Abstract:
An insertable accessory is provided for adding enhanced personalization to wrist-wearable devices, such as watches, wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, and smart watches. The insertable accessory can be of a single piece of cast metal having a platform with a top and bottom side; at least one leg shaped so as to be insertable into an adjustment hole of a wristband, and attached to the bottom side of the platform; and at least one ornamental object attached to the top side of the platform. The insertable accessory can also be a single piece of cast metal having at least one leg extending from an ornamental object, such as a gem, a gem setting, a bead, a letter, a school logo. The at least one leg is shaped so as to securely engage with an adjustment hole of an attachment band of a wrist-wearable device, and can have a round or oblong cross-section.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to wrist-wearable devices, and more particularly to accessories for personalizing the attachment band of wrist-wearable devices, such as fitness watches, activity trackers, and smart watches. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Fitness watches, and wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors have reached a high level of popularity. In addition, smart watches that work with smart phones have become increasingly popular. For many people, such wearable devices have displaced conventional wrist watches. Today&#39;s wrist watches offer many ornamental features to choose from, thereby allowing for a high degree of personalization just by choosing from among the myriad options available today for wrist watches. 
         [0003]    However, many smart watches, fitness watches, and wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, especially the inexpensive versions, are very plain-looking, or do not offer affordable models having various ornamental features. Current manufacturers typically do not provided a wide variety of aesthetic options to consumers that want a more personalized look for their affordable fitness watches and wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors. Consequently, such affordable watches and monitors generally look the same from one person to the next. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    One general aspect of the invention is an insertable accessory for providing enhanced personalization for wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, smart watches, and other wrist-wearable devices. The insertable accessory includes: a platform having an outward facing surface and an underside; at least one leg, the leg being shaped so as to be insertable into an adjustment hole of a wristband of a wrist-wearable device, the at least one leg being attached to the underside of the platform; and at least one ornamental object, the at least one ornamental object being attached to the outward facing surface of the platform. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, the at least one ornamental object is one of: a gem, a bead, a letter, a school logo, or a gem setting. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the at least one leg is shaped so as to securely engage with an adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the at least one leg has a round cross-section so as to securely engage with a round adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the at least one leg is oblong-shaped so as to securely engage with an oblong-shaped adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the at least one leg has a round cross-section so as to securely engage with an oblong-shaped adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the at least one ornamental object is attached to the outward facing surface of the platform using at least one of: adhesive, a screw post, a weld, an insertable post. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, at least one of a portion of the platform and at least a portion of the ornamental object is painted. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the platform has an outward facing surface that has a convex curvature. 
         [0013]    Another general aspect of the invention is an insertable accessory for providing enhanced personalization for wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, smart watches, and other wrist-wearable devices. This insertable accessory includes: a single piece of cast metal having a platform having an outward facing surface and an underside, at least one leg, the leg being shaped so as to be insertable into an adjustment hole of a wristband of a wrist-wearable device, the at least one leg extending from the underside of the platform, and at least one ornamental object, the at least one ornamental object extending from the outward facing surface of the platform of the single piece of cast metal. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the at least one ornamental object is one of: a gem, a bead, a letter, a school logo, a gem setting. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the at least one leg is shaped so as to securely engage with an adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, at least a portion of the platform and at least a portion of the ornamental object is painted. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the platform has an outward facing surface that has a convex curvature. 
         [0018]    Yet another general aspect of the invention is an insertable accessory for providing enhanced personalization for wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, smart watches, and other wrist-wearable devices. This insertable accessory includes: a single piece of cast metal having at least one ornamental object, the at least one ornamental object having an underside, and at least one leg, the leg being shaped so as to be insertable into an adjustment hole of a wristband of a wrist-wearable device, the at least one leg extending from the underside of the ornamental object. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the at least one ornamental object is one of: a letter, a school logo, a gem setting. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the at least one leg is shaped so as to securely engage with an adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, at least a portion of the ornamental object is painted. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the at least one leg is oblong-shaped so as to securely engage with an oblong-shaped adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the at least one leg has a round cross-section so as to securely engage with an oblong-shaped adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following Detailed Description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a presently common known activity wristband, and two embodiments of the insertable accessories of the invention inserted into oblong adjustment holes of the activity wristband. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is an exploded rear perspective view of the activity wristband of  FIG. 1 , showing the oblong adjustment holes of the activity wristband, and showing the two embodiments of the insertable accessories of the invention, set back from respective oblong adjustment holes of the activity wristband, also showing the oblong attachment legs of each of the two embodiments of the insertable accessory. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a portion of the activity wristband shown in  FIG. 2  having two oblong adjustment holes, showing the two oblong adjustment holes and an insertable accessory having two oblong attachment legs before inserting the two oblong attachment legs into the two oblong adjustment holes. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband of  FIG. 3 , showing the insertable accessory having two oblong attachment legs inserted into the two oblong adjustment holes. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a portion of the activity wristband shown in  FIG. 2 , showing the one oblong adjustment hole and an insertable accessory having one oblong attachment leg before inserting the one oblong attachment leg into the one oblong adjustment hole. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband of  FIG. 5 , showing the insertable accessory having one oblong attachment leg inserted into the one oblong adjustment hole. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a presently common known activity wristband, and one additional embodiment of the insertable accessories of the invention having a round attachment leg, this further embodiment shown inserted into an oblong adjustment hole of the activity wristband. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is an exploded rear perspective view of the activity wristband of  FIG. 7 , showing a single oblong adjustment hole of the activity wristband, and showing the single embodiment being set back from the respective oblong adjustment hole of the activity wristband, also showing a round attachment leg of this single embodiment of the insertable accessory. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a watch, such as a presently common known smart watch having a wristband, and a single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory of the invention being inserted into a round adjustment hole of the wristband. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is an exploded front perspective view of the watch of  FIG. 9 , showing the round adjustment holes of the wristband, and showing the single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory of the invention, set back from a respective round adjustment hole of the wristband, also showing the single round attachment leg of each of the single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a portion of the activity wristband shown in  FIG. 10  having one round adjustment hole, showing the one round adjustment hole and an insertable accessory having one round attachment leg before inserting the one round attachment leg into the one round adjustment hole. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband of  FIG. 10 , showing the insertable accessory having one round attachment leg being tilted so it can be inserted into the one round adjustment hole of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband of  FIG. 10 , showing the insertable accessory having one round attachment leg fully inserted into the one round adjustment hole of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the insertable accessory having one round attachment leg, the alternative embodiment having a leg portion and an ornamental object portion, the ornamental object portion being attachable to the leg portion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitor  100  (also called an “activity wristband”) having an attachment band  102  is shown. 
         [0040]    A double insertable accessory  104  having a platform  105  with two ornamental objects  106  and  108  mounted thereon is shown, the double insertable accessory  104  being inserted into two respective oblong adjustment holes (the oblong adjustment holes are not shown in this view). 
         [0041]    A single insertable accessory  110  having a platform  111  with one ornamental object  112  mounted thereon is shown, an attachment leg of the single insertable accessory  110  being inserted into one oblong adjustment hole (the oblong adjustment hole is not shown in this view). 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in this exploded view, the oblong adjustment holes  204  and  206  in the attachment band  102  are shown for receiving the oblong attachment legs  200  and  202  of the double insertable accessory  104 . Further, the oblong adjustment hole  210  in the attachment band  102  is shown for receiving the oblong attachment leg  208  of the single insertable accessory  110 . 
         [0043]    To use a double insertable accessory to personalize the activity wristband (which can be seen to be quite plain) the two oblong legs of the double insertable accessory are pushed into two oblong holes of the activity wristband until each of the oblong legs overcome the resistance of the holes (each hole being slightly smaller than the cross-section of each respective oblong leg), thereby securing the double insertable accessory in place. 
         [0044]    To use a single insertable accessory to personalize the activity wristband, the oblong leg of the single insertable accessory is pushed into an oblong hole of the activity wristband until the oblong leg overcomes the resistance of the hole (the hole being slightly smaller than the cross-section of the respective oblong leg), thereby securing the single insertable accessory in place. 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a portion of the activity wristband  100  and the double insertable accessory  104  shown in  FIG. 2  having two oblong adjustment holes  204  and  206 , showing the insertable accessory  104  having two oblong attachment legs  200  and  202  before inserting the two oblong attachment legs  200 ,  202  into the two oblong adjustment holes  204 ,  206  of the attachment band  102 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband  100  of  FIG. 2 , showing the insertable accessory  104  having two oblong attachment legs  200 ,  202  inserted into the two oblong adjustment holes  204 ,  206  of the attachment band  102 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a portion of the activity wristband  100  shown in  FIG. 2 , showing the one oblong adjustment hole  210  and an insertable accessory  110  before inserting the one oblong attachment leg  208  into one oblong adjustment hole  210  of the attachment band  102 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband of  FIG. 5 , showing the insertable accessory  110  having one oblong attachment leg  208  inserted into the one oblong adjustment hole  210  in the attachment band  102 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a presently common known activity wristband  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and one additional embodiment  700  of the insertable accessory of the invention, this additional embodiment  700  having a round attachment leg  710 , this further embodiment  700  being inserted into an oblong adjustment hole (not shown in this view) of the activity wristband  100 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  is an exploded rear perspective view of the activity wristband  100  of  FIG. 7 , showing a single oblong adjustment hole  210  of the activity wristband  100 , and showing the single embodiment  700  of the insertable accessory of the invention, the single embodiment  700  being set back from the respective oblong adjustment hole  210  of the activity wristband  100 , also showing a round attachment leg  710  of this single embodiment  700  of the insertable accessory. 
