Abstract:
A wrist-wearable electronic apparatus has a case and a band connected to the case for attaching the electronic apparatus to a wearer&#39;s wrist. A flexible expansion chamber is provided on the wrist side of the case or the band, and a pump communicates with the interior of the expansion chamber for supplying air thereto to inflate the expansion chamber so that it can be maintained in close contact with the wearer&#39;s wrist. The pump has a pair of push-in portions on opposed lateral sides of the case or band adjacent the wrist side thereof so that the wearer can apply sideways directed forces to actuate the push-in portions to supply air to the expansion chamber. A discharge valve communicates with the interior of the expansion chamber for discharging air therefrom. The pump may be rotatably mounted to enable the wearer to position the push-in portions at desired positions to facilitate actuation thereof by the wearer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a wrist-portable electronic apparatus and an air chamber device wherein the air chamber device is caused to expand to thereby allow the apparatus to be held in close contact with the wrist. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     As a portable watch equipped with an air chamber device, a technique such as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-130342 is known. FIG. 16 is a side view showing the general construction of such a conventional portable watch  100 , FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing a display portion of the watch shown in FIG.  16 . FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an air chamber device  103  alone with which the conventional portable watch  100  shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is equipped. 
     This portable watch  100  is equipped with a watch case  101 , a watch band  102 , and the air chamber device  103 . The air chamber device  103  is composed of a pump portion  104 , a discharge valve  105 , and an expansion chamber  106 . The pump portion  104  and the discharge valve  105  are provided so as to be perpendicular to the plane of the expansion chamber  106 . The pump portion  104  and the discharge valve  105  are respectively inserted into reception holes  107   a  and  107   b  provided in the watch case  101  from the back side of the watch case  101  to come out on the upper surface of the watch case  101 . 
     To fasten the portable watch  100  to the wrist, the watch band  102  is wound around the wrist, and, in this condition, a push-in portion  108  of the pump portion  104  is pressed down, whereby air is supplied to the expansion chamber  106 , and the expansion chamber  106  expands to come into close contact with the wrist. To limit the number of times that the pressing down is conducted, for example, to approximately 20, the pump portion  104  must have a predetermined level of volume. Thus, the volume of the pump portion  104  is substantially determined by the volume of the expansion chamber  106 . 
     In the air chamber device  103  with which the above-described conventional portable watch  100  is equipped, the pump portion  104  is arranged on the upper surface of the watch case  101 , so there arises a problem that there is a limitation regarding the general design of the watch. Further, the direction in which the push-in portion  108  is pressed is such that the expansion of the air chamber device  103  is hindered, causing a problem of a poor efficiency. 
     Further, since the volume of the pump portion  104  is large, there is a problem that the size of the watch case  101  is rather large. On the other hand, there is a limitation to the reduction in the volume of the pump portion  104  since that would lead to a marked increase in the number of times that the pressing down is conducted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention has been made in view of the above problems. To overcome the above problems, a wrist-portable electronic apparatus of the present invention is characterized by an expansion chamber provided on the wrist side of an apparatus case or an apparatus band, and a pump portion which supplies air to the expansion chamber and has an air push-in portion on a side portion of the apparatus case or the apparatus band. 
     That is, in accordance with this invention, the air push-in portion is provided on a side portion of the apparatus case or the apparatus band, which means the air push-in portion is not positioned on the upper side of the apparatus, whereby it is possible to increase the degree of freedom regarding the design of the wrist-portable electronic apparatus. Further, since the direction in which the expansion chamber expands differs from the pressing direction, the expansion can be efficiently effected. In particular, when the push-in portion is provided on a side portion of the apparatus band, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the apparatus case. Further, in this wrist-portable electronic apparatus, it is possible to use an air chamber device in which the pump portion has a pressing direction substantially parallel to the plane of the expansion chamber. 
     Further, in accordance this invention, there is provided a wrist-portable electronic apparatus characterized by an expansion chamber provided on the wrist side of an apparatus case or an apparatus band; and a pump portion which connects with the expansion chamber to supply air thereto, separably attaches a hollow pump body to the apparatus case or the apparatus band so as to be rotatable with respect to the apparatus case or the apparatus band, and has an air push-in portion on a side portion of the pump body. 
