US3417578A - Adjustable clasp - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 24, 1968 o. v. ANDERSON 3,417,573

ADJUSTABLE CLASP Filed April 8; 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet l In. I

W F l Ga 3 46 4g INVENTOR. OLOF VERNER ANDERSON BY B /MMWM ATTOR NEY Dec. 24, 1968 o. v. ANDERSON 3,417,573

ADJUSTABLE CLASP Filed April 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. OLOF VERNER ANDERSON ATTORNEY Dec. 24, 1968 o. v. ANDERSON 3,417,578

I ADJUSTABLE CLASP Filed April 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 22/1 numz gggk FIG. ll

INVENTOR. OLOF VERNER ANDERSON ATTORNEY Dec. 24, 1968 o. v. ANDERSON 3,

ADJUSTABLE CLASP Filed April 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. OLOF VERNER ANDERSON mammal/M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,417,578 ADJUSTABLE CLASP Olof Verner Anderson, North Kingston, R.I., assignor to Anson, Inc., Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Apr. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 446,497 2 Claims. (Cl. 63-5) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLUSURE This invention discloses an adjustable bracelet comprising a band, a clasp casing having an end wall formed with an opening through which one end of said band passes, a clasp secured to the other end of said band, cooperating elements of a detachable connection on said clasp and easing, an abutment plate in said casing and normally in abutting engagement with said end wall, and an anchor member fixedly secured to the band end within the casing, said abutment plate being structurally designed to have said anchor member secured thereto at one of several locations spaced from its engagement with said end wall.

This invention relates to ornamental bracelets and more particularly to an adjustable clasp construction for use with identification bracelets, watch bracelets and the like, whereby the effective length of the bracelet may be varied.

One difiiculty involved in selling jewelry of the type to be worn around a wrist or ankle is that the size requirements vary. Until now, the majority of bracelets sold required structural alteration by the removal or insertion of elements on the bracelet, to get a proper fit.

Of the bracelets which had provisions for adjustment of the bracelet length some were unsightly and others did not have the structural strength to withstand extensive use. This last is true where the primary load transmitting structure, basically comprised a notch and an engaging projection.

The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a bracelet which is adjustable by means of quick and simple manipulations and which is aesthetically appealing because the adjustable mechanism is normally wholly contained within the bracelet catch casing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bracelet of the type described whose length may be easily and quickly adjusted without structurally modifying the bracelet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracelet of the type described in which the structural provisions for the length adjustments are normally contained within the bracelet catch casing so that the bracelet will retain its pleasing appearance.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bracelet of the type described wherein a portion of the length adjustment structure abuts against an end wall of the bracelet catch casing thereby enhancing its structural strength.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings which describe and show for illustrative purposes certain embodiments of the present invention.

In the drawings the bracelets shown utilize a metallic chain known in the trade as a snake chain. It should be understood that the novel adjustment feature of the present invention may also be used with woven textile or link chain bracelets, all of which may be referred to as bands.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an identification bracelet showing one form of clasp and easing, con- 3,417,578 Patented Dec. 24, 1968 stituting the invention, with portions broken away, for clarity, with which the present invention may be used.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the bracelet of FIGURE 1 with the casing displaced to reveal the adjustable abutment mechanism.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the adjustable abutment mechanism of FIGURE 2 showing the adjustable abutment mechanism disassembled in preparation for adjustment.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the mechanism partially assembled after adjustment.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 showing the mechanism in the process of final assembly.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an adjustable abutment mechanism, with portions broken away, for reasons of clarity the mechanism being in preparatory stage for adjustment.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 showing the mechanism of FIGURE 6 in the process of adjustment.

FIGURE 8 is a View similar to FIGURE 7 showing the mechanism of FIGURE 7 partially assembled after adjustment.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 showing the mechanism of FIGURE 8 in the process of final assembly.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of an identification bracelet having a different form of clasp and easing, with portions broken away, containing another embodiment of adjustable abutment mechanism.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective View of the mechanism of FIGURE 10 with the casing displaced to reveal the adjustable abutment mechanism.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIGURE 11 in the process of adjustment.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention, with portions of the casing broken away, the bracelet being similar to that of FIGURES 19 and having an adjustable abutment mechanism in a preparatory stage for adjustment.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the casing of FIG- URE 12 with an adjustable abutment mechanism eX- tended in preparation for adjustment.

FIGURE 15 is a view similar to FIGURE 14 showing the mechanism of FIGURE 14 in the process of adjustment.

FIGURE 16 is a view similar to FIGURE 15 showing the mechanism of FIGURE 15 partially assembled after adjustment.

FIGURE 17 is a view similar to FIGURE 16 showing the mechanism of FIGURE 16 in its final assembled stage.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, particularly FIGURES 1-5, the numeral 20 generally denotes an identification bracelet having a clasp casing 21 and a clasp 22 joined by a band or chain 23, shown here as a pair of chains, referred to generally as snake chains. These basic components are similarly numbered in FIGURES 6- 9 and 13-17.

