US 9,436,163 B2 · Locking pins for a wearable device

Abstract

Disclosed are removable “locking pins” that hold the front and rear housings of a wearable device together. These pins fit into receiving channels in the walls of the housings. Unlike screws or other fasteners, these pins do not take up space needed for internal components of the device. Unlike snaps, the pins are usable with housings that are very rigid (e.g., metal or ceramic). In some embodiments, the pins are entirely hidden from view, and thus they do not detract from the appearance of the device. Also in some embodiments, the pins fit entirely outside of a water seal for the device, thus reducing cost and assembly complexity.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A wearable device comprising:

a front housing;
a rear housing removably attachable to the front housing;
and
a locking pin comprising a locking ledge;
wherein the front and rear housings when attached define a receiving channel comprising a flexure-clearance area;
wherein the locking pin is configured to fit into the receiving channel;
wherein the locking pin when in the receiving channel prevents the rear housing from detaching from the front housing;
wherein the rear housing comprises a ridge;
wherein the locking ledge and the ridge prevent the locking pin from backing out of the receiving channel when the front and rear housings are attached, and
wherein the flexure-clearance area allows flexing of the locking pin to allow the locking ledge to clear the ridge to remove the locking pin.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/444,324Filed 28 Jul 2014 · us provisional application

Priority

23 Jun 2014

Published

US 2015/0370224 A124 Dec 2015

Granted

6 Sep 2016

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

G04G 17/08
Structural details; Housings: housings
A44C 5/14
Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps: characterised by the way of fastening to a wrist-watch or the like
G04B 37/1486
Suspending devices, supports or stands for time-pieces insofar as they form part of the case: arrangements for fixing to a bracelet (building…
Y10T 29/49828
Assembling or joining: progressively advancing of work assembly station or assembled portion of work

Locking pins for a wearable device

Life of this patent

Locking pins for a wearable device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24