Synthetic-Resin and Metallic Layered Watchband

The present invention relates to a bracelet. More particularly this invention concerns a bracelet usable as a watchband.

It is known to use a metallic bracelet as a watchband. Such a watchband is considered quite attractive and has the advantage of a long service life. Such a watchband, however, is often found to be uncomfortable, first of all because the hard metal can pinch or cut into the skin of the wearer, and secondly because the nonporous nature of the metallic band does not allow sweat to dissipate.

A nonmetallic watchband is also known, normally made of a synthetic-resin strip or of a textile. Such a watchband is considered quite comfortable, but is often found unattractive due to its softness. Furthermore the service life of such a watchband is often short, as the material forming it is relatively soft and wears out rapidly.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved bracelet.

Another object is the provision of a bracelet usable as a watchband which overcomes the above-given disadvantages.

A further object is to provide a watchband which will have a long service life, while at the same time being comfortable and attractive.

These objects are attained according to the invention in a bracelet comprising a metal--normally steel or aluminum--strip laminated with a nonmetallic--normally synthetic-resin or textile--strip. In accordance with this invention the metal strip has an inner face normally turned toward the wrist of the wearer and an outer face, and is formed with a multiplicity of throughgoing perforations over substantially all of its surface. The nonmetallic strip lies against the outer face and has a multiplicity of bosses or projections that each extend through a respective perforation and extend inwardly beyond the inner face of the metallic inner strip.

Thus the bracelet according to this invention when used as a watchband will lie against the wrist of the wearer substantially exclusively via the heads of the projections which extend beyond the smooth inner face of the inner metal strip. A smooth and nonporous metal surface does not lie against the wearer's skin so that sweat buildup under the watchband is avoided. At the same time the metallic strip imparts a substantial stiffness, and hence a nice appearance, as well as a long service life to the watchband.

According to further features of this invention the array is substantially uniform, although it lies within the scope of the present invention to pattern the array for decorative effect. The strips may also each be formed of a succession of links or small plates without departing from the basic principle of the invention.

In accordance with yet another features of this invention the two strips are contiguous and bonded together either by vulcanization or by means of an adhesive. It is also possible to dimension the projections slightly larger than their perforations and to force fit the two strips together, or to upset the inwardly projecting ends of the bosses, rivet-fashion, to secure the two strips together.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal large-scale section through a portion of a bracelet according to the instant invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wristwatch having a watchband according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 a watchband according to this invention basically comprises an elongated inner metallic, here aluminum, strip 1 and contiguous therewith a synthetic-resin, here Nylon, strip 3. The metallic strip 1 is formed with an array of throughgoing cylindrical perforations 2 and the strip 3 is formed with a multiplicity of cylindrical bosses 4 that each extend through a respective perforation 2 and project beyond the inner face 5 of the strip 1 by a distance a equal to between one-quarter and three-quarters of the thickness T of the strip 1, which is of the same thickness the strip 3. Thus the watchband has an outer face 9 on the strip 3 which is the face normally seen and an interface 10 is formed between the inner face of the outer strip 3 and the outer face of the inner strip 1.

In accordance with this invention the two strips 1 and 3, which may each be formed of a plurality of linked-together plates, may be interconnected by vulcanization of the synthetic-resin or elastomeric strip 3 on the strip 1, or the bosses 4 may be dimensioned slightly larger than the perforations 2 and/or their heads upset rivet-fashion to secure the two strips 1 and 3 together. The strip 3 may also be formed at least partially of a textile. The holes 2 may be provided as shown in a uniform array, or patterned array may be used for artistic effect.

Such a layered bracelet is provided on its ends 6 and 7 with fittings for connection to a wristwatch case 8, one of the ends 6 being made easily disconnectable for donning and removing the wristwatch.