PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9585445-B2
Application Number: US-201514822919-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Magnetic buckle

Abstract:
A clasp for securing a first strap with a second strap includes a first clasp portion having a first frame member and a first set of magnets movable from a first to a second position, the first clasp portion adapted to be attached with the first strap; and a second clasp portion adapted to selectively connect with the first clasp portion, the second frame clasp portion having second frame member and a second set of magnets positioned in a fixed location within the second clasp portion, the second set of magnets positioned adjacent the first set of magnets when the second clasp portion is connected with the first clasp portion, the second clasp portion adapted to be attached with the second strap. When the first and second set of magnets create an attractive magnetic force therebetween in the first position and a repulsive magnetic force therebetween in the second position.

Claims:
We claim: 
     
       1. A clasp for securing a first strap with a second strap, comprising:
 a first clasp portion; 
 a first set of magnets movable within the first clasp portion between a first position and a second position, the first clasp portion adapted to be attached with the first strap; 
 a second clasp portion adapted to selectively connect with the first clasp portion; and 
 a second set of magnets positioned within the second clasp portion and adjacent the first set of magnets when the second clasp portion is connected with the first clasp portion, the second clasp portion adapted to be attached with the second strap; 
 wherein, when the first set of magnets is in the first position, the first and second set of magnets create an attractive magnetic force therebetween. 
 
     
     
       2. The clasp of  claim 1 , wherein when the first set of magnets is in the second position, the first and second set of magnets create a repulsive magnetic force therebetween. 
     
     
       3. The clasp of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one biasing magnet positioned within the first clasp portion adjacent to the first set of magnets, wherein the biasing magnet creates an additional attractive magnetic force that biases the first set of magnets into said first position. 
 
     
     
       4. The clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of magnets includes a plurality of magnets of alternating polarities positioned adjacent to one another. 
     
     
       5. The clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of magnets includes a plurality of magnets of alternating polarities positioned adjacent to one another. 
     
     
       6. The clasp of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one button member positioned within the first clasp portion, the button member adapted to receive contact from a user. 
 
     
     
       7. The clasp of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one button member includes a latch that selectively secures to a portion of the second clasp portion. 
     
     
       8. The clasp of  claim 6 , wherein the first set of magnets is positioned within the at least one button member. 
     
     
       9. The clasp of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first set of corner magnets positioned within the first clasp portion; and 
 a second set of corner magnets positioned within the second clasp portion in a position that such that when the first and second clasp portions are connected together, the first and second set of corner magnets create an additional attractive magnetic force therebetween. 
 
     
     
       10. The clasp of  claim 9 , wherein when the first set of magnets is in the second position, the first and second set of magnets create a repulsive magnetic force therebetween that is greater than said additional attractive magnetic force between the first and second set of corner magnets. 
     
     
       11. The clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second straps are connected with a wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       12. A buckle, comprising:
 a first buckle portion having a first set of magnets positioned within the first buckle portion; and 
 a second buckle portion having a second set of magnets positioned within the second buckle portion, wherein the first and second set of magnets are adapted to attract the first and second buckle portions together via an attractive magnetic force; 
 wherein the first buckle portion also includes one or more slideable magnets movable between at least a first position and a second position; 
 wherein the second buckle portion also includes one or more magnets in a fixed location within the second buckle portion, the one or more magnets adapted to magnetically interact with the one or more slideable magnets of the first buckle portion. 
 
     
     
       13. The buckle of  claim 12 , wherein when the slideable magnets are in the first position, there is an additional attractive magnetic force between the slideable magnets and the one or more magnets in the fixed location within the second buckle portion. 
     
     
       14. The buckle of  claim 12 , wherein when the slideable magnets are in the second position, there is a repulsive magnetic force between the slideable magnets and the one or more magnets in the fixed location within the second buckle portion. 
     
     
       15. The buckle of  claim 14 , wherein the repulsive magnetic force is greater than the attractive magnetic force, thereby permitting the first and second buckle portions to be physically separated. 
     
