Patent Grant
10568372
The present disclosure relates to neckwear.
Various types of neckwear have been proposed including those as an alternative to the necktie. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/384,540 discloses functional metallic neckwear comprising of a neckband, a neckband module and pivoting torso segments directly connected by fasteners. The neckwear is positioned along the center of the wearer's torso like a necktie. The present inventor discovered that an efficient method of providing an extraordinary metallic neckwear panel, which includes the neckband module and torso segments, is the process used by private and government mints to produce coins, medals and bullion bars. A plurality of metallic torso segments may end at the beltline which is traditionally the preferred length of a necktie. Embodiments provide neckwear which allows the wearer to quickly and easily add, remove, relocate and replace torso segments resulting in a wide variety of potential neckwear appearances including various potential lengths of the same neckwear.
Jewelry bezels are known in the art to hold a single coin or bullion bar as a pendant. These have drawbacks and are deficient in certain respects which include, as a piece of jewelry, they are not otherwise functional such as being deficient in offering a hermetically sealed environment to prevent, for example, tarnishing of a silver coin, and they do not satisfy the functions of the necktie. Further, bezels are not configured for additional sections to be attached for multiple lengths of a neckwear to display a minted series or set of coins, medals or bullion bars nor are they configured to display different sized coins, medals or bullion bars.
Depending on the metal, certain coins, medals and bars such as silver and copper naturally tarnish when exposed to air in the atmosphere. For example, as silver and copper tarnishes, sulfides, oxides and/or carbonates are formed on the surface of the metal. Tarnishing diminishes the allure and appearance of silver, generally the most reflective metal, since as silver tarnishes its brightness and whiteness are reduced along with reflectively of the silver. Tarnish can be removed but cleaning is laborious and often negatively affects the surface of the metal and appearance of the article. Whether tarnish is left on the metal or cleaned, chemical damage has already occurred to the surface of the metal resulting in reduced detail on the surface of the coin, medal or bullion bar. The tarnishing of silver bullion, including coins, medals and bars, is an issue for mints, jewelers and collectors, as compared to gold or platinum bullion, which do not tarnish. Silver bullion is by far the most popular precious metal sold by mints.
Methods for addressing the tarnishing of silver are known in the art and include coating silver articles using rhodium or other coatings such as lacquers or varnishes, applying a film coating on the surface of silver by depositing successive molecular layers such as aluminum oxide on the silver, and using certain silver alloys such as those that contain germanium. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,150 B2 to Johns discloses a process for making a silver alloy comprising of at least 77 wt %, copper, and an amount of germanium that is preferably at least 0.5 wt %. A silver alloy is disclosed comprising 96-97.3 wt % silver, 1-2 wt % germanium, optionally up to 1 wt % zinc, optionally up to 0.2 wt % silicon, the balance copper and 1-40 ppm boron.
The above methods reduce the rate of tarnishing but do not prevent tarnishing, and each method has negative consequences including increased production costs and steps, discoloration of the silver which reduces silver's brightness, whiteness and reflectivity, and/or the wearing off of the surface application. Moreover, the addition of non-silver elements or compounds to silver or to the surface of a finished silver article is the very antithesis of silver bullion, which is the reason major mints do not incorporate these methods to their silver bullion products, nor do most collectors or investors desire their silver bullion to be adulterated or contaminated by these methods. Millesimal fineness is a system used to denote the purity of metals by parts per thousand of pure metal in the alloy by mass; silver bullion is generally at least 99.9% pure silver referred to as “999 fine” or “fine silver.” Some silver bullion is 9999 fine.
A drawback of wearing articles of gold or silver that are 999 fine is that these are both soft metals prone to scratches and nicks. Gold has a Vickers hardness of approximately 188-216 MPa and silver and has a Vickers hardness of approximately 251 MPa, as compared to platinum which has a Vickers hardness of approximately 400-550 MPa. Although alloys of gold (e.g., 14 karat gold is 58.33% gold) and alloys of silver (e.g., sterling silver is generally 92.5% silver) are popular in the jewelry industry due in part because these alloys are harder than their bullion counterparts, use of these gold or silver alloys in jewelry dramatically alters their optical properties and reduces the beauty and allure of these precious metals. Gold bullion that is 9999 fine, silver bullion that is 999 fine, and copper that is 999 fine each has a unique and appealing color, which is altered when any of these metals is alloyed with another metal. Gold bullion is cherished due to its color and has a more yellowish tone than 14 karat gold. The color of silver bullion is brighter and whiter than silver alloys including sterling silver. Copper, like gold, is one of the few metallic elements with a natural color other than gray or silver.
Accordingly, there is a need for functional neckwear capable of multiple lengths to display a set or series of coins, medals or bullion bars and which preserves the integrity of the metal including safeguarding the coins, medals or bullion bars from tarnishing, wear and tear, and/or being directly mounted to fasteners.
One aspect is a neckwear comprising (a) a neckband; (b) a neckband module; (c) at least one display segment; and (d) at least one fastener, wherein said neckband is connected to said neckband module, and said neckband module is connected to said at least one display segment; wherein said neckband module is configured for displaying a coin, medal or bullion bar; wherein said at least one display segment is configured for displaying a coin, medal or bullion bar; and wherein said at least one fastener includes a first fastener that pivotably connects said neckband module to said at least one display segment.
The at least one display segment may comprises a plurality of display segments, said plurality of display segments including a first display segment and a second display segment, and, the at least one fastener may further comprises a second fastener that connects said first display segment to said second display segment.
The at least one display segment may also include an intra-changeable display segment.
The at least one display segment may include one or two glass display windows.
The at least one display segment may include a closure.
The neckwear may also include at least one of said neckband module including a coin, medal or bullion bar, and said at least one display segment including a coin, medal or bullion bar.
The neckwear may further comprise a clip segment configured to secure said neckwear to a shirt.
The neckwear may further comprise at least one torso segment that does not contain a coin, medal or bullion bar.
The at least one fastener may comprise a take-apart hinge.
The at least one fastener may comprises a quick-release buckle.
The plurality of display segments may comprise intra-changeable display segments.
The at least one intra-changeable display segment may be configured to be intra-changed without a key or a tool.
The closure may be configured to be connected and disconnected from said at least one display segment without a key or a tool.
Another aspect is a neckwear, comprising: a neckband, and a neckband module, wherein said neckband is connected to said neckband module; wherein said neckband module is configured for displaying a coin, medal or bullion bar; and wherein said neckband module includes a fastener or a fastener member for connecting said neckband module to at least one interchangeable display segment or at least one interchangeable torso segment.
The neckband module may further include a coin, medal or bullion bar.
The neckband module may include a closure.
The neckband module may include one or two glass display windows.
The fastener or fastener member may comprise a take-apart hinge or a member of a take-apart hinge.
The fastener or fastener member may comprise a quick-release buckle or a member of a quick-release buckle.
The closure may be configured to be connected and disconnected without a key or a tool.
Another aspect is an interchangeable display segment for a neckwear, wherein said display segment is configured for displaying a coin, medal or bullion bar, and wherein said display segment includes a fastener or a fastener member.
The fastener or fastener member may comprise a take-apart hinge or a member of a take apart hinge.
The fastener or fastener member may comprise a quick-release buckle or a member of a quick-release buckle.
Another aspect is an interchangeable coin, medal or bullion bar configured for being housed within a neckband module or a display segment of a neckwear.
Another aspect is a neckwear, comprising (a) a neckband; (b) a hermetically sealed neckband module configured for displaying a coin, medal or bullion bar through glass; (c) at least one hermetically sealed display segment configured for displaying a coin, medal or bullion bar through glass; and (d) at least one fastener, wherein said neckband is connected to said neckband module and said neckband module is connected to said at least one display segment; wherein said hermetically sealed neckband module contains a coin, medal or bullion bar; wherein said at least one hermetically sealed display segment contains a coin, medal or bullion bar; and wherein said at least one fastener includes a first fastener that pivotably connects said hermetically sealed neckband module to said at least one hermetically sealed display segment.
The at least one display segment may comprise a plurality of display segments, said plurality of display segments including a first display segment and a second display segment, and the at least one fastener may further comprise a second fastener that connects said first display segment to said second display segment.
The at least one hermetically sealed display segment may include an intra-changeable display segment.
The neckwear may further comprise a clip segment configured to secure said neckwear to a shirt.
The neckwear may further comprise at least one torso segment that does not contain a coin, medal or bullion bar.
The at least one coin, medal or bullion bar may comprise silver, copper, gold or platinum.
The at least one fastener may comprise a take-apart hinge.
The at least one fastener may comprise a quick-release buckle.
