End attachment for watch bands

Abstract

An end attachment for a watch band for use with a wrist watch provided with customary spring bars. The end attachment includes an adaptor which comprises a plate-like member with a generally tubular member at one end adapted to axially receive a spring bar of a watch and a transverse generally rectangular opening through the plate-like member substantially parallel to and adjacent to the tubular member. It also includes a clasp-supporting member, means for securing it to the end of a watch band and clasp means pivotally connected to the clasp-supporting member. The clasp means includes a resilient flange. To assemble the end attachment, the resilient flange and the part of the clasp means which extends outwardly from the pivotal connection are passed through the rectangular opening and the clasp means is then moved about its pivotal connection until the resilient flange forms a snap fit with a portion of the clasp-supporting member, in which position the end attachment is fully assembled. The user may easily remove the end attachment from an adaptor which has been mounted between the lugs of his watch by merely opening the clasp and withdrawing its outwardly extending part and its resilient flange through the rectangular opening of the adaptor. Consequently the user can change watch bands used with his watch to coordinate his watch band with the clothes to be worn or he can remove his watch band to clean it, without the help of a jeweler.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wrist watch bands are often sold separate from the watches to which they are to be attached. One reason for this is that styles in watch bands change more rapidly than styles in watches and watch cases and, during the life of the watch, wearers frequently use several different watch bands with the same watch. Another reason is the preference of the user for watch bands of different types such as leather, fabric, plastic, metal, combinations thereof, snake chain, link chain, mesh, buckle secured, expansible, non-expansible, etc., may change from season to season or at the whim of the person concerned. In addition in many cases, users desire to wear one style of watch band with the clothes worn during the daytime and another style with clothes worn in the evening.

Spring pins have been supplied with wrist watches since at least as early as 1930. For many years watch bands have been provided with a pair of end attachments, one at each end of the band, each end attachment having a generally tubular member through which a spring pin is passed and then the spring actuated pintles of the spring pin are moved towards each other and released so they pass into openings or cavities in a pair of spaced lugs of the wrist watch thereby to secure one end of the watch band to one side of the watch. Then the end attachment at the other end of the watch band is secured to the oppositely positioned spaced lugs of the watch in the same manner. An example of such a spring bar and watch band end attachment are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,775,620 dated Sept. 9, 1930 to Greenberg, the application for which was filed Sept. 9, 1930.

It is a very difficult task to move the pintles of the spring bar inwardly and insert them in the cavities or openings of the spaced watch lugs when the spring bar is surrounded by a tubular end attachment member. It is also a very difficult task to remove a spring bar from its position between the watch lugs when it is surrounded by an end attachment. Consequently the retail jeweler using an appropriate tool almost invariably removes the customer's watch band from his watch and installs his newly purchased watch band on the watch for him.

The large majority of wrist watches which are equipped with watch bands are provided with spring pins for attaching the ends of the watch band to the watch.

There has been a recognized and long felt need to provide an end attachment for a watch band which is not only economical to manufacture and assemble but also which the ordinary watch band user can operate himself to detach one watch band from his watch and substitute another of a different style or design.

The following patents demonstrate many of the proposals for satisfying that long felt need:

Country Patent No. Date Inventor ______________________________________ U.S. 1,131,682 Mar. 16, 1915 Depollier U.S. 1,326,934 Jan. 6, 1920 Hulburd U.S. 1,604,642 Oct. 26, 1926 Hartman U.S. 1,605,868 Nov. 2, 1926 Suttin U.S. 1,667,557 Apr. 24, 1928 Luft U.S. 1,722,317 July 30, 1929 Samuels U.S. 1,760,913 June 3, 1930 Otten U.S. 1,774,468 Aug. 26, 1930 Bernard U.S. 1,775,620 Sept. 9, 1930 Greenberg U.S. 1,784,887 Dec. 16, 1930 Campbell U.S. 1,798,619 Mar. 31, 1931 Mealy U.S. 1,866,670 July, 12, 1932 Roy U.S. 1,892,350 Dec. 27, 1932 Kestenman U.S. 2,035,931 Mar. 31, 1936 Vaisey Swiss 252,190 Dec. 15, 1947 Zuccolo et al U.S. 2,566,691 Sept. 4, 1951 Bristol U.S. 2,567,398 Sept. 11, 1951 Pfeifer French 991,723 Oct. 9, 1951 Uti U.S. 2,582,828 Jan. 15, 1952 Hajos et al U.S. 2,850,783 Sept. 9, 1958 Megar French 1,287,476 Feb. 5, 1962 Brunet U.S. 3,664,559 May 23, 1972 Bruner ______________________________________

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of this invention is to provide a novel end attachment for a watch band.

