Adam Pluemer, John Bernard Paton, and Christopher John Sontag

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/082,289 filed on November 20, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention are related to watch bands, and more particularly watch bands capable of attaching to multiple watches simultaneously with a clasp.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

[0003] 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 Apple Watch from Apple, which has functionality similar to smart phones. Wearers of the highly function digital watches will enjoy the functionality of a smart phone on their wrist. On the other hand, individuals who are watch enthusiasts may have other watches, such as high value mechanical watches, to wear as a fashion statement.

[0004] As such a watch band capable of attaching to multiple watches would be desirable. SUMMARY

[0005] In accordance with some embodiments, a watch band capable of holding at least two watches is provided. The watch band includes a first portion and a second portion and a clasp in at least one of the first portion and the second portion where a first watch and a second watch can be positioned opposite of each other by the first portion and the second portion. In some embodiments, each of the first portion and the second portion includes a clasp. In some embodiments, the clasp in each of the first portion and the second portion connects directly to the second watch.

[0006] These and other embodiments are further discussed below with respect to the following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 illustrates a watch band according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate an example of the watch band of Figure 1 with example watches being worn on an user's wrist in a first manner.

[0009] Figures 3 A and 3B illustrate an example of the watch band of Figure 1 with example watches being worn on a user's wrist in a second exemplary manner.

[0010] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate an example watch band according to some embodiments in a circularly linked configuration displaying the face of a first watch and the back of a second watch.

[0011] Figures 5 A and 5B illustrate an example watch band in an unlinked configuration. [0012] Figures 6 A and 6B illustrate an example watch band with a clasp in an unlinked configuration.

[0013] Figures 7 A and 7B illustrates an example watch band with an integrated mount for a watch.

[0014] Figures 8 A and 8B illustrate an example watch band with a watch mount with connectors.

[0015] Figures 9 A and 9B illustrate an example of a watch band with a dual clasp.

[0016] Figure 10A and 10B illustrate an example of a watch band with a dual clasp decoupled from a watch.

[0017] Figures HAthrough 11D illustrate several stages of operation of an example clasp in a watch band according to some embodiments.

[0018] Figures 12A through 12H illustrate an example of a safety catch for a clasp on a watch band according to some embodiments.

[0019] Figures 13A and 13B illustrate an example of a watch band with multiple devices. [0020] Figures 14A and 14B illustrate another example of a watch band with multiple devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In the following description, specific details are set forth describing some

embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 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. [0022] This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate various embodiments and aspects of the 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.

[0023] 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. Like numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similar elements.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a watch band 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, watch band 100 includes a first section 102 and a second section 104. As shown in Figure 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.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, sections 102 and 104 can include connectors to mate with watches 106 and 108. The example shown in Figure 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.

[0028] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate one way of wearing band 100 while Figures 3 A and 3B show another way of wearing band 100. In some examples, band 100 may be configured such that watch 106 is on the opposite side of the band from watch 108. In some examples, the links of band 100 on either side of watches 106 and 108 may be of equal length and/or are symmetrical such that watches 106 and 108 are on opposite sides of the band. In some examples, band 100 may be configured such that watch 108 is placed on the outer wrist while watch 106 is placed on the inner wrist when worn. In some examples, the links of band 100 on either side of watches 106 and 108 may be of different length and/or are asymmetrical, such that the watches are not placed on the opposite sides of the band. For example, band 100 may be configured such that when watch 108 is placed on the outer wrist, watch 106 may be placed on the side of the wrist. In some examples, band 100 may be configured to connect additional watches.

[0029] Figures 4A and 4B further illustrate band 100 with watches 106 and 108 in place.

Figure 4A illustrates the perspective towards watch 106 while Figure 4B illustrates the

perspective of band 100 from watch 108.

[0030] Figures 5 A and 5B illustrate a watch band 100 with a first watch 106 and a second watch 108. Figure 5 A illustrates a plan view while Figure 5B illustrates a side view of watch band 100. Watch band 100 may include band portions 102 and 104 that are coupled between watches. In some embodiments, there may be multiple portions separating any number of watches and sensor devices in a watch band according to some embodiments.

[0031] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate an example where section 104 includes a clasp formed by first clasp 602 and second clasp 604. The clasp can be any clasp, including, but not limited to, box with tongue clasp - with or without a safety clasp, a buckle, deployment buckle or invisible double locking clasp, deployment buckle with push button, fold-over clasp, fold-over clasp with safety, fold-over clasp with push button, push button or double locking fold-over clasp, jewelry clasp, jewelry clasp with push button, lobster claw or hook buckle clasp, toggle clasp, buckle, bangle bracelet, toggle clasp or any other type of clasp. [0032] Figures 7A,7B, 8A, and 8B illustrate example bands with a mount 700 that holds watch 108 onto band 100. Watch mount 700 for watch 108 illustrated in Figures 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B is a circular mount, but other mounts such as square mount or sliding C-type mounts can be used. In some cases, watch 108 may be held within mount 700. In some examples, as shown in Fig. 8A and 8B, mount 700 may include connectors 714 and 716 for coupling with strap sections 702 and 704. In some examples, as shown in Fig. 7A and 7B, mount 700 may be incorporated between bands 702 and 704 without connectors.

[0033] Mount 500 also includes an opening 706 through which watch 108 is inserted. In some examples, mount 700 may restrain watch 108 in opening 706 frictionally.

[0034] Figures 9A and 9B illustrate an example band 100 with two clasps 902, one incorporated in each of band portions 102 and 104. In some examples, clasps 902 may fold inward to restrain watch band 100 on a user wrist. As shown in Figures 9B band portions 102 and 104 may include a retainer 904 that can be used to retain clasps 902 in a closed position. In some examples, retainer 904 may be a safety clasp.

[0035] Figures 10A and 10B illustrate another example of two clasps 902 connected to a connector 1002 to watch 108. As shown, connector 1102 may allow watch 108 to snap into place with clasp 902 connect watch 108 to watch band 100 with a ball and insert connection.

[0036] Figures 11 A, 1 IB, 11C, and 1 ID illustrate opening of a clasp such as that shown in Figures 9A and 9B where clasps 902 couple directly to watch 108. As shown in Figure 11 A, clasps 902 are closed and are retained closed by retainers 904. In some examples, clasps 902 may be hidden underneath retainers 904 and/or band 100. As shown in Figure 1 IB, retainers 904 may be released while clasps 902 remain closed. In some examples, band 100 may include a safety mechanism over retainers 904 from preventing accidental unclasping of the watch band. As show in Figure 11C, clasps 902 are partially open and may fold out, increasing the diameter of band 100. As shown in Figure 11D, clasps 902 are fully open and unfolded allowing for additional length to band 100. The embodiment of clasps 902 illustrated in Figures 11 A, 11B, I IC and 1 ID connect directly to watch 108. The connection can be made in any way.

[0037] Figures 12A through 12H illustrate an example band 100 with clasps 902 and safety mechanisms 1201 for clasps 902. In the particular example of clasps 902 illustrated in Figures 12A through 12H, clasp 902 on each side of band 101 can be referred to as a butterfly clasp. Figures 12A through 12D illustrate band 100 at various points of operation. Figures 12E through 12H illustrated a rotated view of band 100 at the various points of operation illustrated in Figures 12A through 12D.

[0038] As shown in Figures 12A and 12E, clasp 902 is closed and safety mechanism 1202 is closed. As is illustrated, safety mechanism 1202 may aid in maintaining clasp 902 in a closed position. In some examples, safety mechanism 1202 may function as an additional clasps over retainer 904 to help keep clasp 902 closed.

[0039] As shown in Figures 12B and 12F, safety mechanism 1201 may open to release clasp 902, such that clasp 902 may open. Clasp 902 may still maintain a closed position and be retained by retainer 904. In some embodiments, retainer 904 may not retain clasp 902 in a closed position when mechanism 1201 is in an opened state.

[0040] As shown in Figure 12C and 12G, wrist band 100 has safety mechanism 1201 in an open state and clasp 902 in a partially opened state. As such, clasp 902, when opened, may increase the length of band 100. Figures 12D and 12H illustrate write band 100 with safety mechanism 120 in an open state and clasp 902 in a fully open state.

[0041] In some examples, safety mechanism 1201 may be attached to clasp 902 on the opposite side of retainer 904. In some examples, safety mechanism 1202 may be placed on the same side of clasp 902 as retainer 904. In some examples, wrist band 100 may have safety clasp 1201 without retainer 904, such that clasp 902 is not held in place when safety mechanism 1202 is open.

[0042] Some embodiments may include multiple watches and/or sensors on watch band 100. As an example, Figures 13A and 13B illustrate a front and side view, respectively, of an embodiment that includes watches 106 and 108 and additionally includes a third watch or sensor device 1302 coupled between watch band portion 104 and watch band portion 1304. Figures 14A and 14B illustrate front and side views of an example with an additional device 1402 that is coupled between watch band portion 1304 and watch band portion 1404. In practice, any number of devices 1302 and 1402 can be included in a watch band 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As a consequence, clasps such as clasp 902 described above can be placed in any of the watch and portions 102, 104, 1304, and 1404. In practice, any number of clasps 902 can be inserted into the watch band portions between mounted devices.

[0043] 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.