U.S. patent number 3,677,450 [Application Number 05/101,331] was granted by the patent office on 1972-07-18 for wrist bands.
Invention is credited to Jo Hodgson.
United States Patent |
3,677,450 |
Hodgson |
July 18, 1972 |
WRIST BANDS
Abstract
An expandable watch band has an identification plate therein for
receiving identification, allergy, or medical information thereon.
The ends of the bracelet have disconnect features which enable an
easy removal of the expandable bracelet for engraving the
plate.
Inventors: |
Hodgson; Jo (Shullsburg,
WI) |
Family
ID: |
22284087 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/101,331 |
Filed: |
December 24, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/175;
24/265WS; 59/79.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C
5/06 (20130101); A44C 5/0015 (20130101); Y10T
24/4782 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A44C
5/00 (20060101); A44C 5/06 (20060101); A44c
005/06 (); A44c 005/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;24/119,116A,265WS,265EE
;59/79R,79B ;224/4H,4E,4D,28B |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Forlenza; Gerald M.
Claims
I claim:
1. An expandable watch bracelet comprising a plurality of spring
biased links interconnected at their ends to similar intersecting
spring biased links,
a pair of outer ends at the extremities of each series of
interconnected links, each of said outer ends terminating in a
knob, and
tubular mean on an associated device having slots therein for
removably and slidably receiving said knobs.
2. The bracelet of claim 1 and means for removably closing the ends
of said tubular members to preclude a removal of said knobs from
said tubes.
3. The bracelet of claim 2 wherein there are two of said devices,
one being a wrist watch and the other being a plate carrying
information thereon.
4. The bracelet of claim 3 wherein said information includes items
of medical information.
5. The bracelet of claim 4 wherein said plate is positioned in said
bracelet midway between the outer ends thereof.
6. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said bracelet includes a wrist
watch and an identification plate carrying the wearers medical
history.
7. The bracelet of claim 6 and one of said tubular means on each
side of said watch and plate.
Description
My invention relates to improvements in wrist watch bands and more
particularly to an identification bracelet incorporated in such
bands.
People with medical problems must be aware of and prepare for a
time when they might be thrown onto the mercy of strangers. For
example, a person with a severe allergy to a drug could have an
accident, be injected with the drug, and die as a result thereof.
Or a person with a heart defect could have an incapacitating attack
and die before his sickness is properly diagnosed. Thus, it is a
common practice for such people to wear an identification tag or
bracelet setting forth a brief statement of their medical history.
Most people also wear a wrist watch which is an ideal place for
carrying such a tag. However, the tags must usually be engraved to
order for each person's particular sickness. While it is not too
difficult to engrave a few words on such a watch bracelet, it is
usually too much trouble to engrave a lot of information.
A prime object of my invention is to provide a new and novel
expandable band that will support a wrist watch, an identification
plate, or both.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the
character described that may be easily applied to or removed from
the wrist watch and/or identification plate.
Still another object is to construct the device in a simple manner
for its performance and function.
In keeping with an aspect of the invention, an individual who is
subject to allergies, is diabetic, or the like, may carry not only
his name and address but also information relative to his physical
condition and afflictions. A somewhat conventional wrist watch
expansion band has special ends which permit the insertion of an
identification pad.
The device illustrated, described, and claimed herein is simple in
construction and easy to manipulate without requiring special
mechanical training or special equipment.
Other and further objects of my invention will become more apparent
as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the entire assembled device shown attached
to and supporting a wrist watch and an identification pad;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the entire device completely assembled and
ready for use;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the device
shown in a retracted position and illustrating the attaching tube
in cross section;
FIG. 4 is a similar view, as shown in FIG. 3, in an expanded
position;
FIG. 5 is a lateral end view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3 of the
links, showing a spring mounted therein; and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a number of links showing the spring
mounted therein.
Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts and
features throughout the several views. More particularly, the
character 10 indicates a conventional wrist watch and the character
11 indicates an identification pad which may be of any
predetermined design.
The watch 10 and the pad 11 are provided with parallel, end tubular
members 12 attached thereto in any convenient and efficient manner.
The tubular members 12 are equipped with plugs or sealing members
shown as 13 in their open ends, which plugs 13 may be either
supported by a thread or frictionally held in place. These tubular
members 12 are also shown equipped with longitudinal inwardly slots
14 extending from the open ends of the tubes 12.
The body of the wrist band includes a plurality of link members
shown as 15, hingedly attached to one another at their center 16 by
means of a pin 17 (see FIG. 5). They are also shown as hingedly
engaging the ends of the adjacent links at the end points 18. Each
pair of links is biased by a spring 19 spirally wound at 20 around
the pins 17. Their outwardly extending ends 21 are attached to the
links 15 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The other ends of the link members
15, adjacent to the tubes 12, are shown as being equipped with
knobs 22 for engaging the slots 14 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). These knobs
are locked into the slots 14 since they are dimensioned to be
larger than the slots. The knobs provide for slidable movement when
the link members 15 are in an expanded or retracted position.
The slots 14 extend to the ends of the tube 12 so that when the
plugs or sealing members 13 are removed from the ends of the tube
12, the knobs 22 may be slidably removed therefrom.
The spring 19 functions to bring the links 15 into a retracted
position as shown in FIG. 3 after the links 15 are expanded as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Obviously the resiliency of the spring 19
may vary to determine the amount of pressure that must be applied
for expanding the assembled device when it is applied to the wrist
of the wearer.
From the above description it should be apparent that the device is
designed to perform the function for which it is intended. One of
the more important advantages of my invention is that if the watch
is lost there will be an identification of it so that there is a
very good chance that the watch will be returned by the finder.
Although I have shown a specific construction and arrangement of
the parts and features constituting my invention, I am fully aware
of changes which may be made without effecting operativeness of the
device. Thus, the appended claims should be construed to cover all
equivalents which fall within the spirit or the scope of my
invention.
* * * * *