WEARABLE DEVICE ASSEMBLY HAVING ATHLETIC FUNCTIONALITY

• US 20090163322A1
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Lozeau, Kevin, Berry, Stephen D., Moll-Carrillo, Hector, Weast, Aaron B., Molyneux, James, Burton, Maximillian P., Andren, Bo Stefan, Capozzi, Matt, Ishihara, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,088,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00

Abstract

A wearable device has a carrier having an aperture. A device has a USB connection and a protrusion wherein the protrusion is received in the aperture to connect the device to the carrier. The device is a USB type device having athletic functionality.

Claims

1. A wearable device assembly comprising:

a band having an aperture; and

a device having a USB connector, the device having a protrusion wherein the protrusion is removably received in the aperture to connect the device to the band.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the band has a sleeve with an opening, the USB connector being received by the sleeve through the opening.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the sleeve encompasses the USB connector.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the sleeve is positioned proximate a central portion of the band.

5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the sleeve has a contoured surface.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein aperture is positioned proximate a central portion of the sleeve.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the band has a sleeve with an opening, wherein when the protrusion is received in the aperture, the USB connector is received by the sleeve through the opening.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the band has a first end portion having a hole and a second end portion having a hole, and further comprising a removable closure having a plate member having indicia thereon, the plate member having a post extending from the plate member, wherein the post is received by the holes in the first end portion and the second end portion to fasten the first end portion with the second end portion.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the band has a first end portion having a pair of holes and a second end portion having a plurality of holes.

10. The assembly of claim 9 further comprising a closure member with a plate member having indicia thereon, the plate member having a pair of posts extending generally in a perpendicular direction from the plate member, wherein the pair of posts are respectively received in the pair of holes of the first end portion and further received in respective holes of the plurality of holes of the second end portion to fasten the first end portion with the second end portion.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein each post has an annular channel around a periphery of the post.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the second end portion is received in the annular channel.

13. The assembly of claim 10 wherein each post has an insert that is snap-fitted onto the post.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the insert is spot welded to the plate member.

15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the band is dimensioned to fit around a user'"'"'s wrist.

16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the device has a controller having athletic functionality.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the athletic functionality includes recording and monitoring athletic performance data.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the data includes at least one of time, distance and speed.

19. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the controller is configured to receive data from a sensor operably associated with a user.

20. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the device is adapted to be plugged into a USB port of a computer wherein data stored on the device can be displayed on the computer.

21. The assembly of claim 20 where in response to plugging the device into the computer, data stored on the device is automatically uploaded to a remote website for display.

22. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the device has a display in communication with the controller.

23. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the device has a first push button adapted to cooperate with a first input of the controller.

24. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the device has a second push button adapted to cooperate with a second input of the controller.

25. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the first button is located on a front side of the device.

26. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the second button is located within a side opening of a first side.

27. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the device has a housing having water-resistant characteristics.

28. The assembly of claim 27 wherein the housing comprises a first member formed from injection molded plastic and a second member formed from injection molded plastic.

29. The assembly of claim 28 wherein the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned between a periphery of the members.

30. The assembly of claim 28 wherein the second member has a peripheral groove, wherein the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned in the groove and being in contact with the first member defining a water resistant housing.

31. The assembly of claim 28 wherein the second member has a plurality of leads embedded in plastic at one end defining the USB connector, the leads adapted to be in operable communication with a controller.

32. The assembly of claim 27 wherein the housing has a first push button associated with a first input, wherein the first push button is formed from a soft elastic polymer.

33. The assembly of claim 32 wherein the first push button is co-molded with the first member.

34. The assembly of claim 32 wherein the first push button is integral with the housing, providing a sealed structure of the housing around the first push button of the housing.

35. The assembly of claim 27 wherein the housing has a second push button associated with a second input.

36. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the second push button has an actuator post extending therefrom and through a side opening of the housing, wherein the actuator post has an annular groove around a periphery of the post.

37. The assembly of claim 36 wherein the second push button has a sealing member which surrounds the actuator post in the annular groove, providing a seal around the second push button and the side opening of the housing.

38. The assembly of claim 37 wherein the sealing member is an o-ring.

39. The assembly of claim 30 wherein the device is water resistant to approximately five atmospheres of pressure.

40. The assembly of claim 28 wherein the housing has an opening wherein a pushbutton has a post that passes through the opening, the pushbutton having a sealing member positioned around the post and engaging the housing.

41. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the protrusion extends from a bottom side of the device and the aperture is positioned through a central portion of the band.

116. The assembly of claim 27 wherein the housing comprises a first member formed from injection molded plastic and a second member formed from injection molded plastic.

117. The assembly of claim 116 wherein the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned between a periphery of the members.

118. The assembly of claim 116 wherein the second member has a peripheral groove, wherein the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned in the groove and being in contact with the first member defining a water resistant housing.

119. The assembly of claim 116 wherein the second member has a plurality of leads embedded in plastic at one end defining the USB connector, the leads adapted to be in operable communication with the controller.

120. The assembly of claim 116 wherein the housing has a first push button associated with a first input, wherein the first push button is formed from a soft elastic polymer.

121. The system of claim 120 wherein the first pushbutton is co-molded with the first member.

122. The assembly of claim 116 wherein the housing as an opening wherein a pushbutton has a post that passes through the opening, the pushbutton having a sealing member positioned around the post and engaging the housing.

42. A USB device having athletic functionality, the USB device for use with a wristband having an aperture, comprising:

a housing having a USB connector operably connected to a controller positioned within the housing, the controller configured to communicate athletic performance data; and

a protrusion extending from the housing, the protrusion adapted to be inserted into the aperture to connect the USB device to the wristband.

43. The USB device of claim 42 wherein the athletic performance data includes at least one of time, distance and speed.

44. The USB device of claim 43 wherein the controller is configured to receive athletic performance data from a sensor worn by a user.

45. The USB device of claim 43 wherein the controller has a display that displays the athletic performance data.

46. The USB device of claim 43 wherein the device is adapted to be plugged into a USB port of a computer wherein data stored on the device can be displayed on the computer.

47. The USB device of claim 43 wherein the controller uploads performance data to a remote location.

48. The USB device of claim 47 wherein the remote location is a remote website.

49. The USB device of claim 42 wherein the protrusion has an enlarged head portion.

50. The USB device of claim 42 wherein the housing has water-resistant characteristics.

51. The USB device of claim 42 wherein the housing comprises a first member formed from injection molded plastic and a second member formed from injection molded plastic.

52. The USB device of claim 51 wherein the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned between a periphery of the members.

53. The USB device of claim 51 wherein the second member has a peripheral groove, wherein the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned in the groove and being in contact with the first member defining a water resistant housing.

54. The USB device of claim 51 wherein the second member has a plurality of leads embedded in plastic at one end defining the USB connector, the leads in operable communication with the controller.

55. The USB device of claim 51 wherein the housing has a first push button associated with a first input, wherein the first push button is co-molded with the first member.

56. The USB device of claim 55 wherein the first push button is formed from a soft elastic polymer.

57. The USB device of claim 51 wherein the housing as an opening wherein a pushbutton has a post that passes through the opening, the pushbutton having a sealing member positioned around the post and engaging the housing.

58. The USB device of claim 57 wherein the sealing member is an o-ring positioned around an annular groove on the post.

59. The USB device of 57 wherein the opening is cooperatively formed by the first member and the second member.

60. The USB device of claim wherein the protrusion is positioned on the bottom side of the housing.

61. A wearable device assembly comprising:

a band having a protrusion; and

a device having a USB connector, the device having an aperture wherein the protrusion is removably received in the aperture to connect the device to the band.

62. The assembly of claim 61 wherein the band has a sleeve with an opening, the USB connector being received by the sleeve through the opening.

63. The assembly of claim 61 wherein the band has a first end portion having a hole and a second end portion having a hole, and further comprising a removable closure having a plate member having indicia thereon, the plate member having a post extending from the plate member, wherein the post is received by the holes in the first end portion and the second end portion to fasten the first end portion with the second end portion.

64. The assembly of claim 61 wherein the device has a controller having athletic functionality.

65. The assembly of claim 64 wherein the athletic functionality includes recording and monitoring athletic performance data.

66. The assembly of claim 65 wherein the data includes at least one of time, distance and speed.

67. The assembly of claim 64 wherein the controller is configured to receive data from a sensor operably associated with a user.

68. The assembly of claim 61 wherein the device is adapted to be plugged into a USB port of a computer wherein the data stored on the device can be displayed on the computer.

