Patent Grant
6857167
The invention is in the field of apparel devices and specifically in the field of neck tie restraining devices for engaging a necktie using the necktie label and two shirt buttons positioned above and below the necktie label.
“Four-in-hand” neckties enhance the business appearance of an individual, and may be quite expensive. A “four-in-hand necktie” is placed around the wearer's neck and then tied in one of a variety of knots, resulting in a wide front panel and a narrow back panel hanging down the front of the wearer's shirt. When wearing a loose hanging necktie around mechanical devices, such as motor vehicle engine compartments and copying machines, a risk arises of the loose hanging necktie getting caught in the mechanical device. Additionally, a wearer must exercise care when eating so that a loose hanging necktie does not become soiled by accidental contact with food and/or drink. Another concern of a person wearing a necktie is the look of disarray and the non-businesslike presentation caused by an unrestrained necktie being blown about on a windy day.
An array of necktie control devices have been tried over the years, to include tie tacks, tie bars, tie clips, and plastic, covert tie restraints. These prior art devices have proven unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons. Some have resulted in holes in the necktie, or other damage to the necktie fabric. Some do not permit sufficient movement or play in the panels of the necktie. Some are constructed of multiple small pieces that are easily lost. Finally, some prior art devices do not present an appropriate appearance when used in conjunction with the necktie.
Therefore, several needs exist for a necktie control device that would be an improvement over the prior art. One need is for a necktie control device that would be covered by the panels of the necktie. Another need is for a necktie control device that would affix to two shirt buttons, in such a way as to not damage the necktie, the shirt buttons and their thread, or the front of the shirt. More specifically, a need exists for a necktie control device that would affix to the shirt buttons above and below the necktie label on the back of the front necktie panel. An additional need is for a necktie control device that would allow for sufficient movement of the necktie so as not to affect its normal appearance, yet restrain the movement of the necktie sufficiently to prevent the necktie from getting soiled, damaged, or caught in equipment or machinery. A further, need exists for a necktie control device with sufficient restraint to prevent the necktie from being blown about the wearer on a windy day. A need exists for a necktie control device that can be constructed of material that will permit utility of the device for a reasonable period of time. Finally, it would be desirable for a necktie control device to be adapted for placement of a variety of designs or artwork on the face or faces so as to make it more attractive, fashionable, and contemporary.
United States patents that have been issued in this area fall into three categories. The first category is for devices that require an attachment to the necktie itself. U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,710 discloses a bar for engagement to a shirt button hole attached by a flexible member to a first attachment device. A second attachment device is affixed to the necktie by an adhesive. The first and second attachment devices are adapted for removable engagement with each other. U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,523 discloses a retaining portion affixed to the necktie and a button retaining portion having a button hole for affixing to a button on a wearer's shirt. When the retaining portion and the button retaining portion are placed in contact they are removably engaged to each other. U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,546 discloses a longitudinal member attached to a necktie and a sliding transverse member with a buttonhole for attachment to a shirt. U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,547 discloses a base member affixed to the necktie and a button attachment member having a plurality of holes for receiving a shirt button. The button attachment member is sliding engaged to the base member. U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,538 discloses a first clip for attachment to the tail of a necktie and a second clip for attachment to the overlapping edge of a shirt front. The first clip and the second clip each have a joining surface for removable engagement with each other. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,053 discloses a tie restraint apparatus comprising a vertical member constructed from the same material as the necktie and bonded to the necktie using a “fusion cloth.” A adjustable horizontal member is attached to the vertical member and has a plurality of holes for attaching the horizontal member to a button on a wearer's shirt. The adjustable horizontal member slides up and down the vertical member. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,926,923 and 5,926,923 disclose a retaining clip adapted for attachment to a shirt button and a fastener affixed to the tie. The fastener has an eyelet for removable engagement with a vertical prong on the retaining clip.
The second category is for devices that may damage the necktie. U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,284 discloses a bar connected by a chain to a retaining device. The retaining device has pointed tips for penetrating the rear fold members of the necktie. U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,730 discloses a holding device connected to a cross bar by a chain or other flexible device. The crossbar inserts into buttonhole of the wearer's shirt and the holding device is formed to provide a clamp for engagement with the rear fold of the wide panel of a necktie.
The third category is for devices that neither attach to the necktie nor are constructed in a way that may damage the necktie. U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,457 (the '457 patent) discloses a one piece device for passing through the loop formed by the necktie label. The device has an attachment member at each end with a slot to receive and retain the threads which hold a button on the shirt. U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,438 (the '438 patent) discloses a one piece device comprising a longitudinal strip of flexible material with a button hole on one end and a circular hole on the other. The device is adapted to form a loop around the necktie label and affix to a button on the wearer's shirt.
The third category discussed above solves a number of the needs identified; however, the '457 patent does not address the problem of using the device when the necktie label is positioned over a shirt button. Moreover, neither the '457 patent nor the '438 patent provide a flat surface for affixing artwork. Such a surface would be desirable in order to improve the overall appearance and utility of a necktie restraining device.
In order to find a device that would meet all of the needs identified above, a variety of pre-existing components were considered such as metallic button covers, plastic one-piece button covers and a variety of plastic or metal chains of varying design and thickness. In considering adaptation of pre-existing components, ease of operation, durability and adaptation for presentation of artwork or design were considered. In regard to placement of artwork or designs on the necktie restraining device U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,551 discloses snap on ornamental assemblies comprising a cap that can snap on to a base member.
The necktie control device that meets the needs identified above comprises two hinged button covers attached to a length of chain. The chain length is between approximately three and one-half inches and approximately four inches. The chain affixes to the two button covers using two snap rings. To use the invention, the wearer puts on a necktie in the usual manner. The upper button cover is placed on the shirt button located above the necktie label on back of the front necktie panel. The lower button cover and chain are dropped through the opening between the necktie label and the front necktie panel. The lower button cover is then placed on the first shirt button below the necktie label.
Each connecting ring 16 of chain 18 is connected to one of the hinges 14 so that chain 18 extends between and flexibly joins first cover 10 to second cover 12. In the preferred embodiment, the length of chain 18 is in the range of approximately three and one half to four inches which provides for sufficient movement of necktie panels 20 (See
Back 24 has slot 26 that allows placement of back 24 around a shirt button. Slot 26 is adapted to permit back 24 to be placed under a shirt button and around the thread that holds the button to the shirt. Slot 26 begins at the outer circumference of back 24 and narrows as it approaches the center of back 24. Circular opening 25 is centrally located in back 24 and slot 26 joins circular opening 25 so that the thread or threads that hold the button to the shirt can be guided into circular opening 25. The thread or threads that hold the button to the shirt may compress slightly as they pass along the narrowing slot 26 and then expand when they enter circular opening 25. Back 24 has a pair of identical and diametrically opposed posts 30 fixedly engaged to back 24.
Front 22 has aperture 23 for receiving hinge 14 of back 24. When hinge 14 is formed front 22 and back 24 are joined. Hinge 14 is formed as follows. An extrusion of back 24 is placed through aperture 23 on front 22, and then bent to create hinge 14. More particularly, hinge 14 is formed from a single flat piece of metal from which back 24 is cut. Hinge 14 initially extends outward from back 24 as a longitudinal flat bar. The longitudinal flat bar is inserted into aperture 23 of front 22 and is then bent upward and over in a circular manner to form a circular opening engaging aperture 23 and forming hinge 14.
Posts 30 are also formed from the single flat piece of metal from which back 24 is cut. Post 30 are initial short flat bars with rounded ends extending outwardly from diametrically opposed edges of back 24. The short flat bars are bent upward at an approximate ninety degree angle to back 24 to form posts 30. Front 22 can be closed over back 24 and held closed by pressure from posts 30. When front 22 is closed over the button, snapping onto back 24, front 22 presents a flat, circular front upon which artwork such as designs or logos may be printed or screened. In addition, rim 21 of front 22 surrounds the button in a full 360 degree circle. Because rim 21 surrounds the button in a full 360 degree circle, first cover 10 and second cover 12 cannot come loose from the buttons they enclose unless front 22 is disengaged from back 24 and opened substantially. The ability of first cover 10 and second cover 12 to enclose the shirt buttons to which they are affixed is an improvement over the one piece device disclosed in the '457 patent for at least three reasons. First, the enclosure provides for a more durable attachment when used repeatedly. Second, the enclosure cannot come loose from the button during movement by the wearer so long as front 22 and back 24 remain engaged by posts 30. Third, the enclosure provides a flat, circular front upon which artwork such as designs or logos may be printed or screened which is a utility possessed by none of the prior art patents including the '457 patent. The ability to display artwork on the flat, circular front makes necktie restraining device 100 adaptable for gifts and advertising.
Ring 16 is opened, placed through the end link of chain 18, and around hinge 14 of back 24, and then closed to secure chain 18 to first button cover 10 and second button cover 12. Use of ring 16 is critical in that it allows both attachment to chain 18 and also permits hinge 14 to open completely.
Chain 18 is affixed to first button cover 10 by ring 16. One ring 16 is affixed to each end of chain 18. Each ring 16 affixed to an end of chain 18 is also affixed to hinge 14 of back 24 of first cover 10 or second cover 12. In order to affix ring 16 to chain 18, ring 16 is opened slightly and placed through the last loop on the end of chain 18. Ring 16 is then placed around the small neck on back 24 near where it is hinged to the front 22. Ring 16 is then closed, securing the chain 18 to first button cover 10. At the opposite end of the chain 18, another ring 16 is affixed to second button cover 12 in the same manner. An alternative method of attaching chain 18 to first button cover 10 and second button cover 12 is by spot-welding.
The wearer is afforded a necktie control device that does not damage the necktie fabric, provides sufficient mobility of the necktie panels, and controls the necktie under a wide variety of indoor and outdoor conditions. It also presents a new and refreshing fashion look. Additionally, the surfaces of the button covers allow the use of a limitless amount of logo or artwork presentation to further enhance its appearance.
With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The novel spirit of the present invention is still embodied by reordering or deleting some of the steps contained in this disclosure. The spirit of the invention is not meant to be limited in any way except by proper construction of the following claims.
This application claims priority from Provisional Application No. 60/395,284, filed Jul. 12, 2002.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 60395284 | Jul 2002 | US |
