1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to belts and belt buckles. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a themed belt and accompanying belt buckle and a method of construction, wherein the themes are generally sports related and all elements of the belt are in accordance with the overall theme.
It is well understood that many young children and adults enjoy and closely follow sports teams throughout the year and indeed throughout their lives. It is common for fans to wear sports gear and clothing that is linked to their sport of interest and even their team of choice, usually related to their geographic home area or sometimes for reasons of simple preference for one team or sport over another. Sports merchandise and associated team sales of clothing articles is a large segment within the sports and fashion world in terms of overall sales and revenue. Most articles of clothing include stylish and team-directed shirts, pants, hats and other articles of clothing that include a specific logo, indicia and supporting colors. The present invention pertains to an article of clothing that comprises a construction that is directed to a specific sports or sport team theme, wherein the wearer is able to show his affiliation for a specific team or for a type of sport of his or her interest. Specifically, the present invention is a belt having a central theme and a construction that is readily recognizable with the gear, equipment or memorabilia of the sport being displayed.
Belt construction is a well known art in the field of clothing articles, and includes different means of belt buckle construction, belt materials and styles, and means of attaching outward adornments. Most belts include an elongated strap of material having a first and second end that are adapted to adjustably join around the waist of a user, allowing the user to maintain his or her pant position and further provide an apparel accessory that is suited for their outfit or their tastes. Sports fans are always looking for unique ways to show their passion and enthusiasm for their favorite sports, teams, and players. The present invention is therefore submitted as a new and useful belt device and construction, wherein the elements of the belt are common to a theme, such as a specific sport, team or individual player. The elements of the belt, notably the buckle, belt material, the belt ends and the belt keeper are all targeted to a specific theme that is instantaneously recognizable as being directed to the them and being derived from related equipment for that theme.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to belts and belt construction. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications, and those related to the present invention generally include those belts having a specific style of buckle that allows attachment of an adornment that updates the style of the belt. The present invention, by contrast, provides a unique belt construction and means of personalizing the belt for the user and directing it to a specific theme, including sport categories, sports teams and even players. The forgoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,839 Ford is one such device that discloses a novelty belt item combining a user belt and a buckle adapted to support a toy item. The belt comprises a band having a pair of ends, a first end having a buckle and a second end having a member secure thereto. The buckle comprises an outer surface having hook and loop fastener material thereon for releasably securing a toy having corresponding hook and loop material thereon, wherein the toy may comprise a wheeled motor vehicle. The toy provides an adornment to the belt that is interchangeable with different style or shaped toys. The toy can further be removed when desired to operate as a conventional amusement device for the user. While disclosing a belt novelty item, the Ford device is limited to securing toys having a hook and loop fastening surface as a means of attachment. The present invention is related to a new type of user belt that is styled in accordance with a specific sport or theme, wherein the buckle, keeper, belt end member and the belt itself are all directed to the overall theme and include specific materials in the method of construction relating to the theme.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,188 to Kohli is another device that discloses a theme belt buckle having a means to accept a themed insert having an outer decorative surface, wherein the surface includes indicia directed to a sports emblem, insignia, initials or any further marking or design desired by the belt user. The buckle includes an outer portion that forms a channel open at its sides to slidingly receive the decorative surface. The undersurface of the insert and the buckle include interchangeable detent elements for releasably retaining the insert within the buckle channel. Similar to the Ford disclosure, the Kohli device provides a belt buckle that accepts or otherwise connects to an adornment that changes the exterior appearance of the belt buckle. The present invention does not contemplate a means of changing its appearance, but rather discloses a themed belt set to a specific sport or theme, wherein the buckle, keeper, belt end and belt material all play a role in expressing the central theme.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,680 to Abbondandolo discloses a belt buckle having a male connector and an action figure having a corresponding female connector along its back surface to join the two elements at the buckle location. The action figures may pertain to a specific class of figures, such as sports, wrestling or action figure. The female connector comprises a circular groove formed within a connection socket, while the male connector comprises an elongated member having a peripheral and exterior ring, along with a slit to provide spring action when engaged with the female connector. The Abbondandolo device discloses a belt for supporting an action figure and fails to disclose the novel aspects or structure of the present invention.
The present invention provides a new and novel pants belt construction derived from and directed to a specific sports theme. The belt includes elements drawn from the athletic gear utilized in the sport, while adornments such as the buckle, keeper and belt end are clear indications of the specific sport or sports team of interest to the user. It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing themed belt devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of pants belts now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new themed belt and method of construction, wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when showing the user's sport or sport team of interest, including the use of elements from the given sport in the belt construction.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pants belt device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pants belt device that comprises a central theme, wherein the elements that compose the belt are directed to and derived from that theme while providing utility as a pants belt.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pants belt device having a sports theme that includes a construction derived from the equipment, gear or memorabilia of the given sport.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pants belt device that includes a length of material forming the belt, a belt buckle, keeper, and belt end having a structure that is directed to the given theme.
A final object of the present invention is to provide a pants belt device that allows personalization and representation of the wearer's sport preferences, including display of the sport itself, a specific team, league, or organization, whereby the wearer's affiliation is thereby shown.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the sports themed pants belt. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for displaying a wearer's preferred sport or sports team and further for disclosing a novel means of sports belt construction. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
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Overall, the present invention is a pants belt that revolves around a central theme, wherein the elements of the belt are all directed to the theme and the construction of the belt is further derived from aspects of the theme. In a preferred embodiment, the belt is one that is directed to a sports theme, wherein the belt material 12, the buckle 13, keeper 14 and belt end 15 are all related to a specific sport, sports team, organization, or player in the sports world. Several embodiments are contemplated using this concept and are herein disclosed as a novel means of belt construction and particular device utilized in supporting a user's pants while donned.
In a particular embodiment, the theme of the belt is baseball, a specific baseball team, league or particular baseball player.
In a particular distinction and departure from pure design aspects of the belt elements, and one that particularly solidifies the belt as being derived from the given sport, the belt material 12 is one that is wrapped or otherwise formed from the game ball of the particular sport. In the baseball embodiment, the belt material is one that is wrapped or comprised purely of a baseball cover, which is normally a two-piece structure sewn together around the outer surface of the baseball interior core material. As seen in
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The construction of the present pants belt involves the key aspects that comprise the belt: the belt length material, the buckle, a belt end and a belt end keeper element. The belt material is a covered section of material, wherein the cover is the outer surface of the themed game ball. Alternatively, the belt material is a thickened version thereof, wherein the belt is a unitary structure having an outer texture of the game ball and a thickness sufficient for use as a rugged pants belt. The belt length may further include different adornments, as presented in the baseball embodiment, such as the sports ball lacing, stitching or other suitable details that may further create a ready association of the belt to the specific sport being themed. The present belt structure and method of construction allow fans to show their favorite sport or support their favorite sports teams while also wearing a functional and stylish accessory. The device resembles a leather belt that can be worn around the waist to hold up a wearer's pants. The belt comes in a variety of sport themes, including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, golf and any other sport having a game ball. Athletes' images, jersey numbers, and a depiction of the sport can be featured on the belt, while the actual belt is derived from the sport gear. Sport fans will appreciate the enthusiasm and practicality afforded by the belt.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/530,722 filed on Sep. 2, 2011, entitled “Bud Belts.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61530722 | Sep 2011 | US |