MINI BELT AND METHOD USING THE SAME

Abstract

A belt and a method of using a belt that includes passing a belt (e.g., a stretch belt) through a first loop and a second loop of a waistband of a garment, the belt including an elastic member that includes a longitudinal extent, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, a first mating connector attached to the first major surface near the first end, and a second mating connector attached to the second major surface near the second end, and engaging the first mating connector and the second mating connector to maintain the elastic member in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/141,373 filed Dec. 30, 2008, and incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a belt for a garment and maintaining garments on a wearer.

In many occupations and activities, a belt worn around the waist can cause pain and discomfort to a wearer. The strap of the belt or the belt buckle can cut into the body when the body is bent or moved in certain configurations.

There is a need for a belt that does not impart pain to a wearer doing physical activity.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention features a method of using a belt, the method including passing a belt through a first loop and a second loop of a waistband of a garment, the belt including a first member (e.g., an elongated member) that includes a longitudinal extent, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, a first mating connector attached to the first major surface near the first end, and a second mating connector attached to the second major surface near the second end, and engaging the first mating connector and the second mating connector to maintain the first member in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band. In some embodiments, the first member is an elongated member.

In one embodiment, the belt is a stretch belt in which the first member is an elastic member. In some embodiments, there are no waistband loops positioned between the first waistband loop and the second waistband loop. In other embodiments, the first mating connector includes a plurality of loops and the second mating connector includes a plurality of hooks, the hooks being positioned on the second major surface and the loops being positioned on the first major surface such that the hooks of the second mating connector releasably engage loops of the first mating connector. In other embodiments, the second mating connector includes at least two hooks. In one embodiment, the second mating connector includes at least three hooks. In another embodiment, the first mating connector includes at least two loops. In some embodiments, the first mating connector comprises at least three loops.

In another embodiment, the belt further includes attaching an ornament to the belt.

In another aspect the invention features a belt that includes an elastic member comprising a longitudinal extent, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, the longitudinal extent extending between the first end and the second end and being no greater than 4 inches, a first mating connector attached to the first major surface, and a second mating connector attached to the second major surface, the engagement of the first mating connector with the second mating connector maintaining the elastic member in the form of a closed loop.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of using a belt, the method including passing a first belt through a first loop and a second loop of a waistband of a garment, the belt comprising a first member comprising a longitudinal extent, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, and engaging the first end and the second end to maintain the first member in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band. In some embodiments, the first member is a zip tie, a rope, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the first member further includes a first mating connector attached to the first major surface near the first end, and a second mating connector attached to the second major surface near the second end, the engaging including engaging the first mating connector and the second mating connector to maintain the first member in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band.

In other embodiments, the garment is a pair of pants that includes belt loops. In some embodiments the method further includes inserting the longitudinal extent of a second belt having a longitudinal extent of at least 24 inches through the belt loops of the garment, the second belt comprising a first end, a second end, and a buckle attached to the first end, securing the first end in the buckle, and tucking at least a portion of the first belt behind the second belt. In some embodiments, the tucking includes tucking at least the first and second mating connectors of the first belt behind the portion of the belt that includes the buckle.

In some embodiments, the first mating connector includes at least two hooks. In other embodiments, the second mating connector includes at least two loops.

In another embodiment, the first member is elastic.

In other aspects, a method of using a belt, the method includes passing a first belt through a first loop and a second loop of a waistband of a pair of pants that includes the belt loops, the belt includes a first member including a longitudinal extent, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and openings extending through the first member near the first end, and a second mating connector attached to the second major surface near the second end, and engaging the second mating connector with at least one of the openings in the first member to maintain the first belt in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band. In one embodiment, the second mating connector comprises a buckle comprising a pin, the pin extending through at least one perforation.

In other aspects, the invention features a mini-belt that includes an elastic band having a longitudinal extent and comprising a first end and a second end, a first mating connector attached to the first end, and a second mating connector attached to the second end, wherein the longitudinal extent is no greater than 4 inches,

In some embodiments, the mini-belt is capable of maintaining a loose fitting pair of pants having at least two belt loops on a wearer when the elastic band extends around the at least two belt loops and the first mating connector is connected to the second mating connector. In other embodiments, the longitudinal extent is no greater than 3 inches. In another embodiment, the longitudinal extent is no greater than 2 inches. In still other embodiments, the longitudinal extent is no greater than 1 inch.

In one embodiment, the elastic band further includes a width that is no greater than about 1.5 inches. In some embodiments, the width is no greater than about 0.5 inch.

