Abstract:
A belt having an elongate band that is wrappable around the body of a wearer, the band having first and second end portions, the first and second end portions respectively being provided with first and second parts of a connection for detachable and adjustable connection of the first end portion to the second end portion with the band wrapped around the body of the wearer, wherein the band is made of a synthetic modelling material.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates to a belt.  
           [0002]    Belts are generally known. They are connected to a pair of pants by inserting the belt through a number of loops attached to the pair of pants. Securing the ends may take place in various ways. There are belts for instance, that are provided at both ends with cooperating coupling members made of a synthetic material or of metal. Adjustment of the belt then is not possible or by sliding a folded portion of the belt, than usually a band.  
           [0003]    With adjustable belts, mainly leather belts, the one end is provided with a series of adjustment holes, and the other end with a metal buckle having a bracket and a pin that has to be inserted through the wanted adjustment hole. It is also known with canvas bands to provide a metal clamping plate at one end, which is rotatably attached in an also metal holder member, and is provided with a clamping surface, edge or tooth for clamping the other end of the band or another portion thereof contiguous to it, against the holder member.  
           [0004]    The known belts have existed for a long time now, without considerable alterations having been made in them. The look of the belts always is the one of a flat elongated strip, only having a closing provision of another material at the ends. For leather belts the available colours are limited. For canvas belts various colours are possible, by weaving coloured threads into them or dying the band. The woven structure, however, remains of influence on the look, as a result of which these belts often look like a securing or lashing band. This impression is increased all the more because the free end of the canvas band is limp and often dangles from the hip downwards. With leather belts, that are more rigid, this will not happen so quickly, but the end may bulge to the outside.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    There is a need for a belt with a completely different look.  
           [0006]    There furthermore is a need for a belt that can easily be given almost any desired colour during manufacturing.  
           [0007]    There furthermore is a need for a belt that can be adjusted reliably.  
           [0008]    There furthermore is a need for a belt that can be assembled easily.  
           [0009]    There is furthermore need for a belt that has no sloppy projecting portions and has a neat appearance.  
           [0010]    Furthermore there is need for an assembly of belt and suspension aids to be attached to it.  
           [0011]    It is an object of the invention to provide in one or several of these needs.  
           [0012]    From one aspect the invention to that end provides a belt comprising an elongated band that is adapted to run circumferentially about the body of the wearer of the belt, which band at a first end is provided with first connection means and at the other, second end is provided with second connection means, wherein the first and the second connection means are adapted for detachable and adjustable connection to each other, wherein the belt is made of a synthetic modelling material.  
           [0013]    By selecting the material of the band from a synthetic modelling material there is great freedom in the choice of shape, colour and material, and the specific wishes of any group can be catered for. The expression “modelling material” as used in this specification is to be understood as a material that has been shaped from a plastic substance. Thus, the modelling material may be a wide,formed or moulded synthetic web from which the band is cut. Alternatively, the modelling material may be a long formed or moulded synthetic strip from which the band is cut transversely. It is also possible to form the belt itself by moulding, such as by extrusion or by injection moulding. In case of injection moulding, the band can be provided with a different profile lengthwise, for instance a thickened first end. In an embodiment the band is solid, that is that the band is not made of woven a material and comprises synthetic material throughout—the same material or two or more materials—for instance y coextrusion of two synthetic materials.  
           [0014]    It is also possible to provide the band with an outer side and inner side having a different course. The belt according to the invention can be given almost any wanted shape.  
           [0015]    The belt can be made of a thermoplastic elastomer, particularly a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, such as Hytrel®, such as type G4074 or G4078W. Such a material combines the flexibility of rubber, the strength of synthetic materials and the processability of thermoplasts. This material is ideal for use in belts, because of the bendability, strength against breaking and damage etc. For further information reference is made to the internetsite in question of the manufacturer E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or brochures on materials provided by that company.  
