US1777015A - Bracelet construction - Google Patents

Description

sept. 30, 1930. A PERSON f 1,777,015

Banni-5T CONSTRUCTION Filed 'uarn 29, 1927 j /4 a @winmx s su;

Patented Sept. 30, 1930 j UNITED STATES :AXEL PERSONLOF ATTLEBOR, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 HARVEY OLAP & CO.,

OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, A PARTNERSHIP BRACELET CONSTRUCTION Y `ApplicationAfled March 29,

This invention relates to bracelet construe-v tion and more particularlyto a bracelet connecting device or clasp. Y

One of the objects of the. invention is to provide a construction 0f the above nature which is practical and efficient. Another object is to provide a construction of the aboveV nature having a ldependable lock. Another Objectis to provide a yconstruction of the 'I0 above nature in which the freedom of action and flexibility `of the bracelet are not undulyA impaired by the connector construction. Another object is lto provide a construction of the above nature which is simple and strong'.-V 15 Another object is to provide' a construction ofthe above nature Which is neat and attractive in appearance.r Other objects Will be in part obvious orin part pointed out hereinafter. l j f The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elernentsand` arrangementsof parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application-0f Which Will be' indicated in the `following claims.`

In the accompanying-drawing in lWhich isv shown one Aof the varlous possible embodiments of this invention,V i VFigure lis a plan view lof a bracelet shown somewhat diagrammatically f Figure 2 is a plan view of the middle portion of the bracelet shown in enlarged detail;

Figure 3 is a side-elevation of theparts shown in Figure2; y 'i f j 'Figure 4Vis .a longitudinal sectiontaken substantially along the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 isa plan vien/showing the clasp disconnected or opened; j

`Figure is a section taken along the line 6--6 of Figure 4, and j Figure 7 is a section taken'alongthe lline -'ofFigurel.Y j.. j

Similar reference ,characters refer to). simi- Referring nowto'the dravving in` detail,V

there is shown inFigure l a bracelet''whichV4 is adapted for use inconnection With a Wrist watch or the like. The body of the bracelet let units are hinged together by the end 14b` lar `oarts throughout the severalvievvs of the.V j

' l ure'4,so that units` may be taken frornor 17927. `serial No. 179,310.

is made up of a series of-bracelet unitsor links l0 Which are connected together as Will be described hereinafter, and at each end of the bracelet is shown a clasp or connectorv 1l for attachment to thewrist Watch.V Adjacent the middle portionfof this braceletis a detachable connector or clasp which is indicated generally by the numeral l2 in Fig# lure l and which detachably connects togetherI thetwo bracelet portions on either side there- 50 of. lWhen the bracelet is in usefit may be YVplaced in position upon orremoved from-the `Wrist With the greatest convenience by dis-` connecting the 'clasp l2,`.without requiring, that the bracelet vends be disconnectedf`roin`V the Wrist Watch or otherdevice withrwhich it isused. Although this construction is 'thus of particular-"advantage in a bracelet for Wrist Watches or the likeyit is toV be understood that certain features of the invention may be employed to great advantage invarious other types of bracelets. j, Y Referring nov;r to Figure 45 'each'` of the bracelet unitslO comprising the body of the lbracelet consists of anouter box-like link member lffand an inner linkmember` 14V which is slidable longitudinally'inthe outer? link member. A spring'l' bearing against thejend Wall14f* ofthe inner link'rme'mber andV against aV suitable abutment '13@ of the into thejouter link member thereof!k *',lfhje` outer link members have topvvall's and dependingside Walls and, extending betvveenl `thesey side -Wall's adjacent one end there0f, isa transverse pin or pintle 16 Whichis preferably `hollo\v,.as`shovvn. rlhe adjoining braceof the inner link member hooking over the pin 16 of the adjoining unit.v Preferably the connections between the adjoining units are made'detachable as bysplitting ythe bottom Wall of the inner linlnas shown at 17in Figadded to the bracelet to vary its length.

` The'braceletfis thusextens'ible', thesliding inner link members 14v vpermitting a substan-Y .tial lincrease "in lthe length of vthe f' bracelet 190 when it is stretched out. Moreover, the bracelet is flexible and readily conforms to the contour of the wrist, the respective units thereof pivoting freely with respect to each other about the pins 16. These pins 16, in the embodiment shown, eXtend through the side walls of the outer link members and are headed over against the outer surfaces thereof.

Considering now more particularly the connector which has been designated generally by the numeral 12 in Figure 1, as is seen in Figure 4, this connector is associated with a link member 18 which is of slightly different construction than the bracelet units which form the body of the bracelet. This link member 18 is a hollow member having a top wall 19, side walls and a bottom wall 21. lts size and general outer contour arepreferably substantially the same as those of the outer box-like link members 13 of the bracelet units 10. Between the side walls 2 0 thereof adjacent the leftfhand end, as viewed in Figure. 4, extends a pin 22 which i is similar to the pins 16 and which is located tially as are the bracelet units 10 forming.

the body of the bracelet.

