PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12156572-B1
Application Number: US-202117489481-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Adjustable straps with snaps and sliding clasps

Abstract:
A strap may have a strip of material. A flexible magnet and other layers may be embedded between outer layers of the strip. The outer layers may be formed from leather or other natural materials, fabric, polymer, or other materials. The strap may have a snap mechanism that removably couples the strap to the item. The strip may have left and right portions that are coupled together using sliders and the snap mechanism. The sliders may be fixedly attached to respective end portions of left and right portions of the strip. A first of the sliders may have a slot that allows the first slider to slide along the right strip portion and a second of the sliders may have a slot that allows the second slider to slide along the left strip portion so that the length of the strap may be adjusted.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A strap configured to removably couple to an item, comprising:
 a strip of material configured to form a first loop that couples the strap to the item and configured to form a second loop; and 
 a three-part snap mechanism having a first snap coupled to a first portion of the strip, a second snap coupled to a second portion of the strip, and a third snap coupled to the second portion of the strip, wherein the first, second, and third snaps are configured to snap together, the first snap is between the third snap and the second snap when the first, second, and third snaps are snapped together, the third snap comprises a protrusion, and the first and second snaps comprise respective first and second openings configured to receive the protrusion. 
 
     
     
       2. The strap defined in  claim 1  further comprising a slider configured to slide along the strip of material, wherein the slider includes a pin and wherein the strip comprises:
 a first outer layer and a second outer layer; 
 a flexible magnet between the first and second outer layers; and 
 a layer of material that forms a loop around the pin to fixedly attach the strip to the slider. 
 
     
     
       3. The strap defined in  claim 1  further comprising a slider having a slot through which the strip passes. 
     
     
       4. The strap defined in  claim 3  wherein the slider comprises a rotating bar configured to press against a portion of the strip passing through the slot. 
     
     
       5. The strap defined in  claim 3  wherein the slider comprises a button member and a spring configured to press against the button member. 
     
     
       6. The strap defined in  claim 5  wherein the button member has a cam surface and is configured to press against a portion of the strip passing through the slot in response to pressure from the spring. 
     
     
       7. The strap defined in  claim 3  wherein the slider comprises deformable members configured to buckle under external pressure to reduce friction between the slider and a portion of the strip passing through the slot. 
     
     
       8. The strap defined in  claim 3  wherein the slider comprises a pair of wheels configured to engage edge portions of the strip passing through the slot. 
     
     
       9. The strap defined in  claim 3  wherein the slider comprises a metal outer shell and a polymer core. 
     
     
       10. The strap defined in  claim 3  wherein the slider comprises a body through which the slot passes, a pin configured to couple to an end of the strip, and structures configured to hold the pin and the end of the strip at a fixed location within the body. 
     
     
       11. The strap defined in  claim 10  wherein the body comprises an additional slot through which the end of the strip passes to the pin. 
     
     
       12. The strap defined in  claim 11  further comprising an opening in the body and a cap configured to cover the opening. 
     
     
       13. The strap defined in  claim 1  further comprising a first opening in the first portion of the strip that receives the first snap, a second opening in the second portion of the strip that receives the second snap, and a third opening in a third portion of the strip that receives the third snap. 
     
     
       14. A strap configured to removably couple to an item, comprising:
 a strip of material configured to form a first loop that couples the strap to the item and configured to form a second loop; and 
 a three-part snap mechanism having a first snap coupled to a first portion of the strip, a second snap coupled to a second portion of strip, and a third snap coupled to the second portion of the strip, wherein the first, second, and third snaps are configured to snap together, the first snap is between the third snap and the second snap when the first, second, and third snaps are snapped together, the first snap comprises a first portion and a second portion mounted to the first portion, the second portion of the first snap comprises a polymer ring, and the first snap comprises an opening that passes through the polymer ring. 
 
     
     
       15. An adjustable strap for an item, comprising:
 a strip of material; 
 a snap mechanism configured to snap together portions of the strip to couple the strip to the item, wherein the snap mechanism comprises first, second, and third snaps coupled to the strip at respective first, second, and third locations, the second snap is between the first and third snaps when the first, second, and third snaps are snapped together, the third snap comprises a protrusion, and the first and second snaps comprise respective first and second openings configured to receive the protrusion; and 
 an adjustable sliding clasp having a first portion that is fixedly attached to an end of the strip and having a slot configured to receive a portion of the strip for sliding motion within the slot. 
 
     
     
       16. The adjustable strap defined in  claim 15  wherein the second snap is configured to rotate relative to the first and third snaps when the first, second, and third snaps are snapped together. 
     
     
       17. The adjustable strap defined in  claim 16  wherein the adjustable sliding clasp has a body through which the slot passes and a pin configured to couple to an end of the strip using a looped layer in the strip. 
     
