Adjustable non-slipping soft workbelt

Abstract

The present invention is a softer belt typically used for garments and it can be altered to be used as a collar for animals, a strap for carrying bags and luggage, or as a work belt used for nail bags used in construction. The softer belt, softer strap, and softer animal collar comprises nylon tubular webbing and is filled with one or more of the following materials; polystyrene pellets, memory foam, shredded polyurethane foam, whole foam or any other conceivable material that could be stuffed into the tubular webbing, which makes the device of this invention softer, plusher, and more comfortable. The work belt is easily adjustable and also comprises nylon tubular webbing filled with one or more of the above materials, but the webbing is not limited to being tubular and can also be flat nylon webbing, flat polypropylene webbing, flat patterned polypropylene webbing, etc.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

None

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates in general to belts used for garments, and more particularly to a belt that can not only be used for garments but can also be altered to be used as a collar for animals, a strap for carrying bags and luggage, or a construction belt used for nail bags and other accessories.

Traditionally, belts have been made of leather or imitation leather, which is typically thin, flat and stiff. They come with no padding, and are hard and uncomfortable. Moreover, the color selection of leather or imitation leather belts is very limited; usually they are available only in black or brown. These belts tend to wear out relatively quickly at the point where the belt rests against the buckle or where the belt buckle tongue slides through the eyehole in the belt. Once this happens, the belt becomes useless.

Although leather belts can be more expensive and of higher quality, even these belts wear at the above-mentioned points over time, rendering them useless. Finally, most belts have predetermined eyeholes that are incremented approximately 1 inch apart from each other. This limits the ability to adjust the belt to the desired tightness needed.

Other types of belts have been made of flat webbing, cotton webbing, hemp, or suede. Such belts are normally very thin, with no padding, and are uncomfortable. The tighter the above-mentioned belts are made, the more uncomfortable they become. Frequently, they dig into a user's waist and leave marks on the skin or body. This effect can be very uncomfortable, especially when a person must perform tasks that require bending.

Animal collars, like belts, have traditionally been made of leather, nylon webbing, or chains wherein they are flat in thickness, and stiff. They come with no padding, and are frequently uncomfortable to an animal. Such collars can put a lot of unnecessary strain on a pet's neck, especially if the collar is adjusted too tightly. In addition to this, when a leash pulls on the collar while walking an animal, it can be quite uncomfortable for the animal.

Finally, straps for carrying bags, purses, luggage, suitcases, backpacks, seat belts in automobiles, golf bags, etc. are typically made of nylon webbing or leather. Frequently, they are made of webbing that is thin and flat in thickness, contain no padding, and are uncomfortably hard. When a person is carrying a heavy load for long periods of time with a strap over their shoulder or holding onto hand straps, such traditional straps can become quite uncomfortable.

Numerous belts, straps or similar devices have been developed that cater to a variety of applications and needs. For example, U.S. Pub. No. 20030135913 to Yang discloses a garment belt including an extendible insert. The insert may flex or stretch while the belt is being worn so that the belt adapts to variations in a wearer's waist size and shape. However, the present invention has structural distinctions compared to the Yang device and doesn't make use of such inserts.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,189 to Blake, a leash for dogs, other animals, or young children is described. A belt having first and second ends is adapted to encircle the waist of a user and a leash can be secured to the belt at a location between its two ends. The belt provides normal control to a leashed animal or child, allowing the user's arms to swing freely while walking or running. Moreover, in U.S. Pub. No. 20040194733 to Bremm, a similar animal leash system is described. The animal leash system includes a leash of flexible material having near and far ends, and a belt arranged to be worn about a person's body. A connector is fastened to the belt for operation by the person while wearing the belt.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,311 to Anderson discloses a multi-purpose harness, which can be used as a seat when attached to an overhead support, as a safety belt when standing or sitting in a precariously exposed position or as a towing device. The harness is composed of a single length of webbing, or similar narrow-band material, wrapped around the body one or more times to form one, or a multiple of loops which can be confined to respective spaced position by means of slidable spacers with the tension controlled by an attached buckle, or snubbing device using two inter-engaging ring-shaped members, so that the free end of the webbing can be attached to a support or to the object to be towed.

