Patent Publication Number: US-6668597-B2

Title: Crochet hook assembly and method of making same

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/340,568, filed on Dec. 14, 2001, entitled Double Crochet Hook With Rotating Flexible Cable. The subject matter disclosed in that provisional application is hereby expressly incorporated into the present application. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a crochet hook assembly, and more particularly, to a crochet hook assembly having hooks on both ends. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Double crochet hooks generally include a solid shaft with a hook on each end. The double hook allows a person to crochet from either end of the hook with the item being crocheted held on the shaft. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a double crochet hook with a flexible center. In one embodiment, the double hook includes a pair of relatively rigid hook bodies connected by a flexible cable. The flexible cable facilitates the crocheting of large projects and allows the person to rest a portion of the project in their lap taking the weight of the yarn off the person&#39;s shoulders and wrists. At least one connection of the flexible cable to one of the hook bodies allows the cable to rotate axially in relation to the hook body. The flexible cable is adapted to transmit axially rotative forces to one or more swivels connecting the hook bodies to the flexible cable to prevent the kinking and twisting of the flexible cable while a person is corcheting. Thus, the cable provides means for transmitting rotative forces to a swivel. The swivel(s) prevent the kinking and twisting of the flexible cable, which eliminates the twisting of the hook bodies, and takes additional strain off the person&#39;s hands and wrists. 
     One embodiment of the present invention provides a double crochet hook comprising a pair of hook bodies connected by a flexible cable at a pair of connection points. At least one of the connection points allows the flexible cable to rotate axially in relation to at least one of the hook bodies. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention provides a double crochet hook comprising a pair of hook bodies intermediately connected by a flexible cable, and having at least one swivel connecting the flexible cable to one of the hook bodies. 
     Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a double crochet hook comprising a pair of hook bodies, a flexible cable, and a pair of swivels each connecting one end of the flexible cable to one of the hook bodies. 
     Additional embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as a non-limiting example only, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a double crochet hook having a pair of swivels according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of one of the swivels of the double crochet hook of FIG.  1 . 
     This exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention that is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. 
     FIG. 1 shows a double crochet hook  10  according to the present invention. Double crochet hook  10  includes a pair of relatively rigid hook bodies  12  connected with a flexible cable  14 . Connecting hook bodies  12  to flexible cable  14  is a pair of swivels  16 . Each hook body  12  includes a shaft  18  with first and second ends  20 ,  22 , respectively, and a hook  24  on first end  20 . Each of the swivels  16  has a first end  26  connected to second end  22  of hook body  12 , a second end  28  connected to an end of the flexible cable  14 , and a swivel portion  30 . Swivel portion  30  permits first end  26  of swivel  16  to freely rotate independently of second end  28  of swivel  16 . The outside diameter of swivel  16  decreases from first end  26 , which is substantially the same diameter as second end  22  of hook body  12 , to second end  28 , which is slightly larger than the diameter of flexible cable  14 . A smooth profile is preferably maintained to prevent snagging or obstructing the item being crocheted. Each end of flexible cable  14  is inserted into one of the second ends  28  of swivel  16  and is attached thereto. 
     Hook body  12  is manufactured of an alloy, but other materials could be used, such as plastic, wood, or other suitable relatively rigid material. The diameter of shaft  18  and hook  24  is variable and depends on the desired type of crochet stitch. The length of hook body  12 , typically around seven inches, provides comfortable use by allowing the person to hold the hook body and not the flexible cable. 
     Flexible cable  14  is a cable similar to the nylon line used in grass trimmers, but other plastic lines or suitable flexible lines could also be used. The diameter of flexible cable  14  is preferably limited to the diameter of hook body  12  when connected directly to the hook body or to the diameter of the second end of the swivel when a swivel is used. The length of flexible cable  14 , typically around twenty inches, is variable to accommodate the size of the crocheting project. 
     Swivel  16  is also manufactured of an alloy, but other materials could be used, such as plastic or other suitable materials. The size of swivel  16  is dependent on the diameters of hook body  12  and flexible cable  14 . Swivel portion  30  allows hook body  12  to rotate without rotating flexible cable  14 , avoiding the kinking and twisting of flexible cable  14 . This also adds to the comfort and ease of using double crochet hook  10 , because flexible cable  14  will also not be translating any twisting or rotating to hook body  12 . 
     FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of double crochet hook  10  at one of the swivels  16 . The transitions at the connections points at swivel  16  to hook body  12  and flexible cable  14  are substantially flush, allowing the yarn to move along double crochet hook  10  without snagging. Second end  22  of hook body  12  and first end  26  of swivel  16  have substantially identical diameters to form a continuous even surface. The diameter of swivel  16  gradually decreases from first end  26  through swivel portion  30  to second end  28 . The diameter of second end  28  of swivel  16  is slightly larger than the diameter of flexible cable  14 , allowing an end of flexible cable  14  to be inserted into second end  28  of swivel  16  and attached to the interior of second end  28  of swivel  16 . 
     Other embodiments of the present invention could include one swivel, three or more swivels, or no swivels if an alternative mechanism for allowing freedom of rotation of the cable and hook(s) is provided. The swivel(s) can be located at either or both of the connections between the hook body and the flexible cable, or can be incorporated along the length of the flexible cable itself. 
     While this invention has been described as having exemplary embodiments, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice within the art to which it pertains. 
     Although the above description refers to particular means, materials and embodiments, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to adapt to various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.