A neckwear, comprising (a) a neckband; (b) a neckband module; (c) at least one hermetically sealed display segment configured for displaying a coin, medal, or bullion bar through glass; and (d) at least one fastener, wherein said neckband is connected to said neckband module and said neckband module is connected to said at least one hermetically sealed display segment; wherein said neckband module is not configured for displaying a coin, medal or bullion bar, and wherein said neckband module is not hermetically sealed; wherein said at least one hermetically sealed display segment contains a coin, medal, or bullion bar; and wherein said at least one fastener includes a first fastener that pivotably connects said neckband module to at least one hermetically sealed display segment.
The plurality of display segments may comprise intra-changeable display segments.
The at least one intra-changeable display segment may be configured to be intra-changed without a key or a tool.
Another aspect is a neckwear, comprising: a neckband, and a neckband module, wherein said neckband is connected to said neckband module; wherein said neckband module is configured to display a coin, medal or bullion bar through glass; and wherein said neckband module is hermetically sealed and contains a coin, medal or bullion bar.
The neckband module may further include a coin holder, coin capsule or bullion bar capsule containing said coin, medal or bullion bar.
The neckband module may include a fastener or fastener member for connecting to at least one interchangeable display segment or for connecting to at least one interchangeable torso segment that does not contain a coin, medal or bullion bar.
Another aspect is an interchangeable display segment for a neckwear, wherein said display segment is hermetically sealed, wherein said display segment is configured for displaying a coin, medal or bullion bar through glass and wherein said display segment contains a coin, medal or bullion bar.
The coin, medal or bullion bar may be encapsulated by a coin holder, coin capsule or bullion bar capsule within said display segment.
The display segment may include a fastener or fastener member.
The fastener or fastener member may comprise a take-apart hinge or a member of a take-apart hinge.
The fastener or fastener member may comprise a quick-release buckle or a member of a quick-release buckle.
Another aspect is a neckwear, comprising (a) a neckband; (b) a neckband module; (c) at least one display segment; and (d) at least one fastener, wherein said neckband is connected to said neckband module, and said neckband module is connected to said at least one display segment; wherein said neckband module is configured to house a display insert; wherein said at least one display segment is configured to house a display insert; and wherein said at least one fastener includes a first fastener that pivotably connects said neckband module to said at least one display segment.
The at least one display segment may comprise a plurality of display segments, said plurality of display segments including a first display segment and a second display segment, and the at least one fastener may further comprise a second fastener that connects said first display segment to said second display segment.
The at least one display segment may include an intra-changeable display segment.
The neckwear may include at least one of said neckband module including a display insert and said at least one display segment including a display insert.
The at least one display segment may include a closure.
The neckwear may further comprise a clip segment configured to secure said neckwear to a shirt.
The neckwear may further comprise at least one torso segment that is not configured to house a display insert.
The at least one fastener may comprise a take-apart hinge.
The at least one fastener may comprise a quick-release buckle.
The plurality of display segments may comprise intra-changeable display segments.
The at least one intra-changeable display segment may be configured to be intra-changed without a key or a tool.
The display inserts may comprise a coin holder, coin capsule or bullion bar capsule.
The display inserts may contain a coin, medal or bullion bar.
The closure may be configured to be connected and disconnected from said at least one display segment without a key or a tool.
The coin holder, coin capsule or bullion bar capsule may contain a coin, medal or bullion bar.
Another aspect is a neckwear, comprising: a neckband, and a neckband module, wherein said neckband is connected to said neckband module; wherein said neckband module is configured to house a display insert; and wherein said neckband module includes a fastener or a fastener member for connecting said neckband module to at least one interchangeable display segment or at least one interchangeable torso segment.
The neckband module may contain a display insert.
The fastener or fastener member may comprise a take-apart hinge or member of a take-apart hinge.
The fastener or fastener member may comprise a quick-release buckle or member of a quick-release buckle.
The display insert contained within said neckband module may contain a coin, medal or bullion bar.
The display insert contained within said neckband module may comprise a coin capsule or bullion bar capsule.
The coin capsule or bullion bar capsule may contain a coin, medal or bullion bar.
Another aspect is an interchangeable display segment for a neckwear, wherein said display segment is configured for housing a display insert, and wherein said display segment includes a fastener or fastener member.
The interchangeable display segment may contain a display insert.
Another aspect is an interchangeable display insert configured for being housed within a neckband module or a display segment of a neckwear.
The interchangeable display insert may contain a coin, medal or bullion bar.
The present inventor identified a need for functional neckwear with the capability to display a set or series of coins, medals or bullion bars which preserves the integrity of the metal including safeguarding the coins, medals or bullion bars from tarnishing, wear and tear, and/or being directly mounted to fasteners. Important features for optimizing the functionality and versatility of the neckwear is the capability of the user to add, remove and replace display segments, which contain the coins, medals or bars, for multiple neckwear lengths and to relocate the position of display segments across the neckwear panel. These intra-changeability and interchangeability features are useful, for instance, since mints often release individual members of a series or set of coins, medals or bars over time and the neckwear herein is capable of adding these to the neckwear. Moreover, in some embodiments of neckwear herein, the functions of a necktie are fulfilled which include covering the front shirt placket and the front shirt buttons, bridging the gap between the shirt collars along the neckline, and being an important component of formal or semi-formal attire.
An ideal and efficient method of producing extraordinary metallic neckwear as a functional necktie alternative is by utilizing and displaying coins, medals and bullion bars provided by the pressing method used by private and government mints, as further described below. This method can replicate any image, including images with exquisitely detailed designs, which is engraved onto coins, medals or bullion bars resulting in high-quality metallic neckwear unmatched by other production methods. Mints around the world annually produce a vast number of coins (including rounds), medals and bullion. These include commemorative coins and medals and bullion coins and bars made available to collectors and sold all at once as a set or as a series in which one or more is released for sale periodically such as annually. A set or a series of coins, medals or bullion bars, which may be at least two minted articles, usually has a common theme and each coin, medal or bullion bar of the set or series typically has a unique design on at least one of its two sides, the obverse and reverse.
Three of many examples available to collectors by both government and private mints include the Platinum American Eagle coin series, the Gods of Maya coin set and the Suisse Lunar Series bullion bars, all of which are further described below. These and many other coins and bullion bars are exquisitely crafted showcasing the beauty of metals and metalworking and are considered works of art. Coin and precious metal collectors relish displaying their collections. The exemplary neckwear embodiments herein allow collectors to wear and display their coins, medals or bullion bars, including sets or series thereof, as a functional and fashionable alternative to the necktie. These neckwear embodiments provide innovative uses of coin and bullion collections which are usually destined to be stored in containers or storage boxes that they were purchased with and kept out of sight. Metallic neckwear provided by a mint's pressing method provides a dramatic contrast with the fabrics of shirts, vests and suitcoats in composition, texture, color and light reflectance value. As further discussed below, the light reflectance value of metallic bars provided by a mint's pressing method compare favorably to the light reflectance value of fabrics.
In one aspect, exemplary embodiments provide neckwear in which the integrity of the displayed coins, medals or bullion bars is safeguarded and preserved within a hermetically sealed neckband module and/or hermetically sealed display segments of a neckwear to prevent tarnishing and/or the wear and tear that may result from wearing the neckwear. Coins, medals and bullion bars may be specifically configured for a neckwear (in terms of engraving, other design elements and dimensions including thickness) or commercially available coins, medals and bullion bars may be utilized for a neckwear.
In another aspect, exemplary embodiments provide neckwear in which displayed coins, medals or bullion bars, may be intra-changed among those that a neckwear comprised of originally and interchanged with extrinsic coins, medals or bullion bars that a neckwear was not comprised of originally. These features are accomplished vis-à-vis (i) directly intra-changing or interchanging the actual coin, medal or bullion bar, (ii) intra-changing or interchanging the display segments containing coins, medals or bullion bars which, among other advantages, allows multiple lengths of the same neckwear, or (iii) intra-changing or interchanging display inserts (e.g., coin holders) containing coins, medals or bullion bars. Combinations of (i) and (ii) above or (ii) and (iii) above may be accomplished with the same neckwear.
In another aspect, exemplary embodiments provide a neckwear panel and display inserts (which may include commercially available coin holders, coin capsules or bullion bar capsules) which are configured for one another.
In another aspect, exemplary embodiments provide interchangeable display segments, interchangeable display inserts, and interchangeable coins, rounds, medals and bullion bars. Interchangeable display segments and interchangeable display inserts may include coins, rounds, medals or bullion bars which are either specifically configured and custom designed (in terms of engraving, other design elements and dimensions including thickness) for a neckwear or commercially available coins, medals and bullion bars may be utilized for a neckwear. Interchangeable coins, interchangeable rounds, interchangeable medals and interchangeable bullion bars are specifically configured and custom designed for a neckwear.
The exemplary embodiments described herein provide comfortable neckwear in which the neckband module is situated at approximately the same position on the wearer as a necktie knot and is supported by a neckband. The neckwear panel of a neckwear may originally comprise of a neckband module, including capacity for interchangeable display or torso segments to be added. The neckwear panel may also originally comprise of a neckband module and at least one display segment and/or at least one torso segment. Any display or torso segment(s) are positioned below the neckband module and may end at the beltline which is traditionally the preferred length of a necktie.
A neckband of a neckwear of the exemplary embodiments herein may be adjustable to comfortably fit various size necks and may include a strap or the like and a fastener to attach and/or adjust the circumference of the neckband. The neckband supports the neckband module and the neckband may comprise a multitude of suitable materials. Suitable materials for a flexible neckband strap include leather, nylon or fabric such as silk. For example, leather neckbands, similar to belts, have various holes on the strap allowing the wearer to place the prong of a buckle through any hole along the strap for optimal comfort and appearance. Various types of fasteners known in the art may be utilized in conjunction with the neckband strap, including those used for neckbands and belts. For example, suitable fasteners include buckles, quick-release buckles such as side-release buckles and center-release buckles and hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro®. Suitable materials for a neckband fastener to accommodate the strap (or the like) are metals including aluminum, metal alloys such as steel, fiber reinforced polymers and synthetic polymers including plastics. It will be appreciated that the neckband may comprise of non-flexible materials, including metallic materials, as an alternative to a flexible neckband strap. For example, types of chains or necklaces such as a rigid choker comprising two approximate half-circle sections which open and close by a hinge and said sections are secured around the wearer's neck with a fastener to form a circle or an oval. A neckband may comprise of two bands, irrespective of its composition, each connected separately to the neckband module.
A neckband module, including an aperture mechanism, display segments, torso segments and clip segments, which include a mechanism akin to a tie clip, of a neckwear may be provided by any method known in the art such as being casted or by three-dimensional printing (3D printing), also known as additive manufacturing (AM). “3D printing” or “AM” as used herein refers to various processes used to synthesize a three-dimensional object, including the means of producing an object through successive or multiple layers of material formed under computer control from a model or other electronic data source. Many types of 3D printing may be utilized for the inventive neckwear, including powder bed and inkjet head 3D printing (3DP), electron-beam melting (EBM), selective laser melting (SLM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), directed energy deposition, electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF) and robocasting.
A neckwear may include clip segment(s) allowing the neckwear panel be secured to a shirt placket or front shirt panel, without any additional accessories that are not already mounted to the neckwear, to curtail undesired movement of the neckwear while being worn including that the neckwear remains substantially straight on the wearer and covers the front shirt buttons.
Exemplary embodiments provide display segments and torso segments that have the capability to be added to a neckwear or to replace display segments or torso segments of a neckwear. In this regard, a display segment or a torso segment that a neckwear was not comprised of originally, a so called “extrinsic” display segment or torso segment, may be temporarily or permanently added to the neckwear. Should the wearer misplace or lose a display segment or a torso segment, or simply wish to temporarily or permanently replace one or more display segments or torso segments with other display segment(s) or torso segment(s), exemplary embodiments provide additional and/or replacement “extrinsic” display segments or torso segments for use in a neckwear. It is understood that such additional and/or replacement “extrinsic” display segments or torso segments may attach at any segment position of a neckwear having this feature, as both “intrinsic” display segments or torso segments that the neckwear comprised of originally and the “extrinsic” display segments or torso segments have uniform fasteners, or at least sufficiently uniform fasteners, providing the capability of connecting to one another. Extrinsic display segments and torso segments, also referred herein as interchangeable display segments and interchangeable torso segments, may be commercially available as individual display segments or individual torso segments or as a plurality of display segments or a plurality of torso segments. In some embodiments, interchangeable display segments include display inserts, coins, medals or bullion bars.
Likewise, exemplary embodiments provide coins, medals or bullion bars which are specifically configured and custom designed (in terms of engraving, other design elements and dimensions including thickness) for display segments or a neckband module of a neckwear to replace coins, medals or bullion bars of a neckwear. In this regard, a custom designed coin, medal or bullion bar that a neckwear was not comprised of originally, a so called “extrinsic” coin, medal or bullion bar may be temporarily or permanently added to the neckwear. Should the wearer misplace or lose a coin, medal or bullion bar or simply wish to temporarily or permanently replace one or more coins, medals or bullion bars with other coin(s) medal(s) or bullion bar(s) specifically configured and custom designed for a neckwear, exemplary embodiments provide additional and/or replacement “extrinsic” coins, medals or bullion bars for use in a neckwear. It is understood that such additional and/or replacement “extrinsic” coins, medals or bullion bars specifically configured and custom designed for a neckwear may be inserted into any neckband module or display segment of a neckwear having this feature (e.g.,
As used herein, “neckwear” includes a neckband and a neckband module and may further include one or more fastener members, one or more display segments, and/or one or more torso segments.
“Neckwear panel” as used herein means the neckband module, display segment(s), if any, and torso segment(s), if any, collectively, that form the length of a neckwear. “Front neckwear panel” as used herein means the front plane of the neckwear panel which is visible to the casual observer when the neckwear is worn.
“Neckband module” as used herein means the component of the neckwear panel to which the neckband connects. A neckband module may or may not be configured to secure and display a coin, medal, bullion bar or display insert. A neckwear may only include a neckband module without any display segments or torso segments as shown in
“Display segment” as used herein means a component of a neckwear panel configured to secure and display a coin, medal, bullion bar or display insert. For example, display segment one, the top most display segment, connects to the neckband module, and if the neckwear includes more than one display segment, display segment two connects to display segment one, et cetera. A display segment may include a fastener or portion of a fastener that is part of the same casting of the display segment or part of any other production method fabricating the display segment.
A display segment includes one or two display windows through which a coin, medal or bar is viewed either directly through the cutout of the display window, through glass of the display window, or if a display insert is utilized which may comprise of a coin holder, coin capsule or bullion bar capsule, through the glass of the display insert. A display window of a display segment or neckband module (if a neckband module is configured to display a coin, medal, bullion bar or display insert) may be a cutout of the display segment or neckband module so that the coin, medal or bullion bar is directly viewed without any intermediary glass. The display window may include glass, in which the glass display window further safeguards a coin, medal or bullion bar while allowing the coin, medal or bullion bar to be viewed. If a display segment or neckband module is configured for a display insert, the coin, medal or bullion bar is viewed through the display-insert glass which is visible through the display window cutout. The area around the display window of a display segment or neckband module may have an ornamental design.
“Torso segment” as used herein means a component of a neckwear panel not configured to secure or display a coin, medal, bullion bar or display insert. A torso segment may connect to a neckband module, a display segment or another torso segment. A torso segment may include any type of ornamental design and may comprise of a coin, medal or bullion bar. In some exemplary embodiments, torso segments of a neckwear are intra-changeable among other torso segments and display segments.
The term “display-clip segment” as used herein means a display segment which includes a mechanism, akin to a tie clip or the like, mounted on the backside of the display segment. The term “torso-clip segment” as used herein means a torso segment which includes a mechanism, akin to a tie clip or the like, mounted on the backside of the torso segment. The term “clip segment” as used herein means either a display segment or a torso segment which includes a mechanism, akin to a tie clip or the like, mounted on the backside of the respective display segment or torso segment. A clip segment secures neckwear to a garment such as a shirt placket or front shirt panel without any additional unattached or unmounted accessories.
“Display insert” as used herein means any capsule, frame, holder or other mechanism, for use in a neckwear, that's capable of being inserted or otherwise attachable to a display segment or neckband module to secure and display a coin, medal or bullion bar in a display segment or neckband module. In some exemplary embodiments of a neckwear, display inserts (including custom designed coin holders, coin capsules or bullion bar capsules) and display segments are specifically configured for one another. Display segments may also be configured for prior art coin holders, coin capsules or bullion bar capsules. Whether display inserts and display segments are configured for one another or display segments are configured for prior art coin holders, coin capsules or bullion bar capsules, a display insert (i) may contain a coin, medal or bullion bar that has already been designed, produced or sold separately or (ii) may contain a custom designed (in terms of engraving, other design elements and dimensions including thickness) coin, medal or bullion bar.
“Closure” as used herein means any mechanism or combination of mechanisms that secures a display insert, coin, medal or bullion bar within or to a display segment or neckband module and allows the user to access the display insert, coin, medal or bullion bar. In some exemplary embodiments, a display segment or neckband module does not include a closure. An example of a display segment or neckband module not including a closure is a display segment or neckband module in which two portions (e.g., halves) completely separate by disconnecting fastener(s) for the user to access a coin, medal or bullion bar in the display segment or neckband module. Another example is a display segment or neckband module which resembles a clamshell container consisting of two halves joined by a hinge or the like.
