EP0347405A2 - Band or strap element, especially a watch strap - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a band or strap element, especially a watch strap, having two covering layers which form the surfaces of the band, the longitudinal side edges being formed (bordered) as a cut edge or at least partially by at least one of the two covering layers. At least one eyelet is provided to receive a pin at at least one end of the band, by means of which pin the eyelet can be connected in the manner of a hinged joint to eyelets of a further element, for example of a watch housing in an articulated manner. Furthermore, a plurality of adjacent eyelets is provided, the bore holes of which are arranged on one axis and at least one recess is provided between the eyelets, the length of which recess is greater than the distance between the end of the band and the axis of the bore hole. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a strap or belt-shaped component, in particular a watch strap with two cover layers, which form the surfaces of the strap, the longitudinal side edges being cut or at least partially formed (remborded) by at least one of the two cover layers, and with at least one on at least one End of the band provided eyelet for receiving a pin with which the eyelet can be hingedly connected to the eyelets of another component, for example a watch case.

From EP-A-97 638 a multi-layer watch strap is known which is provided with an upper and lower cover layer and an intermediate layer arranged between them. The intermediate layer is to be produced by introducing dough or liquid plastic. It is provided that an opening is formed in an end region of the band in this intermediate layer, and the two ends of the cover layer end in the region of these openings and the end edges of these ends of the cover layer are embedded in the plastic. In this embodiment, the side edges of the tapes produced in this way consist of the material of the intermediate layer, so that the multilayer structure of these tapes is immediately apparent from the outside.

EP-A-199 708 describes a method and a watch band in which one of the two surfaces and the side edges connecting these surfaces to the opposite further surface are predominantly made from a cover layer. The further cover layer or an intermediate layer arranged between the cover layer and the further cover layer should be made of a plastic material which is in liquid or pasty shape is applied to the cover layer or the cover layers. It is also envisaged to give the plastic cover layer or intermediate layer a shape which, when an end part is turned over by 180 ° to 270 °, results in an opening in an end region of the band, so that this end part has a bearing pin which is fixed in a watch case looped around and then the end part of the tape can be connected to the intermediate layer or the further cover layer.

A watch strap is also described in DE-AS 29 49 044, which has an opening in the end region for receiving a bearing pin.

US Pat. No. 3,962,013 describes a method for producing a bearing device in the end region of a multilayer band, in particular a watch band, in which a core made of the special material is to be used to hold the core after the hole in the bearing device has been drilled a carrying bolt of the watch case can be easily removed from the hole. The bearing device can be produced by inserting a tubular sleeve or by inserting plastic into a specially designed mold that includes the ends of the cover layers.

Furthermore, it is already known (US-AS 3 578 208) for fastening straps, in particular to bearing bolts fixedly arranged in these watch cases, to use elastic sleeves in the radial direction, which are pressed onto the bearing bolts and snap around them, so that the strap can be rotated is attached to the bearing pin. For a better connection of this elastic sleeve to the band, it is also provided there to connect this sleeve to an intermediate layer or a reinforcing fabric designed as an intermediate layer, so that the bearing point between the band and the watch case has a higher pull-out strength is achieved.

In the case of known solutions, it was very difficult, especially when elastic cover layers, for example consisting of leather or leather-like material or thin, highly elastic plastic films, were used to produce recesses in the end region of the belt which were precisely aligned with the course of the bore of the bearing device after the belt had been finished. The object of the invention is to provide an improved band-shaped or belt-shaped component which in particular does not have the disadvantages described.

The component according to the invention is characterized in that at least two adjacent eyelets are provided, the bores of which are arranged coaxially and in that at least one recess is provided between the eyelets, which has a length which is greater than the distance between the end of the band and the Axis of the hole.

To produce the component according to the invention, one can proceed in such a way that at least one recess between the eyelets on the finished strip, i.e. after the two cover layers and optionally the intermediate layers have been connected to one another, by removing material in the region of the recesses between the eyelets.

Details and features of the component according to the invention and its manufacturing method are explained below and the advantages achieved are described.

In particular, in the method according to the invention for producing a multilayer component, in particular a watch band with cover layers, which are assigned to the two surfaces and, if appropriate, the side edges connecting them, the procedure is as follows:

Two cover layers are produced and, if appropriate, connected with the interposition of an intermediate layer, whereupon an opening is made in one end region of the band and a slot which extends from this end region in the direction of an opposite end region of the band and which has a length which is greater than one Diameter of the opening in one end area of the band. These openings of the band are designed as a bearing device for a support bolt. Thereupon, several recesses are made from the end region receiving the bearing device in the direction of the opposite end region and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the band, which have a length that is greater than a distance between an end face of the band and an axis of rotation of a bearing device plus a radius of the support bolt.

