Field of the Invention The invention relates to a strap, particularly for location around an upper part of an arm. Ends of the strap may be attached to a watch body, to hold the watch body on the upper part of the arm.

Background to the Invention

While watches are conventionally worn around a wrist, this is not always permitted or appropriate when performing some kinds of work. For example, when working as a chef or when performing surgery, it is not appropriate to wear a watch around the wrist. It is an object of the present invention to address this problem.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a strap including first and second end portions, wherein one or each of the first and second end portions comprises: joined ends of two strips of material, wherein an aperture is located in the joined ends between the strips; a connector means comprising: an inner portion extending between the strips on both sides of the aperture; a neck portion, coupled to the inner portion and extending through the aperture; and a coupling portion extending from the neck portion, wherein the first and second ends of the strap are configured to couple using at least the coupling portion.

The inner portion and the joined ends are thus together usefully configured so that the inner portion cannot be pulled through the aperture by a pulling action on the neck portion.

The inner portion may extend between the strips on both sides of the aperture and maintain a minimum width. Thus the strips do not crumple. The width may be at least 60mm.

For comfort, the inner portion may be longitudinally curved to correspond to contours of a body part to which the strap is strapped. Additionally or alternatively, the inner portion may have a plurality of holes therein for breathability. The two strips may be at least partially elasticated such that a length of the strap is resilient to stretching.

A piece of material may be folded along a longitudinal side edge to provide the two strips. The piece may also be folded along at least one further longitudinal fold line to provide a further strip in the form of a pouch cover. For example, the piece of material may include two further longitudinal fold lines providing the pouch cover and a further strip extending from the pouch cover and folded with respect thereto. Such a further strip aids in securing an article within the pouch between the two strips.

The coupling portion may be configured to attach to a correspondingly configured attachment part on a side of an item, for example a watch body. The coupling portion may be configured to attach between lugs of the item.

The coupling portion may comprise: a pin; means for retaining a pin; means attachable between predetermined lugs of a watch body. In this case, where the item is a watch body, the pin allows pivoting movement of the watch body relative to the neck portion.

The inner portion, the neck portion and the means for retaining the pin (whether the coupling portion is for attachment to a watch or otherwise) are preferably all formed of a single piece of material, for example plastic.

Brief Description of Figures

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a view of a first side of a pouch in accordance with an embodiment;

Figure 2 is a view of a second side of the pouch;

Figure 3 is a view of the second side of the pouch, with the pouch partially open; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pouch;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pouch in accordance with another embodiment; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a connector member;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the connector member; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the connector member;

Figure 9 is a side view of the connector member from one side;

Figure 10 is a side view of the connector member from another side;

Figure 11 is an end view of each connector member;

Figure 12 is an end view of the connector member from an opposite direction to the end view of Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a view of a strap including the pouch, attached to a watch body around an upper arm.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments of the invention relate to a strap formed of a band and first and second connector members. A first end portion of the strap comprises the first connector member and a first end of the band. A second end portion of the strap comprises the second connector member and a second end of the band.

The band, shown in Figures 1 and 2 without the first and second connector members, has a first outer strip 10 and a second outer strip 12. Ends of the first outer strip 10 and the second outer strip 12 are joined at respective ends thereof to form the first end of the band, indicated at 14, and the second end of the band, indicated at 16. Referring also to Figure 3, the band has an opening 18 along a first longitudinal side edge 20. Another, second longitudinal side edge 22 is closed, such that the band forms a pouch into which one or more articles may be located through the opening 18 and retained. The first and second ends 14, 16 each have a respective aperture 24, 26 therethrough from an inside of the band between the first and second outer strips 10, 12 to the outside. The first and second ends 14, 16 are otherwise closed by stitching (not shown) on either side of the apertures 24, 26, although in variant embodiments the first and second ends 14, 16 may be attached together by other means.

