WRIST WATCH ALLOWING FOR MOBILE PHONE CASE ATTACHMENT

Abstract

An exemplary wearable mobile device attachment article comprises a mobile device cover with a first face and a second face opposite the first face. An exemplary first face may be configured to provide access to the screen of a mobile device. A receptacle may project outwardly from the second face while a wearable article has at least one surface for frictionally engaging the mobile device cover.

Claims

1. A wearable mobile device attachment article, comprising: a mobile device cover having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the first face configured to provide access to the screen of a mobile device; a receptacle projecting outwardly from the second face; and a wearable article comprising at least one surface for frictionally engaging the mobile device cover, wherein the wearable article comprises at least one mechanism for communicating time to a user.

2. The wearable mobile device attachment article of claim 1, wherein the receptacle has a plurality of contours for frictional engagement with the wearable article.

3. The wearable mobile device attachment article of claim 1, wherein the mobile device cover has a plurality of latches for frictional engagement with the wearable article.

4. The wearable mobile device attachment article of claim 3, wherein the mobile device cover and the wearable article each have a plurality of contours for frictional engagement.

5. The wearable mobile device attachment article of claim 1, further comprising at least one release mechanism on the mobile device cover for disengagement with the wearable article.

6. The wearable mobile device attachment article of claim 2, further comprising at least one release mechanism on the mobile device cover for disengagement with the wearable article.

7. The wearable mobile device attachment article of claim 3, further comprising at least one release mechanism on the mobile device cover for disengagement with the wearable article.

8. The wearable mobile device attachment article of claim 1, wherein the at least one surface of the wearable article that frictionally engages the mobile device cover resides on an adaptor coupled to the wearable article.

9. The wearable mobile device attachment article of claim 8, wherein the receptacle has a plurality of contours for frictional engagement with the wearable article.

10. The wearable mobile device attachment article of claim 8, wherein the mobile device cover has at least one latch for frictional engagement with the wearable article.

11. A method of attaching a mobile device cover to a wearable article, comprising the steps of: aligning a receptacle projecting from a rear of a mobile device cover with at least one surface on a wearable article; and friction-fitting the receptacle over the at least one surface of the wearable article, wherein the wearable article is configured to communicate time to its wearer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of friction-fitting the receptacle over the at least one surface of the wearable article involves one of a latch on the mobile device cover, a contour in the receptacle, and a contour in the at least one surface on the wearable article.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of friction-fitting the receptacle over the at least one surface of the wearable article involves the latch on the mobile device cover.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of friction-fitting the receptacle over the at least one surface of the wearable article involves the contour in the receptacle.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of friction-fitting the receptacle over the at least one surface of the wearable article involves the contour in the at least one surface on the wearable article.

16. A wearable article, comprising: a body having time-communicating means; a bezel coupled to the body having a surface projecting away from the body; a top portion coupled to the bezel, wherein a recessed surface is located between the top portion and the surface of the bezel; and at least one strap coupled to the body and configured to allow the wearable article to be worn, wherein the top portion overhangs the recess and at least a portion of the surface of the bezel.

17. The wearable article of claim 16, wherein the top portion overhangs the recess and the entire surface of the bezel.

18. The wearable article of claim 16, wherein the recess is configured to receive at least one latch or at least one contour in a receptacle on a mobile device cover.

19. The wearable article of claim 18, wherein the recess is configured to receive a plurality of latches disposed on a mobile device cover.

20. The wearable article of claim 18, wherein the recess is configured to receive at least one contour in a receptacle of a mobile device cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary wearable device disclosed herein.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates a profile view of another exemplary wearable device disclosed herein.

[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary adaptor for an exemplary wearable device disclosed herein.

[0045] FIGS. 4-7 illustrate a plurality of views of an exemplary mobile device cover disclosed herein.

[0046] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. The drawing figures, elements and other depictions should be understood as being interchangeable and may be combined in any like manner in accordance with the disclosures and objectives recited herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, composition or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides practical illustrations for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] In accordance with a number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a novel structure for a wristwatch capable of attaching to a mobile phone case or a mobile phone case capable of attaching to a wristwatch may be provided.

[0049] With reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary wristwatch 10 may have a raised bezel 5 or other means for attaching to a mobile phone case 30. In another embodiment, which may be illustrated by FIGS. 4-7, an exemplary mobile phone case 30 may be depicted. The improved wristwatch 10 of the invention comprises a body 1. The body 1 of the wristwatch 10 comprises the case 2 of the watch 10, and the lugs 3, which project from the watchcase 2, and which may be used to secure the straps (not shown) to the watch case 2. The case 2 and lugs 3 can be made out of any appropriate material such as stainless steel, plastic, gold, platinum etc. The case 2 of the watch 10 holds the inner working parts of the watch (not shown). The case 2 of the watch 10 may be circular/round in shape. On top of the case 2 may be the crystal 4, which may be a translucent cover that can be made of glass, plastic, or other suitable materials, that protects the watch dial (not shown). The bezel 5 may be the ring around the crystal on the top portion of the watch 10 that holds the crystal portion 4 in place. On the right hand side of the case may be the crown 6, which may be used to set time and calendar functions. The bezel 5 and crown 6 can be the same material as the case 2 of the watch 10. The top portion 7 of the watch 10 comprising the bezel 5 can be raised so that it extends outward so that the portion 8 directly below the extended portion 7, may be recessed, and makes a space between the top portion 7 of the watch 10 and the remainder of the watch 10, e.g., bezel 5. The recess may be configured to receive the phone case therein.

