Abstract:
A bead stringing apparatus that enables the user to quickly restring pre-strung beads, of the type that are on temporary strings, commonly available in bead stores. The connectors on the apparatus pull both ends of the temporary string in a taut position over an open work space. This aligns the pre-strung beads automatically along the temporary string allowing them to be restrung easily by a permanent string or wire. The user can quickly resting rows of the pre-strung beads by putting their wire through the aligned holes and when the wire exits a row of the pre-strung beads the user can add in other loose beads on their wire to go in and between the pre-strung beads. This allows the user to create infinite designs and patterns of beadwork. The open work space around the pre-strung beads provides flexibility and ample room for the newly incorporated loose beads to hang down onto the permanent wire out of the way of the beading process. The pre-strung beads can also be measured along the temporary string for bead patterning.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Provisional patent 112,948 U.S. PTO 60/813,258 filed Jun. 12, 2006 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to bead stringing, more specifically an apparatus to aid in faster beading while allowing the user to create original beaded patterns and designs. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     When stringing beads by hand it is a timely process. There have been many machines and devices invented to string beads mechanically. However these machines and devices are useless to users who want to make their own designs and patterns in the beading process. Rotating bead stringing apparatus U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,175 Yuen 1992, this device rotates beads in a chamber and a random collection of beads will end up on the users wire or needle. This device does now allow the user to create their own beading patterns because the beads are collected randomly by the rotation process. Automatic bead threading toy U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,266 Tomita 1981, and method for automatically linking beads U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,521 Ho 1988, and Mechanical beading system U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,508 Klimpert 2004, these are all mechanical beading devices, therefore leaving out creative input by the user in their beading designs. Another invention Method and means for restringing beads U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,069 Krieger 1970 is a device that was made for the purpose of restringing beads manually. However it is made only to restring the beads already pre-arranged on a temporary string, the type of beads commonly found on temporary strings in bead stores. This device does not allow the user ample room to incorporate other loose beads into their beading designs and inhibits any creative input for original beading designs and patterns. This device suspends the pre-strung beads across a planar or rigid flat surface to hold the beads in an upward position forcing the temporary string down to create a space for the wire to be threaded through the row of beads without interfering with the temporary string. This method of strapping the beads onto a flat surface leaves the strand of beads rigid and inflexible making it hard to work with. Also the user&#39;s hands would be so close to the planar surface pushing down against it making it awkward to get the wire through the hole easily. It also would make it impossible for the user to incorporate other loose beads into their work, especially odd shaped and larger beads would be difficult to incorporate because there would be no space for the added beads to go, the extra beads would bulge out and get in the way making it impossible to continue along the beading surface. The embodiment of this invention in which the beads are suspended by hooks, the planar surface is above the beads and would also get in the way of the beading process. When the user goes to restring the beads, the temporary string would move upward and dislodge, therefore this embodiment is logistically impossible. Each embodiment of this invention has an element that gets in the way of the beading process, either below or above the beads, thus making this device very awkward to use. This device is made only for the purpose of re-string the beads that are already prearranged onto the temporary string, therefore not allowing the user to create new and original patterns and designs limiting its use. There are other devices that are used for bead looming such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,008 Sayler 2006, a String bead loom, however these bead loom devices are used for a different purpose of suspending empty strings to weave beads into after the beads are re-strung individually, which is a tedious process. Accordingly, all of the devices suffer from a number of disadvantages:
         a. The bead stringing devices thus far only allow for the user to string a random collection of beads or re-string beads already pre-arranged on a temporary string leaving out the incorporation of other loose beads and impeding creative input by the user.   b. The re-stringing device is rigid making the pre-strung beads inflexible and has elements that make the device awkward to use with rigid parts that will block the users view or that will press up against the user&#39;s hands getting in the way of the beading process.   c. The re-stringing device is not made for the purpose of incorporating new loose beads into the beading designs, this problem leaves the user to only re-string the beads that are already pre arranged onto the temporary string, therefore not allowing the user to create unique designs and patterns in the beading process.   d. The re-stringing device provides no room for loose beads to be added into the designs, especially larger or odd shaped beads, if loose beads were added to the beading design using this device, the newly incorporated beads would not have any room to go and end up getting in the way of the beading process.   e. The rotating beading device and the mechanical devices only allow the user to string a random collection of beads, the user will not have any way to choose which beads or how many will end up on their string, if they did want to make a pattern they would have to go back and forth to different devices with the different beads to get a patterned result.       

