US2653369A - Adjustable width strap end - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 29, 1953 E. RODRIGUEZ ADJUSABLE WIDTH STRAP END 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 4, 1950 INVENTOR. EM/L zopz/guEz ATTORNEYS E. RODRIGUEZ ADJUSABLE WIDTH STRAP END Sept. 29, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4, 1950 o/ TE Fla IN VEN TOR. EM/l. 2002/6 UEZ A rra/e/vsys i atented Sept. 29, 1953 ADJ US.TABLE..WIDTH. STRAP Emil Rodriguez, New York,-

Y., assignor to Jacoby Bendev; Inc, New. York; N.1 Y., a. conporatinm ofi Newiurk Application May 4,1950, Ser ia1No. 159,893

The present invention relates to a strap end the, width of which is? adjustable at will so that the: strap end can be accurately fitted between supporting lugs spaced apartto varyingd'egrees:

This application is: acoritinuatiOn-impartof application Serial Number 141687; of February- 1 1950, now abandoned, entitled Adjustable Width End? The: invention as here specifically disclosed is applied to a bracelet to be secured between the lugs on a watchcase, but it can of' course be adapted for use in other'applications.

Wristwatch bracelets are oftensold separate from the watch towhich they-areto-beattached. One reason for this practice is that styles inwatch bracelets change somewhat more rapidly than styles in watches and watch cases, and the wearers of wrist watches will therefore; duringthe life of theWa-tch; haveoccasion tense-severaldifferent watch bracelets. Anotherreasonis-that the preference of the user for watch bracelets of different types; such as leather, plastic, metal, snake chain, ratchet buckle secured, orresilientlyexpanda-ble; may change from season to season or at thewhim of the person concerned.

A significant problem is presented totheman-- ufacturer of -watch bracelets sold separately from watches-by reason-ct the-fact that the watch caselugs between which: the bracelet: ends are to be secured art not uniformly spaced: in all watches; The bracelet manufacturer has therefore beenforced to make bracelets in a great'wa-rietyrof widths sc as to alt watch sizes or else the. jewelerfrom whom the braceletis bought-.must. perform:a delicateand time consuming-operation on the: bracelet. tamakc itfit a. particular watch... It will b apparent: that this latter procedure is. applicable only: when the bracelet. is; wider than. the distance between the. lugs on. the watch case; It the bracelet. is; narrower than: that distance,. it can, of course;. be. fitted;- belrween the. lugs, but it. necessarily .be: looselst retained therehetween: so as to be slidable from one sifdeto'. anothen. This is very undesirable, since it not. onlymakes for an unsightly appearancebut also exposcsthe securing; pin. todamage. deterioration, andacci-.- dentald-islocation and is uncomfortable and: sloppy-feeling, to... the wearer... TO? the: retailer too the excessive: inventory which he must. carry instock is a source ofconsiderable dissatisfaction.

The. object. of the; present, invention is: to devise astrap. end. construction oi. adjustable, width, the strap. end having, a. minimal, width such that it canbe fittedbetween a-pair of closelyspaced lugs its, width, being extendable so as, tosnugly. fit bee-- tween more widely spaced lugs. This is accompiished by utilizing; one or more members telescopable within the strap endproper, anoperative connection being provided between the strap: and and the telescoping member-so that theposition of that member with respect tothe'strap end can be fixed in accordance with the spacing of the lugs between which the strapis to beattached. This operative connection takes the form of" a finger moving" with-in a helical sl'ot; the member being rotatable within the strapend-so astocause the: member, via the finger-slot connection, to controllably telescope into and out of the strap end as desired.

Once the width of thezstrapend has been detor-mined in accordance with the spacing of: the lugs between which the strap is to-be-se'cured it is desirable that the width thereafterbe fixed, at leastwhile the strap end is secured: betweenthelugs. Therefore the: inner-edge of the slot is providedwitha plurality of stepped recesses into which the ringer is receivable; thus fixing the-ro tative positiorr of the member within the strap end; and consequently the degree to which it. extends out from the sideof the-strapend; atleast until the; finger is. disengaged, from the recess.

Sincewhen. th strap. end is. snugly fitted-1 between the lugsthe v member cannot then move outwardly; with respect to the strap end proper, itszposition; is: fixed; untill the strap end. is removed" from; between the lugs, atwhich. time itewidth. ma eagain be efiectively: adjusted.

