Wrist Worn Patents (Class 368/281)
  • Patent number: 6618328
    Abstract: A timekeeping apparatus having a hidden compartment. The compartment can contain permanent or removable psychological message and/or printed messages. The messages can be printed messages, digital messages, recordable audio messages and aromatic messages. The compartment can also contain such items as a mood sensing stone which changes color according to the wearer's mood, magnets or crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: HourPower, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brenda Ellner, Paulette Nance
  • Publication number: 20030151980
    Abstract: A color referenced multi-time keeping timepiece includes at least two clocks on the same watch. These at least two clocks may be positioned one above the other, at a diagonal angle relative to each other, or side by side. The lens of one or both clocks is tinted and the minute and hour hands of each clock are brightly colored. The colored hands are fluorescent, making them easy to see, and also causing them to contrast with the color of the tinted lens. The face of each clock is phosphorescent, making the clock easy and convenient to read in low-light conditions. The tinting of one or both lenses provides a mental reference point for different time zones while the contrasting colors of the watch hands relative to the tinted lenses make it easy to see the necessarily smaller watch hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Isador Farash
  • Patent number: 6590835
    Abstract: A wristwatch (1) includes a keyboard whose control keys (4) are distributed over the length of the wristband (3), a processing unit (19) for data introduced via the keyboard, at least one display device (6) for displaying time functions and/or data provided by the processing unit, and a power source for the electric power supply of the electronic components of the wristwatch. In order to allow the use of its keyboard, the wristwatch (1) is placed on a work surface, the length of the wristband (3) facing a user. The display of the alphanumerical characters (7a) occurs in the direction of the length of the wristwatch, i.e., rotated by 90° with respect to the usual time display (7b). At least one integrated encoding circuit (9) acts as a communication interface between the keys (4) of the keyboard and the processing unit (19) integrated in the case of the wristwatch. The encoding circuit is placed in the wristband (3) and communicates with the unit via one of the two electric supply wires of said circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Asulab S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre-André Farine, Jean-Jacques Born, Jean-Pierre Mignot
  • Patent number: 6587400
    Abstract: A wristwatch has a rigid watchcase and opposed pairs of lugs for mounting a wristband. The watchcase houses a battery-powered quartz watch movement and includes a number of battery compartments outside of the watch movement for batteries to power the watch movement. Each battery compartment has a door that enables changing the battery in the compartment without exposing the watch movement to the outside environment. The lugs are integrally attached to the doors and provide convenient handles for opening and closing the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Henry Line
  • Publication number: 20030112713
    Abstract: The watch according to the invention includes a movement (2) on which a dial (4) is assembled and which is mounted in a casing ring (12) itself mounted in a case (14) including a crystal (16) secured to a bezel (20), a middle part (24) and a back cover (22). According to the invention, the case (4) includes an inner tubular part (38) at least partially surrounding the casing ring (12) and itself surrounded by the middle part (24) and snap fitting assembling means (64, 76) for connecting the back cover (22) and the bezel (20) via the inner tubular part (38). Moreover, this tubular part is designed to allow the casing ring (12) and the middle part (24) to be angularly positioned with respect to each other. In order to do this, it can have an axial slot (98) open towards the back cover (22), which an external projecting portion (94) of the casing ring and an internal projecting portion (96) of the middle part penetrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: ETA SA FABRIQUES D'EBAUCHES
    Inventor: Laurent Kaelin
  • Patent number: 6577558
    Abstract: A watch (1) allows the identification and the division of three time periods over a day and comprises a dial (2); a hand member (3) having a movable pointing end (15); and a path (12), with respect to wich said movable pointing end (15) is moved, which is provided with an initial position (13; 13a) and a final position (13; 13b), wherein the run time of said path (12), from the initial position (13; 13a) to the final position (13; 13b), of said movable pointing end (15) is of eight hours, said watch (1) comprising identification means (18, 19; 20, 21, 22) of an 8-hour period corresponding to said path (12), capable of displaying three different time states (WT, FT, NT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Giuseppe Ricci
  • Patent number: 6571577
    Abstract: A bracelet includes at least one electronic display unit. Each display unit has a display having a plurality of display elements arranged in a sequence lying along the length of the bracelet and/or arranged in a sequence lying substantially around the perimeter of the display. The bracelet has a control circuit to control the display elements so that the characters displayed by the display elements appear to move along the sequence of display elements with time. In the alternative, the characters appear to move along a discrete face which is provided along the bracelet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Philip J. Radley-Smith
  • Publication number: 20030099163
    Abstract: A wrist band comprising a band for the wrist having a major longitudinal axis along a substantial portion of the length of the band and having two ends, the two ends each having a minor axis which is disposed at an angle to the major longitudinal axis, the ends further forming a substantially perpendicular intersection with the minor axes, the band being adapted to connect to an object to be attached between the ends to be worn at the wrist, whereby the angle between the minor axes at the ends is less than 180°. In another embodiment, the band has an approximate frusto-conical shape when worn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Stanley Schleger
    Inventor: Thomas Yang
  • Publication number: 20030099162
    Abstract: This invention comprises a snag-free wristwatch, having substantially smooth surfaces and flowing contours and free of stems and protrusions, which will eliminate or greatly reduce the potential of state of the art wristwatches to scratch, puncture or tear the skin of persons other than the wearer whom the watch may contact, when worn in normal use and in situations involving possible close contacts as in care giving and sports activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Jean Marie Field, Clifford Andrew Scott
  • Patent number: 6540396
    Abstract: The watch includes an electric battery housed in a removable drawer (6) engaged in the case (2), said drawer further including an additional electric apparatus powered by the battery. This apparatus may be a device operating in conjunction with the clockwork movement, for example an acoustic or tactile alarm member, or an independent device, for example a sensor or a data transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventor: David Barras
  • Patent number: 6536941
    Abstract: A personal flash disk for wrist wearing is disclosed. The main body has double enclosed space for setting a flash memory module and an accessory. Two interlocking straps extend in opposing directions from the main body, wherein multiple punched holes are defined through the first strap, while a buckle is fixed on the second strap. A strap carrier is attached on the second strap that can be adjusted to suitable position to accommodate the connector at one end of the first strap when the personal disk is worn on the wrist but not in use. When the personal disk is to be used, the connector is taken out and plugged into a host computer to make the connection. By incorporating a timepiece or ornamental piece, the personal disk provides a multi-function product with additional values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Huashuay Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Ping Fang
  • Patent number: 6535376
    Abstract: An information device to be worn on the wrist of a user has a case, a circuit block disposed in the case, and a first electrode terminal disposed in the case and electrically connected to the circuit block. A band is pivotally connected to the case for undergoing pivotal movement within a range of angular positions relative to the case. A second electrode terminal is disposed in the band for contacting the first electrode terminal in accordance with a relative angular position between the band and the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fujita, Jun Hirotomi
  • Patent number: 6527435
    Abstract: A device for assembling two mechanical pieces, of which the first one (3) carries a skirt (14), which, in the assembled position, extends into a cavity of the second piece (1), by means of an elastic segment (5), is characterised by the fact that the elastic segment (5) is made of a material exhibiting a shape memory. This segment (5) can assume two different shapes, depending upon its temperature. This elastic segment (5) has an external peripheral part which is circular and which is engaged into a circular groove (4) provided on the second piece (1), this circular groove (4) being located in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the cavity of this second piece (1); this elastic segment (5) carries, on its inner periphery, protrusions (7) which, in a first state of the segment (5) are situated in the plane of the external peripheral part of the segment (5) and, in a second state of the segment (5), protrude out of this plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Conseils et Manufactures VLG S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Thalheim
  • Publication number: 20030035347
    Abstract: To provide a case, a strap and a timepiece for preventing rotation of the strap. A roof rear face recessed portion is formed at a roof rear face of a strap attaching portion of a timepiece case. A strap is formed with a rotation stop projection at a rotation stop face of the strap opposed to the roof rear face recessed portion. The case, the strap and the timepiece having a strap rotation stop structure by respectively engaging the recessed portion and the projected portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Koichi Yokosuka
  • Patent number: 6522602
    Abstract: A wristwatch (1) whose wristband (6) is attached to a support (3) with respect to which the case (2) can be reversed in the longitudinal direction to show one or other of its faces (16, 17). The case has a pointed profile at its ends, its faces (16, 17) having convex profiles, which are preferably similar. The bottom (4) of the support (3) is concave so as to have a substantially complementary profile to those of the faces of the case. Further, the lateral flanges (7) of the support have substantially the same convex profile, so that the case and the support are substantially flush with each other over the entire length of the case, thus giving a fluid attractive appearance to the watch and to the reversing movement of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventor: Augustin Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 6519207
