REVERSIBLE GARMENT BELT

BACKGROUND

People utilize belts or other garment holding devices for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is to hold up a garment, for example, a belt around the waist through belt loops on pants to hold up the pants around the waist. Belts are also used to cinch garments or to help keep a garment closed or hold a particular form. For example, belts may be used with dresses or robes and help keep the dress or robe closed around the body of a wearer.

Belts can also be utilized as fashion accessories. Thus, while the belt may have a utilitarian purpose, the belts can also be designed to make a fashion statements, for example, through different colors, textures, materials, designs, different buckle types (where applicable), and/or the like. Belts can also be used to not only hold up a garment, but carry things on a person. For example, many pockets, holders, devices, clips, and/or the like, have been designed to be attached to a belt in some way. These can then hold other objects. For example, a walkie talkie may have a belt clip on the back that allows the walkie-talkie to be clipped onto a standard belt thereby allowing for a hands-free way of carrying the walkie-talkie.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect provides a reversible garment belt, the reversible garment belt including: an elongated belt strap having two ends and two longitudinal edges, the elongated belt strap including: a first layer including a front side and a back side; and a second layer having a front side and a back side, wherein the back side of the second layer is attached to the back side of the first layer, wherein the second layer is made of a material different than a material of the first layer; and a buckle attached to one of the two ends of the elongated belt strap, wherein the buckle includes a reversing capability that allows for the elongated belt strap to be reversed such that one of: the front side of the first layer and the front side of the second layer is outwardly facing.

Another aspect provides a reversible garment belt, the reversible garment belt including: an elongated belt strap having two ends and two longitudinal edges, the elongated belt strap including: a first layer including a front side and a back side and made of a first material including one part of a hook and loop fastener, wherein the front side of the first layer accepts an object including the other part of the hook and loop fastener; and a second layer having a front side and a back side, wherein the back side of the second layer is attached to the back side of the first layer via stitching passing through both the first layer and the second layer, wherein the second layer is made of a material different than the hook and loop fastener; and a belt buckle attached to one of the two ends of the elongated belt strap, wherein the belt buckle includes a reversing capability that allows for the elongated belt strap to be reversed such that one of: the front side of the first layer and the front side of the second layer is outwardly facing, wherein the reversing capability includes a pivot pin wherein at least a portion of the belt buckle pivots and rotates around the pivot pin.

A further aspect provides method of manufacturing a reversible garment belt, the method including: cutting an elongated first layer including two ends and two longitudinal edges and a front side and a back side, from a first material; cutting an elongated second layer having two ends and two longitudinal edges and a front side and a back side from a second material different than the first material, wherein the cutting includes substantially matching a size of the second layer to a size of the first layer; applying an adhesive to at least one of: a back side of the first layer and a back side of the second layer; aligning and attaching the back side of the first layer and the back side of the second layer together via the adhesive; creating a reversible garment belt strap by stitching the first layer to the second layer utilizing a thread passing through the first layer and the second layer; and attaching, to an end of the reversible garment belt strap, a reversible belt buckle, wherein the reversible belt buckle includes a reversing capability that allows for the reversible garment belt strap to be switched such that one of: the front side of the first layer and the front side of the second layer is outwardly facing.

The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.

For a better understanding of the embodiments, together with other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an illustrative example of a reversible garment belt having a first side or layer facing outward.

FIG. 1B illustrates an illustrative example of a reversible garment belt having a second side or layer facing outward.

FIG. 2 illustrates an illustrative example side view of two unattached layers of a reversible garment belt strap.

FIG. 3 illustrates an illustrative example of a reversible garment belt buckle mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described example embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the example embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely representative of example embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation.

Many people utilize garment belts to perform multiple functions. For example, a person may not only use a belt to hold a garment at a particular location on the person's body, but may also use it to make a fashion statement. For example, people may wear belts that convey something about the personality of the wearer through different belt colors, different belt designs, different belt buckles, and/or the like. Many people use belts to carry other objects. For example, police officers may wear a belt that can hold different objects such as a flashlight, handcuffs, gun, taser, and/or the like. By utilizing the belt to hold these objects, the officers can have them accessible when needed, but their hands remain free to perform other tasks. Belts are used by other wearers to carry objects. For example, people may use belts to hold portable information handling devices (e.g., smart phone, personal digital assistants, pagers, etc.). As another example, people may use belts to hold pockets, containers, holders, and/or other compartments that can hold objects.

