US2996899A - Bracelet with hinged arms biased by a planular spring - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 22, 1961 E. s. DONLE 2,996,899

BRACELET WITH HINGED ARMS BIASED BY A PLANULAR SPRNG Filed Dec. 50, 1957 United States @Patent 2,996,899 BRACELET WITH I-IINGED ARMS 'BIASED BY A PLANULAR SPRING Edwin S. Donle, Edgewood, RJ., 'assignor to Coro of Rhode Island, Inc., 'a corporation lof Rhode Island Filed Dec. 30, *1957, Ser..No. 705,847 11\Claims. (fol. =63-9) The present invention relates to a bracelet 'construction. More particularly the present invention relates to a bracelet for an ornamental object which includes a spring construction for retaining the arms of the bracelet in a closed position and thereby positively retaining the bracelet on the wrist ofthe wearer.

The prior known bracelets generally included some form of a iiexible link or strap construction which required the use of a fastening device, such as a buckle or snap link. Although these heretofore known bracelets were adequate in use, annoying manipulation of the fastening device was necessary when putting on or removing the bracelet. Moreover, when these prior fastening devices became worn due to `excessive manipulation, it was necessary that the bracelet be replaced and it was not uncommon to even lose the bracelet when the fastening device or a chain link broke while the bracelet was on the wrist of the wearer. To overcome these obvious deficiencies in the prior known bracelets, the one-piece wing or arm type bracelet was developed, but due to the inflexible character of the coupling means for securing the arms to the housing for the ornamental object, the arms of these bracelets became easily dislodged from their mountings.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bracelet construction for an ornamental object that includes a pair of arms that positively retain the bracelet construction on the wrist of the wearer.

Another object is to provide a bracelet for an ornamental object which includes a pair of arms that engage a planular spring member, the spring member being adapted to bias the arms to a closed position to rmly retain the bracelet on the wrist of the wearer.

Still another object is to provide a bracelet that includes a supporting ring for the housing for the ornamental object, the supporting ring having `opposed lugs joined thereto that are adapted to pivotally receive the inner ends of the bracelet arms therein, the arms engaging a spring member and being normally retained in a closed position on said supporting ring.

`Still another object is to provide ahousing for an ornamental object that coacts with a backing plate to retain the spring member in engagement with the arms of the bracelet.

Still another object is to provide a spring member having a planular formation and having spring arms with fingers formed thereon, the fingers and spring arms cooperating to bias the bracelet arms to a closed position.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a top plan view of the bracelet construction embodied in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the bracelet construction showing the closed position lof the bracelet arms.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational View of the bracelet construction.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ring for supporting the housing that receives the ornamental object therein.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the housing for the ornamental object.

FIG. 6` is a view of the planular spring member that biases the bracelet arms to a closed position.

FIG. 7 is a view of the plate for retaining the spring member in position and which forms the back of the bracelet construction.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bracelet arm utilized in the bracelet construction.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 in FIG. 3.

FIG. l0 is a Sectional view taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 9 showing the bracelet arms in the closed position; and FIG. l1 is a view similar to FlG. l0 showing -the bracelet arms in the opened position.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1-3, and 10, the assembled bracelet construction is illustrated therein and is generally indicated at it). As shown more clearly in FIG. 10, the bracelet construction 10 includes a housing 12 which is adapted to receive an ornamental object therein. Although no particular ornamental object is shown disposed in the housing l2, it is understood that any conventional ornamental object such as a watch, photograph or other jewelry item may `be positioned therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Pivotally secured to the housing 12 is a cover member i4 that pivots at a pivot connection '16 and encloses the ornamental object in the housing 12.

The cover member i4 is adapted to positively engage the housing l2. by means of an annular flange 18 formed on the lower edge thereof, the annular flange 18 being adapted to engage in mating relation a corresponding annular ilange 20 formed on the upper edge of the housing 12.

