JP7593142B2 - Exterior parts, watches and watch sets - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an exterior member, a wristwatch, and a wristwatch set.

Conventionally, as wristwatch bands that serve as exterior components attached to wristwatches, resin bands such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and metal bands such as those disclosed in Patent Document 2 have been proposed. In addition, cloth and leather bands also exist. Bands used with such wristwatches are required to withstand breakage even if accidentally hit, and to provide a comfortable fit when worn on the wrist.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-8308 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-10020

Bands made from soft resin, cloth, leather, etc. to improve comfort can raise concerns about damage such as scratches if accidentally bumped into something. On the other hand, metal bands reduce concerns about damage, but their stiff fit can be unwelcome.

The present invention aims to provide an exterior member that improves the wearing comfort while reducing the risk of breakage, and a wristwatch and wristwatch set that include this exterior member.

The exterior member of the present invention comprises a band portion for wearing a watch body including a case body on an arm, and a bezel portion including a third layer located opposite the arm when the band portion is worn on the arm, and a fourth layer located on the arm side and made of a softer material than the third layer, wherein the band portion has a first layer located opposite the arm when worn on the arm, and a second layer located on the arm side and made of a softer material than the first layer, and the case body has a surface side of the case body, which is the surface side opposite the arm, covered by the bezel portion when the band portion is worn on the arm .

The wristwatch of the present invention is equipped with the exterior member described above.

The wristwatch set of the present invention includes a watch body and multiple types of the above-mentioned exterior members that can be attached to the watch body.

The present invention provides an exterior member that improves the wearing comfort while reducing damage, as well as a watch and a watch set that include this exterior member.

1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing a wristwatch equipped with an exterior member according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a schematic front view, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line Ib-Ib of (a). 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a wristwatch equipped with an exterior member according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a schematic front view, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb of (a).

First Embodiment
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b). The wristwatch 10 shown in Fig. 1(a) has a watch body 20 having a watch crystal 25 arranged on the viewing side, and an exterior member 30. A display unit (not shown) is provided on the front side of the watch body 20. The display unit can display information such as time, date, and day of the week. This display unit can be viewed through the watch crystal 25. The time display on the display unit can adopt various methods such as analog and digital. Here, in the following description, the upper side (i.e., the upper side of Fig. 1(a)) when the wristwatch 10 is worn on the arm and viewed from the viewing side is referred to as the top, the lower side as the bottom, the left side as the left, and the right side as the right. The viewing side is also referred to as the front side, and the opposite side (the arm side) is referred to as the back side or rear side. The arm side when the wristwatch 10 is worn on the arm is referred to as the inside, and the opposite side of the inside is referred to as the front side.

The watch body 20 has a generally cylindrical case 21 with a bottom. The case 21 has a generally cylindrical case body 21a and a back cover 21b provided on the rear side of the case body 21a. A watch module 22 is provided inside the case 21. The watch module 22 includes various components necessary for the watch function, such as a circuit section that electrically drives the display section to display information such as the time.

The watch crystal 25 is provided on the inside of the roughly cylindrical case body 21a of the case 21. The watch body 20 is provided with sealing members such as packing (not shown) at the connection between the watch crystal 25 and the case body 21a, and at the connection between the case body 21a and the back cover 21b. This makes the inside of the case 21 waterproof.

In addition, the outer periphery of the case body 21a of the case 21 has two female threaded portions 21a1 on the upper and lower sides for threading with the screws 38 described below.

The exterior member 30 has a bezel portion 31 that partially covers the watch body 20, and a band portion 32 for wearing the watch body 20 on the wrist. The bezel portion 31 is formed as a bezel for the wristwatch 10 and is circular in front view, similar to the watch body 20. The bezel portion 31 has a circular opening 31a on the front side so that the display portion of the watch body 20 can be seen. The bezel portion 31 has a substantially cylindrical outer wall portion 31c and a ring portion 31b formed on the outer periphery of the opening 31a on the front side of the outer wall portion 31c. The ring portion 31b has a C-chamfered portion 31b1 formed on the viewing side of the periphery of the opening 31a.

Band pieces 32a, 32b of the band part 32 extend from the upper and lower sides of the outer wall part 31c of the bezel part 31. The bezel part 31 and the band part 32 are formed as one piece. The band part 32 is shown in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b) as a schematic representation with the band part 32 cut and omitted. Various types of band part 32 can be adopted. For example, one band piece 32a can be provided with multiple engagement holes, and the other band piece 32b can be provided with a buckle with a ring or a bar through which the one band piece 32a passes.

1(b), the band portion 32 of the exterior member 30 is provided with a first layer 1 located on the side opposite the arm when worn on the arm, and a second layer 2 located on the arm side, which is inside the first layer 1. The first layer 1 and the second layer 2 are formed continuously. The second layer 2 is made of a material softer than the first layer 1. For example, in this embodiment, the first layer 1 can be formed of a hard resin material (e.g., hard urethane resin), and the second layer 2 can be formed of a soft resin material (e.g., soft urethane resin). In this embodiment, the first layer 1 in the band portion 32 is formed thinner than the second layer 2. That is, the first layer 1 is formed to a thickness that is flexible. Therefore, even if the first layer 1 is made of a hard resin, the band portion 32 can be bent so as to be wrapped around the arm.

On the other hand, the bezel portion 31 is provided with a third layer 3 that is provided on the side opposite to the watch body 20 and is continuous with the first layer 1, and a fourth layer 4 that is provided on the watch body 20 side and is continuous with the second layer 2 and is made of a material softer than the third layer 3. The first layer 1 and the third layer 3, and the second layer 2 and the fourth layer 4 are each formed of the same material. The third layer 3 is formed to be thicker than the first layer 1 in the band portion 32. Therefore, the third layer 3 of the bezel portion 31 does not easily deform. The exterior member 30 in which the first layer 1, the third layer 3, the second layer 2, and the fourth layer 4 are joined together to form an integral part can be formed integrally with the band portion 32 and the bezel portion 31 by injection molding using a two-color molding method.

The watch body 20 is stored in the storage section 31d inside the bezel section 31. The storage section 31d is a substantially cylindrical space formed by the fourth layer 4. The inner diameter of the storage section 31d can be formed slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the watch body 20 (i.e., the outer diameter of the case 21 (case body 21a)) so that the fourth layer 4 is slightly compressed when the watch body 20 is stored. In addition, the ring section 31b of the bezel section 31 has the third layer 3 arranged on the front side and the fourth layer 4 arranged on the inside. Therefore, the end face on the front side of the watch body 20 abuts against the inner surface of the fourth layer 4 in the ring section 31b. The watch body 20 is stored in the storage section 31d in contact with the soft fourth layer 4, so that even if the wristwatch 10 receives an impact due to being dropped, the impact can be absorbed by the fourth layer 4.

The outer wall 31c of the bezel 31 of the exterior member 30 is provided with locking portions 35 for locking the bezel 31 and the band 32 to the watch body 20. The locking portions 35 are provided in two locations on each of the upper and lower sides of the outer wall 31c. In this embodiment, the locking portions 35 include a hole 37 that penetrates from the third layer 3 to the fourth layer 4 of the outer wall 31c, and a screw 38 that is inserted into the hole 37 and screws into the female thread 21a1 of the case 21. The hole 37 has a countersunk portion, and the head of the screw 38 is formed so as not to protrude from the outer surface of the outer wall 31c. The screw 38 (hole 37) is provided at an angle to match the tapered outer surface of the outer wall 31c.

In this way, the locking portion 35 locks the bezel portion 31 and the band portion 32 to the watch body 20 by screwing into the watch body 20 through the third layer 3 to the fourth layer 4 of the bezel portion 31. Therefore, the bezel portion 31 is not easily deformed around the locking portion 35 in the hard third layer 3, and therefore the watch body 20 (case 21) can be reliably fixed to the bezel portion 31. The locking portion 35 can be screwed into the watch body 20 by the screw 38 and the female thread portion 21a1, or it can be a locking portion having a convex portion on one side and a concave portion on the other side. For example, it can be a structure in which a convex portion protruding from the third layer 3 to the fourth layer 4 of the bezel portion 31 locks into a concave portion formed in the watch body 20, or a structure in which a convex portion protruding from the watch body 20 locks into a concave portion formed in the third layer 3 through the fourth layer 4.

It is also possible to configure a wristwatch set that includes multiple types of exterior members 30, each having a first layer 1, a third layer 3, a second layer 2, and a fourth layer 4 formed from resin materials of different colors, and a watch body 20. With this wristwatch set, the user can freely replace the exterior members 30 themselves.

