Portable electronic product comprising security device for fastening cover of removable power supply

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to a portable electronic product comprising: a housing having a compartment configured to receive and house at least one removable power source; a compartment cover comprising a first coupling means configured to cooperate with a second coupling means provided on the housing so as to rigidly connect the cover to the housing by rotating the cover about an axis of rotation formed by a central axis of the cover; the cover is provided with a concave part arranged in the outer surface, and the concave part is configured to receive a tool used for rotating the cover; the portable electronic product is characterized in that it comprises a security device rigidly connected by being clamped onto the portable electronic product, the security device being configured to at least partially cover the recess of the cover of the compartment in order to prevent the introduction of a tool for rotating the cover and removing it from the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to portable electronic products powered by a removable power source, such as a battery, accumulator or battery cell, contained in a compartment of a housing and enclosed by a cover.

[0002] The present invention more particularly relates to a safety device configured to secure a cover of a removable power source and prevent its removal, thereby preventing access to the power source when the safety device is in place.

[0003] The invention is particularly concerned with the field of watchmaking and more particularly with an electronic or electromechanical watch. Background Art

[0004] Portable electronic products may be powered by one or more removable power sources such as batteries, accumulators, or battery cells.

[0005] For example, an electronic or electromechanical watch is powered by a removable power source, such as a button cell battery, housed in a compartment in the watch case; in the case of an electromechanical watch, at least partially by the removable power source. A removable cover is provided to enclose the battery inside the compartment while ensuring that the compartment is at least watertight.

[0006] To allow easy replacement of the battery, the cover and the watch case usually have a quick-turn coupling / uncoupling device that allows quick access to the battery, as well as quick closure of the compartment after the battery has been replaced. These quick coupling / uncoupling devices are, for example, quarter-turn assembly systems or bayonet-type assembly systems.

[0007] In addition, the cover may have a recess in its outer surface configured to receive the end of a tool to enable its rotation. To further facilitate battery replacement, this recess typically has a relatively simple and common shape such as a slot, so that the compartment can be opened using a variety of accessories available to the wearer without the need for specific tools or without having to take the watch to a watchmaker to replace the battery.

[0008] However, these various interesting and advantageous technical solutions for replacing batteries may also have disadvantages in certain circumstances, in particular when handled by children, especially young children, since young children may inadvertently remove the battery cover and gain access to the battery compartment, which may result in the battery being swallowed and all the serious consequences that may entail.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to protect such portable products to prevent irresponsible persons, especially young children, from accessing the battery compartment, while retaining the advantage of easy and quick removal of the cover without the need for specific tools. Summary of the invention

[0010] To this end, the present invention aims to propose a security device for fastening a cover to a compartment of a removable power source, such as a battery cell, accumulator or battery, of a portable electronic product, which device can be used to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0011] In this context, the present invention relates to a portable electronic product comprising:

[0012] - a housing having a compartment configured to receive and house at least one removable power source;

[0013] - a compartment cover comprising a first coupling device configured to cooperate with a second coupling device provided on the housing so as to rigidly connect the cover to the housing by rotating the cover around an axis of rotation formed by the central axis of the cover; the cover having a recess provided in an outer face, the recess being configured to receive a tool for rotating the cover.

[0014] Furthermore, the portable electronic product comprises a security device rigidly connected by clipping to the portable electronic product, the security device being configured to at least partially cover the recess of the compartment cover in order to prevent the introduction of a tool for rotating the cover and removing it from the housing.

[0015] Thus, as long as the security device is in place, the clamped security device renders the recess unusable by superimposing itself on top of the recess so as to fill the recess and / or hide the recess.

[0016] Furthermore, the clip connection method makes it easier to assemble the security device by simply applying pressure in the direction of the cover. This attachment method also makes it possible to reverse the installation of the security device on the portable electronic product and makes it easier for authorized or responsible personnel to remove the cover when necessary.

[0017] Preferably, the safety device is rigidly connected to the cover by clipping.

