US3477107A - Adjustable end connector - Google Patents

Description

C. S. NADEAU ADJUSTABLE END CONNECTOR Nov. 11, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 12, 1968 INVENTOR.

CLARENCE S NADEAU v x. W v "l WWW L H W (Ml v 1 u A.% 6 M MU/w v/A 2 g F ATTORNEYS C. S. NADEAU ADJUSTABLE END CONNECTOR Nov. 11,1969

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 12, 1968 INVENTQR. Y CLARENCE S. NADEAU BY m z ATTORNEYS Nov. 11, 1969 7 NADEAU 3,477,107

ADJUS TABLE END CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 12, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet :s

1 CLARENCE "S. NADEAU ATTORNEYS Nov.. 11, 1969 c. 's. NADEAU 3,477,107.

ADJUSTABLE mm CONNECTOR Filed NOV. 12, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR CLARENCE s. NADEAU Bfg/M V WMMM ATTORNEYS I I United States Patent 3,477,107 ADJUSTABLE END CONNECTOR Clarence S. Nadeau, Seekonk, Mass., assignor to Bellavance, Inc., Attleboro, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 709,052, Feb. 28, 1968. This application Nov. 12, 1968, Ser.

Int. Cl. A44c 5/8 U.S. Cl. 24-265 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 709,052, filed on Feb. 28, 1968 and now abandoned.

Background of the invention Wrist watches are normally constructed with spaced lugs on the sides thereof between which the ends of a wrist band or bracelet are connected. The usual manner of connecting the bracelet or wrist band between the lugs has been by the use of a spring pin that projected through an end link or a tubular end portion of the wrist band or bracelet. Since the spacing between the watch lugs oftentimes varies in accordance with the style and make of watch, several variations in the width of the watch bands or bracelets are normally provided by the manufacturers thereof. However, even though the watch bands are provided in several different widths, the disparity in the dimension in the space between the lugs of the large number of styles and makes of watches results in problems in interfitting the bracelet ends between the lugs of any selected watch. Although the spring pins as heretofore employed serve the purpose of securing the bracelet ends to the watch lugs, a wider spacing of the lugs sometimes resulted in inadvertent disconnection of the pins therebetween.

Some efforts have been made heretofore to provide self-sizing end attachments for watch bracelets, wherein the pin connections are adjustable with respect to the width of the bracelet and in accordance with the sizing between the lugs. However, most of these prior known adjustable end connectors did not adequately lock the inward movement of the pins, and, thus, such constructions still resulted in inadvertent dislodging of the pins from between the watch lugs. Other connecting devices for watch bracelets that have been devised so as to compensate for the variations in width between watch lugs were either too complicated in detail, thereby prohibitively increasing the cost thereof, or were constructed in such a manner as to be difficult to achive the adjustment required by an unskilled person; or were constructed with such a large number of parts that proper operation thereof was difiicult to obtain. Moreover, the prior known adjustable end connectors did not provide for automatic centering of the band between the watch lugs thereby resulting in a further adjustment or in misalignment of the band with respect to the watch casing.

Summary of the invention The present invention relates to an adjustable end connector for a watch bracelet and includes pintle units that are urged outwardly of a shell or housing that is adapted to be disposed between the lugs of a watch to which the bracelet is connected. A central spring is located in the shell and cast to positively urge the pintle units outwardly and thus centers the bracelet between the lugs. Since the pintle units are adapted to be secured between lugs which may vary in the spacing therebetween, a unique limit construction is provided that prevents inward movement of the pintle units after they are secured in place between the watch lugs and further locks the end connector in the centered position between the watch lugs. The construction for limiting inward movement of the pintle units comprises pivotally mounted tongues that are adapted to be moved into a space in the end shell that is formed between the pintle units. With either of the tongues disposed in the space, inward movement of the pintle units is prevented; and thus the pintle units are positively located between the wrist watch lugs and cannot be dislodged therefrom even when the wrist watch is subjected to shock or a lateral force is applied to the bracelet. Because of the variation in spacing between the watch lugs,

the tongues as employed are formed in different widths,

each tongue thus defining a particular stop in accordance with the dimension between the lugs of the watch for limiting inward movement of the pintle units when they are disposed between the lugs.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an end connector for use in attaching a wrist watch bracelet between the lugs of a watch and that is adjustable in accordance with the sizing between the watch lugs.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable wrist watch bracelet connector that includes pintle units for seeurement between the lugs of a wrist watch and that are prevented from inward movement thereof after seeurement in place between the lugs to positively lock the watch bracelet to the watch lugs.

