Wearable holder for securing a smart watch

Abstract

A versatile smart device holder that secures the device to a user while offering enhanced protection during physical activity as compared to conventional device bands and holders. The device holder is suitable to wear in a number of locations, such as across the bicep, the forearm, leg, ankle, or the wrist. The device holder comprises a band made of flexible material and a frame permanently or removably embedded within or attached to the band that is capable of securely holding the electronic device in place.

Claims

1. A watch holder, comprising: a continuous band comprising a single, unitary piece with a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, and a watch-holding portion disposed between the first end and second end, further comprising a hole through the band in the watch-holding portion; and a watch-holding frame extending through the hole and attached to the watch-holding portion of the band, said frame comprising an upper section extending a first height above the outer surface of the watch-holding portion of the band and a lower section extending a second height below the inner surface of the watch-holding portion of the band, said upper section comprising a protective frame bumper extending for some or all of the outer circumference of the frame, the watch-holding frame further comprising an open top and/or an open bottom; wherein the first height is greater than the second height; and further wherein the open bottom is configured to receive a watch inserted therein and passing through the hole so a face of the watch extends above the outer surface of the watch-holding portion of the band and is accessible to a user.

2. The watch holder of claim 1, wherein the watch-holding frame is permanently attached or embedded in the watch-holding portion of the band.

3. The watch holder of claim 1, wherein the watch-holding frame is removably attached to the watch-holding portion of the band.

4. The watch holder of claim 1, wherein the watch-holding frame is configured to be inserted into the hole.

5. The watch holder of claim 1, wherein a portion of the protective frame bumper is raised above the outer surface of the watch-holding portion of the band.

6. The watch holder of claim 1, further comprising a ring on the first end of the band.

7. The watch holder of claim 6, wherein a first strip of hook-and-loop material is attached to the outer surface of the band proximate the second end of the band and a second strip of complementary hook-and-loop material is attached to the outer surface of the band between the first strip and the watch-holding portion.

8. The watch holder of claim 7, wherein the second strip is longer than the first strip.

9. The watch holder of claim 8, wherein the second end of the band is configured to be inserted through the ring, and the band secured into a loop by attachment of the first strip to the second strip.

10. The watch holder of claim 1, the watch-holding frame further comprising an open top, and configured to securely hold a smart watch.

11. The watch holder of claim 10, the watch-holding frame further comprising an open bottom, wherein the smart watch is insertable through said open bottom.

12. The watch holder of claim 10, further comprise one or more thin areas on the bumpers configured to align with buttons or controls on the watch when inserted therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the watch holder in the enclosed position.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the watch holder without a smart watch inserted.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a top view of the watch holder.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the watch holder.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the watch holder.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a right side view of the watch holder.

(7) FIG. 7 shows an end view of the watch holder.

(8) FIG. 8 shows an opposite end view of the watch holder

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(9) Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate manner.

(10) In various exemplary embodiments, as described herein and seen in FIGS. 1-8, the watch holder 2 comprises a band 4 and a frame 30. The frame 30 is permanently or removably embedded within or attached to the band 4, and the watch face 50 is accessible to the user. In this embodiment, the frame comprises bumpers 35, which serve to protect the smart watch during physical activity. As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6, the band is wider at the frame opening 10. The frame may be attached in a watch-holding portion of the band, which may be greater in width than the rest of the band.

(11) Referring now to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a first elongated strip of hook-and-loop, or Velcro-type, material 15 is attached to the outer face of the band, and a second, shortened strip of hook-and-loop material 5 is also attached to the outer face, adjacent to the elongated hook-and-loop material. In these embodiments, the shortened strip and the elongated strip of hook-and-loop material are complementary to one another (i.e., one comprises a hoop material and the other comprises a hook material).

(12) In certain embodiments, the elongated strip of hook-and-loop material 15 is positioned between the shortened strip of hook-and-loop material 5 and the band's frame opening 10. In embodiments, the band comprises an elongated ring 20 that is sewn to the end of the band that is opposite from the end of the band comprising the hook-and-loop material. In embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1, the elongated ring is so dimensioned to allow the opposite strap to pass through the ring, creating an enclosure that surrounds the user's extremity. In these exemplary embodiments, the band is tightened around the user's extremity, and the two complementary hook-and-loop strips 5, 15 are pressed together to secure the band to the user.

(13) The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 show the frame 30 with an opening 40 that is configured to allow the smart watch to be easily inserted and removed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the frame 30 allows a user to insert the smart watch 60 through the back face of the frame. When so inserted, the watch 60 is securely held in place by the frame 30, which may include a inward-trending rim along the top of the frame bumpers.

(14) The embodiments of FIGS. 1-6 show the frame bumpers 35 with a notch, gap, slot, or hole 37 on one side that is configured to allow access to the smart watch's digital crown. In these exemplary embodiments, the bumpers 35 also comprise a slightly raised portion 37 that allows the user to easily access any buttons on the smart watch through thin areas or openings. In additional embodiments, the frame bumpers comprise thin areas or openings that correspond to the watch's built in microphones to allow for maximum vocal clarity when using the smart watch's voice-activated functions.

(15) The frame may be of the same material and color as the band, or may be different in material, color, and/or texture. In one embodiment, the frame is composed of silicone or similar material (to provide for impact resistance).

(16) The present invention may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, cloth, fabric, leather, plastic, rubber, neoprene, silicone, or combinations thereof. It also may be provided in a variety of colors or textures, or combinations thereof.

(17) In one exemplary embodiment, the band is approximately 1.57 inches wide and the open, widened portion 10 is approximately 2.56 inches wide. The frame may be configured to securely hold smart watches of varying sizes. In certain embodiments the frame may be configured to securely hold smart watches of either 38 mm or 42 mm in width.

(18) Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples described herein have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.