Single-piece watchband

Abstract

This application describes a watchband (300) and methods of manufacturing and using the same. In various embodiments, the watchband (300) includes a first portion (330) and a second portion (340) continuous with the first portion (330). The first portion (330) is made of a first material and is adapted to sit directly below a back of a watch case (302). The second portion (340) includes a series of rigid links (350) formed of a second material different from the first material. The second portion (340) is adapted to wrap around a user's wrist. In various embodiments, the watchband (300) can feature offset links (360, 370) to enable the watchband (300) to be coiled around a user's wrist while maintaining a low profile of the watch case (302) above the first portion (330). In some cases, the watchband (300) can include a detachment mechanism (380) distal from a location at which the watchband (300) is attached to the watch case (302).

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 039,963, filed June 16, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] In various embodiments, the present invention relates generally to watch straps, and more particularly to single-piece watch straps. Background Technology

[0004] Many conventional watch straps are two-piece straps, with two separate strap components. Figure 1 illustrates an example of a conventional two-piece strap 100. As shown in Figure 1, in a conventional two-piece strap, each separate strap component includes a loop through which a removable portion of the case lug (e.g., a spring-loaded pin) is inserted. When the removable portion is secured within the lug, the individual strap component is secured to the case, and the user can wear the watch. However, removing and reattaching the removable portion from the case may require specific tools and can be inconvenient.

[0005] Another known type of watch strap is the NATO strap or band. Figure 2 illustrates an example of a standard NATO strap 200. As shown in Figure 2, a standard NATO strap is made of a flexible, non-rigid material (such as fabric) to allow the strap to be easily inserted through a spring-loaded pin or through a fixed lug on the watch case. However, because this insertion technique relies on the flexibility and non-rigidity of the NATO strap, which is not made of a rigid material, the types of materials available for NATO straps and the styles that can be offered are limited.

[0006] An improved watch strap is needed that addresses the shortcomings of existing watch straps. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention relates to an improved monocoque watch strap assembly that can be formed from a material more rigid than NATO straps (e.g., a series of rigid links). Several inventive features of the strap described herein enable it to function better than conventional watch straps and offer more design and style options.

[0008] In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention relate to a watch strap comprising a first portion and a second portion continuous with the first portion. The first portion is made of a first material and is adapted to be located directly beneath the back of a watch case. The second portion comprises a series of rigid links formed of a second material different from the first material and is adapted to wrap around a user's wrist. In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion and the second material of the second portion may be polymers, elastomers, metals, fabrics, meshes, composite materials, and / or combinations thereof. In some other embodiments, the first material of the first portion may be rubber, and the second material of the second portion may be metal.

[0009] In some embodiments, the watch strap may further include an attachment structure that attaches a first portion of the strap to a second portion of the strap. The attachment structure may be at least one bias link. In such embodiments, the bias link may be adapted to engage with lugs on the watch case to prevent relative sliding movement between them. In other embodiments, the bias link may be a pair of bias links, each bias link adapted to engage with a corresponding lug on the watch case.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second portion of the watch strap may include a detachable component disposed remotely from the first portion of the watch strap. In such embodiments, the watch strap may further include a size adjustment component different from the detachable component. In some embodiments, the size adjustment component may be a butterfly clasp.

[0011] On the other hand, embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of manufacturing a watch strap. The method may include forming a first portion of the strap from a first material, and forming a second portion of the strap continuous with the first portion from a second material different from the first material. The first portion of the strap is adapted to be located directly beneath the back of a watch case. The second portion of the strap includes a series of rigid links and is adapted to wrap around the user's wrist.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion and the second material of the second portion may be a polymer, elastomer, metal, fabric, mesh, composite material, and / or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the method may further include the step of forming an attachment structure that attaches the first portion of the strap to the second portion of the strap. The attachment structure may be at least one bias link. In such embodiments, the bias link may be adapted to engage with lugs on the case to prevent relative sliding movement between them. In other embodiments, the bias link may be a pair of bias links, each bias link adapted to engage with a corresponding lug on the case.

[0013] In some embodiments, the step of forming a second portion of the watch strap may include attaching a detachable component to the second portion of the watch strap, located away from the first portion of the watch strap. In such embodiments, the step of forming a second portion of the watch strap may further include attaching a sizing adjustment component, different from the detachable component, to the second portion of the watch strap. The sizing adjustment component may be a butterfly clasp.

