Abstract:
An improved bobbin comprising an upper section having an invertable flexible crown, a midsection having a central body to receive and spool crafting thread, and lower section having a base with an embedded ring that provides additional weight to the bobbin to keep craft threads sufficiently taut during use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a device for use with arts and crafts projects. More specifically, the invention involves an improved device for holding and supplying thread. Even more particularly, the present invention involves an improved bobbin for use in, for example, Kumihimo the Japanese art of braiding cord or string in various patterns, and other similar art forms. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A bobbin is a reel, spool, cylinder or cone that provides temporary or permanent storage for thread, yarn, string, twin, wire and other forms of line items, in a manner which preferably helps prevent or eliminates tangling, Bobbins are widely used in connection with weaving, machine sewing, spinning, knitting, lacemaking, and thread-based arts and crafts projects. Bobbins come in many different forms, and can be formed into many different configurations that are suited to effectively accommodate a wide, variety of materials. In that regard, a basic sewing machine bobbin may measure 2-3 centimeters in diameter and weigh about an ounce, while those used in more commercial or industrial applications may be significantly larger. 
         [0003]    Over the years, bobbin configurations have evolved. For example, prior art bobbins utilized in the art of Kumihimo, macramé and other forms of braiding and craftwork have been created using flexible plastic materials. These bobbins have a flexible, upwardly facing crown, a central body around which thread is spooled and a base. After spooling the thread around the central body, the flexible crown of the bobbin is inverted by a user, maintaining the position of the working end of thread between the edges of the crown and base. This feature prevents the thread around a bobbin from unravelling, while still permitting the thread to be drawn by a user when creating the thread-based project. In that regard, it is common for users to employ multiple threaded bobbins for Kumihimo, macramé and related projects. 
         [0004]    Despite the utility and advances in conventional bobbin designs and features, there is room for improvement. Since the materials utilized to create flexible bobbins comprise relatively lightweight plastics, there is a need to increase the weight of individual bobbins so as to keep the working threads of the project taut while a design is being created without compromising the overall utility of the bobbin. Likewise, there is a need to firm and stiffen the base of the bobbin without significantly altering its utility, configuration and construction 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In view of the deficiencies and drawbacks in the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved bobbin for use in Kumihimo, macramé and related arts and crafts projects. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide additional weight to a conventional bobbin without compromising its overall utility or interfering with its intended use. 
         [0007]    Additional objectives will be apparent from the description of the invention that follows. 
         [0008]    In summary there is provided an improved bobbin comprising an upper section having an invertable flexible crown, a midsection having a central body to receive and spool crafting thread, and lower section having a base and an embedded ring that provides additional weight to the bobbin to keep craft threads sufficiently taut during use. 
         [0009]    These and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the description set forth below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The above-described and other advantages and features of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings of which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the improved bobbin of the present invention with the flexible crown of the bobbin in a closed or inverted position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the improved bobbin of the present invention with the flexible crown of the bobbin in an open or extended position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of taken through the center of the improved bobbin shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the improved bobbin of the present invention with the flexible crown of the bobbin in a closed or inverted position; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the improved bobbin of the present invention with the flexible crown of the bobbin in an open or extended position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    With reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 , there is shown an improved bobbin  10  of the present invention. As shown most clearly in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , bobbin  10  comprises an upper section  12 , a midsection  14 , and a lower section  16 . At upper section  12 , there is a flexible, upwardly facing crown  18  that is formed of a flexible, thin plastic material. When the crown  18  and its rim  19  face upward, the bobbin is in an open, extended position, ready to receive thread around the central body  20  at midsection  14 . Central body  20  comprises an angled pedestal  22  and a cylinder member  24  around which thread is spooled during use of bobbin  10 . Extending from upper section  12  and down through midsection  14  and lower section  16  is a cylindrically configured aperture  23  that defines an interior cylinder wall  25 . 
