Abstract:
A watchband formed from a piece of material resembling a tail portion of a necktie. The watchband comprises a first end portion, a second end portion and a body portion. The first end portion has a blunt end. The second end portion has a substantially triangular-shaped end and is spatially opposed to the first end portion. The body portion extends between the first end portion and the second end portion. The body portion is sized for supporting a wristwatch. The watchband has a sufficient length to wrap substantially completely about a wrist of a wearer so that the watch band is secured about the wrist of the wearer in a stable position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/558,228, filed Mar. 31, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a watchband, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to a watchband formed of a piece of material resembling a tail portion of a necktie. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a watchband formed of a tail portion of a necktie.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Watchbands in the prior art generally have been provided with a width substantially equal to the length of lateral retaining pins of the wrist watch to which the watchband is connected. In addition, the prior art watchbands are provided with a length such that, upon positioning a watchband around the wrist of a person, the ends of the watchband are connected via buckles, mating type fasteners, such as material merchandised under the trademark VELCRO®.  
         [0006]     Watchbands have also been fabricated of a fabric wherein a wristwatch is supported on and secured to the fabric by watch mounting loops which are either permanently or releasably connected to the watchband.  
         [0007]     While many types of watchbands before have been proposed, new and improved watchbands are constantly being sought which provide unique, aesthetic qualities and appearances to the watchbands, and which can be easily changed to complement the attire of the person wearing the watchband. It is to such watchbands that the present invention is directed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In accordance with the present invention, a watchband is provided which is fabricated of a piece of material resembling a tail portion of a necktie, or from a tail portion of a necktie. The watchband is provided with a first end portion, a body portion, and an opposed second end portion. At least a portion of the body portion is desirably provided with a width substantially corresponding to the length of lateral retaining pins of a wristwatch so that the watchband, upon positioning over the lateral retaining pins and under a case portion of the wristwatch, secures and supports the wristwatch in a stable position on the body portion of the watchband.  
         [0009]     The first end portion of the watchband has a substantially blunt end and the second end portion of the watchband has a substantially triangular-shaped end. To further stabilize the watchband to the wrist of a wearer, a fastener is supported on an upper surface of the watchband near the blunt end thereof. A mating fastener is positioned on a lower surface of the watchband a predetermined distance from the wristwatch such that, upon wrapping the first end portion of the watchband about the wrist of the wearer, the first end portion is connectable to the body portion of the watchband via the fasteners.  
         [0010]     Once the watchband has been secured about the wrist of the wearer, the second end portion of the watchband is wrapped around the wearer&#39;s wrist in such a way as to not interfere with the face of the wristwatch, while at the same time providing a decorative wrap around the wrist of the wearer. The substantially triangular-shaped end of the watchband can be connected via a connector assembly to the body portion of the watchband or tucked under portions of the watchband wrapped about the wearer&#39;s wrist.  
         [0011]     In another embodiment, a tail portion of a tie is formed into a watchband. One end portion of the watchband is provided with a blunt end and a second portion is provided with a substantially triangular-shaped end. A connector assembly is disposed on the first and second end portions of the watchband such that upon positioning a wristwatch therebetween, the watchband can be wrapped about a person&#39;s wrist and secured thereon by the connector assembly. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a wristwatch secured about a person&#39;s wrist utilizing a watchband constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the wristband of  FIG. 1 , the wristband being shown in an extended position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the wristband of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of another embodiment of a watchband constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the watchband of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of another embodiment of a watchband constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the watchband of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of a watchband constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of the watchband of  FIG. 8 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is a watchband  10  for securing wristwatch  12  on a wrist  14  of a person. The watchband is fabricated of a tail portion  16  of a necktie  18  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) or from a piece of material resembling the tail portion of a necktie.  
         [0022]     Referring more specifically to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the watchband  10  is shown in an extended or unwrapped condition. The watchband  10  is characterized as having a first end portion  20 , a body portion  22  for supporting the wristwatch  12 , a second end portion  24 , a front side  26  ( FIG. 2 ) and a back side  28  ( FIG. 3 ). The first end portion  20  terminates with a blunt end  30 ; and the second end portion  24  terminates with a substantially triangular-shaped end  32 .  
         [0023]     At least a portion of the body portion  22  of the watchband  10  is desirably provided with a width  34  substantially corresponding with the length of lateral retaining pins  36  and  38  of the wristwatch  12  so that the watchband  10 , upon positioning over the lateral retaining pins  36  and  38  and under a case portion  40  of the wristwatch  12  ( FIG. 3 ), secures and supports the wristwatch  12  in a stable position on the body portion  22  of the watchband  10 .  
