BELT WITH AUTOGENOUS CLOSURE SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention provides a belt with an autogenous closure system. The autogenous closure system includes a length of belt strap, and a retainer means that is at least partially affixed to or formed from the belt strap. The retainer means can be a continuous piece of material with one or more slits cut into it to form two or more retainer elements adjacent to each other, or it can comprise two or more separate retainer strips. In operation, the tongue end of the belt strap is threaded through the retainer strips or retainer elements, forming a U-shaped bend around the edge of the retainer element that is furthest from the base of the belt strap and then passing through an aperture formed by the retainer element closer to the base. A method of manufacturing a belt with an autogenous closure system is also provided.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/864,531, filed Aug. 10, 2013, entitled: “Belt with Autogenous Closure System”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

COPYRIGHT & LEGAL NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The Applicant 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 patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

No reference to third party patents or articles made herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such material by virtue of prior invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a belt and closure system and more particularly to a belt with an autogenous closure system that does not require a buckle or any other exogenous parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional belts use a closure system that involves components such as a buckle, or hook and loop fastener patches, or both. Buckles are typically made of metal, and thus cause inconvenience when the user must pass through metal-detecting security apparatus. Metal parts also add weight to the belt, and make it possible for the belt to be used as a weapon. Metal parts can have sharp edges or pointed prong elements that can cause accidental injury. Typical buckle closure systems are only incrementally adjustable, and involve holes made in the tongue end of the belt strap. Meanwhile, the user may want to secure the belt at a location between the holes, but has no way of doing so. Examples of such belts include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,954,946 to Goldfarb, et al. and also U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,022 to Scheik.

The use of hook and loop fastener materials, or a clamp-type buckle, can allow the belt to be infinitely adjustable, but each of these alternatives has its own drawbacks. Hook and loop fastener materials are noisy when the user detaches them, which discourages the user from adjusting the belt in public and can cause distraction or embarrassment. Hook and loop components often cannot be matched to the belt material in an aesthetically pleasing way, and sometimes are impractical to affix to a particular belt strap material. Another disadvantage of hook and loop fasteners for belts is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,022: “One of the problems with hook and loop type fasteners is their tendency to become semi-permanently secured upon contact, making them undesirable for use in cinchable type fastener systems.”

A significant drawback of clamp-type buckles is that they are easy to dislodge inadvertently. They lose tension over time, and may disturb or damage the belt material. Clamp-type buckles are relatively heavy and thick because of the cylindrical roller component of the buckle, and must be wider than the belt strap, thus requiring larger belt loops on garments in order to pass the belt through the loops. The belt strap easily becomes folded under the cylindrical roller, causing inconvenience to the user who must rethread the strap.

Some of the simplest belt closure systems use two D-rings permanently attached to one end of a belt strap. Like the hook and loop closures and clamp-type buckle closures described above, D-ring belt closures can be finely adjustable, but have important disadvantages. The D-rings are typically, but not always, of metal. If they are metal, the user will typically have to remove the belt before passing through metal-detecting security apparatus, causing uncertainty and inconvenience. The size and shape of the D-ring components dictates and limits the range of materials and widths that can be used for the belt strap. Because of its unsophisticated appearance, this type of belt is limited to use with casual garments, sportswear, and belts for purposes other than clothing. When the belt is closed, the D-ring closure has a tendency for the rings to become entangled, so that the user has to manipulate the rings before the belt can be unfastened. Closing the belt at a particular circumference involves relatively complex manipulation of the D-rings and belt strap. The user must grasp the base of the belt strap with one hand, and must separate the two D-rings using the fingers of that same hand, while using the fingers of the other hand to thread the tongue end of the belt strap through the rings. The user must keep the two D-rings separated while pulling the tongue end to complete the closure. If the rings are allowed to come together, the closure will jam and the belt circumference cannot be adjusted further. A belt with a D-ring closure is not suitable for applications where the ability to unfasten the belt when it is under tension is desirable.

The prior art further contains alternatives to metal buckle systems for belt closure. One alternative is the use of snaps to attach the ends of the belt. This approach still has the disadvantage of being only incrementally adjustable. The two parts of each snap must be carefully aligned during the assembly of the belt. Alignment errors result in wastage of product for the manufacturer. This problem is magnified if there is a series of snaps. Snaps, whether of metal or plastic, can be unsuitable for some belt strap materials.

