COLLAR STAY, SHIRT COLLAR, COMBINATION, AND METHOD

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a collar stay having a body and an ornament disposed on the body. The body may include a material such a metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof. The ornament may be a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof. The collar stay may be worn with a shirt having a collar with a slit adapted to receive the collar stay and expose a portion of the collar stay to a viewer. The present disclosure provides a shirt collar with an exposed collar stay having a unique structure and distinct appearance.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/775,064, filed on Feb. 20, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Collar stays are a common garment accessory that when placed under a shirt or blouse collar provide additional stiffness and rigidity to the collar. Collar stays are typically made of a thin plastic or metal material. When inserted into a stitched slot under the collar of conventional shirts and/or blouses, the rigidity of the collar stays prevent the collar, and the collar tips in particular, from curling. Collar stays thereby assist a person in presenting a crisp and well-groomed appearance.

Despite the aesthetic advantages of a prim appearance provided through the use of collar stays, the structure, composition and resultant appearance of conventional collar stays is unremarkable and uninteresting. The mediocre materials used for conventional collar stays and low level quality by which they are made results in frequent breakage. The lackluster appearance of conventional collar stays very often results in the misfortune of collar stays being misplaced, lost, or left in the shirt collar long after use.

A need therefore exists for a collar stay having improved structural features to promote long-term usage and avoid loss. A need further exists for a shirt to accommodate a structurally enhanced collar stay and simultaneously display the unique structural features of such an improved collar stay.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a collar stay with improved structural and other features. The present disclosure further provides a shirt adapted to receive and display the features of the collar stay to onlookers of the person wearing the shirt.

In an embodiment, a collar stay is provided having a body and an ornament disposed on the body. The body may include a material such as a metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof. The body may have a single layer structure or a multiple layer structure. The ornament may be a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the ornament may be disposed on the body, in the body, through the body, along a body perimeter, around the body perimeter, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the body may include a perforation. An arm member for supporting or otherwise storing the collar stay may extend through the perforation.

In an embodiment, a shirt is provided. The shirt may include a collar having an outer surface. A slit may be present in the collar for receiving a collar stay. The slit may be adapted to expose a portion of a collar stay from the outer surface when a collar stay is received by the slit. In an embodiment, the shirt may include a first slit and a second slit. The first slit may be adapted to receive a proximate end of the collar stay and the second slit may be adapted to receive a distal end of the collar stay. The shirt further include a pocket for receiving one or both ends of the collar stay. In an embodiment, the pocket may be adapted to receive a distal end of the collar stay. The shirt may include a fastening device for securing a collar stay in the collar. The shirt may include a fastening device for securing the collar stay in the collar. The fastening device may extend through the perforation which may be present in the collar stay.

In an embodiment, a shirt is provided, the shirt having a collar and a slot in the collar for receiving a collar stay. An aperture may be disposed or located on the outer surface of the collar, the aperture exposing a portion of a collar stay when a collar stay is in the slot. The aperture permits a portion of the collar stay be viewed by onlookers when the collar stay is placed in the shirt collar. The aperture may be located at an end of the slot or a middle portion of the slot. In an embodiment, the slot may be disposed on an inner surface of the collar. The aperture may have a shape such as circular, elliptical, square, triangular, polygonal, fanciful and combinations thereof. The shirt may include a fastening device for fastening a collar stay to the collar. In an embodiment, the collar stay may include a perforation through which the fastening device may extend.

In an embodiment, a shirt is provided, the shirt having a collar and a slot for receiving a collar stay. The slot may have a length less than the length of a collar stay. The slot may be adapted to expose an end of a collar stay from an outer surface of the collar when a collar stay is present in the slot. The slot may be disposed or located on the outer surface of the collar. In an embodiment, a distal end of a collar stay extends from and is exposed from the slot. The shirt may include a fastening device for securing a collar stay to the collar. In an embodiment, the collar lacks a collar tip or a collar point thereby exposing the distal end of the collar stay to onlookers.

In an embodiment, a shirt and a collar stay are provided. The shirt includes a collar having an outer surface and a slit for receiving the collar stay. The collar stay extends through in the slit. The slit may be adapted to expose a portion of the collar stay from the outer surface of the collar. In an embodiment, the collar may include a first slit that receives a proximate end of the collar stay and a second slit that receives a distal end of the collar stay. The proximate end and the distal end of the collar stay may be disposed behind the collar outer surface. In an embodiment, the collar may include a pocket for receiving the distal end of the collar stay.

