Abstract:
An improved multifunction cushion apparatus for wristwatches and associated bands used by the individual watch wearer by attaching the inventive pad to the back of the wristwatch casing and to the back of the wristwatch band. A pad or a pad and associated cross members are utilized to increase comfort, decrease rubbing and irritation, provide moisture control and provide antimicrobial properties when wearing a wristwatch and band without impacting the visual appeal and style of the wristwatch and its band.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This present invention is directed to cushion apparatus for wristwatches and the associated bands that fasten the watch about a person&#39;s wrist and more particularly, to cushioning pads that improve comfort and wearability of wristwatches without detracting from a wristwatch&#39;s visual appeal. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Individuals have worn wristwatches for many years to quickly be able to tell the time and date but also as a fashion statement and to enhance their appearance. Many individuals have numerous wristwatches in different shapes and sizes. The watch bands that secure the watch about the wearer&#39;s wrist also come in different sizes and are made from different types of materials. 
         [0005]    After wearing various types of wristwatches including designer brands and “no name” watches, one often realizes how discomforting a wristwatch can be. After a day of suffering with discomfort from the weight and shapes of a few watches, one can often notice swelling and bruising on his or her wrist. 
         [0006]    Materials used for wristwatch bands can cause sweating and even snag the tiny hairs on sensitive areas of a person&#39;s skin in addition to constant rubbing that causes irritation. A person can spend large sums of money on a wristwatch and a stylish band only to discover later that both are extremely uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. A need exists for an improved multifunctional apparatus that address the issue of comfort, rubbing and irritation when wearing a wristwatch and band without sacrificing the visual appeal and style that people have come to expect from their wristwatches. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention provides a one stop solution to the conflicting problems of wristwatch style, utility and comfort. The present invention provides improved comfort and utility to a person wearing a stylish wristwatch and band but does not detract from the wristwatch&#39;s desirable visual appeal because while in use the apparatus is virtually undetectable to casual observers. 
         [0008]    In a first embodiment, a cushion apparatus in the form of a pad is provided that is adapted to substantially conform to the back of a wristwatch casing. The pad is substantially made from cellular foam having antimicrobial properties that inhibits growth of microorganisms that occur between the wristwatch and the skin of the person wearing the wristwatch and controls moisture by absorbing moisture from the person&#39;s skin. The pad can be made from multicellular urethane foam adapted to inhibit growth of fungus or bacteria and can also be adapted to provide enhanced moisture control to wick moisture away from the person&#39;s skin. 
         [0009]    In alternatives, the pad has a thickness of approximately 2 to 3 millimeters and an adhesive is applied to secure the pad onto the wristwatch casing. The pad can be configured in different shapes and sizes and can have an aperture of variable depth into the pad. The pad is a spacer between the wristwatch casing and the wrist of the person wearing the wristwatch. 
         [0010]    In other embodiments, a cushion apparatus for a wristwatch band is provided that includes a pad and a plurality of cross members. The pad and the attached cross members are attached to the underside of the wristwatch: band to provide a cushion between the band and the skin of the person wearing the band. The pad and the cross members can be substantially made from cellular foam with antimicrobial properties that inhibits growth of microorganisms that occur between the wristwatch band and the skin of the person wearing the wristwatch band and to absorb moisture from the person&#39;s skin. The pad and the cross members can be substantially made from multicellular urethane foam adapted to inhibit growth of fungus or bacteria, and can also be adapted to provide enhanced moisture control to wick moisture away from the person&#39;s skin. 
         [0011]    In alternatives, the pad or the cross members have a thickness of approximately 2 to 3 millimeters and an adhesive can be used secure the pad or the cross members to the wristwatch band. The combination of the pad and the cross members for the wristwatch band comprise a spacer between the band and the portions of the skin of the person wearing the wristwatch band in contact with the pad and the cross members. 
