Abstract:
A watch for providing a digital time display comprises a movement mechanism disposed in a case that includes a number of continuous belts. The belts each have a numerical indicia consistent with hours, minutes and optionally second. The belts mounted over opposed drums, and the drums are rotated through gear engagement motors to move the belts. The arrangement of belts and drums are mounted on a frame separate from the case. The motors are operated to move the belts to cause the numerical indicia of the combined belts to register with one or more windows visible through a transparent cover to provide a time display. The belts may be oriented to overlap one another. The watch includes a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the motors, an optical sensor to determining the position of the belts, and a wirelessly rechargeable battery pack for powering the motors.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/742,316, filed Jan. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,693,293, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/940,941, filed Nov. 5, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,355,297, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/258,536 filed Nov. 5, 2009, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to timepieces and, more particularly, to watch assemblies having a face that displays a plurality of time-coordinated belts which indicate the time by hours, minutes and optionally seconds. The time-coordinated belts are preferably configured and arranged in a manner to provide an indication of the time by a digital display. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a watch assembly having a plurality of time-coordinated belts is described, wherein at least one of the time-coordinated belts overlaps another of the time-coordinated belts. The watch assembly comprises a casing and a wristband or bracelet. The casing comprises a display, a plurality of time-coordinated belts, and one or more movement mechanisms to actuate the plurality of time-coordinated belts. The display may comprise one or more windows or display frames through which the hour, minutes and optionally seconds are presented to presumably reflect the time and provide a viewable time display. The plurality of time-coordinated belts may separately be indicative of the hour, minutes and seconds and one or more of the belts may be arranged in an overlapping or interwoven configuration so as to provide the indication of hour, minutes and seconds in relatively close proximity to one another so as to resemble a conventional digital display. One or more movement mechanisms actuate the plurality of time-coordinated belts, either separately or in a coordinated manner. 
     In another embodiment, a watch assembly having a plurality of time-coordinated belts is described, wherein the time-coordinated belts are configured in a substantially parallel and non-overlapping relation to one another. The watch assembly comprises a casing and a wristband or bracelet. The casing comprises a display, a plurality of time-coordinated belts and one or more movement mechanisms to actuate the plurality of time-coordinated belts. The display may comprise one or more windows or display templates through which the hour, minutes and optionally seconds are presented to presumably reflect the time to provide a time display. The windows may be stationary or they may similarly have a movement that is time-coordinated with the belts. The plurality of time-coordinated belts may separately be indicative of the hour, minutes and seconds and one or more of the belts may be arranged in a substantially parallel configuration. One or more movement mechanisms actuate one or both of the plurality of time-coordinated belts and the windows, either separately or in a coordinated manner. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a watch assembly having a plurality of time-coordinated belts. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wrist watch having a plurality of time-coordinated belts. 
         FIGS. 3A-B  are perspective views of the casing portion of the watch assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4A-B  are perspective views of the belt assembly for the watch assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the casing portion of the watch assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the casing portion of the watch assembly of  FIG. 1  without the belts. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the casing portion of the watch assembly of  FIG. 1  without the belts. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom end view of the casing portion of the watch assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a combination of a numerical and representative indication of time that may be provided on a time-coordinated belt. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a segment of a time-coordinated belt having a plurality of grooves on a single side. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates a segment of a time-coordinated belt having a plurality of grooves on both sides the belt. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an exploded view perspective of the various elements making up the watch. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the watch of  FIG. 11  as assembled. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the watch illustrating the location of control circuitry and a power source. 
         FIGS. 14A-C  illustrate different views of a battery pack used to power the watch. 
     
    
    
     Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages may be obtained, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the watch assembly  100  having a plurality of time-coordinated belts  132 ,  134   a, b , and  136 . The watch assembly  100  generally comprises a casing  110  and a wristband  190  coupled to the casing  110  via a hinged coupler  195 . This can also been seen in  FIG. 12 . 
     Casing  110  comprises a display area having a plurality of windows  122 ,  124   a,b , and  126  through which an indication of time (hour, minutes and seconds, respectively) may be read. Preferably, the plurality of windows  122 ,  124   a,b  and  126  provide a fixed and stationary display, although embodiments utilizing a mobile or time-coordinate display may also be implemented. 