Any convenient latch mechanism may be utilized for retaining the cover member i4 in the closed position. However, in the present invention, the cover member `latch mechanism includes a pair of spaced resilient catches 22 which are formed on an outwardly extending portion X24 that is struck from the side wall of the cover member i4. Located between the catches k18 is a finger grip 25 that defines means for releasing the cover member 14 from engagement with a bulbous portion 26 formed on the upper end of the housing wall. It is seen that in order to close the cover member 14, it is pivotally moved to the position shown in FIG. l0, the resilient catches 22 being forced over the bulbous portion 26. Conversely, the cover member 14 is opened by lifting up on the finger grip 2d to force the catches 22 from engagement with the complementary bulbous portion 26.

Formed in the bottom wall of the housing 12 is an opening 27, the opening 27 being `adapted to receive a fastening rivet 28 (FIG. itl) that secures the lassembly together as will be described hereinafter. The housing bottom wall is further formed with spaced outwardly extending dimples 29 that dene means for retaining a planular spring member 30 in proper position as will also be described hereinafter.

In order to assemble the housing l2 in the bracelet construction l@ a supporting ring generally indicated at 3l is provided and as shown in FIG. 4 includes a body portion 32 that is formed with an upper inturned edge 33, the edge 3? being adapted to receive the annular ange 20 of `the housing f2 in engaging relation therewith. integrally joined to the body portion 32 in opposed relation are a pair of lug portions generally indicated at 34, each of the lug portions 34 including a recess that is defined by an upper wall 35, side walls 36, and a downwardly projecting wall 33.

Aligned openings 4@ are formed in the side walls 36 and receive a pin 42 (FIG. l0) therein, the pin 42 being adapted to secure the inner end of a bracelet arm 44 in the lug portion recess as described below:

As shown in FIG. 8, the bracelet arm 44 is formed as a one-piece member curved to fit the wrist of the wearer and tapering from an enlarged head portion 46 to a reduced outer end 48. The enlarged head portion 46 includes a pair of ears 58 and a projection 52 that extends outwardly beyond the head portion 46. Openings 54 are formed in the ears 5t) and are adapted to be aligned with the openings 48 formed in the lug portion 34 to receive the pin 42 therein when the arms 44 are pivotally assembled on the supporting ring 31. Each of the projections 52 extend inwardly of the recess formed in the lug portions 34 and is disposed generally beneath the downwardly extending wall 38 which thereby defines an inner stop for the projection 52 when the arm 44 is located in the closed position (FIG. 10).

In order to bias the bracelet arms 44 to the closed position so that the bracelet construction Will be positively retained on the wrist of the wearer, the planular spring member 30 is provided and as shown in FIG. 6 includes curved slots 58 that define spring arms 60. Joined to each of the spring arms 60 is a spring finger 62 that is adapted to underlie the adjacent projection 52 formed on the inner end of the arm 44 and thereby normally forces the bracelet arm 44 to the fully closed position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10. When assembled the fiat spring member 30 is located in face-to-face relation with the bottom wall of the housing 12 and in order to properly position the spring fingers 62 so that they underlie the bracelet arm projections 52 the slots 58 are enlarged at 64 adjacent the fingers 62, the enlarged slot portions 64 being adapted to receive therein the dimples 29 formed on the bottom wall of the housing 12. It is seen that once the housing 12 is properly positioned in the supporting ring 31 on which the bracelet arms 44 are pivotally mounted, the spring member 30 may then be easily inserted into the proper position by simply aligning the enlarged slot portion 64 with the dimples 29, the dimples 29 acting to prevent the spring member 30 from rotatably shifting and thereby retaining the ngers 62 in underlying engagement with the projections 52. As shown in FIG, 6, the spring member 30 is also formed with a central opening 66 which is adapted to receive therein the fastening rivet 28 that secures the bracelet construction in the assembled position. Opposed slots 67 are also formed in the spring member 30 adjacent the opening 66 and are adapted to cooperate with projections formed on a spring retaining member, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described.

When the bracelet is positioned on r removed from the wrist of the wearer, the bracelet arms 44 are pivoted outwardly, `the projections 52 being moved downwardly to depress the spring fingers 62. In order to properly bias the spring arms 60 during this movement, it is necessary that a portion of the spring arms 68 be exposed, thereby providing for flexibility thereof. However, the remaining portion of the spring arms 60 and the spring member 38 must be restrained from movement so as that the spring arms 60 may be properly biased for limited movement by the movement of the projections 52.

