For example, wristwatch foldover buckles are well known in the art and are manufactured and sold by a wide variety of watch manufacturers. Other watch buckles and constructions are also well known, such as the use of a leather strap, pin and buckle, similar to a buckle used on a waist belt. However, most of the known wristwatch buckle constructions, such as the aforementioned examples, are typically positioned opposite the watchhead at the ends of the wristwatch strap, and thus positioned on a user's wrist on the underside thereof, again consistent with a position opposite the watchhead's location on the wrist.

The present inventors have recognized such arrangements as less than fully desirable. Arrangements for reliably securing a watchhead to a wrist that do not employ the current prior art configurations have been achieved by the present inventors, and are believed to be functionally novel and aesthetically pleasing. As such, the present invention overcomes perceived deficiencies in the prior art as well as providing the objectives and advantages set forth below.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wristwatch with a buckle arrangement that is reliably securable to a user's wrist.

Another object of the present invention to provide an improved wristwatch that is reliably securable to a user's wrist in a manner differently from that in existing wristwatch arrangements.

Yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved wristwatch that is reliably securable to a user's wrist and also aesthetically pleasing.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the disclosure hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Generally speaking, the present invention is directed to embodiments comprising improved wristwatches and components thereof. For example, in accordance with a first embodiment, the wristwatch comprises an outer face plate, the outer face plate having (a) a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupleable to a first end of a watchband and (b) an opening; an inner face plate, the inner face plate having (a) a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the inner face plate is hingedly coupled to the second end of the outer face plate and (b) an opening at least partially coalignable with the opening in the outer face plate; a watchhead, the watchhead having (a) a display, (b) timekeeping functionality, (c) a first end hingedly coupled to the second end of the inner face plate and (d) a second end coupleable to a second end of the watchband; and a coupling mechanism for coupling the outer face plate to the watchhead after the inner face plate has rotated so that the outer face plate, the inner face plate and the watchhead are in "surface to surface"alignment and at least part of the opening of the outer face plate, at least part of the opening of the inner face plate and at least part of the watchface are coaligned; whereby a decoupling of the coupling mechanism permits (a) the outer face plate to move out of"surface to surface"alignment with the inner face plate and (b) the inner face plate to move out of"surface to surface"alignment with the watchhead.

Specific features are also provided which may be incorporated into the present invention. For example, the watchhead has a top surface, the outer face plate has an inner surface and an outer surface; and the inner face plate has an inner surface and an outer surface; and wherein the outer face plate, the inner face plate and the watchhead are in "surface to surface"alignment when (a) the inner surface of the outer face plate is aligned with the outer surface of the inner face plate and (b) the inner surface of the inner face plate is aligned with the top surface of the watchhead. In this configuration, the top surface of the watchhead may be arcuate, the outer face plate may be arcuate in shape and the inner face plate may be arcuate. Additionally, the coupling mechanism may comprise

a springbar coupled to the outer face plate, the springbar having a head positioned thereon that is movable in a coaxial direction with respect to the springbar; a springbar receiving hand extending from the second end of the watchhead, wherein the springbar receiving hand includes (a) a cavity dimensioned for receiving the springbar and the head and (b) fingers for releasably securing the head in the cavity ; wherein the head on the springbar is movable in a"biased direction"towards the fingers when the head is positioned in the cavity so as to maintain the coupling of the springbar in the springbar receiving hand; whereby the movement of the head in a direction opposite the"biased direction"moves the head away from the fingers and permits the decoupling of the springbar from the springbar receiving hand. A pusher may be coupled to the springbar to move the springbar in the direction opposite the"biased direction." A specific watchhead/buckle arrangement for use in such a wristwatch is also disclosed.

In yet an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a wristwatch may comprise a watchstrap having a first end and a second end; a watchhead, the watchhead having timekeeping functionality and an end coupled to the first end of the watchstrap; a buckle arrangement coupleable to the second end of the watchstrap, the buckle arrangement for releasably securing the watchhead thereto, the buckle arrangement comprising a frame for supporting the watchhead on one side thereof; a jaw member having a first end rotatably coupled to the frame, and a second end; and a latching mechanism for latching the second end of the jaw member to the frame; wherein the watchhead is releasably securable in the buckle arrangement intermediate the frame and the jaw member.

Similarly, if the particular watchstrap is not a critical feature, the invention may comprise a watchhead, the watchhead having timekeeping functionality and an end coupleable to a first end of a watchstrap; a buckle arrangement coupleable to a second end of a watchstrap, the buckle arrangement for releasably securing the watchhead thereto, the buckle arrangement comprising: a frame for supporting the watchhead on one side thereof; a jaw member having a first end rotatably coupled to the frame and a second end; and a latching mechanism for latching the second end of the jaw member to the frame; wherein the watchhead is releasably securable in the buckle arrangement intermediate the frame and the jaw member.

Likewise, particular features may be added consistent with the objectives and advantages of the present invention. For example, the frame preferably includes a base onto which a bottom surface of the watchhead is positionable. Also, the first end of the jaw member may be spring biased relative to the frame so as to urge the jaw member towards an open position, and the second end of the jaw member comprises tabs extending from the outer side surfaces thereof. The frame may also include recesses for receiving the tabs extending from the outer side surfaces of the jaw member as well as pushers for respectively pushing the first tab and the second tab out of the respective first and second recesses, since the tabs are releasably securable within the recesses. In this way, the pushing of the tabs out of the recesses allows the jaw member to rotate towards the open position thereby permitting removal of the watchhead from the buckle arrangement. In one particular construction, each of the pushers comprise a pin, disposed inside the respective recess, and spring biased in a direction away from the respective tab to which it contacts when the respective tab is positioned inside the respective recess; and a button coupled to the pin for urging the pin towards its respective tab so as to urge the tab out of the recess. Still further, the wristwatch may include a neck member connected to the watchhead; and a first depending flange and a second depending flange, both of which are spaced apart from each other and depend from the second end of the jaw member, wherein the neck member is intermediate the first and second depending flanges when the watchhead is secured in the buckle arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a wristwatch constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the wristwatch illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the wristwatch of Fig. 1 moving towards a closed position; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the wristwatch of Fig. 1 in a fully closed position; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a wristwatch constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a tc piM\ view of the wristwatch illustrated in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an end view of the buckle arrangement of the wristwatch illustrated in Fig.

5 ; and Fig. 8 is a top view of the wristwatch of Fig. 5 in a closed or otherwise locked position.

Identically labeled elements appearing in different ones of the above-described figures refer to the same elements but may not be referenced in the description for all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will first be made to Figs. 1-4 wherein a wristwatch, generally indicated at 10, constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Reference to the particular figures where appropriate will be set forth.

Generally speaking, wristwatch 10 comprises an outer face plate 20, an inner face plate 40, a watchhead 60, a watchband 70 and a coupling mechanism, the particulars all of which, including their arrangement with respect to each other, now follows: Specifically, outer face plate 20 includes a first end 21 and a second end 22, wherein first end 21 is coupled to a first end 71 of watchband 70. The coupling of first end 21 to first end 71 may be of any known method, including the use of a springbar arrangement (the preferred construction herein), adhesive or other linkage arrangements, all of which are well known in the art. For example, if a leather strap is used with the present invention, a screw and adhesive coupling may be preferred, such as in accordance with the second embodiment disclosed below. However, as linkage coupling is well known in the art, no further mention need be made thereto. Outer face plate 20 also includes an opening 23 in the surface thereof, the purpose of which will become clear below.

Inner face plate 40 also has a first end 41 and a second end 42. First end 41 is hingedly coupled to second end 22 of outer face plate 20. A springbar 81, set forth herein as part of a coupling mechanism further disclosed below, is provided for this purpose.

Inner face plate 40 likewise has an opening 43 in the surface thereof. For reasons that will become clear below, opening 43 is at least be partially, if not completely, coaligned with opening 23 when the inner face plate 40 has been rotated so that outer face plate 20, inner

face plate 40 and a top surface (such as a display) 63 of watchhead 60 are in"surface to surface"alignment.

"Surface to surface"alignment should be understood to mean the following: Specifically, watchhead 60 has a top surface 63, such as a display. Outer face plate 20 also has an inner surface 24 and an outer surface 25. In the preferred embodiment, outer face plate 20 is in the shape of a shell, similar to that found in traditional foldover buckles.

Inner face plate has an inner surface 44 and an outer surface 45. To have outer face plate 20, inner face plate 40 and watchhead 60 in"surface to surface"alignment, (a) inner surface 24 of outer face plate 20 is aligned with outer surface 45 of inner face plate 40 and (b) inner surface 44 of inner face plate 40 is aligned with top surface 63 of watchhead 60.

