WO2003039287A1

WO2003039287A1 - Sliding wire wristwatch strap

Info

Publication number: WO2003039287A1
Application number: PCT/IB2001/002874
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lee Chor Ching; Chu Chui Shan; Chan Chun Ho; Greg Miller
Original assignee: Timex Group B.V.
Priority date: 2001-11-09
Filing date: 2001-11-09
Publication date: 2003-05-15

Abstract

A wristwatch (10) comprising a watchhead (12) having a first die (14) and a second side (16), a first sliding bar (22) having at least one aperture therethrough and a second sliding bar (24) having at least one aperture therethrough; a first wire (W1),having a first end coupled to the sliding bar(22)and second end coupled to the second side(16) of the watchhead (12) with the first wire passing though the at least one aperture in the second sliding bar(24); a second wire (W2) having a first end coupled to the second sliding bar(14) and a second end coupled to the first side (14) of the watchhead (12) and passing through the at least one aperture in the first sliding bar(22) such that the watchhead and the first and second wires form a closed loop that can expand by sliding the first and second bars toward each other.

Description

SLIDING WIRE WRISTWATCH STRAP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wristwatch.es, and more particularly, to a novel assembly for maintaining a watchhead about a wrist. Specifically, the present invention is provided as a novel watchstrap assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ristwatches are well known in the art . Similarly, watchstraps are well known in the art, and over the years, many different types of wriststraps have been developed and even successfully commercialized. For example, observe any group of random people and one is sure to find preferences for wristwatches- with leather straps, plastic straps, metal straps with traditional foldover buckles, and even straps marketed towards serious athletes, such as Velcro straps for expedited removal and securing of a watch onto ones wrist.

The present inventors believe that further developments in the state of the art are achievable, and desire to make further developments and discoveries in the relevant field of art. Consistent therewith, the present invention furthers expands the state of the art by its nature of being a novel and non-obvious assembly for maintaining a watchhead on one's wrist .

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION It is an object and advantage of the present invention to provide an improved assembly for maintaining a watchhead on a user's wrist. It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide an improved assembly for maintaining a watchhead on a user's wrist that is easy to secure about and remove from the wrist . It is yet another object and advantage of the present invention to provide an improved assembly for maintaining a watchhead on a user's wrist that is aesthetically pleasing.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects and advantages are realized by an assembly and a wristwatch constructed in accordance with embodiments of this invention, wherein such an assembly and wristwatch is disclosed.

Generally speaking, the present invention is directed to an assembly for maintaining a watchhead about a wrist . In a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises a first sliding bar having at least one aperture therethrough; a second sliding bar having at least one aperture therethrough; a first wire, the first wire having a first end coupled to the first sliding bar and a second end coupled to a second side of the watchhead, wherein the first wire passes through the at least one aperture in the second sliding bar; a second wire, the second wire having a first end coupled to the second sliding bar and a second end coupled to a first side of the watchhead, wherein the second wire passes through the at least one aperture in the first sliding bar; wherein the watchhead and the first and second wires, when passing through the respective apertures of the second and first sliding bars, form a closed loop having a first diameter; wherein the application of a force causing (i) the sliding of the first sliding bar along the second wire towards the second sliding bar and (ii) the sliding of the second sliding bar along the first wire causes the diameter of the closed loop to increase; and wherein the removal of the force permits the sliding bars to slide away from each other.

In a particular embodiment, the first sliding bar comprises at least a second aperture spaced apart from the at least one aperture and the second sliding bar comprises at least a second aperture spaced apart from its respective at least one aperture therethrough. In this way a third wire is provided and has a first end coupled to the first sliding bar and a second end coupled to the second side of the watchhead, wherein the third wire passes through the at least second aperture in the second sliding bar; and a fourth wire is provided and has a first end coupled to the second sliding bar and a second end coupled to the first side of the watchhead, wherein the second wire passes through the at least second aperture in the first sliding bar.

