Variable bowtie system and method

Abstract

Variable bowtie system and method providing half-bows of different colors which can be chosen and combined, even layered, as desired by the user for one wearing, and with a different choice or combination of colors for another wearing. Chosen half-bow units of desired colors are placed on a mounting-stud pair affixed to a neckband, and are removably secured with a retaining collar, which may also be provided in a variety of colors, resulting in a bowtie having the desired color or color combination for a particular wearing, which can be changed upon another wearing.

Claims

1. A variable bowtie system, comprising: (i) a neckband adapted to adjustably fit around a neck of a person, wherein said neck has a nominal forward portion, and said neckband has, in use, a forward-facing portion corresponding to a location that in turn corresponds to a position of a top front shirt button featured at the forward portion of the neck; (ii) a mounting-stud pair affixed to said neckband at the forward-facing portion of the neckband and protruding forward; (iii) at least two base-half-bow units, each having at least two layers of textile material comprising a front face and a back face, and each said layer having a together-facing edge which comes in closest proximity to another base-half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said base-half-bow unit, at the together-facing edge, are left partially detached, forming a pocket at the together-facing edge, and a base-unit tab extension affixed to the back face of the together-facing edge of each said base-half-bow unit, adapted to fit into the pocket at the together-facing edge of another said half-bow unit; (iv) at least two mid-half-bow units each at a smaller size than said base-half-bow units and having a structure matching said base-half-bow units, wherein said matching structure comprises at least two layers of textile material comprising a front face and a back face, and each said layer having a together-facing edge which comes in closest proximity to another mid-half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said mid-half-bow unit, at the together-facing edge, are left partially detached, forming a pocket at the together-facing edge, and each said mid-half-bow unit adapted to be mounted in front of said base-half-bow units, and a mid-unit tab extension affixed to the back face of the together-facing edge of each said mid-half-bow unit, adapted to fit into the pocket at the together-face edge of another said mid-half-bow unit; (v) at least two front-half-bow units each at a smaller size than said base-half-bow units and mid-half-bow units and having a structure matching said base-half-bow units and mid-half-bow units, wherein said matching structure comprises at least two layers of textile material comprising a front face and a back face, and each said layer having a together-facing edge which comes in closest proximity to another front-half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said front-half-bow unit, at the together-facing edge, are left partially detached, forming a pocket at the together-facing edge, and each said front-half-bow unit adapted to be mounted in front of said mid-half-bow units, and a front-unit tab extension affixed to the back face of the together-facing edge of each said front-half-bow unit, adapted to fit into the pocket at the together-face edge of another said front-half-bow unit; (vi) one hole placed in each said half-bow unit near the together-facing edge and another hole placed in each said unit tab extension, such that the holes together are adapted to fit over said mounting-stud pair; where, in use, said half-bow units are brought together at the together-facing edges in such a way that one of the unit tab extensions is positioned behind the back face of the other said half-bow unit, and the other unit tab extension is positioned inside the pocket of the other half-bow unit, where the forward-most unit tab extension is concealed behind the front face of the other half-bow unit; and (vii) at least one retaining collar adapted to fit around, and hold together, the assembled together-facing edges of said half-bow units, said mounting-stud pair, and said neckband; where said half-bow units and said retaining collars are provided in a variety of colors, allowing the person to choose specific colors and combinations and to change such colors and combinations as desired.

2. The variable bowtie system of claim 1, further comprising at least one decorative pin adapted to being removably placed into and upon said retaining collar.

3. The variable bowtie system of claim 1, further comprising a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least two said base-half-bow units, at least two said mid-half-bow units, at least two said front-half-bow units, and at least one said retaining collar.

4. The variable bowtie system of claim 1, further comprising a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least two said base-half-bow units, at least two said mid-half-bow units, at least two said front-half-bow units, at least one said retaining collar, and at least one decorative pin adapted to being removably placed into and upon said retaining collar.

5. The variable bowtie system of claim 1, where said half-bow units, said retaining collars, and said neckband are provided in a variety of colors suitable for the wearing of several different color combinations as desired by the user.

6. The variable bowtie system of claim 1, further comprising a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least one said retaining collar, and several said half-bow units, where said half-bow units, said retaining collars, and said neckband are provided in a variety of colors suitable for the wearing of several different color combinations as desired by the user.