The surprising advantage of this solution lies in the fact that the production of the recesses or slots, simultaneously or in alignment with the bore of the bearing device, creates exact guide surfaces which enables the belt to be rotated relative to an object supporting the supporting bolt without constraints. On the other hand, this means that the bearing pin can be held in the projections that engage in the recesses or slots with exact dimensions. This enables the contact surfaces between the projections and the support bolts to be used as clamping surfaces for the same, so that the frictional resistance between the support bolt and the object supporting the latter is sufficient even with smaller contact surfaces, and a firm fit of the support bolt in the object over a long period of use ensure. Surprisingly, it is now possible in a manufacturing method for tapes to work with very small tolerances between the recesses and the projections of the object assigned to them, so that the arrangement of a cover layer in the region of the side edges of the recesses can be omitted. since the precise guidance and the small tolerances mean that the front edges are not visible to a user of such an object.

The adjacent slots can in particular be produced in succession by milling and / or punching and / or cutting.

Through the subsequent production of the slots, the tool and / or the band can be aligned with reference to the bore in the bearing device, so that a perpendicular course of the side edges of the recesses or slots to the bore and thus to the support bolt is ensured.

The cover layer and / or the intermediate layer can be connected to a bearing housing of the bearing device, in which a bore is provided for the support bolt.

This ensures that, even after completion of the band under heavy loads, there can be no displacement of the bearing device or the bearing housing relative to the band.

The bearing housing can be produced together with the production of the further cover layer and, in particular, connected to it in one piece.

As a result, the manufacturing process of the tape can be simplified and at the same time a very resistant, heavily used tape is achieved.

The bearing housing can be produced together, in particular in one piece, with a support body protruding beyond its outer shape, the support body preferably ver using an adhesive layer with the cover layer, the further cover layer and optionally the intermediate layer is bound.

This makes it possible to use a series-produced bearing housing for different types of tapes, with a correspondingly large connecting area between the bearing housing and the cover layers and, if appropriate, the intermediate layer being able to be produced via the support body, so that a high pull-out strength of the bearing housing in the band is achieved .

It is possible to manufacture the bearing housing, the bore and the support body in a mold made from doughy or liquid plastic, which is injected into the mold after the insertion of at least one cover layer and, if appropriate, an intermediate layer, the support body being positively connected to the two cover layers .

This procedure advantageously introduces the force acting on the bearing housing over the entire width of the belt, thereby avoiding notch effects and, due to the large connecting area between the plastic parts connected to the bearing housing and the cover layers, high tensile strength against detachment of the cover layers from Bearing housing or plastic carrier body connected to this is avoided.

Furthermore, two cover layers of different lengths can be produced and, if necessary, connected with one another with the interposition of an intermediate layer in such a way that one of the two cover layers projects beyond the further cover layer in the longitudinal direction of the strip by an end part which is provided with a connection layer which can be hardened under pressure and / or temperature. However, it is also possible for the end part of the band inserted into a holding mold to be closely adjacent to an end edge of the further cover layer or the intermediate layer the tubular bearing housing forming the bearing device is positioned, whereupon the protruding end part is turned about 180 ° to 270 ° in the direction of the further cover layer and activated under pressure and / or temperature, a connecting layer and thereby the end part with one of the tops facing away from the other Top layer is connected. Thereupon, recesses can be made from the front end receiving the tubular bearing housing in the direction of the opposite end end of the band parallel to the longitudinal direction of the band, which have a length that is greater than an outer diameter of the tubular bearing housing.

By using a tubular bearing housing, it is now possible, even in the case of multilayer tapes produced in a conventional manner, to position a hole for a support pin exactly relative to the tape, the production of exact side edges of the recesses being made possible in a surprisingly simple manner by the fact that the Bearing housing has a higher resistance to deformation than the cover layers alone, so that there is a smooth and precise cutting of the cover layers, which enables the production of recesses perpendicular to the bore of the bearing housing in a simple manner. The areas laterally delimiting the recesses are also level in this way, i.e. obtained without recesses or protrusions. The tubular bearing housing is advantageously pushed onto a mandrel and positioned with the mandrel on the end part. By using a mandrel, bearing housings cut to the desired dimensions can be used, and the same can still be correctly positioned relative to the band.

The bearing device is arranged, for example, from several in the longitudinal direction of the opening one behind the other Pipe parts are produced which are connected to one another by spacers running parallel to the longitudinal direction at a distance corresponding approximately to the width of the slots.

These measures enable the shear effect to be exploited when cutting the cover layers using the pipe parts. However, since the pipe parts are not separated, there is hardly any deformation force on them, and deformations of the bore inside the pipe parts forming the bearing device can be prevented. However, the use of the connecting members simplifies the positioning of the individual pipe parts and, at the same time as the recesses are made, these connecting members are separated from them without the pipe parts being adversely affected.

The bearing device with a plurality of tubular parts can be positioned in such a way that belt parts between the slots are assigned to the tubular parts and the connecting members face the cover film facing away from the punching direction. Due to the special alignment of the connecting links, the lower cover layer is additionally tightened again before cutting when the recesses are being made, so that an exact straight cut can be achieved.

