Of Bezel Only Patents (Class 368/295)
  • Patent number: 8272778
    Abstract: A bezel member rotatably mounted to a case band member is provided with an accommodating groove, a pair of passing portions continuous with the accommodating groove at positions spaced apart by approximately 180°, and a pair of escape grooves continuous with both passing portions from the center side of the bezel member and open to the exterior of the case band member. The case band member is provided with engagement grooves arranged in a ring-like fashion so as to be opposed to the accommodating groove, and a ring-like reception groove surrounded by the engagement grooves and continuous with the engagement grooves. A lock member retains the bezel member at an arbitrary rotating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
  • Patent number: 8235587
    Abstract: A portable device, such as a wristwatch, has a push-button that includes an engaging portion, and the push-button is mounted on a watch sheath. A locking member and a leaf spring are arranged on the watch sheath. The locking member is movable between a locked position in which the push-button is held at a predetermined position by engagement with the engaging portion and an unlocked position where operation of the push-button is allowed. The locking member is urged by the leaf spring toward the unlocked position. A circular operating ring surrounds an hour plate mounted on the watch sheath and the operating ring is rotatably mounted to the watch sheath from the front side. The movement of the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position is interlocked with a rotating operation of the operating ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
  • Patent number: 8206028
    Abstract: A portable device, such as a wristwatch, has a push-button that includes an engaging portion, and the push-button is mounted on a watch sheath. A stopper is arranged on the watch sheath. The stopper is movable between a locked position in which the push-button is held at a predetermined position by engagement with the engaging portion and an unlocked position in which the operation of the push-button is allowed. A circular operating ring surrounds an hour plate mounted on the watch sheath and is rotatably mounted on the watch sheath from the front side thereof. The movement of the stopper between the locked position and the unlocked position is interlocked with the rotating operation of the operating ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Hideki Okuda
  • Publication number: 20120120778
    Abstract: A wristwatch case includes a case body, an edge member, and a mounting ring. The case body has a circular fitting hole, an edge receiving surface, and an engaging surface. The edge member includes a cylindrical portion extending through the fitting hole, a cover portion, a male screw portion, and a receiving portion. The cover portion is provided on an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion that projects out of the case body and overlaps the edge receiving surface. The male screw portion is formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion that is inserted into the case body. The receiving portion is formed on the cylindrical portion and receives a peripheral portion of a dial of the movement. The mounting ring is screwed onto the male screw portion and comes into contact with the engaging surface to fix the edge member to the case body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 8096703
    Abstract: The invention comprises a timepiece including a middle part (4) and a bezel (6) capable of rotating on the middle part (4), the bezel (6) and the middle part (4) delimiting between them an annular chamber (38) in which there is arranged a sealing gasket (40) with a U-shaped profile. A compression member (42) such as an O-ring type joint with a smooth external surface is housed in the sealing gasket (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Bertrand Carrard, Clement Meyrat
  • Patent number: 8064292
    Abstract: A wrist-worn timepiece may have a case, a timing element, and a wristband. The case includes a body, a crystal, and a bezel. The body may define a depression and a channel. The timing element is positioned within the depression, and the channel is located to extend at least partially around the depression. The crystal is located within the depression and adjacent to the timing element, and the bezel is at least partially located within the channel. The body may be formed from a polymer material and the bezel may be formed from a metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Maximillian P. Burton
  • Patent number: 8052323
    Abstract: A wristwatch is equipped with a case band, a bezel, and a guard. The case band has a circular upwardly directed protrusion to which a transparent dial cover is mounted, a surrounding wall portion forming between itself and the upwardly directed protrusion an arrangement groove extending along this protrusion, and open portions for bezel operation. The bezel having manual holding asperities facing the open portions is rotatably supported in the outer periphery of the upwardly directed protrusion, and arranged in the arrangement groove while forming between itself and the surrounding wall portion a gap extending along the surrounding wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Koremoto Takeda
  • Publication number: 20100315909
    Abstract: Method of fastening a glass (2) to a watch bezel (1), wherein the glass (2) has at least one protruding part (3) and/or a recess (4) and the bezel (1) has at least one protruding part (3) and/or a recess (4). The method is characterised in that it comprises a step of pressing the protruding part (3) into the recess (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE
    Inventors: Thierry Altenhoven, Patrick Hawrylko
  • Patent number: 7826311
