US3737082A - Watchband - Google Patents

Abstract

A watchband or the like including special clips secured to the band for gripping and retaining the watch on the band. Each of the clips includes, at one end, a resilient reverted loop which receives one of the mounting pins on the watch case. The clips are secured at their other ends to the watchband by offset mounting tabs which pass through slots in the band. The offset tabs are secured toothe underside of the band by a rivet which passes both through the band and the offset tab.

Description

United States Patent 1 Millman 1 June 5,1973

[ WATCHBAND Inventor! Samuel Millman, 11 Florence Avenue, Revere, Mass. 02151 [22] Filed: May 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 41,466

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 915,665 11/1946 France ..224/4D 46 as A 30 I8 44 WWII/1111111111 I 112,154 12/1940 Australia ..224/4D Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J. Oresky Att0rneyWolf, Greenfield & Sacks [57] ABSTRACT A watchband or the like including special clipssecured to the band for gripping and retaining the watch on the band. Each of the clips includes, at one end, a resilient reverted loop which receives one of the mounting pins on the watch case. The clips are secured at their other ends to the watchband by, offset mounting tabs which pass through slots in the band.

The offset tabs are secured toothe underside of the' band by a rivet which passes both through the band and the offset tab.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures WATCHBAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to watchbands or the like and, more particularly, to an improved watchband which enables a conventional wristwatch to be secured and attached thereto quickly and simply yet which retains the attached watch firmly. Unlike many conventional watchbands the watch, having generally parallel attaching pins located at opposite ends of the watch case, may be attached to the watchband simply by slipping each of the attaching pins into a specially formed clip which, in turn, is secured to the watchband. The attaching pins need not be separated from the watch case and, therefore, the usual difficult manipulations required to detach and reassemble the attaching pins is avoided. Although other arrangements have been proposed in the prior art to fasten the attaching pins to the watchband without requiring that the pins be removed from the watch casing, these arrangements generally have included fasteners which must be arranged and locked by the user. The further manipulative steps required in such watchbands are avoided with the instant invention which includes self-locking and retaining clips of a special design.

A further difficulty encountered with prior watchbands which may be attached to the attaching pins without requiring removal of the attaching pins from the watch case is that the connective elements frequently are formed from thin leather or other flexible but tearable material. Because of the relatively weak construction of these connecting elements there is a correspondingly greater chance that the connecting elements may break or tear with the result that the watch may become separated from the watchband and may become damaged. Additionally, in watchbands having conventional snap-type connective fittings the snaps open inadvertently, particularly when the watch is used in a rough environment. Obviously, such inadvertent release of the watch may result in considerable damage to the watch.

Finally, a number of such watchbands include connective fittings which may tend to open as a result of the stresses imposed on the fittings as the watchband is wrapped about the users wrist. In contrast, the watchband of the instant invention results in a more effective grip on the watch as it is wrapped about the users wrist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief, the invention includes a watchband having a pair of specially formed resilient clips fastened thereto. The clips are spaced along the watchband to receive the watch case therebetween. The clips include a special reverted resilient loop into which the attaching pins of the watch case may be snapped. Once the pins have been snappedjnto the resilient loops they are retained therein firmly at all times. Each clip includes one such loop for engagement with one of the two attaching pins on the watch case. Each clip also includes an offset mounting tab at the end opposite the reverted loop. The offset tab passes through a transverse slot formed on the watchband so that the tab is disposed along the underside of the band. The clip is secured to the watchband by means of a rivet which passes through the band and the offset tab with the head of the rivet exposed at the outer surface of the band in proximity to the exposed portion of its associated clip.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a watchbanddwhich grips positively the attaching pins of a watch case and which enables the watch and watchband to be assembled without requiring removal of the attaching pins from the watch case.

A further object of my invention is to provide a watchband of the character described which has few elements and is of simple, economical construction.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a watchband of the character described having resilient snap-in clips which receive the attaching pins of the watch case in a snap-in fashion and which thereafter maintain a secure and firm grip on the attaching pins.

A further object of the invention is to provide a watchband construction in which the attaching clips of the watch are anchored firmly and securely to the watchband but which do not impair the flexibility of the watchband.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a watchband which increases its grip on the watch when the watchband is wrapped about the users wrist.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a watchband construction in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through the clip as viewed along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a blank from which the clip may be formed.

