U.S. patent application number 17/165777 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-05 for stretch belt with pocket.
This patent application is currently assigned to Amphipod, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Amphipod, Inc.. Invention is credited to June A. Angus, Antonio Del Rosario, Keith S. Willows.
Application Number | 20210235799 17/165777 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005385571 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210235799 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Willows; Keith S. ; et
al. |
August 5, 2021 |
Stretch Belt with Pocket
Abstract
An adjustable stretch belt with a pocket allows a user to carry
items securely, conveniently and in a bounce-free manner while
being active, while having the ability to adjust the sizing of the
belt with an internal adjustor such that one size stretch belt can
fit a variety of waist sizes, and allowing a user to vary the
tightness as desired.
Inventors: |
Willows; Keith S.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Angus; June A.; (Seattle, WA) ; Rosario;
Antonio Del; (Bellevue, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Amphipod, Inc. |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Amphipod, Inc.
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
1000005385571 |
Appl. No.: |
17/165777 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62995537 |
Feb 3, 2020 |
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|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41F 9/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41F 9/02 20060101
A41F009/02 |
Claims
1. A belt, comprising: a panel of material forming the belt,
wherein the belt forms an endless loop configured to be placed
about the waist of a user; a pocket positioned on the panel of
material forming the belt; an adjustment belt attached to the panel
of material, the adjustment belt having a length greater than a
circumference defined by the endless loop, the adjustment belt
positioned with respect to the panel such that the adjustment belt
is placed about the waist of the user together with the belt when
the belt is placed about the waist of the user; and an adjuster
connected to the adjustment belt, the adjuster releasably securing
the adjustment belt in a plurality of positions, whereby the length
of the adjustment belt may be increased or decreased.
2. The belt of claim 1, wherein the panel further comprises a front
panel and a rear panel joined to the front panel.
3. The belt of claim 1, wherein the pocket is positioned on an
interior surface of the panel.
4. The belt of claim 3, further comprising a closure for selective
access to the pocket.
5. The belt of claim 4, wherein the closure comprises a zipper.
6. The belt of claim 1, wherein the panel of material forming the
belt further forms an interior tube, and further wherein the
adjustment belt is positioned within the interior tube and
surrounded by the panel of material forming the belt.
7. The belt of claim 6 wherein the panel further comprises a
plurality of panels.
8. The belt of claim 7, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a
front panel and a rear panel joined to the front panel.
9. The belt of claim 6, further comprising at least one belt
retainer positioned within the interior tube, the adjustment belt
being trained within the at least one belt retainer.
10. The belt of claim 9, wherein the interior tube forms the
pocket, the belt further comprising a closure for selective access
to the pocket.
11. The belt of claim 10, wherein the adjuster is positioned within
an opening of the closure when the closure is in an open
position.
12. The belt of claim 10, wherein the at least one belt retainer
comprises a plurality of belt retainers, the plurality of belt
retainers further defining a gap between two of the plurality of
belt retainers, the adjuster being positioned at the gap when the
adjustment belt is trained through the plurality of belt
retainers.
13. A belt, comprising: a front panel joined to a rear panel, the
front panel and the rear panel combining to form an endless loop
configured to be placed about the waist of a user; the front and
rear panels further being joined together to define an interior
pocket; an adjustment belt attached to the belt and positioned
within the interior pocket, the adjustment belt having a length
greater than a circumference defined by the endless loop, the
adjustment surrounding the waist of the user together with the belt
when the belt is placed about the waist of the user; and an
adjuster connected to the adjustment belt and positioned within the
pocket, the adjuster releasably securing the adjustment belt in a
plurality of positions, whereby the length of the adjustment belt
may be increased or decreased.
14. The belt of claim 13, further comprising a closure for
selective access to the pocket.
15. The belt of claim 14, wherein the closure comprises a
zipper.
16. The belt of claim 13, wherein the pocket further forms an
interior tube.
17. The belt of claim 16, further comprising a belt retainer
positioned within the interior tube, the adjustment belt being
trained within the belt retainer.
18. The belt of claim 17, further comprising a closure for
selective access to the pocket.
19. The belt of claim 18, wherein the adjuster is positioned within
an opening formed by the closure when the closure is in an open
position.
