Belt, Strap, Or Strip Constructions Patents (Class 2/338)
  • Patent number: 6272691
    Abstract: A sleeve is held in a gathered postion with an elongated strap having an elastic loop on one end and a fastener on the other end. The fastener is passed through the loop and then folded back against itself to hold the fastener to the loop. The sleeve holder may also have one or two labels to add decorative graphics to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Promarx, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Henricksen, Sandra J. Shidler
  • Patent number: 6266825
    Abstract: Disclosed is a traveler's head support sleeping and resting mechanism for a seated person. The seat and/or chair being used may include a headrest. The present invention includes a band comprising two separate sections, a seat harness and a head harness. When the two separate sections are in contact with each other's highly adhesive sides, a single band is formed. When the seat harness is wrapped around the top section of the seat and/or chair to overlap on itself, creates a strong anchoring seat harness section around such seat an/or chair. The head harness, the remaining length of band section, may be further wrapped around the seated person's forehead and the seat anchoring harness section itself. The two separate sections are strongly bonded on contact with each other and themselves so as to form a comfortable, complete head support harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: Glenn Floyd
  • Patent number: 6189154
    Abstract: A hidden implement holder system. The hidden implement holder system comprises; a cummerbund article; and an implement compartment coupled to and concealed by the cummerbund. The cummerbund article further comprises an implement holder contained within the implement compartment, and the implement compartment further comprises a closeable access coupled thereto. The implement holder is comprised of a vertically stabilized rigid material, having horizontal flexibility, and having a set of implement cavities thereon, and additionally comprises a set of implements positioned within the set of implement cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Bill E. Ducharme
  • Patent number: 6137675
    Abstract: A supportive belt for supporting devices such as computer components around a user's torso, including a vertically rigid rear plate, vertically rigid side and front pod elements, and a front buckle fastener. Hinged pod elements in the belt provide horizontal flexibility and associated springs enable the belt to be self-tensioning. A cantilevered arm is supported on a pod element with movement in four directions for supporting input/output devices, platforms, sensors, readers, etc. Keyboard units are cantilever supported on a pod element. The belt and computer components may be used on a torso, on a workstation platform, etc. and may be readily folded for transport. Passageways in the pod elements enable air to flow through the pod elements and remove heat from the torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Michael T. Perkins
  • Patent number: 6126639
    Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis catheter support undergarment which allows for easy use and comfortable wearing by the patient. Additionally, the undergarment is versatile in that it may be worn virtually undetectable under clothing and is also designed to be sufficiently durable to withstand many washing and drying cycles. The belt also is capable of conforming to the ever changing waistline of a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventors: Joanne M. Sutherland, Brian M. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6108821
    Abstract: A trouser belt, including a single-piece band with a first and second extremity, a box (1) fixed to the first extremity of the band, a plate (14) mounted so as to slide within the box (1) following the longitudinal direction and able to be linked to the second extremity by way of a buckle pin (12), at least one serration (18) longitudinally formed on the sliding plate (14), at least one tappet (25, 26) assembled in co-operation with the box in a longitudinal direction and including a protruding pin (21, 22), a helical spring (24) mounted so as to push the tappet (25, 26) in a position to lock the pin in the teeth of the serration. The mutual longitudinal movement of the box and the plate is therefore avoided, while pressure applied to the tappet against the pressure applied by the spring frees the pin from the serration to allow for the mutual longitudinal movement. A single coaxial spring (24) is implemented to at least one of said tappet (25, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Jacques Malsoute
  • Patent number: 6108822
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved waistline belt for keeping pants, jeans and skirts in place, and retaining the shape of the belt. The improved waistline belt includes a buckle, split leather straps and a spring-tempered stainless steel plate. A method of constructing the belt is also provided. With the leather belts split apart, an adhesive substance is applied on both inside portions of the split leather straps. A precut spring-tempered stainless steel plate is set into an end portion of the belt between the split leathers opposite to the buckle. The split leathers are glued together. The split leathers are also stitched together along their respective edges to seal the steel plate between the leathers and retain the buckle at an end of the belt opposite to the apertured end. Holes formed in the straps and insert hook the buckle end into a select one of the holes to adjust the belt to the user's waistline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Juanito E. Calagui