Second Embodiment
Next, a wristwatch 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2(a) and 2(b). The exterior member 30A of the wristwatch 10A in this embodiment has a first layer 1A and a third layer 3A made of a metal material instead of the first layer 1 and the third layer 3 made of a hard resin material in the first embodiment. The second layer 2 in this embodiment is made of a resin material (e.g., soft urethane resin) that is softer than the first layer 1A and the third layer 3A, as in the first embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same parts and members as in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

In this embodiment, the ring portion 31b of the bezel portion 31 has a C-chamfered portion 31b1 formed around the periphery of the opening 31a, as in the first embodiment, but the fourth layer 4 protrudes radially inward from the inside of the third layer 3A at the opening 31a, exposing the fourth layer 4 around the opening 31a. The first layer 1A of the band portion 32 is provided intermittently with gaps S at a predetermined interval formed in the length direction of the band portion 32 (the direction in which the band portion 32 extends). When the wristwatch 10A is worn on the wrist, the second layer 2 at the gaps S of the first layer 1A bends, thereby bending the band portion 32.

The first and third metal layers 1A and 3A can be joined to the second and fourth soft urethane resin layers 2 and 4 by injection molding using an insert molding method, for example. With wristwatch 10A, the second layer 2 can be seen through opening 31a and gap S even when the watch is worn on the wrist, enhancing the design of wristwatch 10A by allowing the wearer to enjoy the luxurious look of the first metal layer 1A and the color of the resin second layer 2, which is available in a variety of colors.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be implemented in various forms. For example, the fourth layer 4 is provided in the bezel portion 31 in both the wristwatch 10 of the first embodiment and the wristwatch 10A of the second embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the bezel portion 31 can also be formed of only the third layer 3. In addition, the band portion 32 (bezel portion 31) can be not only a two-layer structure of the first layer 1, 1A (third layer 3, 3A) and the second layer 2 (fourth layer 4), but can also have one or more other layers (e.g., other soft resin layers or space layers) between the first layer 1, 1A (third layer 3, 3A) and the second layer 2 (fourth layer 4).

In the above embodiment, the exterior member 30, 30A has a band portion 32 for attaching the watch body 20 to the arm, and the band portion 32 has a first layer 1, 1A located on the side opposite the arm when worn on the arm, and a second layer 2 located on the arm side and made of a softer material than the first layer 1, 1A.

This allows the exterior member 30, 30A to have a band portion 32 in which the soft second layer 2 fits the arm and is comfortable to wear, and the first layer 1, 1A allows the exterior member 30, 30A to be provided with reduced damage such as scratches.

The exterior members 30, 30A further include a bezel portion 31 that is integral with the band portion 32 and partially covers the watch body 20, and a locking portion 35 that is provided on the bezel portion 31 and locks the band portion 32 and the bezel portion 31 to the watch body 20. This allows the exterior members 30, 30A to have the band portion 32 and the bezel portion 31 and be easily replaceable.

The bezel section 31 also has a third layer 3, 3A that is provided on the side opposite the watch body 20 and is continuous with the first layer 1, 1A, and a fourth layer 4 that is provided on the watch body 20 side, is continuous with the second layer 2, and is made of a softer material than the third layer 3. This allows the watch body 20 to be stored in the bezel section 31 via the fourth layer 4, making it possible to form an exterior member 30, 30A that can prevent damage such as scratches with the outer hard third layer 3, while absorbing impacts with the inner soft fourth layer 4.

The locking portion 35 locks the band portion 32 and the bezel portion 31 to the watch body 20 by screwing the locking portion 35 from the third layer 3 side of the bezel portion 31 to the watch body 20 through the fourth layer 4. Alternatively, the locking portion 35 locks the band portion 32 and the bezel portion 31 to the watch body by locking the convex portion protruding from the third layer 3 of the bezel portion 32 through the fourth layer 4 to the concave portion of the watch body 20, or by locking the convex portion protruding from the watch body 20 to the concave portion of the third layer 3 through the fourth layer 4. This allows the watch body 20 (case 21) to be locked to the exterior members 30, 30A with a simple structure, so that the user can easily replace the exterior members 30, 30A by themselves.

The first layer 1 is made of a resin material, and the second layer 2 is made of a resin material that is softer than the first layer. This allows the color and texture to be changed between the front and back sides, providing an exterior member 30 with improved design.

The first layer 1A is made of a metal material, and the second layer 2 is made of a resin material that is softer than the first layer 1. This allows the front side to be made of metal, while the second layer 2 can be made in a variety of colors, providing an exterior member 30A with improved design.

The first layer 1A in the band portion 32 is formed intermittently in the longitudinal direction of the band portion 32. This makes it easy to impart flexibility to the first layer 1A, even if it is made of metal.

