PAIR OF TROUSERS COMPRISING A WAISTBAND SYSTEM

The invention relates to trousers (H) comprising a waistband system (1) with a circumferential waistband (10) and an inelastic closable strap (140) which is integrated into the waistband (10) as an inelastic waistband section (11a, 11b) at least on a rear side (RS) of the trousers (H), the waistband (10) having at least one waistband section (15) which is monoelastic at least in the longitudinal direction (HR) and can be bridged by means of the strap (140) running parallel thereto, characterized in that the strap (140) comprises two strap parts (141a, 141b) which can be uncoupled from the trousers (H) in each case at a coupling point associated to the respective strap part (141a, 141b) and which can be coupled to the inelastic waistband section (11a, 11b). The invention further relates to a method for producing such trousers (H).

The invention relates to a pair of trousers and a method for producing a pair of trousers. Such trousers are known from WO 2022/012906 A1.

As already explained therein, trousers, shorts, jeans and the like are hip-hugging garments that are used in everyday life to cover the lower part of the body and, if necessary, the legs down to the feet, with trouser legs. They rest with a trouser waistband or waistband on the hips or waist of a wearer. The waistband is usually designed for a certain hip size (which in turn corresponds to a certain clothing size). A longitudinally monoelastic waistband section in the waistband has been found to be particularly advantageous as it ensures a comfortable fit of the trousers and adjusts the waistband to a certain extent to temporary variations in hip circumference. An inelastic fastenable or closable strap, which is integrated into the waistband at least on a rear side of the trousers as an inelastic waistband section as a fixed component of the trousers, ensures that the trousers remain securely on the hip of the wearer even in, for example, special external circumstances, wetness or perspiration, and/or in special, in particular tactical, use, for example, in the fire department, technical emergency services, police, military and the like, in which such clothing often also serves to carry several deployment-related objects or payload, e.g. in trouser pockets or additional holsters (i.e. additional weight).

In practice, however, it has been shown that wearers would also like to wear such particularly comfortable trousers in normal everyday life, e.g. between missions or in their leisure time. However, since the focus of the design so far has not been on creating an all-round trouser for every situation, the known construction still has certain disadvantages, namely a certain lack of flexibility and slight losses in wearing comfort if the wearer decides to wear an additional waist belt or belt over the strap.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to further improve the aforesaid trousers and, in particular, to make them more flexible.

This object is achieved by trousers according to claim1and a method for producing the trousers according to claim10.

Like the trousers mentioned initially, the trousers according to the invention comprise a waistband system with a circumferential waistband and an inelastic closable or fastenable strap which is integrated into the waistband as an inelastic waistband section at least on a rear side of the trousers. In this case, the waistband has at least one waistband section which is monoelastic at least in the longitudinal direction, which can be bridged by means of the strap running parallel thereto.

According to the invention, the strap comprises two strap parts that can be uncoupled from the trousers at a coupling point associated with the respective strap part. The strap parts can be coupled and uncoupled at the coupling points to the non-elastic waistband section, which forms part of the strap. Uncouplable or couplable means that the strap parts can be removed from the trousers and reattached to the trousers.

Preferably, the coupling can take place in a pulling direction, in particular in an insertion direction, which will be explained further below, and the uncoupling in an opposite pulling direction.

A method according to the invention for producing trousers according to the invention with a waistband system comprises at least the following steps:

As in the method mentioned initially, first—as is usual for trousers—the outer fabric cut parts, lining and inserts of a pair of trousers are cut from the corresponding fabrics or provided ready-cut. Then the waistband system of the trousers is provided with a circumferential waistband and a non-elastic or an inelastic closable strap.

In this case, at least one waistband section that is monoelastic at least in the longitudinal direction is incorporated into the waistband, preferably under pre-tension (as will be explained below), which is bridged by means of the strap running parallel thereto. In this case, the closable strap is integrated or sewn into the waistband as an inelastic waistband section at least on a rear side of the trousers.

According to the invention, the strap comprises two strap parts that can be uncoupled or removed from the trousers (at a coupling point associated with the respective strap part), which strap parts are coupled to the inelastic waistband section at the back of the trousers, so that the at least one waistband section that is monoelastic at least in the longitudinal direction is bridged by means of the strap parts of the strap that run parallel thereto in the coupled state.

