Patent · US11717060B2 · B2 · US

Attachment system for an electronic device

(11) Publication number

US11717060B2

(21) Application number

17/306,802

(22) Filing date

2021-05-03

(30) Priority date

2014-08-11

(43) Publication date

2023-08-08

(45) Date of grant

2023-08-08

(51) IPC

A44B 11/25; A44B 11/26; A44B 17/00; A44C 5/00; A44C 5/14; A44C 5/20; F16B 2/00; F16B 2/04; F16B 2/06; F16B 2/12; F16B 2/14; G04B 37/14

(52) CPC

A44B Buttons, pins, buckles, slide fasteners, or the like: 17/0011, 11/2596, 11/263
A44C Personal adornments, e.g. jewellery; coins: 5/14, 5/147, 5/2085
F16B Devices for fastening or securing constructional elements or machine parts together, e.g. nails, bolts, circlips, clamps, clips or wedges; joints or jointing: 2/005, 2/04, 2/06, 2/12, 2/14
G04B Mechanically-driven clocks or watches; mechanical parts of clocks or watches in general; time pieces using the position of the sun, moon or stars: 37/1486
Y10T Technical subjects covered by former us classification: 403/602

(73) Assignee

APPLE INC

(72) Inventors

PERKINS RYAN C; HOBSON PHILLIP M; WEBB MICHAEL J

(54) Title

Attachment system for an electronic device

(57) Abstract

A removable module and a housing for an attachment system of a consumer product is described. The removable module includes a locking mechanism comprising a first portion having a substantially planar top surface and second portion that comprises a substantially non-planar bottom surface. The first portion and the second portion are coupled together. The locking mechanism also includes a first spring mechanism coupled between the first portion and the second portion. The first spring mechanism causes the first portion to be biased away from the second portion. The locking mechanism also includes a second spring mechanism. The second spring mechanism causes the substantially planar top surface of the first portion to be biased substantially flush with respect to the removable module and also causes the substantially non-planar bottom surface of the second portion to be biased proud with respect to the removable module.

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Claims (20)

A watch band assembly for a wearable electronic device having a channel and a recess, the watch band assembly comprising: a removable module configured to be removably coupled to the wearable electronic device, the removable module comprising a body defining a surface and an opening extending into the surface; a catch member moveable within the opening, the catch member comprising: a substantially planar top surface; and a chamfered edge surrounding the substantially planar top surface and extending from the substantially planar top surface at least to the surface of the body; and a spring mechanism configured to bias the catch member to be proud of the surface of the removable module, wherein the chamfered edge is configured to actuate the catch member to be flush with the surface of the removable module when the removable module moves along the channel and the chamfered edge contacts the channel or the recess.
The watch band assembly of claim 1, further comprising a band strap configured to attach the wearable electronic device to a user, the removable module being coupled to the band strap.
The watch band assembly of claim 1, further comprising friction pads on opposite sides of the catch member.
The watch band assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring mechanism is a first spring mechanism and the watch band assembly further comprises a second spring mechanism to bias the catch member.
The watch band assembly of claim 1, wherein the catch member forms a rounded oblong shape.
The watch band assembly of claim 1, wherein the catch member is further configured to be actuated by force applied by a tool or a user.
A watch band assembly for a wearable electronic device having a channel and a recess, the watch band assembly comprising: a band strap configured to attach the wearable electronic device to a user; a removable module coupled to the band strap and configured to be removably coupled to the wearable electronic device, the removable module comprising a body defining a top surface and an opening extending into the top surface; and a locking mechanism configured to lock the removable module to the wearable electronic device when inserted into the channel of the wearable electronic device, the locking mechanism comprising: a catch member having a chamfered edge extending either to the top surface of the body or into the opening; and a spring mechanism facilitating movement of the locking mechanism between: a first position, while the locking mechanism is outside the channel, with the catch member being proud with respect to the top surface of the removable module; a second position, while the locking mechanism is partially within the channel, with the catch member substantially flush with the top surface of the removable module, wherein the chamfered edge actuates the locking mechanism from the first position to the second position when the chamfered edge contacts the channel of the wearable electronic device; and a third position, while the locking mechanism is inside the channel, with the catch member protruding out of the opening into the recess.
The watch band assembly of claim 7, wherein the spring mechanism is a first spring mechanism and the locking mechanism further comprises a second spring mechanism to bias the catch member.
The watch band assembly of claim 7, wherein the chamfered edge surrounds a substantially planar top surface of the catch member.
The watch band assembly of claim 7, further comprising friction pads on opposite sides of the catch member.
The watch band assembly of claim 7, wherein the catch member forms a rounded oblong shape.
The watch band assembly of claim 7, wherein the catch member is further configured to be actuated by force applied by a tool or the user.
A watch band assembly for a wearable electronic device, the watch band assembly comprising: a removable module configured to be removably coupled to the wearable electronic device, the removable module comprising a body defining a surface and an opening extending into the surface; a catch member moveable within the opening, the catch member comprising: a substantially planar top surface; and a chamfered edge extending from the substantially planar top surface at least to the surface of the body, the chamfered edge being configured to actuate the catch member as the removable module is inserted into a channel and the chamfered edge contacts the channel; and a spring mechanism configured to bias the catch member to be proud of the surface of the removable module.
The watch band assembly of claim 13, further comprising a band strap configured to attach the wearable electronic device to a user, the removable module being coupled to the band strap.
The watch band assembly of claim 13, wherein the chamfered edge surrounds the substantially planar top surface.
The watch band assembly of claim 13, further comprising friction pads on opposite sides of the catch member.
The watch band assembly of claim 13, wherein the spring mechanism is a first spring mechanism and the watch band assembly further comprises a second spring mechanism to bias the catch member.
The watch band assembly of claim 13, wherein the catch member forms a rounded oblong shape.
The watch band assembly of claim 13, wherein the catch member is moveable within the opening to a position with the substantially planar top surface being substantially flush with the surface of the removable module.
The watch band assembly of claim 13, wherein the catch member is further configured to be actuated by force applied by a tool or a user.