The term“length” as used herein in relation to the band refers to the distance between the first and second ends 14, 16 of the band. The word“longitudinally” is to be construed accordingly. The“width” of the band is to be understood as the distance between the first and second longitudinal side edges 20, 22. Apple® watches have an attachment mechanism including a pair of facing lugs on each side of a body of the watch that enables attachment of an appropriately configured connector between the lugs. The attachment mechanism is conventionally used for attachment of a compatible watch strap. In the embodiments, the first and second connector members are each configured to attach to a respective corresponding attachment mechanism on a side of an Apple® watch body. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to use with the particular attachment mechanism used in Apple watches; in variant embodiments the first and second connector members may each be configured to attach to a respective side of a watch body that has a different kind of attachment mechanism. Further, embodiments of the invention are not limited for use with watches. Another item may be attached to the strap, provided the item provides a pair of connector mechanisms and the first and second connector members are suitably configured each to attach to a respective one of the attachment mechanisms. For example, they may be configured to attach to a casing for a mobile phone. Alternatively, the first and second connector members may be configured to couple to each other. In this case, the strap provides a pouch to the wearer.

The pouch may be configured to retain a typical mobile telephone, for example, and the dimensions of the pouch may be configured accordingly. The pouch may also be configured to retain payment and other cards of standard dimensions (85.60mm by 53.98mm). Thus, the band may be specifically configured to have a width of about 60mm so as to receive such cards. The pouch may also be configured to receive larger cards, such as identification cards (for example of l05mm by 74mm) or passports of standard size (l25mm by 88mm). In such cases, the band may be configured to provide a pouch having width of at least 74mm or 88mm. Referring to Figure 4, the band is formed from a single piece of substantially rectangular flexible material, such as fabric, folded to provide the pouch. The piece may be formed such that outer corners of the band are bevelled. The band is folded at the second longitudinal side edge 22 such that the piece forms the first and second outer strips 10, 12. The band also includes an inner strip 28. At the first longitudinal side edge 20, the band is also folded to provide the inner strip 28 with a fold line at a longitudinal side edge of the first outer strip 10. The inner strip 28 is located between the first and second outer strips 10, 12. An article can be located in the pouch through the opening 18 and under the inner strip 28. As well as the inner strip 28 resulting in the article being secured in the pouch, the inner strip 28 means that the strap can be located either way up on an upper part of the wearer’s arm and an article contained therein is retained. Each end of inner strip 28 is secured to the corresponding end of each of the first and second outer strips 10, 12 on either side of the respective aperture 24, 26, for example by stitching. In an alternative embodiment, each end of the inner strip 28 may only be secured to the corresponding end of the second outer strip 12 and not to the first outer strip 10 or vice versa.

As indicated in Figures 2 and 3, the second outer strip 12 is folded at a free edge thereof and stitched in place for a tidy finish. In an alternative embodiment indicated in Figure 5, the band includes a further inner strip 30. The band is folded at the first longitudinal side edge 20 of the band to provide the further inner strip 28 and provide a fold line between the second outer strip 12 and the further inner strip 30. An article can be located in the band through the opening 18 and located under the further inner strip 30, which provides a pouch.

The band is elasticated, such that it grips an upper arm or other part of the body on which it is located. Elasticity may be provided to the band through use of an inherently elastic material to make the band. The band may include elastic thread provided longitudinally in the band, as well as inelastic thread. For example, the band may be made from polyester (90%) with elastane (10%), at a density of 200GSM, for example. In variant embodiments, the band can be made of other materials. The band may include sections that are elasticated and inelastic.

The first connector member is now described with reference to Figures 6 to 12. The second connector member is identical, and so description of the first connector member serves as description of the second connector member.

The first connector member comprises a resilient plastic piece 32, a neck portion 34 and a connector portion 36. The resilient piece 32 has a length corresponding to the width of the band. The resilient piece 32 is shaped for location in the pouch at the first end 14 of the band.

