TRAVEL WATCH STAND
A travel watch stand includes a base and a watch holder connected to the base by a folding support arm which pivots in multiple places and can be selectively raised to support the watch holder in an elevated position above the base when deployed, and selectively lowered to form a compact shape where the watch holder lies flat on the base when collapsed. The arm is concealed in an opening in the base when lowered. A storage tray for holding cufflinks, rings, coins and other items can be provided in the base alongside the opening for the folding arm. The watch holder and support arm can be deployed and positioned in many different ways to accommodate watches and jewelry of different size, shape and weight and to display them in various ways. The base can be enlarged and provided with multiple storage compartments to serve as a valet tray.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/403,203, filed Sep. 1, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the InventionThis invention relates generally to watch stands, and more particularly, has reference to a new and improved watch stand which is especially adapted for use when travelling.
II. State of the ArtWatch stands are well-known as a way for storing and displaying watches. Indeed, there are many watch users, and particularly those who own and use expensive watches, who place their watch on a special stand next to their bed at night, or simply when the watch is not being worn while at work. The watch stand keeps the watch safe and helps prevent the scratches and blemishes that can occur when placing a watch on a hard surface. It also helps to protect the watch against being accidentally bumped or knocked off a table, which may be damaging to expensive watches.
However, a problem arises when the user of a high end wrist watch is travelling. A watch stand that is suitable for use at home may not be suitably portable for travelling, in that it may not fit conveniently into a travelling bag, or it may have a tendency to become dismembered or break.
In addition, most watch stands have a limited utility even when used at home because they are designed to hold a watch and nothing else. They also lack the ability to be adjusted to accommodate different size watches or to display the watches in different ways. Moreover, many watch stands are made with a hard marble base for stability which posses a risk of damage to the watch should the watch be accidentally dropped onto the base.
Thus, a need exists for a watch stand which can keep a watch safe, secure, and accessible, but which is portable and capable of being easily fit into a small travel case or pouch when the watch owner is travelling, which can store watches as well as other items, which is adjustable, and which protects the watch against scratches or damage even when dropped accidently onto the watch stand. The present invention fulfills these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBriefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved watch stand which offers a secure and stable platform for storing and displaying a watch at home or in the office when it is not being worn and for protecting the watch against scratches, dings and other damage, yet is capable of being collapsed into a compact configuration for storage and travel and expanded into an upright or extended configuration for use. The device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use. It can be kept on a dresser or bedside table, or used in the office on a desk. The watch stand saves time by avoiding the need to store the watch in its case when not in use. The watch stand keeps the watch on display and provides easy access to the watch for when you want to wear it or take it off.
More specifically, and in presently preferred embodiment, by way of example and necessarily by way of limitation, the present invention is embodied in a watch stand that comprises a base with an elongated opening, a watch holder with top and bottom sides, an elongate support arm with a first end rotatably coupled to the base and a second end rotatably coupled to the watch holder, and wherein the stand assembly is capable of transitioning from a first configuration with the bottom of the watch holder lying flat against the top of the base and with the support arm received into and concealed by the opening which is at least partially covered by the watch holder, to a second configuration with the watch holder elevated to a position above base and held in position by the support arm. The first configuration is a flat configuration in which the stand assembly is capable of being fit into a carrying case.
In a preferred embodiment, the support arm includes a lower arm rotatably coupled to the base and an upper arm rotatably coupled to the bottom of the watch holder, with the upper and lower arms are rotatably coupled to each other. Preferably, the support arms are rotatably coupled to each other, to the watch holder and to the base by friction joints or friction hinges.
In a preferred embodiment, the watch holder has a variable orientation relative to the base when the watch stand is in the second configuration. The support arms also have a variable angular orientation relative to the base and to each other when the watch stand is in the second configuration.
Preferably, the base includes a storage tray sufficiently dimensioned to receive cufflinks, coins, rings and other small jewelry items when the watch stand is in the second configuration. Preferably, the storage tray has side walls sloped at an angle to facilitate removing contents from the tray with a single hand movement. Preferably, the base is covered with soft leather or fabric material to help prevent scratching of the watch and other items stored in the watch stand or accidently dropped onto the base.
In one preferred embodiment, the support arm is disposed at an off-center location relative to the base and the watch holder. In an alternative embodiment, the support arm is disposed at a central location relative the base and the watch holder.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, features of the present invention.
As best seen in
The base 12 is preferably square in shape, about 4.5″ wide on each side and having a height of about 1″. The base may be made of any suitable material, including heavy material such as cast steel covered with a polished metal or pressed aluminum surface, or lightweight material such as metal, plastic or other rigid material covered in a soft leather or fabric material to help prevent scratching of watches and other items stored in the watch stand or accidently dropped onto the base. A large portion of the upper surface 18 of the base 16 preferably includes a depression, or tray 20 which is rectangular in plan view. The depression 20 is configured to conveniently receive and store cufflinks, rings, coins, or other items that would be useful to keep together in one place for easy locating. The depth of the tray 20 is preferably about ¾″ vertically, and it may have vertical sides 22 or, more preferably, front and rear sides 24 sloped at an angle such as 45 degrees to facilitate the act of scooping out the contents of the tray in a single hand movement.
The upper surface 18 of the base 16 also includes an elongated opening 26, running from back to front alongside the tray 20, sized and configured to receive the support arm assembly 16 (described in more detail below), which in the collapsed condition (shown in
The support arm assembly 16 can be configured in many different ways, but is preferably in the form of a folding arm with a two bar linkage and a three-point hinged construction that comprises an upper arm 32 and a lower arm 34 attached to each other by a middle pivot pin connection 36, as best shown in
While
In a preferred embodiment, a single folding arm assembly 16 (as shown) is used to support the watch holder 14 above the base 12. However, multiple folding arms can be used, if desired, with each arm being concealed in a slot 26 in the base 12 when folded.
The watch holder 14, or watch storage element, in a preferred configuration is a soft padded leather or fabric covered cushion, slightly smaller in size than the base 12, but large enough to lie flat on the base in the collapsed condition, so as to substantially cover both the storage tray 20 and the slot 26 as shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the watch holder 14 does not fully cover the top of the storage tray 20 when the watch stand 10 is in the collapsed condition, but rather leaves a small gap or opening 78 into the tray around the perimeter of the watch holder, as best shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the watch holder 14 is rectangular in shape, about 3.5″ wide by about 2.75″ deep and having a height of about 1″, although those dimensions can be varied, as desired. It preferably includes a rigid bottom plate 80 with a padded cushion 82 affixed to the top surface thereof. The bottom surface 48 of the plate 80 is connected to the flange 46 which in turn is rotatably coupled to the support arm assembly 16. It will be appreciated that when the watch stand 10 is in the expanded condition as shown in
When the watch stand 10 is in an expanded condition and ready for use, the watch holder 14 is preferably elevated about 4-5″ above the base 12, preferably aligned horizontally with the base, and is sized to allow the watch user to remove his or her watch from their wrist and rest it on top of the watch holder, or more preferably, place the watch case face up on top of the cushion and wrap the watch strap around the watch holder. After being wrapped around the watch holder 14, the watch strap may be left loose or it may be closed to secure the watch onto the watch holder as shown, for example, in
The watch stand 10 may be placed on a bedside table, or any convenient support surface, and receive a watch for safe storage. At the same time, the storage tray 20 may receive cuff links and other valuables which are protected against being accidentally brushed off the table or misplaced when not in use.
The use of three pivot connections 36, 42, 50—one under the watch holder 14, one between the folding arms 32, 34, and one in the base 12—has the advantage of allowing the user to deploy the support arms 32, 34 and the watch holder 14 at varying angles and in many different ways to adjust the watch stand 10 for optimal use in the expanded condition.
In a preferred configuration, as shown in
In an alternative configuration, as shown in
In yet another alternative configuration, as shown in
In each of the foregoing configurations, the watch holder 14 can be titled slightly forward at an angle relative to the base 12, as best shown in
It will be appreciated that the foregoing is not an exhaustive list of possible configurations, and that many different angles and orientations for the support arms 32, 34 and the watch holder 14 are possible when deployed, as desired by the user of the watch stand 10.
The ability to adjust the deployed position of the support arms 32, 34 and watch holder 14 provides several advantages. Among other things, it allows the user to adjust the relative position of the watch holder 14 and base 12 to accommodate watches and jewelry of different size and shape, to display them in various ways, to balance the weight distribution of the watch stand 10 for improved stability when in use, and to increase or decrease access to and visibility of the storage tray 20 in the base.
The watch stands 10 and 210 illustrated in
One example of a larger watch stand 210 is the embodiment shown in
Yet another example of a larger watch stand is the embodiment shown in
While the watch holder has been described as being useful for storing and displaying watches, it also can be used to hold and display jewelry items like bracelets, necklaces and chains by hanging or draping them over the watch holder. As such, the watch stand can be used in the home, if desired, to organize a jewelry collection and keep a dresser clutter-free, or can be used at work or when travelling to keep jewelry items in sight and easily accessible when not being worn.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the watch stand of the present invention is a novel and useful device for safely storing and displaying a watch and other valuable jewelry at night or other times, while in an expanded condition, and which also may be conveniently collapsed for storage while travelling. The invention allows the convenience of a portable and elegant watch stand that may solve the needs of a traveler wearing a high end wrist watch and other valuable items. It also has the ability to be adjusted by the user to accommodate and display watches and jewelry in different ways, and protect them against scratches or damage even if accidently dropped onto the watch stand.
While several particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing form the spirt and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is not intended that this invention is limited, except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A collapsible stand assembly for watches and jewelry, comprising:
- a base with a bottom adapted to rest on a surface and a top with an elongated opening therein;
- a watch holder with a top and a bottom;
- an elongate support arm with a first end rotatably coupled to the base and a second end rotatably coupled to the watch holder; and
- wherein the stand assembly is capable of transitioning from a first configuration with the bottom of the watch holder lying flat against the top of the base and with the support arm received into and concealed by the opening which is at least partially covered by the watch holder, to a second configuration with the watch holder elevated to a position above base and held in position by the support arm.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support arm and the base and the support arm and the watch holder are rotatably coupled by pivot connections that permits relative pivoting movement between the coupled components with sufficient frictional resistance to hold the watch holder elevated in a selected position above the base when in the second configuration.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pivot connections are friction joints or friction hinges.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support arm includes a lower arm rotatably coupled to the base and an upper arm rotatably coupled to the watch holder, and wherein the upper and lower arms are rotatably coupled to each other.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lower arm is rotatably coupled to the base by a friction hinge mounted in the base.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the upper arm is rotatably coupled to the watch holder by a friction joint connected to an aperture in the upper arm and connected to an opening in a flange attached to the bottom of the watch holder.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the upper and lower arms are rotatably coupled to each other by a friction joint.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the watch holder is adapted to hold a watch or jewelry item, and comprises a rigid bottom plate with top and bottom surfaces, the bottom surface being connected to the support arm and the top surface having a cushion disposed thereon, wherein the cushion provides a contact surface for supporting a watch or jewelry item in a viewable orientation.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the watch holder has a variable orientation relative to the base when the stand assembly is in the second configuration.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support arm has a variable angular orientation relative to the base when the stand assembly is in the second configuration.
11. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the upper and lower arms have a variable angular orientation relative to each other when the stand assembly is in the second configuration.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base includes a storage tray sufficiently dimensioned to receive cufflinks, coins, rings and other small jewelry items when the stand assembly is in the second configuration.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the storage tray has side walls sloped at an angle to facilitate removing contents from the tray with a single hand movement.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the storage tray is separated from the elongated opening by a dividing wall.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the watch holder does not fully cover the storage tray when the stand assembly is in the first configuration.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support arm is disposed at a central location relative to the base and the watch holder.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support arm is disposed at an off-center location relative the base and the watch holder.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first configuration is a flat configuration in which the stand assembly is capable of being fit into a carrying case.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening is sized to closely match the size of the support arm received therein in terms of length, watch and depth when the stand assembly is in the first configuration.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is a valet tray with multiple storage compartments.
21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is covered with a soft leather or fabric material.
22. A collapsible stand assembly for watches and jewelry, comprising:
- a base;
- a watch holder;
- a support arm with a first end rotatably coupled to the base and a second end rotatably coupled to the watch holder;
- wherein the stand assembly is capable of transitioning from a first configuration with the watch holder lying flat against the base to a second configuration with the watch holder elevated to a position above the base and held in position by the support arm; and wherein
- the support arm includes a lower arm rotatably coupled to the base, an upper arm rotatably coupled to the watch holder, with the upper arm rotatably coupled to the lower arm, all by pivot connections that permit relative pivoting movement between the coupled components with sufficient frictional resistance to hold the watch holder elevated in a selected position above the base when in the second configuration.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the pivot connections are friction joints or friction hinges.
24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the upper arm is rotatably coupled to a flange attached to the bottom of the watch holder.
25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the watch holder has a variable orientation relative to the base when the stand assembly is in the second configuration.
26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the upper and lower arms have a variable angular orientation relative to each other when the stand assembly is in the second configuration.
27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the base includes a storage tray sufficiently dimensioned to receive cufflinks, coins, rings and other small jewelry items when the stand assembly is in the second configuration.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the storage tray is separated from the elongated opening by a dividing wall.
29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the opening is sized to closely match the size of the support arm received therein in terms of length, watch and depth when the stand assembly is in the first configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 23, 2023
Publication Date: Mar 7, 2024
Applicant: Wolf 1834 (Inglewood, CA)
Inventor: Simon P. Wolf (Los Angeles, CA)
Application Number: 18/237,370