PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9980539-B2
Application Number: US-201514820084-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Segmented attachment device

Abstract:
A wrist band for attaching a portable electronic device to a user includes articulating segments which may be releasably connected so as to provide the user the capability of sizing the wristband by adding or removing links as desired. A clasp is also disclosed for securing the wristband to a user. A manufacturing device and method are disclosed for machining complex surfaces on the segments and clasp.

Claims:
We claim: 
     
       1. A wristband to secure a portable electronic device to a user comprising:
 at least one removable articulating link releasably connected to said portable electronic device, said at least one removable articulating link including: 
 an outer link portion; 
 an inner link portion articulately connected to said outer link portion and configured to engage with the outer link portion of a first adjacent link; 
 an engagement mechanism on said outer link portion configured to receive an inner link portion of a second adjacent link; and 
 a release mechanism on said inner link portion to disengage an engagement mechanism on said first adjacent link. 
 
     
     
       2. The wristband of  claim 1  wherein said at least one removable articulating link includes an outer surface for facing away from said user and an inner surface for being positioned adjacent to the person of said user. 
     
     
       3. The wristband of  claim 2  wherein said release mechanism includes a button on said inner surface. 
     
     
       4. The wristband of  claim 1  wherein said engagement mechanism includes a resilient spring loaded mechanism. 
     
     
       5. The wristband of  claim 4  wherein a button on the inner link portion may be used to disengage said resilient spring loaded mechanism. 
     
     
       6. The wristband of  claim 1  wherein said release mechanism includes an access opening on said inner link portion through which a tool may be inserted to disengage said engagement mechanism. 
     
     
       7. The wristband of  claim 1  wherein the wristband is connected to the portable electronic device by one or more non-releasable links. 
     
     
       8. The wristband of  claim 1  further including a clasp connected to at least one articulating link. 
     
     
       9. The wristband of  claim 1  wherein said engagement mechanism includes:
 at least one retractable pin on said inner link portion; and 
 a rotatable screw connected to said retractable pin. 
 
     
     
       10. The wristband of  claim 1  wherein said release mechanism includes an activating portion rotatably connected to said inner portion. 
     
