Patent Publication Number: US-9851695-B1

Title: Watch bezel assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to watches, and more specifically, to a watch bezel assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A typical watch may have a bezel; i.e. a ring around the case. Two types of bezels are commonly used; timing bezels and diving bezels. Timing bezels move in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions while diving bezels, which are used to visually keep track of a diver&#39;s air supply by measuring dive time, only rotate in the counter-clockwise direction. Other bezels may be purely aesthetic and may not move in either direction. 
     Traditional diving bezels, however, still allow for some movement of the bezel in the clockwise direction, thus causing inaccurate readings for the user. For example, the marking on the bezel may be pointing at “12” on the watch dial, in order to indicate that the user began their dive at the top of the hour. As the diver descends, an object impacting the bezel may cause the bezel to move in the clockwise direction and to point slightly to the right of “12.” The user may then believe that he began the dive at one or two minutes past the hour. For a diver who has a finite supply of air, the one or two minute discrepancy can be fatal. For safety reasons, it is crucial to provide the user with the most accurate measurements for dive time as possible. 
     The present invention provides a watch bezel assembly having a bezel that uses a resilient device, such as a spring or bumper, positioned within a channel formed in the case to keep constant pressure on the ball and to cause the instantaneous stoppage of the bezel if moved in a clockwise direction. A plurality of rod end screws are also inserted through a plurality of corresponding apertures of the bezel and into the case in order to prevent the bezel from rising up from the case when the balls are pushed up the ramps by the resilient devices. The instantaneous stoppage of the bezel prevents any movement of the bezel in the clockwise direction, thereby allowing for precise readings for the user. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a bezel assembly for a watch is disclosed. The bezel assembly comprises a case; a bezel adapted to be coupled to the case; and a plurality of locking mechanisms between the case and the bezel, wherein each locking mechanism comprises: a ramp; a ball contained within the ramp; and a resilient device positioned within the ramp; wherein the resilient device exerts a constant pressure upon the ball to prevent the bezel from moving in a clockwise direction relative to the case. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a bezel assembly for a watch is disclosed. The bezel assembly comprises: a case, wherein the case comprises: a base; and a cylindrical body extending upwardly from the base; a bezel adapted to be coupled to the case; and a plurality of locking mechanisms between the case and the bezel, wherein each locking mechanism comprises: a ramp having a first end and a second end; a ball contained within the ramp; and one of a spring and a bumper positioned within the ramp and coupled to the first end of the ramp; wherein the one of the spring and the bumper exerts a constant pressure upon the ball to prevent the bezel from moving in a clockwise direction relative to the case. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a bezel assembly for a watch is disclosed. The bezel assembly comprise: a case, wherein the case comprises: a base; a cylindrical body extending upwardly from the base; and a cylindrical track formed within an outer surface of the cylindrical body; a bezel adapted to be coupled to the case, wherein the bezel comprises: a plurality of apertures formed within an outer surface of the bezel and that pass through to an inner surface of the bezel; and a plurality of screws, each screw having a rod end that is adapted to be inserted through one of the apertures of the bezel and to engage the circular track formed within the outer surface of the cylindrical body; and a plurality of locking mechanisms between the case and the bezel, wherein each locking mechanism comprises: a ramp having a first end and a second end; a ball contained within the ramp; and one of a spring and a bumper positioned within the ramp and coupled to the first end of the ramp; wherein the one of the spring and the bumper exerts a constant pressure upon the ball to prevent the bezel from moving in a clockwise direction relative to the case while the screws prevent the bezel from moving upwards. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present application is further detailed with respect to the following drawings. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present application, but rather, illustrate certain attributes thereof. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bezel assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, shown in use with a wristwatch; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the bezel of  FIG. 1 , shown removed from the case of the wristwatch; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the case of the wristwatch of  FIG. 1 , shown with the bezel removed; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up view of a portion of the case of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the case and bezel of the wristwatch of  FIG. 1 , shown with a cross-sectional side view of the case; 
