The present invention relates to a knotless tie. As is well known, a conventional tie is constituted by a shaped strip of fabric that must be knotted around the collar of a shirt, leaving the two free ends hang down in front of the chest. It is object of the present invention is to provide a more comfortable and practical tie to wear, which does not need to be knotted.

The above and other objects and advantages, which will be better understood hereinafter, are achieved, according to the present invention, by a tie having the features set forth in the appended claims.

The features of a few preferred but not limiting embodiments of a tie according to the present invention will now be described referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 5 are schematic views of different ties according to corresponding embodiments of the invention, in an unfolded condition;

Figures 6 to 8 show three respective variants of a tie having a binding means of the type shown in Figure 5, in a worn condition;

Figure 9 is a schematic view of a further tie according to another embodiment of the invention, in the unfolded condition;

Figures 10 to 12 show three respective variants of a tie having a binding means of the type shown in Figure 9, in a worn condition;

Figure 13 is a schematic view of a further tie according to a still different embodiment of the invention, in an unfolded condition;

Figures 14 to 16 show three respective variants of a tie having a binding means of the type shown in Figure 13, in a worn condition;

Figure 17 is a schematic view of a tie according to another, still different embodiment of the invention, in an unfolded condition;

Figures 18 to 20 show three respective variants of a tie having a binding means of the type shown in Figure 17, in a worn condition;

Figure 21 is a schematic view of a tie according to a further, different embodiment of the invention, in an unfolded condition;

Figures 22 to 24 show three respective variants of a tie having a binding means of the type shown in Figure 21, in a worn condition;

Figure 25 is a schematic view of another tie according to a further, different embodiment of the invention, in an unfolded condition;

Figures 26 to 28 show three respective variants of a tie having a binding means of the type shown in Figure 25, in a worn condition;

Figure 29 is a schematic view of a further tie according to a different embodiment of the invention, in an unfolded condition; and

Figures 30 to 32 show three respective variants of a tie having a binding means of the type shown in Figure 29, in a worn condition.

Referring now to Figure 1, numeral 10 designates a tie according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The tie 10 comprises a strip of fabric or other flexible material, elongated in a direction defined here as "longitudinal." The tie has two opposite longitudinal ends: a first end 11, here defined free end, and a second end 12, which has one or more binding means 20, 21.

The binding means, which may be of several different types (described herein below) , are arranged to define a closed loop passage 13 (Figure 6) through which the first end 11 may be introduced and made to run. The first end 11 is intended to dangle freely, in a worn condition, in front of the chest of the person wearing the tie.

The second end 12 has two edges or sides 14, 15 opposite in a direction transversal or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tie. The binding means may comprise one or more buttons 20, each located in the vicinity of one of the two edges 14, 15, and one or more respective buttonholes or eyelets 21. Each buttonhole may be located in a position transversally aligned with a respective button and in proximity of an opposite edge to that of the corresponding button.

In a closed condition (see, for example, Figures 6 to 8), the buttons are coupled to respective buttonholes and retain the two edges 14, 15 substantially superimposed or juxtaposed in a manner such that the second end 12 of the tie forms the closed loop passage 13 through the first end of the tie may be passed.

Preferably, the binding means are distributed or extended longitudinally, in such a way that, in the closed condition, the closed loop passage 13 defined by the second end of the tie is comparable to a longitudinally extended tubular passage which surrounds and retains more stably a length of the tie which passes through it, thereby improving the aesthetics of the tie as worn.

In the examples of Figures 3 and 4, two buttonholes and two buttons 4 are shown as binding means. It is understood that the number of buttons and buttonholes may differ from two, and be for example one (Figure 1), or three (Figure 2) or four or more than four. Not necessarily all of the buttons must be located on the same edge and the buttonholes on the other, as in the examples shown in Figures 2-4. Alternatively, according to other embodiments not shown, buttons and buttonholes may be staggered along both edges 14, 15.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the buttonholes 21 protrude externally from the edge 15 and can be made, for example, of elastic material, leather straps, sewn in thread or made of a metallic material.

The sizes and distances between the elements of the tie, as well as the materials composing the tie, are not to be considered as limiting. For example, the distance, in the longitudinal direction, between the buttonholes or the buttons may vary depending on the design requirements or aesthetic effect that the tie should have in its worn condition. Similarly, the shape of the tie, which may either be straight or narrower in the part that runs around the collar, does not constitute a limiting feature. The tip of the end 11 may either have an acute apex facing down or be cut transversely or obliquely. In addition, the transversal distance between each binding element and the edge closer to it, may vary depending on the needs. The type of material constituting the tie can be of virtually any type of tissue. For example, natural and/or synthetic fibers may be used, technical fiber fabrics, sportswear fabrics, fabrics including nanotechnology fibers, fabrics including inserts of precious metals, fabrics including bio- treated fibers, conventional fabrics, colored organic fabrics, printed fabrics and combinations thereof. As an alternative to fabric, other materials in flexible sheets may be used, for example natural or artificial hide, or a plastic material .

The fabric may be: simple or double face, with several superimposed layers, longitudinally folded once in the middle, or two or more times.

As binding means, the example of Figure 5 shows two rows of buttonholes 21 longitudinally aligned in the vicinity of the two edges 14, 15. The buttonholes 21 serve to receive respective cuff links G (or other binding elements) that, in the worn condition, may be visible on one side of the tie.

According to one embodiment, the binding means may comprise a Velcro® type hook and loop closure (Figures 9-12), preferably extending in the longitudinal direction, with a strip of hooks 23 and a strip of hairy fabric 24, respectively integral to two edges 14, 15 of the tie. The two strips 23, 24 may be applied indifferently on one same face of the tie (as in the example shown in Figure 9) or on the two opposite faces, provided that they cooperate effectively to keep the two opposite edges, defining the passage 13 that allows to neatly retain the tie. Different binding means may be combined. For example, the buttons may be applied for a purely aesthetic purpose, leaving the real binding function to a Velcro closure, invisible in the closed condition. According to another embodiment (Figures 13-16), the binding means may comprise at least one pair, and more preferably two or more pairs of snap fasteners 22 (or poussoir buttons) .

In another embodiment (Figures 17-20), the binding means may comprise a zip fastener 27, preferably extending in the longitudinal direction and having the two tapes preferably sewn to the respective edges 14 and 15.

In accordance with a still different embodiment (Figures 21- 24), the binding means may include a seam 26 which permanently joins the edges 14 and 15 and thereby defines the passage 13. Preferably, the tie will be worn with the seam facing the chest of the user.

According to a variant (Figures 25-28), the binding means defining the passage 13 may include a sleeve element 25. The sleeve element 25 may be sewn either to one end 12 of the tie or in any case to a point of the tie such as to determine a length in tie sufficient to make a turn around the shirt collar and allow the other end to pass through the passage 13.

The sleeve element 25 may be made as an elastic element (Figures 29-32) .

Although the examples illustrated herein show the binding located near the second end of the tie, this location is to be considered an option. According to further embodiments (not shown) , the binding means may be located at a distance from the second end 12 of the tie, for example towards the center of the tie. This different positioning of the binding means may determine the presence of two ends dangling in front of the chest of the person wearing the tie, as with conventional ties that require to be knotted.

Various aspects and embodiments of the tie have been described. It is understood that each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment. The invention, moreover, is not limited to the described embodiments, but may be varied within the scope defined by the appended claims.