Patent Application
20250198065
The present invention relates generally to the field of rug hooking and craft devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rug hooking assistance tool designed to attach to any table or flat surface with at least a 1.5 inch overhang. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in rug hooking and craft devices. Generally, many people enjoy working on rug hooking projects. However, beginners often are faced with challenges that may prevent them from mastering this craft. For example, tightening and adjusting rug hooking hoops while stooped over the knee can be very frustrating and awkward for all rug hookers.
In handcrafting of rugs, it can be difficult to stop and start rug hooking projects. Further, it may be difficult not to waste backing material when working on rug hooking projects. Accordingly, rug hooking lends itself to wasted backing, as the general rule of thumb is 3-4 inches from your design edge.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved rug hooking device that provides users with a rug hooking tool designed to attach to a table or flat surface with an 1¾ overhang. More particularly, there is a demand for a rug hooking device that allows users to easily stop and restart their rug hooking projects without adjusting and moving and readjusting around in hoops.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a rug hooking device that provides users with a rug hooking assistance tool designed to attach to a table or flat surface. There is also a long felt need in the art for a rug hooking device that functions as an educational rug hooking tool for beginners, allowing users to maintain a comfortable position in their chair while rug hooking. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a rug hooking device that allows users to easily stop and restart their rug hooking projects. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that saves considerable time and effort when working on and completing rug hooking projects, from the very beginner to the most avid rug hookers. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a rug hooking device that stores rug hooking supplies to finish the project at hand. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a rug hooking device that includes accessory plates and an optional Gripper Strip top to make larger sizes once you have mastered the art. This device may be used for other crafts as well, such as needlepoint, etc.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a rug hooking and craft device. The device assists with handling and completing rug hooking projects. The rug hooking device comprises a base component that is configured in a wooden square with a square hole in the center and provides enough room to staple on backing. The base component includes two wooden claws with a board screwed in between the wooden claws. The wooden claws are then inserted onto a table edge and secured via a C-style clamp to tighten it to the table surface or overhang of 1¾. The base component includes two slots which allow for accessory plates to be slid in to accommodate extra projects.
In this manner, the rug hooking and craft device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that assists with handling rug hooking and other craft projects. The device allows users to remove a project by pulling the duct tape, wherein the staples stay in the duct tape. The project can be cut off at the sides and then the project is ready to block/steam with an iron and put in a frame, or whip the edges if not using a frame.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a rug hooking and other craft device. The device assists with handling and completing rug hooking projects. The rug hooking device comprises a base component that is configured in a wooden square or rectangle with a square hole in the center. The base component includes two wooden claws, which are inserted onto a table edge or overhang and secured. The base component includes two slots which allow for accessory plates to be slid in to accommodate extra project sizes.
In one embodiment, the rug hooking device provides users with a rug hooking assistance tool designed to attach to any table or flat surface with an overhang of at least 1¾″. The rug hooking device allows users to maintain a comfortable position in their chair while rug hooking and functions as an educational rug hooking tool for beginners. Further, during use, the rug hooking device allows users to easily stop and restart their rug hooking projects. Thus, the device saves considerable time and effort when working on and completing rug hooking projects, from the very beginner to the most avid rug hookers as it also has a optional Gripper Strip attachment.
In one embodiment, the rug hooking device comprises a base component that is configured in a square or rectangle with a square or rectangular through-hole in the center. Specifically, the base component comprises an open rectangular or square frame having spaced parallel side members, a lower member and an open top area. Frame members have upper surfaces in a common plane. Thus, the base component is a square/rectangular frame that can be available in a variety of sizes, depending on the size of the rug hooking projects being done. Typically, the base component is sized and shaped to provide enough room for the user's rug project and for the user to staple on backing for their rug project. The general rule is leaving approximately 3-4 inches from the design edge for backing if using a hoop, but with The Handy Hooker we cut to size, any suitable amount of backing can be utilized as is known in the art.
In one embodiment, the base component includes two wooden claws or open arm components which are C-shaped and secured to the base component, such that one wooden claw or open arm component is secured to each edge of the base component. In position, the wooden claws or open arm components extend outward from the base component. The wooden claws can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, as long as the wooden claws can fit around a table edge or other flat surface edge with at least an 1¾ overhang.
In one embodiment, a board extends between the pair of wooden claws or open arm components and is secured to each wooden claw of the pair of wooden claws. The board is screwed in between the wooden claws, securing them together, with a board positioned at the top claw portion and a board positioned at the bottom claw portion. Thus, in position, the boards span the pair of wooden claws and secures them in a parallel position. The boards can be any size and shape, as long as they can span across the wooden claws and secure to each claw. The wooden claws are then inserted onto a table edge or other flat surface, such that the boards rest above and below the table surface.
In one embodiment, a C-style clamp is secured around the table edge and boards, to tighten the boards to the table. Any other suitable securing means can be utilized as is known in the art. Once in position, the base component is extended from the table edge, allowing a user to work on the rug project with ease. The C-style clamp allows the base component to be secured in position, off the table edge, and then removed when needed for transport or storage.
In one embodiment, the base component includes two slots which allow for accessory plates to be slid in to accommodate extra project sizes. The accessory plates are configured in square shapes to be able to slide within the interior walls of the base component within the slots. Any suitable number of slots can be included within the base component interior walls as desired by a user. Further, the accessory plates can be utilized to store accessories and tools for the rug project, as well as to allow rug projects of varying sizes to be completed on the device.
