GB2086975A - Buckle for watch bands - Google Patents

Abstract

A buckle for watch bands comprising a frame (4) connected to one of the watch bands (29), a hook (8) rotatably connected to the other watch band (26), and a clasping member (10) rotatably supported on the hook. The hook (8) is adapted to be engaged with the adjacent engaging pin (15) provided on the frame (4). The clasping member (10) has a grasping end (30) adapted to be engaged with a pin (13) provided on the frame over the hook (8) when the hook is engaged with the respective engaging pin (15). The hook (8) is adapted to be rotated together with the clasping member (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Buckle for watch bands The present invention relates to a buckle for watch bands.

There is a buckle for connecting watch bands, which comprises an engaging member connected to one of the watch bands, a clasping member rotatably supported on an end of the other band, and a hook also rotatably attached to the end of the other band. The hook is engaged with an engaging pin provided in the engaging member and then the clasping member is engaged with another engaging pin over the hook, so that both bands are connected with each other. This type of the buckle has an advantage that the connecting operation is easy.

However, since the buckle must be made in such a construction as to permit the sequential engagement of the hook and clasping member with pins, the structure of the hinge portion for hook and clasping member becomes complicated.

Further, a large lateral dimension (width) of the buckle is necessary to construct the hinge portion.

Accordingly, such a buckle cannot be used for a lady's watch band which has a relatively small width.

According to the present invention, there is provided a buckle for watch bands comprising an engaging member for connection to an end of one of the watch bands, said engaging member comprising a frame and a pair of lateral engaging pins secured to said frame and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the band, a connecting member for securing to an end of the other watch band, a hook rotatably connected to said connecting member at a base end portion and adapted to be engaged with the adjacent one of said engaging pins, and a clasping member rotatably connected to said hook at a position adjacent to said base end portion, said clasping member having a grasping end adapted to be engaged with the other engaging pin over said hook when the hook is engaged with the respective engaging pin as aforesaid.

An advantage of the present invention is that it makes it possible to provide a buckle which has a relatively simple structure of the hinge portion for the hook and clasping member.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it makes it possible to provide a buckle having a width which may be decreased in accordance with the width of a lady's watch band.

Embodiments of the present invention will not be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a buckle according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a frame of an engaging member; Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a pressure plate; Fig. 4 is a development of a hook; Fig. 5 is a side view of the hook; Fig. 6 is a side view showing another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a frame of the same; Fig. 8 is a side view of the frame; Fig. 9 is a plan view of a hook; Fig. 10 is a side view of the hook; Fig. 11 is a plan view of a clasping member; and Fig. 12 is a side view of the clasping member.

Referring to Fig. 1, a buckle of the present invention comprises an engaging member 1, a clasp 2, and a connecting member 7 having a hinge. The engaging member 1 comprises a frame 4, a pressure plate 5, and a clamping member 6.

The clasp 2 comprises a hook 8 and a clasping member 10.

The frame 4, as shown in Fig. 2, comprises a pair of side plates 11, a bottom plate 1 2 and lateral engaging pins 13 and 15 and a shaft 14 provided between the side plates 11 and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the band.

The pressure plate 5 has a pair of arms 17 at opposite end portions thereof as shown in Fig. 3 and is rotatably mounted on the shaft 14 at the pair of arms 1 7.

The clamping member 6 comprises a rounded portion 16, a pressure applying edge 1 8 and end portions 1 9 and 20 which are separated from each other so as to permit the insertion of a tool such as a screwdriver or tweezers. The clamping member 6 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 14 between arms 1 7 of the pressure plate 5.

The connecting member 7 is secured to an end portion of a band 26 at a plate portion thereof by welding.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the hook 8 has a pair of ears 21 at opposite end portions of a base portion. Each of ears 21 has a hole 22 for a pin 25 and a hole 23 for a pin 28. The hook 8 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 7 by the pin 28.

The clasping member 10 comprises a grasping end 30 to be engaged with the pin 13 and a rounded portion 24. The rounded portion 24 is rotatably mounted on the pin 25 which is secured to the holes 22 of the ears 21.

The use of the buckle will be described hereinafter. The band 29 is inserted between the pressure plate 5 and the bottom plate 12 of the frame 4. At a proper position fitted for the wrist of the wearer, the clamping member 6 is rotated to the clamp position where the pressure applying edge 18 presses the pressure plate 5 against the band 29, so that the frame 4 is secured to the band (Fig. 1). Thereafter, the clasping member 10 is elevated together with the hook 8 so that the hook 8 may be rotated about the pin28 in the clockwise direction in Fig. 1. Under such an open condition, the hook 8 is engaged with the engaging pin 15, and then the clasping member 10 is rotated about the pin 25 and the grasping and 30 is engaged with the engaging pin 1 3.

