Wristwatch band with radio antenna

An adjustable-length wristband for a wristwatch-receiver, comprising:

• first and second band portions each sized to extend part way around a wearer's wrist;
• means for mechanically coupling the band portions at proximal ends thereof to a receiver housing;
• a clasp arranged for mechanically coupling distal end portions of the band portions to one another in lengthwise adjustable overlapping relationship to encircle a wearer's wrist;
• each band portion including a flexible metal strip extending lengthwise therein and an inside and outside insulative layer covering each metal strip;
• first means for electrically coupling the conductive strips at the proximal ends thereof to a receiver within the receiver housing;
• and
• second means in the clasp for electrically coupling the distal end portions of the conductive strips together at a plurality of selectable lengthwise positions along the first band portion to form a continuous conductive loop antenna within the wristband;
• the insulative layer covering the first band portion including a plurality of openings spaced along the distal portion thereof, each opening exposing a segment of an inside or outside surface of the covered metal strip;
• the second means including a conductive contact element arranged to protrude through at least one of the openings to electrically contact the surface segment of the metal strip exposed within the opening;
• and
• the clasp including a releasable clamping means for selectably clamping and releasing the first band portion to permit adjustment of the wristband, the clamping means being operative to engage the contact element within the opening when clamped and to allow the contact element to disengage from the opening when released.

A method of providing a continuous loop-type antenna in an adjustable wristband, the method comprising:

• forming first and second elongated, flexible metal strips of a length sufficient to partly encircle a wearer's wrist, each of the strips having inside and outside surfaces and first and second lengthwise ends;
• enclosing the metal strips in an insulative covering having inner and outer layers covering the inside and outside surfaces of the strips;
• connecting the first ends of the strips to opposite sides of a wrist-mountable case;
• interconnecting the second ends of the insulatively covered strips in a selected longitudinal overlapping relationship with a two-part metal clasp having a first clasp portion connected electrically and mechanically to the second end of the first strip and a second clasp portion including a releasable clamp on a distal end portion of the second strip adjacent its second end over the insulative covering for adjustable positioning lengthwise therealong;
• forming a series of periodically spaced openings in one of the insulative layers along the distal end portion of the second strip to expose spaced segments of the inside or outside surface of the second strip;
• forming a conductive cog protruding from the releasable clamp of the second clasp portion toward the second conductive strip for engaging at least one of the spaced openings to contact the exposed surface segment at a selected longitudinal position along the second strip when clamped and disengaging from the openings when the clamp is released to reposition the clasp longitudinally along the second strip.

A method of providing a continuous loop-type antenna in an adjustable wristband, the method comprising:

• forming first and second elongated, flexible metal strips of a length sufficient to partly encircle a wearer's wrist;
• enclosing the metal strips in an insulative covering having inner and outer layers;
• providing a two-part metal clasp having a first clasp portion connected electrically and mechanically to a distal end of the first strip and a second clasp portion including a releasable clamp on a distal end portion of the second strip over the insulative covering for adjustable positioning lengthwise therealong;
• forming a series of periodically spaced openings in one of the insulative layers along a distal end portion of the second strip to expose spaced segments of the surface of the second strip;
• forming a conductive protruding element in the releasable clamp of the second clasp portion for engaging at least one of the spaced openings to contact the exposed surface segment at a selected position along the second strip when clamped and disengaging from the openings when the clamp is released to reposition the clasp;
• enclosing the metal strips with an insulative covering includes molding a flexible polymeric material around the strips to integrally form the inner and outer layers and said openings.

An adjustable-length wristband for a wristwatch-receiver, comprising:

• first and second band portions each sized to extend part way around a wearer's wrist;
• means for mechanically coupling the band portions at proximal ends thereof to a receiver housing;
• a clasp arranged for mechanically coupling distal end portions of the band portions to one another in lengthwise adjustable overlapping relationship to encircle a wearer's wrist;
• each band portion including a flexible metal strip extending lengthwise therein and an inside and outside insulative layer covering each metal strip;
• first means for electrically coupling the conductive strips at the proximal ends thereof to a receiver within the receiver housing;
• and
• second means in the clasp for electrically coupling the distal end portions of the conductive strips together at a plurality of selectable lengthwise positions along the first band portion to form a continuous conductive loop antenna within the wristband;
• each of the conductive strips have a plurality of separate holes spaced along their length;
• the first and second insulating layers being integrally formed of a flexible polymeric material and being integrally interconnected by polymeric connectors extending through said holes.