US2983981A - Wrist band with end connectors - Google Patents

Description

May 16, 1961 RINTARO OHMURA 2,983,981

WRIST BAND WITH END CONNECTORS Filed Dec. 10, 1958 2 Sheets Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

,w/vmea o/w/mew II'TORIVEYS May 16, 1961 Filed Dec. 10, 1958 RINTARO OHMURA WRIST BAND WITH END CONNECTORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

.e/lvmea a/x/vmea o. J N" United States Patent WRIST BAND WITH END CONNECTORS Rintaro Ohmura, Shizuoka City, Japan, assignor to Sea Maid, Inc., Long Island City, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. '10, 1958, Ser. No. 779,375

Claims priority, application Japan Jan. 18, 1958 4 Claims. (Cl. 24-265) This invention relates to a wrist band having end connectors for coupling a wrist watch or other article thereto.

The invention comprehends a wrist band composed of a plurality of connected links having spring means biasing the links to a retracted position and permitting of the movement of the links to elongate the Wrist band and with connectors at the ends thereof adapted to releasably couple a wrist watch or other article between the ends of the wrist band.

An object of the invention is to provide a wrist band having an end connector at each end which includes a casing constructed to provide a laterally extending recess in the outer end thereof which contains a spring member disposed in biased relation against an end portion of the casing for closing the casing and releasably retaining a connecting shaft of a conventional wrist watch or other article in connected relation in the recess.

Another object of the invention is to provide an end connector of said character in which the casing is formed with an open portion adjacent an inwardly directed lip and the spring member includes a leaf spring which normally closes the open portion of the casing and is biased against the inside face of the inwardly directed lip to permit of the depressing of the leaf spring for the convenient insertion of the connecting shaft of a wrist watch or other article beneath the lip and the convenient removal of the same therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide an end connector with adjustable means at each side of the casing which is slidable with reference to the inwardly directed lip and is adapted to engage over the connecting shaft of a wrist watch or other article for accommodating diiferent lengths of shafts.

The invention further comprehends a wrist band havingconnector ends which are adapted to be releasably panying drawings in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

, In the drawings: 7

\Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a wrist band having en connectors constructed in accordance with the invention 7 and showing a watch in broken line connected therewith. Q .Fig. 2 is an under side view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a similar view on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view. taken approximately on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

.Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 5 -5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the housing and associated parts of one of the end connectors shown in separated juxtaposition. V

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately on line 7--7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a similar view taken approximately on line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is an under side view of one of the links of the band taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is an under side view of another one of the links of the band taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 8.

In accordance with the invention, a connector end for coupling a wrist watch or other article to a wrist band is provided which includes a casing or shell formed with an open portion and an upstanding outer end having an inwardly directed lip forming a laterally extending recess in the outer end of the casing which opens through the sides thereof and against which lip a forwardly extending leaf spring terminal is biased to close the open portion of the casing for releasably receiving a connecting shaft of a wrist watch or other article in protruding relation in the recess. The invention also provides laterally adjustable members which are slidable in the ends of the recess and are engaged by a retaining member located within the casing which permits of adjustment of said members with reference to the opposite sides of the easing for accommodating connecting shafts of different lengths.

Referring to the drawings, a wrist band 10 is provided with connector ends 11 which are adapted to be releasably coupled to connecting shafts 12 arranged on opposite sides of an article such as a conventional wrist watch 13.