         [0024]     A first connector assembly  42  includes a pair of hook and loop pressure attachable fabric components  44  and  46 . The hook and loop pressure attachable fabric components  44  and  46  are stitched or secured to the body portion  22  of the tail portion  16  such that the component  44  is disposed on the front side  26  of the tail portion  16  near the blunt end  30  of the first end portion  20  and the component  46  is disposed on the backside  28  of the watchband  10  so as to be aligned with the first component and connectable thereto when the watchband  10  is wrapped about the wrist  14  of an individual. The watchband  10  is further provided with a second connector assembly  48  which includes a male snap fastener  50  and a plurality of female snap fasteners  52 . The male snap fastener  50  is disposed in the substantially triangular-shaped end  32  of the second end portion  24  of the watchband  10  such that the male snap fastener  50  extends outwardly from the back side  28  of the watchband  10 ; and the plurality of female snap fasteners  52  are aligned along the body portion  22  of the watchband  10  such that the female snap fasteners  52  are disposed on the front side  26  of the body portion  22  of the watchband  10  substantially as shown. Thus, upon positioning the watchband  10  about the wrist  14  of an individual, the components  44  and  46  of the first connector assembly  42  are matingly engaged. Thereafter, the second end portion  24  of the watchband  10  is wrapped about the individual&#39;s wrist ( FIG. 1 ) until the male snap fastener  50  is aligned with one of the female snap fasteners  52  whereby the substantially triangular-shaped end  32  of the second end portion  24  can be secured in a stable position upon matingly engaging the male snap fastener  50  with one of the female snap fasteners  52 .  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , shown therein is another embodiment of a watchband  60  fabricated of a tail portion  62  of a tie  63 . The watchband  60  is provided with a first end portion  64 , a body portion  66  for supporting a wristwatch  68 , a second end portion  70 , a front side  72  ( FIG. 4 ) and a back side  74  ( FIG. 5 ). The first end portion  64  terminates with a blunt end  76 ; and the second end portion  70  terminates with a triangular-shaped end  78 . At least a portion of the body portion  66  of the watchband  60  is desirably provided with a width  80  substantially corresponding with the length of lateral retaining pins  82  and  84  of the wristwatch  68  and a case portion  86  of the wristwatch  68  ( FIG. 5 ) so that the watchband  60 , upon positioning over the lateral retaining pins  82  and  84  and under the case portion  86  of the wristwatch  68 , secures and supports the wristwatch  68  in a stable position on the body portion  66  of the watchband  60 .  
         [0026]     The watchband  60  is further provided with a connector assembly  88  which includes a male snap fastener  90  and a plurality of spatially disposed female snap fasteners  92 . The male snap fastener  90  is disposed in the substantially triangular-shaped end  78  of the second end portion  70  such that the male snap fastener  90  extends outwardly from the back side  74  of the watchband  60 ; and the plurality of spatially disposed female snap fasteners  92  are aligned along the body portion of the watchband  68  such that the female snap fasteners are disposed on the front side  72  of the body portion  66  of the watchband  60  substantially as shown. Thus, upon positioning the watchband  60  about a wrist of an individual, the male snap fastener  90  selectively engages one of the female snap fasteners  92  so as to secure the watchband  60  in a secure position on the person&#39;s wrist.  
         [0027]     Thereafter, the first end portion  64  of the watchband  60  is wrapped about the individual&#39;s wrist and the portion of the first end portion  64  of the watchband  60  adjacent the blunt end  76  is inserted underneath an overlaying portion of the watchband  60  whereby the first end portion  64  of the watchband  60  is secured in a stable position. It should be understood that by wrapping the first end portion  64  of the watchband  60  about the person&#39;s wrist, the wrapping is accomplished in such a manner that the face portion of the wristwatch  68  remains uncovered. It should be noted that additional connector assemblies can be incorporated into the watchband  60 , if desired.  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , yet another embodiment of a watchband  100  is shown constructed in accordance with the present invention. The watchband  100  which is fabricated of a tail portion  102  of a necktie  104 , or from a piece of material resembling the tail portion of a necktie, is characterized as having a first end portion  106 , a body portion  108  for supporting a wristwatch  110 , a second end portion  112 , a front side  114  ( FIG. 6 ) and a back side  116  ( FIG. 7 ). The first end portion  106  terminates with a blunt end  124 , and the second end portion  118  terminates with a substantially triangular-shaped end  126 .  
         [0029]     At least a portion of the body portion  108  of the watchband  100  is desirably provided with a width  128  substantially corresponding with the length of lateral retaining pins  130  and  132  of the wristwatch  110  so that the watchband  100 , upon positioning over the lateral retaining pins  130  and  132  and under the case portion  134  of the wristwatch  110  ( FIG. 7 ), secures and supports the wristwatch  110  in a stable position on the body portion  108  of the watchband  100 .  
