US 12,369,695 B1Granted

Band employing bistable magnetic actuator

AssigneePeter A Feinstein Patents LLC

InventorsPeter A. Feinstein, Ivyann Oveson Running, Andrew Geyser, Brian Jensen, Nathan Usevitch, Carter Stentzel

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A band includes at least three members pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable between open and closed positions. A first member includes first and second permanent magnets disposed at opposite ends thereof, a second member includes a third permanent magnet and a third member includes a fourth permanent magnet. The first and second members are configured such that when they are pivoted with respect to each other past a threshold position toward the closed position, they are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the first and third magnets and when they are pivoted with respect to each other past the threshold position toward the open position, they are biased toward the open position by forces created by the first and third magnets. The first and third members are similarly biased by forces created by the second and fourth magnets.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A band configured to wrap around and be secured to an object, said band comprising:

at least three members pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable with respect to each other between an open position and a closed position;
wherein a first member of said at least three members comprises a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet disposed at opposite ends thereof, wherein a second member of said at least three members comprises a third permanent magnet and wherein a third member of said at least three members comprises a fourth permanent magnet;
wherein the first and second members are configured such that when the first and second members are pivoted with respect to each other past a threshold position toward the closed position, the first and second members are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the first and third magnets and when the first and second members are pivoted with respect to each other past the threshold position toward the open position, the first and second members are biased toward the open position by forces created by the first and third magnets;
and
wherein the first and third members are configured such that when the first and third members are pivoted with respect to each other past a threshold position toward the closed position, the first and third members are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the second and fourth magnets and when the first and third members are pivoted with respect to each other past the threshold position toward the open position, the first and third members are biased toward the open position by forces created by the second and fourth magnets.

2 more elements

A wearable device comprising:

a body;
a first strap pivotably connected at an end thereof to a first end of the body and a second strap pivotably connected at an end thereof to a second end of the body, opposite the first end;
the first and second straps being pivotable with respect to the body between an open position and a closed position;
wherein the first strap comprises a permanent magnet adjacent the end thereof, the second strap comprises a permanent magnet adjacent the end thereof;
wherein the body comprises a first permanent magnet adjacent the first end thereof and a second permanent magnet adjacent the second end thereof;
wherein the first strap and the body are configured such that when the first strap and the body are pivoted with respect to each other past a threshold position toward the closed position, the first strap and the body are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the magnet of the first strap and the first magnet of the body and when the first strap and the body and are pivoted with respect to each other past the threshold position toward the closed position, the first strap and the body are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the magnet of the first strap and the first magnet of the body;
and
wherein the second strap and the body are configured such that when the second strap and the body are pivoted with respect to each other past a threshold position toward the closed position, the second strap and the body are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the magnet of the second strap and the second magnet of the body and when the second strap and the body and are pivoted with respect to each other past the threshold position toward the closed position, the second strap and the body are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the magnet of the second strap and the second magnet of the body.

5 more elements

A band configured to wrap around and be secured to an object, said band comprising:

a first member having first and second ends;
a second member pivotably connected to the first member at the first end thereof;
a third member pivotably connected to the first member at the second end thereof;
wherein the first, second and third members are pivotable with respect to each other between an open position and a closed position;
wherein one of the second member and the first member comprises a first permanent magnet disposed adjacent the first end of the first member and the other of the second member and the first member comprises a second permanent magnet or a first ferrous material disposed adjacent the first end of the first member;
wherein one of the third member and the first member comprises a third permanent magnet disposed adjacent the second end of the first member and the other of the third member and the first member comprises a fourth permanent magnet or a second ferrous material disposed adjacent the second end of the first member;
wherein the first and second members are configured such that when the first and second members are pivoted with respect to each other past a threshold position toward the closed position, the first and second members are biased toward the closed position by forces created between the first magnet and the second magnet or the first ferrous material, and when the first and second members are pivoted with respect to each other past the threshold position toward the open position, the first and second members are biased toward the open position by forces created between the first magnet and the second magnet or the first ferrous material;
and
wherein the first and third members are configured such that when the first and third members are pivoted with respect to each other past a threshold position toward the closed position, the first and third members are biased toward the closed position by forces created between the third magnet and the fourth magnet or the second ferrous material, and when the first and third members are pivoted with respect to each other past the threshold position toward the open position, the first and third members are biased toward the open position by forces created between the third magnet and the fourth magnet or the second ferrous material.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/076,592Filed 11 Mar 2025 · us provisional application
Priority: 13 Mar 2024
Granted: 29 Jul 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A44C 5/08
Extensible: having separate links
A44C 5/0053
Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps: flexible straps
A44C 5/06
Extensible: having lazy-tongs
A44C 5/2071
For open straps , chains or the like: with the two ends of the strap or chain overlapping each other and fastened by an action perpendicularly to…