Controller, band, and band adjusting device including the controller and the band

Disclosed herein is a controller which allows a movement of a band in a first direction to be free but allows a movement of the band in a second direction to be selective.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2015-0002576 filed on Jan. 8, 2015, 10-2015-0156625 filed on Nov. 9, 2015 and 10-2015-0161682 filed on Nov. 18, 2015 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a controller, a band, and a band adjusting device, and more particularly, to a controller, a band, and a band adjusting device which reduces a size thereof and provides convenience to a user.

2. Discussion of Related Art

An object of the use of buckle devices is to reduce or increase a width of an attached material such as conventional clothing or a bag has been well known.

Buckle devices used for attached materials each basically include a band and a buckle, in which the buckle fastens both ends or is provided on a waist part of pants or a skirt to adjust a waistline of the pants or skirt to fit on a waistline of a wearer.

Also, buckle devices are used to reduce or enlarge an inlet of a bag or a handbag or used for a watch strap to adjust a length of the watch strap to be appropriate for a wrist of a wearer.

Buckles used as described above may freely slide due to pulling a band in a direction of tightening the band, that is, in a forward direction but may be restricted in movement in a direction of releasing the band, that is, a reverse direction to maintaining a tightened state.

General buckles each include, to provide the use described above, a buckle housing through which a band passes, a button rotatably mounted in the buckle housing, a holding means moved by the button to control whether to restrict the band, and a spring which provides an elastic force to the button.

Here, a button provided in a general buckle protrudes toward a top of the buckle housing and is rotatable. When a user releases a tightened state of a band, this is implemented by turning the button which protrudes toward the top of the buckle housing.

However, general buckles are damaged through repetitively using the button and have poor durability and a manufacturing process thereof is complicated due to a large number of components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a controller, a band, and a band adjusting device which reduces manufacturing costs by simplifying a manufacturing process and simultaneously provides convenience to a user and reduces a size thereof.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a controller which allows a movement of a band in a first direction to be freely performed but allows a movement of the band in a second direction opposite to the first direction to be selectively performed. The controller includes a body portion which includes an insertion space into which one end of the band is inserted and a discharge space through which the one end of the band inserted in the insertion space is discharged, a band control portion which is mounted to be changeable in position between a first position and a second position based on a rotation axis, is in contact with the band and allows the band to freely move in the first direction in the first position, and is not in contact with the band and allows the band to freely move in the second direction, and an elastic portion which is elastically deformed when the band control portion is changed in position from the first position to the second position due to an external force and is located to be immovable in the first direction and the second direction in an internal space of the body portion to restore the band control portion from the second position to the first position using a restoring force caused by the elastic deformation when the external force is removed. Here, the body portion is in contact with the elastic portion so as not to allow the elastic portion to move in the first direction in the internal space, and the rotation axis is in contact with the elastic portion so as not to allow the elastic portion to move in the second direction in the internal space.

The body portion may include a frame portion which defines the insertion space and the discharge space and an attached material connection portion which extends from the frame portion to be connected to an attached material, and the elastic portion may be prevented from moving in the first direction in the internal space due to contact with one surface of the attached material connection portion.

The band control portion may include a rotation implementation portion to be rotatable about the rotation axis to allow a mutual change in position between the first position and the second position, and the rotation axis may be implemented by cutting and then bending a certain area of the body portion to be inserted into an insertion hole of the rotation implementation portion.

The band control portion may include an external force receiving portion which receives the external force for implementing the movement of the band in the second direction, a holding portion which interconnects with the external receiving portion and is released from the band due to the external force, and a connection portion which connects the external force receiving portion, the holding portion, and the rotation implementation portion to one another. Here, the rotation implementation portion may extend from the connection portion at a certain angle, and the insertion hole may extend to the connection portion to prevent interference with the connection portion in a process in which a certain area of the body portion is cut and bent to implement the rotation axis.

The band control portion may include a rotation implementation portion to be rotatable on the rotation axis to allow a change in position between the first position and the second position. The rotation axis may be implemented by cutting and bending a certain area of the body portion or by a penetration pin which penetrates the body portion. The rotation implementation portion may have an open one side in the second direction to be rotatably mounted on the rotation axis due to a movement in position toward the rotation axis.

The body portion may include a frame portion which defines the insertion space and the discharge space and a separation-prevention portion which extends from the frame portion to be in contact with the band control portion to prevent a separation of the band control portion.

The band control portion may include a rotation implementation portion to be rotatable on the rotation axis to allow a mutual change in position between the first position and the second position. The separation-prevention portion may provide a through space having a certain size in the body portion to allow the rotation implementation portion to pass therethrough when the band control portion is inserted into the internal space.

The band control portion may include an external force receiving portion which receives the external force to implement the movement of the band in the second direction, a holding portion which interconnects with the external force receiving portion and is released from the band due to the external force, and a connection portion which connects the external force receiving portion with the holding portion. The connection portion may be formed to be bent from the external force receiving portion to be rounded to prevent interference with the band during a change in position.

The body portion may include a second front wall, a second rear wall, a second top wall, and a second bottom wall, which define the internal space, and a discharge-space-defining wall to allow the discharge space to be defined by a relationship with the second rear wall. The elastic portion may include a mounting portion mounted on the second front wall, a restriction portion which extends from the mounting portion to be in contact with the discharge-space-defining wall in the internal space to restrict a movement in position in the first direction, and an elastic deformation portion which extends from the mounting portion to be elastically deformed by a change of the band control portion in position.

The restriction portion and the elastic deformation portion may be bent from the mounting portion, and a boundary between the mounting portion and the elastic deformation portion may be in contact with the rotation axis to restrict a movement in position in the second direction.

The band control portion may include an external force receiving portion which receives the external force to implement the movement of the band in the second direction, a holding portion which interconnects with the external force receiving portion and is released from the band due to the external force, and a connection portion which connects the external force receiving portion with the holding portion. The second front wall may include a through hole which penetrates therethrough to allow an attached material fixing portion for connection with an attached material to pass therethrough, and a plurality of such holding portions may be provided and are spaced apart to provide an interference prevention space so as not to interfere with the attached material fixing portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a band used for a controller which includes a body portion and a band control portion mounted in the body portion to allow a movement of the band in a first direction to be freely performed and to allow a movement of the band in a second direction to be selectively performed. The band includes a body portion which includes a front side and a rear side and has a certain length and a hold portion which is formed on the body portion to extend in a vertical direction of the front side to allow the band control portion to be held when the body portion moves in the second direction. The body portion includes a pair of wing portions inserted into an internal space provided by the body portion and a supporting portion which supports the pair of wing portions by connecting the pair of wing portions with each other and protrudes in a longitudinal direction toward the rear side to slide through a rear wall of the body portion. The hold portion is formed on each of the pair of wing portions to be symmetrical based on the supporting portion.

The body portion may further include a pair of auxiliary wing portions which extend to be parallel with the pair of wing portions while being spaced apart from the pair of wing portions to provide a separation space in which the rear wall of the body portion is inserted.

The band may further include a movement prevention portion which protrudes in front of the pair of auxiliary wing portions while being spaced apart from the pair of wing portions and is held by the rear wall of the body portion to temporarily restrict a further movement of the pair of wing portions in the second direction when the pair of wing portions move in the second direction and the band control portion is released from all the hold portions.

