Abstract:
A martial arts belt sized to fit around a user&#39;s waist has a strap with a pair of strap sections. Each strap section has a fastening end and a tie end. The strap sections join together at a juncture located between the fastening end and the tie end of each strap section. The strap sections each have between the juncture and the fastening end of each strap section, posterior fastening devices for fastening the strap sections together behind a user&#39;s waist. Portions between the juncture and the tie end of each of the strap sections are tied into an anterior knot having dependent tails. An insignia patch can be removably secured at one of the tails for later removal or repositioning.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to martial arts belts and methods for using the same. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The loose jacket (gi, dogi, or dobak) worn by martial arts participants is cinched by a traditional cloth belt tied with a specified knot. The training and customs of martial arts requires the participant to wrap this belt around the waist once or twice before tying the belt in the traditional knot. For novices, especially children, properly tying the traditional knot is difficult. Classroom training is often disrupted when a knot comes undone either normally or because of improper tying. When training a class of children, an instructor is continually interrupted by the need to help students retie their knots. Participants tolerate this inconvenience since such customs and traditions are considered an important part of the ethic, discipline and training in the martial arts. 
     The martial arts belt in U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,600 (based on the published patent application U.S. 2002/0157171) employs a pre-tied knot 12 secured to a short section 31 of belt material that is then stitched or glued to one end of a long belt 18. Belt 18 is long enough to wrap twice around the waist and is secured by the Velcro® strips illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. See also U.S. Design Pat. No. D456,107. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,933 a tying strap 26 can be attached to one end of a long belt 12 by stitching, gluing or by Velcro® fasteners. The long belt 12 can be wrapped about the waist and secured with Velcro® fasteners. A knot can be tied in the tying strap 26 and can remain tied as the long belt 12 is repeatedly removed and worn again. See also U.S. Design Pat. No. D282,789 (“black belt”). 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,839 a cummerbund has two ends that are secured in the rear by Velcro® fasteners. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,004 a belt with a watch in the front is secured in the back with Velcro® fasteners. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,853 a belt is routed through a buckle to the inside of the belt and secured in place by Velcro® fasteners on the inside surface of the belt. The outside surface of the belt is decorative. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved martial arts belt that is easily secured around a user&#39;s waist but still maintains the traditional appearance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a martial arts belt sized to fit around a user&#39;s waist. The belt has a strap with a right and a left strap section. Each strap section has a fastening end. The right and the left strap section join at a juncture located between the fastening ends. The strap has a centrally located anterior knot. The right and the left strap sections each have at the fastening end of each a posterior fastening device for fastening the right and the left strap sections together around a user&#39;s waist. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention a martial arts belt sized to fit around a user&#39;s waist can hold at least one patch. The belt has a strap with two tie ends. The belt has a length sized to wrap around the user&#39;s waist, knot together, and leave two free tails at the tie ends. The strap has at one of its tie ends a first patch holding device. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention a method is provided for securing around a user&#39;s waist a martial arts belt having a pre-tied knot between two fastening ends. The method includes the step of placing the pre-tied knot on one side of the user&#39;s waist. Another step is routing the two fastening ends to the opposite side of the user&#39;s waist. The method also includes the step of fastening the two fastening ends to secure the belt around the user&#39;s waist. 
     In accordance with still yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for decorating a martial arts belt that has a pair of tails depending from an anterior knot. The method includes the step of fastening an insignia patch at one of the tails. Another step is removing the insignia patch. 
     In a preferred embodiment employing equipment and methods of the foregoing type, a belt has a pair of strap sections that can be secured behind the user&#39;s waist with fastening means such as Velcro® hook and loop fasteners. A pre-tied knot can be made in the front without showing a seam or gap that would detract from the traditional appearance. Also, placing the fastening means in the back leaves it less accessible and less prone to being undone if the overlapping ends of the fastening means should partially lift. 
     Preferably, the belt will be made from two distinct strap sections that are overlapped and stitched together at a juncture in such a way that each section will have a short and a longer length extending in opposite directions from the juncture. The shorter lengths can be tied together in a traditional knot and fixed by stitching, gluing or by other means. Since these shorter lengths come together with the usual orientation, the resulting knot has a natural appearance. The longer lengths can be fitted with hook and loop fasteners in order to be secured together to close the belt around a user&#39;s waist. These hook and loop fasteners are made relatively long to provide a relatively strong connection and to accommodate a relatively wide range of adjustment. 
