Timepiece with movable case

A timepiece may include a movable case that may rotate approximately 180 degrees with respect to a first link and a second link. The case may include a first pair of tracks and a second pair of tracks that may be provided on opposite sides of the case. A first link and a second link may each slidably engage both the first pair of tracks and the second pair of tracks, so that the case may rotate 360 degrees about the first link and the second link.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to timepieces, and more particularly, to timepieces including a movable case.

BACKGROUND

Generally, timepieces do not provide a movable or a rotatable case. Timepieces that provide a case with the ability to move or rotate typically require complex structures and more components than timepieces without movable or rotatable cases. As a result, timepieces including a movable or a rotatable case lack versatility in both forming multiple timepiece structures and in providing various timepiece orientations. Additionally, timepieces that provide a movable or a rotatable case include an arrangement of components that detrimentally wear the timepiece, thus diminishing the life and aesthetic value of the timepiece within a short period of time. Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a timepiece with a movable or a rotatable case as provided herein.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a timepiece that may include a movable case. The movable case may include a first interior portion and may provide a second interior portion. The first interior portion may be parallel to the second interior portion. Additionally, the first interior portion may be provided in a first side of the case, and the second interior portion may be provided in a second side of the case. Further, the first interior portion and the second interior portion may be provided equidistant from a center of the case. The timepiece may further include at least one time indicator provided on the case to display a time. A first pair of tracks may be provided in the first interior portion, and a second pair of tracks may be provided in the second interior portion. A first link may be provided in an interlocking position with both the first pair of tracks and the second pair of tracks. Both a first pin of the first link and a second pin of the first link may engage a first portion of an interior perimeter of the case, and the first portion of the interior perimeter may be provided proximate the first link. A second link may be provided in the interlocking position with both the first pair of tracks and the second pair of tracks. Both a first pin of the second link and a second pin of the second link may engage a second portion of the interior perimeter of the case, and the second portion of the interior perimeter may be provided proximate the second link. The first portion of the interior perimeter of the case may be provided parallel to the second portion of the interior perimeter of the case. Further, the first portion of the interior perimeter of the case and the second portion of the interior perimeter of the case may be provided equidistant from the center of the case. The timepiece may comprise a first position in which both the first link and the second link are provided in the interlocking position. The timepiece also may include a second position in which the case is rotated approximately 180 degrees with respect to the first position. Both the first link and the second link may slidably engage both the first pair of tracks and the second pair of tracks. The first interior portion may be provided within a first recessed area of the case, and the second interior portion may be provided within a second recessed area of the case. The timepiece may further comprise a plurality of extension members comprising one of the plurality of extension members interconnected with the first link through a first opening, wherein the case is parallel and proximate the first link and wherein the first link is parallel and proximate the one of the plurality of extension members, and a second one of the plurality of extension members interconnected with the second link through a second opening, wherein the case is parallel and proximate the second link and wherein the second link is parallel and proximate the second one of the plurality of extension members. The case may rotate approximately 360 degrees about both the first link and the second link, and the case may lock with both the first link and the second link with approximately each 180-degree rotation of the case.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a movable case that may include a first link provided in an interlocking position with both a first pair of tracks and a second pair of tracks. The first link may include first pin and a second pin. Both the first pin and the second pin of the first link may engage a first portion of an interior perimeter of the case, and the first portion of the interior perimeter may be provided proximate the first link. A second link may be provided in the interlocking position with both the first pair of tracks and the second pair of tracks. The second link may provide a first pin and a second pin where both the first pin and the second pin of the second link may engage a second portion of the interior perimeter of the case, and the second portion of the interior perimeter may be provided proximate the second link. The first portion of the interior perimeter of the case may be parallel to the second portion of the interior perimeter of the case. Further, the first portion of the interior perimeter of the case and the second portion of the interior perimeter of the case may be equidistant from a center of the case. The movable case may further comprise a first interior portion provided in a first side of the case, the first interior portion including the first pair of tracks, and a second interior portion provided in a second side of the case, the second interior portion including the second pair of tracks, wherein the first interior portion is parallel to the second interior portion, and the first interior portion and the second interior portion are equidistant from the center of the case. The movable case may further comprise a first position in which both the first link and the second link are provided in the interlocking position. The movable case also may comprise a second position in which the case is rotated approximately 180 degrees with respect to the first position. The first link and the second link may each slidably engage both the first pair of tracks and the second pair of tracks. The first side of the case and the second side of the case may be recessed. The movable case may further comprise a plurality of extension members comprising one of the plurality of extension members interconnected with the first link through a first opening, wherein the case is parallel and proximate the first link and wherein the first link is parallel and proximate the one of the plurality of extension members, and a second one of the plurality of extension members interconnected with the second link through a second opening, wherein the case is parallel and proximate the second link and wherein the second link is parallel and proximate the second one of the plurality of extension members. The case may rotate approximately 360 degrees about both the first link and the second link, and the case may lock with both the first link and the second link with approximately each 180-degree rotation of the case.

