0
`
`United States Patent [191
`Macbain
`
`_llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllgllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,231,742
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`[54] HAND TWINING LOOMS
`1761 hwemon Kathleen E- Macbain, 9125 Copper
`NEAPL 320,A1b11qu¢rqu@1N-M@X-
`[211 App] No_ 895 521
`.
`'
`Jun’ 8’ 1992
`[22] Filed’
`[51] 1m.c1.5 ........................................... .. D03D 29/00
`[52] U.S.C1. ................. ..
`28/151; 139/34
`[58] Field of Search .............................. .. 289/ 16.5, 17;
`139/383 AA, 29, 34; 66/1 A, 1 S, 2, 3, 193, 169
`R, 1 R, 117, 118; 28/144, 145, 147, 149, 152,
`151, 150; 223/6, 120; 87/ 10-13, 53, 62
`_
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,317,367 9/1919 Hansen _
`1,675,881 7/1928 Denney _
`1,975,924 10/1934 Collingborn .
`2,065,498 12/1936 Bacheller _
`2,166,668 7/1939 Webster et a1- -
`2,224,563 12/1940 Clark .
`2,463,365 3/1949 Epstein ................................ .. 139/34
`2,803,051 8/1957 Gutzmann .
`3 530 558 9/1970 sick ‘
`3:739:437 6/1973 Alberici et a1. _
`3,971,417 7/1976 Germ] _
`4,192,046 3/1980 van den BoschMeevis et a1 _
`
`[56]
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1003305 1/ 1977 Canada ,
`
`1044523 lg/lg? Canada .
`‘3135;? 41922 121;‘?.12:1:11::1:11113111111111111111111 531123
`164808 1/1934 Switzerland.
`258565 6/1945 Switzerland .
`Primary Examiner-Andrew M. Falik
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dewitt M. Morgan
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`An apparatus and method for twining or weaving. The
`apparatus includes a plurality of elongated loom ?ngers
`and a loorn. Each of the loom ?ngers is elongated, has
`?rst and second symmetrical tapered ends, and has an
`elongated groove running the entire length thereof. The
`loom includes: a ?rst support that includes at least one
`plate-like member having a plurality of through holes
`therein which loosely support the loom ?ngers in a
`substantially parallel manner; a second support that has
`a ?nger engagement surface which, in the assembled
`form, is adopted to engage one of the ends of each loom
`?nger being used; and structure for detachably support
`ing the plate-like member altitudinally with respect to
`the second support. In operation, to disengage the loom
`?ngers, the plate-like member is moved. relative to the
`second support and, then, the plate-like member is
`moved toward the end of the loom ?ngers which had
`previously been in contact with the ?nger engagement
`surface.
`
`25 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. a, 1993
`
`Sheet_1 of 10
`
`5,231,742
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`I
`
`5,231,742
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 3, 1993 ~
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`I 5,231,742
`
`i
`|
`
`1
`
`FIG-3
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`,
`
`5,231,742
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. s, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`I
`
`5,231,742
`
`1012
`
`FIG-TD
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 3, 1993 -
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`5,231,742
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lllllllllllflllllll"
`
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`
`31
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`732
`
`732
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`
`FIG-9A
`
`752
`
`132
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`732
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`7
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`32
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`197
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`73'
`
`
`
`LaRose
`
`Exh. 1010, p. 7
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet‘7 of 10
`
`I 5,231,742
`
`n/
`
`FIG-10
`
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`l
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`125
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`5,231,742
`
`123
`
`FIG-12
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`10
`o
`
`. 5,231,742
`, 5,231,742
`
`
`‘M
`
`/ . . “$7
`Ma
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`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 10
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet_10 of 10
`
`5,231,742
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 11
`
`

`

`1
`
`HAND TWINING LOOMS
`
`15
`
`5,231,742
`2 -
`on the loom it is, presumably, worked off members 15
`with great dif?culty. Denney, U.S. Pat. No. 1,675,881
`also discloses a comb-like weaving structure in which a
`plurality of bars 19 are locked in a parallel arrangement
`by a timber 12 and a mating clamping bar or plate 13.
`Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 1,317,367 to Hansen discloses a
`plurality of needles 10 ?rmly held by a holder of sheet
`metal. Swiss patents Nos. 258,565 and 164,808 appear to
`disclose similar structures.
`The bene?ts associated with handicraft activities can
`be particularly important when working with children,
`including handicapped children, or with persons having
`learning and physical disabilities. For children, these
`activities can be stimulating and entertaining, and help
`instill the motivation required for initiating a project
`and following it through to completion. For persons
`having learning or physical disabilities, handicraft activ
`ities also provide rehabilitation and therapy, and can
`provide feelings of accomplishment and pride that come
`with creating an attractive craft item from simple start
`ing materials. Even the set up of the loom provides a
`bene?cial ?ne motor activity.