         [0017]    At lower section  16  of bobbin  10 , an annular base  26  having an edge  28  that extends around the circumference of base  26  is positioned. Base  26  preferably comprises plastic having a thickness that is greater than that of crown  18 . In that regard, while it is intended for crown  18  to have sufficient flexion to alternate between a closed position and an open position, base  26  is intended to remain relatively static, providing minimal flexion as needed for the tasks and purposes set forth herein. 
         [0018]    Embedded within base  26  is an annular weighted ring  30  comprised of metallic material. Ring  30  adds sufficient weight to bobbin  10  to enable the thread spooled around central body  20  to remain taut and stretched during use with, for example, a Kumihomo braiding disk. In a preferred embodiment, ring  30  alone has at least the same amount of mass as the remaining elements of bobbin  10 . Most preferably, ring  30  has two to five times the weight of the rest of bobbin  10 , and most desirably around three times the weight. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment, ring  30  extends radially outward from the interior cylinder wall  25 , a distance measuring between 50% and 90% of the radius of base  26 , and most preferably limited to between 60% and 75%. This enables to edge  28  of base  26  to bend slightly, if needed, in response to manipulation of the base  26  by a user during use of bobbin  10 . By embedding ring  30  into base  26  and leaving the plastic surface exposed on the exterior of the base  26  of bobbin  10 , the bobbin  10  maintains its ergonomic feel and an appearance that is consistent with the upper section  12  and crown  18 . 
         [0020]    During use, bobbin  10  is opened from its closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , to an open or extended position as shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 . To open bobbin  10 , upper section  12  (which is presented in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4  in an inverted position), is lifted by a user from the edge  28  of base  26 . When a sufficient portion of the upper section  12  is lifted, crown  18  snaps and extends upward and bobbin  10  is in an open position ready to receive thread around central body  20 . After bobbin  10  is placed into an exposed position, thread is spooled around central body  20 . Thereafter, crown  18  is inverted and the rim  19  of crown  18  rests against the edge  28  of base  26  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 . In a most preferred embodiment, crown rim  19  partially overlaps the lateral, outward face  29  of edge  28 . When crown  18  is inverted, spooled crafting thread extends from around central body  20  and is pressed between rim  19  and base edge  28  with sufficient force to prevent the thread in bobbin  10  from unravelling on its own, yet enabling thread to be drawn by a user as needed for the project. Moreover, since base  26  is constructed to be relatively denser by virtue of the incorporation of ring  30 , base  26  provides a firmer surface against which thread can be held until drawn by a user. 
         [0021]    Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrates a ring  30  that is entirely embedded within base  26 , it should be appreciated that, in an alternate embodiment, a ring may be provided and attached to base  26  in a manner that does not require full integration of the ring within base  26 . For example, base may form a sleeve or jacket around into which a ring may be inserted but selectively removed for replacement, or when use of ring  30  is not desired. In another embodiment which may be formed with minor modifications, the underside  34  of the base  26  is open and the edge around the circumference of base  26  forms a groove  36  within which the circumference of ring  30  is lodged and held in place. 
         [0022]    It should be appreciated that while certain aspects of the present invention specifically identify or refer to ‘threads’ and ‘yarn,’ these items should be considered interchangeable with one another and with other similar forms of lines unless specifically stated otherwise. Moreover, while the description of the invention refers specifically in some instances to the art of Kumihomo and macramé, it should be appreciated that the invention is also suited for use with other forms of crafts such as braiding, knotting, micro-macramé and the similar crafts. 
         [0023]    The accompanying drawings only illustrate a preferred embodiments of an improved bobbin, its constituent parts, and method of use. However, other types and configurations are possible, and the drawings are not intended to be limiting in that regard. Thus, although the description above and accompanying drawings contains much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment(s) but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment(s). The drawings and the description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of the embodiment(s) and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. While the present embodiment(s) of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be noted that the terms “first,” “second” and similar terms may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.