Hidden Universal Necktie Retaining Device

Abstract

A necktie retaining device that is inserted through the loop on the back of a necktie and then is secured by fitting the device's two ends behind two buttons on a shirt by inserting the thread connecting each button to the shirt into a slot. By the device's placement between the shirt and the necktie, the device is hidden from view. The device can be used with almost all shirts, including shirts designed for men, women, or children, by accommodating a large range of different shirt button spacings. The device does this by having long, open slots at each end of the device, which in one embodiment of the invention accommodates shirts with buttons spaced anywhere from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches apart.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for firmly securing the hanging part of a necktie against the garment of a person where the garment has a plurality of buttons attached by button threads, the device comprising:
 a main body having a length greater than its width, the main body having a width and thickness that are less than the width and thickness of the space between a keeper loop of the necktie and the back of the necktie so that the main body may be inserted into this space, wherein when the main body is held in the vertical position there are two longer sides aligned vertically and two shorter sides aligned horizontally, one of the shorter sides being at the top of the main body and the other shorter side being at the bottom of the main body;   an upper slot cut into the main body, the slot beginning at the edge of the shorter side located at the top of the main body and extending vertically down toward the middle of the main body, the slot having a length that is at least one-quarter the length of the main body, whereby the button thread of an upper button on the garment is passed through the slot to secure the upper button; and   a lower slot cut into the main body, the slot beginning at the edge of the shorter side located at the bottom of the main body and extending vertically up toward the middle of the main body, the slot having a length that is at least one-quarter the length of the main body, whereby the button thread of a lower button on the garment is passed through the slot to secure the lower button.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is formed of a lightweight and durable plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body has rounded corners, whereby the device does not easily cut fingers or fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is rectangular. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper slot and the lower slot each have a length that is at least one-third the length of the main body. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is about 4.5 inches long, about 1 inch wide, and about 0.3 inches thick, and the upper slot and the lower slot are each about 1.5 inches long, about 0.125 inches wide at the opening on the outside edge of the main body, and taper down to about 0.063 inches wide at the end of each slot closest to the middle of the main body.