US3307348A - Expansible linkage for use in making a watch band or similar article of jewelry - Google Patents

Expansible linkage for use in making a watch band or similar article of jewelry Download PDF

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Publication number
US3307348A
US3307348A US379191A US37919164A US3307348A US 3307348 A US3307348 A US 3307348A US 379191 A US379191 A US 379191A US 37919164 A US37919164 A US 37919164A US 3307348 A US3307348 A US 3307348A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
link
springs
links
linkage
leg
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
US379191A
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English (en)
Inventor
Wallace F Vanover
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.)
Textron Inc
Original Assignee
Textron 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
Priority to OA52088A priority Critical patent/OA02017A/xx
Application filed by Textron Inc filed Critical Textron Inc
Priority to US379191A priority patent/US3307348A/en
Priority to GB15911/65A priority patent/GB1036760A/en
Priority to ES0313946A priority patent/ES313946A1/es
Priority to DET28766A priority patent/DE1296859B/de
Priority to IL23703A priority patent/IL23703A/xx
Priority to BE665635D priority patent/BE665635A/xx
Priority to CH854665A priority patent/CH428290A/de
Priority to AT565465A priority patent/AT268738B/de
Priority to NL6508425A priority patent/NL6508425A/xx
Priority to DK334665AA priority patent/DK111544B/da
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3307348A publication Critical patent/US3307348A/en
Priority to MY35/67A priority patent/MY6700035A/xx
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
    • A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
    • A44C5/02—Link constructions
    • A44C5/04—Link constructions extensible
    • A44C5/08—Link constructions extensible having separate links
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
    • A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
    • A44C5/02—Link constructions
    • A44C5/04—Link constructions extensible

Definitions

  • FIG. 1 A first figure.
  • This invention relates to an expansible linkage for use in making a watch band, an identification bracelet or similar articles of jewelry.
  • each link extends in a direction generally transverse to the length of the band.
  • Interconnecting members having legs located within the links of the upper and lower rows pivotally connect them to each other.
  • a single flat spring is located within each link and extends from an intermediate portion of one wall of the link to engage the legs with an initial deflection. The initial deflection of all of the springs is sufficient normally to urge the links of the band to fully contracted position. The ends of the springs which engage the legs are further deflected when the band is expanded by stretching it to slip a wrist watch and band over the hand of the wearer to his wrist.
  • This invention has solved that long felt want by pro viding a very durable ladies watch band which is only about two-thirds as wide as the narrowest prior art watch band of said type.
  • this invention provides a ladies watch band which is about thinner than prior art watch bands of the aforesaid type, thus further enhancing the delicate and attractive appearance thereof.
  • One object of this invention is to provide an expansible linkage which is durable in use and which is extremely narrow and therefore attractive for use in making an article of jewelry such as a watch band.
  • Another object is to provide such a narrower linkage which is considerably thinner than prior art linkages of this type and therefore more attractive for use in making articles of jewelry such as a watch band.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide such a durable narrow linkage which when used as a watch band or the like is securely held in its contracted position on the wearers wrist yet it is comfortable and it is also readily removable therefrom.
  • a still further object is to provide such a linkage which can be shortened or lengthened by the retail jeweler.
  • the width of the finished watch band is 0.18 inch compared to a width of 0.25 inch of a comparable prior art watch band and with a thickness of the bracelet of about 0.100 inch compared to a thickness of about 0.125 inch of a comparable prior art watch band.
  • the invention comprises using two or more superimposed flat springs in at least each link of one row of links, the flat springs being in face to face engagement at least in the locality where they engage the legs of the interconnecting members.
  • the flat springs are of generally arcuate shape between their localities of engagement with the leg and the locality of the link wall from which they act and the springs are also in face to face engagement with each other between said localities.
  • each thinner spring is less than the amount of plastic deflection with a thicker spring of the prior art and (2) the stress range (the number of pounds per square inch of tension and of compression) to which each thinner spring is subjected during its movements from unloaded height to loaded height and from loaded height to fully deflected position is considerably less than with the single prior art spring.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a segment of a linkage embodying the present invention with the parts shown in contracted positions and partly in section, the section being taken on the line 1-1 of FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1, but with the parts shown in expanded position, the section being taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the segment of the linkage with the parts shown in fully contracted position and partly in section, the section being taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of a segment of the linkage with the parts shown in expanded position and partly in section, the section 'being taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of two thin flat springs arranged in face-to-face engagement with each other at their unloaded heights, but before insertion in a link.
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in perspective of one of the U-shaped interconnecting members.
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged section taken on the line 88 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged view in perspective of one of the top links turned upside down so as to show the inwardly bent tabs of the top shell which secure it to the link.
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 11 is a plan view of one end of the blank from which the top link is formed.
  • FIG. 12 is a plan view of one end of the blank from which the bottom link is formed.
  • FIG. 13 is a plan view of one side of the blank from which the ornamental top shell is formed.
  • FIG. 14 is an enlarged view in perspective of one of the bottom links turned upside down with the interconnecting members and spring removed.
  • the linkage comprises a row of top links 4 and a row of bottom links pivotally connected together by U- shaped interconnecting members 8 which have legs 8A and 813 connected together by the end piece 8C.
  • Each top link 4 has an ornamental shell 11 attached thereto by the tabs 11A which are received in the cut-outs 4A of the top link (see FIGS. 9 and 11).
  • the links 4 of the top row of links are staggered with relation to and overlap the bottom links 5 lengthwise of the linkage.
  • the links of both rows extend in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage when viewed from the top as in FIGS. 3 and 4.
  • the top and bottom links 4 and 6 may be made from stainless steel or any other suitable material.
  • the top link is formed from the blank shown in FIG. 11 and the bottom link from the blank shown in FIG. 12.
  • the blank of the bottom link is formed with outwardly extending tabs 5A which during assembly of the linkage are bent upwardly to hold in and partially conceal the lower portions of the end pieces 8C of the interconnecting members.
  • the ornamental top shell 11 may be made from a blank of gold-filled stock or of stainless steel stock or any other suitable material. When assembled about the top link 4, its top wall overlies the top wall of the link, its depending side walls extend along the outside of the side wall of the link and the tabs 11A hold the top shell in this relationship with the link.
  • the top shell is also provided with end tabs 11B and in the final assembled linkage they serve to conceal the upper portions of the end pieces 8C of the interconnecting members.
  • the ornamental top shells may be omitted and the top link formed with the desirable ornamental appearance without departing from this invention.
  • Each link of each row is pivotally connected with the two adjacent links of the adjacent row by means of four interconnecting members 8.
  • the legs 8A and 8B of the connecting members extend within the links in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage.
  • the legs of two of the four connecting members are located within a link of the top row near one side thereof, the other leg of one of these connecting members is located within an adjacent link of the bottom row and the other leg of the other connecting member is located within an adjacent link in the bottom row.
  • the other two connecting members are located near the opposite side of the linkage and they are located within the links near the opposite sides in the same way.
  • the flat springs 13, 14 may be made of any suitable corrosion, set and fatigue resistant material such as stainless steel, a cobalt nickel alloy of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,524,661, or the like.
