Abstract:
A mechanical beading system is disclosed. Specifically, the beading system rotates a stiff but flexible beading wire inside an appropriately-shaped container of beads, causing them to slide onto the open end of the beading wire. The beading wire engages the beading mechanism with an endpiece which also allows the beading wire to be removeably fixed in place to complete the work.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the invention is suitable for a wide variety of applications, the description of the preferred embodiment uses it in a beading activity for children. Beading activities are a well-known crafting application in the art of crafts and activities for children. Traditionally, beads with a hole bored either on an axis or an appropriate line are put on a wire or string to create a beaded product. For older children, the string or wire can be put through the eye of a needle to aid in the stringing of the beads. 
     While this approach works, it would be advantageous to have a more automated mechanical system which would allow the beading to proceed much more quickly. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have a mechanical aid to beading-that a younger child could easily operate. It would also be desirable to have a mechanical beading system which incorporated a simple means of completing the beaded work. The present invention addresses these concerns. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a mechanical beading system which produces beaded works quickly and easily. 
     A second object of the invention is to provide a mechanical beading system which is easy and safe for young children to use. 
     A third object of the invention is to provide a mechanical beading system which incorporates a simple means of completing beaded works. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following disclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a mechanical system of stringing beads on a wire quickly and easily. A stiff but flexible wire is circulated through a container with appropriate beads: beads are gradually slipped onto the wire as it circulates. When the wire contains the desired number of beads, it is removed from the circulating mechanism and closed to retain the beads. A thickened section of the wire also serves as an integral reuseable closure mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims. The descriptions of the preferred embodiment refer to the preceding drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a representational view of the entire apparatus. 
     FIG. 2 is a representational view of the beading mechanism in operation. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bead wire receiving means. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bead wire in operation. 
     FIG. 5 is an overhead view of the bead wire in operation. 
     FIG. 6 is a. representational view of the bead wire engaging a bead. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the bead wire in the final configuration 
     FIG. 8A is a representational view of an alternate embodiment of the bead wire receiving means. 
     FIG. 8B is a representational view of an alternate embodiment of the bead wire receiving means. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The description of the preferred embodiment uses the invention in a device which makes beaded bracelets. With slight modifications, the end product could be modified to produce such things as necklaces, decorations, items for dolls, or components for more complex constructions. 
     By referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the basic concept of the invention may be easily understood. The apparatus  10  consists of base unit  16 , which holds receptacle  14 , which contains beads  52  (not shown: see FIG. 4) and hand unit  12 . Also shown are beading wires  19  and receptacle lid  18 . It is preferred, but not required, that beading wires  19  are of a size that will fit approximately around hand unit  12  or else within receptacle  14 : this allows convenient storage when the apparatus is not in use. 
     To operate the apparatus, the user first places a beading wire  19  on rotary arm  26 . (See FIG.  3  and alternate FIGS. 8A,  8 B for the means by which endpiece  32  engages rotary arm  26 .) Hand unit  12  is then held so as to place beading wire  19  within receptacle  14  and switch  20  is engaged. This causes a motor (not shown—see FIG. 1) inside hand unit  12  to begin to  20  rotate rotary arm  26  with a circular motion. Rotary arm  26  in turn rotates beading wire  19  inside receptacle  14 . The result of this operation is described below. 
     FIG. 3 details the removeable affixment of endpiece  32  to rotary arm  26 . Rotary arm  26  ends in claws  30   a  and  30   b . Rotary arm  26  and claws  30   a  and  30   b . are formed of one piece of any desired material, preferably a rigid molded plastic. In this embodiment it is required that the material have some elasticity which will allow endpiece  32  to be forced into claws  30   a  and  30   b  and then cause it to be held there by friction. (Alternate embodiments can be seen in FIGS. 8 a ,  8   b .) It is preferable to chose the material and configuration of claws  30   a  and  30   b  such that endpiece  32  can be forced into the gap between claws  30   a  and  30   b  with a positive “snap,” adjusting the tension for the predicted strength and dexterity of the target user. 
