DESCRIPTION

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a clock support case.

Background

Clocks are typically sold and/or stored in special boxes or cases.

The need to keep the clock stored in the box in good condition is known, which is the reason the box itself can become a strategic and important element, for example to provide supply energy or to improve the good maintenance of the clock.

Clock support devices are known that can provide supply energy or keep and maintain the clock in good condition, although they are typically difficult to manufacture, expensive and technologically backward.

The modern user increasingly requires advanced features that can improve the clock even during maintenance.

Examples of known apparatuses are disclosed in documents EP2482322A1 , EP2405314A1 , EP2345940A1 and DE202004020817U1 .

Summary of the invention

The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a clock support case which allows to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

This problem is solved by a clock support case according to claim 1 .

Preferred features of the present invention are object of the dependent claims.

The present invention involves various and apparent advantages with respect to the known art which, together with the characteristics and the methods of use of the present invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description of its preferred embodiments, presented by way of non-limiting examples.

Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically shows a first preferred embodiment of a device of the case according to the present invention, in a configuration of use wherein the clock is mounted on the support;

Figure 2 refers to the same embodiment of Figure 1 , and shows a configuration wherein the clock is removed from the support;

Figure 3 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a housing system of a case according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows an axonometric view of a case according to the invention;

Figure 5 schematically shows an axonometric view of a housing system of a case according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows an axonometric view of a case according to the invention according to an alternative embodiment.

The thicknesses and curvatures illustrated within the figures above introduced are to be intended merely as examples, are generally magnified and not necessarily shown in proportion.

The present invention consists of two elements: a support device for clocks and the related housing system. The invention has been created to satisfy several specific market needs:

• being able to check the clock while not wearing it and knowing its geographical position, being sure the same has not been stolen and/or tampered with;

• maintaining a mechanical self-winding clock at the correct level of charge;

• performing analysis on the operating status of the internal mechanism of the clock and estimating the residual charge level;

• preserving the clock not always maintaining it in the same position (avoiding over-stressing the mechanism).

According to what is claimed, the present invention provides a clock support case for a strap clock, comprising:

- a support device 20 around which the clock strap can be fastened and comprising:

- a first and a second side wall 1 , 2 mutually opposite;

- a frame element 4 interposed between the first and second side walls 1 , 2 and configured to be connected at each of two own terminal ends respectively to the first side 1 and to the second side wall 2; - a housing system 30 of the clock, configured to be removably connected to the support device and comprising a mechanical system for the moving of the clock housed into the housing system 30, the housing system 30 comprising a housing element 3a configured in such a way that the clock can be inserted therein, and comprising an anchor pin 5a configured to receive the device 20 in combination.

Advantageously, the mechanical system is configured in such a way as to allow a rotation of the support device 20 in the housing element 3a according to two distinct axes of rotation a, b.

In particular, the housing system comprises a housing element configured such that the clock can be inserted thereon, such that the housing element settles onto the internal surface of the clock strap.

Preferably, the housing system can be configured to be removably connected to at least one of the aforementioned first and second wall.

Further preferably, at least one of said first and second side walls has a parabolic recess directed towards the housing position of the clock, with a microphone arranged at the recess required, such as to collect sound data relating to the clock’s functioning when it is housed therein.

Additionally, the device may include a control unit programmed to collect the sound data and detect/calculate the working parameters of the clock.

In particular, the frame element may comprise locking means of the position of said first and said second wall, and there may be actuating means of said locking means selectively operable by a user. Locking means of the position may comprise a rail bearing an internal rack and an anchor pin apt to selectively lock said rack.

Down into more detail, as will be better described below, the mechanical system for the moving of the clock includes an engine and a rotation shaft connected thereto. The motor can be powered by a battery included within the device.

The rotation shaft is apt to transmit its rotation to an arch 4a, which is connected to an external rack (visible in Figure 4, denoted by the numerical reference 100 and fixed on the frame delimiting the housing element denoted by the numerical reference 3a in Figure 3) for example by means of a pinion 8a mechanically connected to the coupling pin 5a and of the housing system from the support device. By means of the aforementioned external rack 100, preferably circular with helical teeth, the second rotary motion - in addition to the revolution motion around the central axis a - is generated, as will be described in more detail below. More in general, the external rack realizes a support that allows the wheel be connected to the pinion to generate a second axis of rotation (denoted by b in Figure 3).

