GB2453396A - Timepiece with shock absorption - Google Patents
Timepiece with shock absorption Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2453396A GB2453396A GB0803552A GB0803552A GB2453396A GB 2453396 A GB2453396 A GB 2453396A GB 0803552 A GB0803552 A GB 0803552A GB 0803552 A GB0803552 A GB 0803552A GB 2453396 A GB2453396 A GB 2453396A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- inner casing
- mounts
- outer shell
- timepiece
- wristwatch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 title abstract description 4
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 title 1
- 230000003245 working effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 210000000707 wrist Anatomy 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004247 hand Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B37/00—Cases
- G04B37/04—Mounting the clockwork in the case; Shock absorbing mountings
- G04B37/05—Fixed mountings for pocket or wrist watches
- G04B37/052—Fixed mountings for pocket or wrist watches with shock damping means not related to the winding stem
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B37/00—Cases
- G04B37/04—Mounting the clockwork in the case; Shock absorbing mountings
- G04B37/05—Fixed mountings for pocket or wrist watches
- G04B37/055—Fixed mountings for pocket or wrist watches with shock damping means including the winding stem
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electric Clocks (AREA)
Abstract
A timepiece 1, especially a watch, has an inner casing 2 housing the mechanics and an outer shell 8 separated from the inner shell by an air gap 10. The casing is held in the shell by a plurality of mounts 11. The mounts may be elastic, especially springs, and lend a shock absorbing quality to the timepiece. The mounts may be hollow so that a winder 3 or chronograph buttons 4,5 may pass through them.
Description
Title: A Timepiece
Description of Invention
This invention relates to a timepiece such as a watch, chronometer or chronograph.
Timepieces are worn by individuals in the course of their daily lives which may sometimes involve experiencing extreme conditions, forces and occasional shocks, particularly when engaging in sporting activities.
Many shock absorbing designs for timepieces have been suggested but few are functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a timepiece embodying the present invention; Figure Ia is a detail view of a portion of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a plan view of another timepiece embodying the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a further timepiece embodying the invention; and Figure 4 is a plan view of another timepiece embodying the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, a wrist mounted timepiece I embodying the invention comprises an inner casing 2 housing the workings of the timepiece. The timepiece workings and mechanism are in this example of a manually wound analogue chronograph. The inner casing is circular but may also be square, elliptical, ovoid or any other shape that is desired. A winder 3, a start/stop button 4 and a reset button 5 are attached to the inner casing 2 to carry out their normal functions being respectively to wind, set the time and date; start/stop a chronograph function; and reset a chronograph function. The watch face 7 is carried on the inner casing.
The inner casing 2 has an outer perimeter 6. The inner casing is mounted inside an outer shell 8 in the form of an annulus. The outer shell 8 has an inner perimeter 9 spaced apart from the outer perimeter 6 of the inner casing 2. There is an air gap 10 between the inner casing 2 and the outer shell 8 to isolate the inner casing 2 from the outer shell 8.
The connection between the two is maintained by a plurality of mounts 11 spaced apart from one another which bridge the outer perimeter 6 of the inner casing 2 and the inner perimeter 9 of the outer shell 8.
The mounts 11 are in the form of springs. In this example, there are four mounts 11. The inner casing 2 floats on the spring mounts 11 separated from the outer shell 8 by the air gap 10.
The start/stop button 4 and the reset button 5 connect to the workings of the timepiece I inside the inner casing 2. Each button 4,5 passes from the inner casing, through a spring mount II and through respective clearance apertures in the outer shell 8. Each of the buttons 4,5 is operable to carry out its normal functions. The winder 3 passes across the air gap 10 and through a clearance aperture in the outer shell 8. The clearance apertures are sized such that the buttons 4,5 or winder 3 do not abut the outer shell 8 in normal wear and conditions. At the extent of movement of the inner casing 2 with respect to the outer shell 8, the buttons 4,5 or the winder 3 may abut the outer shell 8. The winder 3 and buttons 4,5 are not mounts 11 because they float with respect to the outer shell 8.