     
       16. The buckle of  claim 12 , further comprising: at least one biasing magnet positioned within the first buckle portion adjacent to the one or more slideable magnets, wherein the biasing magnet creates a magnetic force that biases the slideable magnets into said first position. 
     
     
       17. The buckle of  claim 12 , wherein the first buckle portion is adapted to be attached with a first strap; and the second buckle portion is adapted to be attached with a second strap. 
     
     
       18. A method of forming a buckle, comprising:
 forming a first buckle portion with a first set of magnets movable within the first buckle portion between a first position and a second position; 
 forming a second buckle portion with a second set of magnets positioned in a fixed location within the second buckle portion; and 
 biasing the first set of magnets toward the first position, such that when the first set of magnets is in the first position, the first and second set of magnets create a first attractive magnetic force therebetween. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 positioning a third set of magnets in the first buckle portion; 
 positioning a fourth set of magnets in the second buckle portion; 
 wherein the third and fourth set of magnets create a second attractive magnetic force between the first and second buckle portions. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein when the first set of magnets is in the second position, a repulsive magnetic force is created between the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets, the repulsive magnetic force being greater than the second attractive magnetic force.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/035,561, filed Aug. 11, 2014 and titled “Magnetic Buckle,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates, in general, to buckles and clasps that are held together magnetically. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Buckles and clasps are used to secure items to a user&#39;s body, such as a clasp for a watch band to hold a watch on the wrist of a wearer. 
     Many conventional clasps have a length adjustment that requires the wearer to pass a strap with holes through a rotatable pin member that passes through one of the holes. Typically, the user has to perform this process each time the user wears the item or removes the item from their wrist. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one broad aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, disclosed herein is a clasp (also interchangeably referred to herein as a buckle) for securing a first strap with a second strap. In one example, the clasp may include a first clasp portion; a first set of magnets movable within the first clasp portion between a first position and a second position, the first clasp portion adapted to be attached with the first strap; a second clasp portion adapted to selectively connect with the first clasp portion; and a second set of magnets positioned within the second clasp portion and adjacent the first set of magnets when the second clasp portion is connected with the first clasp portion, the second clasp portion adapted to be attached with the second strap. When the first set of magnets is in the first position, the first and second set of magnets may create an attractive magnetic force therebetween. 
     In one example, when the first set of magnets is in the second position, the first and second set of magnets create a repulsive magnetic force therebetween. 
     The clasp may also include at least one biasing magnet positioned within the first clasp portion, adjacent to the first set of magnets, wherein the biasing magnet creates an additional attractive magnetic force that biases the first set of magnets into said first position. 
     In one example, the first set of magnets includes a plurality of magnets of alternating polarities positioned adjacent to one another, and the second set of magnets includes a plurality of magnets of alternating polarities positioned adjacent to one another. 
     The clasp may also include at least one button member positioned within the first clasp portion, the button member adapted to receive contact from a user. In one example, the button may include a latch that selectively secures to a portion of the second clasp portion. The first set of magnets may be positioned within or connected with the at least one button member. 
     In another example, the clasp may also include a first set of corner magnets positioned within the first clasp portion; and a second set of corner magnets positioned within the second clasp portion in a position that such that when the first and second clasp portions are connected together, the first and second set of corner magnets create an additional attractive magnetic force therebetween. In this embodiment, when the first set of magnets is in the second position, the first and second set of magnets create a repulsive magnetic force therebetween that is greater than said additional attractive magnetic force between the first and second set of corner magnets. 
     In one embodiment, the first and second straps that are adapted to be connected with the clasp may also be connected with a wearable electronic device. 
