Attachable Decorative Necktie Knot Cover

This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/625,941; Filed: Jan. 27, 2024; the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates generally to jewelry and items of decorative apparel. The present invention relates more specifically to a decorative cover attachable to a necktie that has been secured around the wearer's neck in association with a collared shirt.

The present invention provides a decorative cover that removably attaches to a typical knot associated with a tied necktie positioned around and under the collar of a shirt worn by the user. The cover is sized and shaped to generally hide the knot of the tied necktie from view (when viewed from the front) while the tie is being worn. Winged portions of the cover tuck under the edges of the collar of the shirt. The “tail” of the tied tie extends below the lower edge of the decorative cover down the front of the shirt as typically occurs with such neckties. The novel mechanism for attachment of the cover to the knot includes a closeable clasp secured on the back of the decorative cover that extends up from the base of the cover to engage the typically horizontal fabric material making up the front of the necktie knot. The top-opening clasp is slid up around the fabric knot front piece and is then closed to secure the cover and restrict its vertical movement (that might otherwise allow it to expose portions of the knot).

Covers for neckties are known. U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,245 (Necktie Knot Cover); U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,002 (Knot Cover for Ties and Scarfs); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,746 (Necktie Knot Cover and Retaining Device) are examples. Most existing decorative covers, however, fail to provide: full coverage of the knot; fixed positioning over the knot; ease of application; ease of removal; rugged and secure construction; and ample space for the placement of decorative objects or engravings.

Reference is made first tofor a front view of a first exemplary embodiment of the necktie knot cover of the present invention removed from use on a knotted tie. In, the primary regions of decorative coverare shown to comprise wing extensionsand, top edge region, and base pocket region. Centered in position on decorative coveris a representative design decoration.

is a rear view of the first exemplary embodiment of the necktie knot cover of the present invention shown in. Here again, the primary regions of decorative coverare shown to comprise wing extensionsand, top edge region, and base pocket region. In the view of, base pocket regionis seen to include pocket panelsand.

Attachment claspis positioned vertically down the middle back of decorative coverand provides the manner for secure attachment of the coverto the necktie knot. Attachment claspincludes clasp base, clasp spring clip, and clasp hook. As shown in greater detail below in(cross section line A-A′) attachment claspopens upward to allow the slip-on attachment of decorative coverthe front facing short horizontal length of fabric associated with a typical necktie knot. Clasp spring clipmay then be pushed below clasp hook, where it may securely rest until removed by the user.

is a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of the necktie knot cover of the present invention removed from use on a knotted tie. In this side view, the curvature of decorative coverside-to-side, is apparent. Top edgeand base pocketare each curved edges of decorative coverthat extend into wing extensionsand. Pocket panelsandare shown positioned on the backside of decorative coverwhere they serve to partially close off base pocketto better engage the knot of the necktie.

is a cross-sectional view (taken along cross-section line A-A′ in) of the first exemplary embodiment of the necktie knot cover of the present invention removed from use on a knotted tie showing the internal clasp structure. In, the back side of the front facing panel of decorative coveris shown to retain claspsecured to the back side of the cover by way of weld or adhesive. Once again, attachment claspis shown to be constructed from clasp baseand clasp spring clip, joined at the bottom (in base pocket) by way of spring hinge. At the top of clasp baseis clasp hookwhich is sized and positioned to engage the upper end of clasp spring cliponce the decorative cover has been positioned on the fabric of the necktie knot as described above.

is a front profile view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in place over the knot portion of a necktie in use on the wearer. In this view decorative coveris shown positioned in place over a knot (not shown) configured in necktie. As is typical, necktieis secured around and underneath the shirt collar elementsandof the wearer's shirt. The collar componentsandalso serve to partially cover the wing extensions of decorative cover. In this manner, the only portion of necktiethat can be viewed from the front is the necktie tail, which extends downward from decorative coverin a manner typical with such neckties.

Reference is finally made towhich is a detailed rear view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown positioned over and secured to a knotted necktie. In the view of, decorative coveris shown positioned and on and attached to tie knot. Extending from tie knotare the remaining elements of the necktie including tie collar loop sectionsand. Extending below decorative cover, again from tie knot, is tie tail. Also in the view of, the function of the base pocket of decorative covercan be seen in greater detail. Pocket panelsandextend up and over from the edges of decorative coverto partially encompass necktie knotwhile still allowing room between the pocket panels for tie tailto fall. Seen only partially inis the attachment clasp with clasp spring clipshown positioned under and secured by clasp hooknear the top of decorative cover.

Although the president invention has been disclosed and described in conjunction with a specific exemplary embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications to the size and geometry of the decorative cover that still fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. While the general triangular shape of the exemplary embodiment lends itself to use with the triangular shape of the typical necktie knot, such shape is not essential to carry out the basic function of secure attachment to the necktie knot in the manner described. In addition, the attachment clasp described is but one manner of presenting an upward opening clasp clip that secures the cover to the tie and prevents the unintended vertical or horizontal motion of the cover over the necktie knot. Other types of upward opening clasps may be used as well as various mechanisms for securing the upward opening clasp to the back side of the front panel of the decorative cover. All of these variations are anticipated and still fall within the scope of the appended claims.