The first connector member can be located in the pouch through the opening 18, under inner strip 28, and the neck portion 34 located through the aperture 24 in the first end 14 such that the resilient piece 32 is located with its length in the interior of the band on each side of the aperture 24 at the first end 14. The resilient piece 32 is configured to extend between the first and second longitudinal side edges 20, 22 to maintain the width of the strips 10, 12, such that the band does not collapse. The resilient piece 32 is also configured so that detachment of the first connector member through the aperture 24 in the first end 14 is prevented. In other words, the resilient piece 32 is shaped and located so as to press against closed regions of the ends of the first and second outer strips 10, 12, on either side of the aperture 24, when a pulling force is applied to the neck portion 34 from outside of the band.

The resilient piece 32 has a cross-sectional shape that is curved so as to correspond to the shape of an upper arm. The resilient piece 32 is preferably formed of a resiliently deformable material, such that the resilient piece 32 can flex to accommodate the contours of different shapes of the arm.

The resilient piece 32 has a plurality of holes therein, for breathability, some of which are indicated at 38. The resilient piece 32 also has corners that are bevelled to match the shape of the comers of the band.

The neck portion 34 is formed of the same piece of plastics material as the resilient piece 32, and, in use, extends from the resilient piece through the aperture 24 in the first end 14. The connector portion 36 is coupled to the neck portion 34 and is configured to couple to an item such as a watch body. The connector portion 36 provides a pin shaft 40 and includes a separate connector piece. The connector piece comprises a pin (not visible) that extends rotatably in the pin shaft 40, and a connector 42. The connector 42 is coupled to ends of the pin, which extends out of the pin shaft 40 at each end thereof, and is also configured for attaching to the watch body. The connector piece is currently available to purchase through third parties, although it could easily be manufactured.

The resilient piece 32, the neck portion 34 and the connector portion 36, other than the connector piece, are all formed of a single piece of plastics material. In a prototype, the single piece was 3D printed, although other techniques may be used to make the piece.

The second connector member can be located for use through the opening 18 of the pouch so that the neck portion 34 extends through the aperture 26 in the second end 16 in the same way as the first connector member locates through the aperture 24 in the first end 14. Referring to Figure 13, the strap is attached to a watch body 50. The strap extends around arm 52.

In use, the band is assembled as described above, by location of the first and second connector members through the opening 18 in the pouch, with the neck portions 34 of the respective connector member extending through the corresponding aperture 24, 26 and the connector portions 36 being on the exterior of the pouch. The band is then coupled to the watch body 50, or alternative item, by the connector piece 36 of each of the first and second connector members being attached to the watch body 50 at a respective side thereof. The watch body 50 and the strap can be coupled together to mount on the arm 52.

Embodiments of the invention offer several benefits in light of prior art. The strap attaches securely. The strap is comfortable to wear, for example when performing certain kinds of work such as surgery, cooking or gardening, or when performing sport. The strap is preferably breathable, that is, the material of the band is preferably breathable and in addition the holes 18 render the connector members effectively breathable. The band can be printed onto, such that any design can be visible on the first and second outer strips 10, 12.

Notably, configuration of the band to provide a pouch is not essential to the invention. For example, the first and second connector members may be located between the first and second outer strips 10, 12 and the first and second outer strips sealed such that the connector members cannot be removed. Alternatively, the first and second strips 10, 12 need not be attached at the second longitudinal side edge 22. Also, the inner strip 28 need not be provided. In variant embodiments, the band may not be elasticated, but may simply be of a suitable length to securely attached to an upper arm in view of the circumference of the upper arm.

In other variant embodiments, one of the first and second ends portions of the strap may be as described above, but the other end may not be, and need not be in accordance with an embodiment. For example, in a variant embodiment, the connector portion 36 of the first connector member may take the form of a clip having jaws. In this case, the first connector member may simply be clipped to the second end 16 of the band, and the second connector member may be absent. The strap may be attached to body parts other than an upper arm.

As will be appreciated by the skilled person, various modifications may be made to the embodiments described above.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature or step described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or steps or combinations of features and/or steps are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or steps or combinations of features and/or steps solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims.