Watch and band

Abstract

A watch according to an embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to enhance maintainability and prevent a decline in appearance quality in a watch in which a band is replaceable. The watch according to an embodiment of the present invention has: an exterior case having a pair of band attachment parts in which insertion holes are formed so as to face each other; pins formed so as to be extendable by a built-in elastic body, ends of the pins being inserted in the insertion holes of the pair of band attachment parts and thereby being retained in the band attachment parts; a connecting piece which is disposed at one end of a band and in a bottom surface of which a groove part is formed, the groove part accommodating the pin retained in the band attachment part, and the connecting piece thereby connecting the band to the exterior case; and a cover member for covering the groove part with the pin accommodated therein, an operating part for receiving an operation for shortening the ends of the pin so that the pin can be removed from the band attachment part being formed on a side surface of the pin, and the cover member opening a position facing the operating part so that the operating part can be operated from outside in a state in which the pin is accommodated in the groove part.

Description

Watches and Bands

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch and a band.

[0002] Watches with interchangeable bands are known. In such watches, the band is connected to the outer case by a pin, also known as a spring rod, housed in a connecting piece located at the end of the band. Both ends of the pin are held in holes formed in the band attachment section of the watch's outer case. The pin incorporates a spring and a pair of sliders located at either end of the spring and pressed against the spring. The pin can be extended or retracted by pressing the sliders against the spring. When a user wants to replace the band, they shorten the pin and remove both ends from the holes, thereby removing the band from the outer case.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes pins each having a slider with a knob that can be operated from the outside. A user changing the band can easily shorten the pin by pulling the knob toward the center of the pin.

[0004] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-141915

[0005] In order to facilitate replacement of the pins and improve maintainability, the pins are sometimes housed in grooves formed in the bottom surface of the connecting piece of the band. However, this method presents a problem in that the pins are visible from below, degrading the appearance quality.

[0006] The timepiece and band according to the embodiment improve maintainability and prevent deterioration in appearance quality in a timepiece that allows the band to be replaced.

[0007] The timepiece according to the embodiment comprises an outer case having a pair of band attachment sections with insertion holes formed opposite each other, a pin that is held in the band attachment section by inserting both end portions into the insertion holes of the pair of band attachment sections, a connecting piece that is arranged at one end of the band and has a groove formed on its bottom surface that connects the band to the outer case by accommodating the pin held in the band attachment section, and a cover member that covers the groove in which the pin is accommodated, the pin having an elastic body that presses against the end so that the end can move parallel to the axial direction, and an operating section is formed on the side of the pin that accepts an operation to move the end parallel to the center of the pin so that the pin can be removed from the band attachment section, and the cover member leaves the position facing the operating section open so that the operating section can be operated from the outside when the pin is accommodated in the groove.

[0008] Furthermore, in the timepiece according to the embodiment, it is preferable that the cover member covers the entire groove portion in the extension direction, and that an opening is formed in the cover member at a position facing the operating portion.

[0009] In addition, in the timepiece according to the embodiment, it is preferable that the operating part protrudes from the opening to the outside of the cover member.

[0010] Furthermore, in the watch of the embodiment, the pin is accommodated in the groove so that it can rotate circumferentially, a notch is formed in the opening in the direction of rotation of the pin, and the cover member preferably restricts the operation of shortening the pin relative to the operating part when the operating part is positioned in the notch.

[0011] Furthermore, in the timepiece of the embodiment, it is preferable that the pin is accommodated in the groove so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, a notch is formed in the opening in the direction of rotation of the pin, and the cover member restricts the pin from extending from its shortened state when the operating part is accommodated in the notch.

[0012] Furthermore, in the timepiece according to the embodiment, it is preferable that the cover member is formed separately from the connecting piece, has an extension portion extending out to the side of the connecting piece, and the extension portion has an insertion hole formed therein through which the pin housed in the groove portion is inserted, and the cover member is held on the connecting piece in a state covering the groove portion by inserting the pin into the insertion hole.

[0013] In addition, in the timepiece according to the embodiment, it is preferable that the cover member is coupled to the connecting piece and covers a portion of the groove in the extension direction so as to prevent the pin housed in the groove from falling out.