“Hermetically sealed display segment” and “hermetically sealed neckband module” as used herein means a display segment or neckband module which is virtually impervious to air flow to the extent of preventing tarnishing of the encapsulated coin, medal or bullion bar. There are several analytical test methods to quantify acceptable leak rates for hermetically sealed containers, including MIL-STD-883 TM 1014, and even the most stringent of these methods allow a minute amount of air and moisture to pass through the container while still deeming the container “hermetic.”
“Coin” as used herein means a piece of metal issued by a government as money, and “coin” also includes “rounds” which are flat pieces of round metal resembling coins sold for their precious metal content or common metal content as well as their aesthetics and are not legal tender. “Bullion bar” or “bar” are used interchangeably herein and each term means a bar or wafer comprised of a precious metal such as silver, a common metal such as copper, or a metal alloy such as bronze. “Medal” as used herein, includes medallions, and means a finished piece of metal that has been marked with an insignia, portrait or other artistic rendering. Medals may commemorate significant historical events or to honor people or organizations with notable achievements or deeds. In some exemplary embodiments of a neckwear, a custom designed (in terms of engraving, other design elements and dimensions including thickness) coin, medal or bullion bar and a neckband module are specifically configured for one another. In other exemplary embodiments of a neckwear, a neckband module is configured to fit a coin, medal or bullion bar that has already been designed, produced and/or separately made available commercially. Likewise, in some exemplary embodiments of a neckwear, a custom designed (in terms of engraving, other design elements and dimensions including thickness) coin, medal or bullion bar and a display segment are specifically configured for one another. In other exemplary embodiments of a neckwear, a display segment is configured to fit a coin, medal or bullion bar that has already been designed, produced and/or separately made available commercially.
“Glass” as used herein and related to a display window of a display segment or neckband module means any type of glassy transparent or semitransparent material. Examples include plastics such as acrylic and display-type glasses such as sapphire glass and Corning® Gorilla® glass. Glass display windows may include a colored tint.
“Fastener” as used herein means any article or combination of articles which connects, links or attaches (i) a neckband module to a display segment or torso segment, display segments to one another, torso segments to one another, and/or a display segment to a torso segment; (ii) a closure to a display segment or neckband module; or (iii) one or more sections of a display segment to one another or one or more sections of a neckband module to one another. A fastener or a portion or member of a fastener may be part of the same casting of a neckband module, display segment, torso segment or closure. Types of fasteners include for example, and in no way limiting, adhesives such as epoxies or epoxy resins, aperture mechanisms that accommodate straps or the like, anchors, bolts, buckles, quick-release buckles, side-release buckles, center-release buckles, buttons, cables, catch, chains, clamps, clasps including barrel clasps, bayonet clasps, box clasps, fish hook clasps, hook clasps, hook & eye clasps, lobster clasps, S hook clasps, spring tension clasps, spring ring clasps, snap clasps and toggle clasps, clevis pins, clips, single end and double end swivels, deadeyes, eye bolts, hinges including locking hinges, hinges with security pins, barrel hinges, take-apart hinges and hinges which include hinge pins with, for example, external (male) thread which can be fastened into the hinge with, for example, internal (female) thread, hook-and-loop fasteners also known as hook-and-pile fasteners and Velcro®, hooks, lanyards, latches, locks, locking pins, magnetic locks or other magnetic mechanisms, loops, pins, rings, ropes, screw eyes, screws, snap hooks, snaps, spring fasteners, springs, straps, strings, swivel clips, ties, wires, zippers and any combination between or among the foregoing.
Examples of suitable fasteners for a neckwear panel include any type of fastener which includes one or more of the following features. The first feature is a fastener that allows one or more display segments or torso segments to be quickly and easily intra-changed with other display segments or torso segments. The term “quickly and easily” as used herein and related to display segments or torso segments means the capability to add, remove, replace and/or relocate (in terms of position along the neckwear panel below the neckband module) one or more display segments or torso segments of a neckwear without any key, tool or the like. The second feature, mainly for the wearer's comfort, is a fastener that enables display segments or torso segments to pivot (move from front to back and back to front on the wearer) in order for the neckwear to essentially contour to the wearer's torso during body movements and while sitting, including as the wearer goes from a standing position to a sitting position and vice versa. This feature of the exemplary neckwear affords a level of comfort to the wearer while maintaining the functionality of the necktie. The third feature is a fastener that allows the display segments or torso segments to effectively straighten out by gravity, without effort from the wearer of the neckwear, in order for the neckwear to become approximately parallel with the wearer's torso after body movements including, for example, when the wearer goes from a sitting position to a standing position. This feature avoids the necessity of the wearer straightening out the display segments or torso segments manually.
The term “quickly and easily” as used herein and related to a closure means the capability to add, remove, replace and/or relocate (in terms of position along the neckwear panel) a display insert (e.g., a coin holder), coin, medal or bullion bar from a display segment or neckband module without any key, tool or the like. An example is the closure of the exemplary embodiment described below and shown in
“Comprised of originally” or “originally comprise” as used herein including any other form of the words in each phrase means a neckwear or neckwear panel at the time of the initial sale, transfer, gift or assignment of the neckwear or neckwear panel into the wholesale or retail trade (whichever occurs first) or in the event said sale, transfer, gift, or assignment of the neckwear or neckwear panel into the wholesale or retail trade does not take place, a neckwear or neckwear panel at the time of the initial sale, transfer, gift or assignment of the neckwear or neckwear panel to an end user of the neckwear or neckwear panel.
The term “intra-changeable” including any other form of the word as used herein and related to display segments or torso segments of a neckwear, means any one of the following three examples or any combination thereof: the capability of (a) two or more display segments (or torso segments) that a neckwear comprised of originally to be switched in terms of position along the neckwear panel (below the neckband module), (b) one or more display segments (or torso segments) that a neckwear comprised of originally to be relocated along the neckwear panel (below the neckband module), and/or (c) one or more display segments (or torso segments) that a neckwear comprised of originally to be detached and reattached to the neckwear. For example, each one of the eight display segments of the neckwear in the exemplary embodiment of
The term “intra-changeable” including any other form of the word as used herein and related to display inserts, coins, medals or bullion bars contained in the neckband module or display segments that a neckwear comprised of originally, means the capability to switch the positions, in terms of position along the neckwear panel, of two or more display inserts, coins, medals or bullion bars. For example, each of the twelve coins of the neckwear in the exemplary embodiment of
The term “interchangeable” including any other form of the word as used herein and related to a display segment or torso segment means the capability to add one or more extrinsic display segments or torso segments that a neckwear was not comprised of originally to the neckwear or to replace one or more display segments or torso segments that a neckwear comprised of originally with extrinsic display segments or torso segments that the neckwear was not comprised of originally. An extrinsic display segment or torso segment configured to be added to a neckwear or to replace a display segment or torso segment that a neckwear was comprised of originally is an “interchangeable display segment” or “interchangeable torso segment.” In some embodiments, an interchangeable display segment also contains a coin, medal or bullion bar and in other embodiments an interchangeable display segment does not contain a coin, medal or bullion bar. Interchangeable display segments and interchangeable torso segments may be made commercially available with or without mounted fasteners. Of course, extrinsic neckband modules or neckbands that a neckwear was not comprised of originally may also be interchanged with a neckband module or neckband that a neckwear comprised of originally.
The term “interchangeable” including any other form of the word as used herein and related to coins, medals or bullion bars contained in a neckband module or display segments of a neckwear, means the capability to replace one or more coins, medals or bullion bars that a neckwear comprised of originally with extrinsic coins, medals or bullion bars (that the neckwear was not comprised of originally) which are specifically configured and custom designed (in terms of engraving, other design elements and dimensions including thickness) for the neckwear. An extrinsic coin, medal or bullion bar specifically configured and custom designed for use in a neckwear to replace a coin, medal or bullion bar that a neckwear comprised of originally is an “interchangeable coin,” “interchangeable medal” or “interchangeable bullion bar.”
The term “interchangeable” including any other form of the word as used herein and related to display inserts contained in the neckband module and/or display segments of a neckwear, means the capability to replace one or more display inserts that a neckwear comprised of originally with extrinsic display inserts (that the neckwear was not comprised of originally) which are specifically configured for the neckwear. An extrinsic display insert specifically configured and for use in a neckwear to replace a display insert that a neckwear comprised of originally is an “interchangeable display insert.” Interchangeable display inserts for a neckwear may be made available commercially containing a coin, medal or bullion bar.
“Contrast” including any other form of the word as used herein means the arrangement of opposite elements such as hard versus soft, light versus dark colors and rough versus smooth textures in a piece or ensemble to create visual interest, excitement and drama.
“Light Reflectance Value” (LRV) of an object means the percentage of light in the visible part of the spectrum that is reflected from its surface (and conversely the percentage of light the surface absorbs). LRV is measured using a integrating sphere reflectometer, the results of which run on a scale between 1 and 0 with a theoretical perfect white achieving a value of 1, reflecting 100 percent of visible light, and a theoretical perfect black achieving a value of 0, absorbing 100 percent. In practice, LRVs will not reach these theoretical limits.
The term “mount” including any other forms of the word as used herein, means to connect a fastener to an article with the intention of the connection being on a permanent or semi-permanent basis by any method including, for example, soldering, brazing or utilizing screws or bolts.
In some exemplary embodiments, the neckwear includes metal compositions for the neckband module and any display segments or torso segments and illustrative metals include silver, copper, gold, platinum, titanium, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, iron, tin, alloys of the foregoing including bronze, brass, steel and pewter. As disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/384,540, a torso segment or neckband module may be an actual coin, medal or bullion bar provided by the pressing method or may be provided by a casting. As a neckwear component which does not display a coin, medal or bar, a torso segment may be provided by any method known in the art including a casting which is not a coin, medal or bullion bar or a molding. Display segments, torso segments or a neckband module of a neckwear may comprise of the same or different metals. For example, the neckband module may be gold and the display segments may be fine silver. Display segments, torso segments or a neckband module of a neckwear may comprise of any type of material such as, for example, natural polymeric materials also known as biopolymers including wood and rubber, synthetic polymers such as synthetic rubber, acrylic, plastics and silicones, glassy materials, or fiber reinforced polymers such as carbon-fiber reinforced plastics. An individual neckband module, display segment or torso segment may be comprised of multiple materials such as multiple types of metal.
In exemplary embodiments in which the neckband module and any display segments or torso segments are metallic or metallic including glass display windows, the neckwear includes one or more of the following advantages as specifically compared to the fabric necktie: (1) stain resistant, (2) considerably easier and more economical to clean if soiled by food, beverages, ink, ashes from smoking, or other contaminants, (3) more durable, (4) wrinkle proof, (5) does not snag, (6) impervious to burn holes from smoking, (7) no need to tie a knot, and (8) more symmetrical to an observer when worn due to lack of necktie knot (and the resulting asymmetrical folds and crinkles below the necktie knot).
Given the metallic nature of such a neckwear, the pivoting capability of the display segments and torso segments provided by suitable fasteners is an important feature for comfort. In some exemplary embodiments, the neckwear comprises a sufficient number of display segments or display segments and torso segments so that the terminal display segment or torso segment of the neckwear ends approximately at the wearer's beltline, the preferred traditional length of the necktie.
A frontal view of a hermetically sealed neckwear in one exemplary embodiment is shown in
Identifying and numbering display segments of any neckwear panel embodiment in the present disclosure is exemplified by the embodiment of
Identifying and numbering bullion bars, coins or medals of any neckwear panel embodiment in the present disclosure is also exemplified by the embodiment of
A front perspective exploded view of one of the hermetically sealed, rounded-rectangle display segments (not one of the two display-clip segments 2, 6 as shown in
As shown in
A vacuum condition may also be achieved within the hermetically sealed neckband module or display segment by methods known in the art to remove the minute amount of air that may exist within the sealed neckband module or display segment. Epoxy hermetic seal designs may be utilized for low or high vacuum pressures, effectively sealing gases to very low leak rates. See, Roth, Alexander. Vacuum Sealing Techniques. American Institute of Physics, 1994.
The hermetically sealed neckband module 9 of the neckwear shown in
A hermetically sealed neckband module and hermetically sealed display segments prevent tarnishing of coins, medals or bullion bars that are susceptible to tarnishing and prevent wear and tear of the coins, medals and bullion bars from use of the neckwear regardless of the composition of the metal. These types of neckband modules and display segments are especially relevant for silver, copper and other types of metal that tarnish and for soft metals. The softer the metal, the more relevant preventing wear and tear becomes. For example, preventing wear and tear of fine silver and fine gold coins, medals and bullion bars in neckwear is more relevant than those comprised of platinum. A hermetically sealed display segment or hermetically sealed neckband module may be configured to further include a coin holder, coin capsule or bullion bar capsule (encapsulating the coin, medal or bullion bar) within the hermetically sealed display segment or the hermetically sealed neckband module.
As shown in
In modified exemplary embodiments of
It is understood that
In some exemplary embodiments, a single neckwear may be worn at various lengths in which display segments and/or torso segments are quickly and easily added, removed or replaced and, in terms of their position along the neckwear panel (below the neckband module), may be relocated or switched. For example,
The size and shape of the front of the rounded-rectangle neckband module 9 and each of the eight rounded-rectangle display segments 1-8 of the neckwear in
Tying a perfectly symmetrical necktie is virtually impossible to accomplish. Even if the necktie knot is symmetrical, which is seldom achieved, necktie symmetry can rarely be accomplished since the fabric below the necktie knot often folds and crinkles in an unsymmetrical manner. Functional neckwear disclosed herein ending at the beltline and having two axes of symmetry, as compared to neckties rarely achieving one axis of symmetry, provides a formal or semi-formal fashion alternative to wearing a necktie or wearing a button-down shirt without a necktie. However, the invention is not limited in this way. A neckwear panel may be any length and may include any number of display segments and/or torso segments. A neckband module, display segments and torso segments may be various sizes including various widths. The neckband module, display segments and torso segments of any neckwear herein may be of any shape or size including rounded squares, squircles, squares, rounded rectangles, rectangles, ovals, circles, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons et cetera.
A neckwear may originally comprise of a neckband module without any display segments or a neckwear may originally comprise of a neckband module and any number of display segments, including one to forty or more display segments; of which, none or any number of the collective number of display segments of a neckwear may be intra-changeable display segments. Similarly, a neckwear may originally comprise of a neckband module and any number of torso segments, including one to forty or more torso segments; of which, none or any number of the collective number of torso segments of a neckwear may be intra-changeable torso segments.
A neckwear may also originally comprise of a neckband module and any numerical combination of display segments and torso segments. Any portion of the collective number of display segments and/or torso segments of a neckwear may be pivoting segments. Since the number of display segments and/or torso segments of a neckwear may vary based on the size of the neckband module, display segments, torso segments and other factors, including the wearer's preferences and the wearer's size (both of which may differ from person to person), a neckwear may originally comprise of a sufficient number of display segments and/or torso segments so that the neckwear ends approximately at the wearer's beltline, which is traditionally the preferred length of a necktie. A neckwear ending at the beltline satisfies the functions of a necktie including covering the front shirt placket and the front shirt buttons, bridging the gap between the shirt collars along the neckline, and being an important component of formal or semi-formal attire.
A neckwear may include at least one clip segment in some exemplary embodiments to limit undesired movement of a neckwear panel, including to curtail the neckwear panel from swinging forward or moving from side to side on the wearer during body movements, and to assist the neckwear to remain substantially straight on the wearer, as compared to a necktie and other types of neckwear resembling the necktie. Moreover, clip segment(s) assist in covering all of the front shirt buttons during body movements while a neckwear is worn. The clip segment(s) secure the neckwear to a shirt placket or front shirt panel without any additional unattached or unmounted accessories. In some embodiments, clip segment(s) are quickly and easily intra-changed by the wearer of the neckwear, at his or her sole discretion, with any of the other display or torso segments offering the wearer of the neckwear a personalized fit. The factors determining how many clip segments are utilized on the neckwear and the position to place the clip segment(s) on the neckwear include the size and shape of the wearer's torso. For example, for comfort and a neat appearance, as shown in
The present inventor discovered that an ideal and efficient method of producing extraordinary metallic neckwear as a functional necktie alternative is by utilizing and displaying coins, medals and bars provided by the pressing method and he identified a need for neckwear to include capacity to display a set or series of coins, medals or bars. The pressing method (also known as the stamping or coining method) is efficient and unmatched in terms of providing metallic neckwear with exquisitely detailed designs. This method can replicate any image and engrave it on coins, medals or bullion bars for use in a neckwear. Metal blanks are first required in the pressing method. The blanks are provided by melting down the desired metal or metal alloy and emptying the molten metal into billets. The heated billets then proceed through an extruder which operates under pressure to fashion the heated forms into thin strips of soft annealed metal.
