Wearable Device Assembly Having Athletic Functionality

• US 20120101602A1
• Filed: 12/28/2011
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Andren, Bo Stefan, Berry, Stephen D., Burton, Maximillian P., Capozzi, Matt, Ishihara, James A., Lozeau, Kevin, Moll-Carrillo, Hector, Molyneux, James, Weast, Aaron B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,469,862 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/91
• 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 data transfer module device having athletic functionality, the data transfer module comprising:

a wristband having an aperture;

a housing having a data transfer connector operably connected to a controller positioned within the housing, the controller having athletic functionality that includes recording and monitoring athletic performance data, wherein the athletic performance data includes time, speed, and distance, and further wherein the controller has a display that displays the athletic performance data; and

a protrusion extending from a bottom side of the housing with the aperture positioned through a central portion of the wristband, the protrusion adapted to be inserted into the aperture wherein the protrusion cooperatively engages the aperture to connect the data transfer module to the wristband.

2. The data transfer module of claim 1 wherein the wristband has a sleeve with an opening, the data transfer connector being received by the sleeve through the opening.

3. The data transfer module of claim 2 wherein the sleeve encompasses the data transfer connector.

4. The data transfer module of claim 2 wherein the sleeve is positioned proximate a central portion of the wristband.

5. The data transfer module of claim 1 wherein the aperture is positioned proximate a central portion of the wristband.

6. The data transfer module of claim 1 wherein the wristband has a first end portion having a pair of holes and a second end portion having a plurality of holes.

7. The data transfer module of claim 6 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.

8. The data transfer module of claim 7 wherein each post has an annular channel around a periphery of the post.

9. The data transfer module of claim 8 wherein the second end portion is received in the annular channel.

10. The data transfer module of claim 7 wherein each post has an insert that is snap-fitted onto the post.

11. The data transfer module of claim 10 wherein the insert is spot welded to the plate member.

12. The data transfer module of claim 1 wherein the module is adapted to be plugged into a data transfer module of a computer wherein the athletic performance data stored on the module can be displayed on the computer.

13. The data transfer module of claim 12 where in response to plugging the data transfer module into the computer, data stored on the device is automatically uploaded to a remote website for display.

14. The data transfer module of claim 1 further including a first push button operably associated with the housing and adapted to cooperate with a first input of the controller.

15. The data transfer module of claim 14 further including a second push button operably associated with the housing and adapted to cooperate with a second input of the controller.

16. The data transfer module of claim 14 wherein the first button is located on a front side of the device.

17. The data transfer module of claim 15 wherein the second button is located within a side opening of a first side.

18. The data transfer module of claim 14 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.

21. The data transfer module of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a first member formed from injection molded plastic and a second member formed from injection molded plastic.

22. The data transfer module of claim 21 wherein the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned between a periphery of the members.

23. The data transfer module of claim 21 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.

24. The data transfer module of claim 21 wherein the second member has a plurality of leads embedded in plastic at one end defining the data transfer connector, the leads in operable communication with the controller.

25. The data transfer module of claim 21 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.

26. The data transfer module of claim 25 wherein the first push button is formed from a soft elastic polymer.

27. The data transfer module of claim 21 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.

28. The data transfer module of claim 27 wherein the sealing member is an o-ring positioned around an annular groove on the post.

19. The data transfer module of 1 wherein the housing has water-resistant characteristics.

20. The data transfer module of claim 19 wherein the housing is water resistant to approximately five atmospheres of pressure.

29. 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; and

a data transfer module having a housing, a protrusion, and a data connector operably connected to a controller positioned within the housing, the controller configured to communicate athletic performance data received from the sensor, wherein the athletic performance data includes time, speed, and distance, the housing having a first member and a second member, wherein the protrusion is protruding from the second member, the housing further having a first push button operably associated with the controller and a second push button operably associated with the controller,

wherein the data transfer module is connected to the wristband wherein the protrusion is received by the aperture and the data connector is received by the sleeve through the opening.

30. The wearable assembly of claim 29 further including a removable closure having a plate member 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.

31. The wearable assembly of claim 29 wherein the sleeve encompasses the data connector and is positioned proximate that central portion of the wristband.

32. The wearable assembly of claim 29 wherein the aperture is positioned proximate the central portion of the wristband.

33. The wearable assembly of claim 29 wherein the controller records and monitors athletic performance data.

34. The wearable assembly of claim 33 where in response to plugging the data connector into the computer, data stored on the data transfer module is automatically uploaded to a remote website for display.

35. The wearable assembly of claim 29 further including a display in communication with the controller.

36. The wearable assembly of claim 29 further including a first push button operably associated with the housing and adapted to cooperate with a first input of the controller.

37. The wearable assembly of claim 29 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.

38. The wearable assembly of claim 29 wherein the housing comprises a first member and a second member and the first member is connected to the second member by an epoxy member positioned between a periphery of the members.

39. The wearable assembly of claim 38 wherein the second member has a peripheral groove, wherein the first member is connected to the second member by the epoxy member positioned in the groove.

40. The wearable assembly of claim 38 wherein the second member has a plurality of leads embedded in plastic at one end defining the data connector, the leads in operable communication with the controller.

41. 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 data transfer module device having a housing, a protrusion, and a data connector operably connected to a controller positioned within the housing, the controller configured to communicate athletic performance data received from the sensor, wherein the athletic performance data includes one of at least time, distance, and speed,

wherein the data transfer module is connected to the wristband wherein the protrusion is received by the aperture and the data connector is received by the sleeve through the opening; and

a closure member with a plate member, 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, wherein each post has an annular channel around a periphery of the post and the second end portion is received in the annular channel.

42. The wearable assembly of claim 41 wherein the sleeve encompasses the data transfer connector and is positioned proximate a central portion of the wristband.

43. The wearable assembly of claim 41 wherein the aperture is positioned proximate a central portion of the wristband.

44. The wearable assembly of claim 41 wherein the assembly is adapted to be plugged into a data transfer module of a computer wherein the athletic performance data stored on the module can be displayed on the computer.

45. The wearable assembly of claim 44 where in response to plugging the data transfer module into the computer, data stored on the device is automatically uploaded to a remote website for display.

46. The wearable assembly of claim 41 further including a first push button operably associated with the housing and adapted to cooperate with a first input of the controller and a second push button operably associated with the housing and adapted to cooperate with a second input of the controller.

47. The wearable assembly of claim 46 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.

48. The wearable assembly of claim 41 wherein a member of the housing has a plurality of leads embedded in plastic at one end defining the data connector, the leads in operable communication with the controller.