US2686622A - Flexible bracelet of the articulate type - Google Patents

Description

Aug-17 1954 K. c. AuGENsTElN 2,686,622

FLEXIBLE BRACELET OF THE RTICULATE TYPE Filed sgpf'. `15,11950 2 sheets-sheet 1 NNMN@ INV ENT OR M BY 09%/ ATTORNEY S Al1&-17 1954 K. c.'AuGEN sTE|N 2,686,522

FLEXIBLE BRACELET oF THE ARTICULATE TYPE Filed Sept. 15, 1.950 Y l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l IN VENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 17, 1954 FLEXIBLE BRACELg' OEF THE ARTICULATE Karl C. Augenstein, Cranston, R. I., assigno to Speidel Corporation, Providence, R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island Application September 15, 1950, Serial No. 184,994

8 Claims. 1

Bracelets or bands of the above type are subject to the objection that their articulate joints provide numerous reentrant portions or opening-s which are dirt collecting and virtually impossible to keep clean. Hence the appearance oi this type of bracelet although originally attractive, is soon impaired. Moreover the manufacture of such bracelets with accurately intertting parts involves time-consuming operations which appreciably increase the cost of manufacture.

The principal object of the present invention is` to provide a. bracelet or band of the above type which is not only of pleasant and attractive appearance, but also overcomes the aforementioned objections.

A more specific object is to provide asimple and efficient means for retracting the pivotal units of the bracelet so that they will snugly embrace or t about the wrist of the wearer and thus presents a more attractive appearance.

Further objects will be apparent from consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my new bracelet or band with the sections in outstretched position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the bracelet as it appears when being worn or displayed;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal horizontal section 'through one of the articulate sections;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through the articulate sections shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 3

but showing a retractor of modified construction;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section through one of the end connectors and associated` unit or link;

Fig. '7 is a bottom view of the parts shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section adjacent to the free end portion of the connector link;

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8, but illustrating the manner in which the coupling pin is released;

Figs. 10 and l1 are enlarged side elevations of the retractor mechanism when in retracted and` extended positions, respectively;

Fig. 12 is a detail showing the manner in which the retractcr chain is secured to the shaft;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged top plan view, with parts broken away, of the retractor mechanism;

Fig. 14 is an exploded view of the constituent parts of the casing of the retractor mechanism;

Fig. l5 is an enlarged isometric ci one of the articulated units or links; and

Fig. 15 is an explodedview of a pair of interconnected elements constituting the bottom walls of a pair of links.

The embodiment herein shown for the purpose ci illustration comprises two articulate sections l and 2 each having an end connector 3 for attaching the section to a wristwatch or ornamentation il, andfa terniinalilink t through which extends a retractor strand or chain 5 for yieldingly urging the twosections toward each other so that they will tend toeinbrace the wrist of the wearer more snugly. Each of the sections l and 2 comprises series of interconnected links or units lil (Figs. :3 and i5) of geometrically similar shape and of progressively decreasing Isize from the end connector 3v to the terminallink 5f.

Each ofthe units Ill comprises a generally semicylindrical shell or tubular element having adjacent to its opposite end portions diametrically disposed apertures Il and l2 (Fig. 15). The outer ends of theunit's are each formed with an integral extention i4 having an upwardly extending arcuate lip l5, and the inner ends of the units are each formed with an inwardly directed arcuate lip i6 defining a mouth for receiving the extension iii and lip of the adjacent unit when the linksare assembled so that the apertures I2 of one unit` are aligned by the apertures il of the adjacent unit, as shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 6.

The bottom walls of the units it comprise dished elements lli (Figs. 4, 'l and 16) which snugly t between the longitudinal edges of the units and the elements are formed" with integral parts rolled to provide a central sleeve 2U at one end and a pair of spacedsleeves 2l at the other end,.the construction and arrangement of parts being such that when-the elements i8 are assembled within the shells or units I il, the sleeve 250i each unit is aligned with the apertures i2 and the sleeve 2l is aligned with the apertures Il; and when the units are assembled, the sleeves 2% of one unit fit inthe openings between the sleeves` 2 of the adjacent unit` so that a pintle 22 may be passed through the apertures and sleeves so as pivotally to interconnect the units, as shown in Figs. 4, 6 and '7.