     
       18. An adjustable strap for an item, comprising:
 left and right strips; 
 a snap mechanism configured to form a loop in the right strip that removably attaches the right strip to the item, wherein the snap mechanism comprises first, second, and third snaps that are configured to snap together, the first snap is between the second snap and the third snap when the first, second, and third snaps are snapped together, the third snap comprises a first portion and a second portion mounted to the first portion, the second portion comprises a polymer ring, and the third snap comprises an opening that passes through the polymer ring; 
 a first slider that has a fixed attachment to an end of the right strip and a slot through which a portion of the left strip slides; and 
 a second slider that has a fixed attachment to an end of the left strip and a slot through which a portion of the right strip slides. 
 
     
     
       19. The adjustable strap defined in  claim 18  wherein the first and third snaps are received within respective openings in the right strip, and wherein the second snap is received within an opening in the left strip. 
     
     
       20. The adjustable strap defined in  claim 19  wherein the first snap has a post, the second snap has an additional opening, and the opening and the additional opening are configured to receive the post when the first, second, and third snaps are snapped together. 
     
     
       21. The adjustable strap defined in  claim 20  further comprising a flexible magnet between outer layers. 
     
     
       22. The adjustable strap defined in  claim 18  wherein the left strip comprises fabric and comprises an external polymer layer that covers the fabric along at least part of the left strip and wherein the first slider is configured to slide over the external polymer layer.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/108,960, filed Nov. 3, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This relates generally to straps, and, more particularly, to straps with snap and slider mechanisms. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is sometimes desirable to provide items such as electronic devices with straps. Straps may allow devices to be worn or carried by a user. 
     SUMMARY 
     An adjustable-length strap may have a strip of material. The strip of material may have exterior surfaces of leather, fabric, or other material and may include one more internal layers such as a flexible magnet layer. 
     The strap may have a snap mechanism that removably couples the strap to an item such as an electronic device and/or a removable cover for an electronic device. The snap mechanism may have snaps coupled to the strip of material. There may be, as examples, two snaps or three snaps in the snap mechanism. 
     The strip may have left and right portions that are coupled together using sliders and the snap mechanism. The sliders may be fixedly attached to respective end portions of the left and right strip portions. A first of the sliders may have a slot that allows the first slider to slide along the right strip portion and a second of the sliders may have a slot that allows the second slider to slide along the left strip portion so that the length of the strap may be adjusted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram of an illustrative strap and associated electronic device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an illustrative strap in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the strap of  FIG.  2    coupled to an item in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of an illustrative adjustable-length strap with a pair of strap sliders in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram of an illustrative unassembled three-part snap mechanism for a strap in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram of the illustrative three-part snap mechanism of  FIG.  5    in an assembled configuration in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative strap snap mechanism with a male snap and two female snaps in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative slider for a strap in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative looped strap layer that has captured a strap slider pin in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative strap in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a cross-sectional end view of an illustrative fabric tube that may be used in forming one or more strap layers in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is a cross-sectional end view of an illustrative leather layer that may be used in forming one or more strap layers in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional end view of an illustrative strap having layers embedded within the interior of a fabric tube in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of an illustrative strap slider for an adjustable-length strap in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS.  15  and  16    are cross-sectional views of illustrative portions of the strap slider of  FIG.  14    in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative strap slider with a spring-based strap friction mechanism in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  18    is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative strap slider with a cam mechanism for providing strap friction in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS.  19  and  20    are cross-sectional views of an illustrative strap slider mechanism based on a flexible box structure that buckles in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS.  21  and  22    are views of a portion of an illustrative strap slider with rotating strap engagement wheels in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  23    is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative strap slider with a core embedded in a shell in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  24    is a side view of an illustrative electronic device with a wrist strap in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Electronic devices and other items may be provided with straps. For example, a cellular telephone or other electronic device may be provided with a fixed-length or adjustable-length carrying strap. Straps may be held in a user&#39;s hands, worn about a user&#39;s neck, worn across a user&#39;s body, and/or otherwise carried by a user. In some configurations, an electronic device may be provided with a strap that facilitates mounting of the device on the wrist, arm, leg, head, or other body part of a user. For example, a wristwatch may be provided with an adjustable-length wrist strap. 
