Abstract:
An adaptable neck tie tying method and template system are provided that can be customized to individual users, incorporated into the tie itself, as well as transferred from tie to tie.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS AND DISCLOSURES  
       [0001]    The present invention is a Continuation in Part of U.S. application No. 09/243,773, filed on Feb. 3, 1999, and now abandoned. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to necktie tying assistance devices and, more particularly, to a universal necktie tying aid and ties utilizing same.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    The ever changing world of fashion is constantly producing new designs, incorporating new styles and utilizing materials in a manner which results in new “looks” that engulf our increasingly fashion conscious society, forming trends followed by millions. However, when it comes to business and formal wear, the classic look and style of the suit and tie has remained relatively constant.  
           [0006]    in keeping with this tradional look, men have struggled with an age-old problem in that it is difficult to estimate the proper length at which to tie a knot in a necktie. As a result, one must go through several iterations of tying the knot in order to achieve the appropriate resulting length.  
           [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which one can quickly and easily tie the knot in a necktie at the correct length the first time, eliminating the trial and error method to which we have become accustomed.  
           [0008]    There exists many references that attempt to overcome these problems. Such references can generally be categorized into two major categories: those that are knot independent which have no methodology, other than trial and error, for gauge or marking placement (e.g. Garfinke 2, 148, 154; Light 3,335,426; and Weston 5,105,553); and, those which precisely determine gauge or marking placement which are specifically engineered for each knot described (e.g. Weishicht 3,747,220; Shart 2,994,886; and Van Wye 3,571,935)  
           [0009]    The present invention has overcome these limitations and provides a methodology for specific placement of a knot independent marking system. The limitations have been overcome by incorporating, into the design, a precise methodology for placement of the marking system and including the action of tying a knot in the nectie to determine the specific mark required.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved universal necktie tying aid and ties utilizing same that allows a user to tie the correct length tie the first time, regardless of the type of knot used or the thickness of the tie.  
           [0011]    Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a universal necktie tying aid and ties utilizing same is disclosed, designed to eliminate the need to guess the correct position of a tie prior to tying to ensure a tie tied to the perfect length. The present invention consists of a template, which ties like a regular tie. After the template has been put on, proper tie length for use as a reference point in the future can be determined. The present invention accomplishes this by providing a generic knot starting point and a series of reference marks, located on the front side of the template, along its length, that serve as a gauge by which the wearer can determine the proper positioning every time.  
           [0012]    The user simply ties the template in a conventional manner in order to determine the proper length for a person of his size. Then, he systematically records the marking that corresponds with his size and uses the template to mark the back side of his traditional ties, allowing him to tie the knot on his tie at the same point every time. By doing so, the wearer eliminates the guesswork in wearing the necktie, producing the proper length every time and on the first try. The marking system is also available as an original feature on new ties.  
           [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a template that is knot type independent, thus allowing the template to be used to determine proper beginning position for a variety of knots.  
           [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide one series of markings for a variety of knots, thus permitting the user to tie any type of desired knot correctly the first time.  
           [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that ensures proper tie length, customized to the individual. This eliminates the guesswork of tying a tie, reduces wear on the tie due to retying of the tie to obtain proper length, and saves time.  
           [0016]    It is another object of the present invention to provide one series of markings for a variety of tie material (e.g. silk, wool, knit) and widths and thicknesses (differing weight of backing), thus permitting the user to have one size regardless of the tie. This applies to this system used as an original feature on new ties.  
           [0017]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a kit that allows a user to correctly tie existing ties, the first time. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of universal necktie tying aid and ties utilizing same  10 ;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a rear view of a tie incorporating the marking system  30  of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 3 a - 3   f  are a series of perspective views showing how to tie a tie using the template  10  and a traditional tie  20 ; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 4 a  &amp;  4   b  are a series of perspective views showing how to use a tie incorporating the marking system  30  of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the FIGS. 1 through 4 b.    
         [0024]    1. Detailed Description of the Figures  
         [0025]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a universal necktie tying aid and ties utilizing same  10  is shown, according to the present invention, designed to eliminate the need to guess the correct position of a tie  20  (not shown in FIG. 1) prior to tying to ensure a perfectly tied tie  20 . The present invention provides a method, after the present invention has been put on, to denote proper knot origination of a tie  20  length for use as a reference point in the future.  
         [0026]    The present invention comprises a template  10  which is used to determine the correct position at which a tie  20  should be positioned to ensure a proper fit, adjusted for the torso and particular knot of each individual user. As such, the present invention is universal in application, capable of use by users of varying sizes. Each individual will ascertain the correct starting position to tie a particular knot and tie  20  using the present invention.  
         [0027]    The template  10  is configured to resemble a conventional tie  20 , with a series of lower reference marks  50 , equally spaced, laterally extending, and vertically stacked along the elongated centerline of the template  10 . The lower reference marks  50  are located on the front of the template  10 , starting at the lower, bottom portion of the template  10 , and stacked upward toward the upper end. Lower reference mark indicia  60  are used to identify each lower reference mark  50 . The lower reference mark indicia  60  is selected from the group consisting of centimeters, inches, or simply letters.  