It is, of course, desired that. the strap. endhe adjustable in small increments. so: that. it can be accommodated to variousiwatches; in. asnug and. neat manner.

Formation in. the strap. of a suf ficient number ofi stepped. recessesto. provide-i011 the desired degree; of precision sometimes pres. sentsmanufacturing problems; particularly. where relatively fragile or easily bendable materiat is; employed; One. embodiment of: th invention: as. here illustrated: provides. for the use of, fewer: stepped recesses; than steps or adjustment, the. additional: steps. oii adjustment; being provided, by forming the telesccnahle members. a. plu-.. ral-ity' of: fingers: variably spaced longitudinally thereofi. any selected one of. said fingers; being: eageable inside a. iv recess so as. to; he; degree to. which said. member telescopes within said. strapend. i

More, generally stated with. reference. to the. aforementioned embodiment, it is. another. ob..- ject. of the pr s nt. invention to. provide, for a maximum number of steps of adjustability, by.

means of the simplest and sturdi'est, structure possible.

Anotherobjcct of thepresent invention isto provide, in such a construction, for ready access to the securing means, usually in the form of a spring pin, which detachably fastens the strap end to the lugs. This is accomplished by providing cut-away portions on the outer end of the telescoping member through which access may be had to the securing pin, that pin being rendered accessible only in a limited way for protection and to prevent damage or accidental dislodgment.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear the present invention relates to a strap end construction as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specification taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of a watch with closely spaced lugs to which the strap end of the present invention is secured;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of a Watch with widely spaced lugs to which the strap end of the present invention is secured;

Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the construction of Fig. 1, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view on an enlarged scale of the strap end proper;

Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the strap end proper of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of one of the telescoping members;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but with the member rotated 90 about its axis; I

Fig. 9 is an end view of the telescoping mernber of Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is an exploded view on an enlarged scale of the strap end proper, the telescoping members, and a portion of a conventional spring securing pin adapted to be used therewith;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing another embodiment of the strap end;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of another embodiment of the telescoping member particularly adapted for use with the strap end of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but with the member rotated 90 about its axis;

Fig. 14 is an end View of the telescoping mem ber of Fig. 13; and

Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are bottom plan views of the assembled strap end of Fig. 11 and the telescoping member of Figs. 12-14, the member being shown in positions projecting outwardly from the strap end to progressively greater degrees.

Broadly considered, the strap end proper, generally designated A, includes a looped portion generally designated B, one or more members C, C being receivable inside the looped portion B, being rotatable therein, and being movable axially into and out of an end thereof. An operative connection D of the finger and slot type is provided for converting rotative motion of the members 0, C with respect to the looped portion B into relative axial telescoping motion, so that the width of the strap end as defined by the looped portion B and the part of the members C which extend out from the ends of the portion B can be adjustably varied at Will through rotation of the members C, C, within the looped portion B.

Described more specifically, the strap end proper A is here disclosed in the form of ametal sheet comprising a body 2 which forms a continuation of a strap 3 of any desired construction. As shown in the drawings the body 2 is separate from the strap 4 and is secured thereto by a curled-over portion 6 which passes through an aperture 3 in the strap 6, but the body 2 could just as well be an integral extension of the strap 4 or could be secured thereto in any other manner whatsover.

The free end of the body 2, that is to say, the end directed away from the strap 4, is curled over at It to define the looped portion B, the end edge l2 of the looped portion B being spaced from the body 2 so as to define a passage l4 therebetween (see Figs. 5 and 6). The width of the looped portion B is such that it will fit between closely spaced lugs it on a watch case is (see Fig. 1) and its internal diameter is such that the telescoping members C, C can rotate therewithin and can move axially with respect thereto.

A pair of slots 2!! are provided in the looped portion B, these slots having open ends at the end edge [2 and being angularly disposed with respect to the ends 22 of the looped portion B, the slots 28 being relatively closely spaced at the end edge I2 of the looped portion A and diverging from one another, preferably in a uniform manner, along the looped portion B. The inner edges of the slots 28 are provided with recesses 24, stepped along the inclination of the slots 26, the innermost extent of each of the recesses 25 being spaced axially with respect to the looped portion B by a small amount such as, in Figs. 1-10, & of an inch. It will be noted that the recesses 2d are separated by projections 25, the depth of the recesses 24 thus exceeding the pacing of the innermost portions thereof along the axis of the looped portion ill.

