US2680274A - Wrist watch bracelet connector - Google Patents

Description

June 8, 1954 J. M. BENDER 2,680,274

WRIST WATCH BRACELET CONNECTOR Filed Jan. 2, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l QWWMKM June 8, 1954 J, M BENDER 2,680,274

WRIST WATCH BRACELET CONNECTOR Filed Jan. 2, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 8, 1954 WRIST WATCH BRACELET CONNECTOR Joseph M. Bender, Manhasset, N. Y., assignor to Jacoby-Bender, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 2, 1948, Serial No. 283

16 Claims. l

This invention relates to a connector for a wrist watch bracelet intended for use with a wrist watch having a narrow lug or bail.

'Ihis application is a continuation-n-part of application, Serial No. 783,317 of October 31, 1947, now abandoned led by Joseph M. Bender and entitled Wrist Watch Bracelet Connector.

Most wrist watches are provided with two spaced lugs or bails at each end of the watch, and the wrist watch strap or chain is secured to the watch by means of a cross pin having springpressed points or tips. However, some watches, particularly ladies watches, have only a single lug or bail at each end. Such watches are connected to the wrist watch strap or chain by means of an end ring. This ring isa split ring which is initially spread to facilitate attachment to the watch, following which the spread ends of the split ring are squeezed together to close the ring.

Such an end ring, although widely used, is not entirely satisfactory. In the lirst place, the ring may be warped or deformed out of shape when closing the same. In order to make the connection a strong and dependable one, the ring should be made relatively stiff and substantial in cross-section, but this makes it diiiicult to bend the ring and the ring may become scratched or marred during the bending operation.

In Bender Patent No. 2,266,951 of December 23, 1941 an end ring construction is disclosed which eliminates many of the defects of the prior art end rings and which in particular is readily attachable and detachable from the watch bail without having to deform the end ring. The construction of that patent, however, still involves the use of a ring and consequently, as may best be seen from Figs. 1, 6 and 7 of that patent, the bracelet is spaced from the watch case and is connected thereto by means of an open ring.

Such spacing of the bracelet from the watch case, while it plays little material part in assuring secureness of the attachment, nevertheless is undesirable from a commercial point of view. A construction which would permit the bracelet to come snugly into contact with the watch case so that there is no break or gap visible between the two is far more desirable. The appearance imparted to the combination watch case and bracelet by such a construction is one of relative massiveness and continuity. The im-v pression is quite deinitely given that the bracelet is a part of the watch rather than a separate accessory part, this imparting to the watch- 2 bracelet combination a much more kexpensive look.

In addition, it is possible by suitably designing the watch case and the connector to impart thereto an agreeable conformity of design whichr tary watch and bracelet combinations which are generally considerably more expensive than normal watches. The use of a connector which brings the bracelet closely and snugly up to the watch case so that there is no visible gap therebetween simulates, in a much less expensive construction, the appearance of the aforementioned watch-bracelet combinations.

Other advantages of a connector of the type above described are that the means for fastening the bracelet to the watch are completely hidden from view when the watch and bracelet are fixed to the wrist of the wearer, thus rendering the assembly wholly non-functional in appearance. The absence of gaps or rings also materially simplifies the problem of cleaning of the `visible gap between the bracelet and the watch.

It is another object of the present invention to devise such a connector which does not employ a deformable end ring for connection but instead employs a rigid element of simple shape.

Yet another object of the present invention is to devise such a connector which may readily be attached or detached from the watch with which it is to be used, the attaching mechanism being hidden from view during the wearing of the watch.