A strap according to the invention for such trousers comprises at least two strap parts, which each have a coupling means at one end, by means of which they can be coupled to and uncoupled from the trousers at a coupling point of the trousers associated with the respective strap part.

The design according to the invention thus provides a genuine all-round trouser that can be worn in everyday life or in leisure time at home as well as in the office or for special missions, e.g. for the fire brigade, technical emergency services, police, military and the like, as it can be very easily and quickly converted to fit for these purposes.

Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and further embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims as well as the following description, wherein the independent claims of one claim category can also be further developed analogously to the dependent claims and exemplary embodiments of another claim category and, in particular, individual features of different exemplary embodiments or variants can also be combined to form new embodiments or variants.

Preferably, the inelastic waistband section and the strap sections may comprise interlocking coupling means.

Preferably, at least one coupling means can be plate-shaped, i.e. flat or planar or two-dimensional That is, one side length of one side is dimensioned to be considerably smaller than the other two.

Preferably, the plate-shaped coupling means may have, in a direction perpendicular to its plate-shaped extension, i.e. along the side just mentioned, a side length or thickness of at most 3 mm, particularly preferably at most 2 mm, further preferably at most 1.5 mm, quite particularly preferably at most 1 mm.

Preferably, the strap parts can each comprise a barb-shaped, preferably mushroom-shaped, coupling means and the non-elastic waistband section comprises two slit-shaped coupling means. This means that the inelastic waistband section has, for example, one slot-shaped coupling means at each end, i.e. two slot-shaped coupling means in total.

A flat or plate-shaped coupling means with a mushroom-shaped contour, i.e. with a mushroom-shaped contour or base, is particularly preferred. In other words, a flat or plate-shaped coupling means with a largely “T”-shaped or “arrow”-shaped” profile. The “mushroom” shape per se is therefore not absolutely mandatory, but it does make insertion somewhat easier.

Preferably, the non-elastic waistband section can each comprise an insertion slot or insertion slit into which the coupling means of the strap parts can each be inserted or threaded for coupling in an insertion direction. In the simplest case, the insertion slot can be formed by a suitably modified belt or strap loop with a narrow loop opening adapted to the dimensions of the respective coupling means.

As one variant, the insertion slot of the non-elastic waistband section can be formed in such a way that the coupling means of the strap parts can each be threaded for coupling in the insertion direction from an inner side of the trousers and guided onto an outer side of the trousers, i.e. from the inside to the outside.

In an inserted or threaded state, the strap parts can preferably hook in or remain stuck at a stop point with a stop edge in the direction of insertion. In this position they are then secured against further threading and usually remain there due to a certain material friction or a slight resistance of the strap part stitched onto the coupling means even without permanent tensile stress.

Preferably, the coupling means of the strap parts (especially in the case of a T-shaped or mushroom-shaped design with the T-crossbar) can hook in or stop at a stop seam of the insertion slot (to be explained later).

The slot opening of the insertion slot can preferably be adapted to the coupling means or its internal dimensions can be selected in such a way that the coupling means can be inserted or passed through comfortably, but does not slip out again directly on its own.

In principle, the insertion slot could also be configured as an insertion pocket, i.e. open on one side. This means that the strap parts with their respective coupling means are each inserted into the insertion pocket from an insertion direction and are then hooked therein and, for the finished coupling with the trousers, are then pulled back again slightly against the direction in which they were inserted, so that they then strike the stop seam with their barb-shaped outer form (e.g. of the T-crossbar). For a secure hold on the one hand and a user-friendly coupling or uncoupling on the other hand, the coupling means can, for example, be elastically bendable or foldable perpendicular to the direction of insertion (or to the flat side of the plate-shaped element), so that they can be slightly pressed together or folded together for coupling and uncoupling and, after being pressed together, bend elastically back into their original shape.

Preferably, the coupling means of the strap parts can comprise a flexible plastic material, preferably elastomer, for this purpose.