     According to another broad aspect of another embodiment of the present disclosure, disclosed herein is a buckle. In one example, the buckle may include a first buckle portion having a first set of magnets positioned within the first buckle portion; and a second buckle portion having a second set of magnets positioned within the second buckle portion, wherein the first and second set of magnets are adapted to attract the first and second buckle portions together via an attractive magnetic force. The first buckle portion may also include one or more slideable magnets movable between at least a first position and a second position. The second buckle portion may also include one or more magnets in a fixed location within the second buckle portion, the one or more magnets adapted to magnetically interact with the one or more slideable magnets of the first buckle portion. 
     In one example, when the slideable magnets are in the first position, there is an additional attractive magnetic force between the slideable magnets and the one or more magnets in a fixed location within the second buckle portion. When the slideable magnets are in the second position, there is a repulsive magnetic force between the slideable magnets and the one or more magnets in a fixed location within the second buckle portion. In one example, the repulsive magnetic force is greater than the attractive magnetic force, thereby permitting the first and second buckle portions to be physically separated. 
     The buckle may also include at least one biasing magnet positioned within the first buckle portion adjacent to the one or more slideable magnets, wherein the biasing magnet creates a magnetic force that biases the slideable magnets into said first position. 
     According to another broad aspect of another embodiment of the present disclosure, disclosed herein is a method of forming a buckle. In one example, the method may include forming a first buckle portion with a first set of magnets movable within the first buckle portion between a first position and a second position; forming a second buckle portion with a second set of magnets positioned in a fixed location within the second buckle portion; and biasing the first set of magnets toward the first position, such that when the first set of magnets is in the first position, the first and second set of magnets create a first attractive magnetic force therebetween. 
     In another example, the method may also include positioning a third set of magnets in the first buckle portion; and positioning a fourth set of magnets in the second buckle portion; wherein the third and fourth set of magnets create a second attractive magnetic force between the first and second buckle portions. In one example, when the first set of magnets is in the second position, a repulsive magnetic force is created between the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets, the repulsive magnetic force being greater than the second attractive magnetic force. 
     Other embodiments of the disclosure are described herein. The features, utilities and advantages of various embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular description of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a buckle coupled with a wearable electronic device through straps, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the buckle, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a sectional view of the buckle taken along section lines  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a sectional view of the buckle of  FIG. 3A  when the buttons are pushed inwardly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a sectional view of the buckle of  FIG. 3A  when the top and bottom portions of the buckle are being separated, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates a sectional view of the buckle of  FIG. 3A  when the top and bottom portions of the buckle are being joined, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3E  illustrates a sectional view of the buckle taken along section lines  3 E- 3 E of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of the buckle, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of the example buckle, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed herein are various examples of buckles (also interchangeably referred to herein as clasps) that allow quick attachment and quick release from a wearer&#39;s body, while maintaining a length adjustment as set by the wearer. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, once an appropriate strap length has been set in the buckle, the buckle retains that setting and can be attached or removed from the wearer without having to adjust or re-set the length. In one example embodiment of the present disclosure, an arrangement of a plurality of magnets are utilized and provide various magnetic attractive and repulsive forces which aid in the operation of the buckle. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. 