     
       11. A method for securing a portable electronic device to a user comprising the operations of:
 determining a size of the portion of the user to which said portable electronic device is to be attached; 
 determining the size of an attachment band; 
 adding or subtracting links in said attachment band to correctly size said attachment band; said operation of adding or subtracting links including the operations of: 
 engaging an inner link portion with an outer link portion of an adjacent link if a link is to be added; and 
 disengaging an inner link portion from an outer link portion of an adjacent link if a link is to be removed; 
 said operation of engaging an inner link portion including exerting force against an engagement mechanism to secure said inner link portion along an x, y, and z axis; 
 said operation of disengaging said inner link portion including exerting force against a release mechanism on said inner portion and pulling said inner link portion from said outer link portion of said adjacent link. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein said operation of exerting force against said release mechanism includes pushing a button on a surface of said inner link portion. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11  wherein said operation of exerting force against said release mechanism includes inserting a tool into an opening in said inner link portion. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11  further including the operation of attaching said portable electronic device to a user using said attachment band. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11  wherein said operation of exerting force against said release mechanism further includes the operation of rotating a screw to retract two pins in said inner link portion. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11  wherein said operation of exerting force against said release mechanism further includes the operation of applying force to at least one end of a spring loaded pin. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  wherein said operation of applying force includes the operations of:
 inserting a tool into each end of said spring loaded pin; and 
 exerting force on each end of said spring loaded pin directed toward the opposite end.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a nonprovisional patent application of, and claims the benefit to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/036,087, filed Aug. 11, 2014 and titled “Segmented Attachment Device,” and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/129,956, filed Mar. 8, 2015 and titled “Segmented Attachment Device,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The embodiments disclosed herein relate to segmented attachment devices. In still greater particularity, the embodiments relate to segmented attachment bands for securing portable electronic devices to a user. By way of further characterization, but not by way of limitation thereto, the embodiments relate to a segmented band including removable links for securing a portable electronic device (or other device) on the wrist of a user. A manufacturing device for machining complex geometries associated with various portions of the attachment band is also disclosed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable electronic devices such as watches, smart watches, smart phones and the like have become ubiquitous in recent years. Users carry these devices while moving in various environments during their daily activities. Modern portable electronic devices may be hand-carried by a user or they may be removably attached to the person of a user by means of straps or other tethers which may be decorative or aesthetically pleasing tethers. Many users have grown accustomed to carrying portable electronic devices while engaging in strenuous activities such as running, climbing and the like. Because users are in possession of these devices in such environments, they must be securely fastened to the person of the user or risk being lost or dropped. In a situation where the portable electronic device is dropped into water, the user may face a risk of losing the device altogether. Tethers prevent the user from dropping or losing the device and function as a convenience to the user. 
     Flexible bands or bracelets have been used to secure wristwatches to the person of a user for many years. These bands have made from a variety of materials including leather, cloth, metal, plastic and other suitable materials. From an aesthetic and durability point of view, metal wristbands have been very popular. However, metal wristbands have had some drawbacks including difficulty in sizing the wristband to a particular user which often requires special tools or expertise which may inconvenience a user. In addition, once sized, the band may need to be adjusted at a later time due to changes in the size of the wrist of the user or other factors. In such instances, resizing the wristband again often requires special tools or expertise and results in inconvenience to a user. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosed embodiments provide a user with a functional as well as aesthetically pleasing attachment means to secure an electronic device to his or her person or to otherwise securely transport a portable electronic device. In alternate embodiments, the attachment device may find use with electronic devices in other applications such as with medical equipment. The attachment band may be made of metal or other suitable material. The metal is formed into links which may be added or removed to allow a user easily and quickly to size the wristband to his or her person without requiring special tools or engaging the expertise of a jeweler or other specialist which may be costly and time consuming for the user. 
     In one embodiment, the watchband includes metal segments, some of which may be removable and some of which are fixedly attached to one another. The removable links may be added or removed and thus the length of the watchband may be varied according to the requirements and desires of the user. Some links of the watchband may be permanently attached so as to provide a base for attachment of the removable links. By varying the number of links in the watchband a user may size and resize the watchband as desired. 
     A clasp is also attachable to the segments so as to releasably lengthen the band and permit the user to take the watchband on and off his or her wrist as desired. The clasp includes nesting members to allow it to present an extremely low profile when the clasp is closed. The extremely low profile is both aesthetically pleasing and prevents the clasp from interfering with activities being performed by the user. That is, there is less likelihood of the clasp inadvertently catching on an unintended object if it presents the same thickness as the rest of the band as opposed to extending above the side profile of the watchband. 
     A manufacturing tool and method is also disclosed for efficiently and cost—effectively machining complex geometries to make the segments and clasp comprising the watchband aesthetically pleasing and functionally efficient. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an attachment band worn on the wrist of a user; 
         FIG. 2  shows the attachment band seen from the opposite side of the wrist of user; 
         FIG. 3A  shows a removable segment of the attachment band, separated into two pieces; 
         FIG. 3B  shows another example of a removable segment of an attachment band, separated into two pieces; 
         FIG. 4  shows the removable segment of  FIG. 3A  with inner and outer portions joined; 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  each show two removable segments of an attachment band being joined; 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  show side views of an engagement mechanism of a removable segment; 
         FIG. 7A  shows a top view of the engagement mechanism of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7B  shows a top view of an alternate spring-like mechanism that may be used with the engagement mechanism of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  show an example engagement mechanism; 
         FIG. 9  shows yet another alternate engagement mechanism for a removable segment; 
         FIG. 10  shows an alternate embodiment of an inner portion of a removable segment; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  show views of various embodiments of a clasp that may be used with an attachment band; 
         FIGS. 12A-12I  show additional views of various embodiments of a clasp that may be used with an of attachment band; 
         FIG. 13  shows a a sample electronic device tethered to a user by a sample segmented wristband; 
         FIG. 14  is a view of a fixed link segment; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of outer link portion of a fixed link segment; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of an inner link portion of a fixed link segment; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of inner portion of a fixed link segment engaged with an outer portion of a fixed link segment; 
         FIG. 18  is a close up view a portion of  FIG. 21  illustrating the engagement of the angled side edges of inner link portion with the angled side edges of an outer link portion; 
         FIG. 19  is a view of fixed link segment and a second fixed link segment which is engageable with a removable segment; 
         FIG. 20  is a flow chart illustrating a method for attaching a portable electronic device to a user; 
         FIG. 21  shows a manufacturing device; and 
         FIG. 22  is a flow chart illustrating a manufacturing method. 
     
    
    