In yet another embodiment, the first sliding bar comprises N apertures, the second sliding bar comprises M apertures and the assembly comprises N + M wires, wherein each of the M wires have their respective first ends coupled to the first sliding bar and their respective second ends coupled to the second side of the watchhead; each of the N wires have their respective first ends coupled to the second sliding bar and their respective second ends coupled to the first side of the watchhead; each of the M wires pass through one of the M apertures in the second sliding bar and each of the N wires pass through one of the N apertures in the first sliding bar; and wherein N = M. In this preferred embodiment, N = 5. Preferably, all the wires have at least essentially the same resiliency. Further, the sliding bars may comprise recess (es) into which the first ends of the wires are inserted. The first ends of the wires are secured into the recesses in the respective first and second sliding bars. Similarly, the ends of the watchhead may comprise recess (es) into which the second ends of the wires are inserted, and the assembly comprises means for securing the first and second ends of the wires into the recesses in the respective sliding bars and ends of the watchhead. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a wristwatch is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the wristwatch comprises a watchhead having a first side and a second side and a wriststrap assembly construction in accordance with the embodiments disclosed above and in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above set forth and other features of the invention are made more apparent in the ensuing Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments when read in conjunction with the attached Drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wristwatch, including an assembly for maintaining the watchhead of ,the wristwatch about a wrist, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the watchhead of the wristwatch illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the assembly for maintaining a watchhead, shown here in a relaxed position; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the assembly illustrated in

Fig. 3 in a compressed position wherein the diameter of the closed loop that would be formed by the watchhead and wires would be at its greatest (although Fig. 4 is not exactly drawn to scale) ;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the wristwatch illustrated in Fig. 1 with the assembly in a generally relaxed position;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sliding bar of Fig. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, and particularly illustrating a preferred manner in which the first end of a wire is coupled thereto; and Fig. 7 is another cross-sectional view of a sliding bar of Fig. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, and particularly illustrating an aperture therethrough that permits the sliding bar to slide along a wire passing therethrough. Identically labeled elements appearing in different ones of the above-described figures refer to the same elements but may not be referenced in the description for all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to Fig. 1, in which a wristwatch, generally indicated at 10, including an assembly, generally indicated at 2G, for maintaining a watchhead 12 of wristwatch 10 about a wrist (not shown) , constructed in accordance with the present invention, is depicted. In particular, wristwatch 10 comprises watchhead 12 and assembly 20.

As will be explained in detail below, assembly 20 maintains watchhead 12 about a user's wrist. For convenience, the term "assembly" may be used interchangeably with the term "watchstrap" since the understanding of the function of assembly 20 is identical to that of a watchstrap, namely, to provide a means for securing a watchhead about a user's wrist. However, it should be clear that the way in which assembly 20 functions and performs the function of securing a watchhead about the wrist is completely different from that of any conventional watchstraps, as will be clearly set out below. More specifically, and now referring additionally to Fig. 2, watchhead 12 has coupled thereto a first lug member 14 and a second lug member 16. Lug members 14 and 16 may be integrally formed with watchhead 12, such as during the molding process, or may be connected thereto by any known means, such as welding, soldering or other adhesive or connecting means. Fig. 2 illustrates how lug members 14 and 16 are preferably integrally formed with watchhead 12.

Referring again to Fig. 1 and now also to Fig. 7, assembly 20 comprises first and second sliding bars 22 and 24. Each sliding bar 22 and 24 has at least one aperture 30 therethrough. Preferably, each sliding bar 22 and 24 has a plurality of apertures therethrough, although as will be described below, the number of apertures is directly related to the number of wires that are desired to comprise the "watchstrap." An exemplary aperture 30 is illustrated in Fig. 7. All the apertures in the sliding bars 22 and 24 are preferably identical in shape and function to aperture 30. To this end, assembly 20 further comprises a plurality of wires segments (hereinafter "wires"), identified by the reference symbol Wl through W(N+M), where N and M denotes the number of wires used in constructing assembly 20. In the illustrated embodiment, N and M are each equal to 5, but it should be understood that the number of wires used is somewhat a matter of design choice, although it will become clear in a moment that the number of wires used is preferably, but not necessarily, an even number so as to aesthetically "balance" assembly 20. In the present invention's most simplistic form, the number of wires needed is two, and would be constructed in the following manner. A first wire Wl has a first end coupled to first sliding bar 22 and a second end coupled to a second side, such as to lug member 16, of watchhead 12. First wire Wl thus passes through the at least one aperture 30a in second sliding bar 24. In a similar manner, a second wire W2 has a first end coupled to second sliding bar 24 and a second end coupled to a first side, such as to lug member 14, of watchhead 12. Likewise, second wire W2 passes through the at least one aperture 30b in first sliding bar 22.

