WO2012089201A2

WO2012089201A2 - Wristwatch

Info

Publication number: WO2012089201A2
Application number: PCT/DE2011/050057
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uwe Zimmer
Original assignee: Uwe Zimmer
Priority date: 2010-12-27
Filing date: 2011-12-16
Publication date: 2012-07-05
Also published as: DE112011104605A5; WO2012089201A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a wristwatch having a housing, having a cover glass, which closes off the housing in the upward direction, having a clockwork mechanism, which is arranged in the housing, having a time display, which is preferably realized by hands, and having a face. The wristwatch also has a genuine, cash-value gaming chip, as is used in casinos and in poker games, etc., and the gaming chip is visible through the wristwatch glass.

Description

Designation: Wristwatch

The invention relates to a wristwatch with a housing, with a cover glass, which closes the housing upwards, with a clockwork, which is arranged in the housing, with a time display, which is preferably realized by hands and with a pointer or dial.

Such watches are widely known. The prior art reference is made to US Patent 1,708,293, it shows u.a. the attachment of a dial, which has downwardly projecting pins on a clockwork.

This type of attachment of the dial is still common and prevalent in the art. Instead of clamping screws today, the attachment of the pins is usually done via adjustable cutting.

Wristwatches are available in very diverse designs. The dial of a wristwatch can be designed today at will. However, it is typical that the normal structure of a wristwatch is retained. The dial is usually a plate and has no value in itself, rather it is a normal part of the watch like the case or the movement.

Under dial is understood below the component of a wristwatch, which is located below the cover glass and is visible through this. This dial can, but does not have to carry numbers or other lettering, it can also be designed neutral.

In the following text, a movement is understood to mean any shape and design of a periodically operating work suitable for a time display. In particular, the term "movement" is understood to mean a mechanical movement, a so-called caliber. The clockworks also include quartz movements, radio-controlled movements, analog and digital designs of the movements and the like.

Preferably, the time is displayed via pointer, but it can also be any other form of time display, for example via an active or passive matrix, for. B. a matrix with luminous dots, in the form of a bar graph or bar graph, via an LCD display and the like may be used.

The object of the invention is to provide and develop a wristwatch that makes a particularly high-quality and expensive impression, which is extremely valuable due to their content and which signals to the outside, that the clock in question has a high real value, which can also be realized.

This object is achieved by a wristwatch with a housing, with a glass that closes the housing upwards, with a movement that is arranged in the housing, with a time display, which is preferably realized by hands and with a dial, characterized in that it still has a real, monetary gaming chip, such as those used in casinos and poker, etc., the game chip is visible through a glass of the watch. In particular, the dial is formed by the real, monetary game chip.

The special feature of this watch is the use of a real, monetary and redeemable game chip, as it is used in casinos of all kinds, playing poker or the like. Through this game chip, the watch has a real value, it has at least the value of the game chip. The game chip usually has a value that is easily recognizable. It is visible through the glass. By this value indication is clearly recognizable, which value the wristwatch already has alone because of the game chip. Preferably game chips are used with a value. Game chips without value can be used. The value is preferably aligned so that it is visible, so it is not directed, for example, to the clock, but to the outside.

Game chip is understood to mean every possible type of chip that has a real, redeemable value for any transactions. Preferably, the game chip is round. The game chips usually have disc shape, so are cylindrical. In most cases, they have a thickness of 3 mm and above, z. B. 3 to 6 mm. They can be made of any material, such as ceramic, plastic or the like. The game chips can be made up of several elements be composed, for example, be made of plastic with internal security components, such as RFID. Reference is made to EP 694 872 B1, US Pat. No. 5,676,376 A and US Pat. No. 3,953,932 A. The game chip is visible below the cover glass or below a bottom glass. In an alternative embodiment, an image of the game chip is visible under the cover glass and is the actual game chip behind and under the clockwork. It is covered by the lower glass, which closes the otherwise downwardly open housing down. Thus, the real game chip can be viewed at any time, if you look at the clock from below. Optionally, it can also be arranged removably in the clock.

In a preferred embodiment, the movement is mechanical and has a shaft. The game chip has a hole for the passage of this wave. Preferably, the time indication is realized by pointers located above the game chip. The surface of the game chip serves as a pointer. The game chip can also be provided with numbers, but it can also be executed without numbers or other instructions for hours and so on.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the game chip is reduced in its thickness. This can be done for example by cutting with a laser, a high-pressure water jet or the like. In this way, game chips can be divided into two parts. This has the advantage that a wave of a movement does not have to be made excessively long. It also has the advantage that the watch can be kept flat. Preferably, the game chip is cut in two parts. The game chip, in particular the lower part of the game chip, can be arranged below the movement and be visible through a lower glass.

In a preferred embodiment, a support plate is provided which preferably has two downwardly projecting pins. Such pins are commonly used for the detachable connection between the dial and clockwork. The movements usually have two shots in which the pins can be located and held. The support plate can be made extremely thin, for example, it is a few tenths mm thick, for example, 0.1 to 0.3 mm thick. On her is the game chip, which may be reduced in thickness, arranged, in particular glued or otherwise secured. Preferably, the support plate has a recess which is aligned with a bore for the passage of a wave in the game chip.

In a preferred embodiment, the time display is digital. It is formed by a luminous dot matrix, made of transparent luminous elements, in particular light-emitting diodes, and these are controlled via transparent conductors. The corresponding matrix is located below the cover glass, preferably on the lower surface of the cover glass. It is usually invisible and only becomes active when a start button is pressed. This start button switches the display to the switch-on state, for example for a certain period of time or until a switch-off process. As a result appears above a game chip, a light indicator from which the time can be detected. When the time display is not started, you practically can not see the matrix, but only the game chip underneath. Instead of a luminous dot matrix, another matrix can be used, for. As an LCD display.

The Applicant reserves the right to combine any features and sub-features from the description, there also from individual clauses and / or any features and sub-features from the claims, there also sub-features, in any form, even if such a combination is not explicitly stated ,

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the other claims and the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings below. In this drawing show:

1 is a perspective assembly view of a wristwatch according to the

Invention.

2 is a perspective view as Figure 1 for a second embodiment of the wristwatch,

3 is a perspective mounting image as before for a third embodiment of the wristwatch, 4 shows a sectional image of a fourth embodiment of a wristwatch and

5 shows a schematic representation in perspective view for a cutting of a game chip by means of a laser.

The first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 will first be explained below. At him the invention is explained. The other embodiments are not explained in detail, as far as they agree with the first embodiment, but the differences are shown.

FIG. 1 shows a wristwatch which has a housing 20. It is formed according to the prior art. The housing has an interior space 22. In the embodiment of Figure 1, this interior is closed down. The housing has a passage for a setting wheel, this is also formed according to the prior art and will not be described here, it is closed by a crown (not shown).

Above the housing, a clockwork 24 is shown. It is a commercially available movement that works mechanically, it has a shaft 26. It also has two receptacles 28, as they are also known from the aforementioned US Patent. Above the movement 24 is a support plate 30. In the exemplary embodiment, it has approximately the diameter of the movement 24. The support plate 30 has two downwardly projecting pins 32 which are received by the receptacles 28 in a known manner and can be fixed there. Finally, the support plate 30 has a central bore for the passage of the shaft 26. The support plate 30 is made of a very thin metal, for example stainless steel with 0.1 to 0.2 mm wall thickness.

Above the support plate 30 is a game chip 34. It is reduced in thickness, this will be explained with reference to FIG 5. Its normal surface points upwards, the cut is made on the lower surface. The game chip 34 is about 1.5 to 2 mm thick. It has a bore 36 for the passage of the shaft 26. The game chip 34 is an original, money-worthy chip 34, as it is officially used for example in casinos, in poker games or the like. He has a value. The value is visible on the top and clearly recognizable. Above the game chip 34 is a pointer set with two pointers 38, these are attached to the shaft 26, this is done according to the prior art. At the top, the watch is closed by a cover glass 40. This is also formed according to the prior art.

The game chip 34 is connected to the support plate 30. As a result, both form a unity. The connection can be made by gluing or in any other way. Due to the formed unit of game chip 34 and support plate 30 of the game chip 34 can be used in any watches. A separation from the movement 24 is possible at any time. The clock can be maintained and repaired at any time.

While the embodiment of Figure 1 relates to an analog clock with normal hands, the embodiment of Figure 2 relates to a digital clock. Again, a housing 20 is provided. This takes a digitally working movement 4 with battery (not shown). Above the movement 24 is the game chip 34, he now has no hole 36. He may have full normal thickness, but it may also be reduced in thickness. Above the game chip 34 is a cover glass 40, on the underside of which an active, transparent matrix of light-emitting diodes is arranged. It is usually not visible, at least recognizable only when you look carefully. It provides a dot matrix, the individual grid points are illuminated with light elements, such as LEDs, and can be controlled individually. Thus, a representation of numbers or the like can be done in a known manner. The matrix is connected via a feed line 44 to the movement 24, for this purpose, a plug is provided on the supply line, in the movement 24 is a socket 46th

The transparent, active display devices used here are known per se. Techniques are used, such as those known from the following US patents: US 7,787,089, US 7,420,215, US 5,706,022 and US 7,250,930.

In a development, it is also possible to illuminate the surface of the game chip 34 by means of the matrix 42. On the housing 20, a switch 48 is provided, via which the electronics and thus the matrix 42 can be turned on. It may remain on for a certain amount of time, which is programmable, but may be on until it is turned off again via the switch 48. The switch 48 may be replaced by other devices, such as a touch sensor located near the coverslip 40, preferably on the latter, and responsive to touching the top of the clock, such that the active time indication then occurs.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, a mechanical movement 24 is used as in the embodiment of Figure 1. The support plate 30 is omitted, it is now provided in its place a dial 50. This has, as usual, two pins 32 and a central bore for the passage of the shaft 26. There are again pointers 38 as provided in Figure 1. The dial 50 preferably carries on its upper visible surface as good as possible image of the game chip 34, which is now located elsewhere in the clock. Preferably, the image is on a scale of 1: 1. At the top, the clock is again covered by a cover glass 40. The clock described so far is no different from a normal wristwatch. The only exception is the preferred design of the surface of the dial 50 as described.

The housing 20 is open at the bottom. Below the movement 24 is the game chip 34. Below this game chip 34 is a lower glass 52, which is inserted into the housing 20 below and this closes as tight as the cover glass 40. Preferably, the lower glass 52 is flush with an underbody of the housing 20. The game chip 34 is located immediately below this lower glass 52 and can be easily recognized.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the housing 20, which is closed at the bottom, designed so that it receives both an analog clockwork 24 with shaft 26, as well as and immediately above the game chip 34. This has again a bore 36 through which the shaft 26 passes through. The game chip 34 is now fixed directly in the housing 20. The housing forms an edge 53, which holds the game chip 34 at least laterally. A cover glass 40 closes the clock upwards. This cover glass 40 can also be used to the game chip 34 to hold. This is not only fixed laterally in the recess 53 of the housing 20, but also axially, or it is held axially by the cover glass 40.

Figure 5 shows how a normal game chip 34 can be reduced in thickness. An upper rotary punch 54 and a lower rotary punch 56 are identical, they have flat front surfaces. These point towards each other and are equiaxed. Their diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the game chip to be divided 34. This is clamped between the two rotary punches 54, 56 and carefully centered. Preferably, it is temporarily connected to at least one of the rotary punches 54, for example by a removable plastic or the like. According to the arrow 58, the arrangement of the two rotary punches 54, 56 and the clamped therebetween, normal game chip 34 can now be rotated by a motor in the direction of the arrow 58. In a direction 90 degrees to the axis of rotation of the beam 60 of a laser (not shown) is irradiated so that it meets the center of the edge of the game chip 34. The game chip 34 is cut along the dotted line so that two thinner slices remain. The cutting saves height in the clock. The cutting is not necessary. If you do not care about a low height, a complete chip can be used.

The bore 36 in the game chip 34 can also be done by a laser. Other possibilities are, for example, water jet cutting, using drills, as used in dentists and the like.

Claims

Designation: Wristwatch Claims

A watch comprising a housing (20) having a cover glass (40) which closes the housing (20) upwards, with a movement (24) disposed in the housing (20), with a time indication, preferably is realized by a pointer (38) and with a dial (50), characterized in that it further comprises a real, monetary game chip (34), as it is used in casinos and playing poker, etc., and that the game chip (34) is visible through a glass (40 or 52) of the watch.

2. Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized in that the dial is formed by the real, monetary game chip.

3. Wristwatch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the game chip (34) is round.

4. Wristwatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the game chip (34) is reduced in thickness, in particular that it is reduced by cutting by means of a jet (60) of a laser, a water jet or the like in its thickness.

5. Wristwatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement (24) has a shaft (26) that the game chip (34) has a bore (36) for the passage of this shaft (26), and that the time display is realized by pointer (38).

6. Wristwatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support plate (30) is provided, the pins (32), that the movement (24) has at least one receptacle (28) in which the pins (32) held are and that the game chip (34) is connected to the support plate (30), wherein the pins (32) facing away from the game chip (34).

7. Wristwatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (20), in particular a built-in part of the housing (20), has an edge, and that the game chip (34) is held laterally within this edge.

8. Wristwatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement (24) has a height of a maximum of 4 mm, in particular a maximum of 3 mm.

9. Wristwatch according to one of claims 1 to 4, 7 or 8, characterized in that the real game chip (34), as used in casinos and playing poker, below the clockwork (34) is that the housing (20 ) is downwardly open, and that a lower glass (52) is provided, which closes the wristwatch down.

10. Wristwatch according to claim 9, characterized in that the dial (50) is an image of this game chip (34).

11. Wristwatch according to one of claims 1 to 4, 7 or 8, characterized in that is used as a time display an actively displaying matrix (42) which is located above the real game chip (34), and that the movement (24) a digital work is.

12. Wristwatch according to claim 11, characterized in that the matrix (42) is below the cover glass (40).