The foregoing summary is only intended to provide a brief introduction to selected features that are described in greater detail below in the detailed description. Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following drawings, descriptions and claims. As such, this summary is not intended to identify, represent, or highlight features believed to be key or essential to the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, this summary is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally provides a timepiece that may include a movable case that may rotate approximately 180 degrees with respect to both a first link and a second link. Each link may be attached to opposite sides of the case, so that the first link and the second link may be arranged proximate opposite sides of the case. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will become apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement.

FIGS. 1-6depict timepiece100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Timepiece100may include movable case110which may provide at least one time indicator118to display the time. Timepiece100may further include first link120and second link130provided on opposite sides of case110. First link120may be provided in an interlocking position with case110, and second link130may be provided in an interlocking position with case110. It should be appreciated that when both first link120and second link130are provided in interlocking positions with case110, first link120and second link130may be provided equidistant from center144(FIGS. 1 and 3-6). It should further be appreciated that first link120and second link130may be provided at any distance from center144of case110without departing from the present disclosure. First link120may provide first opening122and second link130may provide second opening132for rotating and/or moving case110about first link120and/or about second link130. Further, first link120may include pins134a(FIGS. 1 and 3-6) and134b(FIGS. 1-5) for engaging first portion of interior perimeter126a(FIG. 5) of case110, and first portion of interior perimeter126a(FIG. 5) may be provided proximate first link120. Similarly, second link130may include pins136a(FIGS. 1 and 3-6) and136b(FIGS. 1-5) for engaging second portion of interior perimeter126b(FIG. 5) of case110, where second portion of interior perimeter126bmay be provided proximate second link130. It should be appreciated that first portion of interior perimeter126a(FIG. 5) and second portion of interior perimeter126bmay be arranged equidistant from center144of case110.

As depicted inFIGS. 1-4 and 6according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, timepiece100may provide extension member180ainterconnected with first link120through first opening122. For example, extension member180amay be interconnected with first link120, such that timepiece100provides a parallel arrangement of components in the order of case110, first link120, and extension member180a. Similarly, extension member180bmay be interconnected with second link130. For example, extension member180bmay be interconnected with second link130, such that timepiece100provides a parallel arrangement of components in the order of case110, second link130, and extension member180b. It should be appreciated that timepiece100may include any arrangement of components including, but not limited to, case110, first link120, second link130, and plurality of extension members180a,180b,180c, and180dwithout departing from the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that timepiece100may include any number of extension members. It should further be appreciated that extension members180a,180b,180c, and180dmay include, but are not limited to, chain links and/or straps. It should be appreciated that extension members180a,180b,180c, and180dmay consist of any material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, and/or leather. It should also be appreciated that there may be embodiments of the present disclosure wherein extension members180a,180b,180c, and180dinclude recessed tracks and rotate about other extension members without departing from the present disclosure. It should further be appreciated that plurality of extension members180a,180b,180c, and180dmay be attached to any link and/or attached to any side of any link.