20. The belt of claim 19, wherein the belt retainer comprises a
plurality of belt retainers, the plurality of belt retainers
further defining a gap between two of the plurality of belt
retainers, the adjuster being positioned at the gap when the
adjustment belt is trained through the plurality of belt retainers.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of prior U.S.
application 62/995,537, filed Feb. 3, 2020, the contents of which
are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] While engaging in sports like running, biking, walking and
many outdoor and leisure activities it is often desirable to bring
personal items like phones, cards, money, medication, personal
medical devices, sunglasses, eye drops, or other items a person may
need. The following discloses a stretch belt with pocket that
addresses the need to carry these types of personal items in a
novel, versatile, comfortable, convenient and ergonomic and readily
manufacturable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A preferred version of a belt includes a panel of material
forming the belt, wherein the belt forms an endless loop configured
to be placed about the waist of a user. A pocket is positioned on
the panel of material forming the belt. An adjustment belt is
attached to the panel of material, the adjustment belt having a
length greater than a circumference defined by the endless loop,
the adjustment belt positioned with respect to the panel such that
the adjustment belt is placed about the waist of the user together
with the belt when the belt is placed about the waist of the user.
An adjuster is connected to the adjustment belt, the adjuster
releasably securing the adjustment belt in a plurality of
positions, whereby the length of the adjustment belt may be
increased or decreased.
[0004] In some versions, the panel further comprises a front panel
and a rear panel joined to the front panel.
[0005] In some versions, the pocket is positioned on an interior
surface of the panel.
[0006] In preferred examples, a closure is provided for selective
access to the pocket, the closure most preferably being a
zipper.
[0007] In some versions, the panel of material forming the belt
further forms an interior tube, and the adjustment belt is
positioned within the interior tube and surrounded by the panel of
material forming the belt.
[0008] In preferred versions, at least one belt retainer is
positioned within the interior tube, the adjustment belt being
trained within the at least one belt retainer.
[0009] In preferred versions, the interior tube forms the pocket,
the belt further comprising a closure for selective access to the
pocket.
[0010] Mos preferably, the adjuster is positioned within an opening
of the closure when the closure is in an open position.
[0011] In some examples, the at least one belt retainer comprises a
plurality of belt retainers, the plurality of belt retainers
further defining a gap between two of the plurality of belt
retainers, the adjuster being positioned at the gap when the
adjustment belt is trained through the plurality of belt
retainers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention
are described in detail below with reference to the following
drawings.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a user wearing a
preferred stretch belt with pocket in accordance with the disclosed
invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a user wearing a
preferred stretch belt with pocket in accordance with the disclosed
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a user wearing a
preferred stretch belt with pocket in accordance with the disclosed
invention, further showing a zipper in an open position to allow
access to an adjuster for adjusting the length of the belt.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a preferred stretch belt.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of a preferred stretch belt.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a section view taken through section A-A shown in
FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an inside plan view of a partially assembled
stretch belt. An adjustment belt has not been assembled and is not
shown.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an inside plan view of a partially assembled
stretch belt. An adjustment belt has not been assembled and is not
shown.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an outside plan view of a partially assembled
stretch belt, showing a side opposite that of the view of FIG. 8.
An adjustment belt has not been assembled and is not shown.
[0022] FIG. 10 is an inside out plan view of a partially assembled
stretch belt.
[0023] FIG. 11 shows the opposite side of the view shown in FIG.
10.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a right-side-out plan view of partially assembled
stretch belt.
[0025] FIG. 13 shows the opposite side of the view shown in FIG.
12.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a section view taken through section B-B of FIG.
12. The belt has not been installed.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a section view taken through section B-B of FIG.
12 wherein in this section the stretch belt is shown as it would
look with a belt installed.
[0028] FIG. 16 is an inside plan view of a partially assembled
stretch belt. The side of a stretch belt adjacent stitch is shown
slightly tilted upward (out of the page).
[0029] FIG. 17 shows the opposite side of the view shown in FIG.
16, although the area adjacent the stitch is shown in a flat
orientation.
[0030] FIG. 18 is an inside plan view of a partially assembled
stretch belt. The belt has not been installed yet.
[0031] FIG. 19 shows the opposite side of the view shown in FIG.
18.
[0032] FIG. 20 is an inside plan view of assembled stretch belt 10
wherein belt 20 has been installed.
[0033] FIG. 21 shows the opposite side of the view shown in FIG.
20.
[0034] FIG. 22 is an inside plan view of assembled stretch belt
wherein the adjustment belt has been installed.
[0035] FIG. 23 shows the opposite side of the view shown in FIG.
22.
[0036] FIG. 24 shows a plan view of the adjustment belt wherein a
portion of the length of the adjustment belt is shown cut away.
[0037] FIG. 25 is a section view of a portion (enlarged to show
detail) taken through the adjustment belt and tri-glide to show the
threading of the adjustment belt through tri-glide to allow
adjustment of belt length.
[0038] FIG. 26 is a right side out plan view of partially assembled
stretch belt wherein a center stitch is shown eliminated such that
one main panel is shown.
[0039] FIG. 27 shows the opposite side of the view shown in FIG.
26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0040] A preferred stretch belt 10 is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, and is shown in perspective views in FIGS. 1
and 2 positioned about the waist of a user 50. In one version, the
stretch belt is formed from stretchy but breathable panels,
including a front panel 1 and a rear panel 2. Most preferably, each
of the front and rear panels are made from a fabric material such
as stretch nylon with spandex, polyester with spandex, or yet other
materials. In some versions, one or both of the panels is formed
from a fabric which is less stretchy, such as from polyester but
without a spandex component. In one version, the fabric panel
material has a thickness between 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm. In most cases
the thickness for the sheet material used is between 0.35 mm and
0.65 mm thick with 0.5 mm being an optimal thickness in many cases.
The preferred weight of the fabric is between 250 grams per yard
and 500 grams per yard (when 58'' wide stock material is used).
Directional stretch material in some cases may be desirable; for
instance if 2-way stretch material is used it may be desirable to
orient the stretch of the material perpendicular to the length of
the belt (with length defined in a direction about the waist of the
user) such that bounce can be controlled, although in some cases it
may be desirable to orient the stretch of the material parallel to
the length of the belt which could in some cases provide a more
fitted stretch feel. 4-way stretch material can also be used and is
generally preferable as it gives a desirable comfort feel as well
as stretches to fit the contents being carried in the preferable
pocket or pockets.
[0041] In the illustrated example, each of the front panel 1 and
the rear panel 2 are folded over to define interior pockets. A
front zipper 6 and a rear zipper 7 are attached to the panels, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Invisible-style or visible-style zippers
are desirable for zippers 6 and 7. Zipper pull 8 for zipper 6 and
zipper pull 9 for zipper 7 are also preferably included, and either
zipper pull can be any of a variety of zipper pull styles. In one
version, a standard auto-lock, spring loaded zipper pull is
provided.
[0042] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a user 50 is shown wearing a preferred
stretch belt 10 having a pocket as described. The front panel 1 is
shown secured to the rear panel 2 along a stitch line 11. The
stretch belt 10 is shown on the waist of a user 50 in such a manner
that allows the user to carry items in the pocket accessible via
zippers 6 and 7, with zipper pulls 8 and 9.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a user wearing a
stretch belt 10 with pocket, and in this illustration the front
zipper 6 is shown zipped to an open position such that an internal
adjuster 21 is visible. The adjuster 21 can be accessed through the
front zipper 6, and thereby through the front panel 1, for
adjusting the length of an internal adjustment belt 20. The
adjustment belt 20 is preferably made from a length of stretchy
elastic, stretch strap, stretch webbing or similar materials.
Accordingly, in the preferred version of the invention the stretch
belt 10 has a fixed length (other than as may vary through
stretchiness of the fabric material) but the adjustment belt may be
varied in length by use of the adjuster.
[0044] The adjustment belt 20 as shown by itself in FIG. 24 (in
partial cutaway view), removed from the stretch belt 10, and in
section in FIG. 25 (taken through section 25-25 in FIG. 20, but
with the front and rear panels removed for clarity of
illustration). An adjuster, tri-glide, belt clasp, or other
fastener 21 is attached to one end of the adjustment belt 20 via
stitching 24 or other fasteners. In the illustrated example, the
fastener is configured as a substantially rigid loop having a
central cross-member in a configuration commonly known as a
"tri-glide" buckle. One end of the adjustment belt is thereby
secured to the center of the tri-glide fastener 21 by stitching 24,
and the other end of the adjustment belt 20 is finished via folding
over itself and fastening in place via an end stitch 23.
[0045] The adjustment belt 20 is preferably cut to a length that is
longer than a length defined by the combined front panel 1 and rear
panel 2, such that it functions to add a desirable amount of
adjustable constriction. Accordingly, when worn around the waist of
a user, the adjustment belt 20 can be threaded to itself as seen in
FIG. 25 and secured by the adjuster or clasp, thereby allowing the
user to adjust the size of the adjustment belt 20 such that stretch
belt 10 can fit as snugly as desired by a user.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of the stretch belt 10 and FIG. 4
is a front plan view of the stretch belt 10. Section A-A is
indicated in FIG. 4, and the corresponding sectional view is shown
in FIG. 6 to illustrate a section through the front panel 1 and
rear panel 2. FIG. 6 thus shows how the adjustment belt 20 is
preferably captured in place and threaded through channels formed
by belt retainers 3, 5 (and retainer 4 shown in FIG. 11). The belt
retainers are preferably enclosed channels which serve to constrain
the position of the adjustment belt within the stretch belt 20,
most preferably at one end of the stretch belt which would be
positioned as the top end of the stretch belt when worn by the
user.
[0047] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the front zipper 6 is installed in
the front panel 1 by forming a slot corresponding to the length of
the zipper 6 in the front panel 1 and then fastening the front
zipper 6 to the front panel 1 via perimeter stitching 31 such that
the slit in the front panel 1 provides access to the front pocket
formed within the front panel and is closed by the front zipper
6.
[0048] The rear zipper 7 is installed in the rear panel 2 by
forming a slot substantially the length of the rear zipper 7 in the
rear panel 2 and fastening the rear zipper 7 to the rear panel 2
via perimeter stitching 32 such that the slit in the rear panel 2
provides access to the rear pocket formed by the rear panel and is
closed by zipper 7.
[0049] The front panel 1 includes in inside face (shown in FIG. 8)
and an outside face (shown in FIG. 9). When the front pocket is
turned right side out, the outside face of the fabric forming the
front panel 1 is facing outward away from the pocket created by the
front panel 1 with closure provided by zipper 6. Panel 2 likewise
includes in inside face (shown in FIG. 8) and an outside face
(shown in FIG. 9). When the rear pocket is turned right side out,
the outside face of the fabric forming the rear panel is facing
outward away from the pocket created by the rear panel 2 with
closure provided by zipper 7. The front panel 1 is preferably
fastened to the rear panel 2 via stitching 12 or another fastener
such that front panel 1 is connected to rear panel 2.
[0050] As seen in FIG. 7, belt retainers 3, 4 and 5 are preferably
spaced and positioned as shown and fastened in place by sewing
along stitch line 13. The belt retainers 3, 4 and 5 are preferably
strips or swatches cut from the same or similar material used for
the front and rear panels 1 and 2, and edged as appropriate via
stitching 14 and 15 by turning over the ends or by other
appropriate edge binding which is fastening in place via stitching
14 and 15. After fastening with stitch 13, the belt retainers 3 and
4 are then folded over stitch 13 and fastened again to the front
panel 1 via stitching 17 (see FIG. 9) which is used to hold the
belt retainers temporarily in place such that they can be finally
stitched in place by stitching 16 as can be seen in cross-sectional
view in FIG. 6 and also in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.
[0051] After fastening with stitch 13, a rear belt retainer 5 is
then folded over along a line formed by stitch 13 and fastened
again to the rear panel 2 via stitching 17 which is used to hold
the retainers temporarily in place such that they can be finally
stitched in place by stitching 16 as can be seen in cross-section
in FIG. 6 and also in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.
[0052] As seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 connected front and rear
panels 1 and 2 are placed with the inside-facing fabric facing out
and are folded over themselves inside-out and then fastened
together via stitching 16 which extends along one edge of the
joined panels, creating an inside out tube. Most preferably, the
end stitching 16 extends along what will be the top end of the
stretch belt when completed, with the top end positioned higher
than the bottom end when worn by a user. The created inside out
tube as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 is then inverted on itself
such that the outside face of the fabric is facing out as shown in
FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. Then the right-side-out tube as shown in FIG.