       FIGS. 1-2  illustrate an example of a buckle or clasp  20  which is used to securely couple a first strap (or strap portion)  22  with a second strap (or strap portion)  24 . Strap  24  may include a plurality of holes  25  defined along a portion of strap  24 , wherein the holes may be used to adjust or fit the combined straps  22 ,  24  and buckle  20  to a particular wearer. 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , buckle  20  may be utilized to connect straps  22 ,  24  about a wearer&#39;s wrists, leg, ankle, arm, neck, waist or other portion of their body, wherein straps  22 ,  24  may be connected with a wearable device  26  such as a watch, computing device, wireless device, or other wearable device. 
     Buckle  20  may be made of any conventional materials, such as, but not limited to, metal, rubber, plastic, composite materials, or any other material or combination of materials as desired. Straps  22 ,  24  can also be made of any conventional materials, such as, but not limited to, cloth, leather, plastic, rubber, metal, composite materials, or any other material or combinations of materials as desired. 
     Buckle  20  may have first and second portions. In one example, buckle  20  includes a first, bottom, outer portion  28  ( FIG. 3D ;  FIG. 4 ) which is distal to a wearer&#39;s skin or clothing during use, and the buckle may also include a second, top, inner portion  29  ( FIG. 2 ;  FIG. 3D ) which may be configured to contact the wearer&#39;s skin or clothing during use. 
     As described herein and shown in  FIG. 3C , bottom portion  28  of buckle  20  may include, in one example, a first frame member  30 , a fixed terminal portion of strap  22 , plate  34 , slide magnet arrays  50 ,  52 , magnets  64 A-B (shown in  FIG. 5 ), buttons  40 ,  42 , plate  36 , and magnets  68 A-B and  69 A-B. Top portion  29  of buckle  20  may include, in one example, plate  38 , slide magnet arrays  54 ,  56 , magnets  66 A-B (shown in  FIG. 5 ), and the second frame member  32 . The top portion  29  may be configured to receive strap  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 3C-3D  and  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3E  and  FIG. 5 , buckle  20  may include a first frame member  30  and a second frame member  32  which house and contain various components of buckle  20  therebetween. In one example, the first frame member  30  may be generally rectangular in shape and may have a flat or slightly curved profile with a hollow center portion, or may take other shapes depending upon the implementation. A first plate  34  may be provided to secure strap  22  within the interior of the first frame member  30 , and the first plate  34  may be sized such that it fits securely within the interior of frame member  30 . 
     A second plate  36  may be coupled with frame members  30 . In one example, the second plate  36  is secured (using rivets, bolts, screws or other conventional attachment structures) with the first frame member  30  to form the bottom portion  28  of the buckle. Plate  36  may be generally rectangular in shape with one or more hollow portions, and may have a flat or slightly curved profile, with a cross member  47  joining opposing sides of plate  36 , or may take other shapes depending upon the implementation. As shown in  FIG. 5 , cross member  47  may have an indentation or opening  48  positioned about a center point along a top surface of the cross member, in one example. In some embodiments, opening  48  may receive a mating pin (not shown) that extends through the opening  48  on one or both sides. The mating pin may likewise be received in opening  51  (or another suitable aperture) when the two halves of the buckle (e.g., top or upper portion  29  and bottom or lower portion  28 ) are mated. The mating pin may facilitate alignment of the two halves with respect to one another. In some embodiments, one or more screws may serve a similar or the same purpose as the mating pin, while simultaneous holding pieces of the buckle together. As one non-limiting example, a screw may affix plate  34  to plate  36  and may partially protrude above the upper surface of plate  34  (as viewed in the orientation shown in  FIG. 5 ). The protruding portion of such as screw may be received in a recess or aperture defined in either frame member  32  or plate  38 , thereby facilitating alignment of the upper portion  29  and lower portion  28  when the two portions are near or mated to one another. 
     A third plate  38  may be coupled with frame member  32 . Plate  38  may be sized such that it fits securely within the interior of frame member  32 . In one example, the third plate  38  is secured (using rivets, bolts, screws or other conventional attachment structures) with the second frame member  32  to form the top portion  29  of the buckle. In one example, plate  38  may be generally H-shaped and may have a flat or slightly curved profile, with a cross member  49  joining opposing sides of plate  38 , or may take other shapes depending upon the implementation. As shown in  FIG. 5 , cross member  49  may have an opening  51  positioned about a center point along the cross member  49 , in one example. 
     The second frame member  32 , in one example, may be generally rectangular in shape and may have a flat or slightly curved profile with one or more hollow portions, or may take other shapes depending upon the implementation. A cross member  53  may be provided joining opposing sides of frame member  32 , in one example. A knob or other protrusion  55  may be provided in order to engage an opening  25  of strap  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3A -D and  5 . Knob  55  may also include a downwardly orientated portion which is adapted to pass through opening  51  of plate  38 , and which is adapted to be seated within indentation  48  of plate  36  when the lower and upper portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20  are engaged together. 
     Strap  24  may be positioned and secured to frame member  32  by the user of the buckle  20 . In one example, the user positions strap  24  into frame member  32  so as to select a desired length of strap  24  around the user&#39;s wrist, arm, leg, waist or other body part. Once strap  24  is secured into position and engaged with knob  55 , in one example, the user does not have to continually disengage and re-engage strap  24  with knob  55  each time the user removes or applies the buckle the their body—instead, the user can release the buckle through the use of buttons  40 ,  42 , and re-attach buckle  20  to their body using the magnetic properties of buckle  20  as described herein. In certain embodiments, knob  55  may be omitted or may not extend through a hole when the strap  24  passes through the frame member  32  and the user selects a desired length of the strap (and thus, snugness around the user&#39;s wrist or the like). Instead, friction and/or pressure between the frame member  32  and strap  24  may retain the strap in place even if the knob  55  is not present or is not passing through an opening  25  in the strap. In still further embodiments, the strap  24  may be mechanically retained with respect to the frame through a different mechanism, such as a snap-fit, clamshell, track or the like and the knob may thus be omitted. In the various embodiments permitting adjustment of the strap  24  with respect to the frame member  32 , it should be appreciated that the strap may be positioned at any point along its length desired by a user and maintained in such a position regardless of the presence of the knob  55  or any holes  25 . 
     A first button  40  and a second button  42  may be provided and position between plates  34 ,  36 , in one example. Buttons  40 ,  42  may be axially aligned along or approximately along a centerline of buckle  20  in one example, and buttons  40 ,  42  may be positioned on opposing ends or opposing sides of buckle  20 . Each button  40 ,  42  has a portion which extends or protrudes beyond the outer periphery of frame members  30 ,  32 , such that a user can press or move the buttons  40 ,  42  inwardly with a user&#39;s fingers or thumbs in order to release and open buckle  20 . In some embodiments the button  40 ,  42  may be flush with sides of the buckle  20  rather than protruding. 
     In one example, the second plate  36  includes, along cross member  47 , a first opening  44  for receiving button  40 , and a second opening  46  for receiving button  42 . The openings  44 ,  46  may acts as guides for the lateral movement of buttons  40 ,  42  within the respective openings  44 ,  46 . 
     Buckle  20  may include a first slide magnet array  50  and a second slide magnet array  52 . In one example, slide magnet array  50  may be positioned within first button  40 , and slide magnet array  52  may be positioned within second button  42 . 
     In one example, slide magnet arrays  50 ,  52  may each contain a series of two or more magnets of alternating polarities. For instance, in the example shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , slide magnet arrays  50 ,  52  each include a series of seven magnets that alternate polarities (e.g., such that the upper surface polarities alternate between north and south in adjacent magnets, or vice versa). It should be appreciated that varying the number of magnets in each array may vary not only the magnetic flux between the arrays, but also the distance which one array may slide with respect to another before a repulsive force is exerted between the arrays. Generally, the more magnets in each array, the smaller the magnets are (assuming a fixed overall size for each array) and thus the less distance the arrays may travel with respect to one another before the arrays repulse one another instead of attracting one another. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , slide magnet arrays  50 ,  52  can be moved inwardly and outwardly between plates  34 ,  36 , wherein the movement of slide magnet arrays  50 ,  52  follows the lateral movement of buttons  40 ,  42 , respectively. 
