NECKTIE

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to, in some preferred embodiments, a necktie that is distinguishable and decorative and that produces unique effects and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, neckties having various structures, functions and characteristics are provided to satisfy personal preferences, to make the neckties distinguishable, to follow traditions, to ensure consistency or the like. However, in general a necktie on the whole has a single color or pattern or is made from a single type of fabric, with the result that the necktie is not particularly distinguishable from other neckties. Therefore, for example, there can be a problem in that such a necktie may not be distinguishable, not attractive, or may fail to satisfy personal preferences.

To solve the foregoing problem, the present applicant developed an improved necktie described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-117106 (the JP '106 application). In the necktie of the JP '106 application, a colored portion of a knot portion has a structure that is different from colored portions of the wide and narrow blades of the necktie. Thus, the necktie of the JP '106 application provided improvements in, for example, distinguishability, attractiveness, and personal preference satisfaction, which were not previously fulfilled by existing neckties.

However, with the necktie described in the JP '106 application, only an initial object of using the colored portion of the knot portion is achieved. Therefore, the present inventor has determined that it is desirable to further improve the necktie. Another document in the related art is Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3132221 (the JP '221 registration) which describes a necktie related to such an improvement. In the necktie of the '221 JP registration, a colored portion of a wide blade has a color that is different from that of a colored portion extending from a knot portion to a narrow blade, and, therefore, the wide blade has a color that is different from that of the knot portion and the narrow blade. Thus, improvements in distinguishability, attractiveness, the ability to mach a person's taste, and the like can be achieved. However, as with the necktie described in the JP '106 application, the present inventor determined that it was still desirable to further improve upon such neckties.

The various embodiments of the present invention improve upon the above-noted and/or other related art and overcome the above-noted and/or other problems in the related art.

SUMMARY

The preferred embodiments overcome the above and/or other problems in the background art. In view of the foregoing, the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a necktie having structures as described herein-below.

According some embodiments of the present invention, a necktie is provided that includes, for example, a wide blade, a narrow blade, and a knot portion that connects the wide blade and the narrow blade to each other. A first colored portion of the knot portion has a structure different from a structure of a second colored portion of the wide blade or a structure of a third colored portion of the narrow blade. The first colored portion includes first colored extension portions at both ends thereof, the first colored extension portions respectively extending into the second colored portion and the third colored portion so as to form triangular shapes. A triangle vertex of one of the first colored extension portions on the narrow blade side is positioned on a center line of the narrow blade.

According to some preferred examples, a necktie according to some embodiments preferably includes the following characteristics [1] to [6].

[1] The design and distinguishability of the necktie are improved without changing the traditional characteristics and decoration as a necktie—that is, not by changing the wide blade but by improving portions that do not affect the value of the necktie. Moreover, the knot portion is highlighted and accentuated; in addition, tastefulness, uniqueness, safety, and the like can be provided.

[2] While ensuring new characteristics of the necktie, other functions, such as ease with which the necktie is worn, neatness, and smoothness (e.g., avoidance of unsuccessful tying of the necktie) can be ensured.

[3] Because a first colored portion is formed in a region corresponding to a knot, a user can easily visually identify a location of a reference point for wearing the necktie. Therefore, virtually anybody can easily and neatly wear the necktie so that the wide blade and/or the narrow blade will have a normal length.

[4] In circumstances in which the necktie does not have a pattern, a user can wear the necktie without worrying about a smear in the knot, which is a part of the necktie. Therefore, trouble due to such smearing in the vicinity of the knot can be avoided.

[5] Because the first colored portion is included in the knot portion, which becomes voluminous when the necktie is worn, the knot is provided with a voluminous appearance and a second accent and a second highlighted portion connected to the wide blade can be generated.

[6] Due to the characteristics described above, the necktie can be more frequently worn. Therefore, the preferred embodiments of the present invention can contribute to increases in demand and/or employment and to the development of industry.

In some preferred embodiments, the necktie can be tied regularly by positioning the triangle vertex of the first colored extension portion on the narrow blade side on the center line of the narrow blade.

In this case, the necktie preferably also has the following characteristic [7], in addition to the above-discussed characteristics [1] to [6].

[7] The triangle vertex of the first colored extension portion on the narrow blade side has a structure that is the most appropriate for achieving [1].

In some preferred embodiments, in the necktie, the first colored portion and the second colored portion can have different colors, different woven patterns, or combinations of different colors and different woven patterns, or the first colored portion and the second colored portions can be made from different types of fabric.

In this case, the necktie preferably also has the following characteristic [8], in addition to the above-discussed characteristics [1] to [6].

[8] The first colored portion and the second colored portion have structures that are the most appropriate for achieving [1].

In some preferred embodiments, in the necktie, the triangular shape of the one of the first colored extension portions extending into the third colored portion can be positioned in a vicinity of a bias sewn portion that connects a neck-surrounding portion and the narrow blade to each other.

In this case, the necktie has the following characteristic [9], in addition to the above-discussed characteristics [1] to [6].

