US2022401A

US2022401A - Shirt collar support and protector

Info

Publication number: US2022401A
Application number: US651018A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred J Brooks; Elizabeth A Laskey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1933-01-10
Filing date: 1933-01-10
Publication date: 1935-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 1952-11-26

Description

(W. 26, 1935. v ooKs ET AL.

SHIRT COLLAR SUPPORT AND PROTECTOR Filed Jan. 10, 1935 INVENTORJ a m 0 A RL 1 BA 7 .H 0 Em R fl M Aww A TTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES 2,022,401 SHIRT COLLAR SUPPORT AND PROTECTOR Alfred .1. Brooks, Jamaica Plain, and Elizabeth A. Laskey, Andover, Mass.; said Laskey assignor to said Brooks Application January 10, 1933, Serial No. 651,018

4 Claims.

Our invention relates to devices for supporting and maintaining in substantially uncrumpled condition the collar portions of collar-attached shirts while they are not being worn. Such devices are employed by progressive laundries to maintain shirts in unwrinkled condition until they are finally returned to their wearers, but obviously they may be used by manufacturers in packing new shirts or by travellers in packing extra shirts.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character above specified which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and exceedingly simple to manipulate and apply, so as to obviate the necessity for skilled operators.

Another object is to provide such a device which will not require that the top or collar button of the shirt be fastened, thus greatly facilitating the unwrapping operation.

A further object is to provide such a device which when inserted into place about the shirt collar automatically brings the parts of the collar into their proper positions to be supported and protected against wrinkling, thus obviating the necessity for adjusting or handling the flaps of the collar.

Additional objects as well as the portions of the combination which render the objects possible of accomplishment will appear as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing:--

Figure l is a plan view of a preferred form of collar support which embodies the essential features of our invention; and

Figure 2 is a plan view of a folded shirt illustratingv one manner of applying the device of Figure l thereto.

Referring more specifically to the drawing and particularly Figure 1 thereof, the device of our invention is indicated generally by the reference letter B. The device is shown as having the general form of the letter Y, the vertical stem thereof being denoted by the reference numeral I and the two branches or bifurcations of the upper end being denoted by the characters 2 and 3 respectively. The vertical stem l is shown provided with a zig-zag slit extending for a substantial portion of its length and also with the set of oppositely disposed projections 5 and 6 and the set of oppositely disposed notches l and 8, all for purposes which will hereinafter appear.

The two branches or bifurcations 2 and 3 of the upper end of the device are shown as being substantially perpendicular to each other (see the dot and dash lines in Figure 1). Their outer or opposite edges are shown as being substantially straight lines and their inner or facing edges are curved outwardly to form the bulges 9 and ID for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out. The outer ends II and I2 of the bifurca- 5 tions are shown rounded off into the straight outer edges while the inner ends of the curves 9 and H] are joined together in a reentrant curve I3.

A few words concerning the functions of the 10 various parts of the device will, it is believed, aid in the understanding of the device and the manner in which it is intended to be used. The bifurcated or upper end 2, 3 is adapted to fit about the front of the collar C of the shirt S (see 'Fig- 15 ure 2) between the flaps F and the collar-band thereof. The stem l of the blank is eminently suited to serve as a convenient handle in manipulating the device. It is adapted to extend along the center line of the front of the shirt S and is 20 of sufficient length to cover the first bosom button (i. e. second button) of the shirt. The zigzag slit 4 is adapted to be spread apart as shown in Figure 2 to receive and clamp the first bosom button I4. The slit is advantageously made of 25 considerable-length as the position of the first bosom button may vary in the various types, styles and sizes of shirts with which the device may be used. Furthermore, the length of the slit facilitates its opening. The bifurcations 2 30 and 3 are fashioned, as has been explained, with the outward bulges 9 and I0 so that as the device is slid into place the flanges of the collar are drawn together. This feature together with the fact that the device is attached to the shirt by the second button makes it possible to leave the first button unfastened. This is an advantage of considerable importance as the first or collar button of the shirt is always the most difficult to unbutton in a new or laundered shirt. The oppositely disposed prongs 5 and 6 and the notches l and 8 may be utilized when the devices or blanks are tied in large quantities to facilitate the tying operation.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be clear that the devices may be stamped or punched out in a single blanking operation from a relatively stiff material such as paper, cardboard, vulcanized fiber, celluloid, etc. However, since this type of device is used only once and low cost is therefore a very important consideration, we prefer to employ a comparatively inexpensive material such as cardboard.

In Figure 2 we have illustrated one manner of using the device. The blank B is simply slid with its bifurcated end about the front of the collar C under the flaps F until the bulges 9 and I contact the crease (shown in dotted lines) between the collar-band and flaps of the collar. This action causes the flanges of the collar to be brought and kept in proper position even though the top or collar button has been left undone. The sides of the slit 4 are then spread-apart (see hands H in Figure 2) to clamp the first bosom button M. This final step serves to retain the device in permanent position (i. e. until the shirt is used) so as to support the collar C and prevent its being crumpled or mussed while it is packed with other shirts or apparel. In the drawing, the device is being shown attached to an already folded shirt, but it is obvious that the device may be applied before the shirt has been folded. Likewise, if desired the collar of the shirt need not be folded down flat but may be set up in an upright position.

To summarize, the device of the present invention has at least the following advantages:It is very simple in construction and may be manufactured, especially in large quantities, at a very small cost. Its size is such as to render it convenient to handle. Its construction renders it unnecessary to fasten the top button of the shirt. Its manner of application to a shirt is especially simple, as its structure enables it to be slid into proper position for protecting the collar Without requiring any handling or adjustment of the flaps of the collar. It keeps the collar fiat and smooth, giving support where it is most needed; i. e. along both sides of the collar, preventing what is known as break-over at the top button. In

addition, use of the device more than doubles the number of shirts which may be packed into a box of given size without unduly rurnpling the collars.

Having described our invention with the particularity and exactness required by the patent statutes and having therefore used specific language and terms, it is to be understood that the description is illustrative of the invention rather than restrictive and that the invention is to be limited solely by the following claims, which are made a part of this application, and in which we intend to claim all novelty inherent in our invention which is permissible in View of the prior art.

We claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a device for supporting and maintaining in substantially uncrumpled condition the collar of a collar-attached .shirt while it is not being worn, said device consisting of a blank of thin sheet material having the general shape of a Y, the upper or bifurcated end of said Y having the adjacent or facing edges thereof diverging from each other, said bifurcated end of said Y being adapted to fit about the front portion of said collar between the flaps and the neck-band thereof and the vertical branch of said Y being provided with a slit for detachably securing said blank to the first bosom button of said shirt, thus obviating the necessity of buttoning the first button of said shirt. 5

2. As an article of manufacture, a device for supporting and maintaining in substantially uncrumpled condition the collar of a collar-attached shirt While it is not being worn, which device does not require the buttoning of the first button of said shirt, said device consisting of a blank of thin sheet material having the general shape of a Y, the vertical stem of said Y being adapted to serve as a handle for manipulating said device and being provided with a vertical slit of sufiicient length to serve for detachable attachment of the device to the first bosom button of a wide range of shirts and the two bifurcations of said Y being disposed to each other at substantially right angles, the adjacent or facing edges of said bifurcations diverging from each other and each being provided with an outward bulge whereby when said bifurcations are slipped in around the front of the collar between the flaps and collar-band thereof, the flanges of said 001- lar will be drawn together.

3. As an article of manufacture, a device for supporting and maintaining in substantially uncrumpled condition the collar of a collar-attached shirt while it is not being worn, said device having an upper bifurcated portion to fit about the front portion of said collar between the flaps and the neck-band thereof and being provided with a slit in position to serve for attaching said device to a bosom button of the shirt, the two bifurcations of said bifurcated portion having their inner or adjacent edges diverging from each other and being provided with an outward bulge on their inner or adjacent edges so that when the bifurcated portion is inserted into position about g the front of the collar between the flaps and the collar-band the fianges of the collar are drawn together, thus obviating the necessity of buttoning the first button of said shirt.

4. As an article of manufacture, a device for supporting and maintaining in substantially uncrumpled condition the collar of a collar-attached shirt while it is not being worn, said device consisting of a blank of thin sheet material having the general shape of a Y, the upper or bifurcated end of said Y having the adjacent or facing edges thereof diverging from each other, said bifurcated end of said Y being adapted to fit about the front portion of said collar between the'flaps and the neck-bandthereof and the vertical stem of said Y being provided with means for detachably securing said blank to a portion of said shirt at a point below the first button of said shirt.

ALFRED J. BROOKS. ELIZABETH A. LASKEY.