INVISIBLE MAGNETIC TIE CLIP AND RELATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS

Abstract

A tie clip system including a tie including a front blade, wherein the front blade includes a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion includes a front rear face, wherein the rear portion includes a front face and back rear face, a rear blade; and a tie clip including a first arm located between the front rear face and the front face, a second arm connected to the first arm at a hinge, wherein the second arm is located between the back rear face and the rear blade, a biasing element biasing the first arm towards contact with the second arm, a first magnetic element connected to the second arm, and a second magnetic element magnetically securing the rear blade between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application incorporates by reference and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/929,286 filed Jan. 20, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to tie clips and tie retainers for tied ties. More specifically, the present invention relates to tie clips for securing the rear blade of a tie to the front blade and for securing the tie to a shirt.

A common problem with men's ties, especially for taller men and for men who prefer a double Windsor knot is that the back or “tail” of the tie is usually too short to go through the keeper on the back of the front blade of the tie. This results in the tail hanging out from behind the tie, looking very sloppy.

Previous tie clips were not able to resolve this issue as they were designed to attach to the lower part of the front blade of the tie and then to the shirt. Others have pins or points that pierce the material on the back of the tie, potentially damaging it, or creating a point from which damage can proceed.

An apparatus, system, or method that allowed the tail of the tie to be easily retained would be an improvement in the art. Such an apparatus or system that did not damage the tie and had the capability for use without attachment to a user's shirt would be a further improvement in the art.

Accordingly, there is a need for a tied tie and tie clip system, as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides tied tie and tie clip systems such that the tie clips are “invisible” when worn. In one illustrative embodiment, a tie clip includes a clip portion with a first member that may be removably inserted into the rear seam of the front portion of a tied tie and a second member that is resiliently urged towards the first member as by a spring, to grip the tie therebetween. A magnetic retainer may then be used to hold the back portion of the tie to the clip portion.

In an embodiment, a tie clip system includes a tie including a front blade, wherein the front blade includes a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion includes a rear face, and wherein the rear portion includes a front face and rear face, a rear blade; and a tie clip including a first arm located between the rear face of the front portion and the front face, a second arm connected to the first arm at a hinge, wherein the second arm is located between the rear face of the rear portion and the rear blade, a biasing element biasing the first arm towards contact with the second arm, a first magnetic element connected to the second arm, and a second magnetic element magnetically securing the rear blade between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element.

In some embodiments, the tie clip further includes a connector having a first end and a second end, wherein the connector is connected to the second magnetic element at the first end; and an anchor member connected to the second end of the connector. Additionally, in some embodiments, the tie clip system further includes a shirt including a buttonhole, and wherein the anchor member is located within an interior of the shirt, and wherein the connector spans the interior and an exterior of the shirt through the buttonhole.

In some embodiments, the anchor member includes a length, a width, and a depth, wherein the length is as long as or longer than the width and the depth, and wherein the connector connects to the anchor member near the midpoint of the length. In some embodiments, the anchor member includes a bar. Similarly, in some embodiments, the anchor member includes a disk. Further, in some embodiments, the connector is a chain or a cable.

In some embodiments, the hinge comprises: a first flange and a second flange, wherein the first flange and the second flange are integrally formed with the first arm; a third flange and a fourth flange, wherein the third flange and the fourth flange integrally formed with the second arm; and a hinge pin passing through the first flange, the second flange, the third flange, and the fourth flanges. Additionally, in some embodiments, the hinge is a strip of flexible material connecting the first arm and the second arm, and wherein the hinge is integrally formed with the first arm and the second arm.

In some embodiments, the first arm includes a first handle and a first distal end, wherein the first distal end extends along a first length from the first handle, wherein the first arm includes a first width along the first length, wherein the first width tapers from the first handle to the first distal end, wherein the second arm includes a second handle and a second distal end, wherein the second distal end extends along a second length from the second handle, wherein the second arm includes a second width along the second length, and wherein the second width tapers from the second handle to the second distal end.

In some embodiments, the first distal end and the second distal end include teeth. Additionally, in some embodiments, the biasing element biases the first distal end towards contact with the second distal end. Moreover, in some embodiments, the biasing element is a torsion spring. And, in some embodiments, the first magnetic element includes a first ceramic magnet, and the second magnetic element includes a second ceramic magnet. Further, in some embodiments, the first magnetic element includes a first neodymium magnet, and the second magnetic element includes a second neodymium magnet.

