Endless Neck Tie and Mobius Bow Tie

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/323,180 filed on May 24, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/318,706, filed on Jan. 18, 2019, which is a National Stage Entry of PCT/US16/042779, filed on Jul. 18, 2016. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to apparel and, more specifically, to neck ties as well as methods of making and tying neck ties. Embodiments of the invention provide improved designs and methods of forming neck ties.

Neckties and bowties provide flair and style for business, formal, and service dress wear. Improvements on the necktie and bowtie have focused on the construction of ties such as the bias tie disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,447,090 of Langsdorf, issued 1923, the bow tie disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,735,172 of Langsdorf, issued 1929, the necktie disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,174,993 of Naftali, issued 1939, and the four-in-hand tie disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,304,935 of Langsdorf, issued 1942; materials with which neckties are fabricated, such as to create the plastic bow tie disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,578,269 of Sinton, issued 1951, and the leather bow tie disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,692,991 of Howard, issued 1928; the symmetric bowtie disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,737,072 of Blach, issued 1929; adjustable neckbands such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,045,279 and 2,045,280 of Mayer, both issued 1936; decorative additions such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,049 of Kennedy, issued 2006; and a multitude of preformed ties that allow the wearer to avoid learning how to tie a tie, including those disclosed in: U.S. Pat. No. 1,457,559 of Stonge, issued 1923, U.S. Pat. No. 1,540,037 of Smith, issued 1925, U.S. Pat. No. 2,061,630 of Keys, issued 1936, U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,134 of Peterson, issued 1962, U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,665 of Akamatsu, issued 1986, U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,115 of Knapp, issued 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,127 of Yang, issued 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,120 of Yen, issued 1991, 5,361,413 of Schaefer, issued 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,851 of McLeod, issued 1995, U.S. Patent No. 5,6008,52 of Densch, issued 1997, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,319 of Simon, issued 2004. Other than Langsdorf's innovations, these improvements have tended to focus on decorations and labor or time saving designs for neckties and bowties, perhaps at the expense of elegance. The scarf with a twist disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,835 to Dabbieri (1999) which employs a “continuous circle of tubular fabric” (col. 2, line 21) with a 180-degree (col. 4, line 25) or 360-degree twist (col. 4, line 9) and specifies at col. 2, line 28, “A narrow neckband portion is then formed by accordion pleating and folding,” even emphasizes at col. 1, line 8, a scarf “that does not require any tying and/or closure manipulations whatsoever”.

Continued interest in new fashions and intriguing apparel creates a demand for innovation to provide flair and style in neck ties for business, formal, and service dress wear. Innovation in product design and appearance drives market trends, as evidenced in the fashion industry. There is always interest in new and intriguing apparel. Specifically, to generate higher demand for fashionable neck wear, it is beneficial to introduce new styles for neck ties in business, formal, and service dress.

In one series of embodiments an endless neck tie includes a strip of fabric of varying width formed as an endless loop having first and second sections. The width is measurable in one or more directions transverse to directions of endless travel along the strip of fabric. The first section has first and second end portions, and corresponds to a neckband when the endless loop is configured as a wearable neck tie. The first section has a narrow width at a position between opposing end portions thereof. The second section has first and second end portions. The first end portion of the second section extends toward the first end portion of the first section, and the second end portion of the second section extends toward the second end portion of the first section. The second section includes a blade portion having a wide width relative to the narrow width of the first section with which at least a first blade and a second blade of the wearable neck tie can be configured for presentation. The endless neck tie includes a first transition region and a second transition region along the first and second sections, the first transition region being about the first end portion of the first section and about the first end portion of the second section, and the second transition region being about the second end portion of the first section and about the second end portion of the second section. The first end portion of the first section and the first end portion of the second section have first variable positions definable along the first transition region by how the endless loop is configured about a neck as a neck tie. The second end portion of the first section and the second end portion of the second section have second variable positions definable along the second transition region by how the endless loop is configured about the neck as a neck tie. In one series of embodiments, when the endless loop is shaped as a circle, the position of the blade portion having the wide width along the strip of fabric is diametrically opposed to a position along the first section having the narrow width. The second section of the endless loop may include a first portion and a second portion each having a width wider than the narrow width of the first section so that, when the endless loop is configured as a wearable neck tie, the first blade is formed with the first portion of the second section and the second blade is formed with the second portion of the second section, and the first blade and the second blade each include a portion wider than a portion of the relatively narrow first section which forms the neck band. The strip of fabric formed as an endless loop may include a twist ofdegrees which transforms the endless loop of fabric into a Mobius strip or may include a twist which is an integer multiple of 180 degrees.

