BELTS FOR CLOTHING AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

A half-belt for clothing, such as a pair of pants, that includes a first belt part having two ends, and a second belt part having two ends. The first end of each of the belt parts are detachably connectable to one another, and the second end of each of the belt parts includes a connector for attachment to a garment or includes a belt loop attachment device attachable to respective belt loops of a garment wearable by a user. During use, the half-belt is fed through only two or four belt loops of the pair of pants and is secured at its two ends. In a different configuration, the half-bent is a one-piece device that extends through less than all of the belt loops on a garment and secured so that the garment is secured without providing a belt or other device completely around the waist of the garment wearer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to belts for use with clothing. More particularly, the present invention relates to “half-belts” for use on pants and other garments as herein described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As set out in further detail below, the present invention entails, in accordance with certain embodiments, a half-belt for clothing, such as a pair of pants, that includes a first belt part having two ends, and a second belt part having two ends. The first end of each of the belt parts are detachably connectable to one another (e.g., have a buckle type connection), and the second end of each of the belt parts has suitable attachment means for attaching to respective complementary attachment means on a garment wearable by a user.

In one embodiment, the attachment means of each of the first and second belt parts is an opening or aperture designed to attach to respective buttons that are coupled to the garment wearable by the user.

In another embodiment, the attachment means of each of the first and second belt parts is a snap type connector designed to attach to respective connectors coupled to the garment wearable by the user.

In a further embodiment, the invention comprises the combination of a clothing garment having a waist portion, the waist portion including first and second complementary attachment means each for receiving a respective attachment means; and the above-summarized half-belt coupled to the clothing garment using the complementary attachment means.

The present invention further entails, in accordance with another embodiment, a half-belt for clothing, such as a pair of pants, that includes a first belt part having two ends, and a second belt part having two ends. The first end of each of the belt parts are detachably connectable to one another, and the second end of each of the belt parts includes a belt loop attachment device that is attachable to respective belt loops of a garment wearable by a user.

As an aspect of this embodiment and other embodiments, the first and second belt parts have a buckle-type connection mechanism.

As another aspect of the present invention, the second end of each of the belt parts is an alligator-type clip connector.

As a further aspect of the present invention, the second end of each of the belt parts is a hook. As yet another aspect, the second end of each belt part is a hook and loop type connector.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the belt is for use on a garment that has multiple belt loops disposed around a waist portion of the garment, and the second end of the first belt part is attached to a first of the belt loops of the garment, and the second end of the second belt part is attached to a second belt loop.

As an aspect of the present invention, the first and second belt loops of the garment, to which the belt is attached, are disposed closest to a front center of the garment.

As another aspect, the garment is a pair of pants.

As a further aspect, the belt is disposed only partially around the waist portion of the garment.

In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, a belt that has an elongated portion and first and second ends extending from the elongated portion extends through at least two, but fewer than all, of the belt loops of a garment and is closable by connecting the two ends of the belt together in such configuration.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the half-belt of the present invention in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a pair of pants with the half-belt shown in FIG. 1, shown in a partially detached configuration;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the half-belt of the present invention in accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a pair of pants with the half-belt shown in FIG. 3, shown in a partially detached configuration;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the half-belt of the present invention in accordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the half-belt of the present invention in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a pair of pants with the half-belt shown in FIG. 5, shown in a partially detached configuration;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a pair of pants with the half-belt shown in FIG. 5, shown in an attached configuration;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a belt usable in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of how the belt shown in FIG. 9 is used with a pair of pants in accordance with said another embodiment of the present invention, shown in a partially detached configuration; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of how the belt shown in FIG. 9 is used with a pair of pants in accordance with said another embodiment of the present invention, shown in an attached configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention pertains to unique half-belts, also called pony belts herein, as well as a unique manner of using such belts with a pair of pants or other garment in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the figures and specifically to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a half-belt 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The half-belt 10 shown (or pony belt 10) is comprised of two primary components 20 and 30. For convenience, belt components 20 and 30 are also called herein belt parts or belt halves 20 and 30. Each belt part 20 and 30 is made of any material suitable for clothing belts, including leather, cotton, plastic, etc. Non-common materials may also be used.

