Abstract:
Disclosed is a device for use in concealing a belt used to secure the pants. The device includes a liner fastened to the pants waist and cooperatively defining a continuous channel with the pants waist. One end of the liner overlaps the other end of the liner and is releasably fastened thereto, concealing the belt from view behind the liner.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/310,737 filed Dec. 5, 2002 now abandoned. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application incorporates by reference co-pending application Ser. No. 10/310,737 filed Dec. 5, 2002. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for fastening the waist of pants and shorts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There have been many attempts to create a smooth clothing appearance. In particular there has been a long felt but unmet desire to streamline the appearance of a user&#39;s pant&#39;s waist. Prior attempts have included the use of an elastic waist band, and an adjustable waist. None of the prior attempts is entirely satisfactory. The present invention addresses this need by providing a way to completely conceal a conventional belt and belt buckle. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which enables a user to use a conventional belt to secure his or her pants while completely concealing the belt from view. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a device for use in concealing a belt used to secure the pants. The device includes a liner fastened to the pants waist and cooperatively defining a continuous channel with the pants waist. One end of the liner overlaps the other end of the liner and is releasably fastened thereto, concealing the belt from view behind the liner. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, a first tongue and first flap are provided on one end of the liner in a spaced apart relationship, and a second flap and a second tongue are provided on the other end of the liner in a spaced apart relationship. The second tongue overlaps the first flap is releasably secured thereto by the fastening means, and the first tongue overlaps the second flap is releasably secured thereto by the fastening means. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the fastening means is one of a snap and a hook and loop material. 
     According to another aspect of the invention a fabric layer is attached to an exposed surface of the liner, concealing the liner from view. 
     According to another aspect of the invention the belt concealing device includes two liners, the first liner being attached to the pants waist and the second liner being attached to and cooperatively defining a continuous channel with the first liner. One end of the second liner overlaps the other of end of the second liner, concealing the belt is concealed from view. 
     The above-noted features and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional features and advantages, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an enlarged plan view of a belt concealing device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view of the belt concealing device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of pants waist, showing a double flap while opened; 
     FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of pants waist, showing a double flap while closed; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the inside channel defined by the belt concealing device with a belt illustration for operational purpose; 
     FIG. 6 is a cutaway sectional view of the belt concealing device, the opposite side being the mirror image; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan sectional view of the front pants waist, showing the proper procedure on how to fasten the double flaps of the belt concealing device; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevation sectional view, showing the outer layer of the continuous belt-loop pants waist opened, with a belt illustrated for operational purpose; 
     FIG. 9 is a top sectional view of the double flaps closed, with a belt-buckle illustration; and 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevation sectional view, showing an illustration of a belt being concealed behind the double flaps, as if the front flaps were fastened. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Conventional pants and shorts are provided with a plurality of evenly spaced belt-loops through which a belt is threaded. Tightening of the belt help ensures that the pants or shorts remain in place on the user&#39;s waist or hips. While portions of the belt are concealed behind the belt loops, the vast majority of the belt is visible. Moreover, the belt closure or belt buckle is visible in the front. 
     FIG. 1 is an enlarged plan view of a belt concealing apparatus  1  according to the present invention provided on a pants waist  14 . FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view of the belt-concealing apparatus  1  of FIG.  1 . 
     According to a first embodiment of the invention, the belt concealing apparatus  1  includes a liner  10  which is attached to the waist  14  of a conventional pair of pants. Preferably the belt-concealing apparatus  1  is stitched to the pants waist. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other methods may be used to attach the belt concealing apparatus  1  to the pants waist  14 . 
     The liner  10  is preferably formed of a flexible material such as plastic which will conform to the shape of the user&#39;s waist. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the liner may be formed of other materials including fabric. 
     An optional fabric layer  17  may be attached to the liner  10  by stitching or the like. 
     The liner  10  cooperatively defines a continuous channel  15  with an exterior surface  13  of the pants waist  14 . FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the belt concealing apparatus  1  showing the continuous channel  15  with a belt  11  shown in phantom. The width of the liner  10  is selected to ensure that the continuous channel  15  is capable of accommodating a conventional belt  11 . See FIGS. 1 and 5. 
     FIG. 5 further illustrates an optional liner backer  10 A. The liner backer  10 A is interposed between the liner  10  and the pants waist  14  to provide additional rigidity to the belt concealing apparatus  1 . In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 the liner backer  10 A is provided proximate both ends of the liner  10  such that the channel  15  is defined in portions cooperatively by the liner  10  and liner backer  10 A and in portions by the liner  10  and the exterior surface  13  of the pants waist  14 . However, the liner backer  10 A may be provided as a continuous unit such that the channel  15  is defined cooperatively by the liner  10  and liner backer  10 A. 
     As seen in FIGS. 5-10 a buckle concealer  16  attached to the liner  10  conceals the buckle B from view. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the buckle concealer  16  includes a pair of flaps  2  and  5  and a pair of tongues  4  and  6 . However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the buckle concealer  16  could simply include one flap  2  or  5  overlapping the other flap  5  or  2 . FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of pants waist  14 , showing flaps  2  and  5  in an open position. FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of pants waist  14 , showing flaps  2  and  5  in a closed position. 
     The liner  10  and optional liner backer  10 A are formed of flexible material such as plastic or fabric. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the liner  10  is former of an injection molded plastic material and a decorative fabric layer  17  is attached to the liner  10  by stitching  12 , adhesive or the like. 
     As best seen in FIG. 3, fasteners  7  and  8  secure the flap  5  to tongue  4  of the liner  10 , and fasteners  3  and  9  secure the flap  2  to tongue  6  of the liner  10 . 
     According to a preferred embodiment, fasteners  3 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  are snaps. However, other fasteners such as hook and loop material or the like may be used to fasten the flaps  2  and  5 . 
     In operation, the user fastens fasteners  7  and  8 , threads a belt  11  through the continuous channel  15  defined by the liner  10  and pants waist  14 , and buckles the belt buckle B. Excess belt  11   a  is tucked inside the channel  15  and behind Flap  2  and tongue  6 . Next the user fastens fasteners  3  and  9 , securing the flap  2  to tongue  6  of the liner  10  and completely concealing the belt  11  and belt buckle B. 
     As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, in a single flap embodiment, the flap  5 , tongue  4  and fasteners  7  and  8  are omitted. In a one flap embodiment, the user threads a belt  11  through the continuous channel  15  defined by the liner  10  and pants waist  14 , and buckles the belt buckle B. Next the user fastens fasteners  3  and  9 , securing the flap  2  to tongue  6  of the liner  10  and completely concealing the belt  11  and belt buckle B. 
     The foregoing description of the invention is illustrative only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the precise terms set forth. Further, although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain illustrative embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.