NECKTIES WITH INTERNAL, FREE-MOVING MAGNETS FOR UNIVERSAL SECURING OF ANY NECKTIE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/624,798, titled, “Use Of Internal Free Moving Magnets For Universal Securing Of Any Necktie, Particularly Reversible Neckties,” filed Apr. 16, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The priority date of this provisional application is claimed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to adjustable neckties, particularly reversible neckties.

BACKGROUND

A common problem with standard neckties is that depending on the size of the person wearing the necktie, the size of the knot being tied, and/or the size of the tie itself, it is often very difficult to prevent the tail of the tie from protruding beyond the front of the necktie. Bow ties are also commonly made to a specific length. This type of fabrication may cause a tied bow tie to fit loosely about a person's neck.

The necktie tail loops that exist on standard ties are stitched in the center of the back of the tie and do not allow for any adjustment in order to retain any length of tie tail remaining after tying. Also, current reversible neckties have no rear tie tail loops because either side of the reversible necktie can be displayed in front, so it is a common problem when wearing a reversible necktie to retain and secure the tail behind the reversible necktie.

Current means of securing neckties include using pockets that contain magnets or magnetic material. By restricting the magnets to one place, such necktie securing methods do not allow for universal clipping regardless of the length of the tail left over after tying a tie. Additionally, using pockets, and not inserting the magnet directly into the center of the fabric, makes such a tie very difficult to manufacture. Other methods and systems for securing a reversible necktie involve changing the way the necktie is shaped or stitched, deviating from the standard necktie manufacturing process, making it more expensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an apparatus includes a necktie having a tail end, a display end, a first side and a second side. The apparatus further includes a first magnet disposed within the tail end of the necktie, the first magnet being configured to move freely within a first space defined in the tail end of the necktie. The apparatus further includes a magnetically attractive material disposed within the display end of the necktie, the magnetically attractive material to interact with the first magnet to maintain the tail end against the display end.

In another aspect, a necktie is described. The necktie includes an elongated piece of fabric having a first side, a second side, a tail end and a display end, the first side having a first design pattern and the second side having a second design pattern that is different than the first design pattern. The necktie further includes a first magnet disposed within the tail end of the elongated piece of fabric, the first magnet configured to move freely within a first space defined in the tail end of the elongated piece of fabric. The necktie further includes a magnetically attractive material disposed within the display end of the elongated piece of fabric, the magnetically attractive material to interact with the first magnet to maintain the tail end against the display end when the necktie is tied in a knot.

In yet another aspect, a method includes the steps of providing a necktie comprising a tail end, a display end, a first side and a second side. The method further includes defining a first space defined in the tail end of the necktie, and disposing a first magnet within the first space defined in the tail end of the necktie, such that the first magnet moves freely within the first space. The method further includes disposing a magnetically attractive material within the display end of the necktie, the magnetically attractive material to interact with the first magnet to maintain the tail end against the display end when the necktie is tied in a tie knot.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. The claims that follow this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a display side of an exemplary neck tie as described herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a tail side of an exemplary neck tie as described herein;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an exemplary neck tie with a small knot as described herein;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an exemplary neck tie with a large knot as described herein;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an exemplary neck tie showing the attractive forces between the display side and the tail side as described herein;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a bow tie as described herein, prior to tying the bow;

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show the bow tie of FIG. 6 in various stages of being tied;

FIG. 8 shows a completed bow, and the bow tie prior to adjustment;

FIG. 9 shows a bow tie as described herein with the neck encircling portion disconnected;

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart describing how to make a neck tie as described herein; and

FIG. 11 shows a flow chart describing how to use a neck tie as described herein.

When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures, features, or elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As stated above, a common problem with standard neckties is that depending on the size of the person wearing the necktie, the size of the knot being tied, and/or the size of the tie itself, it can be difficult to prevent the tail of the tie from protruding beyond the front of the necktie. The necktie tail loops that exist on standard ties are stitched in the center of the back of the tie and do not allow for any adjustment in order to retain any length of tie tail remaining after tying. Additionally, current reversible neckties have no rear tie tail loops because either side of the reversible necktie can be displayed in front. This lack of rear tie tail loop in reversible neck ties can make it difficult to retain and secure the tail behind a reversible neck tie. Methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and the like consistent with one or more implementations of the current subject matter can, among other possible advantages, eliminate the need for any additional loop, clip, pin or mechanism to secure and retain the necktie tail in place and properly size a bow tie about a wearer's neck.

