Belt buckle

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a belt buckle formed of a molded plastic material and includes a decorative face. The belt buckle includes: a rigid frame member imbedded therein and a convex front face which is adapted to receive decorative elements. The frame member includes a loop extending from a lateral side of the belt buckle to receive one end of a belt. The frame member also includes a hook which protrudes from the inner or rear face of the buckle to permit the hook to be inserted into holes provided in a belt. The hook and loop of the frame member are joined by a curved metal intermediate portion that rigidly connects the loop and the hook

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of belt buckles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plastic belt buckle which includes a decorative face.

BACKGROUND

Belt buckles that are worn with everyday attire are typically made of a metal material. There are few plastic belt buckles being marketed today for use with everyday apparel. However, such belt buckles are not aesthetically pleasing, fail to incorporate decorative elements, and appear to lack the durability and rigidity needed to hold together the ends of a thick leather belt.

Many of the plastic belt buckles worn today are used in contexts other than in everyday apparel. For example, plastic belt buckles are used in scuba divers' belts, fitness stabilizing belts for use with glideboards, mountain climber belts for use with chalk bags; and a variety of plastic belt buckles are utilized in hunting, archery, camping, hiking and fishing belts. Such buckles are often used with nylon belts, are designed to have quick release features and do not include decorative elements. As such, since they lack aesthetic qualities and are primarily designed for particular functions, such belt buckles are not likely to be worn with everyday apparel.

As disclosed in the applicant's previous patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766, the applicant has conceived of a plastic belt buckle construction that may be produced at a low cost while permitting customized pictorial facings such as logos and the like. The applicant's belt buckle of U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766 includes a decorative face that may be produced very inexpensively and without the need for complex and expensive machinery to thereby make small batch processing of such belt buckles economically feasible.

As discussed hereinabove, there is therefore a need in the art for a plastic belt buckle which can be used with everyday apparel that is aesthetically pleasing and incorporates decorative elements. There is also a need in the art for a plastic belt buckle which is stable enough to hold together the ends of a thick leather belt while providing comfort for the user. As such, the applicants have improved the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766 and have created an economically feasible plastic belt buckle construction in accordance with the objects of the present invention.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an economically feasible plastic belt buckle construction which is aesthetically pleasing, incorporates decorative elements and stably holds together the ends of a belt while providing comfort for the user. Additionally, the belt buckle of the present invention may be worn with everyday apparel. Since the belt buckle's decorative elements may include logos representing various companies such as truck and automobile manufacturers, beer brands, sports teams or special events, the present invention may also be used for advertising or promotional purposes.

To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, the present invention is directed to a belt buckle comprised of a solidified plastic material. The belt buckle includes: a rigid frame member imbedded therein and a curved or convex front face which is adapted to receive decorative elements. The rigid frame member includes a loop and a hook which are joined by a metal intermediate portion that rigidly and permanently connects the loop and the hook. In one embodiment of the invention, the rigid frame member may be formed of wire that has been bent into an appropriate shape. The loop opening is positioned so that it is not perpendicular to the intermediate portion. The loop is conformed to accept the end of a belt which is typically folded over the loop and snapped or otherwise fastened to connect the end of the belt to the belt buckle. The loop extends from the lateral side of the belt buckle to stably hold the end of the belt. The hook protrudes from the inner or rear face of the belt buckle and permits fastening of the opposite end of the belt to the buckle through the insertion of the hook into holes provided in a belt.

Other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, various features of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a belt buckle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the belt buckle of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a suitable mold mechanism for manufacturing a belt buckle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the mold housing top of the apparatus of FIG. 3 showing the “negative” of the chosen design in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rigid frame member formed of a wire bent into an appropriate confirmation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rigid frame member formed from a metal plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate molding mechanism for the production of the belt buckle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along line 9-9 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The belt buckle of the present invention comprises a molded plastic body having a decorative face and having imbedded therein a metal frame member having a hook protruding from the inner face of the buckle and a loop protruding from a lateral side of the buckle at the opposite end.

FIG. 1 depicts a frontal perspective view of a belt buckle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A belt buckle body 10 incorporates a front face 11 which is adapted to receive decorative elements. The front face 11 includes a curvature that is convex in shape to provide comfort for the user and contour the user's waistline. In one embodiment of the invention, the front face 11 may include any three-dimensional decorative configuration such as initials, symbols and/or logos. The loop 12 of the rigid frame extends from a lateral side of the belt buckle of the present invention. The loop 12 is adapted to accept the end of a belt which is typically folded over the loop and snapped or otherwise fastened to connect the end of the belt to the belt buckle. The loop 12 extends from the lateral side of the belt buckle to stably hold the end of the belt.

