U.S. patent number 3,747,171 [Application Number 05/213,272] was granted by the patent office on 1973-07-24 for clasp for watchbands.
Invention is credited to Archer A. Montague, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,747,171 |
Montague, Jr. |
July 24, 1973 |
CLASP FOR WATCHBANDS
Abstract
In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a
watchband composed of at least two parts, one of which has a
surface with a plurality of resilient hook-like means and the
second part having a surface of fibrous material so that the two
parts can be joined with an infinite number of adjustments being
possible within predetermined limits. Safety measures to prevent
accidental release are also provided.
Inventors: |
Montague, Jr.; Archer A.
(Raleigh, NC) |
Family
ID: |
22794422 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/213,272 |
Filed: |
December 29, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/265WS; D10/32;
D11/94; 24/306; 24/442; 224/176; 24/578.15; 224/901.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C
5/2071 (20130101); Y10T 24/2708 (20150115); Y10T
24/4782 (20150115); A44D 2211/02 (20130101); Y10T
24/27 (20150115); Y10T 24/45063 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A44C
5/20 (20060101); A44C 5/18 (20060101); A44c
005/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;58/88SC,88WC
;224/4D,4E,4F ;24/21R,DIG.18,204,265WS,265B,73WW |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,103,471 |
|
Feb 1968 |
|
GB |
|
368,650 |
|
May 1963 |
|
CH |
|
Primary Examiner: Griffin; Donald A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A securing means comprising: a case-like means; at least two
band means; means for attaching one end of each of said band means
to said case; fibrous material coating one surface adjacent the end
opposite said connecting means of the band means; a multiplicity of
resilient, upright, hook-like means attached to one surface of the
second band means adjacent the end opposite said connecting means
and a generally U-shaped member provided adjacent one end of one of
said band means and projecting outwardly therefrom whereby when
said other band means is passed through said U-shaped member said
fibrous area and said hook area will be biased toward each
other.
2. The means of claim 1 wherein the fibrous and hook means are
composed of a material known as Velcro.
3. The means of claim 1 wherein a means is provided for holding
said band means together adjacent their juncture.
4. The means of claim 3 wherein the holding means is an encircling,
band-shaped member.
Description
In the past, various attempts have been made to provide securing
means for watchbands which would securely hold the parts thereof
together and yet would be quickly releasable. Buckle type clasps
adjust only at predetermined intervals. Slide securing means have a
tendency to slip and are difficult to release. Because of these and
other complexities of use, the prior art bands have generally not
been considered satisfactory.
After much research and study into the above mentioned problems,
the present invention has been developed to provide an improved
clasp for watch type bands that is quickly connectable and
releasable with an infinite number of adjustments being possible
between predetermined limits. Applicant accomplishes this result
through the novel use of securing means of the type known as
Velcro, in combination with other unique structure to provide a
much improved, yet simple clasp means. The several modifications
disclosed each include their own advantageous features as will
hereinafter be set forth in detail.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a watchband clasp in at least two parts, one having a
surface containing a plurality of hook-like means and the second
including a surface of fibrous material.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a clasp means
for watchbands including at least three parts thereto, at least one
of such parts having a surface containing a plurality of resilient
hook-like means, at least one of said parts having a surface
containing a fibrous material, and a third member containing either
fibrous or hook surfaces.
Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a
watchband securing means, two opposing surfaces of two separate
members cooperatively coated with Velcro type material, and a
slideably mounted band-like member for retaining said surfaces in
contactive relation to each other.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a watchband
clasp having opposing members coated with Velcro type material with
one of said members including a generally U-shaped member extending
beyond the end thereof thereby retaining the contactive surfaces in
connective engagement with each other.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a watchband
securing means including the use of Velcro type material.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and
the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative
thereof.
IN THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of the watchband clasp of the
present invention in open position;
FIG. 1 B is a perspective view of such band in a closed
position;
FIG. 2 A is a partially exploded perspective view of a modification
of the clasp of the present invention;
FIG. 2 B is a perspective view of such modification in attached
position;
FIG. 3 A is a perspective view of another modification of the
present invention in open position;
FIG. 3 B is a perspective view of such modification in closed
position;
FIG. 4 A is a perspective view of still another modification of the
present invention in open position;
FIG. 4 B is a perspective view of such modification in closed
position;
FIG. 5 A is a typical cross section of the hook and fabric portions
of the clasp of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 B is a typical cross section of the hook and fabric portions
of the clasp of the present invention in contactive secured
position.
With further reference to the drawings, a watch type case indicated
generally at 10 includes standard band connecting means 11.
