Abstract:
An expansible band ( 10 ) is disclosed as including a first band part (P), a second band part (Q 1 , Q 2 ) and a third band part (R), each of the band parts including a number of inter-engaged link members ( 14 A,  14 B), in which each of the band parts (P, Q 1 , Q 2 , R) is movable between an expanded configuration and a stable contracted configuration, and the first band part (P) is releasably engaged with the second band part (Q 1 , Q 2 ), and the second band part (Q 1 , Q 2 ) is releasably engaged with the third band part (R).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an expansible band which may be used in the malting of watches, bracelets or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Expansible bands are already known. One type of such bands is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,348, the contents of which are filly incorporated herein. As the band is expansible, it may be moved between an expanded configuration, e.g. when being pulled over the user&#39;s hand, and a filly contracted configuration, to which latter configuration the band is biased. When the band is worn by a user, the band is intended to remain in its stable, fully contracted configuration. The size of the band when in its fully contracted configuration should thus fit the size of the wrist of the user. 
     It is, of course, well known that different persons have different wrist sizes. However, in existing expansible bands, the length of the bands in their fully contracted configuration cannot be further reduced, without using specialized tools or by experienced technicians. Thus, for example, watch manufacturers cannot stock bands of one size only, but have to stock expansible bands of different sizes, e.g. large, medium and small, for fitting the wrist size of different users. This would create problems for stock management, and add to the cost. 
     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an expansible band in which the aforesaid shortcoming is mitigated, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the trade and public. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, there is provided an expansible band including at least a first, a second and a third band member, each including a plurality of inter-engaged link members, wherein at least said first band member is movable between an expanded configuration and a stable contracted configuration, wherein said first band member is releasably engaged with said second band member, and said second band member is releasably engaged with said third band member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1A is a side view of an expansible band according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 1B is a top view of the band shown in FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a first type of link taken along the line A—A in FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 2B is a sectional view of a second type of link taken along the line B—B in FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the second type of link shown in FIG. 2B, with an engagement pin removed; 
     FIG. 2D is a side view of an engagement pin used in the band shown in FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 2E is a perspective exploded view showing the engagement between the first and second type of links shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively; and 
     FIGS. 3A to  3 C show the manner in which the length of the band shown in FIG. 1A may be adjusted. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     An expansible watch band according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, generally designated as  10 . At each end of the band  10  is provided with a crimped portion  12  adapted to be in engagement with a watch casing (not shown), in the conventional manner. The band  10  is made up of four band parts, P, Q 1 , Q 2  and R, in which the band parts Q 1  and Q 2  are the same. 
     Each of the band parts P, Q 1 , Q 2  and R is made up of a number of inter-engaging links. The band part P is made up of a number of links  14 A inter-engaged with one another to allow the band part P to expand and contract in the conventional manner. In particular, because of the construction of the links  14 A, the band part P is biased towards the contracted configuration, which is thus also the stable configuration. A cross sectional view of the link  14 A is shown in FIG.  2 A. As to the band parts Q 1  and Q 2 , each is made up of a link  14 B and a number of links  14 A. In this example, the lengths of the band parts Q 1  and Q 2  are the same. It is of course possible for the lengths of the band parts Q 1  and Q 2  to be different, or to provide several of such band parts Q 1  and Q 2 , to increase the freedom in adjusting the length of the band  10 . Again, the band parts Q 1  and Q 2  are movable between an expanded configuration and a stable contracted configuration. Turning to the band part R, such is made up of a link  14 B engaged with a number of links  14 A, again allowing the band part R to expand and contract, in the conventional manner. 
     A cross section view of the link  14 B is shown in FIG. 2B, and a perspective view thereof is shown in FIG.  2 C. It can be seen that the link  14 B has a slightly curved upper surface  16  and two opposite end walls  18 . On each end wall  18  is formed two holes  20 , of which only part of one is shown in FIG.  2 C. The link  14 B has a cavity  22  sized and configured to receive an engagement pin  24 , a side view of which being shown in FIG.  2 D. The engagement pin  24  has a central thicker portion  24   a  and two narrower end portions  24   b . Each of the end portions  24   b  is movable axially relative to the central portion  24   a  between a retracted position and an extended position. The end portions  24   b  are biased towards the respective extended position by a spring (not shown) in the central portion  24   a . The extent to which the end portions  24   b  may be moved towards the central portion  24   a  is governed by a respective narrow collar  24   c  extending radially from the respective end portion  24   b . As shown in FIG. 2B, each of the end portions  24   b  of the engagement pin  24  is received respectively within a hole  20  on the end wall  18  of the link  14 B. 
     FIG. 2E shows in more detail the manner in which the link  14 A is engaged with the link  14 B. At the link  14 A adjacent to the link  14 B, a crimped portion  26  is formed to provide a channel  28  for releasably receiving the engagement pin  24 . The engagement pin  24  may thus be received within the link  14 B for releasable engagement therewith. 
     FIGS. 3A to  3 C show the manner in which the length of the band  10  may be adjusted. In these figures, in order to enhance clarity, the links  14 B are shown as hatched. It should however be appreciated that the outward appearance of the links  14 B and  14 A may be essentially identical to each other, to provide a homogeneous look. 
     As shown in FIG. 3A, a user may use an implement with a sharp end to act on one of the end portions  24   b  of the engagement pin  24 , against the biasing force of the spring in the central portion  24   a  of the engagement pin  24 , and to push the engagement pin  24  slightly sideward. The engagement pin  24 , thus out of engagement with one of the holes  20  of the link  14 B, will allow the band part R to be detached from the rest of the band  10 , as shown in FIG.  3 B. If necessary, the engagement pin  24  may also be detached from the crimped portion  26 . In the same way, the engagement between the band parts Q 1  and Q 2  may be released, thus detaching the band part Q 1  from the band parts Q 2  and P, as shown in FIG.  3 C. 
     The band parts Q 2  and P and the band part R may be releasably engaged with each other by having the engagement pin  24  received within the crimped portion  26  of the band part Q 2 . One end portion  24   b  of the engagement pin  24  is then received within a hole  20  of the link  14 B of the band part R Another end portion  24   b  of the engagement pin  24  is then pressed axially towards the central portion  24   a  to allow the engagement pin  24  to be wholly received within the cavity of the link  14 B. When the engagement pin  24  is aligned with both the appropriate holes  20 , the other end portion  24   b  will move to its extended position under the biasing force of the spring in the engagement pin  24  to engage the other hole  20 , and thereby to engage the band part Q 2 , and thus the band part P with which it is engaged, with the band part R. 
     If desired, e.g. to further reduce the length of the resultant band, the band part Q 2  may similarly be detached from the band part P, and the band parts P and R be releasably engaged with each other. 
     It can be seen that, by way of the arrangement in the present invention, the length of the band  10  may be easily adjusted, even by the end user, by using a very simple hand implement. 
     It should be understood that the above only illustrates and describes an example whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     It should also be understood that various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described here in the context of a single embodiment, may be provided or separately or in any suitable sub-combination.