     That is, in this wrist-portable electronic apparatus, when supplying air to the expansion chamber, the pump body of the pump portion is rotated in a direction which facilitates pushing, with the wrist-portable electronic apparatus being attached to the wrist, and the push-in portion is pressed a plurality of times with a finger, whereby the expansion chamber expands, and the wrist-portable electronic apparatus is tightly secured to the wrist. Further, this wrist-portable electronic apparatus can adopt a construction in which the pump portion is separated from the expansion chamber and rotatably connected to the expansion chamber. 
     Further, a wrist-portable electronic apparatus of this invention is characterized in that the apparatus case or the apparatus band is further provided with a groove into which the pump portion is fitted; and the pump portion can be pulled out from and pushed into the apparatus case or the apparatus band, in which in the pulled-out state, the pump portion is rotatable, and in the pushed-in state, the pump portion is fitted into the groove formed in the apparatus case or the apparatus band and its rotation is prevented. 
     When supplying air to the air chamber device, the pump portion is first pulled out of the apparatus case or the apparatus band, with the wrist-portable electronic apparatus being attached to the wrist, and the push-in portion of the pump portion is rotated in a direction which allows the push in portion to be easily pressed to supply air. Then, when the air supply has been finished, the groove to thereby prevent the pump portion from rotating. Note that, apart from a rectangular sectional configuration, the groove may also have a semi-circular sectional configuration, etc. Further, the prevention of rotation of the pump portion by means of the groove is effected not only when the air supply is finished but also when, for example, the apparatus is not attached to the wrist, or when it is not secured in position by the expansion chamber. 
     Further, a wrist-portable electronic apparatus of this invention is characterized in that the expansion chamber of the wrist-portable electronic apparatus has a discharge valve for discharging the air from the interior of the expansion chamber; and the discharge valve of the expansion chamber and the push-in portion of the pump portion are externally arranged substantially at the same position, whereby in the design of the wrist-portable electronic apparatus, the influence of th air chamber device can be diminished, thereby achieving an improvement in terms of degree of freedom in design. Further, in this invention, the expansion chamber constitutes a part or all of the apparatus band of the wrist-portable electronic apparatus, whereby the construction of the wrist-portable electronic apparatus can be simplified. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred form of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a portable watch according to Embodiment 1 of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view and a side sectional view of the portable watch shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view and a side sectional view of the portable watch shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an air chamber device to be incorporated into the portable watch shown in FIGS. 1 through 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion around the pump portion of the air chamber device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a portable watch according to Embodiment 2 of this invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the portable watch shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a portable watch according to Embodiment 3 of this invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a portion around the pump portion of the portable watch shown in FIGS. 8 and 10; 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view showing how air is supplied to the portable watch shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a portion around the pump portion of the portable watch shown in FIGS. 8 and 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view of a portable watch according to Embodiment 4 of this invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an air chamber device used in the portable watch shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the general construction of a portable watch according to Embodiment 5 of this invention; 
     FIG. 15 is an enlarged side view showing a main portion of the portable watch shown in FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a side view showing the general construction of a conventional portable watch; 
     FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing the display portion of the watch shown in FIG. 16; and 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an air chamber device provided in the conventional portable watch shown in FIGS.  16  and  17 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, this invention is not restricted to the following embodiments. Further, some of the components of the following embodiments allow changes in design by a so-called person skilled in the art. 
     (Embodiment 1) 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a portable watch according to Embodiment 1 of this invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a side view and a side sectional view of the portable watch shown in FIG.  1 . FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an air chamber device  4  incorporated in the portable watch shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion around the pump portion of the air chamber device shown in FIG.  4 . The portable watch  1  of Embodiment 1 is composed of a watch case  2 , watch bands  3   a  and  3   b , and an air chamber device  4  (See FIGS.  1  and  2 ), and the air chamber device  4  is equipped with a pump portion  5 , an expansion chamber  6 , and a discharge valve  7  (See FIG.  4 ). 
     The pump portion  5  is equipped with rubber push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  each having an air introduction hole at the center of its forward end, and a cylindrical pump body  9  to the both ends of which the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  are mounted in a close contact state. These push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  are used to force air into the expansion chamber  6 , and they can supply approximately the same volume of air as the conventional pump portion. Further, the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  are arranged at both ends of the pump body  9  so that they are pressed in opposite directions. The pump body  9  is arranged substantially parallel to the surface of the expansion chamber  6 , and with a nozzle  10  formed in its middle portion, is forced into and connected with a pedestal  11  provided on the expansion chamber  6 . The connection between the nozzle  10  and the pedestal  11  is effected through engagement between an engagement portion ha provided on the pedestal  11  and an engagement portion  10   a  of the nozzle  10 , and separation between them can be effected by pulling the nozzle in the opposite direction. Between the nozzle  10  and the pedestal  11 , there is provided a packing for keeping the interior of the expansion chamber  6  hermetic. 
     Further, since the pump portion  5  is formed separately from the pedestal  11 , it can rotate freely with respect to the expansion chamber  6  in a plane parallel thereto (See FIG.  5 ). Due to this construction, the operation of incorporating the air chamber device  4  into the watch case  2  can be performed while rotating the pump portion  5 , whereby the incorporation is facilitated. Further, since the pump portion  5  or the expansion chamber  6  can be individually replaced, it is possible to reduce the maintenance cost. For example, when the pump body  9  is out of order, it is only necessary to replace the pump body  9 , and there is no need to replace the expansion chamber  6 . 
     The expansion chamber  6  is formed of cloth and internally coated with rubber, its interior being divided into a plurality of air chambers(not shown). In addition, the discharge valve  7  is provided on the expansion chamber  6  so as to be perpendicular thereto. The air chamber device  4  is arranged on the wrist side of the portable watch  1  so as to extend from the watch case  2  to the watch band  3   b . The pump portion  5  is put into the interior of the watch case  2  through a reception hole  12   a  provided on the back side of the watch case  2  and is secured therein. In the secured state, the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  are positioned on both the sides of the watch case  2 . Also, the discharge valve  7  is inserted into a reception hole  12   b  in the 12 o&#39;clock side watch band  3   b  and comes out on the upper surface of the watch band  3   b  to be secured in this state. 
     When the portable watch  1  is to be tightly worn, in the state in which the portable watch  1  is attached to the wrist by the watch band  3 , the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  are pushed in by fingers in a pinching manner. One push causes the air in the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  to be supplied to the expansion chamber  6 . subsequently, when the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  are released, air is again introduced into the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  through the air introduction holes. And, by pushing in the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  in the manner mentioned above, air is supplied to the expansion chamber  6 . This pumping operation is conducted approximately fifteen times to thereby fill the expansion chamber  6  with air, whereby the expansion chamber  6  is fully expanded, and the portable watch  1  is tightly secured to the wrist. 
     As described above, in this portable watch  1 , the expanding direction of the expansion chamber  6  differs from the pushing-in direction, so that it is possible to expand the expansion chamber  6  more efficiently as compared with the conventional portable watch  100 , in which air is supplied by pressing the watch against the wrist (See FIG.  17 ). Further, since the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  are situated on the side surfaces of the watch case  2 , it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the watch case  2 . Further, while in the conventional watch there is a limitation regarding design due to the fact that the push-in portion  108  is positioned in the front portion of the watch case  2 , the push-in portions of this watch are provided on the side surfaces of the watch case  2 , thereby enhancing the degree of freedom regarding the watch design. Further, the discharge valve  7  of the air chamber device  4  is arranged in the watch band  3   b , whereby it is possible to further downsize the watch case  2  as compared with the conventional portable watch  100 . Further, it is possible to achieve a further increase in the degree of freedom regarding design. 
     (Embodiment 2) 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a portable watch according to Embodiment 2 of this invention, and FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the portable watch shown in FIG.  6 . Note that, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the components which are the same as those of Embodiment 1 described above are indicated by the same symbols, and a description thereof will be omitted. The expansion chamber  6  of this air chamber device  4  is arranged on the wrist side of a portable watch  13  so as to extend from the watch band  3   a  to the watch case  2  and to the watch band  3   b . A pump portion  5  thereof is inserted into the interior of the watch band  3   a  through the reception hole  12   a  provided in the wrist-side surface of the watch band  3   a  and is secured therein. In the inserted and secured state, its push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  protrude from holes (not shown) provided in the side surfaces of the watch band  3   a , allowing pushing in from the sides of the watch. 
     The discharge valve  7  is arranged so as to be inserted from the back side of the watch into the reception hole  12   b  provided in the watch band  3   b  and passed through the watch band  3   b  to come out on the surface of the watch band  3   b . The portable watch  13  is worn substantially in the same manner as in the case of Embodiment 1 described above, and air is supplied to the expansion chamber  6  through pumping of the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  provided on the watch band  3   a , whereby the air chamber  4  is expanded, and the portable watch  13  is tightly secured to the wrist. 
     As described above, in this portable watch  13 , the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  of the pump portion  5  are respectively arranged on the watch bands  3   a  and  3   b , so that a further increase is achieved in terms of degree of freedom in design as compared with the portable watch  1  of Embodiment 1 described above. Further, it is also possible to replace the watch case  2  separately from the air chamber device  4 . 
     (Embodiment 3) 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portable watch according to Embodiment 3 of this invention, and FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating how air is supplied to the portable watch shown in FIG.  8 . FIGS. 9 and 11 are side sectional views showing a portion around the pump portion of the portable watch shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. Note that, in FIGS. 8 through 11, the components which are the same as those of Embodiment 1 described above are indicated by the same symbols, and a description of such components will be omitted. 
     This portable watch  14  is characterized in that the air chamber device  15  is rotatable. The pump portion  16  of the air chamber device  15  used in this portable watch  14  is equipped with the nozzle  10  formed in the middle portion of the pump body  9 , and a lock portion  17  is provided at the forward end of this nozzle  10 . This pump portion  16  is engaged with step portions  19   a  and  19   b  provided on the inner wall of the pedestal  18  provided on the expansion chamber  6 . The lock portion  17  is movable over the step portions  19   a  and  19   b  and can be secured at the respective positions. Due to this construction, the pump portion  16  allows push-in operation and pull-out operation with respect to the pedestal  18  and can be secured at the respective positions. 
     Also, the pump portion  16  of the air chamber device  15  is mounted on the front side of the watch by means of a reception hole  20  provided in the watch case  2 , and arranged on the front side of the watch case  2 . Here, in the surface of the watch case  2 , there is provided a semi-circular clearance groove  21  in conformity with the sectional configuration of the pump body  9  of the pump portion  16 . Between the pump portion  16  and the pedestal  18 , there is arranged an O-ring for maintaining the hermetic state. The discharge valve  7  is passed through the watch band  3   b  from the back side to come out on the front surface of the watch band  3   b.    
     In the state in which it has been forced into the pedestal  18 , the lock portion  17  is engaged with the step portion  19   a  of the pedestal  18 , and the pump body  9  is fitted into the above-mentioned clearance groove  21 , so that the pump portion  16  is constrained in rotation and secured in position. In the pulled-out state, the pump portion  16  is not constrained in rotation, and is freely rotatable with respect to the watch case  2  around the nozzle  10  (See FIG.  10 ). 
     When the portable watch  14  is worn, the above-mentioned pump portion  16  is pulled out in the state in which the portable watch  14  is attached to the wrist, and rotated in a direction which enables the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  to be easily pushed by fingers. And, as in Embodiment 1 described above, the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  are pumped a plurality of times to supply air to the expansion chamber  6 , whereby the air chamber device  15  expands, and the portable watch  14  is tightly secured to the wrist. 
     As described above, in this portable watch  14 , it is possible to rotate the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  in a direction which enables them to be easily pushed in the state in which the watch is attached to the wrist, so that, as compared with the portable watch  1  of Embodiment 1 described above, it is possible to expand the air chamber device  15  more efficiently. Further, when the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  are not to be used, the pump portion  16  is fitted into the clearance groove  21 , thereby preventing inadvertent rotation. 
     (Embodiment 4) 
     As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, it is also possible to arrange the pump portion  5  and the discharge valve  7  of the portable watch  22  in close vicinity to each other on the air chamber device  23 , incorporating them so as to extend from the watch band  3  to the watch case  2 . Further, as in Embodiment 3 described above, the pump portion  5  is freely rotatable with respect to the watch band  3   a . In this construction, the pump portion  5  and the discharge valve  7  are arranged substantially at the same position on the watch band  3   a , so that the influence of the air chamber device  23  on the watch  2  in terms of design is diminished, thereby achieving an improvement in terms of degree of freedom in design. It is also possible to form the pump portion  5  and the discharge valve  7  so as to be externally integral (which is not shown). 
