EP0670057A1

EP0670057A1 - Watch housing with one or several linking elements forming a carrying body

Info

Publication number: EP0670057A1
Application number: EP94901800A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Elmar Mock; Matthias Hell
Original assignee: Createc Patent Holding SA
Current assignee: Createc Patent Holding SA
Priority date: 1992-11-19
Filing date: 1993-11-15
Publication date: 1995-09-06
Also published as: CA2149299A1; CH689136GA3; CH689136B5; KR950704729A; KR100316255B1; WO1994011793A1

Abstract

A wristwatch or pocket watch has a bottom (1), a cover glass (2) and a carrying body (3), a clockwork (4), a dial face (6) and watch hands (5), as well as holding means such as a strap or a chain (13). The carrying body (3) serves as a basis for the dial face (6) and as a basis for anchoring the clockwork (4). The bottom (1) and the cover glass (2) are secured to the carrying body (3) by linking elements (7, 8). The carrying body (3) may have members (12) for fastening holding means such as a strap or a chain (13) or the latter may be shaped on the carrying body (3).

Description

WATCH HOUSING WITH ONE OR MORE CONNECTING ELEMENTS FOR THE FORMATION OF A SUPPORTING BODY

The invention relates to a wristwatch or pocket watch with a watch case consisting mostly of plastic. The housing comprises a base, a cover glass (mineral or organic) and a supporting body according to the invention, which can consist of one or more connecting elements and connects the components of the watch to one another or takes over their function. A clockwork, a dial and clock hands are arranged in the housing. Holding devices such as a bracelet or chain enable the watch to be worn and are attached to an attache.

Wristwatches or pocket watches usually have a watch case, which consists of a base and cover glass and has a fixed connection. The bottom serves to hold the clockwork, the clockwork drives the clock hands and the cover glass enables the time information to be viewed. The time information is conveyed by the clock hands and the dial mounted between the clockwork and the clock hands. The clock hands and dial form the time display elements. These wrist or pocket watches are held by bracelets or chains. The connection is made using an attached attache on the watch case.

REPLACEMENT LEAF These wristwatches or pocket watches are characterized by a large number of different construction features, they thus reflect the changing demands and needs of the consumers and, on the other hand, take account of the different, rapidly changing production methods. The widespread structure of these wristwatches or pocket watches is designed in such a way that the individual components fulfill a single function if possible. The bottom serves to hold the clockwork and the cover glass enables the time information to be viewed, etc. A certain minimum number of components are therefore required for the construction of the clock, which must be precisely worked together, which means, for example, the artistic design, ie the variation certain shapes and materials of the individual components and thus their appearance (shape and decor) is inevitably restricted.

Nowadays it is a disadvantage if individual components of a wristwatch or pocket watch are difficult to replace. This applies in particular to the type of connecting elements and the choice of the materials used. Especially in the case of watches in the lower price range, which are manufactured in large numbers and create fashions or should follow them quickly, a quick changeover of the products must be guaranteed.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying how a wristband or pocket watch can be produced without these disadvantages. Another goal is to allow greater freedom in the design and decoration of the watch. The simplifications of manufacturing and consequently cost reductions in the manufacturing process itself, along with

REPLACEMENT LEAF The increased design freedom give such a watch a very improved competitiveness. It is also advantageous if the individual components of the watch can be replaced as easily as possible for assembly, so that changing or changing a component of the watch has the result that its appearance (shape and decor) is changed.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that one or more connecting elements, with which a support body is formed, are used between the base and cover glass, the base and on the other hand the cover glass and possibly the bracelet or chain being fastened to this support body. This supporting body serves as the base for the dial and as the base for anchoring the clockwork.

The advantage of this invention lies in the possibility of using a large number of different so-called connecting elements to form a support body according to the invention. In this way, decisive impulses are conveyed to the artistic design of the watch. The use of a large number of different connecting elements, which at the same time function constructively as a supporting body, changes the appearance of the watch. This means, for example, that other components of the watch, such as the base and cover glass, do not have to be changed or adapted. As a result, the manufacturing cost of this newly created watch can be kept low. Newly created watches of this type are assembled using a modular principle.

EFTSATZBLATT Another advantage of this invention lies in the possibility of including the support body according to the invention directly in the manufacturing process of the watch. When using the method of injection molding technology, the support body itself is used as an injection mold for other components of the clock, such as the bottom or the cover glass. It follows from this that when the support body is changed, other components of the watch attached to this support body, such as the bottom and the cover glass, understand these changes virtually automatically, as a result of which frequent variations in the shape and decor of the support body are made possible.

Another advantage of this invention lies in the possibility of transferring the functions of other watch components to the support body according to the invention and thus reducing the production costs due to the reduction in the number of watch components. For example, the supporting body can be applied to the clockwork using injection molding technology and thus take over the functions of the floor, attache and dial. Accordingly, watch functions are compressed in the supporting body. This results in a large number of embodiments of the support body.