A still further object of the present invention is to devise a connector of this type which achieves the advantages in appearance set forth in the preceding paragraphs.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my invention resides in the bracelet con nector construction as sought to be defined in the appended claims and as set forth in this speciiication, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an assembly of wrist watch and bracelet with one end of the .bracelet attached to the watch;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the bottom member of the connector;

Fig. 3 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a bottom View of the top member of the connector attached to the bracelet;

Fig. 5 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the connector in separated position and illustrating the manner in which the bottom member thereof is caused to engage the watch bail;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the position of the elements after the bottom member of the connector has engaged the watch bail;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the connector in closed position;

Fig. 9 is a bottom View on an enlarged scale of the connector when in closed position;

Fig. 9A is a cross sectional View showing a modification of the embodiment of Figs. 1-9 in which the bottom member is adapted to be retained within the top member by snap action;

Figs. 10 through 16 correspond to Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 respectively, but illustrate another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 16A is a bottom view similar to Fig. 16 but illustrating a modification thereof.

The connector l0' of the present invention comprises two articulately connected members, a top member generally designated A and a bottom member generally designated B, the bottom member having a portion generally designated C which is engageable with a watch bail 4. The top member A is so constructed as to comprise a fastening portion E engageable with the bottom member B so as to fasten the connector in closed position, a securing portion generally designated F for cooperating with the portion C of the bottom member B so as to secure the bail in connection thereto and a housing portion generally designated G for housing the bottom member B and at least a portion of the watch bail Il when the connector is in closed position. The securing portion F may be a part of the housing portion G or even a part of the fastening portion E, which itself may constitute part Vof the housing portion G.

The connector is herein described and illustrated as specifically applied for use with a watch 2 of relatively small size, such as a ladys watch, the watch 2 being provided at either end with a single bail 4, 4. A bracelet 6 having a clasp S which may be opened or closed to permit the watch and bracelet to be removed from or put on the wrist of the wearer is adapted to be fastened to the watch 2 by means of connectors I0, ID fastened to either end of the bracelet E and engageable with the bails 4, 4 respectively. In Fig. 1, only one end of the bracelet 6 is shown attached to the watch but it will be apparent that the right-hand connector l0 is adapted to be fastened to the left-hand bail 4 of the watch 2 in the same manner as the connector I0 is fastened to the ba-il 4.

There are here disclosed two embodiments of the present invention one of which is illustrated in the first sheet of drawings and the second of which is illustrated on the second sheet of drawings. These two embodiments include many common features and illustrate specific constructional variations all within the scope of the present invention. Each has advantages peculiar to itself, while both achieve the objectives and advantages hereinbefore set forth. The first embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. l to 9 in Which the bottom member B is movable with respect to the top member A about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the bracelet E, is somewhat sturdier in arrangement and cleaner of appearance, particularly when viewed from below, than the embodiment of Figs. 10 to 16, in which the bottom member B pivots about an axis roughly parallel to that of the bracelet 6. However, this latter embodiment has the advantage of simplicity of construction and assembly and hence may be manufactured at a somewhat less cost. In the description to follow, the features common to both of these embodiments will rst be pointed out, having particular reference to the first embodiment, and the details of the first embodiment will be described concurrently. Thereafter, the differentiating features of the second embodiment will be analyzed.

The top member A ofthe connector of both illustrated types is in the form of a hollow shell having a top wall I2, right and left side walls i4 and i4', and a front side wall IG. The front of the top member A is preferably oi a width suitable for engaging and receiving the watch bail ll, whereas the rear thereof is preferably of a width corresponding to the width of the bracelet 6 so that the connector shape guides the eye smoothly and uninterruptedly from the watch 2 to the bracelet E. The narrow portion i3 of the top member A which overlies the bracelet 5 is provided with bracelet engaging fingers 2B which securely attach the top member A thereto (see particularly Figs. 4 and 9). In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 9, the side walls i4 and i4 are apertured at 22 and in both embodiments the front wall I6 may be provided with open-bottomed recess or aperture 24 for purposes subsequently to be explained.

The bottom member B is adapted to be articuiateiy Vmounted in the top member A so as to be movable between a separated position, in which the portion C thereof is engageable with the watch bail 4, and a closed position, in which the bottom member B is received within or substantially within the top member A, in which the securing portion F of the top member A cooperates with the bottom member B so as to make secure the engagement of the portion C with the watch bail 4, and in which the two members A and B are fastened together by fastening portion E of the top member A so as to prevent inadvertent separation of the two members. As has previously been mentioned, a single structural element or section may simultaneously perform more than one of the above functions, i. e., may act as a securing portion E, a fastening portion F, and a housing portion G, or as any two of said portions.

As here illustrated, the bottom member B comprises a structure, preferably of substantial width so as to have sufficient structural strength, comprising a body portion 2B having a laterally directed finger 28 spacedly connected therewith by means of neck 36 so as to denne a channel 32 open at one end. The body portion 2S may be provided with pintles 3d received within the apertures 22 in the side walls id and It' of the top member A so as to render the bottom member B pivotally mounted therein, as in the embodiment of Figs. 2 to 9, the bottoni member B thereby being movable between the separated positions illustrated in Figs. 6 and 'I and the closed positions illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.

When the top and bottom members A and B are in their separated position, the open end of the channel 32 is exposed, and the watch bail 4 is receivable therein or, in other Words,..the laterally directed nnger 28 of the top member A is receivable inside the watch bail 4. Thus, engagement between the connector It and the Watch bail 4 is very easily accomplished, the connector of the embodiment of Figs. l to 9 rst being positioned as illustrated in Fig. 6 and then moved in the direction of the arrow 33 to the position illustrated in Fig. 7 in which the bottom member B is engaged with the watch bail 4. The other embodiment is similarly manipulated. (See Figs. 14 and 15).

When the top and bottom members A and B are thereafter moved to closed position, the bottom member B is substantially housed within the shell-like structure of the top member A. The two side walls I4 and I4 of the top member A overlap the sides of the bottom member B and consequently one of those side walls, here shown as Wall I4, closes off the open end of the channel 32 and thus secures the Watch bail 4 therein. That portion ofthe side wall I4 which accomplishes this result therefore in part constitutes the securing portion F previously mentioned. It is to be noted that this same side wall I4' is part of the housing portion G. The open-bottomed aperture or recess 24 in the front wall I6 of the top member A receives the watch bail 4, this recess 24 being provided in order to facilitate the encompassing and housing of the bottom member B by the top member A. The front wall le is also provided with depending portions 38, which in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 9 are spaced from the adjacent side walls I4 and I4. These depending portions 33 are in that embodiment receivable over the outer end of the finger 23 on the bottom member B and are bendable therearound when the bottom member B has been moved to closed position so at to fasten the two members A and B together. Figs. `6 and 7 show the dependingportions 3d spaced somewhat from the side walls I4 and I 4 so as to permit the ready and unimpeded motion of the bottom member B to its closed position. In Figs. 8 and 9, these depending portions 3B are shown after they have been bent around the linger 23 so as to secure it in housed position. It will therefore be apparent that in the embodirnent of Figs. l to 9 the depending portions 38 constitute the fastening portion E of the top member A. In both embodiments these depending portions 33 also constitute part of the housing portion G and, because they engage with the sides of the watch bail 4 and prevent it from sliding out of the channel 32 in the bottom member B, they also constitute part of the securing portion F.

It may in some instances be desired that the bracelet be readily disconnectable from the watch 2. In such a case, insofar as the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 9 is concerned, the depending portions 33 may be so positioned as to engage the nnger 23 with a resilient snap action so that the bottom member B may be moved to closed position, the depending portion 38 snapping thereover, the bottom member B being then movable at will to open position merely by exerting sufficient separative force on the connector lil to cause the depending portions 38 to resiliently snap out and permit the connector to open. This modication is disclosed in Fig. 9A. In most instances, however, once the bracelet 6 has been connected to the watch 2, it is desired that this connection be of a semi-permanent 6r` Y y nature. For such applications, the depending portions 33 may be bent as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 so that no matter what separative force be applied to the connector I0, the top and bottom members A and B will remain in closed position. Should it be desired to remove the bracelet 6 from the watch 2, it is merely necessary to apply a knife or other jewelers tool to the depending portions 33 to bend-them back to the position that they assume in Figs. 6 and '7.

The shell-like structure of the top member A denes the housing portion G thereof in which the bottom member B and at least a portion of the watch bail 4 are received. Since the recess 24 is preferably so dimensioned as to conform Closely to the bail 4, the bail I4 substantially filling the top of the recess 24, the entire bottom member B as Well as a portion of the bail 4 may be hidden from view from above when the connector I il is in closed position, as shown in Fig. 1, where, since the top of the front wall I6 as well as the forward portion of the side walls I4 and I4 overlap the bail 4, no gapbetween the bracelet 6 and the Watch 2 is exposed'to the eye, the top member A constituting a solid appearing structure leading directly from the watch 2 to the bracelet 6. In this manner the fastening elements are completely hidden from view and, since it is not apparent from the top that the top member A is hollow, a striking appearance of solidity is imparted to the combination f of watch connector and bracelet.

Turning now to the embodiment of Figs. '10 through 16, it may first be noted that the connector I0 there illustrated is of a different shapev from that of the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 9, the second embodiment having a housing portion G considerably ilatter than the housing portion G of the first embodiment. It will also be noted that the recess 24 is, in the second embodiment, somewhat more revealing than in the rst embodiment, so that a gap is exposed, though be it a very slight one, between the watch bail 4 and the connector l@ (see particularly Figs.

10 and 16).

-Ladapted to be bent around the neck 30 of the bottom member B, which latter may be of rounded cross-section in order to facilitate rotation of the neck Sil within the bent-over nnger 40. However, this is by no means necessary, and

'I have constructed connectors the neck 3@ of the bottom members B of which were of non-circular cross-section, which connectors functioned quite satisfactorily. The bottom member B is therefore movable between the open position illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 and the closed position illustrated in Fig. 16 by pivoting about an axis approximately parallel to that of the bracelet 6. The depending finger v42 on the side wall I4' is adapted, after the bottom member B has been pivoted to closed position, to be bent to a position approximately at right angles to the side wall I4, of which it forms an integral part, so as to overlie a portion of the bottom member B and thus retain said bottom memberfin closed position, the linger 42 thus dening the fastening portion E. This may best be seen in Fig. 16`

where the nger 42 overlies a portion of the finger 28, but it might just as Well overlie the body portion 26 of the bottom member B, or both the body portion 26 and the ringer 28 thereof. In Fig. 16A the finger 42' shown in solid lines overlies the body portion 26 of the bottom member B, the broken lines 42" illustrating the manner in which the finger d2 may be extended in Width so as to overlie both the body portion 26 and the iinger 28.

The connector of the present invention is extremely simple in construction and is made of parts which are inexpensive to fabricate. The top member A may be stamped or otherwise formed from any suitable sheet metal, preferably plated with a precious or semi-precious coating, and the bottom member B may be Stamped, cast or machined to its desired simple form. Assembly of the two members A and B is accomplished, with regard to the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 9, by inserting the pintles 34 into lthe apertures 22 and the connector l0 is itself attached to the ends of the bracelet B merely by wrapping the fingers 20 therearound. With regard to the embodiment of Figs. l through 16, the top and bottom members A and B are assembled by bending the finger 40 around the neck 3i] of the bottom member B. The thus constructed connector is easily attachable to a watch of the type under discussion merely by sliding the nger 28 into the bail 4 and then moving the top and bottom members A and B to closed position, in which position they may be fastened merely by distortion of the depending portions 38, or the iinger 42 as the case may be.

It will be apparent that the connector may be made in various styles and shapes depending to a large extent upon the particular conguration of the watch 2 with which they are to be used. Thus, the side walls I4 and Hl' of the connector here illustrated have been shaped and aligned so as to blend with the side outlines of the watch 2 and impart a relatively continuous line from the watch 2 to the bracelet 6. The top wall l2 in the embodiment of Figs. l through 9 has been given a similar inclination so that the connector I0 truly appears to be a continuation and an integral part oi the watch 2, particularly when the watch 2 is in position on the wrist of the wearer, and only a very careful examination reveais the contrary.

A major characteristic of the connector of the present invention is that the actual structural connection between the bracelet and the watch is achieved by means of an element, the finger 28, which may be made structurally strong because it need not be distorted in the process of closing the connector. The fastening portion E, which must be distortable to permit opening and closing of the connector, bears little or none of the strain involved in the connection and consequently its bendability does not detract from the strength of the connection. The housing portion G not oniy houses the bottom member B when in closed position together with a portion oi the watch bail il, but also carries a securing portion E which prevents undesired separation of the connector from the watch except when the connector is in open position, and also carries the fastening portion F for fastening the connector in closed position. A very sturdy and compact construction thereby ensues which is at the same time extremely decorative.

It is therefore apparent that a large numberv of variations in shape and design may be indulged in in constructing the connectors of this type without departing from the spirit of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A bracelet connector for a wrist watch bracelet intended for use with a wrist watch having a lug or bail at either end, said connector comprising top and bottom members pivotally connected so as to be movable between separated and closed positions, said bottom member being movable upwardly toward and into said top member when going from open to closed position, said bottom member comprising a body and a laterally directed linger spacedly connected thereto so as to denne therebetween an openended channel capable of engagement with a watch bail by insertion of said finger through said bail, and said top member comprising a hollow housing within which said bottom member is substantially completely receivablev when in closed position, said housing being formed with 1 depending side walls and a iront wall, one oi said depending side walls closing said channel and retaining said bail therein when said members are in closed position, the front wall of said housing being provided with an open-bottomed aperture through which a portion of said bail may pass, and means carried by the iront wall of said housing and engageable with said bottom member so as to retain it in closed position.

2. A bracelet connector for a wrist watch bracelet intended for use with a wrist watch having a lug or bail at either end, said connector comprising top and bottom members pivotally connected so as to be movable between separated and closed positions, said bottom member being movable upwardly toward and into said top member when going from open to closed position, said bottom member comprising a body and a laterally directed finger spacedly connected thereto so as to define therebetween an openended channel capable or" enga-gement with a watch bail by insertion of said finger through said bail, and said top member comprising a hollow housing within which said bottom member is substantially completely receivable when inclosed position, said housing being formed with depending side walls and a front wall, one of said depending side walls closing said channel when said members are in closed position, the front wall of said housing being provided with an open-bottomed aperture through which a portion of said bail may pass, and means carried by the front wall of said housing and engageable with said finger so as to retain said members in closed position.

3. A bracelet connector for a wrist watch bracelet intended for use with a wrist watch having a lug or bail at either end, said connector comprising an open-bottomed housing having a top wall, a pair of side walls depending therefrom, and a iront wall having an openbottomed aperture therein, depending portions of said front wall being separated from the remainder of said housing, and a bottom member having a lateral open-ended channel therein, said bottom member being pivotally attached to and between said side walls and movable between a separated position, in which said channel is exposed so that said bottom member may be engaged with a watch bail, and a closed position, in which said bottom member is substantially completely received within said housing, aside wall of said housing closing the open erid of said channel, said bail being received within the aperture in the front wall of said housing and the depending portions of said front wall being' bendable around said bottom member to maintain said member in closed position.

4. A bracelet connector for a wrist watch bracelet intended for use with a wrist watch having a lug or bail at either end, said connector comprising top and bottom members pivotally connected so as to be movable between separated and closed positions, said bottom member comprising a 'body and a late-rally directed nnger spacedly connected thereto by means of a neck so as to denne therebetween an open-ended channel capable of engagement with a watch bail, and said top member comprising ahollow housing within which said bottom member is receivable when in closed position,y being formed with depending sides,l including' a front side, one of which sides closes said `channel and retains said bail therein when said members are in closed position, a finger depending from one of said sides and curla'ble about the neck of said bottom member 'so as to pivotally connect the same to said top member,- the front side of said housing being provided with an open-bottomed aperture through which a portion of said bail may pass, and means carried by said housing and engageable with said bottom member to retain it in closed position.

