Chain – staple – and horseshoe making – Chains – Ornamental
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-12
2001-05-29
Jones, David (Department: 3725)
Chain, staple, and horseshoe making
Chains
Ornamental
C059S080000, C059S085000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237319
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a link assembly for a bracelet, and more particularly to a link assembly for a watch bracelet having an improved coupling arrangement that facilitates easy coupling and uncoupling of links in order to shorten or lengthen the bracelet.
2. Description of the Related Art
Interconnected links for jewelry-type bracelets and bands have been used for many years in the watch industry. Numerous problems arise as a result of the connections between adjacent links when bracelets need to be lengthened or shortened. The bracelet links can be connected by screw fittings where the screw holds the links together and acts as a pivot pin or other rotation point for the links. However, the screws of such assemblies frequently loosen as a result of repeated pivoting, and may fall out, resulting in either loss of the watch or the need for repair. Additionally, a special tool and likely, a trip to the jewelers, is required to adjust the length of the bracelet.
Instead of screws, some interconnected link bracelets use pins fitted into slots or bores in the links, such as the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,026. Unlike the screw fittings, the pins usually do not have a tendency to loosen or fall out. However, adjusting the bracelet length is still difficult, usually requiring specialized tools and skills.
The ability to provide a wristband link that greatly facilitates rapid and easy adjustment of the wristband to different sizes of wrists is of significant advantage in the retail jewelry sales area. Heretofore, wristbands for watches, bracelets, and other similar jewelry items could be adjusted only by a skilled jeweler or someone with specialized tools to disconnect, remove, and adjust the length of the wristband. Such prior wristband designs are disadvantageous and have many drawbacks in a retail market where customers desire immediate and easy adjustment of their jewelry purchases. Thus there is a need within the industry for a wristband link that is easily adjustable without the need for specialized skill or tooling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a link for a bracelet that allows for easy adjustment in the length of the bracelet. The link utilizes a coupling pin and slot with a door system which allows for easy adjustment. The coupling pins of a first link couple to the slots of a second link which are covered by doors to securely couple the two links. To uncouple the links, one must only press forward on the spring button that opens the doors covering the slots. With the doors open, coupling pins of the adjoining link can slide out of the slots, uncoupling the links.
One aspect of the present invention is a link for a wristband for coupling with other like links. The link comprises a link segment having a forward end and a rear end. The rear end defines a first slot and the forward end is minimally smaller than the first slot. The forward end further defines a second slot therein. At least one pin is retained by the rear end of the link segment and extends into the first slot. The at least one pin is positioned to be received in the second slot of the forward end of a like configured link. A door is selectively slidable over the second slot for capturing and retaining the at least one pin of the like configured link.
Another aspect of the present invention is s wristband having at least two links. The wristband comprises at least a first link wherein the first link comprises a first link segment defining a rear slot and includes a pin retained in the first link segment and at least partially extending into the rear slot. At least a second link comprises a second link segment having a forward end received in the first slot and further defines a second slot. The second slot receives the pin therein. A door retained by the forward end of the second link is movable between a first open position permitting the insertion of the pin in the second slot and a second closed position retaining the pin in the second slot.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for using an adjustable link for a bracelet. The method comprising the steps of providing a first outer segment that further comprises a first coupling pin; providing a second outer segment that further comprises a second coupling pin; and coupling a center segment to the first and second outer segments, the center segment further comprising a spring button that operatively engages a part of transverse doors that covers a pair of transverse slots.
Still another aspect of the present invention is an adjustable bracelet including at least two adjustable links. The bracelet includes a first adjustable link and a second adjustable link wherein each of the first and second adjustable links comprise a first outer segment further including a first coupling pin and a second outer segment further comprising a second coupling pin. A center segment is coupled to the first and second outer segments. The center segment further comprising a button operatively engaged to a pair of transverse doors that cover a pair of transverse slots. The first coupling pin and the second coupling pin of the first adjustable link operatively couple to the pair of transverse slots of the second link and the pair of transverse doors of the second adjustable link retain the coupling pins in the transverse slots.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
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Amundsen Samantha
Smith Dan
Sun Fung Chi
Fossil, Inc.
Jones David
Strasburger & Price LLP
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