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.

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.

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.