Abstract:
A tool is provided for facilitating the making of a decorative knot. The knot-making tool includes a generally flat main body, and several string engagement cutouts formed on the periphery of the main body. The string is brought into engagement with these cutouts in the prescribed order specified by the indication marks put on the main body.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a tool for making a decorative knot which is formed by tying a string and used for decorating clothing, small personal belongings, house interiors or the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Decorative knots have a long history and various kinds of knots are still in use. Even today, such decorative knots are usually formed by the traditional method, i.e. by using both hands to hold a string and tie knots in accordance with the predetermined steps. For example, an “igeta-musubi” (knot of a parallel cross pattern), as shown in FIG. 12, is formed by tying a string S in accordance with prescribed steps. 
     However, the conventional knot making is difficult to perform and tends to require much time. Though people who are unaccustomed to it may refer to commercially available manuals illustrating how to make knots, they often find it difficult to make a proper knot even with the aid of such a reference book. This is because decorative knots are often too complicated to permit ordinary people to readily understand the procedures illustrated in the reference book. 
     Further, even if the desired decorative knot has been formed after a struggle, the subsequent shape adjustment of the obtained knot can also be difficult to accomplish for unaccustomed people. According to the conventional manner, making identical decorative knots, standardized in size, shape, etc., is also difficult. 
     For some kinds of decorative knots, use can be made of an auxiliary tool, such as a pin stand consisting of a base and a plurality of pins put up on the base for hooking a string in making the desired knot. With the use of the pin stand, the knot-making work may be performed more easily. However, in using the pin stand, the user sometimes finds it difficult to pass the string around the pins properly because of the intrinsic complexity of the decorative knot. In addition, the conventional pin stand has a simple structure, with a plurality of pins being put up on the base for simply hooking a string. Accordingly, relatively complex decorative knots cannot be formed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been proposed under the circumstances described above. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a novel knot-making tool by which a decorative knot, even if fairly complex in structure, can be easily made by people who are unaccustomed to the knot-making. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a tool for making a decorative knot. The tool comprises: a generally flat main body, and a plurality of string engagement portions provided in relation to the main body. The string engagement portions come into engagement with a string in a prescribed order. 
     Preferably, the string engagement portions may comprise a cutout formed on a periphery of the main body. 
     Preferably, the tool of the present invention may further comprise indications arranged correspondingly to the string engagement portions for showing the engaging order of the string. 
     Preferably, the above-mentioned indications comprise a plurality of patterns by which representing manners of figures are different from each other. Each of the patterns indicates the way to operate the string in relation to the main body. 
     Preferably, the main body is flexible, so that the engaging parts of the string are easily disengaged from the main body. 
     Preferably, the main body is formed with at least one through-hole for allowing the string to pass from one side of the main body to the other side. 
     Preferably, the tool of the present invention may further comprise a hook provided on the main body for engaging with a loop of the string. This hook temporarily holds the string in making the desired decorative knot. 
     Preferably, the main body may be formed with at least one groove for facilitating the passage of the string. 
     Preferably, the main body may be formed with at least two projections flanking the groove. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a decorative knot maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2A is a front view illustrating the knot maker of the first embodiment, whereas FIG. 2B is a rear view illustrating the same decorative knot maker; 
     FIGS. 3A-3H illustrate the process for making a decorative knot using the knot maker of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a decorative knot maker according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5A is a front view illustrating the knot maker of the second embodiment, whereas FIG. 5B is a rear view illustrating the same decorative knot maker; 
     FIGS. 6A-6J illustrate the process for making a decorative knot using the knot maker of the second embodiment; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a decorative knot maker according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8A is a front view illustrating the knot maker of the third embodiment, whereas FIG. 8B is a rear view illustrating the same decorative knot maker; 
     FIGS. 9A-9K illustrate the process for making a decorative knot using the knot maker of the third embodiment; 
     FIG. 10A is a perspective view illustrating a decorative knot maker according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10B is a front view illustrating the knot maker of the fourth embodiment, whereas FIG. 10C is a rear view illustrating the same decorative knot maker; 
     FIGS. 11A-11I illustrate the process for making a decorative knot using the knot maker of the fourth embodiment; and 
     FIG. 12 shows an “igeta-musubi” formed by the conventional method. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIGS. 1,  2 A and  2 B illustrate a decorative knot maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The decorative knot maker Aa of this embodiment includes a card-like or plate-like main body  1 A having a thickness of about 2-3 mm, for example. The main body  1 A is formed of EVA resin, polyurethane or other elastomer and can be elastically bent in the thickness direction. 
     The main body  1 A has an outer periphery formed with a plurality of string engagement portions  20   a - 20   h  each in the form of a recess. The string engagement portions  20   a - 20   h  are so arranged that an “igeta-musubi” (knot of parallel cross pattern) is formed when a string S is brought into engagement with the string engagement portions in the manner as will be described later. The main body  1 A has an obverse surface  10   a  formed with projections  30   a  and  30   b  located generally centrally of the main body  1 A, projections  30   c  and  30   d  located adjacent to the string engagement portions  20   c  and  20   e , respectively, a groove  40   a  located between the projections  30   a  and  30   b , and a groove  40   b  located between the projections  30   b  and  30   d . As will be described later, the projections  30   a - 30   d  and the grooves  40   a ,  40   b  serve to provide a space between a string S and the obverse surface  10   a  of the main body  1 A. The projections  30   a  and  30   b  are respectively formed with through-holes  50   a  and  50   b  penetrating through the thickness of the main body  1 A. As shown in FIG. 2B, the main body  1 A has a reverse surface  10   b  formed with grooves  40   c  and  40   d.    
     On the obverse surface  10   a  and the reverse surface  10   b  of the main body  1 A, numbers N of 1 through 14 are put for indicating the order of guiding the string S. Each of these numbers is located adjacent to the corresponding one of the string engagement portions, projections and grooves. Further, an arrow AR for indicating the direction for guiding the string S is put on the inner surface of each of the grooves  40   a - 40   d . These numbers and arrows may be printed directly on the main body  1 A, or they may be each printed on an adhesive seal, or sticker, to be attached to the main body  1 A. Alternatively, the numbers and arrows may be formed integrally with the required projections or recesses in resin-molding the main body  1 A. 
     The numbers N are circumscribed by a frame and represented in different manners depending on how the string S should be handled at the respective portions of the main body  1 A. Specifically, the respective numbers N are circumscribed by a circular frame or a rectangular frame, as seen from FIG. 2A, for example. There is only a single pattern for the representation of the numbers framed by circles, i.e., those numbers are all printed black against a white background. On the other hand, there are two patterns for the representation of the numbers framed by rectangles. According to the first pattern, the numbers are printed black against a white background, while, by the second or other pattern, the numbers are printed white against a black background. The rectangular frame with a white background indicates that the string should be brought onto the opposite side of the main body  1 A at the relevant portion, whereas the rectangular frame with a black background indicates that the string should pass through the through-hole at the relevant portion. The circular frames indicate that a relevant part of the string should pass under the part of the string that has been already hung on the main body  1 A. 
     The decorative knot maker Aa can be used in the following manner. 
     First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a string S is passed through the through-hole  50   a  from the reverse surface side to the obverse surface side of the main body  1 A. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the string S is brought into engagement with the engagement portion  20   e  (Number  2 ) to be guided to the reverse surface of the main body  1 A. Then the string S is brought into engagement with the engagement portion  20   h  (Number  3 ) to be guided to the obverse surface of the main body  1 A and then into engagement with the engagement portion  20   c  (Number  4 ). As shown in FIG. 3C, after the string S engages the engagement portion  20   f  (Number  5 ), the part Sa of the string S is passed under the part Sb of the string S, as indicated by the arrow AR (Number  6 ). Since the part Sb bridges between the projections  30   a  and  30   d  with the groove  40   a  provided under the part Sb, there is a sufficient space for passing the part Sa of the string S without difficulty. 
     Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3D, the string S is successively brought into engagement with remaining ones of the engagement portions  20   a - 20   h  in the order as specified by the printed numbers, to be finally passed through the through-hole  50   b  (Number  14 ). In these steps again, the string S can be easily passed through under itself because of the presence of the groove  40   c  (Number  8 ), the groove  40   b  (Number  10 ), and the groove  40   d  (Number  12 ). 
     Thereafter, the part of the string S extending between the engagement portion  20   b  (Number  7 ) and the engagement portion  20   g  (Number  9 ) on the reverse side of the main body  1 A is pulled toward the upper left (as viewed in FIG.  3 D), to be disengaged from the main body  1 A, as shown in FIG.  3 E. Similarly, the part of the string S extending between the engagement portion  20   c  (Number  4 ) and the engagement portion  20   f  (Number  5 ) is disengaged from the main body  1 A (FIG.  3 E). Further, as shown in FIG. 3F, all the remaining engaged parts of the string S are disengaged from relevant ones of the engagement portions  20   a - 20   h . As a result, four loops LP 1 -LP 4  are formed. It should be noted that the main body  1 A is made flexible, whereby the disengagement of the string S can be easily performed by flexing the main body  1 A. 
     Then, as shown in FIG. 3G, two loops LP 2  and LP 3  are pulled outward from the main body  1 A to tighten the loops LP 1  and LP 4 . This produces an intermediate knot. After the intermediate knot is arranged lightly, the loose ends of the string S on the reverse side of the main body  1 A are pulled to tighten the remaining loops LP 2 , LP 3 . Thus, as shown in FIG. 3H, the decorative knot (“igeta-musubi”) is formed on the obverse side of the main body  1 A. 
     With the use of the knot maker Aa of the present invention, the desired knot can be formed easily and properly even by unaccustomed people. In addition, it is easy to make identical decorative knots by using the knot maker Aa. 
     FIGS.  4  and  5 A- 5 B show a decorative knot maker Ab according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     The decorative knot maker Ab of this embodiment is for making an “awaji-musubi” (awaji-ball knot). The knot maker Ab includes a card-like main body  1 B whose material and thickness are similar to those of the main body  1 A of the first embodiment. The main body  1 B is also elastically deformable. 
     The main body  1 B has an outer periphery formed with a plurality of string engagement portions  21   a - 21   h  each in the form of a recess. In addition, string engagement portions  21   a ′- 21   h ′ are formed adjacent to the string engagement portions  21   a - 21   h , respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5A,  5 B, the main body  1 B is formed with a through-hole  51  and three grooves  41   a - 41   c  on the obverse or reverse sides. Numbers N and arrows AR for indicating the order of the procedure or for showing the direction to guide the string S are printed adjacent to the through-hole  51 , the grooves  41   a - 41   c  and the string engagement portions  21   a - 21   h . Some of the numbers N are represented by white characters against black backgrounds enclosed by rectangular frames, while the others are represented by black characters against white backgrounds enclosed by rectangular frames or circular frames. The meanings of the representation are the same as those of the first embodiment. 
     In making an “awaji-musubi” using the knot maker Ab, a string S is first caused to pass through the through-hole  51  provided with the number  1 , as shown in FIG.  6 A. Then, as shown in FIGS. 6B-6D, the string S is brought into engagement with all of the string engagement portions  21   a - 21   h  in the order of the numbers N. Thus, a first round of the string engagement work is completed. Then, as shown in FIGS. 6E-6G, the string S is brought into engagement with the string engagement portions  21   a ′- 21   h ′ in the order of the numbers N. Thus, a second round of the string engagement work is completed. Since the portions of the main body  1 B with which the string S engages in the second round are positionally deviated from those in the first round, parts of the string S are neatly aligned. 
     Then, as shown in FIG. 6H, the string S is disengaged from the knot maker Ab. Such disengagement of the string S can be performed easily by bending relevant portions of the main body  1 B. Then, as shown in FIG. 6I, a core member  80  is inserted into the center of a plurality of loops of the string S and opposite ends of the string S are pulled to tighten the loops. Finally, as shown in FIG. 6J, the core member  80  is removed and the knot is tightened. Thus, the “awaji-musubi” is completed. 
     FIGS.  7  and  8 A- 8 B illustrate a decorative knot maker Ac according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     The decorative knot maker Ac of this embodiment, which is for making a “kiku-musubi” (chrysanthemum knot) includes a card-like main body  1 C, as in the previous embodiments. The main body  1 C is formed with recessed string engagement portions  22   a - 22   c  along its outer periphery. The main body  1 C further includes a plurality of projections  32   a - 32   i  formed on its obverse surface, and a plurality of projections  32   j - 32   l  formed on its reverse surface. The main body  1 C is provided with a cross-shaped through-hole  52  having four triangular openings connected to each other. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the projections  32   a - 32   i , generally U-shaped in section, is formed with a hole for passing a string S. 