Another alternative to metal buckles is seen in various forms of plastic buckles or attachment devices. One common example is the two-piece plastic snap-fit buckle used with web-strap belts, often used for sport garments and backpacks, having one side that is clipped into the other. These closures are often finely adjustable, by sliding one or both parts of the buckle along the belt strap. However, they are not suitable for garments other than very casual wear. Belts of this type are typically lightweight, but the standardization of the buckle dimensions restricts the type and width of materials that can be used for the belt strap. Another disadvantage is that adjustability usually comes at the cost of having at least one part of the buckle that can detach from the belt strap and be lost, rendering the belt useless. The plastic closures may also break. It can be difficult for the user to attach the belt in situations where the closure is not visible, because the two parts have to be aligned properly in order to fasten the belt.

All of the previously described examples of prior art for belt closure systems involve using exogenous components that are affixed to the belt strap. The manufacturer of the belt must source these components separately, and must include steps in the manufacturing process to align and affix them. For the manufacturer, the exogenous parts contribute cost, complexity, and technical problems to the production process. For the user of the belt, the closure systems in the prior art have various disadvantages outlined above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a belt with an autogenous closure system. The autogenous closure system includes a length of a belt strap, and at least two retaining elements, the first retainer positioned nearer to the base of the belt, and the second retainer positioned further from the base of the belt. The first retainer is sized and dimensioned to engage at least two layers of the belt material, and the second retainer is sized and dimensioned to engage at least one layer of the belt strap material. The belt can incorporate more than two retainers, but must have at least two retaining elements to provide the functionality of the invention. Also, a one-piece retainer divided into two or more sections by a slit opening or openings can serve the same function. One or more fixed, detachable or interchangeable decorative elements may be added without altering the functionality of the invention.

In describing the present invention, the terms “retaining strip”, “retainer”, “retainer element”, and “retaining element” are used substantially interchangeably, while the terms “retainer means” and “closure system” are functionally equivalent in the invention.

In one embodiment, the belt is free of metal components, and has no buckle, no components of any rigid material, and no attachment means other than the autogenous closure. For example, this embodiment of the belt has no hook-and-loop patches.

In one embodiment, a length of the belt is completely and infinitely variably adjustable over a range of lengths.

In one embodiment, the belt strap material and the retaining strips are made from the same material.

In one embodiment, the belt strap material and one or more of the retaining strips are made from different materials.

In one embodiment, there are no holes or perforations in the belt strap material.

In one embodiment, the retaining elements are color matched to a front side of the belt strap material, and to a back side of the belt strap material.

In one embodiment, the closure system is used to engage one end of a separate length of plain strap, band, or cord, such that the combination can be employed to attach or connect two objects to one another, by attaching the distal end of the closure system strap to one object, and the distal end of the plain strap, band or cord to the other object. In the same manner, such a combination of the closure system and another plain strap can be used to connect two points on one object, such as in a shoulder strap for a musical instrument.

The invention also provides a manufacturing method of making a belt. The method includes providing a length of belt material, providing at least two retainers or a retainer divided into at least two parts, positioning one retainer (first retainer) nearer the base of the belt dimensioned to permit the passage of at least two layers of belt material between the belt strap and the retainer, and positioning the other retainer (second retainer) further away from the belt base dimensioned to permit the passage of at least one layer of belt material between the belt strap and the second retainer.

In one embodiment, the invention includes a component or components made of metal or other rigid material to the belt material. In this embodiment the added component(s) do not provide closure functionality for the belt, but may provide some other type of functionality or aesthetic value.

These and other aspects of the invention are further described in the drawings, and in the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a belt with autogenous closure system.

FIG. 1B is a side perspective view of a belt with autogenous closure system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a side perspective view of a first step in the closure of a belt with autogenous closure system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B is side perspective view of a second step in the closure of a belt with autogenous closure system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a side perspective view of a third step in the closure of a belt with autogenous closure system of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, dimensions may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the invention and its embodiments. Furthermore, when the terms ‘first’, ‘second’, and the like are used herein, their use is intended for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, relative terms such as ‘front’, ‘back’, ‘top’ and ‘bottom’, and the like in the description and/or in the claims are not necessarily used for describing exclusive relative position. Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that such terms may be interchangeable with other terms, and that the embodiments described herein are capable of operating in other orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way as it is exemplary in nature, serving to describe the best mode of the invention known to the inventor as of the filing date hereof. Consequently, changes may be made in the arrangement and/or function of any of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 10 belt
• 20 belt strap
• 22 base
• 26 tongue end
• 30 closure system
• 32 first retainer
• 34 second retainer
• 36 slit (alternative embodiment)
• 38 one-piece retainer means

Referring to FIG. 1A (top view) and FIG. 1B (perspective view), in one embodiment of the invention, a belt 10 has a longitudinal belt strap 20 and a closure system 30 positioned near a base 22 of the belt strap 20. The belt strap 20 has a tongue end 26 at the opposite end of the belt strap 20 from the base 22. The closure system 30 in this embodiment has a first retainer 32 and a second retainer 34. The first retainer 32 is positioned at the base 22 or close to the base 22 of the belt strap 20. The second retainer 34 is positioned adjacent or a bit distanced to the second retainer 32, toward the tongue end 26 of the belt strap 20. In other embodiments, there are more than two retainer elements, but a minimum of two as illustrated, or a retainer means with a slit opening as described in another embodiment, is required for the belt closure system 30 to operate.

In this embodiment, the retainers 32 and 34 are strips of flexible or semi-flexible material that have been affixed on the belt strap 20. The retainers can be sewed, glued, or bonded to the belt strap 20. In other embodiments, the retainers 32 and 34 can be formed from the belt strap 20 itself, where the belt strap 20 is formed of multiple layers, and one or more of the layers is separated so as to provide passages for belt tongue 26, or as perpendicular extensions that are folded along one longitudinal edge of the belt strap 20 and attached to the belt strap 20 at its opposite edge. Also in other embodiments, the retainers 32 and 34 may be formed by attaching strips, cords, or bands of any material to the belt strap 20, or by encircling the belt strap 20 with loops made of such strips, cords, or bands of any material. In order for the closure system 30 to operate, at least one of the retaining elements must be in a permanently fixed position on the longitudinal axis of the belt strap 20. In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, which uses a one-piece retainer means 38, the same possibilities exist for the material and manner of fixing the retainer means on the belt strap 20, as described for the closure system 30 involving at least two retaining elements.

Belt Operation—FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C

As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, to operate the belt 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the user bends the belt strap 20 to encircle the waist of the user, holds the base 22 in a desired position, and brings the tongue end 26 toward the base 22. Then the user inserts the tongue end 26 into the space between the first retainer 32 and the exterior surface of the belt strap 20, and continues further to thread the tongue end 26 through the space between the second retainer 34 and the exterior surface of the belt strap 20.

When the desired circumference is reached, the user folds the tongue end 26 back toward the base 22, and inserts the tongue end 26 under the first retainer 32, into the space between the interior surface of the first retainer 32 and the exterior surface of the belt strap 20. The user then pulls on the tongue end 26 until the circumference of the belt 10 is locked in place.

In an alternative mode of operating the belt 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the user bends the belt strap 20 to encircle the waist of the user, holds the base 22 in a desired position, and brings the tongue end 26 toward the base 22. Then the user inserts the tongue end 26 into the space between the first retainer 32 and the exterior surface of the belt strap 20. Then the user passes the tongue end 26 over the exterior surface of the second retainer 34. When the desired circumference is reached, the user folds the tongue end 26 under itself and back toward the base 22, and inserts the tongue end 26 under the retainers 34 and 32, into the space between the interior surfaces of the retainers 34 and 22 and the exterior surface of the belt strap 20. After the tongue end 26 passes beyond the belt strap base 22, the tongue end 26 will be positioned between the user's body and the interior surface of the belt strap 20. The user then pulls on the tongue end 26 until the circumference of the belt 10 is locked in place at the desired circumference. Using this alternative mode of operation produces the esthetic advantage that the tongue end 26 is hidden from view, held against the user's body between the user's body and the interior surface of the belt strap 20.

Now referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the closure system 30 is one section of material, rather than two or more. There is a slit 36 cut in the material of a one-piece retainer means 38, the slit being oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt strap 20. The slit divides the closure system 30 into two parts. In operation, the two parts of the one-piece retainer means 38 function in the same manner as the two retainers 32 and 34 in the previously described embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C.