In particular, the possibility of using differently shaped support bodies should be emphasized, which enables the application of three-dimensional decorations and the creation of profiles on the outer side surfaces of the support bodies. Furthermore, optical patterns, graphic representations, color effects can be applied and polarized or colored material can be used. There is also the possibility of using transparent support bodies. This support body according to the invention

REPLACEMENT LEAF themselves can consist of a wide variety of materials, which are also used for other components of the clock, such as for the cover glass, the bottom or the dial, in particular the materials metal, plastic, glass, textiles, wood and stone. Just as varied as the materials used for the supporting bodies are the joining techniques themselves, with which the supporting bodies are attached to other components of the watch. Here, the common connection techniques of welding, casting, pressing, as well as plugging on and gluing and screwing are to be emphasized.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dial is integrally connected to the support body and the support body simultaneously holds the clockwork attached to the dial. When using a transparent support body, the cover glass and the support body can hardly be distinguished or not at all, the cover glass is expanded so to speak and a region that represents the dial is optically separated. In this way, a special effect is achieved, namely that when the wristwatch or pocket watch is viewed through the cover glass, as is usually the case, e.g. to determine the time that the cover glass extended in this way reaches down to the floor over the level of the dial, while on the other hand the clockwork is covered by the dial. In this way, the watch is given a particularly aesthetic and unusual appearance, as is disclosed, for example, in Swiss patent specification CH 657.246.

REPLACEMENT LEAF Accordingly, the artistic design of the watch is given new freedom, the aim of which is to create largely individualized wristwatches and pocket watches by using a large number of different supporting bodies according to the invention. The inclusion of the support body in the construction of the watch simplifies the manufacturing process, since the design expression of the watch case lies in the diverse design of the support body according to the invention and thus the connecting elements, and now standardized components with correspondingly standardized connections for the bottom and cover glass , similarly standardized interfaces, can be used. The advantageous embodiment of the support body according to the invention described above has one or more connecting elements and accordingly has a fixed connection to the bottom, as well as a fixed connection to the cover glass, and a fixed connection to the bracelet or chain via the attache. Furthermore, the dial is integrated in this supporting body according to the invention, while in turn the clockwork is held by the dial. This is a profound innovation compared to conventional watches. The production process is simplified as a result of this compression of the functions that the carrying body according to the invention and the one or more connecting elements have. The bottom and the cover glass now primarily have the task of sealing the watch case and displaying the time information, which can be accomplished inexpensively by the extensive use of standardized components. The compression of functions assigned to the support body can be increased further by, for example, also transferring the functions of the bottom and cover glass to the support body.

REPLACEMENT LEAF A number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the drawing in FIGS. 1 to 23.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view through part of a first, general embodiment of a support body according to the invention, with which the varied design possibilities are to be illustrated.

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through part of the first exemplary embodiment of a supporting body according to the invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through part of a second embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through part of a third embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section through part of a fourth embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section through part of a fifth embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section through part of a sixth embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows a longitudinal section through part of a seventh embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

REPLACEMENT LEAF FIG. 9 shows a cross section through part of a watch with an eighth embodiment of a supporting body according to the invention, consisting of four connecting elements.

FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal section through part of the watch shown in FIG. 9 with an eighth embodiment of a supporting body according to the invention, consisting of four connecting elements.

FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal section through part of a watch with a ninth embodiment of a supporting body according to the invention and serves to illustrate the advantageous manufacturing method of this watch.

FIG. 12 shows a cross section through part of the watch shown in FIG. 11 with a ninth embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section through part of a tenth embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal section through part of the tenth embodiment of a support body according to the invention shown in FIG. 13, after a cover glass has been applied to this support body in an injection molding process.

FIG. 15 shows a longitudinal section through part of the tenth embodiment of a support body according to the invention shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, after that in a casting process

REPLACEMENT LEAF this cover body applied cover glass has been raised and fastened with connections on the support body.

FIG. 16A shows a longitudinal section through part of an eleventh embodiment of a support body according to the invention, in which a clockwork is encased by a support body in a casting process.

FIG. 16B shows a longitudinal section through part of a twelfth embodiment of a supporting body according to the invention, in which a clockwork is encased by a supporting body in a casting process.

FIG. 17 shows a longitudinal section through part of the eleventh embodiment of a support body according to the invention shown in FIG. 16A, after a bracelet is cast onto the support body in a further injection molding process as a holding means.

FIG. 18 shows a longitudinal section through a thirteenth embodiment of a support body according to the invention, in which the process steps shown in FIGS. 16A and 17 are cast in an injection molding process.

FIG. 19 shows a longitudinal section through part of a fourteenth embodiment of a supporting body according to the invention along the position from “3 am to 9 am” on the dial.

FIG. 20 shows a longitudinal section through part of a fourteenth embodiment of a supporting body according to the invention along the position from “6 am to 12 noon” on the dial.