Usually belts that are used to hold other objects are customized to the wearer. For example, to hold objects on the belt, the wearer may install a belt clip that is designed to hold the desired object, the desired object may have a loop that is intended to thread a belt through, the object may have a clip that allows the wearer to clip it to a belt, and/or the like. This allows the wearer to move the objects around on the belt to where the wearer would like the object. For example, a person who is left-handed may prefer certain objects on the left side of the body, whereas a right-handed person may want those same objects on the right side of the body. Additionally, a smaller person may have objects closer to other objects than a larger person. Thus, the use of the loops, clips, or other holding mechanisms allows a wearer to customize the objects that are held on the belt and the location of those objects on the belt.

While the use of holding mechanisms is useful, for wearers who need to carry a lot of gear on the belt it can be difficult to remove the belt with all the objects on the belt. The wearer would have to remove all the clips, loop mechanisms, and other holding mechanisms in order to take off the belt. For wearers who need the objects frequently, for example, on a daily basis, every other day, weekly, and/or the like, it can be very time consuming to take off the objects to remove the belt and also to put the objects back on the belt when needed. Thus, wearers who carry many items may have specialized belts so that the objects can be quickly removed without having to completely remove the belt.

These belts are typically in multiple part systems with at least two belt portions. These belt systems generally include an inner belt which is fed through the belt loops on the pants, or other garment. The inner belt is adjusted to the desired circumference of the wearer. The inner belt includes a material that will connect to material of another belt portion, generally referred to as an outer belt. The outer belt includes a corresponding material that mates with the material of the inner belt. The outer belt holds the clips, loops, and other holding mechanisms that hold the desired objects of the wearer. The wearer then mates the outer belt to the inner belt. The outer belt is not looped through the belt loops, but rather attaches to the material of the inner belt. Thus, the inner belt is held to the wearer through the belt loops, and the outer belt is held to the wearer via the connection between the inner belt and the outer belt.

This allows the wearer to quickly remove the objects around the belt by simply disconnecting the outer belt from the inner belt. The objects remain on the outer belt without having to be removed or adjusted, and the inner belt remains on the wearers body until removed by the wearer. The inner and outer belt system may be referred to as a tactical belt system due to the fact that it is typically, but not necessarily, used by wearers who need to carry tactical supplies or objects with them, such as police officers, military personnel, emergency response personnel, and/or the like. However, other wearers utilize such belt systems.

One problem with these multiple belt systems is that when the outer belt is removed from the inner belt, the belt that is now exposed is of a material that is not aesthetically pleasing. Rather, this material is simply functional to allow for the connection between the inner belt and the outer belt. In many conventional systems, the connection mechanism is a hook and loop fastener. One of the inner belt and the outer belt includes one half of the hook and loop fastener and the other belt includes the other half of the hook and loop fastener. For example, the material of the outside of the inner belt (the side facing outwardly when worn by the wearer) may be the loop material of the hook and loop fastener and the material of the inside of the outer belt (the side facing inwardly when worn by the wearer) is the hook material of the hook and loop fastener. The wearer simply mates the hook and loop fastener together to hold the outer belt on the inner belt. However, when the outer belt is removed from the inner belt, the loop material of the inner belt is exposed. Not only does this not look aesthetically pleasing, but the loop (or hook) material can catch things and become dirty.

One solution to this is simply to remove the inner belt. This may be fine if the wearer does not need the belt to hold up a garment or is not required to wear a belt. In the case the wearer needs the belt, the wearer can replace the inner belt with another non-tactical belt, for example, a leather belt, a cloth belt, and/or any other belt that does not include the connection material. However, this requires the wearer to carry or have another belt accessible and also requires additional time to remove and install the different belts.

Another solution to this is a three-part belt system. In this system, there is an inner belt, an outer belt, and an inner belt cover. The inner belt cover has the same connection mechanism on the back and is installed just like the outer belt. However, this inner belt cover does not hold the objects but simply covers the connection material of the inner belt. This does allow some flexibility with different aesthetics of the inner belt cover, but also has drawbacks. First, the wearer has to keep track of the inner belt cover, just like a second belt. Additionally, because the inner belt cover is installed just like the outer belt, the inner belt cover is not threaded through the belt loops of the garment. This may be undesirable by many wearers, particularly if the wearer is going for a polished look. Additionally, because the inner belt cover is installed just like the outer belt, the outside (the side facing outwardly when worn by a wearer) material is usually a more casual material, like cloth. For someone who may want a nicer belt, this system does not work.

