US2225474A - Wrist-watch case - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17, 1940. L GUILD 2,225,474

WRI ST-WATCH CASE Filed July 30, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 3l! A, 3 4g/4, j y 3 H #Z #QL w E? Dec. 17, 1940. L. GUILD 2,225,474

WRIST-WATCH CASE Filed July 30; 1938 2 sheets-sheet 2 73sy 68 0 71 6/ V W Wjfy/ 73 6, ily/ 5. .1 HJ A '67 13' $6754 7o" 6270 w M7 fl" im 5g/; (6# www 5 /65 73 i3 @b Patented Dec. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WRIST-WATCH CASE- Application July 30, 1938, Serial No. 222,121

6 Claims.

The 4present'invention relates to that type of wrist-Watch cases in which the ends of a'wriststrap are anchored within terminal-hoods or -compartments forming portions of or included within intertting casing-parts which carry the wrist-watch movement.

One object of the present invention is to pro- Vide an improved construction for wrist-watch cases of this character wherein all parts or members associated with or related to the attachment of the ends of a wrist-strap to and their detachment yfrom the wrist-watch'case, arepermanently united to the wrist-watch case.

Another object of theinvention is to provide an improved construction for wrist-watch cases having intertting casing-parts wherein the strapend anchoring-members are permanently connected to or integrally formed with the Wristwatch casing-parts in a predetermined arrangenient which will cause the ends of a Wrist-strap to be anchored to the wrist-Watch case by the act of assembling the said casing-parts.

A further object of the invention isto provide an improved construction for wrist-watch casesl having intertting casing-members wherein cooperatively-arranged strap-anchoring and positioning members forming integral portions of the wall-structures of the respective casing-parts Imay .be employed to facilitate the positioning and anchoring of the ends of a wrist-strap within the terminal-hoods or -compartments' of the Wristwatch case.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear to those skilled in theart from the present disclosure, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel over the prior art.

For the purposes of illustration, the invention is illustrated in the drawings in adaptations to wrist-watch cases of vseveral forms.

In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a face view of one `form of a wristwatch case embodying-the present invention with a suitable Watch-movement encased therein;

Fig. 2 is' a rear plan View of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, but omitting the Watch-movement;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view from below and on a reduced scale compared to Fig. 3, of the outer casing-member shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3;

Fig. 5. is a perspectiveview from above and'on approximately the same scale as Fig. 4, of the inner casing-member shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the strapends to be inserted into a terminal-compartment of the watch-case;

Fig. 'iris a broken or'f-raginentary view inmedial `verticalfsection of one end of kanother kembodiment of the-present invention-With an attached strap-end;

Fig. 8is -a perspective View from below of the outer casing-member lshown in Fig. '1;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View from above of the inner casing-member shown in Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 isa perspective View of the strap-end shown in Fig. -7 15 Fig. 11 is a broken or fragmentary view in medial vertical section of one end of another embodiment of f the invention;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view'from above ofthe inner casing-member shownV in Fig. 11; 20

Fig. 13 is a transverse section taken on the line |3-I3of Fig. 11; y

Fig. 14- is a perspective View of one of the strapends employed with the embodiment shown in Figs. 11 to 13 inclusive;

Fig. 15 is -a broken view in longitudinal'vertical section of vone end of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 16 is'a perspective View from below of the n outer casing-member shown in Fig. 15; ""0

Fig. 17 is a perspective View from above of the inner casing-member shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a 'fragmentary view in longitudinal vertical section `of one end of another embodiment of the invention; 35

Fig. 19 is a transverse section taken on the line Iii-I9 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a perspective View Afrom below of the outer casing-member shown in Figs. 18 and 19;

Fig. 21 is la'perspective view from above of the inner casing-member shown in Figs. 18 and 19;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the strap-end lshown in Figs. 18 and 1'9 and Fig. 23 is a back planview of the watch-casing shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. y15 to 17 inclusive.

In my co-'pending application, Serial No. 222,122, led on even date herewith, I have shown, described and claimed a wrist-watch case having portions thereof Vconstructed and arranged to form terminal-hoods within which the ends of a wrist-strap are anchored by meansI of strap-end anchoring-members which are permanently connected to or integrally formed lwith. the said wrist-watch case or terminal-hoods thereof. Ac-

cording to the above-identified application, in some instances, the strap-ends are positioned and anchored in the terminal-hoods of one of the case-forming parts prior to the assembly of :the said case-forming parts; in other instances, the strap-ends are introduced into and anchored Within the terminal-compartments either before or after the assembly of the case-forming parts; and in all instances, the actual positioning and anchoring of the strap-ends, is accomplished independently of the assembling of the said caseforming parts.

