Belt buckle

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a belt buckle formed of a molded plastic material and includes a decorative face. The belt buckle includes: a rigid frame member imbedded therein and a convex front face which is adapted to receive decorative elements. The frame member includes a loop extending from a lateral side of the belt buckle to receive one end of a belt. The frame member also includes a hook which protrudes from the inner or rear face of the buckle to permit the hook to be inserted into holes provided in a belt. The hook and loop of the frame member are joined by a curved metal intermediate portion that rigidly connects the loop and the hook

1 . A belt buckle comprising: 
 (a) a rigid frame member having a loop formed at one end thereof to receive a belt, a hook for insertion into holes provided therefor in a belt, and an intermediate portion rigidly and permanently connecting said loop and said hook;    (b) a solidified plastic material encasing said frame member with said loop and said hook exposed to permit the attachment of said belt to said loop and permit said hook to be inserted in holes provided in said belt;    (c) said solidified plastic material including a convex front face which is adapted to receive decorative elements;    (d) said hook extending from and exposed on a face of said solidified plastic material opposite to said front face; and    (e) said loop extending from a lateral side of said solidified plastic material.    
   
   
       2 . The belt buckle of  claim 1  wherein said rigid frame member is formed of a metal wire having one end formed into said hook and an opposite end formed into said loop with a curved portion therebetween connecting said loop and said hook.  
   
   
       3 . The belt buckle of  claim 1  wherein said rigid frame member is formed of a metal plate having one end with a hole to form said loop to receive the belt, and including a hook member formed at an opposite end thereof for extension into a hole provided therefor in the belt.  
   
   
       4 . The belt buckle of  claim 1  wherein said solidified plastic material is polyurethane.  
   
   
       5 . The belt buckle of  claim 1  wherein said solidified plastic material is polyethylene.  
   
   
       6 . A belt buckle comprising: 
 a solidified plastic material;    a convex front face which is adapted to receive decorative elements;    a rigid frame member imbedded within the solidified plastic material wherein the rigid frame member includes a loop and a hook which are joined by a metal intermediate portion that rigidly connects the loop and the hook;    the loop is conformed to accept an end of a belt and extends from a lateral side of the solidified plastic material to stably hold the end of the belt; and    the hook protrudes from a face of the solidified plastic material opposite to the front face to permit the hook to be inserted in holes provided in the belt.    
   
   
       7 . The belt buckle of  claim 6  wherein the rigid frame member is formed of a metal wire having one end formed into the hook and an opposite end formed into the loop with a curved portion therebetween connecting the loop and the hook.  
   
   
       8 . The belt buckle of  claim 6  wherein the rigid frame member is formed of a metal plate having one end with a hole to form the loop to receive the belt, and including a hook member formed at an opposite end thereof for extension into a hole provided therefor in the belt.  
   
   
       9 . The belt buckle of  claim 6  wherein the solidified plastic material is polyurethane.  
   
   
       10 . The belt buckle of  claim 6  wherein the solidified plastic material is polyethylene.  
   
   
       11 . A belt buckle comprising: 
 a solidified plastic material;    a curved front face which is adapted to display decorative elements;    a curved rear face which is adapted to contour a user's waistline;    a rigid frame member imbedded within the solidified plastic material wherein the rigid frame member comprises: 
 a loop conformed to accept an end of a belt and extends from a lateral side of the solidified plastic material to stably hold the end of the belt;  
 a hook which protrudes from the rear face to permit the hook to be inserted in holes provided in the belt; and  
 a curved metal intermediate portion that connects the loop and the hook.  
   
   
   
       12 . The belt buckle of  claim 11  wherein the rigid frame member is formed of a metal wire having one end formed into the hook and an opposite end formed into the loop with a curved portion therebetween connecting the loop and the hook.  
   
   
       13 . The belt buckle of  claim 11  wherein the rigid frame member is formed of a metal plate having one end with a hole to form the loop to receive the belt, and including a hook member formed at an opposite end thereof for extension into a hole provided therefor in the belt.  
   
   
       14 . The belt buckle of  claim 11  wherein the solidified plastic material is polyurethane.  
   
   
       15 . The belt buckle of  claim 11  wherein the solidified plastic material is polyethylene.  
   
   
       16 . The belt buckle of  claim 11  wherein the decorative elements comprises an interchangeable decorative face.