Waterproofing Patents (Class 368/291)
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Patent number: 10684648Abstract: There is disclosed herein a water tight submersible electronic device, such as a dive computer or a dive watch, comprising a case, a bezel, and glass through which a display can be viewed. The glass, case and bezel can all be different materials. The bezel is affixed to the case, in a permanent or removable manner, and has an opening for the glass and an electronic display. The electronic display is positioned under the glass and within the electronic device. For example, the glass is separated from and locked to the bezel by at least a locking ring, a shock absorber and/or a gasket. As such the glass can be free floating so that it and the bezel can deform under pressure without being damaged or causing damage to each other while maintaining a water tight connection.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Suunto OyInventors: Panu Perko, Mikko Sepänniitty, Tapio Savolainen
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Patent number: 10466651Abstract: Watch glass (1) including a first element (2) made of a first material and a second element (3) made of a second material different from the first, more elastic than the first material, the second element (3) includes a skirt (3b) in its lower part, and the two elements (2, 3) are fixed to each other so that the first element (2) is oriented toward the exterior of a watch and the skirt of the second element (3) is adapted for the assembly of the watch glass (1) to a watch middle (4).Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: MONTRES TUDOR SAInventors: Gregory Schmidt, Frank Vernay
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Patent number: 10458552Abstract: A valve includes a valve seat having a hole configured as a flow path, a valve body configured to open/close the flow path due to relative movement with respect to the valve seat, an opening member having a first surface fixed to one of the valve seat and the valve body, a second surface configured to separate away and abut the other one of the valve seat and the valve body, a third surface which intersects the first and second surfaces, and an opening penetrating the first and second surfaces, a fixing member that fixes the first surface to the one of the valve seat and the valve body, and an inclined portion, which makes an interval between the one of the valve seat and the valve body and the first surface long in a direction from the opening to the third surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Yukimasa Ishida, Kenji Ochiai, Taiki Hanagami, Daisuke Noguchi, Hironori Matsuoka
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Patent number: 10412846Abstract: An electronic device and a housing structure thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a transparent member; a metallic housing surrounding a boundary of the transparent member, and forming a lateral outer appearance of the electronic device; and a non-metallic absorption member arranged inside the metallic housing. The non-metallic absorption member is arranged to face a side surface of the transparent member. The metallic housing comprises a protection portion arranged adjacent to the boundary of the transparent member. An interlace between the non-metallic absorption member and the protection portion, which faces the transparent member, is disposed inward relative to a first virtual extension line virtually extending along an external surface of the transparent member. An inner surface of the protection portion facing the non-metallic absorption member includes a surface inclined at a preset angle with respect to a front or rear direction of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Hai Phan Thanh, Linh Ngo Van, Anh Nguyen Tuan, Cuong Nguyen Xuan, Doan Tran Van
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Patent number: 10345760Abstract: A device case includes a resin case body having an opening which is disposed on a viewing face of the case body and a step which is disposed on an interior of the opening and protruding further to the interior than an inner face of the opening. The device case further includes a windproof member having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the opening of the case body and larger than an inner diameter of the step; and an adhesive section bonding and fixing the windproof member at a position to seal the opening of the case body. The adhesive section has higher flexibility than the case body.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventor: Eri Kayano
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Patent number: 10261476Abstract: Portable object comprising a frame arranged to serve as a cradle for a control stem, the actuation in rotation of which makes it possible to control at least one electronic or mechanical function of the portable object, a magnetized ring being driven in rotation by the control stem, the rotation of the magnetized ring being detected by at least one inductive sensor disposed inside a housing of the frame inside which the inductive sensor is held by elastic means.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Vittorio Zanesco, Pascal Lagorgette, Pascal Meyer, Damien Schmutz, Raphael Balmer
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Patent number: 10235860Abstract: A location beacon assembly includes a wrist band that may be worn on a wrist. A beacon unit is coupled to the wrist band. The beacon unit is turned on when the beacon unit is exposed to water. The beacon unit selectively emits blue light. Thus, the beacon unit is visible at a maximum depth in water thereby facilitating a swimmer to be located when the swimmer is drowning. The beacon selectively emits an echolocation sound that has a frequency ranging between 10 kHz and 20 kHz. Thus, the beacon unit is audible at a maximum depth in water thereby facilitating the swimmer to be located when the swimmer is drowning.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Inventors: Irene Skidmore, Clayton Skidmore
