US20050236445A1

US20050236445A1 - Watchband

Info

Publication number: US20050236445A1
Application number: US11/032,978
Authority: US
Inventors: Rusty Nix
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-31
Filing date: 2005-01-11
Publication date: 2005-10-27

Abstract

A watchband formed from a piece of material resembling a tail portion of a necktie. The watchband comprises a first end portion, a second end portion and a body portion. The first end portion has a blunt end. The second end portion has a substantially triangular-shaped end and is spatially opposed to the first end portion. The body portion extends between the first end portion and the second end portion. The body portion is sized for supporting a wristwatch. The watchband has a sufficient length to wrap substantially completely about a wrist of a wearer so that the watch band is secured about the wrist of the wearer in a stable position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/558,228, filed Mar. 31, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a watchband, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to a watchband formed of a piece of material resembling a tail portion of a necktie. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a watchband formed of a tail portion of a necktie.
2. Description of Related Art
Watchbands in the prior art generally have been provided with a width substantially equal to the length of lateral retaining pins of the wrist watch to which the watchband is connected. In addition, the prior art watchbands are provided with a length such that, upon positioning a watchband around the wrist of a person, the ends of the watchband are connected via buckles, mating type fasteners, such as material merchandised under the trademark VELCRO®.
Watchbands have also been fabricated of a fabric wherein a wristwatch is supported on and secured to the fabric by watch mounting loops which are either permanently or releasably connected to the watchband.
While many types of watchbands before have been proposed, new and improved watchbands are constantly being sought which provide unique, aesthetic qualities and appearances to the watchbands, and which can be easily changed to complement the attire of the person wearing the watchband. It is to such watchbands that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a watchband is provided which is fabricated of a piece of material resembling a tail portion of a necktie, or from a tail portion of a necktie. The watchband is provided with a first end portion, a body portion, and an opposed second end portion. At least a portion of the body portion is desirably provided with a width substantially corresponding to the length of lateral retaining pins of a wristwatch so that the watchband, upon positioning over the lateral retaining pins and under a case portion of the wristwatch, secures and supports the wristwatch in a stable position on the body portion of the watchband.
The first end portion of the watchband has a substantially blunt end and the second end portion of the watchband has a substantially triangular-shaped end. To further stabilize the watchband to the wrist of a wearer, a fastener is supported on an upper surface of the watchband near the blunt end thereof. A mating fastener is positioned on a lower surface of the watchband a predetermined distance from the wristwatch such that, upon wrapping the first end portion of the watchband about the wrist of the wearer, the first end portion is connectable to the body portion of the watchband via the fasteners.
Once the watchband has been secured about the wrist of the wearer, the second end portion of the watchband is wrapped around the wearer's wrist in such a way as to not interfere with the face of the wristwatch, while at the same time providing a decorative wrap around the wrist of the wearer. The substantially triangular-shaped end of the watchband can be connected via a connector assembly to the body portion of the watchband or tucked under portions of the watchband wrapped about the wearer's wrist.
In another embodiment, a tail portion of a tie is formed into a watchband. One end portion of the watchband is provided with a blunt end and a second portion is provided with a substantially triangular-shaped end. A connector assembly is disposed on the first and second end portions of the watchband such that upon positioning a wristwatch therebetween, the watchband can be wrapped about a person's wrist and secured thereon by the connector assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wristwatch secured about a person's wrist utilizing a watchband constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the wristband of FIG. 1, the wristband being shown in an extended position.
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the wristband of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a watchband constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the watchband of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a watchband constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the watchband of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of a watchband constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the watchband of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, shown therein is a watchband 10 for securing wristwatch 12 on a wrist 14 of a person. The watchband is fabricated of a tail portion 16 of a necktie 18 (FIGS. 2 and 3) or from a piece of material resembling the tail portion of a necktie.
Referring more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the watchband 10 is shown in an extended or unwrapped condition. The watchband 10 is characterized as having a first end portion 20, a body portion 22 for supporting the wristwatch 12, a second end portion 24, a front side 26 (FIG. 2) and a back side 28 (FIG. 3). The first end portion 20 terminates with a blunt end 30; and the second end portion 24 terminates with a substantially triangular-shaped end 32.