The mounts 11 are configured as springs in this example but can also be configured as elastomeric cylinders or thin wire filaments in an array around the buttons 4,5.
In this example, no mount 11 is provided around the winder 3. However, it is possible also to provide a mount 11 around the winder 3.
The air gap 10 between the inner casing 2 and the outer shell 8 is entirely visible and augments the aesthetic appeal of the timepiece 1. It is important that the inner casing 2 is held away from the outer shell 8 by the mounts 11. Except for the mounts 11, there is an air gap around the inner casing 2 separating the inner casing 2 from the outer shell 8. In this way the inner casing 2 is decoupled from the outer shell 8 except for forces transmitted through the mounts 11. The air gap 10 is visible around the inner casing 2 to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the timepiece.
A pair of lugs 12 are located on opposite sides of the outer shell 8 to allow a strap 13 to be fixed to the lugs 12.
The timepiece 1 is preferably worn on the wrist with the strap 13. A back of the timepiece comprises a back surface of the inner casing 2 and a back surface of the outer shell 8. These back surfaces are flush with one another in this example. The outer shell 8 and the inner casing 2 both rest on the wearer's wrist. When the mounts 11 are elastic or sprung, then the contact between the wearer's wrist and the outer shell 8 and the inner casing 2 provides a damping action.
In another example, the inner casing 2 is set back into the outer shell 8 so that the back surfaces of the inner casing 2 and the outer shell are not flush with one another. Conversely, in another example, the back surface of the inner casing 2 is proud of the outer shell 8.
In Figure 2, the mounts 11 are pins, filaments or more substantial solid blocks or hollow cylinders. The mounts 11 are equispaced around the air gap 10.
In Figure 3, a square timepiece having a square inner casing 2 and a square outer shell 8 is provided. The mounts 11 are not equispaced.
The inner casing 2 is held by the mounts in a balanced manner although the mounts are not equispaced around the air gap.
In Figure 4, the mounts 11 are configured as leaf springs 11 attached to the inner perimeter 9 and the outer perimeter 6. The winder 3 passes through a cut out (not illustrated) in one of the leaf springs. All the leaf springs are formed with the cut out. In another example, only the leaf spring 11 with the winder 3 passing through it has the cut out.
The mounts 11 are manufactured from elastomeric material or metal.
Respective ends of the mounts 11 in one example are jointed with respect to the inner casing 2 and/or the outer shell 8. In another example, the mounts are rigidly attached to the inner casing 2 and/or the outer shell 8.
The air gap 10 is shown in the examples as being a constant spacing between the inner casing 2 and the outer shell 8. In other examples, the width of the air gap 10 varies around the perimeters 6,9.
The timepiece is digital or analogue. The timepiece may be wound manually or can be battery powered in which case the winder 3 is available to set the time and/or date but does not perform a winding function. The term workings refers to either the components of an analogue watch mechanism including the watch face, hands and mechanism or the components of a digital watch including the display, battery and circuitry. The buttons 4,5 and winder 3 are connected to the workings of the timepiece in the example shown in Figure 1 but these elements are not part of the timepiece workings.
The number of mounts in other examples is more or less than the four mounts 11 illustrated in the Figures. Only two mounts (opposite one another) would not be workable as the inner casing 2 would be rotatable about the common axis of the mounts. If the inner casing was not able to rotate, then this arrangement would place an unacceptable torque on the pair of opposite mounts which could lead to failure.
When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
Claims (12)
- CLAIMS: 1. A timepiece comprising an inner casing housing the workings of the timepiece and an outer shell separated from the inner casing by an air gap, the inner casing being held in and spaced apart from the outer shell by a plurality of mounts between the inner casing and the outer shell.
- 2. A timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the mounts are elastic.
- 3. A timepiece according to claim 2, wherein the mounts are springs.
