US2421253A - Wrist watch attachment - Google Patents

Description

y 7 1947- R. P. FLEISCHNER' WRIST WATCH ATTACHMENT Filed Sept. 14, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Hakka/"d PFJezlsc/zner ATTORNEYS y 1947-, R. P. FLEISCHNER 2,421,253

WRIST WATCH ATTACHMENT I Filed Sept. 14, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 {1:12; [1:15.

I "III/ 01,111 'IIIIIII INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented May 27, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WRIST WATCH ATTACHMENT Richard P. Fleischncr, Scarsdale, N. Y. Application September 14, 1943, Serial N6. 5422,259

(c1. sax-55) 2 Claims.

My present invention relates to an attachment for supporting a wrist watch and band assembly upon a desk, night table or the like.

A wrist watch, unlike an ordinary watch, has its hour index number 12 positioned 90 removed from the winding stem and carries strap sections which extend radially outwardly from the hour index dial numbers 12 and 6 respectively. These strap sections are provided with connecting means to complete the band which engages about the wrist so as to present the dial face so that it can be read conveniently.

The general object of my invention is a simple, inexpensive attachment for a watch and Wrist band assembly whi h is attachable merely by attachment of the wrist band so that the watch can be supported upon a desk, night table or the like to present the Watch dial face at a convenient angle for reading from a sitting or reclining position and with the dial face number "12 uppermost.

I attain the aforementioned object for some types of watches merely by associating the attachment directly with the conventional wrist band supplied with the watch.

For other types of wrist band watch assemblies, I attain the object of my invention by the provision of an adapter to be securedto the conventional wrist band and which serves to associate my attachment therewith.

My invention contemplates further that, for certain types of wrist band watch assemblies, my attachment be assembled directly with the watch with and as part of the assembly therewith of the wrist band and will remain assembled with the watch as long as the wrist band remains as sociated therewith,

Another object of my invention is an attachment to a wrist band and Watch assembly which can be moved to its active position to serve its,

purpose to support the watch from a surface and then be folded or moved into its inactive position wherein it presents no obstacle or inconvenience in the customary securement of the watch to the wrist by means of the wrist embracing hand.

For the attainment of these objectives and such other objectives as may hereinafter appear to be pointed out, I have illustrated embodiments of my invention in the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows in perspective one manner of associating my attachment with a wrist band, with the attachment in active watch supporting position;

Figure 2 is a side View of the watch with the attachment in inactive position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view partly in section showing details;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of my attachment;

Figure 5 shows another manner of associating my attachment with a wrist band which employs an adapter; 1

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section vertically through Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective of the adapter;

Figure 8 shows an alternative type of adapter secured to a Wrist band;

Figure 9 is a cross section taken on lines 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a perspective of adapter of Figure 9 dis'associated from the wrist band;

Figure 11 shows a modified form of attachment secured to a wrist band;

Figure 12 shows this modified form detached from the wrist band;

Figure 13 shows a modified form of my attachment of Figure 12; I

Figure 14 shows a modification of my wrist band attachment of Figure 4;

Figure 15 shows a modification wherein my attachment is secured to a watch part; and

Figure 16 is a cross section taken on lines [6-46 of Figure 15.

In Figure l of the drawings is shown a popular type of oblong-shaped wrist watch 10 having upon its dial face the usual hour index numbers with the hour number 12 uppermost. The moving minute and hour hands are shown at H.

A wrist Watch of this type while conventional as a wrist watch differs from an ordinary pocket watch in that the stem winder I5 is at the side about opposite the hour index number 3. A watch of the type shown in Figure 1 has projecting upwardly from the opposite sides of its upper and lower edges the spaced posts 16 and I8 between which are carried the upper and lower pins I! (see Figure 3).

It will be observed that the pin I! at the upper edge is spaced a distance from the adjacent watch body so that the strap element 29 can have one end looped thereabout and the loop closed in any preferred or desired manner, as by stitches 2!. This loop has been given the number 22. So also the strap element 22 may have one end similarly looped around the end of the pin ll at the bottom of the watch. It will be understood that the pins H at top and bottom of the watch can be detached when it is desired to replace either of the strap elements 20 or 23.

The strap elements 29 and 23 are provided at their outer or free ends with the co-acting loop fastener elements 24 and 25 whereby the one can be secured to the other in an adjusted relation to complete the adjustable band around the wrist to maintain the watch in that fixed position which presents the dial face for easy and convenient reading.

I have observed, that it is the general practice to form the loops 22 sufficiently large so that there is a free space between the pin l1 and the loop body. For convenience of understanding, I have applied the reference character 26 to this space because I avail myself thereof for the attainment of the objects of my invention in connection with this type of wrist band and watch assembly for the association therewith of the attachment shown in Figure 4 and which I will now proceed to describe.

