Open front dual attachment belt

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustable, decorative partial belt that cinches the waistband for the purpose of retaining and supporting pants, skirts or other garments in position upon the body of a wearer in such a way that does not necessarily interfere with the temporary or permanent removal, adjustment or placement of the clothing garment. A one piece elongated strap for partially surrounding the waistband of the clothing garment with an adjustable means for releasably securing the strap to the waistband of the wearer. One terminal end of the belt is laced under the first waistband loop to the right or left of the apparel opening and threaded around the back of the torso to the first waistband loop on the corresponding side without the terminal free ends connecting or intersecting. The two free ends are reversed back over the top of the front belt loops respectively securing them back on themselves in an overlapping fashion. The belt will partially encircle the waistband allowing the front of the clothing to be free and unencumbered, and pants, skirts or other garments may be unbuttoned, released and / or unzipped without disengaging the belting mechanisms.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 004,597, filed on Nov. 29, 2007.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to the clothing accessory commonly known as an apparel belt. More specifically, to an improved apparel belt construction that only partially encircles the waistband, dually engages upon itself, and allows the front of the garment to be unencumbered thusly providing a more suitable option for use by children, elderly and those with dexterity disabilities.DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART [0004]641,489January 1900Bartelstone863,716August 1907Hunter1,607,156November 1926Godshaw2,562,386July 1951McCormick2,837,748June 1958Manning et al.3,001,204September 1961Harrison4,800,594January 1989Young4,999,853March 1991Tanner5,566,397October 1996Scott5,852,829December 1998Relaford6,449,815September 2002Spiller6,671,888Ja...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a novel retaining means for supporting garments around the waist of a user in such a way that does not necessarily interfere with the temporary or permanent removal, adjustment or placement of the clothing garment.

[0011]Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparel belt that is highly adaptable to various circumference sizes of the wearer.

[0012]An object of the present invention is to provide an apparel belt that adds an element of ornamental value to enhance the physical appearance of the clothing option of the wearer.

[0013]A further object of the present invention is to provide a support strap that is simple to use, comfortable to wear and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0014]Accordingly, several advantages of the present invention are: (a) Parents, young children and / or older children will greatly benefit from the present invention during the process of potty training as it allows the child to remove clothing without needing to unfasten, adjust or remove the belting material every time they use the bathroom. The independence gained can help build confidence and self-esteem. (b) Accidents, related to the bladder, can be greatly reduced because the clothing item can be removed quickly and easily without the interference of a garment supporting strap. (c) Elementary schools, preschools and some daycares require all children to be able to use the restroom independent of any assistance. This belt invention will allow for children and parents to more easily comply with those requirements. (d) Children who are sensitive and / or inclined to have stomach problems often do not like anything constricting in the abdomen region. The present invention allows the abdomen area to be unrestricted and unencumbered with the belting material while the belt cinches the side and back. This allows for a more comfortable design conducive for children with sensory sensitivity. (e) Individuals with factors limiting manual dexterity such as the elderly, those suffering with neurological disorders, use of prosthetics hands, arthritis, and similar debilitating diseases, will more easily be able to operate the present invention in comparison to conventional belts.

Problems solved by technology

The major drawback of all these traditional belt designs, is they require the wearer to physically detach and separate both free ends of the apparel belt when the clothing garment is altered, adjusted, put on and / or removed.

Since pants, skirt or similar garment can not be unbuttoned or released without first disengaging the belt fastening mechanisms, this design can be cumbersome, time consuming, and may require assistance from a third party.

However, the solutions developed with the prior art of these inventors have several important drawbacks.

These belts are not intended to be visible so they don't serve a decorative function, the wearer may experience discomfort with the belting material coming into contact with the skin, and the bulge formed from the clothing fabric being cinched and gathered in a small area may look unappealing and also present physical discomfort for the wearer.

In addition, some are made with hooks that may ultimately damage the clothing, and they are limited in the ease in which the wearer may make adjustments to accommodate various circumference sizes.

These external partial belt solutions also have limitations because the belting material covers the front portion of the clothing article and uses an adjustable slide, to allow for variations in circumference.

This is an important drawback, because the belting article requires some degree of manual dexterity to remove the belt when the wearer removes or alters the clothing garment and therefore restricts the ease to which the wearer is able to adjust, put on or remove clothing.

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