Patent Publication Number: US-2020289951-A1

Title: Pipe Cleaner Craft Kit

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/818,288 filed by the present inventor on Mar. 14, 2019. 
     The aforementioned provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to craft projects, and more particularly, to a craft using pipe cleaners. 
     Brief Description of the Related Art 
     Pipe cleaners have been used for many years in arts and crafts projects. While these pipe cleaner crafts have been popular, they often suffer from being fragile or difficulties in keeping the pipe cleaners in place once the craft is completed. Further, the prior crafts did not allow for complex and/or detailed designs to be easily completed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a craft project or kit having base with a body and a plurality of limbs or attachments with the body and attachments having a plurality of holes for receiving ends of pipe cleaners such that a first end of a pipe cleaner can be inserted into a first hole, the pipe cleaner can then be wrapped tightly about the body or attachments, and then a second end of the pipe cleaner can be inserted into a second hole in the body or limb which holds it in place. Hole patterns can be simple or complex allowing for a wide range of user skill sets to build a similarly wide range of finished colors and textures for each pipe cleaner craft project as described in the present invention. 
     Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a preferable embodiments and implementations. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an assembly diagram of a rigid body or base for a pipe cleaner craft project in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of partially completed pipe cleaner craft project in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  are diagrams of a portion of a rigid body or base of a pipe cleaner project in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A-4F  are diagrams of a second portion of a rigid body or base of a pipe cleaner project in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5A-5F  illustrate the steps for completing the body of a pipe cleaner horse in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6A-6G  illustrate the steps of completing the head of a pipe cleaner horse in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A-7E  illustrate the steps of completing the legs of a pipe cleaner horse in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8A-8D  illustrate the steps for completing the head of a pipe cleaner panda in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9A-9D  illustrate the steps of completing the body of a pipe cleaner panda in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate the steps of completing the feet of a pipe cleaner panda in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11A-11B  illustrate the steps of completing the legs of a pipe cleaner panda in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the inventions are described with reference to the drawings. A base assembly  100  of a pipe cleaner project in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The base assembly  100  has a body  110 , a plurality of limbs  200 , and a head  300 . The head have a skull portion  310 , a jaw portion  330  and a peg  312 . Each of the body  110 , the limbs  200 , and the head  300  has a plurality of holes  102 ,  202 . The body  110  has holes  114  for receiving pegs  206  on limbs  200  and a hole for receiving peg  312  on the head  300 . The pegs  206  are inserted into the holes  114  in the body  110  to attach the limbs  200  to the body  110 . The head  300  similarly has a peg  312  that inserted into a hole  114  in a neck portion of the body  110 . The body  110  has a recessed surface  116  surrounding each hole  114  for opposing a surface  204  on a limb to provide support for the limb  200 . The holes  102  on the body  110 ,  202  on the limbs  200  and head  300  are for receiving ends of pipe cleaners. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of pipe cleaners are attached to the body  110  and limbs  200 . The pipe cleaners are attached by inserting a first end of a pipe cleaner into a hole  101 , or  202  and then wrapping the pipe cleaner tightly around the body  110  or limb  200  and then inserting the second end of the pipe cleaner into another hole  101  or  202 . The craft can be built free form by selecting color, size and texture of each pipe cleaner, or, by following directions specific to the holes available and pipe cleaners provided for a specific design, a low skilled crafter can achieve very highly skilled results in a very short period of time. The attachment of pipe cleaners to the skull  310  and the jaw  330  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3D and 4A-4F . 3d mechanical models that form the main parts of the pipe cleaner project are detailed to provide the basic dimension and working platform, pipe cleaner holes &amp; locations, alignment holes &amp; pegs and also exaggerating hard surfaces (e.g. nose, ears per  FIG. 6 ) dimensions to match the finished dimensions once covered in pipe cleaners. The main parts of the frame are likely made of injection molded or 3d printed plastic for the preferred embodiment. With this structure, a wide variety of craft projects can be made. 
     For example, a pipe cleaner horse using the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 5A-7E .  FIG. 5A  illustrates a first step of wrapping a neck portion of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5B  illustrates a second step of filling a second area of a neck portion of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5C  is a front view illustrating a third step of wrapping around the neck area and starting to wrap between the legs of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5D  is a side view illustrating the third step of wrapping around the neck area, starting to wrap between the legs, and starting to wrap around the chest of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5E  is a front view illustrating a fourth step of filling in the areas around the neck, chest and legs of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5F  is a side view illustrating the fourth step of filling in the areas around the neck, chest and legs of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 6A-6G  illustrate how to wrap the horses head with pipe cleaners. In  FIG. 6A , the pipe cleaner is cut to a first length and placed on the head by inserting the ends of the cut pipe cleaner into holes in the head. In  FIG. 6B , additional pipe cleaners are cut to a second length and placed on the head in a similar manner. In  FIG. 6C , pipe cleaners are cut to appropriate lengths to go over the eyes of the horse. This is done on both sides of the head. In  FIG. 6D , pipe cleaners are cut to go under the eyes of the horse. Again, this is done on both sides of the head. In  FIG. 6E , additional pipe cleaners are cut to fill in between the eyes and ears. In  FIG. 6F , pipe cleaners are cut to long and short lengths, as shown, and used to fill the area under the eyes, alternating the long and short pipe cleaners. This is repeated on both sides of the head. In  FIG. 6G , pipe cleaners are cut to fill in the area underneath the horse&#39;s head. The pipe cleaners used may be of one color or multiple colors. 
