US3315463A - Expansible link chain and connectors - Google Patents

Expansible link chain and connectors Download PDF

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Publication number
US3315463A
US3315463A US343559A US34355964A US3315463A US 3315463 A US3315463 A US 3315463A US 343559 A US343559 A US 343559A US 34355964 A US34355964 A US 34355964A US 3315463 A US3315463 A US 3315463A
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United States
Prior art keywords
row
links
link
connectors
chain
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Expired - Lifetime
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US343559A
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English (en)
Inventor
Henri F Laverriere
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.)
Zuccolo Rochet et Cie SA
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Zuccolo Rochet et Cie SA
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Publication of US3315463A publication Critical patent/US3315463A/en
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    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates more particularly to such expansible chains of the type comprising a plurality of interconnected links formed in two rows and resilient means normally biasing the links to be moved to the contracted chain position wherein the links of each row tend to be positioned closely to each other, yet permitting the links to be moved to an extended chain position wherein the links in each row are positioned apart from each other.
  • Desirable features for expansible link chains, such as bracelets, of this type include reliability of operation and manufacture at reasonable cost, and these are generally obtained in such bracelets now in use. Present bracelets are deficient therein, however, that they have too many parts and consequently are not inexpensive enough to manufacture.
  • expansible chains of this nature comprise two superposed staggered rows of links interconnected by connectors, and the connector is spring biased by the links of each row.
  • the instant invention provides for two rows of links, with connectors therebetween, the connecters being resiliently biased only at the links of one row, for example the lower row, and free from any bias at the links of the other row, for example the upper row, it being understood that the words upper and lower are used herein only in an explanatory and not in any restrictive sense.
  • FIG. 1 is an extended perspective view of parts of a link chain showing a link of the lower row with its two connectors and a spring;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a link turned upside down
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, of an expansible link chain, in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified connector
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective View of another modified connector
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still another modified connector
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still a further modified connector
  • FIG. 8 is a-perspective view of yet another modification of the connector
  • FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a link of the upper row, similar to that shown in FIG. 3, but embodying a modified closure member;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the closure member shown in FIG. 9.
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a still further modified closure member for the upper link.
  • an expansible link chain having an upper row of links including the links 1, 2 and 3, and a row of lower links, including the links 4, 5 and 6.
  • the chain is shown in extended position; when the bracelet is in the retracted position, the upper elements are staggered or offset with respect to the lower links, in a well-known way.
  • Each link of the lower row, or lower link 4, 5 or 6, comprises a casing 7 that is closed at the bottom 7' and has an upper wall which includes two tongues 8 and 9. These tongues 8 and 9 define in the upper wall of the casing 7 a slot 8' that has a narrow central portion and two widened portions 10 and 11 formed by receding shoulders of the tongues 8 and 9; the slot 8' thus has substantially the shape of an 1.
  • the connectors shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are in the shape of frames 12, 13, respectively, and each of these frames defines an elongated opening 18.
  • each frame has an upper portion 51 and a lower portion 52.
  • the lower portion 52 of each frame comprises a flange that projects in a direction away from the opening 18', the frame 12 having a lower flange 14 and the frame 13 a lower finage 15.
  • Each flange defines an edge 19, that, as best shown in FIG. 1, serves as a fulcrum about which the connector, namely the frame, is tilted during chain expansion.
  • the upright portions 16 and 17 of the frames are lodged in the widened slot portions 10 and 11, respectively, of the casing 7, and the flanges 14 and 15 are disposed below the tongues 8 and 9.
  • the flanges 14 and 15 are held in position in the casing 7 by a spring leaf 18 that is bent substantially in the shape of a V and placed in the openings 18 of the frames 12 and 13. This spring leaf 18 keeps the frames in position, as it is wider than the central portion of the slot 8.
  • Each upper link as best shown at 2 (FIG. 3), has a housing 2' (FIG. 2), which is closed at the top, and the bottom wall of which includes two tongues 19 and 20.
  • These tongues 19 and 20 define a slot 20' which corresponds'to the slot 8', and likewise has substantially the shape of an I, and has a narrow central section and widened end sections 21' and 22 that are confined by the end walls 21 and 22, respectively.
  • the upper portion 51 of a connector engages the upper housing 2 behind one of the tongues 19, 20; thus the upper portions of the frames 13', 13' of the upright portions 17, 17 (FIG. 3), respectively, engaging the housing 2' of an upper link; thus each link of the lower row is connected through its two connectors with two of the adjoining links of the upper row; The upper portions51 of the connectors are introduced into the upper link through the slot 20.
