HOLDERS FOR A WATCH

Abstract

A box for storing a watch is provided. In some embodiments, the box includes a bottom; a top coupled to the bottom with a hinge; and a mount positioned in the bottom to receive a watch for storage. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a holder for holding a watch band is presented. An embodiment of a holder includes a first half; a second half; and a plate electromagnetically shielding the first half from the second half, wherein the first half and the second half are arranged to hold a watch band.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/110,409, entitled “Box for Holding a Watch,” filed on Jan. 30, 2015 by Adam Pluemer and Christopher Sontag, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/131,047, entitled “A Foam Holder for a Watch,” filed on Mar. 10, 2015 by Adam Pluemer and Christopher Sontag, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention are related to holders for holding a watch.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

The projection of new digital watches that have a high degree of functionality will present owners of fine watches with a quandary: whether to wear the high value fine watch or to wear the highly functional digital watch. The highly functional digital watch, for example the iWatch from Apple, is projected to have functionality similar to smart phones. Wearers of the highly function digital watches will enjoy the functionality of a smart phone on their wrist.

Therefore, there is a need to develop better holders for watches, and in particular better holders for watches to be used for storage or on wrist bands.

SUMMARY

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a box for storing a watch is provided. In some embodiments, the box includes a bottom; a top coupled to the bottom with a hinge; and a mount positioned in the bottom to receive a watch band for storage, the mount including an electromagnetic shielding plate.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a holder for holding a watch band is presented. An embodiment of a holder includes a first half; a second half; and a plate electromagnetically shielding the first half from the second half, wherein the first half and the second half are arranged to hold a watch band.

These and other embodiments are further discussed below with respect to the following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a watch band according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate wearing the watch band illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate wearing the watch band illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B further illustrate the watch band.

FIGS. 5A through 5E illustrate embodiments of a box for storing a smart watch.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate embodiments of a multi-box system for storing smart watches.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a watch being inserted into a box for storage.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate further box for storing a watch.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate an embodiment of a watch band holder

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D illustrate embodiments of a holder with a watch band.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate side views of embodiments of a holder with a wrist band.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an electromagnetic shielding plate that can be used with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth describing some embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. The specific embodiments disclosed herein are meant to be illustrative but not limiting. One skilled in the art may realize other elements that, although not specifically described here, are within the scope and the spirit of this disclosure.

This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate inventive aspects and embodiments should not be taken as limiting—the claims define the protected invention. Various mechanical, compositional, structural, and operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this description and the claims. In some instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown or described in detail in order not to obscure the invention.

Additionally, the drawings are not to scale. Relative sizes of components are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the actual sizes that may occur in any actual embodiment of the invention. Like numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similar elements.

The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. And, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and the like specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups. Components described as coupled may be electrically or mechanically directly coupled, or they may be indirectly coupled via one or more intermediate components.

Elements and their associated aspects that are described in detail with reference to one embodiment may, whenever practical, be included in other embodiments in which they are not specifically shown or described. For example, if an element is described in detail with reference to one embodiment and is not described with reference to a second embodiment, the element may nevertheless be claimed as included in the second embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a watch band 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, watch band 100 includes a first section 102 and a second section 104. As shown in FIG. 1, watch band 100 couples a watch 106 with a watch 108 where first section 102 and second section 104 couple watch 106 and watch 108 into a single wearable watchband with two watches. Watch 106 and watch 108 can be any pair of watches. However, watch band 100 can be used to mount a decorative watch, watch 106, with a highly functional smart digital watch, watch 108. For example, for those that do not wish to abandon wearing of an expensive high-end watch but would also like the functionality of a smart digital watch, watch 106 can be a high end watch and watch 108 can be a smart digital watch.

