Chain – staple – and horseshoe making – Chains – Ornamental
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-31
2001-10-09
Jones, David (Department: 3725)
Chain, staple, and horseshoe making
Chains
Ornamental
C059S084000, C059S085000, C063S004000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298650
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a link and link assembly for item of jewelry such as a necklace or bracelet, and more particularly to a link assembly for a bracelet having a new spring coupling assembly that facilitates easy coupling and uncoupling of links to attach a bracelet or to shorten and lengthen the bracelet without the need for special tools or expertise.
2. Description of the Related Art
Interconnected links for jewelry-type bracelets and bands have been used for many years in the watch industry. 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. Numerous problems arise as a result of the connections between adjacent links when bracelets need to be lengthened or shortened. One disadvantage of the previously known devices is that 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. Another disadvantage of the previously known devices is that it is time consuming to make adjustments to the length of the bracelet. Another disadvantage of the previously known devices is that special tooling, and, likely, a trip to the jewelers, is required to adjust the length of the bracelet. Another disadvantage of the previously known devices is that because special tooling or a jeweler expertise is required to make the adjustment, the owner may not be able to make the adjustment at the time and place desired. Another disadvantage of the previously known devices is that because special tooling or a jeweler is required to make the adjustment, it may cost money every time an adjustment is made.
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, and the design otherwise suffers from all of the other disadvantages listed above.
Lastly, plastic bracelets have been made that snap together, relying on the ductility of the plastic to flex over plastic bar portions. These devices are limited in application to children's watches, toy bracelets and the like, since they lack the esthetic appeal, durability, and value of standard jewelry quality bracelets.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides a secure yet easily adjustable bracelet link design for use in interconnected link jewelry and watches that overcomes all of the foregoing problems. One advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it does not require or utilize screw assemblies that may loosen or fall out as a result of repeated pivoting, and thus resulting in either loss of the bracelet or watch or the need for repair. Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that adjustments to the length of the bracelet can be made quickly. Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that there is no requirement for special tooling, or a trip to the jewelers to adjust the length of the bracelet. Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that adjustments can be made at any time and place of convenience to the owner, without having to travel to a jeweler during business hours. Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that there is no cost associated with making adjustments to the length. Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the device can be manufactured from any metal or other material chosen to provide the desired esthetic appeal, durability, and value.
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In a preferred embodiment, a link for a bracelet that allows for easy attachment and detachment to an adjacent link of similar design is disclosed. The link has a central portion with a laterally disposed cavity. A slot connects the cavity to the external surface of the central portion. Two spaced apart outer portions are attached to one end of the central portion and are connected by a crossbar. A spring clip is located inside the cavity. The spring clip has a spring opening along its length positioned in alignment with the slot. In this position, the crossbar of an adjacent link may be pressed into the opening of the spring clip, causing it to expand for passage of the crossbar into the center of the spring clip.
In a more preferred embodiment, the crossbar has a long cross-sectional axis and a short cross-sectional axis with the long axis in approximately the same plane as the link. In the more preferred embodiment, the spring opening may be expanded to allow passage of the short axis, but expansion is limited to prevent passage of the long axis. In this preferred embodiment, to remove a link from the bracelet, two links are aligned at approximately a 90° (degree) angle, and a force is applied outwardly to the link, away from the cavity from which a crossbar is to be removed, and the links easily separate. The force must be sufficient to expand the spring clip beyond the width of the short axis of the crossbar. Similarly, to couple links, the links are aligned at approximately a 90° (degree) angle so that the crossbar of the first link can enter the cavity of the second link. When the links are at other angles, the crossbar is secured in the cavity and cannot be removed or dislodged. The present invention's crossbar and cavity system allows for a secure yet easily adjustable link system
In another preferred embodiment, a bracelet is disclosed having a first link and a second link. The first link has a central portion with a lateral cavity and a slot connecting the cavity to the external surface of the central portion. A spring clip is located inside the cavity. The spring clip has a spring opening along its length positioned in alignment with the slot. The second link has two outer portions connected by a crossbar. The crossbar of the second link may be pressed into the opening of the spring clip, causing it to expand for passage of the crossbar into the center of the spring clip. In a more preferred embodiment, the crossbar has a long cross-sectional axis and a short cross-sectional axis with the long axis in approximately the same plane as the outer portions. In the more preferred embodiment, the spring opening may be expanded to allow passage of the short axis, but expansion is limited to prevent passage of the long axis.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 25163 (1962-04-01), Manne
patent: 1405851 (1922-02-01), Lewis
patent: 1626139 (1927-04-01), Kraysler
patent: 1750786 (1930-03-01), Roy
patent: 1830187 (1931-11-01), Ballavance
patent: 1923201 (1933-08-01), Hedfors
patent: 1943733 (1934-01-01), Kestenman
patent: 2417289 (1947-03-01), Bisso et al.
patent: 2518163 (1950-08-01), Megar
patent: 2539891 (1951-01-01), Carr et al.
patent: 3673794 (1972-07-01), I'Anson
patent: 4269026 (1981-05-01), Bulle et al.
patent: 4606732 (1986-08-01), Lyman
patent: 5689947 (1997-11-01), Yoo
patent: 5806343 (1998-09-01), Yoo
Amundsen Samantha
Smith Daniel M.
Sun Fung Chi
Fischer John G.
Fossil, Inc.
Jones David
Strasburger & Price LLP
LandOfFree
Easy adjustable snap link does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Easy adjustable snap link, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Easy adjustable snap link will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2592422