Apple has filed for a patent (number 20210267325) for “wristbands with magnetic coupling.” This means that future Apple Watch bands from the company might connect via ….. well …. magnets.
About the patent filing
In the patent filing, Apple says that, in many cases, wristbands may have limited fit adjustment increments available. For example, some bands have an incrementally user-adjustable size (e.g., a buckling clasp, pin and eyelet, etc.) whereas other bands have a substantially fixed size, adjustable only with specialized tools and/or expertise (e.g., folding clasp, deployment clasp, snap-fit clasp, etc.).
Other bands may be elastic expansion-type bands that stretch to fit around a user’s wrist, flexible bands including buckles, or metal bands including metal clasps. The degree of comfort and securement of the electronic device can depend on the function and arrangement of the wristband.
However, Apple says that conventional bands can have negative aspects and can undesirably fail prior to the failure of the wearable electronic device. The tech giant thinks that wristbands with magnetic coupling could be the answer.
Summary of the patent filing
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping.
“The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.”
