Mini belt and method using the same

Abstract

A belt and a method of using a belt that includes passing a belt (e.g., a stretch belt) through a first loop and a second loop of a waistband of a garment, the belt including an elastic member that includes a longitudinal extent, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, a first mating connector attached to the first major surface near the first end, and a second mating connector attached to the second major surface near the second end, and engaging the first mating connector and the second mating connector to maintain the elastic member in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band.

1 . A method of using a belt, the method comprising:
 passing a first belt through a first loop and a second loop of a waistband of a garment, the belt comprising a first member comprising a longitudinal extent, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, and   engaging the first end and the second end to maintain the first member in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first member further comprises:
 a first mating connector attached to the first major surface near the first end; and   a second mating connector attached to the second major surface near the second end,   the engaging comprising engaging the first mating connector and the second mating connector to maintain the first member in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the garment is a pair of pants that includes belt loops. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the method further comprises:
 inserting the longitudinal extent of a second belt having a longitudinal extent of at least 24 inches through the belt loops of the garment, the second belt comprising a first end, a second end, and a buckle attached to the first end;   securing the first end in the buckle; and   tucking at least a portion of the first belt behind the second belt.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the tucking comprises tucking at least the first and second mating connectors of the first belt behind the portion of the belt that includes the buckle. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first mating connector comprises at least two hooks. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second mating connector comprises at least two loops. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second mating connector comprises at least two loops. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first member is elastic. 
   
   
       10 . A method of using a belt, the method comprising:
 passing a first belt through a first loop and a second loop of a waistband of a pair of pants comprising the belt loops, the belt comprising
 a first member comprising a longitudinal extent, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and openings extending through the first member near the first end; and 
 a second mating connector attached to the second major surface near the second end; and 
   engaging the second mating connector with at least one of the openings in the first member to maintain the first belt in the form of a closed loop around the first loop of the waist band and the second loop of the waist band.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second mating connector comprises a buckle comprising a pin, the pin extending through at least one perforation. 
   
   
       12 . A mini-belt comprising:
 an elastic band having a longitudinal extent and comprising a first end and a second end;   a first mating connector attached to the first end; and   a second mating connector attached to the second end;   wherein the longitudinal extent is no greater than 4 inches,   
   
   
       13 . The mini-belt of  claim 12 , wherein the mini-belt is capable of maintaining a loose fitting pair of pants having at least two belt loops on a wearer when the elastic band extends around the at least two belt loops and the first mating connector is connected to the second mating connector. 
   
   
       14 . The mini-belt of  claim 12 , wherein the longitudinal extent is no greater than 3 inches. 
   
   
       15 . The mini-belt of  claim 12 , wherein the longitudinal extent is no greater than 2 inches. 
   
   
       16 . The mini-belt of  claim 12 , wherein the longitudinal extent is no greater than 1 inch. 
   
   
       17 . The mini-belt of  claim 12 , wherein the elastic band further comprises a width that is no greater than about 1.5 inches. 
   
   
       18 . The mini-belt of  claim 12 , wherein the width is no greater than about 0.5 inch. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first member comprises at least one of a zip tie and rope.