Garment having suspending strap

Abstract

Trousers (10) and other garments covering the lower body may be partially lowered to permit a person to sit on a toilet seat. Such trousers (10) or other garments can include a strap (34) having a first end (36) attached to an interior surface of the garment, such as within a crotch area (32) or elsewhere, and a second end (38) attachable to an attachment point (40) on the garment such that, when attached, the strap (34) passes over a wearer's leg (18). This configuration allows the garment to be suspended by the strap (34) passing over the leg (18) to prevent the garment from sinking to or contacting the floor.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTIONGARMENT HAVING SUSPENDING STRAPCROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is an international application claiming priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 19 / 056,710 filed February 18, 2025, and entitled “Garment Having Suspending Strap.'’TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of apparel. More specifically, the disclosure is directed to outer garments covering a wearer’s legs (such as trousers, overalls, shorts, and jumpers) having a strap for suspending the garment above the floor while in a partially lowered position.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Outer garments such as trousers, jumpers, shorts, and overalls are worn to cover some or all of a wearer’s legs and lower torso. Such a garment may be secured to the wearer by its mere snugness and tight fit, or by known means such as a belt, suspenders, clip, buttons, snaps, drawstring, elastic band, zippers, etc. However, in order for the wearer to urinate or defecate while sitting on a toilet seat, the wearer must partially lower the garment below the wearer’s hips, waist, and / or buttocks to permit such excretion without fouling the garment. In doing so, the garment must be lowered to a more precarious state where it may slip to, or may make contact with, the floor or ground in front of the toilet seat. This may be undesirable by the wearer, particularly if the floor or ground is wet, dirty, or otherwise unclean. Therefore, there is a need to suspend garments such as trousers, jumpers, shorts, and overalls above the floor while in a partially lowered state and the wearer is seated, as on a toilet.SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] In some respects, the disclosure is directed to trousers defined by a waistband, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the waistband and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, the trousers having an exterior surface and an interior surface and having a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area, and the second end is attachable to the exterior surface of the trousers. IN some embodiments the first end of the first strap is permanently attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area. In some embodiments the first end of the first strap is impermanently attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area. In some embodiments the trousers have an exterior attachment point located on the exterior surface of the trousers, wherein the second end of the first strap is attachable to the exterior attachment point. In some embodiments the exterior attachment point may be located on the waistband, the rise area, the first leg, or the second leg. In some embodiments the trousers may have a belt loop on the exterior surface of the trousers, wherein the second end of the first strap is attachable to the belt loop. In some embodiments the trousers may have an interior attachment point on the interior surface of the trousers, wherein the second end of the first strap is attachable to the interior attachment point. In some embodiments, the interior attachment point may be located on the waistband, the rise area, the first leg, or the second leg. In some embodiments the trousers may have a second strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second strap is attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area, and the second end of the second strap is attachable to the exterior surface of the trousers.

[0005] In other embodiments, the disclosure is directed to trousers defined by a waistband, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the waistband and the first and second legs, and acrotch area, the trousers having an exterior surface and an interior surface and having a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area, and the second end is attachable to the interior surface of the trousers. In some embodiments the second end is attachable to an attachment point located along the interior surface along an outside of a wearer. In some embodiments the second end is attachable to the interior surface of the trousers at the same location as the first end.

[0006] In other embodiments the disclosure is directed to trousers defined by a waistband, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the waistband and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, the trousers having an exterior surface and an interior surface and having a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area, and the second end is attachable to the strap between the first end and the second end.

[0007] In other embodiments the disclosure is directed to trousers defined by a waistband, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the waistband and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, the trousers having an exterior surface and an interior surface and having a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the trousers outside of the crotch area, and the second end is attachable to the exterior surface of the trousers.

[0008] In other embodiments the disclosure is directed to trousers defined by a waistband, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the waistband and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, the trousers having an extenor surface and an interior surface and having a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the intenor surface of the trousers outside of the crotch area, and the second end is attachable to the interior surface of the trousers. In some embodiments the second end is attachable to the interior surface within the crotch area.

[0009] In other embodiments the disclosure is directed to a garment having an upper end, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the upper end and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, the garment having an exterior surface and an interior surface and having a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the garment in the crotch area, and the second end is attachable to the exterior surface of the garment. In some embodiments the upper end of the garment is positioned above the waist of a wearer when worn by the wearer. In some embodiments may be a jumper, overalls, shorts, or trousers.