  • Patent number: 6085356
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a detachable waist band expander for temporarily adjusting the waist band size of a garment. The user attaches the waist band expander to the button and the button slit of their clothing. The present invention includes an optional sized button which is inserted into the button slit of the waist band of the garment as a button hooking device engages the button of the garment. Hook and pile inserts serve as a size adjustment means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Craig C. Redmond, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6067661
    Abstract: A belt comprising an elongated strip of material having a first end and a second end; a pouch at said first end of said strip; an attachment means at said second end of said strip for adjustably connecting said first and second ends of said strip; and a loop for holding said first end of said strip and adapted to allow said pouch to pass through said loop when engaging said attachment means. Preferably, the loop or a portion of the loop comprises an elastic material. Preferably, the attachment means comprises a buckle arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas P. Bates
  • Patent number: 6067662
    Abstract: A fastener for a belt includes a buckle member adapted to be attached to a first end portion of the belt, wherein the buckle member includes a receiving member having an opening for receiving the belt therethrough, an operating plate provided with a tongue and pivotally mounted to the receiving member, the tongue extending from the operating plate toward a rear portion of the receiving member, and a fixing member pivotally fixed at the rear portion of the receiving member; and a slot member including a plurality of slots and protrusions and adapted to be formed to a second end portion of the belt, wherein the tongue is inserted into one of the slots and abutted against a substantially vertical surface of one of the protrusions by the operation of the operating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Jae Kwon Sim
  • Patent number: 6058504
    Abstract: A fastener for a shin guard mounted on the leg of an athlete including upper and lower bands connected at their ends by diagonal bands, fork bands connecting the outer ends of the upper and lower bands to each other, a band of pile fabric extending outwardly from one of the fork bands, and a band of hook fabric extending outwardly from the other of the fork bands. A combined shin guard and fastener wherein the upper and lower bands are secured to the shin cover. A shin guard fastener consisting of an elongated flexible and resilient band having a central portion with a first attachment member for attaching the central portion to a sock or shin cover, and second and third attachment members on the end portions of the band for attaching the end portions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Michael D. Tollini
  • Patent number: 6053169
    Abstract: The disclosed medical device having an elongated strap sized to fit around a patient's body area with overlapping opposite under and outer layer strap ends, and with an inside strap face then lying proximate the patient and an opposite outside face. A lever is pivoted relative to the outside face of the under layer strap end and stops are formed at locations along the lever spaced from the lever pivot. The outer layer strap end has openings therein spaced apart along the strap. After wrapping the device loosely around a patient's body area, the lever is fitted through any selected strap opening to establish engagement of a respective stop-opening combination for interlocking the lever and strap together and defining an endless band encircling the patient's body area. The lever can then be pivoted toward the strap outer layer end to reduce the band circumference to a desired size and tightness, and then held relative to the strap in this closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Dermot A. Hunt
  • Patent number: 6050463
    Abstract: An elongated band, suitable for use as a watch strap, belt, head band or luggage strap, is fabricated from a plurality of individual overlapping, and optionally interlocking, segments of leather, or leather-like material that are bonded together to form an upper or outer layer, which is in turn bonded to a conventional backing material, such as a band substrate. The assembled and finished band can be tooled to provide distinctive surface configurations of striking ornamental appearance; alternative configurations of the overlapping segments resemble metal expansion bands for wrist watches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Norman M. Morris Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. De Bono, Francisco Monge-Arias
  • Patent number: 6041444