The invention features a belt of simple construction that does not interfere with the comfort of the wearer and that maintains the garment on the wearer (e.g., holds the pants up and prevents them from falling down).

The invention also enables the simultaneous wearing of the belt and a second belt, e.g., a more aesthetically pleasing or fashionable belt.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the brief description of the drawings, the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a belt positioned around two loops of a waistband of a garment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the belt of FIG. 1 in a tightened configuration around loops of the waistband.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first major surface of the belt of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second major surface of the belt of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the belt of FIG. 1 in a closed loop.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the belt of FIG. 1 in an engaged configuration.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of a belt according to another embodiment in an engaged configuration.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a belt that includes an ornament.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of the belt of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the back of the ornament of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a method of using the mini-belt according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, the method of wearing a belt includes passing a belt 10 through a first loop 12 and a second loop 14 of a waistband 16 of a garment 18 and maintaining the belt 10 in a closed loop 25 around the first loop 12 and the second loop 14 of the waistband 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The belt 10 can be tightened to exert the desired level of tension on the first and second loops 12, 14 of the waistband 16. The tension pulls the loops 12, 14 toward one another and decreases any slack present in the waistband 16 of the garment 18. The tension may cause the material of the waistband 16 of the garment 18 to buckle and form folds 29. The garment can be any garment that includes belt loops including pants (e.g., dress pants, slacks, jeans, shorts, Bermudas, and swim trunks), skirts, dresses, and coats.

In one embodiment, the belt 10 is a stretch belt that includes an elastic member 24, a first major surface 20, a second major surface 22, a longitudinal extent 26, a first end 28, a second end 30 opposite the first end 28, the longitudinal extent 26 extending between the first end 28 and the second end 30, a first mating connector 32 and a second mating connector 34, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The first mating connector 32 is positioned on the second major surface of the belt 10 near the first end 28 of the elastic member 24. The second mating connector 34 is positioned on the first major surface 20 of the belt 10 near the second end 30 of the elastic member 24. When the elastic member 24 is looped over on itself such that the first mating connector 32 is brought into contact with the second mating connector 34, the first and second mating connectors 32, 34 can be engaged with one another in such a manner so as to fasten the first and second ends 28, 30 of the belt 10 together and to maintain the belt 10 in the form of a closed loop 25. The wearer can engage and disengage the first and second mating connectors 32, 34 to fasten and unfasten the ends 28, 30 of the belt 10, respectively. The tension on the belt 10 and the tension exerted by the belt 10 on the loops 12, 14 of the garment 18 can be increased by connecting the second mating connector 34 to a row 32a, 32b, 32c of the first mating connector 32 that is farther away from the first end 28 of the belt 10, which effectively shortens the length of the belt 10.

The first mating connector 32 of the belt is in the form of a female connector that includes three rows 32a, 32b, 32c of loops 60 spaced a distance apart from one another along a portion of the longitudinal extent 26 of the belt 10. Each row 32a, 32b, 32c of the female connector includes two loops 60 that are spaced apart from one another in a latitudinal array. The second mating connector 34 is in the form of a male connector that includes a single set of two hooks 62 spaced apart from one another in a latitudinal array. The spacing of the loops 60 and the spacing of the hooks 62 is such that the hooks 62 and the loops 60 align to enable each of the hooks 62 to hook around a corresponding loop 60 and to maintain the ends 28, 30 of the belt 10 in a relatively flush relationship with one another.

In other embodiments, the female connector includes any of a number of different rows and loops including, e.g., one, three, four, five and six loops, rows and combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the male connector includes any suitable number of hooks and rows can be utilized including, e.g., one, three, four, five and six hooks, rows and combinations thereof. Although a female connector is illustrated as being the first mating connector and the second mating connector is illustrated as being a male connector, the first mating connector can be a male connector, and the second mating connector can be a female connector. In addition, although the first and second mating connectors are illustrated as being on opposite major surfaces of the belt, they could be on the same surface of the belt.

In other embodiments, the mating connectors are in the form of snaps, grommets, buckles, friction fit constructions, Velcro hook and loop fibers, and combinations thereof.

The exposed major surface of the belt in the area of the connection between the first and second mating connectors, i.e., the second major surface 22 of the belt 10, hides the connection between the mating connectors 32, 34 when the belt 10 is in the form of a closed loop 25 and the connectors are engaged as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6. In some embodiments, a portion 44 of the belt 10 at the second end 40 of the belt extends beyond the second mating connector 46 an amount sufficient to cover and hide all of the mating connectors 46, 48 including, e.g., the loops 50 of a female connector and the hooks 52 of a male connector an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 7.

