WEAVING KIT IMPROVEMENTS

Introduction

This invention relates to a paper weaving kit.

In particular, the invention relates to improvements to paper weaving kits of the type described in our previously filed patent application - Publication No. WO 2006/048854.

According to the invention, there is provided a sheet creasing device for forming folding guide creases in the sheet to facilitate folding the sheet to form a weaving element, the sheet creasing device including a base support, a sheet assembly mounted on the base support, said sheet creasing assembly being operable for impressing one or more fold lines in a sheet characterised in that a top portion of the device is adapted for manually pressing downwardly to clamp the device against a support surface upon which the device is mounted in use.

In a preferred embodiment the top portion is adapted to receive a person's hand placed flat against the top portion.

In another embodiment the top portion has a curved upper surface.

In a further embodiment the paper creasing assembly includes a complementary pair of rotatable rollers for reception and through passage of a sheet therebetween for creasing the sheet, the rollers being rotatably mounted on a roller support, drive means for rotation of at least one of the rollers, at least one outwardly projecting circumferential rib in a first one of the rollers engaging with a complementary circumferential groove in a second one of said rollers for impressing a fold line in the sheet.

In another embodiment sheet guide platforms extend outwardly at each side of the rollers to feed the sheet to and from the rollers. Each guide platform conveniently

has a downwardly curved lip at its inner end adjacent the rollers.

In a preferred embodiment the drive means is a manually operated drive mechanism operated by a cranked rotatable handle on an exterior of the device.

In another aspect, the invention provides a weaving aid including a support panel, a row of spaced-apart clips on the support panel, each clip for holding one end of a paper weaving element such that the paper weaving element extends outwardly from the clip across the support panel.

In another embodiment an associated guide channel is provided adjacent to each clip to guide an end of a weaving element into engagement with the clip and align the weaving elements side by side.

In another embodiment weaving element alignment indicia is marked on an upper face of the support panel for alignment of warp weaving elements with warp alignment indicators and weft weaving elements with weft alignment indicators on the support panel.

Conveniently the warp alignment indicators may be provided by warp columns and the weft alignment indicators by weft rows in an alignment grid marked on said upper face of the support panel.

In another embodiment each warp column and each weft row is marked with identifying indicia. The columns and rows may be identified by numbers and letters for example. This advantageously aids in providing weaving instructions for persons using the weaving aid.

In another embodiment the support panel is size adjustable.

In a further embodiment the support panel has two or more interconnected parts. These parts may be permanently interconnected, by hinge joints between the parts for example. Alternatively, said parts may be separate and connectors are provided

for joining two or more of said parts together as required to build an enlarged composite support panel of a desired size.

In another embodiment the row of clips are provided on a head piece which is demountably engagable with the support panel.

In another embodiment associated guide channels are also provided on the head piece.

In a further embodiment the head piece has means for clamping the head piece at a side edge of the support panel. Conveniently said clamping means comprises a number of spaced-apart a resilient lugs on the head piece.

In a further aspect the invention provides a preformed blank strip for forming a paper weaving element. Preferably the blank strip is a paper strip, however other materials such as plastics could be used provided they can be folded to form a weaving element.

In another embodiment at least a portion of the outer face of the blank strip has surface ornamentation thereon.

In another embodiment the blank strip has an elongate rectangular shape of four times the width of the weaving element to be formed therefrom.

In another embodiment the blank strip has one or more creased fold lines. These aid in folding the blank strip into a weaving element.

In a further embodiment at least an outer face of the blank strip has a sealing coat of varnish or the like thereon. This advantageously provides protection for the weaving element, this being particularly advantageous with paper blank strips.

In another embodiment interleaving indicia is marked on the blank strip to facilitate alignment and inter-engagement of adjacent weaving elements formed from two of the blank strips. Thus, advantageously, two or more of the weaving elements can be

joined in line to form a weaving element of greater length when required.

In another embodiment centre line indicia is provided on the outer face of the blank strip.

Conveniently, a plurality of the blank strips may be provided in a pack.

It is also envisaged that a set of blank strips would be provided in the pack for weaving a particular object.

In another aspect the invention provides a preformed weaving element of a desired width and length. This may be formed of any suitable material. While paper or cardboard is preferred for forming the weaving element, other materials such as plastics or even fabric or leather material could be used for example. Decoration may be provided on at least part of an outer face of the weaving element which will be exposed to view in objects formed using the weaving elements.

A pack containing a number of the preformed weaving elements can be provided in a weaving kit or separately for use with the weaving kit. Sets of preformed weaving elements may be provided with all the preformed weaving elements necessary to form a particular object.

In a further aspect the invention provides a weft weaving element feeder to assist in feeding a weft weaving element over and under alternate warp weaving elements arranged side by side, such as on the weaving aid mentioned previously, said weft weaving element feeder having a stiff elongate body with means at one end for attachment of a leading end of a weaving element thereto. In one embodiment a socket is provided at a trailing end of the feeder body which is sized such that the leading end of the weft weaving element is a push fit in the socket.

In a still further aspect of the invention a handle element may be provided for use in the construction of objects such as handbags and the like from weaving elements using a kit of the invention. The handle element is formed by two or more braided rolled paper elements or the like.

It will also be appreciated that some or all of the various pieces of weaving apparatus mentioned here maybe included in weaving kits according to the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a paper creasing device according to the invention:

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the paper creasing device;

Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective view taken along the lines Ill-Ill of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional perspective view taken along the lines IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevational view of the paper creasing device;

Fig. 6 is a sectional end elevational view of the paper creasing device;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged end elevational view showing one end of the paper creasing device;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged end elevational view of the paper creasing device showing the other end of the device;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the paper creasing device showing one side of the device;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the paper creasing device showing the other side of the device;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the paper creasing device;

Fig. 12 is an underneath plan view of the paper creasing device;

Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of a portion of a paper strip creased in the creasing device:

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a weaving aid according to another aspect of the invention:

Fig. 15 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 14 showing another weaving aid:

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a preformed paper blank strip for forming a paper weaving element according to another aspect of the invention;

Fig. 17 is a plan view similar to Fig. 16 showing another blank strip:

Fig. 18 is a plan view similar to Fig. 16 showing another preformed blank strip;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a weft weaving element feeder according to another aspect of the invention;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the weft feeder in use with a weaving element attached thereto;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of another weaving aid according to the invention;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a connector clip for use with the weaving aid of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a plan view of a further weaving aid;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a connector clip for use with the weaving aid of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a plan view of a weaving aid according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 26 is a plan view of a weaving support panel forming portion of the weaving aid of Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a plan view of a head piece forming portion of the weaving aid of Fig. 25;

Fig. 28 is an underneath plan view of the head piece shown in Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is an enlarged detail side elevational view of the head piece of Fig. 27; and

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a handle element.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 13 thereof, there is illustrated a paper creasing device according to the invention indicated generally by the reference number 1. The paper creasing device 1 includes a base support 2 which in use sits on a table, worktop or the like. A paper creasing assembly 3 is mounted on the base support 2. A top portion 4 of the device 4 is adapted for manually pressing downwardly to clamp the device 1 against a support surface such as a table upon which the device 1 is mounted in use.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the top portion 4 has a broad curved upper surface which is adapted to receive a person's hand placed flat against the top portion 4 for pressing downwardly to hold the device 1 firmly against the support surface during operation of the creasing assembly 3 to prevent movement of the device during its operation.

