Abstract:
The apparatus of timepieces which provide an unobstructed central area of a permanent opaque face for enhanced display of artwork, logos, holograms, text, designs and/or pictures which enables the wearer to discern the time.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application and claims priority of Ser. No. 09/195,277 filed on Nov. 18, 1998 and entitled “Open-Faced Watch Display”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention redesigns traditional watches, clocks and the like, in order to provide an unhindered view of the face of the timepiece. The unobstructed area, subsequently created by concealing the center post and a portion of the hands, provides a platform that will more prominently exhibit material for personal, artistic and business purposes. Some specific applications that would benefit in having an unimpaired display are pictures, artwork, promotion and advertising, and three-dimensional images. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Watches, clocks and like apparatus for indicating time are well known. A typical device  100  is illustrated in FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b . Commonly, device  100  comprises transparent crystal  110  that is attached to, and seals with, bezel  161  of opaque body  160 . Seen through crystal  110  is opaque face  140 , center post  125 , hands  120  and  130 , and time demarcation marks  170 . On the reverse side of opaque face  140 , and therefore unseen, is drive mechanism  150  which directly links, through the center of opaque face  140 , to center post  125  thereby actuating hands  120  and  130  to circumscribe opaque face  140 . The position of hands  120  and  130  in relation to marks  170  conveys the time of day. 
     The limitation with such devices as described above is that center post  125 , and hands  120  and  130 , are above opaque face  140 , which results in hindering the display in the central part of the opaque face. For example, it would be preferable to have a watch, bearing a design on its opaque face, which did not have the central part of the image disrupted by physical parts of the device. Such unimpeded watch displays are particularly advantageous for promotional uses where a logo or advertisement can be imprinted on a watch face. Alternative applications are: forms of artistic expression, pictures, three dimensional sculptures or figures, interior coordinating design work, team and league affiliations, personal unique designs and/or text, etc. What is common to all these applications is the advantage of having an unobstructed face. Thus, there exists a need for a watch wherein the center post and hands of the watch do not interfere with the central display the watch opaque face. 
     Indeed, Mallin in U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,078, recognized the need to personalize watches but his patent imposes undesirable constraints and characteristics on his watch displays and watch designs. In all cases, he discloses a watch that exhibits conventional hands extending from a center post. Integral to his design is a removable disc, either translucent or opaque with a cutout for display of a miniaturized version of a conventional watch face. Said disc rests on the shoulder of the watch casing and is not adhered to the housing or affixed to the watch. This necessitates a means to secure the disc in place and a twist-off crystal on top of the disc, consequently adding excess bulk to the device. 
     The instant invention fills the need to have an unobstructed, permanent opaque face on a watch while still being able to determine the time in a traditional manner through viewing the tip of the hands in relation to the perimeter of the watch; the medial aspects of the hands wrap around unobserved, since they are overlapped by the opaque face. An additional aspect of the invention is the sealing of the opaque face to the housing and/or affixed to the center post, which is under the opaque face of the device. 
     The additional benefit of having a prominent display of permanent advertising or personalized face without obscuring the time displayed on the watch is therefore achieved by this invention. The result provides a timepiece that is more thin, durable and easier to manufacturer while still providing the goal of an unobstructed view of the central portion of the face. Therefore, the instant invention fulfills the longed for need of a streamlined watch wherein a permanent opaque face, capable of prominently displaying unique images/artwork, is an integral part of the watch and the wearer is still able to discern the time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention restructures watches, clocks and other indicating devices to provide an unobstructed central area of the device while maintaining the overall traditional perception of the device. Some specific applications that would benefit in having an unencumbered display are time indicating devices used for advertising. These devices may bear pictures, photographs, logos, artwork, three-dimensional images, holograms, or other types of advertising indicia. Similarly, time indicating devices of the present invention may be used for purposes other than advertising, such as keepsakes, souvenirs, and gifts. When used for these purposes the opaque face may be used to display photographs, pictures, artwork, three-dimensional artwork, or other non-advertising indicia. 
     According to the invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an open-faced watch display. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an open-faced watch display including a permanent opaque face, having a slightly smaller diameter than the bezel, sealed to the housing of the watch and resting on the center post above the bezel thereby forming a gap. The center post of the device extends from the drive mechanism to the underside of the opaque face. The hands are connected to the center post. The drive mechanism causes the hands to rotate in a traditional circular manner except under the opaque face and only the end of the hands are seen. Since the hands are positioned under the opaque face and the center post is blocked by the opaque face, there is no obstruction to the central viewing area of the opaque face. 
