Belt assembly with repositionable stiffening element

A belt assembly, comprising:

• a first layer;
• a second layer affixed to the first layer to form an interior cavity between the first layer and the second layer;
• and
• a repositionable stiffening element disposed within the interior cavity and configured to provide selective rigidity to the belt assembly at a selected position along a length of the belt assembly.

A method of adding rigidity to a belt assembly, the method comprising:

• providing a belt assembly comprising:
• a first layer;
• and
• a second layer affixed to the first layer such that an interior cavity is formed, the second layer comprising at least one opening;
• inserting a stiffening element through the at least one opening and into the interior cavity of the belt assembly;
• and
• positioning the stiffening element within the interior cavity, wherein the stiffening element adds rigidity to the belt assembly along a length of the stiffening element within the interior cavity.

A method of manufacturing a belt assembly with a repositionable stiffening element, the method comprising:

• providing a first layer and a second layer of material;
• forming at least one opening in the second layer;
• affixing the first layer to the second layer such that an interior cavity is formed between the first layer and the second layer, the at least one opening providing access to the interior cavity;
• and
• providing a stiffening element configured to be inserted into the interior cavity via the at least one opening.