At least a portion of the body portion 22 of the watchband 10 is desirably provided with a width 34 substantially corresponding with the length of lateral retaining pins 36 and 38 of the wristwatch 12 so that the watchband 10, upon positioning over the lateral retaining pins 36 and 38 and under a case portion 40 of the wristwatch 12 (FIG. 3), secures and supports the wristwatch 12 in a stable position on the body portion 22 of the watchband 10.
A first connector assembly 42 includes a pair of hook and loop pressure attachable fabric components 44 and 46. The hook and loop pressure attachable fabric components 44 and 46 are stitched or secured to the body portion 22 of the tail portion 16 such that the component 44 is disposed on the front side 26 of the tail portion 16 near the blunt end 30 of the first end portion 20 and the component 46 is disposed on the backside 28 of the watchband 10 so as to be aligned with the first component and connectable thereto when the watchband 10 is wrapped about the wrist 14 of an individual. The watchband 10 is further provided with a second connector assembly 48 which includes a male snap fastener 50 and a plurality of female snap fasteners 52. The male snap fastener 50 is disposed in the substantially triangular-shaped end 32 of the second end portion 24 of the watchband 10 such that the male snap fastener 50 extends outwardly from the back side 28 of the watchband 10; and the plurality of female snap fasteners 52 are aligned along the body portion 22 of the watchband 10 such that the female snap fasteners 52 are disposed on the front side 26 of the body portion 22 of the watchband 10 substantially as shown. Thus, upon positioning the watchband 10 about the wrist 14 of an individual, the components 44 and 46 of the first connector assembly 42 are matingly engaged. Thereafter, the second end portion 24 of the watchband 10 is wrapped about the individual's wrist (FIG. 1) until the male snap fastener 50 is aligned with one of the female snap fasteners 52 whereby the substantially triangular-shaped end 32 of the second end portion 24 can be secured in a stable position upon matingly engaging the male snap fastener 50 with one of the female snap fasteners 52.
Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, shown therein is another embodiment of a watchband 60 fabricated of a tail portion 62 of a tie 63. The watchband 60 is provided with a first end portion 64, a body portion 66 for supporting a wristwatch 68, a second end portion 70, a front side 72 (FIG. 4) and a back side 74 (FIG. 5). The first end portion 64 terminates with a blunt end 76; and the second end portion 70 terminates with a triangular-shaped end 78. At least a portion of the body portion 66 of the watchband 60 is desirably provided with a width 80 substantially corresponding with the length of lateral retaining pins 82 and 84 of the wristwatch 68 and a case portion 86 of the wristwatch 68 (FIG. 5) so that the watchband 60, upon positioning over the lateral retaining pins 82 and 84 and under the case portion 86 of the wristwatch 68, secures and supports the wristwatch 68 in a stable position on the body portion 66 of the watchband 60.
The watchband 60 is further provided with a connector assembly 88 which includes a male snap fastener 90 and a plurality of spatially disposed female snap fasteners 92. The male snap fastener 90 is disposed in the substantially triangular-shaped end 78 of the second end portion 70 such that the male snap fastener 90 extends outwardly from the back side 74 of the watchband 60; and the plurality of spatially disposed female snap fasteners 92 are aligned along the body portion of the watchband 68 such that the female snap fasteners are disposed on the front side 72 of the body portion 66 of the watchband 60 substantially as shown. Thus, upon positioning the watchband 60 about a wrist of an individual, the male snap fastener 90 selectively engages one of the female snap fasteners 92 so as to secure the watchband 60 in a secure position on the person's wrist.
Thereafter, the first end portion 64 of the watchband 60 is wrapped about the individual's wrist and the portion of the first end portion 64 of the watchband 60 adjacent the blunt end 76 is inserted underneath an overlaying portion of the watchband 60 whereby the first end portion 64 of the watchband 60 is secured in a stable position. It should be understood that by wrapping the first end portion 64 of the watchband 60 about the person's wrist, the wrapping is accomplished in such a manner that the face portion of the wristwatch 68 remains uncovered. It should be noted that additional connector assemblies can be incorporated into the watchband 60, if desired.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, yet another embodiment of a watchband 100 is shown constructed in accordance with the present invention. The watchband 100 which is fabricated of a tail portion 102 of a necktie 104, or from a piece of material resembling the tail portion of a necktie, is characterized as having a first end portion 106, a body portion 108 for supporting a wristwatch 110, a second end portion 112, a front side 114 (FIG. 6) and a back side 116 (FIG. 7). The first end portion 106 terminates with a blunt end 124, and the second end portion 118 terminates with a substantially triangular-shaped end 126.
At least a portion of the body portion 108 of the watchband 100 is desirably provided with a width 128 substantially corresponding with the length of lateral retaining pins 130 and 132 of the wristwatch 110 so that the watchband 100, upon positioning over the lateral retaining pins 130 and 132 and under the case portion 134 of the wristwatch 110 (FIG. 7), secures and supports the wristwatch 110 in a stable position on the body portion 108 of the watchband 100.
The watchband 100 is further provided with connector assembly 136 for connecting the substantially triangular-shaped end 126 of the second end portion 118 to the first end portion 106 of the watchband 100. The connector assembly 136 included a male snap fastener 138 and a plurality of female snap fasteners 140. The male snap fastener 138 is disposed in the substantially triangular-shaped end 126 of the second end portion 118 such that the male snap fastener 138 extends outwardly from the back side 116 of the watchband 100, and the plurality of female snap fasteners 140 are aligned along the first end portion 112 of the watchband 100 such that the female snap fasteners 140 extend outwardly from the front side 114 of the watchband 100 near the blunt end 144 thereof. Thus, upon positioning the watchband 100 about the wrist of an individual, the male snap fastener 138 is selectively positioned for mating engagement with one of the female snap fasteners 140 such that, upon engagement of the male snap fastener 138 with the selected female snap fastener 140, the watchband 100 is secured about the individual's wrist.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, yet another embodiment of a watchband 150 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The watchband 150, which is fabricated of a tail portion 152 of a necktie 154 or from a piece of material resembling the tail portion of a necktie, or any other decorative material, such as a portion of a scarf, is characterized as having first end portion 156, a body portion 158 for supporting a wristwatch 160, a second end portion 162, a front side 164 (FIG. 8) and a back side 166 (FIG. 9). The first end portion 156 terminates with a blunt end 168, and the second end portion 162 terminates with substantially triangular-shaped end 170.
The body portion 158 of the watchband 150 is desirably provided with a width 172 which is greater than the length of lateral retaining pins 174 and 176 or the wristwatch 160, and the case portion 178 of the wristwatch 160 substantially as shown.
In order to connect the wristwatch 160 to the watchband 150, the body portion 158 is provided with a first connector assembly 180. The first connector assembly 180 contains male snap fasteners 182 and 184 which are connected to the body portion 158 of the watchband 150 in a spatial relationship. Further, the male snap fasteners 182 and 184 extend outwardly from the front side 164 of the watchband 150. The wristwatch 160 is positioned between the male snap fasteners 182 and 184 so that the male fastener 182 is disposed in close proximity, but spatially disposed from the lateral retaining pin 174 of the wristwatch 160. Similarly, the male snap fastener 184 is disposed in close proximity to the lateral retaining pin 176 of the wristwatch 160, but spatially disposed from the lateral retaining pin 176.
The first connector assembly 180 further includes a strip of material 186 having a first end portion 188, a medial portion 190, and a second end portion 192. A female snap fastener 194 is provided in the first end portion 188 of the strip of material 186, and a female snap fastener 196 is provided in the second end portion 192 of the strip of material 186. The strip of material 186 is provided with a length sufficient so that the medial portion 190 of the strip of material 186 can be positioned over the lateral retaining pins 174 and 176 of the wristwatch 160 and under the case portion 178 of the wristwatch 160 whereby, upon matingly connecting the female snap fastener 194 with the male snap fastener 182 and the female snap fastener 196 with the male snap fastener 184, the wristwatch 160 is secured to the body portion 158 of the watchband 150.
The watchband 150 is further provided with a second connector assembly 198 for connecting the second end portion 162 of the watchband 150 to the first end portion 156 of the watchband 150. The second connector assembly 198 includes a male snap fastener 200 and a plurality of female snap fasteners 202. The male snap fastener 200 is disposed in the substantially triangular-shaped end 170 of the second end portion 162 such that the male snap fastener 200 extends outwardly from the back side 166 of the watchband 150, and the plurality of female snap fasteners 202 are aligned along the first end portion 156 of the watchband 150 so as to be disposed near the blunt end 168 thereof. Thus, upon positioning the watchband 150 about the wrist of an individual, the male snap fastener 200 is selectively positioned for mating engagement with one of the female snap fasteners 202 such that upon engagement of the male snap fastener 200 with one of the selected female snap fasteners 202, the watchband 150 is secured about the individual's wrist.
While the first connector assembly 180 has been shown and described as including the strip of material 186 for securing the wristwatch 160 to the watchband 150, it should be understood that any other type of connector assemblies, such as a plurality of mounting loops can be employed for securing the wristwatch 160 to the watchband 150. It should be further understood that the positioning of the male snap fastener and the female snap fasteners of the connector assemblies of the various embodiments described herein, and the first and second end portions of the watchband can be interchanged and varied without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. In addition, it should be understood that the above description is illustrative of the present invention, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the inventive concept disposed herein. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and, accordingly, suitable modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A watchband formed from a piece of material resembling a tail portion of a necktie, the watchband comprising:

