RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 62/417,319 filed on Nov. 3, 2016 and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all it teaches and discloses.
BACKGROUND Field of the Invention The present invention relates to devices such as belts, straps, and suspenders for securing an article of clothing to a person.
SUMMARY The belt device of the present invention holds a pair of pants in place without a standard belt which typically cinches tightly against the stomach. This alleviates the hassle of fumbling with a belt buckle when pulling pants up or down. It prevents buckles from cutting into the stomach, causing skin indentations, marks, and general discomfort. It avoids clothing from gathering and bunching in uncomfortable places especially in back and waist areas while sitting. Additionally, the belt device of the present invention is structurally configured to be washable while attached to pants or clothing. Once the belt device is attached to clothing it can be left attached until the clothing is discarded. The belt device of the present invention provides structure enabling inventive features and utility not present in other belts. The belt device of the present invention accommodates all users including young children, teenagers, and adults.
A belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first belt segment with a first tapered end and a second tapered end. A second belt segment attached to the first tapered end. A third belt segment attached to the second tapered end. A first material gripping device attached to the second belt segment. A second material gripping device attached to the third belt segment. The first belt segment is longer and wider than the second belt segment and the first belt segment is longer and wider than the third belt segment. The first belt segment is non-adjustable and the second belt segment and the third belt segment each have an independently adjustable length.
The first belt segment may be manufactured of non-stretchable or non-elastic materials such as tightly woven fabrics, leather, vinyl, canvas, plastic, or the like. A width the first belt segment may be sized to fit between clothing belt loops such that the belt device stays in place when the belt device is laundered while inside of the clothing belt loops. The second belt segment and the third belt segment may have elastic properties and be made from materials which exhibit elasticity such as spandex, elastic, polymers, woven materials, and the like. The second belt segment and the third belt segment may be independently adjustable. The second belt segment and the third belt segment have non-elastic properties and may be adjustable by way of adjustment clips. The first material gripping device and the second material gripping device may be material clamps. The first material gripping device and the second material gripping device may be material hooks. The second belt segment and the third belt segment may have non-elastic properties. The second belt segment or the third belt segment may be independently adjusted by pulling on as least a portion of the second belt segment or third belt segment. The first belt segment may contain an alignment mark for centering the first belt segment with a centered rear belt loop of pants. The alignment mark may be part of a logo or advertisement. The alignment mark may be part of a design on the first belt segment. The first material gripping device and the second material gripping device may rotate on an axis allowing the belt device to be reversible. The belt device may worn or used with either side facing in or out (toward or away from a user). The alignment mark may be on an edge of the belt and hidden when positioned beneath a centered back belt loop. The alignment mark may be hidden by a belt loop when properly aligned under the belt loop. A third material gripping device may be attached to the second belt segment. A fourth material gripping device may be attached to the third belt segment. The second belt segment and the third belt segment may evenly apply tension on hips of a user. The alignment mark may provide proper centering of the belt device on a user and identify the user or identify the user as part of a group.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 depicts a belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 depicts a belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 depicts a belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 depicts a belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 depicts a belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 depicts a belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 depicts a belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 9 depicts a belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 10 depicts a belt device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 11 depicts a rotating material gripping device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of certain examples of presently contemplated embodiments in accordance with the invention. The presently described embodiments will be best understood by reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a belt device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Belt device 100 is designed to thread through belt loops of clothing and clamp clothing material with first gripping device 112 and second gripping device 114. Second belt segment 104 and third belt segment 106 provide tension around hips of a user of belt device 100. Applicant has found that comfort is optimized when first belt segment 102 reaches in length across a user's back from a user's left hip bone to the user's right hip bone as is shown in FIG. 3. Comfort is also optimized when first belt segment 102 is wide enough to keep belt loops and clothing material from folding over or bunching up around first belt segment 102 when a user has a large midriff section. In one embodiment, first belt section 102 is between 1 inch and 1.375 wide effectively taking up all useable width inside of a standard adult sized belt loop. In another embodiment, first belt