As shown in FIG. 1 the invention includes a watchband or base member 10 of flexible material such as leather, plastic, flexible metal or other material suitable for use as a watchband. Conventional means such as a buckle 12 and a number of holes 14 are located at opposite ends of the watchband 10 to enable it to be fastened, about the users wrist.

The watch 16, shown in phantom, is mounted to the outer surface 18 of the basemember 10 by means of specially constructed clips, indicated generally by the reference character 20. The clips 20 are spaced along the base member 10 to embrace the ends of the watch 16, The clips 20 are of a special construction to receive the attaching pins 22 of the watch case in a snap-on fashion without requiring removal of the pins 22 from their respective sockets formed in lugs 24 which protrude from the corners of the watch 16.

The clips may be formed from a blank as shown in FIG. 3, which has a hole 26 formed through one end for a purpose later described. As shown in FIG. 2, each clip 20 includes an offset mounting tab 28 formed at the end of the clip 20 which includes the hole 26. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the offset tab 28 is arranged in generally parallel relation to the body 30 of the clip, the tab 28 and body 30 being connected by an integral connective portion 32. The other end of the clip 20 is bent into a reverted loop 34, the free end of which cooperates with the underside of the body 30 of the clip 20 to definea restricted opening or mouth 36. The extreme end of the loop 34 is curled in reversed direction to define a curled lip 38 which serves to facilitate entry through the mouth 36 into the reverted loop 34. The end of the curled lip 38 should be spaced from the connective portion 32 to enable the tweenand through thednouth36 intc thloopGFilL attaching'fpin 12 2 the w s to be passed therebe ertently its lassociatedrreverted loop 34.1 Because The clip 20 preferably isffdrmedfrom spring brass or X elude separate eonnectable ordisconnectable fasted-f other resilient metal which may be benteasily into the f il erslthe likelihoodof accidentalseparation of the watch desired configuration s d sm! retain its resilienceJThe 5 1;l6;;froi nthe bandisminirnized further.

mouth 36 is smaller in width than the'dianieter of the i Thusilhave providedan improved watchband which mounting tab 28; ltispreferred to ins hxme rivetsfsoi that their heads 46 are exposed atitheoutersurfaoe l8 heads 46,which preferably are formed omfltheflfsanie ing arrangement alongtheouter surface i8 ,-ofthe watchband; t

" by the rivet44 "and is Itiainta ined i formed in the balsam,

a to the watchband their revertedloopssdopeh in ojppo site directions. whengattajching a watch mi iewateh-l underside of the clipandthe t'EStflCiddhflQllllhi ()nev tion, with the loopdbeing wrapped about i it is unnecessary to removethe attachiri attaching pin so that when the pin is snapped through insures a firm grip onthewatch yet which is of simple the mouth and into the loop it will be retained resil- I andeconomicalconstruction as well as being aesthetiiently therein. The clearance between the edge of the l cally pleasingfThe watch may be attached quickly and curled lip and connective portion 32, however, prefera l O simply with minimum manipulation. Additionally, bebly is larger than the diameter of the attaching pin 22 i cause mounting of the clip to the watchband thewatch so that the pin 22 maybe aligned easily with the mouth cannot slip about o n t he watchband. 36 in readiness to be snapped into theloop 34; It should be understoodthat the foregoing descrip- The clips 20 are attached to the watchbandJQby "tion is intended merelyjto beillustrative of my inven means of transverseslots lli formed inkhewatchbandf 10. The offset mounting tabs28 are passed thrfotlghthe v slots '40 so that thetab. 28 is in engagementflwith the 1 fromlitsfspirit. For example, although theinvention has lower surface 42 of the band while theremaining pot been described asjusedina:watchband adapted to be tion of the clip 20, including the revertedlobp 34fis fastenedto theuser's wrist, it may be employed to sedisposed along the outersurface 18 of the band 1041s the preferred embodimientof the invention ythe clip slfl are secured to thefbasje m by rivetslgl ijwhich"pass through the base and jlhole 26 formed inthelqoffsetf be apparent to thosesltilled in the art without departing aswrabsg ifi g ndahts, of; the like.

