GB2158145A

GB2158145A - Watch band fastener

Info

Publication number: GB2158145A
Application number: GB08510488A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mamoru Sugiyama
Original assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
Current assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
Priority date: 1984-04-26
Filing date: 1985-04-25
Publication date: 1985-11-06
Also published as: JPS60236605A; GB8510488D0; HK19290A; GB2158145B

Abstract

A watch band threefold fastener comprising an outer plate-like element (1), an intermediate plate- like element (3) and an inner plate- like element (4) has an engaging pin (1a) on the underside of the outer plate-like element (1). An overlying band section (2) having engaging holes (2a) is inserted into the underside of the outer plate-like element (1), and the engaging pin (1a) is received in one of the engaging holes (2a) so as to fit the band length to the wrist. Thus, the overlying band section (2) engages with the outer plate-like element (1) in position. Once positioned in this way, the band can easily be put on the wrist by means of the threefold fastener without the need for repeated positioning. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Watch band fastener structure BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a watch band fastener structure and more particularly to a threefold fastener structure having an engaging pin for use with a soft watch band or a metal watch band each having engaging holes.

2. Description of the Prior Art Typically, a soft watch band of a material such as synthetic leather and natural leather or a metal watch band each having engaging holes is passed about the wrist by adjusting the length of the band by means of the associated fastener. In this case, it is inconvenient for the wearer to feel after a desired engaging hole each time the band is put on.

Also, the band becomes wrinkled or mussed by repeated handling. This is undesirable also from the appearance viewpoint.

Figs. 1 and 2 show conventional examples, respectively. Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional buckle used with a soft (flexible) watch band formed of a material such as synthetic leather and natural leather.

In this case, as mentioned above, insertion of the tip of the band into the buckle for releasably fastening the band is troublesome and causes wrinkling or mussing of the band causing an undesirable appearance.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another conventional example illustrating band sections and a fastener in which an outer platelike element, an intermediate plate-like element and an inner plate-like element are hingedly connected together so as to assume a folded position and an expanded position.

With this structure, before use, one or both of the band sections are cut off to a proper length and then they are joined together by means of the fastener. In this case, it is also troublesome to cut off the band and insert the ends of separated band sections into the fastener.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, this invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object thereof is to provide a threefold fastener structure which facilitates the handling of a watch band.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a threefold fastener for a watch band consisting of an overlying band section and an underlying band section, the fastener being of the type wherein an outer plate-like element, an intermediate plate-like element and an inner plate-like element are hingedly connected together so as to assume a folded position and an expanded position, the fastener having an engaging pin on the underside of the outer plate-like element, the overlying band section being inserted into the underside of the outer plate-like element, and the engaging pin being received in one of the engaging holes provided in the overlying band section, whereby the overlying band section engages with the outer plate-like element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art watch band and buckle having a buckle frame and a prong; Figure 2 is a perspective view of another prior art illustrating a watch band and a threefold fastener; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a watch band and a fastener having an engaging pin of one embodiment in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of an engaging portion of the fastener shown in Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a watch band and a fastener having an engaging pin of another embodiment in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the fastener of Fig. 5 in its folded position with the band shown in imaginary lines; and Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRE FERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: In Fig. 3, an outer plate-like element 1 is provided with an engaging pin 1a. The pin 1a is soldered or otherwise secured to the underside of the outer plate-like element 1 in a position so as to receive one of engaging holes 2a in a flexible band section 2. The flexible band section 2 is inserted into the underside of the outer plate-like element 1, and the engaging pin la is received in a desired one of the engaging holes 2a so as to fit the band length to the wrist.Then, as engaging portion 3a having a curved edge (Fig. 4) of the intermediate plate-like element 3 attached to an attachment portion 1 b of the the outer plate-like element 1 by a shaft is engaged with an attachment hook 4a provided on an inner plate-like element 4. On the other hand, an underlying band section 5 is hingedly connected to a shaft 7 which is held in a bearing 4b of the inner plate-like element 4. The tip of the overlying band section 2 thus inserted in the outer plate-like element 1 is inserted into a keeper 6 held by the underlying band section 5 to limit the up and down movement of the overlying band section 2.

Figs. 5 to 7 show another embodiment of the invention. By pressing and such, the inter mediate plate-like element 3 and the inner plate-like element 4 are each provided with a rib having a pair of recessed portion 3c, 4c and raised portion 3d, 4d so that the raised portion 3d of the rib of the intermediate platelike element 3 is placed in the recessed portion 4c of the rib of the inner plate-like element 4 and that the engaging pin 1 a provided on the outer plate-like element 1 is accommodated in the recessed portion 3c of the rib of the intermediate plate-like element 3, thereby providing a thinner structure as a whole. These ribs prevent the intermediate and inner plate-like elements 3 and 4 from bending easily by an external force.

According to the fastener structure for the watch band having engaging holes thus constructed, after engagement of the band with the fastener, the threefold plate-like elements facilitate putting the band on the wrist, thus eliminating the conventional troublesome attachment. This invention has a practical effect which can be realized by a conventional manufacturing process.

Claims

1. A threefold fastener for a watch band consisting of an overlying band section and an underlying band section, the fastener being of the type wherein an outer plate-like element, an intermediate plate-like element and an inner plate-like element are hingedly connected together so as to assume a folded position and an expanded position, said fastener having an engaging pin on the underside of the outer plate-like element, said overlying band section being inserted into the underside of the outer plate-like element, and said engaging pin being received in one of the engaging holes provided in said overlying band section, whereby said overlying band section engages with said outer plate-like element.

2. A threehold fastener for a watch band according to claim 1 wherein said engaging pin is soldered to said outer plate-like element.

3. A threefold fastener for a watch band according to claim 1 or 2 wherein each of said intermediate and inner plate-like elements is provided with a rib having a pair of recessed portion and raised portion so that the raised portion of one rib is placed in the recessed portion of the other rib.

4. A threefold fastener for a watch band according to claim 1 or 2 wherein each of said intermediate and inner plate-like elements is provided with a rib having a pair of recessed portion and raised portion so that the raised portion of the rib of said intermediate plate-like element is placed in the recessed poriton of the rib of said inner plate-like element and that the engaging pin is accommodated in the recessed portion of the rib of the intermediate plate-like element.

5. A threefold fastener for a watch band according to any one of the preceeding claims wherein an engaging portion provided on the intermediate plate-like element is releaseably engaged with an attachment hook provided on said inner plate-like element.

6. A threefold fastener for a watch band according to any one of the preceeding claims wherein said watch band is formed of a flexible material as leather.

7. A threefold fastener for a watch band according to any one of the preceeding claims wherein said watch band is formed of metal.

8. A threefold fastener for a watch band substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and Figs. 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.