     Buckle  20  may also include a third magnet array  54  and a fourth magnet array  56  positioned in the top portion  29  of buckle  20 . In one example, magnet arrays  54 ,  56  may be positioned in a fixed location along cross member  49  within recessed portions  60  and  62 , respectively, of the third plate  38  ( FIG. 5 ). In one example, magnet arrays  54 ,  56  may each contain a series of two or more magnets of alternating polarities. For instance, in the example shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , magnet arrays  54 ,  56  each includes a series of seven magnets, with alternating polarities such that the polarities of the magnet arrays  54 ,  56  generally match those of magnet arrays  50 ,  52 , respectively. For example, if the upper surface of magnet array  50  generally alternate between north and south poles with the leftmost magnet having a north polarity on its upper surface, the same will be true of the magnet array  54 . In this manner, the upper sets of magnet arrays  50 ,  52  may attract the lower sets of magnet arrays  54 ,  56  when the upper sets of magnets are positioned over the lower sets of magnets. 
     Magnet arrays  54 ,  56  interact with the slide magnet arrays  50 ,  52  depending on the position of slide magnet arrays  50 ,  52  and the corresponding attractive magnetic forces or repulsive magnetic forces between slide magnet arrays  50 ,  52  and magnet arrays  54 ,  56 . These various interactions are described herein with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3E . 
     In one example, buckle  20  may also include a plurality of magnets  64 A-B positioned within the bottom portion  28 , and magnets  66 A-B positioned within the top portion  29  of buckle  20 . Magnets  64 A-B and  66 A-B can be positioned within the respective and opposing corners of the lower and upper portions  28 ,  29  of the buckle. The polarities of the magnets can be selected so as to provide an attractive magnetic force between the lower and upper portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20 , in one example. 
     In one example, the lower portion  28  may include one or more magnets  68 A-B positioned below slide magnet array  50 ; and lower portion  28  may also include one or more magnets  69 A-B positioned below slide magnet array  52 . In one example and as shown in  FIG. 5 , the terminal end of strap  22  may include slots to receive magnets  68 A-B,  69 A-B. 
     Magnet(s)  68 A-B provide a biasing magnetic force upon slide magnet array  50  that holds button  40  in a default or normal position, until a time when a user depresses button  40  inwardly in a manner that overcomes the biasing magnetic force. In one example as shown in  FIG. 3A , the default or initial position of button  40  can be where button  40  is in an outermost position relative to frame member  30 . Once a user releases button  40 , the biasing magnetic force of magnets  68 A-B upon slide magnet array  50  can operate to return button  40  to its normal, default outmost position shown in  FIG. 3A , in one example. 
     Magnet(s)  69 A-B provide a biasing magnetic force upon slide magnet array  52  that holds button  42  in a default or normal position, until a time when a user depresses button  42  inwardly in a manner that overcomes the biasing magnetic force. In one example as shown in  FIG. 3A , the default or initial position of button  42  can be where button  42  is in an outermost position relative to frame member  30 . Once a user releases button  42 , the biasing magnetic force of magnets  69 A-B upon slide magnet array  52  can operate to return button  42  to its normal, default outmost position shown in  FIG. 3A , in one example. 
     In one example and as shown in  FIGS. 3C and 5 , button  40  has an elongated portion  70  with a slot configured to receive slide magnet array  50 . Button  40  may include a recess  74  defining an edge  76  and a shelf  78 . In one example, a protrusion  84  is positioned along shelf  78 , and protrusion  84  may include a shaft  86  and a head  88 , which in one example may be a half-sphere that defines a curved outer surface  90  and a flat inner bearing surface  92 . 
     Likewise, as shown in the example of  FIGS. 3C and 5 , button  42  has an elongated portion  100  with a slot configured to receive slide magnet array  52 . Button  42  may include a recess  104  defining an edge  106  and a shelf  108 . In one example, a protrusion  114  is positioned along shelf  108 , and protrusion  114  may include a shaft  116  and a head  118 , which in one example may be a half-sphere that defines a curved outer surface  120 , and a flat inner bearing surface  122 . 
     In one example and as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , frame member  32  has two curved inner surfaces  130 ,  132 , each adapted to engage and guide the protrusions  84 ,  114  respectively, when the user presses buttons  40 ,  42  inwardly, as described herein. 
     In one example and as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D and 5 , plate  38  has holes  134 ,  136  sized so that protrusions  84 ,  114  respectively can pass through holes  134 ,  136 . When bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20  are connected together, protrusions  84 ,  114  engage the outer top edge of each hole  134 ,  136 . 