Still another object is to provide an end connector for a watch bracelet that automatically centers the bracelet between the watch lugs when secured thereto.

Still another object is to provide an adjustable end oonnector that is readily attachable between the lugs of a wrist watch and that includes pivotally mounted tongues that are movable between pintle units of the end connector for preventing inward movement of the pintle units after they have been secured in place between the watch lugs.

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.

Description of the drawings In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of an expansible bracelet showing the end connector of the present invention joined thereto and as located between the lugs of a wrist watch;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the connector of the present invention and as joined to the end link of an, expansible bracelet;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33. in FIG. 2 and showing the outer or inoperative position of the tongues that limit inward movement of the pintle units of the end connector;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG.'3 and showing the tongues in the closed or limit position thereof; 7

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the end connector shell and showing the location of the pintle and tongue units therein when the connector is secured to lugs that are formed with a minimum dimension therebetween;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the component parts of the end connector embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. and showing the location of one of the tongue units as disposed between the pintle units when the end connector is positioned between lugs that are formed with an intermediate dimension therebetween;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 7 showing a further position of a tongue unit as located between the pintle units when they are disposed between lugs that are formed with a maximum dimension therebetween;

'FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the end connector similar to FIG. 2 and showing the open or inoperative position of the tongue units;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of the modified form of the invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the component parts of the end connector embodied in the modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective detail view of the tongue member embodied in the modified form of the invention.

Description of the invention Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, the end connector embodied in the present invention is generally indicated at 10 and as shown is attached to the end link of an expansible bracelet indicated at 12 that may be of any conventional construction. Although the end connector 10 is illustrated and described for use with an expansible bracelet, it is understood that the use is not limited thereto and it is contemplated that the end connector will be employed with non-expansible bracelets formed of either metal or leather. In use the end connector 10 is adapted to be secured between lugs 14 of a watch 16, it being understood that the spacing between the lugs 14 may vary, thereby necessitating an adjustment of the end connector 10, as will hereinafter be described.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the component parts of the end connector 10 are illustrated in detail and, as shown, comprise a housing or shell generally indicated at 18 that in cross section has a square configuration that will conform to the general configuration of the bracelet 12 to which it is connected. The shell 18 is formed from a metal blank which is bent to define a front wall 20, a top wall 22, a rear wall 24, and a bottom wall 26. Formed in the bottom wall 26 is an opening 28 while formed in the rear well 24 and communicating with the opening 28 is an elongated slot 30. Mounted for longitudinal movement within the shell 18 are opposed pintle units, each of which is generally indicated at 32. The pintle units are identically formed and each includes a pintle block 34 on the outermost surface of which a projecting pintle element 36 is formed. Integrally connected to each pintle block 34 is a post 38 to which an enlarged flange or stop plate 40 is joined. Projecting through the flange 40 and post 38 is a bore 42 that receives an elongated locating pin 44 and a helical spring 46 therein. The spring 46 encircles the pin 44 and extends beyond the ends thereof for projecting the length of the bore 42, abutting against the inner end thereof and thus urging the pintle units 32 in an outward direction, as will hereinafter be described.

When the end connector 10 is placed between the lugs 14 of the watch 16, the ends of the shell 18 may be spaced somewhat from the side faces of the lugs 14. In order to secure the end connector 10 in place between the lugs 14, the pintle units 32 are located in apertures conventionally formed in the inner faces of the lugs and are urged outwardly of the shell 18 by the spring 46 for positive engagement of the pintle elements 36 therein. In the event the longitudinal dimension of the shell 18 is only s ig ly less han the sp cing be we n the lugs 14, he

pintle blocks 34 will be forced inwardly against the action of the spring 46, within the shell, and there will be substantially no spacing between the ends of the shell and the side faces of the lugs 14, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