In particular, the alignment takes place when there is"facing"alignment between the surfaces. The operation to place the surfaces in"facing"and"surface to surface" alignment is disclosed below.

Watchhead 60 may be of a wide arrange of shapes and sizes. In the preferred construction, watchhead 60 is essentially rectangular and comprises analog and/or digital timekeeping functionality and internal movements (if applicable), all designated by reference numeral 65, all of which is well know in the art. As the timekeeping functionality is not material to the present invention, no further comments need be made thereon.

Watchhead 60 preferably includes a display, such as that denoted with reference numeral 63, a first end 61 hingedly coupled to second end 42 of inner face plate 40, and a second end 62 coupleable to a second end 72 of watchband 70. A raised rim 64 may be provided so as to accentuate the viewing area. In the preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in the figures, second end 62 is not directly connected to second end 72 of watchband 70, but rather coupled thereto by way of a springbar receiving hand 82.

Specifically, springbar receiving hand 82 may be integrally molded to watchhead 60, or may be coupled thereto via small screws (not shown) or the like. The other end of springbar receiving hand 82 can be coupled to a first link"L"of second end 72 of watchband 70 by way of a springbar 84. It should be quickly recognized that first end 71 of watchband 70 is coupled to second end 72 of watchband 70 by way of additional links, all which in the preferred embodiment are similarly constructed. Similarly, watchband 70 can be made of leather or the like.

Lastly, a coupling mechanism is provided. Generally speaking, the coupling mechanism couples outer face plate 20 to watchhead 60 after inner face plate 40 has rotated so that outer face plate 20, inner face plate 40 and watchhead 60 are in the aforementioned"surface to surface"alignment and at least part of opening 23 of outer face plate 20, at least part of opening 43 of inner face plate 40 and at least part of display 63 are coaligned. On the other hand, a decoupling of the coupling mechanism permits (a) outer face plate 20 to move out of"surface to surface"alignment with inner face plate 40 and (b) inner face plate 40 to move out of"surface to surface"alignment with watchhead 60. This orientation whereby the outer face plate 20, the inner face plate 40 and the watchhead 60 are most clearly out of"surface to surface"alignment can be seen in Fig. 1.

The coupling mechanism comprises springbar 81 and springbar receiving hand 82.

However, it should be understood that characterizing such elements as part of a particular mechanism is for convenience, and not limitation. For example, one could easily characterize springbar receiving hand 82 as part of the second end of watchhead 60. In <BR> <BR> such a way, there need not be a particularly defined"coupling mechanism. "The present application and corresponding claims should be similarly construed.

Springbar 81 is coupled between the sides of outer face plate 20. A cylindrically- shaped head 83 is positioned thereon and may be integrally molded thereon. Springbar 81 (and hence head 83) is movable in a coaxial direction with respect to springbar 81.

Arrows"X"and"Y"show such directions. A spring 89 inside the inner wall of outer face plate spring-biases springbar 81 in the direction"X." Springbar receiving hand 82 extends from second end 62 of watchhead 60.

Springbar receiving hand 82 includes two cavity portions 84,85 dimensioned for respectively receiving (a) a portion of only springbar 81 and (b) another portion of springbar 81 as well as head 83. To secure head 83 therein, receiving hand 82 includes fingers 86,87 for releasably securing head 83 in cavity portion 85. Specifically, fingers 86,87 extend from the upper corners of the sidewalls of receiving hand 82 into cavity portion 85. Head 83 can be maintained in cavity portion 85 if head 83 can be caught under fingers 86,87. Thus head 83 is spring biased in the"X"direction (defined as the"biased direction") towards fingers 86,87 when head 83 is positioned in cavity portion 85. In this way, the coupling of outer face plate 20 and watchhead 60 is maintained. One can therefore see that outer face plate 20is really coupled to watchhead 60 as there is really no

direct connection therebetween. However, any direct connection therebetween would of course be covered by the claims.

To decouple the coupling mechanism (i. e. decouple the outer face plate 20 from the watchhead 60), head 83 must be moved in a direction opposite the"biased direction"so as to move head 83 away from fingers 86,87. This direction is illustrated by arrow"Y."To achieve this, a pusher 88 is provided and coupled to an end of springbar 81 to manually bias springbar 81 in the direction opposite the"biased direction." A disclosure of the operation of the present invention, including a description of the relative movement of the elements thereof, shall now be provided.

Namely, it is anticipated that a person desirous of placing wristwatch 10 around his/her wrist will insert her wrist through loop"P" (Fig 3), although most likely when wristwatch 10 is in the alignment illustrated in Fig. 1. Inner face plate 40 is then rotated in the direction indicated by arrow"A"relative to first end 61 of watchhead 60. In this manner, outer face plate 20 will move in direction"C"relative to watchhead 60. This results in inner surface 44 of inner face plate 40 to rotate into facing alignment with top surface 63 of watchhead 60, and in particular, the dial/display side thereof. Similarly, the inner surface 24 of outer face plate 20 rotates towards facing alignment with outer surface 45 of inner face plate 40, all so as to be in the aforementioned"surface to surface" alignment.

When the coupling mechanism is in its coupled position (i. e. head 83 is spring biased under fingers 86,87 in cavity portion 85) outer face plate 20, inner face plate 40 and watchhead 60 are all in"surface to surface"alignment with each other. It will now be clear the importance of having at least part of opening 23 of outer face plate 20, at least part of opening 43 of inner face plate 40 and at least part of watchface 60, all coaligned, namely to be able to see the watchface/dial. A fully coupled position is illustrated in Fig.

4.

Preferably, the top corners of fingers 86,87 are rounded so as to allow head 83 to "springingly"pass thereby as head 83 is moving towards its position in cavity portion 85.

However, the bottom corners of fingers 86,87 are preferably not at all curved (and may be quite pointed) so as to prevent head 83 from inadvertently decoupling therefrom. Namely, it is desired that an intentional biasing of the springbar 81 in the direction opposite the "biased direction"would be necessary to delatch head 83 from receiving hand 82. Hence the function of pusher 88. Lastly, a channel 89 may be provided in receiving hand 82 for

clearance to receive a front lip 26 of outer face plate 20, keeping in mind that face plate 20 is similar to a shell, thus having such a lip.

Once coupled, the diameter of loop"P"has been decreased and thus the likelihood of wristwatch 10 falling off a wrist is significantly reduced. To remove wristwatch 10 from the wrist, one must decouple the head from receiving hand 82 by depressing button 88 so as to move springbar 81 in a direction opposite the"biased direction"thus moving head 83 out from under the entrapment of fingers 86,87. The decoupling of the coupling mechanism thus permits (a) outer face plate 20 to move out of the"surface to surface" alignment with inner face plate 40 and (b) inner face plate 40 to move out of the"surface to surface"alignment with watchhead 60. In this way wristwatch can be easily removed from the user's wrist.

Reference shall now be made to Figs. 5-8 in connection with the ensuing description for a disclosure and an understanding of a second embodiment of the present invention. Generally speaking and in accordance with the second embodiment, a wristwatch, generally indicated at 100, comprises three main components, namely, a watchhead 120 having timekeeping functionality 121 (all similar to that disclosed above, namely that the functionality could be analog and/or digital, all of which is not material to the invention and nonetheless well known to one skilled in the art), a buckle arrangement, generally indicated at 140, for releasably securing watchhead 120 thereto, and a watchstrap 180. As will be explained in detail below, watchhead 120 is releasably securable in the buckle arrangement 140 (Fig. 8).

Watchhead 120 has an end 122 coupled to a first end 181 of watchstrap 180. As with the first embodiment above, similarly it should be understood with respect to this second embodiment that the term"coupled"as used herein and as used in its natural meaning can and sometimes does imply that intermediate elements may exist between two parts"coupled together. "Consistent therewith, wristwatch 100, in the preferred construction, includes a neck member 123 coupled (and preferably directly connected) to watchhead 120, such as by being integrally molded thereto. Therefore, it should be understood that whether neck member 123 is characterized as part of watchhead 120 or a separate element is of no critical importance. Neck member 123 may likewise be connected, integrally molded or otherwise, to a lengthwise lug member 124. It is lug member 124 that may be directly connected to end 181 of watchstrap 180. In a preferred connection arrangement, watchstrap 180 is of a real or synthetic material, such as leather,

and a multiple screw arrangement 182 may be used as would be well understood in the art.

A cavity 125 is provided in the end of lug member 124 for receiving end 181 of watchstrap 180. It of course should be understood that other strap materials, such as metal links could be used therefor, thus using a springbar arrangement, as would be well known.