[0014] On the other hand, embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of attaching a watch strap to a watch case. The method may include obtaining the watch strap and sliding it through two lugs of the watch case. The obtained watch strap may include a first portion and a second portion continuous with the first portion. The first portion may be made of a first material. The second portion may include a series of rigid links formed of a second material different from the first material. The watch strap slides through the two lugs of the watch case such that the first portion of the watch strap is located directly beneath the back of the watch case, and that the second portion of the watch strap is adapted to wrap around the user's wrist.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion and the second material of the second portion may be a polymer, elastomer, metal, fabric, mesh, composite material, and / or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the strap further includes an attachment structure that attaches the first portion of the strap to the second portion of the strap. The attachment structure may be at least one bias link. In such embodiments, the method may include the step of engaging the bias link to a lug on the case to prevent relative sliding movement between them. In another embodiment, the bias link may be a pair of bias links, and the engagement step may include engaging each bias link to a corresponding lug on the case.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second portion of the watch strap may further include a detachment component disposed remotely from the first portion of the watch strap. In such embodiments, the method may further include a step of removing the detachment component prior to the step of sliding the watch strap through the two lugs of the watch case. In other embodiments, the method may further include a step of attaching the detachment component after the step of sliding the watch strap through the two lugs of the watch case.

[0017] In some embodiments, the watch strap may also include a size adjustment component, which is different from the detachable component. In such an embodiment, the size adjustment component may be a butterfly clasp. Attached Figure Description

[0018] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become better understood from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 depicts an example of a standard two-piece watch strap;

[0020] Figure 2 depicts an example of a standard NATO watch band;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic side view of a watch strap according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view of a watch strap attached to a watch case according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic side view of a watch strap attached to a watch case according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic top view of a watch strap according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic bottom view of a watch strap according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 A schematic enlarged partially transparent inner side view of the disassembly assembly according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic enlarged partially transparent inner top view of a watch strap according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for attaching a watch strap to a watch case according to various embodiments of the present invention; and

[0029] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a watch strap according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] For illustrative purposes only, the accompanying drawings depict various embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein can be employed without departing from the principles of the embodiments of the invention described herein. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention include an improved watch strap 300. Figure 3 This is a side view of a watch strap 300 according to various embodiments of the present invention. The watch strap 300 may include a top surface 310 and a bottom surface 320. Figure 3As shown, the watch strap 300 may be a single continuous strap and may include a first portion 330 attached to the second portion 340, such that the first portion 330 and the second portion 340 are continuous with each other. As used herein, the term "monolithic" means that all components are attached such that no component has complete freedom of movement relative to any other component. This term does not require the structure to be monolithic or formed from a single component, but rather it may be an assembly of components. The second portion 340 of the watch strap 300 may include a series of rigid links, including an example rigid link 350.

[0032] The first portion 330 of the watch strap 300 is made of a first material, and when the watch case 302 is attached to the watch strap 300, the first portion 330 is adapted to be located directly beneath the back of the watch case 302. The rigid links of the second portion 340 may be made of a second material different from the first material. When the watch strap 300 is worn by a user, the second portion 340 of the watch strap 300 may be adapted to wrap around the user's wrist. In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion 330 and the second material of the second portion 340 may be polymers, elastomers, metals, fabrics, meshes, composite materials, and / or any combination thereof. In some other embodiments, the first material of the first portion 330 is rubber, and the second material of the second portion 340 is metal. In embodiments where the first material of the first portion 330 is a flexible material such as rubber, the flexibility of the first material allows the first portion 330 to conform to the user's wrist when the user wears the watch strap 300, and also allows the first portion 330 to be easily pulled through the lugs of the watch case without becoming stuck.

[0033] The first portion 330 and the second portion 340 of the watch strap 300 can be attached to each other and are continuous with each other, so the watch strap 300 is not a single continuous piece that is not intended to be disassembled by the user. If an attempt is made to pull a conventional rigid watch strap through the two lugs of the watch case 302, the watch strap will not fit the user's wrist or will be too rigid to properly wrap around the user's wrist, and will also allow the watch case 302 to lie flat on the wrist.

