Patent Application
20220346479
The present invention relates to fastening devices, and more particularly, to adjustable belt loop fastening device(s) that extend between two or more belt loops and selectively lessen the distance there between to secure the waistline of a garment to a wearer while concurrently minimizing the force and/or pressure applied to the abdominal region of a wearer.
Belts are traditional fastening devices used to reduce the overall waistline of a garment while further securing a garment to a wearer. Belts come in many forms (e.g., utilitarian forms devoid of decoration or aesthetically pleasing/decorative forms) and are often used with work, casual, and formal attire such as shorts, jeans, and dress slacks. While belts are very effective for securing a garment to a wearer and concurrently reducing a garment's overall waistline, problems exist with belt usage for those afflicted with various chronic illnesses and/or diseases (e.g., various inflammatory diseases) that are often associated with increased sensitivity and tenderness of the abdominal wall/lining. For example, people afflicted with Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, and/or other maladies affecting the gut and intestines often experience sharp pains and exhibit highly increased sensitivity and tenderness of the abdominal wall/lining, primarily in the rectus abdominis region and occasionally within the oblique region as well.
Due to increased abdominal sensitivity and tenderness in individuals afflicted with the above mentioned chronic illnesses/diseases, belt usage and the abdominal pressure applied by the belt to ones abdomen often leads to great discomfort requiring constant readjustment of the belt in an attempt to mitigate this discomfort while concurrently attempting to best secure the garment on the wearer. In many instances, this discomfort cannot be mitigated and people are forced to endure this discomfort while wearing the belt to securely maintain their garments in an appropriately desired position. However, in other instances, the discomfort and displeasure of wearing the belt becomes too great leading one to discontinue belt usage, thus resulting in an ill-fitting garment that constantly slips along the wearer's waist and further requires constant readjustment to properly maintain positioning of the garment on the wearer.
To further compound the above mentioned problems, ones afflicted with the above mentioned illnesses and/or diseases often experience vast weight fluctuation(s) associated with inflammation of the gut, intestines, and/or abdomen—frequently losing vast amounts of weight when (i) their condition is at its worst, (ii) abdominal sensitivity/tenderness is at its greatest, and (iii) when belts usage is needed the most to potentially secure an ill-fitting garment to the wearer. Thus, as detailed above, a problem clearly exists with belt usage especially in individuals having various chronic illnesses/diseases affecting the gut, intestines, and/or abdomen, and a viable alternative that alleviates the above mentioned problems (e.g., application of force/pressure on the abdomen and discomfort/displeasure associated therewith) while concurrently securing a garment to the wearer is direly needed.
Embodiments of the present invention address the above needs and/or achieve other advantages by providing systems, apparatuses, and methods related to adjustable belt loop fastening devices configured to extend between two or more belt loops on a garment and to selectively lessen the distance there between the belt loops to secure the waistline of a garment to a wearer while concurrently minimizing the force and/or pressure applied to the wearer's abdominal region, especially for wearer's having chronic diseases and/or illnesses (e.g., Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, etc.) that frequently result in increased abdominal sensitivity and tenderness.
In certain aspects, the adjustable belt loop fastening device includes an elongate sheath and a plurality of fasteners positioned thereon. In certain aspects, the elongate sheath includes a first end and a second end that are spaced apart by but connected to one another by a foldable portion positioned there between. The elongate sheath further includes upper and lower planar faces, and the elongate sheath is further foldable and resiliently deformable such that (i) the upper and lower planar faces reside in parallel planes while the device is not in use, and (ii) while in use, certain portions of the upper and lower planar faces overlap and reside in intersecting planes.
In certain aspects, a first plurality of fasteners are positioned within the first end of the elongate sheath, the first plurality of fasteners extending above an outermost surface of the upper planar face of the elongate sheath in a direction extending away from the device.
In certain aspects, a second plurality of fasteners positioned within the second end of the elongate sheath, the second plurality of fasteners extending above an outermost surface of the lower planar face of the elongate sheath in a direction extending away from the device.
In certain aspects, the elongate sheath is configured to fold within the foldable portion of the elongate sheath such that at least one fastener from the first plurality of fasteners engages with at least one fastener from the second plurality of fasteners such that portions of the upper and lower planar faces and portions of the first and second ends of the elongate sheath are adjacent to one another while the device is in use selectively lessening the distance between belt loops to secure the garment waistline to the wearer while concurrently selectively minimizing force applied to an abdominal region of the wearer.
In certain aspects, the first and second plurality fasteners are snap fit buttons configured to securely engage one another while the device is in use.
In certain aspects, the first and second plurality fasteners are magnets of opposite polarity configured to securely engage one another while the device is in use.