In an embodiment, the collar stay may include a body material such as a metal, a precious metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof. The exposed portion of the collar stay may further include an ornament. The ornament may be a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, a shirt and collar stay are provided. The shirt may include a collar having a collar stay slot. The collar stay may be disposed or located in the collar stay slot. An aperture may be disposed on the outer surface of the collar and along the slot. The aperture may expose a portion of the collar stay received in the slot. In an embodiment, the aperture may have a shape such as circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, fanciful, and combinations thereof. The collar stay body may include a material such as a metal, a precious metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof. The collar stay may include a perforation, and the shirt may include fastening device that extends through the perforation

In an embodiment, an ornament on the collar stay may be exposed through the aperture. The ornament may be a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof. In other words, the ornament may be visible to onlookers when the collar stay is worn with any of the shirts disclosed herein. Alternatively, the collar stay with the ornament may be worn with conventional shirts.

In an embodiment, a shirt and a collar stay are provided. The shirt may include a collar having a collar stay slot. The collar stay may be disposed in the slot. The slot may be disposed on the outer surface of the collar. The slot may have a length less than the length of the collar stay. The slot may expose an end of the collar stay that extends from the slot. The collar stay body may include a metal, a precious metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof. The collar stay may also include an ornament. The ornament may be a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the collar stay may include a perforation and the shirt may include a fastening device securing the collar stay to the shirt, the fastening device extending through the perforation.

In an embodiment, the collar includes a collar tip, and the exposed collar stay end is substantially aligned with the collar tip. In a further embodiment, the collar may lack a collar tip. The exposed collar stay end may form or otherwise replace the collar tip. The exposed collar stay end may be pointed.

In an embodiment, a shirt is provided. The shirt includes a collar having an outer surface and a collar stay slot. A collar stay is disposed or otherwise located in the collar stay slot. An aperture is located on the collar outer surface along the slot. The aperture exposes a portion of the collar stay.

In an embodiment, the aperture has a shape such as circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, fanciful, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the collar stay further includes a body. The body contains a material such as a metal, a precious metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the collar stay includes an ornament. The ornament is exposed through the aperture and is visible to others. The ornament may be a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, a fastening device secures the collar stay to the shirt. In an embodiment, the collar stay may include a perforation. A portion of the fastening device may extend through the perforation.

In an embodiment, a shirt is provided. The shirt includes a collar having a collar stay slot. A collar stay is disposed or located in the slot. The slot has a length less than the length of the collar stay. An exposed end of the collar stay extends from the slot.

In an embodiment, the collar stay includes a body having a material such as a metal, a precious metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the exposed portion of the collar stay includes an ornament. The ornament may be a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the collar includes a collar tip. The exposed portion of the collar stay end is aligned with, or substantially aligned with, the collar tip.

In an embodiment, the collar lacks a collar tip. The exposed collar stay end forms the collar tip.

In an embodiment, the collar stay has a pointed end. The exposed portion of the collar stay is the pointed end.

In an embodiment, the shirt includes a fastening device. The fastening device secures the collar stay to the shirt.

In an embodiment, the collar stay has a perforation. A portion of the fastening device extending through the perforation to secure the collar stay to the shirt collar.

In an embodiment, the slot is disposed on an outer surface of the collar.

In an embodiment, a method of wearing clothing is provided. The method includes providing a collar stay comprising a body and an ornament and placing the collar stay in a collar. The method may include providing an indicia on the body. The method may include providing a message on the body.

In an embodiment, the method may include exposing a portion of the collar stay to onlookers when the shirt is worn. The method may further include exposing a portion of the ornament from the collar to onlookers when the shirt is worn.

In an embodiment, a method of clothing wear is provided. The method includes providing a shirt having a collar with an outer surface and a slit for receiving a collar stay and placing a collar stay through the slit. The method further includes exposing from the collar outer surface a portion of the collar stay. The method may also include viewing the exposed portion of the collar stay from a position away from the shirt. The collar stay may include an ornament with the method including exposing the ornament from the collar outer surface. The method may additionally include fastening the collar stay to the shirt.

In an embodiment, a method of wearing clothing is provided. The method includes providing a shirt with a collar having a collar stay slot, the collar having an aperture on the outer surface along the slot and placing a collar stay in the collar stay slot. The method further includes exposing a portion of the collar stay through the aperture. The method may include viewing a portion of the collar stay through the aperture. The collar stay may include an ornament, the method further including exposing the ornament through the aperture.

In an embodiment, a method of wearing clothing is provided. The method includes providing a shirt with a collar having a collar stay slot, the slot having a length less than the length of the collar stay and placing a collar stay in the slot. The method further entails exposing an end of the collar stay from a distal end of the collar. The method may include viewing the exposed end portion of the collar stay from a location away from the shirt. The collar may include a collar tip, the method further including placing the exposed collar stay end portion adjacent to, or in alignment with, the collar tip. The method may also include overlapping the collar tip with the exposed end portion of the collar stay.