Another object is to provide an easily removable end attachment for a watch band which is adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs of a wrist watch with a customary spring pin.

A still further object is to provide such an end attachment which is easily installable on his watch by an ordinary user.

A still further object is to provide such an end attachment which is adapted to be mounted between lugs of wrist watch cases which are spaced different distances apart.

Another object is to provide such an end attachment which includes a top shell which can be provided with designs to match the designs of the links of the watch band and which covers the other elements of the attachment when viewed from the top in use.

Yet another object is to provide such an end attachment which is not subject to accidental opening when worn.

A still further object is to provide such an end attachment which is economical to manufacture and durable in use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In general, the end attachment of this invention includes an adaptor which comprises a generally tubular member adapted to receive a spring pin of a wrist watch, a plate-like member having one end integral with the generally tubular member and the plate-like member includes a transverse generally rectangular opening substantially parallel to and adjacent to the generally tubular member.

The end attachment also includes a clasp-supporting member having at least a portion thereof adapted to be positioned in engagement with at least a portion of the plate-like member of the adaptor, means for securing the clasp supporting member to a watch band, clasp means, and pivot means for connecting one end of the clasp means to a portion of the clasp-supporting member which is adjacent to the generally tubular member.

The clasp means includes a resilient flange, and the resilient flange and the part of the clasp means which extends outwardly from the pivot means are passed through the generally rectangular opening of the adaptor to close and open the clasp means and, when the clasp means is in closed position, at least a portion of its upper surface is positioned in engagement with at least a portion of the lower surface of the plate-like member of the adaptor and the resilient flange of the clasp means forms a snap fit with a portion of the clasp-supporting member, thereby detachably to secure the clasp-supporting member to the adaptor.

In a preferred embodiment, the end attachment also includes an ornamental top shell the upper surface of which is formed with the design of the upper surfaces of the links of the watch band and means for attaching it to the clasp-supporting member. Preferably the top shell includes a longitudinal extension which covers at least the upper portion of the generally tubular member of the adaptor. In addition this longitudinal extension preferably also includes an end portion which at least partially covers at least a portion of the adjacent side of the generally tubular member.

In another preferred embodiment the top shell also includes side walls having tabs which form the means for attaching the top shell to the clasp-supporting member.

In another preferred embodiment the lower surface of the plate-like member of the adaptor is formed with a depressed central portion which receives the clasp means when it is in closed position, so that the lower surface of the clasp means is positioned in substantially the same plane as the side portions of the lower surface of the plate-like member.

In a still further preferred embodiment, the clasp means is provided with means adjacent its resilient flange for receiving the fingernail of the user for use in releasing the engagement of the resilient flange with the clasp-supporting member for opening the clasp means.

In the preferred embodiment the clasp means forms at least a part of the bottom surface of the end attachment so that in use it engages the wrist of the wearer to prevent accidental opening of the clasp means.

The adaptor is assembled with a watch by the jeweler who inserts a spring pin through the generally tubular member of the adaptor and the pintles of the spring pin in the cavities or openings of the lugs of the watch.

Then one end of the watch band is assembled with the adaptor. This operation is simple and any user can do it. The end of the watch band is positioned above the adaptor with the clasp means extending vertically downwardly from the clasp supporting member. Then the lower end of the clasp means and its resilient flange are passed through the rectangular slot of the adaptor. Then the clasp means is rotated about its pivotal connection to the clasp-supporting member and its resilient flange is snapped into engagement with a portion of the clasp-supporting member thus closing the clasp and securing the end attachment and one end of the watch band to the adaptor and thus to the watch. In this closed position, the upper surface of the adaptor is in face-to-face engagement with the lower surface of the clasp-supporting member and the upper surface of the clasp is in face-to-face engagement with the lower surface of the adaptor so that a smooth lower surface is formed for engagement with the wrist of the user.

The same operations are performed by the user to attach the other end of the watch band to the adaptor at the opposite side of the watch.

To open a clasp means and release one end of the watch band from the adaptor, the user inserts his fingernail beneath the tab on the clasp means and lifts the end of the clasp means thereby releasing the snap fit of the flange with the clasp-supporting member, then the clasp means is swung about its pivotal connection until it is in a vertical position and then it is removed through the rectangular slot of the adaptor thus freeing the end of the watch band from the adaptor. The same operation is then performed with the clasp means on the other side of the watch and the watch band is then free from attachment to the watch.