As just described, the spacing between the lugs 14 as illustrated in FIG. 5 defines a minimum dimension therebetween. In many instances the spacing between the lugs 14 will be greater than that shown in FIG. 5 because of the different styles and makes of wrist watches. In this event a spacing will appear between the ends of the shell 18 and the inner faces of the lugs 14 when the end counector 10 is placed therebetween, and such variations in spacing are illustrated in FIG. 7 as an intermediate spacing and in FIG. 8 as a maximum spacing. Although the spring 46 will positively urge the pintle units 32 outwardly of the shell 18 in these latter illustrations, to locate the pins 36 within the apertures formed in the lugs 14, a space will occur between the ends of the shell 18 and the inner faces of the lugs 14. When the pintle units 32 project outwardly of the shell 18 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, there is a tendency for the pintle units to be moved inwardly when the bracelet construction is subjected to a lateral force and thus accidental or inadvertent dislodging of the end connector 10 from the watch lugs 14 may occur. In order to prevent such an occurrence, a stop or limit assembly is provided for the pintle units 32 to prevent the inward movement thereof.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the stop or limit assembly is shown including a connector member generally indicated at 48. The connector member 48 includes a plate 50 to which tabs 52 are joined. Formed in the plate 50 is an opening 54 that is defined when upwardly extending projections 56 are struck out from the plate 50. Formed in each of the projections 56 is an opening 58 that receives a pivot pin 60 therethrough, the purpose of which will be described. Extending forwardly of the plate 50 are inclined arms 62 that terminate in curved end portions 63 that are received within the shell 18. The arms 62 of the connector member 48 extend through the elongated slot 30 formed in the shell 18, and the curved end portions 63 thereof are received within the shell 18 for location in encircling relation around the posts 38. It is seen that when the arms 62 are disposed in the shell 18 and interconnected to the pintle units 32 by engagement of the end portions 63 around the posts 38, the connector member 48 is securely joined to the shell 18.

In order to prevent the inward movement of the pintle units 32 when they extend outwardly of the shell 18 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a first tongue member generally indicated at 64 and a second tongue member generally indicated at 66 are provided. The tongue member 64 includes a tongue element 68 that is inclined with respect to a body portion 70 to which it is joined and is directed forwardly thereof. Integrally connected to the body portion 70 and turned rearwardly with respect thereto are ears 72 in which openings 74 are formed. The tongue member 66 is also formed with a forwardly extending tongue element 78 that is integrally joined to a body portion 80. Integrally connected to the body portion 80 are rolled portions 82 between which a cam lug 84 is formed. The tongue members 64 and 66 are assembled with the connector member 48 by locating the openings 74 in the ears 72 and the openings in the rolled portions 82 in alignment with the openings 58 in the projections 56. The pin 60 is then extended through the aligned openings as indicated to pivotally mount the tongue members 64 and 66 on the connector member 48. In the mounted position of the tongue member 66, the cam lug 84 projects through the opening 54 in the plate 50 and engages a spring 86. The spring 86 is located on the underside of the plate 50 and is held in position by the tabs 52 that are turned beneath the plate 50 as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As will be presently described, the spring 86 as engaged by the cam lug 84 of the tongue member 66 provides for a positive locking of the tongue members when they are dis posed in the stop positions thereof,

In use of the end connector 10, it is first joined to the end of the bracelet 12 by interconnection of the connector member 48 to an end link indicated at 88 in FIGS. 3 and 4 and any suitable means may be employed for effecting this connection. When the end connector is placed between the lugs of a wrist watch having an intermediate sizing therebetween, such as indicated in FIG. 7, the pintle units 32 are urged outwardly of the shell 18 under the action of the spring 46 to that position as illustrated in FIG. 7 for engagement with the lugs 14. Since the spring 46 projects into both of the pintle units 32, they will be urged outwardly equally and the space between the flanges indicated at 90 will be equally located between the lugs. As will be described, this provides for positive center positioning of the shell 18, the connector member 48 and the bracelet links joined thereto. With the pintle units 32 located as indicated in FIG. 7, the space 90 therebetweenis dimensioned for receiving the tongue element 68 of the tongue member 64' therein. Thus, .with the pintle units 32 located in engagement with the lugs 14 and the shell centrally positioned therebetween, the tongue member 64 is pivoted with respect to the connector member 48, the tongue element 68 being directed downwardly through the opening 28 in the shell 18 to that position as illustrated in FIG. 7, wherein the tongue element 68 is disposed between the flanges 40. The tongue member 66 is also moved to an overlying position with respect to the tongue member 64 as employed between watch lugs of intermediate sizing and remains substantially in alignment with the bottom wall 26 of the shell 18. It is seen that the tongue member 68 as located in the space 90 between the flanges 40 defines an inner limit position for the flanges 40 and thereby prevents inward movement of the pintle units 32. The pintle units 32 will then remain in the outermost position in engagement with the lugs 14 and cannot be dislodged from this position even in the event of lateral or external forces being applied to the bracelet or to the watch casing. As further illustrated in FIG. 4, when the tongue members are moved to the operative or limit position, wherein the tongue element 68 is disposed between the flanges 40, the cam lug 84 of the tongue member 66 depresses the spring 86 and is moved to an over-center position so as to positively locate the tongue member 66 in the position to which it is moved. It is further seen that when the tongue member 66 is moved in overlying relation with respect to the tongue member64, the spring element 76 will be engaged by the body portion 80 of the tongue member 66 and compressed so as to provide positive engagement between the tongue members.