       FIG.  1    is a diagram of an illustrative strap and associated item coupled to the strap. As shown in  FIG.  1   , strap  10  may have a loop that allows strap  10  to be carried by a user. Strap  10  may be a cross-body strap, a wrist strap, a loop that can be held in a user&#39;s hand or worn about a user&#39;s neck, or other suitable strap. Item  12  may be coupled to strap  10  using a fixed or removable attachment mechanism. As an example, strap  10  may have a snap mechanism that allows strap  10  to be removably attached to item  12 . 
     Item  12  may include an electronic device such as electronic device  16  (e.g., a battery pack, a cellular telephone, a tablet computer, other electronic equipment, etc.) and/or may include a carrying case that is removably attached to device  16  such as removable case  14  (e.g., a removable cover formed from polymer, leather, fabric, etc.). If desired, removable case  14  may incorporate batteries and other circuitry. Device  16  may include a display, buttons, touch sensors, force sensors, optical sensors, microphones for gathering voice input, and/or other sensors and input-output devices for gathering user input and providing a user with output. The user input may be used in controlling the operation of device  16 . Carrying case  14  and/or electronic device  16  may be used as stand-alone equipment or may, if desired, be tethered to a head-mounted device or other additional electronic equipment (e.g., additional electronic equipment with input-output devices for receiving user input, for providing a user with output, etc.). When item  12  is used with additional electronic equipment, wired and/or wireless power paths and wired and/or wireless data communications paths may be used to transfer power and/or data between item  12  and the additional electronic equipment. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an illustrative strap such as strap  10  of  FIG.  1   . As shown in  FIG.  2   , strap  10  may be formed from an elongated strip of material such as strip  18 . Strip  18 , which may sometimes be referred to as a strap or band, may be flexible so that strip  18  may be folded back on itself to form a loop. Strip  18  may be formed from one or more layers of flexible material including polymer, flexible magnets, fabric, flexible metal, adhesive, natural materials such as cotton, other materials, and/or combinations of these materials. 
     A snap mechanism such as snap mechanism  20  may be used to secure the ends of strip  18 . Snap mechanism  20  may have on or more snap elements (sometimes referred to as snaps or snap members) that are detachably snapped together to secure strap  10  to an item (e.g. item  12  of  FIG.  2   ). In some configurations, opposing ends of strip  18  may be attached together using adhesive or other fixed attachment mechanisms and snap mechanism  20  may be used to removably attach a looped protruding end portion of strip  18  to an item. In other configurations, snap mechanism  20  may be used to secure end portions of strip  18  together in addition to removably attaching a looped protruding end portion of strip  18  to an item. 
     Strip  18  may be formed from a uniform length of material (with one or more sublayers) and/or different segments along the length of strip  18  may have different internal and/or external layer(s) of material. As an example, end portion  22  of strip  18  may have an exterior surface formed from fabric, whereas remaining portions of strip  18  may have an exterior surface formed from leather. If desired, all of strip  18  may be leather or all of strip  18  may be formed from fabric. Polymer layers and/or other materials may also be used to cover some or all of strip  18 . For example, the surface of a portion of strip  18  may be covered with a layer of polymer or other material that is not present on other portions of strip  18 . 
       FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative strap that has been removably attached to item  12 . In the example of  FIG.  3   , item  12  has a body (sometimes referred to as a housing) such as structure  12 B with an opening  12 H configured to receive a folded back protruding end portion of strip  18 . Opening  12 H may be, for example, an opening in a removable electronic device cover and/or an opening in an electronic device housing. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , snap mechanism  20  may be used to secure the looped end of strip  18  to form a first loop such as loop  24  that attaches strap  10  to item  12 . Strip  18  may also be used to form a second loop such as loop  26  (e.g., a larger loop) to receive a part of a user&#39;s body when strap  10  is being worn across the user&#39;s body or on a user body part). Strip  18  may be attached to itself using adhesive to form loop  26  or loop  26  may be formed by attaching a portion of strip  18  to itself at snap mechanism  20  (see, e.g., strip portion  18 ′). 
     Strap  10  may, if desired, have adjustable clasps. The adjustable clasps, which may sometimes be referred to as adjustable sliders or sliding clasps, may allow the length of strap  10  to be adjusted. Consider, as an example, the arrangement of  FIG.  4   . As shown in  FIG.  4   , strap  10  may be formed from a looped length of material such as strip  18  forming loop  26 . Strip  18  may be coupled to item  12  (e.g., using a removable snap mechanism such as snap mechanism  20  of  FIG.  3    or other removable or fixed attachment mechanism). Strip  18  may have a right-hand portion such as right strip  18 R and a left hand portion such as left strip  18 L. Adjustable clasp mechanisms such as sliders  28  may be used to slidably couple the ends of strips  18 R and  18 L to portions of strips  18 L and  18 R, respectively. Each slider  28  may have a slot or other portion that receives a portion of strip  18  for sliding motion. Each slider  28  may also have a fixed attachment to a respective end of strip  18 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  4   , right strip  18 R is slidably received within a slot in slider  28 R, which allows slider  28 R to slide relative to strip  18 R. Similarly, left strip  18 L is slidably received within a slot in slider  28 L, which allows slider  28 L to slide along the length of left strip  18 L. The ends of left strip  18 L and right strip  18 R are attached to sliders  28 R and  28 L, respectively. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the end of right strip  18 R may be fixedly attached to slider  28 L using fixed attachment mechanism  30 L (e.g., a pin or other member that is secured to the body of slider  28 L). The end of left strip  18 R may be fixedly attached to slider  28 R using fixed attachment mechanism  30 R. 
