U.S. patent application number 11/360130 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for belt buckle.
Invention is credited to Ronald C. Matusek, Sharon Marie Reid.
Application Number | 20070193003 11/360130 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38426620 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070193003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matusek; Ronald C. ; et
al. |
August 23, 2007 |
Belt buckle
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a belt buckle formed of a molded plastic
material and includes a decorative face. The belt buckle includes:
a rigid frame member imbedded therein and a convex front face which
is adapted to receive decorative elements. The frame member
includes a loop extending from a lateral side of the belt buckle to
receive one end of a belt. The frame member also includes a hook
which protrudes from the inner or rear face of the buckle to permit
the hook to be inserted into holes provided in a belt. The hook and
loop of the frame member are joined by a curved metal intermediate
portion that rigidly connects the loop and the hook
Inventors: |
Matusek; Ronald C.; (Las
Vegas, NV) ; Reid; Sharon Marie; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JENNIFER J. RIEL, ESQ.
375 E. WARM SPRINGS ROAD
SUITE # 104-19
LAS VEGAS
NV
89119-4244
US
|
Family ID: |
38426620 |
Appl. No.: |
11/360130 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/163K ;
24/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 11/24 20130101;
A44B 11/001 20130101; Y10T 24/406 20150115; Y10T 24/4098
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/163.00K ;
024/186 |
International
Class: |
A44B 11/00 20060101
A44B011/00 |
Claims
1. A belt buckle comprising: (a) a rigid frame member having a loop
formed at one end thereof to receive a belt, a hook for insertion
into holes provided therefor in a belt, and an intermediate portion
rigidly and permanently connecting said loop and said hook; (b) a
solidified plastic material encasing said frame member with said
loop and said hook exposed to permit the attachment of said belt to
said loop and permit said hook to be inserted in holes provided in
said belt; (c) said solidified plastic material including a convex
front face which is adapted to receive decorative elements; (d)
said hook extending from and exposed on a face of said solidified
plastic material opposite to said front face; and (e) said loop
extending from a lateral side of said solidified plastic
material.
2. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said rigid frame member is
formed of a metal wire having one end formed into said hook and an
opposite end formed into said loop with a curved portion
therebetween connecting said loop and said hook.
3. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said rigid frame member is
formed of a metal plate having one end with a hole to form said
loop to receive the belt, and including a hook member formed at an
opposite end thereof for extension into a hole provided therefor in
the belt.
4. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said solidified plastic
material is polyurethane.
5. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said solidified plastic
material is polyethylene.
6. A belt buckle comprising: a solidified plastic material; a
convex front face which is adapted to receive decorative elements;
a rigid frame member imbedded within the solidified plastic
material wherein the rigid frame member includes a loop and a hook
which are joined by a metal intermediate portion that rigidly
connects the loop and the hook; the loop is conformed to accept an
end of a belt and extends from a lateral side of the solidified
plastic material to stably hold the end of the belt; and the hook
protrudes from a face of the solidified plastic material opposite
to the front face to permit the hook to be inserted in holes
provided in the belt.
7. The belt buckle of claim 6 wherein the rigid frame member is
formed of a metal wire having one end formed into the hook and an
opposite end formed into the loop with a curved portion
therebetween connecting the loop and the hook.
8. The belt buckle of claim 6 wherein the rigid frame member is
formed of a metal plate having one end with a hole to form the loop
to receive the belt, and including a hook member formed at an
opposite end thereof for extension into a hole provided therefor in
the belt.
9. The belt buckle of claim 6 wherein the solidified plastic
material is polyurethane.
10. The belt buckle of claim 6 wherein the solidified plastic
material is polyethylene.
11. A belt buckle comprising: a solidified plastic material; a
curved front face which is adapted to display decorative elements;
a curved rear face which is adapted to contour a user's waistline;
a rigid frame member imbedded within the solidified plastic
material wherein the rigid frame member comprises: a loop conformed
to accept an end of a belt and extends from a lateral side of the
solidified plastic material to stably hold the end of the belt; a
hook which protrudes from the rear face to permit the hook to be
inserted in holes provided in the belt; and a curved metal
intermediate portion that connects the loop and the hook.