It is appreciated that a belt with an integrated, autogenous closure system does not require a buckle or any other exogenous parts. The term “autogenous” is defined in the Concise Oxford Dictionary, Tenth Edition, Revised (2001) as follows:

adj. 1. arising from within or from a thing itself. 2. (of welding) done either without a filler or with a filler of the same material as the pieces being welded. Use of the term “autogenous” to describe the present belt closure system highlights the absence of any buckle, and highlights the attribute of belt 10 of having the closure system 30 as an integral part of the belt 10 itself.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-3, a belt 10 includes an autogenous closure system 30, the autogenous closure system 30 including a length of belt strap 20, and at least two retainers 32, 34 positioned at points between the tongue end 26 and the base 22 of the belt strap 20. The retainers 32, 34 are made of the same material as the belt strap 20 in one embodiment of the invention. The first retainer 32 is sized and dimensioned to engage at least two layers of the belt strap 20, and the second retainer 34 is sized and dimensioned to engage at least one layer of the belt strap 20. In this way, the belt can be free of metal components, and free of any traditional buckle components, and the belt strap 20 is free of hole punches or perforations.

It is appreciated that a length of belt 20 is completely variably and infinitely adjustable over a range of belt 10 lengths to fit the user for the exact size of his or her waist or hip circumference. In one embodiment, the belt strap 20 and one or more of the retainers 32, 34 are made from the same material. In another embodiment, the belt strap 20 and one or more of the retainers 32, 34 are made from different materials. In other words, it is not necessary for the retainers 32, 34 and the belt strap 20 to be made from the same material. In yet another embodiment (not shown in drawings), one or more decorative elements is added to the belt strap 20, or to one or more of the retainers 32, 34. The decorative element or elements are selected from the group consisting of an affixed decorative element, a detachable decorative element, and an interchangeable decorative element.

Optionally, retaining elements 32, 34 are color matched to a front side and to a back side of the belt 20 material.

The present invention also provides a manufacturing method of making a belt 10. The method includes the steps of: providing a length of belt material 20 of a predetermined length, and connecting to or forming from the belt material 20 at least two retainer elements 32 and 34, or the functional equivalent as provided by a one piece of continuous material 38, positioning said retainer elements between the tongue end 26 and the base 22 of the belt strap 20, with the first retainer 32 positioned nearer to the base 22 and second retainer 34 positioned nearer to the tongue end 26 of the belt strap 20. The retainers are dimensioned and positioned relative to the exterior surface of the belt strap 20 to provide for passage of at least one layer of belt strap 20 through the aperture between the belt strap 20 and the second retainer 34, and for passage of at least two layers of belt strap 20 through the aperture between the belt strap 20 and the first retainer 32. Optionally, the manufacturing method includes the step of adding a component part of metal or other rigid or semi-rigid material to the belt 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, a variant of the belt 10 includes a belt strap 20, and a closure system 30 constructed from one piece of continuous material 38, which is sewn, glued, or bonded to the exterior surface of, or formed by a perpendicular extension from, the belt strap 20. The one piece of continuous material 38 includes a slit 36 cut in the one piece of continuous material 38, the slit 36 oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt strap 20. Of course other angles of orientation of the slit 36 are also provided in other embodiments of the invention. Slit 36 divides the closure system 30 into two or more parts or regions, e.g. where two or more slits 36 are provided. In this embodiment, each of two or more parts of the closure system 30 functions to retain one or more layers of the belt strap 20 securely, but infinitely adjustably, over a range of belt 10 lengths. It is appreciated that this embodiment of the invention also includes other features described above.

The present belt 10 with autogenous closure system(s) 30 (FIGS. 1A-3), in an exemplary embodiment, is intended as an article of clothing, a waist belt for use with garments. In addition to commonplace garments such as trousers, skirts and dresses, there are specialized apparel applications where the present invention provides unique advantages. These include, for example, work apparel for people who need a belt without metal or breakable parts. The lack of hard, sharp, heavy or breakable parts is also advantageous in terms of safety and ease of use, especially for children, the elderly, and physically challenged or fragile persons.

