Abstract:
A device for protecting a wristwatch being worn on a user&#39;s wrist. The device slips around and secures itself over the watch body and watch band. A cover flap is provided to removably cover the watch face. A secured storage pocket is also provided, allowing the user to store small items.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of wristwatches. More specifically, the invention comprises an adjustable and flexible protective band which fits over a wristwatch. The invention locks itself to the wristwatch without the need for any separate attachment features. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Wristwatches are one of the great conveniences of the modern age. Unfortunately, due to their exposed position, they are subject to damage. Virtually any type of physical labor puts a wristwatch in danger of being damaged. This is particularly true of construction labor and strenuous outdoor sports—such as water skiing or scuba diving. 
     For those persons with expensive watches, the only option is often to remove the watch until the physical activity is done, leaving them without the ability to tell time. Alternatively, many wristwatch wearers elect to purchase a second inexpensive “sport” watch. Under either option, the wearer must remove the more expensive watch and leave it—subjecting it to potential loss or theft. Thus, there has been a long felt need for some type of protective device that would allow a wristwatch wearer to wear the watch during physical activity. 
     Such protective devices are known in the prior art. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,219 to Anderson (1979). The Anderson device uses a wide leather strap to cover a watch and a band. In its preferred embodiment, the device is intended to replace the conventional watch band. The wearer uses VELCRO attachment features to secure a watch body directly to the device (FIG. 2 of the Anderson disclosure). Alternatively, the user can place the strap around both a watch and its watchband, though it is difficult to see how the device will remain in position if used in this way. 
     The Anderson device discloses a top flap which is used to cover the face of the watch. The user can look at the watch by peeling back this flap. The flap has securing means so that it can be retained in the open position in order to allow the user to inspect the watch at any time. Unfortunately, the &#39;219 device does not work well without removing the watch band. This fact means that the user must convert his watch to a full-time guarded configuration. From a practical standpoint, only the nicer watches are worth guarding. The &#39;219 is thus disfiguring a nice watch. It is unlikely that the user would want to wear such a bulky and unattractive device on all occasions. Thus, a guard which does not alter the watch would certainly be preferable. 
     Another type of watch protector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,842 to Richards (1981). The Richards invention uses a flexible cloth cover with a protective crystal positioned over the face of the watch. The device is held in place by the fact that it has a rigid frame member fitting over the body of a square watch. The method appears effective, but it is significant to note that it is dependent upon the square watch body style, which was prevalent with digital watches. Given the time when the Richards device was created, this feature was not a big disadvantage. Unfortunately, modern watches are seldom square-bodied. Thus, the Richards device suffers from the same inability to remain in position over a watch and band that appears to trouble the Anderson device. 
     Another approach is taken in U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,644 to Kulick (1985). This invention uses an adhesively bonded clear cover to protect the watch body. As is readily seen in FIGS. 4 through 6 of the disclosure, the cover must be carefully tailored to conform to a particular watch body. Thus, a single protector could not serve to protect a variety of watches. This fact is an obvious disadvantage. In addition, the fact that the cover is adhesively bonded to the watch means it cannot be applied and removed repeatedly without disfiguring the watch. 
     A rigid watch guard is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,750 to Quincey (1989). The Quincey device has a circular guard intended to fit over the watch body. It also has two brackets extending from either side of the circular guard which are intended to secure the device to the watch band. Thus, it is possible to use the Quincey device while the watch band is still in place. As may be readily observed, however, the invention can only be used on certain watch styles. It is further restricted by the type of band which the attachment brackets may engage. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,679 to Agnello (1990) discloses an elastic watch cover with encapsulating side walls. This device is designed to fit around the sides of a watch band, as well as over its top (see FIG. 4 in particular). This feature helps to hold the device in place. The invention also has a flexible aperture through which the watch body is pushed. This aperture allows the user to view the watch. Unfortunately, it also exposes the watch face to damage. 
     Because the aperture must conform to the watch body, different configurations are needed for different watches (as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3). 
     Another type of watch protector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,682 to Falcone (1993). This invention uses a homogenous piece of flexible material stretched over the watch and band. It is simple in construction—relying on the elastic tension to hold it in place. Unfortunately, it does not allow the user to read the watch while it is in place. 
     The known devices for protecting a wristwatch are therefore limited in that they: 
     1. Require the removal of the conventional watch band; 
     2. Do not remain in position over the watch and band; 
     3. Must be configured for a particular type of watch; and 
     4. Disfigure the watch through the use of adhesives and the like. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     1. To provide a guard which does not require the removal of the conventional watch band; 
     2. To provide a guard which will remain in position over the watch and band; 
     3. To provide a guard which may be used on many different types of watches; 
     4. To provide a guard which does not disfigure the watch through the use of adhesives and the like; 
     5. To provide a guard which can be installed and removed while the wristwatch remains in place on the user&#39;s wrist; 
     6. To provide a guard which has a secure storage pocket for retaining small items; and 
     7. To provide a guard which allows the user to access the watch face in order to tell time. 
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view, showing the proposed invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing the proposed invention from another perspective. 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing a conventional wristwatch. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view, showing the proposed invention in conjunction with a conventional wristwatch. 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view, showing a different perspective of the proposed invention in conjunction with a conventional wristwatch. 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 wristwatch guard 
                 12 
                 guard band 
               
