Segmented attachment device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9980539-B2
Application number	US-201514820084-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 6, 2015
Priority date	Aug 11, 2014
Publication date	May 29, 2018
Grant date	May 29, 2018

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:
at least one removable articulating link releasably connected to said portable electronic device, said at least one removable articulating link including:
an outer link portion;
an inner link portion articulately connected to said outer link portion and configured to engage with the outer link portion of a first adjacent link;
an engagement mechanism on said outer link portion configured to receive an inner link portion of a second adjacent link; and
a release mechanism on said inner link portion to disengage an engagement mechanism on said first adjacent link.

2. The wristband of claim 1 wherein said at least one removable articulating link includes an outer surface for facing away from said user and an inner surface for being positioned adjacent to the person of said user.

3. The wristband of claim 2 wherein said release mechanism includes a button on said inner surface.

4. The wristband of claim 1 wherein said engagement mechanism includes a resilient spring loaded mechanism.

5. The wristband of claim 4 wherein a button on the inner link portion may be used to disengage said resilient spring loaded mechanism.

6. The wristband of claim 1 wherein said release mechanism includes an access opening on said inner link portion through which a tool may be inserted to disengage said engagement mechanism.

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

8. The wristband of claim 1 further including a clasp connected to at least one articulating link.

9. The wristband of claim 1 wherein said engagement mechanism includes:
at least one retractable pin on said inner link portion; and
a rotatable screw connected to said retractable pin.

10. The wristband of claim 1 wherein said release mechanism includes an activating portion rotatably connected to said inner portion.

11. A method for securing a portable electronic device to a user comprising the operations of:
determining a size of the portion of the user to which said portable electronic device is to be attached;
determining the size of an attachment band;
adding or subtracting links in said attachment band to correctly size said attachment band; said operation of adding or subtracting links including the operations of:
engaging an inner link portion with an outer link portion of an adjacent link if a link is to be added; and
disengaging an inner link portion from an outer link portion of an adjacent link if a link is to be removed;
said operation of engaging an inner link portion including exerting force against an engagement mechanism to secure said inner link portion along an x, y, and z axis;
said operation of disengaging said inner link portion including exerting force against a release mechanism on said inner portion and pulling said inner link portion from said outer link portion of said adjacent link.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said operation of exerting force against said release mechanism includes pushing a button on a surface of said inner link portion.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said operation of exerting force against said release mechanism includes inserting a tool into an opening in said inner link portion.

14. The method of claim 11 further including the operation of attaching said portable electronic device to a user using said attachment band.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein said operation of exerting force against said release mechanism further includes the operation of rotating a screw to retract two pins in said inner link portion.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein said operation of exerting force against said release mechanism further includes the operation of applying force to at least one end of a spring loaded pin.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said operation of applying force includes the operations of:
inserting a tool into each end of said spring loaded pin; and
exerting force on each end of said spring loaded pin directed toward the opposite end.

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

• A45F5/00

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

• A45F2005/008

  Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg · CPC title

• A44C5/24 Primary

  with folding devices · CPC title