Accordingly, the described system and device provides a reversible garment belt that has a typical belt material on one side and a connection mechanism material on the other side. In other words, the belt can be reversed from an inner belt within a belt system to a nice traditional belt. Thus, the wearer can quickly go from a belt that allows connection to an outer belt in a belt system to a belt that looks polished without having to keep track of multiple belts. While reversible belts are known, the reversible belts do not have a material that allows for connection to an outer belt while also having a material that allows for a polished look, which is very important to many wearers who need the ability to connect an outer belt. The reversible garment belt includes an elongated belt strap having two ends and two longitudinal edges. The belt strap includes at least two layers. The first layer has a front side and a back side and the second layer also has a front side and a back side. The first layer and the second layer are made from different materials. For example, the first layer may be half of a connection mechanism material, for example, either a hook or loop material of a hook and loop connection mechanism. The second layer may be an aesthetically pleasing material, such as leather, cloth, plastic, and/or any other material a belt can be made of. The back sides of the first and second layers are attached together.

The reversible garment belt includes a buckle that is attached to one end of the elongated belt strap, generally referred to as the fixed end of the belt strap. The buckle includes a reversing capability that allows the belt strap to be reversed so that either the first or second material can be facing outwardly when worn by a wearer. In other words, the buckle is designed so that a wearer can change which of the first and second material is facing outwardly when worn and still allows the belt to be buckled. If you simply reversed a belt without the reversing capability, the tongue of the belt (the material that is left over after fastening the belt with the buckle) will be sandwiched between the body of the wearer and the belt, becoming uncomfortable during wear. There are many different reversible belt buckles that allow for the reversibility of the belt strap.

In an example reversible garment belt, the first layer is made of the loop material of a hook and loop connection mechanism. The second layer is made of leather. The back sides of these two layers are facing each other and the layers are attached together using one or more attachment mechanisms. In this example, the two layers are attached using adhesive between the two layers and also utilizing stitching that passes through both layers, thereby holding the two layers together. Depending on the materials used, some processes may be undertaken to finish the belt and to help protect the belt. In this example using leather as the second material, the leather may be sealed using a leather sealant. There are many different leather sealants, but in this example, a natural sealant is used, such as beeswax. Additionally, the belt strap may be polished or burned to remove any rough edges or to smooth the edges of the belt.

Once the belt strap is of a desired finish level, the buckle is installed on the belt strap. There are many different buckles that can be used, but in this example, a pivot and rotating reversible belt buckle is used. This buckle includes a pivot pin where the frame and prong of the buckle rotate around the pivot pin to be switched from one side to the other (back side and front side). Different belt buckles use different techniques to install the buckle onto the belt strap, but in this example, the buckle includes screws where the buckle is slid onto the belt strap and screws in the buckle are tightened into the belt strap to hold the buckle onto the belt strap. In this example reversible garment belt different characteristics of the belt can be customized to the wearer of the belt. For example, the color or type of the first layer material, the color or type of the second layer material, the color of the thread used to attach the two layers together, a length or width of the belt, the color and type of the buckle, any design within the second material, a stitch type of the thread, a shape of the tip of the belt, and/or the like, may be customized to the preferences of the wearer.

The illustrated example embodiments will be best understood by reference to the figures. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain example embodiments.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example front view of a reversible garment belt 100 as described herein. Generally, the reversible garment belt 100 includes two primary components, the elongated belt strap 101 and the buckle 104. The elongated belt strap 101 is the portion of the garment belt 100 that is threaded through loops on a garment, for example, belt loops. The buckle 104 is the fastening mechanism that holds the belt strap at the desired length. Generally, the elongated belt strap 101 has two longitudinal edges. The longitudinal edges run generally parallel to each other and define the length of the elongated belt strap 101. However, depending on the design of the belt strap 101, the longitudinal edges may not be straight parallel edges. For example, the belt strap 101 may have scalloped edges, repeated diamond or triangle-shaped edges, may be wider at one end as compared to the other end of the belt strap, and/or the like, or a combination thereof.

