BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to watch stands, and more particularly, has reference to a new and improved watch stand which is especially adapted for use when travelling.
II. State of the Art
Watch stands are well-known as a way for storing and displaying watches. Indeed, there are many watch users, and particularly those who own and use expensive watches, who place their watch on a special stand next to their bed at night, or simply when the watch is not being worn while at work. The watch stand keeps the watch safe and helps prevent the scratches and blemishes that can occur when placing a watch on a hard surface. It also helps to protect the watch against being accidentally bumped or knocked off a table, which may be damaging to expensive watches.
However, a problem arises when the user of a high end wrist watch is travelling. A watch stand that is suitable for use at home may not be suitably portable for travelling, in that it may not fit conveniently into a travelling bag, or it may have a tendency to become dismembered or break.
In addition, most watch stands have a limited utility even when used at home because they are designed to hold a watch and nothing else. They also lack the ability to be adjusted to accommodate different size watches or to display the watches in different ways. Moreover, many watch stands are made with a hard marble base for stability which posses a risk of damage to the watch should the watch be accidentally dropped onto the base.
Thus, a need exists for a watch stand which can keep a watch safe, secure, and accessible, but which is portable and capable of being easily fit into a small travel case or pouch when the watch owner is travelling, which can store watches as well as other items, which is adjustable, and which protects the watch against scratches or damage even when dropped accidently onto the watch stand. The present invention fulfills these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved watch stand which offers a secure and stable platform for storing and displaying a watch at home or in the office when it is not being worn and for protecting the watch against scratches, dings and other damage, yet is capable of being collapsed into a compact configuration for storage and travel and expanded into an upright or extended configuration for use. The device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use. It can be kept on a dresser or bedside table, or used in the office on a desk. The watch stand saves time by avoiding the need to store the watch in its case when not in use. The watch stand keeps the watch on display and provides easy access to the watch for when you want to wear it or take it off.
More specifically, and in presently preferred embodiment, by way of example and necessarily by way of limitation, the present invention is embodied in a watch stand that comprises a base with an elongated opening, a watch holder with top and bottom sides, an elongate support arm with a first end rotatably coupled to the base and a second end rotatably coupled to the watch holder, and wherein the stand assembly is capable of transitioning from a first configuration with the bottom of the watch holder lying flat against the top of the base and with the support arm received into and concealed by the opening which is at least partially covered by the watch holder, to a second configuration with the watch holder elevated to a position above base and held in position by the support arm. The first configuration is a flat configuration in which the stand assembly is capable of being fit into a carrying case.
In a preferred embodiment, the support arm includes a lower arm rotatably coupled to the base and an upper arm rotatably coupled to the bottom of the watch holder, with the upper and lower arms are rotatably coupled to each other. Preferably, the support arms are rotatably coupled to each other, to the watch holder and to the base by friction joints or friction hinges.
In a preferred embodiment, the watch holder has a variable orientation relative to the base when the watch stand is in the second configuration. The support arms also have a variable angular orientation relative to the base and to each other when the watch stand is in the second configuration.
Preferably, the base includes a storage tray sufficiently dimensioned to receive cufflinks, coins, rings and other small jewelry items when the watch stand is in the second configuration. Preferably, the storage tray has side walls sloped at an angle to facilitate removing contents from the tray with a single hand movement. Preferably, the base is covered with soft leather or fabric material to help prevent scratching of the watch and other items stored in the watch stand or accidently dropped onto the base.
In one preferred embodiment, the support arm is disposed at an off-center location relative to the base and the watch holder. In an alternative embodiment, the support arm is disposed at a central location relative the base and the watch holder.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, features of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a watch stand constructed in accordance with the present invention, as seen in an extended configuration ready for use;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the watch stand shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the watch stand shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the watch stand shown in FIG. 1 in a fully collapsed configuration;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a storage case suitable for enclosing the watch stand of FIG. 1 when in the fully collapsed configuration;
FIG. 6. is a top plan view of the watch stand shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the watch stand shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the watch stand shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 6 showing the watch stand in a fully collapsed configuration;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the watch stand of FIG. 9 in the process of being transitioned from a collapsed configuration to an extended configuration;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 2 showing the watch stand in an extended configuration;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view, as seen from below, showing the watch holder detached from the rest of the watch stand;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 13-13 in FIG. 2 showing the friction joint for rotatably coupling the upper and lower support arms;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 14-14 in FIG. 6 showing the friction hinge for rotatably coupling the lower support arm to the base;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the watch stand shown in FIG. 1 with the support arms in an alternative orientation;
FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the watch stand shown in FIG. 1 with the support arms in yet another alternative orientation;
FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the watch stand shown in FIG. 15 with the watch holder in an alternative viewing orientation;
FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the watch stand shown in FIG. 17 with a wrist watch placed on the watch holder;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a watch stand constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a watch stand constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a watch stand constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention and incorporated into a valet tray.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As best seen in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8, the invention is embodied in a watch stand 10 which preferably includes a base 12 and a watch holder 14 connected to the base by a support arm assembly 16 with multiple pivot connections. The arm 16 can be raised to support the watch holder 14 in an elevated position above the base 12 when deployed, as shown in FIG. 1, and is concealed in the base when the arm is lowered and the watch stand is collapsed, as shown in FIG. 4.