According to another series of embodiments, an endless bow tie includes a strip of fabric of varying width formed as an endless loop for configuration as a wearable bow tie. The width is measurable in one or more directions transverse to directions of endless travel along the strip of fabric. The endless loop includes first and second variably definable sections. The first section has first and second end portions and corresponds to a neckband when the endless loop is configured as a wearable bow tie. The first section has a narrow width, Wn, at a position between opposing end portions thereof. The second section has first and second end portions, with the first end portion of the second section extending toward the first end portion of the first section, and the second end portion of the second section extending toward the second end portion of the first section. The second section includes a blade portion having a wide width, Ww, relative to the narrow width of the first section with which at least a first blade and a second blade of the wearable bow tie can be configured for presentation. The blade portion also includes a bridge region connecting the first blade and the second blade, the bridge having a width, Wb, narrower than the wide width of the blade portion. The bridge region demarcates the first blade from the second blade.

A bow tie shaped ornament is also provided. In one embodiment the ornament includes a generally elongate strip of material formed as an endless loop which is configured to define a neck band, at least first and second blades extending away from the neckband, and an outer knot positioned to demarcate a transition between the neck band and the blades.

A method is also provided for configuring an endless neck tie about a neck.

According to one embodiment, a generally elongate length of fabric is provided in the form of an endless strip. A first segment and a second segment are defined along the endless strip by placing the endless strip around the neck and extending each segment along a different side of the neck and in front of the neck. The first segment and the second segment of the endless strip are brought adjacent one another or one over the other or otherwise in contact with one another in front of the neck. At least a first knot is formed proximal the front of the neck with a first sub-segment of the first segment and a first sub-segment of the second segment. A second sub-segment of each segment of the endless strip is positioned about the neck with each second sub-segment connected to the other second sub-segment near the nape of the neck. The two second sub-segments form a continuous neckband due to the continuous nature of the endless strip. A third sub-segment of each segment, corresponding to one or more blades, is extended away from the first knot, with each third sub-segment connected to the other third sub-segment. Portions of each segment are arranged to configure an endless neck tie such as an endless plumb neck tie or an endless bow tie.

According to another series of embodiments a method is provided for forming an endless tube by providing a first elongate strip of fabric and a second elongate strip of fabric, each strip having (i) a pair of opposing major edges extending along a first direction between first and second opposing strip ends, and (ii) a presentation side and a reverse side facing away from one another. The first and second strips of fabric are joined together by positioning the presentation side of each strip to face the presentation side of the other strip, with each major edge in one strip against a major edge in the other strip, to form the fabric into a tube shape. A pair of adjoining ends may be left unstitched to provide an open first tube end opposite a second tube end. According to one embodiment, the second tube end is extended through the open first tube end to turn the fabric tube to position the presentation sides of the first and second strips of fabric facing away from one another. The first and second opposing tube ends are joined to configure an endless tube.

A method is also provided for forming a bow tie with blades and without tabs, by providing a strip of material, and forming the strip into an endless loop. When the endless loop is tied into a bow tie, the bow tie has at least two blades and no tabs. In other embodiments, a bow tie comprises a strip of material in the form of an endless loop tied into a bow tie having at least two blades without any tabs.

A strap length adjustment system is also provided. In one embodiment, a first slide and a second slide each have a first channel and a second channel, each slide having first, second and third adjoining ribs, with the second rib positioned between the first rib and the third rib so that the first and second ribs define the first channel and the second and third ribs define the second channel. An end of a strap or an endless portion of a strap extends through the first channel of the first slide, then through the second channel of the first slide, then through the first channel of the second slide, then through the second channel of the second slide, then through the second channel of the first slide, then through the first channel of the first slide, then through the second channel of the second slide, and then through the first channel of the second slide.

