US2157076A - Bracelet construction - Google Patents

Description

Ef HAEFFNER BRACELET CONSTRUCTION May 2, 1939.l

Filed April 17, 1935 AlY j y k STM INVENToR ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1939 UNITED STATES BRACLET CONSTRUCTION Emil Haeilner, Newark, N. J., asslgnor to Gemex Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application April rz, 1935, serial' No. 16,784

" s claims. (c1. 24-71) This invention relates to a bracelet construe# tion andmore particularly to a buckle characterized by a plurality of folding links or the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to pro- 5 vide a buckle which will be simple, practical and thoroughly durable. Another object is to provide a device of the above character which may be manufactured from inexpensive materials at low labor cost. Another object is to provide a device 10 of the above character in which the operating parts may be easily assembled and in which the completed article is attractive in appearance. Another object is to provide a buckle of the above character capable of quick release to give a maX- l5 imum dimension to the bracelet while still effecting a very minute adjustment of the length thereoi when so desired. Anotherobject is to provide a device of the above character having a ngerpiece in a readily accessible position for opera- 20 tion. Another object is .to provide a device of the above character in which the various operating parts work with extreme ease so that changes in the length of the bracelet may be conveniently eiected. Other objects will be in '25 part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified 3g in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one o f the various possible embodiments 35 of this invention,

Figure l is a top plan view of my buckle with the links thereof in unfolded position;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan -vieW of the buckle shown in Figure 1;

@ Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of my buckle with the links'ln folded position;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line l-l of Figure 3, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken 45 along the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a vlongitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line t-t of Figure 2, and

Figure '7 is a horizontal sectional view of the parts shown in Figure 6.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

To aord a clearer understanding o several of the features of this invention, some of the dim- 55 culties encountered in buckles of this general character now in use will be described. Some of these buckles have no release for the pawl and ratchet when the links are' in folded position and accordingly if the wearer decides to increase the length of the bracelet is is necessary to unfold the links, resulting in inconvenience. Other buckles of this general character are provided with actuating apparatus such as ngerpieces so located that it is extremely difficult to operate them when the bracelet i's in position on the wrist of the wearer. Furthermore, many of these buckles are so complex in structure that it is very dii-heult to make the parts in proper dimensions, and the problem of assembly thereof is also difficult. The construction of many of these buckles is such that use thereof creates considerable wear and tear on the moving parts resulting in a short life. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a device for overcoming these difficulties as well as many others.

Referring to Figure 1, my buckle comprises a housing link generally indicated at l Within which is slidably mounted a sliding link generally indicated at li. Preferably sliding link il is secured to one end i2 of a bracelet generally indicated at I3 (only partially shown). Although end l2 of the bracelet may be secured to the sliding link in any convenient manner, I prefer to provide a slot lli adjacent the end of sliding link ilA and a collar I extendingthrough the slot and fitting about a cross-piece i6 of the end ofthe bracelet.

A link generally indicated at il in hingedly connected to housing link lil in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter, and a link generally indicated at I8 is slidably mounted within link il. Hingedly connected to link it is a link generally indicated at it having its end secured to the other end' 2d of the bracelet it. Preferably link i9 is connected to end 2li Vby an eye portion 2l tting about the crosspiece 22 of the end link. i

Referring more particularly to Figures 2 and 4, housing link lil preferably comprises a top portion 23, longitudinal side walls 2li and 25, and inwardly extending flange portions 2t and 2l spaced below top portion 23, as best seen in Figure 4. Thus the opposite sides of housing link i6 take the form of longitudinal channels 2t and 29, channel 2t being bordered by top portion 23, side Wall 2t andange portion Z5, while channel 29 is bordered by top portion 23, side Wall 25 and flange portion 2l.

Still referring to Figure li, the section of top portion 23 substantiallyvdisposed between chanrassure nels 28 and 29 is bent outwardly to form a longitudina zn'depression 30 within the housing link. Aszib shown in Figures 4 and 5, a movable part generally indicated at 3| is disposed within ly pin 35 not only serves' to hingedly connect link |1to housing link Il) but also it secures part 3| within liolusinglink i8 so that it is free to pivot in directions toward and away from top portion IThe central portion of part 3| is cut away to form a longitudinal slot 38, as best shown in Figures 2 and 7, while the end portion of part 3| opposite pin 35 has secured thereto a pawl or catch part 31. Preferably catch part 31 is an upturned cut out portion of part 3| as best shown in Figure 6. The end of part 3| is preferably bent over upon itself to form an eye portion 38 (Figure 6) Qlocated immediately adjacent the end of housing link IQ. Preferably top portion 23 of the housing link is cut out forming an indentation 39 (Figure 1) within which fingerpiece 38 rests.

