Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the attachment of timepieces, and
particularly watch faces, to a variety of articles, such as
garments, sporting articles such as golf bags, carry bags or
handbags, or household fixtures such as light plates.
Back4lound of the Invention
It can be appreciated that with the increasing complexity of
routine daily life, it is important that individuals be aware of
the time no matter where or what they are doing.
This applies especially when one interweaves business and
leisure activities; awareness of the time is essential to avoid
missing or being late for important business meetings, leisure or
entertainment gatherings, or other daily commitments.
It is also known that while pursuing certain activities such
as golfing, or other sports activities, individuals tend to desire
being unencumbered by st~n~rd watches worn on the wrist.
Moreover, in the daily routine of dressing for the work place,
or in donning uniforms for sports activities, a watch suitable for
one uniform does not necessarily compliment another uniform or
dress style.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide individuals with a
timepiece or watch face for securing to articles, such as garments,
sporting bags, common household fixtures, or other like articles,
so that the time can be checked during any activity and an
individuals schedule maintained.
A number of devices have been proposed for mounting a watch to
an article, and traditionally clothing, such as U.S. patent no.
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1,023,632, which discloses a watch having a projecting dial in the
form of a button that may be inserted through an aperture in the
cuff of a coat. Other patents such as U.S. patent no. 1,271,735,
shows a pocket for retaining a watch sewn to the outer surface of
a glove. U.S. patent no. 1,524,137, discloses a glove having an
aperture for exposing a watch face and a pocket for retaining the
body of the watch attached to the inner surface of the glove.
Further, U.S. patent no. 5,035,000, discloses a method of
securing a watch to the cuff of a garment, where the cuff is
modified to receive the watch band therethrough.
None of these prior art patents disclose, however, the
attachment of a timepiece or watch face to a variety of different
articles, such as garments, sporting articles, or common household
fixtures.
Obiects of the Invention
It i8 therefore an object of this invention to provide an
improved means and method of attaching or securing a timepiece or
watch face to an article, such as garments, sporting articles such
as golf bags, or household fixtures, such as light plates, so that
the face of the timepiece is displayed outwardly from the article
and in view so that the time can readily be confirmed no matter
where the individual is or the activity undertaken.
It is also an object of this invention that the attaching of
the timepiece to the various articles be inexpensive, easy to put
into practice, and easy to use by an individual.
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Moreover, it is an object of certain embodiments of this
invention that the timepiece be removable from a given article, and
transferable to other articles, as desired.
Feature~ of the Invention
It is a feature of this invention to provide an improved
structure for securing a timepiece to an article, which is provided
with an access opening for receiving therewithin the timepiece.
The improved structure includes means for securing the timepiece
in the access opening so that the face of the timepiece is
displayed outwardly from the article.
Moreover, the means for securing the timepiece to the article
includes a spring clip adapted to engage the outer peripheral edge
of the timepiece, which preferably comprises a groove extending
uniformly therearound for receiving therewithin the inner
peripheral edge of the spring clip.
Alternative means for securing the timepiece to the article
include complimentary snaps presented by the article and the
timepiece, respectively, or complimentary hooks and loops presented
by the article and the timepiece, respectively.
It is a further feature of this invention to provide a
timepiece adapted for being retained within an access opening
presented by an article. The article having means to secure the
timepiece in the access opening, and the timepiece having an outer
peripheral edge comprising means adapted to engage the means
provided by the article to secure the timepiece in place so that
the face of said timepiece is displayed outwardly from the article.
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Finally, it is a feature of this invention to provide a method
of releasably securing a timepiece to an article having an access
opening for receiving therewithin the timepiece and comprising
means for securing the timepiece in the access opening so that the
face of the timepiece is displayed outwardly from the article.
The timepiece has an outer peripheral edge comprising means
adapted to engage the means provided by the article to secure the
timepiece in place so that the face of the timepiece is displayed
outwardly from the article.
The method comprising the steps of presenting the timepiece to
the means for securing same in place, and effecting releasable
securement of same so that the timepiece is secured within the
means provided by the article with the face of the timepiece
displayed outwardly from the article.
DescriPtion of the Invention
These and other objects and features of the invention will
become clear upon reading the following description in conjunction
with the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the timepiece of the
preferred embodiment of this invention, and illustrating one means
of attaching or securing a timepiece to an article comprising a
spring clip;
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the timepiece of the
invention secured to a common household fixture, and particularly
a light switch plate;
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Figure 3 is a perspective view from the rear of the timepiece
thereof showing an alternative embodiment for securing the
timepiece to an article;
Figure 4 is a further alternative embodiment showing yet
S another means of attaching or securing a timepiece to various
articles;
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the timepiece secured
to a sporting article, such as a golf bag;
Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the timepiece secured
to a fashion article, such as a carry bag or handbag; and
Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the timepiece secured
to a garment, such as the cuff of a shirt.
