DE2035366A1 - Link for a bracelet, watch strap or the like - Google Patents

Description

DIPL.-PHYS. ROBERT MÜNZHUBER '' _ PATENT LAWYERS

8 MUNICH 22 Wl DEN MAYERSTRASSE 6 TEL, (OB11) 22 25 3O-29 51 92

A 16170 July 16, 1970

A I627O / MI /

TEXTRON INC., Providence, Rhode Island / USA

Link for a bracelet, watch strap or the like

It has been known for years to make links for bracelets, To manufacture watch straps or the like, which consist of a curved in the longitudinal direction external right-wing frame part, the one Pair of spaced apart side links and an ear also spaced apart Has end links. If these links are to be stretchable, they also have (1) flanges extending inwardly from the frame side members as guide members, (2) an inner one Link that is embedded between the side frame elements and an upper one at a distance from one another

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and having a lower part and an end part that lies in the space between the frame end gates with the flanges of the side frame members in openings engage in the opposite sides of the inner part between the upper and lower part, and (5) pusher means clamped between the end portion of the inner link and one of the frame end links and push the frame end link from the end part of the inner link

The manufacture of such Arraband links is. however, it is very expensive and time-consuming and the aesthetic appearance can only be addressed as good to a limited extent. The high cost and time required for production are due to the fact that the outer rectangular W frame element is made by milling out the top and bottom parts from a rectangular piece of metal to produce the top and bottom surfaces of the frame end part and in the case of one expandable member also to form the inwardly extending flanges. The central opening is then pierced to form the inside of the frame members and to form the inside and ends of the flanges in the case of an expandable member.

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element bent in its longitudinal direction. The milling out such a frame element is a very expensive operation.

If the link is also to be coated with yellow or white gold, then at least the Frame side members are electroplated because they are visible when worn. It is very expensive, both Frame side members to electroplate what both related to the time required as well as the material costs for a finished gold plating are needed. It is possible to make the frame members out of pure gold, but what about? is even more expensive and difficult to manufacture.

There is therefore a great need for both inextensible and extensible members of these Kind to produce that are cheap to produce, allow the most diverse external design and which are durable and completely satisfactory in use.

The aim of the invention is therefore not a stretchable and one stretchable limb mentioned above

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ter type to create that cheap to manufacture is. Furthermore, it should be possible * that such a member can be produced in different ways at the lowest possible cost aesthetic shapes can be produced. Such a link must also be durable and in use be completely satisfactory.

With the invention a first, essentially rectangular frame member with a pair of longitudinally extending curved side parts and a pair of end parts that the Connect ends of the side parts to one another, as well as a second substantially rectangular frame element with a pair of longitudinally extending P curved side parts and a pair of the ends of the side parts connecting end parts. At a extensible member is at least a pair of

overlying frame side parts with in the longitudinal direction extending curved flanges which extend inwardly from these side members and represent means of guidance. To assemble these frame elements, they are placed on top of one another

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where the surfaces of the curved, longitudinally extending side parts come to rest on one another, and a pair of connecting elements also curved in the longitudinal direction is over the side parts pushed. Each connecting element has a side wall which is attached to the outer surfaces of the Pairs of the side frame parts lying on top of one another come to rest, and upper and lower, flanges, the extend inwardly from the top and bottom edges of the side wall and at these parts issue.

The frame members can be made of stainless steel or some other inexpensive material thereby be that they are first punched out and

in then broken through and finally brought into the / longitudinally curved shape, which differs from the much more expensive previous manufacturing method of milling, breaking and shaping the simple thick frame members differs.

If the final member is to have a golden appearance, then the connecting elements can

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can be produced quickly and economically by punching and forming from a gold ribbon. Before the binding elements are punched out and shaped, there is an underside of the tape a layer of silver solder rolled on. It has found that a silver solder layer of 0.008-0.01 mm is sufficiently thick.