         [0012]    A further embodiment contemplates methods for adding cushioning to a wristwatch and its associated band by making a first pad for the wristwatch and a second pad and cross members for the wristwatch band. Both pads and cross members are substantially made from multicellular urethane foam adapted to inhibit growth of fungus or bacteria and can also adapted to provide enhanced moisture control to wick moisture away from the person&#39;s skin. Additional methods include the step of cutting the length of the second pad to a desired length to accommodate different band lengths, the step of making the cross members in different sizes to accommodate different widths of the wristwatch band and the step of distributing-two or more of the assembled second pads and plurality of different size cross members in a package. 
         [0013]    Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the drawings and description set forth herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIGS. 1A-1D  are perspective views of embodiments of the invention shoving different sizes of cushion apparatus for the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cushion apparatus for the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of invention showing a cushion apparatus for the wristwatch casing. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4A-4C  are perspective views of embodiments of the invention showing different sizes of cushion apparatus for wristwatch bands. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating a cushion apparatus for a wristwatch band. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Reference is made to the Figures in which elements of the illustrated embodiments of the invention are given numerical designations so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is understood that the following description is exemplary of embodiments of the invention and it is apparent to skilled persons that modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein described. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D , in embodiments of the invention the apparatus  10  includes the pad  12 . The pad  12  has the first surface  14  and the second surface  16  and a thickness  18  between the first surface  14  and the second surface  16 . The pad  12  includes the rounded edge  20  adjacent to the second surface  16 . 
         [0021]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D , the pad  12  includes the aperture  22  that is a feature that can minimize the amount of material used to manufacture the pad  12 . The aperture  22  can extend through the pad  12  from the second surface  16  to the first surface  14  and in further embodiments the aperture  22  extends only partially into the pad  12 . The diameter of the aperture  22  can vary also as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
         [0022]    The pad  12  is made from materials known to persons skilled in the art to provide a smooth cushioning surface to lessen irritation of a person&#39;s skin when the materials contact the person&#39;s skin and for moisture control meaning to absorb moisture from the person&#39;s skin. Materials that have antimicrobial properties are those that kill, inhibit or provide resistance to growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungus. Materials for use with embodiments of the invention include PORON®, PORON® PERMAFRESH® and PORON® ProZorb™ microcellular urethane foams from Rogers Corporation of Woodstock, Conn. that provide antimicrobial protection and inhibit or provide resistance to growth of fungus or bacteria and for moisture control. PORON® ProZorb™ also provides enhanced moisture control to wick moisture away from a person&#39;s skin to keep the skin dry and comfortable. 
         [0023]    The pad  12  can be in different sizes to accommodate different wristwatch sizes and in particular the size of the wristwatch casing. FIG  1 A illustrates an embodiment for a small size wristwatch casing and  FIG. 1B  illustrates an embodiment for a larger size wristwatch casing such as may be found with some men&#39;s wristwatches.  FIG. 1C  illustrates an embodiment for a medium size wristwatch casing and  FIG. 1D  shows an embodiment for a larger wristwatch casing with a smaller diameter aperture  22 . In embodiments of the invention, the pad  12  can be distributed in a package of such pads  12  in different sizes and shapes to accommodate a number of different wristwatches that a person might have. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment where the pad  12  is in a different shape such as a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The pad  12  can be made to fit onto wristwatches of many shapes and configurations including but not limited to, circular, rectangular, triangular and oval, all of which are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates placement of the pad  12 .onto the back of a wristwatch casing  30 . The pad  12  does not extend outside of the edges of the wristwatch casing  30  in  FIG. 3  so as to not detract from the visual appeal of the wristwatch while it is being worn. Adhesive is used to hold the pad  12  onto the wristwatch casing  30  and the invention includes adhesives well known to persons skilled in the art. 