69. The assembly of claim 68 where in response to plugging the device into the computer, data stored on the device is automatically uploaded to a remote website for display.

70. The assembly of claim 65 wherein the device has a display in communication with the controller.

71. The assembly of claim 61 wherein the device has a housing having a first member formed from injection molded plastic and a second member formed from injection molded plastic.

72. The assembly of claim 71 wherein the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned between a periphery of the members.

73. The assembly of claim 71 wherein the second member has a peripheral groove, wherein the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned in the groove and being in contact with the first member defining a water resistant housing.

74. The assembly of claim 71 wherein the second member has a plurality of leads embedded in plastic at one end defining the USB connector, the leads adapted to be in operable communication with a controller.

75. The assembly of claim 71 wherein the housing has a first push button associated with a first input, wherein the first push button is formed from a soft elastic polymer.

76. The assembly of claim 75 wherein the first push button is co-molded with the first member.

77. The assembly of claim 71 wherein the housing as an opening wherein a pushbutton has a post that passes through the opening, the pushbutton having a sealing member positioned around the post and engaging the housing.

78. A wearable device assembly comprising:

a wristband; and

a device having a USB connector, wherein one of the wristband and the device has a protrusion and the other of the wristband and the device has an aperture wherein the protrusion is removably received in the aperture to connect the device to the wristband.

79. The assembly of claim 78 wherein the device has a controller having athletic functionality.

80. The assembly of claim 79 wherein the athletic functionality includes recording and monitoring athletic performance data.

81. The assembly of claim 80 wherein the data includes at least one of time, distance and speed.

82. The assembly of claim 79 wherein the controller is configured to receive data from a sensor operably associated with a user.

83. The assembly of claim 79 wherein the device is adapted to be plugged into a USB port of a computer wherein data stored on the device can be displayed on the computer.

84. A wearable device assembly comprising:

a band having a slot; and

a USB device having athletic functionality, the USB device having a USB connector in communication with a controller positioned in the device, the controller configured to communicate athletic performance data, the device having a flange portion, wherein the device is removably attached to the band, the USB device having a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the slot receives the flange portion, and in the second position the USB device is rotated wherein the flange engages an underside surface of the band wherein the device is attached to the band.

85. The wearable device assembly of claim 84 wherein the band has guide holes on the top of the band to provide a tactile connection between the device and the band when the device is in the second position.

86. The wearable device assembly of claim 84 wherein the band further includes a first locking groove and a second locking groove located on the underside of the band, wherein the first locking groove and second locking groove receive the flange portion when the device is in the second position.

87. The wearable device assembly of claim 86 wherein the first locking groove and second locking groove each have a locating hole and the upper portion of the flange includes a corresponding first protrusion and a second protrusion to cooperate with the locating holes to provide for a tactile connection between the device and the band when the device is in the second position.

88. The wearable device assembly of claim 84 wherein the device has a removable cap to cover the USB connector.

89. The wearable device assembly of claim 84 wherein the device is rotated approximately 180 degrees from the first position to place the device in the second position.

90. The wearable device assembly of claim 84 wherein the band includes a sleeve having an open face, such that when the device is rotated to the second position, the USB connector passes through the open face and into the sleeve.

91. The wearable device assembly of claim 84 wherein the band includes a first hole and a second hole and the device has a corresponding first protrusion and second protrusion to cooperate with the first hole and second hole to provide a tactile connection between the device and the band when the device is in the second position.

92. The wearable device assembly of claim 84 wherein the band has grooves on the top of the carrier and the device has corresponding groove followers to provide a tactile connection between the device and the band when the device is in the second position.

93. The wearable device assembly of claim 84 wherein the device has a display.

94. The wearable device assembly of claim 84 wherein the device has a first push button adapted to cooperate with a first input of the controller and a second push button adapted to cooperate with a second input of the controller.

95. The wearable device assembly of claim 84 wherein the controller is configured to receive athletic performance data from a sensor worn by a user.

96. A wearable device assembly comprising:

a band having an opening, wherein the opening has a wide portion and a narrow portion; and

a USB device having athletic functionality, the USB device having a USB connector in communication with a controller positioned in the device, the controller configured to communicate athletic performance data, the device having a flange portion, wherein the device is removably attached to the band, the USB device having a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the wide portion receives the flange portion, and in the second position the USB device is moved wherein the flange is received by the narrow portion to secure the device to the band.

97. The wearable device assembly of claim 96 wherein the device has a removable cap to cover the USB connector.

98. The wearable device assembly of claim 96 wherein the device is moved linearly from the first position to the second position.

99. A wearable device assembly comprising:

a band having a groove; and

a USB device having athletic functionality, the USB device having a USB connector in communication with a controller positioned in the device, the controller configured to communicate athletic performance data, the device having a flange, wherein the device is removably attached to the band, wherein the flange is positioned in the groove to attach the device to the band.

100. The assembly of claim 99 wherein the groove is positioned transversely on the band and wherein the device is slid linearly into the groove to attach the device to the band.

101. The assembly of claim 99 wherein the groove defines a pair of lips, wherein an upper surface of the flange engages the lips when the device is attached to the band.

102. The assembly of claim 99 wherein the band has a first raised portion having a lip and a second raised portion having a lip, wherein the raised portions and the lips define the groove.

103. A wearable device assembly comprising:

a USB device having athletic functionality, the USB device having a USB connector in communication with a controller positioned in the device, the controller configured to communicate athletic performance data; and

a band having a first portion a second portion, wherein the device is attached to the first portion and a cap is attached to the second portion, wherein the USB connector is removably received by the cap.

104. A wearable device assembly comprising:

a USB device having athletic functionality, the USB device having a USB connector in communication with a controller positioned in the device, the controller configured to communicate athletic performance data, the device having a first protrusion and a second protrusion; and

a band having a first receiving slot and second receiving slot, wherein the device connects to the band by the first receiving slot receiving the first protrusion and the second receiving slot receiving the second protrusion.

105. The assembly of claim 104, wherein the band has hook and loop fasteners.

106. The assembly of claim 104 wherein the device has a cap positioned over the USB connector.

107. An athletic performance monitoring system comprising:

a sensor adapted to be worn by a person, the sensor capable of recording athletic performance data associated with the person; and

a wearable device assembly having a carrier removably connected to a USB device having a controller in communication with a USB connector, the controller further having a display, the controller in operable communication with the sensor and capable of receiving the athletic performance data from the sensor and displaying the performance data on the display.

108. The system of claim 107 wherein the sensor is positioned in footwear worn by the person.

109. The system of claim 107 wherein the carrier is a wristband having an aperture, and wherein the device has a protrusion wherein the protrusion is removably received in the aperture to connect the device to the wristband.

110. The system of claim 107 wherein the carrier has a sleeve having an opening that receives the USB connector.

111. The system of claim 110 wherein the athletic performance data includes at least one of time, distance and speed.

112. The system of claim 111 wherein the device is adapted to be plugged into a USB port of a computer wherein data stored on the device can be displayed on the computer.

113. The system of claim 112 where in response to plugging the device into the computer, data stored on the device is automatically uploaded to a remote website for display.

114. The system of claim 109 wherein the wristband has a first end portion having a hole and a second end portion having a hole, and further comprising a removable closure having a plate member having indicia thereon, the plate member having a post extending from the plate member, wherein the post is received by the holes in the first end portion and the second end portion to fasten the first end portion with the second end portion.

115. The system of claim 107 wherein the device has a housing having water-resistant characteristics.

123. A wearable assembly configured to be used by a user wearing a sensor, the wearable assembly comprising:

a wristband having a central portion between a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion having a pair of holes and the second end portion having a plurality of holes, the central portion having an aperture and a sleeve with an opening;

a USB device having a housing and a USB connector operably connected to a controller positioned within the housing, the controller configured to communicate athletic performance data received from the sensor, the housing having a first member formed from injection molded plastic and a second member formed from injection molded plastic, the second member having a peripheral groove, wherein the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned in the peripheral groove, the housing further having a first push button operably associated with the controller, wherein the first push button is co-molded with the first member, the housing further having a second push button operably associated with the controller, wherein the second push button has an actuator post extending therefrom and through a side opening of the housing, wherein the actuator post has an annular groove around a periphery of the post and a sealing member positioned in the annular groove,

wherein the USB device is connected to the wristband wherein the protrusion is received by the aperture and the USB connector is received by the sleeve through the opening; and

a removable closure having a plate member having indicia thereon and a pair of posts extending from the plate member, wherein the pair of posts is received in the pair of holes of the first end portion and further received in respective holes of the plurality of holes of the second portion to fasten the first end portion with the second end portion.