Belt loop securing device, and related methods

Abstract

A belt loop securing device featuring a clasp body and a locking clip is provided. The clasp body includes a front plate and a rear plate operatively connected to one another to permit movement of the plates between an open position in which the front and rear plates are splayed from one another and a closed position in which the front and rear plates are substantially parallel to one another to permit capture of a belt and/or pants waistband between the plates. The lock clip is slidable over the clip clasp for securing the front and rear plates in the closed position. A method of securing a belt to pants, and a method of securing an equipment holding case to a belt are also provided.

1 . A belt loop securing device comprising:
 a clasp body comprising a front plate and a rear plate operatively connected to one another to permit movement of the front and rear plates between an open position in which the front and rear plates are splayed from one another and a closed position in which the front and rear plates are substantially parallel to one another to permit capture of a belt and/or pants waist edge therebetween; and   a locking clip movable over the clasp body for securing the front and rear plates in the closed position.   
   
   
       2 . A belt loop securing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clasp body further comprises a lip portion projecting laterally from at least one of the plates. 
   
   
       3 . A belt loop securing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the lip portion is sized to lie over a pants belt loop. 
   
   
       4 . A belt loop securing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking clip comprises front and rear prongs and a connecting portion collectively establishing a substantially U-shape viewed from its side. 
   
   
       5 . A belt loop securing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the front and rear plates have front and rear open recesses, respectively, facing away from one another for receiving the front and rear prongs, respectively. 
   
   
       6 . A belt loop securing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge operatively connecting the front and rear plates to one another. 
   
   
       7 . A method of securing a belt to pants, comprising:
 arranging a belt through belt loops of pants;   capturing the belt with a clasp body of a belt loop securing device, the clasp body comprising a front plate and a rear plate operatively connected to one another to permit movement of the plates between an open position in which the front and rear plates are splayed from one another and a closed position in which the front and rear plates are substantially parallel to one another to capture of the belt between the plates;   engaging a protruding lip portion of the clasp body with at least one of the belt loops of the pants; and   placing a locking clip of the belt loop securing device over the clasp body for securing the front and rear plates in the closed position.   
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the protruding lip portion projects laterally from at least one of the plates. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the locking clip comprises front and rear prongs and a connecting portion collectively establishing a substantially U-shape viewed from its side. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the front and rear plates have front and rear open recesses, respectively, facing away from one another for receiving the front and rear prongs, respectively. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the loop belt securing device farther comprises a hinge operatively connecting the front and rear plates to one another. 
   
   
       12 . A method of securing a belt to pants, comprising:
 arranging a belt about a waistband of pants;   capturing the belt and waistband with a clasp body of a belt loop securing device, the clasp body comprising a front plate and a rear plate operatively connected to one another to permit movement of the plates between an open position in which the front and rear plates are splayed from one another and a closed position in which the front and rear plates are substantially parallel to one another to capture of the belt and the waistband between the plates; and   placing a locking clip of the belt loop securing device over the clasp body for securing the front and rear plates in the closed position.   
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the locking clip comprises front and rear prongs and a connecting portion collectively establishing a substantially U-shape viewed from its side. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the front and rear plates have front and rear open recesses, respectively, facing away from one another for receiving the front and rear prongs, respectively. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the loop belt securing device farther comprises a hinge operatively connecting the front and rear plates to one another. 
   
   
       16 . A method of securing an equipment holding case to a belt and pants, comprising:
 arranging a belt through belt loops of pants;   securing a holding case belt loop of an equipment holding case to the belt;   capturing the belt with a clasp body of a belt loop securing device, the clasp body comprising a front plate and a rear plate operatively connected to one another to permit movement of the plates between an open position in which the front and rear plates are splayed from one another and a closed position in which the front and rear plates are substantially parallel to one another to capture of the belt between the plates;   engaging a protruding lip portion of the clasp body with the holding case belt loop; and   placing a locking clip of the belt loop securing device over the clasp body for securing the front and rear plates in the closed position.   
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the protruding lip portion projects laterally from at least one of the plates. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the locking clip comprises front and rear prongs and a connecting portion collectively establishing a substantially U-shape viewed from its side. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the front and rear plates have front and rear open recesses, respectively, facing away from one another for receiving the front and rear prongs, respectively. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the loop belt securing device further comprises a hinge operatively connecting the front and rear plates to one another.