Rotating loom and loom holder for knitting

A swiveling hand loom includes a support base, a plurality of supports connected to the base and extending vertically to support a loom having a plurality of pegs thereon in elevated fashion. The base includes a swiveling mechanism permitting the loom to swivel relative to the support base which allows the knitter to work on his or her lap and not have to move the loom position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates generally to looms for knitting and weaving, and more particularly to rotating looms and loom holders.

BACKGROUND

Knitting and weaving have long been popular hobbies and a large variety of items can be made on a loom. A typical loom includes pegs that project from the frame around which the yarn is looped in various ways, such as running back and forth between opposite sides of the frame or from peg to peg around a perimeter of the loom. However, there are limitations associated with ease of use of the loom characterized by the prior art.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a hand loom that creates double knit in a tubular shape.

Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a swiveling or rotating hand loom.

Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a swiveling or rotating base that interchangeably hold a plurality of different sized and/or shaped looms.

Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates a swiveling hand loom, comprising: a support base; a plurality of supports extending vertically in a direction away from the support base; at least one loom connected to upper portions of the plurality of supports, the at least one loom having a plurality of pegs thereon; and a swiveling mechanism permitting the at least one loom to swivel relative to the support base.

Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a swiveling loom holder for interchangeably holding plural looms, comprising: a base; a plurality of support structures extending vertically in a direction away from the base; an adjustable loom support respectively connected to each support structure, the adjustable loom supports configured to collectively and removably support plural looms interchangeably thereon; and a swiveling mechanism permitting the adjustable loom supports to swivel collectively relative to the support base.

Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a hook for knitting, comprising: a handle; two shanks extending from the handle in parallel with one another; and two hooks extending, respectively, from the shanks in parallel with one another.

Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a double-knit loom, comprising: a round inner loom having a plurality of pegs thereon; and a round outer loom having a plurality of pegs thereon, wherein the outer loom is concentrically disposed relative to the inner loom for double-knitting.

Other aspects, features, and advantages of this technology will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EXAMPLES

The following description is provided in relation to several examples (most of which are illustrated) which may share some common characteristics and features. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one example may be combinable with one or more features of the other examples. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any of the examples may constitute additional examples.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a rotating double-knit loom100is shown. The double-knit loom comprises base150, a plurality of supports (e.g., support legs130,140), outer loom110, and inner loom120. The support legs130,140are connected to and extend vertically from base150to support outer loom110and inner loom120in an elevated manner.

As shown inFIGS. 4-6, base150comprises upper portion152, lower portion154, and bearing plate170. The lower portion154may have an annular or ring shape with a plurality of supports extending across the inner diameter of the lower portion, as shown inFIG. 5. The lower portion154comprises a connector (e.g., female connector160or knob-receiving connector) including a plurality of tabs162. The tabs162are spaced apart and connected at their lower ends to lower portion154of the base.

In this manner, tabs162are resiliently disposed so as to flex to receive a connector (e.g., male connector190or protruding connector) provided on the bottom of the upper portion152of the base. The male connector190includes neck192which extends from the bottom of the upper portion and knob194provided on the neck, as shown inFIG. 6. The knob194has a width or diameter that is larger than a width or diameter of the neck such that tabs162can resiliently flex to receive the knob194and then move back towards their original positions to prevent the knob from being removed from the tabs. The top portion of each tab162may be provided with an inclined surface to facilitate receipt of the knob194, as those skilled in the art will understand. Additionally, the top portion of each tab162may include rib164protruding radially inwardly and configured to be positioned in the area around neck192of male connector190thereby blocking knob194from being removed from the tabs.

This arrangement permits the tabs to rotate relative to the male connector. By this arrangement, upper portion152of the base may swivel relative to the lower portion154, thereby forming a swiveling mechanism. This allows the knitter to work on his or her lap and not have to move the loom position. Instead, the knitter can simply spin the loom to the correct position. This allows the work to be performed at one location.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that male190and female160connectors may be reversed and that other suitable arrangements which permit the base to swivel may be used.

