Abstract: A karate belt having a body to which is fixed a tying strap. The body of the karate belt is secured to the waist of a user independent of the tying strap. The tying strap remains free so that the user can practice tying a predetermined knot without being impeded or distracted by the need to simultaneously hold the belt about the user's waist while attempting to tie the knot.

Abstract: A leg ornamentation device including an upper strap adapted to form an upper loop when worn by a user. Three upper male fasteners on the front face of the upper strap are capable of securing the upper loop around the leg below the knee by coupling with an upper female fastener on the rear face of the upper strap adjacent the second edge of the upper strap. A lower strap adapted to form a lower loop when worn by a user. Three lower male fasteners on the front face of the lower strap are capable of securing the lower loop around an ankle of the leg by coupling with a lower female fastener on the rear face of the lower strap adjacent the second edge of the lower strap. A vertical connecting strap that extends between the upper and lower strap and has a top looped portion capable of receipt therethrough the upper strap and a bottom looped portion capable of receipt therethrough the lower strap and a middle portion therebetween.

Abstract: A waterproof connection device is provided for use with a garment having optionally many detachable liners including a functional layer insert having a water vapor permeable functional layer.

Abstract: A back support to be worn by sufferers on their bodies comprises a patch of fur having a shape with a contour including an uppermost widest side, two lateral sides extending downwardly from the uppermost side and converging toward one another, and a smallest lower side connecting the lateral sides with one another, and means for holding the patch on a user's body.

Abstract: A belt for use with a clamp type buckle having a sliding cinch bar and a method of making the belt. The belt includes an elongated outer fabric piece having a tab end, a buckle attachment end opposite the tab end and a pair of substantially parallel outer edges. Two thickening strips extend along the entire length of the belt and a spine member is sandwiched between the strips adjacent to the tab end of the belt. The length of the spine member is less than the length of the belt. The fabric piece is folded around the thickening strips and the spine member which are secured by stitches.

Abstract: A reversible apparel belt having a plurality of interconnected links is disclosed. Each link is formed from two pieces of flexible sheet material which are fastened together. The outside surface of the first piece of flexible sheet material differs in appearance from the outside surface of the second piece of flexible sheet material. The front face of the belt is formed from the outside surfaces of the first pieces of flexible sheet material and the back face of the belt is formed from the outside surfaces of the second pieces of flexible material so as to provide a reversible belt.

Abstract: An elastic apparatus to be incorporated within a buoyancy compensating jacket to be used by scuba divers which is to maintain the jacket in a tight position on the torso of the scuba diver whether the diver is submerged in the water or is out of the water. The elastic apparatus comprises a plurality of stretchable elastic strips which are either mounted in conjunction with the jacket or are mounted in conjunction with a belt which is to be worn on the outside of the jacket.

Abstract: A shoulder strap for ladies' undergarments, more particularly a shoulder strap for brassieres, includes elastic warp threads and weft threads extending transversely of and woven into the warp threads. The shoulder strap has a longitudinal middle portion whose width is greater as compared to the width of the shoulder strap portions extending longitudinally from the middle portion. The spacing between the warp threads in the middle portion is greater than the spacing of the warp threads in the shoulder strap portions connected to the middle portion. The number of weft threads per unit of length in the longitudinal middle portion is greater than in the shoulder strap portions connected to the middle portion. The number of weft threads per unit of length in the middle portion may be approximately 50% greater than the number of weft threads per unit of length in the shoulder strap portions connected to the middle portion.

Abstract: Article retaining devices for advantageous utilization in detachable combination with a lumbar support belt. In one embodiment, a pouch includes straps secured thereto and extending about the inner side of the lumbar support belt and cooperating near their free ends with cooperating fastening means on the pouch's front side for releasably fastening the strap ends thereto. Separate implement holders may be removably secured to the lumbar support belt as well as to the pouch.

Abstract: An animal collar having both elastic and flexible extendable and contractable characteristics and being made of a silicone rubber. The collar is of a serpentine shape which permits it to flex in the expansion and contraction of the circumference of the collar, and the elastic characteristic permits it to also expand and contract, all to accommodate the neck size of an animal and to support an identification tag.

