CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

[0001] This is an International application of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 14/304,603, filed June 13, 2014, entitled "Yarn Feeding Devicewhich application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates in general to tools for crocheting, and more specifically to yarn and thread feeding devices.

Background Information

[0003] Crocheting is the process of creating fabric or patterns by pulling loops of material through other loops, where a maintaining a uniform tension forms a considerable part of the skill required to make a desired product. Maintaining this tension may require considerable practice, and even then may tire the person crocheting, and hence may be a barrier to those learning to crochet.

[0004] As such, there is a continuing need for improved tools of use for crocheting and other activities where yarn tension plays a role.

SUMMARY

[0005] Disclosure here is a device of use in feeding yarn, where the device may be made from a flexible, elastic material able to wrap around a user's finger and maintaining friction between the user's finger and the device sufficient to allow the device to feed yarn at a desired tension. Additionally, the friction may be sufficiently low so that as the yarn is fed the force may not be enough pull on the device to a degree which would cause it to significantly alter the yarn's tension.

[0006] Devices disclosed here may be secured around the user's finger using any suitable method, including insertable geometries and holes, hooks, clasps, clips, buckles, buttons, and hook-and-loop fasteners (i.e. VELC O ^® ), amongst others.

[0007] Also disclosed here are yarn feeding devices made from neoprene.

[0008] Yarn feeding devices disclosed here may feed yarn at a significantly uniform tension without significant complexity of use.

[0009] Numerous other aspects, features and benefits of the present disclosure may be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present disclosure can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. In the figures, reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a design for a yarn feeding device, according to an embodiment. [0012] FIG. 2 shows a yarn feeding device, according to an embodiment. [0013] FIG. 3 shows a yarn feeding device, according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present disclosure is here described in detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are not meant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here.

Definitions

[0015] As used here, the following terms may have the following definitions: [0016] "Yarn" refers to an elongated strand of fiber or of interlocking fibers. [0017] "Feed" refers to providing yarn when making a textile item.

Description of the Drawings

[0018] The present disclosure describes a device of use in feeding yarn when making textile products by hand.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a design for a Yarn Feeding Device 100, having Insertable Geometry 102, Holes 104, Height 108, Width 110, Vertical Position 112, Hole Spacing 114, and Side Length 116.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, Yarn Feeding Device 100 may be made from a flexible, elastic material able to wrap around a user's finger and maintaining friction between the user's finger and Yarn Feeding Device 100 sufficient to allow the device to feed yarn at a desired tension. The friction between Yarn Feeding device 100 and the yarn may be sufficiently low so that, as the device feeds yarn, the force may not be enough pull on Yarn Feeding Device 100 to a degree which would cause it to either be significantly removed from the finger or otherwise significantly alter the yarn's tension. [0021] In one or more embodiments, Yarn Feeding Device 100 may include Insertable Geometry 102, where the geometry may be inserted by a user into one or more Holes 104 in order to secure Yarn Feeding Device 100 around a user's finger. In one or more embodiments, Insertable Geometry 102 may have a significantly triangular shape with Flaps 106 that may protrude after insertion to Holes 104, though other suitable geometries, including round, rectangular, and elliptical ones, may be used.

[0022] In other embodiments, Yarn Feeding Device 100 may be secured onto the user's finger using other methods, including hooks, clasps, clips, buckles, buttons, and hook-and-loop fasteners (i.e. VELC O ^® ), amongst others, and may not include Insertable Geometry 102 or Holes 104.

[0023] Also shown are Height 108 of Yarn Feeding Device 100, Width 110 of Yarn Feeding Device 100, Vertical Position 112 of Holes 104, Hole Spacing 114 between Holes 104, and Side Length 116 of Insertable Geometry 102.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows Yarn Feeding 200, including Yarn 202, Yarn Feeding Device 204, and Protrusion 206. In one or more embodiments, Yarn 202 is placed between the user's finger and Yarn Feeding Device 204, where Yarn Feeding Device 204 is held in form using Protrusion 206 and may maintain its position on the user's finger due to friction generated by the tension caused by the elastic properties of Yarn Feeding Device 204.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows Clasping Mechanism 300, including Yarn Feeding Device 302, and Clips 304. In one or more embodiments, Yarn Feeding Device 302 may be held under tension on the user's finger using Clips 304 and may maintain its position on the user's finger due to friction generated by the tension caused by the elastic properties of Yarn Feeding Device 302.

Examples

[0026] Example #1: In this example, a Yarn Feeding Device having a geometry similar to that described in Figure 1 was made by cutting neoprene having a 1.5mm thickness and a negligibly thin colored nylon skin, resulting in a yarn feeding device having a height of 57 mm, a width of 31 mm, two holes with a vertical position of 14mm and a hole spacing of 6mm, and a triangular insertable geometry having a side length of 11 mm.

[0027] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and

embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.