Novel articles and associated methods

Abstract

The present invention provides articles such as garments and accessories that incorporate one or more neck ties, and methods for making these articles. The articles may include, but are not limited to, shirts, skirts, pants. outerwear (e.g., jackets, coats, and blazers), accessories (e.g., jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pins, belts, sashes, and wallets), and bags (e.g., handbags, shoulder bags, and clutches). The articles can be made almost entirely from neck ties or from a base material that has one or more neck ties attached. The neck ties may be attached together or onto the base material using a suitable fastening means, e.g., sewing, thread, pins, buttons, snaps, hooks, adhesives, zippers, Velcro®, or the like. The neck ties may be “deconstructed” to facilitate their attachment, for example, by removing portions of thread from the tie, and unfolding or removing pieces of fabric from the tie.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel articles such as garments and accessories that incorporate one or more neck ties, and associated methods for making the articles.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A neck tie is typically worn as a separate article that is positioned underneath the collar of a shirt and tied around a person's neck. Neck ties are usually comprised of an elongated piece of fabric having a solid color or patterned design such as stripes, circles, graphical images, or the like, and combinations thereof. Neck ties occur in various shapes and sizes and typically have a front portion with a triangular point and a back portion that is narrower than the front portion. FIG. 1 depicts a conventional neck tie 2 having two sides 4, 6, a front portion 7, a back portion 8, a front end 9, and a back end 10. FIG. 2 depicts the conventional method of wearing a neck tie to adorn a collared shirt. As shown, the neck tie 18 is positioned underneath the shirt collar 20 and tied in a knot 22 around an individual's neck. Standard types of knots include the Windsor knot and the fore and hand knot. The front portion 25 and front end 26 of the tie typically hide the back portion and back end from view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel articles such as garments and accessories that incorporate one or more neck ties, and methods for making these articles. The articles may include, but are not limited to, shirts, skirts, pants, outerwear, accessories, and bags. The articles can be made almost entirely from neck ties or from a base material that has one or more neck ties attached. The neck ties can be pre-fabricated or specifically made for use with the present invention, and they can have any suitable design, shape, size, color, or pattern. Similarly, the base material can be pre-manufactured or specifically made for use with the present invention. The neck ties may be attached together or onto the base material using a suitable fastening means, e.g., sewing, thread, pins, buttons, snaps, hooks, adhesives, zippers, Velcro®, or the like, or combinations thereof. The neck ties may be positioned in a generally vertical, horizontal, or diagonal position with respect to the article, and one or more ties may serve as a strap, belt, handle, band, extension, ornamental feature, or similar part of the article. The neck ties may be “deconstructed” to facilitate their attachment, for example, by removing portions of thread from the tie, and unfolding or removing pieces of fabric from the tie.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide an article comprising a base material and at least one neck tie that is attached to the base material, wherein the at least one neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an article comprising a plurality of neck ties that are attached together, wherein each neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

A further aspect of the present invention is to provide an article comprising a neck tie having two ends, and a fastening device for detachably connecting the ends together, wherein the neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of making an article, the method comprising attaching at least one neck tie to a base material, wherein the at least one neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of making an article, the method comprising attaching a plurality of neck ties together to form the article, wherein each neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of making an article, the method comprising attaching a fastening device to a neck tie. wherein the neck tie has two ends, the fastening device detachably connects the ends together, and the neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel way to use neck ties.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel way to recycle old neck ties.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide articles such as garments and accessories that are made using neck ties, but not in the conventional manner in which a neck tie is a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar.

It is another object of the present invention to provide novel straps, handles, belts, and other functional features for articles that are made using neck ties.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide articles that are made using a base material and one or more neck ties.

It is another object of the present invention to provide articles that are made almost entirely using neck ties.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide articles that are made using a single neck tie.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims.

FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a conventional neck tie.

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view of a neck tie that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

FIG. 3a presents a front elevational view of an article comprising a tank top in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3b presents a rear elevational view of the article of FIG. 3a.

FIG. 4a presents a front elevational view of an article comprising a halter top in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4b presents a rear elevational view of the article of FIG. 4a.

FIG. 4c presents a right side elevational view of the article of FIGS. 4a and 4b.

FIG. 5 presents a perspective view of an article comprising a tube top as the base material in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6a presents a front elevational view of a bag in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6b presents a rear elevational view of the bag of FIG. 6a.

FIG. 7 presents a perspective view of an article comprising a skirt that is made almost entirely made from neck ties in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8a presents a top plan view of an article comprising an accessory that is almost entirely made from a neck tie in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8b presents a perspective view of the article of FIG. 8a in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides articles such as garments and accessories that incorporate one or more neck ties, and methods for making these articles. The articles may include, but are not limited to, shirts, skirts, pants, outerwear (e.g., jackets, coats, and blazers), accessories (e.g., jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pins, belts, sashes, and wallets), and bags (e.g., handbags, shoulder bags, and clutches), and they may be designed for use in any season—spring, summer, fall, or winter. The articles can be made almost entirely from neck ties or from a base material that has one or more neck ties attached. The neck ties can be pre-fabricated or specifically made for use with the present invention, and they can have any suitable design, shape, size, color, or pattern. Similarly, the base material can be pre-manufactured or specifically made for use with the present invention. The neck ties may be attached together or onto the base material using a suitable fastening means, e.g., sewing, thread, pins, buttons, snaps, hooks, adhesives, zippers, Velcro®, or the like, or combinations thereof. The neck ties may be positioned in a generally vertical, horizontal, or diagonal position with respect to the article, and one or more ties may serve as a strap, belt, handle, band, extension, ornamental feature, or similar part of the article. When a plurality of neck ties are connected together to form a strap or handle, they may be sewn, tied, buttoned, snapped, or otherwise connected together using a suitable fastening device. The neck ties may be “deconstructed” to facilitate their attachment, for example, by removing portions of thread from the tie, and unfolding or removing pieces of fabric from the tie.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more neck ties may be attached to a base material, which can be made from a fabric or textile material, including but not limited to cotton, polyester, silk, satin, leather, suede, or a combination thereof, or from plastic or any other suitable non-fabric material. The base material may comprise a conventional, pre-manufactured article of clothing, for example, a pre-made shirt, skirt, pair of pants, piece of outerwear, accessory, or bag. Alternatively, the base material may be specifically fabricated for use with the present invention. The base material may have any suitable design, shape, size, pattern, or color.

The neck ties can be made from a fabric or textile material, including but not limited to cotton, polyester, silk, satin, leather, suede, or a combination thereof, or from plastic or any other suitable non-fabric material. The present invention is not limited to any particular number of neck ties that are attached to a single article. The neck ties may have any suitable design, shape, size, pattern, or color. The neck ties may be regular or irregular. When multiple neck ties are used, the design, shape, size, pattern, and/or color of each neck tie may differ. The neck ties may be supplied from any suitable source, e.g., a retail store or flea market. The neck ties may be pre-fabricated or newly fabricated specifically for use with the present invention. The neck ties may be fabricated from one or more pieces of fabric or non-fabric material that are configured to resemble a neck tie, but are not necessarily suitable for use as a conventional neck tie that adorns a shirt collar. The present invention also contemplates the use of bow ties.

The neck ties may be attached to the base material using any suitable fastening means, including but not limited to sewing, thread, pins, buttons, snaps, hooks, adhesives, zippers, Velcro®, or the like, or combinations thereof. The present invention is not limited to any particular placement of the ties along the base material. Each tie may be positioned in a generally vertical, horizontal, or diagonal direction with respect to the base material and/or article. Each tie may or may not touch another tie, and each tie may be positioned in a different direction. The ties may be cut, deconstructed, or otherwise manipulated, and they may be fully or partially attached to the base material.

In a preferred embodiment, a shirt may serve as the base material on which one or more neck ties are attached. As used herein, the term “shirt” includes, but is not limited to, tee shirts, tank tops, halter tops, tube tops, short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, collared shirts, shirts without collars, button down shirts, zippered shirts, and pull-over shirts. FIG. 3a presents a front elevational view of an embodiment in which an article (a tank top 30) is made by attaching one or more ties to a base material comprising a pre-fabricated tank top. FIG. 3a shows the front of the article 30 where the front portion 32, 34 of each neck tie is attached onto the front portion of the pre-fabricated tank top 36. The neck ties are attached to the tank top 36 by sewing with thread along the sides 38, 40, 42, 44 of each tie. The front end 46, 48 of each tie hangs unattached below the bottom of the tank top. FIG. 3b presents a rear elevational view of the article 30 depicted in FIG. 3a. The back portion 50, 52 of each neck tie is attached onto the back portion of the pre-fabricated tank top 54. The back portions of the ties 50, 52 are criss-crossed over each other to form an “X.” The neck ties are attached to the base material by sewing with thread along the sides 54, 56, 58, 60 of each tie. The back end 62, 64 of each tie hangs unattached below the bottom of the tank top.

