CONVERTIBLE SCARF

Abstract

A convertible scarf according to the present invention can be worn in a first wearing mode and a second wearing mode in which the scarf has an infinity scarf construction. The convertible scarf includes a scarf body having a top edge, a bottom edge, a free first end and a free second end. The scarf includes a first fastener disposed at the first end such that the first fastener at least partially overhangs the first end and is thus partially unsupported. The scarf also includes a second fastener disposed at the second end such that second fastener at least partially overhangs the second end and is thus partially unsupported. In the first wearing mode, the first and second ends are detached from one another and represent free tail ends, while in the second wearing mode, the first and second fasteners are detachably attached to one another to form the infinity scarf construction. Preferably, when mated together, the first and second fasteners are at least substantially hidden from view.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/977,334, filed on Apr. 9, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to apparel and more particularly, to a convertible scarf which can be worn as either a conventional neck scarf with free ends or as an infinity scarf.

BACKGROUND

A scarf is one type of apparel that is designed to be worn around the neck of a person for warmth, fashion or religious reasons. A scarf is typically formed of a piece of fabric and can be in the form of a knitted or woven article. In the case of silk scarves, the silks fibers are woven to form silk fabrics which are used to produce the scarves.

There are a number of different types of scarf designs which are popular today including, but not limited to, neck scarves, head scarves, bandana scarves, infinity scarves, etc. Infinity scarves are a type of neck scarf that forms a single circle with no beginning and no end. An infinity scarf is also known as a loop and is popular for those who do not want to go through the hassle of ensuring that the neck scarf remains tied around the neck.

SUMMARY

A convertible scarf according to the present invention can be worn in a first wearing mode and a second wearing mode in which the scarf has an infinity scarf construction. The convertible scarf includes a scarf body having a top edge, a bottom edge, a free first end and a free second end. The scarf includes a first fastener disposed at the first end such that the first fastener at least partially overhangs the first end and is thus partially unsupported. The scarf also includes a second fastener disposed at the second end such that second fastener at least partially overhangs the second end and is thus partially unsupported. In the first wearing mode, the first and second ends are detached from one another and represent free tail ends, while in the second wearing mode, the first and second fasteners are detachably attached to one another to form the infinity scarf construction. Preferably, when mated together, the first and second fasteners are at least substantially hidden from view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a scarf according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 2A-B are schematics showing the scarf in the infinity wearing mode;

FIG. 3 shows a portion of the scarf in a detached, traditional wearing mode;

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the coupling between matching pairs of fasteners disposed at the opposite ends of the scarf to form an infinity scarf; and

FIG. 5 show ends of the scarf with an alternative fastening mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-4 shows a scarf 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention and is formed of a scarf body 110 that includes a front surface 120, a rear surface 122, a top edge 124, a bottom edge 125, a first end 126 and an opposite second end 128.

It will be appreciated that the scarf 100 can be formed of any number of different materials so long as they are suitable for use as a scarf. For example, the scarf 100 can be formed of natural materials, such as cotton, silk, cashmere, linen, bamboo, etc., or they can be formed of synthetic materials, such as polyesters, acrylics, etc. In addition, it will be appreciated that the body 110 can be formed to have any number of different decorative patterns, such as prints, etc. The decorative pattern can be formed on the front surface 120, the rear surface 122, or both the front and rear surfaces 120, 122.

As mentioned above, scarves are typically worn with both ends 126, 128 being free tail ends which can be wrapped around the neck of the user to better secure and cover the neck of the wearer. An infinity scarf is one in which the scarf has a continuous, uninterrupted length due to it have a looped construction. The construction of the infinity scarf is conductive to being worm in multiple loops around the neck of the wearer. However, it would be more desirable to allow the wearer to decide at will and be able to wear the same scarf in either a conventional free-tails mode or in an infinity scarf mode. The present invention provides a convertible scarf that can be worn in either a conventional mode or in an infinity scarf mode. Moreover, the convertible manner of the present invention is configured such that the means for converting the body 110 into an infinity scarf construction is preferably substantially hidden from sight.