Abstract: A utility belt or the like device in one embodiment capable of also acting as a back support, either suspenderless or being suspendered, to receive in secure fashion utility pouches and the like so that the utility pouches are rigidly and releasably secured and not liable to shift in relation to the belt which supports them. The extensive use of hook and loop fastener surfaces enables the device to accommodate a wide range of body shapes in a facile manner and to receive hook and loop fastener surface provided tools in releasable engagement therewith.

Abstract: This invention provides a fashion belt capable of being applied to various kinds of materials and various cross-sectional shapes, and tightened and loosened easily. This fashion belt is formed by a belt body (1), and a locking member 30 capable of fixing one end portion of the belt body thereto, receiving the other end portion of the belt body so that the tightening length of the belt body can be regulated, and locking and unlocking the second-mentioned end portion thereof in an arbitrary position of insertion thereof.

Abstract: The belt for protecting the lower spinal region of a wearer from injury by impact or abrasion when engaging in a hazardous activity, such as motocross, is provided with sets of male press studs and/or touch and close fasteners. Cooperating sets of female studs and/or touch and close fasteners are provided on the inner waistband of trousers to enable the belt and the trousers to be secured together in a variety of different relative vertical positions to suit the body shape of the wearer.

Abstract: A shooter's support belt that can be used by competition shooters, police officers, service personnel, security officers and others to simultaneously support a wearer's lower back while virtually immobilizing an outer gun holster and belt to increase gun draw speed, whereby the support belt provides a relatively stiff support platform having hook and loop fastening material permanently attached between the belt ends and a fastening strap extending from one end lined on both sides with hook and loop fastening material so that 360.degree. of hook and loop fastening material is always provided for releasably attaching an outer belt and holster system having a corresponding hook and loop liner.

Abstract: A sizeable attachment device includes a flexible member (102) and a set of first (108) and second (106) sockets which receive a set of back-to back studs formed from back-to-back pairs (110, 112). In a first attachment mode stud 110 is snap fitted to socket 108. In a second attachment mode stud 110 is snap fitted to socket 106, and stud 112 is snap fitted to socket 108. The sizeable attachment device forms two sizes of loops for receiving belts or holsters having different widths. The sizeable attachment device provides for a clean and good looking attachment when either in the first or second attachment modes.

Abstract: An air inflatable belt worn by a person for support in the lumbar and sacral regions of the body has an inner wall, which faces the body of the person, provided with one or more permanent magnet arrangements producing magnetic fields directed toward the person's body. The permanent magnet arrangements may be provided by one or more flexible magnetic sheets received in a pocket or pockets on the inner wall of the belt, or by permanent magnet particles embedded in the inner wall of the belt and magnetized to provide desired magnetic field patterns. The belt includes an inflatable bladder or bladders which may be removably supported on the belt.

Abstract: Firefighters' suspenders having limited-stretch capability and constructed of permanently fire-resistant materials are provided. The suspenders have a plurality of elastic straps, having first and second ends, and are constructed of fibers containing an elastic core, a fire-resistant intermediate layer wrapped around the elastic core, and a permanently fire-resistant outer layer wrapped around the elastic core and intermediate layer. These fibers are woven in a crosslinked pattern with a permanently fire-resistant yarn. Joined collectively to the first ends of the elastic straps are the first ends of at least two nonelastic straps comprising a permanently fire-resistant fabric. The second ends of the elastic and nonelastic straps contain clips for fastening the suspenders to the pants of firefighters. The elastic straps give the suspenders limited-stretch capability.

Abstract: A body conditioning device utilizing a base member having a first surface and a second opposite surface. The base member includes a padded core between the first and second surfaces. The first surface provides a recess portion which is capable of at least partially positioning weights. The weights are held to the base member by a strap which is extendable along the base member. The strap and base member form a unit by feeding the strap through a plurality of holding slots in the base member. The weights may be positioned at the front and back of a user when the strap is looped about the waist portion of the user, and held in such a configuration by a clasp.

