Background of the Invention

[0001]The present invention provides an alternative to conventional neckties, adding convenience, user-friendliness and versatility in the appearance that is obtainable.

Summary of the Invention

[ 0002] Tli e present invention fulfills one or more of these needs in the art by providing an apparatus for necktie wear including a simulated necktie knot that includes a hollow shell. The shell may be shaped like a conventional four-in-hand or Windsor necktie knot. The shell is open at its rear and bottom and has a bar extending horizontally within the hollow shell. The shell may be closed at its top. A decorative fabric surrounds the shell and includes a rear access to allow access to the bar within the shell. A fabric band connected to the decorative fabric that surrounds the shell has a user-operable closure to allow the band to encircle a person's neck with the decorative fabric-covered shell positioned at the front of the person's neck.

[0003]The apparatus can also include a second strip of decorative fabric matching the decorative fabric that surrounds the shell and configured to drape over the bar in the shell so that two ends of the second strip extend out the bottom of the shell. Alternatively, the second strip of decorative fabric does not match the decorative fabric that surrounds the shell. In some embodiments, both strips are included, allowing the wearer to select a preference for use.

[0004] In some embodiments the bar is removably mounted inside the shell. In an embodiment, a magnet is affixed inside the shell and the bar has a mating magnet and a loop to receive the second strip, whereby the bar can be removably mounted inside the shell. In some embodiments, the bar has a second loop so the second strip can be threaded through the two loops. In some embodiments, the bar forms an interior clasp that will snap out of the plastic shell from a mount inside the shell. The fabric band preferably has a closure positioned at either the person's neck right side or left side. The decorative fabric that surrounds the shell may extend below the shell.

[0005]Typically, the shell is shaped as a truncated cone, truncated at its top and bottom, and is positioned in the decorative fabric with a wider part of the cone above a narrower part of the cone. The shell can conveniently be made of plastic or other material.

[0006]The rear access of the decorative fabric that surrounds the shell may include two flaps of the decorative fabric that together span the open rear of the shell and affix to one another. The two flaps may affix to one another with a closure selected from the group consisting of snaps, zippers, magnets and hook-and-loop fasteners. [0007]The invention can also be considered as a method of wearing a necktie including providing a simulated necktie knot that includes a hollow shell that is open at its rear and bottom and has a bar extending horizontally within the hollow shell, a decorative fabric surrounding the shell, a rear access to allow access to the bar within the shell, and a fabric band connected to the decorative fabric that surrounds the shell and has a user-operable closure. The method proceeds by draping a second strip of decorative fabric over the bar in the shell so that two ends of the second strip extend out the bottom of the shell, positioning the decorative fabric-covered shell at the front of a wearer's neck, encircling the neck with the band, and closing the closure.

[OOOSjDraping the second strip of decorative fabric over the bar in the shell so that two ends of the second strip extend out the bottom of the shell may include draping the second strip over the bar as removed from the shell and subsequently mounting the bar in the shell. If the bar has a magnet attached to it, the method may include bringing the magnet attached to the bar into attractive engagement with a magnet is affixed inside the shell.

[0009] Commonly, the method includes removing the second strip of decorative fabric from the bar and substituting a differently-appearing second strip.

[0010] Draping a second strip of decorative fabric over the bar in the shell may include opening two flaps at a rear of the shell, installing the second strip, and reclosing the two flaps. Reclosing the two flaps may include connecting two parts of a closure selected from the group consisting of snaps, zipper, magnets and hook-and-loop fasteners.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[001 l]The invention will be better understood by a reading of the Detailed Description of the Examples of the Invention along with a review of the drawings, in which:

[0012]Figure 1 is a front view of a hollow shell in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0013]Figure 2 is a side view of the shell of Figure 1;

[0014]Figure 3 is a top rear perspective view of the shell of Figure 1;

[0015]Figure 4 is a back view of the shell of Figure 1;

[0016]Figure 5 is a front view of the shell of Figure 1;

[0017]Figure 6 is a back view of the shell of Figure 1;

[0018]Figure 7 is a view of a simulated necktie, alongside a second strip that can be substituted for the second strip included in the assembled embodiment shown;

[0019]Figure 8 is a view of an assembled simulated necktie using another second strip;

[0020]Figure 9 is a back view of the simulated necktie with the rear access to the hollow shell opened and showing the second strip having both ends draped over the bar of the shell;

[0021]Figure 10 is a back view of the simulated necktie with the rear access to the hollow shell opened and showing the second strip having one end extended above the bar of the shell, to aid in understanding the draping process;

[0022]Figure 1 1 is a front view of the covered shell and fabric band that can encircle a person's neck;

[0023]Figure 12 is a back view of the embodiment of Figure 11 ;

[0024]Figure 13 is a back view of an embodiment with a magnetically retained bar; and [0025]Figure 14 is a back view of another embodiment with a magnetically retained bar.