[0010] In some embodiments the disclosure is directed to trousers defined by a waistband, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the waistband and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, the trousers having an exterior surface and an interior surface and having a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area, and the second end is attachable to another article of clothing. In some embodiments the article of clothing may be a belt, suspenders, shirt, jacket, or coat.

[0011] In some embodiments the disclosure is directed to a method for a wearer to suspend a garment above the floor while the wearer is seated on a toilet, wherein the garment has an upper end, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the upper end and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, an exterior surface and an interior surface, and a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the garment in the crotch area, the method having the steps of, while wearing the garment, lowering the garment such that the upper end of the garment is below buttocks of the wearer; passing the second end of the strap over a thigh of the wearer; and attaching the second end of the strap to the exterior surface of the garment.

[0012] In some embodiments the disclosure is directed to a method for a wearer to suspend a garment above the floor while the wearer is seated on a toilet, wherein the garment has an upperend, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the upper end and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, an exterior surface and an interior surface, and a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the garment outside the crotch area, the method having the steps of while wearing the garment, lowering the garment such that the upper end of the garment is below buttocks of the wearer; passing the second end of the strap over a thigh of the wearer; and attaching the second end of the strap to the exterior surface of the garment.

[0013] In some embodiments the disclosure is directed to a method for a wearer to suspend a garment above the floor while the wearer is seated on a toilet, wherein the garment has an upper end, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the upper end and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, an exterior surface and an interior surface, and a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the garment outside the crotch area, the method having the steps of, while wearing the garment, lowering the garment such that the upper end of the garment is below buttocks of the wearer; passing the second end of the strap over a thigh of the wearer; and attaching the second end of the strap to the interior surface of the garment.

[0014] In some embodiments the disclosure is directed to a method for a wearer to suspend a garment above the floor while the wearer is seated on a toilet, wherein the garment has an upper end, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the upper end and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, an exterior surface and an interior surface, and a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the garment inside the crotch area, the method having the steps of, while wearing the garment, lowering the garment such that the upper end of the garment is below buttocks of the wearer; passing the second end of the strap over a thigh of the wearer; and attaching the second end of the strap to the interior surface of the garment.

[0015] Other aspects of the trousers and their methods of use will be apparent from the detailed description set forth below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The following figures depict various aspects of certain embodiments of the trousers.

[0017] Figure 1 depicts a pair of trousers according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Figure 2 depicts a pair of trousers having a suspending strap according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Figure 3 depicts a pair of trousers having a suspending strap according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] Figure 4 depicts a pair of trousers having a suspending strap according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Figure 5 depicts a pair of trousers having a suspending strap according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Figure 6 depicts a pair of trousers having a suspending strap according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Figure 7 depicts a pair of trousers having a suspending strap according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Figure 8 depicts a pair of trousers having a suspending strap according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Figure 9 depicts a pair of trousers having a suspending strap according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Figure 10 depicts a person wearing a pair of trousers having a suspending strap according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Figure 11 depicts a person wearing a pair of overalls having a suspending strap according to an embodiment of the invention.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more drawings of which are set forth herein. Each drawing is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

[0029] Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in, or are obvious from, the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] Unless specifically stated otherwise, any part of the trousers of the present disclosure may be made of any appropriate or suitable material including, but not limited to. metal, alloy, polymer, polymer mixture, composite, cloth, or any combination thereof.

[0031] Figure 1 depicts a pair of trousers 10 according to an embodiment of the invention disclosed herein. As used in this disclosure, "trousers" means any outer garment designed to be worn by a human wearer covering the body from the waist dow n to as far as the ankle. Such garments may be known variably as trousers, pants, pantaloons, shorts, swim suits, jeans, breeches, tights, or leggings. “Trousers’" is intended to cover all such variations of this form ofouter garment. With respect to the trousers 10, the term “outside’' is used herein to refer to the outer side of the wearer’s legs (either the left side or the right side), and the term “inside” refers to the area along the wearer’s inner legs or between the legs. The terms “exterior” or “exterior surface” refer to the exterior of the trousers 10, that is, the side of the trouser fabric seen when viewed by a person other than the wearer. The terms “interior” or “interior surface” refer to the interior of the trousers 10, that is, the trouser fabric adjacent to the wearer’s skin.

