US3039162A - Adjustable and convertible end piece for watch bands - Google Patents

Description

s. MEYERSON 3,039,162

ADJUSTABLE AND CONVERTIBLE END PIECE FOR WATCH BANDS June 19, 1962 Filed May 25, 1959 Nw a,

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ite Stats This invention relates to an end piece for watch bands which may be made adjustable so as to fit watch end pieces of different widths between the end lugs, and which may also be made in the form of a convertible end piece adapted for use with Watches having either curved or rectangular lines. The adjustable feature may be used without the feature of convertibility from the curved to the rectangular shape, and vice versa, although it is most desirable to embody both of these novel characteristics in a single construction.

Both the adjustable and convertible features are of important utility in watch band construction, as they enable a band with a single type of attaching member to be fitted to watches of different sizes and shapes. This enables the dealer to limit the number of watch band models which he must stock in order to equip watches of various sizes and styles with properly fitted bands. In the absence of the bands embodying the present invention, it is necessary for the dealer to stock a separate type of attachrnent for each size and shape of watch. As there are at least three commonly used sizes of watch end pieces (in mens watches only), each of which may be made in either curved or rectilinear shape, it means that six times as many watch band ends would be required as are necessary if the present universal type of watch band end piece is used.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a watch rim having a curved surface betwen the end lugs of the watch with a band end piece embodying the present invention fitted thereto;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the terminal link of the watch band carrying the novel end piece;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the parts shown in FIG. 1 taken from the inside of the band;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are an end view and elevation, respectively, of one of the extension tubes used in the watch band end piece. This may be termed the right hand tube;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views in elevation and end view, respectively, of the companion extension tube which may be termed the left hand tube;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a view in elevation and an end view, respectively, showing the extension tube of the form shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, reversed so as to show the position of the tube when used with a straight-sided watch end;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of the hinge sleeve of the end piece viewed from the under side;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the watch band end piece adjusted for use with a watch having -a rectilinear surface between the end lugs.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the watch case is shown at 20 and is provided with end lugs 22. FIG- URES 1 and 3 show a watch case in which the surface 24 between the end lugs is curved, this being the customary shape used with circular or oval watch cases. In some instances, however, as shown in FIG. 11, the surface 24a between the end lugs may be straight, this being the most common form where the watch case itself is of more or less rectilinear shape. Watch cases also differ in size and in the distance between the end lugs 22. Three spacings are common in the trade for mens watches- /s inch, 3 inch, and inch. in accordance with the ice present invention a watch band end piece is provided Which properly fit either form of watch end in any of the three sizes named. Of course if other sizes of watches were made, the watch band attachment could be constructed to fit them.

In the construction shown, the watch band end piece comprises a tubular portion 26 which may be termed a hinge sleeve and which is permanently attached in any suitable manner to an end member or link plate 28 of the watch band. As shown, the sleeve has an upper flange portion 30 the end of which is passed through a slot 32 in the plate 28 and bent tightly around the portion of the plate below the slot. The plate 28 may be attached to or form part of a watch band of any desired type, preferably an expansible band, although the invention may be used with any bandexpansible or otherwise. The hinge sleeve 26 in the form shown comprises a front portion 34 which is shown as of the same width as the end of the watch band indicated by shell member 36 fixed to the plate 28. The hinge sleeve is bent around to form a bottom portion 3 8 and an upwardly curved back portion 40 which terminates just below the bottom of the plate 28. At each end the upwardly curved back of the hinge sleeve 26 is cut away to provide a series of adjusting notches 42, 44 and 46. At the outer end of the notch 42 is a tongue 48 having sloped wall portions 50 and 52. Separating the notches 42 and 46 is a tongue 54, and adjacent to the notch 44 is a wall 56. At the outer end beyond the notch 44 is a wall 58. Between the tongue 48 and the wall 58 is a space permitting the entrance of an offset tongue 60 formed on an extension tube 62 or 64.

