Cap and timepiece device

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to unique hats with timepieces for synergistic purposes.

#2. Information Disclosure Statement

#The present invention should be more fully understood when the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto wherein:

#FIG. 1 shows a front view of a conventional prior art wristwatch type timepiece;

#FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 each show front or partial front views of various embodiments of present invention timepieces having unique twelve o'clock orientation relative to the strap attachment means;

#FIG. 1 shows a front view of a conventional prior art wristwatch 10. Wristwatch 10 includes a wrist strap 30, and a timepiece 11. Timepiece 11 includes a main housing 12, with a faceplate 7, and an hour hand 5, a minute hand 6. The main housing contains functional timekeeping means inside (not shown, but well within the purview of the artisan), which is connected to a driving shaft 9, which operates the hands 5 and 6, to present time. There is also a date presentation 16 and a reset and/or wind-up stem 8, as shown. Main housing 12 has two strap attachment mechanisms 24 and 25 opposite one another, and, in this case, symmetrical. Mechanisms 24 and 25, respectively, each have two protrusions 21, 21′ and 22, 22′. These protrusions are adapted to receive strap pins 27 and 28, to removably attach the timepiece 11 to the strap 30. The strap 30 has two pieces 31 and 32, and they may be connected to one another by any available connecting means, or they may together form a single strap, e.g., an elastic or expandable strap.

#Note that 12 o'clock is positioned on faceplate 7 in alignment with the strap pieces 31 and 32 and strap attachment mechanisms 24 and 25. This is normal for a watch, because the arm on which it is worn is brought in front of the wearer to tell time, wherein the thumb typically faces the stomach. This presents the 12 o'clock position furthest away from the wearer with the hours in an upright, readable fashion. The present invention timepieces, on the otherhand, discard this conventional wisdom to present a timepiece with a different orientation and with its own benefits for a user.

#FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 each show front or partial front views of various embodiments of present invention timepieces having unique twelve o'clock orientations relative to the strap attachment means. In all three of these Figures, identical parts are identically numbered. Hence, in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the timepieces 50, 70, and 80, respectively, each have a main housing 51, with any conventional internal timekeeping mechanism which drives driving shaft 52, which, in turn, rotates the hour hand 57 and the minute hand 59 to present the time (a second hand could also be included). There is a faceplate 53 in the main housing 51, and stem 55 for resetting the time. There are two strap attachment mechanisms 62 and 66, each having a pair of protrusions 61, 63 and 65, 67, respectively, which contain an additional part for attachment to a strap. In FIG. 2, there are pins 71 and 73; in FIG. 3, there is a rectangular ring 72 (and its opposite counterpart, not shown); in FIG. 4, there are flexible, expandable bands 89 and 91. In each case there is some provision for attachment of the timepiece to a strap, and changes, variations and equivalents are contemplated as within the scope of the invention herein.