As shown in FIG. 1, sections 102 and 104 can include connectors to mate with watches 106 and 108. The example shown in FIG. 1 is a standard pin type, or spring bar, connection so that section 102 couples to watch 106 with connector 112 and to watch 108 with connector 110 while section 104 couples to watch 106 with connector 116 and couples to watch 108 with connector 114. As is further discussed below, other connections can be made. Further, in some embodiments section 102 and 104 can be formed in a single piece with a holder for watch 108 formed in the now single piece band. Additionally, in some embodiments a clasp may be formed in section 102 or section 104. Band 100 can be formed of any material capable of holding watch 106 and watch 108. For example, band 100 can be formed as an expansion bracelet, can be formed of leather, simulated hides, metal, precious metals, cloth, fabric, nylon, rubber plastic, composite materials or other material. Band 100 can be formed to various designs and patterns and can be formed of combinations of materials.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate on way of wearing band 100 while FIGS. 3A and 3B show another way of wearing band 100. FIGS. 4A and 4B further illustrate band 100 with watches 106 and 108 in place. In some cases, users may have multiple ones of smart watches 108 or may need to store watch 108 when it is off band 100. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, storing a watch may be accomplished with a box. In some embodiments, a holder may hold the watch. In some embodiments, the holder may be mounted within the box.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate embodiments of a box 500 for storing a smart watch 108. As shown in FIG. 5A, box 500 includes a top cover 502 and a bottom 506. In some embodiments top cover 502 and bottom 406 may be coupled with a hinge 504. As shown in FIG. 5A, a mount 508 is placed in the center of the bottom 506 to hold one or more watches. Mount 508 includes portions 514 that are shaped such that watch band 100, along with watch 108 and watch 106, are accommodated. In particular, portions 514 may be plastic or foam that snuggly hold watch band 100 within box 500. Mount 508 can further include an electromagnetic shielding plate 512 in order to remove magnetic or electronic interference between watches 106 and 108 while they are housed within box 500. FIG. 5B illustrates that a charger circuit 510 may be incorporated into mount 508 in order to charge a smart watch 108. Charger circuit 510 may, for example, be a wireless charging unit that magnetically couples power to charge a batter within smart watch 108.

FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate box 500 without inclusion of watch band 100. As shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, portions 514 can be mounted on a pedestal 520, which may also be separated by plate 512, in order to raise watch band 100 within box 500 in order to keep watches 106 and 108 from contacting the bottom surface of box 500. As shown in FIG. 5D, charger circuit 510 can be coupled to power cord 516, which may supply power, for example, for an external power supply (e.g., a wall socket, battery unit, or other device). FIG. 5E illustrates a cut-away to illustrate watch band 100 mounted on portions 514 on pedestal 520.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a configuration of a number of boxes 500 arranged in a container 602. Any number of boxes 500 can be included in container 602. In the example shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, three boxes are included in container 602. In some embodiments, individual covers 502 can be included with each individual bottom 506 in container 602. In some embodiments, container 602 may include one cover that covers all of the individual boxes 500. FIG. 6B illustrates that each of the boxes included in container 602 may include a charging circuit 510 in order to charge smart watch 108.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrates insertion of a watch band 100 into box 500. FIG. 7A illustrates a frontal view while FIG. 7B illustrates a side view of box 500 while watch band 100 is being inserted. As illustrated, watch band 100 with watches 106 and 108 can be positioned over mount 508 and slipped over mount 508 to be held within each box 500.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a power cable 516 used with box 500. Power cable 516 includes a grounding wire that can be electrically coupled to plate 512 within box 500 in order to ground plate 512 to an external circuit, for example the circuitry driving charger 510. As such, plate 512 can provide better shielding between watches 106 and 108 and charger 510 and watch 106. With a grounding wire in place. In some embodiments without charging circuit 510, a grounding wire may still be used to better shield watches 106 from watch 108.

FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of a holder 900 for holding a watch band 100. Holder 900 may be mount 508 as described above in box 500. Alternatively, holder 900 may provide a holder for a watch band 100 independent of box 500.

As shown in FIG. 9A, holder 900 includes a first half 902 and a second half 904. If holder 900 is being used in box 500, first half 902 and second half 904 correspond with portions 514. First half 902 and second half 904 are appropriately sized and shaped to hold firmly a watch band such as dual watch band 102. First half 902 and second half 904 can be separated by an electromagnetic shielding plate 906, which can substantially electrically isolate watch 108 from watch 106 in watch band 100. Electromagnetic shielding plate 906 corresponds with shielding plate 512 of mount 508. In some embodiments, plate 906 may be grounded in order to provide better shielding between watches mounted on a watch band 100.

