1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to clothing storage. The invention is more particularly directed to a device with a hanger for storing neckties and handkerchiefs in an organized manner particularly on a hanger rod in a closet or wardrobe cabinet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Neckties, handkerchiefs, pocket squares and other accessories including scarves and jewelry are common attire for professionals. Generally, a professional will have many neckties, handkerchiefs, pocket squares, and other accessories. It is important that the neckties remain unwrinkled for a sharp appearance. For formal occasions usually outside the workplace, different colored or styled handkerchiefs may be worn in a breast pocket. Pocket squares are often also worn in the breast pocket of formal attire as a fashion accessory. Thick scarves may be worn in the winter by men or women, or thin scarves of different colors may be by women for a stylish appearance, or to protect their “hairdos”. Men and women may also wear various types of jewelry. Some people kept neckties and other accessories in a dresser drawer, though this is not desirable, as the neckties may get wrinkled and may be hard to find. The same is true for other accessories such as handkerchiefs and jewelry. Due to this, there exists a need in the art for a device to properly store all these accessories in a neat, organized, and readily accessible manner.
Initially, the prior art focused primarily on necktie storage. Early attempts at necktie storage focused on devices for hanging a plurality of neckties on a device and the device being hung from a hanger from a horizontal rod in a closet from which other clothes are also hung. This design had the advantage of easily accessibility to the neckties which are suspended from the device. The neckties are kept wrinkle-free and all neckties are clearly visible for ease in selection of a desired necktie. The main drawback to this type of design of necktie closet storage devices is that there was no provision for storage of other accessories, such as handkerchiefs.
The prior art solution for accessory storage was in some cases the use of a device with a plurality of pouches for handling a plurality of different accessories. In one design, an accessory-holding device with a hanger and a plurality of pouches for holding different types of jewelry, the hanger capable of being hung from a closet hanger rod. While the device is effective for holding different types of jewelry and being capable of being hung from a hanger rod in a closet, the device has no provision for holding neckties. The prior art also teaches other devices with a plurality of pouches. In one instance, a device suspended from a hanger rod in a closet is disclosed. The device has a plurality of pouches intended to hold shoes. This device has the disadvantage of being required to be fastened to the closet wall, so it is not capable of sliding along the length of a closet hanger rod. This device also has no provision for storing ties. The prior art also teaches a device with a plurality of pouches for storing children's playthings. However, there is no provision for hanging this device in a closet, or storing neckties on this device.
The prior art also teaches devices capable of holding both neckties and accessories. In one design, a storage cabinet with horizontal rods with clips capable of holding neckties is disclosed. A drawer is also included in the storage cabinet capable of storing handkerchiefs, or other accessories. This system has the disadvantage of requiring space outside of a closet to locate the cabinet. Also a drawer which requires to be slid open is less convenient to locate accessory items than a pouch. In another design, a device consisting of a horizontal rod and a dust cover is attachable to a regular closet clothes hanger. Neckties are capable of being hung from the horizontal rod. Spacers on the horizontal rod keep the neckties on the horizontal rod separated. Accessories, such as handkerchiefs may be kept within the dust cover, though there does not appear to be clearly defined separate pouches for the handkerchiefs to be stored. This device is intended for traveling and has the disadvantage of allowing a limited number of neckties to be stored within it and lacks separate pouches for the storage of accessories.
From the above, it is apparent that a definite need in the art exists for a necktie and handkerchief holding device. The necktie and handkerchief holding device should be able to be hung from a closet or wardrobe cabinet hanger rod. The necktie and handkerchief holding device should be able to hold a plurality of neckties in a manner which prevents the neckties from being wrinkled and which allows a particular necktie to be easily located. The necktie and handkerchief holding device should have a plurality of pouches for storage and easy retrieval of accessories such as handkerchiefs or pocket squares.
One embodiment of the invention is a necktie and handkerchief holding device comprising:
a hanger capable of being hung on a rod,
an upper horizontal holding device connected to the hanger,
a plurality of vertically attached pockets located on a front side and a rear side of the necktie and handkerchief holding device supported by the upper horizontal holding device, the plurality of front side and rear side vertically attached pockets capable of holding handkerchiefs, or other accessories,
a plurality of lower horizontal holding devices located between each of the plurality of vertically attached pockets.
In another embodiment of the invention, the necktie and handkerchief holding device can be used in a wardrobe cabinet containing a hanging rod as well as being located on a closet hanger rod.
In a further embodiment of the invention, each of the vertically attached pouches of the necktie and handkerchief holding device vertically consists of two pouches horizontally adjacent to each other. The horizontally adjacent pouches offer more pouches to store more and different types of accessories. The horizontally adjacent pouches may be the same or different sizes. The pouches may be made of a durable fabric, or may be made of a clear plastic to facilitate easily locating accessory items within the pouches.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the necktie and handkerchief holding device preferably utilizes clip-type fasteners to secure neckties to the necktie and handkerchief holding device. The clip-type fasteners are located at each end of the upper and plurality of lower holding devices.
In still yet another embodiment of the invention, a cover which is capable of completely enclosing the necktie and handkerchief holding device, which may be useful for travel, may be utilized.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. 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. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
As illustrated on
In use of the of the first 100 and second 240 embodiments of the necktie and handkerchief holding device, first, one of the first 100 and second 240 embodiments of the necktie and handkerchief holding devices is selected for use. Once one of the first 100 and second 240 embodiments of the necktie and handkerchief holding devices is selected, neckties 220 may be attached to the spring clips 110 on one of the first 100 and second 240 embodiments of the necktie and handkerchief holding devices. Handkerchiefs 200, pocket squares, and other accessories may then be stored in the front and rear side pockets 106 and 107 respectively of the first embodiment 100 or 246 of the second 240 embodiment of the necktie and handkerchief holding devices. If the neckties 220 and handkerchiefs 200 are not intended to be used for a while, or if one of the first 100 and second 240 embodiments of the necktie and handkerchief holding devices is being utilized for travel, the necktie and handkerchief holding device cover assembly 150 may be utilized to enclose one of the first 100 and second 240 embodiments of the necktie and handkerchief holding devices to protect the neckties 220, handkerchiefs 200, and other accessories from dust, stains, etc.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/509,422, filed Jul. 19, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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