Abstract:
The belt with interchangeable accessories is formed of a soft, resilient elastomer and includes a series of notches along its upper and lower edges. An accessory or accessories is/are adapted for removable and interchangeable installation on the belt. Each accessory has a pair of elastic loops extending from the back thereof. Each loop passes through corresponding notches of the belt to secure the accessory removably to the belt. The accessories may comprise a large number of different configurations, e.g., two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations, storage compartments for makeup or other purposes, mirrors or other reflective surfaces, electrically lighted displays, etc. A removable buckle is provided. The rearward portion of the buckle has a passage therethrough, the passage gripping one end of the belt therein. The overlying portion of the buckle has a channel and openable cover for removably securing the opposite end of the belt in the resulting passage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to apparel, and particularly to a belt having one or more decorative accessories that may be installed, removed, and/or interchanged upon the belt. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Ornamental embellishments and attachments for apparel have been known since prehistoric times. There appears to be a natural desire on the part of virtually all people to enhance their appearance in some manner to provide a distinctive and eye catching appearance. The manufacture and sale of various ornaments for temporary attachment to conventional articles of clothing is evidence of this trait. 
         [0005]    Perhaps the other side of this trait is the nearly universal desire to clothe and cover the body in some manner. As clothing and apparel have evolved, separate garments for the upper and lower portions of the body were developed. Generally, the wear of pants, slacks, shorts, etc. requires a belt or the like around the waist to support the pants on the hips of the wearer. Belts may be used as well for the temporary or permanent attachment of various articles, e.g., tools, cell phone pouches, military hardware and equipment, etc. 
         [0006]    Belts as such are utilitarian articles, with little or no ornamental embellishment. However, it is known to decorate some belts (particularly leather belts) with permanent ornamentation, and/or to provide a decorative buckle for the belt. Although such decorative buckles are generally removable and interchangeable, the decor (if any) of the belt per se cannot be changed or modified in such situations. 
         [0007]    Thus, a belt with interchangeable accessories solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The belt with interchangeable accessories includes a belt formed of a resilient elastomer material such as silicone plastic or rubber, and at least one accessory that may be removably attached thereto. The belt includes a series of notches along its upper and lower edges, and the accessory includes upper and lower elastic loops that pass through corresponding upper and lower notches to secure the accessory to the belt. The outer surface of the belt, i.e., the surface normally exposed when the belt is worn, includes a receptacle for seating a corresponding button or protrusion on the back of the accessory. The elastic loops extend from this button or protrusion. The inner surface of the belt, i.e., the belt surface immediately adjacent to the underlying clothing when the belt is worn, includes a series of upper and lower lateral grooves or channels, with the elastic loops of the accessory residing in the channels when installed upon the belt. 
         [0009]    There are no specific limitations regarding the configuration of the accessory, other than that its size must be compatible with the dimensions of each attachment position on the belt. The accessories may comprise relatively simple two-dimensional pictures (photos, artwork, etc.) and may be covered by a transparent protective coating (epoxy, etc.). Alternatively, the accessories may be formed in bas-relief of a series of laminations of plastic material (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, etc.) to provide a three-dimensional effect. Other accessories may include storage compartments for makeup or for the containment of other articles or material. A mirror or other reflective surface may be provided with such an accessory. Another alternative would be to equip the accessory with an electrically illuminated display, e.g., LEDs or other principle of illumination, and a small electrical storage cell or battery for power. Additional alternatives may be provided as well. 
         [0010]    A removable buckle is provided for the belt. The buckle includes a rear passage into which or through which a first end of the belt is passed. A hinged clasp pivots down over the portion of the belt in the passage, with the clasp having a series of inwardly oriented teeth to grip the belt and prevent relative movement between the belt and the buckle. The opposite front, or outward facing, portion of the buckle has a selectively open channel with a hinged cover defining a passage when the cover is closed over the channel. The opposite second end of the belt is placed in the channel, and the cover is secured to capture the belt in the resulting passage. The inner surface of the cover includes a pair of spaced apart pins that engage corresponding notches along the edges of the belt, to prevent movement of the second end of the belt relative to the buckle. 