The telescoping members C, C are here disclosed in the form or" metal tubes as which may conveniently be formed merely by rolling a metal sheet upon itself and cutting off the desired lengths. The members C, C are in the form of tubes so that a conventional spring securing pin can be passed therethrough, and the outer dimension of the tube 28 is such that it can be received inside the looped portion B, preferably in a relatively snug manner, so as'to be rotatable and axially movable therewithin. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-10 a single finger 33 is provided on the tube 26, preferably by being struck up from one of the edges thereof, the finger 36 being of a size such that it can pass through the passage 14 between the end edge 52 of the looped portion B and the body 2 of the strap end proper A, can then be moved into a slot 2i via the open end thereof, and can be relatively snugly received within any one of the recesses 2 provided on the inner edge of the slot 26. In that embodiment the width of the recesses 2 is closely the same as the Width of the fingers 30.

The manner of use of this construction is as follows: If the Width of the looped portion B is such that it is snugly received between the watch case lugs it the members C, C need not be used at all, the appropriate spring pin 28 being passed through the looped portion 13 to secure the strap end to the watch in a conventional fashion. It Will be noted that, in order to permit access to the spring pin 28 in that situation and at the same time provide needed protection and hide the pin 23 from view when the strap is in place, the ends of the looped portiom Bs are. provided with: cuteaway portions 32s of; limitedzlareaal Normally however; even; the-l cles'ely spaced; watchilug-ss vlzii.=wi1l be; SOIIIGWhQIbLWidBIi' than the. looped portion B, as illustrated in Fig. 1, ones/1cm considerably morei widelyx spaced: than: the: width Ofi the-2 loopedi portiom B, as illustrated: by the: watch: lugsa 1.6! on: the: watch; case. I88 of Fig: i In such a situation OHB'OIiIIIOIiGEOfithl; telescoping members C, must be employedpittheing preferredithat both member-s and1 C5"be1em played: and: m 2.equiv-alent positionsisou that the strap endilisg secured centrally: between the lugs: with? lfi: Thea tubes-18: arei'slidainto:the-looped; portion A.fromioppositeiendsithereofg thezendszofr the tubesiwhichi carry the fingers: 31b being ine wardlyi disposed and: the. fingers: 3i] sliding through. thespassage I41- until they; comeato; the openv end, of: the: appropriate slot: 20. ll-he: tubes:

ziiiiarer them rotated so that the fingerszimmovec 20.-

into theislotsezdiandialongi those slotsruntil v they; come opposite the: recesses 24% correspondingii to,- the; degreeto: which". it; is; desired. that the tubes: 2fiipr'oject outwardlyz from; the looped? portion; 3;. Thus; if the :strap& is to; betfitted-"between: closely spaced lugs: I 6: as. Fig. .2, the: fingers: willi be: movediinto: the. firsttnotciies; 245 that" is; to say, trim-notches which: are.-. most inwardly disposed witlrrespecttto the endsiz 2 ofothe loop1ed portion B}-andiwhichpaaherezillustrated,larenearestithe; end. edge: If: the: strap: end to. be. fitted. between the: more; widely" spaced lugs 16, of: Fig. ll the tubes 26: are rotateda until. the. fingers. 3.8: comeropposite? the lastv recesses 2 4 .that is. to: say, the -ones inost outwardly disposedswith respectv toi the ends 22: of: the loopedi portion. 13;. on. as. here specifically illustrated the ones most; re.-= niote from :the: endedge: I221. Whenw the; tubes 2B:- are pushed inwardly s01 that their fingers 30* enter and fit snugly; within the appropriate. recesses 24;. thetubes- 26: cannotzbe further rotated; and consequently'their: telescoping :positionszreliitive' tGfthe looped portion: B: are fixed in one. direction. Where; as here 1 specifically disclosed. the notches: 24 are pr'ovidedi on the inner; edges; of the slots 20? the telescoping: positions:- of the; members G and G" arethus' fixed-L inwardly ale though the members 0 and C can still heimoveds outwardly so as' to di'sengage'thefingers 3181 from the-recesseszll and permitrurtherradiustment.

