Electrical and mechanical connection mechanisms

• US 10,367,300 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2013
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Shedletsky, Anna-Katrina, de Jong, Erik G., Rothkopf, Fletcher R., Weiss, Samuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Chambers, Travis S
• Application Number:
  US15/108,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20160322745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,039 Days
• Field of Search: 439 37, 439350, 439353
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/04 Mounting of electronic components
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/083 Watches distributed over several housings
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6278 comprising a pin snapping into a recess

Abstract

An electronic device and an attachment element that includes one or more electronic components each include connection mechanisms. The connection mechanisms of the electronic device and the attachment element may be engaged to mechanically and electrically connect the electronic device and the attachment element. Such electrical connection may electrically couple the one or more electrical components of the attachment element to the electronic device. The connection mechanisms may utilize one or more of a variety of different mechanical connection mechanism such as one or more snap mechanisms, twist mechanisms, threaded mechanisms, detent mechanisms, spring mechanisms, slide mechanisms, magnetic mechanisms, and/or any other mechanism for mechanical and electrical attachment.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an electronic watch, comprising;

a body defining a first connection mechanism including a notch having overhang portions extending from a base portion at a base of the notch; and

a processing unit located in the body, wherein the body comprises an electrical contact positioned in the base portion of the notch that is electrically connected to the processing unit; and

a band segment configured to attach the electronic watch to a body part of a user, comprising;

a second connection mechanism; and

an electronic component;

wherein;

the second connection mechanism comprises a detent mechanism that is configured to be displaced by the electronic watch while the band segment is being attached to the electronic watch; and

the electronic watch and the band segment are mechanically and electrically coupled by an engagement between the first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first connection mechanism or the second connection mechanism comprises a mechanical connection portion and an electrical connection portion.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first connection mechanism or the second connection mechanism comprises a connection portion that both electrically and mechanically couples the electronic watch to the band segment.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic watch is attachable to the band segment while the band segment is attached to the body part.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic watch is detachable from the band segment while the band segment is attached to the body part.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the electronic watch or the band segment further comprises an additional connection mechanism that connects to an additional electronic watch or an additional band segment.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic component comprises at least one battery, connection adapter, connection cable, storage component, computing component, communication component, global positioning system, barcode reader, credit card processing unit, scanner, printer, display, speaker, or microphone.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the band segment includes a connector operable to couple the electronic watch to at least one of a computing device or a power source when the electronic watch is attached to the band segment.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the band segment is configured to operate as a charger for the electronic watch.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic watch is utilizable in a plurality of orientations and is attachable to the band segment in each of the plurality of orientations.

11. An electronic device, comprising:

a watch, comprising;

a body defining a notch having overhang portions extending from a base portion at a base of the notch; and

a processing unit located in the body, wherein the body comprises an electrical contact positioned in the base portion of the notch that is electrically connected to the processing unit; and

a strap operable to couple the watch to a user, comprising;

an electronic component; and

a detent that is configured to be compressed by the body while being engaged with the notch to mechanically connect the body and the strap and electrically connect the processing unit and the electronic component.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the detent is moveable into the strap and out of the strap.

13. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the detent comprises an electrical contact.

14. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the strap further comprises a connector that connects the strap to an additional strap or an additional electronic device.

15. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein:

the body defines an additional notch; and

the strap includes an additional detent that inserts into the additional notch to connect the body and the strap.

16. An electronic watch, comprising:

a housing that defines a notch having overhang portions extending from a base portion at a base of the notch;

a first electronic component located in the housing, wherein the housing comprises an electric contact positioned in the base portion of the notch that is electrically connected to the first electronic component; and

a belt operable to couple the housing to a user, comprising;

a second electronic component located in the belt;

an end that is configured to be inserted into the notch; and

a pin coupled to the end and configured to be displaced by the housing when the end is inserted into the notch to mechanically couple the belt and the housing and electrically connect the first and second electronic components.

17. The electronic watch of claim 16, wherein the belt is detachable from the housing when force is exerted on the pin to disengage the pin from the notch.

18. The electronic watch of claim 16, wherein the housing comprises an electronic contact positioned in the notch that is electrically connected to the first electronic component.

19. The electronic watch of claim 16, wherein pressure exerted by the housing on the pin displaces the pin.

20. The electronic watch of claim 16, wherein:

the housing defines an additional notch wherein the notch and the additional notch are disposed on opposite ends of the housing;

the belt includes an additional end; and

the additional end is configured to insert into the additional notch to couple the belt and the housing.