Adjustable maternity pant expander

Abstract

An adjustable maternity pant expander is provided for bridging the gap in the waistband of a pair of pants worn by a pregnant woman. The pant expander comprises a strip, with tapered ends in some embodiments. The pant expander uses Velcro and/or buttons to fasten under or over belt loops on pants worn by a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method for expanding a waistband of a pair of pants, said method comprising:
 providing an open gap in a waistband of a pair of pants, said open gap comprising a fly portion of the pair of pants, said waistband further comprising a first belt loop positioned proximal to a first side of the open gap, and a second belt loop positioned proximal to a second side of the open gap;   providing a pant expander device comprising:   a flexible strip having an upper side, an underside, a first end, a second end, and a mid-portion extending therebetween, said flexible strip further having a first loop portion interposed between the mid portion and the first end, and a second loop portion interposed between the mid portion and the second end, the first and second loop portions each having an adjustable length;   a first hook fastener affixed to the first end on the underside;   a second hook fastener affixed to the second end on the underside;   a loop fastener affixed to the mid portion on the underside, said loop fastener having a first half and a second half configured to selectively engage the first and second hook fasteners; and   bridging the open gap by securing the first hook fastener to the first half of the loop fastener, and securing the second hook fastener to the second half of the loop fastener, such that the first loop portion contains the first belt loop, and the second loop portion contains the second belt loop.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising tapering the first and second ends. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible strip comprises nylon. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the loop fastener comprises a length from approximately 0.8 inches to approximately 12.3 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second loop portions are each adjustable from a length of approximately 0.5 inches to approximately 7.2 inches. 
     
     
         12 . A cover configured to bridge an open fly of a pair of pants, comprising:
 a flexible elastomeric strip having a length between two inches and thirty inches, the strip having an upper side, an underside, a first end, a second end, and a mid portion extending therebetween, said flexible elastomeric strip further having a first loop portion interposed between the mid portion and the first end, and a second loop portion interposed between the mind portion and the second end, the first loop and the second loop portions each having an adjustable length;   a first hook fastener affixed to the first end on the underside;   a second hook fastener affixed to the second end on the underside; and   a loop fastener affixed to the mid portion on the underside and having a length equal to an entire length of the mid portion, said loop fastener having a first half and a second half configured to selectively engage the first and second hook fasteners, respectively, and further having a contact surface interposed between the first and second halves of the loop fastener, said contact surface configured to contact a skin surface exposed through the open fly of a pair of pants during use, the loop fastener further imparting a rigidity to the mid portion of the flexible elastomeric strip.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second ends are tapered. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible strip comprises nylon. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the loop fastener comprises a length from approximately 0.8 inches to approximately 12.3 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second loop portions are each adjustable from a length of approximately 0.5 inches to approximately 7.2 inches.