After the connecting links are made, they are over the superimposed Frame side parts are pushed and the entire arrangement is then passed through an oven with protective gas » atmosphere passed on a conveyor to the connecting elements with the frame side parts connect to. The atmosphere in the furnace can be hydrogen or dissociated ammonia so the metal parts do not change color. The temperature in the oven is around 80 ° C »

If a link is to be made with the appearance of stainless steel, then the Connecting elements made of a stainless steel

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tape is made, and a solder paste of silver solder is applied to the inner surface of the connecting elements applied or on the frame side panels before the fasteners over the frame side parts are pushed. The assembled parts are then also through passed through a furnace with a protective gas atmosphere

Instead of the soldering process, the connection can also be made by welding or mechanical means.

Around a frame part in a stretchable link To install, an inner link is inserted between the frame side panels. That inner link has an upper and a lower element with spacing and an end part that is in the space between the frame end parts is arranged, wherein the Flanges or guide elements of the frame side parts in openings in the opposite sides of the inner member protrude. Between the end part

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of the inner link and one of the frame end parts becomes a resilient element, ζ. Β a Z-peder clamped, which then pushes the frame end part from the end element of the inner link. In order to complete the entire bracelet link, an ornamental plate made of gold, stainless steel,

Silver or any other material that matches the surface design of the connecting parts, snapped over the inner member

The resulting link can be used as part of a stretchable strap or stretchable watch strap can then be stretched by pulling at one end of the Frame part, which is not located within the inner link, engages, whereby the spring then P is compressed, and when the tension is released, the spring automatically restores the frame part back so that the entire link is drawn together so that the bracelet is elastic to the wrist of the carrier spanned.

The use of such a stretchable member is not limited to a single buckle, but rather

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there can be several such flexible links, according to the invention are hung together to form a stretchable watch strap, an identification bracelet or to form some other stretchable bracelet. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention provides a link that is inexpensive is to be produced, which is extremely diverse in its external design, which is permanent and also is satisfactory in use

In the description that follows, reference is made to. the drawing shows an embodiment of the invention explained in more detail It show:

Pig · 1 is a plan view of a stretchable

Buckle composed of two stretchable links according to the invention and of which the one with omamental Design provided top cap is removed;

FIG. 2, on an enlarged scale, a section along the line II / H in FIG. 1;

5 shows a section along the line Fig. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the buckle from FIG Fig. 1 in the expanded state;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of two in the longitudinal direction curved frame parts that lie on top of one another and over one side ornamentally designed connecting link is partially pushed over;

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Pig 6 is a perspective view of the buckle of FIGS. 1-4 on a reduced scale. on which an ornamentally designed top cap is held to cover the inner links;

7 shows another in perspective view Embodiment of a buckle that is both a stretchable and a non . Has stretchable member, the locking clasp acting as an ornamental end cap is partially open; and

8 shows the Pig buckle. 7, where the clasp is snapped shut and the extensible member is extended; some parts are broken open to show details.

1-6 of the drawings, a stretchable buckle for a watch strap is shown in which the stretchable Part 10 consists of two sections 11 and 12, which are juxtaposed by an inner link IJ with their ends are held.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 5, the stretchable Section 11 has a first, substantially rectangular frame 20 on a second substantially rectangular frame 50 is placed, and this Both frame parts are connected by a pair of connecting elements 40 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 5) held together. .

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The first frame part 20 consists of a pair of longitudinally curved side members 20 A and 20 B, a pair of spaced apart end links 20 C and 20 D and longitudinal side flanges 20 E and 20 F

The second frame part 30 consists of a pair spaced apart in the longitudinal direction curved side parts 30 A and 30 B, a pair of spaced-apart end parts 30 C and 30 D and longitudinal side flanges 30 E and 30 P.

These frame members can be formed from stainless steel or some other relatively inexpensive material by stamping out the blanks, blurch poking and molding will.