12. The belt buckle of claim 11 wherein the rigid frame member is
formed of a metal wire having one end formed into the hook and an
opposite end formed into the loop with a curved portion
therebetween connecting the loop and the hook.
13. The belt buckle of claim 11 wherein the rigid frame member is
formed of a metal plate having one end with a hole to form the loop
to receive the belt, and including a hook member formed at an
opposite end thereof for extension into a hole provided therefor in
the belt.
14. The belt buckle of claim 11 wherein the solidified plastic
material is polyurethane.
15. The belt buckle of claim 11 wherein the solidified plastic
material is polyethylene.
16. The belt buckle of claim 11 wherein the decorative elements
comprises an interchangeable decorative face.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of belt
buckles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
plastic belt buckle which includes a decorative face.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Belt buckles that are worn with everyday attire are
typically made of a metal material. There are few plastic belt
buckles being marketed today for use with everyday apparel.
However, such belt buckles are not aesthetically pleasing, fail to
incorporate decorative elements, and appear to lack the durability
and rigidity needed to hold together the ends of a thick leather
belt.
[0003] Many of the plastic belt buckles worn today are used in
contexts other than in everyday apparel. For example, plastic belt
buckles are used in scuba divers' belts, fitness stabilizing belts
for use with glideboards, mountain climber belts for use with chalk
bags; and a variety of plastic belt buckles are utilized in
hunting, archery, camping, hiking and fishing belts. Such buckles
are often used with nylon belts, are designed to have quick release
features and do not include decorative elements. As such, since
they lack aesthetic qualities and are primarily designed for
particular functions, such belt buckles are not likely to be worn
with everyday apparel.
[0004] As disclosed in the applicant's previous patent, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,179,766, the applicant has conceived of a plastic belt buckle
construction that may be produced at a low cost while permitting
customized pictorial facings such as logos and the like. The
applicant's belt buckle of U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766 includes a
decorative face that may be produced very inexpensively and without
the need for complex and expensive machinery to thereby make small
batch processing of such belt buckles economically feasible.
[0005] As discussed hereinabove, there is therefore a need in the
art for a plastic belt buckle which can be used with everyday
apparel that is aesthetically pleasing and incorporates decorative
elements. There is also a need in the art for a plastic belt buckle
which is stable enough to hold together the ends of a thick leather
belt while providing comfort for the user. As such, the applicants
have improved the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766
and have created an economically feasible plastic belt buckle
construction in accordance with the objects of the present
invention.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention is directed to an economically
feasible plastic belt buckle construction which is aesthetically
pleasing, incorporates decorative elements and stably holds
together the ends of a belt while providing comfort for the user.
Additionally, the belt buckle of the present invention may be worn
with everyday apparel. Since the belt buckle's decorative elements
may include logos representing various companies such as truck and
automobile manufacturers, beer brands, sports teams or special
events, the present invention may also be used for advertising or
promotional purposes.
[0007] To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the purposes
of the present invention, the present invention is directed to a
belt buckle comprised of a solidified plastic material. The belt
buckle includes: a rigid frame member imbedded therein and a curved
or convex front face which is adapted to receive decorative
elements. The rigid frame member includes a loop and a hook which
are joined by a metal intermediate portion that rigidly and
permanently connects the loop and the hook. In one embodiment of
the invention, the rigid frame member may be formed of wire that
has been bent into an appropriate shape. The loop opening is
positioned so that it is not perpendicular to the intermediate
portion. The loop is conformed to accept the end of a belt which is
typically folded over the loop and snapped or otherwise fastened to
connect the end of the belt to the belt buckle. The loop extends
from the lateral side of the belt buckle to stably hold the end of
the belt. The hook protrudes from the inner or rear face of the
belt buckle and permits fastening of the opposite end of the belt
to the buckle through the insertion of the hook into holes provided
in a belt.
