Tapered belt buckle

Abstract

An apparatus for securing a pair of trousers about a torso includes a belt buckle for attaching opposite ends of a belt thereto and a compartment. The compartment includes a pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls for progressively curving a portion of a credit card or a driver's license or a personal identification card or a similarly sized card as the card is urged into the compartment. Friction between edges of the card, in particular where the card is curved or bowed, and a the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls that are in contact with the card edges secure the card in position in the compartment until a user urges the card out of the compartment. The compartment is sized to house as many cards as desired.

Claims

1. A tapered belt buckle for use in fastening a belt by a user and which is also able to detachably secure a credit card or a driver's license card or a personal identification card or a similarly sized card thereto, comprising: (a) an outer member that includes an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface; (b) an inner member to be disposed a predetermined distance away from said outer member, said inner member for being disposed proximate a waist of the user during use; (c) a compartment that is disposed between said outer member and said inner member, wherein said compartment includes an opening at one end, thereof, and a pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls that include a first width between a first end of each of said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls and wherein said first end of each of said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls is disposed proximate said opening and a second width between an opposite second end of each of said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls and wherein said second end of each of said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls is disposed distally away from said first end and distally away from said opening, wherein said first width is greater than said second width, and wherein said first width is equal to or greater than a width or a length of the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card, and wherein said second width is less than said width or said length of the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card; wherein when the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card is progressively inserted into said compartment a portion of the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card is progressively forced to bow to accommodate a narrowing distance between said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls, and wherein friction between the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card and said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls is sufficient to retain the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card in said compartment; (d) a vertical opposite end member disposed maximally away from said opening, said vertical opposite end member disposed between said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls; and (e) means for attaching a first end of the belt to the tapered belt buckle and means for attaching an opposite second end of the belt to the tapered belt buckle.

2. The tapered belt buckle of claim 1 wherein a forward portion of any one of the cards is progressively forced to bow to accommodate said narrowing distance between said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls as the one card is increasingly urged into said compartment.

3. The tapered belt buckle of claim 1 wherein an active area of said compartment for containment of any one of the cards is defined by the inner member on a bottom, said outer member on a top, said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls which impinge on opposite sides of the one card and said vertical opposite end member.

4. The tapered belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching a first end of the belt to the tapered belt buckle includes a fastener assembly that is attached to said inner member, and wherein said fastener assembly is adapted to secure a loop end of the belt, thereto.

5. The tapered belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching a second end of the belt to the tapered belt buckle includes a hook attached to said inner member.

6. The tapered belt buckle of claim 5 wherein said hook includes an inwardly curving hook.

7. The tapered belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said opening is disposed at a left side or at a right side of the tapered belt buckle.

8. The tapered belt buckle of claim 1 wherein said opening is disposed at a top or at a bottom of the tapered belt buckle.

9. The tapered belt buckle of claim 1 including a pair of vertical outer sides that are each disposed along one of a pair of outer edges of the tapered belt buckle, wherein each of said pair of vertical outer sides provide a finished exterior appearance of the tapered belt buckle, and wherein each of said pair of vertical outer sides obscure visibility of at least a portion of one of said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls from an exterior of the tapered belt buckle.

10. A tapered belt buckle for use in fastening a belt by a user and which is also able to detachably secure a credit card or a driver's license or a personal identification card or a similarly sized card thereto, comprising: (a) an outer member that includes an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface; (b) an inner member to be disposed a predetermined distance away from said outer member, said inner member for being disposed proximate a waist of the user during use; (c) a compartment that is disposed between said outer member and said inner member, wherein said compartment includes an opening at one end, thereof; (d) means for progressively bending or curving a portion of the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card when the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card is progressively inserted into said compartment, wherein said means for progressively bending or curving a portion of the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card includes said compartment and wherein said compartment includes a pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls that impinge upon opposite edges of a leading edge of the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card as the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card is progressively inserted into said compartment, and wherein said pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls progressively bow said leading edge of the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card as the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card is progressively urged into said compartment, and wherein a direction of said bow is perpendicular with respect to a direction that the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card is urged into said compartment, and wherein friction between the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card and an interior of the compartment is sufficient to retain the credit card or the driver's license or the personal identification card or the similarly sized card in said compartment; and (e) means for attaching a first end of the belt to the tapered belt buckle and an opposite second end of the belt to the tapered belt buckle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a tapered belt buckle.

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modified bottom opening embodiment that is similar to the view of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is shown, a tapered belt buckle, identified in general by the reference numeral 10.