The frame parts are held together by a pair of longitudinally curved connecting links kO.Each connecting link consists of a side wall 40 A, upper and lower flaps 40 B and 40 C, which extend from the upper and lower edges of the side panels.

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wall 40 A extend inwardly, and a pair of inner flanges 40 D and 40 E »The flange 40 D extends downwards from the upper flange 40 B, and the flange 40 E extends upwards from the lower flange 40 C, as shown in FIG 2 can be seen * ψ These connecting links are by and large C-shaped in cross-section, as can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 6.

If the buckle is to have the appearance of gold, then the connecting links are made of one Gold ribbon manufactured »Before these connecting links are punched out and shaped, the A layer of silver solder is applied to the underside of the tape, which can be done, for example, by rolling it on. It has been found that the thickness of this silver solder layer is only about 0.008-0.01 mm needs·

After the connecting links are formed, they are placed over the juxtaposed frame side panels 20 A, JO A and 20 B, JO B pushed.

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as can be seen from Fig. 5.

The entire arrangement is then carried out by one with a protective gas atmosphere on a furnace Conveyor conveyed through · The atmosphere can be hydrogen or dissociated ammonia, so the metal parts do not take on any undesired coloring. The temperature in the oven is around 800 degrees C.

This soldering process secures the connecting links to the frame elements connected, and hence the frame members then fixed in the superimposed arrangement arrested each other.

If such a link is to have the appearance of stainless steel, the connecting links will be made of a stainless steel band ^ and placed on the inner surfaces of the connecting links or on the frame side panels before sliding the connecting links over the frame side panels Silver solder paste spread on. The assembled parts

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are then carried out in a similar manner with a protective gas atmosphere provided oven passed through to solder them together.

The parts can also be welded together or. " t be interconnected by mechanical means instead of soldering »

The other stretchable section 12 is identical to the stretchable section 11. It is only in the opposite direction in the assembled buckle. device arranged so that the frame end parts 20 C and 50 C to the frame end parts 20 C and 50 C of the stretchable Section 11, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4

The inner link IJ is designed so that it
the superimposed flanges 20 E * 50 E and
20 F, 30 F of the frame parts of sections 11 and
12 slidably receives and Z-springs 14 A and 14D in
conceals itself, so that when pulling on the frame end parts 20 D and 30 D, the frame parts 11 and 12 from
the contracted position, as shown in the figures

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1, J and 6 in the expanded position the buckle shown in FIG. 4 can be moved. When the pulling force decreases, sweep the frame parts under the action of the springs again return to the contracted position.

The inner link IJ has upper parts IJ A and IJ B, the end parts IJ C and IJ D, the lower part IJ E and downwardly extending stop members or flanges IJ F on, the holes shown IJ G and IJ H can also be omitted.

The superimposed flanges 20 E, JO E and 20 F, JO F occur on the open sides of the inner Link IJ in this and serve to guide the Frame parts of the sections 11 and 12 during the relative movement from the contracted to the extended Zuäand and vice versa.

The Z-spring 14 A is between the end part IJ C of the inner link and the frame end parts 20 C and JO C of the frame section 11 clamped and presses the

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Frame part from the end part of the inner link, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5. At the Expanding the limb compresses the Z-spring (as Fig.5 shows), and when the tensile force subsides, the spring puts the frame part back in the contracted position of the Link back.

The Z-spring 14 B is between the end portion of the inner link 15.D and the superimposed Frame end parts 20 C and 50 C des Frame section 12 clamped, what from the Fig. 1 and 5, and it works in the same Way like the spring in section 11.

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The reduction elements 15 F serve that the frame end parts of the two sections 11 and 11 do not come into contact with each other when the entire assembly is drawn together.

The inner link can be made of stainless steel or be made of another suitable material,

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To give the buckle its final look, an ornamental cap 15 (Fig. 6) is blown onto the top wall of the inner member. These ' The cap is made of a material that matches the material of the connecting elements 40. Are these z. B. made of gold, the cap is made of gold.