The band may further include a body connection portion connected to the supporting portion while being spaced apart from the pair of wing portions to provide a separation space into which the rear wall of the body portion is inserted.

The band may further include a movement prevention portion which protrudes from the front side of the body portion the pair of auxiliary wing portions while being spaced apart from the pair of wing portions and is held by the rear wall of the body portion to temporarily restrict a further movement of the pair of wing portions in the second direction when the pair of wing portions move in the second direction and the band control portion is released from all the hold portions.

The hold portion may be formed to protrude from the front side of the body portion or to depress the same.

The hold portion may include a concave portion formed by depressing the front side of the body portion and a convex portion adjacent to the concave portion and formed to protrude.

The band may further include a thin film portion mounted on the rear side of the body portion to reduce a frictional force with the rear wall.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a band adjusting device including the controller and the band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, specified embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and a person of ordinary skill in the art who understands the concept of the present invention may easily provide other examples included in retrogressive other inventions or within the technical scope of the present invention through adding other elements or changing and deleting elements within the same technical scope, which may be considered as being included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Also, like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the drawings of the respective embodiments.

FIG. 1is a rear perspective view illustrating a coupling state of a band100and a buckle200according to embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 2is a front view illustrating the coupling state of the band100and the buckle200according to embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part taken along a line V-V′ shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part taken along a line VI-VI′ shown inFIG. 2.FIG. 5is a rear exploded perspective view illustrating the coupling state of the band100and the buckle200according to embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 6is a front exploded perspective view illustrating the coupling state of the band100and the buckle200according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7is an exploded perspective view of the buckle200according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the buckle device according to embodiments of the present invention includes the band100and the buckle200which restricts sliding of the band100.

The band100includes a plurality of holding protrusions120formed on a rear side of a body110at predetermined intervals. The body110of the band100is formed with a certain width and length through injection molding, and the holding protrusions which have an embossed protrusion shape are formed on the rear side of the band100.

Here, on the body110, a sliding protrusion portion130formed with a sewing groove140sewn on an attached material P-2using a fixing thread P3in a center in a longitudinal direction is protruded and the holding protrusions120are arranged on both sides of the sewing groove140while being divided at uniform intervals.

The buckle200includes a plate spring250for fixing or releasing a forward movement and a backward movement of the band100, a fixing portion260connected with an attached material P-1and a fixing pin P-4and has a cuboid box shape which includes an inlet220and an outlet230formed by front and rear sides201and202and both lateral sides203and204thereof.

A buckle body210, is formed through press forming using a planar figure formed of a metal plate as shown inFIG. 8and stepwise bending as shown inFIG. 9in such a way that the rear side202, the both lateral sides203and204, and the front side201are sequentially formed, the inlet220and the outlet230are formed, the plate spring250is formed by bending a side of the inlet220, and the fixing portion260connected with the attached material P-1is formed by bending a side of the outlet230.

Due to the bending of the buckle body210as described above, a guide slot205in which the sliding protrusion portion130of the band100is slidably accommodated is formed in the rear side202in a longitudinal direction and the fixing portion260for connecting the plate spring250with the attached material P-1using the fixing pin P-4is integrally formed by bending inside the front side201.

Here, the fixing portion260includes a fixing groove portion261which forms an internal space to allow the fixing pin P-4which fixes the attached material P-1to be folded.

Also, the fixing portion260includes a hole in a center thereof and two convexly protruding bridges to allow both legs of the fixing pin P-4which are inserted into the hole in the center to be strongly fixed while fixing the fixing pin P-4.

The plate spring250provides an elastic force against bending to allow a front end thereof to be held by the holding protrusions120dividing the body110of the band100due to bend-molding.

The plate spring250includes holding bent ends251on both sides, which are integrally formed on one side of the rear side202of the buckle body210and bent to have an elastic force against the front side201to allow cross sections thereof to be held by the divided holding protrusions120and an elastic supporting section252in a rear center of the holding bent ends251.

Here, a buckle switch300which separates the front end of the plate spring250accommodated in the buckle body210from the body110of the band100or restricts movements of the holding protrusions120is axially installed both of the lateral sides203and204of the buckle body210.

Also, the fixing portion260includes the fixing groove portion261bent from one side of the front side201of the buckle body210toward an inside thereof to allow the attached material P-1and the fixing pin P-4which fixes the same to be folded in the inner space.

The buckle switch300may be axially installed by an axial pin350assembled into an axial hole which passes through both of the lateral sides203and204of the buckle body210in hinge knuckles340formed on the both sides, in which a push portion330protrudes in a movement direction of the band100and the holding bent ends251of the plate spring250are forcibly lifted by axial rotation, thereby releasing a holding state.

The buckle switch300includes a pair of bent protrusion ends310which protrude from both sides of the front end and are bent to be held by the both holding protrusions120of the band100.

The both bent protrusion ends310of the buckle switch300are in close contact with the body110of the band100by the elastic supporting section252of the plate spring250being in pressurized contact with a bent portion320to allow the holding protrusions120to restrict the band100in sliding.

In embodiments of the present invention, the plate spring250is bent due to a concave groove portion253in a center thereof to allow the axial pin350to pass therethrough without interference, the buckle switch300is axially coupled with the hinge knuckles340which are disposed above the concave groove portion253through hinge-coupling due to the axial pin350, and the push portion330of the buckle switch300is pushed by the elastic supporting section252of the plate spring250and protrudes while being held by a bottom end surface of the inlet220.

In embodiments of the present invention described above, a pair of the holding protrusions120of the band100may be held by the holding bent end251of the plate spring250and the bent protrusion end310of the buckle switch300at the same time to be restricted.

An operation according to embodiments of the present invention described above will be described as follows with reference toFIG. 10.

In a description of the operation according to embodiments of the present invention, a direction of tightening the band100will be referred to as a forward direction and a direction of releasing the band100will be referred to as a backward direction.

To tighten the band100, the band100is pulled toward the outlet230of the buckle body210of the buckle200. In this case, a pulling force of the band100allows the holding protrusions120to freely slide while overcoming an applied pressure of the both bent protrusion ends310of the buckle switch300pressurized by the both holding bent ends251formed on the front end of the plate spring250and the elastic supporting section252of the plate spring250.

Here, the band100is sewn on the attached material P-2by the sewing groove140in the center to maximally shield an exposure of the sewing. Also, the sliding protrusion portion130is guided by the guide slot205formed on the rear side202of the buckle body210and simultaneously divided both sides of the rear side202slide while being in close contact with each other.

Naturally, the buckle body210is provided while being connected to the attached material P-1due to the fixing portion260of the buckle body210.

When pulling the band100backward, a force to allow the holding bent ends251of the plate spring250and the bent protrusion ends310of the buckle switch300to penetrate occurs due to an inclination, thereby preventing a separation of the holding protrusions120of the band100to stop sliding of the band100.

Accordingly, to release the band100, the push portion330of the buckle switch300is pushed and rotated on the axial pin350.

As the bent protrusion ends310are lifted by the rotation of the buckle switch300as described above and the bent portion320pushes the elastic supporting section252of the plate spring250and rotates to lift the holding bent ends251at the same time to be separated from a height of the holding protrusion120, thereby allowing the band100to slide backward to be released.

As described above, embodiments of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to embodiments described above and may have various modifications without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, the plate spring250formed by integrally bend-molding with the buckle body210which forms the buckle200in embodiments described above may be separately configured from the buckle body210.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described while like reference numerals indicate like elements.