Thesp'ring pin 2B is then passed through the? looped portion A and the tubular: members C .ahd C" ii: the same manner: as: a spring; pin

customarily employed to connect looped; braceletends between watch lugs, that is to: say; the 5511 spring pin: 2 8 is received" Within the looped; pore tioirfi and=thetubular members c and C, its tipsare contracted inwardly so: as to pass: between; the-watch'lugs i6; andiit's tips are then 'permittedi tospring" outwardly into the apertures; in. the: 601

watch lugs 16-; In order to provide. access to: the tips ofthe spring pin 28' the: ends: of; the: tuhular'm'embers Candi C arezprovidedz with cut. away: portions. 33'; of limited area; v v whenithe adjusted strap: end is secured; snugly betweenzthezlugsflfi: 012116; there issoiittle clear-- ance between. the: outwardly projecting. ends. of the members fi and- G and the.-- inner. surfaces ohthe lugs; L6 or I16 that thosemembersG. andl 01 cannot be? moved outwardly. from the moped portion; B a sufficient, distance for the fingers) 3U tdnnove out ofthe recesses 24 in which they have been. placed. This relationship is ensured by, ifiakihgbthe depth of'th'e recesses? greater. than the axial spacing from one recessto an-' 6' other: Gonseiiucntlg; thewidthiofithe, is; positively 'fixeds for" so long: as thaw-strap? endi is; securedesnug'ly hetweem aegiveni set. OIL lugse I162 or [:61". Guess the springipim 28s is disengaged n and the:strap;: en'dl removed: from. between; the:

lugs: 1:6 or. lfii'iomemberszCiandifs'lf may: then-hes readily: out so asLrtce disengage thewfingersi 31k from the: recesses; 24;. thus; permitting? reaaiyi readjustment: of the off the strap; without having to: deform: oribe'nd: part; the struc'tunes 'Iihislastmointaismuite: significant;-,, since the: structure: invoivedzis? usually; relatively thiii and consequently bending: or? deformation: will i materiallyxredircelits;lite; ,7

It. is: preferred that. the slots 20 5 extends; ovrxthebottomofi theulooped: portiomBs so: that; the strap:- end scuredztorr a: watclh. the: slot and finger: operative; connection: is: obscured? from view from! above; thus: retaining the den orative. appearancexofithezstiiapiend: andmasking; all fiincticnal appearancez I The spacing: off recesses; 2'4 and: thevangularity; and: divergence :of' the-slots 22 may; "of: courseixhee varied within widewlimitsz It is preferredithazie each i recess 24- differr'im axial: spacing from; those: adjacent: to: itby' 3 4 of an; inch,. thus providing; for'step-wi'se adjustment ofithe widthwofthesstrapi end A in st'eps of /5 of anzinch amdipermittingi center-ing of the strap end Aibetwenithe lugsz'liiz in steps: of 5 a of" an inch; but' choicesofi space ing depends: largely "uponi thepartieulap "applicastionto which theinventionis to'ibe-putla- In the-embodiment of? Figs:v ior'e'aclii ad? justed position-of the telescopingimemher 0126'! there inust; be: a corresponding. recess. 24 The:

structure involved: is usually relatively? small}, much smallerthan here shown in theidrawin'gsi; and themater-lab of" which: itfis; made is'zcome parat'iv'ely fragile and subject bending, l an ticularly with respect to' the flimsy'projectionsfl 5: When a large number of recesses; Hiand projecttions 25' must be produced azdifiicult'. manufac'rturing problem is cften' presented;

In order toavoid?thisdifliculty: theiembodiment; of Figs. 11-47 hasbeen deviserhin whihhwmbotlia ment there are twice as: many steps; of. adjustmehr'as there are recesses, and there are only; hal'i asmany flimsy projections wasain .theapre viously descrihed embodiment; The stra-mend: A of Figs:1 1-1T'is similar-rto thaieof Eigs2.1i-I0:execept'fonthe'fact thatthe recessesd llfon the-inner: edge of the slots 2]) in theilo'oped portiomHare;

not-as-numerousasthe-recesses 2-4 'initheembodi I ment' of Figs. l-I'O; and the: axialispacing ot'each': recess 24 differs from those adjacentzto-itcbyp for example, 3% of an-inch rathenthan-by/ K of an inch as in the previously described? embodi ment. Itwill also he noted that-themecessesizl are considerably wider than the recessesizl inithez previously described embodi'ment'gandi that there: are fewer projections 25 Hen'ce th'e fabrication; of thestrapendiA- is materiallyfacilitatedz.