Referring now to Figures 4 and '1, sliding link rests on top of part 3| as viewed in Figure '1.'4

The sides of sliding link` are bent upwardly and inwardly to form ridge portions 40 and 4| ntting within channels 28 and 29 respectively (Figure 4).

substantially engage side walls 24 and 25, whereas the depth of the` rid `e portions is much less than lindicated at 42. Teeth 42 are in Iline with pawl member 31 and consequently longitudinal movement of the sliding .link with respect to the housing link results in an engagement of the'pawl member with the several teeth. However, as best shown in Figure 6, pawl member 31 presents a sloping surface to the teeth when the sliding link is moved inwardly and an abrupt surface when any attempt is made to move the sliding link in the opposite direction. Accordingly the sliding link may move inwardly as the teeth will ride over the pawl member. But when part 3| is in its normal position, longitudinal movement of the sliding link in an outward or extended direction is prevented byengagement of one of the teeth with the abrupt side of pawl member 31. Should the wearer desire to move the sliding link outwardly to extend the bracelet, it is merely necessary to move part 3| against the top of the. housing link by way of ngerpiece 38 to disengage pawl member 31 from the teeth. Preferably the inside end of sliding link has a lip 43 extending into slot 36 (Figure 2) to serve as a guide during the longitudinal movement of the sliding link The dimensions of the sliding link are such that the sides of ridge portions 40 and 4| within the housing link and also to serve 'as a stop when the sliding link is in its outermost position'.

Links i1, |8 and |9 may be of any desired construction to fit within housing link I9 between flange portions. 26 andA 21 (Figure 2). Preferably link i1 is channel shaped in cross section having inwardly extending flanges 44 and 45 and a pair of ears 46a and 4Gb bridging the end thereof to form a slot 41. Link |8 is slidably mounted within link |1 and has an upturned lip 48 disposed within slot 41 and shaped to engage ear's 46a and 4Gb when link |8 is in extended position. Thus link |8 is free to slide in link |1 within the limits of the length of slot 41.

Links i8 and I9 are pivotally connected and link I9 is channel shaped in cross section having side walls 49 and 50 extending upwardly as viewed in Figure l. Walls 49 and 50 are provided with longitudinal projections 5| and 52 (Figures l and 4) for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

When the wearer desires to fold links l1, I8 and I9 into the nested position shown in- Figures 3 and 4, link i8 irst slides into link l1 while link I1 is pivoting about pin 35 (Figure 2) and link i9 is pivoting about its hinge connection 53 with link IB. Finally link |1, with link |8 disposed therein, rest's between the flange portions 26 and 21 of the housing link and side walls 49 and 5 0 are disposed between the sides of link I1 and the flange portions of the housing link. Flange portions 26 and 21 are so proportioned that when links l1, i8 and |9 are so folded into the housing Y serting the fingernail beneath a'projection 54 extending from the end thereof.

Referring to Figure 4it will now be seen that when links I1, I8 and I9 are in the closed or nested position, they are sufficiently spaced above sliding link 29 so that thi's member is free to slide into extended 'and contracted positions without hindrance. InA normal use the bracelet, with my unique buckle secured thereto, is rst slipped over the hand of the wearer while the buckle is in the extended position shown in Figures 1 and 2. Next links l1, I8 and |9 are moved into the nested position after which the wearer may geta fine adjustment of the length o f the bracelet by moving the sliding link ineither direction. If

the wearer desires to shorten the bracelet, it is,

merely necessary to move'the sliding link further into the housing link as the teeth 42 (Figure 6) will ride over pawl member 31. However if the wearer desiresto lengthen Athe bracelet slightly, Ahe can do so-by placing his fingernail beneath the iingerpiecev 38 and pulling it upwardly as viewed in Figure 1. 'I'his moves pawl member 31 out of engagement with the teeth so that the sliding link is free to move outwardly with re-` spect to the housing link. v

It will thus be seen that my buckle offers a great variation in the adjustment of the length of a bracelet. Furthermore, regardless of the position of the folding links, the sliding link remains in any desired position until changed by the done by actuating the ngerpiece, and it is to be particularly noted that the ilngerpiece is in a very accessible position where it may be conveniently operated.' Furthermore, the various 75 parts of my buckle are' simple in construction, thus being easily manufactured and assembled.