[0050] With reference to FIG. 2, an exemplary watch 10 may have a recess 8 containing certain retention mechanisms for retaining an exemplary mobile phone case attachment. For example, the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 may have a recess 8 with one or more bearing balls 9 sandwiched between case 2 and inside wall 8a of recess 8 while being spring biased against inside wall 8a using spring 9a. An aperture in recess 8 may allow bearing balls 9 to protrude just enough past wall 8a to contact a mobile phone attachment surface that would press against the balls to enable attachment and detachment as desired. While recess 8 may be shown with spring-bearing functionality, recess 8 may be able to couple to phone attachment systems using snap-fit engagements, friction fit, magnetic attachments, lock and/or key arrangements, or combinations of the same.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, as may be illustrated by FIG. 3, a rigid elastomeric covering 20 may be fitted around a conventional watch so that the surfaces of covering 20 may be used like those of recess 8, upper portion 7 and bezel 5 on an exemplary watch 10. For example, an exemplary rigid elastomeric covering 20 may be anchored to a conventional watch via its lugs 4 and/or its crown 6 as follows. Covering 20 may have extensions 21 descending from bezel body 25. Attached to extensions 21 may be fingers 22 and 24 for grabbing the sides of a conventional watch. One or both fingers 22/24 may have an opening 26 for receiving either the crown 6 of an exemplary watch or the couplings for straps attached to lugs 3. A saddle 23 may ensure tight fitting of cover adaptor 20 to a conventional watch. In an exemplary embodiment, both fingers 22/24 may have an opening 26 spaced to receive the crown and at least one lug. In an alternative embodiment, fingers 22/24 may have an opening 26 that receives only lugs of the conventional watch. In a further embodiment, opening 26 may be used to fit around a conventional watch strap. In a yet further embodiment, a plurality of fingers 22 and plurality of fingers 24 may descend from bezel body 25 to attach to as many of crown 6, lugs 3, and straps as may be achievable based on needs. As attached, an exemplary cover 20 may have a recess 28 bounded by bezel body 25 and upper portion 27. According to this illustrative embodiment, the opening 29 through upper portion 27, recess 28, and bezel body 25 may permit a user to still see his or her watch when no mobile device may be attached to the same, but simultaneously permit for rapid engagement with the cover adaptor 20. While not shown, the recess 28 of the exemplary cover adaptor 20 may have the same or similar features of the recess 8 of an exemplary watch 10. Accordingly, an exemplary watch cover 20 may be designed from vulcanized rubber or other flexible yet resilient plastic (shore hardness of 85-95 durometer) to allow for robust connection to mobile device and, when not in a connected mode, ensure unencumbered use of the watch. For watches that do not have a crown 6, an audio jack or charger port in an exemplary phone may be a mounting point for an exemplary cover adaptor 20 and or phone case 30. In other words, rather than having an opening 26 for coupling to a crown 6, an exemplary finger 22 may have a micro-USB or USB-C shaped head to be inserted into the phone and retain it in accordance with the above. Alternatively, the finger 22 may have any appropriately shaped head to fit within an available opening in watch 10, such as a charging adaptor or audio jack.

[0052] The straps of the watch may comprise magnets on either end of each strap, and which secure the straps together so that the straps can be easily adjusted, so that one size fits all. The straps can be made out of any appropriate material. Other strap options include a buckle with grooves that allows for adjustment of the strap for fitting to the user's wrist.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, the specially designed mobile phone case 30 may comprise an inner housing 31 with a wall 32 that may be configured and dimensioned to fit securely around the entirety of a mobile phone and to protect the top, bottom, sides, and rear surfaces of the mobile phone. The mobile phone case can be made out of any appropriate material such as different type of plastics, etc. The mobile phone case 30 may have a window coupled to wall 32 on the front side of the case 30 allowing access to the full screen of the mobile phone. The rear protective case 33 may have a separate square shaped receptacle 35 that projects outward from the rear of the phone case 30. There may be a small cavity-like-pocket 36 that may be formed between the rear 33 of the phone case 30 and the outer-most portion of the receptacle 35. The small cavity 36 may bound rear 33 of phone case 30 or may alternatively bound a separate layer 33B that may cover only a portion of the rear 33 of the phone case 30. The outwardly projecting receptacle 35 may be positioned substantially in the middle of the rear 33 of phone case 30. Within the receptacle 35 on the rear 33 of the phone case 30 may be a lower contour 38C, a middle contour 38B, and an upper contour 38A. An exemplary contour 38A may have a complementary geometry to that of bezel 5 of watch 10 or bezel body 25 of adaptor 20. An exemplary contour 38B may be of a complementary geometry to recess 8 of watch 10 or recess 28 of adaptor 20. An exemplary contour 38C may be of a complementary geometry to top portion 7 of watch 10 or upper portion 27 of adaptor 20. As such, an exemplary receptacle 35 may be configured to receive and frictionally hold one or more surfaces of watch 10 and/or adaptor 20. Alternatively, other well-known attachment means can be used to secure the mobile phone case to the user's wristwatch.