In accordance with the present invention, the first end 126 of the scarf body 110 includes at least one first fastener 200 and the second end 128 of the scarf body 110 includes at least one second fastener 210 which is complementary to and configured to mate with the first fastener 200. Preferably, there is a plurality of first fasteners 200 and similarly, there is a plurality of second fasteners 210. The first fasteners 200 can be disposed in spaced relationship along the first end 126 between the top edge 124 and the bottom edge 125. Similarly, the second fasteners 210 can be disposed in spaced relationship along the second end 128 between the top edge 124 and the bottom edge 125. The number of first and second fasteners 200, 210 is typically the same.

The mating of the first and second fasteners 200, 210 serve to detachably connect/attach the first and second ends 126, 128 of the scarf body 110 to thereby form a continuous scarf body 110 (i.e., a looped body known as an infinity scarf). In accordance with the present invention and in contrast to conventional infinity scarf constructions, the first and second fasteners 200, 210 are substantially hidden from view, thereby given the appearance of a permanent infinity scarf in which the ends are permanently attached as by permanent stitching. It is desirable to give the appearance that the scarf 100, in the infinity wearing mode, is a continuous structure that is free of visible interruptions and it is similarly, that the pattern on the scarf body 110 is likewise continuous and uninterrupted.

The first and second fasteners 200, 210 can be any number of different types of fasteners that are suitable for the intended use. For example, the first and second fasteners 200, 210 can be in the form of buttons, snaps, hook and loop material, a zipper, first and second seal elements, etc. In FIGS. 1-4, the first and second fasteners 200, 210 are in the form of snaps.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second fasteners 200, 210 are attached to the scarf body 110 in such a way that when they mate together, the mated fasteners are substantially hidden from view by the material of the scarf body 110. For example, in FIG. 1, each of the first fasteners 200 is attached to the scarf body 110 at the first end 126 such that a portion of the first fastener 200 extends beyond the first end 126 and thus, overhangs the first end 126 and is unsupported. Similarly, each of the second fasteners 210 is attached to the scarf body 110 at the second end 128 such that a portion of the second fastener 210 extends beyond the second end 128 and thus, overhangs the second end 128 and is unsupported.

When the partially overhanging first fasteners 200 are mated with the partially overhanging second fasteners 210, the result is that the mated first and second fasteners 200, 210 are substantially hidden from view, thereby forming a garment (scarf) that is aesthetically pleasing in the infinity wearing mode. In contrast, if the fasteners 210 were placed internally and spaced from the respective ends, the mated fasteners would be visible, which can be viewed by some as being unsightly since the essence of an infinity scarf is the continuous, uninterrupted, looped nature thereof. By partially overhanging each of the fasteners, when the two ends 126, 128 are joined, the ends 126, 128 partially tuck/fold inward to create a seam, with the mated fasteners 200, 210 being disposed within the tuck/fold of the seam.