The base 12 is preferably square in shape, about 4.5″ wide on each side and having a height of about 1″. The base may be made of any suitable material, including heavy material such as cast steel covered with a polished metal or pressed aluminum surface, or lightweight material such as metal, plastic or other rigid material covered in a soft leather or fabric material to help prevent scratching of watches and other items stored in the watch stand or accidently dropped onto the base. A large portion of the upper surface 18 of the base 16 preferably includes a depression, or tray 20 which is rectangular in plan view. The depression 20 is configured to conveniently receive and store cufflinks, rings, coins, or other items that would be useful to keep together in one place for easy locating. The depth of the tray 20 is preferably about ¾″ vertically, and it may have vertical sides 22 or, more preferably, front and rear sides 24 sloped at an angle such as 45 degrees to facilitate the act of scooping out the contents of the tray in a single hand movement.
The upper surface 18 of the base 16 also includes an elongated opening 26, running from back to front alongside the tray 20, sized and configured to receive the support arm assembly 16 (described in more detail below), which in the collapsed condition (shown in FIG. 4), tucks into the base and may reside completely within the opening, and when raised or expanded (as shown in FIG. 1) supports the watch holder 14 in an elevated position above the base. The opening 26 is preferably in the form of a channel or slot with vertical side walls 27 that is sized to closely match the size of the arm assembly 16 in terms of length, width and depth when the arm is in the collapsed condition. In a preferred embodiment, the opening 26 is arranged at an off-center location, preferably along the left edge 28 of the base 12 (as viewed from the front of the watch stand 10). The off-center location maximizes the available space in the base 12 for other uses. The corresponding off-center location of the support arm assembly 16 frees up space on the watch holder 14 to facilitate placing items on and removing them from the watch holder. Preferably, a dividing wall 30 is provided to separate the opening 26 from the storage tray 20 and protect the contents of the tray and the watch stand 10 itself from damage if the watch stand is accidently closed with contents in the storage tray.
The support arm assembly 16 can be configured in many different ways, but is preferably in the form of a folding arm with a two bar linkage and a three-point hinged construction that comprises an upper arm 32 and a lower arm 34 attached to each other by a middle pivot pin connection 36, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The lower end 38 of the lower arm 34 (best shown in FIG. 1) is attached to the base 12 inside a notch 40 at the rear of the slot 26 with a lower pivot pin connection 42 (best shown in FIGS. 9-11). The upper end 44 of the upper arm 32 is connected to a flange 46 extending downward from the bottom 48 of the watch holder 14 by an upper pivot pin connection 50, as best shown in FIG. 3. The flange 46 is attached to the bottom of the watch holder and is best shown in FIG. 12. The linkage is preferably made of lightweight metal (such as aluminum) with plastic or metal pivot pin connections that join the arms 32, 34 to each other, as well as to the base 12 and to the watch holder 14, respectively. Preferably, the pivot pin connections 36, 42, 50 are friction joints or friction hinges that permit relative pivoting movement between the joined components but with sufficient frictional resistance to hold the watch stand 10 in an expanded condition without collapsing. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot connections 36, 42, 50 provide constant torque to hold the joined components in position throughout all angles of motion and to resist motion until an external force is applied. This ensures that the arms 32, 34 and the watch holder 14 can move freely but can easily be brought to a halt and held firm in the desired position. Such joints and hinges are well known and commonly used in laptop computers. Friction joints and hinges eliminate the need for secondary mechanical support to hold the arms 32, 34 and watch holder 14 in place, thereby reducing manufacturing cost. However, if desired, another type of manual locking mechanism (not shown) can be provided to hold the arms 32, 34 in an expanded position.
FIG. 13 is a detained view of a typical a friction joint rotatably coupling the upper and lower arms 32, 34. As is well known, the joint includes a rotating element 52 with a mating housing or socket 56. In a preferred embodiment, the rotating element is fixed in an opening 54 in one of the arms 32, while the socket or housing 56 is fixed in an opening 58 in the other arm 34. A similar friction joint can be used to couple the upper arm 32 to the flange 46. FIG. 14 is a detailed view of a typical friction hinge rotatably coupling the lower arm 34 to the base 12. As is well known, the hinge includes a rotating barrel 60 and a pivot pin 64 disposed inside the barrel. In a preferred embodiment, the barrel 60 is fixed in an opening 62 in the lower end 38 of the lower arm 34, and the pin 64 has two ends 66 that extend outside the barrel at both ends of the barrel and are fixed in respective openings 68 in the base 12.
