Abstract:
A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. The example kit provides for the successful creation of unique wearable articles using Brunnian link assembly techniques and includes several pin bars that are supported in a desired special orientation by at least one base. The desired special orientation is dependent on the desired linked configuration of the completed article. The pins may be assembled in various combination and orientations to provide endless variation of completed link orientations.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/329,099 filed on Jul. 11, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/938,717 filed on Jul. 10, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/227,638 filed on Sep. 8, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,485,565, that claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/410,399 filed on Nov. 5, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure generally relates to method and device for creating a linked item. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a method and device for creating a linked wearable item from elastic bands. 
         [0003]    Kits that include materials for making a uniquely colored bracelet or necklace have always enjoyed some popularity. However such kits usually just include the raw materials such as different colored threads and beads and rely on the individual&#39;s skill and talent to construct a usable and desirable item. Accordingly there is a need and desire for a kit that provides not only the materials for creating a unique wearable item, but also that simplifies construction to make it easy for people of many skill and artistic levels to successfully create a desirable and durable wearable item. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    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 kit and device provides for creation of Brunnian link articles of complex configurations. Moreover, the example kit provides for the successful creation of unique wearable articles using Brunnian link assembly techniques. 
         [0005]    The example kit includes several pin bars that are supported in a desired spatial orientation by at least one base. The desired spatial orientation is dependent on the desired link configuration of the completed article. The base and pin bars may be assembled in various combination and orientations to provide endless variation of completed link orientations. Moreover, additional bases and pin bars can be added to further expand possible completed article creation. 
         [0006]    Each of the pin bars includes a flanged top portion for holding elastic bands in place and a front access groove. The front access groove provides for a hook to be inserted below a top most elastic band such that a lower band can be grasped and pulled over an adjacent band to form the Brunnian link. The disclosed kit provides for many possible orientations of adjacent pins, and therefore different orientations of and designs for a completed linked article. 
         [0007]    These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example kit for creating a Brunnian link article. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is schematic view of Brunnian link articles. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a series of Brunnian links. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an example pin bar. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of interfacing surfaces of an example base and the example pin bar. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a pin bar mounted to an example base. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one pin of the example pin bar. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is front view of one example pin. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is side view of an example pin. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a top view of an example pin. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an example base. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of another example base. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11A  is a bottom view of the example base. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11B  is a bottom view of another example base. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an assembly view of several bases assembled to several pin bars. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is an assembly view of several pin bars mounted relative to each other in one desired special orientation. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 14A-C  are perspective views of assembly steps for creating a Brunnian linked article. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of an example clip for securing loose ends of a Brunnian linked article. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is perspective view illustrating elastic bands secured with the example clip. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an example base template for holding pin bars in a desired special orientation. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the example base template. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of side by side attachment of two base templates. 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of an end to end attachment of two base templates. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 , an example kit is indicated at  10  for creating Brunnian link items such as bracelets, necklaces and other wearable or decorative items shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a Brunnian link  20  is formed from a continuous looped structure without forming an actual knot. Several links are formed in a chain to form a circular structure. The ends are then secured and a durable wearable item is created. In this example three closed looped elastic items  20  such as rubber bands are shown forming a single chain. Each link is formed by capturing ends  22  of one loop structure with a mid portion  24  of another loop structure in series. Each link depends on the previous and subsequent links to maintain the desired shape and integrity. Removing one link  20  results in all of the links becoming loose from each other. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the example kit  10  includes a base  12  that supports pin bars  14  that each includes a plurality of pins  26 . A hook tool  16  is included for grasping and moving bands from one pin  26  to another. A clip  18  receives ends of the completed links to complete and secure the linked item. One or several pin bars  14  are mounted to several bases  12  as is shown to support the pin bars  14  and the corresponding pins  26  in a desired alignment. In this example, a center pin bar  14  is incremented one up from the two outermost pin bars  14 . This alignment provides for creation of a desired linked item. In this example three bases  12  are utilized to support the pin bars  14  in a desired relative orientation. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 A-B, with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the base  12  includes a plurality of upward extending cylinders  28  that are received within a corresponding opening  30  defined at the bottom of each pin  26  the pin bar  14 . The cylinders  28  of the base  12  and the openings  30  receiving the cylinders  28  are mating features that define a slight interference fit to hold the pin bar  14  in place. Although three bases  12  are shown in this example, more or less could be utilized to support additional numbers of pin bars  14 . 
