Patent Publication Number: US-2019166983-A1

Title: Utility belt device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This patent specification relates to the field of belt devices which are able to be worn around portions of a user. More specifically, this patent specification relates to utility belt devices which are configured to removably secure one or more items. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Individuals frequently encounter the need to keep objects on their person, or otherwise readily available and at hand, to accomplish a variety of tasks. Additionally, many individuals prefer to keep objects on their person in the general spirit of preparedness should a need arise. Currently available methods for keeping objects on one&#39;s person include placing the objects in a pocket of an article of clothing, but many articles of clothing do not comprise pockets or pockets of a sufficient size. Another method for keeping objects includes the use of bags, such as back packs, hand bags, hip packs, satchels, brief cases, and the like. However, these bags can be bulky and a hassle to keep on one&#39;s person. 
     Therefore a need exists for novel devices for keeping objects readily available and at hand which may optionally be worn around portions of a user, such as their waist, back, and shoulder, so that the user&#39;s hands are free for other uses and which may optionally be secured to any moveable or immovable objects, such as bicycles or trees. A further need exists for novel devices which are configured to removably secure one or more items or objects. There is also a need for novel devices for keeping objects on one&#39;s person which are not bulky or otherwise a hassle to keep on one&#39;s person. Still a further need exists for novel devices for keeping objects on one&#39;s person which are able to accommodate items and objects of various sizes and shapes. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A utility belt device is provided. The device may be worn around portions of a user, such as the waist, back, and shoulder, and the device may be used to removably couple one or more objects so that the objects may be maintained on the user&#39;s person in a hands free manner. In some embodiments, the device may have an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The body may include an exterior surface and an interior surface. A body coupler may be configured to removably couple the first end and the second end together. A first fastener may be coupled to the body, and the first fastener may include a lower hook and a lower gate. A second fastener may also be coupled to the body, and the second fastener may include a lower hook and a lower gate. A third fastener may also be coupled to the body, and the third fastener may include a lower hook and a lower gate. One or more objects may be coupled to the fasteners by placing portions of the objects on the lower hooks, and the lower gates may retain the portions of the objects on the lower hooks. 
     In further embodiments, the device may include a first fastener retainer, a second fastener retainer, and a third fastener retainer, and the first fastener retainer may couple the first fastener to the body, the second fastener retainer may couple the second fastener to the body, and the third fastener retainer may couple the third fastener to the body. 
     In still further embodiments, the body and/or one or more of the fastener retainers may be made from or comprise an elastic material. 
     In still further embodiments, the first fastener may include an upper gate and an upper hook which may be configured to removably couple the first fastener to the body, preferably via a first fastener retainer, the second fastener may include an upper gate and an upper hook which may be configured to removably couple the second fastener to the body, preferably via a second fastener retainer, and the third fastener may include an upper gate and an upper hook which may be configured to removably couple the third fastener to the body, preferably via a third fastener retainer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front perspective view of an example of a utility belt device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear perspective view of an example of a utility belt device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3  shows a top perspective view of an example of a utility belt device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of an example of a utility belt device securing an exemplary object according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front perspective view of an example of a utility belt device as it would appear while being worn by a user according to various embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein. 
     New utility belt devices which are configured to removably secure one or more items are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
     The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments.  FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an example of a utility belt device (“the device”)  100  according to various embodiments. Preferably, the device  100  may be worn around portions of a user  200 , such as the waist  201 , back, and shoulder, secured to any other moveable or immovable objects, such as bicycles or trees, and the device  100  may be used to removably couple one or more objects  300  so that the objects  300  may be maintained available to the user  200  in a hands free manner. In some embodiments, the device  100  may comprise an elongated body  11  having a first end  61  and a second end  62 . The body  11  may include an exterior surface  12  and an interior surface  13 . A body coupler  14  may be configured to removably couple the first end  61  and the second end  62  together. A first fastener  31  may be coupled to the body  11 , and the first fastener  31  may comprise a lower hook  32  and a lower gate  33 . A second fastener  41  may also be coupled to the body  11 , and the second fastener  41  may comprise a lower hook  42  and a lower gate  43 . A third fastener  51  may also be coupled to the body  11 , and the third fastener  51  may comprise a lower hook  52  and a lower gate  53 . One or more objects  300  may be coupled to the fasteners  31 ,  41 , by placing portions of the objects  300  on the lower hooks  32 ,  42 , and the lower gates  33 ,  43 , may retain the portions of the objects  300  on the lower hooks  32 ,  42 . 