It is only necessary for a user to have one pair of adaptors attached to his watch by the jeweler and then the user can substitute a watch band of a different design or style for the watch band which is attached to his watch at any time. No tools of any kind are necessary to substitute one watch band for another.

This is an advantage not only for the user but also for the jeweler because the jeweler is not bothered by substituting one watch band for another when he sells a new watchband.

Another advantage is that the user can remove his watch band and clean it himself without taking it to a jeweler.

Because in use the bottom surface of the clasp is positioned against the user's wrist, accidental opening of the clasp is prevented.

Furthermore, it is unnecessary for a customer to purchase more than one set of adaptors for each watch.

This invention is applicable to all types of watch bands which are capable of use with a watch having spring pins and the majority of watches sold today are of that construction.

The invention is applicable to all watch bands, whether made of leather, fabric, plastic, metal or combinations thereof and whether they are expansible or nonexpansible.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that this invention has satisfied the above described long-felt need and objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a ladies watch, one end of a ladies watch band with an end attachment embodying this invention in place between the lugs at one side of the watch and an adaptor in place between the lugs at the other side of the watch, a portion of the end attachment and one lug being broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view looking at the bottom of the end attachment and three links of a watch band of FIG. 1 with the clasp means closed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an adaptor attached between two lugs of a ladies watch;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but with the clasp means open and in a position to be inserted through the rectangular opening of the plate-like member of the adaptor;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section on the line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section on the line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section on the line 7--7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view looking at the bottom of an assembled self-contained component for receiving the spring pin of a watch, an end of a spring pin being shown at the left of the view and one of the inserts being shown in dot-dash at the right of the view;

FIG. 9 is a fragmental exploded view showing at the top, the top shell for the end attachment and two top shells for the watch band, in the middle, one end of a plastic strip and one watch band top shell and one watch band bottom shell attached to the plastic strip, and at the bottom, the clasp-supporting member and a bottom shell of the watch band in positions for assembly;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial section on the line 10--10 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the generally tubular member, a pair of coiled compression springs and a pair of generally tubular inserts of the self-contained component shown in FIG. 8 in positions prior to assembly to form a self-contained component for the end attachment;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged section taken on the line 12--12 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 1 showing a ladies' watch and one end of a ladies' watch band with another embodiment of an end attachment embodying this invention;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the end attachment and watch band shown in FIG. 13 with parts broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the end attachment and watch band shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view looking at the bottom of the end attachment and several links of the watch band shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 but with the clasp means open and in a position to be inserted through the rectangular openings of the plate-like member of the adaptor;

FIG. 17 is a section on the line 17--17 of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of one of the U-shaped connecting members used in the watch band shown in FIGS. 13 to 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT SHOWN IN FIGS. 1 TO 12 OF THE DRAWINGS

The end attachment embodying this invention is adapted to be connected to any conventional wrist watch having two pairs of laterally spaced lugs and a conventional spring pin.

Referring to FIG. 1, 10 designates a nonexpansible watch band having one end secured between the spaced lugs 12 of the watch 13 by the end attachment 14 and the spring pin 15. One end of the spring actuated pintle 16 of the spring pin is shown positioned in the cavity 17 of one lug of the watch and a similar pintle (not shown) is positioned in the cavity of the opposite lug.

The end attachment of this invention is adapted to be used with any watch band construction which may be either expansible or nonexpansible and made of leather, fabric, plastic, metal or combinations thereof.

In FIGS. 1 to 12, the end attachment is shown attached to the end of a nonexpansible watch band embodying self-contained components of the construction shown and described in detail in United States patent application Ser. No. 386,069 entitled "Bracelet Component Including Flexible Strip Covered with Link-Like Shells" filed by Kurt A. Rieth and Edwin E. R. Hoffmann Aug. 6, 1973 and allowed July 25, 1974, now U.S. Pat. NO. 3,844,136, issued Oct. 29, 1974, to which reference is hereby made.

The watch band includes two components the adjacent ends of which are attached together by a conventional open-up buckle (not shown). Each component comprises an elongate strip of plastic material 20, such as polyurethane based material, which is flexible transversely of its thickness. Each strip is formed with a series of substantially parallel grooves 21 extending inwardly from its bottom surface to provide a series of substantially parallel raised elements 22 between the grooves (See FIGS. 5 and 9). Each raised element includes a thicker central portion 22A and thinner end portions 22B.

