GB2105176A - Watch strap - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved watch strap is provided which includes a net core 1 and a band plate 2 closely wound spirally about the net core, the strap further including upper and lower cover plates a, which cover an end of the net core projecting from a distal end of the band plate at the end of the watch strap to be connected to the watch body, one or each of said cover plates being provided, on its surface opposite the other cover plate, with a recess in which the net core is fitted, said cover plates and said net core being rigidly connected by means of spot welding. (Figure 3, not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Watch strap This invention relates to a wristwatch strap, and in particularto an improved construction of an end of a watch strap which is for connction to the watch body, the strap being of the type having a net core and a band plate closely wound spirally about the net core.

In this type of watch strap, the band plate which is closely and spirally wound about the net core is brazed or soldered, at its end to be connected to a watch body, to the net core. In order to avoid oxidation at the brazed surfaces to achieve a complete fixation, a flux, such as chloride, fluoride or the like is used in brazing or soldering. However, when a cleaning liquid (nitric acid) is used to remove the remaining flux after brazing, there is often a risk of resolving and removing the brazing filler (solder) from the fixed portion. Moreover, if the remaining flux is not completely removed, the flux would almost preclude complete plating in a successive process. Even if a plated layer is formed on the remaining flux, it tends to peel resulting in unsightliness and corrosion. In addition, the cleaning liquid orthe like can give rise to pollution.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above mentioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention to provide an improved and useful watch strap comprising upper and lower cover plates which hold therebetween and cover an end of the net core projecting outwards from the end ofthe band plate to be connected to the watch body, one or each ofthe cover plates being provided, on its surfaces the other cover plate, with a recess in which the net core is fitted, the cover plates and the net core being rigidly connected together by means of spot welding.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a portion of a watch strap according to the invention connected to a watch body, Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the watch strap portion shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line lil-lil; and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of part of the watch strap end.

Referring to the drawings illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, a designates a cover plate assembly consisting of upper and lower plates a.. A band plate 2 is closely and spirally wound about a net core 1 to form a watch strap A. The cover plate assembly is shaped and sized so that the upper and lower faces of a distal end of the net core 1, which project from the end of the band plate 2 at the end of the watch strap to be connected to watch body B, are covered by the cover plates. One or each of the cover plates a has a recess a1' on its surface which opposes the other cover plate. The net core 1 is fitted in the recess(es) awl'. The net core 1 and the cover plates are rigidly connected together by means ofspotwelding, as shown in Figure 3.After the cover plate assemblya is welded to the net core, it is ground so thatthe cover plate assembly has a downwardly and rearwardly inclined end surface.

The net core 1 is in the form of a tape-shaped strap made of a net blankwoven from thin metal wires. The band plate 2 is made of a metal wire having a square cross-section and is closely and spirally wound about the entire length of the net core apart from the distal end of the net core at the end of the watch strap to be connected to the watch body B.

To the cover plate assembly a of the watch strapA is then secured a connecting piece 3 for connecting the watch strap to the watch body B. To the other end of the cover plate assembly is secured a connecting piece (notshown) for connecting a connecting fixture.

After securing the cover plates and connecting pieces, the watch strap A is subject to further processes, such as plating to obtain a complete product.

Each end of the watch strap may be finished similarly, and if the watch strap is in two parts, the end of each partto be connected to the body may be finished as described.

As can be seen from the above discussion, according to the present embodiment, there is provided a watch strap including a net core, and a band plate closely wound spirally about the net core, comprising upper and lower cover plates which cover an end of the net core projecting from distal end of the band plate at the end of the strap to be connected to the watch body, one or each of said cover plates being provided, on its surface opposite the other cover plate with a recess in which the net core is fitted, said cover plates and said net core being rigidly connected by means of spot welding without brazing. Therefore, neitherfluxnorcleaning liquid (nitric acid) for removing the possible remaining flux is necessary. Accordingly, there is no possibility that the watch strap cannot be plated due to the remaining flux.Furthermore, there is no risk of corrosion due to resolving and removing the brazing filler (solder) from the fixed portion, after the product is completed. The watch strap of the present invention has high quality and keeps its aesthetical appearance for a long period.

Thus, the object of the invention can be achieved.

1. A watch strap including a net core and a band plate closely wound spirally about the net core comprising upper and lower cover plates which cover an end of the net core projecting from a distal end of the band plate at the end of the strap to be connected to the watch body each of said cover plates being provided, on its surface opposite the other cover plate, with a recess in which the net core is fitted, said cover plates and said net core being rigidly connected by means of spot welding.

2. A watch strap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

3. A watch including a watch strap as claimed in claim 1 or 2.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Watch strap This invention relates to a wristwatch strap, and in particularto an improved construction of an end of a watch strap which is for connction to the watch body, the strap being of the type having a net core and a band plate closely wound spirally about the net core. In this type of watch strap, the band plate which is closely and spirally wound about the net core is brazed or soldered, at its end to be connected to a watch body, to the net core. In order to avoid oxidation at the brazed surfaces to achieve a complete fixation, a flux, such as chloride, fluoride or the like is used in brazing or soldering. However, when a cleaning liquid (nitric acid) is used to remove the remaining flux after brazing, there is often a risk of resolving and removing the brazing filler (solder) from the fixed portion. Moreover, if the remaining flux is not completely removed, the flux would almost preclude complete plating in a successive process. Even if a plated layer is formed on the remaining flux, it tends to peel resulting in unsightliness and corrosion. In addition, the cleaning liquid orthe like can give rise to pollution. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above mentioned disadvantages. According to the present invention to provide an improved and useful watch strap comprising upper and lower cover plates which hold therebetween and cover an end of the net core projecting outwards from the end ofthe band plate to be connected to the watch body, one or each ofthe cover plates being provided, on its surfaces the other cover plate, with a recess in which the net core is fitted, the cover plates and the net core being rigidly connected together by means of spot welding. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a portion of a watch strap according to the invention connected to a watch body, Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the watch strap portion shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line lil-lil; and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of part of the watch strap end. Referring to the drawings illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, a designates a cover plate assembly consisting of upper and lower plates a.. A band plate 2 is closely and spirally wound about a net core 1 to form a watch strap A. The cover plate assembly is shaped and sized so that the upper and lower faces of a distal end of the net core 1, which project from the end of the band plate 2 at the end of the watch strap to be connected to watch body B, are covered by the cover plates. One or each of the cover plates a has a recess a1' on its surface which opposes the other cover plate. The net core 1 is fitted in the recess(es) awl'. The net core 1 and the cover plates are rigidly connected together by means ofspotwelding, as shown in Figure 3.After the cover plate assemblya is welded to the net core, it is ground so thatthe cover plate assembly has a downwardly and rearwardly inclined end surface. The net core 1 is in the form of a tape-shaped strap made of a net blankwoven from thin metal wires. The band plate 2 is made of a metal wire having a square cross-section and is closely and spirally wound about the entire length of the net core apart from the distal end of the net core at the end of the watch strap to be connected to the watch body B. To the cover plate assembly a of the watch strapA is then secured a connecting piece 3 for connecting the watch strap to the watch body B. To the other end of the cover plate assembly is secured a connecting piece (notshown) for connecting a connecting fixture. After securing the cover plates and connecting pieces, the watch strap A is subject to further processes, such as plating to obtain a complete product. Each end of the watch strap may be finished similarly, and if the watch strap is in two parts, the end of each partto be connected to the body may be finished as described. As can be seen from the above discussion, according to the present embodiment, there is provided a watch strap including a net core, and a band plate closely wound spirally about the net core, comprising upper and lower cover plates which cover an end of the net core projecting from distal end of the band plate at the end of the strap to be connected to the watch body, one or each of said cover plates being provided, on its surface opposite the other cover plate with a recess in which the net core is fitted, said cover plates and said net core being rigidly connected by means of spot welding without brazing. Therefore, neitherfluxnorcleaning liquid (nitric acid) for removing the possible remaining flux is necessary. Accordingly, there is no possibility that the watch strap cannot be plated due to the remaining flux.Furthermore, there is no risk of corrosion due to resolving and removing the brazing filler (solder) from the fixed portion, after the product is completed. The watch strap of the present invention has high quality and keeps its aesthetical appearance for a long period. Thus, the object of the invention can be achieved. CLAIMS

1. A watch strap including a net core and a band plate closely wound spirally about the net core comprising upper and lower cover plates which cover an end of the net core projecting from a distal end of the band plate at the end of the strap to be connected to the watch body each of said cover plates being provided, on its surface opposite the other cover plate, with a recess in which the net core is fitted, said cover plates and said net core being rigidly connected by means of spot welding.

2. A watch strap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

3. A watch including a watch strap as claimed in claim 1 or 2.