Methods, systems, and apparatuses for rotatable and rotating wearable device mounts

Methods, apparatuses, systems, computing devices, and/or the like are provided. An example method may include rotating a rotatable mounting apparatus. An example rotatable mounting apparatus may include a first mount engagement element, a second mount engagement element, and a spring disposed between the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element. An example first mount engagement element may include a plurality of slots. An example second mount engagement element may include one or more tabs. The example method may include translating the first mount engagement element with respect to the second mount engagement element to compress the spring and disconnect at least a first tab of the one or more tabs from at least a first slot of the plurality of slots. The example method may also include rotating the first mount engagement element with respect to the second mount engagement element.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wearable devices. In particular, it relates to rotatable or rotating mounts for use with wearable devices, such as, but not limited to, those used in industrial, logistics, and warehouse applications.

BACKGROUND

Wearable devices (such as smart phones, scanners, computers, radio frequency identification devices, and other electronic device) can be difficult to adjust and use efficiently for different users who may have different preferences of mounting location, different body shapes, and different usability needs for their devices. To consider preferences for different users, companies or individual users need to invest in separate units for users of different needs (e.g., right and left-hand users), and manufacturers are required to make multiple SKUs to accommodate the different users.

Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicant has solved problems relating to heterogeneous design angles and orientation for wearable devices by developing solutions embodied in the present disclosure, which are described in detail below.

SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, systems, computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a rotatable mounting apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a first mount engagement element. In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element may include a plurality of slots. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a second mount engagement element. In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element may include one or more tabs. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a spring configured to be disposed between at least a portion of the first mount engagement element and at least a portion of the second mount engagement element to urge at least one of the one or more tabs towards at least one of the plurality of slots. In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element are rotatable relative to each other, such that a first tab of the one or more tabs is configured to engage a first slot of the plurality of slots at a first rotational position and engage a second slot of the plurality of slots at a second rotational position.

In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element defines a partially circular shape. In some embodiments, the plurality of slots are disposed at a same radial position with respect to the first mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element defines a partially circular shape. In some embodiments, the one or more tabs are disposed at a same radial position with respect to the second mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the spring is configured to be disposed between the at least partially circular shape of the first mount engagement element and the at least partially circular shape of the second mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the plurality of slots are radially positioned along a circumference of the first mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the plurality of slots are radially positioned along an arc measuring 180 degrees or less along the circumference of the first mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the spring includes a linear wave spring disposed along a portion of circumferential surfaces of the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the spring includes a circular spring.

In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element is a rotating element configured to fixedly engage and rotate with a wearable device. In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element is a fixed element configured to fixedly engage an attachment mechanism.

In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element is configured to translate and rotate along a plane relative to the first mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the spring is configured to at translationally urge the second mount engagement element relative to the first mount engagement element in one or more directions along the plane while permitting the second mount engagement element to be disposed at a plurality of rotational positions relative to the first mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the spring is disposed along a portion of circumferential surfaces of the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element. In some embodiments, in an instance in which the spring is compressed, the spring is configured to translationally urge the second mount engagement element away from the first mount engagement element along an axis that spans a pair of closest points on the circumferential surfaces of the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element within the plane.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a rotatable mounting system. In some embodiments, the rotatable mounting system may include a rotatable mounting apparatus. In some embodiments, the rotatable mounting apparatus may include a first mount engagement element. In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element may include a plurality of slots. In some embodiments, the rotatable mounting apparatus may include a second mount engagement element. In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element may include one or more tabs. In some embodiments, the rotatable mounting system may include a spring configured to be disposed between at least a portion of the first mount engagement element and at least a portion of the second mount engagement element to urge at least one of the one or more tabs towards at least one of the plurality of slots. In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element are rotatable relative to each other, such that a first tab of the one or more tabs is configured to engage a first slot of the plurality of slots at a first rotational position and engage a second slot of the plurality of slots at a second rotational position. In some embodiments, the rotatable mounting system may include a wearable device. In some embodiments, on the one hand, the wearable device is fixed at least rotationally with respect to the first mount engagement element and configured to be translatable relative to the second mount engagement element or, on the other hand, the wearable device is fixed at least rotationally with respect to the second mount engagement element and configured to be translatable relative to the first mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the system may include an arm band that may be configured to be worn by a user. In some embodiments, the arm band may be connected to the rotatable mounting apparatus.

