Patent Description:
In various embodiments, the invention relates generally to watch bands and, more particularly, to single-piece watch bands.

Many conventional watch bands are two-piece watch bands having two separate band components. <FIG> illustrates one example of a conventional two-piece watch band <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in a conventional two-piece watch band, each separate band component includes a loop through which a removable portion (e.g., a spring-loaded pin) of a watch case lug is inserted. When the removable portions are secured within the lug, the separate watch band components are secured to the watch case and the watch can be worn by a user. However, such removal and re-attachment of the removeable portions to the watch case can require specific tools and can be inconvenient.

Another known type of watch band is the NATO watch band or strap. <FIG> illustrates an example conventional NATO watch band <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, conventional NATO watch bands are made of a flexible, non-rigid material (e.g., a fabric) to allow the watch band to be easily inserted through the spring-loaded pins or through fixed lugs on a watch case. However, because this insertion technique relies upon the flexibility and non-rigidity of the NATO watch band, NATO watch bands are not made from rigid materials, which limits the types of materials and styles that can be offered by a NATO watch band.

An improved watch band that addresses the shortcomings of existing watch bands is needed. <CIT> discloses a wearable electronic device holder having a retention member for retaining an electronic device, such as a smartwatch or an MP3 player, and a wrist strap attached to the retention member is disclosed. The retention member includes a protective frame comprising one or more covers or openings for receiving and allowing interaction with one or more buttons, knobs, and/or ports of the electronic device. At least one of the covers is configured to enable the dual-action functionality of a knob of the electronic device. The protective frame may also include an opening adapted to receive sound-permeable, waterproof inserts for an audio port of the electronic device. The protective frame further includes fastening holes for attachment to the wrist strap. The protective frame may be a two-piece frame that partially encloses the electronic device.

The present invention relates to an improved single-piece watch band assembly that can be formed from more rigid materials (e.g., a series of rigid links) than NATO bands. Several inventive features of the watch band described herein enable it to function better and provide more design and style choices than conventional watch bands.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a watch band according to claim <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion and the second material of the second portion may be a polymer, an elastomer, a metal, a fabric, a mesh, a composite material, and/or combinations thereof. In certain further embodiments, the first material of the first portion can be rubber and the second material of the second portion can be metal.

The watch band further includes an attachment structure that attaches the first portion of the watch band to the second portion of the watch band. The attachment structure comprises at least one offset link. The offset link is adapted to couple to a lug of the watch case to prevent relative sliding movement therebetween. In further embodiments, the offset link can be a pair of offset links, each offset link adapted to couple to a respective lug of the watch case.

In some embodiments, the second portion of the watch band can include a detachment component that is disposed remotely from the first portion of the watch band. In such embodiments the watch band can further include a sizing component that is different than the detachment component. The sizing component can be a butterfly clasp in certain embodiments.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a watch band according to claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion and the second material of the second portion may be a polymer, an elastomer, a metal, a fabric, a mesh, a composite material, and/or combinations thereof. The method further includes the step of forming an attachment structure that attaches the first portion of the watch band to the second portion of the watch band. The attachment structure comprises at least one offset link. The offset link is adapted to couple to a lug of the watch case to prevent relative sliding movement therebetween. In further embodiments, the offset link can be a pair of offset links, each offset link adapted to couple to a respective lug of the watch case.

In some embodiments, the step of forming the second portion of the watch band can include incorporating a detachment component into the second portion of the watch band and disposed remotely from the first portion of the watch band. In such embodiments, the step of forming the second portion of the watch band can further include incorporating a sizing component into the second portion of the watch band that is different than the detachment component. The sizing component can be a butterfly clasp.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of attaching a watch band to a watch case according to claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion and the second material of the second portion may be a polymer, an elastomer, a metal, a fabric, a mesh, a composite material, and/or combinations thereof. The watch band further includes an attachment structure that attaches the first portion of the watch band to the second portion of the watch band. The attachment structure comprises at least one offset link. The method includes the step of coupling the offset link to a lug of the watch case to prevent relative sliding movement therebetween. In further embodiments, the offset link can be a pair of offset links and the coupling step can include coupling each offset link to a respective lug of the watch case.

