SELECTIVELY INTERCHANGEABLE NECKTIES AND NECKTIE SYSTEMS
Selectively interchangeable necktie systems including a bow member, a strap configured to retain the bow member proximate a user's neck, and a binder configured to selectively bind the bow member to the strap. In some examples, the selectively interchangeable necktie systems include a plurality of bow members. In some further examples, selectively interchangeable neckties include bow members, straps, and binders with different complimentary or contrasting colors, patterns, and materials.
The present disclosure relates generally to neckties. In particular, selectively interchangeable neckties and necktie systems are described.
Known neckties are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing neckties are configured in single patterns. Existing neckties are purchased by users based on a pre-determined pattern that is not adaptable to future wardrobe needs. Evolving wardrobes require users to update the pattern of existing neckties with additional purchases of newer neckties with different patterns.
In addition, conventional neckties are confined to pre-determined colors. Users of conventional neckties are required to purchase multiple neckties to accommodate different shirt colors and patterns. Often, a given conventional necktie is only suitable in combination with a single shirt; purchasing conventional neckties to match each shirt can be prohibitively expensive.
Moreover, even when adjustable, conventional neckties are limited to pre-determined colors, patterns, or materials. Conventional neckties lack adaptability, and users of conventional neckties may be forced to accumulate multiple conventional neckties to accommodate styling needs.
Thus, there exists a need for neckties that improve upon and advance the design of known neckties. Examples of new and useful selectively interchangeable neckties and necktie systems relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure is directed to interchangeable necktie systems including a bow member, a strap configured to retain the bow member proximate a user's neck, and a binder configured to selectively bind the bow member to the strap. In some examples, the selectively interchangeable necktie systems include a plurality of bow members. In some further examples, selectively interchangeable neckties include bow members, straps, and binders with different complimentary or contrasting colors, patterns, and materials.
The disclosed selectively interchangeable neckties and necktie systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various selectively interchangeable neckties and necktie systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
With reference to
Selectively interchangeable necktie system 100 functions to create an interchangeable bowtie. In other examples, the system functions to create other types of neckties. For brevity, bow ties are shown and described in detail.
Selectively interchangeable necktie system 100 can be coordinated with users' apparel to improve users' appearance and accommodate a user's evolving wardrobe. For example, the color, pattern, and material of selectively interchangeable necktie system 100 can be coordinated with users' wardrobes.
Thus, selectively interchangeable necktie system 100 solves many conventional necktie issues. Selectively interchangeable necktie system 100 can accommodate users' evolving wardrobe needs using interchangeable colors, patterns, and materials. Selectively interchangeable necktie system 100 can be adapted to multiple shirt colors and patterns to reduce or eliminate the need to purchase additional conventional neckties.
As shown in
Bow member 110 defines a first planar surface 117, bounded by top edge 111, bottom edge 112, first edge 113, and second edge 114. First planar surface 117 includes a first characteristic 150. In the
The first characteristic may define any pattern now known or later developed. Suitable patterns may be striped, houndstooth, herringbone, paisley, geometric, polka-dot, novelty images, or solid patterns.
In the
In the
As shown most clearly in
In the
As shown in
Additionally or alternatively, the void between the first planar surface and second planar surface may include framing or support structures that facilitate or allow the bow member to be shaped or hold a desired shape more easily. Examples of acceptable materials for the framing or support structures include, but are not limited to, metal, elastic, plastic, rubber, and paper.
In the
As shown in
Also shown in
Fastening element 134 and receiving element 136 cooperate to bind strap body 132 in a circumferential configuration and to removably secure strap 130 around a user's neck 199. As depicted in
Further, strap 130 includes adjustment member 138 slidingly mounted on strap body 132. Adjustment member 138 may be used to selectively tighten strap 130 for a secure fit on user's neck 199 or to loosen strap 130 for a more comfortable fit on user's neck 199. In the
As shown in
As shown in
Also shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In the
As shown in
As shown in
Also shown in
Turning attention to
As can be seen in
As shown in
Further, in the
As shown in
Also shown in
In the
As shown in
Also shown in
In
As shown in
As shown in
Additionally or alternatively, the bow members may be configured in any shape or size that facilitates or allows a user to configure the selectively interchangeable necktie system. Acceptable bow member shapes include, but are not limited to, squares, circles, ovals, triangles, and diamonds.
Thus, as an advancement over conventional neckties, a user may select one or more of the plurality of bow members of selectively interchangeable necktie system 200 to customize or adapt the appearance and texture of the selectively interchangeable necktie system according to the user's preference. Selectively interchangeable necktie system 200 is adaptable to a user's evolving wardrobe.
