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(11) | EP 1 189 119 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Digital wristwatch |
| (57) A digital wristwatch comprising a digital wristwatch casing (1), having a front face
(1) bearing a displaying face and a strap (2), having a flat lower part (20) destined
to adhere to the wrist of the person wearing the wristwatch; said digital wristwatch
casing (1) being connected to the said strap (2) and said displaying face on said
front face (10) being in erect position with respect to said lower flat part of the
strap (20). |
[0002] The current form of wristwatch has a flattened casing with round, square or polygonal face which is held according to its plane by means of a strap or bracelet to the wrist of the person wearing it.
[0003] In the human body, the forearm, i.e. the segment of the upper limb included between the elbow region and the wrist region, has the shape of a truncated cone which is flattened in the front-rear direction so to form two faces and two margins. The faces are the inner front face, also called facies volaris, which continues to the palm of the hand, and the outer rear face, also called facies dorsalis. The outer margin is that on the side of the thumb and the other side is called the inner margin.
[0004] By this definition, it is understood that the normal position of the forearm is that in which the margins are vertically overlapped, being the inner front face facing the body and the outer rear face facing the opposite side with respect to the body.
[0005] Since the wristwatch is worn on the wrist and its casing is located on the outer rear face, less commonly on the inner front face, in order to read the time on the face, the forearm must be turned from a neutral position by the wrist essentially to the elbow so to essentially position the margins of the forearm on the same horizontal plane.
[0006] This position which is typical of a piano player or a typist, is generally a working position which, consequently, is not comfortable. Furthermore, due to the said compulsory rotation, a certain time will lapse from the moment in which the decision to read the time is made and the time in which the wristwatch can be read.
[0007] Conversely, in some cases, reading the time may be nearly impossible when both hands are being held to grip an object, for example the steering wheel in certain driving conditions in which the steering wheel must be held normally (hence the frequent presence of a clock fitted on the motor vehicle's dashboard), the boom of a windsurf and in many other cases.
[0008] The objective of this invention is, consequently, to avoid said problems resulting from devices of the known type by providing a wristwatch which allows the time to be read automatically and rapidly.
[0009] Another objective of this invention is to allow reading the time without turning the forearm in particular, which is normally advantageous on the basis of ergonomic considerations and even determining in situations in which the object being gripped cannot be released, such as a steering wheel, a windsurf boom, a tool or similar.
[0010] A secondary objective of this invention is to allow the replacement of the strap or bracelet of a wristwatch in an easy and rapid fashion, according to the intentions of the wearer, for example to match the colour of the strap with that of the other items being worn.
[0011] These objectives and others will be attained by means of a digital wristwatch comprising a digital wristwatch casing, which front face bears a displaying face, and a strap, which lower front part is destined to adhere to the wrist of the person wearing the wristwatch; said digital wristwatch casing being connected to said strap with said displaying face being in erect position with respect to said lower flat part of the strap.
[0012] Characteristics and advantages of this invention will be illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment as non-limiting examples in the enclosed drawings, whereas:
- figure 1 illustrates a prospective view from the bottom of a wristwatch casing according to this invention;
- figure 2 illustrates a prospective view from the top of the wristwatch casing according to figure 1;
- figure 3 illustrates a partial prospective view from the bottom of a wristwatch strap according to this invention;
- figure 4 illustrates a prospective view from the top of a wristwatch casing and respective strap according to this invention being fitted;
- figure 5 illustrates a prospective view from the bottom of a wristwatch casing and respective strap according to this invention being worn;
- figure 6 illustrates a prospective view from the top of the wristwatch strap according to this invention;
- figure 7 illustrates a prospective view from the bottom of the wristwatch strap according to this invention;
- figure 8 illustrates a view of a front end of the wristwatch strap according to this invention;
- figure 9 illustrates a side view of the wristwatch strap according to this invention, and
- figure 10 illustrates a plan view of a wristwatch strap according to this invention.
[0013] In a form of embodiment, a digital wristwatch according to this invention consists of a prismatic casing 1 of a wristwatch and of a strap 2, with fastener strap 3. Suitably, as shown in figures from 1 to 3, the prismatic casing 1 is flattened, but it is stressed that the conformation of said prismatic casing may be different, as required, also according to the type of connection to the strap 2.
[0014] The prismatic casing 1 of a wristwatch has a front face 10, and rear face 11, an upper lateral face 12, a lower lateral face 13, a right-hand lateral face 14 and a left-hand lateral face 15 (hereof, for the sake of simplicity, the term "lateral" will not be repeated and the prismatic casing of a wristwatch will be referred to simply as prismatic casing).
[0015] A face displaying the digital wristwatch data, such as the time (in hours, minutes and seconds), calendar information (day, month, year) and other time-related functions, which are not additionally detailed herein, will be provided on the front face 10.
[0016] Conventionally, as example, control buttons are arranged on the prismatic casing 1 of the digital wristwatch. Said control buttons comprise a multifunctional button 16 for changing wristwatch functions, in order to present the respective data on the displaying face, arranged on the right-hand face 14. References 17 and 18 on the left-hand face 15 indicate a time settings button and a stopwatch function button, respectively. A button 19 is found on the upper face 12 for illuminating the face, while a battery 4 is found on the lower face 13.
[0017] Preferably, the shape of prismatic casing 1 narrows from front face 10 to rear face 11 and from lower face 13 to upper face 12, to reduce the overall dimensions. Furthermore, the edges between side faces 14 and 15 and the upper face 12 are suitably rounded. Furthermore, the lower face 13 has a loop 5, which functions are described below.
[0018] With particular reference to figures from 3 to 10, according to a form of embodiment, the prismatic casing 1 is connected in a removable fashion, to strap 2. The strap 2 is made of an elastomer material band, which lower flat part 20 is destined to adhere to the wrist of the person wearing the wristwatch. As shown in particular in figures 6, 7 and 9, preferably, the conformation of the band is such to narrow in width towards its central part and in thickness from the front end to the rear end.
[0019] The strap 2 presents an opening 21 in the front end and an internal cavity 22 communicating with said opening. The internal cavity 22 has shape and dimensions comparable to those of the prismatic casing of the digital wristwatch so to house it. The elastomer nature of the material of which the strap is made allows the manual operation of the buttons 16, 17, 18 and 19 which project outwards from the prismatic casing 1.
[0020] The opening 21 of the strap is suitably delimited by a frame 21c which purpose is to withhold the prismatic casing 1. In this way, the frame 21c surrounds the front face 10 of the displaying face in an erect position, which is essentially perpendicular with respect to the lower plane 20 of the strap 2.
[0021] Naturally, other methods of connection between the prismatic casing 1 can be implemented, providing that the characteristic feature of this invention is respected.
[0022] The lower flat part 20 has a slot 23 near the loop 5 of the prismatic casing and an additional slot 24 approximately in a central area of the strap 2. The slot 24 has dimensions allowing the passage of the fastener strap 3 and can be reinforced by means of an insert (not shown).
[0023] As shown in particular in figures 5 and 10, the fastener strap 3 has a face 30 which is formed by two parts, one with loops 31 and one with hooks 32, forming a Velcro® strap. Furthermore, the strap 3 presents a cylinder 33 which has two spring loaded pins projecting from its ends of the type normally used to fasten a strap to a conventional wristwatch casing on one end for fastening. Said fasteners can be different. In any case, the purpose of the cylinder 33 is to ensure the engagement of the fastener strap 3 with the strap 2. This is because, as shown in figure 5, the strap 3 is inserted in the lower flat part 20 of strap 2 through slot 24 so that its face 30 is facing the opposite side of the lower part 20. In this way, the parts 31 and 32 of the Velcro® fastener strap 20 can engage after then strap 3 has been passed through the loop 5 on the prismatic casing 1, in turn passing though slot 23 of the strap 2. Having prevalently described the structure, the assembly method for the digital wristwatch according to this invention are illustrated below.
[0024] The prismatic casing 1 is inserted in the cavity 22 of the strap 2 according to the direction of the double arrow F in figure 4. It is withheld in said cavity 22 by means of the frame 21c of opening 21 and the loop 5 on the prismatic casing 1 through loop 23 of the strap 2. The engagement between prismatic casing 1 and the strap 2 is finally perfected by the passage of the fastener strap though the same loop 5 which holds the wristwatch on the wrist of the wearer.
[0025] The procedure described above is reversed to remove the prismatic casing 1, for example in order to replace the battery.
[0026] Having achieved the aforesaid objectives, the advantages of the digital wristwatch according to this invention are considerable. This wristwatch is simple by nature. Furthermore, resistance to knocks is ensured by the particular strap and waterproofing is increased. Its simple, modern line is suitable for casual attire. The wristwatch will certainly be appealing to youths who enjoy wearing apparently different wristwatches, also only for the colour, by replacing the strap only.
1. Digital wristwatch characterised in that it comprises:
- a digital wristwatch casing (1), which front face (10) bears a displaying face, and
- a strap (2), which lower flat part (20) is destined to adhere to the wrist of the person wearing the wristwatch;
said digital wristwatch casing (1) being connected to said strap (2) with said displaying face on said front face (10) being in erect position with respect to said lower flat part of the strap (20).2. Digital wristwatch according to claim 1, characterised in that:
- said wristwatch casing (1) is a prismatic casing (1) which shape is flattened, which front face (10) bears the displaying face (11) and lateral faces, of which one is upper (12) and one is lower (13), said prismatic casing (1) being connected in a non-removable fashion along at least said lower face (13) to said strap (2);
- said strap (2) presenting, on one end, an opening (21) communicating with a cavity (22) which shape and dimensions are comparable with those of the prismatic casing (1) of the digital wristwatch.
3. Digital wristwatch according to claim 2, characterised in that said strap (2) presents in said opening (21) a frame (21c) to withhold said prismatic
casing (1).
4. Digital wristwatch according to claim 2, characterised in that said prismatic casing (1) of digital wristwatch has a shape which narrows from the
front face (10) to the rear face (11) and from the lower face (13) to the upper face
(12).
5. Digital wristwatch according to claim 2, characterised in that said strap (2) is made of elastomer material.
6. Digital wristwatch according to claim 2, characterised in that said strap (2) has a shape which narrows in width towards the central part and in
thickness from the front end to the rear end.
7. Digital wristwatch according to claim 2, characterised in that said prismatic casing (1) presents on the lower face (13) near said front face (10)
a loop (5) for the strap and said lower flat part (20) of the strap (2) presents a
slot (23) which position corresponds to that of said loop (5); a fastening strap (3)
being associated to said strap (2).
8. Digital wristwatch according to claim 7, characterised in that:
- said fastening strap (3), having one side (30) covered with loops and one side (31) covered with hooks (32) forming a Velcro® strap, presents fasteners on one end; and
- said strap (2) havs a slot (24) for holding said fasteners in the central part of the strap (2).
9. Digital wristwatch according to claim 8, characterised in that said fasteners consist of a cylinder (33) with spring loaded pins projected outwards
from the ends.