In some embodiments, the second portion of the watch band can further include a detachment component disposed remotely from the first portion of the watch band. In such embodiments, the method can further include the step of detaching the detachment component, prior to the step of sliding the watch band through two lugs of the watch case. In further embodiments, the method can further include the step of attaching the detachment component after the step of sliding the watch band through two lugs of the watch case.

In some embodiments, the watch band can further include a sizing component that is different than the detachment component. In such embodiments, the sizing component can be a butterfly clasp.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, and accompanying drawings, where:.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a watch band, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

The figures depict various embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein can be employed without departing from the principles of the embodiments of the invention described herein, the invention being defined by the appended claims.

Embodiments of the invention include an improved watch band <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the watch band <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The watch band <NUM> can include a top surface <NUM> and a bottom surface <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the watch band <NUM> is a single, continuous band, and includes a first portion <NUM> attached to a second portion <NUM>, such that the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> are continuous with one another. As used herein, the term single piece means that all of the components are attached such that no component has complete freedom of motion with respect to any other component. The term does not require that the structure be monolithic or be formed from a single component, but can be an assembly of components. The second portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> includes a series of rigid links, including example rigid link <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> is made of a first material and is adapted to be located directly under a back of a watch case <NUM>, when the watch case <NUM> is attached to the watch band <NUM>. The rigid links of the second portion <NUM> are made of a second material that is different from the first material. The second portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> is adapted to wrap around a wrist of a user when the watch band <NUM> is worn by the user. In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion <NUM> and the second material of the second portion <NUM> can be a polymer, an elastomer, a metal, a fabric, a mesh, a composite material, and/or any combination thereof. In certain further embodiments, the first material of the first portion <NUM> is rubber and the second material of the second portion <NUM> is metal. In embodiments in which the first material of the first portion <NUM> is a flexible material, such as rubber, the flexibility of the first material can enable the first portion <NUM> to conform to a wrist of a user, when the user wears the watch band <NUM>, and also can enable the first portion <NUM> to be easily pulled through lugs of a watch case without becoming stuck.

The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> are attached and are continuous with one another, such that the watch band <NUM> is a single, continuous piece not intended to be disassembled by a user. If a conventional rigid watch band were attempted to be pulled through two lugs of the watch case <NUM>, that the watch band would not fit or would be too rigid to properly curl around a user's wrist and also permit the watch case <NUM> to lay flat against the wrist.

According to the invention depicted in <FIG>, an attachment structure <NUM> attaches the first portion <NUM> to the second portion <NUM>. According to the invention, the attachment structure <NUM> comprises at least one offset link <NUM>, <NUM>. The at least one offset link <NUM>, <NUM> is adapted to couple to a lug of a watch case when the watch case <NUM> is attached to the watch band <NUM>. An example benefit of this configuration is to prevent relative sliding between the watch case <NUM> and the watch band <NUM>. The offset links <NUM>, <NUM> can have an arcuate (e.g., J-shape) profile which, when clasped to the watch case <NUM>, can alter the trajectory of the watch band <NUM> such that it is better able to wrap around a user's wrist than if the offset links <NUM>, <NUM> were not present. In general, any structure that alters the trajectory of the band <NUM> can be used in addition to the offset links <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the one or more offset links couple to the lugs of the watch case such that the first portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> is directed downwards and away from the watch case. This downward direction of the first portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> by the offset links enables the second portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> to be at the same level as the watch case when wrapped around a wrist of a user. This permits the first portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> to be neatly disposed below the watch case.

