SMARTWATCH COVER

Abstract

A watchcase cover has a top wall configured to reveal a watch face at a top side of a watchcase and the top wall comprising a top surface comprising decorative elements. Side walls of the case align with side walls of the watchcase and the side walls include: at least one cutout revealing a watch control positioned at the watchcase, and at least two strap apertures configured to receive a watch strap connected to the watchcase. The top wall and the side walls together define a major opening configured to receive the watchcase. The decorative elements may comprise cubic zirconia. A gasket is positioned at a junction of an interior surface of the top wall and interior surfaces of the side walls.

Claims

1. A watchcase cover comprising: a top wall configured to reveal a watch face at a top side of a watchcase and the top wall comprising a top surface comprising decorative elements; side walls configured to align with side walls of the watchcase and comprising: at least one cutout revealing a watch control positioned at the watchcase, and at least two strap apertures configured to receive a watch strap connected to the watchcase; and the top wall and the side walls together defining a major opening configured to receive the watchcase.

2. The watchcase cover of claim 1, wherein the decorative elements comprise cubic zirconia.

3. The watchcase cover of claim 1, further comprising a gasket positioned at a junction of an interior surface of the top wall and interior surfaces of the side walls.

4. The watchcase cover of claim 3, wherein the gasket is ring shaped.

5. The watchcase cover of claim 4, wherein the gasket comprises projections extending from the gasket along the side walls.

6. The watchcase cover of claim 5, wherein the gasket comprises four projections, each projection extending from the ring shaped gasket along a side wall, and each projection positioned at a first distance from a point at which a side wall meets another side wall.

7. The watchcase cover of claim 6, wherein the ring shaped gasket comprises a narrow portion positioned at a side wall defining a cutout of the at least one cutout, the narrow portion being narrower than any remaining portion of the ring element.

8. The watchcase cover of claim 7, wherein the narrow portion is curvilinear on a side facing the cutout.

9. The watchcase cover of claim 5, wherein the gasket has a thickness substantially equal to 0.1 mm such that the cover fits snuggly over the watchcase.

10. The watchcase cover of claim 5, wherein the gasket is comprised of electrical insulator material located between the watchcase and the cover.

11. The watchcase cover of claim 5, wherein the gasket is made of transparent silicone polymer.

12. The watchcase cover of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises an electrically conductive metal or metal alloy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the watch case cover of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a top view of the watch case cover of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the watch cover of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the watch cover of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the watch cover of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 6 is an end view of the watch case cover of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the watch case cover of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a top view of the watch case cover of FIG. 7;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the watch case cover of FIG. 7;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a left side view of the watch case cover of FIG. 7;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a right side view of the watch case cover of FIG. 7;

[0029] FIG. 12 is an end view of the watch case cover of FIG. 7;

[0030] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the watch case cover of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 14 is a top view of the watch case cover of FIG. 13;

[0032] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the watch case cover of FIG. 13;

[0033] FIG. 16 is a left side view of the watch case cover of FIG. 13;

[0034] FIG. 17 is a right side view of the watch case cover of FIG. 13;

[0035] FIG. 18 is an end view of the one end of the watch case cover of FIG. 13;

[0036] FIG. 19 is a planar view of the insulating layer;

[0037] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view along lines 20-20 of FIG. 26;

[0038] FIG. 21 is a to plan view of a watch case cover of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the narrow side of the watch case cover of FIG. 21 with the computerized watch body;

[0040] FIG. 23 is a planar cross-sectional view of the narrow side of the watch case cover of FIG. 21 with the computerized watch body;

[0041] FIG. 24 is a planar cross-sectional view of the narrow side of the watch case cover of FIG. 21 alone;

[0042] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the narrow side of the watch case cover of FIG. 21 with the computerized watch body;

[0043] FIG. 26 is a planar cross-sectional view of the narrow side of the watch case cover of FIG. 21 with the computerized watch body;

