DEVICE FOR HOLDING THE TROUSER-LEG END OF TROUSERS

Abstract

A device for holding the trouser-leg end of trousers being worn, in particular to prevent the trouser-leg end from touching the ground when being worn, having a sling for fixing on the leg of the person wearing the trousers, a holding apparatus connectable to the trouser-leg end, and a holding strap, which acts between the sling and the holding apparatus and is adjustable in length, wherein the holding apparatus is implemented as a clamping apparatus having at least slight clamping force in relation to the material of the trouser-leg end.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2008 027 506.9-26, filed on Jun. 10, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for holding the trouser-leg end of trousers being worn, in particular to prevent the trouser-leg end from touching the ground when wearing the trousers, having a sling to be fixed on the leg of the person wearing the trousers, a holding apparatus connectable to the trouser-leg end, and a holding strap, which acts between the sling and the holding apparatus and is adjustable in length.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A need has already been recognized by the device forming the species, which has arisen in that currently jeans in particular are purchased and/or worn in a longer embodiment than was previously typical. According to current wearing habits, trousers intended for the younger generation in particular are cut wide and are regularly worn lower. Correspondingly, the trouser-leg end regularly extends beyond the heel of the foot and goes between the heel area of the sole of the shoe and the ground when walking. Footworn or even torn trouser-leg ends are the result.

A device forming the species has been known for some time from DE-U-20 2006 005 298. In the known device, a type of hook is provided, which either engages below the free end of the trouser leg, in the area of the heel, i.e., on the rear, or engages using a tip similar to a fish hook in the material and thus produces a connection to the material of the trouser leg.

However, the known device is problematic in practice, specifically because the hook engaging below the free end of the trouser leg does not hold reliably. As a result, the danger exists that the trouser-leg end will disengage from the holding apparatus and the device will thus lose its effect in an uncontrolled way. A hook penetrating into the material of the trouser leg or even through the material of the trouser leg is problematic with or without a terminal safety, because there is the danger of damage to the material. Piercing the material multiple times may already result in damage to the woven material, by which a hole gradually arises in the textile material. In addition, the known device is cumbersome to handle, in any case if a safety or protector is provided on the end of the hook. If this safety is lost, the known device may only still be used in a limited way.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is therefore based on the object of implementing and refining the device which forms the species in such a way that it may be permanently and easily applied without damaging the trouser-leg end.

The preceding object is achieved according to the invention by a device having the features of the claimed invention. The device forming the species is accordingly characterized in that the holding apparatus is implemented as a clamping apparatus having at least slight clamping force in relation to the material of the trouser-leg end.

It has been recognized according to the invention that the holding apparatus is problematic in the device forming the species. Furthermore, it has been recognized that this problem may already be remedied in a surprisingly simple way in that the holding apparatus is designed in the meaning of a clamping apparatus, it being sufficient if this apparatus has an at least slight clamping force in relation to the material of the trouser-leg end. As a result, the technology implemented in the device forming the species is deviated from here and a device is now implemented which holds the trouser-leg end using clamping force, by which damage to the trouser-leg end is effectively avoided.

The clamping apparatus advantageously comprises a clamp, buckle, bow, clip, or the like which encompasses the trouser-leg end from below. It is essential that the clamping apparatus encompasses or engages below from below the edge area of the trouser-leg end and thus may at least slightly lift up the trouser-leg end with little force expenditure and/or secure it from contact with the ground.

In the context of an especially effective embodiment, the clamp, buckle, bow, or clip may be implemented similarly to an openable/closable suspender buckle or a suspender clip. It is also conceivable to implement the clamp, buckle, bow, or clip as a spring-elastic part, this part being able to be manufactured from plastic or metal. A U-shaped clip may thus be concretely implemented, whose legs come into mutual contact in the terminal area, preferably in a curved area, so that the material of the trouser leg is clamped between them.

