GB2511557A - A device to simulate a neck tie knot - Google Patents

Abstract

A device to simulate or cover a neck tie knot comprises a front element 102 and rear element 101 coupled together by a hinge 103 to form a one-piece construction. The rear element 101 includes a guide 104 which aligns the incoming neck tie ends and a grip guide 105 which locates and grips the chosen neck tie configuration between and against the front element 102 when the device is closed. The device may be secured using a releasable lock assembly 106. The front element 102 may be decorated with a fabric to match that of the tie.

Description

Patent Application of Gary Hudson for; A device to simulate a neck tie knot.

Background of the Invention

(1) The present invention relates to a device to simulate or cover the knot of a neck tie. It can be used to form a knot for a conventional neck tie, without the need to manually knot the necktie, or used as a cover to fit over a conventional or pre-knotted necktie. The said device can be freely decorated. When in use to form a neck tie knot the device internal guides allow the wearer to select a conventional smooth or dimpled knot output through the said device. When in use to cover a neck tie knot the internal guides locate and stabilise the necktie knot in the ideal internal position.

(2) In many situations, it is a social expectation that a neck tie is worn.

Business dress code frequently demand neck ties, a.s do school uniforms and formal dress codes such a.s those for weddings and funerals. In such situations, it is vital that the necktie looks tidy, smart and symmetrical.

(3) However, it is very easy to tie a neck tie incorrectly, in an untidy, asymmetrical manner, making the wearer look scruffy. Furthermore, tying a. knot in a neck tie can be very time-consuming and inconvenient.

(4) Means of making neck ties look neater are known in the art. Clip-on neck ties, where the tie knot is already formed, can be worn, but these have a. social stigma attached and typically come in a much smaller range of styles than regular neck ties. Importantly, they cannot be used to neaten existing regular neck ties, and therefore require the wearer to purchase separate clip-on neck ties, rendering their existing collection of regular neck ties useless.

(5) Tie-knot devices are known in the art. US374561 4 to Tsaiig and CN2309066 to Zhong disclose tie knot devices that fit onto conventional neckties to save the user from manually tying the necktie. However, these do not have the dual function to be used as a cover for a neck tie, do not allow the user the choice of smooth or dimpled output or fit onto a clip-on type neck tie knot.

(6) Covers for tie knots are known in the art. DE20301 163 to Wolber and DE1O 129027 to Beier disclose covers for neck ties that fit over the knot tied by the wearer, to make it look neater. However, these do not have the dual function to be used as a knot forming device for a neck tie, do not allow the user the choice of smooth or dimpled output or fit onto a clip-on type neck tie knot.

(7) Aids and devices for tying symmetrical neck tie knots are also known in the art. CA2639081 to Fay discloses an apparatus for tying a Windsor knot in a neck tie correctly, comprising a small guide' piece through which the user threads the neck tie to form a correct, symmetrical knot. Whilst this can make the neck tie knot appear neater, forming the knot is still inconvenient and time consuming.

Brief Summary of the Invention

(7) It can be seen by the forgoing that a need has arisen for a means of quickly and simply simulating a neat, symmetrical tie knot for a variety of different neck tie styles. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device to achieve this.

(8) To this end, disclosed is a device to simulate or cover a neck tie knot, compnsing: a device having rear and front elements hinged inter-connectedly together at their sides. The rear element includes guides to receive and position the narrow and broad end of a neck tie, in the instance of being used as a knot device, or a pre-knotted neck tie in the instance of being used as a knot cover; the side hinge front element when operated encloses and grips the device contents.

(9) The wearer lays the nalTow end of a neck tie within the rear element through the top side guide and between the lower grip guides. The broad end of a neck tie is then laid in the other top side guide and over the lower grip guides. The wearer then has the option to locate some of the central section of the broad end of the neck tie between and inwardly into the lower grip guides, to form a dimpled output or lay the broad end of the neck tie smoothly over the lower grip guides to produce a. smooth output.

The hinged front element is then closed to the rear element and includes a.

releasable lock assembly.

(10) Alternatively, the wearer lays a pre-knotted necktie into the rear element and closes the hinged front element to fully encompass the knot.

(11) An advantage of the present invention is that it allows the wearer to wear a neck tie with a neat, symmetrical tie knot with very little effort or time taken.

(12) A further advantage is that the front element can be decorated with a fabric or by printing that allows the user to wear a tie knot that matches their neck tie, or alternatively a tie knot in a complementing colour.

(13) A yet further advantage is that the front element decoration could be used for promotional purposes, printed with logos, company names, sports team names and so on.

(i4) A yet further advantage is that the device design will allow it to fit onto clip-on ties.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing (15) The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: (16) Figure one shows a bottom isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in open position.

(17) Figure two shows a rear isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in closed position.

(18) Figure three shows atop isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in closed position.

(19) Figure four shows bottom isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in open position with a narrow end of a neck tie fitted.

(20) Figure five shows bottom isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in open position with the broad end of a neck tie fitted for smooth output.

(21) Figure six shows bottom isometric view of a. preferred embodiment of the invention in open position with the broad end of a neck tie fitted for dimpled output.

(22) Figure seven shows bottom isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in closed position with the broa.d end of a.

neck tie fitted for smooth output.

(23) Figure eight shows bottom isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in closed position with the broad end of a neck tie fitted for dimpled output.

(24) Figure nine shows bottom isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in open position with a conventional neck tie knot fitted in the rear element.

(25) Figure ten shows bottom isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in closed position with a conventional neck tie knot fitted inside.

(26) Figure eleven shows a rear isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in closed position with a clip-on necktie fitted inside.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

(27) In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in figure one, a device to simulate or cover a. tie knot is disclosed comprising: a rear element 101, hingebly coupled to front element 102 by hinge 103. Guide 104 aligns the incoming neck tie ends apart and grip guides 105 locate and grip the chosen neck tie configuration between and against front element 102 when closed. Section 102 is closed using hinge 103 and releasable lock assembly 106.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

(28) The wearer selects a neck tie and lays the narrow end through one side of 104 and in-between grip guides 105. The wearer then lays the broad end of the Beck tie through the opposite side of 104 and lays the neck tie over grip guides 105. The wearer can choose whether to lay the neck tie smoothly over grip guides 105 or to position a piece of the centre of the broad end of the neck tie in between grip guides 105 to create a dimpled cross section. The wearer then closes front element 102 via hinge 103 which is held in place by releasable lock assembly 106.

(29) Alternatively, the wearer places a pre tied neck tie Imot into rear element 101 ensuring location of grip guides 105 into the rear lower section of the neck tie knot and neck tie upper sections are guided past each side of 104. The wearer then closes front element 102 via hinge 103 which is held in place by releasable lock assembly 106.

(30) Alternatively, the wearer places a clip-on type neck tie knot into rear element 101 ensuring location of grip guides 105 into the rear lower section of the neck tie clip-on knot. The wearer then closes front element 102 via hinge 103 which is held in place by releasable lock assembly 106.

Claims (6)

1. Patent Application of Gary Hudson for; A device to simulate a neck tie knot.Claims 1. A device to simulate a neck tie knot comprising a front element hingedly coupled to a. rear element, wherein the front element, the rear element and the hinge are formed as a one piece construction; wherein the device has an open configuration in which the front element is hinged away from the rear element, and a closed configuration in which the front element covers the rear element; wherein the front and rear elements together define a channel therebetween when the device is in the closed configuration, the channel being adapted to receive therein one or more portions of a tie; and wherein the device further includes a releasable lock assembly adapted to releasably retain the device in the closed configuration.
2. 2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the channel is a tapered channel.
3. 3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the device further includes a neck tie friction lock comprising a. pair of spaced apart arms upstanding from the front or rear element, wherein the arms are spaced a.part by a distance which permits a. portion of a.neck tie to be located between them and to form a friction fit with the arms.
4. 4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the distal ends of the arms abut the other of the front or rear element when the device is in the closed configuration.
5. 5. The device of any preceding claim where said elements comprise of metal, glass, plastic or wood.
6. 6. The device of any preceding claim where said elements include electrical, electronic or mechanical devices.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1: A device to simulate a neck tie knot comprising a front element hingedly coupled to a rear element, wherein the front element, the rear element and the hinge are fonned as a one piece construction; wherein the device has an open configuration in which the front element is hinged away from the rear element, and a closed configuration in which the front element covers the rear element; wherein the front and rear elements together define a channel therebetween when the device is in the closed configuration, the channel being adapted to receive therein one or more portions of a tie; wherein the device is releasably retained in the closed configuration by a releasable lock assembly; and wherein the device further includes a neck tie friction lock comprising a pair of spaced apart arms upstanding from the front or rear element, wherein the arms are spaced apart by a distance which permits a portion of the neck tie to be located between them and to form a friction fit with the arms.2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the channel is a tapered channel.3. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the distal ends of the arms abut the other of the front or rear element when the device is in the closed configuration.4. The device of any preceding claim where said elements comprise of metal, glass, plastic or wood.--q, * -* C o * . Ge.-, * S *,, CLI-C