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  Device whereby a wristwatch in particular is rendered reversible and interchangeable relative to a holderUSPTO Application #: 20060171261Title: Device whereby a wristwatch in particular is rendered reversible and interchangeable relative to a holder Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to provide a device whereby various wristwatch movements can be fitted to a single strap, meaning that the watch can be replaced or reversed quickly without opening the strap or case. This aim is achieved by means of a device whereby an object such as a watch case is rendered reversible and interchangeable in a supporting element that is open on one side so that the reversible and interchangeable object can be inserted or withdrawn through said side opening, characterised in that said side opening is sealed by a portion of the reversible and interchangeable object that fits snugly onto the open side of the supporting element, thereby locking same. The device comprises retaining means for retaining the reversible and interchangeable object within the supporting element. It should be noted that in one embodiment of the device, there is no strap (100) and a clip (300) is inserted into portions (202, 203) of the supporting element (200) so that the assembly can be used as an adornment. (end of abstract)
Agent: Roger Pitt Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP - New York, NY, US Inventor: Jean-Francois Ruchonnet USPTO Applicaton #: 20060171261 - Class: 368281000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Horology: Time Measuring Systems Or Devices, Cases, Wrist Worn The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060171261. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of jewelry and watch-/clock-making, more particularly to devices allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object, particularly a watch, relative to a holder. [0002] With the market for modulable watches experiencing active growth, more and more watch manufacturers are proposing goods based on the use of modules. [0003] The functional modules that make up a modulable watch are, in particular, a strap, a watch case, and a supporting element. These functional modules are obviously supplemented by all the components that make up the range of decorative elements that can be placed, in particular, on said functional modules. Watch users seeking modulable devices are thus able to convert their watches in accordance with their wishes at any time. [0004] A watch strap is an adornment that generally surrounds the wrist and is fitted to the watch case by means of fastening elements such as small bars or small screws that are fixed in studs of said case, the latter having a case band in which the movement is placed. [0005] In order to insert and to fasten a watch case on its holder, it is known to use a device such as that illustrated in publication JP 2001091672, in which the watch case is inserted laterally into a case support forming a holder closed by a lever. Once the latter has been immobilized, the watch case is completely surrounded by the holder and thus fastened. [0006] Such a device is fragile around the pivot point of the lever and difficult to produce. Indeed, rotation of the closure lever around a small-diameter rod may give rise to the unexpected exit of said rod or, in the worst case, breakage of the rod, thus leading to the opening of the lever and consequently the unexpected exit of the watch case. [0007] The major drawback of this device lies in the fragility of the components that require a high level of precision and consequently are expensive to manufacture. [0008] An object of the present invention is to propose a device that is easy to handle, reliable, robust and that allows the insertion and sideways removal, particularly of a watch case carrying a watch movement relative to a holder. [0009] This object is achieved by means of a device allowing the reversal and interchanging of an object such as a watch case in a supporting element open on a lateral side allowing the insertion and the removal of the reversible and interchangeable object via said lateral opening, characterized in that this lateral opening is closed by a portion of the reversible and interchangeable object that fits snugly on the open lateral side of the supporting element, thus fulfilling the function of a lock for the supporting element, the device including closure means for retaining the reversible and interchangeable object in the supporting element. [0010] A device according to the invention allowing the reversal and interchanging, in particular of a watch case relative to an open supporting element is advantageously composed of a strap, a supporting element--for example an open case band--a watch case and at least one closure pusher. [0011] The watch case is inserted sideways into its holder and secured to the latter by at least one closure pusher that immobilizes the entire device when the case reaches the end of travel in its housing. The case band is fitted to the strap, for example, conventionally by means, in particular, of screws that fasten said strap to the supporting element. [0012] It should be noted that in one specific case, the user may have a clip-style watch or a bedside watch instead of a wristwatch. [0013] Furthermore, the device that is the subject of the invention includes a watch case or an assembly of two cases that can be reversed and interchanged. [0014] The invention will be better understood by virtue of the following description, given by way of example, referring to the appended drawings, in which: [0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the non-assembled components of the invention; [0016] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the components of the invention assembled and fastened to a strap; [0017] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a supporting element including an assembled closure pusher and a second closure pusher in exploded view; [0018] FIG. 4 shows an enlargement of the closure pusher in exploded view of FIG. 3; [0019] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a supporting element including two assembled closure pushers; [0020] FIG. 6 shows a section along the axis A-A' of FIG. 5, after the mounting of a closure pusher in a supporting element; [0021] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a watch case into which a watch movement has been inserted; [0022] FIG. 8 shows a guide plate in perspective view; [0023] FIG. 9 shows a closure pusher in perspective view; [0024] FIG. 10 shows a bottom view, in perspective, of a strap and supporting element assembly; Continue reading... Full patent description for Device whereby a wristwatch in particular is rendered reversible and interchangeable relative to a holder Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Device whereby a wristwatch in particular is rendered reversible and interchangeable relative to a holder patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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