The above configuration of the mechanical system is such that said arch 4a is apt to rotate around a first axis of rotation and said pinion 8a is apt to rotate around a second axis of rotation b, wherein said second axis of rotation is an axis coinciding with a main development axis of the pinion itself. A predetermined angle develops between the two axes. Thereby, a clock rotation is realized according to said first axis of rotation and second axis of rotation. Rotation can be activated alternately clockwise and counter clockwise.

According to a variant of the invention, the coupling pin 5a comprises retractable fins 6a comprising a contrast spring, arranged such as to allow the input of the support device 20, although to prevent the exit thereof whether not being retracted by means of the suitable mechanism. Alternatively, other anchoring systems of a known type (e.g. bayonet connection) can also be used.

Preferably, the support device 20 comprises first data transmission/reception means to/from the clock and first power supply means for said data transmission/reception means. The housing system 30 comprises second data transmission/reception means to/from the clock and second power supply means of the rotation mechanism and second data transmission/reception means. The second data transmission/reception means is operatively associated with said first data transmission/reception means and the first power supply means is operatively associated with the aforementioned second power supply means when said housing system 30 is connected to the support device 20.

Preferably, the device 20 comprises a cushion element 21 and the aforementioned rail is an expanding sliding rail, configured in such a way as to push the cushion element 21 from the inside towards the outside of the device 20, to realize an expansion system for the abutment support device 20 on the clock strap.

According to preferred variants of the invention, the device 20 comprises one or more pressure sensors apt to detect a pressure value associated with the mutual position of said first and second side walls 1 , 2 and/or the presence of a clock in the housing system 30. Furthermore, the device 20 can comprise a time-varying system, means for detecting the position by GPS (or alternative positioning technologies such as Galileo, NAVSTAR, GLONASS, IRNSS), measuring means such as accelerometer, gyroscope, thermometer, moisture meter, and means for detecting fingerprints associated with an electric lock. Furthermore, according to preferred variants, the device comprises wireless and/or wired data communication means, for example by means of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LORA and/or NB loT systems.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Various embodiments and variants of the invention will be described below, and this by referring to the figures above introduced.

Similar components are denoted in the different figures by the same numerical reference.

In the following detailed description, embodiments and further variants with respect to embodiments and variants already covered in the description

Support device for clocks

The clock support device 20 is designed for a clock to be tightened around the same. The clock will be stably positioned on the device 20 and will be integral therewith.

The detailed description of preferred embodiments of the device according to the present invention relates to the attached figures.

Clock support device > Sensors and functionalities

1 . Battery

It contains a battery integrated supply system: the battery cells can be arranged circularly and connected to each other, to optimize spaces. The batteries are supplied via the housing system or directly via an external power supply.

2. Pressure sensor

The pressure sensor detects the pressure exerted by the soft expansion cushion and detects the safety value at which the status LED which signals the user to stop the compression of the two panels is to be activated. Furthermore, it detects pressure changes which indicate any unauthorized removal of the clock which will be signalled by an alarm/notification to the user.

3. GPS

4. Accelerometer/gyroscope/thermometer/moisture meter

The gyroscope is further used as a reference parameter to estimate the isochronism of the clock, recording the angle at which the collection of the oscillations is performed. Mechanical clocks are indeed considered as reliable (and such an assessment is in international certifications) if they correctly beat the time at different positions (which are taken from those that can be assumed when worn on the wrist). Furthermore, the gyroscope allows to monitor the clock’s resting position and change the same according to specific tables to prevent the clock from remaining always in the same position (when the charging cycles are not active).

5. Time-varying

One of the panels can be made with a parabolic recess directed towards the clock. The microphone is housed at the centre of the parabola, in order to increase quality and precision of collected data. Once the“noises” of the mechanism have been recorded, an analysis of the oscillations is carried out to detect the hourly alternations of the movement and trace the precision of the functioning.

