Captive elements of an attachment system

• US 10,184,506 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2015
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Hsiang Hung, Hatanaka, Motohide
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwiecinski, Ryan D
• Application Number:
  US14/641,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20160069371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 368281-283, 403321, 403326, 403329, 24265 B-265 WS, 224164-179
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/2596 the movement being transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strap or chain
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/263 with a push-button acting perpendicularly to the main plane of the buckle
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/14 characterised by the way of fastening to a wrist-watch or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/14 using wedges
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/12 with locking-pins or split-pins thrust into holes
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/1486 Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet building watches into bracelets (montre marquise) G04B37/12; arrangements for hanging pocket- or other watches on chains G04B37/1446

Abstract

Embodiments described herein may be directed to an attachment system for coupling an accessory or component to a consumer product. The attachment system may include a captive locking mechanism that may be incorporated with the accessory or non-product side attachment assembly. The captive locking mechanism may include one or more spring-bar components that retain the engagement mechanism in a recess or feature formed in a component of the accessory. The attachment system may also include a release mechanism that may be incorporated with the product-side attachment assembly of a consumer product. The release mechanism may be captive or otherwise retained in the body of the device and may include one or more spring-bar components that retain the release mechanism in a recess or featured formed into the body of the device.

Claims

1. A removable module for a watch, the removable module comprising:

a catch member disposed within an aperture of the removable module and configured to protrude from a first surface of the removable module;

a ramp member disposed within the aperture and configured to protrude from a second surface of the removable module that is opposite to the first surface;

a spring bar positioned within and spanning across a width of the aperture;

a first spring coupled between the spring bar and the ramp member, the first spring biasing the ramp member away from the spring bar; and

a second spring coupled between the ramp member and the catch member, the second spring biasing the catch member away from the ramp member.

2. The removable module of claim 1, wherein:

the removable module is configured to slidably engage with a mating feature of the watch.

3. The removable module of claim 2, wherein the catch member is configured to protrude outward from the aperture and engage a recess formed in the mating feature of the watch to retain the removable module with respect to the watch.

4. The removable module of claim 2, wherein:

when the removable module is not engaged with the mating feature of the watch;

the catch member is flush with or below the first surface; and

a portion of the ramp member extends beyond the second surface;

when the removable module is partially engaged with the mating feature of the watch;

the catch member is flush or below the first surface; and

the ramp member is flush or below the second surface; and

when the removable module is fully engaged with the mating feature of the watch;

a portion of the catch member extends beyond the first surface and engages a recess formed in the mating feature; and

the ramp member is flush or below the second surface.

5. The removable module of claim 2, wherein:

the mating feature of the watch has an opening width at an opening of the mating feature and a maximum width within the feature being greater than the opening width;

the removable module has a first portion having a first thickness that is smaller than the opening width of the opening and a second thickness that is less than the maximum width of the feature and greater than the opening width; and

the opening width of the mating feature is configured to limit movement of the removable module in a direction perpendicular to opening.

6. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the spring bar comprises:

a barrel portion; and

a spring-loaded protrusion that extends out from an end of the barrel portion, wherein the spring-loaded protrusion is configured to engage a corresponding recess formed in a wall of the aperture.

7. The removable module of claim 1, wherein a retaining feature formed within the aperture limits an outward movement of the ramp member, wherein the retaining feature includes a protrusion that projects inward from a wall of the aperture.

8. The removable module of claim 1, wherein:

the ramp member includes a ramp-retaining feature that engages a catch-retaining feature of the catch member; and

engagement between the ramp-retaining feature and the catch-retaining feature limits outward movement of the catch member.

9. A watch comprising:

a housing; and

a watch band comprising;

a catch member disposed within an aperture of the watch band and configured to protrude from a first surface of the watch band;

a ramp member disposed within the aperture and configured to protrude from a second surface of the watch band that is opposite to the first surface;

a spring bar positioned within and spanning across a width of the aperture;

a first spring coupled between the spring bar and the ramp member, the first spring biasing the ramp member away from the spring bar; and

a second spring coupled between the ramp member and the catch member, the second spring biasing the catch member away from the ramp member.

10. The watch of claim 9, wherein:

the watch band is configured to slidably engage with a mating feature of the watch.

11. The watch of claim 10, wherein the catch member is configured to protrude outward from the aperture and engage a recess formed in the mating feature of the watch to retain the watch band with respect to the watch.

12. The watch of claim 10, wherein:

when the watch band is not engaged with the mating feature of the watch;

the catch member is flush with or below the first surface; and

a portion of the ramp member extends beyond the second surface;

when the watch band is partially engaged with the mating feature of the watch;

the catch member is flush or below the first surface; and

the ramp member is flush or below the second surface; and

when the watch band is fully engaged with the mating feature of the watch;

a portion of the catch member extends beyond the first surface and engages a recess formed in the mating feature; and

the ramp member is flush or below the second surface.

13. The watch of claim 10, wherein:

the mating feature of the watch has an opening width at an opening of the feature and a maximum width within the feature being greater than the opening width;

the watch band has a first portion having a first thickness that is smaller than the opening width of the opening and a second thickness that is less than the maximum width of the feature and greater than the opening width; and

the opening width of the mating feature is configured to limit movement of the watch band in a direction perpendicular to opening.

14. The watch of claim 9, wherein the spring bar comprises:

a barrel portion; and

a spring-loaded protrusion that extends out from an end of the barrel portion, wherein the spring-loaded protrusion is configured to engage a corresponding recess formed in a wall of the aperture.

15. The watch of claim 9, wherein a retaining feature formed within the aperture limits an outward movement of the ramp member, wherein the retaining feature includes a protrusion that projects inward from a wall of the aperture.

16. A watch band for a watch, the watch band comprising:

a first surface;

a second surface opposite to the first surface;

an aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface;

a catch member;

a ramp member;

a spring bar positioned within and spanning across a width of the aperture;

a first spring coupled between the spring bar and the ramp member, the first spring biasing the ramp member away from the spring bar; and

a second spring coupled between the ramp member and the catch member, the second spring biasing the catch member away from the ramp member.

17. The watch band of claim 16, wherein:

the watch band is configured to slidably engage with a mating feature of the watch.

18. The watch band of claim 17, wherein the catch member is configured to protrude outward from the aperture and engage a recess formed in the mating feature of the watch to retain the watch band with respect to the watch.

19. The watch band of claim 17, wherein:

when the watch band is not engaged with the mating feature of the watch;

the catch member is flush with or below the first surface; and

a portion of the ramp member extends beyond the second surface;

when the watch band is partially engaged with the mating feature of the watch;

the catch member is flush or below the first surface; and

the ramp member is flush or below the second surface; and

when the watch band is fully engaged with the mating feature of the watch;

a portion of the catch member extends beyond the first surface and

engages a recess formed in the mating feature; and

the ramp member is flush or below the second surface.

20. The watch of claim 16, wherein the spring bar comprises:

a barrel portion; and

a spring-loaded protrusion that extends out from an end of the barrel portion, wherein the spring-loaded protrusion is configured to engage a corresponding recess formed in a wall of the aperture.