. Secured to the bracelet unit 10 which is at the end of the member 18 remote from the pin 22, or at the right of the member 18, as:

viewed in FigureV 4, is a spring catch member 23, which enters the member 18 and detachfV vably springs into engagement therewith.

This spring member 23 is pivoted upon the pin 16 ofthe adjoining linkmember 13.V It preferably comprises a .flat metal member bent upon itself to the contour shown in Fig-r ure 4, having a-lower part 23 extending lalong the innerside of the bottom wall 21 member 18, the end edge 23 of the spring 23v snaps beneath adepending lip 19 (Figure .4)

at the right-hand end of the top wall 19 of the member 18, thereby locking the spring catch 23 within the member 18 and connecting the bracelet halves. The part 23" of the spring catch has formed thereon an upwardly projecting lug 28 which slides through a slot 29 in the wall 19. By depressing the lug 28 and thereby springing the part 23b downwardly so as to permit the edge 23c to clear the depending lip 16, the parts may be separated.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that there is provided a connector or clasp for the bracelet which is very convenient to operate. The connection is made by simply sliding Vthe spring catch member 23V into the part 18, and the catch is released by a slight pressure upon the lug 28 to depress the spring 23h. Moreover, it will be seen that this clasp `does not interfere with the flexibility of the bracelet. The spring catch 23, swiveled upon the pin 16 of the adjoining right-hand bracelet unit 10, forms a `hinged connection, and the left-hand end of the clasp member 18 ishinged to the adjoining bracelet unit also. The'side flanges 24 and 25 of the member 23 lit snugly within the side walls 2O of the member 18 and thus strengthen and reenforce the connection.

As is best seen in Figures 2 and 3, exterior of the link member 18 is a member 30 which serves as a lock for this connector or clasp. This member 30 has atop wall 31 which, when tnfe lock is operative, rests against the top wall 19 of the member-18, and depending therefrom are side walls or-ianges `32 and 33` which embrace the 'sides of the member 18. VThis lock member 30 is pivotally mounted upon the member 18 to swing into and out of operative position, and this pivotal mounting isvpreferably accomplished by theV end portion22a of the pin 22 lpassing through the depending flanges 32V and 33 adjacent the lefthand ends thereof, as viewed in the drawing. In lligurer 5 the lock 30 is swung upwardly to inoperative position,` `When it is operative, as shown in Figures 2-4, its right-hand end portion preferably overlaps the end portion of the adjoining bracelet unit 10. The metal of the side flanges 32 and 33 is bent outwardly, as shown-,at 34 and 35Vrespectively, and these portions snap over the projecting ends 16a of the pin 16, upon which the springl catch 23 is pivoted, to yieldingly hold the lock in operative position.

1n the top wall 31 of the lock 30 is an opening 36 into which the lug 28 of the spring catch projects. The part 31, thus embracing the lug 28, 4positively. prevents the spring catch member23 from being drawn out of the link member 18 to disconnect the catch.

It will be seen that this construction is simple and very compact. Moreover, the locking member 30 does not interfere with the relative swingingbetween the link member 1,8 and the adjoining bracelet unit, the projecting end portions 16a of the pin 16 turning freely beneath the parts 34 and 35 of the lock as the hinging o'r relative swinging takes place. In the mounting of the lock upon the link member 18 the same pin V22 is utilized tion. Y

which serves to pivotally connect the member lSand the adj oiningbracelet unit at the left or rear of the clasp.- TheEspriHging yof the parts 34 and 35 over the projectingend por" tions of the pin 16 dependably holdstheglock in operativeposition, but with slight eEort thelock maybe swung about the pin 22a to the inoperative position shown in Figuren, whereupon uthe lock 28 may be depressed to openthe clasp,y 'av i c Y v l j g .Asmany` possible embodimentsmay be made :of thegabove invention, andas many 'changes mighty be madesin the embodiment member, a second bracelet member Vdetach-il ably connected to said first bracelet member by said catch member, and a lock for said catch member comprising a part mounted j upon said second braceletvmember for movement into and out of operative position and means thereon adapted when operative to" embrace the ends of said pim 2. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet linkV member having adjacentone end thereof a transverse pin for connection with an adjoining link, 'a second link member ,adjoining said first link member' atthe end thereof remotefrom said pin, a spring catch member ldetachably connecting said twolink members, and a lock for said springfcatc-h Vpivotally mounted upon said pin for "swing-V ing movement into and vout of operative posi- 8. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet link member having adjacent one end thereof ,a transverse pm for-connection with an adjoining link, a second link member adjoining said'first link member at the end. thereof remote from said pin, said second link member having a transverse'pin, a mein- :v ber mounted upon said pin of saidsecond link member and entering said first link meinber to detachably connect said two linklmembers, and a locking member pivoted upon saidV j pin of said first link member toswing into and :i out of operative position and Vhaving. parts adapted when 'operative to overlap said second link member and embrace the ends of said pin thereof.

tendingbetweensaidsidewallsandhavingend portions projecting outwardly therethrough, a second link member, means mounted upon said pin between said side walls and projectj I ing into said second link, and means upon said second Vlink detachably engaging said projecting end portions of said pin. j

