Patent Publication Number: US-11659880-B2

Title: Hands-free utility belt

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/266,504, filed on Feb. 4, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Continuation patent application Ser. No. 15/808,744, filed Nov. 9, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,231,500, issued Mar. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/414,495, filed Jan. 24, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,839,248, issued Dec. 12, 2017), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally concerns utility belts. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hands-free utility belt. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Utility belts and leashes may be used to connect a user to something else, which could be stationary (e.g., a wall or floor, such as for safety during a construction project or extreme sports), or non-stationary (e.g., another person during extreme sports or athletic training, or a pet or child for safety and control). However, existing utility belts and leashes are bulky and severely limit the user&#39;s range of motion. Many such belts or leashes are one-dimensional and lack functionality and efficiency, which results in frustration and inconvenience, wasted time, decreased safety and control. Examples of leash systems include fabric leashes attached to belts using clip systems. Although “hands-free”, these designs do not offer 360-degree rotation of the leash around the user&#39;s waist. As such, the user&#39;s range of motion continues to be limited. Moreover, when used to walk a dog while the user walks or runs, these designs may be dangerous if the dog suddenly stops or moves from one side of the user to the other. If more than one dog leash is attached to the belt, the leashes can become tangled. Because the leash does not rotate around the belt, any such movement may pull the user off-balance and cause the user to trip, fall, or be moved into the path of traffic or other dangerous situation. 
     Previous attempts to improve such systems include the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2015/0013619, entitled “Pet Leash Belt Device”, by Robert J. Kahana, Jr., which discloses a fabric belt worn by pet owners and features a sliding ring mechanism on which the wearer secures a standard pet leash. Although this design improves functionality by allowing increased range of motion, it lacks customization, durability and strength, and versatility for use in applications other than as a pet leash. 
     The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems identified above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary utility belt system; 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates a perspective view of an outer sheath of the utility belt system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  2 B  illustrates a perspective view of an inner C-ring tube of the utility belt system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  2 C  illustrates a partial side view of a male locking mechanism of the inner C-ring tube of  FIG.  2 B ; 
         FIG.  2 D  illustrates a partial perspective view of a female locking mechanism of the inner C-ring tube of  FIG.  2 B ; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of an assembled and locked utility belt system of  FIG.  2 B ; 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates an exploded side view of a ball bearing and joint of the utility belt system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates a side view of a fully assembled ball bearing and joint of the utility belt system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a perspective view of the assembled utility belt system of  FIG.  1    including the assembled ball bearing and joint of  FIG.  4 B ; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a perspective view of a first extender assembly; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a perspective view of a second extender assembly; 
         FIG.  8 A  illustrates a perspective view of a first alternative locking mechanism in an unlocked position; 
         FIG.  8 B  illustrates a front view of the alternative locking mechanism of  FIG.  8 A  in a locked position; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a front view of a second alternative locking mechanism in a locked position; 
         FIG.  10 A  illustrates a perspective view of a leash coupled to the assembled ball bearing and joint of  FIG.  4 B  in a locked position; 
         FIG.  10 B  illustrates a perspective view of a leash coupled to the assembled ball bearing and joint of  FIG.  4 B  in an unlocked position; and 
         FIG.  10 C  illustrates a partial perspective view of a ball bearing fastener of the leash assembly of  FIG.  10 A  coupled to the assembled ball bearing and joint of  FIG.  4 B . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a utility belt comprises a belt track including a first belt section coupled to a second belt section by a locking mechanism. The utility belt further comprises a ball bearing assembly having a ball bearing and a joint. The ball bearing rotates about the belt track. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a utility belt comprises a belt track and a ball bearing assembly. The belt track includes a first belt section having a first male locking mechanism and a first female locking mechanism. The belt track further includes a second belt section coupled to the first belt section having a second male locking mechanism and a second female locking mechanism. The first male locking mechanism connects to the second female locking mechanism. The second male locking mechanism connects to the first female locking mechanism. The ball bearing assembly has a ball bearing and a joint. The ball bearing rotates about the belt track. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a utility belt comprises a belt track, a ball bearing assembly, and an extender assembly. The belt track includes a first belt section having a first male locking mechanism and a first female locking mechanism. The belt track further includes a second belt section having a second male locking mechanism and a second female locking mechanism. The first and second male locking mechanisms each includes a top lock button and a bottom lock button. The first and second female locking mechanisms each includes a plurality of top apertures and a plurality of bottom apertures. The first male locking mechanism connects to the second female locking mechanism when the top lock button of the first male locking mechanism protrudes through one of the plurality of top apertures of the second female locking mechanism, and the bottom lock button of the first male locking mechanism protrudes through one of the plurality of bottom apertures of the second female locking mechanism. The second male locking mechanism connects to the first female locking mechanism when the top lock button of the second male locking mechanism protrudes through one of the plurality of top apertures of the first female locking mechanism, and the bottom lock button of the second male locking mechanism protrudes through one of the plurality of bottom apertures of the first female locking mechanism. The first belt section and the second belt section each comprises an outer sheath and an inner tube. The inner tube including a plurality of C-shaped rings. The ball bearing assembly has a ball bearing and a joint. The ball bearing rotates about the belt track. An extender assembly is coupled to the belt track and includes at least one connector and at least one spacer. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings and in operation, the present invention overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known utility belts. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description of the presently invention is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , an exploded view of an exemplary utility belt system is shown. A utility belt system  100  includes a first belt section  102  and a second belt section  104 . Although the exemplary utility belt system  100  includes two sections, it is contemplated that any number of sections could be used to achieve the desired amount of flexibility and comfort of utility belt system  100 . Utility belt system  100  may additionally include a ball bearing and joint  106 . Optionally, an extender assembly comprised of connectors  108  and spacers  110  may be used (see also  FIGS.  6 - 7   ). 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 A , a perspective view of an outer sheath of the utility belt system of  FIG.  1    is shown. First belt section  102  of  FIG.  1    corresponds to an outer sheath  202 , and second belt section  104  of  FIG.  1    corresponds to an outer sheath  204 . Outer sheaths  202 ,  204  each include a rigid, flat backbone  206  connected to a flexible C-shaped track  208 . Outer sheaths  202 ,  204  may be comprised of any sturdy yet flexible material, including, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other synthetic plastic polymers. Outer sheaths  202 ,  204  each further include a plurality of sheath apertures, one of which is labeled  210 . In the exemplary embodiment, each outer sheath  202 ,  204  includes four sheath apertures  210 , but it is contemplated that any number of sheath apertures  210  may be included on each outer sheath  202 ,  204 . In some embodiments, outer sheaths  202 ,  204  may be covered in an additional sleeve (not shown) comprised of another material, including by way of example and not limitation, nylon to provide enhanced comfort for the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 B , a perspective view of inner C-ring tubes of the utility belt system  100  of  FIG.  1    is shown. First belt section  102  of  FIG.  1    corresponds to an inner C-ring tube  212 , and second belt section  104  of  FIG.  1    corresponds to an inner C-ring tube  214 . Inner C-ring tubes  212 ,  214  each include a plurality of flexible C-shaped rings, one of which is labeled  216 . Flexible C-shaped rings  216  may be comprised of any rigid material, for example aluminum or stainless steel. The space between the C-shaped rings  216  may be filled with a durable and flexible material, such as but not limited to NinjaFlex® by NinjaTek®, which flexible material acts as a cartilage-like material to support the C-shaped rings  216  while providing maximum flexibility. The filler material may be added by injection molding or a similar technique. Each of inner C-ring tubes  212 ,  214  further includes a male locking mechanism  218  and a female locking mechanism  220 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 C , a partial side view of a male locking mechanism of the inner C-ring tubes  212 ,  214  of  FIG.  2 B  is shown. Male locking mechanism  218  includes a protruding top lock button  222  and a protruding bottom lock button  224 . Male locking mechanism  218  is connected to an inner C-ring tube  212 ,  214  by way of a male connector  226 . Male locking mechanism  218  further includes a circular cut-out  228 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 