Method of forming and assembling top shells onto the links of metallic watchbands
AssigneeTextron Inc.
InventorsWerner Jackl, Richard E. Ripley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of assembling top shells onto the links of a flexible linkage, the top shells being configured and dimensioned to overlie the links and having bendable end tabs. The method includes the steps of: forming an elongated framework which includes a plurality of the top shells arranged in an integrally interconnected parallel array; combining a section of the linkage with the top shell framework in a manner such that the links are aligned with the top shells; and subdividing the framework to separate the top shells one from the other in connection with the deformation of the end tabs around and into mechanical interengagement with the ends of the links to thereby secure the top shells to the links.
Claims15
A method of assembling top shells onto the links of a flexible linkage, said top shells being configured and dimensioned to overlie said links and having bendable end tabs, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming an elongated framework which includes a plurality of said top shells arranged in an integrally interconnected parallel array;
- combining a section of said linkage with said framework in a manner such that the links of said section are aligned with said top shells;
- and
- subdividing said framework to separate said top shells one from the other while deforming said end tabs around and into mechanical interengagement with the ends of said links to thereby secure said top shells to said links.
A method of assembling plastic top shells onto the metallic top links of an expansible watchband linkage, said top shells being configured and dimensioned to overlie respective top links of said linkage and having end tabs which are bendable around and into mechanical interengagement with respective ends of said top links, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) molding an elongated plastic framework consisting of two parallel side rails with a plurality of said top shells extending transversely therebetween, the opposite ends of said top shells being integrally joined to said side rails by said end tabs;
- b) arranging a section of said linkage between the side rails of said framework, with the top links of said linkage extending between the end tabs of respective top shells thereof;
- and
- c) severing said end tabs from said side rails and bendably deforming the thus severed end tabs around and into mechanical interengagement with the ends of respective top links.
A method of assembling plastic top shells onto the metallic top links of an expansible watchband linkage, said top shells having recesses on the undersides thereof which are configured and dimensioned to receive respective top links of said linkage in nested relationship therein, and having end tabs which are bendable around and into engagement with respective ends of top links received in said recesses, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) molding an elongated plastic framework consisting of two parallel side rails with a plurality of said top shells laterally spaced one from the other and extending transversely between said side rails, the opposite ends of said top shells being integrally joined to said side rails by said end tabs;
- b) arranging a section of said linkage in an expanded condition between the side rails of said framework, with the top links of said linkage being nested in the recesses of respective top shells and extending between the end tabs thereof;
- and
- c) severing said end tabs from said side rails and bendably deforming the thus severed end tabs around and into engagement with the ends of respective top links.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.