    Abstract: A load supporting waist belt comprising four separate articulated sections including front and rear belt straps and right and left hip pieces with adjustable connectors on the front and rear belt straps allowing adjustment for waist size and location of hip sections squarely on the wearer's hips. The hip pieces are stiff members capable of supporting tool hangers, pouches and the like and are provided with accompanying hip pads for contacting the wearer's hips. Brackets are used to lower the load attachment points to a position below the waist and in the area of the connection of the thigh bone to the hip of the wearer. A slide bar release mechanism is disclosed for detachably connecting loads to the support pivots. A shoulder harness is connected at pivotal anchor points on each hip section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: John McKinney
  • Patent number: 6009556
    Abstract: A bathing suit of the bikini type for females comprises two discrete tops and a bottom. Each of the bikini tops includes a cup, a section of a neck strap and a section of a back strap. The neck strap sections can be releasably connected to one another as can the back strap sections. Each of the bikini tops further includes an additional strap which is provided with a coupling element and is designed to extend to the bikini bottom. Several coupling elements are located on the inside of the bikini bottom and can be connected to the coupling element on either of the additional straps. The appearance of the bathing suit can be changed by attaching the additional straps to various ones of the coupling elements on the bikini bottom. An extension is provided for the neck strap and makes further changes in appearance possible. Thus, while the neck strap itself is too short to be crossed, the extension enables crossing to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Nanci I. Nenninger
  • Patent number: 6006364
    Abstract: A stretchable, adjustable support device for clothing shoulder straps which connects together straps worn near opposite shoulders and biases shoulder straps worn near one shoulder toward those straps worn near the opposite shoulder to maintain each in a centrally located position between the wearer's neck and one of the wearer's shoulders, thus preventing the straps worn near either shoulder from sliding over its adjacent shoulder. The ends of the support device may be connected to the shoulder straps with hook and pile types of fasteners or they may be permanently attached to the shoulder straps. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use in supporting straps of brassieres, slips, camisoles, and swimsuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventors: Janice M. Newsom, Jeanine M. Wells
  • Patent number: 5983403
    Abstract: A multi-function retaining device in which the retaining of articles of clothing is accomplished by an elongated member that has overlapping ends. One end of the elongated member has a series of outwardly extending U-shaped members connected thereon. The other end of the elongated member has a series of apertures disposed therein. When the two ends are overlapped, the U-shaped members traverse the apertures. A second elongated member connected to the first elongated member traverses the U-shaped members, securing the two ends of the first elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: David A. Neeley
  • Patent number: 5970526
    Abstract: An adjustable multi-part belt including an elongated central portion having long opposed side edges and short opposed end edges. The central portion has an inner surface and an outer surface. An elongated first side portion is provided having long opposed side edges and short opposed end edges. The first side portion has an inner surface and an outer surface. A first opposed end edge is adjustably coupled with the central portion at a selected position thereon. A second opposed end edge of the first side portion has a male buckle extending outwardly therefrom. An elongated second side portion is provided having long opposed side edges and short opposed end edges. The second side portion has an inner surface and an outer surface. The first opposed end edge is adjustably coupled with the central portion at a selected position thereon opposed from the first side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Jessie Weathers
  • Patent number: 5970517
    Abstract: A harness assembly having an integral support line. The harness assembly includes a harness body having first and second ends and a hollow interior which receives the support line. The support line has first and second ends that extend from the harness body. The harness is secured within a garment. The garment has a front opening which is normally covered by a releasable flap. The first and second ends of the support line extend through the front opening and are accessible when the flap is moved to an open position. The first end of the support line may be pulled away from the harness to extend the support line therefrom. The second end of the support line is secured to the harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Rapid Intervention Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Omar P. Jordan
  • Patent number: 5970516
    Abstract: An article of clothing having a light blocking pattern or a light transmitting pattern. The clothing article may also have a removable light blocking pattern or a removable light transmitting pattern. By wearing the article of clothing a person is provided with a patterned suntan or sunburn. The patterned sunburn may be attractive to the wear's intimate friends when the wearer is in a state of undress. The patterned sunburn may also be entertaining to oneself when looking (her or his) in a mirror. Also, a sharp patterned sunburn, similar to a tattoo, can be formed on the wear's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Shimooka
