US2810179A - Auxiliary connector for a watch - Google Patents

Description

Och 7 E. G. BROWNAWELL 2,810,179

' AUXILIARY CONNECTOR FOR A WATCH Filed Jan. 5, 1954 INVENTOR.

EDGAR G. BROWNAWELL 4Z4 Mfw ATTORNEY United fitates Fatent G "ice AUXILIARY CONNECTOR FOR A WATCH Edgar G. Brownawell, Gary, Ind.

Application January 5, 1954, Serial No. 402,267

3 Claims. (Cl. 24-265) This invention relates generally to wrist bands for watches or other instruments.

It is recognized that various types or forms of wrist bands are now in use. For example, one type is made of two sections of leather or fabric with a buckle for adjustably connecting the free ends of the sections together, while in other types, suitable overlapping link means intermediate the ends of the band are provided for extending or shortening its length. In these and in other conventional forms of bands the ends of the band proper are either permanently or detachably connected to the watch. In certain types of bands, such as those of the lazy tong design, the links are permanently joined toether to form a unitary structure of a predetermined normal length. Such bands are extensible and retractable but no provision is made for increasing their normal length and as a result, many sales are lost by jewelers because in many instances these bands are too short.

With the foregoing in mind, the primary object of the invention is to provide a fitting that can be used to vary the length of a band of unitary permanent construction.

More particularly, an object is to provide a fitting provided with a generally tubular bearing portion having parallel offsets at its ends which will be respectively disposed in alignment with integral parallel extensions on an instrument when the bearing portion is connected to and between such extensions so as to promote the appearance of continuity between the fitting, instrument and band.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fitting which can be economically manufactured and readily connected to a watch or any band of a unitary permanent construction as alluded to above.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawing annexed hereto.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a partial front view of a watch showing the fitting connected with the watch and a band of the lazy tong type;

Figure 2 is a front view of the fitting;

Figure 3 is a side view of the fitting;

Figure 4 is an end view of the fitting; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 with portions in section to illustrate details of construction.

As clearly exemplified in the drawing, numeral 1 generally designates a conventional instrument such as a watch, 2 a band and 3 a fitting for detachably connecting one end of the band to the watch. More particularly, the watch includes a case or body 4 having a pair of integral outwardly extending parallel extensions 5 at one side of the case and a pair of extensions 6 on the opposite side which correspond to the extensions 5. Each of the extensions is provided with an inner planar surface 7 and a hole 8 disposed transversely of the extension and inter-- secting only this surface as shown in Figure 1.

The band 2 is of the lazy tong type and is comprised of a plurality of corresponding intermediate links and end links 10 and 11 which are all permanently intercon nected together to provide a unitary construction. Each of the end links 10 and 11 is provided with a tubular bearing 12 which carries a conventional pin assembly 13 having pintles 14 for detachably connecting the end link 10 to the fitting 3 and the end link 11 to the extensions 6.

The fitting 3 is of integral construction and includes a generally tubular cylindrical portion 15 having corresponding parallel otfsets 16 at its ends. The offsets are disposed transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion and extend beyond the ends of such portion. The inner side of each oifset is planar and a hole 17 is provided in each offset and only intersects this side. It will be noted that the tubular portion includes a base wall joining the offsets and that is preferably split to form a lip 18 which can be clamped down on the barrel 19 of a pin assembly as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. This pin assembly is of a conventional type and also includes a helical spring 20 in the barrel for urging a member 21 outwardly against a stop 22 on the barrel. The member 21 is provided with a pintle 23 and the end Wall of the barrel is provided with a corresponding axially aligned pintle 24.

The tubular portion 15 of the fitting is preferably of a length to fit rather closely between the pair of extensions 5 as shown in Figure 1 when the pintles 23 and 24 are located in the holes 8 of such extensions.

In view of the foregoing and assuming that the band 2 is of insufiicient length, it can be readily lengthened by merely inserting the pintles 23 and 24 into the holes 8 of the extensions 5 and the pintles 14 of the pin assembly 14 into the holes 17 of the offsets 16 as shown in Figure 1. The ofisets are aligned with the extensions and are preferably of a design or shape to simulate the extensions so as to more or less appear as continuations thereof and thereby promote harmony between the band, fitting and extensions. Obviously, the fitting or connector can be attached to either pair of extensions or to the band prior to being connected to the watch and if required, another fitting may be employed to connect the other end link 11 to the pair of extensions 6 to further increase the length of the band. It is intended that the connector will be sold as a separate item or component.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention, and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. A fitting of the kind described adapted for connection with an instrument provided with a pair of parallel extensions having holes therein, said fitting comprising an elongated generally tubular portion having adjacent its ends, a pair of longitudinally spaced opposed parallel olfsets extending outwardly beyond the ends of the generally tubular portion and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the said portion, said bearing having open ends permitting insertion thereinto of a connector having means adapted to seat in the holes of the extensions for connecting the fitting thereto so that the offsets will be respectively aligned with the extensions, and holes pro vided in the offsets for receiving means whereby a band can be connected to the offsets.

2. A fitting of the kind described adapted for connection with an instrument provided with a pair of parallel extensions having holes therein, said fitting comprising an elongated base portion having at its ends a pair of longitudinally spaced opposed parallel offsets extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base portion, said base portion having a curled portion which Patented Oct. 22, 1957' ended generally tubular portion afiording a support for a connector having means adapted to seat in the holes of the extensions for connecting the fitting thereto so that the offsets will be respectively aligned with the extensions, and said offsets extending lengthwise beyond the ends of the generally tubular portion and provided with holes for receiving means whereby a band can be connected to the offsets.

3. A fitting, adapted for connection with an instrument provided with a pair of parallel extensions having aligned holes therein, comprising an elongated generally tubular portion having a pair of longitudinally spaced opposed parallel offsets adjacent its ends, said offsets extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tubular portion and having socket means adapted to receive the free ends of a pin assembly, and a connector carried by said tubular portion and having pintle means adapted to engage said aligned holes in said extensions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,626,139 Kraysler Apr. 26, 1927 1,696,577 Kestenman Dec. 25, 1928 1,775,620 Greenberg Sept. 9, 1930 2,009,254 Feid July 23, 1935 2,229,978 Kolberg Jan. 28, 1941 2,566,691 Bristol Sept. 4, 1951

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