Bracelet with expandable element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11051592-B2
Application number	US-202016788166-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 11, 2020
Priority date	Feb 11, 2019
Publication date	Jul 6, 2021
Grant date	Jul 6, 2021

Abstract

An accessory includes a band member and a button. The band member includes an elongated body defining a band interior cavity containing a fluid (gas or liquid) and further includes a band contact region formed along a length of the elongated body. The button has top and bottom portions and a body extending therebetween. The bottom portion is operably coupled to the band member. The body defines a button interior cavity that is in fluid communication with the band interior cavity, and further includes an expandable mechanism that includes first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The expandable mechanism is movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration to selectively move the button between an expanded position and a collapsed position. Upon engaging the band contact region, the fluid urges the button to the expanded position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An accessory comprising:
a band member including an elongated body, the elongated body defining a band interior cavity containing a fluid and including a band contact region formed at a position along a length of the elongated body; and
a button having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a body extending between the top portion and the bottom portion, the bottom portion of the button being operably coupled to the band member, the body defining a button interior cavity in fluid communication with the band interior cavity and further includes an expandable mechanism, wherein the expandable mechanism comprises a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, the expandable mechanism being movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration to selectively move the button between an expanded position and a collapsed position,
wherein upon engaging the band contact region of the elongated body, the fluid urges the button to the expanded position.

2. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the button further comprises a button contact region, wherein upon engaging the button contact region, the button is moved to the collapsed position.

3. The accessory of claim 2 , wherein the expandable mechanism and/or the fluid urges the button to the collapsed position.

4. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein upon engaging the band contact region, the fluid at least partially flows between the band interior cavity and the button interior cavity.

5. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the band member and at least a portion of the button are constructed from a resilient material.

6. The accessory of claim 5 , wherein the band contact region has a resilience that is different than a resilience of the remainder of the elongated body.

7. The accessory of claim 1 , further comprising a bistable expandable member at least partially positioned between the top portion of the button and the bottom portion of the button, wherein the bistable expandable member selectively retains the button in the collapsed position or the expanded position.

8. The accessory of claim 1 , further comprising a valve member to selectively restrict flow of the fluid between the band interior cavity and the button interior cavity.

9. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the band member comprises a bracelet.

10. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the band member comprises a necklace.

11. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the expandable mechanism comprises at least one of:
a bellows member,
a telescoping member,
a spring member, or
a foam member.

12. A method of operating an accessory comprising a band member defining a band interior cavity containing a fluid and a button defining a button interior cavity, the band interior cavity in fluid communication with the button interior cavity, the method comprising:
engaging a band contact region of the band member to cause the fluid retained within the band interior cavity to be urged towards the button interior cavity to position the button in an expanded position; and
engaging a button contact region of the button to position the button in a collapsed position.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the fluid at least partially flows between the band interior cavity and the button interior cavity.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the band member and at least a portion of the button are constructed from a resilient material.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising positioning a bistable expandable member at least partially positioned between a top portion of the button and a bottom portion of the button to selectively retain the button in the collapsed configuration or the expanded configuration.

16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising selectively restricting, via a valve member, flow of the fluid between the band interior cavity and the button interior cavity.

Assignees

• Popsockets Llc

Inventors

• Barnett David B

Classifications

• A44C15/00 Primary

  Other forms of jewellery · CPC title

• A44C5/0023 Primary

  for therapeutic purposes · CPC title

• A44C15/005

  Necklaces (ornamental chains A44C11/00) · CPC title

• A44C5/0053

  Flexible straps · CPC title