US2237931A - Bracelet construction - Google Patents

Description

W 1941- E. HAEFFNER 21.237331 BRACELET CONSTRUCTION Filed June 29, 1935 INVENTOR Ema ifaeffmer BY (wa 2% QW ATTORNEYS 0-795 l I Patented Apr. 8, 1941 BRACELET CONSTRUCTION Emil Haeffner, Newark, N. J., assignor to Gemex Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 29, 1935, Serial 'No. 28,984

10 Claims.

This invention relates to an extensible bracelet construction and more particularly to an extensible device to be included in a watch bracelet or the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an extensible bracelet construction which is simple, practical and thoroughly durable. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which is neat and attractive in appearance and yet of such sturdy construction as to withstand hard usage. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which may be manufactured from inexpensive and light materials. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character whose manufacture is free from complicationand detail work. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character lacking bothersome projections which might. catch in the clothes of the user. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which may be adjusted in either direction while in position upon the wrist of the user. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which may be conveniently and easily manipulated to secure a proper adjustment. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character whose length may be varied between comparatively wide limits without interferingwith a fine adjustment. Other objects will be in 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 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 of various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure l is a top plan view of my device in an open position when associated with or connected to the opposite ends of a bracelet or the like;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the parts shown in Figure 1 with the links in a partially folded position; and

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the parts shown in Figure l in the folded position.

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

particularly undesirable because they may catch upon and damage the cuifs of the user. The

projections and slots also detract from the ap-' pearance of such clasps. Furthermore, many of these clasps must be opened before it is possible to lengthen them; they lack any suitable means for releasing the sliding link of the clasp when in the folded position. In many of these constructions wherein the ratchet and pawl are resiliently held in engagement, the spring-pressed part may be moved outwardly a much greater distance than actually necessary for purposes of release; this weakens the spring finally resulting in a, permanent disengagement or ineffective engagement of the ratchet and pawl. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a device in which theabove difficulties as well as many others are successfully overcome.

Referring now to the drawing in detail and to Figure l in particular, I have provided a clasp comprising three pivotally connected links generally indicated at I0, II and I2. Upon housing link I2 is mounted a sliding link I3 which in turn is preferably pivotally connected to one of the ends M of a watch bracelet or the like in any suitablemanner as by eye member Hi. The opposite end I6 of the bracelet is connected to link It preferably by an eye portion I8 (Figure 2) extending around bar portion 51 thereof. Links Ill and I I may be folded into nested relation upon housing link I2 thus shortening the distance between ends I 4 and I6, all as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Housing link I2 preferably has a pair of side walls I? and I8 (Figure 3) extending upwardly substantially at right angles to the bottom portion thereof generally indicated at I9. Preferably bottom I9 curves slightly in longitudinal direction as best shown in Figure 2. Along the central portion of the bottom there is a channel 20 which is preferably of less width than the bottom leaving side portions 25 and 26 (Figure 3) adjacent walls It and Il. Directly over channel 2G and slightly smaller than the width thereof I place a spring piece generally indicated at 2|. Thus while channel 20 is wider than spring piece 2 I, it is considerably narrower than sliding link I3 so as to permit entrance of the spring into the channel, but preclude entrance of the sliding link for a purpose that will be pointed out in greater detail hereinbelow. One end of spring piece 2| is flanged outwardly forming portions 23 and 24 (Figure 1) the outer edges of which are preferably turned upwardly at right angles providing ears 21 and 28.

Thus flange portions 23 and 2d are located substantially above side portions 25 and 26 of bottom I 9 and ears 2! and 28 are adjacent side walls ll and I3 respectively. Ears 21 and 28 and side walls I! and I8 have aligned holes formed therein. Through these holes extend pivot pins 29 and 39 (Figure 1) which are preferably integral with link I|. Thus pins 29 and 39 pivotally connect both link II and spring piece 2| to housing link I2.

At the opposite end of spring piece 2| and preferably integral therewith is a fingerpiece 3| which extends upwardly therefrom and protrudes above the external surface of bottom I9 (Figure 2). A cut-out portion 50 is formed in bottom I9 immediately adjacent fingerpiece 3| so that the fin-- ger piece may be moved therein. Disposed longitudinally substantially along the central portion of spring piece 2| and preferably integral therewith I form a plurality of ratchet teeth generally indicated at 32 having beveled surfaces preferably facing fingerpiece 3|. As spring piece 2| is flat, it bridges the central portion of channel (Figure 2) and is in substantial engagement with the opposite ends thereof. Accordingly, longitudinal pressure on fingerpiece 3| bows spring piece 2| upwardly into channel 20, as viewed in Figure 2, fingerpiece 3| preferably receding into a cut-out portion 50.