         [0011]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a belt with interchangeable accessories according to the present invention, illustrating its general configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the belt with interchangeable accessories according to the present invention, illustrating the belt and a plurality of interchangeable accessories therewith. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of the outer surface of a portion of the belt with interchangeable accessories according to the present invention, illustrating an interchangeable accessory partially attached thereto. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view of the inner surface of a portion of the belt with interchangeable accessories according to the present invention, illustrating an interchangeable accessory completely attached thereto. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  is an exploded perspective view of the inner surface of a first end of the belt with interchangeable accessories according to the present invention and the buckle associated therewith, showing the means for attaching the buckle to the first end of the belt. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the inner surface of the belt with interchangeable accessories according to the present invention, showing the first end of the belt inserted into the buckle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of the inner surface of the belt with interchangeable accessories according to the present invention, showing the completed installation of the buckle upon the first end of the belt. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5D  is a perspective view of the outer surface of the belt with interchangeable accessories according to the present invention, showing the means for removably and adjustably securing the second end of the belt in the buckle. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5E  is a perspective view of the belt with interchangeable accessories according to the present invention, illustrating the completed installation and closure of the buckle upon the belt. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The belt with interchangeable accessories includes a belt adapted for the removable installation of one or more decorative accessories thereto.  FIG. 1  of the drawings provides an environmental perspective view of an exemplary belt  10  having a plurality of removably installed and interchangeable accessories  12   a  through  12   d  installed thereon, with  FIG. 2  providing a more detailed perspective view of the belt  10  with various accessories  12   a  and  12   e  attached thereto and other accessories  12   f  and  12   g  separated therefrom. 
         [0023]    The belt  10  shown in detail in  FIG. 2  comprises a flexible, elongate strap having an upper edge  14   a  and opposite lower edge  14   b,  an outer surface  16   a  and opposite inner surface  16   b,  and a first end  18   a  and opposite second end  18   b.  The belt or strap  10  is formed as a unitary component in a continuous unbroken length and is preferably formed of an elastomer such as silicone plastic or the like, although other materials may be used as desired. 
         [0024]    The belt or strap  10  includes a plurality of segments  20 , with exemplary segments being shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 3 through 5E . The segments  20  are defined by a corresponding series of notches  22   a  and  22   b  formed respectively in the upper and lower edges  14   a  and  14   b  of the belt or strap  10 , with the notches  22   a  and  22   b  providing for the removable attachment of the accessories thereto as described in detail further below. Each of the segments  20  includes a receptacle  24  formed in the outer surface  16   a  of the belt or strap  10 , i.e., the surface disposed away from the wearer of the belt  10  when the belt is being worn. The opposite inner surface  16   b,  i.e., the surface adjacent the clothing of the wearer when the belt is being worn, includes laterally disposed upper and lower channels, respectively  26   a  and  26   b,  across each of the segments  20  and extending between corresponding pairs of the respective notches  20   a  and  20   b.    
         [0025]    The removable and interchangeable attachment of the accessories to the belt or strap  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , with  FIG. 3  showing the front or outer side  16   a  of the belt or strap  10  and  FIG. 4  illustrating the completed installation of an accessory from the rear or inner side  16   b  of the belt or strap  10 . The attachment face of a generic accessory  12  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , with it being understood that the accessory  12  of  FIG. 3  may represent any of the specific accessories  12   a  through  12   g  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  or other accessory configurations as desired. Each of the accessories, e.g., the accessory  12  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , has a back surface or attachment face  28  with a button  30  protruding therefrom. The button  30  is configured to seat within a corresponding receptacle  24  in the front or outer surface  16   a  of the belt or strap  10  when the accessory  12  is installed upon the belt. 
         [0026]    The button  30  includes a pair of spaced apart passages, respectively  32   a  and  32   b , therethrough, shown in broken lines in  FIG. 3 . The passages  32   a  and  32   b  are oriented substantially vertically when the accessory  12  is installed upon the belt or strap  10  and the belt is being worn about the waist of a standing person. An endless elastic cord or band  34  is installed through the button passages  32   a  and  32   b,  with the cord or band  34  having upper and lower elastic loops, respectively  36   a  and  36   b,  extending from the button  30 . (It will be seen that the accessory  12  is inverted as shown in  FIG. 3 , with the upper elastic loop  36   a  being shown below the lower elastic loop  36   b .) The accessory  12  is removably installed upon the belt or strap  10  by stretching the upper elastic loop  36   a  to seat in the corresponding upper notches  22   a  of one of the belt segments  20 , and seating the button  30  of the accessory  12  in the receptacle  23  of the belt segment. The lower elastic loop  36   b  is then stretched to seat in the corresponding lower notches  22   b  of the belt or strap  10  to complete the accessory installation. Removal of the accessory  12  is essentially the reverse of the above-described installation procedure. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  provides a rear view of the belt or strap  10  showing the completed installation of the accessory  12  thereto. The back or inner surface  16   b  of the belt or strap  10  includes parallel, spaced apart upper and lower channels  26   a  and  26   b  extending between corresponding upper and lower notches  22   a  and  22   b,  as noted further above. These channels  26   a  and  26   b  serve to contain the respective upper and lower loops  36   a  and  36   b  of the elastic cord  34  ( FIG. 3 ) so that they do not protrude above the inner surface  16   b  of the belt or strap  10 . This greatly reduces wear and tear on the loops  36   a  and  36   b,  and provides greater comfort for the person wearing the belt  10  when such accessories  12  are installed thereon. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 5A through 5E  provide details of a fastening member  38 , such as a buckle  38 , developed for use with the belt or strap  10 . The buckle  38  essentially includes two joined portions, with each portion adapted to grip a portion of the belt or strap  10  therein. The rear portion  40  of the buckle  38  includes a first strap passage  42  disposed laterally therethrough, with the passage  42  being defined by a rear wall  44 . A clasp  46  is hinged across the rear wall  44 , with the clasp  46  forming a portion of the rear wall  44  and defining a portion of the first strap passage  42  when closed. The clasp  46  includes a plurality of belt gripping teeth  48  that extend inwardly to grip the belt  10  when the belt is inserted into the first strap passage  42  and the clasp is closed over the belt. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 5A through 5C  illustrate the placement of the first end  18   a  of the belt or strap  10  into the first strap passage  42  of the buckle  38 , and the securing of the belt or strap  10  therein. Initially, the clasp  46  is opened and the first end  18   a  of the belt or strap  10  is inserted into the first or rear strap passage  42 . When the first end  18   a  of the belt or strap  10  has been passed through the first or rear strap passage  42  for a suitable distance, the clasp  46  is closed, with the teeth  48  of the clasp  46  engaging the material of the belt or strap  10 . A force on the belt or strap  10  in a direction opposite to the insertion direction has the effect of urging the clasp  46  more tightly closed, due to the orientation of the clasp teeth  48  and the hinge line of the clasp  46 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5D and 5E  illustrate the adjustable placement of the opposite portion of the belt or strap  10  in the buckle  38 . The buckle  38  includes a front portion  50  overlying the rear portion  40 , for the adjustable placement of the second end  18   b  therein (or placement of a portion of the belt adjacent to the second end). The front portion  50  of the buckle  38  has a lateral channel  52  disposed therethrough, with a hinged cover  54  attached along one edge of the channel  52 . The cover  54  includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of, inwardly disposed pins  56  adapted to engage corresponding notches  22   a  and/or  22   b  of the belt or strap  10  when the belt or strap has been placed in the channel  52  and the cover  54  closed thereover. The cover  54  and channel  52  define a second strap passage  58  when the cover is selectively closed over the channel. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5D  illustrates the initial placement of the second end  18   b,  or adjacent portion, of the belt or strap  10  in the front portion  50  of the buckle  38 . A selected portion of the belt or strap  10  is placed in the channel  52  of the front portion of the buckle, and positioned such that the pins  56  of the cover  54  will pass through corresponding upper notches  22   a  of the belt or strap  10  when the cover  54  is closed. Additional pins, not shown, may be provided to engage the lower notches  22   b  in addition to or in lieu of the pins  56  illustrated. The cover  54  is then pivoted upward from its hinge line to position the pins  56  through the selected notches  22   a  of the belt or strap  10 . The cover  54  is closed to define the second or front strap passage  58 , as shown in  FIG. 5E  of the drawings. 
         [0032]    The various interchangeable accessories generally described further above may comprise practically any configuration. All of the accessories have certain common features, such as the rear surface  28  with its protruding button  30  and elastic cord  34 . Each of the accessories further has a front decorative face that is exposed for viewing when the belt or strap is properly worn with the accessories properly attached as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . For example, the interchangeable accessory  12   a  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  has a front decorative face  60   a  formed by laminating two or more sheets of plastic material to one another to create a three dimensional built-up configuration. In the exemplary accessory  12   a,  it will be seen that an upper layer or sheet having a configuration representing a sports jersey or T-shirt has been applied to the underlying surface. The exemplary accessory  12   b  of  FIG. 1  is similarly constructed, with the front face  60   b  having a three-dimensional bas-relief representation of a sports ball thereon. Multiple laminations may be constructed as desired, to form any practicable configuration or representation. 
         [0033]    Two-dimensional representations may be applied to the various accessories, as in the exemplary accessories  12   c  and  12   d  of  FIG. 1 . Each of these accessories includes a front face, respectively  60   c  and  60   d,  comprising a two-dimensional representation that has been coated with a transparent protective coating (e.g., epoxy, plastic, etc.). The two-dimensional representations may comprise different monograms as shown, photographs or caricatures, etc., as desired. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  provides a more detailed view of the front face  60   e  of an interchangeable accessory  12   e  attached to the belt or strap  10 . The exemplary accessory  12   e  has a front face  60   e  comprising or including a reflective surface or the like.  FIG. 2  also illustrates further accessory embodiments  12   f  and  12   g.  The interchangeable accessory  12   f  includes a back portion  28   f  with a front face  60   f  hingedly attached thereto. The back portion  28   f  and front face  60   f  define a storage compartment when they are closed. The storage compartment may include a mirror or mirrors, make-up, and/or other articles as desired. The interchangeable accessory  12   g  may have a front face  60   g  comprising an electrically illuminated display of some sort. Examples include smart phones, miniaturized computer games, GPS receivers and displays, etc. The interchangeable accessories may comprise or include myriad variations and embodiments as desired, with limitation imposed only by practicable size and weight limits. 
         [0035]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.