Patent Publication Number: US-5898646-A

Title: Watch with extended dial

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of Application Ser. No. 08/350,079, filed Nov. 29, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No 5,592,443. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a structure of a watch including a watch case, a dial and a shield glass. 
     Recently, a wrist watch with a plurality of functions and sensors becomes popular. Furthermore, various types of amusing watches are made. For example, a picture of a mascot of the Japan Professional Football League (J-League) is printed on a dial of a wrist watch. In order to enhance the amusement of the amusing watch, the watch case itself is shaped to match the picture on the dial. 
     FIG. 13 shows a conventional amusing watch. The watch has a cylindrical watch case 1 made of plastic and having a radially extending outer flange portion 1a, an upper recess 1b, and a band connecting portion 1d. A dial 2 is mounted in the watch case 1 at a lower portion of the recess 1b. A module 3 is mounted in the watch case 1 and an inner frame 4 is provided for supporting the module 3 in the watch case. A back 5 is secured to the watch case 1 interposing a packing 1c. A shield 6 is mounted on the upper recess 1b of the watch case 1. A crown 7 is operatively connected to the module 3. An hour hand 10, minute hand 11 and second hand 12 are secured to hand shafts 13 operatively connected to the module 3. 
     In the watch, the dial 2 has an amusing picture printed thereon and the outer flange portion 1a of the watch case 1 has a picture printed thereon, or a certain peripheral shape projected from the circumference of the shield 6, corresponding to the picture of the dial. 
     In order to assemble the watch, the dial 2 is secured to the watch case 1. The module 3 is mounted in the watch case 1 and supported by the inner frame 4. The back 5 is secured to the watch case 1 interposing the packing 1c. Then, the watch case is inverted, and the hands 10, 11 and 12 are securely mounted on the respective shafts 13. The shield 6 is secured to the upper recess 1b of the watch case 1. 
     In such a watch, the contour of the outer flange portion 1a is shaped for enhancing the amusing feeling relative to the picture on the dial 2. Therefore, it is necessary to provide various types of molding dies for the watch case 1 for increasing design variations. As a result, the manufacturing cost for a molding die increases. 
     Since the outer flange portion 1a of the watch case 1 and the dial 2 are separated from each other, it is difficult to print a continuous picture on the dial and the flange portion. 
     In addition, the crown 7 is projected from the underside of the outer flange portion 1a, so that the appearance of the watch is deteriorated. Furthermore, it is necessary to form a groove in the watch case 1 for receiving the packing 1c which causes the structure of the watch to further complicate and the number of parts to increase. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a watch which may reduce manufacturing cost and has a simple watertight means. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a structure of a watch comprising a watch case, a module mounted in the watch case, a dial welded to the watch case, and a shield welded to the dial for shielding the dial. 
     The present invention further provides a structure of a watch comprising a watch case, a module mounted in the watch case, a dial welded to the watch case, and a shield welded to the watch case at a plurality of portions each of which passes through a hole formed in the dial. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a watch of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the watch of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view showing another design of the watch of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a further design of the watch of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for assembling of the watch; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of a dial of the third embodiment; 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a method for assembling of the watch of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a fourth embodiment; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a fifth embodiment; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a sixth embodiment; and 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a conventional watch. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1 showing an amusing watch according to the present invention, parts which are the same as the conventional watches are identified with the same reference numerals as FIG. 13. 
     The watch comprises a watch case 15 has an inner recess 15e in which the module 3 is mounted, formed in the watch case. A dial 17 is mounted on the watch case 15 and the module 3. The dial 17 has an outer extending portion 17a radially and outwardly extending from the watch case 15, an upper recess 17b, and an underside recess 17c formed on the underside of the outer extending portion 17a. The crown 7 operatively connected to the module 3 passing through a hole 15b is disposed in the underside recess 17c, so that the crown 17 is concealed by the extending portion 17a. A shield 18 is mounted on the upper recess 17b of the dial 17 and secured thereto. A pair of band connecting portions 15a are provided on one of the sides of the watch case 15, band connecting portions on the other side are not shown. 
     The watch case 15, dial 17 and shield 18 are made of ABS resin. 
     A battery 30a is mounted in a cylindrical battery chamber 21 formed in the module 3 for driving the module. A bottom 15c of the watch case 15 has a cylindrical opening 22 formed for communication with the chamber 21. A battery cover 31 is detachably engaged with the opening 22. A structure for holding the battery will be described hereinafter. 
     FIGS. 2 to 4 show examples of amusing watches. The dial 17 has a picture, and the outer extending portion 17a has a shape and a continuous pattern of the picture on the dial, thereby representing a particular meanings. The watch case (not shown) is connected to watch bands 24 and 25. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the outer extending portion 17a has a configuration of the land of Hokkaido. The land of Hokkaido is selected as a particular shape of the land, but other various lands can be employed for the extending portion. 
     FIG. 3 shows the extending portion 17a having a configuration of a face of a bull. A part of the face is printed on the dial 17. Other animals and birds can also be printed. 
     FIG. 4 shows a further example representing the union Jack. Of course, other flags can be printed. 