     On the obverse surface of the main body  1 C, numbers N are printed for guiding the string S in the specified order. Each of the numbers  1 - 8  is represented by two different manners, i.e., a white character against a black background and a black character against a white background. 
     Referring to FIG. 9A, to make a chrysanthemum knot using the knot maker Ac, a string S is first passed through the hole of the projection  32   h  with the indication of number  1  in the black background. Then, the string S is guided through the through-hole  52  and guided to a portion with number  2  in the black background for engagement with the string engagement portion  22   c . Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the string S is hooked around the projection  321  on the reverse surface of the main body  1 C and guided back to the obverse surface side. Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the string S is again passed through the through-hole  52 , to be guided to a portion with number  3  in the black background for engagement with the string engagement portion  22   a . The string S is then hooked around the projection  32   j  on the reverse surface of the main body  1 C in the same manner as shown in FIG.  9 B and guided back to the obverse surface side. Thereafter, the string is bought into engagement with the string engagement portion  22   b  and guided to the reverse surface side for engagement with the projection  32   k . The string S, after hooked around the projection  32   k , is guided to the obverse surface side, passed through the through-hole  52  and again passed through the hole of the projection  32   h , as shown in FIG.  9 D. 
     Then, as shown in FIG. 9E, the part of the string S passing through the projection  32   h  is disengaged and inserted into the hole of the projection  32   b  with number  1  in the white background. 
     Thereafter, the part of the string S hooked around the projection  321  on the reverse side is disengaged and folded back onto the obverse side of the main body  1 C to be inserted into the hole of the projection marked by number  2  in the white background. Then, the part of the string S hooked around the projection  32   j  on the reverse side is disengaged and folded back onto the obverse side of the main body  1 C to be inserted into the hole of the projection marked by number  3  in the white background. Likewise, the part of the string S hooked around the projection  32   k  on the reverse side is disengaged and folded back onto the obverse side of the main body  1 C to be inserted into the hole of the projection marked by number  4  in the white background, as shown in FIG.  9 F. 
     Then, as shown in FIG. 9G, the part of the string S inserted into the hole of the projection marked by number  5  in the black background is disengaged and inserted into the hole of the corresponding projection marked by number  5  in the white background. In the same manner, the respective parts of the string S held by the projections marked by number  6 ,  7  and  8  in the black background are disengaged in this order, and inserted, as shown in FIG. 9H, into the holes of the corresponding projections marked by number  6 ,  7  and  8  in the white background. The result is shown in FIG.  9 I. 
     Then, referring to FIG. 9J, the main body  1 C is turned over to pull the parts of the string S exposed from the through-hole  52 , so that the knot on the obverse side of the main body  1 C is put into desired shape. In the state shown in FIG. 9K, the completed chrysanthemum knot is pulled upward for removal from the main body  1 C. 
     FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate a decorative knot maker Ad according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     The decorative knot maker Ad of this embodiment, which is for making a “biwa-musubi” (Japanese lute knot) includes a card-like main body ID. The main body ID includes a projection  55  formed with a through-hole  53   a , and is formed with three pairs of string engagement portions  23   a - 23   c  adjacent to the projection  55 , as shown in FIG.  10 A. The main body ID is provided, on its obverse surface, with a stepped projection  33 . The projection  33  is formed, at its generally central portion, with a through-hole  53   b  penetrating the main body  1 D. The main body  1 D is further formed with a cutout  54  at a portion away from and below the through-hole  53   b , as seen from FIG. 10B, for example. Unlike the first through the third embodiments, the knot maker Ad is not provided with numbers for specifying the string-guiding order, since the “biwa-musubi” is relatively easy as compared with the knots of the foregoing embodiments, and the process is readily understandable without the help of such numbers. 
     To form the decorative knot using the knot maker Ad, as shown in FIG. 11A, a string S is first guided into the cutout  54  and then into the through-hole  53   a . Then, as shown in FIGS. 11B-11E, the string S is successively wound around the stepped portions of the projection  33  and the string engagement portions  23   a - 23   c  to repetitively form an 8-like shape. Then, as shown in FIGS. 11F and 11G, a leading part of the string S is passed through the through-hole  53   b  and pulled to tighten the parts in the 8-like shape. Then, as shown in FIGS. 11H and 11I, the string S as a whole is removed from the knot maker Ad. 
     The present invention being thus described, it is obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.