The clasp 22 is one known in the art and is composed of resilient projections 32 and 34 respectively having detents 33 and 35 for engagement with the respective holes 24 and 26 in the sides of the casing 21. The end wall portion 36 of the clasp serves to close the open end of the casing.

As seen in the broken away portion of FIGURES 1 and 2 the casing 21 has an end wall 27 containing an opening 28 through which the chain 23 passes in sliding relation.

Within the casing 21 is an adjustable abutment mechanism generally indicated in FIGURE 2 by reference numeral 40. This mechanism has a removable U-shaped plate 42 having parallel legs 44 and 46 The legs are notched with matching notches 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, 44 and 46a, 46b, 46c, 46:], 46c, 46; to receive a wedge member 48. This wedge member is joined to the end of the chain 23 opposite to the clasp end, and has two opposed wedge ends 49 and St} for respective engagement with the notches in legs 44 and 46.

Each of legs 44 and 46 have respective abutment ends 52 and 54.

To adjust the length of the bracelet embodiment shown in FIGURES 1-5 the following procedure is normally followed.

For example, as the initial step on the bracelet shown in FIGURE 1, the chain 23 is pushed into the casing 21 and the casing is simultaneously slid along the chain toward the clasp as shown by the arrows in FIGURE 2 to reveal the adjustable abutment mechanism 40. As shown in FIGURE 2, the wedge member 48 is engaged in the notches 44d and 46d of the U-shaped plate 42. The next step is disengagement of the U-shaped plate. This may be accomplished either by lifting the plate free of the wedge member or pushing it down out of engagement as shown in FIGURE 3. To lengthen the bracelet the wedge member 48 is engaged with notches closer to the abutment ends 52 and 54. In FIGURE 4 the maximum length has been established by engagement of the wedge member 48 with the last notches 44 and 46 The adjustable abutment member is then inserted into the casing 21 and the chain 23 pulled tight to bring the abutment ends 52 and 54 into firm engagement with the interior surface of the end wall 27. At this time the bracelet is ready to be worn.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 6-9 the casing 21 is the same as that of the FIGURES 1-5 embodiment. This similar casing has an end wall 27 with an opening 28 through which the chain 23 passes. The holes 24 and 26 and open end 25 serve the same function as previously described in connection with the embodiments of FIG- URES 1-5.

While the adjustable abutment mechanism 140 is shown displaced in FIGURE 6 it is normally within the casing 21 when the bracelet is being worn. This mechanism has a generally rectangular plate 142 fastened by means of bent tabs 149 and 150 to the chain 23. The outer edge 152 is an abutment edge which engages the inner surface of end wall 27 of the casing. The plate is normally oriented with its largest dimension extending longitudinally of the axis of chain.

Transversely oriented of the major division of the rectangular plate and the axis of the chain are a plurality of evenly spaced rectangular openings 144a to 14471 inclusive which are adapted to receive a depending rectangular tongue 148 joined to the end of the chain 23.

To adjust the length of the bracelet shown in FIG- URES 69 the chain 23 is pushed into the casing and the casing is simultaneously slid along the chain as shown by the arrows in FIGURE 6. This brings the adjustable abutment mechanism 140 into view for adjustment.

As shown in FIGURE 6 the tongue 148 is located within the slot 144e. By disengaging the tongue and lifting it clear of the slot 1442 as shown in FIGURE 7 the plate 142 may be moved either toward or away from the clasp end of the chain. FIGURE 8 shows how the bracelet may be shortened. By moving the plate 142 toward the clasp end of the chain the tongue 148 may be engaged in slot 14%. This brings the abutment or outer edge 152 closer to the clasp end so that when the edge 152 is in engagement with the inner surface of wall 27 the total length of the chain is decreased. The last step of restoring the adjustable abutment mechanism is shown in FIGURE 9. Once restored, the bracelet is ready to be worn.

FIGURES 10-12 illustrate a third embodiment. This embodiment, unlike the two previously described, is adjustable only to lengthen the bracelet. However, the same principle of utilizing an abutment member against the interior of an end wall 227 of the bracelet casing 221 prevails in this embodiment.

The casing 221 receives the clasp 222 which snaps into place because of the resilient prong 232 and detent 233. The clasp wall 236 closes the end opening 225 of the casing when the clasp is in place.

At the end of the chain 223, opposite that joined to clasp 222, is an adjustable abutment member, generally indicated by numeral 240, joined to the chain by bent tabs 249 and 250 and prong 251. The member 240 is composed of joined removably rectangular tabs 244a, 244b, 2440, 244d, 244e, and the tab 244 which is joined to the tabs 249 and 250 and prong 251.