         [0026]    In embodiments, the pad  12  has a pressure sensitive adhesive layer  24  applied to the first surface  14 . The pressure sensitive adhesive layer  24  is exposed by a person peeling away a backing off of the adhesive layer  24  and then applying the first surface  14  onto the wristwatch casing  30  to cause the pad  12  to be adhered to the wristwatch casing  30 . The pad  12  is removable from the wristwatch casing  30 . The pad  12  applied to the watch casing  30  as described and shown in  FIG. 3  is a spacer that separates the wristwatch casing  30  from the skin of the person wearing the wristwatch so the watch is more comfortable to wear and to minimize rubbing between the wristwatch and the person&#39;s skin and lessening the irritation caused by such rubbing. In the embodiments shown in  FIG. 3 , the aperture  22  extends through the pad  12  from the first surface  14  to the second surface  16 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate embodiments of the invention for a wristwatch band. The term band includes the commonly used straps used to buckle or fasten a timepiece to a person&#39;s arm or wrist. The pad  40  is elongated and has a first surface  42  and a second surface  44  with a rounded edge  46  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4C . A number of cross members  48  are secured to the pad  40 . The cross members  48  can be arranged transverse to the pad  40  as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C  or at any angular orientation with respect to the pad  40  to provide a cushion and other desirable features for a particular wristwatch wearer. The number of cross members  48  secured to the pad  40  can be one or more and all of these alternative embodiments are within the scope of the invention. The cross members  48  can also have a rounded edge  46  as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C . 
         [0028]    The length of the pad  40  can be adjusted to accommodate different lengths of the wristwatch band. For example, the pad  40  can be cut to a desired length. The cross members  48  can be in different lengths to accommodate different wristwatch band sizes.  FIG. 4A  illustrates an embodiment for a wide size wristwatch band,  FIG. 4B  illustrates an embodiment for a somewhat narrower wristwatch band and  FIG. 4C  illustrates an embodiment for a small width wristwatch band. The present invention is not limited to any size, length or shape of the cross members  48  and all sizes and shapes that can accommodate the wristwatch bands are within the scope of the invention. 
         [0029]    In embodiments of the invention, the pad  40  and a plurality of cross members  48  can be preassembled in different sizes such as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-C  and sold in a package. For example, a package of preassembled pad  40  and cross member  48  combinations can include an embodiment for a small size wristwatch band, an embodiment for a medium size wristwatch band, an embodiment for a wide size wristwatch band and other sizes. 
         [0030]    The pad  40  and the cross members  48  are made from materials known to persons skilled in the art to provide a smooth cushioning surface to lessen irritation of a person&#39;s skin when the materials contact the person&#39;s skin and for moisture control meaning to absorb moisture from the person&#39;s skin. As described above, materials for use with embodiments of the invention include PORON®, PORON®. PERMAFRESH® and PORON® ProZorb™ microcellular urethane foams from Rogers Corporation of Woodstock, Conn. that provide antimicrobial protection, inhibit or provide resistance to growth of fungus or bacteria, provide moisture control and for PORON® ProZorb™, also provides enhanced moisture control to wick moisture away from a person&#39;s skin to keep the skin dry and comfortable. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates placement of the pad  40  and cross members  48  onto the bottom of a wristwatch band  60 . As can be appreciated from  FIG. 5 , the pad  40  and cross members  48  do not extend outside of the edges of the wristwatch band  60  so as to not detract from the visual appeal of the wristwatch and the band  60  While they are being worn. 
         [0032]    Adhesive is used to hold the pad  40  and cross members  48  onto the wristwatch band  60  which adhesives are known to persons skilled in the art. In embodiments of the invention, one or both of the pad  40  and the cross members  48  includes a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive  24  applied to first surface  42  of the pad  40  or the bottom surfaces of the cross members  48  which is exposed by peeling away a backing off of the adhesive layer by a user and then applying either the first surface  42  or the bottom surfaces of the cross members  48  onto the bottom portion of the wristwatch band  30 . 
         [0033]    The pad  40  and the cross members  48  are removable from the wristwatch band  60 . The pad  40  and the cross members  48  applied to the watchband  60  as described and shown in connection with  FIG. 5  are a spacer that separates the wristwatch band from the skin of the person wearing the band so the band is more comfortable to wear and to minimize rubbing between the band and the person&#39;s skin and lessening the irritation caused by such rubbing. 
         [0034]    While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised by persons skilled in the art without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein and the invention is entitled to the full breadth and scope of the claims.