# US 5,706,255 A · Timekeeping and magnifying device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,255 A - Document ID: US5706255A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/519,294 - Filed: 1995-08-24 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1995-08-24 - Inventors: Christopher B. McKay - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706255A ## CPC - G04B 39/008: {with means for magnified reading (combinations with a magnifying glass in general G04B47/00)} - G02B 25/002: {Magnifying glasses} - G04B 47/00: Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece ({clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of} writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00) - G04B: MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS (spring- or weight-driven mechanisms in general F03G; electromechanical clocks or watches G04C; electromechanical clocks with attached or built-in means operating any device at pre-selected times or after predetermined time intervals G04C23/00; clocks or watches with stop devices G04F7/08) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A timekeeping and magnifying device includes a watch and a magnifying lens pivotally connected to the watch. The lens may be pivoted away from the face of the watch to magnify objects. The device may include a light adjacent the magnifying lens which enables the device to be used in dark areas. Additionally, the device may contain a fastener which restricts the magnifying lens from pivoting away from the face of the watch. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnifying lens may be either pivoted about the hinge or detached from the watch. In alternate embodiments of the invention, a connecter removably holds the magnifying lens over the face of the watch. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the device further includes a second magnifying lens and a second hinge which cooperate with the first magnifying lens and the first hinge to form a telescope-like combination. A method for using the timekeeping and magnifying device also is disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A timekeeping and magnifying device, comprising: a watch having a face; a magnifying lens, wherein the magnifying lens is positioned adjacent the face; and a hinge detachably and pivotally connecting the magnifying lens with the watch, wherein the hinge allows the magnifying lens to pivot away from the face and to be completely detached from and reattached to the watch without requiring disassembly of any portion of the watch so that a user may use the magnifying lens to magnify objects. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 1, further comprising a light adjacent and connected to the magnifying lens to facilitate the use of the magnifying lens in dark areas even when the magnifying lens is completely disconnected from the watch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a pin, wherein the magnifying lens includes a pin-receiving portion, and wherein the pin-receiving portion engages the pin and enables the magnifying lens to pivot about the pin and to be completely detached from and reattached to the pin without requiring the pin to be removed from the device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 3, wherein the pin-receiving portion includes a generally c-shaped member that defines a recess into which the pin is removably and pivotally received. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 1, wherein the hinge has an axis of rotation substantially normal to the face of the watch and wherein the hinge allows the magnifying lens to pivot away from the face by rotating in a plane substantially parallel to the face and to be completely detached from and reattached to the watch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 5 wherein the hinge includes a pin extending substantially perpendicular to the face of the watch, and wherein the magnifying lens has a pin-receiving portion rotatably and removably mounted on the pin. ### Claim 7 A timekeeping and magnifying device comprising: a watch having a face; a first magnifying lens, wherein the first magnifying lens is positioned adjacent the face; a first hinge connecting the first magnifying lens with the watch and allowing the first magnifying lens to pivot away from the face so that a user may use the first magnifying lens to magnify objects; a second magnifying lens; and a second hinge connecting the second magnifying lens with the watch and allowing the second magnifying lens to pivot away from the face of the watch, wherein the second hinge connects the second magnifying lens to the watch in a location which permits the second magnifying lens to be substantially opposed to the first magnifying lens when the first and second magnifying lens are pivoted away from the face so that the first and second magnifying lenses cooperate to create a telescope-like combination. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 7, wherein the first hinge is configured to allow the first magnifying lens to be completely detached from the watch. ### Claim 9 A timekeeping and magnifying device, comprising: a watch having a face; a magnifying lens positioned adjacent the face; and a connector on the watch, wherein the connector removably holds the magnifying lens over the face of the watch and wherein the connector allows the magnifying lens to be completely detached from the watch without requiring the disassembly of any portion of the watch. ### Claim 10 A timekeeping and magnifying device, comprising: a wash having a face and a housing that surrounds the face, wherein the housing has a first and a second opposed end regions; a magnifying lens positioned adjacent the face of the watch; an adjustable band having a first and a second end; a first pin pivotally connecting the first end region of the housing and the first end of the band; a second pin pivotally connecting the second end region of the housing and the second end of the band; and a hinge pivotally and detachably connecting the magnifying lens to the watch, wherein the hinge allows the magnifying lens to pivot in a direction away from the face of the watch and to be completely detached from and reattached to the watch while the first and the second pins maintain their connections between the housing and the ends of the band. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 10 wherein the hinge includes the first pin, and wherein the magnifying lens includes at least one pin-receiving portion for pivotally and removably engaging the first pin. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 10, wherein the device further includes a light adjacent and connected to the magnifying lens to facilitate the use of the lens in dark areas even when the magnifying lens is completely disconnected from the watch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 11, wherein the pin-receiving portion includes a generally c-shaped member that engages the first pin to enable the magnifying lens to pivot about the first pin and to be completely detached from and reattached to the first pin. ### Claim 14 A timekeeping and magnifying device comprising: a watch having a face and a housing that surrounds the face, wherein the housing has a first and a second opposed end regions; a first magnifying lens positioned adjacent the face of the watch; a first hinge pivotally connecting the first magnifying lens to the watch so that the first magnifying lens may pivot in a direction away from the face of the watch; an adjustable band having a first and a second end; a first pin pivotally connecting the first end region of the housing and the first end of the band; a second pin pivotally connecting the second end region of the housing and the second end of the band; a second magnifying lens; and a second hinge connecting the second magnifying lens with the watch and allowing the second magnifying lens to pivot in a direction away from the face of the watch, wherein the second hinge connects the second magnifying lens to the watch in a location which permits the second magnifying lens to be substantially opposed to the first magnifying lens when the first and second magnifying lenses are pivoted away from the face so that the first and second magnifying lenses cooperate to create a telescope-like combination. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 14, wherein the second hinge includes the second pin, and wherein the second magnifying lens is mounted intermediate the housing and the second end of the band. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The timekeeping and magnifying device of claim 14, wherein the first hinge is configured to allow the first magnifying lens to be completely detached from the watch.