"ARM, LEG, OR NECK WATERTIGHT CONTAINER, FOR HOUSING VALUABLES AND SMALL A RTICLES, SA FELY FASTENABLE TO HUMAN MEMBERS OR TO THE NECK OF DOGS AND OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS" The present invention concerns an article comprised of a watertight container to be fastened by means of a strap to limbs or other members or, like a collar, to the neck of domestic animals. The container is provided with a watertight closure and allows to give the article a shape of particularly flattened ellipsoidal cross-section, or the like, in order to result of little encumbrance in the use. The container is normally inserted in a suitable case of the either belt or wrist strap enclosing it, allowing the carriage thereof, as it is strongly fastened to one of the members or to the neck of animals.

Such an invention is suited to solve carriage problems in outstandingly wet environments, such as swimming pools, sea and lake areas, or the like, of a plurality of small articles, and particularly money, which can need also in case of water immersion or bathing. Of course, such an article can be used also for carrying valuables or precious small size articles also in dry condition because the strong fastening and the location to be chosen on the body assure against bag-snatchings, pocket-pickings and robberies. It is suited also for the carriage of small precious articles, such as Jewells or the like, as well as of necessary articles, such as pills to be swalloved at preset times independentely from the environment or location. It is well known that for carrying banknotes or small articles in wet environments there are in trade some containers comprised of small tubes closed by a screw cap, abutting against a rubber O-ring gasket, and provided with a cord or string to be carried by the neck. Said containers have a decisley modest safety and comfort rate because, being the tube cap screwed, it allows a not perfectely even pressure against the O-ring gasket, as, owing to the angle of the screw thread, the cap does not evenly press the O-ring, so that the O-ring is more pressed in an area than in an opposed area and, consequentely, to have a sufficient seal on the whole gasket it is necessary to overpress an area thereof. Further, should by distraction the screw cap not complete!, closed, the hermetic seal is lost, making useless the operation of the container. Moreover, a neckbearing does not prev ent either pulling or slipping of the string, with consequent high danger of loss or theft, and not even allows to have the article and its contents under continuous watch. At last, the screw cap of the tubes imposes a lindrical shape not ver_ suitable to reduce the size with respect to tha capacity of the container and dose not allow ans shape adjusting of the container

-. ~> _

itself.

Some documented attempts to solve, at least partially, the problems faced by the present invention are well known.

For example, the document CH-A-682,040 discloses an assembly of a wrist strap and a cup shaped container, provided with a sealed cover and particularly suited for housing watches, whose cover is fastened, by means of a siutable bracket member, to a loop of the wrist strap. This approach has the main drawback due to the fact that the container provides the tasks of both article housing and hermetic sealing which, being provided by a not evenly pressed gasket owing to a too short hinge between the cover and the container, cannot provide a perfect liquid seal. Further, as the duty to ensure the cover closure is provided by a bracket member fastened to a loop of the wrist strap, it happens that any accidental movement of the wrist strap can jeopardize the closure safety of the bracket member itself. At last, the circular cup shape of the container does not make it suitable for articles different from watches. The document US-A-4.566,616 discloses a container in the form of a rigid and resilient box, connectable to a housing, in turn fastened to a watch wrist strap. The system could operate rather well, however has two main drawbacks. First, the rigid box suited for containing articles is provided with a cover of very doubtful seal, as for underwater uses the inventor relies chiefly on the presence of an air bubble into the box and it is possible to guess how little can help this air bubble in case of deep immersion or of upsettings due to incontrolled movements. Second, the box is fastened to the housing just along a side through forced fitting means not able to ensure a safe fastening in case of violent movements specially due to sport practice, so that there is a risk of remotion of the box from the housing.

The document EP-A-0,432,635 relates to a wrist purse, which would be expected to be watertight, comprised of an oblong cup shaped container integrally molded with a wrist strap, the cup shaped container having a cover, connected as a book to the container itself and provided with a rounded protruding edge engaged in a complementary edge of the container itself to provide an interference fitting, also trying to be watertight. The obtained results are however rather doubtful because, in spite to any attempt of carefulh molding the cover and the container, there are some tolerances never allowing a complete seal. Further, the fact of using the same flexible material for molding the wrist strap, the container and the cover, does not make free the container and cover assembly from accidental strains, due to stresses, resulting in seal loss and poor practical utility of the article.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an absolutely watertight container whose seal is not affected by strains to an associated wrist strap.