D , a partial perspective view of a female locking mechanism of the inner C-ring tubes  212 ,  214  of  FIG.  2 B  is shown. Female locking mechanism  220  includes a plurality of top apertures  232  and a plurality of bottom apertures  234 . In the exemplary embodiment, two top apertures  232  and two bottom apertures  234  are shown, although it is contemplated that female locking mechanism  220  may include any number of top apertures  232  and any number of bottom apertures  234 . Female locking mechanism  220  is connected to an inner C-ring tube  212 ,  214  by way of a female connector  236 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , a perspective view of an assembled and locked utility belt system of  FIG.  2 B  is shown. Outer sheaths  202 ,  204  cover inner C-ring tubes  212 ,  214  and female locking mechanisms  220 , such that sheath apertures  210  align with top apertures  232  and bottom apertures  234 . When male locking mechanism  218  is inserted into female locking mechanism  220 , the top lock button  222  and bottom lock button  224  interface with apertures  232 ,  234 . The circular cut-out  228  (see  FIG.  2 C ) causes the male locking mechanism  218  to act as a spring. Circular cut-out  228  (see  FIG.  2 C ) forces the upper and lower portions of male locking mechanism  218  in an outward direction in order to retain its circular shape, thereby forcing top lock button  222  and bottom lock button  224  through apertures  232 ,  234 . This action places the utility belt system in a locked position. Moreover, the semicircular shape of the edges of inner C-ring tubes  212 ,  214  prevents torsional rotation when the belt is in a locked position. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4 A , an exploded side view of a ball bearing and joint  106  of the utility belt system  100  of  FIG.  1    is shown. A ball bearing  400  includes a first socket  402  and a second socket  404 . A rod  406  connects a first ball  408  and a second ball  410 . First ball  408  fit into first socket  402 , and second ball  410  fits into socket  404 . Ball bearing  400  further includes a third ball  412 . 
     A joint  414  includes a long rod  416  connected to a spherical socket  418  on one end, and a ring  420  on the other end. Ring  420  can be secured to another other object, such as a leash or a rope, via a connecting mechanism such as, by way of example and not limitation, a carabiner or other clip. Third ball  412  fits into spherical socket  418  to connect joint  414  with ball bearing  400 . Long rod  416  is encompassed by spherical sheath  422 , which rotates around long rod  416  to reduce friction between the joint  414  and outer sheath  202 ,  204 . This reduction in friction ultimately improves mobility of ball bearing and joint  106  as it moves about the belt assembly  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4 B , a side view of a fully assembled ball bearing and joint  106  of the utility belt system  100  of  FIG.  1    is shown. Ball bearing  400  may be made of any suitable low-friction material. By way of example and not limitation, ball bearing  400  may be comprised of aluminum or stainless steel. Ball bearing  400  may be a universal size such that it fits any utility belt system, regardless of its size or length. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , a perspective view of the assembled utility belt system  100  of  FIG.  1    including the assembled ball bearing and joint  106  of  FIG.  4 B  is shown. Although  FIG.  5    shows only a single ball bearing and joint  106 , it is contemplated that a single utility belt system, such as utility belt system  100  of  FIG.  1   , may utilize one or more ball bearing and joint  106 . The use of two or more ball bearings and joints  106  may be particularly useful in applications such as for dog walkers who require attachment of several leashes, construction workers who require the use of several tools at once, etc. Where more than one ball bearing and joint  106  is utilized on the same utility belt system  100 , ball bearings  400  glide next to one another within the track of the inner C-ring tube  212 ,  214 , and thus are not able to “jump” over one another in the track and cause tangling of lines or leashes. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , a perspective view of a first extender assembly is shown. A first extender assembly  600  includes a spacer  602 , which may be used with male connector  604  or female connector  606  to extend the length of a utility belt and/or customize a utility belt to a specific ball bearing. Referring now to  FIG.  7   , a perspective view of a second extender assembly is shown. A second extender assembly  700  includes a spacer  702 , which may be used with male connector  704  or female connector  706  to extend the length of a utility belt and/or customize a utility belt to specific ball bearing. Either or both of first extender assembly  600  and second extender assembly  700  may be used on a utility belt (one extender assembly per set of locking mechanisms, e.g., male locking mechanism  218  and female locking mechanism  220 ), depending on the amount of extension required. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , spacers  602  and  702  each include a groove (labeled  608  and  708 , respectively), which may accept the male connectors ( 604 ,  704 ) or the male locking mechanism ( 218 ,  FIG.  2 C ), or which may accept the female connectors ( 606 ,  706 ) or the female locking mechanism ( 220 ,  FIG.  2 D ). 
