GB2157029A

GB2157029A - Thin plate cover for watch case

Info

Publication number: GB2157029A
Application number: GB08507407A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yutaka Shoji; Jiro Matsuo
Original assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
Current assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
Priority date: 1984-03-30
Filing date: 1985-03-21
Publication date: 1985-10-16
Also published as: GB2157029B; HK43088A; GB8507407D0; JPS60158184U

Abstract

A cover 12 is adapted to be secured to an associated watch case 11 so as to cover the top surface of the watch case 11 and the top surface of a protective glass 14 fixed to the watch case lithe cover 11 including a peripheral portion 12a bent along the watch case 11 and a top surface having a required number and shape of separate windows 12c. It may be formed of aluminium or synthetic resin. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Thin plate cover for watch case Background ofthe invention 1. Field of the invention: This invention relates to a structure of a thin plate cover adapted to be secured to the top surface of a watch case 2. Description of the prior art: Watches with decorative members are well known in the art. Figure 1 shows a prior art structure (Japanese Published Unexamined Utility Model No.

57-112280) in which a decorative member 2 is locked in a recess provided in a watch case 1 by means of screws 3. However, if a decorative member is attached only to part of a watch case, it is difficult to change noticeably the image of the appearance of the entire watch case. Thus, the prior art structure has a problem that it is not sufficient to change the image of the appearance of a watch case.

Summary of the invention The object of the invention is to provide a thin plate cover for use in a watch case which is free of the afore-mentioned problem, gives the appearance of a unitary cover and case structure and produces many colors, and which is easy to secure and remove relative to the watch case, serves as a protective cover and provides a new appearance image.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a thin plate cover adapted to be secured to an associated watch case so as to cover the top surface of the watch case and the top surface of a protective glass fixed to the watch case, the thin plate cover including a peripheral portion bent along the watch case and a top surface having a required number and shape of separate windows.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a partially sectional view illustrating a prior art watch case to which a decorative member is secured; Figure 2 is a top view illustrating an embodiment of a thin plate cover secured to a watch case in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a partially sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of figure 2; Figure 5 is a partially sectional view taken along the line V-V of Figure 6 illustrating a thin plate cover pressed onto a watch case by means of a pin in accordance with the invention; and Figure 6 is a top view illustrating a decorated thin plate cover.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figures 2 and 3 illustrate one embodiment of the invention of a thin plate cover secured to a watch case in which reference numeral 11 is the watch case; 12 is the thin plate cover; 13 is each screw; 14 is a protective glass; 15 is a packing; and 16 is a watch movement. The protective glass 14 is pressed onto the watch case 11 through the packing 15. The thin plate cover 12 is made of aluminium and bent at its peripheral portion 12a along the configuration of the watch case 11. The cover 12 is adapted to cover the top surfaces of the watch case 11 and the protective glass 14 and is screwed in the watch case 11 by means of screws 13 each inserted into a through hole 12b in the thin plate cover 12.Furthermore, the thin plate cover 12, which is screwed at four points in this embodiment, is provided with a required number and shape of separate windows 12c, through which a display 16a of the watch movement 16 can be seen. Displays which can be seen through the windows 1 2c may provide an all-analog or digital display 16a of electronic displays using liquid crystal or electrochromism or may include a mechanism using hands for analog displays.

With this structure, the thin plate cover prevents revealing the packing used for securing the protective glass. Since the thin plate cover is bent fixedly along the configuration of the watch case, the appearance of a unitary cover and case structure is given. Furthermore, the aluminium produces many colors to give pleasure to a watch case, while it serves as a protective cover. While aluminium is used for the thin plate cover in this embodiment, the use of synthetic resin capable of being injectionmolded into a variety of complicated shapes makes it possible to change the appearance of the watch case such as colors, patterns, marks, characters and shapes. When necessary, the thin plate cover can be replaced. In the embodiment of Figures 2,3 and 4, the thin plate cover is secured by screws.As shown in Figures 5 and 6, however, the same effect is achieved by forcing holding pins 13' and such into the watch case.

As can be seen from the above embodiments, in accordance with the invention, the thin plate cover bent at its peripheral portion is fixedly secured to the watch case, thereby giving a new appearance of a unitary structure. Furthermore, the thin cover plate serves as a protective cover, while it provides a variety of colors, patterns, marks, characters and shapes and also can be replaced as necessary.

Therefore, it is possible to enjoy a newly fashionable watch case which heretofore has not been available.

1. A thin plate cover adapted to be secured to an associated watch case so as to cover the top surface of the watch case and the top surface of a protective glass fixed to the watch case, the thin plate cover including a peripheral portion bent along the watch case and a top surface having a required number and shape of separate windows.

2. A thin plate cover according to claim 1 wherein said thin plate cover is made of aluminium.

3. A thin plate cover according to claim 1 wherein said thin plate cover is made of synthetic resin.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Thin plate cover for watch case Background ofthe invention 1. Field of the invention: This invention relates to a structure of a thin plate cover adapted to be secured to the top surface of a watch case 2. Description of the prior art: Watches with decorative members are well known in the art. Figure 1 shows a prior art structure (Japanese Published Unexamined Utility Model No. 57-112280) in which a decorative member 2 is locked in a recess provided in a watch case 1 by means of screws 3. However, if a decorative member is attached only to part of a watch case, it is difficult to change noticeably the image of the appearance of the entire watch case. Thus, the prior art structure has a problem that it is not sufficient to change the image of the appearance of a watch case. Summary of the invention The object of the invention is to provide a thin plate cover for use in a watch case which is free of the afore-mentioned problem, gives the appearance of a unitary cover and case structure and produces many colors, and which is easy to secure and remove relative to the watch case, serves as a protective cover and provides a new appearance image. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a thin plate cover adapted to be secured to an associated watch case so as to cover the top surface of the watch case and the top surface of a protective glass fixed to the watch case, the thin plate cover including a peripheral portion bent along the watch case and a top surface having a required number and shape of separate windows. Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a partially sectional view illustrating a prior art watch case to which a decorative member is secured; Figure 2 is a top view illustrating an embodiment of a thin plate cover secured to a watch case in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a partially sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of figure 2; Figure 5 is a partially sectional view taken along the line V-V of Figure 6 illustrating a thin plate cover pressed onto a watch case by means of a pin in accordance with the invention; and Figure 6 is a top view illustrating a decorated thin plate cover. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figures 2 and 3 illustrate one embodiment of the invention of a thin plate cover secured to a watch case in which reference numeral 11 is the watch case; 12 is the thin plate cover; 13 is each screw; 14 is a protective glass; 15 is a packing; and 16 is a watch movement. The protective glass 14 is pressed onto the watch case 11 through the packing 15. The thin plate cover 12 is made of aluminium and bent at its peripheral portion 12a along the configuration of the watch case 11. The cover 12 is adapted to cover the top surfaces of the watch case 11 and the protective glass 14 and is screwed in the watch case 11 by means of screws 13 each inserted into a through hole 12b in the thin plate cover 12.Furthermore, the thin plate cover 12, which is screwed at four points in this embodiment, is provided with a required number and shape of separate windows 12c, through which a display 16a of the watch movement 16 can be seen. Displays which can be seen through the windows 1 2c may provide an all-analog or digital display 16a of electronic displays using liquid crystal or electrochromism or may include a mechanism using hands for analog displays. With this structure, the thin plate cover prevents revealing the packing used for securing the protective glass. Since the thin plate cover is bent fixedly along the configuration of the watch case, the appearance of a unitary cover and case structure is given. Furthermore, the aluminium produces many colors to give pleasure to a watch case, while it serves as a protective cover. While aluminium is used for the thin plate cover in this embodiment, the use of synthetic resin capable of being injectionmolded into a variety of complicated shapes makes it possible to change the appearance of the watch case such as colors, patterns, marks, characters and shapes. When necessary, the thin plate cover can be replaced. In the embodiment of Figures 2,3 and 4, the thin plate cover is secured by screws.As shown in Figures 5 and 6, however, the same effect is achieved by forcing holding pins 13' and such into the watch case. As can be seen from the above embodiments, in accordance with the invention, the thin plate cover bent at its peripheral portion is fixedly secured to the watch case, thereby giving a new appearance of a unitary structure. Furthermore, the thin cover plate serves as a protective cover, while it provides a variety of colors, patterns, marks, characters and shapes and also can be replaced as necessary. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy a newly fashionable watch case which heretofore has not been available. CLAIMS

4. A thin plate cover according to claim 1 wherein said thin plate cover is secured replaceably to the said watch case by screws.

5. Athin plate cover according to claim 1 wherein said thin plate cover is secured replaceably to said watch case by pressing holding pins into the watch case.

6. A thin plate cover according to claim 1 wherein said thin plate cover is provided with a required color, pattern, mark and character on the surface thereof.

7. A thin plate cover sustantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2,3,4 or 5,6 of the accompanying drawings.