Patent Abstract:
A bead weaving tool includes a plate member having a planar bead mounting surface for bead placement. The plate member has a pair of thread holding portions mutually spaced across the bead mounting surface for holding a plurality of threads separately. The plate member also has a pair of thread support walls protruding from the bead mounting surface at positions close to the thread holding portions, respectively. To hook one end and the other end of the respective threads, first and second thread hanging portions are provided.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a bead weaving tool that is to be used to manufacture beaded textiles having beads woven therein. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conventionally, there are known to be bead weaving tools for manufacturing beaded textiles having beads woven therein (e.g., see Japanese Patent No. 4667171). The bead weaving tool described in Japanese Patent No. 4667171 is used in a state in which an elastically deformable plate member is curved. A thread holding portion for holding threads apart from each other is provided on each of the edge portions of the plate member. Also, mounting holes into which rod members such as toothpicks can be inserted are formed in the vicinity of the two edge portions of the plate member. 
     When using the bead weaving tool in Japanese Patent No. 4667171, while curving the plate member, a thread for holding the shape of the plate member is wrapped multiple times around slits that have been formed in the two edge portions as shown in FIG. 2 of Japanese Patent No. 4667171. Next, as shown in FIG. 3 of Japanese Patent No. 4667171, a plurality of threads are held apart from each other by the thread holding portions on the two edge portions of the plate member while being caught on the rod members. Thus by weaving a thread, which has been inserted through beads, through the threads that have been lined up between the edge portions, a beaded textile can be manufactured. 
     The task of weaving the thread, which has been inserted through beads, through the threads is performed by passing the thread, which has been inserted through beads, through the space between threads and the curved plate member, while supporting the beads from the bottom with a finger and pushing them up, as described in FIG. 8 and paragraph 0021 of Japanese Patent 4667171. In such a weaving task, the beads need to be supported by a finger, and therefore one hand becomes occupied and unavailable for use. Thus, there has been room for improvement in terms of usability in the above conventional bead weaving tool. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention was conceived in light of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a bead weaving tool having improved usability in comparison with the above conventional bead weaving tool. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a bead weaving tool including a plate member having a planar bead mounting surface for bead placement and a rear surface opposite to the bead mounting surface. The plate member may include: first and second thread holding portions separated from each other in a first direction parallel to the bead mounting surface for holding a plurality of threads separately in a second direction parallel to the bead mounting surface and perpendicular to the first direction; first and second thread support walls separated from each other in the first direction for supporting the plurality of threads, where the first and second thread support walls are provided on the bead mounting surface so as to protrude in a third direction perpendicular to the bead mounting surface; and first and second thread hanging portions separated from each other in the first direction for hooking one end and the other end of each of the plurality of threads. 
     Preferably, the plate member is rectangular in shape, and includes first and second end edges parallel to each other and extending in the second direction, and also includes third and fourth end edges parallel to each other and extending in the first direction. The first and the second support walls are positioned between the first and the second thread holding portions as viewed in the third direction. The first and the second thread hanging portions are provided on the rear surface of the plate member. 
     Preferably, the plate member includes: third and fourth thread holding portions provided at the third and the fourth end edges and configured to hold a plurality of additional threads separately from each other in the first direction; third and fourth thread support walls separated from each other in the second direction for supporting the plurality of additional threads, where the third and fourth thread support walls protrude from the bead mounting surface in the third direction and located between the third and the fourth thread support portions as viewed in the third direction; and third and fourth thread hanging portions separated from each other in the second direction for hooking one end and the other end of each of the plurality of additional threads. 
     Preferably, the first and the second thread holding portions each include a shaft portion extending in the third direction, and also a flange portion disposed at a tip of the shaft portion and having a larger diameter than the shaft portion. 
     Preferably, the bead weaving tool of the first aspect may further include a rod-shaped portion formed integral with the flange portion, wherein the shaft portion includes a cylindrical portion extending from the rear surface of the plate member, and the rod-shaped portion is removably inserted into the cylindrical portion. 
     Preferably, the plate member is an elongated rectangle. 
     Preferably, the rear surface of the plate member is provided with a plurality of leg portions each extending upright from the rear surface beyond the first and the second thread hanging portions. 
