Secured wearing belt

Abstract

A belt (10) comprising: - a strap (12) defining an inner face (20) and an outer face (22); and - a fastening device (18) adapted to secure a first end portion (14) with a second end portion (16) of the strap (12) and being movable between a tightening position and an adjustment position. The fastening device (18) is arranged to guide a free end of the first end portion (14) of the strap (12) against the inner face (20) of the strap (12) when the first end portion (14) is inserted into the fastening device (18) in the adjustment position such that, in the tightening position, the outer face (22) of the free end of the first end portion (14) of the strap extends against the inner face (20) of the second end portion (16) of the strap.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a belt.

[0002] Such a belt must be able to allow its user to carry equipment safely around the waist, including a handgun holster, for example during demonstrations or clashes.

[0003] Such a belt is worn around the user's waist, and can be worn over a belt. It has a width of about 5 centimeters and is rigid enough not to deform under the weight of the equipment attached to it, for example, when twisted. Such a belt is designed to support a weight of at least 3 kilograms.

[0004] Such a belt must be strong enough to prevent an ill-intentioned person from opening or tearing it off, especially during confrontations. In addition, it must be tight enough to prevent the belt from rotating around the user's body, which could be difficult to grasp when carrying objects carried by the belt.

[0005] Thus, it is intended to allow adjustment of the tightening of the belt in order to adjust it to the size of the person wearing it, so as to prevent any rotation of the belt around the user's waist.

[0006] In order to ensure these functions, known belts of this type generally comprise a closing device consisting of a buckle comprising a tongue intended to cooperate with openings provided in a first end part of the belt strap. Such a closing device allows easy adjustment of the belt by adjusting the length of the free end of the first end part of the strap.

[0007] However, such belts are not entirely satisfactory.

[0008] Indeed, a user can hardly attach equipment on the side where the free end of the first extreme part of the strap extends due to the double thickness of the strap. Attaching directly to the free end is restrictive because it requires the equipment to be put in place each time the belt is adjusted. In addition, the equipment can easily fall off the free end, for example if it comes out of the loop holding it in position.

[0009] Alternatively, the belts comprise a closing device with a removable belt buckle, fixed in rotation relative to the strap, once assembled thereto and provided with hooks on a first end part of the strap and a plate comprising holes cooperating with the hooks on a second end part of the strap. Such a closing device is particularly effective in preventing any tearing of the belt and allows equipment to be attached on each side of the closing device.

[0010] However, such a closure device does not allow for easy adjustment of the belt. Indeed, the belt must be removed in order to slide the buckle, which is not integral with the strap, in order to adjust the belt to the user's size. This is a tedious operation for the user who must remove their equipment or change their clothing, for example, taking off or putting their equipment over a parka. Another disadvantage is that the user can easily lose the buckle when adjusting the belt.

[0011] Each of WO 2012 / 117326 A2, which discloses the preamble of claim 1, and KR 860 011 306 U describes a belt comprising a strap and a closure device.

[0012] An aim of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a belt comprising a closing device, easy to adjust while being difficult to open and / or to grasp by a third person and allowing equipment to be worn on both sides of the closing device as close as possible to the closing device.

[0013] For this purpose, the invention relates to a belt according to claim 1.

[0014] Such a belt allows for simplified adjustment around the waist so that it can be installed quickly while leaving the equipment or equipment supports in place. In addition, accessories can be easily attached to both sides of the closure device without being hindered by the free end since the latter extends from the inside of the belt. In addition, the belt allows for secure tightening around the user's waist. Indeed, in the tightened position, the free end is held in position between the user's waist and the strap, which prevents the free end from being grabbed by a third party with malicious intent.

[0015] The belt according to the invention may comprise one or more characteristics according to claims 2 to 6, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method of adjusting and tightening a belt according to claim 7.

[0017] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: THE Figures 1 And 2 are views of the belt according to the invention, the closing device being in the tightening position; and the Figure 3 is a view of the belt of the figures 1 And 2 , the closing device being in the adjustment position.

[0018] There Figure 1 illustrates a belt 10 for law enforcement or security agents for example.

[0019] The belt 10 comprises a strap 12 provided with a first end portion 14 and a second end portion 16 and a closing device 18 capable of fixing the first end portion 14 of the strap 12 with the second end portion 16 of the strap 12.

[0020] The strap 12 is intended to come around the user's waist, over a belt for example.

[0021] The strap 12 defines an internal face 20 and an external face 22 opposite the internal face 20.

[0022] In particular, the internal face 20 is intended to be turned towards the body of a user, and more particularly towards the waist of the latter.

[0023] Preferably, the inner face 20 is intended to come against a belt or clothing of the user.

[0024] The external face 22 is intended to be turned outwards, in particular away from the user's body.

[0025] As illustrated on the Figure 1 , the strap 12 is intended to receive equipment supports 24, such as weapon cases, handcuff cases, baton holders, etc.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the belt 10 may comprise at least one equipment support 24. The support 24 comprises at least one retaining element 25 for an item of equipment, the retaining element 25 extending over the external face 22 of the strap 12.

[0027] Advantageously, the belt 10 can comprise at least one equipment support 24 fixed to each end part 14, 16 of the strap 12.

[0028] The supports 24 are for example produced in the form of loops engaged around the strap 12 and comprising at least one retaining element 25 for a piece of equipment, in particular which extends over the external face 22 of the strap 12.

[0029] By adapting the position of the supports 24 around the strap 12, for example by sliding their loop, the position of the supports 24, and therefore of the equipment relative to the user's hands, can be adjusted.

[0030] For example, strap 12 has a width of around 5 centimeters and a length adapted to a waist size.

[0031] The strap 12 is advantageously made of a material that is both flexible and strong, capable of withstanding the weight of the equipment or an attempt to tear it off by a third party. Thus, the strap 12 is, for example, made of leather or other material.

[0032] The closing device 18 is movable between a clamping position illustrated in the figures 1 And 2 and an adjustment position illustrated on the figure 3 .

[0033] In the adjustment position of the closing device 18, the first end part 14 can slide along the second end part 16 of the strap 12.

[0034] More particularly, in the adjustment position, the first end portion 14 is introduced into the closure device 18 through an entry loop 26, then through an exit loop 28, thus defining a free end 30 of the first end portion 14 extending in projection from the closure device 18 on the side of the exit loop 28, as illustrated in the figure 2 .

[0035] Adjusting the length of the free end 30 allows the adjustment of the tightness of the belt 10 around the user's waist.

[0036] According to the invention, the closing device 18 is arranged to guide the free end 30 of the first end part 14 against the internal face 20 of the strap 12.

[0037] For this purpose, when the closing device 18 is in the adjustment position, the exit loop 28 is preferably open on the side of the internal face 20 of the strap 12 and closed on the side of the external face 22 of the strap 12.

[0038] In other words, the exit loop 28 is configured so as to allow the passage of the free end 30 towards the internal face 20 of the strap 12, and more particularly towards the internal face 20 of the second extreme part 16 of the strap 12, and to block a passage of the free end 30 towards the external face 22 of the strap 12.

[0039] In the clamping position, the first end part 14 of the strap 12 is secured to the second end part 16 of the strap 12.

[0040] According to the invention, in the tightening position, the external face 22 of the free end 30 of the first end part 14 of the strap 12 extends against the internal face 20 of the second end part 16 of the strap 12.

[0041] When the belt 10 is tightened around the user's waist, the free end 30 of the first end portion 14 of the strap 12 is thus held in position between the user's waist and the second end portion 16 of the strap 12. In other words, the free end 30 of the first end portion 14 of the strap 12 cannot be moved away from the second end portion 16 towards the outside of the belt, the movement of the free end 30 towards the outside being blocked by the internal face 20 of the strap 12.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the closing device 18 comprises a support 32, a cover 34 movable in rotation relative to the support 32 and a fixing plate 36 fixed to the second end part 16 of the strap 12.

[0043] More particularly, the support 32 comprises an internal face 40 intended to be turned towards the body of the user, and more particularly to come against the user, and an external face 42 opposite the internal face 40.

[0044] The support 32 defines a first lateral edge 44, which advantageously delimits the exit loop 28, and a second lateral edge 46 opposite the first lateral edge 44.

[0045] The cover 34 is rotatable relative to the support 32 between the adjustment position ( Fig 3 ) and the clamping position ( Figs. 1 And 2 ) along an axis of rotation A-A'.

[0046] The cover 34 comprises an internal face 48 located opposite the support 32 and an external face 49 opposite the internal face 48.

[0047] The cover 34 defines a first lateral edge 50 opposite the first lateral edge 44 of the support 32 and a second lateral edge 52 opposite the first lateral edge 50.

[0048] The axis of rotation AA' is preferably defined along the first lateral edge 50 of the cover 34.