It will be appreciated that the size of the fasteners 200, 210 is preferably selected such that they lie at least substantially within this fold and thereby are at least substantially hidden from view. In one embodiment, the fastener 200, 210 (such as a snap) has a diameter of about ¼ inch. However, it will be appreciated that this is merely exemplary in nature and other sizes can be used. In any event, the fasteners 200, 210 are small to allow them to be substantially hidden from view as discussed herein. In terms of the percentage of overhang, between about 25% to about 50% (surface area) of the fastener 200, 210 overhangs the edge (end) of the scarf in one embodiment. The fasteners 200, 210 can be any color (including clear) and can include printed patterns, etc.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the two fasteners 200, 210 are attached to the same front surface 120 or rear surface 122; however, as mentioned, they can be disposed on opposite surfaces 120, 122.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 126 has a first decorative edge 127 and the second end 128 has a second decorative edge 129. The first and second decorative edges 127, 129 are typically printed sections of the scarf body 110 that are either the same or complementary in terms of their appearances. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first decorative edge 127 is in the form of a thin vertical section having a stripped pattern and the second decorative edge 129 is in the form of a thin vertical section having the same stripped pattern. Thus, when combined, the first and second decorative edges 127, 129 give the appearance of a wider vertical section have the stripped pattern. Accordingly, when combined in this manner, the scarf body 110 has a continuous, uninterrupted appearance (with the first and second fasteners 200, 210 being at least substantially hidden from view as shown in FIG. 4), thereby yielding a true infinity scarf look.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first and second fasteners can be in the form similar to a zip lock bag construction. More specifically, the first fastener comprises a male track (rib or bead) 201 and the second fastener comprises a female track 211 or vice versa. The male track 201 locks into the female track 211, thereby fastening the two ends 126, 128 together. In one construction, one of the fasteners 201, 211 is formed on the front surface 120, while the other of the fasteners 201, 211 is formed on the rear surface 122. This placement results in the two fasteners 201, 211 being substantially hidden from sight when attached to one another. Alternatively, if the fasteners are located on the same surface, one edge where the fastener is located is folded over to face the fastener toward the other fastener (see FIG. 4 as an example).

The placement between pairs of fasteners 201, 211 is also selected such that during use of the scarf in the infinity wearing mode, there are no unsightly gaps or openings of the scarf between the mated pair of fasteners 201, 211.

The scarf 100 is thus of a convertible nature in that it can easily be worn in both a conventional neck mode with free tail ends and in an infinity mode in which the scarf is looped with no beginning or end. The scarf 100 is thus versatile and easily can be converted back and forth between the two wearing modes. Further, as discussed herein, the construction and placement of the fasteners 201, 211 allow the fasteners 201, 211 to be substantially hidden.

Claims

1. A convertible scarf that can be worn in a first wearing mode and a second wearing mode in which the scarf has an infinity scarf construction, the convertible scarf comprising:

a scarf body having a top edge, a bottom edge, a free first end and a free second end;

a first fastener disposed at the first end such that the first fastener at least partially overhangs the first end;

a second fastener disposed at the second end such that second fastener at least partially overhangs the second end;

wherein in the first wearing mode, the first and second ends are detached from one another and represent free tail ends, while in the second wearing mode, the first and second fasteners are detachably attached to one another to form the infinity scarf construction.

2. The convertible scarf of claim 1, wherein when mated together, the first and second fasteners are at least substantially hidden from view.

3. The convertible scarf of claim 1, wherein between 25% and 50% (surface area) of each fastener overhangs the respective end.

4. The convertible scarf of claim 1, wherein the first and second fasteners are selected from the group consisting of: buttons, snaps, zippers, and seal elements.

5. The convertible scarf of claim 1, wherein the first and second fasteners comprise snaps having a diameter of about ¼ inch.

6. A convertible scarf that can be worn in a first wearing mode and a second wearing mode in which the scarf has an infinity scarf construction, the convertible scarf comprising:

a scarf body having a top edge, a bottom edge, a free first end and a free second end;

a first fastener disposed at the first end such that the first fastener is at least partially unsupported by the body;

a second fastener disposed at the second end such that second fastener is at partially unsupported by the body;

wherein in the first wearing mode, the first and second ends are detached from one another and represent free tail ends, while in the second wearing mode, the first and second fasteners are detachably attached to one another to form the infinity scarf construction.

7. The convertible scarf of claim 6, wherein when mated together, the first and second fasteners are at least substantially hidden from view.

8. The convertible scarf of claim 6, wherein the first end includes a first decorative section having a first appearance and the second end includes a second decorative section having the first appearance, wherein when the first and second fasteners mate together, the first and second decorative sections fold inward, thereby substantially hiding the first and second fasteners and create a joined seam which has the first appearance.