Patent Application
20240268543
The present disclosure relates to wearable devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to wearable devices that include a retraction mechanism. At least one specification heading is required.
Various wearable devices have been proposed that include features that make certain tasks more convenient. However, the need for a wearable device that includes features for allowing a person to conveniently clean and freshen-up oneself is still not completely met. There are often persons who sit or stand in front of others while public speaking, performing, or while conducting other matters, who may not have ready access to handkerchiefs, tissues, or the like. Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a wearable device that includes features for providing a person ready access to a cloth for wiping their face of sweat, tears, or other bodily fluids. It may also be desirable that such wearable device be easily securable to the person and be aesthetically pleasing.
Disclosed herein is a device that includes a flexible elongated member. The flexible elongated member has a length, a width, a first face, a second face opposed to the first face, a first end, and a second end. The flexible elongated member also includes at least one attachment feature at the first face, and the at least one attachment feature is configured to releasably connect the flexible elongated member to an attachment element. The flexible elongated member is configurable into a first conformation and a second conformation. The first conformation is a linear conformation in an extended configuration. The extended configuration defines a width-wise arc through at least a portion of the flexible elongated member. The second conformation is a coiled configuration. Furthermore, the flexible elongated member is configurable into either the first conformation, or the second conformation by exertion of a deformation force on the flexible elongated member.
The various features, advantages and other uses of the present device will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawings in which:
It is contemplated by this disclosure that there exists a need by persons who stand or sit in front of groups of people that may not have ready access to tissues or handkerchiefs (e.g., persons who engage in public speaking, performers, etc.). Such persons may require a tissue, handkerchief, or the like to wipe their face of sweat, tears, mucous, or other bodily fluids. Thus, what may be desired is a wearable device 100 that is securable to the appendage of a user and that includes a retractable cloth 180. The wearable device 100 provides the user ready access to the cloth 180 by allowing the user to pull the cloth 180 away from their appendage to wipe or freshen-up their face. After use, the cloth may be subsequently retracted back toward the user's appendage.
Referring to
In certain embodiments, the flexible elongated member 110 may comprise a first end 120 and a second end 122 opposite the first end 120, wherein a length 112 extends between the first end 120 and the second end 122. The flexible elongated member 110 may also comprise a length 112 spanning from first end 120 to the second end 122, and a width 114, wherein the width 114 is smaller than the length 112. The flexible elongated member 110 may also include a first face 116 and a second face 118 opposed to the first face 116. The first face 116 and the second face 118 may both be defined by the length 112 and the width 114 of the flexible elongated member 110. Furthermore, the flexible elongated member 110 may also comprise a thickness 115 defined between the first face 116 and the second face 118, wherein the thickness 115 is smaller than the width 114.
Referring to
The term “stable conformation” as used herein refers to a conformation of the flexible elongated member 110, wherein in the absence of external forces exerted upon the flexible elongated member 110, the flexible elongated member 110 remains in the conformation (i.e., does not deform). A stable conformation may result from the flexible elongated member 110 being in a relaxed state, such that the flexible elongated member 110 is subject to little or no internal stresses. A stable conformation may also result from the flexible elongated member 110 being in a semi-rigid, pretensioned state, such that the flexible elongated member 110 is subject to internal stresses. The stable conformation resulting from the flexible elongated member 110 being in a semi-rigid, pretensioned state may also be referred to as a “metastable conformation.” The flexible elongated member 110 may be in a stable conformation when in the second conformation (i.e., the coiled configuration). The flexible elongated member 110 may be in a metastable conformation when in the first conformation (i.e., the extended configuration).
The flexible elongated member 110 being in a stable conformation when in the second conformation (i.e., the coiled configuration) results from the flexible elongated member 110 being formed such that it is in a relaxed state when in the second conformation. When the flexible elongated member 110 is extended toward the first conformation (i.e., the extended configuration), an internal stress may develop on the second face 118. The internal stress causes the length 112 of flexible elongated member 110 to curl about the second face 118 of the flexible elongated member 110. When the flexible elongated member 110 is in the second conformation (i.e., the curled configuration), the internal stress on the second face 118 is relieved, resulting in a stable conformation.
