Patent Application
20140310921
The present disclosure relates generally to belt buckles, and more particularly to an apparatus, system, and method for a detachable belt buckle.
Belts are generally used with garments, such as pants, trousers, dresses, skirts, and the like, each of which includes belt loops for a wearer to attach a particular belt to a particular garment, holding the garment in place around the wearer's body. The traditional belt comprises a belt strap and a belt buckle attached at one end of the belt strap. The wearer “wears the belt,” i.e., attaches the belt to the garment, for example, by holding, in one hand, the belt at a belt strap's first end, where a belt buckle is attached, and holding, in the other hand, the belt strap's second end in order to thread the second end through the belt loops of the garment around the body, connecting the second end of the belt strap with the belt buckle. Although convenient for holding a garment in place around a body, the traditional belt presents many disadvantages to the wearer.
The traditional belt usually requires the wearer to use both hands to unfasten (and fasten) the belt strap from the belt buckle, an act that can be especially slow and frustrating, if not highly cumbersome. The act becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible, for persons lacking the required bi-manual dexterity and concentration. For example, for many elderly persons and children, the complexity involved in the maneuvers to unfasten the belt buckle makes it challenging to operate without an aide. These persons may not be able to undress and redress (e.g., restroom visits) independently, losing their sense of personal freedom.
Another disadvantage is that the belt buckle of the traditional belt is usually made of a metallic composition. Because of the metallic composition, it is a hassle for the wearer to pass through security inspection. For example, it is known that the security inspection process at airports, judicial and legislative events, sporting events, concerts, certain public gatherings, etc. require removal of all metal objects from one's body. This process is time consuming when it comes to removal of the belt. The wearer has to (1) unfasten the buckle from the belt strap at the one end, (2) unthread the belt strap at the other end through the belt loops of the garment, and (3) remove the entire belt from the garment in order to remove the metallic belt buckle for compliance with security. These steps require bi-manual dexterity and intense concentration by the wearer. Further, given that the process (and the associated complex buckle/belt assembly) often requires use of both hands, maneuvering through the steps could mean valuable time lost at highly urgent times (e.g., catching a flight).
Many efforts have been attempted to address these challenges, but the efforts often involve complex buckle assembly and/or buckle-belt system.
Various embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated in conjunction with apparatuses, systems, and methods of varying scope. In some embodiments, an apparatus for a detachable belt buckle for application to a belt strap is provided. The apparatus comprises a main body, or buckle body, having two ends for connecting respective ends of a belt strap holding a garment around a body, such that the buckle body is detachable from the belt strap at either end without need for removing the belt strap from the garment. In one embodiment, one end of the buckle body comprises an arm member and an opposite end of the buckle body comprises two elongated openings. In one embodiment, one end of the buckle body comprises a first arm member and an opposite end of the buckle body comprises a second arm member. In one embodiment, one end of the buckle body comprises a first arm member and an opposite end of the buckle body comprises a second arm member and a third arm member. The various embodiments of the apparatus advantageously allow a relatively quick detachment of the belt buckle from the belt strap from either end of the belt buckle, without a removal of the belt strap from the garment.
In some embodiments, a system for a detachable belt buckle for application to a belt strap is provided. The system comprises a belt strap having at least one connecting loop and a buckle apparatus having at least one arm member. In one embodiment, the belt strap comprises a connecting loop attached to a first end of the belt strap and the buckle apparatus comprises, at one end, a first arm member for connecting to the connecting loop attached to the first end of the belt strap and, at an opposite end, two elongated openings for connecting to a second end of the belt strap by enabling weaving of the second end through each elongated opening. In one embodiment, the belt strap comprises a connecting loop attached to a first end of the belt strap and a plurality of connecting loops attached to a second end of the belt strap, and the buckle apparatus comprises, at one end, a first arm member for connecting to the connecting loop and, at an opposite end, a second arm member for connecting to a given connecting loop (i.e., selected by wearer) from the plurality of connecting loops.
Some embodiments of the present invention have other aspects, elements, features, and steps in addition to or in place of what is described above. These potential additions and replacements are described throughout the rest of the specification.
Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures. However, the embodiments and figures are illustrative rather than limiting, merely providing examples of the invention.
a,
7
b,
7
c, and 7d illustrate perspective views of a plurality of belt buckles according to various embodiments of the present invention.
Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods for a detachable belt buckle for application with a belt strap that enables simplicity in unfastening (and fastening) of a belt holding a garment around a body. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details.
References in this description to “an embodiment”, “one embodiment”, or the like, mean that the particular feature, function, or characteristic being described is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Occurrences of such phrases in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, nor are they necessarily mutually exclusive.
The various embodiments introduced herein allow any person, who wears a belt for holding a garment around a body, to utilize a detachable belt buckle of varying configurations that enable detachment of the belt buckle from the belt strap with one hand and without the complexity of removing the belt strap from the garment. Such detachment offers many benefits, including but not limited to: allowing a wearer to use multiple belt straps (e.g., different colors, designs, etc.) with the same buckle; allowing the wearer to wash the belt strap while preserving the quality of the belt buckle (e.g., metallic buckle exposure to water and chemicals in detergent); allowing the wearer to quickly proceed through security gates without having to remove the entire belt and/or unthread the belt strap through belt loops; etc.
