Belt buckle

Abstract

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a removable belt buckle is provided. The buckle can be divided into two buckle ends. The first buckle end includes a plurality of posts permanently attached to the buckle. The posts removably receive bores defined in a belt. Each post also defines a receiving chamber. A removable spring element is adapted to be received within the post receiving chambers. The second buckle end includes at least one post permanently attached to the buckle. This at least one post is adapted to removably receive at least one bore defined in a belt.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/997,429 titled “Novel Belt and Buckle System” filed 3 Oct. 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to buckles for belts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A belt buckle is a buckle, a clasp for fastening two ends, as of straps or a belt, in which a device attached to one of the ends is fitted or coupled to the other. Belt buckles are said to have been invented during the Elizabethan era by Italian blacksmith Tomaso Kellioni. Others say the Persians introduced it to the Romans after their conquest. Buckles were used in ancient Greece and Rome, particularly in military equipment. Buckles were first used commonly in the cheek strap of the Roman Galea, hence the word origin from the Latin bucca—cheek. Because of the simplicity and durability of the buckle, it became popular in harnesses and embroidery, especially in shoes and boots.

Two centuries later, Americans value belt buckles for much more than their utility. Indeed, today belt buckles serve as a creative means of self-expression. What would therefore be desirable would be a belt and buckle system whereby a buckle may be readily changed on a belt such that a wearer may switch belts and buckles with ease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a removable belt buckle is provided. The buckle can be divided into two buckle ends. The first buckle end includes a plurality of posts permanently attached to the buckle. The posts removably receive bores defined in a belt. Each post also defines a receiving chamber. A removable spring element is adapted to be received within the post receiving chambers. The second buckle end includes at least one post permanently attached to the buckle. This at least one post is adapted to removably receive at least one bore defined in a belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail subsequently with the aid of the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a back view of belt buckle in accordance with the principals of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the belt buckle of FIG. 1 partially assembled.

FIG. 3 shows a back view of the belt buckle of FIG. 1 assembled with a belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a belt buckle is provided. FIG. 1 shows a back view of the belt buckle. The belt buckle (1) can be divided into two buckle portions or ends (3, 23). The first buckle end (3) includes a plurality of posts (5) permanently attached to the buckle (1). Each post (5) has a receiving chamber (7) (which may be a bore through the post (5) or an indentation into the post (5)). A removable spring element (9) is provided. As seen in FIG. 2, the removable spring element (9) is adapted to be received within the post receiving chambers (7). The second buckle end (23) includes at least one post (11) permanently attached to the buckle (1). This at least one post (11) can have a circumferential fastening groove (13) extending around the at least one post (11).

The belt (15) of the invention contains an attachment end (17) and a fastening end (19). The attachment end (17) includes two bores (21) adapted to removably receive the posts (5) of the first buckle member (3). The attachment end (17) of the belt (15) can be attached to the posts (5) through insertion of the ends of the spring element (9) into the receiving chambers (7). The fastening end (19) of the belt (15) is fitted with a bore (21), through which the at least one post (11) can be inserted, with the belt coming to rest about the fastening groove (13)

The buckle and integrated buckle members can be made of a rigid material such as but not limited to metal or plastic. The spring fastener element can be made of any suitable material such that it can be compressed to fit into the receiving chamber and exerts pressure sufficient for the ends of the spring fastener element to remain within the chambers during wear. One such fastener element material by way of example and not as a limitation is a mechanical spring, preferably a compression spring. A belt having bores on an attachment corresponding to the posts on the first member of the buckle can be removably affixed to the buckle by placing the belt bores around the posts of the buckle and inserting the ends of the spring element into the corresponding receiving chamber of the posts by compressing the spring element. The belt is then fastened for wear by inserting the second member post into the bore on the fastening end of the belt, which belt comes to rest surrounding the fastening groove.

To release the buckle, the second member of the buckle of the invention is pulled out of the fastening end of the belt. To change the buckle, the spring fastener is compressed such that the fastener ends slide out of the receiving chambers and the attachment end of the belt is pulled off of the first element posts. The spring fastener may further be reinserted to the receiving chambers for storage of the spring fastener. The inventive buckle can be preferably made of metal, although hard plastics, leathers and fabrics may also be suitable. Any material to which posts can be permanently affixed, whether machined or molded in a single unit or permanently attached in a separate process, can be used for the posts of the buckle of the invention.

While the invention has been described with specific embodiments, other alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it will be intended to include all such alternatives, modifications and variations set forth within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A belt and buckle system comprising:

a first buckle portion and a second buckle portion;

the first buckle portion comprising a plurality of posts permanently affixed thereto, each post comprising a receiving chamber, the first buckle portion further comprising a spring element with ends adapted to insert into the receiving chambers;

the second buckle portion comprising at least one post; and

a belt having an attachment end and a fastening end, the attachment end containing bores aligned with the posts of the first portion and the fastening end containing at least one bore aligned with the at least one post of the second portion.

2. The belt and buckle system of claim 1 further wherein the receiving chamber comprises a bore through the post.

3. The belt and buckle system of claim 1 further wherein the receiving chamber comprises an indentation into the post.

4. The belt and buckle system of claim 1 further wherein the at least one post of the second buckle end comprises a circumferential fastening groove extending around the at least one post.

5. The belt and buckle system of claim 1 further wherein the buckle comprises metal.

6. The belt and buckle system of claim 1 further wherein the buckle comprises plastic.

7. The belt and buckle system of claim 1 further wherein the spring fastener comprises a mechanical spring

8. The belt and buckle system of claim 1 further wherein the spring fastener comprises a compression spring.

9. A method of fastening a buckle to a belt comprising:

removably receiving bores defined in the belt by a plurality of posts permanently attached to the buckle;

removably receiving a spring element within receiving chambers defined in the plurality of posts; and

removably receiving at least another bore defined in the belt by at least another post permanently attached to the buckle.

10. The method of fastening a buckle to a belt of claim 9 further comprising removably receiving a spring element within a bore defined in the plurality of posts.

11. The method of fastening a buckle to a belt of claim 9 further comprising removably receiving a spring element within an indentation defined in the plurality of posts.

12. The method of fastening a buckle to a belt of claim 9 further comprising removably receiving at least another bore defined in the belt by a circumferential fastening groove extending around at least another post permanently attached to the buckle.

13. The method of fastening a buckle to a belt of claim 9 further comprising removably receiving a mechanical spring within receiving chambers defined in the plurality of posts.

14. The method of fastening a buckle to a belt of claim 9 further removably receiving a compression spring within receiving chambers defined in the plurality of posts; and

15. A belt buckle comprising:

a first and a second buckle end, the first buckle end comprising a plurality of posts permanently attached to the buckle and adapted to removably receive bores defined in a belt, each post defining a receiving chamber;

a removable spring element adapted to be received within the post receiving chambers;

the second buckle end comprising at least one post permanently attached to the buckle, the at least one post adapted to removably receive at least one bore defined in a belt

16. The belt buckle of claim 15 further wherein the receiving chamber comprises a bore through the post.

17. The belt buckle of claim 15 further wherein the receiving chamber comprises an indentation into the post.

18. The belt buckle of claim 15 further wherein the post of the second buckle end comprises a circumferential fastening groove extending around the at least one post.

19. The belt buckle of claim 15 further wherein the spring fastener comprises a mechanical spring

20. The belt buckle of claim 15 further wherein the spring fastener comprises a compression spring.