Patent Abstract:
A knitting needle assembly has a needle body including a tip at one end and a cord connected to the needle body at other end. An adjustable slider is disposed on the cord. The cord stabilizes and holds stitches of yarn used to create a knitted workpiece. The distance between the needle tip and the slider can be adjusted by the user to accommodate the width of the knitted workpiece. Two such assemblies are used to knit. The sliders on each assembly can be adjusted to compress previously formed stiches of the workpiece so that the stitches are delivered to the needle body under a resiliency force. The sliders can also be adjusted to accommodate newly formed stitches without compression so they move freely away from the needle tip once they are formed.

Full Description:
[0001]    The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/364,141 filed on Jul. 19, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to knitting needles with improved functionality. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a knitting needle that includes a cord with an adjustable stop for supporting a knitted workpiece as it is being created that holds the work securely while knitting. The present disclosure further relates to a method for using such knitting needles. 
       Description of the Related Art 
       [0003]    Knitting needles allow a knitter to form yarn into fabric by creating a pattern of interlinked stitches of yarn that result in a fabric workpiece. While a workpiece is being knitted the stitches forming the leading edge of the fabric is held on one of the needles. A stitch from the leading edge of the workpiece is moved to the tip of the needle and linked with a loop of yarn, forming a new stitch of the subsequent row of the workpiece. That newly created stitch is transferred to the other needle. The process is repeated until a complete new row of stitches is formed and the workpiece is transferred entirely from one needle to the other needle. The leading edge of the workpiece is now formed by the new row of stitches. The knitter then creates another new row of stitches by joining stitches to the leading edge of the workpiece and transferring those stitches back to the first needle. The length of the workpiece is not limited because the knitter can continually add rows to the workpiece. 
         [0004]    Known knitting needles may, however, limit the width of the workpiece. As the knitter stiches a row, the row must be stored on the needle itself. If a stitch were to become disengaged from the supporting needle before it is linked with a stitch on the subsequent row the stitch would unravel, potentially ruining the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece must remain engaged with one or the other of the needles until it is finished and “cast off” with a binding row. 
         [0005]    The number of stitches that can fit on a needle is limited by the length of the needle. To make wider panels of fabric using standard knitting needles, the knitter must use longer needles or create multiple panels that are later joined together. Both approaches have drawbacks. Creating a piece from multiple panels is cumbersome and may not result in the same look and feel as a continuously knitted piece. Longer needles have more weight and thus, can cause greater fatigue. Also, longer needles are more likely to break, particularly if light weight material is used. At some point, the length of the needles becomes impractical. 
         [0006]    Wider workpieces can also be formed on so-called circular needles. Circular needles are formed by connecting the ends of two needles together by a cable. Using such needles is referred to as “knitting in the round.” Stitches at the leading edge of the workpiece remain engaged with the cable as they are created. The knitter knits continuously in one direction so that the stiches form a tubular workpiece. 
         [0007]    There are a number of problems with circular needles used to knit in the round. Many users find “knitting in the round” uncomfortable because the weight of the workpiece is borne by the cable supported by the knitter&#39;s hands holding the needles. The weight of the workpiece on the ends of the needles opposite the tip must be lifted each time the knitter moves the tip up and down. This can cause fatigue and discomfort, particularly when the knitter lacks hand and arm strength due to age or to disease, such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and the like. 
         [0008]    Knitting in the round also makes it difficult for the knitter to see the layout of the workpiece while knitting. To create patterns of texture or color in a knitted piece, the knitter may need to see the entire piece laid out flat and may need to make decisions about the type of stitch or color of yarn to use. This may be difficult when the piece is held on a loop of cable. 
         [0009]    To create a new stitch linked to a previously formed stitch, the knitter brings the previously formed stitch to the tip of the needle, links that stitch with a loop of yarn forming the new stitch, and transfers the new stitch to the other needle. This is repeated, one stitch after another as the knitter progresses along the row of previously formed stitches. For a workpiece on circular needles, the knitter must repeatedly slide stitches from the cable onto the needle so they can be delivered to the needle tip. To keep the workpiece in a comfortable position to form the next stitch, the knitter must constantly pull stitches from the cable onto the needle. This can cause fatigue. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods to address these difficulties. 
         [0011]    One aspect of the disclosure describes a knitting needle that includes a cord or cable to hold stitches of the workpiece. The cable has an adjustable stop or slider that can be moved along the cable to a selected distance from the needle. The distance is adjusted to accommodate the number of stitches required for a workpiece of a desired width and to position that workpiece in a desired relationship to the tip of the needle. Another aspect of the disclosure describes a slider mechanism disposed on the cable that the knitter can conveniently adjust to change the distance between the needle and the slider to reposition the workpiece along the cable relative to the needle. The knitter may reposition the slider a number of times when forming each row of stitches. The slider may be formed from materials that reduce wear on the cable as the slider is moved or improve the grip of the slider on the cable to more securely hold the slider in place. 