When the lugs 14 of the wrist watch are spaced apart to define a maximum sizing therebetween, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the spring 46 will be act to further urge the pintle units 32 outwardly of the shell for engagement of the pintle elements 36 in the apertures as formed in the faces of the lugs 14. It is understood that in a connection of this type, the disengagement of the pintle units 32 from the lugs 14 is more likely to occur because of the additional spacing between the ends of the shell and the side faces of the lugs. In order to prevent the pintle units from being accidentally or inadvertently moved inwardly against the action of the spring 46 which might result in a disconnection of the bracelet from the watch, the tongue member 66 is provided and is moved downwardly through the opening 30 to locate the wider tongue element 78 between the flanges 40. Since the spring element 76 engages the tongue member 66, downward pressure on the tongue member 66 will force the tongue member 64 further inwardly of the shell 18 to that position shown in FIG. 8 and in phantom lines in FIG. 4. With the tongue member 66 fully depressed the tongue element 78 is disposed between the flanges 40 for engagement thereby and the pintle units 32 are prevented from moving inwardly and thus are maintained in the outermost position in positive engagement with the lugs 14. The further pivotal movement of the tongue unit 66 to the position shown in FIG. 8 produces a still further compressing action of the spring 86 as the cam lug 84 is moved to the dotted-line position illustrated in FIG. 4. The over-center position of the cam lug 84 again acts to positively locate the tongue member 66 in the limit position thereof. It is understood that the spring element 76 is more flexible than the spring 86 and will yield under inward pressure of the tongue element 78 to permit pivotal movement thereof to the limit position between the flanges 40.

It is again seen that the positioning of the flanges 40 by the outward movement of the pintle units 32 locates the space 90 centrally of the lugs 14 and the shell 18. With the space 90 so located, the tongue element 68 enters the space and assures that the connector 10 will remain centrally positioned between the lugs.

When it is desired to remove the end connector 10 from engagement with the lugs 14 of the watch, it is only necessary to lift the tongue member 66 by grasping the end thereof and turning it upwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. The tongue unit 64 will follow the tongue unit 66 to the upper position, and the pintle units 32 may then be moved inwardly of the shell 18 to release the pintle elements 36 from the apertures formed in the side faces of the lugs 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 through 13, a slightly modified form of the instant invention is shown. Actually, this modified form differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 9 primarily in that instead of having separate tongue members 64 and 66, the various tongue members are integrally formed as a part of a single element shown generally at 92. More specifically, the element 92 is constructed in a generally similar manner to that of the aforedescribed member 66 in that a body portion 80a, rolled portions 82a, and a cam lug 84a are provided. However, instead of having a single tongue, the element 92 has a first tongue portion 94, a second tongue portion 96, and a third tongue portion 98. As will be seen most clearly in FIGS. 12 and 13, the first tongue 94 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of body portion 80a and is narrower in width than the second tongue 96. It will be noted that the second tongue 96 is angularly inclined with respect to the plane of body portion 80a and also with respect to first tongue portion 94. The third tongue portion 98 is somewhat wider than second tongue 96 and extends in substantially the same plane as that of body portion 80a.

In this form of the invention, the spring 86a is of slightly different configuration than the aforedescribed spring 86 and is assembled over lugs 56 so as to overlie the opening 54, rather than being located therebelow. This enables a shorter cam lug 84a to be employed, although it will be understood that the coaction between cam lug 84a and spring 86 is identical to the aforedescribed coaction between cam lug 84 and spring 86.

