Waist-Securing Fastener

Abstract

A pant fastener for securing the waist of pants, skirts, and the like, including an outer fabric casing, at least one inner band disposed within the casing, and complementary closure elements disposed near the opposing ends of the casing. The pant fastener is configured to wrap around two or more belt loops anywhere along the circumference of the waistband, except across the fly. When closed, the pant fastener provides a snug fit, holding up the pants or skirt, without the need to thread the fastener through all of the belt loops, as is the case with an ordinary belt. Because the pant fastener does not cross the fly, the pants or skirt can be undone in a hurry, enabling children especially to take them off quickly. The pant fastener may be created as a fashion accessory to provide ornamental, as well as functional use.

1 . A fastener for securing the waist of a garment comprising:
 an elongated outer fabric casing, having a first and a second opposing end, and comprising an exterior sheathing and an interior facing sheathing;   a first tab disposed at said first opposing end of said outer fabric casing;   a second tab disposed at said second opposing end of said outer fabric casing;   a first complementary closure element disposed on said first tab; and   a second complementary closure element disposed on said second tab and configured to detachably engage with said first complementary closure element.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inner band disposed within said outer fabric casing. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said at least one inner band comprises a stretchable fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said at least one inner band comprises:
 a first inner band section approximately one fourth the length of said outer fabric casing and disposed at said first opposing end of said outer fabric casing; and   a second inner band section approximately one fourth the length of said outer fabric casing and disposed at said second opposing end of said outer fabric casing.   
     
     
         5 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said first opposing end and said second opposing end of said outer fabric casing are configured with extra gathered fabric, wherein said extra gathered fabric of said first opposing end and of said second opposing end each extend approximately one fourth the length of the outer fabric casing. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein:
 said first complementary closure element comprises at least one eye of a hook and eye type fastener; and   said second complementary closure element comprises at least one hook of a hook and eye type fastener.   
     
     
         7 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein:
 said first complementary closure element comprises a hook fibrous pad of a hook and loop type complementary fastener; and   said second complementary closure element comprises a loop fibrous pad of a hook and loop type complementary fastener.   
     
     
         8 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein:
 said first complementary closure element comprises at least one button; and   said second complementary closure element comprises at least one buttonhole.   
     
     
         9 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said exterior sheathing and said interior facing sheathing are formed of the same type of fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said exterior sheathing and said interior facing sheathing are formed of the different types of fabric. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein:
 said first tab is attached to said first opposing end of said outer fabric casing by sewing with thread; and   said second tab is attached to said second opposing end of said outer fabric casing by sewing with thread.   
     
     
         12 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said first tab and said second tab are formed integrally with said outer fabric casing of a single piece of fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein a forward facing portion of said outer fabric casing is not gathered, but is generally flat. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said forward facing portion of said outer fabric casing is ornamented with at least one embellishment. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said at least one embellishment comprises embroidery. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said at least one embellishment comprises imitation stones. 
     
     
         17 . A fastener for securing the waist of a garment comprising:
 an elongated outer fabric casing formed of a flexible material, having a first and a second opposing end, and comprising an exterior sheathing and an interior facing sheathing;   a first inner band section of stretchable material disposed within said first opposing end of said outer fabric casing and extending approximately one fourth of the length of said outer fabric casing, wherein said first opposing end of said outer fabric casing is gathered and bunched to accommodate the stretching of said first inner band section;   a second inner band section of stretchable material disposed within said second opposing end of said outer fabric casing and extending approximately one fourth of the length of said outer fabric casing, wherein said second opposing end of said outer fabric casing is gathered and bunched to accommodate the stretching of said second inner band section;   a first tab disposed at first opposing end of said outer fabric casing;   a second tab disposed at said second opposing end of said outer fabric casing;   a first complementary closure element disposed on said first tab; and   a second complementary closure element disposed on said second tab and configured to detachably engage with said first complementary closure element.   
     
     
         18 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein:
 said first complementary closure element comprises at least one eye of a hook and eye type fastener; and   said second complementary closure element comprises at least one hook of a hook and eye type fastener.   
     
     
         19 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein:
 said first complementary closure element comprises a hook fibrous pad of a hook and loop type complementary fastener; and   said second complementary closure element comprises a loop fibrous pad of a hook and loop type complementary fastener.   
     
     
         20 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein:
 said first complementary closure element comprises at least one first snap fastener; and   said second complementary closure element comprises at least one second snap fastener configured to be complementary to, and engageable with, said at least one first snap fastener.   
     
     
         21 . The fastener for securing the waist of a garment, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein a forward facing portion of said outer fabric casing is substantially flat and is ornamented with at least one embellishment.