US2713445A - End attachment for watch bands - Google Patents

Description

July 19, 1955 K. SPECK END ATTACHMENT FOR WATCH BANDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 1, 1952 IN VEN TOR. Au/Pr ,S'PECK @141. M

ma'afi ATTORNEYS July 19, 1955 K. SPECK END ATTACHMENT FOR WATCH BANDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1952 INVENTOR A a/Pr SPA-CK ATTORNEYS 2,713,445 Patented July 19, 1555 iice END ATTACHMENT FUR WATCH BANDS Kurt Speck, Palisades Park, N. 1., assignor to Jacques Kreisler Manufacturing Corporation, North Bergen, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application February 1, 1952, Serial No. 262,464

It) Ciaims. (ill. 224-4) This invention relates to improvements in and attachments for watch bands and the like, and more particularly to improvements in watch bands adapted to be mounted between the spaced lugs of a watch case and similar purposes.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 207,727, filed January 25, 1951, for End Attachment For Watch Bands, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an end attachment for watch bands and the like which is readily adjustable to the distance between the spaced lugs of a watch case whereby to facilitate the attachment of the band to the watch case and to enable an end attachment of one size to be used with watches of various spaced-lug sizes.

Another object of this invention is to provide an end attachment for watch bands which is adapted for a range of distances between the spaced lugs of watch cases without requiring cutting or filing of the end members to fit them to the spaced lugs of the watch case.

Another object of this invention is to provide an end attachment for watch bands giving better pivotal action and a more flexible connection between the band and the watch case.

Another object of this invention is to provide an end attachment for watch bands which has improved shock absorbing characteristics.

Another object of this invention is to provide an end attachment which not only adjusts itself automatically to the distance between spaced lugs of a watch case but which is also simple in constmction, economical to manufacture and relatively easy to attach to a watch by the layman.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an end attachment for watch bands which presents a highly pleasing, neat and finished appearance.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of part of a watch band embodying the present invention, showing the band attached to a watch;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the parts of the watch band end-attachment in disassembled relationship;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the watch band and attachment with a portion cut away to show the assembly of the parts;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the end portion of the spring member shown in Figures 1 to 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the end portion of a modified form of spring member;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the end portion of another modified form of spring member;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the parts of a further modified form of watch band end attachment in disassembled relationship;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the watch' band end attachment shown in Fig. 8 with parts broken away to reveal structural details;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 9.; and

Fig. ll is a sectional view taken on the line 1111 of Fig. 9.

The end attachment for watch bandsof the present invention is adapted to be connected to any conventional wrist watch having a pair of laterally spaced lugs. With reference to Fig. l, 10 designates an expansion type watch band which is adapted to be secured between the spaced lo s 12 of a watch 14. The end attachment of the present invention is adapted to be used with any conventional watch band. Watch band 10, as shown in Fig. 1, has an end link member 16 which is of tubular form and is suitably apertured at 28 for receiving coiled spring member 13, which will be described in detail hereinafter. The tubular member 16 has a portion 17 which is adapted to cooperate with backing plate 20, and clamp over plate 2!? to hold said plate secured in place. The apertured tubular member 16 is attached to the watch band 1%) by means of the backing plate in a conventional manner for example by pins (not shown) which are received in the apertures 11 and 13.