           [0016]    The second connection means may form a profiled surface, particularly a toothing, in one embodiment at the outer side of the belt. In an advantageous manner the second connection means here form a unity with the band, and may be formed as a unity with the band. The reliability of the fastening of the belt can be increased in this way. The manufacturing of the profiled surface can take place simultaneously with the forming of the band. There is also a lot of freedom in the design of the profiled surface.  
           [0017]    In a further development of the belt according to the invention the band at the first end is widened with respect to the second end, which can easily be realised when modelling the band. The widened end offers the possibility of accommodating various functions in it, such as a suspension means and an engagement means.  
           [0018]    At the first end the band can be provided with an accommodation space for the second end of the band, which accommodation space is situated at the inner side, and which is formed for complete accommodation of the portion of the second end extending beyond the first connection means. Thus it is achieved that the free end is covered by the first end and is kept confined in outward direction, so that pendulous or projecting free ends of adjustable belts are a thing of the past.  
           [0019]    In a further development of the belt according to the invention, the first connection means comprise a first locking device for locking engagement of the profiled surface. The first locking device can be movable between a locking position that lockingly engages the profiled surface and a release position, so that passage of the second end when placing and adjusting is facilitated.  
           [0020]    The first locking device can be pre-tensioned towards the locking position, as a result of which the locking is activated as if of its own accord.  
           [0021]    In a simple embodiment hereof the first locking device comprises a first lever. The first lever can have one or more teeth that engage the profiled surface, which teeth are situated at the side of the axis of the first lever, which side faces away from the first end. By movement of the lever the locking can be cancelled. More teeth can be provided for distributing the retaining force and increasing the locking activity.  
           [0022]    The first locking device can be made of a synthetic material as well, so that there is freedom in the choice of shape and colour, suited to the band. The first locking device preferably is made of Delrin®. For further information the internetsite in question of the manufacturer E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company is referred to. The first locking device may also be made of polyamide.  
           [0023]    In a further development of the belt according to the invention the first connection means comprise a driver for moving the second end with respect to the first end. The driver can be provided with one or more projections for engagement of the profiled surface on the second end of the band. Thus a separation is effected between the locking and the adjustment: for both actions a separate means is available.  
           [0024]    The driver can be placed between a free position, at least a first drive position engaging the profiled surface and from that position over a drive track for moving the second end past the first end to a selected second drive position, and from that position to the free position. During turning a permanent grip on the second end is ensured with several projections.  
           [0025]    In an embodiment the driver is pre-tensioned towards the free position.  
           [0026]    In a further embodiment the driver comprises a second lever, as a result of which adjusting can easily take place—with one hand—. Preferably the second lever has one or more teeth engaging the profiled surface, which teeth are situated at the side of the axis of the second lever that faces the first end.  
           [0027]    In an advantageous embodiment the second lever extends over the first lever, wherein the first lever forms a push button at the side of the axis that faces away from the teeth, which push button extends to the outside through an opening in the second lever, in which the push button is situated between both axes of both levers. As a result a compact arrangement is achieved, both levers can be reached by the fingers of a hand of the wearer.  
           [0028]    The driver can be made of a synthetic material, particularly Minlon®, preferably chromium-plated. For further information the internetsite in question of the manufacturer E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company is referred to.  
           [0029]    In a further development of the belt according to the invention the first connection means comprise a holder member, on which the other components of the first connection means have been arranged, and which defines a passage for the second end. The holder member can be of another material that the band, and be specifically adapted to the absorption of forces occurring when operating the connection means. The passage may end at the side facing away from the first end at the inner side of the band, wherein the band preferably has an accommodation space contiguous to the side of the passage of the holder member that faces away from the first end, so that the second end, as already mentioned above, can be confined and covered at the inner side of the band.  
           [0030]    The holder member can unite several functions, such as being provided with a suspension means, such as a suspension eye, at the side facing the first end.  
           [0031]    In case of using the aforementioned levers they can be attached in the holder member with their respective axes.  