Each belt part 20 and 30 includes two ends. Belt part 20 includes a first end 22 and a second end 24, with an elongated section 26 coupled to and extending between ends 22 and 24. Similarly, belt part 30 includes a first end 32 and a second end 34, with an elongated section 36 coupled to and extending between ends 32 and 34.

Each of the first ends 22 and 32 include complementary types of connector designs so that end 22 of the belt part 20 may be easily connected to and detached from end 32 of the belt part 30. As shown in FIG. 1, first end 32 is a standard buckle and first end 22 includes a number of holes so that belt part 20 may be held by the buckle at a desired position. Since the particular operation of such a buckle is well known, a detailed discussion thereof is omitted herein.

The present invention is not limited to the specific buckle design shown in FIG. 1 (or the other figures herein). For example, other buckle designs may be employed (e.g., clip buckles, snap buckles, etc.) and, further, non-buckle attachment mechanisms may be employed in place of the structural designs shown as elements 22 and 32 of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention. In addition, the present invention is not limited to any particular style of connector (e.g., buckle) or any particular shape, width, color, etc.

In accordance with the present invention, each of the seconds ends 24 and 34 of the two belt parts 20 and 30 (also called pants attachment ends) have apertures or openings 25 and 35 for attaching such second ends to a pair of pants or other garment as further described with reference to FIG. 2. Turning now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, FIG. 2 shows how half-belt 10 of the present invention is attached to a pair of pants. In this embodiment, pants 40, such as shown in FIG. 2, includes a pair of buttons 46 and 48 located in the vicinity of respective belt loops 42 and 44. Accordingly, belt part 20 is coupled to pants 40 by pushing or otherwise manipulating button 46 on the pants through aperture 25 on belt part 20. Moreover, belt part 20 is fed through the pants belt loop 42 either before or after connecting button 46 through aperture 25, as appropriate. Similarly, belt part 30 is coupled to pants 40 by manipulating button 48 through aperture 34 of belt part 30. FIG. 2 shows belt part 30 coupled to pants 40 in this manner and also with belt part 30 fed through the pants' belt loop 44. Then, the other ends of each of the belt parts 20 and 30 are connected together in the known manner (e.g., see buckle connection in FIG. 8).

FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a half-belt 50 that is identical to half-belt 10 shown in FIG. 1 except half-belt 50 includes a different type of pants attachment end on each part of the half-belt. In particular, each part includes a “snap” type connector 62 and 72, often called a snap button or jean button or snap fastener. In this embodiment, the garment, for, example, the pair of pants 80 shown in FIG. 4, includes a corresponding pair of connectors 82 (other connector not visible in FIG. 4) that receive snap connectors 62 and 72. Except for the type of connection and the manner of connecting and disconnecting such connection, the installation and use of half-belt 50 shown in FIG. 3 is highly similar to that of half-belt 10 shown in FIG. 1.

In connection with the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, it is appreciated that other types of corresponding connectors can be employed by the half-belt and the pair of pants. For example, hook and loop type connectors (e.g., Velcro®) may be employed where the complementary parts of the hook and loop type connector are provided on the half-belt and garment. Other types of connectors have complementary attachment components may also be employed.

FIGS. 5 through 8 show embodiments of the present invention that do not require a separate connection component on the garment, wherein the half-belt in each embodiment is coupled to the garment via the garment's belt loops.

FIG. 5 shows a half-belt 100 in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the half-belts shown in the previously discussed embodiments, half-belt 100 includes belt parts 120 and 130. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, each belt part 120 and 130 includes at one end alligator-type clips 124 and 134. Turning to FIG. 6, this figure shows yet another embodiment in which half-belt 100A includes a pair of hooks 124A and 134A at one end of each of the two parts of half-belt 100A.

During use of half-belt 100 shown in FIG. 5, half-belt 100 is coupled to a pair of pants 140 (or other suitable garment) in the manner shown in FIG. 7. In particular, each part 120 and 130 of half-belt 100 is coupled to a respective belt look 142 and 144 of the garment using the alligator-type clips 124 and 134, such as shown in the partially open configuration shown in FIG. 7. After such coupling, the half-belt is fully closed, such as shown in FIG. 8.

