US1690498A - Bracelet extension device - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 6, 1928.

N. T. NELSON.

BRACELET EXTENSION DEVICE! Filed April 19. 1928 INVENTOR. ,J e/f Z Ike/2.;

BY I v ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

* UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NELS T. NELSON, OF ATTLEBOBO, MASSACHUSETTS; ASSIGNOR TO J. I. STUBDYS SONS COMPANY, OF AT'ILEIBOBO FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- CHUSETTS.

- BRACELET EXTENSION DEVICE.

This invention relates to extension devices of the type employed with bracelet straps and the like for extending the length thereof to facilitate the strap being passed over the hand of the wearer.

An object of the invention is to provide a strap having in its construction an extendible member which comprises a plurality of sections adapted to be unfolded to enlarge the strap, and to provide means in this memher for connecting the same to thestrap so as to enable the strap to be adjusted as to length to fit wrists of different sizes.

Another object is to produce an eificient,

16 strong and durable extension device which may be economically constructed and operated.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a plan of a bracelet strap show- 2 ing my improved extension member incorporated therewith;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 looking at the opposite face of the strap;

Figure 3 is a view showing the sections of so the device swung to an end-to-end extended position;

Fi part y in section, and showing the strap and its associated parts pulled outwards slightly;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4:, showing the foldable sections separated'and the strap and its associated parts pulled outward slightly; Figure 6 is a detailperspective of one of the sections of the foldable member; and

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are perspective views of some of the parts used in the construction of the other section.

It is found in the practical use of wrist watch straps or bracelets of this character,

of advantage to be able to readily extend the length of the strap so that it may be readily passed over the hand ofthe wearer without separating the ends of the strap;

also, it is found of advantage to be able to disconnect one of the strap parts so as to per mit the strap to be taken from the arm e 4 isa view similar to Figure 3,

. frame, the longitudinal sides of which have without passing over the hand, if desired. Then again, it is found of advantage to be able to readily adjust the operating length of the strap to fit wrists of different sizes so that when the extensible member is folded the length of the strap will be the right length to fit the wearer. Furthermore, it is found of advantage to provide a yieldable connection between the strap and the extensible member so as to permit the strap to ex pand and contract slightly when applied to the arm. All of these desirable features are obtained in my improved extension device; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of my invention and showing one means and arrangement of parts by which these advantageous results may be accomplished With reference to' the drawings, the device comprises a pair of sections 11 and 12 which are hinged together by means of a pin 13 so that the sections can be swung to an end-to-end extended position, the section 11 constituting a hinged cover for enclosing the section 12 when the parts'are folded. The sections are slightly curved, in the manner shown, so as to conform to the wrist. The sections 11 and 12 are further provided with the usual male and female latch members 9 and 10 so as to hold the members'in closed posit-ion.

The section 11 comprises a rectangular depending flanges 14. These flanges besides adding rigidity to the section are adapted, when the section 11 is folded over the section 12, to enclose the side walls of the section 12, as will be hereinafter more fully described. 7 The ends of the section 11 have cross bars 15 and 16, the former being disposed in the plane of the sides of the section, while the latter is depressed lightly below the plane of the sides thereof. Intermediate the section 11 is another cross bar 17 which may be considerably broader than the cross bars 15 and 16, and which should also be depressed in a manner similar to that employed in constructing the ores bar 16;

One end '18 of a strap section 19 is fixed to the cross bar 15, and when the 8601710115818 folded the strap lies between the sides of the section 11, being. supported by the cross bars 9' 16 and 17. The construction and at piece of metal, one edge posed side edges are formed with spaced cut and raised portions, which .wardly towards each other from t e sides of of the parts should be such that the strap will be supported by the cross bars in a plane below the normal surface of the section 11 so that the thickness of the device will be reduced to a minimum.

The section 12 comprises a rectangular plate, the longitudinal sides of which have upstanding flanges 20. The flanges provide side walls between which the frame of a yield ing member slides. At one end, the flanges are formed with extensions 21, which are per forated at 22 for receiving the pivot pin 13. At the opposite end of the section 12, the upper edges of the flanges are extended to provide inturned lugs 23, the purpose of which will be presently described.

Near the inner end of the section 12, the flanges 20 are formed with alternate projections 24 and notches 25, in the present instance there being two projections and two notches on each side of the section. The projections may be of any length desired, while the notches should have a depth, at'least equal to thickness of the material used in the construction of the device.

Mounted in the section 12 is a slide'26, con-.

structed from suitable bar metal. The slide is U-shaped in form and the arms 27 thereof are connected by a bridge 28. The arms 27 are arranged in parallel'so as to slidingly fit between the flanges 20and be guided thereby. The bridge 28 is bent forwardly to provide an indented portion having longitudinally extending parallel arms 29 spaced from the arms 27, and connected by a cross-bar 30.