The present invention's use is not limited to apparel applications. It can be used as a device to surround, hold together, and grasp any object. For example, the belt 10 can be used around a suitcase to keep it closed when the zipper closure or latch on the suitcase is not functioning properly. Another example of non-apparel use is to hold an object in place temporarily in situations where use of hard, rigid, semi-rigid, or metal components is undesirable or impermissible. For example, it can be used to hold in place or to carry medical devices or electronic devices where it is desired to avoid metal, magnetic, heavy, sharp, or breakable materials that may damage or interfere with the function or use of the device. The described belt closure system 30 can also be used to substitute for a buckle in joining two straps. For example, a musical instrument strap will benefit from this invention's lack of any hard or breakable parts, because it makes the strap comfortable to use, and the strap will not come apart suddenly and unexpectedly.

Because the manufacturer does not need to source, purchase or incorporate exogenous components, manufacture of the finished product is simplified. Costs of both material and labor are reduced, compared to traditional belts. The manufacturer does not need to punch holes in the tongue end of the belt strap 20, and does not need any machinery to punch holes or to attach belt buckles, grommets, snaps, or hook and loop patches. Because the belt 10 can be made without any heavy or expensive machinery, manufacture can be by artisanal methods. Simplified manufacturing means that power consumption can be minimized, and manufacture is possible even in primitive conditions. Quality control is simplified, because the number of steps in the manufacturing process is reduced and the number of possible defects is much lower than for traditionally made belts.

According to the present invention, a given length of belt strap 20 is suitable for a greater range of belt sizes than is the case for traditional belts. Thus the manufacturer can reduce the number of different sizes produced, and an individual belt is suitable for a wider range of applications or waist sizes. This provides economic and practical (use, convenience) advantages to the manufacturer, the retailer, and the user. It also provides environmental advantages because the belt is not discarded when the user gains or loses weight.

The belt strap 20 can be of any material, provided that a length of the tongue end 26 is capable of forming a substantially U-shaped bend around the second retainer 34 during the operation of the belt 10 as described herein. This gives the manufacturer an almost unlimited range of possibilities for the aesthetic appearance of the finished product. The belt strap can be any width, because it does not have to correspond to the standardized sizes of traditional belt closure components. The belt closure system 30 can be of the same material as the belt itself, or of different material. These features translate to benefits for the user, providing an expanded range of choices compared to traditional belts. The simple design of the belt 10 makes it suitable for wear with very casual to very formal apparel, which provides convenience and economic benefit to the user. If the user desires further ornament on the belt, it can be easily added, further extending the utility of the belt. The manufacturer and the user also have the option of combining decorative elements that can be either fixed or detachable and interchangeable. This further augments the versatility of the belt, providing value to the user and providing market expansion to the manufacturer.

The present belt 10 with autogenous closure is infinitely adjustable, unlike traditional belts with buckle closures, which typically provide only incremental adjustment. The present belt 10 is easy to adjust, and can be loosened discreetly in public, without drawing attention to the user. The belt 10 can be loosened even if it is under tension. Unlike traditional frame-and-prong buckle systems, the closure does not have to be tightened or detached before the belt can be loosened or removed. Unlike traditional D-ring belt closures, closing and adjusting the belt 10 does not require complex manipulation.

Unlike other belt closure systems, the present closure system 30 allows the user to align and attach the two ends of the belt 20 without being able to see what he is doing, just by holding an end of the belt in each hand and bringing the hands together. If the belt is already attached at or near its base 22 to an article of clothing, the user can operate the belt closure system 30 using only one hand.

The belt 10 without any metal parts provides convenience for travelers because there is no need to remove the belt before the traveler passes through metal-detecting security screening apparatus. The lack of metal parts means that the belt 10 is lighter in weight and can be stored in a more compact manner than a traditional belt. Without the hard edges, sharp points or weight of metal parts, the belt cannot be used as a weapon, and the user cannot be accidentally injured. Without metal parts, the belt 10 is suitable for use by persons who suffer from allergies to metals, or who must avoid wearing metal items due to potential interference with electronic or magnetic devices.

If desired, the belt 10 can have integrated or added components made of rigid material along the axis of belt strap 20. For example, one or more of the retainer means 32, 34 can be made of metal or other rigid or semi-rigid material, or a metal, plastic or rubber tip can be added to the tongue end 26 of the belt strap 20. Such substitution or addition has no effect on the functionality of the belt or belt closure. However, if any metal or other rigid or semi-rigid parts are permanently affixed to the belt strap 20, some advantages of the present invention are foregone. Certain advantages of the present invention are also foregone if any substituted or added component is of non-metal but rigid, semi-rigid or heavy material. If it is desired to add ornament or to simulate a traditional buckle, it is better to take advantage of the structure of the present belt 10 and closure system 30 by providing a removable or interchangeable component.