     In one highly preferred embodiment, tails depending from the knot are fitted with hook and loop fasteners for attachment of various insignia. The insignia could indicate a level of achievement, a group or club affiliation, a product or service brand, a personal message or identification, and the like. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a martial arts belt in accordance with principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the belt of  FIG. 1  showing the outside face of one strap section and the inside face of another strap section; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration showing the relative location of portions of the belt of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the martial arts belt shown in  FIG. 1  in a fastened condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1–2  a martial arts belt is shown as a strap made of cloth or other material and having a right strap section  10  and a left strap section  14  of approximately the same length. Strap section  10  has a fastening end D and a tie end X. Strap section  14  has a fastening end H and a tie end X′. A posterior fastening device  16  is attached to the outside face of strap section in interval C-D. A posterior fastening device  18  is attached to the inside face of strap section  14  in interval H-I. The fastening devices  16  and  18  are preferably hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro® fastening strips), although snaps, buckles, and other fastening means are possible. The preferred fastening devices  16  and  18  are relatively long, for example, at least 30 cm. This length ensures that a strong connection will exist between fastening devices  16  and  18  and also that the devices can be longitudinally adjusted and still maintain a significant overlap and therefore a strong connection. 
     In this embodiment, an intermediate strap  12  is attached along its interval F-G to strap section  10 , so that location F of strap  12  overlies location A of strap section  10 . Specifically, strap  12  is attached by stitching  20  laid along most of the interval A-C of strap section  10 . Instead of stitching, in some embodiments elements  10  and  12  may be attached by glue, rivets, staples, or other means. The portion of interval F-G, excluding the portion overlying interval A-B of strap section  10 , is herein referred to as a first portion. Interval F-E is herein referred to as a second portion of the intermediate strap  12 . The interval between the first and second portion is herein referred to as the central portion of the intermediate strap  12 . 
     Interval J-L of strap section  14  is attached to intermediate strap  12  with locations J and K of strap section  14  overlying locations E and F of strap  12 , respectively. Location L of strap section  14  lies in the interval F-G, closer to location F, and overlying location B of strap section  10 . Interval J-L of strap section  14  as visible in  FIG. 2  is an inside face that is attached to the outside face of strap  12  that is visible in  FIG. 2 . The interval A-B of strap section  10  is attached not only to strap  12  but to the adjacent interval K-L of strap section  14 . This triply attached section embraced by intervals A-B and K-L is herein referred to as the juncture  22 . It will be appreciated that some embodiments may eliminate intermediate strap  12 , in which case the juncture  22  will be formed by attaching interval A-B of strap section  10  directly to the corresponding interval K-L on strap section  14 . As before, elements  10 ,  12 , and  14  can be attached by stitches, although in some embodiments they may be attached by glue, rivets, staples, or other means. 
     Preferably, the length of interval B-D of strap section  10  is the same as interval K-H of strap section  14 . This will ensure that the fastening location (the region where fastening devices  16  and  18  join) will be located posteriorly when the juncture  22  is located in front. 
     When elements  10 ,  12  and  14  are attached together in the above manner, interval B-D of strap section  10  and interval K-H of strap section  14  will project in opposite directions from juncture  22 . Also, interval A-X of strap section  10  and interval L-X′ of strap section  14  will project in opposite directions from juncture  22 . Intervals A-X and L-X′ are free and can be tied into a traditional knot  24  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Not all of intervals A-X and L-X′ are consumed in knot  24  and the excess forms two dependent tails  30  and  32  that are shown depending from anterior knot  24 . In preferred embodiments knot  24  will be pre-tied by the manufacturer and made permanent by means of stitching, glue, staples, or other means. However, in some instances the knot will remain loose so that students can practice tying and untying the knot. 
     Patch holding devices  26  and  28  are secured on one side (or both sides) of tails  30  and  32 , respectively. In one embodiment devices  26  and  28  were rectangular strips of hook and loop fasteners that were stitched or glued to tails  30  and  32 . Holding devices  26  and  28  are designed to hold insignia patches. For example, in  FIG. 1  insignia patches  34  and  36  are shown about to be attached to holding device  26 . Patches  34  and  36  will have hook and loop fasteners designed to mate with that of holding device  26 . 