     The assembling of the watch will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. 
     At a step S1, the module 3 is mounted in the watch case 15. At a step S2, the dial 17 is mounted on the watch case 15 and the module 3. At a step S3, the dial 17 is secured to the watch case 15 by deposited welding. At a step S4, the hands 10, 11 and 12 are secured to the hand shafts 13. At a step S5, the shield 18 is mounted on the dial 17. At a step S6, the shield is secured to the dial by deposited welding. 
     FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment where a dial 26 has an outer extending portion 26a a surface of which is flush with the dial 26. A notch 26c is formed in the outer extending portion 26a corresponding to the crown 7. Thus, a part of the crown 7 is inserted in the notch 26c. 
     Other structures are the same as the first embodiment, and the same parts thereof are identified with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. 
     The watch is assembled in the same manner as in the first embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Structures which are the same as the previous embodiments are identified with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. 
     A watch case 40 has a plurality of positioning projections 41 and a recess 40e for the module 3. On an upper portion of the projection 41, a melting portion 44 is provided. A dial 42 has an outer extending portion 42a an upper surface of which is flush with that of the dial 42. A plurality of positioning perforations 42b are provided for deposited welding, corresponding to the positioning projections 41 of the watch case 40. The outer extending portion 42a has a thickness larger than the dial 42. A shield 43 is mounted on the dial 42 corresponding to the positioning perforations 42b. A groove 45 is provided on a periphery of the shield 43 corresponding to the melting portion 44 of the projection 41. 
     FIG. 8 shows the dial 42. The outer extending portion 42a has a shape for the amusing watch. The shape is changeable to various designs to increase additional value of the watch. The positioning perforations 42b are provided on the circumference of the dial 42. 
     The assembling of the watch will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9. 
     At a step S11, the module 3 is mounted in the recess 40e of the watch case 40. At a step S12, the dial 42 is mounted on the watch case 40 and the module 3 so as to engage the positioning perforations 42b with the positioning projections 41. At a step S13, the hands 10, 11 and 12 are secured to the hand shafts 13. At a step S14, the shield 43 is mounted on the dial 42 corresponding to the positioning perforations 42b. At a step S15, the shield 43 is secured to the watch case 40 by deposited welding. The melting portion 44 of the projection 41 is melted, and the groove 45 formed on the periphery of the shield 43 is filled with molten material. Thus, the watch case 40 and the shield 43 are fixed to each other. 
     FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Structures which are the same as the third embodiment are identified with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 7. 
     A watch case 40a has a plurality of positioning projections 41a inserted in the positioning perforations 42b of the dial 42. The projection 41a has a height of half of the height of the perforation 42b. A groove 44a is formed on an upper portion of the projection 41a. The shield 43 has a plurality of legs 43c provided on the periphery corresponding to the positioning perforations 42b. The leg 43c also has a height of half of the height of the perforation 42b, and has a melting portion 45a formed on an end corresponding to the groove 44a of the projection 41a. A diameter of the leg 43c is smaller than the thickness of the shield 43 so as to form a shoulder 43b at a root of the leg 43c. 
     The watch is assembled in the same manner as in the third embodiment. Namely, the dial 42 is mounted on the watch case 40a having the module 3, engaging each projection 41a with the corresponding perforation 42b. The leg 43c of the shield 43 is inserted into the positioning perforation 42b and engaged with the end of the projection 41a, while the shoulder 43b is abutted on the surface of the dial 42. By deposited welding, the melting portion 45a of the leg 43c is melted and the groove 44a of the projection 41a is filled with molten material. Thus, the watch case 40a is secured to the dial 43. 
     FIG. 11 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Structures which are the same as the fourth embodiment are identified with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 10. 
     A watch case 40b has a plurality of positioning projections 46. A dial 42&#39; has a plurality of positioning holes 42c corresponding to the projections 46. The shield 43 has a plurality of legs 43d, each of which has the melting portion 45a inserted into the positioning perforations 42b, and each of which has the shoulder 43b. The grooves 44a are formed on the watch case 40b corresponding to the positioning perforations 42b of the dial 42&#39;. 
     The dial 42&#39; is mounted on the watch case 40b and the hole 42c is engaged with the projection 46. The leg 43d of the shield 43 is inserted into the perforation 42b and engaged with the groove 44a of the watch case, while the shoulder 43b is abutted on the surface of the dial 42&#39;. By deposited welding, the groove 44a of the watch case 40b is filled with the molten material of the leg 43d of the shield 43, thereby fixing the watch case to the shield. 
     In the latter embodiment, it is not necessary to engage the positioning perforation 42b with the leg 43d with accuracy, since the dial 42&#39;is positioned by the projection 46. 
     FIG. 12 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, a pair of band connecting portions 15d are secured to the underside of the outer extending portion 26a of the dial 26. The other structure is the same as the watch of FIG. 6. 
     Since the band connecting portions 15a are secured to the outer extending portion 26a, the extending portion is prevented from being detached from the watch case 15, even if the outer extending portion 26 strikes other things. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.