After the long thin strips of extruded metal have cooled, they are trimmed and may be done so using a hydraulic shearer and then rolled by a high pressure rolling machine until an exact desired thickness is achieved. From the rolled strips, a blanking press then punches out metal blanks to the size and shape desired of the coin, medal or bar to be subsequently engraved. Blanks must undergo certain steps prior to being engraved which include that a rimming machine removes the rough edges left by the blanking press and adds a raised rim to the blanks before they are burnished by a vibratory finishing machine and cleaned.
Before the engraving dies are produced to engrave (strike) the blank metal to produce coins, medals or bars with the desired designs and information, three-dimensional plaster sculptures of the desired designs and information may be produced. A plaster copy of the coin design is transferred onto a rubber disc to produce a positive image and then transferred onto an epoxy resin disc to produce a negative impression of the original design. A reducing machine works like a key cutter by following the contours of the original epoxy disc to engrave a smaller scale version onto a brass plate. The dies actually used to strike coins, metals or bars are copied from the reduced original design. A second reducing machine takes the brass plate and shrinks all of the information onto a steel die, called the matrix, which is the original die. Through a process known as hobbing, the matrix is copied to produce the master punch and then hobbed onto another blank die to produce working dies to engrave coins, metals or bars.
With each strike of the press, the impact of the dies on the blank within the collar forces the metal into the alcoves of the dies and engraves the coin, medal or bullion bar with the desired design and information on each side, the obverse and reverse. In addition the obverse on reverse sides, the edges of coins, medals or bars may also be engraved with desired designs and information which may include hallmarking. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description of the pressing method is a general description and exact methods may vary from mint to mint. Moreover, temperatures, timeframes, pressures and forces required for striking coins, medals and bars, and other particulars utilized in the pressing method depend on the specific metal or metal alloy of the coin, medal or bar being produced. For example, silver melts at approximately 962° C. and has a Vickers hardness of approximately 251 MPa whereas platinum melts at approximately 1,768° C. and has a Vickers hardness of approximately 400-550 MPa.
The pressing method of engraving coins, medals and bullion bars for use in a neckwear panel of the present disclosure imparts many advantages, as compared to other methods such as casting methods. Generally, there is greater control over quality, finishes, and uniformity including weight, with the pressing method. Most advantageous is the capability of producing exquisitely detailed designs with high quality finishes. These finishes include matt, proof, and reverse proof. For example, proof bullion bars, production methods of which are well known in the art which include highly polished dies, result in a frosted appearance on the higher fields of the surface of the bullion bar and a mirror-like finish on the lower fields of the surface of the bullion bar. Coins, medals and bullion bars provided by the pressing method may also be struck in high relief or ultra-high relief. The images on high relief coins, medals or bullion bars, generally extend above the outer edges of the coin, medal and bullion bar and those struck in ultra-high relief result in images that rise even higher. Popular examples produced by the United States Mint include the 2015 American Liberty High Relief gold coin and the 2009 Ultra High Relief Gold Double Eagle. High relief and ultra-high relief coins, medals or bullion bars elevate the level of detail that can be seen and felt on the image and are often described as works of art. Multiple levels of relief may be achieved. For example, coins, medals or bullion bars may include “3-dimensional” designs resulting from the artwork being sculpted in contoured multi-level relief.
Color may be added to a coin, medal or bullion bar by various methods known in the art. These include incorporating plating, enamels, epoxy, porcelains, paints and/or inks. Examples include gold plate may be applied to selected areas of an engraved design on a silver bullion bar for inclusion in a hermetically sealed display segment, and ink overlays can virtually duplicate a digital image on a silver coin. Coins, medals or bars may include any custom design element to display, promote, proclaim or represent, for example, artistic themes, musical themes or bands, books, movies, casts, cartoons, action figures, cites, states, countries, historical events or figures, mythological figures, ethnic or national heritage, family members, movements, political parties, law, religion, science, symbols, schools, universities, professions, organizations, trades unions, trade groups, companies, industries, corporate affiliations, trademarks, logos, clubs, proverbs, slogans, sports or sports teams, holidays, special events or occasions, and personal experiences.
An example of a coin series is the Platinum American Eagle series produced and sold by the United States Mint. The $100 face-value proof coin contains one ounce of platinum and each year, from 1997 to 2016, has featured an entirely unique design created by various artists on the reverse side of the coin. The obverse for this ongoing series has always included an engraved image of the Statue of Liberty and the year the coin was engraved by the mint. A six-year design sub-series of the one-ounce poof Platinum American Eagle, starting in 2009 and concluding in 2014, portrays the foundations of American democracy as found in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution on the reverse of each of the six coins which features an entirely unique design. In addition to sales by the United States Mint for each current-year release of the Platinum American Eagle, the earlier years of the coin series are available on the secondary market.
An example of a coin set provided by a mint is the Fine Silver Coloured 5-Coin Set—Mythologies of the World: Gods of Maya (2015) sold by the Royal Canadian Mint. The reverse side of the first, second, third and fourth coins in the set features Itzamná, god of divination and writing, Ah Bolom Tzacab, god of royalty and lineage, Chaac, god of rain, and Kukulcán, god of creation, respectively. The obverse side of each of these four coins includes Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse side of the fifth coin features an aerial view the Parque Nacional de Tikal-Gran Plaza and the obverse side includes the official effigy of the Guatemalan government. All five coins in the set are official legal tender coins. Although this coin set included a display box to store the five coins when it was purchased from the Royal Canadian Mint in January 2017, a neckwear device to wear and display the coin set was not available from the Royal Canadian Mint nor was such a device otherwise available for this coin set or any other coin set. Each of the five coins in the display box arrived from the Royal Canadian Mint encapsulated in a coin capsule.
An example of a series of bullion bars provided by a mint is the Suisse Lunar Series produced by Produits Artistiques Métaux Précieux. Every year a new type of Lunar Series bullion bar is released featuring one of the twelve traditional Chinese zodiac animals: rat, oxen, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each type of Lunar Series annual bullion bar is available in various sizes that comprise of either fine silver or fine gold. The obverse side and the reverse side of each bullion bar have different engraved views of the animal.
A rear view of the exemplary embodiment of the neckwear panel of
In a modified embodiment of the neckwear panel of
As shown in
A front view of the neckwear in
A front exploded view and a rear exploded view of display segment two 38 in
As shown in
The inside of the compartment of the display segment 38 that houses the coin 50 is configured to fit and secure the coin and is delimited by a back wall 69 (as shown in
Although the type of closure for the display segments and neckband module in
The determination of what type of closure that may be incorporated on a neckband module or display segment in the exemplary embodiments herein includes a tradeoff between level of security and ease of use. For example, utilizing screws to fasten the closure in the exemplary embodiment of
A neckwear may include display segments and torso segments as shown in the exemplary embodiment in
The display segments 81-82, 84-88, 90-91 of the neckwear shown in
The components of the neckwear panel, which include the neckband module 92, nine display segments 81-82, 84-88, 90-91 and two torso segments 83, 89 in the exemplary embodiment shown in
An exemplary embodiment of a neckwear originally comprised of a neckband module (without any display or torso segments) worn by a woman is shown in
The rear of two interchangeable display segments, each of which includes an improved take-apart fastener configured for the neckwear in
The size and shape of the front of the interchangeable display segments in
In addition to allowing the user to intra-change and interchange the coins, an advantageous feature of the display segments in the exemplary embodiments of
The exemplary embodiments of
A neckband module or display segment may be also be configured in ways that differ from the exemplary embodiments of
Another example of a neckband module not including a closure is a neckband module with two sections (e.g., halves) which completely separate from each other for the user to have access to a coin, medal or bullion bar.
This present inventor discovered that commercially available prior-art coin holders, coin capsules and bullion bar capsules are useful as display inserts for securing and displaying coins, medals or bullion bars in a neckband module and display segment of a neckwear. This novel use of these coin holders, coin capsules and bullion bar capsules is efficient to display and encapsulate coins, medals and bullion bars in a neckwear. Bullion, commemorative coins, and commemorative medals sold by mints are usually contained in coin capsules or bullion bar capsules when shipped from the mint. Most collector coins are stored in coin holders or coin capsules which offer protection from wear and tear and fingerprints on the metal. Although not hermetically sealed, coin holders, coin capsules and bullion bar capsules also reduce the rate of tarnishing, for example, of silver and copper coins and bars. Different sizes of coins, medals or bullion bars are efficiently displayed by a neckwear panel configured to house a single type of holder or capsule having the same outer dimensions but varying sized compartments for different sized coins, medals or bullion bars. This facilitates production of the neckwear panel since all display segments are uniform yet can house many different sized coins with a single type of coin holder, coin capsule or bullion bar capsule. Examples of prior-art coin holders and a bar capsule that may function as display inserts for use in a neckwear are shown in
A circular prior-art Air-Tite coin holder (model: Direct Fit H32) 106 (also referred to as a coin capsule) is shown in
The inner rim 114 around the base 108 in
It is important to note that despite the brand name, Air-Tite coin holders, these coin holders are not “air tight,” which is also the case with other coin holders referenced herein. When this holder is put together, the gaps between the rectangular ridges 112 around the inside of the flap of the cover 109 and the base 108 allow environmental air to reach the coin. In experiments, Weimar W. White exposed silver dollars and copper coins encapsulated in coin holders to high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas, which is a common environmental contaminant causing coins to tarnish. The purpose of these experiments was to evaluate if in fact the coin holders were air tight. Air-Tite coin holders were one type of holder evaluated. Mr. White observed that even though the silver dollars and copper coins were in coin holders, they quickly tarnished after the coin holders containing these coins were exposed to high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas, which confirms that coin holders are not air tight, including the Air-Tite coin holder. See, White, Weimar W. Coin Chemistry Including Preservation and Cleaning, Third Edition. American Sports Media, 2012.
Another example of a circular Air-Tite coin holder (model: direct fit AE$/H-40) 115 (also referred to as a coin capsule) is shown in
An example of a holder which is not configured for a coin or round and that may function as a display insert for use in a neckwear is shown in
Another example of a type of commercially available coin holders that may function as display inserts for use in a neckwear is the Quadrum® Intercept Snaplock Holder with Black Gasket. These rounded-square coin holders are available in many models and each model includes a foam gasket with a different size circular opening (inner diameter) starting at an inner diameter of 14 mm, and increasing in increments of 1 mm, through 41 mm (with the exception of 24 mm and 40 mm inner diameter gaskets). This range of gasket sizes results in the capability of this type of coin holder to fit, secure and display virtually any size coin or round. The overall outer dimensions of this type of coin holder, regardless of the model and inner diameter of the gasket, are approximately 5.1 cm 5.1 cm. The 27-mm model 128, which has been put together containing a 27 mm coin 129, is shown in
The 38-mm model of the Quadrum® Intercept Snaplock Holder with Black Gasket 134 is shown in
A display segment 138 configured to fit and secure the coin holder 115 including coin 116 described above and in
A display segment 145 configured to fit and secure the bar holder 121 including bar 122 described above and in
A front perspective view of a display segment 150 configured to fit and secure the coin holder 128 including coin 129 described above and in
A display segment 155 configured to fit and secure the coin holder 134 including coin 137 described above and in
The exemplary embodiments of display segments herein, including those shown in
A neckwear including eleven display segments of
The neckband module and each of the eleven display segments includes the coin holder 115 of
A neckwear, including the display segment and closure of
The size and shape of the front of the neckband module and each of the display segments of the neckwear in
A neckwear including the display segment 150, closure 152 and coin holder 128 of
For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of a neckwear in
Methods known in the art that provide very thin display segments, neckband modules, torso segments and/or display inserts may be preferred for use in a neckwear in the interest of streamlining the neckwear. Generally, the thinner these are, the more aesthetically appealing and comfortable the neckwear becomes. It will be appreciated that specialized types of display glass that include the following characteristics: (i) high resistance to cracks, scratches and abrasions which enables thickness reduction of the glass, (ii) high optical clarity, (iii) light weight, and (iv) high chemical durability, are preferred for a neckband module, display segments and display inserts. An example of such a glass is Corning® Gorilla® glass, which is available as thin as 0.4 mm and includes the above characteristics.
Although a neckband module or display segment may be configured for a prior-art coin holder, coin capsule or bar capsule, a neckband module or display segment may also be configured for a display insert which is not prior-art coin holder, coin capsule or bar capsule and is specifically configured for a neckwear. Various modifications may be incorporated on prior-art coin holders, coin capsules or bullion bar capsules, which include that they are designed and manufactured so that less environmental air passes through them. Various types of metal-to-glass seals may be incorporated on these holders and capsules. An epoxied acrylic strip around the edge to block a portion of the air flow between the base and the cover of these holders and capsules would also be beneficial. They may also be produced in different sizes (e.g., thicker or thinner) to accommodate coins, rounds, medals or bars that configured and custom designed for a neckwear. Display inserts may comprise of a frame for a coin, round, medal or bar without any glass. Display inserts may by any size or shape or may be configured so that the coin, round, medal or bar partially protrudes through the cutout display window at the front of the neckband module or display segment.
The exemplary embodiments of neckwear herein include the following advantages, as compared to the fabric necktie and other types of neckwear resembling neckties: stain resistant and considerably easier and more economical to clean if soiled by food, beverages, ashes from smoking, ink or other contaminants, extensive intra-changeability and interchangeability, more durable, wrinkle proof, does not snag, impervious to burn holes from smoking, no need to tie a knot, more symmetrical to an observer when worn due to lack of necktie knot (and the resulting asymmetrical folds and crinkles below the necktie knot), and/or covers all of the front shirt buttons. Moreover, comfortable metallic neckwear provides a much needed formal and semi-formal fashion alternative to wearing a necktie or wearing a button-down dress shirt without a necktie.
Light reflectance in the visible spectrum (hemispherical directional reflectance at wavelength intervals of 10 nanometers (nm) from 390 to 700 nm, one angle, less than 20°) was analyzed by Surface Optics Corporation using a Cary 5000 integrating sphere reflectometer on three metal bars, three button-down dress shirts and three fabric neckties. The three metal bars provided for analysis were designed by Patuga LLC and manufactured by a private mint utilizing the pressing method. All three metal bars analyzed for light reflectance do not comprise of any enamel or post-engraved design elements. One of the metal bars is fine silver, the second is fine copper, and the third is brass (85% copper and 15% zinc). All three metal bars have the identical design and engraving including the same minted proof finish.
The three button-down dress shirts provided for light reflectance value (LRV) analysis were Stafford branded shirts, distributed by J.C. Penny Corporation in the United States of America (Travel, Easy-Care Broadcloth, comprised of 55 percent cotton and 45 percent polyester, regular fit size—16½, 32-33). Each of the three dress shirts was a solid color; the first was blue (labeled, blooming blue), the second was white (labeled, white) and the third was grey (labeled, rockefeller grey). The three fabric neckties provided for LRV analysis were J F J. Ferrar branded neckties, distributed by J.C. Penny Corporation, (narrow J F Backwall). Each of the three neckties was a solid color; the first was blue (labeled, extreme blue), the second was red (labeled, cayenne) and the third was yellow (labeled, bright buttercup). The label of the subject neckties did not disclose the type of fabric. All three neckties had a robust sheen.
All dress shirts and neckties analyzed were a solid color without any type of noticeable pattern on the fabric so there would be no ambiguity or issue when choosing a target location on the samples with the spectrophotometer if the fabrics, for example, included multiple colors or patterns. The target location on each sample for the spectrophotometer to analyze light reflectance was approximately 3 cm by 5 mm. The center of the target location on each of the three types of samples were as follows: for the metal bars, 3 mm from the top (as positioned on a neckwear) and centered from left to right, for the shirts, 2 cm below the tip of left the collar (while the shirts were still folded and pinned from the factory so that the fabric of the target location of each shirt was multi-layered), and for the neckties, 38 cm from the bottom tip of the necktie and centered from left to right.
Thirty-two light reflectance values were generated from each of the nine samples. The average of these thirty-two values for each of the nine samples is shown in a bar chart in FIG. 6. The average LRV of the silver bar (88.5 percent) was approximately equal to the average LRV of the white dress shirt (88.6 percent), which is remarkable that a metal reflects light as well as a white object. The average LRV of the silver bar (88.5 percent) was greater than the average LRV of the blue shirt (32.8 percent) and greater than the average LRV of the grey shirt (42.0 percent) and greater than the average LRV of all three neckties (blue: 22.5 percent, red: 24.6 percent and yellow: 56.2 percent). The average LRV of the copper bar (60.9 percent) was greater than the average LRV of the blue shirt (32.8 percent), greater than the average LRV of the grey shirt (42.0 percent) and greater than the average LRV of the all three neckties. The average LRV of the brass bar (54.1 percent) was greater than the average LRV of the blue shirt (32.8 percent), greater than the average LRV of the grey shirt (42.0 percent), approximately equal to the average LRV of the yellow necktie (56.2 percent), and greater than the average LRV of the blue necktie (22.5 percent) and greater than the average LRV of the red necktie (24.6 percent). These LRV results affirm that a neckwear including metal bars provided by the pressing method of a mint contrasts dramatically with fabrics of formal and semi-formal attire not only in color, composition and texture, but also in light reflectance. Metallic neckwear of the present disclosure, as part of formal and semi-formal attire, generates visual interest, excitement and drama.
