BELT BUCKLE WITH INTEGRATED POUCH
Implementations of a removable belt buckle are provided. In some implementations, the removable belt buckle comprises a pouch configured to house a portable electronic device, a back plate attached to the back of the pouch, a first retaining hook extending from the back plate on a first side portion of the back plate, and a belt retaining ring extending from the back plate on a second side portion of the back plate, wherein the belt retaining ring includes a second retaining hook extending therefrom. In some implementations, the back plate and the belt retaining ring define an opening through which an end of a belt may be placed. The first retaining hook and the second retaining hook are configured to extend through the holes of a belt.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/913,876, which was filed on Dec. 9, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis disclosure relates to implementations of a belt buckle having an integrated pouch.
BACKGROUNDCell phones and other handheld personal electronic devices, such as an iPod® or MP3 player, are nearly ubiquitous throughout society. The problem lies in where to store the cell phone when not in use. Due to the size of a particular cell phone, it may not easily fit into the pockets provided on a particular style of pants. Even if it does fit in a particular pocket, it may not be easily retrieved. Also, storing the phone in a back pocket presents several problems. Due to the construction of many cell phones, sitting on them could result in breakage. Further, the cell phone may be uncomfortable for the user to sit on.
U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2013/0214021 (“'021 patent application”) discloses a belt buckle with a storage compartment. However, the belt buckle disclosed in the '021 patent application has several disadvantages. First, the belt buckle does not provide a means to easily remove the contents stored in the container without at least partially disassembling the container. Second, integral components of the buckle's container may become lost when the container is disassembled. Third, it may be difficult to retrieve small items from the container. Fourth, the buckle may sag or tilt forward away from a wearer's body, for example, from its own weight or the combined weight of the container and its contents.
Implementations of a removable belt buckle are provided. In some implementations, the removable belt buckle comprises a pouch configured to house a portable electronic device, a back plate attached to the back of the pouch, a first retaining hook extending from the back plate on a first side portion of the back plate, and a belt retaining ring extending from the back plate on a second side portion of the back plate. In some implementations, the belt retaining ring includes a second retaining hook extending from the belt retaining ring. In some implementations, the back plate and the belt retaining ring define an opening through which an end of a belt may be placed. In some implementations, the first retaining hook and the second retaining hook are configured to extend through the holes of a belt.
In some implementations, the pouch comprises a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a first cutout and a second cutout. In some implementations, the first cutout may be on a top side of an outer surface of the pocket portion and the second cutout may be on a bottom side of the outer surface of the pocket portion.
In some implementations, the pouch comprises a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a cutout that extends from a top side to a bottom side of an outer surface of the pocket portion.
In some implementations, a belt according to the present disclosure comprises a first end portion having one or more openings and a second end portion having a fastener wherein the fastener includes a first piece and a second piece. In some implementations, the second end portion further comprises at least one opening between the first piece and the second piece of the fastener. In some implementations, to attach a belt buckle according to the present disclosure to the belt, the second end portion of the belt is inserted through the opening defined by the belt retaining ring and the plate. Then, the second retaining hook is inserted through the at least one opening of the second end portion of the belt. Then, the second end portion of the belt is looped over the top of the belt retaining ring and the first piece of the fastener is secured to the second piece.
As shown in
As shown in
The first retaining hook 12a and the second retaining hook 12b (collectively “retaining hooks 12”) are configured to extend through the holes of a belt. In some implementations, the retaining hooks 12 may extend from the back plate 10 at an angle such that the tips of the retaining hooks are point towards the center of the back plate 10. In some implementations the retaining hooks 12 may be aligned along a longitudinal axis of the back plate 10. As shown in
In some implementations, the retaining hooks 12 are of a uniform thickness. In other implementations, the retaining hooks 12 are thinner at the distal end and thicker at the proximal end near the back plate 10.
In some implementations, the retaining hooks 12 are manufactured from the same material as the back plate 10. In some implementations, the retaining hooks 12 are manufactured from any suitable material.
In some implementations, the second end portion 50b may further include at least one opening 54b for receiving the second retaining hook 12b wherein the opening 54b is between the male and female portion of the snap 52.
In some implementations, the belt 50 may be manufactured from leather.