  • a narrow, thin, durable ladies watch band may be made in which the springs 13 and 14 are of stock which is 0.002 inch thick and 0.062 inch wide, with a distance between the bends 15 and 16 of about 4- 0.103 inch in the unloaded condition of FIG. 5.
  • a linkage which is about 0.180 inch wide and about 0.100 inch thick is provided which will withstand more than 50,000 expansions and contractions, before failure of a spring.
  • pairs of springs 13, 14 are inserted in the top and bottom links. This causes the ends of the springs to be deflected from their unloaded height of FIG. 5 to a partially loaded height.
  • the legs of the connecting members are then inserted between the bends 15 and 16 of the springs and the outer walls of the links. This causes the ends of the springs to be further deflected to their working height shown in FIG. 7 and the linkage is in the fully contracted position of FIGS. 1, 3 and 7.
  • the tabs 5A of the bottom links are bent upwardly to the positions shown in FIG. 7, and the top shells are assembled to the top links.
  • Such a linkage is formed of the desired length, end connecting members are attached to the ends of such length of linkage for use in attaching it to a wrist watch and the resultant watch band is cleaned and polished in any suitable manner.
  • a reverse curve 17A (FIG. 8) is formed in the arcuate crown and the load is no longer concentrated at this crown but divides into loads at either side thereof.
  • the reverse curvature increases and the points at which the loads are applied moves farther away from the crown.
  • the bending moment in the spring is constant and when this moment reaches the plastic flow moment the entire center portion of each spring becomes plastic so that any further deflection occurs as plastic deformation of this center region.
  • Cut-out portions are provided in the ends of the inner walls of the top and bottom links to receive the bent ends 18 and 19 of the springs as they are deflected from their positions of FIG. 7 to their positions of FIG. 8.
  • connecting members having legs of different cross sections may be used.
  • Connecting members may also 'be used in which the legs of opposite U-shaped members are connected together to form members of either C-shape or rectangular shape.
  • the U-shaped connecting members may be provided with notches in the inner surfaces of their legs and held in by bends provided near the ends of the springs as in the US. Stiegele Patent No. 2,689,450, thus to eliminate the use of tabs such as SA on the links to hold the U-shaped connecting members in the linkage.
  • the linkage may be lengthened by opening the ends of top and bottom links, adding one or more additional links to the linkage and rebending the tabs to their original positions.
  • An expansible linkage including in combination,
  • each link extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage
  • interconnecting means interconnecting the links of each row with the links of the other row to provide displacement of the links relative to each other lengthwise of the linkage when the linkage is stretched longitudinally from a contracted to an expanded position
  • said interconnecting means including an interconnecting member having a leg located within at least one of said links and extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage and means spaced from said leg for rotatably connecting the interconnecting member to an adjacent link in the other row of links, and
  • said resilient means comprising a plurality of flat springs, one of said springs engaging an intermediate portion of one of said link walls and extending toward said leg, another of said springs engaging an intermediate portion of said leg to urge said leg away from said one link wall,
  • said springs being of generally arcuate shape, free from elongate means for clamping them together and the ends of said springs being free from engagement with said interconnecting member,
  • said leg, said one link wall and said springs being constructed and arranged whereby during movement of said one link and said adjacent link from their contracted toward their expanded positions said springs are deflected without engagement between their ends and said interconnecting member, and thereafter upon release of the force causing said expansion, said springs act upon said leg to urge said one link and said adjacent link from said expanded position toward a contracted position.
  • An expansible linkage including in combination,
  • each link extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage
  • interconnecting means comprising legs located within each of said links, said legs extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage for interconnecting each of said links of one row of links with adjacent links in the other row of links, whereby when the linkage is stretched longitudinally from a contracted to an expanded position, said links of each row are displaced relative to each other lengthwise of the linkage,
  • said resilient means comprising a set of a plurality of fiat springs one of said springs engaging an intermediate portion of one of the link walls of a link in said one row of links and extending toward the legs which are within said link and another of said springs of said set of springs engaging intermediate portions of said legs which are within said link to urge said legs away from said one link wall,
  • said springs of each set being of generally arcuate shape, free from elongate means for clamping them together and the ends of said springs being free from engagement with said interconnecting members,
  • each set of a plurality of flat springs consists of two flat springs.
  • An expansible linkage including in combination,
  • each link extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage
  • interconnecting means interconnecting each of the links of one row with two adjacent links of the other row, said interconnecting means comprising a first pair of U-shaped members, one leg of each of said U-shaped members being located within a link in one row near one side of the linkage and the other leg being located within an adjacent link in the other row of links near the same side of the linkage, and a second pair of U-shaped members, one leg of each of said second pair of U-shaped members being located within said link in said one row near the opposite side of the linkage and the other leg being located within an adjacent link in the other row of links near the corresponding side of the linkage, whereby when the linkage is stretched longitudinally from a contracted to an expanded position, the links of each row are displaced relative to each other lengthwise of the linkage, and
  • said resilient means comprising a set of a plurality of flat springs, one of said springs engaging an intermediate portion of one of the link walls and extending toward the legs which are within said link and another of said springs of said set of springs engaging intermediate portions of said legs which are within said link to urge them away from said one link wall,
  • said springs of each set being of generally arcuate 12.
  • An expansible linkage according to claim 10 whereshape, free from elongate means for clamping them in said plurality of flat springs of each set are also in together and the ends of said springs being free from face-to-face engagement with each other between said engagement with the bridges of said U-shaped memlocalities of engagement with said intermediate portions bers, 5 of said one link Wall and said legs.
  • said one link wall and said springs being constructed and arranged whereby during movement of the links Referemes Cited y the Examine!