In some embodiments, wherein the wearable device may be a smart phone.

In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element may define a partially circular shape. In some embodiments, the plurality of slots may be disposed at a same radial position with respect to the first mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element may define a partially circular shape, and wherein the one or more tabs are disposed at a same radial position with respect to the second mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the one or more tabs are radially positioned along a circumference of the second mount engagement element.

In some embodiments, the spring may be disposed along a portion of circumferential surfaces of the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element. In some embodiments, in an instance in which the spring is compressed, the spring is configured to translationally urge the second mount engagement element away from the first mount engagement element along an axis that spans a pair of closest points on the circumferential surfaces of the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element within the plane.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a method for rotating a rotatable mounting apparatus. In some embodiments, the rotatable mounting apparatus may include a first mount engagement element. In some embodiments, the rotatable mounting apparatus may include a second mount engagement element. In some embodiments, the rotatable mounting apparatus may include a spring disposed between the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element. In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element may include a plurality of slots. In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element includes one or more tabs. In some embodiments, the method may include translating the first mount engagement element with respect to the second mount engagement element to compress the spring and disconnect at least a first tab of the one or more tabs from at least a first slot of the plurality of slots. In some embodiments, the method may include rotating the first mount engagement element with respect to the second mount engagement element. In some embodiments, the method may include releasing the first mount engagement element to permit the spring to engage at least the first tab with a second slot of the plurality of slots.

The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely examples. It will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those here summarized, some of which will be further described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. The term “or” (also designated as “I”) is used herein in both the alternative and conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The terms “illustrative” and “exemplary” are used to be examples with no indication of quality level. Like numbers may refer to like elements throughout. The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and/or the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily may refer to the same embodiment).

Overview

Many individuals in their work and/or personal life use wearable devices, such as, but not limited to smart phones, scanners, computers, radio frequency identification devices, and other electronic device scanners. Various users and various use cases may have different preferred mounting orientations for the wearable devices. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wearable devices, mounting apparatuses, and associated devices, systems, and methods to facilitate improved mounting and adjustment of the wearable devices, such as on a person's body.

Various embodiments are described below that attempt to facilitate the speedy and ergonomic adjustment and positioning of a wearable device relative to a user's body or another mounting structure. In various situations, a user may attach a wearable device to an attachment mechanism to secure the device on their person or on an object near them (e.g., a work surface, a dashboard of a work vehicle, etc.). For example, a user may operably attach a wearable device to an attachment mechanism (e.g., an arm band), which may be secured to the user's arm or another mounting structure via the attachment mechanism.

In some embodiments, a user may rotate and fixedly position the wearable device in a plurality of rotational positions by means of various components located in the mounting apparatus. In some embodiments, the arm band may also facilitate rotation of the device in another degree of freedom around the user's arm or another mounting structure. In various embodiments, the mounting apparatus may include a first mount engagement element and a second mount engagement element capable of being moved relative to each other. The first mount engagement element may be fixed in relation to the attachment mechanism (e.g., it may be fixedly connected and unable to rotate or translate relative to the arm band) while the second mount engagement element may be translatable and/or rotatable in relation to the attachment mechanism and the first mount engagement element. In such embodiments, the first mount engagement element may be referred to as a fixed mount engagement element, understanding that the “fixed” nature is within a given reference frame and not necessarily absolute, and the second mount engagement element may be referred to as a rotatable engagement element. In some embodiments, the elements may be reversed, and the second mount engagement element may be referred to as the fixed engagement element coupled fixedly to the attachment mechanism, while the first engagement element is the rotatable engagement element. In this manner, the respective engagement components and portions of the elements described herein may be exchanged between sides of the mount without altering the function of the mount (e.g., the “tabs” may be disposed on either element, and the “slots” may be disposed on the other element). Similarly, either element of the mount may be disposed within or surround the other element without altering the function of the mount. In some embodiments, an exterior surface of a mount engagement element may always have “tabs” while an interior surface of a mount engagement element may always have “slots” (e.g., the structure forming the tabs and slots may be the same, only viewed from opposite sides).