[0054] In another exemplary embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 4-6, within an exemplary separate square shaped receptacle 35 on the rear 33 of the case 30, surrounding the receptacle 35 may be latching means 37 for securement to recess 8 or 28 of watch 10 or adaptor 20, respectively. An exemplary latching means 37 may be metal-reinforced plastic that may flex when top portion 7 of watch 10 or upper portion 27 of adaptor 20 may be pressed into contact therewith. Once the edges of latching means 37 are bent sufficiently to allow passage of portion 7/27, the latching means 37 may rely on its resilience to spring back into original form to grasp the recess 8 or 28. In an exemplary embodiment, latching means 37 may take the form of two longitudinal members that extend outward from a base 38. In another exemplary embodiment, a release mechanism 39 may be formed adjacent to base 38 to allow disengagement of latching means 37 from an exemplary recess 8/28. According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, an exemplary release mechanism 39 may be movable in a direction perpendicular to latching means 37 but by way of a spring-activated rocker arm 39A that pivots on set spring 39B, corresponding bases 38 may be slidable away from receptacle 35 and conjunctively, latch means 37. Accordingly, by pressing release mechanisms 39 towards the center of case 30, latch means 37 may be disengaged from the recess 8/28 into which it may have been lodged. In an alternative embodiment, two longitudinal members 37 may be parallel to one another with one clasp member 37A positioned on top of the receptacle 35, and the other clasp member 37 positioned on the bottom of the receptacle 35. The clasp members 37 may be joined together using their respective bases 38. According to this embodiment, the bases 38 may be used in conjunction with the release mechanisms 39 previously disclosed to detach the clasp members 37 from the cavity 35 and thereby release the watch 10 and/or adaptor 20 as the case may be.

[0055] As previously disclosed, a latching mechanism 37 may comprise a contoured face for friction fitting a recess 8 on watch 10 and another latching mechanism 37A may comprise a face shaped like an exemplary micro-USB or USB-C port for connection to an exemplary watch 10, such as for example, power adaptor connections for Android and Apple smart watches. As such, the latching mechanism 37A may be plugged into watch 10 first before friction fitting latch 37 about a recess 8 in the watch 10 and/or recess 28 if watch adaptor 20 may be employed.

[0056] When the improved wristwatch 10 of the invention may be worn on the user's wrist, the mobile phone, within the specially designed mobile phone case 30, can be attached on top of the wristwatch 10. Likewise, the improved mobile phone case 30 can be attached to the user's wristwatch 10. In one embodiment, the user can place the mobile phone within the case over the top portion of the wristwatch so that the receptacle on the back of the phone case may be over top of the face of the watch. With slight force the case of the watch engages with the receptacle 35 on the back of the phone case. As the phone case may be pushed on top of the face of the watch, the clasp mechanism within the cavity-like-portion tightens and secures the case of the watch in place. With a mobile case attached, the user may be able to move their hand about freely so that the wristwatch stays in place securely on the user's wrist, and the mobile phone, which may be attached on top of the wristwatch stays securely in place on the user's wrist. The user may be able to freely use their mobile phone as it may be held in place on their wrist. When the user wishes to release the mobile phone from the face of the watch, they can press downward on the base portion of the clasp mechanism (on the back of the mobile phone case), which will release the clasp members, and allow the mobile phone (within the case), to be taken off the wristwatch.

[0057] In certain embodiments, when the mobile phone may be attached to the wristwatch, the mobile phone, while still attached to the wristwatch, can rotate either partially or fully around the wristwatch in any direction so that the mobile phone can be positioned vertically or horizontally on the user's wrist/arm.

[0058] In certain embodiments the case of the wristwatch may be square or rectangular or had an irregular shape. The receptacle 35 on the back of the mobile phone case can match the shape as the case of the wristwatch so that the two pieces can attach with one another. Alternatively, receptacle 35 may have one or more contours 38A-C that allow for screw-like engagement with a bezel 5, portion 7, and recess 8 of a watch 10 or a complementary threading in recess 28 and portion 27 of adaptor 20.

[0059] In certain embodiments the wristwatch may be waterproof so that the user can attach the mobile phone (within the case) to the wristwatch, and wear the wristwatch, together with the mobile phone in the water, or outside when raining.

[0060] In certain embodiments the straps of the wristwatch may be interchangeable so that a user, depending on the desired look, can change the straps so that they may be metal, plastic, or leather.

[0061] Many further variations and modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in art upon making reference to above disclosure and foregoing interrelated and interchangeable illustrative embodiments, which are given by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope and spirit of the interrelated embodiments of the invention described herein.