Methods and systems presented herein for securing a necktie avoid lost or broken magnets and/or any other necktie clipping devices. Consumer control of magnet location and control of necktie tail location behind the necktie, optimal to the wearer's body type, provide a premium, smooth, fashionable presentation of a necktie, regardless of the wearer's physique. In addition, when used with a reversible necktie, the methods and systems described herein create an all-in-one contained solution for securing the necktie tail of a reversible two sided necktie or adjusting the tightness of a bow tie about a wearer's neck.

By inserting two individual magnets, one inside the larger display end of the necktie and one inside the thinner rear tail of the necktie, the two magnets can move freely up and down the inside of the fabric of the stitched necktie to allow for manual adjustment and securing of the display side of the necktie to any possible length necktie tail remaining after tying. Because of the use of two free-moving magnets, such a necktie can be tied at any length or with any size knot and the necktie tail can clip behind the tie magnetically every time, concealing it from view.

This solution is particularly advantageous for reversible neckties. Previously, reversible neckties had no optimal way of being secured in place other than by using a necktie clip or pin that could damage and distort the front, or display side, of the necktie. One current way of securing a reversible necktie uses magnets that attach in front of the tie as ornaments for securing to a rear magnet that exists outside of the tie or inside a pocket on the wearer's shirt. The problem with this method of securing a tie is that if the necktie is pulled away from the shirt, the ornamental magnet on the front of the necktie or the magnet inside the shirt can magnetically disengage from the other, and the magnets can drop, either to the ground or inside the wearer's shirt. Disengagement between the magnets in such a tie securing system can lead to losing or damaging the magnets.

Bow ties currently come in standardized lengths, pre-tied ties, or clip-on bow ties. Pre-tied bow ties can have some means for adjusting to the circumference of the wearer's neck, but many consider pre-tied bow ties to be a faux pas, particularly for the most formal of occasions. Standard bow ties, those which are not pre-tied, may not allow the wearer to adjust the tie as it encircles his or her neck. There is only so much adjustment that can be done by varying the way in which the bow is tied. The bow ties described herein allow a wearer to compensate for variations in physique using two magnets in the tie to adjust the looseness or tightness of the tie about the wearer's neck.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a display end 100 of an exemplary necktie. The display end 100 is typically wider than the rest of a necktie. The necktie in FIG. 1 is a reversible, or double sided, tie with a display side A (denoted by 110) and a display side B 120. The reversible necktie display end 100 also include a first magnet 130. Display side A 110 and display side B 120 are stitched together along the perimeter of the necktie, and between the display sides 110, 120, is the first magnet 130.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a tail end 200 of an exemplary necktie, such as the exemplary necktie of FIG. 1. The necktie in FIG. 2 is also reversible. The tail side 200 of the necktie has a tie tail side A (denoted by 210) and a tie tail side B 220, as well as a second magnet 230. As with the display side, the tie tail side A 210 and tie tail side B 220 are stitched together along the perimeter of the necktie. The second magnet 230 is placed inside the necktie between the tie tail side A 210 and tie tail side B 220.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an exemplary neck tie with a small knot 300. The necktie shown in FIG. 3 can be a reversible, or double-sided, tie or it can be a standard, one-sided tie. This necktie is shown with a small tie knot 340, such that the tie tail end 200 of the tie hangs down almost as much as the display side. The tie tail end 200, first magnet 130, and second magnet are shown in outline (i.e. with broken lines), as they would not ordinarily be seen. This is merely to illustrate the relative location of components of an exemplary necktie 300 when a small knot 340 is tied. As shown, the first and second magnets 130, 230 overlap towards the bottom end of each of the display side and the tie tail end 200.

