Abstract:
The present invention relates to an article of clothing to be worn particularly, but not exclusively, about a person&#39;s neck. Specifically, the article is comprised of sections that, in some embodiments, appear to be traditional neckties and a means for removably attaching the two pieces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Neckwear has been popular for centuries, originally as protection from the cold and later evolving into fashion accessories. In the fifteenth century, Parisians admired the traditional small, knotted neckerchiefs of Croatian mercenaries. These neckerchiefs, which came to be known as “cravats,” began a fashion craze in Europe. 
         [0002]    Around the time of the industrial revolution, there became a need for neckwear that was easy to put on, comfortable, and would last an entire workday. The long tie, or four-in-hand necktie, was created to the answer this need. Since then, neckties have become an almost required apparel item for men&#39;s dress attire in both Western and non-Western societies, particularly when dressing for business. 
         [0003]    In the early twentieth century, working in an office became more and more common. Many men, and even some women, were required to wear neckties to work. In the late 1960s, ties, seen as constricting and too traditional, fell out of fashion except when absolutely required. Ties regained some popularity in the 1980s, but they again fell into disfavor as technology-based companies, with their casual dress requirements, became the leaders of the business world. 
         [0004]    In recent years, neckwear has regained popularity with women, who enjoy wearing fashion scarves indoors and out, regardless of the season. The inclusion of traditional neckties in this resurgence seems unlikely without some innovation. The apparel industry thus would benefit from a fresh take on this old favorite. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is an improved form of neckwear, referred to herein for convenience as a convertible scarf, suitable for wear by men and women. The convertible scarf is comprised of at least two sections and may be shaped to resemble a traditional necktie. Each section has at least two ends, one of which may be removably attached to another section and one of which may hang loosely from the neck of the wearer or be tied or otherwise decoratively arranged. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts a close-up view of an embodiment of the inventive convertible scarf having two sections connected by bolt snaps. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of a person wearing an embodiment of the inventive convertible scarf having two sections and configured as a scarf. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a front view of a person wearing an embodiment of the inventive convertible scarf having two sections and configured as a bow tie.  FIG. 3A  shows the scarf as it is being tied, and  FIG. 3B  shows the scarf tied as a bow tie. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the inventive convertible scarf configured as a cravat. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of a person wearing an embodiment of the inventive convertible scarf having three sections and configured as a scarf. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a view of an embodiment of the present invention having two sections formed from recycled neckties connected by a connector ring, wherein one section is shown in front view and one section is shown folded so as to display a portion of the reverse thereof. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention configured as suspenders. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1-7 , embodiments of the convertible scarf  10  comprise at least a first section  20  and a second section  30 . Each section  20 ,  30  may be in the shape of all or a part of a necktie or bow tie (as shown in  FIG. 3A ), in the shape of a conventional scarf, or in another desired shape. In some embodiments, the sections  20 ,  30  are composed of material similar to that from which neckwear such as neckties, bow ties, and scarves traditionally are manufactured and, as shown in  FIG. 6 , may be lined in a manner similar to the emulated neckwear. The sections  20 ,  30  may even be fashioned from a wearer&#39;s existing necktie collection. In the alternative, the sections may be made from any pliable material suitable for use as a scarf, including but not limited to yarn, paper, rubber, plastic, or even duct tape. The sections  20 ,  30  preferably are of a length and width sufficient to be worn as a scarf, typically being from 9-40 inches in length and 1-5 inches in width for an adult wearer, with greater lengths and/or widths being used for larger individuals or when it is desired to provide for wrapping the scarf around the neck or over the head for additional warmth. The sections  20 ,  30  of the assembled convertible scarf  10  may be identical in fabric or pattern, or they may coordinate or clash as the wearer selects. Optionally the convertible scarf  10  comprises additional sections, such as section  40  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Each section  20 ,  30 ,  40  has two ends. 
         [0014]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a first end  24  of section  20  of convertible scarf  10  comprises a connector  15 . The connector  15 , in this embodiment, comprises a self-fabric loop at one end  24  of section  20  and a bolt snap  42  attached thereto. 
         [0015]    In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the connectors  15 ,  15 ′ comprise a self-fabric loop at ends  24 ,  34  of sections  20 ,  30 . The connectors  15 ,  15 ′ are fed onto a connector  50 , which is an openable ring. It is contemplated that the connector  50  preferably would be sized to fit discreetly at the back side of the wearer when worn so that from the front, it would appear that the user is wearing conventionally constructed neckwear rather than neckwear having removable sections. An example of such a connector  50  would be a binder ring as found in office supply stores. The embodiment of connector  50  illustrated in  FIG. 6  can be separated from sections  20 ,  30 , and could be separately supplied to users. 
         [0016]    The connector  15  could of course be comprised of any other connector suitable for removably attaching sections of fabric scarf  10 . For example, the connector  15  may comprise one or more of loops of fabric or some other appropriate material, spring fasteners, carabiners, snap hooks, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, barrel clasps, toggle clasps, magnetic clasps, openable or closed rings, or the like. The connector  15  may comprise an openable and recloseable loop at an end  24  of a section  20 , either attached to section  20  by being formed as an integral part thereof or otherwise attached to the section  20 . It is not necessary that each connector  15 ,  15 ′ be constructed in the same manner or comprise the same style of connector. 