[0034] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3In the depicted embodiment, attachment structure 360 ​​attaches the first portion 330 to the second portion 340. In such an embodiment, attachment structure 360 ​​may be a pair of bias links 360, 370. When the case 302 is attached to the strap 300, the bias links 360, 370 may be adapted to engage with lugs on the case. An example benefit of this configuration is preventing relative slippage between the case 302 and the strap 300. The bias links 360, 370 may have an arcuate (e.g., J-shaped) profile that, when fastened to the case 302, alters the trajectory of the strap 300, allowing the strap 300 to wrap around the user's wrist better than if the bias links 360, 370 were not present. In general, any structure that alters the trajectory of the strap 300 can be used in place of or as a supplement to the bias links 360, 370.

[0035] In some embodiments, one or more bias links are coupled to lugs on the watch case such that a first portion 330 of the strap 300 points downward and away from the watch case. This downward pointing of the first portion 330 of the strap 300 via the bias links ensures that a second portion 340 of the strap 300 is at the same height as the watch case when wrapped around the wearer's wrist. This allows the first portion 330 of the strap 300 to be neatly positioned under the watch case.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As depicted, the second portion 340 of the strap 300 may further include a detachment component 380 disposed remotely from the first portion 330 of the strap 300. In other words, when the strap 300 is attached to the watch case, the detachment component 380 allows the strap 300 to be detached from the watch case. This allows the strap 300 to be pulled through the lugs of the watch case, while allowing conventional techniques to be used to lengthen and shorten the strap (e.g., with a jewel clasp or butterfly clasp) for easy putting on and taking off the watch from the user's wrist. Conventional two-piece straps only have detachment portions where they are attached to the watch case or removed from the strap when loose. It may be advantageous for the strap 300 to have a detachment point remote from the watch case and different from the sizing adjustment components, so that the user can guide the single-piece strap 300 under the watch case. Figure 8 The disassembled part 380 is described in more detail.

[0037] In embodiments where the second portion 340 of the watch strap 300 also includes a disassembly component 380, the watch strap 300 may also include a size adjustment component 390, which is different from the disassembly component 380. Typically, any known size adjustment component, such as a butterfly clasp, can be used.

[0038] Since the disassembly component 380 is positioned away from the first portion 300 of the strap 300 and is different from the size adjustment component 390, the strap 300 can be pulled through the lugs of the watch case so that it can be worn by the user before adjusting the size according to the user's wrist.

[0039] Figure 4 The top surface of the watch strap 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted when the watch strap 300 is attached to the watch case 302.

[0040] Figure 5 A side view of a watch strap 300 attached to a watch case 302 according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The side view of the watch strap 300 includes the views described above. Figure 3 The features discussed. Specifically, the side view of the strap 300 includes a first portion 330, a second portion 340, an example rigid link 350, and an attachment structure including a pair of biased links 360 and 370. The attachment structure, including the pair of biased links 360 and 370, allows the strap 300 to curl around the user's wrist while maintaining a low profile of the case 302 above the first portion 330.

[0041] Figure 6 The top surface of a watch strap 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The top surface of the watch strap 300 includes the features described above. Figure 3 Features discussed. Specifically, the top surface of the strap 300 includes a first portion 330, a second portion 340, an example rigid link 350, an attachment structure including a pair of biased links 360 and 370, and a sizing adjustment component 390.

[0042] Figure 7 The bottom surface of a watch strap 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The bottom surface of the watch strap 300 includes the features described above. Figure 3 Features discussed. Specifically, the bottom surface of the strap 300 shows example rigid links 350 of the first part 330, the second part 340, a pair of bias links 360 and 370, and a size adjustment component 390.

[0043] Figure 8 This is a partial transparent inner side view of a watch strap 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The transparent inner side view of the watch strap 300 illustrates the above description regarding... Figure 3 The features discussed. Specifically, the transparent inner side view of the watch strap 300 shows the top surface 310, the bottom surface 320, the second part 340, an example rigid link 350 of the second part 340, the disassembly part 380, and the sizing adjustment part 390. The first part of the watch strap 300 is in Figure 8 Not visible in the image. In this embodiment, the detachable component 380 is a pivot snap fastener.

[0044] Figure 9 This is an enlarged partial transparent internal view of the top surface of the watch strap 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The transparent internal view of the top surface includes the views described above. Figure 3 The features discussed. Specifically, a transparent inner top view of the strap 300 shows some of the second part 340, example rigid links 350 of the second part 340, disassembly components 380, and sizing adjustment components 390. The first part of the strap 300 is in Figure 9 It is not visible in the middle.

