US2018068A - Connecter or fastening device for chain bracelets - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 22, 1935. c. H. KESTENMAN 2,018,068

CONNECTER 0R FASTENING DEVICE FCR CHAIN BRACELETS Filed June 22, 1955 Patented; Oct 22, 11935 iUNI-TED STATES CONNECTER OR' FASTENING DEVICE FOR CHAIN BRACELETS Charles H. Kestenman, Providence, R. I., asignor to Kestenman Bros. Mfg. Co., Providence, B. I.,

a corporation of Rhode Island y Application June 22, 1935, Serial No. 27,905

, 9 Claims.

One oi" the objects?I of the. present' invention is toprovidea relatively iat chain bracelet comprising a plurality of interconnected curbed links and a detachable end-link having straight por- 10 tions for connection with a clasp or to a Wrist- Watch, the end-link being so formed as tov adapt its straight portion to lie in the median plane of theadjacent curbed link topwhich it is connected.

lAnother object of the invention is to provide a connecting end-link for a chain bracelet of the type indicated having straight end portions terminating in spaced-apart relationship to provide for its quickY attachment to and'detachment from the bracelet to facilitate adding or removing links to alter the length ofthe cnain.

f Another object of the invention is to provide a removable end-link for curbed chain bracelets of the typeindicated and a connecting means on a clasp or wrist-watch which effect a compact joinder of the parts without imparting a twist to the bracelet.

Another Vobject of the invention is to provide a novel connecting means for chain bracelets which is of simple construction, adapted for economical manufacture, neat and ornamental in appearance and one which'may be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled to alter the length of the 1 bracelet.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a link bracelet shown as connected to a wrist-Watch and embodying a central clasp with the terminal links oi the chain attachedto the watch and clasp by the present improved connecting means;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the bracelet,`

clasp and connecting means illustrated in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the same showing the relation ofthe connecting elements on the bracelet and clasp;

Fig. 4 isy a composite perspective View of the parts of the attaching means on the clasp shown in disassembled relationship;

Fig. 5 is a detailperspective view of the cooperating ends of the clasp and bracelet shown in disassembled relationship; and l liig. 6 is-a detailedview of the connecting endlink for the chain.

The present invention is adapted for use with B curbed-V chain bracelets` of the prevailing mode as vworn with wrist-watches and-similar articles of jewelry. Bracelets of this type have heretoforev been attached to the watch-case or clasp by inserting the end-link into a box-like housing which 10. necessarily forms a bulky connection because of the thickness of the curbed link due toits twisted curvature. WithL this previous form of connection the bracelet is secured to the box-like housing by a projecting lug thereon which extends 15 through the opening in the link and allows a relatively free movement of the link in the housing. If the link were to be held too tightly the bracelet would become twisted because of the curvature of the end-link.' In all such previously- 20 used bracelets the connecting end-link has been formed as a closed loop which necessitates severing the link and spreading'the ends when it is desired to add or remove links to alter the length of the chain.

The present improved form of end-link and connecting means on the clasp or the wrist-watch provides a compact hinge-joint of a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the links of the bracelet and compensates for the natural 30 twist of the chain. Further, the improved form of connecter provides for quick attachment of the end-link to and its detachment from the bracelet to lfacilitate 4adding or removing links when the length of the chain is to be altered. 35 The present improved end-link has a straight side for connection with the watch-case or the clasp, and is so shaped as to conform-to the twist in the adjacent curbed link to which it is connected. An opening is provided 4in the straight 40 vportion of the end-link so that the latter may be quickly attached to or removed from the adjoining curbed link. The end-link may be connected to the wrist-watch by an intermediate loop of deformable material adapted to closely embrace the straight portion of the end-link and a-transverse bail on the part to which the brace- A let is'connected.

Referring to the drawing, 6 designates a conventional type of wrist-watch having bails 1 at its sides to which end-clasps orconnecters 8 are attached. The ends of. the'fsections 9 of a twopart chain bracelet are attached to the balls 'l by connecters 8 and the opposite ends of the 55 sections to a clasp III by similar connecting' means to be later described. 5

'I'he bracelet-sections El are constituted of a plurality of interconnected curbed links of conventional curvature or twisted shape which forms a substantially flat chain. In accordance with the present invention the end-.links I2 of each section 9 are of generally triangular shape, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6, having the two adjacent sides I3 and I4 oppositely curved adjacent the apex end to conform to the curvature ofthe curbed links of the bracelet chain. The third side of each end-link I2 is straight and lies in the median plane with respect to the two curved sides I3 and I4; this form of construction adapting the end-links to be attached to the wrist-watch 6 and clasp I0 without imparting a twist to the bracelet chain connected thereto. The third side of the trlangular-shaped endlink I2 is formed by inwardly-directed portions I5 having a common axis and terminating in spaced-apart relationship` to provide an opening IIS therebetween of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the wire or other strip material forming the curbed links. Due to this open-end construction the end-links I2 may be quickly removed from the bracelet by withdrawing the terminal curbed links thereof through the openings IIi. When it is-desired to either shorten or lengthen the bracelet by removing or adding a link thereto the end-link I2 may be quickly removed from the connected curbed link and then quickly replaced after the alteration has been accomplished without cutting or deforming the end-link. The bracelet may then be attached to the clasp or Watch-case, as the case may be, to effect a joint of a thickness not substantially greater than the thickness of the wire or other material forming the end-link due to the straight side of the latter as constituted by the inwardlydirected ends' I5.

The sections 9 of the bracelet are attached to the opposite ends'of the clasp I0 by intermediate members I8` pivotally connected to the clasp and having deformable portions adapted to be bent to loop around the inwardly-directed ends I5 of the end-links I2. The clasp III is preferably of the adjustable type having a, main body member I9 and a U-shaped extension member 20 slidingly mounted therein. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the member I8 is pivotally attached to the extendible member 20 by a looped end 2| curled about the crossbar 22 thereof. As further shown in Fig. 4, each member I8 is narrowed at 23 so that it may be passed through the opening between the curved sides of the end-link I2, this portion being then bent to form a closed loop embracing the inwardly-directed ends I5 of the end-link I2. The terminal portion 24 of the member I8 is further reduced in width to fit within a vcut-away portion 25 on the looped ,end 2| whereby to provide a smooth continuous surface on the under side of the member without projections or sharp edges liable to scratch the wrist on which the bracelet is worn. An intermediate member I8 is pivotally connected to the opposite end of the clasp I by means of a pivot-pin 26 extending through ears 21 at the sides of the body member I9 and the looped end 2| of the band. A bushing28 is preferably provided on the pin 28 for reception in the looped end 2| of the member I8 to insure a close fit; -the end portion of the member being bent to form a second loop embracing the straight side of the lpreviously explained.

The end-links 29 for attaching the ends of the bracelet-sections 9 to the wrist-watch are preferably of the same form of construction as the end-links I2` for connecting the sections to the clasp I9. However, atv this end of the braceletsections 9 the end-links 29 may be made as continuous closed loops if desired since the length of the chain may be altered 'at the opposite clasp end. Whether the end-link 29 be made as a. closed loop or providedl with an opening for detachment from the chain, two of its sides are oppositely curved to vconform to the curvature of the curbed links andthe third side is made straight for connection by a compact hinge-joint.

The connecters 8 for attaching the braceletsections 9 to the Watch-case may be of any suitable structure and, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, are similar to the looped memberssIB for connecting the sections to the clasp III. The strips forming the connecters 8, however, have one end portion of a width substantially equal tol the width of the wrist-watch bails 'I, these portions being bent to provide loops 99 for embracing the balls. The narrower portions 3| of the connecters 8 are looped around the inwardly-directed end portions I forming the straight side of each end-link 29. The looped end 30 has a cut-away portion 32 for receiving the narrowed end of the loop 3| while also providing for the insertion of a. tool to pry this latter end away from the looped end 39 to release the end-link 29.

When it is desired to alter the length of the bracelet by either removing or adding a link the chain is released from its attachment to either the Watch-case I or clasp I0 by prying open the loop on the member 8 or I8, whichever it may be. to release the end-link 29 or I2 of the section 9 to be altered. The end-link I2 or 29 may then be quickly removed from the bracelet-section by passing the curbed terminal link f,of the chain through the opening I9 between its inwardly-directed ends I5. One or more of the curbed links may then be removed by cutting. them apart or extra links added to the chain. If the alteration is made at the clasp end of the bracelet-section the end-link I2 is attached to the section by inserting the terminal curbed link through its opening I6 and the ends I5 are then enclosed in the loop of the intermediate member I8 by bending the end 24 around into the cut-away portion 25 of the looped end 2|. When thus connected the bracelet may be applied to the wrist and because of its flexibility it will readily conform to the contour thereof. Because of the oppositely curved sides I3 and Il of the end-link I2 which conform to the curvature of the adjoining curbed link to which it is attached, the straight side of the end-link will lie in the median plane of the adjoining curb-link to overcome any tendency of the chain to twist.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel form of connecter for attaching curbed link bracelets to clasps and wrist-watches with a compact joint of neat and ornamental appear-V ance and a joinder of the parts which prevents any tendency of the chain to twist.

It will be further observed that a novel form of construction is provided which facilitates the operation of altering the length of the bracelet by unskilled persons without marring or deforming the links of its chain sections.

