Abstract:
The disclosed device enhances the aesthetic appearance of a belt when worn by a person with a pelvic tilt. The device works by changing the angle of the belt buckle to ensure proper orientation of the belt buckle. The device ensures proper orientation by securing a wedge to a belt in a position behind the buckle. The wedge pushes the bottom of the belt buckle out, counteracting downturn of the buckle caused by pelvic tilt.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/276,591, filed Jan. 8, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of belts and belt accessories and more particularly to devices used to adjust the angle of a belt buckle in relation to the orientation of the person wearing the invention. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many people have a condition known as a pelvic tilt. A pelvic tilt is the frontward rotation of the hips. This forward rotation results in the waist being tilted forward and the front portion of the waist pointing slightly downward. When someone with the pelvic tilt wears a belt, the top of the belt pushes forward with the tilt and the front of the belt and buckle face down. 
         [0004]    A solution to this problem is to push out the bottom of the belt. By pushing out the bottom of the belt, the front of the belt and buckle will remain vertical while worn. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The disclosed device, referred to herein as the belt wedge, is used to push out the bottom of the belt. By doing so the belt wedge straightens the position of the belt and buckle, compensating for pelvic tilt. In some embodiments, the belt wedge is fastened to the belt using belt jewelry. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the belt wedge is secured to the belt with a butterfly clutch. The butterfly clutch is comprised of a stud and a clasp. The stud penetrates the belt and belt wedge then removably interfaces with the clasp. 
         [0007]    The stud includes a face with a rearwardly-protruding notched post. In some embodiments, the notched post is triangular. To affix the stud to the belt and belt wedge, the notched post is inserted through the front of the belt, penetrating a belt hole. The belt hole is aligned with a penetration in the belt wedge through which the notched post must pass. After passing through belt and belt wedge, the notched post protrudes beyond the belt wedge. The protruding portion of the notched post is inserted into a triangular hole in the clasp. The locking arms of the clasp interface with the notched post, locking the mechanism in place. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments the belt wedge is made of a flexible material such as rubber, leather, or silicon. In other embodiments, the belt wedge is made of more rigid materials such as plastic, wood, or metal. 
         [0009]    In other embodiments, an artistic design or piece of jewelry is included on the face. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of the belt wedge in use on a belt; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates the belt wedge of the first embodiment aligned with the holes of the belt; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment of the belt wedge where the wedge is inflatable; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of a third embodiment of the belt wedge where the belt wedge is attached via a clip; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a rear view of a fourth embodiment of the belt wedge where the wedge is attached to the belt via a butterfly clutch; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the fourth embodiment with the stud removed; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the fourth embodiment with stud inserted; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of the clasp showing the triangular hole; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates a rear view of the clasp showing the release clips; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates a rear view of the stud showing the notched post that mates with the clasp to secure the belt wedge to the belt; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates the stud interfacing with the clasp; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates a clevis and cotter pin attachment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  illustrates an e-clip attachment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  illustrates a friction back attachment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  illustrates a screw back attachment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  illustrates a  1   a  pousette attachment ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  illustrates a fifth embodiment of the belt wedge. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the belt wedge  1  is shown in use on a belt  2 . The belt wedge  1  is shaped to be thicker on the bottom  34  and thinner on the top  32 . The belt wedge  1  can be made of silicon or any other suitably flexible material. The larger bottom  34  of the wedge  1  acts to push out the bottom of a belt  2  and belt buckle  4  to provide a more aesthetically pleasing look. 
         [0030]    In the first embodiment, the belt wedge  1  is positioned behind the belt tip  3 . When the belt  2  is unbuckled, the belt tip  3  is the opposite end of the belt  2  as compared to the belt buckle  4 . The belt wedge  1  and belt tip  3  pass through the frame  5  of the belt buckle  4 . To buckle the belt  2 , the prong  6  passes through a penetration  8  of the belt wedge  1  and then through a corresponding prong hole  9  in the belt tip  3 . 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the belt wedge  1  is affixed to the belt tip  3 . In other embodiments, the belt wedge  1  is secured via the frame  5  and the prong  6  passing through the prong hole  9  and penetration  8 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the belt wedge  1  and the belt tip  3  are shown disengaged from the belt buckle  4 . The belt wedge  1  is aligned with the prong holes  9  on the belt tip  3  so that the prong  6  may pass through both the wedge  1  and the belt  2 . By positioning the wedge  1  through the frame  5 , the wedge  1  has the greatest effect on the angle of the belt buckle  4 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of the belt wedge  1  is shown. In this embodiment, the belt wedge  1  is inflatable. An inflatable belt wedge  1  allows for the end user to determine their preferred angle of the belt buckle  4 . In this embodiment, the angle of lift will increase as air in the wedge  1  increases. The end user can add air or release air via an inflation valve  11  on one side of the wedge  1 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments having the inflatable wedge  1 , the wedge is secured to the belt  2  by passing the prong  6  through a penetration  8  in the wedge  1 . The prong  6  then passes through a corresponding hole  9  in the belt tip  3  before interfacing with the frame  5  of the belt buckle  4 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a third embodiment of the belt wedge  1  is shown. In this embodiment, the belt wedge  1  is held in place via a clip  12 . The belt wedge  1  is secured to the front of a wearer&#39;s pants with the clip  12 . Then, the wearer puts on the belt  2  with the buckle  4  positioned to rest on the front of the belt wedge  1 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the clip  12  is combined with the inflatable wedge of the third embodiment. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a rear view of a fourth embodiment of the belt wedge  1  is shown. In this embodiment, the belt wedge  1  is removably attached to the belt  2  adjacent to the buckle  4  and the wedge  1  extends out at least to the end of the frame  5 . In order to attach the wedge  1  to the belt  2 , a stud hole  10  is made in the belt  2  near the buckle  4 . 
         [0038]    The wedge  1  may be attached by any suitable means. Examples of removable attachments include a butterfly clutch, an e-clip, clevis and cotter pin, a friction back, a screw back, and a  1   a  pousette. The wedge  1  may also be permanently attached to a belt  2 . Examples of permanent attachments are glue, rivets, or building a wedge into the leather of a belt. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows the fourth embodiment using the butterfly clutch  13  attachment. A butterfly clutch  13  includes a stud  14  and clasp  16 . The stud  14  includes a face  24  and a notched post  22 . The notched post  22  secures the belt wedge  1  to the belt  2  by passing through the stud hole  10  and a penetration  8 . 
         [0040]    In this embodiment, the placement of the wedge  1  near the buckle  4  results in the wedge  1  extending behind the frame  5  of the buckle  4 . 
         [0041]    Then, the clasp  16  fits over the notched post  22  and the clips  20  interlock with the notches  23 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a front view of the fourth embodiment is shown with the stud  14  removed. With the stud  14  removed, the stud hole  10  is visible in the belt  2  near the buckle  4 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a front view of the fourth embodiment is shown with the stud  14  inserted through the stud hole  10  and the notched post  22  interfacing with the clasp  13 . In some embodiments, the stud  14  has an artistic design or piece of jewelry on the face  24 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a front view of the clasp  16  is shown with stud  14  removed. In some embodiments of the belt wedge  1 , the clasp  16  has a triangular hole  18 . In embodiments with an artistic design or piece of jewelry on the face  24 , the orientation of the stud  14  is maintained by the triangular hole  18 . The notched post  22 , which is also triangular (see  FIG. 10 ), mates with the triangular hole  18 . The triangular shape prevents rotation of the stud  14 . 
         [0045]    In other embodiments, other shapes will work to maintain the orientation of the face  24 . For example, polygons or shapes with at least one flat side will maintain the orientation of the face  24  relative to the belt  2 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a rear view of the clasp  16  is shown. The clasp  16  is attached to or removed from the notched post  22  by pinching the two clips  20  together. The clips  20  are anchored at opposing sides of the clasp  16 . Each clip  20  presses against one-half of the notched post  22 . When the clips  20  are squeezed, the clips  20  move away from the sides of the notched post  22 , freeing the notched post  22  from the clasp  16 . The notched post  22  is then free to slide through the opening  17 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a rear view of the stud  14  illustrating the triangular notched post  22  is shown. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , the stud  14  and clasp  16  are shown in locked position completing the butterfly clutch  13  attachment. In this position, the clips  20  interface with notches  23  on the notched post  22 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , a clevis pin  40  with cotter pin  42  is shown. The clevis pin  40  passes through the stud hole  10  and penetration  8  (not shown) and the cotter pin  42  interfaces with a hole  44  in the clevis pin  40  to secure the wedge  1  to the belt  2 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , an e-clip assembly  45  is shown. The post  46  of the e-clip assembly  45  passes through the stud hole  10  and penetration  8  (not shown) to secure the wedge  1  to the belt  2 . The e-clip  48  then interfaces with a groove  50  on the post  46 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , a friction back assembly  51  is shown. A friction back assembly  51  consists of a flat plate  52  with a hole  54  the size of the post  56 . The flat plate  52  has two scrolls of metal  58 . In embodiments using a friction back assembly  51 , the post  56  extends through the stud hole  10  and the penetration  8  (not shown). The flat plate  52  is pushed onto the post  56  and the scrolls of metal  58  engage with the post  56  to secure the wedge  1  to the belt  2 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , a screw back assembly  60  is shown. In embodiments using a screw back assembly  60 , the post  62  is threaded on one end  63 . The wedge  1  is secured by passing the post  62  through the stud hole and the penetration  8  (not shown), then placing the cap  64  on the post  62 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , a  1   a  pousette  66  is shown. The  1   a  pousette  66  uses a spring mechanism  68  and connections  70  that interface with a notch  72  on the post  74 . Depressing the spring mechanisms  68  releases the connections  70  from the notch  72 . The post  74  passes through the stud hole  10  and penetration  8  (not shown) and the spring mechanism  68  engages with the notch  72  to secure the wedge  1  to the belt  2 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , a fifth embodiment of the belt wedge  1  is shown. In this embodiment, the buckle  4  acts as the wedge. The frame  5  of the buckle  4  is wider on the bottom to create the wedge shape and change the resting angle of the buckle  4  so that the buckle  4  remains vertical while worn. 
         [0055]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0056]    It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.