BELT

Abstract

A belt to secure a covering to a person's upper body is described. The belt can include an elastic part to provide a force to secure the covering, e.g., a towel, to the wearer and a fastener to complete a ring and keep the elastic part under tension to provide the required force to support the covering. The fastener can be at the first and second ends of the elongate belt. The elastic part can be intermediate the ends. The elastic part can extend into the ends. The belt can include a softer material attached to a supportive, back band.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/534,672, filed Sep. 14, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a belt to support and removeably secure a fabric to a wearer, and, more specifically, a belt to support a temporary body covering, e.g., a towel, on a wearer.

BACKGROUND

Belts are used to support garments on people for some time. US Patent Publication No. 2008/0289084, titled DISCREET ELASTIC BELT, in its abstract states, in part, the invention relates to clothing support devices, and more particularly, discreet belts that support clothing, such as trousers, skirts, or the like, around a waist of a user. Provided is a discreet belt that includes a belt body formed from a flexible, elongated elastic strap adapted to be used in at least one fastening element and at least one adjusting element.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,397, titled SHORTENED STRETCH BELT FOR GARMENTS, describes in its 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.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,954,946 titled BELTS AND METHODS OF USING BELTS, describes in its abstract belts which are fastenable with one hand and method of using such belts. In an exemplary implementation, a method generally includes anchoring a first end portion of the belt to a belt loop, positioning the belt through the other belt loops, and fastening the belt by using only one hand to engage a second end portion of the belt with the first end portion. The first end portion can be anchored to the belt loop by looping the first end portion generally about a belt loop, and then engaging the first end portion upon itself.

SUMMARY

A belt adapted to secure to itself and removeably secure a fabric about a torso of a wearer. In an example, the belt is to be secured about a female torso above the breasts of the wearer. The belt can secure a towel on the body of the wearer to cover the breasts and torso of the wearer.

In an example, a belt to support a torso covering includes an elongate body including an elastic part, the body having an at rest length less than the circumference of a circumference of a wearer's chest, the body to removeably secure a torso covering to a wearer; a first end part affixed to the body, the first end part including a first fastener part; and a second end part affixed to the body, the second end part including a second fastener part to removeably connect to the first fastener part.

In a further example, at least one of the first end part or the second end part or both include elastic to secure the covering to the wearer.

In a further example, the body includes backing band and decorative part fixed to the backing band.

In a further example, the backing band includes a slip resistant to engage the covering.

In a further example, the decorative part has a greater width than the backing band.

In a further example, the decorative part is fixed in its middle to the backing band.

In a further example, a ribbon covers the fixed middle of the decorative part.

In a further example, the decorative part extends onto the first end part.

In a further example, the first end part includes a loop that cantilevers from the remainder of the first end part with the first end part and the second end part being engaged, the loop to be gripped by a wearer to remove the belt.

In a further example, the second end part is beneath the first end part with the belt being extending around the wearer's chest.

In a further example, the first fastener part and the second fastener part form a hook and loop structure.

In a further example, the second end part includes a loop that cantilevers from the remainder of the second end part and the loop of the second end part is covered by the first end part or the body or both with the first end part and the second end part being engaged, the loop of the second end part to be gripped by a wearer to put on the belt.

In a further example, the body includes elastic throughout its length.

In a further example, the body includes elastic at its middle part and not adjacent the first end part of second end part.

A method of supporting a towel on a person includes wrapping towel around the chest;

encircling the chest with an elongate, elastic belt at a top of the towel; stretching the elastic belt to align a first end over a second end; and engaging a fastener to removeably affix the belt on the towel over the wearer's body.

In a further example, wherein the belt and towel or positioned at least partly above breast's of the wearer.

In a further example, the method includes engaging includes connecting a hook and loop fastener.

In a further example, the method includes a loop that is manually engagable by the wearer remains free with the hook and loop fastener engaged and the belt securing the towel to the wearer's body.

A belt to secure a covering to a person's upper body is described. The belt can include an elastic part to provide a force to secure the covering, e.g., a towel, to the wearer and a fastener to complete a ring and keep the elastic part under tension to provide the required force to support the covering. The fastener can be at the first and second ends of the elongate belt. The elastic part can be intermediate the ends. The elastic part can extend into the ends. The belt can include a softer material attached to a supportive, back band.