Another object is to provide a container fastened by a wrist strap but removable therefrom.

The above mentioned objects are met by a container according to the invention, consisting of a rigid closure or box inserted in a case, integrally molded with a wrist strap, characterized in that the case surrounds completely the closure itself and is provided with an opening for the forced insertion of the closure threinto and the rigid box is composed of two portions each other partially fitted, with at least a sealing gasket interposed in the fitting area between the two portions.

Preferably, the case integral with the wrist strap is comprised of an elastic or resilient shell which along a first side thereof appears as a thickened peripheral frame and along an opposed second side appears as a frame surronding an opening closed by a substanitally rectangular flap hinged along a side to the frame itself and couplable along an opposed side to the frame by means of holes receiving corresponding pins of the frame.

Particularly, the first side of the shell is the external one and the second side of the shell is the internal one.

In a second alternative, the pins could be on the side of the flap and the holes on the side of the frame.

In a third alternative, instead of pins and corresponding holes, could be used snap fasteners.

In a fourth alternative, could be used a fabric strip on a side and a Velcrum on an opposite side, each other engaged.

In a fifth alternative, could be used a ridge on a side and a slot on an opposite side, each other engaged.

In a sixth alternative, could be used a zip fastener.

Also preferably, the rigid closure or box, having substantially elliptical cross-section, is transversally divided in two portions of substantially equal length, being a first portion thereof provided with an area having externally thin walls and axlially extending, to be inserted in an enlarged opening of the second portion formed through inside reduction of the walls thereof, suited to house the thin wall area of the first portion, housing on the bottom a first resilient sealing gasket engageable with the basis of the first portion.

More preferably, the thin wall area of the first portion houses, at the border with

the thick walls, a second resilient sealing gasket engageable with one of the basis faces of the second portion.

Alternatively, the thin wall area of the first portion is provided on the lateral external lateral wall, with two parallel slots suited to house two paired gaskets.

Particularly, the gaskets housed in the two portions of the rigid box are two rubber

O-ring gaskets.

In addition, le internally reduced wall area of the second portion is provided with at least a protruding ridge suited to be engaged in a corresponding slot of the externally reduced wall of the first portion.

Preferably, the protruding ridges of the second portion and the slots of the first portion are two in number arranged on opposed walls.

Alternatively, the two portions forming the rigid box are quite each other different in size, being a portion of greater length and the other portion of lesser length.

In addition, the rigid box is provided with a peripheral slot suited to house a rubber gasket operating as a further closing elastic means.

Preferably, the gasket is an O-ring gasket having length of the internal perimeter a little less than the external perimeter of the box.

In addition, the O-ring gasket is provided with two lateral stiffening means insertable in areas of the peripheral slot, adjacent to the joining area of the two portions of the rigid box and reinforced through thickening, in order to prevent flexural strains in such an area.

Preferably, the stiffening means are two small metal tubes obtained by winding a laminate sheet about the corresponding areas of the gasket.

Alternatively, the gasket, preferably an O-ring. surrounding the rigid box, can be relpaced by a flexible, though inextendible. member provided with a buckle comprising a lever and a coupling.

According to a different and alternative embodiment, the box, instead to consist of two each other axially insertable portions, is formed by two each other hinged portions, similar to a snuff-box, provided with reciprocal coupling means, ensuring a safe closure of the box. and at least a gasket for the sea! between the two portions of the box.

Preferabh . the sealing gaskets betw een the tw o portions of the box are two in number.

Particular!. , the reciprocal coupling means of the box are two hook tangs overriding an edge of a half of the rigid box.

