GB2221715A

GB2221715A - Bracelet

Info

Publication number: GB2221715A
Application number: GB8818928A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fu-Hong Lai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-08-09
Filing date: 1988-08-09
Publication date: 1990-02-14
Also published as: GB8818928D0

Abstract

A bracelet for a watch or the like, comprising a plurality of interconnected members (10), at least two members (10) being connected together by fastening means (11) which enable the two members (10) to be separated from each other when they are at a first relative orientation and which fasten the two members (10) together when they are at a second relative orientation. Projections (16) at one end of a member (10) are shaped such that they may be inserted into and removed from recesses (17) at the other end of an adjacent member (10) only when the members are perpendicular to each other. <IMAGE>

Description

BRACELET 1 The present invention relates to a bracelet for a watch or the like.

According to the invention there is provided a bracelet comprising a plurality of interconnected members, at least two members being connected together by fastening means which enable the two members to be separated from each other when they are at a first relative orientation and which fasten the two members together when they are at a second relative orientation.

Preferred and/or optional features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying claims.

The invention will be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a member of an embodiment of a bracelet in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the member of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the member of Figure 1, taken along line III-III; Figure 4 shows another member disposed adjacent to the member of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a framentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the members of Figures 3 and 4.

Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment of a bracelet comprises a plurality of interconnected members 10, adjacent members 10 being connected together by fastening means 11. The members 10 are flat, preferably cast from metal, and are shaped on a front side 10a thereof to enhance visual effect. Each member 10 has a bifurcated end 12, and at the other end 13 a central projection 14.

The projection 14 has a width which corresponds to the width of a gap 15 formed by the bifurcated end 12, and the projection 14 of one member 10 is located in the gap 15 of another member 10 when the two members 10 are connected together by means of the fastening means 11.

The fastening means 11 comprise two opposed projections 16 provided on the inside of the bifurcated end 12 of member 10, and two corresponding recesses 17 provided in opposite sides of the central projection 14 of another member 10. The projections 16 extend transversely to the longitudinal exent of the bracelet, and each has a constant cross-section. Each projection 16 has two opposite semi-circular cylindrical walls 16a connected together by two opposite parallel flat walls 16b. It is apparent that the width of each projection 16 between its flat walls 16b is smaller than the external dimension of the projection 16 between its cylindrical walls 16a, and each projection 16 is therefore generally flat or planar in cross-section.

Each recess 17 has a cylindrical portion 17a and a neck portion 17b, and the two portions 17a and 17b extend transversely to the longitudinal extent of the bracelet.

The width of the neck portion lib corresponds to the width of the projection 16 between the two flat walls 16b thereof so that the projection 16 can be slid in the direction of the flat walls 16b, into or out of the corresponding recess 17. The internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 17a corresponds to the external dimension of the projection 16 between the two cylindrical walls 16a thereof so that the projection 16 can be turned axially inside the corresponding recess 17, while being locked in the recess 17 by the corresponding neck portion 17b.

The arrangement is such that the two projections 16 of each member 10 lie with their respective flat walls 16b parallel to the plane containing the member 10, whilst the two recesses 17 thereof are positioned with their respective neck portions 17b in a rear side lOb of the member 10. Therefore, two members 10 must be positioned substantially perpendicular to each other before they are connected together by locating the projections 16 of one member 10 in the corresponding recesses 17 of the other member 10, as shown in Figures 3 to 5. When the projections 16 are located in the corresponding recesses 17, the two members 10 are pivoted apart to lock the projections 16 in the recesses 17.

When the bracelet is worn on a wrist, adjacent members 10 will not normally incline perpendicularly to each other, and therefore they will remain connected together in normal use.

To avoid accidental escape of the projections 16 from the corresponding recesses 17, two longitudinally extending rib 16c are provided respectively on both flat walls 16b of each projection 16. The two ribs 16c increase the effective width of the projection 16, and therefore allow the projection 16 to be snap-fitted into the corresponding recess 17.

The invention provides a bracelet which can be assembled quickly and conveniently without the need of using additional parts, such as connecting pins. Further, the length of the bracelet can be easily and conveniently adjusted by a user. It is preferable that the neck portions 17b of the recesses 17 of the intermediate members 10 be deformed after assembly to lock the projections 17 permanently in the corresponding recesses 16, leaving the members 10 at one or both ends of the bracelet detachable for adjusting the length of the bracelet.

The invention is described by way of example only, and various modifications and/or alterations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A bracelet for a watch or the like, comprising a plurality of interconnected members, at least two members being connected together by fastening means which enable the two members to be separated from each other when they are at a first relative orientation and which fasten the two members together when they are at a second relative orientation.

2. A bracelet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two members are separable from each other when they are inclined substantially perpendicularly to each other.

3. A bracelet as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fastening means comprise at least one complementary projection and recess provided respectively on and in the two respective members, the projection being received in the recess, and wherein the projection is releasable from the recess when the two members are at said first relative orientation and is locked in the recess when the two members are at said second relative orientation.

4. A bracelet as claimed in claim 3, wherein the projection is generally planar in cross-section, and the size of the opening of the recess is arranged so as to allow the projection to move out of the recess in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the projection when the projection is at said first orientation relative to the recess, and to lock the projection in the recess when the projection is at said second orientation relative to the recess.

5. A bracelet as claimed in claim 4, wherein two said projections pointing towards each other are provided on a bifurcated end of the first of said two members, and two corresponding said recesses are provided in opposite sides of one end of the second of said two members, the end of said second member being located in the bifurcated end of said first member.

6. A bracelet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein all the members are connected together by respective said fastening means.

7. A bracelet as claimed in claim 6, wherein said fastening means connecting intermediate members are deformed after assembly so as to connect the intermediate members permanently together.

8. A wrist watch incorporating a bracelet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

9. A bracelet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.