In an embodiment, the collar lacks a collar tip, the method including forming the collar tip with the exposed end portion of the collar stay. The exposed end portion of the collar stay may be pointed. The collar stay body may be a metal, a precious metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof. The collar stay may include an ornament, the method further including exposing the ornament. The ornament may be a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment a method of advertising is provided. The method includes providing a collar stay with an advertising indicia and displaying the collar stay. The collar stay body may be a metal, a precious metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the advertising method may include providing, displaying, or distributing the collar stay at a venue such as a store, a hotel, a resort, the Internet, a trade show, a dry cleaner, a magazine, and combinations thereof

In an embodiment, the advertising method may include attracting a viewer to the advertising indicia with the collar stay body. In an embodiment, the collar stay may include an ornament with the method further entailing attracting a viewer to the advertising indicia with the ornament. The ornament may be a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the method may further include placing the collar stay in a shirt having a collar adapted to expose the advertising indicia, and wearing the shirt to display the advertising indicia from the collar. In an embodiment, the collar stay has a perforation.

In an embodiment, a collar stay is provided. The collar stay may include a body, and a device disposed in the body. The device may form the collar stay body. The device may be a data processing device, a telephone, a radio, a music device, a microphone, a camera, an electronic storage device, an RFID tag, a container, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, an earpiece may be in operative communication with the device.

In an embodiment, the device may be a container and the container may contain an object. The object may be a medicament, a key, a comestible, and combinations thereof.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collar stay having an ornament in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collar stay having a multiple layer structure in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collar stay having an ornament in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a collar stay having an ornament in accordance with and embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a collar stay with an ornament in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a collar stay with an ornament in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a collar stay having an ornament in accordance with and embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a collar stay having an ornament in accordance with and embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a collar stay having an ornament in accordance with and embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a collar stay having an ornament in accordance with and embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a collar stay with a perforation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a shirt with a collar having exposed collar stays in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a shirt with a collar with an exposed collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12B is a sectional view of the collar taken along line 12B-12B of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of a shirt with a collar with an exposed collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12D is a sectional view of the collar taken along line 12D-12D of FIG. 12C.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a shirt with a collar with an exposed collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a shirt with a collar with an exposed collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shirt with a collar with an exposed collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a shirt with a collar with an exposed collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a shirt with a collar with an exposed collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view of a collar with an exposed collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of a collar with an exposed collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a collar with an exposed collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a collar with a collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a collar with a collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a collar with a collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is exploded view of a collar with a collar stay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures generally, where like reference numerals denote like structure and elements, and in particular to FIG. 1, a collar stay 10 is shown. Collar stay 10 includes a body 12 and an ornament 14. Body 12 may have first and second sides 13 and 15, sides 13 and 15 typically being parallel. Collar stay 10 has opposing ends 16 and 18. End 16 may be a proximate end and end 18 may be a distal end. Proximate end 16 may cooperate with a proximate collar end and distal end 18 may cooperate with a distal collar end as is commonly known in the art.

The shapes of ends 16 and 18 may be any shape as is commonly known in the art. Nonlimiting examples of suitable shapes for ends 16, 18 include, straight, flat, rounded, and pointed. The shape of ends 16 and 18 may be the same or different. In an embodiment, distal end 18 may be pointed in shape to cooperate with a collar tip, and enhance the rigidity of an end of a shirt collar as is commonly known in the art

Body 12 may be made of or otherwise include a material selected from a metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof. Nonlimiting examples of suitable metals for body 12 may include aluminum; lead; metal alloy; steel; brushed, buffed, or polished steel; stainless steel; tin; and precious metals such as brass, bronze, gold (white, red, yellow), copper, cupronickel, nickel, pewter, platinum, silver, and/or titanium or any other precious metal as is commonly known in the art. It is understood that the metal may be any individual aforementioned metal, an alloy of any combination of these metals. The metal may or may not include additional coloring.

Body 12 may also be made of or otherwise include a precious stone or similar stone material. Nonlimiting examples of suitable precious stone may include agate, amethyst, aquamarine, carnelian, citrine, diamond, emerald, fluorite, garnet, any gemstone, glass, granite, hematite, jade, jasper, malachite, moonstone, obsidian, onyx, pearl, peridot, quartz, ruby, sapphire, topaz, turquoise, zircon and any combination thereof.

Body 12 may also be made of or otherwise include a polymeric material. Nonlimiting examples of suitable polymeric material include acrylics, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, and combinations thereof. The polymeric material may have any desired color or combination of colors. The polymeric material may also include other features such a pattern, a sparkled appearance, and/or a glossy, matte, or textured finish. The polymeric collar stay may be a single layer or a multiple layer structure. The multiple layer structure may include multiple polymeric laminate layers. Alternatively, the multiple layer structure may include one or more polymeric layers in combination with a metal or stone layer. In an embodiment, the polymeric collar stay may have a three dimensional pattern.

In an embodiment, body 12 may be a single layer or a multiple layer structure. As a single layer structure, body 12 may include one some or all or the aforementioned materials (i.e., a metal, a stone material, a polymeric material).

In an embodiment, body 12a may be a multiple layer structure as shown in FIG. 2. Body 12a may include a first layer 20 and a second layer 22. Layers 20,22 may be made of any material or combination of materials described above. For example, first layer 20 may include a stone material and second layer 22 may include a metal. It is understood that multiple layer body 12a may include from 2 to 3, 4, 5or 10 or more layers as desired. Body 12a may or may not include ornament 14.

In an embodiment, ornament 14 may be disposed on body 12. Ornament 14 may be any structure, material, impression, addition to body 12, or removal from body 12 that alters the mass, weight, shape, form, texture, and/or surface of body 12. In an embodiment, ornament 14 may improve the rigidity, wear, and/or durability of collar stay 10. In a further embodiment, ornament 14 may increase the weight of, or increase the value of the collar stay to heighten awareness of the presence of collar stay 10 thereby reducing the chance that collar stay 10 may be lost or misplaced. In a further embodiment, ornament 14 may provide a unique, distinct, attractive, or aesthetically appealing feature to collar stay 10 to heighten awareness to the presence of the collar and reduce the likelihood of loss or misplacement thereof. In a further embodiment, ornament 14 may provide a distinct identifying feature or novelty to collar stay 10 to avoid confusion when collar stay 10 is placed in congregation with other collar stays. Thus, ornament 14 may enable rapid identification of collar stay 10 and promote ready association of the collar stay with its proper owner.

In an embodiment, ornament 14 disposed on body 12 may be a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof. Ornament 14 may be disposed on any portion of the collar stay body. By being “disposed” on the collar stay body, it is understood that ornament 14 may be positioned, placed, or located on, onto, in, within, through, along side of, along a perimeter of, and/or along a portion of the perimeter of the body collar stay 10. The disposition of ornament 14 may further include a configuration encompassing a combination of the aforementioned positions. Ornament 14 may be secured to collar stay 10 as is commonly known in the art and as further described below.

In an embodiment, ornament 14 may be a single precious stone or stone material 24 as shown in FIG. 1. Suitable precious stone or stone material may be any precious stone or stone material as described above. Although FIG. 1 shows ornament 14 disposed at end 18, it is understood that ornament 14 may be located anywhere on body 12. Ornament 14 may or may not extend through body 12. In an embodiment, ornament 14 may be a diamond. Ornament 14 may be secured to body 14 by way of friction fit, a mounting (such as prong-mount, for example), and/or by way of an adhesive material, or other attachment as is commonly known in the art.

In an embodiment, the ornament may be a plurality of precious stones 24 or stone material that may extend around a portion of the perimeter of body 12 as shown in FIG. 3. Stones 24 may extend along any portion of the body perimeter as desired. For example, stones 24 may extend along the parallel sides 13, 15 of body 12 and may/may not extend along the perimeter edges of end portions 16 and 18. In a further embodiment, stones 24 may extend around the entire perimeter of body 12 as shown in FIG. 4. In an embodiment, stones 24 may be diamonds. In a further embodiment, stones 24 may be diamonds and body 12 may be gold. Nonlimiting ways in which stones 24 may be attached to or otherwise secured to the side of body 12 include prong mount, friction fit, compression fit, adhesive attachment, or combinations thereof or any attachment as is commonly known in the art.

In an embodiment, the ornament may be a layer configuration as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Collar stay 10 may include body 12 made of a first material and a border 26 made of a second material. The first material may be any body material as previously described. In an embodiment, border 26 may be a first metal as previously described herein and body 12 may be a second metal as described herein. In a further embodiment, collar stay 10 may have a multiple layered body 28 of a first layer 30 with raised edges 32. A second layer 34 may be disposed within raised edges 32. In an embodiment, layers 30 and 32 may be any body material as described herein. In an embodiment, first layer 30 may be a first metal and second layer 34 may be a second metal. Suitable metals for ornament 14 may be any metal as described above.

In an embodiment, the ornament may be a cut-out 36 as shown in FIG. 7. Cut-out 36 removes some of the body material from body 12. Cut-out 36 may be made by cutting into body 12 to remove portions of the body forming void spaces in body 12. The voids may be shaped in any manner as desired. Cut-out 36 may/may not extend through the entire thickness of body 12. Cut-out 36 may be formed into any shape (circle, ellipse, triangle, square, rectangle, polygon, etc.) or any fanciful or aesthetically pleasing shape (cross, star, heart, etc.) as desired. In a embodiment, cut-out 36 may be a monogram or a person's initials as shown in FIG. 7. In a further embodiment, cut-out 36 may be a monogram and the body may be made of a metal.

In an embodiment, body 38 of the collar stay may be a multiple layered structure as shown in FIG. 8. First layer 40 may include a cut-out 42. Layers 42 and 44 may be any body material as herein described. Second layer 44 may include a material different than the material of first layer 40. A portion of second layer 44 is exposed and visible through cut-out 42. Second layer 44 advantageously highlights or otherwise accentuates cut-out 42. In an embodiment, first layer 40 may be a first metal and second layer 44 may be a second metal.