[0049] Advantageously, the closing device 18 defines a hinge 53 comprising a rod 54 intended to be housed in a hollow cylinder defined in the first lateral edge 44 of the support 32 and in a hollow cylinder defined in the first lateral edge 50 of the cover 34.

[0050] The rod 54 defines the axis of rotation AA' of the cover 34 relative to the support 32.

[0051] The support 32 and the cover 34 define between them a housing 56 intended to removably receive the second end part 14 of the strap 12.

[0052] More specifically, as can be seen on the figure 3 , the housing 56 is delimited on one side by the entry loop 26 and on the other side by the exit loop 28.

[0053] In particular, the inlet passage 26 is defined between the second lateral edge 46 of the support 32 and the second lateral edge 52 of the cover 34.

[0054] The outlet loop 28 is defined between the first lateral edge 44 of the support 32 and the first lateral edge 50 of the cover 34, and in particular on the internal side of the hinge 53.

[0055] In the adjustment position shown on the figure 3 , the second lateral edge 52 of the cover 34 is moved outwards from the second lateral edge 46 of the support 32, thus opening the entry loop 26.

[0056] In the adjustment position, the user can insert the first end part 14 of the strap 12 into the housing 56 between the entry loop 26 and the exit loop 28.

[0057] Advantageously, the internal face 20 of the first end part 14 of the strap 12 introduced into the housing 56 extends against the external face 42 of the support 32.

[0058] The outlet loop 28 is, advantageously, delimited on the internal side by the external face 42 of the first lateral edge 44 of the support 32 and on the external side by the hinge 53.

[0059] The exit loop 28 being closed on the external side by the hinge 53, the free end 30 of the first end part 14 of the strap 12 is thus oriented by the exit loop 28 towards the internal face 20 of the strap 12, and more particularly against the internal face 20 of the second end part 16 of the strap 12, as more particularly visible on the Figure 2 .

[0060] In the clamping position, as shown in the figure 2 , the second lateral edge 52 of the cover 34 is folded over the second lateral edge 46 of the support 32.

[0061] Preferably as shown in the figures 1 And 2 , in the clamping position, the cover 34 extends opposite the support 32 and thus closes the housing 56 and the loops 26, 28.

[0062] In the clamping position, the first end part 14 of the strap 12 is thus locked in position in the housing 56.

[0063] Advantageously, in the housing 56, the internal face 20 of the first end part 14 of the strap 12 extends between the external face 42 of the support 32 and the internal face 48 of the cover 34.

[0064] The fixing plate 36 is advantageously secured to at least one of the support 32 and the cover 34.

[0065] Preferably, the fixing plate 36 is integral with the support 32 and the cover 34, so as to form an assembly fixed to the second end part 16 of the strap 12.

[0066] The fixing plate 36 is for example riveted to the second end part 14 of the strap 12, as illustrated in the figure 1 .

[0067] Optionally, the closing device 18 further comprises a locking element 58 capable of locking the cover 34 in the clamping position.

[0068] In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the locking element 58 is for example composed of a first interface 60 defined on the cover 34 and a second interface 62 defined on the support 32 capable of snapping into the first interface 60, when the cover 34 is in the clamping position.

[0069] Advantageously, the closing device 18 further comprises at least one pin 64 intended to cooperate with at least one opening 66 provided in the first end part 14 of the strap 12 so as to fix the first end part 14 of the strap 12 to the second end part 16.

[0070] Preferably, the first end portion 14 of the strap 12 comprises a plurality of openings 66 spaced from each other in a longitudinal row extending along the length of the strap 12.

[0071] In the adjustment position of the closing device 18, the pin 64 is preferably accessible so that the user can insert the pin 64 into one of the openings 66 provided in the first end part 14 of the strap 12.

[0072] According to the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figure 3 , pawn 64 includes a foot and a head with a diameter larger than the diameter of the foot.

[0073] Pin 64 is for example of the “cartridge button” type.

[0074] Alternatively, pawn 64 is a hook.

[0075] According to the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figure 3 , the pin 64 is fixed on the support 32, for example by screwing or gluing.

[0076] Alternatively, the support 32 and the pin 64 are made of a single piece and are, for example, manufactured by plastic injection.

[0077] Advantageously, the cover 34 comprises a slot 68 for receiving the pin suitable for housing at least part of the pin 64, for example the head of the pin 64, when the closing device 18 is in the clamping position.

[0078] Alternatively, the pin 64 is fixed to the cover 34 and the support 32 comprises a slot 68 for receiving the pin 64.

[0079] Advantageously, the closing device 18 is made of a metallic or plastic material, for example zinc alloy or polymer.

[0080] A method of adjusting and tightening the belt 10 will now be described.

[0081] First, the user moves the closing device 18 into the adjustment position. The user then passes the strap 12 around his waist.

[0082] In a second step, the user inserts the first end part 14 of the strap 12 into the closing device 18 in the adjustment position.

[0083] In particular, the user passes the free end 30 of the first end part 14 through the entry loop 26 of the closing device 18 then through the exit loop 28.

[0084] The exit loop 28 guides the free end 30 towards the internal face 20, and in particular against the internal face 20 of the second part 16 of the strap 12.

[0085] The external face 22 of the free end 30 of the first end part 14 of the strap 12 is thus opposite the internal face 20 of the second end part 16 of the strap 12.

[0086] According to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the first end part 14 is thus for example housed in the housing 56 defined between the cover 34 and the support 32.

[0087] The user then adjusts the length of the free end 30 of the first extreme part 14, in order to adjust the strap 12 around his waist.

[0088] When the closing device 18 comprises a pin 64, the method comprises a step of inserting the pin 64 into the opening 66 of the first end part 14 corresponding to the desired length of the strap 12.

[0089] Then, the user moves the closing device 18 from the adjustment position to the tightening position, so as to fix the first end part 14 to the second end part 16 of the strap 12.

[0090] In this position, the free end 30 of the first end portion 14 of the strap 12 is held in position between the user's waist and the second end portion 16 of the strap 12, which makes it possible to prevent the free end from being grasped by a third person with malicious intent.

[0091] The belt described above further allows for simplified adjustment so that it can be used repeatedly and installed quickly while leaving equipment or equipment supports in place.

[0092] In addition, the equipment can be easily attached on both sides of the closing device 18 and as close as possible to it.

Claims

1. A belt (10) comprising: - a strap (12) defining an inner face (20), intended to face a user's body, and an outer face (22), opposite the inner face (20); and - a closure device (18) capable of fastening a first end part (14) of the strap (12) to a second end part (16) of the strap (12), the closure device (18) being movable between a tightened position, wherein the first end part (14) of the strap is secured to the second end part (16), and an adjustment position, wherein the first end part (14) can slide along the second end part (16), the closure device (18) being arranged to guide a free end (30) of the first end part (14) of the strap (12) against the inner face (20) of the strap (12) when the first end part (14) is inserted into the closure device (18) in the adjustment position so that, in the tightened position, the outer face (22) of the free end (30) of the first end part (14) of the strap extending against the inner face (20) of the second end part (16) of the strap; the closure device (18) defining an outlet passage (28), the outlet passage (28) being open on the inner face (20) side and closed on the outer face (22) side when the closure device (18) is in the adjustment position; the closure device (18) comprising a support (32) and a cover (34) rotatable relative to the support (32) between the adjustment position and the tightened position; the belt being characterised in that the output passage (28) is defined between the support (32) and the cover (34), the outlet passage (28) being delimited on the inside by an external face (42) of a first lateral edge (44) of the support (32) and on the outside by a hinge (53).

2. The belt (10) according to claim 1, wherein the closure device (18) comprises a fastening plate (36) attached to the second end part (16) of the strap (12).

3. The belt (10) according to claim 2, wherein the fastening plate (36) is integral with at least one of the support (32) and the cover (34).

4. The belt (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the closure device (18) comprises at least one pin (64) intended to cooperate with an opening (66) provided in the first end part (14) of the strap so as to fasten the first end part (14) of the strap to the second end part (16).

5. The belt (10) according to claim 4, wherein at least one pin (64) is fastened to the support (32) and / or the cover (34), the support (32) and / or the cover (34) comprising a slot for receiving the pin.

6. The belt (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the closure device (18) comprises a locking element (58) suitable for locking the cover (34) in the tightened position.

7. A method for adjusting and tightening a belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - moving the closure device (18) to the adjustment position; - inserting the first end part (14) of the strap (12) into the closure device (18) in the adjustment position and adjusting the length of the free end (30) of the first end part (14) of the strap (12), the outer face (22) of the free end (10) of the first end part (14) of the strap (12) facing the inner face (20) of the second end part (16) of the strap (12); and - moving the closure device (18) from the adjustment position to the tightened position so as to secure the first end part (14) to the second end part (16) of the strap (12).

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