In order to expose the spring arms 68 for limited movement, yet restrain the main portion of the spring member 30 from movement, a spring retaining plate 68 is provided and as shown in FIG. 7 is generally shaped like the spring member 30 and is adapted to fit within the body portion -32 of the supporting ring 31. 'Ilhe retaining plate 68 is adapted to be placed over the spring member 30 and is formed with opposed arcuate cut-out portions 70, each of which underlie the major portion of a spring arm 60, one edge 74 of each cut portion 78 being located adjacent to a spring finger 62 and the other edge 72 being located adjacent the inner end of the slot 58. The spring arms 68 and their associated spring fingers 62 are thereby exposed and are free for limited movement, being resiliently pivoted on the edges 72 when the spring fingers 62 are depressed by the projections 52. A central opening 76 is formed in the retaining plate 68 and receives the rivet 28 therein, the rivet 28 thereby fastening the plate 68 and spring member 4 30 to the housing 12. In the assembled position it is also seen that the plate 68 defines the back of the bracelet construction.

Opposed projections 75 are also formed on the spring retaining plate 68 adjacent the opening 76 and are adapted to project through the openings 67 in the spring member 30 when the spring retaining plate 68 is positioned on the spring member. Thus, the openings 67 act as a key way to position the spring retaining plate 68 so that the cut-out portions are properly aligned over the spring arms 60.

As shown in FIG. 10, the housing 12 is firmly clamped to the supporting ring 31 when the rivet 28 is fastened in place, the fiange 20 being brought into intimate contact with the upper inturned edge 33 of the supporting ring 31, and the spring fingers 62 being locked in engagement with the projections 52 which are in turn normally lodged against the downwardly projecting walls or stops 38.

In use the bracelet arms 44 are normally restrained from outer movement by the depressing action of the spring fingers 62 on the projections S2. The bracelet arms 44 are thus biased to a closed position as shown in FIG. 3, the outer ends 48 being disposed in overlapping relation. When the wearer wishes to place the bracelet construction on his wrist, the arms 44 are grasped and pulled outwardly. The projections 52 are then moved ofi of the stops 38 of the lug portions and depress the spring fingers 62 along with the spring arms 60 downwardly as shown in FIG. 11. With the bracelet construction on the wrist, the bracelet arms 44 are released, the spring tension in the spring arms 60 snapping the bracelet arms 44 together so that they -fit snugly around the wrist of the wearer.

It is seen that the bracelet construction described herein is simple yet effective in positively retaining the ornamental object on the wrist of fthe wearer. The bracelet arms are easily and quickly manipulated in applying the bracelet to the wearers wrist and the spring arms 68 act to firmly retain the bracelet in place. There are relatively few moving parts in the present invention and since there are no link, buckles or straps to break, the bracelet construction can be worn for an indefinite period.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. lIn a bracelet construction for an ornamental object, a housing for retaining said ornamental object therein, a support member having an upwardly facing supporting surface supporting said housing therein, and having opposed lugs integrally joined thereto, substantially rigid curved bracelet arms pivotally secured to said lugs and defining Wrist encircling means, each of said bracelet arms including a projection formed on the end adjacent the pivot connection thereof, a spring member disposed within said support member below said housing and abutting the bottom wall of said housing, said spring member including outwardly extending fingers each of which underlies and engages a downwardly facing surface of an adjacent projection, a retaining plate disposed over said spring member forming the bottom of said bracelet construction, and means securing said plate and said spring member to the bottom Wall of said housing, said spring member cooperating with said securing means and said plate to securely mount said housing in said support member, said fingers engaging said projections in depressing relation to normally bias said bracelet arms to a closed position, said bracelet arms being movable to an open position against the action of vsaid spring fingers, said fingers constituting the only obstruction against movement of said arms to said open position.

2. In a bracelet construction for an ornamental object, a housing for retaining said object therein and having an annular ange formed thereon, a support ring for said housing having an upwardly facing surface engaging said flange, lugs formed on opposite sides of said support ring, arms pivotally secured to said lugs, a spring member positioned within said support ring below said housing and engaging the bottom wall of said housing, said lspring member including opposed spring fingers, each of which engages a downwardly facing surface formed on the inner ends of said arms, said spring fingers thereby retaining said arms in depressed relation, said arms being movable against the action of said spring fingers to an open position and being otherwise unrestricted during opening movement, a plate engaging said spring member and detining the bottom of said construction, and means securing said plate and spring member to said housing, said securing means cooperating with said plate and said spring member to both retain said housing in said support ring and to spring load said arms so that said arms are normally disposed in the closed position thereof.

