Abstract:
A uniquely shaped hook which allows a relatively large strand to be hooked securely without snagging or piercing and drawn through a relatively small orifice. The hook can be combined with an adjustable handle which will provide a point of leverage and a clip or ring that will allow the user to keep the device on the hand without holding it directly. A method of embellishing handwork using the device by which the user pre-loads one or more embellishments containing an orifice on the shaft, hooks a strand, slides the embellishment over the hook and onto the strand, and then unhooks the strand with primarily only one hand.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 6,439,000 
                 Aug. 27, 2002 
                 Smark 
                 223/99 
               
               
                   
                 1,289,183  
                 Dec. 31, 1918 
                 Jerram 
                 112/223 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    When threading an inherently flexible or bendable, relatively thin and narrow filamentous, fibrous, woven or spun strand-like entity, henceforth referred to herein as a strand  600 , through a hole, tunnel, tube, loop, opening, or orifice, henceforth referred to herein as an orifice or an object that contains an orifice such as, but not limited to, a button, bead or charm henceforth referred to herein as an orifice object  500 , it is one&#39;s natural inclination to simply push it through the orifice. This may work at times, but usually is not fast, easily accomplished, or convenient. This approach rarely works when the diameter of the strand  600  being threaded is close to or in some cases exceeds the diameter of the orifice, through which it is being threaded. This is especially true when the strand  600  is very flexible, tends to fold on itself during insertion and or compresses to form a larger diameter or consists of a cut end which frays, further increasing the diameter and stopping the strand  600  from passing through. It further becomes more difficult as the diameter of the orifice becomes smaller and the length of the orifice increases. Since pushing often proves to be of no use, many different tools have been developed for pulling a strand  600  through an orifice. These tools fall into four broad categories:
   1. Tools which feature a closed loop such as a needle threader or an orthodontic floss threader or a needle. In order for these tools to work correctly one must have an open-ended strand to thread through the closed loop of the tool. Once the tool is threaded, it can be pulled or pushed in some way through the orifice. While these will work for an open-ended strand, they are not practical if one is seeking to thread a closed or semi-closed strand  600  through the orifice.   2. Tools which are, in general, open hooks and include crochet hooks, heddle threaders, and orifice threaders. These tools work by inserting the hook into an orifice, hooking a strand  600 , and then retracting it through the orifice. These will pull both open and closed strands  600  through a compatible orifice size with reasonable success and with limited frustration, however, they do not work very well at all for applications outside of their intended design. For instance, they are incapable of hooking and pulling yarn through a small diameter orifice as found in many decorative beads. The hooks of these tools are often too shallow to accommodate the entire strand  600  and so the strand  600 , in whole or part, slips off the hook before the threading process is complete. Those hooks that adequately accommodate the strand  600  are usually too thick to pass through the orifice. When a thin hook is required to accommodate the smaller orifice size, shafts often prematurely expand into a handle configuration that is too wide to pass through the orifice and thus do not emerge from the orifice to catch the strand  600 . Hooks that are narrow and wire-like often split the strand  600  and either pierce or fray the strand  600  compromising its integrity in terms of strength and for appearance. The hook end also tends to catch on the orifice edge during retraction even when tools are being used as designed such as the frequent catching when using an orifice hook to pull spun fiber through the orifice of a spinning wheel.   3. Tools which are latched hooks featuring a hinged latch which closes the open hook and thereby captures the open or closed strand  600 . These work well for larger applications, but are far too large for small applications such as threading small seed beads used in jewelry making. Not only does the latch hook hinge fold back on itself during insertion, which then increases the hook size, but it also has rigid construction that does not allow it to squeeze through smaller orifices. In addition, it generally features a relatively large teardrop shape further increasing the minimum orifice size.   4. Tools which are presently used by those skilled in the art such as a cut piece of sewing thread folded around the open or closed strand  600  to be drawn, both ends of thread brought together, threaded through an orifice, and then pulled so as to draw the strand  600  through the orifice. Since thread is thin and slippery, it is hard to grip. One then wraps the thread several times around the fingers in order to pull with adequate force to pull the strand  600  through the orifice. This may hurt the hands and can break the thread. This method is also time consuming, cumbersome, and requires two free hands to complete the process for the average practitioner. The thread is hard to see and is easily lost on the work surface or accidentally adheres to clothes or the project. Thread also tends to fold on itself significantly as it encounters resistance due to friction between it and the orifice surface and thus significantly inhibits threading the strand  600  through the orifice. The problem is exacerbated as the orifice passageway becomes longer. To counteract this problem, thread is often first inserted into a small-eyed needle to then be threaded through the orifice. This is yet another step which results in time loss and may require a needle threader to insert the thread into the eye of the needle.   