`While activities such as knitting and needlepoint can
`be performed to make both useful and decorative items,
`these activities may be too complex and time-consum
`ing for children and the learning or physically disabled.
`Handicrafts for these people can be most rewarding if
`they can be easily learned, and readily performed to
`create a ?nished article in a relatively short time. A
`handicraft activity which can be easily learned in a
`simple form, and can be further practiced employing
`more sophisticated techniques, is particularly desirable.
`To this end, the present invention concerns a hand
`weaving device which: (1) is straightforward in con
`struction for economical manufacture; (2) is easy to use;
`and (3) lends itself to use in various ways to permit
`practice of more sophisticated techniques as pro?ciency
`with the device is gained.
`
`25
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`The present invention relates generally to devices for
`performing handicraft activities, and more particularly
`to hand weaving looms.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Handicraft activities have always enjoyed popularity
`for both educational and recreational purposes. Activi
`ties such as knitting, needlepoint, crocheting, and the
`like enhance manual dexterity and coordination, pro
`vide relaxation, and provide the satisfaction of creating
`a handmade article.
`A number of hand weaving looms are disclosed in the
`prior art including: U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 30,656, 4,192,046,
`3,971,417, 2,739,437, 3,530,558, 2,803,051, 2,726,434,
`2,563,510, 2,224,563, 2,166,668, 2,065,498, 1,975,924,
`1,675,881, and 1,317,367; Canadian patents Nos.
`1,044,573 and 1,003,305; and Swiss patents Nos. 258,565
`and 164,808.
`U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,656 to Davitian discloses a
`weaving apparatus that includes a base portion 4,
`formed of resinous material, wood or metal. Mounted in
`and extending from base 4 are a plurality of elongated
`rods 8, which may be permanently or removably
`mounted in base 4 to form a comb-like frame assembly.
`The free end 22 of each rod 8 is notched. Notches 24
`and lug posts 6 formed on base portion 4 cooperate to
`support the weft.
`In the apparatus disclosed in van der Bosch-Meeves
`et al., US. Pat. No. 4,192,046, a locking apparatus,
`including lower block 1 and upper block 2, is used to
`hold a plurality of wooden weaving bars 11. At one end
`thereof, bars 11 have hooks 15 to which warp threads 18
`are attached. In operation, those portions of bars 11
`upon which the weft threads have already been drawn
`are locked between blocks 1 and 2 and the weaving
`proceeds on the ends opposite to hooks 15.
`Gentil, U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,417 discloses a hand loom
`formed of a ?rst set of needles 21,3,5___13 held by holder 3
`and a second set of parallel and alternating needles
`22,4,6,_,14 held by a second holder 5. All .of these needles
`have at one end, a semicircular hook. At the opposite
`end each needle has a ?attened region having an eye
`therein through which a warp ?lament is threaded.
`Holder 3 and the needles secured to it are movable
`laterally relatively to holder 5, to permit the odd num
`bered hooks to move relatively to the even number of 50
`hooks as the weft ?lament 17 is laid.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,437 discloses a weaving device in
`the form of a comb with a ?rst set of ?ngers 36 being
`somewhat longer than a second set of ?ngers 38. This
`permits ?ngers 36 to be easily de?ected relative to ?n—
`gers 38 during the weaving process. U.S. Pat. No.
`2,166,688 discloses a similar device.
`Bacheller, U.S. Pat. No. 2,065,498 discloses what is
`described as a comb loom including a base 13 having a
`plurality of evenly spaced grooves 14. Fixed in the
`grooves are a like plurality of channel members 15. In
`addition to a straight base, a circular block 34 may be
`used to support the channel members. The open channel
`in each of members 15 permits a bodkin 20, to which is
`65
`attached the warp thread, to pass through the weft. The
`bodkin has to be ?exible to work and the channel mem-.
`bers have to face in the same direction and align with
`the grooves 14. After the desired piece has been woven
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A method and apparatus for twining or weaving. The
`apparatus includes a plurality of elongated loom ?ngers
`and a loom. Each of the loom ?ngers is elongated, has
`?rst and second symmetrical tapered ends, and has an
`elongated groove running the entire length thereof. The
`loom includes: a ?rst support that includes at least one
`plate-like member having a plurality of through holes
`therein which loosely support the loom ?ngers in a
`substantially parallel manner; a second support that has
`a ?nger engagement surface which, in the assembled
`form is adopted to engage one of the ends of each loom
`?nger being used; and structure for detachably support
`ing the plate-like member altitudinally with respect to
`the second support.
