Neck Tie Knot Accessory Structural Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Men struggle with improperly formed Windsor knots in neckties, which can droop due to lack of skill or preference for detached shirt buttons, and there is a need for an accessory that covers the knot and top button while providing an ornamental fashion element.
Innovation Solution
A necktie accessory featuring a flat, narrow support member with an upper hook that slides over the tie's wide end and fits into the front loop, with optional decorative elements, designed to hold the knot upright and partially cover the top edge and button, available in various hook configurations to suit different styles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Windsor knot is manually tied in a necktie, then the knot can be formed to fit into the collar space, but the knot may be improperly formed or droop due to lack of skill or preference for detached shirt buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the knot accessory with support member and hooks) that mediates between the user and the necktie knot. This accessory provides structural support to maintain the knot's proper formation and position, eliminating the need for users to master complex tying techniques while ensuring reliable knot formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The knot accessory is segmented into distinct functional components: a support member for structural backing, an upper hook for securing to the collar, and a lower hook for anchoring to the tie. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system more reliable and easier to use.
2Shape
If the knot is drawn upward into the collar space to hide the top button and upper edge of the shirt, then the knot position is improved, but the knot may become improperly formed or droop
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as a counterweight or counterforce mechanism, providing structural resistance against the downward pull of gravity and the loosening forces that cause knot droop. The hooks anchor the support member to create a balanced system that maintains the knot's elevated position and proper shape.
3Shape
If a necktie accessory is added to cover improperly formed knots and the top button, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory applies local quality enhancement by adding decorative elements only to the visible portions (front surfaces of hooks and support member) while keeping the structural components simple and functional. This allows aesthetic improvement without unnecessary complexity in the entire device.
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory for supporting the Windsor knot on a tie worn around the neck comprising a thin, narrow rigid or semi-rigid support member configured to slide vertically in between the wrapped layers of a Windsor knot. In one embodiment, the accessory includes a forward, upward extending hook designed to extend over the top edge of the Windsor knot when the support member is inserted into the Windsor knot. Formed or attached to the front edge of the hook is a decorative element. The support member is may be longer than the width of the Windsor knot so the lower end of the support member is visible. A decorative element may be attached or imprinted on the lower end. In a second embodiment, the upper hook is rotated rearward and a forward, upper extending lower hook is attached or formed on the support body. A decorative element is attached to the front surface of the lower hook.