Captive elements of an attachment system
Embodiments described herein may be directed to an attachment system for coupling an accessory or component to a consumer product. The attachment system may include a captive locking mechanism that may be incorporated with the accessory or non-product side attachment assembly. The captive locking mechanism may include one or more spring-bar components that retain the engagement mechanism in a recess or feature formed in a component of the accessory. The attachment system may also include a release mechanism that may be incorporated with the product-side attachment assembly of a consumer product. The release mechanism may be captive or otherwise retained in the body of the device and may include one or more spring-bar components that retain the release mechanism in a recess or featured formed into the body of the device.
1. A removable module for a watch, the removable module comprising:
a catch member disposed within an aperture of the removable module and configured to protrude from a first surface of the removable module;
a ramp member disposed within the aperture and configured to protrude from a second surface of the removable module that is opposite to the first surface;
a spring bar positioned within and spanning across a width of the aperture; a first spring coupled between the spring bar and the ramp member, the first spring biasing the ramp member away from the spring bar; and
a second spring coupled between the ramp member and the catch member, the second spring biasing the catch member away from the ramp member.
2. The removable module of claim 1 , wherein:
the removable module is configured to slidably engage with a mating feature of the watch.
3. The removable module of claim 2 , wherein the catch member is configured to protrude outward from the aperture and engage a recess formed in the mating feature of the watch to retain the removable module with respect to the watch.
4. The removable module of claim 2 , wherein:
when the removable module is not engaged with the mating feature of the watch:
the catch member is flush with or below the first surface; and
a portion of the ramp member extends beyond the second surface; when the removable module is partially engaged with the mating feature of the watch:
the catch member is flush or below the first surface; and the ramp member is flush or below the second surface; and
when the removable module is fully engaged with the mating feature of the watch:
a portion of the catch member extends beyond the first surface and engages a recess formed in the mating feature; and
the ramp member is flush or below the second surface.
5. The removable module of claim 2 , wherein:
the mating feature of the watch has an opening width at an opening of the mating feature and a maximum width within the feature being greater than the opening width;
the removable module has a first portion having a first thickness that is smaller than the opening width of the opening and a second thickness that is less than the maximum width of the feature and greater than the opening width; and
the opening width of the mating feature is configured to limit movement of the removable module in a direction perpendicular to opening.
6. The removable module of claim 1 , wherein the spring bar comprises:
a barrel portion; and
a spring-loaded protrusion that extends out from an end of the barrel portion, wherein the spring-loaded protrusion is configured to engage a corresponding recess formed in a wall of the aperture.
7. The removable module of claim 1 , wherein a retaining feature formed within the aperture limits an outward movement of the ramp member, wherein the retaining feature includes a protrusion that projects inward from a wall of the aperture.
8. The removable module of claim 1 , wherein:
the ramp member includes a ramp-retaining feature that engages a catch-retaining feature of the catch member; and
engagement between the ramp-retaining feature and the catch-retaining feature limits outward movement of the catch member.
9. A watch comprising:
a housing; and
a watch band comprising:
a catch member disposed within an aperture of the watch band and configured to protrude from a first surface of the watch band;
a ramp member disposed within the aperture and configured to protrude from a second surface of the watch band that is opposite to the first surface;
a spring bar positioned within and spanning across a width of the aperture;
a first spring coupled between the spring bar and the ramp member, the first spring biasing the ramp member away from the spring bar; and
a second spring coupled between the ramp member and the catch member, the second spring biasing the catch member away from the ramp member.
10. The watch of claim 9 , wherein:
the watch band is configured to slidably engage with a mating feature of the watch.
11. The watch of claim 10 , wherein the catch member is configured to protrude outward from the aperture and engage a recess formed in the mating feature of the watch to retain the watch band with respect to the watch.
12. The watch of claim 10 , wherein:
when the watch band is not engaged with the mating feature of the watch:
the catch member is flush with or below the first surface; and
a portion of the ramp member extends beyond the second surface;
when the watch band is partially engaged with the mating feature of the watch:
the catch member is flush or below the first surface; and
the ramp member is flush or below the second surface; and
when the watch band is fully engaged with the mating feature of the watch:
a portion of the catch member extends beyond the first surface and engages a recess formed in the mating feature; and
the ramp member is flush or below the second surface.
13. The watch of claim 10 , wherein:
the mating feature of the watch has an opening width at an opening of the feature and a maximum width within the feature being greater than the opening width;
the watch band has a first portion having a first thickness that is smaller than the opening width of the opening and a second thickness that is less than the maximum width of the feature and greater than the opening width; and
the opening width of the mating feature is configured to limit movement of the watch band in a direction perpendicular to opening.
14. The watch of claim 9 , wherein the spring bar comprises:
a barrel portion; and
a spring-loaded protrusion that extends out from an end of the barrel portion, wherein the spring-loaded protrusion is configured to engage a corresponding recess formed in a wall of the aperture.
15. The watch of claim 9 , wherein a retaining feature formed within the aperture limits an outward movement of the ramp member, wherein the retaining feature includes a protrusion that projects inward from a wall of the aperture.
16. A watch band for a watch, the watch band comprising:
a first surface;
a second surface opposite to the first surface;
an aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface;
a catch member;
a ramp member;
a spring bar positioned within and spanning across a width of the aperture;
a first spring coupled between the spring bar and the ramp member, the first spring biasing the ramp member away from the spring bar; and
a second spring coupled between the ramp member and the catch member, the second spring biasing the catch member away from the ramp member.
17. The watch band of claim 16 , wherein:
the watch band is configured to slidably engage with a mating feature of the watch.
18. The watch band of claim 17 , wherein the catch member is configured to protrude outward from the aperture and engage a recess formed in the mating feature of the watch to retain the watch band with respect to the watch.
19. The watch band of claim 17 , wherein:
when the watch band is not engaged with the mating feature of the watch: the catch member is flush with or below the first surface; and
a portion of the ramp member extends beyond the second surface; when the watch band is partially engaged with the mating feature of the watch:
the catch member is flush or below the first surface; and the ramp member is flush or below the second surface; and
when the watch band is fully engaged with the mating feature of the watch: a portion of the catch member extends beyond the first surface and
engages a recess formed in the mating feature; and
the ramp member is flush or below the second surface.
20. The watch of claim 16 , wherein the spring bar comprises:
a barrel portion; and
a spring-loaded protrusion that extends out from an end of the barrel portion, wherein the spring-loaded protrusion is configured to engage a corresponding recess formed in a wall of the aperture.