Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Cases – Combined with disparate device
Patent
1998-05-29
2000-12-26
Miska, Vit
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Cases
Combined with disparate device
368279, 368281, 368309, 63 113, 63 40, G04B 3700, G04B 3712, A44C 1300, A44C 2500
Patent
active
061648159
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a modular jewelry item, particularly a ring, an earring, a pendant, or a timepiece such as a watch, consisting of at least one hollow portion and one central portion complementary in shape to the hollow portion, said central portion being detachable from the hollow portion.
Similar jewelry items already exist, such as watches with telecommunications capabilities or other such functions not found on conventional watches. All of these watches incorporate a digital data display device. However, the display means and the extra features usually are not in use all the time. Furthermore, the display is often unattractive and suitable only for utilitarian watches. It is especially unsuitable for fashion watches and/or analog watches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A goal of the present invention is to overcome these obstacles by proposing a jewelry item such as a ring, an earring, a pendant, or a watch having a conventional appearance, but also offering various specialized features, designed so that these features can be customized by the wearer.
This goal is achieved by a jewelry item such as that described in the preamble, characterized in that the hollow portion is reversible and comprises at least one so-called functional surface which gives the user access to at least one specialized function supplemental to the original purpose of the jewelry item.
According to a preferred embodiment, one of the surfaces of the hollow portion is a so-called decorative surface, lending an aesthetic appearance to the item, while the other surface is the so-called functional surface.
According to a first embodiment, the central element comprises at least one decorative portion.
According to a second embodiment, the central element comprises a casing containing a timepiece movement driving at least one watch hand.
The functional surface of the hollow portion preferably comprises at least one digital data display device.
According to one advantageous embodiment, the functional surface of the hollow portion may include a display screen which covers the central element when the hollow portion is in the functional position. It may also include at least one solar cell.
The hollow portion advantageously incorporates means for mechanically attaching it to the central element.
According to the various embodiments, the hollow portion may include means for electrical, optoelectronic, or radioelectric connection to said central element.
The jewelry item according to the present invention preferably has at least one data storage device for recording information.
According to one preferred embodiment, the hollow portion comprises at least one sensor which measures some physical or chemical quantity outside the watch.
Said hollow portion may also include means for connecting an exterior sensor to a display device on the jewelry.
According to one preferred embodiment, the hollow portion comprises means for transmitting and/or receiving signals.
The hollow portion may also include at least one electrical energy reserve and/or a programmable microprocessor.
According to another particular embodiment, said hollow portion may be slidably mounted on the central element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description of various embodiments of the jewelry item of the invention, in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a modular jewelry item in accordance with the invention, shown in the form of a wristwatch;
FIG. 2 is a surface view of the hollow portion of the watch of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-section taken along line A--A of the portion of FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4 through 7 are schematic representations of various embodiments of the watch of FIG. 1, each performing certain functions accessed when a different hollow portion is used;
FIG. 8a is a partial cross-section of another variation of the watch of FIG. 1 equipped with a hollow portion having a sin
REFERENCES:
patent: 3695031 (1972-10-01), Loeb
patent: 4586827 (1986-05-01), Hirsch et al.
patent: 5008864 (1991-04-01), Yoshitake
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