Abstract:
An adjustable watch strap having a micro-adjustment system for providing micro adjustments to the circumferential length of the watch strap, in addition to existing standard adjustments. The micro adjustment system is integrated into a buckle (e.g., deployment buckle) and is configured to provide a plurality of microadjustments between standard adjustments or beyond a last or first standard adjustment.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present principles generally relates to adjustable watch straps, more particularly, it relates to an adjustable watch strap having the capability of providing micro adjustments between standard adjustments. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Watches are popular accessories that traditionally provide the time of day and may provide additional data such as the date, a stop watch, etc. A watch strap which supports the watch preferably fits snugly enough on a user&#39;s wrist to resist rotation due to normal hand movements but without the strap being overly tight so as to provide excessive pressure and discomfort to the user. 
         [0005]    Metal watch straps and non-metal watch straps are the two main types of watch straps known in the art. The non-metal watch straps may be fabricated out of materials such as leather, plastic or a variety of other materials. The adjustment of metal watch straps is accomplished by adding or removing links to the bracelet portion in order to change the circumferential length of the bracelet. 
         [0006]    For non-metal watch straps, the straps typically have a fixed length and the circumferential length that the straps encircle the user&#39;s wrist is adjusted by securing the strap to a buckle at different holes on the strap. Tang buckles and deployment buckles are two main types of buckles that are used on non-metal straps in order to connect the straps and secure them on the user&#39;s wrist. Tang buckles secure the circumferential length of the strap by including a hook on the buckle which extends into a hole on a strap portion similar to the operation of a traditional belt. Deployment buckles for non-metal straps may also include a buckle head having a hook for extending through holes on a strap portion. However, deployment buckles also contain a plurality of metal strips which when opened, enlarge the circumference of the bracelet and allow for easy removal of the watch. The deployment buckle also protects the watch from being accidentally dropped upon removal because the straps remain connected to the buckle when the buckle is deployed. 
         [0007]    A disadvantage of traditional deployment buckles is that the deployment buckle cannot be adjusted easily on the user&#39;s wrist once it is secured thereon. In order to adjust the circumferential length of the strap, the watch must be removed and the buckle must be fastened onto another hole on the strap. Sometimes the holes on traditional straps are spaced far apart and a user may not be able to obtain a proper fit with the provided holes. For example, the watch strap may initially not fit well with the provided holes on the watch strap. Alternatively, a watch strap that is initially fitted well on the user&#39;s wrist may become too loose or too tight based on environmental conditions or health conditions which affect the width of the user&#39;s wrist. In order to overcome this problem a user may have to add intermediary holes between two existing holes on the watch strap which is a difficult task and diminishes the attractiveness and structural integrity of the watch strap. 
         [0008]    Watch straps have been made with numerous adjustment mechanisms in order to change the circumferential length of the strap around the user&#39;s wrist. However, all adjustable straps have adjustment increments, such as the standard spacing for the holes on a strap, which are unable to provide small or micro changes in the circumferential length of the strap between the provided hole adjustments in the band in order to provide an optimal fit for the user. Non-metal watch straps normally are adjustable by changing the hole that the strap is affixed to the buckle. However, the circumferential length of the watch strap cannot be adjusted solely at the buckle without changing the hole that the watch strap is secured to the buckle. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, it is an aspect of the invention to provide a watch strap that provides microadjustments at the buckle in order to make small or micro adjustments to the circumferential length of the watch strap without changing the hole that the strap is affixed to the buckle. 
         [0010]    It is another aspect of the invention to provide a watch strap having an adjustment mechanism which permits the user to easily adjust the circumferential length of the strap in small or micro increments without requiring special tools or skills. 
         [0011]    It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a watch strap having an adjustment mechanism that is adjustable in small or micro increments and is cost effective to manufacture. 
         [0012]    Yet a further aspect of the invention is an adjustable buckle mechanism that is configured to be incorporated into an existing buckle of a watch strap in order to allow the watch strap to be adjustable at the buckle in small or micro increments without changing the hole that the strap is affixed to the buckle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present principles include a micro adjustment system for an adjustable watch strap having first and second strap portions and standard adjustment increments. The micro adjustment system features a buckle attached to the first strap portion. The buckle includes a receiving slot on a first end and a spring. A micro-adjustment member is attached to the second strap portion. 
         [0014]    The micro-adjustment member is configured to be slidably received within or retracted from the receiving slot of the buckle. The buckle includes releasable locking means fixedly securing a position of the micro-adjustment member within said receiving slot in one of a plurality of micro increments. The micro increments are smaller than the standard adjustment increments. 