         [0028]    A knot origination reference mark  70  is positioned above the lower reference marks  50 . Knot origination indicia  80 , such as the words “begin knot here” are used to identify the knot origination reference mark  70 . The lower reference mark indicia  60  indicates the distance of the template  10  between each lower reference mark  50  and knot origination reference mark  70  once a certain type of knot is tied. The distance between the knot origination reference mark  70  and the closest lower reference mark  50  should be equivalent to the trunk length of a short man after a particular small knot is tied.  
         [0029]    The lower reference marks  50  would continue with each lower, lower reference mark  50  being farther away from the knot origination reference mark  70 . The distance of the lowest lower reference mark  50  would be equal to the trunk length of a very tall man, after tying a particular large knot, so as to ensure that all individuals could use the template  10 .  
         [0030]    For purposes of disclosure, the lower reference marks  50  are spaced to indicate the distance each lower reference mark  50  is from a tied Shelby knot started with the upper part of the template  10  crossing over the template  10  at the knot origination reference mark  70 .  
         [0031]    The spacing of the lower reference marks  50  and their relation to their distance from the knot origination reference mark  70  may be varied to any consistently numbered system.  
         [0032]    It is envisioned that the lower reference marks  50  and lower reference mark indicia  60  and knot origination reference mark  70  and knot origination indicia  80  can be on either the front or back of the template  10 .  
         [0033]    The number discovered on the template  10  while using the template  10  is used to mark traditional ties  20 .  
         [0034]    The template  10  can be used to obtain a lower reference mark indicia  60  for a variety of knot styles tied. The operator would then simply remember the lower reference mark indicia  60  that corresponds to each type of knot tied. For example, the user may be a  45  in a half Windsor and a  54  in a full Windsor.  
         [0035]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a tie incorporating a reference mark system  30  is disclosed. A series of upper reference marks  90  are equally spaced, laterally extending, and vertically stacked along the elongated centerline of the tie incorporating the reference mark system  30 . The upper reference marks  90  are located on the back of the tie incorporating the reference mark system  30 .  
         [0036]    Upper reference mark indicia  100  are used to identify each upper reference mark  90 . The upper reference mark indicia  100  may be in centimeters, inches, or simply letters. The upper reference mark indicia  100  correspond to the lower reference mark indicia  60 . The distance each upper reference mark  90  is from the bottom of the tie incorporating the reference mark system  30  is proportional to the lower reference marks  50  discovered on the template  10 , with the knot origination mark  70  on the template  10 .  
         [0037]    For example, if a person discovered they were a  42  on the template  10 , then the  42  located on the tie incorporating the reference mark system  30  would be located so that when that particular knot is started at this position, the tie incorporating the reference mark system  30  bottom would rest at the desired location.  
         [0038]    It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.  
         [0039]    2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0040]    Referring now to FIG. 3 a , to use the present invention, the operator simply decides which knot to tie, using the template  10 . The operator then ties the knot starting with the template  10  wrapped over itself and intersecting at the knot origination reference mark  70 .  
         [0041]    Referring now to FIG. 3 b , the template  10  is positioned to the collar  110  Next, the operator notes the lower reference mark indicia  60  that corresponds to the position of a properly tied tie  40 . For instance, if the operator wears tie  20  above his belt  120 , he would note the lower reference mark indicia  60  that corresponds to that position as the position of a properly tied tie  40 .  
         [0042]    Referring now to FIG. 3 c , the operator next uses that lower reference mark indicia  60  for the position of a properly tied tie  40  to mark the traditional ties  20 . To do this, the operator takes off the template  10  and lays the template  10  flat on any surface, with lower reference marks  50  facing upward. Each traditional tie  20  to be marked is placed, one at a time, back side up on top of the template  10 , such that the back side of the traditional tie  20  is facing upward and the tip of the traditional tie  20  positioned on the lower reference mark  50  noted above.  
         [0043]    Referring now to FIG. 3 d , next, mark the traditional tie  20  at the hand marked position  130  that corresponds to the position of the knot origination reference mark  70  on the template  10  located underneath the traditional tie  20 .  
         [0044]    Referring now to FIGS. 3 e  and  3   f , when the operator wishes to wear that tie  20 , the operator simply starts the tie  20  by crossing over the tie  20  at the hand marked position  130 , and obtains a tied tie  20  of the correct length each time.  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b , once an operator knows the lower reference mark indicia  60  that corresponds to the position of a properly tied tie  40  form the template  10  (not shown) for a particular type of knot, instead of marking the operator&#39;s own ties  20 , the operator may simply purchase a tie incorporating the reference mark system  30 , find the knot origination position for a properly tied tie  140  which is the upper reference mark indicia  100  that corresponds to the operator&#39;s lower reference mark indicia  60  at the position of a properly tied tie  40  from the template  10  and begins by tying that particular type of knot there.  
         [0046]    The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.