         [0035]    The base  12  includes tabs  32  disposed between the cylinders  28  that fit within corresponding slots  34  defined on the pin bar  14 . The interface between the tabs  32  and slots  34  provide alignment and maintain the upright orientation of the pin bars  14 . Each of the pins  26  includes a front slot  36  that receives a boss  38  defined between cylinders  28  of the base  12 . The front slot  34  and boss  38  interface further aligns and supports the pin bar  14  on the base  12 . 
         [0036]    The pin bar  14  is an integral structure having the plurality of pins  28  defined in a single row. Each of the pins  28  are spaced an equal distance A apart. Each of the pins  28  includes a flanged top  38  and a front access groove  40 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8  and  9 , each pin  26  extends upward from a bar portion  42  and include features for holding and spacing rubber bands. Each pin  26  includes the flanged top  38  that is flared outward to an outer edge  48  to prevent errant release of a rubber band during creation of a link. The example outer edge  48  is a rounded edge about the flanged top  38 . The access groove  40  is a longitudinal groove that extends inward toward a center of the pin  26 . The access groove  40  extends from the bar portion  42  to an open end with the flanged top  38 . That is, groove  40  extends to a top end of the pin  26  and through the flared top  38 . The groove  40  provides a clearance for insertion of the hook tool  16  ( FIG. 1 ) utilized for moving ends of a rubber band between pins  32 . 
         [0038]    Each of the pins  26  includes a bottom portion  44  that is flared outward from a diameter of a mid portion  46 . The mid portion  46  of the pin  26  is where a rubber band is secured during assembly. The bottom portion  44  is flared outward to prevent the rubber band from slipping downward against the bar portion  42 . The top and bottom flared portions  38 ,  44  centers the rubber bands in the mid portion  46  to provide a desired alignment during assembly. The edges of the flange  38  are rounded over to eliminate sharp edges or surfaces. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 11A , the example base  12  includes three rows of three cylinders  28  that are spaced equal distance from each other. Accordingly, the pin bars  14 , and thereby the rows of pins  26  are also spaced an equal distance from each other. The tabs  32  and bosses  37  are received within corresponding slots  34  and  36  formed on the pin bar  14 . A stabilizer  50  is disposed between each row of cylinders  28  to provide further lateral support for the pin bars  14 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 10B and 11B , another example base  12 ′ includes three rows of six cylinders  28  that are spaced an equal distance from each other. The additional cylinders  28  provided by the larger example base  12 ′ provide for mounting of additional pin bars  14  with the same number of bases  12 ′. As appreciated, it is within the contemplation of this disclosure to provide a base with any number of rows of and columns of cylinders  28  that provide varying mounting configurations for the pin bars  14 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 14 , the base  12  is utilized to set a desired pattern and uniform spacing between several pin bars  14 . Accordingly, each of the bases  12  can engage one or several bin bars  14 . The base  12  can engage and be receive three pin bars  14  longitudinally, and/or may be added to a side of a group of pin bars to add additional pin bars beyond the three provided for by one base  12 . In this configuration, the three pin bars  14  form three rows of pins  26 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , each pin  26  has its access groove  40  facing a common front, side of the assembly.  FIG. 12  illustrates a configuration where three bases are supporting three pin bars  14  and two additional bases  12  are engaged to the current pin bars  14  with only one row such that two rows of cylinders  28  extend laterally to receive additional pin bars  14 .  FIG. 13  illustrates a configuration where five pin bars  14  are aligned side by side as provided by the additional bases  12  extending laterally as shown in  FIG. 12 . As is appreciated, the extent to which additional bases and pin bars  14  can be added and the configurations possible are limited only be the desire of the user of the disclosed kit. The addition of pin bars  14  provides for more unique and intricate designs limited only by the imagination of the user of the kit. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 14A-C , a method of forming a Brunnian link as provided by the example kit includes the initial step of loading elastic bands onto adjacent pins  26 . In this example, beginning at the right most ends each rubber band are stretched over adjacent pins and held at the mid portion. A first elastic band  52  is placed between a first pair of adjacent pins  26  A second elastic band  54  is then placed over one end of the previously assembled first elastic band  52 , and then a third elastic band  56  and so on until the desired number of rubber bands have been placed on corresponding pin bars  14 . Note that in this example only three elastic bands  52 ,  54 , and  56  are shown for explanation purposes, however, in practice, many elastic bands would be utilized to provide the desired length of a completed article. 