7. A variable bowtie method, comprising: (i) providing a variable bowtie system, comprising: (a) a neckband adapted to adjustably fit around a neck of a person, wherein said neck has a nominal forward portion, and said neckband has, in use, a forward-facing portion corresponding to a location that in turn corresponds to a position of a top front shirt button at the forward portion of the neck; (b) a mounting-stud pair affixed to said neckband at the forward-facing portion of the neckband and protruding forward; (c) at least two base-half-bow units, each having at least two layers of textile material comprising a front face and a back face, and each said layer having a together-facing edge which comes in closest proximity to another base-half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said base-half-bow unit, at the together-facing edge, are left partially detached, forming a pocket at the together-facing edge, and a base-unit tab extension affixed to the back face of the together-facing edge of each said base-half-bow unit, adapted to fit into the pocket at the together-facing edge of another said half-bow unit; (d) at least two mid-half-bow units each at a smaller size than said base-half-bow units and having a structure matching said base-half-bow units, wherein said matching structure comprises at least two layers of textile material comprising a front face and a back face, and each said layer having a together-facing edge which comes in closest proximity to another mid-half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said mid-half-bow unit, at the together-facing edge, are left partially detached, forming a pocket at the together-facing edge, and a mid-unit tab extension affixed to the back face of the together-facing edge of each said mid-half-bow unit, adapted to fit into the pocket at the together-face edge of another said mid-half-bow unit; (e) at least two front-half-bow units each at a smaller size than said base-half-bow units and mid-half-bow units and having a structure matching said base-half-bow units and mid-half-bow units, wherein said matching structure comprises at least two layers of textile material comprising a front face and a back face, and each said layer having a together-facing edge which comes in closest proximity to another front-half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said front-half-bow unit, at the together-facing edge, are left partially detached, forming a pocket at the together-facing edge, and a front-unit tab extension affixed to the back face of the together-facing edge of each said front-half-bow unit, adapted to fit into the pocket at the together-face edge of another said front-half-bow unit; (f) one hole placed in each said half-bow unit near the together-facing edge and another hole placed in each said unit tab extension, such that the holes together are adapted to fit over said mounting-stud pair; and (g) at least one retaining collar adapted to fit around, and hold together, the assembled together-facing edges of said half-bow units, said mounting-stud pair, and said neckband; where said half-bow units and said retaining collars are provided in a variety of colors, allowing the person to choose specific colors and combinations and to change such colors and combinations as desired; (ii) bringing two half-bow units together at the together-facing edges in such a way that one of the unit tab extensions is positioned behind the back face of the other said half-bow unit, and the other unit tab extension is positioned inside the pocket of the other half-bow unit, where the forward-most unit tab extension is concealed behind the front face of the other half-bow unit; (iii) placing said brought-together half-bow units upon said mounting-stud pair; placing said retaining collar over the together-facing edges of said half-bow units and over said mounting-stud pair; and (iv) disassembling said variable bowtie after wearing, for re-assembly with different colors and color combinations in the future.

8. The variable bowtie method of claim 7, where said variable bowtie system further comprises at least one decorative pin adapted to being removably placed into and upon said retaining collar.

9. The variable bowtie method of claim 7, where said variable bowtie system further comprises a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least two said base-half-bow units, at least two said mid-half-bow units, at least two said front-half-bow units, and at least one said retaining collar.

10. The variable bowtie method of claim 7, where said variable bowtie system further comprises a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least two said base-half-bow units, at least two said mid-half-bow units, at least two said front-half-bow units, at least one said retaining collar, and at least one decorative pin adapted to being removably placed into and upon said retaining collar.

11. The variable bowtie method of claim 7, where said half-bow units, said retaining collars, and said neckband are provided in a variety of colors suitable for the wearing of several different color combinations as desired by the user.

12. The variable bowtie method of claim 7, where said variable bowtie system further comprises a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least one said retaining collar, and several said half-bow units, where said half-bow units, said retaining collars, and said neckband are provided in a variety of colors suitable for the wearing of several different color combinations as desired by the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the variable bowtie in use in an embodiment having half-bow units as the base;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the variable bowtie in use in an embodiment having half-bow units as the base and mid-half-bow units thereon;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing hidden elements of the variable bowtie in use in an embodiment having half-bow units as the base;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing hidden elements of the variable bowtie in use in an embodiment having half-bow units as the base and mid-half-bow units thereon;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the mounting of two half-bow units;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the elements and optional mid-half bow units and front-half-bow units of the variable bowtie system and method;

(8) FIG. 7 shows the provision of an embodiment of the variable bowtie in a kit;

(9) FIG. 8 shows examples of different colors and color combinations in use of the variable bowtie;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the variable bowtie in use in an embodiment having half-bow units as the base and mid-half-bow units and front-half-bow units thereon; and

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing hidden elements of the variable bowtie in use in an embodiment having half-bow units as the base and mid-half-bow units and front-half-bow units thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) Referring to all figures generally, embodiments of the variable bowtie 10 system and method are illustrated.

