reversible belt

Abstract

The invention relates to a belt comprising closure means, a belt strip (2) constituting the belt body, a connecting element (1) between at least one end of the strip and the closure means, the connecting element (1) being in the form of a strip section, comprising at one end a fastening means and at the opposite end a complementary fastening means, for reversible fastening of the two ends of the connecting element (1) on the end of the belt strip (2) which comprises an opening (21), said connecting element (11) forming a loop in which part of the closure means is housed. The invention consists in that the opening (21) provided at the end of the belt strip (2) comprises means for locking / unlocking the engagement of at least one of the fastening means (12) in said opening (21). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: reversible belt

[0001] The present invention relates to a belt comprising closure means such as a removable belt buckle, in particular a reversible belt.

[0002] A belt is generally made up of a strip of flexible material constituting the body of the belt, such as leather, fabric, or other, generally comprising a closure system and which is worn around the waist to cinch a garment at the waist or even hold it up such as a jacket, a coat, or trousers.

[0003] The belt band can be simply knotted or else present as a closure system, a first loop fixed to one end of the band and a second loop, either integral with the first loop or in the form of a belt loop. The end of the band passes through the first loop then into the second loop to be held there. This belt buckle generally has a pin which is engageable in a notch (hole made in the band) made on the end of the band engaged in the buckle. A belt buckle can also be in the form of a notched tightening system, most often used on a textile belt such as a strap or can also be made up of two assemblable parts, for example a hook and loop system, each mounted at one end of the band.

[0004] In addition to its functional character, a belt also has an aesthetic character which gives, through the material it is made of or its color, a particular character or style to the outfit it completes, making it a fashion accessory.

[0005] It is thus known to propose a belt whose two faces of the band are, for example, of different colors and / or surface textures, or have different ornaments, thus making it possible to propose two accessories in one, depending on the visible face of the belt when it is worn.

[0006] Thus, document US-A-2 159 857 proposes a reversible belt, consisting of a belt strip forming the body of the belt connected at one end to a belt buckle, by means of a connecting element. This connecting element is made of a strip of material, for example leather, having a central part onto which each end of the strip is folded down and fixed. The flap of a first end of the connecting element thus makes it possible to fix a first buckle comprising for example a tongue, while the flap of the other end makes it possible to accommodate a belt loop. The central part of the connecting element has two fixing elements and the ends of said connecting element each have at least one complementary fixing element. These fixing elements are snap fasteners. One end of the belt band which has through holes is engaged at the connecting element, through the belt loop. This end of the band is positioned between the central part and the end of the fastening element engaged on the first loop, which is folded over the central part and fixed by cooperation of the male and female elements of the snap fasteners, through the holes in the band, which is thus fixed to the connecting element and therefore to the belt buckle. It is thus possible to remove the folded end on the first loop side to remove the end of the band and turn it over to change its visible face. However, the folding and folding of the two ends on the central portion of the fastening element gives this fastening an extra thickness which can be uncomfortable or unsightly.Additionally, the folded end of the connecting element can be difficult to grab to pull on and undo the snaps.

[0007] In document WO-A-2013190584, a belt with a quick-release buckle holder is proposed which has a first flap with a connecting element which cooperates with a connecting element on the second opposite flap by passing through a hole in the band constituting the body of the belt to fix and assemble them. Such a buckle holder makes it possible to quickly undo the belt buckle when passing through airport security checkpoints, for example, without having to undo the entire belt, since the belt band remains in the belt loops of the trousers, for example. This makes it possible not to have to remove the entire belt but only the metal part of the belt.However, such a belt has the disadvantage that after a certain time of use, the fastening means no longer fulfill their function and the closing buckle easily and unexpectedly detaches from the belt band.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a belt in which the band is easily mounted and dismounted from the belt closure system, with a system which remains simple to implement, while remaining compact so as not to cause any discomfort to the user but which, in addition, guarantees a secure attachment of the closure system to the belt band.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a belt comprising closure means, a belt strip constituting the belt body, a connecting element between at least one end of the strip and the closure means, the connecting element being in the form of a strip section, comprising at one end a fixing means and at the opposite end a complementary fixing means, for reversible fixing of the two ends of the connecting element on the end of the belt strip which comprises an opening, said connecting element forming a loop in which part of the closure means is housed, characterized in that the opening provided at the end of the belt strip comprises means locking / unlocking the engagement of at least one of the fixing means, in said opening.

