Patent Description:
Craftsmen in different technical fields, for instance carpenters, often use work wear and protective garments during labour to prevent the occurrence of injuries and to have easy access to different tools and working gear. Such work wear include among others carpenter trousers and work wear jackets.

Typically, a work wear trouser comprises several loops and pockets, to support and hold such tools and/or gear. Some work wear are modular, such that pockets and protective knee pads may be detachable from the trouser using zippers or hook-and-loop fasteners. An example of such carpenter trouser is disclosed in <CIT>. However, such trousers lack holding devices for large and heavy instruments and there is often a need for more pockets with variable sizes and of different types than those present in a carpenter trouser.

Therefore, many craftsmen use tool belts, provided with more robust tool holding devices, such as the belts disclosed in <CIT> or <CIT>. Preferably such belts have tool holders which may be adjustable along the extension of the belt. However, such belt has the disadvantage that the belt has to be worn on the outside of a work trouser and the belt may slide around the waist of the user due to uneven loading or different weight of the tools held in the belt. Further, these belts are often adapted after the craftsmen in need of most equipment, rendering the tool belt unnecessarily bulky and ungainly for several users. In addition, the tool holders themselves may move along the belt when the craftsman is working.

A third option is to attach a tool holder to an ordinary belt threaded through belt loops, and then fasten the instrument to the tool holder. However, with this solution, the belt loops of the trousers may be in the way when the user wishes to adjust the position of the tools/instruments fastened along a belt passed through the belt loops.

Further prior art is disclosed in <CIT>, which shows a cold-proof trouser having a first band part and a second band part, each provided with a first subrail part and second subrail part, respectively. The first and second subrail parts are each configured to be releasably connected to a first and second engagement part of a suspender, respectively.

Hence, there is a need for an improved work wear which overcome these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the above and other objects of the invention are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a garment as defined by claim <NUM>. According to this claim the above object is achieved by a garment. The garment is a trouser comprising a waistband, and the garment has an elongated garment portion provided with at least one garment connection portion and a base. The garment connection portion is configured to be releasably connected to an attachment means, and the garment connection portion further comprises a projecting part extending from the base of said elongated garment portion and a connection element being arranged at a remote end of said projecting part. The elongated garment portion extends laterally around and along the waistband of said trouser, and the projecting part is in the form of a strap or flange having an adjacent end and the remote end and is movable towards and away from the base.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a garment arrangement, comprising the garment according to claim <NUM>, and an attachment means configured to be releasably connected to the garment connection portion. The attachment means is configured to be movable along the extension of the elongated garment portion. This is advantageous in that it will cause the attachment means to be arranged at a preferable position when the attachment means is connected to the garment connection portion.

According to a first embodiment, the garment arrangement further comprises a gear holding device and the attachment means is configured to be connected to the gear holding device. Preferably the attachment means is connected to the gear holding device by screws, bolts, rivets, stitches or an adhesive. This is beneficial since the attachment means provides flexibility for the user to choose different number of attachment means and thus different types or number of gear holding devices. Various numbers of attachment means may be used, and the user can adapt the number and type of gear holding device depending on present needs. Each gear holding device may in turn be fastened using one or several attachment means, which make the gear holding device securely releasably attachable to the garment. Preferably, the connection element is in the form of a rail. Further optionally, the connection element is configured to slidingly and releasably engage an attachment member of the attachment means. In one embodiment, the attachment member is a clutch with a clutch cavity and a clutch opening. The clutch opening is configured to hold the connection element, which may be inserted in the clutch through the clutch opening.

According to a second embodiment, the gear holding device is connected to the attachment means through a mating fixation part engaging a fixation end of the attachment means. Preferably, the mating fixation part is connected to the gear holding device by screws, bolts, rivets, stitches or an adhesive. This is advantageous in that the attachment means can be left connected to the elongated garment portion when the gear holding device is removed.

According to another embodiment, the gear holding device is a tool holder, a loop, a pocket or an advanced pocket having a plurality of sub-pockets, loops and/or tool holders. This is beneficial since it may provide the garment with different sorts of instrument holders such that the garment becomes modular and can be adapted to various uses.

According to yet another embodiment, the elongated garment portion is arranged and extends along a width W of the garment. The elongated garment portion is arranged and extends along the waistband of the trouser.

According to another embodiment, the connection element is in the form of a rail and the attachment means comprises an attachment member configured to releasably slidingly engage the rail. This is beneficial since the attachment member can be threaded onto the rail sideways and slide along the rail and be arranged at a position which is preferred by the user.

According to another embodiment, the rail has a substantially circular cross-section.

According to one embodiment, the rail has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

According to yet another embodiment, the attachment member is a type of clutch, having a clutch opening and a clutch cavity.

According to another embodiment, the garment connection portion and parts thereof are made of textile parts. Preferably, the garment connection portion is made of a material comprising nylon. This is advantageous since such materials can provide high strength and are durable and can resist wear. In addition, they may provide a surface structure that causes friction between the attachment member and the textile such that the attachment means will be movable along the garment connection portion but undesirable sliding along the garment connection portion and the elongated garment portion is prevented.

According to yet another embodiment, the garment is a work wear garment. This is advantageous since the garment arrangement provides the work wear garment with a broad flexibility in terms of adapting the work wear for different craftsmen and different uses.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method for connecting at least one attachment means to an elongated garment portion of a garment arrangement. The method comprises the steps of providing a garment being a trouser comprising a waistband, the garment has an elongated garment portion provided with at least one garment connection portion and a base, and wherein the elongated garment portion extends laterally around and along the waistband of said trouser; providing the attachment means, releasably connecting the attachment means to the garment connection portion, and adjusting the attachment means to a preferred position along the garment connection portion. The garment connection portion further comprises a projecting part extending from the base of the elongated garment portion, where the projecting part is in the form of a strap or flange having an adjacent end and a remote end and being movable towards and away from the base, and a connection element being arranged at a remote end of the projecting part.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of connecting a mating fixation part to a fixation end of said attachment means. The fixation part is connected to a gear holding device.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises a step of putting on the work wear garment before the steps of releasably connecting the attachment means to the garment connection portion and adjusting the attachment means to a preferred position along the garment connection portion.

In one embodiment, the step of connecting the mating fixation part to the fixation end of said attachment means is conducted before the step of adjusting the attachment means to a preferred position along the garment connection portion.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims, as well as from the drawings.

All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

As used herein, the term "comprising" and variations of this term are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

By way of example, embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings in order for those skilled in the art to be able to carry out the invention. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the appended patent claims. Furthermore, the terminology used in the detailed description of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described below with reference to <FIG>.

The present disclosure relates to garment arrangements in particular trousers, comprising a connection system <NUM>, <NUM> (shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) for releasably attachable tool holders and pockets, or any other feature desirable for a garment, for instance protective gear such as knee or elbow pads. The connection system <NUM>, <NUM> is also referred to as a garment arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> or a releasable adjustable attachment system <NUM>, <NUM> herein. The garments may be for instance a work wear garment or a sportswear garment. Work wear may relate to wear worn by for instance craftsmen, construction builders, carpenters, industry workers, fire fighters, police officers, plumbers, different kind of guards et. It may be indoor wear or outdoor wear.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, work wear garments <NUM>, <NUM> are shown. <FIG> show a trouser <NUM> having a pair of legs <NUM>, a plurality of belt loops <NUM> and a waist fabric mesh <NUM>. The trouser <NUM> has a width W extending along a lateral direction, whereas the legs <NUM> have a length L extending in a longitudinal direction indicated by the arrow in <FIG>.

In addition, the trouser <NUM> in <FIG> comprises an elongated garment portion <NUM>. The elongated garment portion <NUM> extends laterally around and along a waistband <NUM> of said trouser <NUM>. <FIG> shows a front view of the trouser <NUM>, <FIG> shows a rear view of the trouser <NUM> and <FIG> shows a side view of the trouser <NUM>. The trouser <NUM> may also comprise a plurality of separate elongated garment portions <NUM> portioned along the waistband <NUM>, or arranged elsewhere on the trousers <NUM>, such as for instance in the thigh area, around the knees or in the area by the calves.

In <FIG>, a gear holding device <NUM> has been releasably attached to the elongated garment portion <NUM>. In this Figure, the gear holding device <NUM> is a pocket. However, the gear holding device <NUM> may be another type of device, such as a tool holder, a loop, an advanced tool pocket having a plurality of smaller pockets, loops and/or tool holders integrated therein, or any other instrument holder useful for a user. The connection system <NUM> between the elongated garment portion <NUM> and the gear holding device <NUM> will be explained in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> show a jacket <NUM>, which is not part of the invention, comprising two arms <NUM>, a torso portion <NUM> and a waistband <NUM>. An elongated garment portion <NUM> of the same configuration as the elongated garment portion <NUM> shown in <FIG> is also comprised in the jacket <NUM> along a width W of the waistband <NUM>. Said width W is indicated by the arrow in <FIG>. The elongated garment portion <NUM> extends laterally around and along the waistband <NUM>. Similarly to the trouser <NUM>, the elongated garment portion <NUM> is configured to receive and releasably connect a gear holding device <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

An enlarged view of a longitudinal cross-section A-A (indicated in <FIG>) of the elongated garment portion <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The longitudinal direction L is indicated by a double-faced arrow in <FIG>. The cross-section A-A is taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction L and the width W (shown in <FIG>).

The elongated garment portion <NUM> comprises a garment connection portion <NUM>, which in turn comprises a connection element <NUM> and a projecting part <NUM> extending from a base <NUM> of the elongated garment portion <NUM>. The projecting part <NUM> is in the form of a strap or flange <NUM> having an adjacent end <NUM> and a remote end <NUM>. The projecting part <NUM> shown in <FIG> is movable towards and away from the base <NUM> as indicated by the double-faced arrow in <FIG> placed below the connection element <NUM>. The connection element <NUM> is in the form of a rail <NUM> in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, an attachment means <NUM> has been releasably connected to the connection element <NUM> and the parts form a releasable adjustable attachment system <NUM>. The attachment means <NUM> comprises an attachment member <NUM>, which in <FIG> is in the form of a clutch <NUM>. The clutch <NUM> detachably engages the connection element <NUM>. The connection element <NUM> has been threaded into a cavity <NUM> of the clutch <NUM> through a clutch opening <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the connection mechanism shown in <FIG> in a front view. <FIG> shows an isometric view of the connection mechanism shown in <FIG>. The attachment means <NUM> comprises the clutch <NUM>, which is releasably attached to the rail <NUM>, arranged on the projecting part <NUM> of the garment connection portion <NUM>. From the clutch <NUM> extends an attachment portion <NUM>, which has a fixation end <NUM> configured to either be attached to a mating fixation part (for instance as shown in <FIG>) or being directly attached to the gear holding device <NUM> (as shown in <FIG> or <FIG>), for instance by screws, rivet and/or by the use of an adhesive or sowing.

In <FIG>, two attachment means <NUM> have been releasably coupled to the connection element <NUM> of the elongated garment portion <NUM> (the base <NUM> is not visible in the <FIG> as the projecting part <NUM> covers the base <NUM>). Two attachment means <NUM> is beneficial to use for larger and/or broader gear holding devices <NUM>, such as the pocket shown in <FIG>. The attachment means <NUM> have been adjusted along the extension of the rail <NUM> to fit the pocket <NUM>, which has been attached to the attachment means <NUM>.

The connection system <NUM> shown in <FIG> has several advantages. First of all, the connection system of <FIG> is slender against the trouser <NUM>. This is due to the design of the rail <NUM> and the flange <NUM> which prevents the formation of a certain thickness. In addition, the attachment means <NUM> may be designed to be thinner since the connection portion <NUM> in the trouser <NUM> will be arranged above (in a longitudinal direction) the attachment means <NUM> of the gear holding device <NUM>.

The longitudinal position on the trouser <NUM> is also beneficial, since it is arranged just below the waistband <NUM>, which enables the use of an ordinary belt if needed, and the pocket <NUM> will be arranged in a favourable position.

With reference to <FIG>, a different version of the releasable adjustable attachment system <NUM> is shown. An enlarged view of a longitudinal cross-section of the elongated garment portion <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The longitudinal direction L is indicated by the double-faced arrow in <FIG>.