[0032] A pair of trousers 10 has several parts. A waistband 12 defines the top of the trousers 10 and a waist opening. The waistband 12 is designed to wrap around the wearer’s waist or hips. In some embodiments, the trousers 10 are made snug around the waist when tightened using such mechanisms as clips, buttons, zippers, lace, etc. In some embodiments, the waistband 12 may be wholly or partially formed by an elastic material, such that the waistband 12 is designed to tighten around the wearer’s waist or hips without the use of an accessory. In other embodiments, the waistband 12 may have one or more belt loops 14 located around the exterior surface of the waistband 12, such that a belt may be passed through the belt loops 14 and secured to tighten the waistband 12 around the wearer. In other embodiments, the waistband 12 may be held in place by other accessories such as braces (or suspenders) that maintain the waistband 12 in place about the wearer.

[0033] Below the waistband 12 is the rise area 16. The rise area 16 is the portion of the trousers 10 between the waistband 12 and the legs and which wraps around the lower end of the wearer’s trunk. The lower end of the wearer’s trunk includes all or a portion of the wearer’s hips, buttocks, and genital area, and the upper end of the wearer’s legs where they join the hips. In the rear, the rise area 16 may also be known as the seat or yoke. In some embodiments, the rise area 16 may be a separate fabric panel sewn into the waistband 12. In other embodiments, the rise area 16 may be integrally formed with the waistband 12. In other embodiments, the rise area 16 may incorporate the waistband 12. e.g., wherein the waistband 12 is an elastic materialsewn into the top end of the fabric forming the rise area 16. The rise area 16 itself may be a single continuous piece of fabric in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the rise area 16 may be formed of one or more panels wherein the ends of the panels are sewn together at seams. In some embodiments, the rise area 16 may have a fly in the front of the trousers 10. The fly permits a wearer to zip or unzip the trousers 10 to loosen the rise area 16 and permit the waistband 12 to pass more easily over the hips. In some embodiments, the rise area 16 may have one or more pockets on the front or back. The pockets may be sewn into the interior of the trousers 10 or may be formed by small panels sew n onto the exterior of the trousers 10.

[0034] Below the rise area 16 are the two trouser legs. These may be referred to as a first leg 18 and a second leg 18, or a left leg 18 and a right leg 18. In some embodiments the trouser legs may be formed integrally wdth the rise area 16. In other embodiments the trouser legs may be sewTi to the rise area 16. In some embodiments the trouser legs may be formed of a back fabric panel and a front fabric panel, with side seams 22 along the outside of the trousers 10 and an inseam 24 along the inside of the trousers 10. In other embodiments, the legs may be woven integrally without a seam. Other seams or designs are possible and known to those of skill in the art. The legs cover each of a wearer’s legs from at or below the hips or buttocks down to the end of the trousers 10. In some embodiments the bottom end of the trousers 10 ends at or above the knee, as in shorts. In other embodiments the bottom end of the trousers 10 ends along the lower leg 18. In other embodiments the bottom end of the trousers 10 ends at or near the ankle or heel. The end of each leg 18 is defined by a leg opening 20.

[0035] Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of trousers 10 having a waistband 12 with belt loops 14, a rise area 16, and two legs 18. In the embodiment depicted, the fabric is cut such that the left leg 18 and rise area 16 are integrally formed from two panels (a front left panel and a back left panel), and the right leg 18 and rise area 16 are integrally formed from two panels (a front right panel and a back right panel). The front left panel and the back left panel are joined onthe outside at the left side seam 22 and on the inside at the left inseam 24. The front right panel and the back right panel are joined on the outside at the right side seam 22 and on the inside at the right inseam 24. Underneath the wearer's crotch, all four fabric panels come together. The right front panel and the left front panel are joined at a front seam 26 passing along the front of the trousers 10 and partially defined by the fly and ends underneath the wearer’s crotch. The right back panel and the left back panel are joined at a rear seam 28 beginning at the waistband 12 along the middle of the wearer’s back and ending underneath the wearer’s crotch. The front seam 26, rear seam 28, and two inseams meet underneath the wearer’s crotch at an intersection point 30. With reference to the embodiment of the trousers 10 shown in Figure 1, the crotch area 32 may be defined as the area proximate to the intersection point 30 of the front seam 26, rear seam 28, and two inseams, it should be understood that while the trousers 10 of Figure 1 are formed of four panels with an intersection point 30 approximately directly below the wearer’s crotch, other embodiments of trousers 10 may have different cuts, panels, or seams, such that the “intersection point” of various seams may not be directly below the wearer’s crotch, or there is no intersection point. In such embodiments, for the purpose of defining the crotch area 32, the “intersection point” should be understood to be the point on the trousers 10 that is directly below- the wearer’s crotch.

