Patent Publication Number: US-2020297100-A1

Title: Flag football belt

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This application relates to flag football, and more particularly to a flag football belt and its components. 
     Flag football is a version of American football in which players wear a belt with detachable flag straps, and instead of tackling a player to establish a “down,” a defensive player instead attempts to remove a flag of the player from that player&#39;s belt. Flag football is popular for both younger players and adults, as safety gear needed for tackle football can be avoided, making the game generally safer to play. 
     Traditionally, flags have been secured to a flag football belt using either a hook and loop fastener (e.g., VELCRO), or a cylindrical member that is received into a receptacle and remains attached due to friction and/or suction. Over time, flag football belts using such attachment mechanisms deteriorate so that flags detach too easily, potentially by accident with no interaction from a defensive player. 
     SUMMARY 
     A belt attachment assembly according to an example of the present disclosure includes a belt attachment member and a flag attachment member. The belt attachment member includes opposing first and second ends connected by a stem, a belt aperture at the first end, a first connector at the second end, and a first magnet. The flag attachment member includes a flag aperture at a first end, a second connector at a second end, and a second magnet. One of the first and second connectors includes a protrusion, and the other of the first and second connectors includes a receptacle sized to receive the protrusion. When the protrusion is received into the receptacle, one of the first and second magnets provides a magnetic force to the other of the first and second magnets that retains the protrusion in the receptacle. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the receptacle and protrusion are each cylindrical. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the one of the first and second connectors that includes the receptacle includes at least one longitudinal sidewall that surrounds a bottom wall and at least partially defines the receptacle, and includes its corresponding one of the first and second magnets within the bottom wall. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the one of the first and second connectors that includes the protrusion includes its corresponding one of the first and second magnets within a distal end of the protrusion. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the first connector includes the receptacle, and the second connector includes the protrusion. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the belt aperture extends along a first axis that intersects a central longitudinal axis of the first connector at an oblique angle. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, a centerline of the stem is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, at the first end of the belt attachment member, a rectangular loop defines the belt aperture, and the stem connects to a corner of the rectangular loop. 
     A belt buckle according to an example of the present disclosure includes, opposing first and second sidewalls that are fixed relative to each other and extend between a belt-attaching end and a belt-accepting end. A support member extends between and is fixed relative to the first and second sidewalls. A tongue pivots with respect to the first and second sidewalls between an open position and a closed position. The tongue includes a lever portion and a tab that extends outwards from the lever portion. The belt buckle provides a belt path that in the closed position extends from the belt-accepting end to a first portion and then to a second portion. The first portion is provided between the lever portion and a first surface of the support member, and the second portion is provided between the tab and a second surface of the support member that is angled with respect to the first surface. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, a first projection extends outwards from the second surface, and a second projection extends outwards from the tab. In the open position, the second projection is on a first side of the first projection, and in the closed position, the second projection is on a second side of the first projection that is opposite the first side. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, in the closed position, the first projection extends outwards from the second surface towards the tab, the second projection extends outwards from the tab towards the second surface, and the belt path is sinuous and includes a first turn at the first projection and a second turn at the second projection. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the second projection extends outwards from the tab in a direction approximately parallel to the lever portion. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, in the open position, the second projection is outside a boundary of the sidewalls, and in the closed position, the second projection is within the boundary of the sidewalls. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, a pivot opening is provided in the tongue or opposing sidewalls, and a pivot member extends into each pivot opening at a location between the belt-attaching end and the belt-accepting end. The tongue pivots about a longitudinal axis of the pivot member, and in the closed position the second projection extends outwards from the tab in a direction away from each pivot opening. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, a belt-guiding member extends between the first and second sidewalls at a location between the pivot member and the belt-attaching end. The belt-guiding member is sloped upwards from an inner side of the belt buckle towards an outer side of the belt buckle. A third portion of the belt path is provided between the belt-guiding member and the pivot member. 
     A flag football belt according to an example of the present disclosure includes a belt strap, a flag strap, and a magnetic clasp assembly that removably secures the flag strap to the belt strap. The magnetic clasp assembly includes a belt attachment member including first and second ends connected by a stem, a belt aperture at the first end that receives the belt strap, a first connector at the second end, and a first magnet. The magnetic clasp assembly also includes a flag attachment member including a flag aperture at a first end that receives the flag strap, a second connector at the second end, and a second magnet. One of the first and second connectors includes a protrusion, and the other of the first and second connectors includes a receptacle sized to receive the protrusion. When the protrusion is received into the receptacle, one of the first and second magnets provides a magnetic force to the other of the first and second magnets that retains the protrusion in the receptacle. A belt buckle includes opposing first and second sidewalls that are fixed relative to each other and extend between opposing first and second ends, the first end attached to a first end of the belt strap, and the second end configured to removably accept a second end of the belt strap. A support member extends between and fixed relative to the first and second sidewalls, and a tongue that pivots with respect to the first and second sidewalls between an open position and a closed position, the tongue including a lever portion and a tab that extends outwards from the lever portion. The belt buckle provides a belt path that in the closed position extends from the second end to a first portion and then to a second portion, the first portion provided between the lever portion and a first surface of the support member, and the second portion provided between the tab and a second surface of the support member that is angled with respect to the first surface. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, a first projection extends outwards from the second surface, and a second projection extends outwards from the tab. In the open position, the second projection is on a first side of the first projection, and in the closed position, the second projection is on a second side of the first projection that is opposite the first side. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, in the closed position, the first projection extends outwards from the second surface towards the tab, the second projection extends outwards from the tab towards the second surface, and the belt path is sinuous and includes a first turn at the first projection and a second turn at the second projection. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, in the open position the second projection is outside a boundary of the sidewalls, and in the closed position the second projection is within the boundary of the sidewalls. 
     In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, a pivot opening is provided in the tongue or the opposing sidewalls, and a pivot member extends into each pivot opening at a location between the belt-attaching end and the belt-accepting end. The tongue pivots about a longitudinal axis of the pivot member, and in the closed position the second projection extends outwards from the tab in a direction away from the pivot opening. The belt buckle includes a belt-guiding member that extends between the first and second sidewalls at a location between the pivot member and the belt-attaching end, The belt-guiding member is sloped upwards from an inner side of the belt buckle towards an outer side of the belt buckle, and a third portion of the belt path is provided between the belt-guiding member and the pivot member. 
     The embodiments, examples, and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example flag football belt that includes a plurality of removable flag straps. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a flag assembly from the belt of  FIG. 1  in a detached state. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the flag assembly of  FIG. 1  in a connected state. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of a belt buckle of  FIG. 1  in an open position. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a perspective view of the belt buckle of  FIG. 1  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view of a belt buckle of  FIG. 1  in an open position. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of the belt buckle of  FIG. 1  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example belt path through the belt buckle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a belt clip of  FIG. 1  in greater detail. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates the belt clip of  FIG. 1  when a free end of a belt strap is received into the belt clip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example flag football belt  20  that includes a belt strap  22  and a plurality of flag straps  24 A-B that are removably attached to the belt strap  22 . A first magnetic clasp assembly  26 A is provided for removably attaching the first flag strap  24 A to the belt strap  22 , and a second magnetic clasp assembly  26 B is provided for removably ataching the flag strap  24 B to the belt strap  22 . Although only two flags are shown, it is understood that other quantities of flags could be used, such as one, three, or four flags. 
     A buckle  28  provides for opening, closing, and resizing the belt  20 . A belt clip  30  is provided for securing a free end of the belt strap  22  to a portion of the belt strap  22  between the buckle  28  and first magnetic clasp assembly  26 A. Optionally, logos  29 A-B can be provided on the buckle  28  and/or belt clip  30 . 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates one of the magnetic clasp assemblies  26  in a detached state. The magnetic clasp assembly  26  includes a belt attachment member  34  and a flag attachment member  36 . The belt attachment member  34  includes opposing first and second ends  38 A-B. A first connector  40  is provided at the second end  38 B. A rectangular loop  42  is provided at the first end  38 A, and the rectangular loop  42  defines a belt aperture  44  for receiving the belt strap  22 . A stem  46  connects the rectangular loop  42  to the first connector  40 . In the example of  FIG. 2A , the stem attaches at a corner  48  of the rectangular loop  42 . Of course, other attachment locations could be used. 
     The flag attachment member  36  includes opposing first and second ends  50 A-B. A rectangular loop  52  is provided at the first end  50 A, and the rectangular loop  52  defines a flag aperture  54  for receiving one of the flag straps  24 . A second connector  56  is provided at the second end  50 B of the flag attachment member  36 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 2A  the second connector  56  is a protrusion  57 , and the first connector  40  includes a receptacle  58  sized to receive the protrusion  57 . The first connector  40  includes an opening  59  for receiving the protrusion  57  into the receptacle  58 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 2A  the protrusion  57  and receptacle  58  are each cylindrical. This is a non-limiting example, and other cross-sectional shapes could be used, such as triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, etc. 