     With this arrangement, attachment mechanism  30 R holds the end of strip  18 L in place on slider  28 R, while the slot in slider  28 R allows slider  28 R to slide along the length of strip  18 R. Attachment mechanism  30 L holds the end of strip  18 R in place on slider  28 L, while the slot in slider  28 L allows slider  28 L to slide along the length of strip  18 L. In this way, the separation distance L between sliders  28  along strap  10  may be adjusted. To shorten strap  10 , slider  28 L and/or slider  28 R is moved along strip  18  towards item  12  (e.g., sliders  28  are moved apart to increase L and reduce the size of loop  26 ). To lengthen strap  10  and increase the size of loop  26 , sliders  28  are moved towards each other, which decreases L and increases the size of loop  26 . If desired, flexible magnetic structures may be embedded within some or all of strip  18  (e.g., at least in the portion of strip  18  between sliders  28 ) to help hold strips  18 L and  18 R next to each other (e.g., to reduce tangling). 
     As described in connection with  FIG.  3   , strip  18  may, if desired, have portions adjacent to item  12  that are attached to themselves using a fixed attachment mechanism (e.g., adhesive, stiches, rivets or other fasteners, etc.) to form loop  26 . In some configurations, a snap mechanism may be used to hold the ends of strip  18  together to form loop  26  and/or loop  24 . In arrangements in which loop  26  is formed by using adhesive to attach strip  18  to itself, loop  24  of  FIG.  3    may be formed by using a first snap element on strip  18  (e.g., a male snap) to snap into a second snap element on strip  18  (e.g., a female snap). In arrangements in which loop  26  is formed by snapping part of strip  18  to itself, a three-part snap mechanism may be used. 
     An illustrative three-element snap mechanism is shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   . Snap mechanism  20  of  FIG.  5    is shown in its unassembled state. This type of mechanism may be used, for example, to secure item  12  of  FIG.  4    to strap  10  of  FIG.  4   . As shown in  FIG.  4   , a first snap element (e.g., a female snap member such as female snap F 1 ) may be attached to an end of left strip  18 L and second and third snap elements (e.g., female snap F 2  and male snap M) may be attached to an end of right strip  18 R. In the assembled state of  FIG.  6   , strip  18 R folds back on itself to form loop  24  and snap F 1  is snapped into place between snap F 2  and snap M, thereby attaching the lower end of left strip  18 L to the lower end of right strip  18 L to form loop  26 . Item body  12 B may have a portion that passes through loop  24 . The three coupled snaps of snap mechanism  20  allow snap F 1  to rotate relative to snaps M and F 2 , so that the angle between strips  18 L and  18 R may be adjusted by the user (e.g., so that strap  10  lies comfortably against the user&#39;s body). 
       FIG.  7    is an exploded cross-sectional side view of a three-element snap mechanism such as snap mechanism  20  of  FIGS.  5  and  6   . In this example, male snap M has first portion MT and second portion ML. These portions pass through an opening in strip  18 R and may be attached to each other using a press-fit connection. In this way snap M captures a portion of strip  18 R and is fixedly attached to strip  18 R. Protrusion MLP (e.g., a cylindrical post) of snap portion ML of snap M snaps into corresponding openings in snaps F 1  and F 2  when snapping together snaps M, F 1 , and F 2 . 
     The middle snap in mechanism  20  (snap F 1 ) has first portion FIT and second portion FIL, which are press fit together in an opening in strip  18 L to attach snap F 1  to strip  18 L. A ring member such as polymer ring  36  may be mounted in the center of snap F 1  to help reduce binding and/or rattling between snap F 1  and the other snaps of mechanism  20  so that snap F 1  may smoothly and quietly rotate relative to protrusion MLP. Snap F 2  has first portion F 2 T and second portion F 2 L, which are press-fit together to secure snap F 2  within an opening in strip  18 L. The openings in snaps F 1  and F 2  receive protrusion MLP of snap M along axis  40  when it is desired to close snap mechanism  20  by snapping together snaps M, F 1 , and F 2 . Ring-shaped member  38  in snap F 2  (e.g., a ring of metal, polymer, etc.) may be used to create friction with protrusion MLP, thereby helping to hold snap mechanism  20  in its closed position. 
     Sliders  28  may be formed from one or more structures joined together using press-fit connections, adhesive, fasteners, welds, and/or other attachment mechanisms. An exploded perspective view of an illustrative slider  28  is shown in  FIG.  8   . In the example of  FIG.  8   , slider  28  has main slider body  28 B. Body  28 B and the other structures of slider  28  may be formed from metal, polymer, other materials, and/or combinations of these materials. 
     Body  28 B has a through-hole opening such as though slot  42  that receives a portion of strip  18  (e.g., portion  18 A) for sliding motion (e.g., slot  42  receives strip portion  18 A while allowing that portion of strip  18  to slide with respect to slider  28 ). Slider  28  may be configured to provide friction in slot  42  so that slider  28  is maintained in place on strip  18  until deliberately moved by a user to adjust the length of strap  10 . 