Thus, the clasp 2 is engaged with the engaging member 1 as shown in Fig. 1.

In order to separate the buckle, operation is carried out in reverse order.

Referring to Fig. 6 showing another embodiment of the present invention, a buckle comprises an engaging member 39, a hook 34, and a clasping member 35. The engaging member 39 comprises a frame 31 and lateral engaging pins 32 and 33.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the frame 31 comprises a bottom plate and a pair of side plates forming a U-shaped cross section. Each of side plates has a pair of holes 36 and 37 for securing engaging pins 32 and 33 and a bend end forming a connecting portion 38. In place of providing the connecting portion 38, an engaging pin such as pins 32 and 33 can be employed.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10. the hook 34 has a pair of ears 40. Each of ears 40 has a hole 41 and an extended portion to form a stopper portion 42.

The end portion of the stopper portion 42 is inwardly bent to form a connecting portion 43. A pin 44 is engaged with both holes 41.

Referring to Figs, 11 and 12, the clasping member 35 comprises a grasping end 50 to be engaged with the pin 32, shoulder portions 45 and a rounded portion 46 rotatably mounted on the pin 44 of the hook 34. When the clasping member 35 is upwardly rotated up to a degree near the end of the rotation, shoulder portions 45 engage with stopper portions 42 of the hook 34 (Fig. 6), and the hook 34 may also be rotated about the connecting portions 43.

A connecting member 47 is secured to an end of a band 52 and rotatably connected to connecting portions 38 of the frame 31 at a rounded portion thereof. Another connecting member 54 is secured to an end of another band 56 and rotatably connected to connecting portions 43 of the hook 34 at a rounded portion thereof.

Describing the use of the buckle, the clasping member 35 is rotated about the pin 44 and the hook 34 is also rotated about the connecting portions 43 by the engagement between shoulder portions 45 and stopper portions 42. Then, the hook 34 is engaged with the pin 33 and the clasping member 35 is downwardly rotated about the pin 44 to engage the grasping end 50 with the pin 32.

In a conventional buckle, a hook corresponding to the hook 34 and a clasping member are rotatably mounted on one lateral pin secured to the connecting member 54. Therefore, the structures of the hinge portion and of the mechanism for rotating the hook together with the clasping member are so complicated that it is difficult to reduce the width of the buckle suitable for lady's watches.

In the present invention, the hook is rotatably supported on the connecting member and the clasping member is rotatably supported on the hook. Thus, the hook may be rotated by rotating the clasping member about a pivot for the hook.

Since, there are not special devices both ends of pivots for the hook and clasping member, the width of buckle may be reduced to a size of a lady's watch band. In addition, the hinge for the hook and clasping member has simple structure.

Claims (9)

1. A buckle for watch bands comprising an engaging member for connection to an end of one of the watch bands, said engaging member comprising a frame and a pair of lateral engaging pins secured to said frame and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the band, a connecting member for securing to an end of the other watch band, a hook rotatably connected to said connecting member at a base end portion and adapted to be engaged with the adjacent one of said engaging pins, and a clasping member rotatably connected to said hook at a position adjacent to said base end portion, said clasping member having a grasping end adapted to be engaged with the other engaging pin over said hook when the hook is engaged with the respective engaging pin as aforesaid.

2. A buckle for watch bands according to Claim 1 wherein said hook and clasping member have engaging portions which are engaged with each other when said clasping member is rotated up to a degree near the end of the rotational movement of the clasping member.

3. A buckle for watch bands according to Claim 1 wherein said hook has a pair of ears which are rotatably connected to said connecting member and on which said clasping member is rotatably supported.

4. A buckle for watch bands according to Claim 3 wherein said clasping member has a pair of shoulders on opposite sides thereof and each of said ears of said hook has a stopper portion for engagement with said shoulder when said clasping member is rotated up to a degree near the end of the rotational movement of the clasping member.

5. A buckle for watch bands according to Claim 1 wherein said engaging member has a clamping member for securing said frame to one of said watch bands.

6. A buckle for watch bands according to Claim 1 wherein said engaging member is rotatably connected to one of said watch bands.

7. A buckle for watch bands, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 6 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A buckle as claimed in any preceding claim when connected to form a releasable connection between a pair of ends of a wrist band or of a pair of wrist bands.

9. A watch having a buckle connected to a wrist band of bands, as claimed in Claim 8.