The flexible elongated member 110 being in a metastable conformation when in the first conformation (i.e., the extended configuration) results from the width 114 of the flexible elongated member 110 having an arc shape (i.e., a width-wise arc) when the flexible elongated member 110 is in the extended configuration (shown in
A force (i.e., a deformation force) exerted upon the flexible elongated member 110 while in the first conformation (i.e., the extended configuration) may cause the width-wise arc to deform. Deforming the width-wise arc may relieve the second internal stress caused by the width-wise arc, and result in the flexible elongated member 110 transitioning from the metastable confirmation to an unstable conformation. In the unstable conformation, the internal stress present on the second face 118 of the flexible elongated member 110 may cause the length 112 of the flexible elongated member 110 to curl about the second face 118, urging the flexible elongated member 110 toward the second conformation (i.e., the coiled configuration).
Referring to
For example, in certain embodiments, the retraction mechanism 142 may be a reel mechanism. The reel mechanism may comprise a length of spring steel coiled around a central node. A first end 146 of the cable 144 may be connected to an end of the length of the spring steel distal to the central node. When a pulling force is exerted upon the cable 144, a length 149 of the cable 144 may be pulled out of the inner chamber 164 of the housing 152 and away from the central node. Pulling the length 149 of the cable 144 away from the central node may cause the length of spring steel to coil increasingly tightly around the central node. The increasing tightness of the coil of spring steel may cause a force to be exerted upon the cable 144 in a direction opposite the pulling force. Such a force may therefore urge the length 149 of the cable 144 back toward the central node and into the inner chamber 164 of the housing 152.
In certain embodiments, the retraction mechanism 142 may also include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may lock the reel mechanism when a select amount of the cable 144 is pulled out of the inner chamber 164 of the housing 152, and thus prevent the reel mechanism from urging the length 149 of the cable 144 back toward the central node. The locking mechanism may subsequently unlock the reel mechanism in accordance with an input provided by the user, thereby allowing the reel mechanism to urge the length 149 of the cable 144 back toward the central node. The input provided by the user may be, for example, pressing a button located on the retractor 140. As another example, the input provided by the user may be pulling the cable 144 away from the central node with a certain amount of force.
In certain embodiments, the locking mechanism may be a ratchet system. The ratchet system may include teeth connected to the reel mechanism and may include a pawl pivotally connected to the housing 152 of the retractor 140. During use, when the length 149 of the cable 144 is pulled away from the central node of the reel mechanism, the teeth may rotate about the central node in a first direction (e.g., clockwise). When a select amount of cable 144 is pulled away from the central node, the pawl may catch on the teeth, preventing the teeth from rotating about the central node in second direction that is opposite the first direction (e.g., counterclockwise). By preventing the teeth from rotating about the central node in the second direction, the reel mechanism is prevented from urging the length 149 of the cable 144 back toward the central node. When an input is subsequently provided by the user (e.g., pushing a button located on the retractor 14), the pawl may pivot away from the teeth. The pawl pivoting away from the teeth may allow the teeth to rotate about the central node in the second direction, therefore allowing the reel mechanism to urge the length 149 of the cable 144 back toward the central node.
An example of a retraction mechanism 142 was provided in the context of a reel mechanism comprising spring steel coiled around a central node and a locking mechanism comprising a ratchet system. However, it will be readily apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that any suitable retraction mechanism 142 operable to urge a length 149 of the cable 144 toward the inner chamber 164 of the retractor 140 may be employed.
The housing 152 of the retractor 140 may comprise a base 158 and at least one wall 162 connected to the base 158. The base 158 and the at least one wall 162 may cooperatively define the inner chamber 164 of the housing 152. In certain embodiments, the base 158 may be substantially flat and include a periphery. In such embodiments, the at least one wall 162 may include a first wall that is contiguously connected to the periphery of the base 158, and extending away from the periphery of the base 158 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base 158. The at least one wall 162 may further include a second wall that is contiguously connected to the first wall and extending over the inner chamber 164 of the housing 152, such that inner chamber 162 is substantially enclosed by the base 158, the first wall, and the second wall. Furthermore, the base 158 may include a base surface 160 located on a side of the base 158 opposite the at least one wall 162.