In order not to lose-any-'precision of adjuste ment, the telescoping members-Cand C prefer ably used with=-the=strap end ApfiEig-r 111' are as best-shown in Figs 1 2 143 providedrwithz offingers BW and 30' each ofthesefingersxbee conveniently-struck up from: am edge of: the: sheet materialof which the members. C 'and l" are made:- As can besebe seen'from'. Figs? L3: l l thetwo fingers- 3 0 and 3ll' aresepamtedirozm one another"laterally with respect to :the member: 0; and the fingers 3'0' and 30""are1alsoLvariahlw spacedlongitudinally thereof the finger 3.0" be 5 ing closer-t0 an end of the member C; thaw 'thei finger 30". The difference in longitudinal spacing between the fingers 30 and 30" is, by way of example, ,4 of an inch. The lateral separation of the fingers 3B and 30 is preferably slightly greater than the thickness of one of the projections 25', so that said projection 25' can be snugly received between them. The distance between the outer surfaces of the fingers 30 and 30" is preferably slightly less than the Width of the recesses 24, so that both fingers can be snugly received within the same recess 24.

The manner of use of the above described structure in order to obtain precise and fine degree of variation in adjustment may be seen from a comparison of Figs. 15, 16 and 17. In Fig. the members C and C are shown in fully telescoped position, both of the fingers 30 and 30" being received within the first recess 24', the forward edge of the finger 30 abutting against the innermost portion of the first recess 24. The next adjustment step is illustrated in Fig. 16, in which the members C and C have been rotated until the projection 25 between the first and second recesses 24' passes between the fingers and 30". In this position the forward edge of the finger 30 abuts against the innermost portion of the second recess 24, that edge being ad vanced 32 of an inch with respect to the comparable part of the first recess 24. However, because the forward edge of the finger 3B" is m of an inch behind the forward edge of the finger St, the members C and C are only extended outwardly 4 of an inch with respect to their positions as shown in Fig. 15. By the same token, the forward edge of thefinger 35' will be separated $4 of an inch from the innermost portion of the first recess 24. If the members C and C are then rotated to their position shown in Fig. 17, in which both fingers 30 and 30 are received within the second recess 24, the forward edge of the finger 30 will now abut the innermost portion of the second recess 24', and consequently the members 0 and C will extend outwardly of an inch more than they do in Fig. 16 and of an inch more than they do in Fig. 15.

It will thus be apparent that, although the strap end A provides only three stepped recesses 24', each spaced different from the next axially of the strap end by & of an inch, the overall adjustability of the unit permits six steps of adjustment, each differing from the other by of an inch. The structure of Figs. 11-17 therefore permits the same flexibility of use as the structure of Figs. 1-10, but its structure is sturdier and easier to fabricate.

Although the telescoping members 0 and C have been here disclosed in the form of tubes 26, it-is not necessary that they be tubular if the means for securing the strap end to the lugs IE or l6 be in some form which need not pass through the members C and C, as if, for example, the lugs 16 were resilient or if the members C and C themselves contained a spring loaded device cooperable with the lugs E6 or It.

The structure of the present invention is simple and inexpensive and at the same time provides for ready adjustability in a convenient and simple manner which can be performed by any individual and not merely those with particular skills or equipment. Thus the fitting of a watch band to a watch is an operation which can be performed either by the jeweler from whom the bracelet is bought with no loss of time and at no expense to him, or by the-individual purchaser in his own home. ,7 Moreover, if an individual purchaser wishes to transfer his bracelet from one watch to another, the two watches having lugs spaced at different distances from one another, he can readily accomplish the transfer without expert assistance.

It will be apparent that many variations may be made in the specific structure here disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A variable width strap end comprising a looped portion having a slot angularly disposed with respect to the ends of said looped portion, a tubular member rotatable within said looped portion and movable axially into and out of one end thereof, and a finger on said member receivable in said slot, rotation of said member within said looped portion causing said finger to move within said slot and the angularity of said slot causing said member to telescope into and out of said looped portion as the finger moves therewithin, thereby varying the width of said strap end, an edge of said slot being provided with a series of steps,. said finger cooperating with said steps so as to provide for stepwise adjustment of the width of said strap end.