           [0032]    In an embodiment the holder member is made of synthetic material, in particular a thermoplastic resin, preferably a thermoplastic polyester resin, in particular Rynite®. For further information the internetsite in question of the manufacturer E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company is referred to. The holder member may also be made of a polycarbonate having glass-fibre filling.  
           [0033]    In case the band and the holder member are manufactured by means of injection moulding, the first end of the band can be advantageously moulded around the holder member.  
           [0034]    Alternatively described, the holder member can be used as a mould for the first end of the band.  
           [0035]    A profound and sufficient connection between the band and holder member can be realised, particularly by means of a fuse connection.  
           [0036]    In a further development of the belt according to the invention, the band is provided with longitudinal profiles, particularly longitudinal grooves or longitudinal ribs, wherein the longitudinal profiles preferably are arranged on both sides of the band, preferably in a staggered manner. As a result the band can be used for accessories to slid on, for providing an additional function to the band as carrier means for all sorts of objects like a knife, bag etc.  
           [0037]    From a further aspect the invention to that end provides an accessory comprising an accommodation space, circumscribed by walls, for the band according to the invention having longitudinal profiles, wherein the walls are provided with profiles that are complementary to the longitudinal profiles of the band.  
           [0038]    The accessory, for instance made of synthetic material, may be provided with a hook, and possibly with a cover for the access to the hook. The cover and/or the hook preferably are resilient.  
           [0039]    From a further aspect the invention provides a belt comprising an elongated band that is adapted to run circumferentially about the body of a wearer of the belt, which band at one end is provided with first connection means and at the other end is provided with second connection means, wherein the first and the second connection means are adapted for detachable and adjustable connection to each other, wherein the second connection means form a profiled surface, preferably a toothing, preferably at the outer side of the belt.  
           [0040]    In an embodiment the second connection means form a unity with the band. They can be moulded as a unity with the band.  
           [0041]    From a further aspect the invention provides a belt comprising an elongated band that is adapted to run circumferentially about the body of a wearer of the belt, which belt at one end is provided with first connection means and at the other end is provided with second connection means, wherein the first and the second connection means are adapted for detachable and adjustable connection to each other, wherein the band at the first end is provided with an accommodation space for the second end of the band, which accommodation space is situated at the inner side. In an embodiment the accommodation space is formed for complete accommodation of the portion of the second end that extends beyond the first connection means. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0042]    The invention will be elucidated on the basis of the exemplary embodiment, not intended to limit the invention, shown in the attached drawings, in which:  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 1 shows a top view of a belt according to the invention;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-section of one end of the belt of FIG. 1, in longitudinal section;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the end of FIG. 2, according to arrow III;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively, show a view in perspective and a top view of a base or holder member in the end of FIGS. 2 and 3 of the belt of FIG. 1;  
         [0047]    FIGS.  5 A-D show consecutive stages of the belt of FIG. 1, the closing of the belt, the adjustment of the belt and the detaching of the belt, respectively;  
         [0048]    FIGS.  6 A-D show the stages of FIGS.  5 A-D in a different way;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIGS. 7A and 7B show a view and cross-section of a first embodiment of an accessory for the belt of the previous figures;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of an accessory for the belt of FIGS.  1 - 6 ; and  
         [0051]    [0051]FIGS. 9A and 9B show perspective views on a belt according to the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0052]    The belt  1  shown in FIG. 1 is elongated having a convex upper side and a flat lower side. The first end  3  comprises a widened head, in which are accommodated a base or holder member  6 , shown in the FIGS. 4A and 4B, with a suspension eye  7 , an adjustment lever  8  and a locking lever  9 . Near the engagement end  27  of the adjustment lever  8  a recess  10  is formed in the band  2  for facilitating its engagement.  
         [0053]    In the band  2  a longitudinal groove  11  a is integrally formed at the convex upper side.  
         [0054]    At the second end  4  that is formed as one unity with the band  2 , a pilot end  13  is formed, as well as teeth  12  situated behind it. The end  4  is smaller than the band  2 .  