In an example, a belt to secure a covering to a person's upper body is described. The belt can include an elastic part to provide a force to secure the covering, e.g., a towel, to the wearer and a fastener to complete a ring and keep the elastic part under tension to provide the required force to support the covering. The fastener can be at the first and second ends of the elongate belt. The elastic part can be intermediate the ends. The elastic part can extend into the ends. The belt can include a softer material attached to a supportive, back band.

It will be understood that any of the examples described in this section are combinable with any other example.

This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the present application and not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details about the present subject matter are found in the detailed description and appended claims. Other aspects will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description and viewing the drawings that form a part thereof, each of which are not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a belt according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a first end of the belt according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a first end of the belt according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the belt secured onto itself according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 of a garment according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is cross sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 of a garment according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the belt being put on a wearer to support a covering on the wearer according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a further front view of the belt being put on a wearer to support a covering on the wearer according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the belt being worn on a wearer to support a covering on the wearer according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a further front view of the belt being worn on a wearer to support a covering on the wearer according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the belt being worn on a wearer to support a covering on the wearer according to an example embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a front view of the belt being worn on a wearer to support a covering on the wearer according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods, structures, constructs and apparatus for a belt to support a covering on a torso of a wearer are shown and described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

FIG. 1 shows a belt 100 for a person to wear on their body, e.g., a torso and in a specific example the upper torso or thorax, to support a covering on the wearer's body. The belt 100 is designed to go over the covering, e.g., a towel or similar fabric, and secure the covering to the wearer's body. The belt 100 is a strip of flexible material to conform to the wearer's body.

Belt 100 includes a main, elongate body 105, a first end part 107 and a second end part 109. The first end part 107 and the second end part 109 can be removeably fixed together such that the belt forms a complete loop or ring that extends around the wearer's body. The body 105 is adapted to engage the covering to press the covering under the main body 105 against the wearer. The belt 100 is designed to extend around the wearer's torso or chest. The body 105 can include an elastic part that provides a tension when worn by the wearer. The first end part 107 can include a first part of a hook and loop fastener. The second end part 109 can include a second part of a hook and loop fastener. An example of a hook and loop fastener is VELCRO, sold by Velcro USA of Manchester, N.H. The first end part 107 can include an extension 111, here shown as a loop, which can be manually gripped by the wearer to disengage the hook and loop fastener and remove the belt from the wearer. The second end part 109 can include an extension 113, here shown as a loop, which is beneath either the first end part 107 or the body 105 when the belt is formed into a ring, i.e., the first end being connected to the second end. The extension 113 of the second end part 109 can be manually gripped by the wearer when putting the belt 100 onto the body. The two extensions 111, 113, one at each end, provide manually engagable structures that assist in positioning the belt 100 around the wearer's body. While shown as loops, the extensions 111, 113 can also be formed at elongate strips that extend from the body 105 or from other structures of the end parts 107, 109.

The body 105 can include a backing band 110 (See e.g., FIGS. 3, 4-6) on which is fixed an elastic part 120 that provides a tension when worn by the wearer. The elastic can be integral with the backing band in an example. The elastic part can be an intermediate portion of the backing band. In an example, the backing band extends the length of the body and into the second end part 109. The backing band can be looped back onto itself and fixed to form the second extension 109. The fixing can be by adhesive, glue, or sewing. A facing 115 can be fixed to the backing band. The fixing can be by adhesive, glue, or sewing. The facing 115 can be a soft material that is agreeable with a person's skin. The facing 115 can be silk, man-made fiber or cotton. The facing 115 has a width that is greater than the width of the backing band so that the backing band is covered, e.g., vertically as shown in FIG. 1, by the facing 115. In an example (see FIG. 1), the facing 115 extends the entire length of the backing band. In another example (see FIGS. 4 and 11), the facing 115 extends onto the sides and front of the belt (relative to the belt being worn). The seam at which the facing 115 is fixed to the backing band is central to the facing 115. The seam can also create a rough exterior surface. The seam can be covered by a ribbon 117. The outer surface of the belt 100 can come into contact with the wearer's skin as the wearer completes her routine. Accordingly, it is desirable for the outer surface to be finished in material that does not irritate skin.

Body 105 can include an elasticized component to hold the belt, hence, the covering, on the upper torso of the wearer. Body 105 can further include a fabric or thread component to provide a look, design and a feel for the belt 100. The fabric component can be lace. In an example, the body 105 can include both the fabric component and the elastic component having a lace appearance. In an example, the lace appearance includes apertures that extend through the body 105, not shown in the figures. Examples of an elastic component are thermoplastic polyurethane tape, spandex, Lycra™, certain nylons, rubber, nylon, elastane and lurex elastic, etc. The body can be a woven elastic component that is faced by more comfortable material in contact with the skin such as certain smooth man-made fabrics, satin, silk, and/or cotton. The circumference can be made to various lengths as people vary in torso circumference, e.g., chest size. The width of the body 105 can vary from about ¾ inch to about 4 inches, +/−⅛ inch. In a specific example, the body 105 has a width of about 2.75 inches to about 3.25 inches, +/−⅛ inch. Width of the body 105 can be defined by the width of the facing 115.

In use, the body 105 is stretched from its natural, at-rest position to a worn position. In an example, the stretch can be from 0.25 inch to about 2 inches. As is the nature of elastic, the body 112 tries to return to its natural position, i.e., Hooke's law, which states that Force due to elastic=−c*extension of the elastic, where c is the coefficient of elasticity of the elastic and the extension of the elastic is the stretched length of the elastic (around the waist of the wearer) minus its unstretched length (natural length). However, the wearer's torso and covering being worn under the belt 100 prevents the body 105 from returning to the natural position and, hence the body 105 exerts a force on the torso, in an example, the chest, to hold the covering in position on the wearer.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view (relative to FIG. 1) of the first end part 107 of the belt 100. The ribbon 117 covers the seam whereat the facing 115 is fixed to the backing belt. The first extension 111 is formed as a loop that is fixed to the backing band 110. The extension 111 has a width less than the width of the backing band. Width is the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 2. Adjacent the loop 111 behind the facing 115 and on the rear side of the backing band, a first part of the hook and loop fastener is positioned.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view (relative to FIG. 1) of the second end 109 of the belt 100. FIG. 3 does not show the ribbon 117 so that the seam 125 is visible. Seam 125 is where the facing 115 is fixed to backing band 110. The second extension 113 extends outwardly from behind the facing and has a second part of the hook and loop fastener facing forward in FIG. 3. The second extension 113 can be the same width as the backing band 110. In an example the second extension 113 is integral with the backing band. In an example, the extension 113 has a width less than the width of the backing band. The second extension 113 can have the same width as the first part of the hook and loop fastener. Width is the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows the belt 100 with the end parts 107, 109 engaged to form an endless ring that can extend around the wearer's body. This example shows the facing 115 not extending around the back part 120 of the belt 100.

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows the belt 100 with the ends 107, 109 disengaged, with the wearer beginning putting on the belt to support a towel 150 on the wearer. The first hook and loop part 130 is in the wearer's right hand. The second hook and loop part 131 is adjacent the wearer's left hand. The wearer has already positioned the back part of the belt 100 around her back with the belt adjacent the top of the towel 150. The towel 150 is positioned to cover the wearer's torso and particularly, the wear's chest and breasts.

FIG. 8 shows the belt 100 with the wearer beginning to engage the first end 107 to the second end 109. More specifically, the first part and the second part of the hook and loop fastener are aligned and are beginning to engage. The belt 100 remains at the top part of the towel to hold the towel on the wearer's chest.

FIG. 9 shows the belt 100 on the wearer supporting the covering on the wearer's torso. More specifically, the first part and the second part of the hook and loop fastener are engaged to hold the towel 150 on the wearer so that the wearer need not hold the towel. The belt 100 remains at the top part of the towel to hold the towel on the wearer's chest. The extension 111 is free and can be gripped by the wearer to disengage the fastener and remove the belt.

FIG. 10 shows the belt 100 on the wearer supporting the covering on the wearer's torso.

