Watch strap

Abstract

A strap (2) for a watch (1) comprising: a first fastening portion (4); a watch supporting portion (6); and a second fastening portion (8). The first and second fastening portions comprise a series of holes (22, 24) spaced along each fastening portion. The first fastening portion further comprises an opening (10) through which the second fastening portion can be threaded and at least one pin (12) projecting inwards from the strap so as to be received in a hole in the second fastening portion. The second fastening portion further comprises at least one pin (14) projecting inwards from the strap so as to be received in a hole in the first fastening portion when the second fastening portion is threaded through the opening and laid on top of the first fastening portion. The first fastening portion further comprises at least one peg (18) projecting outwards from the strap so as to engage in a hole in the second fastening portion.

Claims

1. A strap for a watch comprising: a first fastening portion; a watch supporting portion; and a second fastening portion, the first and second fastening portions comprising a series of holes spaced along each fastening portion, the first fastening portion comprising an opening through which the second fastening portion can be threaded, at least one pin projecting inwards from the first fastening portion so as to be received in a hole in the second fastening portion, and at least one peg projecting outwards from the first fastening portion so as to engage in a hole in the second fastening portion, the at least one pin and the at least one peg of the first fastening portion being positioned on opposite edges of the opening, and the second fastening portion comprising at least one pin projecting inwards from the second fastening portion so as to be received in a hole in the first fastening portion when the second fastening portion is threaded through the opening and laid on top of the first fastening portion, wherein the at least one pin and the at least one peg of the first fastening portion are integrally moulded in the first fastening portion, so that the first fastening portion is a first single piece of material having the at least one pin and the at least one peg of the first fastening portion projecting fixedly from the first fastening portion with neither of the at least one pin and the at least one peg of the first fastening portion being hinged with respect to the first fastening portion, and wherein the at least one pin of the second fastening portion is integrally moulded in the second fastening portion, so that the second fastening portion is a second single piece of material having the at least one pin on the second fastening portion projecting fixedly from the second fastening portion.

2. The strap of claim 1, wherein the at least one peg projects from an angled portion of the first fastening portion that forms an edge of the opening.

3. The strap of claim 1, wherein the at least one peg is angled relative to an outwards facing surface of the first fastening portion at an acute angle.

4. The strap of claim 3, wherein the at least one peg is angled towards the direction in which the second fastening portion is threaded through the opening.

5. The strap of claim 1, wherein the opening is integrally moulded with the first fastening portion.

6. The strap of claim 1, wherein the at least one pin of the second fastening portion is located proximal to the distal end of the second fastening portion and wherein the at least one pin of the first fastening portion is located proximal to the distal end of the first fastening portion.

7. The strap of claim 6, wherein the at least one pin of the first fastening portion is positioned proximal to the opening.

8. The strap of claim 1, wherein the at least one pin and the at least one peg of the first fastening portion are positioned on opposite sides of the opening.

9. The strap of claim 1, wherein the at least one pin of the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion are normal to the respective first or second fastening portion.

10. The strap of claim 1, wherein the at least one pin of the second fastening portion and/or the at least one pin of the first fastening portion has a flanged portion at its end.

11. The strap of claim 1, wherein a pair of pins is provided on both the first and second fastening portions and a pair of pegs is provided on the first fastening portion and a series of two rows of holes is provided on both the first and second fastening portions.

12. The strap of claim 1, wherein the first and second fastening portions are more flexible than the watch supporting portion.

13. The strap of claim 1, wherein an integral watch supporting portion is provided between the first and second fastening portions.

14. The strap of claim 1, wherein the watch supporting portion comprises at least one aperture for receiving a watch module.

15. The strap of claim 14, wherein the aperture comprises a snap-fit mechanism to secure a watch module when it is positioned within the aperture.

16. A watch comprising a watch module removably mounted to a strap according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first watch strap according to a preferred embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the watch strap according to FIG. 1

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a watch module;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an alternative perspective view of the watch strap of FIG. 1; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a second watch strap according to a preferred embodiment.