Returning to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, hooks 124A and 134A of half-belt 100A are placed around respective belt loops on a garment and then the two halves of the half-belt are coupled together to fully secure the half-belt to the garment.

In connection with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-8, it is noted that additional embodiments and variations are possible. For example, other types of attachments devices may be employed (e.g., in place of clips 124 and 134 shown in FIG. 5) including snaps, buttons, hook and loop type connectors (e.g., Velcro®), etc., wherein the corresponding components of such types of connectors are included within each belt part (e.g., belt parts 120 and 130) and, in such case, each belt part loops around a respective belt loop on a garment and then attaches to itself.

As would be appreciated from the description herein, the half-belt of the present invention in each of the embodiments and variations described above does not fully encompass the waist of the pants' wearer, but instead extends only partially around the pair of pants. In cases of when the two parts of the half-belt are attached in the vicinity of the front belt loops on the garment (e.g., see FIGS. 2 and 4) or to such loops themselves (e.g., see FIGS. 7 and 8), or are attached to the garment in the vicinity of the next set of belt loops as well as to such loops themselves (e.g., to loops 152 and 154 shown in FIG. 7), the half-belt extends approximately from only 20% to 50% around the waist of the wearer. In any of these situations, no part of the half-belt of the present invention appears in the rear of the pair of pants (or of the person himself). If the loops closest to the front center are employed or the connectors are near such loops, then no part of the half-belt of the present invention appears on the sides or rear of the wearer.

As illustrated at least in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8 of the drawings, and as would be appreciated from the description herein, the appearance of the various embodiments described above of the half-belt of the present invention when being worn is significantly different from the appearance of standard belts. In addition, the manner in which the half-belt of the present invention is put on is significantly different from the manner standard belts are put on. Typically, a pair of pants has anywhere from between 4 to 6 belt loops and a standard belt must be placed through all of those belt loops before it can be closed. Such activity is cumbersome, particularly for children and certain adults, and time consuming. The present invention, on the other hand, provides a type of belt that may be quickly and easily used, as herein described.

The half-belt of the present invention may also be used with other types of garments and be used by men, women, boys and girls. For example, skirts, skorts and other garments may include the above-described attachment devices (e.g., buttons 46 and 48 shown in FIG. 2; or connector 82 shown in FIG. 4) and/or may include suitable belt-type loops so that one or more embodiments of the half-belt of the invention as described above may be easily utilized. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to usage on pants, but may be used with other appropriate items of clothing.

Referring now to FIG. 9 of the drawings, a “half-belt” 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Half-belt 200 includes ends 202 and 204 that are designed to attach to one another and may include a buckle design, such as shown in FIG. 9. Other attachment mechanisms may be employed for ends 202 and 204. An elongated component 206 is coupled to and extends between ends 202 and 204.

In accordance with the present invention, half-belt 200 is used in a novel manner as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings. Half-belt 200 is placed only through two belt loops 212 and 214 of a pair of pants 210 as shown in FIG. 10. Then, ends 202 and 204 are attached to secure the belt. Half-belt 200 has a length that is suitably short (relative to the length of a standard belt) and suitably sized so that the belt's two ends can be connected and provide reasonable support to the wearer. It is noted that although half-belt 200 appears to have a structure similar or identical to prior art belts, its manner of use is distinctly different than how standard belts are used.

In accordance with a variation of the half-belt 200 shown in FIG. 9, the belt contains two parts within the elongated portion 206, located at areas that extend through pants loops when in use, that are designed to be completely foldable so that the belt lies completely or nearly completely flat when worn. That is, portions of the belt that extend through the loop can be folded relatively easily so that the belt when worn has the appearance shown in FIG. 11. Thus, it is possible for most of the belt to be relatively thick (e.g., thick leather) with other portions of the belt that extend through the loops being relatively thin so that the belt easily lies onto itself when used with a pair of pants.