Sliding link I3 preferably comprises two- side bars 33 and 34 connected by a pair of end bars 35 and 36, bar 35 preferably being substantially square in cross section. The width of side bars 33 and 34 (Figure 1) is preferably slightly smaller than the width of side portions and 2 6 which accordingly provide a track therefor. Side bars 33 and 34 are preferably adjacent side walls I'I and I8 respectively and a plurality of projections generally indicated at 31 protrude inwardly over the side bars to hold link I3 in sliding position.

The surface of end bar contacting spring piece 2| is high enough, as viewed in Figure 2, to keep spring piece 2| continuously bowed in the direction of the bottom of channel 20 regardless of the position of sliding link I3. Furthermore, the extremities of ratchet teeth 32 are spaced from the ends of channel 20, it being apparent from, a consideration of Figure 2 that this portion of the spring piece may move a greater vertical distance into the channel.

Thus when sliding link I3 is pressed inwardly, bar member 35 ratchets over teeth 32 and the bracelet may be shortened to any desired degree. However, outward movement of link I3 or movement in a right hand direction, as viewed in Figures l and 2, is prevented as the vertical surface of bar 35 engages the abrupt side of any of teeth 32 (Figure 2) It may now be seen that portions 25 and 26 of housing link I2 are in effect runways for side bars 33 and 34 of sliding link I3, and as such preclude entrance of the sliding link into chamber 29, which would otherwise occur and which would prevent effective operation between the ratchet teeth on spring 2| and cross bar 35 on sliding link I3.

When, however, the wearer wants to release link I3 for such outward movement, 'fingerpiece 3| is pressed inwardly into cut-out portion 50 and spring piece 2| bows upwardly into (chamber 20, as viewed in Figure 2, moving ratchet teeth 32 out of engagement with bar 35. It will be noted, however, that sliding link l3 and accordingly bar 35 can not enter chamber 20 because the chamber is narrower than the sliding link. Then sliding link I3 may be moved outwardly until bar 35 engages stop tooth 40 (Figure 2) which is higher than the other teeth and in alignment with bar 35 even when spring piece 2| is in its bowed position to allow free movement of link I 3. Upon releasing the pressure upon fingerpiece 3|, spring piece 2| again contacts bar 35 and, when sliding link I3 is pressed inwardly, the ratcheting action described above will take place upon movement of link I3 in a left hand di-' rection as viewed in Figure 1.

Cover link I0 preferably comprises a top por-' tion 42 and a pair of side walls 4| and 55 (Figure 3). Cover link III is preferably so proportioned that side walls 4| and 55 fit snugly between walls I! and I8 (Figure 3). Along side walls of cover link I0 there are a plurality of notches generally indicated at 56 which fit over projections 31 when the links are in the folded position (Figure 3). Side walls 4| and 55 are short leaving an exposed portion 43 (Figure 2) within which ears 2'! and 28 rest when the links are folded.

Link II is pivotally connected to link I2 as described above and preferably has upon its opposite end portion pins 47 and 48 extending outwardly therefrom. Preferably the side walls of link I9 extend outwardly (Figure 2) beyond top portion 42 to form cars 44 and 45 and pins 4'! and 48 fit into suitable holes formed therein. Preferably link II is proportioned to fit between the side walls of link II] (Figure 3). Also, pins 29 and 39 are positioned sufficiently above bottom portion I9 of link I3 so that link II is suspended above link I3 when the links are in the folded position. Preferably suitable longitudinal detents 5| and 49 are provided in walls 4| and of link II] which fit within suitable recesses 53 and 52 respectively formed in the side walls I! and I8 of housing link I2. Accordingly the links may be folded into the position shown in Figure 3 by pivoting links it and II until these parts assume the folded position when projections 49 and 5| interfit with recesses 52 and 53. In order to pull these links out of nested relation a nail piece 54 is provided upon the end of bottom portion I9 of link I2.

In use, the clasp may be slipped over the hand into position on the wrist when the links are in extended position as shown in Figure 1, after which links I9, II and I2 may be folded into the nested relation (Figure 3). Bar 35 is then in a position to engage teeth 32 and sliding link I3 may thus be moved inwardly until any desired length of the bracelet is achieved at which point it is held by the engagement of bar 35 with one of the teeth. To achieve a fine adjustment by outward movement of link I3 fingerpiece 3| may be pressed inwardly to bow spring piece 2| and to allow link I3 to slide freely.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a construction in which the various objects hereinabove set forth together with many thoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved.

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. In an extensible buckle, in combination, a housing link, said housing link including a top portion and side walls, a longitudinal channel formed in said top portion, a spring member secured to one end portion of said housing link and disposed above said channel so that it may bow into said channel by pressing its free end, a plurality of ratchet teeth formed on said spring member, a link slidably mounted on said housing link above said spring member, and a pawl on said sliding link, said ratchet teeth being normally in engagement with said pawl and shaped to move away therefrom by bowing said spring member.

