US1970400A - Bracelet chain - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 14, 1934. l, F SLOCUM A 1,970,400

. BRACELET CHAIN Filed `July l, 1929 0 y a4 /7 2.9 3 Z6 /5 Patented Aug. 14, 1934 BRACELET CHAIN Irving F. Slocum, Pawtucket, R. I., assgnor to Evans Case Company, North Attleboro, Mass.,

a corporation o! Massachusetts Application July 1, 1929, Serial No. 315,117

/ 10 Claims.

This invention relates to metal bracelet construction but more particularly to the flexible type.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple, strong and durable construction which is attractive in appearance and comfortable for the wearer.

Another object is to provide an article of this type which may be economically produced from sheet metal.

Another object is to provide a form of link construction Which may be quickly and easily assembled by unskilled labor.

.Another object is to provide a metal bracelet which is smooth and free from sharp edges or corners and which possesses a high degree of flexibiity.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts, all as will be herein illustratively described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in theV following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which are shown the features of a selected embodiment of this invention:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the bracelet in contracted position. l

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the bracelet as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. .3 is the same as Fig. 2 except that the parts are in expanded position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view,'partially in section, of a portion of the bracelet as shownin Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4, and

Figs. 7 to 12 are detail views.

Referring to the drawing, the construction shown is a wrist watch bracelet having an adjusting device 15 to permit the bracelet to be readily slipped over the hand and then tted to Athe wrist. To this device are connected chain sections 16 and 17 each fitted at its free end with a catch 18 to engage the usual parts 'of the watch provided for the purpose.- The adjusting device consists of a pair of links 19 and 20 hingedly connected at 21 so that they may be folded one upon the other to shorten the bracelet.

'I'he chain section 16 is secured to the link 20 55. by a pivot pin 22 extending through lugs 22a (c1. fsa-5) Astruck up from this link, and similarly the chain section 17 is connected to the link lgby a pin 23. These chain sections 16 and 17 are likewise connected to the catches 18 by pins as at 24 and 25. The end link 26 of the chain section 16 may be 60 soldered or otherwise xed on the free end of the link 20 and this link 26 has three projections or prongs 27 which enter corresponding slots 28 in the first link 29 on the chain section 17 so that when the adjusting device is in contracted or folded position as shown in Fig. 1, the chain has the appearance of being continuous from one catch 18 to the other.

Oppositely disposed laterally extending lugs 30 are formed on the link 26 to enable the link 20 to be lifted to extend the bracelet. These lugs 30 enter corresponding recesses 31 cut in the upstanding side walls 32 of the link 19 which are slightly bent inwardly adjacent the free end to form a frictional grip to retain the adjusting device 15 in folded or contracted position.

Each of the chain sections 16 and 17 is composed of a series of links 29 connected by pins 33. These links 29 may be initially stamped from sheet metal in the form shown in Fig. 10 and then bent on a mandrel oval in cross section into the form shown in Figs. 8 and 9, Fig. 8 being a plan View and Fig. 9 an end View. `In this form the ends of the prongs 35 abut as illustrated at 36 and may be connected by solder. In Fig. 12 there is shown a slightly modied form in which the prongs are slightly longer and are caused to overlap, no solder being used in this form.

The link formed from the plate shown in Fig. 10 has its side or transverse edges slotted with -90 the slots in staggered arrangement. Thus there is provided on each edge a series of projections and indentations with the projections on one edge opposite the indentations on the other edge. When the links are assembled in the chain, the projections on one edge of each link are disposed within the corresponding indentations in the next link.

A chain composed of links such as 29 has the appearance of being composed of a series of small oval links arranged in rows and in the present embodiment there are seven of "these rows with the links in alternate rows staggered. To aid in producing this effect the links may be slightly indented as at 37, during the stamping operation.

The pivot pins 33 connecting the links 29 are of wire which may be initially formed as shown in Fig. 11 with the end 38 bent. The chain sections are assembled by inserting the projections of one link 39 into the corresponding slots' o1' indentations 28 in the next link and then inserting the pins 33 endwise through the loops in the overlapping projections. The unbent ends 41 are then bent in the same manner as the end 38 to securely connect these links. This form of connection not only permits the links to freely swing about their prospective pivotal connections but allows considerable play between the links so that the chain may bend laterally or in the plane of its face.

The catches 18 may be stamped from sheet metal in the form shown in Fig. '7. The portions 42 are then bent up on the lines 43 and then inwardly at 44 to form the sleeve which fits over the end of the chain section. The pins 24 or 25 pass through perforations 45. The portion 46 is rolled to form a hook to engage the watch.

Such a form of chain is simple and strong in construction and attractive in appearance. It is economical to produce and may be quickly assembled by unskilled labor. The entire bracelet is smooth and free from sharp edges and corners and possesses a high degree of flexibility.

It will be seen that there is provided a construction of an essentially practical nature in which the several objects of this invention are attained.

As many other embodiments may be made of the features of the above invention without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a chain bracelet, a pair of chain sections and a folding link adjusting device connecting said sections, said device in contracted position retaining the inner ends of the chain sections in intertting relation.

2. In a chain bracelet, a pair of chain sections, and a pair of members pivotally connected to each other and each connected to one of said sections, the chain sections comprising a series of connected links each having a plurality of projections on one of its edges and a plurality of indentations in the opposite edge, the projections on one link being disposed in the corresponding indentations in the next link, and the projections on the end link of one section entering the corresponding in'dentations in the end link of the next section when the members are in folded position.

3. In bracelet construction, in combination, a housing link, a link member pivotally connected l to said housing link and adapted to fold into a nested position in said housing link,.a chain section secured to one end of said housing link, and a chain section secured to one end of said link member, the ends of said sections being formed with slots and projections adapted to intert when said link member is in said nested position.

4. In bracelet construction, in' combination, a link member, a link element pivotally connected to said link member, said link element adapted to fold into a closed position adjacent said link member, a chain section one end of which is secured to the free end of said link member, said end having slots formed therein, and a chain section one end of which is secured to the free end of said link element, said last-mentioned end havingprojections extending therefrom adapted to intert with said slots when said link element is in said closed position.

5. In bracelet construction, in combination, a

link member, a link element pivotally connected to said link member, said link element adapted to fold into a closed position adjacent said link member, a chain section one end of which is secured to the free end of said link member, said end having slots formed therein, a chain section one end of which is secured to the free end of said link element, said last-mentioned end having projections extending therefrom adapted to interiit with said slots when said link element is in said closed position, and extensions projecting from the opposite sides of said last-mentioned section beyond the opposite sides of said link member and said link element'l when said link element is in said closed position.

6. In bracelet construction, in combination, a link member, a link element pivotally connected to said link member substantially at one end thereof and adapted to fold into a closed position upon the top side of said link member, a chain section connected to the free end of said link member, and a chain `section connected to the free end of said link element and adapted to rest upon the top side of said link element when said link element is in said closed position, the connected ends of said sections being slotted to intert with each other when said link element is in said closed position.

'7. In bracelet construction, in combination, a link member, a link element pivotally connected to said link member substantially at one end thereof and adapted to fold into a closed position upon the top side of said link member, a chain section connected to the free end of said link member, and a chain section connected to the free end of said link element and adapted to rest upon the top side of said link element when said link element is in said closed position, said chain sections comprising a series of links each being slotted on their connected sides to interiit with each other and the connected ends of said sections being slotted to intert with each other when said link element is in said closed position.

8. In bracelet construction, in combination, a link member, a link element pivotally connected to said link member substantially at one end thereof and adapted to fold into a closed position upon the top side of said link member, a chain section one end of which is connected to the free end of said link member, said end having a plurality of slots formed therein, a chain section connected to said link element substantially at the free end thereof, and a member connected to said link element substantially at the free end thereof and having projections extending therefrom, said projections adapted to intert with said slots when said link element is in said closed position.

9. In bracelet construction, in combination, a link member, a link element pivotally connected to said link member substantially at one end thereof and adapted to fold into a closed position upon the top side of said link member, a chain section connected to the free end of said link member, a chain section connected to the free end of said link element and adapted to rest upon the top side of said link element when said link element is in said closed position, said chain sections comprising series of links having a plurality of slots on their opposite edges to form a plurality of spaced projections thereon, the projections on the edge of one link being disposed in the slots in the opposite edge of the next link, and means for connecting said links, the connected ends of said sections being slotted to form projections adapted to interit when said link element is in said closed position.

10. In bracelet construction, in combination, a link member, a link element pivotally connected to said link member substantially at one end thereof and adapted to fold into a closed position upon the top side of said link member, a chain section connected to the free end of said link member, a chain section connected to the free end of said link element and adapted to rest upon the top side of said link element when said link element is in said closed position, said chain sections comprising series of links having a plurality of slots on their opposite edges to form a plurality of spaced projections thereon, the projections on the edge of one link being disposed in the slots in the opposite edge of the next link, and pins extending through said projections to connect said links, the connected ends of said sections being slotted to form projections adapted to interfit when said link element is in said closed position.

IRVING F. SLOCUM.

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