US2534810A - Lock for detachable strap handles - Google Patents

Description

De@ 1.9, 1950 w. cAs'rEDELLo ETAL 2,534,810

LOCK FOR DETACHABLE STRAP HANDLES Filed Aug. 2, 1946 F IG. 5.

INVENTORS l/VLL/AM 25m-DEL o ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 19, 1950 UNi'i'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE Loon son passendem sassarnannies Application August 2, 1946, Serial No. 688,043

Ciaims.

This invention relates to locks, particularly to locks for securing a strapto an item.

One object of the invention is a novel and irnproved lock of the general type, above referred to, by means of which a strap can be fastened to `and removed from an item.

Another object of the invention is a novel and improved strap lock which can be fastened to and removed from an item without requiring the loosening of any parts or the use of tools.

Another object of the invention is a novel and improved strap lock which, when placed in its locked position, is automatically secured therein.

Another object of the invention is a novel and improved strap lock which can be unlocked exerting a pressure against the locking parts of the lock.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will. appear hereinafter and be pointed out in the appended claims forming part of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, a now prefer-red embodiment of the invention .is shown by way of illustration and not by way or" limitation.

Fig. l is an elevational side view oi strap with a lock according to the invention.

2 shows a plan view of the strap and lock fastened to the casing of a camera, the casing being shown partially broken away.

Fig. 3 is a detailed top view of the lock according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a side view of one side of the lock according to Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the opposite side of the lock according to Fig. 3, and

Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a lock according to the invention in application to a wrist watch.

Referring now to the iigures in detail.

Figs. l and 2 show a strap i@ made of leather, fabric, plastic or any other suitable material. At each end of the strap, there are provided loops i i and i 2 respectively which serve to fasten locks according to the invention, generally designated i3, to the strap. Each lock comprises two cross pins it and i5 which are joined by side bars l5 and il. Cross pins l5 are passed through loops S i and l2 respectively, which are secured by rivets I8 and i9 respectively. Side bar il is fastened to cross pins l' :and iii by any suitable means, such as rivets 2Q and 2l, as can best be seen in 3. Side bar le is pivotally fastened to cross pin l5 by any suitable means, such as a rivet 22 and is provided at its distal end with an open slot 23. This slot is designed and positioned to engage a neck portion 2e of cross pin ifi, as

can be best seen on Fig. 3. There is further provided a leaf spring 25 partially fastened to side bar il and having :at its free end an eyelet through wi "4h cross pin l@ is passed. The free end of leaf. spring 25 is biased to assume normally the position shown in Fig. 3. It should be noted in this connection that instead of a leaf spring 25, any other suitable spring means may be employed.

Let it now be assumed that the strap and lock, as shown, is to be used as handle, and that it is desired to fasten the handle to a casing 3i! of a photographic apparatus such as a camera (part of a camera casing is diagrammatically shown on Fig. 2). Then, side bar iii is lifted and cross pin ill is inserted in ia, sleeve 3E fastened by any suitable means, such as a bracket 32 and rivets 33 to carriera casing By exerting a pressure against side bar il leaf spring 25 is flattened, as shown in `Fig. 2 and side bar i5 is again slipped over neck portion The action of spring 25 will press side bar is against a rivet head Sli at the outer end of neck portion 2d, thereby holding the lock in its closed position. in order to secure the lock, a recess 35 is provided in side bar I5 into which recess rivet head 3d is pressed by the action of spring 25 when the lock is closed.

When it is desired to remove the handle, side bar i5 is pressed inwardly, that is, toward side 'har il until recess 35a clears rivet head Si, whereupon side bar le is swung upwardly so that cross pin ifi can be withdrawn from sleeve 3 l.

In the previous description, reference has been made to the use of the strap and the lock as a handle for photographic cameras. However, it should be understood that s. lock strap according to the invention can be used for Various other purposes, such as a handle for carrying cases, luggage, bags, suit cases, brief cases and other suitable items requiring use of `a handle. The lock according to the invention can further be used in connection with the strap oi a wrist watch, for instance, to fasten a strap to the watch and to remove it quickly and conveniently therefrom. Furthermore, lock and strap according to the invention can be advantageously employed to secure a 'watch to the wrist and to take oi the watch.

