US1791037A - And george d - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 3, 1931. L. FL OTTEN ET AL 1,791,037

TWIN FOLD FOR BRACELETS Filed July 15, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ml U IIIIIIIIIIIII' w r I ig ly/11111111 A TTORNEY$ its.

patented Feb. 3, 1 931 UNITEDFSTATES LAWRENCE E. o TEN, 0E EoET THOMAS,

.PATENTHOFFFICE K ETUCKE AEE GEORGE 1). aunt e; or

EvA sToN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS To THE WADSWORTH WATCH CASE 00., or n-AY- TON, KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION OF KENTUCKY TWIN EoLi) Eon BEAoELETs Application filed July 15,

Our invention relates to fastening means for: braceletssuch for example as are used with wrist watches, and is related to that type of fastener in which a continuousbracelet portion is shortened so as to clasp snugly the wrist of the user, by means of a toggle arrangement.

Hitherto in continuous clasps for bracelets ithas been usual to terminate one side of the comparatively great throw, is not adjustable,

and precludes the use of a cap over the plate and toggles excepting a cap ofsuch large size as will practically cover the said plate. Such a cap is unwieldy. Furthermore the clasp itself could only be operated from one side.

It is the object of our invention to provide a clasp which will have a balanced appearance, which can be opened from either side, and which may and preferably is provided with a central cap'of small size and attractive in its proportions.

' Another object of our invention is the provision of means whereby the clasp maybe opened from either side by a pull upon a cap or'equivalent member which acts as a toggle.

Additional objects of our invention are the provision of a clasp which. will be easier. to adju'stand'in which all parts for adjustment are concealed; the provision ofa clasp-in which the relation of parts is symmetrical and in which means may be provided-for taking up a length ofthe band, strap ormesh which forms the braceletproper, on both sides of the clasp sothat the clasp may be located at the proper position in the circumference of the bracelet with reference to a watch or the lilze, Without the provision of cumbersome means adjacent the watch itself 'for such adjustment. c 1 v :7

' These and other objects of our invention 1929. Serial N0.1378,290.

that certain construction andarrangement of partsof wh ch we wlllnow describe a preferred embodiment, reference-beinghad to the drawings whichaccompany this specifi cation. 7 In the drawings; h I H e I Figure -1 is a plan viewof our clasp inopen position. i I

Figure 2 is' a side elevationthereof. 1 Figure 3 is a plan of our. clasp withone of the-wings'closed. Y j j Figured is an elevation of our device in the position of Figure 3.] I

Figure 5 shows in plan ourclasp closed; Figure 6qis an elevation showing our clasp as it is being-opened, from what we term the inverse direction, the view illustrating the action of the cap as a toggle.

Figures 7 8 and 10 are respectively a plan view, an end elevation and a side elevation of the base 70f our'clasp. V r

Figured is aview thereof partly in a sec-' tionftaken along theline AA of Fi ure 7, v

Figure llvshows a side and endielevation, the tooth attachment member which we use in-attachinga length-0f chain mesh, strap, band or the like to our clasp. Figure 12'shows inplan and side elevation, the cap toggle-member .or Wing of our device.

Figure13 shows in plan'and in side elevavtion,'the other toggle memberjor wing of our clasp.-

Figureil l shows plan and elevation the .cap proper. V

Figure 15 in plan and end elevationshows the. attachment member-which we use in our clasp.

Figure' lfiis the cap plate in plan and end elevation.

I Figure' 17 is: a sectional view of the-cap assembly'of our device.

plate adapted to be placed in a desired position upon the wrist of the wearer, and having on. either end toggles or wings to which the band'of the bracelet is attached,'which wings fold overon top of the baseplate, tor Broadly our invention comprises 'a base.

gether with a cap hinged on the outer end of one of the wings, and appropriate means for locking the structure in clasped position.

In the several views, the base plate indicated at 1 is shown having a central depression 2, the purpose, of which is both to ive additional strength to the structure an to accommodate the wings or toggles hereinafter to be described. Flanges 3. are bent up on either side of the plate so as to give it a trough shape, and the entire plate is curved appropriately to fit the wrist of a wearer. For additional strength, ribs or corrugations 4 may be struck from the bottom of the plate, and are preferably made to extend downwardly, leaving grooves within to accommodate corresponding ridges or corrugations struckin the wings or toggles. The ends of the base plate extend somewhat beyond the termination of the depressed portion 2 and are bent over toform knuckles 5, being part of the hinge construction by which the toggles or arms are pivoted to the base plate. The termination of the depressed portion 2 short of these knuckles leaves room for the corresponding knuckle portions upon the wings ortoggles next to be described.

Toggles6 and 7 are hinged to either end of thebase plate. The toggles are designed to be folded over in sequence, the right-hand toggle as shown in the several figures being the one which folds over first. The left hand toggle 6 is the toggle which holds the cap presently to be described, which cap covers the meeting line of the two toggles. The toggles are of a width 1 preferably to permit their-falling, in clasped position, in a depressed portion 2 of the base plate; and for stiffening they may have reinforcing ribs or corrugations 8 struck from their surfaces longitudinally and adapted to fall within the corrugations 21 in the base plate so as to give a compact structurewhen the clasp is closed. Upon one end of the wing or toggle 7 there will be formed a hinge knuckle .9 adapted to be placed between the knuckles 5 on the right handend of the base plate 1, and there to be held by a hinge pin 10. The toggles will both be appropriately curved to conform to the base plate. Upon the outer end of the toggle 7 an additional hinge knuckle 11 is formed by turningover the metal, andthis knuckle is used to form a hinge with a band attachment member shown in Figure 15. g V

The band attachment membercomprises a U-shaped clamping portion 12, one edge of.

forming relationship by means of a hinge pin- 15 terminating in rounded ends 'as-most clearly shown in Figure 1 at 16. The

knuckles 14, extending beyond 1 the hinge knuckle 11, bring the width of the bandattudinally.

in a new position.

tachment device substantially equal to the width between the flanges-3 of the base plate; and the rounded portion 16 of the pin 15 lying somewhat beyond the knuckles 14 adapted to enter between the flanges, 3 only somewhat against the spring tension thereof. A locking construction is formed by peening out depressions 17 in the flanges 3, in which depressions the rounded end 16 of the hinge pin may seat. The closed relationship of the toggle? and the base plate is shown in Figures 3 and 4; and the manner of operation of the lock will be clear. Preferably there is provided a means for fastening the band, mesh fabric, strap or the like used in the bracelet, into the clamp portion 12 in such a way that'adjustment may be had by shortening the band. To accomplish this, We preferably make use of the toothed member 18 of Figure 11 which is a strip of metal of a length substantiallyequal to the width of the band, one arm of the U being formed into teeth 19. Theseteeth are pressed into a band or strap or causedto enter the spaces between links in a mesh fabric 20 whereupon the end of the band or fabric and the member 18 are inserted together endwise into the clamp 12. The turned over portion 13 of the clamp en ages themember 18, and the band or fabric cannot be withdrawn longiiVhen it becomes necessary. to alter the length of the band, it may be removed endwise from the clamp 12, a portion cut off and the member 18 replaced thereon Our clasp is such that when it is in closed position the'clamps 12 are not only hidden, but are in such a position that nothingcan be removed from hem endwise. The particular adjustable mechanism just described is not a part of our present invention. It has other utility than in our device, nor is our device restricted to its use. The band or fabric maybe otherwise fastened into our member 12, or a different type of member provided such as one into which a mesh fabric may be soldered. The link6 is generally similar in construction to the wing '4", and has a knuckle2l to be held in hin'ge-iiorming relationship with the. knuckles 5 on the left hand end of the baseplate by means of a pin 22 as will be readily understood. The knuckle 23 on the other endof'the toggle 6 is, howeveigshorter than the corresponding knuckle 9 on the toggle 7,.for the reason that room must be left in theconstruction for the assembly of a hinge from the knuckles 5, the knuckle 28 and knuckles 2 1 on the cap or upon a member attached thereto. "Ye use upon the end of the toggle 6 another of the clamp members 12 as shown in Fi' ure 15 havin lun -ed E: z: r:

knuckles'l l.

Next we provlde a cap indicated generally at 25 to cover the 3uncture between the wings or toggles when 1n clasped posit1on,-to serve hereinbefore described, but any pull upon the asadock'and an opening toggle,"and for other purposes as will hereinafter bemade clear. It also is hinged to the end of toggle 6, as may be done if desired by soldering knuckles 24L tothe cap 25. V What we prefer 1' to do however is to provide a cap plate 26 having a raised portion 27 in the mid por tion thereof, to which the; knuckles 2a are soldered. "The'cap plate is'adapted to fit within the cap 25 and-it may have turned over edges 28 lying along the sides 29 of the cap plate. Portions of the metal 30 of the cap are then turned over to clamp the cap plate in position. The cap itselfmay of course be engraved or ornamented as desired. The projection 27in the cap plate is slightly off center toward the left inftheseveral figures, so that the meeting line between the two wings or toggles in folded over position will fall centrally of the cap. This enables us to position the cap centrally of the base plate. This'construction will be clear from a consideration of Figure 17. he hinge knuckles 5 on the left hand end of the base plate, the knuckle 23 on the toggle 6, and the knuckles on the cap plate 26 are assembled into hinge forming relationship by means of a hinge pin This hinge pin 1y secured.