Turning attention to
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Also shown in
In
As shown in
In
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.
Claims
1. A selectively interchangeable necktie system, comprising:
- a bow member;
- a strap configured to retain the bow member proximate a user's neck; and
- a binder configured to selectively bind the bow member to the strap.
2. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 1, wherein the bow member is substantially planar and defines:
- a top edge;
- a bottom edge;
- a first edge extending between the top edge and the bottom edge; and
- a second edge opposite the first edge and extending between the top edge and the bottom edge.
3. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 2, wherein:
- the bow member includes a plurality of longitudinal folds extending from the first edge to the second edge; and
- the binder extends around and cinches a medial portion of the bow member between the first edge and the second edge to maintain the plurality of longitudinal folds formed in the bow member proximate the medial portion of the bow member and to allow the longitudinal folds to relax proximate the first edge and the second edge of the bow member.
4. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 2, wherein:
- the bow member defines: a first planar surface bounded by the top edge, the bottom edge, the first edge, and the second edge; and a second planar surface opposite the first planar surface and bounded by the top edge, the bottom edge, the first edge, and the second edge;
- wherein the first planar surface includes a first characteristic defining one or more of the color, the pattern, and the material of the first planar surface; and
- the second planar surface includes a second characteristic defining one or more of the color, the pattern, and the material of the second planar surface.
5. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 4, wherein the first characteristic and the second characteristic are identical.
6. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 1, wherein the strap includes:
- a strap body including a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a fastening element fixedly secured to the first end of the strap body;
- a receiving element fixedly secured to the second end of the strap body, the receiving element configured to receive the fastening element; and
- an adjustment member slidingly mounted on the strap body;
- wherein the fastening element and the receiving element cooperate to bind the strap body in a circumferential configuration and to removably secure the strap around a user's neck.
7. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 6, wherein the fastening element is a hook and the receiving element is a loop.
8. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 1, wherein the binder includes:
- a linear body including a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a securing element fixedly secured proximate to the first end of the linear body;
- a connecting element fixedly secured proximate to the second end of the linear body; the connecting element configured to receive the securing element;
- wherein the securing element and the connecting element cooperate to bind the linear body in a circumferential configuration to selectively bind the bow member to the strap.
9. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 8, wherein the connecting element and the securing element in combination define a snap-fit connector.
10. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 8, wherein the connecting element and the securing element in combination define a hook-and-pile connector.
11. A selectively interchangeable necktie system, wherein the system comprises:
- a first bow member;
- a second bow member;
- a selectively adjustable strap configured to retain the first bow member and the second bow member proximate a user's neck; and
- a binder configured to selectively bind the first bow member and the second bow member to the strap, the binder being configured to extend around medial portions of the first and second bow members.
12. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of bow members.
13. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 12, wherein each of the bow members in the plurality of bow members have different shapes, sizes, or materials.
14. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 11, wherein:
- the first bow member includes a first characteristic defining one or more of the color, the pattern, and the material of the first bow member;
- the second bow member includes a second characteristic defining one or more of the color, the pattern, and the material of the second bow member;
- the first characteristic is different than the second characteristic; and
- the binder has different characteristics including color, pattern, and material.
15. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 14, wherein:
- the binder includes a third characteristic defining one or more of the color, the pattern, and the material of the binder; and
- the third characteristic is different than one or more of the first characteristic and the second characteristic.
16. The selectively interchangeable necktie system of claim 15, wherein the first characteristic, the second characteristic, and the third characteristic are complimentary.
17. A selectively interchangeable necktie comprising:
- a first bow member including a first characteristics defining one or more of the color, the pattern, and the material of the first bow member;
- a second bow member including a second characteristic defining one or more of the color, the pattern, and the material of the second bow member;
- a selectively adjustable strap configured to retain the first and second bow members proximate a user's neck; and
- a snap-fit binder configured to selectively bind the first and second bow members to the strap by extending around medial portions of the first and second bow members and engaging the strap;
- wherein the first characteristic and the second characteristic are different.
18. The selectively interchangeable necktie of claim 17, wherein first characteristic and the second characteristic are complimentarily.
19. The selectively interchangeable necktie of claim 17, wherein the material defined by the first characteristic of the first bow member is silk and the material defined by the second characteristic of the second bow member is cotton.
20. The selectively interchangeable necktie of claim 17, wherein the pattern defined by the first characteristic of the first bow member is solid and the pattern defined by the second characteristic of the second bow member is striped.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 20, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 26, 2015
Inventor: Yasmin Talic (Portland, OR)
Application Number: 13/971,665