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  • Springs (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Adornments (AREA)
US379191A 1964-06-30 1964-06-30 Expansible linkage for use in making a watch band or similar article of jewelry Expired - Lifetime US3307348A (en)

Priority Applications (12)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
OA52088A OA02017A (fr) 1964-06-30 1959-06-29 Système de maillons extensibles à utiliser pour la fabrication d'un bracelet-montre ou article de bijouterie semblable.
US379191A US3307348A (en) 1964-06-30 1964-06-30 Expansible linkage for use in making a watch band or similar article of jewelry
GB15911/65A GB1036760A (en) 1964-06-30 1965-04-14 Expansible linkage for use in making watchband or similar article of jewelry
ES0313946A ES313946A1 (es) 1964-06-30 1965-06-08 Un sistema articulado dilatable apropiado para fabricar pulseras de reloj, brazaletes o articulos similares de joyeria.
IL23703A IL23703A (en) 1964-06-30 1965-06-09 Expansible linkage for use in a watch band or similar article of jewelry
DET28766A DE1296859B (de) 1964-06-30 1965-06-09 Dehnbares Gliederband
BE665635D BE665635A (xx) 1964-06-30 1965-06-18
CH854665A CH428290A (de) 1964-06-30 1965-06-18 Dehnbares Gliederband
AT565465A AT268738B (de) 1964-06-30 1965-06-22 Dehnbares Gliederband
NL6508425A NL6508425A (xx) 1964-06-30 1965-06-30
DK334665AA DK111544B (da) 1964-06-30 1965-06-30 Udvideligt leddelt bånd.
MY35/67A MY6700035A (en) 1964-06-30 1967-12-30 Expansible linkage for use in making watchband or similar article of jewelry

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US379191A US3307348A (en) 1964-06-30 1964-06-30 Expansible linkage for use in making a watch band or similar article of jewelry

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3307348A true US3307348A (en) 1967-03-07

Family

ID=23496193

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US379191A Expired - Lifetime US3307348A (en) 1964-06-30 1964-06-30 Expansible linkage for use in making a watch band or similar article of jewelry

