US2744379A - Expansible band with dual purpose latch - Google Patents

Description

May 8, 1956y E. VALCOURT 2,744,379

EXPANSIBLE BAND WITH DUAL PURPOSE LATCH M Hmm Filed Deo. 9, 1954 l Y 23 33' A' 3/ la INI/ENTOR: Lou/SE I/zlcozzrlf BY 4 f l F .19t 8- 3 ATTO/wlmi EXPANSIBLE BAND WITH DUAL'PURPOSELATCH Louis E. Valcourt, East Providence, R. I., assignor to Restenman Bros. Mfg. Co., Providence, R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island v Application December 9, 1954, Serial No. 474,060

6 Claims. (Cl. 59-79) link-elements telescopcally slidable in the outer link-r elements to permit expansion ofthe band orbracelet, while normally being maintained in 4contracted relationship by resilient means such as tension springs enclosed within the link-units.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved nited StatesPatent O article of manufacture of the character indicated in which the link-units are connected vby means manually operable` for detaching the units, one or more `from the others to A particular object of the invention is to provide an article of the character indicated having a 'pivoted latch yfor closing the hook on` one of the 'link-elements with means automatically operative to maintain the latch released or open when the inner element is extended from the enclosing element so that the link-units may be more conveniently unlatched and disconnected.

Another object is to provide an article of the character speciiied in which a latch pivotally mounted on one of the elements is provided with detent means operative to hold it released after it has been initially released by i manual manipulation.

Another object is to provide an article of the character indicated having the link-elements constructed from sheetmetal blanks struck up in dies and assembled in interconnected relationship to produce Aa highly ornamental appearance without unsightly projections or extraneous constructional features liable to detract from the artistic effect of the whole.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specication which describes vaprefer'red form of construction of the present linkage as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. yIn the drawing: l

Fig. l is a top'plan View of the present improved eX pansible band or `linkage shown with the link-elements resiliently maintained in telescoped relationship and the linkage contracted lengthwise;

Fig. 2 is'a greatly enlarged bottom plan view showing two of the link-elements in extended relationship With portions of the connected link-units at its ends;

Fig. 3 is a similarly enlarged longitudinal sectional Fig. .2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of a link-unit taken at one end of the unit assembly and showing the telescopic arrangement of two of the linkelements in their contracted relationship;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a link-unit assembly shown partly in section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an exploded View showing the several parts of the link-elements in disassembled relationship;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal part-sectional view of one of the link-units villustrating the latching means as operative for maintaining it attached to another link-unit; land Fig. 8 is a similar longitudinal sectional view showing the latching means Vreleased and held in its released relationship by the engagement ofthe detent-means with the i' end ofthe enclosing unit in which it slides.

Expansible watch-bracelets and similar articles of jewelry are usually Vmanufactured and sold with the links permanently connected at their ends to prevent them Vfrom becoming disconnected and dislocated when worn. Consequently, such bracelets or like jewelry must be manufactured in several diierent lengths to adapt them to iit the wrist or other part of the anatomy of the wearer 'and this requires that the jeweler or retailer must main'- tain a considerable stock of the articles in order to have different sizes available. It has thereforev been found desirable to provide an expansible band or linkage capable of being adjusted in length by the seller and the present invention consists in improved means for detachably connecting the link-units at their ends; more particularly, a latching means that can be easily released kmanually withoutthe use of tools so that one or more of said units may be removed to shorten the bracelet, or ysections of the linkage 'be disconnected for the insertion of additional link-units therein. It is also desirable that the latching or connecting means for the link-units normally be concealed from view, yet conveniently available for manipulation when the llink-elements are expanded.

, As a further improvement inthe present type of band `or bracelet I provide detent-means for holding the latch lat `the end of the slidable element in released relationship after it has been `manually =released .to open the connecting hook, said detent-means being operated automatically :by `simply extending the Aslidable link-element .outwardly at the end of its .enclosing element.

The present invention provides an improved latching or connecting ,means-of simple construction having the advantages above set forth vand not liable to derangenient or getting out of order during long periods of use. The yband or linkage may be composed of tubular main linkelements 2 of rectangular outline having a crowned top suitably ornamented with an artistic configuration or embellished with engraving, enameling or otherwise in artistic design,y The outer or main box-like link-element 2 of the present linkage is of generally arcuate shape in side View to adapt it to it closely against the wrist of the wearer, and preferably it may have an offset pad or panel 3 on its under side to reduce .the contact of the bracelet against the wrist .of the wearer. Asshown more particularly in Fig. 6, vthe outer or main link-element 2 is constructed from sheetmetal blanks to provide a relatively dat bottom wall 4l,V

struck up in a die to rform the .depending panel 3 and depending side walls 5. n y y The top or cover 10 of the :link-element 2 is formed with vertical side walls 6 folded inwardly at the bottom to provide suitable flanges engaging under the edges of the `bottom wall 4 and forming a complete tubularenclosurewith'the `parts permanently fastened together by their overlapping portions. The rearward end of the outer link-element 2 has a vertical wall 7 (Fig. 3) and an upstandng shorter -vwallor lip -8 at the front for .engaging ra flange 9 depending` from the bottom wall 16 of vthe link-element 15 to serve as a stop for preventing it being completely withdrawn from the outer main linkelement 2.

