Variable bowtie system and method

Abstract

Variable bowtie system and method providing half-bows of different colors which can be chosen and combined 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 half-bow units, each having at least two layers of textile material comprising a front face and a back face, and each having a together-facing edge which comes in closest proximity to another half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said half-bow unit, at the together-facing edge, are left partially detached, forming a pocket at the together-facing edge; (iv) a unit tab extension affixed to the back face of the together-facing edge of each said half-bow unit, adapted to fit into the pocket at the together-facing edge of another said half-bow unit; (v) 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 two holes together are adapted to fit over said mounting-stud pair; where, in use, two 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 (vi) 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 two front-half-bow units each at a smaller size than said half-bow units and having a structure matching said 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 half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said 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 having a front-unit tab extension, adapted to be mounted in front of said half-bow units.

3. 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.

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

5. The variable bowtie system of claim 1, further comprising a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least two said half-bow units, at least one said retaining collar, and at least two front-half-bow units, each at a smaller size than said half-bow units and having a structure matching said 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 half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said 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 half-bow units.

6. The variable bowtie system of claim 1, further comprising a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least two said 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.

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

8. 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 and said retaining collars are provided in a variety of colors suitable for the wearing of several different color combinations as desired by the user.

9. The variable bowtie system of claim 1, further comprising said neckband provided in a variety of colors.

10. The variable bowtie system of claim 1, further comprising said retaining collar provided in a variety of colors.

11. 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 half-bow units, each having at least two layers of textile material comprising a front face and a back face, and each having a together-facing edge which comes in closest proximity to another half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said half-bow unit, at the together-facing edge, are left partially detached, forming a pocket at the together-facing edge; (d) a unit tab extension affixed to the back face of the together-facing edge of each said half-bow unit, adapted to fit into the pocket at the together-facing edge of another said half-bow unit; (e) 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 two holes together are adapted to fit over said mounting-stud pair; and (f) 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.

12. The variable bowtie method of claim 11, where said variable bowtie system further comprises at least two front-half-bow units each at a smaller size than said half-bow units and having a structure matching said 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 half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said 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 having a front-unit tab extension, adapted to be mounted in front of said half-bow units.

13. The variable bowtie method of claim 11, where said variable bowtie system further comprises at least one decorative pin adapted to being removably placed into and upon said retaining collar.

14. The variable bowtie method of claim 11, where said variable bowtie system further comprises a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least two said half-bow units, and at least one said retaining collar.

15. The variable bowtie method of claim 11, where said variable bowtie system further comprises a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least two said half-bow units, each at a smaller size than said half-bow units and having a structure matching said 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 half-bow unit when in use, where the front face and the back face of each said 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 half-bow units.

16. The variable bowtie method of claim 11, where said variable bowtie system further comprises a kit comprising at least one said neckband, at least two said 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.

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

18. The variable bowtie method of claim 11, 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 and said retaining collars are provided in a variety of colors suitable for the wearing of several different color combinations as desired by the user.

19. The variable bowtie method of claim 11, further comprising providing said neckband in a variety of colors.

20. The variable bowtie method of claim 11, further comprising providing said retaining collar in a variety of colors.

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 two half-bow units;

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

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

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

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

(7) FIG. 6 shows the elements and optional elements of the variable bowtie system and method;

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

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

(11) Referring to FIG. 1 & FIG. 2, 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 half-bow units 3, and optionally two front-half-bow units 7, which are held in place by a retaining collar 5. The half-bow units 3 are provided in a variety of colors, allowing the user to choose colors and color combinations for a particular wearing, and to chose other colors and combinations for other wearings. 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.

(12) Referring to FIG. 3 & FIG. 4, 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 half-bow unit 3 has a unit tab extension 4 located, as illustrated, on the together-facing edge of the 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 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 half-bow unit 3 is removably fixed in relationship to the neckband 1 and to the other half-bow unit 3. Each optional front-half-bow unit 7 has essentially the same structure, at a smaller size or scale, as the half-bow unit 3. The front-half-bow unit 7 has a front-unit tab 8. The front-half-bow unit 7 is meant to be worn in front of the half-bow unit 3, so that the colors of both units are seen.

(13) Referring to FIG. 5, the half-bow unit 3 and optional front-half-bow unit 7 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 front-unit tab 8 are attached to the together-facing edge of the back layer. 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 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 half-bow unit 3. In use, one of the unit tabs 4 will fit behind the back layer of the other half-bow unit 3, and the other unit tab 4 will fit into the pocket of the first half-bow unit 3.

(14) Referring to FIG. 6, the variable bowtie 10 is meant to be provided in a variety of colors of half-bow units 3 and optional front-half-bow units 7, 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.

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

(16) 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.

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