It is advisable to connect the pipe parts in the region of their outer circumference to a support body which has a width which is less than a width of the band and a length which is greater than a distance between the longitudinal axis of the in the bearing device and one Front wall of the slots.

By connecting the pipe parts to the support body, the arrangement of additional connecting links can be dispensed with, their exact positioning nevertheless being fixed is placed, and the proper mounting of the pipe parts can also be improved over a longer period of use with heavy use due to the larger connecting surface between the support body and the cover layers or the intermediate layer.

The adjacent slots can be made in succession by milling and / or punching and / or cutting. By this measure it is achieved that support cores or calibers can be shifted gradually in the manufacture of the individual recesses or slots in the bore of the pipe parts or the bearing housing, so that even with a strong compressive force in the course of punching or cutting out the recesses Holes cannot be deformed.

The end part of the one cover layer in one embodiment variant is advantageously produced as a development in a configuration corresponding to the finished strip and with recesses corresponding to the slots, whereupon the storage device consisting of several pipe parts is inserted and the end part is then turned over and glued to the other cover layer.

Such a procedure means that subsequent treatment of the bearing device or punching operation and thus damage to the surfaces can be eliminated from the outset.

The individual pipe parts are arranged, for example, at a distance approximately corresponding to the width of the slot from one another on a tubular mandrel and positioned on the belt with the tubular mandrel, whereupon after the end part is turned over and connected to the cover layer, the mandrel is pulled out of the pipe parts. These measures make it possible in a simple form to position pipe parts for different widths of recesses or slots, since this only corresponds are to be cut to length.

The pipe parts can be positioned on the mandrel via stops and held on the mandrel by negative pressure or by means of spreading elements, whereupon the stops are removed and the pipe parts with the mandrel are positioned on the end part.

This ensures that even with larger external forces acting on the pipe parts, they maintain their exact position. In addition, it is also possible with these measures, if the bearing housing is produced by a plastic in the course of an injection molding or pressing process, such tube parts can be used, for example, in order to obtain correspondingly good frictional forces.

The tubular parts and / or the tubular bearing housing are connected in one piece to the intermediate layer on the outer circumference thereof. Through the direct connection of the pipe parts or the tubular bearing housing with the intermediate layer, the manipulation of the same and their exact positioning relative to the band is further improved.

At both ends of an intermediate layer, for example, a tubular bearing housing or a tubular part is integrally formed or connected to it in a force-locking manner. By producing such an intermediate layer, the same advantages that are achieved when articulating the band on the object can also be used, for example, for a fastening device such as a buckle arrangement or the like.

Furthermore, an outer surface of the tubular bearing housing or the tube parts can be arranged tangentially to the support body or the intermediate layer and a surface facing away from the tubular sleeve or the tube parts the support body or the intermediate layer are placed on the cover layer connected to the end part.

As a result, a smooth, continuous surface can be achieved on one side of the band up to the region of the bearing device, and an overloading in the transition region between the tubular housing or the tube parts and the rest of the band by means of the connection to the support body or the intermediate layer accordingly stable training can be prevented. This can also compensate for the buckling load due to the eccentric arrangement of the bore of the bearing housing with respect to a central plane of the belt.

Preferably, the upper and lower cover layers are joined together in the area of their side edges and end edges and enclose a cavity and the end part is wrapped around a mandrel and motionally connected to the other cover layer, whereupon the tape is placed in a mold and the cover layers are vacuumed on mold walls are sucked in, and then a mold core is positioned in the region of the end part between an inside of the end part and the end edge of the further cover layer facing it, whereupon a doughy or liquid plastic is injected into the cavity and between the mold core and the end part, in particular from the end part. whereupon the tape is removed from the mold, if necessary after pulling the mandrel.

These measures make it possible to produce a sack-like envelope into which a liquid or plastic plastic can be injected as an intermediate layer, with which the bearing device can also be produced in one piece in this intermediate layer. As a result, a stable construction of a strip can be produced with a few process steps, which can also be heavily used in the area of the bearing device.

To turn over the end part, for example, a rod material with a cylindrical cross section as a lost core is placed on the end part. The end part is then turned over, a diameter of this core being larger than a diameter of a bore in the bearing device, after which the recesses are punched out and the remaining core parts are then ejected, whereupon the band is positioned in the mold and the bearing device is inserted or manufactured.

By means of such a method it is achieved in a surprisingly simple manner that the cover layers of the band can be finished without the bearing device having to be produced. Thereafter, it is possible in a simple manner, for example by using a plurality of tubular parts spaced apart by connecting elements, to insert these into the remaining opening in the end region of the band without stress by a cutting or punching process, or it is possible in a simple manner to insert the liquid plastic as an intermediate layer inject the tape and manufacture the bearing device.

The component, in particular the watch strap, with two cover layers that form the surfaces of the strap and these two connecting side edges, which are formed at least in part from one or both of the cover layers, can, according to the invention, have a plurality of layers running parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strap, of which the End region provided opening have recesses extending in the direction of an opposite end region, which have a length which is greater than a distance between the front end of the band and an axis of rotation of a bearing device and that a bearing device for the support pin is arranged in the opening.

Due to the spaced apart bearings, a uniform distribution of the forces to be transmitted from the belt to the object is achieved, so that stel overloads can be avoided.

An intermediate layer is optionally arranged between the two cover layers, which is connected to a bearing housing of the bearing device, in which a bore for a support bolt is arranged.

By connecting the bearing device to the intermediate layer, a displacement and displacement of the bearing device relative to the cover layers and thus an overloading of the cover layer spanning the bearing device in the end region of the belt can be prevented.

The bearing housing is preferably connected in one piece to the further cover layer, which can be connected to the cover layer in a form-fitting manner by spraying or foaming.

The entire stresses on the tape are absorbed by the further cover layer, so that materials which are not particularly mechanically stressable, such as thin leather or metal foils or fabric layers or the like, can also be used for the cover layer serving as the visible surface.

The bearing housing can be connected in one piece to the supporting body. The support body can be connected to the cover layer of the further cover layer and optionally the intermediate layer via an adhesive layer.

Due to the design of the support body, correspondingly large connecting areas can be achieved between the cover layers and the support body, the accuracy of the bore or of the recesses running perpendicular to it being able to be produced precisely and being highly resilient.

In one embodiment, the end portion wraps around the deck layer the bearing housing and is connected to the surface of the further cover layer facing away from the cover layer, in particular via an adhesive layer. A continuous tension band is thereby achieved, which enables the bearing device to be supported well in the band.

The bearing device is preferably formed by a tubular housing, e.g. formed an extruded plastic tube. By using a correspondingly resistant material for the tubular bearing housing, a fiber-free smooth separation can be achieved when using cover layers wrapping around the bearing housing.

In one exemplary embodiment, a modulus of elasticity of the tubular bearing housing is lower than an elastic modulus of the cover layer. The higher rigidity of the tubular bearing housing creates an abutment for the cutting or punching tool, which enables the cover layer to be cut without warping and the tubular bearing housing to be severed thereafter.

The tubular bearing housing can consist of a plurality of tubular parts arranged one behind the other, which are connected via connecting links running parallel to the longitudinal direction thereof and having a length which corresponds approximately to a width of the recesses.

In this case, the pipe parts form an abutment to the cutting edge of the cutting or punching tools. However, it is not necessary to punch or cut the pipe parts themselves, so that the pressure loads acting on the pipe part are lower and, above all, deformation of the bore is avoided.

The connecting links can be arranged between the pipe parts arranged one behind the other from the punching device facing cover film. As a result, the compressive force required to sever the connecting links cannot adversely affect the bore.

The tubular parts are preferably connected on the outer circumference to the intermediate layer and / or the support body. As a result, the arrangement of additional connecting members for positioning the pipe parts in their longitudinal direction can be saved.

The support body and / or the intermediate layer can be arranged tangentially to the outer surface of the tubular bearing housing or the tube parts. As a result, when using cover foils, a smooth transition between the bearing device and the regions of the belt adjoining it can be achieved.

Further details and features of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description, in which reference is made to the drawings.

1 shows an injection molding machine for the production of watch straps, FIG. 2 details of the machine from FIG. 1, FIGS. 3 to 6 embodiments of watch straps in a view and in section, FIG. 7 shows a procedure for the production of a watch strap, FIG. 8 an embodiment of a bearing housing, FIGS. 9 and 10 embodiments of watch bands and FIGS. 11 and 12 in different views an embodiment of the shape for the production of watch bands.

An injection molding machine 1 for plastic is shown in FIG. This consists of a machine body 2 on which an injection unit 3, a mold clamping unit 4, a hydraulic supply and control device 5 and a mold 6 are arranged. The injection unit comprises a storage container 7 for the raw material which is usually present in powder form or in the form of granules and which a screw 8 is brought into a doughy liquid state. The mold 6 consists of a lower part 9, which is, for example, fixedly attached to the machine body 2, and an upper part 10 which can be moved vertically with the mold closing unit 4 relative to the lower part 9. The plastic material is transferred from the screw 8 to the mold 6 via a spray head 11 brought in. If the lower part 9 of the mold 6 is built on a mold changer, the injection unit 3 can be designed to be adjustable parallel to a longitudinal axis in order to bring the injection head 11 into or out of engagement with the mold 6. The form 6 is also assigned an insertion device 12, which can also be attached to the machine body 2.

In Figure 2, the form 6 is shown on a larger scale. From this illustration, the mold cavity 13 or 14 contained in the lower part 9 and in the upper part 10 of the mold 6 can be seen better. In the mold cavity 13 there is a cover layer 15 for producing a tape 16. The cover layer 15 can be made of a thin film, for example made of plastic, leather or leather-like material, a knitted fabric or mesh or a pressed fiber layer made of any natural or synthetic material, for example made of iron. or non-ferrous metals, natural or synthetic fibers or the like. consist. This cover layer 15 bears against a base surface 17 and over part of the height of side surfaces 18 of the mold cavity 13. In order to allow a full contact of the cover layer 15, suction openings 19 are arranged in the base surface 17, which are connected to suction lines 20. By evacuating the suction lines 20, a negative pressure is generated in the area of the base surface 17, with which the cover layer consisting of a film, which can usually have a thickness between 0.05 and 4 mm, is applied to the base surface 17 without play. Subsequently, the remaining parts of the cover layer 15 in the region of the side surfaces 18 are connected to the side surfaces 18 without play via suction openings 21 which are connected to a suction line 22 of the lower part 9 of the form 6. The cover layer 15 is thus placed in a desired spatial position corresponding to the band 16 to be produced and can also be held in this position under high pressure when the plastic flows in.

The insertion of this cover layer 15 can, as further shown schematically, take place with the insertion device 12 in such a way that it has an insertion stamp 23 which is smaller in its outer dimensions by more than a thickness 24 of the cover layer 15 than the corresponding outer dimensions of the mold cavity 13 in Lower part 9 of the form 6. On the insertion die 23, the cover layer 15 is held by means of suction openings 25, which are schematically indicated and which are connected to suction lines 20, 22, by means of negative pressure in a form approximately corresponding to the final form of the band 16. This spatial deformation of the film can take place, for example, in that a cover layer 15 is sucked in from a stack of cover layers by generating a negative pressure with the suction openings 25, whereupon the cover layer 15 is inserted into a teaching device 26 with a protrusion hanging away to the side, in which the over a base area 27 of the insertion die 23 projecting parts of the cover layer 15 are applied to the side walls 28 thereof. In order to enable this application without play and without creases, it can be supported by the suction effect via the suction openings 25 in the side walls 28. The cover layer 15 in its positioned shape is shown on the insertion die 23 in the position immediately before lowering into the mold cavity 13 of the lower part 9 of the mold 6. The upper part 10 with the mold cavity 14 is in its raised position also shown in FIG. 1. The insertion die 23 is then lowered, whereupon the cover layer 15 is applied to the mold surface of the mold cavity 13 in the manner already described above. The insertion punch 23 is then brought out of the closing area of the mold 6, for which purpose it is correspondingly positioned on the double arrow 29 relative to the mold 6 is adjustable.

Then the upper part 10 of the mold 6 is lowered in accordance with a double arrow 30 until it rests on the lower part 9. Of course, the transition and sealing surfaces between the lower part 9 and the upper part 10 of the mold can be designed in several stages or in any other manner according to the prior art. The transition area between the lower part 9 and upper part 10 of the form 6 has only been shown in a simplified and schematic manner in order not to impede the clarity of the drawing. Furthermore, for a better understanding of the sequence of the insertion process or the positioning of the cover layer 15, the size ratios, in particular the thickness and width of the cover layer 15, have been greatly scaled in relation to the other parts of the mold 6 and the insertion device 12.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a band 16 of the type that could be produced, for example, using the mold 6 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the method described. This band 16 has a cover layer 15 which can be positioned in the mold 6 in the manner described above. Another cover layer 31 is produced together with a bearing device 32, as indicated, for example, by the hatching in FIG. 2, from a plastic 33 in one operation in the form 6. Of course, as indicated by dashed lines, it is also possible to insert a further cover layer 34 into the mold cavity 14, in which case the plastic 33 then only forms the bearing device 32 and an intermediate layer between the two cover layers 15 and 34. The bearing device is formed by a cylinder section 35, in which a bore 36 for a supporting bolt 37 is arranged concentrically. The bearing device 32 is further provided with recesses 38, 39 which extend parallel to a length 40 of the band 16 and a length 40 have, which is greater than a distance 41 between a side edge and a center of the bore 36 plus half of a diameter 42 of the bore 36. The recess has a circular cross-section. As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 3, the recesses 38, 39 are assigned projections 43, 44 of an object 45 to be connected to the band 16, for example a watch case. In these projections 43, 44 receiving bores 46 are arranged, which have the same diameter 47 as the bore 36 or a slightly smaller diameter, so that the support pin 37 is held in the manner of a clamp fit in these receiving bores 46. A width 48 of the recess 38, 39 is approximately the same size as a width 49 of the projections 44. At the same time, the recesses 38 ensure that the side flanks 50 facing them are also guided on the longitudinal side faces 51 of the recesses 38.

