IP Library Granted Patent US 9,693,608
Granted Patent B1
US 9,693,608 · App. 15/372,105 · Granted Jul 4, 2017

Link adjustment mechanism

Inventor: Flavio Rota (Evilard, CH)
Assignee: Fossil Group, Inc.
A44C5/027A44C5/00A44C5/02F16G15/04G04B37/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,693,608
App. No.
15/372,105
Granted
Jul 4, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

A band may include a plurality of interlocking links or link adjustment mechanisms. An interlocking link or link adjustment mechanism may include a rotating member on a first side, and a static member on a second side. The rotating member may rotate as much as approximately ±45 degrees with respect to a horizontal axis of a pin in an open/unlocked position. Interlocking links or link adjustment mechanisms may interlock with one another, and the rotating member of a first interlocking link or link adjustment member may rotate to a closed/locked position. In the closed/locked position, a pin of a second interlocking link or link adjustment member may be fully inserted into the pin aperture provided by the rotating member of the first interlocking link or link adjustment member. The pin may include a pin end that may provide a spring-loaded connector that may be secured in the pin aperture.

Claims (42)

1. A band, comprising:

a plurality of interlocking links, wherein a first interlocking link is removable from a second interlocking link;

the first interlocking link, comprising:

a rotating member provided on a first side of the first interlocking link;

a static member provided on a second side opposite the first side of the first interlocking link;

a pin-locking member provided inside the rotating member; and

a first pin extending from the static member, wherein the first pin extends towards the rotating member; and

the second interlocking link, comprising:

a pin aperture including a hollow channel arranged to slide onto the first pin of the first interlocking link, wherein the pin aperture is arranged to extend from a first side of the second interlocking link to a second side of the second interlocking link.

2. The band of claim 1 , wherein the second interlocking link is arranged to interlock with the first interlocking link, and wherein the rotating member of the first interlocking link rotates to a closed/locked position.

3. The band of claim 2 further comprising:

a pin end arranged to fit inside the pin-locking member, wherein the closed/locked position is formed.

4. The band of claim 3 , wherein the pin-locking member provides a shallow aperture, wherein the aperture is sized to receive the pin end, and wherein the pin end and the pin-locking member form a snap-fit connection.

5. The band of claim 3 , wherein the pin end is a arranged to retract inside the first pin, and wherein the rotating member rotates towards the closed/locked position.

6. The band of claim 1 , wherein the rotating member is provided to rotate up to approximately ±45 degrees with respect to a horizontal axis of the first pin, and wherein an open/unlocked position is formed.

7. The band of claim 1 further comprising:

an indicator provided on the rotating member,

wherein the indicator is provided on a bottom side of the rotating member, and

wherein the indicator is provided to indicate a direction of rotation of the rotating member.

8. The band of claim 1 , wherein additional interlocking links of the plurality of interlocking links are arranged to interlock with one another.

9. A link adjustment mechanism, comprising:

a rotating member provided on a first side;

a static member provided on a second side opposite the first side;

a pin-locking member provided inside the rotating member;

a first pin extending from the static member, wherein the first pin extends towards the rotating member; and

a pin aperture including a hollow channel arranged to slide onto a second pin.

10. The link adjustment mechanism of claim 9 , wherein the link adjustment mechanism is arranged to interlock with a second link adjustment mechanism, and wherein the rotating member rotates to a closed/locked position.

11. The link adjustment mechanism of claim 10 further comprising:

a pin end arranged to fit inside a pin-locking member of the second link adjustment mechanism, wherein the closed/locked position is formed.

12. The link adjustment mechanism of claim 9 , wherein the rotating member is arranged to rotate up to approximately ±45 degrees with respect to a horizontal axis of the first pin, and wherein an open/unlocked position is formed.

13. The link adjustment mechanism of claim 9 , wherein the pin-locking member provides a shallow aperture, wherein the aperture is sized to receive a pin end of a second link adjustment mechanism, and wherein the pin end and the pin-locking member form a snap-fit connection.

14. The link adjustment mechanism of claim 13 , wherein the pin end is arranged to retract inside a pin of the second link adjustment mechanism, and wherein the rotating member rotates towards the closed/locked position.

15. A method of interlocking a plurality of interlocking links, comprising:

inserting a pin of a second interlocking link into a pin aperture of a first interlocking link; and

rotating a rotating member of the second interlocking link to a closed/locked position, wherein a pin end of the second interlocking link is arranged to fit inside of a pin-locking member of the first interlocking link, and wherein the pin end of the second interlocking link is provided on an end of the pin.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

rotating the rotating member of the second interlocking link in a direction of rotation, wherein an indicator is arranged on a bottom side of the rotating member and provides the direction of rotation.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

inserting a pin of a third interlocking link into a pin aperture of the second interlocking link;

rotating a rotating member of the third interlocking link to the closed/locked position, wherein a pin end of the third interlocking link is arranged to fit inside of a pin-locking member of the second interlocking link;

interlocking additional interlocking links into additional pin apertures of the additional interlocking links, wherein the additional pins include pin ends, and wherein the pin ends fit inside of additional pin-locking members; and

rotating additional rotating members of the additional interlocking links to the closed/locked position.

Assignments (7)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 4, 2025
From: FOSSIL GROUP, INC.
To: ACF FINCO I LP
Reel/Frame 072159/0273 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FOSSIL GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 058080/0174 →
ABL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 30, 2019
From: FOSSIL GROUP, INC. (FORMERLY FOSSIL, INC.)
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 050592/0220 →
TERM LOAN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 27, 2019
From: FOSSIL GROUP, INC. (FORMERLY FOSSIL, INC.)
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 050592/0105 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2019
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: FOSSIL GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 050572/0384 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2018
From: FOSSIL GROUP, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 045335/0125 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2017
From: ROTA, FLAVIO
To: FOSSIL GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 042542/0529 →