6. Fingerprint reader

7. Control unit

8. Communication systems

The clock support device 20 is able to communicate via various wireless and wired communications systems. In particular, with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LORA, NB loT and/or other antennas belonging to the prior art.

9. Induction connector for supplying Smartwatch clocks

An induction supply connector can be arranged at the centre, at a position corresponding to the back of the clock case. Thereby, the clock support device will be able to supply the battery of a so called clock smartwatch.

Support device for clocks (preferred embodiment of Figure 1 and Figure 2) >

External structure The clock support device can be built with two side walls (1 and 2) fixed on a frame with expanding sliding tracks (4) and a central rail provided with a rack (5) and a locking pin that stops sliding. A soft cushion element 21 can be placed around the central structure which will be pushed from the inside towards the outside via the expansion rails, sending the support to measure with respect to the clock and the strap thereof previously installed. Advantageously, a device of such type allows to have a single support for various sizes of straps. The soft cushion contains preferably non-soundproofing or substantially non-soundproofing padding, to facilitate the functioning of the time-varying system.

The removable side panels can be larger than the central cushion to prevent the clock from slipping off. Furthermore, the rack lock system release button can be placed on a panel. Furthermore, precisely thanks to the two side panels, the clock support device can be placed on a shelf without danger of losing balance.

Furthermore, by housing the control mechanical system and the release button in a single side panel, the other panel remains entirely free allowing the electronic components to be housed. The panels can be shielded with suitable material to disperse the small electromagnetic fields emitted by the printed circuits.

The release system can be controlled by an electric lock, such that it can be activated only if authorized by the user (via the fingerprint reader and/or remote control).

The sliding rails are of the type generating an expansion of the volume when compressed. They can be double triangles converging and arranged in an inverse way, which during their approach increase in volume of the soft cushion. In order to avoid forcing on the strap too much from the inside and compromising its tightness, the system is sized to generate a volume variation of about 10%/20%.

Support device for clocks (preferred embodiment of Figure 1 and Figure 2) >

Anchor/power hole

On one of the two side walls 1 ,2 a hole (7) - asymmetrical or symmetrical - which allows to house the anchor pin 5a of the housing system 30 is arranged. This hole 7 has internal grooves sized such as to receive the fins 6a above described which fix the support device 20 for clocks to the housing system 30. Furthermore, the hole 7 contains sliding contacts which allow data and power to be transmitted.

In other words, the fins 6a let the support device 20 slide on the pin 5a, not resisting during insertion. Once rebated, the flaps 6a snap going to fill the dedicated grooves and preventing the support device 20 from being able to exit. In order to be able to operate completely in an autonomous way with respect to the housing system 30, the support device 20 for clocks can further be supplied via a special plug having the same shape as the anchor pin 5a.

Housing system (preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4)

The housing system 30 is an element capable of receiving the support device 20 for clocks. It is composed of a base (1 a), an external element (2a) and a housing element (3a), having a circular or substantially circular or ellipsoidal or substantially ellipsoidal section, configured such that the clock can be inserted therein.

Inside the housing element 3a there is a support element 4a, alternatively called arch 4a, capable of rotating around an a axis. The pin 5a can be placed at the head of the arch 4a and supported by the same, such that also the pin 5a can be dragged into rotary motion around the a axis.

The set of sensors and functionalities can be shared among the clock support device 20 and the housing system 30.

The anchor pin 5a whereon the support device 20 for clocks is fixed, further contains the supply contacts of the integrated battery and those for data transmission. Furthermore, data communication between the clock support device and the housing system can also be (induction) wireless.

The housing system 30 rotates the support device for clocks 20 in such a way as to reload the mechanical movement with automatic winding of the clock, positioned thereon, simulating the natural movement of the wrist for which the automatic winding mechanisms of the mechanical clocks are designed. The electronic system performs charging cycles interspersed and optimized for each individual and different clock mechanism, detected on the basis of the recorded oscillations and/or through the indication of the user. By analysing movement oscillations, the control unit can further estimate the residual charge level and suspend the clock rotation cycles when needed.

