Clock wearable around neck

Abstract

To provide a clock enabling time measurement in an automobile in safety of good driving, preferably suited for rally sports.SOLUTION: A clock 10 for time measurement comprises: a clock housing 12 for storing a time measurement unit 14; a connection element 16 attached to a clock case 12; and a neck string 20 connected to a connection element to wear the clock around a human neck. The loop size of the neck string engaged around the neck can be variably adjusted through assistance of an adjustment element 22 engaged with the neck string. A setting unit reduces the loop size of the neck string to enable holding of the clock in the manner of preventing a loss so that time measurement in an automobile, especially in rally sports, can be carried out in safety of good driving.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch that can be worn around the neck and that can be used to measure time. [Background technology]

[0002] From US Pat. No. 5,399,623 and US Pat. No. 5,499,633 it is known to replace the watch strap with a neck cord so that the watch can be worn around the neck.

[0003] A watch that can be worn around the neck is ideal for a rally co-driver to inform him of lap times and / or time-related information regarding cornering and / or special stages. In particular in motorsport rallies, there is a constant need to improve driving safety and to prevent injuries and / or accidents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] China Utility Model No. 218549961 [Patent Document 2] German Utility Model No. 20111149 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to demonstrate a measurement that allows time measurement in motor vehicles with good driving safety. It should preferably allow a clock suitable for rally sports. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the invention the problem is solved by a timepiece having the features set out in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the following description, which aspects of the invention can be constituted individually or in combination.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a watch for measuring time, comprising a watch housing for accommodating a time measuring unit, a connection element attached to the watch housing, and a neck strap connected to the connection element for wearing around a person's neck, wherein the loop size of the neck strap that engages around the neck can be variably adjusted by an adjustment element that engages with the neck strap.

[0008] A sporty and highly skilled driving style, especially in rally sports, can result in high acceleration forces for the vehicle occupants. When cornering, acceleration forces can occur in the transverse direction (Y direction), while during strong acceleration and braking, acceleration forces can occur in the longitudinal direction (X direction). For example, if a vehicle is driving at high speed over the top of a hill and is lifted off the ground, acceleration forces can also occur in the direction of gravity (Z direction). It was recognized that an acceleration force in the direction of gravity can lift a watch worn around the neck, with the result that there is a risk that the watch may spontaneously detach from the wearer's head. A detached watch can then damage the vehicle or damage the watch itself. In particular, there is a risk that a detached watch will disturb and distract the driver, which can lead to an accident.

[0009] However, the loop size of the lanyard can be changed using an adjustment element. The adjustment element can initially allow a very large loop size, so that the lanyard can easily pass over the wearer's head. Once the lanyard reaches the wearer's neck, the adjustment element can be used to reduce the loop size of the lanyard. In particular, the loop size of the lanyard is reduced so that the loop size is larger than the circumference of the neck, but smaller than the circumference of the head. In the unlikely event that the watch is lifted off the wearer by an acceleration force in the direction of gravity, the reduction in the loop size means that the lanyard can be kept under the wearer's chin and will not be thrown inside the vehicle. The setting element allows the loop size of the lanyard to be reduced to hold the watch in a manner that prevents loss, so that time measurement in motor vehicles, especially in rally sports, is possible with good driving safety.

[0010] The time measuring unit of the watch can be designed to display the current time. In particular, the time measuring unit can fulfill the typical functions of a wristwatch. Preferably, the time measuring unit has a stopwatch function. The time measuring unit can be based on a mechanical principle for measuring time, the time measuring unit can in particular have a mechanical movement, for example a balance and / or a wound spring, and the energy source of the movement for operating the mechanical movement can also be designed mechanically, the energy source can additionally or alternatively be designed electrically, for example with the aid of a battery. The time measuring unit is preferably designed as an electronic unit, in particular as a smartwatch.

[0011] The watch housing is designed in particular for mechanical protection of the time measuring unit. Preferably, the watch housing is additionally or alternatively designed to protect the time measuring unit from environmental influences, such as moisture, dust and / or wetness. The watch housing can completely surround the time measuring unit, the watch housing having in particular a substantially transparent window to allow viewing of the display of the time measuring unit. If the time measuring unit has its own display, it is also possible to use the display itself as part of the outer casing of the watch.

[0012] The neck strap can be designed, for example, as a cord. In particular, the cord can be braided from several fibers. Preferably, the cord has a diameter of about 3 mm to 5 mm. In particular, the neck strap can have an essentially circular cross section, it is also possible for the neck strap to have an essentially rectangular cross section. In particular, the neck strap can be made of a plastic material. For example, the neck strap has a total extension of about 90 cm ± 10 cm. The maximum loop size of the neck strap can therefore be about 45 cm ± 5 cm.

[0013] In particular, the connection element can be attached to the watch housing at the position where the strap would otherwise be attached to the watch housing. With respect to the display of the time measuring unit, the connection element can be arranged at the 12 o'clock position and / or the 3 o'clock position and / or the 6 o'clock position and / or the 9 o'clock position. Preferably, the time measuring unit can be clamped to the watch housing so that it can be rotated, in particular by hand, and the desired relative alignment of the display of the time measuring unit to the connection element can be set individually, in particular only on one side. At the same time, the connection element allows a connection with the neck strap. For example, the connection element can be tied and / or knotted to the connection element. However, it is also possible for the connection element to form a removable or non-removable attachment to the neck strap, for example by tightening and / or shrinking. Preferably, the connection between the neck strap and the connection element can be designed such that a relative movement of the watch case along the longitudinal extension of the neck strap is blocked by friction and / or a positive lock.

[0014] In particular, the adjustment element is frictionally secured to the lanyard. The applied friction force can be manually controlled to move the adjustment element along the lanyard and thereby adjust the loop circumference. For example, the loop size of the lanyard can be maximized to secure the lanyard to the connection element, in particular the knot. The friction fit can prevent the adjustment element from falling off. In particular, the adjustment element can surround at least a portion of the lanyard such that the adjustment element is securely secured to the lanyard in a manner that prevents loss.

[0015] The adjustment element preferably encompasses two strap sections of the neck cord arranged next to each other. One strap section may be the part of the neck cord leading to the connection element and the other strap section may be the part of the neck cord coming from the connection element. As a result, the adjustment element can limit the loop fastened to the connection element and the loop of material fastened to the neck, the respective loop size being changeable by moving the adjustment element along the two strap sections. This allows for a simple and intuitive adjustment of the loop size of the neck cord intended for the neck.

[0016] It is particularly preferred that the neck strap has at least one fixed stopper for limiting the loop size that can be adjusted to a predefined minimum size using the adjustment element. The adjustment element, which can be moved relative to the neck strap, can rest against the immovable stopper, so that the loop size cannot fall below the minimum size defined with the aid of the stopper. This prevents errors when operating the adjustment element from setting the loop size too tightly, which would lead to breathing difficulties for the wearer. This improves the safety of operation. The minimum size for the loop size intended for the neck can be, for example, 30 cm, 35 cm or 40 cm. The stopper can be designed, for example, as a knot in the neck strap. The stopper may also be designed as a stop element attached at a predefined position to prevent movement. Since the stopper can prevent squeezing, it is possible to avoid a predefined breaking point on the neck strap, in particular by using, for example, a plug connection that can be automatically released under load. This prevents the lanyard from opening unnecessarily and / or unintentionally in dangerous situations that would only arise if the lanyard were to open automatically, for example under accelerations such as those encountered in rally sports.

[0017] In particular, the adjustment element is part of a zipper fastener formed with the aid of a neck strap. When the zipper is pulled open, a larger loop size is set, and when the zipper is pulled closed, a smaller loop size is set. Additionally, a predefined minimum size for the loop size can be specified via the length of the zipper.

[0018] The connection element is preferably hinged to the watch housing, which means that there is no need to lift the neck strap to read the watch, resulting in simplified handling.

[0019] The connecting elements are particularly preferably made of titanium and / or titanium alloys and / or are coated, which allows for high wear and corrosion resistance of the connecting elements, so that sliding and / or grinding of the lanyard along the connecting elements has no expected effect on the mechanical and / or optical properties of the connecting elements, which allows for an improved service life.

[0020] In particular, the connection element is designed as an eyelet or as a mechanical fastening, in particular a clip fastening element. The neck strap can be threaded through the eyelet and / or tied to the eyelet. If the connection element is designed as a mechanical fastening, it can be connected to a fastening partner of corresponding design, preferably one that is resistant to displacement. For example, the connection element can be clipped or screwed or pressed or clamped to the neck strap.

[0021] The width of the watch housing tapers towards the connection element, which is preferably laterally inclined and / or curved in order to integrate the shape of the connection element into the shape of the watch housing. The connection element can thus be integrated into the design language of the watch housing and does not look like a foreign element of the watch. Instead, a harmonious appearance that creates a good visual impression results.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the lanyard is designed as a flat strap. The suspender band can therefore take the form of a lanyard, also known as a "lanyard" or "key lace". The flat design of the lanyard allows it to lie flat against the wearer's body, ensuring that the watch does not get in the way when not needed.

[0023] Furthermore, labelling and / or symbols can be provided on the adjustment element and / or on the connection element, preferably by laser engraving, which makes it possible to at least symbolically indicate that the loop size can be adjusted with the aid of the adjustment element, which facilitates the handling and correct use of the setting element.

[0024] A further aspect relates to the use of a watch, which as mentioned above can be designed and further developed for timing rally sports, in particular for timing special stages, with the setting element making it possible to reduce the loop size of the lanyard and to hold the watch in a manner that prevents loss, so that timing in cars in rally sports is possible with good driving safety.

[0025] The present invention is described by way of example below based on preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereby the features presented below can represent aspects of the invention both individually and in combination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a first embodiment of a watch. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic detailed view of a second embodiment of the watch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The watch 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be worn around the neck of a co-driver to measure time during a motorsport rally. The watch 10 has a watch housing 12 in which a timing unit 14 is totally or partially housed and / or enclosed. A connection element 16 with an eyelet 18 is hinged at one end of the watch housing 12, to which a wristband of a watch can be attached in other ways. The connection element 16 can be arranged at the 12 o'clock position, the 3 o'clock position, the 6 o'clock position or the 9 o'clock position. A neck strap 20 is attached to the eyelet 18 and is designed as a cord tied to the eyelet 18 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. An adjustment element 22 is provided in the immediate vicinity of the eyelet 18 and a knot, which frictionally engages around two opposing strap sections of the neck strap 20.

[0028] In the position of the adjustment element 22 shown in Fig. 1, the neck strap 20 can be guided around the wearer's head until the adjustment element 22 reaches the wearer's neck. The adjustment element 22 can then be displaced relative to the neck strap 20 so that the loop size of the neck strap 20 on the other side of the adjustment element 22 in the section of the neck strap 20 facing away from the connection element 16 can be reduced. The loop size can be selected to be very small so that the watch 10 does not slip off the head by itself, but is held under the wearer's chin in a manner that prevents it from being lost. The minimum loop size can be ensured by means of a stopper, not shown.

[0029] In the exemplary embodiment of the watch 10 shown in Fig. 2, the eyelet 18 of the connecting element 16 is significantly wider compared to the exemplary embodiment of the watch 10 shown in Fig. 1, so that a flat neck cord 20 with an essentially rectangular cross section can be used as the neck cord 20 instead of a cord with a round cross section. The connecting element 18 has a width and a lateral outer contour 24 such that a lateral line 26 of the watch case 12 follows the outer contour 24 of the connecting element 16. In particular, the watch housing 12 and the connecting element 16 are made of and / or coated with the same material, for example titanium or a titanium alloy, so that a harmonic unit with a visually appealing design language is created.

Claims

1. A clock (10) for measuring time, comprising: a watch housing (12) for accommodating a time measuring unit (14); a connection element (16) attached to said watch housing (12); a neck strap (20) connected to said connection element (16) for wearing around a person's neck; A watch (10) characterized in that the loop size of the neck strap (20) around the neck can be adjusted by an adjustment element (22) that engages with the neck strap (20).

2. 2. The watch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment element (22) is frictionally fixed to the neck strap (20).

3. 3. The watch (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment element (22) comprises two strap sections of the neck strap (20) arranged next to each other.

4. 3. The watch (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the neck strap (20) has at least one stopper fixed in a manner preventing movement, for limiting the loop size that can be adjusted with the aid of the adjustment element (22) to a predefined minimum size.

5. 3. Watch (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said adjustment element (22) is part of a zipper formed by said neck strap (20).

6. 3. The timepiece (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection element (16) is hingedly connected to the timepiece housing (12).

7. 3. Timepiece (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting element (16) is made of titanium and / or a titanium alloy and / or is coated.

8. 3. Watch (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting element (16) is designed as an eyelet (18) or a clip closure element.

9. 3. A watch (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the width of the watch case (12) tapers towards the connection element (16) and the connection element (16) extends laterally inclined and / or curved so as to integrate the shape of the connection element (16) into the shape of the watch case (12).

10. 3. The watch (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the neck strap (20) is designed as a flat strap.

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