may also terminate in rounded projections and be caused to lock inside peened' out prois optional because the cap also is arranged so as to lock upon the pro ect1ons 17-and Side members 33 are provided upon the cap,

which are adapted tolie outside the flanges 3 upon the base plate, and these side members aremade wider than the end members 29 so that they will partially extend down along the outside of the flanges 3. Peened out pro- 40 jections 32a and'l'la are formed in these side members so as to lock over the. projections 82 and 17, thus forming a structure adequate- It will now be clear from an examination of Figure 5 that when our clasp is in closed position all that is visibleof any mechanism for the purpose is the cap 25 and the thin flanges 3 of the base plate. Our construction is furthermore secure because not only are the wings or toggles 6 and 7 locked in position as band or mesh'20 will bealong the line of the toggles and will have practicallya negligible component tending to pull these toggles outwardly from the base plate. "The upper portions of theknuckles 5 are made so asto be practically in alignment with the body of the base plate, whereby we achieve a construction in whichja ridge in the band or fabric 20 marking the end of the base plate is eliminated. In opening the bracelet the cap 25 may be pulled up from either side; If ulled spring pins for engagement with the band arms 35 of a watch 36. p 7 Various modifications in our invention may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. j If I Having thus described our invention, What we claim as new and desire to secure byLet-' ters Patent, is z 1. A clasp for a braceletvcomprisinga base 5 plate, toggles hinged totsaid' base plateat either end, and means for fastening a band to said toggles, a cap hingedto the outerend of one of said toggles and adapted when said- I toggle lies above said. base plat'eto' cover the meeting line ofsaid toggles thereon.

i 2. A clasp for a bracelet'coniprisingabase I plate, toggles hinged to "said base plateat eitherenchand means for fastening a band to said toggles, a cap hinged'to'the outer-end of one offsaid' toggles andadapted when said I toggle lies above said base'plate to coverthe vmeeting line ofsaid'toggles thereon, and jections 32 in the base plate; although this edto fold into said depression, means for pivotally attaching the ends of a bracelet band to the outer ends of said toggles, a cap pivotally attachedto the outer end of oneof said toggles, and .means for engaging said cap with the flangesof said base plate. '4. A clasp for a bracelet comprisinga base plate having upstanding flanges, thec'entral portion of said base piatebeing depressed-for the reception o' f toggles; extensions on said base plate ateither end forming pivoting means for toggles,'a,pa1r oftoggles pivoted on the ends of saidbase plate and adapted to 3 fold into said depression, and-means for pivotally attaching the ends ofabracelet band to member ends of said toggles, a cap pivotallyattached to the outer endof one ofsaid toggles, and means for engaging said cap with the flanges of said base plate, said means for attaching said bra'celetband having means permitting the adj ustment of the length thereof.

5[ Ina bracelet clasp, a base plate having t upturned longitudinal flanges and a central depression to receive toggles in folded, over position, the ends of said baseplate' being BX- tended and turned over to. form hinge knuckles, a toggle of. a Width to liewithin the said depression having the ends thereof bent over to form hinge knuckles, one Ofisaid ends pivoted to the hinged knuckles upon one end ofsaid base plate, the other ofsaid knuckles pivoted by a pin to means forthe attachment ofa bracelet band,= a second toggleof a :Width to'lie Within the said depression having its ends turned over to form hinge knuckles, one of said knuckles pivoted to the hinge knuckles on the other ends of said base plate, the other of said knuckles pivoted by a pin to means forthe attachment of a bracelet band and also to means affixed to a cap, said toggles adapted to meet substantially centrally of said base plate When in folded over position, said cap adapted to cover the meeting line of said toggle.

6. In a bracelet clasp, a base plate having upturned longitudinal flanges and a central depression to receive toggles in folded over position, the ends of said base plate being extended and turned over to ,form hinge knuckles,a toggle of a width tolie Within the i said depression having the ends thereof bent over-toformhinge knuckles, one of said ends pivoted to the hinged knuckles upon one end of said. base plate, the other of said knuckles pivoted by a pin to means for the attachment of a bracelet band, a second toggle of a Width to lie Within the said depression having its ends turned over .to form hinge knuckles; one of said knuckles pivoted to the hinge'knuckles on the other ends of said baseplate, the other of said knuckles pivotedby a pin to means for the attachment of a bracelet band and also to means affiXed .to a cap, said toggles adapted to meet substantially centrally of said base plate when in folded over position, said cap adapted to cover the meeting line of said toggle, and means for locking said parts'in clasped relationship. 7

7. In a bracelet clasp, a base plate having upturned longitudinal flanges and a central depression to receive toggles in folded over position, the ends of said base plate being extended and turned over to form hinge knuckles, a toggle of a Width to lie Within the said depression having the ends thereof bent over to form hinge knuckles, one of said ends pivoted to the hinge knuckles upon one end of said base plate, the other of said knuckles tion, said cap adapted to cover the meeting line or said'toggles",and means for locking said parts in clasped relationship, said means comprising means on said flanges for engaging at leastone of saidpins, and means on said cap for. engaging said flanges.

8. A clasp for abracelet comprising a pivoted by a pin, means for the attachment of a bracelet band, a second toggle of a width to lie Within the said depression having its ends turned over to form hinge knuckles, one ofsaid knuckles pivoted to the hinge knuckles on the other ends. of said base plate, the

1 other of said knuckles pivoted by apin to means-for the attachment of a bracelet band 1 and also to means afiixed to a cap, said tog- .gles adapted to meet substantially centrally of said base plate :When in folded over; posi-

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