2. The variable width strap end of claim 1 in which the inner edge of said slot is stepped.

3. A variable width strap end comprising a looped portion having a slot angularly disposed with respect to the ends of said looped portion, a tubular member rotatable within said looped portion and movable axially into and out of one end thereof, and a finger on said member receivable in said slot, rotation of said member within said looped portion causing said finger to move within said slot and the angularity of said slot causing said member to telescope into and out of said looped portion as the finger moves therewithin, thereby varying the width of said strap end, an edge of. said slot being provided with a series of stepped recesses separated by projections, said finger being receivable in said recesses so as to fix the position of said member relative to said looped portion both telescopically in one direction and rotatably, thereby providing for stepwise adjustment of the width of said strap end.

4. The variable width strap end of claim 3, in which the inner edge of said slot is provided with stepped recesses separated by projections.

5. The variable width strap end of claim 3, in which the width of said recesses is closely equal to the thickness of said finger.

6. A variable width strap end comprising a body forming a continuation of a strap, a looped portion on the free end of said body, the end edge of said looped portion being spaced from said body so as to define a passage therebetween, said looped portion having a pair of ,angularly disposed open-ended slots extending from the end edge of said looped portion, a pair of members rotatable within said looped portion and movable axially into and out of the ends thereof, and fingers on said members passable through said passage and receivable in said slots, rotation of said members within said looped portion causing said fingers to move within said slots and the angularity of said slots causing said members to telescope into and out of said looped portion, thereby varying the width of said strap end.

'7. The variable width strap end of claim 6 in which said slots are relatively close together 1&9 at zthe endedge ofsaid looped-portion, said slots diverging therefrom.

8..;?l3he variable width strap end of claim :6 in=.which-;an:edge.of each of-said slotsis provided with :a series :of steps said fingers cooperating with; said steps-so as 3110 provide for stepwise ,adjustment of the width of said strap end.

.L9..The variable widthnstrapwend-;of claim ,;8':in which 11311911111181 edges :of .said slots ;are',.=steppe d.

.10. .The :variable :width .strap I end of claim --6, inwvhich an edge :of each of said-slots is" provided with a series of stepped irecesses separated .by projections; said fingers being receivable. in said recessesso .asito fixzthe position ,ofssaid members relative .to said looped :portion both .rotatably and telescopically in one direction,:thereby :providing for stepwise adjustment pf the width :of said strap .end.

11. The variable width strap end of claim 8, in which the inner edges of said slots are-provided with stepped recesses.

12. .The variable width strap end of claim 10 in "which the width of said recesses is closely equal ito the thickness of said finger.

r13. Avariable width strapend comprising a looped ;:portion having a slot angularly disposed with respect-to the ends of said looped portion, a member "rotatable within said loopedportion and movable axially into and .out of one end thereof, an edgeof said slot being provided with a series of steppedrecesses separated by projectio'ns and said member ibeing provided with a pairoffingersvariably spaced .from an end of said member longitudinally thereof and spaced from one another laterally thereof, rotation of said member within said looped portion causing said fingers to move within said slot and the angularity of said slot causing said member to telescope into and out of said looped portion as said fingers move therewithin, thereby varying the width of said strap end, the width of said recesses and said projections being so related to the thickness of and lateral spacing between said fingers that said projections fit snugly between said fingers and said pair of fingers fit snugly within said recesses.

14. A variable width strap end comprising a looped portion having a slot angularly disposed with respect to the ends of said looped portion, a member rotatable within said looped portion and movable axially into and out of one end thereof, an edge of said slot being provided with a series of stepped recesses separated by projections, and said member being provided with a pair of fingers variably spaced from an end of said member longitudinally thereof and spaced from one another laterally thereof, rotation of said member within said looped portion causing said fingers to move within said slot and the angularity of said slot causing said member to telescope into and out of said looped portion as said fingers move therewithin, thereby varying the width of said strap end, the width of said recesses and said projections being so related to the thickness of and lateral spacing between said fingers that said projections fit snugly between said fingers and said pair of fingers fit snugly within said recesses, the space between the innermost portion of said recesses along the axis of said looped portion being greater than the longitudinal spacing of said fingers along said member.

