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EP 1 956 934 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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17.06.2009 Bulletin 2009/25 |
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Date of filing: 06.10.2005 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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International application number: |
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PCT/NL2005/000718 |
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International publication number: |
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WO 2007/040383 (12.04.2007 Gazette 2007/15) |
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BELT AND BUCKLE FOR A BELT
GÜRTEL UND GÜRTELSCHNALLE
CEINTURE ET BOUCLE DE CEINTURE
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE
SI SK TR |
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Date of publication of application: |
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20.08.2008 Bulletin 2008/34 |
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Proprietor: Handelsonderneming Bauhuis "Hob"B.V. |
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7471 CC Goor (NL) |
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Inventor: |
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- BAUHUIS, Marinus, Bernardus
NL-7496 AG Hengelvelde (NL)
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Representative: Baeten, Ernest et al |
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Algemeen Octrooi- en Merkenbureau
P.O. Box 645 5600 AP Eindhoven 5600 AP Eindhoven (NL) |
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References cited: :
US-A- 1 502 771 US-A- 4 369 529
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US-A- 1 836 678 US-A- 5 572 747
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention relates to a belt for drawing a garment tighter around a person's
body, comprising an elongated band that can be passed around the body and fixation
means for fixing the belt in a tightened position, said fixation means comprising
a series of teeth extending along a certain length on a first side of the elongated
band and an engagement element provided near a first end of the elongated band, which
engages one of said teeth in the tightened position for fixing the same with respect
to said first end.
[0002] Such a belt is generally known (see for example document
US-A-1 502 771), it is marketed under the name "Macaroni" and carrying the text "PAT 141878". An
advantage of said belt in comparison with the belt that is generally used, which comprises
a buckle that can passed through a hole in the belt, is that the elongated band does
not exhibit any holes on the side remote from the wearer, i.e. the side that is exposed
to view. Another advantage is that the teeth can be spaced much closer together than
the usual holes, so that a more precise tightening of the belt is possible. The engagement
element is provided with a pivotable pin, which extends in the longitudinal direction
of the user in the position of use along the height of a pivotable guide member. The
pivotable pin is biassed by means of a spring, so that the engagement element is forced
towards the position in which it engages the teeth. The pivotable pin is provided
with a lever, by means of which the wearer can move the pivotable pin against the
action of the spring. The engagement member is moved out of engagement with the teeth
by pivoting the engagement element in this manner. Because of the required number
of elements, the (buckle of the) belt makes up a relatively complex assembly. In addition,
the belt is relatively thick at the location of the fixation means, because the belt
must be passed between the guide means on the one hand and the pin with the engagement
element on the other hand.
[0003] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a belt that eliminates
or at least partially alleviates the above drawbacks. According to the present invention,
this object is accomplished by providing a belt as referred to in the introduction,
in which the engagement element is substantially rigid in relation to the first end
of the belt. Since the engagement element is rigidly connected to the first end, the
belt can be of less complex design. An additional advantage is that this makes the
belt easier and more inexpensive to manufacture. Moreover, because of the small number
of parts the belt can be made thinner than the known belt, at least at the location
of the connecting means. Finally, the pivoting pin comprising the lever is no longer
required for releasing the belt from the tightened position.
[0004] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the engagement element is provided on
a guide member for guiding the elongated band, which guide member can be attached
to the first end of the elongated band by means of a connecting element. The guide
member of the belt is made of a harder material than the band of the belt which, after
all, must be flexible. The provision of the engagement element on the guide member
makes it possible to form the engagement element of the same material as the guide
member, generally a metal, so that it can be ensured that the teeth are firmly engaged.
The guide member can be permanently or detachably connected to the first end of the
band by means of the connecting element. In the first case, the construction will
be more solid. In the second case it is possible to change the size of the belt by
disconnecting the connecting element, possibly cutting off a length of the band near
the first end thereof, and subsequently connecting the connecting element to the shortened
band. This is what frequently happens with belts.
[0005] Preferably, the engagement element is provided on the connecting element. After all,
the connecting element is connected to the first end of the band in use, and thus
the intended rigidity of the engagement element in relation to the first end of the
elongated band can be realised in a simple manner.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the guide member comprises a guide element that is pivotally
connected to the connecting element. The connecting element comprising the engagement
element is preferably connected to the first end of the belt as rigidly as possible,
whilst the other end as well as a portion of the elongated band must be passed through
the guide means when the user puts on the belt. It will be understood that the belt
may be easier to apply because the guide element is pivotable.
[0007] Preferably, the connecting element and the guide element are furthermore oriented
in such a manner that the engagement of the engagement element on the teeth can be
released by pivoting the guide element with respect to the connecting element. Since
the guide element is pivotally connected to the connecting element, the guide element
can be used as a lever, as it were, for releasing the engagement on the teeth. In
the tightened position, the guide element extends substantially parallel to the two
parts of the elongated band that are kept together by the fixation means. In this
position the engagement element optimally engages one of the teeth of the elongated
band. To undo the belt, the second end of the band positioned opposite the first end
must be moved away from the band, i.e. the parallel relationship between the two parts
of the band must be discontinued. As a result of the lever action of the guide element,
which attempts to maintain the parallel relationship between the two parts of the
band, a certain force must be exerted in order to release the engagement. In this
way the engagement of the engagement element on the teeth is prevented from being
unintentionally released.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first side of the elongated band
is oriented towards the user's body in the tightened position. In this orientation,
the teeth are positioned on the side of the belt that faces towards the wearer, in
which the teeth are visible from the outside. Another advantage is the fact that the
engagement of the engagement element on the teeth can readily be released by moving
the free end of the band, i.e. the end positioned opposite the first end, which is
present at the outer side of the band that extends around the user, away from the
user. The band will pull the engagement element along in a direction out of engagement
with the teeth. Following that, the elongated band can be pulled out of the guide
element so as to further undo the belt.
[0009] Preferably, the teeth are provided on a separate elongated element, which is attached
to the first side of the elongated band. As is the case with the engagement element,
the teeth can be more readily engaged when the teeth are made of a stiffer material
than the elongated band which, on the contrary, must exhibit some degree of flexibility.
The engagement of the engagement element on the teeth is improved by using teeth that
are made of a different, in this case a harder, material, whilst the life span of
the belt is extended, because the properties of said elongated element can readily
be geared to the requirements that are made thereof.
[0010] The invention further relates to a buckle for a belt as discussed above, which buckle
comprises an engagement element which, during use of the belt, is rigid in relation
to the first end of the belt.
[0011] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter by means of a description
of embodiments of the invention, in which reference is made to the following schematic
figures.
Figures 1a and 1b show a trouser belt according to the present invention; and
Figures 2a and 2b schematically show the way a trouser belt according to the present
invention functions.
[0012] Figure 1a shows a belt 1 comprising an elongated band 2, which is provided with teeth
4 along part of its length, and a separate buckle 3 that functions as a guide element.
As shown in figure 1b, the buckle 3 can be connected to the elongated band by means
of a connecting element 5. Said connecting takes place by first moving a clamping
element 5a of the connecting element 5 to the position that is shown in figure 1a
and subsequently passing the elongated band through an opening 11 in the connecting
element 5. Then the clamping element is pivoted inwardly, causing the teeth 10 to
engage the enclosed elongated band and clamp it down in the connecting element. In
said inwardly pivoted position, the clamping element 5a pushes the engagement element
6 towards the outside (the situation depicted in figure 1b) and maintains it in a
rigid position relative to the connecting element 5 and the clamped-down part of the
elongated band 2. In use, the free end 2a of the elongated band 2 of the belt 1 may
first be passed through loops (not shown) of a garment to be tightened, after which
it is passed through the guide opening 7 of the buckle 3. Then it is inserted further
into the buckle 3 up to an opening 8 between the connecting element 5 and the guide
element 9. Subsequently, the free end 2a of the elongated band 2 is tightened further,
causing the elongated band 2 to be pulled further and further towards the tightening
position.
