WO2013170271A1

WO2013170271A1 - Pants closure system

Info

Publication number: WO2013170271A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/040810
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kip GERENDA; Jessica RIQUETTI; Steven YUI; Helen LI
Original assignee: Mountain Hardwear Inc
Current assignee: Mountain Hardwear Inc
Priority date: 2012-05-11
Filing date: 2013-05-13
Publication date: 2013-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-11
Also published as: US20130298311A1

Description

PANTS CLOSURE SYSTEM

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/645,875 entitled "PANTS CLOSURE SYSTEM," filed May 1 1 , 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments herein relate to the field of apparel, and, more specifically, to pants closure systems.

Background

[0003] Pants are often secured to a user's waist by a belt. However, the belt must be adjusted to fit the user's waist each time the belt is used. Additionally, the belt typically sticks out from the user's waist, which may be uncomfortable (e.g., if the user wears an additional item around the waist, such as a backpack waist strap) and/or aesthetically unpleasant. Furthermore, the belt is typically difficult to adjust with one hand.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0005] Figure 1 A illustrates a front view of pants with a belt and fly closed in accordance with various embodiments;

[0006] Figure 1 B illustrates a front view of the pants of Figure 1 A with the belt and fly open, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0007] Figure 1 C illustrates an inside view of the pants of Figure 1 A with the belt, the fly, and an interior closure mechanism open, in accordance with various embodiments; [0008] Figure 1 D illustrates an inside view of the pants of Figure 1 A with the fly and the interior closure mechanism closed, in accordance with various

embodiments;

[0009] Figures 2A-2E illustrate various views of a buckle, including: (A) front view; (B) back view; (C) top view; (D) bottom view; and (E) left side view, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0010] Figure 2F illustrates a front view of the buckle of Figures 2A-2E with a belt band coupled to the buckle in accordance with various embodiments; and

[001 1] Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate front views of pants having an alternative pants closure system with: (A) a belt and fly closed, and (B) the belt and fly open, and (C) the belt and fly open with a portion of an outer band of the waistband removed to show interior components, respectively, in accordance with various embodiments.

Detailed Description of Disclosed Embodiments

[0012] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0013] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

[0014] The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of disclosed

embodiments.

[0015] The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

[0016] For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "A/B" or in the form "A and/or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "at least one of A, B, and C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "(A)B" means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional element.

[0017] The description may use the terms "embodiment" or "embodiments," which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments.

Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.).

[0018] With respect to the use of any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0019] Embodiments herein provide pants with an integrated pants closure system for securing the pants to a waist of a user. The closure system may include a belt that encircles a waistband of the pants. The belt may provide a belt closure mechanism that provides a low-profile feel and look (e.g., low thickness). This may be beneficial, for example, when the user is also wearing another item around the waist, such as a waist strap of a backpack. Additionally, the pants closure system may provide a plurality of points of closure, such as three points of closure. The plurality of points of closure may provide back up if one or more of the points of closure fail. This may be especially beneficial during a long trek or other outing during which repair of the closure components may not be possible. Furthermore, the belt closure mechanism may allow a belt length to be adjusted independently of opening and/or closing the belt. Thus, an appropriate belt length may be set by the user, and then the belt may be opened and/or closed without needing further adjustment of the belt length. [0020] The pants may include a fly that defines a fly opening from a top edge of the waistband downward in a front portion of the pants. The fly opening may be generally oriented along a centerline of the pants. The fly may include a first panel and a second panel, with the first panel overlapping the second panel when the fly is closed.

[0021] In various embodiments, the belt may include a belt band extending from a first end of the belt to a second end of the belt (e.g., around the waistband). In some embodiments, the first end may be secured to a front portion of the waistband, adjacent to the fly opening. In these embodiments, the first end may be referred to as the fixed end of the belt. The first end of the belt band may be folded back on itself and secured to itself and/or the waistband, leaving a loop of the belt band material.

[0022] In various embodiments, the second end of the belt may include a buckle for releasably coupling the second end to the first end of the belt. In some embodiments, the second end of the belt may not be directly secured to the waistband of the pants. In these embodiments, the second end may be referred to as the free end of the belt.