section 102 is between 0.65 of an inch and 1.25 inches wide effectively taking up all useable space inside of a standard child sized belt loop. First belt segment 102 fitting snuggly within back-side belt loops provides belt attachment stability allowing the belt device to stay in place and attached to clothing without moving while the clothing is washed and dried with standard automatic laundry machines. Belt device 100 can be installed when clothing is purchased, before clothing is ever worn and not removed until the clothing is discarded or not useable. Because belt device 100 does not have a buckle, the belt device does not need to be removed to use the restroom or before taking off clothing and can even stay on clothes while the cloths are washing. A length of first belt segment 102 has been found to be optimized at lengths extending across the back from one hip bone to the other hip bone of a user. First belt segment 102 is shown with a first tapered end 105 and a second tapered end 107. Tapered ends 105/107 interface the first belt segment 102 with second belt segment 104 and third belt segment 106. The first belt segment 102 is wider and longer than the second belt segment 104 and the third belt segment 106. First belt segment 102 may be constructed from non-elastic or non-stretching material such as tightly woven fabrics, leather, vinyl, canvas, plastic, or combinations thereof. Second and third belt segments 104/106 each have an independently adjustable length. Second and third belt segments 104/106 may be constructed of elastic, stretchable material or may be constructed of non-elastic, non-stretchy materials. In an embodiment where second and third belt segments are not stretchy, a user of belt device 100 may have to pull an end of the belt segments 104 and/or 106 to decrease a length of belt segments 104/106 using belt adjustment devices 108 and 110 in order to tighten belt device 100. Adjustment devices 110 and 108 allow segment 104/106 to be adjusted. Second and third segments 104/106 each connect on one end to the first belt segment 102 and each have at least one material gripping device 114/112 on the opposite ends. Material gripping devices 112/114 may be alligator claps, hooks, latches, barbs, compliant mechanisms, spring loaded clips or clamp or any other device capable of gripping material. Design 160 may provide advertising or ornamental design while also providing an alignment mark 148 for centering belt device 102 with a centered back belt loop of clothing. Pants, shorts and other clothing with a rear center seam have a centered belt loop at the rear seam. Applicant has found that the rear centered belt loop is an easy way to properly center belt device 102 and has designed first belt segment 102 with an alignment mark 148 which allows belt device 102 to be quickly and easily centered.
FIG. 2 shows a belt device 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Belt device 200 is designed to thread through belt loops 216/218 of clothing 222 and clamp clothing material 216/218 with first gripping device 212 and second gripping device 214. Second belt segment 204 and third belt segment 206 provide tension around hips of a user of belt device 200. Applicant has found that comfort is optimized when first belt segment 202 reaches in length across a user's back from a user's left hip bone to the user's right hip bone as is shown in FIG. 3. Comfort is also optimized when first belt segment 202 is wide enough to keep belt loops and clothing material from folding over or bunching up around first belt segment 202 when a user has a large midriff section. Clothing section 217 is able to be kept from folding over or bunching up when worn by an overweight person or when a user of clothing 222 sits down. This adds to the overall comfort of belt device 200. In one embodiment, first belt section 202 is between 1 inch and 1.375 wide effectively taking up all useable width inside of a standard adult sized belt loop. In another embodiment, first belt section 202 is between 0.65 of an inch and 1.25 inches wide effectively taking up all useable space inside of a standard child sized belt loop. First belt segment 202 fitting snuggly within back-side belt loops provides belt attachment stability allowing the belt device to stay in place and attached to clothing without moving while the clothing is washed and dried with standard automatic laundry machines. Belt device 200 can be installed when clothing is purchased, before clothing is ever worn and not removed until the clothing is discarded or not useable. Because belt device 200 does not have a buckle, the belt device does not need to be removed to use the restroom or before taking off clothing 222 and can even stay on clothes while the cloths are washing. A length of first belt segment 202 has been found to be optimized at lengths extending across the back from one hip bone to the other hip bone of a user. The first belt segment 202 is wider and longer than the second belt segment 204 and the third belt segment 206. First belt segment 202 may be constructed from non-elastic or non-stretching material such as tightly woven fabrics, leather, vinyl, canvas, plastic, or combinations thereof. Second and third belt segments 204/206 each have an independently adjustable length. Second and third belt segments 204/206 may be constructed of elastic, stretchable material or may be constructed of non-elastic, non-stretchy materials. In an embodiment where second and third belt segments are not stretchy, a user of belt device 200 may have to pull an end of the belt segments 204 and/or 206 to decrease a length of belt segments 204/206 using belt adjustment device 210 in order to tighten belt device 200. Adjustment devices 210 and 208 allow segment 204/206 to be adjusted. Second and third segments 204/206 each connect on one end to the first belt segment 202 and each have at least one material gripping device 214/212 on the opposite ends. Material gripping devices 212/214 may be alligator claps, hooks, latches, barbs, compliant mechanisms, spring loaded clips or clamp or any other device capable of gripping material.