Abstract: A molded metal member has an opening to receive the end of a leather belt. The front face may be embossed or engraved decoratively, and the rear face is formed with a V-shaped slot oriented to achieve a locking action with the leather belt when upset inwardly at assembly with the belt.

Abstract: A support belt has a core layer made of a three dimensional fabric in which a cushion layer has a serpentine undulating cross-sectional shape in at least one dimension so as to define peaks and valleys which space inner and outer surfaces of the core such that the thickness of the core at a given location is greater than the sum of the thicknesses of threads of the fabric at that location. The core may have multiple cushion layers and may be covered with a closed weave fabric on one or both sides thereof. Preferably, a strap encircles the core and a buckle is provided for adjustably securing the strap around a body with the core between the strap and the body.

Abstract: A shoulder belt for suspending a camera, a bag or the like comprises a belt body made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material, and an accessory member, for example, a shoulder pad or a writing object, e.g., letters or pattern, made of a thermoplastic elastomer, which is rigidly secured to the belt body as an integral part thereof by fusion welding. The shoulder belt exhibits good durability and has beautiful appearance. In addition, the productivity is improved, and the production cost is reduced.

Abstract: In order to prevent injury to the back, a lumbar supporting belt includes a relatively wide inner belt and a relatively narrow outer belt. The inner belt is adapted to extend about the waist of a person. It has a middle region adapted to be positioned in the lumbar region of the back and has opposing ends adapted to be placed in proximity to one another. The inner belt is formed of a soft, flexible material which can have its opposing ends releasably connected. The outer belt is also adapted to extend about the waist of a person. It overlies the inner belt and has opposing ends corresponding to the opposing ends of the inner belt which are adapted to be placed in proximity to one another. The outer belt is formed of a flexible, non-stretchable material which can have its opposing ends releasably connected. In addition, the lumbar supporting belt may have a tool pouch which is supported in position by at least the outer belt thereof.

Abstract: An elastic strap having at least two opposing belt receiving slots through which the free end of a belt is threaded. Preferably, the strap is made of neoprene. The belt receiving slots are reinforced by either grommeting or stitching. The distance between the belt openings is slightly less than the width of the compact portable device which is secured between the outside wall of the belt and the inside wall of the elastic strap. When the belt is tightened around the body of the active wearer, the relative movement of the secured compact portable device and the body is minimized even if the wearer is engaged in vigorous exercise. A second embodiment which features an overlapping elastic strap permits the active wearer to access the control of the compact portable device without interrupting his or her routine. Moreover, the padding of neoprene strap protects the compact portable devices from accidental bumps and knocking against hard objects.

Abstract: A pelvic belt may be used in the treatment of instability in the SI joint or pubic symphysis region for an individual. The use of a pelvic belt reduces the ability of the innominate bones of an individual to be pushed outwardly from each other during movement. The pelvic belt includes a first portion having an attachment means for fastening the belt about the pelvic ring at a height approximately aligned to the base of the wedge between the sacrum and ilium bones, or just above the greater trochanter region, for an individual. The pelvic belt also includes a second portion, a third portion and a fourth portion. The second and fourth portions include an area having an increased surface dimension with respect to the first and third portions. Additionally, the second and fourth portions include an interior non-slip surface to facilitate the retention of the pelvic belt in a desired position about the pelvic ring of an individual.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic device for human wear comprising of a flexible belt encircling the human, with free ends thereof joined by a hook and loop fastener to position the belt on the wearer, and wherein the flexible belt is provided with a pad to be positioned against the lumbar and sacral regions of the wearer and with vertical stiffeners for the flexible belt. A static support is fixedly attached to the flexible belt and completely encircles the wearer. The static support is bi-level with one level encircling the wearer, extending around the flexible belt, and attached thereto adjacent the pad, and is provided with adjustable length belt buckle ends for cinching the one level about the user with varying degrees of tension. A second level is V-shaped and is attached to the elastic belt adjacent to the pad to dispense the support to the sacral regions when additional support is desired and the buckled clasp and first level tightened.