[0023] In some embodiments, the waistband may include a tunnel, whether a continuous enclosure or not, in which the belt band is disposed. In some

embodiments, the tunnel may be formed by one or more belt loops coupled to the waistband to secure the belt band around the waistband. Additionally, or

alternatively, the tunnel may include one or more longer portions to hide the belt band from view over a portion, or all of, the waistband. In some embodiments, the waistband may include one or more belt loops and/or other structure(s) to hold the loose portion of the belt that extends from the buckle.

[0024] The belt band may be made of any suitable material, such as nylon webbing. In some embodiments, the belt band may be relatively inelastic.

Alternatively, the belt band may include a relatively elastic material/component.

[0025] In various embodiments, the buckle may include a body with a finger that extends from the body. The finger may be inserted into the loop in the first end of the belt to secure the second end to the first end. This may also be referred to as "closing" the belt. The finger may have any suitable shape, such as an "L" shape. In some embodiments, the finger may include a nub extending from an end of the finger to facilitate maintenance of the finger in the loop in the first end of the belt. For example, the nub may be oriented at an angle with respect to a proximal portion of the finger to engage a lower portion of the loop. This may prevent unwanted opening of the belt.

[0026] The second end of the belt may be uncoupled from the first end by removing the finger from the loop. This may also be referred to as "opening" the belt. In some embodiments, the buckle may be a single component (e.g., not multiple components releasably coupled together). The combination of the buckle and belt loop may allow the buckle to have a lower thickness compared with two- piece buckles having plastic components on opposite ends of the belt which interlock with each other. The buckle and belt loop combination may also make opening and/or closing the belt easier compared with two-piece buckles. For example, in some cases, the belt may be opened or closed while the user is wearing gloves.

[0027] The fixed end of the belt may be either permanently or releasably fixed to the front portion of the waistband (such as the right front portion of the waistband). For example, the fixed end may be stitched to the waistband. Alternatively, the fixed end may be releasably (impermanently) secured to the waistband by one or more buttons, snaps, and/or other such mechanisms.

[0028] In various embodiments, the buckle may further include one or more slots, disposed in the body of the buckle, that engage with the second end of the belt band to couple the buckle to the second end of the belt band and allow adjustment of the belt length. The belt length may be adjusted by extending and/or retracting the second end of the belt from the slots of the buckle (e.g., adjusting the length of a loose portion of the belt that extends from the buckle). The buckle may maintain the current belt length by a friction fit when the belt is not subjected to an external force.

[0029] As used herein, the belt length may be defined as the distance from the first end of the belt to the buckle around the waistband of the pants. In some embodiments, the belt may be made of a relatively inelastic material, such as nylon webbing. However, it is understood that in some cases, the belt may include a relatively elastic material, and adjusting the length of the loose portion of the belt may change the tension of the belt without significant change to the distance from the fixed end of the belt to the buckle. This type of adjustment is considered within the definition of adjusting the belt length.

[0030] As discussed above, the belt and buckle described herein may allow the buckle to have a low profile, e.g., a low thickness. The buckle may also be contoured (e.g., curved and/or bent) to follow the curvature of the waist for enhanced comfort and/or aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the belt length may be adjusted with one hand, and/or may be adjusted independently of the opening and/or closing of the belt. Thus, an appropriate belt length may be set by the user, and then the belt may be opened and/or closed without needing further adjustment of the belt length.

Furthermore, it may not require significant dexterity to open and/or close the belt and/or to adjust the belt length, thus the user may be able to operate the belt and closure mechanism while wearing gloves.

[0031] In various embodiments, the fly may include a zipper to selectively open and/or close the fly opening. In some embodiments, the zipper may extend to the top edge of the waistband. Thus, a separate mechanism for closing a top portion of the fly opening may not be required. A zipper garage may be disposed on the top edge of the waistband for receiving a zipper pull of the zipper when the zipper is closed. The zipper garage may be formed by a portion of material coupled to the waistband to form a pocket.

