Patent Publication Number: US-2013247270-A1

Title: Adjustable collar stay device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present patent application/patent claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/556,869 (Travis L. ROSS), filed on Nov. 8, 2011, and entitled “ADJUSTABLE COLLAR STAY,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an adjustable collar stay device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable collar stay device that includes a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is often desirable to use a collar stay to keep the collar of ones shirt rigid and make sure that is stays down. Such collar stays are disposed within the collar pockets of the collar and typically consist of simple plastic tab structures. Disadvantageously, these collar stays do not always fit snugly within the collar pockets, and fail to accomplish their purpose and are prone to falling out. Accordingly, what are still needed in the art are inexpensive, easily manufacturable collar stays that are adjustable in both length and width. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides an adjustable collar stay device that is selectively disposed in a conventional collar pocket or the like of a shirt, such that the collar remains rigid and stays down. This adjustable collar stay device includes two portions: a first portion that allows the body of the collar stay to be extended in length and a second portion that allows the body of the collar stay to be extended in width, such that a variety of collar pockets or the like may be accommodated. Preferably, these extension sections include a plurality of detents, such that a plurality of discrete lengths and widths are accommodated. The collar stay may be manufactured from any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, and preferably one that is washable without damaging the collar stay. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an adjustable collar stay device, including a body structure including a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion. The length extensible portion includes a sleeve structure disposed about a first track structure, wherein the sleeve structure is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion. The first track structure includes a peg structure and the sleeve structure defines a plurality of detent holes along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion. The width extensible portion includes a first body member disposed about a second track structure, wherein the second track structure is configured to translate with respect to the first body member, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion. The second track structure includes a peg structure and the first body member defines a plurality of detent holes along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion. The width extensible portion further includes a second body member coupled to the second track structure. The first body member and the second body member include complimentary angled portions that provide the overall width extensible portion with a pointed tip. Optionally, the length extensible portion and the width extensible portion form a unitary structure. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an adjustable collar stay device, including providing a body structure including a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion. The length extensible portion includes a sleeve structure disposed about a first track structure, wherein the sleeve structure is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion. The first track structure includes a peg structure and the sleeve structure defines a plurality of detent holes along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion. The width extensible portion includes a first body member disposed about a second track structure, wherein the second track structure is configured to translate with respect to the first body member, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion. The second track structure includes a peg structure and the first body member defines a plurality of detent holes along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion. The width extensible portion further includes a second body member coupled to the second track structure. The first body member and the second body member include complimentary angled portions that provide the overall width extensible portion with a pointed tip. Optionally, the length extensible portion and the width extensible portion form a unitary structure. 
     In a further exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method of using an adjustable collar stay device, including adjusting one or more of a length and a width of a body structure of an adjustable collar stay device including a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion, and disposing the adjustable collar stay device in a collar pocket of a collar of a shirt. The length extensible portion includes a sleeve structure disposed about a first track structure, wherein the sleeve structure is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion. The first track structure includes a peg structure and the sleeve structure defines a plurality of detent holes along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion. The width extensible portion includes a first body member disposed about a second track structure, wherein the second track structure is configured to translate with respect to the first body member, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion. The second track structure includes a peg structure and the first body member defines a plurality of detent holes along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion. The width extensible portion further includes a second body member coupled to the second track structure. The first body member and the second body member include complimentary angled portions that provide the overall width extensible portion with a pointed tip. Optionally, the length extensible portion and the width extensible portion form a unitary structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like device components/method steps, as appropriate, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device of the present invention in an unexpanded configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device of the present invention in an expanded configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a series of perspective views of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device of the present invention incorporating a magnetic retention piece; 
         FIG. 4  is a series of planar views of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device of the present invention also incorporating the magnetic retention piece; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of an adjustable collar stay device adjustment tool of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an adjustable collar stay device  10 , including a body structure  12  including a length extensible portion  14  coupled to a width extensible portion  16 . 
     The length extensible portion  14  includes a sleeve structure  18  disposed about a first track structure  20 , wherein the sleeve structure  18  is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure  20 , thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion  14 . The sleeve structure  18  and the first track structure  20  each have a generally rectangular shape and may be made of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a metal or a plastic. The sleeve structure  18  and the first track structure  20  each have an overall length on the order of millimeters to centimeters, an overall width on the order of millimeters to centimeters, and an overall thickness on the order of millimeters to centimeters. It should be noted that the sleeve structure  18  may completely or partially encompass the first track structure  20 , or the two structures may simply be disposed adjacent to and in physical contact with one another, as by the use of retention tabs on the back of the sleeve structure  18  that retain the first track structure  20 . 
     The first track structure  20  includes a peg structure  22  and the sleeve structure  18  defines a plurality of interconnected detent holes  24  along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure  22  in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion  14 . Optionally, the peg structure  22  is disposed on a lever arm structure  26  of the first track structure  20 , such that the peg structure  22  is disengaged from the detent holes  24  of the sleeve structure  18  by pressing the peg structure  22  down and then sliding the sleeve structure  18  with respect to the first track structure  20 , the peg structure  22  snapping back into place when it corresponds to the next detent hole  24 . 
     The width extensible portion  16  includes a first body member  28  disposed about a second track structure  30 , wherein the second track structure  30  is configured to translate with respect to the first body member  28 , thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion  16 . The first body member  28  and the second track structure  30  each have a generally rectangular shape and may be made of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a metal or a plastic. The first body member  28  and the second track structure  30  each have an overall length on the order of millimeters to centimeters, an overall width on the order of millimeters to centimeters, and an overall thickness on the order of millimeters to centimeters. It should be noted that the first body member  28  may completely or partially encompass the second track structure  30 , or the two structures may simply be disposed adjacent to and in physical contact with one another, as by the use of retention tabs on the back of the first body member  28  that retain the second track structure  30 . 
     The second track structure  30  includes a peg structure  32  and the first body member  28  defines a plurality of interconnected detent holes  34  along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure  32  in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion  16 . Optionally, the peg structure  32  is disposed on a lever arm structure  36  of the first second track structure  30 , such that the peg structure  32  is disengaged from the detent holes  34  of the first body member  28  by pressing the peg structure  32  down and then sliding the second track structure  30  with respect to the first body member  28 , the peg structure  32  snapping back into place when it corresponds to the next detent hole  34 . 
     The width extensible portion  16  further includes a second body member  38  coupled to the second track structure  30 . 
     The first body member  28  and the second body member  38  include complimentary angled portions  40  and  42 , respectively, that provide the overall width extensible portion  16  with a pointed tip  44 . 
     Optionally, the length extensible portion  14  and the width extensible portion  16  form a unitary structure. 
       FIG. 3  is a series of perspective views of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device  10  of the present invention incorporating a magnetic retention piece  50 .  FIG. 4  is a series of planar views of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device  10  of the present invention also incorporating the magnetic retention piece  50 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of an adjustable collar stay device adjustment tool  60  of the present invention. 
     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform like functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.