WO2017012946A1

WO2017012946A1 - Method and device for protecting a wrist watch

Info

Publication number: WO2017012946A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/066627
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arnaud Duval
Original assignee: Sevenfriday AG
Priority date: 2015-07-17
Filing date: 2016-07-13
Publication date: 2017-01-26

Abstract

The invention is related to a method for protecting a wristwatch (20), which comprises a watchcase (21) and is equipped with a watchband (22a, 22b) being removable connected to said watchcase (21). According to the invention, said method comprises the steps of (a) providing a protective box (10) being capable of receiving said watchcase (21) in an open state and tightly enclose and protect said watchcase (21) in a closed state, (b) opening said protective box (10), (c) removing said watchband (22a, 22b) from said watchcase (21) of said wristwatch (20), (d) putting said watchcase (21) into the open protective box (10), and (e) closing said protective box (10) tightly.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A WRIST WATCH

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wristwatches. It refers to a method for protecting a wristwatch. It further refers to a protective box for conducting said method . PRIOR ART

Protective cases for electronic gear, for example pocket calculators, computers, smart phones, and the like, which are mostly water-tight, are well-known in the art.

For example, document US760951 2 discloses a protective enclosure for an electronic device such as a laptop computer or tablet computer that comprises a shell that is capable of enclosing and substantially surrounding the electronic device. The shell is substantially watertight, substantially rigid and substantially crush-resistant. The inside of the shell has a hook and loop liner with shock absorbing corner bumpers having hook and loop type bases so that the bumpers may attach at any point on the liner inside the shell to accommodate electronic devices of various sizes and to secure the device inside the enclosure in a shock absorbent suspended manner. The shell may further comprise a USB connector hub for connection to the US B port of a laptop computer or PC tablet enclosed in the protective shell .

On the other hand , wristwatches themselves are mostly designed to withstand at least splash water, or to be watertight for water pressures equivalent to a certified diving depth . However, there is a desire to protect wristwatches against water or other harsh environment without relying upon a proclaimed water-tightness and mechanical stability. As the wristwatch is usually equipped with a watchband that is fixed to the watch, a protective means is expected to include the watchband. This would lead to a protective means, which is bulky and /or complicated in structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention , to provide a method for protecting a wristwatch in harsh environment, which is simple and easily applicable.

It is another object of the invention to provide a protective protective box for conducting said method .

A method for protecting a wristwatch according to the invention is applicable to a wristwatch, which comprises a watchcase and is equipped with a watchband being removable connected to said watchcase. The method comprises the steps of: a ) providing a protective box ( housing ) being capable of receiving said watchcase in an open state and tightly enclose and protect said watchcase in a closed state; b) opening said protective box; c) removing said watchband from said watchcase of said wristwatch ; d ) putting said watchcase into the open protective box; and e) closing said protective box tightly; f) if appropriate attaching the same or a different watchband to the protective box.

According to an embodiment of the invention the protective box ( housing ) comprises a lower part and an upper part which are interconnected to each other by a hinge ( hinge joint) at one side and that said protective box is swung open in step ( b) and clapped in step (e). Specifically, said protective box is latched in step (e) by operating a respective over-centre latch mechanism. The protective box itself normally comprises means by which the protective box can be attached directly or indirectly to a body of a user, preferably an arm of a user. Said means can e.g. be a watchband.

Preferably the lower part and the upper part of the protective box are interconnected to each other in a detachable manner, such that they can be replaced independently in the case that one of them takes harm.

In a preferred embodiment the over-centre latch mechanism comprises a bail and a lever, which co-operate with each other via a first swivel -joint and are fixed at said lower part of said protective box via a second swivel joint, and that said over-centre latch mechanism is operated by hooking said bail into a catch at said upper part and clutching said hooked bail by swivelling said lever.

In a variation the lower part and the upper part co-operate with each other to form a closed protective box in a first position and an open protective box in a second position , whereby at least said lower part is formed like a shell. On its inner side the lower part is designed to receive and position a correspondingly shaped watchcase in a predetermined manner. If appropriate a spacer can be foreseen which is arranged at least partially between the lower part of the protective box and the watchcase. Alternatively or in add ition the same or a further spacer can be arranged at least partially between the upper part of the housing an and the watchcase. Good results can be obtained if the spacer is made from a foamed ( plastic) material. A spacer is preferably shaped such that it corresponds at the outer ( rear) side at least partially to at least one of the parts of the protective box. On the inner (front) side it corresponds to at least one watch case. One advantage of the herein described design is that by at least one specially designed spacer one or several correspondingly shaped watchcases can be adopted to one design of the protective box. Thereby it becomes possible to adopt individually designed watchcases to one common design of a protective box.

