Abstract
A moldable collar stay device for a shirt turnover collar comprising a collar stay body and dual collar stay inserts. The shape and the length of the present device may be adjusted by fasteners which facilitate changes to the angle of the collar stay inserts and the length of the collar stay body. The device also may be shaped to accentuate the shape of a user's face. Each collar stay insert may be placed inside collar stay pockets at opposite corners of the shirt collar while the stay body lies along the exterior bounds shirt collar. The shirt wearer may adjust the device around the periphery of the collar to the desired position. Once positioned, the device will remain concealed with the collar and collar stay pockets while maintaining the ability to alter the collar shape, the collar stay length and the angle of the collar stay inserts.
Claims
1. A collar stay device, comprising: a stay body having a solid middle having a first width, a first end portion having a second width and defining a first slot, and a second end portion having the second width and defining a second slot, wherein the solid middle connects the first end portion to the second end portion; a first component includes a solid end portion having a third width; a first fastener connected to the stay body and adapted to retain the first component adjacent the stay body; a second fastener connected to the first component and adapted to retain the stay body adjacent the first component, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener enable the stay body to slide substantially parallel relative to the first component; a second component includes a solid end portion having the third width; a third fastener connected to the stay body and adapted to retain the second component adjacent the stay body; a fourth fastener connected to the second component and adapted to retain the stay body adjacent the second component, wherein the third fastener and the fourth fastener enable the stay body to slide substantially parallel relative to the second component; a first collar stay insert pivotally attached to the solid end portion of the first component and having a length longer than the solid end portion of the first component; and a second collar stay insert pivotally attached to the solid end portion of the second component and having a length longer than the solid first end portion of the second component.
2. The collar stay device of claim 1, wherein the collar stay device comprises at least one of shape memory alloy or shape memory plastic.
3. The collar stay device of claim 1, wherein the first width is smaller than the second width, and the third smaller than the second width.
4. A collar stay device, comprising: a stay body having a solid middle having a first width, a first end portion having a second width and defining a slot, and a second end portion having the second width, wherein the solid middle connects the first end portion to the second end portion; a component includes a solid end portion having a third width; a first fastener connected to the stay body and adapted to retain the component adjacent the stay body; a second fastener connected to the first component and adapted to retain the stay body adjacent the first component, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener enable the stay body to slide substantially parallel relative to the component; a first collar stay insert pivotally attached to the solid end portion of the first component and having a length longer than the solid end portion of the first component; and a second collar stay insert pivotally attached to the second end portion and having a length longer than the solid first end portion of the second component.
5. The collar stay device of claim 4, wherein the stay body comprises shape memory alloy, and the first collar stay insert and the second collar stay insert comprise plastic.
6. The collar stay device of claim 4, wherein the first width is smaller than the second width, and the third smaller than the second width.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is view of a shirt with a collar;
(2) Ref. 1 is a shirt;
(3) Ref. 2 is a turnover collar attached to said shirt;
(4) FIG. 2 is a rear view of the collar stay against an open collar;
(5) Ref. 1 is a shirt;
(6) Ref. 2 is a collar attached to said shirt;
(7) Ref. 3 is a collar stay insert of the collar stay device;
(8) Ref. 4 is the stay body of the collar stay device;
(9) Ref. 5 is a collar stay pocket on the collar of the shirt;
(10) Ref. 6 is a fastener for the collar stay insert;
(11) Ref. 7 is a fastener for the collar stay body;
(12) FIG. 3 is partial side view of the collar stay near the collar stay pocket;
(13) Ref. 1 is a shirt;
(14) Ref. 2 is a collar attached to said shirt;
(15) Ref. 3 is a collar stay insert of the collar stay device;
(16) Ref. 4 is the stay body of the collar stay device;
(17) Ref. 5 is a collar stay pocket on the collar of the shirt;
(18) Ref. 6 is a fastener for the collar stay insert;
(19) Ref. 7 is a fastener for the collar stay body;
(20) FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the collar stay entering a collar stay pocket;
(21) Ref. 1 is a shirt;
(22) Ref. 2 is a collar attached to said shirt;
(23) Ref. 3 is collar stay insert of the collar stay device;
(24) Ref. 4 is the stay body of the collar stay device;
(25) Ref. 5 is a collar stay pocket on the collar of the shirt;
(26) Ref. 5 is a collar stay pocket on the collar of the shirt;
(27) Ref. 6 is a fastener for the collar stay insert;
(28) Ref. 7 is a fastener for the collar stay body;
(29) FIG. 5 is a side view of the collar stay entering a collar stay pocket;
(30) Ref. 1 is a shirt;
(31) Ref. 2 is a collar attached to said shirt;
(32) Ref. 3 is collar stay insert of the collar stay device;
(33) Ref. 4 is the stay body of the collar stay device;
(34) Ref. 5 is a collar stay pocket on the collar of the shirt;
(35) Ref. 6 is a fastener for the collar stay insert;
(36) Ref. 7 is a fastener for the collar stay body;
(37) FIG. 6 is front view of the collar stay with the collar;
(38) Ref. 1 is a shirt;
(39) Ref. 2 is a collar attached to said shirt;
(40) Ref. 3 is collar stay insert of the collar stay device;
(41) Ref. 4 is the stay body of the collar stay device.