In an embodiment, the ornament may be a protrusion 45 extending from body 12 as shown in FIG. 9. Protrusion 45 may be a different component from body 12 and attached to body 12 in any manner as is commonly known in the art. Alternatively, protrusion 45 may be integral to body 12. Protrusion 45 may by any shape and size as desired. Protrusion 45 may be any body material or ornament material as previously described. The material of protrusion 45 and body 12 may be the same or different. In an embodiment, protrusion 45 may be made of a first metal and body 12 may be made of a second metal. In a further embodiment, protrusion 45 may be a metal and may be a monogram or a person's name as shown in FIG. 9.

In an embodiment, the ornament may be a light 46 as shown in FIG. 10. Light 46 may be any small light source that may be adapted to fit onto, in, or through body 12. Light 46 may be substantially flush with body 12. Alternatively, light 46 may extend from body 12. Light 46 may be formed into any shape as desired. Although FIG. 10 shows light 45 located at distal end 18, it is understood that light 46 may extend along some or all of body 12. In an embodiment, body 12 may be adapted to hold or otherwise retain a power source (i.e., a small battery) and requisite circuitry for the operation of light 46. Light 46 may emit intermittent light (i.e., blinking light) or steady light as desired. In an embodiment, light 46 may be an LED light source. In an embodiment, the ornament may also be a sound (tone, beep, alarm, music) either alone or in combination with light 46. Sound ornament may include a sound generator and a power source.

In an embodiment, the ornament may be an indicia. Nonlimiting examples of suitable indicia include print, lettering (i.e., “Happy Birthday”), a phrase” (such as an endearing phrase “I love you,” or “You make me feel like a queen”), wording (i.e., a message such as “you make me smile”), a slogan (i.e., “The buck stops here!” or “Never give up” or “Keep hope alive”), monogram, an advertising indicia (i.e., a logo, a trade name, a trademark), a color or colors, or an aesthetically appealing shape or fanciful design, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the indicia may be a monogram, a person's initials, or a person's name. In an embodiment, the indicia may be present on one or more surfaces of the body, the indicia may be attached to (i.e., adhesively attached by way of a sticker), printed, cut, engraved onto or into the body, or the indicia may extend partially through or entirely through the body. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any ornament discussed herein may be customized or tailored based on a person's particular preference.

Any collar stay described in this disclosure may include a perforation 50 as shown in FIG. 11. Perforation 50 may be any shape and size as desired and may be located anywhere along body 12. Nonlimiting examples of suitable shapes for perforation 50 may include circular, semi-circular, elliptical, square, triangular, rectangular, and polygonal. In an embodiment, perforation 50 may be circular in shape. In a further embodiment, perforation 50 may have a diameter suitable to accommodate an arm member 52. In an embodiment, arm member 52 may extend through perforation 50. Arm member 52 may be used to support or otherwise store collar stay 10 when the collar stay is not in use. Arm member 52 may be a component of a collar stay storage device 54. In an embodiment, the collar stay storage device may be a collar stay storage device as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/440,592 incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In an embodiment, collar stay storage device 54 may include first arm member 52 and second arm member 56 that may be releasably engageable to form a closed loop. Arm members 52 and 56 may be disengaged from each other permitting an arm member 52 or 56 to be inserted or extended through perforation 50. Engaging arm members 52, 56 may form a closed loop to maintain, support, or otherwise store one or more perforated collar stays, in an ordered manner. It is understood that the closed loop may be any desired shape including such nonlimiting examples as square, triangular, round, or elliptical, rectangular, triangular, and polygonal. In an embodiment, arm member 52 extends through perforation 50 of collar stay 10, the collar stay having ornament 14.

In an embodiment, a shirt 60 having a collar 62 is provided as shown in FIG. 12. Shirt 60 may be any garment for the upper part of the body having a collar. The shirt may have long sleeves, short sleeve, no sleeves. Shirt 60 may or may not have buttons. Shirt 60 may encompass men's, women's, and children's upper torso coverings. Nonlimiting examples of suitable shirts may include dress shirts/blouses, casual shirts/blouses, or any top garment with a collar (i.e., jacket, coat, vest, sweater, etc). Shirt 60 may be made of any natural or synthetic material or fabric as is commonly known in the art.

In an embodiment, collar 62 may include an outer surface 63 and an inner surface 65 (FIG. 12D) as is commonly known in the art. Outer surface 63 is the surface of the collar that is visible to others when the shirt is worn by person 68. Collar 62 may include one or more slits 64 for receiving a collar stay 10. The collar stay may be placed or otherwise disposed in or through slit 64 to expose a portion 70 of the collar stay. Exposed collar stay portion 70 permits a portion of the collar stay to be visible or viewed from the outer collar surface 63 (i.e., the collar side visible to onlookers). Any of the previously described collar stays may be placed in slit 64. The exposed portion 70 of the collar stay 10 may be visible to a viewer, such as a person looking at person 68 wearing shirt 60. FIG. 12 shows an exposed portion 70 of collar stay 10 visible from outer collar surface 63 for onlookers to observe and enjoy. By enhancing person's 68 appearance, shirt 60 advantageously may enhance person's 68 self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth, particularly in stressful social settings.

In an embodiment, shirt 60a with collar 62a may include a first slit 64a and a second slit 64b as shown in FIG. 12C. First slit 64a may be adapted or otherwise configured to receive proximate end 16 of the collar stay. Second slit 64b may be configured to receive distal end 18 of the collar stay. Ends 16 and 18 contact the inner surface of collar 62a. Consequently, ends 16 and 18 are not exposed and are not visible to an onlooker.

In an embodiment, collar stay 10 may be weaved through slits 64a and 64b as best shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D. For example, proximate end 16 may be slid through slit 64a and placed under collar 62a with the middle portion of the collar stay extending over the collar material 62′ to form exposed collar stay portion 70a. Distal end 18 of the collar stay may be slid through second slit 64b and under the distal end of collar 62a. In an embodiment, pocket 66 may be provided on the back side of collar 62a to receive proximate and/or distal ends 16,18 and thereby secure or otherwise hold collar stay 10 firmly in place in collar 62a. Collar 62a may also include a collar stay fastening device.

In an embodiment, shirt 60b has a collar 62b, the collar having an outer surface 63 as shown in FIG. 12A. A slot 71 may be disposed in collar 62b. Slot 71 may be adapted or otherwise configured to receive collar stay 10. In an embodiment, slot 71 may be a sleeve stitched on the collar backside for receiving and holding the collar stay behind the collar as is commonly known in the art. Aperture 72 may be disposed on the outer surface 63 of collar 62b, along or otherwise proximate to slot 71. Aperture 72 exposes a portion 70 of collar stay 10 received in slot 71. Aperture 72 thereby displays collar stay portion 70b from outer surface 63 of collar 62b. Slot 71 may be disposed on, or extend along, either the inner or outer surface of the collar. In an embodiment, slot 71 may be disposed on an inner surface of collar 62b. Aperture 72 may be located anywhere along slot 71. For example, aperture 72 may be located at an end of the slot 71 or in a middle portion of the slot. FIG. 12A shows aperture 72 exposing a portion 70b of the collar stay body. In an embodiment, aperture 72 of collar 62b may display exposed portion 70b of collar stay 10 that includes body 12 with ornament 14 as shown in FIG. 13. In an embodiment, the ornament may be diamonds. In a further embodiment, the body of the collar stay may be made of platinum. Thus, collar 62b advantageously displays exposed portion 70 of the collar stay to the delight of onlookers.

In an embodiment, the aperture may be stitched or otherwise formed in any size or shape as desired. Nonlimiting examples of suitable shapes for the aperture may include circular, elliptical, square, triangular, polygonal, fanciful and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of a fanciful shapes for the aperture include a shamrock, a star, a cross, an hour-glass, or a tree. In an embodiment, aperture 72a may be a shamrock-shape to expose a portion of collar stay 10 disposed in slot 71 as shown in FIG. 14. In an embodiment, the collar stay in slot 71 and exposed by aperture 72a may be made of a precious metal, such as gold for example. Alternatively, the collar stay displayed by aperture 72a may be made of emerald. Alternatively, collar stay 10 exposed by aperture 72a may be made of a green-colored polymeric material. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the limitless possibilities of distinctive and unique features that may be applied to the shirt collar by way of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the aperture may be formed to cooperate, accentuate or otherwise highlight the ornament of the collar stay disposed in slot 71. FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment wherein collar 62b has aperture 72b that may be star-shaped. Collar stay 10 includes body 12 with an ornament such as a stone 73, for example. When collar stay 10 is placed in slot 71, stone 73 is positioned in the center of aperture 72b. Thus, aperture 72b may be adapted to cooperate or highlight ornament 14 of collar stay 10. In an embodiment, collar 62b may include a fastening device for fastening a collar stay to the collar.

In an embodiment, the aperture may be lettering. FIG. 16 shows aperture 72c lettered as the word “USHER.” Portions of collar stay 10 disposed in slot 71 may be visible through each letter of the word “USHER.” Body 12 may include an ornament as desired. In an embodiment, the collar stay include an ornament that is a light 74. Light 74 may emit light rays through aperture 72c. Thus, shirt 60b may advantageously be used to draw attention to the person wearing shirt 60b. Alternatively, collar stay 10 having light 74 may be used as a signaling or identification device as shown in FIG. 16. For example, an usher may wear shirt 60b with collar 62b, aperture 72c and collar stay 10 with light ornament 74. Light 74 may illuminate the word “usher,” shirt 60b being worn by an assistant at a show, musical performance, or other event that occurs in low light. Shirt 60b may thereby attract event attendees to the assistant who may subsequently assist the attendees to their seats.

In an embodiment, the aperture may be adapted to expose a large ornament on the body of the collar stay. FIG. 16A illustrates shirt 60b with collar 62b having aperture 72d exposing portion 70c of collar stay having a large ornament 76. Ornament 76 may be any ornament as discussed herein. In an embodiment, ornament 76 may be a light in the shape of lettering or wording. FIG. 16A shows ornament 76 as a lighted word “BEER MAN.” Ornament 76 may also include a sound. Thus, ornament 76 displayed by aperture 72d may be advantageously utilized by a concessionaire or other sales person at a sporting event or similar venue to attract attention, promote sales, pique a potential consumer's interest, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, a shirt 80 has a collar 82 and a slot 84 adapted or otherwise configured to receive a collar stay. Slot 84 may have a length that is less than the length of the collar stay. Placing collar stay 10 in slot 84 exposes an end 88 (i.e., an exposed end) of the collar stay as shown in FIG. 17. Exposed end 88 may include an ornament 14. In an embodiment, slot 84 exposes distal end 18 of collar stay 10. In a further embodiment, distal end 18 may be pointed as shown in FIG. 17. Slot 84 may be disposed on or otherwise stitched into the outer surface or the inner surface of collar 82. In an embodiment, slot 84 may be disposed on outer surface 86 of collar 82. Collar stay 10 may include perforation 50 with collar 82 having a fastening device extending through perforation 50 to secure collar stay within collar 82.

In an embodiment, exposed end 88 may be substantially aligned with collar tip 90 as shown in FIG. 17. In a further embodiment, exposed end 88 may overlap or otherwise cover collar tip 90 as shown in FIG. 18. Thus, exposed end 88 may precisely align or register with collar tip 90. The length of collar stay 10 and the length of slot 84 may vary slightly so that only the distal most portion of exposed end 88 is exposed as shown in FIG. 18. The distal most end of the collar stay may include ornament 14. Collar stay 10 may include perforation 50 with collar 82 having a fastening device extending through perforation 50 to secure collar stay within collar 82.

In an embodiment, collar 82 lacks a collar tip as shown in FIG. 19. Exposed end 88 may include distalmost end 92. Distalmost end 92 may cooperate with the collar edges 96 and form the collar tip. In other words, exposed collar stay end 88 and distalmost end 92 in particular may replace the collar tip of shirt 80. This advantageously provides the wearer of shirt 80 with a highlighted and impressive appearance. In an embodiment, distalmost end 92 may include an ornament. In an embodiment, distalmost end 92 includes ornament 94, ornament 94 being disposed around a perimeter of a point of distalmost end 92. In an embodiment ornament 94 may be a precious stone.

The aforementioned shirts that permit the exposure and display of a collar stay advantageously provide person 68 with an enhanced appearance and a distinctive impression when person 68 is met, greeted, interviewed, viewed, seen or otherwise interacts with others. The shirts with an exposed portion of the collar stay may consequently, improve a person's self-esteem and/or self-confidence thereby enabling the person to confront or participate in intimidating or stressful social situations such as job interviews, public speaking events, sales events, or business presentations. Exposure of a portion of a collar stay from the outer surface of a shirt collar advantageously adds a unique and distinct aspect to the shirt collar—a wardrobe area that is typically overlooked, not noticed, or simply bland. Exposed collar stay portions on the shirt collar provide a wardrobe accouterment that enhances the appearance of a person's shirt by adding a unique, distinct, attractive and aesthetically pleasing feature to the shirt collar—a fashion area that is otherwise typically not noticed and oftentimes overlooked.

The present collar stay and shirt advantageously improve the appearance of shirt collars and enables a person to stylize, personalize, individualize, a person's clothing and fashion wear. This improves the person overall persona enables the person to make a greater impression on those with whom one interacts.

In an embodiment, a method of advertising is providing. The method includes providing a collar stay with an advertising indicia and displaying the collar stay a viewer or person. The advertising indicia may be any word, letters, symbol, design, color, sound, music, or jingle or combinations thereof that may be used to identify a product or service. For example, the advertising indicia may be a company name, logo, or trademark printed on the collar stay body. The collar stay may be any collar stay as previously discussed herein. In an embodiment, the method includes attracting a viewer to the advertising indicia with collar stay body that may be made of a metal, a precious stone or a polymeric material. In a further embodiment, the method includes attracting a viewer to the advertising indicia with the ornament disposed on the collar stay. In yet a further embodiment, the method includes wearing the collar stay with any of the previously described shirts and exposing or displaying the advertising indicia from the exposed portion of the collar stay.

In an embodiment, the advertising method may include providing, displaying, distributing, or giving as free samples the collar stay at a venue such as a store, a hotel, a resort, the Internet, a trade show, a dry cleaner, a magazine, and combinations thereof. For example, the collar stay may be provided in a hotel room for the guest to take.

In an embodiment, the collar stay may be available on the Internet whereby a person may go to a web site and prepare a customized advertising indicia to be placed on the collar stay. The person may place an order on the web site and receive a desired amount of collar stays with the customized advertising indicia thereon.

In an embodiment, the collar stay may be placed in a magazine or similar periodical as an insert to be distributed to readers of the magazine.

In an embodiment, a collar stay 100 having a body 110 is provided as shown in FIGS. 20-23. A device 112 may be disposed in collar stay body 110. In an embodiment, device 112 may be formed into the shape of a collar stay. In other words, device 112 may form the shape of body 110. Nonlimiting examples of device 112 may include a data processing device (such as a personal data assistant) a telephone (such as a cellular telephone), a radio, a music device (such as an MP3 player or the like), a microphone, a camera, an electronic storage device (such as a flash memory stick), an RFID tag, a container, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, device 112 may entail two parts, namely two collar stays. The two parts may be operatively connected by wiring under the collar. Alternatively, the parts of device 112 may be operatively connected by a wireless connection as is commonly known in the art.

In an embodiment, the device may be an identification device 113 as shown in FIG. 20. Identification device 113 may carry personal identification information (name, PIN, access number) to be read when in the proximity of an identification scanner as is commonly known in the art. Collar stay 100 may be placed into a collar stay slot 102 of a collar 104 as is commonly known in the art. In an embodiment, identification device 113 may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip.

In an embodiment, collar stay 100 may be used in conjunction with an earpiece 114 in operative connection with device 112 as shown in FIG. 21. Operative communication between earpiece 114 and device 112 may be a wire connection or wireless (i.e., Bluetooth, infrared, etc.) as is commonly known in the art. In an embodiment, earpiece 114 may be configured to control device 112 by way of verbal commands from the wearer of earpiece 114. For example, earpiece 114 may be operatively connected to control device 112 which may be a cell phone. Verbal commands from a person spoken into the mouthpiece 115 of earpiece 114 may dial the telephone and may be subsequently used to talk and listen once telephonic connection is established. In an embodiment, device 112 may be used with earphones 116 as shown in FIG. 22.

In a further embodiment, the device may be a container 120 as shown in FIG. 23. Container 120 may include first and second body portions 122, 124 releasably secured along a common edge. Closing body portions 122, 124 upon each other provides an interior volume or area in which items or objects may be stored. For example, a key, money, or a medicament or combinations thereof may be stored in the interior area of collar stay container 120. In an embodiment, container 120 contains an emergency dosage of a medicament 126. Collar stay 100 may be worn with conventional shirts or any of the shirts as described herein.

It is understood that any of the collar stays described herein may be worn in any collar adapted to receive a collar stay. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many collars have a stitched slot on the underside thereof, the slot so dimensioned and arranged to receive and hold a collar stay. It is further understood that many collars are configured such that the collar stay is not visible to onlookers when the collar stay is placed in the slot and the shirt is worn. Any of the foregoing collar stays may be worn in any conventional collar adapted to receive a collar stay, such collar typically concealing the collar stay to onlookers when the shirt is worn.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A collar stay comprising:

a body; and

an ornament disposed on the body.

2. The collar stay of claim 1 wherein the body includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a precious stone, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof.

3. The collar stay of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a single layer structure and a multiple layer structure.

4. The collar stay of claim 1 wherein the ornament is selected from the group consisting of a precious stone, a metal, a cut-out, a light, an indicia, a sound, and combinations thereof.

5. The collar stay of claim 1 wherein the ornament is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of on the body, in the body, through the body, along a body perimeter, around the body perimeter, and combinations thereof.

6. The collar stay of claim 1 wherein the ornament comprises a phrase.

7. The collar stay of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a metal and an indicia on the metal.

8. The collar stay of claim 1 comprising a precious stone.

9. The collar stay of claim 1 comprising a perforation.

10. The collar stay of claim 9 comprising an arm member extending through the perforation.

11. The collar stay of claim 1 comprising an indicia and a perforation.

12. A method of wearing clothing comprising:

providing a collar stay comprising a body and an ornament; and

placing the collar stay in a collar.

13. The method of claim 12 comprising providing an indicia on the body.

14. The method of claim 12 comprising providing a message on the body.

15. The method of claim 12 comprising exposing a portion of the collar stay to onlookers when the shirt is worn.

16. The method of 12 comprising exposing a portion of the ornament from the collar to onlookers when the shirt is worn.

17. A method of advertising comprising:

providing a collar stay comprising an advertising indicia; and

displaying the collar stay.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the collar stay includes an ornament, the method further comprising attracting a viewer to the advertising indicia with the ornament.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the collar stay comprises a perforation.

20. The method of claim 17 comprising providing the collar stay at a venue selected from the group consisting of a store, a hotel, a resort, the Internet, a trade show, a dry cleaner, a magazine, and combinations thereof.