The surface contour of the units il? and the shape of the depending lips I6 are such that the latter is at all times in contiguous relation to the iorrnenregardless of the angular position ofA the units relative to each other, as indicated in Fig. 2, thus eliminating. dirt-collecting openings; recesseaetc., andpresenting a more attractive appearance. The inner end of each terminal link il` is formed similar to the inner end of each unit lil, being provided with an integral extension i4 having an outstanding lip I5 (Fig. 4), but its outer end converges somewhat toV form a small opening through whichthe retractor chain `6 passes. Similarlythe bottom wall of each terminal link 5 is formed at its inner end with spaced sleeves 2i to intertwith sleeve Zil'of the adjacent unit It; but the outer end ofthe bottom wall is rolled, as indicated at 23'` in Fig. 4,. to provide a smooth continuous surface. In order to insurea smooth operation of` the chain or strand 6' in moving back and forth` within the sections, I provide a chain slide 24 which consists of a tapered strip of stainless steel or other suitable material (Figs. 3, 4 and 6) extending from the innermost sleeve 2i to the rolled edge 23A, the inner end being formed with a sleeve 25 (Figs. 6 and '7) which ts about the pintle 22 between the sleeves 2l, thus anchoring the slide in position.

Each of the connector links 3 comprises a shell or housing Sii having a surface coniiguration simulating that of two interconnected units, thus preserving the characterizing motif of the section. Each connector link has a bifurcated or spaced inner end l to receive the coupling loop of a wrist watch or ornamentation s, and an outer end conforming generally with that of a unit it, being formed with a depending lip l5 embracing the curved surface of the inner unit lil, as shown more clearly in Fig. V6. The bottom `Jvall 32, of each connector snugly rits between the longitudinal edges of the shell Stand is held in position by inwardly bent tabs 35 (Fig. '7) integral with the shell Sil. The outer end of the bottom wall terminates in contiguous relation to the sleeves E! and is and the opposite end of the bottom wail is formed with an extension 33 (Figs. 6 9) which our es inwardly to merge with the bifurcated end 3l of the sleeve.

With the construction and arrangement of parts above described the connector 3, terminal link 5 and intervening units l@ of each section may be swung from a stretched out position, as shown in Fig. l, to a curled up position, such as illustrated in Fig. 2, the swinging movement of each unit relative to the adjacent unit, being limited by the engagement of the outwardly eX- tending lip i5 with the depending lip i6 which not only provides a stop, but also a closure element contiguous to and giving the appearance of merging with the surface of the adjacent unit regardless of their angular position.

Although the coupling element of the connector links 3 may be of any conventional form, the type herein shown is particularly advantageous as it permits a quick, convenient attachment and detachment of the watch and band. Referring to Figs. 6 to 9, the walls of the bifurcated end Si are formed with aligned apertures A@ to receive a coupling pin e2, the aperture lila (Fig. 8) on one of the outer walls being smaller than the other aperture so as to prevent the coupling pin Il? from being pushed therethrough. The end portion of the coupling pin 42 adjacent to the smaller apertures ta is formed with a circumferential groove defining a locking shoulder fill and a conical-like surface or cam element t5, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Secured to the bottom wall extension 33 by a rivet l5 is latch spring @3, one end of which is formed by a cam-like nose 4l and its outer end with a hooked locking ringer i9. The design of l the parts is such that when the coupling pin is in operative position, the cam-like nose il of the latch spring et engages the shoulder 44 and cam surface i5 and the iinger 49 at the opposite end of the spring 4B is exed outwardly by the plain end of the coupling pin 6?., as shown in Fig. 8. Hence, the coupling pin il? may be slid from operative or locking position (Fig. 8), wherein it passes through the usual opening in the coupling member of a wrist Watch or ornamentation, to the left by inserting a pin or the like pointed instrument through the apertures ffl-llc, thereby forcing the grooved end to disengage the cam nose lll. Such axial movement is limited by the engagenient of the locking finger 4S with the shoulder lill, as shown in Fig. 9, which prevents complete removal of the pin 52. When in released or unlocking position (Fig. 9) the coupling member of the wrist watch or ornamentation may be moved 4. to and from a position between the bifurcated` ends of the connector link, and coupling the parts is merely a matter of moving the pin 42 to the Yright (Fig. 9) until the grooved end engages the marginal portions about the aperture 4ta, in which position the cam nose 4l snaps into locking position.

