US1937079A - Watchcase - Google Patents

Description

Nov.. 28, 1933'.

A. WUISCHPARD WATCHCASE Filed Jan. 28, 1950 Patented Nov. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WATCHCASE Application January 28, 1930. Serial No. 424,042

1 Claim.

Wrist watches as universally made are, and have been, of the open face construction, that is to say, without any cover to protect the crystal, the dial and hands from damaging knocks or 5 blows. And yet carried as they are upon the wrist, they are especially exposed to injury or damage as to the parts mentioned. Facility of inspection or examination of the watch to ascertain the time is of special importance and that l0 is a consideration which must be taken into account in the design and construction of wrist watches. The object of my invention is to provide a case construction which will supply the obvious need of protection from damage or injury ,to the crystal, hands and dial, and yet which will be without any objection or draw-back when facility of inspection or examining the watch to ascertain the time is concerned. By my invention, I achieve this object. While especially produced for wrist watches for the reasons just stated, it is to be understood that as far as the broad scope of my invention is concerned, I include therein other than wrist watches.

My invention consists in whatever is described by or is included within the terms or scope of the appended claim. In the drawing:- Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a wrist watch having a case embodying my invention;

' 30 Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detail view in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

The wrist watch shown in the drawing, as one embodiment of my invention, comprises a case 10, of a conventional oblong form having at opposite ends and .at opposite sides projections 11, for connection with the customary strap. And it includes a cover 12, for the crystal, dial and hands, which at one end is hinged to the 4.0 case, so that the cover may be swung between a closed to an open position to expose the dial or face for reading the time and covering the face.

'The hinge shown is formed by alining eyes 13,

formed on cover edge and case respectively and a pintle or case pin 14, extending through them. The hinge is preferably arranged with its axis transverse of the case so thatv it extends crosswise of the wrist of vthe wearer and for the sake of symmetry of design the case and cover, at the end opposite the hinge, may be formed in simulation of the hinge joints.

The cover is normallyspring-held in closed position in that respect being the opposite of the ordinary hunting-case watch and to open the cover one does so against the spring pressure, as

by pressing upon a slide, so that when finger pressure is taken from the slide, the cover will automatically close without any thought on the part of the wearer and thus the danger of neglecting to close the cover will not exist. An open 60 cover on a wrist watch would be especially exposed to damage or injury. p

A simple, readily accessible cover-opening device as shown in the drawing. It comprises a bar 15, slidably fitted in a guide-way 16, formed 55 in one of the case lugs 11, with one end projecting suiiciently to be readily engaged by the thumb or finger to push the bar inward. The end of the bar 15, within the guide-way 16, is engaged by one end of an expansible coil spring 1'7, whose 70 other end bears against the vend of a hole provided in the case to accommodate it. The spring thus normally tends to push the slide bar 15, outward. The side of the slide bar within the guide 16, and adjacent the cover hinge has several rack teeth 18, which mesh with the teeth of a rack segment 19, on the cover 12, so that sliding movement of the bar 15, against the spring pressure will throw the cover open and sliding movement of the bar 15, under spring pressure will swing the cover to a closed position where it will be securely held from unintentional opening by the spring pressure.

Preferably as a matter of desirable construction, the spring is secured to or attached to the slide or push bar as by swaging or otherwise.

The gear teeth may be made of steel and brazed to the parts on which they are provided which will usually be of gold or they may be made of gold or other non-rusting material.

While the construction shown and described in its details is a very desirable one, it is to be understood that variations may be made therefrom which will be within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:-

A wrist watch having a case with a cover for the face of the watch, means normally tending to close the cover and hold it closed, said case having at opposite sides means for connection therewith of a wrist encircling strap, said means including a side lug and a finger moved element mounted for movement in said lug and means to connect said element with the cover to open it against the action of the means normally tending to close the cover.

ALPHONSE WUISCHPARD.

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