To facilitate the swiveling action of the base, bearings may be used. For example, bearing plate170may be disposed in groove155in lower portion154of the base, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The bearing plate170may be a thin plate, e.g., disk shaped with a hole in the middle, having a plurality of spaced bearings172embedded in the plate in bearing holders174. The upper portion152, lower portion154, and bearing plate170are arranged such that the bearings172engage a bottom surface of the upper portion152and a bearing engagement surface157in lower portion154.

It is noted that the bearing plate may also be a plate of any desired shape or thickness and may have a plurality of ball bearings captured within and freely running in a circular track. In some applications, the bearing plate may not have a hole in its middle.

Referring toFIG. 5, base150has provided thereon, e.g., on an upper surface of the upper portion152, a plurality of connectors (e.g., outer connector structures181(e.g., receptacles) and inner connector structures182(e.g., receptacles).

In the illustrated example, three outer connector structures181are shown. The outer connector structures181may be equally-spaced along a circumference of the upper portion152. The outer connector structures181are also equally-spaced from a center point of the upper portion152.

Still referring toFIG. 5, each outer connector structure181includes an opening185formed at an upper end thereof. A front face of the outer connector structure181has an aperture183formed therein. An upper edge of aperture183forms engaging surface183(1).

Referring toFIGS. 1, 4, 5, 11 and 12, each outer connector structure is configured to detachably connect to lower connector134of support leg130. As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, each support leg includes body portion131, upper connector132and lower connector134. Each of upper connector132and lower connector134includes a tab136having an inclined surface138and a stop137provided at an end of the inclined surface.

The lower connector134is configured to be inserted into opening185of a respective outer connector structure181to form a snap-fit connection therewith. As lower connector134is inserted into opening185, inclined surface138engages a wall of outer connector structure181surrounding opening185so as to cause tab136to resiliently flex inwardly until stop137reaches aperture183. The tab136then moves towards its original position and stop137is positioned against the engaging surface183(1) of outer connector structure181to secure support leg130to base150.

Referring toFIG. 5, in the illustrated example, three inner connector structures182are also shown. Inner connector structures182may be equally-spaced along a circumference of upper portion152, concentrically and radially inwardly of outer connector structures181.

The inner connector structures182are similar to outer connector structures181described above. Respective inner and outer connector structures may be joined together as shown inFIG. 5or may extend from base150separately. Each inner connector structure181includes an opening186formed at an upper end thereof, as shown inFIG. 5. A front face of the inner connector structure182has an aperture184formed therein. An upper edge of aperture184forms engaging surface184(1).

Referring toFIGS. 1, 4, 5, 11 and 12, each inner connector structure182is configured to detachably connect to lower connector134of a respective support leg140in the same manner as described above with regard to outer connector structure181. In the illustrated example, support leg140is identical to support leg130, which is described in detail above. Support legs130may be referred to as outer support legs whereas support legs140may be referred to as inner support legs.

Outer loom110is configured to detachably connect to outer support legs130, and inner loom120is configured to detachably connect to inner support legs140, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4.

Turning toFIGS. 1, 7 and 8, outer loom110is shown. Outer loom110includes base111having a plurality of holes112formed therein for receiving pegs113. Only a few pegs are shown inFIG. 1. Those skilled in the art will understand that pegs are installed in all of the holes112. Pegs113are omitted in most of the remaining figures so that details of the drawings can be clearly seen. Pegs113may have a groove provided along a middle of the peg to allow a knit hook to be positioned in the groove for picking up the yarn, as those skilled in the art understand. The outer loom has an annular or ring shape and may be referred to as a round loom. A plurality of connector structures114(e.g., receptacles) may be equally spaced along a circumference of outer loom110.

Each connector structure114includes an aperture115, an engaging surface115(1) and opening116and is configured to detachably connect to upper connector132of the outer support legs140. Connector structure114connects to support legs140in the same manner as the connection between support legs140and outer connector structure181of base150, as described above.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 9 and 10, inner loom120is shown. Inner loom120includes base121having a plurality of holes112formed therein for receiving pegs113. The inner loom has an annular or ring shape (and may be referred to as a round loom) with a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the outer loom110so that the inner loom and the outer loom can be concentrically arranged, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. A plurality of connector structures124(e.g., receptacles) may be equally spaced along a circumference of inner loom120.

