CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.: 63/406,908 filed on September 15, 2022.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to method and device for creating a linked item from closed loop elastic bands. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a method and device for creating a linked wearable item from closed loop elastic bands.

SUMMARY

[0003] A kit for making linked articles from elastic bands includes, among other possible things, a loom including a body portion, a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending from the body portion, wherein a rib extends about an outer periphery of each of the first arm portion and the second arm portion. The kit further includes a hook tool that includes a first and second legs spaced apart a distance corresponding to a spacing between the first and second arm portions of the loom, a plurality of elastic bands, and at least one clip for securing ends of a plurality of linked elastic bands.

[0004] 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.

[0005] 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

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a kit for making linked articles from elastic bands.

[0007] Figure 2 is a front view of an example loom embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3 is a side view of the example loom embodiment. [0009] Figure 4 is a top view of the example loom embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5 is a front view of an example double hook embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 is a side view of the example double hook embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a hook portion of the example double hook.

[0013] Figure 8 is a front view of an example spacer embodiment.

[0014] Figure 9 is a side view of the example space embodiment.

[0015] Figure 10A is a schematic view of a step of using an example loom and double hook for creating a link between at least two elastic bands.

[0016] Figure 10B is a schematic view of another step of using an example loom and double hook for creating a link between at least two elastic bands.

[0017] Figure 10C is a schematic view of yet another step of using an example loom and double hook for creating a link between at least two elastic bands.

[0018] Figure 10D is a schematic view of still another step of using an example loom and double hook for creating a link between at least two elastic bands.

[0019] Figure 11 is a schematic view of method steps A-I of using the example loom, hook, and spacer for creating at least ling between at least two elastic bands.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Referring to Figure 1 a kit 10 for making a linked article from elastic bands is shown. Elastic bands 20 are supported on a loom 12 that includes features for forming links. In this example, the loom provides for linking of the elastic bands in a Brunnian link. A Brunnian link is formed from a continuous looped structure such as the example elastic bands 20 without forming an actual knot.

[0021] The example kit 10 may further include a double hook tool 14, spacers 16 and a plurality of clips 18. The hook tool 14 is used for manipulating elastic bands that are supported on the loom 12. The spacers 16 provide for arrangement of the elastic bands during assembly to provide variations in the links. The clips 18 provide for securement of ends of a chain of the elastic bands to prevent the links from coming undone.

[0022] Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the example loom 12 is shown and includes two arms 24 that extend from a body 22. The body 22 provides a surface for a user to hold the loom 12 during use. Elastic bands 20 are held between the arms 24 as additional bands are added and the links are formed. The arms 24 include slots 26 that are provided to receive the spacers 16 in one variation of a method of forming links.

[0023] The loom 12 includes a rib 28 that is disposed about a periphery of the loom 12. The rib 28 provides a desired rigidity for the body 22 and the arms 24. The rib 28 includes a varying width about the loom 12. A width 34 of the rib 28 along each of the arms 24 is less than a width in the body portion and at a distal end of each of the arms 24. A width 30 at the end of each of the anus 30 is greater than the width 34 along each of the arms 24 below the end.

[0024] The increased width 30 at the ends of the arms 24 defines tabs 32. The taps 32 extend outwardly and provide for holding elastic bands supported across the arms in place until manipulated by a user. As is appreciated, the elastic bands are under tension when supported across the arms 24. The tension can result in the bands sliding of the arms 24. The tabs 32 prevent such sliding off of the arms 24.

[0025] Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, the hook tool 14 includes legs 38 that extend from a handle portion 36. Th legs 38 are spaced apart a distance that corresponds with the spacing between the arms 24 of the loom 12. A hook 40 is defined at an end of the each of the legs 38. The hook 40 is configured to grasp an elastic band that is supported on the arms of the 24 of the loom 12. The handle portion 36 provides a wide surface for a user to grasp and hold the hook 14 during use.

[0026] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the spacer 16 includes arms 44 that are spaced apart a distance that corresponds with a spacing between the slots 26 of the loom 12. The spacer includes a main portion 42 for a user to hold while inserting the arms 44 into the slots 26 of the loom 12. The spacer 16 is inserted between elastic bands that are held across the arms of the loom 12 to maintain a separation between each elastic band to aid in forming links of a desired configuration. It should be appreciated, that the spacer 16 could be provided with different widths to match the slots of the loom 12. Moreover, several spacers are included in the kit to provide a user with different spacing options when forming a linked item from the elastic bands.

[0027] Referring to Figures 10A-10D, a method of forming a linked item utilizing the disclosed loom 12 and hook tool 14 is schematically shown. Beginning in Figure 10A, a top elastic band 50 and a linked assembly including a bottom elastic band 52 are supported across arms 24 of the loom 12. The hook tool 14 is used to grasp the bottom elastic band 52 on both sides 54, 56 as is shown in Figure 10B. The hook 40 disposed on ends of the legs 38 of the hook tool 14 enables the bottom elastic band 52 to be stretched outward and pulled over the top elastic band 52 as is shown in Figure 10C. Once the bottom elastic band 52 is pulled over the top elastic band 50 it is released as shown in Figure 10D. The bottom elastic band 52 is now linked to the other elastic bands and the linked bands are moved down the arms 24. Another elastic band is added to the arms 24 and the process repeated until the linked item is of a desired length. The two arms of the hook 14 speed the process by providing form both sides of the elastic band to be pulled up and over simultaneously.

[0028] Referring to Figures 11, steps A-I for another example disclosed method of assembling a linked item with elastic bands is shown and uses the spacers 16. A first elastic band 60 is stretched across the arms 24 of the loom 12 as shown at step A. Arms 44 of a first spacer 14A are inserted into slots 26 of the loom 12. The spacer 14A is inserted above the first elastic band 60 as shown in step B. A second elastic band 62 is than assembled above the first spacer 14A as is shown in step C. A second spacer 14B is inserted into the slots 26 of the loom, above the second elastic band 62 as shown in step D. Although one elastic band is shown above, below and between the first and second spacers 14A and 14B, any number of elastic bands could be placed between the spacers to provide different link configurations.

[0029] The spacers 14A, 14B provide a physical and visual separation of the first elastic band 60 and the second elastic band 62 to aid in creation of a link. In some instances, grasping of the correct elastic band may be difficult and time consuming. The difficulty may reduce the enjoyment of creating the desired linked item. Moreover, for more complex link formations, the spacers provide a visual and physical separation of the desired links to assure that the correct elastic bands are grasped and pulled over.

[0030] Once the bands 60, 62 and spacers 14A, 14B are set, a hook took is used to gasp one of the elastic bands 60, 62 and pull it out and over the other elastic band to form a link as is shown in steps E and F. Once the bands are pulled over, the spacers can be removed as shown in steps G and H. In step G, the first spacer 14A is removed and place above the second spacer 14B. Additional links can be added and links formed. The second spacer 14B may than be removed and placed above the first spacer as shown in steps H and I. The process is repeated with additional elastic bands until the linked item is completed.

[0031] Accordingly, the spacers 14A, 14B provides an aid for users to create more complex links with the loom 12. The disclosed method shown in Figure 11 illustrates a simple link formation for clarity. However, more complex links that use several elastic bands disposed between the spacers 14A, 14B could be utilized and is within the contemplation of this disclosure. Moreover, although 2 spacers are shown and described by way of example, additional spacers could be utilized for links of greater complexity.

[0032] 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. Moreover, no part of disclosure is intended, either explicitly or implicitly, as any disclaimer or narrowing of claim scope. The description of any one embodiment is not intended, either explicitly or implicitly, as limiting the plain and ordinary meaning set out in the following clams. The example embodiment is only one of many possible structures and methods that are properly within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this disclosure.