The present invention generally relates to watches, and more specifically, to a watch bezel assembly.
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'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As shown in
As shown in
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
As shown in
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.
As shown in
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
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.
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Seiko 7002-7000 http://thewatchspotblog.com/?p=168. |