               
                 14 
                 body cutout 
                 16 
                 cover flap 
               
               
                 18 
                 first VELCRO patch 
                 20 
                 second VELCRO patch 
               
               
                 22 
                 flap attachment 
                 24 
                 band cutout 
               
               
                 26 
                 third VELCRO patch 
                 28 
                 fourth VELCRO patch 
               
               
                 30 
                 storage pocket 
                 32 
                 pocket flap 
               
               
                 34 
                 fifth VELCRO patch 
                 36 
                 sixth VELCRO patch 
               
               
                 38 
                 pocket flap attachment 
                 40 
                 pocket seam 
               
               
                 42 
                 wristwatch 
                 44 
                 watch body 
               
               
                 46 
                 watch band 
                 48 
                 band attachment 
               
               
                 50 
                 adjustment break 
                 52 
                 upper portion 
               
               
                 54 
                 lower portion 
                 56 
                 pocket opening 
               
               
                 58 
                 seventh VELCRO patch 
                 60 
                 eighth VELCRO patch 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 depicts the proposed invention prior to its application to a wristwatch. Wristwatch guard  10  has two general regions—upper portion  52  and lower portion  54 . It consists primarily of the strap denotd as guard band  12 , and various other features attached to guard band  12 . Lower portion  54  is transected by adjustment break  50 . The amount of overlap between the two portions of guard band  12  found at adjustment break  50  allows the diameter of guard band  12  to be adjusted in order to accomodate different wrist sizes. 
     Once the appropriate diameter for guard band  12  has been established, the two portions at adjustment break  50  must be locked together. This function may be accomplished by a variety of conventional means. Turning briefly to FIG. 2, the user will note that the opposing portions of guard band  12  found at adjustment break  50  are covered by third VELCRO patch  26  and fourth VELCRO patch  28 . These two VELCRO patches will adhere to each other when pressed together, thereby maintaining the diameter set for guard band  12 . 
     Returning now to FIG. 1, more elements of the proposed invention will be explained. Upper portion  52  of wristwatch guard  10  has body cutout  14  passing completely through it. Body cutout  14  is oriented in a direction transverse to the axis of the wearer&#39;s wrist. At each end of body cutout  14  is a band cutout  24 . The result is an opening in the shape of the capital letter “I.” Those of this I-shaped opening is to admit a watch body, which will be explained subsequently. Wristwatch guard  10  is made of a very pliable material such as neoprene. This material selection is essential to the function of the invention, as the I-shaped opening must be able to deflect and slip around a watch body. The opening must then close snugly behind the watch body to hold it in place. 
     Upper portion  52  of wristwatch guard  10  also has cover flap  16 . Cover flap  16  is attached to guard band  12  by any conventional means—with stitching or adhesives along flap attachment  22  being two particularly effective methods. FIG. 1 shows cover flap  16  in its open position. It can be retained in this open position by pressing seventh VELCRO flap  58 —located on the back side of cover flap  16  in the view shown—against eighth VELCRO patch  60  (located on guard band  12 ). 
