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US3881313A - Battery discharge guard for electric watch - Google Patents

Battery discharge guard for electric watch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3881313A
US3881313A US502998A US50299874A US3881313A US 3881313 A US3881313 A US 3881313A US 502998 A US502998 A US 502998A US 50299874 A US50299874 A US 50299874A US 3881313 A US3881313 A US 3881313A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
guard
crown
pendant
actuator
combination according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US502998A
Inventor
Edward Kaulins
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Timex Group USA Inc
Original Assignee
Timex Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Timex Corp filed Critical Timex Corp
Priority to US502998A priority Critical patent/US3881313A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3881313A publication Critical patent/US3881313A/en
Priority to GB3449375A priority patent/GB1467925A/en
Priority to AU84072/75A priority patent/AU487096B2/en
Priority to CA233,857A priority patent/CA1028860A/en
Priority to DE19752538222 priority patent/DE2538222A1/en
Priority to CH1126075D priority patent/CH1126075A4/xx
Priority to CH1126075A priority patent/CH600414B5/xx
Priority to JP50106844A priority patent/JPS5152870A/ja
Priority to FR7527043A priority patent/FR2284148A1/en
Priority to HK509/77A priority patent/HK50977A/en
Assigned to CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE reassignment CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FREDERIKSPLEIN HOLDING 1970 B.V., TIMEX CLOCK COMPANY, A DE CORP., TIMEX COMPUTERS LTD., A DE CORP., TIMEX CORPORATION, A DE CORP., TIMEX ENTERPRISES, INC., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX GROUP LTD., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX MEDICAL PRODUCTS LTD., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX N.V.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C10/00—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B43/00—Protecting clockworks by shields or other means against external influences, e.g. magnetic fields

Definitions

  • Similar guards are known in the art comprising metal clips which slip transversely over the stem of the external button or crown and hold it in an extended position during shipping or storage. This prevents accidental starting of the watch and consequent discharge of the battery. The clip is removed by the purchaser and generally discarded.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an improved battery discharge guard which is more economical to manufacture and easier to remove than previous types.
  • the battery discharge guard. illustrated at 1 comprises a first pendent-enclosing portion 2 and a connected second portion 3 in the form of a finger tab.
  • the pendantenclosing portion is generally in the shape of a washer with an internal hole 4 of diameter sufficient to enclose the pendant and stem of the actuator but substantially less than the crown diameter.
  • the portion 2 is of a thickness sufficient to hold the actuator in its extended non-operative position. 1 g
  • the pendantfenclosing portion 2 is made of thermoplastic rubber or other stretchable plastic material. suchas polyvinyl chloride.
  • thermoplastic rubber or other stretchable plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride.
  • the entire number 1 is molded in one piece so that the second or tab portion 3 is integral with the pendant-enclosing portion.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the battery discharge guard in position on a watch 5 having an external actuator 6.
  • the actuator is depressible to connect the battery to the internal circuitry through an internal switch or by releasing the balance wheel locked in open circuit position.
  • Actuator 6 has a stem 7 slidable within a fixed pendant 15 and an enlarged connected crown orknob 8. As seen in FIG. 2. the pendant-enclosing portion 2 just fits over the pendant 15 where it can be put during assembly when the actuator is inserted. or subsequent to assembly by stretching over the crown after assembly.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the method of removal.
  • the purchaser simply grasps the tab 3 and pulls to deform or stretch the pendant-enclosing portion 2 so that it may be removed by twisting up over the crown 8.
  • the guard may then be discarded and the actuator depressed to start the watch running.
  • the improved guard When manufactured in one piece. as illustrated in FIG. 1. the improved guard is economical to manufacture and fits many different types and sizes of external actuators. It may also carry legible characters giving an advertising message or trademark by appropriate indicia as shown at 9.
  • FIG. 4 another version of the invention comprises a stretchable washer 10 serving as the pendant-enclosing portion and a connected tag 11 attached to member 10 by a cord or wire 12 serving as the second portion of the guard. This is operated in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.
  • pendant-enclosing is intended to mean stem-enclosing in watches of this type.
  • a battery discharge guard for an electric watch of the type having a depressible external actuator for closing an internal circuit or connecting the battery and having a stem slidable within a pendant and an enlarged crown.
  • said guard comprising a first pendant-enclosing portion of stretchable material of sufficient thickness to hold the stem in an extended non-operative position. and a second portion connected to the pendant-enclosing portion for stretching it and pulling it over the crown of the actuator.
  • said second portion comprises an integral connected said first portion comprises a washer-like element with tab member. all of substantially uniform thickness. an internal hole of a diameter substantially less than 5.
  • said tab member is flat and adapted to carry legible 4.
  • said first portion comprises a washer-like element

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

A guard for the external actuator which internally connects the battery in an electric watch. The guard holds the actuator crown in an extended non-operative position to prevent accidental starting of the watch and discharge of the battery during shipping or storage. The guard has a stretchable portion enclosing the stem and pendant for holding the crown in an extended position and a tab for removing the guard by stretching it over the crown.