While FIG. 2 shows the flange 46 connected to the outer side 70 of the upper arm 32, it will be appreciated that the flange also could be connected to the inner side 72 of the arm, if desired. Connecting the upper arm 32 to the outer side 74 of the lower arm 34 and connecting the flange 46 to the outer side 70 of the upper arm 32 is preferred because it maximizes the available space for holding watches and other items on the watch holder 14. It also maximizes the amount of space available for a user to grasp the watch holder 14 with his fingers and hands to adjust the position of the arms 32, 34 and the position and orientation of the watch holder 14, as more fully described below.
In a preferred embodiment, a single folding arm assembly 16 (as shown) is used to support the watch holder 14 above the base 12. However, multiple folding arms can be used, if desired, with each arm being concealed in a slot 26 in the base 12 when folded.
The watch holder 14, or watch storage element, in a preferred configuration is a soft padded leather or fabric covered cushion, slightly smaller in size than the base 12, but large enough to lie flat on the base in the collapsed condition, so as to substantially cover both the storage tray 20 and the slot 26 as shown in FIG. 4. In this collapsed condition, the support arm assembly 16 is folded and tucked into the slot 26 as shown in FIG. 4, thus permitting the watch holder 14 to lie flat against the upper surface 18 of the base 12. It will be appreciated that in this collapsed condition, the watch stand 10 forms a flat compact shape that will fit easily into a small travel pouch or carrying case 76 of the type shown in FIG. 5 and slipped into a suitcase or travel bag when travelling.
In a preferred embodiment, the watch holder 14 does not fully cover the top of the storage tray 20 when the watch stand 10 is in the collapsed condition, but rather leaves a small gap or opening 78 into the tray around the perimeter of the watch holder, as best shown in FIG. 6. The opening 78 allows a user to more easily grip the watch holder 14 and wrap his/her fingers and thumb around the underside 48 of the watch holder when attempting to lift the watch holder from the collapsed position shown in FIG. 4 to an elevated or expanded condition as shown in FIG. 1.
In a preferred embodiment, the watch holder 14 is rectangular in shape, about 3.5″ wide by about 2.75″ deep and having a height of about 1″, although those dimensions can be varied, as desired. It preferably includes a rigid bottom plate 80 with a padded cushion 82 affixed to the top surface thereof. The bottom surface 48 of the plate 80 is connected to the flange 46 which in turn is rotatably coupled to the support arm assembly 16. It will be appreciated that when the watch stand 10 is in the expanded condition as shown in FIG. 1, the watch holder 14 provides an elevated platform-like surface for holding a watch or other items in an elevated position above the base and any surrounding surface.
FIGS. 9-11 show the watch stand 10 in the process of transitioning from a fully collapsed condition to an extended condition ready for use. In FIG. 9, the watch stand 10 is fully collapsed with the watch holder 14 lying flat against the top of the base 12 and the support arm assembly 16 folded and fully tucked into, and concealed by, the opening 26 in the base. In FIG. 10, the watch holder 14 has been partially extended above the base 12 with the support arm 16 partially unfolded. In FIG. 11, the support arm is further unfolded and the watch holder 14 is extended to a more elevated position above the base 12 ready for use.
When the watch stand 10 is in an expanded condition and ready for use, the watch holder 14 is preferably elevated about 4-5″ above the base 12, preferably aligned horizontally with the base, and is sized to allow the watch user to remove his or her watch from their wrist and rest it on top of the watch holder, or more preferably, place the watch case face up on top of the cushion and wrap the watch strap around the watch holder. After being wrapped around the watch holder 14, the watch strap may be left loose or it may be closed to secure the watch onto the watch holder as shown, for example, in FIG. 18. For watches with a bracelet instead of a strap, the bracelet can be slid over the open end of the watch holder 14 opposite the support arm 16, in much the same way that the watch would be placed onto a user's arm, then the bracelet is either left open or it can be closed to secure the watch onto the watch holder 14. Either way, the watch remains visible on the watch holder 14, and any contents placed in the storage tray 20 by the user also remain visible. The frictional resistance provided by the pivot connections 36, 42, 50 allows the watch stand 10 to accommodate watches of different size and weight including relatively large and heavy watches, while elevating them above any surrounding surfaces to keep them safe and scratch free.
The watch stand 10 may be placed on a bedside table, or any convenient support surface, and receive a watch for safe storage. At the same time, the storage tray 20 may receive cuff links and other valuables which are protected against being accidentally brushed off the table or misplaced when not in use.