rhe inner slidable or telescopic link-element 15 is constructed with a relatively flat bottom wall 16 having the metal folded upwardly to form vertical sides 17, thus providing a sort of shallow tray to which the top or cover is attached. lt will be observed by reference to Figs. 5 and 6 that the bottom wall 16 of the inner link-element is cut away laterally at one end and the metal folded upwardly to form inwardly displaced side walls 1S, thus leaving rectangular openings 19 in the bottom wall at these points. A portion of the metal of the bottom wall 16 is folded upwardly between the projecting ends of the displaced walls 18 to provide a partial closure 2d. At one side of the bottom 16 of the link-element 15 a closure is provided consisting in a transverse end wall 21 folded upwardly from the bottom wall 16 and extending from the side wall 17 to one of the inwardly displaced walls 13 to till the gap therebetween. At the opposite side of the bottom wall 16 the opening 19 is without a closure so as to provide a space for the latch 35 to be later described.

The cover for the inner link-element 15 may have a relatively at horizontal top wall with side walls 23 bent downwardly therefrom and portions of the metal at one end bent to form spaced-apart tabs 24 extending vertically and folded inwardly at the bottom to engage under the edges of the side walls 17 of the inner link-element. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the forward end of the cover 22 of the link-element 15 is curled under to form a relatively broad hook 25 for connecting it with the next link-element 2 in the series.

With the above construction and arrangement of the interlitting parts of the two link-elements 2 and 15, the inner element 15 may be slidably mounted within the main link-element 2 to form the extendible member, means being provided for limiting its extension outwardly beyond the end of the main link-element.

A pair of springs is provided extending in parallel relationship from one end of the main link-clement 2 through its interior and that of the slidable element 15 with the ends of said springs fastened to crossbars or pins 31 and 32. The crossbar or pin 31 at the end of the outer link-element 2 is mounted with its ends inserted through tubular bearing loops 33 cut from the end wall 7 and curled around on the inside; while the pin 32 at the end of the slidable link-element 15 is held with its riveted ends engaged in holes 34 (Figs. 2 and 3) in the projecting ends of the inwardly-displaced walls 1S with shoulders at the ends of its larger main portion abutting against said walls.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 3 that the pin 31 is disposed relatively close to the end wall 7 of the main link-element 2 and to accommodate the circular wire loops of the springs 30, said end wall is cut away with vertical slots 36 (Fig. 5) through which the loops project.

The latch (Figs. 5-8) may be formed from a iiat metal stn'p with integral pintles 37 and 38 projecting laterally from its sides to adapt it to be pivotally mounted midway of its ends. One pntle or pivot 37 is mounted to turn in a hole 39 in the side wall 17 of the link-element 15, while the opposite pintle 38 is engaged in a hole in a lug 40 cut away from the bottom wall 16 and bent upwardly therefrom. With this pivotal mounting of the latch 35 its forward end is adapted to engage inside the edge of the beak portion of the hook 25 to maintain the hook looped around the hooks at the rearward end of the bottom portion of the link-element 2.

The rearward length of the latch 35 terminates in a thickened portion forming a rectangular block-like projection 46 on the under side of the latch which is normally received in an opening 47 in the bottom wall 16 of the link-element 15. The projecting portion 46 on the under side of the latch 35 constitutes the detent-means for holding the latch open as shown in Fig. 8 by its engagement with the end of the bottom wall 4 of the outer box-link 2 when its forward end is raised to release it from the edge of the hook. A rounded protuberance 5t) on the upstanding wall 18 (Fig. 5) of the element 15 is adapted to snap across the forward end of the latch 35 to retain it in either closed or open relationship (Fig. 7 or Fig. 8). The opstanding end wall 7 of the main or outer linkelement 2 is slitted laterally at its ends to provide relatively narrow strips bent into hooks 55 (Fig. 5) adapted to cooperate with the hook 2S on the link-element 15 for coupling the link-units together at their ends, scc Figs. 7 and 8.