Improved Take-Apart Hinges
Take-apart hinges, sometimes referred to as “lift off hinges,” are well known in the art. They function similarly to typical hinges by connecting two objects and allowing one or both objects to move or rotate. Advantageous features of take-apart hinges are that an object connected to a take-apart hinge is disconnected and/or reconnected without any key, tool or the like and take-apart hinges are strong relative to their size in terms of handling force and weight loads.
In another aspect, the present inventor devised new and improved take-apart hinges, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/384,540, and referred herein as improved take-apart fasteners. The inventor identified a need for better securing an object using a take-apart hinge that has a greater level of security including increased theft deterrence and a reduced probability of the hinge inadvertently unlocking and sliding apart by random movement or impact. In some embodiments, the instant improved take-apart fastener may be utilized in the instant neckwear for securing components of the neckwear panel. Examples include the exemplary embodiments in
In other exemplary embodiments, the instant improved take-apart fastener may be used for securing or quasi-locking any article to an object. Examples include securing a piece of art or securing valuables such as jewelry to a display in a retail environment. In this way, the improved take-apart fastener can provide increased security and assist in preventing theft while maintaining the advantages typical take-apart hinges provide.
A typical, previously known take-apart hinge, Sea Dog Line made in Thailand, is cast stainless steel and shown in
Unlocking and taking-apart the prior-art take-apart hinge requires two steps. First, as compared to the flat position of the hinge in
The instant improved take-apart fastener, which may be made by any method well known in the art including being cast with stainless steel, adds an important feature of additional security to the prior-art take-apart hinge described above. Examples of improved take-apart fasteners are shown in
As shown in
Unlocking and taking apart the instant improved take-apart fastener, with or without mounted articles such as display segments of a neckwear, requires the user to complete four simple steps as illustrated by the arrows in
These two additional unlocking steps included in
The improved take-apart fastener has only two parts consisting of a first hinge member (male end) and a second hinge member (female end), is very strong when locked and capable of handling high force and weight loads, does not comprise of any spring, coil, screw, bolt, clasp or the like to function (all of which generally deteriorate over time and eventually may break), has a low profile, and the bottom of said fastener is flat and straight. These features combined with the security feature of the keyway make the improved take-apart fastener an attractive fastening option for various applications including connecting jewelry articles together and connecting the neckband module, display segments and torso segments of a neckwear. The improved take-apart fastener, as compared to the prior-art take-apart hinge described above, greatly reduces the risk of the neckwear disconnecting unintentionally, for example, by random movement or by impact. Moreover, the improved take-apart fastener renders the neckwear more secure against acts of attempted theft while the neckwear is being worn, including attempts to forcibly remove neckwear panel components, as compared to, for example, link-type chains or other inadequate, unsecure fasteners typically used in jewelry.
Accordingly, the improved take-apart fastener provides an example of a fastener that may be mounted to the neckwear panel of a neckwear permitting connectivity across the neckwear panel allowing all of the display segments and/or torso segments to pivot and be quickly and easily intra-changed and interchanged. In the exemplary embodiment of
The improved take-apart fasteners described herein, including those shown in
The keyway of an improved take-apart fastener comprises one or more legs along the pin and includes any pattern along the pin including straight line(s), a portion of an arc, and/or a portion of an ellipse. Legs of the keyway may extend along a longitudinal axis of the pin or circumferentially with respect to the pin. The determination of the complexity of a keyway, including the number of legs and type of leg (e.g., linear legs or curved legs), to incorporate on the improved take-apart fastener is a tradeoff between security and ease of taking apart/putting together the improved take-apart fastener. The more complex the keyway, the greater level of security; the less complex the keyway, the lower level of security and the easier and faster the improved take-apart fastener is to unlock or lock. It will be appreciated that the key of the improved take-apart fastener may be any shape or size to engage the keyway and key groove, including shapes resembling a cuboid or cylinder. The key 197, as shown in
An exemplary embodiment of a more complex keyway with four legs is shown in
An exemplary embodiment of an even more complex keyway of an improved take-apart fastener is shown in
In addition to the incorporation of the keyway for additional security, there are other improvements of improved take-apart fasteners herein, as compared to the prior-art take-apart hinge described above and shown in
The first leaf and/or second leaf of an improved take-apart fastener may include any number of holes in any position for mounting an article. As shown in
Improved Quick-Release Buckles
In another aspect, the present inventor devised new and improved quick-release buckles that can be used with a variety of articles. The inventor identified a need for better connecting objects with quick-release buckles, including the need for a quick-release buckle to have the capability to be mounted, for instance screwed, to one or more rigid objects and the need for a quick-release buckle to provide pivoting capability to these rigid objects mounted to the quick-release buckle(s).
In some exemplary embodiments, improved quick-release buckle(s) allow rigid mounted objects to be intra-changeable or interchangeable. Improved quick-release buckles may be used with the instant neckwear herein for connecting components of a neckwear panel and providing pivoting capability to the display segments and torso segments and features of intra-changeability and interchangeability. In other exemplary embodiments, improved quick-release buckles may be mounted to any rigid objects requiring pivoting capability and capability to be quickly and easily intra-changed or interchanged. Any article equipped with improved quick-release buckles offers greater utility including versatility to the user since many combinations may be achieved by intra-changing or interchanging only a portion of an article resulting in drastically altered appearances of the article. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of
Quick-release buckles are well known in the art and are useful to connect and disconnect belts and to join and unjoin webbing straps. They have impressive force and weight load capacities and do not require any tools or the like to engage or disengage. U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,844 B1 to Lerra et al. discloses side release buckles which include a first buckle component having an engagement end and a module receiving portion opposite the engagement end, and a second buckle component having an engagement end constructed for releasable engagement with the engagement end of the first buckle component and a module receiving portion opposite the engagement end.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,654 B2 to Schmitz (published international application WO 01/82737) discloses a metal belt buckle comprising two buckle members, fastened on belt ends, the first of said members having a receiving compartment in which the second buckle member is axially inserted and said second buckle member comprises snap-fit members that are adjusted against a spring force and that interact with undercuts in the first buckle member to secure the fitted buckle members.
Although Lerra's side release buckles and Schmitz's belt buckle are useful to connect and disconnect belts and to join and unjoin webbing straps or other similar types of flexible articles (e.g., for backpacks or luggage), these and other quick-release buckles are not intended, designed or suited for being mounted (including being screwed or soldered) to rigid objects including the neckband module and display segments of a neckwear. Moreover, the side release buckles to Lerra et al., the belt buckle to Schmitz, and other quick-release buckles do not include any mechanism such as a hinge to allow display segments, torso segments or other rigid objects to pivot. Indeed, prior art quick-release buckles are useless for these types of applications.
Accordingly, improved quick-release buckles provide an example of a fastener that may be mounted to the neckwear panel of a neckwear permitting connectivity across the neckwear panel and allowing mounted display segments or torso segments to pivot and be intra-changed.
As shown in
As shown in
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
As shown in
Three interchangeable display segments 236-238 shown in the exemplary embodiment of
In the event the user desires to replace the terminal display segment of the neckwear in
Mounting a member or portion of any fastener toward the bottom of a terminal display segment or torso segment of any exemplary embodiment of a neckwear herein is optional. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Fasteners or a member or portion of any fastener to connect the neckband module, display segments or torso segments may be provided as part of a casting of the neckband module, display segment or torso segment or by any other method. If not part of a casting, the composition of the fasteners to connect the neckband module, display segments or torso segments is in part determined by the composition of the neckband module, display segments or torso segments. The composition of the fasteners of a neckwear may each be made from a variety of suitable materials. For example, and in no way limiting, the fasteners may incorporate any of metals, metal alloys, fiber reinforced polymers (such as carbon-fiber reinforced polymers), and synthetic polymers including plastics.
If the fasteners are not part of a casting of the neckband module, display segments or torso segments, the composition of the fasteners and the composition of the neckband module, display segments or torso segments of a neckwear play a role in determining the method of mounting the fasteners to the neckband module, display segments or torso segments. For example, if a display segment is a carbon-fiber reinforced polymer, soldering or brazing is not an option to mount the fasteners to the display segment. Fasteners and components of a neckwear panel may include holes for mounting with screws, for example, or fasteners and components of a neckwear panel may not include holes for mounting. For example, a metallic neckband module may not have mounting holes and may be soldered to a metallic fastener or an epoxy may be used.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/647,902, filed Jul. 12, 2017, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/639,356 filed Jun. 30, 2017, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. The entire contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/384,540, filed Dec. 20, 2016, are herein incorporated by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190059481 A1 | Feb 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15647902 | Jul 2017 | US |
| Child | 16171592 | US | |
| Parent | 15639356 | Jun 2017 | US |
| Child | 15647902 | US |
