Patent · US Expired

Method for fixing two elements together, in particular links of a metal wristwatch strap

US6019860A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
5References
10Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateDec 10, 1997
Grant dateFeb 1, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 10, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49865
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Method for fixing two elements together, in particular links (1) of a metal wristwatch strap, according to which a metal pin (2) made of a moulding memory alloy with large hysteresis--programmed such that it turns from the martensitic structure to the austenitic structure in a first temperature range which is situated above the service temperature of the elements and whereby its thickness increases, and such that it turns back from the austenitic structure to the martensitic structure in a second temperature range which is situated under the above-mentioned service temperature--is clamped in the martensitic structure in at least one either or not blind hole (3) in at least one of the elements to be linked; the pin (2) is subsequently heated to a temperature higher than the first temperature range, such that the thickness of the pin (2) is increased, whereby the clamping force of the pin (2) in the hole (3) becomes very large; and the pin (2) is finally cooled down to service temperature, characterized in that a pin (2) with a martensitic structure is put in at least one hole (3) having a thickness which is slightly larger than the width of the hole (3).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.