US3274767A

US3274767A - Elastically expandable watchband

Info

Publication number: US3274767A
Application number: US302173A
Authority: US
Inventors: George G Henschel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-08-14
Filing date: 1963-08-14
Publication date: 1966-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 1983-09-27

Description

Sept. 27, 1966 G. G. HENSCHEL ELASTICALLY EXPANDABLE WATCHBAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 14 1963 actual, 75 L55 INVENTOR.

GEOKGE G. HEA/SCHEL A 7' TORNFYS Sept. 27, 1966 s. G. HENSCHEL. 3,274,767

ELASTICALLY EXPANDABLE WATCHBAND Filed Aug. 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3 274,767 ELASTICALLY EXPANDABLE WATCHBAND George G. Henschel, 226-69 Union Turnpike, Flushing, N.Y. Filed Aug. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 302,173 2 Claims. (Cl. 59-79) The present invention relates to elastically expandable watchbands and, more particularly, to link type expandable bands for Wristwatches and other instruments worn by the user on the wrist.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved watchband of the general kind above-referred to which can be readily adapted to different sizes and types of Wristwatches and other instruments, thereby eliminating the need for maintaining a large inventory of bands of different widths as is necessary with conventional watchbands as heretofore known.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved watchband of the general type above-referred to, the links of which can be rapidly and simply detached from each other for replacement of defective links and for removal or addition of links to make the band narrower or wider as the case may be. Such removal or addition of links may be effected without requiring specialized skill and without deforming the links to be removed or added as heretofore necessary and often resulting in permanent damage to the links.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved watchband of the general kind abovereferred to which permits a wider expansion of the band than Was heretofore possible.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved watchband of the general kind above-referred to, the links of which, including the spring mechanism, constitute complete and self-contained units which can be attached to or detached from other link units by simple coupling and uncoupling operations respectively without the use of specialized tools for either operation.

A still further object of the invention, allied with the next preceding one, is to provide a novel and improved watchband of the general kind above-referred to in which link units of different design, color, size or metal can be combined. Such combining or mixing of different link units affords the advantage that numerous ornamental effects can be readily attained. For instance, by combining units of different widths the band may be tapered toward its mounting ends either for ornamental reasons or for accommodating the band to the length of the mounting pin or loops on the watch.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved watchband of the general kind above-referred to which is thinner for a given size than was theretofore obtainable due to the small dimensions of the coupling mechanism joining adjacent links.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved watchband of the general type above-referred to, the links of which may be formed with a rounded and smooth outer surface, thus reducing wear and tear on shirt cuffs and other garment parts due to frequent rubbing contact with the band when worn on the wrist of the user.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved watchband of the general type abovereferred to which can be simply and inexpensively manufactured and which is rugged in construction.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and set forth in the appended claims constituting part of the application.

-In the accompanying drawing several preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view upon a watchband according tothe invention attached to a wristwatch.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded view of components of the watchband of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1, the band being shown in its contracted condition.

FIG. 4 is a lengthwise sectional view of FIG. 3, the band being shown fully expanded.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a modification of the watchband, the same being shown attached to a wristwatch.

FIG. 8 is a perspective detail view of a coupling link for the watchband according to FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a lengthwise sectional view of the band of FIG. 7 showing the same in its expanded condition.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the band in its contracted condition.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of another modification of the band according to the invention.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of a further modification of the band, the same being shown in its expanded condition, and

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the band according to FIG. 12 but showing the same in its contracted condition.

The expandable bands according to the invention as exemplified in the figures are shown as watchbands attached to a wristwatch which may be a mans or ladys watch. However, it should be understood that the expandable band, according to the invention, can also be used as a band for other devices or instruments worn by a wearer on the wrist, such as a pressure gauge as used by divers, etc. To simplify illustration, all the band links are shown to be of equal size and configuration. However, the links may be of different sizes and configurations, either for ornamental or utilitarian reasons. For instance, as previously mentioned, the links may gradually decrease in transverse width to obtain a tapering effect. Different metals or different finishes and colors may be used for the individual links. Some of the links may be ornamented and others not.