Removably mounted in the ends of the hinge sleeve 26 are a pair of extension tubes 62 and 64 which are alike except that they are made as rights and lefts and are interchangeable in the ends of the hinge sleeve. The tubes 62 and 64 are each provided with a bendable tongue 60, and each has a portion '66- which will slide into the end of the hinge sleeve, and a portion 68 which is enlarged at one side so as to provide a surface 70 more or less curved in outline. When the extension tubes 62 and 64 are inserted in the sleeve in relative positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the watch band end piece presents a substantially curved surface more or less conforming to the complementary curved watch surface 24. By removing the tubes 62 and 64, inverting them and interchanging them, they may be re-inserted in the hinge sleeve, as shown in FIG. 11. When inserted in this position the end of the band attachment represented by the surface 38 of the hinge sleeve, and the straight sides of the extension tubes 62 and 64, presents a substantially straight line conforming with the rectilinear surface 24a of the watch case.

The reversible feature of the extension tubes may be employed without means providing for adjustment of these tubes so as to fit watches having different distances between the end lugs. However, the tubes may be very conveniently used as a means for providing adjustable width for the watch band end connection. In the construction illustrated, the straight portions 66 of the tubes may be slid in and out, more or less, in the hinge sleeve 26 and may be locked in adjusted position therein by means of the bendable tongues 60 which may be engaged with any one of the notches 42, 44 or 46 in which they are secured by bending of the tongue. The watch band end piece may thus be made to properly fit between watch case end lugs of different spacing such as the usual corresponding with the positions of the tongues 60 in notches 46; in which the tongues rest against the walls 56; and A where the tongues are engagegd with the notches 42. The watch band end piece may be secured between the end lugs in any suitable manner, as by the usual spring pinch pin 72. When the extension tubes are to be removed and interchanged, the tongues 60 are moved out through the spaces between the tongues 4-8 and the walls 58, and are pushed over the inclined surfaces 52. Once the end piece of the band has been mounted between the end lugs on the watch, the extension tubes cannot move out beyond the width determined by the spacing of the watch end lugs. They Will be maintained, however, in the full outward extension positions required by the engagement of the tongues 60 with the proper notches.

While I have illustrated and described in detail a certain preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that changes may be made therein and the invention embodied in other structures. I do not, therefore, desire to limit myself to the specific construction illustrated, but intend to cover my invention broadly in whatever form its principles may be embodied.

I claim:

1. An end piece for watch bands comprising a hinge sleeve for attachment to an end of a watch band, and extension tubes mounted in the hinge sleeve, the extension tubes each having a portion extending from one end of the tube to an intermediate point thereof and fitting into said sleeve, and a portion gradually enlarged at one .side of its axis only, from said intermediate point to its outer end, so as to provide a substantially curved outline for the watch band end piece when the extension tubes are fitted into the sleeve with the enlarged portions of the extension tubes directed away from the end of the band and to provide a substantially straight outline when the extension tubes are reversed so that the enlarged portions thereof are directed towards the end of the band.

2. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the extension tubes have front faces difierent from the back formations thereof, the extension tubes being formed as rights and lefts so that when interchanged in the hinge sleeve they may be mounted therein with their front faces always exposed towards the front of the band but with the enlarged portions directed either towards or away from the end of the band.

3. A construction as claimed in claim 2 in which the back formations of the extension tubes are provided with tongues, the hinge sleeve being provided with a series of notches which may be selectively engaged by the tongues of the extension tubes.

4. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the extension tubes and hinge sleeve are provided with interlocking formations for locking the extension tubes in adjusted position in the hinge sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,725,786 Eldund Aug. 27, 1929 2,652,612 Valcourt Sept. 22, 1953 2,653,369 Rodriguez Sept. 29, 1953 2,807,855 Rodriguez Oct. -1, 1957 2,883,727 Obst Apr. 28, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 298,954 Switzerland Aug. 2, 1954

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