In a preferred embodiment the lower and upper the part are connected at one side by a hinge joint that allows a swivelling movement of said lower with respect to said upper part between at least one first and at least one second position . Normally, opposite to said hinge joint an over-centre latch mechanism is provided for tightly closing said protective box in said first position. In a preferred embodiment the over-centre latch mechanism comprises a bail and a lever, which co-operate with each other via a first swivel-joint and are fixed at said lower part of said protective box via a second swivel joint, and that a catch is provided at said upper part for hooking said bail into said catch, when said over- centre latch mechanism is operated to close said protective box. Other arrangements are possible.

If appropriate in a closed position a sealing means is provided between the lower and the upper part of the protective box. The sealing means is clamped between the lower part and the upper part of the protective box when the over-centre latch mechanism is closed. In a variation the sealing means comprises a circumferential sealing groove on one of said protective box parts ( upper and/or lower part) and an corresponding circumferential sealing lip on the other of said protective box parts. The sealing means may comprise a sealing ring made from a relatively soft material, such as e.g. rubber or silicone. The sealing ring can be integrally moulded to one of said protective box parts or can be formed as an individual part which is positioned later.

Preferably, when the watchcase of said wristwatch comprises opposite pairs of ears for mounting said watchband , opposite pairs of positioning noses are provided in the interior of said lower part of said protective box to co-operate in a fixing manner with said pairs of ears of said watchcase, when said wristwatch is put into said protective box.

The opposite pairs of positioning noses normally define a longitudinal direction , and that said hinge joint and said over-centre latch mechanism are arranged opposite to each other along a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.

If appropriate the protective box can comprise a crown recess at the lower and the upper part of the protective box for receiving a crown of said wristwatch .

Furthermore, opposite lugs for mounting a watchband may be provided on the outside of said lower part in said longitudinal direction defined by said opposite pairs of positioning noses.

The protective box is preferably made of a plastic material by injection moulding . The protective box comprises a transparent front plate which forms the outside of said upper part of said protective box. It can be mounted to the outside or attached to it as individual part. Other protective means can be attached add itionally to prevent damage to the transparent front plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:

Fig. 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of the protective box according to the invention in closed state;

Fig. 2 shows a bottom view of the embodiment according to Fig . 1 ;

Fig. 3 shows a first side view looking at the over-centre latch mechanism of the embodiment according to Fig . 1 ;

Fig. 4 shows a second side view looking and the main hinge joint of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 shows a third side view looking on a watchband lug of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6 shows in a perspective view the embodiment according to Fig . 1 in a partly opened state;

Fig. 7 shows in a perspective view the wristwatch related to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 8 shows in a perspective view the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in a fully opened state ready to receive the wristwatch of Fig. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

Taking a look at Figs. 7 and 8 it is possible to recognize a method according to the inven- tion. Fig. 7 shows in a perspective view a wristwatch 20, which comprises a watchcase 2 1 and is equipped with a watchband comprising a first part and a second part 22a, 22b. The watchband 22a, 22b is removable connected to watchcase 2 1 and may be easily removed by unlocking respective mounting pins 23a, 23 b with a suitable tool 24, as shown . Now, to protect wristwatch 20 of Fig. 7 against water or an otherwise harsh environment the method comprises the following steps:

• Provid ing a protective box 1 0 as shown in Fig. 8, being capable of receiving watch case 2 1 in an open state and tightly enclose and protect watchcase 2 1 in a closed state; · opening protective box 1 0 as shown in Fig. 8; • removing watchband 22a, 22b from watchcase 2 1 of wristwatch 20 by using a suitable tool 24;

• putting the bare watchcase 2 1 into open protective box 1 0; and

• closing protective box 1 0 tightly; · if appropriate attaching an external watchband to the protective box 1 0.

Protective box 1 0, which is shown in its closed state in various views in Figs. 1 -5, is designed to enclose watchcase 2 1 in a predetermined position such that time still can be read through a transparent front plate 1 5 mounted to the upper side of protective box 1 0 or forming integral part thereof (see Fig. 1 for example).

Protective box 1 0 comprises a lower part 1 1 and an upper part 1 2 , which co-operate with each other to form a closed protective box in a first position ( Figs. 1 -5) and an open protective box in a second position (Figs. 6, 8). Lower part 1 1 and upper part 1 2 are each formed like a shell. Especially lower part 1 1 is adapted on its inner side to tightly receive and hold watchcase 2 1 in said predetermined position . Preferably, the inner form of protective box 1 0 is adapted to the outer form of wristwatch 20 and its watchcase, respectively.

The lower part 1 1 and the upper part 1 2 are in the shown variation permanently connected at one side by a hinge joint 1 3 that causes a swivelling movement of lower part 1 1 and upper part 1 2 between said first and second position .

Opposite to hinge joint 1 3 an over-centre latch mechanism 1 4 is provided for tightly closing protective box 1 0 in said first position . Over-centre latch mechanism 1 4 comprises a bail 1 4a with a slot-like opening 1 4b and a lever 1 4c, which co-operate with each other via an over-centre first swivel -joint 1 4e. Lever 1 4c is fixed at the rim of lower part 1 1 of protective box 1 0 via a second swivel joint 1 4d. A catch 1 2a is provided on the upper side of upper part 1 2 so that bail 1 4a can be hooked with opening 1 4b into catch 1 2a, when over-centre latch mechanism 1 4 is operated to close protective box 1 0.

To make protective box 1 0 watertight, a co-operating sealing means 1 6, 1 8 is provided between lower part 1 1 and upper part 1 2 of protective box 1 0. Said sealing means comprises a circumferential sealing groove 1 6 on the rim of lower part 1 1 and an adapted circumferential sealing lip 1 8 on the rim of upper part 1 2. Groove 1 6 and lip 1 8 may exchange their positions.

Furthermore, as watchcase 2 1 of wristwatch 20 comprises opposite pairs of ears 2 1 a and 2 1 b for mounting a watchband 22a, b, and as these ears 2 1 a and 2 1 b are fully accessible after watchband 22a, b has been removed, opposite pairs of positioning noses 1 7 can be provided in the interior of lower part 1 1 of protective box 1 0 to co-operate in a position-fixing manner with said pairs of ears of watchcase 2 1 , when wristwatch 20 is put into lower part 1 1 of protective box 1 0.

As shown in Fig. 8, said opposite pairs of positioning noses 1 7 define a longitudinal direction 25. Hinge joint 1 3 and over-centre latch mechanism 1 4 are arranged opposite to each other along a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal d irection 25. I n addition, crown recesses 1 9a and 1 9b are provided at lower part 1 1 and upper part 1 2 of protective box 1 0 for receiving a crown of said wristwatch 20 (not shown in Fig. 7). While lower crown recess 1 9a is integrated into over-centre latch mechanism 1 4, upper crown recess 1 9b is arranged in a nose 1 2b at the rim of upper part 1 2. I n said longitudinal d irection 25 opposite lugs 1 1 a and 1 1 b are provided on the outside of lower part 1 1 for mounting an external watchband ( not shown in the Figures). Protective box 1 0 is made of a suitable plastics material , i.e. a material , which is on one hand impact resistant or shockproof, and on the other hand is resilient enough to achieve a sufficient tightness by pressing sealing lip 1 8 into sealing groove 1 6 when protective box 1 0 is clapped and latched by operating over-centre latch mechanism 1 4. A similar sealing means may be provided between upper part 1 2 and transparent front plate 1 5 mounted on said upper part.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 protective box

11 lower part

11a,b lug for watchband

12 upper part

12a catch

12b nose

13 hinge joint

14 over-centre latch mechanism 14a bail

14b opening

14c lever

14d swivel -joint

14e swivel -joint

15 front plate

16 sealing groove

17 positioning nose

18 sealing lip

19a, b crown recess

20 wristwatch

21 watchcase

21a, b ear

22a, b watchband

23ab pin

24 tool

Claims

1. Method for protecting a wrist watch (20), which comprises a watchcase (21 ) and is equipped with a watch band (22a, 22b) being removable connected to said watchcase (21 ), said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a protective box ( 10) being capable of receiving said watchcase (21 ) in an open state and tightly enclose and protect said watchcase (21) in a closed state; b. opening said protective box (10); c. removing said watch band (22a, 22b) from said watchcase (21 ) of said wrist watch (20); d. putting said watchcase (21) into the open protective box (10); and e. closing said protective box (10) tightly.

2. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that said protective box (10) is hinged and comprises a lower part (11) and an upper part (12), which are connected at one side by a hinge-joint (13), and that said protective box ( 10) is swung open in step (b) and clapped in step (e).

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that said protective box (10) is latched in step (e) by operating a respective over-centre latch mechanism (14).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that said over-centre latch mechanism ( 14) comprises a bail ( 14a) and a lever ( 14c), which co-operate with each other via a first swivel-joint ( 14e) and are fixed at said lower part ( 11 ) of said protective box via a second swivel joint (14d), and that said over-centre latch mechanism (14) is operated by hooking said bail ( 14a) into a catch ( 12a) at said upper part (12) and clutching said hooked bail by swivelling said lever ( 14c).

5. The method according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that an external wristband is attached to the protective box (10).

6. Protective box (10) for conducting the method according to one of the claims 1 through 4, wherein said protective box ( 10) comprises: a. a lower part (11) and b. an upper part (12), which co-operate with each other to form a closed protective box in a first position and an open protective box in a second position, wherein c. at least said lower part ( 11 ) is formed like a shell, and d. said lower part ( 11 ) is adapted on its inner side to tightly receive and hold said watchcase (21 ) in a predetermined position.

7. The protective box according to claim 5, characterized in that said lower and upper part (11, 12) are connected to each other by a hinge-joint (13) that allows a swivelling movement of said lower and upper part (11, 12) between said first and second position.

8. The protective box according to claim 6, characterized in that opposite to said hinge-joint (13) an over-centre latch mechanism (14) is provided for locking said protective box ( 10) in said first position.

9. The protective box according to claim 7, characterized in that said over-centre latch mechanism ( 14) comprises a bail ( 14a) and a lever ( 14c), which co-operate with each other via a first swivel-joint ( 14e) and which are fixed at said lower part ( 11 ) of said protective box via a second swivel joint ( 14d), and that a catch ( 12a) is provided at said upper part ( 12) for hooking said bail ( 14a) into said catch ( 12a), when said over-centre latch mechanism (14) is operated to close said protective box (10).

10. The protective box according to claim 5, characterized in that a sealing means (16, 18) is provided between the lower and the upper part (11, 12) of said protective box (10).

11. The protective box according to claim 9, characterized in that said sealing means (16, 18) comprises a circumferential sealing groove ( 16) on one of said protective box parts (11, 12) and an adapted circumferential sealing rim (18) the other of said protective box parts (11, 12).

12. The protective box according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner form of said protective box ( 10) is adapted to the outer form of said wrist watch (20).

13. The protective box according to claim 7, characterized in that the watchcase (21 ) of said wrist watch (20) comprises opposite pairs of ears (21a,b) for mounting said watch band (22a, b), and that opposite pairs of positioning noses (17) are provided in the interior of said lower part (11 ) of said protective box (10) to cooperate in a fixing manner with said pairs of ears (21a,b) of said watchcase (21 ), when said wrist watch (20) is put into said protective box (10).

14. The protective box according to claim 12, characterized in that said opposite pairs of positioning noses (17) define a longitudinal direction (25), and that said hinge-joint (13) and said over-centre latch mechanism ( 14) are arranged opposite to each other along a direction perpendicularto said longitudinal direction (25).

15. The protective box according to claim 5, characterized in that crown recesses ( 19a, b) are provided at said lower and upper part (11, 12) of said protective box

( 10) for receiving a crown of said wrist watch (20).

16. The protective box according to claim 13, characterized in that opposite lugs (11a,b) for mounting a wrist band are provided on the outside of said lower part

( 11 ) in said longitudinal direction (25).

17. The protective box according to claim 5, characterized in that said (10) protective box is made of a plastics material.

18. The protective box according to claim 5, characterized in that a transparent front plate (15) is mounted on the outside of said upper part ( 12) of said protective box (10).