REPLACEMENT LEAF FIG. 21 shows a part of a fifteenth embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

FIG. 22 shows a view of part of a sixteenth embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

FIG. 23 shows a view of part of a seventeenth embodiment of a support body according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a first embodiment through part of the support body 3 according to the invention. The illustration is schematic and is intended to explain the functional principle of the support body 3. In three longitudinal sections A, B and C through the support body 3 it can be seen that the support body 3 is designed differently in different areas. In longitudinal section A, the support body 3 has the shape of a cross, which, starting from its center, has four arms. In longitudinal section B, the support body 3 has the shape of a T-piece, which, starting from its center, has three arms. In longitudinal section C, the support body 3 has the shape of a rod which, starting from its center, has two arms. The surfaces of these trained arms allow connections to be made with other components of the watch. In the longitudinal section A the connection to the cover glass is made on the surface of the arm AI, the connection to the bottom is made on the arm A2, the connection to the dial is made on the arm A3, the connection is made on the A4 arm with holding means such as Bracelet or chain. In longitudinal section B, the function of the arms B1, B2 and B3 corresponds to that of the arms AI, A2 and A3. The absence of the fourth arm means that there is no connection with the holding means mentioned above. In longitudinal section C the function corresponds

REPLACEMENT LEAF the arms Cl and C2 those of the arms AI, Bl and A2, B2. The absence of the third and fourth arms means that there is no connection with the dial and the holding means mentioned above.

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through part of the first embodiment of the support body 3 according to the invention shown in FIG. The support body 3 has the shape of a cross, which, starting from its center A0, has the four arms AI, A2, A3 and A4. The connection to the cover glass 2 takes place on the surface of the arm AI, the connection to the base 1 takes place on the arm A2, the connection to the dial 6 takes place on the arm A3 and the arm A4 has a circular passage guide 12 for attaching a connection with holding means such as a bracelet or chain. The connections to cover glass 2 and base 1 are made using known connection techniques in watch technology, such as, for example, ultrasonic welding.

FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention with a star-shaped longitudinal section with four pointed connecting elements D1, D2, D3 and D4. The function and processing of the four connecting elements D1, D2, D3 and D4 correspond to those of the four arms AI, A2, A3 and A4, which have been described in FIG. 2. The connecting element D1 has a welding lip for welding a welding groove of a cover glass 2. The connecting element D2 has a welding lip for welding a welding groove to a base 1. The connecting element D3 has a shoulder for attaching a form-fitting plug-in or adhesive connection with a dial 6

REPLACEMENT LEAF on. The connecting element D4 has a welding lip for welding a welding groove of an attache 11. This attache 11 has a circular passage 12 for attaching a connection with holding means such as a bracelet or chain. From this it can be seen that the support body 3 according to the invention has no fixedly prescribed basic shape. The decisive factor is that the support body 3 has a sufficiently large volume so that it can be processed using means common in watchmaking technology in order to make the connections described above.

FIG. 4 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention with a square longitudinal section with four flat connecting surfaces E1, E2, E3 and E4. The function and processing of the four connecting surfaces E1, E2, E3 and E4 correspond to those of the four tapered connecting elements D1, D2, D3 and D4, which have been described in FIG. The connecting surface E1 forms an adhesive connection with a corresponding connecting surface of a cover glass 2. The connection surface E2 enters into an adhesive connection with a corresponding connection surface of a floor 1. The connecting surface E3 opens with a corresponding connecting surface of a dial 6 an adhesive or plug connection. The connecting surface E4 enters into an adhesive connection with a corresponding connecting surface of an attache 11. This attache 11 in turn has a circular passage 12 for attaching a connection with holding means such as a bracelet or chain.

REPLACEMENT LEAF FIG. 5 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention with a circular longitudinal section. This is a further development of the support body 3 according to the invention with any basic shape. In this fourth embodiment, the supporting body 3 is a tonis, the surface of which has convex surface areas F1, F2, F3 and F4. The function and processing of the four convex connecting surfaces F1, F2, F3 and F4 correspond to those of the four flat connecting surfaces E1, E2, E3 and E4, which have been described in FIG. The connection area F1 enters into an adhesive connection with a corresponding connection area of a cover glass 2. The connecting surface F2 enters into an adhesive connection with a corresponding connecting surface of a base 1. The connecting surface F3 opens with a corresponding connecting surface of a dial 6 an adhesive or plug connection. The connection area F4 is joined to a corresponding connection area of an attache 11 by an adhesive connection. This attache 11 in turn has a circular passage 12 for attaching a connection with holding means such as a bracelet or chain.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention in longitudinal section. The surface of the supporting body 3 has four concave surface areas G1, G2, G3 and G4. The function and processing of the four connecting surfaces G1, G2, G3 and G4 correspond to those of the four convex connecting surfaces F1, F2, F3 and F4, which have been described in FIG. The connecting surface Gl enters into an adhesive connection with a corresponding, convexly designed connecting surface of a cover glass 2. The connection surface G2 enters into an adhesive connection with a corresponding, convex connection surface of a base 1. The connecting surface G3 goes with a

REPLACEMENT LEAF Corresponding, also convex connection surface of a dial 6 on an adhesive or plug connection. The connecting surface G4 enters into an adhesive connection with a corresponding, again convexly connecting surface of an attache 11. This attache 11 in turn has a circular passage 12 for attaching a connection with holding means such as a bracelet or chain.

