise specified.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1shows schematically a top view of a portable object1according to the invention.

FIG.2shows a schematic side view of the portable object1shown inFIG.1.

This portable object1here takes the form of a timepiece, such as a wristwatch intended to be worn on the user's wrist. It will also be understood that the portable object1may be any other portable object intended to be worn via a bracelet, for example on the wrist.

The portable object1comprises a case2, designed to receive a horological movement, for example (not shown here for reasons of clarity).

The horological movement carries and drives means for displaying information, for example the current time.

The portable object1also comprises a flexible or articulated bracelet10, two ends of which are intended to be coupled, for example removably, to the middle of the case2, via an ad hoc fastening system which will not be detailed in this application.

The bracelet10comprises a first strand11with a thickness e and a second strand12with a thickness e2, each of the strands11,12being attached at one end to the case2.

The bracelet10typically comprises a clasp15, for example a pin buckle, a single or double folding clasp, a clip, slide, scratch or elastic clasp, enabling the other two ends of the strands11,12of the bracelet10to be attached and the portable object1to be worn on the wrist.

The first strand11comprises a first optical device21integrated, at least partially, into the thickness e1of the first strand11. The first optical device21is, for example, an optical lens.

The first optical device21is characterised by a first diameter L1 and a first focal length f1.

The second strand12comprises a second optical device22integrated, at least partially, into the thickness e2of the second strand12. The second optical device22is, for example, an optical lens.

The second optical device22is characterised by a second diameter L2 and a second focal length f2.

The diameter L1 of the first optical device21is greater than the diameter L2 of the second optical device22.

For example, the first optical device21is an optical lens with a plano-convex shape.

For example, the first optical device21is an optical lens with a diameter L1 of15mm, a focal length f1 of 60 mm and a central thickness of 2 mm.

For example, the second optical device22is an optical lens with a plano-convex shape.

For example, the second optical device22is an optical lens with a diameter L2 of 9 mm, a focal length f2 of 13.5 mm and a central thickness of 2 mm.

The bracelet10is configured to allow the first strand11and the second strand12to be superimposed so as to superimpose the first optical device21and the second optical device22in order to create a magnifying device of the portable microscope type consisting of an eyepiece formed by the first optical device21and an objective formed by the second optical device22.

By combining the optical properties of the optical devices21,22described above, and superimposing them with a separation distance d of 1.5 mm, with the first optical device21as the eyepiece and the second optical device22as the objective, we obtain a microscope-type magnifying device with a resulting focal length of the order of 11 mm, which corresponds to a magnification of the order of ×22.

Of course, the superimposition mentioned in the previous paragraph is possible when the user is not wearing the object on his wrist.

To form the portable microscope of the bracelet10, the first strand11comprising the first optical device21constituting the microscope eyepiece is positioned above the second strand12comprising the second optical device22constituting the microscope objective.

Thus, to form the portable microscope, the first strand11is intended to be on the user's side and the second strand12is intended to be on the side of the object A to be observed, as shown inFIG.2.

The first optical device21and/or the second optical device22are made of synthetic material, polymer material or mineral material.

Preferably, the first optical device21and/or the second optical device22are made of glass or sapphire glass.

Preferably, the first optical device21is completely integrated into the thickness e1of the first strand11. Thus, the thickness e1of the first strand11is greater than the thickness of the first optical device21.

For example, the first optical device21is flush with at least an upper external surface11.1or a lower external surface11.2of the first strand11.

For example, the first optical device21may project from the upper external surface11.1of the first strand11, but a portion of the first optical device21projecting from the lower external surface11.2should be avoided to prevent discomfort when carrying the portable object1.

Preferably, the second optical device22is completely integrated into the thickness e2of the second strand12. In this way, the thickness e2of the second strand11is greater than the thickness of the second optical device21.

For example, the second optical device22is flush with at least one upper external surface12.1or lower external surface12.2of the second strand12.

For example, the second optical device22may project from the upper external surface12.1of the second strand12, but a portion of the second optical device22projecting from the lower external surface12.2should be avoided to prevent discomfort when carrying the portable object1.

In the present application, the upper external surfaces are considered to be the surfaces of the bracelet10visible to the user, and the lower external surfaces are the surfaces of the bracelet in contact, at least partially, with the wearer's skin.

The bracelet10comprises at least one spacer to provide a separation distance between the first optical device21and the second optical device22when the first strand11and the second strand12of the bracelet10are superimposed, so as to ensure the correct spacing d according to the characteristics of the optical devices21,22.

Preferably the bracelet10comprises two spacers. The spacers are located, for example, on either side of the first optical device21and the second optical device22.

Typically, the bracelet10has two loops13,14mounted on the second strand12of the bracelet10.

For example, a first loop14is fixed to the second strand12and a second loop13is mobile, i.e. movable along the second strand12and therefore adjustable in position on the bracelet10.

According to one variant, the first loop14and the second loop13are mobile, i.e. they can be moved along the second strand12and their position on the bracelet10can therefore be adjusted.

Of course, the loops13,14can be mounted on the first strand11of the bracelet10, or each strand11,12of the bracelet10can carry a loop13,14.

The mobility of the loops13,14means that they can be positioned opposite the optical devices21,22so as to cover them and form a protective element when the user wears the portable object1on his wrist.

Preferably, when the first loop14is fixed, the second loop13is movable and has a width equivalent to or greater than the diameter L1 of the first optical device21so that it can completely cover the first optical device21.

For example, the loops13,14are configured to form the spacers of the bracelet10and ensure a spacing (or separation distance) d between the first optical device21and the second optical device22. In this way, the loops13,14have the dimensions required to ensure the spacing d required according to the optical devices21,22used.

The bracelet10may comprise means for ensuring concentric superposition of the first optical device21and the second optical device22.

The bracelet10can also comprise coupling elements to keep the two strands11,12superimposed on each other in contact, so as to facilitate observation by the user who does not need to keep the two strands11,12in position. The coupling elements are, for example, reversible mechanical or magnetic coupling elements.

Non-limiting examples comprise mechanical coupling elements of the pressure type or magnetic and ferromagnetic elements for magnetic coupling.

For example, each of the loops13,14can incorporate a ferromagnetic body13.5,14.5in its material thickness and the strand of the bracelet10that does not carry the loops13,14(in our example, the first strand11) can incorporate two magnets17,18in its thickness, configured to cooperate with the ferromagnetic bodies13.5,14.5by magnetic attraction.

The bracelet10can be made of leather, metal, synthetic material, polymer material, ceramic material, natural material, biosourced material, or a combination of at least two of the said materials listed. Depending on the material used to manufacture the bracelet10,

the optical devices21,22can be inserted into cut-outs or housings provided for this purpose and then secured together by gluing, welding, etc.

The optical devices21,22can also be attached to the strands11,12of the bracelet10by overmoulding.