A strap adjustment hardware slide according to an embodiment of the invention includes a first open channel and a second open channel, a first rib, a second rib, and a third rib. The first and second ribs define the first channel and the second and third ribs define the second channel. The first rib includes a first gaff spaced from the second rib to provide an opening into the first channel and the third rib includes a second gaff spaced from the second rib to provide an opening into the second channel. The second rib is connected with the first rib via a first slide

neck, and the second rib is connected with the third rib via a second slide neck. A method for adjusting a strap length includes providing a first slide and a second slide, each slide having first, second and third adjoining ribs, the second rib positioned between the first rib and the third rib so that the first and second ribs define a first channel and the second and third ribs define a second channel. Either an end of a strap or an endless portion of a strap is passed into the first channel of the first slide, then through the second channel of the first slide, then through the first channel of the second slide, then through the second channel of the second slide, then through the second channel of the first slide, then through the first channel of the first slide, then through the second channel of the second slide, and then through the first channel of the second slide.

According to another series of embodiments, a neck tie comprises a strip of material of varying width having first and second opposing ends connectable to one another to form an endless loop. The endless loop includes a neckband portion and a blade region portion. The neckband portion includes the connectable first and second opposing ends, having along part of its length a relatively narrow width suitable for placement about a neck. The blade region has a wide width relative to the narrow width of the neckband portion with which first and second blades are configurable. The blade region includes a juncture region along which the first and second blades are demarcated when the first and second blades are configured. The neckband portion includes an adjustment mechanism which variably overlaps part of the neckband portion with itself to adjust the length of the endless loop.

In yet another series of embodiments, a neck tie includes a strip of material of varying width having first and second opposing ends connected to one another to form an endless loop. The endless loop includes a neckband portion and a blade region. The neckband portion includes the connected first and second opposing ends, having along part of its length a relatively narrow width suitable for placement about a neck. The blade region has a wide width relative to the narrow width of the neckband portion with which first and second blades are configurable. The blade region includes a juncture region along which the first and second blades are demarcated when the first and second blades are configured. The strip includes a first flexible member extending toward the blade region and an adjustment mechanism comprising a second flexible member along part of the neckband portion, parts of which can be selectively included in the endless loop to adjust the length of the endless loop.

The drawings include standard drafting symbol patterns for representing color. The colors of the invention are not limited to those specifically indicated in the drawings. The exemplary color shading does not require color differentiation by. In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not necessarily drawn to scale, and may be drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the invention.

The “Mobius Strip”, discovered by mathematician August Ferdinand Mobius (1790-1868), is a flat loop with a 180-degree twist. A Mobius strip (also known as a Mobius loop) can be made with a strip of material having two ends by twisting one end of the stripdegrees and attaching it to the other end of the strip. The Mobius strip is known for having a single surface and a single edge.

A study of various means of tying ended neckties and bowties led the inventor to study the class of tie knots using two successive overhand knots, such as the square knot of the bow tie. An abiding interest in the Mobius strip led the inventor to develop and experiment with a bowtie topology conforming to the Mobius strip. In embodiments comprising two contrasting fabrics, the inventor found that the two fabrics of differing color could be arranged to alternate colors from the first side of the neck band, to the first blade, to a first color of the knot, to a second color of the knot, to the second blade, and to the second side of the neck band.

Extending the study to plumb neckties led to an endless plumb necktie formed with a closed loop of fabric configured with one or more knots. Some embodiments of these endless plumb neckties feature knots only at the neckband, while others employ multiple knots affecting tie blade shape behind and near the bottom of the plumb necktie blade. Other shapes similar to those of a plumb necktie have been created by modifying traditional tie tying methods to take advantage of the closed nature of the endless or Mobius loop, for instance embodiments described herein of an endless plumb neck tie tied in a manner similar to the four-in-hand method of tying an ended plumb neck tie, or embodiments described herein of an endless bow tie tied in a manner similar to the square knot method of tying an ended bow tie. As used herein, the terms “neck tie” and “necktie” refer interchangeably to wearable neckwear including neck ties of traditional vertical configuration sometimes referred to as “four-in-hand” or “Langsdorf’or “standard” ties and herein called “plumb” neckties or “plumb” ties; and neck ties of bow tie horizontal configuration, unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context in which the term is used. The term “neckties and bowties” is used herein as an inclusive term (necktie) and a specific term (bowtie). Similarly, the term “endless” with regard to plumb neckties and bow ties refers to untwisted, Mobius, and other twisted embodiments of endless strips or loops, unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context in which the term is used. The term “ended” with regard to plumb neckties and bow ties refers to neck ties which are not endless. Prior art ended neck ties have ends which are referred to as tips, tabs, blade points, aprons, tails or, simply, ends.

“Twist” refers to a rotation transverse to the direction of endless travel along an endless loop, or transverse to the long dimension of a strip of fabric. Unless specified otherwise, “twist” refers to a “Mobius twist”, i.e. a 180-degree transverse rotation.

To facilitate understanding of the written description with respect to the drawings, although not limited to such, the term vertical can be regarded as the direction that extends downward or upward with respect to a ground plane, and the term horizontal refers to a direction that extends parallel with the ground plane.

Features of embodiments of my endless plumb necktie and endless bowtie include novel topologies and novel constructions relative to providing distinct and fashionable neck garb. Embodiments of the endless plumb necktie and endless bowtie provide added advantages of not slipping off the neck as conventional ended neckties and bowties sometimes do, and of having no ends to accidently slip through while tying. The endless and Mobius plumb neckties and bowties provide the advantage over pre-formed neckties and bowties of providing elegance, in fact, of providing mathematical elegance.

The mathematical concept of the Mobius strip is embodied in an endless plumb necktie or in an endless bow tie formed with a twisted endless loop made from a piece, a length, or a tube of material, referred to respectively as a Mobius plumb necktie or a Mobius bow tie.

An embodiment of an endless plumb neck tie comprises a strip of fabric joined at opposing ends to form an endless loop and folded to define a neck band comprising an elongate length of fabric, one or more blades, and at least one knot for encircling and constricting a region between the neck band and the blades. The term “strip” may refer to an elongate tube or length of fabric.

The term “neck” refers to any structure about which a neckband may be positioned, or, at least for purposes of illustration, a space about which such a structure may be placed, e.g., about which the neckband may be positioned. Exemplary structures include, but are not limited to, a human neck, a living creature neck, a mannequin neck, a collar, an animal collar, a wrist, a post, a pinback, a fastener, about which any neck band may be positioned, e.g., any of the neck bands,,, or. The exact nature of the neck or space is not limiting of the scope of the present invention. The term “nape” refers to the back of the neck. When the neck is shown as a space, the nape refers to a region of the space which would coincide with a nape if a neck were positioned in the space. The necktie is generally tied, the blades are pulled taut, and the necktie is arranged and straightened (“dressed”) at the front of the neck, a location on the neck opposite the region corresponding to the nape.

The term “neckband” refers to a ribbon-like element, i.e. a generally elongate strip, which is a segment or a section of an endless loop from which a necktie is formed. The neckband provides a means of positioning the necktie by encircling a relatively narrow region of a body, typically a neck. The exemplary embodiments illustrate neckbands as having relatively narrow widths compared to other portions of the endless loop, e.g., relatively wide blades of a plumb endless necktie. In many applications the neckband of a dressed tie is largely concealed by a collar and often need not be decorative since it is hidden from view.

Descriptions of the endless necktie and associated methods of manufacture or use are based on endless loops. Endless loops may be endless strips or endless tubes of material, e.g., fabric configurable as a wearable neck tie. A quantity of fabric, or other material, may be referred to as a length, as a piece, as a strip, or as a tube of fabric or material. A generally elongate strip of fabric has a relatively small width between two opposing “edges” along a direction in which a relatively large length extends, and also has two ends transverse to the direction in which the length extends. The terms “length of fabric” and “piece of fabric” both refer to a quantity of fabric having a relatively small width transverse to the direction in which a relatively large length extends. Referring to a quantity of fabric as a “piece of fabric” implies that the quantity of fabric may be a portion of a larger quantity of fabric, although that is not always the case, e.g., small hand-woven “pieces”. A piece of fabric has two opposing sides: normally a first side identified as the presentation side, i.e., the side intended to present upon completion of the necktie; and a second side identified as the reverse side, e.g., a side intended to face the interior of the fabric tube. Such a tube of fabric (or “fabric tube”) results from stitching two pieces of fabric together along two opposite edges while leaving two opposing ends not stitched. See, for example,wherein two pieces of fabric are stitched with presentation sides together. An endless fabric tube results from stitching together the two opposing ends of a fabric tube, such as illustrated in. An endless fabric tube has a direction of endless travel which corresponds to the direction along which the length of fabric extends.

