Deformable watch case

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12535771-B2
Application number	US-202118251204-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 8, 2021
Priority date	Nov 2, 2020
Publication date	Jan 27, 2026
Grant date	Jan 27, 2026

Abstract

A watch case includes a structure arranged to support a watch movement, and a middle with an outer envelope connected to the structure and arranged to house the structure. The envelope comprises a network of articulated elements which form an outer wall of the outer envelope. The articulated elements are able to move with respect to one another so that the outer wall is deformable.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A watch case comprising:
a structure arranged to support a watch movement, and
a caseband comprising an outer envelope connected to said structure and arranged to house said structure, said envelope comprising a network of articulated elements which together form an outer wall of the outer envelope, the elements hinged are movable relative to each other and hinged to each other so as to make said outer wall deformable, and said articulated elements being interconnected to each other throughout the network via interlacings to form a continuous deformable mesh structure.

2 . The watch case according to claim 1 , characterized in that the articulated elements are formed in one piece.

3 . The watch case according to claim 1 , characterized in that the outer wall is elastically deformable.

4 . The watch case according to claim 1 , wherein each articulated element comprises an outer panel.

5 . The watch case according to claim 1 , wherein the interlacings comprise a helical structure, meshing the articulated elements to each other.

6 . The watch case according to claim 1 , wherein at least one articulated element is supported by an elastic mesh.

7 . The watch case according to claim 6 , further comprising lugs, and wherein the elastic mesh comprises elastic mesh parts, each elastic mesh part being arranged around or on at least one of the horns.

8 . The watch case according to claim 1 , comprising a bottom,
in which the structure has a portion projecting towards the bottom of the watch case and capable of cooperating with the bottom to guide movements of the structure during deformation of the outer envelope, and/or in which the bottom has a portion projecting towards the inside of the watch case and capable of cooperating with the structure to guide the movements of the structure during the deformation of the outer envelope.

9 . The watch case according to claim 8 , wherein the bottom has a curvature whose center of curvature is on the side of the bottom.

10 . The watch case according to claim 1 , wherein the caseband comprises horns, and wherein a center of curvature is also on a side of one of the horns.

11 . The watch case according to claim 1 , in which a gap is formed between a container and the outer envelope.

12 . The watch case according to claim 1 , wherein at least one articulated element is decorated by crimping with a decorative element, wherein the decorative element is a stone.

13 . The watch case according to claim 1 , wherein the outer envelope comprises a removable element arranged to allow access to a movement adjustment means housed in a container.

14 . A watch case comprising a bottom, a structure intended to support a watch movement, a crystal closing, and a middle part comprising a deformable outer envelope housing the structure, so as to allow relative movement between the bottom and the crystal closing, and said outer envelope comprising a network of articulated elements that are interconnected to each other throughout the network via interlacings to form a continuous deformable mesh structure.

15 . A watch comprising the watch case according to claim 14 .

16 . The watch according to claim 15 , comprising a bracelet connected to the watch case, characterized in that the bracelet is made at least in part with articulated elements, formed in one piece with the articulated elements of said case.

17 . A jewel comprising a fastening or connecting member and a body comprising an outer casing comprising a network of articulated elements which together form an outer wall of the outer casing, the articulated elements being movable relative to each other so as to make said outer wall deformable, and said articulated elements being interconnected to each other throughout the network via interlacings to form a continuous deformable mesh structure.

18 . The jewel according to claim 17 , characterized in that the outer wall is elastically deformable.

Assignees

• Cartier Int Ag

Inventors

• Moyse Romain
• Kielpinski Mathurin
• Tirand Olivier

Classifications

• G04B45/0076

  Decoration of the case and of parts thereof, e.g. as a method of manufacture thereof (specially shaped G04B45/0061, G04B45/0069; decoration with inscriptions and pictures G04B45/0084; construction of the hands G04B19/042; decoration by adding extra pieces to the clockwork G04B47/04; colouring by treatment of the surface, e.g. by oxidation C25D) · CPC title

• G04B37/14 Primary

  Suspending devices, supports or stands for time-pieces insofar as they form part of the case {(wrist watch straps, fastening means therefor A44C5/00)} · CPC title

• G04B45/0069

  Cases and fixed parts with a special shape (movable parts with a special shape G04B45/0061; decoration in general, and methods of manufacture thereof G04B45/0076; cases in general G04B37/00; combination with genuine utensils or mounting therein G04B47/00) · CPC title

• G04B37/22 Primary

  Materials or processes of manufacturing pocket watch or wrist watch cases {(machines or tools for the manufacture of clockwork cases G04D3/0064, G04D3/0097, G04D3/029; decoration or tools therefor G04B45/0076)} · CPC title

• G04B37/052

  with shock damping means not related to the winding stem (shock damping bearings G04B31/02; shock protection G04B43/002) · CPC title