Patent Abstract:
A knitting needle assembly for knitting tubular configurations having pairs of oppositely disposed rigid knitting needles interconnected by a flexible member of similar trans-dimensional properties.

Full Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/674,000, filed Apr. 25, 2005. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   This device relates to knitting needles which are typically elongated cylindrical elements with a pointed and opposing blunt ends used in the process of hand knitting in which yarn is manipulated in interlocking patterns to form integral panels of configured material that can be fashioned into clothing, for example. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   Prior art devices disclose a variety of knitting needle combinations; see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,507,174, 4,553,410, 5,720,187 and 6,397,640. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 2,507,174 a bend type knitting needle is shown having a pair of curved needles interconnected by multiple linked flexible connector. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,410 claims knitting needles with a flexible cord interconnect. The needles are of a larger diameter than the cord with a transition connection therebetween. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,187 discloses a knitting needle pair with an interconnected small diameter flexible cord therebetween. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,640 discloses a pair of knitting needles with elongated channels within from which extend interlinking cord extends. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A circular knitting needle assembly in which a pair of short, straight needle elements are secured to the oppositely disposed free ends of a flexible cord covered with a resilient synthetic fiber fabric defining a smooth continuous surface of a low frictional co-efficient. The flexible interconnection cord is of an equal diameter to that of the respective needles with an equilateral transition there between. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the knitting needle assembly shown in both solid and broken lines; 
       FIG. 2  is an elongated partial cross-sectional view of an end portion of the assembly with elements broken away for illustration; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged side elevational view of the knitting needle assembly with portions broken away; and 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged side elevational view of one end portion of the assembly completed for use. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A circular knitting needle assembly  10  can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3  of the drawings having a pair of rigid preferably molded needle elements  11  and  12  having respective conical free ends  11 A and  12 A and opposing inner attachment distal ends  11 B and  12 B. The needle elements  11  and  12  are identical which are gripped by the knitter (not shown) during use and used together with yarn (not shown) to perform a singular task well known to those skilled in the art as knitting. 
   Each of the needle elements  11  and  12  have respective bore openings  13  and  14  formed centrally therein inwardly from their respective distal inner attachment ends  11 B and  12 B as best seen in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. The bores  13  and  14  have continuous respective internal sidewalls  13 A and  14 A with a terminal annular end wall surface  13 B and  14 B. The sidewalls  13 A and  14 A have respective tapered end surface positioned at  13 C and  14 C. 
   A length of flexible resilient elongated cylindrical fabric cord  15  is provided and is covered with a resilient flexible synthetic fabric base material  15 A, such as or similar to Lycra brand having a tight fabric weave to define a smooth low friction contiguous outer surface. The so-configured covered cord  15  having oppositely disposed ends  15 A and  15 B is receivably secured within their respective bores  13  and  14  interconnecting the needle elements  11  and  12  together as best seen in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. The covered cord  15  being of an annular dimension equal to that of the needle elements with the respective cord ends  15 A and  15 B secured within the respective bores  13  and  14  indicated by directional arrow in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. 
   It will be noted that the respective tapered end opening portions at  13 C and  14 C and the sidewalls  13 A and  14 A assist in the insertion process of the cord ends  15 A and  15 B that compress during assembly. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, the respective cords ends  15 A and  15 B are secured within their respective receiving knitting needle element bores  13  and  14  by inclusion of epoxy adhesive A within the respective bores during insertion. 
   Once completed, the interconnected needle elements  11  and  12  and covered cord  15  impart a continuous smooth surface which aids in the functionality of the needled assembly  10  by providing an integrated low friction surface. This covered cord  15  also provides a smooth protective transition between the distal needle ends  11 B and  12 B and the cord  15  as best seen at  16 A in dotted lines. 
   It will be evident that a variety of materials, natural and/or synthetic, may be used to form the needle elements  11  and  12  and it will also be evident from the above description that the interengaging covered cord  15  is preferably made of a fiber configuration or equivalent construction and materials well known within the art. 
   In this example chosen for illustration, a proportional length of the needle elements  11  and  12  to the interconnecting covered cord  15  are of a ratio of four to one, but be other ratios depending on the properties of the cord  15  material so chosen and the required use venues. 
   It will thus be seen that a new and novel knitting needle assembly  10  has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3