Clasp assembly for a wearable device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10149518-B1
Application number	US-201615382585-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Dec 16, 2016
Priority date	Aug 8, 2016
Publication date	Dec 11, 2018
Grant date	Dec 11, 2018

Abstract

An attachment strap for a wearable electronic device is disclosed. The attachment strap attaches the wearable electronic device to a wearer, and may attach to a wrist of a wearer. The attachment strap includes two bands which attach to a clasp. The clasp operates in an open and closed configuration. When in the closed configuration, the clasp may not present a visible indication of its mechanism.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device, comprising: a housing; a first band configured to attach to a first side of the housing; a second band configured to attach to a second side of the housing; and a clasp configured to attach the first band to the second band, the clasp comprising: a flexible linking portion having a first latching feature extending along a majority of a length of the flexible linking portion; a rigid linking portion having a second latching feature extending along a majority of a length of the rigid linking portion; and a hinge operably connecting the flexible linking portion and the rigid linking portion, wherein: the hinge is configured to provide rotation of the flexible linking portion with respect to the rigid linking portion until the length of the flexible linking portion is aligned with the length of the rigid linking portion, wherein the length of the flexible linking portion and the length of the rigid linking portion extend away from the hinge; and the first latching feature is configured to engage the second latching feature; and the flexible linking portion comprises a pair of arms configured to be positioned within the rigid linking portion when the first latching feature engages the second latching feature.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:
the second latching feature comprises a recess; and
the first latching feature comprises a beveled edge.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first band is further configured to attach to the clasp with a spring pin.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein an end portion of the spring pin has an elliptical cross-section.

5. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein:
the spring pin partially protrudes from a periphery of the first band; and
the spring pin is operably coupled to a spring positioned within the first band.

6. The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the spring is serpentine.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first band comprises:
a first outer layer;
a second outer layer;
a rigid insert positioned between the first outer layer and the second outer layer; and
a spring pin at least partially positioned within the rigid insert and configured to attach to the clasp.

8. An attachment strap for securing an electronic device to a user, the attachment strap comprising: a first band configured to attach to a first side of the electronic device; a second band configured to attach to a second side of the electronic device; a flexible linking portion comprising: a flexible linking portion first end attached to the first band; a flexible linking portion second end opposite the flexible linking portion first end; and a first latching feature between the flexible linking portion first end and the flexible linking portion second end; a rigid linking portion comprising: a rigid linking portion first end attachable to the second band; a rigid linking portion second end opposite the rigid linking portion first end; and a second latching feature between the rigid linking portion first end and the rigid linking portion second end; and a hinge rotatably connecting the flexible linking portion second end and the rigid linking portion second end, such that the flexible linking portion rotates relative to the rigid linking portion until the first latching feature engages the second latching feature; the flexible linking portion comprises a pair of arms configured to be positioned within the rigid linking portion when the first latching feature engages the second latching feature.

9. The attachment strap of claim 8 , wherein:
the first latching feature extends along a majority of a length of the flexible linking portion;
the second latching feature extends along a majority of a length of the rigid linking portion; and
the length of the flexible linking portion and the length of the rigid linking portion extend away from the hinge.

10. An attachment strap for securing an electronic device to a user, the attachment strap comprising: a first band; a second band; a flexible linking portion attached to the first band at one of opposing ends of the flexible linking portion, the flexible linking portion having a first latching feature between the opposing ends of the flexible linking portion; a rigid linking portion attached to the second band at one of opposing ends of the rigid linking portion, the rigid linking portion having a second latching feature between the opposing ends of the rigid linking portion; and a hinge rotatably connecting the other of the opposing ends of the flexible linking portion and the other of the opposing ends of the rigid linking portion, such that the flexible linking portion rotates relative to the rigid linking portion until the first latching feature engages the second latching feature; the flexible linking portion comprises a pair of arms configured to be positioned within the rigid linking portion when the first latching feature engages the second latching feature.

11. The attachment strap of claim 10 , wherein:
the first latching feature extends along a majority of a length of the flexible linking portion;
the second latching feature extends along a majority of a length of the rigid linking portion; and
the length of the flexible linking portion and the length of the rigid linking portion extend away from the hinge.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• De Iuliis Daniele
• Chambers Trevor S
• Waisanen Thomas J

Classifications

• A44C27/00

  Making jewellery or other personal adornments · CPC title

• H05K5/0017

  with operator interface units · CPC title

• H05K5/0226

  Hinges · CPC title

• A44C5/0053

  Flexible straps · CPC title

• A44C5/246

  having size adjusting means · CPC title