15. A variable width strap end comprising a looped portion having a slot angularly disposed with respect to the ends of said looped portion,

a member rotatable with-in said looped portion and movable axially into and out of one end thereof, an edge of S,aid.-slot being provided with a series of stepped recesses separated by projections, and said member being provided with a pair of fingers variably spaced froma-n {end of said member longitudinally thereof and spaced from .;one :another laterally thereof, rotation of said: member :withinisaid looped portion causing said fingers --to move within :said slot and the angularity of said slot causing said member to telescopeinto and :out pfrsaid looped'portionas said :fingers move therewithin, :thereby varying the width :ofsaid strap end, the width of said recesses and said projections being so related .to the "thicknessof andtla'teral spacing between said fingers rthatcsaid projections fit snugly between said fingers'. and said pair of fingers fitsnugly within .:said recesses, the spacing between :the innermost-portion-of said recesses along the axis of said looped portion being twice the longitudinal spacing of said fingers along said member.

16. A variable width strap end comprising a,

looped portion having a pair of .divergent'slots angularly disposed wit'h respect .to the ends of said looped portion, a pair of tubular members rotatable within said-looped portion and movable axiallyzin'to and-out of opposite ends meanness a finger on each of said tubular members receivable within the corresponding slot, rotation of either of said members within said looped portion causing said finger :to =move within said slot and the angularity of said slot causing said member to telescope into and out of said looped portion as said finger moves therewithin, thereby varying the width of said strap end.

17. The variable width strap end of claim 16, in which each of said slots makes an equal angle with the side edges of said looped portion.

18. The variable width strap end of claim 16, in which the outwardly projecting ends of said tubular members are provided with a cut-away portion, said tubular members being adapted to receive a securing pin therethrough and the cutaway end portions thereof rendering said securing pin accessible and thereby facilitating removal of said strap end from between a pair of lugs.

19. A variable width strap end comprising a looped portion having a slot angularly disposed with respect to the ends of said looped portion, an edge of said slot being provided with a series of stepped recesses separated by projections, a tubular member rotatable within said looped portion and movable axially into and out of one end thereof, and a pair of fingers on said tubular member and receivable in said slot, said fingers being variably spaced from an end of said member longitudinally thereof and spaced from one another laterally thereof, the width of said recesses and projections being so related to the thickness of and lateral spacing between said fingers that said projections fit snugly between said fingers and said pair of fingers fit snugly within said recesses, rotation of said member within said looped portion causing said fingers to move within said slot and the angularity of said slot causing said member to telescope into and out of said looped portion as the fingers move therewithin, the cooperation of said fingers with said projections and recesses providing for stepwise adjustment of the width of said strap end.

20. The variable width strap end of claim 19, in which the spacing between the innermost portion of said recesses along the axis of said looped portion is greater than the longitudinal spacing of said fingers along said member.

21. The variable width strap end of claim 19, in which the spacing between the innermost portion of said recesses along the axis of said looped portion is twice the longitudinal spacing of said fingers along said member.

22. A variable width strap end comprising a body forming a continuation of a strap, a looped portion on the free end of said body, the end edge of said looped portion being spaced from said body so as to define a passage therebetween, said looped portion having a pair of angularly disposed open-ended slots extending from the end edge of said looped portion, an edge of each of said slots being provided with a series of stepped recesses separated by projections, a pair of members rotatable within said looped portion and movable axially into and out of the ends thereof, and a pair of fingers on each of said members passable through said passage and receivable in said slots, said fingers being variably spaced from an end of said member longitudinally thereof and spaced from one another laterally thereof, the width of said recesses and said projections being so related to the thickness of and lateral spacing between said fingers that said projections fit snugly between said fingers and said pair of fingers fit snugly between said recesses, rotation of said members within said looped portion causing said fingers to move within said slots and the angularity of said slots causing said members to telescope into and out of said looped portion, the cooperation between said fingers and said projections and recesses fixing the position of said members relative to said looped portion both rotatably and telescopically in one direction, thereby providing for stepwise adjustment of the width of said strap end.

23. The variable width strap end of claim 22, in which the spacing between the innermost portion of said recesses along the axis of said looped portion is greater than the longitudinal spacing of said fingers along said member.

24. The variable width strap end of claim 22, in which the spacing between the innermost portion of said recesses along the axis of said looped portion is twice the longitudinal spacing of said fingers along said member.

EMIL RODRIGUEZ.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

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