Referring now to the FIGS. 1 through 6 in detail, the watchband shown in these figures com-prises a plurality of band links 10 and .a plurality of coupling links 11, one coupling link being provided between each two adjacent band links. The term band link is applied to the links which in the aggregate constitute the principal outer surface of the watchband and determine primarily the appearance thereof. The coupling links serve primarily the purpose of joining the band links together so as to permit an elastic expansion of the band, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

FIG. 2 shows one of the coupling links 11 and two band links 10a and 10b adjacent thereto. Coupling link 11 is in the form of a generally rectangular plate from which protrude on opposite sides an inner pair of keys or tongues 15a and 15b and an outer pair of keys or tongues 16a and 16b. The tongues may be bent out of the material of link 11, or may be secured thereto in any suitable manner. They are shown as having a generally T-shaped outline. Each of the band links includes in its side facing the coupling link an inner pair of guide tracks 17a and 17b and an outer pair of guide tracks 18a and 18b. The guide tracks are in the form of grooves within the body of the band links and terminate .at one end in a widened T-

shaped portion

17c, 17d and 18c, 18d respectively. As it is shown in FIG. 2, the widened portions of guide tracks 17a, 18a and 17b, 18b face in opposite directions for 3 a reason which will become apparent from the subsequent description. The T-shaped portions of the tongues can be inserted in the T-shaped portions of the guide tracks .and the webs of the tongues will then be retained in the narrow portions of the guide tracks which are undercut to accommodate the T portions of the tongues. To assemble the links, tongues 15a and 15b of coupling link 11 are inserted in inner guide tracks 17a, 17b of link a and tongues 16a, 16b of link 11 are inserted in outer guide tracks 18a, 18b (not visible in FIG. 2) of link 10b. The outer guide tracks 18a, 18b of link 10a would be engaged by another coupling link 11 which would occupy a position somewhat to the left of link 10a.

As it is apparent from the previous description, each band link 10 can be displaced in reference to the respective coupling link in a plane parallel to the plane of the coupling link.

FIG. 4 shows the positions of several coupling links and band links, in which the band links are outwardly displaced in reference to the coupling links. The relative positions of the links as shown in FIG. 4 represents the condition of maximum expansion of the watchband. FIG. 3 shows the opposite or contracted position of the watchband in which all the band links are moved toward each other into abutting or substantially abutting positions.

The band links may be solid bodies into which guide tracks 17 and 18 of appropriate cross section are grooved or milled, but it is generally preferable to provide 'band links in the form of hollow bodies 10c and such are shown. The guide tracks are then formed by fitting in the hollow body an appropriately bent retaining strip 20. The configuration of strip 20 can best be seen in FIG. 6. The strip may be secured in the hollow body of the band links 10 by any suitable means. The respective side wall of the band links includes appropriately located and shaped slots to provide the guide tracks described in connection with FIG. 2.

In order to bias the band links from the expanded position of FIG. 4 into the contracted position of FIG. 3, a spring means is suitably fitted in each of the four guide, tracks of each band link. These spring means are shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 as coil springs 21 and 22. The springs are so inserted in each of the guide tracks that one end of each spring abuts against the end of the track opposite to the T-shaped end thereof. The other end of each spring is engageable with the T-shaped portion of the respective tongue. As it is evident, pulling-apart of the band links in reference to each other and the respective coupling link from the position of FIG. 3 toward the position of FIG. 4, or in other words, an expansion of the watchband will cause compression of all the springs inserted in the four guide tracks of each band link. However, the springs in tracks 17a and 17b will be compressed in a direction opposite to that in which the springs in guide tracks 18a and 18b 'are compressed. Accordingly, the oppositely biased springs will bias the band links toward each other and toward the respective coupling links, that is, the watchband will always tend to return from the expanded position of FIG. 4 into the contracted position of FIG. 3.

