Waistband tightening device and method

{
  "publication_number": "US9750293B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Waistband tightening device and method",
  "abstract": "A waistband tightening device has a generally horizontal crank arm with a first and second leg at one end extending vertically therefrom in parallel spaced relation defining a vertical slot therebetween, and a fastener element at the opposed end disposed in outwardly spaced relation to the legs. The device is installed downward onto the waistband with the legs straddling the waistband, and the crank arm and fastener element are rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction with the slot being the center of rotation such that the waistband becomes looped partially around the first and second legs and upon further rotation becomes wound around both of the legs to reduce the circumference of the waistband and thereafter the fastener element is engaged on an inner or outer facing surface of the waistband to prevent unwinding and maintain the waistband in a tightened condition.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A device for tightening the waistband of a garment, comprising: a waistband tightening device of unitary construction having a generally horizontal crank arm portion with first and second ends; a first leg and a second leg at said crank arm first end depending vertically therefrom in parallel horizontally spaced relation in the same plane defining a straight vertical slot therebetween open at a bottom end; and a third shorter fastener leg depending vertically from said crank arm second end disposed in parallel outwardly spaced relation to, and in the same plane as, said first leg and said second leg and terminating in a bottom end spaced a distance vertically above bottom ends of said first leg and said second leg; said first leg and said second leg configured to be received downward onto the waistband with the waistband received in said slot and said first leg and said second leg straddling the waistband, said crank arm portion and said shorter fastener leg configured to be rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction with said slot being the center of rotation such that the waistband becomes looped partially around said first and second legs and upon further rotation becomes wound around both of said first and second legs to reduce the circumference of the waistband, and said shorter fastener leg configured to be engaged on an inner facing surface or outer facing surface of the waistband to prevent unwinding and maintain the waistband in a tightened condition.",
    "2. A device for tightening the waistband of a garment, comprising: a waistband tightening device of unitary construction having a horizontal generally arcuate crank arm portion with first and second ends; a first leg depending vertically from said crank arm first end and a second leg depending vertically from said crank arm portion in parallel inwardly spaced relation to said first leg defining a vertical slot therebetween open at a bottom end; and a fastener element depending a short distance downward from said crank arm second end disposed in parallel outwardly spaced relation to said second leg terminating in a rounded bulbous bottom end; said first leg and said second leg configured to be received downward onto the waistband with the waistband received in said slot and said first leg and said second leg straddling the waistband, said crank arm portion and said fastener element configured to be rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction with said slot being the center of rotation such that the waistband becomes looped partially around said first and second legs and upon further rotation becomes wound around both of said first and second legs to reduce the circumference of the waistband, and said fastener element configured to be engaged on an inner facing surface or outer facing surface of the waistband to prevent unwinding and maintain the waistband in a tightened condition.",
    "3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said rounded bulbous bottom end terminates in a plane a distance above bottom ends of said first and second legs."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThis invention relates generally to waistband adjustment devices and, more particularly, to a unitary waistband tightening device having two parallel vertical legs adjoined at top ends to a top portion having a crank arm and is slidably received on the waistband of a garment and rotated thereon to reduce the circumference of the waistband and tighten it around the waist of the wearer and thereafter the crank arm is received on the waistband to prevent unwinding of the waistband.\n\n2. Background Art\n\nGarments, such as trousers and skirts, have a waistband that encircles the waist of the wearer. If the waistband is inelastic, typically, a belt is used to tighten the waistband around the wearer's waist, or in the case of trousers, suspenders may be fastened to the front and back of the waistband and worn over the wearer's shoulders to hold the trousers up and maintain the waistband at the waistline. A belt must be laced through belt loops and placed under tension around the waist, and can induce perspiration in warm weather. Suspenders must be clipped or otherwise fastened to the front and back of the waistband, placed over the shoulders, and adjusted in length to maintain the waistband at the wearer's waistline. Thus, both belts and suspenders are uncomfortable and cumbersome.\n\nThere are several patents directed toward various types of waistband adjustment devices adapted to take up the slack of the waistband and eliminate the necessity of using a belt or suspenders.",
  "cpc": [
    "A41F 18/00",
    "A41F 9/025",
    "Y10S 24/909",
    "Y10S 24/91",
    "Y10T 24/2164",
    "Y10T 24/2191",
    "Y10T 24/2194"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A41F 18/00"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Harold C. Lang"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-02-06",
  "publication_date": "2017-09-05",
  "grant_date": "2017-09-05",
  "priority_date": "2012-02-06",
  "application_number": "US-201313760052-A",
  "family_id": "59702311",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
  "citations": [
    "US166640A",
    "US179872A",
    "US1574857A",
    "US2090005A",
    "US2229003A",
    "US2267235A",
    "US2849773A",
    "US2840879A",
    "US3242542A",
    "US5937489A",
    "US6305056B1"
  ]
}