FIG. 3 shows a belt device 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Belt device 300 is designed to thread through belt loops 360, 358, 356 of clothing 322 and clamp clothing material with first gripping device 332 and a second gripping device. Applicant has found that comfort is optimized when first belt segment 302 reaches in length across a user's back from a user's left hip bone to the user's right hip bone as is shown in FIG. 3. Comfort is also optimized when first belt segment 302 is wide enough to keep belt loops and clothing material from folding over or bunching up around first belt segment 302 when a user has a large midriff section. In one embodiment, first belt section 302 is between 1 inch and 1.375 wide effectively taking up all useable width inside of a standard adult sized belt loop. In another embodiment, first belt section 302 is between 0.65 of an inch and 1.25 inches wide effectively taking up all useable space inside of a standard child sized belt loop. First belt segment 302 fitting snuggly within back-side belt loops 360, 358, 356 and provides belt attachment stability allowing the belt device to stay in place and attached to clothing without moving while the clothing is washed and dried with standard automatic laundry machines. Belt device 300 can be installed when clothing is purchased, before clothing is ever worn and not removed until the clothing is discarded or not useable. Because belt device 300 does not have a buckle, the belt device does not need to be removed to use the restroom or before taking off clothing and can even stay on clothes while the cloths are washing. A length of first belt segment 302 has been found to be optimized at lengths extending across the back from one hip bone to the other hip bone of a user. First belt segment 302 is shown with a first tapered end 350 and a second tapered end (not shown). Tapered ends 350 interface the first belt segment 302 with second belt segment and third belt segment. The first belt segment 302 is wider and longer than the second belt segment and the third belt segment. First belt segment 302 may be constructed from non-elastic or non-stretching material such as tightly woven fabrics, leather, vinyl, canvas, plastic, or combinations thereof. Second and third belt segments 304/306 each have an independently adjustable length. Adjustment device 308 allows segment 336 to be adjusted. Material gripping device 332 may be alligator claps, hooks, latches, barbs, compliant mechanisms, spring loaded clips or clamp or any other device capable of gripping material. Design 348 may provide advertising or ornamental design while also providing an alignment mark 348 for centering belt device 300 with a centered back belt loop 358 of clothing 322. Pants, shorts and other clothing with a rear center seam have a centered belt loop at the rear seam. Applicant has found that the rear centered belt loop 358 is an easy way to properly center belt device 300 and has designed first belt segment 302 with an alignment mark 348 which allows belt device 300 to be quickly and easily centered.
FIG. 4 shows a belt device 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Belt device 400 is designed to thread through belt loops 416/418 of clothing 422 and clamp clothing material 416/418 with first gripping device 424 and second gripping device 426. Second belt segment 404 and third belt segment 406 provide tension around hips of a user of belt device 400. Applicant has found that comfort is optimized when first belt segment 402 reaches in length across a user's back from a user's left hip bone to the user's right hip bone as is shown in FIG. 3. Comfort is also optimized when first belt segment 402 is wide enough to keep belt loops and clothing material from folding over or bunching up around first belt segment 402 when a user has a large midriff section. Clothing around a user's waist is able to be kept from folding over or bunching up when worn by an overweight person or when a user of clothing 422 sits down. This adds to the overall comfort of belt device 400. In one embodiment, first belt section 402 is between 1 inch and 1.375 wide effectively taking up all useable width inside of a standard adult sized belt loop. In another embodiment, first belt section 402 is between 0.65 of an inch and 1.25 inches wide effectively taking up all useable space inside of a standard child sized belt loop. First belt segment 402 fitting snuggly within back-side belt loops provides belt attachment stability allowing the belt device to stay in place and attached to clothing without moving while the clothing is washed and dried with standard automatic laundry machines. Belt device 400 can be installed when clothing is purchased, before clothing is ever worn and not removed until the clothing is discarded or not useable. Because belt device 400 does not have a buckle, the belt device does not need to be removed to use the restroom or before taking off clothing 422 and can even stay on clothes while the cloths are washing. A length of first belt segment 402 has been found to be optimized at lengths extending across the back from one hip bone to the other hip bone of a user. The first belt segment 402 is wider and longer than the second belt segment 404 and the third belt segment 406. First belt segment 402 may be constructed from non-elastic or non-stretching material such as tightly woven fabrics, leather, vinyl, canvas, plastic, or combinations thereof. Second and third belt segments 404/406 each have an independently adjustable length. Second and third belt segments 404/406 may be constructed of elastic, stretchable material or may be constructed of non-elastic, non-stretchy materials. In an embodiment where second and third belt segments are not stretchy, a user of belt device 400 may have to pull an end of the belt segments 404 and/or 406 to decrease a length of belt segments 404/406 using belt adjustment device 410 in order to tighten belt device 400. Adjustment device 410 allows segment 406 to be adjusted. Second and third segments 404/406 each connect on one end to the first belt segment 402 and each have at least one material gripping device 424/426 on the opposite ends. Material gripping devices 424/426 may be alligator claps, hooks, latches, barbs, compliant mechanisms, spring loaded clips or clamp or any other device capable of gripping material.