FIG. 11is a perspective view of a band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 12is a front view of the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Also,FIGS. 13A and 13Bare respective cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A and B-B shown inFIG. 12.FIGS. 14A and 14Bare views of a band1100and a controller1200, separated from each other, provided in the band adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 15A to 15Care views illustrating various methods of connecting the controller provided to the band adjusting device with an attached material.

Referring toFIGS. 11 to 15C, the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the band1100and the controller1200.

The controller1200may be a type of buckle which allows the band1100to freely move in a first direction but selectively allows the band1100to freely move in a second direction opposite the first direction.

The controller1200may include a body portion1210, a band control portion1220, and an elastic portion1230. Schematically, the body portion1210may provide an external shape of the controller1200and may include an insertion space S1into which one end of the band1100is inserted and a discharge space S2through which the one end of the band1100inserted in the insertion space S1is discharged.

Also, the band control portion1220may be movably mounted in the body portion1210between a first position and a second position based on a rotation axis R to allow the band1100to freely move in the first direction in the first position while being in contact with the band1100and to allow the band1100to freely move in the second direction in the second position while being not in contact with the band1100.

The elastic portion1230may be located in an internal space S3of the body portion1210to be immovable in the first direction and the second direction to be elastically deformed when the band control portion1220is moved from the first position to the second position due to an external force and to restore the band control portion1220from the second position to the first position through a restoring force caused by the elastic deformation when the external force is removed.

Here, the first direction may indicate a direction in which the band1100is inserted into the internal space S3of the body portion1210and the second direction may indicate a direction in which the band1100located in the internal space S3is discharged outside the internal space S3(refer toFIG. 14).

Also, the first position may be a position shown inFIG. 13Ain which a movement in the first direction is free but a movement in the second direction is not possible. The second direction is a position shown inFIG. 21in which a movement of the band1100in the second direction is free.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in detail.

The body portion1210may include a frame portion1212which defines the insertion space S1and the discharge space S2, an attached material connection portion1214which extends from the frame portion1212and is connected to an attached material, and a separation-prevention portion1216which extends from the frame portion1212to be in contact with the band control portion1220to prevent a separation of the band control portion1220when the band control portion1220is located in the second position.

First, the attached material connection portion1214is located in the discharge space S2based on the frame portion1212to connect the frame portion1212with the attached material and may include a first front wall1214a, a first rear wall1214b, a first top wall1214c, and a first bottom wall1214d.

The first front wall1214a, the first rear wall1214b, the first top wall1214c, and the first bottom wall1214dmay be implemented through bend-molding. A connection space H1may be formed in the first front wall1214aand the first rear wall1214bwhile penetrating therethrough.

The connection space H1formed in the first front wall1214aand the first rear wall1214bmay be an element to allow the attached material to be connected through the first front wall1214aand the first rear wall1214b.

In detail, the connection space H1formed in the first front wall1214amay be a space into which a pointed portion1310of a fixing pin1300, which connects the attached material connection portion1214with the attached material is inserted after passing through the attached material and the connection space H1formed in the first rear wall1214bmay be a space into which an additional caulking jig for caulking the pointed portion1310which passes through the connection space H1formed in the first front wall1214ais inserted (refer toFIG. 14B).

Here, the first front wall1214aand the first rear wall1214bmay provide a space into which the caulking jig is inserted and may be means for implementing a modified method of connecting the attached material (refer toFIGS. 15B and 15C), which will be described below.

Meanwhile, when the fixing pin1300is mounted in the attached material connection portion1214, a space between the first front wall1214aand the first rear wall1214bmay be closed using an additional member.

Meanwhile, the number of connection spaces H1formed in the first front wall1214amay vary according to the number of pointed portions1310of the fixing pin1300. Also, a shape of the connection space H1formed in the first front wall1214aand the first rear wall1214bmay vary when the attached material connection portion1214and the attached material are connected to each other using another method in addition to using the fixing pin1300.

For example, referring toFIG. 15B, the connection space H1formed in the first front wall1214aand the connection space H1formed in the first rear wall1214bmay have approximately identical shapes and may be a single one. The attached material connection portion1214and the attached material may be connected by inserting the attached material into the connection space H1as described above.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG. 15C, unlikeFIGS. 15A and 15B, the connection space H1may not be formed in the first front wall1214aand the first rear wall1214bbut a connection space H2may be formed in the first top wall1214cand the first bottom wall1214dwhile passing therethrough.

This is a case in which connection between the attached material connection portion1214and the attached material is implemented through the first top wall1214cand the first bottom wall1214dusing a clip C or a pin C.

As a result, the connection space H2formed in the first top wall1214cand the first bottom wall1214dmay be an element to allow the attached material to be connected through the first top wall1214cand the first bottom wall1214d.

In the above, it has been described that the connection space H1which may be formed in the first front wall1214aand the first rear wall1214bor the connection space H2which may be formed in the first top wall1214cand the first bottom wall1214dpass therethrough. However, the connection spaces H1and H2are not limited thereto but may be provided as a type of groove which is formed by being depressed instead of being passed through.

Meanwhile, the attached material connection portion1214may be located in the rear based on the frame portion1212to prevent the attached material from protruding further than the frame portion1212when the attached material connection portion1214is connected with the attached material, which may be implemented through bend-molding.

The attached material connection portion1214is located in the rear based on the frame portion1212to allow the fixing pin1300described above to be located on the same plane with the frame portion1212, in which even though the attached material connection portion1214protrudes further than the frame portion1212, a degree of protruding may be minimized.

Meanwhile, the frame portion1212may include a second front wall1212a, a second rear wall1212b, and a second top wall1212c, which define the internal space S3, and a discharge-space-defining wall1212ewhich defines the discharge space S2according to a relationship with the second rear wall1212b.

Here, the discharge-space-defining wall1212emay be an inner wall of the attached material connection portion1214or may be a side wall formed by being bent from the second front wall1212aor the second rear wall1212bwhen the attached material connection portion1214is omitted, that is, the attached material is directly connected to the frame portion1212.

The band control portion1220is a component rotatably mounted on a penetration pin P which is a rotation axis R passing through the second top wall1212cand a second bottom wall1212dto selectively allow the band1100to move in a second direction and may be a type of buckle switch.

The band control portion1220may be located in the first position due to an elastic force of the elastic portion1230when an external force is not applied and may be moved to a second position while elastically deforming the elastic portion1230when the external force is applied.

Here, the elastic portion1230may be in contact with the body portion1210, that is, the discharge-space-defining wall1212e, so as not to be moved in the first direction in the internal space S3of the body portion1210and may be in contact with the penetration pin P that is the rotation axis so as not to be moved in the second direction.

Due thereto, the elastic portion1230may be stably disposed in the internal space S3.

Meanwhile, the band1100may include a body portion1110which includes a front side1112and a rear side1114and has a certain length and a hold portion1120which is formed on the body portion1110and extends in a vertical direction of the front side1112to allow the band control portion1220to be held when the body portion1110moves in the second direction.

Here, the body portion1110may include a pair of wing portions1116inserted into the insertion space S3provided by the body portion1210and a supporting portion1118which connects the pair of wing portions1116and supports the pair of wing portions1116while protruding in a longitudinal direction toward a rear side surface and sliding through the second rear wall1212bof the body portion1210.

Also, the hold portion1120may be formed on each of the pair of wing portion1116symmetrically based on the supporting portion1118.

The hold portion1120may have a shape protruding from the front side1112of the body portion1110. When the band control portion1220is located in the first position, an end of the band control portion1220is held by the hold portion1120, thereby preventing a movement of the body portion1110in the second direction.

Meanwhile, when the body portion1110is inserted into the internal space S3, the pair of wing portions1116may slide while being in contact with an inner surface of the second rear wall1212band the supporting portion1118may slide through the second rear wall1212b.

FIG. 16is an exploded view of the controller1200provided in the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 16, the controller1200provided in the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the body portion1210, the band control portion1220, and the elastic portion1230.

The band control portion1220may include a rotation implementation portion1222which allows rotation about the penetration pin P that is the rotation axis R to allow a mutual change between the first position and the second position.

In detail, the band control portion1220may include an external force receiving portion1224which receives an external force to allow the band1100to move in the second direction, a holding portion1226which interconnects with the external force receiving portion1224and is released from the band1100by the external force, and a connection portion1228which connects the external force receiving portion1224, the holding portion1226, and the rotation implementation portion1222with one another.

Here, the rotation implementation portion1222may extend from the connection portion1228at a certain angle, thereby minimizing a ratio of a portion occupied by the rotation implementation portion1222to the internal space S3.

The rotation implementation portion1222may be formed through being bent from the connection portion1228but is not limited thereto and may be implemented using other methods other than the bending method depending on a manufacturing method.

Meanwhile, the elastic portion1230may include a mounting portion1232which is mounted on the second front wall1212a, a restriction portion1234which extends from the mounting portion1232and is in contact with the discharge-space-defining wall1212eto restrict a change in position in the first direction, and an elastic deformation portion1236which extends from the mounting portion1232to be elastically deformed by the change in position of the band control portion1220.

The restriction portion1234and the elastic deformation portion1236may be formed through being bent from the mounting portion1232. A boundary between the mounting portion1232and the elastic deformation portion1236may be in contact with the penetration pin P that is the rotation axis R and may be restricted in moving in the second direction in the internal space S3.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17Care perspective views illustrating pre-manufacturing states of the body portion1210, the band control portion1220, and the elastic portion1230to be provided to the controller1200shown inFIG. 16, respectively.FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18Care perspective views illustrating processes of manufacturing the body portion1210, the band control portion1220, and the elastic portion1230to be provided to the controller1200shown inFIG. 16, respectively.

First, referring toFIG. 17A, a metal plate PL1formed by sheeting is processed through a bending process to form the body portion1210which includes the second front wall1212a, a pair of second rear walls1212b, the second top wall1212c, and the second bottom wall1212das shown inFIG. 18A. Additionally, the separation-prevention portion1216may be formed to be in contact with the band control portion1220to prevent a separation of the band control portion1220when the attached material connection portion1214and the band control portion1220which are connected to the body portion1210are located in the first position or the second position.

The separation-prevention portion1216may be in contact with the band control portion1220when the band control portion1220is located in the first position. Accordingly, a supporting load caused by an external force which may be applied to the band1100when the band control portion1220is located in the first position may be maximized, thereby preventing a damage of the rotation axis R.

Also, when the band control portion1220is mounted in the body portion1210, the separation-prevention portion1216may guide the band control portion1220to be mounted.

Next, referring toFIG. 17B, a metal plate PL2formed by sheeting is processed through a bending process as shown inFIG. 18Bto form the band control portion1220which includes the external force receiving portion1224which receives the external force to allow the band1100to move in the second direction, the holding portion1226which interconnects with the external force receiving portion1224and is released from the band1100by the external force, and the connection portion1228which connects the external force receiving portion1224, the holding portion1226, and the rotation implementation portion1222to one another.

Here, unlike the drawings, the connection portion1228may be formed to be rounded from the external force receiving portion1224. In other words, a part indicated by a reference numeral1221may be formed to be rounded.

Since the part indicated by the reference numeral1221is formed to be rounded, a contact with the hold portion1120of the band1100, which may occur when the band control portion1220changes in position based on the rotation axis R may be prevented beforehand.

In detail, when the connection portion1228is formed to be rounded from the external force receiving portion1224, a distance between an end of the part indicated by the reference numeral1221and the rotation axis R becomes smaller. In this case, a turning radius of the end may become smaller when the band control portion1220changes in position.

Accordingly, interference between the connection portion1228and the band1100, which may occur in minimizing the body portion1210, may be prevented beforehand.

Next, referring toFIG. 17C, a metal plate PL3formed by sheeting is processed through a bending process as shown inFIG. 18Cto form the elastic portion1230which includes the mounting portion1232which is mounted on the second front wall1212a, the restriction portion1234(refer toFIG. 20) which extends from the mounting portion1232and is in contact with the discharge-space-defining wall1212eto restrict a change in position in the first direction, and the elastic deformation portion1236which extends from the mounting portion1232to be elastically deformed by the change in position of the band control portion1220.

Here, the elastic deformation portion1236may be formed to be rounded from the mounting portion1232to have an approximate S shape in such a way that a load is distributed while the elastic deformation portion1236is repetitively and elastically deformed according to the change in position of the band control portion1220, thereby preventing a reduction in restoring force.

However, the elastic deformation portion1236does not need to be rounded and may be formed to be straight.

Meanwhile, the boundary between the mounting portion1232and the elastic deformation portion1236is formed to be rounded to increase a contact area with the penetration pin P which is the rotation axis R, thereby effectively preventing the movement of the elastic portion1230in the second direction.

Meanwhile, it should be known that the elastic portion1230may be implemented as a pair thereof while the elastic deformation portion1236is separated.

FIG. 19is a perspective view illustrating a process of mounting the band control portion1220in the body portion1210provided in the controller1200shown inFIG. 16.FIG. 20is a perspective view illustrating a process of inserting the elastic portion1230in a state shown inFIG. 19.

Referring toFIG. 19, the band control portion1220manufactured by the method shown inFIGS. 17B and 18Bis inserted into the internal space S3of the body portion1210manufactured by the method shown inFIGS. 17A and 18A.

Here, a direction of inserting the band control portion1220may be a direction from the outside toward the insertion space S1and the rotation implementation portion1222of the band control portion1220may pass through a through space S4having a certain size formed between the separation-prevention portion1216and the second top wall1212cand a through space S4having a certain size formed between the separation-prevention portion1216and the second bottom wall1212d.

A width of the through space S4may be formed to be identical to or slightly greater than a thickness of the rotation implementation portion1222. Due to the through space S4, a thickness of the body portion1210, that is, a distance between the second front wall1212aand the second rear wall1212bmay be minimized.

In other words, when the through space S4is not present, since it is necessary for the rotation implementation portion1222to be inserted into the internal space S3through a gap between the separation-prevention portion1216and the second rear wall1212b, the thickness of the body portion1210may become greater by as much as a thickness thereof.

When the band control portion1220is disposed in a certain position in the internal space S3through the insertion space S1, the penetration pin P passes through a hole H3formed in the body portion1210and an insertion hole H4of the rotation implementation portion1222to allow the rotation implementation portion1222to be mounted to be rotatable about the penetration pin P that is the rotation axis R.

Here, the penetration pin P is not limited to being singularly implemented as shown in the drawings but may be separately implemented, which may be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring toFIG. 20, when the mounting of the band control portion1220in the body portion1210is completed, the elastic portion1230manufactured as shown inFIGS. 17C and 18Cis inserted.

Here, the elastic portion1230may be inserted after the band control portion1220is in a second position state and an insertion direction may be a direction from the outside toward the discharge space S2.

When the elastic portion1230is inserted through the discharge space S2, the mounting portion1232is naturally mounted on the second front wall1212aand the elastic deformation portion1236bent from the mounting portion1232to be rounded or the boundary between the mounting portion1232and the elastic deformation portion1236is in contact with the penetration pin P that is the rotation axis R, thereby restricting further insertion.

Meanwhile, the restriction portion1234is to be in contact with the discharge-space-defining wall1212eto restrict a movement in position in the first direction.

Here, the restriction portion1234may be formed in an approximate central portion to be smaller than a width of the mounting portion1232. Due to this, interference with an end of the holding portion1226or an end of the elastic deformation portion1236, which may occur when the band control portion1220is moved from the first position to the second position, may be prevented beforehand.

Meanwhile, the restriction portion1234may be bent to be vertical to the mounting portion1232but is not limited thereto and may be bent to incline.

FIG. 21is a cross-sectional view illustrating a principle by which the band1100is moved from the body portion1210provided in the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring toFIG. 13A, a process in which the band1100is moved in the first direction and is inserted into the internal space S3of the body portion1210will be described.

The band control portion1220may be pressurized by an elastic force of the elastic deformation portion1236of the elastic portion1230to be located in a first position state. When a user applies an external force to the band1100from the insertion space S1toward the discharge space S2, the hold portion1120which protrudes from the body portion1110of the band1100is to be in contact with the holding portion1226of the elastic portion1230but is moved in the first direction while slightly moving the holding portion1226toward the second position.

Next, referring toFIG. 21, a process in which the band1100is moved in the second direction and is inserted into the internal space S3of the body portion1210will be described.

When the band control portion1220is located in the first position, even though the user applies the external force to the band1100from the discharge space S2toward the insertion space S1, the hold portion1120is held by the holding portion1226of the band control portion1220, the band1100is not allowed to move in the second direction.

Here, as shown inFIG. 21, when the external force is applied to the external force receiving portion1224, the band control portion1220rotates about the penetration pin P that is the rotation axis R while elastically deforming the elastic deformation portion1236and is moved from the first position to the second position. When the band control portion1220is located in the second position, the holding portion1226may not be in contact with the hold portion1120, thereby allowing the band1100to move in the second direction.

Meanwhile, when the band control portion1220is located in the first position, contact between the band control portion1220and the elastic portion1230may be implemented only at the holding portion1226, thereby stably providing elastic deformation of the elastic portion1230according to the change of the band control portion1220in position.

Also, due to the rounded elastic deformation portion1236, the load may be effectively distributed, thereby preventing a reduction in the restoring force, which may occur during the repetitive elastic deformation, beforehand. Meanwhile, the restriction portion1234of the elastic portion1230may be formed in an approximate central portion to be smaller than the width of the mounting portion1232. Due to this, the interference with the end of the holding portion1226or the end of the elastic deformation portion1236, which may occur when the band control portion1220is moved from the first position to the second position, may be prevented beforehand.

FIG. 22is a view illustrating a first example of using the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 22, the band adjusting device1000, which has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 21, is applied to pants.

The controller1200may be attached to one end of a waist part of the pants, and the band1100may be attached to the other end thereof.

Here, the one end of the waist part of the pants may be connected to the attached material connection portion1214of the controller1200by the fixing pin1300and the other end thereof may be connected with one side of the supporting portion1118of the band1100by adhering using adhesives or sewing using thread.

Between the other end and the pair of wing portions1116of the band1100, a separation space S5as large as a thickness of the supporting portion1118may be formed. The separation space S5may be a space into which the second rear wall1212bof the body portion1210is inserted while the band1100is inserted into the internal space S3of the body portion1210of the controller1200.

FIGS. 23 and 24are views illustrating a second example and a third example of using the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

Referring toFIGS. 23 and 24, the band adjusting device1000, which has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 21, is applied to a watch.

The controller1200may be attached to one end of a watch strap of the watch, and the band1100may be attached to the other end thereof.

Here, the other end of the watch strap is connected to one side of the band1100inFIG. 23and the other end of the watch strap is connected to the band1100using the method which has been described with reference toFIG. 22.

Referring toFIG. 24, in a part of the watch strap, which is connected to the supporting portion1118of the band1100, the separation space S5as large as the thickness of the supporting portion1118may be formed. The separation space S5may be the space into which the second rear wall1212bof the body portion1210is inserted when the band1100is inserted into the internal space S3of the body portion1210of the controller1200.

Here, the band1100and the watch strap connected to the band1100may be modularized. In this case, the watch strap connected to the supporting portion1118of the band1100may be one component of the band1100, that is, may be defined as a body connection portion connected to the supporting portion1118while being separated from the pair of wing portions1116to provide the separation space S5into which the second rear wall1212bof the body portion1210.

FIGS. 25A and 25Bare views illustrating a modified example of the band1100which has been described with reference toFIG. 24.

First, referring toFIG. 25A, the band1100may include a movement prevention portion1132which protrudes in front of a body connection portion1130while being spaced apart from the pair of wing portions1116.

When the pair of wing portions1116are moved in the second direction and the band control portion1220is released from all the hold portions1120, the movement prevention portion1132is held by the second rear wall1212bin such a way that the pair of wing portions1116are temporarily restricted from moving further in the second direction, thereby preventing damage caused by a drop which may occur due to carelessness of the user when the user releases the watch from a wrist.

In other words, as shown inFIG. 25B, when the user desires to separate the watch from the wrist, an external force is applied to the band control portion1220and then the band1100is moved in the second direction.

In this case, even though the holding portion1226of the band control portion1220is released from all the hold portions1120, the movement prevention portion1132which protrudes from the body connection portion1130is held by the second rear wall1212bof the body portion1210, thereby temporarily preventing a complete separation from the body portion1110of the band1100.

Accordingly, a sudden drop of the watch may be prevented and the user may stably separate the watch from the wrist by changing a position of the movement prevention portion1132using the external force as shown inFIG. 25B.

FIGS. 26 to 29are views illustrating other modified examples of the band1100.

First, referring toFIG. 26, the band1100and the controller1200which have been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 21are applied to a watch.

The controller1200may be attached to one end of a watch strap of the watch, and the band1100may be attached to the other end thereof.

Here, the body portion1110of the band1100may include a pair of auxiliary wing portions1119which extend in parallel with the pair of wing portions1116to provide the separation space S5into which the second rear wall1212bof the body portion1210is inserted.

The separation space S5may be a space into which the second rear wall1212bof the body portion1210is inserted while the band1100is inserted into the body portion1210of the controller1200. Referring toFIG. 27, compared withFIG. 26, the pair of auxiliary wing portions1119may protrude further than the pair of wing portions1116, thereby guiding the band1100when the band1100is inserted into the internal space S3of the body portion1210of the controller1200.

Referring toFIG. 28, compared withFIG. 27, the supporting portion1118may protrude further than the pair of wing portions1116, thereby guiding the band1100when the band1100is inserted into the internal space S3of the body portion1210of the controller1200. Referring toFIG. 29, the band1100may include the movement prevention portion1132which protrudes in front of the pair of auxiliary wing portions1119while being spaced apart from the pair of wing portions1116.

When the pair of wing portions1116are moved in the second direction and the holding portion1226of the band control portion1220is released from all the hold portions1120, the movement prevention portion1132is held by the second rear wall1212bin such a way that the pair of wing portions1116are temporarily restricted from moving further in the second direction. An effect obtained according thereto is identical to the described with reference toFIG. 25.

FIGS. 30A to 30Dare views illustrating various modified examples of the band1100provided in the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring toFIG. 30A, a supporting portion1118aof a band1100amay be depressed from a front side of a body portion1110ain a longitudinal direction and may protrude toward from a rear side thereof.

Referring toFIG. 30B, a hold portion1120bof a band1100bmay be depressed from a body portion1110b.

Referring toFIG. 30C, a hold portion1120cof a band1100cmay include a concave portion1120c-1formed on a front side of a body portion1110cby depression thereof and a convex portion1120c-2formed to be adjacent to the concave portion1120c-1and to protrude, thereby enlarging an area in which the holding portion1226is held by the hold portion1120cto maximize an available load and usage lifetime.

Referring toFIG. 30D, a band1100dmay include a thin film portion1111mounted on a rear side of a body portion1110dto reduce a frictional force with the second rear wall1212b, may smoothly slide due to the thin film portion1111, and may maximize an available load and usage lifetime.

Meanwhile, the body portion1110dmay be manufactured by injection-molding using a resin such as rubber and the thin film portion1111may be formed of a material different from that of the body portion1110d.

The material of the thin film portion1111may be variously modified considering performance thereof.

Also, the thin film portion1111along with the body portion1110dmay be formed by double injection. In this case, a plurality of holes may be formed in the thin film portion1111, thereby maximizing an adhesive force of the body portion1110dand simultaneously increasing flexibility of the body portion1110d.

FIGS. 31A to 31Bare views illustrating a first modified example of the body portion1110provided in the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 31, a body portion1200amay be manufactured by injection using a plastic resin and a configuration and an effect thereof are identical to the description above.

FIG. 32is a view illustrating a second modified example of the body portion1110provided in the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 32, in the case of a body portion1200b, the attached material connection portion1214of the body portion1220, which has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 21, may be removed.

In this case, the connection between an attached material and the body portion1220bmay be implemented using a through hole H5formed in the second front wall1212a.

That is, the second front wall1212amay include the through hole H5formed to pass therethrough to allow the point portion1312of the fixing pin1300which is an attached material fixing portion for connecting with the attached material to pass therethrough.

Here, to provide a space for an additional caulking jig for caulking the point portion1312which passes through the through hole H5formed in the second front wall1212a, a plurality of holding portions1226of the band control portion1220are provided while spaced apart so as not to interfere with the attached material fixing portion to provide an interference prevention space S6.

Also, an approximate central portion of the mounting portion1232of the elastic portion1230may be cut to provide a space S7for inserting the caulking jig.

FIGS. 33A to 33Care views illustrating a third modified example of the body portion1110provided in the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 33A to 33C, the penetration pin P for connecting the body portion1210with the band control portion1220, which has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 21, may be omitted. A function of the penetration pin P may be performed by a certain area of the second top wall1212cand a certain area of the bottom wall1212d.

In detail, the rotation axis R about which the band control portion1220rotates may be implemented by cutting and bending a certain area of the body portion1210, that is, the certain area of the second top wall1212cand the certain area of the bottom wall1212d.

First, when manufacturing of the body portion1210is completed while the certain area of the second top wall1212cand the certain area of the second bottom wall1212dare cut, the band control portion1220is inserted into the internal space S3to be located in a certain position and then is inserted into the insertion hole H4of the rotation implementation portion1222of the band control portion1220by bending.

The rotation axis R may be implemented by the bending, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process.

Meanwhile, the insertion hole H4formed in the rotation implementation portion1222may extend to the connection portion1228to prevent interference with the connection portion1228in a process in which the certain area of the body portion1210is cut and bent to implement the rotation axis R, thereby reducing a size of the body portion1210by as much as the thickness of the band control portion1220.

FIGS. 34A to 34Bare views illustrating a modified examples of the band control portion1220provided to the band adjusting device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 34A and 34Billustrate cases of implementing the rotation axis R according to the method described with reference toFIGS. 33A to 33Cand the method described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 21, respectively.

Here, the rotation implementation portion1226of the band control portion1220may be formed while one side thereof is open in the second direction to be rotatably mounted on the rotation axis R by a movement toward the rotation axis R.

In detail, in the previous embodiments, a process in which the band control portion1220is located in the certain position in the internal space S3of the body portion1210and then a certain area of the body portion1210is bent or the penetration pin P is inserted has been performed. However, in the present embodiment, a sequence of the process may be changed due to the rotation implementation portion1226.

In other words, inFIG. 34A, when manufacturing of the body portion1210is completed, the penetration pin P may be inserted into the hole H3and the band control portion1220may be inserted into the internal space S3of the body portion1210, which may be implemented by an open area of the rotation implementation portion1226.

Also, inFIG. 34B, when manufacturing of the body portion1210is completed, the rotation axis R is implemented by bending a certain area of the body portion1210beforehand and then the band control portion1220may be inserted into the internal space S3of the body portion1210, which may also be implemented by the open area of the rotation implementation portion1226.

Meanwhile, despite the open area of the rotation implementation portion1226, a separation of the band control portion1220from the rotation axis R does not occur due to the elastic portion1230.

According to the method described above, manufacturing costs may be reduced.

FIG. 35is a perspective view of a band adjusting device2000according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 36is a front view of the band adjusting device2000ofFIG. 35.FIG. 37is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C shown inFIG. 36.

Also,FIG. 38is an exploded view of a controller provided in the band adjusting device2000ofFIG. 35, andFIG. 39is a view illustrating a principle by which a band2100is moved by the band control portion2220ofFIG. 38.

All components of the band adjusting device1000which has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 34may be applied to the band adjusting device2000according to another embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 35 to 39within a compatible range.

Referring toFIGS. 35 to 39, the band adjusting device2000according to another embodiment of the present invention is a device which allows a movement of the band2100in a first direction to be free but allows a movement thereof in a second direction to be selective and may include the band2100and the controller.

The controller may include a body portion2200, the band control portion2220, an elastic portion2230, and an external force transfer portion2240.

The body portion2200may be a component which includes an insertion space S1in which one end of the band2100is inserted and a discharge space S2through which the one end of the band2100, inserted into the insertion space S1, is discharged.

Also, the band control portion2220may be a component which is located in an internal space S3of the body portion2200not to protrude outside the body portion2200and is changeable in position between a first position and a second position based on a rotation axis R to allow the band2100to freely move in the first direction while being in contact with the band2100in the first position and to allow the band2100to freely move in the second direction while not being in contact with the band2100in the second position.

Also, the elastic portion2230may be a component which is elastically deformed when the band control portion2220is changed in position from the first position to the second position due to an external force and is located in the internal space S3to restore the band control portion2220from the second position to the first position using a restoring force caused by the elastic deformation when the external force is removed.

The external force transfer portion2240may be a component which is located in a third position while being in contact with the band control portion2220to allow the band control portion2220to be located in the first position and is changed in position from the third position to a fourth position while being in contact with the band control portion to allow the band control portion2220to be changed in position from the first position to the second position.

The band adjusting device2000according to another embodiment of the present invention, compared with the band adjusting device1000which has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 34, may be a device which further includes the external force transfer portion2240. Due to the external force transfer portion2240, components such as the band control portion2220and the like may be slightly modified.

The external force transfer portion2240may be a type of switch for allowing the band2100to move in the second direction and may transfer an external force of a user to the band control portion2220.

The external force transfer portion2240may be changed in position from the third position to the fourth position through a straight movement to change the band control portion2220in position from the first position to the second position based on a rotation axis R. Here, the third position may be a position shown inFIG. 37and the fourth position may be a position shown inFIG. 39.

To allow the external force transfer portion2240to be mutually changed in position between the third position and the fourth position, the body portion2200may include a movement hole H6which penetrates therethrough.

In detail, the movement hole H6may be formed while passing through a top wall2212cand a bottom wall2212dof the body portion2200and may be formed to be straightly inclined toward the bottom wall2212din the second direction.

However, the movement hole H6does not need to be straightly inclined toward the bottom wall2212dbut may be formed to be rounded.

The external force transfer portion2240may be disposed to be movable in position in the body portion2200along the movement hole H6which penetrates the top wall2212cand the bottom wall2212dand may include a contact portion2242and an exposure portion2244.

The contact portion2242may be a component located in the internal space S3to be in contact with the band control portion2220. The exposure portion2244may be a component connected to the contact portion2242to receive the external force from the user while being exposed outside the internal space S3.

Here, the contact portion2242may be a type of thin rod and the exposure portion2244and the contact portion2242may be changed in position from the third position to the fourth position in the top wall2212cand the bottom wall2212dalong the movement hole H6at certain angles with the first direction and the second direction.

When the exposure portion2244and the contact portion2242are changed in position from the third position to the fourth position, the contact portion2242may rotate the band control portion2220on the rotation axis R while being in contact with the band control portion2220.

Here, the contact portion2242may be in contact with the band control portion2220in an accommodation space S8provided by a separation-prevention portion2216and a specified contact position may be an external force receiving portion2224of the band control portion2220.

The band control portion2220may include the external force receiving portion2224which receives the external force through a contact with the contact portion2242to allow the band2100to move in the second direction, a holding portion2226which interconnects with the external force receiving portion2224and is released from the band2100by the external force, and a connection portion2228which connects the external force receiving portion2224with the holding portion2226.

As a result, the contact portion2242may maintain a contact state with the external force receiving portion2224and the external force receiving portion2224may be changed in contact position with the contact portion2242due to a change in position of the contact portion2242from the third position to the fourth position.

Meanwhile, when the contact portion2242is located in the third position, a contact part between the external force receiving portion2224and the contact portion2242may be rounded or may be at a certain angle to increase the contact part with the contact portion2242, thereby allowing the band control portion2220to smoothly rotate on the rotation axis R based on the change in position of the contact portion2242.

Meanwhile, the exposure portion2244and the contact portion2242may be prefabricated to be smoothly mounted in the movement hole H6.

In other words, when the band control portion2220and the elastic portion2230are mounted in the body portion2200, the external force transfer portion2240may be stably mounted in the movement hole H6to be movable in position by inserting the exposure portion2244into the movement hole H6and the accommodation space S8and then fastening the contact portion2242thereto.

The external force transfer portion2240is moved from the third position to the fourth position by the external force from the user to rotate the band control portion2220on the rotation axis R to be moved from the first position to the second position. After that, when the external force from the user is removed, the external force transfer portion2240may automatically return from the fourth position to the third position due to the restoring force caused by the elastic deformation of the elastic portion2230.

FIG. 40is a perspective view of a band adjusting device3000according to still another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 41is a front view of the band adjusting device3000ofFIG. 40.FIGS. 42A and 42Bare cross-sectional views illustrating parts taken along lines D-D and E-E inFIG. 41, respectively.

Also,FIG. 43is an exploded view of a controller provided in the band adjusting device3000ofFIG. 40, andFIG. 44is a view illustrating a principle by which a band3100is moved by the band control portion3220ofFIG. 43.

Referring toFIGS. 40 to 44, all components of the band adjusting device1000which has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 34may be applied to the band adjusting device3000according to still another embodiment of the present invention within a compatible range.

The band adjusting device3000according to still another embodiment of the present invention, compared with the band adjusting device1000which has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 34, may be a device which further includes an external force transfer portion3240. Due to the external force transfer portion3240, components such as the band control portion3220and the like may be slightly modified.

Referring toFIGS. 40 to 44, the band adjusting device3000according to still another embodiment of the present invention is a device which allows a movement of the band3100in a first direction to be free but allows a movement thereof in a second direction to be selective and may include the band3100and the controller.

The controller may include a body portion3200, the band control portion3220, an elastic portion3230, and the external force transfer portion3240.

The external force transfer portion3240may be a type of switch for allowing the band3100to move in the second direction and may transfer an external force of a user to the band control portion3220.

The external force transfer portion3240may be changed in position from a third position to a fourth position through a straight movement to change the band control portion2220in position from a first position to a second position based on a rotation axis R. Here, the third position may be a position shown inFIG. 42and the fourth position may be a position shown inFIG. 44.

To allow the external force transfer portion3240to be mutually changed in position between the third position and the fourth position, the body portion3200may include a movement hole H6which penetrates therethrough.

In detail, the movement hole H6may be formed while penetrating a top wall3212cand a bottom wall3212dof the body portion3200and may be formed to be a straight shape in parallel with the first direction or the second direction.

The external force transfer portion3240may include a first external force transfer portion3242moved in position from the top wall3212ctoward the bottom wall3212dand a second external force transfer portion3244moved in position from the bottom wall3212dtoward the top wall3212c.

Here, the first external force transfer portion3242may include a first contact portion3242alocated in an internal space S3of the body portion3200to be in contact with the band control portion3220and a first exposure portion3242bconnected to the first contact portion3242awhile being exposed outside the internal space S3. The second external force transfer portion3244may include a second contact portion3244alocated in the internal space S3to be in contact with the band control portion3220and a second exposure portion3244bconnected to the second contact portion3244awhile being exposed outside the internal space S3.

The first contact portion3242aand the second contact portion3244aare changed in position from the third position to the fourth position to rotate the band control portion3220on the rotation axis R.

Meanwhile, the first external force transfer portion3242may include a first stopper3242cwhich protrudes from a boundary between the first exposure portion3242band the first contact portion3242ato be in contact with the top wall3212cto prevent the first contact portion3242afrom being deviated outside the internal space S3in the third position.

Also, the second external force transfer portion3244may include a second stopper3244cwhich protrudes from a boundary between the second exposure portion3244band the second contact portion3244ato be in contact with the bottom wall3212dto prevent the second contact portion3244afrom being deviated outside the internal space S3in the third position.

When the band control portion3220and the elastic portion3230are mounted in the body portion3200, the first external force transfer portion3242and the second external force transfer portion3244may be forcibly inserted into the movement hole H6of the body portion3200. Here, the first stopper3242cand the second stopper3244cpass through the movement hole H6while being held by the top wall3212cand the bottom wall3212d, respectively.

The first stopper3242cand the second stopper3244cwhich pass through the movement hole H6are held by insides of the top wall3212cand the bottom wall3212din the internal space S3, thereby preventing the first external force transfer portion3242and the second external force transfer portion3244from being deviated outside the body portion3200.

Here, the first contact portion3242aand the second contact portion3244awhich pass through the movement hole H6may be accommodated in an accommodation space S8of a separation-prevention portion3216and may be restricted in moving in position toward a rear wall3212bof the body portion3200by the separation-prevention portion3216.

The body portion3200may include a frame portion3210which defines an insertion space S1and a discharge space S2and the separation-prevention portion3216which extends from the frame portion3210to be in contact with the band control portion3220to prevent a separation of the band control portion3220when the band control portion3220is located in the second position.

The separation-prevention portion3216may include the accommodation space S8which accommodates the first contact portion3242aand the second contact portion3244ato allow the first contact portion3242aand the second contact portion3244ato be located in contact with the band control portion3220while restricting the first contact portion3242aand the second contact portion3244ain moving in position toward the rear wall3212b.

As a result, the first external force transfer portion3242and the second external force transfer portion3244are stably located in the accommodation space S8of the separation-prevention portion3216and may be prevented from moving in position toward the bottom wall3212dby one side wall of the separation-prevention portion3216.

Meanwhile, the first contact portion3242amay include a first contact surface3242a-1at an irregular distance from the front wall3212ain a direction from the top wall3212cto the bottom wall3212d, and the second contact portion3244amay include a second contact surface3244a-1at an irregular distance from the front wall3212ain a direction from the bottom wall3212dto the top wall3212c.

The first contact portion3244a-1and the second contact portion3244a-2may be formed to be rounded, and in detail, parts in contact with the band control portion3220may protrude while being rounded to allow the band control portion3200to smoothly rotate by minimizing contact areas with the band control portion3220.

Here, the band control portion3220may include a component to allow the external force to be stably transferred from the first external force transfer portion3242and the second external force transfer portion3244.

In detail, the band control portion3220may include an external force receiving portion3224which receives the external force through contacts with the first contact portion3242aand the second contact portion3244ato allow the band3100to move in the second direction, a holding portion3226which interconnects with the external force receiving portion3224and is released from the band3100by the external force, and a connection portion3228which connects the external force receiving portion3224with the holding portion3226.

The external force receiving portion3224may include a first external force receiving portion3224aand a second external force receiving portion3224bin contact with the first contact portion3242aand the second contact portion3244a. The first external force receiving portion3224amay be formed to be inclined to the rear wall3212bfrom the bottom wall3212dtoward the top wall3212c. The second external force receiving portion3224bmay be formed to be inclined to the rear wall3212bfrom the top wall3212ctoward the bottom wall3212d.

Accordingly, due to the external force receiving portion3224, the first contact portion3242a, and the second contact portion3244a, the band control portion3220may be stably moved in position based on the rotation axis R by movements in position of the first external force transfer portion3242and the second external force transfer portion3244.

Meanwhile, when the external force transfer portion3240is changed in position from the third position to the fourth position and then the external force is removed, the external force transfer portion3240may automatically return to the third position due to a restoring force caused by elastic deformation of the elastic portion3230.

FIG. 45is a perspective view of a band adjusting device4000according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 46is a front view of the band adjusting device4000ofFIG. 45.FIG. 47is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F-F shown inFIG. 46.

Also,FIG. 48is an exploded view of controller provided in the band adjusting device4000ofFIG. 45, andFIG. 49is a view illustrating a principle by which a band4100is moved by the band control portion4220ofFIG. 48.

Referring toFIGS. 45 to 49, all components of the band adjusting device1000which has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 34may be applied to the band adjusting device4000according to yet another embodiment of the present invention within a compatible range.

The band adjusting device4000according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, compared with the band adjusting device1000which has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 34, may be a device which further includes an external force transfer portion4240. Due to the external force transfer portion4240, components such as the band control portion4220and the like may be slightly modified.

Referring toFIGS. 45 to 49, the band adjusting device4000according to yet another embodiment of the present invention is a device which allows a movement of the band4100in a first direction to be free but allows a movement thereof in a second direction to be selective and may include the band4100and the controller.

The controller may include a body portion4200, the band control portion4220, an elastic portion4230, and the external force transfer portion4240.

The external force transfer portion4240may be a type of switch for allowing the band4100to move in the second direction and may transfer an external force of a user to the band control portion4220.

The external force transfer portion4240may be changed in position from a third position to a fourth position through a straight movement to change the band control portion4220in position from a first position to a second position based on a rotation axis R. Here, the third position may be a position shown inFIG. 47and the fourth position may be a position shown inFIG. 49.

The external force transfer portion4240may be slidably mounted on a part of the body portion4200which extends in the first direction but is not limited thereto and may be located in the third position using an additional member.

The external force transfer portion4240may include a contact portion4242located in an internal space S3of the body portion4200to be in contact with the band control portion4220and an exposure portion4244connected to the contact portion4242while being exposed outside the internal space S3.

Here, the exposure portion4244may be moved in position in the first direction to be changed in position from the third position to the fourth position in such a way that the contact portion4242may allow the band control portion4220to rotate on the rotation axis R.

The contact portion4242may include a contact surface4242aat an irregular distance from a front wall4212ain the first direction. A part of the contact surface4242ain contact with the band control portion4220may protrude to be rounded to allow the band control portion4220to smoothly rotate by minimizing a contact area with the band control portion4220.

Here, the band control portion4220may include a component which allows the external force to be stably transferred from the external force transfer portion4240.

In detail, the band control portion4220may include an external force receiving portion4224which receives the external force through a contact with the contact portion4242to allow the band4100to move in the second direction, a holding portion4226which interconnects with the external force receiving portion4224and is released from the band4100by the external force, and a connection portion4228which connects the external force receiving portion4224with the holding portion4226.

The external force receiving portion4224may include an inclined surface4224aformed to be inclined to a rear wall4212bof the body portion4200in the second direction to allow the exposure portion4244to smoothly rotate on the rotation axis R when moving in the first direction.

Accordingly, due to the external force receiving portion4224and the contact portion4242, the band control portion4220may be stably moved in position based on the rotation axis R by a movement in position of the external force transfer portion4240.

Meanwhile, the body portion4200may include a frame portion4210which defines an insertion space S1and a discharge space S2and a separation-prevention portion4216which extends from the frame portion4210to be in contact with the band control portion4220to prevent a separation of the band control portion4220when the band control portion4220is located in the second position.

Also, a plurality of such separation-prevention portions4216includes an accommodation space S8therebetween to allow the contact portion4242to be located in contact with the band control portion4220. Here, the contact portion4242may be restricted in moving in position toward the rear wall4212b.

Meanwhile, when the external force transfer portion4240is changed in position from the third position to the fourth position and then the external force is removed, the external force transfer portion4240may automatically return to the third position due to a restoring force caused by elastic deformation of the elastic portion4230.

As is apparent from the embodiments described above, a controller, a band, and a band adjusting device may be further reduced in number of components to simplify a manufacturing process thereof, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Also, sliding of the band may be smoothly performed and easily operated at the same time, thereby providing convenience to a user.

Also, a size thereof may be reduced to maximize the field of application. When it is applied to watches, watches may be prevented from falling off due to carelessness of the user.