In some embodiments, a spring, such as a linear wave spring, may be disposed between or otherwise able to exert force between, the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element to urge the two elements into engagement with each other (e.g., urge at least one tab into at least one slot). In some embodiments, the user may apply a force to the wearable device, which in turn applies a force to one of the first mount engagement element or the second mount engagement element to compress the spring and disconnect the respective tab(s) and slot(s) and to allow the rotation of the rotating mount engagement element relative to the fixed mount engagement element. Releasing the wearable device may permit the respective tab(s) to engage another of the respective slot(s) to hold the wearable device in the new position. In some embodiments, the spring may apply a translational force between the first mount engagement element and the second mount engagement element while allowing the elements to rotate with minimal or no force between the spring and element(s) (e.g., frictional forces against a smooth surface or substantially smooth surface).

In at least this way, the attachment mechanism may remain in a fixed position on a user's arm band (or a work surface) while allowing adjustability of the wearable device between two or more orientations. In some embodiments, the fixed engagement element of the rotatable mounting apparatus may have multiple slots or multiple tabs to which the rotatable engagement element may connect. In various embodiments, the mounting apparatus may enable a user to rotate a wearable device up to 180°. In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus may be rotatable up to 360 degrees. In some embodiments, the tabs may ensure that the spring is pushed to the rear (i.e., opposite the tabs and slots that receive them) of the mount to apply consistent engaging force to interlock the tabs. In some embodiments, tabs may be positioned on a portion of one of the engagement elements along an arc of 180 degrees or less, with the spring being configured to be disposed adjacent the remaining 180 degrees or more not having the tabs. In some embodiments, the slots may be positioned along some or all of the 360 degree circumference of the other engagement element. This positioning can, in some embodiments, enable different users of different handedness (e.g., one right handed user and one left handed user) to rotate the same wearable device into positions that are suitable for each user.

Example Systems and Apparatuses for Rotating or Rotatable Mount for Wearable Devices

FIG.1Ais a top view of an example wearable device100in an instance in which the wearable device is facing upward, andFIG.1Bis a simplified cross-sectional view of the corresponding rotatable mounting apparatus200in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to some embodiments,FIGS.1A and1Bshow an example wearable device100in a first position and a corresponding rotatable mounting apparatus200. According to some embodiments,FIG.1Adepicts a top view of an example wearable device100. According to other embodiments,FIG.1Bdepicts the rotatable mounting apparatus200located in a first position. In some embodiments, the orientation of the wearable device inFIG.1Amay match the orientation of the components of the rotatable mounting apparatus200inFIG.1B.

In some embodiments, the wearable device100has a plurality of slots102A,102B. In some embodiments, these slots102A102B may be predesigned (e.g., molded during the manufacture of the device100) and may facilitate engagement between a main body of the wearable device and a back plate110(e.g., a battery cover). In some embodiments, the wearable device may be configured with any other structure. In some embodiments, the wearable device100may include a connection cable104. In some embodiments, the connection cable104may be connected to a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna. In some embodiments, the wearable device100may have a textured surface106that may include a portion of the wearable device's back plate110or a portion of the top surface108of the device if no back plate is present. In some embodiments, the wearable device100may be a mobile device, such as a smartphone.

In some embodiments, and as shown inFIG.1B, the rotatable mounting apparatus200may include a first mount engagement element202In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element202may be a fixed engagement element; that is, in some embodiments, the first mount engagement element202does not move in relation to the arm band or other attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element208may be the fixed engagement element202; that is, in some embodiments, the second mount engagement element208does not move in relation to the arm band or other attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, the rotatable mounting apparatus200may be attached to a wearable device100and/or to a user (e.g., via an attachment mechanism such as a user's glove, forearm, belt, arm band, etc.); in other embodiments, the rotatable mounting apparatus200may be attached to a work surface (e.g., to a work bench, a dashboard of a vehicle, etc.), in which embodiments the attachment mechanism may be the work surface itself or one or more components connecting the mounting apparatus and wearable device thereto.

In some embodiments, the fixed engagement element202may include a plurality of slots204A,204B,204C,204D. Each of the slots204A,204B,204C, and204D corresponds to a discrete angle to which a wearable device100may be rotated relative to the attachment mechanism. Although four slots are shown inFIGS.1B,2B,3B, and4Band described in this disclosure, it will be understood that the first engagement element202may contain additional or fewer slots. For example, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to have more slots (e.g., to achieve more rotation angles). However, it may be desirable in other embodiments to have fewer slots (e.g., to achieve a simpler design). In some embodiments, the slots204A,204B,204C, and204D may enable rotation of angles up to 180 degrees (e.g., the angular distance between the most extreme slots204A,204D may be up to 180 degrees). In some embodiments, the slots may enable rotation of greater than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, rotation may be at least partially limited by the length of the cable104. In some embodiments, rotation may be limited by other various components of the wearable device100. In further embodiments, rotation may be limited by the wearable device and/or surface to which the rotatable mount apparatus200is attached. It will be understood that, in some embodiments, the stop location may be adjusted depending on the desired user experience.

In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element202may include a portion that is at least partially circular (e.g., including, but not limited to, circular in cross-section but-for the slots/tabs). In some embodiments, the slots204A,204B,204C,204D are positioned radially along a circumference of the at least partially circular portion of the first mount engagement element202(e.g., protruding a same radial distance from a center of the first mount engagement element202). As shown in at leastFIGS.1B,2B,3B, and4B, the slots204A-204D may be disposed radially along the outer circumference of the at least partially circular portion of the first mount engagement element202. In some embodiments, the slots204A-204D may be disposed at equal radial distances (e.g., protruding a same radial distance from a center of the second mount engagement element208) and may be disposed along the outer circumference of the second mount engagement element208in an instance in which the second mount engagement element208includes the slots (e.g., an embodiment in which the first mount engagement element comprises the tabs). In some embodiments, the slots and tabs may additionally or alternatively be reversed to face inward rather than outward in any configuration that permits the slots and tabs to engage. In some embodiments, the plurality of slots204A-204D may be positioned along an arc measuring 180 degrees or less along the circumference of the at least partially circular portion of the first mount engagement element202. In such embodiments, a user may rotate the wearable device100up to 180 degrees; in some embodiments, this may enable a left-handed user and a right-handed user to use the same wearable device100and/or rotatable mounting apparatus200.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus200may include a spring206. In some embodiments, the spring206may be a linear wave spring206. However, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, the spring206may be other types of springs that are suitable for the mounting apparatus200. In some embodiments, the linear wave spring206may be attached to a second mount engagement element208. In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element208may rotate or otherwise pivot and/or move in relation to the mount200. In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element208may include a plurality of tabs (e.g., two tabs210A,210B). In some embodiments, these tabs210A,210B may be configured to operably connect to the slots204A,204B,204C,204D.FIG.1Bshows the tabs210A,210B in a first position, rotated into the slots of204B and204C, respectively. In some embodiments, the rotating mount engagement element208may make use of only a single tab210A. In other embodiments, the rotating mount engagement element208may make use of more than two tabs210A,210B. In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element208may include a portion that is at least partially circular (e.g., including, but not limited to, circular in cross-section but-for the slots/tabs). In some embodiments, the tabs210A,210B may be disposed along a circumference of the at least partially circular portion of the second mount engagement element208. In some embodiments, first mount engagement element202may include the tabs while the second mount engagement element208includes the slots. In some embodiments, in which the spring206does not stick in one or more of the slots204A-D, the slots204A-D may enable rotation angles of up to 360 degrees.

In some embodiments, the spring206(e.g., a wave spring) may be disposed between the at least partially circular portion of the first mount engagement element202and the at least partially circular portion of the second mount engagement element208. In some embodiments, at certain points in the operation of the rotatable mounting apparatus200, the at least partially circular portion of the first and second mount engagement elements202,208may be coaxial with each other, and the respective axes may be movable relative to each other within the degrees of freedom allowed by the mounting apparatus200(e.g., rotationally and translationally along the plane of the paper forFIGS.1B,2B,3B, and4B). In some embodiments, as the spring206is disposed between the first mount engagement element202and the second mount engagement element208, and the force applied by the spring206may be applied in the opposite direction of the direction in which the spring is being compressed (e.g., outwardly against the outermost of the mount engagement elements and inwardly against the innermost of the mount engagement elements). In some embodiments, during compression of the spring (e.g., in an instance in which the tabs and slots are disconnected) this force may be applied on the closest two points between the first and second mount engagement elements202,208opposite the tabs and slots and within the plane of the figures (e.g., the closest point between the innermost and outermost mount engagement elements during compression of the spring may correspond to the net force vector because the spring may be most highly compressed at this location). In some embodiments, the partially circular surfaces of the first and second mount engagement elements may be complementary shapes. In some embodiments, the partially circular surfaces of the first and second mount engagement elements may be configured to allow the mount engagement elements to rotate relative to each other without substantially compressing the spring, such that the spring may primarily or entirely provide translational force while allowing the mount engagement elements to be held in multiple rotational positions.

Rotation of the wearable device100by means of the rotatable mounting apparatus200will now be described in reference toFIGS.1A,1B,2A,2B,3A,3B,4A, and4B, which depict the movement of the device100from an example first position (e.g.,FIGS.1A and1B) to an example second position (e.g.,FIGS.4A,4B), according to some embodiments. These figures are not limiting as to the number and combination of positions that may be possible. As indicated in at leastFIGS.2A,2B,3A,3B,4A, and4Bin some embodiments, force may be applied to the spring206by movement of the wearable device100and/or a portion of the mounting apparatus200to thereby move the wearable device100from a first position to a second position. The movement of these various components are indicated by the arrows112,114,116,118,120, and122.

FIGS.2A and2Bare top and bottom views, respectively, of an example wearable device100and rotatable mounting apparatus200, respectively, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.2A and2B, the linear wave spring206may be compressed to enable rotation of the rotating part208. In some embodiments, the spring206may be compressed by sliding it down and/or by means of pushing down the spring206by means of a force applied and indicated as the arrow112via movement of a portion of the mounting apparatus200in at leastFIGS.2A and2B(e.g., the second mount engagement element208is shown translated downwardly relative to the first mount engagement element202relative to the perspective ofFIG.2B). For example, in some embodiments, a user may press down according to the arrow shown inFIG.2Ato compress the linear wave spring206and thereby, as shown in at leastFIG.2B, disconnect the plurality of tabs210A,210B from the respective slots204B,204C. In some embodiments, the user may keep the spring206remains compressed, such that the rotating mount engagement element208will not “snap back” into the slots204B,204C. Subsequently, in some embodiments, a user may then rotate rotating mount engagement element to at least one new rotational position (e.g., tab210B may engage slot204D, as will be further described in reference toFIGS.3A,3B,4A, and4B).

FIGS.3A and3Bare top and bottom views, respectively, of an example wearable device100and corresponding rotatable mounting apparatus200, respectively, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, as indicated by the arrows inFIGS.3A and3B, the wearable device100may be rotated by manipulating the wearable device to adjust the rotating mount engagement element (e.g., the first or second mount engagement element depending on the embodiment), as shown in at leastFIGS.3A and3Band as indicated by the arrow114. In some embodiments, while the spring206remains compressed, the rotating engagement element208may be rotated to align the tabs210A,210B with different slots (e.g.,204C,204D), while the spring slides along one or both of the partially circular surfaces of the mount engagement elements202,208. In some embodiments, the spring206may be configured to not or to minimally resist rotational force114while applying a strong, translational force to operably engage the tabs210A,210B into the slots204A-204D.

FIGS.4A and4Bare top and bottom views, respectively, of an example wearable device100and corresponding diagram for the rotatable mounting apparatus200, respectively, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4A, once the wearable device100has been rotated into the desired configuration (e.g., when the rotating engagement element (the second mount engagement element208in the depicted embodiment) has been rotated to the desired position), the spring206may be released and decompressed, thereby operably connecting the tabs210A,210B into the slots204C,204D. In some embodiments, as shown in at leastFIGS.4A and4B, the decompression force is indicated by the arrow116showing the direction of relative movement between the components. In some embodiments, the device100is now locked into the desired position (e.g., the tabs210A,210A are locked into the slots204C,204D in the depicted embodiment).

FIG.5is a simplified side view of an example wearable device100and rotating mount apparatus200, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the rotatable mounting apparatus200may be attached to an attachment mechanism300(e.g., an arm band or other mechanism for coupling the wearable device and mounting apparatus to an arm or another mounting structure). In some embodiments, and as shown in at leastFIG.5, the attachment mechanism300may be an arm band configured to be worn on the arm of a user. It will be understood that, in some embodiments, the attachment mechanism300may be any mechanism (e.g., suction mounts, adhesive mounts, straps, harnesses, tripods, stands, etc.) to which a user may desire to use for attaching the rotatable mounting apparatus200and wearable device100to a mounting structure.

In some embodiments, and as shown in the embodiment ofFIG.5, the first mount engagement element202may be fixed to the attachment mechanism300and may have an outer surface212. In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element208may rotate and may have a shaft214or other coupling portion that links the second mount engagement element208with the wearable device100. In some embodiments, the shaft214of the second mount engagement element208may form a connection between the element208and the wearable device100. In some embodiments, the shaft214may include a plurality of interlocking features that may be configured to interlock with the example wearable device100and/or the second mount engagement element208. For example, in some embodiments, the shaft's214interlocking features may include one or more receptors configured to receive one or more corresponding pins. In some embodiments, each interlocking feature may have one or more pins and one or more receptors configured to interlock with the other interlocking feature. In some embodiments, the first mount engagement element202may be fixedly engaged to the attachment mechanism300. In some embodiments, the second mount engagement element208may fixedly engage and rotate with a wearable device100. In some embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned components may be reversed (e.g., the shaft may extend from the attachment mechanism300, while the first mount engagement element202engages the wearable device100). In some embodiments, the innermost of the two mount engagement elements may include the shaft214while the outermost may include the outer surface212configured to house the innermost mount engagement element (e.g., the outer surface may be part of a larger housing or may be the outer surface of first engagement element202shown inFIGS.1B,2B,3B,4B). In some embodiments, the example wearable device100may be fixedly connected to the rotatable mounting apparatus200, thereby making a single assembly of100and200. In other embodiments, the rotatable mounting apparatus200may be rigidly fixed to the attachment mechanism300(e.g., by fasteners such as screws and/or rivets), thereby making a single assembly of200and300.

In at least this way, and as shown in at leastFIG.7, the rotatable mounting apparatus200may enable a user to rotate a wearable device100in relation to the attachment mechanism300(e.g., an arm band worn by the user) and thereby rotate the wearable device100into multiple orientations. For example, in some embodiments, a left-handed user may take a wearable device100also usable by a right-handed user, attach the wearable device100to the rotatable mounting apparatus200, attach the rotatable mounting apparatus200to the attachment mechanism300(e.g., an arm band, if not already coupled to the rotatable mounting apparatus), and rotate the second mount engagement element208up to 180 degrees to thereby enable the wearable device100to be used effectively by a left-handed user. It will be understood that there are numerous other useful implementations of the rotatable mounting apparatus200consistent with the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, a user may desire to have the wearable device100placed perpendicular to the attachment mechanism300and may therefore rotate the second mount engagement element208by 90 degrees relative to a parallel orientation. In other embodiments, a user may desire to have the wearable device positioned at any number of discrete angles and may therefore rotate the second mount engagement element208by said angle. The mounting apparatus200may be configured with corresponding tab(s) and slot(s) to facilitate such discrete positioning. It will be understood that, in some embodiments, there may be greater or fewer rotational positions for the rotatable mounting apparatus200depending on the number slots204A-204D and the corresponding number of tabs210A,210B.

Example Methods of Rotating a Rotatable Mounting Apparatus

According to some embodiments, and as shown in at leastFIG.6, a method400is provided for rotating a rotatable mounting apparatus200. According to some embodiments, method400is made in reference to the wearable device100and rotatable mounting apparatus200described in at leastFIGS.1A,1B,2A,2B,3A,3B,4A,4B,5, and7and the preceding portions of this disclosure. However, it will be understood that the method400may also be performed in reference to other suitable devices, systems, and components.

In some embodiments, the method400may include a step402of translating the first mount engagement element with respect to the second mount engagement element to compress the spring and disconnect at least a first tab of the one or more tabs from at least a first slot of the plurality of slots. In some embodiments, the method400may include a step404of rotating the first mount engagement element with respect to the second mount engagement element. In some embodiments, the method400may include a step406of releasing the first mount engagement element to permit the spring to engage at least the first tab with a second slot of the plurality of slots.