Timepiece 10 is shown in Figure 1 and basically comprises a
watch face for attaching or securing to various articles, such as
garments, fashion articles, such as carry bags or handbags,
sporting articles, such as golf bags, tennis bags, hockey bags, or
the like, as well as common household fixtures, such as light
plates, cupboards, or the like.
Timepiece 10 is generally a standard watch face without a
wrist band and modified so that its peripheral edge 12 presents a
groove 14 for use in securing timepiece 10, in the preferred
embodiment, to spring clip 16, as will hereinafter be explained.
Basically, timepiece 10 can be of plastic or metallic
construction, as desired, and can be provided in a variety of
colours or with different ornamental patterns as suits the
personality of a given individual.
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Spring clip 16 is generally of flexible plastic or steel
construction, as is well known in the industry, and has an inner
peripheral edge 18 dimensioned so as to receive snugly therewithin
timepiece 10 through engagement with groove 14 in peripheral edge
12.
Figure 2 illustrates the timepiece 10 attached or secured to
a common household fixture, such as light plate 20. Timepiece 10
can be secured permanently within light plate 20, by, for example,
first securing timepiece 10 within spring clip 16, as described
above, and moulding the assembled structure securely within the
access opening provided in the body of light plate 20.
Alternatively, spring clip 16 can be moulded within light plate 20
with a tolerance provided to allow insertion of timepiece 10 within
the access opening defined by inner peripheral edge 18 of spring
clip 16 so that it is releasably secured therewithin by the bias of
the spring clip.
Timepiece 10 can also be attached or secured to sporting
articles such as golf bag 34, illustrated in Figure 5, fashion
articles, such as a carry bag or handbag 36, illustrated in Figure
6, as well as garments, such as cuff 38 of shirt 40 as illustrated
in Figure 7. It can be appreciated, however, that other articles
and fixtures are contemplated to which timepiece 10 can be secured
and it is not intended to limit this invention to securing the
timepiece to only those articles or fixtures disclosed.
Where the timepiece is to be releasably attached or secured to
the article or fixture, and in the case of a garment or sporting
article of fabric or leather construction, the spring clip is
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preferably sewn securely therewithin to form an access opening
within the article or fixture so that timepiece 10 can be inserted
within the opening defined by inner peripheral edge 18 of spring
clip 16 and releasably held therewith through the bias of the
spring.
If timepiece 10 is desired to be permanently secured to the
article, then, as in case of a garment or materials of other
fabrics, or leather, timepiece 10 is sewn directly into the
material with such material in snug fit around peripheral edge 12
of timepiece 10, to present an attractive appearance.
It is advantageous, however, that timepiece 10 be removably
secured or attached to any given article or fixture since the life
expectancy of such unit, it's crystal, or power supply, is
considerably less than the life time of the articles or fixtures to
which the timepiece is to be secured and replacement is required
and desirable.
Moreover, removable timepieces are transferrable from one
article or fixture to another and desirable so as to follow an
individuals change in style of garment, sporting or other
recreational activities, business, or leisure.
Other means of securing timepiece 10 to the various articles
include modifying the timepiece as illustrated in Figure 3, such
that a button 22 depends from rear surface 24 of timepiece 10 and
is presented with a peripheral groove 26 to receive therearound
inner peripheral edge 18 of spring clip 16. This embodiment will
present an alternative appearance to the timepiece on any given
article.
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A further embodiment for securing timepiece 10 to a variety of
articles and fixtures, and particularly garments or other
materials, such as leather, is disclosed in Figure 4, wherein
timepiece 10 includes needle 28 extending from its rear surface for
piercing through the garment, and to be releasably secured on the
other side of the garment by a suitable clip 30 having releasable
clasps 32, as is well known in the art.
This embodiment is particularly suited for removable
timepieces for use in garments and fashion articles, and
particularly designed for fashion conscious individuals.
Other means of securing timepieces to various articles or
fixtures, can include snaps, VELCRO~ hooks and loops, or for
permanent fixture, glue. Various combinations of these can also be
used as desired, depending upon the configuration and size of the
timepiece.
While specific embodiments of this invention have been
illustrated and described herein, the invention is not limited to
the specific constructions disclosed. Those skilled in the art may
be able to provide modifications or alternatives to the disclosed
structural features while still practising this invention. It is
intended to cover all such modifications and alternatives as well
as other embodiments not disclosed which do not constitute a
departure from the spirit and scope of the attached claims.