[0010] Thus, at least one of the fastening means allowing the fastening of the connecting element on the end of the band is engageable and disengageable in the opening provided at the end of the band to assemble and disassemble the latter but in addition it is held there in a locked manner, which makes it possible to guarantee the fastening of the belt band on the connecting element even when the fastening means no longer cooperate together, whether intentionally or accidentally. A belt according to the invention thus allows simple mounting and dismounting of the closure means on the belt band, making it possible in particular to reverse the visible face of the belt band to make it reversible, while guaranteeing that the belt band is held on the connecting element.

[0011] Thus, a belt according to the invention is assembled in the following manner, at one end of the belt band intended to receive, for example, a closure buckle, an opening is provided intended to house at least one of the fixing means provided on the connecting element, this opening allows the engagement of said fixing means but also comprises means for locking this engagement so that the connecting element is thus fixed in a locked manner to the end of the band, which makes it possible, for example, to pass the connecting element into a belt buckle and then to fold down the free end of said connecting element to make the complementary fixing means cooperate with the fixing means kept locked in the opening of the band without risk of losing the assembly of the belt band during the assembly manipulation.

[0012] When the visible face of the belt is to be changed, the fastening means are disassembled, at least one of which remains engaged in the opening of the belt strip. The engagement of said fastening means in the opening of the belt strip is then unlocked so that said belt strip can be turned over and reassembled onto the connecting element.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the fixing means of the connecting element consist of a first fixing means of the type comprising a rod extending projecting from a face of the connecting element and provided with a head of larger section than that of the rod, such as a round-headed rivet, also known as a collar button and the complementary fixing means of said first fixing means consists of a fixing opening provided in the connecting element and shaped to allow lockable / unlockable fixing of said first fixing means in the opening.

[0014] Thus, said first fixing means comprises a base configured to allow its fixing on the connecting element, from which the rod projects, surmounted by the head, such as a collar button, the head of said fastening element being engageable in the fastening opening shaped to retain said head in a reversible manner.

[0015] The head is generally rounded in shape but may have another section such as square, diamond-shaped, pyramid-shaped, etc., also playing a role in the aesthetics of the belt.

[0016] The opening provided at the end of the belt strip may consist of an opening of similar section to that of the head of the first fixing means but of slightly smaller dimensions, this opening having at least one radial cutout at its periphery allowing deformation of said opening to allow the passage of the head then the retention of said head on the strip, as well as its subsequent disengagement.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the opening of the belt strip has a part of section similar to that of the head of the first fixing means, forming an engagement part for the head of the first fixing means, extended along the longitudinal axis of the strip by a linear part whose width is less than that of the engagement part and forming a locking part in which, once the head has been engaged through the engagement part, the rod is engageable by sliding to the end of the linear part, for example by pulling on the strip, thus locking the engagement of the fixing means in the opening of the strip.

[0018] Alternatively, it is also possible to provide an opening made at the end of the strip which has an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction of the strip, the width of which narrows from one end to the other, thus having a first end constituting the engagement part and a second end of smaller width constituting the locking part in which the rod of the first fixing means is housed.

[0019] Advantageously, the fixing opening provided on the connecting element is of a shape similar to one or other of the shapes of the opening of the strip described above. It is also possible to provide combinations of these shapes.

[0020] According to a particularly advantageous form, when the connecting element and the end of the band are assembled, said openings extend in opposite directions to each other, their retaining parts being superimposed and their engagement parts extending opposite each other, the sliding of the engagement part to the retaining part preferably corresponding to the direction of the traction exerted on the band and on the buckle when wearing the belt, these directions of traction being opposite and promoting the locking of the assembly.

