Patent Publication Number: US-8108948-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for keeping a shirt collar aligned and fastened, magnetically

Description:
This application is a division of patent application Ser. No. 11/393,126, filed Mar. 30, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,409,730 which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/594,367, filed Mar. 31, 2005. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a method and apparatus for keeping a shirt collar properly aligned and fastened, magnetically. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The inability to keep a shirt collar properly aligned and fastened, has been an ongoing problem. Solutions to this problem involving magnetic devices, have been attempted. Reference in this regard, Barnes U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,602 entitled Decorative Magnetic Collar Stay, which utilizes a decorative, detachable/attachable outwardly visible magnetic top collar stay portion, and a concealed collar bottom stay portion. The top piece contains two magnets arranged to be attracted to magnets of the bottom piece, such that when the top piece is set on top of a collar with the bottom piece positioned directly underneath the collar, the top and bottom pieces are locked together via the magnetic attraction. The top piece provides a bridge for placement of a customized logo, which can be affixed thereto by a pin. A shortcoming, however, of the Barnes collar stay, is that it is always visible, which may not be desired. Another shortcoming is that multiple magnets are required for holding each collar, which makes the device hefty as well as weighty. Still further, no provision is disclosed for attachment of a collar to a shirt front. This can be a shortcoming where it is desired for the collar of a shirt to be positioned at a certain location on and in relation to the front of a shirt, and/or a certain orientation, for achieving a particular look. 
     Other devices utilizing magnetics are also known. Reference in this regard, Ellis U.S. Pat. No. 2,397,931, which discloses a magnetic button including two associated parts having the general appearance of an ordinary button, which are magnetic and oppositely attached to flaps of a garment to hold the flaps together. However, the parts are both simple disc shaped members, and there is no disclosure of a capability thereof for retaining the shape and/or alignment of a shirt collar. 
     Thus, what is sought is a method and apparatus adapted for keeping a shirt collar in a particular desired alignment with a shirt front or other reference, and fastened to the shirt front, and which overcomes one or more of the shortcomings and limitations discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     What is disclosed is a method and apparatus for keeping a shirt collar aligned and fastened, magnetically, which overcomes one or more of the shortcomings and limitations discussed above. 
     According to a preferred aspect of the invention, an elongate collar stay, preferably of a thin, flat sheet or film material, such as a magnetic stainless steel material is provided. The collar stay preferably has an elongate conventional overall collar stay shape, including a tapered longitudinal end portion adapted for insertion into a conventional collar stay pocket on the inside surface of a shirt collar, and a rounded opposite end portion. The collar stay can be, for instance, from about 2 to about 3 inches in length, or from about 4 to about 8 centimeters (cm). A suitable range for width is from about 0.6 to about 1.0 cm. As to thickness, a suitable value would be from about 4 to about 8 millimeters (mm). The collar stay can be substantially rigid and flat, or bendable using light finger pressure, to a desired shape. Alternatively, and more preferably, the collar stay has at least one detent or protrusion oriented to face toward a shirt front when the collar is positioned thereover, and operable for retaining a magnet in a desired position and orientation in relation to the stay. A suitable protrusion height from the surface of the stay is from about 1 to about 4 mm. The invention also includes a magnet, which can be, for instance, but is not limited to, a neodymium magnet, which is positioned against the inside surface of the front of a shirt, opposite the collar, and has sufficiently magnetic power for magnetically attracting and attaching or coupling to and holding the stay in a desired position and orientation in relation to the magnet, and thus to the front of the shirt, through at least one layer of fabric, for holding the collar in a desired position and orientation. The magnet can have a disk shape, or alternatively, another shape which cooperates and/or interlocks with the at least one detent or protrusion on the stay, or with one or more edges of the stay, to hold the stay, and thus the collar, in the desired position and orientation, in opposition to normal forces that are anticipated to be exerted thereagainst, for instance as a person wearing the shirt turns his or her neck, or reaches for something. The magnet is preferably of a sufficiently small size so as to be concealable under the collar, yet still provide adequate magnetic force, and interlock with the stay, if desired. 