The component also comprises a series of bottom shells 23, each bottom shell having a raised central portion 23A positioned adjacent to the surface of the thicker central portion 22A of a raised element and a depressed end portion 23B positioned adjacent to the thinner end portion 22B of the plastic strip (FIG. 10). The bottom shell also comprises a pair of substantially parallel side walls 23C (FIGS. 4, 5 and 9) positioned adjacent to the side walls of the raised element of the plastic strip with which the bottom shell is associated. The bottom wall of the bottom shell is provided with substantially rectangular openings 23D which are spaced inwardly from its ends as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The bottom shells may be made of metal such as stainless steel.

The component also comprises a series of ornamental top shells 24 which may be made of metal such as stainless steel or gold-filled material. Each top shell has a top wall 24A positioned adjacent to the upper surface of the plastic strip 20 as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 10. It also comprises end walls 24B which extend from the ends of the top wall 24A adjacent to the sides of the plastic strip 20, having end portions 24C which are in face-to-face relationship with the end portions 23B of the bottom shell. It also comprises centrally disposed tabs 24D on the end portions 24C which are rolled or bent into the openings 23D. The ends of the tabs 24D may extend into the adjacent plastic material of the associated raised element 22B of the plastic strip but this is not necessary.

Each pair of side walls 23C of each bottom shell are closely adjacent to the side walls of the raised element with which it is associated and consequently each bottom shell is positively located with respect to its associated raised element and this eliminates uneven spacing of the combined bottom and top shells in the finished component.

Thus, each top shell is directly secured to its associated bottom shell and each pair of combined top and bottom shells are fastened about the plastic strip, the bracelet component is formed with a substantially flat bottom surface which is provided by the central portions 23A of the bottom shells and the end portions 24C of the end walls of the top shells and the strip of plastic material is substantially concealed from view by the series of top and bottom shells.

Extensions 24E (FIGS. 1 and 9) are provided on one side of the top shells and they extend into openings or slots 24F formed in one side of the adjacent top shell to provide an attractive appearance for the outer face of the component. The side edges of adjacent top shells are adjacent to each other to present a substantially continuous upper surface when the component is flat as shown in FIG. 1.

The end walls 24B of each top shell converge as they extend downwardly from its top wall and the bottom shells are narrower than the top walls of the top shells. This provides gaps or spaces at the lower portion of the assembled component as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. These spaces permit normal flexure of a bracelet around the wrist while minimizing or eliminating hair pinching or pulling.

One element of the end attachment is the adaptor 25 which is shown in place between the lugs 12 of a watch in FIGS. 1 and 3 and detached in FIG. 4.

The adaptor comprises the generally tubular member 25A adapted to receive a spring pin of a wrist watch and the plate-like member 25B having one end integral with the generally tubular member. The plate-like member comprises a transverse generally rectangular opening 25C which is substantially parallel to and adjacent to the generally tubular member 25A. The plate-like member is provided with a depressed central portion 25D the function of which will be described infra.

A self-contained component 30 (FIGS. 8 and 11) is positioned within the generally tubular member 25A of the adaptor. This self-contained component is shown and described in detail in United States patent application Ser. No. 491,141 entitled "End Attachment For Watch Bands And Self-Contained Component For Use In Making The Same" filed by Stephen F. Bert July 25, 1974 to which reference is hereby made. It comprises a generally tubular member 31 formed from a strip of metal which is bent into generally tubular form to provide a longitudinal slit 32 between adjacent ends of the strip. A pair of tabs 33, 34 are formed from the strip of metal, one adjacent to one end of the strip and the other adjacent to the other end, the ends of these tabs being bendable towards the interior of the generally tubular member 31. It will be observed that the tab 33 extends in one direction near one end of the strip of metal and that tab 34 extends in the opposite direction adjacent to the other end of the strip. With this construction, the generally tubular member is symmetrical and automatic assembly of the self-contained component is facilitated. However, the component can be less easily assembled automatically if these tabs extend in the same direction and in use it functions as well as the preferred embodiment.

Oppositely positioned cutout portions 35 are provided substantially intermediate the ends of the generally tubular member 31 and a tab 38 extends inwardly from the side of one of these cutout portions thereby dividing it into a pair of cutout portions 39 and 40.