Portions of endless loops or tubes may be referred to as elements, regions, segments or sections. Segment and section demarcation may be arbitrary, e.g., resulting from how transitions between two adjoining portions in the endless loop (e.g., between a neck band and a blade portion) are defined as a tie is configured. Exemplary transition regionsinmay demarcate a transition between segments or sections at segment or section boundary regions, also referred to as “end regions”, and these transition regions are generally illustrated as transverse or perpendicular to a direction of endless travel along the loop. In, variable end regionsare shown for an exemplary blade section, and variable end regionsare shown for an exemplary neckband section. In one embodiment, the end regions,are part of a transition regionvariably positioned between a neckband sectionand a sectioncorresponding to one pair of blades in a plumb neck tie. The example blade sectionhas four boundaries, i.e., the two end regionswhich vary in location along the section, and two opposing edge portionswhich correspond to portions of the opposing edge portions in an endless loop of fabric and which terminate at the end regions. A directionof endless travel along the loop is shown in a direction which would traverse the end regions,. Summarily,illustrates a first sectionof an endless plumb neck tiecorresponding to a neckbandhaving opposing end regionswhich vary in location along the first section, and a second sectionof an endless plumb neck tiecorresponding to a pair of blades,, i.e., a blade portion having variable opposing end regions. The endless neck tie includes a first transition regionand a second transition regionalong the first and second sections, the first transition regionbeing about a first end portionof the first section and about the first end portionof the second section, and the second transition regionbeing about a second end portionof the first section and about the second end portionof the second section. Dashed lines are shown to indicate transitionsbetween end regionsandof the adjoining neckband section and blade region section. It is to be understood that the locations of transitionsvary because the end regionsandare variable for reasons now noted, e.g., depending, in part, on how much of the length of the endless loop is allotted to the blade pair section. From the foregoing description the term “transition” or “transition region” refers to an area where regions meet, and which may comprise, for example, portions of one or both end regionsandof the regions which meet.

Those familiar with configuring ended neck ties will appreciate that neckbands and blade sections normally do not have fixed or predefined ends and, generally, do not have invariable lengths. Reference to a section or segment does not and should not connote portions having fixed or predefined ends. Neckbands and blade sections of endless neck ties have variable lengths so that someone configuring a neck tie has discretion to vary the length of the blade section and the neckband. Generally, the neckband length may vary depending on the neck size of the person wearing the apparel and the desired fit. For both plumb ties and bow ties, one blade section may be longer than the other by a discretionary amount to provide a desired appearance. The section or segment “end regions” thus are variable, while the terminology is necessary to describe divisions of the loop and the juxtaposition of various contiguous divisions of the loop.

The terms “blade” refers to each of one or more segments or sections in an endless loop from which a necktie is formed. For the embodiments corresponding to, the blades of a dressed plumb necktie normally extend vertically downward from the front of the neck. For endless and Mobius bow tie embodiments such as illustrated in, the blades of a dressed tie normally extend horizontally along the front of the neck and away from an inside knot or an outside knot. Disclosed embodiments illustrate blades as wide expanses of fabric in an endless loop, relative to the width of an adjoining neckband. The term width refers to a neckband width, segment width, section width, or varying loop width. The terms wide and narrow are relative terms which refer generally to the dimension of the loop in the local plane of the loop transverse to a direction of endless travel along the loop. The blade is usually relatively wide, decorative, and nonfunctional other than stabilizing the knot or knots. The blade may be made from attractive, eye-catching, luxurious, or otherwise ornamental fabric. While the blades of a bow tie are conventionally referred to as “wings”, and the endless and Mobius bow tie blades may be referred to as “wings”, here the terms “blade” and “blades” are used with respect to the larger class of neckwear which includes the conventional ended plumb neck tie, bow tie and ascot, as well as the endless and Mobius plumb neckties and bow ties described herein. So, the set of all necktie blades includes the set of all bow tie wings.

The term “knot” refers to an element of a configured necktie which encircles and constricts a region of the necktie. In many embodiments the knot is made by crossing, tying or intertwining blades at a relatively narrow region of the necktie. The knot is usually both functional and decorative, and in many embodiments, the knot presents the same attractive, eye-catching, luxurious, or otherwise ornamental fabric as the blade or blades. An example of a knot is an outside knot that presents between a neckband and the tied blades. Formation of a knot often slightly folds or “dimples” the blade fabric adjacent the outside knot in plumb neckties and bow ties and embodiments of neckties formed with endless loops as illustrated in the figures. The dimple is the intentionally wrinkled region of a blade adjacent a knot resulting from constriction of the blade by the knot. Another example of a knot is an inside knot which may serve the purpose of securing the position of a neckband so an outside knot may be tied, resulting in the outside knot presenting, while the inside knot may be hidden behind the outside knot.

