Rigid Or Semirigid Band Or Arm Patents (Class 224/179)
  • Patent number: 11714495
    Abstract: A finger device may be worn on a user's finger and may serve as a controller for a head-mounted device or other electronic device. The finger device may have a housing having an upper housing portion that extends across a top of the finger and first and second side housing portions that extend down respective first and second sides of the finger. Sensors in the side housing portions may measure movements of the sides of the finger as the finger contacts an external surface. To ensure that the sensors are appropriately positioned relative to the sides of the finger, the housing may include one or more adjustable structures such as an elastomeric band, a drawstring, a ratchet mechanism, a scissor mechanism, and/or other adjustable structures for adjusting the position of the first and second side housing portions and associated sensors relative to the upper housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erin M. Bosch, Stephen E. Dey, Jeffrey A. Griffis, Alex J. Lehmann, Yuhao Pan, Paul X. Wang
  • Patent number: 11709554
    Abstract: A finger device may be worn on a user's finger and may serve as a controller for a head-mounted device or other electronic device. The finger device may have a housing having an upper housing portion that extends across a top of the finger and first and second side housing portions that extend down respective first and second sides of the finger. Sensors in the side housing portions may measure movements of the sides of the finger as the finger contacts an external surface. To ensure that the sensors are appropriately positioned relative to the sides of the finger, the housing may include one or more adjustable structures such as an elastomeric band, a drawstring, a ratchet mechanism, a scissor mechanism, and/or other adjustable structures for adjusting the position of the first and second side housing portions and associated sensors relative to the upper housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erin M. Bosch, Stephen E. Dey, Jeffrey A. Griffis, Alex J. Lehmann, Yuhao Pan, Paul X. Wang
  • Patent number: 10548529
    Abstract: An assembly for a consumer product, such as a wristwatch or other wearable electronic device, can securely retain a cover member against a housing of the product. A retaining member from within the housing can engage and secure the cover member to provide a fluid barrier. The cover member can include a window or other components of a sensor device. The parts can be easily disassembled without causing permanent damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Perkins, Trevor J. Ness, Tobias J. Harrison-Noonan, William H. Greenbaum, Tyler S. Bushnell, Guocheng Shao, Guanyi Gao, Christopher M. Werner, Phil M. Hobson
  • Patent number: 9468268
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device including a base, a body, two linking assemblies, and a wearable element is provided. The base has a carrier and two pivoting portions located at two opposite sides of the carrier, wherein each of the pivoting portions has two first contact points disposed opposite to each other and two second contact points disposed opposite to each other. The body is disposed on the carrier. The wearable element has two opposite end portions, wherein each of the linking assemblies passes through the corresponding end portion and each of the end portions of the wearable element is coupled to the two first contact points of the corresponding pivoting portion through the corresponding linking assembly. When the base is subjected to an external force, at least one of the linking assemblies moves from the two first contact points to the two second contact points of the corresponding pivoting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventor: Yu-Hsiu Chien
  • Patent number: 7275667
    Abstract: The present invention provides a watch band construction which includes a top layer, a bottom layer and an insert. The top and bottom layers each have an aperture provided proximate to the tip ends thereof. The insert is positioned between the top and bottom layers within the apertures and is stitched to the top and bottom layers to secure the insert between the top and bottom layers. The insert provides the tip for the watch band, as well as the holes through which the buckle prong extends. The tip may be formed with raised portions and the holes may be formed with angled walls at the bottom of the insert. The insert is formed with a curve bias along both a length and width thereof. The insert is formed of a sturdy material, such as resin, such that it is durable and long lasting in the areas of high wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Michael H. Bertucci
  • Patent number: 7114845
    Abstract: A bracelet-style watch having a case, a wristband formed integral with the case, and three separating element is disclosed. The separating elements, located on the case and wristband, form a space between the timepiece and the wrist. The space permits air to freely enter a substantial portion of an area between the timepiece and the wrist, thereby ventilating and reducing the quantity of perspiration that collects between the timepiece and the wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Nike, Inc
    Inventor: Scott Harold Wilson
  • Patent number: 6857775
    Abstract: A bracelet-style watch having a case, a wristband formed integral with the case, and three separating element is disclosed. The separating elements, located on the case and wristband, form a space between the timepiece and the wrist. The space permits air to freely enter a substantial portion of an area between the timepiece and the wrist, thereby ventilating and reducing the quantity of perspiration that collects between the timepiece and the wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Harold Wilson
  • Publication number: 20040245299
    Abstract: The present invention provides a watch band construction which includes a top layer, a bottom layer and an insert. The top and bottom layers each have an aperture provided proximate to the tip ends thereof. The insert is positioned between the top and bottom layers within the apertures and is stitched to the top and bottom layers to secure the insert between the top and bottom layers. The insert provides the tip for the watch band, as well as the holes through which the buckle prong extends. The tip may be formed with raised portions and the holes may be formed with angled walls at the bottom of the insert. The insert is formed with a curve bias along both a length and width thereof. The insert is formed of a sturdy material, such as resin, such that it is durable and long lasting in the areas of high wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Michael H. Bertucci
  • Publication number: 20030116596
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device is provided which can prevent the main body of the device from making swinging movement relative to its rigid band portion. The wearable electronic device is provided with: an electronic device main body; a rigid band allowing the electronic device main body to be worn on a neck-like portion; a pivotal coupling mechanism for coupling the rigid band to a casing of the electronic device main body for pivoting movement in two directions between a closed position for surrounding the neck-like portion and an open position for allowing detachment thereof from the neck-like portion, in cooperation with the casing of the electronic device main body. The pivotal coupling mechanism includes an elastic biasing member biasing the rigid band from the closed position toward the open position, and a locking mechanism for open position which locks the rigid band in the open position when the rigid band is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Dai Terasawa
  • Patent number: 6568573
    Abstract: A watch case with an interchangeable bracelet system includes a back with a neck to which a portion of a bracelet is removably coupled. A closure element closes the neck and pinches the bracelet against the back of the case. Preferably, the closure element is a ring that is attached to the back of the case by means of a bayonet device consisting of a lug that is inserted in a mating hollow. To prevent accidental separation of the closure element from the case, a compression joint may be placed in a seat provided in either the back of the case or in the closure element. The closure element compresses the joint and frictionally prevents accidental opening. The device enables the bracelet to be changed easily without tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventors: Louis Dominique Manigley, Marco Scarinzi, Renato Scarinzi
  • Patent number: 6505763
    Abstract: A circumferentially continuous arrangement which is to be worn preferably on the wrist has a strap and a hinged closure which serves for changing the circumferential extent of the arrangement. The hinged closure has a central closure part and at least one toggle lever which is connected to the closure part in one end region and has a strap end fastened at its other end region. The collapsible toggle lever, which is connected in each case to the strap end and is circumferentially offset with respect to the central closure part, and the central closure part are designed and connected to one another such that, for the direct transition from the closed state of the hinged closure to the open state, the central closure part has to be moved outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Meliga Habillement Horloger SA
    Inventor: Flavio Rota
  • Publication number: 20020096544
    Abstract: A watch case with an interchangeable bracelet system includes a back with a neck to which a portion of a bracelet is removably coupled. A closure element closes the neck and pinches the bracelet against the back of the case. Preferably, the closure element is a ring that is attached to the back of the case by means of a bayonet device consisting of a lug that is inserted in a mating hollow. To prevent accidental separation of the closure element from the case, a compression joint may be placed in a seat provided in either the back of the case or in the closure element. The closure element compresses the joint and frictionally prevents accidental opening. The device enables the bracelet to be changed easily without tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Louis Dominique Manigley, Marco Scarinzi, Renato Scarinzi
  • Publication number: 20020020726
    Abstract: The wristband with links (2, 3, 4) includes a plurality of bars (5) acting as means for linking and articulating the links with each other and means for holding said bars in said links. Each bar is held axially by at least one of its ends (13) on to a link (2) by means of a collared sleeve (6) designed and arranged to abut against holding means (7, 8) carried both by the bar and the link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Armin Gunster, Michael Bach, Sebastien Bolzt, Christophe Guerry
  • Patent number: 5605262
    Abstract: A "C" shaped adjustable watch band having a pair of opposite orientated hooks on opposite arms of the band is provided. The arms of the band may be flexed toward each other and allowed to overlap. Hooks are positioned to allow the simultaneous engagement of apertures provided on the respective overlapping arms. Because the bands attempt to spring back to their original unflexed condition, the hooks are retained within the apertures and the band is securely held together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: James R. Bond
  • Patent number: 5522529
    Abstract: A clasp assembly for selectively connecting and disconnecting a pair of bands which define a watch bracelet is described. The clasp assembly includes a male coupling defined by a housing and a depending insert, and a female coupling having an inside wall which defines an opening that is sized to selectively receive the insert of the male coupling. The clasp assembly also includes a pair of tab members which overlie the insert for selectively engaging the female coupling member along the inside wall thereof. The clasp assembly further includes a spring which is operatively connected between the two tab members to enable the user to selectively lock and unlock the insert from the female coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Yurman Design, Inc.
    Inventors: David Yurman, Peter Roth
  • Patent number: 5176301
    Abstract: An elongate wrist band segment has a top row of links overlying a bottom row of links. U-shaped staples connect the links of the top row to the links of the bottom, and springs housed in the links coact with the staples to resiliently accommodate longitudinal expansion and contraction of the band segment. An elongate non-expansible element is received between the top and bottom rows of links and serves to resist longitudinal expansion of the band segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen F. Bert
  • Patent number: 4960232
    Abstract: An arm band, particularly a watch arm band comprises a holder provided on its front side and a holder on its rear side, the holders having a U-shaped cross-section, a plurality of webs connecting the holders with one another, and a band exchangeably accommodated between the holders and arranged so that end portions of the band extend in the U-shaped holders and a lower side of the band abuts against the webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Firma Gerhard D. Wempe KG
    Inventor: Gerhard Kienhofer
  • Patent number: 4958279
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a bracelet (1) in special spring steel, adjustable by individual shaping on every wrist, and comprising a circular hole (3) in its flat central part (21). The bracelet is covered with an removable and replaceable elongated sheath consisting of a single piece of elastic fabric. A case is interlocked in the hole (3), the fabric of the sheath being interposed between the case and the bracelet, without damage to the fabric. A tension ring situated in a lateral groove (17) provided on the periphery of the case cooperates with the lower surface of the flat part (12) of the bracelet for the removable fixing of the case on the bracelet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Epoque Watch S.A.
    Inventor: Francois Proellochs
  • Patent number: 4593842
    Abstract: A watch band having a plurality of links, and a plurality of connecting links for connecting the links with each other. Each connecting link comprises a plate member and a connecting block, and the plate member is secured to the connecting block. Adjacent links are connected by engaging pins with the corresponding holes of the links and the connecting block. The plate member is so arranged that the surface thereof is exposed between adjacent links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sukeo Koenuma
  • Patent number: 4266400
    Abstract: A wrist watch band comprises a plurality of metallic band links connected by a continuous flexible connecting member in a non-expansile condition. The links are made of pairs of upper and lower strips fixed to each other on respective opposed surfaces thereof. The watch band can be varied in appearance by changing the shapes of the respective upper strips. A method of manufacturing the watch band comprises a sequence of steps which includes forming a series of respective upper and lower strips, fixing the respective upper and lower strips to each other, inserting a flexible connecting member into a series of aligned openings formed and defined between the upper and lower strips and cutting the links and connecting member into designated band shapes. Thus, the method permits watch bands to be manufactured efficiently and at reduced cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: The Bambi Incorporated
    Inventor: Kazutaka Tabata
  • Patent number: 4245461
    Abstract: A non-expansible linkage bracelet and method of manufacture thereof, wherein the bracelet includes: a set of laterally adjacent top links having channel-shaped sections with parallel side members joined by top members, one side member of each top link having at least one bendable locking lug protruding therefrom; and a set of laterally adjacent bottom links having channel-shaped sections inverted relative to the channel-shaped sections of the top links, the channel-shaped sections of the bottom links having parallel side members joined by bottom members with apertures therein. The side members of adjacent links of one set are arranged in a confronting relationship between the side members of individual links of the other set, with the locking lugs of the top links being received in the apertures in the bottom members of the bottom links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen F. Bert
  • Patent number: 4234115
    Abstract: A resilient watch band which includes identical latching mechanisms at both ends that can be attached to a watch body without removing the pins attached thereto. Each latching mechanism includes a clasp element which has a U-shaped head portion that extends beyond the end of the watch band, the clasp element being slidable along a longitudinal groove in the end of the watch band to allow the head portion to extend to a variable distance away from the end of the watch band; two cooperable release buttons which are connected by a spring and function to allow the clasp element to be either fixed or moved along the longitudinal groove; and a cover element which covers a major portion of the other elements and which includes an extension flange that can cooperate with the head portion of the clasp element to lock a pin member therewithin when the head portion is fixed at its closest distance from the end of the watch band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Inventor: Bill D. Williams
  • Patent number: RE31681
    Abstract: A non-expansible linkage bracelet and method of manufacture thereof, wherein the bracelet includes: a set of laterally adjacent top links having channel-shaped sections with .Iadd.width dimensions defined by .Iaddend.parallel side members .Iadd.which are .Iaddend.joined by top members, .[.one side member.]. .Iadd.the channel-shaped sections .Iaddend.of each top link .Iadd.being separated by an intermediate decorative section, and each top link .Iaddend.having at least one bendable locking lug protruding .[.therefrom.]. .Iadd.exclusively from one side thereof, each of said decorative sections having at least one recess on the said one side located laterally within said width dimensions, and at least one projection on the side opposite to said one side extending laterally beyond said width dimension .Iaddend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen F. Bert