Each connector structure124includes an aperture125, an engaging surface125(1) and opening126and is configured to detachably connect to upper connector132of the inner support legs130. Connector structure124connects to support legs130in the same manner as the connection between support legs140and outer connector structure181of base150, as described above.

Support legs130,140are elongate members, therefore outer loom110and inner loom120are supported in an elevated manner with respect to base150, as shown inFIG. 1. This allows the knitted material to fall into and be accommodated by the space between base150and the inner and outer looms120,110. The support legs keep the spacing between the looms open.

The outer loom and the inner loom are positioned vertically level with one another for double-knitting such that the pegs113of inner loom120are directly opposed to pegs113of outer loom110, as those skilled in the art will understand.

Rotating double-knit loom100can be used to create double knit in a tubular shape, double knit flat panel, single knit tubular, and single knit flat panel, for example. Loom100can be used with both inner loom120and outer loom110installed, with the outer loom only (knitting falls to inside of loom), or with the inner loom only (knitting falls to inside or outside of loom depending on which side of the inner loom is used as the front of the loom). For single knitting in the round and flat panel, only the outer loom or only the inner loom is used. For double knitting, both inner and outer looms are used.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, when knitting in double knit the finished knit progresses down through gap117to a space118between inner loom120and outer loom110. Inner loom120and outer loom110are not directly connected and therefore gap117exists. However, by way of legs130,140, outer loom110and inner loom120are both connected to base150.

Gap117is continuous and separates inner loom120and outer loom110along their entire circumferences. This arrangement of the inner loom and outer loom is especially useful for hats, or other knitwear that is tubular shaped.

The loom parts, for example base150, support legs130,140, outer loom110and inner loom120may be made of plastic but other suitable materials may be used, such as nylon, aluminum, wood etc.

Turning toFIG. 13, a double loom knitting hook200is shown. Double loom knitting hook200allows the loom knitter to knit two pegs at a time, speeding up the loom knitting process. In the looming process, loops/stitches are created on the pegs. When each peg has two loops/stitches, the hooking or knitting process begins by taking the bottom loop over the top loop. With the double hook, two pegs can be worked at a time.

The illustrated knitting hook comprises a handle202, and two hooks206at respective ends of two shanks204. Shanks204extend from handle202. Hooks206may be conical portions tapering from a bend at the connection with shank204to an end of the hook. The shanks may extend in parallel. The hooks may also be disposed in parallel. In an alternate embodiment, a single shank terminates with two hooks.

Referring toFIGS. 14 and 15, a swiveling loom holder300is shown. With outer loom110and inner loom120removed, the rotating double-knit loom described above converts into a device for interchangeably holding a variety of looms by provision of an attachment for the rotating base150and support legs130,140. Loom holder300may be configured to hold any loom (having any shape, e.g., round, square, oval, rectangle, S-shape, etc.) so as to enable the loom to be rotatable (e.g., swivelable, or rotatable relative to the base such that a user can rotate the loom relative to the user when in use).

A plurality of adjustable loom supports320(e.g., three loom supports) is configured to be removably attached to the support legs, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. Each adjustable loom support320includes leg attachment310and shelf319. Turning toFIGS. 16, 17 and 19-21, leg attachment310may have connector structure that is the same as connector structure114(of outer loom110) for connecting to upper connector132of support leg130. That is, leg attachment310includes an aperture314, an engaging surface314(1) and opening315and is configured to detachably connect to upper connector132of the support legs130,140. Leg attachment310connects to support legs130,140in the same manner as the connection between support legs140and outer connector structure181of base150, as described above.

Referring toFIG. 18, an attachment device (e.g., screw313) and fastener (e.g., nut318) are provided to secure leg attachment310to shelf319. Screw313is provided through hole311in shelf319and hole308in leg attachment to connect the shelf and leg attachment.

