Patent Application
20120222978
1. Field of Invention
The present invention is generally related to a portable holder for knitting needles.
2. Description of Related Art
Knitting needles (straight or circular) are typically stored and/or transported in a bag or case. When circular knitting needles with a flexible cord are stored, the cable and needles can become entangled.
One aspect of this disclosure provides a holder for holding a set of knitting needles. The holder has a main body having first and second end portions. Each end portion has a corresponding aperture, and each aperture is sized to hold one knitting needle of the set of knitting needles.
In an embodiment, the set of knitting needles are circular knitting needles, each needle having a first end and a second end, the first ends being connected by a flexible cord. The corresponding apertures in the first and second end portions of the main body can be sized to hold the circular knitting needles therein. The holder can have one or more slots for receiving at least a portion of the flexible cord, which can assist in reducing and/or preventing twisting and/or tangling of the cord.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
Referring to the embodiment of
Each end portion 14 and 16 has a corresponding aperture 18 and 20, respectively. In this illustrated embodiment, the apertures 18 and 20 comprise openings provided in side surfaces 44 and that extend between front surface 46 and back surface 48. Each aperture 18 and 20 is sized to receive and hold one knitting needle, each needle of which may be from of a set of knitting needles. For example, the corresponding apertures 18 and 20 in the end portions 14 and 16 may be sized to hold needles from circular knitting needles, i.e., knitting needle 26 may be inserted and held in aperture 18 and knitting needle 28 may be inserted and held in aperture 20 of the holder 10.
Although apertures 18 and 20 are generally shown as openings provided in side surfaces 44 and extending from front surface 46 to back surface 48 of holder 10 in the embodiments of
Each aperture 18, 20 of the disclosed embodiments, no matter their design or configuration, may have a dimension that corresponds to a size of a knitting needle. In an embodiment, each of the apertures 18 and 20 may be sized such that a knitting needle is friction-fit therein. The size of the apertures and/or insert opening areas may be determined based on a size (e.g., diameter) of a knitting needle to be inserted therein. If an aperture comprises a round or circular opening with a diameter d, for example, the diameter d may be determined based on a size (e.g., diameter) of a knitting needle to be inserted therein, e.g., slightly larger than the diameter or largest part of the knitting needle. When a second (e.g., free) end of a knitting needle is inserted through an aperture 18 or 20, the largest part of the needle would be friction fit in the aperture 18 or 20. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the apertures are formed such that knitting needles are inserted via a snap-fit connection into the corresponding apertures 18, 20 of the end portions 14, 16: Alternatively, in yet another embodiment, the size of the apertures may be slightly smaller than the size (diameter) of the knitting needles, and made from a flexible material that allows for slight expansion during insertion of a needle and a respective holding pressure to be exerted on a needle held therein.
The dimensions of the end portions 14 and 16 and central portion 34 in this disclosure are not meant to be limiting. For example, although in some embodiments the apertures described in this disclosure are noted as having a general diameter d (e.g., see
In an embodiment, the insert opening area comprises a width W2 of about 0.338 inches. In an embodiment, a center C of each aperture (e.g., center of the generally circular opening) may be about 0.188 inches from its corresponding end portion. In an embodiment, the apertures 18 and 20 each comprise a diameter of about 0.359 inches.
In an embodiment, main body 12 of holder 10 may comprise an overall length L, an overall width W (or thickness T), and an overall depth D. In an embodiment, for example, the body 12 of holder 10 may comprise an overall length of approximately 3⅜ inches, an overall width (or thickness) of approximately 1 inch, and an overall depth of ½ inch.
Central portion 34 and end portions 14 and 16 may comprise any number of thicknesses. For example, in an embodiment, a central portion 34 comprises a thickness t that is less than a thickness T of each end portion 14, 16. In the illustrated embodiment of
Central portion 34 and end portions 14 and 16 may also comprise any number of lengths. For example, as shown in
In accordance with an embodiment, end portions 14 and 16 comprise lengths L4 and L2 of about 14/16 of an inch to about 1 inch. In another embodiment, each end portion is approximately 15/16 inches in length. In an embodiment, central portion 34 comprises a length L3 of about 1 and ½ inches.
In an embodiment, holder 10 is manufactured to hold knitting needles of one or more predetermined size. For example, circular knitting needles can commonly be found in a range between and including sizes 3 to 15. Holder(s) 10 in accordance with the herein disclosed embodiments may be formed for each size of circular knitting needles available on the market (currently or in the future). In another embodiment, apertures 18 and 20 may be sized to hold different sized needles. Apertures 18 and 20 may be formed such that different sized needles up to and/or including a specific size needle may be retained therein. For example, apertures 18 and 20 may be configured to hold needles either of size 12 or size 13.
In an embodiment, the main body 12 further comprises a gauge 22. Gauge 22 may be configured and used to measure a size of the knitting needles to be held by the holder 10 (i.e., in apertures 18 and 20), or used to measure a size of the knitting needles being held by the holder (e.g., needles may be taken out of apertures and measured to determine or verify needle size). Gauge 22 comprises a hole or opening for receiving a knitting needle therethrough. Because both the gauge and the holding apertures are sized to accept a needle of a particular size, in an embodiment, gauge 22 comprises a diameter d2 that is substantially similar in size to a size of the diameter of the knitting needles to be held in holder 10. The diameter d2 may be substantially similar in size to width dimension W2, a radius of generally circular opening, or a diameter d of the apertures 18 and 20 for holding knitting needles. In an embodiment, gauge 22 may be slightly larger in diameter d2 than the opening of apertures 18, 20. For example, this may be so that the knitting needles can be inserted and friction fit into apertures 18, 20, and inserted into gauge 22 simply for measurement therein (without friction).
In the illustrated embodiments, gauge 22 is provided in central portion 34. In the illustrated embodiments, of
As shown in
In an embodiment, one or more receiving areas 59 may be provided in the portable holder 10. Receiving areas 59 are configured to receive at least part of a flexible cord such as cord 30 when a set of circular knitting needles are held by holder 10. Receiving areas 59 may be holes, openings, slits, gaps, or a similar area sized to receive and temporarily secure a flexible cord therein. In the illustrated embodiment of
In an embodiment, the holder 10 and cord 30 are then inserted into caddy 32, such as shown in
Flexible cord 30 may be curved or wrapped and inserted into slots 59 as many or as little times as necessary. For example, in some instances, cord 30 may be curved or bent at least twice, and inserted through apertures 18 and 20 and into their corresponding slots 59 twice. The length of the flexible cord 30 can determine the number of times cord 30 is wrapped or bent relative to holder 10. Accordingly, holder 10 reduces and/or prevents cord 30 from getting tangled during storage or transportation by separating and securing the cord and needles relative to each other.
However, the receiving areas may be provided in any location in, on, or through body 12. For example,
In accordance with yet another embodiment, holder 10 may further comprise additional openings or apertures. In an embodiment, the first and second end portions 14 and 16 may each further comprise a respective second aperture. Additionally or alternatively, one or more apertures may be provided in central portion 34. The additional or second apertures may be used as receiving areas for receiving a part of a flexible cord or a second set of knitting needles (and/or a single needle).
To use a holder 10 without receiving areas 59 or 60, such as shown in
The dimensions and/or size of portable holder 10 and its features should not be limited to those disclosed above. The features of holder 10—including, but not limited to, diameter d of apertures 18 and 20, thickness t of central portion 34, and heights Hi, H, H1, and H2 and lengths L2, L3, and L4 related to central and end portions 34, 14, and 16, respectively—should also not be limited. Although a dimension may be illustrated in one FIG., it should be understood that said dimensions may apply to none, any or all of the other holders illustrated in the FIGS., and that such markings were shown merely for clarity purposes only.
The type(s) of materials and/or method(s) used to manufacture portable holder 10 should not be limited. As an example, holder 10 may be made out of one or more molded plastic materials. Alternatively, in another embodiment, holder 10 may be made out of formed or molded elastic or rubber material(s). In another embodiment, two or more materials may be used to manufacture holder 10.
The types and sizes of knitting needles held by the holder 10 should not be limited. For example, as previously noted, either or both straight and circular knitting needles may be held by holder 10. Also, holder 10 can hold circular knitting needles with a cord of any number of lengths (e.g., 11, 16, 24, 29, 34, 36 or 40 inch length cord).
Moreover, it is also envisioned that it is within the scope of this disclosure that, in an embodiment, the cord (e.g., cord 30) of a set of circular knitting needles (e.g., needles 26, 28) need not be permanently fixed to the knitting needles when held and/or transported by portable holder 10 and/or caddy 32. For example, although some circular knitting needles are permanently or semi-permanently fixed at their first ends to a cord, there are also interchangeable systems for exchanging a cord (e.g., to one of a different length) and/or for different sized needles. When the needles are stored in holder 10, the cord can remain attached to the first ends of the needles, or be temporarily removed therefrom (and held in caddy 32, for example).
It should also be understood that, while not shown in the drawings, knitting needles may have yarn or materials for a project that associated therewith when using holder 10.
While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the illustrative embodiments set forth above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the structure, arrangement, proportion, elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention.
It will thus be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing preferred specific embodiments have been shown and described for the purpose of illustrating the functional and structural principles of this invention and are subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