Further in U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,475 to Naritomi, a shoulder belt for suspending a camera, a bag or the like is described. It comprises a belt body made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material, and an accessory member, for example, a shoulder pad or a writing object, e.g., letters or pattern, made of a thermoplastic elastomer, which is rigidly secured to the belt body as an integral part thereof by fusion welding.

Although the above-mentioned devices have tensile and flexibility properties, they are structurally distinct compared with the present invention. Moreover, most of the devices aren't sufficiently versatile enough to serve a variety of needs with minor alterations, as the present invention can.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved, softer, easily adjustable work belt, including a softer belt, softer strap, and softer animal collar which is more comfortable, available in a variety of colors and webbing sizes, and plusher while also more durable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a softer belt, softer strap, and softer animal collar, which includes nylon tubular webbing filled with one or more materials such as beanbag material polystyrene pellets, memory foam, or similar materials.

A further object is to provide an improved belt that is versatile, and can be used in a variety of settings and applications.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a softer work belt which includes a cam buckle that is easily adjustable, non-slipping, and adjusts to any desired increment, and which is softer, more comfortable and more durable. These and other objects of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an improved softer belt used for garments, wherein the belt can be altered to be used as a collar for animals, a strap for carrying bags and luggage, or as a work belt used for nail bags or other accessories used in construction. The softer belt, strap, and animal collar comprises tubular webbing made of nylon or similar material and is filled with one or more of the following materials—beanbag material Polystyrene (Styrofoam) pellets, memory foam, Polyurethane foam (shredded), whole foam or any other conceivable material that could be stuffed into the tubular webbing, which makes the device of this invention softer, plusher, and more comfortable.

The improved belt of the present invention is versatile in nature. The only differences between its use as a belt, animal collar, or as straps are the hardware, and the lengths and widths of the webbing used. The belt and animal collar are almost identical in that they both use buckles to connect the ends of the webbing together to form a collar or belt, except that the animal collar should typically be used with a ring to which a leash and an identification tag may be attached, and that the lengths of the webbing will vary. The straps will not connect together (i.e., via a buckle) unlike the collars and the belts. Instead they will connect to the bag or item that are used for carrying, via a hook. However, the straps are not limited to this embodiment, and can use various means for connecting together.

The softer work belt includes a cam buckle that is easily adjustable, non-slipping, adjusts to any desired increment, and is softer, more comfortable, and more durable. The cam buckle provides the easy adjustable, and non-slipping features. The belt has a buckle that is spring loaded with flat webbing fed through it, allowing the flat webbing to be pulled to the desired tightness. In order to loosen the belt, a user simply depresses the cam buckle lever, which in turn releases the tension on the flat webbing that extends through the cam buckle. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, flat webbing or leather is used in the buckle device. This feature prevents the belt from sagging or slipping, as traditional work belts do, when the weight of tools and supplies are carried in the belt.

Each of the above-mentioned alterations in the improved belt of the present invention would be adjustable via the different hardware use; the hardware will have single or double side adjustments for the webbing to slide through and allowing the user to adjust the lengths of the webbing. Except in the case of the cam buckle, it's adjusted via the webbing fed through the spring-loaded cam buckle and pulling on the webbing going through the cam buckle would tighten the belt or collar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved belt in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an animal collar in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an easy adjustable work belt in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a strap in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a leash for animals in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURES—REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 11 . . . Belt
• 12 . . . Tubular Webbing
• 13 . . . Buckle
• 14 . . . Pivotal Tongue
• 15 . . . Ring
• 16 . . . Attachment Hole
• 17 . . . Opposite end of Tubular Webbing
• 18 . . . Rivet
• 19 . . . Stitching
• 20 . . . Female end of Buckle
• 21 . . . Collar for Animals
• 22 . . . Flat Webbing
• 23 . . . Cam Buckle
• 24 . . . Lever
• 25 . . . Opposite end of Flat Webbing
• 26 . . . Loop
• 27 . . . Connector Webbing
• 28 . . . Male end of Buckle
• 29 . . . Flap Webbing
• 30 . . . O-ring
• 31 . . . Work Belt
• 32 . . . Snap Hook
• 33 . . . Bag or Case
• 34 . . . Leash Clip
• 35 . . . Soft Hand Loop
• 41 . . . Strap
• 51 . . . Leash

