Patent Abstract:
An apparatus and method of use for making a decorative bow is herein disclosed, comprising a removable lance used to retain a length of bow making material about a central location. The lance prevents each winded loop from coming apart during the bow making process. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of pairs of removable support rods, each pair having different lengths to accommodate varying widths of bow making material. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides guide indicia to indicate suggested bow making directions and a support rod to hold a spool of bow making material during manufacture. A non-slip covering is provided thereon the base to prevent the apparatus from moving during use.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Dec. 16, 2008, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to bow making apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for making decorative bows made of ribbon. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bow making is a time honored craft that dates back many generations. Handmade bows can be used for decorating packages in their small sizes, while larger ones can be used to decorate buildings and other large objects. It is common for such bows to be made by hand using simple jig-based machines that allows a user to wrap ribbon or similar fabric material around movable dowel rods. Hand crafting allows a bow maker to produce original and creative bow designs in a manner which is lost using complex automated bow making machines. 
     While traditional hand crafting bow making processes work, they typically require the bow maker to secure the ribbon in place around a central post for the entire bow making process. If the ribbon should be let go, the entire bow may simply fall apart forcing the user to start over. This is a detrimental factor in an otherwise enjoyable craft. Various attempts have been made to provide hand made bow making apparatus. Examples of such attempts can be seen in several U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 3,850,293, issued in the name of Scaringi, describing a bow making kit; U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,100, issued in the name of Owens, describing an apparatus for tying bows; U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,370, describing a method and fixture for center-loop bow making; U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,188, issued in the name of Teuten, describing an adjustable frame bow making device; U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,214, issued in the name of Hecht, describing a method and device for bow making; U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,586, issued in the name of Cavender, describing a bow making apparatus; and, U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,778, issued in the name of Etzion, describing a bow maker with ribbon securing element. 
     Additionally, various designs exist for bow making devices. Examples of such designs can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. D 291,841, issued in the name of Owens and U.S. Pat. No. D 389,998, issued in the name of Cavender et al. 
     The disclosures of these examples are incorporated herein by reference. While these attempts may fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantages or deficiencies. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which decorative bows of various sizes can be made without the disadvantages of conventional bow making jigs. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing prior art references, the inventor recognized inherent problems in devices intended to manufacture decorative bows by hand and observed that there is a need for an apparatus which provides bow makers a means and method to hand craft their own original bows in various sizes in a manner which is effective and thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bow tying apparatus which is modular and simple to use and allows a bow maker to make original bows from approximately two inches in diameter up to approximately fourteen inches in diameter. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which enables bow makers to utilize bow making material of various widths to manufacture narrow ribbon bows and wide ribbon bows. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an integral storage area for all components of the apparatus, thus making storage convenient. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide clear bow making instructional guides integral to a work surface. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is durable, lightweight, and simple and cost effective to manufacture. 
     To achieve these objectives and advantages, the present invention provides a bow tying apparatus having a generally rectangular main body which provides a work surface for receiving and retaining a continuous length of bow making materials. This bow making material can either be of a preselected length or be deployed from a spool of bow making material. One (1) embodiment of the apparatus provides a plurality of apertures on a face of the main body, into which a pointed lance and a pair of rods are inserted. The apparatus includes a plurality of lances and pairs of rods having varying lengths to accommodate various widths of bow making material. The lance is set in a main lance aperture having a central position in relation to a plurality of pairs of rod apertures disposed at incremental distances on both sides of the main lance aperture. The pair of rods is set in a selected pair of rod apertures each at a desired preselected distance from the lance. This preselected distance is equivalent to the desired diameter of a manufactured bow. A first end of the continuous length of bow making material is retained to the work surface by piercing with the lance, while the remaining length of bow making material is wound around the pair of rods forming a plurality of bow loops. Each time the continuous length of bow making material passes over the lance, it is pierced by the lance thus retaining a base portion of each loop. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the invention may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The invention can be practiced without one or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a bow tying apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the bow tying apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the bow tying apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the bow tying apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of a sheath  44 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5B  is a bottom view of the sheath  44 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                   10 
                   bow tying apparatus 
                 