The exemplifications of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 and other figures of the drawing provide two pairs of coacting tongues and guide tracks. However, it should be understood that it is within the concept of the invention to couple each band link to a coupling link by a single key or tongue .and a single coacting guide track, or by more than two coacting tongues and guide tracks. The number of coacting tongues and guide tracks depends, obviously, upon the manufacturing costs and the actual size of the links. In this connection, it should be pointed out that all the figures in the drawing show the links of the watchband on a greatly enlarged scale for the purpose of clarity of the illustration.

The three links shown in FIG. 2 constitute a link unit and the entire watchband is composed of a plurality of such link units. As it is evident, link units may be added to or removed from the watchband by simply inserting and withdrawing the respective tongues. All that is necessary to effect assembly or disassembly is to place the band links and coupling links against the action of the springs in positions in reference to each other in which the T portions of the tongues are in registry with the T portions of the guide tracks. Each individual link unit can be similarly assembled and disassembled. As it is evident, no tools are necessary to effect assembly or disassembly and no part of the band links or the coupling links need to be bent or otherwise deformed.

As has been initially stated and as it is now evident, the band links need not have the same overall configurations. It is only necessary that the guide tracks in the band links are so disposed that they match the respective tongues of the coupling links. As a result the watchband can be given the aforedescribed wide range of ornamental appearances and configurations. Furthermore, the last link at both ends of the watchband may be conveniently selected so that it will fit the mounting pin 25 of the watch 26 to which the band is to be attached.

A comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4 shows that the structure according to the invention permits a very considerable expansion of the band due to the possible displacement of each band link in reference to the respective coupling link.

In the event such very wide expansion of the band is not required, the construction of the band may be simplified and such simplified structure is shown in FIGS. 7 through 10. The structure of these figures is basically the same as that shown in the previously described figures, that is, a coupling link 30 is interposed between each two adjacent band links and 10b.

The arrangement of the band links is left unchanged from that previously described except that each band link is provided with two guide tracks only. Each coupling link is provided with two pairs of generally T-shaped keys or

tongues

31a, 31b and 32a, 32b. The two pairs are again shown as an inner pair and an outer pair and this is generally convenient, but in this arragement the two tongues of the pairs could also be equally spaced. As it is clearly shown in FIG. 8, all four tongues protrude from the same side of the coupling link.

Tongues

31a and 31b are fitted into tracks 33 of band link 10a and

tongues

32a and 32b are fitted into tracks 34 of band link 10b, as previously described.

Springs

21 and 22 are again inserted between

tongues

31a and 32a and the respective end of the guide tracks in the band link so that all the springs are compressed, though in opposite directions, when the band links are pulled apart. As a result the springs will bias the band links from the expanded position of FIG. 9 toward and into the contracted position of FIG. 10.

Each coupling link and the two adjacent band links again constitute a link unit which may be attached to or removed from the band as previously described. The structure of FIGS. 7 through 10 also permits a wide range of possible combinations of different band links or units. However, as can be readily ascertained from a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4 with FIGS. 9 and 10, the expansion aiforded by the band structure according to FIGS. 7 through 10 is about half of that of the band according to FIGS. 1 through 6.

In both previously described modifications of the invention the

springs

21 and 22 operate as compression springs, but it is also possible to arrange the springs as tension springs. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 11. The principle of the band structure, as shown in FIG. 11, will be evident from the previous description. It suffices to state that springs 21a and 22a instead of being compressed by the movement of the tongues 15, 16 and 31, 32 toward the other end of the tracks as the watchband is expanded, are tensioned in opposite directions. To effect such tensioning one end 21b and 22b respectively of each spring is secured in a suitable manner to the inner wall of the respective band link 10. The other end of each spring is secured to the respective tongue, for instance by looping the spring end over the T-shaped portion of the tongue. As it is apparent, sliding of the tongues in the tracks toward expansion of the band will then cause a corresponding tensioning of the springs. The springs are again so arranged that all the springs will be tensioned in opposite directions so that each two band links associated with a coupling link will be pulled toward each other.