claim gandfsecdrejby Letters Patent is: I

material as the clips2ll, plrovide an aestheticallypleasw the clips ztl aregoiunitary cohstruction andfdonoti it t ma ia that otherembodiments andmodifications will i sautewareheswmherbase elements ormemherssuch a Having thus described my invention whatl desire to awatch havinga ac mg pins:

edible base nierhberladapted essence one's a pair fclips sec ed to sa d base member, said clips being spaced a receive said w ch h r bqi wssn f resilient constructlon'and gagernent of the connectli eportio 32th 'd andbeing positioned The clips are arranged sothatwhe hey re fast ee: 1 irec on that s away from the otherof said clips band, the base may be folded over to expose clearlyth e portion32 and then issnapped through the restrictive mouth 36. Once the attaching pin is disposed within the loopythe resilient loop sn aps back to itsjoriginalposi reverted loopand the terminat-Y attaching pin 22 thus retaining the at a h f p spifln bm it in engagement with the lugs 24 of the watch case atany v wrapped about oneTs wrist; time. The other attaching pin then isiriserted into the t i' i i i i reverted loop 34 of the otherclip in the same mantate initial engagement of said attaching pin with ner. t e l 3 I i i the mouth ofisaidl oop and to guide said attaching As shown in FIG. 2, it'may be desirable to form the pin into said loop as said pin and loop aresnapped clip 20 so that the heightwide space between the tab 28 together; i t i v and the bottom region of the loop 34 is somewhat less said clip including an offset integral mounting tab than the thickness of thewatchband 10. This requires formed at the end opposite said reverted loop, said that the watchband be bent downwardly slightly as tabbeing offset by a connective portionof said shown in FIG. 2 in a curve which tendsto follow the f cliprs'aid connective portion and said flared end of countour of the users wrist; With this modificationthe said loop defininga passa ge of greater dimensions clip 20 tends to remain closely tothe watchband 10 than the diameter of said pin of said watch to en} when it is worn and, therefore, tends to hold the watch able saidpin to p ass freely therethrough;

.16 firmly against the watchband and avoids any ten I said base member having a slot formed therethrou gh dency of the watch 16 to lift upand taway fromthe for reception of said connective member to enable, watchband 10. j. r 1 V y l aid tabto be located on the underside ofsaid base Once the watchhas been attached to theband can member; and i l 1 i r 1 be removed only bytdjeliberate separatiohof the attach-f t means for securing said offset tab portion of said clip ing pins 22 from thetreverted'loop 34. There is virtually to said base mernber. t

no likelihood that the attaching pin may separate inada 2. A deviceias detinedin claim 1 further comprising: Y

jlloopsbe gdisposed on the satire sideof said r g aidhbas memb o receivehtheattaching said watch; eacHofsaid loops opening in a 1 1 n dsaway frotnithefpositionat whichsaidwatch is it i said reverse curled portion being effective to faciliwhereby when said base member is wrapped about ones wrist the watch will be held firmly against the watchband and will avoid a tendency of the watch to lift up and away from the watchband.

* l i I I!

Claims (2)

1. A device for holding a watch having attaching pins located at the opposite ends of the watch comprising: a flexible base member adapted to encircle one''s wrist; a pair of clips secured to said base member, said clips being spaced to receive said watch therebetween; each of said clips being of resilient construction and having a reverted loop formed thereon, each of said loops being disposed on the same side of said base member as said watch and being positioned along said base member to receive the attaching pins of said watch, each of said loops opening in a direction that is away from the other of said clips and away from the position at which said watch is supported; each of said loops defining an opening which is restricted to present a yieldable obstruction to the passage of said attaching pins through said opening, whereby said attaching pins may be snapped into said loop and be retained within said loop; said free end of said reverted loop having a reverse curl to that of said reverted loop and the terminating end is disposed along the outer surface of said flexible base member when said base member is wrapped about one''s wrist; said reverse curled portion being effective to facilitate initial engagement of said attaching pin with the mouth of said loop and to guide said attaching pin into said loop as said pin and loop are snapped together; said clip including an offset integral mounting tab formed at the end opposite said reverted loop, said tab being offset by a connective portion of said clip, said connective portion and said flared end of said loop defining a passage of greater dimensions than the diameter of said pin of said watch to enable said pin to pass freely therethrough; said base member having a slot formed therethrough for reception of said connective member to enable said tab to be located on the underside of said base member; and means for securing said offset tab portion of said clip to said base member.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising: said base member being of a predetermined thickness; and the height-wise dimension between said tab and the lower portion of said loop being slightly less than said predetermined thickness of said base member whereby when said base member is wrapped about one''s wrist the watch will be held firmly against the watchband and will avoid a tendency of the watch to lift up and away from the watchband.

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