TW201522734A - Device for forming BRUNNIAN links - Google Patents

Abstract

A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. Elastic bands can be utilized to form such links in a desired manner. The example device provides a means of creating items using Brunnian links of complex configurations. Moreover, the example kit provides a device that allows for the successful creation of unique linked items.

Description

Device for forming a BRUNNIAN link Cross-reference related application

This application is part of a continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/938,7, filed on July 10, 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein in U.S. Patent No. 8,468,565, issued to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61/410,399, filed on This application also claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 61/877,480, filed on September 13, 2013.

This disclosure is generally related to methods and apparatus for establishing a linked object. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for establishing a wearable article of attachment by an elastic band.

Kits that include materials for making uniquely colored bracelets or necklaces have always enjoyed some popularity. However, such kits typically only include the material, such as different colored fine lines and beads, and rely on the skill of the individual and Talent is made into objects that are available and wanted. Accordingly, for many skilled and artistic people, there is a need and desire for not only providing materials for creating unique wearable articles, but also providing an easy structure to make them easy to build and Durable wearable items.

The Brownian connection is formed by a closed loop that doubles over itself to catch a joint formed by another closed loop to form a chain. The elastic band can be utilized to form the link in the desired manner. The example device provides a mechanism for building objects using a complex fabric Brownian link. Again, the example kit provides a device that allows for the successful establishment of unique wearable items, regardless of skill level.

Although the various examples have specific components as shown in the figures, the implementation of this disclosure is not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples and combine with the components or features from the other of the examples.

These and other features disclosed herein are best understood from the following description and drawings, which are briefly described below.

10‧‧‧ Wearable objects

12‧‧ Brownian Link

14‧‧‧Enclosed structure, elastic band

16‧‧‧Chain

18‧‧‧Catch the end

20‧‧‧ middle part

22‧‧‧Loom

22A‧‧‧Loom

22B‧‧‧Loom

24‧‧‧ First end

26‧‧‧second end

28‧‧‧second end

30‧‧‧ Groove

36‧‧‧Base

36A‧‧‧Base

36B‧‧‧Base

38‧‧‧ first surface

40‧‧‧Tax

42‧‧‧ top surface

44‧‧‧Flange

45‧‧‧Tax

46‧‧‧ body part

48‧‧‧In and out of the trench

50‧‧‧ first side

52‧‧‧ second side

54‧‧‧ Groove

55‧‧‧Width

56‧‧‧ length

58‧‧‧Intermediary

60‧‧‧External first column

62‧‧‧External second column

64‧‧‧ kit

66‧‧‧hook

68‧‧‧ clip

70‧‧‧elastic band

72‧‧‧ distance

74‧‧‧ openings

75‧‧‧distance

76‧‧‧Common direction

78‧‧‧elastic band

80‧‧‧elastic band

82‧‧‧Tax

84‧‧ ‧ pinning

Figure 1 is a schematic view of an example linked object.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an example Brownian connection formed by an elastic band.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of an example kit for making a Brownian connection object from an elastic band.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example loom.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of an exemplary loom.

Figure 6 is a side view of the example loom.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through the pin of the exemplary loom.

Figure 8 is a schematic view of the connection between two looms.

Figure 9 is a schematic view of a first position for catching an elastic band.

Figure 10 is a schematic view of a second position for catching an elastic band.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the Brownian connection 12 is formed from a continuous looped structure 14 without forming an actual nodule. A plurality of links 12 form a chain 16 to form a joined article, such as bracelet 10. The ends are then secured and durable wearable article 10 is created. In this example, three closed loop elastic bands 14, such as rubber bands, are shown to form a single chain. The catching end 18 of one elastic band 14 and the intermediate portion 20 of the other elastic band 14 form each joint 12. Each link 12 is dependent on the previous and subsequent links 14 to maintain the desired joined item.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, an example kit 64 for establishing Brownian ligament articles, such as bracelets and other wearable or decorative items, includes a loom 22, a hook 66, a plurality of clips 68, and a plurality of elastic bands 70. The loom 22 includes a base 36 and a plurality of pins 40 that are raised up from the base 36. The base 36 includes a first surface 38 from which the pins 40 are extend. Each of these pins 40 includes a top surface 42 and a flange 44 for retaining the elastic band in the desired orientation. In this example, the flange 44 extends from the first side of the access slot 48 to the second side of the access slot 48.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, with continued reference to Figures 3 and 4, the base 36 includes a length 56 and a width 55. The base 36 includes a first end 24, a second end 26, a first side 50, and a second side 52. These pins 40 are stood up by the base 36. Each of the pins 40 includes a body portion 46 that includes an access groove 48 extending through the top surface 42 and the flange 44 on one side. The body portion 46 includes a spheron shape on the side opposite the access groove 48 for supporting the elastic band. Each of these access slots 48 are open in a common direction 76. In the disclosed example, the access slots are all directed toward the second end 26. The opening 74 partially surrounds each of the pins 40 and extends through the first surface 38 of the base 36.