Turning toFIG. 20, leg attachment310includes an adjustable connector316having a plurality of recesses (e.g., wedge-shaped recesses317). Connector316may be configured to be attached to shelf by being inserted (e.g., with an interference fit) in receiving space328of shelf319(seeFIG. 23).

A bottom surface of receiving space328has a plurality of protrusions (e.g., wedge-shaped329). Protrusions329may be configured to be received in recesses317. As shown inFIG. 23, a relatively large number of protrusions329are provided such that the protrusions are arranged side-by-side forming a ring shape. Turning toFIG. 20, relatively less recesses317are provided. In this manner, leg attachment319may be rotated relative to shelf319to cause the recesses to slide from receipt of one protrusion to receipt of an adjacent protrusion. This allows adjustment of a rotary position of shelf319relative to leg attachment310in small increments.

Referring toFIG. 22, shelf319has an upper platform321for supporting a variety of different looms. An underside surface330of shelf319includes receiving space328and a plurality of attachment points (e.g., pegs322,324,326), as shown inFIG. 23. Pegs322,324,326have a narrower neck portion and a wider head portion. Some or all of the pegs, e.g., peg326may have a hole formed therein. The pegs are spaced along a length of the shelf to accommodate different size and/or shaped looms (an appropriate peg can be used depending on the size/shape of the loom).

Upper platforms321of shelves319collectively form a support platform for interchangeably holding a variety of different looms. The shelves are rotatably relative to the leg attachments in order to adjust a size of the support platform. That is, each shelf319may be adjusted in order to affect an overall size of the support platform so as to accommodate a wide range of loom sizes and/or shapes.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that other loom supports may be used. For example, arms that grab edges of a loom may be used. Additionally, loom supports may be used with a base that does not rotate.

Turning toFIG. 24, swiveling loom holder300is shown supporting a round loom400thereon. Round loom400includes a base410and a plurality of pegs420disposed on the base, as those skilled in the art will understand. It may be noticed that the shelves319are connected to the outer support legs130(depending on the size of the loom to be held, the inner support legs140could be used).

Since loom400is now supported on base150, the knitter may swivel the loom so that the knitting can be worked on one location.

Flexible connector (e.g., elastic band350) is used to secure loom400to each shelf319, as will be described in detail later.

Turning toFIG. 25, swiveling loom holder300is shown supporting a rectangular loom500thereon. Rectangular loom500includes a base510and a plurality of pegs520disposed on the base, as those skilled in the art will understand. It may be noticed that the shelves319are connected to the inner support legs140. Those skilled in the art will recognize that some shelves may be connected to the inner support legs whereas other shelves may be connected to the outer support legs.

Turning toFIG. 26, swiveling loom holder300is shown supporting an S-shaped loom600thereon. S-shaped loom600includes a base610and a plurality of pegs620disposed on the base, as those skilled in the art will understand.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that other shaped and sized looms can be supported on the swiveling loom holder.

Referring toFIGS. 27A to 27C, a process of using the elastic band350to secure rectangular loom500is illustrated.FIG. 27Ashows the elastic band being positioned between the pegs520of the loom. InFIG. 27B, one end of band350is hooked on an appropriate peg, and then, as shown inFIG. 27C, the other end of band350is hooked on the peg (the ends of the band could be hooked on different pegs). In another example, the looms may be held to the platforms, e.g., with a plastic band or rubber band that fits into small holes in the platform and secured around the loom base. A series of small holes could be formed in the platform extending from the outer perimeter to the inner perimeter to accommodate different size looms. The holes could also extend in another direction. The band could loop over the loom and be secured in a corresponding hole on the platform. For example, one end of the band could be fixed to the platform or have a knob preventing it from pulling through one hole. The other end of the band could have a hook to latch onto another hole or corresponding feature. In another example, the ends of the band could have necklace clasp type connectors (or any other suitable connector). Also, the band could have loops formed at its ends to engage hooks formed on the platform.

While the examples discussed above have been described in connection with what are presently considered to be practical and preferred features, it is to be understood that appended claims are intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of these examples.