5. The bracelet connector of claim 4,- in which the means carried by the housing and engageable with the bottom member to retain it in closed position comprises a iinger depending from the side of said housing to which the bottom member is not pivoted and bendable to overlie a portion of said bottom member when said bottom member is in closed position.

6. A bracelet connector for a wrist watch Ybracelet intended for use with a wrist watch having a lug or bail at either end, said connector comprising an open-bottomed housing having a top wall, a pair of side walls depending therefrom, and a iront wall having an open-bottomed aperture therein, and a bottom member having a lateral open-ended channel therein, said bottom member being pivotally attached to one of said side walls and movable between a separated .f

position, in which said channel is eiqcosc'e'dk so that said bottom member may be engaged with a wat-'cn bail, and a dosed position, in which said bottom member is substantially completely received. within said housing, the other of said side walls of said housing closing the open end of said channel, said bail being received within the aperture in the front wall of said housing and means carried by said housing and engageable with said bottom member so as to retain it in closed position.

7. The bracelet connector of claim 6, in which the means carried by said housing and engageable with said bottom member to retain it in closed position comprises a iinger depending from the other side of said housing and bendable to overlie a portion of said bottom member when said bottom member is in closed position.

8. A bracelet connector for a wrist watch bracelet intended for use with a Wrist watch having a lug or bail at either end, said connector comprising an open-bottomed housing having a top wall, a pair of side walls depending therefrom, and a front wall having an open-bottomed aperture therein, and a bottom member having said housing 1 l0 an opei1=ended channel therein, one of said side Walls having an element attached thereto in which said bottom member is pivotally mount- Y edi said bottom member being movable between a separated position, in which said channel is exposed so that said bottom member may be engaged with a Watch bail, and a closed position, in which said bottom member is substantially conipletely received within said housing, a side w'all of said housing closing the operi end of 'said channel so as to retain said bail thereini said bail being received within the aperture in the front wall of said housing, and means carried by' said housing and engageable with said bottom merriber so as to retain it in closed position.

9. The bracelet connector of claim 8, in which the means carried by said housing and engageable with said bottom member to retain it in closed position comprises a nnger depending from' the other side of said housing and bendable to overlie a portion of said bottom member' when said bottom member is in closed position.

10. A bracelet connector for a wrist watch bracelet intended for use with a wrist watch having a lug or a bail at either end, said connector comprising a top member and a bottom member articulately connected to said top merriber so as to be movable between a position parallel thereto and a position angularly disposed downwardly with respect thereto, said bottom member comprising a body and a laterally directed linger spaciedly connected thereto so as to denne therebetween an open-ended channel capable of engagement with a watch bail by iiisertion of said finger through 'said bail, and

said top member comprising a hollow housing within which said bottom member is substantially completely receivable when in closed position, said housing being formed with depending sides and a front wall, one of said depending sides closing said channel and retaining said bail therein when said members are in closed position, the front wall of said housing being provided with an open-'bottomed aperture through which a portion of said bail may pass, said housing including a portion engageable with said bottom member' toretain it in closed position;

1l.v A bracelet connector for a wrist watch bracelet intended for use with a wrist watch having a lug or bail at either end, said connector comprising top and bottom members pivotall-y connected 'so as to be movable betw'een separated and closed positions, said bottoni member being movable upwardly toward and into said top member when going from open to closed position, said bottom member comprising a body and a laterally directed finger spacedly connected thereto so as to denne therebetween an openended channel capable of engagement with a watch bail by insertion of said nger through said bail and said top member comprising a hollow housing within which said bottom member is substantially completely receivable when in closed position, said housing being formed with depending sides and a front, one of said depend'- ing sides closing said channel and retaining said bail therein when said members are in closed position, the front of said housing being provided With an open-bottomed aperture through which a portion of said bail may pass, said housing including a member engageable with said bottom member to retain said bottom member in closed position.