         [0030]     The watchband  100  is further provided with connector assembly  136  for connecting the substantially triangular-shaped end  126  of the second end portion  118  to the first end portion  106  of the watchband  100 . The connector assembly  136  included a male snap fastener  138  and a plurality of female snap fasteners  140 . The male snap fastener  138  is disposed in the substantially triangular-shaped end  126  of the second end portion  118  such that the male snap fastener  138  extends outwardly from the back side  116  of the watchband  100 , and the plurality of female snap fasteners  140  are aligned along the first end portion  112  of the watchband  100  such that the female snap fasteners  140  extend outwardly from the front side  114  of the watchband  100  near the blunt end  144  thereof. Thus, upon positioning the watchband  100  about the wrist of an individual, the male snap fastener  138  is selectively positioned for mating engagement with one of the female snap fasteners  140  such that, upon engagement of the male snap fastener  138  with the selected female snap fastener  140 , the watchband  100  is secured about the individual&#39;s wrist.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , yet another embodiment of a watchband  150  constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The watchband  150 , which is fabricated of a tail portion  152  of a necktie  154  or from a piece of material resembling the tail portion of a necktie, or any other decorative material, such as a portion of a scarf, is characterized as having first end portion  156 , a body portion  158  for supporting a wristwatch  160 , a second end portion  162 , a front side  164  ( FIG. 8 ) and a back side  166  ( FIG. 9 ). The first end portion  156  terminates with a blunt end  168 , and the second end portion  162  terminates with substantially triangular-shaped end  170 .  
         [0032]     The body portion  158  of the watchband  150  is desirably provided with a width  172  which is greater than the length of lateral retaining pins  174  and  176  or the wristwatch  160 , and the case portion  178  of the wristwatch  160  substantially as shown.  
         [0033]     In order to connect the wristwatch  160  to the watchband  150 , the body portion  158  is provided with a first connector assembly  180 . The first connector assembly  180  contains male snap fasteners  182  and  184  which are connected to the body portion  158  of the watchband  150  in a spatial relationship. Further, the male snap fasteners  182  and  184  extend outwardly from the front side  164  of the watchband  150 . The wristwatch  160  is positioned between the male snap fasteners  182  and  184  so that the male fastener  182  is disposed in close proximity, but spatially disposed from the lateral retaining pin  174  of the wristwatch  160 . Similarly, the male snap fastener  184  is disposed in close proximity to the lateral retaining pin  176  of the wristwatch  160 , but spatially disposed from the lateral retaining pin  176 .  
         [0034]     The first connector assembly  180  further includes a strip of material  186  having a first end portion  188 , a medial portion  190 , and a second end portion  192 . A female snap fastener  194  is provided in the first end portion  188  of the strip of material  186 , and a female snap fastener  196  is provided in the second end portion  192  of the strip of material  186 . The strip of material  186  is provided with a length sufficient so that the medial portion  190  of the strip of material  186  can be positioned over the lateral retaining pins  174  and  176  of the wristwatch  160  and under the case portion  178  of the wristwatch  160  whereby, upon matingly connecting the female snap fastener  194  with the male snap fastener  182  and the female snap fastener  196  with the male snap fastener  184 , the wristwatch  160  is secured to the body portion  158  of the watchband  150 .  
         [0035]     The watchband  150  is further provided with a second connector assembly  198  for connecting the second end portion  162  of the watchband  150  to the first end portion  156  of the watchband  150 . The second connector assembly  198  includes a male snap fastener  200  and a plurality of female snap fasteners  202 . The male snap fastener  200  is disposed in the substantially triangular-shaped end  170  of the second end portion  162  such that the male snap fastener  200  extends outwardly from the back side  166  of the watchband  150 , and the plurality of female snap fasteners  202  are aligned along the first end portion  156  of the watchband  150  so as to be disposed near the blunt end  168  thereof. Thus, upon positioning the watchband  150  about the wrist of an individual, the male snap fastener  200  is selectively positioned for mating engagement with one of the female snap fasteners  202  such that upon engagement of the male snap fastener  200  with one of the selected female snap fasteners  202 , the watchband  150  is secured about the individual&#39;s wrist.  
         [0036]     While the first connector assembly  180  has been shown and described as including the strip of material  186  for securing the wristwatch  160  to the watchband  150 , it should be understood that any other type of connector assemblies, such as a plurality of mounting loops can be employed for securing the wristwatch  160  to the watchband  150 . It should be further understood that the positioning of the male snap fastener and the female snap fasteners of the connector assemblies of the various embodiments described herein, and the first and second end portions of the watchband can be interchanged and varied without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. In addition, it should be understood that the above description is illustrative of the present invention, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the inventive concept disposed herein. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and, accordingly, suitable modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.