The paper creasing assembly 3 has a tunnel 6 through which a sheet, in this case comprising a blank paper strip 7 is delivered for forming folding guide creases comprising three longitudinal crease lines 8, 9, 10 (see Fig. 13) between opposite ends of the blank paper strip 7 parallel to sides 11 , 12 of the blank paper strip 7. The

crease lines 8, 9, 10 are formed by a complementary pair of rotatable rollers 15, 16 mounted within the creasing assembly 3. The rollers 15, 16 are rotatably mounted on a roller support 17. A manual drive mechanism 18 connects to a rotatable cranked operating handle 19 on an exterior of the device 1. Rotation of the handle 19 rotates the rollers 15, 16 feeding the blank paper strip 7 between the rollers 15, 16 for creasing the blank paper strip 7. Outwardly projecting spaced-apart circumferential ribs 20 on one of the rollers 16 engage with complementary circumferential grooves 21 in the other roller 15 for forming the creased fold lines 8, 9, 10 in the blank paper strip 7.

Referring in particular to Fig. 13, the creasing of the blank paper strip 7 divides the blank paper strip 7 into four elongate panels, namely two outer panels 23, 24 and two inner panels 25, 26. To form a paper weaving element from the blank paper strip 7, firstly the outer panels 23, 24 are folded inwardly about the outer crease lines 8, 10 over the inner panels 25, 26. Then the two inner panels 25, 26 are folded together about their common central fold line 9 to form the paper weaving element.

Referring in particular to Figs. 3 to 5 and 12 the base 2 has a top panel 30 which seats in a complementary recess 31 in an underside of the paper creasing assembly 3 to which it is secured by fasteners 32. A skirt 33 flairs outwardly and downwardly from a periphery of the top panel 30 to form a stand for the device 1.

The paper creasing assembly has a two-part body shell with a lower portion 36 seated on the base 2 and an upper portion 37. Extending outwardly at each side of the rollers 15, 16 are paper strip guide platforms 38, 39 to feed the paper strip 7 to and from the rollers 15, 16. Each guide platform 38, 39 has a downwardly curved lip 40, 41 (Fig. 5) at its inner end.

The upper roller 15 is driveably connected to the handle 19. A toothed drive gear 45 on the upper roller 15 driveably engages a complementary drive pinion 46 on the lower roller 16. Thus rotation of the handle 19 causes contra-rotation of the rollers 15, 16 to feed the blank paper strip 7 therebetween for creasing the strip 7.

Referring now to Fig. 14, there is shown a weaving aid according to another aspect of

the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 60. The weaving aid 60 includes a support panel 61. A row of spaced-apart spring clips 62 are mounted along the top of the panel 61. Each clip 62 is for holding one end of a paper warp weaving element 63 such that the paper warp weaving element 63 extends outwardly from the clip 62 across the support panel 61. A grid 65 is marked on an upper face of the support panel 61 for alignment of warp weaving elements 63 with warp columns 66 which extend outwardly from each clip 62 and weft weaving elements 67 with weft rows 68 extending across the panel 61 perpendicular to the columns 66. Thus, advantageously, the warp weaving elements 63 and weft weaving elements 67 can be correctly aligned and interengaged on the support panel 61. The warp weaving elements 63 are held by the clips 62 and the weft weaving elements 67 are held by interweaving with the warp weaving elements 63.

Referring now to Fig. 15, there is shown another weaving aid according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 70. This is largely similar to the weaving aid described previously with reference to Fig. 14 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, each warp column 66 is identified by a number and each weft row 68 is identified by a letter.

Thus, instructions for weaving various objects can be provided with instructions for mounting particular weaving elements 63 at particular positions on the grid 65.

Referring now to Fig. 16, there is shown a preformed blank strip for forming a paper weaving element according to another aspect of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 80. The preformed blank strip 80 is a rectangular paper strip having a width W which is four times the width of the paper weaving element to be formed therefrom. Such a preformed blank strip 80 is passed through the creasing device 1 described previously to form the three creased fold lines 8, 9, 10 therein as previously described. In an alternative arrangement, the preformed blank strip may be supplied with the crease lines 8, 9, 10 already marked on the blank strip 80 ready for folding to form a weaving element.