Abstract: A pair of suspenders and a belt for use in securing firefighter's pants are manufactured of an inelastic material to prevent the firefighter's pants from sagging. In conventional suspenders, the elastic nature of previous designs tended to lose their strength over the course of time and cause a potentially hazardous and uncomfortable situation in which the firefighter's pants no longer hung at the desired place.

Abstract: A personal protection device includes a belt which conceals a whip in an internal sheath formed therein. The whip has a handle which also is concealed by an end portion of the belt. The whip can be quickly and easily withdrawn from the sheath in the belt by releasing the end portion and grasping the handle, all in a substantially single motion. The whip material allows sufficient flexibility to be worn comfortably around the waist, but is rigid enough to be an effective striking device. Embodiments for sports and uniform use are disclosed.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed which is worn by a person but does not interfere with movement of the limbs, and is provided with handles that may be grasped to assist in carrying, stabilizing or moving the person. A girdle-like device of cloth construction is worn about the waist and is formed by a flexible panel having a T-shaped configuration before application to the wearer. This configuration presents a pair of opposed arms which are brought about the waist and secured to form a band, and a single connecting element that extends front to rear under the crotch and is joined to the band.

Abstract: A work garment having a waist portion covering a lower back area of a wearer and a front closure, and a support member, attached to the garment, for supporting a lumbar region of the wearer. The support member preferably includes a plurality of elastic bands extending about the waist portion of the garment and having complementary closure members positioned adjacent to the front closure of the work garment, and a contact member, attached to the elastic straps, positioned to contact the lumbar region of the wearer. In one embodiment, the elastic straps are integral with the work garment, which may be a coverall, and in other embodiments with firefighter garments such as a jacket, pant, and girdle. In one embodiment, the contact member consists of a resilient pad centered in the lumbar area of the wearer, and in another embodiment, the contact member consists of a plurality of elongate, vertically-extending stays.

Abstract: A belt structure, particularly for carrying diving equipment, comprises a closure strap (2) having at least one free portion (7a; 7b) on a surface of which are secured at least two first securement elements (13), typically in the form of loops. A second securement element (14) is carried by a wing of a substantially rigid dorsal carrying element (1), so as to modify the effective length of the free portion according to the different sizes of the users.

Abstract: A rib protector is disclosed for protecting a player's torso while playing athletic events, such as football. The rib protector includes an pad having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. A flexible belt is attached to the outer surface of the pad for securing the pad around the player's torso in a position in which the inner surface of the pad is adjacent the torso. A plurality of removable plates are attached to the belt for covering portions of the outer surface of the pad. The plates are constructed for receiving the impact of blows delivered to the rib protector and distributing the impact force to the pad. The plates are separate from one another and individually removable from the belt whereby a player using the rib protector may attach a selected number of plates to the belt.

Abstract: A medical belt consists of a front belt portion and a back belt portion, respectively made of a semi-rigid and half-resilient material. These belt portions, respectively have a number of ventilation and engagement holes formed on almost whole surfaces of them. One of the belt portions has a plurality of hooking pieces and fitting protrusions formed on both ends portions of the belt portion, and the hooking pieces and the fitting protrusions are adapted to engage with the ventilation and engagement holes formed on another belt portion.

Abstract: A one-way hook and loop fastener system is incorporated on a cinchable belt for providing a cinchable fastener which may be tightened in one direction without disengaging the fastener elements from one another. The natural tension on the belt when tightened engages and locks the fasteners in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A new and improved clothing anchor apparatus, especially useful for anchoring the front and back tails of shirts, includes a first clothing connector, a second clothing connector, and an elastic strap connected therebetween. The elastic strap has a first end, an interior portion, and a second end. A strap length adjuster is located on the interior portion of the strap for adjusting the effective length of the strap. The effective length of the strap is adjusted by adjustingly doubling a portion of the strap. A soft, flexible jacket encompasses a portion of the elastic strap and the strap length adjuster. The jacket may also include a pocket for receiving and secretly storing soft, flexible items such as paper money. In use, preferably, two clothing anchor apparatuses of the invention are used. One clothing connector of each apparatus is attached to the front shirt tail, and the other clothing connector of each apparatus is attached to the back shirt tail by first passing under the crotch area.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing the sartorial resplendency of one's garb including a belt having a plurality of slits through which an ornamental scarf is adapted to pass by threading the scarf into the slits and manipulting the scarf in various orientations to provide visual enhancements on an exposed surface of the belt which carries the scarf, thereby providing accents for one's wardrobe.