- 4. A timepiece according to claim I or 2, wherein one or more of the mounts are hollow.
- 5. A timepiece according to claim I or 2, wherein one or more of the mounts are solid.
- 6. A timepiece according to any preceding claim, wherein the timepiece has a winder and/or chronograph buttons.
- 7. A timepiece according to claim 6 wherein at least a part of the winder and/or chronograph buttons passes through a hollow mount.
- 8. A timepiece according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the winder and/or chronograph buttons are attached to the inner casing and pass through a clearance aperture in the outer shell.
- 9. A timepiece according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounts are jointed with respect to the inner casing and/or the outer shell.
- 10. A timepiece according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounts are fixed with respect to the inner casing and/or the outer shell.
- II. A timepiece according to any preceding claim, wherein a back surface of the inner casing and a back surface of the outer shell are flush with one another.
- 12. A wristwatch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. * ** * , * * ** **.e e I I... II * * * I * **IS..... * . * . * SI I *I12. A timepiece according to any preceding claim, wherein the air gap around the inner casing is visible when looking at the timepiece face on.13. A wrist watch comprising a timepiece according to any preceding claim.14. A timepiece substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.15. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A wristwatch comprising an inner casing housing the workings of the wristwatch and an outer shell separated from the inner casing by an air gap around the inner casing which is visible when looking at the wristwatch face on, the inner casing being held in and spaced apart from the outer shell by a plurality of mounts between the inner casing and the outer shell, wherein, in use, the outer shell and the inner casing contact the wearer's wrist.2. A wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the mounts are elastic.3. A wristwatch according to claim 2, wherein the mounts are springs.4. A wristwatch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the mounts are hollow.5. A wristwatch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of * ** the mounts are solid.6. A wristwatch according to any preceding claim, wherein the wristwatch has a winder and/or chronograph buttons.7. A wristwatch according to claim 6 wherein at least a part of the winder and/or chronograph buttons passes through a hollow mount I* * * * 8. A wristwatch according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the winder and/or chronograph buttons are attached to the inner casing and pass through a clearance aperture in the outer shell.9. A wristwatch according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounts are jointed with respect to the inner casing and/or the outer shell. to10. A wristwatch according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounts are fixed with respect to the inner casing and/or the outer shell.11. A wristwatch according to any preceding claim, wherein a back surface of the inner casing and a back surface of the outer shell are flush with one another.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0803552A GB2453396B (en) | 2008-02-27 | 2008-02-27 | A Time piece |
PCT/GB2009/050188 WO2009106886A1 (en) | 2008-02-27 | 2009-02-25 | A timepiece |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0803552A GB2453396B (en) | 2008-02-27 | 2008-02-27 | A Time piece |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0803552D0 GB0803552D0 (en) | 2008-04-02 |
GB2453396A true GB2453396A (en) | 2009-04-08 |
GB2453396B GB2453396B (en) | 2010-04-07 |
Family
ID=39284633