    Abstract: An all-weather watch to be worn on the outside of one of the heavy-duty gloves of a glove wearer, such as a skier, snow boarder, hunter or motorcyclist, in cold and/or inclement weather. A length-adjustable elastic strap comprises a front strap portion which extends from the watch case and stretches to loop about at least one glove finger. A rear strap portion extends from the case and stretches outwardly to loop about the glove wrist to position the watch on the back of the glove. The rear strap portion is maintained in position by the stretching of the elastic strap, the friction between the strap and the glove and by the cinching action of the loop around the glove wrist, thus not requiring the use of a clasp or other fastener. This enables the watch to be readily removable from the glove by grasping the rear loop and stretching it to move over the glove body and thumb. Putting on and removing the watch can easily be performed by the wearer's other gloved hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Jason B. Lukacsko
  • Patent number: 6502981
    Abstract: A watch main-body mounting seat 16, which is part of a watchband 14 of a watch 10 that can serve as either a wristwatch or a clock, has a circular hole 20 at the center. A notch-1 22 and a notch-2 24 are formed oppositely along the circumference of the seat hole 20. The back face of the watch main-body mounting seat 16 is provided with a guide groove-1 26 and a guide groove-2 28 extending counterclockwise from the notch-1 22 and the notch-2 24, respectively. An engaging projection 30 and an engaging projection 32 are formed to protrude on the back face of the watch main body 12. An engaging tab-1 30A and an engaging tab-2 32A extend laterally from the end of the engaging projections 30 and the engaging projections 32, respectively. The watch main body 12 is provided with bases 44 and 46 and a ring 48.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Yugen Gaisha Tokima
    Inventor: Shuichi Haida
  • Publication number: 20030002394
    Abstract: Each wristband strand (10, 20) includes at least two studs (12, 14, . . . ) extending perpendicularly to the inner surface of said strand and is each pierced in its median part by a hole (12a, 14a, . . . ) of parallel axis to the strand, each side of the middle part includes recesses (15, 17, . . . ), complementary to the studs including through passages (15a, 17a, . . . ) on the back cover side and blind holes on the crystal side. The studs are fitted into recesses, and locked with U shaped parts (18,28) engaged on the back side cover through the through passages, the holes of the studs and the blind hole. If one desires, this assembly enables a portion of the middle part located at 6 o'clock and/or 12 o'clock to be left entirely free of any attaching means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP MANAGEMENT SERVICES AG
    Inventors: Stephane Kinkio, Steeve Gerber, Clement Meyrat
  • Patent number: 6499875
    Abstract: Looseness in the fit of a wristwatch to the wrist of a user is taken up by affixing a thin spacer to the back of the watch. The spacer is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material with a pressure sensitive adhesive on a surface thereof, and is affixed to the watch, after cleaning of the watch if necessary, by pressing the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the spacer against the watch. Spacers are packaged in spaced apart multiples on a display card, with a removable transparent film covering the spacers on the display card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Reginald O. Telly
  • Patent number: 6464390
    Abstract: A wristwatch with a usable dial, fitted with keys, includes an electronic device to form a multifunctional wrist worn device. The structure of the wristwatch is such that there is enough space to regularly actuate each key with a finger. The part of the multifunctional device providing the time can be shifted to free up the device's body. In particular, this device is characterized by the fact that the device's body, freed up in this way by the shift of the watch, contains, on its periphery, a number of keys that make it possible to easily actuate the electronic device with a finger. This simple device makes it possible to cover and to mask the electronic device's keys when the latter are not being used, the device according to the invention then having the general appearance of a wristwatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Baroche
  • Publication number: 20020145946
    Abstract: The case (2) includes means (4a, 4b; 24, 25) for attaching a wristband (3) to a wrist and means for connecting a flexible support (11) of a keyboard (13, 23) with keys (14, 15) connected inside the case (2) to a data processing unit (29) controlling a display device (16, 16a, 16b) allowing characters, supplied by the processing unit (29), to be displayed on a dial (7) of the case (2), the electric power for the electronic components of the assembly being provided by a power source (10). The case is characterized in that the flexible support (11) for the keyboard (13, 23) is connected on one side of the case (2) and its length substantially corresponds to the size of the wrist outline, and in that the wristband (3) totally covers the keyboard (13, 23) while being provided with fixed attachment means (4b, 24) diametrically opposite the means for connecting the keyboard (13, 23) and removable attachment means (4a, 25) located in proximity to said connection to the keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: ASULAB S.A.
    Inventors: Frederic Meylan, Jean-Jacques Born
  • Publication number: 20020136096
    Abstract: A watch case has a circular watch body between pairs of lugs of which and between the lugs of each pair of which the body is formed with toroidal segments. One of these segments is provided centrally with a crown and, if desired, radiused buttons for operating the stop watch function of the watch works within the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: LOCMAN S.P.A.
    Inventor: Marco Mantovani
  • Publication number: 20020131332
    Abstract: The watch case includes a back cover (2), a middle part (3) and a bezel (4) closed by a crystal (5) delimiting together a space in which a watch movement (1) is housed for an analogue or digital time display on a dial (6) arranged below the crystal (5). It is characterized in that the bezel (4) is made of metal and has locally a ring (14) of sufficient thickness to include in its lower portion a first series of threaded holes (11) for screwing in a first series of screws (10) for fixing the movement (1) onto the bezel (4) and a second series of threaded holes (21), offset angularly with respect to the first series, passing through the movement (1), and intended for screwing the back cover (2) into the lower part of the bezel (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: ETA SA FABRIQUES D'EBAUCHES
    Inventors: Laurent Kaelin, Chrystel Gressly
  • Patent number: 6443614
    Abstract: Embodiments of a wrist-worn instrument face display that has dot matrix indicating icons for programming or prompting the instrument. The icons may be single or combinations of symbols, numbers and text. In particular, the icons indicate a function of the instrument, and “point” to a specific function key located near the instrument face to indicate which key is to be pressed, and how many times it is to be pressed, and/or what plurality of keys are to be pressed and in what order, in order to obtain an identified, desired read-out on the instrument face or display. This way, operation of several functions, even ones requiring multiple keystrokes, may be easily accomplished by the user without referring to the operations manual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: John Robert Read
  • Patent number: 6435709
    Abstract: A wrist device is provided which includes a case body and bands attached to the case body. The wrist device also includes covering portions which cover a portion of the case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Hirano, Yuji Doi, Masaaki Hirai, Hajime Iguchi
  • Publication number: 20020110050
    Abstract: A timepiece housing, which contains a horological mechanism, is designed to adopt an interchangeable and transparent cover attached over the lens of the timepiece. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the underside face of this attached cover is designed with a cavity into which a decorative item can be placed. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the lens is designed with a cavity into which a decorative item can be placed. The dial face and the hands of the timepiece are made to a size such that when the transparent cover with the decorative item placed inside the cavity is fitted to the timepiece, the viewing of the dials and hands of the watch is not obstructed by the decorative item. The design provides a convenient means of decorating a timepiece with without the need of dismantling the housing of the watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Juan Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20020105860
    Abstract: A watch comprising a case (1) defining a housing (2), a movement (3) placed within the housing (2), a bottom piece (6) to close the housing (2) arranged at the back of the movement (3) and means for engagement of the case (1) with a bracelet (13), in which the case (1) has a base (1a) that extends axially rearwards beyond the bottom piece (6). A passage (12) for the insertion of the bracelet (13) diametrically crosses the base (1a). At least a tract of the passage (12) has a cross section with an outline that is equal to that of the bracelet, so that the bracelet (13) can slide in the passage (12) only when it becomes subjected to a slight axial force, and the watch (13) remains in position when the bracelet is worn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Nomination di Antonio e Paolo Gensini s.n.c.