In the preferred embodiment, the self-contained component 30 also includes a pair of coiled compression springs 41 which slide loosely within the generally tubular member 31 and the inner ends of which engage the tab 38 which is bent inwardly of the tubular member 31 and forms stop means substantially midway between its ends. However, in another embodiment, the self-contained component may use a single coiled compression spring without stop means and in still another embodiment, a single coiled compression spring may be used together with a tab such as the tab 38, the end of which is bent inwardly between a pair of coils of the spring to act as stop means to prevent longitudinal movement of the spring with respect to the generally tubular member 31.

The self-contained component 30 also includes a pair of generally tubular inserts 42 adapted to slide within the generally tubular member 31. Each insert is formed from a strip of metal and is provided with a generally rectangular slot 43 formed between the edges of the strip of metal, this slot having an open end and an inner end formed by the edges of the pair of tabs 44 which extend inwardly towards each other from the adjacent ends of the strip of metal.

In FIG. 11 the parts of the preferred self-contained component are shown in positions ready to be assembled. They can be assembled by an automatic machine which simultaneously inserts the springs 41 at opposite ends of the tubular member 31 until their ends abut the stop means 38, simultaneously inserts the inserts 42 at opposite ends of the generally tubular member 31 and moves them inwardly to compress the springs 41 until the inner ends of the rectangular slots 43 pass beyond the tabs 33 and 34 of the generally tubular member 31 and then the ends of these tabs are bent into the longitudinal slots 43. The pressure against the outer ends of the inserts 44 is then released whereupon the springs move the inserts outwardly and the inner edges of the tabs 33 and 34 engage the outer edges of the tabs 44, thereby stopping further outward movements of the inserts by the coiled springs.

The function of this self-contained component is to permit the adaptor to be mounted between lugs of watch cases which are spaced different distances apart. This is possible because after the spring pin has been inserted the inserts can be moved inwardly against the pressure of the spring means so they are spaced inwardly from the lugs, they are then released and the spring means urges them outwardly into contact with the inner faces of the lugs thus closing the gaps between the outer ends of the inserts and the lugs and centering the adaptor between the lugs, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The generally tubular member 25A of the adaptor is secured to the generally tubular member 31 of the self-contained component by a pair of tabs 25E and 25F formed on the end of the cutout or slot 25G on the bottom of the generally tubular member 31. The ends of these tabs are bent into the cutout portions 39 and 40 respectively of the generally tubular member 31 of the self-contained component, see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5.

The adaptor may be used without any self-contained component by making the generally tubular member of smaller inside diameter and inserting the spring pin through it. Other devices containing spring pressed elements may also be used to permit the adaptor to be used with a close fit between the spring pressed elements and the spaced lugs of watches. I prefer to use the self-contained component because it is the cheapest and most effective device now known to me.

Another element of the end attachment is the plate-like clasp-supporting member 50 (FIGS. 9, 5, 6 and 7) which comprises a pair of spaced loops 50A at one end and a flange 50B at the other end. This member may be made of stainless steel or any other suitable material. The clasp-supporting member is provided with a central generally flat area 50C and depressed end areas 50D each of which contains a pair of generally rectangular openings 50E.

Clasp means 55 comprises a generally flat plate-like central portion 55A, a loop 55B at one end and a resilient flange 55C at the other end (FIGS. 5, 7 and 9). This element may be made of stainless steel or other suitable material. It is pivotally connected to the clasp-supporting member 50 by a pin 60 (FIGS. 5 and 7) which passes through the loops 50A and 55B.

The clasp-supporting member 50 is secured to the end of the watch band in part by the end top shell of the watch band the tabs 24D of which are rolled into the rectangular openings 50E as shown in FIG. 6. The portions 24C of the end top shell are in face-to-face engagement with the depressed areas 50D of the clasp-supporting member 50 and the generally flat area 50C is in face-to-face engagement with the bottom face of the raised element 22A of the plastic strip as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The flange 50B is also in engagement with one side face of the raised element 22A of the end element of the plastic strip as shown in FIG. 5.

The top shell 70 of the end attachment may be made of gold filled material, stainless steel or any other suitable material. Its upper surface is impressed with the design of the links of the watch band as shown in FIG. 1. It is provided at one end with a flange 70A. The portion of the top shell which is adjacent to the flange covers the upper portion of the generally tubular member 25A of the adaptor and the flange 70A covers at least the upper portion of the side of the tubular member 25A as shown in FIGS. 5 and 1.