At least an outer face 81 of the blank strip 80 has a sealing coat of varnish or the like thereon. This provides added protection against abrasion or wetting when in use.

Interleaving indicia 83 is marked on the blank strip 80 to facilitate alignment and interengagement of adjacent weaving elements formed from two of the blank strips 80. Thus, two or more of the blank strips 80 can be used to provide a weaving element of increased length if required. The blank strips 80 may be secured together by adhesive if desired.

Center line indicia 85 is also provided to provide for cutting the blank strip 80 in two if required to provide a shorter weaving element.

Any suitable decoration or indicia may be provided on an outermost face 81 of the preformed blank strip 80. Also, that portion 86 of the preformed blank strip 80 which will form the outermost face of the weaving element when the preformed blank strip 80 is folded may carry a particular surface ornamentation 87 thereon. The whole inner panel 25, 26 which will be exposed in use will carry the ornamentation desired. The remainder of the blank strip 80 may have ornamentation also or not as desired.

Figs 17 and 18 show other preformed blank strips 80 with different surface ornamentation and designs thereon.

While it is preferred that the preformed blank strips 80 are formed of paper material in some cases other materials such as plastics may be used.

It is also envisaged that a plurality of preformed blank strips may be provided in kits or a refill pack. Also a particular set of preformed blank strips for forming a particular object may be provided in a kit or pack. A range of different designs may be provided on the preformed blank strips in such packs.

Referring now to Fig. 19 and 20 there is shown a weft weaving element feeder according to another aspect of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 90. The weft feeder 90 has a generally triangular body 91 of stiff plastics material having a pointed leading end 92. A socket 93 is provided at a trailing end of the body 91 for reception of a weaving element 94. A leading end 95 of the weaving element 94 is a push fit into the socket 93 for attaching the weaving element 94 to the weft feeder 90.

In use, the weft feeder 90 assists in feeding a weft weaving element 94 over and under alternate warp weaving elements arranged side by side such as on the weaving aid mentioned previously.

Referring now to Fig. 21 and 22 there is shown a composite support panel arrangement in another weaving aid indicated generally by the reference numeral 100. In this case, a pair of separate rectangular support panels 61 can be joined edge to edge as shown and interconnected by demountable connectors 101. Each connector 101 has a C-shaped body with a spine 102 and a pair of outwardly extending arms 103 which taper together to provide a clamping action on the support panels 61.

Referring now to Figs. 23 and 24 there is shown another weaving aid indicated generally by the reference numeral 110. This is largely similar to the weaving aid shown in Fig. 21 , except in this case four rectangular support panels 61 are provided demountably secured together by connectors 101 and 112. The connector 112 is H- shaped having a central spine 102 with outwardly extending pairs of clamp arms 103 at opposite sides of the spine 102.

Referring now to Figs. 25 to 29 there is shown another weaving aid 120. In this case, a folding support panel 61 is provided comprising two parts 121 , 122 interconnected by a hinge-joint 123 which allows the parts 121, 122 to fold into an overlapping stored position.

Also a demountable head piece 125 of plastics material is demountably attached to an upper edge 126 of the support panel 61. A number of resilient clamping lugs 128 are provided on an underside of the head piece 125 so that the edge 126 of the support panel 61 is clamped between a rear face 129 of the head piece 125 and the lugs 128 when the head piece 125 is mounted on the support panel 61.

The spring clips 62 are provided on the head piece 125. Associated guide channels 130 are provided adjacent each spring clip 62 to guide an end of a weaving element into engagement with the spring clip 62. The guide channels 130 are formed by

upstanding ribs 132 on a front face of the head piece 125. These ribs 132 are aligned with the grid 65 when the head piece 125 is mounted on the support panel 61 as shown in Fig. 25.

Fig. 30 shows a handle element 140 for use in the construction of objects such as handbags and the like from weaving elements using a kit of the invention. The handle element 140 is formed by two or more braided rolled paper elements 142.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.