Patent Application
20180271230
The present invention generally relates to sewing tools—more specifically, to enhanced methods of knitting and crocheting tool accessibility.
Lower extremities such as the wrist and forearm offer a unique and readily-available attachment point for accessories that demand a high level of accessibility. One obvious example is the wristwatch—it has been available for hundreds of years and is still popular today due to its ease of accessibility. As trades became more specialized over the centuries, tool sets began to expand and researchers began inventing creative ways to make these tools more accessible to their users.
In more recent times, inventors have developed bracelets that temporarily secure tools to the wrist. U.S. Patent No. 20120324945A1 granted to Koeppel, disclosed an ornamental bracelet that can be used as a measuring device. The device can be easily removed from a user's wrist and laid flat against an object to be measured. U.S. Patent No.s 20080223889A1 and US 20120255978 A1 granted to Lam and Williams respectively, disclosed an ornamental bracelet that secures mobile devices (such as digital music players). U.S. Patent No.s 20050082323A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,048,162B2 granted to O′hair and Frye respectively, disclosed a wristband that holds various tools for mechanics. U.S. Patent No. 20140014696A1 and 20130020359A1 granted to Gwynn and Green respectively, disclosed a wrist storage bracelet for hairstylists allowing them easy access to a variety of scissors while performing haircuts. And U.S. Patent No.s 20140263910 and 20140263496 granted to Featherston and Zimmerman respectively, disclosed a wristband to temporarily hold writing and drawing instruments for use by artists. While many of these bracelets and wristbands are useful for holding a variety of tools for a myriad of functions, none were found in the prior art that were designed to incorporate a combination of knitting and crocheting tools such as rulers, yarn cutters and thread counters (collectively referred to as ‘notions’) into a single, multifunction bracelet.
An objective of this invention is to provide a tool bracelet that enhances the efficiency of knitting and crocheting by combining several notions within easy reach on a user's wrist. The invention is comprised of a bracelet having hollow, square segments connected by interlocking pins.
Another objective is to allow users to measure without having to locate a ruler. Each side of the segments are graduated with both imperial and metric rulers. Users can obtain measurement estimates while wearing the device or can simply remove the invention and place it on a flat surface to obtain accurate measurements.
Another objective of the invention is to allow users to size knitting needles and crochet hooks without reaching for a size chart. Several sized holes are located in the center of each segment allowing a user to insert a crochet needle. Each hole is marked with a gauge size (0-16) so users can accurately determine the diameter of a needle or hook.
Another objective is to allow users to cut yarn without reaching for scissors. The largest needle sizing hole incorporates a small blade along its internal surface allowing users to insert and cut yarn using a pulling action. The blade is replaceable.
Another objective of the invention is to allow users to store stitch markers in close proximity to the work project. Included on the segments are small holes that allow users to insert and secure stitch markers.
Another objective is to allow users the ability to also store hooks and needles. One of the end segments has two holes that terminate at a small magnet allowing users to securely store a miniature steel crochet hook and tapestry needle.
Another objective of the invention is to allow users to keep track of knitting feature counts. The other end of the bracelet has two, flush-mounted, counter wheels (allowing four double-digit counting) on the terminal segment that can be rotated with fingers and helps users keep track of stitch counts, weave rows etc. The wheels are held in place by a tension spring and ball bearing assembly that temporarily secures the desired digits in the readout window. When the user presses down slightly on the wheels, the springs compress, allowing the wheels to be rotated. Upon arriving at the desired digit, the wheels are released and locked in place by means of small ball bearings that interlock the wheels and bracelet once again.
A final objective of the invention is to allow the bracelet to be easily donned and doffed and adjusted by means of a quick release magnet attached to a clasp that links to a small chain.
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show a form of the invention which is presently preferred. However, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.
Embodiments and examples are described below with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details in the form of examples are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It will be evident, however, that these specific details are not necessary to the practice of such embodiments. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate description of the various embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment,” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,
Although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”
