Ribbon-bow making tool

Abstract

A ribbon-bow making tool is provided. The tool comprises a body that comprised opposing top and bottom faces, two ends and a cross-over positioned intermediate of the two ends. The cross-over extends between the opposing faces and permits communication therebetween. The cross-over defines a point from which a length of ribbon extends and wraps around the ends and through the cross-over in a figure-8 pattern. The tool also comprises a cinch that is configured to wrap around the length of ribbon at the cross-over and cinch the ribbon, the cinched ribbon being removable from the body as the bow.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tools for making ribbon bows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bows may be purchased or made individually by hand. Many aids have been developed to assist in bow making. These aids are often cumbersome and complicated.

There remains a need for a bow making tool that mitigates or obviates at least some of the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A ribbon-bow making tool is provided. The tool comprises a body that comprises opposing top and bottom faces, two ends and a cross-over positioned intermediate of the two ends. The cross-over extends between the opposing faces and permits communication therebetween. The cross-over defines a point from which a length of ribbon extends and wraps around the ends and through the cross-over in a figure-8 pattern. The tool also comprises a cinch that is configured to wrap around the length of ribbon at the cross-over and cinch the ribbon, the cinched ribbon being removable from the body as the bow.

The tool body may define a perimeter and further comprise a removal passage extending between the cross-over and the perimeter, through which the cinched ribbon bow passes as it is removed.

The body may further comprise a restraining projection extending from each of the ends. The projections are preferably positioned on the ends at a point away from the removal passage.

The tool body may be a sheet-like body. The sheet-like body may comprise a flexible material, the ends, when the body is bent, pull away from the cinched ribbon by a degree sufficient to assist removal of the bow.

The cinch may be one of an additional length of ribbon and a wire element.

LIST OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view illustrating a ribbon-bow making tool in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b is a plan view of the tool of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1 c is a side view of the tool of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of a cinch illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a cinch in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view illustrating a ribbon-bow making tool in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 3 b is a plan view of the tool of FIG. 3a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1a-c, a bow making tool 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

The tool 10 comprises a body 11 that in turn comprises opposing top and bottom faces (13, 15), two ends (17, 19) and a cross-over 21 positioned intermediate of the two ends (17, 19). The cross-over 21 extends between the opposing faces (13, 15) and permits communication therebetween. The cross-over 21 defines a point from which a length of ribbon extends and wraps around the ends (17, 19) and through the cross-over 21 in a figure-8 pattern. The tool 10 also comprises a cinch 23 that is configured to wrap around the length of ribbon at the cross-over 21 and cinch the ribbon, the cinched ribbon being removable from the body 11 as the bow.

In a preferred embodiment, the body 11 defines a perimeter 25, and further comprises a removal passage 27 extending between the cross-over 21 and the perimeter 25, through which the cinched ribbon bow passes as it is removed.

The body 11 is preferably a sheet-like body. The size of the body may be altered to suit the type of ribbon used, as well as the size of bow made.

The sheet-like body 11 preferably comprises a flexible material, such that the ends (17, 19), when the body 11 is bent, pull away from the cinched ribbon by a degree sufficient to assist removal of the bow. The flexible material is preferably a plastic that is rigid enough to permit assembly of the bow, but flexible enough such that when the ribbon is cinched, the body 11 is bendable by a degree sufficient to assist removal of the bow.

Referring to FIGS. 1a, 2a-b, a cinch 23 is illustrated. The cinch 23 may be an additional length of ribbon (FIG. 2a). Alternatively, the cinch 23 may be a wire element (as shown in FIG. 1a). In a still further alternate embodiment, the cinch 23 may further comprise a knot feature 29 that is positionable on the wrapped ribbon during cinching (as shown in FIG. 2b). The knot feature 29 gives the impression of a knotted ribbon bow.

Referring to FIGS. 3a to 3b, an alternate embodiment of the tool 10 is illustrated. The tool 10 may additional comprise a projection 31 extending from each of the ends 17 and 19. The projections 31 act as a barrier to prevent or reduce the likelihood that the ribbon will slip from the tool 10 when the bow is being made. As such, the amount by which the projections 31 extend from the ends 17, 19 may be influenced by the type and thickness of the ribbon used. For example, a thick and broad ribbon would preferably require a tool 10 with a more prominent projection 31 than if a thin and narrow ribbon were used. The projections are preferably positioned on the ends 17, 19 at a point away from the removal passage 27, as is illustrated.

The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. Variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims set out below.

Claims

1. A ribbon-bow making tool comprising: a body comprising opposing top and bottom faces, two ends and a cross-over positioned intermediate of the ends, the cross-over extending between the opposing faces and permitting communication therebetween, the cross-over defining a point from which a length of ribbon extends and wraps around the ends and through the cross-over in a figure-8 pattern; and, a cinch configured to wrap around the length of ribbon at the cross-over and cinch the ribbon, the cinched ribbon being removable from the body as the bow.

2. A ribbon-bow making tool according to claim 1, wherein the body defines a perimeter, and further comprises a removal passage extending between the cross-over and the perimeter, through which the cinched ribbon-bow passes as it is removed.

3. A ribbon-bow making tool according to claim 1, wherein the body is a sheet-like body.

4. A ribbon-bow making tool according to claim 3, wherein the sheet-like body comprises a flexible material, the ends, when the body is bent, pulling away from the cinched ribbon by a degree sufficient to assist removal of the bow.

5. A ribbon-bow making tool according to claim 4, wherein the flexible material is a plastic.

6. A ribbon-bow making tool according to claim 1, wherein the cinch is one of an additional length of ribbon and a wire element.

7. A ribbon-bow making tool according to claim 6, wherein the cinch comprises a knot feature positionable on the wrapped ribbon during cinching, thereby giving the impression of a knotted ribbon-bow.

8. A ribbon-bow making tool according to claim 2, wherein the body further comprises a restraining projection extending from each of the ends, the projections being positioned on the ends at a point away from the removal passage.