 
         [0007]    In summary, the above methods are not efficient or convenient and work with ever increasing difficulty when the size of the strand  600  and orifice is reduced and the ratio of the strand diameter to the orifice diameter increases. Since people have been artistically working with strands  600  to create closed loops and/or stitches and have sought to embellish the work with beads and the like, no convenient and truly effective methods have been developed to easily add beads, buttons, and embellishments to stitches. Even today the authors of knit beading books will instruct the reader to use the standard inefficient, methods such as a crochet hook or a piece of sewing thread. The solution described herein has proven to provide an optimal solution to pulling almost any strand  600  through an orifice or pushing any orifice over a strand  600 , especially for smaller orifice diameters. This very useful device design, as per a search, has not been suggested, published, developed or otherwise disclosed by those who would find it most useful over the period of at least the last 100 years for this purpose nor comprised in such a way as is described below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A key component of this invention has been termed a “Shaft Hook”  100  and a particular embodiment is detailed in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3 . This device will solve the above orifice threading problems and will prove itself useful for a wide range of such threading applications. A Shaft Hook  100  is configured so that a strand  600  may slip into the hook  112  without catching, splitting, or piercing and thus being caught in the hook  112  so it can be securely pulled through an orifice. The key design parameter of the shaft hook  100  is that the terminal end  116  of the shaft hook  100  is angled away from the direct path of the strand  600  as it is compressed under tension over the shaft  110 , slid down the shaft  110  and into the hook  112 . Size, shape, and configuration of the shaft hook  100  may be optimized for different applications. The shaft hook  100  can be used to hook both an open-ended or closed or semi-closed loop strand  600  configuration and may be attached to many other components such as handles, grippers or machinery which would add to its usefulness. A particular embodiment of this invention is shown in  FIG. 4  and, when configured in this way, is primarily operated with one hand and can be retained in the hand without holding it directly so it is conveniently retrievable for each use and adds a means of convenient leverage for specific applications described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a particular embodiment of the shaft hook  100  component from a side of the shaft hook  100  which places the cross  114  in the front of the shaft  110 , with the hook  112  to the bottom and the terminal end  116  slanting to the top right. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates the shaft hook  100  component from a side of the shaft hook  100  which places the cross  114  to the back of the shaft  110 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows the shaft hook  100  component side view demonstrating the closeness of the shaft  110  with the cross  114 . Note that the shaft  110  is in the front, then the hook  112  turns away, and then the terminal end  116  comes back toward the front. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a particular embodiment of this invention as an assembled device described herein and comprised of the shaft hook  100 , handle  300 , and ring  400  components. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates how this particular embodiment of the assembled Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader device shown in  FIG. 4  is to be held in the hand and shows an orifice object  500 , in this case a seed bead, on the shaft hook  100 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  demonstrates the shaft hook  100  device in use with a strand  600  latched into the hook  112  with an orifice object  500  past the terminal end  116  and sitting on the cross  114 . The orifice object  500  will next slide over the hook  112  and latched-in strand  600  resulting in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows the orifice object  500  after it slides over the hook  112  and latched strand  600  and onto the closed-loop strand  600 . In this illustration the looped strand  600  is a small, stretchy, silicone band often used in crafting jewelry or holding hair. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows the orifice object  500  after it slides over the hook  112  and latched strand  600  and onto the looped strand  600 . In this illustration the looped strand  600  is a knit stitch which was originally created by a knitting needle  700 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0017]    The solution to effectively and efficiently pulling a strand  600  through an orifice, is the relatively long and thin shaft hook  100   FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  described herein. The shaft hook  100  is configured into a unique shape with a width that is consistent with the minimum orifice diameter for which it is designed. In this regard, it&#39;s size is limited only by available and suitable construction materials and methods, thus allowing it to slide into any orifice object  500  diameter such as, but not limited to, the hole of small seed beads  500  or the orifice of a spinning wheel. The length and thickness of the shaft hook  100  component will and can vary for the specific range of strand  600  and orifice combination use. All or part of the shaft  110  may not necessarily be straight. In fact, it may be gently curved, extremely curved, twisted, or bent as necessary for the particular application. 