12 is inverted half-way along its length such that the inside face
of the front panel 1 is facing outward and the inside face of the
rear panel 2 is facing inward wherein the outside faces of panels 1
and 2 are facing each other as can be seen in FIG. 16. Once brought
together in this fashion, the outside faces of panels 1 and 2 are
fastened together along stitch line 11, fastening them together
with cuff-manner stitching such that the tube can be inverted right
side out to create the stretch belt.
[0053] The adjustment belt 20, having a fastener 21 at one end and
an opposite free end adjacent the stitch line 23 as shown in FIG.
24, is fed through the belt retainers 4, 5 and 3 such that the
faster 21 resides in the gap 22 created between the first front
panel belt retainer 3 and the second front panel belt retainer 4
(see FIGS. 16 and 20). The adjustment belt 20 thereby extends
through the retainers 4, 5 and 3, emerging from first front panel
belt retainer 3 at the adjacent gap 22. The adjustment belt 20 may
be adjusted (for example, decreasing the length and therefore
circumference of the corresponding adjustment belt) by pulling on
the free end adjacent the stitch 23 while holding the opposite end
of the adjustment belt adjacent the fastener 21.
[0054] The fastener 21 is preferably formed from plastic, metal or
other relatively stiff materials. The fastener 21 can be die-cut
from sheet material, injection molded, or otherwise formed.
[0055] After installing the adjustment belt 20 as shown in FIGS. 20
through 23 (through the belt retainers as described above) the belt
panels may be folded and stitched to form the stretch belt. As
shown in FIG. 20, the adjustment belt 20 is installed in the
retainers. In FIG. 21, the stretch belt 10 is inverted, inside-out,
from the view of FIG. 20. As shown in FIG. 21, the front zipper 6
is opened, with the rear zipper 7 preferably closed. All of the
rear panel 2 is then pulled through the opening of the front zipper
zipper 6 such the stretch belt 10 is inverted to be right-side-out
through the opening provided by open front zipper 6. Once pulled
out and inverted in this fashion, the front and rear panels 1 and 2
of the stretch belt 10 have their outside faces facing outward as
can be seen in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5.
[0056] FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 show another way the stretch belt 10 can
be inverted and stitch 11 can be sewn as described above, though in
this case the front and rear panels are inverted before the
adjustment belt is fed through the retainers.
[0057] As can be seen in FIG. 26, which is an outside plan view of
a partially assembled stretch belt in which a center stitch 12 as
described above can be eliminated and is not shown, and further in
which the front panel 1 and rear panel 2 are replaced by a single
panel 60. In this version, instead of having front and rear panels
the single belt panel 60 has a front and a rear portion,
corresponding generally to the portions of the panels that include
the front zipper 6 and the rear zipper 7, respectively. FIG. 27
shows the opposite side of the view shown in FIG. 26. The belt may
be formed by joining the ends of the panel 60 together, with an
adjustment belt and retainers such as described above. An
additional stitch may optionally be included between the front and
rear portions, generally at the location of the lead line for
reference number 60, but in some versions the stitch may be
omitted.
[0058] The stretch belt with pocket 10 is preferably constructed by
sewing substantially flat die-cut panels of fabric or the like
together. Although less preferred, it can be constructed by
knitting, gluing, integrally forming or otherwise fastening parts
together that have been manufactured from a variety of processes
and techniques.
[0059] Preferably the fabric panels or parts of the stretch belt 10
are die cut from pliable and somewhat stretchy fabric as described
above. Some materials that could be used include spandex, spandura,
stretch denim or others. Panel parts can be constructed from a
number fabrics of different materials in some versions. The
invention could be constructed in a variety of different ways other
than the cutting and sewing processes described above for the
preferred versions. For example, various parts could be combined,
formed as one, woven, heat sealed together, ultrasonically bonded
together or formed in other ways.
[0060] The front panel 1 and rear panel 2 could be each further be
formed from two panels each fastened at the top and bottom of
stretch belt 10. If desired, the embodiment shown in FIG. 26 and
FIG. 27 could be constructed from a front panel and a rear panel
fastened together at a seam adjacent the top of stretch belt 10 and
the bottom of stretch belt 10 or otherwise as desired.
[0061] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the
disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention
should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that
follow.
* * * * *