     Body  28 B also has a non-through-hole opening such as slot  44 . The end of a portion of strip  18  such as portion  18 B may pass through slot  44 . A loop or other structure in the end portion of strip  18  that passes through slot  44  into the interior of body  28 B may receive a strip retention member such as strip retention pin  46 . Pin  46  may be mounted into recesses in body  28 B or other pin retention structures in the interior of body  28 B through opening  50  in body  28 B. Cap  52  may then be press fit into opening  50  to cover opening  50  and thereby close body  28 B. With this type of arrangement, pin  46  and the corresponding loop at the end of strip portion  18 A form a fixed slider attachment mechanism (see, e.g., attachment mechanisms  30 L and  30 R of  FIG.  4   ). Slot  42  allows sliding motion between slider  28  and strip  18  to adjust the length of strap  10 . 
     Strip  18  may include one or more layers (sometimes referred to as strip-shaped layers, strips, elongated layers, strip layers, band layers, strap layers, etc.). These layers are used in providing strip  18  with desired properties. As an example, strip  18  may have a strengthening layer such as strengthening layer  60  (e.g., a layer of fabric, polymer, etc.) that is looped around pin  46  to fixedly attach strip  18  to pin  46  as shown in  FIG.  9   . Layer  60  may be attached to itself and/or other layers in strip  18  using adhesive, fastener(s), fusion under heat and/or pressure, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , multiple layers of material may be stacked with each other to form one or more portions of strip  18 . Strip  18  may have the same sets of layers along its entire length or different portions of strip  18  may have different sets of layers. As an example, one or more portions of strip  18  such as illustrative segment  62  may be covered with an external layer such as layer  64 . Layer  64  may be, for example, a polymer layer that creates a smooth texture-free surface on an underlying fabric layer so that sliders  28  can slide smoothly and quietly along strip  18 ). 
     The layers of material forming strip  18  may include fabric layers (e.g., thin sheets of fabric and/or fabric loops that are folded to form doubled-up fabric layers), polymer layers, layers of thin bendable metal, layers with magnetic material (e.g., magnetic particles embedded in flexible polymer binder to form a flexible magnet such as an elongated strip-shaped flexible magnet), adhesive layers, composite materials (e.g., polymer binder with embedded flexible strands of material such as polymer yarn, fiber glass strands, metal strands, etc.), layers formed form natural materials such as cotton, leather, wool, bamboo, and/or other natural materials, and/or layers of other materials, and/or combinations of these materials. In some configurations, the outermost layers of material on strip  18  (e.g. layers on the upper and lower opposing surfaces of strip  18 ) may be formed from materials that resist wear and/or have a desired cosmetic appearance. As an example, some or all of the outermost layers of strip  18  may be formed from materials such as leather, fabric, and/or polymer. 
     If desired, a magnetic layer may be included in the layers of strip  18 . Magnetic layers (e.g., magnets) may attract one portion of strip  18  to another. For example, an elongated strip-shaped flexible magnet may be embedded in the core of strip  18  so that overlapping portions of strip  18  (e.g., strips  18 R and  18 L of  FIG.  4   ) that are located between sliders  28  attract each other. Each overlapping strip portion may have a respective flexible magnetic strip or a magnetic strip may be formed in one strip portion and a flexible layer of non-magnetized magnetic material that is attracted by the magnet may be provided in another strip portion. By magnetically attaching strips  18 R and  18 L to each other in this way, strip  18  may be provided with attractive appearance and excess movement of overlapping portions of strip  18  with respect to each other can be avoided. At the same time, magnetic attraction between the strip portions may be limited, so that strips  18 R and  18 L are allowed to shift position relative to each other when desired to adjust the length of strap  10 . 
     In general, any suitable layers may be included in strip  18  (e.g., magnetic layers, strengthening layers, layers that adjust the stiffness of strip  18 , layers of adhesive to attach other layers together, layers to adjust strap thickness and/or weight, etc.). In the illustrative configuration of  FIG.  10   , strip  18  includes a flexible magnet (flexible magnetic layer  70 ) that is sandwiched between upper polymer layer  72  and a lower polymer layer  74 . Layers  72  and  74  may be formed from elastomeric polymer material such as silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane (as examples) that is flexible and helps provide strip  18  with desired mechanical attributes (e.g., bendability, weight, thickness, etc.). Layers  80  and  82  may be, for example, strengthening layers formed from elongated strips of polymer film and/or fabric. Layer  80  may be attached to layer  72  using adhesive layer  76 . Layer  82  may be attached to layer  74  using adhesive layer  78 . Outer strip layers such as layers  88  and/or  90  may be leather, fabric, polymer sheets, and/or other layers of material. Layer  88  may be attached to layer  80  with adhesive layer  84 . Layer  90  may be attached to layer  82  with adhesive layer  86 . 
     The layers used in forming illustrative strip  18  of  FIG.  10    are illustrative. Additional layers and/or fewer layers may be provided, if desired. For example, along some or all of the length of strip  18 , flexible magnet  70  may be omitted or may be replaced by a non-magnetized layer of magnetic material. Additional strengthening layers or fewer strengthening layers may be provided. Adhesive layers may be omitted (e.g., when polymer layers are formed by coating polymer onto other layers). The cosmetic outer layers of strip  18  may be formed from fabric tubes, coatings, and/or other structures. The arrangement of  FIG.  10    is an example. 
