US2446068A - Clasp for wrist-watch bracelets and other linkages - Google Patents

Description

July 27, 1948. v cou -r 2,446,068

CLASP FOR WRIST-WATCH BRACELETS AND OTHER LINKAGES Filed Dec. 27, 1946 int/eniorQ LoujsE Mzlcoarl" 4ZZ0r-nys.

Patented July 27, 1948 UNITED STATE OTHER LINKAGES s A'ihi l'i @itFICE 2,446.068f N i oLAsPFon WRIST-WATCH BRACELETS Louis E. Valcourt, East Providence, R. 1., assignor to Kestenman Bros. Mfg. 00., Providence, R. I., l a corporation of Rhode Island Application December 27, 194.6, Serial N 718,772 r i Claims.

This invention relates to buckles, clasps and similar connectors for watch-bracelets and the like and particularly to improvements in devices of a type comprising means for automaticallyadjusting the length of the strap, band or bracelet to yieldingly engage the wrist of the wearer.

One object of the invention is to provide an extensible clasp or fastening device of the type indicated which, after it has been slipped over the hand, may have its parts folded into closed relationship and securely latched together while being adapted to yieldingly hold the strap or band contracted on the wrist. Another object is to provide a clasp or fastening device of the type indicated comprising a plurality of hinged sections adapted to be folded into overlying nested relationship to contract the band *or bracelet and embodying a resilientlyoperated element slidable in one of the hinged sections for drawing the bracelet snugly about the wrist of the wearer. 1

Another object is to provide a clasp or fastening device of the type indicated having means for securely latching the foldable sections in closed relationship to guard against their accidental release, with manually-operable means for releasing the latching means only when the extension member has been extended throughout substantially its full length.

Another object is to provide a clasp or fastening device of the type indicated having latching means on one of the foldable sections and means on the slidable extensionelement for sliding the latching means in one direction when the extension element is extended, whereafter the manually-operable means may be manipulated to release the latching means to permit unfolding of the hinged sections.

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

In the drawing:

Fig; 1 is a plan view of the present improved clasping device shown as attached to the ends of a bracelet chain or linkage;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the clasp taken in a median plane and showing its parts latched together in folded relationship;

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view showing the hinged members of the clasp in unfolded rela tionship;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the foldable members at oneendof the clasp illustrating the manually-operable means for perm ting release of the latching means as in position to prevent such release; i

Fig. 5 is-a similar sectional view at one end of the clasp showing the manually-operable means actuated to permit release of the latching means;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the clasp on line 6-% of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a similar transverse sectional View on linei-l ofFig. 1; i 3 Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the hinged connection between two of the foldable members of the clasp;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the manuallyoperable locking means for preventing release of the latching means; and l 3 Fig. 10 is a view of the slidable latching element. i

The present clasp or connector is similar in general to that shown and described in my United States Letters Patent N 0. 2,408,279, but embodies certain improvements including manually-operable locking means to guard against acoidental release of the latching means when the extension member is extended. In the device of my prior patent the several foldable elements of the clasp are normally held together by latching means which may be releasedby drawi gout the exten sion member to the full extent of its sliding ac tion. With this previous form of construction there isfan element of danger from accidental unclasping of the device should the extension member be inadvertently drawn outwardly to the fullextent permissible after thebracelet has been clasped on the wrist. To provide against this contingency and render thelatchin meansof the clasp more secure, thepresent improvement provides a" lock in the form of a pivoted detent which mustbe manually operated to permit-the extension member to be drawn out to the full extent for releasing the latching means. Referring to the drawing, the present improved clasp or connector 2 is shown iii-Fig. l as applied to use attached to the ends of sections '3 and! of a bracelet composed of articulated links; while in other cases it may be employed with leather or fabric straps or cords. The device comprises, in

general, three cooperating foldable extension.

members consisting in a base member 5, an intermediate or connectin member 6, and a top memher or cover 7. The several members 5, 6 and! are hinged together to adapt them to be folded together in overlying relationshipas shown in- Figs. 1 and 2. A resiliently-operated extension member. 8 is slidable in the base member 5 for permitting limited expansion or contraction in the length of the bracelet after the parts of the clasp have been folded together and latched in closed relationship. The several parts of the device may be constructed as stampings struck up from sheet-metal stock and formed generally of arcuate shape to conform to the contour of the wrist of the wearer.

The base member or section 5 is of shallow trough-shape constituted by a bottom wall or plate ll! having side walls ll folded upwardly therefrom. At one end of the base member 5 its bottom wall Ill is extended and curled around to provide a cylindrical bearing II! for a hingepin l3, the ends of which project through holes in a pair of opposite ears 14 at the ends of the connecting member 6, see Fig. ,8. The intermediate connecting member 5 may take the formo-f an arcuate strip of sheet-metal which is cut away at its center throughout the greater part of its length to form a pair of bifurcations or legs [5 indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the ends of the legs I5 of the member 6 are formed with laterally-projecting pintles l 6 which project'through holes in the sides of the top member 1 to hingedly connect these two parts of the clasp.

The top member or cover I is also of arcuate shape in side elevation, being formed with a top wall I! and depending side walls l8. The lower .marginal portions of the side walls l8 are folded inwardly to provide a pair of opposed flanges 20 which serve as ledges for engagement with the latching means carried by the bottom member 5. Adjacent each end of the cover 1 the opposite flanges or ledges 20 are cut away to provide slots 2| and 22 which provide alined openings for release of the latching lugs, later described, when the latter are brought into cooperative relation therewith. The upper wall Ilof the cover 1 may be embossed with a raised panel 23 as shown most particularly in Figs. 2 and 6. The free end of the cover 1 has its top wall formed into a cylindrical hinge-member 24 for connection with the link at one end of the bracelet as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Pivotally mounted at the opposite end of the cover I is a locking pawl or gate 25 normally maintained in position to close the openings 22 in the ledges 20 for a purpose as later explained.

The locking pawl or detent gate 25, shown in perspective view in Fig. 9, is constructed from relatively thin sheet-metal formed with a crossstrip or saddle 28 folded downwardly at its ends to provide a pair of runner-like legs 21. The legs 21 are pierced with holes 28 for receiving the pintles l6 which project from the legs l5 of the connecting member 8 for hinging it to the sides of the cover I. The rearward portions of the legs 21 of the locking member 25 are folded upwardly from the bottom to overlap on the inside, thus providing double-thick detent abutments or gate-portions 29 normally engaging through and closing the openings 22 in the opposite ledges orflanges 20 on the cover I.

Projecting rearwardly from the cross-strip 26 of the member 25'is an integral spring element 30 of bowed form with its end reversely bent to adapt it to bear against the under side of the top wall I! of the cover I. The spring "38 thus tends to rock the member 25 to maintain its detent orgate portions 29 engaged through the openings 22 in the ledges 20 on the sides of the cover I, see Fig. 4. At its forward end the crossstrip 26 of the member 25 has an extension 32 folded upwardly and then rearwardly across the top of the strip 26 to provide a finger-rest 33, the ends of which are folded downwardly at 34 to provide a smooth finish. The finger-rest 33 is normally positioned in an opening 35 where the end of the top wall I! of the cover I is cut away to accommodate it.

The extension member 8 is formed with a top wall '3! and depending side flanges 38 having their edges resting on the bottom of the base member 5 to support the member to slide longitudinally therein. The top wall 31 of the member 8 is bent downwardly at the rear to form an abutment 39 for the end of a helical coiled spring 40, the forward end of which engages against the upturned end wall M of the base member 5. A pair of semicircular ears 42 foldedinwardly from the side walls I l of the base member 5 overlap the top of the extension member 8 to assist in holding it down within the base member 5. Normally, the slidable extension member 8 is contracted within the base member '5 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 under the tension of the spring 40. At its forward end the extension member 8 has its top wall curled around to form a bearing 43 for engagement with the crossbar of one of the links of the bracelet chain 3 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The extension member 8 is thus adapted to be slid outwardly from the base member 5 to expand the bracelet; and normally the spring will act to retract the extension member into the base member to draw the bracelet snugly about the wrist of the wearer.