In the present application is shown, described and claimed, a wrist-watch case comprising: inner and outer case-forming parts; one of which is provided with strap-end anchoring-members which are permanently connected to or integrally formed with one or" the said case-forming parts; and the other of which case-forming parts is provided with permanently-connected or integrallyformed retention-members of Wall-portions which are constructed and arranged to effect the positioning and anchoring of the ends of a Wriststrap by means of or during the progress of the assembling of the said case-forming parts.

In the above-identified co-pending application as well as in the present application, the construction and relative arrangement of the parts in the lcompletely-assembled Wrist-watch case, operate to securely retain or lock the strap-ends in their anchored relation to the strap-end anchoringmembers.

In each of the several embodiments of the present invention herein shown, described and claimed, the Wrist-watch case comprises two oppositely-extending end-portionswith respect to a medial transverse plane and in the said endportions, the construction, relative arrangement and functioning of the parts is substantially similar. In consequence, a description of one end of the wrist-watch case in each embodiment of the invention, will in the main serve for both.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, a watch-movement 25 is mounted in a Watch-receiving compartment 26 (Fig. 3) formed within and intermediately of the ends of a wrist-Watch case comprising an outer or front casing-part designated-'generally by the reference character 21 and an inner or back casing-part designated generally by the reference character 28.

As shown particularly well in Fig. 5, the inner casing-part comprises a bottom-wall 29 which constitutes the bottom-wall of the intermediate Watch receiving compartment 2B; laterallyspaced side-walls 30; and end-Walls 3| 3| which separate the intermediate compartment 28 from oppositely-arranged terminal-compartments to be presently referred to.

The outer casing-part 21, as is shown particularly well in Fig. 4, comprises a top-wall portion 32 having a sight-opening 32a and forming the top-Wall of the intermediate watch-receiving compartment 26; laterally-spaced side-walls 33--33 a pair of laterally-spaced end-Wall panels 34-34 at each end, with the space between the individuals of each pair of end-Wall panels closed by the adjacent one of the two oppositely-arranged terminal-hoods designated generally by the reference characters v35--35, and of less height, width and depth than the watch-receiving compartment 26.

Each of the end-Walls 3|-3I of the inner casing-part 28, forms with the adjacent one of the oppositely-arranged terminal-hoods 35-35, a

terminal-compartment 36 for accommodating one anchored end of a wrist-strap. Each end of the said strap will for convenience of description be termed a strap-end and is designated by the reference character 31. Each strap-end 31 is provided With a transverse slot 38 by means of which it may be anchored in the manner hereinafter pointed out. Each terminal-hood 35 comprises an arcuate. top-wall portion 39; a vertical terminal-end-wall portion 40 provided with a strap-receiving slot 4 i and laterally-spaced sidewall panels 42-42 which join the adjacent end- Wall panels 34-34 of the casing-part 21.

Permanently connected to each of the endwalls 3I--3l of the inner casing-part 28, is a strap-end anchoring-tong ue 43 which, in the form shown, is preferably formed as an integral extension of the upper portion of the adjacent endwall 3i and comprises a curved upper portion 43a substantially conforming to the inner surface of the arcuate top-wall portion 39 of the adjacent terminal-hood 35, and a depending portion 44 which latter, in the assembled positions of the outer and inner casing-parts, extends through the transverse slot 38 in the adjacent one of the strap-ends 31-31.

According to this embodiment of the invention, a strap-end 31 may be passed through a given one of the terminal-slots 4 |-4I in the respective end-Walls of the terminal-hoods 35-35 and anchored to the depending portion 44 of the adjacent anchoring-tongue 43 either before or after the inner casing-part 28 has been placed within the outer casing-part 21. It will be understood that the casing-members 21 and 28 may be retained in assembled position each with respect to the other by close frictional contacts between intertting portions of the respective casingparts.

In the embodied form of the invention shown in Figs. 'l to l0 inclusive, the outer casing-part which is generally designated by the reference character 45, is generally similar in construction to the outer casing-part 21 described above except for the modied form of the strap-end receivingopening in the terminal-wall of the hood-forming portion thereof to be presently described.