         [0043]    Once the elastic bands  52 ,  54 , and  56  are placed on each of the pins  26 , the hook  16  is inserted into the access groove  40  and moved downward past the top most elastic bands  56 . The hook  16  is then moved outward from the groove in a direction indicated by arrow  58  a sufficient distance to allow for one end of the elastic band  54  to be caught in the hook end. Further lifting pulls the captured end of the second elastic band  54  in the direction indicated by  60  up through the end of the third elastic band  56  for assembly on to another adjacent pin  26  as is shown in  FIG. 14B . The captured end is pulled up and over the flanged top  38  and pulled back onto the adjacent pin to form a single link. The captured end of the elastic band  54  is then released to engage the adjacent pin  26 . This process is repeated until a chain of links a desired length is obtained. The captured end then becomes the “top” elastic band relative to an underlying band. 
         [0044]    The example illustrated in  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B and  14 C illustrate a chain formed from a single row of links. The example base template  12  can be arranged to support many pin bars  14  and therefore links can be formed longitudinally and laterally across adjacent pin bar  14  to form a wide variety of link configurations and combinations. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , once the link is created, the clip  18  is used to secure the ends such that the fabricated chain of links does not come undone. The clip  18  is substantially C-shaped with an inward facing ends  62  that trap ends of the elastic bands  64  within the inner area  61 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 17-20 , an example base template  66  is shown for holding six pin bars  14  in a desired orientation. Each of the example pin bars  14  includes the opening  30  of a defined size and the base template  66  includes a plurality of circular bosses  68  that are sized to provide a desired tight interference fit with the openings  30  in the pin bar  14  such that the pin bar  14  is retained in place within grooves  70  of the base template  66 . The interference fit between the pin bar  14  and the bosses of the base template  66  assure a positive mounting and securing of to the base to prevent separation during use and construction of a desired wearable item. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20 , the base template  66  includes first and second ends  72 ,  74  and first and second sides  76 ,  78  between the first and second ends  72 ,  74 . The first end  72  includes a male joint  80  and the second end  74  includes a corresponding female joint  80 . The first side  76  includes a male joint  82  and the second side  78  includes a female joint  80 . The alternating sides provide for attachment of several base templates  66  to each other to provide extended capability. 
         [0048]      FIG. 19  illustrates two base templates  66  connected to each other in a side-to-side configuration by way of joints  84 .  FIG. 20  illustrates two base templates  66  connected to each other in an end-to-end configuration by way of joint  84 . As appreciated, any number of base templates  66  can be secured to each other to form many different desired configurations. The different configurations provide for many options for creating different shapes and configurations of wearable items. 
         [0049]    Accordingly, the example kit and method provide for the creation of many different combinations and configurations of Brunnian links for the creation of bracelets, necklaces, and other wearable items. Moreover, the example kit is expandable to further create and expand the capabilities of potential Brunnian link creations. Further, the example kit provides for the creation of such links and items in an easy manner allowing persons of varying skill levels to be successful in creating unique wearable items. 
         [0050]    Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this invention.