The other end of the top shell of the end attachment is provided with projecting elements 70B which fit into the recesses 24F of the end top shell of the watch band when the top shell has been assembled with the clasp-supporting member 50. See FIGS. 1, 5 and 9.

The top shell of the end attachment is provided with a pair of side flanges 70C which have tabs 70D on their ends. The end attachment top shell is assembled with the clasp-supporting member 50 by rolling the tabs 70D into the adjacent rectangular openings 50E of the clasp supporting member 50 and then the lower portions of the flanges 70C are in face-to-face engagement with the adjacent faces of the portions 50D of the member 50 as shown in FIG. 7. In assembled condition, the lower surfaces of the flanges 70C are in substantially the same plane as the lower surface of the central portion of the clasp-supporting member 50 as shown in FIG. 7.

To assemble the watch band with the adaptor, the parts are positioned as shown in FIG. 4 and the lower end of the clasp 55 is passed through the rectangular slot 25C of the adaptor. Then the clasp is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and its flange 55C is snapped into engagement with the flange 50B of the clasp-supporting member 50 as shown in FIG. 5. This snap fit detachably holds the watch band to the adaptor.

It is to be noted that in this closed position, the upper surface 25D of the adaptor is in face-to-face engagement with the lower surface of the clasp-supporting member 50C and the upper surface of the clasp 55 is in face-to-face engagement with the lower surface of the depressed area 25D of the adaptor so that a smooth lower surface is formed for engagement with the wrist of the user.

The central portion of the flanged end of the clasp means 55 is provided with a tab 55D which is struck outwardly from the metal which forms the flange. To open the clasp and release the watch band from the adaptor, the user inserts his fingernail beneath this tab to release the snap fit of the flange 55C from its position between the flange 50B of the clasp-supporting member 50 and the adjacent side wall 23C of the adjacent bottom shell 23 (see FIG. 5). Then the clasp is swung in a counter-clockwise direction (looking at FIG. 5) about its pivotal connection until it is in a vertical position when it is removed through the rectangular slot 25C of the adaptor (see FIG. 4).

The ordinary purchaser of a watch band is unable to insert a spring pin through the tubular member of an end attachment and then insert the pintles in the cavities of the lugs of a watch.

With the end attachment of this invention, the jeweler inserts the spring pin through the generally tubular member 31 of the self-contained component 30 which is secured to the generally tubular member 25A of the adaptor, moves the inserts 42 inwardly compressing the springs 41, inserts the pintles 16 of the spring pin in the cavities 17 of a pair of lugs 12 and releases the inserts, thus mounting the adaptor on the watch as shown in FIG. 3. He then performs the same operations to mount a second adaptor on the lugs of the watch on the opposite side.

Then the jeweler demonstrates to the customer the simple operations of passing the clasp 55 through the rectangular opening 25C of the adaptor and closing the clasp with a snap fit and of opening the clasp by inserting his fingernail under the tab 55D, rotating the clasp and withdrawing it through the rectangular opening. Any user can perform these simple operations.

Consequently, it is only necessary for a user to have one pair of adaptors attached to his watch and the user can substitute a watch band of a different design or type for the watch band which is attached to his watch at any time. No tools of any kind are necessary to substitute one watch band for another.

This is an advantage not only to the user but also to the jeweler because the jeweler is not bothered by substituting one watch band for another.

Another advantage is that the user can remove his watch band and clean it himself without taking it to a jeweler.

Because in use the bottom surface of the clasp is positioned against the user's wrist, accidental opening of the clasp is prevented.

It is unnecessary for a customer to purchase more than one set of adaptors for each watch.

The invention is applicable to all types of watch bands which are capable of use with a watch having spring pins and the majority of watches are of that construction.

The invention is applicable to all watch bands, whether made of leather, plastic, metal or combinations thereof and whether they are expansible or nonexpansible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT SHOWN IN FIGS. 13 TO 18 OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiment of the end attachment shown in these figures of the drawings is shown attached to an expansion watch band 80 of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,348 to Vanover. Such a watch band comprises a row of top links 81 (FIGS. 14 and 16) and a row of bottom links 82, each link extending in a direction generally transverse to the length of the linkage. There is a leaf spring 83 located in each link and the links are held together by U-shaped connecting members 84 having their legs positioned between the ends of the springs and the outer walls of the top and bottom links respectively, thus to provide an expansible linkage. The watch band is completed by securing ornamental top shells 85 to the top links.

