Scarf Having Bifurcated End Portion

Abstract

A scarf is provided with a bifurcated end portion having two arms which can be placed over and under another portion of the scarf so as to form a slot that retains the scarf on the wearer. Fastening means are provided on the ends of the arms to fasten them together.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a scarf worn about the neck of a person for protecting the neck from cold weather. The scarf is of the type which is generally elongated in shape.

2. Description of Related Art

Generally elongated scarfs are well known. These scarfs are formed of a single piece of fabric which may be wool, silk, cashmere, cotton, polyester and blends thereof. The scarfs are positioned around the neck of the wearer and two portions hang down along the chest of the wearer on opposite sides of the neck. In order to keep the scarf from falling off, a user may tie a simple knot using the ends of the scarf. U.S. Pat. No. D 443,753S discloses the concept of locating an aperture in one of the side portions of the scarf to allow one end of the scarf to be passed through the aperture to form a knot around the neck of the user to prevent the scarf from falling off. U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,156 discloses a one piece rectangular scarf that has a knot pleat in one depending portion that can capture a portion of the second depending portion to secure the scarf on the neck of the wearer while maintaining a fashionable appearance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a scarf that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture that forms a slot at one end of the scarf that can be used to capture another portion of the scarf to hold the scarf in place and maintain a fashionable appearance. The slot is formed by two bifurcated portions at a first end of the scarf. Ornamental material such as team logos and trademarks or other decorative material may be secured to the bifurcated portions so as to be visible when the ends of the bifurcated portions are secured together to form the slot which receives the other portion of the scarf hanging on the opposite side of the neck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a top view of the scarf according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the scarf according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view showing how the scarf may be placed over the neck of the wearer;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the bifurcated ends being secured together to form a slot that captures a remaining portion of the scarf; and

FIG. 5 is a view of the scarf in one possible final wearing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the scarf is formed of a generally elongated rectangular piece of fabric, or it may consist of several pieces sewn together. The scarf includes s first end portion 10, a middle portion 20 and a second end portion 30. Suitable fabric for example would be wool, silk, cotton, cashmere, polyester and blends thereof. Second end portion 30 includes two bifurcated arm portions 45 that can be moved independently of each other. Near the end portions of the arms suitable decoration material, team logos or other ornamental material 50 may be placed. The ornamental material may be sewn on or it may be a patch that can be attached by a suitable means, for example Velcro or adhesive, or may be an integral part of the scarf material.

FIG. 2 shows the opposite side of the scarf which has fastening devices 60 secured to the underside of the bifurcated arms.

In use the wearer can position the portion of the scarf between approximately one end 30 and the middle portion 20 around the back of the neck. Bifurcated end portion 30 would drape over one side of the chest while the portion between 20 and 10 would drape around an opposite portion of the chest as shown in FIG. 3. The wearer would then grip the end portions of the bifurcated arms placing one over and one under the end portion anywhere between approximately 20 and 10 as shown in FIG. 4. The fastening means on the underside of the bifurcated arms will form a slot which captures the other portion of the scarf and secures the scarf around the neck of the wearer as shown in FIG. 4. The ornamentation or other symbol on the outer bifurcated arm is now in plain view.

It should be noted that other arrangements could be made that fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, the fasteners could be located on opposite sides of the bifurcated arms for a different formation for the slot, or one portion of the fastener on the top surface and one portion on the bottom surface or vice versa. The fastening means may include hook and loop fasteners, snaps, a button and button hole, hooks, stick pins, magnets, a zipper or any other known fasteners.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A scarf to be worn around the neck of a wearer comprising:

an elongated piece of material having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion;

the second end portion having a pair of bifurcated arms, whereby when the middle portion is placed around the user's neck, the end portions extend downwardly from either side of the neck and the bifurcated arms can be positioned over and under the first end portion forming a slot that holds the scarf around the neck of the wearer.

2. A scarf according to claim 1 wherein end portions of the arms include means for fastening the arms together thereby forming a slot.

3. A scarf according to claim 2 wherein the end portions of the bifurcated arms also include ornamental material.

4. A scarf according to claim 2 wherein the means for fastening the arms together comprise a hook and loop fastener, snaps, a button and button hold, hooks, a stick pin, magnets or a zipper.