I It will also be apparent that the connecter ofV the present in vention is of simple construction which lends to economical manufacture `dnd assemblyt e While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of the device, it is to be understood that modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim: y

l. A flexible chain bracelet adapted i'or detachable connection to articles of Jewelry com.- prising a plurality of curbed links forming a sub-'- stantially flat chain, and a connecting end-link having a curbed portion f or cooperation with a terminal curbed link ofthe chain and straight inwardly-directed end portions terminating in spaced-apart relationship to provide an opening therebetween.

2. A iiexible chain bracelet comprising a plurality of curbed links forming a substantially at chain, and a connecting end-link having a central curbed portion for connectionwith a terminal curbed link of the chain' and 'inwardly-directed end portions adapted to lie yin the median plane of the c urbed link, said end portions terminating in spaced-.apart relationship to provide an opening therebetween of a width greater than the thickness of the curbed link whereby the endlink may be quickly attached to or detached from the bracelet.

3. A flexible chain bracelet comprising a plurality of curbed links forming a substantially at chain, and the sides adjacent one of vits apexes oppositely curved to conform to the curvature o! the curbed links and a straight side opposite said apex adapted to lie in the plane of the flat chain. the straight side of the end-link having an opening whereby i operation with said end-link may be quickly attached t-or detached from the bracelet. i

4. In a bracelet for wrist-watches, the combination of a substantially fiat chain formed of a plurality of interconnected curbed links, a detachable en d-link having a curbed portion for coa curbed link of the chain and straight inwardly-directed end portions terminating in spaced-apart relationship, anda member adapted for attachment to a wrist-watch or clasp and provided with means for embracing the inwardly-directed end portions of the end-link.

5. In a bracelet for wrist-watches', the combination of a substantially iiat chain formed of a plurality of interconnectedcurbed links, a clasp having a connecting loop at the end thereof, and an end-link having a curbed portion i'or cooperation with a terminal curbed link of the chain and inwardly-directed end portions terminating in spaced-apart relationship whereby the end-link may be quickly attached to lor removed from the a triangular-shaped end-link having A curbed link, said connecting loop on the lasp embracing the spaced-apart end portions of e endlink to connect it to the clasp. 4

6. In a bracelet for wrist-watches, the combination ot a substantially flat chain formed by 'a 5 plurality of interconnected -curbed links, a clasp having a looped member pivotally mounted at one end thereof, and a connecting' link of triangular shape having` adjacent sides oppositely curved to conform to the contour of a terminal curbed link 10 of the chain and a third side adapted to lie in the median plane of the curbed links of the chain and to be enclosed in the looped member, said third side having an opening formed therein to allow detachment of the connecting link from the curbed link connected therewith.

7. In a bracelet for wrist-watches, the combinationot a flat chain formed of a plurality of interconnected curbed links, a connecting link at the end ofthe chain having a curbed portion for cooperation with the terminal curbed link of the chain. and inwardly-directed end portions terminating in spaced-apart relationship to .permit the connecting link to be quickly attached and removed from the chain. and a connecting loop embracing the inwardly-directed end portions of the connecting link for attaching the bracelet to the watch. L 8. In a bracelet for wrist watches. the combination o! a pair of substantially fiat chains formed of a plurality of curbed. links having means at their ends for connecting them to the opposite sides of a wrist-watch, a clasp member, looped members connected to the ends ofthe clasp member, and a pair'of connecting links having curbed portions 35 for 4cooperation withthe terminal curbed links at the opposite .ends of the chains and -straight inwardly-directed end portions embraced by the intermediate looped-members. said 'end portions terminating in spaced-apart relationship where- 40 by the connecting links may be quickly attached to or detached from the terminal curbedlinks -ot the chains.

9. In a bracelet for wrist-watches. the combination of a pair of substantially fiat 'chains 45 vformed of a plurality of curbed links, connecting links at the opposite ends of the chains having curbed portions for cooperating with the terminal curbed links of the chains and straight inwardly-directed end' portions terminating in 50 spaced-apart relationship, connecting members for attachment to the wrist-watch and having means for embracing the straight inwardly-directed end portions of the connecting links-at the ends of the chains, and a clasp having connecting loops at its opposite ends from embracing the inwardly-directed end portions of the connecting links at the opposite ends of the chains.

CHARLES H. 6o

CERTIFICATE or ConnECT'toN. A

Patent No. 2,018,068.. .octoberzz, 193s.

CHARLES H.' KESTENMAN.

It is hereby certified that err`or appears in the printed specification of theaboi/e numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, second column, line- 56, Claim 9, for "from" read for; and that tho said Letters Patent should be read with this Icorrection therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signedaud sealed this y26th day of November, A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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