[0008] Other features, aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description of
the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
which illustrate, by way of example, various features of
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a belt buckle
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the belt buckle
of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a suitable mold mechanism for
manufacturing a belt buckle in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line
4-4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the mold housing top of the
apparatus of FIG. 3 showing the "negative" of the chosen design in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rigid frame member formed
of a wire bent into an appropriate confirmation in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rigid frame member formed
from a metal plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate molding
mechanism for the production of the belt buckle in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along line
9-9 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] In the following description of embodiments of the
invention, 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 modifications may be made without departing from the
scope of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0019] The belt buckle of the present invention comprises a molded
plastic body having a decorative face and having imbedded therein a
metal frame member having a hook protruding from the inner face of
the buckle and a loop protruding from a lateral side of the buckle
at the opposite end.
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a frontal perspective view of a belt buckle
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A belt
buckle body 10 incorporates a front face 11 which is adapted to
receive decorative elements. The front face 11 includes a curvature
that is convex in shape to provide comfort for the user and contour
the user's waistline. In one embodiment of the invention, the front
face 11 may include any three-dimensional decorative configuration
such as initials, symbols and/or logos. The loop 12 of the rigid
frame extends from a lateral side of the belt buckle of the present
invention. The loop 12 is adapted to accept the end of a belt which
is typically folded over the loop and snapped or otherwise fastened
to connect the end of the belt to the belt buckle. The loop 12
extends from the lateral side of the belt buckle to stably hold the
end of the belt.
[0021] The belt buckle of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2
may be constructed of any suitable plastic material such as
polyurethane and incorporates within it a rigid frame member. As
seen in FIG. 2, the rigid frame member includes a loop 12 extending
from a lateral side of the belt buckle and a hook 14 which extends
from the rear face 15 of the buckle body. The loop 12 is
appropriately dimensioned to receive the end of a belt (not shown)
so that it can be threaded through the loop and folded over onto
itself; belts usually incorporate some type of fastening means such
as rivets, screws or snaps so that the folded portion passing
through the loop is secured to the belt buckle at the loop. The
hook 14 is dimensioned to permit the hook to be inserted in holes
provided at the opposite end of a belt in a manner known in the
art.
[0022] The belt buckle embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be
produced in a variety of fashions including the utilization of an
injection mold as shown at FIG. 3. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4,
a mold housing 20 including a housing top 21 and a mold housing
bottom 22 are shown within which is positioned a "soft" or plastic
mold 27 divided into an upper portion 28 and lower portion 29. In
certain embodiments of the present invention, the upper portion 28
of the mold may include a negative of the desired three-dimensional
design that is intended to be utilized for the decorative face of
the belt buckle. A negative of a three-dimensional design is
depicted in FIG. 5. The particular design chosen may of course be
readily changed and the "negative" half of the mold may easily be
changed.
[0023] The belt buckle of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4
includes a rigid frame member 35 which is formed of a wire bent
into an appropriate configuration and is supported within the mold.
The rigid frame member 35, if formed of wire, can conveniently be
bent utilizing conventional wire bending machines and it has been
found that 120 gauge steel wire provides appropriate workability
for utilization in such wire bending machines while also providing
sufficient strength when in its final form to function as rigid
frame member for the belt buckle of the present invention. It may
be noted that the rigid frame member 35 is formed of a single
length of wire that has been bent or folded in respective
directions, one end of which forms a hook 36 that is connected
through an intermediate portion 37 to a loop 38. The end 39 of the
wire that forms a part of the loop may, if desired, be tack welded
to its adjacent portion of the wire, although such welding has been
found not to be necessary in most instances.
[0024] The belt buckle of present invention includes a rigid frame
member wherein the loop 38 is not perpendicular to the intermediate
portion 37. The intermediate portion 37 includes a curvature to
complement the belt buckle's convex shape. As seen in FIG. 4, the
belt buckle's shape is curved which is evident by the curved cavity
52 of the plastic mold apparatus. Additionally, the loop 38 does
not protrude perpendicularly out of the rear face of the belt
buckle's plastic molded body. Rather, the loop 38 extends out of a
lateral end of the belt buckle and extends into receiving channel
42 within the bottom half of the mold. Referring still to FIG. 4,
the hook 36 faces downward out of the rear face of the plastic
molded body and extends into receiving channel 40 within the bottom
half of the mold. In certain embodiments of the present invention,
the rigid frame member 35 may be held in position through the
utilization of magnets such as those shown at 43 and 44, although a
variety of other techniques may be equally suitable. As depicted in
FIG. 3, with the rigid frame member held in position, the upper and
lower portions of the mold are placed in contact with each other
with the alignment pins 45 inserted into the alignment holes 46 of
the mold housing top and bottom respectively.
