Belt buckle

Abstract

A belt buckle includes: a curved belt buckle body, a rigid frame member imbedded within the belt buckle body or affixed to the rear side of the belt buckle body; and a decorative face. The frame member includes a loop extending from a lateral side of the belt buckle body to receive one end of a belt and 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 rigid frame member are joined by a curved intermediate portion that rigidly connects the loop and the hook. The belt buckle body includes: one or more cavities therein or on its rear side which receive and hold the rigid frame member and a decorative face that is permanently affixed or is removable and interchangeable.

1 . A belt buckle comprising:
 (a) a curved belt buckle body including a front face and a rear side;   (b) a rigid frame member comprised of a loop, a hook, and a curved intermediate portion connecting the loop and the hook,
 wherein the loop extends laterally from the belt buckle body and the hook protrudes from the rear side of the belt buckle body; 
   (c) a decorative face that engages with the front face of the belt buckle body;
 wherein the belt buckle body includes at least one cavity to house the rigid frame member. 
   
   
   
       2 . The belt buckle of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cavity is embedded within the belt buckle body and the belt buckle body is comprised of a plastic material. 
   
   
       3 . The belt buckle of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cavity is located on the rear side of the belt buckle body. 
   
   
       4 . The belt buckle of  claim 1  wherein the decorative face is permanently affixed to the front face of the belt buckle body. 
   
   
       5 . The belt buckle of  claim 1  wherein the decorative face is interchangeable. 
   
   
       6 . The belt buckle of  claim 1  wherein the rigid frame member is comprised of a metal wire having one end formed into the hook and an opposite end formed into the loop. 
   
   
       7 . A belt buckle comprising:
 (a) a curved belt buckle body including a front face and a rear side;   (b) a rigid frame member embedded in a cavity located within the belt buckle body, wherein the rigid frame member comprises:
 a loop conformed to accept an end of a belt and extends laterally from the belt buckle body, 
 a hook which protrudes from the rear side of the belt buckle body to permit the hook to be inserted in holes provided in a belt, and 
 a curved intermediate portion that connects the loop and the hook; and 
   (c) a decorative face that engages with the front face of the belt buckle body, wherein the rigid frame member is comprised of a metal wire having one end formed into the hook and an opposite end formed into the loop.   
   
   
       8 . The belt buckle of  claim 7  wherein the decorative face is permanently affixed to the front face of the belt buckle body. 
   
   
       9 . The belt buckle of  claim 7  wherein the decorative face is interchangeable. 
   
   
       10 . A belt buckle comprising:
 (a) a curved belt buckle body including a front face, a rear side, and a cavity on the rear side;   (b) a rigid frame member housed in the cavity on the rear side of the belt buckle body, wherein the rigid frame member comprises:
 a loop conformed to accept an end of a belt and extends laterally from the belt buckle body, 
 a hook which protrudes from the rear side of the belt buckle body to permit the hook to be inserted in holes provided in a belt, and 
 a curved intermediate portion that connects the loop and the hook; and 
   (c) a decorative face that engages with the front face of the belt buckle body, wherein the rigid frame member is comprised of a metal wire having one end formed into the hook and an opposite end formed into the loop.   
   
   
       11 . The belt buckle of  claim 10  wherein the decorative face is permanently affixed to the front face of the belt buckle body. 
   
   
       12 . The belt buckle of  claim 10  wherein the decorative face is interchangeable.