Abstract: A waistband adapted to surround the waist of a wearer as a fashion accessory comprises both a scarf and a semi-rigid form made of flexible sheet material. The scarf covers and is wrapped about at least a portion of the form, when in use as a waistband, with the form disposed at the midsection of the wearer. The scarf thus takes on a shape defined in part by the form.

Abstract: An embroidered lace bracelet is provided wherein the bracelet includes a fastening means for fastening the ends of the bracelet together and the fastening means is embroidered as part of the bracelet during the embroidery of the bracelet. In a preferred embodiment, the bracelet is adapted to receive a conventional buckle means while in other embodiments the bracelet may be passed through a loop embroidered into the bracelet, during the embroidery of the bracelet and tied-off, or passed through a loop extending from the bracelet, embroidered during the embroidery of the bracelet, which loop must be folded against the bracelet and an end of the bracelet passed therethrough to fasten the bracelet about the wrist of the wearer.

Abstract: An abdominal support belt of the type which includes an elongated flat waist band adapted to encircle the waist of a user and one or more supplemental elastic (resilient) strap or straps having unattached ends adapted to be grasped and drawn toward the anterior midline of the user's abdomen and releasible secured to the waist band when the belt is secured about the waist of the user for enhancing the support provided by the belt, and including one or more devices for limiting the extent of return of the strap or straps when the unattached end thereof is released from the waist band and the strap or straps is permitted to return toward its relaxed state. The belt further includes improved wear resistance and shape retention properties, particularly associated with the opposite ends of the waist band.

Abstract: An anti-slip device for engagement on a belt including a body, and a pad formed integral on a bottom portion of the body and to be engaged on a shoulder of a user, the pad including a wedge-shaped cross section having a first side of larger thickness engaged on the outer portion of the shoulder of the user such that the belt is held horizontally and such that the pad is prevented from slipping off the shoulder.

Abstract: As is well-known in the prior art, flexible elongate rope-like tethers have a leadward-end attached to a leadwardly-impelled aquamarine equipment (e.g. surfboard, towed water-ski, etc.) and having a trailward-end securely attached to the towed operator (e.g. a surfboarder, a water-skier, etc.). It is also well known in the prior art that the aquamarine's tethered operator might find himself/herself in a visually discernible perilous situation and wherein the elongate tether should be disengaged from the towing aquamarine device. Accordingly, the present invention provides a vertical-pin type releasably-lockable device that has the required secure attachment to the operator's body, but wherein the operator can manually vertically withdraw the vertical-pin portion of a releasable-lockable device to quickly withdraw himself/herself from the leadwardly tethered aquamarine equipment whenever the operator somehow discerns a perilous condition.

Abstract: A portable illumination device is provided by a combination of an elongated carrier, a source for electrical power mounted on the carrier, and a substantially planar light source coupled to the source for electrical power and mounted on the carrier in a coplanar manner. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier is adapted to be coupled to a belt, wherein the carrier is substantially transparent, the light is mounted on the carrier so that it is positioned between the belt and the carrier and it's light is directed through the carrier. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the carrier comprises a flexible strip of sheet plastic material, the light source comprises a flexible electroluminescent strip light and the source for power comprises a DC battery, DC to AC inverter, and an on/off switch.

Abstract: A back support (110 & 210) for providing abdominal and lumbosacral support having a waistband (111 & 211) comprising a front panel (112 & 212) and a second panel (113 & 213). An elastic band (150 & 151) is operatively connected to the waistband (111 & 211). In one embodiment, the front panel (210) forms a cup to lift and support the fat tissue of an obese wearer.