The housing system 30 is composed of an innovative rotation system in the field of mechanical clock accessories. In fact, in contrast to the alternatives of clock boxes on the market, the rotation of the clock occurs on more than one axis of rotation, maintaining the case size extremely small. Two-axis rotation is typical of some laboratory instruments (so-called satellites), used by clockmakers to verify whether the clock refill systems are efficient and operating, typically after maintenance. Disadvantageously such devices are very cumbersome and do not provide customization of the charge.

The rotation around multiple axes allows the clock’s internal winding mechanism to be more efficient and not to create additional burdens on mechanical components. Together with the software configurations, the device generates a movement very close to the real movement of the wrist, a movement for which the aforementioned supply mechanisms are designed.

Furthermore, since the charging cycles are interspersed, the end-of-stroke system associated with the oscillating mass is not overworked.

Housing system > Modularity

Advantageously, the housing system 30 and the support device 20 are modular, allowing to connect a second device - considered as secondary - to a first device - considered as primary - which will therefore have a reduced hardware compartment. Each unit of the housing system can contain one or more clock supports inside. The secondary device will access resources from the primary device which thereby controls it.

Housing system (preferred embodiment of Figure 3 and Figure 4) > Two-axis rotation

The mechanical system is composed of a motor connected to a rotation shaft. In one of the variants, the rotation shaft rotates on a special ball bearing and transmits the rotation to an arch (4a), which arch (4a) rotates inside the element (3a): the arch is positioned at the centre of the housing element (3a) and can rotate around an axis a which, with reference to figure 4, is departing from the representation plane. The arch ends with a hole (7a) specifically sized to accommodate a second ball bearing inside which there is a pinion (8a) connecting to an external rack. The pin (5a) of the clock support device is connected to the same pinion. By rotation, arch 4a generates a first axis of rotation called a, while the pinion 8a will rotate on itself, generating the axis of rotation b; the two axes a and b are mutually arranged to define a predetermined angle substantially equal to 90°. The rack can be made with helical teeth, with one (or more than one) respective pinion and/or be smooth with a pinion made by one (or more than one) rubber wheel.

The system 30 can also be made with more than one arch, connected to the others via a central differential.

The motor can further be housed inside an independent element and connected to the aforementioned external rack and to the rotation shaft such that it can rotate around the rack. This independent element can be provided with a battery and a special induction supply system or powered by sliding contacts.

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the motor, indicated by reference number 60, is housed within a tubular case 61 associated with the rack 100 such that, during use, the tubular case 61 can move along the rack 100, transporting the same motor 60 in such a way as to cause it rotate around an axis a. At the same time, the motor 60 can rotate the support device 20 around an axis b, producing a double motion similar to that described for the other embodiments.

Housing system (preferred embodiment of Figure 1 and Figure 2) > Anchor pin (5a)

The clock extraction system does not use magnets, because these can negatively affect the internal mechanism of a mechanical clock, magnetizing several elements. However, the invention further relates to a clock extraction system made with magnets, properly shielded.

Anchor pin 5a is sized to be connected to the anchor/power supply hole of the support device 20 for clocks and to transmit electricity and data.

The coupling between the two parts is made by expansion pistons that prevent the support device 20 from leaking out once correctly arranged. The system can be of a known type and the mobile elements can be on the support device 20 for clocks or on the housing system.

A possible variant, in which the mechanical system is arranged on the anchor pin 5a, is now described. The release system is composed of retractable fins (6a) and sloped. In particular, the fins 6a are sloped according to a direction of insertion of the support device 20 for clocks on the anchor pin 5a. Preferably, the fins 6a have a hinge and are connected to a spring: thereby they allow the clock support device 20 to slide over the pin 5a up to the stop position, preventing it from leaking out. In fact, once the stop position is reached, the fins snap into the specifically sized grooves. Exerting a pressure on the pin 5a, which causes the flaps 6a to retract and allows it to be extracted, is required to remove the clock support device 20.