5.v In bracelet construction, in combination, a pair of bracelet members, means detachably connecting said members comprising a spring catch member pivoted upon one `of said .members'to vswing about an axis extending substantially'transversely thereof and entering and springing into engagement with the Vother of` said members, and a lock for said catch comprisingamembermounted uponsaid I last braceletmember formovementinto and out of operative position and adapted when operative -tooverlap said first bracelet mem-. ber, and means upon said first bracelet member with which said lock member engages to yieldingly hold said lockV in operative .position, said means beingsubstantially in line with saidaxis about which said spring catch is-pivoted to permit said two |bracelet members to swingrelative to each other when said catch and said lock are operative. Y Y

6. yIn bracelet' construction, in 4combination, a link member having a top Wall `and sidewalls, a pin extending between said 'side walls adjacent one end for connection with an adjoining link, the ends of said pin projecting outwardly throughsaidside walls, a secondv link memberiadjoining saidfirst link member at the end thereof remote froinisaid pin andhaving sidewalls, a pin extending (between said sidewalls of said second link member and having end portions projecting outwardly therethrough, a, spring catchmember p-ivot'edu'rpon said last .pin and projecting therefromA into said firstV link member and 1 springing into engagement therewith, and a lock for saidcatchcomprising a member pivoted upon the projecting ends ofv said pin of said first link member to. swinginto andI out offoperative position,- said lock member hav-1 ing a, pair of parts which snapover the projeotingjends 4offV said pin of saidsecond ,link member to yieldinglyhold said flock in operativepos1tionl`- i Y :7; VIn bracelet construction, in combination, a .bracelet memben having adjacent one end thereof a `transverse `pin adapted forl making connection with anadjoining bracelet meini Y ber,'a second bracelet.A member adjoining said first .bracelet`-member at the end thereof remote from said. pin, saidlast bracelet member havingk a transverse pin, a member mounted -uponsaidpin of said last braceletmemberand entering saidffirstbracelet member to Vdetach-Vv V -v ably connect said two ,bracelet `members, and

a. lockingA memberfpivoted .upon saidpin ofy Y said first bracelet-'member and adapted-to 4. In bracelet construction, in combination, a linkmember having sidewalls, a pin exsw-ing thereon-into-andout of an operative position in'which it cooperates with said first connecting member. in connecting said two bracelet members end thereof a transverse pin adapted for making connection with an adjoining link, a second link member at the end 0f said iirst link member remote from said pin, a spring catch member mounted upon one of said link members and adapted to enter the other of said link members and spring into engagement therewith, and a lock for said spring catch comprising a member having a pair of spaced arms pivoted upon said pin and a part connecting said spaced arms, said spaced arms resting` enteriorlj7 oi" the sides of said first bracelet link and said connecting part resting exterior ofthe uppersurace t-hereoiiwhen said lock is swung into operative position.

9. in bracelet construction, in combination, a braceiet link niemeer having adjacent one end thereof atransverse pin adapted for making connection with an adjoining link, a second link member at the end of said iirst Yllink member remote from said pin, a spring catch member detachably connecting said two link members, and a lock for said spring catch comprising a member having a pair of spaced arms pivoted upon said pin and a part connect-ing said spaced arms, said spaced'arms resting exterior of the sides oit said first bracelet link and said connecting part resting eX- terior of the upper surface thereofl when said lock is swung into operative position, said spring catch member and said top part ot said lock having a projection and recess which cooperate in locking the twobracelet link members together when said lock is in operative position. j

10. In bracelet construction, Vin combination, 'a link member having a top wall and side walls, a pin extending between said side walls adjacent one endA for connection with an adjoining link, Vthe ends'of said pin projecting outwardly through said side walls, a second link member adjoining said first link member at the end thereof remote from said pin and having side walls, a pin extending between said side walls of said second linkmember and having end portions projecting outwardly therethrough, a spring catch member pivoted upon Vsaid last pin and projecting therefrom into said 'first link member and springing into 'engagement therewitlnand a lock for said catch comprising a member piv oted upon the projecting ends oi said pin of said iirst link member to sivinginto and out ot operative position, said lock member having a pair of side parts whichsnap over the projecting ends oi' said pin of said second link member to vieldinglf,T hold said lock in operative position, and having a port-ion connecting said side parts which rest against the top wall of said first link member, said con-f necting part and said spring catch member having a projection and recess whichcooperate to lock said spring catch member against removal from operative position.

11; 1n bracelet'construction, in combination,\apair of adjacent braceletmembers, a

spring catch detachably connecting said bracelet members together, pivotal means mounting said catch upon one of said members, and providing projecting means upon the sides of said one member, a lock for said catch comprising a member mounted upon the other of said members for movement into and out of operative position and adapted when operative to embrace the sides of said one bracelet member, and means provided upon said'lock member adapted to snap over said projecting means yieldingly `to hold said lock member in operative position.

In testimony whereof, 1 have signed my name to this specification this 19th day of March A. D. '1927.`

AXEL PERSON.

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