       FIGS. 7A-7E  illustrate how to wrap the horse&#39;s legs. In  FIG. 7A , a pipe cleaner is started at a hole just behind the hoof. In  FIG. 7B , the pipe cleaner is wrapped around the leg. This should stop at the ankle bone and the pipe cleaner should be pulled through a hole at the ankle bone and pulled tight to lock the pipe cleaner in place. In  FIG. 7C , continue wrapping the pipe cleaner until it is about one inch from the end. Then go through the closest hole and pull tight. Cut or snip off the end of the pipe cleaner. In  FIG. 7D , start a new pipe cleaner in the same hole on the side the prior pipe cleaner entered. Continued wrapping until about 1 inch form the end of the pipe cleaner. Go through the closest hole and pull tight. Again, snip off the end of the pipe cleaner. In  FIG. 7E , repeat the steps shown in  FIG. 7D  until the body of the horse is reached. At that point, put the pipe cleaner through the closest hole and cut offer the remaining pipe cleaner, leaving about ¼ inch. Bend that remaining ¼ inch over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Cut off the remaining pipe cleaner under the hoof as close to the hoof as possible. 
       FIGS. 8A-11B  illustrate a pipe cleaner kit in the form of a panda bear in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 8A-8E  illustrate the steps for preparing the panda head. For each step cut a pipe cleaner to the length shown in the corresponding letter in the figure. As shown in  FIG. 8A , start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole  810 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then begin wrapping the pipe cleaner around the eye as show in  FIG. 8A . Finish the step by pulling the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the hole  812 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8B , cut pipe cleaners to the lengths B, C and D as shown. Then starting with the two pipe cleaners of length B, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole  820 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the hole  822 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Next, using a pipe cleaner cut to length C, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole  830 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then begin wrapping the pipe cleaner around the head as shown in  FIG. 8B . Finish the step by pulling the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the hole  832 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Next, using a pipe cleaner cut to length D, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole  840 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then begin wrapping the pipe cleaner around the head as shown in  FIG. 8B . Finish the step by pulling the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the hole  842 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8C , cut pipe cleaners to the lengths E, F and G as shown. Then starting with the three pipe cleaners of length E, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole  850 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole  852 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the other two pipe cleaners cut to length E. Next, starting with the three pipe cleaners of length F, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through a hole  860 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole  862 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the other two pipe cleaners cut to length F. As shown in  FIG. 8D , starting with the two pipe cleaners of length G, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through a hole  870 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole  872 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the other pipe cleaner cut to length F. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , cut pipe cleaners to the lengths I, J and K as shown. Then starting with the seven pipe cleaners of length I ( 3  black and four white), start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole  910 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole  912 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the remaining pipe cleaners cut to length I. Next, with the pipe cleaners of length J (2 black and 4 white), start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through a hole  920 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole  922 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the other pipe cleaners cut to length J. Next, with the pipe cleaners of length K (4 black and 14 white), start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through a hole  930 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole  932 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the other pipe cleaners cut to length K. As shown in  FIG. 9B , now add a tail. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 9C , pipe cleaners are cut to lengths L and M. Then starting with the six pipe cleaners of length L (one black and five white), start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole  940 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole  942 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the remaining pipe cleaners cut to length L. Next, as shown in  FIGS. 9C and 9D , with the pipe cleaner of length M (white), start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through a hole  950 . Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole  952 . Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. 
     Next, the feet are prepared as shown in  FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C . Use a full length black pipe cleaner when no cut length is indicated. The number of wraps will differ from user to user based on how tightly the pipe cleaners are wrapped. As shown in  FIG. 10A , start in the hole under a foot. Perform a plurality of wraps (possibly four warps) through the large hole to form the front of the foot. Then, as shown in  FIG. 10B , perform a plurality of wraps (possibly three) around the foot. Push the end through the ankle hole and cut the remaining pipe cleaner. Next, as shown in  FIG. 10C , start in the end hole exit point from  FIG. 10B , and continue wrapping in the same direction. 
     Next, the legs are wrapped as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . Cut a black pipe cleaner to length H. Starting with the end hole entrance from  FIG. 10C , continue wrapping with the pie cleaner of length H in the same direction. Due to the slight variation in the distance between holes, the amount of remaining pipe cleaner length will differ slightly from use to use. When the leg is completely wrapped, insert the end of the pipe cleaner though a hole and pull tight from the inside. 
     Next, snap the pieces of the panda bear together. 
     The invention, however, is not limited to animals, but rather, the invention could be used with any object, such a car, plane, train or building. 
     The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated by reference herein.