US3165884A - Watch band connector - Google Patents

Watch band connector Download PDF

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Publication number
US3165884A
US3165884A US237658A US23765862A US3165884A US 3165884 A US3165884 A US 3165884A US 237658 A US237658 A US 237658A US 23765862 A US23765862 A US 23765862A US 3165884 A US3165884 A US 3165884A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
mouthpiece
dogs
tongue
casing
detents
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US237658A
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English (en)
Inventor
Hans E Gwinner
Moessner Robert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bulova Watch Co Inc
Original Assignee
Bulova Watch Co Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bulova Watch Co Inc filed Critical Bulova Watch Co Inc
Priority to US237658A priority Critical patent/US3165884A/en
Priority to CH1396463A priority patent/CH418985A/fr
Priority to CH1396463D priority patent/CH1396463A4/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3165884A publication Critical patent/US3165884A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/14—Suspending devices, supports or stands for time-pieces insofar as they form part of the case
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/14—Suspending devices, supports or stands for time-pieces insofar as they form part of the case
    • G04B37/1486—Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet

Definitions

  • WATCH BAND CONNECTOR 2 sheat s-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1962' y W T- m me Wwo r A F r a H m 1 3,165,334 I WATCH BANn coNNscron Hans E. Gwiriner, Cranston, and Robert Moessuer, Warwiclr, RL, assiguors to Bulova Watch Company, Eric, New York, Nil K, a corporation of New Your Filed Nov. 14, 1962, Ser, No. 237,653 4 Claims; (Cl.
  • This invention relates generally to connectors for coupling the ends of a wrist band to a watch casing, and more particularly to releasable snap-on connectors adapted to harmonize the casing with a variety of replaceable bands and yet afford a'custom-crafted appearance.
  • the casing includes a pair of spaced lugs at eitherendthereof. to which the wrist band or bracelet is connectible; This connection ismade by means of spring pins which passbetween the lugs, and the end of the band is free to slide back and forth, It is not possible to use a broader band unless the lugs are first filed to accommodate'the band,
  • a watch is an important piece of jewelry whose appearance in large measure is dependent on the wrist band.
  • the appeal of a watch resides not only in the beauty of the casing and that of the wrist band, but also in the harmony between bland and casing, for a mismatch therebetween will mar the net impression.
  • the dictates of fashion are such that while a highly ornamental band may be appropriate for one occasion, afmore austere design may be called for in other instances.
  • a snap-on connector constituted by a latching tonguewhichv is ar'l'lxed to the watch casing, and a contoured mouthpiece which is attachable to anend of the wrist band, the tongue being insertible in the mouthpiece [2611-1 gage releasable latching means therein, whereby the tongue is'concealed and the mouthpiece lies against the casing and appears to be integral therewith.
  • the latching dogs maybe readily United States Patent 3,l5,$84 Patented Jan.
  • Anotherobject of the invention is to provide connectors of the above-described type, which are adapted to couple bands of different width to the same watch casing.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide connectors of simple and durableconstruction, which are convenient to operate, and yet afford a reliable and positive coupling.
  • FIG. 1 is aperspective View of a watch casing and a wrist band provided with one preferred embodiment of connectors in accordance with the invention
  • PEG. 2 is an enlarged section taken through one con nector and showing the tongue with the mouthpieceinserted therein;
  • P16; 3 shows the back of the mouthpieceand the re: lease tabs projecting therefrom;
  • FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 2, except that the tongue is' shown in its disengaged position
  • FIG. 5 is an end view looking into the mouthpiece
  • FIG. 6 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the invention in back view with the rear panel of the mouthpiece removed;
  • FIG. 7 separately shows the rear panel; and
  • FIG. 8 is still another embodiment of a connec Q With the rear panel of the mouthpiece removed.
  • FIGS. 1 to 5 there is shown a conventional watch'casing ill of circular design, and a wrist band in the form of a pair of linked bracelet sections 11 and 11A. adapted to encircle the wrist of the wearer and provided with a releasable clasp or lock.
  • the lock or clasp may be of any known design, and is constituted by interconnecting ole-- ments 13 and 14 attached to the free ends of the bracelet sections.
  • Casing 1t is'provided with an annular bezel 15; -Weld ed or otherwise secured to opposing ends thereof are a pair of metal latching tongues 16 and 16A. Each tongue The tongues are receivable within mouthpieces I? and.
  • the mouthpieces are each constituted by a wedgeshaped shell having a rectangular cross-section,-tlie mouth opening or lip 19 being contoured to contormfio-the curvatur'e of the watch casing.
  • the shell is formed'b y frame Ell, having front and rear panels 21 an d'ZZl.
  • the mouthpiece may be fabricated of the same metal as the casing or atleast of the same surface finish; On the other hand, since the mouthpiece appears integral. with the casing, contrasting metals may be used to introduce decorative variations without disturbin the harmony of the coupling.
  • a pair of L-shaped latching dogs L and L the legs l and 1 of the dogs being mounted on a pivot pin 23 adjacent the lower end of the mouthpiece.
  • pawl members P and P are adapted to engage the detents D and D when the tongue is inserted in the mouthpiece.
  • the dogs are biased by means of a spring 24 coiled about pivot pin 23 and having outstretched arms 24A and 2.43 which abut the legs of the dogs and urge the dogs inwardly.
  • a spring 24 coiled about pivot pin 23 and having outstretched arms 24A and 2.43 which abut the legs of the dogs and urge the dogs inwardly.
  • the dogs are forced apart to admit the detents which are caught by the pawl members P and P and held by the inwardly directed spring action, thereby effecting the desired connection.
  • the bow spring Son the tongue abuts the legs l and 1 of the dogs and is subjected to tension, to prevent free play or backlash.
  • the tensioned spring S also serves to resist outward displacement of the dogs and thereby aids the action of spring 24 to maintain the connection.
  • the dogs are provided with tabs T and T which project through apertures 22a and 22b in the back panel 22 tabs. Thus to release the dogs, the tabs are pushed outwardly to unlatch the detents.
  • the taper of the wedge-shaped mouthpiece is such that the width of the mouthpiece base is appropriate to the width of the bracelet.
  • the base would be wider to effect a better match. 7 p
  • the same watch casing may be accompanied by a variety of bracelets, each having connectors adapted to latch the bracelet onto the tongues by a simple snap-on action.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown another version of the connector, the tongue in this instance being constituted by a pair of spaced detent elements 25A and 25B aflixed to the bezel 26 of the watch casing.
  • the mouthpiece shell which includes a frame 27 and a front plate 28, is generally similar to that shown in the previous figures and has a lip contour adapted to conform to the curvature of the bezel.
  • a block 29 Centrally mounted on the front plate 2?; is a block 29 which serves to support a yoke-shaped spring 3d formed from flat stock, the spring having a pair of resilient latching hooks 30A and 30B adapted to engage the detents 25A. and 25B when the tongue is fully inserted in the mouthpiece.
  • the back plate 31 of the mouthpiece shown separately in FIG. 7, is provided with openings 31A and 31B giving access to the hooks 30A and 30B, respectively, whereby the hooks may be released by means of tweezers or similar means inserted in the openings.
  • the bracelet 32 is coupled to the mouthpiece by means of a pin 33 passing through a tube 34 afiixed to the end of the bracelet.
  • FIG. 8 the arrangement shown is similar to that in FIGS. 6 and 7, except that in place of the yoke-shaped spring providing hooks to engage the detents 25A and "apertures is dimpled to facilitate manipulation of the 25B, there is'provided a pair of spring-biased locking the tongue is fully inserted in the mouthpiece: To release the bars, tabs 38A and 38B aii'ixed thereto project through apertures in the back panel (not shown) of the mouth piece, which tabs may readily be manipulated to eiiec disengagement of the bar and detent.
  • a connector assembly for coupling the ends of a wrist band to a watch casing provided with an annular bezel, said connector comprising a pair of tongues affixed to opposing ends of said bezel, each tongue in-' cluding a pair of spaced detents and a forwardly projecting spring bow extending between said detents, and a hollow mouthpiece into which each tongue is insertable, said mouthpiece including a lip contoured to engage the surface of said bezel when said tongue is inserted therein, a pair of inwardly-biased dogs formed of op positely disposed L-shaped elements having leg portions pivotally mounted on a pin within said mouthpiece, said dogs having pawl members to catch.
  • a connector assembly for coupling the ends of a wrist band to a watch casing provided with an annular bezel, said connector comprising a pair of tongues affixed to opposing ends of said bezel, each tongue including a pair of detents symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axes thereof, and a forwardly projecting spring bow extending between said detents, and a hollow mouthpiece into which each tongue is insertable, said mouthpiece including a lip contoured to engage the surface of said bezel when said tongue is inserted therein, a pair of dogs formed of oppositely dis- .posed L-shaped elements having leg portions pivotally mounted on a pin within said mouthpiece and symmetrically arranged relative to said detents, a spring coiled about said pins and provided with outstretched arms engaging said legportions to urge said dogs inwardly, said dogs having pawl members to catch said detents when said tongue is inserted, said how engaging said leg portions to apply tension to said dogs preventing free play thereof, tabs connected to said dogs
  • a connector assembly for coupling the ends of a wrist band to a watch casing provided with an annular bezel, said connector comprising arpair of tongues af-,
  • each tongue includ- I said leg portions to urge said dogs inwardly, said dogs ing a pair of detents symmetrically arranged with respect 1 surface of said bezel when said tongue is inserted therein whereby said mouthpiece is conformed to said bezel,
  • a pair of dogs having leg portions pivotally mounted on a pin within said mouthpiece and symmetrically ars'aid pins and provided with outstretched arms engaging [10 ranged relative to said detents, a spring coiled about" having pawl members to catch said detents when said tongue is inserted, said bow engaging the leg portions of the dogs” to apply tension thereto preventing free play or the dogs, tabs connected to said dogs and extending through apertures in the back panel of said moutl'lpiece to permit release of said dogs, and means coupling said 7 imouthpiece to an end of the wrist band.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Buckles (AREA)
US237658A 1962-11-14 1962-11-14 Watch band connector Expired - Lifetime US3165884A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US237658A US3165884A (en) 1962-11-14 1962-11-14 Watch band connector
CH1396463A CH418985A (fr) 1962-11-14 1963-11-14 Attache pour bracelet de montre
CH1396463D CH1396463A4 (en:Method) 1962-11-14 1963-11-14

