U.S. patent application number 10/343665 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-29 for decorative necktie knot.
Invention is credited to Daniels, David.
Application Number | 20040017085 10/343665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23181672 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040017085 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Daniels, David |
January 29, 2004 |
Decorative necktie knot
Abstract
A decorative necktie knot device that replaces the need for a
necktie knot altogether. The decorative necktie knot consists of a
one-piece continuous body having a pair of slots for receiving the
bottom portions of a conventional necktie knot. The decorative
necktie knot has a generally triangularly shaped front face (38)
with side panels (39, 37). The right side panel and left side panel
fold upon one another to form a cavity to receive the necktie.
Attached to the side panels are fastening means (53, 54) to secure
and define the shape and cavity. A single opening at the bottom of
the front face permits the traditional necktie to emerge from the
decorative necktie knot.
Inventors: |
Daniels, David; (Virginia
Beach, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARDNER CARTON & DOUGLAS LLP
191 N. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 3700
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
23181672 |
Appl. No.: |
10/343665 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
July 15, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US02/22218 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
289/1.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 25/022
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
289/1.2 |
International
Class: |
D04G 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 16, 2001 |
US |
60305641 |
Claims
Accordingly, what is claimed is:
1. A decorative necktie knot comprising a bendable template,
generally having the shape of a rectangle wherein the short sides
have been gently rounded to approximate a hexagon, said template
having a front and a rear side and said template further having a
first face, a second face, and a third face, and a bendable member
permanently affixed to said first and second faces of the rear side
of said template such that slots are formed on the rear sides of
said first and second faces, wherein said necktie knot is formed by
(a) folding said second face behind said first face, such that the
rear sides of said first and second faces are adjacent; (b) folding
said third face, such that the rear side of said third face is
adjacent to the front side of said second face; and (c) securing
the rear side of said third face to the front side of the second by
means of a closing mechanism such that the slot on the rear side of
said first face can receive the large end of a necktie and the slot
on the rear side of the second face can receive the small end of a
necktie.
2. The necktie knot of claim 1, wherein the bendable template is a
bendable material covered by fabric on its front side.
3. The necktie knot of claim 1, wherein the bendable template is
fabric stiffing.
4. The necktie knot of claim 1, wherein the bendable template is a
plastic.
5. The necktie knot of claim 1, wherein the bendable member is an
elastic material.
6. The necktie knot of claim 5, wherein the elastic material is
gross grain ribbon.
7. The necktie knot of claim 1, wherein the closing mechanism
consists of VELCRO.RTM. attached to the rear side of the second
face and the front side of the third face.
8. The necktie knot of claim 1, wherein the closing mechanism
consists of at least one snap on the rear side of the second face
and at least one mating snap on the front side of the third
face.
9. The necktie knot of claim 1, wherein a decorative element is
affixed to the front side of the third face.
10. The necktie knot of claim 8, wherein the decorative element is
a snap that mate with a snap on the rear side of the second face.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a decorative
necktie knot that does not involve tying a necktie into a
traditional knot. More specifically, the present invention relates
to forming a decorative necktie knot that has the size, shape, and
function of a traditional knot, wherein the ends of the necktie are
passed through the decorative knot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is conventional for one to wrap a necktie about the neck
of the wearer and to manually tie the same into a knot. This is
generally accomplished through manipulation of the material of the
necktie to form a loop, and inserting one of the end of the necktie
through the loop to hand tie the knot. Under certain circumstances,
particularly when no mirror is present, it can become difficult and
time consuming to perform such the manual tying operation for a
necktie. Moreover, many younger boys and handicapped persons have a
difficult time tying the traditional necktie. Moreover, after a
necktie is untied, wrinkles remain in the portions of the tie used
to form the knot and that portion is apt to become soiled and
dirty, requiring the cleaning of the entire necktie, which often is
quite inconvenient.
[0003] To alleviate having to actually tie a necktie, many
solutions have been presented. Many of these solutions provided for
a pre-tied necktie wherein the knot was permanently formed therein.
However, such solutions had their own disadvantages, including a
very limited selection of neckties which were pre-tied. Moreover,
once one purchased such a permanently knotted tie, it was not
possible to hand tie the knot, even if one wanted to.