Reference is briefly made to Fig. 6 to illustrate the preferred manner in which the first ends of wires Wl and W2 are coupled to respective sliding bars 22, 24. Specifically, both the first and second sliding bars 22, 24 preferably comprise recesses 26, exemplary illustrated in Fig. 7, into which the first end 50 of each of the wires are inserted. Each of the first ends 50 of each of the wires are thereafter secured into the recesses by a first end securing means, such as a screw 32, which is inserted into the sliding bars through another, preferably threaded recess 28, also exemplary shown in sliding bar 22 of Fig. 6. A threaded recess permits for the tightening of screw 32 against first end 50 of each wire to secure it therein. A small section cf first end 50 of each wire may be removed to further ensure that the first end remains secured in recess 26. Alternatively, the tightening of screw 32 may sufficiently deform the first end 50 as illustrated. Glue, or other adhesive may be used in addition to or instead of screw 32 to assist in keeping first end 50 of each of the wires in its respective recess 26. Therefore, the disclosed first end securing means should be construed broadly to encompass the use of screws, adhesives, welding, or other types of securing arrangements. Preferably all the recesses in the sliding bars are identical.

In a very similar manner and with reference being specifically made to Fig. 2, the second ends of each of the wires are respectfully coupled to the first and second ends of watchhead 12, namely lug members 14 and 16. In particular, each lug member preferably comprises a number of recesses 15, into which the second end 52 of each of the wires are inserted. Each of the second ends 52 of each of the wires are thereafter secured into the recesses by a second end securing means, such as a screw 19, which is inserted into the lug members through another preferably threaded recess 17. In this way, the first and second securing means are preferably the same. In a like manner, a threaded recess 17 permits for the tightening of screw 19 against second end 52 of the wire to secure it therein. Again, it is contemplated that a small section of each second end 52 of the wire coupled to the lug member may be removed to further ensure that the second end remains secured in exemplary recess 17, by permitting a further tightening and wedging of second end 52 into recess 15. Similarly, glue, or other adhesive may be used in addition to or instead of screw 19 to assist in keeping second end 52 of each of the wires in its respective recess 15. Therefore and similarly, the disclosed second end securing means should be construed broadly to encompass the use of screws, adhesives, welding, or other types of securing arrangements.

It should now be understood that in the most simplistic of constructions, the present invention would function, and each of the sliding bars 22 and 24 will be operationally balanced, if at least two wires are provided, namely those referenced Wl and W2 in Fig. 1. However, adjustability, ease of use and other advantages are increased if additional wires are provided. For this reason, it is preferred that at least a third wire, such as W9, and a fourth wire, such as W10, are provided as disclosed below. In this way, first sliding bar 22 comprises at least a second aperture 30j spaced apart from first aperture 30b and that second sliding bar 24 also comprises at least a second aperture 30i spaced apart from its respective first aperture 30a. In this way, assembly 20 may utilize third wire W9, also having its first end coupled to the first sliding bar 22 and its second end also coupled to the second side of watchhead 12, wherein third wire W9 passes through the second aperture 30i in second sliding bar 24. In a likewise manner, fourth wire W10 has a first end coupled to second sliding bar 24 and a second end also coupled to first side (i.e. lug member 14) of watchhead 12, thus also passing through a corresponding second aperture 30j in first sliding bar 22.

It can thus be seen that a plurality of wires can be utilized. Preferably, and for ease of construction, all the recesses in both first and second sliding bars are at least similar, if not identical, to recess 30 exemplified in Fig. 7. Likewise, each first end of each wire is preferably coupled into a recess in the respective sliding bar in at least a similar, if not identical recess, as that illustrated in Fig. 6 as recess 26. Likewise, each first end of each wire are secured therein in a similar, if not identical manner, as that shown in Fig. 6 by way of screw 32 or other securing means disclosed above. Lastly, each of the second ends of the wires are secured to the respective lug members of watchhead 12 in a manner similar to that disclosed above and particularly illustrated in Fig. 2. To this end, Fig. 1 illustrates the topside of lug members 14 and 16 but illustrates, in dotted lines, the underside positions of the respective recesses 17 and screws 19.

While simplistically disclosed above, the preferred construction of assembly 20 will have 10 wires W1-W10. Consistent therewith, first sliding bar 22 will comprise N apertures, where N equals 5, while second sliding bar 24 comprises M apertures, wherein M also equals 5. Each of the M wires will have their respective first ends coupled to first sliding bar 22 and their respective second ends coupled to the second side of watchhead 12 as disclosed above, while each of the N wires will have their respective first ends coupled to second sliding bar 24 and their respective second ends coupled to the first side of watchhead 12 as disclosed above. In this way, each of the M wires will pass through one of the M apertures 30a, 30c, 30e, 30g, and 30i in second sliding bar 24 and each of the N wires will pass through one of the N apertures 30b, 30d, 30f, 30h and 30j in first sliding bar 22. In the preferred embodiment, N = M. Reference is now made to Figs. 3-5 in particular for a disclosure on the operation of the present invention. First it should be understood that each of the wires Wl-W(N÷M) can be made from a braided metal, such as steel, or the like, although similarly constructed plastics can be used therefor, and therefore have the needed inherent resiliency. In this way, in combination, watchhead 12, and at least first and second wires Wl and W2 (and other wires if N+M>2) , when passing through the respective apertures of first and second sliding bars 22 and 24, form a closed loop having a first diameter as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5. For illustration purposes, it can be presumed that the spacing apart of sliding bars 22 and 24 in Fig. 5 are the same as that depicted in Fig. 3, adjusted for scale. Preferably, when sliding bars 22 and 24 are in the position illustrated in Figs. 1, and 5, wristwatch 10 will be comfortably positioned and worn on a wrist.

Referring now to Fig. 4 it can thus be seen that the application of a force causing (i) the sliding of first sliding bar 22 along the even-numbered referenced wires (i.e. W2 , W4 ... W(N+M) towards second sliding bar 24 and (ii) the sliding of second sliding bar 24 along the odd-numbered referenced wires (i.e. Wl, W3 , ... W(N+M-1), causes the diameter of the closed loop to increase. In Fig. 4, this is illustrated by the increase in what would be the circumference of the closed loop. Further, because of the resiliency of the wires, the removal of the force which initially brought sliding bars 22 and 24 together permits the sliding bars to again slide along the respectively referenced wires away from each other and again to the position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, watchhead 12 can be of many shapes, such as oval, round, square, or the like, since the present invention is not limited thereby. Preferably, watchhead 12 and sliding bars 22, 25 are made of metal and/or plastic. Of course, watchhead 12 includes analog and/or digital timekeeping functionality (such as internal movements if applicable) and a display, noted herein collectively by reference numeral 100, all of which is well known in the art.

It can thus be seen that constructing a wristwatch having an assembly as disclosed herein provide an improved wriststrap construction for maintaining a watchhead on a user's wrist. Further, it can be seen that the present invention provides an improved assembly for maintaining a watchhead on a user's wrist that is easy to secure about and remove from the wrist. Additionally, the present invention provides an improved assembly for maintaining a watchhead on a user's wrist that is aesthetically pleasing.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An assembly for maintaining a watchhead about a wrist, the assembly comprising: a first sliding bar having at least one aperture therethrough; a second sliding bar having at least one aperture therethrough; a first wire, the first wire having a first end coupled to the first sliding bar and a second end coupled to a second side of the watchhead, wherein the first wire passes through the at least one aperture in the second sliding bar; a second wire, the second wire having a first end coupled to the second sliding bar and a second end coupled to a first side of the watchhead, wherein the second wire passes through the at least one aperture in the first sliding bar; wherein the watchhead and the first and second wires, when passing through the respective apertures of the second and first sliding bars, form a closed loop having a first diameter; wherein the application of a force causing (i) the sliding of the first sliding bar along the second wire towards the second sliding bar and (ii) the sliding of the second sliding bar along the first wire causes the diameter of the closed loop to increase; and wherein the removal of the force permits the sliding bars to slide away from each other.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sliding bar comprises at least a second aperture spaced apart from the at least one aperture and the second sliding bar comprises at least a second aperture spaced apart from its respective at least one aperture therethrough, wherein the assembly comprises: a third wire having a first end coupled to the first sliding bar and a second end coupled to the second side of the watchhead, wherein the third wire passes through the at least second aperture in the second sliding bar; and a fourth wire, the fourth wire having a first end coupled to the second sliding bar and a second end coupled to the first side of the watchhead, wherein the second wire passes through the at least second aperture in the first sliding bar.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first sliding bar comprises N apertures, the second sliding bar comprises M apertures and the assembly comprises N + M wires, wherein: each of the M wires have their respective first ends coupled to the first sliding bar and their respective second ends coupled to the second side of the watchhead; each of the N wires have their respective first ends coupled to the second sliding bar and their respective second ends coupled to the first side of the watchhead; each of the M wires pass through one of the M apertures in the second sliding bar and each of the N wires pass through one of the N apertures in the first sliding bar; and wherein N = M.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second wires have at least essentially the same resiliency.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the N and M wires all have at least essentially the same resiliency.

6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sliding bar comprises a recess into which the first end of the first wire is inserted, and the second sliding bar comprises a recess into which the first end of the second wire is inserted, wherein the assembly comprises: first end securing means for securing the first ends of the first and second wires into the recesses in the respective first and second sliding bars.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first end of the watchhead comprises a recess into which the second end of the second wire is inserted, and the second end of the watchhead comprises a recess into which the second end of the first wire is inserted, wherein the assembly comprises: second end securing means for securing the second ends of the first and second wires into the recesses in the respective second and first ends of the watchhead.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second wires are made of metal.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the N and M wires have at least essentially the same resiliency.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first sliding bar comprises M recesses into which the first end of each of the M wires are inserted, and the second sliding bar comprises N recesses into which the first end of each of the N wires are inserted, wherein the assembly comprises: first end securing means for securing the first ends of each of the M and N wires into the recesses in the respective first and second sliding bars.

11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first end of the watchhead comprises N recesses into which the second ends of each of the N wires are disposed, and the second end of the watchhead comprises M recesses into which the second ends of the M wires are disposed, wherein the assembly comprises: second end securing means for securing the second ends of the M and N wires into the recesses in the respective second and first ends of the watchhead.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the N and wires is made of metal .

13. A wristwatch comprising: a watchhead having a first side and a second side; a first sliding bar having at least one aperture therethrough and a second sliding bar having at least one aperture therethrough; a first wire, the first wire having a first end coupled to the first sliding bar and a second end coupled to the second side of the watchhead, wherein the first wire passes through the at least one aperture in the second sliding bar; a second wire, the second wire having a first end coupled to the second sliding bar and a second end coupled to the first side of the watchhead, wherein the second wire passes through the at least one aperture in the first sliding bar; wherein the watchhead and the first and second wires, when passing through the respective apertures of the second and first sliding bars, form a closed loop having a first diameter; wherein the application of a force causing (i) the sliding of the first sliding bar along the second wire towards the second sliding bar and (ii) the sliding of the second sliding bar along the first wire causes the diameter of the closed loop to increase and wherein the removal of the force permits the first sliding bar to slide along the second wire away from the second sliding bar returning the closed loop to a diameter at least essentially equal to the first diameter.

14. The wristwatch as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first sliding bar comprises N apertures, the second sliding bar comprises M apertures and the assembly comprises N + M wires, wherein: each of the M wires have their respective first ends coupled to the first sliding bar and their respective second ends coupled to the second side of the watchhead; each of the N wires have their respective first ends coupled to the second sliding bar and their respective second ends coupled to the first side of the watchhead; each of the M wires pass through one of the M apertures in the second sliding bar and each of the N wires pass through one of the N apertures in the first sliding bar; and wherein N = M.

15. The wristwatch as claimed in claim 14, wherein N = 5.

16. The wristwatch as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first sliding bar comprises M recesses into which the first end of each of the M wires are inserted, and the second sliding bar comprises N recesses into which the first end of each of the N wires are inserted, wherein the assembly comprise : first end securing means for securing the first ends of each of the M and N wires into the recesses in the respective first and second sliding bars.

17. The wristwatch as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first end of the watchhead comprises N recesses into which the second ends of each of the N wires are disposed, and the second end of the watchhead comprises M recesses into which the second ends of the M wires are disposed, wherein the assembly comprises: second end securing means for securing the second ends of the M and N wires into the recesses in the respective second and first ends of the watchhead.