[0021] Thus, the means for locking / unlocking the opening of the strip are constituted by the shape and dimensions of said opening, making it possible in particular to defining engaging portions and locking portions of the fastening means in the opening.

[0022] Advantageously, the positioning and fixing of the strip and the connecting element are thus reinforced by locking the engagement of the projecting fixing means, both in the opening of the strip and in the fixing opening, by sliding the engagement part to the retaining part in a first direction for the strip and in an opposite direction for the connecting element. As a result, the projecting fixing means is also kept locked between the strip and the connecting element.

[0023] Preferably, when the closing means comprise a belt buckle with a pin, the connecting element comprises, in its central part, an elongated slot, allowing the housing of said pin.

[0024] The closing means may consist of a notched tightening loop, or else consist of two assemblable parts, of the hook and loop type for example, each mounted at one end of the strip using a connecting element according to the invention.

[0025] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing in which the figures represent:

[0026] [Fig-1] a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.3] a plan view of one end of a strip of a belt according to the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.4] represents a side perspective view of a first step of mounting the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.5] represents a side perspective view of a second step of mounting the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.6] represents a side perspective view of a third step of mounting the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.7] represents a side perspective view of a fourth step of mounting the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.8] represents a side perspective view of a fifth step of mounting the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.9] represents a side perspective view of a sixth step of mounting the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0035] [Fig. 10] shows a side perspective view of a first step of dismantling the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0036] [Fig. 11] shows a side perspective view of a second step of disassembling the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0037] [[Fig. 12] shows a side perspective view of a third step of disassembling the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0038] [Fig. 13] shows a side perspective view of a fourth step of disassembling the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0039] [Fig. 14] shows a side perspective view of a fifth step of disassembling the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0040] [Fig. 15] shows a side perspective view of a sixth step of disassembling the strip and a connecting element of a belt according to the present invention;

[0041] [Fig. 16] represents a perspective view from above of one end of an exemplary embodiment of a belt according to the present invention and

[0042] [Fig. 17] shows a perspective view from above of one end of an exemplary embodiment of an inverted belt according to the present invention.

[0043] The belt according to the invention is reversible and consists of a belt strip 2, a belt buckle 3 and a connecting element 1 securing one end of the strip 2 and the belt buckle 3. To obtain reversibility, the belt strip 2 has two faces 22, 23 of different appearances, for example of different colors, of different surface textures, for example a smooth side and a grained side on the other, and others.

[0044] The belt strip 2 forming the body of the belt is made of a material such as leather, synthetic material, fabric, etc.

[0045] Figures 1 and 2 respectively represent an exemplary embodiment of a connecting element 1 for a belt according to the invention. As can be seen in [Fig.l], this connecting element 1 is constituted by a section of elongated strip 11 having at one end, a mechanical fixing means having a rod surmounted by a head extending projecting from the connecting element 1, such as constituted by a collar button 12 and at the opposite end a complementary fixing means constituted by an elongated opening 13, in which the collar button 12 can be fixed in a locked manner. The connecting element 1 is constituted by a material such as leather, a synthetic material, a fabric, etc.

[0046] A collar button 12 is a conventional fastening means, consisting of a head, generally of rounded shape but which can have a different shape, mounted on the end of a rod, the other end of which has a base or foot for fixing to the strip of the connecting element 11.

[0047] The complementary fixing means of said collar button 12 consists of an elongated opening 13 whose width narrows from one end to the other. The first end of greater width thus serves for the engagement of the head of the collar button 12 forming the engagement part 13a of the fixing opening 13 while the opposite end of smaller width allows, once the head of the collar button 12 has passed through the engagement part 13a, the housing of the stem of the collar button 12 and the retention of said collar button 12, forming the locking part 13b of the engagement of the collar button 12 in the opening 13. This retention or locking part 13b of the opening 13 is provided on the side of the end of the connecting element 1.Preferably, a narrowed passage is provided before the locking end to hold the rod in said end, thus forming a means for retaining the rod in said end, forming the locking portion 13b.

[0048] The band 11 may further comprise, substantially in the central part, an elongated slot 14 intended to accommodate the tongue 31 of a belt buckle 3. As can be seen in [Fig.2], the connecting element 1 may be devoid of the central slot, for tightening belt buckles, for example.

[0049] At least one end of the band 2 of the belt intended to receive the closure buckle 3 comprises an opening 21 having a part of section similar to that of the head of the first fastening means such as the collar button 12, forming an engagement part 21a for the head of the first fastening means, extended along the longitudinal axis of the band 2, in the direction of the end of the band 2, by a linear part whose width is less than that of the engagement part 21a and forming a locking part 21b in which, once the head has been engaged through the engagement part 21a, the stem of the collar button 12 is engageable by sliding to the end of the linear part, for example by pulling on the band 2, thus locking the engagement of the collar button 12 in the opening 21 of the band 2. The locking part 21b of the opening 21 of the band 2 is located near the end of strip 2.

[0050] It is also possible to provide an opening intended to be crossed by the collar button 12 provided on the connecting element 1, of elongated shape narrowing from one end to the other, the first end of greater width serving to engage the head of the collar button 12 while the opposite end of smaller width allows the housing of the stem of the collar button 12 and the retention of said collar button 12.

[0051] Thus, when mounting the band 2 on the closing loop 3 by the associated connecting element 1, the collar button 12 of the connecting element 1 is engaged through the end 21a of the opening 21 provided at the end of the strip 2 (figures 4 and 5) then the strip 2 is slid in the direction of the arrow A indicated in [Fig.5], to put the collar button 12 in place at the end 21b of the opening 21, as can be seen in [Fig.6]. It is also possible to exert traction on the connecting element 11, to slide the collar button 12 from one end to the other of the opening 21.

[0052] The connecting element 1 is also engaged on a belt buckle 3 (not shown for reasons of clarity) with its other end which is then folded down according to arrow B onto the end of the band 2 ([Fig.7]).

[0053] The end of the connecting element 1 having the opening 13 is engaged by its wide end 13a on the collar button 12 ([Fig.8]) then the stem of the collar button 12 is engaged in the narrow end 13b of the opening 13 by exerting traction on the connecting element 1 according to the arrow C of [Fig.8] so that the collar button 12 is housed in the narrow end 13b, which makes it possible to lock the attachment of the connecting element 1 on the end of the band 2 as can be seen in [Fig.9]. The belt is thus mounted with the face 22 of the band 2 visible.

[0054] The two openings 13 and 21 are of similar, or even identical, shapes, but during attachment, they extend in opposite directions to each other, the locking of the head of the collar button occurring by sliding the strip 2 and the connecting element 1 in opposite directions, so that the head of the collar button 12 is perfectly held, the connecting element 1 and the strip 2 thus being attached without risk of accidental unhooking.

[0055] To change the face 22 of the band 2, the belt band 2 must be disassembled from the belt buckle 3. To this end, traction is exerted in the direction of arrow D on the end of the connecting element 1, which allows the opening 13 to slide along the stem of the collar button 12, allowing the latter to be brought to the wide end 13a, in order to disengage the collar button 12 from the fastening opening 13 as can be seen in [Fig. 11] in the direction of arrow E.

[0056] The collar button 12 being still engaged and locked in the opening 21 of the belt band 2, traction is then exerted on the belt band 2 in the direction of the arrow F ([Fig. 12]) to position the collar button 12 at the wide end 21a ([Fig. 13]) and allow the end of the collar button 12 to pass through to remove the connecting element 1 and disengage the collar button 12, thus allowing the belt band 2 to be released ([Fig. 14]) to turn it over and reassemble the belt band 2 with its other face 23 visible on the connecting element 1 ([Fig. 15]) and the closing loop 3 by repeating the assembly steps described in Figures 4 to 9.