12. In a lockable connector or end clasp for chains, bracelets, watch bands and the like, the

combination with a dished, hollow member having a relatively narrow and a substantially wider end and being provided with a peripheral iiange and a cut-out at the wider end whereby portions of that wider end and of the ange adjacent to the cut-out are rendered resilient, of a relatively flat element of a shape similar to that of the hollovsT member and being operatively associated with the narrow end of said member and being movable within the area thereof dened by the peripheral ange and having a cut-out to form a resilient end structure for tensionally engaging the resilient flange portions of the member, said resilient flange portions having lugs extending from the flange edges and being adapted to be bent over and against said element for preventing the latter's disengagement from said body.

13. 1n a lockable connector or end clasp for chains, bracelets, watch bands and the like, the combination with a dished, hollow member having a relatively narrow and a substantially wider end and being provided with a peripheral flange and a cut-out at the wider end whereby portions of that wider end and of the flange adjacent to the cut-out are rendered resilient, of a relatively at element of a shape similar to that oi the hollow member and being operatively associated with the narrow end of said member and being movable within the area thereof deiined by the peripheral ange and having a cut-out to form an end structure for tensionally engaging the resilient flange portions of the member, said resilient flange portions having parts adapted to be bent over and against said element for preventing the latters disengagementY from said body.

14. A connector for fastening a wrist-band or bracelet to a watch having loops on its sides, said connector comprising a main member formed at its rearward end to receive the end of the band or bracelet and a relatively iiat top wall cut away at its forward portion to provide an opening for entering a loop on the watch thereinto, said main member having downwardly extending side walls, end walls on the main member straddling the opening in its top wall, and ka relatively flat sheetmetal loop-engaging element pivotally mounted in said main member beneath the top wall of the latter, said loop-engaging element slotted laterally across the greater portion of its width to form a hook with its beak adapted for insertion through the loop on the watch, said loop-engaging element being adapted to rock downwardly to insert its beak through the loop on the watch and to swing upwardly beneath the top wall of the main member, and said main member including a part bendable into engagement with and under said loop-engaging element when said element is swung upwardly so as to secure said element against opening and prevent accidental release from the hook on the watch.

15. In a lockable connector or end clasp for chains, bracelets, watch bands and the like, the combination with a dished, hollow member having a relatively narrow and a substantially wider end and bemg provided with a peripheral flange and a cut-out at the wider end whereby portions of that wider end and of the flange adjacent to the cut-out are rendered resilient, of a relatively fiat element of a shape similar1 to that of the hollow member and being operatively associated with the narrow end of said member and being movable within the area thereof dened by the peripheral flange and having a cut-out to form an end structure for tensionally engaging the resilient flange portions of the member.

16. In a lockable connector or end-clasp for chains, bracelets, watch bands and the like, the combination with a dished, hollow member having a relatively narrow and a substantially wider end and being provided with a peripheral flange and a cut-out at the wider end whereby portions of that wider end and of the flange adjacent to the cut-out are rendered resilient, of a relatively iiat element of a shape similar to that of the hollow member and being operatively associated with said member and being movable within the area thereof defined by the peripheral iiange and having a cut-out to form an end structure for tensionally engaging the resilient ilange portions of the member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 490,999 Uchermann Jan. 31, 1893 1,130,438 Schmidt Mar. 2, 1915 1,385,865 Czerwinski July 26, 1921 1,428,560 Robinson Sept. 12, 1922 1,451,160 Heberling Apr. 10, 1923 1,467,465 Wiedmann Sept. 11, 1923 1,680,706 Tost Aug. 14, 1928 1,701,112 Johnson Feb. 5, 1929 2,073,280 Lederer Mar. 9, 1937 2,266,951 Bender Dec. 23, 1941

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