The wrist band is of any desired conventional formation and, as illustrated, is of the expansible type composed of a plurality of upper and lower links 14 and 15. Each of the upper links 14 consists of a rectangular shell 16 which is open on the under side and is provided with inwardly extending tabs 17 arranged in overlying relation with a bottom plate 18 for closing the open side thereof. Each of the lower links 15 consists of a shell 19 having an open top and with inwardly extending tabs 20 located in overlying relation with a top plate 21 so as to secure the same in closing relation with the open top thereof. Each of the top plates 21 is formed with a tubular hub 22 located centrally thereof which protrudes through a central opening in the bottom plate 18 of one of the upper links 14 with the free end of the hub expanded for pivotally connecting the upper and lower links together. A coil spring 23 is arranged within each of the hubs 22 with the ends of the springs tensioned against the opposite sides of the upper and lower links to thereby normally retain the links in retracted relation. The top plates 21 are also provided with tubular pivots 24 at the ends thereof, one pivot of each plate being pivotally mounted in an opening in the upper end of one of the bottom plates 18 of an adjacent upper link while the other pivot 24 being pivotally mounted in an opening in the lower end of the bottom plate 18 of the other adjacent upper link. This provides means by disposed in side byside parallel relation and the lower links are disposed in side by side angular relation with I reference to the upper links with each upper link pivotally 7 connected medially thereof with one of the lower links and each upper link pivotally connected with adjacent lower links at the opposite ends thereof respectively.

The end connectors 11 are of similar construction, each including a casing 26 having a top wall 27, an upstandst em ingendwall 28, opposite-side walls 29 and an upstanding forward wall 30 provided with an inwardly directed lip 31. The top wall 27 is upwardly offset as at 32 adjacent the forward wall 30 with ithe inwardly directed (lip 31 underlying the offset portion '32 to thereby form 'a'laterally extending recess 33min the forward end :of the casing which opens through the opposite sides thereof and into ithe:casing'between the lip 3t1'andztheotfset 32.

The casing also includes a bottom wall portion which seats on the edges of the rear wall .28 and the side walls 29. The said walls are .formed'with inwardly :directed tabs 35 and 36 arranged in overlying relation with the bottom wall portion 34 to retain'the same in position on the casing. The bottom wall portion ;is formed with a laterally extending slot 37 .inthe extension 38 thereof to which an endmost upper linkzld is pivoted .ion a .pivot pin 39 extending through .the :slot 37 and through 'an opening in thebottomplate thereof. The :bottom wall portion 34 is :also provided with a laterally 'exitending slot 41 adjacent the .rear edge thereof which is pivotally connected to an endmost lower link 15 by a pivot pin 42 extending through said slot and through an 1openingin :the top wall 21 of said endmost lower link.

The forward edge of the bottom wall portion 34 is spaced from the free edge of the inwardly directed lip31 to provide an open portion on the under side of the casing.

Arranged within the casing 26 are laterally adjustable members 44 which are of right angulated formation in section having sides 45 and 46, the sides 45 bein provided with a plurality of ribs 47 located substantially medially thereof and a single'rib 48 located near the inner end. Each side 46 is formed with an inwardly directed lug 49 at the outer end thereof. The laterally adjustable members are disposed in the recess 33 to project outwardly from the ends thereof with the-lugs 49 located outwardly of the ends of the lip 31 and the sides '45 slidably fitting the offset 32. The said members are retained in position in the recess 33 for lateral adjustment by means of a retaining member 51. The said retaining member includes a planar portion 52 having rearwardly directed extensions 53 and forwardly directed extensions 54 at each side thereof. The retaining member is disposed in the casing with the extensions 53 positioned against the upstanding end wall 28 and the forwardly directed extensions 54 arranged in underlying relation with the sides 45 of the adjustable members respectively. The extensions 54 are inclined outwardly and are provided with ribs 55 at the inner side edges thereofwhich engage the sides 45 between-the ribs '47 and 48 of the adjustable members respectively. The extensions 54 are also provided'with ribs 57 whichengage'between adjacent ribs 47 of the adjustable members 44'respectively for .retaining said extensions in various adjusted'positions with the lugs 49 variously spaced from the ends of =the'lip 31 for accommodating different lengths of connecting shafts 12.

Thus, the ribs 55 of the retaining memberSl abut against the ribs 48 of the adjustable members "44 respectively to prevent complete removal of the adjustable members from the recess 33 while the ribs 57 of said retaining member are adapted to engage any one of the recesses between the ribs 47 of the adjustable-members to permit of relative adjustment thereof.

In order to close the opening in the casingbetweenthe lip 31 and the bottom wall 34 to permit of the insertion of a connecting shaft 12 of a wrist watch in the recess 33,

--a bent spring 60 is provided'having a planar leaf 61 .formed with rearwardly directed legs 62 andaforwardly extending narrow tongue 63 which is joined to the rear edge thereof between the legs 62 and extendsforwardly in angular relation therewith. The spring 60 is arranged in the casing with the forward edge of the leaf 61 thereof biased against the inside face of the lip 31 and with the legs 62 positioned against the upstanding end wall 38 .below theextensions S3.of the retaining member .51. The tongue 63 is tensioned against the planar portion 52 of the retaining member 51 with the forward portion thereof extending between the forwardly directed extensions 54. The spring 60 thus biases the extensions 54 against the laterally adjustable members 44 thereby retaining the parts in assembled relation within the casing and providing means by which the leaf 61 may be sprung inwardly away from the lip 31 to permit of the insertion of a connecting shaft 12 in coupled relation with the casing. It will be understood that the adjustable members 44 may then be adjusted outwardly with reference to the lip 31 to dispose the lugs 49 at the outer end of the connecting shaft 12 whereby the shaft is securely retained -in position in the casing between the lugs 49 and the outer side edges of the extensions 54 of the retaining member 51.

Thus, there is provided a wrist band having end connectors adapted for expeditious and convenient connection with the-connecting shafts on the opposite sides'of .a wrist watch without removing the connecting shafts therefrom.

While the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that the same is not so limited but shall cover and include any and all modifications of theinvention which fall within the purview thereof.

What .is claimed is:

1. In an end connector for coupling a wrist watch having a connecting shaft atone side thereof to a wrist band, said connector including a casing having a top wall'and side walls and an end wall, said end-wall having a-lip providing a laterallyextending recess at one end of said casing which opens through the sides thereof,

a bottom wall section-secured to said casing in spaced relation from said lip to thereby provide an opening between the same and said lip, said casing havingmeans connecting a wrist band thereto, adjustable members "slidably mounted in said recess for disposing the outer ends thereof in variously spaced relation from the ends -of-said lip respectively, a retaining member disposed in said casing having side portions disposed in engagement with said adjustable members respectively for limited adjustment of said adjustable members in said recess, and a spring member arranged in said casing and having a planar leaf and a tongue, said planar leaf and said tongue being biased against said retaining member and the inside face of said lip respectively, said tongue closing said opening in the-casing and providing :means by which the tongue may be'sprung inwardly from the lip to permit of the insertion of the connecting shaft of a wrist watch under said lip in coupled relation with'the 'casing, and said adjustable members being adjustable outwardly withvrespect to the lip to dispose the outer tends thereof'at the outer ends of said connecting shaft.

2. .In an end connector for coupling a wrist :watch having a connectingshaft at one end thereof to a wrist tion with respect to the top wall of the casing, and said 60 connecting shaft of the wrist watch being retained in position in the casing under the lip and between said lip and the outer edges of said side portions of the retaining member.

.3 In an end connector for coupling a wrist watch having a connecting shaft at one end thereof to a wrist band as set forth in claim .1 wherein the-adjustable members and the side'portionsof the retaining members are provided with interengageable means for preventing .complete removal .of the adjustable members from thecasing and for permitting of independent movement thereof to various positions.

4..In .an end connector for coupling a wrist watch band as set forth in claim 1 wherein the planar leaf of the spring member is provided with extensions positioned against one end of the casing and the tongue is con- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Goldstein Jan. 22, 1929 Vizner Jan. 24, 1950 6 Templeman Aug. 14, 1951 Jaccarino et a1. Feb. 12, 1952 Valcourt Sept. 22, 1953 Minematsu Apr. 30, 1957 Rodriquez Oct. 1, 1957 Megar Sept. 9, 1958 Obst Apr. 28, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS France Aug. 18, 1934

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