(42) Ref. 6 is a fastener for the collar stay insert;
(43) Ref. 7 is fastener for the collar stay body;
(44) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the extended collar stay device;
(45) Ref. 3 is collar stay insert of the collar stay device;
(46) Ref. 4 is the stay body of the collar stay device.
(47) Ref. 6 is a fastener for the collar stay insert;
(48) Ref. 7 is a fastener for the collar stay body;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(49) While the above description is of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciated that the invention may be modified, altered or varied without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the following claims.
(50) Referring generally to FIGS. 1-7, the present system is a molded collar stay device which includes a collar stay body portion and dual collar stay inserts at opposite end of the collar stay body. In use, the first collar stay insert of the collar stay device would be inserted into a first prefabricated collar stay pocket of a turnover collar shirt, the second collar stay insert of the collar stay device is inserted into a second prefabricated collar stay pocket of a turnover collar shirt while the collar stay body is lies around the user's neck, positioned between the top of the shirt and beneath the turnover collar. A user may adjust the length of the device before or after the device has been placed inside a turnover collar of a shirt. Length may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the distance between the first pair and second pair of fasteners at a left side and right side of the collar stay body. Once the device is in place, the user would have the option of reshaping the collar stay device by molding the present device through the collar. In addition, the collar stay will remain concealed underneath the turned down turnover collar in a position between the turnover collar and the top of the shirt. Without regard to the presence or absence or a neckpiece, tie, or buttons, the present collar stay device will remain concealed since it lies around the rear edge of the user's neck. In addition, users of varying neck sizes may use the same collar stay deuce since the length may be readily adjusted to accommodate different users.
(51) With reference to FIG. 1, this view is a front view of a shirt 1 with a standard turnover collar 2. The present collar stay device may be used on a standard shirt 1 with dual sleeves, a back portion, a front portion and a turnover collar 2. The collar 2 is positioned both above the top of the shirt and along the upper edge of the back portion of the shirt. The collar 2 is usually manufactured with prefabricated collar stay pockets at each corner. The length of the turnover collar 2 is the distance between a first prefabricated collar stay pocket at a first end of the turnover collar and a second prefabricated collar stay pocket at a second end of the turnover collar.
(52) With reference to FIG. 2, this view is a rear view of the collar stay device against an open collar 2 of a shirt 1. When the collar 2 is in an open position, the collar is turned up so that the interior of the turnover collar and the top portion of the shirt back are exposed. The turnover collar 2 has prefabricated collar stay pockets 5 at the first corner of the collar and second corner of the collar. As in many traditional shirts, the turnover collar also includes collar stay pockets 5 at each end of the collar. The collar stay device contains a stay body 4, a first end and a second end. The stay body is positioned between the first collar stay insert 3 and the second collar stay insert 3. The first collar stay insert 3 is attached to the first end of the collar stay device with a collar stay fastener. The second collar stay insert 3 is attached to the second end of the collar stay device with a collar stay fastener. In addition, adjustment mechanisms located along the stay body 4 allow the user to alter the length of the stay device to accommodate various users and shirt collars. In this embodiment, four (4) fasteners or grommets are shows. In this embodiment, two (2) pairs of fasteners [6, 7] are between the first end (left) of the collar stay device and the second end (right) of the collar stay device. Each pair of fasteners may be contracted to shorten the length of the collar stay body or extended to increase the length of the collar stay body 4. In this embodiment, a fastener for a collar stay insert 6 connects the insert to the collar stay body while a fastener for the collar stay body 7 facilitates changes in the length of the collar stay body 4.
(53) With reference to FIG. 3, this view is a partial side view of the collar stay near the entrance point of a collar stay pocket. The traditional turnover collar 2 usually includes collar stay pockets 5 at each end of the collar. In addition, the turnover collar 2 is attached to the top portion of the back of the shirt 1. In a turned up position, the collar stay would be visible above the shirt back and adjacent to the interior surface of the turnover collar. The present collar stay device includes a collar stay body 4 and dual collar stay inserts 3. To adjust the shape of the collar stay device, the user may alter the angle of the collar stay insert 3 by rotating the collar stay insert 3 secured to the collar stay body by the fastener for the collar stay insert 6. In position, a first collar stay insert 3 would be placed inside a first collar stay pocket 5. The present system also includes adjustment mechanisms to alter the length of the collar stay device. To adjust the length of the first end of the collar stay body, the length of the collar stay body 4 may be extended by gently pulling the fasteners apart to extend the distance between the collar stay body fasteners 7.
(54) With reference to FIG. 4, this view is a partial side view of the collar stay partially inside a collar stay pocket. The collar stay pocket 5 is located at the corner of the collar 2 attached to the shirt 1. To adjust the shape of the collar stay device, the user may alter the angle of the collar stay insert 3 by rotating the collar stay insert secured to the collar stay body 4 by the fastener for the collar stay insert 6. After the desired angle is achieved, the collar stay insert 3 may be placed inside the collar stay pocket 5. To adjust the length of the first end of the collar stay body 4, the length of the collar stay body may be extended by gently pulling the fasteners apart to extend the distance between the collar stay body fasteners 7.
(55) With reference to FIG. 5, this view is a collar stay pocket on the collar of the shirt. The collar stay pocket 5 is located at the corner of the collar attached to the shirt 2. To adjust the shape of the collar stay device, the user may alter the angle of the collar stay insert 3 by rotating the collar stay insert 3 secured to the collar stay body by the fastener for the collar stay insert 6. After the desired angle is achieved, the collar stay insert 3 may be placed inside the collar stay pocket 5. To adjust the length of the first end of the collar stay body 4, the length of the collar stay body may be extended by gently pulling the fasteners apart to extend the distance between the collar stay body fasteners 7. The shape of the collar stay device may also be altered by molding the device into a shape that accentuates the contours of the user's face. The collar stay body 4 extends from the first collar stay pocket 5, around the back portion of the neck, covered by the collar, and ends at the second collar stay pocket 5. The entire collar stay device lies around the periphery of the collar around the user's neck when the shirt is in use.
(56) With reference to FIG. 6, this view is a front view of the collar stay with the collar. When the turnover collar is in a closed or turned down position, the interior surface of the turnover collar 2 is adjacent to the back portion of the shirt 1. The turnover collar of the shirt is positioned around the user's neck, from a first side, around the rear of the neck, to a second side. The present collar stay device spans the length of the turnover collar 2. To adjust the shape of the collar stay device, the user may alter the angle of the collar stay insert 3 by rotating the collar stay insert secured to the collar stay body 4 by the fastener for the collar stay insert 6. After the desired angle is achieved, the collar stay insert 3 may be placed inside the collar stay pocket 5. To adjust the length of the first end of the collar stay body 4, the length of the collar stay body may be extended by gently pulling the fasteners apart to extend the distance between the collar stay body fasteners 6. In order to adjust the shape of the collar stay device, the user can mold the device, through the shirt, with the user's hand since the collar stay is moldable and will hold its altered shape. In any case, the device will remain concealed beneath the turnover collar 2 whether or not the user decides to wear a tie, other neckpiece or leave the shirt buttoned, partially buttoned or completely open. In addition, the device may be used by various users with differing neck sizes since the device may be readily adjusted to accommodate different dimensions.
(57) With reference to FIG. 7, this view is a front view of the full collar stay device. The present collar stay device consists of a collar stay body 4 and dual collar stay inserts 3 at opposite ends of the collar stay body. Each collar stay insert 3 is attached to the collar stay body 4 with a fastener 6. Additional fasteners 7 are located along the collar stay body to accommodate adjustments in the length of the collar stay body. To adjust the shape of the collar stay device, the user may alter the angle of the collar stay insert 3 by rotating the collar stay insert secured to the collar stay body 4 by the fastener for the collar stay insert 6. To adjust the length of the first end of the collar stay body 4, the length of the collar stay body may be extended by gently pulling the fasteners apart to extend the distance between the collar stay body fasteners 7.
(58) While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure and the following claims.
