Abstract:
A survival wristwatch includes a timepiece and a wristband that include integrated survival kit features for assisting a user with various survival tasks. The wristband includes a cord, or paracord, winding or braiding around a strap. The strap is uniquely designed to integrate with the cord and provide adjustability of the wristband.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a wristwatch having integrated survival kit features for assisting a user with various survival tasks. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Watches, including wristwatches, are traditionally available in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is known for watches to include a dial or face for displaying the time and a wristband for attaching the watch to the wrist of a user. The wristband commonly includes a first piece connected to a first side of the face and a second piece connected to a second side of the face. The wristband pieces may be connected together by a fastener to fix the watch on a user&#39;s wrist. 
         [0003]    In some cases, watches may be modified to include additional features and devices to assist with specific tasks. For example some watches are configured to specifically include tools and other implements designed to assist with outdoor and wilderness survival. These tools may assist with specific survival tasks, such as providing directional assistance, cutting objects, starting fires, and the like. 
         [0004]    One drawback that many survival watches face is providing a functional but practical arrangement for the survival tools on the watch. While the face of the watch is often the most accessible location for any such tools, there is a lack of space on the face for attaching them without blocking the view of the timepiece. Accordingly, many designs utilize other areas of the watch, for placing tools. However, there may be drawbacks to this type of arrangement as well. 
         [0005]    One option is to attach tools and devices along the wrist band. However, the band may be designed to serve specific survival purposes. For example, some wristbands are composed of a cord material to assist with various survival functions. The cord may be wrapped or braided in a specific manner to form the portions of the wristband. Attaching tools or implements to the wristband may be difficult, and may become detached if the cord is unbraided to be used. 
         [0006]    Another option is to position tools and implements on the fastener or watch buckle. However there is limited space on the buckle for arranging such components. 
         [0007]    An additional design consideration for watches that utilize a cord-type wristband is that they often lack means for adjustability. In traditional watches, such as leather-banded watches, the wristband may include a series of openings arranged circumferentially around the wristband. The openings may allow the wristband to be selectively buckled at a desired length. Other watches have wristbands that are comprised of a plurality of links. The length of the wristband can be adjusted by removing or adding in links into the wristband. 
         [0008]    Watches with cord-type wristbands are not able to employ traditional buckles with holes pierced in the wristband because the cord does not provide a flat surface for piercing holes. Further, cord-type wristbands are not adjustable in the same manner that linked wristbands are adjustable. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, the need exists for an improved design for a watch having survival features. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    A survival wristwatch is generally presented. The survival wristwatch includes a timepiece having a face for providing time and a wristband connected to the timepiece. The wristband is comprised of a first wristband portion and a second wristband portion. The first wristband portion includes a first end connected to a first side of the timepiece and a second end connected to a first connection piece. The second wristband portion comprises a strap having a first strap end connected to a second side of the timepiece. The strap includes a first length of strap extending from the first strap end and a second length of strap extending from the first strap end. A cord may be wound around at least a portion of the strap to form a passageway in the interior of the cord winding. 
         [0011]    The first length of strap extends along the entire passageway in the cord and exits through an end opening of the cord passageway, terminating outside of the passageway. The second length of strap extends from the first strap end into the passageway and exits the passageway through an opening between the cord. The second length of strap is selectively connectable to the first length of strap. 
         [0012]    A second connection piece may be connected to the strap and adjustable along the length of the strap. The second connection piece may further be connectable to the first connection piece. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the watch strap may be formed of nylon, and the first length of strap may be selectively connectable to the second length of strap by way of a Velcro connection. The first wristband portion may include a second strap connected to the first side of the timepiece and connected to the first connection piece, and may further comprise a cord wound around the second strap. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, the second length of strap may be looped back into the passageway through the end opening of the cord passageway. The second length of strap may include a portion of connectable material, such as Velcro, exposed on an outer part of the wristband. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a survival watch; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of a survival watch with the adjustable band connected to wristband; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a survival watch with the adjustable band connected to the wristband; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a survival watch with the adjustable band disconnected from the wristband; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of a survival watch with the adjustable band disconnected from the braided cord; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top detailed view of a first buckle portion connected to a wristband portion; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of a first buckle portion connected to a wristband with a striker removed from the buckle portion; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of a second buckle portion connected to a wristband portion; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates a first buckle portion connected to a second buckle portion and the buckle connected to the wristband. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the invention. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the invention. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0026]    A survival watch  10  is generally presented. The survival watch  10  may be configured to attach to a user&#39;s body, such as to a user&#39;s wrist, and provide timekeeping while also providing other various outdoor or wilderness survival tools. These tools may include a versatile cord, compass, whistle, and other similar features. 
