US2948110A - Bracelet linkage with detachable pivots - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 9, 1960 H. F. WILLIAMS ErAL 2,948,110

- BRACELET LINKAGE WITH DETACHABLE PIVOTS Filed June 23, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS fiuzwifi Zi/l' s Byaizd zzzlmzyl ylihuiblz' ATTORNEYS 1960 H- F. WILLIAMS ETAL 8) 2,948,110

BRACELET LINKAGE WITH DETACHABLE PIVOTS Filed June 23, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

INVENTORS /Zn ma AT R N EYS United States Patent U BRACELET LINKAGE WITH DETACHABLE PIVOTS Howard F. Williams, Cranston, andAnthony L. Minutoli, Pawtucket, R.I., assignors to Kestenman Bros. Mfg. Co., Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed June 23, 1958, Ser. No. 743,774 1 Claim. (CI. 59-79 .This invention relates to improvements in flexible metal bandsor linkages for use in the manufacture of bracelets, necklaces, belts and similar articles of jewelry.

The present improvement is particularly directed to expansiblelinkages of lazy-tongs type comprising a continuous series of units of paired link-elements pivoted together at their centers in overlapping relationship and pivotally connected at their ends to adjacent similar units or pairs of elements.

' Such extensible bands or linkages are used generally in the construction of watch-bracelets and an object of the present invention is to provide improved means for pivotally securing the ends of the link-elements in connected relationship while adapting them to be disconnect ed so that certain of the units may be removed and the ends of the separated sections reconnected for shortening the bracelet; or, in other instances, additional linkelements may be inserted between the disconnected sections to lengthen the bracelet.

. Another object is to provide improved connecting means for the link-elements so constructed and arranged as to normally securely retain the series of link-elements in connected relationship without chance of. inadvertent or accidental disconnection, yet capable of being released by manual manipulation.

Another object is to provide releasable connecting means normally acting positively to resist disconnection of the link-elements understrain or stress during expansion of the bracelet in applying it to the wrist or due to natural flexing of the wrist when the bracelet is worn.

Another object is to provide improved connecting means for the ends of the link-elements which may be released easily and conveniently without especial skill or expertness on the part of the operator and. likewise readily reconnected after adjustment of the length of the bracelet.

Another object is to provide locking or latching means for theconnecting means acting to positively hold the link-elements in connection with said, latching means disengageable by a simple manipulation of the parts to release said connecting means.

Another object is to providean extremely simple latching means comprising a single element movably mounted on a usual part of the linkage as generally provided and effectually resistant to release of the connecting means under all normal conditions.

Anotherobject is to provide latching means which may be applied to usual types of linkages without sub- ,stantial change in the 'form or. construction" of the linkelements.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification and illustrated by way of example by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged bottom plan viewof a bracelet comprising a series of pivotally connected pairs of linkelements, shown partly broken away, with end members for attaching the bracelet to the bails of a wrist-watch and illustrating the link-elements in contracted relationship;

Fig. 2 is a similar bottom plan view-showing the linkage as .expanded with the link-elements pivoted into spaced relationship;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing certain of the linkelements as disconnected from separated lengths of the linkage to adapt them to be removed therefrom for shortening the bracelet;

Fig. 4 is a further enlarged side elevational view of several connected link-elements shown partly in section to illustrate the arrangement of the pivot-studs;

Fig. 5 is a similarly enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3 and showing the latching means for the pivot-stud at the end of one link-element;

Fig. 6 is a part-sectional bottom plan view of several connected link-elements taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and showing the arrangement of the latching means for the pivot-studs; p

Fig. 7 is a further enlarged transverse sectional view of an upper link-element showing the latching means for the pivot-stud which connects it to the end of a lower element and illustrating the manner of manipulating the stud to release it from the latchingmeans;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the latching means illustrated in Fig. 7 showing it mounted on the central pivot of a pair of link-elements with its end partly .released from the end stud on a lower element to allow lateral shifting of said stud;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 7 showing the latch further released and the pivot-stud shifted to a further extent;

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the latching means: shown in the same relationship as in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view at the end of two connected link-elements illustrating the pivot-stud; as shifted to the enlarged end of the keyhole opening in: the upper element for disconnecting the lower element therefrom;

Fig. 12 is a perspective View of the lower link-element showing its central pivot-stud and the end studs for connecting it. to the upper elements of the linkage;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the upper link-element in the same scale as in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a view in perspective of the latch-member for locking the pivot-stud from movement in the keyhole opening of the upper link-element; and

Fig. 15 is an enlanged sectional view taken on line 15-15 of Fig. 6 and showing the means for mounting the latch-member on the central pivot-stud of two connected link-elements.