         FIG. 6  is a close-up view of a portion of the case and bezel of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a close-up cross-sectional side view of the case and the bezel of the wristwatch of  FIG. 1 , showing one of the screws that couples the bezel to the case; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the case and bezel of the wristwatch of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top cross-sectional view of a bezel assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of the case of the bezel assembly of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the bezel of the bezel assembly of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a top cross-sectional view of a bezel assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the case of the bezel assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view of the bezel of the bezel assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front exploded perspective view of the bezel assembly of  FIG. 1 , shown using bumpers as the resilient devices; 
         FIG. 16  is a top cross-sectional view of the bezel assembly of  FIG. 9 , shown using bumpers as the resilient devices; and 
         FIG. 17  is a top cross-sectional view of the bezel assembly of  FIG. 12 , shown using bumpers as the resilient devices. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present disclosure may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 
       FIGS. 1-17  together, a watch bezel assembly  100 ,  200 ,  300  of the present invention. In its simplest form, the watch bezel assembly  100  comprises a watch bezel  10 ,  210 ,  310 ; a case  18 ,  218 ,  318 ; and a plurality of locking mechanisms  11 ,  211 ,  311 . Each locking mechanism  11 ,  211 ,  311  comprises a ball  28 ,  228 ,  328  and a resilient device, such as a spring  30 ,  230 ,  330  or a bumper  52 ,  252 ,  352 , that is positioned within a ramp  22 ,  222 ,  322  such that the locking mechanism  11 ,  211 ,  311  prevents the bezel  10 ,  210 ,  310  from moving in a clockwise direction relative to the case  18 ,  218 ,  318 . 
       FIGS. 1-8  shown one embodiment of a watch bezel assembly  100 .  FIG. 1  shows the watch bezel assembly  100  of the present invention in use with a wristwatch  36 . The watch bezel assembly  100  has a bezel  10  that is movably coupled to the case  18 . Unlike prior art watches, the bezel  10  is not used to hold the crystal  38  in place. Rather, the crystal  38  may be cemented, welded, or otherwise sealed to the case  18  so that the bezel  10  does not contribute to the water resistance of the wristwatch  36 . The bezel  10  of this embodiment (and all other depicted embodiments) is shown to have a circular shape, but it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the bezel  10  having an alternative shape. 
     The bezel  10  moves independently of the case  18  and moves in only one direction, counter-clockwise, with respect to the case  18 . The bezel  10  may have one or more markings  16  printed upon, etched into, coupled to, or integrally formed with its top surface. In this embodiment, the marking  16  is shown in the form of an arrow, however, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may also be derived from the use of multiple markings  16 . It should also be clearly understood that the markings  16  may have a different appearance, such as lines, numbers (e.g. 1-60), or some other type of indicator that will provide the user with a visual reference so that the user may use the bezel  10  as a timer. 
       FIG. 2  shows the bottom surface  12  of bezel  10 , which has been detached from the case  18 . The bezel  10  may have a circular channel  14  formed within its bottom surface  12 . The circular channel  14  is adapted to engage a plurality of balls  28  that are positioned between the bezel  10  and the case  18 . It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from any type of ball bearing or roller bearing being used for the plurality of balls  28 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a top surface  20  of the case  18 , where the bezel  10  has been removed. In this embodiment (and the other depicted embodiments), the case  18  is shown to have a circular shape that conforms to the circular shape of the bezel  10 , but it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the case  18  having an alternative shape. The top surface  20  of the case  18  may have a plurality of ramps  22  formed therein. The overall shape of the ramps  22  is shown to be curved so that the ramps  22  conform to the circular shape of the case  18 . As shown, each ramp  22  may have a semi-circular shaped first end  24  (on the left/counterclockwise end) and a narrower oblong shaped second end  26  (on the right/clockwise end). In this embodiment, the ramps  22  are equally spaced apart from each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , each ramp  22  is adapted to receive and hold therein a ball  28 . In this embodiment, the resilient devices are springs  30 . Each ramp  22  also has a spring  30 , coupled therein and located proximate the semi-circular shaped first end  24  of the ramp  22 . The wound spring  30  may be constructed of any metal, polymer, elastomeric material, or any other type of suitable material that is capable of applying pressure upon the ball  28 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of the case  18  and bezel  10  with a cross-sectional side view of the case  18 . Each spring  30  has one end that is housed within a cylindrical channel  34  formed within the case  18 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , each ramp  22  is angled upwardly, so that the semi-circular shaped wide first end  24  of the ramp is positioned lower/deeper within the case  18  than the narrower oblong shaped second end  26  of the ramp  22  (when one is looking downwardly upon the top surface  20  of the case  18 ). The opening of the channel  34  is in communication with the semi-circular shaped first end  24  of the ramp  22  so that one end of the spring  30  is housed within the cylindrical channel  34  and the other end of the spring  30  is housed within the ramp  22  proximate the semi-circular shaped first end  24 . 
     With this configuration, when the bezel  10  is turned in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the case  18 , the ball  28  will travel down the ramp  22  toward the spring  30 . The ball  28  will travel without any interference because the bezel  10  travels freely in the counter-clockwise direction. However, when the bezel  10  is turned in a clockwise direction relative to the case  18 , the ball  28  will travel up the ramp  22  and will experience instantaneous interference (or a clutching action) caused by the spring  30  which applies/exerts a constant pressure against the ball  28 . The spring  30  pushes the ball  28  up the ramp  22  and upwardly against the channel  14  within the bottom surface  12  of the bezel  10 . The pressure applied from the spring  30  onto the ball  28  and the pressure applied from the bottom surface  12  of the bezel  10  onto the ball  28  prevents the ball  28  from traveling upwardly on the ramp  22 , thereby locking the bezel  10  into place and preventing the bezel  10  from being able to rotate clockwise relative to the case  18 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , the case  18  may have a cylindrical body  44  extending upwardly/perpendicularly from a base  46  of the case  18 . The cylindrical body  44  may have a circular track  32  formed within its outer surface  45 . The cylindrical body  44  may also have other threading formed on its outer surface  45 . The bezel  10  may be coupled to the cylindrical body  44  of the case  18  by a plurality of screws  40  or any other suitable mechanism. As shown, the screws  40  are inserted through a plurality of corresponding apertures  48  that are formed within the outer surface  50  of the bezel  10  and that pass through to the inner surface  51  of the bezel  10 . The screws  40  may each have a rod end  42 , wherein once the screws  40  are inserted through the corresponding apertures  48  of the bezel  10 , the rod ends  42  of the screws  40  engage the circular track  32  on the outer surface  45  of the cylindrical body  44  of the case  18 . When the bezel  10  is turned in a clockwise direction relative to the case  18  and the balls  28  travel up the respective ramps  22 , the resilient device, such as a spring  30  or bumper  52 , exerts a constant pressure on the balls  28  creating a mechanical locking of the bezel  10  as the ball  28  exerts pressure on the bezel  10  and the bezel  10  is prevented from moving upwards by way of the rod-end screws  40  in the bezel  10 . The rod end screws  40  that have been inserted through the apertures  48  of the bezel  10  and into the circular track  32  of the case  18  prevent the bezel  10  from rising up from the case  18  when the balls  28  are pushed up the ramps  22  by the springs  30 . By preventing the bezel  10  from rising up from the case  18 , the clutching action is maintained. 
       FIGS. 9-11  show another embodiment of a bezel assembly  200  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the bezel assembly  200  comprises a bezel  210  and a case  218 . The cylindrical body  244  of the case  218  may have a smooth outer surface  245  (i.e. it does not have a track  32  formed within the outer surface  245 ). Also, in this embodiment, the bottom surface  212  of the bezel  210  may have a plurality of ramps  222  formed therein. In this embodiment, the ramps  222  are equally spaced apart from each other. As shown, each ramp  222  may have a wide first end  224 , a narrower second end  226 , and an open side portion  225  which is positioned proximate the inner perimeter  215  of the bezel  210 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , each ramp  222  is angled so that the first end  224  of the ramp  222  is positioned deeper within the bezel  210  (i.e. closer to its outer perimeter  213 ) than the second end  226  of the ramp  222  (which has a depth that is closer to the inner perimeter of the bezel  210 ). The open side portion  225  of the ramp  222  is adapted to engage the smooth outer surface  245  of the cylindrical body  244  of the case  218 . One end of the resilient device, here shown as a spring  230 , is coupled to the first end  224  of the ramp  222  and the other end of the spring  230  is housed within the ramp  222  proximate the second end  226  and is in constant contact with the ball  228 . 
     With this configuration, when the bezel  210  is turned in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the case  218 , the ball  228  will travel down the ramp  222  toward the spring  230 . The ball  228  will travel without any interference because the bezel  210  travels freely in the counter-clockwise direction. However, when the bezel  210  is turned in a clockwise direction relative to the case  218 , the ball  228  will travel up the ramp  222  toward the second end  226  of the ramp  222  and will experience instantaneous interference (or a clutching action) caused by the spring  230  which applies/exerts a constant pressure against the ball  228 . The spring  230  pushes the ball  228  up the ramp  222  and inwardly against the outer surface  245  of the cylindrical body  244  of the case  218 . The pressure applied from the spring  230  onto the ball  228  and the pressure applied from the cylindrical body  244  of the case  218  onto the ball  228  prevents the ball  228  from traveling upwardly on the ramp  222 , thereby locking the bezel  210  into place and preventing the bezel  210  from being able to rotate clockwise relative to the case  218 . 
       FIGS. 12-14  show another embodiment of a bezel assembly  300  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the bezel assembly  300  comprises a bezel  310  and a case  318 . The bezel  310  may have a smooth inner surface  315  as shown in  FIG. 14 . Also, in this embodiment, the outer surface  345  of the cylindrical body  344  of the case  318  may have a plurality of ramps  322  formed therein. In this embodiment, the ramps  322  are equally spaced apart from each other. As shown, each ramp  322  may have a wide first end  324 , a narrower second end  326 , and an open side portion  325  which is positioned on the outer surface  345  of the cylindrical body  344 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , each ramp  322  is angled so that the first end  324  of the ramp  322  is positioned deeper within the cylindrical body  344  (i.e. closer to its inner perimeter  313 ) than the second end  326  of the ramp  322  (which has a depth that is closer to the outer surface  345  of the cylindrical body  344 ). The open side portion  325  of the ramp  322  is adapted to engage the smooth inner surface  315  of the bezel  310 . One end of the resilient device, here shown as a spring  330 , is coupled to the first end  324  of the ramp  322  and the other end of the spring  330  is housed within the ramp  322  proximate the second end  326  and is in constant contact with the ball  328 . 
     With this configuration, when the bezel  310  is turned in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the case  318 , the ball  328  will travel down the ramp  322  toward the spring  330 . The ball  328  will travel without any interference because the bezel  310  travels freely in the counter-clockwise direction. However, when the bezel  310  is turned in a clockwise direction relative to the case  318 , the ball  328  will travel up the ramp  322  toward the second end  326  of the ramp  322  and will experience instantaneous interference (or a clutching action) caused by the spring  330  which applies/exerts a constant pressure against the ball  228 . The spring  330  pushes the ball  328  up the ramp  322  and outwardly against the inner surface  315  of the bezel  310 . The pressure applied from the spring  330  onto the ball  238  and the pressure applied from the inner surface  315  of the bezel  310  onto the ball  328  prevents the ball  328  from traveling upwardly on the ramp  322 , thereby locking the bezel  310  into place and preventing the bezel  310  from being able to rotate clockwise relative to the case  318 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-17 , the resilient devices of the bezel assembly  100  are bumpers  52 ,  252 ,  352  rather than springs  30 ,  230 ,  330 . The bumpers  52 ,  252 ,  352  may be constructed of any polymer, elastomeric material, or any other type of suitable resilient material that is capable of applying pressure upon the ball  28 ,  228 ,  328 .  FIG. 15  shows bumpers  52  used in the bezel assembly  100  instead of springs  30 ;  FIG. 16  shows bumpers  252  used in the bezel assembly  200  instead of springs  230 ; and  FIG. 17  shows bumpers  352  used in the bezel assembly  300  instead of springs  330 . The bumpers  52 ,  252 ,  352 , like the springs  30 ,  230 ,  330 , should be sized to fit within the ramps  22 ,  222 ,  322  and may be constructed of any suitable material that is sufficiently resilient and/or elastic to apply the pressure upon the ball  28 ,  228 ,  328  in the same fashion as the springs  30 ,  230 ,  330 . 
     The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the application, but is not meant to be limitation upon the practice thereof. While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.