     FIG. 4 shows the operation of rotary arm  26  in receptacle  14 . Rotary arm  26  is rotating such that beading wire  19  describes a circle somewhat smaller than, and in the same plane as, receptacle  14 . Receptacle  14  contains a plurality of beads  52 . The user lowers hand unit  12  (not shown, see FIG. 2) until beading wire  19  enters beads  52 . The result is described below. It is preferred that receptacle  14  be formed as shown, specifically that it have a slight “lip” on the upper outer circumference such that beads cannot be pushed out by the action of the apparatus, and that it have a slight elevation in the center such that beads will tend to accumulate on the lower outer circumference. Both of these characteristics increase the efficiency of the beading process. 
     FIG. 5 shows the actual beading process. Beading wire  19 , held to rotary arm  26  by the grip of claws  30   a  and  30   b  on endpiece  32 , is rotating through beads  52 . The forward end  60  (not shown, see FIG. 6) of beading wire  19  will encounter the holes  54  (not shown, see FIG. 6) in beads  52  from time to time. When this occurs, beading wire  19  will pass through the hole, stringing the bead. As beading wire  19  continues to rotate, the pressure from beads  52  generally will cause strung beads to move further up beading wire  19 . When beading wire  19  is full, or at any time when the quantity of strung beads is deemed sufficient by the user, hand unit  12  (see FIG. 2) is lifted, switch  20  is disengaged, and the user may complete the beading process by closing beading wire  19  (see detail in FIG. 7.) 
     FIG. 6 shows forward end  of beading wire  19  entering the hole  54  of a bead  52 . It is preferred, but not required that forward end  be shaped as shown, or in some other fashion gradually narrowed towards its end, to facilitate its entry into the beads. It is likewise preferred, but not required, that hole  54  be flared or otherwise open as much as possible at the surface of the bead to facilitate the entry of forward end  60 . 
     FIG. 7 shows the finished product. Beading wire  19 , being strung as desired with beads  52 , has forward end  60  inserted-into receiver  70  of endpiece  32 . In this embodiment, it is required that receiver  70  be sufficiently close in size to forward end  that friction will hold beading wire  19  closed. Judicious selection of the materials and respective sizes will then allow beading wire  19  to be removed from endpiece  32 , permitting beads  54  to be removed and the process to be repeated as desired. Alternate embodiments using adhesives or mechanical fastening systems, which may be permanent or reusable, are also possible. In this embodiment, endpiece  32  and beading wire  19 , including forward end  60 , are formed of a single piece of molded material, but this is not required. Endpiece  32  may be added to beading wire  19  in a later manufacturing step or even by the user prior to the beading process. 
     FIG. 8A shows an alternate embodiment of rotary arm  26  and endpiece  32   a . Here, endpiece  32   a  is formed so as to enter into a mechanical alignment with rotary arm  26 . This will provide less freedom of movement and greater security of endpiece  32   a , if desired, and could be used to make it easier for a child to insert endpiece  32   a  into the rotary arm. The effect is also decorative with regards to endpiece  32   a.    
     FIG. 8B shows an alternate embodiment of rotary arm  26  and endpiece  32   b . Here, endpiece  32   b  further comprises locator  80  which mates with locator peg  82 . This will provide less freedom of movement and greater security of endpiece  32   b , if desired, and could be used to make it easier for a child to insert endpiece  32   b  into the rotary arm. It will also allow a much greater tolerance for the frictional fit of endpiece  32   b , which will not be able to slide or rotate on rotary arm  26  even while rotating through beads. 
     While the description above details the preferred and best mode(s) of practicing the invention, many other configurations and variations are possible. For example: 
     1) The invention need not be practiced as a means of making jewelry for human beings, but could be a simulated piece of construction equipment, a method of making decorations for dolls or inanimate objects, or a means for making independent works of art. 
     2) The mechanism need not be actuated by a battery-powered motor, but could be powered by a human-wound spring or even by a direct or gear-driven mechanism powered by the user. 
     Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the claims below and their equivalents.