FIG. 7 shows a sixth exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention with an asymmetrical longitudinal section. The outer surface of the support body 3 is worked differently in the areas of the two connecting elements H1 and H2 due to different connection techniques with other components of the wristwatch or pocket watch. The connecting element H1 has a welding lip for welding a welding groove of a cover glass 2. The connecting element H2 has a threaded bore for screwing on a base 1 by means of a screw. Furthermore, the support body 3 takes over the function of the attache 11 from FIGS. 3 to 6 in the area 3.11 and fulfills the function of the dial 3.6. Furthermore, it has a circular passage 12 for attaching a connection with holding means such as a bracelet or chain. The support body 3 according to the invention accordingly not only enables connections between individual components of the watch, but the support body 3 itself takes over the functions of watch components by shaping them together.

FIG. 8 shows a seventh exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention in the longitudinal section. The outer surface of the

REPLACEMENT LEAF Tragkö ers 3 is worked differently due to different connection techniques with other components of the wristwatch or pocket watch in the areas of the two connecting elements II, 12. The connecting element II has a welding lip for welding a welding groove of a cover glass 2. The connecting element 12 has a welding lip for welding a welding groove of a base 1. Furthermore, the support body 3 according to the invention takes over the functions of the attache 11 from the functions 2 to 6 in the area 3.11 and has a circular passage 12 for attaching a connection to holding means such as a bracelet or chain. Finally, the support body 3 takes over the function of the dial 6 in the area 3.6 and has a dial surface. The support body 3, the attache 11 and the dial 6 are molded together. As in the previous sixth embodiment of the support body 3 according to the invention, the present seventh embodiment has a co-compression of watch component functions in the support body 3. A comparable, novel embodiment of a dial, which is part of the watch case, is disclosed in Swiss Patent Application No. 02353 / 92-9 dated July 24, 1992.

FIG. 9 shows a cross section through part of a watch with an eighth exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention. This support body 3 according to the invention is composed of four separate spherical connecting elements J1, J2, J3 and J4. The connecting elements J1, J2, J3 and J4 are in this case attached to the corners of a rectangular watch case 14. In this eighth embodiment of the support body 3 according to the invention, the support body 3 fulfills the function of a connection in the strictest sense. For this purpose, the support body 3 has been reduced to a minimum volume. On the one hand, the connecting elements

REPLACEMENT LEAF elements J1, J2, J3 and J4 the components of the watch case 14 together, that is the bottom 1 and the cover glass 2, on the other hand the connecting elements J1, J2, J3 and J4 allow connections to be made with holding means such as a bracelet or Chain 13.

One application for such a minimal supporting body volume is, for example, an extremely flat watch case, the components of which, such as the bottom, cover glass, dial, clockwork and time display elements, are also flat and their connections to one another via the four separate connecting elements J1, J2, J3 and J4 of the support body 3 are accomplished.

Another application for such a minimal supporting body volume is, for example, a wristwatch in which the watch case and bracelet merge as seamlessly as possible, in such a way that the shape and color of the watch case are difficult to distinguish from the bracelet. Such a watch therefore has the desired, unusual appearance of a bracelet or arm jewelry and is not immediately recognizable as a watch.

FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal section through part of the watch shown in FIG. 9 with an eighth exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention. In this view along the clock case border on the connection axis of the connection elements J2 and J4 it can be seen how the support body 3 according to the invention and its four separate spherical connecting elements J1, J2, J3 and J4 hold the watch together. The connecting elements J1, J2, J3 and J4 are attached to the corners of a watch case 14. The bottom 1, the cover glass 2 and holding means such as a bracelet or chain 13 are connected by the connecting elements J1, J2, J3 and J4. The connections with bottom 1 and cover glass 2 are made

REPLACEMENT LEAF with known connection techniques of watch technology, such as ultrasonic welding. The connection with holding means such as a bracelet or chain 13 takes place, for example, by means of a form-fitting passage 12. For this purpose, the bracelet or chain 13 is pressed into this slotted, circular passage 12, so that a freely movable joint for the bracelet or chain 13 is formed becomes. The clock 5 can also be seen in FIG. These are applied to the clockwork not shown in this longitudinal section 10. In this advantageous embodiment, the dial itself is fastened to the supporting body 3 by means of a clamp or adhesive connection.

To assemble this watch, the four connecting elements J1, J2, J3 and J4 of the support body 3 according to the invention are advantageously pushed laterally onto the base 1 and cover glass 2, whereupon the welding from the base 1 with the support body 3 and cover glass 2 with the support body 3 is carried out. The clock components clockwork and dial, not shown in the longitudinal section 10, as well as the clock hands 5 are assembled before this welding according to the information given above. Finally, the holding means bracelet or chain 13 are pressed into the form-fitting passage 12.