[0013] Figure 2a schematically shows the tightened position of a belt 21 according to the
invention. For the sake of clarity, the figure does not show a body around which the
belt 21 is or can be passed. The elongated band 22 has been passed through the guide
element 29 so far that the portion comprising the teeth is positioned near a the projecting
part 26 of the connecting elements 25. Each time the free end 22a is pulled further
in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the projecting part 26 engages a next tooth
24 in the elongated band 22. Once the belt 21 is sufficiently tight, the free end
22a is released and the projecting part 26 engages the tooth 24a in question in such
a manner that the belt 21 cannot return to a looser position.
[0014] Figure 2b indicates the manner in which the belt 21 according to the invention can
be undone. The free end 22a of the elongated band 22 is to that end moved away from
the body (not shown) in the direction indicated by the arrow B. This movement causes
the engagement between the teeth 24a and the projecting part 26 to be released and
the elongated band 22 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow C until
the free end 22a has completely moved out of the guide element 29. It will be understood
that the projecting part 26 will not engage the portion of the elongated band 22 between
the free end 22a and the teeth 24.
[0015] It will be apparent upon studying the schematic drawings 2a and 2b that for the sake
of easy reference the various dimensions are not shown in the correct proportions.
Although the buckle 23 as shown is relatively long and thick, it is on the contrary
possible in practice to make this part relatively small, so that the portion of the
belt that is positioned near the buckle 23 in the tightened position can be made relatively
thin. Furthermore it should be noted that the embodiments as described and illustrated
herein show only one manner of implementing the invention. In practice many modifications
are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined
in the appended claims.
1. A belt (1) for drawing a garment tighter around a person's body, comprising an elongated
band (2) that can be passed around the body and fixation means for fixing the belt
(1) in a tightened position, said fixation means comprising a series of teeth (4)
extending along a certain length on a first side of the elongated band (2) and an
engagement element (6) provided near a first end of the elongated band (2), which
engages one of said teeth (4) in the tightened position for fixing the same with respect
to said first end, characterized in that the engagement element (6) is substantially rigid in relation to the first end of
the belt (1).
2. A belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the engagement element (6) is provided on a guide member (3) for guiding the elongated
band (2), which guide member (3) can be attached to the first end of the elongated
band (2) by means of a connecting element (5).
3. A belt (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the engagement element (6) is provided on the connecting element (5).
4. A belt (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the guide member (3) comprises a guide element that is pivotally connected to the
connecting element (5).
5. A belt (1) according to any one or more of the claims 2-4, characterized in that the connecting element (5) and the guide element (3) are oriented in such a manner
that the engagement of the engagement element (6) on the teeth can be released by
pivoting the guide element (3) with respect to the connecting element (5).
6. A belt (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first side of the elongated band (2) is oriented towards the user's body in the
tightened position.
7. A belt (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the teeth (4) are provided on a separate elongated element, which is attached to
the first side of the elongated band (2).
8. A buckle (23) for a belt (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the buckle (23) comprises an engagement element which, during use of the belt (1),
is rigid in relation to the first end of the belt (1).
1. Gürtel (1) zum Festziehen eines Kleidungsstücks rund um den Körper einer Person, umfassend
ein längliches Band (2), das um den Körper herumgeführt werden kann, und Befestigungsmittel
zum Befestigen des Gürtels (1) in einer festgezogenen Position, wobei die Befestigungsmittel
eine Reihe von Zähnen (4), die sich über eine bestimmte Länge auf einer ersten Seite
des länglichen Bandes (2) erstrecken, und ein Eingreifelement (6) umfassen, das in
der Nähe eines ersten Endes des länglichen Bandes (2) angeordnet ist und in der festgezogenen
Position in einen der Zähne (4) eingreift, um diesen in Bezug auf das erste Ende zu
befestigen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Eingreifelement (6) in Bezug auf das erste Ende des Gürtels (1) im Wesentlichen
unbeweglich ist.
