EP0324052A1

EP0324052A1 - Watch with a double case

Info

Publication number: EP0324052A1
Application number: EP88107581A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aldo Rossi
Original assignee: Alessi SpA
Current assignee: Alessi SpA
Priority date: 1988-01-13
Filing date: 1988-05-11
Publication date: 1989-07-19
Also published as: IT8819061A0

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a watch comprising a first case (1) containing the mechanism that can be coupled with a second, outer case (6, 6a), surrounding at least partially the periphery of the first case (1), which has supports (10, 10′, 10a) or fastening means. The coupling between the first case (1) containing the mechanism and the second, outer case (6, 6a) is preferably a snap coupling. Reciprocal engaging means are preferably provided between the first case (1) and the second case (6, 6a).

Description

The invention concerns a watch, in particular a wrist watch or a pocket watch.
It is known for watch cases to be provided with supports or fastening means for straps, fobs, stands etc.
Generally said supports or fastening means are made fast to the watch case forming an integral part of it. This holds the drawback of having to set up different molds for watches of different types, i.e., for wrist-watches with straps, for pocket watches with fobs, for table clocks with stands etc. The need for different molds results in a considerable increase in production costs. Storage costs are considerably higher, too, since each type of watch must be manufactured and stored separately.
The aim of the invention is to vary the model and use of a watch without having to change the case that houses the mechanism.
The above aim has been achieved with a watch wherein the case containing the mechanism can be coupled with a second, outer case, surrounding at least partially the periphery of the first case, that has different supports or fastening means according to the type of watch desired. In particular the second, outer case can have two opposite pairs of arms facing each other on which to fix the ends of a strap or it can have only one pair of arms facing each other on which to fix the end of a fob or ribbon.
The coupling between the case containing the mechanism and the second, outer case is preferably a snap coupling obtained by means of a snap ring, for example.
The first case containing the mechanism preferably has a peripheral flange flush with its back, the second case having a side wall, provided with an indented seat to house the crown, the second case resting on said flange.
The coupling between the first case containing the mechanism and the second, outer case is preferably achieved by providing on the outer lateral surface of the first case an engaging means, preferably a lug, for example opposite the crown, which engages with a reciprocal means provided on the inner face of the side wall of the second case, it being possible for said reciprocal means to take the form of a groove.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a wrist watch;
Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the second, outer case;
Fig. 3 shows the opposite view to that in figure 2;
Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the watch in figure 1 assembled;
Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternative to figures 2 and 3.

Figures 1 to 4 show a wrist watch consisting of a first case 1, containing the mechanism, equipped with a crown 2 and a small lug 3 opposite said crown 2. The case 1 has a peripheral flange 4 flush with its back, i.e. with the side opposite the watch face, and a peripheral snap ring 5. The case 1 can be snap coupled with the second, outer case 6 lacking at least a back wall, the latter case having a side wall 7, equipped on the inside with an indented seat 9 and an opposite groove 8. The wall 7 comes to rest on the flange 4 of the case 1. Upon coupling the seat 9 of the second, outer case 6 receives the crown 2 of the case 1, whereas the groove 8 in said second outer case 6 receives the lug 3 of said case 1 (as can be seen in figure 4). The second, outer case 6 is equipped with two pairs of opposite arms 10 and 10′ which support in the known manner two complementary parts 11 and 11′ of a strap.
When the first case 1 containing the mechanism and the second, outer case 6 are coupled together, the snap ring 5 is engaged with a sloping wall 12a created by a rib 12 provided inside the side wall 7.
The snap coupling between the first case 1 containing the mechanism and the second, outer case 6 is made simple and secure by the presence of a snap ring 5 engaged with the sloping wall 12a of the rib 12 that prevents said first case 1 from coming out. To uncouple the two cases it is necessary only to press the centre of the case 1 with the thumbs while prizing against the arms 10 and 10′ of the second, outer case 6; a slight pressure is sufficient to make the ring 5 pass over the rib 12.
The watch described is a wrist watch, but a pocket watch can be obtained using the same case 1 and replacing the outer case 6 with the outer case 6a illustrated in figures 5 and 6. The inside of outer case 6a is in fact equipped like case 6 but on the outside it has only one pair of arms 10a to support the end of a fob or ribbon.
With a single case 1 containing the mechanism it is therefore possible to obtain two different watches: a wrist watch with the case 1 fitted into outer case 6 and a pocket watch with the case 1 fitted into outer case 6a.
In the same way an outer case can be provided fitted with a stand, for example, to create a clock.

Claims

1. A watch, characterized in that it comprises a first case (1) containing the mechanism and a second, outer case (6, 6a) which surrounds at least partially the periphery of the first case (1), said first case (1) being coupled with the second, outer case (6, 6a) and said second, outer case (6, 6a) having supports (10, 10′, 10a) or fastening means.

2. A watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling between the first case (1) containing the mechanism and the second, outer case (6, 6a) is a snap coupling.

3. A watch according to claim 2, characterized in that the first case (1) containing the mechanism has a peripheral flange (4) flush with its back, whereas the second, outer case (6, 6a) has a side wall (7) that rests on said flange (4), said side wall being provided with an inner rib (12), which creates a sloping wall (12a) against which a portion of the first case (1) comes to adhere.

4. A watch according to claim 3, characterized in that the portion of the first case (1) containing the mechanism that adheres to the sloping wall (12a) is a snap ring (5) that surrounds the periphery of said first case (1).

5. A watch according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the side wall (7) of the second, outer case is equipped on the inside with an indented seat (9) to house the crown.

6. A watch according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that reciprocal engagement means (3, 8) are provided on the outer lateral surface of the first case (1) and on the inner face of the side wall (7) of the second, outer case (6, 6a).

7. A watch according to claim 6, characterized in that on the outer lateral surface of the first case (1) provision is made for a lug (3) that is received in a groove (8) provided on the inner face of the side wall of the second, outer case (6, 6a).

8. A watch according to claim 7, characterized in that the lug (3) is opposite the crown (2).

9. A watch according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second, outer case (6) has two pairs of facing arms (10, 10′) to which the ends of a strap (11, 11′) can be fastened.

10. A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second, outer case (6a) has a pair of facing arms to which the end of a fob or ribbon can be fastened.