GB2137475A

GB2137475A - Watch band

Info

Publication number: GB2137475A
Application number: GB08403391A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fumio Takahashi; Kimio Okada
Original assignee: AGEO SEIMITSU KK; Citizen Watch Co Ltd
Current assignee: AGEO SEIMITSU KK; Citizen Watch Co Ltd
Priority date: 1983-02-10
Filing date: 1984-02-09
Publication date: 1984-10-10
Also published as: GB8403391D0; GB2137475B; HK52689A

Abstract

A watch band comprising: a band body, an end connecting member. The band body comprises a flexible core member and a plurality of links each having a hole and engaged with the flexible core member at the hole. An end of the flexible core member is projected from an end link of the band body to form a projected portion. The end connecting member comprises an upper member and a lower member, which are secured with each other interposing the projected portion of the flexible core member. A pair of legs are formed on underside of the upper member and a hole is formed in each leg for a connecting pin for connecting the band body to a watch case. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Watch band and method of making a watch band The present invention relates to a watch band and a method of making a watch band, and more particularly to a watch band comprising an end connecting member and a band body having a flexible core member.

Referring to Figure 1, a conventional watch band comprises a band body 1 comprising a plurality of links 2 each of which having an elongated central hole 2a, and a flexible core member 3 made of metal mesh, and an end connecting member 4. The flexible core member 3 is inserted into the hole 2a of connecting link 2 and a plurality of connecting links 2 are arranged side by side, thereafter, connecting links are compressed to be engaged with core member 3 to form the band body 1. Then, a side 2b of the end link 2 is secured to a side 4a of the connecting member4 by brazing. However, in order to braze the connecting member to the end link, it is necessary to make the member and link of brazable material such as German silver or brass which results in increase of the manufacturing cost.Further, if pressure is applied to surface of the watch band for the embossing of the band surface, the connecting member 4 is occasionally disengaged from the end link. In order to avoid such a failure, the connecting member4 and band body 1 must be separately embossed. However, it is difficult to provide a continuous pattern on the entire surface of the band. Moreover, it is difficult to secure the connecting member with high accuracy in position.

An object of the present invention is to provide a watch band and method of making a watch band which may eliminate above described disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a watch band which ensures the engagement of a connecting member and a band body.

According to the present invention, there is provided a watch band comprising: a band body comprising a flexible core member and a plurality of links each having a hole and engaged with said flexible core member at the hole, an end of said flexible core member being projected from an end link of the band body to form a projected portion; an end connecting member comprising an upper member and a lower member, said upper and lower members being secured with each other interposing said projected portion of said flexible core member, means for connecting said end connecting member to a watch case.

The present invention also provides a method of making a watch band comprising: making a band body by engaging a plurality of links with a flexible core member at a hole of each link to form a band body, making an upper member having a notch in the underside at a band connecting end, making a lower member having a recess at a central portion, providing means for connecting the upper member to a watch case, engaging a projected portion of said flexible core member projected from an end of said band body with the recess of said lower member, securing said upper and lower members together with said flexible core member to form an end connecting member.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional watch band; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective showing parts of a watch band according to the present invention before assembling; Figures 3 to 7 are side views showing manufacturing and assembling processes of the watch band; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the assembled watch band; Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views showing a modification of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 8, in which two watch bands are simultaneously manufactured; Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view of an upper end member of the second embodiment;; Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a part of a connecting process; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the assembled watch band; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the watch band before cutting; and Figure 16 is a perspective view of the assembled watch band.

Referring to Figure 2, a watch band according to the present invention comprises a band body 5 comprising a plurality of links 6 each of which having a hole 6a, a flexible core member 7, an upper member 8 having an underside first notch 8a at an end portion thereof, a lower member 9 having a pair of projecting portions 9b and a recess 9a between the projecting portions, and a pair of legs 10 each of which having a connecting hole for a connecting pin (not shown) for connecting the watch band to a watch (not shown). The structure and assembling of the band body 5 are the same as the band body of Figure 1. The end of the flexible core member 7 is protruded from the end link 6 so as to be engaged with the recess 9a of the lower member 9.

Method of manufacturing and assembling of the watch band will be described hereinafter. Referring to Figure 3, the notch 8a is formed in the underside of upper member 8 in the lateral direction of the watch band to be engaged with the lower member 9.