The wristwatch 10, 10A also includes an exterior member 30, 30A. This makes it possible to provide a wristwatch 10, 10A that is comfortable to wear while reducing the risk of breakage.

In addition, by making a wristwatch 10, 10A with one watch body 20 and multiple types of exterior members 30, 30A that can be attached to the watch body 20, it is possible to provide a set of watches 10, 10A with exterior members 30, 30A that differ in design and color.

The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

The invention described in the first claim of this application is set forth below.
[1] A band is provided for attaching the watch body to the wrist;
The band portion is an exterior member having, when worn on the arm, a first layer located on the side opposite the arm, and a second layer located on the arm side and made of a material softer than the first layer.
[2] A bezel part that is integral with the band part and partially covers the watch body;
The exterior member according to [1], further comprising a locking portion provided on the bezel portion and locking the band portion and the bezel portion to the timepiece body.
[3] The exterior member described in [2], wherein the bezel portion has a third layer provided on the side opposite the watch body and continuous with the first layer, and a fourth layer provided on the watch body side, continuous with the second layer, and made of a material softer than the third layer.
[4] The exterior member described in [3], wherein the locking portion locks the band portion and the bezel portion to the watch body by screwing into the watch body from the third layer side of the bezel portion through the fourth layer.
[5] The exterior member described in [3], wherein the engaging portion engages the band portion and the bezel portion to the watch body by a convex portion protruding from the third layer side of the bezel portion through the fourth layer engaging with a concave portion of the watch body, or by a convex portion protruding from the watch body engaging with a concave portion of the third layer through the fourth layer.
[6] The first layer is formed of a resin material,
The exterior member according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the second layer is formed of a resin material that is softer than the first layer.
[7] The first layer is formed of a metal material,
The exterior member according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the second layer is formed of a resin material that is softer than the first layer.
[8] The exterior member according to [7], wherein the first layer in the band portion is intermittently formed in the longitudinal direction of the band portion.
[9] A wristwatch equipped with the exterior member according to any one of [1] to [8].
[10] A wristwatch set comprising a plurality of types of exterior members according to any one of [1] to [8] that can be attached to a watch body.

Reference Signs List 1, 1A First layer 2 Second layer 3, 3A Third layer 4 Fourth layer 10, 10A Wristwatch 20 Watch body 21 Case 21a Case body 21a1 Female thread 21b Back cover 22 Watch module 25 Watch crystal 30, 30A Exterior member 31 Bezel 31a Opening 31b Ring 31b1 Chamfer 31c Outer wall 31d Storage section 32 Band 32a, 32b Band piece 35 Locking section 37 Hole 38 Screw

Claims (10)

A band for attaching the watch body including the case body to the wrist ;
a bezel portion including a third layer located on the opposite side to the arm when the band portion is worn on the arm, and a fourth layer located on the arm side and made of a material softer than the third layer;
Equipped with
the band portion has a first layer located on the side opposite to the arm when worn on the arm, and a second layer located on the arm side and made of a material softer than the first layer ,
The case body is an exterior member in which, when the band portion is worn on the arm, the surface of the case body, which is the surface opposite the arm, is covered by the bezel portion . The exterior member according to claim 1 , wherein the bezel portion is provided integrally with the band portion , and further comprises a locking portion that locks the band portion and the bezel portion to the timepiece body. The watch body includes a back cover,
The third layer of the bezel portion is provided on the opposite side to the watch body,
The fourth layer of the bezel portion is provided on the side of the watch body.
The exterior member according to claim 2 . The exterior member according to claim 3, wherein the locking portion locks the band portion and the bezel portion to the watch body by screwing the locking portion from the third layer side of the bezel portion through the fourth layer to the watch body. The exterior member according to claim 3, wherein the locking portion locks the band portion and the bezel portion to the watch body by a convex portion protruding from the third layer side of the bezel portion through the fourth layer locking into a concave portion of the watch body, or a convex portion protruding from the watch body locking into a concave portion of the third layer through the fourth layer. the first layer is formed of a resin material,
6. The exterior member according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is made of a resin material that is softer than the first layer. the first layer is formed of a metal material;
7. The exterior member according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is made of a resin material that is softer than the first layer. The exterior member according to claim 7, wherein the first layer in the band portion is intermittently formed in the longitudinal direction of the band portion. A wristwatch equipped with an exterior member according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A wristwatch set comprising a watch body and multiple types of exterior members according to any one of claims 1 to 8 that can be attached to the watch body.

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