[0014] The band according to the embodiment comprises a pin that is held in the band mounting portion by inserting both ends into insertion holes formed in a pair of band mounting portions of the outer case, a connecting piece that is arranged at one end of the band and has a groove formed on its bottom surface, which connects the band to the outer case by accommodating the pin held in the band mounting portion, and a cover member that covers the groove in which the pin is accommodated, the pin has an elastic body that presses the end so that the end can move parallel to the axial direction, and an operating portion is formed on the side of the pin that accepts an operation to move the end parallel to the center of the pin so that the pin can be removed from the band mounting portion, and the cover member leaves the position facing the operating portion open so that the operating portion can be operated from the outside when the pin is accommodated in the groove.

[0015] The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the timepiece 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connection relationship between the band attachment portion 112 and the connecting piece 13. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connecting piece 13. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting piece 13. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connecting piece 23. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connecting piece 33. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting piece 43.

[0017] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0018] 1 is a perspective view of a timepiece 1 according to an embodiment. The timepiece 1 has a main body 11, a pair of bands 12, and the like.

[0019] The main body 11 is a mechanical timepiece, quartz timepiece, or the like with a timekeeping function. The main body 11 has hands, a dial, a movement, and an exterior case 111 that houses them. The exterior case 111 has a pair of band attachment portions 112 on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides, respectively, to which a band can be attached.

[0020] The pair of bands 12 are formed by connecting multiple links arranged in a predetermined direction. A connecting link 13, also called an end piece, tip link, or bow tube, is disposed at one end of each of the pair of bands 12, connecting the band 12 to the outer case 111. One end of the pair of bands 12 is connected to band attachment portions 112 on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of the outer case 111 via the connecting link 13. The other ends of the pair of bands 12 are connected to each other via a clasp (not shown), forming the band 12 into a ring shape. The user wears the watch 1 by putting their arm or the like through the ring-shaped band 12.

[0021] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connection structure between the connecting piece 13 and the band attachment portion 112, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connecting piece 13, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting piece 13 with the band 12 attached to the band attachment portion 112. In Figs. 2 to 4, the bottom surface of the connecting piece 13 (the lower surface in Fig. 1) is shown facing upward. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the pair of band attachment parts 112 are formed with opposing insertion holes 113, also called pin holes. The pin 14 is held in the band attachment part 112 by inserting both ends into the pair of insertion holes 113. The connecting piece 13 connects the band 12 to the exterior case 111 by accommodating the pin 14 held in the band attachment part 112 in a groove 131 on the bottom surface. The cover member 15 covers the groove 131 in which the pin 14 is accommodated.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the pin 14 has a cylindrical body 141, an elastic body 142 built into the cylindrical body 141, and a pair of sliding bodies 143 built into the cylindrical body 141 so as to sandwich the elastic body 142 and which can move parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical body 141.

[0024] The cylindrical body 141 is formed in a cylindrical shape. A first opening 144 is formed on each of both end surfaces of the cylindrical body 141. A pair of second openings 145 extending in the axial direction is formed on the side surface of the cylindrical body 141. Each of the sliding bodies 143 is formed with an end 146 that protrudes from the first opening 144 to the outside of the cylindrical body 141. The end portions 146 on both sides of the pin 14 are inserted into the insertion holes 113 of the band attachment portion 112, thereby holding the pin 14 in the band attachment portion 112.

[0025] The elastic body 142 is a coil spring. The elastic body 142 abuts against a pair of sliding bodies 143 at both ends, respectively, and presses the sliding bodies 143 so that end portions 146 are movable in parallel in the axial direction. Each of the sliding bodies 143 is formed with an operating portion 147 that protrudes from the second opening 145 to the outside of the cylindrical body 141. By pulling the operating portions 147 toward the center of the pin 14 in the axial direction, the end portions 146 are moved in parallel toward the center of the pin 14, shortening the pin 14 and making it possible to remove the pin 14 from the band attachment portion 112.

[0026] A groove 131 (see FIG. 2) for accommodating the pin 14 is formed in the bottom surface of the connecting piece 13. The groove 131 extends from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the pin 14 on the bottom surface of the connecting piece 13 so that the pin 14 can be inserted from the side of the connecting piece 13. The groove 131 is formed so that its maximum width is the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 141 of the pin 14 or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 141. A narrowed portion 132 is formed at the connection portion between the groove 131 and the bottom surface of the connecting piece 13 so that the width of the groove 131 is partially smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 141. This allows the pin 14 to be accommodated in the groove 131 without falling off.