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US237658A US3165884A (en) 1962-11-14 1962-11-14 Watch band connector

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3165884A true US3165884A (en) 1965-01-19

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CH (2) CH418985A (en:Method)

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3583151A (en) * 1968-08-09 1971-06-08 Tissot Horlogerie Wristwatch with removable middle-bezel
US3589575A (en) * 1969-08-15 1971-06-29 Melvin Axler Selectively interconnectable watchcase and strap construction
US3659383A (en) * 1970-04-22 1972-05-02 Tissot Horlogerie Wrist watch strap connections
US3964652A (en) * 1972-01-17 1976-06-22 Kestenman Bros. Mfg. Co. Watch band and connector therefor
US4307824A (en) * 1980-05-30 1981-12-29 S. T. Dupont Watchband attachment to a wristwatch
US4466745A (en) * 1980-11-03 1984-08-21 Heinz Hermann Weick Casing for a watch to be worn on the body
US4794577A (en) * 1986-05-07 1988-12-27 Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches Watch middle and wristlet assembly
US5577007A (en) * 1996-02-28 1996-11-19 Timex Corporation Lugs for a wrist-carried instrument
US6435709B2 (en) * 1998-05-22 2002-08-20 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Band and wrist device
US20050111306A1 (en) * 2003-11-20 2005-05-26 Polar Electro Oy Portable wrist-worn personal electronic device
US20060171261A1 (en) * 2003-03-14 2006-08-03 Jean-Francois Ruchonnet Device whereby a wristwatch in particular is rendered reversible and interchangeable relative to a holder
US20060198248A1 (en) * 2005-03-01 2006-09-07 Man Wong Y Wristwatch and coupling assembly for releasably joining a wristwatch case to a wristband
US20070070823A1 (en) * 2005-09-29 2007-03-29 Wolfgang Sima Device for the connection of an end part of a band to a stationary part
USD577624S1 (en) * 2007-04-10 2008-09-30 Tag Heuer Sa Watch bracelet
US20140084033A1 (en) * 2012-09-21 2014-03-27 Cheryl Kellond Bi-directionally operable, toolessly changeable, strap for a wearable display
FR3021128A1 (fr) * 2014-05-14 2015-11-20 Kevin Oualli Montre-bracelet a cornes et bracelet echangeables
US9498029B2 (en) * 2015-03-13 2016-11-22 Google Inc. Clasp mechanisms for wristwatch bands
US20190053584A1 (en) * 2014-08-11 2019-02-21 Apple Inc. Consumer product attachment systems having a locking assembly
US10327520B1 (en) * 2017-08-17 2019-06-25 Apple Inc. Attachment system for watchband
US10809666B2 (en) 2018-05-22 2020-10-20 Fitbit, Inc. Low-profile band latch mechanism
US11026484B2 (en) 2014-08-11 2021-06-08 Apple Inc. Attachment system for an electronic device
US11033082B1 (en) 2020-04-14 2021-06-15 Fitbit, Inc. Wearable device straps and attachment hardware therefor
US11517082B2 (en) 2019-09-24 2022-12-06 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Case middle/horn connection device for a watch
US20230119270A1 (en) * 2021-10-20 2023-04-20 Google Llc Quick Release Band/Lug Mechanism for Smartwatch