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB0803552A Expired - Fee Related GB2453396B (en) | 2008-02-27 | 2008-02-27 | A Time piece |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2453396B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009106886A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2755094B1 (en) * | 2013-01-14 | 2020-07-22 | Audemars Piguet (Renaud et Papi) SA | Watch |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN113568298A (en) * | 2021-07-19 | 2021-10-29 | 深圳市新科盈数码有限公司 | Intelligent watch with multiple scene application functions |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1544932A (en) * | 1924-03-31 | 1925-07-07 | Peterson Wilbert | Watchcase |
US1582733A (en) * | 1924-04-04 | 1926-04-27 | Daniel M Clark | Watch shock absorber |
GB334492A (en) * | 1930-03-12 | 1930-09-04 | Hans Wilsdorf | Improvements in and relating to timepieces |
GB339873A (en) * | 1930-02-10 | 1930-12-18 | Alfred Appelfeld | Improvements in watches or clocks |
US1786061A (en) * | 1928-11-30 | 1930-12-23 | Gruber Oscar | Watchcase |
US2044752A (en) * | 1936-02-27 | 1936-06-16 | Harry A Dunlap | Floating watch movement |
US2070018A (en) * | 1934-05-05 | 1937-02-09 | Jerome W Mecklenburger | Mounting for timepieces |
CH275962A (en) * | 1948-11-13 | 1951-06-15 | Genova Arturo | Anti-glare device, in particular for vehicle drivers. |
DE1684615U (en) * | 1954-04-03 | 1954-10-07 | Karl Ickler K G | ELASTIC MOUNTING FOR THE MOVEMENT IN THE WRISTWATCH CASE. |
FR1503081A (en) * | 1965-12-01 | 1967-11-24 | Zentra Markenuhr Gmbh | Movement Bumper Mount Watch |
FR1512017A (en) * | 1967-02-20 | 1968-02-02 | Jean Vallon S A | Device for mounting a watch movement in its case |
GB1138119A (en) * | 1967-11-01 | 1968-12-27 | Jean Jacques Oltramare | Suspending device for a timepiece movement |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE151708C (en) * | ||||
FR384609A (en) * | 1907-12-02 | 1908-04-15 | Paul Simon | Device for suspending chronometers and other similar devices |
FR458292A (en) * | 1912-08-02 | 1913-10-07 | Jules Person | New way to adjust the middle in variable shaped watch cases |
-
2008
- 2008-02-27 GB GB0803552A patent/GB2453396B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2009
- 2009-02-25 WO PCT/GB2009/050188 patent/WO2009106886A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1544932A (en) * | 1924-03-31 | 1925-07-07 | Peterson Wilbert | Watchcase |
US1582733A (en) * | 1924-04-04 | 1926-04-27 | Daniel M Clark | Watch shock absorber |
US1786061A (en) * | 1928-11-30 | 1930-12-23 | Gruber Oscar | Watchcase |
GB339873A (en) * | 1930-02-10 | 1930-12-18 | Alfred Appelfeld | Improvements in watches or clocks |
GB334492A (en) * | 1930-03-12 | 1930-09-04 | Hans Wilsdorf | Improvements in and relating to timepieces |
US2070018A (en) * | 1934-05-05 | 1937-02-09 | Jerome W Mecklenburger | Mounting for timepieces |
US2044752A (en) * | 1936-02-27 | 1936-06-16 | Harry A Dunlap | Floating watch movement |
CH275962A (en) * | 1948-11-13 | 1951-06-15 | Genova Arturo | Anti-glare device, in particular for vehicle drivers. |
DE1684615U (en) * | 1954-04-03 | 1954-10-07 | Karl Ickler K G | ELASTIC MOUNTING FOR THE MOVEMENT IN THE WRISTWATCH CASE. |
FR1503081A (en) * | 1965-12-01 | 1967-11-24 | Zentra Markenuhr Gmbh | Movement Bumper Mount Watch |
FR1512017A (en) * | 1967-02-20 | 1968-02-02 | Jean Vallon S A | Device for mounting a watch movement in its case |
GB1138119A (en) * | 1967-11-01 | 1968-12-27 | Jean Jacques Oltramare | Suspending device for a timepiece movement |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2755094B1 (en) * | 2013-01-14 | 2020-07-22 | Audemars Piguet (Renaud et Papi) SA | Watch |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2009106886A1 (en) | 2009-09-03 |
WO2009106886A4 (en) | 2009-10-29 |
GB0803552D0 (en) | 2008-04-02 |
GB2453396B (en) | 2010-04-07 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20120227 |
|
S28 | Restoration of ceased patents (sect. 28/pat. act 1977) |
Free format text: APPLICATION FILED |
|
S28 | Restoration of ceased patents (sect. 28/pat. act 1977) |
Free format text: RESTORATION ALLOWED Effective date: 20130612 |
|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20140227 |