AU2004100831A4 - Method of and Apparatus for Forming a Decorative Knot - Google Patents

Description

Ti""METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A DECORATIVE KNOT" FIELD OF INVENTION o THIS INVENTION relates to a method of and apparatus for forming a decorative knot. The invention relates particularly to the formation of a decorative "hangman's" knot in necklaces having a leather thong or strip. However, the invention is not O0 limited to hangman's knots, and may be used for other knots where o one part of the thong or strip is threaded through the knot.

Moreover, the knot would not necessarily be required to be I"decorative" as such.

ci BACKGROUND ART Leather in thong or strip form is sometimes used as a support upon which beads or other decorative elements may be threaded. Although robust enough for typical usage, leather thongs have a limited longevity, and sometimes need replacing.

A decorative "hangman's" knot may be used to separate the pendant portion of a necklace from the remainder, being that part which circumscribes the neck of the wearer. However, in order to replace the leather thong, the user, sometimes with some difficulty, is required to either reform or have reformed the "hangman's" knot. In this specification, the term "line" refers to such leather thong or strip, but also encompasses other threads or the like which may be tied to form a knot therein. In this specification, the term "hangman's knot" incorporates a partially completed hangman's knot.

The present invention aims to provide a method of and apparatus for forming a decorative knot which eases or alleviates one or more of the abovementioned problems. Other aims and advantages of the invention may become apparent from the following description.

-2- DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION owith the foregoing in view, the present invention resides 0broadly in a method of forming a decorative knot in a length of o line including: providing a tube having a bore of a size sufficient for O0 5 threading therethrough the line at least once; 0 forming a knot in a part of a line about the tube; passing the line through the bore of tube; and ci removing the tube from the knot.

Preferably, the knot is tightened about that part of the line which had passed through the tube. Preferably, a single line is used to form the knot and to pass through the tube whereby the line is formed into a loop with the knot and the part of the line passing through the knot forming the ends of the loop. More preferably, the line is passed through a decorative element (having an appropriate aperture or bore) to be supported by the part of the line forming the loop. In a preferred form, a hangman's knot is formed about the tube by passing the line across the tube, loosely coiling the line about the tube back across that part of the line passing across or along the tube, and then passing line through the coils and pulling tight.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in apparatus for forming a decorative knot including a length of tube having a bore of a size sufficient to receive therethrough a line in which a knot may be tied, the length of the tube being selected to accommodate the knot when tied thereabout in accordance with the method herein described.

Preferably, the tube has a smooth surface outside to permit the tube to be removed from the knot when formed thereabout. The o orifices of the bore are also preferred to be smooth to permit ci Seasy entry of the line from wither end. It is also preferred that 0 o) the tube is curved.

o00 C BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the 00 oaccompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Fig. 1 is a set of diagrammatic representations showing ci the method of forming a decorative know according to the invention; Fig. 2 is another set of diagrammatic representations showing a method of tying a line into a length adjustable loop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The method 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes five steps numbered one to five in which a line 11 is formed into a knot 12 around a tube 13. Part of the line is led through a pendant 14 in the direction of arrow 15 and then through the bore or bale of the tube in the direction of arrows 16 and 17 to form a loop 19 with the pendant attached, the distal end 18 of the line may be pulled through the hole or bale or bore through the tube or pipe to tighten the loop as shown in step 1. Referring to step 2, the pipe may be pushed through and out of the knot in the direction of arrow 20 away from the loop and pendant by holding the knot between forefinger 25 and thumb 26 and exerting a counter force in the direction of arrows 23. The tube is then pulled off the line in the direction of arrow 20, but kept handy for the further method set forth in the detailed description of Fig. 2. Referring to step four, holding the knot between the thumb and fingers, the o line is pulled first at 21 and then at 22 to adjust the loop ci +under the knot so that the pendant is held by a relatively small 0 o loop as shown in step five. The line is then cut to equal lengths 00 along the dashed line at 27 for further manipulation according ci to the method as set forth in Fig. 2.

S Referring to Fig. 2, the method 30 is described for forming o00 I the distal ends of the line into a loop for encircling the neck of a wearer so that the necklace forms an adjustable loop at 32.

IThe detail 33 is shown in steps two, three and four. using the c-i tube from the method described in relation to Fig. 1, it is first placed on top of ends of the line which pass alongside one another in opposite directions as shown in step one of Fig. 2.

It is not important which end sits on top of the other, but generally, about six centimetres of overlap would normally be required. Referring to step three of Fig. 2, the short end of the line is curled tightly around the pipe and both of the other portions of the line towards the line of symmetry until two loops become apparent. Holding the curls and the pipe between the thumb and forefinger, the pipe may be pulled out and past the end of the curled leather back through the loops where the pipe had been as shown in step four. Referring to step five, the knot is pushed along the line at A to be tightened while holding the line at B between the thumb and forefinger. This is repeated for the other sliding knot as shown in step six.

In use, the method of the present invention may be used to form a necklace leather loop for supporting a pendant-style jewel, stone or the like with a decorative knot in the line, typically formed from leather or leather substitute. Once the knot has been tied in accordance with the method of the invention, and the loop formed around the neck of the wearer as described in relation to Fig. 2, the necklace can be worn by the wearer for the full longevity of the line forming that part of o the necklace supporting the pendant about the neck of the wearer.

ci Once the line has reached its full longevity and becomes broken, 0 0 worm, or otherwise requiring replacement, a new piece of line can 00 be used to form a necklace with a decorative knot in accordance ci with the invention. The apparatus of the invention may be used to provide a consistent shaped knot in pendant-style necklaces.

OC

00 o The embodiment described is for the purpose of illustration of the invention and so it will therefore be understood that any o such modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the c- art are encompassed within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (4)

1. 2. Apparatus for forming a decorative knot including a length of tube having a bore of a size sufficient to receive therethrough a line in which a knot may be tied, the length of the tube being selected to accommodate the knot when tied thereabout in accordance with the method herein described.
2. 3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein a hangman's knot is formed about the tube by passing the line across the tube, loosely coiling the line about the tube back across that part of the line passing across or along the tube, and then passing line through the coils and pulling tight.
3. 4. A method of forming a knot.substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1.
4. 5. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1. Dated this 4 th day of October, 2004 Eric Edward ("Rick") Brown and Therese Mary Evert By their Patent Attorneys AHEARN FOX