Adjustable length strap with non-expansible non-metallic strap members interconnected by a metallic coupling device

Claim 2

A strap for attaching a watch or other jewelry article to the wrist of a wearer, comprising: first and second non-expansible elongated flexible strap members interconnected by a coupling device which is adapted to accommodate adjustment of the overall strap length, at least one of said strap members having a strap adaptor permanently secured thereto, said strap adaptor having tab means protruding therefrom, a connector element forming part of said coupling device, said tab means protruding into receiver means in said connector element and being bendably deformed into overlapped engagement with said connector element to detachably secure said coupling device to the said one strap member.

Claim 3

The strap of claim 1 wherein said strap members are non-metallic, and wherein said coupling device and said strap adaptor are metallic.

Claim 4

The strap of claim 2 wherein said coupling device includes a clamp assembly slidable lengthwise on and fixable at selected locations along the first strap member, and a hook assembly separably connected to said clamp assembly, with said connector element forming part of said hook assembly.

Claim 5

The strap of claim 2 wherein said coupling device consists of a section of expansible linkage, and wherein both ends of said linkage have connector elements cooperating with strap adaptors on both of said first and second strap members to detachably secure said strap members to said linkage.

Claim 6

The strap of claim 2 wherein said strap adaptor comprises an elongated flat plate member extending transversally across the said one strap member with the length of said plate member being substantially equal to the width of said one strap member at the location of said plate member, and with said tab means being integral with and protruding above the plane of said plate member.

Claim 7

The strap of claim 5 wherein the opposite ends of said plate member are narrowed in width.

Claim 8

The strap of claim 5 wherein said strap adaptor is embedded in the end of said one strap member, and wherein said tab means protrudes beyond one surface of the said one strap member.

Claim 9

The strap of claim 7 wherein said one strap member consists of at least two superimposed layers, and wherein said strap adaptor is enveloped by at least one of said layers.

Claim 10

The strap of claim 1 wherein said receiver means comprises at least one aperture in said connector element.

Claim 11

The strap of claim 1 wherein said receiver means comprises notches in oppositely facing edges of said connector element.

Claim 12

The strap of claim 1 wherein said connector element has an abutment shoulder against which the end of said one strap member is urged by said adaptor as a result of said tab means being bendably deformed.

Claim 13

A coupling device for interconnecting first and second elongated flexible strap members comprising: a clamp assembly slidable lengthwise on and fixable at selected locations along the first strap member; a hook assembly separably connected to said clamp assembly; a strap adaptor fixedly assembled to the second strap member with at least one tab member protruding therefrom; a connector element on said hook assembly, said connector element having receiver means, said tab member protruding into said receiver means and being bendably deformed to overlap said connector element, thereby detachably securing said hook assembly to the second strap member.

Claim 14

A coupling device for interconnecting first and second elongated flexible strap members comprising: a clamp assembly slidable lengthwise on and fixable at selected locations along the first strap member; a hook assembly separably connected to said clamp assembly; a strap adaptor fixedly assembled to the second strap member with at least one tab member protruding therefrom; a connector element on said hook assembly, said connector element having receiver means, said tab member protruding into said receiver means and being bendably deformed to overlap said connector element, thereby detachably securing said hook assembly to the second strap member.

Claim 15

The coupling device of claim 12 wherein said strap adaptor is embedded in the end of the second strap member, with said tab member protruding through an aperture in said second strap member.

Claim 16

The coupling device of claim 12 wherein said strap adaptor comprises an elongated flat plate member extending transversally across the second strap member with the length of said plate member being substantially equal to the width of the second strap member at the location of said plate member, and with said tab member being integral with and protruding above the plane of said plate member.

Claim 17

The coupling device of claim 14 wherein the opposite ends of said plate member are narrowed in width.

Claim 18

The coupling device of claim 12 wherein said connector element has an abutment shoulder against which the end of the second strap member is urged by said strap adaptor as a result of said tab member being bendably deformed.

Claim 19

For use with a strap having first and second non-expansible non-metallic strap members interconnected by a metallic coupling device, said coupling device having at least one connector element with receiver means integrally formed thereon, means for providing a detachable connection between at least one of said strap members and said connector element comprising a strap adaptor embedded in an end of said strap member, said strap adaptor having at least one tab member protruding outwardly from said one strap member, said tab member being arranged to protrude into said receiver means and being bendably deformable to cooperate in overlapped engagement with said connector element.

Claim 20

For use with a strap having first and second non-expansible non-metallic strap members interconnected by a metallic coupling device, said coupling device having at least one connector element with receiver means integrally formed thereon, means for providing a detachable connection between at least one of said strap members and said connector element comprising a strap adaptor embedded in an end of said strap member, said strap adaptor having at least one tab member protruding outwardly from said one strap member, said tab member being arranged to protrude into said receiver means and being bendably deformable to cooperate in overlapped engagement with said connector element.

Claim 21

A strap for attaching a watch or other jewelry article to the wrist of a wearer, comprising: first and second non-expansible non-metallic elongated flexible strap members; a metallic clamp assembly slidable lengthwise on and fixable at selected locations along the first strap member; a metallic hook assembly separably connected to said clamp assembly, said hook assembly having a transverse abutment shoulder with a flat connector element extending therefrom; a metallic strap adaptor permanently embedded in an end of said second strap member, said adaptor consisting of an elongated flat plate member extending transversally across the second strap member, with the length of said plate member being approximately equal to the width of said second strap member at the said end thereof, said plate member having at least one tab member protruding beyond the exterior of said second strap member; receiver means in said connector element for receiving said tab member, said tab member being bent into overlapped engagement with said connector element to detachably secure said second strap member to said hook assembly, with the end of said second strap member being drawn tightly against said abutment shoulder.

Claim 22

A strap for attaching a watch or other jewelry article to the wrist of a wearer, comprising: first and second non-expansible non-metallic elongated flexible strap members; a metallic clamp assembly slidable lengthwise on and fixable at selected locations along the first strap member; a metallic hook assembly separably connected to said clamp assembly, said hook assembly having a transverse abutment shoulder with a flat connector element extending therefrom; a metallic strap adaptor permanently embedded in an end of said second strap member, said adaptor consisting of an elongated flat plate member extending transversally across the second strap member, with the length of said plate member being approximately equal to the width of said second strap member at the said end thereof, said plate member having at least one tab member protruding beyond the exterior of said second strap member; receiver means in said connector element for receiving said tab member, said tab member being bent into overlapped engagement with said connector element to detachably secure said second strap member to said hook assembly, with the end of said second strap member being drawn tightly against said abutment shoulder.