This attachment (see Figure 4) is formed of a wirelike length bent to provide two legs or lengths 36 joined at the bottom by the cross piece 3| with the upper portion 33 of the legs 30 bent inwardly into opposition as shown in this figure. It will be pointed out that the legs 30 are spaced apart at their upper ends a distance at least equal to the width of the loop 22 and that the material of which the attachment of Figure 4 is formed has sufiicient springiness or yield so that the upper end of the legs 39 can be forced apart a suiiicient distance so as to permit the upper transversely bent portions 33 to be received in the aforementioned space 25 when the legs 30 are permitted to resume their normal relation. In this manner the attachment of Figure 4 can be secured to r the wrist band of Figure 1 without requiring any change or modification therein.

By this arrangement the attachment of Figure 4 is carried from the loop 22 of the strap section 28 for free swinging movement about an axis which is parallel to and adjacent the top edge of the watch from its active position shown in Figure l to its inactive position shown in Figure 2.

When the wearer wishes to support the watch on a desk or the like in a position such as shown in Figure 1, he will release the engagement of the parts 24 and 25 to free the end of the strap sections 2!! and 23 from each other so that the parts can take the positions such as shown in Figure 1, wherein the lower strap section 23 rests on the supporting base such as a desk, the cross piece 31 in turn rests on this strap section 23 and the upper strap section is free to take a looped position such as shown in thi figure. It will be understood that the attachment and the watch will take angular positions relatively to the vertical and to each other so as to provide adequately for the watch at the desired angle. It will also b understood that the length of the legs 38 are determined so that the attachment may function as indicated.

Upon viewing Figure 2, it will be observed that this typical watch of Figure i has its lower surface concave to conform it to the curvature of that area of the wrist with which it is engaged. I wish here to point out that the legs 30 are given a similar curved conformation so that, when the atachment in Figure 4 is moved from its operative or active position of Figure 1 to its inoperative or inactive position shown in full lines in Figure 2, the attachment will conform to the curvature of the watch and, in effect, nest within that curvature so that its presence will interfere to a minimum extent or degree with the comfort and convenience of the wearer of the wrist watch.

The manner in which my attachment in Figure 4 is applied to the wrist band of Figure I has been predicated upon the presence of the space 26 in which can be received the inwardly turned portions 3-3 at the upper end of the attachment. There are, however, som types of watch and wrist band assemblies wherein there is no such space. To supply this deficiency I show in Figures 5, 6 and '7 an adapter to be secured about any standard wrist band which provides a space in which the inwardly directed portions 33 at the upper end of the attachment of Figure 4 can be received for the aforementioned swinging movement from its active to its inactive position. T his adapter is shown in Figure '7 as comprised of two members M3 and 4| held assembled in superimposed relation by the loop 42 so that the two members 40 and 41 can be given a free relative longitudinal sliding movement within the loop. Each of these members has its outer portion bent upwardly and then inwardly, as shown at 43 and 44, to provide upper, lower and side walls between which a length of the strap member 28 can be received. The adapter of Figure 7 can be secured about a wrist strap 20 merely by first sliding apart the members 40 and 4! so that the strap can be received between portions 43 and i4 and seated on the loop 42 and then moving these two members reversely so as to cause the over-lapping portions 43 and 44 to engage over the strap. The adapter parts may be held engaged about the strap as aforementioned in any preferred or desired manner, as by prongs 46 struck down from the portions 43 and 44 which can be forced into the body of the strap as shown in Figure 5. \Vhile this arrangement employing an adapter has been stated as particularly intended for situations where no such space such as shown at 26 in Figure 3 is present, I wish to point out that the adapter can be employed even with the watch and wrist band assembly of Figure 1.

Upon viewing Figures 5 and 6 it will be observed that the loop 42 has a downwardly projecting or depending portion 41, which provides a space or channel 48 which corresponds functionally as does the space 26 in Figure 3 in that the two inwardly directed portions 33 of the attachment of Figure 4 can be received therein in the same manner as already set forth of its attachment in Figure 3.

The adapter of Figures 5, 6 and '7 is intended of itself to be a detachable attachment to any type of wrist band. I will now describe an alter native arrangement shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 wherein the adapter is incorporated into the wrist band which has been modified for that purpose. The adapter for this arrangement is shown in Figure 10 as comprising a fiat member or plate 50 which is depressed transversely intermediate of its length to form the channel 5| of a size to receive and seat the inwardly bent portions 33 at the top of the attachment shown in Figure 4. This member 50 is received between the overlapping loop forming portions or strap sections 52 and 53 which form the attaching loop at one end of the upper strap member and is secured in that position in any preferred or desired manner as by stitching 55. The channel forming depressed portion 51 is received through a slot 56 cut in the lower strap portion 52 of the loop so as to project it therebelow for the reception of the aforementioned inwardly bent portions 33 of the attachment of Figure 4. It will be observed that this downwardly projected channel-forming portion 5| is so located relatively to the watch that the attachment of Figure 4 will be supported for swinging movement to function as shown in Figure 2. The adapter arrangement of Figures 8, 9 and I0 contemplates either that the wrist band sold with a watch be provided with the at tachment and in the form shown in Figure 8 or that a conventional strap portion supplied with the watch be replaced by the appropriate character of strap portion.

