Attachment and detachment method and watch band

Abstract

To provide a case capable of simply and easily replacing an exterior member, and a timepiece equipped with the same.SOLUTION: This watch is provided with a case main body 7 provided with a locking projection part 15, an exterior member 8 having an engaging recessed part 16 to be engaged with the locking projection part 15 so as to be engaged / disengaged, and a watch band 2 for displacing the exterior member 8 in the direction of separating the engaging recessed part 16 of the exterior member 8 from the locking projection part 15 of the case main body 7. Therefore, the exterior member 8 can be displaced by the watch band 2 in a direction in which the engagement recesses 16 of the exterior member 8 are disengaged from the locking projections 15 of the case main body 7. Therefore, since the engagement between the locking projection 15 and the engagement recess 16 can be easily released, the exterior member 8 can be simply and easily removed from the case main body 7 and replaced without using a tool.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a case for use in an electronic device such as a wristwatch, and to a timepiece equipped with the case. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in the field of wristwatches, there is known a structure in which an exterior member is replaceably attached to the case, as described in Patent Document 1. In this case, the exterior member is structured to include a decorative portion that is decorated, and a fitting portion that is provided on the periphery of the decorative portion and is placed on the circumferential surface of the case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-44775 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in such wristwatches, the decorative part of the exterior member is placed on the top surface of the case, and the fitting part of the exterior member is fitted into the circumferential surface of the case to attach the exterior member to the case. Therefore, if the exterior member is not fitted into the case too tightly, the exterior member will easily come off the case, and if the exterior member is not fitted into the case too tightly, the case will be damaged.

[0005] To solve this problem, a structure has been developed in which the decorative part of the exterior part is provided with a fitting part into which the watch band is inserted and fitted into the band attachment part of the case. However, with this type of exterior part, because the watch band must be inserted into the fitting part of the exterior part, the work of attaching and removing the exterior part is cumbersome, and the exterior part cannot be easily replaced.

[0006] The problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a case in which the exterior member can be replaced simply and easily, and a timepiece equipped with the case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention is a case characterized by comprising a case body provided with a locking portion, an exterior member having an engaging portion that can be detachably engaged with the locking portion, and a band that displaces the exterior member in a direction that causes the engaging portion of the exterior member to disengage from the locking portion of the case body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this invention, the exterior member can be replaced simply and easily. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an enlarged front view showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch. [Figure 2] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the watch case shown in FIG. 1, showing an enlarged view of the main parts thereof from diagonally above. [Figure 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the watch case shown in FIG. 1, showing an enlarged view of the main parts thereof from diagonally below. [Figure 4] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line AA. [Figure 5] 2 is an enlarged rear view showing the main parts of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the essential parts of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 5, shown upside down in the direction of the arrow BB. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is an enlarged rear view of the essential parts of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 5 with the watch band shifted toward the 9 o'clock side. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the essential parts of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 7, shown upside down in the direction of arrow CC. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch will now be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this wristwatch has a wristwatch case 1. Band attachment sections 3, to which a watch band 2 is attached, are provided on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of this wristwatch case 1. Switch sections 4 are provided on the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of this wristwatch case 1.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a watch crystal 5 is attached to the upper opening of this watch case 1 via a glass packing (not shown). As shown in Figure 3, a back cover 6 is attached to the bottom of this watch case 1 with a number of screws 6a via a waterproof packing (not shown). Furthermore, a watch module (not shown) is provided inside this watch case 1.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, wristwatch case 1 comprises a case body 7 and an exterior member 8. Case body 7 is made of a lightweight, strong material, such as a synthetic resin made from a highly rigid polyamide resin containing carbon fiber or glass fiber. Note that case body 7 is not limited to synthetic resin, and may also be made of metal.

[0013] 2 and 3, a band attachment body 10 of the band attachment part 3 is provided to protrude from each of the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of the case body 7. The band attachment body 10 includes an attachment protrusion 10a that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the case body 7, and a pair of attachment arms 10b that are provided on both sides of the attachment protrusion 10a.