     A plurality of time-coordinated belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  provide the indication of time through the plurality of windows  122 ,  124   a,b  and  126 . The plurality of time-coordinated belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  may separately provide an indication of the hour, minutes and seconds, respectively. While an embodiment of the watch has been described and illustrated comprising a belt  136  for the display of seconds, it is to be understood that embodiments of the watch without such belt  136  are within the scope of the invention. Each of the time-coordinated belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  are configured as an endless loop around drum pairs, as further explained and depicted in  FIGS. 3-8 . The belts can be formed from suitable materials that provide sufficient flexibility to conform with the respective drum pairs without stretching to maintain a desired fit. In an example embodiment, the belts are formed from a fiber-reinforced polymeric material, such as nylon or the like, and have a thickness that provides a desired degree of conformity. In an example embodiment, the belts have a thickness of approximately 0.002 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the time-coordinated belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  include printed or otherwise marked indicia along an outside surface, e.g., in the form of consecutive numerals  90  or other alternative representations of numbers or time increments  92 , such as tick or dash marks useful for providing a time display. Movement of the time-coordinated belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  causes these numerals  90  or other alternative representations  92  to appear through the plurality of windows  122 ,  124   a,b  and  126  to provide an indication of time, i.e., a time display when viewed by a user. 
     The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  show at least two of the time-coordinated belts  134   a,b  overlapping another of the time-coordinated belts  132  at an angle that is not perpendicular to the axis of the overlapped belt  132 . This overlapping and angled arrangement of the belts  132  and  134   a,b  allows for the numerals corresponding to the separate time aspects (hour and minutes) to appear in close proximity with each other and further provides a novel display of the time. 
     An optional indication of date (not depicted) may be provided in a different or similar manner. For example, the indication of date may be provided as a digital display separate from the plurality of time-coordinated belts. The indication of date may also be provided as an analog display, either similar or different from the indication of time as provided by the belts. 
     A crown  185  is provided to enable a user to set or adjust the time set for the watch assembly  100  by rotating any one or more of the plurality of time-coordinated belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136 . In accordance with one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the crown  185  may be pulled in a direction away from the watch casing  110  in at least three stepped distances, each of which separately corresponds to the adjustments of the hour, minutes and seconds. The crown  185  may be turned to rotate each of the plurality of belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  in either one of two directions to rotate the numbers in an increasing or decreasing order through the windows  122 ,  124   a,b  or  126 . Once the desired number on the belts is displayed through the appropriate window, the crown  185  may be further pulled out to adjust additional time parameters (e.g., minutes or seconds) in similar manner. Once the time adjustment is completed, the crown  185  may be pushed in to set the time. Alternatively, all of the time adjustments can be made by turning the crown in one or more directions. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the crown  185  is associated with a delay function to prevent undesired advancement of the belts. The crown  185  may thus be turned in either direction, in any amount of degrees for a set period of time before the belts begin to advance for the purpose of setting the correct desired time. The crown can be positioned at different locations on the watch. In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the crown  185  is positioned extending from the casing  110  adjacent one of the watch wristbands  190 , i.e., parallel with the wristband. In such embodiment, the hinged coupler  195  comprises a recessed portion for accommodating the crown therein. 
     The crown  185  may be coupled to a circuit-switch, which allows for the crown to be turned and held at a certain set degree of rotation. For example, clockwise rotation may advance either one of the hour belt or the minute belt and counter-clockwise rotation may advance the other of the hour belt or the minute belt that was not advanced by clockwise rotation. The seconds belt  136  is preferably halted during the operation of all crown functions. Upon disengagement of the crown functions, the seconds belt  136  may advance to depict accurate current seconds reading and subsequent continue its normal advancement. Additionally, the watch can be turned on and/or off by operation of the crown. 
       FIG. 2  depicts another embodiment of the watch assembly  200  having a casing  210  that comprises a display area  220  and a plurality of time-coordinated belts  232  and  234   a,b . Although not depicted in this embodiment, it is understood that the watch assembly  200  may further comprise a wristband coupled to the casing via a hinged coupler in a similar manner as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     The display area  220  preferably comprises a transparent window made of glass, plastic, acrylic or other suitable material. A plurality of windows  222 ,  224  may be defined with a separate frame or may be demarcated by suitable graphics provided directly on the display area  220 , such as markings or the like. Alternatively, the display area  220  may be made of opaque material with one or more windows  222 ,  224  as defined by a transparent portion of the opaque material. 
