Belt with autogenous closure system

Abstract

The present invention provides a belt with an autogenous closure system. The autogenous closure system includes a length of belt strap, and a retainer means that is at least partially affixed to or formed from the belt strap. The retainer means can be a continuous piece of material with one or more slits cut into it to form two or more retainer elements adjacent to each other, or it can comprise two or more separate retainer strips. In operation, the tongue end of the belt strap is threaded through the retainer strips or retainer elements, forming a U-shaped bend around the edge of the retainer element that is furthest from the base of the belt strap and then passing through an aperture formed by the retainer element closer to the base. A method of manufacturing a belt with an autogenous closure system is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A belt comprising an autogenous closure system, the autogenous closure system including a length of a belt strap, and at least two retaining elements positioned substantially perpendicular to a long axis of the belt strap and located at points between a tongue end and a base of the belt strap, at least one of the retaining elements sized and dimensioned to engage at least one layer of the belt strap material, and at least one other of the retaining elements, positioned nearer to a base of the belt strap, sized and dimensioned to engage at least two layers of the belt strap material, in which, in operation of the closure system, the tongue end of the belt strap forms a substantially U-shaped curve around at least one of the retaining elements. 
     
     
         2 . The belt of  claim 1  in which said belt is free of metal components or materials. 
     
     
         3 . The belt of  claim 1  in which said belt is free of any hard, rigid, semi-rigid or breakable components or materials. 
     
     
         4 . The belt of  claim 1  in which said belt is free of any means of attaching the two ends of said belt other than said autogenous closure system. 
     
     
         5 . The belt of  claim 1  in which said belt strap material is free of hole punches. 
     
     
         6 . The belt of  claim 1  in which a length of said belt is infinitely variably adjustable over a range of lengths. 
     
     
         7 . The belt of  claim 1  in which the belt strap and the two or more retaining strips are made from the same material. 
     
     
         8 . The belt of  claim 1  in which the flexible belt strap and one or more of the two or more retaining strips are made from different materials. 
     
     
         9 . The belt of  claim 1  further comprising one or more decorative elements, the decorative elements selected from the group consisting of an affixed decorative element, a detachable decorative element, and an interchangeable decorative element. 
     
     
         10 . The belt of  claim 1  in which the retaining elements are color matched to a front side of the belt material, and to a back side of the belt material. 
     
     
         11 . The autogenous closure system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A manufacturing method for making a belt, the method comprising the steps of: providing a length of belt material having a tongue end and a base, and providing a retainer means including two or more retainer elements positioned at points along a length of the belt, such that a first aperture created between a first retainer and the belt strap permits at least two layers of the belt material to pass through the aperture, and such that a second aperture created between a second retainer and the belt strap permits at least one layer of belt material to pass through the second aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising adding a rigid or semi-rigid part to the belt, the added part not capable by itself of providing closure capability for the belt. 
     
     
         14 . An autogenous closure system for belts, comprising a length of a belt strap, and a retainer means, the retainer means constructed from one piece of continuous material, the one piece of continuous material including at least one slit cut in the one piece of continuous material, and the slit or slits being oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt strap, the slit or slits dividing the retainer means into two or more parts, functioning to engage and retain one or more layers of another length of a belt strap securely and adjustably. 
     
     
         15 . The belt of  claim 16  in which said belt is free of any metal components or materials. 
     
     
         16 . The belt of  claim 16  in which said belt is free of any hard, rigid, semi-rigid or breakable components or materials. 
     
     
         17 . The belt of  claim 16  in which said belt is free of any means of attaching the two ends of said belt other than said closure system. 
     
     
         18 . The belt of  claim 16  in which said belt strap is free of hole punches. 
     
     
         19 . The belt of  claim 16  further comprising one or more decorative elements, the decorative elements selected from the group consisting of an affixed decorative element, a detachable decorative element, and an interchangeable decorative element.