To adjust the length of the bracelet of this embodiment the chain 223 is pushed into the casing and the casing 221 is simultaneously slid along the chain as shown by the arrows in FIGURE 11. The adjustable abutment mechanism 240 is thus exposed to view for adjustment. Each of the tabs 244a through 244s is easily removable by a twist of a pair of pliers such as 300 in FIGURE 12. Each time a tab is removad the exposed edge of the remaining adjacent tab serves as the abutment edge for the member 240. Thus the abutment edge is moved toward the end of the chain to which the abutment member is fastened thereby, in effect, lengthening the chain.

The final step in the adjustment of chain 223 is the restoration of casing 221 by sliding it back to its original position as shown by the arrow in FIGURE 12.

FIGURES 13-17 illustrate a fourth embodiment which is operable in a manner similar to the embodiments of FIGURES l-S and 6-9. The casing of the bracelet also shown here as 21 may be the same as that of FIGURES l-S and 69. This casing also has an end wall 27 and an opening 28 therethrough. The holes 24 and 26 and open end 25 serve the same function as previously described in connection with the embodiments of FIGURES l-9.

Although the adjustable abutment mechanism 340 is shown extended out of the casing 21 in FIGURE 14 it is to be understood that the mechanism is normally contained within the casing against the wall 27, when the bracelet 20 is worn. This mechanism has a channel shaped member comprised of a web 342 and two flanges 344 and 346. These flanges are each slotted with evenly spaced slots designated a through g.

Fastened to the end of chain 23 is collar 348 which is dimensioned to extend between and engage the slots of the two flanges 344 and 346. As shown in FIGURE 14 the collar is in engagement with slots 344d and 346d.

To adjust the length of the bracelet the collar 348 is lifted free of the slots, see FIGURE 15, and then moved to different desired slots. In FIGURE 16 the adjustment of the bracelet to the shortest length is accomplished by engaging collar 348 in slots 344a and 346a. This places the abutment face 352 of the channel member closest to the clasp of the bracelet. Thus when the adjustable abutment member is restored within the casing 21 the abutment face 352 will bear on the interior surface of the wall 27.

It will be understood that although the embodiments of the adjustable abutment members described and illustrated here are straight sided and basically fiat, they may be curved or rounded and still utilize the basic principle of the invention. Moreover while the embodiments of FIG- URES 1-5, 6-9 and 13-17 are adjustable to either lengthen or shorten a bracelet the principle of utilizing an adjustable abutment member against an end wall of the casing is applicable to the embodiment of FIGURES 10-12 which is adjustable only to lengthen the bracelet.

It is to be understood that the above description and accompanying drawings are to be deemed primarily as illustrative of the preferred modes presently contemplated of carrying out the principles of the invention, and that the devices described and illustrated may be modified or altered in their form, proportions, detail of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An adjustable bracelet comprising a hollow elongate casing with a wall closing one end of said casing, a clasp adapted to be removably engaged with said casing, and a band extending between the wall end of said casing and said clasp,

(a) said band slidably extending through an opening in said casing end wall With an end normally contained Within said casing,

(b) an adjustable abutment member fastened to said band end including means adapted to prevent withsaid band end toward said end wall, drawal of said band end through said opening,

(I) said abutment member comprising a plurality of elongate removable tabs joined at right angles to the length of said band to form a flat rectangular plate, running parallel with said band from said band end toward said end wall,

whereby removal of a predetermined number of tabs permits lengthening of said band by exposing an abutment edge at a predetermined distance from said clasp for engagement with the interior surface of said end wall.

2. An adjustable bracelet comprising a hollow elongated casing with an end wall closing one end of said casing, a clasp adapted to be removably engaged with said casing, a band extending between the end Wall of said casing and said clasp, said casing end wall having an opening therein said band slidably extending through said opening and an end thereof being normally contained within said casing, an abutment member joined to said band and having an abutment end located between said band end and said casing end Wall for engagement with the interior surface of said end wall Within said casing, and means for varying the distance between said band and said abutment end, said abutment member being a rectangular plate transversely scored to define a plurality of joined tabs, said abutment end being an exposed end of a tab at the end of said plate, with said means for varying the distance between said band end and said abutment end constituting at least one of said tabs which is removable from said plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 302,437 7/1884 Simmons 63-4 1,700,489 1/ 1929 Dalo. 2,143,702 1/ 1939 Kesterman. 2,412,812 12/1946 Karasik 634 2,648,886 8/ 1953 Prestinari. 3,042,277 7/ 1962 Stradella 635 XR LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

SETH NATTER, Assistant Examiner.

. US. Cl. X.R. 24--123.l, 265

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,417 ,578 December 24, 1968 Olof Verner Anderson It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 14, cancel "said band end toward said end wall,".

Signed and sealed this 12th day of January 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, IR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

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