Patent Application
20230407534
This invention relates to the field of weaving on a conventional, manually-operated loom. Weaving is an ancient art or craft to intertwine horizontal and vertical threads to produce an interwoven fabric.
This apparatus provides a weaver, who weaves on a manually-operated loom, not a mechanical, computerized, or computer-assisted loom, with a tool to keep track of the sequence of treadling when weaving fabric. This invention is a device to continuously point to the weaving pattern, while weaving. The CPC class is D03J 1/10. While not similar to the invention, U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,246 is prior art which also is a method of keeping track of weaving operations, both simple and complex.
Internet-based social media outlets are replete with examples of conversations among weavers about how to keep track of the treadling pattern. A search of these internet-based blogs, e-journals, youtube videos, etc., demonstrates that such an apparatus as this invention is unknown.
As weaving progressed through the centuries, weavers began recording the weaving instructions using a draft, which is a document that graphically depicts how to thread the warp (lengthwise threads) through heddles of the loom, how to tie the harness of the loom to the treadles, the sequence or order of depressing the treadles to lift the harness to create a shed through which the weft (crosswise) thread passes, and the diagram of the woven structure. The draft of the treadling may be very simple, such as a plain weave or tabby, typically using only 2 shafts, not requiring memorization, or very complex (requiring four or multiples of four shafts) and which may be beyond the capacity of an average weaver to memorize.
To address the problem of either losing track of the treadling sequence or of not being able to re-establish where one is in the sequence of weaving a specific pattern, the invention negates the necessity of the weaver to remember the treadling pattern.
This invention houses a compact cylinder 1, of a size that is easy for a weaver to turn by hand, yet will accept a printed or hand-drawn treadling draft of approximately 10⅝ inches, long enough for most drafts, to be affixed to the cylinder 1 with tape. The cylinder 1 is housed in a light frame 2 of a straight-grained, non-warping wood with an open bottom and top. The cylinder 1 rotates on recessed wood screws in the frame 2. The front 10 of the frame 2, facing the weaver, is short enough for the weaver to clearly see the draft on the cylinder 1, yet tall enough to have any note helpful to the weaving affixed thereon with tape. The sides 11 and back 12 allow finger access to turn the cylinder 1.
Occasionally the weaver may use a treadling draft of such complexity that it exceeds 10⅝ inches. In this case the top of the draft can be taped to the cylinder 1, and also taped at about one quarter of the circumference, allowing the tail of the long draft to protrude out the slot in the lower back of the frame 2.
The wire pointer 3 can be mounted on either side of the frame 2, thus allowing the weaver unobstructed access to the cylinder 1 when rotating it with the weaver's preferred hand. So that the cylinder 1 does not move inadvertently and thereby corrupt the location of the draft under the pointer 3, an easily adjustable friction device 13 (4, 5, 6), located on the frame 2, allows the weaver to adjust the friction with a thumb screw 4.
With all of these parts in concert, weavers are easily able to keep track of their position in the treadling draft, and thus in the fabric being woven, at all times. Distractions, or interruptions of any length of time, will have no effect on the proper weaving, as the pointer's position on the draft and thus the weaver's place in the weaving process, upon returning, is completely evident. It is no longer necessary for a weaver to attempt to remember the treadling sequence no matter how complex it may be.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The central part of the invention consists of a rotating cylinder 1, as shown in
A heavy wire metal pointer 3, as shown in
