Chain – staple – and horseshoe making – Chains – Ornamental
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-17
2001-03-06
Jones, David (Department: 3725)
Chain, staple, and horseshoe making
Chains
Ornamental
C059S078000, C059S082000, C059S091000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195977
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a watchband or jewelry bracelet with articulated links and flexible fittings, in particular to a bracelet comprising links comprising a receptacle in which a flexible fitting is to be mounted, the links being articulated with each other according to an axis situated at the place of connection between the links.
Most watchbands are realized either in flexible material, for example leather or plastic, or with links of ferrous or nonferrous metals articulated with each other.
Versions of combined bracelets are known with bracelets comprising a metallic structure in which a flexible fitting is mounted, made of leather for example. These known versions make it possible to obtain a different esthetic appearance through the combination of two different materials, such as leather and gold for example, and also to obtain a longer life for the flexible fitting which is in part protected from wear by the metallic structure.
The basic principle of a bracelet comprising a metallic structure combined with a flexible fitting is known from the patent GB 230986 from 1925. This known version has an important disadvantage due to the fact that the metallic structure is realized in one piece which, in the case of a watchband, does not permit good adjustment of the bracelet on the wrist.
Another version of a bracelet with a metallic structure combined with a flexible fitting is known from the patent EP 0 339 123 showing links articulated with each other. This version has an important disadvantage due to the fact that the links are joined together by elements mounted on axes which are not situated at the place of connection between the links. This way of fixing the links, also known from the patent CH 675669, has the disadvantage of requiring play between the links. Since the play is very visible it can considerably impair the general esthetics of the bracelet. Furthermore, with these known versions the mounting of the links with each other requires rather complicated and thus expensive operations.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to remedy the aforementioned disadvantages of known versions.
This aim is reached with the principles of the invention as defined by claim
1
.
According to the principles of the invention, the watchband or jewelry bracelet with articulated links and flexible fittings comprises links having, in cross section, a horizontal lower part, side walls and horizontal upper shoulders. In this cross section, the link has a rectangular tube shape whose upper part comprises an opening formed on part of the width of the link and over the entire length thereof. A receptacle is thus constituted in which a flexible fitting, made of leather for example, can be mounted and held. At one end of the link, and in a side view, the side walls of the link comprise a convex semicircular portion and upper and lower straight portions. A screw hole and a screw head countersink are formed in the side walls at the center of the radius of the convex semicircular part, the straight portions being disposed in the axis of the center of the radius and the center of the hole. The other end of the walls of the link comprises a concave semicircular portion and upper and lower straight portions, the lower straight portion being set back in relation to the axis of the center of the radius of the concave semicircular portion. Rings comprising a threaded hole are mounted on the lower part of the link at the end where the side walls have the concave portion. The rings are mounted so that the center of each ring corresponds to the center of the radius of the concave portion. Widthwise, the rings are mounted so that the outside surface of each ring is located on the width, with play, of the inside surfaces of the vertical walls of the link. When the links are mounted, the convex portion of a link is intended to cooperate with the concave portion of another link and screws are mounted in through holes and screwed into the rings. In a side view the links have a radius which, when the links are assembled together, give the bracelet a radius corresponding to the radius of the wrist. The straight upper portions of the ends of each link are intended to be in contact with each other when the bracelet is worm. According to the principles of the invention, an important advantage consists in the fact that, during wearing, the links have no spaces or play between them, or very small spaces or play depending on the circumstances, which permits a very good esthetic appearance to be obtained. In fact, the articulation of the links according to an axis disposed in the axis of the straight upper portions ensures that spaces or play between links is practically invisible, in accordance with the small thickness of the links. In extreme cases, for example with bracelets for men having very thick wrists or for women having very small wrists, models of links with different radii can be obtained by manufacture. Another important advantage of the principles of the invention is the considerably simplified mounting of the links.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1519578 (1924-12-01), Fielding et al.
patent: 1554095 (1925-09-01), Hultman
patent: 1626139 (1927-04-01), Kraysler
patent: 1669710 (1928-05-01), Jones
patent: 1738407 (1929-12-01), Tost
patent: 1750786 (1930-03-01), Roy
patent: 1753971 (1930-04-01), Roy
patent: 1767529 (1930-06-01), Jones
patent: 1779383 (1930-10-01), Spatschil
patent: 1784451 (1930-12-01), Kramer
patent: 646850 A5 (1984-12-01), None
patent: 0339123 A1 (1989-11-01), None
patent: 0576998 A1 (1994-01-01), None
Jones David
Malboussin Horlogers
Titus John D.
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