The link-units composed of the outer clement 2 and the slidable element 15 are assembled in interconnected relationship by engaging the broad hook 25 on the end .ch element 15 with the hooks 55 on the end of the .t iter element as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 7, this operation being performed when the latch is opcned as illustrated in Fig. 8. The latch is then closed against the beak of the hook 25 by rocking its forward end downwardly and snapping it across the rounded protuberance 50 to releasably hold it closed as shown in Fig. 7. With a series of link-units connected in this manner a chain or bracelet of the desired length may be produced with the inner slidable links 15 normally maintained telescoped within the outer links 2 by the springs 3d as shown in Fig. 5, the linkage thus being contracted in length with the main link-elements 2 substantially abutting at their end. When the bracelet or other article is applied to use, for example in slipping it over the hand and onto the wrist, it may be expanded considerably lengthwise by a pull on its ends to withdraw the slidable link-elements 15 outwardly from the ends of the main link-elements 2 with the springs 30 stretching for this purpose as indicated in Fig. 3. Then, when the ends of the linkage are released the inner slidable linkelements 15 will telescope into the outer links 2 to provide a comfortable tit with expansion of the linkage permitted due to the resilient connection between the slidable link-elements 15 and the enclosing link-elements 2. This provides for flexing of the wrist when the article is being worn thereon.

When it is desired to shorten or lengthen the whole band or linkage, for example, when a bracelet is being tted to the wrist of a person purchasing it from the jeweler or retailer, this may be accomplished readily by disconnecting certain of the link-units, either to remove several units from the linkage to shorten it or to insert others thereinto for lengthening it. No tools are required for disconnecting and reconnecting the linkunits, it being only necessary to open the latches 35 where the disconnections are to be made by pressing their forward ends upwardly in the link-elements 15. To render it particularly convenient for performing this operation the slidable link-element 15 may be drawn outwardly from the end of its enclosing link-element 2 before the latch is opened. Then when the latch is swung open it will snap across the protuberance 50 as its rearward end is rocked downwardly through the opening 47 as shown in Fig. 8. This will cause the end of the enlarged portion 46 of the latch to engage with the end of the bottom wall 4 of the main link-element 2 to securely lock the latch in open relationship. When the latch 35 is thus locked in open relationship the hook 25 on the inner link-element 15 may be readily disengaged from the hooks 55 on the adjacent main link-element 2 of the series to disconnect the link-units at the location selected.

lf it is desired to shorten the bracelet it will only be necessary to manipulate the latch on the next succeeding link-element 15 in the series, or at any point rearwardly therebeyond, to disconnect several of the link-units from the chain or bracelet; whereafter, the remaining linkunits may be coupled together again by engaging the hook 25 on the slidable link-element 15 with the hooks lthese points.

.ana-aaa' When it lisrreqn'ired 'to addi-more link-unitsvtothe :chain or bracelet tol lengthen 'it thea-procedure is: :substantially the: same, 'the latch `35. Von: one. ,'of the: slidable 'link-elements being released todiseonnect the :hook '25 at the end of .'thisaelementzfromsits next forward main.,:link element 2. Thereafter one or any suitable number of additional link-units vmay be vinserted :fthe linkage between the separated :sections thereof byvcoupling them to the ends of said sections and closing the Alatches at The latches 3'5 may 'be closed by simply withdrawing the slidable 'link-elements 15 outwardl'yfrom 'they ends of the enclosing link-el'enrents 2 to 'release `the detent ends of thelatcheswhereaf'ter they maybe'pivoted into yclosed 'position by Apressing against their `rearward ends. As the latches 35 are pivoted in this manner 7their forwardv endsI will snap -acrossvtheprotuberances 50 to retain them in closed relationship as shown in Fig. 7.

It will be apparent that while in most instances all of the link-units may be constructed with releasable latches and detent-means therefor, in other cases the greater portion of the link-units may be connected permanently and only certain of the units provided with uncoupling means for use in lengthening or shortening the chain or bracelet.

lt will be observed from the foregoing specification that the present invention provides an extremely simple yet convenient latching means for maintaining the several link-units of a bracelet or linkage in connected relationship while adapting them to be disconnected manually without the use of tools. Moreover, by the provision of the present improved detent-means for holding the latches released, still greater facility and convenience of operation is secured for connecting and disconnecting the link-units to adjust the length of a chain or bracelet.

