Belt

Abstract

A belt having an elongate band that is wrappable around the body of a wearer, the band having first and second end portions, the first and second end portions respectively being provided with first and second parts of a connection for detachable and adjustable connection of the first end portion to the second end portion with the band wrapped around the body of the wearer, wherein the band is made of a synthetic modelling material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A belt comprising an elongate band that is wrappable around the body of a wearer, said band comprising first and second end portions, said first and second end portions respectively being provided with first and second parts of a connection means for detachable and adjustable connection of the first end portion to the second end portion with the band wrapped around the body of the wearer, wherein said band is made of a synthetic modelling material.  
     
     
         2 . A belt according to  claim 1 , wherein the belt comprises covering means for defining an accommodation space at least at the first end portion for receiving and confining the second end portion and for covering the second end portion with the second end portion received in the accommodation space.  
     
     
         3 . A belt according to  claim 2 , wherein the covering means covers the second end portion with the second end portion received in the accommodation space to a distance of at least about 5 cm.  
     
     
         4 . A belt according to  claim 3 , wherein the covering means comprises a flat base portion and a covering portion that together define an insertion portion at an end of the accommodation space.  
     
     
         5 . A belt according to  claim 4 , wherein the covering portion comprises said elastomeric material.  
     
     
         6 . A belt according to  claim 5 , wherein the covering portion and the base portion define a substantially rectangular accommodation space.  
     
     
         7 . A belt according to  claim 1 , wherein the belt is formed by molding.  
     
     
         8 . A belt according to  claim 7 , wherein the belt is formed by injection molding.  
     
     
         9 . A belt according to  claim 1 , wherein the band is made of an elastomer.  
     
     
         10 . A belt according to  claim 8 , wherein the band is made of a thermoplastic elastomer.  
     
     
         11 . A belt according to  claim 10 , wherein the band is made of a thermoplastic polyester elastomer.  
     
     
         12 . A belt according to  claim 1 , wherein the second part of the connection means comprises a profiled surface.  
     
     
         13 . A belt according to  claim 12 , wherein the profiled surface comprises teeth.  
     
     
         14 . A belt according to  claim 13 , wherein the second part of the connection means is integrally formed with the band as a unitary structure.  
     
     
         15 . A belt according to  claim 12 , wherein the first part of the connection means comprises a first locking means for locking engagement of the first part with the profiled surface.  
     
     
         16 . A belt according to  claim 15 , wherein the first locking means is movable between a locking position that lockingly engages the profiled surface and a release position.  
     
     
         17 . A belt according to  claim 16 , wherein the first locking means is pretensioned towards the locking position.  
     
     
         18 . A belt according to  claim 15 , wherein the first locking means comprises a first lever.  
     
     
         19 . A belt according to  claim 18 , wherein the first lever has one or more teeth that engage the profiled surface, said teeth being disposed at a side of an axis of the first lever that faces away from the first end portion.  
     
     
         20 . A belt according to  claim 15 , wherein the first locking means is made of a synthetic material.  
     
     
         21 . A belt according to  claim 1 , wherein the first part of the connection means comprises a holder member that is covered by the elastomeric material, said holder member defining a passage for the second end portion.  
     
     
         22 . A belt according to  claim 21 , wherein the band and the holder member are produced by injection molding with the first end portion of the band molded around the holder member.  
     
     
         23 . Method for producing a belt that is wrappable around the waist of a wearer, comprising the steps of: 
 a) molding a moldable material into an elongate band having first and second end portions, and    b) providing said first and second end portions with first and second parts of a connection means for detachable and adjustable connection of the first end portion to the second end portion.    
     
     
         24 . Method according to  claim 23 , wherein the moldable material is an elastomer.  
     
     
         25 . Method according to  claim 24 , wherein the moldable material is a thermoplastic elastomer.  
     
     
         26 . Method according to  claim 23 , wherein the elongate band is made of solid material.  
     
     
         27 . Method comprising wrapping the belt of  claim 2  around the body of a wearer, comprising the step of inserting the second end portion into the accommodation space and arranging the second end portion between the belt and the body of the wearer.