[0025] Fluid plastic material of the appropriate viscosity may then
be fed into the injection passage 50 and into the cavity 52
surrounding the rigid frame member. The flowable plastic enters the
mold and fills the mold cavity with the excess appearing at a well
54 opposite the input channel 55 of the injection passage. When the
cavity is full, the mold housing top and bottom are separated and
the upper and lower mold portions are disengaged to permit the
removal of the finished molded belt buckle. It may be noted that
the mold itself may comprise solidified molded plastic material
that has been formed in a "negative" three-dimensional design by
copying from an existing buckle design. Alternatively, the
solidified plastic material of the mold is easily cut or machined
either through the use of manual shaping techniques or through more
modern machining techniques to duplicate an appropriate logo or
design in accordance with the manufacturer's desires.
[0026] The rigid frame member of the belt buckle depicted in FIG. 3
is shown in FIG. 6. The intermediate portion 37 includes a
curvature and the loop 38 is planar (i.e., not perpendicular) to
the intermediate portion 37. The wire chosen as the frame member
may be formed of an appropriate gauge steel wire (e.g., 120 gauge)
bent and formed using conventional wire forming machinery. Again,
the contact 60 between the one end of the wire and the adjacent
portion of the wire at the loop end of the member may be welded if
desired.
[0027] FIG. 7 depicts an alternate embodiment of the present
invention wherein the rigid frame member uses a metal plate 61
instead of a wire for the intermediate portion. The metal plate 61
has been bent to create a curvature and to complement the curved
shape of the belt buckle. The metal plate 61 has also been stamped
to provide an opening 64 that enables the respective end of the
sheet metal member to be utilized as a loop. A peg 65 or extension
may be soldered or welded close to the opposite end of the plate to
form the hook. Alternatively, the plate could be stamped or punched
to cause a small segment of the sheet to bend inwardly as a
substitute for the peg 65 shown in FIG. 7.
[0028] One of the chief advantages of the buckle of the present
invention is the modest expense needed to create and manufacture
customized or unique belt buckles having a particular
three-dimensional outer face. As an example of the simplicity with
which the belt buckle of the present invention can be made,
reference may now be had to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a perspective
view of mold housing 70 within which a plastic mold 71 is formed.
This plastic mold may be created by simply placing a suitable copy
of the desired logo, emblem or design into the face of unhardened
plastic material and permitting the material to harden.
Polyurethane may be utilized for this purpose. With the mold thus
completed, and a "negative" of the desired design obtained, a very
simple duplication process to create the belt buckles of the
present invention may be used.
[0029] As depicted in FIG. 9, a rigid frame member 73, such as the
wire formed frame member of FIG. 6 is suspended in the volume 74
within which the plastic polyurethane material is to be fed. The
manner of suspension of the frame member is immaterial; however, in
FIGS. 8 and 9 it may be seen that a simple cross bar member 75 is
positioned across the top of the mold 71 and mold housing 70 and
supports the frame member by extending through the loop 76 of the
frame member. The cross bar member is provided with a suitable hole
or opening 77 to admit the hook 79 at the opposite end of the frame
member. With the frame member thus suspended in the volume of the
mold, uncured polyurethane material of appropriate viscosity can
then be placed in the mold and be permitted to harden. Once
hardened, the finished belt buckle can simply be removed and will
contain a decorative face that is a three-dimensional replica of
the mold.