As herein shown and described the present metal band or linkage is of the lazy-tongs type comprising a series of units or pairs of overlapping link-elements pivoted .and although the bracelet may 'be 'expansible in length to a considerable extent it is generally produced in several different lengths to adapt it to snugly fit wrists of different sizes without binding thereon.

Many attempts have heretofore been made to produce expansible bracelets of the present type with means for disconnecting the link-elements to provide for removing certain of the units to shorten the bracelet, or for disconnecting sections thereof so that additional units may be inserted therebetween to' lengthen the bracelet. However,xin most instances .prior to the present invention the connecting means haveeitherbeen of such form and construction as to besubject -to inadvertent or accidental release during application to, or removal of the bracelet from the wrist;in"which case the bracelet may break apart'an'd the-watch dropped and damaged or'even lost.

*In other 'instance's,-the connecting means have not been means of simple and economical construction for economical'manufacture and having the important charac- "teristic of being-easy and convenient to manipulate while at the same time being effectually and permanently proof against accidental or inadvertent release.

While the improvement is herein shown and described as applied to a linkage of the so-called lazy tongs type,

'it is to be understood that theinvention may also be used for the pivotal connections of other types of bracelets of different construction.

As herein shown and described, the preferred form of linkage (Figs. 1 'and 2) comprises upper and lower "link- elements 2 and 3; respectively, constructed in substantially rectangular shape to be stamped out from sheetstock and formed up in dies. The individual link- memb'ersor elements 2 and 3 arepivotally connected at their centers in overlapping relationship to constitute'units of.

X-shape in the *linkage 4. Usually the link- elements 2 and 3 are constructed from base metal and covered or sheathed "on' their exposed faces by relatively thin sheetmetal'shells'5 and 6' of gold or sliver, or plated therewith.

The shells 5 and 6 enclose allexposed parts of the elements 2 and'3 with the 'metalCFigs. -4, 5 and 6) folded across the edges thereof and permanently secured thereto by means of tabs '7 (Figs. '2 and 3) bent across their fiat faces. As herein shown the shells 5 for the upper link-members 2 may be flat and'beveled along their edges (Figs. '4 and 5); whereas the shells 6 for the lower or bottom elements 3 are preferably crowned or convexed to provide a smooth finish on the under side of the bracelet (Fig. 4) for contact with the wrist of the wearer.

Projecting upwardly from each lower member 3 is a central pivot-stud 10 of hollow construction which may be struck up or extruded from the metal ofthe element '(Fig. 12), and at each end of this element is a smaller 'stud 11 formed from the metal by a forcing or drawing operation, or of any other construction.

The upper'link-eler'nent or member 2, shown in Fig. 13 in reversed relationship, or bottom side up, may also be formed from sheet-metal by a stamping operation. At its center the member 2 is pierced with a circular opening 12 adapted'to receive the central stud 10 on the bottom member 3 when the two elements are'assembled' in 'crossed overlapping relationship (Fig. 2). The end of 'theastud 10imay be .Sutaged or headed over in an ann'ular -flange 13 to hold the-two members in permanent connec- 4 tion at this point after the elements have been assembled. At one end of the upper member 2 is a smaller hole 14 through which one of the pivot-studs 11 engages for pivotally connecting the end of the member 3 to the end of an adjacent member 2 in the linkage 4. For the purpose of the present invention certain of the members 2 are formed with openings 15 in the shape of a keyhole of circular contour at one end 16 and extending in a straight narrower slot 17 which may be inclined slightly to the longitudinal axis of the member 2.

Each upper member 2 is -formed with a hook-like projection 20 sheared from the metal with its end bent across the bottom of said member (Fig. 13) in spaced relation thereto. Between the circular opening 12 and the hook 20 the bottom of the member 2 is indented with a V-shaped slot or depression22'used for a purpose later explained. In accordance with the usual construction of bracelets of the present type the coil of a helical wire spring 23'(Fig. 6) is held in the bottompivot-stud 10 with one leg 24'fastened under the hook 20and its'opposite leg 25 engaging the side wall of the shell 6 on the lower link-element 3 for normally pivoting the crossed links into contracted relationship as shown in Fig. 1.