FIG. 11 shows a rear view of the belt 100 on the wearer supporting the covering on the wearer's torso.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the belt 100 on the wearer supporting the covering on the wearer's torso.

The present inventor discovered the need for an improved belt to support a covering, in particular to meet the needs of today's woman. The inventor determined that there is a desire to have a covering, for example, a towel, that is more secure to the body than the typical method of merely tucking a corner of a towel beneath another part of the towel. This method frequently falls off the wearer. The presently described belt can secure a covering or towel to a wearer. The belt is useful to travelers who would like to be covered while preparing for the day or a night out but do not yet want to be dressed in clothes. The belt is small and will not take much room in a suitcase or other travel bag. The belt can adapt any towel provided by a hotel, friend's house or other lodging into a secured covering for the wearer's body.

The belt can also be useful at other locations where a towel or other fabric piece may be worn. For example, the belt can be a beach or boating accessory to hold a towel or coverup in place while allowing the wearer's hands to remain free. The belt can also be used at swimming events to hold a towel in place. The belt can be a gym, workout or yoga accessory as it does not take significant space in a gym bag as it is flexible throughout and can be rolled or folded into a smaller form factor. Alternatively, it can be flexible and left to form itself to the space available in a bag. The belt frees the wearer's hands to do other things rather than hold the coverup or towel. For example, the wearer's hands are free to style hair, brush and use a hair dryer, drive a boat or other vehicle, etc.

The belt as described herein need not be washed as often as a towel. This is an advantage over towels with built in fasteners as the fasteners will fail over repeated washings and drying. Nonetheless, the belt can be machine washable. Moreover, debris and lint from the washer and/or dryer can clog a hook and loop fastener thereby degrading its ability to fasten.

The belt as described herein can quickly and easily turn a towel, which can be supplied by a hotel, motel, gym, yoga studio, beach, pool, etc. into a comfortable coverup that feels secure to the wearer. The belt can also be used by college students when traveling to a bathroom or in their room where guests can be unexpected.

The belt as described herein can be used by people of a wide range of sizes. In an embodiment of the invention, the belt may be a one-size-fits-most item. In said embodiment, the belt can comfortably encircle the circumference of most wearers and hold a towel or other piece of fabric securely in the location desired by wearer. The location desired by the wearer may be, for example, under the underarms, but above the breasts of the wearer, or around the waist of the wearer, or around the hips or torso of the wearer, or any other location on the body.

The belt as described herein can be made to correspond to sizing designations or schedules. As a non-limiting example, the belt can be made in 4 sizes, such as small, medium, large and extra-large. Each of the size designations can correspond to a defined length, so that the purchaser of the belt can determine the proper size belt for the fit desired.

Optionally, the belt as described herein can comprise hardware or fasteners for purposes of altering or adjusting the fit of the belt. Non-limiting examples of hardware or fasteners for the belt include buttons, zippers, snaps, clips, grommets, belt loops, buckles, and the like. The hardware or fasteners of the belt would not alter the actual width of the belt, but would simply allow further adjustment or alteration of the fit of the belt. Additionally, the hardware or fasteners of the belt may serve as decoration as well as function.

The belt as described herein can be ruffled and partly comprised of ribbon, including, but not limited to, grosgrain ribbon and or other types of ribbon, cording or trim. In another embodiment of the invention, the belt can be constructed of sublimated dyed material, including but not limited to webbing, or fabric made of polyester, or other material or fabric. The fabric or material may be mesh, webbed, woven, non-woven, or other material. The fabric or material may be printed, dyed, or have designs, or the fabric or material can be solid in color. In a further embodiment, the belt is flat in appearance, and the ribbon, cording or trim used for the belt is as much as one-half as wide as other embodiments of the belt. For example, the belt can be without ruffles and therefore, flat in appearance. In a non-limiting example, the belt can be sewn such that the ribbon retains a flat appearance and does not have ruffles. In another embodiment of the invention, the fabric or ribbon of the belt can be any width from about 0.5 inches wide to about 10 inches wide, or from about 1.0 inches wide to about 5 inches wide, or any desired width. Optionally, the fabric or ribbon of the belt can be 1.5″ wide.