     Preferably, the rear surface of the plate member is a rectangle having four corners at which the plurality of leg portions are disposed, respectively. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an example of a bead weaving tool according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the bead weaving tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the bead weaving tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a right-side view of the bead weaving tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view, as viewed from the lower surface side. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the VI-VI line in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the main components for describing a method of use of the bead weaving. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view for describing a method of use of the bead weaving tool. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view for describing a method of use of the bead weaving tool. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view for describing a bead weaving procedure. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of main portions for describing a method of use of the bead weaving tool. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view for describing the bead weaving procedure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following specifically describes preferable embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. 
       FIGS. 1 to 6  show an embodiment of a bead weaving tool according to the present invention. A bead weaving tool A of the present embodiment includes a flat plate-shaped plate member  1 , and is used for manufacturing beaded textiles having beads woven therein. 
     The plate member  1  has an elongated rectangular main plate portion  10  as viewed in the thickness direction, and is integrally formed with a synthetic resin such as polyacetal. Although described in detail below, an upper surface  1   a  of the plate member  1  (the main plate portion  10 ) constitutes a planar bead mounting surface  10   a , which is where beads are to be placed. Note that the plate member  1  is a semi-translucent white or light color, for example, so that the color of the beads can be easily visually confirmed when placed on the bead mounting surface  10   a.    
     The outer circumferential edge of the plate member  1  has edge ends  11  and  12  that are parallel to each and extend along a direction x, and edge ends  13  and  14  that are parallel to each other and extend along a direction y. Both of the directions x and y follow are directions following the in-plane direction of the upper-surface  1   a  (the bead mounting surface  10   a ), and the directions x and y are perpendicular to each other. In the present embodiment, the length of the end edges  13  and  14  in the direction y is longer than the length of the end edges  11  and  12  in the direction x. 
     Thread holding portions  21  and  22  are provided on the end edges  11  and  12  to hold multiple vertical threads apart from each other. The thread holding portion  21  is shaped as a comb with a plurality of protrusion portions  211  lined up along the direction x, and a plurality of groove portions  212  are formed between adjacent protrusion portions  211 . The thread holding portion  22  is also shaped as a comb with a plurality of protrusion portions  221  lined up along the direction x, and a plurality of groove portions  222  are formed between adjacent protrusion portions  221 . The groove portions  212  and  222  are each lined up along the direction x with a predetermined pitch. The pitch of the groove portions  212  and  222  is approximately 1.5 mm, for example. 
     Thread support walls  31  and  32  are provided on the upper surface  1   a  of the plate member  1  (main plate portion  10 ). The thread support walls  31  and  32  are provided in the vicinity of the thread holding members  21  and  22  respectively. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , the thread support walls  31  and  32  each protrude with a constant height in the height direction (a direction z) that is perpendicular to the upper surface  1   a  (the bead mounting face  10   a ), and also extending along the direction x. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the thread support walls  31  and  32  are positioned between the thread holding members  21  and  22  (end edges  11  and  12 ) as viewed in the direction x, and the region between the thread support walls  31  and  32  is the bead mounting surface  10   a . When multiple vertical threads are held with predetermined gaps in the direction x by the thread holding portions  21  and  22 , these vertical threads are supported by the thread support walls  31  and  32  with a predetermined gap from the upper surface  1   a  (the bead mounting surface  10   a ) (see  FIG. 11 ). 
     Thread holding portions  23  and  24  are provided at the end edges  13  and  14  to hold each of the vertical threads apart from each other. The thread holding portion  23  is shaped as a comb with a plurality of protrusion portion portions  231 , which are lined up along the direction y, and a plurality of groove portions  232  are formed between the adjacent protrusion portions  231 . The thread holding portion  24  is also shaped as a comb with a plurality of protrusion portions  241 , which are lined up along the direction y, and a plurality of groove portions  222  are formed between adjacent protrusion portions  241 . The groove portions  232  and  242  are lined up at a predetermined pitch along the direction y. The pitch of the groove portions  232  and  242  is approximately 1.5 mm, for example. 
     Thread support walls  33  and  34  are provided on the upper surface  1   a  of the plate member  1  (main plate portion  10 ). The thread support walls  33  and  34  are provided in the vicinity of each of the thread holding members  23  and  24 . As shown in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 3 , the thread support walls  33  and  34  each protrude with a constant height in the height direction (a direction y) that is perpendicular to the upper surface  1   a  (the bead mounting face  10   a ), and also extending along the direction y. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the thread support walls  33  and  34  are positioned between the thread holding members  23  and  24  (end edges  13  and  14 ) as viewed in the direction z, and the region between the thread support walls  33  and  34  is the bead mounting surface  10   a . When multiple vertical threads are held with predetermined gaps in the direction x by the thread holding portions  23  and  24 , these vertical threads are supported by the thread support walls  33  and  34  with a predetermined gap from the upper surface  1   a  (the bead mounting surface  10   a ) (see  FIG. 11 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) thread hanging portions  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44 , and a plurality of leg portions  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  are provided on a lower surface  1 B (the surface on the side opposite to the bead mounting surface  10   a ) of the plate member  1  (the main plate portion). 
     The thread hanging portion  41  is for hooking one end of each of the vertical threads, and is provided in the vicinity of the thread holding portion  21 . The thread hanging portion  42  is for hooking the other end of each of the vertical threads, and is provided in the vicinity of the thread holding portion  22 . The thread hanging portions  41  and  42  are positioned apart from each other in the direction y. 
     The thread hanging portion  43  is for hooking one end of each of the vertical threads, and is provided in the vicinity of the thread holding portion  23 . The thread hanging portion  44  is for hooking the other end of each of the vertical threads, and is provided in the vicinity of the thread holding portion  24 . The thread hanging portions  43  and  44  are positioned apart from each other in the direction x. 
     Next is a description of the structure of the thread hanging portions  41  to  44 . The four thread hanging portions  41  to  44  have the same structure, and therefore the structure of the thread hanging portion  41  is described below as a representative example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the thread hanging portion  41  is configured including a cylindrical portion  401  and a button member  6  that is attached to the cylindrical portion  401 . The cylindrical portion  401  extends from the lower surface  1   b  in the direction z. The button member  6  has a rod-shaped portion  61  and a flange portion  62  that is provided at the tip of the rod-shaped portion  61 . The outer diameter dimension of the rod-shaped portion  61  is slightly smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the cylindrical portion  401 , and the rod-shaped portion  61  is inserted into the cylindrical portion  401  so as to be attachable and detachable. 
     The outer diameter dimension of the flange portion  62  is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the cylindrical member  401 . In a state in which the rod-shaped portion  61  has been inserted into the cylindrical portion  401  (a state in which the button member  6  is attached), the flange portion  62 , which has a diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion  401 , is located on the tip of the cylindrical portion  401 . Note that as understood from  FIGS. 3, 4, 6  and the like, cross-shaped recessed grooves  402  that extend along the diameter direction of the cylindrical portion  401  are formed at the tip of the cylindrical portion  401 . 
     The leg portions  51  to  54  extend from the lower surface  1   b  in the direction z in the four corners of the plate member  1 . Each of the leg portions  51  to  54  is a rectangular tube, and the tips of leg portions  51  to  54  are located at positions farther away from the lower surface  1   b  than the tips of the thread hanging portions  41  to  44  (flange portions  62 ). 
     To give one example of the dimensions of the portions of the bead weaving tool A, the plate member  1  (the main plate portion  10 ) has a thickness of approximately 1 to 3 mm, the end edges  11  and  12  have a length of approximately 6 cm in the direction x, and the end edges  13  and  14  have a length of approximately 9 cm in the direction y. The length of the thread holding portions  21  and  22  in the direction x is approximately 3 cm, and the length of the thread holding portions  23  and  24  in the direction y is approximately 4.5 cm. The length of the thread support walls  31  and  32  in the direction x is approximately 3.5 cm, and the length of the thread support walls  33  and  34  in the direction y is approximately 5.2 cm. 
     The height of the thread supporting walls  31  to  34  in the direction z from the bead mounting surface is approximately 1 to 2 mm. 
     Next is a description of a method for performing the task of bead weaving using the bead weaving tool A with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 12 . 
     This is a description of the case where vertical threads are strung between the thread supporting walls  31  and  32 . First, in this case, one end of a thread is fixed to the thread hanging portion  41 . Specifically, the plate member  1  is turned over, the button member  6  is removed, and the one end (thread end) of a thread is placed in one recessed groove  402  in the tip of the cylindrical portion  401  so as to pass through the center of the cylindrical portion  401  and follow the diameter direction. Next, the rod-shaped portion  61  is inserted into the cylindrical portion  401  along with the thread end. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the thread end is sandwiched between the rod-shaped portion  61  and the cylindrical portion  401 , and is thus fixed to the thread hanging portion  41 . 
