Magnetic wristband

• US 10,206,463 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2014
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: de Jong, Erik G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Talpalatski, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US14/771,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20160007697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,807 Days
• Field of Search: 335306, 24303
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0007 Bracelets specially adapted for other functions or with means for attaching other articles
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/16 by folding the strap
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/2071 with the two ends of the strap or chain overlapping each other and fastened by an action perpendicularly to the main plane of these two ends A44C5/2009 - A44C5/2057 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A44D 2203/00 Fastening by use of magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 1/00 Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/83 Use of a magnetic material
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard

Abstract

This application relates generally to various embodiments of a magnetic wristband. More specifically the application describes a design for a magnetic wristband having a number of configurations. In one configuration the wristband is magnetically coupled around a user'"'"'s wrist. In another configuration the magnetic wristband can be magnetically coupled around an electronic device to which it is attached. In this second described configuration the magnetic wristband acts as a protective cover for the electronic device to which the wristband is attached. In this way a user can reduce the likelihood of damage being inflicted upon the electronic device while it is not being worn.

Claims

1. A magnetic band for a wristwatch, the magnetic band comprising:

a first layer;

a second layer;

pockets defined between the first layer and the second layer; and

magnets;

wherein the magnetic band is configurable to;

extend from one side of the wristwatch; and

maintain a secure configuration in which the magnets are attracted to one another while the magnetic band is folded onto itself;

wherein, when the magnetic band is fully extended on a flat surface, the magnets are arranged within the pockets and in multiple rows and columns such that;

a first adjacent pair of the magnets, within one of the rows, have magnetic polarity orientations, defined by north-south polarization direction, that are opposite one another; and

a second adjacent pair of the magnets, within one of the columns, have magnetic polarity orientations that are opposite one another.

2. The magnetic band of claim 1, wherein the pockets form separations between each of the magnets.

3. The magnetic band of claim 1, further comprising:

an end connectable to the wristwatch.

4. The magnetic band of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer each comprise a leather layer.

5. A wristwatch, comprising:

a housing;

an attachment point coupled to the housing; and

a strap, releasably coupled to the attachment point, comprising;

a first cover;

a second cover, the first and second covers defining pockets; and

magnets positioned in an alternating polarity pattern within the pockets, wherein the magnets are arranged in multiple rows and columns such that, when the strap is fully extended on a flat surface, at least two of the magnets within one of the rows have alternating magnetic polarity orientations, defined by north-south polarization direction, and at least two of the magnets within one of the columns have alternating magnetic polarity orientations.

6. The wristwatch of claim 5, wherein the magnets comprise bar magnets.

7. The wristwatch of claim 6, wherein each of the bar magnets are disposed longwise perpendicular to a longwise dimension of the strap.

8. The wristwatch of claim 5, wherein:

each magnet of the magnets has a polarity pattern; and

polarity patterns of adjacent magnets alternate.

9. The wristwatch of claim 5, wherein:

each magnet of the magnets has a polarity pattern; and

the polarity pattern comprises a first polarity pattern and a second polarity pattern that is opposite the first polarity pattern.

10. The wristwatch of claim 5, wherein the attachment point comprises a clamping mechanism.

11. The wristwatch of claim 5, further comprising:

an additional attachment point coupled to the housing; and

an additional strap coupled to the additional attachment point.

12. A magnetic band for a wristwatch, comprising:

a first strap comprising;

magnets within in the first strap and having an alternating polarity pattern in which, when the first strap is fully extended on a flat surface, a given one of the magnets has a magnetic polarity orientation, defined by north-south polarization direction, that is;

different than a magnetic polarity orientation of a first adjacent magnet in a same row as the given one of the magnets; and

different than a magnetic field orientation of a second adjacent magnet in a same column as the given one of the magnets; and

protective layers that enclose and protect the magnets, wherein the magnetic band is configurable to extend from a side of the wristwatch and maintain a secure configuration in which the magnets are attracted to one another while the magnetic band is rolled onto itself; and

a second strap opposite the first strap.

13. The magnetic band of claim 12, wherein the magnets are operable to lock the magnetic band in a rolled configuration where a first portion of the first strap attaches to a second portion of the first strap.

14. The magnetic band of claim 12, wherein the protective layers maintain the magnets at a set spacing interval.

15. The magnetic band of claim 12, wherein the alternating polarity pattern is configured such that magnetic polarity orientations of adjacent magnets alternate.

16. The magnetic band of claim 12, wherein the magnetic band is configured to adjust a wristband size.