[0036] The crotch area 32 of trousers 10 is the area of the trousers 10 proximate to the wearer’s crotch. The wearer’s crotch is defined as the area where the wearer's trunk and two legs meet. Similarly, the crotch area 32 of the trousers 10 is defined as the area where the rise area 16 and the two trouser legs 18 meet. This area is along and proximate to the along the inseam 24 where the two legs 18 meet.

[0037] What may be deemed “proximate” may depend on the size of the trousers 10. Trousers 10 may be sized according to the radius of the waist and the length of the inseam 24. Trousers 10 for an adult male of a height between 5 feet and 7 feet and weighing between 150 poundsand 350 pounds may have a waist between 28 inches and 50 inches and an inseam 24 between 26 inches and 40 inches. Trousers 10 having a 30 inch waist and 28 inch inseam may have a smaller area deemed the crotch area 32 than trousers 10 having a 50 inch waist and 38 inch inseam. The above sizes are exemplar}7and should not be understood to be limiting. For example, trousers 10 as described herein may be designed for wear by women or youths as well and they may therefore have different measurements at the waist or the inseam 24 that are outside of those ranges described above. Therefore, proximity to the intersection point 30 of the seams is defined as being relatively close to the intersection point 30, and more particularly, proximity to the intersection point 30 is defined herein as the distance within a proximity limit from the intersection point 30, where the proximity7limit is equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the waist measurement of the trousers 10. So, for example, smaller trousers 10 having a 28 inch waist would have a crotch area 32 defined to be the area of the pants within about 4.2 inches of the intersection point 30. As another example, larger trousers 10 having a 50 inch waist would have a crotch area 32 defined to be the area within 7.5 inches of the intersection point 30.

[0038] Figure 2 depicts a view of an embodiment of trousers 10 looking down from above the waist opening into the interior of the trousers 10. A strap 34 is secured to the interior of the trousers 10 in the crotch area 32. The strap 34 may be any band, strap, cord, ribbon, string or lead having a first end 36 and a second end 38. In certain embodiments, the strap 34 may have an elastic nature such that it can be stretched. The first end 36 is secured or attached to the interior surface of the trousers 10 in the crotch area 32. The manner of attaching the first end 36 of the strap 34 to the trousers 10 may be permanent (i.e., not designed to be removed by the wearer) or impermanent (i.e., the strap 34 may be detached by the wearer). Exemplary mechanisms for permanent attachment to the interior surface of the trousers 10 include sewing the first end 36 of the strap 34 into a seam or other point on the interior surface of the trousers10; or gluing or using some other form of adhesive to secure the first end 36 of the strap 34 to the interior surface; or other mechanisms known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary mechanisms for impermanent attachment to the interior surface include sewing a button into the interior surface of the trousers 10 and having a button hole on the first end 36 of the strap 34, such that the strap 34 may be secured to the button; the use of hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO® attached respectively to the first end 36 of the strap 34 and the interior surface of the trousers 10; the use of a loop sew n into the interior surface and a clip secured to the first end 36 of the strap 34; a clip on the first end 36 of the strap 34 designed to grasp or clasp onto the interior surface of the trousers 10; a zipper; snaps or buckles; or other mechanisms known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0039] The second end 38 of the strap 34 is securable or attachable to another point on the trousers 10, said point being referred to herein as the attachment point 40. The second end 38 of the strap 34 may be secured or attached to the attachment point 40 using an impermanent mechanism for attachment. In addition to the exemplary mechanisms for impermanent attachment such as those described above, the second end 38 of the strap 34 may have a loop or clip adapted to be secured to a belt loop 14 as the attachment point 40, if the trousers 10 have belt loops 14. In some embodiments such as the one depicted in Figure 2, the attachment point 40 is located on the exterior surface of the trousers 10. In other embodiments, such as the one depicted in Figure 3, the attachment point 40 is located on the interior surface of the trousers 10. As shown in Figure 3, the attachment point 40 may be located along a seam. Alternatively, the attachment point may be off the seam in another location of the rise area (either front or rear). In some embodiments, the attachment point 40 may have a mechanism adapted to be secured to the second end 38 of the strap 34, such as a snap, a buckle, a zipper, a loop, or a clasp. In other embodiments, there may be no specific mechanism on the attachment point 40. such that the wearer simply attaches the second end 38 of the strap 34 to a desiredlocation on the surface of the trousers 10, such as if the second end 38 of the strap 34 as a clasp capable of gripping the trouser fabric and holding the fabric until loosened by the wearer.