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Patent number: 10073418Abstract: Sub-assembly of external parts for a watch, comprising a water-resistant joint between a first and a second component, which are screwed, one on the other, the first component supports a first inclined toothing, which cooperates with a second inclined toothing of the second component, the first component or second component, or a second ring interposed between them comprises a zone which is elastically deformable under the action of a relative rotation between the first and the second component which is caused by an external force, and the deformation range of which allows compression of the elastically deformable zone allowing clearance of the teeth tips during the relative rotation and a release of this zone, allowing return to cooperation of the tips and the hollows of the teeth in a new relative angular position.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Omega SAInventor: Philippe Loetscher
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Patent number: 9618904Abstract: A watch case includes a case middle made of plastic or electroformed material and a crystal. The crystal or the case middle includes elbowed catches that are each insertable in a bayonet fitting in a recess of the case middle or the crystal. The case also includes a rotation stop angularly securing the case middle and the crystal in an angular position such that a part of each catch is frontally locked behind a holding surface of the case middle or of the crystal. The rotation stop is frontally snap-fitted on the case middle and/or the crystal by snap-fit fingers that cooperate with a complementary stop surface of the case middle and/or of the crystal.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Vincent Meyer, Thierry Altenhoven, Ines Rustenberg
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Patent number: 9323225Abstract: A timepiece provided with a metal case having a fitting section which is annularly provided in a lower portion of the inner circumferential surface, a metal lid body having a lid main body section which is arranged on a lower end of the case and covers a lower portion of the case and a cylindrical section which is arranged in the fitting section of the case, and a synthetic resin gasket having a gasket main body section which is arranged between the fitting section of the case and the cylindrical section of the lid body and a spacer section which forms a space between a lower end surface of the case and an upper surface of the lid main body section.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventor: Yoshihiro Maruyama
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Patent number: 9176481Abstract: To provide a timepiece which is easy to produce, a timepiece includes a case forming a ring shape; a back cover fitted to a back side of the case, and a fixing member forming a ring shape running along the circumferential direction of an inner peripheral part of the case, and having a fixing function for fixing the back cover to the case. The case is harder than the fixing member. The fixing member is disposed between the case and the back cover, and is compressed and deformed therebetween, thereby making it possible to fulfill the fixing function.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takumi Oshio
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Patent number: 9019800Abstract: A sealing device for a minute-repeater mechanism, comprising a striking work control bolt which can move in an aperture of a case between a rest position and a pulled-out position. The case includes a seat for receiving in sealed abutment, in the rest position of the bolt, a first sealing gasket mounted in a sealed manner on the bolt and moveable therewith, and which is at a distance from the seat when the bolt is in a pulled-out position for operating the striking work. The case includes a chamber, one wall of which comprises the aperture, which limits the travel of a second sliding sealing gasket in which the bolt slides in a sealed manner, and which is in sealed abutment on an inner surface of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventor: Frederic Dupuis
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Patent number: 8699305Abstract: A solar cell electronic device includes a cover glass fitted into a case opening of an exterior case via a glass packing, and a solar panel disposed on the back face of the cover glass with a predetermined distance from the cover glass. The case opening has a base portion on the inner periphery thereof for mounting an outer peripheral portion of the cover glass and for positioning the solar panel in a plane direction. The glass packing includes a packing main body interposed between the case opening and the cover glass, and a flange portion that extends from an end on the base portion side of the packing main body and that is interposed between the cover glass and the base portion. The base portion has a base opening through which at least a part of the flange portion is exposed.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Hisao Nakamura, Hiroshi Kawamata
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Patent number: 8573833Abstract: A timepiece, comprising first and second arms connected at one end at an acute angle, and a bar locking system located in a wedge area of the timepiece where the arms are connected at the acute angle, wherein the first and second arms are hollow such that they can house electrical components, and wherein the bar locking system is employed to attach the timepiece to a leash plug of a surfboard.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Inventors: Eric Yang, Meghan Yang
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Patent number: 8472285Abstract: A submersible device for keeping track of a swimmer's session transpired times. It includes a case which is pivotally adjustable in relation to a base, and which contains both a watertight and a ballast compartment to decrease the buoyancy of the device when in use in water. The device may include a lap counter and a proximity sensor activated by the proximity of a swimmer wearing a proximity transmitter. A high contrast liquid crystal display is used to improve visibility.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Inventor: Lawrence James Day