         [0051]    To use the additional embodiment of the single insertable accessory to personalize the activity wristband, the round leg of the single insertable accessory is tilted and pushed into an oblong hole of the activity wristband until the round leg overcomes the resistance of the oblong hole (the oblong hole being narrower than the widest cross-section of the respective round leg), thereby securing the additional embodiment of the single insertable accessory in place. 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a watch  900 , such as a presently common known smart watch having a wristband  902 , and the single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory  700  of the invention, inserted into a round adjustment hole (not visible in this view) of the wristband  902 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 10  is an exploded front perspective view of the watch of  FIG. 9 , showing the round adjustment holes  904  of the wristband, and showing the single leg embodiment  700  of the insertable accessory of the invention, set back from a respective round adjustment hole  904  of the wristband  902 , also showing the single round attachment leg  710  of the single leg embodiment  700  of the insertable accessory. 
         [0054]    To use the single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory to personalize the watch, the round leg of the insertable accessory is tilted and pushed into a round hole of the watch band of the watch until the round leg overcomes the resistance of the round hole (the round hole being narrower than the widest cross-section of the respective round leg), thereby securing the single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory in place. 
         [0055]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a portion of the watch wristband  902  shown in  FIG. 10  having at least one round adjustment hole  904 , showing the one round adjustment hole  904  and an insertable accessory  700  having one round attachment leg  710  before inserting the one round attachment leg  710  into the one round adjustment hole  904 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the portion of the watch wristband  902  of  FIG. 10 , showing the insertable accessory  700  having one round attachment leg  710  being tilted so it can be inserted into the one round adjustment hole  904  of  FIG. 11 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the portion of the watch wristband  902  of  FIG. 10 , showing the insertable accessory  700  having one round attachment leg  710  fully inserted into the one round adjustment hole  904  of  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         [0058]    To use the insertable accessory  700 , the user grasps the insertable accessory  700  between two fingers, and pushes the round attachment leg of the insertable accessory  700  into at least one adjustment hole  904  of the band  902  of the watch (or smart watch, or wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitor). For example, the single charm embodiment  700  has one attachment leg  710 , and that single attachment leg  710  is pushed into the adjustment hole  904 . 
         [0059]    For the double charm embodiment having two attachment legs (such as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , each of the two attachment legs is pushed fully into a respective adjustment hole. Thus, the insertable accessory is secured in place on the monitor (or watch) band, thereby providing enhanced personalization of the wrist-wearable monitor, smart watch, or other wrist-worn device. The enhanced personalization results from the fact that there are many more options for and combinations of charms, gems, etc than the number of options available for the wrist bands of such wrist-wearable devices. Even if a wide variety of band options eventually becomes available, the insertable accessory of the invention further multiples the possibilities for personalization, enabling a person to create a highly unique and personalized look. Many consumers of such wrist-wearable devices will find this to be highly desirable. 
         [0060]    It is advantageous to make the insertable accessory  700  of  FIGS. 11-13  as a single piece of cast metal, having at least one round insertable leg  710  for insertion into at least one adjustment hole of a wrist band of an activity/sleep monitor or smart watch, for example. An outward facing surface  1100  of the single piece of cast metal can be shaped ornamentally, such as in the shape of a flower, an animal, etc. The outward facing surface  1100  can be painted ornamentally to add further adornment. 
         [0061]    Likewise, it is advantageous to make the insertable accessory  104  of  FIGS. 3-4  as a single piece of cast metal, having two round or oblong insertable legs for insertion into two respective neighboring adjustment holes of a wristband of an activity/sleep monitor or smart watch, for example. In the case of an insertable accessory having two attachment legs, it is advantageous to make the legs long enough to penetrate through two layers of the wristband, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example. An outward facing surface of this single piece of cast metal can be shaped ornamentally, such as in the shape of a flower, an animal, etc. Alternatively, the outward facing surface could be shaped as a rounded rectangle having a gentle curvature substantially matching the curvature of the wristband, e.g., the platform  105 . This curved surface can be painted ornamentally to add further adornment. Alternatively, one, two, or three charms, gems, or other ornamental objects can be mounted on the outward facing curved surface of platform  105 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , alternatively, the single piece of cast metal can have an outward facing surface  1400  suitable for mounting a charm, a gem, or other ornamental object  1402 . The charm, gem, or other ornamental object  1402  can be attached to the outward facing surface  1400  using an adhesive. Alternatively, the charm, gem, or other ornamental object  1402  can be mounted to a post (not shown) integral to the outward facing surface, or the post can be screwed into a threaded hole (not shown) in the outward facing surface. For insertable accessories having two insertable legs, there can be two threaded holes to accommodate two threaded posts, and two respective charms, gems, or other ornamental objects. The other ornamental objects can include: birthstones, letters, college logos, beads, gem settings, and the like. 
         [0063]    If the insertable accessory includes a gem setting for presenting a gem, such as a diamond or a ruby, what was once an ordinary watch, or wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitor can be transformed into an extraordinary opulent accessory. For example, a black band of a wrist-wearable monitor provides an excellent background for presenting one or more diamonds using one or more insertable accessories. 
         [0064]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims.