Patent Publication Number: US-6213634-B1

Title: Combined watch and wristband

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a combination wristband and watch and more particularly, toward a watch which can be easily inserted and removed from the wristband. 
     Wristbands in the nature of sweatbands are often worn by athletes in order to absorb perspiration while they are participating in a sport. The wristband is made from a flexible, absorbent fabric or material, for example, cotton. Athletes often also wear watches while they are playing. A problem occurs, however, when the athlete wears two wristbands and also needs to wear a watch on his or her wrist. This problem has been addressed in prior patents. However, these patents fall short of solving the problem in that the function of the wristband has been compromised. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,799 to Matsukage discloses the face of a watch mounted within a wristband worn by a person. The wristband is made from an elastic textile material which may absorb perspiration. The problem with this device, however, is that the wristband is not completely effective in absorbing perspiration because the back of the face is exposed to the wearer&#39;s wrist. Therefore, any perspiration present on that portion of the wearer&#39;s wrist will not be absorbed by the wristband. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,102 to Proellochs discloses an assembly which includes a wristband and a watch enclosed therein. Again, the wristband may be made from a cotton fabric so that perspiration will be absorbed by the wristband. However, the back of the watch rests on the wearer&#39;s wrist, thereby creating the same problem discussed above with regard to the patent to Matsukage. 
     There remains a need for a combined wristband and watch which will not only effectively absorb perspiration but will also serve the function of a watch. Also, there exists a need for a combination wristband and watch which allows for the easy insertion and removal of the watch from the wristband so that the wristband can be laundered. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wristband combined with a watch. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a wristband and watch combination where the watch may be easily inserted and removed from the wristband. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wristband and watch combination where the wristband effectively absorbs the wearer&#39;s perspiration without compromising the function of the watch. 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiment demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a wristband and watch combination which includes a tubular wristband having an inner layer of material, an outer layer of material, and a watch placed therebetween. The inner layer has a slit formed therein and the outer layer has an opening formed therein. The slit and opening are substantially aligned. The watch has a base and a face attached to the base. The opening and slit include button-hole stitching. The face includes a rim and a recess is formed between the base and the rim. Once the watch is in place, the stitching surrounding the opening fits snugly within the recess, thereby securing the watch within the opening. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings one form which is presently preferred; it being understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
     FIG. 1 is a representation of the wristband and watch combination of the present invention being worn on a person&#39;s wrist; 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the wristband and watch combination of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the wristband prior to the watch being inserted therein; 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the watch of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the watch of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the watch being inserted through the slit of the wristband; and 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the watch fitting within the opening of the wristband. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals have been used throughout the various figures to designate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 2 a wristband and watch combination constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally as  10 . 
     The combination  10  essentially includes a watch  12  and a tubular wristband  14  formed by an inner layer  16  of material and an outer layer  18  of material sewn or otherwise joined together, thereby forming a two-ply wristband  14  throughout the entire circumference thereof. As best seen in FIGS. 2-4, the inner and outer layers have inner surfaces that face each other and outer surfaces that face away from each other. The wristband  14  may be made from a flexible material or fabric, for example, cotton. The material may also be knit. The two layers  16  and  18  may be made from the same material or from two different types of material. Preferably the outer surface of the inner layer  16  which contacts the wearer&#39;s skin when worn is made of a material which can absorb sweat. The inner layer  16  has a slit  20  formed therein. The edge of the slit  20  is reinforced with button-hole or satin stitching or embroidery  22 . The stitching  22  prevents the unraveling of the material and is a technique well known and used in the art. The outer layer  18  has a circular opening  24 . The edge of the opening  24  also includes button-hole or similar stitching or embroidery  26 . The purpose of the stitching  26  is the same as the purpose of the stitching  22  around the slit  20 . However, the stitching  26  has a further function which will be discussed in greater detail below. The slit  20  and the opening  24  should be substantially aligned. (See FIG. 4.) 
     The watch  12  includes a generally rectangular base  28  which may be slightly curved so that the watch  12  rests comfortably on the wearer&#39;s wrist. (See FIG. 1.) As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the base  28  has a width dimension (left to right in FIGS. 5 and 8) which is greater than the height dimension (top to bottom as seen in FIGS.  5  and  8 ). Alternatively, the base  28  need not be curved. The base  28  also has a member  30  which extends outwardly from the center of the base  28 . Each corner  32 ,  34 ,  36 , and  38  of the base  28  may also have an opening  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 , respectively, formed therein. (See FIG. 8.) A face  48  is secured to the member  30  of the base  28  and includes a rim  50 . The shape of the face  48  and rim  50  may be almost any shape, for example, circular, oval, square, or rectangular. However, the base  28  is preferably larger than the face  48  of the watch  12 . An annular recess  52  is formed between the member  30  and the rim  50 , thereby forming a bezel. The base  28 , rim  50 , and member  30  may be formed from plastic or the like. 
     In order to place the watch  12  within the wristband  14 , the watch  12  is inserted through the slit  20  of the inner layer  16 , with the face  48  facing outwardly and the width dimension of the base  28  arranged so as to be in the axial direction of the wristband  14 . (See FIG. 9.) The face  48  is then positioned within the opening  24  of the outer layer  18  so that the stitching  24  fits snugly within the recess  52 , thereby securing the base  28  in place between the inner and outer layers  16  and  18 , respectively. (See FIG.  10 .)The base  28  now rests between the inner layer  16  and outer layer  18  so that the watch  12  remains in the proper position and does not inadvertently pop or slip out of the opening  24 . Furthermore, because the base  28  is larger than the face  48  of the watch  12 , it cannot pass through the opening  24 . Because only a slit  20  is formed in the inner layer  16 , the back or rear surface  28   a  of the base  28  is not exposed. As a result, the base  28  does not rest on the wearer&#39;s wrist  54 , rather the wristband  14  rests on the wearer&#39;s wrist  54 . Thus, any perspiration at that area is absorbed by the wristband. 
     In order to remove the watch  12  so that the wristband  14  may be laundered or, if the wearer would like to insert a different watch within the wristband, the wristband  14  is manipulated so that the base  28  is eased out of the slit  20 . As a result, the face  48  of the watch  12  slips out of the opening  24  and the entire watch  12  may be removed from the slit  20 . In this manner, the watch  12  is easily inserted and removed from the wristband  14 . 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.