[0027] When the pin 14 is housed in the groove 131, the operating portion 147 extends from between the narrowed portions 132 and can be operated from the outside. Furthermore, since the cylindrical body 141 is formed in a cylindrical shape, when the pin 14 is housed in the groove 131, the operating portion 147 can rotate in the circumferential direction within a range where it does not come into contact with the narrowed portion 132.

[0028] The cover member 15 is a member that covers the groove portion 131, and is formed as a separate member from the connecting piece 13. The cover member 15 is a flat plate-like member that extends in the extension direction of the groove portion 131 so as to cover the groove portion 131 from one end to the other end in the extension direction, i.e., so as to cover the entire groove portion 131 in the extension direction.

[0029] The cover member 15 leaves open a position facing the operation unit 147 so that the operation unit 147 can be operated from the outside with the groove 131 covered by the cover member 15. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, rectangular openings 151 extending in the sliding direction of the operation unit 147 are formed in the cover member 15 at positions facing the operation unit 147, thereby leaving the position facing the operation unit 147 open and allowing the operation unit 147 to be operated from the outside. By covering the groove 131 with the cover member 15, the groove 131 cannot be seen from below, preventing a deterioration in the appearance quality.

[0030] The operating portion 147 is formed to a length that allows it to protrude from the opening 151 to the outside of the cover member 15 when the groove portion 131 in which the pin 14 is housed is covered by the cover member 15. This allows the user to grip the portion of the operating portion 147 that protrudes from the cover member 15 with their fingers and operate it.

[0031] The cover member 15 has extension portions 152 at both ends in the extension direction thereof that extend to the side surfaces of the connecting piece 13 so as to cover both ends of the groove portion 131. The extension portions 152 are formed with insertion holes 153 through which the ends 146 of the pins 14 housed in the groove portions 131 are inserted. By inserting the ends 146 into the insertion holes 153, the cover member 15 is held on the connecting piece 13 in a state where it covers the groove portions 131.

[0032] The narrowed portion 132 of the groove 131 is recessed from the bottom and side surfaces of the connecting piece 13 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the cover member 15. As a result, when the cover member 15 covers the groove 131, the cover member 15 forms the same plane as the bottom and side surfaces of the connecting piece 13, respectively, thereby improving the appearance quality.

[0033] A connecting portion 16 is formed at the end of the connecting piece 13 on the band 12 side, connecting the connecting piece 13 to a piece of the band 12. The connecting portion 16 has through holes 161 that penetrate a pair of side surfaces. With a connecting pin (not shown) inserted into the through hole 161, both ends of the connecting pin are held by the piece of the band 12, connecting the connecting piece 13 to the band 12.

[0034] When attaching the band 12 to the outer case 111, the pin 14 is first received in the groove 131. The pin 14 is received in the groove 131 of the connecting piece 13 from the side of the connecting piece 13 connected to the band 12.

[0035] Next, cover member 15 is placed so as to cover groove portion 131 that houses pin 14. First, when operation portion 147 is not being operated, cover member 15 is placed above groove portion 131 so that the tip of operation portion 147 protrudes from opening 151. In this state, the tip of extension portion 152 interferes with end portion 146 of pin 14, so both ends of groove portion 131 are open and not covered by extension portion 152.

[0036] Next, the user grasps the tips of the operating parts 147 protruding from the openings 151 and pulls the operating parts 147 toward each other. This shortens the pins 14 until the tips of the ends 146 are positioned axially inward of the extending parts 152, and the tips of the extending parts 152 no longer interfere with the ends 146. While maintaining this state, the extending parts 152 are inserted to positions that cover both ends of the grooves 131. As a result, the grooves 131 are covered by the cover members 15.

[0037] After the groove 131 is covered with the cover member 15, the user releases the operating part 147. This causes the pin 14 to extend, and the end 146 is inserted into the insertion hole 153. In this way, the cover member 15 is held on the connecting piece 13 with the groove 131 covered.