To one of the connecting means is secured one side or half 12 of a
band. The opposite connecting means is attached a second band or
half 13. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 A and B, the end of band 12
opposite connection 11 terminates in a hinged area 14 with the
surface of the hinged end being coated with a loosely composed
fibrous material 15. The end of band 13 opposite connection 11
terminates in a portion containing a surface with a multiplicity of
resilient hook-like members. This hook containing surface 16, when
placed adjacent the fibrous material 15, will cause the hooks to
become entangled in the fibrous material thereby securing the two
parts together. This principle is well accepted in the art with
Velcro being the tradename for such material. FIG. 1 B illustrates
the band of FIG. 1 A in secured or attached position.
The embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 2 A and 2 B includes fibrous
material surfaces on the same side of bands 12 and 13 with a
separate and independent third portion 17 having one side or
surface covered with the hook material 16 as heretofore described.
The advantage of this embodiment is to allow more flexibility in
securing the band and to allow for varying length adjustment in a
simplified manner.
The embodiment of FIGS. 3 A and 3 B is somewhat similar to the
embodiment of FIGS. 1 A and 1 B with the elimination of the hinge
means 14 and the inclusion of band joint curcumventing belt 18.
When using the FIG. 3 embodiment, the fibrous and hook material
portions are pressed together in securing fashion and the belt 18
is slidingly placed around the mated, overlapping portions of the
band. Since peeling back or moving laterally apart easily and
quickly breaks the union between the mating portions, and further
since longitudinal or sliding pressures of one surface against the
other is met with great resistance, the use of securing band 18 to
hold the band portion in overlapping relation has been found to be
a great advantage, particularly for active people engaged in sports
and other strenuous activities.
Generally the securing means of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2
have been found satisfactory for everyday use but for extra
securing or clasping, the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 have been
found advantageous.
Since the sliding of the securing band 18 over the mating portions
may become tight to accomplish or time consuming, the embodiment of
FIGS. 4 A and 4 B has been developed. In this embodiment, a
generally U-shaped member 19 extends outwardly and slightly
interiorly of the normal wearing position of the band. To secure
the clasp of this embodiment, the fibrous portion 15 is passed
through the opening of the U-shaped member 19 and pushed
therethrough to the desired length adjustment.
While this is being accomplished, a hook material 16 is held
slightly apart so that securing contact will not be made. Once the
desired adjustment has been made, pressure is released from the
outer or hook portion so that the same will move downwardly into
contact with the fibrous material. Thus it can be seen that the
U-shaped member 19, being beneath the fibrous material 15, biases
the same upwardly or outwardly against the hook material to give
maximum longitudinal contact between the surfaces and to prevent a
tendency of the union to separate laterally.
When it is desired to quickly separate the embodiment of FIG. 4,
all that is necessary is for the hook material portion 16 to be
raised from its normal biased position thus laterally separating
the hooks from the fibrous portion 15. Once this is accomplished,
the portion of the band carrying the fibrous material can be
removed from the U-shaped member to completely disconnect the
band.
A housing 20 is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4 to add
aesthetically to such modification and to stiffen the same in the
clasp area. It is not, however, believed that such housing is a
necessity for efficient operation and use of this embodiment.
As heretofore mentioned, in actual use of the embodiment of FIGS. 1
A and 1 B, all that is necessary is for the user of the band of the
present invention to place the same around his wrist and press the
hook and fibrous portions together to secure the two band portions
12 and 13.
To use the embodiment of FIGS. 2 A and 2 B, the band portions 12
and 13 are placed adjacent or in close proximity to each other and
third member 17 is placed thereacross thus securing such band
portions together. To remove the same, the third member 17 is
pulled loose from either one or both of the bands thus
disconnecting the same.
To use the embodiment included in FIGS. 3 A and 3 B, the fibrous
and hook materials of a respective band members are placed in
contactive relation with each other after such bands have encircled
the wrist of the wearer. The securing means 18 is then slidingly
moved around the overlapping band portion thus securing the same
from accidental lateral disconnection. To release this embodiment,
all that is necessary is for the securing band to be slidingly
moved from around the overlapping portions so that such portions
can be laterally removed one from the other.
The embodiment of FIGS. 4 A and 4 B is secured, as heretofore
mentioned, by passing the end of one band through the U-shaped
member at the end of the other band to the desired adjusted
position and then allowing the natural biasing action of the
members to fold the two portions in contactive secured relation. To
disconnect this embodiment, the upper and outer portion is
laterally pulled or separated from the inner portion and such inner
portion is slidingly removed from the U-shaped member 19.
From the above, it is obvious that the present invention has the
advantage of providing a quickly attachable, securely holding,
infinitely adjustable band type securing means. The present
invention also has the advantage of providing a means for
preventing accidental release of a quick attaching band means while
at the same time providing almost instant release when desired.
The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other
specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from
the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive and all changes coming
within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are
intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *