Attachment system for watchband
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorColin M. Ely
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Wearable electronic devices, such as watches, can be provided with an attachment system for connecting and releasing a removable module that interfaces with some portion of the electronic device. For example, a watch can include locking mechanisms that allow a user to connect a watchband to a watch housing by moving the watchband directly toward the watch housing. An attachment unit of a watchband can be moved in a direction along its own longitudinal axis to securely engage the watch housing. Once engaged, one or more locking mechanisms limit longitudinal movement of the attachment unit away from the watch housing. One or more locking mechanisms also limit lateral movement of the attachment unit with respect to the watch housing until a user releases the one or more locking mechanisms and enables the lateral movement.
Claims17
A watch comprising:
- a band having an attachment unit;
- and
- a housing comprising a channel configured to receive the attachment unit with a longitudinal movement of the attachment unit into the channel;
- a longitudinal lock mechanism that, when the attachment unit is engaged to the housing, limits a longitudinal movement of the attachment unit out of the channel without limiting a lateral movement of the attachment unit within the channel;
- and
- a lateral lock mechanism that, when the attachment unit is engaged to the housing, limits the lateral movement of the attachment unit within the channel without limiting the longitudinal movement of the attachment unit out of the channel.
A housing of a watch, the housing comprising:
- a channel for receiving an attachment unit of a band;
- a recess within the channel, configured to receive a catch member of the attachment unit, and comprising:
- a ledge on a longitudinal side of the recess to retain the catch member longitudinally within the recess;
- and
- a ramp on a lateral side of the recess to guide the catch member laterally out of the recess;
- and
- a locking member configured to releasably engage the attachment unit with an engagement portion extending into the channel to limit a lateral movement of the attachment unit within the channel until the locking member is actuated with an interface portion accessible to a user and positioned outside the channel.
An attachment unit of a band for securing a housing of a watch to a user, the attachment unit comprising:
- a catch member that is retractably biased to engage the housing;
- and
- an opening configured to receive a locking member of the housing, the opening comprising:
- a first portion for receiving the locking member to limit a lateral movement of the attachment unit relative to the housing;
- and
- a second portion for receiving the locking member to allow the lateral movement of the attachment unit relative to the housing wherein the first portion has a first lateral width and the second portion has a second lateral width greater than the first lateral width.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.