FRICTIONAL STABILIZATION OF BAND AND SECUREMENT MECHANISM

• US 20170086538A1
• Filed: 09/22/2016
• Published: 03/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Siahaan, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 10,064,460 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/14 characterised by the way of fastening to a wrist-watch or the like
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4718 Watch pintle connected
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4782 Watch strap

Abstract

A band is disclosed which attaches to a portable electronic device. The band includes a flexible length of material which forms a loop into which a pin is inserted. In one embodiment, the loop has an insert with a protrusion therein. The protrusion frictionally contacts the pin. In another embodiment the pin includes an elastomeric surface. The elastomeric surface may include O-rings between two pin portions such that the amount of the elastomeric surface extending beyond the pin may be adjusted. In another embodiment, the elastomeric surface includes a sleeve on the pin.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a body;

a securement mechanism affixed to the body;

a pin attached to the securement body;

a band forming a loop through which the pin passes; and

a frictional insert within the loop, and engaging the pin and the band;

wherein;

the frictional insert is shaped to occupy a space defined by the pin and the band;

the frictional insert tapers along its length; and

the frictional insert is configured to increase friction between the pin and the band, thereby reducing motion of the band with respect to the pin.

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the frictional insert is formed on the band.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the frictional insert comprises:

an insert body having a first dimension and abutting the band; and

a neck having a second dimension and abutting the pin;

wherein

the first dimension is less than the second dimension.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 3, wherein the neck is a rib formed unitarily with the insert body.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 2, wherein the frictional insert is made from polyurethane.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the frictional insert is an elastic collar.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 6, wherein:

the elastic collar is received within a seam of the pin; and

a surface of the elastic collar is offset by an offset distance from a surface of the pin.

8. The portable electronic device of claim 7, wherein the offset distance is controlled by compressing the elastic collar.

9. A method for controlling motion of a band with respect to a securement mechanism of an electronic device, comprising:

adjusting an offset distance between a securement mechanism and the band;

in response to adjusting the offset distance, increasing a friction between an elastic element and the band;

in response to increasing the friction between the elastic element and the band, maintaining a spatial relationship between the pin and the band.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the elastic element encircles a pin of the securement mechanism.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the elastic element is received in a seam of the securement mechanism.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the operation of adjusting the offset distance comprises moving a first pin section relative to a second pin section, thereby changing a compression of the elastic element.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the offset distance corresponds to a distance between an outer surface of the elastic element and an outer surface of the pin.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the operation of maintaining a spatial relationship between the pin and the band comprises maintaining a translational and a rotational alignment between the pin and the band.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising maintaining translational and rotational alignment of an electronic device with respect to the band.

16. An attachment mechanism for an electronic device, comprising:

an attachment structure;

a flexible strap attached to the securement mechanism; and

a frictional device comprising;

a body; and

a neck extending from the body;

wherein;

the frictional device is adjacent, and connected to, the attachment structure and the flexible strap;

the flexible strap defines a gap;

the frictional device is positioned within the gap;

the body engages the flexible strap; and

the neck frictionally engages the attachment structure.

17. The attachment mechanism of claim 16, wherein the body is formed from a separate material from the neck.

18. The attachment mechanism of claim 16, wherein the body is affixed to the flexible structure.

19. The attachment mechanism of claim 18, wherein:

the securement mechanism comprises;

a body; and

a pin affixed to the body; and

the pin extends through the loop of the flexible structure and is frictionally engaged by the neck.

20. The attachment mechanism of claim 19, further comprising:

an elastic collar about the pin;

wherein

the frictional device frictionally engages the elastic collar.