(6) A belt 12 includes a loop end 12a that is attached to a loop 14 of a fastener assembly, identified in general by the reference numeral 16 (See also FIG. 3). A tip of the loop end 12a of the belt 12 wraps around the loop 14 of the fastener assembly 16 and is typically secured to another portion of the loop end 12a of the belt 12 by a snap 13 or other fastener.

(7) The fastener assembly 16 is secured to a bottom of an inner member 18 (See also FIG. 3) by a pair of rivets (not shown) or by any other preferred means such as welding or adhesive or by any other type of fastener. See U.S. Pat. No. 7,748,088 that issued on Jul. 6, 2010 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,490,254 that issued on Jul. 23, 2013, both by the same inventor, of which the content of each, thereof, is included herein by way of reference.

(8) An opposite front belt end (not shown) of the belt 12 includes a plurality of spaced-apart belt openings, as is well known, for adjusting a circumference of the belt 12. A desired belt opening is placed over an inwardly curving hook 8 (shown in dashed lines) that is attached to an underside of the inner member 18 to secure the belt 12 in position.

(9) A compartment, identified in general by the reference numeral 20 is included with the tapered belt buckle 10. The compartment 20 includes an opening 22 at a side (FIGS. 1-3) of the compartment 20. If desired, a modified top or bottom opening 22a could be disposed at a top or at a bottom of the compartment 20 (FIG. 4).

(10) Referring in particular now to FIG. 1, the tapered belt buckle 10 includes three basic dimensions, a width as identified by arrow X, a length as identified by arrow Y and a thickness as identified by bracket Z. As shown in FIG. 1, the tapered belt buckle 10 includes a slight curvature along the length Y. This is generally preferred as it provides a contour (i.e., a curvature) that better matches the curvature around a wearer's waist. However if desired, the tapered belt buckle 10 could be planar (i.e., straight) along its length Y and also along its width X.

(11) The compartment 20 includes an outer member 24 that is maximally disposed away from a torso (i.e., waist) of a user (not shown) when the tapered belt buckle 10 is worn. The inner member 18 is disposed maximally close to the torso of the user.

(12) A pair of vertical outer sides 26a, 26b are attached along a bottom edge thereof to a top and an opposing bottom edge of the inner member 18. The vertical outer sides 26a, 26b are similarly attached along a top edge thereof to a top and an opposing bottom edge of the outer member 24.

(13) Top and bottom edges of a vertical opposite end 28 are similarly attached to the inner and outer members 18, 24 at a distal end of the each of the inner and outer members 18, 24. The distal end of the inner and outer members 18, 24 are disposed maximally away from the opening 22. Opposite ends of the vertical opposite end 28 are attached to distal ends of each of the pair of vertical outer sides 26a, 26b.

(14) A first of a pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a is attached at a first end, thereof, to a first of the pair of vertical outer sides 26a. The first of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a is attached at an opposite second end, thereof, to the vertical opposite end 28 at a location that is disposed further away from the first of the pair of vertical outer sides 26a than where the first end of the first of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a is attached.

(15) A second of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30b is attached at a first end, thereof, to a second of the pair of vertical outer sides 26b. The second of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30b is attached at an opposite second end, thereof, to the vertical opposite end 28 at a location that is disposed further away from the second of the pair of vertical outer sides 26b than where the first end of the second of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30b is attached.

(16) Accordingly, the width between the first end of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b is greater than the width between the second end of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b.

(17) The width between the first end of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b includes a first width inside the compartment 20 that is equal to or greater than the width of a credit card, driver's license or personal identification card, two of which are shown in FIG. 3 and identified respectively by reference numerals 32a, 32b.

(18) The width between the second end of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b includes a second width inside the compartment 20 that is less than the width of the card(s) 32a, 32b when the card(s) 32a, 32b are disposed on a plane (i.e., when the card(s) 32a, 32b are flat).

(19) As shown the first end of each of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b is attached to each of the respective pair of the of vertical outer sides 26a, 26b at a location that is offset a short distance into an interior of the compartment 20 (i.e., away from the opening 22). However, if desired, the first end of each of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b may be attached to each of the respective pair of the vertical outer sides 26a, 26b at the opening 22.

(20) The pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b, as shown, are linear. Therefore, as the card(s) 32a, 32b are progressively inserted into the interior of the compartment 20, the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b progressively apply an increasing force to a pair of forward opposite edges of the card(s) 32a, 32b in a linear manner that urges the forward opposite edges of the card(s) 32a, 32b closer together as the card(s) 32a, 32b is/are progressively inserted into the compartment 20.

(21) This causes a forward portion of the card(s) 32a, 32b to increasingly bow as the card(s) 32a, 32b are progressively inserted into the compartment 20. Insertion of the card(s) 32a, 32b into the compartment 20 feels smooth to the user even as they are increasingly bowing (curving) at their respective forward edges. The card(s) 32a, 32b are fully inserted into the compartment 20 when the forward edge of any of the card(s) 32a, 32b abuts (i.e., comes in contact with) an interior surface of the vertical opposite end 28.

(22) When the card(s) 32a, 32b are fully inserted into the compartment 20, the bow (i.e., curvature) at the forward edge of each of the card(s) 32a, 32b is greatest, as shown in FIG. 3. The interior dimensions of the compartment 20 ensure that sufficient space is available to the card(s) 32a, 32b to bow based on the maximum number of card(s) 32a, 32b the compartment 20 is intended to house. The maximum number of card(s) 32a, 32b the tapered belt buckle 10 can securely retain inside the compartment 20 is a design variable.

(23) Friction between the forward edges of the card(s) 32a, 32b and interior surfaces of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b secures the card(s) 32a, 32b in position in the compartment 20. It is possible, though generally not desired, for a forward top center surface of the uppermost card 32a to lightly touch an interior surface of the outer member 24. This is easily avoided by controlling the dimensions of the components that define an active area of the compartment 20, as is described in greater detail below. Preferably, contact with the card(s) 32a, 32b only occurs along a portion of the edges of the card(s) 32a, 32b to prevent damage from occurring to a magnetic strip that may be present on certain types of the card(s) 32a, 32b.

(24) If desired, the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b may include a curvature. If a curvature is included in the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b then a non-linear increase in a rate of bowing of the forward edge of the card(s) 32a, 32b will occur as the card(s) 32a, 32b are inserted into the compartment 20. Insertion of the card(s) 32a, 32b into the compartment 20 will still feel smooth to the user as no sudden bumps or obstacles would be encountered, however, the force necessary for insertion may vary in a non-linear manner if the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b includes the curvature.

(25) Insertion of the card(s) 32a, 32b into or out of the compartment 20 is accomplished by inserting a width (i.e., the narrow side) of the card(s) 32a, 32b into the compartment 20 until the forward edge of each of the card(s) 32a, 32b makes contact with the interior surface of the vertical opposite end 28. The motion to insert or remove the card(s) 32a, 32b occurs horizontally, generally parallel with respect to a ground surface. This can be accomplished while the belt 12 is fastened or, if preferred, the belt 12 can be loosened for insertion or removal of the card(s) 32a, 32b.

(26) The active portion of the compartment 20 in which the card(s) 32a, 32b are contained is defined by the inner member 18 on the bottom, the upper member 24 on the top, the opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b which impinge on the longer sides of the card(s) 32a, 32b and the vertical opposite end 28 which limits the horizontal insertion depth of the card(s) 32a, 32b.

(27) The tapered belt buckle 10 is able to securely house one or more of the card(s) 32a, 32b in the compartment 20. This allows certain users to avoid having to carry a wallet or a purse, yet the essential forms of identification and access to funds provided by credit and/or debit cards 32a, 32b are being carried about on their person, not visible to others, safe and secure.

(28) A recess 34 is preferably included through the inner member 18 proximate the opening 22 to facilitate grasping of an outer portion of the card(s) 32a, 32b when it is desirable to remove them from the compartment 20. The card(s) 32a, 32b may be inserted and/or removed individually or together as a group, as desired.

(29) As shown outer member 24, the inner member 18, the pair of vertical outer sides 26a, 26b, and the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b are all curved along the length Y. However, if desired, the inner member 18 and a bottom edge of the pair of vertical outer sides 26a, 26b and a bottom edge of the pair of opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a, 30b could include a curvature along the length Y while the top edges thereof could be straight (on a plane) along with the outer member 24. If this were accomplished an interior of the tapered belt buckle 10 would include the curvature (along the torso or waist) while the outer member 24 and, therefore the front surface, would be disposed on a plane which would provide an alternate aesthetic appearance for the tapered belt buckle 10.

(30) Referring now to FIG. 4 is shown a modified tapered belt buckle, identified in general by the reference numeral 10a. The modified tapered belt buckle 10a is similar to the tapered belt buckle 10 except that it includes the modified opening 22a disposed at a bottom of the modified tapered belt buckle 10a. If desired, the modified opening 22a could be disposed at a top of the modified tapered belt buckle 10a.

(31) For the modified tapered belt buckle 10a the motion to insert or remove the card(s) 32a, 32b includes vertically raising the card(s) 32a, 32b into a modified compartment 20a. Friction similarly retains the card(s) 32a, 32b in a modified compartment, identified in general by the reference numeral 20a, of the modified tapered belt buckle 10a.