FIG. 4a presents a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention in which an article (a halter top 68) is made by attaching one or more neck ties to a base material comprising a tube top. As shown in FIG. 4a, the front portion of a single neck tie 70 has been cut and attached onto the front portion of a tube top 72. The cut edge of the neck tie has been folded over the edge 74 of the tube top to create a clean line, and the folded edge and the sides of the tie have been sewn into place on the tube top. Two additional neck ties 76, 78 have been sewn on either side of the cut neck tie 70. The front portions of the neck ties 76, 78 are attached to the tube top by sewing with thread, and the back portions 80, 82 extend around an individual's neck 83 where they are tied or otherwise connected together (e.g., by sewing or some other fastening device) to create straps for the halter top 68.

FIG. 4b presents a rear elevational view of the halter top 68 depicted in FIG. 4a. Three separate neck ties 84, 86, 88 have been cut and attached onto the back portion of the tube top 90 by sewing with thread. The cut edge of each neck tie has been folded over the edge 92 of the tube top to create a clean line. The folded edge 92 and sides of each tie have been sewn into place on the tube top. The back portions 80, 82 of the ties form straps that are tied in a knot 96 or otherwise connected around an individual's neck 83. FIG. 4c depicts a right side elevational view of the halter top 68 depicted in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

FIG. 5 presents a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in which an article (a belted tube top 104) is made by attaching one or more ties to a base material comprising a tube top 100. As shown in FIG. 5, a neck tie 102 is generally horizontally positioned to run along the bottom edge of a tube top 100. The neck tie 102 may be attached to the bottom edge by sewing with thread, except that the ends 106, 108 of the neck tie are left unattached. The ends 106, 108 may be tied together in a knot 110 or otherwise connected together (e.g., by sewing or some other fastening device) to create a belt or sash. The end result is an article comprising a belted tube top 104.

FIG. 6a presents a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention in which an article (a shoulder bag 112) is made by attaching one or more neck ties to a base material comprising a portion of a bag. A single tie 114 has been cut and attached in a generally vertical direction to a pre-fabricated portion of a bag 116, which is upwardly open at the top and sewn closed along the sides and bottom. The bag 116 may have a suitable closure device at its open end, e.g., a zipper, clasp, or snap. Two additional ties 118, 120 have been attached to the bag 116 on either side of the cut tie 114. The front portions of the ties are attached to the bag 116 by sewing with thread, while the back portions 122, 124 of the ties are left unattached to form a strap or handle of the bag. The back portions 122, 124 are tied together or otherwise connected using any suitable means, e.g., sewing, thread, pins, buttons, snaps, hooks, adhesives, zippers, Velcro®, or the like. FIG. 6b presents a rear elevational view of the bag 112. Three ties 126, 128, 130 have been cut and attached to the back side of the bag by sewing with thread. Alternatively, the back side of the bag may contain one or more whole ties that are configured to form a shoulder strap or handle.

In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of neck ties may be attached together to form an article such as a shirt, skirt, pair of pants, piece of outerwear, accessory, or bag. The article can be made almost entirely from neck ties without the use of a base material. The neck ties can be made from a fabric or a textile material, including but not limited to cotton, polyester, silk, satin, leather, suede, or a combination thereof, or from plastic or any other suitable non-fabric material. The present invention is not limited to any particular number of neck ties that are attached together to form a single article. The neck ties may have any suitable design, shape, size, pattern, or color. When multiple neck ties are used, the design, shape, size, pattern, and/or color of each neck tie may differ. The neck ties may be supplied from any suitable source, e.g., a retail store or flea market. The neck ties may be pre-fabricated or newly fabricated specifically for use with the present invention. The neck ties may be fabricated from one or more pieces of fabric or non-fabric material that are configured to resemble a neck tie, but are not necessarily suitable for use as a conventional neck tie that adorns a shirt collar.

The neck ties may be attached together using any suitable fastening means, including but not limited to sewing, thread, pins, buttons, snaps, hooks, adhesives, zippers, Velcro®, or the like, or combinations thereof. The present invention is not limited to any particular placement of the ties. Each tie may be positioned in a generally vertical, horizontal, or diagonal direction with respect to the article. Each tie may be positioned in a different direction. The ties may be cut, deconstructed, or otherwise manipulated.

