FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to carrying cases. More particularly, it relates to a carrying case for neckerchiefs.
BACKGROUND
A neckerchief sometimes called a nicker, kerchief or scarf, is a type of neckwear associated with those working or living outdoors, including farm laborers, cowboys, and sailors. A neckerchief consists of a triangular piece of cloth, or a rectangular piece folded into a triangle. The long edge is rolled towards the point, leaving a portion unrolled. The neckerchief is then fastened around the neck with the ends either tied or clasped with a slide or woggle.
Neckerchiefs worn by sailors are shaped like a square, and are folded in half diagonally before rolling, with rolling occurring from the tip of the resulting triangle to its hypotenuse. Either neckerchief is then placed on the wearer's back, under or over the shirt collar with the ends at the front of the wearer. The rolled ends then pass around the neck until they meet in front of it, where they are secured together, either with a knot, such as a reef knot or a slip knot, or with a rubber band or other fastener (called a woggle or neckerchief slide) and allowed to hang. A slip knot (vs. a simple reef or square knot) will give way if the neckerchief gets caught and is thus less likely to choke the wearer.
Baggage or luggage consists of bags, cases, and containers which hold a traveler's personal articles while the traveler is in transit. Luggage is constructed to protect the items during travel either with a hard shell or a durable soft material. Luggage often has internal subdivisions or sections to aid in securing items.
With all the luggage available there is no case specific for a neckerchief to keep the neckerchief protected and in a formed and knotted state while traveling.
Accordingly, and in light of the foregoing, it would be desirable to maintain a neckerchief from getting marred in a formed and knotted state while traveling or in deployment. It would also be desirable to be able to simply remove the neckerchief and be able to be worn while meeting all uniform inspection requirements immediately from the case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a neckerchief case 10, shown in an opened state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the neckerchief case 10, shown in a closed state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the neckerchief case 10, shown in an open state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the neckerchief case 10, shown in an open state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the neckerchief case 10, as seen along a line I-I, as shown in FIG. 3, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the neckerchief case 10, shown with a first embodiment of a swivel out hanger method 115, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,
FIG. 7 is a rear view of the neckerchief case 10, shown with a second embodiment of a fold out hanger method 140, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTIVE KEY
10 neckerchief case
15 main body
20 top lid
25 hinge
30 clasp pin
35 clasp clamp
40 mating surface
45 silk neckerchief
50 upper curved support
55 knot support
60 knot
65 medal and ribbon storage area
70 lower foam insert
75 upper foam insert
80 stowable hanger
85 rounded edge
90 rounded corner
95 chamfered corner
100 upper storage compartment
105 open position “o”
110 attachment/deployment means
115 swivel-out hanger method
120 retracted position
125 moving position
130 deployed position
135 swivel-out movement path “s”
140 fold-out hanger method
145 fold-out hanger path “f”
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 through 7. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.
1. Detailed Description of the Figures
Referring now to FIG. 1, a pictorial view of the neckerchief case 10, shown in an opened state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The neckerchief case (herein also described as the “case”) 10, provides a protective means for holding a decorative silk neckerchief 45, particularly those utilized as part of the Navy dress (a.k.a. a Crackerjack) uniform, in a formed and knotted state. The case 10 allows the silk neckerchief 45 to be simply removed and worn while meeting all uniform inspection requirements. When not being worn, the case 10 protects the silk neckerchief 45 from wrinkling, crumpling, stains, and other damage. In addition, the neckerchief case 10 will protect the fragile silk neckerchief 45 from getting marred (e.g. crushed, malformed, creased, etc.) during transit while travelling or on deployment.
The case 10 includes a top lid 20 and a main body 15 connected together by a hinge 25 and capable of being secured in a closed state via a clasp pin 30 and a clasp clamp 35. It is envisioned that all of the above-mentioned components of the case 10 would be made in a one-piece construction of injection molded ultraviolet resistant (UV resistant) plastic, approximately one-eighth of an inch (⅛ in.) thick, that is navy blue in color. However, other materials of construction, colors, connection methods and the like can be easily realized by those skilled in the art. As such, the use of any particular materials or methods of construction shall not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention.
The joining perimeter of the main body 15 and the top lid 20 provides for a mating surface 40, such as a catch lip, which enhances the structural rigidity of the case 10 (in either the open or closed state) as well as providing a sealed surface to keep dust, dirt, and other contaminants out of the case 10 when closed. The case 10 provides for the containment of a silk neckerchief 45, such as those worn by United States Navy enlisted personnel. The silk neckerchief 45 is supported by an upper curved support 50 and a knot support 55, both provided as an integral component of the main body 15. The knot 60 of the silk neckerchief 45 may rest upon the knot support 55 to prevent distortion and unwanted elongation of the silk neckerchief 45 during long periods of storage. Located immediately below and adjacent to the upper curved support 50 is a medal and ribbon storage area 65 for the storage and protection of associated medals and ribbons to be worn by the user of the silk neckerchief 45. The medal and ribbon storage area 65 is provided with a lower foam insert 70 as well as an upper foam insert 75 on the corresponding area of the top lid 20 when closed. Both the lower foam insert 70 and upper foam insert 75 provide protection for contained objects as well as to reduce the tendency to rattle and produce noise when moved. A stowable hanger 80 is provided at the top of the case 10 to allow hanging of the present invention in a vertical state. Further information on the movement and usage of the stowable hanger 80 will be provided herein below.
Referring next to FIG. 2, a pictorial view of the case 10, shown in a closed state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. This view provides clarification on the protective nature of the case 10 with the ability completely encase the silk neckerchief 45 (as shown in FIG. 1). The top lid 20 is adjoined to the main body 15 by the hinge 25 and the clasp clamp 35 and sealed by the mating surface 40, rounded edges 85 and rounded corners 90 allow for compact placement of the case 10 in locations with other clothing such as a locker, drawer, closet or the like. The stowable hanger 80 may be used to hang the case 10 in vertical position.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a top view of the case 10, shown in an open state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The case 10 comprising the main body 15 and the top lid 20 is envisioned to be approximately twenty-three inches (23 in.) in height and a width of seven inches (7 in.) when closed. The knot support 55 is approximately one square inch (1 in.2) with upper chamfered corners 95. The medal and ribbon storage area 65 is approximately two and half inches (2½ in.) wide and six inches (6 in.) tall. The upper curved support 50 is approximately three inches (3 in.) in height. The upper curved support 50 provides for an additional upper storage compartment 100 with its abutment with the medal and ribbon storage area 65.
Referring next to FIG. 4, a bottom view of the case 10, shown in an open state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The main body 15 and the top lid 20 can be placed in a one hundred eighty degree (180°) open position “o” 105. The upper curved support 50, the medal and ribbon storage area 65, and the upper storage compartment 100 all protrude above the mating surface 40 of the main body 15 and are thus located within the top lid 20 when the case 10 is within a closed state (as shown in FIG. 2). The clasp pin 30 and the clasp clamp 35 also remain visible in this view. The stowable hanger 80 is attached to the rear surface of the main body 15 via an attachment/deployment means 110 in both the first and second embodiment as will be described in greater detail herein below.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a sectional view of the case 10, as seen along a line I-I, as shown in FIG. 3, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The medal and ribbon storage area 65 is located within the main body 15, with the lower foam insert 70 at its lowermost point. The upper foam insert 75, within the top lid 20 will be located at the upper portion of the medal and ribbon storage area 65, thus allowing the lower foam insert 70 and the upper foam insert 75 to provide full protection for any enclosed items. The mating surface 40 is present on the main body 15 and the top lid 20 to provide near airtight sealing and structural rigidity in both the open state (as shown) and the closed state (as shown in FIG. 2).
Referring next to FIG. 6, a rear view of the case 10, shown with a first embodiment of a swivel-out hanger method 115, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The stowable hanger 80 is attached to the main body 15 via the attachment/deployment means 110 as aforementioned described. The attachment/deployment means 110 is envisioned to be made of metal chain, molded plastic, or flexible rubber. During utilization, the stowable hanger 80 moves from a retracted position 120, through a moving position 125 and to a deployed position 130 along a swivel-out movement path “s” 135. This feature allows for the retraction of the stowable hanger 80 during times it is not needed such as flat storage in a locker, drawer, suitcase, duffel bag, or sea bag. The deployed position 130 would be utilized when hanging the case 10 such as when in a closet from a clothes rod or when hanging from a hook in a locker. The hinge 25 as well as the clasp clamp 35 remain visible in this view.
Referring to FIG. 7, a rear view of the case 10, shown with a second embodiment of a fold-out hanger method 140, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The stowable hanger 80 is attached to the main body 15 via the attachment/deployment means 110 as aforementioned described. The attachment/deployment means 110 is envisioned to be made of metal chain, molded plastic, or flexible rubber. During utilization, the stowable hanger 80 moves from a retracted position 120, to a deployed position 130 along a fold-out hanger path “f” 145. This feature allows for the retraction of the stowable hanger 80 during times it is not needed such as flat storage in a locker, drawer, suitcase, duffel bag, or sea bag. The deployed position 130 would be utilized when hanging the case 10 such as when in a closet from a clothes rod or when hanging from a hook in a locker. The hinge 25 as well as the clasp clamp 35 remain visible in this view.
2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment
The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the case 10 would be constructed in general accordance with FIG. 1 through FIG. 7. The user would procure the case 10 from conventional procurement channels such as military equipment retailers, military base commissaries, mail order and internet supply houses and the like.
During utilization of the case 10, the following procedure would be utilized: the case 10 would be opened by manipulation of the clasp clamp 35 to disengage it from the clasp pin 30; the top lid 20 would be separated from the main body 15 along the mating surface 40 and opened at any point prior to or including a one hundred eighty degree (180°) open position “o” 105; the previously knotted and prepared silk neckerchief 45 would be inserted into the case 10 such that it engages the upper curved support 50 while the knot 60 of the silk neckerchief 45 rests upon the knot support 55; any medals and/or ribbons would be placed upon the lower foam insert 70 of the medal and ribbon storage area 65; and, any miscellaneous small items may be placed into the upper storage compartment 100. At this point in time, the top lid 20 may be closed and secure via the clasp pin 30 and the clasp clamp 35. Should the location of storage require hanging, the stowable hanger 80 would be positioned in a deployed position 130 using the swivel-out hanger method 115 along the swivel-out movement path “s” 135 or a fold-out hanger method 140 along a fold-out hanger path “f” 145. Should the location of storage not require hanging the stowable hanger 80 would be positioned in a retracted position 120 respectively. When needed, the neckerchief 45 along with any medal and ribbon storage area 65 would be removed from the case 10 where they would be clean, fresh, and unwrinkled and ready for use.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Patent Application
20240237795
