Patent Publication Number: US-2019166982-A1

Title: Utility Tool Belt Pad

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a cushion device for preventing both stress and irritation associated with utility type belts and more particularly, to utility tool belt pad which can comfortably support and reduce the impact, irritation, strain, pinching and bruising from user in such industries as law enforcement, construction, military, fire, search and rescue and sports. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Over the years, there have been a wide variety of utility type belts, especially those commonly worn by construction workers, military personal, fire rescue professionals, athletics and other specialized trades persons. These typically comprise a belt adapted to be worn around the waist, which supports one or more tools, implements, utensils, or the like of a user has been recognized for some time. Hence, many utility type belts are provided without pads and without any mechanism to add pads if desired. In some scenarios, this may provide a limitation on the ability of a wearer to effectively carry heavier objects like tools from the belt. 
     In addition, it is common knowledge that many user of utility type belt are particularly susceptible to back injury, skin irritation, pinching, bruising and hip strain. This can result from a number of different sources such as the relatively heavy or awkward lifting, pulling or pushing that can and often encountered by wearing these types of utility belts. In addition, the weight of the tools that typically carried by user is a constant strain on the user body. 
     For example, a hip strain occurs when one of the muscles supporting the hip joint is stretched beyond its limit or torn. Strains may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the injury. A severe strain can limit your ability to move your hip. Anyone can experience a hip strain just doing everyday tasks, but strains most often occur while wearing non-supported belts with heavy loads and during sports activities. 
     Construction type belts are available which provide a plurality of leather loops connected to an underlying leather belt by rivets. The loops can receive a variety of tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, and the like. Although the tool belt can support substantial weight from the waist of a user because the underlying leather belt has some vertical rigidity, this design tends to restrict the motion of the wearer and is not usually adaptable to receive implements other than conventional carpenter and framing tools. Stated another way, this design is typically implement specific. 
     A law enforcement belt generally comprises a leather belt having a conventional buckle. A handgun holster, hands cuff pouch, nightstick and other devices are typically attached to the belt by means of a loop on the back of each of these devices through which the belt is threaded. In emergencies, a law enforcement belt allows for quick and direct access to all essential equipment and wearing a law enforcement belt directly on your normal belt is often uncomfortable and disturbing, especially when sitting or lying down. The utility tool belt pad is the perfect solution. 
     Military belt comprises a cotton belt having a plurality of grommets there through arranged in vertical pairs. A pronged device is then used to pivotally attach canteens and other implements to the grommets in the belt. This design offers superior mobility to the soldier because the implements can swing in a vertical plane from the waist of the soldier, thus facilitating easy striding and bending motions. However, this belt cannot comfortably support a substantial amount of weight from the waist of the soldier without discomfort because the belt itself does not have substantial rigidity in a vertical direction. 
     In addition, there has also been a recognized need for supporting the back during sports activities and exercise of various types. These applications, of course, do not require a tool pouch or any other equivalent type of component to be support. For example, backpacks often include waist belts to help distribute some weight of a load away from shoulder straps and/or to secure a lower portion of the bag against a wearer&#39;s body to prevent the bag from bouncing or jostling excessively during use. Especially in larger packs with frames, pads are often provided in such waist belts to provide additional cushioning or anchor points for engaging the hips of a wearer to facilitate load transfer. However, the pads provided are often bulky, difficult to customize for a specific wearer, and not practical to remove in situations where a load is light enough that the pads are not needed. In smaller packs without frames, the load that can fit within the bag can typically be borne comfortably by the shoulders, so corresponding waist belts are usually used primarily for securing purposes instead of load-bearing. 
     None of the above designs adequately combines the ability to support heavy loads from the waist of a user comfortably while providing a full range of bending motions for the user. Presently available designs are limited in this respect principally because vertical rigidity (which permits substantial loads to be carried by the user) generally results in an uncomfortable belt. Certain padded belts are available on external frame, which address this problem by providing heavy pad ding in the hip area. However, the hip belt itself is substantially flexible vertically and is only able to support substantial weight on the hips. Thus, such a belt would not be well adapted for use as a utility bel pad. Therefore, a need exists for a utility tool belt pad, which can support substantial weight from the waist of a user comfortably and which does not impede striding and bending motions. Furthermore, a need exists for a utility tool belt pad, which is readily adaptable to support a variety of different utility type tool belts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a utility tool belt pad as described below which can also interchangeably support a plurality of different implements and implement holders, which can easily adjust to users having different sized waists. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a belt pad, which can comfortably support heavy loads from the waist of a user without causing discomfort to the user and without substantially impeding bending or striding movements of the user. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide simple, efficient, convenient, economical and comfortable means for holding in generally a utility belt for construction, law enforcement, fire and rescue, athletics including hikers and training personal for example. 
     More specifically, the present invention is a lightweight, inexpensive, resilient, washable, moisture resistant belt pad made of 100% neoprene, the tool belt pad is comfortable enough to be worn all day long, offering comfort through work, chores, or exercise. The utility tool belt pad works with all utility type belts and reduces skin irritation, pinching, bruising and hip strain. Work well in industries such as law enforcement, construction, military, fire, search &amp; rescue, and sports. 
     Designed to relieve you from the cutting edges and circulation problems, minimizing bulk and restriction of movement associated with most utility type belts. Will not cut into your side or restrict circulation. 