As a result, it is now possible for a band 16 provided with a cover layer 15 to connect it to an object 45 via a bearing device 52 designed in the manner of a hinge joint, as a result of which the stresses, especially the tensile stresses exerted by the band 16 e.g. can be exercised on the housing of a watch, can be distributed evenly over several locations of the supporting bolt 37, so that a high pull-out strength of the projections 43, 44 in the object 45 is achieved.

Another advantage of producing the bearing device 32 from plastic in a mold 6 is that the cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal side surface 51 can be adapted approximately to the design of the side flanks or can be made completely smooth. This enables the tape 16 to be guided in the object with almost no play, as a result of which unpleasant relative movements between the object 45 and the tape 16 can be avoided.

Another embodiment of a band 16 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in which a bearing device 52 is formed by a tubular bearing housing 53. This tubular bearing housing 53 is wrapped around by an end part 54, a cover layer 55, which is produced as a flat band, as is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 6. As can be seen from this illustration, the cover layer 55 not only forms a surface 56 in the band 16, but also comprises side edges 57 of the band 16.

The tubular bearing housing 53 is placed on the cover layer 55 during the production of the band 16, it being possible for this on the cover layer, in particular in the region of the end part 54, to be coated with a connecting layer 58 which can be activated under the action of pressure and temperature and thus after the material has been turned over End part 54 in the position shown in full lines in Figure 6 creates a positive connection between the tubular bearing housing 53 and the band 16. It is furthermore also possible to provide this connecting layer with a blowing agent which becomes effective under pressure and temperature, so that there is foaming of the connecting layer 58, which also fills a cavity 59 between the cover layer 55 and the end part 54. After inserting the tubular bearing housing 53, recesses 38, 39 are produced in a band 16, which have a length 40 which corresponds to an outer diameter 60 of the tubular bearing housing 53 plus a thickness 61 of the cover layer 55 in the looping area of the tubular bearing housing 53. An inner diameter 62 of the tubular bearing housing 53 essentially corresponds to an outer diameter 63 of a support bolt 37.

The tubular bearing housing 53 can consist of an extruded tube, wherein a resistance to deformation of the extruded plastic tube is higher than one Resistance to deformation of the cover layer 55. The higher rigidity against deformation prevents an undesirable change in the bore 36 in the tubular bearing housing 53 when punching out or cutting or milling out the recesses 38, 39, so that when the band 16 is assembled or when the band 16 is connected with an object over the support pin 37, a smooth insertion of this support pin 37 is possible. Furthermore, it has been found, in a surprisingly advantageous manner, that by using a tubular bearing housing 53 with a higher rigidity than the cover layer 15, the remaining parts of the extruded hose or tube act as a shearing or cutting edge for the cover layer 55, which results in a smooth Cutting the same without unraveling the edge is possible. Plastics with good sliding properties are preferably used for the tubular bearing housing 53, so that the resistance when the band 16 is rotated relative to the support bolt 37 can be kept low.

FIG. 7 describes the method according to the invention for producing a band 16 using a tubular bearing housing 53 in more detail. In order to better illustrate the layer structure of the band 16, that part of the cover layer 55 which surrounds the side edges 57 of the band has been omitted. The cover layer 55 comprises an end portion 54 which is wrapped around the tubular bearing housing 53. The cover layer 55 is connected to an intermediate layer 65 in a non-positive and positive manner via an adhesive layer 64. This in turn is connected to a further cover layer 66 via a further adhesive layer 64. A surface 67 of the cover layer 66 facing away from a surface 56 of the cover layer 55 is connected to the end part 54 in a non-positive and positive manner via an adhesive layer 64. The tubular bearing housing 53 is also fixed in position in the band 16 by means of this adhesive layer 64 in the region of the end part 54. The tape 16 is for gluing or foaming or fixing of the tubular bearing housing 53 with an injected plastic is inserted into a holding mold 68, and is centered in this holding mold 68 if necessary by guide pins 69. After the end part 54 has been knocked around the tubular bearing housing 53, press rams 70 can be placed on the surface 56 of the band 16 and a corresponding compressive force can be exerted on the band 16 with these. At the same time, it is possible to heat the holding mold 68 by means of schematically indicated heating rods 71, so that there is a reaction of the adhesive layer 64, ie the adhesive becomes liquid, or the blowing agent contained in the adhesive is activated by the pressure and temperature effect, so that the plastic material foams and the tubular bearing housing 53 is connected to the end part 54 and the end part 54 to the cover layer 66 in the region of the surface 67 in a non-positive and positive manner via this plastic material.

Subsequent to this connection process, which may also take place in a shape other than that shown in the holding mold 68 shown, it is also possible to place the band with the surface 56 on an underside of a holding mold and the end part 54 upwards around the tubular Knock around bearing housing 53, the band 16 can be inserted into the holding mold 68 shown. After pressing dies 70 or holding dies have been lowered, punching tools 72 can be lowered, with which those parts of the cover layer 55 and the tubular bearing housing which are in the region of a recess 39 can be released or punched out. Of course, it is also possible that instead of the punch 72 shown, corresponding cutting tools or milling tools, for example also laser beam cutting systems or the like, can be used. It is also possible, inter alia, for the individual punching tools to be used successively for punching out the recesses 38, 39, but it is also possible to use a punch, with which all recesses are made at the same time.