Referring to FIG. 7 and with continued reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the base 36 includes a recess 54 extending below the first surface 38 and communicating with corresponding grooves of the access slots 48. The recess 54 is provided for the hook 66 to extend below the first surface 38 to catch the bottom or minimum elastic band supported on the pin 40. During the construction of the joined article, an elastic band is caught and pulled up in another elastic band supported on the common pin 40. The hook 66 can thus extend through the access slot 48 into the recess 54 to capture the lowest elastic band and pull the elastic band through the groove 54 and the upper elastic band. The groove 54 is driven by the pin 40 The groove 48 extends forward.

A plurality of pins 40 are arranged in a row that extends the longitudinal length 56 of the loom 22 between the first end 24 and the second end 28. In the disclosed example, the columns include at least one center or mediation column 58 disposed between the outer first column 60 and the outer second column 62. The intermediate row 58 and the first and second outer rows 60, 62 are spaced apart from each other by an equal distance 75 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal length 56. The interposer 58 is staggered or offset relative to the first and second columns 60, 62 on each side. Accordingly, in this example, the interposer 58 includes a pin 40 that is longitudinally staggered or offset a distance 72 from the pin 40 between the first outer row 60 and the second outer row 62. In the disclosed example, the interposer 58 includes a single pin 45 that is spaced forward of the first end 24 in front of the other pins 40.

Each of the grooves 54 and the access grooves 48 for each of the pins 40 face in a common direction 76. In the disclosed loom 22, the common direction 76 is toward the second end 26 and away from the first end 24.

Referring to Figure 8, and with continued reference to Figure 5, the base includes a tab 28 on the first end 24 and a recess 30 in the second end 26 for attaching the base 36A of a loom 22A with The base 36B of the other or second loom 22B. The connection of the majority of the loom 22 provides additional possible combinations and lengths of links. In this example, the tabs 28 and recesses 30 are provided in the respective first and second ends 24, 26; however, such connecting members are also contemplated in the first and second sides 50, 52. on.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, and with continued reference to Figures 3-7, the grooves 54 are provided For the hook 66, the elastic band is picked and engaged in two positions. A position shown in FIG. 9 causes the hook 66 to face the access slot 48. The second position shown in FIG. 10 is such that the hook 66 faces outward from the access groove 48. A recess 54 in the base 36 is in direct communication with the access slot 48 such that the hook 66 can be moved by the access slot 48 into a recess below the lowest elastic band supported on the pin 40. 54. The lowest elastic band can then be pulled through the access slot 48 and through the upper elastic band supported on the same pin 40.

The method of revealing the use of the loom 22 to create a joined article includes the step of extending the first elastic band 78 past the adjacent first and second pegs 82,84. The flange 44 holds the elastic band 78 on the first and second pins 82, 84 and prevents the elastic band from slipping away. The second elastic band 80 is stretched over the second pin 84 and the third pin 86. The second elastic band 80 is supported on the second pin 84 above the first elastic band 78. a joint formed by catching and pulling the end of the first elastic band 78 through the access groove and the second band 80 and placing the caught end on the adjacent pin. The pin is the first pin 82 in this example. This forms the Brownian link and holds the link in place so that additional links can be formed and joined to the existing link.

The hook 66 is utilized to catch the end of the elastic band and is inserted through the access groove 48 into the groove 54 and below the lowest elastic band. The lowest elastic band is the first elastic band in this example. 78. The hook 66 is used to grasp the elastic band 78 and pull the elastic band upward through the access groove 48, and in the elastic band above the lower elastic band to form the Brownian links. The caught end of one of the plurality of elastic bands is pulled over the other end and captured on the adjacent pins while engaging the second of the plurality of elastic bands. The subsequent ends of the different elastic bands that capture and pull the plurality of elastic bands are repeated to form the desired joining pattern.

Accordingly, the example kits and methods provide for the creation of many different combinations and fabrics for Brownian links for the creation of bracelets, necklaces, and other linked objects. Furthermore, the sample suite is extensible to further build and extend the capabilities of potential Brownion connection creation. The sample kit provides for building such links and objects in an easy manner, allowing people of varying skill levels to successfully create unique wearable items.

Although the example implementations have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications will come within the scope of the disclosure. For that reason, the scope of the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of the invention.

22‧‧‧Loom

24‧‧‧ First end

26‧‧‧second end

30‧‧‧ Groove

36‧‧‧Base

40‧‧‧Tax

50‧‧‧ first side

52‧‧‧ second side

58‧‧‧Intermediary

60‧‧‧External first column

62‧‧‧External second column

64‧‧‧ kit

66‧‧‧hook

68‧‧‧ clip

70‧‧‧elastic band

Claims (26)

A loom for establishing an article consisting of a series of links, the loom comprising: a base having a length and a width; and a plurality of pins extending from the base, each of the plurality of pins Each includes a flange adjacent the top surface for retaining the elastic bond in the desired orientation and an access groove extending through the top surface, wherein the plurality of pins are disposed at equal distances in a direction transverse to the length Separated in at least three columns. The looms of claim 1, wherein the base includes a groove leading to the access groove, the access groove extending below the first surface of the base to be a tool below the first surface Provide access. A loom as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the access slots are oriented in a common direction. The looms of claim 3, wherein the access grooves are oriented in a direction common to the corresponding grooves. The weaving machine of claim 2, wherein the access grooves are oriented in a direction parallel to the length. The loom of claim 1, wherein the pin in at least one of the at least three columns is staggered relative to the pin in the other of the at least three columns. The loom of claim 6, wherein the at least three columns comprise at least one intervening column disposed between the outer columns. Such as the looms of claim 7 of the patent scope, wherein the intermediary system Offset relative to these outer columns. The looms of claim 8, wherein the outer columns are spaced apart from the at least one mediation column by an equal distance. The looms of claim 1, wherein the loom includes a first end spaced apart from the second end, and the access groove for each of the plurality of pegs opens toward the first One end. The loom of claim 1, wherein the flange extends from the first side of the access groove to the second side of the access groove around the pin. The weaving machine of claim 11, wherein the access groove extends through the flange and the top surface. The loom of claim 1, wherein the base includes an opening that passes at least partially around a first surface of each of the plurality of pins. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base comprises at least one engaging member for connecting the first base of the first loom to the second base of the second loom. The looms of claim 14, wherein the at least one engaging member is disposed on at least one of the first end and the second end of the first base and the second base. A device for establishing a series of joints, comprising: a base comprising a length and a width; and a plurality of pins, the plurality of pins being erected, each of the plurality of pins being separately included for use Holding the top of the joint in the orientation and facing the An access slot of a common direction of each of the plurality of pins, wherein the plurality of pins includes a pair of offset pins spaced apart and extending upwardly from the base. A device for establishing a series of links, as in claim 16 of the patent application, includes a flange adjacent the top for holding the joint in position on each of the at least one of the plurality of pins. For example, the scope of claim 16 is for establishing a series of connected devices, wherein each of the access grooves faces the end of the base. The apparatus of claim 16 is for establishing a series of connected devices, wherein the base includes a groove leading to the access groove, the access groove extending below the surface to provide a tool under the first surface In and out. For example, the scope of claim 19 is for establishing a series of connected devices, wherein the groove faces in a direction common to the access groove. A device for establishing a series of connections, as in claim 16, wherein the base includes a connecting member for connecting the base to the second base. A method of establishing a joined object from a plurality of elastic bands, comprising the steps of: extending a first elastic band over a first pin and a second pin; extending a second over the first elastic band on the second pin An elastic band passes over the second pin and the third pin; catches an end of the second elastic band on the second pin; and pulls the captured end of the second elastic band past the first An elastic band and the third pin are formed to form a joint. For example, the 22nd item of the patent application is linked by a plurality of elastic bands. The method of claim 1, wherein the capturing the end of the second elastic band comprises extending a hook into the access slot and catching the end with the hook. A method of establishing a joined article by a plurality of elastic bands, as in claim 23, comprising extending the hook into a groove leading to the access groove for catching the end of the second elastic band. A method of establishing a joined article by a plurality of elastic bands, as in claim 22, comprising extending a subsequent elastic band over the adjacent pin and the front elastic band, and pulling the subsequent ends of the different elastic bands of the plurality of elastic bands Department to form the desired number of links. A method of establishing a joined article from a plurality of elastic bands, as in claim 22, includes the step of joining the first base and the second base to define a spatial orientation for the plurality of pins.