Description

The present disclosure is generally directed to an attachment system for coupling two objects together and, more specifically, to an attachment system for a consumer product.

Consumer products such as watches, cameras, phones, purses, and glasses may include one or more accessories attached thereto. The manner in which they are attached may be widely varied. However, they typically suffer from similar, if not the same, drawbacks. For example, many consumer products typically do not include user-friendly attachment systems. Some may require special tools and others may even require taking the consumer product into a shop in order to remove, fix or replace the accessories. Furthermore, even when products have user oriented attachment mechanisms, they may not provide adequate retention force. Even if the retention force is adequate, the mechanism used may be quite robust and large thereby adversely affecting the elegance of the consumer product. In one example, wristwatches typically include a case and a band. The case carries the components or mechanisms of the wristwatch including the face. The band extends away from the case so that it can wrap around the wrist of a user. The band may be integral with the case. However, in most cases, the band is a separate part that is attached to the case. For example, the case may include a pin that captures the band thereby attaching the band to the case. In order to detach the band from the case, the pin needs to be removed. In some instances, band removal can be accomplished with a special tool.

Citations (193)

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Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US11717060B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Attachment system for an electronic device",
  "abstract": "A removable module and a housing for an attachment system of a consumer product is described. The removable module includes a locking mechanism comprising a first portion having a substantially planar top surface and second portion that comprises a substantially non-planar bottom surface. The first portion and the second portion are coupled together. The locking mechanism also includes a first spring mechanism coupled between the first portion and the second portion. The first spring mechanism causes the first portion to be biased away from the second portion. The locking mechanism also includes a second spring mechanism. The second spring mechanism causes the substantially planar top surface of the first portion to be biased substantially flush with respect to the removable module and also causes the substantially non-planar bottom surface of the second portion to be biased proud with respect to the removable module.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A watch band assembly for a wearable electronic device having a channel and a recess, the watch band assembly comprising: a removable module configured to be removably coupled to the wearable electronic device, the removable module comprising a body defining a surface and an opening extending into the surface; a catch member moveable within the opening, the catch member comprising: a substantially planar top surface; and a chamfered edge surrounding the substantially planar top surface and extending from the substantially planar top surface at least to the surface of the body; and a spring mechanism configured to bias the catch member to be proud of the surface of the removable module, wherein the chamfered edge is configured to actuate the catch member to be flush with the surface of the removable module when the removable module moves along the channel and the chamfered edge contacts the channel or the recess.",
    "2. The watch band assembly of claim 1, further comprising a band strap configured to attach the wearable electronic device to a user, the removable module being coupled to the band strap.",
    "3. The watch band assembly of claim 1, further comprising friction pads on opposite sides of the catch member.",
    "4. The watch band assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring mechanism is a first spring mechanism and the watch band assembly further comprises a second spring mechanism to bias the catch member.",
    "5. The watch band assembly of claim 1, wherein the catch member forms a rounded oblong shape.",
    "6. The watch band assembly of claim 1, wherein the catch member is further configured to be actuated by force applied by a tool or a user.",
    "7. A watch band assembly for a wearable electronic device having a channel and a recess, the watch band assembly comprising: a band strap configured to attach the wearable electronic device to a user; a removable module coupled to the band strap and configured to be removably coupled to the wearable electronic device, the removable module comprising a body defining a top surface and an opening extending into the top surface; and a locking mechanism configured to lock the removable module to the wearable electronic device when inserted into the channel of the wearable electronic device, the locking mechanism comprising: a catch member having a chamfered edge extending either to the top surface of the body or into the opening; and a spring mechanism facilitating movement of the locking mechanism between: a first position, while the locking mechanism is outside the channel, with the catch member being proud with respect to the top surface of the removable module; a second position, while the locking mechanism is partially within the channel, with the catch member substantially flush with the top surface of the removable module, wherein the chamfered edge actuates the locking mechanism from the first position to the second position when the chamfered edge contacts the channel of the wearable electronic device; and a third position, while the locking mechanism is inside the channel, with the catch member protruding out of the opening into the recess.",