     The use of the same or similar reference numerals in different drawings indicates similar, related, or identical items. The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference for particular materials, material properties, proportions, dimensions, commonalities of similarly-illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and in particular with reference to  FIGS. 1-22 . It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. For example, although many embodiments are described herein with reference to quick-release link segments for removably attaching a portable electronic device to the wrist of a user, other embodiments can take other forms or may be implemented with other dimensions, materials, configurations or in different form factors. For example, in some non-limiting embodiments, quick release link segments as described herein can be used separately from electronic devices as or as a portion of handles, closures, and/or attachment mechanisms associated with jewelry, luggage, clothing, footwear, athletic wear, handbags, accessories, branded or unbranded clothing, clothing accessories, merchandise fixtures, non-electronic watches and other wearables, and so on. 
     Additionally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting Like reference numerals denote like structure throughout each of the various figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  11  (illustrated as, but not limited to, a watch) is shown as worn on the wrist  12  of a user. Electronic device  11  may be portable and may also be attached to other body parts of the user or to other devices, structures or objects. In one embodiment wristband  13  is flexible and includes a plurality of articulating metal segments or links  14  and is shown encircling the wrist  12  of a user. By securing electronic device  11  to the person of the user, wristband  13  provides security and convenience. In some embodiments, the electronic device  11  may include a display  15 . 
     Although not shown, the wristband  13  may removably connect to the electronic device  11  or a portion thereof. In this fashion, the wristband may be removed from the electronic device  11  and replaced, thereby permitting a user to switch wristbands as necessary or desired. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the wristband  13  of  FIG. 1  is shown on the opposite side of the wrist  12  of user from electronic device  11 . Wristband  13  includes link segments  14  and a clasp portion  16 . In some embodiments, the link segments  14  can be formed from metal. Wristband  13  is sized to fit securely and comfortably onto wrist  12 ; the sizing of the wristband  13  may be altered by adding or removing links, as described in more detail herein. In order to accomplish this, the number of link segments  14  may need to be varied according to the size of wrist  12 . That is, link segments  14  may to be added or removed to make the diameter of wristband  13  appropriate for a secure and comfortable fit (or any desired fit) on wrist  12 . 
     Some links  14  of the watchband may be permanently attached so as to provide a base for attachment of the removable links. For example, wristband  13  may include a certain number of fixed links and a user may vary a number of removable links. The fixed links may attach to the electronic device  11  and/or to clasp portion  16 . In conventional wristbands, resizing of wristband often requires special tools to add or remove links  14 . For some wristbands, a specialist such as jeweler may be required to add or remove links  14  from wristband  13 . 
     In modern society, users may not wish to be so inconvenienced. For example, many portable electronic devices (or mechanical devices, or other portable devices) may be ordered by users over the Internet. When the device is delivered to a user&#39;s home, he or she may be extremely reluctant to spend the time and resources necessary to take that portable electronic device and wristband to a jeweler or other expert to have the wristband sized. Alternatively, the use of special tools for a “do it yourself” sizing of wristband  13  may entail additional cost to the user or to the manufacturer and added inconvenience to, and effort by, a user. In an alternate embodiment, wristband  13  may cooperate with a second wristband that is similarly configured to permit a user to easily and conveniently mix and match wristbands. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , a so-called “quick-release” link  14  is shown with inner portion  17  and outer portion  18  separated. In normal operation, the quick-release link will have the inner portion  17  and outer portion  18  pivotally joined to form a single link. As will be discussed further below, inner portion  17  and outer portion  18  of one link segment  14  are connected by pin  19  which engages pivot holes  21  in outer portion  18 ; the pivot holes  21  may be blind holes that are not visible from an exterior of the link segment  14 . Further, in some embodiments the pivot holes  21  may be drilled at an angle in order to maintain an unblemished outer surface of the quick-release link. The angle may be approximately eight degrees, in some embodiments, although this angle may vary in other embodiments. 
     The pin  19  may be a stepped pin so that its end engages a sidewall of the pivot hole  21 , rather than engaging the bottom of the pivot hole, thereby securing the inner and outer portions. 
     Inner portion  17  may articulate with respect to outer portion  18 , thus providing flexibility to wristband  13  when worn by a user. Inner portion  17  includes wing portions  22  on each side of inner portion  17  and a button  23  on surface  24  of inner portion  17 . Outer portion  18  includes curvilinear receiving portions  25  for engaging with wing portions  22  on an adjacent link segment. Outer portion  18  also includes spring-loaded engagement mechanism  26  for releasably engaging with an inner portion  17  of an adjacent link segment  14 . As depicted, spring-loaded engagement mechanism  26 , when viewed from above, can take a substantially sphero-cylindrical shape (e.g., capsule shape). In other embodiments, spring-loaded engagement mechanism  26  can take other forms such as a rectangular, circular, semicircular, or trapezoidal shape. In still further embodiments, spring loaded engagement mechanism  26  can take any other suitable shape. 
