US2185736A - Bracelet connecting link - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 2, 1940. PRESTlNAR] 2,1853736 BRACELET CONNECTING LINK Filed June 24, 1936 Tic 11D Eugen Pres zz'n mi BY gpzm m 1 9 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 2, 1940 PATENT OFFICE BRACELET CONNECTING LINK Eugen Prestinari, Summit, N. J., assignor to Gemex Company, Newark, N. J., a. corporation of New Jersey Application June 24, 1936, Serial No. 86,915

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a securing device, and more particularly to an end link for the bracelet chain of a watch or the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an end link for a bracelet chain or the like which issimple and sturdy in construction and durable under conditions of rigorous use. Another object is to provide an end link of the above nature which may bereadily and inexpensively manufactured in large quantities. An-

other object is to provide an end link of the above nature which can be made of inexpensive materials, which is pleasing in appearance, and which may readily conform in design to the design of a bracelet chain to which it is attached. Another object is to provide an end link of the above nature by which an end of a bracelet chain may be readily and securely fastened to or removed from the bail of a watch. Other objects will be in part apparent 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 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 are shown several of the various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a watch to which a bracelet chain is secured by my end link;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of my end link;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of my end link;

Figure 4 is an elevation of one side of my end link;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an elevation of one end of my end link;

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the end link;

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of another end of the end link showing a different type of securing Din;

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation similar to Figure 5 but showing a modification of my end link, and

Figure 10 is a plan View of the end link shown in Figure 9, portions thereofbeing broken away.

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

In order that certain features of my invention may be more readily understood, it might be well to point out that considerable difficulty has been encountered in the past in securing a bracelet chain or the like to the bail of a watch. Various types of fastening devices have been used for this purpose, but generally they have been 5 characterized by their inability to securely and reliably hold the chain and watch together. Other links of this nature are not only difficult to assemble and disassemble from the watch and bracelet, but also may be irreparably damaged upon removal from the Watch or the bracelet. Still other links of this general nature detract from rather than enhance the appearance of the watch and bracelet. Perhaps the greatest difficulty lies in the difi'iculty of assembling the watch, the bracelet and the end link. Various expedients have been resorted to, but with little practical success due to the fact that the union between the link and watch or the link and bracelet is either so impermanent as to be ineffective after a short period of use, or so permanent that damage inevitably results to the watch, the end link or the bracelet upon disassembly thereof for purposes of repair or replacement. Various devices Which have been constructed with the idea of rapid assembly with the watch and bracelet usually do not effect an efficient connection between the watch and bracelet and such links are quite apt to become disconnected while in use much to the inconvenience of the user, and often 30 to the considerable damage of the watch. It is accordingly another object of this invention to provide an end or connecting link which effectively precludes these conditions.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to Figure 1, a watch generally indicated at Ill is preferably provided along opposite side portions With'bails or eyelets Illa and "lb. The opposite ends Ila and Nb of a bracelet chain or the like II are respectively secured to bails Illa and H317 by end or connecting links generally indicated at [2 and I3. As end links l2 and I3 are substantially identical in construction and operation, end link l2 only will be hereinafter de- 45 scribed.

Referring now to Figure 2, link l2 preferably comprises a pair of link parts l4 and I5. Link part I4 is conveniently U-shaped having a side portion Ma and leg portions lb and Me. Leg 50 portion Mb of link part I4 is preferably provided with an arcuate recess hid in which is secured in any suitable manner a tubular element l6 provided with bore lBa; and Ifibof tube I6 preferably being spaced from the outer surface of side 55 portion Ma of the link part for a purpose pointed out hereinafter.

Still referring to Figure 2, it may be seen that leg portion I ie of the link part has integrally formed therewith or secured thereto in any suitable manner, a rounded portion or tube I'l provided with an axial bore I'Ia (Figure 7). Preferably leg portion I db of the link part is longer than leg portion I40, and this for a purpose discussed later.

Referring again to Figure 2, link part I is also preferably U-shaped being provided with end or side portion I5a and leg portions I517 and I50. As is better shown in Figure 3, leg portions I5b and We are preferably of substantially the same length, each having preferably secured thereto tubular elements it and IE1 (Figure 2) respectively. Tubular element I9 is provided with an axialbore I90. (Figure '7) and through this. bore and bore Illa of tube I! on link part It extends a pin or stud 25 having its ends 22a and 25b headed over to pivotally unite link parts It and I5. Preferably tubular elements I? and I9 are substantially equal in length so that the dividing line therebetween coincides substantially with the center line of end link I2.