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Patent number: 8444313Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an attachable timepiece, comprising: an upper chamber forming a housing for timepiece elements, the upper chamber including a front face having a time display; a lower chamber that is detachable from the upper chamber by way of a locking system; and a means for attaching the timepiece to an object.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Inventors: Eric Yang, Meghan Yang
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Patent number: 8419269Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
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Patent number: 8408785Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
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Patent number: 8333504Abstract: A timepiece has a valve that discharges gas from an exterior assembly and includes a casing, a valve member that moves from a closed position to an open position in accordance with an inner pressure of the assembly, an exhaust button movable into the casing, a first spring urging the button and valve member away from each other, and a second spring urging the button toward the exterior of the assembly. When an inner pressure of the assembly is greater than a force of the first spring, the valve member is moved to the open position and a portion of the gas accumulates between the valve member and the button. When the button is moved into the casing, the accumulated gas is discharged to the exterior of the assembly by which the valve member is maintained at the closed position by the spring force of the first spring.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Yoshio Hozumi, Kazutaka Imai
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Patent number: 8333503Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
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Patent number: 8333502Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
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Patent number: 8322916Abstract: A watch comprises a case, an electronic movement module inside the case, a piece of closed-cell foam inside the case, and a dielectric liquid filling the remaining voids of the interior of the case. The closed-cell foam compensates for thermal expansion of the dielectric liquid over a wide range of operating temperatures. Upon heating, the liquid expands and the foam is compressed. Upon cooling, the liquid contracts and the foam is decompressed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Inventor: Jeremy James Patt
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Patent number: 8235586Abstract: A smart card watch comprises a watch head (1) and straps (2). A timepiece device and a smart card device are provided in the watch head (1), and a card slot (126) is provided on the side of the watch head (1). People can easily carry the smart card (153) with the watch which cannot be lost easily and they can conveniently change smart cards having different functions any time and anywhere they want. The smart card has great functions and can be used and operated easily. Furthermore, the timepiece device and the smart card device are installed in separate sealed chambers, a first chamber (14) and a second chamber (15) in the watch head (1), thus the timepiece device can be well protected such that it has a prolonged endurance and an ensured working stability. Even if the backcover (13) is opened to repair the smart card device, the normal operation of the timepiece device and the water-tightness of the first chamber (14) are not affected.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: LAKS GmbHInventors: Chen Li, Lucas Alexander Karl Scheybal
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Publication number: 20120155230Abstract: A watch comprises a case, an electronic movement module inside the case, a piece of closed-cell foam inside the case, and a dielectric liquid filling the remaining voids of the interior of the case. The closed-cell foam compensates for thermal expansion of the dielectric liquid over a wide range of operating temperatures. Upon heating, the liquid expands and the foam is compressed. Upon cooling, the liquid contracts and the foam is decompressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventor: Jeremy James Patt
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Patent number: 8096703Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AGInventors: Bertrand Carrard, Clement Meyrat
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Publication number: 20110235477Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
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Publication number: 20110235476Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
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Patent number: 7901129Abstract: This watch case comprises a protective casing surrounded by a middle (5) and a bezel (9). The protective casing includes a glass (3), a side wall (2) and a bottom (1). A planar peripheral surface extending along the entire edge of the inner face of the glass is in contact with a similar bearing surface on the side wall (2), at least part of which forms the width of the cross section of a pressure resistant structure having parallel lateral faces (SR) perpendicular to the bearing surface, and which extends without a gap as far as the bottom (1) of the casing. The components of the casing are secured and sealed with at least one annular seal (4) surrounding the lateral face of the glass (3) and the outer lateral face of the side wall (2) of the casing, and this seal is clamped.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Rolex S.A.Inventors: Jean-Louis Bertrand, William Passaquin