Description

0 United States Patent [1 1 nu 3,881,313 Kaulins May 6, 1975 BATTERY DISCHARGE GUARD FOR ELECTRIC WATCH Primary Examiner--George H. Miller, Jr. [75] Inventor: Edward Kaulins, New Milford,
Conn.
[73] Assignee: Timex Corporation, Waterbury, ABSTRACT Conn. A guard for the external actuator which internally [22] Flled' Sept 1974 connects the battery in an electric watch. The guard [2]] Appl. No.: 502,998 holds the actuator crown in an extended nonoperative position to prevent accidental starting of the watch and discharge of the battery during shipping or [52] 58/105 58/23 storage. The guard has a stretchable portion enclosing the stem and pendant for holding the crown in an ex- %2 k ggg g tended position and a tab for removing the guard by stretching it over the crown. 58/61.19; 200/153 M, 329, 334
[56] References Cited 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF'THE INVENTION Electric watches which employ an internal energy cell or battery as a power source. generally have an external actuator. such as a knob. button or crown. for connecting the battery through an internal switch to the watch circuit or releasing a balance wheel locked in open circuit position when it is desired to operate the watch. Such actuators may perform other functions such as setting the hands.
Similar guards are known in the art comprising metal clips which slip transversely over the stem of the external button or crown and hold it in an extended position during shipping or storage. This prevents accidental starting of the watch and consequent discharge of the battery. The clip is removed by the purchaser and generally discarded.
Because of the great variety of shapes and sizes of the external crowns. buttons or knobs. various types and shapes of clips have been needed in the past to accommodate the different designs. Additional expense is required to manufacture and stock the different types of clips.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide an improved battery discharge guard for an electric watch which accommodates most of the common types of external actuators.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved battery discharge guard which is more economical to manufacture and easier to remove than previous types.
Briefly stated. the invention comprises a battery discharge guard for a depressible external actuator having a stem within a pendant and an enlarged crown. The guard comprises a pendant-enclosing. portion of stretchable material for holding the actuator in an extended position. and a connecting tab portion for pulling the pendant-enclosing portion over the crown.
DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings. the battery discharge guard. illustrated at 1 comprises a first pendent-enclosing portion 2 and a connected second portion 3 in the form of a finger tab. The pendantenclosing portion is generally in the shape of a washer with an internal hole 4 of diameter sufficient to enclose the pendant and stem of the actuator but substantially less than the crown diameter. The portion 2 is of a thickness sufficient to hold the actuator in its extended non-operative position. 1 g
The pendantfenclosing portion 2 is made of thermoplastic rubber or other stretchable plastic material. suchas polyvinyl chloride. In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. L3. the entire number 1 is molded in one piece so that the second or tab portion 3 is integral with the pendant-enclosing portion.
FIG. 2 illustrates the battery discharge guard in position on a watch 5 having an external actuator 6. The actuator is depressible to connect the battery to the internal circuitry through an internal switch or by releasing the balance wheel locked in open circuit position. Actuator 6 has a stem 7 slidable within a fixed pendant 15 and an enlarged connected crown orknob 8. As seen in FIG. 2. the pendant-enclosing portion 2 just fits over the pendant 15 where it can be put during assembly when the actuator is inserted. or subsequent to assembly by stretching over the crown after assembly.
Reference to FIG. 3 illustrates the method of removal. The purchaser simply grasps the tab 3 and pulls to deform or stretch the pendant-enclosing portion 2 so that it may be removed by twisting up over the crown 8. The guard may then be discarded and the actuator depressed to start the watch running.
When manufactured in one piece. as illustrated in FIG. 1. the improved guard is economical to manufacture and fits many different types and sizes of external actuators. It may also carry legible characters giving an advertising message or trademark by appropriate indicia as shown at 9.
Referring to FIG. 4. another version of the invention comprises a stretchable washer 10 serving as the pendant-enclosing portion and a connected tag 11 attached to member 10 by a cord or wire 12 serving as the second portion of the guard. This is operated in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.
In some types of watches not having an extended pendant. the portion 2 may simply fit over the stem. In the appended claims. pendant-enclosing is intended to mean stem-enclosing in watches of this type.
Thus there has been shown an improved battery discharge guard which is easier to remove and which accommodates a greater variety of watch designs than previous guards. It is particularly economical to manufacture and easy to install.
While there has been described what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention. other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. and it is desired to secure in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
I claim:'
I. A battery discharge guard for an electric watch of the type having a depressible external actuator for closing an internal circuit or connecting the battery and having a stem slidable within a pendant and an enlarged crown.
said guard comprising a first pendant-enclosing portion of stretchable material of sufficient thickness to hold the stem in an extended non-operative position. and a second portion connected to the pendant-enclosing portion for stretching it and pulling it over the crown of the actuator.
2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions are formed as an integral member of stretchable material.
3,881.3 l 3 3 I 4 3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said second portion comprises an integral connected said first portion comprises a washer-like element with tab member. all of substantially uniform thickness. an internal hole of a diameter substantially less than 5. The combination according to claim 4, wherein that of said actuator crown. said tab member is flat and adapted to carry legible 4. The combination according to claim I. wherein 5 characters.
said first portion comprises a washer-like element and

Claims (5)

1. A battery discharge guard for an electric watch of the type having a depressible external actuator for closing an internal circuit or connecting the battery and having a stem slidable within a pendant and an enlarged crown, said guard comprising a first pendant-enclosing portion of stretchable material of sufficient thickness to hold the stem in an extended non-operative position, and a second portion connected to the pendant-enclosing portion for stretching it and pulling it over the crown of the actuator.
2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions are formed as an integral member of stretchable material.
3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said first portion comprises a washer-like element with an internal hole of a diameter substantially less than that of said actuator crown.
4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said first portion comprises a washer-like element and said second portion comprises an integral connected tab member, all of substantially uniform thickness.
5. The combination according to claim 4, wherein said tab member is flat and adapted to carry legible characters.
US502998A 1974-09-03 1974-09-03 Battery discharge guard for electric watch Expired - Lifetime US3881313A (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US502998A US3881313A (en) 1974-09-03 1974-09-03 Battery discharge guard for electric watch
AU84072/75A AU487096B2 (en) 1974-09-03 1975-08-19 Battery discharge guard for electric watch
GB3449375A GB1467925A (en) 1974-09-03 1975-08-19 Battery discharge guard for electric watch
CA233,857A CA1028860A (en) 1974-09-03 1975-08-21 Battery discharge guard for electric watch
DE19752538222 DE2538222A1 (en) 1974-09-03 1975-08-28 FUSE ELEMENT FOR BATTERY OPERATED WATCH
CH1126075D CH1126075A4 (en) 1974-09-03 1975-09-01
CH1126075A CH600414B5 (en) 1974-09-03 1975-09-01
JP50106844A JPS5152870A (en) 1974-09-03 1975-09-03
FR7527043A FR2284148A1 (en) 1974-09-03 1975-09-03 SAFETY DEVICE AGAINST ACCIDENTAL START-UP OF THE BATTERY OF AN ELECTRIC WATCH
HK509/77A HK50977A (en) 1974-09-03 1977-09-29 Battery discharge guard for electric watch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US502998A US3881313A (en) 1974-09-03 1974-09-03 Battery discharge guard for electric watch

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3881313A true US3881313A (en) 1975-05-06

Family

ID=24000337

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US502998A Expired - Lifetime US3881313A (en) 1974-09-03 1974-09-03 Battery discharge guard for electric watch

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3881313A (en)
JP (1) JPS5152870A (en)
CA (1) CA1028860A (en)
CH (2) CH1126075A4 (en)
DE (1) DE2538222A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2284148A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1467925A (en)
HK (1) HK50977A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4497987A (en) * 1981-04-06 1985-02-05 Sweda International, Inc. Keyboard spacer
US5308943A (en) * 1992-12-28 1994-05-03 Otis Elevator Company Convertible hybrid touch button switch
US5719920A (en) * 1995-03-31 1998-02-17 The Messenger Group Llc Method and apparatus for processing and downloading sound messages onto a permanent memory of a communication package
USD702568S1 (en) * 2013-02-04 2014-04-15 Invicta Watch Company Of America, Inc. Chronograph

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4497987A (en) * 1981-04-06 1985-02-05 Sweda International, Inc. Keyboard spacer
US5308943A (en) * 1992-12-28 1994-05-03 Otis Elevator Company Convertible hybrid touch button switch
US5719920A (en) * 1995-03-31 1998-02-17 The Messenger Group Llc Method and apparatus for processing and downloading sound messages onto a permanent memory of a communication package
US5826235A (en) * 1995-03-31 1998-10-20 The Messenger Group, Llc Communication package with apparatus and method for storing and retrieving a permanent message
USD702568S1 (en) * 2013-02-04 2014-04-15 Invicta Watch Company Of America, Inc. Chronograph

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2284148B1 (en) 1978-12-08
CA1028860A (en) 1978-04-04
GB1467925A (en) 1977-03-23
AU8407275A (en) 1977-02-24
HK50977A (en) 1977-10-07
CH1126075A4 (en) 1977-07-29
FR2284148A1 (en) 1976-04-02
CH600414B5 (en) 1978-06-15
JPS5152870A (en) 1976-05-10
DE2538222A1 (en) 1976-03-11

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TIMEX CORPORATION, A DE CORP.;TIMEX COMPUTERS LTD., A DE CORP.;TIMEX CLOCK COMPANY, A DE CORP.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:004181/0596

Effective date: 19830331