FIG. 11 shows the most important steps of a method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch with a carrying body 3 according to the invention in injection molding technology. FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal section through part of a watch with a ninth embodiment of a supporting body 3 according to the invention. It is assumed that a finished watch mechanism 4 is present and that there is also a molded sleeve S3 firmly connected to the drive shafts of the watch hands 5 and the Clock hands 5 themselves are present. The molded sleeve S3 is part of the shaping elements in the injection molding

REPLACEMENT LEAF technology, just like the sliders S1, S2. In contrast to the latter, the molded sleeve S3 is integrated into the product. The shaped sleeve S3 can therefore have any shapes and patterns (shape and decor), since it serves as part of the dial and as an anchor for the clockwork 4 in the later clock. It can not only be cylindrical but also star-shaped, diamond-shaped, etc., it can have shoulders for fixation in the supporting body 3, for example an annular circumferential groove, it can be colorfully patterned or transparent and, above all, it does not have to be made of the material Tragköφers 3 exist. It is conceivable to introduce glass, mirrors, textiles, etc. In a first step, the clockwork 4 is now inserted into an injection molding device, which has two slides S 1 and S 2 which can be moved perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 11 and which, when closed, have one Form cavity which is connected via a feed Z to a spraying agent feed in a manner known per se. The slider S1 and S2 hold the clockwork 4 via the form sleeve S3. In this position, for example, plastic is injected into the cavity and the support body 3 according to the invention is formed. This ninth embodiment of the support body 3 is characterized in that the support body 3 has the function of the dial 3.6 and the function of the attache 3.11 with a circular passage 12 for attaching holding means such as a bracelet or chain. In a further step, the sliders S1 and S2 are extended laterally and the supporting body 3 is exposed. A prefabricated cover glass 2 can then be applied to the supporting body 3 and thus welded, glued or connected in some other way. Furthermore, a prefabricated floor 1 can now be attached to the supporting body 3 and also welded, glued or otherwise connected to it.

REPLACEMENT LEAF FIG. 12 shows a cross section through part of the clock shown in FIG. 11 with a ninth exemplary embodiment of a carrying body 3 according to the invention. This view, produced perpendicular to FIG. 11 and along its axis AA, shows in particular the slides S1, S2 and the shaped sleeve S3. The direction of movement of the two sliders S1, S2 is indicated by arrows. The dial 3.6 of the carrying body 3 as well as the face 3.11 of the carrying body 3 and the circular feedthrough 12 for attaching holding means such as a bracelet or chain are produced in an injection molding process.

FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section through part of a tenth exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention. In this tenth embodiment of the support body 3, a clockwork 4 is first used as an injection mold for the support body 3 and then the support body 3 itself is used as an injection mold for a cover glass, such that first the support body 3 directly onto the clockwork 4 and then directly onto the cover glass the Tragköφer 3 are injected. This manufacturing process is shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15.

In a first manufacturing step of the wristwatch or pocket watch, the finished watch mechanism 4 is entered into an injection molding device described in FIG. 11 and completely cast in by the supporting body 3. This tenth embodiment of the supporting body 3 accordingly has a higher compression of the functions of watch components compared to the previously described embodiments of the supporting body 3. The carrying body 3 takes over the functions of the dial 3.6, the function of the attache 3.11 with circular passages 12 for attaching holding means such as a bracelet or chain, and the function of the bottom 3.10. From assembly technology

REPLACEMENT LEAF For reasons, a bushing 4.2 for attaching the drive shaft of the clock hands is also attached to the support body 3, which is closed in this first manufacturing step by a removable, reversibly attached closure. For further assembly-technical reasons, a closed circumferential annular groove 15 is also attached to the supporting body 3, which is required for fastening the cover glass.

FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal section through part of the tenth exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention shown in FIG. In a further manufacturing step of the wristwatch or pocket watch, a cover glass 2 is sprayed directly onto the supporting body 3 by means of the injection molding technique described in FIG. The cover glass 2 engages in the closed circumferential annular groove 15 and is detachably, reversibly fastened on the supporting body 3 in a so-called primary position. The reversible attachment of the feed-through 4.2 for attaching the drive shaft of the time display elements already in the first production step prevents this feed-through 4.2 from becoming blocked when the cover glass 2 is sprayed on.

FIG. 15 shows a longitudinal section through part of the tenth exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In a further manufacturing step of the wristwatch or pocket watch, the cast cover glass 2 is released from its primary position and lifted off the supporting body 3. After opening the closure of the guide 4.2, the drive shaft of the clock hands 5 can be placed on the clockwork 4. In a further manufacturing step

REPLACEMENT LEAF thereupon the cover glass 2 is again lowered onto the supporting body 3, but not into the primary position, but into a new, so-called definitive position, which leaves a sufficiently large cavity for the movement of the time display elements 5. This further definitive position is shown in FIG. 14. In the definitive position, the cover glass 2 can be welded to the supporting body 3, glued or otherwise secured using connection techniques known in watchmaking.

FIG. 16A shows a longitudinal section through part of an eleventh exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention. In this eleventh embodiment of the supporting body 3, a clockwork 4 is entered into an injection molding device in a first manufacturing step and completely cast in by the supporting body 3. This process is described in FIG. 11. In contrast to the tenth embodiment described in FIGS. 13 to 15, the clockwork 4 is provided with a molded sleeve S3 for the drive shafts of the clock hands and a bushing for an elevator shaft, the so-called tube 4.3, before it is cast in. After the clockwork 4 has been completely poured into the cavity between the two sliders S1, S2, these two openings S3 and 4.3 protrude from the support body 3 formed and enable the drive shaft of the clock hands to be attached and the elevator shaft to be attached.

FIG. 16B shows a longitudinal section through part of a twelfth exemplary embodiment of a supporting body 3 according to the invention. It is based on the eleventh embodiment of the supporting body 3 in FIG. 16A, but the differences are pronounced. The molded sleeve S3 is part of the

REPLACEMENT LEAF Sl Sl and is called slider sleeve Sl '. It can have any shape. In addition, the twelfth embodiment does not require a bushing for the elevator shaft or tube 4.3 as in FIG. 16A, since in FIG. 16B an elevator shaft 16 together with a crown 17 mounted thereon are cast on during the injection molding process. The complete pouring of the clockwork 4 accordingly takes place in a cavity between the two sliders S1, S2 ,, and the slider sleeve S1 'and the winding shaft 16.

FIG. 17 shows a longitudinal section through part of an eleventh exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention. In this eleventh embodiment of the support body 3, a clockwork 4 is entered into an injection molding device in a first manufacturing step and completely cast in by the support body 3. This method is described in FIGS. 11 and 16A. Before being cast in, the clockwork 4 was provided with a molded sleeve S3 for the drive shafts of the clock hands and with a bushing for an elevator shaft, the so-called tube 4.3. The support body formed by the spraying process likewise has a leadthrough 12 for attaching holding means such as a bracelet 13. In a further manufacturing step, a bracelet 13 with bracelet holes 13.1 and with a bracelet attachment 15 is injection molded. This can be a different plastic. The bracelet attachment 15 is molded onto the bushing 12 of the carrying body 3. In a further manufacturing step, the buckle 13.2 and mandrels 13.3 are injection molded. Here, too, it can be a different, advantageously very hard plastic. The final steps of the watch assembly, namely the setting of the clock hands, the insertion of the winding shaft, the welding of the cover glass and the putting on of the crown are not shown here, but take place according to the state of the art. This eleventh invented

REPLACEMENT LEAF The embodiment of the carrying body 3 according to the invention has a high compression of watch functions, the carrying body 3 takes over the function of the bottom, the dial, the attache and holds the clockwork 4. The watch is produced by injection molding in a few automated steps.

FIG. 18 shows a longitudinal section through part of a thirteenth exemplary embodiment of a supporting body 3 according to the invention. This is a variation of the manufacture of a watch according to the injection molding process, which can be seen in FIG. 17. In this thirteenth embodiment of the supporting body 3, a clockwork 4 is entered into an injection molding device in a single production step and completely cast in by the supporting body 3. Before being cast in, the clockwork 4 was provided with a molded sleeve S3 for the drive shafts of the clock hands and with a bushing for an elevator shaft, the so-called tube 4.3. The support body 3 according to the invention formed in one work step in the injection molding process has an extremely high compression of watch functions, the support body 3 takes over the function of the bottom, the dial, the attache, it holds the clockwork 4, it is itself the bracelet 13 , has bracelet holes 13.1 and the buckle 13.2. The desired different hardnesses of the supporting body 3 are obtained, for example, by using a multi-component injection molding process, plastic components of different hardness being injected. The final steps of the watch assembly, namely the setting of the clock hands, the insertion of the winding shaft, the welding of the cover glass and the mounting of the crown and the movable mandrels 13.3 are not shown here, but are carried out in accordance with the prior art.

REPLACEMENT LEAF FIG. 19 shows a longitudinal section through part of a wristwatch or pocket watch with a fourteenth exemplary embodiment of a carrying body 3 according to the invention along the position from "3:00 to 9:00" on the dial. This embodiment of the supporting body 3 is characterized in that on the one hand the bottom 1 and on the other hand the cover glass 2 are fastened to the supporting body 3 by means of connections 7, 8. For a better understanding of the invention, the clock has been schematized and is accordingly shown in a greatly simplified manner. The watch case consists of a base 1, a cover glass 2 and the supporting body 3. The base 1 is fastened on the supporting body 3 via the bottom / supporting body connection 7, the domed cover glass 2 is in turn on the 'supporting body 3 over the cover glass / Tragkör¬ per connection 8 attached. The connections 7, 8 serve at the same time for the seal and can be implemented by means of common connecting means known in clock technology, such as ultrasonic welding and gluing. In the advantageous fourteenth embodiment of the watch according to the invention shown in FIG. 19, such welded connections are preferred. On the Tragköφer 3 are therefore closed circumferential annular welding grooves for realizing the connections 7,8. The dial 6 is held by the dial 3 by means of a dial / supporting body connection 9. As a result, the supporting body 3 serves as the basis for the clockwork 4. The clockwork 4 is held by the dial 6 via the clockwork / dial connection 10. The connections 9, 10 can be clamp, adhesive or welding connections that are common in watch technology.