    Abstract: A time counting assembly with a display for world time zones comprised of a power source, a second counter, a minute counter, an hour counter, and a time zone display for displaying a correct time over a faceplate. Stir the time zone adjustable ring with the hand to align a first landmark of a local time zone with a fixed point and then calibrate the time counting assembly in accordance with the local time, and then stir the time zone adjustable ring with the hand to align a second landmark of another locating time zone with the fixed point such that the inner gear ring moves the planetary idle gear set and the planetary base wheel to shift engagement of the engaging hooks in the ratchet holes, and the front hour wheel is rotated on the planetary base wheel with a planetary movement along the minute wheel set to cause rotation of a meshed hour wheel so as to turn a hour hand to the time in accordance with the time zone corresponding to the second landmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Atop Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Chun Lin
  • Publication number: 20100220560
    Abstract: A bezel member rotatably mounted to a case band member is provided with an accommodating groove, a pair of passing portions continuous with the accommodating groove at positions spaced apart by approximately 180°, and a pair of escape grooves continuous with both passing portions from the center side of the bezel member and open to the exterior of the case band member. The case band member is provided with engagement grooves arranged in a ring-like fashion so as to be opposed to the accommodating groove, and a ring-like reception groove surrounded by the engagement grooves and continuous with the engagement grooves. A lock member retains the bezel member at an arbitrary rotating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
  • Publication number: 20100220561
    Abstract: A wristwatch is equipped with a case band, a bezel, and a guard. The case band has a circular upwardly directed protrusion to which a transparent dial cover is mounted, a surrounding wall portion forming between itself and the upwardly directed protrusion an arrangement groove extending along this protrusion, and open portions for bezel operation. The bezel having manual holding asperities facing the open portions is rotatably supported in the outer periphery of the upwardly directed protrusion, and arranged in the arrangement groove while forming between itself and the surrounding wall portion a gap extending along the surrounding wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Koremoto Takeda
  • Patent number: 7708457
    Abstract: A watch having a middle part including a top face arranged for receiving a polygonal bezel made of a first material. The corners of the bezel are truncated and the middle part is fitted with angular elements made of a second material, secured to the top face thereof, and arranged so as to be substituted for the truncated corners of the bezel when the latter is mounted on the middle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Tissot S.A.
    Inventors: Marielle Girardin, David Apotheloz, Jean-Claude Gracia
  • Patent number: 7639568
    Abstract: A time counting assembly with a display for world time zones includes a power source, a second counter, a minute counter, an hour counter, and a time zone display for displaying a correct time over a faceplate. Stirring the time zone adjustable ring with the hand ultimately turns a hour hand to the time in accordance with the time zone corresponding to a second landmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Atop Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 7635219
    Abstract: A diver's watch having a frame (22) and a case (10) containing a clockwork movement associated with time displaying means (15, 16). The case includes a middle (11), a base (12) and a rotating bezel (13). The case is hinge mounted on the frame (22), which is configured so as to define a housing wherein the case can be folded down to take up a position preventing its bezel from rotating and wherefrom it can be retrieved to allow its rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Eterna SA FAbrique D'Horlogerie
    Inventors: Ernst F. Seyr, Stéphane Lauber
  • Patent number: 7614785
    Abstract: A timepiece has a case body and a bezel rotatably and detachably connected to the case body. A ring-shaped guide groove formed in the bezel opposes a ring groove formed in the case body, and a plurality of holding members are slidable in the guide groove into and out of the ring groove to respectively prevent and permit detachment of the bezel from the case body. A plurality of operating screws are screwed into the bezel from an outer side thereof and are rotatably connected at their front end portions to respective holding members. Rotation of the operating screws in tightening and loosening directions moves the holding members into and out of the ring groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai, Koremoto Takeda
  • Patent number: 7572049
    Abstract: To provide a timepiece in which operations for a rotation stop of a bezel and its release are easy, and reliability and a durability of the rotation stop are high. A bezel is disposed in a bezel disposition part of a case band so as to be capable of rotation-operating, and positioning parts and lock parts, which comprise plural concave-convex portions juxtaposed in a direction of the rotation, are formed in a back face of the bezel. To the case band, there is attached a clip stop mechanism (positioning means), which permits clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the bezel by engaging with and disengaging from the positioning part, and holds the bezel in a position in which the rotation of the bezel is stopped. Between the case band and the back face of the bezel, a lock member is disposed so as to be movable in a diameter direction of the case band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 7559688
    Abstract: The timepiece includes a case formed of a back cover and a middle part closed by a glass arranged above a dial with an analogue or digital display, delimiting the housing of a watch movement, said glass being surrounded by two external rotating top and bottom bezels, superposed on a shoulder of the middle part. It is characterized in that the two bezels and the shoulder have identical or similar non-circular or non-symmetrical contours in relation to the center of the dial in the superposed position, and in that the bezels can occupy a first rest position in which concealed parts of the shoulder and/or concealed parts of the bottom bezel are made visible after rotation of at least one bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Tissot S.A.