     The body  11  of the device  100  may be elongated so as to have a length that is significantly greater in dimension that the height. For example, the body  11  may be configured with a length of thirty two inches and a height of one inch. The body  11  may be configured with any length which may preferably enable the body  11  to be positioned around or wrapped around portions of a user  300  or her moveable or immovable object, such as between fifteen and fifty inches, and more preferably between twenty five and forty inches. Similarly, the body  11  may be configured with any width and height. In some embodiments, the body  11  may comprise a lower perimeter  17  and an upper perimeter  18 . The perimeters  17 ,  18 , may be formed by the width or thickness of the material(s) used to form the body  11 . When the device  100  is worn by a user  200 , the lower perimeter  17  may be disposed or oriented relatively farther from the head of the user  200 , and the upper perimeter  18  may be disposed or oriented relatively closer from the head of the user  200 . In some embodiments, the body  11  may comprise an exterior surface  12  and an interior surface  13 . When the device  100  is worn by a user  200 , the interior surface  13  may be disposable toward the body of the user  200 , and the exterior surface  13  may be disposable away from the body of the user  200 . Optionally, indicia, such as logos, graphics, language characters, may be printed, formed, or otherwise applied to the exterior surface  13  and/or interior surface  12 . 
     In preferred embodiments, the body  11  may comprise or may be made from an elastic material which may enable the first end  61  and second end  62  to be stretched apart from each other and which may enable the body  11  to return to its original length when not being stretched. A body  11  comprising or made from an elastic material may preferably have an un-stretched length that may be less than the length of the waist  201  of a user  300  so that when the body  11  is positioned around the waist  201  of a user  300  or around any other moveable or immovable objects, such as bicycles or trees, the body  11  may preferably be tensioned around the user&#39;s body, or other moveable or immovable object, and frictionally retained in position. Example elastic materials include spandex, lastex, spandex, rubber, silicone rubber, elastic plastics, or any other material or combination or materials that are substantially able to regain their shape after deformation. In some embodiments, the body  11  may be made of a braided elastic material, a woven elastic material, or a knitted elastic material. In other embodiments, the body  11  may comprise elastic materials including braided elastic fabric materials, woven elastic fabric materials, knitted elastic fabric materials, neoprene, spandex, elastane, cotton swimwear elastic, roll elastic, non-roll elastic, rubber, silicone, elastic plastics, elastic silicone, elastic rubbers, silicone rubbers, or any other suitable elastic, elastomer, or other resilient material. 
     The first end  61  and second end  62  of the body  11  may be coupled together with a body coupler  14 . A body coupler  14  may comprise one or more fasteners which may be removably coupled together. In some embodiments, a body coupler  14  may comprise a side release buckle, a magnetic release buckle, a cam buckle, a strap adjuster, a center release buckle, a breakaway buckle, any other type of buckle suitable for fastening two loose ends together, a slide/loop/reducer, a cord lock or the like, a snap hook, a carabiner, hook-and-loop type fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. 
     In preferred embodiments, a body coupler  14  may comprise a male coupler  15  and a female coupler  16  which may be removably coupled together. The male coupler  15  and the female coupler  16  may be disposed on opposing ends  61 ,  62 , of the body  11 , and portions of the male coupler  15  may be removably received within the female coupler  16 . For example a body coupler  14  may be formed by a male coupler  15  (the hook end) and a female coupler  16  (the catch end). The male coupler  15  may include a center guide rod forwardly extending from the front side with two spring arms  15 A equally spaced from the center rod. The two spring arms  15 A each may have a retaining block that terminates at the front end. The female coupler  16  may have a front open side and two side holes  16 A which hold and secure the two spring arms  15 A of the male coupler  15 . 
     In alternative embodiments, a body coupler  14  may comprise any buckle generally having four main components, the frame, chape, bar, and prong, and a portion of the body  11  may comprise one or more apertures into which the prong may be inserted. In further alternative embodiments, the two ends  61 ,  62 , of the body  11  may be formed or coupled together so as to not be generally removable. 
     The device  100  may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or more fasteners  31 ,  41 ,  51 , which may be configured to removably couple one or more objects  300  to the body  11 . In preferred embodiments, the device  100  may comprise a first fastener  31 , a second fastener  41 , and a third fastener  51  as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 3 . The fasteners  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may be positioned anywhere on the device  100 . In some embodiments, the device  100  may comprise a first fastener  31 , a second fastener  41 , and/or a third fastener  51  which may be coupled proximate to the lower perimeter  17 , so as to be positioned below the body  11  when the device  100  is worn by a user  200 . In some embodiments, one or more fasteners  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may be coupled directly to the body  11 . Optionally, a fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may be removably coupled or generally non-removably coupled to the device  100 . 
     A fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may comprise any type of fastener which may be used to removably couple one or more objects  300  to the body  11  or to any other article. In some embodiments, a fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may comprise a binder clip, bulldog clip, or any type of clip, a spring clamp, a magnetic clamp, or any type of clamp, carabiner, hook and loop type or Velcro® fastener, clasp type fastener, magnetic fastener, or any other type of fastener which may be used to removably couple two objects together. In some embodiments, a fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may comprise one or more hooks  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , onto which portions of an object  300  may be supported or received, and a fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may also comprise one or more gates  33 ,  35 ,  43 ,  45 ,  53 ,  55 , which may be used to retain the object(s)  300  on a hook  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 . Generally, a hook  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , may comprise a curved or angled shape which may support portions of an object  300  received thereon with the curved or angled shape preventing the supported portions of the object  300  from sliding off the hook  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , under the action of gravity. A gate  33 ,  35 ,  43 ,  45 ,  53 ,  55 , may be spring loaded or otherwise tensioned towards and into contact with a respective hook  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , so that the gate  33 ,  35 ,  43 ,  45 ,  53 ,  55 , must be moved away from the hook  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , in order to maneuver portions of an object on to and off of the hook  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 . 
     In preferred embodiments, a first fastener  31  may comprise a lower hook  32  and a lower gate  33 , a second fastener  41  may comprise a lower hook  42  and a lower gate  43 , and a third fastener  51  may comprise a lower hook  52  and a lower gate  53 . For example, a fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may be configured as an S-Biner or S-shaped dual sided carabiner. In further preferred embodiments, a first fastener  31  may comprise an upper hook  34  and an upper gate  35 , a second fastener  41  may comprise an upper hook  44  and an upper gate  45 , and a third fastener  51  may comprise an upper hook  54  and an upper gate  55 . The upper hook  34 ,  44 ,  54 , and upper gate  35 ,  45 ,  55 , may be used to removably couple a fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , to the body  11 , preferably via a fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 . The hooks  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , and gates  33 ,  35 ,  43 ,  45 ,  53 ,  55 , may optionally be configured in the same size and shape, or optionally, one or more hooks  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , and gates  33 ,  35 ,  43 ,  45 ,  53 ,  55 , may be relatively larger than or smaller than another hook  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , and gate  33 ,  35 ,  43 ,  45 ,  53 ,  55 , of the same fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , or of a different fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 . 
     In preferred embodiments, one or more fasteners  31 ,  41 ,  51  may be coupled to the body  11  via one or more fastener retainers  21 ,  22 ,  23 . The device  100  may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or more fastener retainers  21 ,  22 ,  23 , which may be coupled anywhere on or along the body  11 . Preferably, the device  100  may comprise a first fastener retainer  21 , a second fastener retainer  22 , and a third fastener retainer  23 . Generally, a fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 , may comprise a structure, such as a loop of material, which may be coupled to the body  11  and to which one or more fasteners  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may be removably coupled or generally non-removably coupled to. 
     In preferred embodiments, a fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 , may comprise a loop of material that may be coupled, such as by stitching  19 , to the body  11 , and through which portions of a fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may be received. In some embodiments, a fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 , may be made from or comprise a flexible material including various types of flexible plastics such as polyvinyl chloride, natural or synthetic rubber, synthetic fabrics such as polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, lastex, and Kevlar, and natural fabrics such as coir, cotton, hemp, jute, canvas, flax, leather, linen, ramie, wool, silk, or any other suitable flexible natural or synthetic material including combinations of materials. In further preferred embodiments, a fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 , may be made from or comprise an elastic material, such as which may be used to form all or portions of the body  11 . A fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 , made from or comprising an elastic material may enable a fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , that is coupled to the fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 , to be resiliently stretched or moved towards and away from the body  11 . 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  may comprise a first fastener retainer  21  which may couple the first fastener  31  proximate to the lower perimeter  17 , a second fastener retainer  22  which may couple the second fastener  41  proximate to the lower perimeter  17 , and a third fastener retainer  23  which may couple the third fastener  51  proximate to the lower perimeter  17 , so that the fasteners  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may be positioned below the body  11  when the device  100  is worn by a user  200 . In still further embodiments, the upper hook  34  of the first fastener  31  may be received by a fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 , such as the second fastener retainer  22 , the upper hook  44  of the second fastener  41  may be received by a fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 , such as the third fastener retainer  23 , and the upper hook  54  of the third fastener  51  may be received by a fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 , such as the first fastener retainer  21 . In yet further embodiments, any fastener  31 ,  41 ,  51 , may be coupled to any fastener retainer  21 ,  22 ,  23 , preferably via its respective upper hook  34 ,  44 ,  54 , and upper gate  35 ,  45 ,  55 . 
     In some embodiments, a first fastener  31  may be coupled to the body  11 , optionally via a first fastener retainer  21 , approximately twenty five to fifty percent, and more preferably thirty to forty percent, of the length of the body  11  when measured from the first end  61 . In further embodiments, a second fastener  41  may be coupled to the body  11 , optionally via a second fastener retainer  22 , approximately fifty to seventy five percent, and more preferably sixty to seventy percent, of the length of the body  11  when measured from the first end  61 . In still further embodiments, a first fastener  31  may be coupled to the body  11 , approximately twenty five to forty percent, a second fastener  41  may be coupled to the body  11 , approximately forty to sixty percent, and a third fastener  51  may be coupled to the body  11 , approximately sixty to seventy five percent, of the length of the body  11  when measured from the first end  61 . 
     In some embodiments, a first fastener retainer  21  may be coupled to the body  11 , approximately twenty five to fifty percent, and more preferably thirty to forty percent, of the length of the body  11  when measured from the first end  61 . In further embodiments, a second fastener retainer  22  may be coupled to the body  11 , fifty to seventy five percent, and more preferably sixty to seventy percent, of the length of the body  11  when measured from the first end  61 . In still further embodiments, a first fastener retainer  21  may be coupled to the body  11 , approximately twenty five to forty percent, a second fastener retainer  22  may be coupled to the body  11 , approximately forty to sixty percent, and a third fastener retainer  23  may be coupled to the body  11 , approximately sixty to seventy five percent, of the length of the body  11  when measured from the first end  61 . 
     While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements of the device  100 , it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that any element of the device  100 , such as a body  11 , fastener retainers  21 ,  22 ,  23 , fasteners  31 ,  41 ,  51 , and their optional and respective hooks  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , and gates  33 ,  35 ,  43 ,  45 ,  53 ,  55 , and any other element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 
     Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device  100  may be made from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device  100  may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device  100  may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device  100  may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device  100 . 
     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.