US4447162A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Watchcase
Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1981-01-02
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Granted: 1984-05-08
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Expires: 2001-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A watchcase comprises a case body, a bezel, and a support member affixed to the bezel for removably connecting the bezel to the case body so as to permit easy removal and replacement of the bezel. The support member has at diametrically opposite locations thereof outwardly extending flange portions, and corresponding recesses are provided in the case body at diametrically opposite locations for movably receiving therein respective ones of the flange portions with sufficient clearance therebetween to enable a sufficient extent of movement of the support member relative to the case body in the diametrical direction of the flange portions to permit removal and replacement of the bezel without deformation of either the case body or bezel. A deformable elastic member is interposed between the bezel, support member and case body and the elastic member is configured so as to undergo elastic deformation during removal and replacement of the bezel thereby preventing deformation of both the case body and bezel. The elastic member has sufficient elasticity to urge the support member flange portions extend into the case body recesses upon replacement of the bezel thereby removably joining the bezel to the case body in a fluidtight manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Gen Mitamura
- 👤 Takao Eguchi
- 👤 Yukio Nagami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:55
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B37/00; G04B37/08; G04B37/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A watchcase comprising: a case body having oppositely disposed internal recesses therein; a bezel; a support member fixedly connected to said bezel, said support member having an outwardly extending flange extending in an outward radial direction of the watchcase from the upper end surface of the support member and having at least a pair of peripheral beads extending further outwardly from said flange and engageable with respective ones of said recesses; means defining clearances between the flange peripheral beads and the case body recesses to permit sufficient movement of the bezel relative to the case body in a diametrical direction of the watchcase to enable removal of the bezel from the case body without causing deformation of the case body, bezel or support member; biasing means for resiliently biasing the bezel to a balanced position in which the flange peripheral beads engage with respective ones of the case body recesses to thereby removably join said bezel to said case body; and wherein said recesses have a sloping surface defining an angle of less than 45° with respect to the diametrical direction of the watchcase, the length l of the peripheral beads of the support member being longer than the thickness t of the flange of the support member so that the peripheral beads can be displaced in the diametrical direction of the watchcase, and the peripheral beads of the support member contacting the sloping surface of the recesses of the case body when the support member is joined to the case body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A watchcase comprising: a case body having oppositely disposed internal recesses therein; a bezel; a support member fixedly connected to said bezel, said support member having an outwardly extending flange extending in an outward radial direction of the watchcase from the upper end surface of the support member and having at least a pair of peripheral beads extending further outwardly from said flange and engageable with respective ones of said recesses; means defining clearances between the flange peripheral beads and the case body recesses to permit sufficient movement of the bezel relative to the case body in a diametrical direction of the watchcase to enable removal of the bezel from the case body without causing deformation of the case body, bezel or support member; biasing means for resiliently biasing the bezel to a balanced position in which the flange peripheral beads engage with respective ones of the case body recesses to thereby removably join said bezel to said case body; and wherein said recesses have a sloping surface defining an angle of less than 45° with respect to the diametrical direction of the watchcase, the length l of the peripheral beads of the support member being longer than the thickness t of the flange of the support member so that the peripheral beads can be displaced in the diametrical direction of the watchcase, and the peripheral beads of the support member contacting the sloping surface of the recesses of the case body when the support member is joined to the case body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
215 words
A watchcase comprising: a case body; a bezel; and connecting means removably connecting said bezel to said case body so as to permit removal of said bezel from said case body and replacement of said bezel onto said case body to define a watchcase, said connecting means comprising a support member connected to said bezel and having a flat platelike shape and having at opposite locations thereof outwardly extending flange portions, means defining recesses in said case body at opposite locations and movably receiving therein respective ones of said flange portions with sufficient clearance therebetween to enable a sufficient extent of movement of said support member relative to said case body in a diametrical direction of the watchcase to permit removal and replacement of said bezel without deformation of said case body, bezel or support member, and a deformable elastic member interposed between said support member and case body and configured so as to undergo elastic deformation during removal and replacement of said bezel thereby preventing deformation of said case body, bezel and support member and having sufficient elasticity to urge said support member to a balanced position in which the support member flange portions extend into the case body recesses upon replacement of said bezel thereby removably connecting said bezel to said case body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
215 words
A watchcase comprising: a case body; a bezel; and connecting means removably connecting said bezel to said case body so as to permit removal of said bezel from said case body and replacement of said bezel onto said case body to define a watchcase, said connecting means comprising a support member connected to said bezel and having a flat platelike shape and having at opposite locations thereof outwardly extending flange portions, means defining recesses in said case body at opposite locations and movably receiving therein respective ones of said flange portions with sufficient clearance therebetween to enable a sufficient extent of movement of said support member relative to said case body in a diametrical direction of the watchcase to permit removal and replacement of said bezel without deformation of said case body, bezel or support member, and a deformable elastic member interposed between said support member and case body and configured so as to undergo elastic deformation during removal and replacement of said bezel thereby preventing deformation of said case body, bezel and support member and having sufficient elasticity to urge said support member to a balanced position in which the support member flange portions extend into the case body recesses upon replacement of said bezel thereby removably connecting said bezel to said case body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A watchcase according to claim 2; wherein said bezel and platelike-shaped support member comprise an integral one-piece structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
239 words
A watchcase comprising: a case body; a bezel; and connecting means removably connecting said bezel to said case body so as to permit removal of said bezel from said case body and replacement of said bezel onto said case body to define a watchcase, said connecting means comprising a support member connected to said bezel and having at opposite locations thereof outwardly extending flange portions, means defining recesses in said case body at opposite locations and movably receiving therein respective ones of said flange portions with sufficient clearance therebetween to enable a sufficient extent of movement of said support member relative to said case body in a diametrical direction of the watchcase to permit removal and replacement of said bezel without deformation of said case body, bezel or support member, and a deformable elastic member interposed between said support member and case body and configured so as to undergo elastic deformation during removal and replacement of said bezel thereby preventing deformation of said case body, bezel and support member and having sufficient elasticity to urge said support member to a balanced position in which the support member flange portions extend into the case body recesses upon replacement of said bezel thereby removably connecting said bezel to said case body; and wherein said support member flange portions have a curved shape, and said case body recesses have a sloped surface which engage with respective ones of the curved flange portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
239 words
A watchcase comprising: a case body; a bezel; and connecting means removably connecting said bezel to said case body so as to permit removal of said bezel from said case body and replacement of said bezel onto said case body to define a watchcase, said connecting means comprising a support member connected to said bezel and having at opposite locations thereof outwardly extending flange portions, means defining recesses in said case body at opposite locations and movably receiving therein respective ones of said flange portions with sufficient clearance therebetween to enable a sufficient extent of movement of said support member relative to said case body in a diametrical direction of the watchcase to permit removal and replacement of said bezel without deformation of said case body, bezel or support member, and a deformable elastic member interposed between said support member and case body and configured so as to undergo elastic deformation during removal and replacement of said bezel thereby preventing deformation of said case body, bezel and support member and having sufficient elasticity to urge said support member to a balanced position in which the support member flange portions extend into the case body recesses upon replacement of said bezel thereby removably connecting said bezel to said case body; and wherein said support member flange portions have a curved shape, and said case body recesses have a sloped surface which engage with respective ones of the curved flange portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A watchcase according to claim 4; wherein the sloped surface of the case body recesses defines an angle less than 45° with respect to the diametrical direction of movement of said support member, and the length of the curved flange portions is greater than the thickness of the curved flange portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A watchcase according to claim 5; wherein said angle is on the order of 15°, and said curved flange portions have a length of about 0.4 to 0.5 mm and a thickness of about 0.3 to 0.35 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A watchcase according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said deformable elastic member has sufficient elasticity and shape to effect a fluidtight seal between said bezel and case body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A watchcase according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; wherein said bezel has a non-round shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A watchcase according to claim 1; wherein said biasing means comprises an elastic member interposed in the clearances and having sufficient elasticity to restrict the movement of the bezel relative to the case body and to prevent the penetration of water into the case body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A watchcase according to either claim 1 or 9; wherein said bezel has a non-round shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB2029609A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-08 | 1987-11-07 | 1988-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-08 | 1991-11-07 | 1992-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-08 | 1995-11-07 | 1996-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |