Belt loop cover

Abstract

A disclosed belt loop cover device provides a housing that can removably receive a belt loop of a pair of pants. The device includes a hollow shell or cap generally having the shape and size of a belt loop, which has a face that can be suitably ornamented. The shell further includes a pair of side walls, which are raised in a direction opposite the face, and a flat plate. The plate has one edge that is hingedly coupled to one of the side walls and an opposite edge that is releasably couplable to the other side wall.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for decoratively covering a belt loop of a pair of pants worn by a person, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a hollow rectangular shell in the general shape and size of the belt loop, the shell including a face and a pair of side walls raised in a direction opposite the face; and    (b) a flat plate having one edge hingedly coupled to one of the side walls and an opposite edge releasably couplable to the other side wall.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of end walls raised in a direction opposite the face and interposed along opposing short sides of the shell between the side walls.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the end walls are shorter than the side walls in both length and height.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the side walls are about four times the length of the end walls.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the side wall to which an edge of the plate is releasably couplable includes a rolled wall edge to frictionally engage the edge of the plate.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the face of the shell is longer than the plate, thereby permitting the face to be longer than the belt loop.  
     
     
         7 . A method for decorating a belt loop of a garment, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a decorative device that includes a hollow rectangular shell having a face and a flat plate having one edge hingedly coupled to the shell and an opposite free edge;    (b) sliding the plate behind the belt loop with the face oriented away from the garment; and    (c) snapping the plate closed against the shell with the belt loop therebetween by frictionally engaging the free edge of the plate with the shell.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein providing the decorative device further comprises providing a rolled wall edge on the shell for frictionally engaging the free edge of the plate.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein providing the decorative device further comprises providing a pair of end walls raised in a direction opposite the face and interposed along opposing short sides of the shell between the side walls.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein providing the decorative device further comprises providing end walls that are shorter than the side walls in both length and height.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein providing the decorative device further comprises making the side walls about four times the length of the end walls.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein providing the decorative device further comprises providing a rolled wall edge on the side wall to which an edge of the plate is releasably couplable, the method further comprising frictionally engage the edge of the plate with the rolled wall edge.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein providing the decorative device further comprises making the face of the shell longer than the plate, thereby permitting the face to be longer than the belt loop.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus for decoratively covering a belt loop of a pair of pants worn by a person, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) covering means for fitting over the length and width of the belt loop without moving around the loop or presenting uncomfortable wearability; and    (b) means for removably securing the covering means to the belt loop.