2. Gürtel nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Eingreifelement (6) auf einem Führungsteil (3) zum Führen des länglichen Bandes
(2) angeordnet ist, wobei dieses Führungsteil (3) mithilfe eines Verbindungselements
(5) am ersten Ende des länglichen Bandes (2) festgemacht werden kann.
3. Gürtel (1) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Eingreifelement (6) auf dem Verbindungselement (5) angeordnet ist.
4. Gürtel (1) nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Führungsteil (3) ein Führungselement umfasst, das mit dem Verbindungselement
(5) schwenkbar verbunden ist.
5. Gürtel (1) nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verbindungselement (5) und das Führungselement (3) so ausgerichtet sind, dass
das Eingreifen des Eingreifelements (6) in die Zähne durch Schwenken des Führungselements
(3) in Bezug auf das Verbindungselement (5) gelöst werden kann.
6. Gürtel (1) nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Seite des länglichen Bandes (2) in der festgezogenen Position zum Körper
des Anwenders hin ausgerichtet ist.
7. Gürtel (1) nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zähne (4) auf einem separaten länglichen Element angeordnet sind, das auf der
ersten Seite des länglichen Bandes (2) festgemacht ist.
8. Gürtelschnalle (23) für einen Gürtel (1) nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden
Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Gürtelschnalle (23) ein Eingreifelement umfasst, das während der Verwendung des
Gürtels (1) in Bezug auf das erste Ende des Gürtels (1) unbeweglich ist.
1. Ceinture (1) permettant d'ajuster plus étroitement un vêtement autour du corps d'une
personne, comportant une bande de forme allongée (2) qui peut être passée autour du
corps et des moyens de fixation servant à fixer la ceinture (1) dans une position
de serrage, lesdits moyens de fixation comprenant une série de dents (4) s'étendant
sur une certaine longueur sur un premier côté de la bande de forme allongée (2) et
un élément d'engagement (6) prévu à proximité d'une première extrémité de la bande
de forme allongée (2), lequel s'engage avec l'une desdites dents (4) dans la position
de serrage en vue de la fixer par rapport à ladite première extrémité, caractérisée en ce que l'élément d'engagement (6) est essentiellement rigide par rapport à la première extrémité
de la ceinture (1).
2. Ceinture selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'élément d'engagement (6) est fourni sur un élément de guidage (3) servant à guider
la bande de forme allongée (2), lequel élément de guidage (3) peut être fixé à la
première extrémité de la bande de forme allongée (2) au moyen d'un élément de raccordement
(5).
3. Ceinture (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que l'élément d'engagement (6) est prévu sur l'élément de raccordement (5).
4. Ceinture (1) selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisée en ce que l'élément de guidage (3) comporte un élément de guidage qui est raccordé à pivotement
à l'élément de raccordement (5).
5. Ceinture (1) selon l'une quelconque ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 4, caractérisée en ce que l'élément de raccordement (5) et l'élément de guidage (3) sont orientés de telle
manière que l'engagement de l'élément d'engagement (6) sur les dents peut être libéré
en faisant pivoter l'élément de guidage (3) par rapport à l'élément de raccordement
(5).
6. Ceinture (1) selon l'une quelconque ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le premier côté de la bande de forme allongée (2) est orienté vers le corps de l'utilisateur
dans la position de serrage.
7. Ceinture (1) selon l'une quelconque ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les dents (4) sont fournies sur un élément séparé de forme allongée, lequel est fixé
au premier côté de la bande de forme allongée (2).
8. Boucle (23) destinée à une ceinture (1) selon l'une quelconque ou plusieurs des revendications
précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la boucle (23) comporte un élément d'engagement, lequel, lors de l'utilisation de
la ceinture (1) est rigide par rapport à la première extrémité de la ceinture (1).
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description