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an improved belt of the present invention that is typically used as a belt for garments is illustrated and generally indicated as 11. The belt 11 may be altered and can be used for other purposes such as a strap, an animal collar, or a work belt. The belt 11 comprises a tubular webbing 12 made of nylon or similar material that is filled with one or more of the following materials (not shown)—Polystyrene Styrofoam pellets, memory foam, shredded foam, whole foam, etc. that extends the length of the tubular webbing 12 and terminates just before the first attachment holes 16 preferably by stitching 19 (not shown), for placement around a person's waist, an animal's neck, or over a person's shoulder. The tubular webbing 12 has a buckle 13 secured conventionally to one end by looping the tubular webbing 12 over a portion of the buckle 13 and securing tubular webbing 12 to tubular webbing 12 preferably by stitching or with the help of rivets 18 (not shown).

The buckle 13 has a pivotal tongue 14 and may also have a ring 15, as seen in FIG. 2, for attachment of a leash and identification tags (not shown), thereby turning the belt 11 into a collar 21 for animals. The tongue 14 inserts into one of the plurality of attachment holes 16 formed in the opposite end 17 of the tubular webbing 12. Although these fasteners are preferred examples, other types of fasteners to secure the ends of the belt 11 are suitable, including fasteners that have components on each end that snap together.

Referring to FIG. 3, a work belt 31 is illustrated and is typically used as a belt to secure a set of construction workbags to a user's waist. A user may adjust the work belt to a desired tightness, not limited to pre-set adjustments in typical work belts. The work belt 31 comprises tubular webbing 12 made of nylon or similar material that is filled with one or more of the following materials (not shown)—Polystyrene Styrofoam pellets, shredded foam, or whole foam, which extends the length of the tubular webbing 12. The work belt 31 is not limited to being made from tubular webbing 12; alternate methods may include flat nylon webbing, leather, flat Polypropylene webbing, flat patterned Polypropylene webbing, or cotton webbing but not limited to just these.

The tubular webbing 12 has a female end of buckle 20 secured conventionally to one end by looping tubular webbing 12 over a portion of the female end of buckle 20 and securing tubular webbing 12 to tubular webbing 12 preferably by stitching or with the help of rivets 18. Opposite end 17 of tubular webbing 12 connects to flat webbing 22 preferably by stitching or with the help of rivets 18 (not shown). Flat webbing 22 slides through a cam buckle 23 by pressing down on spring-loaded cam buckle lever 24. Opposite end 25 of flat webbing 22 wraps around and connects to itself to form a loop 26 to stop the flat webbing 22 from being pulled back through the cam buckle 23. The loop 26 also serves a placement point for a person's finger to pull the flat webbing 22 through the cam buckle 23 and allows the work belt 31 to be tightened up. Pressing down on the spring-loaded cam buckle lever 24 releases pressure on the flat webbing 22 and allows the work belt 31 to become loose.

A connector webbing 27 is secured conventionally by looping over a portion of the cam buckle 23; the connector webbing 27 is also secured by looping over a portion of a male buckle 28 and then the connector webbing 27 secures to itself preferably by stitching or with the help of rivets 18, which serves as a connector between the cam buckle 23 and the male end of buckle 28. The connector webbing 27 has an extra length of flap webbing 29 that serves as a comfort pad in that it rests between the cam buckle 23 and the person's waist. An O-ring 30 slides over the opposite end of the tubular webbing 17 and it provides a tucking place for the loop 26. Otherwise, the loop 26 might dangle and possibly get caught on other objects.