(32) A longer modified vertical opposite end 28a extends along the length of the modified tapered belt buckle 10a. A shorter pair of modified vertical outer sides 26a1, 26b1 are disposed at the exterior sides of the modified tapered belt buckle 10a. A shorter pair of modified opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a1, 30b1 are provided in the modified compartment 20a area.

(33) The active portion of the modified compartment 20a in which the card(s) 32a, 32b are contained is defined by the a modified inner member 18a on the bottom, a modified upper member (not shown) on the top, the modified opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a1, 30b1 which impinge on the shorter sides of the card(s) 32a, 32b and the modified vertical opposite end 28a which limits the upward (when the modified opening 22a is disposed at the bottom) insertion depth of the card(s) 32a, 32b. The modified opposing angled vertical sidewalls 30a1, 30b1 cause the bow in the card(s) 32a, 32b to occur along the longitudinal length of the cards(s) 32a, 32b rather than across the width of the cards(s) 32a, 32b, as occurs with the tapered belt buckle 10. A modified recess 34a is optionally included in the modified inner member 18a to facilitate grasping of the outer portion of the card(s) 32a, 32b when it is desirable to remove them from the modified compartment 20a.

(34) The tapered belt buckle 10 or the modified tapered belt buckle 10a provide concealed carrying of the card(s) 32a, 32b without the use of any spring or other member that bears down on any flat portion of the card(s) 32a, 32b. This prevents damage from occurring to the magnetic strip (not shown) present on certain types of the card(s) 32a, 32b.

(35) Other means to force the card(s) 32a, 32b to bow are possible after having had benefit of the present disclosure. For example, a further modified upper member (not shown) that includes a progressively increasing curvature on an interior surface, thereof, could be used to cause the card(s) 32a, 32b to increasingly bow in a downward direction as they are progressively urged into a further modified compartment (not shown).

(36) Similarly, a further modified lower member (not shown) that includes a progressively increasing curvature on an interior surface, thereof, could be used to cause the card(s) 32a, 32b to increasingly bow in an upward direction as they are progressively urged into a still further modified compartment (not shown).

(37) The two preceding alternate embodiments illustrate other means for bending the card(s) 32a, 32b and the use of friction for retaining the card(s) 32a, 32b within the tapered belt buckle 10 or the modified tapered belt buckle 10a. However, an alternate embodiment that applies pressure to a surface of the card(s) 32a, 32b is not generally preferred as certain of the card(s) 32a, 32b may include a magnetic strip or indicia or an image that could be damaged by such pressure.

(38) The tapered belt buckle 10 or the modified tapered belt buckle 10a can be formed of any desired material or combination of materials, including a desired polymer (i.e., plastic), metal, carbon fiber, synthetic material, natural material (such as leather) or other desired material. For example, the tapered belt buckle 10 or the modified tapered belt buckle 10a could be formed of plastic using a two-piece mold along the length Y axis (or otherwise, as desired) and assembled together.

(39) Any embodiment of the tapered belt buckle 10 can include as few or as many component parts as desired. Similarly, the tapered belt buckle 10 or the modified tapered belt buckle 10a can be formed of cast, stamped, welded, or adhered metals. If desired, the tapered belt buckle 10 or the modified tapered belt buckle 10a could be formed of any desired material, synthetic or natural, by any preferred manufacturing method.

(40) For example, the tapered belt buckle 10 or the modified tapered belt buckle 10a could be formed entirely of leather. Alternately, the tapered belt buckle 10 or the modified tapered belt buckle 10a could be formed of a combination of materials such as a cast metal shell with a plastic insert.

(41) If desired, the tapered belt buckle 10 or the modified tapered belt buckle 10a can include a leather wrap-around covering or, if desired, a leather faceplate could be adhered to an exterior surface of the upper member 24 (or the modified upper member 24a) for ornamentation. If desired, the upper member 24 (or the modified upper member 24a) could include a cast, engraved or molded sculpture.

(42) If desired, ornamental objects or precious metals, minerals, stones or jewels could be added to the upper member 24 (or the modified upper member 24a) in order to provide any desired ornamental appearance.

(43) The tapered belt buckle 10 or the modified tapered belt buckle 10a, as shown, when viewed from the front have a generally rectangular appearance. It is important to note that it is also possible to include a desired radius at the corners or to modify or otherwise change the overall shape and appearance as desired to include, for example, an oval or even circular appearance while continuing to ensure that the compartment 20 (or the modified compartment 20a) includes a size that is able to house as much of the card(s) 32a, 32b as desired.

(44) The invention has been shown, described, and illustrated in substantial detail with reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.