         [0027]    The survival watch  10  may include a timepiece  12 . The timepiece  12  may comprise a case  14  having any appropriate size and shape, such as generally flat and having a squared or circular shape. The case  14  may house various components, including a watch face  16  for keeping time and internal components related to the function of the watch. The face  16  may be an analog watch face (as shown in the FIGS) or a digital face. The analog face  16  may include one or more crowns  18  to set the timepiece  12  and operate features of the watch  10 . The face  16  may selectively include other features, such as a stopwatch, timer, alarm, light, date keeping, or other similar features commonly included on wristwatches. 
         [0028]    The survival watch  10  may be configured to attach to a wristband portion at each end of the timepiece  12 . For example, the timepiece  12  may include a first pin assembly  22  at a first end of the timepiece  12  and a second pin assembly  24  at a second end of the timepiece  12  opposite the first end. The pin assemblies  22 ,  24  may each include a pair of arms  26  connected to and extending away from the case  14 . The arms  26  may be spaced a distance apart on each side of the timepiece  12 . 
         [0029]    A pin  28  may be fixed between each set of arms  26 . The pin  28  may be spring loaded to facilitate insertion and removal of the pin  28  from between the arms  28 . The pin may provide a connection point for a wristband, as described in further detail below. 
         [0030]    The survival watch  10  may include a wristband  30  to provide attachment to a user&#39;s body, such as the user&#39;s wrist or arm. The wristband  30  may include a first portion  32  and a second portion  34 , each connected to a pin assembly  22 ,  24  and connectable to each other. For example, the first portion  32  may connect to the first pin assembly  22  my looping around the pin  28 . Likewise, the second portion  34  may connect to the second pin assembly  24  by looping around the pin  28 . 
         [0031]    In an embodiment, the wristband  30  may include a cord  40 . The cord  40  may be any appropriate cord, such as parachute cord commonly referred to as paracord. The cord  40  may form part of each portion  32 ,  34  of the wristband  30 . 
         [0032]    The cord may be configured in a wound or braided arrangement along the length of the wristband  30 . For example, as illustrated in the FIGS, the cord  40  may be configured in a zigzag arrangement along the surface of the wristband  30  with cord loops along the side of the wristband  30  to hold the zigzagged cord  40  in place. The zigzag portions may have spaces between them, as illustrated in the FIGS. It will be appreciated, however, that any appropriate braided or wound arrangement may be used along the surface of the wristband  30 . 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, the wristband  30  may include a strap  42  integrated with the braided cord  40 . The strap  42  may be formed of any appropriate and pliable material, such as nylon. The strap  42  may be used to connect the wristband  30  to the timepiece  12  and to any appropriate connector or buckle, as well as to provide additional functionality. For example, the strap  42  may provide an improved mechanism for forming the braid, and may allow for adjustability of the wristband  30 , as described in further detail below. 
         [0034]    The strap  42  may include a first eyelet  44  at its first end. The first eyelet  44  may be configured to receive the pin  28  therein and connect the strap  42  to the timepiece  12 . A second eyelet  46  may be positioned at the second end of the strap  42  and configured to connect to a buckle or other wristband connector. 
         [0035]    The wristband  30  may be arranged with the strap  42  at least partially under or inside the braded cord  40 . Specifically, the cord  40  may be wound or braided around the strap  42  to form a passageway therethrough, with the strap  42  residing at least partially within the passageway. This arrangement may provide a benefit over other braided cord wristbands that must be braided and wound upon themselves. In addition, the strap  42  provides an easier connection to the timepiece  12  and buckle as opposed to tying or braiding the cord  40  directly to the timepiece  12  and buckle. 
         [0036]    In an embodiment, the strap  42  may include an adjustable end  50  in place of the second eyelet  46 . The adjustable end  50  may allow the wristband  30  to be selectively adjusted to a desired length. For example, the strap  42  may include Velcro patches along at least a portion of its length. The Velcro patches may include rough hook patches  52  and soft loop patches  54  that connect to each other. The strap  42  may connect to the timepiece  12  at the first eyelet  44  and extend from the eyelet  44  in two separate sections, a first strap section  56  and a second strap section  58 , through the center of the braided cord  40 . 
         [0037]    The first section  56  may extend from the eyelet  44  through the passageway of the braided cord  40 , exiting the passageway through an opening at the end of the cord  40 . In other words, the first strap section  56  may extend through the entire passage way of the cord  40 . The first strap section  56  may include a rough hook patch  52  of Velcro located on at least a portion its underside. 
         [0038]    The second section  58  may extend from the eyelet  44  through a portion of the wound cord passageway or interior and exit from the interior through a space between the cords  40 , such as a space between the zigzag winding or braiding. The second section  58  may then loop back into the passageway opening in the end of the wound cord  40  opposite the timepiece  12 . The second section  58  may include a soft loop patch  54  of Velcro located on at least a portion of its underside and exposed on the exterior of the wristband  30 . The rough hook patch  52  of the first strap section  56  may connect to the soft loop patch  54  of the second strap section  58  to the selectively adjust the length of the first strap section  56 . 
         [0039]    In the described configuration, the adjustable end  50  may reside entirely within the braided cord  40  other than the portion of the second section  58  that exits the interior of the cord  40 . This portion of the second section  58  includes a soft loop patch  54  on its outer surface to allow the first section  56  to connect thereto at the desired length. 
         [0040]    While the wristband  30  is shown and described using a Velcro connection means, it will be appreciated that any connection means, such as adhesive or any other type of connection to allow the adjustable end  50  to connect to itself, may be used. 
         [0041]    It will be appreciated that the survival watch  10  may include an adjustable end  50  on both the first and second wristband portions  32 ,  34  or may be include an adjustable end  50  on only one of the two wristband portions  32 ,  34 . 
         [0042]    The survival watch  10  may include a buckle  60 . The buckle  60  may include a first buckle portion  62  and a second buckle portion  64  each connected to respective wristband portions  32 ,  34 . The buckle  60  may be made of any appropriate material, such as plastic or metal, and may be any appropriate style of buckle capable of connecting the wristband portions  32 ,  34 . The first and second buckle portions  62 ,  64  may each include a loop or ring  65  for attachment to the respective wristband portions  32 ,  34 . 
         [0043]    In an embodiment, the first buckle portion  62  may be insertable into the second buckle portion  64 . For example, the first buckle portion  62  may include one or more prongs  66  extending outward and configured to engage an opening  68  in the second buckle portion  64 . The prongs  66  may flex inward to enter the opening then flex back outward into recessed holes  70  in the second buckle portion  64 , to lock the buckle  60  into an engaged position. 
         [0044]    In an embodiment, the buckle  60  may include fire starting features. For example, the buckle  60  may include a flint starter  72  located on the second buckle portion  64 , such as retained in a slotted opening  74  on the top of the second buckle portion  64 . The first buckle portion  62  may further include a magnesium rod  76  located between the prongs  66 . The flint starter  72  may include a sharpened or serrated edge for scraping shavings from the magnesium rod  76  an igniting a spark. 
         [0045]    In an embodiment, the buckle  60  may further include additional survival features, such as a whistle  76  or a compass  78 . The whistle  76  and compass  78  may be arranged to be both on the first buckle portion  64 . 
         [0046]    Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.