FIG. 5 shows a belt device 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Belt device 500 is designed to thread through belt loops of clothing and clamp clothing material with first gripping device 512 and second gripping device 526 and a third material gripping device 524. Second belt segment 504 and third belt segment 506 provide tension around hips of a user of belt device 500. Applicant has found that comfort is optimized when first belt segment 502 reaches in length across a user's back from a user's left hip bone to the user's right hip bone as is shown in FIG. 3. Comfort is also optimized when first belt segment 502 is wide enough to keep belt loops and clothing material from folding over or bunching up around first belt segment 502 when a user has a large midriff section. Belt device 500 is reversible. The belt device 500 can be worn with either side 502 or 503 facing inward or outward. In one embodiment, first belt section 502 is between 1 inch and 1.375 wide effectively taking up all useable width inside of a standard adult sized belt loop. In another embodiment, first belt section 502 is between 0.65 of an inch and 1.25 inches wide effectively taking up all useable space inside of a standard child sized belt loop. First belt segment 502 fitting snuggly within back-side belt loops provides belt attachment stability allowing the belt device to stay in place and attached to clothing without moving while the clothing is washed and dried with standard automatic laundry machines. Belt device 500 can be installed when clothing is purchased, before clothing is ever worn and not removed until the clothing is discarded or not useable. Because belt device 500 does not have a buckle, the belt device does not need to be removed to use the restroom or before taking off clothing and can even stay on clothes while the cloths are washing. A length of first belt segment 502/503 has been found to be optimized at lengths extending across the back from one hip bone to the other hip bone of a user. First belt segment 502/503 is shown with a first tapered end 505 and a second tapered end 507. Tapered ends 505/507 interface the first belt segment 502/503 with second belt segment 504 and third belt segment 506. The first belt segment 502 is wider and longer than the second belt segment 504 and the third belt segment 506. First belt segment 502 may be constructed from non-elastic or non-stretching material such as tightly woven fabrics, leather, vinyl, canvas, plastic, or combinations thereof. Second and third belt segments 504/506 each have an independently adjustable length. Second and third belt segments 504/506 may be constructed of elastic, stretchable material or may be constructed of non-elastic, non-stretchy materials. In an embodiment where second and third belt segments are not stretchy, a user of belt device 500 may have to pull an end of the belt segments 504 and/or 506 to decrease a length of belt segments 504/506 using belt adjustment devices 508 and 510 in order to tighten belt device 500. Adjustment devices 510 and 508 allow segment 504/506 to be adjusted. Second and third segments 504/506 each connect on one end to the first belt segment 502 and each have at least one material gripping device 512/526 on the opposite ends. Material gripping devices 512/526 may be alligator claps, hooks, latches, barbs, compliant mechanisms, spring loaded clips or clamp or any other device capable of gripping material. Alignment mark 548 may be located on a ridge of belt device 500 or on a side edge and may be used for centering belt device 502 with a centered back belt loop of clothing. Pants, shorts and other clothing with a rear center seam have a centered belt loop at the rear seam. Applicant has found that the rear centered belt loop is an easy way to properly center belt device 502 and has designed first belt segment 502 with an alignment mark 548 which allows belt device 502 to be quickly and easily centered. Alignment mark 548 may be hidden by a centered rear belt loop when belt device 500 is properly centered.
FIG. 6 shows a belt device 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Belt device 600 is designed to thread through belt loops 616/618 of clothing 622 and clamp clothing material 616/618 with first gripping device 612/624 and second gripping device 614/626. Second belt segment 604 and third belt segment 606 provide tension around hips of a user of belt device 600. Applicant has found that comfort is optimized when first belt segment 602 reaches in length across a user's back from a user's left hip bone to the user's right hip bone as is shown in FIG. 3. Comfort is also optimized when first belt segment 602 is wide enough to keep belt loops and clothing material from folding over or bunching up around first belt segment 602 when a user has a large midriff section. Clothing around a user's waist is able to be kept from folding over or bunching up when worn by an overweight person or when a user of clothing 622 sits down. This adds to the overall comfort of belt device 600. In one embodiment, first belt section 602 is between 1 inch and 1.375 wide effectively taking up all useable width inside of a standard adult sized belt loop. In another embodiment, first belt section 602 is between 0.65 of an inch and 1.25 inches wide effectively taking up all useable space inside of a standard child sized belt loop. First belt segment 602 fitting snuggly within back-side belt loops provides belt attachment stability allowing the belt device to stay in place and attached to clothing without moving while the clothing is washed and dried with standard automatic laundry machines. Belt device 600 can be installed when clothing is purchased, before clothing is ever worn and not removed until the clothing is discarded or not useable. Because belt device 600 does not have a buckle, the belt device does not need to be removed to use the restroom or before taking off clothing 622 and can even stay on clothes while the cloths are washing. A length of first belt segment 602 has been found to be optimized at lengths extending across the back from one hip bone to the other hip bone of a user. The first belt segment 602 is wider and longer than the second belt segment 604 and the third belt segment 606. First belt segment 602 may be constructed from non-elastic or non-stretching material such as tightly woven fabrics, leather, vinyl, canvas, plastic, or combinations thereof. Second and third belt segments 604/606 each have an independently adjustable length. Second and third belt segments 604/606 may be constructed of elastic, stretchable material or may be constructed of non-elastic, non-stretchy materials. In an embodiment where second and third belt segments are not stretchy, a user of belt device 600 may have to pull an end of the belt segments 604 and/or 606 to decrease a length of belt segments 604/606 using belt adjustment device 610 in order to tighten belt device 600. Adjustment device 610 allows segment 606 to be adjusted. Second and third segments 604/606 each connect on one end to the first belt segment 602 and each have at least one material gripping device 624/626 on the opposite ends. Material gripping devices 624/626 may be alligator claps, hooks, latches, barbs, compliant mechanisms, spring loaded clips or clamp or any other device capable of gripping material.
FIG. 7 shows a belt device 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Belt device 700 is designed to thread through belt loops of clothing and clamp clothing material with first gripping device 728 and second gripping device 730. Gripping devices 728, 730 may have spikes or barbs 732 which assist in gripping clothing. Second belt segment 704 and third belt segment 706 provide tension around hips of a user of belt device 700. Applicant has found that comfort is optimized when first belt segment 702 reaches in length across a user's back from a user's left hip bone to the user's right hip bone as is shown in FIG. 3. Comfort is also optimized when first belt segment 702 is wide enough to keep belt loops and clothing material from folding over or bunching up around first belt segment 702 when a user has a large midriff section. Belt device 700 is reversible. The belt device 700 can be worn with either side 702 or 703 facing inward or outward. In one embodiment, first belt section 702 is between 1 inch and 1.375 wide effectively taking up all useable width inside of a standard adult sized belt loop. In another embodiment, first belt section 702 is between 0.65 of an inch and 1.25 inches wide effectively taking up all useable space inside of a standard child sized belt loop. First belt segment 702 fitting snuggly within back-side belt loops provides belt attachment stability allowing the belt device to stay in place and attached to clothing without moving while the clothing is washed and dried with standard automatic laundry machines. Belt device 700 can be installed when clothing is purchased, before clothing is ever worn and not removed until the clothing is discarded or not useable. Because belt device 700 does not have a buckle, the belt device does not need to be removed to use the restroom or before taking off clothing and can even stay on clothes while the cloths are washing. A length of first belt segment 702/703 has been found to be optimized at lengths extending across the back from one hip bone to the other hip bone of a user. The first belt segment 702 is wider and longer than the second belt segment 704 and the third belt segment 706. First belt segment 702 may be constructed from non-elastic or non-stretching material such as tightly woven fabrics, leather, vinyl, canvas, plastic, or combinations thereof. Second and third belt segments 704/706 each have an independently adjustable length. Second and third belt segments 704/706 may be constructed of elastic, stretchable material or may be constructed of non-elastic, non-stretchy materials. In an embodiment where second and third belt segments are not stretchy, a user of belt device 700 may have to pull an end of the belt segments 704 and/or 706 to decrease a length of belt segments 704/706 using belt adjustment devices 708 and 710 in order to tighten belt device 700. Adjustment devices 710 and 708 allow segment 704/706 to be adjusted. Second and third segments 704/706 each connect on one end to the first belt segment 702 and each have at least one material gripping device 728/730 on the opposite ends. Material gripping devices 730/728 may be alligator claps, hooks, latches, barbs, compliant mechanisms, spring loaded clips or clamp or any other device capable of gripping material. Alignment mark 748 may be located on a ridge of belt device 700 or on a side edge and may be used for centering belt device 702 with a centered back belt loop of clothing. Pants, shorts and other clothing with a rear center seam have a centered belt loop at the rear seam. Applicant has found that the rear centered belt loop is an easy way to properly center belt device 702 and has designed first belt segment 702 with an alignment mark 748 which allows belt device 702 to be quickly and easily centered. Alignment mark 748 may be hidden by a centered rear belt loop when belt device 700 is properly centered. Additionally, alignment mark 748 may identify an individual who wears belt device 700. A name, symbol, identification mark, identification number, or barcode may used as a centering mark and an identification mark. Additionally or alternatively, alignment mark 748 may identify an individual as part of a group such as a school, band, or any other group. A name, symbol, identification mark, identification number, or barcode may used as a centering mark and as a group identification mark.
FIG. 8 shows a belt device 800 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Belt device 800 is designed to thread through a single belt loop in the rear of clothing 822 and hook clothing material 822 with first gripping device 828 and second gripping device 830. Second belt segment 804 and third belt segment 806 provide tension around hips of a user of belt device 800. Applicant has found that comfort is optimized when first belt segment 802 reaches in length across a user's back from a user's left hip bone to the user's right hip bone as is shown in FIG. 3. Comfort is also optimized when first belt segment 802 is wide enough to keep belt loops and clothing material from folding over or bunching up around first belt segment 802 when a user has a large midriff section. Clothing around a user's waist is able to be kept from folding over or bunching up when worn by an overweight person or when a user of clothing 822 sits down. This adds to the overall comfort of belt device 800. In one embodiment, first belt section 802 is between 1 inch and 1.375 wide effectively taking up all useable width inside of a standard adult sized belt loop. In another embodiment, first belt section 802 is between 0.65 of an inch and 1.25 inches wide effectively taking up all useable space inside of a standard child sized belt loop. Because belt device 800 does not have a buckle, the belt device does not need to be removed to use the restroom or before taking off clothing 822 and can even stay on clothes while the cloths are washing. A length of first belt segment 802 has been found to be optimized at lengths extending across the back from one hip bone to the other hip bone of a user. The first belt segment 802 is wider and longer than the second belt segment 804 and the third belt segment 806. First belt segment 802 may be constructed from non-elastic or non-stretching material such as tightly woven fabrics, leather, vinyl, canvas, plastic, or combinations thereof. Second and third belt segments 804/806 each have an independently adjustable length. Second and third belt segments 804/806 may be constructed of elastic, stretchable material or may be constructed of non-elastic, non-stretchy materials. In an embodiment where second and third belt segments are not stretchy, a user of belt device 800 may have to pull an end of the belt segments 804 and/or 806 to decrease a length of belt segments 804/806 using belt adjustment device 810 in order to tighten belt device 800. Adjustment device 810 allows segment 806 to be adjusted. Second and third segments 804/806 each connect on one end to the first belt segment 802 and each have at least one material gripping device 828/830 on the opposite ends. Material gripping devices 828/830 may be alligator claps, hooks, latches, barbs, compliant mechanisms, spring loaded clips or clamp or any other device capable of gripping material.
FIG. 9 shows a belt device 900 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Belt device 900 is designed to thread through belt loops of clothing and clamp clothing material with first gripping device 912, second gripping device 914, third gripping device 932, and fourth gripping device 934. Gripping devices 912, 914, 932, 934 may have spikes or barbs which assist in gripping clothing. Second belt segment 904, third belt segment 906, fourth belt segment 936 and fifth belt segment 938 provide tension around hips of a user of belt device 900. Applicant has found that comfort is optimized when first belt segment 902 reaches in length across a user's back from a user's left hip bone to the user's right hip bone as is shown in FIG. 3. Comfort is also optimized when first belt segment 902 is wide enough to keep belt loops and clothing material from folding over or bunching up around first belt segment 902 when a user has a large midriff section. Belt device 900 is reversible. The belt device 900 can be worn with either side 902 or 903 facing inward or outward. In one embodiment, first belt section 902 is between 1 inch and 1.375 wide effectively taking up all useable width inside of a standard adult sized belt loop. In another embodiment, first belt section 902 is between 0.65 of an inch and 1.25 inches wide effectively taking up all useable space inside of a standard child sized belt loop. First belt segment 902 fitting snuggly within back-side belt loops provides belt attachment stability allowing the belt device to stay in place and attached to clothing without moving while the clothing is washed and dried with standard automatic laundry machines. Belt device 900 can be installed when clothing is purchased, before clothing is ever worn and not removed until the clothing is discarded or not useable. Because belt device 900 does not have a buckle, the belt device does not need to be removed to use the restroom or before taking off clothing and can even stay on clothes while the cloths are washing. A length of first belt segment 902/903 has been found to be optimized at lengths extending across the back from one hip bone to the other hip bone of a user. The first belt segment 902/903 is wider and longer than the second belt segment 904 and the third belt segment 906. First belt segment 902/903 may be constructed from non-elastic or non-stretching material such as tightly woven fabrics, leather, vinyl, canvas, plastic, or combinations thereof. Second and third belt segments 904/906/936/938 each have an independently adjustable length. Second and third belt segments 904/906/936/938 may be constructed of elastic, stretchable material or may be constructed of non-elastic, non-stretchy materials. In an embodiment where second and third belt segments are not stretchy, a user of belt device 900 may have to pull an end of the belt segments 904 and/or 906 to decrease a length of belt segments 904/906 using belt adjustment devices 908 and 910 in order to tighten belt device 900. Adjustment devices 910 and 908 allow segments 904/906 to be adjusted. Second and third segments 904/906 each connect on one end to the first belt segment 902 and each have at least one material gripping device 928/930 on the opposite ends. Material gripping devices 930/928 may be alligator claps, hooks, latches, barbs, compliant mechanisms, spring loaded clips or clamp or any other device capable of gripping material. Alignment mark 948 may be located on a ridge of belt device 900 or on a side edge and may be used for centering belt device 902 with a centered back belt loop of clothing. Pants, shorts and other clothing with a rear center seam have a centered belt loop at the rear seam. Applicant has found that the rear centered belt loop is an easy way to properly center belt device 902 and has designed first belt segment 902 with an alignment mark 948 which allows belt device 902 to be quickly and easily centered. Alignment mark 948 may be hidden by a centered rear belt loop when belt device 900 is properly centered. Additionally, alignment mark 948 may identify an individual who wears belt device 900. A name, symbol, identification mark, identification number, or barcode may used as a centering mark and an identification mark. Additionally or alternatively, alignment mark 948 may identify an individual as part of a group such as a school, band, or any other group. A name, symbol, identification mark, identification number, or barcode may used as a centering mark and as a group identification mark.
FIG. 10 shows a belt device 1000 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Belt device 1000 is designed to thread through belt loops 1016/1018/1040 of clothing 1022 and clamp clothing material 1016/1018 with first gripping device 1012, second gripping device 1014, third gripping device 1034, and fourth gripping device 1032. Second belt segment 1004 and third belt segment 1006 provide tension around hips of a user of belt device 1000.
FIG. 11 shows a rotating material clamp for a belt device as previously shown in FIGS. 1-10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A rotating axis 1146 allows material gripping device 1112 to rotate for reversible use of belt devices 100-1000 shown in FIGS. 1-10. Gripping device 1112 rotates around a connection clip 1142 with a central axis pin 1144. Connection clip 1142 interfaces second or third belt segments 1106 with rotating material clamp 1112.
The systems and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