     In another example, not shown, the magnetic clasp assembly  26  is arranged so that the connector  40  provides as protrusion instead of a receptacle, and the connector  56  provides a receptacle instead of a protrusion, such that the first connector  40  is received into the second connector  56 . 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the magnetic clasp assembly  26  in a connected state, in which the connector  57  is received into the receptacle  58 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the belt attachment member  34  includes a first magnet  60 , and the flag attachment member  36  includes a second magnet  62 . When the protrusion  57  is received into the receptacle  58 , at least one of the first magnet  60  and second magnet  62  provides a magnetic force to the other of the first magnet  60  and second magnet  62  that retains the protrusion  57  in the receptacle  58 . 
     In one example, the first magnet  60  is a permanent magnet and the second magnet  62  is made of a ferromagnetic material that is attracted to the permanent magnet  60 . In another example, the second magnet  62  is a permanent magnet and the first magnet  60  is made of a ferromagnetic material that is attracted to the permanent magnet  62 . In a third example, each of the magnets  60  and  62  are permanent magnets. 
     The magnetic force mitigates accidental flag drops by retaining the protrusion  57  in the receptacle  58 . Although the magnetic clasp assembly  26  may be configured such that the protrusion  57  fits snugly into the receptacle  58 , loosening of that snug fit over time will not diminish the magnetic force, so that the flag football belt  20  will have a longer usable life than prior art belts which relied on such a snug fit for attachment. 
     In the example of  FIG. 2B , the second magnet  62  is provided within a recess  64  in a distal end of the protrusion  57  at end  50 B of the flag attachment member  36 , and the first magnet  60  is provided within a bottom wall  67  of the first connector. The bottom wall  67  is surrounded by a longitudinal sidewall  66  that defines the opening  59 . A plate  68  is provided on the bottom wall  67  and retains the first magnet  60  in the bottom wall  67 . 
     The belt aperture  44  extends along a first axis A 1 . The protrusion  57  and receptacle  58  and stem  46  share a common central longitudinal axis A 2 , which extends along a centerline of the protrusion  57 , receptacle  58 , and stem  46 . The axis A 1  intersects the axis A 2  at an oblique angle θ, such that the axes A 1  and A 2  intersect but are non-parallel and non-perpendicular. This angle feature extends the flag straps  24  away from a wearer&#39;s body, making it easier to grab the flag straps  24  without grabbing the pants or shorts of the wearer. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of the buckle  28  of  FIG. 1  with its tongue  78  in an open position, and  FIG. 3B  illustrates a perspective of the buckle  28  with its tongue  78  in a closed position. The buckle  28  includes opposing first and second sidewalls  70 A-B that are fixed relative to each other and extend between a belt-attaching end  72 A and belt-accepting end  72 B of the buckle  28 . 
     A first support member  74  extends between the opposing sidewalls  70 A-B proximate to the belt-attaching end  72 A, and a second support member  76  extends between the opposing sidewalls  70 A-B proximate to the belt-accepting end  72 B. Support members  74  and  76  are fixed relative to each other and the opposing sidewalls  70 A-B. 
     The tongue  78  is provided between the opposing sidewalls  70 A-B. The tongue  78  pivots about a pivot axis A 3  between an open position shown in  FIG. 3A  and a closed position shown in  FIG. 3B . The tongue  78  includes opposing first and second edges  79 A-B. 
     Each sidewall  70 A-B includes a respective pivot opening  77  centered on the pivot axis A 3  (one of which is shown in  FIGS. 3A-B ), and the tongue  78  includes a respective pivot member  80  extending outwards from each of its edges  79 A-B (one of which is shown in  FIGS. 3A-B ) that extends into a respective one of the pivot openings  77 . This enables the tongue  78  to pivot about the pivot axis A 3 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the pivot opening is provided through the tongue  78 , and the pivot members  80  extend into the pivot opening from the sidewalls  70 A-B of the buckle. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view of the buckle  28  with the tongue  78  in an open position (which is more open than the open position of  FIG. 3A ), and  FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of the buckle  28  with the tongue  78  in the closed position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , the tongue  78  includes opposing first and second ends  83 A-B. The tongue  78  also includes a lever portion  81  and a tab  82  that extends outward from the lever portion  81 . The lever portion  81  can be used for lifting the tongue  78  to the open position and pushing down on the tongue  78  to the closed position, for example. The lever portion  81  terminates at end  83 B of the tongue  78 , while the pivot axis A 3  is provided proximate to end  83 A of the tongue  78 . 