In contrast to the exemplary necktie shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 is a schematic of an exemplary necktie with a large knot 400. As in FIG. 3, portions of the necktie 400 are shown with broken lines, as they would not ordinarily be seen. The necktie with a large knot 400 includes a large knot 440, a display end 100, a tie tail end 200, and a first and second magnet 130, 230. As explained above, the first magnet 130 is within the two sides of the display end 100, and the second magnet 230 is between the two sides of the tie tail end 200. In the necktie with a large knot 400, shown in FIG. 4, the tie tail end 200 hangs down only about half as much as the display end 100 to accommodate the size of the knot 440. The magnets 130, 230, are attracted to each other and overlap in an area that coincides with the bottom portion of the tie tail end 200 and approximately the middle of the display end 100.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an exemplary neck tie showing the attractive forces 510 between the display side 100 and the tail side 200. The necktie has a display end 100 and a tie tail end 200. Inside of the display side 100, is a first magnet 130, while inside the tie tail end 200 is a second magnet 230. The first and second magnets 130, 230 are aligned such that their poles cause them to be attracted to each other with a magnetic force 510.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a bow tie 600, prior to tying the bow. The bow tie 600 has two individual bow tie ends, 610 and 620; two neck portion 630, 640, respectively; and a joining portion 650. Each of the bow tie ends 610, 620 has a neck portion 630, 640, respectively. The two portions of the bow tie 600 can connect, as shown, at the joining portion 650. Within the ends of the neck portions 630,640 that overlap at the joining portion 650 are pieces of material that are magnetically attracted to each other, such as magnets or a magnet and a magnetically attractive material, such as a ferrous metal. These pieces of material can move relative to each other and the fabric of the tie 600, particularly within the neck portions 630, 640, so as to tighten or loosen the bow tie about a wearer's neck. As shown, the bow tie 600 is a reversible bow tie, and the user, or wearer, selects which pattern or color will be seen once the tie is worn.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show the bow tie 600 in various stages of being tied. In FIG. 7A, the bow tie ends 610, 620 have been moved in the beginnings of a shoe-tying knot. The bow tie ends 610,620 have been manipulated further in FIG. 7B, and the bow 660 of the tie is almost completely tied.

FIG. 8 shows a completed bow 660, and the bow tie 600 prior to adjustment. The tied bow tie 600 includes the bow 660, the neck portions 630, 640, and the joining portion 650. The wearer or another user can slip magnetically attracted materials past each other in the parts of the neck portions 630, 640 within the joining portion 650 to adjust the combined length of the neck portions 630, 640 to fit the wearer's neck. The ends of the neck portions 630,640 containing magnets or the like can fit through a tube of material in the joining portion. The magnets or magnet and magnetically attractive material can remain stationary while the ends of the neck portions 630, 640 move past each other to create the perfect fit about the wearer's neck.

FIG. 9 shows a bow tie 600 with the neck encircling portion disconnected. In this configuration, the bow tie 600 includes a bow 660, neck portions 630,640; and ends of the neck portions 670, 680, respectively. As shown, the ends of the neck portions 670, 680 are separated. This occurs when a wearer or other user wishes to remove the bow tie 600 without disturbing the bow 660. Such an instance might be when the wearer needs to temporarily loosen or remove the bow tie, when the wearer is done wearing the bow tie for a period of time but does not wish to re-tie the bow tie the next time he or she wears it, and the like.

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart describing how to make a neck tie as described herein. The neckties described herein can be constructed to be one or two-sided 1010. The type of neckties described herein can be simple to manufacture. The magnets can be inserted into the necktie during or after the necktie is stitched closed, and these magnets can allow for adjustment of the ties to accommodate different physiques, as in 1020.

Once the fabric, thread, and rare earth magnets are procured, the necktie can be stitched together by taking the fabric of one design/color and stitching it to another piece of fabric of contrasting or any other piece of fabric at the perimeter or seam. Before the final stitching is made to close the front of the tie, a magnet is inserted into the body of the front of the tie between the inside of the fabric. Another magnet is then inserted into the tail of the necktie in a similar fashion. Once the two magnets are inserted into the necktie, the final stitching can be stitched to close the necktie ,creating a completed necktie with two magnets inside which are free to move vertically up and down the inside of the necktie.

In greater detail, the display sides (110 and 130 in FIG. 1) are stitched together along the perimeter of the necktie during the manufacturing process. Prior to completing the final stitching to close the display sides 110, 130, as shown in FIG. 1, the first magnet 130 is placed inside the necktie between the display side A 110 and the display side B 120 fabric. Once the first magnet 130 is inserted and between display side A 110 and display side B 120, the final stitches are made to close the display end 100, leaving the tie tail side A 210 and tie tail side B 220 portions of the fabric of the necktie unstitched. The tie tail side A 210 and tie tail side B 220 then stitched together along the perimeter of the necktie starting where the display end 100 terminates. Prior to completing the final stitching to close the tie tail end 200, the second magnet 230 is placed inside the necktie between the tie tail side A 210 and tie tail side B 220 fabric. Once the second magnet 230 is inserted between the tie tail side A 210 and tie tail side B 220, the final stitching is executed to close the tie tail side A 210 and tie tail side B 220, completing the stitching of the reversible necktie. When applying this fabrication process to a standard necktie (i.e. non-reversible necktie), the same process above applies except the stitching to close the tie occurs along the profile of the regular tie shapes after the first and second magnets 130, 230 are added to the display end 100 and tail end 200 of the necktie.

