Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/938,717 filed Jul. 10, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/227,638 filed Sep. 8, 2011, now granted as U.S. Pat. No. 8,468,565, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/410,399 filed on Nov. 5, 2010. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/877,480 filed Sep. 13, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure generally relates to method and device for creating a linked item. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a method and device for creating a linked wearable item from elastic bands. 
         [0003]    Kits that include materials for making a uniquely colored bracelet or necklace have always enjoyed some popularity. However such kits usually just include the raw materials such as different colored threads and beads and rely on the individual&#39;s skill and talent to construct a usable and desirable item. Accordingly there is a need and desire for a kit that provides not only the materials for creating a unique wearable item, but also that provides for ease of construction to make it easy for people of many skill and artistic levels to successfully create a desirable and durable wearable item. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. Elastic bands can be utilized to form such links in a desired manner. The example device provides a means of creating items using Brunnian links of complex configurations. Moreover, the example kit provides a device that allows for the successful creation of unique wearable items regardless of skill level. 
         [0005]    Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples. 
         [0006]    These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an example linked article. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an example Brunnian link formed from elastic bands. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of an example kit for making Brunnian link articles from elastic bands. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of an example loom. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a top view of an example loom. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the example loom. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view through a pin of the example loom. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a connection between two looms. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a first position for capturing an elastic band. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of a second position for capturing an elastic band. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a Brunnian link  12  is formed from a continuous looped structure  14  without forming an actual knot. Several links  12  are formed into a chain  16  to form a linked article such as a bracelet  10 . The ends are then secured and a durable wearable item  10  is created. In this example three closed looped elastic bands  14  such as rubber bands are shown forming a single chain. Capturing ends  18  of one elastic band  14  with a mid portion  20  of another elastic band  14  forms each link  12 . Each link  12  depends on the previous and subsequent links  14  to maintain the desired linked article. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an example kit  64  for creating Brunnian link items such as bracelets and other wearable or decorative items includes a loom  22 , a hook  66 , a plurality of clips  68  and a plurality of elastic bands  70 . The loom  22  includes a base  36  and a plurality of pins  40  standing up from the base  36 . The base  36  includes a first surface  38  from which the pins  40  extend. Each of the pins  40  includes a top surface  42  and a flange  44  for holding an elastic band in a desired orientation. In this example, the flange  44  extends from a first side of the access groove  48  to a second side of the access groove  48 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6  with continued reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The base  36  includes a length  56  and a width  55 . The base  36  includes a first end  24 , a second end  26 , a first side  50  and a second side  52 . The pins  40  stand up from the base  36 . Each of the pins  40  includes a body portion  46  including on one side an access groove  48  extending through the top surface  42  and flange  44 . The body portion  46  includes a rounded shape on a side opposite the access groove  48  for supporting an elastic band. Each of the access grooves  48  is open in a common direction  76 . In the disclosed example, the access grooves all point toward the second end  26 . An opening  74  partially surrounds each pin  40  and extends through the first surface  38  of the base  36 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , with continued reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , the base  36  includes slots  54  that extend below the first surface  38  and that are in communication with a corresponding one of the access grooves  48 . The slot  54  provides for the hook  66  to extend below the first surface  38  to capture a bottom or lower most elastic band supported on the pin  40 . During fabrication of a linked article, one elastic band is captured and pulled upward within another elastic band supported on a common pin  40 . The hook  66  can therefore extend through the access groove  48  into the slot  54  to capture a lower most elastic band and pull that elastic band through the slot  54  and an upper elastic band. The slot  54  extends forward from the pin  40  and access groove  48 . 
         [0021]    The plurality of pins  40  are arranged in rows that extend a longitudinal length  56  of the loom  22  between the first end  24  and the second end  28 . In this disclosed example, the rows include at least one center or intermediate row  58  disposed between an outer first row  60  and an outer second row  62 . The intermediate row  58  and first and second outer rows  60 , 62  are spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal length  56  an equal distance  75 . The intermediate row  58  is staggered or offset relative to the first and second rows  60 ,  62  on each side. Accordingly, in this example, the intermediate row  58  includes pins  40  that are staggered or offset a distance  72  longitudinally relative to pins  40  in the first outer row  60  and the second outer row  62 . The intermediate row  58  in the disclosed example includes a single pin  45  that is spaced forward of the other pins  40  at the first end  24 . 
         [0022]    Each of the slots  54  and access grooves  48  for each of the pins  40  face in a common direction  76 . The common direction  76  in the disclosed loom  22  is toward the second end  26  and away from the first end  24 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , with continued reference to  FIG. 5 , the base includes a tab  28  on the first end  24  and a slot  30  on a second end  26  for connecting the base  36 A of one loom  22 A with the base  36 B of another or second loom  22 B. Connection of multiple looms  22  provides additional possible link combinations and lengths. In this example, the tab  28  and slot  30  are provided on respective first and second ends  24 ,  26 ; however, such connecting features are also contemplated on the first and second sides  50 ,  52 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10  with continued reference to  FIGS. 3-7 , the slots  54  provide for the hook  66  to pick and engage an elastic band in two positions. One position, shown in  FIG. 9 , is with the hook  66  facing into the access groove  48 . A second position, shown in  FIG. 10 , is with the hook  66  facing outward from the access groove  48 . The slot  54  within the base  36  is in direct communication with the access groove  48  so that the hook  66  can move from the access groove  48  into the slot  54  under a lower most elastic band supported on the pin  40 . The lower most elastic band can then be pulled through the access groove  48  and through upper elastic bands supported on the same pin  40 . 
         [0025]    A disclosed method of creating a linked item utilizing the loom  22  includes the step of stretching a first elastic band  78  across adjacent first and second pins  82 ,  84 . The flange  44  holds the elastic band  78  on the first and second pins  82 ,  84  and prevents the elastic band from slipping off. A second elastic band  80  is stretched across second pin  84  and a third pin  86 . The second elastic band  80  is supported on the second pin  84  above the first elastic band  78 . A link is formed by capturing and pulling an end of the first band  78  through the access groove and the second band  80  and placing the captured end onto an adjacent pin that in this example is the first pin  82 . This forms the Brunnian link and holds the link in place so that additional links can be formed and joined to existing links. 
         [0026]    The hook  66  is utilized to capture ends of an elastic band and is inserted through the access groove  48  into the slot  54  and below the lower most elastic band that in this example is the first band  78 . The hook  66  is used to grasp the elastic band  78  and pull the elastic band upward through the access groove  48  and within an elastic band above the lower elastic band to form the Brunnian link. The captured end of one of the plurality of elastic bands is pulled over the other end and captured on an adjacent pin while engaged with a second one of the plurality of elastic bands. Capturing and pulling subsequent ends of different ones of the plurality of elastic bands is repeated to form the desired link pattern. 
         [0027]    Accordingly, the example kit and method provide for the creation of many different combinations and configurations of Brunnian links for the creation of bracelets, necklaces, and other linked items. Moreover, the example kit is expandable to further create and expand the capabilities of potential Brunnian link creations. The example kit provides for the creation of such links and items in an easy manner allowing persons of varying skill levels to be successful in creating unique wearable items. 
         [0028]    Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this invention.

Technology Category: d