U.S. patent application number 13/893245 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-14 for pants closure system.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Kip Gerenda, Helen Li, Jessica Riquetti, Steven Yui. Invention is credited to Kip Gerenda, Helen Li, Jessica Riquetti, Steven Yui.
Application Number | 20130298311 13/893245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49547482 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130298311 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gerenda; Kip ; et
al. |
November 14, 2013 |
PANTS CLOSURE SYSTEM
Abstract
Embodiments herein provide pants with an integrated pants
closure system for securing the pants to a waist of a user. The
closure system may provide a plurality of points of closure, such
as a belt, a fly, and an internal panel closure. The closure system
may provide a low-profile for a front portion and/or waistband of
the pants. Additionally, the closure system may provide backup
points of closure in case of failure. The belt may include a buckle
with a finger that extends through a loop in the belt to close the
belt. The fly may include a zipper that extends to a top edge of
the waistband. The internal panel may include one or more
low-profile snaps to secure the internal panel to an inside surface
of the pants and/or waistband.
Inventors: |
Gerenda; Kip; (Richmond,
CA) ; Riquetti; Jessica; (Richmond, CA) ; Yui;
Steven; (Richmond, CA) ; Li; Helen; (Richmond,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gerenda; Kip
Riquetti; Jessica
Yui; Steven
Li; Helen |
Richmond
Richmond
Richmond
Richmond |
CA
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR, INC.
Portland
OR
|
Family ID: |
49547482 |
Appl. No.: |
13/893245 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61645875 |
May 11, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/235 ;
24/68E |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/2192 20150115;
A41F 9/025 20130101; A44B 11/22 20130101; A41D 1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/235 ;
24/68.E |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/06 20060101
A41D001/06; A44B 11/22 20060101 A44B011/22 |
Claims
1. A pants, comprising: a waistband having a top edge; a fly that
defines a fly opening extending down from the top edge of the
waistband along a front centerline; and a belt including: a belt
band extending around the waistband from a first end of the belt to
a second end of the belt, wherein the first end of the belt is
secured to the waistband at a first side of the fly opening, and
wherein the belt band forms a loop at the first end; and a buckle
coupled to the belt band at the second end of the belt, the buckle
including a finger configured to extend into the loop in the first
end of the belt to couple the second end to the first end across
the front centerline.
2. The pants of claim 1, wherein the fly further includes a zipper
to selectively open or close the fly opening, wherein the zipper
extends to the top edge of the waistband.
3. The pants of claim 2, wherein the zipper includes: a zipper
slider that is movable to open or close the fly opening; a locking
mechanism to maintain a position of the zipper slider at the top
edge of the waistband.
4. The pants of claim 1, wherein the finger of the buckle extends
from a body of the buckle, and wherein the buckle further includes
first and second slots in the body to couple the buckle to the
second end of the belt.
5. The pants of claim 1, wherein the first end of the belt is
secured to the waistband by stitching.
6. The pants of claim 1, wherein the first end of the belt is
secured to the waistband by a releasable coupling mechanism.
7. The pants of claim 1, wherein the fly includes: first and second
panels separated by the fly opening, wherein the second panel
includes an extension portion; a fly closing mechanism to
selectively open or close the fly opening; and an internal closure
mechanism to releasably couple the extension portion of the second
panel to an interior surface of the pants.
8. A buckle for a belt, the buckle comprising: a body portion
configured to be coupled to a second end of a belt band; a finger
extending from the body, the finger configured to be inserted
through a loop in a first end of the belt band, opposite the second
end, to couple the second end of the belt band to the first end of
the belt band.
9. The buckle of claim 8, wherein the body includes one or more
slots to couple the buckle to the second end of the belt band.
10. The buckle of claim 9, wherein the slots enable a belt length
of the belt to be adjusted.
11. The buckle of claim 8, wherein the finger has an "L" shape.
12. The buckle of claim 8, wherein the finger includes: a base that
extends laterally from the body of the buckle; and a vertical
portion that extends downward from the base.