In addition, the reciprocal coupling means of the box are supplemented by a flap completely surrounding a half of the box and overriding an edge thereof. The features of the invention will be paricularly and precisely defined in the appended claims forming the conclusive portion of the present description. However, other features and advantages teherof will result selfevident from the following detailed description of some embodiments, given in an examplifving and not limiting way, provided with the enclosed drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a comlpete top view of a container according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a cross-section view, taken along the line 2-2 of figure 1 , with the closing flap of the external case held open;

- Figure 3 is the same view of figure 2 with closed flap;

- Figure 4 is a partial view in cross-section of the external case particularly emphasizing the closing flap;

- Figure 5 is a cross-section view, taken along the line 5-5 of figure 3, with the flap held closed;

- Figure 6 is an external view of a first embodiment of a rigid and hermetic box according to the present invention,

- Figure 7 is a cross-section view taken along the line 7-7 of figure 6;

- Figure 8 is a cross-section view taken along the line 8-8 of figure 6;

- Figure 9 is a cross-section view taken along the line 9-9 of figure 8;

- Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a detail indicated by the letter X in figure;

- Figure 1 1 is an exploded view, partially in cross-section, of the same rigid and hermetic box;

- Figure 12 is an external front view of a second embodiment of rigid and hermetic box according to the present invention;

- Figure 13 is a lateral view of the rigid and hermetic box depicted in figure 12;

- Figure 14 is an end view of the same rigid and hermetic box depicted in figure 12;

- Figure 15 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the same rigid and hermetic box of figure 12 in the closed state;

- Figure 16 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the same rigid and hermetic box of figure 12 in the open state;

- Figure 17 is a partial enlarged v iew of a detail of figure 15 showing the insertion of a male portion of the rigid box in a corresponding female portion thereof in the closed state;

- Figure 18 is a partial enlarged view of a detail of figure 16 showing the insertion of a male portion of the rigid box in a corresponding female portion thereof in the open state;

- Figure 19 is a partial external view of the particular male coupling of the rigid box of figure 12;

- Figure 20 is an external front view of a third embodiment of rigid and hermetic box according to the present invention;

- Figure 21 is a lateral view of the rigid and hermetic box depicted in figure 20;

- Figure 22 is a longitudinal cross-section of the same rigid hermetic box of figure 20 in closed state;

- Figure 23 is a longitudinal cross-section of the same rigid hermetic box of figure 20 in open state;

- Figure 24 is a partial enlarged view of a detail of figure 22 showing the insertion of a male portion of the rigid box in a corresponding female portion in the closed state;

- Figure 25 is a partial enlarged view of a detail of figure 23 showing the insertion of a male portion of the rigid box in a corresponding female portion in the open state;

- Figure 26 is a partial external view of the particular male coupling of the rigid box of figure 20;

- Figure 27 is a schematic front view of a resilient member, similar to the O-ring gasket 74 closing the rigid box of the first embodiment of the invention to be applied to the rigid boxes of the second and third embodiment, mainly depicted in the respective figures 12 and 20;

- Figure 28 is a cross-section v iew taken along the line 28-28 of figure 27;

- Figure 29 is a schematic front view of an alternative closing member consisting of a flexible, though substantially inextendible wire, provided with a buckle comprising a lever and a coupling;

- Figure 30 is a cross-section view taken along the line 30-30 of figure 29;

- Figure 31 is an enlarged view of the closing buckle of the member of figure 29 depicted in closed state;

- Figure 32 is an enlarged v iew of the closing buckle of the member of figure 29 depicted in open state;

- Figure 33 is a lateral enlarged view of the closing buckle of the member of figure 29 depicted in open state;

- Figure 34 depicts an open top view of a fourth embodiment of rigid hermetic box according to the invention consisting of two longitudinally separated half boxes connected along a longer side by hinges and provided on the opposed side of coupling closure means;

- Figure 35 depicts an open bottom view of the same fourth embodiment of rigid hermetic box according to the invention;

- Figure 36 depicts a closed top view of the same fourth embodiment of rigid hermetic box according to the invention;

- Figure 37 depicts a closed bottom view of the same fourth embodiment of rigid hermetic box according to the invention;

- Figure 38 depicts a closed lateral view, on the hinge side, of the embodiment of rigid hermetic box of figure 36;

- Figure 39 depicts a closed lateral view, on the coupling means side, of the embodiment of rigid hermetic box of figure 36;

- Figure 40 is an enlarged cross-section view of the closed box of figures 36 and 37 taken along the line 40-40 of figure 37;

- Figure 41 is an enlarged cross-section view of the closed box of figures 36 and 37 taken along the line 41 -41 of figure 37;

- Figure 42 is an enlarged cross-section view of the open box of figures 34 and 35 taken along the line 42-42 of figure 34;

- Figure 43 is an enlarged cross-section view of the open box of figures 34 and 35 taken along the line 43-43 of figure 34;

- Figure 44 is a closed top view of a rigid hermetic box according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 45 is a closed end view of the same box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 46 is a closed bottom view of the box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 47 is a closed view, along the hinge side, of the box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 48 is a closed view , along the closure coupling means side, of the box according to the fifth embodiment of the inv ention;

- Figure 49 is a v iew , along the same side of figure 48. showing a closure flap which is disengaged to begin the opening

- Figure 50 is an open top v ie of a rigid hermetic box according to the fifth

embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 51 is an open bottom view of the same rigid hermetic box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 52 is an enlarged cross-section view of the closed box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention taken along the line 52-52 of figure 44;

- Figure 53 is an enlarged cross-section view of the closed box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention taken along the line 53-53 of figure 44;

- Figure 54 is an enlarged cross-section view of the open box accoring to the fifth embodiment of the invention taken along the line 54-54 of figure 50; and

- Figure 55 is an enlarged cross-section view of the open box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention taken along the line 55-55 of figure 50.

Referring to figure 1 to 5, it is seen that a container 10 according to the present invention consists of a wrist strap 12, connected to a hollow case 14, and comprising a left strap portion 16, provided with a buckle 18 and bridges 20 and 22, and a right strap portion 24 provided with a hole line 26 suited for engaging the buckle 18 present at the end of the left strap portion 16 and suited for slipping into the already mentioned bridges 20 and 22.

The hollow case 14 comprises an external covering portion 28 ending with an internal flap 30, defining the recess of the case 14 itself suited to hold inside a rigid watertight box 32, and provided with holes 34, engageable by pins or similar protrusions 36 coming out from an edge 38 of the covering portion 28 faced against the external end of the flap 30. As particularly v isible in figure 4, the external covering portion 28 comprises two head areas 40 connected by a side wall 42 to which is fastened the flap 30 provided with the fatening holes 34. The head areas 40 cooperate with side walls, such as the wall 42 shown in figure 4, to form the external covering portion 28 housing in its recess the rigid watertight box 32. As particularly visible in figure 5, the rigid watertight box 32 is closed on all its faces by the external covering portion 28 contributing to prevent any accidental opening.

Considering in the whole the figures 1 to 5. it is seen that the rigid watertight box 32 can be easily inserted in the recess of the cov ering portion 28 when the flap 30 is pushed aside, leaving a free entrv to the recess itself. Once the box 32 has been housed, it is sufficient to close the flap 30 engaging the holes 34 in the pins or protusions 36 of the edge 38 for obtaining a safe fastening of the box 32 to the strap 12. Any clamping of the strap 12 to a member further contributes to fasten

the box to the strap because the pressures due to the clamping of the strap 12 push the box 32 against the covering portion 28, relieving, at least partially, the flap 30 of the duty of fastening the box 32.

Referring now to figures 6 to 1 1 , it is completely understood how is made the rigid watertight box 32. This box 32 is comprised of two hollow shells 50 and 52, of which a first shell 50, upside depicted, is provided with a sleeve extension 54, having an external wall reduction, suited to be inserted in a corresponding seat 56 housed in the second shell 52. having an internal wall reduction. Of course, the sleeve extension 54 slips with some precision into the seat 56 and further, for ensuring a forced holding of the sleeve 54 in the seat 56. the internal wall of the seat 56 having a protruding ridge 58 engaged in a corresponding slot 60 present in the lateral wall of the sleeve 54 itself. At the border of the sleeve 54 with the external wall of the shell 50 is housed a first O-ring gasket 62 remaining there confined when the box 32 is closed, providing a first hermetic seal area. A slot 64 at the basis of the seat 56 houses a second O-ring gasket 66, also there confined, providing a second hermetic seal area.