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US3307348A (xx)
AT (1) AT268738B (xx)
BE (1) BE665635A (xx)
CH (1) CH428290A (xx)
DE (1) DE1296859B (xx)
DK (1) DK111544B (xx)
ES (1) ES313946A1 (xx)
GB (1) GB1036760A (xx)
IL (1) IL23703A (xx)
MY (1) MY6700035A (xx)
NL (1) NL6508425A (xx)
OA (1) OA02017A (xx)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3494123A (en) * 1966-06-30 1970-02-10 Rodi & Wienerberger Ag Decorative wristwatch strap cover
US3543507A (en) * 1968-11-29 1970-12-01 Textron Inc Expansible linkage for use in making a watchband or similar article of jewelry
US3596464A (en) * 1969-04-21 1971-08-03 Textron Inc Expansible linkage for use in making a watch bracelet or similar article
US3705490A (en) * 1971-05-28 1972-12-12 Textron Inc Expansible bracelet
US3786629A (en) * 1972-06-29 1974-01-22 Textron Inc Expansible linkage for use in making a watchband or similar article
US6205622B1 (en) 1999-08-02 2001-03-27 Pera M. Odishoo Method and apparatus for holding paper currency and credit cards
US20040050032A1 (en) * 2002-09-13 2004-03-18 Kwan Wing Cheuk Expansible band for a watch or the like

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2387874A (en) * 1943-04-15 1945-10-30 Bradley Equipment Company Load bearing spring assembly for trucks or the like
US2689450A (en) * 1951-04-10 1954-09-21 Stiegele Karl Emil Expansible bracelet
US2799135A (en) * 1956-01-18 1957-07-16 Charles H Dolansky Expansible bracelet with recessed connecting links
US2941351A (en) * 1956-11-19 1960-06-21 Charles H Dolansky Elastic bands having pivotally connected links and clearance openings for the biasing spring
FR1234674A (fr) * 1959-09-04 1960-10-19 Ruban articulé extensible et démontable avec organe d'accrochage
US3140581A (en) * 1962-03-07 1964-07-14 Kreisler Mfg Corp Jacques Unitary spring and link construction

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR636721A (xx) * 1927-10-15 1928-04-16

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2387874A (en) * 1943-04-15 1945-10-30 Bradley Equipment Company Load bearing spring assembly for trucks or the like
US2689450A (en) * 1951-04-10 1954-09-21 Stiegele Karl Emil Expansible bracelet
US2799135A (en) * 1956-01-18 1957-07-16 Charles H Dolansky Expansible bracelet with recessed connecting links
US2941351A (en) * 1956-11-19 1960-06-21 Charles H Dolansky Elastic bands having pivotally connected links and clearance openings for the biasing spring
FR1234674A (fr) * 1959-09-04 1960-10-19 Ruban articulé extensible et démontable avec organe d'accrochage
US3140581A (en) * 1962-03-07 1964-07-14 Kreisler Mfg Corp Jacques Unitary spring and link construction

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3494123A (en) * 1966-06-30 1970-02-10 Rodi & Wienerberger Ag Decorative wristwatch strap cover
US3543507A (en) * 1968-11-29 1970-12-01 Textron Inc Expansible linkage for use in making a watchband or similar article of jewelry
US3596464A (en) * 1969-04-21 1971-08-03 Textron Inc Expansible linkage for use in making a watch bracelet or similar article
US3705490A (en) * 1971-05-28 1972-12-12 Textron Inc Expansible bracelet
US3786629A (en) * 1972-06-29 1974-01-22 Textron Inc Expansible linkage for use in making a watchband or similar article
US6205622B1 (en) 1999-08-02 2001-03-27 Pera M. Odishoo Method and apparatus for holding paper currency and credit cards
US20040050032A1 (en) * 2002-09-13 2004-03-18 Kwan Wing Cheuk Expansible band for a watch or the like
US6782690B2 (en) 2002-09-13 2004-08-31 Chung Nam Watch Co., Ltd. Expansible band for a watch or the like

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
OA02017A (fr) 1970-05-05
GB1036760A (en) 1966-07-20
IL23703A (en) 1968-05-30
CH428290A (de) 1967-01-15
DK111544B (da) 1968-09-09
BE665635A (xx) 1965-12-20
DE1296859B (de) 1969-06-04
NL6508425A (xx) 1965-12-31
MY6700035A (en) 1967-12-31
ES313946A1 (es) 1966-03-01
AT268738B (de) 1969-02-25

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