Patent Application
20240148115
The present disclosure is related to a band system for wearable devices and wearable devices comprising the band system, more specifically to a hybrid band for wearable devices and wearable devices comprising the hybrid band.
Wearable devices are designed to be used while worn. Wearable devices may offer a wide range of possible uses, from communication and entertainment to improving health and fitness. Wearable devices are increasingly used as the technology is developed and the market expands. Wearables are popular in consumer electronics, most commonly in the form factors of smartwatches, smart rings and implants. Apart from commercial uses, wearable technology is being incorporated into navigation systems, advanced textiles (e-textiles), and healthcare. Wearable devices may be worn by human, pet or etc.
Wearable devices are often close to or on the surface of the skin, where they detect, analyze and transmit information, such as vital signs and/or ambient data, and/or allow in some cases immediate biofeedback to the wearer. In order to secure the wearable devices to the surface of the skin, a variety of devices may be used. For instance, a wrist band may be used to secure the watch to the skin of the user. The wrist band may be made of elastomer, stainless steel, leather, fabric and so on.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The present disclosure includes multiple embodiments for enhancing wearability of wearable devices using a hybrid band comprising a fabric layer and an elastomer layer securely adhered to the fabric layer to secure the wearable devices onto a skin of the user.
According to one embodiment, a band system for securing a watch to a user comprises a buckle side band and a point side band, wherein each of the buckle side band and the point side band is made of a hybrid band. The hybrid band comprises a fabric layer and an elastomer layer securely adhered to the fabric layer, wherein when the watch is worn by the user, the fabric layer of the hybrid band is to face a wrist of the user and to substantially touch a skin of the user and the elastomer layer of the hybrid band is physically separated from the skin of the user by the fabric layer.
According to another embodiment, a watch comprises a housing to enclose electrical and mechanical components of the watch and a band system coupled to the housing, wherein the band system is configured to secure the watch to a user. The band system comprises a buckle side band and a point side band, wherein each of the buckle side band and the point side band is made of a hybrid band. The hybrid band comprises a fabric layer and an elastomer layer securely adhered to the fabric layer, wherein when the watch is worn by the user, the fabric layer of the hybrid band is to face a wrist of the user and to substantially touch a skin of the user and the elastomer layer of the hybrid band is physically separated from the skin of the user by the fabric layer.
According to yet another embodiment, a hybrid band for securing a wearable device to a living object comprises a fabric layer and an elastomer layer securely adhered to the fabric layer, wherein when the watch is worn by the user, the fabric layer of the hybrid band is to face a wrist of the user and to substantially touch a skin of the user and the elastomer layer of the hybrid band is physically separated from the skin of the user by the fabric layer.
Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the disclosure will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure embodiments of the present disclosure.
Wearable devices may have a plenty of health benefits, but they may also cause skin irritation for some. To securely wear wearable devices, such as smart watches, bracelets or rings, to the skin of the user, elastomer, stainless steel, leather, fabric and/or some other material may be employed. However, one may notice dry, potentially itchy red splotches around the devices on your wrists or fingers once you start to use the devices consistently. For instance, one may experience an allergy to one or more materials present in the wrist band for smart watch, which are often made of rubber silicone because silicone traps more moisture. On the other hand, bands made of cotton and silk may allow sweat to escape naturally from the skin of the user, but such bands may be exposed to a wear and tear problem.
To deal with those issues, embodiments of the present disclosure propose a band system made of a hybrid band comprising a fabric layer and an elastomer layer, a watch comprising such band system and a hybrid band for wearable devices. The hybrid band for band system, watch and wearable devices is implemented to reduce the skin problem caused by the conventional band system while resistant to the wear and tear of the conventional band system.
In one embodiment, each one of the buckle side band 102 and the point side band 108 of the band system 100 is made of a hybrid band. The hybrid band is made by securely adhering or fixedly attaching an elastomer layer 112 with a fabric layer 114. Accordingly, when the watch is worn by the user, the fabric layer 114 of the hybrid band faces a wrist of the user, thus substantially touching a skin of the user, whereas the elastomer layer 112 of the hybrid band is physically separated from the wrist or skin of the user by the fabric layer 114.
In one embodiment, the fabric layer 114 is made of nylon. Alternatively, the fabric layer 114 is made of one or more of linen, silk, cotton, polyester, hemp, leather, satin, wool, chiffon, crepe, georgette, muslin, rayon, velvet, canvas, damask, denim, elastane, lace and jersey. In another embodiment, the fabric layer 114 is based on a sportswear which is commonly made from a variety of materials and blends, such as polyester, nylon and spandex, where these synthetic fibers are lightweight, durable and/or breathable. To generate and/or enhance the qualities of the sportswear, the fabric layer 114 comprises a voluminous surface.
In one embodiment, the elastomer layer 112 is made of silicone. Alternatively, the elastomer layer 112 is made of thermoplastic polyurethane. Alternatively, the elastomer layer 112 may be any polymer that has viscosity and elasticity and therefore is known as viscoelasticity, where the molecules of the elastomer layer 112 are held together by weak intermolecular forces and generally exhibit low Young's modulus and high yield strength or high failure strain. Examples of the elastomer layer 112 include natural rubbers, styrene-butadiene block copolymers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, silicone elastomers, fluoroelastomers, polyurethane elastomers, and nitrite rubbers.
In one embodiment, the fabric layer 214 is made of nylon. Alternatively, the fabric layer 214 is made of one or more of linen, silk, cotton, polyester, hemp, leather, satin, wool, chiffon, crepe, georgette, muslin, rayon, velvet, canvas, damask, denim, elastane, lace and jersey. In another embodiment, the fabric layer 214 is based on a sportswear which is commonly made from a variety of materials and blends, such as polyester, nylon and spandex, where these synthetic fibers are lightweight, durable, moisture-wicking and/or breathable. To generate and/or enhance the qualities of the sportswear, the fabric layer 214 comprises a voluminous surface 216.
In one embodiment, the elastomer layer 112 of the hybrid band on the point side band 108 comprises an indentation 302 to accommodate the fabric layer 114 of the hybrid band on the point side band 108 so that a level of the one or more of the eyelet 110 is on par with a level of the fabric layer 114 of the hybrid band on the point side band 108.
It is appreciated that the pull enhancer 502, which is formed by the protrusion 602 in combination with the one or more layers of concentric circle 604 at an end of the point side band 108, makes it easier for the user to feel and grasp the end of the point side band 108, where the pull enhancer 502 is located, using his or her finger (e.g., an index finger) and effectively pull the point side band 108 through and underneath the keeper 106 of the buckle side band 102, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the hybrid band comprises the fabric layer 114 and the elastomer layer 112 securely adhered to the fabric layer 114, where when the watch is worn by the user, the fabric layer 114 of the hybrid band is to face a wrist of the user and to substantially touch a skin of the user and the elastomer layer 112 of the band is physically separated from the wrist or skin of the user by the fabric layer 114. In one embodiment, the fabric layer 114 is made of a breathable fabric. In one embodiment, the elastomer layer 112 is made of thermoplastic polyurethane.
In one embodiment, the elastomer layer 112 of the hybrid band on the point side band 108 comprises one or more of the eyelet 110, and a portion 304 of the fabric layer 114 of the hybrid band on the point side band 108 corresponding to the one or more of the eyelet 110 is cut to expose the one or more of the eyelet 110 when the elastomer layer 112 is securely adhered to the fabric layer 114. In one embodiment, the elastomer layer 112 of the hybrid band on the point side band 108 comprises the pull enhancer 502 to effectively pull the point side band 108 through the keeper 106 of the buckle side band 102.
The present disclosure includes multiple embodiments for enhancing wearability of wearable devices using a hybrid band comprising a fabric layer and an elastomer layer securely adhered to the fabric layer to secure the wearable devices onto a skin of the user. The present disclosure centers on the hybrid band where the fabric layer of the hybrid band faces and contacts the skin of the user, thereby reducing skin diseases, such as rashes, inflammation, itchiness or other skin changes, which may be brought on by traditional bands or straps made of elastomer or steel. Additionally, the elastomer layer which faces away from the skin of the user may extend the life of the band because the elastomer layer may be resistant to wear and tear. Accordingly, improved wearability of the wearable devices owing to the hybrid band may allow the user to be more physically active while wearing the wearable devices for prolonged period of time.
It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments or embodiments described, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.
Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the disclosure. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, representative illustrative methods and materials are now described.
All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.
It is noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible.
Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this disclosure that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.
Accordingly, the preceding merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, embodiments, and embodiments of the disclosure as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. The scope of the present disclosure, therefore, is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Rather, the scope and spirit of present disclosure is embodied by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/871,405 filed on Feb. 19, 2023 and entitled “Watch Strap,” the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29871405 | Feb 2023 | US |
| Child | 18411558 | US |