The pivot-studs 11 are flanged outwardly at their ends to provide annular heads 27 for holding them in the holes 14 in the upper link-elements 2. The flanged ends or heads 27 of the studs 11 may be inserted into the larger circular part 16 of the keyhole 15 and then slid into the narrow slot or opening to hold it engaged, this being a previously-used method of assembling 'the connecting means for the ends 'of the-link-elements. The presentinventi'on, as beforenoted, contemplates the provision of a positively acting latching member for preventing a stud 11 from sliding out of the end of the slot 17 and being released by passing its flange or head 27 through the circular portion 16 of the keyhole opening 15. For this purpose we may employ a latch 30 constructed of sheetmetal and of novel shape as shown in the enlarged perspective view (Fig. 14). The latch 30 is mounted on the inner face of the upper link-element 2 in the space between said element and its covering shell 5 to adapt it to rock or cant slightly therein as indicated in Figs. 7

and 9 and for this purpose it may be of resilient material. As 'a convenient means for mounting the latch 30 its widest portion is seated across the full width of the upper link-element 2 and provided with a circular opening 31 dimensioned to fit around the stud 10. The end of the latch 30 adjacent the opening 31 is (lapped to form a V-shaped detent projection 32 on its'face,'it being extension or lip 35 of reversely curved shape as next described. The central portion of this end extension 35 is rolled or curled over at 36 in a reverse curve formed with straight side portions or lands 37 which normally abut the flat inner face of the member 2. (Fig. 11) when the latch 30 is applied to position by mounting it on the stud 10. Due to this peculiar construction of the latchmember "30 its curled over extension or lip 35 projects into the open end of the slot 17 when its flat lateral portions abut the face of the member 2 as shown in Fig. 11.

With the parts of the link-element 2 finally assembled within its shell 5 the main portion of the latch-member 30 is held securely in place abutting the inner face of the member 2 by means next described. Referring to Fig. 13, the upper member 2 is slotted along its marginal edges to form recesses 40 separated by projecting len'gth's 41 and 42 therebetween. Th'e 'side walls of the shell s are correspondingly slotted at 43'and 44 to provideportions therebetween which engage in the recesses 40 and are extended to provide the tabs 7 that hold the shell attachedto the link-element 2. The recessed edges of the slots 43 in the shell engage against the projecting lengths 41 on the member 2 to hold the bottom wall of the shell spaced from said member (Fig. 4). Since the widest portion of the latch 30 seats against the widest part of the member 2 including the projections 42 the recessed edges of the slots 44 in the shell 5 when the latter is assembled on the member 2 will engage the marginal portions of the latch 30 (Fig. 15) to hold the latter securely in place as the tabs 7 are folded around the edges of the member 2. Thus, the wider end portion of the latch 30 will be held fixedly in place so that its opposite end 34 will be free to flex resiliently to displace it as shown in Figs. 7 and 9.

With the link-elements assembled in connected relationship in a complete bracelet the narrower end or lip 35 of the latch 30 normally projects into the end of the slot 17 to adapt it to engage against the stud 11 and prevent it from being shifted in the slot sufficiently to cause its head 27 to escape through the larger end of the opening 15 and release the connected ends of the link-elements.

With the link- elements 2 and 3 assembled in a bracelet, if it is desired to adjust the length thereof by removing certain units therefrom or inserting added elements thereinto the procedure is as next explained. With the present arrangement and construction of the parts any two adjacent link-elements 2 may be provided with alternately arranged keyhole openings at their ends; that is, the keyhole 15 in one element will be located in its end opposite from that permanently connected to a link-member 3 by a stud 11. Consequently, the units adapted for detachment from the linkage will consist of pairs of upper link-elements 2 connected to crossing lower link-members 3 as shown at a in Fig. 3. To release such a link unit from the bracelet the stud 11 at the end of one element 3 is manipulated by canting it slightly (Figs, 7 and 8) and forcing its head 27 against the downturned extension 35 on the latch 30 for springing the latch downwardly. When this is accomplished the stud 11 may be slid along the narrow portion -17 of the keyhole 15 to bring its head in under the larger circular opening 16 (Fig. 11) to aline it therewith so that the stud can be withdrawn. After disconnecting the end of one bottom member 3 from its associated upper member 2 the adjacent bottom member 3 must be disconnected by the same procedure. That is to say, the stud 11 is rocked by relatively canting the two connected link-members to insert the perimeter of the head 27 of the stud between the lip 35 of the latch 30 and the face of the member 2 (Fig. 7). In this way, the free end of the latch may be sprung downwardly slightly (Fig. 7) to permit shifting of the stud 11 in the slot 17 to aline its head 27 with the enlarged circular opening 16 of the keyhole 15 for withdrawal therethrough.

