Wearable device assembly having athletic functionality

• US 8,370,549 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Burton, Maximillian P., Molyneux, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsai, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sun, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/205,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20090138636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 710/63
• 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 USB device assembly configured to be supported on a user'"'"'s apparel, the assembly comprising:

a carrier configured to be attached on a user'"'"'s apparel;

a USB device having a first protrusion defined as a USB connector that is removably received in a first aperture defined on the carrier, wherein the USB connector is in communication with a controller positioned in the device, the controller configured to communicate athletic performance data, wherein the device is removably connected to the carrier; and

a base member extending from the carrier, the base member having a rounded slot at a distal end of the base member, the rounded slot having a peripheral opening defining a second aperture, wherein the USB device has a second protrusion extending from a bottom side of the USB device and wherein the second protrusion is removably received in the rounded slot through the peripheral opening in an interference fit to connect the device to the carrier.

2. The USB device assembly of claim 1 wherein the carrier is a clip member configured to be attached on a user'"'"'s apparel.

3. The USB device assembly of claim 1, wherein the carrier includes an opening configured to attach a lanyard.

4. The USB device assembly of claim 1 wherein the carrier has a first portion, a second portion, and a spring member, wherein the spring member biases the first portion and the second portion together to form a clip which is configured to be clipped on a user'"'"'s apparel.

5. The USB device assembly of claim 1, wherein the base member includes an extended cantilevered portion which forms a clip member configured to be clipped on a user'"'"'s apparel.

6. The USB device assembly of claim 1 wherein the assembly is configured to attach to one of the following apparel:

shirt, pants, socks, hat, and shoe.

7. The USB device assembly of claim 1 wherein the assembly is configured to attach to one of the following items:

bag, tote, and band.

8. The USB device assembly of claim 1 wherein the device has a housing comprising a first member formed from injection molded plastic and a second member formed from injection molded plastic wherein the first member is connected to the second member by a peripheral epoxy member.

9. A USB device assembly configured to be supported on a user'"'"'s apparel, the assembly comprising:

a carrier having a sleeve with an opening, the carrier further having a base member extending from the sleeve, the base member having a rounded slot located at a distal end of the base member, the rounded slot with a peripheral opening; and

a USB device having a first protrusion defined as a USB connector that is removably received in an aperture defined on the carrier, the device further having a second protrusion extending generally perpendicular from a bottom side of the USB device, wherein the USB connector is received in the sleeve through the opening and wherein the second protrusion is received in the rounded slot through the peripheral opening in an interference type fit to connect the device to the carrier.

10. The USB device assembly of claim 9 wherein the assembly further includes a lanyard which attaches to the assembly at a throughway on the sleeve, wherein the lanyard is configured to allow a user to carry the USB device assembly with the lanyard around the user'"'"'s neck, wrist, or ankle.

11. The USB device assembly of claim 9 wherein the base member further has an extended portion which forms a clip member providing resilient features wherein the distal end of the base member is biased against the portion of the base member proximate to the sleeve which is configured to be clipped on a user'"'"'s apparel.