In some embodiments, e.g., depicted in <FIG>, the second portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> can further include a detachment component <NUM> that is disposed remotely from the first portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM>. In other words, when the watch band <NUM> is attached to a watch case, the detachment component <NUM> enables the watch band <NUM> to be detached at a location remote from the watch case. This allows the watch band <NUM> to be pulled through the watch case lugs while permitting using a conventional technique for lengthening and shortening the watch band (e.g., a jeweler's or butterfly clasp) to facilitate donning and removal of the watch from a user's wrist. Conventional two-piece watch bands only have a detachment portion at the location where they attach to the watch case or where the slack is removed from the band. For a user to be able to direct the single-piece watch band <NUM> under the watch case, it can be advantageous for the watch band <NUM> to have a detachment point remote from the watch case and different from the sizing component. The detachment component <NUM> is depicted in further detail in <FIG>.

In embodiments in which the second portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> further includes the detachment component <NUM>, the watch band <NUM> can also include a sizing component <NUM> that is different than the detachment component <NUM>. In general, any known sizing component can be used, e.g., a butterfly clasp.

Because the detachment component <NUM> is both disposed remotely from the first portion <NUM> of the watch band <NUM> and is different than the sizing component <NUM>, the watch band <NUM> can be pulled through the lugs of a watch case for wear by a user before being sized to the user's wrist.

<FIG> depicts a top surface of the watch band <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention when the watch band <NUM> is attached to a watch case <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a side view of the watch band <NUM> attached to the watch case <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The side view of the watch band <NUM> includes the features discussed above with regard to <FIG>. Specifically, the side view of the watch band <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM>, a second portion <NUM>, an example rigid link <NUM>, and an attachment structure comprising a pair of offset links <NUM> and <NUM>. The attachment structure comprising the pair of offset links <NUM> and <NUM> enables the watch band <NUM> to curl around a user's wrist while maintaining the watch case <NUM> at a low profile above the first portion <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a top surface of the watch band <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The top surface of the watch band <NUM> includes the features discussed above with regard to <FIG>. Specifically, the top surface of the watch band <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM>, a second portion <NUM>, an example rigid link <NUM>, an attachment structure comprising a pair of offset links <NUM> and <NUM>, and a sizing component <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a bottom surface of the watch band <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The bottom surface of the watch band <NUM> includes the features discussed above with regard to <FIG>. Specifically, the bottom surface of the watch band <NUM> shows the first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, the example rigid link <NUM> of the second portion <NUM>, the pair of offset links <NUM> and <NUM>, and the sizing component <NUM>.

<FIG> is a an enlarged partial phantom side view of the watch band <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The phantom side view of the watch band <NUM> shows the features discussed above with regard to <FIG>. Specifically, the phantom side view of the watch band <NUM> shows the top surface <NUM>, the bottom surface <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, the example rigid link <NUM> of the second portion <NUM>, the detachment component <NUM>, and the sizing component <NUM>. The first portion of the watch band <NUM> is not visible in <FIG>. In this embodiment, the detachment component <NUM> is a pivoting snap-style clasp.

<FIG> is a an enlarged partial phantom view of the top surface of the watch band <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The phantom view of the top surface includes the features discussed above with regard to <FIG>. Specifically, the phantom top view of the watch band <NUM> shows some of the second portion <NUM>, the example rigid link <NUM> of the second portion <NUM>, the detachment component <NUM>, and the sizing component <NUM>. The first portion of the watch band <NUM> is not visible in <FIG>.

Embodiments of another aspect of the invention also include a method of attaching a watch band to a watch case. <FIG> illustrates a flow chart of a method <NUM> for attaching a watch band to a watch case in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The method <NUM> includes steps of obtaining <NUM> a watch band and sliding <NUM> the watch band through two lugs of the watch case.

The watch band obtained in step <NUM> of the method <NUM> is an embodiment of the watch bands discussed in detail above with regard to <FIG>. Specifically, the watch band obtained in step <NUM> includes a first portion and a second portion continuous with the first portion. The first portion of the watch band is made of a first material. The second portion of the watch band includes a series of rigid links that are formed from a second material that is different than the first material. In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion and the second material of the second portion may be a polymer, an elastomer, a metal, a fabric, a mesh, a composite material, and/or any combination thereof.