FIG. 7 presents a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in which an article (a skirt 132) is made almost entirely from neck ties. The skirt 132 is formed by attaching together a plurality of neck ties 134 that are positioned in a generally vertical direction with respect to the final assembled skirt, although the present invention is not limited to any particular placement of the ties. The neck ties 134 are laid side-by-side and attached together along their edges, preferably by sewing with thread, although any other suitable fastening device may be used. To facilitate the attachment of the ties together, each tie may be cut or otherwise deconstructed, allowing the ties to lay flat during and after the garment's assembly. In addition, the ties may be cut so that they are the appropriate length for the final desired garment. In FIG. 7, the back portions of the ties have been cut away and the resulting cut edge is attached to a waistband 136.

In another embodiment, a single neck tie may be used to form an article, for example, an accessory. The neck tie may include a suitable fastening device, e.g., a snap, pin, button, clasp, hook, zipper, Velcro®, or the like, for detachably connecting the ends of the tie together. When the ends are connected in a closed position, the article can be worn as a bracelet, necklace, belt, or the like. The neck tie may be cut, deconstructed, or otherwise manipulated to facilitate the formation of the article.

FIG. 8a presents a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention in which an article (a bracelet, necklace, or belt 140) is made almost entirely from a single neck tie. The back portion 141 of a neck tie is cut, and the cut edge 142 is folded over and sewn with thread 144 to create a clean line along the folded edge 146. The tie may be fitted with the components of a detachable snap 148, or alternatively, a pin, button, clasp, hook, zipper, Velcro®, or other suitable closure, for detachably connecting the two ends of the tie. FIG. 8b presents a perspective view of the article 140 depicted in FIG. 8a with the two ends of the tie connected together in a closed position. With the two ends connected, the article 140 can be worn as a bracelet, necklace, or belt.

Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An article comprising a base material and at least one neck tie that is attached to the base material, wherein the at least one neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of shirts, skirts, pants, outerwear, accessories, and bags.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the base material is selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, silk, satin, leather, suede, and combinations thereof.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one neck tie is attached to the base material by sewing.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one neck tie is oriented in a position with respect to the base material that is selected from the group consisting of generally vertically, generally horizontally, and generally diagonally.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one neck tie comprises a strap of the article.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one neck tie comprises a belt of the article.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of tank tops, halter tops, and tube tops.

9. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one neck tie is deconstructed.

10. An article comprising a plurality of neck ties that are attached together, wherein each neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of shirts, skirts, pants, outerwear, accessories, and bags.

12. The article of claim 10, wherein the neck ties are attached together by sewing.

13. The article of claim 10, wherein at least one neck tie is oriented in a position with respect to the article that is selected from the group consisting of generally vertically, generally horizontally, and generally diagonally.

14. The article of claim 10, wherein at least one neck tie is deconstructed.

15. An article comprising a neck tie having two ends, and a fastening device for detachably connecting the ends together, wherein the neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the fastening device is selected from the group consisting of snaps, pins, buttons, clasps, hooks, and zippers.

17. The article of claim 15, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of necklaces, bracelets, and belts.

18. A method of making an article, the method comprising attaching at least one neck tie to a base material, wherein the at least one neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of shirts, skirts, pants, outerwear, accessories, and bags.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the base material is selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, silk, satin, leather, suede, and combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one neck tie is attached to the base material by sewing.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one neck tie is oriented in a position with respect to the base material that is selected from the group consisting of generally vertically, generally horizontally, and generally diagonally.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one neck tie comprises a strap of the article.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one neck tie comprises a belt of the article.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of tank tops, halter tops, and tube tops.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one neck tie is deconstructed.

27. A method of making an article, the method comprising attaching a plurality of neck ties together to form the article, wherein each neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of shirts, skirts, pants, outerwear, accessories, and bags.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the neck ties are attached together by sewing.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein at least one neck tie is oriented in a position with respect to the article that is selected from the group consisting of generally vertically, generally horizontally, and generally diagonally.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein at least one neck tie is deconstructed.

33. A method of making an article, the method comprising attaching a fastening device to a neck tie, wherein the neck tie has two ends, the fastening device detachably connects the two ends together, and the neck tie is not a separate article that is tied underneath a shirt collar in a conventional manner.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the fastening device is selected from the group consisting of snaps, pins, buttons, clasps, hooks, and zippers.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of necklaces, bracelets, and belts.