The belt buckle of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be constructed of any suitable plastic material such as polyurethane and incorporates within it a rigid frame member. As seen in FIG. 2, the rigid frame member includes a loop 12 extending from a lateral side of the belt buckle and a hook 14 which extends from the rear face 15 of the buckle body. The loop 12 is appropriately dimensioned to receive the end of a belt (not shown) so that it can be threaded through the loop and folded over onto itself; belts usually incorporate some type of fastening means such as rivets, screws or snaps so that the folded portion passing through the loop is secured to the belt buckle at the loop. The hook 14 is dimensioned to permit the hook to be inserted in holes provided at the opposite end of a belt in a manner known in the art.

The belt buckle embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be produced in a variety of fashions including the utilization of an injection mold as shown at FIG. 3. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a mold housing 20 including a housing top 21 and a mold housing bottom 22 are shown within which is positioned a “soft” or plastic mold 27 divided into an upper portion 28 and lower portion 29. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the upper portion 28 of the mold may include a negative of the desired three-dimensional design that is intended to be utilized for the decorative face of the belt buckle. A negative of a three-dimensional design is depicted in FIG. 5. The particular design chosen may of course be readily changed and the “negative” half of the mold may easily be changed.

The belt buckle of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a rigid frame member 35 which is formed of a wire bent into an appropriate configuration and is supported within the mold. The rigid frame member 35, if formed of wire, can conveniently be bent utilizing conventional wire bending machines and it has been found that 120 gauge steel wire provides appropriate workability for utilization in such wire bending machines while also providing sufficient strength when in its final form to function as rigid frame member for the belt buckle of the present invention. It may be noted that the rigid frame member 35 is formed of a single length of wire that has been bent or folded in respective directions, one end of which forms a hook 36 that is connected through an intermediate portion 37 to a loop 38. The end 39 of the wire that forms a part of the loop may, if desired, be tack welded to its adjacent portion of the wire, although such welding has been found not to be necessary in most instances.

The belt buckle of present invention includes a rigid frame member wherein the loop 38 is not perpendicular to the intermediate portion 37. The intermediate portion 37 includes a curvature to complement the belt buckle's convex shape. As seen in FIG. 4, the belt buckle's shape is curved which is evident by the curved cavity 52 of the plastic mold apparatus. Additionally, the loop 38 does not protrude perpendicularly out of the rear face of the belt buckle's plastic molded body. Rather, the loop 38 extends out of a lateral end of the belt buckle and extends into receiving channel 42 within the bottom half of the mold. Referring still to FIG. 4, the hook 36 faces downward out of the rear face of the plastic molded body and extends into receiving channel 40 within the bottom half of the mold. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the rigid frame member 35 may be held in position through the utilization of magnets such as those shown at 43 and 44, although a variety of other techniques may be equally suitable. As depicted in FIG. 3, with the rigid frame member held in position, the upper and lower portions of the mold are placed in contact with each other with the alignment pins 45 inserted into the alignment holes 46 of the mold housing top and bottom respectively.

Fluid plastic material of the appropriate viscosity may then be fed into the injection passage 50 and into the cavity 52 surrounding the rigid frame member. The flowable plastic enters the mold and fills the mold cavity with the excess appearing at a well 54 opposite the input channel 55 of the injection passage. When the cavity is full, the mold housing top and bottom are separated and the upper and lower mold portions are disengaged to permit the removal of the finished molded belt buckle. It may be noted that the mold itself may comprise solidified molded plastic material that has been formed in a “negative” three-dimensional design by copying from an existing buckle design. Alternatively, the solidified plastic material of the mold is easily cut or machined either through the use of manual shaping techniques or through more modern machining techniques to duplicate an appropriate logo or design in accordance with the manufacturer's desires.

The rigid frame member of the belt buckle depicted in FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 6. The intermediate portion 37 includes a curvature and the loop 38 is planar (i.e., not perpendicular) to the intermediate portion 37. The wire chosen as the frame member may be formed of an appropriate gauge steel wire (e.g., 120 gauge) bent and formed using conventional wire forming machinery. Again, the contact 60 between the one end of the wire and the adjacent portion of the wire at the loop end of the member may be welded if desired.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the rigid frame member uses a metal plate 61 instead of a wire for the intermediate portion. The metal plate 61 has been bent to create a curvature and to complement the curved shape of the belt buckle. The metal plate 61 has also been stamped to provide an opening 64 that enables the respective end of the sheet metal member to be utilized as a loop. A peg 65 or extension may be soldered or welded close to the opposite end of the plate to form the hook. Alternatively, the plate could be stamped or punched to cause a small segment of the sheet to bend inwardly as a substitute for the peg 65 shown in FIG. 7.