In the previously described embodiments, compression or tension coil springs are used to bias the links into the contracted condition of the watchband. However, instead of such coil springs, fiat springs such as leaf springs may also be used and such structure is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

The band links and the coupling links used in the structure of FIGS 12 and 13 are the same as shown in detail in FIG. 2 and other figures. However, the coil springs are replaced by a pair of

leaf springs

40 and 41. Leaf spring 40 coacts with tongues 16a and 16b and coil spring 41 coacts with tongues 15a and 15b of coupling member 11. The leaf springs are disposed within the hollow body of band links a and 10b and the ends of the springs engage the respective tongues to bias the links toward each other. The two springs of each pair are joined by a cross bar or web 42 so that a substantially H-shaped spring structure is formed.

FIG. 12 shows the two band links pulled apart and as a result the two springs are substantially flattened. When the two band links are released the springs return into a strongly curved position which is shown in FIG. 13, thereby moving the two band links into the contracted position and yieldably retaining the band links in such portion.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certain now preferred examples and embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spririt and scope of the invention, and

it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A watchband comprising a plurality of upper and lower band links disposed in two spaced-apart superimposed parallel rows, said band links being in the form of a hollow substantially rectangular block having transverse parallel slots in opposite side walls, a coupling link interposed between each adjacent upper band link and lower band link, retaining means fitted in the interior of each of said blocks to define therein guide tracks in registry with said slots, each of said coupling links including a pair of guide tongues protruding from opposite sides of the coupling link, each of said tongues engaging one of the guide tracks of the adjacent upper band link and lower band link, respectively, slidably displaceable along the tracks, and spring means oppositely acting upon the two tongues of each coupling link for biasing the respective band links in both rows and the respective coupling link toward each other.

2. A watchband according to claim 1, wherein said spring means comprise coil springs inserted adjacent to said slots, each of said coil spring means engaging on one end the respective tongue and abutting on the other end against a wall of the respective block.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,927,044 9/ 1933 Nelson 5979 2,557,292 6/ 1951 Ingleby 59-79 2,932,155 4/ 1960 Nabeshima 59-79 3,138,917 6/1964 Kunzmann 59-79 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,007,536 5/ 1957 Germany. 1,055,857 4/1959 Germany. 1,073,230 1/ 1960 Germany.

72,537 6/ 1916 Switzerland.

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

G. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A WATCHBAND COMPRISING A PLUALITY OF UPPER AND LOWER BAND LINKS DISPOSED IN TWO SPACED-APART SUPERIMPOSED PARALLEL ROWS SAID BAND LINKS BEING IN THE FORM OF A HOLLOW SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR BLOCK HAVING TRANSVERSE PARALLEL SLOTS IN OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS, A COUPLING LINK INTERPOSED BETWEEN EACH ADJACENT UPPER BAND LINK AND LOWER BAND LINK, RETAINING MEANS FITTED IN THE INTERIOR OF EACH OF SAID BLOCKS TO DEFINE THEREIN GUIDE TRACKS IN REGISTRY WITH SAID SLOTS, OF SAID COUPLING LINKS INCLUDING A PAIR OF GUIDE TONGUES PROTRUDING FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE COUPLING LINK, EACH OF SAID TONGUES ENGAGING ONE OF THE GUIDE TRACKS OF THE ADJACENT UPPER BANK LINK AND LOWER BAND LINK, RESPECTIVELY, SLIDABLY DISPLACEABLE ALONG THE TRACKS, AND SPRING MEANS OPPOSITELY ACTING UPON THE TWO TONGUES OF EACH COUPLING LINK FOR BIASING THE RESPECTIVE BAND LINKS IN BOTH ROWS AND THE RESPECTIVE COUPLING LINK TOWARD EACH OTHER.