In certain aspects, also disclosed is a method of selectively lessening the distance between a plurality of belt loops including (a) threading the adjustable belt loop device disclosed herein between a plurality of belt loops; and (b) engaging at least one fastener from the plurality of first fasteners with at least one fastener from the second plurality of fasteners such that portions of the upper and lower planar faces and portions of the first and second ends of the elongate sheath are adjacent to one another and selectively lessen the distance between belt loops thereby secure the garment waistline to the wearer while concurrently selectively minimizing force applied to an abdominal region of the wearer. In certain aspects, the method includes a plurality of adjustable belt loop devices are provided and threaded within and engaged different pluralities of belt loops to selectively lessen multiple portions of the garment waistline.
Also disclosed herein are adjustable belt loop fastening devices configured to extend between and be directly affixed to a plurality of belt loops on a garment instead of directly on the garment's waistline and, while in use and affixed to the plurality of belt loops, to selectively lessen distance between belt loops by gripping and applying force directly to the belt loops to bias two belts loops towards one another to secure the garment waistline to a wearer while concurrently selectively minimizing force applied to an abdominal region of the wearer. The adjustable belt loop fastening device includes an elongate sheath having a first end, a connecting portion, and a second end in which the first and second ends are each connected to but spaced apart from one another by the connecting portion positioned there between, the elongate sheath having upper planar and lower planar faces in which fasteners are only positioned on the lower planar face. In this aspect, the first and second ends of the elongate sheath are configured to wrap around and grip separate belt loops of a wearer's garment and selectively lessen distance between the separate belt loops when the first and/or second end of the elongate sheath are advanced towards one another by gripping and applying force directly to the belt loops to bias two belts loops towards one another while the first and second ends of the elongate sheath remain substantially coplanar to one another while the device is in use and affixed to the separate belt loops.
In certain aspects, the first end, second end, and connecting portion comprise hook and loop fasteners positioned thereon in which the first and second ends comprise the same hook or loop fastener and the connecting portion comprises a complimentary hook or loop fastener configured to engage the first and second ends while the device is in use.
In certain aspects, the first and second ends comprise different fasteners.
In certain aspects, the first end comprises snap fit buttons configured to securely engage one another while concurrently being affixed to and gripping one belt loop while the device is in use, and the connecting portion and second end comprise complimentary hook and loop fasteners so that the second end engages the connecting portion while concurrently being affixed to and gripping another belt loop while the device is in use.
In certain aspects, the first end comprises a rigid hook having a recessed portion that is configured to receive and securely engage one belt loop therein while the device is in use, and the connecting portion and second end comprise complimentary hook and loop fasteners so that the second end engages the connecting portion while concurrently being affixed to and gripping another belt loop while the device is in use.
In certain aspects, the first end comprises a first and second magnet having opposite polarities that are embedded within the first end of the elongate sheath and that are foldable so that the magnets engage one another while the first end engages one belt loop while the device is in use, and the connecting portion and second end comprise complimentary hook and loop fasteners so that the second end engages the connecting portion while concurrently being affixed to and gripping another belt loop while the device is in use.
In certain aspects, also disclosed is a method of selectively lessening the distance between a plurality of belt loops including (a) threading the adjustable belt loop device disclosed herein between a plurality of belt loops; (b) engaging and securing first belt loop within a first end of the device; and (c) applying force towards a second belt loop by pulling the second end of the adjustable belt loop device in a direction opposite the first belt loop; and engaging the second end of the adjustable belt loop device to another portion of the device to selectively lessen distance between the first and second belt loops by gripping and applying force directly to the belt loops to bias the first and second belts loops towards one another while the first and second ends of the elongate sheath remain substantially coplanar relative to one another while the device is in use and affixed to the separate belt loops.
In certain aspects, also disclosed is a kit including one or a plurality of any of the adjustable belt loop fastening device(s) disclosed herein and packaging with the one or plurality of adjustable belt loop fastening device(s) packaged therein.