The basic shape of the fourteenth embodiment of the supporting body 3 according to the invention is not defined. At least one outer side surface 3.1 of the supporting body 3 has a larger diameter than the outer side surface 2.1 of the cover glass 2. Relative to the clock hands 5, the outer side surface 3.1 therefore projects outwards beyond the outer side surface 2.1. The

REPLACEMENT LEAF inner side surface 3.2 of the supporting body 3 has a smaller diameter than the inner side surface 2.2 of the cover glass 2. Thus, the inner side surface 3.2 projects inwards relative to the clock hands 5 over the inner side surface 2.2 of the cover glass 2. The lateral dimensions of the carrying body 3 shown in FIG. 19 can be worked as desired and are not limited by the dimensions of the bottom 1 and cover glass 2. The specialist has numerous options for modified or supplementary designs. By exchanging and changing the carrying body 3 according to the invention, a wristwatch or pocket watch with a changed appearance is created simply, quickly and inexpensively, while maintaining the mass of all the other watch components.

FIG. 20 shows a longitudinal section through part of the wristwatch or pocket watch shown in FIG. 19 with a fourteenth exemplary embodiment of a carrying body 3 according to the invention along the position from "6:00 to 12:00" on the dial. In this view of the support body 3 according to the invention, in addition to the descriptions made above, it should be emphasized that the support body 3 assumes the functions of an attachment 3.11 with circular bushings 12 for attaching holding means such as a bracelet or chain. This is done by forming the supporting body 3 and the attache 11 together.

The supporting body 3 according to the invention can be made from a transparent plastic material. This plastic material can be similar to the material used for the cover slip 2, for example an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate compound.

REPLACEMENT LEAF The assembly of the wristwatch or pocket watch shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 with a fourteenth embodiment of a carrying body 3 according to the invention is advantageously carried out in such a way that in a first step the dial 6 by means of the clockwork / dial connection 10 on the clockwork 4 is attached positively. In a further step, the dial is held by means of the dial / support body connection 9. Then, in a further step, the floor 1 is fastened to the supporting body 3 by means of the floor / supporting body connection 7. The last two steps can be done simultaneously. In further steps, the clock hands 5 are placed on the clockwork 4 and the cover glass 2 is then fastened to the support body 3 by means of the cover glass / supporting body connection 8.

FIG. 21 shows a part of a wristwatch or pocket watch with a fifteenth exemplary embodiment of a carrying body 3 according to the invention in a view. Together with the further embodiments of the carrying body 3 according to the invention, which can be seen in FIGS. 19 and 20, FIG. 21 shows the great variety in the appearance of the watch, which is largely caused by variation of the embodiment of the carrying body 3 itself. Based on the manufacturing principle according to the injection molding technique, which was explained in FIGS. 11 to 18, the supporting body 3 shown in FIG. 21 consists of two symmetrical connecting elements K1 and K2. The two connecting elements K1 and K2 have a plurality of connecting means with other clock components such as clockwork, dial, bottom and cover glass, which are very different as a result of the arbitrary embodiments of the supporting body 3 according to the invention described in FIGS. 1 to 20. Accordingly, the assembly of the watch is very different and corresponds to the particularities of the respective embodiment of the carrying body 3. For example, the watch mechanism is attached to the dial and the clock hands are placed on the watch mechanism. Then the number

SPARE2BLADE sheet itself by joining the two connecting elements Kl and K2 in the direction indicated by the arrows by clamping. Now the two connecting elements K 1 and K 2 are welded along their contact surface, whereupon the circular cover glass 2 is welded to the support body 3 on the closed circular groove 15. The holding means, such as a bracelet or chain 13, are attached to the two attachments 3.11 of the carrying body 3. In the carrying body 3 according to the invention, the watch functions are therefore compressed, it fulfills the functions of the floor and of the attaching and serves as the basis for anchoring the Clockwork.

FIG. 22 shows a part of a wristwatch or pocket watch with a sixteenth exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention in a view. This watch has the properties of the fifteenth embodiment of the supporting body 3 described in FIG. 21. In contrast to this, however, the sixteenth embodiment of the supporting body 3 consists of a uniform connecting element, the cover glass 2 is oval and the supporting body 3 has four attachments 3.11. The assembly of the watch corresponds to that from the description of FIG. 21. First, the clockwork is attached to the dial and the dial is attached to the support body 3. The Tragköφer 3 thus serves as the basis for anchoring the movement. The clock hands are then placed on the clockwork. Now the oval cover glass 2 is welded to the support body 3 on the closed circumferential annular groove 15. The holding means, such as a bracelet or chain 13, are attached to the four attachments 3.11 of the supporting body 3.