The end attachment of this embodiment includes a self-contained component 30 which is identical to the self-contained component shown in FIGS. 8 and 11.

The adaptor 90 is shown in place between the lugs 12 of the watch 13 in FIG. 13 and detached in FIG. 16.

The adaptor comprises the generally tubular member 90A and the plate-like member 90B having one end integral with the generally tubular member. The plate-like member comprises a transverse generally rectangular opening 90C which is substantially parallel to and adjacent to the generally tubular member 90A. The plate-like member is provided with a flange 90D on its end which is opposite to the generally tubular member 90A.

The generally tubular member 90A is provided with a slot 90E (FIGS. 15 and 16) which extends inwardly from the center of one end and tabs 90F and 90G which project into the inner end of the slot 90E.

The generally tubular member 31 of the self-contained component 30 is positioned within the generally tubular member 90A and in use it receives the spring pin of the wrist watch. The ends of the tabs 90F and 90G are bent into the cutout portions 39 and 40 respectively of the generally tubular member 31 to secure the generally tubular member 90A to the self-contained component 30.

The end attachment also includes the clasp-supporting member 100 which comprises a pair of spaced loops 100A at one end and a flange 100B at the other end, this flange extending upwardly from the generally flat area 100C. The member 100D extends upwardly from the generally flat area 100C and thence forwardly to the spaced loops 100A.

Clasp means 105 comprises a generally flat plate-like central portion 105A, a loop 105B at one end and a resilient flange 105C at the other end. The fingernail receiving tab 105D projects outwardly from the flange 105C.

This clasp means may be made of stainless steel or other suitable material. It is pivotally connected to the clasp-supporting member 100 by a pin 99 (FIGS. 14 and 17) which passes through the loops 100A and 105B.

The clasp-supporting member 100 is secured to the watch band in part by a pair of spaced tabs 100E which extend from the flange 100B in engagement with the top wall of the next to the last bottom link 82 of the watch band, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17. The upwardly extending member 100D engages the side wall of the end bottom link of the watch band as shown in FIG. 14.

The top shell 110 of the end attachment may be made of gold filled material, stainless steel or any other suitable material. Its upper surface is impressed with the design of the links of the watch band as shown in FIG. 13. It is provided at one end with a flange 110A. The portion of the top shell which is adjacent to that flange covers the upper portion of the generally tubular member 90A of the adaptor and the flange 110A covers at least the upper portion of the side of the tubular member 90A as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 17.

The other end of the top shell of the end attachment is provided with a flange 110B which abuts the side wall of the end top shell 85 of the watch band as shown in FIG. 14.

The top shell of the end attachment is provided with a pair of side flanges 110C which have a pair of tabs 110D on their ends and these tabs are bent inwardly beneath the portion 100D of the clasp-supporting member to attach the top shell to the clasp-supporting member as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16.

To assemble the watch band with the adaptor, the parts are positioned as shown in FIG. 16 and the lower end of the clasp 105 is passed through the rectangular slot 90C of the adaptor. Then the clasp is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and its flange 105C is snapped into engagement with the flange 100B of the clasp-supporting member 100 as shown in FIG. 14. This snap fit detachably holds the watch band to the adaptor.

It is to be noted that in this closed position, a portion of the lower surface of the clasp-supporting member 100 is in face-to-face engagement with the upper surface of the portion 105A of the clasp and that the lower surface of the portion 105A of the clasp is adapted for engagement with the wrist of the user.

To open the clasp and release the watch band from the adaptor, the user inserts his fingernail beneath the tab 105D of the clasp to release the snap fit of the flange 105C from its position between the flange 100B of the clasp-supporting member and the adjacent side wall of the adjacent bottom link of the bracelet (see FIG. 14). Then the clasp is swung in a clockwise direction (looking at FIG. 14) about its pivotal connection 99 until it is in a vertical position when it is removed through the rectangular slot 90C of the adaptor (see FIG. 16).

As with the first embodiment, the jeweler inserts the spring pin through the generally tubular member 31 of the self-contained component 30 of the adaptor, moves the inserts 42 inwardly compressing the springs 41, inserts the pintles 16 of the spring pin in the cavities 17 of a pair of watch lugs 12 and releases the inserts, thus mounting the adaptor on the watch as shown in FIG. 13. He then performs the same operations to mount a second adaptor on the lugs of the watch on the opposite side.

Then the jeweler demonstrates to the customer the simple operations of passing the clasp 105A through the rectangular opening 90C of the adaptor and closing the clasp with a snap fit and of opening the clasp by inserting his fingernail under the tab 105D, rotating the clasp and withdrawing it through the rectangular opening. Any user can perform these simple operations.

Consequently, it is only necessary for a user to have one pair of adaptors attached to his watch and the user can substitute a watch band of a different design or style for the watch band which is attached to his watch at any time. No tools of any kind are necessary to substitute one watch band for another.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that this invention has solved the above described long-felt need and satisfied the above described objects.

While two desirable embodiments of the invention have been shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and various changes in shape, proportion and arrangement of parts as well as the substitution of equivalent elements from those shown and described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. An end attachment for watch bands adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs of a wrist watch comprising,

an adaptor which comprises a generally tubular member adapted to receive a spring pin of a wrist watch, a plate-like member having one end integral with said generally tubular member, said plate-like member comprising a transverse generally rectangular opening substantially parallel to and adjacent to said generally tubular member,

a clasp-supporting member having at least a portion thereof adapted to be positioned in engagement with at least a portion of said plate-like member,

means for securing said clasp-supporting member to a watch band,

clasp means, and

pivot means for connecting one end of said clasp means to a portion of said clasp-supporting member which is adjacent to said generally tubular member,

siad clasp means comprising a resilient flange, said resilient flange and the part of the clasp means which extends outwardly from said pivot means being passed through said generally rectangular opening to close and open the clasp means and, when the clasp means is in closed position, at least a portion of the upper surface of the clasp means being in engagement with at least a portion of the lower surface of said plate-like member and said resilient flange forming a snap fit with a portion of said clasp-supporting member, thereby detachably to secure the clasp-supporting member to the adaptor when the clasp means is in closed position.

2. An end attachment according to claim 1 which also comprises an ornamental top shell and means for attaching it to said clasp-supporting member.

3. An end attachment according to claim 2 wherein said top shell comprises a longitudinal extension which is adapted to cover at least the upper portion of said generally tubular member.

4. An end attachment according to claim 3 wherein said longitudinal extension comprises an end portion which at least partially covers at least a portion of the adjacent side of said generally tubular member.

5. An end attachment according to claim 2 wherein said top shell comprises side walls which include tabs which form said means for attaching the top shell to said clasp-supporting member.

6. An end attachment according to claim 2 wherein the upper surface of said top shell is formed with the design of the upper surfaces of the links of the watch band.

7. An end attachment according to claim 1 wherein the lower surface of said plate-like member is formed with a depressed central portion which receives said clasp means when it is in closed position, whereby the lower surface of said clasp means is positioned in substantially the same plane as the side portions of the lower surface of said plate-like member.

8. An end attachment according to claim 1 wherein said clasp means is provided with means adjacent to said resilient flange for receiving the fingernail of the user for releasing the engagement of said resilient flange with said clasp-supporting member for opening the clasp means.

9. An end attachment according to claim 1 wherein said clasp means forms at least a part of the bottom surface of the end attachment so that in use it engages the wrist of the wearer to prevent accidental opening of the clasp means.

10. An end attachment according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the lower surface of the clasp-supporting member is positioned in engagement with at least a portion of the upper surface of the plate-like member of the adaptor when the clasp means is in closed position.

11. An end attachment according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the clasp-supporting member is positioned in engagement with a side wall of a bottom link of the watch band when the clasp means is in closed position.

12. An end attachment according to claim 1 wherein the plate-like member of the adaptor comprises an end flange, the clasp-supporting member comprises an upwardly extending portion and said end flange is positioned in engagement with said upwardly extending member when the clasp means is in closed position.

13. An end attachment according to claim 1 wherein the clasp-supporting member comprises an upwardly extending flange at its end which is opposite to its pivotal connection to the clasp means and said flange is positioned in engagement with a side wall of an element of the watch band at least when the clasp means is in closed position.

14. An end attachment according to claim 13 wherein said upwardly extending flange comprises tab means which engage at least the upper surface of a bottom link of the watch band for attaching the clasp-supporting member to the watch band.

15. An end attachment according to claim 13 wherein said upwardly extending flange is positioned against at least a portion of the resilient flange of the clasp means when the clasp means is in closed position.

16. An end attachment according to claim 13 wherein at least a portion of the resilient flange of the clasp means is positioned between the upwardly extending flange of the clasp-supporting member and at least a portion of the side wall of the adjacent bottom link of the watch band when the clasp means is in closed position.