The belt strap 120 comprises a first end 122 and a second end 124. In the embodiment illustrated, the first end 122 of the belt strap 120 has a looping component 126 and the second end 124 of the belt strap 120 is a bare belt strap comprising no additional components. As will be discussed in further detail below, the second end 124 may have other components attached according to some embodiments of the present invention. The belt strap 120 may be made of any textile materials known by those of ordinary skill in the art.
The belt strap 120 connects at the first end 122 to the belt buckle 110 via the loop component 126. In the embodiment, the belt buckle 110 connects to the belt strap 120 by having the arm member 114 latch into the looping component 122. In particular, the curvature of the hooking element 118a allows the arm member 114 to prevent the looping component 122 from slipping out of the belt buckle 110. The looping component 126 may be, for example, a loop sewn onto the belt strap 120. In another example, the looping component 126 may be manufactured as one piece together with the belt strap 120. As used herein, the term “looping component” refers to any loop design associated with the belt strap, where such loop design enables connection of the belt buckle to the belt strap. The term “looping component,” “connecting loop,” or any other term referring to a loop design associated with the belt strap may be used interchangeably without changing the meaning. The belt strap 120 connects at the second end 124 to the belt buckle 110 via weaving of the second end 124 through each elongated opening of the two elongated openings 116.
The arm member 314 protrudes laterally from a top edge of the main body 312 and extends downward toward a bottom edge of the main body 312. The downward extension forms an arc that is curved at its end tip, resulting in a hooking element 318a. The hooking element 318a is separated from the main body 312 by a gap 318b. In embodiments, the curve resulting in the hooking element 318a may vary in degrees of curvature. The hooking element 318a and the gap 318b enable the arm member 314 to operate as a latching mechanism for the belt buckle to connect to the belt strap 320.
The arm members 316a, 316b, on the opposite end of the main body 312, each protrudes laterally from a top edge of the main body 312 and extends downward toward a bottom edge of the main body 312. The downward extension forms an arc that is curved at its end tip, resulting in a hooking element 320a, 320b respectively for the arm members 316a, 316b. The hooking elements 320a, 320b each is separated from the main body 312 by a gap 322a, 322b. In embodiments, the curve resulting in the hooking element 118a may vary in degrees of curvature. The hooking elements 320a, 320b and the gaps 322a, 322b enable the arm members 316a, 316b each to operate as a latching mechanism for the belt buckle to connect to the belt strap 320.
The belt strap 330 comprises a first end 332 and a second end 334. The belt strap 120 may be made of any textile materials known by those of ordinary skill in the art. In the embodiment illustrated, the first end 332 has a looping component 336 and the second end 334 is a bare belt strap. The belt strap 330 connects at the first end 332 to the belt buckle 310 via the loop component 336. In the embodiment, the belt buckle 310 connects to the belt strap 330 by having the arm member 314 latch into the looping component 336. In particular, the curvature of the hooking element 118a allows the arm member 114 to prevent the looping component 122 from slipping out of the belt buckle 110. The looping component 336 may be, for example, a loop sewn onto the belt strap 330. In another example, the looping component 336 may be manufactured as one piece together with the belt strap 330. The belt strap 330 connects at the second end 334 to the belt buckle 310 via weaving of the second end 334 through the second arm member 316a and the third arm member 316b.
The belt strap 530 comprises a first end 532 and a second end 534. The belt strap 120 may be made of any textile materials known by those of ordinary skill in the art. In the embodiment illustrated, the first end 532 has a looping component 536 and the second end 124 has a plurality of looping components 538. The belt strap 530 connects at the first end 532 to the belt buckle 510 via the loop component 536. In the embodiment, the belt buckle 510 connects to the belt strap 530 by having the first arm member 514 latch into the looping component 536. In particular, the curvature of the hooking element 518a allows the first arm member 514 to prevent the looping component 536 from slipping out of the belt buckle 510. The looping component 536 may be, for example, a loop sewn onto the belt strap 530. In another example, the looping component 530 may be manufactured as one piece together with the belt strap 530. The belt strap 530 connects at the second end 534 to the belt buckle 530 by having the arm member 516 latch into a given looping component (i.e., selected by wearer) of the plurality of looping components 538. The plurality of looping components 538 enables adjustment of the belt strap. Such adjustment, for example, allows a wearer to enhance wearing comfort of the belt attached to a garment.
a,
7
b,
7
c, and 7d illustrate perspective views of a plurality of belt buckles according to various embodiments of the present invention. The various configurations of the arm member in these various embodiments may allow detachment of the belt buckle from the belt strap to occur differently than what has already been discussed above. In some embodiments, the main body of the belt buckle may be tilted up, then down, in order to unlatch the arm member from the loop component of the belt strap. For example, in
As illustrated in
b provides additional embodiments of the belt buckle. As illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
The above Detailed Description of examples of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific examples for the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. While processes or blocks are presented in a given order in this application, alternative implementations may perform routines having steps performed in a different order, or employ systems having blocks in a different order. Some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed or implemented in parallel, or may be performed at different times. Further any specific numbers noted herein are only examples. It is understood that alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.
As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense (i.e., to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”), as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense. As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements. Such a coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.
While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the applicant contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the invention is recited as a means-plus-function claim under 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, other aspects may likewise be embodied as a means-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a computer-readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶ 6 will begin with the words “means for.”) Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.