Detailed Description of Examples of the Invention

[0026]Figures 1 through 6 show various views of the hollow shell 20 that simulates the shape of a necktie knot, such as a four-in-hand or Windsor knot. Figure 2 is a side view of the shell, helping illustrate its conical shape. Figure 3 is a top rear perspective view of the shell, showing it to be closed at the top and open at the back and the bottom and provided with a bar 24 spanning within the shell. As can be seen in this figure, the shell has defined thickness 26, which can be l/8 ^th inch thick, but other thicknesses will also work. The dimensions indicated are not critical. The bar can be l/8 ^th inch thick, but other thicknesses will also work. In alternate embodiments (not shown) the bar 24 is removable and snaps into place; alternatively, it can be hinged at one end and pivot to open and close with a clasp holding it closed. Figures 4 and 6 illustrate the preferred bar placement within the shell, but other placements will also work. In some embodiments the bar and/or inside of the shell are given a metallic look.

[0027]Figure 7 is a view of a simulated necktie, alongside a second strip 38 that can be substituted for the second strip 38 included in the assembled embodiment shown. The shell is covered with a decorative fabric 30, so that the result appears like a conventional necktie knot. Figure 7 also shows a fabric band 32 connected to the decorative fabric 30 that surrounds the shell and having a user-operable closure 34 to allow the band to encircle a person's neck with the decorative fabric-covered shell positioned at the front of the person's neck. The fabric 30 that surrounds the shell is preferably bound to the shell, such as by adhesive or a sewing operation. In this view, a second strip 38 which has been draped over the bar 24 inside the shell 20 has front and back portions extending out the bottom 31 of the shell, completing the appearance of a conventional, knotted necktie. If desired, pins, trinkets, emblems, etc. can be mounted to the fabric on the front of the shell so it can be seen by a person looking at the wearer of the necktie. The shell may have perforations, to allow a post on the back of the pin or other item to pass through the shell and receive a retainer to hold the pin in place.

[0028]Figure 8 is a view of an assembled simulated necktie using another second strip 38. This shows that the use of a separate fabric for the second strip from the fabric used to cover the shell can lead to a unique additional look that a wearer can opt for.

[0029]Figure 9 is a back view of the simulated necktie with the rear access to the hollow shell 20 opened and showing the second strip 38 having both ends draped over the bar 24 of the shell. This view shows that the fabric 30 that covers the shell includes a rear access to allow access to the bar within the shell. The rear access includes two flaps 42 and 44 that can be opened as shown in Fig. 9 or folded over the back of the shell in overlapping fashion. Each flap is shown having two snaps 46 (male and female cooperating) so the flaps can be held together when folded over the rear of the shell 20, to result in an appearance as shown in Fig. 12. They can be held together with other means, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, magnets, etc.

[0030] Figure 10 is a back view of the simulated necktie with the rear access to the hollow shell opened and showing the second strip 38 having one end extended above the bar 24 of the shell 20, to aid in understanding the draping process: When installing either of the second strips 38, 38', 38" over the bar, it may momentarily look like Figure 10. The length of a front portion of the second strip versus the length of a back portion of the second strip as it is draped over the bar can be adjusted by the wearer, as desired. The rear access not only allows the draping to be controlled, but also allows replacement of one second strip with another.

[003 l]Figure 11 is a front view and Figure 12 is a back view of the covered shell 30 and fabric band 32 that can encircle a person's neck. The fabric band has a closure 34 positioned at the person's neck right side, but could also be located on the left side. The closure 34 also has a length adjustment, so that the length of the band can be selected by the user to go around the neck closely, but not too tightly. This type of closure makes removal easy for the wearer. The size adjustment and closure can be as in conventional ready-made ties. Figure 12 shows that the decorative fabric that surrounds the shell extends slightly below the shell; this provides a better engagement with the fabric of the second strip and assures coverage of the shell. In. these views, the second strip 38" is not in place in the shell, but is shown in the background. The covered shell and band can be sold as a single item, allowing a wearer to add a separately-purchased second strip, such as a conventional necktie. The second strip need not look like a conventional necktie, but could be any additional decorative fabric addition. The second strip can be adjusted to have a longer or shorter component in front, depending on where it hangs on the bar. Also, one second strip can be interchanged with another second strip to provide versatility of looks for the wearer.

[0032]Figures 13 and 14 show two additional embodiments of the shell and bar; the fabric components and neck closure 34 are as with the prior embodiments. In Figures 13 and 14 a shell 120 has a magnet 130 secured to the underside of the top. In Figure 13, the mating magnet 132 is shown fixedly attached to a loop 140 that serves as the bar 24. In use, the second strip is passed through the loop 140 and the loop is mounted in the shell by mating the magnets. Figure 14 shows a modified loop 142 with its magnet 132, but the loop includes two loops to thread the second strip thorough.

[0033]Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been omitted for the sake of conciseness and readability, but are properly within the scope of the following claims.