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement in which a, lock according to the invention is employed to fasten the strap of a wrist watch to the watch casing.

As 'will be apparent from an examination of Fig. 6, the pins conventionally provided at a Iwatch casing for the purpose of securing the two portions of a watch strap correspond to the pins I of a lock as shown on Fig. 3. The two portions 35 and 35 of a conventional strap are fastened to lock pins I 4' by slipping loops 35 and respectively, of the strap portions over lock pins I4. The strap portions are secured by means of springs 25 and can be removed by lifting side bars I 5 of the lock as has been previously de scribed.

The use of a lock according to the invention to fasten a watch strap to a Watch casing has the particular advantage that the watch strap can be easily replaced by the wearer or the Watch without requiring the services of a Watch maker. Furthermore, the lock can be made of these-me material as the Watch casing, thereby improving the ornamental appearance of the watch.

It will be understood that it is also possible to fasten the lock to the strap portions themselves. Then lock pins I5 will be passed through loops 35' .and 33 respectively= and lock pins ifi will be at the Watch casing proper.

IWhile the inventionhasbeen described in de tail with respect to a certain now preferred example and embodiment of the invention it Wil*A be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modications may be made Without departing from. the spirit 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 nevvfe-nd desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A lockof the type described for releasably locking together two members, said lock com prising a pair of cross pins, each of said cross pins being arranged4 to be connected with one or" the two members to be locked together, a rst side bar fastened'at each end to one of said cross pins, a second side bar pivotally connected at one end to one of the cross pins and having an open slot at the other end arranged 'to receive the second cross pin, said second cross pin having an enlarged head portion protruding beyond the pivotal side bar when the second cross pin is received in the slot, and spring means associated with the second cross pin for urging the pivotal side bar against the said head portion when one of said members is fastened to the second cross pin between the spring mea-ns and the pivotal side bar, thereby securinfr the pivotal side bar to the second cross pin.

2. A strap lock for releasable attachment to a strap having a loop on one end; said lock comM prising a pair of cross pins, one of said cross pin being arranged to receive said strap loop, a rst side bar fastened at each end to one of said cross pins, a second side bar pivotally connected at one end to one of the cross pins and having an open slot at the other end arranged toreceive the second cross pin, and spring means supported on the lock and positioned to press the loop portion of the strap tov/ard and against the pivotal side bar when the second cross pin is received in the slot.

3. A strap lock as described in claim 2, wherein said second cross pin has an enlarged hec-.d por- Vtion protruding beyond the pivotal side bar when the second cross pin is received in the slot, thereby secu.: -g the pivotal side bar to the second cross pin in response to the pressure of the loop portion of the strap against the pivotal side bar.

4. A look of 'the type described for release-.bly connecting two members, comprising a pair of cross pins, each of said cross pin" being arranged to be connected with one of the tivo members to be locked together, a rst side bar fastened at each end to one of said cross pins, a second side bar pivotally connected at one end to one of the cross pins and having an open slot at the other end arranged to receive the second cross pin, and a leaf spring fastened at one endto the rst sid-e bar and encompassing the second cross pin, said spring being biased into a position spaced from the first side bar Ior urging the pivotal side bar against the second cross pin when one of the members is fastened to the sec. ond cross pin between the biased spring and the pivotal side bar.

5. A loci; as described in claim fl, wherein the second side bar has a recess adjacent to said siot, and wherein the second cross pin hasv a neck portion positioned to engage the slot of said second bar and a head portion arranged to engage said recess when the slot of the second side bar is engaged by said neck portion, thereby locking the second side bar to the secondl cross pin.

"WILLAM CASTEDELLO. WALTER G. LOPIVIEYER, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The ioiiowing references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Oct. 31, 1891 Number Number

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