The present belt closure system 30 adds only a very small increment to the width and thickness of the belt 20, compared to the large increment added by a traditional belt buckle. Accordingly, the belt 10 can be threaded through belt loops of relatively smaller size, which allows a more elegant appearance for the garment. Because almost any material can be used for the belt strap, it can be made very light weight if desired. It does not require belt loops on the associated garment, but in cases where belt loops are employed, they can be of relatively delicate material and still be sturdy enough for use and durability with a light-weight example of the belt 10.

A further advantage is that at the end of the belt's useful life, it is easy and simple to recycle because there are no extra metal or plastic parts that need to be separated beforehand. It will therefore promote recycling and reuse of the belt's materials.

Additional features and functionality of the invention are described in the claims appended hereto. Such claims are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto in this specification and should be considered as part of the application as filed.

Multiple variations and modifications are possible in the embodiments of the invention described here. Although certain illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described here, a wide range of changes, modifications, and substitutions is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. While the above description contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather exemplify one or another preferred embodiment thereof. In some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the foregoing description be construed broadly and understood as being illustrative only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited only by the claims that ultimately issue in this application.

Claims

1. A belt comprising an autogenous closure system, the autogenous closure system including a length of a belt strap, and at least two retaining elements positioned substantially perpendicular to a long axis of the belt strap and located at points between a tongue end and a base of the belt strap, at least one of the retaining elements sized and dimensioned to engage at least one layer of the belt strap material, and at least one other of the retaining elements, positioned nearer to a base of the belt strap, sized and dimensioned to engage at least two layers of the belt strap material, in which, in operation of the closure system, the tongue end of the belt strap forms a substantially U-shaped curve around at least one of the retaining elements.

2. The belt of claim 1 in which said belt is free of metal components or materials.

3. The belt of claim 1 in which said belt is free of any hard, rigid, semi-rigid or breakable components or materials.

4. The belt of claim 1 in which said belt is free of any means of attaching the two ends of said belt other than said autogenous closure system.

5. The belt of claim 1 in which said belt strap material is free of hole punches.

6. The belt of claim 1 in which a length of said belt is infinitely variably adjustable over a range of lengths.

7. The belt of claim 1 in which the belt strap and the two or more retaining strips are made from the same material.

8. The belt of claim 1 in which the flexible belt strap and one or more of the two or more retaining strips are made from different materials.

9. The belt of claim 1 further comprising one or more decorative elements, the decorative elements selected from the group consisting of an affixed decorative element, a detachable decorative element, and an interchangeable decorative element.

10. The belt of claim 1 in which the retaining elements are color matched to a front side of the belt material, and to a back side of the belt material.

11. The autogenous closure system of claim 1.

12. A manufacturing method for making a belt, the method comprising the steps of: providing a length of belt material having a tongue end and a base, and providing a retainer means including two or more retainer elements positioned at points along a length of the belt, such that a first aperture created between a first retainer and the belt strap permits at least two layers of the belt material to pass through the aperture, and such that a second aperture created between a second retainer and the belt strap permits at least one layer of belt material to pass through the second aperture.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising adding a rigid or semi-rigid part to the belt, the added part not capable by itself of providing closure capability for the belt.

14. An autogenous closure system for belts, comprising a length of a belt strap, and a retainer means, the retainer means constructed from one piece of continuous material, the one piece of continuous material including at least one slit cut in the one piece of continuous material, and the slit or slits being oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt strap, the slit or slits dividing the retainer means into two or more parts, functioning to engage and retain one or more layers of another length of a belt strap securely and adjustably.

15. The belt of claim 16 in which said belt is free of any metal components or materials.

16. The belt of claim 16 in which said belt is free of any hard, rigid, semi-rigid or breakable components or materials.

17. The belt of claim 16 in which said belt is free of any means of attaching the two ends of said belt other than said closure system.

18. The belt of claim 16 in which said belt strap is free of hole punches.

19. The belt of claim 16 further comprising one or more decorative elements, the decorative elements selected from the group consisting of an affixed decorative element, a detachable decorative element, and an interchangeable decorative element.