    Inventor: Antonio Gensini
  • Patent number: 6430110
    Abstract: A wristwatch includes an electronic device to form a multifunctional wrist worn device. The watch portion of the wristwatch can be shifted into a position that exposes the electronic device (e.g., telephone) so that the user can operate the electronic device. The keys are located on the periphery of the watch body. A display can be mounted on the back side of the watch portion so that when the watch portion is in the second position, the display is visible to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Baroche
  • Publication number: 20020101788
    Abstract: A portable watch and band is provided which is capable of being worn on various parts of the body and secured to other objects. The watch and band assembly has an articulated folding mechanism wherein the watch forms an element of the folding mechanism. The band is removable from the folding mechanism and is expandable. Both the folding mechanism and the expandable band serve to fix the assembly around various sizes of body parts or other objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Kevin Petsch
  • Publication number: 20020085455
    Abstract: The device in the present invention can be used not only as a wristwatch, but also as a clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Shuichi Haida
  • Patent number: 6412976
    Abstract: Watch-strap device adapted to be worn on the wrist includes an electronic tag for identifying the watch-strap. The tag includes an identification circuit and an antenna that are buried in the watch-strap. The circuit is directly adjacent to the connection of the watch-strap to the watch to avoid damage to the circuit caused by flexing of the watch-strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Finaluxe
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Dechery, Didier Salavert, Alain Bonnoit
  • Publication number: 20020080688
    Abstract: To provide a wrist watch having a small rim width while ensuring the strength of a glass rim. A movement with hands and a dial plate is assembled into a barrel from a side of a glass rim. A water-proof packing is arranged between a glass rim and the barrel. Machine screws are mounted inside the water-proof packing to fix the barrel and the glass rim together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Isao Ajiro, Nobukazu Oomori
  • Patent number: 6411570
    Abstract: This invention relates to a reminder watch to be worn on the body of a forgetful person. The watch has a digital display of the date of the day, the time of day, and the name of the weekday; a knob for setting the time and a knob for starting and stopping the time to function as a stop-watch; and the remaining parts of the watch include a small speaker to play sounds such as the voice of a parent and an alarm to indicate that time has run out, a battery to provide power for operating the watch and its functions, and a computer chip specifically designed to announce commands relating to the daily activities of the wearer of the watch, who may be a child. The watch may be worn as a wrist watch fastened to a waist belt, hung around the neck, upper arm, or shoulder, carried in a pocket, or carried in any other fashion so as to be near enough to be heard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Mildred B. Smith
  • Patent number: 6411569
    Abstract: A radio-controlled wristwatch includes a casing. A central portion of the casing disposed generally centrally with reference to a longitudinal center axis of the casing is formed of metal at least on the exterior thereof. An antenna core is disposed within a chamber defined by the casing. The antenna core lies on a plane oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis. A spacer ring is disposed in the chamber between the central portion and the antenna core, the spacer ring formed of electrically non-conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Junghans Uhren GmbH
    Inventors: GĂ¼nter Megner, RĂ¼diger Daut
  • Patent number: 6406177
    Abstract: An adjust pin (1) for connecting a plurality of blocks (2) to each other to make up a wrist watch band (3) is formed of a metal with a property having a superelastic region where a stress remains constant against variation in strain. The adjust pin (1) is provided with a bent part (5) for causing a bending stress in the superelastic region to act on the inner wall face of a connecting through-hole (2a) of a block (2) in a state wherein the block (2) is joined with an adjoining block (2). When the adjust pin (1) is inserted in the blocks (2), and the bent part (5) is positioned in the connecting through-hole (2a), the bent part (5) provides a force acting on the inner wall of the connecting through-hole (2a) by the agency of the bending stress in the superelastic region, thereby securely holding the adjust pin (1) by a spring force thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuto Fukushima, Kouji Fujii, Takeo Komiyama, Toshiaki Hara
  • Patent number: 6382829
    Abstract: The invention is related to a watch case equipped with a decoration piece (50) which has the particularity of being difficult to machine and having moreover dimensions of rather wide tolerances, namely plus or minus about a tenth of a millimeter around a reference dimension, whereas the manufacturers of the watch cases are able to ascertain usually a precision in the order of a hundredth of a millimeter. This handicap is overcome in providing a clearance between the decoration piece and the adjacent elements (20, 30), namely the middle of the watch and the bottom, and thanks to means (60, 70) ascertaining the maintenance of these clearances, these means exerting at the same time the functions of tightness and of shock dampening where the shocks occur on the clockwork-movement (10) or on the decoration piece (50), or on both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Aurema SA
    Inventor: Von Burg Ursula
  • Publication number: 20020044501
    Abstract: An electronic watch comprising: a watch case with a containing concavity which is formed in a peripheral portion thereof; an antenna contained in the containing concavity; a covering member mounted to the containing concavity, to cover the antenna; and a casing member provided with a supporting member which is attached to a periphery of the watch case to hold the covering member, covering at least a portion of the covering member. The supporting member undertakes a portion of the impact caused by dropping or the like to some extent, and accordingly, the covering member is protected by the supporting member so that the welding portion of the covering member is not cracked nor destroyed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Junichi Sato
  • Patent number: 6366538
    Abstract: An emergency response system wristwatch having upper and lower case sections connected by a hinge is combined with a removable interference bracket disposed between the two case sections. The upper case section has opposing rear and front surfaces, where the front surface includes a dial face. The upper case section is operable to pivot on the hinge between open and closed positions. The lower case section has an activation button that is exposed when the upper case section is in the open position. When the upper case section is in the closed position, the rear surface of the upper case section is disposed adjacent the activation button. Without the removable interference bracket between the upper and lower case sections, the rear surface of the upper case section is operable to move toward the lower case section and press upon the activation button if pressure is applied to the dial face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: SecureAlert, Inc.
