Abstract:
The belt kit that comprises a belt body adapted and configured to extend at least substantially around a person&#39;s waist. The belt kit further comprises at least two interchangeable covers that are distinctive in appearance from each other and that are each configured and adapted to be attached to and supported by the belt body in a manner such that the cover at least partially conceals the belt body when the belt body is being worn around a person&#39;s waist. The kit provides a method for people to construct a plurality of visually distinguishable belt assemblies for aesthetically coordinating their apparel using only a single belt body.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    (1) Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention pertains to the field of belts worn as apparel. More particularly, the invention pertains to a belt kit comprising a belt body and a plurality of interchangeable covers configured to attach to the belt body. The kit provides a method for a person to create a plurality of visually distinguishable belt assemblies for aesthetically coordinating the belt assemblies with various outfits worn by the person.  
           [0003]    (2) Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Different styles and forms of belts are well known in the art. Many belts are configured to serve a functional purpose of supporting clothing, such as pants, skirts, and dresses, about a person&#39;s waist or hips. Yet other belts are configured to be worn merely as an accessory to a person&#39;s apparel. Regardless of whether a belt is being worn in a functional capacity or merely as an accessory, it is desirable to aesthetically match or coordinate a belt being worn with other apparel being worn. To this end, people often purchase a variety of visually distinguishable belts.  
           [0005]    A typical belt assembly comprises a belt body and a connector configured to attach the opposite ends of the belt body to each other so as to form a loop that can extend around a person&#39;s waist. The belt body of a belt assembly is often formed of materials such as leather, plastic, chain, fabric, or a combination thereof. Likewise, typical connectors are formed of metal, plastic, or fabric and can vary widely in appearance. By forming the belt bodies and connectors of different materials and/or by providing the belt bodies and connectors with different finishes, textures, shapes, and/or colors, a wide range of visually distinguishable belt bodies can be formed.  
           [0006]    Despite the availability of numerous visually distinguishable belt assemblies, people often limit the number of belts they own due to the costs associated with purchasing numerous belts and the space required for storing such belts when the belts are not being worn. Thus, there remains a need for an economical means of owning a plurality of visually distinguishable belt assemblies and a need for reducing the space required to store a plurality of belts.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The belt kit of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior art belts by providing a kit that is used to change the appearance of a single belt body. The kit includes a plurality of interchangeable covers that are visually distinguishable from each other and that are configured to attach to the belt body of a belt assembly so as to alter the appearance of the belt assembly. Using the belt kit of the present invention, a person can construct a plurality of visually distinguishable belt assemblies using only a single belt body. Furthermore, although the belt kit may include a conventional belt body having an attached connector, the kit may alternatively comprise a plurality of interchangeable, visually distinguishable connectors that are selectively attachable to a single belt body. The plurality of connectors multiplies the number of visually distinguishable belt assemblies that can be formed using the belt kit. Additionally, because the covers and connectors are relatively inexpensive compared to a typical prior art belt assembly, the belt kit of the present invention provides an economic means of owning a plurality of visually distinctive belt assemblies. Furthermore, the belt kit of the invention requires much less storage space than would the number of conventional belts required to achieve similar results.  
           [0008]    In general, the belt kit of the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a belt body having opposite first and second end portions and a length that is dimensioned to extend at least partially around a person&#39;s waist. The belt kit also includes at least two interchangeable covers that are distinctive in appearance from each other. Each of the covers is configured and adapted to be selectively and releasably attached to and supported by the belt body. When attached to the belt body, each cover conceals at least a portion of the belt body when the belt body is being worn around a person&#39;s waist. Yet further, the belt kit of the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least two connectors that are distinctive in appearance from each other. Each of the connectors is adapted and configured to releasably and selectively secure the first end portion of the belt body to the second end portion of the belt body in a manner such that the belt body can be worn around a person&#39;s waist.  
           [0009]    The method of altering the appearance of a belt in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the step of providing a belt body having longitudinally opposite first and second end portions and a length that is dimensioned to extend at least partially around a person&#39;s waist. Furthermore, the method comprises the steps of providing at least first and second interchangeable covers that are distinctive in appearance from each other and attaching the first cover to the belt body in a manner such that the first cover conceals at least a substantial portion of the belt body. The method of altering the appearance of a belt further comprises the steps of removing the first cover from the belt body and then attaching the second cover to the belt body in a manner such that the second cover conceals at least a portion of the belt body. Yet further, the method of altering the appearance of a belt comprises the steps of providing first and second connectors that are distinctive in appearance from each other and attaching the first connector to the belt body. Still further, the method comprises the steps of removing the first connector from the belt body, and then attaching the second connector to the belt body.  