     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Many beads are available at bead stores that can be purchased on temporary strings, also called pre-strung beads. The pre-strung beads are usually cut off of the temporary string and are restrung onto a permanent wire or string manually. The current invention is a bead stringing apparatus that suspends these pre-strung beads by the temporary string in a taut position over an open workspace. Both ends of the temporary string are placed under suspension knobs. The knobs are turned which pulls the temporary string along with the pre-strung beads in a taut position. The knobs are parallel to each other and along with the base they stretch the pre-strung beads in a straight line over an open work space. The pre-strung beads are now aligned and ready to be restrung by a permanent wire directly from the suspended temporary string. The open work space that is all the way around the beads provides ample room for the user to restring the pre-strung beads at any angle without any parts to impede the user from viewing the pre-strung beads and nothing to block the hands from the beading process. After suspending the pre-strung beads in a taut position across the apparatus the user can easily re-string the pre-strung beads onto their permanent wire. To create patterns the user can separate out a selected row of pre-strung beads with a measuring tool. The measuring tool is adjustable to separate the desired amount the user wants to use to create a beading pattern measuring the beads so the user does not have to count them. The user can slide the selected amount of pre-strung beads away from the rest along the taut temporary string. They can now put their wire through the tunnel of aligned pre-strung beads. When the end of the wire exits the row of selected pre-strung beads a pattern of loose beads can be added in. The user can measure out the next row of pre-strung beads to restring along the temporary string. When this next row of pre-strung beads is restrung by the wire the loose beads will be locked in between the rows of pre-strung beads and suspended by the wire. If the user makes a mistake in the beading process, or if the user wants to change something in their beading design, they can just simply pull out the wire and start over without losing much time. If the user liked their beaded design, they will simply loosen the knobs and release the end of the temporary string and pull all of the newly strung beads, pre-strung and loose beads included, onto the wire alone. The temporary string can be pulled out and discarded. Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
         a. To provide a bead stringing apparatus that enables the user to quickly re-string pre-strung beads and lets the user incorporate new loose beads for endless beading patterns and original beading designs.   b. To provide a bead stringing apparatus that eliminates unnecessary rigid parts that impede the beading process such as the planar surface of U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,069. The beading apparatus of the current invention suspends the pre-strung beads over an open work space that is provided above, below, and around the entire string of pre-strung beads, making the beads and working area very flexible so the user can bead at any angle without obstructing elements.   c. To provide a bead stringing apparatus that has enables the user to add infinite amounts of loose beads of any size, shape, or color in and between the pre-strung beads to create their own endless patterns and unique designs which is the desired result by most artists who create beadwork and jewelry.   d. To provide a bead stringing that has ample room for the user to incorporate loose beads into their work. The result is that these beads will hang down below the pre-strung beads onto the permanent wire into the open work space out of the way of the beading process.   e. To provide a bead stringing apparatus that allows the user to choose which beads and the number of beads that will go onto their permanent wire. The result is that the user will choose the design patterns they desire, not the machine.   f. To provide a bead stringing apparatus that gives the user the option to start over after seeing their beadwork by working off of the temporary string. If a mistake is made the user will simply pull out the permanent wire and let the loose beads fall away leaving the pre-strung beads still on the temporary string for later use, therefore saving lots of time and lost beadwork.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the Bead Stringing Apparatus for Faster Beading of Original Designs in it working form with an original beaded pattern and design being created. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the Bead Stringing Apparatus for Faster Beading of Original Designs in its working form with an original bead design being created and suspended along the temporary string. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective of the Bead Stringing Apparatus for Faster Beading of Original Designs in it working form with the user&#39;s hands showing how it is used. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the Bead Stringing Apparatus for Faster Beading of Original Designs in its working form clearly showing the open work space. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the Bead Stringing Apparatus for Faster Beading of Original Designs in its working form with the user working with the bead measuring tool. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DRAWINGS 
     
         