REPLACEMENT LEAF FIG. 23 shows a part of a wristwatch or pocket watch with a seventeenth exemplary embodiment of a support body 3 according to the invention in a view. This watch has the properties of the fifteenth and sixteenth embodiments of the carrying body 3 described in FIGS. 21 and 22. In contrast to this, however, the seventeenth embodiment of the supporting body 3 consists of a uniform connecting element, the cover glass 2 is worked asymmetrically and the supporting body 3 has two attachments 3.11 of different sizes. The assembly of the clock corresponds to that from the description of FIG. 22. First, the clockwork is attached to the dial while holding and the dial is attached to the carrying body 3 while holding. In this way, the supporting body 3 serves as the basis for anchoring the clockwork. The clock hands are then placed on the clockwork. Now the asymmetrical cover glass 2 is welded to the support body 3 on the closed circumferential annular groove 15. The holding means, such as a bracelet or chain 13, are attached to the two differently sized attachments 3.11 of the supporting body 3.

REPLACEMENT LEAF

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Wrist or pocket watch, with a watch case consisting of a bottom (1), a cover glass (2), a Tragköφer (3) and with a clockwork (4), characterized in that the Tragköφer (3) as the basis of a dial (6) and serves as the basis for anchoring the clockwork (4) and that the base (1) and the cover glass (2) are attached by means of a base / -

Support body connections (7) 'and a cover glass / support body connection (8) are fastened to the support body (3).

2. Wrist or pocket watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the dial (6) on the Tragköφer (3) by means of a dial / - Tragköφer connection (9) is held.

3. Wrist or pocket watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the Tragköφer (3) takes over the function of the dial (6).

4. Wrist or pocket watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrying body (3) has devices (12) for attaching holding means such as a bracelet or chain (13).

REPLACEMENT LEAF

5. Wrist or pocket watch according to one of claims 1 or 3, characterized in that the supporting body (3) also takes over the function of the holding means such as a bracelet or chain (13).

6. wrist or pocket watch according to claims 3, 4 and 5, characterized ge indicates that the Tragköφer (3) takes over the function of the dial (6) and devices (12) for attaching holding means such as a bracelet or chain (13) owns or takes over the function of the holding means such as a bracelet or chain (13).

7. Wristwatch or pocket watch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the clockwork (4) is held by the dial (6) by means of a positive clockwork / dial connection (10).

8. Wrist or pocket watch according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connections (7, 8) for the base (1) and cover glass (2) are welded connections.

9. Wrist or pocket watch according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the Tragköφer (3) is transparent.

10. Wrist or pocket watch according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one outer side surface (3.1) of the supporting body (3) has a larger diameter than an outer side surface (2.1) of the cover glass (2) and thus the outer side

REPLACEMENT LEAF surface (3.1) protrudes relative to the clock hands (5) beyond the outer side surface (2.1).

11. The method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch according to claim 1, characterized in that on a prepared Trag¬ body (3) with or without devices (12) for attaching holding means such as a bracelet or chain (13), the clockwork (4) is attached to the dial (6) by means of a clockwork / dial connection (10), and that the dial (6) is attached to the carrying body (3) by means of a dial / support body connection (9).

12. A method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch according to claim 11, characterized in that clock hands (5) are set, that the bottom (1) and the cover glass (2) by means of a bottom / supporting body connection (7) and a cover glass / Tragköφer connection (8) to the Tragköφer (3) are attached.

13. The method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch according to claim 11, characterized in that the clockwork (4) serves as an injection mold for the production of the supporting body (3), such that the clockwork (4) is extrusion-coated with a plastic material , which is held in the shape of the supporting body (3) by means of shaping slides.

14. A method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch according to claim 11, characterized in that the clockwork (4) has a spray

REPLACEMENT LEAF Has molded part in the form of a molded sleeve (S3) and serves as an injection molded part for the production of the Tragköφers (3), such that the molded sleeve (S3) is overmolded by a plastic material which is held in the by slider (S1, S2) Form of the Tragkör¬ pers (3) cures.

15. The method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch according to claims 13, 14, characterized in that clock hands (5) are set before or only after the injection molding.

16. A method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the Trag¬ body (3) and the dial (6) are molded together molded.

17. A method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the Trag¬ body (3) and the bottom (1) are molded molded together.

18. A method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the Trag¬ body (3) and the cover glass (2) are molded molded together.

19. A method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the support body (3) and holding means such as a bracelet or chain (13) are molded onto one another or are attached to them.

REPLACEMENT LEAF

20. A method for producing a wristwatch or pocket watch according to claim 12, characterized in that the base (1) and support body (3) and cover glass (2) and support body (3) are welded to form connections (7, 8).

REPLACEMENT LEAF