[0045] How to use

[0046] Another embodiment of the invention also includes a method for attaching a watch strap to a watch case. Figure 10 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method 1000 for attaching a watch strap to a watch case according to various embodiments of the present invention. Method 1000 includes the steps of obtaining a watch strap 1001 and sliding the watch strap 1002 through two lugs of the watch case.

[0047] The watch strap obtained in step 1001 of method 1000 is the one mentioned above. Figures 3 to 9 Examples of the watch strap discussed in detail. Specifically, the watch strap obtained in step 1001 includes a first portion and a second portion continuous with the first portion. The first portion of the watch strap may be made of a first material. The second portion of the watch strap may include a series of rigid links formed of a second material different from the first material. In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion and the second material of the second portion may be polymers, elastomers, metals, fabrics, meshes, composite materials, and / or any combination thereof.

[0048] In step 1002 of method 1000, the watch strap slides through the two lugs of the watch case, such that a first portion of the watch strap is located directly below the back of the watch case, and a second portion of the watch strap is adapted to wrap around the user's wrist. In embodiments where a portion of the watch strap is made of a flexible material, the flexibility of the first material allows the first portion to be easily pulled through the lugs of the watch case without becoming stuck.

[0049] Such as about Figures 3 to 9 As discussed, in some embodiments, the watch strap obtained in step 1001 of method 1000 further includes an attachment structure that attaches a first portion of the watch strap to a second portion. Typically, the attachment structure can be any structure capable of allowing the rigid strap to curl around the user's wrist, such as a pair of biased links. In such embodiments, method 1000 may also include lugs connecting the biased links to the watch case to prevent relative slippage between the watch case and the watch strap.

[0050] In an embodiment where the bias link is connected to a lug on the case, the bias link is connected to the lug on the case such that the first portion of the strap points downwards and away from the case. This downward orientation of the first portion of the strap, caused by the bias link, ensures that the second portion of the strap is at the same level as the case when wrapped around the wearer's wrist. This allows the first portion of the strap to be neatly arranged under the case.

[0051] In some embodiments, the second portion of the watch strap obtained in step 1001 of method 1000 further includes a disassembly component disposed away from the first portion of the watch strap. In such an embodiment, method 1000 may further include removing the disassembly component before sliding the watch strap 1002 through the two lugs of the watch case. In another embodiment, method 1000 may further include attaching the disassembly component after the watch strap 1002 has passed through the two lugs of the watch case.

[0052] In some embodiments, the second part of the watch strap also includes a detachable component. The watch strap may also include a size adjustment component, which is different from the detachable component. In some embodiments, the size adjustment component may be a butterfly clasp. As mentioned above, because the detachable component is located away from the first part of the watch strap and is different from the size adjustment component, the detachable component can be removed, allowing the watch strap to be pulled through the lugs of the watch case. The detachable component can then be attached for wear by the user, while allowing the use of conventional techniques for lengthening and shortening the watch strap (e.g., jewel clasps or butterfly clasps) to facilitate putting the watch on and removing it from the user's wrist.

[0053] Manufacturing method

[0054] Embodiments of the present invention also include a method for manufacturing a single-piece watch strap. Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a method 1100 for manufacturing a watch strap according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 11 As shown, method 1100 includes step 1101 of forming a first portion of the watch strap from a first material and step 1102 of forming a second portion of the watch strap that is continuous with the first portion from a different second material.

[0055] The watch strap manufactured using method 1100 is the one mentioned above. Figures 3 to 10 Detailed embodiments of the watch strap are discussed. When the watch case is attached to the strap, a first portion of the strap may be adapted to be positioned directly beneath the back of the watch case. A second portion of the strap may include a series of rigid links and may be adapted to wrap around the user's wrist when the user wears the strap.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first material of the first portion of the watch strap and the second material of the second portion of the watch strap may be a polymer, an elastomer, a metal, a fabric, a mesh, a composite material, and / or any combination thereof.

[0057] In some embodiments, method 1100 further includes the step of forming an attachment structure to attach a first portion of the watch strap to a second portion of the watch strap. In such embodiments, the attachment structure may be a pair of biased links. When the watch case is attached to the watch strap, the biased links may be adapted to engage lugs on the watch case to prevent relative slippage between the watch case and the watch strap.

[0058] In some embodiments, the second portion of the 1102 watch strap, formed of a different second material and continuous with the first portion, further includes a detachable component disposed away from the first portion of the strap. In such embodiments, the second portion of the 1102 watch strap, formed of a different second material and continuous with the first portion, may further include a size adjustment component, different from the detachable component. In some embodiments, the size adjustment component may be a butterfly clasp.

[0059] Additional considerations

[0060] Upon reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand the additional alternative structures and functional configurations based on the principles disclosed herein. Therefore, although specific embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise constructions and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, alterations, and variations can be made to the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined by the appended claims, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0061] Those skilled in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure that each embodiment in the individual examples described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features that can be readily separated from or combined with features of several other embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the embodiments of the invention. Any described method may be performed in the order of the described events or in any other logically possible order.

[0062] As used herein, any reference to "an embodiment" or "an example" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The phrase "in an embodiment" appearing in different places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0063] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “having,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to inclusive or, not exclusive or. For example, any of the following satisfies condition A or B: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist); A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists); A and B are both true (or exist).

[0064] Finally, the terms "a" or "an" are used to describe the elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general meaning to the embodiments of the invention. This description should be understood to include one or at least one, and the singular includes the plural, unless it is explicit or clear that it has a different meaning.

[0065] Each numerical value presented herein, for example in tables, figures, graphs, or line graphs, is intended to represent a minimum or maximum value within a range of corresponding parameters. Therefore, based on the teachings herein, when added to a claim, the numerical value provides explicit support for the scope of the claim, which may be higher or lower than that value. Where not included in a claim, each numerical value presented herein should not be considered limiting in any way.

[0066] The terms and expressions used herein are descriptive and not restrictive, and their use is not intended to exclude any equivalents of the shown and described features or portions thereof. Furthermore, while certain embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments incorporating the concepts disclosed herein may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Features and functions of various embodiments may be arranged in various combinations and arrangements, all of which are considered to be within the scope of the disclosed invention. Therefore, the described embodiments should be considered in all respects to be merely illustrative and not restrictive. Moreover, the configurations, materials, and dimensions described herein are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Similarly, while a physical explanation is provided for purposes of explanation, it is not intended to bind one to any particular theory or mechanism, or to limit the claims thereunder.

Claims

1. A watch strap, comprising: The first part, comprising a first material, is adapted to be located directly below the back of the watch case; The second part comprises a series of rigid links formed of different second materials and adapted to wrap around the user's wrist. The second part is continuous with the first part. An attachment structure that attaches the first portion to the second portion. wherein The attachment structure includes at least one bias link adapted to engage with a lug on the case to prevent relative sliding movement between the first portion and the second portion.

2. The watchband of claim 1, wherein, The first material and the second material are selected from the group consisting of elastomers, metals, fabrics, and combinations of elastomers, metals, and fabrics.

3. The watchband of claim 2, wherein, The first material includes rubber, and the second material includes metal.

4. The watchband of claim 1, wherein, The at least one bias link includes a pair of bias links, each bias link being adapted to be connected to a corresponding lug of the case.

5. The watchband of claim 1, wherein, The second part includes a disassembly component located away from the first part.

6. The watch strap according to claim 5 further includes a size adjustment component different from the disassembly component.

7. The watchband of claim 6, wherein, The size adjustment component includes a butterfly buckle.

8. A method for attaching a watch strap to a watch case, the method comprising the steps of: Obtain the watch strap according to claim 1. The watch strap slides through the two lugs of the watch case, such that (i) the first portion is located directly below the back of the watch case, and The at least one bias link is connected to the lug of the case to prevent relative sliding movement between the first and second portions.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The first material and the second material are selected from the group consisting of elastomers, metals, fabrics, and combinations of elastomers, metals, and fabrics.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The at least one bias link includes a pair of bias links, wherein the coupling step includes coupling each bias link to a corresponding lug of the case.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The second part includes a disassembly component located away from the first part.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: The step of disassembling the disassembly component before the sliding step.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: The step of attaching the disassembly component follows the sliding step.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The watch strap also includes a size adjustment component that is different from the disassembly component.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The size adjustment component includes a butterfly buckle.

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