           10 . pre-strung beads 
           12 . temporary string 
           14 . knobs 
           16 . base 
           18 . stretcher bar 
           20 . adjustable stretcher bar 
           22 . slot 
           24 . screw 
           26 . wire 
           28 . wire holder 
           30 . wire spool 
           32 . loose beads 
           34 . open work space 
           36 . user&#39;s hands 
           38 . measuring tool 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention in the preferred embodiment described below consists of a base  16 , two stretcher bars  18  and a plurality of knobs located  14  along the top of the stretcher bars  18 . The base  16  holds the two stretcher bars  18  parallel to each other. The base  16  in this particular embodiment also acts as a tray to hold beading supplies. The stretcher bars  18  have a plurality of knobs  14  along the top edge attached with screws  24 . The knobs  14  are directly parallel to each other on both sides of the base  16  on the top edge of the stretcher bars  18 . The pre-strung beads  10  are stretched across the apparatus by the ends of their temporary strings  12  and are held down by the knobs  14  attached to the stretcher bars  18  and held in a taut position in a straight line. Loose beads  32  are also shown on the base  16  to be used and added into the beading designs. The knobs  14  used in the preferred embodiment are made with rubber and held onto the stretcher bars  18  by screws  24 . The knobs  14  are female threaded to be held down to the stretcher bar  18  by male threaded screws  24 . An adjustable stretcher bar  20  is also provided for the shorter strands of pre-strung beads  10 . There are a number of slots  22  along the base  16  to facilitate the adjustable stretcher bar  20 . The adjustable stretcher bar  20  slides down into the slots  22  and becomes the new stretcher bar  18  for the shorter strands of pre-strung beads  10 . These slots along with the adjustable stretcher bar  20  accommodate the many different lengths that the pre-strung beads  10  are available in at bead shops. There is a wire holder  28  that is created using a screw  24  and a knob  14  that holds the wire spool  30  on the side of the stretcher bar  18  on the outside of the apparatus and keeps the wire spool  30  out of the way during use. The wire holder  28  can be used on either side of the apparatus adjusting to left or right hand users. We found that in experimenting with many different types of knobs  14  and various fasteners, we found that rubber knobs  14  worked the best for keeping the row of pre-strung beads  10  in a taut position without breaking the temporary string  12  when tightened because of the give and take nature of rubber material. The rubber material on the knobs  14  also kept the temporary string  12  from slipping off of the stretcher bar  18 . We also found that the female threaded knobs  14  worked best without breaking the temporary string  12  because it worked along with gravity to pull the knob  14  down onto the stretcher bar  18  attached to a male threaded screw  24 . Wood is also the material that we used for the stretcher bar  18 , we found that it also worked best for keeping the temporary string  12  in taut position without slippage. Other fasteners can be used however we chose these particular elements for the preferred embodiment because they worked the best as a result of much experimentation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Shown in  FIG. 1  is the bead stringing apparatus in its working position suspending multiple strands of pre-strung beads  10  by their temporary string  12  over an open work space  34 . Both ends of the temporary strings  12  of the pre-strung beads  10  are under the knobs  14  which are parallel to each other along the stretcher bars  18 . The knobs  14  are stretching the pre-strung beads  10  in a straight line across the apparatus by pulling the temporary string  12  in a taut position. The adjustable stretcher bar  20  is also shown holding one end on the third row of pre-strung beads  10  by the temporary string  12 . The first two rows of pre-strung beads  10  show a pattern that has been created with loose beads  32  incorporated in and between the pre-strung beads  10  strung by and held on by the permanent wire  26  creating a beaded design. Infinite beaded patterns can be created with the desired results of the user. The incorporated loose beads  32  are seen hanging down onto the permanent wire  26  below the pre-strung beads  10  out of the way of the user and into the open work space  34 . There are other loose beads  32  scattered on the base  16  unstrung and are ready to be incorporated into the beading design. The last formation of loose beads  32  that are on the permanent wire  26  shows the end of the wire  26  ready to be reinserted back into the row of pre-strung beads  10  for more. The adjustable stretcher bar  20  is shown in place inserted into a set of parallel slots  22  along the side of the base  16 . The adjustable stretcher bar  20  is also shown being utilized to suspend a shorter row of pre-strung beads  10  by the knobs  14  on the third row of pre-strung beads  10 . The wire holder  28  is shown on the right side of the apparatus giving the wire  26  enough tether to facilitate the beading process. Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a screw  24  that is on the stretcher bar  18  to hold down the knobs  14 . 