     As depicted, spring-loaded engagement mechanism  26 , when viewed from a side, can be stepped. As illustrated, the step portion may be formed at the longitudinal endpoints of spring loaded engagement mechanism  26 , but this is not required of all embodiments. Further, although illustrated with a single sloped step in  FIG. 3A , certain implementations of spring-loaded engagement mechanism  26  can have a greater or fewer number of steps. In still further embodiments, a step may not be required or favored and spring-loaded engagement mechanism  26  may be substantially flat, for example as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5, 10, and 23 . 
     Link segments  14  may include continuous unblemished surfaces that can be polished to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to wristband  13 . While shown as rectangular or square, link segments  14  could also be round or other complex geometries. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , link segment  14  of  FIG. 3A  is shown with inner portion  17  and outer portion  18  joined by pin  19 . Referring to  FIG. 5A , link segments  14  and  14   a  may be engaged with one another in the direction of arrow  27 . That is, inner portion  17  of link segment  14   a  may be releasably engaged with outer portion  18  of link segment  14  by the engagement of wing portions  22  on link segment  14   a  with receiving portions  25  on outer portion  18  of link segment  14 , along with the engagement of spring loaded engagement mechanism  26  to inner portion  17  of segment  14   a  that releasably latches inner portion  17  of link segment  14   a  to outer portion  18  of link segment  14 . To securely engage inner portion  17  of link segment  14   a  with outer portion  18  of link segment  14 , inner portion  17  may be secured in three degrees of freedom. That is, inner portion may be contained from moving along three axes (x, y, z)  28 . The x and y axes are in the plane of  FIG. 5A  while the z axis is perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 5A . The engagement of wing portions  22  with receiving slots  25  serve to constrain inner portion along the x and z axis. However, movement along the y axis (into and out of engagement with outer portion  18 ) is constrained by the interaction of engagement mechanism  26  and inner portion  17  as described below. 
     The releasable engagement of inner portion  17  with engagement mechanism is shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B . That is, when inner portion  17  moves along the y-axis in the direction of arrow  27 , engagement mechanism  26  (which includes protrusion  31 ) latches outer portion  18  to inner portion  17 . Protrusion  31  is received in a recess in the underside of inner portion  17  as shown in  FIG. 6A  in phantom. In certain embodiments, the end of protrusion  31  may be flat or blunt, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6B . In other embodiments the edge or protrusion  31  may be sloped, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A &amp; 3B . Still other embodiments may combine the two such that the edge is partly sloped and partly blunt. A fully or partly blunt edge may resist disconnection of adjacent links when the links are pulled away from one another. 
     Engagement mechanism  26  can optionally include additional supports  32 , such as shown in  FIG. 3B , which restrain inner portion from additional motion along the y-axis. That is, wall  29  of inner portion  17  is contained between protrusion  31  and supports  32  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5B ) which prevent motion along the y axis. Inner portion  17  is thus locked into engagement with outer portion  18  of the adjacent link segment  14 . As will be discussed below, engagement portion  26  is resiliently contained in outer portion  18  such that a user, by depressing button  23  in inner portion  17 , may cause armature  33  to move downward in  FIG. 6B  (as shown by arrow  34 ) which causes armature  33  to contact protrusion  31 , which in turn causes engagement mechanism  26  to depress downwardly and disengage protrusion  31  from inner portion  17 . In this manner, inner portion  17  may be separated from outer portion  18  of an adjacent segment  14 . As can be appreciated, segments  14  may be added to or subtracted from wristband  13  in this manner. 
     In some embodiments, a tool may be used to separate links instead of pressing the button. For example, button  23  may be replaced by an access opening into which a tool (such as the end of a paperclip or a small screwdriver) may be inserted to depress armature  33  to engage protrusion  31  and disengage engagement portion  26  from inner portion  17 . Alternatively, links may be separated by depressing protrusion  31  directly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a top view of engagement mechanism  26  is shown. A spring-like mechanism  35 , which may, in one embodiment, be an approximately 0.25 mm thick stainless steel plate, is spot welded or otherwise connected to one or more supports. Mechanism  35  is flexible such that it may be depressed downwardly in the direction of arrow  37  but will return to its normal non-deflected position in the absence of such force. As described above, the force is provided by a user who depresses button  23  in inner portion  17  (see  FIG. 6A ). Thus, protrusion  31  may be moved out of engagement with inner portion  17  by depressing button  23  on inner portion  17  and, upon separation of inner portion  17  from outer portion  18 , mechanism  35  resiliently returns to its non-deflected position. In other embodiments, spring-like mechanism  35  can take other shapes, such as that depicted in  FIG. 7B . 