2. In an extensible buckle, in combination, a housing link, a link slidably mounted in said housing link, a ratchet member separate from and disposed between said links and secured to said housing link, and a pawl member secured to said sliding link and engaging said ratchet member, said ratchet member being resilient and including a portion spaced from said housing link, said portion being bowable toward said housing link upon manipulation of said resilient ratchet member to effect its disengagement from said pawl member, whereby said links may be moved in relation to each other inwardly or outwardly.

3. In an extensible buckle, in combination, a housing link, a link slidably mounted on said housing link, spring means separate from but connected with said housing link and having a plurality of ratchet teeth formed therein, a pawl on said sliding link located to engage said ratchet teeth, said ratchet teeth normally being in engagement with said pawl, and a finger piece connected to said spring means and operable to disengage said pawl and said teeth by bowing said spring means away from said sliding link and toward said housing link when said finger piece is pressed.

4. In an extensible buckle, in combination, a housing link, a spring member secured to said housing link and longitudinally compressible with respect thereto to bow the spring, means connected with the spring for bowing it by longitudinal pressure, a sliding member mounted on said housing linkadjacent said spring member and having a portion spaced from said housing link to permit said spring member to bow away from said sliding member upon longitudinal compression of the spring member, a plurality of ratchet teeth formed on one of said members, and a pawl formed on the other of said members, said ratchet teeth and pawl normally being in engagement.

5. In an extensible buckle, in combination, a bottom link member, a top link member slidably interrelated with said bottom link, a spring member disposed between said top and bottom links and connected to one of said links, a plurality of ratchet teeth formed on said spring member, a pawl mounted on said top link and engaging said ratchet teeth, said spring member being spaced from said bottom link and bowable upon operation thereof to move said teeth and pawl out of engagement, whereby said links may be freely moved in relation to each other inwardly or outwardly, and cooperating means between two of said members for limiting outward movement of one link with respect to the other. 7

6. In an extensible buckle, in combination, a bottom link, a top link slidably inter-related with said bottom link, a spring member having one end connected to the end of one of said links, a pawl member formed on the other of said links, a finger piece integral with the free end of said spring member and extending from the other end of the link to which the spring member is connected, a plurality of ratchet teeth mounted on one of said members and positioned to engage said pawl, said spring member being spaced from til the link to which it is connected to bow and compress by pressure on said finger piece to disengage said ratchet and said pawl, and cooperating means between two of said members for limiting outward movement of one link with respect to the other.

7. In an extensible buckle, in combination, a housing link, a link slidably mounted in said housing link, a ratchet member disposed between said links and secured to one of them, and a pawl member secured to the other link and engaging said ratchet member, one of said members being resilient, said resilient member including a portion spaced from one of said links and having an integral finger piece extending from one end of said one link, said portion being bowable upon operation of said finger piece to efiect its disengagement from the other of said members whereupon said links may be moved in relation to each other inwardly or outwardly.

'8. An extensible buckle including a housing link, a sliding link in said housing link, a ratchet member and a pawl member associated with said links to control relative movement therebetween, one of said links having a depressed portion forming a chamber therein, an operating element connected to said last-mentioned link and associated with one of said members and bowable from a position outside of said chamber into said chamber for moving one of said members away from the other, whereby relative movement of said links may take place, said chamber being narrower than one of said members to preclude entrance of said last-mentioned member into said chamber.

9. In an extensible buckle, in combination, a bottom link, a top link extensibly related to said bottom link member, a spring member mounted upon one of said link members, said spring member being connected to said one link member at one end and having an integral finger piece extending from the opposite end of said one link member whereby said spring member may be tensioned by moving said spring relative to the link member to which it is attached, a pawl formed on one of said members, ratchet teeth formed upon another of said members and engaging said pawl, whereby said ratchet and pawl are normally held in engagement to prevent separation of said link members and whereby the ratchet and pawl may be disengaged when said spring member is tensioned, and cooperating means associated with at least two of said members for limitin the extension of one of said link members relative to the other.

10. In an extensible buckle, in combination, a housing link, a link slidably mounted on said housing link, a one-piece spring member connected at one end thereof to one end of said housing link and extending longitudinally of said housing link to and beyond the other end thereof and provided at said last mentioned end with a finger piece accessible externally of said housing link, said spring member having a plurality of ratchet teeth formed therein, said spring member being disposed between said housing link and said sliding link, a pawl on said sliding link located to engage said ratchet teeth, said ratchet teeth normally being in engagement with said pawl and movable out of said engagement by flexing of said spring member when said finger piece is pressed.

EMIL HAEFFNER.

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