After any one or more of the link-units a (Fig. 3) has been disconnected and removed from the linkage in the manner above described, the two ends of the separated sections b and 0 may be reconnected by proceeding as next explained. The stud 11 on the bottom member 3 at the end of one bracelet section b is manipulated to enter its head 27 in the circular end 16 of the keyhole 15 in the element 2 at the end of the opposite bracelet section c. By forcing the stud downwardly its head 27 is caused to spring the latch 30 away from the opening 15 so that the shank of the stud may be slid into the slot 17 of the keyhole to cause it to be positively locked in place by the latch 30. The same procedure is followed for reconnecting the end of section 0 of the bracelet to the section b by manipulating the stud 11 on its end member 3 to engage it with the keyhole 15 in the the two sections b and c of the bracelet while reducing its overall length.

When it is desired to lengthen the bracelet one or more of the link-units shown' at a in Fig. 3 may be inserted between the disconnected ends of the bracelet sections b and c by proceeding in the same manner for engaging the studs.11 in the slots 17 of the keyholes 15 in the upper link-members 2 at the ends of said sections.

:By the present ingenious and improved form of constructionofthe connecting means for the link-elements the manufacturer of watch-bracelets or other ornamental bands may supply the retailer with bracelets of one standard size yet capable of being adjusted in length to fit the wrists of the different purchasers. For example, the retailer may be supplied with a limited number of extra link-units for use in increasing the length of a bracelet. In this way the manufacturer is saved from the cost of manufacturing bracelets of various designs in several different sizes and likewise the retailer is relieved of the expense of carrying a relatively large stock of bracelets in different sizes.

While the improvements are herein shown and described as embodied in an expansible bracelet having links of conventional form in lazy-tongs arrangement, it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to bracelets or linkages of other construction which may be connected in different arrangement from that illustrated. It is also to be understood that while the present specification discloses a specific form of latch and a preferable method of mounting it on a link-element, variations may be made in the form and structure of the cooperating parts of the latching means without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the following claim. Therefore, without limiting ourselves in this respect, we claim:

An expansible bracelet linkage comprising a plurality of link-units each consisting of a pair of relatively narrow top and bottom members disposed in crossing relationship, a headed stud pivotally connecting said top and bottom members at the center to adapt them to swing into open relationship for expanding said bracelet, projecting headed studs at the. ends of said bottom members pivotally connecting them to the ends of said top members, a key-hole slot in certain of said top members having its narrower portion extending outwardly toward the end thereof and its circular opening located adjacent the central pivot-stud of said members, said certain top members each having a latch-plate formed with an opening at one end for mounting it on the related center pivot-stud, detent means engaging between each said latchplate and its top member for preventing relative rotary movement of said related latch-plate and top member about their center pivot-stud, and a relatively thin sheetmetal shell overlying the upper face of each of said certain top members with its side walls enclosing the edges thereof and extended in tabs bent around the under side of its top member to hold it against the under side of said latchplate with the latter seated in slots in the side walls of the shell on its top member, said latch-plate formed with an arcuate portion projecting outwardly from said central pivot-stud and curved upwardly with itsend extending downwardly in a curved lip projecting into and then at least slightly out of the end of said narrow portion of said key-hole slot adjacent the larger circular portion thereof, the end of said lip being adapted to engage positively against the related end pivot-stud on an adjacent bottom link-member beneath the circular head thereof to prevent said related end stud from sliding out of the narrow portion of said key-hole slot after it has been entered thereinto, the convex side of said curved lip at the end of the latch-plate being engageable by the head of said related end stud by canting the stud in the narrowzportion of said key-hole slot whereby to--fle l said latch-plate and displace it into pqsition to permit the heaid of the related end -stud to s lidevtheregcros s into 'register with the circular opening at the end ofsaid keyhole slot for Withdrawing it therethrqug h to disengage the e n d of said adjacentbottom link from fa n' adjacent toplink in the series' for removing sections 615 aid bfacelet to adjust its length. 1

970,931 V Kramer -d Sept. 20, 1910 lished June 27, 1957.

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