     Cover flap  16  can be closed across upper portion  52  by moving it in the direction indicated by the arrow. It can then be retained in the closed position by pressing first VELCRO patch  18  against second VELCRO patch  20 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates more elements of the proposed invention. Lower portion  54  has storage pocket  30  formed on one side. Storage pocket  30 , being roughly rectangular in shape, is joined to guard band  12  on three sides—along pocket seam  40 . The fourth side comprises pocket opening  56 . Pocket opening  56  is sized to allow small items—such as coins or jewelry—to be placed within storage pocket  30 . 
     Pocket flap  32  is provided immediately adjacent to pocket opening  56 . Pocket flap  32  is illustrated in the open position. Once items are placed within storage pocket  30 , it is desirable to be able to secure them therein. Pocket flap  32  is therefore configured to close over pocket opening  56 . Pocket flap  32  is retained in its closed position by pressing fifth VELCRO patch  34  aganst sixth VELCRO patch  36 . 
     Storage pocket  30  is particularly useful when wristwatch guard  10  is used in water sports. If the user is water skiing or riding a jet ski, he or she often has no place to secure coins, jewelry, and the like. Storage pocket  30  solves this problem. 
     Turning now to FIG. 3, the application of the proposed invention to a wristwatch will be explained. FIG. 3 shows wristwatch  42 . Most wristwatches have common features. These include watch body  44 , watch band  46 , and band attachments  48 . Those skilled in the art will realize that watch band  46  generally has some type of adjustment feature—such as a buckle or clasp. This type of feature is not significant to the present invention and, accordingly, it has not been illustrated. 
     FIG. 4 shows wristwatch guard  10  attached to wristwatch  42 . Wristwatch guard  10  is installed by pressing watch body  44  through body cutout  14  (reference FIG.  1 ). Watch band  46  then fits through the two band cutouts  24 . Body cutout  14  then closes beneath watch body  44 . Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the interaction of watch body  44  and body cutout  14 , along with the interaction between watch band  46  and the two band cutouts  24 , holds wristwatch  42  firmly in place. Once installed in the position shown, the user then adjusts the diameter of guard band  12  and closes adjustment break  50  as described previously. Watch band  46  is thereby completely covered by wristwatch guard  10 . 
     The reader should note that this installation procedure may be performed while wristwatch  42  is in place on the user&#39;s wrist. Likewise, the device may be removed while wristwatch  42  remains in place. In order to remove wristwatch guard  10 , the user opens adjustment break  50  and simply tugs upward on the device. Body cutout  14  and band cutouts  24  will then slip over watch body  44  and watch band  46 , respectively. 
     The reader will observe that the face of wristwatch  42  is exposed in the configuration shown in FIG.  4 . Cover flap  16  may be secured in this folded-back position, as explained previously. This position allows the observer to see the face of wristwatch  42  and easily tell the time. Of course, the user may often wish to protect the face of wristwatch  42 . 
     The closure of cover flap  16  is best illustrated in FIG.  5 . Cover flap  16  may be closed in the direction indicated by the arrow. This places cover flap  16  over watch body  44 . Cover flap  16  is secured in the closed position by pressing first VELCRO patch  18  against second VELCRO patch  20 . In this configuration, all components of wristwatch  42  are protected. 
     Summary, Ramifications, and Scope 
     Accordingly, the reader will appreciate that the proposed invention protects a wristwatch from damage. The invention has further advantages in that it: 
     1. Does not require the removal of the conventional watch band; 
     2. Will remain in position over the watch and band; 
     3. May be used on many different types of watches; 
     4. Does not disfigure the watch through the use of adhesives and the like; 
     5. Can be installed and removed while the wristwatch remains in place on the user&#39;s wrist; 
     6. Has a secure storage pocket for retaining small items; and 
     7. Allows the user to access the watch face in order to tell time. 
     Although the preceding description contains significant detail, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.