Prior art ended neckties of both the plumb and bow tie varieties may be made with a strip of material having two longer edges and two shorter ends. Ended bow tie blade ends are often referred to as “tabs”. The ends of an ended neck tie are often referred to as “aprons”. Thus the terms end, tab, and apron all may refer to an end or terminus region of a conventional ended plumb necktie or conventional ended bow tie made with a generally narrow strip. A feature which distinguishes endless or Mobius neck ties of this invention from a prior art ended plumb necktie or a prior art ended bow tie is the absence of ends in the sense that endless neckties do not have edges defining segment or section lengths but, instead, are continuous and unending loops. According to embodiments of the invention, one method of construction for an endless loop or Mobius loop of fabric from a tube of fabric, as illustrated in, provides staggered tube ends seamed to join opposing tube ends, resulting in an endless loop or Mobius loop The tube ends are intermediate, ephemeral features in the construction process and, while the seams persist in the finished necktie, the tube ends are not essential fabrication features of the fabric endless loop and are not functional components of the resulting tie.

are perspective views of fabric strips stitched into tube shapes. The figures illustrate a sequence of steps by which opposing tube ends are joined to form an endless loop, with staggered widthwise ends, according to embodiments of the invention.

The term “bight” refers to a bend in a strip or loop of fabric formed without crossing one part of the strip or loop over another. The term “bight” is used herein to describe such a strip of fabric which has been bent or otherwise configured into a shape which defines a space partly bordered by the strip of fabric, the space referred to as a “bight opening” through which another part of the strip or loop of fabric may be passed.

The term “loop”, when referring to an endless loop or Mobius loop, is an embodiment of a shape that is circular or curved over on itself, respectively without or with a 180-degree twist. The terms “Mobius strip” and “Mobius loop” are interchangeable. Herein a loop is endless, whereas a strip may refer to a loop, e.g., a “Mobius strip” or a flat piece of fabric having two opposed ends. So, an endless loop may be made with a strip of material, having a first end and a second end, by attaching the first end of the strip to the second end of the strip. And, a Mobius loop may be made with a strip of material having a first end and a second end by twisting the first end of the strip 180 degrees and attaching it to the second end of the strip.

The term “loop” may be used as in common knot terminology, in which case a loop is a linear element such as a segment, section, blade, dual blade segment, or strip, which is folded or doubled upon itself so as to leave an opening. An “overhand loop” is created when a linear element is passed over an adjacent linear element, e.g., as described in the overhand knot method of tying illustrated inand particularly in. The configured endless double bow tieofincludes front loops,and back loops,. Thus the terms “simple loop method”, “overhand loop”, “underhand loop”, “blade loop”, “front loop”, and “back loop” clearly refer to common knot terminology, distinct from the terms “endless loop” and “Mobius loop”; the terms are distinguished by use of adjectives and by context. When used as a verb, “loop” refers to common knot terminology, as to fold or double a linear element upon itself so as to leave an opening.

The terms “tie” or “fold”, when used as verbs, refer to manipulating a strip or loop of fabric to create a pattern or shape by, for example, bending, overlapping, intertwining or knotting. The term “manipulate” means to handle, control, or maneuver. The term “tie”, when used as a verb, may refer to a sequence of steps which configure a strip or loop of fabric into a dressed necktie and, in particular, the term “tying” may used to describe forming or configuring an endless neck tie.

The term “staggered” refers to an arrangement of seams on adjacent fabrics such that the seams are not overlapped along their entire lengths, for purposes of minimizing the overall thickness or “bulk” of the necktie. Staggered seams inside of a neckband help reduce lumpy seams that might occur from adjacent fabrics stacked atop each other.

The terms “neck tie” and “necktie” are used interchangeably. The terms “bow tie” and “bowtie” are used interchangeably. The terms “Mobius strip” and “Mobius loop” are used interchangeably. The terms “neck band” and “neckband” are used interchangeably. The term “neck tie” refers both to plumb neck ties of traditional vertical configuration and to neck ties of bow tie horizontal configuration, unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context in which the term is used.

illustrate an embodiment of an endless plumb neck tieconfigured from an endless loop(as shown elsewhere including) as it would be worn about a neck(not shown). A front view of the configured endless plumb tie is illustrated inand a back/rear view of the configured endless plumb tie is shown in Fig IB.each illustrate one of three different sequences for configuring the endless plumb neck tieabout a neck, each sequence resulting in a different embodiment of an endless neck tieconfigured with an endless loop.