13. The buckle of claim 12, wherein the finger further includes an
angled portion that extends at an angle from a lower end of the
vertical portion toward the body, the angled portion configured to
facilitate engagement of the finger with the loop in the first end
of the belt band.
14. The buckle of claim 13, wherein an end of the angled portion
includes a nub to facilitate engagement of the finger with the loop
in the first end of the belt band.
15. The buckle of claim 8, wherein the body is contoured with a
middle portion of the body being raised relative to side portions
of the body.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/645,875 entitled "PANTS CLOSURE SYSTEM," filed
May 11, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments herein relate to the field of apparel, and, more
specifically, to pants closure systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Pants are often secured to a user's waist by a belt.
However, the belt must be adjusted to fit the user's waist each
time the belt is used. Additionally, the belt typically sticks out
from the user's waist, which may be uncomfortable (e.g., if the
user wears an additional item around the waist, such as a backpack
waist strap) and/or aesthetically unpleasant. Furthermore, the belt
is typically difficult to adjust with one hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Embodiments will be readily understood by the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
and the appended claims. Embodiments are illustrated by way of
example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the
accompanying drawings.
[0005] FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of pants with a belt and
fly closed in accordance with various embodiments;
[0006] FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of the pants of FIG. 1A
with the belt and fly open, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0007] FIG. 1C illustrates an inside view of the pants of FIG. 1A
with the belt, the fly, and an interior closure mechanism open, in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0008] FIG. 1D illustrates an inside view of the pants of FIG. 1A
with the fly and the interior closure mechanism closed, in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0009] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate various views of a buckle, including:
(A) front view; (B) back view; (C) top view; (D) bottom view; and
(E) left side view, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0010] FIG. 2F illustrates a front view of the buckle of FIGS.
2A-2E with a belt band coupled to the buckle in accordance with
various embodiments; and
[0011] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate front views of pants having
an alternative pants closure system with: (A) a belt and fly
closed, and (B) the belt and fly open, and (C) the belt and fly
open with a portion of an outer band of the waistband removed to
show interior components, respectively, in accordance with various
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which
are shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced.
It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and
structural or logical changes may be made without departing from
the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to
be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is
defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0013] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete
operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in
understanding embodiments; however, the order of description should
not be construed to imply that these operations are order
dependent.
[0014] The description may use perspective-based descriptions such
as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are
merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to
restrict the application of disclosed embodiments.
[0015] The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their
derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms
are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular
embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more
elements are in direct physical contact with each other. "Coupled"
may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or
electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean that two or
more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet
still cooperate or interact with each other.
[0016] For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form
"NB" or in the form "A and/or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). For
the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "at least one
of A, B, and C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and
C), or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase
in the form "(A)B" means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional
element.
[0017] The description may use the terms "embodiment" or
"embodiments," which may each refer to one or more of the same or
different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms "comprising,"
"including," "having," and the like, as used with respect to
embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as "open"
terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be
interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.).
[0018] With respect to the use of any plural and/or singular terms
herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural
to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is
appropriate to the context and/or application. The various
singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for
sake of clarity.
[0019] Embodiments herein provide pants with an integrated pants
closure system for securing the pants to a waist of a user. The
closure system may include a belt that encircles a waistband of the
pants. The belt may provide a belt closure mechanism that provides
a low-profile feel and look (e.g., low thickness). This may be
beneficial, for example, when the user is also wearing another item
around the waist, such as a waist strap of a backpack.
Additionally, the pants closure system may provide a plurality of
points of closure, such as three points of closure. The plurality
of points of closure may provide back up if one or more of the
points of closure fail. This may be especially beneficial during a
long trek or other outing during which repair of the closure
components may not be possible. Furthermore, the belt closure
mechanism may allow a belt length to be adjusted independently of
opening and/or closing the belt. Thus, an appropriate belt length
may be set by the user, and then the belt may be opened and/or
closed without needing further adjustment of the belt length.
[0020] The pants may include a fly that defines a fly opening from
a top edge of the waistband downward in a front portion of the
pants. The fly opening may be generally oriented along a centerline
of the pants. The fly may include a first panel and a second panel,
with the first panel overlapping the second panel when the fly is
closed.
[0021] In various embodiments, the belt may include a belt band
extending from a first end of the belt to a second end of the belt
(e.g., around the waistband). In some embodiments, the first end
may be secured to a front portion of the waistband, adjacent to the
fly opening. In these embodiments, the first end may be referred to
as the fixed end of the belt. The first end of the belt band may be
folded back on itself and secured to itself and/or the waistband,
leaving a loop of the belt band material.
[0022] In various embodiments, the second end of the belt may
include a buckle for releasably coupling the second end to the
first end of the belt. In some embodiments, the second end of the
belt may not be directly secured to the waistband of the pants. In
these embodiments, the second end may be referred to as the free
end of the belt.
[0023] In some embodiments, the waistband may include a tunnel,
whether a continuous enclosure or not, in which the belt band is
disposed. In some embodiments, the tunnel may be formed by one or
more belt loops coupled to the waistband to secure the belt band
around the waistband. Additionally, or alternatively, the tunnel
may include one or more longer portions to hide the belt band from
view over a portion, or all of, the waistband. In some embodiments,
the waistband may include one or more belt loops and/or other
structure(s) to hold the loose portion of the belt that extends
from the buckle.
[0024] The belt band may be made of any suitable material, such as
nylon webbing. In some embodiments, the belt band may be relatively
inelastic. Alternatively, the belt band may include a relatively
elastic material/component.
[0025] In various embodiments, the buckle may include a body with a
finger that extends from the body. The finger may be inserted into
the loop in the first end of the belt to secure the second end to
the first end. This may also be referred to as "closing" the belt.
The finger may have any suitable shape, such as an "L" shape. In
some embodiments, the finger may include a nub extending from an
end of the finger to facilitate maintenance of the finger in the
loop in the first end of the belt. For example, the nub may be
oriented at an angle with respect to a proximal portion of the
finger to engage a lower portion of the loop. This may prevent
unwanted opening of the belt.
[0026] The second end of the belt may be uncoupled from the first
end by removing the finger from the loop. This may also be referred
to as "opening" the belt. In some embodiments, the buckle may be a
single component (e.g., not multiple components releasably coupled
together). The combination of the buckle and belt loop may allow
the buckle to have a lower thickness compared with two-piece
buckles having plastic components on opposite ends of the belt
which interlock with each other. The buckle and belt loop
combination may also make opening and/or closing the belt easier
compared with two-piece buckles. For example, in some cases, the
belt may be opened or closed while the user is wearing gloves.
[0027] The fixed end of the belt may be either permanently or
releasably fixed to the front portion of the waistband (such as the
right front portion of the waistband). For example, the fixed end
may be stitched to the waistband. Alternatively, the fixed end may
be releasably (impermanently) secured to the waistband by one or
more buttons, snaps, and/or other such mechanisms.
[0028] In various embodiments, the buckle may further include one
or more slots, disposed in the body of the buckle, that engage with
the second end of the belt band to couple the buckle to the second
end of the belt band and allow adjustment of the belt length. The
belt length may be adjusted by extending and/or retracting the
second end of the belt from the slots of the buckle (e.g.,
adjusting the length of a loose portion of the belt that extends
from the buckle). The buckle may maintain the current belt length
by a friction fit when the belt is not subjected to an external
force.
[0029] As used herein, the belt length may be defined as the
distance from the first end of the belt to the buckle around the
waistband of the pants. In some embodiments, the belt may be made
of a relatively inelastic material, such as nylon webbing. However,
it is understood that in some cases, the belt may include a
relatively elastic material, and adjusting the length of the loose
portion of the belt may change the tension of the belt without
significant change to the distance from the fixed end of the belt
to the buckle. This type of adjustment is considered within the
definition of adjusting the belt length.
[0030] As discussed above, the belt and buckle described herein may
allow the buckle to have a low profile, e.g., a low thickness. The
buckle may also be contoured (e.g., curved and/or bent) to follow
the curvature of the waist for enhanced comfort and/or aesthetic
appeal. Additionally, the belt length may be adjusted with one
hand, and/or may be adjusted independently of the opening and/or
closing of the belt. Thus, an appropriate belt length may be set by
the user, and then the belt may be opened and/or closed without
needing further adjustment of the belt length. Furthermore, it may
not require significant dexterity to open and/or close the belt
and/or to adjust the belt length, thus the user may be able to
operate the belt and closure mechanism while wearing gloves.
[0031] In various embodiments, the fly may include a zipper to
selectively open and/or close the fly opening. In some embodiments,
the zipper may extend to the top edge of the waistband. Thus, a
separate mechanism for closing a top portion of the fly opening may
not be required. A zipper garage may be disposed on the top edge of
the waistband for receiving a zipper pull of the zipper when the
zipper is closed. The zipper garage may be formed by a portion of
material coupled to the waistband to form a pocket.
[0032] The zipper may include a first and second rows of teeth and
a zipper slider that is movable along the zipper to engage or
disengage the first and second rows of teeth and thereby open or
close the zipper. In some embodiments, the zipper slider may
include a zipper pull coupled to a slider body. In some
embodiments, the zipper and/or zipper slider may include a locking
mechanism to maintain a position of the zipper slider with respect
to the rows of teeth when force is not applied to the zipper
slider. For example, the zipper may be an automatic locking zipper
that locks automatically when no force is placed on the zipper pull
or a semi auto-lock zipper that is locked in place when the zipper
pull is in a lowered position and unlocked when the zipper pull is
in a raised position. The locking mechanism may facilitate
maintenance of the zipper in the closed position (e.g., with the
zipper slider at the top of the zipper). Accordingly, the zipper
may provide a high-performance fly closure while not requiring a
separate mechanism for closing the top portion of the fly opening.
The zipper may provide a lower profile closure of the fly compared
with a snap or button at the top of the waistband.
[0033] In other embodiments, the pants may additionally or
alternatively include another closure mechanism at the center
portion of the waistband to close the top portion of the fly
opening.
[0034] In some embodiments, the pants may further include an
internal closure mechanism for securing an internal extension
portion (e.g., a flap) of the second panel of the fly to an
interior surface of the pants. For example, the internal closure
mechanism may include one or more snaps, buttons, and/or
hook-and-loop type fasteners to secure the extension portion of the
second panel to the interior surface of the pants. The internal
closure mechanism may provide an additional point of closure for
the pants. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the internal closure
mechanism may provide added comfort and/or aesthetic appeal to the
pants.
[0035] Accordingly, as discussed above, the pants may include a
plurality of points of closure, such as the belt, the fly, and/or
the internal closure mechanism. The plurality of points of closure
may provide one or more backup points of closure that may keep the
pants secured around the waist of the user if one or more other
points of closure fails. This may be especially useful for
activewear pants that may be used on long treks or other outdoor
activities. The user may not be able to repair the failed point of
closure, or change pants, while on the trek.
[0036] Although the pants and belt described herein may be
particularly suited for athletic or active use, the belt may be
incorporated into any suitable type of pants. The pants may be full
length pants or short pants (e.g., shorts).
[0037] As discussed herein, embodiments provide pants including a
waistband having a top edge, and a fly that defines a fly opening
extending down from the top edge of the waistband along a front
centerline. The pants further include a belt having a belt band
extending around the waistband from a first end of the belt to a
second end of the belt. The first end of the belt is secured to the
waistband at a first side of the fly opening, and the belt band
forms a loop at the first end. The belt further includes a buckle
coupled to the belt band at the second end of the belt, the buckle
including a finger configured to extend into the loop in the first
end of the belt to couple the second end to the first end across
the front centerline.
[0038] Embodiments as described herein further provide a buckle for
a belt. The buckle includes a body portion configured to be coupled
to a second end of a belt band. The buckle further includes a
finger extending from the body, the finger configured to be
inserted through a loop in a first end of the belt band, opposite
the second end, to couple the second end of the belt to the first
end of the belt.
[0039] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a partial front view of pants 100
having a belt 102. FIG. 1A shows a front view of pants 100 in a
closed position, and FIG. 1B shows a front view of pants 100 in an
open position. FIG. 1C shows an inside view of pants 100 in the
open position, and FIG. 1D shows an inside view of pants 100 in the
closed position. The pants 100 include a waistband 104 having an
outer band 106 and an inner band 108. The outer band 106 and inner
band 108 are coupled together (e.g., by stitching) along the top
and bottom edges of waistband 104, thereby forming a tunnel 110.
The belt 102 includes a belt band 112 that extends around waistband
104 through tunnel 110. A first end 114 (also referred to as fixed
end 114) of the belt 102 is secured to the waistband 104 by
stitching at stitching lines 116. The belt band 112 is folded back
on itself and coupled to itself by stitching at a stitching line
118 to form a loop 120 (e.g., with an opening through the loop
120).
[0040] In some embodiments, the belt band 112 may also be stitched
to itself at stitching lines 116 for extra structural integrity.
The belt band 112 may or may not also be stitched to the waistband
104 at stitching line 118. In some embodiments in which belt band
112 is stitched to the waistband 104 at stitching line 118,
stitching lines 116 may not be included. It will be apparent that
any arrangement of stitching may be used to form the loop 120
and/or to secure the fixed end 114 of the belt 102 to the waistband
104. Alternatively, or additionally, other mechanisms instead of or
in addition to stitching may be used to form the loop 120 and/or
secure the fixed end 114 to the waistband 104, such as one or more
buttons, snaps, or other mechanisms.
[0041] The belt 102 further includes a buckle 122 coupled to the
belt band 112 at a free end 124 of the belt 102. The buckle 122 is
further shown in FIGS. 2A-2F. While a particular buckle is
represented in these figures, other suitable buckles or other such
coupling mechanisms may be used in embodiments in accordance with
the teachings herein.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2F, the buckle 122 includes a body 123,
with a finger 126 that extends from the body 123. The buckle 122
further includes slots 130a and 130b disposed in the body. The
finger is generally L-shaped, with a base 125 extending laterally
from the body 123, and a vertical portion 127 extending downward
from the base 125. The finger 126 further includes an angled
portion 129 that is disposed at an angle from the vertical portion
127. For example, the angled portion 129 may be angled back toward
the body 123. The finger 126 further includes a nub 128 on the end
of the finger 126. The vertical portion 127 of finger 126 may be
inserted into the loop 120 to close the belt (as shown in FIGS. 1A
and 2F). The angled portion 129 and nub 128 may extend through the
lower portion of the loop 120 to help the belt remain closed (e.g.,
to prevent the finger 126 from accidentally retracting from the
loop 120.
[0043] The buckle 122 may be coupled to the free end 124 of belt
band 112 by slots 130a and 130b. For example, FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2F
show the free end 124 of belt band 112 threaded through slots 130a
and 130b. A center bar 132 between slots 130a and 130b is curved
and raised with respect to other portions of the body 123 to
facilitate interaction of the buckle 122 and belt band 112. The
buckle 122 holds the belt band 112 in place at rest (e.g., when not
subjected to external forces). A belt length of the belt 102 may be
shortened by pulling on the free end 124, and/or may be lengthened
by threading the free end 124 of belt band 112 back through the
slots 130a-b. Once the belt length has been set, the buckle 122
generally maintains the belt length, even after repeated opening
and closing of the belt 102.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D, the buckle 122 has a
curved cross-section. This may enhance comfort to the user and/or
facilitate operation of the buckle 122. The buckle 122 has a
relatively uniform width over the cross-section. A recessed release
structure 134 facilitates lengthening of the belt length and/or
removing the finger 126 from the loop 120 to open the belt 102.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 1B, the pants 100 further include a fly 140
that defines a fly opening 142 from a top edge of the waistband 104
downward along a front centerline 144 in the front of the pants.