     The insignia patches may indicate the rank of the user or signify some achievement. Alternatively, the patch can signify membership in some group or club. In still other embodiments, the patches may have the user&#39;s name or other identifying material. In still yet other embodiments, the patches may be decorative or contain advertising information. Advantageously, patches  34  and  36  can be easily removed when no longer appropriate. The patches can also be easily repositioned to accommodate other patches or simply to satisfy the user&#39;s whim for a new arrangement. It will be appreciated that patch holding device  28  can be used in a similar fashion. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , previously mentioned elements  10 ,  12 , and  14  are shown schematically in an unassembled condition. These elements are laid out in approximately the position they would occupy when worn by a user, with the exception that the tie ends A-X and L-X′ are hanging loosely and are not tied in a knot. When laid out in this fashion ends G and H are almost abutting, as is the case with ends D and E. 
     This diagram shows that elements  10 – 14  would be wrapped around a user&#39;s waist much like the way a traditional martial arts belt would wrapped. In particular, this diagram shows that the belt structure of  FIG. 3  closely simulates a single belt being wrapped twice around a user&#39;s waist. In fact, in some embodiments the belt structure can be made by twice wrapping a belt and then cutting the belt at the breaks shown in  FIG. 3 . Moreover, because the belt structure closely mimics a normal layout, a knot tied with tie ends A-X and L-X′ will have a very natural and traditional appearance. In fact, except for any gap that may be exist between ends G and H, the present belt will look almost identical to a traditional belt. 
     To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, its operation will be briefly described. The manufacturer will typically provide the present belt in the condition shown in  FIG. 1 . To don the belt the user may place the knot  22  in front and place the fastening end D in back. The fastening end H can then be placed in back so that fastening device  18  overlays fastening device  16 . Alternatively, the user may place knot  22  in back, fastening the devices  16  and  18  in front before turning the belt around 180°. The manner and extent of overlap is adjustable to accommodate users of different girth. 
     The foregoing avoids the need to tie knot  22 . Also, there is no concern that during an exercise the knot  22  will become undone. Knot  22  is secured by stitches or other fixing means; but regardless, knot  22  is not the effective means for keeping the belt closed and therefore cannot be the reason for the belt coming loose. Accordingly, instructors will not be distracted by a need to assist students, particularly young students, with retying their belts. 
     Moreover, the belt is held together securely by relatively long fastening devices  16  and  18 . Therefore even during vigorous exercise the belt will not tend to come undone. 
     Before or after donning the belt the user may secure insignia patches  34  and  36  to holding devices  26  or  28 . For example, if the user has achieved a certain level of proficiency he or she may be awarded insignia patches to signify this level of accomplishment. The insignia patches could also indicate an award received in competition. Alternatively, the patch may be used to identify an instructor, an assistant, a novice, etc. In addition, the insignia may be used to display the user&#39;s name, the name of a gym or club, or other association. Also, the insignia patches are easily removed, replaced or rearranged since they are held in place by hook and loop fasteners. 
     It is appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described, preferred embodiments. For example, instead of using hook and loop fasteners, in some embodiments the insignia patches can be held by snaps, clear plastic pockets, zippers, clips, and the like. The same variety can be employed with regard to the fastening device used to hold the belt together around the user&#39;s waist. Also, the illustrated belt can be made of various lengths and widths depending upon the size and other needs of the user. While traditional cloth is preferred, various types of non-traditional knitted or woven fabrics may be used, as well as synthetic webs, hides, composite materials, etc. Also, some embodiments may employ the insignia holding devices  26  and  28  but not the posterior fastening devices  16  and  18 , or vice versa. Also, instead of one continuous fastening strip, the illustrated fasteners can be made in separate discrete sections. Alternatively, a combination of fasteners may be used; such as: hook and loop fasteners combined with buckles or snaps. Moreover, some elements are shown as one continuous band but may in some embodiments be composed of serially interconnected elements, overlapping elements, or composite elements. While certain elements are illustrated with a right-handed or left-handed aspect, this chirality can be altered in alternate embodiments. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.