Utility Tool Belt Pad

Abstract

A utility tool belt pad described herein comprising of a 4'' wide 100% neoprene with u-loop fabric on the inside and covered with nylon for long-lasting use. The present invention works by wrapping the utility tool belt pad around your waste between your clothing and skin. The neoprene pad is 1/2'' thick with rolled edge for comfort and design to have narrower sides and front for freedom of movement and the comfort foam relieves pressure associated with all-day wear thanks to the thick padding creating space between body and belt. The added layer of protection stops contact between the waist and hips and hard unforgiving clips, preventing painful bruising and soreness from all-day wear. Once attached by the Velcro loop hook the user can securely fixed any type of utility belt to their body over the utility tool belt pad. The present invention will give a user's skin and hips the support they deserve, and will drastically reduce the impact, irritation, strain, pinching and bruising.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0001] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX"

[0002] Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a cushion device for preventing both stress and irritation associated with utility type belts and more particularly, to utility tool belt pad which can comfortably support and reduce the impact, irritation, strain, pinching and bruising from user in such industries as law enforcement, construction, military, fire, search and rescue and sports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Over the years, there have been a wide variety of utility type belts, especially those commonly worn by construction workers, military personal, fire rescue professionals, athletics and other specialized trades persons. These typically comprise a belt adapted to be worn around the waist, which supports one or more tools, implements, utensils, or the like of a user has been recognized for some time. Hence, many utility type belts are provided without pads and without any mechanism to add pads if desired. In some scenarios, this may provide a limitation on the ability of a wearer to effectively carry heavier objects like tools from the belt.

[0005] In addition, it is common knowledge that many user of utility type belt are particularly susceptible to back injury, skin irritation, pinching, bruising and hip strain. This can result from a number of different sources such as the relatively heavy or awkward lifting, pulling or pushing that can and often encountered by wearing these types of utility belts. In addition, the weight of the tools that typically carried by user is a constant strain on the user body.

[0006] For example, a hip strain occurs when one of the muscles supporting the hip joint is stretched beyond its limit or torn. Strains may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the injury. A severe strain can limit your ability to move your hip. Anyone can experience a hip strain just doing everyday tasks, but strains most often occur while wearing non-supported belts with heavy loads and during sports activities.

[0007] Construction type belts are available which provide a plurality of leather loops connected to an underlying leather belt by rivets. The loops can receive a variety of tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, and the like. Although the tool belt can support substantial weight from the waist of a user because the underlying leather belt has some vertical rigidity, this design tends to restrict the motion of the wearer and is not usually adaptable to receive implements other than conventional carpenter and framing tools. Stated another way, this design is typically implement specific.

[0008] A law enforcement belt generally comprises a leather belt having a conventional buckle. A handgun holster, hands cuff pouch, nightstick and other devices are typically attached to the belt by means of a loop on the back of each of these devices through which the belt is threaded. In emergencies, a law enforcement belt allows for quick and direct access to all essential equipment and wearing a law enforcement belt directly on your normal belt is often uncomfortable and disturbing, especially when sitting or lying down. The utility tool belt pad is the perfect solution.

[0009] Military belt comprises a cotton belt having a plurality of grommets there through arranged in vertical pairs. A pronged device is then used to pivotally attach canteens and other implements to the grommets in the belt. This design offers superior mobility to the soldier because the implements can swing in a vertical plane from the waist of the soldier, thus facilitating easy striding and bending motions. However, this belt cannot comfortably support a substantial amount of weight from the waist of the soldier without discomfort because the belt itself does not have substantial rigidity in a vertical direction.

[0010] In addition, there has also been a recognized need for supporting the back during sports activities and exercise of various types. These applications, of course, do not require a tool pouch or any other equivalent type of component to be support. For example, backpacks often include waist belts to help distribute some weight of a load away from shoulder straps and/or to secure a lower portion of the bag against a wearer's body to prevent the bag from bouncing or jostling excessively during use. Especially in larger packs with frames, pads are often provided in such waist belts to provide additional cushioning or anchor points for engaging the hips of a wearer to facilitate load transfer. However, the pads provided are often bulky, difficult to customize for a specific wearer, and not practical to remove in situations where a load is light enough that the pads are not needed. In smaller packs without frames, the load that can fit within the bag can typically be borne comfortably by the shoulders, so corresponding waist belts are usually used primarily for securing purposes instead of load-bearing.

[0011] None of the above designs adequately combines the ability to support heavy loads from the waist of a user comfortably while providing a full range of bending motions for the user. Presently available designs are limited in this respect principally because vertical rigidity (which permits substantial loads to be carried by the user) generally results in an uncomfortable belt. Certain padded belts are available on external frame, which address this problem by providing heavy pad ding in the hip area. However, the hip belt itself is substantially flexible vertically and is only able to support substantial weight on the hips. Thus, such a belt would not be well adapted for use as a utility bel pad. Therefore, a need exists for a utility tool belt pad, which can support substantial weight from the waist of a user comfortably and which does not impede striding and bending motions. Furthermore, a need exists for a utility tool belt pad, which is readily adaptable to support a variety of different utility type tool belts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a utility tool belt pad as described below which can also interchangeably support a plurality of different implements and implement holders, which can easily adjust to users having different sized waists.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a belt pad, which can comfortably support heavy loads from the waist of a user without causing discomfort to the user and without substantially impeding bending or striding movements of the user.

[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide simple, efficient, convenient, economical and comfortable means for holding in generally a utility belt for construction, law enforcement, fire and rescue, athletics including hikers and training personal for example.

[0015] More specifically, the present invention is a lightweight, inexpensive, resilient, washable, moisture resistant belt pad made of 100% neoprene, the tool belt pad is comfortable enough to be worn all day long, offering comfort through work, chores, or exercise. The utility tool belt pad works with all utility type belts and reduces skin irritation, pinching, bruising and hip strain. Work well in industries such as law enforcement, construction, military, fire, search & rescue, and sports.

[0016] Designed to relieve you from the cutting edges and circulation problems, minimizing bulk and restriction of movement associated with most utility type belts. Will not cut into your side or restrict circulation.

[0017] This utility tool belt pad is constructed of 4'' wide neoprene with u-loop fabric on the inside and covered with nylon for long-lasting use. The neoprene pad is 1/2'' thick with rolled edge for comfort and design to have narrower sides and front for freedom of movement and the comfort foam relieves pressure associated with all-day wear thanks to the thick padding creates space between body and belt. The added layer of protection stops contact between the waist and hips and hard unforgiving clips, preventing painful bruising and soreness from all-day wear.

[0018] The utility tool belt pad cushion technology form the most comfortable belt pad configured for belt worn systems. Lightweight comfort, easy to retrofit onto an existing belt set. The utility belt pad has a soft side designed to be place against your skin. Wrap the present invention around your waste between your clothing and skin. Once attached by the Velcro loop hook the user can securely fixed any type of utility belt to their body over the utility tool belt pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the utility tool belt pad in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a front view of the utility tool belt pad of FIG. 1, showing the utility tool belt pad unfastened according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front view of the utility tool belt pad of FIG. 1, showing the utility tool belt pad after attachment according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a close-up detail view of the utility tool belt pad, as shown with the Velcro attached to the u-loop fabric.

[0023] FIG. 5 is an exploded top view of the utility tool belt pad shown in FIG. 1, showing the construction of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of utility tool belt pad according to the present invention, incorporated under a garment and attached to a user body.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a close-up side view of the present invention, without a garment against the skin of a user body.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of utility tool belt pad according to the present invention in use, wherein a utility/tool belt is incorporated.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a close-up side view of the present invention, as shown placed under a garment and having a utility/tool belt attached.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of utility tool belt pad according to the present invention in use, wherein a duty belt is incorporated.

[0029] FIG. 11 is substantially a perspective view of the relationship between the utility tool belt pad of the present invention and a duty belt.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of utility tool belt pad according to the present invention in use, wherein a fire/rescue belt is incorporated.

[0031] FIG. 13 is substantially a perspective view of the relationship between the utility tool belt pad of the present invention and a fire/rescue belt.

[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of utility tool belt pad according to the present invention in use, wherein a typical belt is incorporated.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0033] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a utility tool belt pad 10, comprising a 100% neoprene sponge 11, an internally u-loop fabric 12, and a laminated nylon 13 outer shell. As shown in FIG. 2 is a front view utility tool belt pad 10 unattached, including the product description 15 with the Velcro hook fastener 14 sewn 16 onto the outside of the laminated nylon 13. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, is a front view of the utility tool belt pad 10, with the u-loop fabric 12 fastens by the Velcro hook fastener 14 keeping the utility tool belt pad 10 securely together. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 is a close-up detail view of the utility tool belt pad 10, as shown with the Velcro hook fastener 14 attached to the u-loop fabric 12. As shown in FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the utility tool belt pad 10 showing the relationship between components including a 100% neoprene sponge 11, u-loop fabric 12, laminated nylon 13 and a Velcro hook fastener 14. As generally shown in FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the utility tool belt pad 10, shown in FIG. 1, attached around the waist 18 of a user 17 touching the body 22 and/or skins 20 position under the garment 19. As best shown in FIG. 7 is a side view of the utility tool belt pad 10 referring to FIG. 6 place against the skin 20 under the garment 19 providing a close-up view of the method of protection for the user 17. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention FIG. 8, is a perspective view of the user 17 with the utility tool belt pad 10 attached to the body 22 and more specifically the skin 20 having a utility/tool belt 21 attached to the waist 18 on the outside of the garment 19 of the user 17. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 is a front view of the utility tool belt pad 10 referring to FIG. 1, shown in a cutout place against the body 22 touching the skin 20 and the utility/tool belt 21 place over the utility tool belt pad 10. In addition, the garment 19 is located between the utility/tool belt 21 and the utility tool belt pad 10 giving the user 17 the option to wear the utility tool belt pad 10 without the utility/tool belt 21. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention FIG. 10, is a perspective view of the user 17 with the utility tool belt pad 10 attached to the body 22 and more specifically the skin 20 having a duty belt 24 attached to the waist 18 on the outside of the garment 19 of the user 17. As shown in FIG. 11 is a perspective of the utility tool belt pad 10 referring to FIG. 10 provides a detail view of the method of the present invention showing the best position of the utility tool belt pad 10, garment 19 and the duty belt 24. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention FIG. 12, is a perspective view of the user 17 with the utility tool belt pad 10 attached to the body 22 and more specifically the skin 20 having a fire/rescue belt 25 attached to the waist 18 on the outside of the garment 19 of the user 17. As shown in FIG. 13 is a perspective of the utility tool belt pad 10 referring to FIG. 12 provides a detail view of the method of the present invention showing the best position of the utility tool belt pad 10, garment 19 and the fire/rescue belt 25. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention FIG. 14, is a perspective view of the user 17 with the utility tool belt pad 10 attached to the body 22 and more specifically the skin 20 having a typical belt 23 attached to the waist 18 on the outside of the garment 19 of the user 17. Whereas FIG. 13 shows the relationship between a typical belt 23 and the present invention in some cases the typical belt could represent different types of belts (not shown) including but not limited to a backpack waist belt, a training belt, survival belt, accessory belt and athletic sport belt or the likes.

CONCLUSION

[0034] Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1-6. (canceled)

7. A utility belt pad comprising: A) A belt having a 1/2'' thickness and 4'' wide neoprene fabric, length that is adjustable and one rectangular U-loop fabric mounted on exterior of said belt. B) The belt thin layer of neoprene acts like a lightweight cushion that protects the skin from the pain and discomfort caused by standard tool belt use.

8. The belt utility belt pad of claim 7, wherein the belt thin layer of neoprene fabric encircle the waist between the skin and utility belt for protecting the skin from the painful pinching and rashes caused by wrinkled and tightly cinched utility belts.

9. The belt utility belt pad of claim 7, wherein the belt thin layer of neoprene fabric eliminates the uncomfortable fatigue caused by standard utility belt use.

10. The belt utility belt pad of claim 7, wherein the belt thin layer of neoprene fabric with its soft underside material providing all day comfort and protection against tight utility belts and clothing.