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1382256A (en) * 1920-08-12 1921-06-21 Tomchin Louis Watch

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1382256A (en) * 1920-08-12 1921-06-21 Tomchin Louis Watch

Cited By (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3583151A (en) * 1968-08-09 1971-06-08 Tissot Horlogerie Wristwatch with removable middle-bezel
US3589575A (en) * 1969-08-15 1971-06-29 Melvin Axler Selectively interconnectable watchcase and strap construction
US3659383A (en) * 1970-04-22 1972-05-02 Tissot Horlogerie Wrist watch strap connections
US3964652A (en) * 1972-01-17 1976-06-22 Kestenman Bros. Mfg. Co. Watch band and connector therefor
US4307824A (en) * 1980-05-30 1981-12-29 S. T. Dupont Watchband attachment to a wristwatch
US4466745A (en) * 1980-11-03 1984-08-21 Heinz Hermann Weick Casing for a watch to be worn on the body
US4794577A (en) * 1986-05-07 1988-12-27 Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches Watch middle and wristlet assembly
US5577007A (en) * 1996-02-28 1996-11-19 Timex Corporation Lugs for a wrist-carried instrument
US6435709B2 (en) * 1998-05-22 2002-08-20 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Band and wrist device
US20060171261A1 (en) * 2003-03-14 2006-08-03 Jean-Francois Ruchonnet Device whereby a wristwatch in particular is rendered reversible and interchangeable relative to a holder
US20050111306A1 (en) * 2003-11-20 2005-05-26 Polar Electro Oy Portable wrist-worn personal electronic device
US20060198248A1 (en) * 2005-03-01 2006-09-07 Man Wong Y Wristwatch and coupling assembly for releasably joining a wristwatch case to a wristband
US7300201B2 (en) * 2005-03-01 2007-11-27 Skagen Designs Ltd. Wristwatch and coupling assembly for releasably joining a wristwatch case to a wristband
US20070070823A1 (en) * 2005-09-29 2007-03-29 Wolfgang Sima Device for the connection of an end part of a band to a stationary part
USD577624S1 (en) * 2007-04-10 2008-09-30 Tag Heuer Sa Watch bracelet
US20140084033A1 (en) * 2012-09-21 2014-03-27 Cheryl Kellond Bi-directionally operable, toolessly changeable, strap for a wearable display
FR3021128A1 (fr) * 2014-05-14 2015-11-20 Kevin Oualli Montre-bracelet a cornes et bracelet echangeables
US11717060B2 (en) 2014-08-11 2023-08-08 Apple Inc. Attachment system for an electronic device
US20190053584A1 (en) * 2014-08-11 2019-02-21 Apple Inc. Consumer product attachment systems having a locking assembly
US10575602B2 (en) * 2014-08-11 2020-03-03 Apple Inc. Consumer product attachment systems having a locking assembly
US12127636B2 (en) 2014-08-11 2024-10-29 Apple Inc. Attachment system for an electronic device
US10945496B2 (en) 2014-08-11 2021-03-16 Apple Inc. Consumer product attachment systems having locking or expansion characteristics
US11026484B2 (en) 2014-08-11 2021-06-08 Apple Inc. Attachment system for an electronic device
US11723443B2 (en) 2014-08-11 2023-08-15 Apple Inc. Consumer product attachment systems having locking or expansion characteristics
US9839264B2 (en) 2015-03-13 2017-12-12 Google Inc. Clasp mechanisms for wristwatch bands
US10244830B2 (en) 2015-03-13 2019-04-02 Google Llc Clasp mechanisms for wristwatch bands
US9498029B2 (en) * 2015-03-13 2016-11-22 Google Inc. Clasp mechanisms for wristwatch bands
US10327520B1 (en) * 2017-08-17 2019-06-25 Apple Inc. Attachment system for watchband
US10809666B2 (en) 2018-05-22 2020-10-20 Fitbit, Inc. Low-profile band latch mechanism
US11517082B2 (en) 2019-09-24 2022-12-06 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Case middle/horn connection device for a watch
US11425973B2 (en) 2020-04-14 2022-08-30 Fitbit, Inc. Wearable device straps and attachment hardware therefor
US11033082B1 (en) 2020-04-14 2021-06-15 Fitbit, Inc. Wearable device straps and attachment hardware therefor
US20230119270A1 (en) * 2021-10-20 2023-04-20 Google Llc Quick Release Band/Lug Mechanism for Smartwatch
US12171312B2 (en) * 2021-10-20 2024-12-24 Google Llc Quick release band/lug mechanism for smartwatch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH1396463A4 (en:Method) 1966-04-30
CH418985A (fr) 1966-04-30

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