         [0015]    The adjustable watch strap of the present principles provides for micro adjustments between the standard watch strap adjustments to its circumferential length at the buckle, in order to provide a precise fit on the user&#39;s wrist. The adjustable watch strap is able to be easily adjusted by the user without requiring any special tools or skill. The adjustable watch strap allows the user to adjust the buckle in order to shorten or increase the circumferential length of the strap without changing the hole that the strap is affixed to the buckle. This provides for an optimal fit when the proper size for the user&#39;s wrist falls between two standard adjustment holes that the strap is affixed to the hook of the buckle. The spacing and number of apertures on the adjustment mechanism are dimensioned to provide specifically desired micro increments of adjustment between the ordinary adjustment increments, resulting in corresponding micro changes to the circumferential length of the watch strap. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from a detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the following figures. Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the buckle and sliding adjustment member of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the spring of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the watch strap wherein the sliding adjustment member is in a retracted position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a sectional view of the watch strap taken along line  1 - 1  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of the watch strap wherein the second strip of the buckle is positioned on top of the first strip of the buckle; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the sliding adjustment member of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the first strip of the buckle of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows a plan view of the watch strap of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows a sectional view of the watch strap taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  shows a sectional view of the watch strap taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    In accordance with the present principles, an adjustable watch strap having the capability of providing micro adjustments to the circumferential length of the watch strap is provided which includes a buckle  2  having a buckle head  11  including a hook  36  which is attached to one of a plurality of holes on a first strap  32 , a sliding adjustment member  10  attached to a second strap  34  and a watch case (not shown) which houses the watch element and is attached to the first and second straps. The watch strap is preferably fabricated out of a non-metal material. The buckle  2 , first and second straps  32 ,  34  and the watch case housing the watch element form a watch assembly which encircles the wrist of the user. The sliding adjustment member  10  is configured to be slidably received within or retracted from a slot  6  on the buckle  2 . The sliding adjustment member is configured to be secured in a plurality of predetermined positions that are configured to provide micro adjustments to the length that the watch assembly encircles the user&#39;s wrist without changing the hole that the strap is affixed to the hook  36  of the buckle. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows the buckle  2  and sliding adjustment member  10  in accordance with the present principles. The buckle is a deployment buckle which includes a first strip  7  and a second strip  9  that are pivotably connected to each other at a hinge  26 . The second strip  9  of the buckle shown in the  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  8 - 10  includes a buckle head  11  at its terminal end. The buckle head  11  is configured for releasably receiving the first strap  32  such as by a hook  36  which is received into one of a plurality of holes on the strap. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second strip  9  may be pivoted to be positioned on top of the first strip  7  and may have securement means to maintain the buckle in this position. 
         [0029]    The first strip  7  of the buckle has a first end  4  having a receiving slot  6  on a perpendicular wall at its terminal portion of the first end  4 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the top of the first end  4  is generally U-shaped and includes a narrow bar  13  at the terminal portion, side portions  25  and an opening  8  in the middle portion. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the opening  8  in the middle portion is defined by the bar  13  at the terminal portion of the first end, the side portions  25  and a wall  30  on a lower surface of the first strip  7  which opposes the bar  13 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the sliding adjustment member  10  includes a pair of laterally spaced arms  12  on a first end  14  and strap connecting means  16  on a second end  35 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  the strap connecting means  16  comprises a spring bar  38  that is received by two lugs  15  on opposed sides of the second end  35  of the sliding adjustment member. However, the strap connecting means of the sliding adjustment member  10  can be any other connection means known in the art. The laterally spaced arms  12  have relatively planar top surfaces  17  and a bottom surface  19  which includes a plurality of spaced teeth  20  extending downwardly and forming apertures  18  between the teeth  20 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first strip  7  of the buckle includes a spring  22  having a proximal end  39  which features an integral raised member or button  24  which is positioned adjacent the bar  13  at the top of the terminal portion of the first end  4  of the first strip  7 . The spring  22  is arranged in the middle portion of the first strip  7  and follows the contours of the first strip. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the distal end  21  of the spring terminates past the hinge  26  between the first and second strips  7 ,  9  and the middle longitudinal region of the spring is secured to the first strip by a screw  23  or other releasable or permanent fastening means known in the art. The distal end  21  of the spring is preferably free so that it does not restrict movement of the first and second strips  7 ,  9  of the buckle. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  10  the spring  22  includes raised side projections  28  on each side. While  FIG. 2  shows two raised side projections  28 , in other embodiments only a single side projection  28  may be used and still fall within the principles of the invention. The raised side projections  28  of the spring are dimensioned to fit within the apertures  18  of the sliding adjustment member in order to lock the position of the adjustment member  10  relative to the first strip  7  of the buckle. 