[0004] Many other solutions have been proposed that sought to
simplify the matter of dressing with a four-in-hand tie by
eliminating the tying and untying process. These solutions have
invariably comprised what might be described as a "pre-tied"
arrangement wherein the four-in-hand knot is formed around a
device, which is inserted into, or surrounded the collar and the
dressing and undressing comprises the step of attaching this pre
tied combination to the collar of the wearer. Such solutions
require the use of special necktie arrangements that in most cases
do not permit the use of existing conventional ties. Additionally,
where existing conventional ties can be used, often, after certain
types of knots are formed, there is practically no necktie left.
Previously proposed solutions often provided no flexibility insofar
as tightening or loosening of the knot was concerned and also often
there was no variety as to the size, shape or color of the necktie
knot.
[0005] The present invention provides for a decorative necktie
knot, which can be used with a conventional necktie and which
serves to form the knot in the necktie without the necessity for
manipulating the ends of the necktie to manually tie a sot.
Decorative necktie knots of the present invention are
interchangeable, so if one gets soiled, it can be easily replaced
with another decorative necktie knot, having the same pattern or a
different one.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a completely portable and
removable knot. Many of the disadvantages of previous inventions
have been overcome and the present invention provides for necktie
knots of various sizes, shapes and colors. The knot of the present
invention may be described as being "pre-formed" rather than
"pre-tied" as is the case with previous inventions. By utilizing
the present invention, the length of neckties can be reduced by up
to 8%. Moreover, the present invention eliminates the problems
associated with tying and untying the traditional necktie knot and
achieves an improved appearance, greater flexibility, and
comfort.
[0007] The present invention provides for a decorative necktie knot
device that replaces the need for a necktie knot altogether. The
decorative necktie knot consists of a one-piece continuous body
having a pair of slots for receiving the bottom portions of the
necktie. The decorative necktie knot having a generally
triangularly shaped front face with side panels on two of the three
sides; the right side panel and left side panel, folds to form a
cavity for receiving the necktie. Attached to the side panel are
fastening means to secure and define the shape and cavity. An
opening at the bottom of the front face permits the tie to emerge
from the decorative necktie knot. The decorative necktie knot is
secured around the necktie until removal is desired. The
combination permits a conventional necktie to be placed inside the
decorative necktie knot. The ends of the necktie are inserted into
the respective decorative necktie knot slots and then the side
panels are folded so as to overlap such that the fasteners mate.
The decorative necktie knot is then adjusted against the collar,
thereby eliminating the tying and untying of the necktie. The
decorative necktie knot of the present invention provides for the
use of a conventional tie and a novel knot, which may or may not
correspond with the color scheme or fabric of the tie itself.
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a decorative necktie knot that can manually be attached to
a necktie to form a necktie knot at the juncture of the wearer's
collar wherein the tails or ends of the necktie are not actually
inter-knotted with each other.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tie
knot that can be quickly and easily attached to any existing
conventional necktie and when so attached, presents the appearance
of a knot having a contrasting decorative appearance or the same
appearance with respect to the remainder of the necktie.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
inexpensive unit, which can operate satisfactorily for the purpose
of attaching a necktie and providing a knotted appearance
thereto.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
necktie knot which is simple in construction, easy to assemble and
remove, attractive in appearance and relatively inexpensive to
manufacture.
[0012] Still other objects of the invention are to eliminate the
need to tie the traditional necktie knot and to provide for a
simulated knot having a relatively rigid body.
[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the invention will become more fully understood from the following
description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which reference
characters refer to the same parts throughout different views. The
drawings are not necessary to scale, emphasis instead being placed
upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the decorative necktie
knot together with the necktie hanging around a wearer's neck;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the decorative necktie
knot;
[0016] 5 FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are the front perspective view and the
rear perspective view, respectively, of the template of the
decorative necktie knot opened to show it as a one-piece
template;
[0017] FIG. 4(a) is a flexible material band that provides the
slots through which the ends of a traditional tie pass and FIG.
4(b) is a rear perspective view of the template of the decorative
necktie knot to which the flexible material band has been
attached;
[0018] FIG. 5(a) is a front perspective view and FIG. 5(b) is a
rear perspective view of the decorative necktie knot showing snaps
as the closing means,
[0019] FIG. 6(a) is a front perspective view and FIG. 6(b) is a
rear perspective view of the decorative necktie knot showing a
VELCRO.RTM. closing means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The invention will now be described in detail with regard
for the best mode and the preferred embodiment. In general the
invention comprises a decorative necktie knot, in which a necktie
passes through a necktie knot shell that provides the size and
shape of a traditional necktie knot. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
present invention approximates the size and shape of a traditional
necktie knot.
[0021] The decorative necktie knot is formed using a template of a
flexible, or at least bendable material. Preferably the bendable
template material is fabric stiffening, a flexible plastic or some
other flexible material. To maintain the appearance of the
decorative necktie knot, the template material should be no more
than 2 mm in thickness. Turning now to FIG. 3(a), the front of the
template for the decorative necktie knot 31 consists a rectangle
wherein the short sides of the rectangle have been rounded to
approximate a hexagon. The template is further divided into three
sections 32, 33 and 34. FIG. 3(b) shows the back side of the
template 36 and the corresponding sections, 37, 38 and 39. The
interface between the sections may be scored in someway to
facilitate bending the template at those interfaces.
[0022] Slots through which both the wide end and the narrow end of
the necktie pass through the decorative necktie knot is formed by
affixing a flexible material to sections 37 and 38 of the backside
36 of the template. A preferred flexible material is a fabric band
material such as gross grain ribbon. In FIG. 4(a), the shape of the
elastic material 40 approximates the shape of sections 37 and 38,
except that when affixed to the template as shown in FIG. 4(b), a
small portion of the top and bottom of the template is not be
covered. However, as shown in some of the later figures, the shape
of the flexible material is not important, so long as it provides
for the formation of slots on the inside of the decorative necktie
knot.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the flexible material 40 must be
affixed to the template along the interface between sections 38 and
39 and along the curved edge 41 of section 37. In preferable
embodiments, the flexible material is also affixed to the template
along the interface between sections 37 and 38. Alternatively, two
separate pieces of flexible material can be used, one piece affixed
to section 37 and the other affixed to section 38. The flexible
material can be affixed to the template in any of several ways well
known to those skilled in the art. In preferred embodiments, the
flexible material and the template are sewn together.
[0024] To form the decorative necktie knot, section 37 is folded
behind section 38 such that sections 37 and 38 are adjacent. Then
section 39 is folded such that it becomes adjacent to section 34,
i.e., the reverse side of section 37. Finally, sections 34 and 39
are secured by some type of closing mechanism.
[0025] FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) depict the decorative necktie knot
showing snaps as the closing mechanism. A small snap 51 and a
larger snap 52 are placed on section 34 and their mates 53 and 54,
respectively, are placed on section 37. When the decorative necktie
knot is formed according to the invention, 51 and 53 and 52 and 54
mate to close the knot. While the snap arrangement depicted in
FIGS. 5(a) and (b) is preferred, the invention is operable with
just one snap arrangement, particularly if the snap members are
located near the center of sections 34 and 37. Similarly, FIG. 6(a)
and 6(b) depict the decorative necktie knot showing VELCRO.RTM. as
the closing mechanism. As with the snaps, VELCRO.RTM. is applied to
sections 34 and 37 to close the decorative necktie knot.
[0026] In preferred embodiments, the template is covered with
fabric using methods well known to those skilled in the art. The
fabric covering the decorative necktie knot may be identical
complementary or contrasting to the tie for which the decorative
necktie knot is to be worn, in color and/or fabric and/or direction
of the pattern. The production of the decorative necktie knot with
different fabrics or materials allows the wearer to coordinate the
knot with ties already owned or to be purchased in the future.
[0027] Instead of tying a tie into a traditional knot by
manipulating the tie itself into a knot, the decorative necktie
knot can be easily placed over the tie at the base of the wearer's
neck, while the tie is hanging around the wearer's neck.
Consequently, shorter ties can be manufactured and fabric that is
saved by manufacturing shorter ties can be used to manufacture the
matching knot. Moreover, the changing of fabric is an inexpensive
manufacturing change for the manufacturers.
[0028] The design, shape and/or size of the template can be easily
modified to make decorative necktie knots of various styles.
Moreover, depending on how the template is folded, it may be
possible to use the same template to male both traditional and
Windsor knots. The distinctiveness of the decorative necktie knot
can be enhanced by including ornamentation, such as decorative
snaps or simulated gemstones, on section 22.
[0029] It is contemplated that the equivalents and substitutions
for certain components may be obvious to those skilled in the art,
however, the described invention is novel and non-obvious and the
scope and definition of the invention is set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *