US2451749A

US2451749A - Bracelet or the like and method of making the same

Info

Publication number: US2451749A
Application number: US673691A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kreisler Leslie
Original assignee: Jacques Kreisler Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Jacques Kreisler Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 1946-05-31
Filing date: 1946-05-31
Publication date: 1948-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 1965-10-19

Description

L. KREISLER Oct. 19, 1948.

BRACELET OR THE LIKE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 51, 1946 INVENTOR LESLIE KHEZS'LER BY fill/HM ATTORNEY Oct. 19, 1948. KREISLER 2,451,749

BRACELET OR THE LIKE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME INVENTOR v LESLIE HEB/SL155 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 19 1948 BRACELET OR THE LIKE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Leslie Kreisler, Teaneck, N. J assignor to Jacques Kreisler Manufacturing Corporation, Bergen, N. J., a corporation North Application May 31, 1946, Serial No..67-3,691

"12 Claims.

This invention relates to bracelets or the like, and more particularly to bracelets for wrist watches and a method of making the same.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a flexible bracelet which is fabricated from individual links and has the appearance of obliquely interwoven, continuous bands.

It is another object of the present invention inseparably to join the individual links of the bracelet by inserted pins on Which the links pivot and which are, in turn, permanently anchored in the joined links.

It is another object of the present invention to fabricate the bracelet from individual links of simple form which have little bulk, yet are extraordinarily strong and defy all ordinary attempts at their deformation when in bracelet form.

It is another important object of the present invention to devise a method of fabricating bracelets of this type which lends itself to highly efficient mass production of the bracelet at extremely low cost.

The above and other objectafeatures and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a greatly enlarged elevational view of a section of a bracelet embodying the present invention;

Fig. la is a smaller elevational view of a section of a modified bracelet;

Fig. 2 shows greatly enlarged individual links as they are coordinated prior to their formation into the bracelet shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2a shows a modified element used in the fabrication of the bracelet shown in Fig. 1a;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the coordinated links shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates an intermediate step in the formation of the coordinated links into bracelet form;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation ofthe parts shown in Fig. 4 as viewed in the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section through the bracelet as taken Fig. 10 shows a modified" element of the bracelet.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 20 designated a bracelet (Fig. 1) which is fabricated from individual links 22 (Figs; 2 and 3). The links 22 are in the form of spirals made preferably from metal of hat, or relatively fiat, stock. In the present instance, the spiral links 22 are made from half-round stock as shown in cross-section in Fig. '7. The links 22 are of two types, namely oppositely directed or wound spirals 22a and 22b (Figs. 2 and '3), which are used alternately in the fabrication of the bracelet for a reason which will become clear hereinafter.

In fabricating the bracelet, as many links 22 as are required therefor are initially assembled by intermeshing the convolutions 26 of alternate links 22a and 22b in the fashion shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and extending pins 28 through the openings 3|], provided by the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent links 22 (Fig. 3), to hold the parts in the assembled relation shown in Fig.2. The links 22 and pins 28 assembled in the relation shown in Fig. 2 are hereinafter referred to as the link assembly 32. It will be noted in Figs. 2 and 3 that the adjacent ends 24 of consecutive links 22 in the assembly 32 are disposed alternately on opposite sides of the assembly 32, for a purpose which will become evident hereinafter.

The adjacent ends 24 of the links 22 of the assembly 32 may next be placed between platens 34 (Figs. l and 5) which are relatively movable to and from each other. On relative movement of these platens 34 toward each other, the interposed ends 24, of the links 22 are bent inwardly toward their adjacent pins 28 to the extent shown in Fig. 4, for a purpose which will become obvious hereinafter.

The link assembly 32 is next placed between rams 36 shown indot and dash lines in Fig. 2, which preferably have clearance holes 38 for the reception of the adjacent ends of the pins 2-8 of the interposed link assembly 32. The rams 3B are relatively movable to and from each other. On relative movement of the rams 36 toward each other, the spiral links 22 of the interposed assembly 32 are axially compressed and their intermeshed convolutions 26 forced into permanent opposite non-yielding retainer platens 40 shown in dot and dash linesin Fist 3 and 6.

'(Fig. 1).

In compressing the link assembly 32, as described, the opposite ends 24 of each link of the assembly will also be forced or wedged between the adjacent pin 28 and the adjacent end convolutions 26 of the adjacent link 22 in the fashion shown in Figs. 6 and 7, thus forming approximately straight side edges 42 on the bracelet (Fig. 1). Hence, while the convolutions 26 of the links 22 of the compressed assembly 32- intermesh, the adjacent end convolutions 26' of said links are also interlinked by the wedged-in ends 24 of the latter, as will be readily understood. Of course, the inward bends previously imparted to the ends 24 of the links 22 of the assembly by the platens 34 (Fig. 4) facilitate the compression of the link assembly 32, in that the inwardly bent ends 24 are in more favorable position for their forced entry between the adjacent pins 28 and nearest end convolutions of the adjacent links 22.

After removing the compressed link assembly 32 from between the rams 36, the pins 28 may be cut to proper length and then riveted over as at .44' in any suitable way (Figs. 1 and 7).

The formation of the bracelet is now completed, and it may then undergo a plating process or any. other embellishing process. Each end link 22' of the bracelet 26 (Fig. 1) comprises a number of convolutions 26" which are well suited for conventional pivotal connection with a wrist watch and a conventional connector (neither shown) to open and close the bracelet.

In compressing the link assembly 32 as described, the same is elongated longitudinally as follows clearly from a comparison between Figs. 1 and 2 and also between Figs. 3 and 6. The link assembly'32 is, during its compression, elongated longitudinally, since the links 22 thereof are prevented from expanding transversely of the assembly 32 by the retainer platens 40 (Figs. 3 and also causes a positive interlock between the intermeshed convolutions 26 of adjacent links 22, which can be broken only by axially expanding the'intermeshed links 22, but such expansion of the links is prevented by the pins 28 and their riveted heads 44. The interlock between the intermeshed convolutions 26 of adjacent links 22 is attained by the inevitable mutual deformation of these intermeshed convolutions at their intersections in consequence of the explained compression of the link assembly 32. The interlock thus obtained between the adjacent links 22 reinforces their connection to the point where they will never loosen appreciably, yet leave the bracelet sufliciently flexible for wear around a per- Compression of the link assembly 32 1y approach the appearance of obliquely interwoven, continuous bands, rather than present the unsightly appearance of joined spiral elements.

Inasmuch as each link 22 of the bracelet is continuous throughout the width of the latter and each convolution 26 of the same passes around the adjacent connecting pins 28, the bracelet has extraordinary tensile strength and will never appreciably loosen or break apart over a long period of the most strenuous use as a wrist watch bracelet, for instance. Despite its great tensile strength, the bracelet may be slender in .appearance, since the oblong links 22 may be made of relatively heavy stock without appearing unduly bulky in the bracelet.

The

parts

22 and 28 from which the bracelet is fabricated are extremely simple and inexpensive to make. Furthermore, the described steps of assembling these

parts

22 and 28 and forming them into the bracelet 26 constitute a method which lends itself to highly efficient mass production of the bracelet at very low cost.

In order to further reduce the cost of manufacture of the bracelet and, hence, the price of the bracelet to the purchasing public, the cost of riveting over the ends of the pins 28 may be eliminated altogether. To this end, the pins 28 may temporarily be inserted into' the intermeshed convolutions 26 of adjacent links 22 for the purpose of forming the link assembly 32 as shown in Fig. 2, and may be replaced prior to the compression of the assembly by shorter pins 68 (Fig. 8), the opposite ends 62 of which are tapered so that the pins 66 are permanently retained in the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent links 22 when the ends 24 of the latter curl around said tapered pin ends 62 on compression of the link assembly 32 in the previously explained manner. To replace the temporary pins 28 in the link assembly 32 (Fig. 2) with the permanent pins 60, the latter may be placed end to end against the temporary pins 28 and moved axially into the link assembly 32, whereby the pins 28 are simultaneously removed therefrom.

While permanent retention of the pins 66 in the bracelet is accomplished by intimate contact of their tapered ends 62 with the adjacent ends 24 of the links 22 of the bracelet (Fig. 8), the same may be accomplished by using pins' 64 of the type shown in Fig. 10 in lieu of the pins 66 shown in Fig. 8. The pins 64 have opposite reduced ends 66 with which the adjacent ends 24 of the links 22 of the'bracelet will be in intimate contact, thus preventing axial removal of said pins 64 from the bracelet.

A still further expediency of permanently anchoring the pins in the intermeshed convolutions of the adjacent links 22 of the bracelet is illustrated in Fig. 9. In this instance, even shorter pins 76 are used which terminate short of the endmost convolutions 26 of the links 22 of the bracelet, so that said endmost convolutions 26 will, during the compression of the link assembly by the rams 36, close sufficiently to prevent axial escape of said pins 16 from the bracelet.

While it has been mentioned hereinbefore. that the links 22 are assembled in the relation shown in Fig. 2 with the aid of temporary pins 28, and that the latter are then replaced by permanent pins of any of the types shown in Figs. 8, 9 and and 10, it is also contemplated directly to assemble the links 22 with pins of either one fof the types shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, without'first using the temporarypinsZB. The relatively short

permanent pins

60, 64 or J affordsufdciently secure connections between the links 22 of the non-compressed assembly 32 (Fig. 2) to; permit subsequent compression of the latter without jamming any links. i Y Fig. la shows a section of a slightly modified bracelet 86 which is fabricated from spiral links 82 of the modified type shown in Fig. 2a. The modified spiral links 82 distinguish: from the spiral links 22 (Fig. 2) in that their opposite ends 8 6 terminate onthe sameside of the links (Fig. 2a), resulting in laterallyaligned end convolutions 86 in the bracelet 80.