[0030] The above-described embodiments of the present invention
have many advantages. For instance, as disclosed in applicant's
previous patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766, the present invention
requires only a modest expense to create and manufacture customized
or unique belt buckles having a particular three-dimensional outer
face. The simplicity and the easily practiced methods available for
the reproduction of belt buckles constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention permit very inexpensive belt
buckles to be produced without the requirement that extraordinarily
large numbers of belt buckles be produced. For example, once a
"master" is available, belt buckles can be produced to reproduce
the pictorial view of the master in very small quantities while
maintaining the economies heretofore available only when belt
buckles are to be produced in the tens of thousands. Of course, if
a particular belt buckle design is commercially successful, it may
be advisable to proceed with the manufacture of the belt buckle
using injection mold techniques and multiple mold processes to mass
produce the belt buckle to meet demands. In instances where the
cost of production would ordinarily militate against the
manufacture of a custom buckle, the buckle of the present invention
is simple enough that it can be reproduced in very limited
quantities without sacrificing the economy achieved through
simplicity of the required manufacturing process.
[0031] Moreover, it can be realized that the present invention,
which is an improvement of U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766, provides
additional advantages. For instance, in the present invention, the
rigid frame member and the body of the belt buckle includes a
curvature to contour the user's waistline thereby providing comfort
for the user. A curved belt buckle would be more comfortable than
one that is shaped like a rectangular block. The positioning of the
loop at the lateral side of the belt buckle as opposed to the rear
face permits additional comfort as the rigid metal loop no longer
projects into the user's stomach or waist area. Also, the body of
the belt buckle of the present invention is less bulky and is more
lightweight and streamlined which adds comfort for the user.
[0032] It can further be realized that belt buckle of the present
invention is more aesthetically pleasing in light of the belt
buckle's design which is less bulky and more streamlined.
Furthermore, the inclusion of decorative elements or designs on the
front face of the belt buckle makes the present invention
aesthetically pleasing for use with everyday apparel. A variety of
decorative elements/designs which include any combination of
letters, symbols, and/or logos may be incorporated on the front
face of the belt buckle such as western designs, artistic designs,
initials, names, trademarks, sports insignia, and company names. As
such, the present invention is also ideal for advertising or
promotional purposes.
[0033] It can further be realized that the present invention can
more stably hold together the ends of a belt. The positioning of
the loop on a lateral side as opposed to the rear face of the belt
not only provides comfort for the user, but it helps add stability
and integrity to the belt buckle. The positioning of the loop of
the rigid frame member permits the user to engage in physical
activity without his or her belt becoming undone. In addition, the
positioning of the loop on a lateral side of the belt buckle
permits the user to thread the belt more easily for attachment of
the belt buckle to the belt.
[0034] It is to be understood, that although some advantages of the
present invention are described herein, it is not necessary that
all the advantageous features and/or all the advantages need to be
incorporated into every embodiment of the invention.
[0035] Although the present invention has been described above in
considerable detail with reference to certain versions thereof,
other embodiments of the present invention are possible. For
example, while the specific embodiments chosen for illustration
show the use of a three-dimensional design in the buckle face, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that two dimensional
designs may be used. For example, a logo could be printed, drawn,
painted or attached onto the buckle face without a three
dimensional representation.
[0036] In alternate embodiments of the invention, a decorative face
may be attached to the face of the belt buckle of the present
invention. The decorative face is not limited to the shape of the
front face of the belt buckle. It can be of any desirable shape.
For example, the decorative face may take the shape of a particular
logo or symbol. The decorative face may be interchangeable and may
be attached to the front face of the belt buckle by any method
known in the art. For example, the decorative face may be attached
by any of the following methods: snapped or screwed into a
depression on the molded plastic front face, slid on through a
track or lip molded onto the front face, latched on, attached by a
hook and loop tape system such as VELCRO.RTM., attached using
magnets, or any combination thereof. In such embodiments of the
invention, the decorative face is interchangeable which permits
versatility.
[0037] In alternate embodiments, other types of plastics may be
utilized in mass production of the belt buckles of the present
invention such as polyethylene frequently used in injection mold
procedures. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art
that a variety of plastic materials may be utilized including
colored or multicolored plastics and including those that simulate
metal.
[0038] While the description above refers to particular embodiments
of the present invention, it will be understood that many
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
* * * * *