Abstract:
A pre-tied necktie or bow tie that appears to be manually tied and fully encircling the neck but that is in reality comprised of a unique clamping device that clamps around the front of the neck beneath the collar enabling it to be quickly and easily put on or removed from the neck without pulling it over the head and without connecting or unconnecting the ends.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present field of the invention relates to neck and bow ties that look like they are manually tied, but in truth, are simply clamped about the neck and can be removed quickly and easily without having to untie the tie, or undo or unclip any mechanical device.  
         [0006]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0007]     Neck or bow ties are a common fashion accessory and are often required apparel for many types of businesses or social engagements. There are two concerns that are addressed by the invention presented. 1—Properly tying a neck or bow tie can be a frustrating and time consuming process. 2—A traditional neck tie can pose a danger for the wearer within certain types of businesses. For those who work in correctional facilities, law enforcement, or even transportation industries such as airlines, a neck tie can quickly become a dangerous liability in a hostile environment. A necktie becomes a tool of control or even death by an aggressor who chooses to use it as such. In addition, some businesses require individuals to wear neck ties while running equipment that could catch and pull the tie into machinery while being operated thereby causing injury and even death.  
         [0008]     Existing pre-tied ties such as “zipper” ties, “break away” ties that clasp in the back with velcro, or “clip on” ties are encumbered with their own disadvantages. Some don&#39;t look like they are actually tied about the neck. Some are cumbersome to put on and take off. Some don&#39;t adequately address the safety issues raised.  
         [0009]     The primary intention of this invention is to make the putting on and taking off a neck or bow tie more simple and safe than any other product or potential product available.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     (See  FIGS. 1-7 ) An easily removable pre-tied necktie which either consists of an elongated piece of fabric that has been either tied or formed to look like a tied necktie knot ( 2 ), or a piece of fabric that has been tied or formed to look like it has been tied in the form of a bow tie ( 4 ). From either style (neck or bow tie) of the knot formation ( 6 )—two ends of material extend out of the knot, and once fully open, horizontally form a U shape, or nearly complete circle ( 8 ). These ends may or may not touch each other at the back of the neck.  
         [0011]     Within, or attached to, the knot and the two horizontal ends that extend horizontally out of the said knot is a unique clamping device ( 10 ) which causes it to form around the shape of the neck and remain there until pulled off.  
         [0012]     In addition, there is the option of the various designs of neck or bow ties being attachable and removable from the unique clamping device. ( FIG. 7 )  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pre-tied neck or bow tie that appears to be tied about the neck but that can easily and quickly be put on or taken off simply by pushing the tie on or pulling it off.  
         [0014]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a unique clamping device that makes it possible to put the tie on without tying, clasping, zipping, or hooking any mechanism that would encircle the neck.  
         [0015]     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a unique clamping device that automatically and comfortably conforms itself to whatever size of neck it is on.  
         [0016]     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a unique clamping device that makes it possible to take the tie off without untying, unclasping, unzipping, or unhooking any mechanism.  
         [0017]     It is a still further object of the present invention to make it possible to put on the tie or take it off without pulling it over the wearer&#39;s head. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0018]      FIG. 1 : Unique clamping device similar to sunglasses.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2 : Unique clamping device similar to necklaces with memory wire.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3 : Unique clamping device similar to a “slap bracelet” or measuring tape.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4 : Unique clamping device similar to a spring, either round, flat, or of another shape.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5 : Unique clamping device with multiple hinges.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6 : Unique clamping device that is similar to a U-shaped hair band.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7 : Unique clamping device with detachable knot and tie. 
     
    
       [0025]     (NOTE: Whether shown in the Figures or not, all variations of the clamping devices can work with both a neck tie, or a bow tie.)  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     (Comprising  FIGS. 1-7 ) A pre-tied neck tie fabric ( 2 ) or bow tie fabric ( 4 ) in the usual customary form and design as viewed when tied and worn about the neck. The knot ( 6 ) consists of an elongated piece of fabric that has been either tied or formed to look like a a tied knot resembling the Four-in-one, Half-windsor, Full-windsor or bow tie style knots. For the necktie, a wide and narrow piece of fabric falls vertically from the knot and in front of the wearer&#39;s shirt ( 2 ). The bow tie consists of a horizontal fabric in the shape of a fabric bow ( 4 ). From either knot formation ( 6 ), two ends of material extend out of the knot horizontally forming a U shape ( 8 ). These ends may or may not touch each other at the back of the neck.  
         [0027]     Within, or attached to the two horizontal ends ( 8 ) of fabric that extend horizontally out of the said knot ( 6 ) is a unique clamping device ( 10 ) which causes these two pieces of material, or neck band or loop as it were, to form around the shape of the neck and remain there until pulled off. This unique clamping device ( 10 ) runs through or behind the knot ( 6 ) and through or behind the U-shaped loop of the tie that encircles or nearly encircles the neck ( 8 ). These ends may or may not overlap each other behind the neck of the wearer, but also do not connect to each other with any device. The material for this unique clamping device ( 10 ) may be metal, plastic, a composite, or some other substance deemed fit. In all cases, it is reflexive, has memory, is spring like, and or is mechanical.  
         [0028]     On the right hand side in  FIGS. 2-4 , the unique clamping device is shown at rest ( 12 ), it may then shown opened to spread around the neck ( 14 ), and finally in its approximate position once around the neck ( 16 ).  
         [0029]     In  FIG. 1 , an example of a hinged clamping device is shown. It is comprised of 2 hinges ( 20 ) with its main pieces ( 18 ) folding and unfolding like a pair of sunglasses.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  utilizes memory wire ( 26 ) sewn into a fabric ( 24 ).  
         [0031]     In  FIG. 3 , a metal or plastic material is shown similar to that which is used in “slap bracelets” and or metal measuring tapes.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 4 and 6  utilizes a reflexive, spring like material of either plastic or metal.  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is comprised of a series of slightly curved panels ( 18 ) that are hinged together ( 20 ) such that they want to curl inward and require force to spread outward. Or it could be as simple as having one hinge in the middle. There could be either, and/or an elastic band ( 22 ) within the inside of the hinged pieces ( 18 ) such that it would spring inward.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a variation of the unique clamping device and neck or bow tie. Different designs of neck or bow ties ( 2  &amp;  4 ) are attached or removed from the same unique clamping device ( 10 ) Represented in any of the previous unique clamping devices.  
       DRAWINGS PARTS LIST  
       [0035]     Description of numbers as found in FIGS.  1 - 7 : 
     2 . Primary visible part of a neck tie excluding the knot      4 . Primary visible part of a bow tie tie excluding the knot      6 . Knot of neck or bow tie      8 . Horizontal end pieces of fabric that would normally encircle the neck from a neck or bow tie knot.      10 . The unique clamping device in any of its proposed variations      12 . Clamping device closed, or at rest      14 . Clamping device spread open to go around the neck      16 . Clamping device as it would appear around the neck      18 . Hinges      20 . Panels      22 . Elastic band      24 . Memory wire      26 . Fabric covering      28 . Fabric with a nap