Watch

• US 8,506,158 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2010
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PTO (Safe Fleet Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: PTO (Safe Fleet Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Keung, Paul So Wing, Fai, Leung Chun, Hong, Tam Wing
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W
• Application Number:
  US12/902,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20120087216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 368281-282, 224/164, 224/176
• US Class Current: 368/282
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0084 Bracelets in the form of a ring, band or tube of rigid material C-spring-type bracelets A44C5/12
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/1486 Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet building watches into bracelets (montre marquise) G04B37/12; arrangements for hanging pocket- or other watches on chains G04B37/1446
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4718 Watch pintle connected
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49579 Watch or clock making

Abstract

A watch having a band formed from a bistable spring is described. The band automatically wraps to or coils around a wrist, arm, or other limb of an individual wearing the watch. The band is formed from the bistable spring, which includes an extended configuration and a coiled configuration. The band forms a first portion and a second portion. An outer layer covers at least a portion of the bistable spring. The watch includes a watch module to display time data. A housing receives the watch module. The housing is integral with the outer layer. The housing is positioned between the first portion and the second portion of the band.

Claims

1. A watch, comprising:

a band comprising a bistable spring, wherein the band includes an extended configuration and a coiled configuration;

the band forming a first portion and a second portion;

an outer layer that covers at least a portion of the bistable spring;

a watch module to display time data;

a housing that receives the watch module, wherein the housing is integral with the outer layer; and

,

the housing positioned between the first portion and the second portion of the band.

2. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the housing forms an upper cavity and a lower cavity, wherein the upper cavity holds or maintains the watch module, and the lower cavity provides a space for a central portion of the bistable spring to bend or flex.

3. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises silicone, and the outer layer covers approximately the entire bistable spring.

4. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the housing forms an upper cavity and a lower cavity, wherein the upper cavity holds or maintains the watch module, and the lower cavity provides a space for a central portion of the bistable spring to bend or flex without the central portion contacting a lower surface of the watch module.

5. The watch according to claim 1, wherein an outer layer of silicone is molded around the bistable spring, the outer layer of silicone forms the housing, and the housing is resilient and deformable to receive and hold the watch module in a cavity of the housing.

6. The watch according to claim 5, wherein the housing defines an opening, and the opening is in open communication with the cavity, wherein the opening stretches or expands to receive the watch module.

7. The watch according to claim 1, wherein an outer layer of silicone covers the bistable spring, and the housing is integral with the outer layer.

8. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a support member.

9. The watch according to claim 8, wherein the support member is embedded in the housing, and the support member is made of a rigid material.

10. The watch according to claim 8, wherein the support member is positioned in-between an inner circular portion and an outer circular portion.

11. The watch according to claim 8, wherein the support member is glued or affixed to an interior of the housing.

12. The watch according to claim 8, wherein the support member includes a descending portion with walls generally vertically disposed to a thin portion of the support member, and the walls form a surface generally parallel to the length of the bistable spring, and the walls define a channel.

13. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the band includes the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are oppositely disposed to a central portion, wherein a lower surface of the central portion includes at least one relief element.

14. The watch according to claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the band includes a first relief element and a second relief element aligned parallel with the band.

15. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the outer layer are formed from the same material, and the housing is integral with the outer layer.

16. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the housing forms an upper cavity and a lower cavity, and a support surface for the watch module separates the upper cavity from the lower cavity.

17. The watch according to claim 1, wherein supports extend from an upper surface of a central portion of the band.

18. The watch according to claim 17, wherein the supports support the watch module and maintain the watch module above the upper surface of the central portion.

19. A band to hold an electronic device, comprising:

a band comprising a bistable spring;

the band forming a first portion and a second portion;

an outer layer that covers at least a portion of the bistable spring;

a housing to receive an electronic device, wherein the housing is integral with the outer layer;

the housing is positioned between the first portion and the second portion of the band;

the housing forms an upper cavity and a lower cavity; and

,

the upper cavity comprising a deformable or resilient opening.

20. A method of manufacturing a watch, comprising:

providing a bistable spring;

molding an outer layer and a housing around the bistable spring to cover at least a portion of the bistable spring, wherein the housing is integral with the outer layer;

the housing comprising a cavity that receives a watch module;

deforming an opening of the housing to insert the watch module into the cavity; and

,

inserting the watch module into the cavity of the housing.