(7) Like reference numerals are used for the like features throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to a strap for supporting a fitness watch. Fitness or sports watches of the type described are often worn by athletes to help them during their runs or workouts, e.g. by monitoring the speed and distance of the user and providing this information to the user.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a fitness watch 1 comprising the watch strap 2 according to the present invention. The strap 2 comprises a first fastening portion 4, a watch supporting portion 6 and a second fastening portion 8. The first fastening portion 4 comprises an opening 10 at its distal end. A set of pins 12 is provided on the internal facing region of the opening 10 and a set of pins 14 is provided on the second fastening portion 8. Both sets of pins 12, 14 are provided with a flanged portion 16. A set of pegs 18 is provided on the angled portion 20 of the opening 10. A set of holes 22, 24 are provided on both the first fastening portion 4 and second fastening portion 8 respectively. The holes 22, 24 are provided with recessed portions 26. Although not shown the holes 22 on the first fastening portion 4 also have similar recessed portions. A watch module 28 is supported by the watch supporting portion 6. The watch module 28 comprises a display 30 and an input means 32. The first and second fastening portions 4, 8 are made from a flexible material.

(10) The fitness watch 1 as seen in FIG. 1 can be fastened around a user's wrist. When positioned around a user's wrist the fastening portions 4, 8 are firstly placed around a user's wrist so that the watch supporting portion 6 rests against the top of the user's wrist such that the input means 32 is positioned on the medial side of the user's wrist. The second fastening portion 8 can then be threaded through the opening 10 vertically so that the pins 12, 14 and pegs 18 do not come into contact with the holes 22, 24. The user is then able to flex the second fastening portion 8 towards the first fastening portion 4. As second fastening portion is flexed downwards the pegs 18 engage with the holes 24 in the second fastening portion 8. The pegs 18 therefore snag the second fastening portion 8 to assist in wrapping the strap 2 around the wrist and engaging the pins 12, 14. This makes it easier for a user to put on the watch strap 2. The user must then apply a pressure to the second fastening portion 8, proximal to the pins 14, so that the pins 14 engage in the holes 22. The user can then apply pressure to the opening 10 proximal to the pins 12 so that the pins 12 engage in the holes 24. When applying pressure to the fastening portions the user must apply sufficient pressure to force the flanged portion 16 of the pins 12, 14 through the holes 24, 22 respectively. It is appreciated that the order in which the user applies pressure and thus engages the pins 12, 14 may vary depending on user preference.

(11) Whilst the primary purpose of the holes 22, 24 in the fastening portions 4, 8 is for the pins 12, 14 to engage with they have a secondary benefit. The holes 22, 24 allow some air to circulate around the fastening portions 4, 8 to the user's wrist. This is also facilitated by the recessed portion 27 around the holes 22, 24. Air is able to pass into the holes 22, 24, which are not blocked by pins 12, 14, and fill the recessed portion 27. This helps to cool the user's wrist. This is particularly relevant for fitness watch straps which are typically made from a plastic material which is not breathable. Due to the use in physically active situations the presence of these holes 22, 24 and recessed portions 27 helps to prevent the user's wrist from sweating which may otherwise make wearing a watch uncomfortable.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a side-view of the strap 2. This Figure shows the positioning of the pins 12, 14 and the pegs 18. It can also be seen that the flanged portions 16 are rounded which prevents the pins 12, 14 from irritating the user when the strap 2 is attached to their wrist. FIG. 2 also shows how the thickness of the strap 2 varies. It can be seen that the thickness of the watch supporting portion 6 is noticeably thicker than the fastening portions 4, 8. This provides the necessary rigidity of the watch supporting portion 6 in order for it to support the watch module 28. It can also be seen that the thicker portion of the watch supporting portion 6 extends round to a secondary portion 34, this secondary portion 34 is for supporting the user interface 32 of the watch module 28.