[0018] In addition to the features mentioned in the previous paragraph, the portable electronic product according to the invention may also have one or more supplementary features from among the following features, considered individually or in any combination that is technically possible:

[0019] - the security device comprises a body having a flat surface and an attachment clip extending from the flat surface of the body, the attachment clip cooperating with a hook hole formed in the cover and configured to ensure that the security device is retained by clipping onto the cover;

[0020] - the safety device is rigidly connected to the housing by clamping;

[0021] - the security device comprises a body having a flat surface, and an attachment clip extending from the flat surface of the body, the attachment clip cooperating with a hook hole formed in the housing and configured to ensure that the security device is retained over the cover by clipping onto the housing;

[0022] - the attachment clip protrudes from the flat surface of the body and extends towards the compartment;

[0023] - the housing comprises a notch formed in the periphery of the cover, and the attachment clip is received in the notch so as to prevent the cover from rotating relative to the housing when the security device is rigidly connected to the portable electronic product by clamping;

[0024] - the body has a cutout to allow a small tool to enter the recess to facilitate release of the security device clamped to the portable electronic product;

[0025] - the safety device is made of metal or polymer material;

[0026] -The portable electronic product is a timepiece. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] By reading the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, the objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood:

[0028] - Figure 1 is a view illustrating the back or rear portion of a portable electronic product according to the present invention, the portable electronic product including a first exemplary embodiment of a security device for securing a cover of a removable power source such as a battery cell, accumulator or battery;

[0029] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A semi-exploded perspective view of a portable electronic product as shown in FIG.

[0030] - Figure 3 Shows how the safety device fits into the compartment when it is closed by the lid. Figure 1 The portable electronic products shown in;

[0031] - Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of a portable electronic product shown in , which more particularly shows a first exemplary embodiment of a security device clipped to the cover;

[0032] - Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of a portable electronic product, more particularly illustrating a second exemplary embodiment of a security device clipped to the housing;

[0033] In all figures, common elements have the same reference numerals unless otherwise stated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Generally, in the present application, an external face is understood to mean a face facing toward the outside of the portable electronic product, and conversely, an internal face is understood to mean a face facing toward the inside of the portable electronic product.

[0035] Figure 1 is a view illustrating the back or rear portion of a housing of a portable electronic product 100 including a first exemplary embodiment of a security device for securing a cover of a removable power source such as a battery cell, accumulator or battery in accordance with the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a semi-exploded perspective view of a portable electronic product 100 shown in FIG.

[0037] The portable electronic product 100 is, for example, a timepiece, such as a watch. However, other example embodiments are also possible.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The portable electronic product 100 comprises a housing 10 (or, when the product is a watch, a watch case) enclosing an electronic unit (not shown) powered by at least one removable power source, for example in the form of a battery cell, accumulator, rechargeable cell or battery.

[0039] like Figure 2 As can be seen therein, the housing 10 has a compartment 11 configured to receive and house at least one removable power source 2, such as a battery cell or battery.

[0040] Typically, on a watch, compartment 11 is located at the rear or back of the watch, ie at the part of the watch intended to come into contact with the skin of the user.

[0041] Depending on the power required by the portable electronic product, compartment 11 may be sized to receive and house multiple removable power sources, such as multiple battery cells, accumulators, or batteries.

[0042] In the remainder of this application, the removable power source 2 will be considered to be a battery cell battery.

[0043] The battery cell battery 2 accommodated in the compartment 11 is, for example, a button cell battery.

[0044] The compartment 11 of the housing 10 forms a recess extending substantially along the central axis X, for example cylindrical in shape.

[0045] The compartment 11 of the housing 10 is closed by a cover 20 having a central axis X. By rotating the cover 20 about the central axis X, the compartment 11 is closed.

[0046] The cover 20 comprises first coupling means 23a configured to cooperate with second coupling means 23b provided on the housing 10. The coupling means 23a, 23b are configured to rigidly connect the cover 20 to the housing 10 by rotating said cover around the central axis X. Thus, the first coupling means 23a and the second coupling means 23b form a system 23 for attaching the cover 20 to the housing 10.

[0047] Preferably, the coupling means 23a, 23b of the attachment system 23 are quick-rotation coupling means, allowing quick and easy opening of the compartment 11.

[0048] Preferably, the coupling means 23a, 23b are means allowing a quarter-turn coupling or a bayonet coupling, for example.

[0049] For example, the cover 20 has a tab 26 extending radially relative to the central axis X. The tab 26 is configured to cooperate with and fit into a groove 16 formed in the housing 10 around the periphery of the compartment 11. Thus, the tab 26 of the cover 20 forms the first coupling means 23a and the groove 16 in the housing 10 forms the second coupling means 23b.

[0050] According to an alternative embodiment, the coupling means 23a, 23b are screw coupling means, so that the cover 20 is rigidly connected to the housing 10 by means of a screw joint.

[0051] The cover 20 has a recessed portion 22 formed in an exterior face 21 (ie, a face of the cover 20 that is visible to a user when the cover 20 is coupled to the housing 10 ).

