US3780381A

US3780381A - Bow ties

Info

Publication number: US3780381A
Application number: US00320976A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Najarian
Original assignee: FRANCE NECKWEAR CO Inc
Current assignee: FRANCE NECKWEAR CO Inc
Priority date: 1973-01-04
Filing date: 1973-01-04
Publication date: 1973-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-25
Also published as: AU6129973A; CA983202A; ZA733907B; JPS49102450A; GB1371475A; JPS5638682B2; FR2213028B1; FR2213028A1

Abstract

A pre-formed bow tie comprises the usual bow shaped elements which are interconnected at their constricted, reduced width, centers, by a locking band wrapped therearound. The band is covered by fabric. The band also includes a spring controlled vertically swingable lever arm by means of which the pre-formed bow tie may be releasably secured to the neckband of a shirt without being connected to the collar of the shirt. The neckband may be that of a turtle neck shirt as well as the conventional collared shirt.

Description

United States Patent Najarian Dec. 25, 1973 [54] BOW TIES 3,336,600 8/1967 Kanter et a1 2/153 [75] Inventor: John Najarian, Cresskill, NJ.

Primary Examiner-R1chard J. Scanlan. Jr. [73] Assignee: France Neckwear Co. Inc., New s Stephen Baker York, NY.

[22] Filed: Jan. 4, 1973 57 ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 320,976

[52] U.S. Cl. 2/154 [51] Int. Cl A4ld 25/08 [58] Field of Search 2/151, 154, 152 R, 2/152 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 939,678 11/1909 Felix r 2/154 3.077.606 2/1963 Less 2/152 A A pre-formed bow tie comprises the usual bow shaped elements which are interconnected at their constricted, reduced width, centers, by a locking band wrapped therearound. The band is covered by fabric. The band also includes a spring controlled vertically swingable lever arm by means of which the preformed bow tie may be releasably secured to the neckband of a shirt without being connected to the collar of the shirt. The neckband may be that of a turtle neck shirt as well as the conventional collared shirt.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PMENTED 3.780.381

SHEEI 2 BF 2 i M HEW. O Y

BOW TIES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to pre-formed bow ties as used by men on outer shirts. Such bow ties are normally provided with a rear disposed spring clamp for firmly grasping the shirt so as to remain in place. How ever, for many years the utility or usefullness of such bow ties has declined because the spring clamps were horizontally disposed and functioned by grasping the collar wings of the shirt. On the other hand, the styles of collars have varied considerably for some years. For example, when the collar wings diverged widely, the conventional clamp could not accommodate itself to the change.

Further, the conventional spring clamp seriously distorted the collar wings because a firm grasp was necessary.

This invention provides a solution to the above problems by providing a novel construction of the bow tie assembly and further comprising a vertically swingable spring clamp which does not grasp the collar wings at all but which instead firmly grasps the neckband of the shirt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a pre-formed bow tie which is essentially simple in its basic construction yet which closely simulates a hand tied bow tie as tied by the wearer. The improved bow tie comprises front and back bow elements which are inter-connected by a centrally disposed, encircling, wraparound band which also serves the important function of firmly supporting a vertically operating, spring controlled clamp arm. The clamp arm support and its spring succeed in making possible a considerably strong grip on the collar neckband which is essential because the collar neckband grip maintains substantially a single point contact whereas the conventional form of pre-formed bow ties has a horizontal disposition which grasps both collar wings. Thus the strong, single point contact prevents undesired twisting or dis placement of the bow tie when worn.

The above and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the completed bow tie as applied to a shirt neckband;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as viewed along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but with the clamp arm in the raised, non-clamping position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, rear elevational view of the completed bow tie as viewed along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the wraparound band before it is encircled around the bow shaped elements;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view as viewed along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the wraparound band as viewed along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment, the reference numeral 10 generally designates the pre-formed or pre-tied bow tie which is illustrated as attached to the collar 11 through its neckband 12. As for the construction of the front and back bow shaped

elements

13 and 14 of the bow tie 10, these are conventional and are not claimed herein. As is conventional, they comprise two

separate members

13 and 14, both being constricted or reduced in width at their centers. They are interconnected by my novel, central locking band 15 which is shown before being applied to the bow tie in FIGS. 6 8.

Referring first to FIGS. 6 8, the locking band 15 which is to encircle and be centrally secured around the bow shaped

elements

13 and 14, is preferably, but not necessarily, formed of thin flat brass material which is malleable so that it can be easily formed or bent as will hereinafter be described. In a typical satisfactory embodiment, band 15 was about three inches in length and about /2 inch at its widest portion.

Central locking band 15 includes an elongated tongue 16 at one end thereof, and a horizontal, tongue receiving slot 17 at the other end thereof. It is also formed with an axial, substantially centrally disposed slot 18 which accommodates the upper or top end of the clamping device which will hereinafter be described.

Although a principal function of central band 15 is to encircle the center of the bow shaped

elements

13 and 14 and lock them together as will hereinafter be described, an equally important function is its support of the neckband clamping means. Such clamping means comprises the metal clamp arm 20, the top end 21 of which penetrates the central slot 18 as shown in FIGS. 6 8. The said top end 21 is the non-clamping end and is curled around after it penetrates slot 18 as shown in FIG. 7. At its extreme top end it is formed with side extensions 23 for facilitating its being grasped by the spring means to be hereinafter described.

The spring means and indeed the clamp arm 20 are not per se novel except in combination with the central band 15, and except insofar as they cooperate with the bow tie to permit its application to the shirt collar by a neckband clamp for the advantages hereinbefore set forth.

Clamp arm 20, as will hereinafter be made clear, is swingable vertically from a raised, non-clamping position shown in FIG. 3, to a downward, clamping position shown in FIG. 2 where it clamps the neckband 12 against the horizontal abutment pin 25. Abutment pin 25 is stated to be horizontal because that is the position it assumes when the bow tie is worn.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 8, the abutment pin 25 is connected as by a rivet 26 to the clamp arm side of central band 15. The same rivet 26 may connect one end of the spring means to the other side of band 15. Thus, the spring means comprises a resilient metal arm 27 which extends toward central slot 18. Arm 27 has two parallel slits 28 so as to form the resilient leg 29. The free end of leg 29 engages the top end 21 of clamp arm 20, in combination with the spaced

knuckles

31 and 32 which are formed at the free end of metal arm 27 on adjacent sides of leg 29, so as to engage the side extensions 23. As above stated, the clamping device per se is not novel, being shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,600.

In assembling the bow tie, the bow shaped

elements

13 and 14 are placed against each other and band 15 is caused to encircle the central constricted ends of said elements. Tongue 16 is inserted through slot 17 and drawn somewhat tight, whereupon the extreme end of tongue 16 is bent over as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, so as to lock the bow shaped elements together. At the same time, the clamp arm 20 together with abutment pin is thus disposed at the rear of the tie as shown in said FIGS. 2 and 3. Accordingly, clamping to the neckband 12 is made possible.

Of course, it would be aesthetically undesirable to leave the metal central band 15 exposed. Accordingly, a wrap-around fabric outer band is sewn around metal band 15 while nevertheless permitting the clamp arm 20, and abutment pin 25 to extend through band 35 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Further, and as a most unusual, novel, and advantageous use, the improved pre-formed bow tie may even be used with turtle neck shirts which have no collar wings at all, and may be used with a normal jacket when so used on a turtle neck shirt.

I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention but it is obvious that numerous changes and omissions may e made therein without departing from its spirits.

What is claimed is:

l. A pre-formed bow tie comprising bow shaped elements, a central band on said elements, an abutment pin connected to said band and whereby said pin extends horizontally in the completed bow tie when in the wearing position, a clamp arm on said band, and spring means connected to said band, said clamp arm being swingable to a raised, non-clamping position, and being also swingable to a downward, clamping position where it is pressed by said spring means against said pin so as to be connected to a shirt neckband, said clamp arm being swingable vertically to either its clamping or its non-clamping position.

2. A pre-formed bow tie according to claim 1 and wherein said central band ties around and encircles the center of said bow shaped elements, and locking elements on said central band for tying said band tightly in its encircling position.

3. A pre-formed bow tie according to claim 2 and wherein said locking elements of said central band comprise a slot formed on one end of said central band, and an elongated tongue on the other end thereof and being insertable through said slot, the material of said central band being malleable so that said tongue may be bent into tying position after insertion through said slot.

4. A pre-formed bow tie according to claim 3 and including a wrap-around fabric band disposed outwardly of said central band.

5. A pre-formed bow tie according to claim 4 and wherein said spring means comprises an arm of resilient metal connected at one end thereof to an end of said central band, said resilient arm having two parallel slits formed therein, thereby forming a resilient leg therebetween, the free end of said resilient arm being formed with two spaced knuckles, said clamp arm having its top, non-clamping end, being swingably retained by said knuckles as well as by the portion of said resilient leg between said knuckles.

6. A pre-formed bow tie according to claim 5 and wherein said central band is formed with a substantially centrally disposed slot, said clamp arm top end penetrating said centrally disposed slot so as to be engageable by said knuckles, said spring means being wholly disposed on one side of said central band, and said clamp arm being substantially wholly disposed on the other side of said central band.

Claims

1. A pre-formed bow tie comprising bow shaped elements, a central band on said elements, an abutment pin connected to said band and whereby said pin extends horizontally in the completed bow tie when in the wearing position, a clamp arm on said band, and spring means connected to said band, said clamp arm being swingable to a raised, non-clamping position, and being also swingable to a downward, clamping position where it is pressed by said spring means against said pin so as to be connected to a shirt neckband, said clamp arm being swingable vertically to either its clamping or its non-clamping position.