Although the connector 3, terminal link 4 and intervening units l may be pivotally connected so that friction or other means holds them in one position or another, the retractor strand E is preferably employed yieldingly to urge the terminal links together. The retractor strand 6 may consist of any suitable flexible material such as a cord, chain or the like, one or both ends of which are connected to a retractor mechanism (Figs. 4, iG-lfi) or 53a (Fig. 5) operative to draw the strand or chain 6 inwardly, thus swinging the links or units Ill to curled position so that they embrace the wrist of the wearer With comfortable snugness,

Referring to Figs. 10 to 14, the retractor 5% comprises a housing consisting of the intertting plates 5I, 52 and 53 which provide the outer and intermediate walls delining two chambers 54 and 55 (Fig. 1l). The outer walls 5l and 53 are formed with integral lateral tabs by means of which the parts are held in position and all three plates are formed with openings 5S which are aligned in the assemblage to receive a suitable shaft 5E. one end of the strand or chain the other end of which may be similarly secured to a retractor or otherwise anchored in the other section of the bracelet. The inner end of a spiral watch spring 6 is anchored to another part of the shaft 58 and the other end of the spring is secured to one of the lateral flanges or tabs of the plate 5i, the arrangement being such that the chain 6 is wound up about the shaft within the chamber 55 and the spring Sil windsand unwinds about the shaft within the chamber 54. The entire assemblage 55 has a tight t within the shell 3Q, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, with retracted chain 5 passing through the units of one section to and through those of the other section.

Other forms of retractors may be employed and as illustrative of another type is that shown in Fig. 5, which comprises a supporting plate 'IQ fitting within the shell 3G and carrying a suitable shaft di which supports a pulley or grooved wheel it. One end of a helical tension spring 'it is se cured to a hook iil carried by one of the bottom walls, and this spring extends over the pulley 'l2 stretches the spring le, but also carries it over the pulley 'i2 so that a greater movement ofthe chain for a given pull on the spring is attained than would otherwise be possible.

l't will be noted that with the construction and arrangement o1" parts herein shown and described the bracelet or band consisting of the end connectors 3, terminal links intervening links il) and retracted chain 6 may readily be connected with a wrist watch or the like ornamentation and the entire assemblage slipped or applied about'the Wrist of the wearer Without making the usual adjustments characteristic of extensible linkages and where the retractor chain 5 is employed it holds the units of each section snugly against the wrist of the wearer.

While I have shown and described one desirable embodiment of the invention, it is to be Secured to one part of the shaft 5&3 isV 'understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration and that various changes and modications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the `appended claims.

I claim:

1. A watch band comprising two flexible, non extensible sections each adapted to be bent into a generally semicircular shape so as to embrace less than hall:` of the circumference of the wrist of the wearer with adjacent ends in spaced relation, each section having at one end a connector for attaching the section to a wrist watch or the like, each section comprising a plurality of hollow units pivotally connected in endto-end relation, a strand member having its opposite ends secured within said sections and an intermediate portion extending through the free ends of said sections, and a spring within at least one of said sections and acting on the adjacent end portion of said strand member for drawing it into the section, thereby to urge said free ends together.