In operation, a user inserts the pair of wooden claws onto a table edge, such that the board that spans the claws is positioned above and below the table surface. A C-style clamp is then utilized to secure the boards to the table, allowing the base component to extend outwards from the table for use with a user's rug project. A user then spans the rug base fabric and/or backing across one of the accessory plates via duct tape and staples, as needed. The user then slides the accessory plate into one of the slots of the supported base component to begin work on the rug project with ease. Once the rug project is complete, users can pull the duct tape, wherein the staples stay in the duct tape during this removal. The rug project can then be cut off at the sides from the accessory plate. The rug project is then ready to block/steam with an iron and put in a frame or whip if not using frame.
In one embodiment, the rug hooking device and its components are manufactured from wood, metal, plastic, or other suitable materials as is known in the art, or a combination of such materials.
In yet another embodiment, the rug hooking device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In yet another embodiment, a method of assisting with the handling of rug hooking projects is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a rug hooking device comprising a base component with two wooden claws to secure to a table or overhang of 1¾ The method also comprises inserting the wooden claws onto a table edge. Further, the method comprises securing the wooden claws to the table via a C-style clamp. The method also comprises sliding in accessory plates into the slots of the base component. The method comprises stapling on backing to the base component when making a rug project. The method also comprises removing the project by pulling on duct tape, causing the staples to stay in the duct tape. Finally, the method comprises cutting off the sides, such that the project is ready to block/steam with an iron and put in a frame.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described 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 are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a rug hooking device that provides users with a rug hooking assistance tool designed to attach to any table or flat surface. There is also a long felt need in the art for a rug hooking device that functions as an educational rug hooking tool for beginners, allowing users to maintain a comfortable position in their chair while rug hooking. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a rug hooking device that allows users to easily stop and restart their rug hooking projects. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that saves considerable time and effort when working on and completing rug hooking projects, from the very beginner to the most avid rug hookers. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a rug hooking device that stores rug hooking supplies. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a rug hooking device that includes accessory plates to accommodate extra project sizes.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel rug hooking device. The rug hooking device comprises a base component that is configured in a wooden square with a square hole in the center and provides enough room to staple on backing. The base component includes two wooden claws with a board screwed in between the wooden claws. The wooden claws are then inserted onto a table edge and secured via a C-style clamp to tighten it to the table surface. The base component includes two slots which allow for accessory plates to be slid in to accommodate extra project sizes. The device also includes a sliding gripper strip top so it can be made bigger for various projects. The present invention also includes a novel method of assisting with the handling of rug hooking projects. The method includes the steps of providing a rug hooking device comprising a base component with two wooden claws to secure to a table. The method also comprises inserting the wooden claws onto a table edge. Further, the method comprises securing the wooden claws to the table via a C-style clamp. The method also comprises sliding in accessory plates into the slots of the base component. The method comprises stapling on backing to the base component when making a rug project. The method also comprises removing the project by pulling on duct tape, causing the staples to stay in the duct tape. Finally, the method comprises cutting off the sides, such that the project is ready to block/steam with an iron and put in a frame.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Generally, the rug hooking device 100 provides users with a rug hooking assistance tool designed to attach to any table 112 or flat surface with an overhang. The rug hooking device 100 allows users to maintain a comfortable position in their chair while rug hooking and functions as an educational rug hooking tool for beginners. Further, during use, the rug hooking device 100 allows users to easily stop and restart their rug hooking projects. Thus, the device 100 saves considerable time and effort when working on and completing rug hooking projects, from the very beginner to the most avid rug hookers.
Furthermore, the rug hooking device 100 comprises a base component 102 that is configured in a square or rectangle with a square or rectangular through-hole 114 in the center. Specifically, the base component 102 comprises an open rectangular or square frame 116 having spaced parallel side members 118, a lower member 120 and an open top area 122. Frame members 118, 120 have upper surfaces in a common plane. Thus, the base component 102 is a square/rectangular frame 116 that can be available in a variety of sizes, depending on the size of the rug hooking projects being done. Typically, the base component 102 is sized and shaped to provide enough room for the user's rug project and for the user to staple on backing for their rug project. The general rule is leaving approximately 3-4 inches from the design edge for backing, but any suitable amount of backing can be utilized as is known in the art.
As shown in
Further, a board 202 extends between the pair of wooden claws or open arm components 104 and is secured to each wooden claw 204 of the pair of wooden claws 104. The board 202 is screwed in between the wooden claws 104, securing them together, with a board 202 positioned at the top claw portion 204 and a board 202 positioned at the bottom claw portion 204. Thus, in position, the boards 202 span the pair of wooden claws 104 and secures them in a parallel position. The boards 202 can be any size and shape, as long as they can span across the wooden claws 104 and secure to each claw portion 204. The wooden claws 204 are then inserted onto a table edge 110 or other flat surface, such that the boards 202 rest above and below the table surface.
Additionally, a C-style clamp 206 is secured around the table edge 110 and boards 202, to tighten the boards 202 to the table 112. Any other suitable securing means can be utilized as is known in the art. Once in position, the base component 102 is extended from the table edge 110, allowing a user to work on the rug project with ease. The C-style clamp 206 allows the base component 102 to be secured in position, off the table edge 110, and then removed when needed for transport or storage.
As shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment, the rug hooking device 100 and its components are manufactured from wood, metal, plastic, or other suitable materials as is known in the art, or a combination of such materials.
In yet another embodiment, the rug hooking device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 500. The base component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the base component 102, or any other indicia 500 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 500 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be rug, hooking, or brand related.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “rug hooking device”, “rug device”, “hooking device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the rug hooking device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the rug hooking device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the rug hooking device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/611,973, which was filed on Dec. 19, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63611973 | Dec 2023 | US |
