GB1258180A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,258,180. End connector. TEXTRON Inc. 22 Dec., 1969 [1 April, 1969], No. 62202/69. Heading E2A. [Also in Division A4] An end connector for a wrist watch or other article having a bail comprises a link 10 having an open ended channel 12 for receiving the bail 60, a split ring 20 movable about its central axis perpendicular to the plane of the ring in a cavity 11 in the link 10, the ends of the ring defining the split being spaced apart to form a gap 21 and a flat plate resiliently mounted in the link and which is biased into the gap 21 when the ring 20 is moved about its central axis to a position in which the gap 21 is out of registry with the channel 12 whereby the bail introduced into the central opening in the ring when the gap is in registry with the channel is held in the end connector when the flat plate is positioned in the gap. The ring 20 may ride on a disc 31 against the upper inner surface 11 of the link 10 the disc having an arcuate flange 32 to guide the ring, the arcuate flange having a slot 33 into which the edge of the spring 34 of the integral U-shaped spring 34 snaps when the gap 21 in the ring 20 coincides with the spring 34, thus locking the ring in position. In an alternative embodiment the end of the link 10 is formed in a circular rather than a hexagonal shape and thus this circular end can serve as the guide for the split ring, the arcuate flange being dispensed with, the spring (34a) snapping into the gap of the split ring to lock the ring in the closed position. The connector is permanently held in place in the link 10 by the means 40 for limiting the movement of the spring 34 and the tabs 13 and 15. The connector is closed by inserting a sharp object such as a pin into an indentation 23 in the ring 20 and thus rotating the ring. To open the connector a pin is inserted between the slot 33 and the spring 34, to lift the spring out of the slot and the ring 20 is then rotated.