         [0055]    By way of example, the band  2  may have a lenght of about 80 cm (size large), a width of about 3 cm and a thickness of about ½ cm. The first end  3  may have a length of about 8 cm, a largest width of about 4 cm and a largest thickness of about 2 cm. The second end  4  may have a length of about 20 cm, a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about ½ cm.  
         [0056]    In FIG. 2 the first end  3  is shown more clearly. The adjustment lever  8  is hinged about axis  26 , and has a thickened centre portion  20  there. The aforementioned engagement end  27  is the end of the lever arm  19 , which extends, as considered in the drawing, to the right from the centre portion  20 . To the other side an arm  23  extends, which is provided with a toothed profile having teeth  25   a  and  25   b . The lever arm  19  of the adjustment lever  8  is further provided with a passage  24 , the function of which will be discussed further. The adjustment lever  8  is furthermore tensioned by means of a spring ( 23 , see FIG. 4A) to the position shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0057]    The locking lever  9  is journalled about axis  17 , and has an arm  16 , that is provided with teeth  18   a  and  18   b , and an arm  14 , that is provided with a finger push surface  15 , that extends to the outside through the aforementioned recess  24  in the lever  8 . The locking lever  9  is furthermore tensioned by means of a spring ( 30 , see FIG. 4A) to the position shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0058]    As can be seen in FIG. 4A the axes  17  and  26  are bearing mounted in the holder base or member  6 , which is substantially U-shaped, having a bottom  31  and side walls  32   a  and  32   b . Said bottom  31  and side walls  32   a ,  32   b  define a channel, in the upper portion of which the aforementioned levers  8  and  9  are situated. Between the lever  8  and  9  and the bottom  31  a passage  29  is formed. With their end portions  32   c,d , the side walls  32   a,b  form projecting wings, on which the axis  17  has been arranged. Also the bottom  31  projects with portion  31   a , that is separated from the wings  32   c,d  by recesses.  
         [0059]    As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the band  2  is formed with a longitudinal cavity or tunnel  28  near and in the first end  3  of the belt  1 , which cavity is situated at the inner side of the band  2  and is contiguous to the passage  29 . The length of the tunnel  28  may be about 12 cm, starting at the holder member  6 . The depth of the tunnel  28  decreases gradually in a direction away from the holder member  6 , more or less parallel to the contour in longtudinal direction of the belt surface at the opposite side. Furthermore it can be seen that the band material extends beyond over the wings  32   c  and  d  with portions  60 , and subsequently with thin pendulous edge  60   a , to close off the space towards the lever  8  as much as possible. At the location of the circumferentially continuous U-profile the holder member  6 , the band material somewhat merges into the narrow bottom strips (not shown) at the lower side of the bottom  31 .  
         [0060]    In FIG. 5A a moment is shown in which the second end  4  is slid into the direction D in the first end  3 , wherein the second end  4  is slid over the bottom  31 , through the passage  29 . The arm  16  of the locking lever  9  having teeth  18   a  and  18   b  can move out of the away in direction H, helped here by the oblique planes  12   a , but the arm  16  will be urged down by the spring  30  into a profound engagement with the toothing  12  to prevent displacement of the band end  4  in opposite direction. When the band  2  is not slid in the direction D, FIG. 5A can also show the situation during wearing the belt  1 .  