It will be understood that as the element 92 is swung for its open or inoperative position as shown in FIG. 10 to the operative position of FIG. 11, the first tongue 94 will first enter space to provide a first adjustment of the pintle units 32. Further inward movement of element 92 will cause the second tongue 96 to enter into the space 90, thus establishing a second and slightly wider locking adjustment of the pintle units. Still further downward movement of the element 92 will cause the third tongue portion 98 to enter into space 90 thus providing a third adjustment. Obviously, any number of tongues may be provided to arrive at the desired number of locking adjustments.

It has also been found that it is not essential to use the pin 44 since the spring 46 in and of itself maintains sufficient alignment between the parts: Accordingly, it will be noted that in the modified form of the invention the pin 44 has not been shown.

As previously described, the connector plate 48 is assembled to a link of the bracelet 12 by securing the connector plate to a cover of the link 88 as indicated in 7 FIGS. 3 and 4. The link 88 is joined to the next adjacent link of the bracelet by the conventional spring elements. It is further understood that the external surfaces of the shell 18 and the tongue member 66 may be plated or decorated in any suitable fashion.

While 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 forms herein shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In an adjustable end connector for a wrist band, a shell, opposed pintle units mounted in said shell for longitudinal movement therein and each pintle unit including an exposed pintle element that projects outwardly of an end of said shell, stop means fixed to each pintle unit for limiting inward movement of said pintle units in said shell and being located interiorly of said shell to define a space therebetween, and means for adjusting the limit of inward movement of said pintle units with respect to said shell, said adjusting means including a first tongue member that is movable into said space in said shell between said stop means for engagement therewith and thereby limiting inward movement of said pintle units and defining a first limit position therefor, and a second tongue member having a width greater than said first tongue and being movable into said space in said shell between said stop means for engagement thereby upon inward movement of said pintle units, wherein a second limit position is defined for said pintle units.

2. In an adjustable end connector as set forth in claim 1, spring means engaging said pintle units and normally urging said pintle units in a direction outwardly of the ends of said shell.

3. In an adjustable end connector as set forth in claim 2, said shell having an opening formed centrally therein for receiving said tongue members, said pintle units being urged outwardly by said spring for engagement with fixed members to locate said opening centrally between said fixed members, said tongue members positively positioning said shell centrally of said fixed members when either of said tongue members is received in said opening in engagement with said stop means.

4. In an adjustable end connector as set forth in claim 3, said shell having an elongated slot formed therein that communicates with said opening, a connector member having legs projecting into said shell for securing said connector member thereto, said tongues being pivotally secured to said connector member and being pivoted with respect thereto for movement through said opening and into the space between said pintle units for defining the inward limit positions of said pintle units.

5. In an adjustable end connector as set forth in claim 1, a connector member secured to said shell, said tongues being pivotally mounted on said connector member, and resilient means located on said connector member releaseably maintaining said tongues in a completely open inoperative position or in a completely closed operative position.

6. In an adjustable end connector as set forth in claim 5, said tongue members comprising separate and distinct elements, said first tongue member having a spring element joined thereto that is engageable by said second tongue member when said tongues are moved to the limit positions, said spring element exerting sufiicient pressure between said tongue members to cause said second tongue member to urge said first tongue member into said space in the first limit position.

7. In..an adjustable end connector as set forth in claim 6, said second tongue member having a lug joined thereto that is engageable with said resilient means, said lug being movable to an over-center position on said resilient means to releasably maintain said first and second tongue members in said limit positions.

8. In an adjustable end connector as set forth in claim 7, said spring element being Weaker than said resilient means, whereby said second tongue member is movable relative to said first tongue member to said second limit position in said space, said lug remaining in engagement with said resilient means in over-center relation therewith, and said second tongue member thereby being releasably maintained in said second limit position.

9. In an adjustable end connector as set forth in claim 1, said first tongue member comprising an integral extension of said second tongue member.

10. In an adjustable end connector as set forth in claim 9, said first tongue member being inclined with respect to said second tongue member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,713,533 5/1929 Iones. 2,652,612 9/1953 Valcourt 24265.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 46,242 1/ 1963 France.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner

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