           [0010]    While the principle advantages and features of the invention have been described above, a more complete and thorough understanding of the invention may be attained by referring to the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a belt assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the belt kit of the invention showing a connector attached to a belt body and a cover surrounding the belt body.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the belt body of the preferred embodiment of the belt kit of the invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two connectors of the preferred embodiment of the belt kit of the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the belt body of FIG. 2 shown joined to the connector of FIG. 3.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of two covers of the preferred embodiment of the belt kit of the invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a plan view of a partially constructed cover of the preferred embodiment of the belt kit of the invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a rear plan view of the cover of FIG. 5 shown turned inside-out. 
     
    
       [0018]    Reference characters in the written specification indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    The preferred embodiment of the belt kit of the invention comprises a belt body, a plurality of interchangeable connectors, and a plurality of interchangeable belt body covers. By interchanging connectors and covers, a plurality of belt assemblies can be formed, each comprising the belt body, one of the connectors, and one of the covers. Each of the covers is visually distinguishable from the others as is each of the connectors such that numerous visually distinguishable belt assemblies can be formed. Thus, the belt kit of the preferred embodiment of the invention allows a person to form a variety of belts to match the various outfits he or she wears, in lieu of purchasing numerous individual belts at significant costs.  
         [0020]    In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the belt kit of the invention, a belt assembly  10  comprising the belt body  12 , one of the connectors  14 , and one of the covers  16 , is shown in FIG. 1. When assembled, the cover  16  closely conforms around the belt body  12 , providing the belt assembly  10  with the appearance of a conventional belt. The kit includes at least two belt covers  16 , 16 ′ as shown in FIG. 5, and at least two connectors  14 , 14 ′ as shown in FIG. 3. The kit could include a greater number of belt covers and connectors. Because the belt covers and connectors are visually different but structurally the same, only one cover  16  and one connector  14  will be described in detail.  
         [0021]    The belt body  12  utilized with the preferred embodiment of the belt kit has the general shape of a strap and is preferably formed of leather, vinyl, plastic, or other suitable materials known in the art for producing belts. The belt body  12  has a longitudinal length that extends from a first end portion  18  to a second end portion  20 . The first end portion  18  of the belt body  12  has a slot  22 , a pair of cover securing mechanisms  24 , and a pair of cooperating fasteners  26 . The slot  22  is oval in shape and is positioned between the cover securing mechanisms  24  that are themselves positioned between the cooperating fasteners  26 . Each of the cover securing mechanisms  24  preferably comprises a rectangular patch of VELCRO® type fastener material sewn to the belt body  12 . The cooperating fasteners  26  preferably comprise a pair of cooperating male and female snaps of the type commonly used on garments. The snaps are attached to the belt body  12  by conventional means known in the art for attaching such snaps. The opposite second end portion  20  of the belt body  12  has a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes  28  that extend through the thickness of the belt body. A tapered tip  30  is provided at the distal end of the second end portion  20 .  
         [0022]    The connectors  14  of the belt kit of the preferred embodiment of the invention are preferably each formed of a metal such as steel, silver, or brass. As shown in FIG. 3, each connector  14  is preferably a conventional buckle type connector having a loop  32  and a tine  34 . As with conventional buckles, the tine  34  is preferably pivotally secured at one of its ends to a cylindrical rod portion  35  of the loop  32 .  
         [0023]    Each of the covers  16  of the belt kit of the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 5, comprises a sleeve  36 . The sleeve  36  of each of the covers  16  has a length with longitudinally opposite first  38  and second  40  ends. The sleeve is preferably constructed from a rectangular piece of resiliently stretchable fabric  42 , such as spandex, as shown in FIG. 6. A plurality of eyelets  44  are added to the piece of fabric  42  in a manner such that the eyelets form two parallel rows  46  of axially spaced eyelets on opposite sides of a fold line F-F as shown in FIG. 6. The number of eyelets  44  in each of the rows  46  corresponds to the number of spaced holes  28  of the second end portion  20  of the belt body  12 . The rows of eyelets  46  and the fold line F-F are offset toward one of the longitudinal edges  48  of the piece of fabric  42  to provide for a desired positioning of a seam in the cover  16  which is explained below.  