     It is envisioned that the use of extender assembly  600  or  700  would be optional because the utility belt assembly of the present invention may be offered in various sizes, similar to standard clothing belt sizes, for different size users. However, extender assembly  600  or  700  may be useful for extending a belt for a larger user and may be removed so that the belt may fit a smaller user, or it may be used to size a belt up or down if the user gains or loses weight, for example. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8 A , a perspective view of a first alternative locking mechanism is shown in an unlocked position. Outer sheaths  202 ,  204  house inner C-ring tubes  212 ,  214  (not shown), one of which includes a male locking mechanism  802 . Male locking mechanism  802  includes locking tabs  804  and a circular cut-out  806 . Referring now to  FIG.  8 B , a front view of the alternative locking mechanism of  FIG.  8 A  is shown in a locked position. Male locking mechanism  802  fits inside female locking mechanism  808 , which includes apertures  810 . Locking tabs  804  interface with apertures  810 . The circular cut-out  806  causes male locking mechanism  802  to act as a spring. Circular cut-out  806  forces the upper and lower portions of male locking mechanism  802  in an outward direction in order to retain its circular shape, thereby locking tabs  804  through apertures  810  and securing male locking mechanism  802  to female locking mechanism  808 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9   , a front view of a second alternative locking mechanism is shown in a locked position. A male locking mechanism  902  having prongs  904  connects to a female locking mechanism  906  having a T-shaped apertures  908 . Prongs  904  interface with the arms of T-shaped aperture  908  to secure male locking mechanism  902  to female locking mechanism  906 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  10 A , a perspective view of a leash coupled to the assembled ball bearing and joint of  FIG.  4 B  is shown in a locked position. A leash assembly  1000  includes an upper leash portion  1002  and a lower leash portion  1004  connected by a leash locking mechanism  1006 . Upper leash portion  1002  includes a handle  1008  and a leash fastener  1010 . Handle  1008  allows more precise manual control of the leash by the user. Leash fastener  1010  may connect the leash to another object (e.g., a dog collar). Lower leash portion  1004  includes a ball bearing fastener  1012  that connects the leash  1000  to assembled ball bearing and joint  106  of  FIG.  4 B . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  10 B , a perspective view of a leash coupled to the assembled ball bearing and joint of  FIG.  4 B  is shown in an unlocked position. Leash locking mechanism  1006  includes a male locking mechanism  1014  and a female locking mechanism  1016 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  10 C , a partial perspective view of a ball bearing fastener of the leash assembly of  FIG.  10 A  coupled to the assembled ball bearing and joint of  FIG.  4 B  is shown. Lower leash portion  1004  includes ball bearing fastener  1012 . Ball bearing fastener  1012  is coupled to ring  420  of ball bearing assembly  106  of  FIG.  4 B . Ball bearing fastener  1012  may be comprised of any suitable low-friction material, such as a metal. Once ball bearing  106  is coupled to belt assembly  100  (not shown), the leash assembly  1000  allows a user to be tethered to another object (e.g., a dog with a dog collar) hands-free. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above description provides a hands-free utility belt that confers many advantages over known utility belts. For example, the utility belt of the present invention includes an innovative track and ball bearing design, which gives provides the user with a 360-degree range of motion. This increased flexibility of movement will result in increased user satisfaction and safer performance of hands-free activities. 
     It will also be apparent that the utility belt of the present invention has virtually limitless applications since any object may be connected to the user wearing the belt via the ring of the ball bearing joint. By way of example and not limitation, the utility belt as disclosed herein may have applications in the following fields: pet leashes, child safety harnesses and restraints, extreme sports such as hiking and rock climbing, athletic and recreational equipment, construction equipment, and others. 
     The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. While the present invention has been described in connection with a variety of embodiments, these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth herein. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claim and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.