NECKWEAR FASTENING APPARATUS

Abstract

An improved necktie apparatus that provides one or more benefits and advantages not previously offered by the prior art, including, but not limited to, the ability to quickly and easily fasten a tie with a well-formed knot, the ability to easily accomplish the look of various styles of knots, and the ability to provide for a decorative knot ornamentation separate from the necktie itself.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of neckwear, and, more particularly, to an improved apparatus for the fastening of neckwear that incorporates a simulated knot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Neckwear has been worn since ancient times for function, status, or style. Modern neckties have not evolved much since their introduction and still rely on the wearer's ability to properly tie a complicated knot.

Previous attempts to address the difficulty, and hassle, of tying a necktie have been developed in the current state of the art. Many of these have recognized the problem of properly forming a knot and incorporate a fixed, or simulated, knot that is “built-in” to the necktie. Others have attempted to address the issue by incorporating “knotting guides” of one form or another, usually through the use of a rigid structure underneath the tie itself. Still others have attempted to solve the issue through the employ of various complicated mechanisms.

Information relevant to attempts to address the problems found in the current state of the art, as described above, can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,267,439, 6,920,642, 5,883,461, 5,584,075, 6,467,094, 3,999,222, D236859, and foreign patent document WO9614766.

It would, therefore, be desirable to have the ability to quickly and easily fasten a tie with a well-formed knot, the ability to easily accomplish the look of various styles of knots, and the ability to provide for decorative knot ornamentation separate from the necktie itself. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the industry for an improved apparatus for fastening neckwear with an integrated simulated knot.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

In this specification where a document, act, or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act, or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved necktie apparatus that provides one or more benefits and advantages not previously offered by the prior art, including, but not limited to, the ability to quickly and easily fasten a tie with a well-formed knot, the ability to easily accomplish the look of various styles of knots, and the ability to provide for a decorative knot ornamentation separate from the necktie itself.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a simulated knot wherein a necktie may be threaded through a first guide aperture and looped back into the apparatus through a second guide aperture whereby the distal ends of the necktie are then held in place by fastening two opposing wings of the apparatus, capturing the necktie and forming a simulated knot.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a simulated knot wherein a necktie portion is combined with a simulated knot portion, thereby forming a kit wherein said necktie portion is configured so as to be of an appropriate length when used in conjunction with the simulated knot portion.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises various simulated knot portions, thereby allowing for the user to choose different knot styles depending upon the pattern and fastening scheme of the simulated knot portion.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a necktie wherein said necktie is comprised of a length of material that is wider than it is thick, where said length of material further comprises one or more buttonholes.

In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a method of using an embodiment of the apparatus described herein, the method steps comprise: selecting a simulated knot style; selecting a necktie; passing the narrow, or back, end of the necktie through a first guide portion; looping the threaded portion of the necktie back into the apparatus through a second guide portion; adjusting the length of the front portion of the necktie as desired; and fastening the simulated knot portion around the necktie, whereby the apparatus fastens the necktie in place and simulates a well-formed knot. Other embodiments of the present method may include fastening of the narrow portion of the necktie to one or more shirt buttons by inserting one or more shirt buttons through one or more necktie buttonholes.

The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows two states, open FIG. 1A and fastened FIG. 1B, of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows multiple views of the simulated knot apparatus combined with a necktie in various states in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 2A shows the front of the simulated knot apparatus in the open state with a necktie, FIG. 2B shows the back of the simulated knot apparatus in the closed state with a necktie, and FIG. 2C shows the front of the simulated knot apparatus in the closed state with a necktie.

FIG. 3 shows multiple views depicting the method steps for using the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 3A shows a necktie and the apparatus in the open state; FIG. 3B shows a necktie inserted through a portion of the apparatus; FIG. 3C shows a necktie about to be inserted into a second portion of the apparatus; FIG. 3D shows a necktie inserted through the second portion of the apparatus; FIG. 3E shows the necktie inserted through the apparatus at a desired length; FIG. 3F shows the back of the apparatus in the closed state, with the necktie inserted; and FIG. 3G shows the front of the apparatus in the closed state, with the necktie inserted.

FIG. 4 illustrates various options for the shape of the center panel portion of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates two states, open and closed, of the right and left fastening portions of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows various views of the apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates various features of the necktie portion of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows various views depicting the method steps for using the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where: FIG. 8a shows the fastening of a portion of the necktie to a shirt button using a mated button hole on the necktie which is above the keeper loop; FIG. 8b shows the passing of the back portion of the necktie through the keeper loop on the back face of the front portion of the necktie; and FIG. 8c and FIG. 8d show the fastening of a portion of the necktie to a shirt button using a mated button hole on the necktie which is below the keeper loop.

