US2150318A - Extensible bracelet clasp - Google Patents

Description

March 414, 1.939. 1 DALO 2,150,318

EXTENSIBLE BRACELET CLASP Filed March 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 14, 1939. J. DALo y 2,150,318

' EXTENSIBLE BRACELET CLASPy I Filed March 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 14, 1939 EXTENSIBLE BRACELET CLASP John Dalo, Providence, RJ., assignor -to A and YZ Chain Company, Providence, R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island Application March 4, 1937, Serial No. 129,023

9 Claims.

The present invention relates tok an extensible clasp for connecting the ends of watch-bracelets or the like and consists in improvements in clasps ofthe type illustrated and described in my prior application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 38,594, led August 30, 1935.

One of the objects of the present invention is `to Vprovide an extensible clasp of the type indicated having a slide freely movable in the clasp in one direction to contract its length andyieldingly held in adjusted relationship to snugly t the bracelet to the wrist of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extensible clasp of the type indicated in which the adjusting means are wholly enclosed when the clasp is applied tothe wrist to prevent accidental release of the adjustment. Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of the type indicated having a resilient pawl member mounted for movement on the slide "and yieldingly held against abutments on lthe slide to provide a resilient connection Vtherebetween.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of the type indicated having al toothed rack on one clasp member which overlies and is y engaged by the resilient pawl on the slide, being so constructed and arranged as to permit the pawl to be depressed and slid by the teeth on the rack to release the slide.

Still another object of the invention is to .provide a simple land compact construction and arrangement of the elements which facilitates 4the manufacture and assembly of the parts.

These and other objects will become more apparent from the followingv description of two embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and not a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims. In the drawings:

Fig'. 1

is a plan View of a two-part bracelet r connected by the extensible clasp forming the subject-matter of the present application;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the clasp showing its pivoted sections in extended relationship and illustrating in dash lines the manner in which the sections are folded into overlying relationship;

Fig. 3-is a bottom plan View of the clasp showing a portion 'thereof as broken away to indik:cate the relationship of the 'parts andthe Varrangement of the compression springs which yieldingly connect the pawl to vthe slide;

Fig. 4 is a part sectional View of the clasp showing the slide withdrawn with respect to the pawl and the connecting springs compressed; 5

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. -2 illustrating the manner in which the paWl is depressed to release the rack-teeth and cause the slide to 'be withdrawn from its housing;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional `view10 taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing the pawl on ythe latching plate engaged with one of the teeth on the rack;

Fig. k' is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line '1 -'I of Fig. 1 showing the slotted 15 construction rof the llatching plate which gives it the necessary resiliency;

Fig.'8 is a perspective view of the housing member of the clasp and the slide in disassembled extended relationship;

Fig. '9 is atop plan view of a modif-led construction of clasp in which the pivoted sections are folded and'nested in the housing through an opening in the top thereof; `and Y Fig, 10 is a side View of the modified form of 25 clasp illustrated in Fig. -9 with the housing shown partly in section to indicate Athe Yrelationship of the parts.

Referring Vto Fig. 1 of the drawings, the clasp Vmember I0 forming the subjectematter of. the 30 present application is shown as connecting the ends of the sections II and I2 of a two-part bracelet. The bracelet sections as `herein illustrated comprise a plurality of ilexiblyeco'nnected links having terminal connectors I3 at their outer 35 endsfor attachment vto the bails of a wrist-watch, not shown, but it is to be understood that any other prevailing style vof bracelet may be used Y with the clasp, such as a fabric, leather, mesh or like strap, and the terminal connectors I3 may/40 take other forms.

The preferred `embodiment .of the extensible clasp I'Il, illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, is comprised v of a plurality of vfoldable sections including a body member or housing I4, a pair of cooperatingslid- ,45 able members I5 and lIii forming aconnecting link, and an end `section Il. The body -member or housing l'll is formed with a top plate I8, preferably of sheet-metal, curved longitudinally throughout its length to Aconform to the contour i,50 of the wrist. The plate I8 has opposite side portions If9 and 20 folded downwardly and then inwardly in flanges 2| and 22 having their edges terminating in parallel spaced-apart .relation- V-ship, see Figs. 16 and'l. -The top plate I8, to- 55 gether with the folded sides I9 and 25, provide longitudinally-extending channels 2d and 25 at the opposite sides of the body member. At one end the plate portion I8 has a narrow lip 26 extending beyond the folded sides I9 and 42i) and adapted to be bent over for a purpose as later explained, see Fig. 8, while the opposite end of the plate portion I8 has a curved lip 2l, see Figs. 1 and 4, to provide a finger-piece for prying the clasp open. A pivot-pin 28 extends between the folded sides I9 and 25 of the plate I8 at the end of the body member I4 adjacent the finger-piece 2, g Y