Another embodiment variant of the bearing device 52 for a belt 16 is shown in FIG. The bearing device 52 in this case consists of a plurality of tubular parts 73, 74, 75 which are held at a distance from one another by means of connecting members 76 in the direction of a longitudinal axis 77. A distance 78 between the individual tube parts 73, 74 or 74 and 75 essentially corresponds to a width 79 of punching tools 72, this width 79 also corresponding to a width of recesses 38 and 39 at the same time. The bearing device 52 is connected to the tape in such a way that the connecting members 76 face the end part 54 of the cover layer 55 and thus above all the cover layer furthest away from the punching tools 72 or the end part 54 of the cover layer 55. The advantage that can be achieved by designing the bearing device 52 in this way is that edges 80 can serve as shear edges for cutting through the cover layer 55 in cooperation with the punch 72, but by eliminating a pressure load or deformation of the bearing device 52 the cross section of the bore 36 is not changed. The connecting member 76 ensures that the individual pipe parts 73 to 75 are positioned in the desired position in the band 16, their cutting through not having any negative effects on the cross section or the course of the bore 36, since the cutting action between the punch 72 and this connecting member 76 only comes into effect after the bore 36 has passed through the punch 72.

Of course, it is also possible in this case to insert a guide mandrel 81 into the bore 36 during the stamping process - at least over the length of the tube parts 76 or 75 - in order to ensure an exact positioning of the bore 36 relative to the stamping tools.

At the same time, this guide mandrel 81 can also be used for this. to prevent undesirable deformation of the bore 86 by ram 70 or the like. with which the band 16 is held, for example, in the holding form. Furthermore, it is also possible, for the positioning of the tube parts 73 to 75, to provide the tube parts 73 and 75 with projections 82 projecting beyond the desired width of the band 16 — shown in dash-dot lines — in order to position the band 16 exactly in a holding mold 68. The advantage is that the surplus part of the pipe part 73 or 75 is removed with the punching tools 72, u. at a time when it is no longer necessary to fix the band in the holding mold 68.

The holding mold 68 and the press rams 70 are not shown for a better understanding of the embodiment of the band 16, but can be designed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows how the bearing device 52 can be positioned in the belt 16. The tubular bearing housing 53 is placed on the side of the cover layer 55, which is coated with a connecting layer 58, facing away from that surface 56, which usually forms a visible side of the band 16. The tubular bearing housing 53 is arranged closely adjacent end edges 83, an intermediate layer 65 and a further cover layer 66. The end part 54 of the cover layer 55 protruding over these end edges 83 is turned around the bearing housing by an angle greater than 180 °, as shown with dashed lines, and is connected to the surface 67 of the further cover layer 66 facing away from the surface 56 via the connecting layer 58.

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the bearing device 52 in the end region of a band 16. As described above with reference to Figure 9 - it will be for same parts also use the same reference numerals as in FIG. 9 - a protruding end part 54 of the cover layer 55 is wrapped around a tubular bearing housing 53. However, the tubular bearing housing 53 is connected to a support body 84 projecting in the direction of an intermediate layer 65. This support body 84 extends parallel to the tubular bearing housing 53 in a sword-like manner, with a bearing surface facing the cover layer 55 extending tangentially to the tubular bearing housing 53. An upper side 86 of the supporting body facing the intermediate layer 65 or a further cover layer 66 can run at an angle to the contact surface 85. However, it is also possible for the support body 84 to form the entire intermediate layer 65 or to have the same thickness as the intermediate layer 65, and for a transition point between the support body 84 and the intermediate layer 65 to be located in a region distant from the bore 36.

In the present exemplary embodiment it is indicated that a further cover layer 66 can be arranged on the intermediate layer 65, which is connected to the end part 54 of the cover layer 55. In addition, however, the end part 54 can also be connected to the intermediate layer 65, and the band 16 can also be produced without an intermediate layer 65 and with the further cover layer 66.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a mold 87 consisting of an upper part 10 and a lower part 9. A band 16 can be produced in this form 87, the form of production of this band also being described on the basis of this form 87.

For example, a strip blank made of a cover layer 55 and a further cover layer 66 is inserted into the mold 87, the cover layer 55 forming a surface 56 and side edges 57 of the strip 16. Furthermore, this cover layer 55 is vice versa beat and connected to the further cover layer 66, for example via an adhesive layer 88 to form a shell. In the individual mold surfaces of the lower part 9 and the upper part 10 of the mold 87, suction openings 19, of which only a few are indicated schematically, are provided, with which the cover layer 55 or the further cover layer 66 can be applied to the mold surfaces without play.

As can now be seen better from FIG. 12, the end part 54 has already been turned over in this prefabricated band. However, no storage device is yet provided, since the plastic 33 indicated by the hatching has not yet been introduced into the mold.

By sucking in the cover layers 55, 66 and the side edges 57, a cavity is created in the interior of the band 16, this cavity also being produced in the region of the folded-over end part 54. As was shown schematically by the cross-hatched areas in the lower part 9 and in the upper part 10 of the shape 87, a core 89 is provided in the region of the end part 54, which extends into the band to form the recesses 39 or between the ones next to the recesses remaining strip of tape engages. A core pin 90 also extends into the interior of the mold, with which the bore 36 can be produced in the region of the end part 54.

After the cover layers 55, 66 and the side edges 57 are sucked free of play onto the individual mold walls of the lower part 9 and the upper part 10 of the mold 87, the liquid or pasty plastic is usually introduced from the area of the end part 54 and now fills the interior of the band 16 between the two cover layers 55 and 66 and at the same time forms the bearing device 52 with the bore 36 arranged therein. The simultaneous production of the recesses by means of the cores 89 and the bore 36 by means of the core pin 90 ensures an exact alignment of these parts with respect to one another, so that correct operation or use is possible.

Of course, within the scope of the present invention and in connection with the method according to the invention, it is also possible to omit the end part 54 in a mold 87 during manufacture of the strips 16, so that the bearing device 52 forms the end part of the strip 16 and thus also the surface of the strip 16 Tape, as was shown for example with the tape in Figures 3 and 4. The advantage of this method, which is described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, is that the liquid or doughy plastic intensively bonds and adheres to the rough inside of the band 16, so that the cover layers 55 and 66 or the side edges 57 are detached subsequently can be prevented as far as possible even under heavy loads.

A belt according to the invention or manufactured according to the method according to the invention can also be used as a belt, e.g. Pants or skirt belts, as a carrier tape, for example for bags or suitcases, as braces or as a fastening strap or the like. Furthermore, however, it is also possible to produce objects designed according to the invention which have a configuration other than a band and in which the recesses and the supporting bolt can be used for connection to other parts. Above all, this applies to swiveling shift levers in switches or in gearboxes or adjusting levers for motor vehicle seats and the like.

Claims (19)

1. Band or belt-shaped component, in particular a watch with two cover layers which form the surfaces of the band, the longitudinal side edges being cut or at least partially formed (remborded) by at least one of the two cover layers, and with at least one at least one end of the band provided eyelet for receiving a pin with which the eyelet can be hingedly connected to the eyelets of another component, for example a watch case, characterized in that at least two eyelets lying next to one another are provided, the bores of which are arranged coaxially and that at least one recess between the eyelets is provided which has a length which is greater than the distance between the end of the band and the axis of the bore. 2. Tape according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one, preferably both cover layers consist of leather or leather-like material. 3. Tape according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one, but preferably both cover layers consist of plastic. 4. Band according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an intermediate layer is provided between the two cover layers, which is preferably connected in one piece to a bearing body from which the eyelets for receiving the connecting bolt are formed. 5. Tape according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that one of the two cover layers is wrapped around the bearing body forming the eyes, at least one slot being provided in the cover layer is aligned with the at least one recess between the eyelets. 6. Band according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the eyelets are formed by a plastic support body surrounded by the intermediate layer and at least one of the two cover layers, which has an approach which extends between the two cover layers. 7. Band according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the support body has an extending part between the cover layers, which is tapered and that the intermediate layer between the two cover layers is also tapered towards the eyelets. 8. Band according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that tubular inserts are provided in the intermediate layer or in the support body, which define the bores of the eyelets for receiving a connecting bolt. 9. Band according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tubular inserts have a greater stiffness than the material of the intermediate layer or the support body. 10.Band according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the eyelets are formed in one piece with one of the two cover layers, preferably with a cover layer made of plastic. 11.Band according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the modulus of elasticity of the tubular insert is smaller than the modulus of elasticity of the cover layer forming the eyelets or of the supporting body pers is. 12.Method for producing a strap, in particular a watch strap, according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one recess between the eyelets on the finished strap, i.e. after the two cover layers and optionally the intermediate layers have been connected to one another, by removing material in the region of the recesses between the eyelets. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that one removes material of the band also in the region of the two side edges of the band in order to give the two outer eyelets flat boundary surfaces on the outside. 14.The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that open slots are produced as recesses towards the ends of the band. 15.The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the recesses are produced by milling and / or punching and / or cutting. 16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the tubular inserts are pushed onto a common mandrel in the manufacture of the band in the region of the eyelets to be produced. 17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that one pushes several pipe parts onto the mandrel, a spacer being provided between adjacent pipe parts. 18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the spacer elements a little at least have the same width as the slot. 19.The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that adjacent recesses between the eyelets are produced one after the other.

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