     If desired, one or more of the layers of strip  18  may include fabric. A strip-shaped sheet of fabric may be provided. If desired, a woven, knit, or braided tube of fabric may be used in forming one or more layers in strip  18 . For example, layer  88  and/or layer  90  may each be formed by a collapsed tube of fabric such as fabric tube  92  of  FIG.  11   . The fabric tube of  FIG.  11    has two sublayers (corresponding to the two opposing sides of the tube prior to flattening the tube) and has attractive (uncut) edges, which may enhance the appearance of strip  18 . A layer of adhesive may be included in the middle of the tube to help hold the collapsed sides of the tube together. As shown in the example of  FIG.  12   , layer  94  (which may be used, for example, to form outer layer(s) in strip  18  such as layer  88  and/or layer  90 ) may include a leather strip such as strip  96  with painted edge portion  98 . 
     In some embodiments, a tube of fabric may be used to enclose other layers of material for strip  18 . This type of arrangement is shown in  FIG.  13   . In the example of  FIG.  13   , strip  18  has a tube of fabric such as fabric tube  100  that forms the outer surfaces of strip  18 , including the opposing upper and lower surfaces of strip  18  and the outer sidewalls portions of strip  18 . One or more interior layers  102  (e.g., a flexible magnet, strengthening layers, elastomeric polymer layers, adhesive layers, etc.) may be formed in the interior of tube  100 . 
     Sliders  28  may be formed from one or more structures that are press fit together and/or are otherwise joined. In the example of  FIG.  14   , slider  28  is formed from mating halves such as first half member  28 A and second half member  28 B. Member  28 A may have a through slot such as slot  104  that receives strip  18  for sliding motion. Member  28  may have a partial slot such as slot  106  that receives the fixed end of strip  18 . 
     As shown in the cross-sectional side view of member  28 A of  FIG.  15   , slot  104  may pass from one side of member  28 A to the other. Engagement structures  108  on member  28 A (e.g., protruding pins and/or recesses) may be press fit into corresponding engagement structures  108  on member  28 B ( FIG.  16   ). 
     As shown in  FIG.  16   , member  28 B may have an internal cavity such as cavity  110  that receives the looped end of strip  18  and that has recesses  112  to hold the ends of pin  46 . 
     In the illustrative configuration for slider  28  that is shown in  FIG.  17   , slider body  28 X includes rotating bar  120  in internal cavity  122 . A through-slot passes by cavity  122  and allows strip  18  to slide relative to slider body  28 X when not engaged by bar  120 . Bar  120  may be mounted for rotation on axle  124 . Axle  124  may have ends received in axle holders  126 . Holders  126  may be biased along axis  130  (a direction that is out of the page in the orientation of  FIG.  17   ) by springs  128 . This presses bar  120  against strip  18 . Bar  120  may have an oblong cross-sectional shape that can disengage from strip  18  (to allow strip  18  to slide) or that can (by rotation) engage strip  18  (e.g., to help create sufficient friction to hold slider  28  in a desired position on strip  18 ). Because a spring mechanism is used in creating friction for strip  18  in the arrangement of  FIG.  17   , this type of arrangement may sometimes be referred to as having a spring-based friction mechanism or active strap friction. 
       FIG.  18    is a cross-sectional view of slider  28  in an illustrative arrangement in which a spring-based cam mechanism is used in creating active friction. As shown in  FIG.  18   , slider  28  of  FIG.  18    may have a slider body  28 F. Sliding button member  130  may move along axis  134  within body  28 F. Strip  18  may have a loop that captures a pin that is received within recess  144  to fixedly attach an end of strip  18  to body  28 F. Strip  18  may also have a portion that is received within strip opening  146  for sliding motion relative to slider  28 . 
     Spring  136  may press button member  132  in direction  138 . This causes cam surface  142  of member  132  to bear against pin  140 , forcing portion  150  of member  132  in direction  148  and thereby squeezing slot  146  about the strip in slot  146 . This holds slider  28  in place against strip  18 . When it is desired to release strip  18  from slot  146 , a user may press button  132  in direction  152 , which relieves cam pressure from portion  150  and allows portion  150  to move in direction  154 , thereby reducing friction on strip  18 . 
       FIG.  19    is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative adjustable slot for slider  28  based on deformable structures. Deformable members  162  (e.g., foam pads, elastomeric members, spring structures, and/or other deformable structures) may be enclosed in supporting structures  164  (e.g., fabric layers, polymer layers, and/or other housing structures for slider  28 ). Strip  18  may pass through slot  160 . Friction from the upper and lower surfaces of slot  160  may help hold strip  18  in place when slider  28  is not being adjusted. When it is desired to change the length of strap  10 , a user may squeeze inwardly in directions  166  on the sides of slider  28  as shown in  FIG.  20   . This causes slot  160  to buckle in directions  168  and thereby reduce pressure and friction on strip  18  in slot  160  so that slider  28  can be moved along the length of strip  18 . 
     In the illustrative configuration of  FIG.  21   , slider  28  has rotating strip guide wheels  170  on opposing edges of strip  18 . As shown in the side view of  FIG.  22   , wheels  170  may hold strip  18  in place vertically while allowing strip  18  to slide through slider  28  when adjusting the length of strap  10 . The presence of wheels  170  may help reduce friction on edge portions  172  of strip  18 , which may be covered with paint or other material that could be subject to undesired amounts of wear in the absence of wheels  170 . 
     Slider  28  may, if desired, include biasing structures such as spring  174 . In the example of  FIG.  22   , spring  174  is being used to press strip  18  upwards (e.g., against an opposing surface of a slot in slider  28 ), thereby creating a desired amount of holding friction so that slider  28  does not slide unexpectedly during use. Biasing structures such as spring  174  may include leaf springs, coil springs, torsion springs, springs formed from compressed foam, or other biasing structures. 
