Patents by Inventor Haruki Hiranuma

Haruki Hiranuma has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9581968
    Abstract: The present invention improves the weathering performance of a stopper structure preventing inadvertent rotation or a rotated body accommodated in a case. An operation member having a head portion rotated outside the case and a shaft portion inserted into a pipe so as to be movable between a first position and a second position that is outer than the first position. A stopper structure is provided inside the case to prevent rotation of the head portion when the operation member is positioned at the second position, whereas the stopper structure allows rotation of the head portion when the operation member is positioned at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Masahiro Ishida
  • Patent number: 9513603
    Abstract: The present invention provides a timepiece which can lightly rotate an operation member to rotate an display body, while exhibiting a high level of waterproof performance around the operation member. One of the pipe and a shaft portion of the operation member inserted into the pipe has a first annular contact surface, and a second annular contact surface that have different diameters A packing capable of elastic deformation and configured to effect waterproofing between the pipe and the shaft portion is mounted. In operation, the packing is selectively brought into contact with the first and second contact surfaces such that the packing is pressed harder on one of the first and second contact surfaces than on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Masahiro Ishida
  • Publication number: 20160070233
    Abstract: Provision of a timepiece which, although it can suppress a malfunction of the display body in the case, can lightly rotate the operation member causing the display body to operate in conjunction therewith, and which exhibits high level of reliability in waterproof performance around the operation member. To a case 12 to which a pipe 28 is fixed, there is mounted an operation member 41 conjunction-moving a display body 17 in the case 12 so as to be movable between an operating position and a setting position. One of the pipe 28 and a shaft portion 43 of the operation member 41 inserted into the same has a first annular contact surface 29, and a second annular contact surface 30 forming a diameter different from the diameter that the contact surface 29 forms, and an annular slope 31 extending between these contact surfaces. The other has an annular opposing surface 44 opposite each of the above surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Haruki HIRANUMA, Masahiro ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20160070232
    Abstract: Provision of a timepiece in which it is possible to improve the weathering performance of a stopper means preventing inadvertent rotation or a rotated body accommodated in a case and idling of an operation member rotating a rotated body while, for example, the timepiece is being carried about and in which there is involved no increase in the diameter of the head portion of the operation member. Mounted to a case to which a pipe is fixed is an operation member having a head portion rotated outside the case and a shaft portion inserted into the pipe so as to be movable between a first position and a second position. The operation member is urged by an urging member (coil spring) such that the operation member is arranged at the second position. Inside the case, mounted to the shaft portion is a drive gear constantly in mesh with a driven gear portion of a rotated body (display body) accommodated in the case. A stopper means S is provided inside the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Haruki HIRANUMA, Masahiro ISHIDA
  • Patent number: 9256208
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a timepiece. The time piece comprises a ring-shaped mounting member formed of an elastic material and positioned between the annular shell and the ring-shaped bezel. The ring-shaped mounting member includes an engaging portion having a second engagement surface configured to engage with a first engagement surface formed in the annular shell to restrict the ring-shaped bezel from moving relative to the annular shell in a first axial direction to prevent the ring-shaped bezel from separating from the annular shell. The ring-shaped mounting member is deformable with a force, so that the second engagement surface can slide along the first engagement surface to release ring-shaped bezel from the annular shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Masahiro Ishida
  • Patent number: 9105413
    Abstract: A pushbutton of a portable apparatus is locked against inward axial movement by engagement with a locking member when the locking member is unthreaded a distance A from the apparatus body and brought into abutment with a fixed stopper member. The pushbutton is released from its locked state when the locking member is threaded into the apparatus body and brought out of abutment with the stopper member and into abutment with the apparatus body. In its unlocked state, a head portion of the pushbutton is axially spaced a distance B from an opposedly facing portion of the locking member, wherein A?B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Koremoto Takeda
  • Patent number: 9046875
    Abstract: Provision of a portable apparatus which is of a simple construction and which can prevent a lock member arranged at a lock position where a pushbutton is locked from being erroneously rotated to an excessive degree. A pipe inserted into a through-hole of an apparatus exterior body is fixed to the apparatus exterior body. The pipe consists of a single component, and has a male screw portion and a stopper portion on an external arrangement tube portion thereof. A lock member is provided with a female screw portion, a lock part, and a lock portion configured to move toward and away from the stopper portion. The two screw portions and are threadedly engaged with each other, and the lock member is mounted so as to be movable in the axial direction of the pipe. A shaft portion of a pushbutton is passed through the pipe, and the pushbutton is urged toward the exterior of the apparatus exterior body by a spring. A head with which the pushbutton is equipped has an opposing portion facing the lock part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Masahiro Ishida
  • Patent number: 9028134
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a portable device, such as a wrist watch, which realizes, with a simple structure, improved waterproof property against water leak associated with a push-in operation. A wrist watch (portable device) includes an outer case (device outer housing), an operation member and a holding ring. The outer case includes a holding portion in which an annular bearing surface is formed. The operation member is made of a soft material having waterproof performance. The operation member includes an annular packing portion to be seated on the bearing surface and a push-in portion integrally connected to the bearing portion, to which the push-in operation is performed from the outside of the device outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki Koshoji, Haruki Hiranuma
  • Publication number: 20150085627
    Abstract: Provision of a timepiece capable of maintaining the reliability in holding a state where a bezel is mounted to a shell, preventing the wobble of the bezel as well as regulating a rotation operation torque without using a dedicated packing material. A timepiece 11 includes a case 12 having a shell 21, a ring-shaped bezel 41 and a ring-shaped mounting member 51. An engaging projection 33 extending in a circumferential direction is formed at an outer periphery of an annular convex portion 31 included in the shell 21. The bezel 41 has an inner peripheral concave portion 44 surrounding the outer periphery of the annular convex portion 31. The mounting member 51 includes an outer peripheral portion 52 arranged in the inner peripheral concave portion 44, an inner peripheral portion 54 continued from the outer peripheral portion 52 and an engaging portion 56 formed in the inner peripheral portion 54.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Haruki HIRANUMA, Masahiro ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20150043314
    Abstract: Provision of a portable apparatus which is of a simple construction and which can prevent a lock member arranged at a lock position where a pushbutton is locked from being erroneously rotated to an excessive degree. A pipe inserted into a through-hole of an apparatus exterior body is fixed to the apparatus exterior body. The pipe consists of a single component, and has a male screw portion and a stopper portion on an external arrangement tube portion thereof. A lock member is provided with a female screw portion, a lock part, and a lock portion configured to move toward and away from the stopper portion. The two screw portions and are threadedly engaged with each other, and the lock member is mounted so as to be movable in the axial direction of the pipe. A shaft portion of a pushbutton is passed through the pipe, and the pushbutton is urged toward the exterior of the apparatus exterior body by a spring. A head with which the pushbutton is equipped has an opposing portion facing the lock part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Haruki HIRANUMA, Masahiro ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20140233360
    Abstract: Provision of a portable device capable of improving waterproof property in a push-in operation portion with a simple structure. A wrist watch (portable device) 11 includes an outer case (device outer housing) 12, an operation member 41 and a holding ring 46. The outer case 12 includes a holding portion 35 in which an annular bearing surface 35a is formed. The operation member 41 is made of a soft material having waterproof performance. The operation member 41 includes an annular packing portion 42 to be seated on the bearing surface 35a and a push-in portion 43 integrally connected to the portion, to which push-in operation is performed from the outside of the device outer housing 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki KOSHOJI, Haruki HIRANUMA
  • Patent number: 8636404
    Abstract: A wristwatch includes a case formed of a glass and a back lid attached to a case body that has an annular receiving portion on an inner peripheral surface thereof. An inner frame is integrated into the case body by engaging an engaging portion of the inner frame with the annular receiving portion from the side of the back lid. A movement is supported inside the inner frame, and a plurality of resilient bodies are attached to the inner frame and project from the outer peripheral surface of the inner frame. The resilient bodies are clamped between the inner peripheral surface of the case body and the outer peripheral surface of the inner frame, and are resiliently deformed so as to match a gap between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 8619506
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a movement contained in a timepiece exterior assembly. A panel is fixed onto the movement. Upward engagement convex portions having pressing portions in upper portions thereof are formed in a plurality of locations of the ring member, and a ring member is fixed to the peripheral portion of the movement. A display plate has a plurality of reception portions in a peripheral portion thereof with which the pressing portion comes into contact from above. The reception portions are vertically interposed by an upper surface of the ring member and the pressing portions, the display plate is attached to the ring member, and the panel is covered with the display plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 8556500
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 8547802
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a movement, a ring member, and an hour plate. Upward engagement convex portions of the ring member have contact parts placed near an outer peripheral surface of the ring member. The hour plate has a plurality of interposition portions and a plurality of convex portion accommodation grooves opened to the peripheral surface thereof. The interposition portions divide the convex portion accommodation grooves, come into close contact with the contact parts in the state of being elastically deformed, and interpose the engagement convex portions therebetween along a direction perpendicular to a radial direction of the ring member. The convex portion accommodation grooves are housed in the respective engagement convex portions, and the hour plate is attached to the ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 8419269
    Abstract: To provide a portable timepiece in which water is not easily allowed to enter the timepiece exterior assembly with the completion of venting, the timepiece is equipped with a vent valve mounted to a timepiece exterior assembly. The vent valve is equipped with a valve body holder fixed to the timepiece exterior assembly, a ring-shaped packing supported by the holder and elastically deformable, and a valve body movable between a valve-closed position and a valve-open position. The valve body has a valve body shaft portion, a valve body head integral with this shaft portion, and an exhaust recess formed in the valve body shaft portion. The valve body shaft portion axially extends through the valve body holder while in contact with the inner peripheral portion of the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 8408785
    Abstract: To provide a portable timepiece whose vent valve construction is simple, in which the vent valve is not easily erroneously opened, and in which water is not easily allowed to enter the timepiece exterior assembly with the completion of venting. A wristwatch is equipped with a vent valve mounted to a timepiece exterior assembly. The vent valve is equipped with a pipe, a valve body, a retaining member, and packing formed of a seal material capable of elastic deformation. The timepiece exterior assembly is equipped with the pipe establishing communication between the interior and exterior thereof. The pipe has a valve seat surface, a stopper portion, and a male screw portion. The valve body is equipped with a valve body shaft portion inserted into the pipe, and a valve body head integral with this shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 8333502
    Abstract: A portable timepiece has a timepiece exterior assembly with a button mounting hole having seal surfaces and escape portions. An exhaust button has a shaft portion and a button portion connected to the shaft portion and configured to be pushed inward from an exterior of the assembly. An urging member is provided between the button portion and the assembly for urging the exhaust button toward the exterior of the assembly. Seal members are mounted to the shaft portion in correspondence with the seal surfaces. The seal members undergo movement between a sealing position in which they are held in contact with the respective seal surfaces with interference through axial reciprocation of the exhaust button, and an exhaust position in which the seal members are opposed to the respective escape portions. In the sealing position, the seal members define a closed space formed by the shaft portion and the escape portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
  • Patent number: 8333503
    Abstract: A portable timepiece has a timepiece exterior assembly with a mounting hole having seal surfaces and escape portions. A valve member has a shaft portion movably inserted into the mounting hole and a head portion connected to the shaft portion. An urging member is provided between the head portion and the assembly for urging the valve member toward the interior of the assembly. Seal members are mounted to the shaft portion in correspondence with the seal surfaces. The seal members are configured to be moved between a sealing position in which the seal members are held in contact with the seal surfaces, and an exhaust position in which the seal members are opposed to the respective escape portions. In the sealing position, the seal members define a closed space together with an outer periphery of the shaft portion and the escape portions opposed to the outer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
  • Patent number: 8325565
    Abstract: A timepiece is equipped with a movement (module), a solar cell panel, a ring member, and a dial (timepiece display plate). The panel is fixed to the module. The ring member is fixed to the peripheral portion of the movement. The ring member has, at a plurality of positions thereof, recesses, and a pair of engagement protrusions protruding upwardly from the bottom of each recess. The recesses are respectively open in an upper surface and the outer peripheral surface of the ring member. The pair of engagement protrusions form a gap G between them, and are capable of elastic deformation. A proximal portion of each engagement protrusion is situated below the upper surface of the ring member. The dial has cutouts at a plurality of positions of its peripheral portion. Each of these cutouts is engaged with each pair of engagement protrusions to cover the panel, and the dial is mounted to the ring member such that the peripheral portions of the cutouts cover the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai