US3705653A

US3705653A - Necktie rack

Info

Publication number: US3705653A
Application number: US133548A
Authority: US
Inventors: Armand J Pereyra
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-04-13
Filing date: 1971-04-13
Publication date: 1972-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 1989-12-12

Abstract

A normally upright panel has apertures shaped for engagement by pretied four-in-hand neckties and apertures for conventional untied neckties with the neckties overhanging the front face of the panel. The smaller ends of the tapered knots of pretied fourin-hands extend through the apertures with wider ends engaging the rims of the apertures on the back face of the panel. Conventional untied four-in-hands are folded and the folded portions are either wedged into tapered longitudinal slots that are formed by apertures or are looped over tongues of the panels that are formed by apertures.

Description

United States Patent Pereyra ['15] 3,705,653 [451 Dec. 12,1972

1541 NECKTIE RACK 211 App]. No.: 133,548

[52] US. Cl ..211/13, 223/87 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47f 7/00 [58] Field of Search ..211/13, 113; 223/87, DIG. l

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,378,180 4/1968 Smger ..223/87 3,268,088 8/1966 Lawhorn 223/D1G. 1 2,294,527 9/1942 Weiss ..211/89 2,401,835 6/1946 McFall ..211/113 2,264,957 12/1941 Shafarman ..24/199 3,085,725 4/1963 Caparosa ..223/87 3,081,881 3/1963 ..211/13 lnghram ..211/113 X Swettetal ..211/13 Primary ExaminerNile C. Byers, .Jr. Attorney-Jess M. Roberts [57] ABSTRACT A normally upright panel has apertures shaped for engagement by pretied four-in-hand neckties and apertures for conventional untied neckties with the neckties overhanging the front face of the panel. The smaller ends of the tapered knots; of pretied four-inhands extend, through the apertures with wider ends engaging the rims of the apertures on the back face of the panel. Conventional untied four-in-hands are folded and the folded portions are either wedged into tapered longitudinal slots that are formed by apertures or are looped over tongues of the panels that are formed by apertures.

15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED DEC 12 1972 R T: M Z & P 0 W 2 a 07' roxv/ves NECKTIE RACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to necktie racks of the general type that comprises an upright panel adapted for releasable engagement by the neckties with the neckties overhanging the front face of the panel. Such tie racks have been used to display neckties for sale or to make neckties conveniently accessible at home.

One disadvantage of all the prior art panel type tie racks of which I am aware is that they are too specialized. For example, the necktie racks disclosed in the Hart U.S. Pat. No. 4,162 and in the Hellenberg U.S. Pat. No. 180,879 are adapted to hold only pretied bow ties of a particular type and have no utility whatsoever for other types of neckties. The tie rack disclosed in the Markowitz U.S. Pat. No. 2,013,57l holds only conventional four-in-hands and the Hodge U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,853 holds only a single necktie which must be a pretied four-in-hand of a particular construction. The rack disclosed in the Weiss. U.S. Pat. No. 2,294,527 holds only conventional untied four-in-hands.

In some prior art tie racks, the panels are shaped to provide flexible tongues to engage the neckties and the repeated bending of such tongues tends to result eventually in fatigue failure. Such tongues are disclosed in some of the above-mentioned patents as well as in the. Thorman U.S. Pat. No. 2,153,976 which relates to a rack for such articles as hankerchiefs and scarfs and requires that the articles be drastically deformed for engagement with the rack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One important object of the invention is to provide a tic: rack that is versatile to hold different kinds of neckties including both pretied and untied four-inhands and both pretied and untied bow ties. Another object is to provide such a tie rack for home use that may also serve as means for packing neckties for travel. A further object is to increase the utulity of such a tie rack by some convenient provision for holding tie clasps as well as some convenient provision for storing small articles such as handkerchiefs.

The invention has the further object of providing a versatile tie rack of structural simplicity and relatively low cost. The tie rack disclosed herein is durable because no portion of the panel is subjected to flexure for the purpose of engaging neckties.

The necktie rack comprises a simple panel with apertures therein shaped and dimensioned to serve as means to releasably suspend the ties with the ties overhanging either the front face of the panel or the back face or both faces. A pretied four-in-hand is an assembly comprising the tie proper and a core on which the knot is formed. In some constructions, but not all, the core has a pair of opposite wings or tabs. In all instances, however, a pretied four-in-hand has a preformed knot that tapers downwardly and the invention takes advantage of this fact by providing the panel with a vertically elongated aperture which at its lower end is wide enough to clear the narrow lower end of the preformed knot but is not wide enough to clear the wider upper end of the knot. Preferably, the rim of the aperture is rounded to make the aperture pear-shaped. The vertical elongation of the aperture makes it a simple matter to insert the knotted portion of the tie into the aperture by turning or canting the tie to make the wide dimension of the upper end of the knot conform to the vertical dimension of the aperture. Once the canted knot portion of the tie is inserted into the aperture, the tie may be returned to its normal position with the tapered knot extending forward through the lower portion of the aperture in the panel. In the mounted position of the necktie, the preformed knot rests against the lower rim of the aperture and the widest upper portion of the knot extends rearwardly of the plane of the panel in engagement with the opposite side edges of the aperture. If the core on which the pretied knot is formed has a pair of opposite wings or tabs, they are rearward of the plane of the panel. Any deformation or distortion of the pretied four-in-hand, forexample, by wedging action, is avoided by the dimensioning and shaping of the aperture.

The invention teaches thata conventional untied four-in-hand may be engaged by the panel in either of two ways. In one construction, the panel is apertured in such a manner as to provide a laterally extending tapered slot which is utilized by folding the necktie and then wedging the folded portion of the necktie into the tapered slot with the two ends of the necktie hanging over the front face of the panel. Iri the other construction, the panel is apertured in such manner as to provide a laterally extending tongue of the panel around which the tie may be looped with the two ends of the tie hanging over the face of the panel. 7

An aperture in the panel that forms a laterally extending tapered slotmust be enlarged sufficiently to permit the folded tie to be moved laterally into the wide end of the slot. In like manner, an aperture that forms a laterally extending tongue must be enlarged sufficiently to permit the folded portion of the tie to be moved laterally onto the end of the tongue. If such an aperture is formed solely for the purpose of providing a tie-engaging tapered slot or a tie-engaging tongue, the necessary enlargement of the aperture to make the slot or tongue accessible reduces the number of apertures that may be provided in a panel of a given area and correspondingly reduces thecapacity of the tie rack. 1

A feature of the invention, however, is the shaping and dimensioning of such enlargements of the aperture for engagement by a pretied four-in-hand. Thus, such an aperture may serve the two purposes of engaging an untied four-in-hand and of engaging a pretied four-inhand, the enlarged portion of the aperture not only serving as means to hold a preformed four-in-hand, but also providing room for maneuvering a conventional necktie into engagement with the tapered slot or the tongue that is formed by the aperture.

An important advantage of using a panel with simple apertures to engage neckties is that the engaged neckties may overhang the front face or the rear face of the panel and, if desired, engaged ties may overhang both faces of the panel. In the preferred practice of the invention, the upper end of the panel is adapted for suspension from a wire coathanger and it is a simple matter to reverse the coat hanger to reverse the panel to make both sides of the panel readily accessible. In another practice of the invention, one side edge of the panel is provided with hinges by means of which the panel may be mounted on a wall in a manner to make both faces of the panel readily accessible.

invention may be understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, which are to be regarded as merely illustrative:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of two panels each embodying the invention, the two panels being suspended in tandem from a coat hanger;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of three of the panels mounted in tandem on a wall;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation of one of the panels shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;v

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken along the angular line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and further showing in phantom how two panels connected in tandem may be employed to pack neckties for travel;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary-vertical section along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing how an untied four-in-hand may be folded and looped around a tongue of the panel;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section along the line 66 of FIG. 3 indicating the manner in which a pretied bow tie may be. releasably mounted on a panel;

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged portion of a panel that is indicated by the circle designated 7 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 8 is a vertical section along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION As indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the selected embodiment if the invention comprises an apertured panel, generally designated 10, which is preferably a rectangular molded plastic panel that is thickened along its four edges to form ribs 12 on its front and rear faces, which ribs frame the two faces of the panel.

As best shown in FIG. 4 the panel has various apertures to releasably engage various types of neckties. FIGS. 3 and 4 show how a pear-shaped aperture 14 is employed to mount a pretied four-in-hand that is formed with a downwardly tapering knot 15. In this particular necktie the knot 15 is formed on a core that has two oppositely extending tabs 16 that extend under the collar of the wearers shirt. The preformed knot 15 extends downward and forward through the pear-shaped aperture 14 with the wider upper portion of the preformed knot engaging the rim of the aperture from behind and with the lower portion of the tapered knot resting on the lower rim of the aperture as indicated in FIG. 4. The remaining main portion 18 of the pretied necktie overhangs the front face of the panel 10 and is of a length to extend below the bottom edge of the panel. It is a simple matter to cant or tilt the knot 15 laterally to admit the knot into the aperture 14 and then to turn the knot back to its normal position to engage the aperture. It is the knot 15 that releasably engages the panel, not the two tabs 16. It is important to note that the pear-shapedaperture 14 is so dimensioned andshaped that it does'not deform or distort the pretied necktie.

The panel shown in FIG. 3 has two of the apertures 14 and two additional apertures 20 and 22 of modified configurations. The aperture 20 has a main pearshaped portion and is formed with a laterally extending tapered slot 24 to serve the purpose of mounting a 'conventional untied four-in-hand on the panel. FIGS. 3 and 4 show how an untied four-in-hand 25 may be folded to form a fold 26 and the fold may be wedged into the tapered slot 24 in a manner to suspend the folded necktie with the main portion of the necktie overhanging the front face of the panel. The main pear-shaped portion of the aperture 20 serves two purposeszfirst, to provide clearance space for maneuvering the fold 26 of an untied four-in-hand into the tapered slot 24; an d, second, to releasably engage a pretied four-in-hand. FIG. 3 shows a pretied four-in-hand with a knot 15a engaging the main pear-shaped portion of the aperture 20, the main portion 18a of the pretied four-in-hand overhanging the front face of the panel. In this particular preformed necktie the knot 15a is formed on a core that does not have a pair of tabs but does have a rearward clip (not shown).

The aperture 22 has a pear-shaped portion with two parallel slots 28 extending laterally therefrom to form a horizontal tongue 30. FIGS. 3 and 5 show how a conventional untied four-in-hand 32 may be folded to form a fold 34 and then the fold may be looped over the tongue 30 to suspend the necktie with the main portion of the necktie overhanging the front-face of the panel. Here again, the main pear-shaped portion of the aperture 22 provides clearance space for maneuvering the folded necktie 32 into engagement with the tongue 30 and may additionally serve the purpose of releasably engaging a knot 15b of a preformed four-in-hand with the main portion 18b of the necktie overhanging the front face of the panel.

Preferably, the panel 10 is additionally provided with four relatively small rectangular apertures 35 to serve the purpose of mounting pretied bow ties on the panel. As indicated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the rear face of the panel 10 is formed with an elongated laterally extending recess 36 adjoining one side of each of the small rectangular apertures 35. The purpose of each recess 36 is to thin the panel adjacent the rectangular aperture to facilitate the operation of mounting a preformed bow tie on the panel.

FIG. 3 shows such a pretied bow tie 38 mounted on the panel and FIG. 6 shows how the bow tie may be maneuvered into engagement with the panel. The pretied bow tie 38 is of a well known construction in which the clip 40 of the bow tie may be swung outward to a release position as shown in FIG. 6 by swinging the opposite wing 42 of the bow tie outward. Thus, with the clip 40 in release position, the clip may be inserted through the rectangular aperture 35 and then the wing 42 of the bow tie may be depressed to its normal position to cause the clip to close into engagement with the thinned portion of the panel.

In the preferred practice of the invention, the lower portion of the panel 10 may incorporate four snap contents ofthe pocket visible.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the panel may be provided with a pair of thin flexible straps 46 that are integral with the panel and are formed with keyhole slots 48 at their outer ends. A corresponding pair ofstuds 50 are provided near the straps, the two studs extending rearwardly from the panel as shown in FIG. 4. Each of the studs 50 has a circumferential groove 52 to provide a neck of reduced diameter for engagement witha correspondingkeyhole slot 48 in a well known manner. Itis apparent that each of the keyhole slots 48 is a fastener and that each of the corresponding studs 50 is a complementary fastener which may cooperate with the keyhole slot to form a strap 46 into a closed loop, such a loop being indicated in phantom at 54 in FIG. 4. FIG. 1 shows how two such loops 54 may be employed to suspend a panel 10 from a wire coat hanger 55.

A feature of the invention is the concept of providing the lower edge of the panel 10 with a second pair of complementary fasteners for cooperation with the keyhole slots 48 of the straps 46 for the purpose of in terconnecting two panels in tandem. FIG. 1 shows how the lower pair of complementary fasteners may be employed to connect a second panel 10a to a first panel 10 by means of the pair of straps 46a of the second panel. Interconnecting two panels in this manner forms a transverse slot 56 of substantial width between the two panels.

In like manner, FIG. 2 shows three panels interconnected in tandem to display neckties for sale. For the purpose of mounting the series of three panels on a wall the keyhole slots 48 of the straps 46 of the uppermost panel 10 engage nails or hooks (not shown) on the building wall on which the three panels are mounted. The second panel 10a is connected to the first panel 10 by the straps 46a of the second panel and the third panel 10b is connected to the second panel 10a by the straps 46b of the third panel.

The two lower complementary fasteners of a panel are indicated by numerals 58 in FIG. 3 and their construction is shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. To form each of the two lower complementary fasteners 58, the material on the front face of the panel is cut away as indicated at 60 to receive the end of a strap 46 and to form a lug 62 for engagement with the keyhole slot 48 of the strap. As indicated in FIG. 8, additional material of the panel is removed to form a space 64 to receive the end of a strap 46, the space being overhung by a lip 65 of the panel. The end of each strap 46 is reduced in width to provide a narrowed end portion 66 to enter the space 64 under the lip 65. It is a simple matter to maneuver the end portion 66 of a strap 46 into the space 64 and to maneuver the strap to cause the keyhole 48 of the strap to engage the lug 62 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. a

The rearwardly extending studs 50 are advantageous in serving as means to space a panel 10 from the surface of an adjacent wall. Thus, the three panels that are suspended in tandem in FIG. 2 are spaced by studs 50 from the surface of the wall on which the panels are mounted, the spacing forward of the panels keeping the portions of the neckties on the rearward face of the panels from being pressed against the wall surface.

A single panel 10 serves as a convenient means for packing neckties in luggage for travel. For this purpose the portions of the neckties that hang below the lower edge of the panel may be simply folded back under the panel so that the panel maybe laid flat in a piece of luggage. It is a feature of the invention, however, that two

panels

10 and 10a interconnected in tandem in the manner shown in FIG. 1 may be employed for packing neckties with greater protection than can be afforded by a single panel. For this purpose all of the neckties that are to be packedfor travel are mounted on the upper panel ,10 and the downwardly extending ends of the neckties are passed rearward through the transverse slot 56 between the two panels. The lower panel 10a may then be folded upwardly towards the rear of the first panel 10 as indicated in phantom in FIG. 4 so that the lower portions 18 of the neckties are confined between the two panels. Here again, the rearwardly extending studs 50 are advantageous in serving as means to keep the two panels spaced apart to prevent crushing the neckties between the two panels.

My description in specific detail of the preferred practice of the invention will suggest various changes, substitutions and other departures from my disclosure within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A tie rack to hold neckties to make neckties readily accessible and/or to display neckties, including pretied four-in-hands, each of which pretied four-in-hands has a preformed knot of downwardly tapering configuration with the upper end portion of the preformed knot wider than the lower end portion, comprising:

a panel with a plurality of vertically elongated apertures therein to engage the preformed knots of the pretied four-in-hands to display the pretied fourin-hands with the preformed knots of the four-inhands extending forward from the apertures and with the major portions of the pretied four-inhands overhanging the front face of the-panel,

each of said apertures having a width at its lower end greater than the width of the lower portions of the preformed knots but less than the width of the upper portions of the preformed knots,

' the vertical dimensions of the apertures being sufficient to admit the preformed knots of the four-inhands from the front of the panel with the preformed knots rotated sidewise from their normal positions,

whereby the preformed knot of a pretied four-inhand may be turned sidewise on its axis for insertion into an aperture of the panel from the front of the panel and .then with the preformed knot rotated back to its normal position, the preformed knot of the tie may extend forward from the aperture with the preformed knot resting against the lower rim of the aperture and with the wider upper end portion of the preformed knot extending rearward of the panel in engagement with opposite sides of the aperture. I

2. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 in which said apertures are of pear-shaped configuration with a continuous rim.

3. A tie rack as set forth in claim 2 in which at least one of said apertures is laterally extended with the lateral extension shaped and dimensioned for engagement by a folded portion of an'untied four-in-hand with the two ends of the four-in-hand overhanging the panel.

4. A tie rack as set forth in claim 3 in which the lateral extension of the aperture is a tapered slot into which the folded portion of an untied four-in-hand may be wedged with the two ends of the four-in-hand hanging down from the front face of the panel.

5. A tie rack as set forth in claim 3 in which the lateral extension of the aperture forms a tongue in the panel that is shaped and dimensioned to be embraced by a fold of an untied four-in-hand for suspension of the four-in-hand with the two ends of the four-in-hand overhanging the face of the panel.

6. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 which includes flexible strap means with one end of the strap means unitary with the upper end of the panel and with the other end of the strap means adapted for releasable engagement with the panel whereby the strap means may be looped over a portion of a coat hanger and then the strap means may be engaged with the panel for suspension of the panel from the coat hanger.

7. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 which includes a pocket to store small items such as pretied bow ties.

8. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 in which one side edge of the panel is provided with hinge means for mounting the panel on a vertical surface with the panel swingable to make both faces of the panel accessible for the suspension of neck ties on both faces of the panel.

9. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 in which the panel has a pair of fastener elements on its upper end and a pair of complementary fastener elements on its lower end to permit a plurality of the panels to be interconnected end to end.

10. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 in which the panel has a pair of straps on its upper end with fastener elements on the straps respectively;

in which the upper end of the panel is provided with a pair of complementary fastener elements to cooperate with the first pair of fastener elements to fasten the ends of the straps to the upper ends of the panel whereby the straps may be looped over a portion of a coat hanger for suspension of the panel;

and in which the lower end of the panel is provided with a second pair of complementary fastener elements whereby the straps of a second similar panel may be releasably attached to the lower end of the first-mentioned panel for suspension of the second panel.

11. A tie rack as set forth in claim 10 in which the fastener elements on the straps are apertures in the straps;

and in which the complementary fastener elements on the upper end of the panel are studs shaped and dimensioned to engage the apertures with snap action.

12. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 in which the panel is of a len th to permit the neckties mounted hereon to exten below the lower edge of the panel whereby the' panel may be placed in substantially horizontal position with the front face of the panel up and then the ends of the ties may be folded back under the lower edge of the panel for the purpose of packing the neckties in luggage for travel.

13. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 which includes a second panel and means connecting the upper edge of the second panel to the lower edge of the first panel for suspension of the second panel from the first panel,

the second panel being spaced below the first panel to form therewith a transverse slot between the two panels,

said connecting means hingedly interconnecting the two panels to permit the second panel to be folded back under the first panel,

whereby the lower ends of neckties hanging from the front of the first panel may be extended through said slot to the rear of the second panel and then the second panel may be folded back under the first panel to fold the lower ends of the ties under the back of the first panel for use of the tie rack to pack ties for travel.

14. A tie rack as set forth in claim 13 in which the connecting means comprises flexible bands interconnecting the two panels adjacent their opposite side edges respectively.

15. A tie rack as set forth in claim 14 which includes a pocket on the second panel to store small items such as pretied bow ties and handkerchiefs.

Claims

1. A tie rack to hold neckties to make neckties readily accessible and/or to display neckties, including pretied four-inhands, each of which pretied four-in-hands has a preformed knot of downwardly tapering configuration with the upper end portion of the preformed knot wider than the lower end portion, comprising: a panel with a plurality of vertically elongated apertures therein to engage the preformed knots of the pretied four-inhands to Display the pretied four-in-hands with the preformed knots of the four-in-hands extending forward from the apertures and with the major portions of the pretied four-in-hands overhanging the front face of the panel, each of said apertures having a width at its lower end greater than the width of the lower portions of the preformed knots but less than the width of the upper portions of the preformed knots, the vertical dimensions of the apertures being sufficient to admit the preformed knots of the four-in-hands from the front of the panel with the preformed knots rotated sidewise from their normal positions, whereby the preformed knot of a pretied four-in-hand may be turned sidewise on its axis for insertion into an aperture of the panel from the front of the panel and then with the preformed knot rotated back to its normal position, the preformed knot of the tie may extend forward from the aperture with the preformed knot resting against the lower rim of the aperture and with the wider upper end portion of the preformed knot extending rearward of the panel in engagement with opposite sides of the aperture.

3. A tie rack as set forth in claim 2 in which at least one of said apertures is laterally extended with the lateral extension shaped and dimensioned for engagement by a folded portion of an untied four-in-hand with the two ends of the four-in-hand overhanging the panel.

10. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 in which the panel has a pair of straps on its upper end with fastener elements on the straps respectively; in which the upper end of the panel is provided with a pair of complementary fastener elements to cooperate with the first pair of fastener elements to fasten the ends of the straps to the upper ends of the panel whereby the straps may be looped over a portion of a coat hanger for suspension of the panel; and in which the lower end of the panel is provided with a second pair of complementary fastener elements whereby the straps of a second similar panel may be releasably attached to the lower end of the first-mentioned panel for suspension of the second panel.

11. A tie rack as set forth in claim 10 in which the fastener elements on the straps are apertures in the straps; and in which the complementary fastener elements on the upper end of the panel are studs shaped and dimensioned to engage the apertures with snap action.

12. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 in which the panel is of a length to permit the neckties mounted thereon to extend below the lower edge of the panel whereby the panel may be placed in substantially horizontal position with the front face of the panel up and then the ends of the ties may be folded back under the lower edge of the panel for the purpose of packing the neckties in luggage for travel.

13. A tie rack as set forth in claim 1 which includes a second panel and means connecting the upper edge of the second panel to the lower edge of the first panel for suspension of the second panel from the first panel, the second panel being spaced below the first panel to form therewith a transverse slot between the two panels, said connecting means hingedly interconnecting the two panels to permit the second panel to be folded back under the first panel, whereby the lower ends of neckties hanging from the front of the first panel may be extended through said slot to the rear of the second panel and then the second panel may be folded back under the first panel to fold the lower ends of the ties under the back of the first panel for use of the tie rack to pack ties for travel.