     One example of operations of buckle  20  will now be described, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 3A , when the bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20  are connected together in a closed state, slide magnet array  50  is positioned relative to magnet array  54  such that magnets of the same polarities (with respect to the same orientation) are in vertical alignment or substantial vertical alignment, which creates a magnetic attractive force between magnet arrays  50  and  54  which has the effect to hold together the bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20 . 
     Likewise, when buckle  20  is in a closed state, slide magnet array  52  is positioned relative to magnet array  56  such that magnets of the same polarities (with respect to the same orientation) are in vertical alignment or substantial vertical alignment, which also creates a magnetic attractive force between magnet arrays  52  and  56  which has an effect to hold together the bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20 . This magnetic attractive force is additive to the magnetic attractive force created between magnet arrays  50  and  54 . 
     In addition, when buckle  20  is in a closed state, lower magnets  64 A-B and upper magnets  66 A-B are in alignment, which creates an attractive magnetic force between magnets  64 A-B and  66 A-B. This, in turn, holds together the bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20 . This magnetic attractive force is additive to the magnetic attractive force created between magnet arrays  50  and  54 , and magnet arrays  52  and  56 . 
     Also, as described above, magnets  68 A-B exert an attractive magnetic force upon slide magnet array  50  which outwardly biases the position of button  40 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . Similarly, magnets  69 A-B exert an attractive magnetic force upon slide magnet array  52  which outwardly biases the position of button  42 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , when the user wishes to open the buckle and therefore separate bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20 , the user depresses buttons  40 ,  42  inwardly. The force of the user&#39;s inward depressions of buttons  40 ,  42  overcomes the outward biasing magnetic force of magnets  68 A-B on slide magnet array  50  and also overcomes the outward biasing magnetic force of magnets  69 A-B on slide magnet array  52 . Therefore, the button  40  and slide magnet array  50  move inwardly, as does button  42  and slide magnet array  52 . 
     When the buttons  40 ,  42  are pressed inwardly, slide magnet array  50  and magnet array  54  are positioned such that magnets of opposing polarities (e.g., the facing surfaces of vertically-aligned magnets have the same polarity) from arrays  50 ,  54  move into vertical alignment or substantial vertical alignment, which creates a magnetic repulsion force between magnet arrays  50  and  54  which has an effect to move the bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20  away and apart from one another. 
     Likewise, when the buttons  40 ,  42  are pressed inwardly, slide magnet array  52  and magnet array  56  are positioned such that magnets of opposing polarities (e.g., the facing surfaces of vertically-aligned magnets have the same polarity) from  52 ,  56  move into vertical alignment or substantial vertical alignment, which also creates a magnetic repulsive force between magnet arrays  52  and  56  which has an effect to move the bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20  away and apart from one another. This magnetic repulsive force is additive to the magnetic repulsive force created between magnet arrays  50  and  54 . 
     In one example, the sum of the magnetic repulsive forces between magnet arrays  50  and  54 , and  52  and  56 , overcomes the magnetic attractive forces of the lower magnets  64 A-B and upper magnets  66 A-B. Moreover, as buttons  40 ,  42  are moved inwardly, the protrusions  84  and  114  engage surfaces  130 ,  132  of upper frame member  32 , which exerts contact forces which separate the bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20 . Hence, the user&#39;s depressions of buttons  40 ,  42  may separate lower and upper portions of buckle  20 , which thereby opens buckle  20 . 
     Although the configuration, interplay and operation of buttons  40 ,  42  have been described in detail, it should be appreciated that other structures may be used in place of one or both buttons, and that one button alone may be used. For example, a post, protrusion, or other structure may slide, twist, tilt, move outwardly or diagonally, or otherwise move to reposition the magnet arrays  52 ,  56  (or other magnets) in order to open the buckle. Such motion may lever the buckle open, as another example. As yet another example, the frame members  30 ,  32  may slide, twist, or otherwise move with respect to one another to realign the magnets and/or undo a mechanical detent or other locking feature in order to open the buckle. 
     Once the buckle  20  is in an open state, as shown in  FIG. 3D , magnets  68 A-B again exert an attractive magnetic force upon slide magnet array  50  which biases the position of button  40  outwardly. Similarly, magnets  69 A-B exert an attractive magnetic force upon slide magnet array  52  which biases the position of button  42  outwardly. 