As depicted inFIG. 5according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, first pin134aof first link120and second pin136aof second link130may engage first side124aof case110. Similarly, second pin134bof first link120and second pin136bof second link130may engage second side124bof case110. This arrangement may provide for first link120and second link130to slidably engage interior portions116aand116b, respectively, of case110. When pins134aand134bof first link120are flush against first portion of interior perimeter126a, and pins136aand136bof second link130are flush against second portion of interior perimeter126bof case110, a first position of timepiece100may be formed where first link120and second link130may be interlocked with case110. Further, stopping walls138aand138bmay be provided within interior portions116aand116b, respectively. In other words, cutouts may be formed within case110by interior portions116aand116b, and interior portions116aand116bmay be provided one parallel to another within opposite sides124aand124bof case110, respectively. For example, interior portion116amay be provided in first side124aof case, and interior portion116bmay be provided in second side124bof case110. It should be appreciated that stopping walls138aand138bmay help to retain pins134,134band136a,136b, respectively, in the first position of timepiece100. It should be appreciated that first link120and second link130may slidably engage both first pair of tracks112a,114aand second pair of tracks112b,114b, as further described below. It should further be appreciated that first link120and second link130may form any type of engagement with pairs of tracks112a,114aand112b,114bincluding, but not limited to, a snapping engagement and an adjustable engagement.

As shown inFIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6, case110may rotate through first opening122of first link120and through second opening132of second link130. First link120including pins134aand134b, and second link130including pins136aand136bmay be provided to secure first link120and second link130in opposite sides of case110in the first position and in the second position. The second position of timepiece100may be formed when case110is rotated approximately 180 degrees with respect to both first link120and second link130in the interlocking position. It should be appreciated that case110may rotate approximately 360 degrees with respect to both first link120and second link130. It should also be appreciated that case110may lock and with both first link120and second link130with approximately every 180-degree rotation of case110. It should further be appreciated that any number of positions may be formed by the orientation of case110over various degrees of rotation with respect to first link120and second link130. It should also be appreciated that case110may assume any shape and size including, but not limited to, a square shape, a round shape, a rectangular shape, a drum shape, a large size, and a small size, without departing from the subject matter of the present disclosure. It should further be appreciated that case110may be provided to rotate approximately 180 degrees in any direction including, but not limited to, up, down, right and/or left without departing from the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 1-6according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, first link120may be provided in an interlocking position with first pair of tracks112aand114a(FIG. 6). First pair of tracks112aand114amay be provided in first side124a(FIGS. 5-6) of case110and in an interlocking position with second pair of tracks112band114b(FIGS. 2-4). Second pair of tracks112band114bmay be provided in second side124b(FIG. 5) opposite of first side124a(FIG. 5) of case110. First link120and second link130may slidably engage first pair of tracks112a,114a(FIG. 6), and first link120and second link130may slidably engage second pair of tracks112b,114b(FIGS. 2-4). First pair of tracks112a,114aand second pair of tracks112b,114bmay be provided within opposite interior portions116a(FIG. 6) and116b.

FIG. 6depicts a view of case110according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Case110may house first pair of tracks112a,114athat may be provided in first interior portion116a, and second pair of tracks112b,114bthat may be provided in second interior portion116b. First pair of tracks112a,114amay include top track112aand bottom track114a. Similarly, second pair of tracks112b,114bmay include top track112band bottom track114b. Interior portions116aand116bmay form recesses on opposite sides of case110, and each interior portion116aand116bmay be positioned between the opposite edges of the sides of case110. It should be appreciated that first interior portion116amay include first pair of tracks112a,114aand second interior portion116bmay include second pair of tracks112b,114b.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 6according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, strap140may be attached to opposite sides of timepiece100. It should be appreciated that strap140may include any number of loops. For example, a double-strap having two loops may be attached to case110or a triple-strap having three loops may be attached to case110. It should be appreciated that strap140may assume any desired length without departing from the present disclosure. It should further be appreciated that strap140may incorporate any material(s) including, not limited to, metal, plastic, and/or leather.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3-6, at least one time indicator118may be located on case110. It should be appreciated that time indicator118may be provided at any position on case110. It should also be appreciated that any type of time indicator may be provided including, but not limited to, a dial and/or a digital screen. It should be appreciated that a plurality of time indicators118may be provided on case110. It should further be appreciated that additional indicators may be provided on case110including, but not limited to, a date indicator, a time zone indicator, and/or a morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) indicator. It should be appreciated that there may be embodiments of the present disclosure wherein case110does not include time indicator118without departing from the present disclosure. It should further be appreciated that there may be embodiments of the present disclosure wherein timepiece100may assume the form of a watch, a bracelet, a belt, a keychain and/or any other accessory without departing from the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that different colors, textures, and/or designs may be provided on each side of timepiece100without departing from the present disclosure.