3. In a bracelet construction as set forth in claim 2, wherein said spring member is planular in formation and includes a pair of curved slots formed therein, said slots defining resilient arms on which said fingers are formed.

4. In a bracelet construction `as set forth in claim 3, wherein said plate includes opposed cut out portions formed therein, said cut out portions exposing said resilient arms for limited outward movement.

5. In a bracelet construction for an ornamental object, a housing for retaining said object therein, means for supporting said housing, said supporting means including an upwardly facing surface engaging and supporting said housing, a pair of bracelet arms pivotally secured to opposed sides of said supporting means, resilient means positioned in said supporting means, said resilient means including means that engage said arms on downwardly facing surfaces thereon for retaining said arms in depressed relation, said arms being restricted solely by said resilient means `and being movable thereagainst to an open position, means engaging said resilient means and defining the bottom of said construction, and means securing said bottom and said resilient means to said housing, said securing means cooperating with said resilient means and engaging means to both retain said housing and supporting means and to bias said bracelet arms to the closed position thereof.

6. In a bracelet construction for yan ornamental object, a housing for retaining said object therein, a supporting member including an upwardly facing surface engaging and supporting said housing, curved bracelet arms pivotally secured to opposed sides of said supporting member, a spring member disposed in said supporting member and engaging a downwardly facing surface formed on the inner ends of each of said bracelet arms toy normally retain said arms in the closed position thereof, means engaging said spring member Kand forming the bottom of said bracelet construction and means for securing said bottom and spring member to said housing, said bracelet arms being pivotally movable to an open position against the action of said spring member and being otherwise unrestricted during said opening movement.

7. In a bracelet construction as set forth in claim 6, wherein each of said arms is formed with a projection on the inner end thereof, and said spring member is formed with opposed fingers, said fingers underlying said projections to bias said arms to the normally closed positio thereof.

8. In a bracelet construction as set forth in claim 6, wherein said spring member is planular in formation and is formed with a pair of curved slots that define opposed spring arms, fingers joined to said spring arms and underlying the inner ends of said bracelet arms to bias said bracelet arms to the normally closed position thereof.

9. In a bracelet construction for an ornamental object, a housing for said object, a supporting ring having an upwardly facing surface engaging and supporting said housing, opposed lugs joined to said supporting ring, substantially rigid bracelet arms pivotally secured to said lugs, projections formed on said bracelet arms adjacent the pivot points thereof, a spring member positioned within said supporting ring and engaging the bottom wall of said housing, said spring member including spring arms having lingers joined thereto and underlying said projections, a plate disposed below said spring member and forming the bottom of said bracelet construction, said plate having opposed cut out portions formed thereon which expose said spring arms, means for securing said plate and spring member to the bottom wall of said housing, said bracelet arms being movable outwardly against the action of said spring arms when said bracelet construction is applied to the wrist of the wearer and being biased to the wrist encircling position by said spring arms to firmly retain the bracelet construction on the wrist of the wearer.

l0. In a bracelet construction as set forth in claim 9, wherein said lugs include a downwardly extending wall that is adapted to be engaged by said projections in the closed position of said bracelet arms, thereby defining inner stop means for said bracelet arms.

11. In a bracelet construction for an ornamental article, a housing for retaining said article therein, a support for said housing, said support having an upwardly facing surface engaging and supporting said housing, arms pivotally secured to opposite sides of said support and defining wrist encircling members, a spring member confined within said support below said housing and including resilient fingers that engage inner ends of said arms on downwardly facing surfaces thereon, and means joining said housing and said spring member and coacting with said support to positively retain said housing in said support and to spring load said arms so that said arms are normally disposed in the closed position thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 265,044 Engelmann Sept. 26, 1882 572,489 Lehmann Dec. 1, 1896 1,971,094 Boots Aug. 21, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS 491,113 Great Britain Aug. 23, 1938

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