Figure 12 shows a modified form of attachment which is adapted to be secured to a strap section of the wrist band without requiring an adapter such as is shown in Figure 10. I show this attachment 69 as formed from sheet material which is curved as are the legs 30 of the attachment shown in Figure 4 and for the same purpose. The member 60 is provided along its upper edge with the outwardly projecting pintles 62 and 63 shown in Figure 11 as provided by bending the upper end of the member 69 downwardly upon itself so as to leave a beaded upper end 64 having a transverse passageway 65 therethrough and in which a pin can be received of a length sufficiently greater than the width at the top of the member 60 to project the aforementioned pintles 62 and 63 laterally therebeyond.

In Figure 11 it is contemplated that the attachment of Figure 12 be secured to the loop end of a strap portion by being passed through a slot 66 cut through the lower loop-forming strap section 68 and held suspended for swinging movement by means of the aforementioned pintles 62 and 63 which seat on the upper surface of section 68 to each side of the slot 66, In this embodiment the assembly may be effected by first passing the head 64 of the attachment 66 upwardly through the slot 66 in the lower strap section 68 and then passing a pin through the transverse passageway 65. The parts can be secured in this position or relation with the loop closed by stitches such as shown at 69.

Figure 13 shows an attachment similar to that of Figure 12 except that like the embodiment of Figure 4 it is formed from a wirelike length bent to provide the legs H connected at their bottom by the transverse portion 12 and having the upper ends of the ide members extended or bent outwardly as shown at M and 15 thus distinguishing from the form of Figure 4 where the corresponding portions 33 are bent inwardly. The attachment of Figure 13 can be conveniently employed with a strap such as shown in Figure 11 wherein a slot 66 is provided in the lower strap section, This slot or opening should be only slightly longer than the distance between the upper ends of the legs H and the assembly may be effected merely by pressing together the two legs H until the two upper outwardly bent portions 14 and 15 can be passed through the open ing 66 and then releasing the pressure to permit the legs H to assume their normal spread apart relation and the two outwardly bent portions 14 and 15 will seat on the upper surface of the lower strap layer section 68.

In Figure 14 I show a modified form of attachment which, like that of Figure 4, is made of a wirelike material bent to provide legs BI and 82 and the cross piece 83 connecting their lower ends. The upper ends of the legs 8| and 82 are difierently conformed in that one of the legs has its top bent into a loop 85 and the other leg has its top portion 86 bent across for the full width of the attachment at the top so that the free or outer end of cross member 86 can be received through the loop and locked therein as by bending this free end as shown at 81. The attachment of Figure 14 is attached and detached generally as explained in connection with Figure 4.

In the embodiments thus far described it is contemplated that the attachment which is the subject matter of my invention be carried by and form part of the wrist band. I will now describe the embodiment of IS and 16 wherein it is contemplated that the attachment be carried by and secured to the watch and therefore form part of and be sold with the wrist Watch band assembly.

In Figure 15 I show a watch of the general type illustrated in Figure 1 wherein the loop of the upper strap section engages about a cross bar 9| supported at its opposite ends from spaced posts 92 by means of pintles 93 received through these posts as clearly shown in these figures. The wrist band loop of the assembly of these figures is cut away centrally of its width as shown at 95 so as to provide a clearance for and access to a length of the pin 91 centrally thereof.

The attachment of Figures 15 and 16 resembles that of Figure 4 in that it is formed from a wirelike length bent to provide legs 96 and 96' connected at their lower ends by cross piece 91 and with the upper portion of each leg bent inwardly as shown as 99 and 98'. It diners, however, from the embodiment of Figure 4 in that the free end of one of the portions '98, for example, terminates in a loop 99 of sufficient size to receive the cross bar 9| therethrough. In the type watch and wrist band assembly for which the embodiment of Figures 15 and 16 was particularly devised, the wrist band is replaced by removal of the pin 9| and pintles 93. Therefore, my invention can be incorporated into the watch by the manufacturer or thereafter by replacement.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An attachment to the wrist band strap section to be secured to the upper end of a watch for securing it to the wrist, said attachment comprising an adapter to be secured to the strap section and provided with a pivot bearing and a member to be supported at its upper end in said bearing so that it will swing freely angularly relatively to the watch about an axis parallel and adjacent to the upper edge of the watch, said member being of such length that when swung angularly about its axis relatively to the watch, the watch and the member will both engage the surface upon which the watch is to be supported and maintain the parts with the watch dial face presented for convenient reading with its hour index number 12 uppermost.

2. A strap section to be secured to a wrist watch by being looped about a pin at its upper edge, said strap section having a slot in the lower layer of the loop and an adapter supported from the upper surface of said layer and having a portion thereafter engaged through said slot to present a bearing for pivotally mounting a prop for the watch.

RICHARD P. FLEISCHNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,229,978 Kolberg Jan. 28, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 203,479 Switzerland June 16, 1939 160,211 Switzerland May 1, 1933 616,603 France Oct. 30, 1926 169,090 Switzerland July 16, 1934 489,470 France Oct. 1, 1918

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