(13) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the watch module 28 when it has been disengaged from the strap 2. The watch module 28 has a display housing 30 and a user interface 32 that is spaced apart from the display housing 30. The display housing 30 is of substantially parallelepiped construction and has a substantially planar display 36 for displaying information to the user. This portion of the watch module 28 sits on the back of the user's wrist during typical use. The user interface 32 is connected to the display housing 30 by a flange 38 that extends away from the display housing 30. The flange 38 curves as it extends away from the display housing 30 such that it curves around the user's wrist in use. The user interface 32 is located on the flange 38 such that the user interface 32 is arranged on the side of the user's wrist in use. The user interface 32 has a substantially planar pressing surface for the user to interact with the watch 28. The user can thereby press the pressing surface in a direction perpendicular to the pressing surface so as to control the watch module 28, e.g. to select desired functions within the menu system of the watch.

(14) The location of the user interface 32 being arranged on the curved flange 38 such that it sits against the side of the user's wrist in use has a number of important advantages. For example, this enables the user to interact with the watch module 28 using only a single finger. More specifically, the user is able to push the pressing surface of the user interface 32 with one finger because the user pushes the surface into the user's wrist around which the watch 28 is strapped. This is in contrast to conventional watches wherein buttons are arranged around the peripheral edges of the watch and the user must press the button with on finger and use a thumb on the other edge of the watch to counter-balance the pressing force.

(15) The underside of the flange 38 that extends from the display housing 30 has electrical connectors (not shown) arranged at a distal end thereof. These electrical connectors may be used in order to electrically connect the casing 28 to another device in order to recharge a battery within the watch module 28 or to extract data from or input data to the watch module 28.

(16) FIG. 4 shows a different perspective view of the watch strap 2 without the watch module 28 attached. It can be seen that the watch supporting portion 6 comprises a first larger aperture 42 and a second smaller aperture 44. The watch supporting portion 6 also comprises a recessed portion 46. The watch module 28 as seen in FIG. 3 can be inserted into the apertures 42, 44 in the watch supporting portion 6. In the example shown the watch module 28 is inserted from the inwards facing side which would rest against the user's wrist. The curved flange 38 of the watch module 28 rests in the recessed portion 46 which prevents the watch module 28 from passing through the apertures 42, 44. The user interface 32 is received in the smaller aperture 44 and the display housing 30 is received in the larger aperture 42.

(17) Although not shown, the watch module 28 and the watch supporting portion 6 may comprise corresponding features that lock the watch module 28 in place. This may for example be in the form of recesses and protrusion which are able to lock into each other to hold the watch module 28 in the watch supporting portion 6.

(18) In the example shown the watch module 28 is detachable, which makes it particularly important to ensure the watch strap 2 does not become loose or undone and thus prevents the user from losing the watch module 28. Whilst in the example shown the watch module 28 is detachable it is appreciated that the watch module 28 may be permanently attached to the watch strap 2.

(19) Additionally, in the example shown the watch module 28 it is inserted from underneath the watch supporting portion 6, however it is appreciated that it may be desirable to attach the watch module 28 to the strap in alternative ways. For example it could be attached from the outwards facing side of the strap 2. This may be beneficial in situations where the user takes the watch module 28 away from the strap 2 but desires to keep the strap 2 attached to their wrist.

(20) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a watch strap 2 that has only one set of holes 22,24 in the first and second fastening portions 4,8. Accordingly, there is only one pin 12,14 on each of the first and second fastening portions 4,8, together with only one peg 18 on the angled portion 20 of the opening 10. It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

(21) For example, whilst the strap 2 has been described for use with a user's wrist, it is appreciated that it may be attached to other suitable limbs or objects. For example the strap could be attached to a user's bike handlebars.

(22) Lastly, it should be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features or embodiments herein disclosed irrespective of whether or not that particular combination has been specially enumerated in the accompanying claims at this time.