Abstract:
A segment positioning belt having a flexible belt body having a positioning end and an extension. A plurality of segment positioning portions are positioned in spaced relation to each other along the extension. A metal core is integrally formed into the belt body. The metal core extends within the positioning end and the extension of the belt body. The belt body has an elongated strip shape. The belt body is formed of a rubber or polymeric material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a segment positioning belt, and more particularly to an innovative one which is provided with strengthened metal cores. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98. 
     The segment positioning belt of the present invention is widely applied for tightening/positioning of ski boots or bicycle carriers, etc. 
     Owing to the inherent flexibility, the segment positioning belt is provided with toothed or perforated segment positioning portions, which are mated with a positioner for the purpose of segment positioning. 
     In order to realize the flexibility and positioning, the belt body of a segment positioning belt is generally made of plastic or rubber materials. Yet, some problems are encountered in actual applications, such as: structural strength, endurance and safety. As mentioned above, there is a demanding safety requirement for the segment positioning belt since it is often applied for tightening/positioning of ski boots or bicycle carriers, etc. However, the plastic or rubber materials of the conventional segment positioning belt will gradually deteriorate to become fragile, leading to possible cracking or breakage or even safety hazards. 
     From another perspective, when said segment positioning belt is used for binding/positioning important objects, its plastic or rubber materials make it vulnerable to burglary, bringing about safety issues against theft. 
     Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy. 
     Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved structure of segment positioning belt for ideal applications through research and development. 
     The present invention is characterized in that the segment positioning belt comprises a flexible belt body, formed into an elongated strip. The belt body made of plastic or rubber materials presents flexibility, and comprises a positioning end and an extension, of which the positioning end is provided with a mounting portion. Several segment positioning portions are set at interval onto the belt body along its extension. At least a strengthened metal core is integrally located into the belt body in an elongated form, so as to cover the positioning end and extension of the belt body. The present invention enables production of tensile stress against breakage of the belt body through arrangement of the strengthened metal core, making it possible to improve the endurance of the segment positioning belt, extend its service life and enhance the safety with better anti-burglary effects. 
     The enhanced efficacy of the present invention is as follows: 
     Based on the unique structure of the present invention wherein the “improved structure of a segment positioning belt” allows said strengthened metal core to be integrally located into the belt body of the segment positioning belt, the present invention enables production of tensile stress against breakage of the belt body through arrangement of the strengthened metal core, making it possible to improve the endurance of segment positioning belt, extend its service life and enhance the safety with better anti-burglary effects. 
     The improvements brought about by this invention are as follows: 
     Based on the structure wherein one end of the strengthened metal core of the belt body is coupled firmly with the looped portion or core tube/core bar, this could further enhance the strength of the mounting portion and strengthened metal core, such that the segment positioning belt can be used due to better endurance, service life, safety and anti-burglary performance. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an assembled perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the segment positioning belt of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the segment positioning belt of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an application view of the present invention wherein the segment positioning portion is provided with a tip edge. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the segment positioning portion is provided with a tip edge. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the segment positioning portion has perforated holes. 
         FIG. 6  is another schematic view of the present invention wherein the segment positioning portion has perforated holes. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the segment positioning belt is used to fix a ski boot. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the segment positioning belt is applied to a bicycle carrier. 
         FIG. 9  is another schematic view of the positioning and release controller of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the looped portion is formed by a looped metal element. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the mounting portion has an expanded bulge. 
         FIG. 12  is another schematic view of the present invention wherein the mounting portion has an expanded bulge. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  depict preferred embodiments of an improved segment positioning belt of the present invention, which, however, are provided for only explanatory objective for patent claims. 
     Said segment positioning belt A comprises a flexible belt body  10  configured into an elongated strip. The belt body is made of plastic or rubber materials and presents flexibility, and also comprises a positioning end  11  and an extension  12 . The positioning end is provided with a mounting portion  13 . 
     Several segment positioning portions  20  are set at interval onto the belt body  10  along its extension. 
     At least a strengthened metal core  30  is integrally located into the belt body in an elongated form, so as to cover the positioning end  11  and extension  12  of the belt body  10 . The present invention enables production of tensile stress against breakage of the belt body  10 . The strengthened metal core  30  is made of steel rope, but not limited to it. 
     Of which, a positioning and release controller  14  is set at one location of the belt body  10 , and comprised of a snapper  15  and a controlling device  16 . The snapper  15  could be embedded into any segment positioning portion  20  of the belt body  10  for the positioning purposes. The controlling device  16  is used to control the positioning or release state of the snapper  15 . Moreover, the positioning and release controller  14  can also be comprised of two controlling devices  16  and two snappers  15  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) for better embedding effect. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the segment positioning portion  20  of the belt body  10  has a toothed pattern. As for the toothed segment positioning portion  20 , its tip edge  21  is as wide as that of the belt body  10  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) or recessed into the belt body  10  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). When the tip edge  21  of the segment positioning portion  20 B shown in  FIG. 3  is recessed into the belt body  10 , two flanged portions  22  of bigger thickness are formed at both sides of the tip edge  21 , such that the strengthened metal core  30  is set into the flanged portion  22 . The cross section of said tip edge  21  has single-bevel triangular teeth (shown in  FIG. 2 ), or the cross section of said tip edge  21  of the segment positioning portion  20 C (shown in  FIG. 4 ) is rectangular convex (concave) teeth. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 5 , the segment positioning portion  20 D has perforated round holes. Referring also to  FIG. 6 , the segment positioning portion  20 E has perforated long holes. The preferred embodiments in  FIGS. 3-6  represent the multiple patterns of the segment positioning portion  20  of the belt body  10  in the present invention. 
     Of which, a looped portion  17  is set onto one end of the strengthened metal core  30  correspondingly to the mounting portion  13  at the positioning end  12  of the belt body  10 , such that the mounting portion  13  is surrounded by the looped portion  17 . The looped portion  17  could be formed by bending of the strengthened metal core  30  (disclosed in  FIG. 2 ). Referring also to  FIG. 10 , the looped portion  17  is formed by a looped metal element  171 , then one end of the strengthened metal core  30  is connected to or overlapped with the looped metal element  171  (by welding). 
     Based upon above-specified structure, the present invention is operated as follows: 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the mounting portion  13  at the positioning end  11  of the belt body  10  of the present invention is coupled with the fixed coupling end  02  of the object such as ski boot  01 , and the moveable coupling end  03  of the ski boot  01  is coupled with the bottom of the positioning and release controller  14 . Next the extension  12  of the belt body  10  passes through the positioning and release controller  14 . The segment positioning portion  20  passes through the positioning and release controller  14  in a way that the segment positioning portion  20  and the snapper  15  could be locked firmly. If it is intended to release the tightened belt body  10  from the positioning and release controller  14 , users may press the controlling device  16  on the upper end of the positioning and release controller  14  such that the snapper  15  is disengaged from the segment positioning portion  20 . Referring also to  FIG. 8 , another preferred embodiment of the segment positioning belt A, the object hereto is a bicycle carrier  42 , which permits the mounting portion  13  of the positioning end  11  to be coupled with its fixed coupling end  421 . The segment positioning portion  20  is located by perforation for tightening the bicycle. 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the mounting portions  13 B,  13 C on the positioning end  11  of the belt body  10  have an expanded bulge, into which a core tube  51  or core bar  52  is buried, allowing to connect firmly one end of the strengthened metal core  30 , thus further enhancing the positioning state of the strengthened metal core  30 .