[0014] 2 and 3, the band mounting body 10 is configured so that the tip 2a of the watch band 2 is positioned between a pair of mounting arms 10b, and in this state the mounting protrusions 10a and the pair of mounting arms 10b are covered by a cover 13 (described later) of the exterior member 8. Furthermore, through holes (not shown) into which multiple switch units 4 are inserted and mounted are provided on each of the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of the case body 7. Furthermore, a mounting cylinder 11 is provided around the through hole on the 10 o'clock side of the case body 7.

[0015] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, exterior member 8 is decorative and is made of a resilient synthetic resin such as urethane resin. This exterior member 8 is configured to be detachably attached to the outer peripheral surface of case main body 7. That is, this exterior member 8 includes an exterior main body portion 12 that is arranged to cover the outer peripheral surface of case main body 7, and a pair of cover portions 13 that are arranged to cover band attachment bodies 10 on the 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock sides of case main body 7.

[0016] 2 and 3, the exterior body 12 is provided with an opening 12a, into which the case body 7 is inserted and which exposes the crystal 5 upward, and which has the same shape as the outer shape of the crystal 5. The exterior body 12 also has a plurality of switch insertion holes 12b into which the plurality of switches 4 provided on the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of the case body 7 are inserted and arranged.

[0017] 2 and 3, these switch insertion holes 12b are for inserting operation buttons (not shown) of the switch units 4, and are formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the switch units 4. As a result, when the exterior main body part 12 is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the case main body 7, the switch units 4 can be easily inserted into the switch insertion holes 12b, and the exterior main body part 12 can be easily attached to the outer periphery of the case main body 7.

[0018] 1 to 3, the pair of covers 13 are configured to be placed over the band attachment bodies 10 provided on the 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock sides of the case body 7. That is, these covers 13 are configured to be placed over the top and both side surfaces of each band attachment body 10 of the case body 7, i.e., the outer side surfaces of the pair of attachment arms 10b of the band attachment body 10. As a result, each band attachment section 3 of the wristwatch case 1 is formed by each band attachment body 10 of the case body 7 and the pair of covers 13 of the exterior member 8.

[0019] 2 to 4, the wristwatch case 1 is equipped with an exterior mounting portion 14 for mounting the exterior member 8 to the case body 7. This exterior mounting portion 14 is made up of a plurality of locking protrusions 15 provided on the band mounting body 10 of the case body 7, and a plurality of engaging recesses 16 provided on one and the other opposing inner surfaces of each cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8, with which the plurality of locking protrusions 15 respectively engage in a detachable manner.

[0020] 2 to 4, the multiple locking protrusions 15 are provided on each of the outer side surfaces of the pair of mounting arms 10b of each band mounting body 10 of the case body 7. These multiple locking protrusions 15 are protrusions that gradually protrude from the top to the bottom, and have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately a right triangle. That is, each of the multiple locking protrusions 15 has a slope 15a that slopes from the top to the bottom and a flat bottom surface 15b.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the multiple engagement recesses 16 are substantially rectangular inclined recesses into which the multiple locking protrusions 15 respectively engage. These multiple engagement recesses 16 are provided on the inner surfaces of both sides of the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8 corresponding to the outer side surfaces of the pair of mounting arms 10b of each band mounting body 10 of the case body 7. In other words, these multiple engagement recesses 16 are formed as inclined recesses whose depth gradually increases from the top to the bottom. That is, each engagement recess 16 has an upper inclined surface 16a and a lower inner surface 16b.

[0022] 2 to 4, exterior mounting portion 14 is configured so that when exterior member 8 is placed over case main body 7 to cover it, multiple locking protrusions 15 engage with multiple engaging recesses 16. In other words, exterior mounting portion 14 is configured so that when cover portion 13 of exterior member 8 is attached to each band mounting body 10 of case main body 7 to cover it, each inner surface on both sides of cover portion 13 elastically deforms so as to be gradually pushed apart along inclined surfaces 15a of locking protrusions 15, and multiple locking protrusions 15 are inserted into and engaged with multiple engaging recesses 16.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, when the cover portion 13 is elastically deformed and the locking protrusion 15 is inserted into and engaged with the engagement recess 16, the inclined surface 15a of the locking protrusion 15 comes into close contact with the upper inclined surface 16a within the engagement recess 16, and the lower surface 15b of the locking protrusion 15 is pressed against the lower inner surface 16b within the engagement recess 16, thereby locking the exterior member 8 to the case body 7.