[0044] FIG. 27 is a planar cross-sectional view of the narrow side of the watch case cover of FIG. 21 alone;

[0045] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the first long side of the watch case cover of FIG. 21 with the computerized watch body;

[0046] FIG. 29 is a planar cross-sectional view of the first long side of the watch case cover FIG. 21 with the computerized watch body;

[0047] FIG. 30 is a planar cross-sectional view of the long side of the watch case cover of FIG. 21 alone;

[0048] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the second long side of the watch case cover of FIG. 21 with the computerized watch body;

[0049] FIG. 32 is a planar cross-sectional view of the second long side of the watch case cover with the computerized watch body of FIG. 21 with the computerized watch body; and

[0050] FIG. 33 is a planar cross-sectional view of the second long side of the watch case cover of FIG. 21 alone.

[0051] The drawings show watch case covers with ornamental features, elements and designs that are not part of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] Referring to the drawings, there are four ornamental triangular shaped elements 102 on the top corners 104 of the shown cover 100 of FIGS. 1-6, comprising an ornamental closed rectangular rib surrounding the open window 106 at the top of the cover 100. The body of the cover 100 has a top wall 108 and four side walls 110. The side walls 110 contain various cutouts 112 and notches 114, to allow access of various controls or components, e.g., watch band, of the watchcase (not shown).

[0053] The underlying body 111 of the cover 100 has a rectangular shape with an open space or window on the top giving a clear view of the smart watch display screen. The interior shape of the cover tracks the shape of the watch case that the cover is designed to cover. The interior dimensions of the cover are slightly larger than the exterior dimension of the computerized watch. The difference in dimensions is between the range of about 0.10 and 1.00 mm to yield a clearance between the exterior surface of the computerized watch and the interior surface of the cover at any point of about 0.05 to about 0.50 mm. Preferably the clearance about any point is about 0.1 mm. The bottom of the cover is open and is adapted to receive the smart watch or computerized watch case (also referred to as the watch body). The interior of the cover is fitted with a gasket 32 described below (FIG. 19) which is designed and dimensioned so that the computerized watch body is received in the cover in a snug relationship.

[0054] FIGS. 7-12 show a modified cover 100a which has generally the same body, shape and features of the previously described cover 100 except that the four ornamental triangular-shaped decorative elements are provided in this embodiment in the form of a single gemstone ornament 102a comprising a series of gemstones located on a continuous line extending over all four sides of the cover 100a.

[0055] Similarly, in the embodiment of FIGS. 13 through 18, the decorative ornament 102b on the cover 100b consists of various diamonds, 103b covering the top surface 108 of the cover 100b.

[0056] Referring to all the figures, in particular to FIGS. 19 through 33, the cover 10 has an open bottom side 20. The cover is designed to fit over the sides and top shoulder of the smart watch case 50 (also referred to also as the computerized watch or smart watch case or body). In other words, the smart watch is received within the cover 10 from the bottom side 20 of the cover. As explained above interior dimensions of the cover are larger than the exterior dimensions of the computerized watch case so that the watch case 50 can be received within the cover 10 from the bottom side 20 as mentioned. The dimensions can be close to give a snug fit which aids in retaining the cover and watch case together and which prevents the smart watch from movement within the cover.

[0057] The computerized watch is isolated electromagnetically from the cover by an insulating gasket 32 (FIG. 19) as will be described below. For added protection the cover can be fitted with shock absorbing elements such as rubber pads, strips or sheeting. The shock absorbing element[s] can also assist in retaining the smart watch case within the cover. When a shock absorbing element[s] is used in the interior of the cover, the interior dimensions of the cover are increased to permit the cover to receive the smart watch case within it when fitted with the shock absorbing element[s]. However for esthetic reasons, shock absorbing elements are rarely used for ornamental covers. If the cover is for primarily for protection and esthetic considerations are not of secondary importance, the shock absorbing elements can be used but they will deter from achieving the most esthetic look using the cover because of the spacing required to fit shock absorbing material between the watch body and the interior of the cover.

[0058] One side 12B of the cover has cutouts (FIGS. 1, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, and 33) to give access to control elements, such as push button, and control knob and to give access to jacks for earphones and the like found on the side of the smart watch. The cut out 26A (FIG. 33) that opens to the bottom side of the side wall 12 of the cover accommodates a control element of the smart watch (the Apple brand watch in this example) that extends out the side of the smart watch (See FIGS. 1-3, 5, 7-9, 11, 13-15, 17 and 33). The side wall 12B of the cover also has a small oblong slot 26B with parallel long walls near the cutout to give the wearer of the smart watch access to the smart watch jacks and controls on the same side 12A of the watch (See FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 33).

[0059] The two end walls 12C of the cover have elongated slots to receive the smart watch wrist band. The two ends of the wrist band (not shown) are connected to the end walls or sides of the Apple brand smartwatch body and are removable from the watch body. The closest elongated end slot shown in FIGS. 1, 7 & 13 is shown from the exterior of the cover and the furthest elongated end slot is shown from the interior of the cover in the same three figures. The end slots in the end side walls of the cover are also illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, 10-12, 16-19, and FIGS. 28-33). The interior sides of the sidewalls 12 of the cover with the insulating gasket described below of the present invention fit snuggly with the exterior end walls of the smartwatch case. The two elongated slots 24 in the end walls 12C of the cover 10 are aligned with the wrist band receiver slots in the end walls of the smart watch case and when the connection ends of the smartwatch wrist band are passed through the elongated slots 24 into the receiver slots of the smartwatch case, the wrist band portions in the elongated slots prevents movement of the smartwatch body 50 out of the cover.

[0060] It has been found that if the metal cover comes in contact directly with the case of the smartwatch, the combination has a deleterious effect on the wireless transmissions, such as Wi-Fi, cellular phone and Blue Tooth transmissions to and from the smart watch. For the practice of the present invention, the smart watch case must be electromagnetically isolated from the cover. That means there can be no conductive contact between the smart watch and the cover.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 19, 20, and 22-33, the insulating gasket 32 employed in the present invention is shown in isolation (FIG. 19) and with the cover alone (FIGS. 24, 27, 30 and 33) and with the cover and watch combination (FIGS. 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 33 and 32).

[0062] The insulating gasket 32 can be made of any insulating material, but the material must follow the shape of the interior surface of the cover 10 which in turn follows the shape of the top shoulder wall and side wall of the computerized watch. The close tolerance in shape is highly preferred to insure a snug fit of the computerized watch in the cover and for aesthetic purposes. FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 20-20 of FIG. 26. The gasket 32 electromagnetically isolates the body 50 of the computerized watch from the cover 10 and yet ensures a snug fit between the cover 10 and the body 50. Because of the relative thinness of the gasket, the gasket does not really show and does not distract from the aesthetic appeal of the cover. As mentioned above the wrist strap of the computerized watch which slips through the slots 34 at the narrow ends of the cover prevents separation of the watch from the cover.