         [0018]    The shaft  110  results in a continuous or attached upturned hook  112  which will then cross  114  the shaft  110  again in another plane with the terminal end  116  angled away from the strand  600  as it slides down the shaft  110  and into the hook  112 . Most often this angle will be slanted away from the shaft  110  as shown in  FIG. 1 , but could take on another angle such as a curve toward the shaft  110 . The key is that the terminal end  116  is not in the path of the strand  600  as it slides down the shaft  110  and into the hook  112  providing a snag free space through which the strand  600  can pass without being split or pierced by the terminal end  116 . The cross  114  serves to secure, snare, catch, hold or lock the strand  600  into the base of the hook  112 . The distance from the cross  114  to the terminal end  116  will vary and depend on the use and specifications of the shaft hook  100  including the strand  600  it is intended to hold and the orifice it must pass through. The shaft hook  100  will essentially be touching at the point of the cross  114 . Very little space if any is desirable at this point so that it keeps the strand  600  latched into the hook  112 . Some space is possible however and may be necessary depending on shaft hook  100  material characteristics  FIG. 3 . The cross  114  could even by carved out so as to allow the cross  114  to fit over or interlock over the shaft  110 . In this case the diameter of the total shaft hook  100  would be further reduced increasing shaft hook  100  versatility. The amount of positive or negative space between the cross  114  and the shaft  110  will be determined by material characteristics and intended application or use. A shaft hook  100  comprised of a material with optimal give or flex while still returning to its predetermined shape will reduce the needed space at the cross  114  to zero. The material will give slightly to the force of the strand  600  and allow the strand  600  to enter the hook  112 . A material that “gives” slightly is also very desirable so that it will more easily pull through the orifice both reducing the potential for snagging the orifice opening and to increase its ability to move through even smaller orifices before resiliently returning to its predetermined shape. 
         [0019]    The shaft hook  100  diameter and length, as well as the hook  112 , cross  114 , and terminal end  116  design will vary for different purposes and applications. This particular embodiment of the shaft hook  100  will accommodate a fine sewing thread to a size 5 or 6 (bulky) yarn and can be inserted into an orifice as small as approximately 0.055″ (1.5 mm) in diameter (such as a size 6 seed bead) and as long as approximately 0.75″ (2 cm) in length. The shaft hook  100  can be manufactured to accommodate many other size ranges. 
         [0020]    As with any hook device that is retracted through an orifice some edge catching may occur at times, as is the case with existing orifice threader hooks, but this shaft hook  100  design will effectively minimize this occurrence. Use by those skilled in the art has shown that a little practice will effectively eliminate any catching. In addition, it should be recognized to anybody skilled in the art that this unique shaft hook  100  component can be mounted on a multiplicity of different handles, arms or machine fixtures to produce devices that effect easy and efficient manual or automatic use. 
         [0021]    A particular embodiment of this invention is the device shown in  FIG. 4 . which has most immediate use as a tool that allows fiber artists, banders, and others the ability to quickly, efficiently, and conveniently embellish their work with only one hand and thereby allowing the artist a free hand with which to hold the work. The shaft  110  is of adequate rigidity such that it will not bend due to the frictional resistance of an orifice. Further speeding the process, it may allow one to string multiple orifice objects  500 , either all the same or different and in any desired sequence, at once on the shaft  110 . The Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader  FIG. 4  sits in the hand  FIG. 5  while both in and out of use and so eliminates time and frustration looking for and picking up the tool as is often the case when practicing this art form with other methods. 