The fly 140 includes a first panel 146 and a second panel 148, with
the first panel 146 overlapping the second panel 148 when the fly
140 is closed. The fly 140 further includes a zipper 150 that
extends to the top edge of the waistband 104 along the front
centerline 144. Thus, the zipper 150 may be used for opening and/or
closing the fly opening 142 and coupling the waistband 104 around
the waist of the user.
[0046] A zipper garage 152 may be disposed on the top edge of
waistband 104 to receive a zipper slider 154 of the zipper 150 when
the zipper 150 is closed. The zipper garage 152 may define a pocket
in which the zipper slider 154 is disposed when the zipper 150 is
closed. Thus, the zipper slider 154 may be at least partially
hidden from view when the zipper 150 is closed. Other embodiments
may not include a zipper garage 152.
[0047] The zipper 150 and/or zipper slider 154 may include a
locking mechanism to maintain the zipper slider 154 at the top edge
of the zipper 150 (e.g., in the zipper garage 152) when the zipper
slider 154 is not subject to external forces. Thus, the zipper 150
and fly opening 142 may remain closed during normal use of the
pants 100 without another coupling mechanism at the top of the fly
opening 142. For example, in some embodiments, the zipper 150 may
be an automatic locking zipper or a semi auto-lock zipper.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, the second panel 148 of fly 140
includes an extension portion 156 having male snaps 158 disposed
thereon. Female snaps 160 are coupled to the inside surface of
waistband 104. Male snaps 158 may be coupled with female snaps 160,
as shown in FIG. 1D, to provide an internal closure mechanism for
waistband 104 and/or fly 140. The internal closure mechanism
provides a third point of closure for the pants 100 (e.g., in
addition to the zipper 150 and belt 102. In some circumstances, the
user may choose not to use the internal closure mechanism of the
pants 100.
[0049] As discussed above, the pants 100 include three points of
closure: belt 102 (with buckle 122), zipper 150, and snaps 158 on
second panel 148. The three points of closure may provide backup to
maintain the pants 100 secured around the user's waist if one or
more of the points of closure fails. The three points of closure
may also provide a low profile for enhanced comfort, aesthetic
appeal, and/or utility.
[0050] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate pants 300 including a belt 302 with a
buckle 322. Pants 300 are similar to pants 100, with a first end
314 of the belt 302 includes a loop 320 that engages with the
buckle 322 disposed on a second end 324 of the belt 302. However,
the buckle 322 of belt 302 is disposed on the inner surface of the
first panel 346 of fly 340. Accordingly, the buckle 322 is hidden
from view when the fly 340 is closed. The fly 340 also hides the
loop 320 and first end 314 of the belt 302 from view. The buckle
322 is releasably secured to the inner surface of the first panel
346 by a coupling mechanism 361 that engages a finger 326 of the
buckle 322. A loose portion 364 of belt 302 extends from the buckle
322 and is accessible from the exterior of pants 300 to adjust the
belt length.
[0051] The pants 300 include a waistband with an inner band 306 and
an outer band 308. A belt loop 362 is coupled to the waistband 304
to receive the loose portion 364 of the belt 302. The belt loop 362
is in addition to a tunnel 310, through which the belt 302 is
disposed around the waistband 304 of the pants.
[0052] Pants 300 are shown in FIG. 3A with the fly 340 and belt 302
closed, and in FIGS. 3B-3C with the fly 340 and belt 302 open. FIG.
3C also illustrates the pants 300 with a portion of the outer band
308 removed to show interior components. As shown in FIG. 3C, a
fixed end 314 of belt 302 is secured to waistband 304 by a button
366. Accordingly, the belt 302 is removable from pants 300. For
example, the belt 302 may be removed for washing, repair, and/or
replacement.
[0053] Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent
embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same
purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described
without departing from the scope. Those with skill in the art will
readily appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in a very
wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any
adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.
Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limited
only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
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