(13) Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 9, the variable bowtie 10 system and method provides a user with the ability to create a bowtie having a desired color or color combination for any given wearing. Upon the neckband 1 are placed two base-half-bow units 3, and optionally either two mid-half-bow units 7 or two front-half-bow units 11 or both, which are held in place by a retaining collar 5. When used in conjunction with optional mid-half bow units 7 or front-half-bow units 11, the base-half-bow units 3 serve as a base unit by relative size. The size distinctions of base-half-bow units 3, mid-half-bow units 7, and front-half-bow units 11 are relative to each other so that mid-half-bow units 7 are smaller than base-half-bow units 3 while front-half-bow units 11 are smaller than mid-half-bow units 7 as well as base-half-bow units 3. The mid-half-bow unit 7 may serve in the front of the bowtie system 10 in the absence of front-half-bow units 11. Therefore, the bowtie system 10 may optionally appear single, double, or triple layered as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 9, respectively. The base-half-bow units 3, and optional mid-half-bow units 7 as well as optional front-half-bow units 11, are provided in a variety of colors, allowing the user to choose colors and color combinations for a particular wearing, and to choose other colors and combinations for other wearing's. The neckband 1 may be a common neckband for all occasions, or a neckband provided in a variety of colors. The retaining collar 5 may be a common collar for all occasions, or a collar provided in a variety of colors. The neckband 1 will not always be visible when in use, but the retaining collar 5 will be visible.

(14) Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 10, the neckband 1 has a mounting-stud pair 2 affixed to it in a location corresponding the front of the neck of the wearer when in use, which essentially corresponds to the location of a top front button, when buttoned, on a collared shirt. Each base-half-bow unit 3 has a unit tab extension 4 located, as illustrated, on the together-facing edge of the base-half-bow unit 3. Two holes matched in size and spacing to the mounting-stud pair are placed, one in the unit tab extension 4 and one in the base-half-bow unit 3 near the together-facing edge, and therefore to the unit tab extension 4. The two holes are placed such that the base-half-bow unit 3 is removably fixed in relationship to the neckband 1 and to the other base-half-bow unit 3. As shown in FIG. 10, each optional mid-half-bow unit 7 and optional front-half-bow unit 11 has essentially the same structure, but at a smaller size or scale as the base-half-bow unit 3, with the optional front-half-bow unit 11 being the smallest in size. The optional front-half-bow unit 11 has a front-unit tab 12 shown in FIG. 10. The mid-half bow unit 7 is also fitted with a mid-unit tab 8 shown in FIG. 4. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front-half-bow unit 11 is meant to be worn in front of the mid-half-bow unit 7, which is meant to be worn in front of the base-half-bow unit 3, so that the colors of all units are seen. However, in alternate embodiments of the invention the base-half-bow units 3, the optional mid-half-bow units 7 and the optional front-half-bow units 11, may be placed in any order or pairing.

(15) Referring to FIG. 5, the base-half-bow unit 3 and optional mid-half-bow 7 and optional front-half-bow unit 11 are made of textile materials of various colors, where each unit has, at a minimum, a front face or layer and a back face or layer relative to the in-use position. It is possible to have additional layers, such as lining or stiffening fabrics, between the front and back layers. The unit tab 4 and mid-unit tab 8 and front-unit tab 12 are attached to the together-facing edge of the half-bow unit 3. A portion of the together-facing edge is left with the front layer and back layer not attached, forming a pocket. In use, when two base-half-bow units 3 are brought together, the unit tab 4 can be fit into that pocket, hiding the unit tab 4 behind the front layer of the other base-half-bow unit 3. In use, one of the unit tabs 4 will fit behind the back layer of the other base-half-bow unit 3, and the other unit tab 4 will fit into the pocket of the first base-half-bow unit 3.

(16) Referring to FIG. 6, the variable bowtie 10 is meant to be provided in a variety of colors of base-half-bow units 3 and optional mid-half-bow units 7 and/or front-half-bow units 11, so that the user can choose different colors and color combinations as desired for a given wearing. Optionally, the retaining collars 5 can be provided in a variety of colors, giving the user additional choices. Optionally, one or more decorative pins 9 can be provided.

(17) Referring to FIG. 7, the variable bowtie 10 can be provided in kit form.

(18) Referring to FIG. 8, the variable bowtie 10 system and method allows the wearing of several different colors and color combination, using and re-using common elements, and combining and re-combining elements of various colors.

(19) Many changes and modifications can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. We therefore pray that rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.