Buckle arrangement 140 is coupled to a second end 183 of watchstrap 180 via an intermediate lug member 178 similarly constructed to lug member 124. Buckle arrangement 140 preferably comprises a frame 141 for supporting watchhead 120 on the bottom side 126 thereof, and a jaw member 142 having a first end 143 rotatably coupled to frame 141 via a springbar 166. A latching mechanism for latching a second end 144 of jaw member 142 to frame 141 is also provided so as to releasably secure watchhead 120 intermediate frame 141 and jaw member 142.

Specifically, frame 141 includes a base, and in the preferred embodiment, the base comprises opposing flat supports 145a and 145b onto which a portion of bottom surface 126 of watchhead 120 is positionable. Of course the base may be a solid flat support, instead of only the preferred support members.

Jaw member 142 is preferably spring-biased relative to frame 141 so as to urge jaw member 142 towards the open position illustrated in Fig. 5. A spring 146 is provided therefor, and urges the rotation of jaw member 142 in a clockwise direction"A."Second end 144 of jaw member 142 comprises compressible (and preferably spring-biased) tabs 147,148 extending from respective outer side surfaces 149,150 of second end 144 of jaw member 142.

Frame 141 includes two recesses 151,152 for releasably receiving and securing the respective ends of tabs 147,148. Frame 141 further comprises pushers 153,154 for respectively pushing first tab 147 and second tab 148 out of the respective first and second recesses 151,152. In this way, the pushing of tabs 147,148 out of recesses 151,152 allows jaw member 142 to rotate towards the open position thereby permitting removal of watchhead 120 from buckle arrangement 140.

Specifically, pusher 153 comprises a pin 155 disposed inside recess 151. Pin 155 is preferably spring biased (spring not shown but clearly understood by one of ordinary skill) in a direction away from respective tab 147 to which it contacts when tab 147 is positioned inside recess 151. A button 156, which can be manually actuated, is coupled to pin 155 for urging pin 155 towards tab 147 so as to urge tab 147 out of recess 151. As implied above, tab 147 is also spring biased so that it can"spring"into recess 151 while

also being able to pass by the inner surfaces of a foot 161 (which houses pusher 153) when it is depressed out of recess 151. Pusher 154 with its associated pin 162, button 163 and foot 164 are all constructed in an identical manner to the foregoing pusher 153, pin 155, button 156, and foot 161. Tab 148 works identically to tab 147.

Jaw member 142, at the second end thereof, has a first depending flange 170 and a second depending flange 171, both of which are spaced apart from each other. As can be appreciated, neck member 123 will be intermediate the first and second depending flanges 170,171 when watchhead 120 is secured in the buckle arrangement 140.

To operate the present invention (i. e. couple watchhead 120 to buckle arrangement 140), one moves watchhead 120 (in the direction of arrow"B"of Fig. 5) towards buckle arrangement 140 and places bottom surface 126 of watchhead 120 onto the base (i. e. supports 145a, 145b) of frame 141. Neck member 123 will thus lie on support 145c.

Once watchhead 120 is thus aligned, jaw member 142 is thus manually urged in the direction opposite direction"A"towards feet 161,164. As set forth above, tabs 147,148 will pass the inner walls of feet 161,164, as tabs 147,148 are constructed with smooth outer (or rounded) surfaces so as permit their passing thereby, and will thereafter"spring" into respective recesses 151,152. In this way, watchhead 120 is releasably secured in buckle arrangement 140 intermediate frame 141 and jaw member 142, specifically as neck member 123 is trapped between bar 145c and second end 144 of jaw member 142.

To release second end 144 of jaw member 142 from frame 141 so as to permit the removal of watchhead 120 from buckle arrangement 140, pushing on buttons 156 and 163 will cause respective pins 155,162 to move towards respective tabs 147,148. Contact therebetween will cause the retraction of respective tabs 147 and 148 sufficiently to move them out of the recesses and along the inner sidewalls of feet 161,164, thus causing jaw member 142 to be urged in direction"A"towards its open position by way of the biasing action of spring 146. Watchhead 120 can then be moved from buckle arrangement 140.

As can now be seen, the present invention provides an improved wristwatch that is reliably securable to a user's wrist in a manner differently from those in existing wristwatch arrangements. Additionally, the present invention provides an improved wristwatch that is reliably securable to a user's wrist and also aesthetically pleasing.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the

invention, it is intend. çd tha4 all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.