Clasp mechanism for wrist-worn devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9949537-B2
Application number	US-201615012831-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 1, 2016
Priority date	Mar 6, 2015
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

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 clasp assembly, comprising:
a clasp body having a channel and a spring member extending across the channel;
a clasp cover; and
a connecting arm pivotally coupled to the clasp body and the clasp cover;
wherein:
the clasp assembly is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; and
in the closed configuration, the clasp body is retained with the clasp cover, and the connecting arm engages with the spring member such that the spring member biases the clasp body away from the connecting arm.

2. The clasp assembly of claim 1 , the connecting arm comprising a protrusion that is configured to engage with the spring member when the clasp assembly is in the closed configuration.

3. The clasp assembly of claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is a triangular protrusion set within a groove extending from a first side of the connecting arm to a second side of the connecting arm, and the groove is perpendicular to an axis extending from a first end of the connecting arm to a second end of the connecting arm.

4. The clasp assembly of claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is positioned such that, in the closed configuration, a peak of the protrusion contacts the spring member at a point between ends of the spring member.

5. The clasp assembly of claim 4 , wherein the point is at a middle of the spring member.

6. The clasp assembly of claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is disposed at least partially within a groove in the connecting arm.

7. The clasp assembly of claim 6 , wherein the groove extends transversely across the connecting arm from a first side to a second side of the connecting arm.

8. The clasp assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the clasp body further comprises first and second elongate members defining a first wall and a second wall, respectively, of the channel; and
the connecting arm is configured to be received at least partially between the first wall and the second wall of the channel when the clasp assembly is closed.

9. The clasp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spring member is a wire spring.

10. The clasp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spring member is a leaf spring.

11. The clasp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clasp cover is configured to secure the clasp assembly in the closed configuration.

12. The clasp assembly of claim 11 , wherein, upon release of the clasp cover, the connecting arm is forced away from the clasp body by the spring member.

13. The clasp assembly of claim 1 , wherein, in the closed configuration, the connecting arm engages with the spring member such that the spring member is deformed toward the clasp body and away from the clasp cover and the connecting arm.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A44D2203/00

  Fastening by use of magnets · CPC title

• A44C5/243 Primary

  Automatic folding spring closure · CPC title