[0057] As can be seen in Figures 16 and 17, the connecting element 1 is folded forming a loop around the closing loop 3 and a seam 15 is made to form a yoke around said loop 3, the opening 14 allowing the housing of the tongue 31 of the closing loop. The two ends of the connecting element 1 respectively comprise the fixing means, collar button 12 and opening 13 for fixing to the end of the belt band 2.

Claims

Claims

1. Belt comprising closure means, a belt strip (2) constituting the belt body, a connecting element (1) between at least one end of the strip and the closure means, the connecting element (1) being in the form of a section of strip, comprising at one end a fixing means and at the opposite end a complementary fixing means, for reversible fixing of the two ends of the connecting element (1) on the end of the belt strip (2) which comprises an opening (21), said connecting element (11) forming a loop in which part of the closure means is housed, characterized in that the opening (21) provided at the end of the belt strip (2) comprises means for locking / unlocking the engagement of at least one of the fixing means (12) in said opening (21).

2. Belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing means of the connecting element (11) consist of a first fixing means of the type comprising a rod extending projecting from a face of the connecting element (11) and provided with a head of section larger than that of the rod, such as a round-headed rivet of the collar button type (12) and the complementary fixing means of said first fixing means consists of a fixing opening (13) provided in the connecting element (11) and shaped to allow lockable / unlockable fixing of said first fixing means in the fixing opening (13).

3. Belt according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening provided at the end of the belt strip (2) consists of an opening of similar section to that of the head of the first fixing means and of slightly smaller dimensions, this opening having at least one radial cutout at its periphery allowing deformation of said opening to allow the passage of the head then the retention of said head on the belt strip (2), as well as the disengagement of the head.

4. Belt according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening (21) of the belt strip (2) has a part of section similar to that of the head of the first fixing means, forming an engagement part (21a) for the head of the first fixing means (12), extended along the longitudinal axis of the belt strip (2) by a linear portion whose width is less than that of the engagement portion (21a) and forming a locking portion (21b) in which, once the head has been engaged through the engagement portion, the rod is slidably engageable to the end of the linear portion (21b), thus locking the engagement of the fixing means in the opening (21) of the strip (2).

5. Belt according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening of the strip (2) has an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction of the strip (2), the width of which narrows from one end to the other, thus having a first end constituting the engagement part for the fixing means (12) and a second end of smaller width constituting the locking part of said fixing means (12).

6. Belt according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the locking part (21b) of the opening (21) of the strip (2) is located near the end of the strip (2).

7. Belt according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the fixing opening consists of an opening of section similar to that of the head of the first fixing means and of slightly smaller dimensions, this opening having a radial cutout at its periphery allowing deformation of said opening to allow the passage of the head then the retention of said head on the connecting element (1), as well as the disengagement of the head.

8. Belt according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the fixing opening has a part of section similar to that of the head of the first fixing means, forming an engagement part for the head of the first fixing means, extended along the longitudinal axis of the connecting element by a linear part whose width is less than that of the engagement part and forming a locking part in which, once the head has been engaged through the engagement part, the rod is engageable by sliding to the end of the linear part, thus locking the engagement of the fixing means in the fixing opening.

9. Belt according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the fixing opening (13) has an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction of the connecting element (1), the width of which narrows from one end to the other, thus having a first end constituting the engagement part (13a) and a second end of smaller width constituting the locking part (13b).

10. Belt according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the retaining or locking part (13b) of the fixing opening (13) is provided on the side of the end of the connecting element (1).

11. Belt according to one of claims 4 or 5 and 8 or 9, characterized in that, when the connecting element (11) and the end of the belt strip (2) are assembled, the openings (21, 13) extend in opposite directions to each other, their locking parts being superimposed and their engagement parts extending opposite each other.

Images