Referring to FIG. 4, a strap 41 is typically used as a strap for carrying bags and purses. The strap 41 comprises tubular webbing 12 made of nylon or similar material that is filled with one or more of the following materials (not shown)—Polystyrene Styrofoam pellets, shredded foam, or whole foam that extends the length of the tubular webbing 12, for placement over a person's shoulder or handle straps for grabbing and carrying bags. Tubular webbing 12 has snap hooks 32 secured conventionally to both ends by looping the tubular webbing 12 over a portion of the snap hooks 32 and securing the tubular webbing 12 preferably by stitching or with the help of rivets 18. The snap hooks 32 connect to rings (not shown) on bag or case 33. Although these fasteners are preferred examples, other types of fasteners to secure the ends of the belt 41 are suitable, including fasteners that have components on each end that snap together, stitched or riveted for permanent attachment. The strap 41 may also be used as a back pack, seat belts in automobiles, bags for cameras, camcorders, luggage, sport, utility, travel, etc. but not limited to these.

Referring to FIG. 5, a leash 51 is typically used as a leash for walking a person's pet. The leash 51 comprises tubular webbing 12 made of nylon or similar material that is filled with one or more of the following materials (not shown)—Polystyrene Styrofoam pellets, shredded foam, or whole foam that extends around a hand loop 35 and terminates where the tubular webbing 12 secures to tubular webbing 12 preferably by stitching or with the help of rivets 18. The tubular webbing 12 has a leash clip 34 secured conventionally to one end by looping tubular webbing 12 over a portion of the leash clip 34 and securing tubular webbing 12 to tubular webbing 12 preferably by stitching or with the help of rivets 18. The leash clip 34 connects to the ring (not shown) on an animal collar.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

For example, the tubular webbing can be filled with other materials such as Polystyrene (Styrofoam) pellets, Memory foam, Polyurethane foam shredded, recycled Polystyrene beads (PET), whole foam cut to the right dimensions and slipped into the tubular webbing, or any other conceivable materials which could be placed into the belt's tubular webbing, thereby making the belt softer, plusher, and more comfortable. Different materials, sizes, and interconnections can be used for all components. The easy adjustable work belt can also be made of flat nylon tubular webbing, flat Polypropylene webbing, flat patterned Polypropylene webbing, cotton webbing, leather, or any other conceivable materials, wherein such materials would eliminate the soft, plush ness that the stuffed tubular webbing provided.

Further, different types of buckles and snaps/hooks can be used depending upon individual needs and the desired outcome, and they aren't limited to the one's shown and mentioned. For example, metal and plastic side release buckles, metal and plastic D-ring buckles, metal tongue buckles, cam buckles, military/work twist-interlock buckles, metal and plastic snaps/hooks.

Claims

1. An improved belt comprising: tubular webbing having two ends;

a fastening means to connect the ends of the tubular webbing together;

a plurality of attachment holes formed in the opposite end of the tubular webbing; and

one or more filler materials stuffed into the tubular webbing that extends the length of the tubular webbing and makes the belt softer, plusher, and more comfortable.

2. The improved belt of claim 1, whereby the tubular webbing is made of nylon.

3. The improved belt of claim 2, wherein the filler material can be polystyrene (styrofoam) pellets, memory foam, polyurethane foam shredded, recycled polystyrene beads (PET), whole foam cut to the right dimensions, or any other conceivable material.

4. The improved belt of claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprises a conventional buckle which is secured conventionally to one end of the tubular webbing and said buckle comprises a pivotal tongue that inserts into one of the plurality of attachment holes.

5. The improved belt of claim 1, wherein the fastening means can include a metal and plastic side release buckle, a metal and plastic D-ring buckle, a metal tongue buckle, a cam buckle, a twist-interlock buckle, plastic and metal snaps/hooks, or similar fasteners.

6. The improved belt of claim 1, wherein the belt further comprises a ring to which a leash and identification tag can be attached and thereby forming a collar for animals, whereby the tubular webbing is made of nylon; and wherein the filler material can be polystyrene (styrofoam) pellets, memory foam, polyurethane foam shredded, recycled polystyrene beads (PET), whole foam cut to the right dimensions, or any other conceivable material.

7. The improved belt of claim 6, wherein the fastening means comprises a conventional buckle which is secured conventionally to one end of the tubular webbing and said buckle comprises a pivotal tongue that inserts into one of the plurality of attachment holes.

8. An improved belt typically used as a strap for carrying bags, purses or the like comprising: tubular webbing having two ends; a bag, purse, or similar item; fastening means that is secured conventionally to both ends of the tubular webbing; a set of two rings attached on both sides of the bag, purse, or similar item to which the ends of the tubular webbing connect, with the help of fasteners; and one or more filler materials stuffed into the tubular webbing that extends the length of the tubular webbing and makes the belt softer, plusher, and more comfortable.

9. The improved belt of claim 8, whereby the tubular webbing is made of nylon.

10. The improved belt of claim 9, wherein the filler material can be polystyrene (styrofoam) pellets, memory foam, polyurethane foam shredded, recycled polystyrene beads (PET), whole foam cut to the right dimensions, or any other conceivable material.

11. The improved belt of claim 8, wherein the fastening means comprises snap hooks or fasteners that have components on each end that snap together, stitched or riveted for permanent attachment.

12. An improved work belt typically used to secure a set of construction workbags to a user's waist comprising: a main webbing having two ends; a female end of buckle secured conventionally to one end of the main webbing; a flat webbing which connects to the opposite end of the main webbing preferably by stitching or with the help of rivets; a cam buckle which is spring-loaded, with flat webbing fed through it; a cam buckle lever which is pushed or pressed down in order to loosen the work belt; a male end of buckle; a ? (what to name this webbing—connector webbing?) webbing serving as a connector between the cam buckle and male end of buckle; an O-ring which slides over the opposite end of the main webbing and provides a tucking place for a loop which is formed out of the flat webbing; and one or more filler materials stuffed into the tubular webbing that extends the length of the tubular webbing and makes the belt softer, plusher, and more comfortable.

13. The improved work belt of claim 12, whereby the main webbing is made of nylon and is tubular.

14. The improved work belt of claim 13, wherein the ? (what to name this webbing—connector webbing?) webbing has an extra flap of webbing that serves as a comfort pad and rests between the cam buckle and the user's waist.

15. The improved work belt of claim 12, wherein the filler material can be polystyrene (styrofoam) pellets, memory foam, polyurethane foam shredded, recycled polystyrene beads (PET), whole foam cut to the right dimensions, or any other conceivable material.

16. The improved work belt of claim 12, wherein the main webbing may include flat nylon webbing, flat polypropylene webbing, flat patterned polypropylene webbing, cotton webbing, leather, or any other conceivable material.

17. A leash for a user's pet comprising: tubular webbing having two ends; one or more filler materials stuffed into the tubular webbing that extends around a hand loop and terminates where the tubular webbing secures to itself; a leash clip, one end of which is secured conventionally to one end of the tubular webbing while the other end connects to an animal collar ring; and fastening means to terminate said hand loop and to secure the leash clip onto the tubular webbing.

18. The leash of claim 17, whereby the tubular webbing is made of nylon.

19. The leash of claim 18, wherein the filler material can be polystyrene (styrofoam) pellets, memory foam, polyurethane foam shredded, recycled polystyrene beads (PET), whole foam cut to the right dimensions, or any other conceivable material.

20. The leash of claim 17, wherein the fastening means can be stitching or rivets.