In a further advantageous way, the clamping apparatus is equipped with a connection means, which is used for optional connection to a free end of the holding strap. The clamping apparatus may be removed from the holding strap and replaced by this measure. Because a front area of the clamping apparatus or the clamp, buckle, bow, or clip is externally visible by the encompassing the trouser-leg end, this area may be used for artistic purposes in an especially advantageous way. Reference will be made thereto later.

In any case, the clamping apparatus may be removed from the holding strap by employing the connection means, the connection means being able to be implemented as a buckle or the like. The buckle may in turn be implemented as openable, so that a closed loop of the holding strap may be fixed in the buckle or by the buckle. The buckle may also be used for inserting, receiving, or fixing the holding strap, the holding strap being wrapped around a corresponding leg of the buckle and the free end of the holding strap being fixable on the holding strap itself, for example, in turn using a buckle.

As already previously noted, a part of the clamping apparatus is externally visible, specifically the part of the clamping apparatus which encompasses the trouser-leg end. The clamping apparatus, in particular the clip, thus comprises an outwardly directed visible side having a corresponding face, which has or accommodates on its surface an image, a decor, a relief, etc., for example. The image, decor, relief, etc. may project beyond the face forming the visible side. In a further advantageous way, the image, decor, relief, etc. has a surface structure, or at least a surface roughness. This measure is used, inter alia, for increasing the grip of the clamping apparatus and/or the clip.

In addition, it is conceivable that the image, decor, relief, etc. of the visible side of the clamping apparatus is removable and/or replaceable. The image, decor, relief, etc. may thus be handled either as an isolated element or together with the clamping apparatus and/or the clip.

In a further advantageous way, the sling which is used for fixing on the leg of the wearer of the trousers is dimensioned in such a way that it may be placed around the leg above the ankle or above the calf. The holding strap is to be designed and/or set in accordance with the particular situation and in accordance with the sizes of the person wearing the trousers.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sling is openable and closable using a closure. The closure may be implemented as a needled felt connection (hook-and-loop closure). It is also advantageous if the width of the sling is adjustable via the closure itself or via additional setting means.

The sling may be manufactured from an elastic material, preferably from a strap. A textile elastic strap suggests itself, not least because of the skin compatibility and breathing activity.

The holding strap may be manufactured from the same material as the sling. It may be a simple textile rubber strap. To obtain wearing comfort, it suggests itself that the sling be designed sufficiently wide. A correspondingly wide design of the holding strap is not necessary.

One end of the holding strap is connected permanently in the simplest way to the sling, for example, sewn onto the material of the sling. The possibility also exists of connecting the holding strap to the sling using hook-and-loop connection, snap fastener, etc. For secure positioning it is advantageous if the holding strap extends approximately orthogonally away from the sling, namely from an area above the ankle or above the calf approximately in the direction of the heel, namely up to the trouser-leg end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There are now various possibilities for designing and refining the teaching of the present invention advantageously. For this purpose, reference is made on the one hand to the patent claims and on the other hand to the following explanation of an exemplary embodiment of the invention on the basis of the drawings. Generally preferred designs and refinements of the teaching are also explained in connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic detail view of the subject matter from FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic detail view, from the side, of the replaceable clip of the subject matter from FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic detail view of the subject matter from FIG. 3 from the other side,

FIG. 5 shows a schematic frontal view of the subject matter from FIGS. 3 and 4, and

FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the subject matter from FIGS. 3 through 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures jointly show an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for holding the trouser-leg end (not shown in the figures) of trousers being worn, in particular to prevent the trouser-leg end from touching the ground when being worn. The device comprises a sling 1 for fixing on the leg of the person wearing the trousers, a holding apparatus 2, which is connectable to the trouser-leg end and thus holds the trouser-leg end, and a holding strap 3, which acts between the sling 1 and the holding apparatus 2 and is adjustable in length.