[0024] 2 to 4, the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8 is configured to be attached to the band attachment body 10 of the case body 7 so as not to slip out upward relative to the case body 7. For this reason, the exterior member 8 is configured to be attached to the case body 7 with the exterior body portion 12 covering the outer periphery of the case body 7 and the pair of cover portions 13 covering the band attachment bodies 10 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side.

[0025] 5 to 8, this wristwatch case 1 is configured so that the engagement between the locking projections 15 and engagement recesses 16 of the exterior mounting part 14 is released by the watch band 2. That is, the watch band 2 is attached at its tip 2a to the band mounting body 10 by a spring rod 17, which is a connecting member, so that it can move in the axial direction of the spring rod 17, i.e., in the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the watch band 2.

[0026] 6 and 8, the spring rod 17, which is a connecting member, has protrusions attached to both ends of a pipe section so that they can resiliently protrude and retract. This spring rod 17 is attached by having the pipe section slidably inserted into the tip section 2a of the watch band 2, with the protrusions on both sides protruding retractably from both sides of the tip section 2a, and these protruding protrusions are configured to be inserted into the protrusion mounting holes 10c of the pair of mounting arms 10b of the band mounting body 10.

[0027] That is, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, the length of the tip portion 2a of each of the watch bands 2 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side in the axial direction of the spring bar 17, i.e., the length of the tip portion 2a in the short direction of the watch band 2, is formed to be shorter than the length between the pair of mounting arm portions 10b.

[0028] As a result, gaps S are provided between the tip portions 2a of the watch bands 2 on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides and the pairs of mounting arms 10b of the band mounting bodies 10 on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides, as shown in Figures 5 to 8. These gaps S allow the tip portions 2a of the watch bands 2 on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides to move in the axial direction of the spring pins 17, i.e., along the short side of the watch bands 2, and are set to a length slightly longer than the engagement length between the locking protrusions 15 and the engaging recesses 16 (the depth below the engaging recesses 16).

[0029] 5 to 8, each of the watchbands 2 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side is provided with a pressing portion 18 that displaces the exterior member 8 in the direction in which the engaging recesses 16 disengage from the locking protrusions 15. That is, the pressing portion 18 of the 6 o'clock side watchband 2 is provided at the end of the tip 2a of the 6 o'clock side watchband 2 on the 9 o'clock side in each figure, and is configured to abut against one inner surface of the 6 o'clock side cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8. Similarly to the pressing portion 18 on the 6 o'clock side, the pressing portion (not shown) of the 12 o'clock side watchband 2 is provided at the end of the tip 2a of the 12 o'clock side watchband 2 on the 3 o'clock side in each figure, and is configured to abut against one inner surface of the 12 o'clock side cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8.

[0030] That is, of the pressing portions 18 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side, the 6 o'clock side pressing portion 18 is provided on the mounting arm portion 10b on the 9 o'clock side in FIG. 6 of the band mounting body 10, and is configured so that the outer surface of the pressing portion 18 abuts against the inner surface of the side portion on the 9 o'clock side in FIG. 6 of the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8 when it is placed inside the storage recess 19 that opens to the top surface and the side surface on the 9 o'clock side.

[0031] 7 and 8, when the tip 2a of the watch band 2 is slid toward the 9 o'clock side, the pressing portion 18 on the 6 o'clock side is pushed out from within the storage recess 19 of the mounting arm portion 10b toward the 9 o'clock direction, elastically deforming and pushing open the 9 o'clock side of the cover portion 13. Note that Fig. 2 shows the state in which the watch band 2 on the 6 o'clock side has been slid toward the 9 o'clock side, and Fig. 3 shows the state in which the watch band 2 on the 12 o'clock side has been slid toward the 3 o'clock side.

[0032] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, this 6 o'clock side pressing portion 18 is configured to disengage the engagement recess 16 provided on the side of the elastically deformed cover portion 13 from the locking protrusion 15 of one of the mounting arm portions 10b of the band mounting body 10 of the case main body 7 when the 9 o'clock side of the cover portion 13 is elastically deformed so as to be pushed open.

[0033] Similarly, the pressing portion 18 on the 12 o'clock side, like the pressing portion 18 on the 6 o'clock side shown in FIG. 6, is configured so that when it is placed in a storage recess (not shown) provided in the mounting arm portion 10b on the 3 o'clock side in FIG. 6 of the band mounting body 10, the outer surface of the pressing portion 18 abuts against the inner surface of the side portion on the 3 o'clock side in FIG. 6 of the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8.

[0034] As a result, the pressing portion 18 on the 12 o'clock side, like the pressing portion 18 on the 6 o'clock side shown in Figures 7 and 8, is configured to be pushed out from within the storage recess (not shown) of the mounting arm portion 10b toward the 3 o'clock direction when the tip portion 2a of the watch band 2 is slid toward the 3 o'clock side in each figure, elastically deforming the 3 o'clock side of the cover portion 13 so as to push it open.

[0035] 7 and 8, this 12 o'clock side pressing portion 18 is configured so that when the 3 o'clock side of the cover portion 13 is elastically deformed so as to be pushed open, the engaging recess 16 provided on the side of the elastically deformed cover portion 13 disengages from the locking protrusion 15 of one of the mounting arms 10b of the band mounting body 10 of the case main body 7.

[0036] Next, the assembly procedure for such a wristwatch case 1 will be described. When assembling the wristwatch case 1, the crystal 5 is first attached to the upper opening of the case body 7. In this state, the switch units 4 are inserted and attached into the through-holes provided on the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of the case body 7.

[0037] Then, a watch module (not shown) is installed inside the case body 7, and the back cover 6 is attached to the bottom of the case body 7 with multiple screws 6a. In this state, the tip portion 2a of the watch band 2 is attached to each of the band attachment bodies 10 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side of the case body 7 with spring bars 17.

[0038] At this time, the spring rod 17 is slidably attached to the tip 2a of the watch band 2, and the tip 2a of the watch band 2 together with this spring rod 17 is placed between the pair of mounting arms 10b of the band mounting body 10 of the case body 7, and the protrusions on both sides of the spring rod 17 are inserted into the protrusion mounting holes 10c of the pair of mounting arms 10b. In this way, the watch band 2 is attached to the band mounting body 10 of the case body 7.

[0039] In this state, the pressing portion 18 provided on one side of the tip portion 2a of the watchband 2 is inserted into the storage recess 19 provided on one mounting arm portion 10b of the band mounting body 10. At this time, a gap S is provided between the mounting arm portion 10b located on the pressing portion 18 side and the side of the tip portion 2a of the watchband 2. This allows the tip portion 2a of the watchband 2 to slide in the axial direction of the spring pin 17 by the length of the gap S.

[0040] In this state, the exterior member 8 is attached to the case body 7. At this time, the edge of the upper opening 12a of the exterior main body part 12 of the exterior member 8 is aligned with the outer periphery of the watch crystal 5 fitted into the upper opening of the case body 7, and the pair of cover parts 13 of the exterior member 8 are aligned with the band attachment bodies 10 on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of the case body 7. In this state, the exterior member 8 is placed over the case body 7, and the case body 7 is covered with the exterior member 8.

[0041] At this time, the exterior body portion 12 of the exterior member 8 is placed over the outer periphery of the case body 7, and the switch portions 4 inserted into the multiple through holes provided in the case body 7 are inserted into the multiple switch insertion holes 12b provided in the exterior body portion 12. Also at this time, the pair of cover portions 13 of the exterior member 8 are placed over the band attachment bodies 10 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side of the case body 7.

[0042] As a result, the multiple locking protrusions 15 provided on each side of the pair of mounting arms 10b of the band mounting body 10 are inserted into the multiple engaging recesses 16 provided on each inner surface on both sides of the pair of cover parts 13, and the multiple locking protrusions 15 respectively engage with the multiple engaging recesses 16. In other words, when the multiple engaging recesses 16 engage with the multiple locking protrusions 15, the side parts on both sides of the cover part 13 elastically deform so as to be gradually pushed apart along the slopes 15a of the locking protrusions 15, causing the locking protrusions 15 to engage with the multiple engaging recesses 16.

