Wristwatch bracelet and process for the production thereof

• US 5,630,329 A
• Filed: 01/19/1996
• Issued: 05/20/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Junghans Uhren GmbH
• Original Assignee: Junghans Uhren GmbH
• Inventors: Lauffer, Scott, Kuschel, Pieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kien T.
• Application Number:
  US08/588,896
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 63/3, 63/5.1, 63/6, 63/11, 63/4, 63/9, 224/178, 224/179, 224/175, 224/164, 59/80, 59/93, 24/269
• US Class Current: 63/5.1
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0076 essentially made from metal
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/025 with links threaded on a band

Abstract

A wristwatch bracelet segment includes a core and decorative elements mounted thereon in longitudinally spaced relationship. The core comprises first and second flexible core elements. The first core element is elastically stretchable and includes longitudinally spaced enlargements that define recesses therebetween. The decorative elements are mounted in respective recesses. The second core element is somewhat stiffer than the first core element and is installed through a longitudinal passage formed in the first core element. The first core element is stretched longitudinally to reduce its cross-sectional shape in order to enable the decorative elements (preferably of tubular shape) to be slid onto the first core element. The ends of the second core element are configured to receive connecting pins for connecting a clasp to the bracelet segment, and connecting the bracelet segment to a wristwatch casing.

Claims

1. A bracelet segment for a wristwatch comprising a first flexible, elastically stretchable core element of elongated strip shape, said first core element including longitudinally spaced enlargements constituting spacer members which define recesses between one another, said spacer members being interconnected by connector portions of said first core element which are of one-piece construction with said spacer members, said first core element including a passage extending longitudinally therethrough;

decorative elements mounted on said first core element within respective ones of said recesses; and

a second flexible core element, stiffer than said first core element, extending through said passage.

2. The bracelet segment according to claim 1, wherein said first core element is of U-shaped cross-section to define said passage, a cross-sectional shape of said passage corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of said second core element.

3. The bracelet segment according to claim 1, wherein said first core element is of hollow tubular shape to define said passage, a cross-sectional shape of said passage corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of said second core element.

4. The bracelet segment according to claim 1, wherein said second core element includes one end defining a watch-attachment end having a transverse through-hole for receiving a connecting pin.

5. The bracelet segment according to claim 4, wherein at its opposite end said second core element includes a transverse channel for receiving a pin to attach a clasp to said second core element.

6. The bracelet according to claim 1, wherein one end of said second core element includes a transverse channel for receiving a pin to attach a clasp to said second core element.

7. The bracelet according to claim 1, wherein each of said spacer members includes concave and convex surfaces each facing in a longitudinal direction, each of said recesses being defined by said convex surface of one of said spacer members and said concave surface of an adjacent spacer member, each of said decorative elements including concave and convex surfaces facing respective ones of said concave and convex surfaces of its respective recess.

9. The process according to claim 7, wherein step B comprises longitudinally stretching said first core element to reduce its cross-sectional size, sliding said decorative elements onto said stretched first core element, and then releasing said first core element.

8. A process for making a bracelet segment of a wristwatch, comprising the steps of:

A) providing a first flexible, elastically stretchable core element of elongated strip shape and including longitudinally spaced enlargements constituting spacer members which define recesses between one another, said spacer members being interconnected by connector portions of said first core element which are of one-piece construction with said spacer members, said first core element including a passage extending longitudinally therethrough;

B) installing decorative elements into respective ones of said recesses; and

,

C) inserting a second flexible core element, stiffer than said first core element, through said passage.

10. The process according to claim 8, wherein step C is performed following step B.