     Shown in  FIG. 2  is the top view of the beading stringing apparatus with three rows of pre-strung beads  10  that are suspended by the parallel knobs  14  by the temporary strings  12 . The adjustable stretcher bar  20  is also shown holding one end of the last row of pre-strung beads  10  by the knob  14 . There is a beaded formation along the first two rows of pre-strung beads  10  in the process of being created with the permanent wire  26  that has been inserted through the rows of pre-strung beads 10  and loose beads  32  are added in altogether creating an original beaded pattern and design. It also shows the same wire  26  going through another section of pre-strung beads  10  in the second row showing how the user can go in and out of the different strands of pre-strung beads  10  for various patterns. This also shows a plain view of the open work space  34  above and below the beads to give the user a clear view of their beadwork. This also shows how the apparatus can hold many colors and many types of pre-strung beads  10  for creating infinite patterns and beading designs. The user can go in and out of the different pre-strung beads  10  providing the user with choices for endless creativity. The wire holder  28  is holding the wire spool  30  to the side of the apparatus out of the way and is providing a convenient place for the wire  26 . The loose beads  32  are incorporated in and between the pre-strung beads  10  and into the beaded design held on by the permanent wire that is going through the rows of pre-strung beads and through the loose beads. There are some loose beads  32  available down below on the base  16  available to be incorporated into the beadwork. 
     Shown in  FIG. 3  is the bead stringing apparatus that is being utilized showing the users hands  36 . The user&#39;s hands  36  are showing how the beading process takes place with the user&#39;s fingers holding the desired amount of pre-strung beads  10  in a selected row to be put onto their wire  26 . A formation of beadwork that the user has created along the first and second row of pre-strung beads  10  is in clear view. With the pre-strung beads  10  and the loose beads  32  being incorporated into one beaded design and held by the permanent wire  26 . The user has just put a pattern of loose beads  32  onto their wire  26  and is getting ready to put the wire  26  through another selected row of pre-strung beads  10 . Also shown is the amount of room provided by the open work space  34  so the users hands  36  are free to move and work without being impeded by any parts on the beading apparatus. The open work space  34  also provides lots of room for newly incorporated loose beads  32  to hang out of the way of the beading process on the wire  26 . Shown In  FIG. 4  is a side view of the bead stringing apparatus clearly showing the open work space  34  above and below the pre-strung beads  10  and the newly incorporated loose beads  32 . The open work space  34  is accommodating the newly incorporated loose beads  32  to hang down below the pre-strung beads  10  onto the wire  26  out of the way of the beading process. Shown In  FIG. 5  is a top view of the bead stringing apparatus with a measuring tool  38  that is used to measure the exact amount and length of the pre-strung beads  10  desired by the user to re-string onto their wire  26 . The measuring tool  38  is used to separate the pre-strung beads  10  along the temporary string  12  for restringing the exact amount of beads that the user desires. This eliminates the need to count beads for a pattern or design, The bead measuring tool  38  can be adjusted to any size and allows the user to keep measuring the same amount of beads every time for creating their original patterns and designs. 
     For illustrative purposes we will refer to the stringing material as the wire  26 , although a needle and string can also be used in the beading process. The pre-strung beads  10  are suspended across the two parallel stretcher bars  18  by wrapping both ends of the temporary string  12  that holds the pre-strung beads  10  under rubber knobs  14  attached by the screws  24 . The user accomplishes this by wrapping one end of the temporary string  12  of the pre-strung beads  10  under a rubber knob  14  and the other end of the same temporary string wrapped under the other knob across from the first and across the on the stretcher bar across from the first knob  14 . The knob  14  is then screwed down to the stretcher bar  18  clamping both ends of the temporary strings  12  and suspending the pre-strung beads  10  in a taut position on the temporary string  12  across the open work space  34 . The pre-strung beads  10  are in aligned position and are ready to be restrung by the wire  26 . On the side of the stretcher bar  18  is a wire holder  28  to hold the wire spool  30  out of the way and at the same time allowing it to spin to provide tether for the wire  26  as it is being used in the beading process. The user will choose the desired amount of pre-strung beads  10  they want to re-string by separating them from the other pre-strung beads  10  along the temporary string  12  using the measuring tool  38 . The user will then put the end of their permanent wire through the row of selected pre-strung beads easing them onto their wire  26  using their other hand  36  to support the pre-strung beads  10  from sliding away from the permanent wire  26 . Upon exiting the row of pre-strung beads  10  with their wire  26 , the user can then incorporate other loose beads  32  onto their wire  26  into their design. The result is that the other newly incorporated loose beads  32  will hang down below the pre-strung beads  10  on the wire  26  out of the way into the open work space  34 . The wire  26  can be reinserted back into another row of pre-strung beads  10  for more. This can be repeated to create any pattern with all of the loose beads  32  and pre-strung beads  10  together creating a unique and original design. The open work space  34  below the pre-strung beads  10  provides room and access for the user&#39;s hands  36  and allows them to bead them at any angle. It also provides ample room for the newly incorporated loose beads  32  to hang down out of the way of the beading process. The open work space  34  is above the base  16  that acts as a tray to conveniently provide room for the loose beads  32  and any beading tools that the user will need in the beading process keeping the user organized saving time. The adjustable stretcher bar  20  is used when the temporary string  12  holding pre-strung beads  10  is shorter than the stretcher bars  18  that are stationery on the beading apparatus. The adjustable stretcher bar  20  slips into sets of slots  22  that are provided along the base  16 . The user will use the slots  22  that are respective to the proper length of the pre-strung beads  10 . The apparatus has multiple knobs  14  and the user can have multiple strands of pre-strung beads  10  on the apparatus at the same time so that they can weave in and out of the pre-strung beads  10  choosing various colors and sizes. The user can also incorporate any amount of different loose beads  32  from any source to put onto their wire  26  placing them in and between all of the pre-strung beads  10 . The user can have endless creative freedom creating infinite designs and patterns. When a design is created the user can stretch their beadwork out along the temporary string  12  so that they can see if they are satisfied with their design. If the user is not satisfied with their design, they can easily pull out the wire  26  and the loose beads  32  will fall away while all of the pre-strung beads  10  will remain on the temporary string  12  for later use. If the user is satisfied with their design, one end of the temporary string  12  can be pulled out by loosening the respective suspension knobs  14  so the temporary string  12  can be pulled out letting all of the newly strung beads fall onto the wire  26  alone. The user can hold back any unused portion of the pre-strung beads  10  still on the temporary string  12  so that they can be reconnected to the stretcher bar  18  for later use. If the user starts a design and wants to take a break or stop beading for the day, the apparatus keeps the beadwork suspended along the temporary string  12  and will remain exactly as the user left it so they can go back and finish it later. Endless strands of beadwork can be created on the apparatus because the user can keep beading with the same wire  26  until the desired length in achieved. The open work space  34  will provide ample room for the beadwork to be stored while it is being created. 
     From the descriptions above a number of advantages of my bead stringing apparatus become evident:
         (a) It allows the user to quickly re-string the pre-strung beads from the temporary string and add any amount of loose beads in and between the pre-strung beads to create infinite original beading designs and patterns chosen by the user not the machine.   (b) There are no unnecessary rigid parts to get in the way of the user&#39;s hands or in the way of viewing the beadwork.   (c) Ample room is provided for the newly incorporated loose beads to hang below the pre-strung beads onto the permanent wire and out of the way of the beading process.   (d) If a mistake is made in the bead stringing process the user can simply pull out the wire and start over without losing much time, the pre-strung beads will remain on the temporary string and the loose beads will fall away for later use. When the user is happy with their design, they will simply release the suspension knobs and pull out the temporary string and slide the newly strung beads all fall together onto the permanent wire.   (e) An adjustable bead measuring tool is also provided with the beading apparatus to quickly separate and measure out a row of pre-strung beads along the taut temporary strung so that the user will not have to count the beads when creating beading patterns.       

     Although the descriptions above contain many specifics, this invention may be embodied in other forms as long as it accomplishes the same task. Other tools and features can also be added such as a bead counting tool so the user can separate the pre-strung beads and get the same amount of beads every time without counting each bead individually. The knobs could be replaced with different types of connector, for instance a spring loaded clamp could be used to suspend the pre-strung beads. The knobs can also be made out of other types of material as long as it accomplishes the same task of holding the pre-strung bead string in a taut position. The apparatus could have a different shaped base or different type of bar to stretch out the pre-strung beads. The base can be made like an open table to accomplish the same task of providing an open space for the pre-strung beads to be stretched across. The base can be made into a tray to provide a place to keep all the beads and tools organized. Thus the scope of this invention indicated by the appended claims and their legal equivalent, rather than by the examples given.