This construction divides the inner end of the slide into two parts, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

The extremities of the arms 27 are disposed, normally, adjacent to the outer end of the section, being retained withinthe section by means of the lugs 23. The inner portion of the slide comprising the portions 28, 29 and 30 is arranged near the inner end of the section, being enclosed by a plate 31.

The-plate 31 is made om a rectangular of which is bent ownwardly to provide a lip 32, while its opnotches 33, alternating with projections 34. When the plate is assembled on the section the projections 34 are inserted in the notches 25. The projections 24 are then bent downwardly in the manner shown by Figure 3 to lock the plate in position on the section. The arrangement of the parts is such that the lip 32 will be disposed transversely of the section and form an enclosure for the rear ortion thereof, while the plate will prevent islodgment of the rear endof the slide from the section 12.

The arms 27 are formed at intervals with roject inthe arms to provide a plurality of fingers 36.

One end of a strap section 37 has an eye 38 having notches 39 formed therein so that the strap can be detachably secured to the slide 26. By engaging the eye 38 with any pair of opposed fingers 36, the length of the strap may be varied, as will be understood.

For the purpose of yieldably retaining the slide 26 in the section 12, expansible springs 40 are disposed within the double U portion of the slide, the'springs being mounted between the arms 27 and the portions 29 on each side of the slide, thereby being separated. by the reversed U-shaped portion of the slide. 1

One end of each spring bears against the lip 32, while the opposite end thereof bears against the portion 28 of the slide. When the strap 37 is pulled outwardly thereby moving the slide 26' outwardly of the section 12, the springs 4:0 will be compressed between the lip 32 and the portions 28. When the strap is released the springs will expand thereby forcing the slide rearwardly untilthe inner portion thereof abuts the pin 13, as will be readily understood.

By the use of my improved extension device in a bracelet or wrist watch strap, I am enabled to quickly extend the operating length of the strap by one unfolding action. Then again, by the provision of the resilient sl de which is carried by one section of the device, which slide carries means whereby the end of a strap can be hooked thereto, I am enabled to readily disconnect one end entirely, also to readil adjust the operating length of the strap, an also I am enabled to connect the adjustable end to the strap part and'then lock this end against separation by folding and locking the other section over this connected strap end.

The foregoing description is directed sole- 1y towards the construction illustrated, but I changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is 1. An extension device comprisin two sections hinged together at one end an adapted to be swlmg to an end-to-end extended position, a slide operatively mounted in one of said sections, lon tudinally spaced means carried by said end of the strap.

2. An extenslon device eomprisin two sections hinged together at one end an adapted to be swung to an end-to-end extended position, one of said sections com rising a longitudinally flanged body, a -shaped slide mounted in the said body between t e flan thereof, means for connecting the end 0 a strap to the said slide, and means on the free end of the other section for connecting the end of a strap thereto, the other section come to adjustably receive the prisin a skeleton frame having a cross bar at its ree end for receiving the end of a. stra 3. An extension device comprising fol able sections hinged together at one end and adapted to be swung to an end-to-end extended position, a strap connected to one of said sections, a slide mounted in theother of said sections, opposed projections carried by said slide, a stra detachably connected to the said slide, sa1d strap having an end formed with a notched eye for engagement with the said projections. 4. An extension device comprising foldable sections hinged together at one end and adapt ed to be swung to an end;to-end extended position, a strap attached to one of saidsec tions, the other of said sections comprisin a longitudinally flanged body, a. U-shape slide mounted 1n-the said sect-ion with the side arms of the slide paralleling the said section flanges, op projections formed on the side arms 0 the slide, and a strap detachably connected to the said slide, said strap having an end formed with a notched eye for engagement with the said projections.

5. An extension device comprising sections I hinged together at one end and adapted to be versely of the said section, and tension means swung to an end-to-end extended position, one of said sections comprising a flanged'body, a U-shaped slide mounted in the body, a strap connected to the outer rtion of the slide, a cover plate carried by t c said section for enclosing the inner end of the slide, said cover plate having 9. depending lip arranged transof the slide paralleling bearing inst the said lip and the inner end of the s 3%: p

v 6. An extension device comprising sections hinged together at one end and adapted to be swung to an end-to-end extended position, one of said sections comprisin a flanged body, a U-shaped slide mounted 1n the body, the inner end of the said slide being provided with a U-shaped portion reversed to the main body portion of the said slide whereby to divide the inner portion of the slide into two parts, a spring mounted on each side of the .said slide, said springs being separated by the said reversed U-shaped portion of the slide bearing means for the springs carried by the said section, and bearing means for the springs carried by the said slide.

7. -An extension device comprising foldable sections hinged together at one end and adapted to be swung to an end-to-end extended position, a strap attached to one of said sections, the other ofsaid sections comprising a longi-. tudinally flanged body, a U-shaped slide mounted in the said section with the side arms the said section flanges, opposed projectlons formed on the side arms of the slide, a strap detachably connected to the said slide, said strap having an end formed with a notched eye for engagement with the said projections, and means for detachably connecting the end of a strap to the front end of the said slide.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

NELS 'r. NELSON.

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