Abstract:
A disclosed device for creating an item consisting of a series of links includes at least two posts spaced part from each other in a first direction with each of the posts including a first arm and a second arm and an access slot.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/626,057 filed Sep. 25, 2012, and further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/846,270 filed on Jul. 15, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     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. 
     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 
     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 and other linked articles. Moreover, the example kit provides for the successful creation of unique wearable articles using Brunnian and other link assembly techniques. 
     The example kit includes a template for mounting an initial band and a hook utilized for attaching additional bands to the initial bands placed on the template. The template includes pins that hold the initial band in place while additional bands are linked onto each other. The kit further includes a clip utilized to attach ends once the desired length is formed. 
     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 
         FIG. 1  perspective view of an example kit for creating a linked article. 
         FIG. 2  is schematic view of link article. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a series of a series of Brunnian links. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an example template. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of the example template. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the example template. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of an example clip for securing loose ends of a Brunnian linked article. 
         FIG. 8  is perspective view illustrating elastic bands secured with the example clip. 
         FIGS. 9A-9M  are views of an example method of creating a linked article using the example template and kit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an example kit is indicated at  10  for creating linked items such as bracelets, necklaces and other wearable or decorative article as generally indicated in  FIG. 2 . The example kit  10  includes a template  12 , a clip  16  and a hook  14 . The example kit  10  also includes a number of elastic members  18  that are used with the kit  10  to form links for the resulting wearable article. The elastic members  18  are consumed as articles are fabricated, and are replaced and replenished with additional elastic members. Moreover, the example elastic members  18  are of a size corresponding with the example template  12 . Further, although a single clip  16  is illustrated, the example kit  10  will include many clips  16  to provide for the fabrication of many articles  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a Brunnian link  20  is formed from a continuous looped structure without forming an actual knot. Several links  20  are formed in a chain to form a circular structure. Ends  22  of each elastic member  18  are secured and a durable wearable article is created. In this example three links  20  are shown forming a single chain. Each link  20  is formed by capturing the ends  22  of one loop structure with a mid portion  24  of another loop structure in series. Each link  20  depends on the previous and subsequent links  20  to maintain the desired shape and integrity. Removing one link  20  results in all of the links becoming loose from each other. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , the example template  12  includes two posts  28 A,  28 B spaced a distance  30  apart from each other. Each of the pins  28 A,  28 B includes a first arm  32   a - b  and second arm  34   a - b  supported on a base  36 . The arms  32   a - b ,  34   a - b  defines an access slot  38  that extends across both of the posts  28 A,  28 B. The base  36  includes a link opening  40  for completed links of a linked article during fabrication. Each of the first and second arms  32   a - b ,  34   a - b  include upper and lower tabs  42  that maintain a linked article within a center section  44 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the example clip  16  is generally C-shaped with inwardly facing ends  48 . The inwardly facing ends  48  point inwardly to an open space  50  where parts of the elastic members are kept  18 . The inwardly facing ends  48  prevent ends  22  from sliding out from the inner area  50  off of the clip  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A-M , the example template  12  is utilized for the formation of a linked article. As appreciated, elastic bands  18  can be difficult to manipulate and hold during the construction of a desired article. The example template  12  provides for holding of an initial number of links  20  and subsequent connection of each link in the linked article. The template  12  includes the first and second posts  28 A,  28 B along with the access slot  38  across both of the posts  28 A-B. The specific linked configuration can be a simple Brunnian link, but may also be more complex and intricate link structures such as a fishbone type link structure. The template  12  includes the link opening  40  to facilitate the fishbone link structure where the linked article grows and extends from the template  12  through the link opening  40 . 
     The Figures illustrate formation of a fishbone linked structure utilizing the example template  12 . The initial step illustrated in  FIG. 9A  includes assembling a first elastic band  18 A by crossing over itself to form a  FIG. 8  pattern across the posts  28   a - b . A second elastic band  18 B and third elastic band  18 C is then assembled over the first elastic band  18 A without crossing over as is shown in  FIG. 9B . Three elastic bands are therefore supported across the posts  28   a - b  with the first band  18 A on the bottom below the second and third elastic bands  18 B,  18 C. 
     Utilizing the hook tool  14 , the bottom, lower most, or first elastic band  18 A is pulled off of the posts  28 A-B and looped over the second and third elastic bands  18 B,  18 C as is shown in  FIGS. 9C and 9D . The first elastic band  18 A is positioned to loop around each of the second and third elastic bands  18 B,  18 C and is not supported directly by the posts  28   a - b.    
     An additional elastic band  18 D is then added above the second and third elastic bands  18 B,  18 C such that the second elastic band  18 B is now the lower most elastic band as is shown in  FIG. 9E . The lower most elastic band  18 B is then grasped with the hook tool  14  ( FIG. 9F ) by extending the hook tool  14  into the access slot  38  and grasping ends of the elastic band in sequence, pulling the ends away from the corresponding post ( FIG. 9G ) and looping each end over onto the and around the other links supported between the first and second posts as is shown in  FIG. 9H . 
     An additional link is added above the two remaining links  18 C,  18 D across the two posts  28   a - b  as is shown in  FIG. 9I  and the process shown in  FIGS. 9F through 9H  is repeated with additional links to grow the length of the linked structure as is shown in  FIGS. 9J and 9K  until a desire length or number of links are connected to each other as is illustrated in  FIG. 9L . 
     Once the desired length is achieved, as the example in  FIG. 9L  illustrates a clip  16  is attached to the end elastic link. The remaining links on the posts  28   a - b  can be removed and attached to the clip  16  to form the completed linked article as is shown in  FIG. 9M . As appreciated although the ends are connected to form the example linked article. The linked article may have terminal ends that are separately terminated to provide a length of a linked article. 
     Accordingly, the example kit and method provide for the creation of many different combinations and configurations of linked structures and articles 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 linked structures and articles. 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. 
     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.