The latching means for the clasp comprises a second slidable member 45 shown in perspective View in Fig. 10 and arranged to overlie the top of the extension member 8. The latching member 45 may be constructed of sheet-metal with an arcuately-shaped top Wall 46 and depending curved side flanges 41. The top wall of the latching member 45 is slotted to provide an opening 48 extending substantially its whole length, but interrupted by cross strips 49 at each end. The lower edges of both side flanges 4'! are cut away adjacent their ends andthe metal bent upwardly and outwardly to form laterally-projecting latching strips or lugs 50 at both ends and each side of the member 45. These latching lugs 58 are arranged to project through longitudinally-extending slots 5| in'the sides H of the bottom or base member 5 as shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawing. The slots 5| are of considerably greater length than that of the latching lugs 50 to permit the latching member 45 to slide longitudinally of the base member 5 while holding said member down in the base. It will be noted by reference to Figs. 6 and 10 that the latching lugs 58 are rounded along their outer edges, the purpose being to adapt them to snap across the inturned flanges 20 on the inner sides of the top member or cover 1 to latch the several folded sections of the clasp in closed relationship, see Figs. 5 and 6. Referring to Fig. 7, it will be noted that the detent or gate portions 29 of the legs 21 of the locking member 25 are positioned in the space between the sides l8 of the top or cover member I and the side walls ll of the bottom member 5 in abutting relation therewith. To assist in holding the slidable latching element 45 down within the base member 5. a pair of semi-circular ears 55 are folded over from the side walls II of the base member to overlap the top of the latching member as shown in Fig.5. 1 and 6. Struck up from the top of the extension member 8 is a lug or abutment 56, see Fig.3, which projects through the longitudinal slot or opening 48 in the member '45 to adapt it to slide therein when the member 8 is drawn outwardly from the end of the base member 5. The abutment 56 is so located on the member 8 as to adapt it to strike the end of the opening 48in the latching member 15, that is the edge of its forward cross strip '49, to cause the latching member to be slid with the extension member during the latter part of its sliding motion. The purpose of this construction is to adapt the latching member 45 to be slid forwardly into position forits latching lugs 5!) to pass through the openings 2| and 22 in the ledges 20 on the side walls I8 of the cover member to unclasp the several foldable members after the locking detent or gate member 25 has been pressed downwardly as shown in Fig. 5. The method of operation of the complete device is as follows:

Assuming that the several foldable elements 5, 6 and l have been unlatched and unfolded into alined relationship to extend the bracelet for drawing it over the hand and onto the wrist of the wearer, the clasp may be closed by simply pressing the cover 1 down against the base member 5 with the pivotal or hinge connections pro- Viding for such folding together of the parts. As the cover 1 is pressed down onto the base 5 to nest the latter therein, the latching lugs 50 on the member 45 will snap across the edges of the inturned ledges 20 on the cover to engagetherewith in the relationship shown in Fig. 6 to hold the several parts in closed or nested relationship. It should be explained that it is not necessary that the latching lugs 50 be disposed opposite the openings 2| and 22 in the ledges 20 since they will snap over the edges of the ledges in whatever relation they assume to the openings. That is to say, normally with the eXtension member 8 partly or completely contracted to its full extent within the base 5 the latching lugs 50 will not be alined with the openings 2| and 22, but, as before stated, it is not essential that they should be since the lugs will snap over the edges of the ledges 20 in any position they may assume in relation thereto. In such extreme circumstance, however, that the extension member 8 may be completely extended from the bottom or base member 5 the forward lugs 5|] on the latching member 45 will be allowed to pass up through the forward openings 22 in the flanges or ledges 20 on the member by rocking the gate member or looking member 25. At the same time the rearward latching lugs 50 will pass through the openings 2| at the opposite end of the cover 7 and immediately thereafter the spring 40 will act to retract the extension member 8 into the base member 5 and slide the member 45 with it, due to frictional contact between these parts to cause latching engagement between the lugs 58 and the, flanges or ledges 20 on the cover.

With the parts of the clasp latched together in nested relationship, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,. the device operates to permit a limited extension in the length of the bracelet under the outwardly slidingmovement of the extension member 8, such motion being limited by the forward lugs 50 striking against the rearward edges of the folded detent or gate portions 29 of the member 25. When it is desired to unclasp the bracelet to withdraw it from the wrist the extension member 8 is slid outwardly, preferably by pressing the finger on the top of the detent or gate member to rock the latter into the position shown in Fig. 5 while concurrently continuing the outward sliding movement of the extension member 8. This 'continued outward movement of the extension member 8 will cause the for- Ward lugs 50on the latching element to ride in under the legs of thegate member 25 to further lift the ends of its legs and allow the detent lugs to .pass through the openings 22 in the ledges 20' on the sides of the cover 1. Concurrently therewith the rearward lugs on the latching element 45 will pass through the openings 2| in the ledges 20 so that the cover 1 will be completely released from the base member '5 and allowed to be 'swung upwardly and rearwardly to extend the clasp to its maximum length and provide expansionof the bracelet sufiiciehtly to slide it over thehand of the wearer. i i

It will be observed from the foregoing specification that the present invention provides important improvements in clasps or connectors of the present type, first, by providing for maximum extension of the bracelet to pass it over the hand 1. A clasp or connector forwrist-watch brace-Q lets comprising a plurality of sections foldable into overlying relationship, latching means on one of said sections, an extension member slidable in one of said sections, resilient means for sliding said section to normally maintain, it in contracted relationship, a slidable latching member having means engageable with the firstnamed latching means to hold the foldable sections in closed relationship, said slidable latching member being movable by and with the extension member to release the latching means,

, and detent means for normally restrictingthe movement of the, slidable latching member to prevent release of the latching means, said detent means being manually operable to permit the slidable member to be moved to release the latchingmeans.

2. A clasp orconnector for wrist-watch bracelets comprising .a plurality of articulated sections foldable into overlying relationship, latching means on one of saidsections, an extension member slidable in another of said sections for expanding and contracting the length of the bracelet, resilient means for resisting the-outward sliding movement of the extension member, a latching member slidable by and with the extension member and having means for engaging the firstnamed latching means, a resiliently-operated detent for normally engaging the slidable latching member to restrict its sliding motion, said detent means being manually operable to efiect release of the slidable latching member to permit it to move sufliciently to release the cooperating latching means.

3. A'clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracelets comprising a base section, a cover section, an intermediate member hingedly connecting the base section and cover section to adapt them to be folded into overlying relationship, latching.

ledges on the cover section, a latching member slidable in the base section and having means engageable with the ledges on the cover section to hold the sections in closed relationship, an extension member slidable in the base section, a spring for normally maintaining said extension member contracted within the base section, means on said extension member engageable with the latching member to slide the latter to release its latching means from the ledges on the cover section, and detent means for normally limiting the movement of the latching member to prevent the release of its latching means from the ledges on the cover section, said detent means being manually operable .to permit the latching member to slide to release its latching means from the ledges on the cover section.

4. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracelets or the like comprising a base section, a cover section, means connecting the base section and cover section to adapt them to fold into closed relationship, said cover section having latching ledges at its sides provided with openings therein, a latching member slidable in the base section and having lugs engageable with the ledges on the cover section to latch the sections in closed relationship, said latching member being slidable to adapt its lugs to pass through the openings in the ledges on the cover section to release the latching means, an extension member slidable in the base section and engageable with the latching member to slide the latter to release the lugs from the ledges on the cover section when the extension member is extended to the limit of its sliding motion, a spring for normally maintaining the extension member in contracted relation in the basemember, detent means for limiting the sliding movement of the latching member to prevent release of its lugs from the ledges .on the cover section, and a spring for normally maintaining said detent means in operative relation to the latching member, said detent means being manually operable to release the latching member to permit it to slide to effect release of its lugs from the ledges on the cover section.

'5. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracelets or the like comprising a bottom section, a top section, an intermediate member connecting said bottom section with the .top section to adapt them to fold into overlying relationship, said top section having latching ledges on its sides provided with openings at the ends thereof, a latching member slidable in the bottom section and provided with means engageable with the ledges on the top section to latch the sections in folded relationship, said engaging means being adapted to pass through the openings in the ledges to unlatch the sections, a pivoted detent member on the top section provided with resilient means for rocking it into position to close the openings through the ledges thereof, an extension member slidable in the bottom section and engageable with the latching member to slide the latter to release its latching means from the ledges on the top section, and a spring for resisting the sliding movement of the extension member, said detent means being manually operable to expose the openings in the ledges on the top section to permit the engaging means .on the latching member to pass therethrough.