    "8. The watch band assembly of claim 7, wherein the spring mechanism is a first spring mechanism and the locking mechanism further comprises a second spring mechanism to bias the catch member.",
    "9. The watch band assembly of claim 7, wherein the chamfered edge surrounds a substantially planar top surface of the catch member.",
    "10. The watch band assembly of claim 7, further comprising friction pads on opposite sides of the catch member.",
    "11. The watch band assembly of claim 7, wherein the catch member forms a rounded oblong shape.",
    "12. The watch band assembly of claim 7, wherein the catch member is further configured to be actuated by force applied by a tool or the user.",
    "13. A watch band assembly for a wearable electronic device, the watch band assembly comprising: a removable module configured to be removably coupled to the wearable electronic device, the removable module comprising a body defining a surface and an opening extending into the surface; a catch member moveable within the opening, the catch member comprising: a substantially planar top surface; and a chamfered edge extending from the substantially planar top surface at least to the surface of the body, the chamfered edge being configured to actuate the catch member as the removable module is inserted into a channel and the chamfered edge contacts the channel; and a spring mechanism configured to bias the catch member to be proud of the surface of the removable module.",
    "14. The watch band assembly of claim 13, further comprising a band strap configured to attach the wearable electronic device to a user, the removable module being coupled to the band strap.",
    "15. The watch band assembly of claim 13, wherein the chamfered edge surrounds the substantially planar top surface.",
    "16. The watch band assembly of claim 13, further comprising friction pads on opposite sides of the catch member.",
    "17. The watch band assembly of claim 13, wherein the spring mechanism is a first spring mechanism and the watch band assembly further comprises a second spring mechanism to bias the catch member.",
    "18. The watch band assembly of claim 13, wherein the catch member forms a rounded oblong shape.",
    "19. The watch band assembly of claim 13, wherein the catch member is moveable within the opening to a position with the substantially planar top surface being substantially flush with the surface of the removable module.",
    "20. The watch band assembly of claim 13, wherein the catch member is further configured to be actuated by force applied by a tool or a user."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure is generally directed to an attachment system for coupling two objects together and, more specifically, to an attachment system for a consumer product.\n\nConsumer products such as watches, cameras, phones, purses, and glasses may include one or more accessories attached thereto. The manner in which they are attached may be widely varied. However, they typically suffer from similar, if not the same, drawbacks. For example, many consumer products typically do not include user-friendly attachment systems. Some may require special tools and others may even require taking the consumer product into a shop in order to remove, fix or replace the accessories. Furthermore, even when products have user oriented attachment mechanisms, they may not provide adequate retention force. Even if the retention force is adequate, the mechanism used may be quite robust and large thereby adversely affecting the elegance of the consumer product. In one example, wristwatches typically include a case and a band. The case carries the components or mechanisms of the wristwatch including the face. The band extends away from the case so that it can wrap around the wrist of a user. The band may be integral with the case. However, in most cases, the band is a separate part that is attached to the case. For example, the case may include a pin that captures the band thereby attaching the band to the case. In order to detach the band from the case, the pin needs to be removed. In some instances, band removal can be accomplished with a special tool.",
  "cpc": [
    "A44B 17/0011",
    "A44B 11/2596",
    "A44B 11/263",
    "A44C 5/14",
    "A44C 5/147",
    "A44C 5/2085",
    "F16B 2/005",
    "F16B 2/04",
    "F16B 2/06",
    "F16B 2/12",
    "F16B 2/14",
    "G04B 37/1486",
    "Y10T 403/602"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A44B 11/25",
    "A44B 11/26",
    "A44B 17/00",
    "A44C 5/00",
    "A44C 5/14",
    "A44C 5/20",
    "F16B 2/00",
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    "F16B 2/12",
    "F16B 2/14",
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  ],
  "assignees": [
    "APPLE INC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "PERKINS RYAN C",
    "HOBSON PHILLIP M",
    "WEBB MICHAEL J"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2021-05-03",
  "publication_date": "2023-08-08",
  "grant_date": "2023-08-08",
  "priority_date": "2014-08-11",
  "application_number": "US-202117306802-A",
  "family_id": "53879766",
  "citations": [
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    "CN102576213A",
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    "EP2098131A2",
    "EP2141554A2",
    "EP2319349A1",
    "FR1291875A",
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    "FR2532239A1",
    "GB1491532A",
    "GB2079359B",
    "GB2113975A",
    "GB2355281A",
    "GB464417A",
    "GB865498A",
    "JP2013254878A",
    "JP3753756B2",
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}

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