The housing 152 of the retractor 140 may include an aperture 156 defined on the at least one wall 162, wherein a length 149 of the cable 144 may be retractably movable through the aperture 156. The aperture 156 may be any suitable size and shape such that a length 149 of the cable 144 may freely move through the aperture 156 during use. For example, the aperture 156 may have a size that is larger than a cross sectional diameter of the length 149 of the cable 144, and may be circular, rectangular, or any other shape.
The cable 144 may include a first end 146 connected to the retraction mechanism 142, a second end 148 releasably attachable to a cloth 180, and a length 149 extending between the first end 146 and the second end 148. The cable 144 may further include a clip 150 located at the second end 148 of the cable 144 to facilitate attachment of the cloth 180 to the cable 144. The clip 150 may be an alligator clip (as shown in
In some embodiments, the cable 144 may include a collar 188 located along the length 149 of the cable 144 proximal to the second end 148. In such an embodiment, the housing 152 may include a magnet 186. In some embodiments, the magnet 186 may be disposed within the inner chamber 164 of the housing 152. The collar 188 may be configured to be received through the aperture 156 of the housing 152 and may include a ferromagnetic material disposed along a length of the collar 188. In some embodiments, the collar 188 be comprised substantially or entirely of a ferromagnetic material. When the collar 188 is received through the aperture 156 of the housing 152, the ferromagnetic material of the collar 188 may contact the magnet 186 to releasably secure the collar 188 to the magnet 186. During use, when pulling force is applied to the cable 144, the ferromagnetic material of the collar 188 may disengage from the magnet 186 to release the cable 144.
The collar 188 may be any suitable shape such that it may be received through the aperture 156 of the housing 152. For example, the collar 188 may be substantially cylindrical, or may resemble a cuboid. In some embodiments, the collar 188 may include a receiving portion and a stopping portion, wherein the stopping portion is proximate the second end 148 of the cable 144 relative the receiving portion. The stopping portion of the collar 188 may have a larger circumference than the receiving portion. In such an embodiment, the ferromagnetic material may be disposed along the receiving portion of the collar 188. Furthermore, the collar 188 may be configured such that only the receiving portion may be received through the aperture 156 of the housing 152, and the stopping portion may not. It will be readily understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that the same will result in an embodiment where the collar 188 includes a magnet 186 disposed along the length of the collar 188, and the housing 152 includes a ferromagnetic material disposed within the inner chamber 164 of the housing 152.
The second end 148 of the cable 144 may be configured such that the cloth 180 may not pass through the aperture 156 of the housing 152. For example, the second end 148 of the cable 144 may include a portion that has a size larger than the size of the aperture 156 of the housing 152. The portion of the second end 148 may be, for example, a bulbous portion, a loop, or the clip 150. As another example, in an embodiment where the cable 144 includes the collar 188, the portion of the second end 148 may be the stopping portion of the collar 188.
The cable 144 may be any suitable length such that the cable 144 may extend from an appendage of a user (e.g., a wrist) to a face of the user. For example, the cable 144 may have a length that is 80 cm, 100 cm, 120 cm, etc. The cable 144 may have any gauge and be formed of any substantially flexible material such that the cable 144 may be contained within the inner chamber 164 of the retractor 140, while being able to withstand moderate tension forces without breaking. For example, the cable 144 may comprise woven polymers (e.g., nylon), woven fabric (e.g., cotton), metals (e.g., copper) or the like.
Referring to
In embodiments where the at least one attachment feature 124 is a plurality of holes, the plurality of holes may be defined in any suitable location on the first face 116 of the flexible elongated member. For example, the plurality of holes may be positioned linearly along the first face 116 of the flexible elongated member 110. Furthermore, the plurality of holes may be positioned in a spaced relationship along the first face 116 of the flexible elongated member 110, such that the plurality of holes are equidistant to one another. In other embodiments, the at least one attachment feature 124 may be a single hole defined on the first face 116 of the flexible elongated member 110.
The projection forming the attachment element 154 of the retractor 140 may be any suitable geometry to facilitate a mating engagement with the one or more holes forming the attachment feature 124 of the flexible elongated member 110. For example, the projection may be substantially cylindrical and extend away from the base surface 160 of the retractor 140 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base 158 of the retractor 140. The projection may be configured to be received by at least one hole by, for example, the projection having a cross sectional diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the at least one hole.
In some embodiments, the attachment element 154 may further comprise a bulbous portion located at an end of the projection distal to the base surface 160. A size of the bulbous portion may be slightly larger than a size of the at least one hole forming the attachment feature 124 of the flexible elongated member 110. When the projection is extended through the at least one hole of the flexible elongated member 110, the bulbous portion having a size slightly larger than that of the at least one hole may cause an interference fit between the bulbous portion and the at least one hole, resulting in the retractor 140 being secured to the flexible elongated member 110.
Referring to
In another embodiment where the attachment element 154 of the retractor 140 is two opposing flanges that extend around the thickness 115 of the flexible elongated member 110, the flexible elongated member 110 may include at least one attachment feature 124. In such an emblement, the at least one attachment feature 124 may be one or more divots (e.g., six divots) defined on the first face 116 of the flexible elongated member 110. Furthermore, the attachment element 154 of the retractor 140 may further include a projection extending away from the base surface 160 of the retractor that is configured to extend into the at least one divot, such that when the projection extends into the divot, the retractor 140 is substantially prevented from sliding along the length of the flexible elongated member 110.
In embodiments where the at least one attachment feature 124 is a plurality of divots, the plurality of divots may be defined in any suitable position on the first face 116 of the flexible elongated member 110. For example, the plurality of divots may be positioned linearly along the first face 116 of the flexible elongated member 110. Furthermore, the plurality of divots may be positioned in a spaced relationship along the first face 116 of the flexible elongated member 110, such that the plurality of divots are equidistant to one another. In other embodiments, the at least one attachment feature 124 may be a single divot defined on the first face 116 of the flexible elongated member 110.
In some embodiments, the cloth 180 may comprise woven fabric 182 (e.g., cotton, polyester, or any blend of absorbent fabrics) such that the cloth 180 is washable and reusable. In other embodiments, the cloth 180 may comprise disposable materials (e.g., paper, etc.) such that the cloth 180 may be disposed of and replaced after one or several uses. For example, where the cloth 180 is used to wipe sweat, water, or other non-biologically contagious fluids from a user's face, a cloth 180 comprising a woven fabric 182 of cotton or other washable, reusable materials may be desired. In other situations where the cloth 180 is used to wipe mucus, or other biologically contagious materials from the nose or mouth, a cloth 180 comprising tissue paper or other disposable materials may be desired.
The cloth 180 may further comprise a loop 184 to facilitate releasable attachment of the cloth 180 to the second end 148 of the cable 144. The loop 184 may be any suitable size for attachment to the cable 144, and may be formed from the same material as the woven fabric 182 of the cloth 180, or may be formed from a different material. For example, where the cable 144 includes a clip 150, the loop 184 may be received between jaws of the clip 150 to secure the cloth 180 to the second end 148 of the cable 144. As another example, where the cable 144 does not include a clip 150, the cable 144 may be tied to the loop 184 of the cloth 180.
Referring to
For example, the ornament 174 may be pressed in a direction generally toward the protrusion 166, whereby the lip 172 of the ornament 174 may be received by the inward facing groove 168 to removably connect (i.e., snap) the ornament 174 to the at least one wall 162 of the retractor 140. In other embodiments, the ornament 174 may be permanently connected to at least one wall 162 of the retractor 140, wherein the ornament 174 may not include a disk 170 or lip 172 and the at least one wall 162 may not include a protrusion 166 or an inward facing groove 168. In such an embodiment, the ornament 174 may be connected to the at least one wall 162 of the retractor 140 by any suitable means. For example, the ornament 174 may be glued to, fastened to, or molded into the at least one wall 162 of the retractor 140.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.
