The present invention relates to an adjustable holder which can be adapted to several sizes of a wristband. In particular, the present adjustable holder bears an accessory and allows to maintain the same onto wristbands of various widths and thicknesses.

Background of the invention

Loops are already known to adapt a chip on a wristband, as described for example in WO00/03372. In this case, the loop is provided with a flat chip and placed around a wristwatch. A removable loop is described in FR 1651994, wherein the loop can be removed from a wristband and placed to another one. This allows a user to keep with him the loop, provided with the chip, in all circumstances. However, the above-mentioned solutions do not provide any mean to adapt the loop to various dimensions of the wristbands. The user is therefore not able to adapt the loop to any kind of wristband and suffers from limitation in the usage of the chip. Summary

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a loop, also called hereby a holder, which allows to maintain a device on various type of wristlets. In particular, the holder of the present invention comprises an extensible element which can be adapted to either the width or the thickness of a wristlet or both. Said extensible element is characterized by a shape variation, meaning that it is not subject to a mere linear elastic elongation. The extensible element may have some elastic properties, or may not have any elastic properties.

The holder of the present invention comprises a substantially flat element, designated as a "holding element", having a longitudinal dimension along an axis X-X', a transversal dimension along an axis Y-Y', an internal face, and at least two legs placed on opposite edges of said holding element, and each extending on the internal face of said holding element, wherein the at least two legs are linked by a strap. The shape of the strap joining two opposite legs may be elongated, or deformed, or bended, from a retracted shape to an extended shape. Said strap has preferably substantially the same length at its retracted shape and at its extended shape, while the distance between its both ends varies from its retracted shape to its extended shape.

The retracted shape may be selected from one or more of waves, angled lines, or equivalent, whereas the elongated shape of the strap is a substantially straight line.

Alternatively, the shape of the strap may comprise a loop having a maximal diameters at its retracted position and a minimal diameter at its extended position.

In another alternative, the shape of the strap may overlap at its retracted position, whereas it is merely curved at its extended position, without overlap.

The legs of the present holder are preferably parallel to each other when the strap has a retracted shape. They are bended toward the outside of the flat element when the corresponding strap has an extended shape. In such a way they can adapt to a wristband larger than the holding element.

In addition or alternatively, the legs of the present holder may be non-orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the holding element, meaning that they may form an angle lower than 90° with a longitudinal dimension of the holding element. Such an angle may be for instance comprised between around 30° and around 70°. Under such conditions, the legs are adapted to a thin wristband, and they may rotate or bend to increase the angle with regard to a longitudinal dimension of the holding element up to the maximal angle of 90°C.

Preferably, the present holder has two pairs of opposite legs, wherein each pair of opposite legs are linked by a strap. The holder as defined herein it thus adjustable to various sizes of wristlet. More particularly, it can be adjusted to a wristlet having a thickness comprised between a low value and a high value, and/or having a width comprised between a low value and a high value, in such a way that the wristband remains in friction connexion with the internal surface of the holding element and the strap, and/or with 2 opposite legs.

The present invention further encompasses a kit comprising one or more holder as hereby defined, and one or more wristlet, wherein each holder covers different wristlet dimension ranges. Brief description of the drawings

Figure la: Example of a holder placed onto a wristband, wherein the strap has a retracted shape

Figure lb: Example of the same holder placed onto a large wristband, wherein the strap has an extended shape.

Figure 2a, 2b: Alternative retracted and extended shapes of the strap of the holder, wherein the strap forms a loop.

Figure 3 a, 3b: Alternative retracted and extended shapes of the strap of holder, wherein the strap overlaps at the retracted position and is deployed at the extended position.

Figure 4a, 4b: Example of a holder wherein the legs are non-orthogonal with a longitudinal dimension X-X', placed onto a thin wristband, and placed onto a thick wristband.

Detailed description of the invention

The holder (1) of the present invention comprises a holding element (2), on or into which is placed a device (not shown) to be fixed on a wristlet (W). The device may be any kind of accessory, including an aesthetic element, an electronic device, or any other element which can be added to a wristlet, a wristband or a wristwatch.

Above and below, the term "wristlet" referenced (W) denotes any kind of wristlet, including wristlet adapted for ankles, belt, armlet, bangle, as well as any wristwatch or wristband. Such a wristlet may be made of any usual material, like metallic parts, leather, polymers, and may have any shape.

The present holder (1) is particularly convenient for bearing an electronic device, and more particularly a contactless, connected or connectable, device. Examples of such devices are phone cards, readable memory cards, RFID tags, or electronic chips like chips for contactless payments. Devices having a flat shape may be inserted in a slot (2a) provided on one edge of the holding element (2) of the holder (1). In case the slot (2a) remains open, the device may easily be removed from the holder (1). To this purpose, a hole may be arranged opposite the slot to help the user to push the device out of the slot. Alternatively, the device may be definitively included within the holding element (2) at the time of its manufacture. Thus, the holding element is preferably flat, forming substantially a parallelepiped. It can alternatively have any other shape adapted to the shape of the device to be fixed.

The holding element (2) is preferably substantially not extensible. It can be made of leather, plastic, hard rubber, non-extensible polymer, fabric, or another textile material, or any combination thereof. It may alternatively be made on a metallic material, like stainless steel, or a metallic alloy. This holding element (2) has an external surface (2b) and an internal surface (2c), wherein the internal surface (2c) comes in contact to the wristlet (W), once the holder (1) is adapted on said wristlet (W). The holding element (2) may take various two dimensional shape, such as a square profile, a rectangle profile, having straight or round corners, or even non straight edges. It may be in addition substantially flat, meaning that the external surface (2b) forms a flat area. The holding element (2) is defined by a longitudinal dimension (T) and a transversal dimension (t). The longitudinal dimension (T) is determined along an axis X-X', parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wristlet (W), once the holder (1) is positioned on said wristlet (W). The transversal dimension (t) is determined along an axis Y- Y', orthogonal to the axis X-X' . The longitudinal dimension (T) may be either equal, or larger, or smaller than the transversal dimension (t).

The holding element (2) is provided with at least two legs (3a, 3b) placed on opposite edges of the holding element (2), each extending on the side of the internal surface (2c) of the holding element (2). Said legs (3a, 3b) are placed on opposite longitudinal edges. In other words, they are placed on edges which are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X' . The at least two legs (3a, 3b) are preferably integral with the holding element (2). This means that they may be manufactured together with the holding element (2) as one piece. The legs (3a, 3b) may alternatively be added to the holding element (2) by any tightening mean. A leg (3a, 3b) can for example be glued or snapped on the edge of the holding element (2). The legs may be arranged face-to-face on opposite edges of the holding element (2), or on the contrary at non-symmetrical points of the opposite edges of the holding element (2). In case more than two legs (3a, 3b) are provided, there are preferably an even number of legs, an equal number of which is placed on two opposite edges of the holding element (2), in such a way to form pairs of opposite legs. Each pair of opposite legs (3 a, 3b) is linked by a strap (4) substantially parallel to the internal face (2c) of the holding element (2). A strap (4) is also preferably oriented parallel to the axis Y-Y' . Two opposite legs (3a, 3b) together with the corresponding strap (4) and the internal surface of the holding element (2), define a free space through which can slide a wristlet (W).

In a preferred embodiment, the present holder (1) comprises more than one pair of legs (3a, 3b), wherein each pair of opposite legs (3a, 3b) are linked by a strap (4).

It is also contemplated that legs are not evenly distributed around the flat element (2), and that one leg may be linked to several opposite legs by the mean of more than one strap (4)

The legs (3a, 3b) are preferably flexible in such a way they can bend in one or more of the longitudinal direction X-X' and the transversal direction Y-Y'. The legs (3a, 3b) are preferably non-extensible. They may be made of the same material as the holding element (2) or a different one. Any flexible material such as leather, fabric, textiles, plastic, or polymer may be used. The stiffness of the legs (3 a, 3b) should be high enough to allow a good contact with the wristlet (W) once inserted within the free space defined by the internal face (2c) of the holding element (2), the legs (3a, 3b) and the strap (4). The stiffness of the legs (3a, 3b) should also be low enough to allow the passage of a wristlet (W) larger than the transversal dimension (t) of the holding element (2).

A strap (4), joining two opposite legs (3a, 3b), is adjustable to the size of the wristlet (W) on which the holder (1) is placed by the mean of its shape variation. The shape of the strap (4) varies between a retracted shape and an extended shape. At its retracted shape, the distance between the two opposite ends of a strap (4), preferably corresponds to a transversal dimension (t) of the holding element (2) of the holder (1). At its extended shape, the distance between the two opposite ends of the strap (4) is longer than a transversal dimension (t) of the holding element (2). In such a way, a wristlet (W) larger than the transversal dimension (t) of the holding element (2) may be inserted within the space defined by the legs (3a, 3b), the strap (4) and the internal face (2c) of the holding element (2). The strap (4) may be made in the same material as the holding element (2) or another one. Any flexible material such as leather, fabric, textiles, plastic, or polymer may be included in the composition of the strap (4). The material is preferably substantially non extensible, meaning that a stretchable elastic material is not preferred for the composition of the strap (4). In other words, the strap (4) has always the same length, but the distance between its opposite ends varies from its retracted shape to its extended shape. Such end to end distance variation thus results from the shape variation of the strap (4). In one embodiment, the retracted shape of the strap (4) corresponds to a non-straight shape, whereas the elongated shape of said strap (4) corresponds to a straight shape. The two- dimensional shape of a strap (4), under its retracted shape, may be for example round waves (4a). An alternative shape forming an angular line with one or more angles is also contemplated, as well a combination of round waves and angle lines. Once it is fully extended, a strap (4) may take a straight shape, or a substantially straight shape, resulting from the partial or complete flattening of the angles or the waves (4a) of the strap (4), corresponding to its retracted shape.

In another embodiment, the strap (4) may form a loop (4b), the diameter of which varies from its retracted position to its extended position. The diameter of the loop (4b) is for instance maximal for the retracted shape. In case the strap (4) should be extended, the diameter of the loop (4b) decreases in such a way to increase the distance separating the opposite ends of the strap (4). The minimal diameter of the loop (4b) corresponds to the fully extended shape of the strap (4). The loop (4b) is preferably oriented parallel to the internal surface (2c) of the holding element (2).

In another embodiment, a strap (4) may be folded at its retracted shape, and deployed at its extended shape. A folded position means that the strap (4) forms an overlap (4c). Such an overlap (4c) disappears upon stretching the strap (4) toward its extended position. The extended shape can therefore be a curved line having a S profile, or comprising more than two curves, or straight angles, but without overlaps anymore. The variation of the shape between its overlapped configurations to its deployed configuration may occur in a plan parallel to the flat element (2), or to a plan orthogonal to the flat element (2). A combination of the above-mentioned shapes may also be applied to a strap (4).

The strap (4) preferably takes a retracted shape in absence of any external solicitation, meaning that it has naturally a retracted shape, which may be extended upon application of an external force. Such an external force may result from a wristlet (W) the size of which is larger than the transversal dimension (t) of the holding element (2). Once the wristlet is removed, the strap (4) spontaneously recovers its retracted shape. The force necessary to extend the strap (4) depends on its stiffness. The stiffness of a strap (4) may be optimized by the use of specific material, and/or adapting the width of the strap (4).

The above-mentioned shape of the strap (4) are illustrative and not limitative. One skilled in the art can easily optimize the shape and the stiffness of the strap (4) to obtain the desired effect. It should be noted that a strap (4) may take any intermediate shape between the retracted shape and the extended shape.

The variation of the shape of a strap (4) joining two opposite legs (3a, 3b), between a retracted shape up to an extended shape, is accompanied by the bend of the corresponding legs (3a, 3b) in the transversal direction Y-Y'. For example, the legs (3a, 3b) may be orthogonal to a transversal dimension (t) of the holding element (2) at the retracted shape of the strap (4), meaning that two opposite legs (3a, 3b) are parallel to each other. The legs (3a, 3b) are bend toward the outside of the holding element (2) upon stretching the strap (4) from its retracted shape to its extended shape, in such a way that two opposite legs (3a, 3b) are no longer parallel to each other.

The legs (3 a, 3b) may in addition be orthogonal to a longitudinal dimension (T) of the holding element (2) or non-orthogonal. In case the legs (3a, 3b) are orthogonal to a longitudinal dimension (T) of the holding element (2), the free space defined by the legs (3 a, 3b), the strap (4) and the internal face (2c) of the holding element (2) has a non-adjustable thickness.

It is however possible that the legs (3a, 3b) are arranged in a non-orthogonal way with respect to the longitudinal dimension (T) of the holding element (2). For example, a leg (3a, 3b) may form an angle β with a longitudinal edge of the flat element (2), β being lower than 90°C, which would be suitable for sliding a thin wristlet (W) while keeping a friction connexion between the wristlet (W) and both the strap (4) and the internal face (2c) of the holding element (2). Upon sliding a thicker wristlet (W), the legs (3a, 3b) may be oriented in a more orthogonal position with regard to a longitudinal edge of the holding element (2), meaning that the angle β is increased. The angle β may be increased up to 90°C, which corresponds to the maximal thickness of the wristband (W), which can be inserted within the free space defined by the legs (3 a, 3b), the strap (4) and the internal surface (2c) of the holding element (2). The angle β at rest position, in absence of any external force, may be for example comprised between around 30° and around 70°, or between around 40° and around 60°. The insertion of a thick wristband urges the legs to bend at a higher angle, up to around 90°. Once such a thick wristband is removed, the angle β naturally retrieves its original value.

The arrangement of the legs (3a, 3b) is independent from the shape of the corresponding strap (4). This means that the holder (1) is adjustable either to the width of a wristlet (W), thanks to the adjustable strap (4), or its thickness, thanks to the orientation of the legs (3 a, 3b), or both of the width and the thickness of the wristlet (W).

The adjustable holder (1) of the present invention may be adjustable to a certain range of sizes of wristlet (W). For example an adjustable holder (1) may be adjusted to a wristlet having a width comprised between a low value (d) and a high value (D). It may alternatively or in addition be adjustable to a wristlet having thickness comprised between a low value (h) and a high value (H).

The width may for example be comprised between around 10 mm and around 30 mm, or around 15 mm and around 25 mm.

The thickness may for example be comprised between around 0,8 mm to around 3 mm, or around 1 mm to around 2 mm.

In order to cover a larger range of dimensions, the present invention also encompasses a set of several holders (1), let say two, or three, or more holders (1) each holder covering a different range of wristlet dimensions. For example, a set of three holders (1) may be arranged in such a way that a first holder of the set covers a width dimension extending to about 10 to 15 mm, a second holder of the same set covers a width dimension extending from about 15 mm to about 20 mm, and a third holder covers a width dimension extending from about 20 to about 30 mm. It is also possible that the width ranges overlap. A first holder would cover for instance a wristlet width between about 8 to 18 mm, as second holder covers a wristlet width of about 15 to about 28 mm, and a third one covers a wristlet width between about 25 mm and about 35 mm or more. It should be understood that any dimensions ranges may be selected depending on the specific usage.

A holder (1) of the present invention may be placed on a wristwatch in addition to the loops already present to maintain the wristlet parts close together. Alternatively, the holder (1) of the present invention my replace one of these loops. In that case the two elements of a wristwatch are inserted together within the free space provided by the two opposite legs (3a, 3b), the corresponding strap (4) and the internal surface (2c) of the holding element (2). In such a way, the holder (1) may be used to maintain the two wristwatch part close together.

The present invention furthermore encompasses a kit, comprising one or more holder (1) and one or more wristlet (W). Such a kit may also comprise a watch. In a preferred embodiment, such a kit comprises a watch with a wristwatch, one or more holder (1), wherein in case of more than one holder (1), each one covers different wristwatch dimension ranges, and optionally one ore more additional wristwatch, either identical or different to the each other.