Watchband Link with Internal Logo

Abstract

A watchband link includes a moulded plastics upper part having first snap-engagement means. The upper part is formed of light-transmissive plastics material. A moulded plastics lower part has second snap-engagement means cooperative with those of the first snap-engagement means to secure the upper part and lower part together. The lower part has features of shape that are visible through the upper part.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to multi-linkage watchbands or wristbands for wristwatches. The invention more particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a watchband link which can be assembled easily from plastics parts—one of which has a logo or other graphic visible through the other.

Multiple-linkage watchbands usually comprise metallic or plastics links held together in articulated fashion by pins. Assembly of such watchbands requires the insertion of the pins laterally through pre-drilled holes. A logo or other pattern can be applied to the surface of the links.

SUMMARY

An alternative watchband link construction comprises a visible internal logo. A watchband comprises an articulated plurality of such links—each assembled whilst capturing the pins therebetween.

A watchband link comprises:

• • a moulded plastics upper part formed of light-transmissive plastics material;
  • a moulded plastics lower part secured to the upper part;the upper and/or lower part having features of shape that are visible through the upper part.

Preferably, the upper part has first snap-engagement means and the lower part has second snap-engagement means cooperative with said first snap-engagement means to secure the upper part and lower part together.

Preferably, the upper part is formed of a plastics material that is transparent, translucent or tinted.

Preferably, the upper part has inverse features of shape to fit with the features of shape of the lower part.

Preferably, the features of shape of the lower part form alphanumeric characters, a logo or other graphic.

Preferably, the upper part is formed of polycarbonate.

Preferably, the upper part and lower part each have pin recesses which cooperate with one another to form a pin hole to capture a wristband pin when the upper part and lower part are mutually snap-engaged.

There is further disclosed herein a wristband comprising a plurality of the above-disclosed links mutually articulated by pins captured in the pinholes.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the phrase “snap engagement means” encompasses straight-edged protruding features as illustrated in the drawings or any other interengaging features such as lips, barbs or studs and cooperating elements such as sockets, recesses and the like which are capable of snap-engagement by momentary elastic deformation of a least one of the mating components during assembly.

As used herein, the word “logo” encompasses any feature that might be presented in graphic form such as a pattern, shape, alphanumeric character or trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a watchband link;

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation of the watchband link;

FIG. 3 is a schematic parts-exploded cross sectional elevation of the watchband link;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section of the watchband link taken at IV-IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-section of the watchband link taken at V-V in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a close-up detailed illustration of what is shown at VI in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan illustration of a watchband made up of a plurality of the links; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic elevation of the watchband of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings depict a watchband link comprising an upper part 11 and a lower part 12. The lower part 12 includes snap-engagement protrusions 15 whereas the upper part 11 includes corresponding snap-engagement recesses 16. The parts 11 and 12 elastically deform during snap-engagement so that the protrusion 15 fits within the recess 16 to secure the assembly.

Both the upper part 11 and lower part 12 have semi-cylindrical pin recesses which cooperate with one another to form a cylindrical pin hole as the upper part 11 and lower part 12 are snapped together. A watchband pin 14 is placed between the upper and lower parts prior to their mutual snap-engagement so that the pin is captured within the cylindrical formation formed between the parts by the aligned semi-cylindrical recesses.

A plurality of links as depicted in FIG. 5 would be mutually articulated to form a wristband as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The upper and lower parts 11 and 12 are typically formed of moulded plastics material and PC (polycarbonate) would be a suitable material of choice.

The lower part 12 would typically be formed of an opaque material. The upper surface of the lower part 12 has a logo or other shape feature 13 moulded into it so as to protrude slightly. Alternatively, the logo or other shape feature 13 may be recessed slightly into the lower part 12.

The upper part 11 is to be moulded of light-transmissive or “see-through” material. Again polycarbonate would be a suitable material of choice. Moreover, the upper part 11 is transparent, translucent or tinted. The bottom surface of the upper part 11 includes an inversion or “negative” shape corresponding/aligning with the shape of the logo or other feature 13 formed at the upper surface of the lower part 12. Moreover, where the logo 13 is a “positive” and protrudes, the bottom surface of the upper part 11 would have a mirrored “negative” recess. On the other hand, should the logo 13 be recessed into the surface of the lower part 12, the bottom surface of the upper part 11 would have a mirrored protrusion to fit within the recess. Either way, the logo of the lower part 12 fits with the mirrored feature at the underside of the upper part 11. Once snap-engaged, the interlocking logo will add to the rigidity of the link.

In the assembled watchband, the logo 13 is visible through the upper part 11.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, where the lower part 12 is of a particular colour, the logo could be coloured differently.

Claims

1. A watchband link comprising: a moulded plastics upper part formed of light-transmissive plastics material;a moulded plastics lower part secured to the upper part;

2. The watchband link of claim 1 wherein the upper part has first snap-engagement means and the lower part has second snap-engagement means cooperative with said first snap-engagement means to secure the upper part and lower part together.

3. The watchband link of claim 1, wherein the upper part is formed of a plastics material that is transparent, translucent or tinted.

4. The watchband link of claim 1, wherein the upper part has inverse features of shape to fit with the features of shape of the lower part.

5. The watchband link of claim 4, wherein the features of shape of the lower part form alphanumeric characters, a logo or other graphic.

6. The watchband link of claim 1, wherein the upper part is formed of polycarbonate.

7. The watchband link of claim 1, wherein the upper part and lower part each have a pin recess which cooperates with one another to form a pin hole to capture a wristband pin when the upper part and lower part are mutually snap-engaged.

8. A wristband comprising a plurality of links as claimed in claim 7 mutually articulated by pins captured in the pinholes.