DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure generally relates to a field of horology. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a watch. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a case assembly for a modular watch.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Advent of modern technology in horological industry has shifted focus of users from mere functionality of a watch to aesthetic appeal of the watch. To cater this requirement of providing the aesthetic appeal in the watches by not compromising on the functionality, significant development in innovation has emerged in the horological industry.

One such innovation may include manufacturing of the watches in different styles and shapes to satisfy the aesthetic appeal of the users. These watches may also be manufactured with varying colors to complement the styles and the shapes to enhance their aesthetic appeal. Some of these watches may also be manufactured or custom built to suit the functional and the aesthetic requirement of the users.

However, it would not be feasible for the user to possess number of watches with variety of shapes and/or colors to suffice the requirement of both the functional and the aesthetic appeal. As an alternative to this, conventionally, detachable/modular components of the watch were introduced, where each of the components are provided in different patterns, shapes, configurations, and the like. Also, each component of the watch may be provided in the same shape as original, but, in different color and color combinations. This enables the user to swap/assemble components of the watch as per preference or requirement. This enabled the user to select the appropriate combination of components for customization of the watch to suit his or her apparel.

Nonetheless, in order to perform such varying assemblies, the user may require number of specialized tools, and may also be compelled to carry and/or preserve such tools to perform modifications to the watch. Meanwhile, usage of these specialized tools may include tampering or operating delicate components such as, but not limited to, a watch movement, a glass cover, an operative stem, and the like. This renders high possibility of damaging the watch and its components therein. In addition, the modification and/or assembly of each of the components of the watch may be cumbersome, and may require certain skill sets for modifications. Moreover, due to the macro size of such tools, these tools are susceptible to being lost or misplaced.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above.

The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of conventional assemblies are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of an assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a case assembly for a modular watch is disclosed. The case assembly comprises a casing, which is provisioned with a cut-out. The cut-out is formed at a lateral side of the casing. Further, the case assembly includes an insert, configured to disposable vertically to seat within the cut-out, wherein the insert seated within the cut-out is secured by a bezel member and a lug ring.

In an embodiment, the cut-out provided in the casing is profiled to match shape of the insert.
In an embodiment, edges of the insert is formed to match the profile of the cut-out.

In an embodiment, the cut-out is defined with a profile including at least one of a dovetail profile, a rectangle profile, a square profile, and a hexagon profile.

In an embodiment, the case assembly comprises a first groove, which is defined on a first side of the casing. The first groove is adapted to accommodate the bezel member.

In an embodiment, the case assembly comprises a second groove, which is defined on a second side of the casing. The second groove is adapted to accommodate the lug ring.

In an embodiment, the casing is provided with at least one first hole, to receive one or more protrusions of the bezel member.

In an embodiment, the one or more protrusions of the bezel member is adapted to extend from the first groove to the second groove of the casing, through the at least one first hole.

In an embodiment, the lug ring is provisioned with at least one second hole, for assisting a fastener to join the lug ring to the bezel member, through the one or more protrusions.

In an embodiment, the lug ring, the bezel member and the insert are modular.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of disposing an insert into a case assembly is disclosed. The method comprises steps of disposing, the insert vertically in a cut-out of a casing, where the cut-out is provisioned on a lateral side of the casing such that, the insert seated within the cut-out is secured by a bezel member and a lug ring.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended specification. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of for a modular watch, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the modular watch, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 is a sectional perspective view of the modular watch, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 is a sectional side view of the modular watch of Figure 3.

Figure 5 illustrates alternate configurations of the modular watch having different configurations of a bezel member and a casing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figures 6a-6c illustrates other alternate configurations of the modular watch having variations in the casing and an insert, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 7 illustrates different configurations of the inserts for the modular watch, accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure relating to a modular watch, which may vary based on configuration of the modular watch. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in an assembly proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a case assembly for a modular watch. The case assembly comprises a casing, which is provisioned with a cut-out. The cut-out is formed at a lateral side of the casing. Further, the case assembly includes an insert, configured to dispose vertically in the cut-out, wherein the insert seated within the cut-out is secured by a bezel member and a lug ring. This mitigates the necessity of employing specialized tools or requirement of a skilled operator.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the Figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

Figure 1 is one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which is a perspective view of a case assembly (100) for a modular watch (200), where the watch (200) may also be referred to as “the watch” hereon.

The case assembly (100) may as also be referred to as a component that rests on a user’s wrist. The case assembly (100) may be employed for assisting a user to view various functionalities such as, but not limited to, time, date, day, heart rate, and the like, of the watch (200). The case assembly (100) includes a casing (1). The casing (1) may be constructed with a predetermined thickness, in order to accommodate a watch movement (6), as best seen in Figure 3, between a glass cover (2) and a cover member (3). In an embodiment, the casing (1) may include a dial (7), where the dial (7) may be configured to display the functionalities of the watch (200) to the user. Further, to enhance aesthetic appeal of the dial (7), and in-turn the case assembly (100), a bezel member (4) may be removably disposed on a first side (A) of the case assembly (100). The bezel member (4) is constructed to peripherally seat about the dial (7), and in-turn the glass cover (2). Additionally, the bezel member (4) may include characteristics such as, but not limited to, text, grooves, etches, stickers, and the like, whereby providing a three-dimensional artistic impression to the dial (7), and in-turn the case assembly (100), as best seen in Figures 6a to 6c. These characteristics of the bezel member (4) may assist in enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the case assembly (100), and in-turn the watch (200), from the first side (A). Here, one skilled in the art would recognize that the first side (A) of the casing (1) and a second side (B) of the casing (1) may particularly be referred to a top side and a bottom side therein.

Referring to Figure 2, the case assembly (100) further includes a lug ring (12) on the second side (B). Further, the lug ring (12) may be equipped with a pair of lugs (8) on two opposing sides of the lug ring (12), to adaptably receive a strap [not shown in Figures] of the watch (200). The pair of lugs (8) may be adapted to protrude to a predefined height, on the predetermined thickness of the casing (1), in order to maintain a preferred downward slope between the strap and the bezel member (4) of the casing (1). It may be noted that the pair of lugs (8), at its inner profile, may be constructed and/or profiled in accordance with the profile of the casing (1), for maintaining a transitional fit, thereby minimizing clearance gap between the casing (1) and the pair of lugs (8), and in-turn the strap.

In an embodiment, an insert (10) is provisioned in the case assembly (100), where the insert (10) is positioned on a lateral side of the casing (1), as best seen in Figure 2. The casing (1) is provisioned with a cut-out (11) on its lateral side such that, the insert (10) is disposable vertically in the cut-out (11). It may be noted that the insert (10) being disposable vertically refers to insertion of the insert (10) through the cut-out (11) from the first side (A) of the casing (1) to the second side (B) of the casing (1), or vice versa. Once, the insert (10) is disposed into the cut-out (11), the insert (10) is then adapted to seat within the cut-out (11). It may be noted that the cut-out (11) may be profiled to restrict and inhibit a lateral movement of the insert (10) therein, and removal and/or replaceability of the insert (10) may be constrained to only vertical disposal of the insert (10). In an embodiment, the profile of the cut-out (11) is at least one of a dovetail profile, a rectangular profile, a square profile, an semi-elliptical profile, a stepped contour, and the like. Also, the insert (10), at its edges, may be formed or manufactured to match the profile of the cut-out (11), thereby rendering a transitional fit therebetween. Additionally, the insert (10) which is seated within the cut-out (11) is sandwiched by the bezel member (4) from the first side (A) and the lug ring (12) from the second side (B). This secures the insert (10) within the cut-out (11). Here, the insert (10) may be deprived of any means of joining such as, but not limited to, adhesive bonding, fastening, clamping, and the like, thereby assisting the user in effortless removal and/or replacement of the insert (10), in accordance with the requisites and preferences.

Further, the casing (1) is provisioned with a first groove (1a) on its first side (A), to accommodate the bezel member (4). The bezel member (4) may be adapted to circumscribe the periphery of the casing (1), while the glass cover (2) of the case assembly (100) is distanced from the bezel member (4), by a projection (1e). The projection (1e) is provisioned to ensure that the glass cover (2) remains unaffected during removal and/or replacement of the bezel member (4). This configuration of the projection (1e) inhibits the tendency of damaging the glass cover (2), thereby assisting the user to readily modify and/or customize the case assembly (100). Similarly, the casing (1) is provisioned with a second groove (1b), as best seen in Figure 3, on the second side (B). The second groove (1b) of the casing (1) assists in accommodating the lug ring (12). It may be noted that the lug ring (12) is adapted to circumscribe the cover member (3) of the case assembly (100), where the cover member (3) may be configured to provide an ingress protection to the case assembly (100). Further, the lug ring (12) is configured to embed within the predetermined thickness of the casing (1), while the cover member (3) is configured to extend from the predetermined thickness of the casing (1). Due to this, the necessity of detaching the cover member (3) from the case assembly (100) for removal and/or replacement of the lug ring (12) may be avoided, thereby reducing the tendency of damaging the watch movement (6) secured by the cover member (3).

In an embodiment, the casing (1) is provisioned with at least one first hole (1c), which is adapted to extend from the first groove (1a) to the second groove (1b) of the casing (1). Further, the bezel member (4) is provisioned with one or more protrusions (13), where the one or more protrusions (13) are adapted to be received by the at least one first hole (1c). Additionally, the lug ring (12) is provisioned with at least one second hole (1d) such that, the at least one second hole (1d) correspondingly matches with the at least one first hole (1c). The at least one second hole (1d) is adapted to receive a fastener (5). The fastener (5) joins the lug ring (12) to the bezel member (4), through the one or more protrusions (13). Here, operating the fastener (5) enables the user to remove and/or replace the bezel member (4), the lug ring (12), and the insert (10), without removing the delicate components such as, but not limited to, the glass cover (2), the cover member (3), the watch movement (6), and the like.

In an embodiment, the insert (10) may be configured with a hollow profile so that, at least one electronic component may be secured therein. The at least one electronic component may be including, but not limited to, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a near field communication (NFC) tag, a Bluetooth chip, and the like. Further, the user may be allowed to remove and/or replace the electronic component by merely removing and/or replacing the insert (10) in the case assembly (100), thereby assisting the user in modifying and/or customizing the functionalities of the watch (200) along with its aesthetical appearance. In an embodiment, the insert (10) may be configured to house an additional battery so that, upon drain of the operational battery of the watch movement (6), the additional battery may be employed to operate the watch movement (6).

In an embodiment, the casing (1) may be machined at its outer periphery in order to provide the aesthetical appeal to the user. The machining may be including, but not limited to, knurling, etching, turning, grooving, threading and the like, as shown in Figure 5.

In an embodiment, the insert (10) may be customized based in user preferences such as, but not limited to, engraving a text, a number, a logo, and the like in order to modify and/or customize the case assembly (100) as per the preference or requirement of the user, as best seen in Figure 7.

In one embodiment, a stopper (9) may be provided at an inner circumference of the casing (1), for locking the watch movement (6) therein.

In one embodiment, the watch movement (6) may be at least one of an analog movement, a digital movement, a combination of digital and analog and the like.

In one embodiment, the predetermined thickness (Y) of the casing (1) may be in the range of about 3 mm to about 6.3 mm. The glass cover (2) may be of thickness (X) in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1.2 mm. The thickness (Z) of the cover member (3) may be in the range of about 0.5mm to about 1 mm. The overall thickness (X’) of the modular watch (200) may be in the range of about 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm. One skilled in the art would readily recognize that he thickness of the casing (1), the glass cover (2) and the cover member (3) may vary based on the requirement of the modular watch (200), and the above mentioned dimensions should not be considered as a limitation for the modular watch (200).

In one embodiment, the cover member (3) may be provisioned with a flange (3a), which may be inserted into the casing (1), for securing the cover member (3) therein. The flange (3a) may be secured by means including, but not limited to, fastening, threading, adhesive bonding, snap fitting, and the like.

In one embodiment, the casing (1) may be provisioned with plurality of lateral holes [not shown] for accommodating at least one control knob, the operative stem, and the like [not shown] of the watch movement (6).

EQUIVALENTS:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS
REFERRAL NUMERALS DESCRIPTION
200 Modular watch
100 Case assembly
1 Casing
1a First groove
1b Second groove
1c First hole
1d Second hole
1e Projection
2 Glass cover
3 Cover member
3a Flange for cover member
4 Bezel member
5 Fastener
6 Watch movement
7 Dial
8 Pair of lugs
9 Stopper
10 Insert
11 Cut-out
12 Lug ring
13 Protrusion
X Glass cover thickness
Y Casing thickness
Z Watch cover thickness
X’ Total thickness of the watch ,CLAIMS:1. A case assembly (100) for a modular watch, comprising:
a casing (1) provisioned with a cut-out (11), wherein the cut-out (11) is formed at a lateral side of the casing (1); and
an insert (10) configured to disposable vertically to seat within the cut-out (11), wherein the insert (10) seated within the cut-out (11) is secured by a bezel member (4) and a lug ring (12).

2. The case assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cut-out (11) provided in the casing (1) is profiled to match shape of the insert (10).

3. The case assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein edges of the insert (10) is formed to match the profile of the cut-out (11).

4. The case assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cut-out (11) is defined with the profile including at least one of a dovetail profile, a rectangle profile, a square profile, and a hexagon profile.

5. The case assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a first groove (1a) defined on a first side (A) of the casing (1), wherein the first groove (1a) is adapted to accommodate the bezel member (4).

6. The case assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a second groove (1b) defined on a second side (B) of the casing (1), wherein the second groove (1b) is adapted to accommodate the lug ring (12).

7. The case assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing (1) is provided with at least one first hole (1c), to receive one or more protrusions (13) of the bezel member (4).

8. The case assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more protrusions (13) of the bezel member (4) is adapted to extend from the first groove (1a) to the second groove (1b) of the casing (1), through the at least one first hole (1c).

9. The case assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lug ring (12) is provisioned with at least one second hole (1d), for assisting a fastener (5) to join the lug ring (12) to the bezel member (4), through the one or more protrusions (13).

10. The case assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lug ring (12), the bezel member (4) and the insert (10) are modular.

11. A method of disposing an insert into a case assembly (100), the method comprising:
disposing the insert (10) vertically in a cut-out (11) of a casing, wherein the cut-out (11) is provisioned on a lateral side of the casing (1) such that,
the insert (10) seated within the cut-out (11) is secured by a bezel member (4) and a lug ring (12).