IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,544,605
Granted Patent B2
US 12,544,605 · App. 18/331,455 · Granted Feb 10, 2026

Adjustable body belt having D-rings/attachments

Inventors: James J. Rullo (Binghamton, NY); Kevin W. Truesdell (Binghamton, NY)
Assignee: Buckingham Manufacturing Company, Inc.
A62B35/0025A62B35/0006A62B35/0031A63B27/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,544,605
App. No.
18/331,455
Granted
Feb 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A single and multiple body belt for use by linemen and others engaged in operations on poles or similar structures having at least a primary body belt, which can be disposed below and detachably connected to a secondary body belt in the multiple body belt configuration. The primary body belt and the secondary body belt each have at least one pair of D-rings. The D-rings, which may differ in size, are separated enough to allow a wearer to distinguish between devices that are normally solely attached to one pair of primary D-rings. The body belts (or other portions) may also have an adjustability section through which a belt strap is woven to either extend or shorten the length of the respective belt strap. The adjustability section allows a lineman to further adjust the tightness of the belt (or other portions) around his or her waist to provide improved support and safety.

Claims (40)

1 . A body belt assembly, comprising:

a body portion comprising a surface;

a belt strap connected to the surface of the body portion and comprising a first section and a separate second section, wherein the first section further comprises a first end and a second end and the second section further comprises a first end and a second end;

wherein the first end of the first section is adjacent to the first end of the second section and the second ends of the first and second sections extend in opposing directions from their respective first ends;

wherein the second end of the first section of the belt strap terminates in a first portion of a first adjustability section and the second end of the second section of the belt strap terminates in a second portion of the first adjustability section;

wherein the second section of the belt strap comprises a second adjustability section configured to change an effective length of the belt strap to alter a distance between the second end of the first section of the belt strap and the second end of the second section of the belt strap;

a D-piece connected to the surface of the body portion and extending between a first end and a second end;

a first primary D-ring positioned at the first end of the D-piece and a second primary D-ring positioned at the second end of the D-piece;

wherein the belt strap extends through a first and second auxiliary D-ring; and

wherein the D-piece is positioned between a secondary belt strap and the body portion.

2 . The body belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the belt strap is positioned adjacent to and offset from the D-piece.

3 . The body belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second auxiliary D-rings are substantially positioned between the first and second primary D-rings.

4 . The body belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the secondary belt strap extends through the first and second primary D-rings.

5 . The body belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the D-piece is positioned in line with the secondary belt strap.

6 . The body belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the first adjustability section comprises a buckle.

7 . The body belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the first adjustability section comprises a plurality of apertures formed therethrough.

8 . The body belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first section is fixed to the body portion.

9 . The body belt assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first section is fixed to the body portion by a rivet.

10 . The body belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second adjustability section comprises a connector fixed to the body portion and having a first side and a second side.

11 . The body belt assembly of claim 10 , wherein the first end of the first section is secured to the first side of the connector and the first end of the second section is secured to the second side of the connector.

12 . A body belt assembly, comprising:

a body portion comprising a surface;

a belt strap connected to the surface of the body portion and comprising a first section and a separate second section, wherein the first section further comprises a first end and a second end and the second section further comprises a first end and a second end;

wherein the first end of the first section is adjacent to the first end of the second section and the second ends of the first and second sections extend in opposing directions from their respective first ends;

wherein the second end of the first section of the belt strap terminates in a first portion of a first adjustability section and the second end of the second section of the belt strap terminates in a second portion of the first adjustability section;

wherein the second section of the belt strap comprises a second adjustability section configured to change an effective length of the belt strap to alter a distance between the second end of the first section of the belt strap and the second end of the second section of the belt strap;

a D-piece connected to the surface of the body portion and extending between a first end and a second end;

a first primary D-ring positioned at the first end of the D-piece and a second primary D-ring positioned at the second end of the D-piece;

wherein the belt strap is positioned adjacent to and offset from the D-piece; and

wherein the D-piece is positioned between a secondary belt strap and the body portion.

13 . The body belt assembly of claim 12 , wherein the belt strap extends through a first and second auxiliary D-ring.

14 . The body belt assembly of claim 13 , wherein first and second auxiliary D-rings are substantially positioned between the first and second primary D-rings.

15 . The body belt assembly of claim 12 , wherein the secondary belt strap extends through the first and second primary D-rings.

16 . The body belt assembly of claim 12 , wherein the D-piece is positioned in line with the secondary belt strap.

17 . The body belt assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first portion of the first adjustability section comprises a buckle.

18 . The body belt assembly of claim 12 , wherein the second portion of the first adjustability section comprises a plurality of apertures formed therethrough.

19 . The body belt assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first section is fixed to the body portion.

20 . The body belt assembly of claim 19 , wherein the first section is fixed to the body portion by a rivet.

21 . The body belt assembly of claim 12 , wherein the second adjustability section comprises a connector fixed to the body portion and having a first side and a second side.

22 . The body belt assembly of claim 21 , wherein the first end of the first section is secured to the first side of the connector and the first end of the second section is secured to the second side of the connector.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2023
From: RULLO, JAMES J.; TRUESDELL, KEVIN W.
To: BUCKINGHAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 063920/0621 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 17411422 · Aug 25, 2021
Continuation 17118941 · Dec 11, 2020
Continuation 15789531 · Oct 20, 2017
Provisional Application 62464611 · Feb 28, 2017
Related Publication 20230310941A1 · Oct 5, 2023
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