DE2311336A1 - EXTENSIBLE BRACELET - Google Patents

Description

March 7, 1973

A 22 73 Ml / De

40 Westminster Street Company TEXTRON INC, / Providence, Rhode Island 02902 / USA

Stretchable link bracelet

The invention relates to an expandable link connection that is used in watch straps, wristbands for identification tags or similar jewelry finds use.

One particular type of extensible link that has been used with great satisfaction for years, "has two rows of overlapping and mutually offset links, which themselves are transverse to the longitudinal extension of the link bracelet are arranged. U-shaped connecting brackets, each with their BübersIschenkeln in a link of the engage the inner and one link of the outer row, connect these links to one another. There is at least in every link inserted a leaf spring extending from a central portion of one wall of the link and having an initial bend touches the thighs. The initial bend all

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Licher springs together are sufficient to pull the links of the band together to a fully contracted state. The ends of the springs that rest on the legs of the bracket are more bent when the band to slip a wristwatch over the hand onto the wrist. Then leaves the band stretching Force after, then the springs act again on the bracket legs and this on the links, so that the links go back to the contracted position in which the bracelet surrounds the wrist with a certain tension, so that it does not shift in the longitudinal direction of the arm on the wrist without the tension being so great that it is the Wearer would be uncomfortable. To remove the watch with this bracelet from the wrist, the link connection is through Stretching again pulled apart and slipped over the hand, whereupon the bracelet then goes back to its starting point contracts. Such watch straps are in US patents 2 689 ^ 50, 3 307 3 ^ 8 and 3 307 3 ^ 7. There are numerous modifications of these bracelets that are known to those skilled in the art.

Such link bracelets are relatively expensive to manufacture and assemble, and they all have a disadvantage associated with the cross-sectional design of the outer links.

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Attempts have also been made to manufacture usable QJL leather bracelets in which the leaf springs are omitted in the inner row. Such attempts are shown in U.S. Patents 2,918,785 and 3 5 ^ 3 507 described. The bracelets could, however not generally enforce, because, among other things, they are also relatively expensive to manufacture and assemble.

Furthermore, the springs in the links of the outer row have already been omitted, which e.g. Italian patents 634 112 and 635 639 is. So although the springs in the links of the outer row are omitted, these are also bracelets expensive to manufacture and assemble, and because of the design and location of the fasteners, of springs and other parts, these bracelets cannot be used as watch straps or wristbands for dog tags can be used satisfactorily.

Also in US Pat. No. 3,315,663 there is a stretchable Link belt described that has no springs in the links of the outer row. Because of the complicated Structure of the connecting elements of this bracelet and the complicated handling during assembly is this bracelet however, so expensive to manufacture that it is not

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is competitive. In addition, the links of the outer row are also quite angular in this well-known bracelet Cross-section, which has certain disadvantages.

It is therefore the aim of the invention to provide a durable, stretchable link bracelet that can be used as a watch bracelet is used and can be produced more economically than the known.

It is also an object of the invention to provide the outer links of the bracelet with a greater width of the outer wall to be able to produce what is possible by omitting the springs in the outer links.

The invention also seeks to reduce the cost of assembling the link bracelet, what this allows no springs to be inserted into the outer links and also not during assembly Care needs to be taken that the bracket legs of the connecting bracket between the springs and the inner walls the outer links must be plugged in.

Another task is to make a link bracelet create that doesn't curl up when it's on one flat surface, because since there are no springs in the outer links, there are no forces

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which are the inner surfaces of the outer walls of the outer links seek to bring into a position that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal center lines of the bracket legs and the yoke is located.

Another aim of the invention is to create a link bracelet in which the outer links practically do not move towards the outer surfaces of the second legs of the connecting bracket or away from the inside, although there are no springs in the outer links, the reason being that the tapered portions of the side walls of the outer members together with the straight sections of the side walls form cavities into which the Side flanks of the connecting bracket just fit in with the legs of the connecting bracket against the outer walls these cavities are depressed due to the inclination of the side wall portions of the outer members and the springs that are in the links of the inner row.

The invention is also intended to create a link belt be whose members of the outer row to the longitudinal center line of the link belt, seen from above, cannot move sideways, which is due to the design of the inner walls is attributable to the limbs.