The elongated garment portion <NUM> comprises a garment connection portion <NUM>, which in turn comprises a connection element <NUM> and a projecting part <NUM> extending from a base <NUM> of the elongated garment portion <NUM>. The projecting part <NUM> is in the form of a protrusion <NUM> having an adjacent end <NUM> and a remote end <NUM>.

In <FIG>, an attachment means <NUM> has been releasably connected to the connection element <NUM>. The attachment means <NUM> comprises an attachment member <NUM>, which in <FIG> is, similarly to the attachment member of <FIG>, in the form of a clutch <NUM>. The clutch <NUM> detachably engages the connection element <NUM>. The connection element <NUM> has been threaded into a cavity <NUM> of the clutch <NUM> through a clutch opening <NUM>.

The connection element <NUM> of <FIG> is in the form of a rail <NUM> extending laterally along the elongated garment portion <NUM>. The rail <NUM> has a substantially circular cross-section. However, the cross-section shape of such connection element <NUM> may be in another geometrical shape enabling the releasable connection of the attachment means <NUM> to the connection element <NUM>.

A garment connection portion <NUM> of another embodiment is shown in <FIG> as an enlarged longitudinal cross-section. The longitudinal direction L is indicated by the double-faced arrow in <FIG>. The elongated garment portion <NUM> comprises the connection portion <NUM> which is provided with a projecting part <NUM> and a connection element <NUM>, which is in the form of a plate like member <NUM>. The projecting part <NUM> extends from a base <NUM> of the elongated garment portion <NUM>. The projecting part <NUM> is in the form of a block <NUM> having an adjacent end <NUM> and a remote end <NUM>. The garment connection portion <NUM> is a type of rail extending laterally along the elongated garment portion <NUM>, and has a rectangular longitudinal cross-section.

In <FIG>, an attachment means <NUM> has been releasably connected to the plate like member <NUM> and together form a releasable adjustable attachment system <NUM>, also referred to as a garment arrangement <NUM> herein. The attachment means <NUM> comprises an attachment member <NUM>, which in <FIG> is in the form of a clutch <NUM> having a rectangular cross-section. The clutch <NUM> detachably engages the connection element <NUM>, in the form of the plate like member <NUM>. The connection element <NUM> has been threaded into a cavity <NUM> of the clutch <NUM> through a clutch opening <NUM>.

The fixation end <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a magnet to improve the connection properties between the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM> and the gear holding device <NUM>. Further, the fastening between the fixation end <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and a mating fixation part (shown in <FIG>) or a gear holding device <NUM> may be in the form of a known coupling mechanism known in the art, or such as a fastening mechanism disclosed with reference to <FIG>.

Alternatively, the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM> is connected directly to the gear holding device <NUM>. In such case, the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM> may be sown or glued to the gear holding device <NUM>. Preferably, the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM> connected directly to the gear holding device <NUM> is attached for instance by screws, an adhesive, stitches, rivets and/or vulcanization.

The releasable adjustable attachment systems <NUM>, <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may further comprise an attachment portion <NUM>, <NUM> and which has a fixation end <NUM> configured to either be attached to a mating fixation part (as for instance shown in <FIG>) or being directly attached to a gear holding device <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>. If the gear holding device <NUM> is attached to a mating fixation part <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), the gear holding device <NUM> may be connected to the mating fixation part <NUM> for instance by screws, bolts, screw-nuts, an adhesive, stitches, rivets or vulcanization. The gear holding device <NUM> could further be connected to the mating fixation part <NUM> using a plurality of the above attachment means, for example a combination of adhesive and stitches.

An example of a fastening mechanism between a mating fixation part <NUM> and an exemplary attachment means <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The attachment means <NUM> shown in <FIG> is provided with (similarly to the attachments devices <NUM>, <NUM> shown in <FIG>) a clutch <NUM> having a cavity <NUM>. The clutch <NUM> is configured to engage and hold a connection element <NUM>, <NUM> of a elongated garment portion <NUM>, <NUM>. Further, the attachment means <NUM> comprises a locking recess <NUM> arranged on a fixation end <NUM> of an attachment portion <NUM>.