     When it is desired to engage inner and outer portions, as discussed in  FIG. 5A , sliding inner portion  17  into outer portion  18  of an adjacent segment  14  results in inner portion  17  contacting protrusion  31  on engagement mechanism  26 ; the upward bias of spring-like mechanism  35  may be overcome by the force exerted by a user engaging inner portion  17  with outer portion  18 . This results in protrusion  31  being forced downward, allowing inner portion  17  to slide against supports  32  which will prohibit further advance of inner portion  17  with respect to outer portion  18 . Protrusion  31  may engage a recessed portion of the underside of inner portion  17 ; inner portion may be constrained from movement along the y axis by wall  29 , a segment of which is received between protrusion  31  and supports  32  (e.g., such as shown in  FIG. 5B ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8B , various embodiments of engagement mechanism  26  are shown in which a spring-like latch  38  may be used in place of metal plate  35 .  FIGS. 8A-8B  are illustrated as front views taken along line A-A on  FIG. 7A  of engagement mechanism  26 , presented for clarity without the example structure depicted in  FIG. 7A . In these embodiments, spring-like latch  38  can be welded to outer portion  18  at attachment point  39  such that, when inner portion  17  is slid onto outer portion  18 , the force exerted by a user depresses latch  38  in a downward direction (as shown by arrow  30 ) through the contact of wall  29  on inner portion  17  against protrusion  31 . 
     In one embodiment, such as shown in  FIG. 8B , the latch  38  can be pressed downwardly such that the spring-like latch  38  bends over a fulcrum (not shown) separate from the attachment point. For example, the fulcrum may be a portion of the outer portion  18 . In another embodiment, the fulcrum may be a portion of the inner portion  17 . In still further embodiments, the fulcrum can be a separate component that is adhered to or disposed below to the spring-like latch  38 . In some embodiments, more than one fulcrum can be used. In these examples, the spring-like latch  38  can bend and/or deform, in more than one location. 
     In another embodiment, the latch can bend downward in a cantilever fashion to release adjacent links. 
     Generally, the upward spring bias of latch  38  allows protrusion  31  to move upwardly (opposite the direction of arrow  30 ) to engage with the backside of wall  29  once wall  29  has passed over protrusion  31  in order to secure inner portion  17  to outer portion  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an alternate embodiment of a latching mechanism is shown. A screw  41  is connected to a pair of retractable pins  42  on each side of inner portion  17 . Screw  41  may be rotated to move retractable pins  42  into and out of inner portion  17  in the directions indicated by arrows  43 . Pins  42  engage into and out of holes  44  in an adjacent outer portion  18  to releasably engage outer portion  18  and inner portion  17  of adjacent link segments  14 . In this embodiment a tool, such as a screwdriver or other suitable tool (not shown), may be used to rotate screw  41 , thereby causing retractable pins to engage or disengage with holes  44 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , another alternate embodiment is shown. Here, outer portion  18  is as described above with respect to  FIG. 3A . Inner portion  17  may be inserted into outer portion  18  of an adjacent segment  14 , as described above, such that engagement mechanism  26  engages inner portion  17  as described herein. However, inner portion  17  includes an activating portion  45  which is rotatably connected to inner portion  17  by pin  46  in holes  50 . Accordingly, activating portion  45  may be depressed by applying pressure to front portion  47 , thus causing front portion  47  to rotate on pin  46  such to contact and depress engagement mechanism  26  thereby disengaging inner portion  17  from outer portion  18  of an adjacent segment  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A-11C and 12A-12C , a side view of a clasp  100  suitable for use with an attachment mechanism and one or more links as described herein is shown. The clasp may correspond, for example, to clasp  16  of  FIG. 2 . As shown in the figures, a first and second clasp body segment  104 ,  106  may form a substantially unbroken, curved surface in conjunction with buttons  102  when the clasp is closed (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 11A and 11B ); this substantially unbroken, curved surface is approximately the same thickness as a link segment  14 . The base  108  of the clasp may be a smooth surface. The body segments  104 ,  106  may be considered, or equivalent to, elongated link segments that define recessed on their lower surfaces to accommodate the arms and the bridge segment  119  connecting the arms (“cored” link segments). In some embodiments, multiple cored link segments of approximately the same dimensions as standard link segments  14  may be used in place of one elongated cored link segment. 
     In addition, the ends of the body segments  104 ,  106  connected to the arms  110  may be notched or stepped down to accommodate the buttons  102  when the clasp is closed. Thus, when the clasp is closed, the buttons  102  nest within the notches formed at the arm ends of the body segments  104 ,  106 ; likewise, when the clasp is closed the body segments  104 ,  106  abut one another. 
     The clasp may be opened by pressing buttons  102  located on opposing sides of the bridge segment  119 , as described in more detail below.  FIGS. 12A-12C  depict the clasp in an open configuration. Arms  110  connect pivots  112  to body segments  104 ,  106 . It should be noted that the body segments  104 ,  106  may also pivot with respect to the arms  110  at the connection of the arm and body segment. 
     When the clasp is closed, the ends of arms  110  abut one another and are received in groove  118  between the buttons  102 . This permits the body segments  104 ,  106  to abut one another and lie substantially flush with the buttons  102  on all three adjacent sides (e.g., top, bottom, and sidewall). 
     Turning momentarily to  FIG. 12B , sidewalls  116  of the body segments  104 ,  106  define cavities  114 . These cavities typically overlie the central clasp structure defining the groove  118  and from which the buttons protrude. Generally, when the clasp is closed, the outer sidewalls of the buttons are flush with the outer sidewalls of the body segments as shown in  FIG. 11A . The cooperation of the cavities  114  and the cavity portions within the adjacent body segments can conceal the clasp structure when the clasp is closed. 