Preferably, the non-elastic waistband section can substantially, i.e. largely, cover the sacrum of the wearer when the trousers are worn as intended by the wearer. Here, “substantially or largely cover” means that the sacrum of the vast majority of wearers wearing such trousers is covered to a predominant extent.

Alternatively or additionally, the insertion slots can be spaced apart from each other at the coupling points on the back of the trousers. Particularly preferably, they lie symmetrically to a crotch line or symmetry line of the trousers (which runs upward in extension of a crotch seam at the back to the waistband).

Particularly preferably, they can each be arranged eccentrically on the back or rear side of the trousers along the running direction of the waistband.

Further preferably, the insertion slots may be arranged on the waistband of the trousers to the side of the sacrum of a wearer when the trousers are worn as intended.

For example, the insertion slots can also form a passage from the inside of the trousers to the outside of the trousers through which the coupling means can be threaded from the inside of the trousers through the waistband into the matching position on the outside of the trousers.

Preferably, the insertion slot can have at least one stop seam which is worked into the insertion slot perpendicular to the insertion direction as a slot opening constriction and forms a constricted, i.e. laterally limited, insertion tunnel with the remaining insertion slot.

Preferably, the insertion slot may have two such stop seams which together delimit between them (above and below) an insertion tunnel, i.e. a slot opening.

Preferably, a maximum transverse dimension (transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strap parts) of the coupling means of the strap parts perpendicular to the insertion direction can be at least 0.5 mm narrower than the insertion slot itself, more precisely than the slot opening or the insertion tunnel of the insertion slot.

Particularly preferably, a maximum transverse dimension of the coupling means of the strap parts perpendicular to the insertion direction can be at most 1.5 mm narrower than the insertion tunnel of the insertion slot.

As mentioned, the trousers comprise a waistband system having an encircling waistband and an inelastic closable strap integrated into the waistband as an inelastic waistband section at least on a rear side of the trousers.

Preferably, the strap may include fastening means, such as Velcro strips, press studs or the like, for closure. These can be arranged in such a way that the strap can be fastened to itself, e.g. by folding it back or over.

Alternatively, the two parts of the strap can be connected by means of a buckle or other connecting elements that can be opened and closed.

In this case, the waistband has at least one waistband section which is monoelastic at least in the longitudinal direction and can be bridged by means of the strap running parallel thereto.

Such a construction or a producing method of trousers in which, as described above, a waistband system is provided with a circumferential waistband and an inelastic closable strap which is integrated into the waistband at least on a rear side of the trousers as an inelastic waistband section, and in this case the waistband has at least one waistband section which is monoelastic at least in the longitudinal direction, which can be bridged by means of the strap running parallel thereto, can in principle be advantageous for all trousers with a waistband and a strap, irrespective of how precisely the strap itself is divided and/or how the strap can be coupled to the inelastic waistband section of the trousers integrated into the waistband.

Preferably, at least one stiffening strip, preferably running essentially in the longitudinal direction of the strap or strap parts, is incorporated or integrated into the strap, especially preferably into two strap parts of the strap. The stiffening strip helps to thread the coupling means of the strap parts into the respective insertion slot, as the strap is thereby stiffened.

Preferably, the strap or the strap parts can be designed with pockets for this purpose, in which the stiffening strips are accommodated, e.g. sewn in. The pockets can preferably be configured to run longitudinally so that the stiffening strips can provide stiffening in the longitudinal direction of the strap parts.

There are further preferred possibilities for the design, in particular the shape and spatial extension, of the stiffening strip. For example, it can fill a part or even almost the entire strap width. In addition, it can extend so far forward, i.e. into a front waistband area, that various means of deployment, such as holsters for items of deployment such as gloves, tools, weapons, handcuffs, etc., can be suspended or attached to the strap over the length of the strap. However, several stiffening strips can also be incorporated into the strap parts, each of which fills only part of the strap width. For example, two stiffening strips, each occupying half the width of the strap and arranged parallel to each other in abutting fashion, may be incorporated in the longitudinal chambers or pockets to allow easier passage or insertion of the desired coupling means of the strap parts into the insertion slot. For more comfortable wearing, the strap parts can alternatively or additionally be padded or upholstered in the area of the stiffening strips by means of a light 3D knitted fabric.