[0038] Next, the connecting piece 13 is connected to the band attachment parts 112. The user grasps the operating parts 147 and pulls them toward each other. This shortens the pin until the tip of the end 146 is positioned inside the extension part 152. While maintaining this state, the connecting piece 13 is placed between the pair of band attachment parts 112 of the exterior case 111.

[0039] After the connecting piece 13 is placed between the band attachment parts 112, the user releases the operating part 147. This causes the pin 14 to extend, and the end 146 is inserted into the insertion hole 153 and into the insertion hole 113 of the band attachment part 112. In this way, the pin 14 is held in the band attachment part 112, and the band 12 is attached to the exterior case 111.

[0040] When removing the band 12 from the outer case 111, the user grasps the operating portion 147 and pulls it toward the pin 144. This shortens the pin 14 until the tip of the end portion 146 is removed from the insertion hole 113. In this state, the connecting piece 13 is removed from between the band attachment portions 112, and the band 12 is removed from the outer case 111.

[0041] After the connecting piece 13 is removed from between the band attachment parts 112, the user releases the operating part 147. This causes the pin 14 to extend, and the end 146 is inserted again into the insertion hole 153. In this way, even after the band 12 is removed, the cover member 15 remains on the connecting piece 13 while covering the groove 131. Therefore, even when the band 12 is not attached to the exterior case 111, the pin 14 is prevented from falling out of the groove 131, reducing the risk of losing the pin 14.

[0042] Furthermore, when removing the pin 14, the cover member 15 is removed first. The user grasps the tip of the operating portion 147 and pulls them toward each other. This shortens the pin until the tip of the end portion 146 is positioned more inward than the extension portion 152. While maintaining this state, the cover member 15 is pulled up until the insertion hole 153 moves to a position where it does not face the end portion 146 of the pin 14. After the cover member 15 has been pulled up, the user releases the tip of the operating portion 147 to release the operation on the operating portion 147. The cover member 15 is then pulled up further and removed from the groove portion 131. In this manner, the cover member 15 is removed from the connecting piece 13.

[0043] Next, the pin 14 is removed from the groove 131. The pin 14 is removed by pulling it out to the side from the groove 131. In this way, the pin 14 can be easily removed from the connecting piece 13 without using a dedicated tool, so that even if the pin 14 is damaged, it can be easily replaced, improving maintainability.

[0044] As explained above, the timepiece 1 has an exterior case 111, pins 14, connecting pieces 13, and a cover member 15. The exterior case 111 has a pair of band attachment sections 112 with insertion holes 113 formed opposite each other. The pins 14 are made expandable by built-in elastic bodies 142, and are held in the band attachment sections 112 by inserting their ends into the insertion holes 113 of the pair of band attachment sections 112. The connecting pieces 13 are located at one end of the band 12, and have a groove 131 formed in their bottom surface. The connecting pieces 13 connect the band 12 to the exterior case 111 by accommodating the pins 14 held in the band attachment sections 112 in the grooves 131. In addition, an operating section 147 is formed on the side of the pins 14 to accept an operation to shorten the pins 14 so that they can be removed from the band attachment sections 112. The cover member 15 leaves the position facing the operating unit 147 open so that the operating unit 147 can be operated from the outside with the pin 14 housed in the groove 131. This makes it possible to improve the maintainability of the watch 1, which has a replaceable band, and to prevent a decrease in appearance quality.

[0045] Furthermore, the cover member 15 covers the entire groove portion 131 in the extension direction. An opening is formed in the cover member 15 at a position facing the operation portion 147. This makes the entire groove portion 131 invisible from below, improving the appearance quality.

[0046] Furthermore, the operating portion 147 protrudes from the opening 151 to the outside of the cover member 15. This allows the user to grip and operate the operating portion 147 with their fingers, making it easier to remove the band 12.

[0047] The cover member 15 is formed separately from the connecting piece 13 and has an extension portion 152 extending from the side surface of the connecting piece 13. The extension portion 152 has an insertion hole 153 formed therein, through which the pin 14 housed in the groove portion 131 is inserted. With the pin 14 inserted into the insertion hole 153, the cover member 15 is held on the connecting piece 13 in a state where it covers the groove portion 131. This makes the groove portion 131 invisible from the side, further improving the appearance quality.

[0048] In the above description, the operating portion 147 protrudes from the opening 151 to the outside of the cover member 15, but this is not a limitation. The operating portion 147 may be formed to a length that does not protrude to the outside of the cover member 15. That is, the operating portion 147 may be formed to be shorter than the distance between the pin 14 and the opening 151 of the cover member 15. In this case, too, the user can insert a tool such as tweezers into the opening 151 to operate the operating portion 147 and remove the band 12. Furthermore, in this case, the operating portion 147 is less visible from the outside, further improving the appearance quality.

[0049] 5 is a perspective view of connecting piece 23 of a timepiece according to another embodiment. Connecting piece 23 differs from connecting piece 13 in that it has cover member 25 instead of cover member 15. Cover member 25 differs from cover member 15 in that it has opening 251 instead of opening 151. Other components of cover member 25 are the same as the corresponding components of cover member 15, so the same reference numerals are used and their description will be omitted.

[0050] The openings 251 are formed in a rectangular shape extending in the sliding direction of the operating portion 147, and have notches 254 formed at the positions of the operating portion 147 when not being operated. The notches 254 are formed in the direction of rotation of the pin 14 housed in the groove 131, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the pin 14. The notches 254 are formed in the same direction for each of the multiple openings 251. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , when not being operated, the operating portion 147 is located at the outer end of the rectangle of the opening 251 in the axial direction of the pin 14. Therefore, the notches 254 are formed at the outer end of the rectangle, and the opening 251 is formed in an L-shape.

[0051] After attaching the band 12 to the exterior case 111, the user rotates the pin 14 housed in the groove 131 in the circumferential direction (direction A in FIG. 5 ). This causes the operating portion 147 to be housed in the notch 254. The operating portion 147 housed in the notch 254 interferes with the cover member 25 and cannot move toward the center of the axial direction of the pin 14. In other words, with the operating portion 147 housed in the notch 254, the cover member 25 restricts the operation of drawing the operating portions 147 together to shorten the pin 14.

[0052] In this way, the pin 14 is housed in the groove 131 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. A notch 254 is formed in the opening 251 of the cover member 25 in the rotation direction of the pin 14. With the operating unit 147 housed in the notch 254, the cover member 25 restricts the operation of shortening the pin 14 relative to the operating unit 147. This prevents the operating unit 147 from being operated while the user is using the watch 1, and prevents the band 12 from coming off the exterior case 111.

[0053] 6 is a perspective view of a connecting piece 33 of a timepiece according to another embodiment. Connecting piece 33 differs from connecting piece 13 in that it has a cover member 35 instead of cover member 15. Cover member 35 differs from cover member 15 in that it has an opening 351 instead of opening 151. Other configurations of cover member 35 are the same as the corresponding configurations of cover member 15, so the same reference numerals are used and explanations will be omitted.

[0054] The openings 351 are formed in a rectangular shape extending in the sliding direction of the operating portion 147, and have notches 354 formed at the position of the operating portion 147 when the pin 14 is retracted. The notches 354 are formed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the pin 14 housed in the groove 131, i.e., the extension direction of the pin 14. The notches 354 are formed in the same direction for each of the multiple openings 351. In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the notches 354 are formed at the inner end of the rectangle, which is the position where the pin 14 is retracted, and the openings 351 are formed in an L-shape.

[0055] When the cover member 35 is placed on the connecting piece 33, the cover member 35 is placed above the groove 131 so that the tip of the operating part 147 protrudes from the opening 351 when the operating part 147 is not being operated. In this state, the tip of the extending part 152 interferes with the end 146 of the pin 14, so both ends of the groove 131 are open and not covered by the extending part 152.

[0056] Next, the user grasps the tips of the operating portions 147 protruding from the openings 351 and pulls the operating portions 147 toward each other while rotating the pins 14 in the circumferential direction, i.e., direction A. As a result, the ends 146 move parallel to the center in the axial direction until the tips of the ends 146 are positioned inside the extension portions 152, shortening the pins 14 and accommodating the operating portions 147 in the notches 354. The operating portions 147 accommodated in the notches 354 interfere with the cover member 35, preventing the pins 14 from moving outward in the axial direction. In other words, the cover member 35 restricts the extension of the pins 14 while the operating portions 147 are accommodated in the notches 354. Therefore, even if the user releases their hands from the operating portions 147, the pins 14 remain in the shortened state.

