Patent GB-827571-A (GB)
Title: Expansible self retracting linkage
Inventor: AUGENSTEIN KARL CHRISTOF
IPC: A44C5/06
Filed: 1957-12-09
Abstract: 827,571. Bracelets. SPEIDEL CORPORATION. Dec. 9, 1957, No. 38172/57. Class 43 An expansible self-retracting linkage 2 comprises top and bottom links 8, 19 pivoted to one another at the centre and at the ends to form a lazy tongs connec-. tion and having a helical spring associated with each end pivot biasing the links to retracted position. The linkage is connected at one end to a non-expanding link section 4 and at the other end to a base member 88 of a device 5 for concealing the linkage 2. Another non-expanding link section 3 is secured to a stiff connecting member 126 similar in appearance to the link sections 3, 4, and which adjustably overlies the linkage 2 and passes partly within the concealing device 5. The top links 8 have each an open bottomed shell 26 with side tabs 28 which engage notches 30 in the sides of a liner 24 and are bent under dished portions 48. Two helical springs 51, 56, extend through hollow members 10, 14 extending from a liner 16 of the bottom link. The hollow members extend through apertures 18, 22 in the liner 24. One arm 52, 60 of the springs extends along the top side of the liner 24 and a hook 53, 62 on the end extends into a central hollow member 12 on the liner 16, the hollow member 12 passing through a central aperture 20 in the liner 24. The free end 54, 57 of each spring contacts a side wall 37 of a bottom shell 36 of the link 19. The shell has side tabs 38 which engage notches 40 in the sides of the liner 16 and are bent over dished portions 46. The top end link of the expansible section 2 is pivotally connected to a terminal member 66 by a bottom half link 64 and lip 67. The last bottom link is pivotally connected to a top half link 68 and lip 67. The terminal connector member 66 has a link 71 with three pieces 71a with hinge members which are secured by a pin 70 to hinge members 9c of a link 9 of section 4 comprising intermeshing pivoted links 7 and 9. The bottom end link 19 of the other end of the linkage is connected to a terminal connector 74 by pivoting to a top half link 76 and lip 73. The top end link 8 is connected to the terminal connector by a bottom half link 78 and lip 73. A hinge member flange 84 is secured to the terminal connector and a pin 82 secures the flange to lugs 86 on the upturned end of the base member 88. A stiff connecting member 126 having an appearance similar to links 7, 9 is secured to end links 7 of section 3 by a pin 180. A cover member 100 is pivoted to one end of the base member 88. The cover member has tabs 115 which are bent over the corners of a retaining member 108 which has side walls 110 against which slide two ratchet members 104 which have lugs 109 which pass through recesses 120 in the retaining member and tabs 118 on the lugs which pass through slots 122 in the cover member. The ratchet members are urged apart by a spring 106. The cover member has inward portions 123 which snap engage in recesses 124 in the side walls of the base member when the cover is closed. The stiff connecting member 126 is placed over linkage 2 and portions 132, 134, on the end of the connecting member pass through slots 111, 112 in the retaining member and ratchet members and are engaged by the ratchet teeth. To adjust the length of the bracelet the tabs 118 are pressed inwardly to disengage the ratchet teeth from the portions 132, 134, the stiff connecting member can then move over the linkage 2 and be secured in adjusted position by releasing the tabs 118. The amount of adjustment is limited by lateral lugs 125 on the end of the stiff connecting member engaging the end shoulders 184, 185 in side walls 94 of the base member. The adjustment may be omitted by securing the stiff connecting member to the side walls 94 or by securing the linkage 2 to the stiff connecting member; in the latter case the narrow part 90 of the base member is omitted. The upper part of the concealing device 5 may be omitted using only the base member to the side walls 94 of which the stiff connecting member is connected, the elements 125, 132, 134 being omitted. The ends of the non expanding parts 204, 206, Fig. 19 can be joined to both ends of the expanding linkage 202 and the concealing device and stiff connecting member omitted.