Abstract: A wrap means, for compressively wrapping an athlete's shin guard, comprising an insulative, flexible, relatively thin strap that is bi-directionally stretchable, the strap including a first elastomeric layer, and a second layer of pile fabric attached to and substantially covering the outer side of the first layer; the strap is adapted to be adjustably wrapped, and tensioned about a shin guard; and there are hook elements carried by the strap for removably attaching to the second layer at any position of wrap adjustment of the strap.

Abstract: A sports accessory which can be used as a towel comprises a sheet of absorbent material which can be folded along lines (6) in a concertina fashion to form an elongate portion. The accessory may be in the form of a belt provided with an end region (1a) having a buckle (2) and, at the other end, a flap (3) which, with the sheet folded into the form of a belt, can be passed through buckle (2) for securing around the waist of a wearer.In another embodiment, the pleated sheet is permanently secured in the form of an elongate portion, but can be opened out for use as a towel for wiping hands and/or face of a person taking exercise. This embodiment may be used as a belt or may be provided with attachment means for attachment to sports equipment.

Abstract: A decorative plaque with replaceable decorative elements is suitable for use with belts. The plaque has a frame having a front opening for the viewing of replaceable decorative elements, such as alphabets and letters, set on a decorative fabric. The frame and the decorative elements have interlocking serrations for preventing movement of the decorative elements along the width of the opening.

Abstract: A weight lifting belt produced from two strips of leather, one strip being substantially elongated relative to the other and having an enlarged width over a portion thereof intermediate first and second narrow end portions, the first end portion being substantially longer than the second end portion. The other strip comprises a short section having surfaces folded back on itself to form a fold and a pair of ends. The ends being secured to the shorter end portion of the elongated strip and a buckle being entrapped between the surfaces of the fold. The first end portion of the long strip has holes for receiving the tongue or tongues of the buckle. The method for producing the belt includes cutting a blank of the longer strip in a staggered relationship in a hide relative to adjacent blanks so that each wide portion of one blank of the longer strip is disposed adjacent a narrow portion of the blank forming the adjacent strips.

Abstract: A weightlifting belt made of nylon webbing is disclosed, wherein the belt body is of heavy duty material subject to stretching. Backing strips of regular duty material of a construction that is not stretchable and a holding strap are sewn to the belt body using a plurality of stitching lines that defeat the stretchability of the belt body. Elongate hook-and-loop strips are sewn in the combination with the backing strips, one sewn to the body combination and the other to the loose end of the holding strap. A buckle is also held into the body combination by a looped and sewn end of the holding strap.

Abstract: A chain link belt includes a plurality of tube pairs, each pair comprising two tubes joined along their sides in a substantially parallel relation. A plurality of wires of predetermined lengths are used to join the tubes to form the belt links. The wires are formed in a quadrilateral with the tubes on opposite sides thereof and with the joined ends of the wire links positioned within one of the tubes hidden from view. One of the wires is engaged through one tube of the adjacent tube pairs and another wire is engaged through the other tube pairs for connection of other tube pairs to form the chain link belt.

Abstract: A laminated fastening strap has synthetic hook and loop fastening elements formed on one sheet of the laminate and has a vinyl backing formed on the other sheet. The sheets are laminated together by bonding utilizing dielectric bonding apparatus. The bonds between the sheets are along the borders of the strap and along areas extending transverse to the longitudinally extending borders and angularly extending bond areas. The angularly extending bonds permits cutting along a desired diagonal so as to shorten the strap as required thereby permitting the use of straps of a conventional size which may be cut to the required necessary size only when needed.

Abstract: A belt and buckle combination wherein the buckle has a female connector member on its rear side adapted to receive a male connector member attached to each end of a flexible belt. The female connector member has an irregular shaped opening with a central area large enough to receive a knob portion of each male connector, and radially extending arms of said opening that are narrow enough to retain the knob portion when there is tension on the belt.

Abstract: A hip belt comprises a number of substantially similar pieces successively connected by snap fasteners. Each individual piece possesses a pliant construction of substantially uniform thickness and has a perimeter edge. The side edge portions of the perimeter edge of each piece impart a taper to the piece. The snap fasteners are located in the end edge portions of the pieces and enable each piece to swivel with respect to its immediately adjacent pieces. When worn, the belt assumes a configuration in which side portions are supported by the wearer's hips. Front and back portions extend from the side portions across the wearer's abdomen and lower back respectively, and they may have slight downward curvatures. In a belt for a typical wearer, there may be from eleven to fifteen of the individual pieces. Various forms of indicia and/or decoration may be imparted to the individual pieces.

