Segmented attachment device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11744333-B2
Application number	US-202117202085-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 15, 2021
Priority date	Aug 11, 2014
Publication date	Sep 5, 2023
Grant date	Sep 5, 2023

Abstract

A wrist band for attaching a portable electronic device to a user includes articulating segments which may be releasably connected so as to provide the user the capability of sizing the wristband by adding or removing links as desired. A clasp is also disclosed for securing the wristband to a user. A manufacturing device and method are disclosed for machining complex surfaces on the segments and clasp.

First claim

We claim:

1. A wristband to secure a portable electronic device to a user comprising:
a first link comprising:
a first outer portion comprising an engagement mechanism; and
a first inner portion articulately connected to the first outer portion; and

a second link comprising:
a second outer portion; and
a second inner portion being articulately connected to the second outer portion, being configured to be received by the engagement mechanism of the first outer portion, and comprising a release mechanism to disengage the engagement mechanism of the first outer portion.

2. The wristband of claim 1 , wherein the first outer portion of the first link is identical to the second outer portion of the second link.

3. The wristband of claim 1 , wherein the first inner portion of the first link is identical to the second inner portion of the second link.

4. The wristband of claim 1 , wherein each of the first link and the second link includes an outer surface for facing away from the user and an inner surface for being positioned adjacent to the user.

5. The wristband of claim 4 , wherein the release mechanism includes a button on the inner surface of the second link.

6. The wristband of claim 5 , wherein the engagement mechanism includes a resilient spring-loaded mechanism.

7. The wristband of claim 1 , wherein the release mechanism includes an access opening on the second inner portion through which a tool may be inserted to disengage the engagement mechanism.

8. The wristband of claim 1 , wherein the wristband is connected to the portable electronic device by one or more non-releasable links.

9. The wristband of claim 1 , further including a clasp connected to the first link or the second link.

10. The wristband of claim 1 , wherein the engagement mechanism includes:
at least one retractable pin on the second inner portion; and
a rotatable screw connected to the retractable pin.

11. A wristband to secure a portable electronic device to a user comprising:
an outer portion of a first link, the outer portion comprising:
an engagement mechanism; and
receiving portions on opposing sides of the engagement mechanism; and

an inner portion of a second link, the inner portion comprising:
a release mechanism to disengage the engagement mechanism of the outer portion from the inner portion; and
wing portions on opposing sides of the inner portion;
wherein, when the wing portions are received within the receiving portions, movement of the outer portion relative to the inner portion is constrained to be along an axis,
wherein, when the engagement mechanism engages the inner portion, movement of the outer portion relative to the inner portion along the axis is constrained.

12. The wristband of claim 11 , wherein:
the outer portion is a first outer portion;
the first link further comprises a first inner portion being articulately connected to the first outer portion;
the inner portion is a second inner portion; and
the second link further comprises a second outer portion being articulately connected to the second inner portion.

13. The wristband of claim 11 , further including a clasp connected to the first link or the second link.

14. The wristband of claim 11 , wherein the engagement mechanism includes a resilient spring-loaded mechanism.

15. The wristband of claim 14 , wherein a button on the inner portion may be used to disengage the resilient spring-loaded mechanism.

16. A wristband to secure a portable electronic device to a user comprising:
an outer portion of a first link, the outer portion comprising a spring-loaded engagement mechanism having a protrusion forming a sloped side and a blunt side;
an inner portion of a second link, the inner portion comprising:
a recess for receiving the protrusion of the spring-loaded engagement mechanism; and
a release mechanism to disengage the protrusion from the recess, wherein:
the protrusion is retractable when the outer portion is advanced across the sloped side of the protrusion;
when the protrusion is received within the recess, the blunt side of the protrusion prevents disconnection of the inner portion from the outer portion; and
the protrusion is retractable from the recess when the release mechanism is actuated.

17. The wristband of claim 16 , wherein:
the outer portion is a first outer portion;
the first link further comprises a first inner portion being articulately connected to the first outer portion;
the inner portion is a second inner portion; and
the second link further comprises a second outer portion being articulately connected to the second inner portion.

18. The wristband of claim 16 , further including a clasp connected to the first link or the second link.

19. The wristband of claim 16 , wherein each of the first link and the second link includes an outer surface for facing away from the user and an inner surface for being positioned adjacent to the user.

20. The wristband of claim 19 , wherein the release mechanism includes a button on the inner surface of the second link.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Webb Michael J
• Wang Erik L
• De Iuliis Daniele
• Cowan Wayne

Classifications

• A44C5/0007 Primary

  Bracelets specially adapted for other functions or with means for attaching other articles · CPC title

• A44C5/107

  with links made of more than two elements including connecting elements · CPC title

• A44C5/24 Primary

  with folding devices · CPC title

• A45F5/00

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

• G04B37/1486

  Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet (building watches into bracelets (montre marquise) G04B37/12; arrangements for hanging pocket- or other watches on chains G04B37/1446) · CPC title