Coiled spring member 18 comprises a series of convolutions .22 and an integral looped portion 24 intermediate the ends of said member 18. In order to anchor spring member 13 against axial bodily movement or displacement in tubular member 16, the hooked or looped portion 24 is secured to the member 16 in a manner to be described. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 backing plate 20 has an inwardly projecting protuberance or bent-in portion 26 which is adapted to cooperate with the looped portion 24 of member 18 to secure said member ldagainst axial bodily movement in member 16. With reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the end portions of the coiled spring member 18 overhang the width of the watch band when the member 18 is assembled to member 16 for a purpose to be described here inafter. Although a unitary coiled spring member is illustrated it will be readily understood that instead of one spring two springs may be used suitably anchored at their inner ends relative to member 16. In practice member 18 is inserted into the aperture 28 of member 16 and the backing plate 20 is suitably secured in place on the back of member 16 by bending flanges 21 and 23 of member 16 down over plate 20 as will be readily understood. In connection with Figs. 2 and 3, it is to be noted that member 16 has three integral depending flanges, a side flange 23 and two end flanges 21, only one of which is shown in the drawing, which cooperate with the cutout portions or notches 25' of plate 20. It will be readily apparent in the assembly that the looped portion 24 of spring member 18 will envelop the bent in or struck-up portion 26 of the backing plate 2% to secure member 18 against bodily axial movement without, however, interfering with the resilient axial compression and expansion of said spring member.

In one modification of this invention the coiled spring member 13 has two cup members 30, having inturned flanges 33, fitted over the ends of the spring member 18' and is suitably secured to the member 18 in any conventional manner as by weld 32 or by a pressure fit of the end convolutions 22 into the cups 30. In practice the cups are relatively thin walled and are fitted over a sufficient number of convolutions 22 of member 13 so that the end portions of member 18 which overhang member 16 are enclosed within the cups 39 with an additional length so that a bearing surface is maintained between cups 3t) and member 16 for the full range of distances between the spaced lugs 12 of watch 14 within the design limits of the band.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a modification 18' of member 18 in which the first and last turns of the convolutions 22 are closed and squared olf and tubular elements 34 are suitably secured to convolutions 22 as by welding or any other conventional method of attachment.

The tubular elements 34 have substantially the same inside and outside diameter as the convolutions 22 and the spring member 18 is secured to member 16 in the same manner as described with reference to the spring member 18. In Fig. 7 there is shown another modification 18" of the member 18 in which the end portions comprise relatively close convolutions 19 with respect to the convolutions at the intermediate portion of member 18", in order to impart to the end portions the desired esthetic characteristics. The relatively close convolutions 19 extend for the visible portions which overhang the width of the watch band for the full range of 1.

sizes representing the distances bridging the lug members of the watch Within the design limits of the band. It will be noted that the relatively close convolutions 19, tubular elements 34, and cups 30 extend for substantially the same distance into member 16 and overhang member 16 for substantially the same amount, the distance being determined by the design limitations of the watch band end attachment.