[0032] The zipper may include a first and second rows of teeth and a zipper slider that is movable along the zipper to engage or disengage the first and second rows of teeth and thereby open or close the zipper. In some embodiments, the zipper slider may include a zipper pull coupled to a slider body. In some

embodiments, the zipper and/or zipper slider may include a locking mechanism to maintain a position of the zipper slider with respect to the rows of teeth when force is not applied to the zipper slider. For example, the zipper may be an automatic locking zipper that locks automatically when no force is placed on the zipper pull or a semi auto-lock zipper that is locked in place when the zipper pull is in a lowered position and unlocked when the zipper pull is in a raised position. The locking mechanism may facilitate maintenance of the zipper in the closed position (e.g., with the zipper slider at the top of the zipper). Accordingly, the zipper may provide a high-performance fly closure while not requiring a separate mechanism for closing the top portion of the fly opening. The zipper may provide a lower profile closure of the fly compared with a snap or button at the top of the waistband.

[0033] In other embodiments, the pants may additionally or alternatively include another closure mechanism at the center portion of the waistband to close the top portion of the fly opening. [0034] In some embodiments, the pants may further include an internal closure mechanism for securing an internal extension portion (e.g., a flap) of the second panel of the fly to an interior surface of the pants. For example, the internal closure mechanism may include one or more snaps, buttons, and/or hook-and-loop type fasteners to secure the extension portion of the second panel to the interior surface of the pants. The internal closure mechanism may provide an additional point of closure for the pants. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the internal closure mechanism may provide added comfort and/or aesthetic appeal to the pants.

[0035] Accordingly, as discussed above, the pants may include a plurality of points of closure, such as the belt, the fly, and/or the internal closure mechanism. The plurality of points of closure may provide one or more backup points of closure that may keep the pants secured around the waist of the user if one or more other points of closure fails. This may be especially useful for activewear pants that may be used on long treks or other outdoor activities. The user may not be able to repair the failed point of closure, or change pants, while on the trek.

[0036] Although the pants and belt described herein may be particularly suited for athletic or active use, the belt may be incorporated into any suitable type of pants. The pants may be full length pants or short pants (e.g., shorts).

[0037] As discussed herein, embodiments provide pants including a waistband having a top edge, and a fly that defines a fly opening extending down from the top edge of the waistband along a front centerline. The pants further include a belt having a belt band extending around the waistband from a first end of the belt to a second end of the belt. The first end of the belt is secured to the waistband at a first side of the fly opening, and the belt band forms a loop at the first end. The belt further includes a buckle coupled to the belt band at the second end of the belt, the buckle including a finger configured to extend into the loop in the first end of the belt to couple the second end to the first end across the front centerline.

[0038] Embodiments as described herein further provide a buckle for a belt. The buckle includes a body portion configured to be coupled to a second end of a belt band. The buckle further includes a finger extending from the body, the finger configured to be inserted through a loop in a first end of the belt band, opposite the second end, to couple the second end of the belt to the first end of the belt.

[0039] Figures 1 A and 1 B illustrate a partial front view of pants 100 having a belt 102. Figure 1 A shows a front view of pants 100 in a closed position, and Figure 1 B shows a front view of pants 100 in an open position. Figure 1 C shows an inside view of pants 100 in the open position, and Figure 1 D shows an inside view of pants 100 in the closed position. The pants 100 include a waistband 104 having an outer band 106 and an inner band 108. The outer band 106 and inner band 108 are coupled together (e.g., by stitching) along the top and bottom edges of waistband 104, thereby forming a tunnel 1 10. The belt 102 includes a belt band 1 12 that extends around waistband 104 through tunnel 1 10. A first end 1 14 (also referred to as fixed end 1 14) of the belt 102 is secured to the waistband 104 by stitching at stitching lines 1 16. The belt band 1 12 is folded back on itself and coupled to itself by stitching at a stitching line 1 18 to form a loop 120 (e.g., with an opening through the loop 120).

[0040] In some embodiments, the belt band 1 12 may also be stitched to itself at stitching lines 1 16 for extra structural integrity. The belt band 1 12 may or may not also be stitched to the waistband 104 at stitching line 1 18. In some embodiments in which belt band 1 12 is stitched to the waistband 104 at stitching line 1 18, stitching lines 1 16 may not be included. It will be apparent that any arrangement of stitching may be used to form the loop 120 and/or to secure the fixed end 1 14 of the belt 102 to the waistband 104. Alternatively, or additionally, other mechanisms instead of or in addition to stitching may be used to form the loop 120 and/or secure the fixed end 1 14 to the waistband 104, such as one or more buttons, snaps, or other

mechanisms.

[0041] The belt 102 further includes a buckle 122 coupled to the belt band 1 12 at a free end 124 of the belt 102. The buckle 122 is further shown in Figures 2A-2F. While a particular buckle is represented in these figures, other suitable buckles or other such coupling mechanisms may be used in embodiments in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2A-2F, the buckle 122 includes a body 123, with a finger 126 that extends from the body 123. The buckle 122 further includes slots 130a and 130b disposed in the body. The finger is generally L-shaped, with a base 125 extending laterally from the body 123, and a vertical portion 127 extending downward from the base 125. The finger 126 further includes an angled portion 129 that is disposed at an angle from the vertical portion 127. For example, the angled portion 129 may be angled back toward the body 123. The finger 126 further includes a nub 128 on the end of the finger 126. The vertical portion 127 of finger 126 may be inserted into the loop 120 to close the belt (as shown in Figures 1 A and 2F). The angled portion 129 and nub 128 may extend through the lower portion of the loop 120 to help the belt remain closed (e.g., to prevent the finger 126 from accidentally retracting from the loop 120.

[0043] The buckle 122 may be coupled to the free end 124 of belt band 1 12 by slots 130a and 130b. For example, Figures 1A, 1 B, and 2F show the free end 124 of belt band 1 12 threaded through slots 130a and 130b. A center bar 132 between slots 130a and 130b is curved and raised with respect to other portions of the body 123 to facilitate interaction of the buckle 122 and belt band 1 12. The buckle 122 holds the belt band 1 12 in place at rest (e.g., when not subjected to external forces). A belt length of the belt 102 may be shortened by pulling on the free end 124, and/or may be lengthened by threading the free end 124 of belt band 1 12 back through the slots 130a-b. Once the belt length has been set, the buckle 122 generally maintains the belt length, even after repeated opening and closing of the belt 102.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2B, 2C, and 2D, the buckle 122 has a curved cross-section. This may enhance comfort to the user and/or facilitate operation of the buckle 122. The buckle 122 has a relatively uniform width over the cross- section. A recessed release structure 134 facilitates lengthening of the belt length and/or removing the finger 126 from the loop 120 to open the belt 102.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1 B, the pants 100 further include a fly 140 that defines a fly opening 142 from a top edge of the waistband 104 downward along a front centerline 144 in the front of the pants. The fly 140 includes a first panel 146 and a second panel 148, with the first panel 146 overlapping the second panel 148 when the fly 140 is closed. The fly 140 further includes a zipper 150 that extends to the top edge of the waistband 104 along the front centerline 144. Thus, the zipper 150 may be used for opening and/or closing the fly opening 142 and coupling the waistband 104 around the waist of the user.

[0046] A zipper garage 152 may be disposed on the top edge of waistband 104 to receive a zipper slider 154 of the zipper 150 when the zipper 150 is closed. The zipper garage 152 may define a pocket in which the zipper slider 154 is disposed when the zipper 150 is closed. Thus, the zipper slider 154 may be at least partially hidden from view when the zipper 150 is closed. Other embodiments may not include a zipper garage 152. [0047] The zipper 150 and/or zipper slider 154 may include a locking mechanism to maintain the zipper slider 154 at the top edge of the zipper 150 (e.g., in the zipper garage 152) when the zipper slider 154 is not subject to external forces. Thus, the zipper 150 and fly opening 142 may remain closed during normal use of the pants 100 without another coupling mechanism at the top of the fly opening 142. For example, in some embodiments, the zipper 150 may be an automatic locking zipper or a semi auto-lock zipper.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 C and 1 D, the second panel 148 of fly 140 includes an extension portion 156 having male snaps 158 disposed thereon. Female snaps 160 are coupled to the inside surface of waistband 104. Male snaps 158 may be coupled with female snaps 160, as shown in Figure 1 D, to provide an internal closure mechanism for waistband 104 and/or fly 140. The internal closure mechanism provides a third point of closure for the pants 100 (e.g., in addition to the zipper 150 and belt 102. In some circumstances, the user may choose not to use the internal closure mechanism of the pants 100.

[0049] As discussed above, the pants 100 include three points of closure: belt 102 (with buckle 122), zipper 150, and snaps 158 on second panel 148. The three points of closure may provide backup to maintain the pants 100 secured around the user's waist if one or more of the points of closure fails. The three points of closure may also provide a low profile for enhanced comfort, aesthetic appeal, and/or utility.

[0050] Figures 3A-3C illustrate pants 300 including a belt 302 with a buckle 322. Pants 300 are similar to pants 100, with a first end 314 of the belt 302 includes a loop 320 that engages with the buckle 322 disposed on a second end 324 of the belt 302. However, the buckle 322 of belt 302 is disposed on the inner surface of the first panel 346 of fly 340. Accordingly, the buckle 322 is hidden from view when the fly 340 is closed. The fly 340 also hides the loop 320 and first end 314 of the belt 302 from view. The buckle 322 is releasably secured to the inner surface of the first panel 346 by a coupling mechanism 361 that engages a finger 326 of the buckle 322. A loose portion 364 of belt 302 extends from the buckle 322 and is accessible from the exterior of pants 300 to adjust the belt length.

[0051] The pants 300 include a waistband with an inner band 306 and an outer band 308. A belt loop 362 is coupled to the waistband 304 to receive the loose portion 364 of the belt 302. The belt loop 362 is in addition to a tunnel 310, through which the belt 302 is disposed around the waistband 304 of the pants. [0052] Pants 300 are shown in Figure 3A with the fly 340 and belt 302 closed, and in Figures 3B-3C with the fly 340 and belt 302 open. Figure 3C also illustrates the pants 300 with a portion of the outer band 308 removed to show interior components. As shown in Figure 3C, a fixed end 314 of belt 302 is secured to waistband 304 by a button 366. Accordingly, the belt 302 is removable from pants 300. For example, the belt 302 may be removed for washing, repair, and/or replacement.

[0053] Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1 . A pants, comprising:

a waistband having a top edge;

a fly that defines a fly opening extending down from the top edge of the waistband along a front centerline; and

a belt including:

a belt band extending around the waistband from a first end of the belt to a second end of the belt, wherein the first end of the belt is secured to the waistband at a first side of the fly opening, and wherein the belt band forms a loop at the first end; and

a buckle coupled to the belt band at the second end of the belt, the buckle including a finger configured to extend into the loop in the first end of the belt to couple the second end to the first end across the front centerline.

2. The pants of claim 1 , wherein the fly further includes a zipper to selectively open or close the fly opening, wherein the zipper extends to the top edge of the waistband.

3. The pants of claim 2, wherein the zipper includes:

a zipper slider that is movable to open or close the fly opening;

a locking mechanism to maintain a position of the zipper slider at the top edge of the waistband.

4. The pants of claim 1 , wherein the finger of the buckle extends from a body of the buckle, and wherein the buckle further includes first and second slots in the body to couple the buckle to the second end of the belt.

5. The pants of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the belt is secured to the waistband by stitching.

6. The pants of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the belt is secured to the waistband by a releasable coupling mechanism.

7. The pants of claim 1 , wherein the fly includes:

first and second panels separated by the fly opening, wherein the second panel includes an extension portion;

a fly closing mechanism to selectively open or close the fly opening; and an internal closure mechanism to releasably couple the extension portion of the second panel to an interior surface of the pants.

8. A buckle for a belt, the buckle comprising:

a body portion configured to be coupled to a second end of a belt band; a finger extending from the body, the finger configured to be inserted through a loop in a first end of the belt band, opposite the second end, to couple the second end of the belt band to the first end of the belt band.

9. The buckle of claim 8, wherein the body includes one or more slots to couple the buckle to the second end of the belt band.

10. The buckle of claim 9, wherein the slots enable a belt length of the belt to be adjusted.

1 1 . The buckle of claim 8, wherein the finger has an "L" shape.

12. The buckle of claim 8, wherein the finger includes:

a base that extends laterally from the body of the buckle; and

a vertical portion that extends downward from the base.

13. The buckle of claim 12, wherein the finger further includes an angled portion that extends at an angle from a lower end of the vertical portion toward the body, the angled portion configured to facilitate engagement of the finger with the loop in the first end of the belt band.

14. The buckle of claim 13, wherein an end of the angled portion includes a nub to facilitate engagement of the finger with the loop in the first end of the belt band.

15. The buckle of claim 8, wherein the body is contoured with a middle portion of the body being raised relative to side portions of the body.