         [0033]    In operation, the user can easily adjust the position of the sliding adjustment member  10  relative to the buckle  2  by pressing the button  24  with a finger or by other means in order to lower the spring and move the raised side projections  28  out of an aperture  18  on the adjustment member arms. While the button  24  remains depressed, the arms  12  of the sliding adjustment member may be slid into the slot  6  in order to shorten the circumferential length of the watch assembly at the buckle or they may be retracted from the slot in order to increase the circumferential length of the watch at the buckle. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , when the button  24  is released, the raised side projections  28  of the spring are biased upwards by the spring  22  and are received into an aperture  18  on the arms of the sliding adjustment member  10  in order to secure the position of the adjustment member. In order to eliminate movement of the sliding adjustment member  10  when the raised side projections  28  of the spring are within the apertures  18  of the arms of the adjustment member, it is preferred that the width of the raised side projections  28  are approximately the same as the width of the aperture. However, in alternative embodiments, the width of the raised side projections may be narrower than the apertures so that there is a degree of play when the sliding adjustment member is in a locked position. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the top of the raised side projections  28  are angled downwardly toward the terminal portion of the first end. However, different configurations of the raised side projections may be used and still fall within the principles of the invention. 
         [0034]    The spacing and number of apertures on the sliding adjustment member may be dimensioned to provide specific small or micro increments of adjustment and provide specific changes to the circumferential length of the watch strap. The micro adjustment increments are smaller than standard adjustment lengths in order to provide an optimal fit for the user. In a preferred embodiment, the slidable adjustment member may be slid into at least three different positions in order to change the circumferential length of the watch strap. 
         [0035]    The adjustable buckle allows the user to easily adjust the watch at the buckle  2  in micro increments without adjusting the hole that the first strap  32  is affixed to the hook  36  of the buckle head  11  in order to provide an optimal fit for the user&#39;s wrist. The adjustable buckle provides the user with an optimal fit even when the width of the user&#39;s wrist is in between the sizes of two adjacent holes on the first strap portion  32 . The micro-adjustments of the buckle allow quick and efficient adjustments to be made to the circumferential length of the watch strap in order to compensate for daily wrist size fluctuations due to environmental conditions, health conditions, etc. The micro-adjustments of the buckle also allow the circumferential length of the watch strap to be increased to a size greater than the largest standard adjustment size or decreased to a size that is less than the smallest standard adjustment size. 
         [0036]    For instance, in  FIG. 4 , the sliding adjustment member  10  is fully retracted from the slot  6  on the buckle. In  FIGS. 5 ,  9  and  10  the sliding adjustment member  10  is fully received within the slot  6  on the buckle. The length of the sliding adjustment member arms  12  may also be dimensioned to provide a specific overall possible length of adjustment as may be desired. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , a second bar  31  limits the distance that the sliding adjustment member  10  can be retracted as the button  24  will contact the second bar  31  and prevent further retraction. Similarly, the sliding adjustment member  10  has a portion of its body which has a length and/or width that is greater than the corresponding dimension of the slot  6 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , this portion of the adjustment body comprises a bar  42  on the sliding adjustment member immediately adjacent the arms which has a greater length and width than the slot. Therefore, the portion of the sliding adjustment member body having a greater length and/or width than the slot contacts the bar  13  at the terminal portion of the first end  4  of the first strip and serves to restrict further receiving of the second end of the sliding adjustment member  10  into the receiving slot  6 . 
         [0038]    While a deployable or deployment buckle configuration is specifically shown in the figures which uses non-metal strap portions, other strap configurations may be utilized, such as metal bracelet straps having connected first and second straps, or other straps known in the art, and still fall within the principles of the present invention. 
         [0039]    The adjustable buckle may also be configured to be incorporated into a conventional tang buckle or other conventional buckles in order to provide the improved adjustment capabilities of the present invention. 
         [0040]    The connection means for attaching the buckle to the straps may be, for example, spring bars that are received by two lugs, or may be any other connection elements known in the art and are not limited to those specifically shown in the figures. 
         [0041]    While the application focuses on use of the buckle and sliding adjustment member with respect to watches, the principles disclosed herein may be used with respect to other adjustable encircling objects in numerous different fields. 
         [0042]    It should be understood, of course, that the specific form of the invention herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. 
         [0043]    Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present principles is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present principles. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present principles as set forth in the appended claims.