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-D-

In addition , a link belt is to be created in which the gaps between the outer sides of the outer Glie of the bent position of the link belt when it encloses the wrist are less wide.

The link band according to the invention should also have novel jewelry cover caps that are covered over the outer walls of the outer links and are cheaper to manufacture "than the jewelry cover caps of the previously known type.

In a variant of the invention, a link belt is created from which a central projection protrudes sideways on one side of the outer wall on each outer link or on its cover cap and which engages in an associated opening in the outer wall of the adjoining link or the adjoining cover cap when the link belt in the contracted. State is, whereby an attractive appearance is achieved, which has not been achieved with link belts of this type.

In short, springs are used in the link bracelet according to the invention only in the links of the inner row , while the links of the outer row have an inner wall that is narrower than the outer wall thereof

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runs parallel to the outer wall, the outer wall and inner wall being connected to one another by two side walls are, which run parallel to each other in their outer section, while their inner sections are inclined inwards are directed towards each other and end at the side edges of the inner wall. The feathers in the inner limbs work together with the connecting brackets, their legs engage in the links of both rows, a displacement of the links when the link band is stretched in The longitudinal direction from the cohesive related state to the stretched state and cause the Link belt contracts again when the stretching force subsides;

The connecting bracket have a bracket yoke, a first Leg which is inserted into one link of the inner row, and a second leg which is in an adjoining one Link of the outer row is inserted, wherein the bracket legs are substantially transverse to the longitudinal extent of the tape run and twist within the limbs.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner walls of the outer members have their ends between them

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Yokes of the pair of connecting brackets inserted into them protrusions.

Furthermore, the legs of the connecting bracket, which are inserted into the links, are preferably with im substantially rectangular cross-section and wider than thick, the width dimension of the bracket legs in The longitudinal direction of the link belt runs when the link belt is in the contracted state. The wider ones Areas of the legs, which are located in the outer limbs, border the inner surfaces of the outer walls of the outer ones Links, while a narrow side surface of the bracket legs to the substantially parallel first Adjacent sections of the rare walls of the outer links when the bracelet is contracted.

The insides of the second portions of the side walls of adjacent members of the outer row come together in contact when the link belt encloses the wrist of its wearer and is completely sucked together, as this Second sections of the side walls are less high than the total height of the outer limbs, increasing the width of the column between the outer links is much smaller than the width of the gaps between the outer links is known Link belts of this type.

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The ends of the inner walls of all outer links are bent at right angles where the yokes touch the links, so that the outer links cannot move sideways.

Since no springs are embedded in the outer links, the assembly of the link belt is cheaper than with previous ones Link belts, because no springs need to be inserted into the outer links and the introduction of the BUgeIschenkelenden between the springs and the inner walls of the outer links is also eliminated while continuing still widened the gaps between the ends of the springs and the inner surfaces of the outer walls of the inner links can be, which also facilitates the insertion of the BUgeIschenkel in this column.

In one embodiment of the invention, each outer link of the link belt a jewelry cap is placed, which covers the outer wall of the outer link and which has a pair of side walls that match the first portions of the side walls of the outer links, so that the side walls of the top caps are shorter than the side walls and top caps of the type previously used, which is their manufacture also cheaper.

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In another embodiment, the outer walls of the links of the outer row are apertured or A recess is provided on one side in the central area, while a projection is formed on the opposite side is, which has substantially the same size dimensions as the recess, so that in the contracted state of the link belt, the projections engage in the recesses in the outer wall of the respective adjacent links. Preferably has in this embodiment each one of the side walls of the links of the outer row in its outer Section has a recess formed therein which corresponds to the recess in the outer wall of the limb. at This embodiment example can also be a jewelry cover cap be placed on each outer link, the outer wall of which also has a corresponding depression or recess, which corresponds in size and arrangement to the recess in the outer wall of the limb itself. The outer wall of the top cap is also provided with a projection which is practically the same size as the recess in the outer wall the top cap, so that the projection of the top cap engages in the recess of the adjacent adjacent top cap when the link belt is pulled together. These embodiments have an attractive appearance that is stretchable Link belts of this type were previously unknown.

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The invention will now be described again in detail with the aid of some exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a link belt, partly in sectional view according to 1-1 in Figure 7, the members are in contracted state.

