Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Cases – Wrist worn
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-10
2001-05-22
Miska, Vit (Department: 2859)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Cases
Wrist worn
C368S283000, C368S286000, C224S164000, C224S171000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234668
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a holder for protecting a timepiece, and for selectively securing a timepiece to an article, and, more specifically, in a preferred embodiment, to a holder for securely mounting a wristwatch case to an article, such as a backpack or ski coat for example, which includes a protective cover to shield and protect the case when the case is attached to the holder, and which can accommodate a variety of watch cases.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wristwatch typically includes a watch case and a watch band for securing the watch case to the wrist of the user. Generally, the watch case includes a watch body which contains the moving watch parts (such as the hands) a face side for displaying the time, and a rear side for facing the wrist of the user. Typically, the watch case also includes opposite ends which generally support a pair of pins which are connected to the watch body for engaging bores in the watch band and/or otherwise securing the watch band to the watch case.
It has been found that in some circumstances and for some activities, wearing the wristwatch on the wrist can become cumbersome and uncomfortable, especially during strenuous activities such as backpacking and hiking. In addition, it has been found that wristwatches can be inadvertently left behind during preparation for a trip, class, meeting, or other event. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a watch attached to a personal belonging which is carried with the person during daily activities or which is carried on a trip or vacation. For example, a hiker may wish to have a watch attached to his or her backpack to avoid the discomfort associated with wearing a watch during strenuous activity, as well as to avoid the damage to the watch due to perspiration. Similarly, a student may wish to have a wristwatch attached to a school bag or school backpack such that a watch will always be available during the school day, even if the student does not remember or desire to wear a wristwatch during the day. Likewise, a business person may wish to attach a wristwatch to a piece of luggage such that a watch will be continually available during the various trips taken by the business person.
It is also desirable to be able to attach a watch easily and securely to other articles as well. For example, a camper may wish to hang a wristwatch from the ceiling of a tent. In addition, a biker may wish to securely attach a watch to the handlebars of a bike. Similarly, one may wish to attach a watch to the rear view mirror or dashboard of a vehicle.
While it has been known to attach a wristwatch to an article, such as a backpack, by attaching the band of the watch to the article, such a solution is not without disadvantages. First, due to the limited length and/or the limited number of locking positions of the band, the wristwatch typically will not fit tightly about the article and, accordingly, can easily catch on other items during travel thereby breaking the watch band or causing damage to the watch case. In addition, merely attaching the watch band to the article does not provide any protection for the wristwatch, and leaves it vulnerable to the daily wear and tear, as well as extraneous impacts, contacts and exposures associated with transporting the article. Moreover, there are many articles to which a watch band cannot be easily secured.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a timepiece holder which can be securely and easily fastened to a variety of articles, such as backpacks or bicycles for example. In addition, it is desirable to provide such a holder which can protect the timepiece from forces which may be encountered during transportation.
It has also been found that a person will often have one or more old or “worn out” watches which, while still functional, have an unattractive appearance and are not desirable to be worn on the wrist. Such watches may be more suitable for attachment to an article such as a backpack, ski coat, tent, bicycle, or duffel bag. Accordingly, it is further desired to provide a watch holder which can accommodate a number of watch types and sizes which a person may have on hand.
It has also been found that it can be difficult to access a watch worn on the wrist during cold-weather activities, such as skiing for example. During such activities, the wristwatch is typically covered by layers of clothing, gloves and a coat, and, accordingly, accessing the watch to read the time can be difficult and time consuming. Accordingly it is desirable to provide a watch holder which can be attached to or about bulky clothing, such as a ski coat for example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to obviate the above-described problems.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a timepiece holder which can be easily and securely attached to an article, such as a backpack, piece of luggage, bicycle, or tent.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece holder which can be secured to an article and which has a low profile when so secured, thereby minimizing the risk of snagging or catching other items during travel.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a watch holder which can be secured to a portable article and which can also protect the watch case.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective watch holder which can attach to an article and which can accommodate a variety of watch cases.
Another object of the invention is to provide a protective watch holder which can be easily attached to a variety of items, such as to tents and bulky clothing, for example.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described above, a protective holder for a timepiece is provided. In this aspect of the invention, the holder comprises a base, a strap attached to the base, and a cover attached to the base. The strap is adapted to secure the timepiece to the base. At least a part of the cover can be selectively moved between an open position in which visual access to the timepiece is provided, and a closed position in which at least a portion of the timepiece is shielded. Preferably, the strap is elastic and the cover comprises a flexible band. It is also preferred that an attachment mechanism, such as a ring for example, is provided for attaching the holder to an article.
In another aspect of the invention, a method of attaching a watch case to an article is provided. The watch case includes a face and a rear, and the method comprises attaching the watch case to a base having a back side and a front side such that the rear of the watch case faces toward the front side of the base. The method also comprises attaching the base to the article such that the back side of the base faces toward the article, and attaching a protective cover to the base. Moreover, the method comprises moving the protective cover from an open position to a closed position such that the protective cover covers at least a portion of the face of the watch case.
In another aspect, a holder for securing a watch case to an article is provided. The holder comprises a base having a front side and a back side, an attachment mechanism attached to the base, a securement mechanism, and a watch case having a face and a rear. The attachment mechanism is adapted to connect the base to the article. The watch case is secured on the front side of the base by the securement mechanism such that the face of the watch case faces away from the front side of the base and the rear faces toward the front side of the base. Preferably, the securement mechanism comprises a strap, the base comprises a generally flat base, and the attachment mechanism comprises a ring. It is also preferred that a cover is attached to the base and is movable between an open position and a closed position.
Still other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled
Cooper & Company, Inc.
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Miska Vit
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