  • Patent number: 5960472
    Abstract: A portable garment protector device for allowing a wearer to deploy upper and lower torso sheath portions from a belt attached front container. The upper and lower torso sheaths are made of absorbent material overlying a water repellent material for protecting a wearer's chest, lap, thighs legs and knees from spilled liquids and foods. Also, side edge and bottom edge channels attached to the device prevent splashing liquid and food from touching the sides and lower leg areas of the wearer. An optional collection basin in front of the device can further collect additional spilled food and liquid. To use, the wearer unzips the container, and unravels both the upper and lower halves of the device over their upper and lower extremities. Additional adjustable neck straps allow the device to be used with different sized users. Wearer's can use the device on seatbelts as both a passenger and a driver in a vehicle, as well as just on the front of their normally worn clothing belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Ana M. Reid
  • Patent number: 5943705
    Abstract: An athletic equipment attachment strap for holding athletic equipment in place against a user's body includes elastic and non-elastic portions for providing a comfortable and flexible fit. The preferred embodiment provides a loop attached to an elastic portion and hook and loop fasteners for fastening the non-elastic portions to each other around the loop. In an alternate embodiment, two non-elastic portions are positioned at either end of an elastic portion. The two non-elastic portions include hook and loop fasteners for fastening the two non-elastic portions to each other to form a band for holding a piece of athletic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Michael D. Sink
  • Patent number: 5933874
    Abstract: An upper body or chest protector includes a pad having a case occupied by a block of cellular foam adapted to be compressed upon receipt of impact loading. Neck and body girth straps are employed to detachably retain the pad in place on the chest of the user. The body girth straps may include a pair of support straps that downwardly depend from the pad and loop about a waist belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Michael Randolph
  • Patent number: 5906604
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt (1) of flexible material for use with absorbent garments, wherein the belt comprises attachment means (6, 9, 10, 11, 21, 22) securely attached at one end. The attachment means is in the form of a flexible strip of hook elements such as used for releasable hook and loop type connectors and is used for securing that one end to an outer surface of the belt. In order to provide greater comfort for the wearer the attachment means itself is located approximately centrally and extends with its greatest dimension (a) in the width direction of the belt where dimension (a) is between 25% to 75% of the belt width (z).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Peter Ronnberg, Olle Carlbark, Bjorn Larsson
  • Patent number: 5862526
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible belt-strap container for conveniently carrying sports cards on a person comprises a container (10) having an inner side attached to the mid-portion (14) of a belt (12) by elastic webbings (13 and 13'). The container comprises an expandable and collapsible bellows (11) with an open top, and a flap (18) hingeably attached to an outer side of the container. The flap stretches across the open top and down the inner side of the bellows. A long piece of hook-and-loop fastener (19) is attached to the inner side of the bellows, while a short piece of hook-and-loop fastener (20) is attached to the distal side of the flap. Therefore, when the bellows is fully collapsed, the distal side of the flap may be attached to the lower side of the long fastener. When the bellows is fully expanded for carrying a large number of sports cards, the side of the flap may be attached to the upper side of the long fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventors: Keenan Longcor, Marc Hayman
  • Patent number: 5857217
    Abstract: A light-reflection band device has a protection band, a flexible plate disposed on the protection band, a base band disposed on the flexible plate, a transparent layer disposed on the base band, and a liquid solution and a large number of light-reflection particles disposed between the transparent layer and the base band. A periphery of the protection band, a periphery of the flexible plate, a periphery of the base band, and a periphery of the transparent layer are melted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Yu-Sheng Hsueh
  • Patent number: 5852829
    Abstract: An apparel belt includes a body encircling member for fastening around the torso of the wearer and decorative strips which are attachable to the outer side of the body encircling member. Each of the decorative strips includes a pair of socket elements which are engageable with stud elements located along the length of the body encircling member. The decorative strips are interchangeable and may include different letters or words thereon allowing the wearer to communicate a message. The decorative strips may be attached over belt loops on a garment such that the belt loops are not visible when the apparel belt is worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Shadrach Relaford