         [0012]    A further aspect of the disclosure describes a knitting needle, cable, adjustable slider, and a connection mechanism that allows the adjustable cable to be removably connected with the needle. According to this aspect, a variety of needles and cables can be connected with one another to create a desired combination of features. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the disclosure describes a method of knitting. The knitter uses a first needle comprising a cable, an adjustable slider, and an end stopper that prohibits the slider from moving off the end of the cable. The slider forms a stop that prevents stitches from sliding along the cable so that stitches are captive between the slider and the knitter&#39;s hand holding the needle. The knitter adjusts the distance between the slider and the needle so that the stitches are compressed toward the needle. The resiliency of the stitches urges them along the cable and toward the tip of the needle. The knitter holds stitches on the needle so that they remain in place. The knitter moves stitches, one at a time, toward the tip of the needle to knit. The resilient force urges stitches along the cable so that the knitter can easily deliver them to the tip of the needle. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the knitter uses a second needle, also comprising a cable and adjustable slider, in combination with the first needle to form a new row of stitches interlocked with the previously formed row. The distance of the slider along the cable of the second needle is adjusted to hold a number of stitches sufficient to form the desired width of the workpiece without compression. The knitter puts newly created stitches onto the second needle as they are interlocked and allows them to slide along the second needle and its cable. Because the distance between the needle and slider is adjusted to hold the width of the workpiece, the newly created stitches can be placed on the second needle without having to compress them. 
         [0015]    According to a further aspect of the disclosure there is provided a knitting needle assemble comprising a first needle body having first and second ends, wherein the first end forms a needle tip, a flexible cord connected at a first end to the second end of the needle, and an adjustable stop disposed on the cord, wherein the stop can be adjustably fixed to a selected point along the length at the cord. The adjustable stop may comprise a slider and where the cord extends through a passage of the slider. The assembly may comprise a fixed stop disposed at a second end of the cord opposite the first end connect with the needle body, wherein the fixed stop is configured to prevent the slider from moving off the end of the cord. The cord may be formed from one or more of a metal wire, a polymer, a woven fabric, and a combination thereof and may include a friction-reducing or wear-reducing coating. The first needle body may be formed from one or more of hardwood, including rosewood, sheesham, or ebony; bamboo; polymer; metal or metal alloy, including aluminum, steel, brass, bronze, copper, gold, silver; and/or combinations thereof. The first needle body may comprise two sections along its length, the sections set at a non-zero angle to one another. 
         [0016]    According to a further aspect of the disclosure the assembly includes a transition portion that connects the second end of the needle body with the first end of the cord where the transition portion has a smooth variation in diameter between a diameter of the needle body and a diameter of the cord. 
         [0017]    According to a further aspect of the disclosure the assembly further comprises a second needle body, wherein the first and second needles bodies are shaped to allow a user to knit a fabric. The first needle body, cord, and adjustable stop may comprise a first needle assembly and the assembly may comprise a second needle assembly including the second needle body, a second cord attached thereto, and a second adjustable stop disposed on the second cord. 
         [0018]    According to a further aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method of knitting fabric. The method may include the steps of positioning a plurality of stitches on the first needle body and the cord attached thereto, adjusting a position of the adjustable stop of the first needle assembly such that the plurality of stitches are compressed between the needle body and the adjustable stop of the first needle assembly, wherein the compressed stitches create a resiliency force, moving a first stitch of the plurality of stitches to the tip of the needle body of the first needle assembly, interlocking the first stitch with a newly formed stitch using tips of needle bodies of the first and second assemblies, placing the newly formed stitch on the second needle body, and delivering second stitches of the plurality of stitches to the needle body of the first assembly using the resiliency force. The method may further comprise adjusting a position of the second adjustable stop on the second cord so that the distance from a tip of the second needle body to the second adjustable stop is sufficient to hold the plurality of stitches. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a knitting needle assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 2 a - c    show a slider according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a slider according to a further embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4 a - b    show a slider according to a still further embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  show two knitting needle assemblies according to an embodiment of the disclosure used to form a knitted workpiece; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  shows a knitting needle assembly according to a further embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  shows a knitting needle assembly according to a still further embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a knitting needle assembly  100  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A knitting needle  102  is connected with a cord  106  by a transition portion  104 . At the end of the cord opposite the needle is a stopper  110 . A moveable slide  108  is positioned on the cord  106 . Typically, two such assemblies are used by a knitter to form a knitted workpiece from interlocking stitches. 
