NECKTIE SHAPING DEVICE
United States Patent 3855636
A device for sizing or shaping a necktie knot to prevent it from losing its shape and to maintain it properly positioned with respect to the shirt collar. The device may be constructed of plastic, cardboard or other suitable stiff, resilient material. A straight narrow shank is provided at the top end with an integral head portion, preferably shaped generally like an arrow-head, tapering to a blunt point at the tip end. After the tie has been knotted, the head is inserted between the tie face and the tail portion from below the knot and pushed upwardly into the knot. This spreads the knot, shapes it, and holds it in proper position. The shank is provided with vertically spaced openings so that a stick pin or tie tac can be inserted through the tie and one of the openings to lock the assembly to the shirt. In addition, the head may be provided with an integral barb for engaging the tie material. The head may also be provided with a rotating cam member which spreads a pair of bars to hold the tie properly spread just below the knot.
US Patent References:
Knot holder and shoulder spreader for ties
Wade - April 1934 - 1954303
Necktie pin
Cirelli - September 1938 - 2131311
Tie stay
Gugino - March 1950 - 2501046
Aligning means for neckties
Confino - September 1953 - 2652569
Knot holder and shoulder spreader for ties
Wade - April 1934 - 1954303
Necktie pin
Cirelli - September 1938 - 2131311
Tie stay
Gugino - March 1950 - 2501046
Aligning means for neckties
Confino - September 1953 - 2652569
Application Number:
05/439595
Publication Date:
12/24/1974
Filing Date:
02/04/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
2/157
International Classes:
A41D25/08; A41D25/00; A41D25/08
Field of Search:
2/157,145,153,150
Primary Examiner:
Lawson, Patrick D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Salter & Michaelson
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A tie knot shaping and holding device comprising a flat planar member having an elongated shank, an enlarged integral head at the upper end of said shank, opposite sides of said head having gently rounded lower portions, said sides then converging to a gently rounded apex at the top of said head, said head being adapted to be pushed upwardly into a tie knot between the front and rear portions of a tie until the convergent upper portion of the head is within the knot while the wider, curved lower portion of the head remains below the knot, spreader means associated with said head and comprising bars extending outwardly from opposite sides of said head at said wider, curved lower portion thereof, said spreader means also being of flat, planar construction and functioning to maintain the tie material below the knot in spread position, and means for holding said device properly positioned with respect to the tie.
2. In the device of claim 1, means permitting said spreader bars to be selectively maintained in an outwardly spread, operative position, or in an inoperative position when no spreading means are required.
3. A tie knot shaping and holding device comprising a flat, stiff, flexible member having a narrow elongated shank, an enlarged integral head at the upper end of said shank, said head having a gently curved top end, whereby said head may be pushed upwardly into a tie knot between the front and rear portions of a tie, means for holding said member in position in the tie, and means for spreading the tie material below the knot and holding it in spread position, said spreading means comprising a flat annular housing mounted on the front of said head, a pair of diagonally aligned spreading bars extending from opposite sides of said housing, cam means in said housing for sliding said bars from a withdrawn to an extended position, and a manually operable knob at the rear of said head for operating said cam means.
1. A tie knot shaping and holding device comprising a flat planar member having an elongated shank, an enlarged integral head at the upper end of said shank, opposite sides of said head having gently rounded lower portions, said sides then converging to a gently rounded apex at the top of said head, said head being adapted to be pushed upwardly into a tie knot between the front and rear portions of a tie until the convergent upper portion of the head is within the knot while the wider, curved lower portion of the head remains below the knot, spreader means associated with said head and comprising bars extending outwardly from opposite sides of said head at said wider, curved lower portion thereof, said spreader means also being of flat, planar construction and functioning to maintain the tie material below the knot in spread position, and means for holding said device properly positioned with respect to the tie.
2. In the device of claim 1, means permitting said spreader bars to be selectively maintained in an outwardly spread, operative position, or in an inoperative position when no spreading means are required.