[0043] At this time, the inclined surfaces 15a of each locking protrusion 15 come into close contact with the upper inclined surfaces 16a in each engaging recess 16, and the lower surfaces 15b of each locking protrusion 15 are pressed against the lower inner surfaces 16b in each engaging recess 16, locking the exterior member 8 to the case main body 7. As a result, the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8 is attached to the band attachment main body 10 of the case main body 7 so as not to slip out upward relative to the case main body 7. Therefore, the exterior member 8 is attached such that the exterior main body portion 12 covers the outer periphery of the case main body 7, and the pair of cover portions 13 are attached to the band attachment main bodies 10 on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides, covering them.

[0044] In this state, the pressing portions 18 provided on the tip portion 2a of each watch band 2 are pressed by the inner surface of the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8, and each pressing portion 18 is pushed into and stored in the storage recess 19 of the mounting arm portion 10b of the band mounting body 10. At this time, a gap S is provided between the side surface of the tip portion 2a of each watch band 2 and the side surface of the mounting arm portion 10b, allowing the tip portion 2a of the watch band 2 to move along the axial direction of the spring pin 17.

[0045] Next, a procedure for replacing the exterior member 8 attached to the case body 7 in this manner will be described. In this case, the tip 2a of the watch band 2 is slid along the spring pin 17. For example, in the case of the watch band 2 on the 6 o'clock side, the tip 2a of the watch band 2 is slid along the spring pin 17 so as to eliminate the gap S between the side of the tip 2a and the side of the attachment arm 10b.

[0046] 8 from within the storage recess 19 of the mounting arm 10b of the band mounting main body 10, elastically deforming the side of the cover 13 on the 6 o'clock side of the exterior member 8 on the 9 o'clock side in FIG. 8 so as to expand it. As a result, the engagement recess 16 on the side of the cover 13 on the 9 o'clock side in FIG. 8 moves away from the side of the mounting arm 10b of the band mounting main body 10.

[0047] At this time, the locking protrusions 15 of the mounting arm portions 10b are released from the inside of the engaging recesses 16 of the cover portion 13, and the engagement of the engaging recesses 16 with the locking protrusions 15 is released. In this state, insert part of your fingertip into the gap that has formed between the side surface of the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8 on the 9 o'clock side in FIG. 8 and the side surface of the mounting arm portions 10b of the band attachment main body 10, and lift up the side surface of the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8 on the 9 o'clock side in FIG. 8.

[0048] This allows the 6 o'clock side cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8 to be easily removed from the 6 o'clock side band attachment main body 10. Similarly, the 12 o'clock side cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8 can be removed from the 12 o'clock side band attachment main body 10. Therefore, the exterior member 8 can be removed from the case main body 7 without using any tools, making it possible to simply and easily replace the exterior member 8.

[0049] Thus, this wristwatch case 1 comprises a case body 7 with locking protrusions 15 on the side, an exterior member 8 that is arranged on the outer periphery of the case body 7 and has engagement recesses 16 that releasably engage with the locking protrusions 15, and a watch band 2 that displaces the exterior member 8 in a direction that disengages the engagement recesses 16 of the exterior member 8 from the locking protrusions 15 of the case body 7, making it possible to simply and easily replace the exterior member 8.

[0050] That is, with this wristwatch case 1, the watch band 2 can displace the exterior member 8 in a direction that disengages the engagement recesses 16 of the exterior member 8 from the locking protrusions 15 of the case body 7, so that the engagement between the locking protrusions 15 and the engagement recesses 16 can be easily released, and thus the exterior member 8 can be simply and easily removed from the case body 7 and replaced without using tools.

[0051] Furthermore, in this wristwatch case 1, the watch band 2 is equipped with a pressing portion 18 that displaces the exterior member 8 in the direction in which the engagement recesses 16 disengage from the locking protrusions 15, so that movement of the watch band 2 causes the pressing portion 18 to reliably and effectively displace the exterior member 8 in the direction in which the engagement recesses 16 disengage from the locking protrusions 15, thereby easily and effectively releasing the engagement between the locking protrusions 15 and the engagement recesses 16.

[0052] Furthermore, in this wristwatch case 1, the band mounting body 10 is provided with a storage recess 19 that stores the pressing portion 18 of the watch band 2. Therefore, even if the watch band 2 has a pressing portion 18, when the band mounting body 10 is covered with the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8, the cover portion 13 can store the pressing portion 18 in the storage recess 19, and a good gap S can be created between the watch band 2 and the band mounting body 10.