     (Embodiment 5) 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the general construction of a portable watch according to Embodiment 5 of this invention, and FIG. 15 is an enlarged side view showing a main portion of the portable watch shown in FIG.  14 . Note that, in FIGS. 14 and 15, the components which are the same as those of Embodiment 1 described above are indicated by the same symbols, and a description of such components will be omitted. The air chamber device  25  of this portable watch  24  is characterized in that it constitutes a part of the watch band. One end portion of the expansion chamber constituting the air chamber device  25  is connected to the watch case  2  by a spring bar, and the other end portion thereof is fastened to the 12 o&#39;clock side watch band  3  by a middle fastener  26 . The pump body  9  of the above-mentioned air chamber device  25  is accommodated in the interior of the expansion chamber  6 , and the push-in portions  8   a  and  8   b  thereof are arranged on the side surfaces of the air chamber device  25  also serving as the watchband. Further, the expansion chamber  6  is provided with the discharge valve  7 . 
     As in the above-described case, in this portable watch  24 , the design of the watch case  2  is not constrained by the air chamber device  25 , so that it is possible to develop a free design. Further, since the back surface portion of the watch is not covered with the air chamber device  25 , the after maintenance is facilitated. Note that, while in the above-described construction the expansion chamber  6  constitutes a part of the watch band, it is also possible for the expansion chamber  6  to constitute the entire watch band (which is not shown). 
     Further, while in the above-described Embodiments 1 through 5 description has been made taking a portable watch as an example, it should not be limited to a portable watch to which the above-described construction is applied. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a wrist-portable GPS, a wrist-portable music player, a wrist-portable telephone or PHS and the like. 
     As described above, in accordance with this invention, the air push-in portion is provided on a side portion of an apparatus case or an apparatus band, so that it is possible to achieve an improvement in terms of degree of freedom in the design of a wrist-portable electronic apparatus. Further, since the direction in which the expansion chamber expands differs from the pushing-in direction, it is possible to effect the expansion efficiently. In particular, when the push-in portion is provided on a side portion of the apparatus band, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the apparatus case. 
     Further, in accordance with the present invention, a hollow pump body is separably connected to an apparatus case or an apparatus band so as to be rotatable, and an air push-in portion is provided on a side portion of the above-mentioned pump body, so that it is possible to rotate the push-in portion in a direction which facilitates pushing with the wrist-portable electronic apparatus being attached to the wrist, whereby the expansion of the air chamber is further facilitated. 
     Further, in accordance with the present invention, the pump portion can be pulled out of and pushed in the apparatus case or the apparatus band, the pump portion being rotatable in the pulled-out state; in the pushed-in state, the pump portion fits into a groove formed in the apparatus case or the apparatus band, whereby its rotation is prevented. Thus, it is possible to prevent inadvertent rotation of the rotatable pump portion provided on the above-described portable apparatus in the state in which the portable electronic apparatus is worn. 
     Further, in accordance with the present invention, the pump portion and the discharge valve of the expansion chamber are externally arranged substantially at the same position, so that the design of such a portable electronic apparatus is less affected, making it possible to enhance the degree of freedom in its design. 
     Further, in accordance with the present invention, the expansion chamber constitutes a part or all of the apparatus band, so that the design of the portable electronic apparatus is not constrained, thus achieving an improvement in terms of degree of freedom in design. Further, since the air chamber device is not arranged inside the apparatus case, it is possible to achieve a reduction in the size of the apparatus case. 
     Further, in the air chamber device in accordance with the present invention, the push-in portions of the pump portion are arranged so as to be horizontal with respect to the expansion chamber, so that it is possible to press the push-in portions with fingers in a pinching manner, with the apparatus being attached to the wrist. Thus, as compared with the conventional vertical arrangement, the pushing operation is facilitated. 
     Further, in the air chamber device in accordance with the present invention, the pump portion is rotatably connected, so that it is possible to rotate the push-in portion of the pump portion to a position where pushing is easier.