3. A tie knot shaping and holding device comprising a flat, stiff, flexible member having a narrow elongated shank, an enlarged integral head at the upper end of said shank, said head having a gently curved top end, whereby said head may be pushed upwardly into a tie knot between the front and rear portions of a tie, means for holding said member in position in the tie, and means for spreading the tie material below the knot and holding it in spread position, said spreading means comprising a flat annular housing mounted on the front of said head, a pair of diagonally aligned spreading bars extending from opposite sides of said housing, cam means in said housing for sliding said bars from a withdrawn to an extended position, and a manually operable knob at the rear of said head for operating said cam means.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Styles in neckwear, as in other fashion items, vary over the years. For a while, narrow ties were in style. The knots were small and tight, and a tie holder was sufficient to hold the tie neatly in place. In recent years the ties have become much wider, and the knots are worn much larger. These have a tendency to loosen and slip, lose shape, and fall away from the collar. Furthermore, the wide material makes it difficult to keep the tie in a neat, straight fold. Such ties require frequent attention to present a neat appearance through the day.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device for supporting and holding a wide knotted tie in a neat shape and position. A stiff, resilient, flat member is provided with an elongated narrow shank and an integral head at the top end. The head is pushed up into the tie knot between the tie face and the rear tail portions. This will spread and shape the knot. The shank has a vertical row of openings so that a stick pin or tie tac can be inserted through the tie portions and one of the openings to lock the assembly to the shirt. Additional locking and shaping means may also be mounted on the device if desired.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the present invention, the spreading bars being withdrawn;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation thereof;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, partly broken away, with the spreading bars in extended position; and
FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are plan views, with the top of the housing removed, showing the cam operation of the spreading bars.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device of the present invention is preferably formed of a flat, stiff, resilient material such as a plastic, cardboard, metal, etc. It comprises an elongated narrow shank portion 10. At its upper end, the shank portion 10 is provided with an integral enlarged head 12. The head 12 is preferably shaped somewhat like an arrowhead, having curved wide sides 14 tapering up to a blunt pointed end 16. It will be understood, however, that other tongue-like shapes may be employed instead of the illustrated arrow-head configuration.
After the tie has been conventionally formed on the collar 18 with the large knot 20 in place, the device is inserted between the front face 22 and the rear tail portion 24 of the tie. The head 12 is pushed upwardly into the knot 20, FIG. 1. This ensures the retention of the desired shape and prevents the knot from slipping downwardly by means now to be described.
The shank portion 10, extending down behind the front face 22 of the tie, keeps the device in proper position. A plurality of vertically spaced openings 26 are positioned centrally of the shank 10. A stick pin or tie tac (not shown) can thus be inserted through the front and rear portions 22 and 24 of the tie, passing through the nearest opening 26, to lock the entire assembly to the shirt. The device is thus retained in place to maintain the knot 20 in proper shape and keeping it from slipping.
Additional holding and shaping means may also be provided as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Adjacent the upper tip end 16 of the head 12, a downwardly extending barb 28 may be integrally struck from the material of the device. Now when the head 12 is pushed up into the knot 20, downward movement will be prevented by the penetration of the barb 28 into the tie material.
A further locking or holding means can be provided by joining alternate openings 26 to form slots 30. The slots can be used to lock the shank to the nearest shirt button. However, this requires that the rear tail portion 24 of the tie be pushed to one side to expose the shirt buttons. Of course, when the shirt button is used for anchoring the device, the stick pin or tie tac is no longer necessary.
The device is also provided with means for spreading the face portion 22 of the tie just below the knot 20 to present the wide material in a neat, wrinkle-free appearance. This feature is illustrated in FIGS. 1, and 3 to 6, inclusive. Mounted on the front of the head 12 is a flat, annular, hollow housing 32. A circular cam disc 34 is rotatably positioned in the housing 32 and is manually rotatable by a knob 36 at the rear of the head 12, the knob 36 having a shank attached to the center of the disc 34 through an opening in the head 12. The housing 32 is provided with diametrically opposed side openings 37, and a spreading bar 38 extends slidably through each opening, the bars 38 being in diametrical alignment across the housing. The inner end of each bar 38 is provided with a pin 40 riding in a cam slot 42 in the disc 34. The cam slots 42 are curved so that rotation of the disc 34 will thrust the bars outwardly in extended position from the housing 32.
Now, after the head 12 has been pushed into the position shown in FIG. 1, the knob 36 is manually rotated to turn the disc 34 in the direction of the arrows in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 4 illustrates the bars 38 in withdrawn position as also shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, as the disc 34 rotates, the cam slots 42 force the pins 40 outwardly, pushing the bars 38 into extended position, FIG. 3. This forces the outer ends of the bars 38 against the outer folds of the rear surface of front face 22 of the tie to spread and hold it in a neat, wrinkle-free position.
