Decorative knot and article of apparel or headwear incorporating same

Abstract

A decorative knot for a turban or other article of apparel comprises a flexible core composed of solid polyethylene foam and having a uniform circular cross section. A length of polyester fabric fits over, and covers, the exterior surface of the core material and includes two overlapping layers extending laterally from the core material and sewn together. The fabric-covered core material is formed into a spiral consisting of multiple turns proceeding around an axis. The turns have a progressively increasing radius and are progressively axially displaced from one another. Adjacent turns of the spiral touch, and are sewn to one another. The overlapping layers of fabric that are sewn together extend inward toward the axis of the spiral and the decorative knot is secured to the turban by stitches that pass through the portion of the overlapping layers of fabric that extend inward from the largest turn of the spiral.

Claims

1. An article of apparel comprising a layer of fabric at least a part of which is adapted to cover a portion of an individual's body and including a decorative knot secured to said layer of fabric, the knot comprising: a length of flexible core material having an exterior surface extending from one end to an opposite end of said length of flexible core material; and a length of fabric fitting and covering the exterior surface of said length of core material; wherein the fabric-covered length of core material is formed into a spiral consisting of multiple turns proceeding around an axis, said turns have a progressively increasing radius, and are progressively axially displaced from one another, and adjacent turns of said multiple turns touch, and are secured to, one another; and wherein said multiple turns of said fabric-covered length of core material are disposed in opposed, overlying, relationship to said part of said layer of fabric.

2. The article of apparel according to claim 1, wherein said adjacent turns of said multiple turns are sewn together.

3. The article of apparel according to claim 1, wherein said flexible core material is composed of a solid foam.

4. The article of apparel according to claim 1, wherein said flexible core material is composed of a solid polyethylene foam.

5. The article of apparel according to claim 1, wherein said length of fabric is a polyester fabric.

6. The article of apparel according to claim 1, wherein the length of fabric includes overlapping layers extending laterally from said length of core material and sewn together, and wherein said adjacent turns of said multiple turns are sewn together.

7. The article of apparel according to claim 1, wherein the length of fabric includes overlapping layers extending laterally from said length of core material and sewn together, wherein said adjacent turns of said multiple turns are sewn together, and wherein said overlapping layers extend inward from said flexible core material toward said axis.

8. An article of headwear comprising a quantity of fabric, shaped to fit onto the upper portion of a human head, and including a decorative knot secured to said fabric, the knot comprising: a length of flexible core material having an exterior surface extending from one end to an opposite end of said length of flexible core material; and a length of fabric fitting and covering the exterior surface of said length of core material; wherein the fabric-covered length of core material is formed into a spiral consisting of multiple turns proceeding around an axis, said turns have a progressively increasing radius and are progressively axially displaced from one another, and adjacent turns of said multiple turns touch, and are secured to, one another; and wherein said multiple turns of said fabric-covered length of core material are disposed in opposed overlying, relationship to a portion of said quantity of fabric.

9. The article of headwear according to claim 8, wherein said adjacent turns of said multiple turns are sewn together.

10. The article of headwear according to claim 8, wherein said flexible core material is composed of a solid foam.

11. The article of headwear according to claim 8, wherein said flexible core material is composed of a solid polyethylene foam.

12. The article of headwear according to claim 8, wherein the length of fabric includes overlapping layers extending laterally from said length of core material and sewn together, and wherein said adjacent turns of said multiple turns are sewn together.

13. The article of headwear according to claim 8, wherein the length of fabric includes overlapping layers extending laterally from said length of core material and sewn together, wherein said adjacent turns of said multiple turns are sewn together, and wherein said overlapping layers extend inward from said flexible core material toward said axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the stitching of the fabric cover to a length of the flexible foam core;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the formation of the fabric-covered foam core into a three-dimensional spiral;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the completed knot;

(4) FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the completed knot, showing its relationship to an axis of the spiral;

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the completed knot attached to the head-covering portion of a turban; and

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing stitching by which the knot is secured to a turban or other article of apparel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) FIG. 1 shows a length of flexible core material 10, preferably composed of a solid polyethylene foam and having a uniform circular cross-section. In the process of assembling the decorative knot, an elongated strip 12 of fabric, preferably a woven polyester fabric, is wrapped around the core material 10 so that it covers the exterior surface of the core material from one end to the other. The length of the strip of fabric is preferably such that it extends beyond the ends of the length of core material so that the ends of the core material can also be covered by parts of the fabric strip.

(8) The width of the fabric strip 12 preferably exceeds the circumference of the core so that overlapping layers 14 and 16 of the fabric can be sewn together by a line of stitches 18 extending lengthwise along the fabric strip adjacent the core 10. The overlapping fabric layers can be secured to each other by machine stitching.

(9) As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, after the fabric strip is secured to the foam core along the entire length of the core, the fabric-covered length of core material is formed into a spiral. The spiral consist of multiple turns, including, for example, turns 20, 22, 24, and 26, which extend around an axis 28 shown in FIG. 4. The turns have a progressively increasing radius and are progressively displaced from one another along the direction of axis 28. Adjacent turns touch, and are secured to, one another by stitches 30, as shown in FIG. 2. These stitches 30 are hand-sewn, and can pass through the parts of the fabric strip covering the foam core, or through a part of the strip covering the foam core in one turn, and through the overlapping fabric layers of an adjacent turn.

(10) The completed knot 32, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is composed of four turns. However, the knot can be composed of more, or fewer, than four turns.

(11) FIG. 5 shows the completed knot 32 secured to the front portion of a turban 34.

(12) The cross-sectional view in FIG. 6 shows the overlapping fabric layers 14 and 16 overlying the fabric of the turban 34 and secured to the turban fabric by stitching 36. The knot can be secured to the fabric layer of the turban or other article of apparel in other ways, for example, by stitches sewn through the fabric surrounding the foam core rather than through the overlying fabric layers.

(13) Various other modifications can be made to the knot depicted in the drawings. For example, the core can be composed of a material other than a foam, and its cross-sectional shape can be other than circular, e.g., elliptical or polygonal. These and other modifications that will occur to persons skilled in the art can be made to the knot described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.