GB2163038A - Structure for securing a band to a watchcase - Google Patents

Abstract

A watchcase 20 has an elongated recess 21 at a band connecting end. A connecting member 27 secured to an end of a band, comprises a portion 29 projected therefrom and has a pair of lugs 29a at lateral ends thereof. The projecting portion is inserted into the recess of the watchcase, and a pair of screws 23 are engaged in threaded holes 22 provided in both sides thereof. Each of the screws is engaged with a bevelled engaging portion 30 of the lug 29a, thereby abutting the end of the band against the end of the watchcase. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Structure for securing a band to a watchcase The present invention relates to a structure for securing a band to a watchcase.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional securing structure for a-watchcase and a band. A watchcase 1 has a pair of band connecting members 2 secured to opposite sides thereof. The connecting member 2 has a pair of laterally projected lugs 3 each having a bevelled engaging portion 3a. A band 4 comprising a plurality of solid metal links 4a has an elongated recess 5 on an end link 4b and a pair of threaded side holes 6 in both sides of the link. Each screws 7 to be engaged with the threaded hole 6 has a conical end 8. Threaded side holes 6 are laterally disposed and communicated with the elongated recess 5. The connecting member 2 is inserted into the recess 5 and secured thereto by a pair of screws 7.The conical end portions 8 of the screws 7 engage with beveled engaging portions 3a to move the connecting member 2 towards the band so that the watchcase 1 is closely attached to the end of the band 4.

In such a securing structure, a pair ofthreaded side holes for screws must be provided in both sides of the band. The threaded side hole can be formed by boring an end link, in case of a metal band composed by a plurality of solid metal links such as the band 4. However, for another type of band, such as a leather band or a thin metal plate band comprising a plurality of links and connecting members, each of the links being made by rolling a thin metal plate around a core, the threaded hole can not be provided. In order to accomplish such a connecting structure, a connecting link having threaded holes must be provided in an end of such a band to interconnect a watchcase and the band.

Fig. 2 shows a connecting link 9 having a pair of threaded side holes 10 disposed in an end portion of a leather band 11. The connecting link 9 is attached to the band by enclosing the link with an end portion ofthe band.

Fig. 3 shows an example of another band such as a mesh band or metal rings type band. A part of the underside of an end of a band 11 a is cut off and a connecting link 9a welded to the cut off portion.

The thickness of the connecting link 9 or 9a can not be reduced more than a predetermined value, for example 2 mm, because the diameter of the threaded hole 10 is at least 1.4 mm. Since the thickness of the band is about 1.6--2 mm, the thickness of the end portion having the connecting link becomes largerthan 3 mm. Accordingly, there is a large difference between thicknesses in the end portion and the body portion of the band. Such a thickness difference deteriorates the appearance of the watch.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate above described disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for securing a band to a watchcase in which the band may be uniform in thickness.

According to the present invention, there is provided a structure for securing a band to a watchcase comprising: a connecting member secured to an end of said band; said connecting member comprising a projecting portion projected from an end of said band and having a pair of lugs at lateral both ends thereof; said projecting portion being inserted into a recess provided in an end of said watchcase; and a pair of screws engaged in threaded holes provided in both sides of said watchcase, each of said screws being engaged with said lug, thereby abutting said end of said band against said end of said watchcase.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional structure for securing a band to a watchcase; Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of end portions of conventional bands, respectively; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing parts of a structure for securing a leather band to a watchcase according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a connecting member being secured to the band, as viewed from the underside thereof; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the watchcase and the band in engaged state; Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a modification of the connecting member for another type of band, as viewed from the underside thereof; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the band of Fig. 7 engaged with a connecting member; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the band of Fig. 8;; Fig. 10 is a plan view of another type of band as viewed from the underside thereof; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another type of band as viewed from the underside thereof.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a watchcase 20 has an elongated recess 21 at a band connecting side, and a pair of threaded side holes 22 provided in side portions. The recess has about 2 mm in depth, and each threaded side hole is communicated with the elongated recess 21. A pair of screws 23 each having a conical end portion 24 are adapted to be engaged in threaded side holes 22, respectively.

A band 25 made of leather has a flap portion 26 extending from an end portion thereof and an elongated hole 31 formed on an end portion of the band for engaging a connecting member 27. The connecting member 27 having about 1 mm in thickness comprises a pair of lugs 28 and a projecting portion 29 having a pair of lugs 29a at both lateral sides. On inner side of each lug 29a, a beveled engaging portion 30 is formed.

As shown in Fig. 5, in order to attach the connecting member 27 to the leather band 25, the connecting member 27 is passed through the elongated hole 31, projecting the portion 29 from the end of the band. Then, the flap portion 26 is bent to the underside of the band 25, including lugs 28.

Further, adhesive 32 put on an inner edge of the flap portion 26 is adhered to adhesive 33 put on the band 25. Thus, the connecting member 27 is secured to the band 25. it is preferable to reduce the thickness of the flap portion 26 by slicing the underside of the flap portion.

Explaining the construction of a thin metal plate band with reference to Fig. 10, the band comprises a thin metal plate 41, a core plate 45, an H-shaped connecting link 46. The connecting link 46 connects adjacent plates 41 and lugs 41 a of both lateral ends of the plate 41 enclose the connecting link 46 and core plate 45.

In the thin metal plate band 40 shown in Fig. 7, a recess 42 is formed in a central portion of the underside of the band 40. The recess is formed by cutting off a part of the end thin plate 41. A connecting member 43 having a pair of lugs 44 is engaged in the recess 42 and welded to the recess as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 9 shows the end portion of the band to which the connecting member 43 is secured.

In another example shown in Fig. 10, a connecting member 43a is provided at an end of an end core plate 45a as an extension.

Fig. 11 shows another type of band. The band comprises a core 47 made of a mesh strip and a plurality of metal rings 48 mounted on the core and secured thereto by compressing the rings. Rings 48 and a partofthe core 47 in an end portion ofthe band are secured with each other by welding or brazing to form an integrated part. After that, the underside of the integrated part is cut off to form a recess 50 and an end slant portion 51. A connecting member 52 having a pair of lugs 53 is welded to the recess 50.

The engagement of the band 25 of the first embodiment to the watchcase 20 will be described hereinafter. Referring to Fig. 6, the projecting portion 29 of the connecting member 27 secured to the band 25 is inserted into the elongated recess 21.

Then, the screws 23 are screwed in threaded holes 22 so that the conical portion 24 of each screw presses the beveled engaging portion 30 of the projecting portion 29 towards the inside of the watchcase 20. Thus, the band 25 is tightly secured to the watchcase 20. Other bands shown in Figs. 7 to 11 are also secured to the watchcase in the same manner as the first embodiment.

In accordance with the present invention, since thickness of the connecting member is very small, for example about 1 mm, thickness of the engaging portion of the band is not increased to provide uniform thickness of the band and to compact in size, whereby it contributes to a good appearance of the watch.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

Claims (4)

1. A structure for securing a band to a watchcase comprising: a connecting member secured to an end of said band; said connecting member comprising a projecting portion projected from an end of said band and having a pair of lugs at lateral both ends thereof; said projecting portion being inserted into a recess provided in an end of said watchcase; and a pair of screws engaged in threaded holes provided in both sides of said watchcase, each of said screws being engaged with said lug, thereby abutting said end of said band against said end of said watchcase.

2. The structure for securing a band to a watchcase according to claim 1 wherein each of said screws has a conical end.

3. The structure for securing a band to a watchcase according to claim 1 wherein each of said lugs has a beveled engaging portion engaged with said conical end of the screw so as to press said end of said band against said end of said watchcase.

4. A structure for securing a band to a watchcase substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.