    Inventors: Bertrand Robert-Nicoud, Alberto Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7540655
    Abstract: A setting device (1) includes an outer crown body (11), an inner crown body (12) firmly connected to this, a coupling (13,14) mounted at the inner crown body, as well as a crown sleeve (15) at least partly enveloping the inner crown body (12) and the coupling (13,14), inside of which the inner crown body (12) is mounted in both axially adjustable and rotatable manner. The setting device (1) further includes an elastic element (16) exerting on at least one of the crown bodies (11,12) a force pre-tensioning it in its axial direction, the force of pretension of the elastic element (16) being determined as a function of the effective front surface (A) of the outer crown body (11), in order to allow for an automatic, axial change-over of position of the setting device as a function of the applied external pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Richemont International S.A.
    Inventor: Ferdinand Speichinger
  • Patent number: 7490978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an analog wristwatch including a watch body and at least two bezels. The watch body further includes a face, along with an hour hand and a minute hand for telling time. The at least two bezels surround the circumference of the face and are rotatably mounted to the watch body. The bezels are used to measure elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Jacqueline Crisci
  • Patent number: 7490979
    Abstract: To provide a timepiece in which a position alignment of a bezel is easy, and a position-aligned bezel can be made so as not to be carelessly rotated. A portable timepiece possesses a case band, an annular bezel, a click member, a coil spring, and a lock member. In the case band, there are provided an annular bezel disposition groove opening upward and to an outer periphery face, and an accommodation hole extending in a vertical direction while opening to a bottom face of this groove. Bezel is disposed, while being fitted to the disposition groove, so as to be rotatable in both directions of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction in regard to the case band. A click member engaging with and disengaging from an engagement part comprising plural irregularities juxtaposed in a rotation direction in a back face of the bezel facing on the bottom face is accommodated in the accommodation hole so as to be vertically movable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kinshuro Itoh, Yoshio Hozumi
  • Publication number: 20090040882
    Abstract: A wristwatch includes a case body, a rotary bezel, one or more pieces of operating screws, and a holding member. The case body includes a ring-like portion 16a surrounding a cover glass and the ring-like portion is formed with a ring-like groove opened to an outer periphery thereof. The rotary bezel arranged at the case body includes a fitting portion rotatably fitted to an outer periphery of the ring-like portion and the fitting portion is formed with a guide groove opened to an inner periphery thereof and opposed to the ring-like groove. The operating screw is inserted to the groove from an outer side of the rotary bezel to be rotatably attached to the fitting portion. The holding member is connected to a front end portion of the operating screw by permitting rotation of the operating screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai, Koremoto Takeda
  • Publication number: 20080285391
    Abstract: To provide a timepiece in which operations for a rotation stop of a bezel and its release are easy, and reliability and a durability of the rotation stop are high. A bezel is disposed in a bezel disposition part of a case band so as to be capable of rotation-operating, and positioning parts and lock parts, which comprise plural concave-convex portions juxtaposed in a direction of the rotation, are formed in a back face of the bezel. To the case band, there is attached a clip stop mechanism (positioning means), which permits clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the bezel by engaging with and disengaging from the positioning part, and holds the bezel in a position in which the rotation of the bezel is stopped. Between the case band and the back face of the bezel, a lock member is disposed so as to be movable in a diameter direction of the case band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
  • Publication number: 20080279053
    Abstract: The timepiece includes a case (1) formed of a back cover (3) and a middle part (2) closed by a glass (4) arranged above a dial (5) with an analogue or digital display, delimiting the housing of a watch movement (6), said glass (4) being surrounded by two external rotating top (10) and bottom (20) bezels, superposed on a shoulder (8) of the middle part (2). It is characterised in that the two bezels (10, 20) and the shoulder (8) have identical or similar non-circular or non-symmetrical contours in relation to the centre of the dial (5) in the superposed position, and in that the bezels (10, 20) can occupy a first rest position in which concealed parts (9) of the shoulder (8) and/or concealed parts (23) of the bottom bezel (20) are made visible after rotation of at least one bezel (10, 20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: TISSOT S.A.
    Inventors: Bertrand Robert-Nicoud, Alberto Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20080273428
    Abstract: A watchcase has a turning ring provided on one case surface and enclosing one case section. The turning ring is secured by at least one holding element engaging a peripheral groove of the case section and securing the turning ring to the case section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Petra Damasko
  • Patent number: 7434984
    Abstract: To provide a timepiece having a bezel which is easy to set in position, and which is not inadvertently rotatable after it has been set in position. A bezel is rotatably mounted on the bezel mounting portion of a case band. A click member is held vertically movably in the stepped hole of the case band and is urged toward the engaging portion of the bezel composed of a plurality of serrations. An operating member which has a depression having an oblique push-up surface and a closing surface contiguous to its push-up surface is held movably in a accommodating portion formed in the case band and crossing the lower end of the stepped hole at right angles thereto. The operating member is urged to its position in which its closing surface closes the lower end of the stepped hole. A stopper member capable of entering and leaving the depression along its push-up surface is positioned between the click member and the operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kinshuroh Itoh
  • Publication number: 20080192586
    Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece including a middle part (4) and a bezel (6) capable of rotating on the middle part (4), the bezel (6) and the middle part (4) delimiting between them an annular chamber (38) in which there is arranged a sealing gasket (40) with a U-shaped profile. A compression member (42) such as an O-ring type joint with a smooth external surface is housed in the sealing gasket (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Bertrand Carrard, Clement Meyrat
  • Publication number: 20080181061
    Abstract: The invention concerns a watch comprising a middle part (12) including a top face (32) arranged for receiving a polygonal bezel (16) made of a first material. The corners of the bezel (16) are truncated and the middle part (12) is fitted with angular elements (40a, b, c, d) made of a second material, secured to the top face (32) thereof, and arranged so as to be substituted for the truncated corners of the bezel (16) when the latter is mounted on the middle part (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: TISSOT S.A.
    Inventors: Marielle Girardin, David Apotheloz, Jean-Claude Gracia
  • Patent number: 7384189
    Abstract: The invention proposes a watch comprising a case which includes a middle part, a crystal and a display dial. The crystal includes an outer radial collar which abuts axially against the middle part and which is held axially against the middle part by means of a bezel. The bezel includes a lower annular radial surface which abuts axially against the top face of the collar. According to one feature of the invention, the collar includes a convex outer peripheral surface which is generally complementary to a concave inner surface of the bezel arranged opposite, underneath the radial abutment surface of the bezel and which abuts radially against said inner surface in the event of an axial shock applied to the crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Baptist Wyssbrod
  • Patent number: 7350968
    Abstract: A watch case for an analog watch movement has a housing and a setting ring in a rotatably moveable and axially slideable relationship. The setting ring is coupled with a setting stem of the analog watch for rotation of the setting stem by rotation of the setting ring and for axial movement of the setting stem by orthogonal axial movement of the setting ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Alexander Meerovitsch
  • Patent number: 7350969
    Abstract: The watchcase includes a middle part (3) closed by a back cover (5) delimiting a housing (7) provided for receiving a watch movement (9) including at least one off-centre display (10, 12). The external surface is entirely covered by a cover-bezel (1) rotatably mounted in the plane of the case on an axis (15) located at the centre of the case and it includes at least one aperture (20) having the same contour as the display (10, 12) and able to occupy a first position in which said display (10, 12) is visible, and another position in which said display (10, 12) is concealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventor: François Maire
  • Publication number: 20080074953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an analog wristwatch including a watch body and at least two bezels. The watch body further includes a face, along with an hour hand and a minute hand for telling time. The at least two bezels surround the circumference of the face and are rotatably mounted to the watch body. The bezels are used to measure elapsed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Jacqueline Crisci
  • Publication number: 20080068935
    Abstract: To provide a timepiece in which a position alignment of a bezel is easy, and a position-aligned bezel can be made so as not to be carelessly rotated. A portable timepiece possesses a case band, an annular bezel, a click member, a coil spring, and a lock member. In the case band, there are provided an annular bezel disposition groove opening upward and to an outer periphery face, and an accommodation hole extending in a vertical direction while opening to a bottom face of this groove. Bezel is disposed, while being fitted to the disposition groove, so as to be rotatable in both directions of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction in regard to the case band. A click member engaging with and disengaging from an engagement part comprising plural irregularities juxtaposed in a rotation direction in a back face of the bezel facing on the bottom face is accommodated in the accommodation hole so as to be vertically movable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kinshuro Itoh, Yoshio Hozumi
  • Publication number: 20080049562
    Abstract: A control for operating a portable electronic device includes a bezel surrounding a display for the portable electronic device. The bezel is resiliently supported so that it can rock toward the electronic device. One or more portions of the bezel are then positioned relative to inputs for the electronic device, such that rocking of the bezel activates at least one input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Bo Stefan Andren, Brad N. Clarkson, Stephen Dylan Berry
  • Patent number: 7307916
    Abstract: A mechanical world timepiece having a transmission mechanism which allows the time display, such as, for example, a 12-hour hand and/or a 24-hour hand, to be directly adjusted with a turning ring having 24 time zones. The timepiece serves for the easily manageable adjustment of the time zone and the reading of the time in a different time zone. Operation could not be simpler. After a lever has been opened, the mechanism in FIG. 1 automatically engages. The gear rim (6), which is fixed with the turning ring, drives a vertical drive wheel (5), which is connected by a shaft to a clutch wheel (4). Once the pinion (4) is engaged, it drives one or two minute wheels (8, 9), which move a 12-hour wheel (10) and a 24-hour wheel (11) in a 1 h-cycle. The turning ring is thus easily turned to the desired destination at 12 h and the local time can immediately be read. Either the turning ring is now turned back to its original locality or the lever is simply closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Powermike.com L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Vogt, Thomas Prescher, Renato Scarinzi
  • Patent number: 7307921
    Abstract: A watch design that has a movable case that keeps the face of the watch visible regardless of the position of the wrist. In this way, a user can quickly see the watch face in the proper orientation so that the time can be quickly and correctly determined. There are several ways to accomplish this. The case can be mounted on a turntable that rotates on the y-axis. A frame containing the watch mechanism and display is hinged on said turntable and rotated vertically upon the x-axis described by the hinge-mounted frame mounted on said frame. Another embodiment uses a gimbaled point on which the face is free to rotate, much like a compass. In this embodiment, the watch case is weighted to that the face always moves to a readable position. Finally, the watch may include displays mounted in the link of a watchband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Don S. Karterman
  • Patent number: 7182508
    Abstract: This device comprises a first axial retention shoulder secured to the case, adjacent to a cylindrical seat, a second, opposite axial retention shoulder formed by one face of an annular groove secured to the rim, an annular retention element made of polymer bearing against each of said shoulders, said first shoulder being adjacent to the base of a conical surface, secured to the case, for the axial introduction of said annular retention element engaged with said annular groove. Said annular retention element forms an endless ring whose section is divided in the radial direction into two portions of which one is, perpendicularly to the plane of said endless ring, substantially thinner than the other, these two portions being intended to interact respectively with said first shoulder and second shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Bertrand, Daniel Fiammingo, Daniel Moille, William Passaquin, Sylvie Ribeyrolles, Yvan Serikoff
  • Patent number: 7137732
    Abstract: A portable timepiece has a bezel rotatably disposed on a case body, and an elastically deformable gasket interposed between the case body and the bezel in an elastically deformed state to exert a frictional force on the case body and the bezel sufficient to maintain the bezel in a stationary rotational position though permitting the bezel to be manually rotated to any desired position by overcoming the frictional force. One or more lock members are movably disposed on the bezel and contact a slip-preventing part provided on the case body. A manually rotatable holding ring engages with the lock members and is rotatable in one direction to increase the contact pressure between the lock members and the slip-preventing part to thereby prevent unintended rotation of the bezel, and is rotatable in the other direction to decrease the contact pressure to thereby permit manual rotation of the bezel by overcoming the frictional force exerted by the elastically deformed gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Koremoto Takeda
  • Patent number: 7134784
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a rotating bezel watch including a watch face having an hour hand, minute hand and second hand connected at substantially a center of thereof and a rotatable bezel connected to the watch face. The watch further includes means for rotating the rotatable bezel, wherein the rotating means rotates the rotatable bezel about the watch face to increase the visual attractiveness of the watch face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: James Marin
  • Patent number: 7111978
    Abstract: The bezel (1) is interchangeable via a bayonet device. The shoulder (11) of the middle part (12) is provided with a circular groove (14) and at least two sinks (15) opening out partially into said groove (14). The bezel (1) includes at least two feet (2) positioned to engage in the sinks (15), said feet (2) each including a notch (4) open radially at the emergence of the sinks (15). A locking ring (20) provided with an outer member (21) for rotational manipulation, is positioned in the groove (14), one edge (23) of said ring (20) having a substantially equal thickness to the aperture of the notches (4) and including recesses (24) for the feet (2) to pass and the other edge (25) including a gorge (26) facing a gorge (16) of the middle part (12), the two gorges (16; 26) housing a click spring (30) of the ring (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventor: Steeve Gerber
  • Patent number: 7080938
    Abstract: A watch apparatus includes a wristwatch that includes a watch housing with a face, a back side and a peripheral edge. A wristband is attached to the peripheral edge. A bezel is rotatably mounted to the watch housing and extends around the face. A motor is mounted on the peripheral wall of the watch housing. A gear assembly is mechanically coupled to the motor. The motor is adapted for rotating the gear assembly. The gear assembly is in communication with the bezel so that the bezel rotates when the motor is turned on. A processor is electrically coupled to the motor. A heat sensor is mounted on the back side and is electrically coupled to the processor. The processor turns on the motor when the heat sensor detects heat above 80 degrees. The processor turns off the motor when the heat sensor detects a temperature less than 80 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventors: Quentin Moore, Videle Dixon, George S. Smith
  • Patent number: 7052173
    Abstract: To provide a timepiece whose bezel can be easily attached and detached by a user without requiring a special-purpose tool. A male screw, an annular groove disposed downwardly away from the male screw and an annular clearance groove positioned between the annular groove and the male screw are provided on the outer periphery of an annular convex of a case band to which a cover glass is attached. A soft and resilient engagement ring is fitted to the annular groove such that the engagement ring projects out from the annular groove. A bezel includes on its inner periphery a female screw disposed within the clearance groove for releasably engaging with the male screw and an annular engagement convex having a stopper slope. The stopper slope is disposed below the female screw to tightly contact with the outer periphery of the ring. The bezel attached in a condition in which the ring tightly contacts with the stopper slope is rotated in a loosening direction of the bezel through a screw-engagement between the screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Nobukazu Omori, Hisamitsu Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7035171
    Abstract: A timepiece has a portion of its case body capable of being removed from the rest of the case body. The removable portion bears an interchangeable dial plate. The device is configured in such a manner that the dial plate never serves as a stopping abutment when it is inserted in the timepiece. A closure device allows the interchangeable dial to be suitably fastened to the watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventors: David Hurni, Jacques Marchand
  • Patent number: 6871997
    Abstract: A watch case comprising a rotary bezel, first and second angular positioning markings, one set secured to the bezel and the other set to the case middle and elastic means in the form of a closed-loop spring tending to place the positioning markings into engagement with one another. These markings are distributed with numbers of spacings one of which is a multiple of the other and the outlines of which extend in a plane parallel to that of the bezel. Guide means are engaged with the markings having the smallest number of spacings, in order simultaneously to exert on these markings radial pressures directed toward the other markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Hartmann, Alberto Jaussi, Daniel Moille, William Passaquin
  • Patent number: 6821014
    Abstract: A rotating-type bezel apparatus has a case body and a bezel rotatably mounted on the case body and having alternately spaced recesses and projections. A first member is mounted on the case body and has an end portion elastically engageable with surface portions of the recesses and projections of the bezel to impart a click feel to the bezel during rotational movement thereof. A second member is movably mounted on the case body for movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second member engages the first member to prevent a release of an elastic engagement between the front end portion of the main body of the first member and the surface portions of one recess and the two projections on either side of the one recess of the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Hisamitsu Yoshikawa, Nobukazu Oomori
  • Patent number: 6799886
    Abstract: Watch case comprising a casing (10), a turning bezel (14-2) outside of said casing, said turning bezel comprising at least one portion of magnetic material (2), an organ (11) inside of said casing, placed so as to be able to be controlled by the magnetic field of said magnetic portion, said organ (11) comprising a concentric ring (4) to said turning bezel and equipped with at least one magnetic portion, so as to be able to be driven in rotation by the magnetic field of said organ during its rotation, and wherein said organ is of the analogue type and can take an infinite number of distinct positions according to the angular position of the turning bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: TAG-Heuer SA
    Inventors: Jean-Daniel Carrard, Francois Burgener, Olivier Steiner
  • Patent number: 6776519
    Abstract: The bezel (2) allows the same reading direction to be kept for the indications (20) carried by a ring (4) able to rotate freely on a base (6) to which it is affixed to bring a selected indication (20) opposite a determined marking of the base (6) or of a dial (3). The indications (20) are marked on the outer surface of studs (10) each kept free in rotation about their rotational axis (10a) in a housing (30) provided through the thickness of the ring (4) and opening onto the base (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Luciano Eleuterio, Sébastien Hostettler, Domenico Leo
  • Publication number: 20040141424
    Abstract: This watch case comprises a rotary bezel (1, 21), first (2a, 21a) and second (4, 13a, 23a) angular positioning markings, one set (4, 13a, 21a) secured to the bezel (1, 21) and the other set (2a, 23a) to the case middle (B) and elastic means (3, 23) in the form of a closed-loop spring (3, 13, 23) tending to place the positioning markings into engagement with one another. These markings are distributed with numbers of spacings one of which is a multiple of the other and the outlines of which extend in a plane parallel to that of the bezel (1, 21). Guide means (1a, 22a) are engaged with the markings (4, 13a, 23a) having the smallest number of spacings, in order simultaneously to exert on these markings radial pressures directed toward the other markings (2a, 21a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Olivier Hartmann, Alberto Jaussi, Daniel Moille, William Passaquin
  • Patent number: 6714485
    Abstract: A timepiece is disclosed allowing a reading of a first conventional time information by means of first analogue display means including a dial (5) and hours (4a) and minutes (4b) indicator members driven by a movement of the timepiece, this timepiece including second analogue display means allowing a simultaneous reading of second time information based on a decimal system wherein time is divided at least into thousandths of a day. The second analogue display means include the dial and the minutes indicator member in addition to complementary analogue display means (4a, 7; 4a, 7*; 4a, 8; 4c, 9; 4c, 9*; 4c, 10; 11, 12) indicating at least approximate decimal values (71; 81; 91; 101; 111) of the full hours expressed in thousandths of a day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Swatch Group Mngmt Services AG
    Inventors: Carlo Albisetti, Daniel Donzé, Clément Meyrat
  • Patent number: 6666576
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventors: Laurent Kaelin, Chrystel Gressly
  • Publication number: 20030169645
    Abstract: The bezel (2) allows the same reading direction to be kept for the indications (20) carried by a ring (4) able to rotate freely on a base (6) to which it is affixed to bring a selected indication (20) opposite a determined marking of the base (6) or of a dial (3). The indications (20) are marked on the outer surface of studs (10) each kept free in rotation about their rotational axis (10a) in a housing (30) provided through the thickness of the ring (4) and opening onto the base (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: SWATCH AG
    Inventors: Luciano Eleuterio, Sebastien Hostettler, Domenico Leo