Watch band with braided strands

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11666124-B2
Application number	US-202016844942-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 9, 2020
Priority date	Apr 15, 2019
Publication date	Jun 6, 2023
Grant date	Jun 6, 2023

Abstract

A stretchable watch band can include braided strands that provide a comfortable fit around the wrist of the user. The watch band can stretch and conform to the user based on the elasticity within each strand and based on the ability of the strands to move relative to each other. End sections of the watch band can include attachment elements that securely connect the watch band to a housing of the watch. The end sections can be configured to releasable connect to the housing in a manner that is reliable and easy for a user. Additionally, the watch band can provide a smooth transition from the size and/or shape of the housing to a size and/or shape of a continuous section of the watch band. Additionally, the watch band can conceal portions thereof other than the braided strands when connected to the housing of the watch.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A watch comprising:
a watch body comprising:
a housing;
a channel;
a recess; and
a button within the recess; and

a watch band comprising:
a band portion;
an attachment element for insertion into the channel; and
a locking mechanism moveable within the attachment element, wherein, as the attachment element is partially inserted into the channel, the housing is configured to engage a sloped surface of the locking mechanism to move the locking mechanism into the attachment element, and wherein, as the locking mechanism is within the recess, the housing is configured to engage a lateral surface of the locking mechanism to limit movement of the attachment element within the channel.

2. The watch of claim 1 , wherein the watch band further comprises a spring element biasing the locking mechanism away from the attachment element.

3. The watch of claim 1 , wherein the sloped surface forms a chamfer joining a top surface of the locking mechanism to the lateral surface.

4. The watch of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to protrude on only one side of the attachment element.

5. The watch of claim 1 , wherein the button is biased away from the locking mechanism and moveable within the recess to push the locking mechanism into the attachment element.

6. The watch of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism defines:
an outer side facing the band portion and having a first height; and
an inner side opposite the outer side and having a second height, less than the first height.

7. The watch of claim 1 , wherein the band portion comprises braided strands that are positioned within the attachment element and across the locking mechanism.

8. The watch of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to engage the sloped surface of the locking mechanism with an edge that is at an oblique angle with respect to a direction of travel of the attachment element within the channel.

9. A watch band comprising:
an attachment element for insertion into a channel of a housing; and
a locking mechanism moveable within the attachment element between:
a first configuration with a sloped surface of the locking mechanism protruding from a surface of the attachment element;
a second configuration with a top surface of the locking mechanism biased against a wall of the channel, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration by engaging the housing with the sloped surface, the sloped surface extending from the top surface; and
a third configuration with the locking mechanism extended into a recess of the housing.

10. The watch band of claim 9 , wherein the watch band further comprises a spring element biasing the locking mechanism away from the attachment element.

11. The watch band of claim 9 , wherein:
the locking mechanism further defines a lateral surface configured to engage the recess while the locking mechanism is in the third configuration; and
the sloped surface forms a chamfer joining the top surface of the locking mechanism to the lateral surface.

12. The watch band of claim 11 , wherein the chamfer joins the top surface to form an edge that is at an oblique angle with respect to a direction of travel of the attachment element within the channel.

13. The watch band of claim 9 , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to protrude on only one side of the attachment element.

14. The watch band of claim 9 , wherein the locking mechanism defines:
an outer side facing into the channel and having a first height; and
an inner side opposite the outer side and having a second height, less than the first height.

15. The watch band of claim 9 , further comprising braided strands that are positioned within the attachment element and across the locking mechanism, the braided strands extending out of and away from the attachment element.

16. A watch band comprising:
a band portion; and
a locking mechanism at an end of the band portion, the locking mechanism comprising:
a top surface;
a first lateral surface;
a second lateral surface opposite the first lateral surface, wherein the top surface meets the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface on an outer side of the locking mechanism;
a first sloped surface, wherein the first sloped surface joins the top surface to the first lateral surface on an inner side of the locking mechanism; and
a second sloped surface, wherein the second sloped surface joins the top surface to the second lateral surface on the inner side of the locking mechanism.

17. The watch band of claim 16 , further comprising:
an attachment element, the locking mechanism being moveable within the attachment element; and
a spring element biasing the locking mechanism away from the attachment element.

18. The watch band of claim 17 , wherein the band portion comprises braided strands that are positioned within the attachment element and across the locking mechanism.

19. The watch band of claim 16 , wherein the first sloped surface forms a first chamfer joining the top surface of the locking mechanism to the first lateral surface, and the second sloped surface forms a second chamfer joining the top surface of the locking mechanism to the second lateral surface.

20. The watch band of claim 16 , wherein:
the outer side has a first height; and
the inner side has a second height, less than the first height.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Lui Timothy S
• Yabe Osamu
• Masse Zebinah P
• Mccoy Clayton J
• Stevenson Benjamin A
• Chen Hsiang Hung

Classifications

• A44C5/0053

  Flexible straps · CPC title

• D04C1/06

  Braid or lace serving particular purposes · CPC title

• A44C5/185

  Attachment of fasteners to straps or chains · CPC title

• A44C5/14 Primary

  characterised by the way of fastening to a wrist-watch or the like · CPC title

• A44C5/145 Primary

  Hooks · CPC title