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Publication number: 20110051572Abstract: There is provided a wristwatch 1 in which a degassing valve with an exhaust button is attached to a timepiece exterior assembly, and in which the gas in the exterior assembly is allowed to escape to the exterior through pushing-in of the button. The valve is equipped with a valve casing providing communication between the interior and exterior of the exterior assembly, a valve member accommodated in the valve casing and moved from a closed position to an open position when the interior of the exterior assembly is not less than a predetermined pressure, the button accommodated in the valve casing so as to allow pushing-in, a first coil spring urging the button and the valve member away from each other, and a second coil spring urging the button toward the exterior of the exterior assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Yoshio Hozumi, Kazutaka Imai
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Publication number: 20110051570Abstract: A wristwatch is equipped with a timepiece exterior assembly, an exhaust button, a coil spring, and seal members. A pipe provided in the exterior assembly so as to establish communication between the interior and exterior thereof has seal surfaces and escape portions. The button is equipped with a shaft portion inserted into the pipe and exhibiting a detachment preventing portion to be caught by a pipe edge portion from within the exterior assembly, and a button portion depressed from the outside of the exterior assembly. The spring, which urges the button in an anti-pushing-in direction, is provided between the button portion and the timepiece exterior assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
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Publication number: 20110051571Abstract: A wristwatch is equipped with a timepiece exterior assembly, a valve member, a coil spring, and seal members. A pipe provided in the exterior assembly so as to establish communication between the interior and exterior thereof has seal surfaces and escape portions. The valve member is equipped with a valve member shaft portion inserted into the pipe and exhibiting a detachment preventing portion to be caught by a pipe edge portion from the outside of the exterior assembly, and a valve member head portion arranged inside the exterior assembly. The spring, which urges the valve member toward the inner side of the exterior assembly, is provided between the valve member head portion and the timepiece exterior assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
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Patent number: 7520665Abstract: A marine instrument, such as a clock, barometer, or thermometer, has a face having indicia associated with the face, an instrument movement, and at least one hand having a direct or indirect connection to the movement and positioned to move with respect to the face, or a display connected to an electronic movement. The components are encased within a casing that is water tight to at least 12 inches (e.g. about 30 feet) of water. A vent, such as a porous plastic plug, allows the passage of air in and out of a substantially water-tight volume containing the movement, but precludes water passage up to the rated pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Trintec Industries Inc.Inventors: Brendon G. Nunes, Gregory J. T. Lowe-Wylde
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Publication number: 20090069120Abstract: Embodiments of a Golf Round Pace Regulator timing device is shown and described. The timer, with a custom course specific face decal, illustrates the time allocated to each hole on the golf course to help golfers maintain a steady pace of play to complete the course in the time allotted by the golf course management. The golfer(s) are responsible for maintaining the same pace on the course as the pace of the timer's moving clock hand across the easy to read face decal. The timer solves the problem of slow play and decreased course revenue due to slow play. The timer solves the expensive customization manufacturing problem since it may be mass produced, and after manufacturing the customized course decal may be created and applied. The Timer is easy to implement and use on any golf course.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventor: Ellen Mosher
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Publication number: 20090040881Abstract: A wristwatch (portable apparatus) is provided with a wristwatch exterior (apparatus exterior) having a through hole, a pipe, a push button, a coil spring, and a packing in a ring-like shape. The pipe is formed by providing an outwardly arranged cylinder portion having a spring receiving face integrally with an inserting cylinder portion. The pipe is fixed to the timepiece exterior by inserting the inserting cylinder portion to the through hole, and the outwardly arranged cylinder portion is arranged at an outer portion of the timepiece exterior. The push button includes a drawout preventing member attached to a shaft portion movably penetrating the pipe for preventing the shaft portion from being drawn out from the pipe, and an operating head provided at the shaft portion. The coil spring for urging the push button to an outer side of the timepiece exterior is interposed by the operating head and the spring receiving face.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Yoshio Hozumi, Kazutaka Imai
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Publication number: 20090010111Abstract: This watch case comprises a protective casing surrounded by a middle (5) and a bezel (9). The protective casing includes a glass (3), a side wall (2) and a bottom (1). A planar peripheral surface extending along the entire edge of the inner face of the glass is in contact with a similar bearing surface on the side wall (2), at least part of which forms the width of the cross section of a pressure resistant structure having parallel lateral faces (SR) perpendicular to the bearing surface, and which extends without a gap as far as the bottom (1) of the casing. Means for securing and sealing the components of the casing comprise at least one annular seal (4) surrounding the lateral face of the glass (3) and the outer lateral face of the side wall (2) of the casing, and means (8, 5a) for radially clamping this seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: ROLEX S.AInventors: Jean-Louis BERTRAND, William PASSAQUIN
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Patent number: 7431495Abstract: A damping device, more particularly for a watchcase, includes a case (1) the back (7) of which has an extension provided with a groove (13) holding a gasket (14). The device further includes a support (2, 3) the lower segment (2) of which has a compression chamber (18) cooperating with the extension of the back of case (1), this extension being able to move axially, and in air-tight fashion, in this chamber (18). This lower segment (2) of the support is linked to a ring (3) against which case (1) leans in its rest position.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Richemont International S.A.Inventors: Christophe Cretin, Laurent Morel
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Patent number: 7403450Abstract: A timepiece having an external case, a sound source disposed inside the external case, an internal filter that is gas permeable and waterproof and is disposed opposite with a gap to the external case and the sound source, and a communication opening that communicates the space between the external case and the internal filter with the outside. The internal filter is a porous thin film that has a large number of small holes and assures waterproofness preventing water from passing the small holes for at least ten minutes when in contact with water at normal pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Noriaki Ozawa
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Publication number: 20080112270Abstract: A water-proof watch case and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. First, a design of a case and a bottom lid is decided, and a mold according to the design is fabricated accordingly. Next, a hard plastic material is injected into the mold to form the case and the bottom lid. Next, a soft plastic material is injected at an outer rim of the case to form at least one button, and a soft plastic material is injected at a conjunction between the case and the bottom lid to form a water-proof gasket. Finally, the hard and soft plastic materials are heated to adhere the button and the water-proof gasket to the outer rim of the case and the conjunction between the bottom lid and the case respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: GLOBALSAT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ming-Lung Yeh, Ming-Jian Su
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Publication number: 20080049561Abstract: A timepiece having an external case, a sound source disposed inside the external case, an internal filter that is gas permeable and waterproof and is disposed opposite with a gap to the external case and the sound source, and a communication opening that communicates the space between the external case and the internal filter with the outside. The internal filter is a porous thin film that has a large number of small holes and assures waterproofness preventing water from passing the small holes for at least ten minutes when in contact with water at normal pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Noriaki OZAWA
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Patent number: 7234858Abstract: The invention relates to a watch case comprising a case middle (16), a bezel (18) mounted so that it can turn on the middle and defining between them an annular chamber (36) and a gap (40) open towards the outside of the case, a glass (22) mounted in sealed fashion on the bezel, a seal (42) inserted between the bezel and the middle and arranged in said chamber (36). According to the invention said seal comprises a ring (44) of annular shape made of a material of the highly elastically deformable type, of annular shape, and the cross section of which comprises two lips (44a), one bearing against the bezel (18), the other against the case middle (16), and a compression member (48) arranged in said chamber on the side of the gap, inserted between and collaborating with said lips in order to compress them against the bezel and against the case middle, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Eterna SAInventor: Willy Meier
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Patent number: 7149153Abstract: In an electronic watch containing an electric battery assembly of large size, particularly a battery assembly including several batteries or accumulators (41, 42), the diameter of a removable cover (20) closing a large bottom opening of the back cover (14) of the watchcase is limited by the fact that the cover is provided with a bayonet fitting device having locking members (56) radially directed towards the interior. These locking members catch on a fixed support (22) having one or more housings for the battery assembly. They are arranged at the top of a substantially cylindrical annular portion (50) of the cover. A sealing gasket (52) is placed around this annular portion and compressed radially against a cylindrical surface (16) of the periphery of the opening in the back cover, which ensures water-resistance even if the bayonet fitting is not screwed all the way in. According to a variant, the cover can form the entire back cover of the case.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventor: Frédéric Meylan
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Patent number: 7016263Abstract: The invention concerns a device for data entry into a portable object, in particular a watch, with display screen comprising a control button (1) consisting of an elastic mass (2) wherein is housed a permanent magnet (3) and a positioning analogue magnetic sensor (4) with Hall effect for example, arranged inside the object opposite to and spaced apart from said control button (1), said sensor being adapted to measure the movements of the magnet (3) in at least one direction for data entry. The control button (1) is arranged in a blind housing (7) of a non-magnetic wall (5) of the object structure, to be mechanically uncoupled from the sensor, said wall not in contact with said sensor acting as sealing protection for the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: François Gueissaz, Dominique Piguet
