Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Strap tighteners – Accordion straps
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-21
2001-10-30
Sakran, Victor N. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Strap tighteners
Accordion straps
C024S0230EE, C024S0680AS, C024S197000, C024S200000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308381
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to belts having adjustable buckles which, as an example of use, may be used in flag tag games but which may also be used for many other purposes.
Belts such as specialty tool belts and flag-tag belts generally need to be constructed of several different sizes. First sizes are provided for smaller users with smaller waists who are not be able to wear larger sizes. Second sizes are provided for larger people which when used on smaller users result in dangling extensions of the belt. These extensions can be dangerous as well as inconvenient.
One belt design which attempts to correct this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,744 and describes a belt and engaging member onto which the excess belt amount can be looped to prevent the belt end from flopping. However, it is often the case that the user will forget to engage the belt in said element, thereby defeating the purpose of this provision.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a safe plastic flexible belt buckle or fastener that is economical to manufacture, and which further, can be used effectively by users of all sizes. The buckle can be used with wide or thin belting. The buckle provides for automatically securing excess loose running and belting in at least one loop on the buckle. Thus, users are less likely to forget to secure loose ends of the belting.
The invention in its broadest aspect utilizes belt buckles which have pluralities of slots allowing substantial portions of belting to be accumulated on the buckles in overlapping loops.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a belt comprises a length of flexible material in the form of a web, sufficiently long to encircle the waist of a player of the game and having at least one removable flag attached thereto. A first end portion of the belt has a slot therein wherein the belt is inserted through the slot to form an adjustable loop which is connected to a buckle, while a second end portion of the belt has a leading edge which is detachably connected to the buckle. The buckle comprises a body portion having a mid-portion, a first end and a second end. The first end has a pair of closed slots separated by an intermediate strut and a first partially open slot outboard of the closed slots. The body further has a single closed slot adjacent the second end with a friction element associated with the single slot, as well as a second partially open slot outboard of the single closed slot. The loop formed at the first end of the belt extends through the pair of closed slots and is looped around the intermediate strut, separating the pair of closed slots. In order to attach the second end of the belt to the buckle, the leading edge of the second end is fed through the single closed slot at the second end, over the mid-portion of the body and strut separating the pair of first slots, through one of the first slots and around the strut separating the pair of first slots from the first partially open slot in the first end. The belt is then passed through the partially open slot at the first end, back over the body and through the second partially opened end slot. Consequently, the belt as an adjustable length selected by accumulating a substantial selected length of the belt in the loop and a frictional coupling with the buckle that maintains the selected length when lateral stress is applied to the belt in an attempt to move the flag.
REFERENCES:
patent: 701259 (1902-05-01), De Haven
patent: 1314338 (1919-08-01), Kors
patent: 1662074 (1928-03-01), MaMeans
patent: 1814978 (1931-07-01), Swanson
patent: 2224773 (1940-12-01), Shaulson
patent: 2825109 (1958-03-01), Nelson
patent: 2849773 (1958-09-01), Kaselow
patent: 2966356 (1960-12-01), Wilson et al.
patent: 3251109 (1966-05-01), Wilson et al.
patent: 3252188 (1966-05-01), Davis
patent: 3345070 (1967-10-01), Wilson
patent: 3355744 (1967-12-01), Wilson
patent: 3579734 (1971-05-01), Mehta
patent: 3579745 (1971-05-01), Wilson
patent: 4304403 (1981-12-01), Wilson
patent: 4610055 (1986-09-01), Knox
patent: 4651989 (1987-03-01), Wilson
patent: 5456462 (1995-10-01), Wilson
patent: 5474301 (1995-12-01), Wilson
patent: 5709621 (1998-01-01), Wilson
patent: 0476473 (1969-09-01), None
Jacobson & Holman PLLC
Sakran Victor N.
Sport Supply Group Inc.
LandOfFree
Adjustable belt buckles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Adjustable belt buckles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Adjustable belt buckles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2586399