GB2460828A

GB2460828A - Timepiece with elasticised band

Info

Publication number: GB2460828A
Application number: GB0810481A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karen Gail Lambert; Elizabeth Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-09
Filing date: 2008-06-09
Publication date: 2009-12-16
Also published as: GB0810481D0

Abstract

A timepiece 4 with an elasticized strap 3 which is designed to be worn above or just below the elbow. The elasticised strap 3 or band is arranged in such as way as to contract or expand when worn around and limb and hence allow for muscle movement. Furthermore the underside of the band (the side adjacent to the skin) would have an adhesive or elastomer coating to ensure the band and timepiece doesn't move from the intended location. A press fix fastener, such as an adhesive or "hook and loop" tab, is incorporated into the band to allow for convenient fixation on wearer.

Description

Intellectual Property Office mm For Creetity and Innovation Application No. GBO8 10481.2 RTM Date:3 November 2008 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of The Patent Office

Description

Background

The majority of timepieces are worn in the conventional position on the wrist; however there are groups of individuals and occasions when wearing the timepiece on the wrist is inconvenient, unsafe, impractical and not advised best practice.

Examples of groups for which wrist based timepieces is not advised is health professionals such as doctors, nurses, dental specialists and others in environments where potential cross contamination and hygiene standards are of critical importance. Recommended practice for many of these groups is a bare below the elbow" policy to promote convenience in hand washing and increased levels of hygiene as a result wearing of timepieces on the wrist is not recommended.

Restrictions on the wearing of a wrist watch creates a problem for these groups, access to a timepiece is of critical importance to the conduct of their work (e.g. management and treatment of patients). As a result the bare below the elbow policy presents an issue whereby a timepiece must be worn in an alternative location to the wrist however still offer the user the same convenience of use and comfort.

Pendant, garment mounted, clip or pin on timepieces are disclosed in the prior art however these can be impractical at best and they are unconstrained, difficult to read and present a health & safety risk in terms of injury due to the pin. Pendant devices are also a hazard due to the risk of being caught in rotating machinery or grabbed by third parties.

In situations where hygiene standards are of critical importance it is highly desirable for the user to be able to read the timepiece without the need to adjust their clothing or make reference to clocks place around their vicinity. As a result, the invention presented seeks to provide an alternative means of wearing a timepiece while still be conveniently accessible to the user.

Detailed Description

As detailed in the background section, in order to encourage good standards in hygiene workers in the healthcare and other sectors are discouraged to wear timepieces on the wrist and so adopt a ubare below the elbow' policy. The invention proposed is to facilitate the wearing of a timepiece just above or below the elbow as a result leaving the individual able to clean their hands and lower arms while still having convenient access to the timepiece.

The invention presented proposes an elasticised band onto which a timepiece is mounted, the elasticised band is arranged in such a way as to provide the means to contract or expand when worn around the limb and hence allow for muscle contraction and expansion during normal activity.

Futhermore the underside of the elasticised band (the side that is adjacent to the skin) would have an adhesive or elastomer coating to ensure the band and timepiece doesn't rotate or move from the intended location on the wearers are regardless of location or motion of the arm.

The invention will now be described with reference to drawings in the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 shows the timepiece and band worn in the just below the elbow location Figure 2 shows the timepiece and band worn in the just above the elbow location Figure 3 shows a more detailed drawing of the timepiece and band in the just below the elbow location including an interface layer to prevent movement of the timepiece and band from the intended position 4 2

Claims

Claims 1. A timepiece with an elasticised band that is worn just above or just below the elbow leaving the writs of the wearer clear and uncovered.
2. A timepiece with an elasticised band according to claim 1, where the band contracts or expands to allow for movement of underlying muscle activity in the limb onto which the timepiece and elasticised band is worn.
3. A timepiece with an elasticised band according to the proceeding claims, where the surface of the band that is adjacent to the skin is coated with an interface layer of adhesive to minimise the movement of the timepiece and elasticised band from its intended position.
4. A timepiece with an elasticised band according to the proceeding claims, where an alternative embodiment were the interface layer made from elastomeric material capable of griping the adjacent skin to minimise the movement of the timepiece and elasticised band from its intended position.
5. A timepiece with an elasticised band according to any of the proceeding claims, that may incorporate a press to fix fastener (e.g. Velcro or adhesive tab) into the band to facilitate convenient fixation of the timepiece and band onto the wearers arm.
6. A timepiece with an elasticised band as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.