While the invention is herein shown and described in its preferred form of construction, it is to be understood that modifications may be made in the structureand arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. In an expansible metal linkage or bracelet comprising a plurality of link-units each consisting in an outer tubular link-element and an inner link-element telescopically slidable therein, with' resilient means for normally maintaining said link-units in contracted relationship, the combination of a hook at the end of said slidable link-element engageable with means at the end of an adjacent outer link-element, and a latch pivotally mounted adjacent the free end of said hook on said inner link-element, said latch being movable to engage its forward end with said hook, said latch having an abutment at its rearward end normally positioned in an aperture in said inner link-element, said latch being movable about its axis to disengage its forward end from the hook and to project the abutment on its rearward end beyond the outer face of the inner link-element and into engagement with the end of the outer link-element when said inner link-element is vslidably extended relatively thereto whereby to positively lock said latch in open position for convenient manipulation to couple and uncouple said link-units.

2. In an expansible metal band, bracelet or linkage comprising a plurality of hollow link-units each consisting in an outer link-element and an inner link-element slidable relatively thereto, a spring for normally maintaining said llnk-elements in contracted relationship,

said inner link-element being provided with a'hook at one end engageable with means on an adjacent outer link-element in the series for coupling said link-units in connected relationship, said inner link-element provided with an opening in its under side, 'the combination of a latch pivotally mounted on said inner link-element op- 4posite'theopeniirig :therein and movable about pivotal axis in one direction to engage and close said hook,

'saidlatchfbeing movable about its kpivotal axis in the op- 'link-element extended from said outer link-element against :the tension of said spring.

3. In an expansible metal band, chain or bracelet comprising a plurality of articulated link-units each consisting in an youter link-element and an inner link-ele- Vmen-t .telescopically slidable relatively thereto, one of said .link-elements'having a hook engageable with means on an adjacent link-element for coupling said link-units in connected relationship, a latch pivotally mounted on said inner link-element adjacent said hook for movement about its pivotal axis to engage its forward end with said hook to close it and movable in the opposite direction to release its forward end from said hook to open it, said latch being so constructed and arranged that when it is moved to release its forward end from the hook its rearward end will project beyond the outer face of the inner link-element on which it is mounted to cause said end to engage with the end of its' associated outer link-element when said link-elements are slidably extended whereby to hold said latchin open position for convenient manipulation in coupling and uncoupling said link-units.

4. Inan expansible metal band or linkage comprising a series of connected link-units each comprising an outer link-element and an inner link-element slidable relatively thereto with resilient means for normally maintaining said link-elements in contracted relationship one relatively to the other, said inner link-element having a hook engageable with means on an adjacent outer link-element in the series for coupling said link-units in articulated relationship, the combination of a latch pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said inner link-element and movable to engage its forward end with the beak of the hook to close said hook, said latch so constructed and arranged that when it is moved about its axis to disengage its forward end from the hook its rearward end will be projected beyond the outer face of the inner link-element and into engagement with the end of its associated outer link-element when said inner link-element is slidably extended relatively thereto to lock said latch in released position with the hook open for convenient manipulation in coupling and uncoupling said link-units.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a link-unit for expansible bracelets comprising an outer tubular linkelement and an inner link-element slidable telescopically within said outer link-element, resilient means for normally maintaining said link-elements inl contracted relationship, said slidable link-element having a hook at one end for engagement with means on an adjacent link-unit in a series, the combination of a latch pivotally mounted on said inner link-element for movement to engage its forward end with the beak of said hook to close the hook and for movement in the opposite direction'to disengage it from said hook to open it, detent-means for engaging said latch to hold it in either open or closed relation to said hook, said latch being so constructed and arranged that when it is moved to disengage it from said hook to open it while the associated link-elements are extended to maintain said link-elements extended with the hook open.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a link-unit for expansible bracelets comprising an outer tubular linkelerncnt, an inner hollow link-element slidable telescopically within the outer link-element, and a spring connecting said link-elements for normally maintaining them in contracted relationship one within the other, said inner link-element having a hook at one end for engagement with means on an adjacent link-unit in a bracelet series, the combination of a latch pivotally mounted on said inner link-element for movement to engage its forward end with the beak of said hook to close the hook, and for movement in the opposite direction to disengage its forward end from said hook to open it, and detent-means engageable between said latch and said inner link-element to hold said latch with its forward end released from the hook, said latch being so constructed and arranged that when its forward end is disengaged from said hook after the associated link-elements have been extended one from the other, the rearward end of said latch will project beyond the outer face of the inner link-element and said detent-means will hold said latch in this position so that its rearward end will engage the end of the associated outer link-element to maintain said link-elements extended against the force of their connecting spring.

References Cited inthe tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Y 1,142,160 Goldstein June 8, 1915 1,692,809 Bigney Nov. 27, 1928 1,698,134 Kestenman `lan. 8, 1929 1,729,793 Myrberg Oct. l, 1929 1,739,689 Newman Dec. 17, 1929 2,518,507 Valcourt Aug. 15, 1950 2,582,828 Hajos Jan. 15, 1952

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