Abstract: An ornamental elasticized fabric belt is featured having a number of ornamental discs or medallions arranged in seriatim about the band. The medallions overlap each other giving a unique and expensive appearance to the belt. As the belt is caused to expand, the medallions are caused to move with respect to each other, thus changing the appearance of the ornamentation.

Abstract: Bra-back fasteners parts and shoulder strap guards having hook and plush fastener elements, and methods of manufacturing them.

Abstract: Boots, particularly cowboy boots, having a looped pullstrap. A reinforced and welted pullstrap is personalized by the attachment of a pullstrap plate to the pullstrap exterior, such that a name panel insert may be inscribed with the wearer's name and affixed to the pullstrap plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a waist band extender having a strip of substantially inelastic material and a single pair of complementary closure member mounted in spaced apart relationship for mating with complementary closure members normally incorporated into a garment's waist band for temporary use in extending such waist band without alterations, and for leaving such garment in normal state upon removal. Such extender may include means for holding a zipper of a garment together with the extender so as to provide security of closing where needed.The present invention also provides a waist band extended garment of wearing apparel comprising in combination a garment having a permanent waist band integrated with lower reaches of the garment which waist band is extended by means of an extender described above.

Abstract: A strap consists of a facing portion (6) and a lining (7), made especially of leather or simulated leather and joined together by gluing, sewing, or the like. A connecting part (1) of a rigid material, such as a metal or synthetic resin, is provided on at least one end of the strap, a tension-relief member (4) being arranged between the face material (6) and the lining (7), this tension-relief member being joined to the connecting part by the formation of a loop (5).

Abstract: A steel wire is extended from one end of a belt to a ring of a buckle through a small escape device inserted a pair of control plates, pulling speed of said wire being controlled by a rack gear with roller and a pair of control plates constituted with a fixed control plate and a moving control plate, wherein said moving control plate is controlled by control bolts positioned on the side surface of a small escape device, and said small escape device is disassembled from said buckle in an emergency.

Abstract: A back support belt formed of a relatively rigid material having a width of 31/2 to 6 inches and a method of limiting the movement of a person in preventing lower back injury are disclosed. The belt reduces risk of lower back injury by restricting movement of the wearer, applying bio-mechanical directed forces to specific areas of the midsection and lateral trunk of the wearer and by utilizing pressure points which remind the wearer to use proper lifting techniques and good body mechanics.

Abstract: A belt or other band-like article adapted to be worn around the waist, hips or other body part of a user and with or without a separate buckle. The belt includes a length of material having a free end and a loop loosely retained at its other end. The belt is worn in one mode by wrapping it around the user's waist and passing the free end through the loop. After being pulled taut, the free end is passed under and around the belt beyond the loop, doubled back on itself, and passed back through the loop. In another mode, a separate buckle is secured on the belt by passing the free end through the buckle and then through the loop. The belt is then secured around the user's waist using the buckle in the manner described above for the loop.

Abstract: A reflective safety belt configured to be worn on a person's torso comprising a pair of continuous loops intersecting each other to form an X shape on the back of the wearer and overlap each other to form an X shape on the chest of the wearer such that the pair of continuous intersecting/overlapping loops cooperatively form a pair of side openings to receive the wearer's arms and an upper opening to receive the wearer's head, the lower portion of each continuous loop forming a substantially right angle to rest on opposite hips of the wearer.

Abstract: In combination, a support belt and a buckle having a frame with a pair of opposed forward and rearward transverse members, the latter being secured to one end of the belt. The other end of the belt is adapted to pass through the frame and has means thereon for engagement with the outside of the belt after such passage. The frame has a slidably, rotatable tubular member movable towards and away from the forward transverse member and the tubular member has a pair of opposed planar faces joined by a pair of opposed curved faces, said faces providing a pair of opposed, relatively sharp edges.

Abstract: A fashionable ladies belt intended for wearing on the outside of the clothing has relatively wide side and rear portions and a narrow closure portion, which may be tied, buckled or otherwise fastened. A pocket is constructed on the inside of the belt so that it overlies a side of a wearer. The pocket extends the full vertical dimension of the belt and has a horizontal dimension of about four to five inches. An inward opening near the top of the pocket is closed by a zipper.

Abstract: A decorative name belt includes laminated layers of belt material between which is disposed an elongated support member having opposed flanges with spaced apart slots formed therein for receiving decorative indicia members such as monogram letters or the like for assembling a personalized name or monogram belt. The outer belt lamina or layer is provided with a recess along the major extent of the support member which permits insertion of and removal of premolded indicia or letter members into the cooperating slots in the support member so that a selected name or monogram combination may be provided on the belt. Each of the letters includes opposed support projections or bosses on one side and a key member or members integrally formed with the letter member on the opposite side for supporting the respective letter members at spaced apart intervals in the recess. The keys are integrally formed with the respective letter members and are connected thereto by a flexible hinge portion.

Abstract: A waist belt for weight lifting incorporates a pulley arrangement for tightening the belt. The waist belt includes a heavy leather belt having first and second ends. First and second rectangular metal loops are secured proximate the first and second ends, respectively, of the leather belt, each of the rectangular metal loops including a cylindrical roller rotatably mounted thereto. A nylon strap is secured at a fixed end to the leather belt proximate the second end thereof, and the free end of the strap is wound over the rollers of the first and second metal loops to form a pulley arrangement for drawing the ends of the leather belt together. First and second complementary fastening surfaces are secured to the free end of the strap and to the leather belt, respectively, for removably attaching the free end of the strap to the leather belt after the belt has been sufficiently tightened.

Abstract: A lightweight reflective belt for runners and the like has inner and outer layers of a thin supple material secured together with a center layer of a soft spongy material sandwiched therebetween to impart body to the layered belt. Coacting fasteners are provided on the opposite ends of the belt for length-adjustably securing the opposite ends together. The outer layer of the belt has a bright reflective surface to substantially increase the wearer's visibility when the belt is worn loosely on the wearer's hips.

Abstract: A waistband, such as a cummerbund comprising; a main band segment, first and second elongated band segments which are connected to said main band and two strips of mutually adhesive material used as an adjustment means. Additionally, the waistband includes a provision for maintaining the first and second elongated band segments closely adjacent and aligned when they are interconnected.

Abstract: An adjustable two part belt with locking means comprises elongated belt members which overlap each other and transverse members connected to the ends of the overlapping portions of the belt members and at least partially encircling the corresponding portions of the belt members. At least one of the transverse members includes a clamp means in the form of a metallic strip which encircles at least a portion of the overlapping belt members and which is bendable to clamp the overlapping portions of the belt members against each other to maintain the length adjustment of the belt. The metallic strip means is preferably in a C-shape.

Abstract: A seat protection device for skiers includes a belt with a compact container at the back of the belt which contains a seat protection flap fastened at one end to the inside of the container. The flap is folded or rolled into the stored position within the container. An opening provides access to the free end of the seat protecting flap whereby the flap can be unfolded or unrolled to cover the skier's seat. When the skier finishes using the seat protection flap, it is rolled or folded into the stored position back within the container.

Abstract: A belt having a stretchable substrate and fish-scale type plates attached to the substrate by stapler-like elements.

Abstract: A fashionable ladies belt intended for wearing on the outside of the clothing has relatively wide side and rear portions and a narrow closure portion, which may be tied, buckled or otherwise fastened. A pocket is constructed on the inside of the belt so that it overlies a side of a wearer. The pocket extends the full vertical dimension of the belt and has a horizontal dimension of about four to five inches. An inward opening near the top of the pocket is closed by a zipper.

Abstract: A belt and method of manufacture wherein belting strips and buckles are fed in timed relation to an assembly station, the buckles including arms which are clinched about respective belt strips at the assembly station.

Abstract: A non-elastic rib belt with a superimposed attached elastic means fastened over a portion of the belt, the elastic being attached over a longer length of the belt than the length of the unstretched elastic. Thus, when applied to the chest, the non-elastic belt finitely restricts expansion during inhalation, while the contracting elastic takes up the slack in the belt during exhalation, thereby preventing the belt from slipping, thus obviating the need for shoulder straps.

Abstract: A relatively wide back support for a police officer or the like, including an outer support panel of relatively stiff leather, which is sewn to a resilient foam material encased in fabric. A pair of leather patches on the inner surface cover the "dimples" in the wearer's back and slots therein form a belt loop so that the brace can be attached directly to the trouser-supporting belt of the wearer. A number of pairs of horizontal slots extend across the outer panel to receive other loops. The loops will accommodate the conventional Sam Brown belt worn by police officers, or they will allow other equipment such as batons, handcuffs and the like is the case of police officers and tools in the case of tradesmen, to be suspended from the wide back brace.

Abstract: A tourniquet constructed from a length of elastic material. The ends of the elastic material are made non-elastic, and complementary coupling components are attached thereto. The elastic material is provided with a thickening for stress absorption and control.

Abstract: A non-constrictive, resilient strap having flattened elongated links, each pair of links being rigidly joined together by a neck of solid material through which the centerline of the strap passes. The longitudinal axis of each link is disposed perpendicular to the centerline. The strap is formed of a plastic in a single injection molding operation. The chemical composition of the strap determines the rate at which it flexs in response to an applied force. For use in protective devices for athletes such as knee braces, the straps are formed of polyethylene or of polypropylene in order to provide adequate support and at the same time allow freedom of muscle movement.The strap is self-interlocking. Alternately, the strap may be fastened to a buckle formed of plastic having a keeper which engages a pair of slots disposed on either side of one of the necks of the strap.

Abstract: A weight lifter's belt fabricated from leather which is lined with a thin layer of foamed flexible plastic having a Shore A Durometer hardness of between about 10 and 25, the liner being attached to the inner surface of the belt by a flexible adhesive. The liner, as outlined above, provides added comfort to the wearer and effects heat retention in the back and back muscles of the wearer and enhances blood circulation in the lower back to improve lifting performances.

Abstract: A filigreed effect name plate is formed on a belt or other leather product. The belt comprises an outer layer attached to one or more other layers. The name plate area is removed from the outer layer prior to attachment to the other layer or layers leaving an opening formed through the outer layer for receiving precut letters, symbols, or other indicia. The precut indicia are inserted in the opening and their back sides bonded to the layer exposed through the opening. In addition, the top and bottom edges of the indicia are bonded to the top and bottom edges of the opening respectively.

Abstract: A belt package for a surgical gown is disclosed in which a belt is fan-folded within a tubular belt support and one belt end is folded over and temporarily attached to the front of the belt support. The folded over belt end includes a line of weakness situated a short distance from the tip of the belt end to form a detachable portion useful in insuring sterility. The belt end is folded over by first folding the detachable portion against the rest of the belt end at a point on the belt near the weakened line but between the line and the point of exit of belt from the belt support. The detachable portion is then folded against the belt support face by a fold in the belt near the point of exit from the belt support. The end is temporarily attached to the belt support at point between the line of weakness and the first fold.

Abstract: A filigreed belt with an outer layer having design openings formed therethrough such that the outer layer has a solid central portion. The design openings and solid center portion extend to the end of the belt opposite the buckle. Openings for the tongue of the buckle are formed through the solid center portion of the outer layer at the end of the belt opposite the buckle.

Abstract: A belt loop is made by folding the longitudinal edges of an elongated fabric strip over a strip of fusible material and then heating the folded strip until the fusible material diffuses into the fabric and not only bonds the folded edges to the strip but also fuses together the fabric fibers to prevent fraying.

Abstract: A constrictor of an elongated flexible strip having a ring affixed to one end and an end tab at the other end wherein the strip has an elastic portion and a first and second coupling surface portion on the same face of the strip, the coupling surfaces upon contact cooperating to provide resistance to slidable motion and easy disengagement by separation of the surfaces.

Abstract: A belt is formed of a single piece of high strength nylon line approximately 50-100 feet long attached to a belt buckle by a series of longitudinal loops which constitute the warp strands of a woven band. The weft strands of the band are woven through the warp strands in a series of loops, each succeeding weft loop passing through the end of the previous weft loop. At the end of the longitudinal loops, the end of the cord is passed through the penultimate weft loop and is then woven back through the warp to releasably lock the weave. The belt may be rapidly converted to a long single length of survival line by merely pulling the end of the cord out of the warp and through the penultimate loop to unlock the weave which can then be completely unraveled in seconds to yield a long and strong survival line of great utility.

Abstract: Ends of thermoplastic polymeric strap are joined together using a hot sealing blade of substantially rectangular transverse cross section and having corners with an effective radius in the range of about 0.005 inches to 0.03 inches. Joints or welds produced by this sealing blade have a novel configuration in which a fused interfacial region includes an annular mass defining at least one elongated cavity. At least two such cavities are present within the region and together span the width of the strap. Such welds are stronger than prior art welds, and can consistently be produced having a joint strength of at least about 85 percent of the strap strength.

Abstract: An elongated container for captively retaining a plurality of articles which provides for easy insertion and removal of individual articles from the container throughout a length thereof and which container may be worn by an individual.

Abstract: A leather product decorated with predetermined indicia and a method of making the product. Preferably, a leather belt is provided with a liner attached thereto along a predetermined section of the rear of the belt to define a pocket. Decorative indicia such as letters, symbols, or the like are then marked on the belt immediately opposite the liner. A resistant cutting strip inserted into the pocket facilitates filagreeing by enabling spaces between the marked indicia to be removed through cutting or chiseling without damaging the belt. After unwanted material between the desired decorative indicia has been removed through filigreeing, the cutting strip may be simply removed from the pocket. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the decorative indicia may be colored prior to removal of the liner, and/or a background strip of predetermined color may be drawn into the pocket as the liner is removed to highlight the filigreed decoration.

Abstract: A flat belt member is constructed of several sections of a tubular braided polyethylene material. The sections are pressed flat to form flat strips of a double thickness having upper and lower braided layers joined together along the edges thereof. The flat strips are arranged in an abutting side by side relation and secured together along their adjacent edges to form the single flat belt member. The ends of the flat strips are fused to prevent unraveling of the braided material. A garment belt may be constructed from a length of the belt member by fastening a buckle onto one end thereof and forming buckle receiving holes in the opposite end of the garment belt.

Abstract: A belt for normal wear about the girth of a wearer which may be removed and used as a weapon which includes a first and a second belt length the inner ends of which are connected by a chain and the outer ends of which are adapted for hooked-up engagement and include a heavy buckle, so that one end of the belt may be held to swing the heavy buckle using the belt as a weapon.

Abstract: An expandable metal belt is formed from a plurality of figure-8 shaped sections linked together, each section being formed by weaving a tubular-shaped mesh section from spring metal wire. A coiled wire tensioned spring is passed through the center of the tubular shaped mesh and the ends of the spring are secured to the ends of the tubular mesh section. The opposite ends of the mesh section and tension spring are looped around and brought into abutting relationship and positioned in adjacent parallel relationship to the center of the mesh section to form two loops in the shape of a figure-8. The abutting ends and adjacent center of the mesh are then clamped together by bending a thin metal piece tightly around the adjacent portions of the tubular-shaped mesh section.

Abstract: A belt apparatus including a substantially rigid inner belt means and a wider decorative outer belt means is adapted to conceal the belt loops of a garment such as a pair of trousers. The inner belt means passes through the belt loops in the normal fashion except that in the preferred embodiment the ends of the inner belt means are not to be attached to each other. The outer belt means is stitched to the inner belt means at a location approximately in the center of both the inner and outer belt means. The outer belt means is wider than the inner belt means and is adapted to cover the inner belt means and the associated belt loops. A pair of snap type fasteners located near the opposite ends of the inner belt means provide further support to the outer belt means. The free ends of the outer belt means may be buckled in the conventional manner. The rigidity of the inner belt means provides support to the outer belt means.

Abstract: A belt and buckle assembly in which first and second ends of a belt are adapted to be interconnected and the belt has means for receiving and releasably retaining a buckle member; and a plurality of buckle members, each having means for attachment to the belt, such that one of a plurality of available buckles may be selectively attached to the belt and subsequently removed and replaced by a second of the buckles.

Abstract: A belt assembly comprising, a housing having an elongated tunnel, and an elongated belt passing through the housing tunnel. The housing and belt have cooperating surface restraining means interengaging in the housing tunnel and providing substantial restraint against movement of the belt through the housing tunnel, with the surface means permitting movement of the belt through the housing tunnel responsive to relatively large forces applied against the belt.