The use of three pivot connections 36, 42, 50—one under the watch holder 14, one between the folding arms 32, 34, and one in the base 12—has the advantage of allowing the user to deploy the support arms 32, 34 and the watch holder 14 at varying angles and in many different ways to adjust the watch stand 10 for optimal use in the expanded condition.
In a preferred configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower arm 34 is disposed at an angle slightly short of vertical relative to the base 12, while the upper arm 32 is angled rearward relative to the lower arm 34 and the watch holder 14 is oriented generally parallel to the plane of the base 12. This is the configuration most users are likely to employ.
In an alternative configuration, as shown in FIG. 15, the lower arm 34 is disposed at an angle slightly past vertical relative to the base 12, while the upper arm 32 is angled forward relative to the lower arm and the watch holder 14 again is oriented generally parallel to the plane of the base.
In yet another alternative configuration, as shown in FIG. 16, the upper and lower arms 32, 34 are arranged in a straight line generally perpendicular to the base 12, with the watch holder 14 again aligned generally parallel to the plane of the base.
In each of the foregoing configurations, the watch holder 14 can be titled slightly forward at an angle relative to the base 12, as best shown in FIGS. 17-18. This allows the face of the watch to be more visible to the user when the watch is wrapped around the watch holder 14, as shown in FIG. 18. The tilt angle can be adjusted by the user, as desired.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing is not an exhaustive list of possible configurations, and that many different angles and orientations for the support arms 32, 34 and the watch holder 14 are possible when deployed, as desired by the user of the watch stand 10.
The ability to adjust the deployed position of the support arms 32, 34 and watch holder 14 provides several advantages. Among other things, it allows the user to adjust the relative position of the watch holder 14 and base 12 to accommodate watches and jewelry of different size and shape, to display them in various ways, to balance the weight distribution of the watch stand 10 for improved stability when in use, and to increase or decrease access to and visibility of the storage tray 20 in the base.
FIG. 19 shows alternative embodiment which is identical to the watch stand 10 shown in FIG. 1, except that the support arm 116 and its receiving slot 120 are placed on the right side of the base 112 (as viewed from the front of the watch stand 110) and the storage tray 120 is placed on the left side of the base. For the sake of clarity, like reference numbers but in the 100 series have been used to designate elements common to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
The watch stands 10 and 210 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 19, are generally sized and intended for use with preferably one watch at a time. However, larger versions of the watch stand can be made to support more watches simultaneously on the watch holder. Such larger versions are preferably more elongated and wider in rectangular shape in both the base 12 and the watch holder 14, or at least the watch holder, as compared to the shape of the watch stands illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 19.
One example of a larger watch stand 210 is the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, which is designed to hold two or more watches simultaneously. The main components of this watch stand 210 are identical to the corresponding parts of the watch stand 10 shown in FIG. 1, except that the watch holder 214 and base 212 are wider and more rectangular in shape, and the arm assembly 216 and its receiving slot 226 are placed at a more central location, preferably equidistant between the sides of the base 212 and watch holder 214, to allow room for watches to be placed on the watch holder on both sides of the arm assembly. Additionally, the base 212 is provided with two separate storage trays 220, one on each side of the arm receiving slot 226. Both trays 220 are preferably constructed similar to the tray 20 shown in FIG. 1 in size and shape. In a preferred embodiment, the base 212 is about 6.25″ wide and about 4.25″ deep, and the watch holder 214 is about 5.25″ wide and about 2.75″ deep. For the sake of clarity, like reference numbers but in the 200 series have been used to designate elements common to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
Yet another example of a larger watch stand is the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, where the watch stand is incorporated into a valet tray 310. This embodiment 310 is similar to the embodiment 110 shown in FIG. 20, except that the base 312 is substantially enlarged in the forward direction and large openings or storage compartments 384, 386 preferably running from side to side, are provided in the upper surface of the enlarged portion to serve as a valet tray. For the sake of clarity, like reference number but in the 300 series have been used to designate elements common to the embodiment shown in FIG. 20.
While the watch holder has been described as being useful for storing and displaying watches, it also can be used to hold and display jewelry items like bracelets, necklaces and chains by hanging or draping them over the watch holder. As such, the watch stand can be used in the home, if desired, to organize a jewelry collection and keep a dresser clutter-free, or can be used at work or when travelling to keep jewelry items in sight and easily accessible when not being worn.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the watch stand of the present invention is a novel and useful device for safely storing and displaying a watch and other valuable jewelry at night or other times, while in an expanded condition, and which also may be conveniently collapsed for storage while travelling. The invention allows the convenience of a portable and elegant watch stand that may solve the needs of a traveler wearing a high end wrist watch and other valuable items. It also has the ability to be adjusted by the user to accommodate and display watches and jewelry in different ways, and protect them against scratches or damage even if accidently dropped onto the watch stand.
While several particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing form the spirt and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is not intended that this invention is limited, except as by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20240074601