The configured endless plumb neck tieofincludes a neckband, as it would be worn about a neck(not shown), a first blade, a second blade, and an outside knot. In some embodiments, the configured endless plumb neck tiemay also include an inside knot. The outside knotis shown inwhere it constricts the juncture of the neckbandand first blade. An inside knotis shown in Fig IB where it constricts the juncture of the neckband, first blade, and second blade.and IB illustrate an embodiment which includes a juncture foldcorresponding to a transition between the first bladeand the second blade. At a first position, PI, along the first blade, a measurable first distance, D, from the juncture fold, the first bladeincludes a first width, W, which is wider than a second width, W, of the second bladeat a second position, P, along the second blade, a measurable second distance, D, from the juncture fold, where the first distance Dand the second distance Dare equal distances. The rate at which the first bladetapers as a function of distance from the juncture foldis less than the rate at which the second bladetapers as a function of distance from the juncture fold.

As shown in, each of three sequences of steps, by which an endless loopis configured as it would be worn about a neck(not shown) to form the endless plumb neck tie, begins with placing an endless loopabout a neckto define, with respect to the napeof the neck, a first segmentand a second segmentof the endless loop. The segments,each extend to an opposing side of the napeand along different sides of the neck. The first segmentand the second segmentof the endless loop extend from the napeforward to contiguously meet one another at a juncture region(shown inpositioned below the frontof the neck) due to the continuous nature of the endless loop. As shown in, the first segmentis then crossed over the second segmentto create a first crossoverto define the neckband, comprising the first portionof the first segmentfrom the frontof the neck to the napeand the contiguous first portionof the second segmentfrom the napeto the frontof the neck. The first bladeincludes the second portionof the first segmentextending from the frontof the neck to the juncture region. The second bladeincludes the second portionof the second segmentextending from the frontof the neck to the juncture region.

illustrate the “overhand” method of tying an endless plumb neck tie. As shown in, the first bladeis crossed over the second bladeat a crossover. As shown in, a fold lineis made at the juncture region, and a juncture foldis made at fold line. The fold line defines a transition between the first bladeand the second blade. The fold line may be predefined in the endless loopby, for example, thermal pressing or defining a line with a pattern of stitching. As shown in, the first bladeis brought near the second bladealong and near the juncture region. Noting that the blades as shown inare not drawn to scale,illustrates the same blades,lengthened to a scale suitable for illustrating several tying steps. The first bladeand the second bladeare brought into contact with one overlapping the other, followed by smoothing the blades together to create a dual blade segment, which extends from the crossoverto the juncture region. As also shown in, a bightis formed by bending the dual blade segmentinto a curved shape, thereby creating bight opening. The juncture region, as shown in, is then positioned above the bightand the crossover, in order to next pass the juncture regionthrough the bight opening. As shown in, the junctureis then passed or pulled through the bight openingto fashion an outside knotfor the tie, shown tightened in. That is, by pulling and extending the dual blade segmentvertically downward at the same time as controlling bightto be proximal crossover, the size of the bight openingis reduced, and through tightening, bightbecomes outside knot. Also, the action of pulling the dual blade segmentdownward positions the bightproximal the frontof the neckso that with further pulling the outside knotof the tieis situated at the frontof the neck. See, also, the illustrations of. The first blade, the second blade, and the outside knotare then dressed. In this example, the resulting endless plumb neck tieapproximates the look of an ended plumb neck tie.

illustrate the “simple loop” method of tying an endless plumb neck tie. As shown in, the first bladeis crossed over the second bladeat crossover. As shown in, a fold lineis made at the juncture, as described for the “overhand” method and shown in, and a foldis made at fold line. The fold line defines a transition between the first bladeand the second blade. The fold line may be predefined in the endless loopby, for example, thermal pressing or defining a line with a pattern of stitching. As shown in, the first bladeis brought near the second bladealong and near the juncture. Noting that the blades as shown inare not drawn to scale,illustrates the same blades,lengthened to a scale suitable for illustrating several tying steps. As shown in, the junctureis pulled under the neckbandand then upward, inside then over the neckband, and then above and past the crossover. This pulling configures a portion of the second bladeinto a bight, and creates bight opening. With continued pulling, the juncture regionis passed or pulled through the bight opening, as shown in, to fashion an outside knotfor the tie, shown tightened in. That is, by pulling and extending juncture regionvertically downward at the same time as controlling bightto be proximal crossover, the size of the bight openingis reduced, and through tightening, bightbecomes outside knot. Also, the action of pulling the juncture regiondownward positions the bightproximal the frontof the neckso that with further pulling the outside knotof the tieis situated at the frontof the neck. See, also, the illustrations of. The first blade, the second blade, and the outside knotare then dressed. In this example, the resulting endless plumb neck tieofapproximates the look of an ended plumb neck tie.