Abstract: A padded strap for brassieres and similar garments that includes an integral molded pad portion. The strap, including the pad, is suitable for forming the load-bearing straps of the qarment while presenting an attractive, smooth and seam-free outer appearance and also being free of seams along the wearer's skin. The padded strap of the invention also may be used as a separate pad for a conventional strap by attaching appropriate hooks or other hardware to the ends of the strap. A method for forming a strap according to the invention is also disclosed. The method includes laminating selected fabrics to a resilient core to form a laminated sandwich, molding the sandwich under pressure and temperature to compress a portion and leave an uncompressed portion to form a pad portion, cooling the molded sandwich in a curved position to induce a curved set, cutting the molded sandwich to size to form a strap, and securing the strap to a garment.

Abstract: The back and stomach support device is utilizable by weightlifters, stevedors, etc., and includes an elongated flexible back strap with a resilient, flexible back cushion attached to the inner surface thereof. The back strap extends forwardly at the sides of the device and ends in opposed front loops through which the opposite ends of a front belt extend. To the inner surface of the front belt is connected a resilient, flexible stomach cushion. The front belt can be cinched tight by means of its opposite ends and be releasably held in place for example by hook-bearing strips and hook-receiving strips on the belt. The device encircles the waist and effectively supports both back and stomach to prevent muscle strain. The strap and belt are shorter in height than the cushions so that no pinching of the skin occurs during tightening. The opposite ends of the cushions may be tapered down for a similar reason and the cushions are short enough not to intercept each other.

Abstract: A novel arcuate wooden cummerbund with or without associated accessories. Two methods for making the wooden cummerbund are disclosed. When accessories are included, they may comprise coordinating wooden ties, matching cuff links. A storing and carrying case is disclosed for the wooden cummerbund and accessories, if any.

Abstract: A combination tool and apparel belt for carrying tools and maintaining a wearer's trousers. The belt comprises a main belt member, a lower tool belt member, an upper apparel belt member. The tool and apparel belt members both emerge from two end sections of the main belt member. The tool and apparel belt members secure around the user's waist by buckle and hole fastening means. The apparel belt member is adapted to be threaded through the trouser loops of a wearer and the tool belt member carriers tools.

Abstract: An infant garment band including fastener ends to secure the band in surrounding relationship relative to a waist portion of an infant is provided to include a plurality of fastener members extending above and below the band for securement of an infant tee shirt and diaper relative to the infant. A modification of the invention includes a locking loop directed through a forward surface of the band through the fastener portion for mounting a tether line thereto, wherein the apparatus further is arranged to provide for securement clasps mounted to a rear surface of the band to permit securement of the band and the infant relative to a cart structure and the like preventing inadvertent and accidental loss of the infant from such transport vehicles.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for blousing a pant leg. The central hole of a tubular, torus shaped, horizontally positioned, elastic sleeve is of a size to accept a calf of a person's leg. The sleeve includes a pair of opposing slits that each provide entry into the interior of the sleeve from above. A pair of foundation forms each have a curved, horizontally extending first portion positioned within the sleeve for providing conformal alignment of the sleeve with the natural curvature of a human calf. Each form further includes a second portion contiguous with the first portion and extending vertically from the first portion for protruding through one of the slits of the sleeve. A strap attachment slit is further included on each second portion for engaging at least one elastic anchoring strap, the strap holding the sleeve in place on the calf at a position adjacent to, and above, the top of a boot.

Abstract: A resin band is formed by molding a first resin member by injection molding to cover a net member excluding its periphery, and by molding a second resin member by injection molding to cover a periphery of the net member exposed from the first resin member. In the resin band formed in this manner, the adhesion strength of the first and second resin members is increased by the net member, and the resin band can be colored in two colors by changing the colors of the first and second resin members.

Abstract: An elastic band comprising a plurality of spaced elastic members and a pair of flexible sheet materials on opposed sides of the elastic members, the elastic members being secured in a stretched position to each of said flexible sheet materials.