A STRAP BAND FOR WRISTWATCHES AND THE LIKE

Abstract: A strap band for wristwatches and the like, characterised in that it comprises a pair of flexible strip material elements, each members comprising an end for the symmetrical coupling to a wristwatch or the like, and an end, opposite to the first one, provided with a buttonhole opening arranged for the reciprocal coupling and the coupling with a fastening and locking member for the cuff of a shirt or blouse.

Description: A strap band for wristwatches and the like The present invention relates to a strap band for wristwatches and the like. Many people are accustomed to wear the wristwatches by fastening the conventional strap band with a buckle or other snap-on locking member over the cuff of a shirt or blouse. In this way problem arise when a strap band that is not too tight slips away from the cuff of the shirt or blouse with easily understandable problems. On the other hand a too tight strap band arranged so that it does not slip away is not comfortable and introduces a less of elegance due to the possible curling of the cuff of the shirt or blouse. The aim of the present invention is to provide a strap band structure for wristwatches or the like that allows to overcome the inconveniences that are found with the conventional strap bands for wristwatches when these are weared over the cuff of a shirt or blouse. According to the present invention these is provided a strap band for wristwatches and the like comprising a pair of elements made of flexible strip material, each element having an end suitable for the symmetrical coupling to a wristwatch or the like and an end opposite to the first one, having a buttonhole opening arranged for the reciprocal coupling and with a fastening and locking member for the cuff of a shirt or blouse. The strap band according to the invention will now be disclosed with reference to presently preferred embodiment thereof and referring to the figures of the attached drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a plan view of the strap band according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a plan view of the strap band according to a second embodiment of the invention. With reference to the drawings, and in particular to figure 1, the strap band according to the invention comprises a first and a second strip member 1, 2, provided in 3 and 4 with the usuεd engagement parts with the coupling pins to the body of a general wristwatch shown in dotted lines in 5. In the ends 6, 7 far away from the couplings to the wristwatch 5 there are provided buttonholes 8, 9 corresponding in shape and dimensions to the buttonholes of a conventional cuff of a shirt or blouse buttoned with cuff links. When the wristwatch with the corresponding strap band is "weared" over the cuff of a shirt or blouse, the stem of the cuff link (not shown) is made to go through both the buttonholes of the cuff and the buttonholes 8, 9 of the strap band in question. The wristwatch and the strap band may therefore be locked to the cuff and the inconveniences above mentioned can be avoided. Possibly, the above disclosed strap band may be weared over the cuff of a conventional shirt or blouse with buttonhole and button by arranging the threading of the button a bit longer than the usual length and locking this on the two superposed buttonholes 8, 9 obtaining the same advantages above discussed. In an alternative solution, the button may be replaced by a rigid head-and- pin button as used in the collars of same kinds of shirts or blouses. In figure 2, there is shown a strap band that uses the same inventive concept disclosed with reference to figure 1. In figure 3 there is shown a further embodiment of the strap band according to the invention. In this embodiment there is provided a single strip 10 of flexible material, provided with buttonholes 11, 12. The strap band according to this embodiment may be utilised either in connection with wristwatches designed for a single-piece strap band, or for wearing ornamental or other devices such as plates, lockets, pill cases and the like, or as a stand alone element much as a wrist band of a decorative element of apparel. In figure 3 there is shown a further embodiment wherein the strap band comprises two strips 20, 21 each having a pair of buttonholes 22, 23 that can be connected together with a pin head button 24 that subtantially correspond to the button holes 8, 9 and 11, 12 of figures 1 and 2, respectively. The parts A, B of the strips 20, 21 arranged for the engagement with a wristwatch generally indicated with broken lines in 25 are designed to be folded over in correspondence with coupling parts like those shown generally in 3, 4 in figure 1. In order to lock together the folded parts A, B, for instance along the folding lines 26, 27 shown in broken lines, there is provided a plurality of small buttonholes 28, 28a, 28b, 28c and 29, 29a, 29b, 29c subtantially symmetrical with respect to the folding lines 26, 27. When preparing the strap band for wearing the wristwatch the user folds the parts A, B seeking the correct location of the folding lines 26, 27 to get a comfortable encircling of the wrist and snaps the small pin head buttons 30, 31 into the corresponding buttonholes 28, 28a, 28b, 28c and 29, 29a, 29b, 29c to get a comfortable length of the whole strap band. The purpose of this arrangement is similar to the multiplicity of holes in a conventional strap band co-operating with the well known buckle of a conventional strap band. It should be noted that the arrangement according to the invention is useful for avoiding allergies due to the contact with the skin of a strap band for person sensitive to these problems. It will be also clear that the strap band according to the invention may be weared over the naked wrist using a conventional cuff link as a locking and fastening member.

Claims: Claims 1. A strap band for wristwatches and the like, characterised in that it comprises a pair of flexible strip material elements, each member comprising an end for the symmetrical coupling to a wristwatch or the like, and an end, opposite to the first one, provided with a buttonhole opening arranged for the reciprocal coupling and the coupling with a fastening and locking member for the cuff of a shirt or blouse. 2. A strap band according to claim 1, characterised in that the fastening and locking member is constituted of a conventional cuff link. 3. A strap band according to claim 1, characterised in that the fastening and locking member is constituted of a conventional button sewn with a prolonged thread. 4. A strap band according to claim 1, characterised in that the fastening and locking member is constituted of a rigid head-and-pin button of the kind used for some collars of shirts or blouses. 5. A strap band according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that it is dimensioned in order to be weared over the cuff of a shirt or blouse. 6. A strap band according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that it is dimensioned in order to be weared over the naked wrist. 7. A strap band according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that it is realised as a single piece of a continuous strip. 8. A strap band for wristwatches and the like according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, as shown with reference to Figure 1. 9. A strap band for wristwatches and the like according to claim 7 as shown with reference to Figure 2. 10. A strap band according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the parts of the strap band arranged for engagement with the locking members of a wristwatch have parts for folding over the locking members of the wristwatch and are provided respectively with a plurality of buttonholes and a pair of pin head buttons so that the overall length of the strap band can be adjusted to render it comfortable according to the various sizes of the wrist of the user.

Inventors: MAFFEI MARIO, MAFFEI, MARIO
Applicants: MAFFEI MARIO, MAFFEI, MARIO
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G04B37
IPC codes: A44C5, G04B37