Utility retainer

Abstract

A buckle or other article of apparel adapted to hold small articles on the buckle or other article of apparel for the convenience of the wearer.

1 . A buckle comprising: 
 a) a plate having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a width, a length and a central section;    b) a connector for connecting a first end of a belt to the first end of or the back of the plate near the first end of the plate;    c) a retainer for connecting a second end of a belt to the plate and positioned on the back of the plate near the second end of the plate; and,    d) at least one receptacle positioned in the central section of the plate and sized to receive at least one magnetized member connected to an article to be supported on the front of the plate.    
   
   
       2 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the plate is curved to fit the body contour of wearers.  
   
   
       3 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the central section of the plate is an area centrally positioned and having a top edge and a bottom edge separated by a distance up to about sixty percent of the width of the plate and having a first side edge and a second side edge separated by a distance up to about sixty percent of the length of the plate.  
   
   
       4 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the connector comprises a loop contained in a receptacle on the back of the plate and configured to connect a belt to the back of the plate.  
   
   
       5 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the retainer comprises a hook or a clip configured to engage a hole or a loop configured to engage the hole or the loop.  
   
   
       6 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the plate comprises a magnetic material.  
   
   
       7 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle comprises a non-circular opening.  
   
   
       8 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the opening extends through the plate.  
   
   
       9 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the opening is square or rectangular.  
   
   
       10 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the magnetized member is configured and sized to fit closely and non-rotatably in the receptacle.  
   
   
       11 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the plate comprises a metallic front plate jointed to a magnetic metal rear plate.  
   
   
       12 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the magnetized member is configured and sized to fit closely and non-rotatably in the receptacle.  
   
   
       13 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle comprises an opening having walls perpendicular to the surface of the plate.  
   
   
       14 . The buckle of  claim 13  wherein the walls are beveled at the surface of the plate to facilitate insertion of the magnetized member into the receptacle.  
   
   
       15 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the article comprises a utility object, or an ornamental object.  
   
   
       16 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the magnetized member is connected to a swivel to enable rotary movement of an article supported on the front of the plate by the magnetized member.  
   
   
       17 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of receptacles and magnetized members are used.  
   
   
       18 . An article of apparel comprising: 
 a) a plate having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a width, a length and a central section; and,    b) at least one connector positioned in the central section of the plate and sized to receive at least one second magnetic connector member connected to an article to be supported on the front of the plate.    
   
   
       19 . A buckle comprising: 
 a) a plate having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a width, a length and a central section;    b) a connector for connecting a first end of a belt to the first end of or the back of the plate near the first end of the plate;    c) a retainer for connecting a second end of a belt to the plate and positioned on the back of the plate near the second end of the plate; and,    d) at least one receptacle in the plate and sized to receive at least one magnetized member connected to an article to be supported on the front of the plate and positioned in the central section of the plate.    
   
   
       20 . An article of apparel comprising: 
 a) a plate having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a width, a length and a central section; and,    b) at least one magnetic connector member connected to an article to be supported on the front of the plate and positioned in the central section of the plate and sized to receive said connector.