     The plurality of windows  222 ,  224  is provided in connection with the display area  220  through which an indication of time may be read by a user. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the hour and minutes may be read through windows  222  and  224  respectively. While the plurality of windows  222 ,  224  are depicted in  FIG. 2  as being stationary or fixed to the display, it is understood that the windows  222 ,  224  may also be slidably mobile. 
     A plurality of time-coordinated belts  232  and  234   a,b  provide the indication of time through the plurality of windows  222  and  224   a,b , respectively. The plurality of time-coordinated belts  232  and  234   a,b  separately provide an indication of the hour, minutes and optionally seconds (not shown). Each of the time-coordinated belts  232  and  234   a,b  are also configured as an endless loop around drum pairs. Consecutive numerals are provided on the time-coordinated belts  232  and  234   a,b  and movement of the time-coordinated belts  232  and  234   a,b  causes these numerals to appear through the plurality of windows  222  and  224   a,b  to provide an indication of time. Unlike the embodiment of the watch assembly  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of time-coordinated belts  232  and  234   a,b  are arranged in a non-overlapping and substantially parallel manner. 
     A crown  285  is provided to enable a user to set or adjust the time set for the watch assembly  200  by rotating any one or more of the plurality of time-coordinated belts  232  and  234   a,b . In accordance with one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the crown  285  may be pulled in a direction away from the watch casing  210  in two or more stepped distances, each of which separately corresponds to the adjustments of the hour and minutes. The crown  285  may be turned to rotate each of the plurality of belts  232  and  234   a,b  in either one of two directions to rotate the numbers in an increasing or decreasing order through the windows  222 . Once the desired number on the belts is displayed through the appropriate window, the crown  285  may be further pulled out to adjust additional time parameters or may be pushed in to set the time. 
       FIGS. 3A-B  are perspective views of the casing portion  110  of the watch assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 . As further shown in  FIGS. 3A-B , the casing portion  110  comprises a lower end cap  113  and an upper  115  end cap and a display area  120  defined therebetween. The display area  120  is covered with a front cover  121 , wherein at least a portion of the cover is transparent. In an example embodiment, the entire cover is transparent to facilitate viewing the time display as well as other operative features of the watch. The front cover can be front cover is preferably made of a transparent material, such as glass, plastic, acrylic and the like. In an example embodiment, the front cover is made from scratch-resistant and anti-reflective polycarbonate of the same type used to make bulletproof glass and the like. 
     A single plate, display template or frame  120  is provided with a window indication of hour  122 , minutes  124   a,b  and seconds  126 . While a single plate  120  is depicted in  FIG. 1 , it is understood that the plurality of windows  122 ,  124   a,b  and  126  may be provided on separate plates. Alternatively, instead of having a separate plate, the windows may simply be marked directly on the display area  120  and/or on the front cover of the watch assembly  100  with suitable graphics or annotations. 
     A plurality of belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  are each disposed on drum pairs, the plurality of belt  132 ,  134   a,b  each having sequential numerals printed or otherwise provided on the surface (not shown). The plurality of belts  132 ,  134   a,b  are each disposed on opposing drum pairs by a plurality of openings or grooves  138  which line the outer periphery and which mate with corresponding surface features such as spikes or protrusions  148  provided on the drum pairs. The plurality of grooves  138  may be provided on one side of the belt, as shown in  FIG. 10A , or on both sides of the belt, as shown in  FIG. 10B . Spikes or protrusions  148  are provided on drum pairs corresponding to the location of the plurality of grooves  138  on the belts to provide a secure engagement therebetween to avoid unwanted belt slippage. 
     A frame or chassis  180  is disposed within the casing portion  110  and supports at least a portion of the movement mechanism or assembly that is responsible for causing the time-coordinated movement of the belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  relative to the windows  122 ,  124   a,b  and  126 . The chassis is attached to the case and is interposed between the upper and lower end caps  113  and  115 , and between a front side and back side surface of the case. 