Accordingly `I have provided a thoroughly practical and efiicient construction in which the several objects hereinabove mentioned are accomplished and in which the difficulties herein referred to as well as many others are successfully eliminated.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An extensible bucklel comprising, in combination, a housing link having a top and longitudinal side walls, a sliding link member slidably retained between said walls of said housing link, a movable member substantially as long as said housing link pivotally connected to said housing link substantially adjacent one end thereof and located between said top of said housing link and said sliding link member, one of said members having a plurality of teeth formed thereon, a pawl connected to the other of said members, and a nngerpiece secured to said movable member and located substantially adjacent the end of said housing link opposite the end thereof to which said movable member is pivoted. v 2. An extensible buckle comprising, in combination, a link, a sliding link member mounted on said link'for sliding longitudinal movement relative thereto, a control member extending substantially throughout the length of said link, said control member having one end portion anchored to said link so that it is movable transversely only with respect to the longitudinal dimensions of said link, a finger piece on the other end portion oi said control member extending from one end of said link for operating said control member, one oi. said members having a series of ratchet teeth along a portion of its length and the other of said members having a pawl' thereon, said pawl and said ratchet teeth being in juxtaposed relationship on said link, so that transverse movement of said nger piece relative to said link separates said pawl and said ratchet teeth whereby said sliding link member is freely slidable on said link.

3. An extensible buckle comprising, in combination, a link, a sliding link member mounted on 1 said link for sliding longitudinal movement relative thereto, a control member extending substantially throughout the length of said link, said control member having one portion pivoted to said link so that itis movable transversely only with respect to the longitudinal dimensions of said link, a finger piece on the other end portion of said control member extending from one end of said link for operating said control member, one o! said members having a series of ratchet teeth alongl a portion of its length and the other ci said members having a pawl thereon, said pawl and ratchet teeth being in juxtaposed relationship on said link, so that transverse movement oi said nnger piece relative to said link separates said pawl and said ratchet teeth whereby said sliding link member is freely slidable on said link.

4. An extensible buckle comprising, in combination, a link, a sliding link member mounted on said link for sliding longitudinal movement relative thereto, a control `member anchored to said link between the top side thereof and said sliding movement of said finger piece relative to said linkseparates said pawl and said ratchet teeth whereby said sliding link member is freely slidable on said link.

5. An extensible buckle comprising, in combination, a link, a sliding link member mounted on said link for sliding longitudinal movement relative thereto, a control member extending substantially throughout the length of said link betweenv the top side of said link and said sliding link member, one end of said control member being connected to said link, and the other end thereof being free to move'transversely only with respect to the longitudinal dimensions of said link, a nger piece secured to the last-mentioned end of said control member and extending from one end of said link for operating said control member, one of said members having a series of ratchet teeth along a portion of its length and the other of said members having a pawl thereon, said pawl and said ratchet teeth being in juxtaposed relationship on said link-so that transverse movement of said finger piece relative to said link separates said pawl and said ratchet teeth whereby said sliding link member is freely slidable on said link.

6. An extensible buckle for a wrist watch bracelet or the like comprising, in combination, a housing link having a top and longitudinal side walls, a sliding link member slidingly' retained between said walls of said housing link, a movable a link,a sliding link member mounted on said 'v link for sliding longitudinal movement from one end of said link, a control member anchored to said link and movable transversely' only with respect to the longitudinal dimensions or said link, a nger piece on one end of said control member extending from said end oi said link for operating said control member, one of said members having a series of ratchet teeth along a portion of its length and the other oi said members having a payvi thereon, said pawl and said ratchet teeth being in juxtaposed relation upon said flink so` that transverse movement of said linger piecev relative to said link separates said pawl and said ratchet teeth, a series oi folding links pivotally connected to said first mentioned link to fold into a nested position with respect to said first mentioned link, and catch means associated with'said first mentioned link and said folding ylinks to hold I said folding links in said nested position, one end of the bracelet being connected to said sliding link member and the. other endr ofsaid bracelet being connected to' said folding links. r

. 8. In a bracelet construction, in combination, a link, a sliding link member mounted on said link for sliding longitudinal movement from one end of said link, a control member anchored to said link and movable substantially perpendicularly with respect to the plane of said link, a 1inger piece on one end of said control member extending from said end of said link for operating said control member, one of said members having a series of ratchet teeth along a portion of its length and the other of said members having a pawl thereon, said pawl and said ratchet teeth being in juxtaposed relation upon said link so that upward perpendicular movement of said nger piece relative to the plane of said link separates said pawl and said ratchet teeth, a series of folding links pivotally connected to saidlrst mentioned link to fold into a nested position with respect to said rst mentioned link, and catch means associated with 4said rst mentioned link and said folding links to hold said folding links in said nested position, one end of the bracelet being connected to said sliding link member and the other end of said bracelet being connected to said folding links.

EMIL HAEFFNER.

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