     A tooth  120  may protrude from each button  102  or may be articulated by operation of the buttons  102 . That is, pressing the buttons  102  inward may cause the teeth to move inward while releasing the buttons may return the teeth  120  to the rest position shown in  FIG. 12A . The teeth  120  may be received in undercuts of the cavities  114  (such as detents) and next beneath the sidewalls  116  of the body portions  104 ,  106  when the buttons are in a default state (e.g., no force is applied to the buttons  102 ). Accordingly, the teeth  120  secure the body segments  104 ,  106  to the base  108  of the clasp until the buttons  102  are pressed. Pressing the button(s)  102  moves the teeth inward toward a center of the base  108  (e.g., into apertures  114 ), thereby permitting the body segments  104 ,  106  to separate from the base. The teeth may be formed at a backdraft angle in order to permit the clasp to pop open when force is applied to the top of the clasp while in a closed position. Such force may cause the teeth to slip out from beneath the sidewalls  116 , thereby opening the clasp without requiring the buttons be pressed. This may prevent injury to a wearer in certain situations, as well as potentially preventing damage to the clasp assembly. 
     Some embodiments may omit the teeth  120  and replace them with other closure elements. For example, bumps or other protrusions may take the place of teeth. These interference elements may bend or otherwise deform when the clasp is closed and/or opened, thereby resisting the opening or closing of the clasp until sufficient force is exerted. This may secure the clasp in a closed position, but still permit it to be opened by a user while resisting accidental or casual opening forces. 
     Yet another embodiment may eliminate the teeth  120  and employ one or more sets of magnets to hold the clasp in a closed position, such as shown in  FIG. 12D . In such an embodiment, magnets  97  may be located on each arm and may attract the arm to a cored link (e.g., body segment  104 ,  106 ). A user may pull the clasp open by overcoming the magnetic force. In yet other embodiments, a second set of magnets may be affixed in or to the body segments to strengthen the magnetic attraction. In still further embodiments, such as depicted in  FIG. 12D , detents  99  can be configured to interface with recesses  101 . In many cases, body segments  104 ,  106  each can include one detent  99  that is configured to interface with a single detent  101 . In other embodiments, body segments  104 ,  106  can each include one detent  99  that is configured to interface with an independent detent  101 . 
     Yet another embodiment may include barbs  103  on arms of the body segments  104 ,  106  which can be configured to be retained by sliding traps  105 , such as depicted in  FIGS. 12E-12F . In these embodiments, upon closure, barbs  103  can be pushed into and through the sliding traps  105  such that clasp  100  can be retained in the closed position. To release the body segments  104 ,  106 , sliding traps  105  upon compression of one or more buttons  102 . In these embodiments, depression of buttons  102  can cause sliding traps  105  to release barbs  103 , which, in turn, can release clasp  100 . 
     Yet another embodiment can trap barbs  103  in another manner. For example, barbs  103  can be retained within a magnetized recess  107 , such as depicted in  FIG. 12G . In other embodiments, magnetized recess  107  can also include one or more sliding traps released by buttons in accordance with other embodiments described above. 
     It should be appreciated that the pivots of the clasp  100  may nest when the clasp is in a closed position. Likewise, the overall height of the clasp may be substantially the same as the overall height of any link segment  14 , thereby creating a substantially continuous and/or smooth or seamless geometry for the overall attachment mechanism. Further, given the lack of any holes in either a link segment  14  or the clasp  100  that are visible from an exterior of the attachment mechanism (e.g., band), the sidewalls may present a smooth, finished look as well with a similarly substantially continuous profile. 
     In still further embodiments, clasp  100  can be received, when closed, into clasp recess  109 . In many examples, clasp recess  109  can be defined by a single segment  14  of clasp  100  (not shown). In other examples, clasp recess  109  can be defined by the combination of multiple clasp segments, such as a first segment  111 , a second segment  113 , and a third segment  115 . In still further examples, more than three or less than three segments can cooperate to define clasp recess  109 . In these examples, the clasp segments cooperating to define clasp recess  109  can connect to one or more segments  14  of the wristband  13 . As noted above, it should be appreciated that the pivots of the clasp  100  may nest when the clasp recess  109  is in a closed position, such as shown in  FIG. 12I . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another embodiment including an electronic device  59  (which may be a mobile phone) as held by a user. Electronic device could also be a laptop computer, tablet computing device, media player, personal digital assistant, health monitoring device, wearable computing device or other electronic device. In one embodiment, device  59  may be tethered to wrist  12  of a user directly by wrist band  13 , or band  13  may be attached to another part of the user or his clothing. Attachment band may include a wristband  13  having segments  14  and clasp  100 , as generally described herein. Band  13  may releasably engage with housing  61  of portable electronic device  59  through operation of an attachment structure, which may be an interoperable and/or interchangeable attachment structure that permits swapping of bands and/or devices. Such an attachment structure may be affixed to or formed with one or more segments  14 , whether releasable or permanent. 
       FIG. 14  shows a fixed link  86 . As discussed above, removable links may be added or removed by a user but certain fixed links  86  may be attached to the electronic device  11  (or a non-electronic device) or to clasp  16 . Fixed link  86  includes an inner portion  17   a  and an outer portion  18   a . Portions  17   a  and  18   a  are similar to inner portion  17  and outer portion  18  as discussed previously except that portions  17   a  and  18   a  are not separable. In one embodiment, portions  17   a  and  18   a  may be welded to an adjacent portion. That is, an inner portion  17   a  could be laser welded to an outer portion  18   a  on an adjacent link  86 . While this may be suitable in some embodiments, it may not be aesthetically pleasing to some users and the strength of the laser weld may not be as strong as desired. As with the removable link segments  14 , inner portion  17   a  is articulately connected by pin  19  to outer portion  18   a  to provide flexibility as was described. Outer link portion  18   a  includes engagement platform  87  and inner portion  17   a  includes an engagement recess  88 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of outer link  18   a  as seen from the direction of arrow  93  in  FIG. 14 . Outer link portion  18   a  includes engagement platform  87 . Platform  87  is raised above the surface of link portion  18   a  and includes angled side edges  91 . Outer link  18   a  also includes a lip portion  92 . 
       FIG. 16  is a side view of inner portion  17   a  as seen from the direction of arrow  93  in  FIG. 14 . Inner link  17   a  includes recess  88  and retention portions  94 . Retention portions  94  include angled edges  95  which are engageable with angled side edges  91  on outer link  18   a . In one embodiment, a portion of recess  88  extends behind retention portions  94 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17  a side view of inner portion  17   a  engaged with outer portion  18   a  is shown. Angled side edges  95  of inner link  17   a  engage with angled side edges  91  of outer link portion  18   a . That is, inner link portion  17   a  from an adjacent fixed link  86  may slide over engagement platform  87  such that retention portions  94  engage lip portion  92  to fixedly attach adjacent links  86 . In one embodiment, inner link portion  17   a  may be spot welded to engagement platform  87  at edges  91 / 95  to fixedly attach inner link portion  17   a  to outer link portion  18   a  of an adjacent link. 
       FIG. 18 , is a close up view of the engagement of angled side edges  95  of inner link  17   a  engage with angled side edges  91  of outer link portion  18   a . In one embodiment, a spot weld may be made where angled side edges  91  engage with angled side edges  95  to affix fixed segments and restrain movement of inner link  17   a  with outer link  18   a  of an adjacent segment in the directions of arrows  89  and  93 . 
       FIG. 19  shows a view of fixed link portion  86  and fixed link portion  86 A. Fixed link portion  86 A includes inner portion  17   a  as described above in  FIGS. 14-17  and also includes outer portion  18  as described above in  FIGS. 3-5 . That is, inner portion  17   a  of link portion  86 A may be fixedly engaged with outer link portion  18   a  of link  86  as described above and an inner link portion  17  from a removable link segment  14  may be removably attached to outer link portion  18  in link  86 A as described above with respect to  FIGS. 3-5 . Thus the fixed link section of wristband  13  may be connected with a removable segment in an adjustable section of wristband  13 . 
       FIG. 20  is a flow chart illustrating a method for attaching a portable electronic device to the person of a user. It should be appreciate that the flow chart presumes the band has already been split apart; that is, the flow chart presumes that two adjacent link segments  14  have been decoupled. In operation  71 , a user determines the size of his or her wrist or other body part to which the portable electronic device is to be attached. At operation  72 , a user determines the size of the band which is attached to the portable electronic device. Based upon a comparison of the sizes determined in operations  71  and  72 , the user then decides whether to add or subtract link segments in operation  73 . In the event that the band was not split prior to beginning this method, it may be useful to decouple two adjacent link segments  14  after operation  73  in order to permit the addition or removal of link segments. 
     Link segments  14  are to be added, in operation  74  a user engages an inner link portion  17  of one link with an outer link portion  18  of another link  14   a  by exerting force on the inner link portion  17  by pushing it into an engagement mechanism  26  on the adjacent outer link portion  18  of an adjacent link segment  14  to secure inner link portion  17  in the adjacent outer link portion  18  along an x, y, and z axis. If a link is to be removed, in operation  75  the user disengages inner link portion  17  from outer link portion  18  of adjacent link  14  by exerting force against a release mechanism as described in various embodiments above and pulling inner link portion  17  away from outer link portion  18 . As discussed herein, the release mechanism may be a button or, in an alternate embodiment, a tool may be inserted into a hole or another release mechanism such as a rotatably mounted portion on inner portion  17  or spring loaded pin  62  may be employed. After completing operations  71 - 75 , in operation  76  the user may attach the portable electronic device to him or herself using clasp  16  or other suitable closing mechanisms. 