The ends of a watch strap can be connected to the frame end portions 20 D and 30 D on any suitable Be connected in a way, whereby a watch strap is then equipped with a stretchable buckle link is.

Another embodiment of a buckle, which is both a non-stretchable and a stretchable Has member according to the invention is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The stretchable portion 50 of this Embodiment corresponds exactly to section 12 of the first described embodiment. The top wall and the end wall 60 B and 60 D, respectively, of the inner Link part 60 of this embodiment are the

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The top wall and the end wall 13 B and 13 D of the first described embodiment are the same, while the lower wall has a short extension 60 K to which the ornamental cap 70 is pivoted with a hinge joint Jl «

The next expandable member has a pair of longitudinally curved frame parts 80 and 90 arranged one above the other, which are the same as frame parts 20 and 30 of the first embodiment with the exception that they do not have inwardly extending flanges 20 E and 20 F or »30 E and 30 F. The frame end parts 80 C, 90 C and 80 D, 90 D are joined by a frame transverse part 80 J, 90 J, which now extends to the frame side parts 80 A, 80 D and 90 A and 90 D. » This frame cross-member receives the ornamental cap 70 to keep the inextensible member at the desired distance from the adjacent end of the expandable portion 50.

The frame side parts 80 A, 90 A and 80 B, 90 B are, with their front sides on top of each other, through

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longitudinally curved connecting elements 70 in held together in the same way as in the first embodiment.

The hinged overcap is releasably connected to the inextensible member 80 by its end is pushed through a slot 81 which extends between the frame end part 80 D, 90 D and the frame cross section 80 J, 90 J, whereupon the cap is then closed in a position shown in Fig. 8, in which the cap end 71A over the end wall 60D of the inner member 60 snaps over.

To open the buckle for the purpose of removing the watch from your arm, you hook your fingernail under the end projection 72 and thus releases the end flange 71 A from the end 60 D of the inner link, so that the cap can then be swung in its open position and pulled out of the slot 81, in what way it is then separated from the inextensible limb.

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The single expandable link 50 of this embodiment example has the same function as the stretchable members 11 and 12 in the first embodiment, so that the watch strap can be worn by people with different wrist sizes »

The invention includes both non-expandable and expandable members which can be produced in a very economical way _s can have different low cost manufacturing appearance and permanently and totally satisfactory in use are _β ·

The three examples described are only explanatory for other possible embodiments, which are readily within the scope of the invention compared to the examples described and illustrated Ab «= Being able to experience changes ©

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Claims (1)

PATENT CLAIM E I.
1 / link for a buckle, bracelet or / ■■■ .. "" ■: ■ ^: ■■ ■ ■ - ■ '. '- ^ ■ 'the like, characterized by a first, substantially rectangular frame element (20) with a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally curved side parts (20 A, 20 B) and a pair of spaced end parts (20 C, 20 D) that connect the ends of the side panels together, and. a second, substantially rectangular frame member (50) with a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally curved rare parts (JO A, JO B) and a pair of spaced end parts (30 C, 30 D) which interconnect the ends of the side parts connect which first and second frame elements (20, 30) are placed on top of one another with the adjoining surfaces of the longitudinally curved side parts, means that hold the first and second frame elements (20, 30) in the superposed position and a pair in the longitudinal direction have curved connecting links (kO) , each of which ■■ '■' .-. '■■■'"- .. ■ '' ^: ■■ - 22 - 109831/0269 035366 a side wall (4o A) adjacent the outer surfaces of a pair of the longitudinally curved frame members (20 A, 30 A; 20 B, 30 B) and upper and lower flaps ( ² K) B, 40 C), which extend from the ^ upper and lower edges of the side wall (40 A) adjacent the upper and lower surfaces of the frame side panels extend inwardly, and means for connecting the connecting members (40) to the first and second frame side panels _o 2. Link according to claim Ij, characterized = indicates that each link (4o) has a pair of internal flaps, one of which extends downward h from the top flange (40 B) and the other up from the lower paddock (40 C) extends ^ and that the inner Planes are located adjacent the inner surfaces of the first and second frame side panels 3 "Link according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the means for connecting have a solder »medium film» V 23 -. 109 83 1/0269 4. Link according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that-the means for connecting a Have welding means. 5. Link according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the means of joining are mechanical, 6. Link according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the connecting links have a substantially Gt-shaped cross-section. 7. link according to claim!, Characterized in that that the connecting links are made of ornamental design material. 8. Expandable member for a buckle, clasp or bracelet or the like, marked by a first, substantially rectangular frame element (20) with a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally curved side parts (20 A, 20 B) and a pair at a distance 109831/0269 more sensitive end parts (20 C, 20 D) that form the ends of the side panels connect a second substantially rectangular frame (50) with a pair side parts (50 A, 30 B) and bent in the longitudinal direction at a distance from one another "a pair of spaced end pieces (50 C, 50 D) connecting the ends of the side pieces, at least one pair of opposing side pieces having guide means (20 E, 20 F, 30 E, 50 F) extending inwardly from the side pieces extend, the first and second frames (20, 50) are laid one on top of the other with adjacent sides of the longitudinally bent side parts, means for holding the first and second frames (20, 50) in the superposed position, _t the a pair of longitudinally bent connecting members (40) each of which has a side wall (40A) adjacent the outer surfaces of the frame side panels, and upper and lower flanges that extend inwardly from the top and bottom edges of the side wall and the lower surface and the upper surface of the frame side panels, respectively lying next to each other, -85- 109831/0269 Means for attaching the connecting links to the first and second frame side parts, an inner one Link (13) between the frame side parts upper and lower parts (I5 A, I5 F) and one End part (Ij5 D) in the space between the frame end parts lie while the means of contact are in openings ^ in the sides of the inner limbs extend between the upper and lower parts, and resilient means (l4 A, 14 B), the between the end parts (I3 D) of the inner link and the frame end parts clamped sLucfc and this push apart. 9. Expandable member according to claim 8, characterized in that each connecting element (4o) has a pair of inner flanges, one of which extends downward from the upper flange (40 D) and the other extends upward from the lower flange (40C) and both inner flanges of the inner surface the first and second frame parts adjacent are. 10. Expandable member according to claim 8, characterized - 26 109831/02 69 characterized in that the means for securing the connectors is a film of solder. 11. Extensible member according to claim 8, characterized
characterized in that the means for securing the connecting links are welding means. 12, expandable member according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for fastening mechanical Are kind. 15. Extensible member according to claim -8, characterized characterized in that the link has a substantially C-shaped cross-section. 14. Expandable member according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting member is made of ornamental designed material consists. 15. Expandable member according to claim 8, characterized in that the resilient means is a Z-spring are. - 27 - 10 9 8 3 1/0269 16. Stretchable member according to claim 8, characterized in that an ornamentally designed Cap (1-5) placed between the frame side parts and on the upper part of the inner link is. 17 · Expandable member according to claim 8, thereby characterized in that a second outer, substantially rectangular frame with its end opposite the end of the first frame is set while the inner link has an extension with which it protrudes between the frame side parts of the second frame and has an end part, since £ lies in the space between the end parts of the second frame, and second resilient means are provided are located between the end portion of the extension of the inner link and one of the End portions of the second outer frame are clamped around the one frame end portion from the end portion of the To push off the extension of the inner limb, - 28 - 109831/0269 20353b. 18. Expandable member according to claim 17 * characterized by stop means on the inner member for limiting movement of one end portion of the outer frame from the end portion of the inner link and from the extension of the inner limb, 109831/0269 Blank page