                 
                     
                   20 
                   face portion 
                 
                 
                     
                   22 
                   top portion 
                 
                 
                     
                   24 
                   rear portion 
                 
                 
                     
                   26 
                   high friction surface 
                 
                 
                     
                   30 
                   first rod 
                 
                 
                     
                   31 
                   first rod aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   32 
                   second rod 
                 
                 
                     
                   33 
                   second rod aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   34 
                   third rod 
                 
                 
                     
                   35 
                   third rod aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   36 
                   rod aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   38 
                   width indicia 
                 
                 
                     
                   40 
                   first lance 
                 
                 
                     
                   41 
                   first lance aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   42 
                   second lance 
                 
                 
                     
                   43 
                   second lance aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   44 
                   sheath 
                 
                 
                     
                   45 
                   sheath aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   46 
                   sheath body 
                 
                 
                     
                   47 
                   sheath center aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   48 
                   main lance aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   49 
                   lance indicia 
                 
                 
                     
                   50 
                   spool rod 
                 
                 
                     
                   51 
                   spool rod aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   52 
                   first spool aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   54 
                   second spool aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   56 
                   spool indicia 
                 
                 
                     
                   60 
                   directional indicia 
                 
                 
                     
                   62 
                   start indicia 
                 
                 
                     
                   64 
                   finish indicia 
                 
                 
                     
                   70 
                   spool 
                 
                 
                     
                   72 
                   ribbon 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5B . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a bow tying apparatus and method of use (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for creating decorative bows. The apparatus  10  comprises a main structure, a plurality of rods  30 ,  32 ,  34 , a plurality of rod apertures  31 ,  33 ,  35 , a first lance  40 , a second lance  42 , and a multiplicity of indicia. The apparatus  10  allows a user to create various sized bows from conventional spools of ribbon  72  in a secure manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises an elongated main body measuring preferably twenty-one-and-a-half (21½) inches in length by a half (½) inch in height. The main structure comprises a face portion  20  providing a main work area for a user. The face portion  20  is further comprised of a plurality of rod apertures  36  enabling insertion of a plurality of rods  30 ,  32 ,  34  and a plurality of width indicia  38  enabling an approximate measurement for the width of a bow. The face portion  20  further comprises a section for the placement of a spool  70 , thereby enabling ribbon  72  to be secured onto the apparatus  10  during use. The apparatus  10  is fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, wood, or the like in well-known processes such as wood shaping and finishing as well as plastic injection molding. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front perspective view of the apparatus  10  and  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a pair of first rods  30 , a pair of second rods  32 , a pair of third rods  34 , a plurality of rod apertures  36 , a plurality of width indicia  38 , a first lance  40 , a first lance aperture  41 , a second lance  42 , a second lance aperture  43 , a sheath  44 , a sheath aperture  45 , lance indicia  49 , a spool rod  50 , a spool rod aperture  51 , a first spool aperture  52 , a second spool aperture  54 , spool indicia  54 , a main lance aperture  48 , directional indicia  60 , start indicia  62 , and finish indicia  64 . 
     A top portion  22  of the apparatus  10  is utilized for storage of the pair of first rods  30 , the pair of second rods  32 , the pair of third rods  34 , the first lance  40 , the second lance  42 , the sheath  44 , and the spool rod  50 , thereby supplying each with a corresponding aperture  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  41 ,  43 ,  45 ,  51 . The apertures  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  41 ,  43 ,  45 ,  51  are drilled to appropriate depths to receive each corresponding item. The apparatus  10  also comprises a plurality of rod apertures  36  and a main lance aperture  48  providing a secure in-use placement for the rods  30 ,  32 ,  34  and the lances  40 ,  42 , respectively. A desired pair of rods  30 ,  32 ,  34  are inserted therein an appropriate rod aperture  36 , thereby enabling the user to create various sized bows. The rod apertures  36  are located at an intermediate position thereon the face portion  20 . The rod apertures  36  are also labeled with width indicia  38  which correspond to the width of the bow to be manufactured. The width indicia  38  preferably comprise descending and ascending digits corresponding to the width. The width ranges from two (2) inches to fourteen (14) inches. 
     The diameter of the pair of first rods  30 , the diameter of the pair of second rods  32 , and the diameter of the pair of third rods  34  are equivalent, thereby allowing any rod  30 ,  32 ,  34  to be inserted thereinto any rod aperture  36 . The lengths of the rods  30 ,  32 ,  34  differ, thereby fitting a variety of sized bows. The first rod  30  is approximately three-and-a-half (3½) inches in length, the second rod  32  is approximately two-and-a-half (2½) inches in length, and the third rod  34  is approximately one-and-a-half (1½) inches in length. Each rod  30 ,  32 ,  34  is preferably fabricated from a material such as, but not limited to: wood, plastic, or the like. 
     The apparatus  10  comprises a first lance  40  and a second lance  42  enabling a user to impale the ribbon  72  securely in place to prevent the bow from separating during manufacturing. The first lance  40  is approximately three (3) inches in length and the second lance  42  is approximately two (2) inches in length. The first lance  40  is utilized for the manufacturing of large bows and the second lance  42  is utilized for the manufacturing of small bows. A top portion of the lances  40 ,  42  comprises a threaded area enabling a secure insertion into the threaded main lance aperture  48  located thereon the face portion  20  of the apparatus  10 . The main lance aperture  48  is an appropriate diameter to allow insertion of the lances  40 ,  42 . The main lance aperture  48  is also labeled with lance indicia  49  to clearly communicate to the user where to insert the lance  40 ,  42 . The lance indicia  49  preferably comprise words or images to communicate proper placement of the lance  40 ,  42  such as, but not limited to: LANCE, CENTER PIN, or the like. A bottom portion of each lance  40 ,  42  comprises a sharp point to skewer the ribbon  72 . The lances  40 ,  42  are fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: metal, plastic, or the like. To protect the user from a sharp end portion thereon a tip of each lance  40 ,  42  a sheath  44  is provided (see  FIGS. 5A and 5B ). The sheath  44  is stored on the top portion  22  therein a sheath aperture  45 . 
     The apparatus  10  also comprises a spool rod  50  for securing a spool  70  of ribbon  72  thereto the face portion  20 . The spool rod  50  is comprises of a tubular rod stored on the top portion  22  therein a spool rod aperture  51 . The spool rod aperture  51  comprises an appropriate diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the spool rod  50 . When the apparatus  10  is in-use the spool rod  50  is inserted into a first spool rod aperture  52  or a second spool rod aperture  54  depending on the size of the spool  70  and size of bow desired. The user preferably places a spool  70  on the face portion  22 , superjacent to the spool rod apertures  52 ,  54  and slidably inserts the spool rod  50  into the spool  70  and spool rod aperture  52 ,  54 , thereby securing the spool to the apparatus  10 . Spool indicia  56  are also located thereon the face portion  22  allowing a user to clearly position a spool  70  in an appropriate location. The spool indicia  56  preferably comprise words or images pertaining to bow making such as, but not limited to: SPOOL, RIBBON, or the like. The spool rod  50  is approximately three-and-a-half (3½) inches in length and fabricated from materials similar to the abovementioned rods  30 ,  32 ,  34 . 
     The apparatus  10  further comprises indicia to communicate proper bow making procedures to the user. The indicia are located on the face portion  20  and centered around the rod apertures  36  and width indicia  38 . The indicia comprises start indicia  62  for showing a user where to begin the tail of the ribbon  72 . The start indicia  62  preferably comprises words, letters, or images pertaining to the start of manufacturing a bow such as, but not limited to: “S”, START, BEGIN, or the like. The indicia also comprise finish indicia  64  for communicating to the user where to stop the ribbon  72 . The finish indicia  64  preferably comprises words, letters, or images pertaining to the end of manufacturing a bow such as, but not limited to: “F”, STOP, FINISH, or the like. The indicia further comprise directional indicia  60  for communicating to the user the proper path to follow for manufacturing a bow. The directional indicia  60  begin at the start indicia  62  and follow a figure-eight (8) path ending at the finish indicia  64 . The directional indicia  60  is preferably arrows, dashed lines, or the like which clearly show the appropriate path the user should follow. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a rear view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. A rear portion  24  of the apparatus  10  comprises a high friction surface  26  for stabilizing the apparatus  10  on a working surface such as, but not limited to: a table top, a user&#39;s lap, or the like. Said high friction surface  26  is located either on the entire rear portion  24  or crucial regions on the rear portion  24 . The high friction surface  26  is preferably comprised of non-slip materials such as, but not limited to: rubber, adhesive, fasteners, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5A , a side view of the sheath  44  and  FIG. 5B , a bottom view of the sheath  44 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed.  FIG. 5A  depicts the second lance  42  for illustration purposes only; it is known that either the first lance  40  or second lance  42  may be utilized in the same manner. The apparatus  10  comprises a sheath  44  for providing a protective covering to the lances  40 ,  42  when they are not in use to protect the user from the sharp end portions of the lances  40 ,  42 . The sheath  44  comprises a tubular sheath body  46  which further comprises a sheath center aperture  47  enabling the insertion of the lance  40 ,  42 . The sheath center aperture  47  extends thereinto the sheath body a maximum depth of the length of the first lance  40  allowing either lance  40 ,  42  to fit thereinside. The sheath  44  is stored thereon the top portion  22  of the apparatus  10  therein the sheath aperture  45  (see  FIG. 2 ). The sheath  44  is preferably fabricated from a similar material as the apparatus  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 5B . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; determining the width of bow to create and utilizing an appropriate sized rod  30 ,  32 ,  34 ; removing a desired rod  30 ,  32 ,  34  from the top portion  22 ; inserting the rod  30 ,  32 ,  34  into a rod aperture  36  which corresponds to an appropriate width indicia  38  needed to create the desired size of bow; placing a spool  70  on top of a desired spool aperture  52 ,  54 ; removing the spool rod  50  from the top portion  22  and inserting it thereinto the spool  70  and spool aperture  52 ,  54 ; removing a desired lance  40 ,  42  and sheath  44  from the top portion  22 ; inserting the lance  40 ,  42  thereinto the sheath center aperture  47  and inserting the threaded end portion of the lance  40 ,  42  thereinto the main lance aperture  48 ; unwrapping a desired length of ribbon  72  from the spool  70 ; positioning the tail of the ribbon  72  at the start indicia  62 , removing the sheath  44  from the lance  40 ,  42 , and impaling the ribbon  72  through the lance  40 ,  42  creating a starting position; following the directional indicia  60  to create a bow; impaling the ribbon  72  in accordion fashion every time said ribbon  72  crosses the main lance aperture  48 ; cutting the ribbon  72  at the finish indicia  64  when a desired size of bow is created; cutting the ribbon  72  from the spool  70 ; securing a center portion of the bow with a desired fastening means; removing the manufactured bow from the lance  40 ,  42 ; fanning-out the loops of the bow and cutting the tails of the bow as necessary; creating additional bows as necessary and following the abovementioned steps; replacing the lance  40 ,  42  thereinto an appropriate lance aperture  41 ,  43 ; replacing the sheath  44  thereinto the sheath aperture  45 ; replacing the rod  30 ,  32 ,  34  thereinto the first rod aperture  31 , second rod aperture  33 , or third rod aperture  35 ; removing the spool rod  50  from the spool  70 ; replacing the spool rod  50  thereinto the spool rod aperture  51 ; storing the apparatus  10 ; and, enjoying the ease of creating decorative bows for all occasions. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3