I have thus provided a simple and easily constructed device which can be readily applied to a wide tie knot to shape and hold it in position. The device prevents slipping of the knot, eliminates wrinkling, and promotes longer wear. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Styles in neckwear, as in other fashion items, vary over the years. For a while, narrow ties were in style. The knots were small and tight, and a tie holder was sufficient to hold the tie neatly in place. In recent years the ties have become much wider, and the knots are worn much larger. These have a tendency to loosen and slip, lose shape, and fall away from the collar. Furthermore, the wide material makes it difficult to keep the tie in a neat, straight fold. Such ties require frequent attention to present a neat appearance through the day.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device for supporting and holding a wide knotted tie in a neat shape and position. A stiff, resilient, flat member is provided with an elongated narrow shank and an integral head at the top end. The head is pushed up into the tie knot between the tie face and the rear tail portions. This will spread and shape the knot. The shank has a vertical row of openings so that a stick pin or tie tac can be inserted through the tie portions and one of the openings to lock the assembly to the shirt. Additional locking and shaping means may also be mounted on the device if desired.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the present invention, the spreading bars being withdrawn;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation thereof;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, partly broken away, with the spreading bars in extended position; and
FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are plan views, with the top of the housing removed, showing the cam operation of the spreading bars.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device of the present invention is preferably formed of a flat, stiff, resilient material such as a plastic, cardboard, metal, etc. It comprises an elongated narrow shank portion 10. At its upper end, the shank portion 10 is provided with an integral enlarged head 12. The head 12 is preferably shaped somewhat like an arrowhead, having curved wide sides 14 tapering up to a blunt pointed end 16. It will be understood, however, that other tongue-like shapes may be employed instead of the illustrated arrow-head configuration.
After the tie has been conventionally formed on the collar 18 with the large knot 20 in place, the device is inserted between the front face 22 and the rear tail portion 24 of the tie. The head 12 is pushed upwardly into the knot 20, FIG. 1. This ensures the retention of the desired shape and prevents the knot from slipping downwardly by means now to be described.
The shank portion 10, extending down behind the front face 22 of the tie, keeps the device in proper position. A plurality of vertically spaced openings 26 are positioned centrally of the shank 10. A stick pin or tie tac (not shown) can thus be inserted through the front and rear portions 22 and 24 of the tie, passing through the nearest opening 26, to lock the entire assembly to the shirt. The device is thus retained in place to maintain the knot 20 in proper shape and keeping it from slipping.
Additional holding and shaping means may also be provided as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Adjacent the upper tip end 16 of the head 12, a downwardly extending barb 28 may be integrally struck from the material of the device. Now when the head 12 is pushed up into the knot 20, downward movement will be prevented by the penetration of the barb 28 into the tie material.
A further locking or holding means can be provided by joining alternate openings 26 to form slots 30. The slots can be used to lock the shank to the nearest shirt button. However, this requires that the rear tail portion 24 of the tie be pushed to one side to expose the shirt buttons. Of course, when the shirt button is used for anchoring the device, the stick pin or tie tac is no longer necessary.
The device is also provided with means for spreading the face portion 22 of the tie just below the knot 20 to present the wide material in a neat, wrinkle-free appearance. This feature is illustrated in FIGS. 1, and 3 to 6, inclusive. Mounted on the front of the head 12 is a flat, annular, hollow housing 32. A circular cam disc 34 is rotatably positioned in the housing 32 and is manually rotatable by a knob 36 at the rear of the head 12, the knob 36 having a shank attached to the center of the disc 34 through an opening in the head 12. The housing 32 is provided with diametrically opposed side openings 37, and a spreading bar 38 extends slidably through each opening, the bars 38 being in diametrical alignment across the housing. The inner end of each bar 38 is provided with a pin 40 riding in a cam slot 42 in the disc 34. The cam slots 42 are curved so that rotation of the disc 34 will thrust the bars outwardly in extended position from the housing 32.
Now, after the head 12 has been pushed into the position shown in FIG. 1, the knob 36 is manually rotated to turn the disc 34 in the direction of the arrows in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 4 illustrates the bars 38 in withdrawn position as also shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, as the disc 34 rotates, the cam slots 42 force the pins 40 outwardly, pushing the bars 38 into extended position, FIG. 3. This forces the outer ends of the bars 38 against the outer folds of the rear surface of front face 22 of the tie to spread and hold it in a neat, wrinkle-free position.
I have thus provided a simple and easily constructed device which can be readily applied to a wide tie knot to shape and hold it in position. The device prevents slipping of the knot, eliminates wrinkling, and promotes longer wear. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.