Similar to the earlier described embodiments (e.g., see FIGS. 2, 7, 8), the manner in which half-belt 200 is used provides an appearance that is distinctly different from standard belts. Moreover, the present invention entails only feeding half-belt 200 through two belt loops before it is closed. In a variation, half-belt 200 is appropriately sized so that it can be fed through four (4) (or even three or five) belt loops and then closed. In any event, both the appearance and installation of half-belt 200 in accordance with such described embodiment of the present invention is distinctly different from the appearance and installation of standard belts. Moreover, half-belt 200 may be used in the manner as described herein on other garments that include belt loops, such as skirts and skorts.

Having described the present invention including various features and variations thereof, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including the embodiments described herein, the alternatives mentioned above, and all equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A clothing belt, comprising:

a first belt part having first and second ends; and

a second belt part having first and second ends,

the first end of each of the first and second belt parts being detachably connectable to one another, and the second end of each of the first and second belt parts having attachment means for attaching to respective complementary attachment means of a garment wearable by a user.

2. The clothing belt of claim 1, wherein the first end of each of the first and second belt parts have a buckle-type connection mechanism.

3. The clothing belt of claim 1, wherein the attachment means of each of the first and second belt parts is an aperture adapted to attach to respective buttons coupled to the garment wearable by the user.

4. The clothing belt of claim 1, wherein the attachment means of each of the first and second belt parts is a snap type connector adapted to attach to respective connectors coupled to the garment wearable by the user.

5. The clothing belt of claim 1, wherein the attachment means of each of the first and second belt parts is an aperture adapted to attach to respective buttons coupled to the garment wearable by the user.

6. A combination, comprising:

a clothing garment having a waist portion, the waist portion including first and second complementary attachment means each for receiving a respective attachment means;

the clothing belt of claim 1, wherein the attachment means of the second end of the first belt part is attached to the first complementary attachment means of the clothing garment, and the attachment means of the second end of the second belt part is attached to the second complementary attachment means of the clothing garment.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the attachment means of each of the first and second belt parts is an aperture; and the first and second complementary attachment means of the garment are buttons coupled to the aperture of the first and second belt parts.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein the attachment means of each of the first and second belt parts is a snap type connector; and the first and second complementary attachment means of the garment are connectors coupled the snap type connectors of the first and second belt parts.

9. A clothing belt, comprising:

a first belt part having first and second ends; and

a second belt part having first and second ends,

the first end of each of the first and second belt parts being detachably connectable to one another, and the second end of each of the first and second belt parts having a belt loop attachment device attachable to respective belt loops of a garment wearable by a user.

10. The clothing belt of claim 9, wherein the first end of each of the first and second belt parts have a buckle-type connection mechanism.

11. The clothing belt of claim 9, wherein the second end of each of the first and second belt parts is an alligator-type clip connector.

12. The clothing belt of claim 9, wherein the second end of each of the first and second belt parts is a hook.

13. A combination, comprising:

a clothing garment having a plurality of belt loops disposed around a waist portion of the clothing garment; and

the clothing belt of claim 9, wherein the second end of the first belt part is attached to a first of the belt loops of the clothing garment, and the second end of the second belt part is attached to a second of the belt loops of the clothing garment.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein said first and second belt loops of the clothing garment are, amongst all of the belt loops, disposed closest to a front center of the clothing garment.

15. The combination of claim 13, wherein said clothing garment is a pair of pants.

16. The combination of claim 13, wherein the clothing belt is disposed only partially around the waist portion of the clothing garment.

17. A combination, comprising:

a clothing garment having a plurality of belt loops disposed around a waist portion of the clothing garment; and

a belt having an elongated portion and first and second ends extending from the elongated portion, the first and second ends detachably connectable to one another,

wherein the elongated portion of the belt extends through at least two, but fewer than all, of the belt loops of the clothing garment.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the elongated portion of the belt extends through only two of the belt loops of the clothing garment.

19. The combination of claim 17, wherein the elongated portion of the belt extends through only four of the belt loops of the clothing garment.

20. The combination of claim 17, wherein the belt includes portions disposed in vicinities of the belt loops through which the belt extends that are thinner or weaker than the rest of the belt to enable the belt to lie substantially flat against the clothing garment.