The notch 8a is engaged with the projecting portions 9b interposing the core member 7 engaged with the recess 9a. In this state, the member 8 is welded to the projecting portion 9b of the lower member 9 by spot welding and the core member 7 is also welded to the lower member 9 by the spot welding. The thickness A of the combined upper member 8 and lower member 9 is the same as the band body 5.

Figure 4 shows the band disposed on a jig 11 for the embossing of the band. The surface of the upper member 8 and band body 5 are flush with each other so that the embossing can be easily performed.

Referring to Figures 5 to 7, after embossing, a second notch 8b is formed in the underside of the upper member 8 adjacent to the first notch 8a. A pair of legs 10 are disposed on the underside wall of the second notch 8b at a predetermined space therebetween and secured to the wall by brazing or welding. Then, a remainder 8c of the upper member 8 is cut off and both sides of the band body are cut off to complete the watch band as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Figures 9 and 10 show a modification of the present invention. A plurality of links 14, each having a width for two bands and a pair of holes 14a and 14b, are engaged with flexible core members 15 and 16 at the holes to form a band 13. A lower member 17 has a pair of recesses 17a and 17b for engaging protruded end portions of core members 15 and 16.

The lower member 17 is secured to core members 15 and 16 and an upper member 18 by welding at a notch 18a. After embossing of the band 13 and upper member 18, the band and upper member is cut along a longitudinal line to produce two bands. After that each band is completed in the same manner as hereinbefore described in Figures 4to 7.

Figures 11 to 16 show a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 11, an upper member 20 has a pair of legs 20a integral with the upper member and a notch 20b. A recess 20c between the legs 20a is provided to be engaged with a leg portion provided on a watch case (not shown). Other structure and feature are the same as the previous embodiment and the same parts thereof are identified with the same reference numerals as Figure 2.

Describing manufacturing method of the watch band, first, the recess 20c is formed in the underside of metal cubic block as shown in Figure 12, thereafterthe notch 20b is formed as shown in Figure 13.

Projecting portions 9b of the lower member 9 is secured to the upper member 20 by spot welding interposing an end portion of the core member 7 engaged with the recess 9a.

Figure 14 shows embossing process for the surface of the band. The band body 5 secured to the upper member 20 is disposed on a jig 21. The upper member 20 is engaged with a recess 21a provided on the jig 21 and band 5 and lower member mounted on the jig 21. Thereafter, embossing af surfaces of the band and upper member 20 is carried out. Since upper surfaces of the upper member 20 and band 5 are held in the horizontal position, joined portions are endurable to the pressure in the vertical direction.

The embossed band body and upper member are desirably cut by cutting as shown by dotted lines in Figures 15, so that a complete watch band of Figure 16 is produced.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the present invention provides a watch band in which an upper member of an end connecting member is secured to a lower member by welding interposing a flexible core member there-between. Therefore, the end connecting member is securely connected to the band body by welding. Accordingly, any material such as stainless steel may be employed for the end connecting member and the end link of the band.

Since the flexible core member is engaged with a recess formed in the lower member, accuracy for positioning each part without deflection is improved.

Claims

1. Awatch band comprising: a band bodycom- prising a flexible core member and a plurality of links each having a hole and engaged with said flexible core member at the hole, and end of said flexible core member being projected from an end link of the band bodytoform a projected portion; an end connecting member comprising an upper member and a lower member, said upper and lower members being secured with each other interposing said projected portion of said flexible core member, means for connecting said end connecting member to a watch case.

2. A watch band according to claim 1 further comprising a pair of legs provided on the underside of said upper member.

3. A watch band according to claim 2 wherein each of said legs having a hole, and said means comprises the hole and a connecting pin engaged with each hole.

4. A watch band according to claim 2 wherein legs are made of metal blocks and secured to the underside of said upper member.

5. A watch band according to claim 1 wherein said lower member has a recess in which said projected sportion is engaged, and said upper member has a notch in which both ends of said lower member are engaged and secured to the wall of the notch.

6. A method of making a watch band comprising: making a band body by engaging a plurality of links with a flexible core member at a hole of each link to form a band body, making an upper member having a notch in the underside at a band connecting end, making a lower member having a recess at a central portion, providing means for connecting the upper member to a watch case, engaging a projected portion of said flexible core member projected from an end of said band body with the recess of said lower member, securing said upper and lower members together with said flexible core member to form an end connecting member.

7. A watch band substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 or Figures 9 to 10 or Figures 11 to 16 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of making a watch band, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 16 of the accompanying drawings.