The member l5 forming one part of the connecting link is of rectangular shape with a centrally-depressed groove 32 extending throughout the greater portion of its length and forming side rails 33 and 3d. IThe member I5 is pivotally connected to the body member I@ by spaced loops 35 at its end embracing the pivotpin 23, and the side rails 33 and 34 are adapted to slide in lateral channels 35 and 3l of usual construction at the sides of the link member I5. The relative sliding movement of the members I5 and It is limited by the engagement of a detent 38 on the member I5 with the opposite ends of the groove 32 in the member I5 into which the detent projects. The channeled sides of the member I5 extend beyond its plate portion and the extended ends are flattened and pierced to form apertured ears IIB for pivotal connection with the end section I1 of the clasp.

The end section Il comprises a base plate 4I with its opposite sides I2 and i3 folded upwardly to provide projecting anges. At oneV end, the plate 4I is slotted adjacent the sides 42 and 43 to receive the ears d5 on the member I6 and the material of the plate between the slots is curled around to form a loop 39. A pin 4d, riveted in holes in the side flanges 42 and 43, extends through the loop 39 at one end of the end section I1 and the apertured ears di) on the link member I6 for pivotally connecting the link memberV and end section. The end section I'i is substantially equal in width to that of the Space between the parallel edges of the anges 2l and 22-on the body member or housing I5 and the flanges 42 and 43 on the section Il have detents l5 for cooperation with these edges. The opposite end of the end'section I'I has a loop 46 for embracing the end link of the bracelet Section I2 to provide a flexible connection therewith.

As thus far described the clasp is not materially different from those heretofore used, the link members I5 and I5 being adapted to telescope one into the other and together with the end section I1 to fold into the body member or housing I4 in overlying relationship in the manner indicated by dash lines in Fig. 2; the link members and end section being curved throughout their length to conform to the longitudinal curvature of the body member. As shown in Figs 6 and '7, the link members I5 and I5 lie wholly betweenY the anges i2 and 43 on the end section I l and the fdanges i2 and d3 -lie wholly between the terminal edges of the folded flanges 2i and 22 at the sides of the body member vIfl. The several sections of the clasp are latched together in folded relationship by the engagement of the detents 55 on the side flanges l2 and 43 of the end section I'! with the edges of the anges 2| and 22'on the folded sides I9 and 2U of the body member Iii.

The present invention is directed particularly to the adjustable feature of the clasp to adapt it to be manually contracted in length and to provide a resilient yielding action to permit a limited vexpansion and contraction in its length when the parts are in adjusted relationship. To this end a slide 5I! in the form of a U-shaped or bifurcated frame shown in inverted position inl Fig. 8 is mounted in the body member I4 for relative longitudinal movement with respect thereto. The slide 5I? is preferably stamped from flat stock to form spaced side rails 5I and 52 Y with a crossbar 53 Yat one end, the side rails 5I and 52 being of proper dimensions throughout the greater portion of their length to adapt them to t in the channels 25 and 25 of the body member or housing 'I4'. At their free ends the sideH rails 5I and 52 have reduced shank portions 55, preferably shaped during the stamping operation and forming spaced shoulders 55 and 55. The crossbar 53 is also reduced in cross-sectional area at its central portion to adapt it to receive aloop 5l at the end of the bracelet section II curled therearound to provide an articulated connection.

A latching member is mounted on the slide 50 for relative movement thereon, the latching member being assembled on the slide before the latter is inserted into the body member or housing I The latching member 55 is vcomprised of a resilient plate of appropriate width to adapt it to t the opening between the side rails 5I andfao 52 and having lateral wing portions folded or bent around to form bearings 62 and 53 which loosely-embrace the reduced Shanks 54 of the side rails. At one end of the plate 66 a portion of the material is struck up from the plane of the plate to form an inclined detent or pawl E4. The plate 55 is slitted in U-shape at the'rear of the pawl 55 to form a tongue 55 which is depressed from the plane of the plate at the side opposite from the pawl. The tongue 55 bears against the top of the housing I4 to yyieldingly press the main portion of the plate Gil with the pawlIlI downwardly at an angle thereto, the loose connection of the bearings 52' and 53 with the Shanks 55 permitting a limited rocking movement of the plate. The forward edges of the bearings 52 and 53 areryieldingly held in abutting engagement with the shoulders 55 Von the spaced rails 5I and 52 of the slide 55 by coiledY compression springs 55Y acting between the opposite edges of the bearings 52 and 63 and the shoulders 55 adjacent the ends of the rails. The springs 66 are coiled around the rails 5i and 52 and form a yielding connection between theV slide 5I) and latching member 50 to normally hold the mem? bers in predetermined relationship but yielding to allow a limited relative movement therebetween.