     This utility tool belt pad is constructed of 4″ wide neoprene with u-loop fabric on the inside and covered with nylon for long-lasting use. The neoprene pad is ½″ thick with rolled edge for comfort and design to have narrower sides and front for freedom of movement and the comfort foam relieves pressure associated with all-day wear thanks to the thick padding creates space between body and belt. The added layer of protection stops contact between the waist and hips and hard unforgiving clips, preventing painful bruising and soreness from all-day wear. 
     The utility tool belt pad cushion technology form the most comfortable belt pad configured for belt worn systems. Lightweight comfort, easy to retrofit onto an existing belt set. The utility belt pad has a soft side designed to be place against your skin. Wrap the present invention around your waste between your clothing and skin. Once attached by the Velcro loop hook the user can securely fixed any type of utility belt to their body over the utility tool belt pad. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the utility tool belt pad in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the utility tool belt pad of  FIG. 1 , showing the utility tool belt pad unfastened according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the utility tool belt pad of  FIG. 1 , showing the utility tool belt pad after attachment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up detail view of the utility tool belt pad, as shown with the Velcro attached to the u-loop fabric. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded top view of the utility tool belt pad shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the construction of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of utility tool belt pad according to the present invention, incorporated under a garment and attached to a user body. 
         FIG. 7  is a close-up side view of the present invention, without a garment against the skin of a user body. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of utility tool belt pad according to the present invention in use, wherein a utility/tool belt is incorporated. 
         FIG. 9  is a close-up side view of the present invention, as shown placed under a garment and having a utility/tool belt attached. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of utility tool belt pad according to the present invention in use, wherein a duty belt is incorporated. 
         FIG. 11  is substantially a perspective view of the relationship between the utility tool belt pad of the present invention and a duty belt. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of utility tool belt pad according to the present invention in use, wherein a fire/rescue belt is incorporated. 
         FIG. 13  is substantially a perspective view of the relationship between the utility tool belt pad of the present invention and a fire/rescue belt. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of utility tool belt pad according to the present invention in use, wherein a typical belt is incorporated. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention shown in  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a utility tool belt pad  10 , comprising a 100% neoprene sponge  11 , an internally u-loop fabric  12 , and a laminated nylon  13  outer shell. As shown in  FIG. 2  is a front view utility tool belt pad  10  unattached, including the product description  15  with the Velcro hook fastener  14  sewn  16  onto the outside of the laminated nylon  13 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 3 , is a front view of the utility tool belt pad  10 , with the u-loop fabric  12  fastens by the Velcro hook fastener  14  keeping the utility tool belt pad  10  securely together. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 4  is a close-up detail view of the utility tool belt pad  10 , as shown with the Velcro hook fastener  14  attached to the u-loop fabric  12 . As shown in  FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the utility tool belt pad  10  showing the relationship between components including a 100% neoprene sponge  11 , u-loop fabric  12 , laminated nylon  13  and a Velcro hook fastener  14 . As generally shown in  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the utility tool belt pad  10 , shown in  FIG. 1 , attached around the waist  18  of a user  17  touching the body  22  and/or skins  20  position under the garment  19 . As best shown in  FIG. 7  is a side view of the utility tool belt pad  10  referring to  FIG. 6  place against the skin  20  under the garment  19  providing a close-up view of the method of protection for the user  17 . In accordance with embodiments of the present invention  FIG. 8 , is a perspective view of the user  17  with the utility tool belt pad  10  attached to the body  22  and more specifically the skin  20  having a utility/tool belt  21  attached to the waist  18  on the outside of the garment  19  of the user  17 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 9  is a front view of the utility tool belt pad  10  referring to  FIG. 1 , shown in a cutout place against the body  22  touching the skin  20  and the utility/tool belt  21  place over the utility tool belt pad  10 . In addition, the garment  19  is located between the utility/tool belt  21  and the utility tool belt pad  10  giving the user  17  the option to wear the utility tool belt pad  10  without the utility/tool belt  21 . In accordance with embodiments of the present invention  FIG. 10 , is a perspective view of the user  17  with the utility tool belt pad  10  attached to the body  22  and more specifically the skin  20  having a duty belt  24  attached to the waist  18  on the outside of the garment  19  of the user  17 . As shown in  FIG. 11  is a perspective of the utility tool belt pad  10  referring to  FIG. 10  provides a detail view of the method of the present invention showing the best position of the utility tool belt pad  10 , garment  19  and the duty belt  24 . In accordance with embodiments of the present invention  FIG. 12 , is a perspective view of the user  17  with the utility tool belt pad  10  attached to the body  22  and more specifically the skin  20  having a fire/rescue belt  25  attached to the waist  18  on the outside of the garment  19  of the user  17 . As shown in  FIG. 13  is a perspective of the utility tool belt pad  10  referring to  FIG. 12  provides a detail view of the method of the present invention showing the best position of the utility tool belt pad  10 , garment  19  and the fire/rescue belt  25 . In accordance with embodiments of the present invention  FIG. 14 , is a perspective view of the user  17  with the utility tool belt pad  10  attached to the body  22  and more specifically the skin  20  having a typical belt  23  attached to the waist  18  on the outside of the garment  19  of the user  17 . Whereas  FIG. 13  shows the relationship between a typical belt  23  and the present invention in some cases the typical belt could represent different types of belts (not shown) including but not limited to a backpack waist belt, a training belt, survival belt, accessory belt and athletic sport belt or the likes. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.