Sports belt with cinchable fastener system

• US 5,316,022 A
• Filed: 08/28/1992
• Issued: 05/31/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schiek'S Sports, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Schiek'S Sports, Inc.
• Inventors: Schiek, James W. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US07/937,937
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 2/338, 2/336, 2/311, 2/DIG. 6, 602/19, 128/876, 128/DIG. 15, 128/875
• US Class Current: 128/876
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/028 Braces for providing support to the lower back, e.g. lumbo sacral supports

Abstract

A one-way hook and loop fastener system is incorporated on a cinchable belt for providing a cinchable fastener which may be tightened in one direction without disengaging the fastener elements from one another. The natural tension on the belt when tightened engages and locks the fasteners in the opposite direction.

Claims

1. A belt with a cinching fastener, the fastener comprising:

a. a first fastening element having a plurality of projecting, closed loops;

b. a second fastening element having a plurality of projecting hooks all of which include outer tips biased in a common direction and adapted to engage the loops of the first fastening element when moved relative to the loops in a first direction and to slide freely relative to the loops when moved in a second, opposite direction, whereby the hooks of the second fastening element and the loops of the first fastening element become locked in engagement when the second fastening element is pressed against the first fastening element and the fastening elements are moved relative to one another in the first direction causing the hooks to enter into the loops and secure the belt in a position; and

whereby the hooks of the second fastening elements and the loops of the first fastening element do not become engaged but slide freely relative to each other when the first fastening element and the second fastening element are moved relative to one another in the second opposite direction.

2. The belt of claim 1, wherein the fastener further comprises:

a. a base for supporting the first fastener element; and

b. a strap having opposite free ends and secured to the base, the second fastening element being secured to the strap adjacent one free end thereof.

3. The belt of claim 2, wherein the fastener further comprises a buckle secured to the other free end of the strap and adapted for receiving the one free end thereof.

4. The belt of claim 1, wherein the belt further includes an elongated support structure formed of a flexible, non-stretchable material and including opposite outer ends and a mid-section therebetween, the mid-section adapted to be placed against the back of a user and the outer ends adapted to be wrapped around the waist of the user and placed in overlying relationship with one another over the abdomen of the user, wherein the fastener is adapted to secure the belt but also allows the outer ends to be cinched tightly around the waist of the user.

5. The belt of claim 4, wherein the first fastener element is secured relative to the support structure, and wherein there is further included a strap having opposite free ends and secured to the support structure, the second fastening element being secured to the strap adjacent one free end thereof.

6. The belt of claim 5, wherein the fastener further comprises a buckle secure to the other free end of the strap and adapted for receiving the one free end thereof.

7. The belt of claim 5, wherein the strap is stitched to the mid-section of the support structure.