         [0024]    The piece of fabric  42  is then folded about the fold line F-F centered between the rows  46  of eyelets  44  so that the rows of eyelets are aligned with each other. This also positions the longitudinal edges  48  of the piece of fabric adjacent each other so that they can be sewn together. By offsetting the rows  46  of the eyelets  44  and the fold line F-F toward one of the longitudinal edges  48  of the piece of fabric as described above, the seam  50  created by sewing the longitudinal edges together is positioned entirely on one side of the sleeve  36  when the two rows of eyelets are aligned with one another as shown in FIG. 7. This is done so that the seam can be positioned toward the belt wearer and concealed from view when the belt assembly is being worn.  
         [0025]    With the longitudinal edges  48  of the piece of fabric sewn together and the two rows  46  of eyelets  44  aligned, the second end  40  of the sleeve  36  is sewn shut. As shown in FIG. 7, the second end is sewn in a manner to provide the second end of the sleeve with a shape corresponding to the tapered tip  30  of the second end portion  20  of the belt body  12 . The first end  38  of the sleeve  36  is left open, therby providing an opening  52  to an interior  54  of the sleeve. Additionally, a pair of cover securing mechanisms  56  are attached adjacent the first end  38  of the sleeve  36  on opposite sides of the sleeve. The cover securing mechanisms  56  are preferably rectangular patches of VELCRO® type fasteners configured to releasably attach to the VELCRO® type fasteners of the cover securing mechanisms  24  of the belt body  12 . The fasteners can be adhered to the sleeve  36  but preferably are sewn thereto.  
         [0026]    With the sleeve  36  of the cover  16  assembled as described above and as shown in FIG. 7, the sleeve is then turned inside-out such that the seams are less visible and such that the cover attachment mechanisms are positioned on the inside of the sleeve of the cover. Once the sleeve  36  is turned inside-out, construction of the cover  16  is complete.  
         [0027]    Each belt assembly  10  constructed from the preferred embodiment of the belt kit of the invention is assembled by first selecting a particular one of the connectors  14  and a particular one of the covers  16  to be assembled to the belt body  12 . The tine  34  of the connector  14  is then inserted through the slot  22  of the first end portion  18  of the belt body  12  from the back side of the belt body until the rod portion  35  of the loop  32  engages the back side of the belt body. The first end portion  18  of the belt body  12  is then folded over itself about the rod portion  35  of the loop  32  as shown in FIG. 4. When this is done, the cooperating fasteners  26  of the first end portion  18  of the belt body  12  are aligned with one another and can be releasably fastened to each other to secure the connector  14  to the belt body. It should be appreciated that when the cooperating fasteners  26  are fastened to each other, the cover securing mechanisms  52  are each positioned on opposite sides of the belt body  12  from each other.  
         [0028]    With the connector  14  secured to the belt body  12  as described above, the selected cover  16  is then attached to the belt body by first inserting the second end portion  20  of the belt body  12  through the opening  52  at the first end  38  of the sleeve  36  and into the interior  54  of the sleeve. It should be appreciated that, as this is done, the side of the sleeve  36  having the longitudinal seam  50  is preferably positioned adjacent the back side of the belt body  12 . The belt body  12  is then further inserted through the interior  54  of the sleeve  36  until the second end portion  20  of the belt body eventually engages the second end  40  of the sleeve. The first end  38  of the sleeve  36  is then pulled toward the first end portion  18  of the belt body  12  until the cover securing mechanisms  56  of the sleeve are aligned with the cover securing mechanisms  24  of the belt body. Finally, the belt assembly  10  is completed by engaging the cover securing mechanisms  56  of the sleeve  36  with the cover securing mechanisms  24  of the belt body  12  to secure the first end  38  of the sleeve to the first end portion  18  of the belt body.  
         [0029]    It should be appreciated that the sleeve  36  of the cover  16  is dimensioned and configured such that the sleeve is resiliently stretched, both circumferentially around the belt body  12  and longitudinally from its first end  38  to its second end  40 , when assembled to the belt body. This ensures that the sleeve  36  conforms to the belt body  12  without forming undesirable wrinkles or sags that would detract from the aesthetic appearance of the belt assembly  10 . It should also be appreciated that the eyelets  44  of sleeve  36  are positioned on the sleeve such that each spaced hole  28  in the second end portion  20  of the belt body  12  has an eyelet aligned therewith and positioned on each side thereof.  