[9] The first colored portion and the third colored portion A have structures that are most appropriate for achieving [1].

The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments can combine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed as limiting other embodiments or the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by a way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a necktie according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an initial step of a preferred method of tying the necktie according to some embodiments, in which a triangle vertex at the other end of a knot portion is placed on a center line of a second end portion of a narrow blade and the necktie is started to be tied around a neck;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a necktie in a step subsequent to that of FIG. 2, in which the knot portion is placed on the back surface of the narrow blade;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating a necktie in a step subsequent to that of FIG. 4, in which the knot portion is wound around the narrow blade from the back surface toward the front surface of the narrow blade and the wide blade is placed under a neck-surrounding portion;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a necktie in a step subsequent to that of FIG. 5 and prior to being worn around a neck, in which a part of the wide blade is inserted into the knot portion, which has been wound around the narrow blade;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a necktie in a step subsequent to that of FIG. 6 and after being worn around a neck, in which substantially the entirety of the wide blade is inserted into the knot portion, which has been wound around the narrow blade;

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view illustrating a state in which a person wearing a dress shirt has finished wearing a necktie according to some preferred embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view illustrating a state in which a person wearing a suit and a dress shirt has finished wearing the necktie according to some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, some preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, the illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and that such examples are not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a necktie 1 includes a wide blade 2, a narrow blade 3, and a knot portion 5 (that extends within the wide blade 2 as shown in FIG. 1 and that is used to create a neck-surrounding portion 500 as shown in FIG. 5) that connects the wide blade 2 and the narrow blade 3 to each other. Thus, in this example, the wide blade 2 includes the knot portion 5, and the wide blade 2 is connected to the narrow blade 3 through a bias sewn portion 6. In other words, the wide blade 2 and the narrow blade 3 are integrated with each other by using the bias sewn portion 6. When a user wears the necktie 1, the position of the knot portion 5 substantially corresponds to that of the user's neck, and the knot portion 5 creates the so-called neck-surrounding portion 500. In some preferred embodiments, the necktie 1 according to the present invention can have an ordinary structure in which the knot portion 5 is made from a piece of bias cloth, such as, e.g., illustrated in FIG. 1 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-144212.

In some embodiments, the necktie 1 is sewn together by using, for example, the method described below. In this regard, the wide blade 2 can be formed by sewing a piece of cloth (not shown) that has a substantially pen-nib like shape (e.g., having a tapered or chiseled end similar to the writing tip or nib of a fountain pen) and that includes a bias-cut portion.

In the preferred embodiments, the necktie 1 includes a first colored portion A that is formed in the knot portion 5 of the wide blade 2 and that extends from a region in the vicinity of the bias sewn portion 6 towards the distal first end 1a of the necktie 1 (i.e., extending in the X direction shown in FIG. 1) and to the neck-surrounding portion 500. In the preferred embodiments, the first colored portion A is different (e.g., having a different color) from a second colored portion B of the wide blade 2.

In the preferred embodiments, the first colored portion A of the knot portion 5 is formed so as to include a triangular first colored extension portion AA1 having a triangle vertex 5a at one end of the first colored portion A (i.e., extending towards the distal first end 1a of the necktie as shown in FIG. 1) and a triangular first colored extension portion AA2 having a triangle vertex 5b at the other end of the first colored portion A (i.e., extending towards a second end 1b of the necktie 1 as shown in FIG. 1). In this manner, the triangular first colored extension portion AA1 extends into the second colored portion B and the first colored extension portion AA2 extends into a third colored portion C as indicated by arrows AAA1 and AAA2 shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the areas of the second colored portion B and the area of the third colored portion C are, respectively, reduced by amounts corresponding to the areas of the triangular first colored extension portions AA1 and AA2. This structure, in which the triangular first colored extension portions AA1 and AA2, respectively, extend into the second colored portion B and the third colored portion C as indicated by the arrows AAA1 and AAA2, is a characteristic according to some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

In this document, the term “color(ed)” refers not only to a property related a color but also to a woven pattern, a texture, a weaving method, and a type of fabric woven from decorative yarn, lame yarn, or special yarn, and the like. For example, the terminology different color encompasses not only two different frequencies or wavelengths of light, but also different patterns or arrangements of multiple colors, as well as other visually differences due to woven patterns, textures, weaving methods, fabric types and/or the like.

In the preferred embodiments, the narrow blade 3 is sewn to the bias sewn portion 6 of the wide blade 2. Preferably, the narrow blade 3 is formed by sewing a piece of cloth that has a substantially pen-nib like shape, that includes an inversely-bias-cut portion, that has a width smaller that that of a piece of cloth for the wide blade 2, and that has a portion corresponding to the second end 1b of the necktie 1 (i.e., the tip end in the Y direction shown in FIG. 1). In some preferred implementations of the example shown in FIG. 1, the third colored portion C of the narrow blade 3 has the same color as the second colored portion B. In the preferred embodiments, the necktie 1 is formed by sewing the narrow blade 3 to the wide blade 2. In this example, the color of the first colored portion A differs from that of the second colored portion B and the third colored portion C. Alternatively (not shown), the color of the first colored portion A, the color of the second colored portion B, and the color of the third colored portion C can differ from one another. Further, alternatively, the color of the second colored portion B can differ from the color of the third colored portion C, irrespective of the color of the first colored portion A.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 9, an example of a preferred method of tying (e.g., for wearing) the necktie 1 according to the present invention will be described. In this preferred method, FIG. 2 illustrates an initial step of the method in which the necktie 1 is initially placed around a user's neck (not shown) and the triangle vertex 5b, which is at the other end of the knot portion 5, is placed on a center line Z. The center line Z, which is shown in FIG. 2 by a chain (dashed) line on a front surface 3a, extends from an inner end to a free end (i.e., the second end 1b) of the narrow blade 3. The longitudinal (also referred to herein as vertical) position of the narrow blade 3 along the center line z is determined with consideration of the user's way of tying the necktie 1, the length of the narrow blade 3, the size of the user's neck, the length of the necktie 1 (the wide and narrow blades 2 and 3) when the necktie 1 is worn, the pattern on the knot portion 5, and the like. The triangle vertex 5b can be located at any position on the center line Z of the narrow blade 3.

Positioning the other end (i.e., the triangle vertex 5b) of the knot portion 5 on the center line Z in this way serves to formalize the method of tying the necktie 1. Moreover, unsuccessful tying of the necktie 1 (e.g., imbalance between the lengths of the wide and narrow blades 2 and 3) can be avoided.

As described below, in this example, it is possible to observe the difference between the color of the first colored portion A of the knot portion 5 and the color of the second colored portion B of the wide blade 2 and the third colored portion C of the narrow blade 3. As described above, although it is not illustrated, the color of the second colored portion B of the wide blade 2 can be different from that of the third colored portion C of the narrow blade 3. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. 2, which is provided for ease of understanding.

Subsequently, in a further step as illustrated in FIG. 4, the knot portion 5 is placed on a back surface 3b of the narrow blade 3, and the wide blade 2 is extended outward (e.g., leftward in the example shown in FIG. 4). Next, in a further step as illustrated in FIG. 5, the wide blade 2, which has been extended outward, is returned toward the narrow blade 3, the knot portion 5 is wound around the narrow blade 3 from the back surface 3b toward the front surface 3a of the narrow blade 3, and the wide blade 2 is placed under the neck-surrounding portion 500.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6, which shows the necktie 1 in a step subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5, a part of the wide blade 2 is inserted into the knot portion 5, which has been wound around the narrow blade 3. In this regard, FIG. 6 shows the necktie 1 in a state prior to being worn around the neck so as to form a simple knot.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 7, which shows the necktie 1 in a step subsequent to that shown in FIG. 6, substantially the entirety of the wide blade 2 is inserted into and through the knot portion 5, which has been wound around the narrow blade 3. In this regard, FIG. 7 shows the necktie 1 in a state after being tied and worn around the neck. In this example, it is possible to observe the difference between the color of the first colored portion A of the knot portion 5 and the color of the second colored portion B of the wide blade 2 and the third colored portion C of the narrow blade 3. Moreover, as described above, as shown in FIG. 7 the knot portion 5 looks voluminous, a second accent and a second point connected to the wide blade 2 are provided (e.g., by virtue of the observable difference in the knot portion), and/or a strong accent is provided (e.g., by virtue of the observable difference in the knot portion). As a result, the commercial value and the design of the necktie 1 are improved (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

By modifying the method of tying the necktie 1, it is possible to place a triangular pattern of the triangle vertex 5a (or 5b) on a lower portion, a front portion, or an upper portion of the knot portion 5 (not shown).

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view illustrating a regular state in which the necktie 1 has been tied and is worn by a person wearing a dress shirt D according to some illustrative embodiments. FIG. 9 is a schematic front view illustrating a dressed-up state in which the necktie 1 is worn by a person wearing a suit E and a dress shirt D according to some illustrative embodiments. The necktie 1 can be loosened around the neck by moving the knot portion 5 toward the end of the wide blade 2. Subsequently, it is preferable that the necktie 1 be untied in a way opposite to the tying method described above.

With the pattern and the form of the knot portion 5 described above, a user can match the necktie 1 with any conditions, such as, e.g., the color, the pattern, the shape, and the way of wearing the suit E and the dress shirt D, as well as the occasion, the place, the time, and the atmosphere of wearing the necktie 1.

Broad Scope of the Invention:

The structures described above are those of preferred embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and a structure that is partially modified within the spirit and scope of the invention and a structure that can achieve the same characteristics and the advantages, and the like are included in the scope of present invention. While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to.” In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may be used as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure. The language present invention or invention should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment” can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosure, the following abbreviated terminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example.”

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Abstract

Description

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Priority Claims (1)