There are various possibilities for selecting a suitable material for the coupling means of the strap parts for coupling to the strap.

As mentioned, the coupling means of the strap parts can be made of flexible plastics, preferably elastomers. The elastomers are organic polymers with rubber-elastic properties at room temperatures. They can be cut out of the plastic, punched or cast. In the case of the cast variant, it should be noted that the material used is also flexible.

However, the coupling means can also simply be punched or cut out of an appropriately thick plastic or plastic film and either used raw or covered with textile material.

Preferably, an insertion loop can be stitched onto the side of the waistband next to a back pad (which can be sewn into the waistband, e.g. as in WO 2022/012906 A1), into which the strap parts are inserted in each case coming from the back pad in the direction of the trouser front or front of the trousers.

FIG.1shows the trousers H according to the invention with a waistband system1in a slightly perspective front view of a front side VS of an upper part of the trousers H. In this front view, the trousers1do not differ from a precursor of the trousers1from WO 2022/012906 A1.

FIG.2shows the same trousers H in a rear view of the back side RS of the upper part of the trousers H.

In this respect, reference is made at this point to WO 2022/012906 A1 for the basic structure of the trousers H, in particular to the exemplary embodiment described therein. In order to clarify the differences and relevant improvements in comparison to the already known exemplary embodiment, the already known basic structure will be outlined again in the following and the improvements and innovations will be dealt with in greater detail. In principle, the new trousers H can be constructed very similarly to the trousers described therein, except for the additional improvements which are explicitly explained with reference toFIGS.3to5. As already in WO 2022/012906 A1, the lower part of the trousers H downward of the knees in a distal direction VR or vertical direction VR again plays no significant role for the waistband system1according to the invention and is therefore also not shown here in any of the figures.

As can be seen in the slightly perspective front view of a front side VS of an upper part of the trousers H according toFIG.1and in the perspective rear view of a rear side RS of the trousers H according toFIG.2, the waistband system1of the trousers H according to the invention comprises, in addition to a circumferential waistband10, a slightly curved or ergonomically running, closable strap140, which runs at least in sections parallel, externally around the waistband10and with which the waistband10can be fixed, adjusted or tightened in the manner of a “belt”. Furthermore, on a rear side RS of the trousers H in the region of the waistband10, the waistband system1comprises a back pad60on the inside. This has already been described in WO 2022/012906 A1 and again contributes to the special wearing comfort of the trousers H. At this point, it should be mentioned that in the perspective views, all visible seams N, e.g. belt loop seams N, trouser pocket seams N, back pad seams N, etc. are generally shown as dashed lines.

Said waistband10is altogether subdivided along its waistband running direction HR, i.e. a horizontal longitudinal direction of the waistband10, into a plurality of waistband sections11a,11b,15,201,20r, which is particularly well illustrated by the schematic top view of the horizontal section through the waistband system1according toFIG.4.

On the rear side RS of the trousers H shown inFIG.2, an inelastic waistband section11a,11bbegins, here additionally widened in an arc and additionally running around the inside back pad60at the bottom, which unites the waistband10and the strap40in sections (on the rear side RS of the trousers H) into one part. Said waistband section11a,11bthereby runs from the rear side RS to the sides of the trousers H, being widest slightly outside the center (along the upper edge of the waistband10perpendicular to the waistband running direction HR at the beginning and end of a V-cutout60vof the back pad60) of the rear side RS of the trousers H. Said strap140is therefore a part of the waistband there (on the rear side RS of the trousers H), i.e. integrated into the waistband10.

Elastic waistband sections15adjoin the inelastic waistband sections11a,11b. Two further inelastic waistband end sections20l,20radjoin these at the ends and can be detachably coupled to one another (at the front end) on the front side VS of the trousers H, as can be seen in particular inFIG.1.

For closing the entire circumferential waistband10or these inelastic waistband end sections20l,20r, respectively, these comprise interlocking fastening means22. The fastening means22are here simply formed as interlocking Velcro surfaces. Equally however, other fastening means22are also conceivable, such as buttons, hooks and eyes, etc.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of the strap from WO 2022/012906 A1, the strap140of the trousers H according to the invention comprises two separate strap parts141a,141b, which here form strap main sections that can be flexibly coupled to the rear waistband section11a,11b. In the state when the trousers H are put on as intended, the said strap parts141a,141bare coupled to the inelastic waistband section11a,11bof the trousers H and thus to the part of the strap140integrated in the waistband10, so that the strap140can then be fastened, adjusted or tightened around the waistband10in the manner of a “belt” when worn in the donned state or coupled to the trousers H. The two strap parts141a,141bthen extend from the inelastic waistband section11a,11bintegrated into the back of the waistband10parallel to the aforesaid inner elastic waistband sections15into a front area of the trousers H and run around the front of the latter.

The strap parts141a,141bof the strap140each otherwise comprise a strap end section42, each forming an end border which can be fixed against itself or against a central part50. The strap end sections42are each located centrally on the front side VS of the trousers H and are guided here through a central part50and outward again, as can be seen inFIGS.1,4and5.

All in all, this ensures that the trousers H fit snugly on the hips of a wearer, in particular even during special operations with a particular load on the waistband and/or at special temperatures and/or under special external conditions.

As can be seen fromFIGS.3,4and6, the strap parts141a,141bcan be coupled in the waistband system1without tools and can also be uncoupled from it again without tools. For this purpose, the strap parts141a,141bcomprise coupling means150, each formed here as a flat or plate-shaped, almost flat barb-shaped injection-molded part made of plastic. In order that the coupling means150does not become uncomfortably bulky, i.e. so that a thickening occurs locally along the running direction of the waistband HR, which could then very quickly cause a pressure point on the hip of the wearer of the trousers H, the coupling means is very flat. This means that the plate-shaped coupling means150can preferably be at most 3 mm thin, particularly preferably at most 2 mm thin, further preferably at most 1.5 mm thin and very particularly preferably at most 1 mm thin.

Corresponding to this, the waistband10at the outer lateral end of the inelastic waistband section11a,11bhas respective slit-shaped coupling means110symmetrically to an imaginary central crotch line or line of symmetry of the trousers1(which, as mentioned, runs upward in extension of a rear crotch seam to the waistband), which here are formed as insertion slots110with an insertion tunnel111, as can be seen particularly well inFIG.6. In order to couple the strap parts141a,141bto the inelastic waistband section11a,11b, these are guided or threaded in an insertion direction ER (with their strap end sections42first) from the center of the waistband10on the rear side RS of the trousers H, i.e. from the direction of the back pad60, in a sideways direction along the waistband running direction VR through the insertion tunnels111of the insertion slots110and then pulled out of the insertion tunnel111to the front, in each case laterally around the waistband10, or more precisely the elastic waistband sections15of the waistband10on the front side VS of the trousers H, until a stop edge151of the coupling means150stops at a respective stop point P within the insertion slots110(seeFIG.6). It should be noted at this point that the insertion slots can, for example, also be formed with an insertion tunnel in such a way that the coupling means of the strap parts can be threaded from an inner side of the trousers through the insertion tunnel in the waistband onto an outer side of the trousers, where the strap parts then strike against once again in the same position at a respective stop point within the insertion slots.

On the front side VS of the trousers H, the strap parts141a,141bcan be connected to form a closed strap140so that they bridge the elastic waistband10of the waistband system1on the outside and tighten it in a supporting manner with their non-elastic or inelastic material. For this purpose, as mentioned, the two strap end sections42of the strap parts141a,141bare passed through two loops of a central part50centrally in front of the inner fly of the waistband10of the trousers H and are then fixed against themselves again to the outside or to the side. As already described in WO 2022/012906 A1, the strap end sections42may have corresponding interlocking or cooperating hook-and-loop surfaces in sections for this purpose, so that the strap end sections42adhere to themselves with certain sections.

At the two aforementioned stop points P, the insertion tunnels111of the insertion slots110are narrowed from above and below by two stop seams112inFIG.4andFIG.6(shown in dashed lines). The distance between them is at least somewhat smaller than a transverse dimension150qof the coupling means150of the strap parts141a,141b, so that the stop edges151of the barb-shaped coupling means150strike against or hang on them accordingly and cannot be pulled further forward through the insertion tunnel111. This intended wearing position of the strap parts141a,141bin the waistband system1of the trousers H is shown inFIG.4.