4 As another feature of the invention a toothed rack-plate I5 is provided to serve the double function of retaining the slide 5l? in assembled relationship in the body member or housing I4 and cooperating with the pawl i515. to hold the slide in adjusted position. As illustrated most clearly in Fig. 8, the rack-plate l0 is of a width substantially equal to or slightly less than the distance between the marginal edges of the inturned Y flanges 2l and 22 on the housing I4. The plate 'luis hingedly mounted at one end on the pivotpin 28 at the end of the housing lli by means of a curled ear II which embraces the pin between lIE falobgre a clearance space rextenk'iifngcentrally Athere-- between. In other words, the teeth 12 are formed by opposite rows of projections rwhich extend inwardly toward each-other with spaces between their ends forming a :continuous slot throughout the length of the toothed portion of the rackplate. The opposite free end of the plate 1I] is curved upwardly at 14 and has a -lug 15 bent' downwardly across its edge. The rack-plate 'I0 is normally held in the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 by l'the narrow lip 2li at the end of the housing or body member I4, which is ybent back over its curved end 14;v an aperture 16 being provided in the lip 26 through which Athe lug 15 on the plate extends. With the free -end of the rack-plate 10 rigidly held by the curled lip 26 the rack-teeth 12 overlie and are `yieldin-gly engaged by the inclined pawl 64 on the latching rnernberv60. A preferred form of construction having now lbeen described 'in detail, the method of assembling the parts and the Amode of operation of the complete clasp will be next explained.

The latching plate `60 is rst mounted on the slide 50 by `folding its lateral wings about the reduced shanks 54 of the side -rails 5I and 52 'to provide the bearings 62 and 63.y The springs 66 are then applied to the reduced Shanks 54 and compressed between the shoulders 56 vand the 23'its bearings 62 and 63 to assemble the parts in a selfcontained unit. It will be understood that the springs YIE6 may be slid' over the ends of the sha'nks 54 and the ends thereof thereafter staked, spread or upset to form the shoulders 56 to retain the springs inV position. The assembled unit comprising the slide 5I] and latching member 60 is then slid into the body member or housing I4. The pivoted rack-plate 1D is next lconnected to the pivot-pin 28 and folded downwardly to causeit to lie in the housing I4 between the edges oi' the Viianges 2I and 22 and its curved free end 14 to enter the opening between the spaced side rails 5I and 52 of the slide 50. The rack-teeth 12 will then overlie and be positioned to be engaged by the yielding pawl 64. The freer end 14 of the rack-plate 10 is attached to the body or housing member I4 by bending back the lip 26 to cause the lug 15 to enter the slot 16. The rack-plate ously explained.

Toapply the clasp to the wrist when connected to theopposite ends'of the bracelet 'sections II and I2 the'articulated sections I4, I5', I6 and I1 are vunfolded and the bracelet'slidovervthe lhand of the wearer. The clasp is then closed by rst sliding the member I5 telescopica'lly on the memlber I6 and folding'the sections I4, I5, I6and I1 together in the -manner indicated by the dash lines in Fig. 2. The end section `I1 s'pressed into the body member or housingY I4ito`ca'use the detents to snap by the opposed Vedges'o'f the ang'es '2l 'an-d 22 to latch the parts in folded relationship. In this folded vrelatior'i'ship of the parts the member I6 rests against the"rac`k-plate 10, see Figs. 6 and "7, and theadjus'ting means is.

wholly enclosed within 'the clasp'bo'dy'or housing I4. l

The 'slide'5 maythen ybe jteles'copedwithin the "from the end section I1.