At each of its opposite ends, the said outer casing-part 45 comprises a terminal-hood generally designated by the reference character 46 and provided with a vertical wall-portion 41 having a clearance-notch 48 formed therein of sunlcient width to receive the strap-end 49 of a wriststrap.

Fitting within the outer casing-part 45 is an inner casing-part designated generally by the reference character 50 and comprising: a bottomwall portion laterally-spaced side-wall portions 52-52; end-Wall portions 53-53; and, at each end thereof, a bottom-plate extension 54 provided with an outer end-portion 55 at right angles thereto. The outer end-portion 55 of each extension 54 is provided with a central notch 56 of less width than the strap-end 49. The said strap-end 49 being provided with a pair of oppositely-arranged coupling-notches 51-51 in its lateral edges and respectively receiving laterallyspaced coupling-lugs 58-58 formed in the outerend portion 55 of the extension 54 by the notch 56.

According to this embodiment of the invention (Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive), each of the extensions 54-54 of the inner casing-part 5E! forms a closed bottom-wall for the adjacent terminal-compartment 59, the construction and arrangement of the said outer end-portion 55 being such that whenthe casing-parts 45 andSUfare assembled, the said outer end-portion 55 is caused to slidably engage the inner surface of the vertical end-wall 41 of theadjacent .terminal-hood 46. Before assembling the casing-parts v45 and 50,'a'given strapend 49 may be in a given clearance-notch 48 formed in the .end-Wall 41 of terminal-hood 46 with the coupling-notchesk 51-51 of the strap-end just within the inner surface of the end-wall 41, or said strap-end may be iirst anchored to the laterally-spaced lugs .58-58 on the extension 54 of the inner lcasing-part D in `such a Way `that when the inner casing-part 50 is placed within the outer casing-part 45, :the .strap-end 49 is anchored to the outer end-portion 55 of extension 54 and securely interlocked between the said outer end-portion 55 and the end-wall 41 vof the terminal-hood 46.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the terminal-compartment 55 at each end of the wrist-Watch case, is separated from an intermediate watch-receiving compartment 66 by an end-wall 53 of the inner casing-part 55.

According tothe embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1l to 14 inclusive, an outer casingpart, which `is similar in construction to the outer casing-part 21 shown in Figs. l, 3 and 4, is designated generally .by the reference character 6I. Intertted with the said outer casingpart 6| isfan inner casing-part designated generally by the refernce character 62.

In the form shown in the gures just above referred to, the inner casing-part 62 comprises: a bottom-Wall .63; side-Walls 64-64; end-walls 65-65; Vand bottom-Wallextensions 66-65 having outer end-portions 61-61 bent upwardly at right angles thereto and provided respectively with sets of upwardly-projecting pyramidal anchoring-points or -teeth S23-68. For less exi- 'lpensive forms of wrist-Watch cases, the pyram- 5attached to the wrist-watch case, a series of anchoring-sockets or -recesses 16, shapedy and arranged to interlt with the pyramidal anchoring-points 68, are formed therein. When a given strap-end -69 is positioned within either one of two strap-receiving slots 1|-1I respectively formed in the kopposite vertical end-Wall portions 12-12 -of a pair of oppositely-projecting terminal-hoods designated generally by the reference characters 13-13, the subsequent introduction thereinto of the anchoring-points 68 will eiect a lateral as well as a longitudinal registration of the strap-ends within a terminal-compartment 14, one of which latter is formed in each of the terminal-hoods 13-13. The said terminal-compartments 14-14 are respectively separated from an intermediate watch-receiving compartment 15 by one of the end-walls 65 of the inner casing-part.

It will Abe understood from the foregoing that according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1l to 14 inclusive, before the casing-parts 6I and 62 are assembled, a given strap-end 69 is approximately positioned in the strap-receiving slot 1| with the contracted upper ends of .the anchoring-sockets therein substantially in registry with the inner surface of the terminal-hood 13. The inner casing-part 62 is then moved upwardly into position Within the outer casing-part 6l to enter the anchoringpoints 68 into the anchoring-sockets 15 and thus lock the given strap-end 69 in place.

It will be understood that after the outer and inner casing-parts 6I and 62 have been assembled as described, the said casing-parts may be retained in assembled relation by their close frictional engagement.

According to the embodied form of the invention shown in Figs. 15, 16 and 17, the wrist-watch case comprises an outer casing-part designated generally by the reference character 16 and inner casing-part designated generally by the reierence character 11.

The outer casing-part 16 is provided at each end with a terminal-hood designated generally bythe reference character 18. Each terminalhood comprises an arcuate wall-portion "i9 which merges at the top with 'the top-wall 82 of the outer casing-part 16; a vertical end-wall portion 80; and laterally-spaced side-wall panels Sl-Sl Adjacent each end of the outer casing-part 16 is a transverse partition-Wall B3 which intervenes between the adjacent one of two terminal-compartments 84-84 and an intermediate watchreceiving compartment 85. The vertical end-wall portion 80 of each of the terminal-hoods 18 is provided with a transverse clearance-slot 86 to receive one of two corresponding strap-ends 81--81 of a wrist-strap, each of the said strapends being provided with a transverse anchoringslot 88 whereby it may be anchored within a given. one of the terminal-compartments 84--84 in the manner to be explained.

The inner casing-part 11 comprises a bottomwall 89 which constitutes the bottom-portion of the watch-receiving compartment 85; side-walls 95--98 which slidably engage the inner surfaces of the side-walls 16a-16a of the outer casing-part 16; transverse end-walls .SI- 9| which slidably engage the inner surfaces of the partition-walls 83--83 of the outer casing-part 16; and bottomwall extensions 92-92 which respectively close the terminal-compartments 84-84 at the bottom and are provided with outer end-portions bent upwardly at right angles thereto to provide strap-endV anchoring-members S23-93.

Prior to assembling the inner and outer casingparts 11 and 16, each strap-end 81 is located within one of the terminal-compartments 811-81. As the inner casing-part 11 is moved into the outer casing-part 15, the anchoring-members 93-93 respectively slidably engage the innersurfaces of the end-walls 80-80 of terminal-hood 18 as the said anchoring-members 93-93 move respectively into the transverse coupling-slots 88-88 to anchor the strap-ends 81--81.

As shown in Fig. 23, the rear View of the assembled wrist-watch case includes the flat surface of the bottom-wall `of inner casing-part 11 which is cruciform in outline and bordered by the marginal edges of the outer casing-part and with the strap-ends 81-81 extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions.

The back plan View of each of the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 11 is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 23 which represents the back plan view of the embodiment shown in Figs. 15 to 17 inclusive.

According to the embodied form of the invention shown in Figs. 18 to 22 inclusive. the wristwatch case comprises an outer casing-part designated generally by the reference character 94 and an inner casing-part designated generally by the reference character 95, the said outer casing-part 94 being provided with oppositelyarranged terminal-hoods designated generally by the reference characters Sii-96.

Each terminal-hood 95 comprises an upper arcuate wall-portion 91; an outer end-Wall portion 08; and laterally-spaced side-wall panels SBS- 99.

The inner casing-member 95 comprises a bottom-wall |00; side-Walls |0|-|0|; end-walls H12-|02; and oppositely-projecting extensionsl |03-I03 which are vertically offset from the bottom-wall |00.

A terminal-compartment |04 in each of the terminal hoods 96-96 is separated from an intermediate watch-receiving compartment |05 by one of the said end-walls |02-|02 of the inner casing-part S5. Projecting upwardly from each of the extensions IUS-|03 is a transverse series of anchoring-pins |06 which, in the assembled positions of the outer and inner casing- parts 94 and 95, project into and interlock with a series of correspondingly-arranged anchoring-sockets |01. The said anchoring-sockets |01 are formed in a supportingor locking-plate |08, one of which projects inwardly from the inner surface of each of the terminal-hoods S16-96. Each lockingplate |08 is preferably formed by the upward displacement of a portion of the end-wall 98 of each terminal-hood 90 and is arranged parallel to and spaced from the adjacent extension |03 to receive one of tWo strap-ends IGS-|09 beneath it.

Each strap-end |09 just above referred to, is provided with a transverse series of anchoringopenings H0 through which the anchoring-pins |06 extend when the casing- parts 94 and 95 are in assembled positions. A suitable notch or opening is formed in each of the end-walls 98-98 by the inward and upward displacement into the respective terminal-hoods 96-96 of an end-wall portion which constitutes one of the supports or locking-plates |08-|08.

