Closing Mechanism

Abstract

A strap may include fabric and may be configured to attach an electronic device such as a wristwatch or head-mounted device to a user's body. The fabric strap may include a closing mechanism that attaches a first fabric portion of the strap to a second fabric portion of the strap. The closing mechanism may include a first array of posts on the first fabric portion and a second array of posts on the second fabric portion. The first array of posts may engage with the second array of posts to attach the first fabric portion to the second fabric portion. The posts may be printed on the fabric using additive manufacturing equipment, which allows the closing mechanism to be integrated into the fabric. Each post may include a rigid core and soft covering that deforms when the posts are engaged.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fabric strap for an electronic device, the fabric strap comprising:
 first and second fabric portions; and   an adjustable closing mechanism configured to attach the first fabric portion to the second fabric portion, wherein the adjustable closing mechanism comprises:
 a first array of posts on the first fabric portion; and 
 a second array of posts on the second fabric portion, wherein the first array of posts is configured to interlock with the second array of posts to attach the first fabric portion to the second fabric portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 1  wherein the first array of posts comprises a first set of engagement features and the second array of posts comprises a second set of engagement features that mates with the first set of engagement features to attach the first fabric portion to the second fabric portion. 
     
     
         3 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 2  wherein the first and second sets of engagement features include protrusions and recesses. 
     
     
         4 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 1  wherein the posts in the first and second arrays have a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of: rectangular and round. 
     
     
         5 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 1  wherein the posts in the first and second arrays have outer surfaces with convex portions and concave portions. 
     
     
         6 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 1  further comprising first magnets in the first fabric portion and second magnets in the second fabric portion. 
     
     
         7 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 1  further comprising first magnets in the posts of the first array and second magnets in the posts of the second array. 
     
     
         8 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 1  further comprising a buckle configured to attach the first fabric portion to the second fabric portion. 
     
     
         9 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 1  wherein the posts of the first and second arrays each include a core and a covering that surrounds the core. 
     
     
         10 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 9  wherein the covering comprises a material that is more flexible than the core. 
     
     
         11 . A fabric strap, comprising:
 first and second fabric portions;   a first array of posts on the first fabric portion; and   a second array of posts on the second fabric portion, wherein the first array of posts is configured to engage with the second array of posts to attach the first fabric portion to the second fabric portion, and wherein the posts in the first and second arrays each comprise a core and a covering.   
     
     
         12 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 11  wherein the core is formed from a first material and the covering is formed from a second material that is more flexible than the first material. 
     
     
         13 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 12  wherein the posts in the first and second arrays each comprise an intermediate layer between the core and the covering that is less flexible than the covering. 
     
     
         14 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 11  wherein the core has a base and a tip and wherein the tip is wider than the base. 
     
     
         15 . The fabric strap defined in  claim 11  wherein the covering is configured to deform when the first array of posts is engaged with the second array of posts. 
     
     
         16 . A wearable fabric strap, comprising:
 first and second fabric portions;   a first set of posts on the first fabric portion, wherein the first set of posts includes a first set of engagement features; and   a second set of posts on the second fabric portion, wherein the second set of posts includes a second set of engagement features that engages with the first set of engagement features to attach the first fabric portion to the second fabric portion.   
     
     
         17 . The wearable fabric strap defined in  claim 16  wherein the engagement features in the first and second sets comprise concave surfaces and convex surfaces. 
     
     
         18 . The wearable fabric strap defined in  claim 16  wherein the engagement features in the first and second sets of posts comprise protrusions and recesses. 
     
     
         19 . The wearable fabric strap defined in  claim 16  wherein the posts in the first and second sets of posts each include a rigid core and a deformable covering that surrounds the rigid core. 
     
     
         20 . The wearable fabric strap defined in  claim 16  wherein the first set of posts is configured to engage with different regions of the second set of posts to adjust a length of the wearable fabric strap.