a first end portion;

a second end portion; and

a body portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the body portion sized for supporting a wristwatch and having a sufficient length so that the watchband can be wrapped about a wrist of a wearer whereby, in a wrapped condition the first end portion and the second end portion of the watchband engage the body portion and secure at least a portion of the body portion of the watchband in a stable position about the wrist of the wearer.

2. The watchband of claim 1, wherein the first end portion has a substantially blunt end.

3. The watchband of claim 1, wherein the second end portion has a substantially triangular-shaped end.

4. The watchband of claim 1 wherein the watchband is provided with at least one connector assembly, the at least one connector assembly comprising:

at least one first fastener secured to the watchband; and

at least one second fastener secured to the watchband wherein the at least one second fastener matingly engages the at least one first fastener so that the at least one first fastener is detachably connected to the at least one second fastener for attaching and securing the watchband about the wrist of the wearer and for detaching the watchband from the wrist of the wearer.

5. The watchband of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the watchband is provided with a decorative pattern.

6. The watchband of claim 1, wherein the watch is provided with a case portion and a pair of lateral retaining pins so that the body portion is positioned over the pair of lateral retaining pins and under the case portion to support the watch.

7. A watchband formed from a tail portion of a necktie, the watchband comprising:

a first end portion having a substantially blunt end;

a second end portion having a substantially triangular-shaped end; and

8. The watchband of claim 7 wherein the watchband is provided with at least one connector assembly, the at least one connector assembly comprising:

at least one first fastener secured to the watchband; and

9. The watchband of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the watchband is provided with a decorative pattern.

10. The watchband of claim 7, wherein the watch is provided with a case portion and a pair of lateral retaining pins so that the body portion is positioned over the pair of lateral retaining pins and under the case portion to support the watch.

11. A combination watchband and wristwatch, comprising:

a wristwatch having a case and a pair of lateral retaining pins, one of the lateral retaining pins extending from one end of the case and the other lateral retaining pin extending from an opposite end of the case; and

a watchband, comprising:

a first end portion;

a second end portion; and

a body portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the body portion extending over the lateral retaining pins and under the case of the wristwatch wherein the body portion having a sufficient length to enable the watchband to be wrapped about a wrist of a wearer whereby the first end portion and the second end portion engage the body portion and secure the wristwatch on the wrist of the wearer.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the first end portion of the watchband has a substantially blunt end.

13. The combination of claim 11, wherein the second end portion has a substantially triangular-shaped end.

14. The combination of claim 11, wherein the watchband is provided with at least one connector assembly, the at least one connector assembly comprising:

at least one first fastener secured to the watchband; and

15. The combination of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the watchband is provided with a decorative pattern.

16. A method for securing a wristwatch to a wrist of a wearer of the wristwatch with a watchband, comprising the steps of:

providing a watchband formed from a piece of material, the watchband comprising:

a first end portion;

a second end portion; and

a body portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the body portion sized for supporting the wristwatch and having a sufficient length so that the watchband can be wrapped about the wrist of the wearer;

positioning at least a portion of the body portion supporting the watch on the wrist of the wearer;

wrapping at least a portion of the first end portion of the watchband about the wrist of the wearer;

wrapping at least a portion of the second end portion of the watchband about the wrist of the wearer;

engaging at least a portion of the first end portion and at least a portion of the second end portion to at least a portion of the body portion; and

securing the at least a portion of the first end portion and at least a portion of the second end portion to at least a portion of the body portion in a stable position about the wrist of the wearer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the piece of material resembles a tail portion of a necktie.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the piece of material is a tail portion of a necktie.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first end portion of the watchband has a blunt end.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the second end portion of the watchband has a substantially triangular-shaped end.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the watchband is provided with at least one connector assembly, the at least one connector assembly comprising:

at least one first fastener secured to the watchband; and

22. The method of claim 16 wherein, at least a portion of the watchband is provided with a decorative pattern.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the wristwatch is provided with a case portion and a pair of lateral retaining pins.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of:

positioning at least a portion of the body portion of the watchband over the pair of lateral pins; and

positioning at least a portion of the body portion of the watchband under the case portion of the wristwatch to support the wristwatch.