In another aspect, the present subject matter is direct to a method of securing a garment to a wearer while selectively reducing abdominal discomfort. The method includes threading an adjustable belt loop fastening device between a plurality of belt loops. Additionally, the method includes engaging and securing a first belt loop within a first end of the device. The method further includes applying force towards a second belt loop by pulling a second end of the adjustable belt loop fastening device in a direction opposite the first belt loop. The method also includes engaging the second end of the adjustable belt loop fastening device to another portion of the device to selectively lessen distance between the first and second belt loops by gripping and applying force directly to the belt loops to bias the first and second belts loops towards one another while the first and second ends of an elongate sheath of the device remain substantially coplanar relative to one another while the device is in use such that the garment is secured to the wearer while reducing abdominal pressure applied by the garment to the wearer. Furthermore, the adjustable belt loop fastening device includes the elongate sheath having a first end, a second end, and a connecting portion. The first and second ends are each connected to but spaced apart from one another by the connecting portion positioned there between. The elongate sheath has upper planar and lower planar faces, in which fasteners are only positioned on the lower planar face such that the first and second ends of the elongate sheath are configured to wrap around and grip separate belt loops of a wearer's garment to selectively lessen distance between the separate belt loops when the first end and/or the second end of the elongate sheath are advanced towards one another and fastened on the device. Additionally, the first end, the second end, and the connecting portion include hook and loop fasteners positioned thereon. The first and second ends include the same hook or loop fastener, and the connecting portion includes a complimentary hook or loop fastener configured to securely engage the first and second ends while the device is in use. The hook and loop fasteners are continuously arranged on the device such that the hook and loop fasteners directly contact one another when the adjustable belt loop fastening device is in use and when the device is completely open in a flat position.
In at least one embodiment, the elongate sheath may have a length defined between the first end and the second end configured to only extend a distance between a first consecutive belt loop and second consecutive belt loop of the plurality of belt loops when affixed to the plurality of belt loops. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate sheath may have a length defined between the first end and the second end configured to be less than a distance between a first consecutive belt loop and a third consecutive belt loop of the plurality of belt loops when threaded through the plurality of belt loops.
In some embodiments, the method may further include threading a second adjustable belt loop fastening device between the plurality of belt loops. Such an embodiment may include engaging and securing a third belt loop within a first end of the second device. Such a method may further include applying force towards a fourth belt loop by pulling a second end of the second adjustable belt loop fastening device in a direction opposite the third belt loop. In additional or alternative such embodiments, the method may include engaging the second end of the second adjustable belt loop fastening device to another portion of the device to selectively lessen distance between the third and fourth belt loops by gripping and applying force directly to the belt loops to bias the third and fourth belt loops towards one another while the first and second ends of an elongate sheath of the second device remain substantially coplanar relative to one another while the device is in use such that the garment is secured to the wearer while reducing abdominal pressure applied by the garment to the wearer. The second adjustable belt loop fastening device may be configured the same as the adjustable belt loop fastening device secured between the first and second belt loops.
In an additional or alternative embodiment, the method may further include threading a third adjustable belt loop fastening device between the plurality of belt loops. Such an embodiment may further include engaging and securing a fifth belt loop within a first end of the third device. In some such embodiments, the method may include applying force towards a sixth belt loop by pulling a second end of the third adjustable belt loop fastening device in a direction opposite the fifth belt loop. In some such embodiments, the method may include engaging the second end of the third adjustable belt loop fastening device to another portion of the device to selectively lessen distance between the fifth and sixth belt loops by gripping and applying force directly to the belt loops to bias the fifth and sixth belt loops towards one another while the first and second ends of an elongate sheath of the third device remain substantially coplanar relative to one another while the device is in use such that the garment is secured to the wearer while reducing abdominal pressure applied by the garment to the wearer. The third adjustable belt loop fastening device may be configured the same as the adjustable belt loop fastening device secured between the first and second belt loops.
In some embodiments, the elongate sheath may be a semi-rigid material. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate sheath may be a non-deformable material. In further or alternative embodiments, the elongate sheath may be a semi-rigid and non-deformable material. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate sheath may include one of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a leather strap.
In another aspect, the present subject matter is direct to a method of securing a garment to a wearer while selectively reducing abdominal discomfort. The method includes threading an adjustable belt loop fastening device disclosed herein between a plurality of belt loops. The method also includes engaging and securing a first belt loop within a first end of the device. The method further includes applying force towards a second belt loop by pulling a second end of the adjustable belt loop fastening device in a direction opposite the first belt loop. Additionally, the method includes engaging the second end of the adjustable belt loop fastening device to another portion of the device to selectively lessen distance between the first and second belt loops by gripping and applying force directly to the belt loops to bias the first and second belts loops towards one another while the first and second ends of an elongate sheath of the device remain substantially coplanar relative to one another while the device is in use such that the garment is secured to the wearer while reducing abdominal pressure applied by the garment to the wearer. The first and second ends are each connected to but spaced apart from one another by the connecting portion positioned there between. The elongate sheath has upper planar and lower planar faces, in which fasteners are only positioned on the lower planar face such that the first and second ends of the elongate sheath are configured to wrap around and grip separate belt loops of a wearer's garment to selectively lessen distance between the separate belt loops when the first end and/or the second end of the elongate sheath are advanced towards one another and fastened on the device. The first and second ends include different fasteners, the first end configured to securely engage one belt loop of the belt loops while the device is in use. The connecting portion and the second end include complimentary hook and loop fasteners so that the second end securely engages the connecting portion while concurrently being affixed to and gripping another belt loop while the device is in use. The hook and loop fasteners are continuously arranged on the device such that the hook and loop fasteners directly contact one another when the adjustable belt loop fastening device is in use and when the device is completely open in a flat position.
In at least one embodiment, the first end may include snap fit buttons configured to securely engage one another while concurrently being affixed to and gripping the one belt loop of the belt loops while the device is in use. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate sheath may have a length defined between the first end and the second end configured to only extend a distance between a first consecutive belt loop and second consecutive belt loop of the plurality of belt loops when affixed to the plurality of belt loops. In additional or alternative embodiments, the length may be configured to be less than a distance between the first consecutive belt loop and a third consecutive belt loop of the plurality of belt loops when threaded through the plurality of belt loops.
In an additional or alternative embodiment, the first end may include a rigid hook permanently affixed thereto having an internal recess configured to receive and securely engage the one belt loop of the belt loops therein while the device is in use. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate sheath may have a length defined between the first end and the second end configured to only extend a distance between a first consecutive belt loop and second consecutive belt loop of the plurality of belt loops when affixed to the plurality of belt loops. In additional or alternative embodiments, the length may be configured to be less than a distance between the first consecutive belt loop and a third consecutive belt loop of the plurality of belt loops when threaded through the plurality of belt loops.
In some embodiments, the first end comprises a first magnet and second magnet having opposite polarities that are embedded within the first end of the elongate sheath and that are foldable so that the magnets securely engage one another while the first end securely engages the one belt loop of the belt loops therein while the device is in use. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate sheath may have a length defined between the first end and the second end configured to only extend a distance between a first consecutive belt loop and second consecutive belt loop of the plurality of belt loops when affixed to the plurality of belt loops. In additional or alternative embodiments, the length may be configured to be less than a distance between the first consecutive belt loop and a third consecutive belt loop of the plurality of belt loops when threaded through the plurality of belt loops.
In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to an adjustable belt loop fastening device configured to extend between and be directly affixed to a plurality of belt loops on a garment instead of directly on a garment waistline and, while in use and affixed to the plurality of belt loops, to selectively lessen distance between belt loops by gripping and applying force directly to the belt loops to bias two belts loops towards one another to secure the garment waistline to a wearer while concurrently selectively minimizing force applied to an abdominal region of the wearer. The adjustable belt loop fastening device includes an elongate sheath having a first end, a connecting portion, and a second end. The first and second ends are each connected to but spaced apart from one another by the connecting portion positioned there between. The elongate sheath has a length defined between the first end and the second end configured to be less than a distance between a first consecutive belt loop and a third consecutive belt loop of the plurality of belt loops. The elongate sheath has upper planar and lower planar faces, in which fasteners are only positioned on the lower planar face such that the first and second ends of the elongate sheath are configured to wrap around and grip separate belt loops of a wearer's garment to selectively lessen distance between the separate belt loops when the first end and/or the second end of the elongate sheath are advanced towards one another and fastened on the device by gripping and applying force directly to the belt loops to bias two belts loops towards one another. The first and second ends of the elongate sheath remain substantially coplanar relative to one another while the device is in use and affixed to the separate belt loops. Additionally, the first end, the second end, and the connecting portion include hook and loop fasteners positioned thereon. The first and second ends include the same hook or loop fastener, and the connecting portion includes a complimentary hook or loop fastener configured to securely engage the first and second ends while the device is in use. The hook and loop fasteners are continuously arranged on the device such that the hook and loop fasteners directly contact one another when the adjustable belt loop fastening device is in use and when the device is completely open in a flat position.
The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed may be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present invention or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. Embodiments of the invention can include one or more or any combination of the above features and configurations.
Additional features, aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present various embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Unless described or implied as exclusive alternatives, features throughout the drawings and descriptions should be taken as cumulative, such that features expressly associated with some particular embodiments can be combined with other embodiments. Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains.
The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use, and practice the invention.
The terms “coupled,” “fixed,” “attached to,” “communicatively coupled to,” “operatively coupled to,” and the like refer to both (i) direct connecting, coupling, fixing, attaching, communicatively coupling, and operatively coupling; and (ii) indirect connecting coupling, fixing, attaching, communicatively coupling, and operatively coupling via one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein. “Communicatively coupled to” and “operatively coupled to” can refer to physically and/or electrically related components.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of, and not restrictive on, the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, and combinations of the herein described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the included claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
As shown specifically in
As shown, for example, in
In certain aspects and as further shown in
In certain aspects and as shown in
As further shown in
In certain aspects, each fastener of the first and second plurality fasteners are snap fit buttons configured to mate with and securely engage with one another while the device is in use as shown, for example, in
In certain aspects and as further shown, for example, in
In certain aspects, the method may utilize a plurality of adjustable belt loop devices provided and threaded within and engaged to different pluralities of belt loops, such as different portions of the plurality of belt loops, such as different pairs of belt loops. Generally, multiple adjustable belt loop devices may allow for selectively lessen or reducing multiple portions of the garment waistline. For example and as shown in
Additionally or alternatively, the method may include selectively lessening the distance (D3) between the plurality of belt loops (e.g., a fifth belt loop 215 and a sixth belt loop 216) including (a) threading a third adjustable belt loop device 104 (e.g., another adjustable belt loop device configured the same or similar to the adjustable belt loop device 100 disclosed herein) between the plurality of belt loops 215, 216; and (b) engaging at least one fastener from the first plurality of fasteners 122 with at least one fastener from the second plurality of fasteners 132 such that portions of the upper 120 and lower planar 130 faces and portions of the first 112 and second 114 ends of the elongate sheath 110 are adjacent to one another and selectively lessen the distance D3 between belt loops 215, 216 and thereby secure the garment waistline to the wearer while concurrently selectively minimizing force applied to an abdominal region of the wearer.
It should be appreciated that as many adjustable belt looping devices as needed or required may be utilized to selectively reduce the distance(s) D3 between consecutive belt loops, e.g., up to and including half the number of belt loops of the garment 190. Furthermore, the adjustable belt loop fastening devices (e.g., first device 100, second device 102, a third device 104, etc.) may be utilized to reduce the distance D3 between consecutive belt loops sequentially and fully. Additionally or alternatively, multiple devices may utilized to reduce the distance D3 between consecutive belt loops by partially reducing the distance D3 between each set of belt loops in a number of iterations. Tightening the devices partially and/or in multiple rounds may maintain stylish appearance of the garment 190 and/or avoid undesirable wadding, bunching, etc. of the same.
As further shown in
Also shown herein are sequential depictions of the adjustable belt loop fastening device in use. For example,
The above-mentioned second 200, third 300, fourth 400, and fifth 500 embodiments disclosed herein may be used in a similar manner in a method for selectively lessening a distance between a plurality of belt loops (e.g., 211, 212). This method includes (a) threading an adjustable belt loop device 200, 300, 400, 500 disclosed herein between a plurality of belt loops 211, 212; (b) engaging and securing a first belt loop 211 within a first end of the device 222, 322, 422, 522 (e.g., wrapping a first end of the device around a belt loop and circumferentially engaging (either entirely or partially circumferentially engaging) the belt loop); and (c) applying force towards a second belt loop 212 by pulling a second end 224, 324, 424, 524 of the adjustable belt loop device 200, 300, 400, 500 in a direction opposite the first belt loop; and engaging the second end of the adjustable belt loop device to another portion of the device to selectively lessen distance between the first and second belt loops by gripping and applying force directly to the belt loops to bias the first and second belts loops towards one another while the first and second ends of an elongate sheath of the device remain substantially coplanar relative to one another while the device is in use,
In view of the above methods of use, features of the second 200, third 300, fourth 400, and fifth 500 embodiments are disclosed in further detail below. Regarding the adjustable belt loop fastening device 200 shown in
In certain embodiments, and as specifically shown in
In another embodiment, and as further shown in
In yet another embodiment and as further shown in
In certain aspects, also disclosed is a kit including one or a plurality of any of the above disclosed adjustable belt loop fastening device(s) 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and packaging with the one or plurality of adjustable belt loop fastening device(s) packaged therein.
In certain aspects, each of the adjustable belt loop fastening devices disclosed herein is limited to a length that is only sufficient to be affixed to two consecutive belt loops and pull those two consecutive belt loops towards one another for the purposes disclosed above. For instance and as illustrated particularly in
Referring now particularly to the exemplary embodiment of
Particular embodiments and features have been described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that these descriptions are not limited to any single embodiment or any particular set of features. Similar embodiments and features may arise or modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of these descriptions and the spirit of the appended claims. The foregoing description provides embodiments of the invention by way of example only. It is envisioned that other embodiments may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62804814 | Feb 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16788698 | Feb 2020 | US |
| Child | 17865604 | US |