         [0017]    In use, connectors  15 ,  15 ′ of at least two sections  20 ,  30  are connected to each other to form convertible scarf  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , convertible scarf  10  may be placed around the neck of a wearer. The connectors  15 ,  15 ′ of sections  20 ,  30  may be concealed behind the wearer&#39;s neck, for example under the wearer&#39;s collar or beneath the wearer&#39;s hair, when appropriately sized for that purpose. 
         [0018]    Opposite to the connectors  15 ,  15 ′ on sections  20 ,  30  of convertible scarf  10  are opposite ends  22 ,  32 . When the convertible scarf  10  is worn around the neck of a wearer, those opposite ends  22 ,  32  may be fashionably draped so as to fall loosely on the front of the wearer as shown in  FIG. 2 , may be tied in the form of a bow tie as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , may be tied in the form of a necktie (not illustrated), may be tied in the form of a cravat as shown in  FIG. 4 , or may be tied in other ways. Alternatively, one or more of the opposite ends may looped over the shoulder of the wearer as illustrated with respect to the section  40  in  FIG. 5 , or worn in still other manners as desired by the wearer. 
         [0019]    The convertible scarf  10  may also be utilized in place of suspenders as shown in  FIG. 7 . In such embodiments, the sections  20 ,  30  are of a length such that the ends  22 ,  32  hang past the user&#39;s belt. Loops  26 ,  28 , shown dashed in  FIG. 7 , sized to receive a belt may be sewn to one side of each of the ends  22 ,  32  and may be visible or hidden when in use. The user can then put his belt through the loops  26 ,  28  of the scarf  10  instead of or in addition to the loops of his pants. In the alternative (not shown), the sections  20 ,  30  may be fitted with clips if the user does not wish to wear or attach a belt to the scarf  10 . In another embodiment, a scarf  10  configured as suspenders may have buttons sewn to the sections  10 ,  20  to attach to pants with tabs for receiving suspender buttons (not shown). Wearing a convertible scarf  10  configured to resemble suspenders provides a unique look as well as an additional means of holding up the user&#39;s pants. 
         [0020]    The convertible scarf  10  need not, however, be worn around the neck of a user. It may be partially tucked into a pocket, either otherwise unattached to the user or while worn around the user&#39;s neck, or it may be configured for wearing at or around the wearer&#39;s waist or around the wearer&#39;s shoulders or head. Alternatively, the convertible scarf  10  can be used as a streamer, for example to show support for a favorite sports team. When convertible scarf  10  is used as a streamer, the user may hold it (preferably at the connection point) and wave the sections in the air, providing an attractive and safe alternative to conventional streamers. When used in this fashion, multiple sections  20 ,  30 ,  40  may be preferred to enhance the streamer effect and provide an even more festive or colorful look. If preferred, when the convertible scarf  10  is composed of more than two sections, the user can remove one or more of the additional sections from the convertible scarf  10  and wave the removed sections while still wearing the sections that have not been removed. Conveniently, the convertible scarf  10  can be worn by fans to ball games, removed in whole or in part for waving during the game, and then replaced on the body and worn as a fashion accessory when leaving the game and afterwards. The size and shape of one or more of the connectors  15  should preferably be selected to permit attaching the desired number of sections and to facilitate gripping the convertible scarf when waving it. 
         [0021]    Because the sections  20 ,  30 ,  40  of the convertible scarf  10  can be individually selected and replaced, it is possible for the wearer to achieve unique designs that are unlikely to be duplicated by others wearing similar accessories. That is, the precise pairing of the sections of the convertible scarf, particularly when more than two sections are used, can provide an exponential increase in the options available and consequent diminution in the chances that two wearers will inadvertently look alike. 
         [0022]    Moreover, because sections of the convertible scarf  10  can be individually selected and replaced, it is possible for the wearer to use the convertible scarf  10  to express the user&#39;s allegiance. For example, the sections can be configured with indicia, that is colors and/or designs indicative of the user&#39;s support (or lack thereof) for persons, places, groups, or concepts such as nations, charities, causes, schools, and teams. A user might even configure a section with indicia comprising an image of a child, relative, or pet. A user could, for example, pair a section  20  bearing indicia (such as a logo or team colors) that might under other circumstances indicate support for a particular sports team with the sections  30 ,  40  that bear a “not” symbol and/or language indicating a lack of support. Alternatively, a user could combine as many sections  20 ,  30 ,  40  as desired, all indicative of support for a single sports team; or, in a family where children attended different colleges, a user could combine sections indicative of each institution attended to express allegiance, albeit divided allegiance, to these institutions. 
         [0023]    A wearer may accessorize the convertible scarf  10  through the use of one or more tie pins, clips, bars, tacks, chains, or straps; brooches or pins; flowers or corsages; or other accessories. These accessories may be merely decorative or may serve as indicia, and the accessories may make the wearer&#39;s appearance more formal or festive. 
         [0024]    The foregoing details are exemplary only. Other modifications that might be contemplated by those of skill in the art are within the scope of this invention, and the embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited by the examples illustrated herein.