[0057] With the pin 14 in a contracted state, the extension portion 152 of the cover member 35 is inserted to a position where it covers both ends of the groove portion 131. As a result, the groove portion 131 is covered by the cover member 35. At this time, the user can insert the extension portion 152 with their hands off the operating portion 147, so that the cover member 35 can be easily attached.

[0058] Furthermore, when the connecting piece 33 is connected to the band mounting portions 112, the connecting piece 13 is disposed between the pair of band mounting portions 112 of the exterior case 111, with the operating portion 147 remaining housed in the notch 354. Then, the user rotates the pin 14 in direction B, which is the circumferential direction. This causes the operating portion 147 to disengage from the notch 354, and the end portion 146 to move in a parallel direction away from the axial center of the pin 14 and be inserted into the insertion hole 153 and the insertion hole 113 of the band mounting portion 112. In this way, the pin 14 is held in the band mounting portion 112, and the band 12 is mounted to the band mounting portion 112.

[0059] In this way, the pin 14 is accommodated in the groove 131 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. A notch 354 is formed in the opening 351 of the cover member 35 in the rotation direction of the pin 14. The cover member 35 restricts the extension of the pin 14 while the operating unit 147 is accommodated in the notch 354. This allows the pin 14 to remain in a contracted state even if the user releases the operating unit 147, making it easy to replace the band.

[0060] The positions where the notches are formed are not limited to the above-described examples of openings 251 and 351. For example, notches may be formed both at the position of operating portion 147 when not operated and at the position of operating portion 147 when pin 14 is contracted.

[0061] Furthermore, the shape of the opening is not limited to the above-described examples of opening 151, opening 251, and opening 351. The cover member may be formed with an opening of any shape, such as an oval or cross shape, that allows operation unit 147 to be operated from the outside.

[0062] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a connecting piece 43 of a timepiece according to another embodiment, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting piece 43. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the same cross section as Fig. 4. The connecting piece 43 differs from the connecting piece 13 in that it has a pin 44 and a cover member 45 instead of the pin 14 and cover member 15. Other components of the connecting piece 43 are the same as the corresponding components of the connecting piece 13, so the same reference numerals are used and their description will be omitted.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 8 , the pin 44 has a cylindrical body 141, an elastic body 142 housed in the cylindrical body 141, a first sliding body 443, and a second sliding body 448. The first sliding body 443 abuts against one end of the elastic body 142. Like the sliding body 143, the first sliding body 443 is formed with an end 146 that protrudes from the cylindrical body 141 through the first opening 144, and is also formed with an operating portion 147 that protrudes from the cylindrical body 141 through the second opening 145. The second sliding body 448 abuts against the other end of the elastic body 142. The second sliding body 448 is formed with an end 146 that protrudes from the cylindrical body 141 through the first opening 144, and is also formed with a recess 449 facing the second opening 145.

[0064] The operating portion 447 is fitted into the recess 449. In the example shown in Figures 7 and 8, the recess 449 and the operating portion 447 are fitted together by being screwed together using a screw structure.

[0065] The cover member 45 is formed by being coupled to the connecting piece 43. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the cover member 45 is formed integrally with the connecting piece 43. The cover member 45 covers a part of the groove portion 131 in the extension direction. In the examples shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the cover member 45 covers the area between the operating portion 147 and the operating portion 447 of the groove portion 131, thereby exposing the operating portion 147 and the operating portion 447.

[0066] The operating portion 147 is formed to have a length such that, when the pin 14 is housed in the groove 131, the upper end of the operating portion 147 is higher than the lower end of the cover member 45. The operating portion 447 is formed to have a length such that, when the pin 14 is housed in the groove 131 and the operating portion 447 is fitted into the recess 449, the upper end of the operating portion 447 is higher than the lower end of the cover member 45. As a result, when the pin 14 moves in the axial direction, the operating portion 147 or 447 interferes with the cover member 45, preventing the pin 14 from falling out of the groove 131.