     In some embodiments, slider  28  may be formed from an outer shell that is filled with polymer or other filler material that forms a core for the shell. As shown in  FIG.  23   , for example, slider  28  may have outer shell  178  (e.g., a metal housing with relatively thin housing walls) and an inner filler material such as injection molded polymer  180  that forms a core within shell  178 . A slot may be formed in slider  28  for receiving strip  18 . The slot may have portions that pass through portions of shell  178  and portions of molded polymer  180 . The presence of polymer  180  may provide the slot with a desired amount of friction while strip  18  slides through the slot. 
     If desired, strap  10  may be coupled to items that are worn on a user&#39;s wrist or other body part. Consider, as an example, the illustrative configuration of  FIG.  24   . As shown in  FIG.  24   , a wristwatch or other electronic device  16  may be coupled to strap  10 . Strap  10  may be an adjustable-length wrist strap configured to be worn on a wrist of a user. Strap  10  may have a strip of material such as strip  18  that is configured to form a wrist-sized loop such as loop  190 . Strap  10  may be coupled to device  16  using coupling structures  184  (e.g., lugs and spring bars and/or other coupling structures). 
     One end of strip  18  may be provided with an adjustable-length loop such as loop  186 . The tip of strip  18  at this end of strip  18  may be fixedly attached to slider  28  at fixed attachment point  188 . Slider  28  may have a slot that allows slider  28  to slide along the length of strip  18 . When a user desires to adjust the size of loop  190  (e.g., to loosen or tighten strap  10  so that strap  10  and device  16  may fit comfortably on the user&#39;s wrist), slider  28  may be moved towards device  16  or away from device  16  to adjust the separation distance D between slider  28  and device  16  and thereby adjust the size of loop  186  and the length of strap  10 . 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of information such as information from input-output devices. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, data may be gathered that includes personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID&#39;s, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, username, password, biometric information, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that is of greater interest to the user. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enables users to have control of the delivered content. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the United States, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide certain types of user data. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time user-specific data is maintained. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an application (“app”) that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of information that may include personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. 
     Physical environment: A physical environment refers to a physical world that people can sense and/or interact with without aid of electronic systems. Physical environments, such as a physical park, include physical articles, such as physical trees, physical buildings, and physical people. People can directly sense and/or interact with the physical environment, such as through sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell. 
     Computer-generated reality: in contrast, a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment refers to a wholly or partially simulated environment that people sense and/or interact with via an electronic system. In CGR, a subset of a person&#39;s physical motions, or representations thereof, are tracked, and, in response, one or more characteristics of one or more virtual objects simulated in the CGR environment are adjusted in a manner that comports with at least one law of physics. For example, a CGR system may detect a person&#39;s head turning and, in response, adjust graphical content and an acoustic field presented to the person in a manner similar to how such views and sounds would change in a physical environment. In some situations (e.g., for accessibility reasons), adjustments to characteristic(s) of virtual object(s) in a CGR environment may be made in response to representations of physical motions (e.g., vocal commands). A person may sense and/or interact with a CGR object using any one of their senses, including sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. For example, a person may sense and/or interact with audio objects that create 3D or spatial audio environment that provides the perception of point audio sources in 3D space. In another example, audio objects may enable audio transparency, which selectively incorporates ambient sounds from the physical environment with or without computer-generated audio. In some CGR environments, a person may sense and/or interact only with audio objects. Examples of CGR include virtual reality and mixed reality. 
     Virtual reality: A virtual reality (VR) environment refers to a simulated environment that is designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory inputs for one or more senses. A VR environment comprises a plurality of virtual objects with which a person may sense and/or interact. For example, computer-generated imagery of trees, buildings, and avatars representing people are examples of virtual objects. A person may sense and/or interact with virtual objects in the VR environment through a simulation of the person&#39;s presence within the computer-generated environment, and/or through a simulation of a subset of the person&#39;s physical movements within the computer-generated environment. 