Suitable means for locating the anchoring-pins |06 of the inner casing-part 95, may be provided by means of locating-shoulders ||2-| l2 formed in the outer casing-member 94 respectively adjacent each end of its top-wall portion ||3|l3. The said shoulders |I2-l I2 are preferably constructed and arranged to respectively interengage with the upper edges of end-Walls |02|02 of the inner casing-part S5 when the pins |06 are in registry with the anchoring-sockets |01.

The assembled casing- parts 94 and 95 are frictionally retained in assembled relation each to the other in the manner already pointed out in connection with other embodiments of the present invention.

While the manufacture of integrally-formed interfitting case-forming parts of the character disclosed in the several embodiments of the present invention described in the foregoing specification is not limited to any particular mode of procedure or to the employment of any particular kind of material, the said casing-parts may be manufactured in a simple and-effective manner by the impact-extrusion of any suitable metal for this purpose such, for example, as aluminum which may be subsequently chromium-plated.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming Within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A wrist-Watch case construction comprising: interfitting inner and outer case-forming parts assembled together, and being assemblable by relative movement oppositely toward one another, and in assembled relation providing a watch-receiving compartment; said outer case-forming part having fixed opposite end-walls each provided with a strap-end-receiving opening; said inner case-forming part having fixed opposite strap-end anchoring-means within said end-Walls and extending in the general direction of assembly of said outer and inner parts; and flexible strap-ends, each having an integral portion extending through one of said openings and engaged and anchored by one of said strap-end anchoring-means.

2. A wrist-watch case construction comprising: intertting inner and outer case-forming parts assembled together, and being assemblable by relative movement oppositely toward one another, and in assembled relation providing a watch-receiving compartment; said outer case-forming part having fixed opposite end-walls each provided with a strap-end-receiving opening; said inner case-forming part having fixed opposite strap-end anchoring-means Within said end-Walls and extending in the general direction of assembly of said outer and inner parts; and flexible strap-ends, each having an integral portion extending through one of said openings and engaged and anchored by one of said strap-end anchoring-means as a result of said assembling operation.

3. A wrist-Watch case construction comprising: intertting inner and outer case-forming parts assembled together, and being assemblable by relative movement oppositely toward one another, and in assembled relation providing a watch-receiving compartment; said outer case-forming part having xed opposite end-walls each provided with a strap-end-receiving opening; said inner case-forming part having xed opposite strap-end anchoring-means within and slidably engaging said end-walls and extending in the general direction of assembly of said outer and inner parts; and flexible strap-ends, each having an integral portion extending through one of said openings and engaged and anchored by one of said strap-end anchoring-means as a result of said assembling operation.

4. A wrist-watch case construction comprising: interfitting inner and outer case-forming parts assembled together, and being assemblable by relative movement oppositely toward one another, and in assembled relation providing a Watch-receiving compartment; said outer case-forming part having fixed opposite end-walls each provided with a strap-end-receiving opening; said inner case-forming part having fixed opposite groups of strap-end anchoring-elements within said end-walls and extending in the general direction of assembly of said outer and inner parts; and flexible strap-ends, each having an integral portion extending through one of said openings and engaged and anchored by one of said groups of strap-end anchoring-elements.

5. A wrist-Watch case construction comprising: interfitting inner and outer case-forming parts assembled together, and being assemblable by relative movement oppositely toward one another, and in assembled relation providing a watch-receiving compartment; said outer case-forming part having fixed opposite end-walls each provided with a strap-end-receiving opening; said inner case-forming part having fixed opposite groups of strap-end anchoring-teeth within said end-Walls and extending in the general direction of assembly of said outer and inner parts; and iiexible strap-ends, each having an integral portion extending through one of said openings and engaged and anchored by one of said groups of strap-end anchoring-teeth pressed into such strap-end portion.

6. A wristwatch case construction comprising: interfitting inner and outer case-forming parts assembled together, and being assemblable by relative movement oppositely toward one another, and in assembled relation providing a watch-receiving compartment; said outer case-forming 15 part having xed opposite end-walls each provided with a strap-end-receiving opening; said inner case-forming part having xed opposite strap-end anchoring-means Within said end-walls and extending in the general direction of assembly of said outer and inner parts; and flexible strap-ends, each having an integral portion extending through one of said openings and engaged and anchored by one of said strap-end anchoring-means; each said end-Wall having a flxed locking plate extending along the upper surface of a said strap-end portion and having socket-means, and each said anchoring-means interengaging with a said socket-means.

Images