     As the user brings the lower and upper portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20  together in close proximity, lower magnets  64 A-B and upper magnets  66 A-B create an attractive magnetic force therebetween, which has an effect to attract the bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20   
     Also, slide magnet arrays  50  and  54  create a magnetic attractive force between the magnet arrays  50  and  54  (and more specifically, the individual magnets in each array) which has the effect to bring together the bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20 . Likewise, slide magnet arrays  52  and  56  also create a magnetic attractive force which has an effect to bring together the bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3D , as bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20  are brought together, the top surface of protrusions  84 ,  114  engage or latch to the perimeter walls of holes  134 ,  136  respectively of plate  38 , which moves buttons  40 ,  42  inwardly momentarily. The downward portion of knob  55  is guided into indentation  48  of plate  36 , which helps guide bottom and top portions  28 ,  29  of buckle  20  together. In this manner, bearing surfaces  92 ,  122  of protrusions  84 ,  114  respectively engage and latch to the walls of holes  134 ,  136 , and the buckle is again in a closed state as shown in  FIG. 3A . 
     Hence, it can be seen that a buckle can be formed using one or more features described herein, wherein once the straps attached to the buckle are set by the user with respect to length, the user can open and close the buckle without having to continually adjust the length of the straps attached to the buckle. 
     While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to strap  24  being positioned toward the user&#39;s skin or body, it is understood that embodiments of the present disclosure can be formed wherein straps  22  and  24  can be inverted, and bottom, outer portion  28  and top, inner portion  29  can be inverted, if desired. 
     Also, frame members  30 ,  32  and plates  34 ,  36 ,  38  can be curved (i.e., concave or other accurate shape) in order to adapt the buckle  20  to its desired use, for instance to be attached to a wearer&#39;s arm or other body part. 
     While embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to a wearable device, it is understood that embodiments of the present disclosure can be utilized with a variety of electronic devices including but not limited to mobile devices, mobile phones, tablet computers, music and multi-media players, watches, gaming devices, and other handheld, wearable or portable devices. Likewise, embodiments described herein may be used as closures for a bag, luggage, briefcase and the like. Embodiments may be used to attach a device to a stand or holder or clothing rather than about a user&#39;s wrist, limb or body part. Embodiments may likewise attach an accessory, peripheral or other device to another device, for example serving to attach a media player to a computer or the like. 
     While the methods disclosed herein have been described and shown with reference to particular operations performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to form equivalent methods without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the operations is not a limitation of the present disclosure. 
     It is understood that the directional references provided herein, such as top, bottom, upwards, downwards, clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, and the like, are provided to describe examples of the embodiments disclosed herein, and are not intended to be limiting. 
     It should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, various features of the disclosure are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, and each embodiment described herein may contain more than one inventive feature. 
     While the disclosure is presented and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150811
Publication Date: 20170307
Grant Date: 20170307
Priority Date: 20140811
Inventors: QIAN AMY
ANDRE BARTLEY K.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "Y10T24/4782", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44D2203/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T24/4026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/2071", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44B11/258", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/2052", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A41F1/002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T24/32", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A41F1/002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44D2203/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T24/32", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44B11/258", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T24/4782", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T24/4026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/2071", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A44C5/2052", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 53879851