In an embodiment, a pocket is affixed to the belt as described herein, so as to allow the wearer to carry or store items of interest to the wearer. The pocket may be affixed to the inside or outside of the belt by any suitable means, including, but not limited to, sewing, adhering with adhesive, hoop and loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, buttons, or any other fastener means. In this way, the belt's pocket can hold and secure items useful to the wearer, including but not limited to personal grooming items, such as make-up, soap, or any other personal care products, as well as keys, identification, credit cards, printed or coin currency. Additionally, loops may be affixed to the outside of the belt, in order to provide the wearer convenience and/or quick access to personal care items, such as brushes or combs, or keys. The loops can be made of elastic, hook and loop materials, or any other fabric, cording or other material, or plastic or metal.

The belt as described herein can be used by men, women or children. The belt may be worn around the human body, including but not limited to, the neck, chest, torso, abdomen, waist or pelvis. For example, the belt can be used to hold up, for example, bath or beach towels, sarongs, blankets, sheets, or any other fabric that a wearer desires.

The belt as described herein can be used in medical settings, as a comfortable option for patients to retain modesty and comfort during examinations, procedures and hospitalizations. The belt can be used, for example, to hold up disposable linens, or other medical linens or towels, or for patients who, due to their condition, preference, or for any other reason, cannot comfortably, safely or easily wear more conventional medical or hospital garments.

The belt as described herein can also be used in veterinary settings, and for use for animals and pets of all kinds.

This has been a detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention(s) contained within the disclosed subject matter. Such invention(s) may be referred to, individually and/or collectively, herein by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. The detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and which shows by way of illustration, but not of limitation, some specific embodiments of the invention, including a preferred embodiment. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand and implement the inventive subject matter. Other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.

Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Any document referred to herein is hereby incorporated by reference for any purpose. However, if any material incorporated by reference interferes with the present disclosure, the present disclosure controls interpretation.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.

Claims

1. A belt to support a torso covering comprising:

an elongate body including an elastic part, the body having an at rest length less than the circumference of a circumference of a wearer's chest, the body to removeably secure a torso covering to a wearer;

a first end part affixed to the body, the first end part including a first fastener part; and

a second end part affixed to the body, the second end part including a second fastener part to removeably connect to the first fastener part.

2. The belt of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first end part or the second end part or both include elastic to secure the covering to the wearer.

3. The belt of claim 1, wherein the body includes a backing band and decorative part fixed to the backing band.

4. The belt of claim 3, wherein the backing band includes a slip resistant to engage the covering.

5. The belt of claim 3, wherein the decorative part has a greater width than the backing band.

6. The belt of claim 5, wherein the decorative part is fixed in its middle to the backing band.

7. The belt of claim 6, wherein a ribbon covers the fixed middle of the decorative part.

8. The belt of claim 5, wherein the decorative part extends onto the first end part.

9. The belt of claim 1, wherein the first end part includes a loop that cantilevers from the remainder of the first end part with the first end part and the second end part being engaged, the loop to be gripped by a wearer to remove the belt.

10. The belt of claim 9, wherein the second end part is beneath the first end part with the belt being extending around the wearer's chest.

11. The belt of claim 9, wherein the first fastener part and the second fastener part form a hook and loop structure.

12. The belt of claim 11 wherein the second end part includes a loop that cantilevers from the remainder of the second end part and the loop of the second end part is covered by the first end part or the body or both with the first end part and the second end part being engaged, the loop of the second end part to be gripped by a wearer to put on the belt.

13. The belt of claim 1, wherein the body includes elastic throughout its length.

14. The belt of claim 1, wherein the body includes elastic at its middle part and not adjacent the first end part of second end part.

15. A method of supporting a towel on a person comprising:

wrapping towel around the chest;

encircling the chest with an elongate, elastic belt at a top of the towel;

stretching the elastic belt to align a first end over a second end; and

engaging a fastener to removeably affix the belt on the towel over the wearer's body.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the belt and towel or positioned at least partly above breast's of the wearer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein engaging includes connecting a hook and loop fastener.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a loop that is manually engagable by the wearer remains free with the hook and loop fastener engaged and the belt securing the towel to the wearer's body.