[0040] The strap 34 may be used by the wearer to suspend the trousers 10 above the floor while the wearer is sitting with the trousers 10 unsecured from the waist and partially drawn down the legs of the wearer. Such positioning of the trousers 10 occurs, for example, w hen the w earer is sitting on a toilet for relieving himself or herself by excretion (e.g., urination or defecation). In such cases, the trousers 10 may be drawn by gravity to slip down the wearer’s legs and make contact with or fall to the floor. This may be undesirable where the floor is wet, dirty7, or unclean, such as may be the case in public restrooms. Therefore, using a strap 34 such as described above, the wearer may pass or wrap the strap 34 over the wearer’s thigh, such that the first end 36 of the strap 34 (being attached to the interior surface of the trousers 10) lifts the crotch area 32 of the trousers 10 above the floor. The second end 38 of the strap 34 may then be secured by the w earer to the attachment point 40 on the trousers 10. By passing over the wearer’s thigh, the strap 34 suspends the trousers 10 above the floor, thereby preventing the trousers 10 from dropping to the floor. Therefore, the strap 34 preferably has a length and elasticity such that the wearer may comfortably pass the strap 34 over the wearer’s thigh and be attached at the second end 38 to the attachment point 40, but not so long that the trousers 10 drop to or touch the floor or ground while the strap 34 is secured at the second end 38 to the attachment point 40.

[0041] Other embodiments of the trousers 10 may include alternatives or variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Some of these alternatives and variations are further described below.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4. the second end 38 of the strap 34 may be attached to the interior surface of the trousers 10 when not in use. This advantageously prevents the strap 34 from hanging loosely within the trousers 10, which may cause irritationor discomfort by moving up and down the wearer’s leg while the wearer is moving about. Accordingly, the second end 38 of the strap 34 way be attached to an interior attachment point 40 when the trousers 10 are worn normally while the wearer is moving about. In some embodiments, the interior attachment point 40 may be located down one of the legs 18 of the trousers 10. In other embodiments, the interior attachment point 40 may be located in the interior of the rise area 16. In other embodiments, the interior attachment point 40 may be located on or near the interior of the waistband 12. Optionally, if the interior attachment point 40 may be located such that it can serve both the function of securing the strap 34 while the trousers 10 are being worn, and acting as the attachment point 40 for the second end 38 of the strap 34 while the trousers 10 are partially lowered such as while sitting on the toilet.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 5, a second strap 34 is secured within the crotch area 32 of the interior of the trousers 10, such that one strap 34 may pass over the wearer’s right leg and the second strap 34 may pass over the wearer’s left leg. This advantageously permits the wearer to lift both sides of the trousers 10 while seated in order to prevent one side of the trousers 10 from dipping too far down while the other side is secured.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 6, the second end 38 of the strap 34 may be attached at the same location as the first end 36. This may be used, for example, where a loop sewn into the interior of the trousers 10, and both the first end 36 and the second end 38 of the strap 34 has a hook or clip that can attach to the trousers 10. In such cases, the second end 38 of the strap 34 would be unsecured from the loop when the wearer initially lowers the trousers 10, the strap 34 is passed over and wrapped around the wearer’s thigh, and then the second end 38 is resecured to the same clip, which acts as the attachment point 40.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 7, the attachment of the strap 34 to the interior of the trousers 10 may be reversed, such that the first end 36 is permanently or impermanently attached to the interior of the trousers 10 on the outside of the rise area 16 orleg 18, and the second end 38 attaches to an attachment point 40 located in the crotch area 32. Thus, in such cases, when the pants are worn normally the strap 34 lays along the outside of the leg or hip of the wearer instead of the inside of the leg or hip. The wearer may advantageously find this position of the strap 34 more comfortable than having the strap 34 along the inside of the trouser leg 18 or crotch. When the wearer is seated and the trousers 10 are partially lowered, the wearer may pass the strap 34 over the thigh and attach the second end 38 of the strap 34 to the attachment point 40 located in the crotch area 32.

[0046] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 8, the first end 36 is permanently or impermanently attached to the interior of the trousers 10 on the outside of the rise area 16 or leg 18, and the second end 38 attaches to an attachment point 40 located outside the crotch area 32. For example, the second end 38 may be attached to the opposite side of the waist (e.g., at an attachment point 40 or on a belt loop 14), such that the single strap 34 crosses both of the wearer’s legs.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 9, the first end 36 is permanently or impermanently attached to the interior of the trousers 10 in the crotch area 32, and the second end 38 is impermanently attached to the body of the strap 34 itself after having been passed around the wearer’s leg.

[0048] Figure 10 shows a strap 34 used in connection with trousers 10. In other embodiments, a similar strap 34 may be used, for example, with jumpers, coveralls, overalls, shorts or other outer garments that extend above the wearer’s waist and hips, but which must be partially lowered below the wearer’s hips in order for the wearer to sit on a toilet. Figure 11 shows a strap 34 used in connection with a pair of overalls 42. In such garments, the upper end of the garment rises above the wearer’s hips and waist but is otherwise in all respects similar to the embodiments disclosed above with reference to trousers 10. Advantageously, the wearer may also secure the upper portion of the garment between the wearer’s thigh and the strap 34 whilethe strap 34 is passed over the wearer's thigh, such as by stuffing the upper portion of the garment between the thigh and the strap 34. This prevents the upper portion of the garment from sagging to the floor as well.

[0049] In other embodiments, the second end 38 of the strap 34 may be attached to another garment or article of clothing being worn by the wearer, such as a shirt, jacket, coat, belt, suspenders, or other apparel.

[0050] In other embodiments, the strap 34 may be long enough to loop around the wearer’s neck, rather than over or around the wearer’s leg, and then secure to an attachment point 40 such as described in any of the various embodiments above.

[0051] Trousers 10 and other garments such as those disclosed are beneficial at least because the strap 34 lifts the trousers 10 above the floor while partially lowered in a sitting position. This prevents the garment from making contact with or dropping to the floor or ground. Furthermore, by attaching at least one end of the strap 34 to the interior surface of the trousers 10, the strap 34 may be permanently attached to the trousers 10 to avoid the need to remember to move the strap 34 to other pairs of trousers 10. Furthermore, by attaching at least one end of the strap 34 to the interior surface of the trousers 10, the strap 34 may be hidden from view by others while the trousers 10 are worn normally. Other benefits of the disclosed embodiments (either collectively or individually) may also be provided.

[0052] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms. The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural references, and the meaning of “in” may include “in” and “on.” The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

[0053] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0054] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

[0055] It will be understood that the particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

[0056] All of the compositions and / or methods disclosed and claimed herein may be made and / or executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and / or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0057] The previous detailed description has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of a new and useful invention, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this disclosure except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. Trousers defined by a waistband, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the waistband and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, the trousers having an exterior surface and an interior surface and comprising:a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area, and the second end is attachable to the exterior surface of the trousers.

2. The trousers of claim 1, wherein the first end of the first strap is permanently attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area.

3. The trousers of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the first strap is impermanently attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area.

4. The trousers of claim 1 , further comprising an exterior attachment point located on the exterior surface of the trousers, wherein the second end of the first strap is attachable to the exterior attachment point.

5. The trousers of claim 4, wherein the exterior attachment point is located on the waistband.

6. The trousers of claim 4, wherein the exterior attachment point is located in the rise area.

7. The trousers of claim 4, wherein the exterior attachment point is located on the first leg or the second leg.

8. The trousers of claim 1, further comprising a belt loop on the exterior surface of the trousers, wherein the second end of the first strap is attachable to the belt loop.

9. The trousers of claim 1, further comprising an interior attachment point on the interior surface of the trousers, wherein the second end of the first strap is attachable to the interior attachment point.

10. The trousers of claim 9, wherein the interior attachment point is located on the waistband.

11. The trousers of claim 9, wherein the interior attachment point is located in the rise area.

12. The trousers of claim 9 wherein the interior attachment point is located on the first leg or the second leg.

13. The trousers of claim 1 further comprising a second strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second strap is attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area, and the second end of the second strap is attachable to the exterior surface of the trousers.

14. Trousers defined by a waistband, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the waistband and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, the trousers having an exterior surface and an interior surface and comprising:a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the trousers in the crotch area, and the second end is attachable to the interior surface of the trousers.

15. The trousers of claim 14, wherein the second end is attachable to an attachment point located along the interior surface along an outside of a wearer.

16. The trousers of claim 14, wherein the second end is attachable to the interior surface of the trousers at a same location as the first end.

17. A garment having an upper end, a first leg, a second leg, a rise area between the upper end and the first and second legs, and a crotch area, the garment having an exterior surface and an interior surface and comprising:a first strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the interior surface of the garment in the crotch area, and the second end is attachable to the exterior surface of the garment.

18. The garment of claim 17. wherein the upper end of the garment is positioned above the waist of a wearer when worn by the wearer.

19. The garment of claim 17. wherein the garment is one of a group consisting of a jumper.overalls, shorts, and trousers.

Images