One of the chief advantages of the buckle of the present invention is the modest expense needed to create and manufacture customized or unique belt buckles having a particular three-dimensional outer face. As an example of the simplicity with which the belt buckle of the present invention can be made, reference may now be had to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of mold housing 70 within which a plastic mold 71 is formed. This plastic mold may be created by simply placing a suitable copy of the desired logo, emblem or design into the face of unhardened plastic material and permitting the material to harden. Polyurethane may be utilized for this purpose. With the mold thus completed, and a “negative” of the desired design obtained, a very simple duplication process to create the belt buckles of the present invention may be used.

As depicted in FIG. 9, a rigid frame member 73, such as the wire formed frame member of FIG. 6 is suspended in the volume 74 within which the plastic polyurethane material is to be fed. The manner of suspension of the frame member is immaterial; however, in FIGS. 8 and 9 it may be seen that a simple cross bar member 75 is positioned across the top of the mold 71 and mold housing 70 and supports the frame member by extending through the loop 76 of the frame member. The cross bar member is provided with a suitable hole or opening 77 to admit the hook 79 at the opposite end of the frame member. With the frame member thus suspended in the volume of the mold, uncured polyurethane material of appropriate viscosity can then be placed in the mold and be permitted to harden. Once hardened, the finished belt buckle can simply be removed and will contain a decorative face that is a three-dimensional replica of the mold.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention have many advantages. For instance, as disclosed in applicant's previous patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766, the present invention requires only a modest expense to create and manufacture customized or unique belt buckles having a particular three-dimensional outer face. The simplicity and the easily practiced methods available for the reproduction of belt buckles constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention permit very inexpensive belt buckles to be produced without the requirement that extraordinarily large numbers of belt buckles be produced. For example, once a “master” is available, belt buckles can be produced to reproduce the pictorial view of the master in very small quantities while maintaining the economies heretofore available only when belt buckles are to be produced in the tens of thousands. Of course, if a particular belt buckle design is commercially successful, it may be advisable to proceed with the manufacture of the belt buckle using injection mold techniques and multiple mold processes to mass produce the belt buckle to meet demands. In instances where the cost of production would ordinarily militate against the manufacture of a custom buckle, the buckle of the present invention is simple enough that it can be reproduced in very limited quantities without sacrificing the economy achieved through simplicity of the required manufacturing process.

Moreover, it can be realized that the present invention, which is an improvement of U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766, provides additional advantages. For instance, in the present invention, the rigid frame member and the body of the belt buckle includes a curvature to contour the user's waistline thereby providing comfort for the user. A curved belt buckle would be more comfortable than one that is shaped like a rectangular block. The positioning of the loop at the lateral side of the belt buckle as opposed to the rear face permits additional comfort as the rigid metal loop no longer projects into the user's stomach or waist area. Also, the body of the belt buckle of the present invention is less bulky and is more lightweight and streamlined which adds comfort for the user.

It can further be realized that belt buckle of the present invention is more aesthetically pleasing in light of the belt buckle's design which is less bulky and more streamlined. Furthermore, the inclusion of decorative elements or designs on the front face of the belt buckle makes the present invention aesthetically pleasing for use with everyday apparel. A variety of decorative elements/designs which include any combination of letters, symbols, and/or logos may be incorporated on the front face of the belt buckle such as western designs, artistic designs, initials, names, trademarks, sports insignia, and company names. As such, the present invention is also ideal for advertising or promotional purposes.

It can further be realized that the present invention can more stably hold together the ends of a belt. The positioning of the loop on a lateral side as opposed to the rear face of the belt not only provides comfort for the user, but it helps add stability and integrity to the belt buckle. The positioning of the loop of the rigid frame member permits the user to engage in physical activity without his or her belt becoming undone. In addition, the positioning of the loop on a lateral side of the belt buckle permits the user to thread the belt more easily for attachment of the belt buckle to the belt.

It is to be understood, that although some advantages of the present invention are described herein, it is not necessary that all the advantageous features and/or all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention.