FIG.5shows another modified version of the strap parts141a,141b, in which the strap parts141a,141bare provided with inner pockets or pockets144, in which flexible stiffening strips145running along the strap parts141a,141bare inserted and sewn in. The stiffening strips145can completely fill the strap140or the strap parts141a,141b. Furthermore, they can extend into a front area of the trousers H in order to be able to attach or holster various deployment means or additional equipment almost along the entire strap parts141a,141b. This reinforced variant also allows more weight to be attached to the strap parts141a,141bwithout them twisting or curling. For example, the weight, e.g. in the form of objects such as a weapon, possibly with weapon holder, gloves, helmet, etc., can be attached to the strap parts141a,141bdirectly or indirectly, e.g. by means of a holster or the like.

As can also be seen inFIG.5, a flexible stiffening strip160can also be incorporated or integrated into the central section50on the front side VS of the trousers H, e.g. again in a pocket provided for this purpose.

In order to improve the wearing comfort, a knitted fabric can be incorporated on the inside or waistband side of the stiffening strips145,160as a soft, somewhat flexible intermediate layer. Specifically, a layer of a 3D knitted fabric146(see in particularFIG.5) can be integrated or worked into the pockets144on an inner side of the pocket, i.e. on a side of the stiffening strips145facing the body.

FIG.7shows an alternative variant of fastening the strap140on the front side VS of the trousers H by means of a simple arbitrary buckle170instead of a central part50. For this purpose, the strap end sections42are indirectly coupled to one another by passing each through a loop or opening of the buckle170and folding over and securing the strap end sections42in the region of the Velcro surfaces on themselves, so that the two strap parts141a,141bof the strap140and thus the waistband10can be tightened in this way. The buckle170shown here is only an example of a possible buckle shape. Of course, buckles of other shapes, such as a quick-release buckle, buckles with a magnetic fastener, plastic or synthetic buckles and others are also conceivable.

Compared to the prior art, the construction according to the invention offers the wearer of the trousers several advantages overall: on the one hand, the wearer himself can decide at any time whether he wants to wear the strap according to the invention with the two strap parts and different buckle versions or whether he wants to replace it, for example, with a simple belt, a combat belt or even a conventional underbelt. On the other hand, the design according to the invention reduces the number of layers of material required for the connection between the waistband and the strap at the inelastic waistband section. This reduces a potential cause of pressure points that can occur when wearing additional equipment and fixing it around the waist or hips.

Finally, it is pointed out once again that the devices described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments which can be modified by the person skilled in the art in a wide variety of ways without leaving the scope of the invention. For example, the invention is not limited to a particular type of trousers, such as long trousers, short trousers or shorts, trouser suits, etc., or to a single intended use, but can be used with any type of trousers, even a jumpsuit with an incorporated waistband and belt and for any occasion. However, it is particularly advantageous for action forces, e.g. police, military, special forces, etc., who need such tactical clothing for special outdoor missions, routine outdoor missions as well as for the normal “office routine” in the coordination center, as this is where its flexibility can be really used. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles “one” or “one” does not exclude the possibility that the features in question may also be present more than once. Similarly, the terms “element” and “arrangement” do not exclude that the component in question consists of several interacting subcomponents, which may also be spatially distributed.

REFERENCE LIST

1Waistband system10Waistband11a,11bWaistband section15Waistband sections20l,20rWaistband end sections22Fastener41Strap main sections42Strap end sections50Central part60Back pad60vV-cutout140Strap141a,141bStrap parts110Coupling means, slot-shaped/insertion slot111Insertion tunnel112Stop seam of insertion slot144Pockets145Stiffening strips1463D knitted fabrics150Coupling means of strap parts151Stop edge of insertion slot150qTransverse dimension of the coupling means of the strap parts160Stiffening strips170BuckleER Insertion directionH TrousersHR Waistband direction/longitudinal direction of the waistbandN Seams/strap loop seams/trouser pocket seams/back pad seamsP Stop pointVS Front side of the trousersRS Back/rear side of the trousersVR Distal direction/vertical direction of the trousers