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Patent number: 6788623Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Isao Ajiro, Nobukazu Oomori
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Patent number: 6762976Abstract: There is disposed a middle comprising a metallic inner middle (20) in which a movement (30) is housed, and a metallic outer middle (21) covering at least a part of the inner middle, and an elastic shock absorber (35) disposed between the inner middle and the outer middle.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuaki Tamaru, Ryo Fujita, Susumu Tosaka
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Patent number: 6636458Abstract: A waterproof electronic kitchen timer having a casing that can withstand gentle washing under a kitchen faucet for removal by detergents of grease and other soils.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Lux Products CorporationInventor: Greg S. Uptegraph
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Patent number: 6200019Abstract: A device for locking the rotatable bezel of a watch and for rendering the winding button thereof watertight comprises a plastic washer connected to a flat surface of said button, coaxially thereto, so as to engage with circumferential knurling of the rotatable bezel, when the button is in a returned position, adjacent to the casing of the watch, in order to ensure the locking of the bezel. The device further comprises a seal which is carried by the button so as to be compressed between it and the casing when the button is in said returned position, in order to ensure watertightness of the button. Pressure means, movably supported by the casing, in a first position axially press the button holding it in said returned position and, in a second position, permits the outwards movement of the button to a rewinding and resetting position.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1998Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Cartier International B.V.Inventor: Bruno Latini
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Patent number: 5726626Abstract: The invention concerns an acoustic alarm safety device comprising a case (2), a vibrating element (20) associated to a membrane (22) so as to make it vibrate, electrical means for providing a control signal to said vibrating element, and means (18) for actuating the electrical means.This device is characterized in that it further comprises a pierced backcover (28) attached to said case (2) and arranged so as to protect it, and so as to allow a vibration of the set of the vibrating element-membrane (20, 22), said backcover being attached to said case in a manually removable manner, and a fitted ring (26) to which is attached said membrane (22), said ring (26) and said membrane (22) being associated to the case in such a way that the set ring-membrane (26, 22) ensures the waterproofness of the case (2).Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: SMH Management Services AGInventors: Saji Jabbour, Jacques Muller, Laurent Pantet
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Patent number: 5696741Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece, specifically a wrist watch, including a fluid resistant container (19) provided with a framework (20) of plastic material housing the horometric components. Such fluid resistant container (19) is closed by a crystal (22) and by a cell holder compartment lid (40) keyed to the framework and it is fitted out with a stem (26) on such framework rendered fluid resistant. The container is assembled and maintained in place in a metallic case (2) by snap securing means, in particular a bezel (18) which axially compresses a flange (20a) of the framework (20) and a toroidal seal (42) against the case (2). The case can thus be manufactured with loose tolerances. The assembled fluid resistant container and horological movement can be tested prior to its assembly in the case (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1995Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Eta SA Fabriques d'EbauchesInventor: Andre Nussbaum
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Patent number: 5610878Abstract: Desiccation capsule (20) for the interior (32) of an article comprising a first compartment (27) containing a desiccant (30). One wall (22) of the first compartment is perforated by a first opening (25) obturated by a semi-permeable membrane or a filter (23). The moisture on the interior of the article flows through this membrane and is absorbed by the desiccant.One of the walls (29) of the first compartment is transparent and permits the user of the article protected by the capsule to observe any change of colour or of appearance of the desiccant following the absorption of moisture. The capsule can then be withdrawn thanks to non-permanent fastening means (36) of screw or clip type and replaced by a new capsule. It is also possible to reuse the same capsule by heating the desiccant. A stopper (41) permits transport and stocking of the capsule prior to use.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Pont Saint-Germain SAInventors: Roland Pretat, Nadia De Boni
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Patent number: 5598383Abstract: A watch with improved water-proof and pressure-resistance characteristics is disclosed. It comprises: (a) a casing, a bottom cover affixed to the casing, a screw winding crown, and a receiving port on the casing for receiving the screw winding crown; (b) a first double-thread coupling arrangement provided between the screw winding crown and the receiving port; and (c) a second double-thread coupling arrangement provided between the casing and the bottom cover. The first double-thread coupling arrangement comprises an externally and internally threaded annular section provided on the screw winding crown, a matching externally and internally threaded annular recess provided in the receiving port, and a first packing ring provided between the receiving port and the screw winding crown.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1994Date of Patent: January 28, 1997Inventor: Tai H. Li