       FIG. 4A-B  further depicts the belt-assembly portion of the movement mechanism for the watch assembly  100 . Frame  180  supports the belt-assembly portion, which comprises pairs of opposing drum cylinders for each of the plurality of time-coordinated belts. As previously explained, each of the time-coordinated belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  correspond to the hour, minutes and seconds, respectively and are configured as an endless loop. As further shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the hour belt  132  is looped around drum pair  142   a,b  and the seconds belt  136  is looped around drum pair  136   a,b . Although watch assembly  100  depicts the indication of minutes in two separate belts  134   a,b , each of which is configured to display a single digit, it is understood that the indication of minutes may be provided in a single belt, in like manner as for the hour and seconds. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1, 4-8 , each of the two minute belts  134   a,b  is looped around drum pairs  134   a,b  and  134   c,d  and separately actuated. The drums are each rotatably attached to the frame. In an example embodiment, bearings or the like can be provided at the rotation points to ensure a desired low friction connection between the drums and the frame. 
     A plurality of grooves or openings  138  are provided along the outer periphery of each of the plurality of belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136 . The plurality of grooves  138  are configured to match or mate with the plurality of spikes  148  or protrusions which are disposed along the circumference of the drum pairs on which the belts are disposed. The grooves  138  and spikes  148  allow for the precise movement of each of the belts without slipping such that the intended numeral is accurately displayed through the windows. 
     In an alternative embodiment, each of the plurality of belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  may be provided with a tacky underside surface that contacts the drum pairs so as to prevent slippage. In another alternative embodiment, the drum pairs may also have a tacky surface contacting the plurality of belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136 . 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view showing the movement mechanism of the watch assembly  100  with the plurality of time-coordinated belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136 . The movement of the belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  are each controlled by a plurality of motors  162 ,  164   a,b  and  166 , respectively. In an example embodiment, the motors that are used are stepper motors. The motors  162 ,  164   a,b  and  166  rotate associated drive gears  172 ,  174   a,b  and  176  coupled to the motors  162 ,  164   a,b  and  166  via drive shafts  175 . The motors are attached to the case and when the frame is disposed within the case that motor drive gears engage respective drum gears  162 ,  164   a,b  and  166  that are attached to respective drums  152   a ,  154   a,c  and  156   a . Thus, rotation of the drive gears  172 ,  174   a,b  and  176  cause the rotation of drum gears  162 ,  164   a,b  and  166  coupled to drums  152   a ,  154   a,c  and  156   a , respectively. The rotation of the drum gears  162 ,  164   a,b  and  166 , in turn, causes the rotation of the associated drums  152   a ,  154   a,c  and  156   a  to advance the belts  132 ,  134   a,c  and  136  and thus the numerals that are displayed through the windows  122 ,  124   a,b  and  126  of the display  120 . 
     In an example embodiment, the motors for driving the hours and minutes belts may be operated in a noncontinuous manner, to provide a stepped change in hours and minutes, while the motor for driving the second belt is operated continuously to provide a constant update in second time display. 
     The arrangement of the movement mechanism is more clearly depicted in  FIGS. 6-7 , which depict the arrangement of the various components (e.g., motor, drive shaft, drive gear, drum gear, drum pairs) without the plurality of belts. While the embodiment of the watch assembly  100  depicts separate motors for each of the belt assemblies, it is understood that a single motor may be provided to control the movements of the one or more of the belt assemblies. 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom end view of the casing portion of the watch assembly  100 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the plurality of time-coordinated belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  are arranged in a spaced-apart arrangement relative to one another. In a preferred embodiment, contact between the surface of the belts  132 ,  134   a,b  and  136  is minimized or completely avoided so as to minimize the wear and tear of the moving components of the watch assembly  100 . In the embodiment depicted herein, the parallel minute belts  134   a,b  overlap parallel hour belt  132  and seconds belt  136 . In order to avoid the minute belts  134   a,b  from contacting the surface of the hour belt  132  and seconds belt  136 , the drums  144   a - d  corresponding to the minute belts  134   a,b  may have a larger diameter than the drums  142   a,b  for the hour belt  132  and the drums  146  of the second belt. Alternate arrangements for overlapping the various belts may be provided by manipulating the diameter of the drum pairs so as to provide a spaced apart relation between the belts. The plurality of belts may further be provided in angular relationship with one another so as to increase the display options. 