[0053] Furthermore, with this wristwatch case 1, the watch band 2 is attached to the band attachment main body 10 provided on the case main body 7 by a spring rod 17, which is a connecting member, so that the watch band 2 can be easily and reliably attached to the case main body 7. That is, with this wristwatch case 1, the tip end 2a of the watch band 2 can be easily and reliably attached to the band attachment main body 10 by the spring rod 17, with the tip end 2a of the watch band 2 positioned between a pair of attachment arms 10b provided on both sides of the attachment protrusion 10a of the band attachment main body 10.

[0054] Furthermore, in this wristwatch case 1, the locking protrusion 15 is provided on the side of the band mounting body 10, and the engagement recess 16 is provided at a location corresponding to the locking protrusion 15 on the exterior member 8 that covers the band mounting body 10. As a result, the tip 2a of the watch band 2 attached between the pair of attachment arms 10b of the band mounting body 10 can displace the exterior member 8 on which the engagement recess 16 is provided, thereby allowing the engagement between the locking protrusion 15 and the engagement recess 16 to be easily and satisfactorily released.

[0055] Furthermore, in this wristwatch case 1, the watch band 2 is attached so that it can move in the short direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, and therefore the watch band 2 can be moved in the short direction, which allows the exterior member 8 to be displaced in a direction that disengages the engagement recesses 16 of the exterior member 8 from the locking protrusions 15 of the case body 7, thereby allowing the engagement between the locking protrusions 15 and the engagement recesses 16 to be easily and reliably released.

[0056] Furthermore, in this wristwatch case 1, a gap S for moving the watch band 2 is provided between the watch band 2 and the band attachment body 10 in the short direction of the watch band 2, and the gap S provided between the watch band 2 and the band attachment body 10 allows the watch band 2 to be moved reliably and smoothly in the short direction, thereby allowing the engagement between the locking protrusions 15 and the engagement recesses 16 to be easily and reliably released.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, a locking protrusion 15 is provided on the band mounting body 10 of the case body 7, and an engaging recess 16 is provided on the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a structure in which a locking recess is provided on the band mounting body 10, and an engaging protrusion is provided on the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8 may also be used.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the entire exterior member 8 is described as being formed from a flexible synthetic resin such as a soft urethane resin, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by providing a highly rigid reinforcing part such as metal inside the side of the cover portion 13 of the exterior member 8 by insert molding or the like, the side of the cover portion 13 may be configured to be more easily pushed open by the pressing portion 18 of the watchband 2. In this case, when the side of the cover portion 13 is pushed open by the pressing portion 18 of the watchband 2, the entire side of the cover portion 13 can be more effectively pushed open (displaced), making it easier to release the engagement between the locking protrusions 15 and the engagement recesses 16. At the same time, the length of the gap S provided between the watchband 2 and the band attachment body 10 can be shortened.

[0059] Furthermore, the pressing portion 18 of the watch band 2 may be integrally molded with a material harder than the watch band 2, such as by providing a highly rigid reinforcing part such as metal by insert molding, to make it easier to push open the sides of the cover portion 13. In this case, too, when the pressing portion 18 of the watch band 2 pushes open the sides of the cover portion 13, the entire side of the cover portion 13 can be pushed open (displaced) more effectively, making it easier to release the engagement between the locking protrusions 15 and the engagement recesses 16.