The elongated belt strap 101 also has two ends, a free end and a fixed end. The fixed end is the end that to which the buckle is attached, with the free end being the opposite end. The end of the free end may be shaped. This end is referred to as the belt tip. The shape may be rounded, as illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, pointed, scalloped, irregular, and/or the like. The free end is threaded through belt loops, or placed around a waist or other body part of a wearer, and then inserted into or otherwise held by the buckle. There are many different buckle configurations that each work a little differently.

The buckle that will be used as the example buckle here throughout, and is also illustrated in the figures, is a buckle 104 having a frame 104A and one or more prongs 104B. This example buckle 104 is attached to the belt strap 101 using a holding piece 104D. The end of the belt strap 101 that is to be the fixed end of the belt strap is inserted into the holding piece 104D. Screws 104E are then tightened which go through the belt strap 101 to hold the buckle 104 to the belt strap 101. When worn, the free end of the elongated belt strap 101 is generally inserted through the frame 104A under the frame and outwardly from the body of the wearer between the frame 104A and the prong(s) 104B. The free end of the elongated belt strap 101 is pulled to the desired diameter or tightness, and the prong(s) are inserted into a hole 103 located at intervals closest to the free end matching the desired diameter or tightness.

Other types of buckles having different configurations and methods of use can be utilized. For example, some buckles have push through prongs where the belt strap is tightened to the desired diameter or tightness and the prong is pushed through the hole from the front of the belt strap as opposed to the previously described belt buckle where the prong is pushed through the hole from the back of the belt strap. Another buckle is one that different portions of the buckle are at the ends of the belt strap. In other words, rather than having a fixed end and a free end, both ends of the belt strap are attached to a part of the buckle. The portions of the buckle are then pushed together and snap together to hold the belt strap in place. In this example, changing the diameter of the belt generally includes changing tightening frames that allow for letting out more material of the belt strap to increase the diameter of the garment belt or taking in more material to decrease the diameter of the garment belt. Some buckles are attached to the belt strap using a bar within the buckle. The belt strap is folded over the bar and then held onto the belt strap using a fastening mechanism such as a snap, button, sewn into place, and/or the like.

The tongue of the elongated belt strap 101, which is the part of the free end that extends past the prong or buckle, if applicable, is inserted through a keeper 104C. The keeper 104C is a part of the buckle 104 that is similar to a loop that holds the tongue. The garment belt 100 may include one or more keepers. In the example of FIG. 1A, the garment belt 100 includes two keepers, a fixed keeper 104C, which is a part of the buckle, and a free keeper 102. The free keeper can be moved along the elongated belt strap 101 to a location chosen by the wearer. The tongue of the elongated belt strap 101 can also be fed through this free keeper 102. The keepers may be of any type of suitable material, for example, metal, cloth, leather, paracord, a combination of materials, and/or the like. The two keepers may also be different materials from each other. For example, the fixed keeper may be metal and the free keeper may be leather or cloth.

The elongated belt strap 101 of the described system includes at least two layers. Each of the layers includes a front side and a back side. In the case of two layers, the front side of the layer corresponds to the side of the layer that will be outwardly facing when attached together to create the elongated belt strap 101. There may also be additional layers, for example, a padding layer, which would be sandwiched between the first layer 101A and the second layer 101B. The garment belt 100 will be described as having two layers for ease of readability. However, additional layers may be included and each of the layers may have multiple layers, for example, a layer may be made of material that is made of multiple layers of material.

In the described elongated belt system, the first layer 101A may be made of a first material. This material is one that allows connection to another object, for example, another belt of a multi-belt system, as previously described. The primary example material is one half of a hook and loop fastener. For ease of readability, the material of the first layer 101A will be described as being the loop half of hook and loop fastener, with the hook half of the hook and loop fastener being on the back side of the object being connected to the garment belt. However, it should be noted that the hook side of a hook and loop fastener could be the material of the first layer 101A. Additionally, other materials that allow for connection to other objects may also be used as the material of the first layer 101A. For example, the materials may include felt or fleece (which could be used to attach to a hook fastener), snaps or buttons (which could be used to attach to complementary portions), and/or the like. In the event that snaps, buttons, or other types of fastening devices are utilized, the first layer may include a base layer of material to which the fastening devices are attached. In this case, the front side of the first layer would be the side having the fastening devices.