While I have-shown and described the preferred embodiment ofgmy invention, itwill be .understood that various changes may be made in the present invention without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appended claims. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A flexible bracelet band, comprising a, series of alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements arranged side-by-side with the convolutions of adjacent elements in meshed relation, theintermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said arranged side-by-side-withthe convolutions of adjacent elements in meshed relation, the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked. relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes, and pins extending through said meshed elements, respectively, for positively holding them in said meshed and relatively pivotal relation.

3. A flexible bracelet band, comprising a series of alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements arranged side-by-side with the convolutions of adjacent elements in meshed relation, each spiral element being formed of substantially flat band stock disposed widthwise substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the element, the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes, and pins extending through said meshed elements, respectively, for positively holding them in said meshed and relatively pivotal relation.

4. A flexible bracelet band, comprising a series of alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements of generally oblong convolutions, said elements being arranged side-by-side with the convolulongitudinally of the band, the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes, and pins extending through said meshed elements, respectively, for positively holding them in said meshed and relatively pivotal relation.

5. A flexible bracelet band, comprising a series of alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements of. generally oblong convolutions, each spiral ele ment being formed of substantially flat band stock disposed widthwise substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said element, said elements being arranged side-by-side with the convolutions of adjacent elements in meshed relation, and disposed in the band so that they extend with the longer dimensions of their convolutions longitudinally of the band, the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into .mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes, and pins extending through said meshed elements, respectively, for positively holding them in said meshed and relatively pivotal relation.

6. A flexible bracelet band, comprising a series of alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements arranged side-by-side with the convolutions of adjacent elements in meshed relation and adjacent end convolutions of adjacent elements intercurled,the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes, and pins extending through said meshed elements, respectively, and having their ends riveted over the adjacent intercurled convolutions.

'7. A flexible bracelet band, comprising a series of alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements arranged side-by-side with the convolutions of adjacent elements in meshed relation and adjacent end convolutions of adjacent elements intercurled, the intermeshedv convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes, and pins extending through said meshed elements, respectively, and having reduced ends fitting into the adjacent intercurled end convolutions, respectively.

8. A flexible bracelet band, comprising a series of alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements arranged side-by-side with the convolutions of adjacent elements in meshed relation and adjacent end convolutions of adjacent elements intions of adjacent elements in meshed relation,

tercurled, the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation in which to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes, and pins extending through said meshed elements, respectively, and having tapered ends fitting into the adjacent in tercurled end convolutions, respectively.

9. A flexible bracelet band, comprising a series of alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements arranged side-by-side with the convolutions of adjacent elements in meshed relation and adjacent end convolutions of adjacent elements intercurled, the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes, and pins extendin through said meshed elements, respectively, and terminating short of the endmost convolutions of the latter, and said intercurled end convolutions of adjacent elements being in the path of aXlal removal of the pins from the meshed elements.

10. In a method of making a flexible bracelet band according to which a series of alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements are arranged side-by-side with the convolutions of adjacent elements in meshed relation, and pins are inserted into the meshed convolutions of adjacent elements, respectively, that improvement which comprises compressing the intermeshed elements in the direction of their longitudinal axes to such an extent that the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements are at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial rela tive movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes.

11. In a method of making a flexible bracelet band according to which a series of alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements are arranged side-by-side with the convolutions of adjacent.

elements in meshed relation, and pins are inserted into the meshed convolutions of adjacent elements, respectively, to form a chain of connected elements, that improvement which comprises confining the elements of the chain against expansion transversely of the latter, and compressing the elements of the confined chain in the direction of their longitudinal axes to such an extent-. that the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements are at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes.

12. In a method of making a flexible bracelet band, the steps of arranging a series of alternate. oppositely directed spiral elements side-by-side in chain formation with the convolutions of adjacent elements in meshed relation and. adjacent ends of successive elements disposed alternately adjacent opposite faces of the chain, inserting pins into the meshed convolutions of adjacent elements, respectively, forcing the ends of said elements laterally inwardly of the latter, and compressing said meshed elements in the direction of their longitudinal axes to such an extent that the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements are at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than restricted relative pivotal movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes.

LESLIE KREISLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 155,941 Grant Oct. 13, 1874 398,427 Midgley Feb. 26, 1889 728,827 Anthony May 26, 1903 1,784,254 Schofer Dec. 9, 1930