     The second support member  76  includes a first surface  84 A and a second surface  84 B that is angled with respect to the first surface  84 A. A first projection  86  extends outward from the second surface  84 B of the second support member  76 , and a second projection  88  extends outward from the tab  82 . In the open position shown of  FIG. 4A , the second projection  88  is on a first side of the first projection  86 , and in the closed position of  FIG. 4B  the second projection  88  is on the opposite second side of the first projection  86 . The first projection  86  and second projection  88  are offset from each other in each of the open and closed positions. 
     In the closed position of  FIG. 4B , the first projection  86  extends outwards from the second surface  84 B towards the tab  82 . Also, in the closed position of  FIG. 4B , the second projection  88  extends outward from the tab  82  towards the second surface  84 B in a direction approximately parallel to that of the lever portion  81 . 
     In one example, the first projection  86  extends along a full length of the second support member  76  tab between the opposing first and second sidewalls  70 A-B, and the second projection  88  similarly extends from the first edge  79 A of the tongue  78  to the second edge  79 B of the tongue  78 . In a further example, the first projection  86  and/or second projection  88  include a plurality of discreet portions are not continuous. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , the sidewall  70 A-B define a boundary. In the closed position the second projection  88  is within that boundary, and in the open position of  FIG. 4A , the second projection  88  is outside that boundary. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the buckle  28  and an example belt path  89  that extends through the buckle  28  from the belt-accepting end  72 B to the belt-attaching end  72 A. The belt path  89  includes a first portion  89 A, second portion  89 B, and third portion  89 C. The first portion  89 A extends from the belt-accepting end  72 B to the second portion  89 B, and is provided between the lever portion  81  and the first surface  84 A of the second support member  76 . The second portion  89 B is provided between the tab  82  and the second surface  84 B of the second support member  76 . The third portion  89 C is provided between the pivot axis A 3  and the first support member  74 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , an optional belt-guiding member  90  is provided that is sloped upwards from an inner edge  91 A of the sidewalls  70  towards an opposing outer edge  91 B of the sidewalls  70 . The belt-guiding member  90  guides the belt strap  22  towards the outer edge  91 B and around the first support member  74 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , the third portion  89 C of the belt path  89  is provided between the belt-guiding member  90  and the pivot axis A 3 . However, it is understood that the belt-guiding member  90  is optional and could be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the belt path  89  is sinuous, and includes a plurality of turns, including a first turn at the first projection  86 , includes a second turn at the second projection  88 , a third turn at the end  83 A of the tongue  78 , and a fourth turn at the first support member  74 . Additional quantities of turns could be provided, however, such as by providing additional extensions from the tab  82  and/or second surface  84 B of the second support member  76 . 
     The belt strap  22  includes a first end  92 A and an opposing second end  92 B. End  92 A is attached to the belt-attaching end  72 A of the buckle  28 . In particular, end  92 A of the belt strap  22  wraps around the first support member  74  and is fastened to the belt strap  22  with a rivet  93  to form a loop  94  that wraps around the first support member  74 . Use of the rivet  93  is a non-limiting example, and other fastening techniques could be used, such as an adhesive or stitching. 
     The opposing end  92 B of the belt strap  22  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) is received into the belt path  89  when the tongue  78  is in the open position. Once the belt strap  22  extends through the belt path  89  and is adjusted to a desired size, the tongue  78  is adjusted to the closed position, which clamps the belt strap  22  at least in the portions  89 A-B of the belt path  89  and maintains the desired belt size. 
     The buckle  28  improves upon prior art designs by providing for secure clamping, which minimizes undesired belt resizing during game play, and by providing for each intentional adjustments by users of all ages. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates the belt clip  30  of  FIG. 1  in greater detail, and shows how the belt strap  22  extends through the belt clip  30 . The belt clip  30  includes a tongue  95  that is situated between two inner ribs  96 A-B and two outer ribs  97 A-B, which are disposed outward of the inner ribs  96 A-B. A first belt path is provided behind the tongue  95  and behind the inner ribs  96 A-B through openings  98 A-B. Opening  98 A is provide between inner rib  96 A and outer rib  97 A, and opening  98 B is provided between inner rib  96 B and outer rib  97 B. A second belt path is provided behind the tongue  95  but in front of the ribs  96 A-B. 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates the belt clip  30  with the free end  92 B of the belt strap  22  received into the second belt path, which secures the free end  92 B of the belt strap  22  against the belt strap  22 . A wearer can slide the belt clip  30  to various discrete locations along the belt strap  22 , to accommodate various length of slack at the free end  92 B of the belt strap  22 . 
     Although not shown in  FIGS. 6A-B , logos  29 B could be provided on the belt clip  30  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Although example embodiments have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this disclosure.