         [0061]    The teeth  25   a ,  25   b  of the adjustment lever  8  leave the passage  29  free. The lower edges  35  of the adjustment lever  8  fit onto the side edges  34  of the locking lever  9 . When the user wishes to make the loop formed by the circumferential belt  1  smaller, the user takes the end  19  of the adjustment lever  8  and pulls it upwards un the direction C (FIG. 5B), wherein the lever  8  rotates about axis  26 . The teeth  25   a ,  25   b  then subsequently come into engagement with consecutive teeth in the toothing  12 , wherein as a result of the rotation in the direction C the movement, considered in the drawing, is made to the right on the toothing  12 , so that the second end  4  slides in the direction E. The maximum path of travel is reached in the straight upward position of the lever  8 , shown in FIG. 5C. Then the second tooth  25   b  is active as well. When the user releases the lever  8  it will automatically rotate back to the initial position in the direction I as a result of the action of spring  33 . It can be seen that the toothing  12  slides in the direction E of the passage  29  in the passage  28 , and remains covered by the band  2  in the outward direction. The second end  2  accomodated in the tunnel  28  is confined in sideward direction by the walls  28   a  of the tunnel  28 .  20   
         [0062]    The user can do all this with one hand.  
         [0063]    When the user wishes to relax or loosen the belt  1  he pushes the button  15  of the lever  8  with his finger, as a result of which a downward force (F) is exerted on the lever arm  14  of the locking lever  9 , so that it tilts in the direction J about the axis  17 . The arm  16  will then move upward (K), wherein the teeth  18   a  and  18   b  are released from the toothing  12  of the second end  4  of the belt  1 . At that moment the toothing  12  is free from both levers  8  and  9 , and when either the other hand pulls the band  2  as considered in the drawing somewhat to the left, or by tensioning the belly by the wearer, the toothing  12  will move on the second end  4  in the direction L, until the wanted next position is reached or the second end  4  has come entirely loose from the first end  3 .  
         [0064]    The FIGS.  6 A-D subsequently show how the second end  4  is slid in the direction D in the first end  3  by means of the pilot edge  13 , how subsequently in FIG. 6C the adjustment takes place and how finally in FIG. 6D the connection is detached.  
         [0065]    In FIGS. 7A and 7B a first embodiment is shown of a suspension clip that can be slid onto the band  2 . The suspension clip  40  has a first leg  41  and a second leg  42 , that has been turned with a hook member  43 . Between the legs  41  and  42  an accommodation space  44  is formed, and between the leg  42  and the hook member  43  a suspension space  45 . The suspension space  45  is upwardly covered by a lip  46 . Either the lip  46  and/or the hook  43  are resilient, to make access of the cavities loop to the hook space  45  possible.  
         [0066]    The leg  41  is provided with ribs  47   b  and  47   c , and the leg  42  of the rib  47   a  situated between them. The rib  47   a  fits in the longitudinal groove  11   a  shown in FIG. 1. The ribs  47   b  and  47   c  fit in the longitudinal grooves that are formed in the other side of the band (see FIG. 8).  
         [0067]    The suspension clip  40  can simply be slid over the second end  4  in longitudinal direction on the band  2 , until the desired place has been reached.  
         [0068]    The suspension clip shown in FIG. 8 can be compared to the one of the FIGS. 7A and 7B, wherein in FIG. 8 the position of the band  2  has been indicated in the mounted situation. The band  1  is not only provided with a longitudinal groove  11   a , but also with longitudinal grooves  11   b  and  11   c  formed at the opposite plane, in which grooves the ribs  57   b  and  57   c  extend. With the turned lower end  58  of the leg  51  the clip  50  engages about the lower edge of the band  2 .  
         [0069]    The band  2  including second end  4  and widened portion  3  has been formed as one solid whole out of a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, by means of injection moulding. The synthetic material preferably is Hytrel®, for instance G4074 or G4078W. In the injection mould the holder member  6  can first be moulded or placed, which holder member  6  may be manufactured of synthetic material, particularly Rynite®. Said synthetic material has a melting point of somewhere between 250-300° C. After it has been formed and has cooled off a little in the mould, the Hytrel® for the band  2  can be supplied onto it. Hytrel® has a lower melting point, and during the moulding process makes a fuse connection with the holder member  6 . No additional action is needed then for attaching both parts to each other.  
         [0070]    Both levers  8  and  9  as well can be made of synthetic material, such as Minlon® and Delrin®, respectively.  
         [0071]    It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention.