CAPTIVE ELEMENTS OF AN ATTACHMENT SYSTEM

• US 20160069371A1
• Filed: 03/06/2015
• Published: 03/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Hsiang Hung, Hatanaka, Motohide
• Granted Patent: US 10,184,506 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/2596 the movement being transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strap or chain
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/263 with a push-button acting perpendicularly to the main plane of the buckle
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/14 characterised by the way of fastening to a wrist-watch or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/14 using wedges
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/12 with locking-pins or split-pins thrust into holes
• 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

Abstract

Embodiments described herein may be directed to an attachment system for coupling an accessory or component to a consumer product. The attachment system may include a captive locking mechanism that may be incorporated with the accessory or non-product side attachment assembly. The captive locking mechanism may include one or more spring-bar components that retain the engagement mechanism in a recess or feature formed in a component of the accessory. The attachment system may also include a release mechanism that may be incorporated with the product-side attachment assembly of a consumer product. The release mechanism may be captive or otherwise retained in the body of the device and may include one or more spring-bar components that retain the release mechanism in a recess or featured formed into the body of the device.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for a consumer product, the locking mechanism comprising:

a catch member disposed within an aperture of a component and configured to protrude from a first surface of the component;

a ramp member disposed within the aperture and configured to protrude from a second surface of the component that is opposite to the first surface;

a spring bar positioned within and spanning across a width of the aperture;

a first spring coupled between the spring bar and the ramp member, the first spring biasing the ramp member away from the spring bar; and

a second spring coupled between the ramp member and the catch member, the second spring biasing the catch member away from the ramp member.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

the component is a removable module that is configured to slidably engage with a mating feature of the consumer product; and

the aperture is formed in the removable module.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the catch member is configured to protrude outward from the aperture and engage a recess formed in the mating feature of the consumer product to retain the removable module with respect to the consumer product.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein:

when the removable module is not engaged with the mating feature of the consumer product;

the catch member is flush with or below the first surface; and

a portion of the ramp member extends beyond the second surface;

when the removable module is partially engaged with the mating feature of the consumer product;

the catch member is flush or below the first surface; and

the ramp member is flush or below the second surface; and

when the removable module is fully engaged with the mating feature of the consumer product;

a portion of the catch member extends beyond the first surface and engages a recess formed in the mating feature; and

the ramp member is flush or below the second surface.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein:

the mating feature of the consumer product has an opening width at an opening of the feature and a maximum width within the feature being greater than the opening width;

the removable module has a first portion having a first thickness that is smaller than the opening width of the opening and a second thickness that is less than the maximum width of the feature and greater than the opening width; and

the opening width of the mating feature is configured to limit the movement of the removable module in a direction perpendicular to opening.

6. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

the consumer product is a wearable electronic device; and

the removable module couples a band strap to the wearable electronic device.

7. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the spring bar comprises:

a barrel portion; and

a spring-loaded protrusion that extends out from an end of the barrel portion, wherein the spring-loaded protrusion is configured to engage corresponding recess formed in a wall of the aperture.

8. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein a retaining feature formed within aperture limits the outward movement of the ramp member, wherein the retaining feature includes a protrusion that projects inward from a wall of the aperture.

9. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

the ramp member includes a ramp-retaining feature that engages a catch-retaining of the catch member; and

engagement between the ramp-retaining feature and the catch-retaining feature limits the outward movement of the catch member.

10. A release mechanism comprising:

a button member at least partially disposed within an aperture formed within a channel of a housing and configured to move up and down within the aperture; and

a spring bar positioned within and spanning across a width of the aperture, wherein the spring bar is received by a feature formed in the button member and the spring bar limits motion of the button member, wherein;

a removable module is configured to slidably engage with the channel of the housing;

the removable module includes a catch member that retains the removable module within the channel; and

the release mechanism is configured to release the catch.

11. The release mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a spring positioned between the button member and a feature formed into the body, the spring configured to bias the button away from the channel.

12. The release mechanism of claim 10, wherein:

the button member includes an actuation portion and a plunger portion; and

the plunger portion is configured to disengage the catch member from a recess when the actuation portion is pushed,

the recess is formed in a wall of the channel.

13. The release mechanism of claim 12, wherein plunger portion is configured to be flush or extend into the recess when the button member is pushed.

14. The release mechanism of claim 10, wherein the spring bar comprises:

a barrel portion; and

a spring-loaded protrusion that extends out from an end of the barrel portion, wherein the spring-loaded protrusion is configured to engage corresponding recess formed in a wall of the aperture.

15. The release mechanism of claim 10, wherein

the feature formed in the button member is a slotted hole and the spring bar guides the button member by slidably engaging the slotted hole.

16. A method of assembling a locking mechanism in a removable module of an accessory, the method comprising:

positioning at least one spring bar with respect to a ramp member, wherein a first spring is disposed between the ramp member and the at least one spring bar;

positioning a catch member with respect to the ramp member, wherein a second spring is disposed between the catch member and the ramp member;

compressing the at least one spring bar of the locking mechanism;

inserting the ramp member, the catch member, and the at least one spring bar into an aperture formed in the removable module; and

engaging the at least one spring bar within a recess formed in a wall of the aperture.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising a method of attaching the accessory into a consumer product using the removable module, the method comprising:

inserting the removable module of the accessory into a channel of the consumer product;

applying a side force to the removable module to slide the removable module further into the channel;

as the removable module is slid into the channel, compress the ramp member of the locking mechanism using the channel;

engage the catch member of the locking mechanism with a recess formed into a wall of the channel, wherein engagement between the catch member and the recess prevents the removable module from sliding within the channel.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

as the ramp member is compressed, a spring provides an outward bias force on the catch member pushing the catch member toward a wall of the channel; and

when the catch member engages the recess, the outward bias force maintains the catch member in an extended position.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising a method of detaching the accessory from the consumer product, the method comprising:

actuating a release mechanism by applying a force to an actuation portion of the release mechanism;

expel the catch member from the recess using a plunger portion that is coupled to the actuation portion of the release mechanism;

apply a side force to the removable module to slide the removable module within the channel; and

remove the removable module from the channel.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:

removing the removable module from the channel results in an extension of the ramp member from removable module; and

removing the removable module from the channel results in the catch member being substantially flush with a surface of the removable module.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the consumer product is a wearable electronic device;

the accessory includes band for attaching the wearable electronic device to a wrist of a user; and

the removable module disposed at an end of the band.