In step <NUM> of the method <NUM>, the watch band is slid through two lugs of the watch case such that the first portion of the watch band is located directly under a back of the watch case and such that the second portion of the watch band is adapted to wrap around a wrist of a user. In embodiments in which the first material of a portion of the watch band is a flexible material, the flexibility of the first material enables the first portion to be easily pulled through lugs of a watch case without becoming stuck.

As discussed with regard to <FIG>, according to the invention, the watch band obtained in step <NUM> of the method <NUM> further includes an attachment structure that attaches the first portion to the second portion of the watch band. The attachment structure comprises at least one offset link. According to the invention, the method <NUM> further includes coupling the at least one offset link to a lug of the watch case to prevent relative sliding between the watch case and the watch band.

In some embodiments, the offset links couple to the lugs of the watch case such that the first portion of the watch band is directed downwards and away from the watch case. This downward direction of the first portion of the watch band by the offset links enables a second portion of the watch band to be at the same level as the watch case when wrapped around a wrist of a user. This permits the first portion of the watch band to be neatly disposed below the watch case.

In some embodiments, the second portion of the watch band obtained in step <NUM> of the method <NUM> further includes a detachment component that is disposed remotely from the first portion of the watch band. In such embodiments, the method <NUM> can further include detaching the detachment component prior to sliding <NUM> the watch band through two lugs of the watch case. In further embodiments, the method <NUM> can further include attaching the detachment component after sliding <NUM> the watch band through two lugs of the watch case.

In certain embodiments in which the second portion of the watch band further includes the detachment component, the watch band can also include a sizing component that is different than the detachment component. In certain embodiments, the sizing component can be a butterfly clasp. As mentioned above, because the detachment component is both disposed remotely from the first portion of the watch band, and is different than the sizing component, the detachment component can be detached, the watch band can be pulled through the lugs of the watch case, and then the detachment component can be attached for wear by a user while permitting using a conventional technique for lengthening and shortening the watch band (e.g., a jeweler's or butterfly clasp) to facilitate donning and removal of the watch from a user's wrist.

Embodiments of the invention also include a method of manufacturing a single-piece watch band. <FIG> illustrates a flow chart of a method <NUM> for manufacturing a watch band in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes the steps of forming <NUM> a first portion of the watch band from a first material and forming <NUM> a second portion continuous with the first portion of the watch band from a different second material.

The watch band manufactured by the method <NUM> is an embodiment of the watch bands discussed in detail above with regard to <FIG>. The first portion of the watch band is adapted to be located directly under a back of a watch case, when the watch case is attached to the watch band. The second portion of the watch band includes a series of rigid links, and is adapted to wrap around a wrist of a user, when the watch band is worn by the user.

In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion of the watch band and the second material of the second portion of the watch band may be a polymer, an elastomer, a metal, a fabric, a mesh, a composite material, and/or any combination thereof.

According to the invention, the method <NUM> further includes a step of forming an attachment structure to attach the first portion of the watch band to the second portion of the watch band. According to the invention, the attachment structure comprises at least one offset link. The at least one offset link is adapted to couple to a lug of a watch case when the watch case is attached to the watch band, to prevent relative sliding between the watch case and the watch band.

Claim 1:
A watch band (<NUM>) comprising:
a first portion (<NUM>) comprising a first material adapted to be located directly under a back of a watch case (<NUM>);
a second portion (<NUM>) comprising a series of rigid links formed from a different second material and adapted to wrap around a wrist of a user; and
an attachment structure (<NUM>) attaching the first portion (<NUM>) to the second portion (<NUM>) such that the second portion (<NUM>) is continuous with the first portion (<NUM>), characterized in that the attachment structure (<NUM>) comprises at least one offset link (<NUM>, <NUM>) adapted to couple to a lug of the watch case (<NUM>) to prevent relative sliding movement therebetween.