         [0028]    The needle  102  may be formed from any of a variety of materials and is preferably light in weight. Exemplary materials including hardwood such as rosewood, sheesham, or ebony, bamboo, polymer, metal or metal alloy, such as aluminum, steel, brass, bronze, copper, gold, silver, and/or combinations thereof. The surface of the needle  102  is preferable smooth to facilitate sliding of stitches across its surface. The needle has a tip  101  at the end opposite the transition portion  104  with a shape suitable for forming interlinked stitches of yarn. 
         [0029]    The transition portion  104  provides a smooth surface between the needle  102  and the cord  106  over which stiches of yarn can slide as the needle assembly is used to knit. In this exemplary embodiment, the transition portion  104  has a frustoconical shape with the end connected with the needle  102  equal to the needle diameter and the end connected with the cord  106  equal to the cord diameter. Other shapes are also possible, including providing cylindrical portions equal to the needle and cord diameters, respectively, and a frustoconical portion between the cylindrical portions. According to another embodiment, the transition portion  104  is omitted and the cord  106  is connected directly with the needle  102 . 
         [0030]    The transition portion  104  may be formed from the same material as the needle  102  or may be formed from a different material and joined to the needle  102 . According to one embodiment, the transition portion  104  is formed from a metal or metal alloy such as steel, brass, bronze, copper, gold, silver, a polymer, an elastomer, a composite material, and/or a combination of these. 
         [0031]    Cord  106  is flexible and has a smooth surface to facilitate sliding of stitches of yarn along its length. According to one embodiment cord  106  is between about 12 inches and 60 inches long. According to a preferred embodiment, cord  106  is between about 24 inches and 48 inches long. According to a most preferred embodiment, cord  106  is about 36 inches long. Cord  106  may be formed from a plastic, a metal, a natural fiber, a composite material, or a combination thereof. Cord  106  may be a single filament or may be woven from strands of material or may be a formed from twisted or braided strands, metal wire, or combination thereof. According to a further embodiment, the cord includes a coating that reduces friction with the yarn and/or that resists wear. 
         [0032]    According to one embodiment, cord  106  has a round cross section. According to another embodiment, cord  106  is formed as a flat strip of material. Cord  106  may have a curl so that it tends to form a curled-up configuration when not forced into a straight configuration. By providing a curl, cord  106  can be made to more easily assume a compact configuration when not in use. Cord  106  may include markings along its length, such as inch or centimeter markings or markings that correspond to a number of stiches forming a workpiece. Such markings may be useful during use to allow the knitter to easily measure the width of the workpiece as it is being formed or to determine a pattern of colors or stitch textures to use. 
         [0033]    According to one embodiment, the cord can rotate with respect to the needle. This reduces twisting of the cord and eases knitting. The rotatable connection can be formed by swivel mechanism comprising part of the transition portion, by a rotatable connection, such as a ball-in-socket arrangement, between the cord and the transition portion or between the transition portion and the needle, or a combination thereof. 
         [0034]    Slider  108  is disposed on the cord  106 .  FIGS. 2 a - c    show a slider according to one embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 2 a    shows a perspective view the slider  108  disposed on cord  106 .  FIG. 2 b    shows the slider before assembly.  FIG. 2 c    shows a cross section of the assembled slider  108  disposed on cord  106 . As shown in  FIG. 2 b   , the slider  108  consists of a button portion  112 , a receiver portion  114 , and a spring  116 . A through-hole  118  extends through the button  112 . Through-holes  120  are provided through opposing sides of the receiver  114 . As shown in  FIG. 2 c   , when the slider  108  is assembled, cord  106  extends through holes  118 ,  120 . The inner diameter of holes  118 ,  120  is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of cord  106  so that, when holes  118 ,  120  are aligned, cord  106  moves easily through the holes. Spring  116  provides a force pushing button  112  out of cavity  122 . This force causes holes  118 ,  120  to tend to misalign, thus engaging with and fixing the slider  108  to the cord  106  at a desired location along the cord. Pressing button  112  toward receiver  114  compresses spring  116  and causes holes  118 ,  120  to align, thus unlocking slider  108  from cord  106 . When the slider  108  is unlocked, it can be repositioned along the length of cord  106 . 
         [0035]    According to one embodiment, slider  108  is cylindrical. According to another embodiment, slider  108  is square, rectangular, oval, or other shape. Button  112  and receiver  114  may be formed from hardwood, metal, plastic, composite materials, or a combination thereof. According to a further embodiment, the slider may be a different mechanism suitable for releasably fixing to the cord such as a screw clamp or spring loaded clip. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , stopper  110  is affixed to the end of cord  106 . Stopper  110  is larger than the diameter of hole  120  in the slider  108  and prevents the slider from moving off the end of cord  106 . Stopper  110  may be a knot formed in the end of cord  106 . Stopper  110  may also be an object such as a ball or a decorative item such as a crystal. Stopper  110  may include an embossable surface to allow a trademark, a logo, or personalized information, such as a monogram to be displayed. Stopper  110  may include a tool, such as a yarn cutter, scissors, row or stich counter, and the like. 
         [0037]    According to one embodiment, stopper  110  includes a clip, magnetic catch, or other engagement mechanism designed to securely and removably connect the stopper  110  with the needle  102  or transition portion  104 . By engaging the engagement mechanism with the other portion of the assembly, the cord  106  is formed into a closed loop. A partially finished workpiece can be securely retained, stored, and transported with the cord in such a loop configuration. According to another embodiment, the engagement mechanism is disposed on the slider  108 , again forming the cord  106  into a closed loop to securely retain a partially finished workpiece. According to a further embodiment, the stopper  110  or slider  106  comprises a needle cap that securely and removably engages with the tip of the needle. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows cross section views of the button  112  and receiver  114  according to an alternative embodiment of the slider  108 . As with the embodiment described above, the button portion  112  and a receiver portion  114  have through-holes  118  and  120  for engaging cord  106 . Surrounding the through-hole in the button  112  is a liner  119 . The through-holes  120  in receiver  114  are likewise surrounded by a liner  121 . The liner  119 ,  121  may be formed from an elastomer, such as silicone rubber, natural rubber, polyurethane, and the like that provides a high-friction contact with the surface of the cord  106  and/or that reduces wear or damage to the cord  106  as the slider is moved along the cord  106 . 
         [0039]    Top and bottom surfaces of the button  112  and receiver  114  may also include features that improve grip. These features may include grooves or textured surfaces or coatings such as non-slip coatings that allow the knitter to securely hold the slider while repositioning it along the cord. The top and/or bottom surfaces of the button  112  and receiver  114 , respectively, may also be concave to allow the knitter to securely hold and operate the slider. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    show another embodiment of a slider  108 . According to this embodiment, slider  108  is formed from an elastomeric material such as polyurethane or silicone rubber. The slider body  130  includes an opening  132  extending through the length of the slider  108 . Cord  106  extends through the opening  132 . The opening  132  has a lens-shaped cross section. As shown in  FIG. 4 a   , when no force is applied to the body  130 , the sides of the opening  132  press against the cord  106 , holding the slider  108  in place on the cord. As shown in  FIG. 4 b   , when force is applied in the directions shown by arrows  134 , the body  103  deforms, causing the lens-shaped opening  132  to expand away from the surface of cord  106 . In this configuration, slider  108  can be repositioned along cord  106 . When the force is release, body  130  rebounds to the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 a   , again fixing the slider to the cord. 
         [0041]    According to one embodiment, both stopper  110  and transition portion  104  are larger than holes  120  of the slider. Stopper  110  is permanently affixed to cord  106 . When needle assembly  100  is assembled as shown in  FIG. 1 , slider  108  cannot slide past stopper  110  and transition portion  104  and is captive on cord  106 . This arrangement prevents the slider  108  from becoming separated from the assembly  100  and misplaced. According to another embodiment, stopper  110  is removable from cord  106 , allowing the slider  108  to be removed from the cord  106 . According to this embodiment, the slider  108  can be replaced with a different slider. 
         [0042]    The needle  102 , transition portion  104 , slider  108  and/or stopper  110  may include a surface suitable for holding markings such as a product logo, needle size information, and the like. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows two needle assemblies  100   l ,  100   r  used to form a workpiece  202 . The knitter manipulates needles  102   l ,  102   r  to form interlocking stitches of yarn  204 . If the knitter is knitting to the left as shown in  FIG. 5 , the knitter moves a previously formed stitch to the tip of left needle  102   l  and uses the tips of the left and right needles to form a new stitch that is moved onto right needle  102   r . The process is repeated, with newly stitches sliding along right needle  100   r  and along cord  106   r . The position of slider  108   r  on cord  106   r  may be selected to accommodate the desired width of the workpiece. 
         [0044]    The needle assembly of the present disclosure allows shorter needles to be used, regardless of the size of the workpiece because the workpiece is supported and retained on the cord. This arrangement is especially useful in the knitting of large garments, such as blankets and afghans where standard straight needles are generally too short to hold the amount of stitches needed. According to one embodiment, cords  106   l  and  106   r  can rest on a tabletop or in the knitters lap to support the weight of the workpiece and relieve strain on the knitter&#39;s hands. This is advantageous for knitting heavy, bulky or large items. 
         [0045]    When stitches encounter slider  106   r  they stop moving along the cord and accumulate on the cord. The position of slider  106   r  is selected so that the required number of stitches needed to form the width of the workpiece  202  can accumulate on cord  106   r  without interfering with the knitter&#39;s manipulation of the needles. 
         [0046]    A method of knitting according to one embodiment of the disclosure adjustable sliders  108   l  and  108   r  allow the knitter to conveniently deliver previously formed stitches to the tips of needles  102   l  and  102   r . Again, assuming the knitter is knitting to the left as shown in  FIG. 5 , stitches are taken from left needle  102   l , joined with newly formed stitches by manipulating the yarn with needles  102   l  and  102   r , and transferred to right needle  102   r . The newly formed stitches slide along needle  102   r  and onto cord  106   r , as described above. As previously formed stitches are being removed from left assembly  100   l , the knitter moves left slider  108   l  toward left needle  102   l  while holding a grip on previously formed stitches on left needle  102   l . This pushes previously formed stitches toward the knitters left hand, compressing the stitches against one another and biasing them to move toward the tip of the left needle  102   l . The knitter can then conveniently deliver stitches from left needle  102   l  to the tip of the needle for knitting. As previously formed stitches on the left needle are knitted to newly formed stitches and transferred to the right needle, the resilience of the stitches compressed between the knitter&#39;s left hand and the slider  108   l  causes more stitches to move to the right from cord  106   l  and onto the needle  106   l . The knitter does not have to continually move stitches from the bottom of the cord to the needle. Periodically, as previously formed stitches are knitted and transferred from the left needle  102   l  the knitter repositions slider  108   l  to maintain compression on the previously formed stitches. 
         [0047]    With an embodiment of the present invention, by pulling slider  108   l  closer to needle  102   l , the resilience of the stitches causes a force pushing the stitches toward the needle tip. The knitter can then control the delivery of previously formed stitches by allowing the stitches to slide toward the needle tip. Also, when the knitter is knitting to the left as shown in  FIG. 5 , right slider  108   r  can be moved farther out along cord  106   r  so that newly formed stitches are not compressed, but instead, move easily away from the knitter&#39;s right hand. Once a row knitted to the left is complete, the knitter can adjust sliders  108   l ,  108   r  to reverse the process, this time compressing stitches on right assembly  100   r  so that they are delivered to the tip of right needle  102   r  and slide without interference onto cord  106   l  of left assembly  100   l.    
         [0048]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment according to the disclosure. Assembly  400  is formed from needle  402  including threaded portion  403  at the end opposite the tip  401 . Transition portion  404  includes threaded hole  405 . Needle  402  is connected with transition portion  404  by threading threaded portion  403  into hole  405 . Cord  406 , slider  408 , and stopper  410  are similar to the cord, slider and stopper described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . Needle  402  can be disconnected from transition portion  404  by disconnecting the threaded portions and connected with the transition portion  404  of a different assembly. This allows a variety of needles  402  to be interchangeably connected with the same cord  406 , slider  408 , and stopper  410  assembly. According to another embodiment, instead of a threaded connection between needle  402  and transition portion  404 , these elements can be removably connected with one another using a friction fit, a snap, a twist lock, or other removable connection mechanism. 
         [0049]    According to a further embodiment of the disclosure, the components of assembly  400  are provided as part of a kit. The kit may include a plurality of needles  402  that can be interchangeably connected with a transition portion  404 , cord  406 , slider  408 , and stopper  410 . The plurality of needles  402  may have differing diameters, lengths, and/or cross sectional shapes that are appropriate for a variety of knitting projects. For example, the kit may include needles with sizes US# 11, 13, 15, 19, but is not limited to those sizes. The kit may also include a plurality of cord and slider assemblies of differing lengths to allow a knitter to select a cord with a length appropriate for a particular project. The kit may also include other materials, including instruction manuals, media containing instructional diagrams or video tutorials demonstrating the use of the assembly, patterns for projects, yarns, and/or other accessories. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  shows a further embodiment according to the disclosure. Needle  502  includes an angled portion  503 . Cord  506 , slider  508 , and stopper  510  are similar to the cord, slider and stopper described above. 
         [0051]    While illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the disclosure and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3