Band assembly with removable band retainer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12582204-B2
Application number	US-202318235782-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 18, 2023
Priority date	Aug 31, 2022
Publication date	Mar 24, 2026
Grant date	Mar 24, 2026

Abstract

Bands for wearable devices include multiple band retainers used to maintain engagement between an assembly (e.g., a pair) of bands. Some band retainers may be permanently affixed with the band at a certain location of the band, while other band retainers can be removable. The removable band retainers can be moved to different locations of the band, thus allowing the band retainer to retain another band at different locations. As a result, the assembly of bands can be used with different users, and in particular, users with different wrist sizes. Moreover, using multiple band retainers can provide an engagement force between the bands to withstand higher-impact events, such as swimming and diving. Additionally, bands and band retainers may include one or more liquid-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A band assembly for a wearable device, the band assembly comprising:
a first band comprising a first opening and a second opening; a second band; and a band retainer configured to secure the second band with the first band, the band retainer comprising:
a first retainer portion comprising an extension,
a second retainer portion comprising a cavity configured to receive the extension, a clip located in the cavity and configured to receive the extension,
wherein i) in a first position, the band retainer is securable with the first band at the first opening, and ii) in a second position, the band retainer is securable with the first band at the second opening.

2 . The band assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the band retainer further comprises a biasing component, and the first retainer portion engages the second retainer portion based on a force provided by the biasing component.

3 . The band assembly of claim 2 , wherein when an external force provided to one of the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion overcomes the force provided by the biasing component, the first retainer portion is configured to separate from the second retainer portion to allow removal of the band retainer from one of the first opening or the second opening.

4 . The band assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a pin secured with the first retainer portion, wherein the pin extends through the biasing component.

5 . The band assembly of claim 4 , further comprising a nut located in the second retainer portion, wherein the nut secures the biasing component within the second retainer portion, and the pin extends through the nut.

6 . The band assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first opening comprises:
a first diameter; and a second diameter different from the first diameter.

7 . The band assembly of claim 6 , wherein:
the first diameter is located at a distal region of the first band, the second diameter is located at a proximal region of the first band, and the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

8 . A band assembly for a wearable device, the band assembly comprising:
a band comprising a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, wherein the first opening comprises a tapered opening; a first band retainer located in the tapered opening, the first band retainer comprising a loop and a tang secured with the loop, wherein the loop and the tang frictionally engage the tapered opening; a second band retainer affixed to the band at the second opening; and a third band retainer configured to secure with the band at the third opening, the third band retainer comprising:
a first retainer portion comprising a first cavity;
a second retainer portion comprising a second cavity; and
a pin positioned in the first cavity and the second cavity,
wherein the third band retainer is configured to be removable from the third opening.

9 . The band assembly of claim 8 , wherein:
the band comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and the first opening is located at the first end, and the second end is configured to secure to a device housing of an electronic device.

10 . The band assembly of claim 8 , wherein:
the loop comprises a cavity, and the tang comprises a retractable pin located in the cavity.

11 . The band assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first retainer portion is movable with respect to the second retainer portion, and the first retainer portion is limited in movement by the pin.

12 . The band assembly of claim 8 , wherein each of the first band retainer, the second band retainer, and the third band retainer is configured to receive a second band.

13 . The band assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a biasing mechanism, wherein the pin passes through the biasing mechanism.

14 . A system comprising:
an electronic device comprising:
a display configured to present visual information, and
a device housing that carries the display, the device housing comprising a first receptacle and a second receptacle; and
a band assembly comprising:
a first band secured to the first receptacle,
a second band secured to the second receptacle, and
a removable band retainer configured to secure with the first band and the second band, the removable band retainer comprising:
a first retainer portion;
a second retainer portion coupled with the first retainer portion; and
a biasing component, wherein in response to the biasing component being pulled in tension, the biasing component provides a counterforce to the tension such that the first retainer portion engages the second retainer portion.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein when an external force provided to one of the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion overcomes the counterforce provided by the biasing component, the first retainer portion is configured to separate from the second retainer portion to allow removal of the removable band retainer from one of a first opening and a second opening of the first band.

16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein:
the first retainer portion comprises an extension, and the second retainer portion comprises a cavity that receives the extension.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the second retainer portion comprises a clip located within the cavity, and the clip is configured to secure with the extension.

18 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the first band further comprises:
a third opening, a fourth opening, a first concave portion between a first opening of the first band and a second opening of the first band, the first concave portion comprising a first concave shape; and a second concave portion between the first opening and the second opening, the second concave portion comprising a second concave shape different from the first concave shape.

19 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a biasing mechanism; and a pin that passes that through the biasing mechanism.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Brodine Nicholas S
• Anderson Molly J
• Tissandier Clement C
• Yabe Osamu
• Zhao Mengxi
• Lui Timothy S
• Yeh Chia Tse
• Chung Kai-Yu
• Hsu Jen-Chun
• Sano Tatsuya
• Li Peng

Classifications

• A44C5/0053 Primary

  Flexible straps · CPC title

• A44C5/14

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

• A44C5/185

  Attachment of fasteners to straps or chains · CPC title

• A44C5/2033 Primary

  Hooks provided with pivoting closure means · CPC title

• A44C5/2038 Primary

  Swivels · CPC title