[0063] It has been found that a gasket made of transparent silicone polymer with a thickness of about 0.1 mm is suitable as an electromagnetic insulator for the combination of the cover and computerized watch. The interior dimensions of the cover are about 0.2 mm larger than the exterior side and top shoulder of the computerized watch giving the watch a clearance of about 0.1 mm on all sides including its top shoulder. That 0.1 mm clearance is filled by the insulating gasket 32 and provides a snug fit of the smart watch body in the cover. The snug fit prevents independent movement between the cover the smartwatch. Other materials can be used to make the insulator gasket, preferably they are transparent for aesthetic reasons.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 20, a plan view of the insulating gasket 10 is shown. It is of one piece construction and has a large opening for the watch view screen. The top peripheral edge 36 of the gasket tracks the periphery of the view screen 54 of the computerized watch. Preferably the edge does not infringe on the view of the screen. The lower peripheral edge extends down toward the open bottom 20 of the cover, but it does not have to extend all the way. The gasket only has to isolate the watch body from the interior surface of the cover and prevent direct contact of the watch body and the cover. The gasket covers the top shoulder of the smart watch and prevents the top of the cover from contacting the screen or the sides of the watch. The width of the continuous ring of the gasket is such that the gasket does not infringe on the end slots 34 of the cover and does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the wrist band from the watch body and does not infringe on the opening of cutout 26B of the cover. The gasket does not extend down to the bottom of the cutout 26A and does not infringe on the opening of cutout 26A. The gasket has fingers or extensions 38 which extend to the bottom edge of the side wall 12 of the cover and do not infringe the openings of outlets 26A and 26B. Fewer extensions or more extensions could be used as long as they do not infringe on the openings of the slots 24 and the outlets 26A and 26B could be used. But four are preferable. The extensions provide further protection against direct contact of the cover with the watch. The gasket ring has a narrow area 40 which bridges the top of the cutout 26A.

[0065] The gasket could be discontinuous, that is not having the structure of a continuous ring and could be constructed of separate pieces, such as tow or four pieces. A one piece construction has the advantage of making installation easier. The gasket is glued to the interior surface of the cover with a conventional adhesive for the gasket material that can be used to glue the material to a metal surface. Preferably the adhesive is clear or transparent. The surface of the gasket that is to be adhered to the interior wall of the cover can be coated with a self-adhesive material suitable for attachment to a metal surface.

[0066] The term ring or ring shaped as used herein may mean that the gasket is positioned on an interior surface of the cover and circumscribes or surrounds all the watchcase inside the cover, and the term ring need not mean a circular structure. The gasket may include a narrowed portion that is positioned on the interior surface of the cover at a cutout of the cover that corresponds to a knob, projection or other control of the watchcase. This gasket may be positioned on the interior surface of the cover at, on or near a junction of the interior of the top surface of the cover and interior surfaces of the side wall. This gasket may include a narrowed portion that may be narrower than other portions of the gasket, for example, as measured from at the second largest dimension of the gasket, the dimension larger than its thickness. While 0.1 mm is provided as an illustrative thickness of the gasket, it will be understood that the gasket may be more or less 0.1 mm thick. The term substantially equal to when used in the context of a given example of a dimension of a structure discussed herein may mean that within standard industry manufacturing tolerances the dimension is equal to the given example of the dimension, or that for purposes of practical commercial application the dimension is equal to the given example of the dimension.

[0067] The gasket is preferably molded to the three dimensional shape of the interior of the cover. The shape and dimensions of the gasket preferably track the shape and dimensions of the interior surface of the cover. As mentioned above the interior surface of the cover tracks the tracks the shape of the side and top shoulder of the exterior surface of the smartwatch case but is slightly larger in dimensions as explained supra. By having the cover and gasket track the shape of the smartwatch case, and by adhering to the dimensional differential described above, the cover with the gasket can receive the body of the watch in a snug relationship and this prevents movement of the watch body within the cover and independent movement of cover with respect to the watch body. This is important as will be explained infra.

[0068] As mentioned above it is important to prevent direct contact between the cover and the watch when the cover and watch are assembled. This requires that measures be taken to prevent the control knob that extends through the cutout 26A and any elements that extent through cutout 26B, such as wires and jacks, from contacting the cover. This is accomplished by dimensioning the cutouts 26A and 26B larger than the watch control knob and any elements extending through cutout 26B. In addition by having the watch housed in the cover in a snug relationship as discussed above, the cover and watch do not have independent movement with respect to each other and that prevents the control knob or other elements connected to the watch from making contact with the cover.

[0069] The wrist band at the point of attachment should be constructed of material that is a nonconductor to prevent electromagnetic conduction between the cover and the watch and vice versa.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.