    Inventors: Jill Anderson, Brian Boling, Thomas Natale
  • Patent number: 6359841
    Abstract: A portable electronic device has a casing has an upper case body and a rear case cover both made of a thermally conductive material. A heat insulating member thermally insulates the rear case cover from the upper case body of the casing. A thermoelectric generator unit is disposed in the casing for generating an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect. The thermoelectric generator unit has a heat radiating plate for transferring heat to the upper case body and a heat absorbing plate. A heat conductive spacer is made of a thermally conductive and elastically deformable sheet of material and has opposed main surfaces. One of the main surface is disposed in contact with the heat absorbing plate of the thermoelectric generator unit and the other main surface is disposed in contact with an inner side surface of the rear case cover for conducting heat from the rear case cover to the thermoelectric generator unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Susumu Kotanagi, Akihiro Matoge, Yoshifumi Yoshida, Fumiyasu Utsunomiya, Matsuo Kishi
  • Publication number: 20020031053
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wristwatch (1) whose wristband (6) is attached to a support (3) with respect to which the case (2) can turn over to show one or other of its faces (16, 17). The support (3) includes, on the parallel inner surfaces (9) of its flanges (7), grooves (10) in which snugs (39) connected to the case can slide and pivot. Stops are provided in the grooves (10), to stop the case sliding after a first sliding travel of the snugs (39) from the ends (42) of the grooves, to define a pivoting zone of the case, before the snugs effect a second sliding travel to the other ends (42). Support surfaces (11) and a transverse recess (12) are provided on the bottom (4) of the support to prevent the case turning over except in the zone of the stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP MANAGEMENT SERVICES AG
    Inventor: Augustin Nussbaum
  • Publication number: 20020031052
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wristwatch (1) whose wristband (6) is attached to a support (3) with respect to which the case (2) can be reversed in the longitudinal direction to show one or other of its faces (16, 17). The case has a pointed profile at its ends, its faces (16, 17) having convex profiles, which are preferably similar. The bottom (4) of the support (3) is concave so as to have a substantially complementary profile to those of the faces of the case. Further, the lateral flanges (7) of the support have substantially the same convex profile, so that the case and the support are substantially flush with each other over the entire length of the case, thus giving a fluid attractive appearance to the watch and to the reversing movement of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP MANAGEMENT SERVICES AG
    Inventor: Augustin Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 6350055
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a wristwatch (30) including a case (32) provided with a first electric conductor (50) and an electric circuit (36) connected to said first electric conductor, and a wristband (34) including a second electric conductor (42). This wristwatch is characterised in that the first and second conductors are arranged to form an electric connection without any mechanical contact and, more precisely, by capacitive coupling. One advantage of such an arrangement of the wristwatch is that it achieves an electric connection without mechanical coupling, i.e. an electric connection which does not require any additional external material arrangement other than the conventional articulation between the wristband and the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eta Sa Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventor: David Barras
  • Publication number: 20020012292
    Abstract: To reduce costs and realize appropriate fitting while assuring an area of an electric circuit and an area of an operation portion, a display portion or the like. An arm portable information apparatus which is fit to the arm to be carried includes a main body having an electric circuit for information processing, a function unit having an electric circuit for an adding function, and a hinge portion for coupling the function unito the main body communicably and movably in the circumferential direction of the arm. Upon fitting, the hinge portion is bent with a proper angle, thereby enabling appropriate fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: Gen Mitamura
  • Patent number: 6330208
    Abstract: A watch with a liquid crystal display with the display and the device for controlling the display being formed as two separate pieces so that the display can be inserted through a front side of the watch case body and the control device, such as a printed circuit board, can be inserted through a back side of the watch case body. The liquid crystal display may include a partially reflective sheet in order to provide greater contrast and/or aesthetic appeal. Also, a method for assembling a watch wherein a liquid crystal display is inserted through the front side of the watch case body. This watch and related assembly method can allow a larger size display relative to the size of the watch case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Xonix Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Leo Chen, Tadashi Sode
  • Publication number: 20010043514
    Abstract: A function module unit having a memory function is removably attached on one of wrist bands, while a function module unit having a sensor function is removably attached to the other wrist band. On both wrist bands, bus line wires are embedded along the longitudinal direction. Each of the bus line wires comprises a Vcc line, a serial data line, a clock data line, and a ground line. Each of these lines is provided with a connector member which is exposed on the back surface of the wrist band at a position corresponding to the function module unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Kita
  • Publication number: 20010043513
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electronic device for generating and displaying an item of information, including a flexible body (2) shaped to be able, for example, to be secured to a user's wrist, an electronic unit (18) for generating the information, at least a display cell (20) for displaying said information, and an electric power source (22) for powering the electronic unit (18), wherein the flexible body (2) has, at at least one location on its length, an overthickness of material forming a rigid receptacle (28) in the inner cavity of which is arranged said electronic unit (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Joachim Grupp
  • Publication number: 20010036131
    Abstract: A wristwatch case is structured by an outer case and an inner case mounting a movement. The inner case is structured movable vertical to a plane to provide, in a vertical movable range, a stop point where the inner case is allowed to rotate and a stop position inhibiting rotation. In a state the inner case is rotatable, the inner case can be rotated to an angle easy to see.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Dai Terasawa, Shoichi Watase
  • Patent number: 6305839
    Abstract: A wristwatch to aid cigarette smokers to gradually decrease the number of cigarettes smoked per day over a period of time. The face displays an area which indicates the permissibility or lack of permissibility of smoking. A display area indicates the number of cigarettes smoked during the current day. Another display indicates the number of days the watch has been on the same smoking countdown. A fourth display indicates the time remaining in a non-smoking period. Buttons placed around the rim for the watch activate the lack of smoking display and the smoking countdown time display. Additional buttons are pressed to start the timing for the number of days the watch has been on the same smoking countdown, to increase the displayed number of days the watch has been on the same smoking countdown, to change the display showing the number of cigarettes smoked during the current day, and to change the length of time the watch will show a non-smoking display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Duje Krstulovic
  • Patent number: 6304521
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generating electronic timepiece comprises a thermoelectric generator for generating electric power in response to a temperature difference thereacross. A heat radiating case is thermally connected to a cold pole of the thermoelectric generator for radiating heat. A heat absorbing case is thermally connected to a hot pole of the thermoelectric generator for absorbing heat. A heat insulating case thermally insulates the heat absorbing case and the heat radiating case. A band is provided for securing the thermoelectric generating electronic timepiece to the arm of a user. The band has a heat absorbing member thermally connected to the heat absorbing case for absorbing heat and a heat insulating member for restraining radiation and transfer of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignees: Seiko Instruments Inc., Seiko Instruments R&D Center Inc.
    Inventor: Toshiya Kanesaka
  • Publication number: 20010022760
    Abstract: The invention concerns a watch formed of a wristlet (12) and a case (10) provided with a slide-way (30) in which the wristlet (12) is engaged and may be moved in translation, wherein the wristlet is formed of a strap (36) the length of which substantially corresponds to the length of the wristlet and wherein the two longitudinal edges (36a, 36b) of said strap are rolled over their entire length to form two rolls (36d, 36e).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventor: Jerry G. Simonis