With reference to Figs. 8 through 11 there is shown a further modified form of the present invention in which the end attachment comprises a tubular member 16' having an aperture 28' extending therethrough. The tubular member 16' has a portion 17 which is adapted to cooperate with backing plate 29 and clamp over said plate to hold the latter securely in place as aforedescribed with reference to Figs. 1 through 5. The tubular member 16' is similar to the tubular member 16 aforedescribed and is additionally provided with a longitudinal slot 44 which extends from the end 46 of member 16' to a short distance beyond the transverse axis or center line comm-on to the member 16' and plate 20 in their assembled relation (see Fig. 10). The slot 44 is provided with an enlarged end portion 48 at the end 46 of member 16' for a purpose which will be evident from the description which follows. ber 18" is similar to coiled spring member 18 and comprises a series of convolutions 2.2 and an integral looped portion 50 intermediate the ends of said spring member. The looped portion 50 extends laterally from spring member 18" and each of the legs 52 thereof are in abutting relation to form the closed or compressed looped portion 50. Thus spring member 18" is similar to spring member 18 except that the looped portion 50 of member 18" is in the form of a closed loop having its leg portions 52 in abutting relation. The backing plate 20 is similar to backing plate 20, shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and is provided with a bent-down portion 54 having one end 56 thereof positioned a short distance to one side of the common transverse axis or center line of backing plate 20' and member 16'. In the assembled 7 condition of tubular member 16 and backing plate 20' the end 56 of bent-down portion 54 will be on one side of the common transverse axis and the end 58 of slot 44 will be on the other side of said common transverse axis. It will be noted that the closed end of slot 44 will define a shoulder portion 58 and said shoulder portion and the bent-down portion 54 of plate 20 are adapted to have positioned therebetween the looped portion 50 of coiled spring member 18" to prevent the axial bodily movement of the latter when in assembled condition with tubular member 16' and plate 20. Thus shoulder portion 58 and bent-down portion 54 are offset in opposite directions from a median transverse line a sufficient amount for the reception of looped portion 50 therebetween in the assembled condition of the end Coiled spring mem- 4 attachment. The coiled spring member 18' has portions 66 which overhang the width of the apertured tubular member 16 and a pair of cup members 30' are fitted over the ends of said spring member. The cups 3% may be secured to the end portions 60 of spring member 18" in any conventional manner and, as shown in Fig. 10, the cup members 30' may be provided with lanced tabs 62 which are adapted to be struck down to interengage with one or more convolutions 22 of said spring member to thereby securely anchor said cup members to the end portions of said spring member. Cup members 30' are relatively thin walled and are fitted over a sulficient number of convolutions 22 so that the end portions 60 of member 18", which overhang member 16, are enclosed within the cups 30 with an additional length so that a bearing surface is maintained between the outer periphery of cups 30' and member 16 for the full range of distances between the spaced lugs 12 of watch 14 within the design limits of the band. Cup members 30 may be a length of seamless tubing or if desired may be a formed piece. In practice cups 3t) are fitted over the ends of member 18" and are securely anchored in such position by means of the tabs 62 aforedescribed. This assembly is next inserted into the aperture 28' of member 16 with the looped portion 50 of member 18 guided into slot 44 by means of the enlarged end portion 48 of said slot. The spring member assembly 18 is inserted in the aperture 28 until the looped portion 50 abuts the shoulder portion 58 of tubular member 16. With the coiled spring member assembly 18" so positioned the backing plate 20' is placed in position on tubular member 16 and is secured in place on the back member 16 by bending the flanges 21 and 23 down over the cut-out portions or notches 25 of backing plate 20. It will be understood that with the backing plate 20 so positioned the end 56 of bent-down portion 54 will be adjacent to the looped portion 50 of spring member 18" so that said bent-down portion and shoulder portion 58 will be effective to anchor the spring member 18", centrally positioned, against axial bodily movement, without however interfering with the resilient axial compression and expansion of said spring member. It will be understood that shoulder portions 58 and bent-down portion 54 of member 16' and member 18", respectively, are offset from a median transverse line of said members a sufiicient amount for the positioning of the looped portion 50 of member 18" therebetween. The apertured tubular member 16 is attached to the extremities of watch band 10 by means of the backing plate 20' in a conventional manner as described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

The end attachment of the present invention is mounted between the spaced lugs 12 of watch 14 and is secured in place in a conventional manner as by a conventional spring pin 40. As best shown in Fig. 4 in the assembly of the watch band with the end attachment of the present invention to a watch, the coiled spring member 18 adjusts itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugs 12 so that a single size end attachment can be used for a range of distances between spaced lugs 12 of various watch cases. It will be noted that the watch band end attachment assembly is suitably apertured so that a conventional spring hinge pin member 40 may be used in the assembly of the watch band 10 with the watch 14. As usual, said spring pin member 40 comprises the spring projected inwardly movable end elements 41 which are received in the recesses 42 of the lugs 12. Said lugs need not be provided with the usual grooves for guiding the elements 41 into the recess 42. It will be noted that the external maximum diameter of member 40 is less than the internal diameter of spring member 18 so as to provide clearance between members 40 and 18 and thereby to avoid resistance to the axial expansion and compression of the spring.