Tubular element It (Figure 2) is preferably complementary to tubular element It, tube I8 being provided preferably with a threaded bore Ifia. Thus when the two link parts are pivoted to a position wherein the axes of tubes 56 and I3 coincide, the adjacent ends of these tubes are in substantial registry thus being in a position wherein a securing screw 2I (Figure 2) may be inserted through bore IIia of tube I 5 and threaded into bore IBa of tube I8 to secure link parts It and I5 against relative pivotal movement. As is best shown in Figure 5, head 2 Ia. of screw 2! desirably lies wholly within recess I ld of link part I 4 when 5 the screw is threaded into its securing position.

Thus the flat end surface of screw head ZIa. is flush with the surface of end portion Ida of link part I I, screw head 2 Ia preferably having a diameter substantially equal to that of tube It (see Figure 4). I also prefer to dimension screw ZI so that when it is in its securing position the under surface of its head ZIa abuts end Ifib of tube It and the end of its threaded portion is flush with the side of link part I5 or the outer end of tube I8.

Under certain circumstances I may use a headed pin Mi instead of screw 2i. Pin 40 may conveniently be formed as a dowel or else be provided with a diameter slightly in excess of the dianieter of bores Isa and I8a of tubes I 6 and I8 respectively. Pin 4-9 may be force fitted within the bores of the tubes and thus securely hold link parts I I- and I5 in non-pivotal relationship. It is also apparent that by correctly proportioning pin i6 it may readily be forced out of its securing position in the event that it is desired to disassemb-le link I2 from the watch or the bracelet.

Referring now to Figure 6 it may be seen that tubes II and IQ of link parts It and I5 respectively are preferably longer than and extend beyond the ends of leg portions Mo. and I50 of the link parts, thus providing a substantial space between the ends of the leg portions. This space, as is better shown in Figure 1, provides a convenient recess into which end link I la of bracelet chain I I may lie when link I2 and the bracelet are assembled. Similarly, as is best shown in Figure 3, when leg portions lb and I513 of link parts I4 and I5 respectively are secured together against pivotal movement, an enclosed space A is formed,

this space being bounded by tubes I1 and I9 which form a bar, by tubes I6 and l8which also form a bar, and by end portions Ma and i511 of link parts I4 and I5 respectively. Enclosed space" A may thus conveniently receive the eyelet or bail Ifla of watch Ii) when the watch and link I2 are assembled.

As pointed out above, leg portion Mb of link part I4 is longer than leg portion I51) of link part I5. Thus when link parts I4 and I5 are swung apart, as shown in Figure 2, end link Ila.

' of bracelet II may be hooked into place about tubes I? and I9 and into the space between leg portions Mo and I50 of the link parts. Also leg portion Mb may readily be introduced into the bail Illa or eyelet of the watch, leg portion Mb preferably being long enough so that its free end registers with the end of the watch bail Illa opposite to theend through which the leg portion was introduced. After being so positioned, link part I5 maybe pivoted into position so that the axes of tubes I6 and I 8 and link parts I l and I5 are in alignment, whereupon screw 2I or the dowel or pin described above may be screwed or force fitted into place, thus securing'end link Ha of bracelet II to bail Illa of watch I0.

It may now be seen that end link I2 is readily capable of rapid assembly to both the bracelet and the watch, and may be as rapidly and cone veniently removed from such assembled position in the event that bracelet or watch repair or replacement be desired.

Under certain circumstances I have found it preferable to secure the link parts of the end link together in a different manner wherein I prefer to use the modification shown in Figures 9 and 1-0.

The only substantial difference between the modification shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10 and the form hereinabove described, lies in the tubular parts through which the securing pin or device extends to prevent relative pivotal movement between the link parts. Accordingly, I provide a link generally indicated at 22 (Figure 10) substantially similar in configuration to link I2,'.

and accordingly being provided with leg portions 23 and 24 substantially similar to leg portions I52) and I517" of link parts I4 and I5 respectively. So-

cured respectively to leg portions 23 and 24 are tubes 25 and 25. Tube 25 is preferably provided with concentric bores 2'! and 28, bore 28 being larger than bore 21 so as to provide a shoulder'29 therebetween. Tube 25 also has a bore 30, this bore being so formed as to be coaxial with bores 27 and 28 when leg portions 23 and 24 are aligned.

A pin or plunger 3I provided with an enlarged or collar portion 32 comprises the securing pin for end link 22. Pin 3| is slidably disposed with in bore 21 of tube 25, collar 32 of the pin being similarly disposed within bore 28. As the end 3 Ia of pin 3I is preferably headed over after the pin has been placed within tube 25, the pin is free to move a limited extent within bores 27 and 28 but is constrained against removal from the tube by reason of head 3Ia and collar 32. Preferably formed integrally with collar 32 is a portion 3M of pin 3|, this portion preferably being coaxial with, and substantially equal in diameter to, pin SI. When tubes 25 and 26 are aligned, pin portion 31a may be slidably inserted in bore 35 of tube 26, and accordingly tubes 25 and 26 are retained against relative pivotal movement. To

posite ends continuously engaging shoulder 29 and collar 32 respectively, thus forcing headed end 3laof the pin 3| against the outer end of tube 25 and accordingly maintaining the pin in its securing position.

It may now beseen that pin 3! (Figure 9) is readily removable from its securing position to permit the assembly .of link 22 with watch l 7 and bracelet I I in substantially the same manner ly pivotable elements in abutting relationship" against relative pivotal movement when disas pointed out hereinabove with respect to link l2.

It may further be seen that I have provided an end or connecting link for securing abracelet chain to a wrist watch which effectively fulfills the several objects pointed out hereinabove in a thoroughly practical and efiicient manner.

As many possible embodiments maybe 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 end link for securing a bracelet chain to a watch bail comprising, in combination, a pair of substantially U-shaped parts, each leg of each of said parts having secured thereto atubular element, one element of each part being pivotally joined to the corresponding element of the other" part whereby the other of said elements are free for relative pivotal movement, said first two elements being adapted to be embraced by the end link of said bracelet chain, said freely pivotable. elements being formed for disposition within said watch bail, and means for securing said freeposed within said watch bail.

2. In a device of the nature described, in' combination, a pair of parts, a pair of bar forming 9 elements secured to each of said parts, each pair of said elements being in alignment with each other, means associated with one of the elements of each of said parts to secure said parts together in pivotal relationship, and means connectible to each of the other of said elements on said parts to retain said parts against relative pivotal movement.

3. In a device of the nature described, in combination, a pair of parts, a, pair of bar forming elements secured to each of said parts, each pair of said elements being in alignment with each other, means associated with'one of the elements of each of said parts to secure said parts together in pivotal relationship, and means connectible to each ofv the other of said elements on said parts to retain said parts against rela- -tive pivotal movement in abutting relationship,

one of said last-mentioned elements being substantially shorter than the other.

4. In a device of the nature described, in combination, a pair of parts, a pair of barforming elements-secured to each of said parts, means associated with one 'ofthe elements of each ofsaid parts to secure said parts together in pivotal relationship, means extensible through each of the other elements on said parts to retain'said parts against relative pivotal movement, and spring means constantly urging said extensible means in a direction to retain saidparts against I relative movement.

5. An end link for securing a bracelet chain to a watch bail comprising, in combination, a pair of substantially U-shaped parts, means pivotally connecting one leg of each U-shaped part to thereafter adjusted upon the bail of a watch, Y

and then pivoted into closed relationship and secured in this position by said second-mentioned means.

6. An end link for securing a bracelet chain to a watch bail comprising, in combination, a pair of substantially U-shaped parts having its legs arranged in opposed end-to-end relation, a single pin extending longitudinally through one leg of each of said parts to pivotally connect said parts together, said pin being secured to said parts to maintain them against separation axially of said pin, the other legs of said parts having aligned holes formed therein, the axes of said holes being parallel to that of said pin, and apart extendible through said holes to hold said lastleg of each of said parts to pivotally connect said parts together, said pin being secured'to said parts to maintain them against separation axially of said pin, the other legs of said parts having aligned holes formed therein, the axes of said holes being parallel to that of said pin, one of said last-mentioned legs being shorter than the other, and means adapted to extend through said holes to hold said last-mentioned legs in alignment.

8. An end link for securing a bracelet chain to a Watch bail comprising, in combination, a pair of substantially U-shaped parts having'its legs arranged in opposed end-to-end relation,'a single pin extending longitudinally through one leg of each of said parts to pivotally connect said parts together, said pin beingsecured to said parts to maintain them against separation axially of said pin, the other legs of said parts having aligned holes formed therein, the axes of said holes being parallel to that of said pin, one of said lastmentioned legs being longer than the other of said last-mentioned legs and also being longer than the other leg'of that part from which it extends, and means extendible through said holes to hold said last-mentioned legs in alignment.

, 9. An end link for securing a bracelet chain to r pin extending longitudinally through one leg of each of saidparts to pivotally connect said parts together, said pin being secured to said parts to maintain them against separation axially of said pin, the other legs of said parts having aligned holes formed therein, the axes of said holes being parallel to that of said pin, a part disposed within the hole in one of said last-mentioned legs and extendible into the hole in the other of said last-mentioned legs to hold said last-mentioned legs in alignment, and means for biasing said part into its extended position.

' EUGEN PRESTINARI.

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