The elongated belt strap 101 has a second layer 101B. The second layer 101B may be made of a second material that is different than the material of the first layer 101A. In one example, the second material may be the opposite half of the hook and loop fastener. In other words, the first layer may be loop material and the second layer may be hook material, where both the loop and hook are facing outwardly with respect to each other. However, the second material may be a more classic belt material, such as leather, cloth, plastic, fabric, a woven material, and/or the like. In the exemplary example used here throughout, the second material is leather. Thus, in the exemplary example, the first layer of the belt strap is loop material of a hook and loop fastener and the second layer of the elongated belt strap is leather.

The material that is chosen for the second layer may be one that can withstand the conditions that a belt may undergo, for example, sweating, exposure to water, exposure to drastic temperature changes, exposure to forces of objects hanging from the belt, and/or the like. Thus, a strong, resilient material may be chosen, such as leather. It should be noted that there are many different types of leather that are created from different animal hides. Each of these leathers may have characteristics (e.g., thickness, weight, strength, grain pattern, etc.) that make them more appealing for use as a belt. Additionally, a wearer may want a particular leather due to the grain or design of the leather. Thus, a particular material that is utilized for the second layer may be chosen for not only the properties or characteristics of the material, but also based upon preferences of the wearer.

The first and second layer are cut so that they are substantially the same size and shape. In other words, the first and second material are cut or otherwise sized so that they match each other. One layer may be a little bit smaller than the other layer, but is still considered matching each other. This slight difference in size may be measured in millimeters or fractions thereof and is illustrated in FIG. 1A, where the second layer 101B is slightly larger than the first layer 101A.

The first layer 101A and second layer 101B are attached together on the back sides of the material, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In other words, the back side of the first layer 101A and the back side of the second layer 101B are facing each other, with the front side of the first layer 101A and the front side of the second layer 101B facing outwardly. In this exemplary example, this means that the loop material will be outwardly facing on one side of the belt strap and the outside or preferred side of the leather material will be outwardly facing on the other side of the belt strap. Thus, a wearer can choose which of the two layers or sides of the belt strap will be outwardly facing when worn by the wearer. In other words, the belt strap is reversible to allow for either front side of the first layer or the front side of the second layer to be outwardly facing based upon the preference of the wearer.

FIG. 2 illustrates the two layers before they are attached together. As previously mentioned, the belt may include more than two layers. However, only two layers are illustrated for ease of understanding. Attaching the layers together may be completed using one or more connection techniques. For example, once the layers are placed together so as to match the two layers, the layers may be stitched using thread or another material that passes through both layers. This stitching is illustrated in FIG. 1B at 105. Different stitch types may be utilized, for example, a straight stitch, zigzag stitch, serger stitch, cross stitch, or any other type of functional or decorative stitch. In the case that a different connection technique is utilized, as described in more detail below, the stitching may simply be decorative. In this case, the stitching may only pass through the second layer and may not pass through the first layer at all. In other words, the second layer may be stitched before being attached to the first layer.

The thread may be any type of material or combination of materials, for example, polyester, nylon, cotton, silk, wool, and/or the like. Different types of thread material provide different advantages including, but not limited to, different strengths, different thicknesses, different stretchiness, different colors, different longevity, and/or the like. Thus, the chosen thread may be of a material that allows for traversing the materials of the layers while maintaining a strength and resiliency to allow for the wear associated with a belt. Additionally, since belts may be exposed to different conditions (e.g., sweat, water, heat, cold, temperature changes, different forces, etc.), the chosen thread material may be one that can withstand the conditions that the belt may undergo.

Another technique for attaching the two (or more) layers is through the use of an adhesive. The adhesive may be placed between 200 the first layer 101A and the second layer 101B. For example, adhesive may be placed on the back side of one of the two layers and the back side of the other layer may be placed over the adhesive. Thus, the adhesive may be located between the back side of the first layer and the back side of the second layer. Actions may then be taken to hold the two layers together while the adhesive cures. For example, the connected layers may be placed under pressure so as to hold the layers together while the adhesive cures. Different types of glue or spreadable adhesive may be utilized, for example, super glue, fabric glue, leather glue, multi-part epoxy, epoxy, and/or the like.

Other types of adhesives are possible and contemplated, for example, heavy-duty double-sided type, hook or loop material that already has an adhesive back, and/or the like. The adhesive may be chosen in view of the conditions that the belt will undergo (e.g., temperature changes, water exposure, heat exposure, movement of the belt as it is worn and taken off/put on, sweat exposure, etc.). Additionally, a combination of connection techniques may be utilized. For example, an adhesive may be applied between the two layers and the layers may then be stitched such that the thread passes through both layers. As another example, in the case of more than two layers, adhesive may be used to hold an interior layer to the back side of the first layer and the back side of the second layer and then stitching that passes through all the layers, or only through the first and second layer in the event the interior layer is cut smaller than the first and second layer, to hold all the layers together.

Once the layers of the elongated belt strap 101 are attached together, the belt strap may undergo a finishing process. The finishing process may include sealing the belt strap, sanding or burning the edges of the belt strap, etching or burning a design or brand into the belt strap, and/or the like. When sealing the belt strap, different sealants or sealant processes may be utilized. In the case that the second layer is leather, a leather sealant may be applied. Beeswax is also a good sealant for leather. Other types of sealants are contemplated and possible including if the second material is not leather, for example, castor oil, wax-based sealers, acrylic sealers, polyurethane sealers, and/or the like. The type of sealant that is chosen may be based upon the materials used within the belt strap, the conditions the belt may undergo, and/or the like. The sealing process may also help strengthen the belt strap or give the belt strap desirable characteristics. For example, sealing the belt strap may make the belt strap water and/or sweat resistant or proof, may make the belt strap more pliable, and/or the like. The sealing process may also occur before the layers of the belt strap are attached. In other words, the layers of material may be sealed separately before they are attached together. Additionally, depending on the materials chosen, only one of the materials may be sealed. For example, in the exemplary example of loop material and leather, only the leather may be sealed before the layers of the belt strap are attached together.

Another finishing technique that may be utilized is burning or smoothing the edges of the belt strap. This may be performed using burning or friction techniques to remove any burrs and make the edges smooth so that the belt does not catch on clothes or other objects. Other finishing techniques may be utilized. For example, if leather, or a similar material is used, designs may be burned, ground, cut, or etched into the leather material. As another example, different objects may be attached to the belt strap, for example, decorative elements (e.g., beads, gemstones, metal, glass, etc.), different designs using stitching may be applied to the belt strap, functional elements (e.g., snaps, buttons, etc.), and/or the like. Additionally, a combination of finishing techniques may be utilized. While referred to as finishing techniques, some of these techniques may be performed at other times within the manufacturing process, for example, before the layers are attached together. It should be noted that some of the finishing techniques may also be performed after the buckle is installed on the belt strap. For example, any designs that are put into the belt strap may be done after the buckle is installed.

Once the belt strap is assembled and finished, the buckle may be attached to the belt strap. The buckle can be made of any material, for example, plastic, metal, resin, and/or the like. Additionally, if a free keeper is utilized in the garment belt, the free keeper may also be installed on the belt strap. Generally free keepers are moveable anywhere along the belt strap, so installing the free keeper may simply mean that the belt strap is threaded through the free keeper. How the buckle is installed may be dependent on the buckle and may include, but are not limited to, looping the buckle through the belt strap, screwing the buckle onto the belt strap, pressing the belt strap between portions of the buckle, and/or the like. The buckle may include a reversing capability that allows for the elongated belt strap to be reversed such that one of the front side of the first layer and the front side of the second layer is outwardly facing when being worn by the wearer. In other words, the buckle is a reversible buckle that allows the wearer to choose which layer of the belt strap is outwardly facing.

Different reversing capabilities are used within reversible buckles. The reversing capability described within the exemplary example used here throughout is illustrated in FIG. 3. This type of buckle includes a pivot pin 306 that a portion of the buckle rotates or pivots around so that it can be turned 180 degrees and face the opposite direction. These buckles generally work by a wearer pulling on the buckle in a parallel direction to the pivot pin and then pivoting or rotating the buckle around the pivot pin. When the buckle is facing the opposite direction, the buckle can be let go and the buckle will move back down on the pivot pin, thereby hiding the pivot pin. Generally, these buckles have notches or keyed portions so that the buckle will only seat when in the correct position.

Different buckles with reversing capabilities may be utilized. For example, one reversible buckle has portions of the buckle on each end of the belt strap. The two portions are then pushed together towards each other to hold the buckle together. This allows the buckle to be worn in either the front facing or backward facing direction. Another reversible buckle is a buckle that is easily removed from the belt strap and that can be flipped over to be worn front facing with the second layer. In this example, the belt strap may include fastening mechanisms so that the belt strap can be threaded in either direction through the buckle and fastened to hold the buckle in place. Another reversible buckle is designed so that the free end of the belt strap can be threaded through the buckle regardless of which layer of the belt strap is facing outward.

It should be noted that different characteristics of the reversible garment belt can be customized for a wearer. Different characteristics that can be changed and/or customized include a color of thread used for stitching or design, a color of the material of the first layer, a color of the material of the second layer, a design of the edges of the belt strap, a design on the belt strap, a color of the buckle, a type of the buckle, a width of the belt strap, a length of the belt strap, a number of holes within the belt strap, a distance between the holes on the belt strap, a size of the holes within the belt strap, the sealant, if any, that is utilized and/or the like. Characteristics of the reversible belt garment may also be based upon the application it will be used within. For example, since the belt is designed to attach to other objects, for example, another belt of a multi-belt system, the belt may be designed so as to hold such a belt. This may mean that the width of the belt is of a width sufficient to hold the other belt or other objects, the thickness of the belt is of a thickness sufficient to hold the extra weight of the other belt or other objects, a stiffness of the belt is of a sufficient stiffness to hold the other belt or other objects, the design of the belt does not interfere with or supports another belt or holding other objects, and/or the like. For example, the belt strap may be between 1″ and 2″ width, may be greater than ⅛″ thick, may be made of a stiff leather material as the second layer to add rigidity to the belt, may have a flat design, and may have a low-profile buckle.

In one example method to make the reversible garment belt, an elongated first layer is cut from a first material. The elongated first layer has two ends and two longitudinal edges and a front side and a back side. An elongated second layer is cut from a second material. The second layer also has two ends and two longitudinal edges and a front side and a back side. The two layers are cut so that the layers have a substantially matching shape and size. It should be noted that substantially matching does allow for a slightly smaller first layer as compared to the second layer, where slightly smaller is measured in millimeters or fractions thereof.

An adhesive is applied to one the back side of one of the layers. The back side of the other of the layers is placed over the back side of the layer having the adhesive applied thereto. The layers are aligned so as to substantially match the edges and ends of the layers together. Thus, the back sides of the layers are facing each other with an adhesive between the two layers and so that the edges and ends of the layers are aligned with each other or matching. Pressure may be applied to the layers until the adhesive cures. For example, clamps or weight may be applied to the layers to hold them together while the adhesive cures. The tip of the reversible belt strap may be cut into a desired shape, for example, rounded, triangular, irregular, square, and/or the like. The reversible garment belt strap is then created by stitching the first layer to the second layer utilizing a thread that passes through the first layer and the second layer.

A sealant may be applied to the front side of the second layer in order to seal the pores of the material to make it resistant to conditions or elements that the belt may be exposed to. Additionally, the edges of the reversible garment belt strap may be smoothed through a sanding, burning, cutting, or other smoothing operation, to remove burrs and provide a smooth edge. A reversible belt buckle is then applied to at least one end of the reversible garment belt strap. The reversible belt buckle includes a reversing capability that allows for the reversible garment belt strap to be switched such that one of the front side of the first layer or the front side of the second layer can be outwardly facing based upon the wearer's preference. In other words, the reversible belt buckle allows the wearer to choose whether to have the front side of the first layer outwardly facing or the front side of the second layer to be outwardly facing and then allows the wearer to switch to the other layer when desired.

Thus, the described reversible belt garment provides a reversible belt that allows for the functionality of attaching or fastening objects using a connection mechanism or material of the belt on one side and also allows for a polished or professional look of a nice belt on the other side. Thus, those individuals who need the tactical belt usually found as a inner belt of a multi-belt system to connect to an outer belt of the multi-belt system and also need the ability to quickly change to a nicer belt have that in this belt. The reversibility allows for the quick change of the belt without needing to carry around two separate belts to perform the function. Additionally, the garment belt is highly customizable so a wearer can make the belt specific for the preferences of the wearer, which allows for an individualized belt.

This disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain principles and practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Thus, although illustrative example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be understood that this description is not limiting and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

REVERSIBLE GARMENT BELT

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