illustrate the “four-in-hand” method of tying an endless plumb neck tie. As shown in, the first bladeis crossed over the second bladeat a first crossover. Noting that the blades as shown inare not drawn to scale,illustrate the same blades,lengthened to a scale suitable for illustrating several tying steps. As shown in, a fold lineis made at the juncture, as described for the “overhand” method and shown in, and a foldis made at fold line. The fold line defines a transition between the first bladeand the second blade. The fold line may be predefined in the endless loopby, for example, thermal pressing or defining a line with a pattern of stitching. As also shown in, the first bladeis brought near the second bladealong and near the juncture. The first bladeis next crossed under the second bladeat a second crossover, and the first bladeis then crossed over the second bladeat a third crossover. As shown in, the juncture regionis pulled under the neckbandand upward through the neckband, while forming a portion of the second bladeinto a bight, thereby creating bight opening. The juncture regionis then passed over the neckbandand then positioned over the bight openingas shown in. With continued pulling, the juncture regionis passed or pulled through the bight opening, to fashion an outside knotfor the tie, shown tightened in. That is, by pulling and extending juncture regionvertically downward at the same time as controlling bightto be proximal crossover, the size of the bight openingis reduced and, through tightening, bightbecomes outside knot. Also, the action of pulling the juncture regiondownward positions the bightproximal the frontof the neckso that with further pulling, the outside knotof the endless plumb neck tieis situated at the frontof the neck. See, also, the illustrations of. The first blade, the second blade, and the outside knotare then dressed. In this example, the resulting endless plumb neck tieofapproximates the look of an ended plumb neck tie. The four-in-hand method of tying an endless plumb neck tie may be used to advantage with the endless loopofby further including a twist which is an integer multiple ofdegrees (not shown), to compensate for twisting of the endless loop during the steps shown in, as bladesandare crossed over each other at crossovers,, and; e.g., an endless loop with a left-hand twist ofdegrees can provide a smooth appearance when the endless plumb neck tie is configured using the four-in-hand method of.

illustrate an embodiment of a Mobius plumb neck tieas it would be worn about a neck. The Mobius plumb neck tieis configured from a Mobius loop, shown in, comprising a characteristic Mobius twist.are both front views of the Mobius plumb neck tie.shows the Mobius twistpositioned in an outside knotwhileshows the Mobius twistpositioned in a first blade. Multiple fabric color shadings and seamare shown for the Mobius plumb neck tieinto illustrate an exemplary alternation of fabrics.

The configured Mobius plumb neck tieofincludes a neckband, a first blade, a second blade, an outside knot, and a Mobius twist. The configured Mobius plumb neck tiemay also include an inside knotas shown in the rear perspective view of the Mobius plumb neck tieof. The neckbandis shown inencircling a neck. The outside knotis shown inpositioned where it constricts the juncture of the neckband, first blade, and second blade.

As shown in, a sequence of steps using the “simple loop” method by which a Mobius loopis configured to form a Mobius plumb neck tie, begins as inwith placing a Mobius loopas it would be worn about a neck(not shown) to define, with respect to the napeof the neck, a first segmentand a second segmentof the Mobius loop. The segments,each extend from an opposing side of the napeand along different sides of the neck. The segments,meet contiguously at a juncture region(shown positioned below the frontof the neck) due to the continuous nature of the Mobius loop. The first segmentand the second segmentof the endless loop extend from the napeforward to meet one another near the frontof the neck(shown in). As shown in, the first segmentis then crossed over the second segmentto create a first crossoverto define the neckband, comprising the first portionof the first segmentfrom the frontof the neck to the napeand the contiguous first portionof the second segmentfrom the napeto the frontof the neck. The first bladeincludes the second portionof the first segmentextending from the frontof the neck to the juncture region. The second bladeincludes the second portionof the second segmentextending from the frontof the neck to the juncture region.

With conformal positioning of the neckbandalong the neck, the position of the Mobius twistmay be constrained to be located near the juncture region, or on the first blade, or as shown inand IOC, on the second blade.