Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Cases – With crown or stem details
Patent
1996-10-04
1997-07-08
Miska, Vit W.
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Cases
With crown or stem details
368319, G04B 3700, G04B 2900
Patent
active
056469144
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is in the field of wristwatches. It relates to a wristwatch having a clockwork, which is surrounded by a case and which is operable by means of a winder fitted in rotary manner to the outside of the case using a spindle passed through the case, said winder being constructed in sealing, screw-in manner.
Such a wristwatch is e.g. known from CH-A3-682 968.
PRIOR ART
In the case of wristwatches, which are wound up, adjusted or otherwise operated by means of a winder, the passage of the spindle connected to the winder through the watch case represents a weak point with respect to the seal against dust, water and other environmental influences.
Thus, in the past numerous solutions have been proposed by means of which the winder can be screwed in and in the screwed-in state ensures an increased sealing action. Examples for screw-in winders can be gathered from Swiss patents 468 663, 582 908 and 616 809, or German patents 30 17 496 and 33 13 515, or the document referred to hereinbefore.
It is common to all these solutions that on screwing in the winder an additional seal is used, which is compressively stressed and therefore permits an improved sealing action and higher pressure differences between the inner and outer area of the watch. However, if the clockwork is to be operated by means of the winder, the latter must be unscrewed beforehand. As a result of the unscrewing the additional sealing function associated with the screwed in winder is rendered inoperative until the winder is screwed in again after operating the clockwork.
It is not unusual in this connection for the wearer of the watch, following the operation of the clockwork, to forget to screw the winder in again and therefore restore the state of increased sealing. This can lead to damage to the watch if the allegedly tight watch is exposed to extreme environmental influences e.g. when bathing, diving, etc.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The problem of the invention is to so construct a wristwatch with a screw-in winder, that an incorrect operation of the aforementioned type is largely avoided.
This problem is solved in the case of a wristwatch of the aforementioned type in that signalling or indicating means are provided, which are operatively connected to the winder and indicate whether or not the winder is in the screwed-in state.
Therefore the essence of the invention is to construct the wristwatch in such a way that the attention of the wearer is attracted by suitable indicating means if the screw-in winder is not in the correct, screwed-in state.
It is fundamentally conceivable in the invention to use acoustic signalling means, i.e. to operate e.g. an electrically functioning buzzer by means of an electric contact connected to the winder. Such a construction would be suitable for an electrical or electronic watch, but would be less suitable for a watch having a mechanical clockwork.
Thus, according to a first, preferred embodiment of the invention the signalling or indicating means are constituted by optical display means. Although here an electrical variant in the form of a flashing light or the like is conceivable, for optical indicating means there are numerous purely mechanical implementation possibilities. One of these possibilities consists of placing under the winder a ring in an indicating colour, which is concealed when the winder is screwed in, but is clearly visible when the winder is unscrewed. However, as the winder is usually positioned laterally on the watch case, the indicating action of such an arrangement is limited.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the optical display means are located within the case and that in particular the watch has a dial, the optical display means being located within the dial. As the watch dial is in an optically favourable position, a strong indicating or signalling action is obtained.
A universal usability in the case of both mechanical and electrical or electronic watches is obtained if, according to another preferred
REFERENCES:
patent: 1114947 (1914-10-01), Verberckmoes
patent: 1178918 (1916-04-01), Hall
patent: 2892303 (1959-06-01), Schwartz
patent: 2912818 (1959-11-01), Sharpiro
patent: 4313187 (1982-01-01), Waki et al.
Blunschi Daniel
Streuli Fredy
Miska Vit W.
UTC Service AG
LandOfFree
Wristwatch with screw-in winder does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Wristwatch with screw-in winder, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wristwatch with screw-in winder will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2412831