  • a closure member such as a channel structure 25 (FIG. 3).
  • the channel member 25 frictionally engages the end walls 21 and 22, and either frictionally or resiliently be held in position thereby, or be held in any other conventional manner, to close at least the central portion of the slot 20'.
  • the material of the links may either be metal or suitable synthetic resin, and the material of the connectors, for instance the frames 12, 13 as well as any of the frames discussed below, may either be metal or suitable synthetic resin.
  • Modified connectors or frames The modified frame type connector, shown in FIG. 4, comprises an elongated plate that defines an elongated opening 26, and this connector'rocks about its edge 23 as a fulcrum.
  • the side 24 of this connector should be narrower than the opposite side, so as not to interfere with the tilting of the connector during chain expansion.
  • the modified elongated connector of FIG. is made of wire, the base 27 of which has been widened to form a flange with projecting edges 28 and 29, either one of which may form the tilting fulcrum.
  • the upper portion of the connector of FIG. 5 is composed of two bent ends 30, 31 of the wire.
  • the modified connector of FIG. 6, is made from a piece having a rail head profile. In the web 32 there is cut out the opening 33, and the upper portion 34 is designed to engage the upper link, while the lower flange will engage the lower link, tilting about either the edge 35 or 36 as a fulcrum.
  • the modified connector of FIG. 7 is made by bending sheet metal upon itself, with an opening 37, the top portion 38 designed to engage the upper link, the lower portion 39 being larger than the upper portion 38 and arranged to engage the lower link.
  • the still further modified connector of FIG. 8 is composed of a single piece of elongated material, such as for instance piano wire or other suitable material, and is shaped as 'an elongated loop.
  • the upper integral strip or portion 40 serves to engage the upper link, and the lower integral parallel strips or portions 41, 44 being designed to'be positioned in the casing 7 of a lower link.
  • the bent ends 42 and 43 serve as link engaging members I to rest on the bottom of the casing 7, and their tips serve as fulcrums for tilting.
  • the resilency inherent in that structure will supply the power .needed to return the expanded chain to its retracted position; where a connector or frame of the type of FIG. 8 is. used, the spring 18 may therefore be dispensed with.
  • a modified closure member 25 which is a rod of cylindrical shaped (FIGS. 9, 10); like the closure member 25, it is secured in place by the tongues 19 and 20 in addition to the frictional holding action of members 21 and 22 of the upper link.
  • a still further modified closure member 25" is shown in FIG. 11. It has end sections 25a and 25b of inferior diameter that are narrower than the width of the widened slot portions 21', 22', so that an instrument, such as a pin, may be inserted between either end section 25a, 25b, thereby releasing the upper portions 51 of the connectors from their engagement with the upper link; thereby the chain may be shortened for one (upper) link.
  • each link comprising a hollow casinghaving tongues defining a I-shaped slot through which the connectors are inserted for connection to the links, the tongues of the link of one row being provided in a face thereof adjacent to the face of the links of the other row containing the tongues thereof, and a closure member removably inserted in the slot of each bias-free link, of said one row for releasably closing at least a portion of the slot, thereby restraining disengagement of the
  • each link comprising a hollow casing having tongues defining a I-shaped slot through'which the connectors are inserted for connection of the links, the tongues of the links of one row being provided in a face thereof adjacent to the face of the links of the other row containing the tongues thereof, and a channel structure removably inserted in the slot of each bias-free link of said one row for releasably closing at least a portion of the slot, thereby restraining disengagement of the
  • each link comprising a hollow casing having tongues defining a I-shaped slot through which the connectors are inserted for connection to the links, the tongues of the links of one row being provided in a face thereof adjacent to the face of the links of the other row containing the tongues thereof, and a closure member formed of a cylindrical rod removably inserted in the slot of each bias-free link of said one row for releasa bly closing at least a portion of the slot, thereby restraining disengagement of the connectors from the link
  • said closure member comprising a rod having a central cylindrical section positionable to close said narrow portion of said slot for restraining disengagement of the connectors from the links of said one row, and having two end sections of inferior diameter, having a width smaller than that of the widened end portions of the slot permitting the insertion of an instrument for removal of said closure member.
  • each connector comprising a frame having the profile of an L and defining an elongated opening including an elongated bottom portion having a bottom surface engaging a link of said other row, a side edge defined on said bottom portion forming a fulcrum spaced from said opening and an elongated top portion, two such connectors being arranged side by side with the edges of the bottom portions disposed respectively in opposite directions within a link of said other row, the elongated top portions of said two connectors respectively hingedly engaging two adjacent links of the said one row, a closure member removably inserted in the slot of each link of said one

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Hinges (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
US343559A 1963-03-19 1964-02-10 Expansible link chain and connectors Expired - Lifetime US3315463A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR928486A FR1367454A (fr) 1963-03-19 1963-03-19 Perfectionnement aux chaînes ou bracelets extensibles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3315463A true US3315463A (en) 1967-04-25

Family

ID=8799567

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US343559A Expired - Lifetime US3315463A (en) 1963-03-19 1964-02-10 Expansible link chain and connectors

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3315463A (pt)
BE (1) BE644344A (pt)
CH (1) CH414228A (pt)
ES (1) ES297701A1 (pt)
FR (1) FR1367454A (pt)
GB (1) GB1026799A (pt)
NL (1) NL6402413A (pt)
OA (1) OA00485A (pt)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3786629A (en) * 1972-06-29 1974-01-22 Textron Inc Expansible linkage for use in making a watchband or similar article

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE17099C (de) * O. MEITZ In Barop in Westfalen Dreirädriges Velociped
FR1216982A (fr) * 1958-10-25 1960-04-29 Mader Geb Chaînette articulée élastique destinée plus particulièrement aux montresbracelets
GB861128A (en) * 1956-07-12 1961-02-15 Rodi & Wienerberger Ag Expanding link bracelet
DE1129335B (de) * 1960-12-10 1962-05-10 Rodi & Wienerberger Ag Laengeneinstellvorrichtung fuer ein doppel-lagiges, dehnbares Gliederband
FR1296674A (fr) * 1961-05-10 1962-06-22 Laminor Fab Bracelet extensible de montre
US3063238A (en) * 1959-08-01 1962-11-13 Rodi & Wienerberger Ag Two layer expansible linkage having resilient connectors

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE17099C (de) * O. MEITZ In Barop in Westfalen Dreirädriges Velociped
GB861128A (en) * 1956-07-12 1961-02-15 Rodi & Wienerberger Ag Expanding link bracelet
FR1216982A (fr) * 1958-10-25 1960-04-29 Mader Geb Chaînette articulée élastique destinée plus particulièrement aux montresbracelets
US3063238A (en) * 1959-08-01 1962-11-13 Rodi & Wienerberger Ag Two layer expansible linkage having resilient connectors
DE1129335B (de) * 1960-12-10 1962-05-10 Rodi & Wienerberger Ag Laengeneinstellvorrichtung fuer ein doppel-lagiges, dehnbares Gliederband
FR1296674A (fr) * 1961-05-10 1962-06-22 Laminor Fab Bracelet extensible de montre

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3786629A (en) * 1972-06-29 1974-01-22 Textron Inc Expansible linkage for use in making a watchband or similar article

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1026799A (en) 1966-04-20
FR1367454A (fr) 1964-07-24
OA00485A (fr) 1966-07-15
ES297701A1 (es) 1964-08-16
CH414228A (fr) 1966-05-31
BE644344A (pt) 1964-08-26
NL6402413A (pt) 1964-09-21

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