     With these and other objects in view, in one embodiment of the invention the hands extend from the center post on the underside of the opaque face, outward beyond the periphery of the opaque face thereby being exposed to view. The bezel, which may have demarcations of time or other design features on its outer aspects, extends inward and parallel in a lower plane relative to the opaque face so as to further support the center post. The body of the timepiece is notched to accept the crystal and seal the device. The time of day can be determined by the position of the exposed end of the hands which overlay the bezel without the opaque face being obscured The opaque face may have advertising or non-advertising indicia upon it. 
     In another embodiment of the invention the hands, which are below the opaque face, are above a projection from the body of the watch. The projection extends inward and parallel with the face, to conjoin and support the center post. The outer portion of the projection may have demarcations of time or other decorative designs and would be exposed since the opaque face is smaller than the projection. The hands would be sized larger than the opaque face but smaller than the extent of the projection. The opaque face may have either advertising or non-advertising indicia on it. 
     In another embodiment of the invention the opaque face extends to the body of the watch. The outer aspect of the opaque face is of transparent material thereby exposing the end of the hands to view. The opaque face is supported centrally by the center post and peripherally by the watch body where it is sealed. 
     In another embodiment of the invention a time-indicating apparatus is provided having an opaque face that provides an indication of time without obscuring the opaque face of the apparatus. The apparatus has a housing and a drive mechanism mounted in the housing under an opaque face. One or more time indicators are connected to and driven by the drive mechanism with the time indicators extending beyond a periphery of the opaque face to indicate the time of day. 
     In another embodiment of the invention a time-indicating apparatus is provided having an opaque face that provides an indication of time without obscuring the opaque face of the apparatus with the time indicators being at least two hands. 
     In another embodiment of the invention a time-indicating apparatus is provided having an opaque face that provides an indication of time without obscuring the opaque face of the apparatus with the opaque face containing advertising indicia. 
     In another embodiment of the invention a time-indicating apparatus is provided having an opaque face that provides an indication of time without obscuring the opaque face of the apparatus with the opaque face contains non-advertising indicia. 
     In another embodiment of the invention a time-indicating apparatus is provided having an opaque face that provides an indication of time without obscuring the opaque face of the apparatus with a bezel that is substantially concentric to and parallel with the opaque face. The bezel is located in a plane below the opaque face to form a gap therebetween. The time indicators are shaped to extend outwardly, beyond the periphery of the opaque face through the gap between the bezel and the opaque face so as to provide an indication of time relative to the bezel without obscuring the opaque face. 
     In another embodiment of the invention a time-indicating apparatus is provided having an opaque face that provides an indication of time without obscuring the opaque face of the apparatus with a housing containing a drive mechanism, one or more time indicators driven by the drive mechanism, an opaque face having an opaque center portion to a transparent portion on the periphery, and where the time indicators are connected to the drive mechanism on the underside of the opaque face. 
     In another embodiment of the invention a time-indicating apparatus is provided having an opaque face that provides an indication of time without obscuring the opaque face of the apparatus with a housing containing a drive mechanism, a center post connected to the drive mechanism, one or more time indicators driven by the drive mechanism, an opaque face having an opaque center portion to a transparent portion on the periphery, and where the time indicators are connected to the center post, which is on the underside of the opaque face. 
     In another embodiment of the invention a time-indicating apparatus is provided having an opaque face that provides an indication of time without obscuring the opaque face of the apparatus where a projection that is substantially concentric to and parallel with the opaque face is shown. The projection extends from the side wall of the apparatus inward toward the center of the opaque face and is located in a plane below the opaque face to form a gap therebetween. The time indicators are shaped to extend outwardly, toward the transparent periphery of the opaque face, and crossing into said periphery through the gap between the projection and the opaque face so as to provide an indication of time relative to the projection without obscuring the face. 
     These and other aspects and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and written descriptions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 a  is an illustration of the front view of a conventional watch. 
     FIG. 1 b  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a conventional watch corresponding to FIG. 1 a.    
     FIG. 2 a  is an illustration of the front view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 b  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to FIG. 2 a.    
     FIG. 3 a  is an illustration of the front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 b  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention corresponding to FIG. 3 a.    
     FIG. 3 c  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a variation of the embodiment of the present invention corresponding to FIG. 3 a.   
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An illustration of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  as device  200 . Device  200  contains a single-housed, single transparent crystal  210  that seals with opaque body  260  at its outermost edge. Bezel  261  is shaped to extend horizontally inward to converge and support center post  225 . Contained within body  260  is drive mechanism  250 . The outer aspects of bezel  261  have time demarcations  270  inscribed on its surface. Seen through crystal  210  is opaque face  240 . The opaque face  240  is of a smaller diameter then bezel  261 , so that the outer portion of bezel  261  is in view. On the reverse side of and !supporting opaque face  240  is center post  225 , which links to drive mechanism  250 . Below opaque face  240  are hands  220  and  230  which extend from center post  225  outward and parallel to opaque face  240 , beyond the outer, aspects of opaque face  240  so as to be seen through crystal  210 . The section in which the end of hands  220  and  230  are exposed to view is identified as area  280 . In this arrangement, therefore, only opaque face  240  and area  280  are in view from crystal  210 . Most notably, center post  225  and the central portion of hands  220  and  230  are obscured from view. 
     The end of hands  220  and  230 , visible on bezel  261 , indicate time by their position in relation to marks  270 . Thus, a user of device  200  can determine the time indicated by the device without the opaque image/design that appears on opaque face  240  being marred by center post  225  and hands  220  and  230 . A modification would be to eliminate the time demarcations on bezel  261 ; the user thusly, would estimate the time of day by the position of the end of the hands. Another modification would be to incorporate patterns, design work, etc., on bezel  261 . 
     Opaque face  240  may be made of plastic, metal, wood, or a combination of materials. Opaque face  240  could show advertising, such as television show titles with or without corresponding images of the stars of said television shows, movie titles, again with or without images of the stars of said movies, major corporations, merchandise such as Coke®, Nike®, etc. Other variations may include non-advertising media such as images of photographs of individuals and/or written messages. These variations are not to be limiting and may include a host of other images and words. 
     An illustration of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3 a ,  3   b  and  3   c  as device  300 . Device  300  contains a single-housed, single transparent crystal  310  that seals with opaque body  360  at bezel  361 . Contained within body  360  is drive mechanism  350 . Projection  390 , which can be an extension of body  360  or an independent member fixed to body  360 , extends inward to conjoin and support center post  325 . Inscribed on the periphery of projection  390  are marks  370 . Seen through crystal  310  is opaque face  340 . On the reverse side of and supporting opaque face  340  is center post  325 , which links to drive mechanism  350 . As seen in FIG. 3 b , hands  320  and  330  extend from center post  325  outward and parallel to opaque face  340 , beyond the outer aspects of opaque face  340  so as to be seen through crystal  310 . The section in which the end of hands  320  and  330  are exposed to view is identified as area  380 . In this arrangement, therefore, only opaque face  340  and area  380  are in view from crystal  310 . Thusly, center post  325  and the central portion of hands  320  and  330  are obscured from view. 
     Opaque face  340  may be made of plastic, metal, wood, or a combination of materials. Opaque face  340  could show advertising, such as television show titles with or without corresponding images of the stars of said television shows, movie titles, again with or without images of the stars of said movies, major corporations, merchandise such as Coke®, Nike®, etc. Other variations may include non-advertising media such as images of photographs of individuals and/or written messages. These variations are not to be limiting and may include a host of other images and words. 
     A variation in the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 3 c  whereby opaque face  340  extends to and seals with body  360 . The periphery of opaque face  340  is of transparent material which permits viewing marks  370  as well as the tip of hands  320  and  330 , to the extent delineated by area  380 , through crystal  310 . The central portion of opaque face  340 , medial to the transparent material, is opaque for an unhindered presentation of an image/design. 
     The end of hands  320  and  330 , visible on projection  390 , indicate time by their position in relation to marks  370 . Thus, a user of device  300  can determine the time indicated by the device without the opaque image/design, that appears on opaque face  340 , from being marred by center post  325  and hands  320  and  330 . A modification would be to eliminate the time demarcations on projection  390 ; the user thusly, would estimate the time of day by the position of the end of the hands. Another modification would be to incorporate patterns, design work, etc., on projection  390 . Still another modification would be to eliminate the support of opaque face  340  by center post  325 , since opaque face  340  adjoins and seals with body  360 , and would result in a thinner device. 
     The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned herein as well as other ends and advantages that are made apparent from the disclosure. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes and modification to those embodiments described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.