The mating fixation part <NUM> in <FIG> is facing the attachment means <NUM> in <FIG> in the configuration which they fit together. The same applies for the mating fixation part <NUM> in <FIG> which faces the attachment means <NUM> in <FIG>.

The mating fixation part <NUM> shown in <FIG> is provided with holes <NUM> which can be used to fasten the fixation part <NUM> to a gear holding device <NUM> with for instance screws and screw-nuts. Moreover, the fixation part <NUM> has a connection recess <NUM> configured to slidingly engage and house the fixation end <NUM> of the attachment means <NUM>. A locking protrusion <NUM> is arranged within the connection recess <NUM> and is configured to fit into the locking recess <NUM> of the fixation end <NUM> when the fixation part <NUM> and the attachment means <NUM> are connected to each other. On an opposite side of the fixation part <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), there is provided a lock release button <NUM>'. The lock release button <NUM>' is provided with a cord hole <NUM>" through which for instance a string can be threaded such that the lock release button <NUM>' can be pulled outwards, perpendicularly from the surface of the mating fixation part <NUM>.

To connect the attachment means <NUM> to the mating fixation part <NUM> the fixation end <NUM> is placed in contact with a side surface <NUM> of the fixation part <NUM>, and the fixation end <NUM> is slidingly pushed into the connection recess <NUM>. To release the fixation part <NUM> from the attachment means <NUM>, the user pulls the lock release button <NUM>' laterally and pushes the fixation part <NUM> upwards in the direction indicated by the arrows in <FIG>. When the lock release button <NUM>' is pulled, the locking protrusion <NUM> will be moved out of the locking recess <NUM> and the mating fixation part <NUM> will be able to be slidingly released from the engagement between the fixation end <NUM> and the connection recess <NUM>.

Another example of a fastening mechanism between a mating fixation part <NUM> and an exemplary attachment means <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the attachment means <NUM> and the mating fixation part <NUM> are shown separated from each other. In <FIG>, the attachment means <NUM> is connected to the mating fixation part <NUM>, and in <FIG>, the attachment means <NUM> and the mating fixation part <NUM> are shown separated from each other while the mating fixation part <NUM> is shown in an exploded view.

The attachment means <NUM> shown in <FIG> is similar to the attachments devices <NUM>, <NUM> shown in <FIG> and the attachment means <NUM> in <FIG>. The attachment means <NUM> shown in <FIG> is provided a clutch <NUM> having a cavity <NUM>. The clutch <NUM> is configured to engage and hold a connection element <NUM>, <NUM> of an elongated garment portion <NUM>, <NUM>. Further, the attachment means <NUM> comprises a locking flange <NUM> arranged on an attachment portion <NUM>, and a fixation end <NUM>, in the form of a locking waist <NUM>.

The mating fixation part <NUM> shown in <FIG> is provided with holes 471b which can be used to fasten the fixation part <NUM> to a gear holding device <NUM> with rivets <NUM> (or for instance screws and screw-nuts). Moreover, the mating fixation part <NUM> has a connection recess <NUM> configured to slidingly engage and house the attachment portion <NUM> of the attachment means <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Further, the mating fixation part <NUM> shown in <FIG> is provided with a handle portion <NUM> comprising a grip <NUM> and a handle <NUM>. The grip <NUM> is mated to the handle <NUM> through a loop in the handle <NUM>. The handle <NUM> further comprises two elastic members <NUM>. The elastic member may be in the form of a spring.

<FIG> shows a locking mechanism of the fixation part <NUM>, used to attach the attachment means <NUM> to the fixation part <NUM>. To connect the attachment means <NUM> to the mating fixation part <NUM> the locking flange <NUM> of the attachment portion <NUM> is placed in contact with a base side surface <NUM> of the fixation part <NUM>, and the attachment portion <NUM> is slidingly pushed into the connection recess <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a locking ring <NUM> is arranged within the connection recess <NUM> and is configured to enclose the locking waist <NUM> of the attachment portion <NUM> when the fixation part <NUM> and the attachment means <NUM> are connected to each other. The locking ring <NUM> has two locking ring ends 479a, 479b. Further, the locking ring <NUM> is made of a flexible material, such as a flexible metal material or a flexible plastic material. When the locking ring <NUM> does not engage the attachment means <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the distance between the locking ring ends 479a, 479b is smaller than the width the locking waist <NUM>. Inner edges 472a of the fixation part upper portion <NUM> of the fixation part <NUM> prevents the locking ring <NUM> from expanding, since the locking ring ends 479a, 479b abut the inner edges 472a of the upper portion <NUM>.