In some embodiments, first half 902 includes a flattened portion 908 on which a watch mount for a watch band such as watch band 100 can sit. Second half 904 includes a flat portion 910 on which another watch mount on a watch band can sit. FIG. 9B illustrates a planar view of holder 900 as shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C illustrates an embodiment of holder 900 where a charger 914 is imbedded into portion 904 in place of flat portion 910. Charger 914 itself provides a flat on which a watch mount for a watch band can sit. Further, plate 906 and charger 914 may share a ground connection. Charger 914 may be, for example, a wireless power charger that magnetically couples power into smart watch 108 in order that a corresponding receiver circuit in smart watch 108 can charge its internal battery.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate embodiments of mount 900 with a watch band 100 attached. As shown in FIG. 10A, watch 106 on watch band 100 aligns with flat portion 908 while watch 108 aligns with flat portion 912. FIG. 10B illustrates another view of mount 900 as shown in FIG. 10A. As shown in FIG. 10C, in embodiments that include charger 914, watch 108 aligns with charger 914. FIG. 10D illustrates another view of the embodiment of holder 900 shown in FIG. 10C. FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a side view of holder 900 with watch band 100. FIG. 11B illustrates an embodiment with charger 914.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of shielding plate 906. There are two basic methods for shielding against low to medium frequency magnetic sources, such as those used in wireless charging systems. One method is by diversion of the magnetic flux with high permeability materials and the generation of opposing flux. Using a ferromagnetic material with sufficient thickness and a permeability μ>>μ₀, where μ₀ is the magnetic permeability of free space. In some cases, a conductive plate such as a copper plate can generate magnetic fields opposition that of a magnetic field source, thereby canceling the magnetic field source.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, electromagnetic shielding plate 906 can include a thick ferromagnetic plate 1208 with permeability much greater than the permeability of free space (μ>>μ₀) and a copper plate 1204. Ferromagnetic (ferrite) plate 1208 and conducting plate 1204 (e.g., copper) can be separated by an insulator 1206. Electromagnetic shielding plate 1206 may further be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 1202 that provides mechanical stability. conducting plate 1204 and ferromagnetic plate 1208 provide electromagnetic shielding between electronic devices mounted on either side. In some embodiments, multiple layers of copper plate or ferrite materials may be used.

In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set for in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A box, comprising:

a bottom;

a top coupled that mates with the bottom; and

a mount positioned in the bottom to receive a watch band for storage, the mount including an electromagnetic shielding plate to shield a first watch on the watch band from a second watch on the watch band.

2. The box of claim 1, wherein the top is coupled to the bottom with a hinge.

3. The box of claim 1, wherein the mount includes insulating parts separated by the shielding plate.

4. The box of claim 1, wherein the mount includes a charger circuit.

5. The box of claim 4, wherein the charger circuit is positioned proximate to a flat portion on which the second watch is received.

6. A container, the container including

a plurality of bottoms;

a plurality of mounts, each of the plurality of mounts positioned in one of the bottoms to receive a watch band for storage, each of the plurality of mounts including an electromagnetic shielding plate to shied a first watch on the watch band from a second watch on the watch band; and

one or more covers that close over each of the plurality of bottoms.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein one or more of the plurality of mounts includes a charger circuit.

8. The container of claim 6, wherein the one or more covers includes a single cover that closes over all of the plurality of bottoms.

9. A holder, comprising:

a first half;

a second half; and

a plate electromagnetically shielding the first half from the second half,

wherein the first half and the second half are arranged to hold a watch band.

10. The holder of claim 9, wherein the watch band includes a first watch and a second watch and the watch band is positioned around the first half and the second half such that the first watch is shielded from the second watch.

14. The holder of claim 10, wherein the second watch is positioned over the second half and wherein a charger circuit is mounted in the second half.

15. The holder of claim 14, wherein the charger circuit is a wireless charging circuit.

16. The holder of claim 9, wherein the plate includes a ferrite plate.

17. The holder of claim 16, further including a conductive plate coupled with the ferrite plate.

18. The holder of claim 17, wherein the conductive plate is separated from the ferrite plate with an insulator.

19. The holder of claim 18, wherein the plate is mounted on a printed circuit board.