[0067] When attaching the band to the outer case 111, first, the pin 44, with the operating portion 447 removed, is received in the groove 131 of the connecting piece 43 from the side of the connecting piece 43. At this time, the pin 44 is received in the groove 131 from the side where the second sliding body 448 is located, as in direction C in Figure 8 . Next, the operating portion 447 is fitted into the recess 449. Thereafter, as in the case of the connecting piece 13, the operating portions 147 and 447 are operated to contract the pin 44, and the connecting piece 43 is placed between the pair of band attachment portions 112 of the outer case 111.

[0068] In this way, the cover member 45 is coupled to the connecting piece 43 and covers a part of the groove 131 in the extension direction so as to prevent the pin 44 housed in the groove 131 from falling out of the groove 131. This eliminates the need for a separate cover member, improving the appearance quality with a reduced number of parts and preventing the pin 44 from falling out of the groove 131.

[0069] In the above description, the operation portion 447 is fitted into the recess 449 by being screwed into the recess 449, but this is not a limitation. For example, the operation portion 447 may be fitted into the recess 449 via an adhesive, an adhesive tape, or the like.

[0070] In the above description, the cover member 45 is formed integrally with the connecting piece 43, but this is not a limitation. The cover member 45 may be joined to the connecting piece 43 by any method that prevents the cover member 45 from being removed by the user. For example, the cover member 45 may be joined to the connecting piece 43 by bonding with an adhesive, adhesive tape, or the like.

[0071] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be implemented in appropriate combinations within the scope of the present invention.

[0072] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 watch 111 exterior case 112 band attachment portion 113 insertion hole 12 band 13 connecting piece 131 groove portion 14 pin 146 end portion 147 operating portion 15 cover member 151 opening 152 extension portion 153 insertion hole

Claims

1. An exterior case having a pair of band attachment portions formed with insertion holes so as to face each other, Pins whose both ends are inserted into the insertion holes of the pair of band attachment portions respectively and held by the band attachment portions, A connecting piece disposed at one end of the band and having a groove formed on the bottom surface, the groove accommodating the pin held by the band attachment portion to connect the band to the exterior case, A cover member covering the groove portion in which the pin is accommodated, and The pin has an elastic body that presses the end so that the end can move parallel in the axial direction, An operation portion for receiving an operation of moving the end parallel toward the center of the pin is formed on the side surface of the pin so that the pin can be removed from the band attachment portion, The cover member opens a position facing the operation portion so that the operation portion can be operated from the outside with the pin accommodated in the groove portion, A watch.

2. The cover member covers the entire length in the extending direction of the groove portion, An opening is formed in the cover member at a position facing the operation portion, The watch according to claim 1.

3. The operation portion protrudes outside the cover member from the opening, The watch according to claim 2.

4. The pin is accommodated in the groove portion so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, A notch is formed in the opening in the rotation direction of the pin, The cover member restricts an operation of shortening the pin with respect to the operation portion with the operation portion accommodated in the notch, The watch according to claim 3.

5. The pin is accommodated in the groove portion so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, A notch is formed in the opening in the rotation direction of the pin, The cover member restricts the pin from extending from the shortened state with the operation portion accommodated in the notch, The watch according to claim 3.

6. The cover member is formed as a separate body from the connecting piece and has an extending portion extending to the side surface of the connecting piece, An insertion hole through which the pin accommodated in the groove portion is inserted is formed in the extending portion, The cover member is held by the connecting piece in a state of covering the groove portion when the pin is inserted through the insertion hole, The watch according to any one of claims 2 - 5.

7. The cover member is coupled to the connecting piece and covers a part in the extending direction of the groove portion so as to regulate the pin accommodated in the groove portion from falling out of the groove portion. The timepiece according to claim 1.

8. A pin held by the band attachment portion by inserting both end portions into insertion holes formed in a pair of band attachment portions of the outer case, A connecting piece disposed at one end of the band and having a groove portion formed on the bottom surface, the groove portion accommodating the pin held by the band attachment portion to connect the band to the outer case, A cover member that covers the groove portion in which the pin is accommodated, The pin has an elastic body that presses the end portion so that the end portion can move parallel in the axial direction. An operation portion that receives an operation for moving the end portion parallel toward the center of the pin is formed on a side surface of the pin so that the pin can be removed from the band attachment portion. The cover member opens a position facing the operation portion so that the operation portion can be operated from the outside in a state where the pin is accommodated in the groove portion. Band.