'the length of the llbracelet to conform lto the size of the wrist. "I 'he two parts of the clasp are 'movedinto contracted relationship by manually pressing the fingers against the end of the slide and the opposite end of the member I4. During Athis inward movement of the slide 50 with respect to the body'member I4 the inclined detent or pawl 64 slides across the teeth 12 on the rackplate 10. Due to the pressure of the resilient tongue 65 on the latchingmember 60 against Vthe top of the housing I4 the pawl 64 is yieldingly heldin contact with the teeth 12 on the rack as it slides thereover. The contraction of the clasp is continued until the bracelet ts the wrist snugly, at 'which time the end of the inclined pawl 64 engages one of the teeth on the rack-plate 'I0 to latch the slide in adjusted relationship `-with respect to the body member I4.

With the clasp closed as above described, the slide 50 may have a limited movement of extension and retraction to compensate for the exi'ng of the wrist as the springs 66 expand and contract between the yabutment shoulders 56 on the side rails of the slide and the bearings 62 vand 63 on the latching plate 60. As the slide 5I) is'extended from the body member I4 it moves with respect to the latching member 60 and rack-plate 10 against the compression of the springs 66 and has a range of movement as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. Retraction of the slide into the body member I4 by the springs 66 is limited by theengage'ment of the shoulders on its side Yrails 5I and 52 against the ` bearings 62 and 63. VIn this manner the slide 50 is yieldably extendible with respect it is latched to adapt the length of the bracelet [to be automatically adjustedwithin definite limits.

When once adjusted the slide ,cannot be accidentally released as the latching member and rackbar 'I0 are wholly enclosed within the `clasp Yhousing I4.

When the bracelet is to `be removed from `the wrist the linger-nail is inserted under ythe lip 21 on the bodyvmember I4 to pry the latter away The sections of the clasp may then be extended as shown 1n Figs. 2 and 3 and the bracelet removed over the hand.

yWhen again applied to the wrist and 'collapsed the clasp will be 'properly adjusted to fit the Wrist due to the 'latching engagement of the pawl 64 with a pair of the teeth 12 on the rack-plate 10, In other words, when once adjusted the clasp will retain its adjustment even though its sections are folded and unfolded many times. If

however, the bracelet is 'found to be too tight or if for any other reason it is desired to extend the length of the clasp the detent or pawl 64 may be depressed to release it from the teeth 12 on the rack-plate 10. To accomplish this result any sharp pointed instrument such as a pen knife z may be inserted in the slot 13 extending longitudinally of the teeth 12 and pressed' angularly against the pawl 64 to depress it against lthe resilient action of the tongue or angularly related leaf 65 which normally holds the pawl in engage-y ment with the teeth. By pressing the instrument againstthe pawl 64 in this'manner the slide 50 may be slid inthe housing or body member I4 to extend it therefrom during which movement vthe point of the implement z slides inthe longitudinal slot 13. The'extension movement of the slide'50 rto the rack-plate 10 and body member I 4 to which c55 is limited by the engagement Yof the end of the l "the housing member I4. "Afte'rthe slideSIllhas been extended vfrom the housing ld and the de- .tent or pawl SA released the length of the bracelet vcan be readjusted in the manner as previously explained by telescoping the slide into the body member ifi to the extent required, this adjustment being accomplished with the bracelet on the wrist With-the inclined pawl @d sliding freely overrthe teeth 'i2 on the rack-plate l'l.

In the modified form of clasp illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 the body member lll is orinverted construction as compared to that rst described. The sides of the bottom plate of the body portion It are folded upwardly and inwardly instead of downwardly and inwardly to form an opening 8S on the top of the claspinto which theV articulated sections i andv il are folded. VThe section il' is provided with detents 45 for holding the parts latched within the housing llland includes a lip 32 to be engaged by the finger-nail to pry the end section i away from the body member or housing. In other words, in the embodiment oi the invention illustrated in Figs. 9 and 1G the articulated sections are folded one over the other and nested in the top of the body member or housing iii instead ofvin the bottom of the housing iii. The method of assembling the parts and the mode of operation oi this construction, however, is substantially identical with that described with respect to thefirst form .of the invention.

Although the sections of the clasp have been described as preferably made of sheet-metal Ystamped out and folded to shape, it is to be understood that they maybe made of any other suitable material whether molded, pressed or otherwise formed. It is also to be understood that the Vclaspmay be made without the foldable sections, that is, as including only the housing or freely slid in one direction to adjust the length of the clasp while yieldingly holding the slide against movement in the opposite direction; an outstanding advantage oi' this construction being that the clasp may be adjusted on the wrist and when once adjusted will retain its adjustment for repeated applications of the bracelet to and its removal from the wrist. Moreover, the

' yielding action of the clasp provides a more comfortable lt of the bracelet on the wrist without binding or pinching when the wrist is flexed.

Although only two embodiments of the invention are herein shown and described, it is to be noted that other variations may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts oi the device witnin the spirit and scope of theinvention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect,

I claim: a Y

l. In al1-extensible clasp for bracelets, a clasp member, a slide in the clasp member having side Y rails with an opening therebetween, said side rails having spaced shoulders, a resilient pawl in the opening in the slide having bearings embracing the `side rails and slidable betweenV the shoulders, a toothed rack iixed to the clasp member and overlying the pawl, and a compression spring on each side Arail acting between one of the shoulders and arbear'ing on the pawl to yieldingly hold' the bearings ,Y in abutting engagement with the opposite shoulders.

,2. In an extensible clasp for bracelets, a clasp larly-disposed resilient portions and bearings at Y its sides embracing the side rails, a rack-plate fixed to the clasp member and overlying the latching member, one of the resilient portions of` vkthe latching member bearing against the clasp member and the other portion having ay detent .yieldngly heldin engagement with the rackplate whereby the slide may be slid into the clasp member and held against outward movement by the detent, and compression springs on the side rails engaging the bearings on the latching member to yieldingly hold the slide in adjusted position. Y

. 3. Ina device of the type indicated, a clasp member, a slide on theclaspI member having side rails with an opening therebetween, a resilient pawl in the opening having bearings embracing the side. rails Yof the slide, resilient means for yieldinglyV holding the Y pawl in predetermined position on the slide, and a plate attached to the clasp member and overlying the pawl, said platehaving rackteeth engaged by the pawl and a slot extending transversely of the rack-teeth through which a tool may be inserted to depress the pawl out of engagement with the rack-teeth and thereby release the slideV for movement in the clasp member.

4. In a device of the type indicated, a clasp member having channels at its sides, a slide having side rails slidable in the channels, a resilient pawl positioned between the side rails and having bearings at its opposite sides embracing the side rails, a plate in the clasp member having rack-teeth, and interengaging means on the clasp member and plate for holding the latter with the rack-teeth inoperative position with respect to the pawl and the slide rin assembled relation in the clasp member. Y

v5, In adevice of the type indicated,-a clasp member, a` plate on the clasp member having rack-teeth, pivot-means for attaching one end of the plate to the clasp member, detachable holding means on the clasp member for engaging the free end ofthe plate whereby said end may be released and the plate swung on its pivot, a slide mounted between the clasp member and plate, and a resilient pawl on the slide cooperating with the rack-teeth on the plate to hold the slide in, adjusted position on the clasp member.

6. In an extensible clasp for bracelets, a clasp member, a slide having spaced side rails with an opening therebetween and mounted to slide on vthe clasp member, a resilient pawl in the opening between the siderails of the slide, means at the sides of the pawl for connecting' it to the side rails of the slide, and a toothed rack-plate disposed in the opening between the side rails of the slide overlying the resilient pawl to enclose the Vlatter between it and the clasp member, said rackfplate having its opposite ends attached to thebIaSpmember to retain the pawl and slide assemblyin the clasp member.

7.' In an extensible clasp for bracelets, a clasp member, a slide having spaced side rails with an opening therebetween and mounted to slide on the clasp member, aresilient pawl disposed in the opening between the side rails and' having bearingsat its sides embracing the side rails to slide thereon, a toothed rack attached to the clasp member and overlying the resilient pawl, and resilient means for yieldingly holding the pawl in predetermined position on the slide.

8. In an extensible clasp for bracelets, a clasp member, a slide mounted to slide on the clasp member and having spaced side rails with an opening therebetween, a latching member in the opening between the side rails of the slide and having bearings at its sides embracing the side rails for sliding movement thereon, said latching member having angularly-disposed resilient portions with one of said portions bearing against the clasp member and the other portion constituting a detent, a toothed rack attached to the clasp member and overlying the detent on the latching member for cooperation therewith, and resilient means for yieldingly holding the latching member in predetermined position on the slide.

9. In a device of the type indicated, a clasp member, a slide in the clasp member having side rails with an opening therebetween, a resilient paw] positioned in the opening between the side rails and connected to the latter,and a plate overlying the pawl in the opening between the side rails of the slide and having its opposite ends attached to the clasp member, said plate having rack-teeth adapted to be engaged by the pawl and a slot extending transversely of the rackteeth through which a tool may be inserted to depress the pawl out of engagement with the rack-teeth and thereby release the slide for movement in the clasp member.

JOHN DALO.

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