'6. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracelets comprising a plurality of articulated sections adapted to fold into overlying relationship, latching ledges on one of said sections having openings at their ends, a latching member slidable on another of the sections and having means engageable with the ledges on the first-named section to latch the sections in closed relationship, a manually-operable member on one of the sections having detent means for closing the openings in the ledges to prevent the engaging means on the latching member from passing therethrough, resilient means for maintaining said member with its detent means in closed relationship, a slidable extension member engageable with the latching member to slide the latter to release its latching means from the ledges by passing through the openings therein, and a spring for normally resisting the sliding movement of the extension member to extended relationship.

7. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracelets comprising a channel-shaped base section, a cover section of inverted channel-shape having inwardly-extending ledges at its sides, an intermediate member hingedly connecting the base section and cover section to adapt them to be folded into nested relationship, a latching member slidable in the base section and having lugs projecting from its sides through slots in the sides of said base section, said lugs adapted to snap across the ledges on the cover section to latch the sections in nested relationship, an extension member slidable in the base section and provided with means for engaging the latching member to slide the latter into position for its lugs to pass through the openings in the ledges on the cover section, a spring for resisting the outward sliding movement of the extension member, a manually-operable pawl pivoted on the [cover section and having detent means engageable with the latching member to limit its sliding movement and prevent release of its lugs from the ledges on the cover section, and resilient means for normally maintaining the pawl in operative position with respect to the latching member, said pawl being manually operable to permit maxim-um movement of the latching member to release its lugs from the ledges on the cover section.

8. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracelets and the like comprising a channel-shaped bottom section, an inverted channel-shaped cover section having inturned flanges on its sides forming latching ledges, an intermediate member hingedly connecting the bottom section and cover section to fold into nested relationship, an extension member slidable in the bottom member, a spring for resisting the outward sliding movement of the extension member, a latching member overlying the extension member and having depending sides provided with lugs projecting through slots in the sides of the bottom section, means on the extension member engageable with the latching member to slide the latter to move its lugs into position for disengagement from the latching ledges on the cover section, a pawl pivoted on the cover section and provided with depending detent portions for limiting the sliding movement of the latching member, and a spring for rocking said pawl into operative position with respect to the latching member, said pawl being manually rockable against the action of the spring to move its detent portions out of operative position and permit release of the engaging means on the latching member from the ledges "on the cover section.

9. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch brace-- lets comprising a bottom section, a cover section hingedly connected to the bottom section to adapt it to fold into overlying relation therewith, vsaid cover section having depending side walls provided with inwardly-projecting latching ledges interrupted by openings at their ends, an extension member slidable in the bottom section, a

spring for resisting outward sliding movement of the extension member, a latching member slidable in the bottom section and formed with latching lugs on its sides engageable with the latching ledges on the cover section, means engageable between the extension member and latching member to effect sliding movement of the latter to permit its lugs to pass through the openings in the ledges when the extension member is moved to its maximum extent, and a resiliently-operated pawl pivoted on the cover section and normally maintained in position to restrict the sliding movement of the latching member, said pawl being manually rockable into position to permit maximummovement of the latching member to allow its lugs to pass through the openings in the latching ledges on the cover section to thereby release the latching means.

10. A clasp or connector for Wrist-watch bracelets or the like comprising a channel-shaped bottom section, an inverted channel-shaped cover section, means for hingedly connecting the bottom section and cover section to adapt them to fold into nested relationship, said cover section having 10 its depending sides formed with inwardly-projecting latching ledges interrupted by openings at their ends, a manually-operable pawl pivoted to the cover section and provided with legs formed with gate portions engageable through the openings in the latching ledges on the cover, resilient means for maintaining said pawl with its gate portions engaged through the openings in the ledges of the cover section, an extension member slidable in the bottom section and formed with an upstanding abutment at the top, a latching member overlying the extension member in the bottom section and having a longitudinal slot in its top and depending legs straddling the sides of the extension member, said legs having outwardly projecting latching lugs slidable in elongate slots in the sides of the base section, the abutment on the extension member being slidable in the slot in the top of the latching member and engageable with the ends thereof, and a spring in the bottom section acting on the extension member to contract it within the bottom section while adapting it to be extended therefrom whereby to slide the latching member into position for its lugs to pass through the openings in the ledges on the cover section upon manual operation of the detent pawl.

LOUIS E. VALCOURT.

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