Therefore, when pressing the attachment means <NUM> into the fixation part <NUM>, the locking flange <NUM> slides beneath the locking ring <NUM>, and the locking waist <NUM> will exert force on the locking ring <NUM>. Upon pushing the attachment means <NUM> into the connection recess <NUM> of the fixation part <NUM>, the elastic members (in this case, springs) <NUM> will be compressed and the locking ring <NUM> is moved towards the loop in the handle <NUM>. When the locking ring <NUM> is moved upwards the locking ring ends 479a, 479b pass the inner edges 472a, and the locking ring <NUM> expand, resulting in more space between the locking ring ends 479a, 479b such that there is room for the locking waist <NUM>. The locking ring <NUM> then snaps back around the locking waist <NUM> and engage the locking waist <NUM>. If the user tries to pull and detach the attachment means <NUM> from the fixation part <NUM>, the locking ring ends 479a, 479b cannot expand since the inner edges 472a lock the position of the locking ring <NUM>. In the attached position, stabilisers 471a on the base side surface <NUM> hold the attachment means <NUM> in a stable position. The locking waist <NUM> has substantially straight side edges which will abut the stabilisers 471a when the attachment means <NUM> is connected to the fixation part <NUM>.

To detach the attachment means <NUM> from the fixation part <NUM>, the user pulls the grip <NUM> and/or handle <NUM> such that the springs <NUM> are compressed and the locking ring <NUM> is moved towards the handle <NUM>. In this position, the locking ring ends 479a, 479b have room for expansion inside the fixation part <NUM>. When the locking ring <NUM> expands, the distance between the locking ring ends 479a, 479b is larger than the width of the locking waist <NUM>, and the attachment means <NUM> may be pulled out from the connection recess <NUM>. When the locking ring <NUM> and the locking ring ends 479a, 479b expands, the attachment means <NUM> can be pulled and disconnected from the fixation part <NUM>.

In one embodiment, there is disclosed a locking mechanism for a fixation part <NUM> configured to attach an attachment means <NUM> to said fixation part <NUM>. The locking mechanism comprises a handle <NUM> with at least one elastic member <NUM>. The locking mechanism comprises a locking ring <NUM> configured to engage the attachment means <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be in the form of a spring.

In one embodiment, the locking ring <NUM> has two locking ring ends 479a, 479b. The locking ring <NUM> does not have room for expansion when the elastic member <NUM> is in its relaxed state. A distance between said two locking ring ends 479a, 479b is smaller than a width of the attachment means <NUM> when the elastic member <NUM> is in its relaxed state. Furthermore, a distance between said two locking ring ends 479a, 479b is larger than a width of the attachment means <NUM> when the elastic member <NUM> is in its compressed state. Moreover, the locking ring <NUM> has room for expansion in the fixation art <NUM> when the elastic member <NUM> is in its compressed state.

In one embodiment, the two locking ring ends 479a, <NUM> abut inner edges 472a of the fixation part <NUM> when the elastic member <NUM> is in its relaxed state, preferably the inner edges 472a being inner edges of a fixation part upper portion <NUM> of the fixation part <NUM>. More preferably, the locking ring ends 479a, 479b cannot expand when the elastic member <NUM> is in its relaxed state since the inner edges 472a lock the position of the locking ring <NUM>.

The attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the mating fixation part <NUM>, <NUM> may be made of a plastic material, or a metal.

All attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> disclosed herein may be adjusted along the extension of the connection element <NUM>, <NUM> disclosed herein. In that way, the user can easily adjust the work wear garment <NUM>, <NUM> to fit a particular use. In addition, the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> provide flexibility for the user to choose different number of attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and different gear holding devices <NUM>. Various numbers of attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be used, and the user can adapt the number and type of gear holding device <NUM> depending on present needs. Each gear holding device <NUM> may in turn be fastened using one or several attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> such as two attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), or three or four attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (not shown).

The attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are simple to detach for the user, while ensuring a secure fixation of the gear holding devices <NUM> during use. Hence, the garment <NUM>, <NUM> is modular and may be adapted for several purposes on a daily basis. In addition, the gear holding devices <NUM> and the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be released from the garment connection portion <NUM>, <NUM> for instance for washing of the garment <NUM>, <NUM> and may be exchanged in the event of damages. Thus, it is not necessary to buy a new garment <NUM>, <NUM> if the gear holding devices <NUM> need to be exchanged. Oppositely, it is not necessary to buy new gear holding devices <NUM> if the garment <NUM>, <NUM> is to be replaced.

An end of the elongated garment portion <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a locking feature (not shown), such that the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> cannot slide off the elongated garment portion <NUM>, <NUM>. Such locking feature may for instance be a flange releasably connectable by a snip-fit button such that is covers the end of the elongated garment portion <NUM>, <NUM> in a closed state.

The garment connection portion <NUM>, <NUM> may be made of a woven or nonwoven material. Preferably, garment connection portion <NUM>, <NUM> is made of a material comprising nylon, such as Cordura fabric or Kevlar, an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWP), such as Dyneema cord or Spectra, or a combination thereof. The garment connection portion <NUM>, <NUM> may also be formed of a plastic or comprise a metal, such as a steel rail.

Optionally, the elongated garment portion <NUM>, <NUM> is a strap, which may be attached to and integrated in said garment <NUM>, <NUM>. In such case, the garment arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a garment <NUM>, <NUM>, and the strap which is provided with a strap connection portion and which is at least partly integrated within or attached to the garment <NUM>, <NUM>. The garment arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> also comprises an attachment means <NUM> configured to be releasably connected to the strap connection portion. The attachment means <NUM> is configured to be movable along the extension of the strap.

Methods <NUM>, <NUM>' for connecting at least one attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to an elongated garment portion <NUM>, <NUM> of a garment arrangement will now be explained with reference to the <FIG>.

The method <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises an optional first step of putting on <NUM> the garment <NUM>, <NUM>. The method is followed by a step of providing <NUM> a garment <NUM>, <NUM> having an elongated garment portion <NUM>, <NUM> provided with at least one garment connection portion <NUM>, <NUM>. Then, the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is provided <NUM> and the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is releasably connected <NUM> to the garment connection portion <NUM>, <NUM> and is adjusted <NUM> to a preferred position along the garment connection portion <NUM>, <NUM>.

The next step involves releasably connecting <NUM> the mating fixation part <NUM> to the fixation end <NUM> of the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The fixation part <NUM> is connected to the gear holding device <NUM>.

Another method <NUM>' is disclosed in <FIG>. The method discloses an optional step of firstly putting on <NUM> the garment <NUM>, <NUM>. Further, in this method the step of connecting <NUM> the mating fixation part <NUM>, <NUM> to the fixation end <NUM> or locking waist <NUM> of said attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is conducted before the step of adjusting <NUM> the attachment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to a preferred position along the garment connection portion <NUM>, <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A garment (<NUM>), wherein said garment (<NUM>) is a trouser (<NUM>) comprising a waistband (<NUM>),
characterized in that
said garment (<NUM>) having an elongated garment portion (<NUM>) provided with at least one garment connection portion (<NUM>) and a base (<NUM>), said garment connection portion (<NUM>) configured to be releasably connected to an attachment means (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and wherein said garment connection portion (<NUM>) further comprises a projecting part (<NUM>) extending from the base (<NUM>) of said elongated garment portion (<NUM>) and a connection element (<NUM>) being arranged at a remote end (<NUM>) of said projecting part (<NUM>),
wherein said elongated garment portion (<NUM>) extends laterally around and along the waistband (<NUM>) of said trouser (<NUM>),
and wherein the projecting part (<NUM>) is in the form of a strap or flange (<NUM>) having an adjacent end (<NUM>) and the remote end (<NUM>) and is movable towards and away from the base (<NUM>).