[0052] The recessed portion 22 is formed by a surface that is indented from the outer face 21. The recessed portion 22 is shaped to receive an end of a disassembly tool, and when a rotational torque is applied to the cap 20 using the disassembly tool, rotation of the cap 20 is ensured.

[0053] Preferably, the concave portion 22 has a simple shape. For example, the concave portion 22 has a shape of a groove, a straight notch or a slot.

[0054] The recessed portion 22 may also have other more complicated shapes.

[0055] The housing 10 also comprises notches 17 distributed around the periphery of the compartment 11 and extending substantially along the axis X, and into which the grooves 16 open. The housing 10 comprises as many notches 17 as there are tabs 26 on the cover 20.

[0056] The notch 17 is configured to receive the tab 26 of the cover 20 so as to couple the cover 20 by rotation of the cover 20, thereby engaging the tab 26 in the groove 16. When the tab 26 is at the bottom of the groove 16, the cover 20 is coupled to the housing 10 and the compartment 11 is closed.

[0057] The groove 16 may be raised or convex to indicate passage of a certain angular position and provide a sensory indication that the lid 20 has been properly closed.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , an elastic separator 40 is inserted between the battery cell 2 and the cover 20 to seal the compartment 11 .

[0059] The portable electronic product 100 further includes a security device 30 assembled to the portable electronic product 100 by clipping.

[0060] Clamping is understood to mean the reversible assembly of two elements by means of a clamp or a clip.

[0061] The security device 30 is an attachment that is rigidly connected to the portable electronic product 100 by clamping by means of an attachment clip that engages in a raised portion provided for this purpose. Once the cover 20 is coupled to the housing 10, the security device is rigidly connected to the portable electronic product 100 and closes the compartment 11, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 as shown in . Figure 3 The cover 20 is shown in a closed position on the housing 10 , with the tab 26 of the cover 20 inserted in the groove 16 .

[0062] The safety device 30 includes a main body 31 forming a flat surface and an elastically deformable attachment clip 32 .

[0063] The attachment clip 32 protrudes from the flat surface of the main body 31 .

[0064] For example, the attachment clip 32 is an elastic lug which extends in a convex manner relative to the flat surface of the main body 31 and has a hook at its free end.

[0065] The attachment clip 32 extends in a direction that forms an angle between approximately 45° and 120° relative to a plane formed by the flat surface of the main body 31 , and is directed toward the housing 10 .

[0066] The attachment clip 32 is configured to cooperate with the hook eye to rigidly connect the security device 30 to the portable electronic product 100 by clamping.

[0067] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the illustrated first exemplary embodiment, the safety device 30 is rigidly connected to the cover 20 by clamping.

[0068] To this end, the cover 20 has a hook hole 29 formed in the outside of the cover 20 and configured to cooperate with the end of the attachment clip 32 to hold the security device 30 in place on the cover 20 as long as no release force is applied thereto.

[0069] Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view is illustrated showing the security device 30 being clipped to the cover 20, with one of the attachment clips 32 cooperating with one of the hook holes 29 in the cover 20. The shape of the hook on the free end of the attachment clip prevents the security device 30 from being removed until a release force is applied to the security device 30 to resiliently compress the attachment clip 32 and allow the hook to be released from the hook hole 29.

[0070] Preferably, the attachment clip 32 is also inserted into the notch of the housing 10 so as to prevent any rotation of the security device 30 about the X axis. Therefore, when the security device 30 is clamped onto the cover 20, it is no longer possible to rotate the cover 20 and remove it, since the notch 17 prevents the attachment clip 32 from rotating. Therefore, the security device 30 has a self-locking function that prevents the cover 20 from rotating.

[0071] Preferably, the notch 17 for mounting the cover 20 and which is free when the cover 20 is in the closed position is used to accommodate an attachment clip 32 of the safety device 30 .

[0072] Therefore, if Figure 1 It can be seen in FIG. 1 that when the security device 30 is clipped onto the cover 20 , the attachment clips 32 are received in the indentations 17 , so that they prevent a rotation of the cover 20 .

[0073] However, if desired, a specific notch, ie, a notch different from the notch 17 for mounting the cover 20 , may be formed in the housing 10 to receive the attachment clip 32 of the safety device 30 .

[0074] The body 31 of the safety device 30 is configured to at least partially cover the cover 20 and its recess 22 (ie, the recessed surface forming the recess 22 ), and preferably covers most of the cover 20 and most of the recess 22 .

[0075] Thus, as long as the security device 30 is in place, the security device 30 renders the recessed portion 22 unusable by superimposing itself on top of the recessed portion 22 .

[0076] The body 31 is dimensioned sufficiently to cover the recess 22 in the cover 20 , so that it is no longer possible to engage a tool in the recess 22 and thus to rotate the cover 20 using the tool in the recess 22 .

[0077] The body 31 has, for example, the shape of a disk or a cover plate, the diameter of which is substantially equal to the diameter of the cover 20 .

[0078] The body 31 may have a cutout 36, a discontinuity in shape, an opening or a slot configured to allow a small-sized tool to reach the recess 22 of the cover 20 over a limited portion. Thus, a tool smaller than the tool size required to rotate the cover 20 via the recess 22 may be used to make it easier to release the security device 30 from the cover 20, particularly when the compartment 11 must be opened to replace the battery cell 2. However, this cutout 36 is not sufficient to rotate the cover using the recess 22 and a tool adapted for the recess 22.

[0079] To remove the security device 30 during battery replacement, the user can easily use a small tool and insert it under the body 31 at the cutout 36 in the body 31, thereby advantageously taking advantage of the removal of material from the recess 22 in the cover 20. Once the security device 30 is released and the attachment clip 32 is removed from the hook hole 29, the user can access the recess 22 in the cover 20, allowing the user to rotate the cover 20 and access the battery cells 2 housed in the compartment 11.

[0080] Figure 5 A second exemplary embodiment of a security device according to the present invention mounted on a portable electronic product is shown. This second exemplary embodiment is similar to the one described above with reference to FIG. Figures 1 to 4 The first exemplary embodiment described is the same.

[0081] exist Figure 5 In this second exemplary embodiment illustrated, the safety device 30 ′ is rigidly connected to the housing 10 by clamping.

[0082] For this purpose, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the attachment clip 32 ′ has a hook pointing outward in a radial direction relative to the center axis X. In this exemplary embodiment, the hook of the attachment clip 32 ′ cooperates with a hook hole 29 ′ formed in the housing 10 , and more specifically, cooperates with a hook hole formed on a side of the notch 17 .

[0083] Regardless of which example embodiment is applied, the security device 30, 30' is made of a metal or polymer material.

[0084] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the safety device 30, 30' may also include a safety, hazard or precaution icon 38 visible on an exterior face of the safety device 30, 30'.

Claims

1. A portable electronic product (100), comprising: - a housing (10) having a compartment (11) configured to receive and house at least one removable power source (2); - a compartment cover (20) comprising first coupling means (23a) configured to cooperate with second coupling means (23b) provided on the housing (10) so as to rigidly connect the cover (20) to the housing (10) by rotating the cover around an axis of rotation formed by a central axis (X) of the cover (20); the cover (20) having a recess (22) provided in an outer face (21) configured to receive a tool for rotating the cover (20); The portable electronic product (100) is characterized in that it comprises a security device (30, 30') rigidly connected by being clamped onto the portable electronic product, the security device (30, 30') being configured to at least partially cover a recess (22) of a cover (20) of the compartment (11) so as to prevent the introduction of a tool for rotating the cover (20) and removing it from the housing (10).

2. The portable electronic product (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The safety device (30) is rigidly connected to the cover (20) by clamping.

3. The portable electronic product (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The safety device (30) comprises: - a body (31) having a flat surface, and - an attachment clip (32) extending from the flat surface of the body (31), The attachment clip (32) cooperates with a hook hole (29) formed in the cover (20) and is configured to ensure that the safety device is retained on the cover (20) by clamping.

4. The portable electronic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The safety device (30') is rigidly connected to the housing (10) by clamping.

5. The portable electronic product (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The safety device (30') comprises: - a body (31) having a flat surface, and - an attachment clip (32') extending from said flat surface of said body (31), The attachment clip (32') cooperates with a hook hole (29') formed in the housing (10) and is configured to ensure that the security device is retained on the housing (10) over the cover (20) by clipping.

6. The portable electronic product (100) according to any one of claims 3 or 5, characterized in that: The attachment clips (32, 32') protrude from a flat surface of the body (31) and extend toward the compartment (11).

7. The portable electronic product (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The housing (10) includes a notch (17) formed in the periphery of the cover (20), and the attachment clip (32, 32') is received in the notch (17) to prevent the cover (20) from rotating relative to the housing (10) when the security device (30, 30') is rigidly connected to the portable electronic product (100) by clamping.

8. The portable electronic product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The body (31) has a cutout (36) that allows a small tool to enter the recess (22) to release the security device (30, 30') clamped to the portable electronic product (100).

9. The portable electronic product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The safety device (30, 30') is made of metal or polymer material.

10. The portable electronic product (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The portable electronic product (100) is a timepiece.

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