Patent Application
20060265841
The present invention relates to clothing.
A traditional tie pin prevents the tie of the wearer of the tie pin from slipping to awkward angles while allowing the tie a degree of mobility. In addition, the traditional tie pin embellishes the visual appeal of the tie. However, a traditional tie pin includes a pin that pierces through the tie leaving a hole each time that it is used, damaging the tie and adversely impacting its appearance. A traditional tie clip does not damage a tie; however, it suffers from the disadvantages of being bulky, rendering the tie completely immobile at the point of attachment of the tie clip, and being less attractive in the opinion of many tie wearers. It would therefore be desirable to provide a tie pin that did not damage a tie.
A clasp, including a first magnet, a second magnet, wherein the clasp is closed by coupling the first magnet and the second magnet and the clasp is opened by uncoupling the first magnet and the second magnet.
The following definitions are provided to aid in construing the claims of the present application:
Decorative Form: A housing having an ornamental shape, such as a geometric shape, comprising an oval, a square, a triangle, a square, a circle, a rectangle, or a diamond, a flower, a butterfly, a flag, or other shape.
Decorative Surface: A surface containing any decoration, including, but not limited to, a geometric shape, such as an oval, a square, a triangle, a square, a circle, a rectangle, or a diamond, a geometric design, a crest or coat of arms (such as a family or school crest or coat of arms), a company or brand insignia, logo, or trademark, or a design including school, club, military unit, or national colors, emblems, flags, or symbols.
False Cuff Link: A device that (1) covers a shirt cuff button and button hole when worn, (2) that appears to be a cuff link when worn, and (3) that functions as a cuff link for a non-French cuff shirt when worn.
T-Shaped End: A metal, plastic, or other component in the shape of a straight or curved “T”, anchor, or double-ended hook.
Tie Clasp: A device for holding a wearer's tie in place.
Referring to
In a first preferred embodiment, T-shaped end 112 is placed with the cross-piece of the “T” inside a wearer's shirt button hole with the end of the “T” protruding, together with chain 110, which is attached to T-shaped end 112. Piercing pin 106, attached to pin base 108, attached in turn to chain 110, is placed through tie rear end 124 and attached to inner magnet 104, such as by screwing piercing pin 106 into inner magnet 104, sliding piercing pin 106 into a groove in inner magnet 104, or by other means. Tie front end 122 is then placed in front of inner magnet 104 and finally outer magnet 102 is placed in front of tie front end 122 so as to couple outer magnet 102 with inner magnet 104.
Outer magnet 102 and inner magnet 104 when coupled together hold tie front end 122 in place without creating any unsightly holes in tie front end 122. Outer magnet 104, piercing pin 106, and pin base 108 together hold tie rear end 124; although a hole is created in tie rear end 124 by piercing pin 106, such hole is not visible when the tie is worn because tie rear end 124 is concealed behind tie front end 122. Pin base 108, chain 110, and T-shaped end 112 together form a connection to the wearer's shirt.
In other embodiments, other components can be substituted for T-shaped end 112. For example, a second pair of magnets can be used in lieu of T-shaped end 112. The second pair of magnets can be attached to the two sides of the wearer's shirt. Alternatively, a second pin can be substituted for T-shaped end 112.. This second pin can be attached to the wearer's shirt. Alternatively, a clip can be substituted for T-shaped end 112.. This clip can be attached to the wearer's shirt. In other embodiments, yet other components can be substituted for T-shaped end 112.
In other embodiments, pin base 108 can be omitted and chain 110 attached directly to piercing pin 106. In other embodiments additional components can be utilized.
Referring to
In a first preferred embodiment, T-shaped end 208 is placed with the cross-piece of the “T” inside a wearer's shirt button hole with the end of the “T” protruding, together with chain 206, which is attached to T-shaped end 208. Chain 206 is also attached to inner magnet 204. First tie rear end 124 and then tie front end 122 are placed in front of inner magnet 204 and finally outer magnet 202 is placed in front of tie front end 122 so as to couple outer magnet 202 with inner magnet 204.
Outer magnet 202 and inner magnet 204 when coupled together hold both tie front end 122 and tie rear end 124 in place without creating any unsightly holes in tie 120. Chain 206 and T-shaped end 208 together form a connection to the wearer's shirt. Although this second preferred embodiment requires a somewhat stronger pair of inner and outer magnets in order to hold a wearer's tie as securely as the first embodiment, it offers the advantages of (1) not creating any holes whatsoever in a wearer's tie, (2) being simpler for a wearer to use (having fewer pieces or steps—there is no risk that a neophyte wearer will mistakenly pierce the front of his tie), (3) requiring less time to use when dressing in the morning, and (4) having fewer and simpler parts to manufacture, thereby reducing its cost.
In other embodiments, other components can be substituted for T-shaped end 208. For example, a second pair of magnets can be used in lieu of T-shaped end 208. The second pair of magnets can be attached to the two sides of the wearer's shirt. Alternatively, a pin can be substituted for T-shaped end 208.. This pin can be attached to the wearer's shirt. Alternatively, a clip can be substituted for T-shaped end 208.. This clip can be attached to the wearer's shirt. In other embodiments, yet other components can be substituted for T-shaped end 208. In other embodiments additional components can be utilized.
Referring to
Inner magnet 302 and outer magnet 304 are coupled together on either side of blouse 310 so as to hold pin 300 in place. Thus, no unsightly holes are made in blouse 310.
Referring to
False cuff link 400 is utilized by unbuttoning button 412 and aligning cuff end 416A with cuff end 416B as if shirt cuff 410 were a French cuff. First magnet 402 is placed over button 412 and second magnet 404 is placed under button hole 414 so that any housings surrounding first magnet 402 and second magnet 404 face outward and first magnet 402 and second magnet 404 are coupled and hold cuff end 416A and cuff end 416B securely between them. Ordinarily a false cuff link would be worn by a user on each of the user's right and left cuffs. Thus, two sets of first and second magnets would be necessary. This embodiment provides the advantage of allowing a wearer to utilize the same shirt both with and without cuff links. This can be desirable for those who are uncertain as to whether they desire to spend considerable sums of money to acquire French cuffs shirts that they may not wear regularly. It can also be desirable for individuals who desire to project the appearance of having a large wardrobe on limited finds by wearing the same shirts sometimes as French cuffs and sometimes not.
Chain 610 provides the benefit that if outer magnet 102 becomes dislodged while tie pin 600 is being worn, outer magnet 102 remains attached to chain 610 and is not lost. Chain 610 also provides a different aesthetic appearance to the present invention that can be more appealing to some users.
In the embodiments illustrated in
For example, referring to
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.
The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1) to U.S. provisional application 60/684,371, filed May 26, 2005, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60684371 | May 2005 | US |