The belt has a longitudinal extent that is much shorter than that of traditional belts and can have a variety of configurations. The longitudinal extent 26 preferably is no greater than 4 inches, no greater than 3.5 inches, no greater than 3 inches, no greater than 2 inches, or even no greater than 1 inch, and a width that is no greater than about 2 inches, no greater than about 1.5 inches, no greater than about 1.25 inches, no greater than about 0.5 inch, at least about 0.2 inch, at least about 0.4 inch or even at least about 0.6 inch.

The elastic member 24 exhibits a linear elasticity in the direction of its longitudinal extent and resistance to stretching in the direction of its longitudinal extent.

The elongated member of the belt can be made from a variety of other materials including, e.g., leather, nonwoven web, woven fabric, string, rope, yarn, zip tie, plastic, and combinations thereof. Useful zip tie constructions include, e.g., a female component (e.g., an opening) on one end of a longitudinal extent and ridges extending from the longitudinal extent. The ridges fixedly engage the female component to prevent the longitudinal extent from releasing from the female component.

In some embodiments, the belt 70 includes an ornament 72 positioned over the belt 70 so as to hide at least a portion of the belt 70 from the view of an observer as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. The ornament 72 includes two slides 74, 76 extending from a back surface 78 thereof, each slide being dimensioned to engage the elongated member 80 of the belt 70. A wide variety of ornaments are suitable having a variety of shapes, dimension and constructions including decorative items in a variety of shapes including, e.g., a buckle, a faceted article (e.g., a diamond shaped article), a polygon, a circle, letters, names, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of wearing the belt 10. The method of wearing a belt 10 includes the method as described above and further includes inserting an end 102 of a second belt 90 through the loops 98 of a pair of pants 18 such that the second belt 90 extends around the waist of pants 18, securing the first end of the second belt in the buckle 94 of the second belt and securing the belt in a fixed position with the pin 96 of the buckle 94 extending through an opening 92 near the first end 102 of the second belt, and tucking at least the portion of the first belt 10 that includes mating connectors (not shown) behind the second belt, e.g., behind the area of the buckle 94 of the second belt.

Other embodiments are within the claims.

All patents and patent publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein in their entirety.

Claims

1. A method of using a belt, the method comprising:

passing a first belt through a first loop and a second loop of a waistband of a garment, the belt comprising a first member comprising a longitudinal extent, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, and

engaging the first end and the second end to maintain the first member in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first member further comprises:

a first mating connector attached to the first major surface near the first end; and

a second mating connector attached to the second major surface near the second end,

the engaging comprising engaging the first mating connector and the second mating connector to maintain the first member in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the garment is a pair of pants that includes belt loops.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the method further comprises:

inserting the longitudinal extent of a second belt having a longitudinal extent of at least 24 inches through the belt loops of the garment, the second belt comprising a first end, a second end, and a buckle attached to the first end;

securing the first end in the buckle; and

tucking at least a portion of the first belt behind the second belt.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tucking comprises tucking at least the first and second mating connectors of the first belt behind the portion of the belt that includes the buckle.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first mating connector comprises at least two hooks.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the second mating connector comprises at least two loops.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second mating connector comprises at least two loops.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the first member is elastic.

10. A method of using a belt, the method comprising:

passing a first belt through a first loop and a second loop of a waistband of a pair of pants comprising the belt loops, the belt comprising a first member comprising a longitudinal extent, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and openings extending through the first member near the first end; and a second mating connector attached to the second major surface near the second end; and

engaging the second mating connector with at least one of the openings in the first member to maintain the first belt in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second mating connector comprises a buckle comprising a pin, the pin extending through at least one perforation.

12. A mini-belt comprising:

an elastic band having a longitudinal extent and comprising a first end and a second end;

a first mating connector attached to the first end; and

a second mating connector attached to the second end;

wherein the longitudinal extent is no greater than 4 inches,

13. The mini-belt of claim 12, wherein the mini-belt is capable of maintaining a loose fitting pair of pants having at least two belt loops on a wearer when the elastic band extends around the at least two belt loops and the first mating connector is connected to the second mating connector.

14. The mini-belt of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal extent is no greater than 3 inches.

15. The mini-belt of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal extent is no greater than 2 inches.

16. The mini-belt of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal extent is no greater than 1 inch.

17. The mini-belt of claim 12, wherein the elastic band further comprises a width that is no greater than about 1.5 inches.

18. The mini-belt of claim 12, wherein the width is no greater than about 0.5 inch.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the first member comprises at least one of a zip tie and rope.