The magnets used in neckties described herein can be any suitably strong magnet. Suitably strong magnets include those with surface fields strength of around 1.25 Tesla (approximately 12,500 Gauss), magnets which can lift approximately 9 kg of mass, such as rare-earth magnets. In some implementations, magnets with such strong magnetic fields may not be desirable, due to medical reasons, safety reasons, data protection or the like. In such cases, magnets with surface field strengths of less than 1.25 Tesla, such as less than 1 Tesla can be used.

At least two magnets or the equivalent of one magnet and one ferrous metal are necessary in order to allow for clipping of the tail of the necktie to the front display end of the necktie. Stitching along the perimeter of two display sides of a necktie creating is not necessary unless creating a reversible necktie. The same two or more magnets or equivalent of one magnet and one ferrous metal can be added to a conventional (regular) style necktie resulting in the same magnetic retaining of the tail and display side of the necktie as in the case of the reversible necktie described above.

One of the magnets, or any magnetically attractive material (ferrous metal), can exist outside of the necktie while the remaining magnet or magnets can exist inside the necktie. This method can create the same magnetic attraction required for retaining of the tail to the display side of the necktie. This method can still allow for adjustment of at least one magnet or any magnetically attractive material (ferrous metal) inside of the tie that moves freely, thus allowing for retaining of any size tail remaining after tying of the necktie. The same adjustment benefit can be achieved by stitching one magnet such that it is static within the necktie while leaving the other magnet or magnetically attractive material (ferrous metal) loose inside the necktie to allow for universal adjustment of the necktie tail. Both magnets (or one or more magnet and one or more magnetically attractive material) do not need to be freely moving to accomplish the same results as described above. Also, the use of at least one free moving magnet or any magnetically attractive material (ferrous metal) inside a necktie can apply to standard and reversible neckties, as well as to any necktie that requires retaining of the necktie tail and the display end of the necktie or garment. In some implementations, an internal barrier can be stitched inside the necktie to divide the two magnets from accidently magnetically attracting while inside of the necktie, becoming attached without any fabric between the magnets and creating a nuisance for the wearer. The magnets or magnetically attractive material (ferrous metal) placed inside the necktie can be of any shape, including disk shaped, spherically shaped, rectangular in shape, or any other shape.

FIG. 11 shows a flow chart describing how to use a neck tie as described herein. In the case of a reversible tie, the wearer or other user decides which side of the tie will be forward, or displayed, as in 1110. The wearer positions the magnets or magnet and magnetically attractive material in the tie appropriately, so that adjustments can be made after tying the tie, as in 1120. In 1130, the wearer ties the magnetic necktie like any other necktie. In the case of a standard necktie (i.e. a tie that is not a bow tie), the wearer can tie any size knot desired at any length. The wearer can then adjust the tie to his or her physique by moving the magnets or magnetically attractive material, as in 1140. An example of this would be when the display side of the necktie is tipped vertically by the wearer to allow the magnet inside of the display side of the necktie to fall within the necktie towards the magnet in the tail of the necktie. Once the two magnets magnetically attract then the necktie can be laid flat on the wearer's shirt and left alone, displaying the necktie and preventing the tail of the necktie from protruding beyond the front of the necktie or allowing a bow tie to fit appropriately against the neck of the wearer, as in 1150. In some cases, such as with bow ties, the wearer might wish to remove the necktie without disturbing the bow or knot, as in 1160. In the case of a bow tie, this is easily accomplished as described above. With other types of neckties, removing the necktie while preserving the knot can require moving the magnets or magnetically attractive material around and loosening the knot carefully while removing the tie from around the wearer's neck.

The same concept of allowing for manual adjustment and clipping of fabric through use of at least one free moving magnets or magnetically attractive material (ferrous metal) within a piece of garment or fabric can be applied to other fields of technology such as inside the body of the fabric of suit pants to close pockets as opposed to using buttons or zippers for example.

The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other implementations may be within the scope of the following claims.