FIG. 9 shows a version of the component parts of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a simulated knot apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a necktie apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Summary above, in the Detailed Description of the Drawings below, and in the accompanying claims and drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm, and whose upper limit is 100 mm.

While the specification of any non-provisional patent application claiming priority to this provisional patent application will conclude with claims defining the features of embodiments of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention is in the form of an apparatus 100 for simulating the knot of a necktie, the apparatus comprising: a center panel 110 with a front face and a back face, and bounded by a top edge, a bottom edge, and at least a right edge and left edge; a left guide 120 with an inner surface and an outer surface, attached to the top edge of the center panel and adjacent to the left edge of the center panel, formed so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a first rim and a distal second rim connected by the inner and outer surface, wherein the first rim opens to the back face of the center panel; a right guide 130 with an inner surface and an outer surface, attached to the top edge of the center panel and adjacent to the right edge of the center panel, formed so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a first rim and a distal second rim connected by the inner and outer surface, wherein the first rim opens to the back face of the center panel; a left fastening panel 140 with a front face and a back face attached to the left edge of the center panel adjacent to the bottom edge of the center panel; and a right fastening panel 150 with a front face and a back face attached to the right edge of the center panel adjacent to the bottom edge of the center panel, wherein the right fastening panel and the left fastening panel each have a mating fastener means 160 half.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the mating fastener means 160 may be selected from the group including, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, magnets, or buttons.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the left guide 120 and right guide 130 may further comprise embedded stiffening means such as cardboard, flexible plastic, or the like.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, either the left guide 120, the right guide 130, or both the left and right guides 120 and 130 may further comprise a clamp means by which the necktie 200 may be held in place to keep the front of the necktie 200 at a desired length. Said clamp means may be selected from the group including, but not limited to, magnets, snaps, hinged members, or other clamping mechanisms.

Another embodiment of the present invention may comprise an apparatus wherein said apparatus comprises a center panel with a front face and a back face, and bounded by a top edge, a bottom edge, and at least a right edge and left edge; a left guide opening with an inner surface and an outer surface, said left guide coincident with the top edge of the center panel and adjacent to the left edge of the center panel, formed so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a first rim and a distal second rim connected by the inner and outer surface, wherein the first rim opens to the back face of the center panel; a right guide opening with an inner surface and an outer surface, said right guide opening coincident to the top edge of the center panel and adjacent to the right edge of the center panel, formed so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a first rim and a distal second rim connected by the inner and outer surface, wherein the first rim opens to the back face of the center panel; a left fastening panel with a front face and a back face attached to the left edge of the center panel adjacent to the bottom edge of the center panel; and a right fastening panel with a front face and a back face attached to the right edge of the center panel adjacent to the bottom edge of the center panel, wherein the right fastening panel and the left fastening panel each have a mating fastener means half. In this embodiment, it is contemplated that the left and right guide openings do not protrude substantially from the center panel as a different embodiment than apparatus 100, shown in FIG. 1, where said apparatus 100 has a left guide 120 and a right guide 130 which do extend as protrusions from the center panel 110.

Embodiments of the present invention may further comprise a padding means coincident with the center panel 110 back face, said padding means may be selected from the group including, but not limited to, open cell foam, closed cell foam, batting, or other compressible material.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may comprise a kit as illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein said kit comprises a simulated knot apparatus 100 and a necktie 200. The necktie 200 portion of the apparatus may be any conventional necktie or, alternatively, may be a specially configured necktie wherein said specially configured necktie is comprised of a first end, a body with a front face and a back face, and a second end, said first end of a first width and said second end of a second width where the body of the necktie extends from the first end width to the second end width. The said second end may further comprise an insert configured so as to provide a length of rigidity from the second end portion. The body of the necktie from the second end to the midpoint of the length of the necktie may further comprise one or more buttonholes. FIG. 2A shows the front of the simulated knot apparatus 100 in the open state with a necktie 200. FIG. 2B shows the back of the simulated knot apparatus 100 in the closed state with a necktie 200; and FIG. 2C shows the front of the simulated knot apparatus 100 in the closed state with a necktie 200.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention may comprise a kit containing a plurality of simulated knot apparatuses, each configured to simulate a different knot style.

Referring to FIG. 3, in an further embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a method of using an embodiment of the apparatus described herein, the method steps comprise: selecting a simulated knot style; selecting a necktie; passing FIG. 3A the narrow, or back, end of the necktie through a first guide portion FIG. 3B; looping FIG. 3C the threaded portion of the necktie back into the apparatus through a second guide portion FIG. 3D; adjusting FIG. 3E the length of the front portion of the necktie as desired; and fastening FIG. 3F the simulated knot portion around the necktie, whereby the apparatus fastens the necktie in place and simulates a well-formed knot FIG. 3G.

Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the present invention is in the form of a necktie apparatus comprising a length of fabric, leather, or other textile with a front face, a back face, a first end, and a second end. The apparatus further comprises a keeper loop mated to the back face at a location between the first end and the midpoint, and one or more buttonholes extending through the front and back face along the length of the apparatus between the midpoint and the second end.

Referring to FIG. 8, in a further embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a method of using an embodiment of the apparatus described herein, the method steps comprise: fastening FIG. 8a a portion of the necktie 200 to a shirt button using a mated button hole on the necktie which is above the keeper loop; passing FIG. 8b the back portion of the necktie through the keeper loop on the back face of the front portion of the necktie; and fastening FIGS. 8c and 8d a portion of the necktie to a shirt button using a mated button hole on the necktie which is below the keeper loop, whereby the necktie apparatus is held in place relative to the wearer's shirt.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, it is contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention an embodiment of the apparatus where the necktie portion does not loop around the neck of the wearer, but rather, is merely a length of necktie that attaches via a mechanical means, such as, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, to the simulated knot apparatus. In this type of embodiment, it is contemplated that the simulated knot apparatus may be held in place around the neck of the user via another means such as, but not limited to adjustable straps or chains, which themselves may be merely functional or decorative as a piece of jewelry. This strap means may attach to the simulated knot apparatus in many ways known in the art, such as, but not limited to, hooks, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or magnets.

In light of the foregoing description, it should be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in the claims presented.

Claims

1. An apparatus for simulating the knot of a necktie, the apparatus comprising: a center panel with a front face and a back face, and bounded by a top edge, a bottom edge, and at least a right edge and left edge;a left guide with an inner surface and an outer surface, attached to the top edge of the center panel and adjacent to the left edge of the center panel, formed so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a first rim and a distal second rim connected by the inner and outer surface, wherein the first rim opens to the back face of the center panel;a right guide with an inner surface and an outer surface, attached to the top edge of the center panel and adjacent to the right edge of the center panel, formed so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a first rim and a distal second rim connected by the inner and outer surface, wherein the first rim opens to the back face of the center panel;a left fastening panel with a front face and a back face attached to the left edge of the center panel adjacent to the bottom edge of the center panel; anda right fastening panel with a front face and a back face attached to the right edge of the center panel adjacent to the bottom edge of the center panel, wherein the right fastening panel and the left fastening panel each have a mating fastener means half.

2. A necktie apparatus comprising: a length of fabric, leather, or other textile with a front face, a back face, a first end, a second end and a midpoint between the first end and the second end;a keeper loop mated to the back face at a location between the first end and the midpoint; anda one or more buttonholes extending through the front and back face along the length of the apparatus between the midpoint and the second end.

3. An apparatus in the form of a neckwear kit, the neckwear kit comprising: a one or more neckwear apparatus; anda one or more simulated knot apparatus, wherein said simulated knot apparatus is comprised of: a center panel with a front face and a back face, and bounded by a top edge, a bottom edge, and at least a right edge and left edge;a left guide with an inner surface and an outer surface, attached to the top edge of the center panel and adjacent to the left edge of the center panel, formed so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a first rim and a distal second rim connected by the inner and outer surface, wherein the first rim opens to the back face of the center panel;a right guide with an inner surface and an outer surface, attached to the top edge of the center panel and adjacent to the right edge of the center panel, formed so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a first rim and a distal second rim connected by the inner and outer surface, wherein the first rim opens to the back face of the center panel;a left fastening panel with a front face and a back face attached to the left edge of the center panel adjacent to the bottom edge of the center panel; anda right fastening panel with a front face and a back face attached to the right edge of the center panel adjacent to the bottom edge of the center panel, wherein the right fastening panel and the left fastening panel each have a mating fastener means half.

4. The neckwear apparatus of claim 3, wherein said neckwear apparatus is chosen from the group of neckwear including conventional ties, scarves, or cords.

5. The neckwear apparatus of claim 3, wherein said neckwear apparatus comprises: a body portion with a first end portion, a second end portion, a front face, and a back face, where said first end portion is of a first width and said second end portion is of a second width, where the body portion of the neckwear apparatus extends from the first end width to the second end width.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, where the said second end may further comprise an insert configured so as to provide a length of rigidity from the second end portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, where the body portion of the apparatus from the second end portion to a midpoint between the first end portion and the second end portion may further comprise one or more buttonholes.