[0060] 2 and 6, it is sufficient if it can accommodate the pressing portion 18 of the watchband 2. For example, it may have a shape that opens only on the side of the mounting arm 10b on the 9 o'clock side in Fig. 6, rather than on the top surface of the mounting arm 10b, i.e., not in the vertical direction (upward) in Fig. 6. However, by using a shape that opens on the top surface of the mounting arm 10b, as in this embodiment, the area of ​​the contact surface of the pressing portion 18 with the inner surface of the side of the cover portion 13 can be increased, allowing the entire side of the cover portion 13 to be more effectively pushed apart (displaced), making it easier to release the engagement between the locking protrusions 15 and the engagement recesses 16.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the pressing portion 18 of the watch band 2 is separated from the locking protrusion 15 and the engagement recess 16, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressing portion 18 of the watch band 2 may be extended from the tip portion 2a of the watch band 2 so as to be closer to the locking protrusion 15 and the engagement recess 16. In this case, the storage recess 19 of the mounting arm portion 10b of the band mounting main body 10 can be extended so as to be closer to the locking protrusion 15. This also makes it easier for the pressing portion 18 to release the engagement between the locking protrusion 15 and the engagement recess 16.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the spring rod 17 is used as the connecting member. However, in the present invention, the connecting member does not necessarily have to be the spring bar 17, but may be, for example, a pin portion. A material or a screw member may be used as the connecting member.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a pressure portion 18 is provided on each watch band 2 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side, and a gap S is provided between each of the mounting arm portions 10b of each band mounting body 10 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side. However, in the present invention, it is not necessary to provide the pressure portion 18 and the gap S on both the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side, and a structure in which they are provided on only one of the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side is also possible.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the tip 2a of the watch band 2 is positioned and attached between a pair of attachment arms 10b of the band attachment body 10, but this is not limited to this. In the present invention, for example, a recess may be provided at the tip of the watch band 2, and convex hand attachment bodies that are inserted into the recesses of the watch band 2 may be provided on the outer periphery of the case body 7 on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides.

[0065] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment describes the application to a wristwatch, the present invention does not necessarily have to be applied to a wristwatch, and the present invention can also be applied to any wrist-worn device, such as an electronic device worn on the wrist.

[0066] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this and includes the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents. The inventions described in the claims of this application are as follows:

[0067] (Addendum) The invention described in claim 1 is a case characterized by comprising: a case body provided with a locking portion; an exterior member having an engaging portion that can be detachably engaged with the locking portion; and a band that displaces the exterior member in a direction that causes the engaging portion of the exterior member to disengage from the locking portion of the case body.

[0068] The invention described in claim 2 is a case in which, in the case described in claim 1, the band is characterized by having a pressing portion that displaces the exterior member in the direction of disengagement of the engaging portion from the locking portion.

[0069] The invention described in claim 3 is a case characterized in that, in the case described in claim 1 or claim 2, the band is attached to a band attachment body provided on the case body by a connecting member.

[0070] The invention described in claim 4 is a case characterized in that, in the case described in claim 3, the locking portion is provided on the side of the band mounting body, and the engaging portion is provided at a location corresponding to the locking portion on the outer member covering the band mounting body.

[0071] The invention described in claim 5 is a case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the band is attached so as to be movable in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0072] The invention described in claim 6 is a case characterized in that, in the case described in any of claims 1 to 5, a gap for moving the band is provided between the band and a band mounting body provided on the case body in the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the band.

[0073] The invention described in claim 7 is a timepiece characterized by comprising a case described in any one of claims 1 to 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 watch case 2 watch bands 2a Tip 3 Band attachment part 4 Switch section 5. Watch Glass 6 Back cover 7 Case body 8 Exterior materials 10 Band mounting body 10a Mounting protrusion 10b Mounting arm 10c Protrusion mounting hole 11 Mounting tube 12 Exterior body 12a opening 12b Switch insertion hole 13 Cover 14 Exterior mounting part 15 Locking protrusion 15a Slope 15b Bottom side 16 Engagement recess 16a Upper slope 16b Inner surface 17 Spring bar 18 Pressing part 19 Storage recess

Claims

1. a case body provided with a locking portion; an exterior member having an engaging portion that is releasably engaged with the locking portion; a band that displaces the exterior member in a direction that disengages the engaging portion of the exterior member from the locking portion of the case body; A case characterized by comprising:

2. In the case of claim 1, The band has a pressing portion that displaces the exterior member in a direction in which the engaging portion is released from the locking portion. A case characterized by:

3. In the case according to claim 1 or claim 2, The band is attached to a band attachment body provided on the case body by a connecting member. A case characterized by:

4. In the case of claim 3, The locking portion is provided on a side surface of the band attachment body, The engaging portion is provided at a position corresponding to the locking portion on the exterior member that covers the band attachment body. A case characterized by:

5. In the case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The band is attached so as to be movable in a lateral direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. A case characterized by:

6. In the case according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Between the band and the band mounting body provided on the case body, a gap for moving the band is provided in the short direction perpendicular to the long direction of the band. A case characterized by:

7. A watch comprising a case according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images