According to the invention, the holding apparatus 2 is implemented as a clamping apparatus having at least slight clamping force in relation to the material of the trouser-leg end.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the holding apparatus 2 implemented as a clamping apparatus comprises a clip 4, which encompasses the trouser-leg end from below, whose legs press against one another at least slightly under tension force and thus exert a clamping action on the material of the trouser-leg end inserted therein.

The clip 4 is to be understood as a spring-elastic part and is manufactured from plastic or metal, for example.

A connection means 5, which is used for the optional connection to a free end of the holding strap 3, is assigned to the clip 4. The connection means 5 is implemented as a buckle, which the holding strap 3 is wrapped around in the meaning of a loop. The connection means 5 or the buckle in this regard is thus used for accommodating the holding strap 3.

It is of very special significance that the clamping apparatus 2, in particular the clip 4, has an outwardly directed visible side 6 having a corresponding face, which has or accommodates an image, decor, relief, etc. The image, decor, relief, etc. may project beyond the visible side of the clip 4. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, this measure has the advantage that because of the image, decor, relief, etc., a surface structure, or at least a surface roughness may be implemented, which is used to increase the grip of the clip 4 and thus to improve its handling.

In the selected exemplary embodiment in the figures, the image, decor, relief, etc. is permanently connected to the clip 4 or the visible side and/or is an integral component thereof. If the image, decor, relief, etc. is to be replaced, the clip 4 as a whole is to be replaced. Correspondingly, it is conceivable to offer the device having differently designed clips 4, which provides a very special advantage because of the replaceability.

Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows that the sling 1 is openable and/or closable using closure 7 and correspondingly settable in its width. The closure 7 is classically a needled felt connection.

As already noted, the holding strap 3 is permanently connected to the sling 1, namely sewn onto the sling 1 or riveted, glued, or otherwise fastened thereon. The holding strap 3 extends orthogonally downward from the sling 1 and comprises a buckle 8, which is used on one hand to produce a loop on the free end of the holding strap 3 and on the other hand for the length setting of the holding strap 3.

To avoid repetition, reference is made to the general part of the description in regard to further features which cannot be inferred from the figures.

Finally, it is to be noted that the exemplary embodiment described above is only used for the exemplary explanation of the claimed teaching, but this teaching is not restricted to the exemplary embodiment.

Claims

1. A device for holding the trouser-leg end of trousers being worn to prevent the trouser-leg end from touching the ground, said device comprising:

a sling for fixing on the leg of the person wearing the trousers;

a holding apparatus configured to be connected to the trouser-leg end; and

a holding strap, which acts between the sling and the holding apparatus and is adjustable in length,

wherein the holding apparatus is implemented as a clamping apparatus having at least slight clamping force in relation to the material of the trouser-leg end.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a clamp, buckle, bow, and clip, which encompasses the trouser-leg end from below.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the clamping apparatus is implemented similarly to an openable/closable suspender buckle or suspender clip.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the clamping apparatus is implemented as a spring-elastic part.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the clamping apparatus is manufactured from plastic or metal.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping apparatus is equipped with a connection means, which is used for the optional connection to a free end of the holding strap.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the connection means is implemented as a buckle.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the buckle is openable.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the buckle is used for inserting, accommodating, or fixing the holding strap.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping apparatus has an outwardly directed visible side having a corresponding face, which has or is suitable for accommodating at least one of an image, decor, or relief.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the image, decor, or relief projects beyond the face forming the visible side.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the image, decor, or relief has a surface structure or roughness to increase the grip of the clip.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein the image, decor, or relief is configured to be removable from the visible side of the clamping apparatus or replaceable.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sling is dimensioned in such a way that it may be wrapped around the leg above the ankle or above the calf.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the sling is openable or closable using a closure.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the closure is implemented as a needled felt connection.

17. The device according to claim 14, wherein the sling is adjustable in its width via the closure or via additional setting means.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sling is manufactured from an elastic material.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the sling is manufactured from a strap.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the holding strap is produced from the same material as the sling.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the holding strap is connected permanently to the sling.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein the holding strap extends approximately orthogonally out from the sling.