     According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the collar stay can be attached to the inner surface of a collar using any convenient manner of attachment, including, but not limited to, by use of an adhesive. For instance, an adhesive strip can be attached to the surface of the stay, and removed and replaced, as necessary when the adhesive is no longer functional. A spray on, dab on, or other adhesive can also be used. Still further, as another preferred aspect of the invention, the collar stay can be sewn in place between the inner and outer layers of the collar. In this latter regard, this is preferably done in a manner such that the stay is not visible from the outer side of the collar. Also, it is contemplated that the collar stay can include the at least one detent or protrusion at several locations along the length thereof, such that the portion of the stay to which the magnet is to be attached is selectable from some desired number of positions. 
     According to still another preferred aspect of the invention, the following steps are used with shirts featuring a collar stay pocket:
         1. Slide the stainless steel collar stay into the collar stay pocket of a collar;   2. Position the magnetic disk inside of the front of the shirt; and attach or connect the collar stay and the magnetic disk using the magnetic attraction properties of the disk; and   3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 on the other collar.       

     According to still another preferred aspect of the invention, the following steps are used with shirts without a collar stay pocket:
         1. Peel the film off of the adhesive side of the collar stay. Position the collar stay in the desired position on the inside surface of the collar, and press firmly;   2. Position the magnetic disk inside of the front of the shirt; and attach or connect the collar stay and the magnetic disk using the magnetic attraction properties of the disk; and   3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 on the other collar.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a collar stay of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of another collar stay of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a magnet of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a shirt, showing a collar stay of the invention in connection with a collar of the shirt, and in dotted lines, the collar folded down and held in desired position and alignment by a magnet of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a shirt, showing a collar stay of the invention adhesively attached to an inner surface of a shirt collar, and in dotted lines, the collar folded down, and illustrating insertion of a magnet into the shirt behind the front surface thereof for magnetically holding the collar stay and the collar in a desired position and alignment in relation to the shirt front; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another collar stay of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the collar stay of  FIG. 6 , illustrating alternative magnet constructions usable therewith in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an edge view of the collar stay of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another collar stay of the invention, and a magnet; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another collar stay of the invention, and a magnet; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of still another collar stay of the invention, and a magnet; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of yet another collar stay of the invention, and a magnet; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternative magnet construction of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of a shirt having a collar stay of the invention installed on a collar of the shirt, and illustrating use of a magnet in connection with various locations along the collar stay; and 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view through a shirt front and collar having a collar stay of the invention located in a pocket of the collar, and illustrating a magnet in connection therewith. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  illustrate various elements of apparatus of the invention, required for practice of methods of the invention. More particularly,  FIG. 1  illustrates a collar stay  20  of the invention, which is preferably of sheet metal construction composed of a magnetic stainless steel material, such as, but not limited to, a  400  series stainless steel, such as a  404  or  416  series. Stay  20  has an elongated shape including a tapered and portion  22  and an opposite rounded end portion  24 . Stay  20  is preferably from about 2 to about 4 inches in length, or of the other dimensions set forth above, so as to be insertable into a conventionally dimensioned and constructed collar stay pocket on the inner surface of a shirt collar, such as illustrated by pocket region A in  FIG. 4 , but can alternatively be of another suitable length and/or shape as desired or required for a particular application. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates another collar stay  26  of the invention, constructed of the same material as collar stay  20 , and of about the same dimensions, but having one surface including a layer of adhesive  28  thereon, which can be an adhesive film, coating, or layer, or an adhesive tape, having a side which faces outwardly from stay  26 , for adhesion to an inner surface of a shirt collar, as will be explained. Collar stay  26  is contemplated for use with a shirt collar which lacks a collar stay pocket, or for use where a collar stay pocket is present but not desired to be used. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a magnet  30  of the invention, which can be constructed of a suitable commercially available magnetic material, such as, but not limited to, a neodymium magnetic material, suitable for magnetically attaching to and holding a collar stay such as stay  20  or stay  26  through one or several layers of a typical shirt fabric, such as a cotton, wool, synthetic material, or blend of any of these, in a desired position and orientation. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate aspects of steps of methods of the invention for using a collar stay  20  or  26  and a magnet  30  with a collar  32  of a shirt  34 , for holding the collar  32  in a desired position and orientation in relation to a front  36  of shirt  34 . Essentially, collar stay  20  is slid into a collar stay pocket, such as pocket A ( FIG. 4 ), on an inner or inside surface  38  of collar  32 , or, collar stay  26  is adhered to the inside surface  38  ( FIG. 5 ), in a desired position and orientation, such as, but not limited to, pointing toward a point  40  of collar  32  at a desired angular orientation in relation thereto, as illustrated. Magnet  30  is then positioned beneath or inside of front  36  of shirt  34  at a desired position for connection to stay  20  or  26  by magnetic attraction, as illustrated in dotted lines. These steps are then repeated for the other collar of the shirt. Here, it should be noted that neither collar stay  20  or collar stay  26  will typically be visible from the outer surface of collar  32 , and magnet  30  will be concealed behind front  36  of the shirt, such that neither elements of the invention are evident. Yet, the magnetic attraction between magnet  30  and stay  20  or  26  will be sufficient to hold the collar, particularly point  40  thereof, in the desired position and orientation in relation to the shirt front. 
       FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  illustrate another collar stay  42  of the invention, like parts of stay  42  and stays  20  and  26  being identified by like numerals. Stay  42  is likewise preferably constructed of a magnetic stainless steel material such as a 400 series stainless steel and has an elongated shape including a tapered end portion  22  and a rounded end portion  24 . An additional feature of stay  42 , however, is at least one, and more preferably several, detents  44  protruding from an inside surface  46  of stay  42 , at predetermined locations spaced from tapered end portion  22 . Each detent  42  can have a shape or configuration suitable for preventing or substantially limiting movement of a magnet in close proximity and magnetically attached to surface  46 , such as magnet  30 , longitudinally along the surface  46 , even when 1, 2 or 3 layers of shirt fabric are disposed therebetween. The detent  42  closest to end portion  22  is preferably disposed a distance X from end portion  22 , and adjacent ones of detents  42  are preferably about the distance X apart, distance X preferably being equal to an amount just marginally larger than the cross-sectional extent of a magnet, such as magnet  30 , to be used therewith, such that the magnet can be disposed between two of the detents  42  and held longitudinally in place. Here, although three detents  42  are illustrated, it should be understood that a greater, or a lesser, number of detents could be used. In  FIG. 7 , it should also be noted that an alternative magnet  48  is shown having a generally “dog bone” shape having a narrowed intermediate portion  50  disposed between opposite and portions  52 , intermediate portion  50  as measured between opposite and portions  52  having an extent preferably just marginally larger than a sideward extent Y of stay  42 , such that when magnetically attached, both sideward and longitudinal relative movement of magnet  48  and stay  42 , and thus a collar such as collar  34 , will be prevented or substantially limited. 
       FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11  and  12  illustrate still further alternative embodiments of collar stays of the invention, like parts of the collar stays of these Figs. and those of the earlier Figs. being identified by like numerals. Each of the collar stays of  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11  and  12  can be constructed of the above described magnetic stainless steel material, and can have a similar overall size and shape as discussed above, generally including a tapered end portion  22  and an opposite rounded end portion  24  (see above), or a more squared and portion  54 , as desired. In  FIG. 9 , a collar stay  56  is shown, including a detent  58  on an inside surface  46  thereof, which will face a shirt front, for preventing or limiting longitudinal movement of a magnet magnetically attached thereto, as illustrated generally by magnet  30 . Detent  58  can be formed in any suitable manner, such as by folding or creasing stay  56 . Here, it should again be noted that one or more of detents  58  could be used, as desired or required for a particular application. In  FIG. 10 , a collar stay  60  includes a pair of detents  62  protruding from surface  46 , similarly positioned for the same purpose for preventing longitudinal movement of a magnet therealong. Here, detents  62  are spaced sidewardly apart sufficiently to also serve to center a magnet, such as magnet  30 , in relation to the side edges of collar stay  60 . Again, one or more pair of detents  62  can be used at desired longitudinal positions on surface  46 , as desired or required for a particular application. Detents  62  can comprise raised portions or protrusions from surface  46 , formed using a suitable metalworking technique, such as peening, stamping, or the like. Detents  62  could also be formed by welding, or adhesion of separate members onto surface  46 . In  FIG. 11 , another collar stay  64  it is illustrated which is of a folded sheet metal construction so as to include a raised detent  66  protruding from surface  46 . This construction can also be made by a suitable metalworking technique. Detent  66  will function in the above described manner for preventing longitudinal movement of a magnet, such as magnet  30 , along the collar stay  64 . And, in  FIG. 12 , collar stay  68  is also of a folded sheet metal construction to include a detent  70  on an edge of inside surface  46  adjacent to a magnet, such as magnet  30 , for preventing longitudinal movement of the magnet. 
     Here, it should be understood that any of collar stays  56 ,  60 ,  64  or  68  can include an adhesive on an outside surface thereof, such as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , or can be smooth so as to be readily insertable into a collar stay pocket, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, collar stays  64  and  68  can be inserted into a collar stay pocket with the portion thereof including surface  46  located externally thereof, and surface  46  can be resiliently biased toward the body of the stay, similarly to a hairpin, for clipping about the pocket for better retention of the stay in the pocket. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates still another alternative magnet  72  that can be used with the present invention, magnet  72  having a side pocket  74  adapted for cooperatively receiving a detent, such as any of detents  44 ,  58 ,  62 ,  66  and  70 , for interlocking therewith for preventing relative longitudinal movement between magnet  72  and the respective collar stay, as well as side to side and twisting movements. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 14 , a collar stay  42  is shown in position retained on the inside surface of a collar  32 , for instance, within a collar stay pocket A ( FIG. 4 ) or adhered thereto ( FIG. 5 ), and a magnet  30  selectively detachable thereto through a front  36  of a shirt  34 , at several locations along the length of stay  42 , as defined by detents  44 . This illustrates the versatility of the present invention for effecting attachment of a collar  32  to a shirt front  36  in several different ways, for achieving different appearances or looks. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 15 , a collar  32  of a shirt  34  is shown held in place against a front  36  of the shirt by a collar stay  56  and a magnet  30  of the invention. Here, detent  58  of stay  56  is illustrated to retain and hold magnet  30  adjacent to the end of stay  56 . 
     As should be apparent from the disclosure above, the various embodiments of collar stays and magnets of the invention can be used in combination to achieve a desired retention and positioning of a collar in relation to a shirt front, including the angular orientation of the collar in relation thereto, without the apparatus used for the same being visible or apparent to persons observing the shirt. The various collar stays can optionally be bendable to some extent by hand, to achieve a desired look, for instance, for fashion purposes. Thus, for example, a collar could be positioned and retained by the present apparatus in a widely spread manner, for a more contemporary look, or less spread, so as to be positioned closer to the neck of a shirt, for a more traditional look. 
     Thus, there has been shown and described a novel method and apparatus for keeping a shirt collar aligned and fastened, magnetically, which overcomes many of the problems set forth above. It will be apparent, however, to those familiar in the art, that many changes, variations, modifications, and other uses and applications for the subject device are possible. All such changes, variations, modifications, and other uses and applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.