Consistently-tight watch band

• US 10,455,906 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2016
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Wu, Yiwen, de Jong, Erik G., Ely, Colin M., Pandya, Sameer
• Primary Examiner(s): Troy, Abigail E
• Application Number:
  US15/269,710
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 368282, 63 51, 63 11
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0069 extensible
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/027 the band also made of links
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/04 extensible A44C5/022 and A44C5/025 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A watch band is disclosed. The watch band maintains a substantially constant tension throughout changes in its length while worn by a user. Such changes in length may occur automatically to accommodate changes in the size and circumference of a user'"'"'s wrist as they move their wrist normally. By maintaining a constant tension, the watch band also maintains a constant force on the user'"'"'s wrist, and causes a watch body attached to the watch band to also maintain a constant force on the user'"'"'s wrist. This can increase a user'"'"'s comfort, since the watch will not get tighter or constrict their wrist as they straighten and bend their wrist. It can also help optimize operation of any sensors in the watch band or watch body that benefit from being held against the user'"'"'s wrist with a constant force, such as some physiological sensors.

Claims

1. A watch band, comprising:

a first end for connecting to a watch body;

a second end for connecting to the watch body,

repetitive compliant mechanisms along the watch band between the first end and the second end, each of the repetitive compliant mechanisms being movable between a non-extended position and an extended position, each of the repetitive compliant mechanisms comprising two opposing spring segments connected at a pivot point, wherein the opposing spring segments form an angle less than 180 degrees in the non-extended position, wherein the opposing spring segments form an angle greater than 180 degrees in the extended position.

2. The watch band of claim 1, wherein the watch band defines discontinuities that form the repetitive compliant mechanisms.

3. The watch band of claim 2, wherein, when the watch band is extended, the repetitive compliant mechanisms move from the non-extended position to the extended position sequentially.

4. The watch band of claim 2, wherein the repetitive compliant mechanisms are together formed monolithically.

5. The watch band of claim 2, wherein the watch band maintains a substantially constant width throughout movement of the repetitive compliant mechanisms between the non-extended position and the extended position.

6. A watch band, comprising:

repetitive compliant mechanisms,

wherein each repetitive compliant mechanism is movable between a non-extended position and an extended position, and

wherein the repetitive compliant mechanisms sequentially move between the non-extended position and the extended position as a length of the watch band is changed,

wherein each repetitive compliant mechanism is formed by at least one discontinuity through the watch band,

wherein within each repetitive compliant mechanism the at least one discontinuity forms two opposing spring segments connected at a pivot point, and

wherein the two opposing spring segments pivot relative to each other and compress against each other as a tension is applied at the pivot point to move the repetitive compliant mechanism from the non-extended position to the extended position,

wherein the opposing spring segments of each repetitive compliant mechanism are connected to each other at an angle less than 180 degrees when in the non-extended position,

wherein the angle increases as the two opposing spring segments pivot relative to each other and compress against each other as the tension is applied, and

wherein as the angle increases vast 180 degrees, the opposing spring segments extend.

7. The watch band of claim 6, wherein the angle reaches a maximum greater than 180 degrees, and

wherein after the angle reaches the maximum the extended opposing spring segments apply tension on an adjacent pair of opposing spring segments from an adjacent repetitive compliant mechanism.

8. The watch band of claim 6, wherein the spring constants of the spring segments of at least one repetitive compliant mechanism are different from the spring constants of the spring segments of at least one other repetitive compliant mechanism.

9. The watch band of claim 6, wherein within each repetitive compliant mechanism the opposing spring segments have the same spring constant, and

wherein there are at least five different spring constants among the repetitive compliant mechanisms.

10. The watch band of claim 6, wherein predetermined lengths of the watch band comprise repetitive compliant mechanisms with lower spring constants than other lengths of the watch band.

11. The watch band of claim 6, wherein as the watch band lengthens, its density per unit length decreases and its width remains substantially constant.

12. The watch band of claim 6, wherein the watch band remains subject to a substantially constant magnitude of tension throughout the change in its length through a predetermined range.

13. The watch band of claim 6, wherein the repetitive compliant mechanisms are together formed monolithically of an elastomer.

14. A watch band, comprising:

a first end for connecting to a watch body;

a second end for connecting to the watch body,

repetitive compliant mechanisms along the watch band between the first end and the second end, each of the repetitive compliant mechanisms comprising two opposing spring segments each comprising;

a first end connected to one of a pair of ground joints; and

a second end connected to a pivot point that joins together the two opposing spring segments;

wherein each of the repetitive compliant mechanisms is movable between a non-extended position and an extended position, wherein the pivot point is on a first side of the pair of ground joints in the non-extended position, wherein the pivot point is on a second side of the pair of ground joints in the extended position, the first side being opposite the second side.

15. The watch band of claim 14, wherein the watch band defines discontinuities that form the repetitive compliant mechanisms.

16. The watch band of claim 15, wherein, when the watch band is extended, the repetitive compliant mechanisms move from the non-extended position to the extended position sequentially.

17. The watch band of claim 15, wherein the repetitive compliant mechanisms are together formed monolithically.

18. The watch band of claim 15, wherein the watch band maintains a substantially constant width throughout movement of the repetitive compliant mechanisms between the non-extended position and the extended position.