     Employing the wristband  13  as described herein allows a user to securely attach a portable electronic device to his or her person while maintaining convenience and an aesthetically pleasing look. Buttons  23  on inner portion  17  are preferably turned inwardly toward wrist  12  of a user so as not to be seen. That is buttons  23  are adjacent to the skin of user and, in addition to making wristband  13  more aesthetically pleasing, this orientation of buttons  23  provides additional safety as inadvertent force applied to buttons  23  from exterior sources is avoided. Similarly, clasp  16 , due to its unique nesting operation, may provide additional safety features not found in existing clasps. In one embodiment, wristband  13  includes some segments that include release mechanism  26  and some that do not include such mechanism. Segments  14  closest to electronic device  11  may not include release mechanism  26  as there may be no need to detach those segments  14  from wristband  13  adjacent to electronic device  11 . Alternatively, these segments could include an alternate engaging mechanism such as pins  62  while segments  14  further away from electronic device  11  may include mechanism  26  so as to make wristband  13  adjustable in size to the wrist  12  of a user. Such sizing may be done by the user him or herself without the need to visit a store or other establishment or to have an expert such as a jeweler to size the wrist band. In addition to being more cost effective, this feature is especially important to individuals who order the portable electronic device over the internet and, for convenience or personal preference reasons, do not wish to visit a “bricks and mortar” type of establishment. 
     As stated above, link segments  14  or portions of clasp  16  may be curvilinear, complex rounded or other geometries which may be difficult to achieve by conventional manufacturing methods. Typically, machining of parts may be done with a ball end mill. However, for complex geometries, use of a ball end mill may be very time consuming and expensive, requiring 4-axis tilting of the part or tool and a large number of passes of the tool by the part. Modern machining methods employ vertical machining centers. In the vertical mill the spindle axis is vertically oriented. Milling cutters are held in the spindle and rotate on its axis. The spindle can generally be extended (or the table can be raised/lowered, giving the same effect), allowing plunge cuts and drilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , a manufacturing device for machining various portions of segments  14  and/or clasp  16  is shown. A milling cutter  77  may be attached to a standard spindle in a vertical milling machine. A part  78  to be machined for segment  14  or clasp  16  is shown adjacent milling cutter  77 . Milling cutter  77  includes a curvilinear surface  79  which may include a constant radius curvature or a varying radius curvature. The milling cutter  77  may cut a planar profile (e.g., in the X and Y directions as shown in  FIG. 25 ) for the link. Further, milling cutter  77  is moved up and down in the z-direction as shown by arrows  81  which allows different portions of curvilinear surface to contact part  78  resulting in surfaces of varying surface geometry to be formed on part  78 . By varying the portion of curvilinear surface  79  which contacts part  78 , complex geometric surfaces associated with segments  14  and clasp  16  may be produced on part  78 . 
       FIG. 22  is a flow chart illustrating a sample method for manufacturing a part using the milling cutter device  77  described in  FIG. 21 . In operation  82 , a milling cutter including a curvilinear surface is provided. In operation  83 , the milling cutter is attached to a spindle on a vertical milling machine. In operation  84 , a part to be machined is affixed onto the vertical milling machine. In operation  85 , the milling cutter device  77  is moved along a z-axis to allow different portions of the curvilinear surface of the milling cutter to contact the part and form various curvilinear surfaces on different portions of the part. 
     In some embodiments, a wristband may be formed from both quick-release link segments and non-quick-release link segments (“non-articulating segments”). The non-articulating segments may be fixed to one another such that they cannot decouple from one another. A first end link in a series of non-articulating segments may connect to an attachment structure that may, in turn, connect the wristband to a consumer product (which may be an electronic or non-electronic device). Alternately, the first end link may connect directly to the consumer product. A second end link may be configured to connect to a quick-release link segment, thereby forming a band having some releasable links and some non-releasable links. Further, the non-articulating segments may appear identical to the quick-release link segments and may include a cosmetic split that mimics the look of the joinder of inner and outer link portions. In some embodiments, this cosmetic split may be omitted. 
     Further, in some embodiments the widths of the links (both quick-release and non-articulating) may subtly increase across at least a portion of the length of the band. The width of the links may increase from link to link in small increments that may be imperceptible to the human eye when two adjacent links are compared to one another, but visible when multiple connected links are looked at as a group. In this fashion, the width of the band may be subtly adjusted from the clasp to an attachment mechanism that connects the band to a consumer product. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150806
Publication Date: 20180529
Grant Date: 20180529
Priority Date: 20140811
Inventors: WEBB, MICHAEL J.
WANG, ERIK L.
DE IULIIS, DANIELE
COWAN, Wayne
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "A44C5/0007", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/107", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F5/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F2005/008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/24", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04B37/1486", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/24", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/107", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/107", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04B37/1486", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/24", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F2005/008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F5/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/0007", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 55266428