FIG. 2 shows a representation similar to that of FIG. 1

Sectional view according to 2-2 in FIG. 8, in which the link belt is stretched;

3 shows a plan view of the link belt according to FIG. 1 with the section line according to "in FIG. 1; FIG.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the link connection

according to FIG. 2 with the section line along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a spring such as it is set in the links of the inner row}

6 shows a perspective illustration of the connecting bracket used;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged sectional view along the line 7-7 in FIG

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 2; FIG.

9 shows, in perspective and partly broken away, the end of an outer link on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 10 shows a section along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

11 shows a plan view of an inner link with an inserted Spring and upward bent end tabs;

FIG. 12 is a partially broken away side view of a wearer enclosing the wrist

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Link belt according to the invention, wherein the end flaps are removed through the cut;

Figure 13 is a bottom perspective view of a fine outer link with jewelery cover, from which a piece of the end tab has broken off;

Pig. .14 a partial plan view of a center piece of a further embodiment of the invention Link belt in a contracted state, some parts of which have broken away for clarity are;

15 is an enlarged perspective view of the

The link belt from FIG. 14 in the stretched state and partly broken open;

16 shows a decorative cover cap which can be used with the links of the bracelet from FIGS. 14 and 15; and

FIG. 17 shows a cross section through a link of the upper row along line 17-17 in FIG. 14.

The embodiment of the link belt according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 has a row outer links Io and a number of inner links 11 connected to one another by U-shaped connecting brackets 14 which have a first leg 14a, a second leg 14b and a yoke 14c that holds the legs together, as FIG. 6 shows.

The links 10 of the outer row are offset from the links 11 of the inner row, which is shown in FIGS and Fig. 2 clearly show. The individual links extend transversely to the longitudinal extension of the band, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 permit.

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The links of the outer and inner rows can be constructed from a stainless steel blank or the like suitable material. Each link of one row is with two adjacent links of the other Row connected with the help of four connecting brackets 14. The first legs l4a and the second legs l4b the connecting stirrups run in the links essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the link belt. The first Legs 14a of two of the four connecting stirrups lie in the inner link 11 of the inner row on one side. The second leg 14b of one of the connecting brackets is inserted in an adjacent link 10 of the outer row. The second Leg 14b of the other connecting bracket is against it in another adjacent link 10 of the outer row of links. The other two connecting brackets stick from the opposite one Side of the link ligament in these links, and their legs are there in the same way as described above arranged.

The leaf spring 11 (Fig. 5) is made of a corrosion-resistant, Made of fatigue-free material such as stainless spring steel. The springs 12 lie in the links 11 only in the inner row.

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The links of the inner row are substantially rectangular in cross section and have an outer wall lla, two mutually substantially parallel walls 11b and an inner wall lic, which is formed of two flanges, which project from the inner ends of the side walls. The inner wall of each inner link also has recesses 11d, (FIGS. 7, 8 and 11) into which the ends 12a and 12b of the leaf springs engage when the link belt is fully extended, which FIG. 8 shows.

The link 10 of the outer row consists, as FIG. 10 clearly shows, of an outer wall 10a, a narrower inner wall 10d which runs essentially parallel to the outer wall, a pair of essentially parallel first side wall sections 10b, which are on opposite sides to the outside wall 10a adjoin, and a pair of second side wall sections 10c, which extend obliquely inward from the inner ends of the first side wall sections to the side edges of the inner wall 10d. The inner wall 10d is formed by a pair of flanges which strive towards one another from the inner ends of the second side wall sections 10c.

In Fig. 9 it can be seen that the inner wall 1Od of the outer member. the two ends each have a pair of projections 10e , which between the bracket yokes 14c of the connecting bracketsJ

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come to rest when the link belt rests in the contracted position shown in FIGS. These protrusions keep the connecting straps aligned in the outer link even though no leaf spring is inserted into the outer link is.

The legs l4a and l4b of the connecting bracket are in essential straight. The first leg l4a of the connecting bracket is between the outer wall 11a of the inner link and inserted into the end section of the leaf spring facing the outer wall, which Pig. 7 and 8 show.

The width of the bracket legs l4a and 14b is greater than their thickness, and in the contracted state of the link belt, the direction of the width of the bracket legs coincides the longitudinal extension of the link ligament together. The thigh i4b lie with their wide outer surface on the inner surface the outer wall 10a of the outer links when the link belt is contracted as shown in FIG. The inner surfaces of the legs 14a bear against the inner surfaces of the walls 11a of the inner members, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 clarify.

Each stirrup leg l4b rests on one narrow side the outer, parallel side wall portion 10b of the links

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the outer row in the contracted state of the link belt.

At the ends of the links 10 and 11 bending tabs 1Of and Hf are provided to close one from the side To create the impression of the band. The tabs Hf hold the connecting brackets in the links. The tabs 1Of can the outer links can also be omitted without these being able to move sideways, since they are with their end edges 1Oi of the inner walls 10d run against the yokes (see FIGS. 7, 8 and 9).

For the formation of a stretchable watch strap, connecting links are attached to the ends of the link strap for hanging the Wrist watch provided.

An initial deflection of the spring is sufficient to remove the links keep in fully contracted condition. The ends of the spring that bear against the legs 14a are stretched of the link band is bent even further when the watch is slipped over a wrist. Leaves the stretching force then after, then the springs press against the legs 14a and the legs l4a and 14b act on the links in such a way that they return to the contracted position of the link belt.

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in which it encloses the wrist with sufficient tension without it being able to slip on the arm and without the wearer perceiving the tension as a nuisance.

Since the outer links do not contain any springs, there is greater scope for deipörralichen design Limbs.

The cost of manufacturing the outer links is lower because less material is needed and there the links are also easy to shape.

The link belt shows no tendency to curl when it is on a flat surface, because in the outer ones Links do not include springs that urge the inner surfaces of the outer walls of the outer links into positions look that are aligned essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal centers of the U-bracket legs.

Also, the mechanical assembly of the link belt can be more economical to carry out, because it is easier to carry out because of lack ribs of the springs in the outer 01ledern the insertion of the ends of the BUgelschenkel and moreover, since the gap between the ends 12a and 12b of the springs and the

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Inner surface of the outer wall of the inner links can be enlarged, whereby the insertion of the leg ends there too the connecting bracket is relieved in the column.

Because of the new cross-sectional shape of the links of the outer In the series, the inner ends of the outer portions 10b of the side walls of adjacent links come in the bent position of the Link belt, when contracted, surrounds a wearer's wrist, in contact with one another, such as 12 shows this. Thereby, the gap width between the outer ends of the outer side wall portions 10b is compared considerably smaller with the gap width of known link belts, so that the link belt of the present invention looks better when worn on the wrist.

The link belt according to FIGS. 1 to 12 can be provided with a jewelry cover cap 20 made of a gold alloy. Each jewelry cap 20 consists of an outer wall 20a, which covers the outer wall 10a of the outer member 10, a Pair of side walls 20b that form the outer side edge portions 10b of the outer link, and four bend tabs 20c, two on the lower edge of each side wall 20b, facing inward be bent and hold the top cap on the limb, as shown in FIG.

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Bend flaps can also be found at the ends of the top caps 2Od be available to improve the appearance of the link belt, which / is not required for it to prevent the links of the upper row from shifting sideways, which is already caused by the transverse surfaces of the 1Oi of the inner wall 1Od happens. These types of top caps are cheaper to produce than the known top caps, since the side walls 20b are much shorter than the side walls in the previous cover caps.

The link belt in the embodiment according to FIG. 14 to 17 corresponds to the first described exemplary embodiment with the exception that in one side of each outer wall 10a an opening 10g is formed in the middle area, as well as one Opening 10h in the outer section of the side wall 10b, which adjoins the opening 10g, which is Flg. 15 clearly recognize leaves.

The jewelry cap 30 is also provided with an outer wall 30a, which has an opening 30b corresponding to the size and Position of the opening 10g in the outer wall of the link 10. The top cap also has a protrusion 30c on its side that the opening 30b is opposite, this projection after

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Corresponds to the position and shape of the opening 30b in the top cap, which is placed on the adjacent outer link, so that in the contracted position of the link belt according to FIG the projection 30c into the opening or recess 30b of the adjacent Top cap engages.

The top cap 30 also has a pair of end walls 30d, extending from the opposite edges of the top wall 30a, and on the lower edges thereof a pair of folding flaps 3Oe, with the help of which the top cap on the outer links is attached.

The link belt according to FIGS. 14 to 17 can also be produced without cover caps, in which case Vasjumps are similar the projections 30c are provided on the outer walls of the outer members, which in the recesses 10g of the adjacent Links enter when the link belt is contracted.

The link belt of FIGS. 14 to 17 and the modifications described above have an attractive appearance, which is the case with Link belts of this type has not previously been achieved. The omission of springs in the outer links allows that this link belt can be satisfactorily manufactured and operates satisfactorily.

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Claims (12)

PATENT CLAIMS Extensible link belt consisting of two rows of offset overlapping links that are essentially transverse to the The longitudinal extension of the link belt run, a connecting bracket that connects each link of the inner row of links with the links the outer row connects that relative displacement of the Links against each other in the longitudinal direction of the belt is possible when the link belt from a contracted to a stretched one The division is stretched, with the connecting bracket are present in pairs and a yoke, a first, of the yoke going out from the yoke, which is in a link of the inner Row is inserted in the direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the link belt, and a second, located from the first at a distance Has bracket leg, which extends from the bracket yoke in an adjacent link of the outer row and therein is pivotable, and a spring inserted into each link of the inner row, which in the mutual displacement of the links counteracts, characterized in that the links of the outer row one opposite the outer wall considerably have narrower inner walls (10d) running parallel to it, as well as a pair of first ones running parallel to one another Side wall sections (10b) on opposite - 22 309883/0364 Sides adjoin the outer wall (10a), and a pair of second Side wall sections (10c) which slope inwardly from the inner ends of the first side wall sections (10b) up to the side edges of the inner wall (lOd). 2. link belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner wall (lOd) has outwardly protruding projections (lOi), which lie between the yokes (14c) of the connecting bracket (14) which are inserted into the outer links (10). 3 «link belt according to claim _1, characterized in that the links (11) of the inner row have an essentially rectangular cross-section. 4. link belt according to claim ~ 5, characterized in that the spring is a leaf spring (12), the first bracket legs (l4a) are substantially straight and between the outer wall (lla) of the inner link (11) and the adjacent end (12a , 12b) of the leaf spring (12) are incorporated. 5. link belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the second bracket legs (l4b) have a rectangular cross-section and are wider than thick, with the width of the hanger legs in the longitudinal direction in the contracted state of the link belt - 23 309883/0364 - 23 -. of the band is aligned and the leg with its width Outer surface rests against the inner surface of the outer wall (10a) of the outer member (10). 6. link belt according to claim 5, characterized in that the strap leg with its narrow side in the contracted State of the link belt runs parallel to the outer side wall section (10b). 7. link belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner edges of the outer side wall sections (lOb) of adjacent ones Links (10) of the outer row touch each other in the bent and contracted state of the link belt. 8. link belt according to claim 1 with jewelry cover cap, characterized in that each cover cap has an outer wall (20a), which covers the outer wall (10a) of a link in the outer row, and a pair of side walls (20b), which are in the same Direction to the parallel outer side wall sections (lOb) of the outer links and having means (20c) for securing the jewelry cap on the link (10). 9. link belt according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for fastening are bending tabs (20c) which are attached to - 24 30 9 8 83/0364 the inner edges of the side walls (20b) of the top cap protrude and under the inner side wall sections (10c) of the outer Limb are bendable. 10. link belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer wall of each link (10) of the outer row has an opening (10g) on one side in the central region and a corresponding projection on the opposite side, which essentially has the same dimensions as the opening (10g) and in the opening in the outer wall of the adjacent link engages when the link belt is pulled together. 11. link belt according to claim 10, characterized in that one of the side walls (10b) of each link of the outer row one that corresponds to the opening (10g) in the outer wall (10a) opening (lOh) has. 12. Link belt according to claim 10, characterized by a jewelry cover cap (30) »one of the outer wall (10a) of each link the outer row covering outer wall (30a), a pair of end walls protruding from the ends of the top cap ("50d) and for Fastening the top cap on the member at the inner end of the end walls (3Od) has a bending tab (3Oe). 309883 / 036A