in the assembly of the watch band end attachment of the present invention to a watch the end portions of the members 18, 18, it?" and 18" are depressed a sufficient distance so as to be received between the spaced lugs 12. It will be noted as shown in Fig. 4 that the exposed end portions of members 18, 13', 18" and 18' present a highly pleasing, neat and finished appearance and the relativel" wide convolutions of the respective spring members are hidden from view in the aperture 28. It will be readily apparent from the above description that the end attachment of the present invention is adapted for a range of distances between the spaced lugs of a watch without any cutting or filing of the end members, The present invention also provides for a more flexible connection between the band and watch case lugs and will give a better pivotal action at the connection. By the use of the coiled spring members above described the watch band and watch assembly provide for improved shock absorbing characteristics. The construction shown in Figs. 1 through 5 and 8 through ll permits the use of a spring entirely composed of open convolutions thereby permitting an end attachment of such construction to be used for a greater range of distances between the spaced lugs of a watch. it will be readily apparent that the concept of the present invention will allow jewelers and other sales outlets to stock a substantially fewer number of watch bands to fit the great range of distances between the spaced lugs of con ventional watches.

it will be understood that ordinarily both ends of the watch band will be provided with an attachment of the present invention for attaching the opposite ends of the band to the adjacent pairs of lugs 12, 11., respectively at the opposite ends of the watch case. Further, it is to be noted that although the invention has been described in association with a band of the resiliently expansible type, end attachments of the present invention may be used with all other types of watch bands.

Whiie there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular form herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs comprising a tubular member having a backing plate connected with one of the extremities of the band, said backing plate having a beutin portion, and a coiled spring member disposed within said tubular member, said spring member having portions which overhang the width of the band and having a looped portion enveloping said bent-in portio to secure said spring member against bodily movement and a pair of cup members fitted over the ends of said spring member and containing at least said overhanging portions of said spring member whereby said spring member adjusts itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugs so that a single size end attachment can be used for a range of distances between said spaced lugs.

2. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs comprising a tubular member having a backing plate connected with one of the extremities of the band, said backing plate having a bent-in portion, and a coiled spring member disposed within said tubular member, said spring member having portions which overhang the width of the band and having a looped portion enveloping said bent-in portion to secure said spring member against bodily movement, said overhanging portion of said spring member comprising tubular elements secured to the ends of said spring member whereby the latter adjusts itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugs so that {i a single size end attachment can be used for a range of distances between said spaced lugs.

3. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs comprising a tubular member having a backing plate connected with one of the extremities of the band, said backing plate having a bent-in portion, and a coiled spring member disposed within said tubular member, said spring member having portions which overhang the width of the band and having a looped portion enveloping said bent-in portion to secure said spring member against bodily movement, said overhanging portion of said spring member comprising relatively close convolutions with respect to the convolutions at the intermediate portion of said spring member whereby the latter adjusts itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugs so that a single size end attachment can be used for a range of distances between said spaced lugs.

4. A watch band having an end-attachment for attaching an end portion thereof between the laterally spaced lugs of a watch case, said end attachment comprising tubular resilient means carried by said end portion of the band and being axially compressible and ex pansible laterally of the band to fit between the lugs of the watch case, said tubular resilient means being axially of greater extent than the width of the adjacent end portion of the band so as to normally project laterally beyond at least one side of said end portion of the band, said tubular resilient means being open at its opposite ends for the reception of a spring-pin member to releasably engage the lugs of the watch for securing said end portion of the band to the watch, and means on said end portion of the band for preventing substantial axial bodily movement of said tubular spring means laterally of the band, said spring means having a laterally projecting looped portion coacting with said end portion means for preventing said bodily movement.

5. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs, comprising an apertured member having connected thereto a backing plate, said said backing plate having a bent-down portion and said apertured member having a longitudinally extending slot with one end thereof defining a shoulder portion, and a coiled spring member disposed within said apertured member, said coiled spring member having a looped portion positioned between said bent-down portion and said shoulder portion to secure said spring member against bodily movement, whereby said spring member adjusts itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugs so that a single size end attachment can be used for a range of distances between said spaced lugs.

6. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs, comprising an apertured member having connected thereto a backing plate, said backing plate having a bent-down portion positioned to one side of its transverse axis and said apertured member having a longitudinally extending slot with one end thereof defining a shoulder portion, said portion extending to one side of the transverse axis of said apertured member, and a coiled spring member disposed within said apertured member, said coiled spring member having a looped portion positioned between said bent-down portion and said shoulder portion to secure said spring member against bodily movement, whereby said spring member adjusts itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugs so that a single size end attachment can be use for a range of distances between said spaced lugs.

7. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs, comprising an apertured member having connected thereto a backing plate, said backing plate having a bent-down portion positioned to one side of the common transverse axis of said backing plate and said apertured member, said apertured member having a longitudinal slot extending to the other side of said transverse axis, and a coiled spring member disposed within said apertured member, said coiled spring member having a looped portion with one side thereof positioned adjacent to the end of said slot, said bentdown portion positioned adjacent to said looped portion at the other side thereof, said end of said slot and said bent-down portion being effective to secure said spring member against bodily movement, said spring member adjusting itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugs so that a single size end attachment can be used for a range of distances between said spaced lugs. 8. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs, comprising an apertured member having connected thereto a backing plate, said backing plate having a bent-down portion with one end thereof positioned a short distance to one side of the common transverse axis of said backing plate and said apertured member, said apertured member having a longitudinal slot extending from one end thereof to a short distance to the other side of said transverse axis, said slot at said other side defining a shoulder portion, and a coiled spring member disposed within said apertured member, said coiled spring member having a laterally ex tending looped portion with one side thereof positioned adjacent to said shoulder portion, said one end of said bent-down portion being positioned adjacent to said looped portion at the other side thereof, said shoulder portion and said one end of said bent-down portion being effective to secure said spring member against bodily movement, said spring member adjusting itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugs so that a single size end attachment can be used for a range of distances between said spaced lugs.

9. A Watch band having end attachments for attaching the end portions thereof between the laterally spaced lugs of a watch case, each of said end attachments compris ing an apertured member having connected thereto a backing plate, said backing plate having a bent-down portion and said apertured member having a longitudinally extending slot with one end thereof defining a shoulder portion, and a coiled spring member disposed within said apertured member, said coiled spring member t having a looped portion positioned between said bentdown portion and said shoulder portion to secure said spring member against bodily movement, said backing plate being connected with one end of said band, said coiled spring member being axially of greater extent than the width of the adjacent end portion of the band so as to normally project laterally beyond said end portion of the band, said member being open at its opposite ends for the reception of a spring-pin member to releasably engage the lugs of the watch for securing said end portion of the band to the watch, said coiled spring member having cup members fitted over the ends thereof and secured thereto.

10. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs, comprising an apertured member having connected thereto a backing plate, said backing plate having a bent-down portion with one end thereof positioned a short distance to one side of the common transverse axis of said backing plate and said apertured member, said apertured member having a longitudinal slot extending from one end thereof to a short distance to the other side of said transverse axis, said slot at said other side defining a shoulder portion, and a coiled spring member disposed within said aperturcd member, said coiled spring member having a laterally extending looped portion with one side thereof positioned adjacent to said shoulder portion, said one end of said bent-down portion being positioned adjacent to said looped portion at the other side thereof, said shoulder portion and said one end of said bent-down portion being effective to secure said spring member against bodily movement, said spring member adjusting itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugs so that a single size end attachment can be used for a range of distances between said spaced lugs, said coiled spring member having portions which overhang the width or" said apertured member, and a pair of cup members fitted over the ends of said spring member and containing at least said overhanging portions thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,725,786 Eklund Aug. 27, i929 1,809,277 Kestenman July 9, 1931 2,007,538 Kraemer July 9, I935 2,012,054 Ritter Aug. 20, 1935 2,382,249 Megar Aug. 13, 1945 2,510,695 Guarnieri June 6, 1950

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