         [0022]    This Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader device  FIG. 4  can thread an open-ended strand, but in addition, it is ideal for threading an orifice object  500 , onto a loop or two sides of one strand  600  at once  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . Situations where this Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader  FIG. 4  would be most useful include 1. Placing orifice objects  500  on a stretchy closed loop band  600  often used to make jewelry crafts or hold hair. 2. Placing orifice objects  500  on a knit stitch  600  3. Placing orifice objects  500  on a crochet stitch 4. Placing orifice objects  500  on a hand sewing or embroidery stitch such as a chain stitch, 5. Placing orifice objects  500  on any other fully or partially closed strand  600  and 6. Pulling any open-ended strand, chain, etc. or closed or partially closed strand  600  or loop through any orifice. 
         [0023]    The preferred embodiment in  FIG. 4  is comprised of the shaft hook  100  attached to a handle  300  at approximately a right angle which is designed to telescope to an appropriate span for a specific application or user. The handle  300  also includes a free rotation mechanism that allows the shaft hook  100  unit to be turned upwards or downwards easily and aide in ease of use both in convenient position and gravitationally keeping the orifice object(s)  500  on the shaft hook  100 . The handle  300  is designed to fit across the inside of the hand giving leverage to the user  FIG. 5 . The handle  300  is attached to a ring  400  which is adjustable in size to fit the user and detachable/interchangeable with different sizes or styles. Other preferred embodiments may or may not utilize these features for best use in a specific application. 
         [0024]    The intended use of this Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader  FIG. 4  is for embellishing handwork. The user will slip the clip or ring  400  onto the hand, most likely a comfortable finger, with the handle  300  held under the second joint knuckles of the hand  FIG. 5 . The handle  300  will then be adjusted so that the entire handle  300  fits comfortably under the width of the fingers. The handle  300  will also be adjustable in angle so that the shaft hook  100  is in line with the thumb and forefinger to comfortably allow a user to slide an orifice object  500  down the shaft  110  over the hook  112  and onto the strand  600   FIG. 6 . 
         [0025]    The process to use the preferred embodiment  FIG. 4  to embellish handwork with an orifice object  500  such as a bead is as follows: 1. Place the clip or ring  400  on a comfortable finger and adjust the handle  300  span and angle of the shaft hook  100  to comfortably fit the user&#39;s hand  FIG. 5 . 2. Load an orifice object  500  onto the shaft  110  and hold it in place with your finger. 3. Loop the strand  600  over the shaft  110  and pull the strand  600  taught while slipping it down the shaft  110  and into the hook  112 . 4. If applicable, remove the looped strand  600  from any other tool or implement that was initially used to hold or create the loop  600 , such as but not limited, to a knitting needle  700 . 5. Using the thumb and forefinger slide an orifice object  500  down the shaft  110 , over the terminal end  116 , cross  114 , and hook  112  (with a slight rock or wiggle of the orifice object  500  if necessary)  FIG. 6 , and onto the looped strand  600 ,  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 . 6. Replace the looped strand  600  onto the original tool or implement if desired in order to continue the project. 7. Remove the hook  112  from the looped strand  600  by applying a bit of pressure which will both tension the strand  600  and release the strand  600  with relative ease. Longer shafts  110  will allow more orifice objects  500  to be pre-threaded or loaded onto the Hook Loop Orifice Threader and Beader  FIG. 4  so they may be released at any rate as the user desires. Longer shafts  110  will also allow for longer orifices to be threaded including the orifice of a spinning wheel or other tubes or other decorative embellishments. 
         [0026]    In concept, all parts of the Loop Hook Orifice Threader and Beader  FIG. 4  are interchangeable allowing additional shaft hook  100  components to be used for different orifice and strand  600  specifications. Different handles  300  may be used for adding or reducing potential span or for changing the sensitivity of the shaft hook  100  angle adjustment. Different handles  300  may be interchanged to accommodate style and design decoration preferences. Clips or rings  400  may be interchanged as well to meet size, style, and finger placement requirements. The Hook Loop Orifice Threader and Beader  FIG. 4  may also be manufactured as a single unit without interchangeable parts or any combination of such.