Although the present invention has been described above in considerable detail with reference to certain versions thereof, other embodiments of the present invention are possible. For example, while the specific embodiments chosen for illustration show the use of a three-dimensional design in the buckle face, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that two dimensional designs may be used. For example, a logo could be printed, drawn, painted or attached onto the buckle face without a three dimensional representation.

In alternate embodiments of the invention, a decorative face may be attached to the face of the belt buckle of the present invention. The decorative face is not limited to the shape of the front face of the belt buckle. It can be of any desirable shape. For example, the decorative face may take the shape of a particular logo or symbol. The decorative face may be interchangeable and may be attached to the front face of the belt buckle by any method known in the art. For example, the decorative face may be attached by any of the following methods: snapped or screwed into a depression on the molded plastic front face, slid on through a track or lip molded onto the front face, latched on, attached by a hook and loop tape system such as VELCRO®, attached using magnets, or any combination thereof. In such embodiments of the invention, the decorative face is interchangeable which permits versatility.

In alternate embodiments, other types of plastics may be utilized in mass production of the belt buckles of the present invention such as polyethylene frequently used in injection mold procedures. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of plastic materials may be utilized including colored or multicolored plastics and including those that simulate metal.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A belt buckle comprising: (a) a rigid frame member having a loop formed at one end thereof to receive a belt, a hook for insertion into holes provided therefor in a belt, and an intermediate portion rigidly and permanently connecting said loop and said hook; (b) a solidified plastic material encasing said frame member with said loop and said hook exposed to permit the attachment of said belt to said loop and permit said hook to be inserted in holes provided in said belt; (c) said solidified plastic material including a convex front face which is adapted to receive decorative elements; (d) said hook extending from and exposed on a face of said solidified plastic material opposite to said front face; and (e) said loop extending from a lateral side of said solidified plastic material.

2. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said rigid frame member is formed of a metal wire having one end formed into said hook and an opposite end formed into said loop with a curved portion therebetween connecting said loop and said hook.

3. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said rigid frame member is formed of a metal plate having one end with a hole to form said loop to receive the belt, and including a hook member formed at an opposite end thereof for extension into a hole provided therefor in the belt.

4. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said solidified plastic material is polyurethane.

5. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said solidified plastic material is polyethylene.

6. A belt buckle comprising: a solidified plastic material; a convex front face which is adapted to receive decorative elements; a rigid frame member imbedded within the solidified plastic material wherein the rigid frame member includes a loop and a hook which are joined by a metal intermediate portion that rigidly connects the loop and the hook; the loop is conformed to accept an end of a belt and extends from a lateral side of the solidified plastic material to stably hold the end of the belt; and the hook protrudes from a face of the solidified plastic material opposite to the front face to permit the hook to be inserted in holes provided in the belt.

7. The belt buckle of claim 6 wherein the rigid frame member is formed of a metal wire having one end formed into the hook and an opposite end formed into the loop with a curved portion therebetween connecting the loop and the hook.

8. The belt buckle of claim 6 wherein the rigid frame member is formed of a metal plate having one end with a hole to form the loop to receive the belt, and including a hook member formed at an opposite end thereof for extension into a hole provided therefor in the belt.

9. The belt buckle of claim 6 wherein the solidified plastic material is polyurethane.

10. The belt buckle of claim 6 wherein the solidified plastic material is polyethylene.

11. A belt buckle comprising: a solidified plastic material; a curved front face which is adapted to display decorative elements; a curved rear face which is adapted to contour a user's waistline; a rigid frame member imbedded within the solidified plastic material wherein the rigid frame member comprises: a loop conformed to accept an end of a belt and extends from a lateral side of the solidified plastic material to stably hold the end of the belt; a hook which protrudes from the rear face to permit the hook to be inserted in holes provided in the belt; and a curved metal intermediate portion that connects the loop and the hook.

12. The belt buckle of claim 11 wherein the rigid frame member is formed of a metal wire having one end formed into the hook and an opposite end formed into the loop with a curved portion therebetween connecting the loop and the hook.

13. The belt buckle of claim 11 wherein the rigid frame member is formed of a metal plate having one end with a hole to form the loop to receive the belt, and including a hook member formed at an opposite end thereof for extension into a hole provided therefor in the belt.

14. The belt buckle of claim 11 wherein the solidified plastic material is polyurethane.

15. The belt buckle of claim 11 wherein the solidified plastic material is polyethylene.

16. The belt buckle of claim 11 wherein the decorative elements comprises an interchangeable decorative face.