It is easily understood that, as all the stresses interesting the rigid watertight box 32 are directed in a way substantially perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis 70 thereof, do not substanitially exist forces able to remove the sleeve 54 from the seat 56, as the protruding ridges 58 on opposite walls of the sleeve 54 of the shell 50 prevent a separation of the shells, unless a pressure is applied to the shell 50 to remove the slots 60 from the ridges 58 of the shell 52 and are pulled on purpose the two shells 50 and 52, by reciprocal remotion. to open the box 32. In addition, it is possible to add a safety clamping means, contributing to each other join the shells 50 and 52, in the form of a peripheral slot 72 suited to house a resilient member acting by pulling, as for example an O-ring gasket 74 which, having the length of the internal perimeter a little shorter of the external perimeter of the slot 72. further contibutes to close the box 32.

The use and the operation of the watertight container according to the present invention is of simple explanation.

When some article is to be iserted in the rigid and watertight box 32, it is removed from the recess of the case 14, bv simply opening the flap 30 through disengagement of its holes 34 from the protrusions 36 of the edge 38 and forcefully extracting the box 32 in order to ov ercome the constraints imposed by the case 14, which is of resilient material (for example an elastomer). Once the box 32 has been

extracted from the recess of the case 14, it can be open by reciprocally removing the two shells 50 and 52. In the open box are inserted the articles to be protected and then it is reclosed by simplv joining the two shells 50 and 52 till the ridges 58 come into the slots 60, determining the definite snap- closure of the box 32 itself. The closure of the box 32 can be further ensured by inserting an elastic band, in the form of an O-ring gasket 74, in the peripheral slot 72 of the box 32 itself. The presently closed box 32 is reinserted in the recess of the case 14, connecting the box 32 to the strap 12 and thus obtaining the whole complete container 10 ready to be fastened to a body limb or member. Of course, for extracting something from the box 32 born by the strap 12, it is proceeded through an operation logically reversed with respect to the one here above disclosed.

Reference is made to the figures 12 to 55 relating to different variations in the embodiment of the rigid and watertight indicated as a whole and in its components, where applicable, by the same above given numerals, preceded by the respective numerals 1 , 2, 3, etc

A first variation of box 132 is depicted in the figures 12 to 19. This rigid watertight box 132 is comprised of two hollow shells 150 and 152 of which a first shell 150, downward depicted, is provided with a sleev e extension 154, having an external wall reduction, suited to be inserted in a corresponding seat 156 located in the second shell 152. hav ing an internal wall reduction. Of course, the sleeve extension 154 slips with some precision into the seat 156 and further, to ensure a forced restraint of the sleeve 154 in the seat 156, the internal wall of the seat 156 is provided with one or more protruding ridges 158 engaged in one or more corresponding slots 160 in the side walls of the sleeve 154 itself. A slot 164 at the basis of the seat 156 houses an O-ring gasket 166, there restricted, providing a hermetic seal area. This box 132, differently from the box 32 depicted in figures 6 to 1 1 , has about the peripheral slot 172, corresponding to the slot 72 of the box 32, some thickened areas 180, 182 siuted to house specific stiffening means of an elastic band, or similar string, to be slipped in the peripheral slot 172, as it will be explained referring to the figures 27 to 33. It is to remark that the two shells 150 and 152 have at their poles depressions 184 and 186. respectively, as deep as the peripheral slot 172. having the selfev ident purpose of helping the remotion of an elastic band or gasket possiblv located in the slot 172.

Reference is made to the figures 20 to 26 depicting a third embodiment of rigid and hermetic box according to the invention. This third embodiment of rigid and

hermetic box is very similar to the second embodiment from which differs just because, instead to have in the shell 152 only a slot 164 suited to house an O-ring gasket 166 at the basis of the seat 156, has two parallel slots 168 and 170 on the sleeve 154 of the shell 150 and, on the same sleeve 154. one or more protruding ridges 158a engaged in one or more slots 160a in the seat 156 o the shell 152. Of course, the two parallel slots 168 and 170 house two O-ring gaskets (not shown). Also the third embodiment of figures 20 to 26 is provided with the same thickened areas 180 and 182 appearing in the second embodiment and having the same purpose. All the other components of the third embodiment of the invention are indicated by the same numerals of the components of the second embodiment because they are structurally and operatively identical or similar.