2. A watch band comprising two flexible, nonextensible sections each adapted to be bent into a generally semicircular shape so as to embrace less than half of the circumference of the wrist of the wearer with adjacent ends in spaced relation, each section having at one end a connector for attaching the section to a wrist watch or the like, each section comprising a plurality of hollow units pivotally connected in end-to-end relation, a strand member having its opposite ends secured within said sections and an intermediate portion extending through the free ends of said sections, and retracting means nested within at least one of said units of one of said sections acting on the adjacent end portion of said strand member to draw it into the section, thereby to urge said free ends together.

3. A watch band comprising two flexible, nonextensible sections each adapted to be bent into a generally semicircular shape so as to embrace less than half of the circumference of the wrist of the wearer with adjacent ends in spaced relation, each section having at one end a connector for attaching the section to a wrist watch or the like, each section comprising a plurality of hollow units pivotally connected in end-to-end relation, a strand member having its opposite ends secured within said sections and an intermediate portion extending through the free ends of said sections, and retracting means comprising a coiled spring within a unit of at least one of said sections, said coiled spring being associated with the adjacent end of said strand member to draw it into the section, thereby to urge said free ends together.

4. A watch band comprising two flexible, nonextensible sections each adapted to be bent into a generally semicircular shape so as to embrace less than half of the circumference of the wrist of the wearer with adjacent ends in spaced relation, each section having at one end a connector for attaching the section to a wrist watch or the like, each section comprising a plurality of hollow units pivotally connected in end-to-end relation, a strand member having its opposite ends secured within said sections and an intermediate portion extending through the free ends of said sections, and retracting means comprising a helical tension spring within a unit of at least one of said sections remote from the free end thereof and connected to the adjacent end of said strand member so as to draw it into the section, thereby to urge said free ends together.

5. A watch band comprising two ilexible nonextensible sections, each having at one end a connector for attaching the section to a wrist watch, or the like, cach section comprising a plurality of hollow units pivotally connected in end-to-end relation, a strand member having .its opposite ends secured within said sections and an intermediate portion extending through the free ends of said sections, and retracting means within at least one of said sections for drawing said strand member into the section, thereby to urge said free ends together, said retracting means comprising a freely rotatable shaft, a helical spring around one part of the shaft, one end of said spring being secured to the shaft and the other end being anchored and said strand being attached to another part of the shaft adjacent the helical spring whereby the tension of the helical spring urges the shaft to rotate and Wind the strand around the shaft.

6. A watch band comprising two flexible nonextensible sections, each having at one end a connector for attaching the section to a wrist watch, or the like, each section comprising a plurality of hollow units pivotally connected in endto-end relation by pivotal connections which extend transversely of the hollow units, a strand member having its opposite ends secured Within said sections and an intermediate portion extending through the free ends of said sections, a resilient strip secured within each section and overlying the pivotal connections between the links, the portions of said strand member within the sections passing over said pivotal connections and over said flexible strip, and retracting means nested within at least one of said units of one of said sections and acting on the adjacent end portion of said strand member to draw it into the section, thereby to urge said free ends together.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1 also comprising a pulley mounted in one of said hollow units, said spring extending over said pulley.

8. A watch band comprising two flexible, nonextensible sections, each having at one end a connector for attaching the section to a wrist watch, or the like, each section comprising a plurality of hollow units pivotally connected in end to end relation by pivotal connections which eX- tend transversely of the hollow units, a strand member having its opposite ends located within said sections and an intermediate portion extending through the free ends of said sections, the portions of the strand member within the sections passing over the pivotal connections between the links, and a spring within at least one of said sections and acting on the adjacent end portion of said strand member for drawing it into the section and thereby to urge said free ends of said sections together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 240,924 Pollak May 3, 1881 434,302 Senner Aug. 12, 1890 839,538 Becker Dec. 25, 1906 1,103,776 Jones July 14, 1914 1,313,645 Simon Aug. 19, 1919 2,433,657 Flag Dec. 30, 1947 2,542,284 Matson Feb. 20, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 394,155 Germany Apr. 14, 1924

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