     Mixed reality: In contrast to a VR environment, which is designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensory inputs, a mixed reality (MR) environment refers to a simulated environment that is designed to incorporate sensory inputs from the physical environment, or a representation thereof, in addition to including computer-generated sensory inputs (e.g., virtual objects). On a virtuality continuum, a mixed reality environment is anywhere between, but not including, a wholly physical environment at one end and virtual reality environment at the other end. In some MR environments, computer-generated sensory inputs may respond to changes in sensory inputs from the physical environment. Also, some electronic systems for presenting an MR environment may track location and/or orientation with respect to the physical environment to enable virtual objects to interact with real objects (that is, physical articles from the physical environment or representations thereof). For example, a system may account for movements so that a virtual tree appears stationery with respect to the physical ground. Examples of mixed realities include augmented reality and augmented virtuality. Augmented reality: an augmented reality (AR) environment refers to a simulated environment in which one or more virtual objects are superimposed over a physical environment, or a representation thereof. For example, an electronic system for presenting an AR environment may have a transparent or translucent display through which a person may directly view the physical environment. The system may be configured to present virtual objects on the transparent or translucent display, so that a person, using the system, perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. Alternatively, a system may have an opaque display and one or more imaging sensors that capture images or video of the physical environment, which are representations of the physical environment. The system composites the images or video with virtual objects, and presents the composition on the opaque display. A person, using the system, indirectly views the physical environment by way of the images or video of the physical environment, and perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. As used herein, a video of the physical environment shown on an opaque display is called “pass-through video,” meaning a system uses one or more image sensor(s) to capture images of the physical environment, and uses those images in presenting the AR environment on the opaque display. Further alternatively, a system may have a projection system that projects virtual objects into the physical environment, for example, as a hologram or on a physical surface, so that a person, using the system, perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. An augmented reality environment also refers to a simulated environment in which a representation of a physical environment is transformed by computer-generated sensory information. For example, in providing pass-through video, a system may transform one or more sensor images to impose a select perspective (e.g., viewpoint) different than the perspective captured by the imaging sensors. As another example, a representation of a physical environment may be transformed by graphically modifying (e.g., enlarging) portions thereof, such that the modified portion may be representative but not photorealistic versions of the originally captured images. As a further example, a representation of a physical environment may be transformed by graphically eliminating or obfuscating portions thereof. Augmented virtuality: an augmented virtuality (AV) environment refers to a simulated environment in which a virtual or computer generated environment incorporates one or more sensory inputs from the physical environment. The sensory inputs may be representations of one or more characteristics of the physical environment. For example, an AV park may have virtual trees and virtual buildings, but people with faces photorealistically reproduced from images taken of physical people. As another example, a virtual object may adopt a shape or color of a physical article imaged by one or more imaging sensors. As a further example, a virtual object may adopt shadows consistent with the position of the sun in the physical environment. 
     Hardware: there are many different types of electronic systems that enable a person to sense and/or interact with various CGR environments. Examples include head mounted systems, projection-based systems, heads-up displays (HUDs), vehicle windshields having integrated display capability, windows having integrated display capability, displays formed as lenses designed to be placed on a person&#39;s eyes (e.g., similar to contact lenses), headphones/earphones, speaker arrays, input systems (e.g., wearable or handheld controllers with or without haptic feedback), smartphones, tablets, and desktop/laptop computers. A head mounted system may have one or more speaker(s) and an integrated opaque display. Alternatively, a head mounted system may be configured to accept an external opaque display (e.g., a smartphone). The head mounted system may incorporate one or more imaging sensors to capture images or video of the physical environment, and/or one or more microphones to capture audio of the physical environment. Rather than an opaque display, a head mounted system may have a transparent or translucent display. The transparent or translucent display may have a medium through which light representative of images is directed to a person&#39;s eyes. The display may utilize digital light projection, OLEDs, LEDs, uLEDs, liquid crystal on silicon, laser scanning light sources, or any combination of these technologies. The medium may be an optical waveguide, a hologram medium, an optical combiner, an optical reflector, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the transparent or translucent display may be configured to become opaque selectively. Projection-based systems may employ retinal projection technology that projects graphical images onto a person&#39;s retina. Projection systems also may be configured to project virtual objects into the physical environment, for example, as a hologram or on a physical surface. 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20210929
Publication Date: 20241203
Grant Date: 20241203
Priority Date: 20201103
Inventors: KIM, SEUL BI
KUSANO, Ayumi
CLOYD, BRYAN A.
HATANAKA, MOTOHIDE
RUSIGNUOLO, SARA
ZHOU, YANG
ASHCROFT, ANTHONY M.
PICKUP, JACK
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "A44B11/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44B11/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44B11/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 93654179