  • Patent number: 5806098
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a necktie comprising a wide end with a front side and a back side, a narrow end with a front side and a back side. The necktie has a means for connecting the wide end to the narrow end, and a means for forming a pocket on the back side of the wide end. A method for securing valuables in a pocket attached to the back of a necktie is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventors: Robert McKinnon, Jolene McMaster
  • Patent number: 5806087
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for various size passengers and tandem riders on unenclosed variable speed motorized and non-motorized vehicles which includes a dual belt configuration, a primary belt worn by the driver or front passenger which girds the waist and two (2) secondary belts attached to the primary belt, each having mounted thereon a handle, the position of which is adjustable around the waist in a manner to maintain the secondary belts in equidistant positions comfortably and effectively relative to the middle of the driver or front passenger's back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Michael R. Grotefend
  • Patent number: 5784723
    Abstract: A figure enhancing garment, which outlines and defines a wearer's body contours in a comfortable manner, includes a pair of pants having first and second pant leg portions, a front panel portion, and a waistband with a tunnel formed therein. The first and second pant leg portions are attached to the front panel portion via first and second interconnected tunnel seams that extend divergently from the crotch area and interconnect with the waistband tunnel. A third tunnel seam interconnects with the first and second tunnel seams and the waistband tunnel while extending upwardly from the crotch portion to the waistband. An adjustable pulley system extends through the waistband tunnel and the first, second and third tunnel seams to adjust the fit of the figure enhancing garment. Alternatively, the first and second seams are simple seams without tunnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Noble Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Rhonda W. Noble, Edward J. Noble, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5778456
    Abstract: A reversible belt and method of manufacture in which an elongated strip of fabric is folded over and around a strip of filler material to form a belt section and two such sections are stacked in opposing relationship with a strip of a reinforcing material therebetween. The belt sections with the intermediate strip of material are joined together by a row of stitches along each edge of the belt with the stitches passing through the fabric of the sections and the reinforcing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Blue Star Webbing Corp.
    Inventor: Richard Schimmel
  • Patent number: 5758366
    Abstract: An elastic belt allows blousing of the lower portion of an upper garment. The belt comprises a longitudinally stretchable strip which is wrapped around the torso of the body and secured with a hook-and-loop fastener component. The belt comprises an inner surface having a high coefficient of friction with the garment material. The outer surface of the belt comprises a matching hook-and-loop fastener component. The hem of the upper garment can be tucked under the inner surface of the belt from the lower side of the belt to form a bloused hem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Barry E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5745925
    Abstract: A radiation-attenuating garment which includes a main body portion covering the chest and thighs of a user, and a pair of flexible securing straps designed to wrap snugly around the user's lower back and abdomen to form a support segment. During use, variable degrees of lumbar/abdominal compression and support are obtained by circumferentially adjusting the support segment. This additionally results in a transference of the weight of the garment from the shoulders to the hips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventors: Alfred Ghilardi, Sean Paradis
  • Patent number: 5712011
    Abstract: A tug-resistant unit in which the first and second relatively inextensible members overlap one another. A shear-thickening composition having dilatant flow characteristics is disposed between the first and the second inextensible members. The composition provides a variable resistance to linear movement of the second inextensible member relative to the first inextensible member as a function of the shear forces exerted upon the dilatant fluid. The inextensible members may be enclosed within an extensible enclosure to form an elastic strap. Alternatively, one inextensible member may form a portion of the enclosure while the second inextensible member is disposed within the strap so as to overlap the first inextensible portion of the enclosure. The strap provides low resistance to slowly-varying tensile forces and high resistance to rapidly-changing tensile forces, thereby moderating the velocity of relative motion between the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignees: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc., President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Thomas A. McMahon, Stephen N. Robinovitch, Wilson C. Hayes
  • Patent number: 5699558
    Abstract: A garment for providing audio stimulation to a fetus by a birth mother includes an apron with a horizontal, center belt affixed thereto, the belt having pouches for appropriately positioning an audio input device and speakers. Additionally, microphone input of the voice of the mother may be provided to enhance fetal stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: David Min
  • Patent number: 5697107
    Abstract: A fashion belt is provided which is capable of being formed variously out of various kinds of materials to various cross-sectional shapes. The fashion belt is capable of being tightened and loosened. The fashion belt includes a belt body and a buckle, the belt body being provided at one end portion with a fixing member and at the other end portion with locking bores, and the buckle being provided with a locking portion having an end to be fixed with the fixing member, and an opposing end capable of accepting the belt body, after insertion, in order to lock and unlock the belt body in an arbitrary position of insertion. The fixing member is provided with locking projections which are to be fixed by locking with locking bores of the buckle. The buckle has a rectangular cross-section and first and second ends having first and second openings, respectively. The second opening is provided with a locking portion which is to matingly lock with the locking bores of the belt body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Takimoto
  • Patent number: 5651143
    Abstract: An arm sling for supporting an arm holding a baby. The arm sling includes a shoulder loop and an arm strap extending from the shoulder loop. The end of the arm strap is detachably fastened to the front of the shoulder loop with Velcro to make an arm support loop having an adjustable length for supporting the arm holding the baby. When not in use, the arm sling may be folded and squeezed into a compact bundle and stowed in a pants pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventor: Raymond E. Zehrung
  • Patent number: 5638550
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a garment support that satisfies this need for substantial waist size adjustability, yet maintaining comfort and style. A garment support having features of the present invention comprises a flexible, expandable, inner tube-type device to which an air intake and release mechanism will be attached. The present invention can be built into the inner waistband of garments or can be made detachable therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Paul Hube
  • Patent number: 5624065
    Abstract: A safety sport belt having a waist belt and at least one shoulder strap slidingly connected to the waist belt. The waist belt and the strap comprised of a polyester mesh fabric coated with reflective material. A transparent strip is centrally aligned on outer surface of the shoulder strap and the waist belt, which is stitched over a non-transparent strip of a polyester reflective material. The waist belt has a holder for radio and another holder for liquid container and the shoulder strap has a container for holding lock key and a second container for holding a defensive spray applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventor: Frank Steffe
  • Patent number: 5613249
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the waist size of a garment having an inner waist portion and an outer waist portion which are loose and can be held together in a mutually overlapping relation, includes a guide tape attached to the outside of the inner waist portion and having a plurality of teeth formed on its inner surface along its length, and a slider attached to the outer waist portion slidably along the guide tape and engageably with its teeth. The slider includes a flat hollow body having a pair of horizontally spaced apart openings through which the guide tape extends, and a pair of vertically spaced apart openings, and an actuator housed in the body and having a push head at its top, a leg at its bottom and a plurality of protrusions each engageable with one of the teeth on the guide tape. The head and leg are held in the vertically spaced apart openings, respectively, of the body. The body is secured to the outer waist portion of the garment by a fitting having prongs pierced therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Yutaka Ito
  • Patent number: 5613251
    Abstract: A device to prevent rape of a person wearing trousers or shorts is in the form of a locking, cut resistant belt that has the external appearance of an ordinary belt. A flexible, cut resistant cable is secured to the underside of the belt. A special clasp is attached to one end of the cable. The other end of the cable is engaged by the clasp at adjustable distances from the end to thereby snugly encircle the waist with the belt. The clasp is locked in the cable engaged position by a small padlock held within an elastic pocket. The clasp, padlock and pocket are all concealed flat against the underside of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Clifford N. Yandell
  • Patent number: 5598583
    Abstract: A cover for enclosing a belt of a back support brace. The inventive device includes an outer cover assembly for coextensively covering an outer rear surface of a lumbar support belt. A securing assembly is extendable about the belt to releasably couple the outer cover assembly thereto so as to protect and improve aesthetic appearance of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventors: Carol J. Victor, Michelle A. Carrara
  • Patent number: 5566397
    Abstract: A shortened fastening or partial belt to be worn on the exterior of a garment at the waist. A strap, possibly of elastic material, includes hooks, clips or the like engaging elements at its opposite ends which are fastened, e.g. hooked, to belt loops. The belt pulls the belt loops toward each other, tightening the waist of the garment around the waist of the wearer. The length of the strap may be adjustable. The strap may be decorated on its surface or may be in a covering or sleeve of ornamental material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Alexander R. Scott
  • Patent number: 5539933
    Abstract: A karate belt having a body to which is fixed a tying strap. The body of the karate belt is secured to the waist of a user independent of the tying strap. The tying strap remains free so that the user can practice tying a predetermined knot without being impeded or distracted by the need to simultaneously hold the belt about the user's waist while attempting to tie the knot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventors: Hal K. Garber, Karen L. Horstmanshof
  • Patent number: 5535448
    Abstract: A leg ornamentation device including an upper strap adapted to form an upper loop when worn by a user. Three upper male fasteners on the front face of the upper strap are capable of securing the upper loop around the leg below the knee by coupling with an upper female fastener on the rear face of the upper strap adjacent the second edge of the upper strap. A lower strap adapted to form a lower loop when worn by a user. Three lower male fasteners on the front face of the lower strap are capable of securing the lower loop around an ankle of the leg by coupling with a lower female fastener on the rear face of the lower strap adjacent the second edge of the lower strap. A vertical connecting strap that extends between the upper and lower strap and has a top looped portion capable of receipt therethrough the upper strap and a bottom looped portion capable of receipt therethrough the lower strap and a middle portion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventors: Penny Williamson, Michael Williamson
  • Patent number: 5528771
    Abstract: A back support to be worn by sufferers on their bodies comprises a patch of fur having a shape with a contour including an uppermost widest side, two lateral sides extending downwardly from the uppermost side and converging toward one another, and a smallest lower side connecting the lateral sides with one another, and means for holding the patch on a user's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Beniamin Yudin
  • Patent number: 5529823
    Abstract: A waterproof connection device is provided for use with a garment having optionally many detachable liners including a functional layer insert having a water vapor permeable functional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Johann Aumann
  • Patent number: 5517697
    Abstract: A belt for use with a clamp type buckle having a sliding cinch bar and a method of making the belt. The belt includes an elongated outer fabric piece having a tab end, a buckle attachment end opposite the tab end and a pair of substantially parallel outer edges. Two thickening strips extend along the entire length of the belt and a spine member is sandwiched between the strips adjacent to the tab end of the belt. The length of the spine member is less than the length of the belt. The fabric piece is folded around the thickening strips and the spine member which are secured by stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas J. Boehm
  • Patent number: 5516234
    Abstract: An elastic apparatus to be incorporated within a buoyancy compensating jacket to be used by scuba divers which is to maintain the jacket in a tight position on the torso of the scuba diver whether the diver is submerged in the water or is out of the water. The elastic apparatus comprises a plurality of stretchable elastic strips which are either mounted in conjunction with the jacket or are mounted in conjunction with a belt which is to be worn on the outside of the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Claude A. Duchesne
  • Patent number: RE36905
    Abstract: A figure-enhancing garment, which outlines and defines a wearer's body contours in a comfortable manner, includes a pair of pants having first and second pant leg portions, a front panel portion, and a waistband with a tunnel formed therein. The first and second pant leg portions are attached to the front panel portion via first and second interconnected tunnel seams that extend divergently from the crotch area and interconnect with the waistband tunnel. A third tunnel steam interconnects with the first and second tunnel seams and the waistband tunnel while extending upwardly from the crotch portion to the waistband. An adjustable pulley system extends through the waistband tunnel and the first, second and third tunnel seams to adjust the fit of the figure enhancing garment. Alternatively, the first and second seams are simple seams without tunnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Noble Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Rhonda W. Noble, Edward J. Noble, Jr.