In some implementations, the belt 50 may be manufactured from nylon or similar material. In some implementations, the belt 50 may be manufactured from any suitable material. In some implementations, the openings 54a, b may be formed with grommet(s), or similar device.
To attach the belt buckle 100 to the belt 50, the second end portion 50b of the belt 50 is inserted under the belt retaining ring 34 and through the opening 34c defined by the belt retaining ring 34 and the back plate 10. Then, the second retaining hook 12b is inserted through the opening 54b. Next, the second end portion 50b is looped over the top of the belt retaining ring 34 and the male and female portions of the snap 52 are secured together as shown in
To attach the first end portion 50a to the belt 50, the first retaining hook 12a is inserted through one of the opening 54a of the first end portion 50a.
In some implementations, the pouch 30 may include fastening means to secure the flap 36 to the pocket portion 37 in a closed position. The fastening means may include snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), magnets or other reclosable fasteners or any other attachment or fastening technology existing or developed in the future to secure the flap in the closed position.
In some implementations, the pouch 30, 60 may be manufactured from leather. In some implementations, the pouch 30, 60 may be manufactured from nylon and/or other synthetic materials which are known or may become known. In some implementations, the pouch 30 may be manufactured from any suitable material.
In some implementations, the internal dimensions of the pouch 30, 60 may be varied to accommodate cells phones of various dimensions. Such a configuration of the pouch 30, 60 would, in general, be suitable for receiving and containing therein a wallet, passport, pocket knife, a firearm, eye glasses, flask, calculator, hygiene products or other similar or suitably sized devices.
In other implementations, the pouch 30, 60 may be specifically built to hold the aforementioned items or any other items. In some implementations, the dimensions of the back plate 10 may be adjusted to closely match the external dimensions of the pouch 30, 60. In some implementations, the dimensions of the back plate 10 are not directly correlated to the dimensions of the pouch 30, 60.
In some implementations, the back plate 10 can be adapted to work with existing containers or pouches.
In some implementations, the pouch 30, 60 may not include the back plate 10.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.
The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.
While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.
Claims
1. A belt buckle comprising:
- a plate comprising:
- a first retaining hook extending from the plate on a first side portion of the plate,
- a belt retaining ring extending from the plate on a second side portion of the plate, and
- a second retaining hook extending from the belt retaining ring;
- wherein the belt retaining ring comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion extending from the first end portion to the second end portion,
- wherein the first end portion and the second end portion extend from the plate such that the plate and the belt retaining ring define an opening,
- wherein the first retaining hook and the second retaining hook are configured to extend through the holes of a belt.
2. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein the first retaining hook and the second retaining hook are offset from the centerline of the plate and located on a longitudinal axis that is closer to the top of the plate.
3. The belt buckle of claim 1 further comprising a pouch wherein the plate is attached to the pouch.
4. The belt buckle of claim 3 wherein the pouch comprises a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a first cutout and a second cutout wherein the first cutout is on a top side of an outer surface of the pocket portion and the second cutout is on a bottom side of the outer surface of the pocket portion.
5. The belt buckle of claim 3 wherein the pouch comprises a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a cutout wherein the cutout extends from a top side to a bottom side of an outer surface of the pocket portion.
6. A method of attaching the belt buckle of claim 1 to a belt where the belt comprises a first end portion having one or more openings, a second end portion having a fastener having a first piece and a second piece, the second end portion further comprising at least one opening between the first piece and the second piece of the fastener, the method comprising:
- inserting the second end portion of the belt through the opening defined by the belt retaining ring and the plate;
- inserting the second retaining hook through the at least one opening of the second end portion of the belt;
- looping the second end portion of the belt over the top of the belt retaining ring; and
- securing the first piece of the fastener to the second piece.
7. A pouch comprising:
- a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a first cutout and a second cutout wherein the first cutout is on a top side of an outer surface of the pocket portion and the second cutout is on a bottom side of the outer surface of the pocket portion.
8. A pouch comprising:
- a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a cutout wherein the cutout extends from a top side to a bottom side of an outer surface of the pocket portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 9, 2014
Publication Date: Jun 11, 2015
Inventor: Jim Duvall (Johns Creek, GA)
Application Number: 14/565,376