In the figures 27 and 28 is depicted a string 174 in the form of an elastic gasket, as an O-ring, provided with two small stiffening tubes 176 so arranged to be inserted in the slot 172 of the shells 150 and 152 just between the thickened areas 180 and 182, to provide a stiffening of the junction point of the two shells 150 and 152 to prevent any accidental separation owing to flexion between said two shells. Preferably, the two stiffening tubes 176 are applied on an O-ring gasket by winding two cylinder shaped laminations. These laminations can be of any rigid material deformable through winding, such as plastic or metallic sheets. Metal alloys particularly preferred for this purpose are stainless steels of common use in the industry.

An alternative string is depicted in the figures 29 to 33. This string consists of a simple flessible, though inextendible wire or braid 190 which can be of plastic material, but is preferrred in a mettallic alloy, such as stainless steel, for selfevident unalterability reasons. Analogouslv to the elastic string 174, also the wire or braid 190 is provided with two stiffening tubes 191 made in the same way and of the same material of the stiffening tubes 176 of the string 174. For clamping the string 190, which by nature is inextendible. is used a clamping buckle 192 similar to some buckles used for clamping metal loop watch straps. This clamping buckle 192 is shown completely closed in the figure 31 and completely open in the figures 32 and 33, where is depicted in a top and a side view , respectively. The buckle 192 is connected to the string 190 bv means of two crimped areas 195 and 196 and consits of three joined members 192a. 192b and 192c each other connected by hinges 193 and 194, to allow unclamping and clamping of the buckle 192, and the member 192b is p <?d with a finger 198 for allowing the lock of the buckle 192, once

clamped, as depicted in figure 31 .

Reference is made to figures 34 to 43 concerning a fourth embodiment of the invention comprising a rigid watertight box 232 formed by two half boxes 250 and 252, connected by two hinges 254, to form a box symilar to a snuff-box. The half box 250 is provided with two resilient hooks 256, engageable in corresponding seats 258 in the half box 252, for providing the closure of the box 232 itself. The half box 252 is provided with a sleeve 260 connected by a semicylindric slot 262 to the box body. Of course, this slot 262 is suited to house a seal gasket which is pressed by an external plane 264 of the half box 250, which box is also provided with an internal plane 266 delimitating a slot 268 suited to house a seal gasket pressed by the top area of the sleeve 260. It is understood that such a system of double gaskets, housed in respectiv e slots 262 and 268, allows an absolutely hermetic seal of the box 232, once it has been closed.

Reference is made to the figures 44 to 55 concerning a fifth embodiment of the invention comprising a rigid and watertight 332 formed by two half boxes 350 and 352, connected by two hinges 354, to form a box similar to a snuff-box. The half box 350 is prov ided with two resilient hook.x 356, engageable in corresponding seats 358 in the half box 352, for providing to the closure of the box 332 itself. The half box 352 is prov ided with a sleev e 360 connected by means of a halfcylindric slot 362 to the box body. Of course, this slot 362 is suited to house a seal gasket which is pressed by an external plane 364 of the half box 350, which half box is also provided with an internal plane 366 delimitating a slot 368 suited to house a seal gasket pressed by the top of the sleeve 360. It is meant that such a • system of double gaskets, housed in the respective slots 362 and 368. allows an absolutely hermetic seal of the box 332. once it is closed.

This fifth embodiment of rigid watertight box 332 is moreover provided with a further safety closure system consisting of a flap 370 surrounding, in closed position, the lower half box 352. This flap 370 is connected by means a hinge 357 and is coupled to the half box 352 by means of a hook 372 engaging an external edge 374 of the half box 352. In order not to go out of size from the lower half box 352, the flap 370 is housed in a lowered area 380 in the external wall of the half box 352 itself.

What has been hereabov e described and depicted are just some embodiments of the present invention not to be meant in limiting wav . Indeed those skilled in the art can devise, from the reading of the hereabov e disclosed description, logically

equivalent variations and changements to be held covered by the appended claims.