Clasp mechanism for wrist-worn devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11006705-B2
Application number	US-201815937714-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2018
Priority date	Mar 6, 2015
Publication date	May 18, 2021
Grant date	May 18, 2021

Abstract

Clasp assemblies for bands (e.g., for watches) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clasp assembly may include a plurality of pivotally interconnected links, where respective links are releasably coupled to one another, and spring assemblies disposed between respective links impart biasing forces between the respective links. In some embodiments, a clasp assembly may include a clasp body, a clasp cover, and a connecting arm pivotally coupled to the clasp body at a first end of the connecting arm, and pivotally coupled to the clasp cover at a second end of the connecting arm. The clasp assembly may include springs, magnets, elastomer members, and/or other mechanisms, components, or assemblies that impart a biasing force between the clasp body, the connecting arm, and/or the clasp cover.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A watch band comprising:
a latching link comprising:
a first body having a first engagement structure;
a latch member moveably disposed at least partially within the first body;
a release button disposed at least partially within the first body and operable to move the latch member relative to the first body; and
a spring; and

a receptacle link configured to be releasably coupled to the latching link, the receptacle link comprising:
a second body having a second engagement structure configured to slidably receive the first engagement structure along a first axis, and to restrict motion of the latching link in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; and
a latch retention structure configured to engage with the latch member to releasably couple the receptacle link to the latching link;

wherein, when the latching link is releasably coupled to the receptacle link, the spring imparts a biasing force via the latch member between the latching link and the receptacle link.

2. The watch band of claim 1 , further comprising an additional receptacle link, wherein:
the latching link comprises:
a linking end; and
a fastening end opposite to the linking end; and

the fastening end of the latching link is pivotally coupled to the additional receptacle link.

3. The watch band of claim 1 , further comprising an additional latching link, wherein:
the additional latching link comprises:
a linking end; and
a fastening end opposite to the linking end; and

the fastening end of the additional latching link is pivotally coupled to the receptacle link.

4. The watch band of claim 1 , wherein the latch member is pivotally coupled to the second body by a pivot member oriented along a pivot axis.

5. The watch band of claim 4 , wherein the pivot axis is parallel to the first axis.

6. The watch band of claim 4 , the first body further comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein:
the release button is exposed through an aperture in the first surface; and
the latch member includes an engagement portion extending beyond the second surface.

7. The watch band of claim 6 , wherein actuation of the release button when the latching link is engaged with the receptacle link causes the latch member to be rotated about the pivot axis, thereby disengaging the latch member from the latch retention structure of the receptacle link.

8. The watch band of claim 6 , wherein the engagement portion of the latch member is configured to engage with the latch retention structure of the receptacle link in order to releasably couple the latching link to the receptacle link.

9. The watch band of claim 1 , wherein:
the first engagement structure includes a slide;
the second engagement structure includes a channel configured to receive the slide.

10. A watch band comprising:
a latching link comprising:
a first body having a first engagement structure;
a latch member pivotably coupled to the first body; and
a release button configured to, when pressed, push against the latch member to cause the latch member to pivot, the latch member being biased against the release button; and

a receptacle link configured to be releasably coupled to the latching link, the receptacle link comprising:
a second body having a second engagement structure configured to allow the first engagement structure to slide along a first axis and to restrict motion of the latching link in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; and
a latch retention structure configured to engage with the latch member when the first engagement structure slides to a predetermined position along the first axis, wherein, when the latch retention structure is engaged with the latch member, the latch retention structure restricts motion of the latching link in the first axis.

11. The watch band of claim 10 , wherein the receptacle link further comprises a biasing spring assembly configured to impart a biasing force between the latching link and the receptacle link while the latching link is releasably coupled to the receptacle link.

12. The watch band of claim 11 , wherein the release button is operable to overcome the biasing force.

13. A watch band comprising:
a latching link comprising:
a first body having a first engagement structure;
a latch member disposed at least partially within the first body; and
a release button disposed at least partially within the first body and operatively coupled to the latch member; and

a receptacle link configured to be releasably coupled to the latching link, the receptacle link comprising:
a second body having a second engagement structure configured to slidably receive the first engagement structure along a first axis, and to restrict motion of the latching link in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; and
a latch retention structure configured to engage with the latch member to releasably couple the receptacle link to the latching link;

a biasing spring assembly coupled to the latching link or the receptacle link and disposed between the latching link and the receptacle link such that the biasing spring assembly imparts a biasing force between the latching link and the receptacle link when the latching link is releasably coupled to the receptacle link, the biasing spring assembly comprising:
a plunger slidably coupled to the first body; and
a spring disposed between the plunger and the first body, wherein engagement of the plunger with the receptacle link causes the plunger to be translated in a first direction, and the spring imparts the biasing force in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

14. The watch band of claim 13 , further comprising an additional receptacle link, wherein:
the latching link comprises:
a linking end; and
a fastening end opposite to the linking end; and

the fastening end of the latching link is pivotally coupled to the additional receptacle link.

15. The watch band of claim 13 , further comprising an additional latching link, wherein:
the additional latching link comprises:
a linking end; and
a fastening end opposite to the linking end; and

the fastening end of the additional latching link is pivotally coupled to the receptacle link.

16. The watch band of claim 13 , wherein the latch member is pivotally coupled to the second body by a pivot member oriented along a pivot axis.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Hatanaka Motohide
• Chen Hsiang Hung
• Wang Erik L
• Webb Michael J
• Weber Douglas J
• De Luliis Daniele
• Quah Kah Sim

Classifications

• A44C5/243 Primary

  Automatic folding spring closure · CPC title

• A44D2203/00

  Fastening by use of magnets · CPC title