         [0030]    Once assembled as described above, the belt assembly  10  can be worn in a manner similar to a conventional belt. To wear the belt assembly  10 , the second end portion  20  of the belt body  12  is passed around the wearer&#39;s waist and partially through the loop  32  of the connector  14 . The connector  14  is then releasably secured to the second end portion  20  of the belt body  12  by passing the tine  34  of the connector  14  through one of the spaced holes  28  of the second end portion and the pair of eyelets  44  aligned therewith. Adjustments to the circumferential dimension of the belt assembly  10  can be made by passing the tine  34  of the connector  14  through an alternative one of the spaced holes  28  of the second end portion  20  of the belt body  12 .  
         [0031]    As mentioned above, the belt kit of the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of connectors  14 , 14 ′ and a plurality of covers  16 , 16 ′ with each of the covers and each of the connectors being distinct in appearance. Thus, the appearance of the belt assembly  10  can easily be changed by replacing the connector  14  and/or the cover  16  of the belt assembly  10  with an alternative one of the covers and/or connectors. This is done by simply reversing the assembly procedure of the belt assembly  10  as described above and then reassembling the belt assembly using a different connector  14 , 14 ′ and/or cover  16 , 16 ′. By selecting a particular connector  14 , 14 ′ and a particular cover  16 , 16 ′ to match a particular outfit, a person can quickly construct a belt assembly  10  that is ideally suited for the outfit without having to purchase and store the numerous convention belts that would otherwise be required. Thus, the belt kit of the preferred embodiment of the invention provides an economic advantage over conventional belts presently available. Furthermore, it is believed that the act of altering the appearance of the belt assembly  10  would be entertaining and enjoyable to many persons, especially young girls.  
         [0032]    In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. However, it should be appreciated that numerous alternative embodiments of the belt kit of the invention could be constructed and numerous alternative methods of altering the appearance of a belt in accordance with the invention could be performed without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0033]    As an example of an alternative embodiment, the belt body of the belt kit of the preferred embodiment is specifically configured to be selectively and releasably attached to a plurality of buckle-style connectors, and yet various other styles of connectors, releasably attachable or not, could also be used. Such other styles of connectors are well known in the art and include items such as clasps, buttons, lace, VELCRO® type fasteners, hook-and-loops, quick-releases, snaps, zippers, magnets, and other devices known in the art. It should also be understood that the belt body of the kit of the invention could be configured without the various specific features of the preferred embodiment that are attributable to the detachable buckle-style connectors. Likewise, it should be understood and appreciated that alternative belt bodies could have other features specifically adapted for the particular connector being used therewith.  
         [0034]    Aside from the alternatives mentioned above, it should be appreciated that the covers of the belt kit need not necessarily have sleeve portions, as does the preferred embodiment. As an example of an alternative cover, the cover could comprise a shroud portion which merely conceals a substantial portion of one side of the belt body, since only one side of the belt body would normally otherwise be exposed when the belt body is being worn. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that not all of the belt body necessarily needs to be concealed by the cover to change the appearance of the belt assembly and thus, the cover could have openings that expose portions of the belt body.  
         [0035]    Yet further, it should be appreciated that even alternative embodiments of the belt kit that comprises a cover having a sleeve portion and buckle-type connector, similar to the preferred embodiment, could utilize and comprise various alternative features for releasably securing the connector and the cover to the belt body. Such features could include fasteners such as clasps, buttons, lace, VELCRO® type fasteners, hook-and-loops, quick-releases, snaps, zippers, or magnets as discussed above and could also include other less conventional devices. For example, the sleeve of the cover could include an elastic annular member sewn around its first end and the belt body could have a necked portion around its first end portion. In this configuration, the elastic member could be positioned in or around the necked portion of the belt body to secure the first end of the sleeve of the cover to the first end portion of the belt body when the cover is attached to the belt body. As yet another alternative, the first end of the sleeve of the cover could have a pair of tabs extending longitudinally from its front side. Such tabs could be configured to wrap around the edge of the first end portion of the belt body where they could then be attached to the back side of the sleeve so as to secure the first end of the sleeve to the first end portion of the belt body. Thus, it should be understood that numerous features of the preferred embodiment could be eliminated and others added in various alternative embodiments of the invention.  
         [0036]    While the present invention has been described in reference to specific embodiments, in light of the foregoing, it should be understood that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings is intended to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense and that various modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of the preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.