In some embodiments, the tie clip system includes a shirt including a placket, wherein the placket includes a buttonhole; a tie including a front blade, wherein the front blade includes a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion includes a rear face, wherein the rear portion includes a front face and rear face, and a rear blade; and a tie clip including a first arm located between the rear face of the front portion and the front face, a second arm connected to the first arm at a hinge, wherein the second arm is located between the rear face of the rear portion and the rear blade, a biasing element biasing the first arm towards contact with the second arm, a first magnetic element connected to the second arm, a second magnetic element magnetically securing the rear blade between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element, a connector having a first end and a second end, wherein the connector is connected to the second magnetic element at the first end, and an anchor member connected to the second end of the connector, wherein the anchor member is inserted into the buttonhole to secure the tie clip to the shirt.

An object of the invention is to provide a solution to the rear blade of a tie becoming visible while worn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solution to fashionably securing a tie to the body when worn.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tie clip in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the tie clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a rear view of the tie clip of FIG. 1 illustrating the tie clip in place on a tie.

FIG. 3B is a rear view of the tie clip of FIG. 1 illustrating the rear blade of the tie secured to the tie clip using a magnetic retainer.

FIG. 4A is a side view of a tie clip further including an anchor member for securing the tie and tie clip to a placket of a shirt.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a tie clip secured to a tie and to the placket of a shirt.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a tie clip in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A and 3B, a first tie clip system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is depicted. In the depicted embodiment, the tie clip system 10 includes tie clip 12 that may be affixed to a tied tie 20 to secure a rear blade 40 of the tie 20 to the front blade 40 of the tie 20. In some embodiments, the tie clip system 10 may be embodied in a combination of the tie 20 and the tie clip 12, and, in other embodiments, the tie clip system 10 may be embodied in a combination of the tie clip 12 and the tie 20.

Starting with FIG. 1, the tie clip 12 may include a first arm 100 which may be connected to a second arm 150 at a hinge 170. The first arm 100 and the second arm 150 may rotate with respect to each other around the hinge 170 and may be biased towards one another by a biasing element 180. In the depicted embodiment, the first and second arms 100, 150 are biased by a spring 185 that applies a separating force to handle portions 102 and 152 of the first and second arms 100, 150. The separating force of the spring 185 causes the tip 104 at the distal end of the first arm 100 and the tip 154 at the distal end of the second arm 150 to come together. While the depicted spring 185 is a torsion spring, it will be appreciated that that other springs and elastic devices for biasing the arms 100 and 150 together may be used. In order to open the clip portion 12, a user simply presses the handle portions 102 and 152 together to separate the tips 104, 154 by rotation around the hinge 170.

The hinge 170 may include flanges 101 of the first arm 100 and flanges 151 of the second arm 151. The flanges 101 of the first arm 100 may be integrally formed on each side of the first arm 100 and may extend downward towards the second arm 151. Similarly, the flanges 101 of the second arm 151 may be integrally formed on each side of the second arm 151 and may extend upwards towards the first arm 100. The flanges 101, 105 may include adjacent openings to permit a hinge pin 175 to pass through each of the flanges 101, 105 to define a pivot and rotatably secure the first arm 100 to the second arm 151. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that in other embodiments, other structures may be to permit the first arm 100 to move relative to the second arm 150. For example, where the arms 100 and 150 are constructed from an injected molded plastic material, they may be joined by a thinner section of material that functions as a “living hinge.” In further embodiments, other suitable arrangements may also be used.

The arms 100 and 105 may be configured to provide an effective and easy-to-use clamping mechanism. As may be best seen in FIG. 2, the tips 104, 154 of the arms 100, 150 may be shaped as a rounded point. The rounded point may provide for easy insertion into the tie 20 while avoiding puncturing or tearing.

The arms 100, 150 may be formed as a thin planar members tapering to rounded points in order to facilitate use. The arms 100, 150 may have corresponding shapes to increase the “gripping area”, although in other embodiments, each may have a non-corresponding shapes (i.e., different shapes). It will also be appreciated that the arms 100, 105 may be curved along the length from the tips 104, 154 to the handles 102, 152 to allow for the placement of hinge pin 170. In the embodiments shown, the second arm 105 is curved along its length. In further embodiments, the arms 100, 150 may include further features to increase gripping strength, such as teeth, high friction surfaces and materials, etc.

As shown, in an embodiment, a magnetic receiver 160 may be disposed on the outer surface of the upper member 150. The magnetic receiver 160 may be a magnet or contain magnets to facilitate connection to another magnet or to a suitable metal. As depicted, the magnetic receiver 160 may be a magnet that is attached to the outer surface by welding or in another suitable way, as by adhesive or by retaining in a molded clip. Although a rounded magnet is depicted, any shape may be used.

The system 10 may further include a magnetic retainer 200 that may be removably and magnetically attached to the clip portion 12, either to the magnetic receiver 160 (where present) or the second member 150. As depicted, the magnetic retainer 200 may be a magnet, or may house a magnet. Although depicted as round, any shape may be used. It will be appreciated that any suitable magnets may be used, including ceramic magnets, neodymium magnets, or other magnets. Where possible magnets constructed from materials having lower strength or signatures that would not register on an airport style metal detector may be used.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the use of a tie clip system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. Generally, a tied tie 20 includes a front blade 30 and rear blade 40. The front blade 40 is folded to form a front portion 50 and rear portions 60. The rear portions 60 may be joined at various locations along a rear seam 25. To secure the tie clip 12 to the front blade 30, a user may press the handle portions 102 and 152 of the members 100 and 150 together, rotating them about the hinge 170 and moving the tips 104 and 154 apart. The distal tip 104 of the first member may then be removably inserted into the rear seam 25 of the front blade 35 of the tied tie 20. The user then releases the handle portions 102 and 152 causing the distal tips of the member 100 and 150 to come together and gripping the rear portion 60 of the front blade 30 therein (as further depicted in FIG. 4B). By gripping the tie 20 in this fashion, the tie clip 12 does not pierce the fabric of the tie 20 nor does it harm the stitching, thus protecting the tie 20 from damage. To secure the rear blade 40 to the front blade 30, the rear blade 40 is placed between magnetic receiver 160 and the magnetic retainer 200 as they are brought together until the magnetic force acts to secure the rear blade 40 and the magnetic retainer 200 in place.

In some other embodiments, the magnetic retainer 200 may include mechanisms for securing the tie clip system 10 to a shirt of the user. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the magnetic retainer may be connected to an anchor member 220 by a connector 210. In an embodiment, the anchor member 220 is a short bar that can be inserted into a buttonhole 74 (FIG. 4B) on the shirt 70 of the user. Alternatively, the anchor member 220 may be a disk, or any other shape that resists extraction from the buttonhole 74 under normal forces encountered when a user is wearing the tie clip system 10. In some embodiments, the connector 210 is a short chain or cable. Alternatively, the connector 210 may be a rod or other rigid member. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the anchor member 220 and the connector 210 may be embodied in further variations consistent with removably securing the tie clip 12 to a user's shirt 70.

FIG. 4B illustrates how the tie clip system 10 after it is fully in place. The first arm 100 has been inserted into the rear seam 35 of the front blade 30 and the distal end 104 is present between a rear face 52 of the front portion 50 of the front blade 30 and the front face 62 of the rear portion 60 of the front blade 30. The second arm 150 is present between the rear face 64 of the front blade 30 and the rear blade 40. The rear blade 40 itself is held in place between the magnetic receiver 160 and the magnetic retainer 200.

Where present, a user may place the anchor member into a buttonhole 74 on the placket 72 of a shirt 70 to secure the tie clip system 10 to the shirt. Alternatively, a user may instead place the magnetic retainer 200 behind the placket 72 of the user's shirt 70 to secure both the rear blade 40 and the shirt 70 to the clip portion 12. This can act to restrain the tie 20 in place on the user's shirt 70.

Turning to FIG. 5, shown is a front view of a tie clip 500 in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. The tie clip 500 includes a retaining bar 510 that may be inserted into the rear seam 35 of the front blade 30 of a tie 20. The retaining bar 510 may be connected by a strip 520 to a magnet pouch 530. In an embodiment, both the strip 520 and the magnet pouch 530 may be substantially made of leather. The magnet pouch 530 may include a magnetic receiver 160 secured within. In use, the retaining bar 510 may be made of metal and may be magnetically attracted to the magnetic receiver 160 to permit the tie clip 500 to be secured around the rear portion 60 of the front blade 20. A magnetic retainer 200 may then be placed in magnetic connection with the magnetic receiver 160 to secure the rear blade 40 to the front blade 30. As shown with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the magnetic retainer 200 may include a connector 210 and anchor member 220 to secure the tie clip system 10 to a shirt 70.

While this disclosure has been described using certain embodiments, it can be further modified while keeping within its spirit and scope. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practices in the art to which it pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

It should be noted 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 may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.

The present invention relates to apparatus, systems and method for retaining the “tail” of tied ties in an unobtrusive manner. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described, while illustrative, are not intended to so limit this disclosure or the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will also understand that various combinations or modifications of the embodiments presented herein can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. All such alternate embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A tie clip system comprising:

a tie including a front blade, wherein the front blade includes a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion includes a rear face, and wherein the rear portion includes a front face and rear face, a rear blade; and

a tie clip including a first arm located between the rear face of the front portion and the front face, a second arm connected to the first arm at a hinge, wherein the second arm is located between the rear face of the rear portion and the rear blade, a biasing element biasing the first arm towards contact with the second arm, a first magnetic element connected to the second arm, and a second magnetic element magnetically securing the rear blade between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element.

2. The tie clip system of claim 1, wherein the tie clip further includes

a connector having a first end and a second end, wherein the connector is connected to the second magnetic element at the first end; and

an anchor member connected to the second end of the connector.

3. The tie clip system of claim 2, further includes

a shirt including a buttonhole, and wherein the anchor member is located within an interior of the shirt, and wherein the connector spans the interior and an exterior of the shirt through the buttonhole.

4. The tie clip system of claim 2, wherein the anchor member includes a length, a width, and a depth, wherein the length is as long as or longer than the width and the depth, and wherein the connector connects to the anchor member near the midpoint of the length.

5. The tie clip system of claim 4, wherein the anchor member includes a bar.

6. The tie clip system of claim 4, wherein the anchor member includes a disk.

7. The tie clip system of claim 2, wherein the connector is a chain or a cable.

8. The tie clip system of claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises:

a first flange and a second flange, wherein the first flange and the second flange are integrally formed with the first arm;

a third flange and a fourth flange, wherein the third flange and the fourth flange integrally formed with the second arm; and

a hinge pin passing through the first flange, the second flange, the third flange, and the fourth flanges.

9. The tie clip system of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a strip of flexible material connecting the first arm and the second arm, and wherein the hinge is integrally formed with the first arm and the second arm.

10. The tie clip system of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes a first handle and a first distal end, wherein the first distal end extends along a first length from the first handle, wherein the first arm includes a first width along the first length, wherein the first width tapers from the first handle to the first distal end, wherein the second arm includes a second handle and a second distal end, wherein the second distal end extends along a second length from the second handle, wherein the second arm includes a second width along the second length, and wherein the second width tapers from the second handle to the second distal end.

11. The tie clip system of claim 10, wherein the first distal end and the second distal end include teeth.

12. The tie clip system of claim 10, wherein the biasing element biases the first distal end towards contact with the second distal end.

13. The tie clip system of claim 1, wherein the biasing element is a torsion spring.

14. The tie clip system of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic element includes a first ceramic magnet, and the second magnetic element includes a second ceramic magnet.

15. The tie clip system of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic element includes a first neodymium magnet, and the second magnetic element includes a second neodymium magnet.

16. A tie clip system comprising:

a shirt including a placket, wherein the placket includes a buttonhole;

a tie including a front blade, wherein the front blade includes a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion includes a rear face, wherein the rear portion includes a front face and rear face, and a rear blade; and

a tie clip including a first arm located between the rear face of the front portion and the front face, a second arm connected to the first arm at a hinge, wherein the second arm is located between the rear face of the rear portion and the rear blade, a biasing element biasing the first arm towards contact with the second arm, a first magnetic element connected to the second arm, a second magnetic element magnetically securing the rear blade between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element, a connector having a first end and a second end, wherein the connector is connected to the second magnetic element at the first end, and an anchor member connected to the second end of the connector, wherein the anchor member is inserted into the buttonhole to secure the tie clip to the shirt.

17. The tie clip system of claim 16, wherein the anchor member includes a length, a width, and a depth, wherein the length is as long as or longer than the width and the depth, and wherein the connector connects to the anchor member near the midpoint of the length.

18. The tie clip system of claim 16, wherein the connector is a chain or a cable.

19. The tie clip system of claim 16, wherein the hinge comprises

a first flange and a second flange, wherein the first flange and the second flange are integrally formed with the first arm,

a third flange and a fourth flange, wherein the third flange and the fourth flange integrally formed with the second arm, and

a hinge pin passing through the first flange, second flange, third flange, and fourth flanges.

20. The tie clip system of claim 16, wherein the first arm includes a first handle and a first distal end, wherein the first distal end extends along a first length from the first handle, wherein the first arm includes a first width along the first length, wherein the first width tapers from the first handle to the first distal end, wherein the second arm includes a second handle and a second distal end, wherein the second distal end extends along a second length from the second handle, wherein the second arm includes a second width along the second length, and wherein the second width tapers from the second handle to the second distal end.