     Next, the thread is fitted into a groove portion  212  of the thread holding portion  21 , then extended in the direction y on the upper surface  1   a  side of the plate member  1 , and fitted into a groove portion  222  of the thread holding portion  22 . Then, the thread is hooked around the thread hanging portion  42  (the cylindrical portion  401 ) on the lower surface  1   b  side, and then fitted into the groove portion  222  that is adjacent to the groove portion  222  in which that thread is already fitted. Next, the thread is extended in the direction y on the upper surface  1   a  side, and then fitted into a groove portion  212  of the thread holding portion  21 . Next, the thread is hooked around the thread hanging portion  41  (the cylindrical portion  401 ) on the lower surface  1   b  side, and then fitted into the groove portion  212  that is adjacent to the groove portion  212  into which that thread is already fitted. This task is repeated, and then the thread is fixed to either the thread hanging portion  43  or  44  on the lower surface  1   b  side (see  FIG. 8 ), for example. In this way, a plurality of vertical threads T 1  are held lined up with equal gaps in the direction x by the thread holding portions  21  and  22 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Also, the vertical threads T 1  are supported by the thread support walls  31  and  32 , and the vertical threads T 1  between the thread supporting walls  31  and  32  are separated from the bead mounting surface  10   a  at a height corresponding to the height of the thread supporting walls  31  and  32  in the direction z (approximately 1 to 2 mm). 
     Next, a horizontal thread that has been inserted through beads from the needle tip is woven into the vertical threads. At this point, a member such as a rod member (not shown) is used to slightly lift up the vertical threads T 1 , and a horizontal thread T 2  and beads B are passed under the vertical threads T 1  so as to traverse the vertical threads T 1  (see  FIG. 10 ), and the beads B are placed on the bead mounting surface  10   a . Next, the vertical threads T 1  are returned to their original position, and the beads B are respectively placed between adjacent vertical threads T 1 . At this time, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the beads B are supported by the bead mounting face  10   a . Also, the vertical threads T 1  are in the vicinity of the center of the beads B in the diameter direction. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the horizontal thread T 2  is turned back at the vertical, thread T 1  at one end in the direction x, and then passed through the holes of the beads B so as to pass over the vertical threads T 1 . In this way, two horizontal threads T 2  are passed through each of the beads B, and the vertical threads T 1  are sandwiched from above and below by the two horizontal threads T 2 . Next, the horizontal thread T 2  is inserted into beads B from the needle tip, and this horizontal thread is again turned back at the vertical thread located at the other end in the direction y. Then, as described above, the vertical threads T 1  are slightly lifted up, the horizontal thread T 2  and the beads B are passed under the vertical threads T 1  so as to traverse the vertical threads T 1 , and the beads B are placed on the bead mounting surface  10   a . Next, the beads B are respectively placed between adjacent vertical threads T 1 . By repeating this operation a predetermined number of times, a beaded textile having a predetermined length in the direction y, in which the vertical threads T 1  extend, is manufactured. 
     Next, the button members  6  are removed from the cylindrical portion  401  in the thread hanging portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  ( 44 ), and the threads that were wound around the cylindrical portions  401  (the vertical thread T 1 ) are removed. Then, by pulling the two ends of the vertical thread T 1 , the portions that were wound around the thread hanging portions  41  and  42  pass through the beads B, thus completing the process. 
     Also in the case where vertical threads are strung between the thread support walls  33  and  34 , a beaded textile can be manufactured by following the same order as the above case, in which vertical threads are strung between the thread support walls  31  and  32 . Specifically, in the case where vertical threads are strung between the thread supporting walls  33  and  34 , the vertical threads T 1  are lined up with equal gaps in the direction y by the thread holding portions  23  and  24 , and hooked around the thread hanging portions  43  and  44 . Also, the vertical threads are separated by a predetermined gap from the bead mounting surface  1   a  by the thread mounting walls  34  and  34 . 
     Next, is a description of effects of the bead weaving tool A. 
     According to the bead weaving tool A of the present embodiment, the vertical threads T 1  are held with equal gaps by the thread holding portions  21  and  22  provided at the end edges  11  and  12 , and these vertical threads T 1  are supported by the thread support walls  31  and  32  spaced apart in the direction y. Here, the vertical threads T 1  are positioned away from the bead mounting surface  10   a  at a height that corresponds to the height of the thread support walls  31  and  32 . For this reason, when performing the bead weaving task, the beads B are respectively placed between adjacent vertical threads T 1  in a state of being placed on the bead mounting surface  10   a , as is also comprehended from the description referring to  FIG. 11 . According to this configuration, after the horizontal thread T 2  has traversed the underside of the vertical threads T 1 , there is no requirement to lift up the beads B from below, therefore leaving the user&#39;s hands free. Accordingly, an improvement to the workability at the time of bead weaving can be realized. 
     The thread holding portions  21  and  22  ( 23  and  24 ) are provided at the end edges  11  and  12  of the rectangular-shaped plate member  1 , and the thread hanging portions  41  and  42  ( 43  and  44 ) are provided on the lower surface  1   b , which is on the side opposite to the upper surface  1   a  (the bead mounting surface  10   a ), on which the thread support walls  31  and  32  ( 33  and  34 ) are provided. According to this configuration in which the thread hanging portions  41  and  42  ( 43  and  44 ) are provided on the lower surface  1   b , it is possible to reduce the overall size of the plate member  1  (the bead weaving tool A). Also, the bead weaving tool A is a card type and suitable for carrying. 
     The leg portions  51  to  54 , which extend to a position father away from the lower surface  1   b  than the tips of the thread hanging portions  41  to  44  are, are provided on each of the four corners of the lower surface  1   b  of the plate member. According to this configuration, in the case where, for example, the plate member  1  (bead weaving tool A) is placed on a desk and the task of bead weaving is performed, the thread hanging portions  41  to  44  on the side of the lower surface  1   b  never directly touch the table. Also, the bead weaving tool A can be placed on the desk in a stabilized state via the leg portions  51  to  54 , and therefore the bead weaving task can be easily performed. 
     Each of the thread hanging portions  41  to  44  includes a cylindrical member  401  (a shaft portion) that extends in the direction z, and a large-diameter flange portion  62  that is positioned at the tip of the cylindrical portion  401 . According to this configuration, the vertical thread T 1  that has been wound around a cylindrical portion  401  is locked by the flange portion  62  even if the vertical thread T 1  shifts to the tip side of that cylindrical portion  401 . Accordingly, the unintended removal of the vertical thread T 1  hung around the thread hanging portion  41  is prevented. 
     Each of the thread hanging portions  41  to  44 , includes the button member  6  that has the rod-shaped portion  61  and the flange portion  62 , and the button member  6  is attached to the cylindrical member  401  by inserting the rod-shaped portion  61  into the cylindrical portion  401 . According to this configuration, when performing the task of stringing vertical threads for example, by inserting the thread end into the cylindrical portion  401  along with the rod member  61 , the thread end can be fixed to the thread hanging portion  41 . Also, recessed grooves  402  that follow the diameter direction are provided in the tip of the cylindrical member  401 . Accordingly, when fixing the thread end, by placing the thread in a recessed groove  402  so as to pass through the center of the cylindrical portion  401  and follow the diameter direction, the thread end can be easily fixed to the thread hanging portion  41  ( 42  to  44 ). 
     The thread holding portions  23  and  24  are provided at the end edges  13  and  14 , which are longer than the end edges  11  and  12 , on the plate member  1  (main plate  10 ), along with the thread supporting walls  33  and  34  and the thread hanging portions  43  and  44  that correspond to the thread holding portions  23  and  24 . The length of the thread holding portions  33  and  34  in the direction y is longer than the length of the thread holding portions  21  and  22  in the direction x. For this reason, by using the thread holding portions  23  and  24  to string the vertical threads, it is possible to manufacture a beaded textile with a different size from the case where the thread holding portions  21  and  22  are used. 
     Although a specific embodiment of the present invention is described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes that do not deviate from the idea of the present invention are possible. The specific shapes, materials, and the like of the bead weaving tool of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiment. 
     The case in which the thread holding portions  21  and  22  ( 23  and  24 ) are provided at the end edges  11  and  12  ( 13  and  14 ) is described in the above embodiment, but the thread holding portions may be provided on the tips of the thread support walls in the direction z (height direction). In the case where the thread holding portions are provided on the tips of the thread holding walls in the height direction, the thread holding portions will overlap with the thread support wall as viewed in the direction z, and the thread hanging portions may be provided between the corresponding thread support walls and end edges on the upper surface  1   a  of the plate member  1 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 3