Adjustable belt

Abstract

An adjustable belt configured to be worn around the waist of a user is disclosed. The adjustable belt includes a bridge having two ends, each end being adjustably connected to a respective sleeve via a closure mechanism. Each sleeve defines an internal pocket configured to receive one end of the bridge, thereby permitting girth adjustment to accommodate a range of waist sizes. The adjustable belt is typically worn over an inner belt and secured to the inner belt by hook-and-loop fasteners. However, in some implementations, the adjustable belt may be worn independently, without the use of an inner belt.

1 . An adjustable belt comprising:
 a bridge comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of openings separated by posts and arranged between the first end and the second end;   a first sleeve defining a first internal pocket configured to slidably receive the first end of the bridge, the first sleeve including an opening at a first end thereof that provides access to the first internal pocket, wherein the opening includes a closure mechanism configured to selectively secure the first sleeve in position relative to one of the plurality of openings in the bridge; and   a second sleeve defining a second internal pocket configured to slidably receive the second end of the bridge, the second sleeve including an opening at a first end thereof that provides access to the second internal pocket, wherein the opening includes a closure mechanism configured to selectively secure the second sleeve in position relative to one of the plurality of openings in the bridge.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable belt of  claim 1 , wherein the first sleeve includes a stiffening element positioned within the first internal pocket, the stiffening element being configured to provide vertical rigidity and permit horizontal flexibility of the first sleeve, and wherein the second sleeve includes a stiffening element positioned within the second internal pocket, the stiffening element being configured to provide vertical rigidity and permit horizontal flexibility of the second sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable belt of  claim 2 , wherein the first sleeve includes a buckle portion located at one end thereof, and wherein the second sleeve includes a buckle portion located at one end thereof. 
     
     
         4 . An adjustable belt comprising:
 a bridge comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of openings separated by posts and arranged between the first end and the second end;   a first sleeve defining a first internal pocket configured to slidably receive the first end of the bridge, the first sleeve including an opening at a first end thereof that provides access to the first internal pocket, wherein the opening includes a closure mechanism configured to selectively secure the first sleeve in position relative to a selected opening of the plurality of openings in the bridge, the closure mechanism comprising a male portion and a female portion configured to releasably engage within the selected opening of the plurality of openings; and   a second sleeve defining a second internal pocket configured to slidably receive the second end of the bridge, the second sleeve including an opening at a first end thereof that provides access to the second internal pocket, wherein the opening includes a closure mechanism configured to selectively secure the second sleeve in position relative to a selected opening of the plurality of openings in the bridge, the closure mechanism comprising a male portion and a female portion configured to releasably engage within the selected opening of the plurality of openings.   
     
     
         5 . The adjustable belt of  claim 4 , wherein the first sleeve includes a stiffening element positioned longitudinally within the first internal pocket, the stiffening element being configured to provide vertical rigidity and permit horizontal flexibility of the first sleeve, and wherein the second sleeve includes a stiffening element positioned longitudinally within the second internal pocket, the stiffening element being configured to provide vertical rigidity and permit horizontal flexibility of the second sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable belt of  claim 5 , wherein one of the male portion and the female portion of the closure mechanism of the first sleeve is attached to the stiffening element and positioned within the opening to the first internal pocket, and wherein one of the male portion and the female portion of the closure mechanism of the second sleeve is attached to the stiffening element and positioned within the opening to the second internal pocket. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable belt of  claim 6 , wherein the first sleeve includes a buckle portion located at one end thereof, and wherein the second sleeve includes a buckle portion located at one end thereof.