       FIG. 11  shows the watch  300  in a disassembled state comprising the case or casing  302 , the end caps  304  and  306 , the movement mechanism or assembly  308 , the hinged wristband couplers  310  and  312 , the wristbands  314  and  316 , a power source or battery pack  318 , a bottom cover  320 , a display window, frame or template  322 , and a front cover or clear crystal  324 . As illustrated, the case can be referred to as comprising a 5-piece assembly made up of the central case  302 , the two end caps  304  and  306 , and the two wristband couplers  310  and  312 . The case assembly can be made from any rigid material, and is preferably made from a metallic material. In an example embodiment, the case assembly is made from stainless steel. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a sectional view of the watch  400  with the movement mechanism  402  as installed in the case  404 . The watch includes a control mechanism  406  comprising a microcontroller or microprocessor  408  that is electrically connected to a circuit board  410 . The control mechanism is positioned in a cavity within the frame that exists within the belt and drum assemblies. The microprocessor is configured to perform the desired time keeping and other functions of the watch, and receives data from a quartz crystal also mounted on the circuit board for operating the motors to provide the desired time display function. In an example embodiment, the quartz crystal is temperature compensated to ensure accurate time keeping. 
     In an example embodiment, the watch include means for monitoring the position of the belts. In a preferred embodiment, such means is provided by an optical recognition system that uses an infra-red sensor to view a white spot on the belt to monitor and track belt positioning. This information is provided to the microprocessor for purposes of moving the belts as necessary to provide and/or maintain an accurate time display. In an example embodiment, the optical recognition system operates to calibrate belt positioning every time the watch is turned on. 
     A battery pack  420  is disposed within the case  404  at a position beneath the movement mechanism  402 . In an example embodiment, the battery pack is interposed within a cavity of the case between the movement mechanism and a back cover  422 . The back cover  422  is configured having a nonmetallic portion  424  to facilitate wireless or induction charging a rechargeable battery in the battery pack. 
       FIGS. 14  A-C illustrate the battery pack  420  used to power the watch. In an example embodiment, the battery pack comprises a rechargeable battery  426 , and in a preferred embodiment comprises a lithium ion battery. The battery pack is configured to include elements useful for facilitating the wireless recharging of the battery. In an example embodiment, the battery pack is configured to work with a separate charging station to facilitate wireless charging of the battery by placing the watch in close proximity to the charging station, which can be configured in the form of a mat or other structure useful for accommodating placement of the watch thereon or therein. 
     In an example embodiment, the charging station provides a stable frequency that is produced with an oscillator which drives an LC between it and the watch wirelessly. The LC circuit is designed to be in resonance when the watch is placed in close proximity to the charging station, and off resonance when the watch is removed. NMF between the coil effects charging. The resonant circuit creates a magnetic field that penetrates the nonmetallic portion of the watch back cover. The battery pack is configured to include components  427  that receive the magnetic energy and complete the resonant circuit. 
     The battery pack includes a receiving coil  428  that is disposed on a back surface of the battery. The battery pack also includes a rectifying circuit, a filter circuit, and a regulator that are each disposed within a cavity in the battery pack adjacent the battery. A charging circuit is disposed within the watch and is electrically connected with the circuit board  410 . The battery pack includes electrical connections  430  on a front surface of the battery that is electrically connected with the battery. The battery pack is placed within the watch with the front surface adjacent the movement mechanism to facilitate engagement of the electrical connections with the circuit board to provide the necessary power to the microprocessor and other elements of the watch. 
     When the watch is placed in close proximity to the charging station or a charging surface, the coil in the battery pack completes a resonant circuit and an AC voltage is produced in the watch. This AC voltage is turned into a DC current which is then filtered and regulated within the battery pack. The regulated DC current is connected to the charging circuit in the watch electronics board through the electrical connections. The charging current is passed back to the battery pack through the connector and charges the battery. When the watch is removed from the charging surface, the charging circuit reverts to a state that is off resonance and it consumes a minimum amount of energy. In an example embodiment, after recharging, the watch can operate for a period of 2 or more weeks. 
     Having thus described embodiments of the watch assembly having a plurality of time-coordinated belts, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the adjustable exercise assembly have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.