Attachment apparatuses and associated methods of use and manufacture

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10132340-B2
Application number	US-201414771674-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2014
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Nov 20, 2018
Grant date	Nov 20, 2018

Abstract

A system for carrying or using a device includes the device and at least one attachment apparatus. The device may include at least one attachment element. The attachment apparatus may include a length of material and at least one attachment point arranged on an end of the length of material. The at least one attachment point may include at least one magnetic feature configured to attach and detach the device and the length of material. The material can include but is not limited to cloth, metallic (magnetic and non-magnetic), fibrous material, and so forth.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A strapping assembly, comprising:
a first flexible member comprising a first magnet; and
a second flexible member comprising:
a first surface;
a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface face away from each other;
an opening extending from the first surface to the second surface; and
a second magnet, wherein the first flexible member is configured to extend through the opening from the first surface to the second surface of the second flexible member, and the first magnet, while on the second surface, is configured to releasably couple to the second magnet so as to secure the first and second flexible members together.

2. The strapping assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first flexible member or the second flexible member is adjustable to accommodate a user preference.

3. The strapping assembly of claim 1 , wherein a size of at least one of the first flexible member or the second flexible member is adjustable.

4. The strapping assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first magnet or the second magnet is further associated with a mechanical feature that provides at least an additional portion of a coupling force of the first magnet relative to the second magnet.

5. The strapping assembly of claim 4 , wherein the mechanical feature comprises at least one of a loop, a buckle, a snap, a clasp, a protruding member, an opening, a hook portion, a hook clasp, or a plug.

6. The strapping assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second flexible member includes at least one cap element that restricts insertion of the first flexible member into the opening.

7. The strapping assembly of claim 6 , wherein the at least one cap element attaches to the opening.

8. The strapping assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first magnet is embedded.

9. The strapping assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second magnet and the first magnet are attachable in a plurality of alignments, orientations, or positions.

10. The strapping assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first magnet comprises a ferrous material and the second magnet comprises a ferrous material.

11. The strapping assembly of claim 10 , wherein the first magnet is attachable to the second magnet in a plurality of positions.

12. The strapping assembly of claim 10 , wherein the first magnet repels the second magnet in at least one position.

13. The strapping assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first flexible member or the second flexible member includes at least one additional attachment element that is attachable to at least one attachment element of an electronic device.

14. The strapping assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first flexible member or the second flexible member comprise at least one strap or band.

15. A strapping assembly comprising:
a first flexible member having at least one first attachment element; and
a second flexible member having at least one second attachment element,
the at least one second attachment element being configured to releasably couple to the at least one first attachment element so as to secure the first and second flexible members together, the at least one first attachment element and the at least one second attachment element including at least one magnetic feature that provides at least a portion of a coupling force of the at least one first attachment element relative to the at least one second attachment element,
wherein the first flexible member is at least partially inserted into an aperture of the at least one first attachment element to releasably couple the first flexible member to the second flexible member, wherein the first flexible member releasably couples to the second flexible member by looping around at least a portion of the at least one first attachment element.

16. The strapping assembly of claim 15 , wherein the at least one second attachment element releasably couples to the at least one first attachment element by attaching a first portion of the at least one second attachment element inserted through the aperture to a second portion of the at least one second attachment element.

17. A method of attaching flexible members, comprising:
inserting a first flexible member through an opening of a second flexible member and from a first surface of the second flexible member to a second surface of the second flexible member, wherein the first surface and the second surface face away from each other; and
engaging a first magnet of the first flexible member with a second magnet of the second flexible member on the second surface to releasably couple to the first magnet so as to secure the first and second flexible members together.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Russell-Clarke Peter N
• Hankey M Evans
• Hoenig Julian
• Rohrbach Matthew D

Classifications

• A45F2005/008

  Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg · CPC title

• A45C13/30

  Straps; Bands · CPC title

• A45F5/00

  Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping · CPC title

• A44D2203/00

  Fastening by use of magnets · CPC title

• A45C13/1069

  magnetic · CPC title