`The number of through openings in the plate-like
`member depends upon its size and shape. The through
`openings are arranged in one or more patterns, includ
`ing straight lines, circles and/ or ovals, or portions
`thereof. The pattern selected and the number of loom
`?ngers used is at the discretion of the user.
`In one embodiment, the second support is an elon
`gated channel, with the structure for detachably sup
`porting including a tongue and groove arrangement. In
`another embodiment, the second support includes a
`raised annular ring which has a lip thereon. The plate
`like member is disc shaped and has an edge which coop
`erates with the lip for relative rotation thereto. In a
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 12
`
`

`

`3
`third embodiment the loom is in the form of a box like
`structure, with both the top and bottom have a hole
`pattern therein. In this case, the ?rst support includes an
`intermediate master plate; the second support includes a
`tray for supporting this plate.
`The method includes: positioning the plate-like mem
`ber relative to the ?nger engagement surface; position
`ing the desired plurality of loom ?ngers in the through
`holes; wrapping or twining weft on the loom ?ngers;
`disengaging the plate-like member from the second
`support; moving the plate-like member relative to the
`?nger ends which were in contact with the ?nger en
`gaging surface; removing the ?ngers and the weft, as a
`unit, from the plate-like member; inserting the warp
`(from either end); and removing the loom ?ngers (with
`out distorting the weaving). The loom ?ngers and weft
`can be repositioned relative to the second support with
`the opposite ends of the loom ?ngers in contact with the
`engaging surface, to reverse the direction of the wea
`ving/twining of the weft.
`The invention also contemplates the use of closed
`loop material as the weft, wherein the ?nger on which
`one loop ends is the same ?nger for starting the next
`loop.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ?rst preferred
`embodiment of the present invention, showing the loom
`?nger storage tray;
`FIG. 2 is an additional perspective view of the em
`bodiment of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ?rst embodiment
`taken along lines A--A of FIG. 2;
`FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are top plane schematics showing
`alternate tile and hole arrangements obtainable with the
`embodiment of FIG. 1;
`FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D are partial views illustrat
`ing the preferred method of weaving or twining the
`weft;
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a
`hook and how it is used to pull the warp through the
`weft;
`FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematics illustrating the
`method of weaving by reversing the direction of the
`loom ?ngers;
`FIG. 10 is a top plane view of an alternate embodi
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 11 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 10;
`FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the em
`bodiment of FIG. 10;
`FIG. 13 is a top plane view of a third preferred em
`bodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the embodiment of
`FIG. 13, taken along lines B—~B, with the addition of
`100m ?ngers.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`With reference to FIGS. 1-3, loom 11 includes a base
`13, two loom ?nger positioning end plates 151.2, inter
`mediate loom ?nger positioning plates 171.4, and a plu
`rality of loom ?ngers l91,2,3__,,,. Loom 11 also includes
`loom ?nger and hook storage tray 21.
`Base 13 includes a bottom portion 23, and integral
`curved side portions 25 and 27. Bottom portion 23 has a
`flat exterior surface 29 and an interior loom ?nger sup
`port surface 31. Side portions 25 and 27 terminate in
`opposing parallel faces 33 and 35 which have, respec
`
`5,231,742
`4 -
`tively, facing longitudinal, parallel grooves 37 and 39.
`The exterior curved surfaces 41 and 42 are continuous
`with bottom surface 29; the interior surfaces 15 43 and
`44, with surface 31.
`Each plate 15 has a top surface 45, a bottom surface
`47, and a plurality of loom ?nger receiving through
`openings 49. Each plate 15 also includes opposite and
`parallel tongues 51 and 53 which are designed to be
`slidably received in grooves 37 and 39 of base 13, as
`illustrated. Similarly, each plate 17 has a top surface 55,
`a bottom surface 57, a plurality of loom ?nger receiving
`perimeter through openings 59, and a plurality of loom
`?nger receiving center through openings 61. Each plate
`17 also has a pair of opposite and parallel tongues (not
`illustrated) which are also slidably received in grooves
`37 and 39. When assembled with base 13, surfaces 45
`and 55 lie in substantially the same plane which is con
`tinuous with curved surfaces 41 and 42. The distance
`between surfaces 45, 55 and 47, 57 and the diameter of
`openings 49, 59 and 61 are chosen such that plates 15
`and 17 support a plurality of loom ?ngers 19in substan
`tially parallel fashion, without binding such loom ?n
`gers in their respective openings.
`With reference of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6, it will also be
`seen that each plate 151.; has a tongue 65, and a notch
`67. Similarly, each plate 1714 has a pair of tongues 69
`and a pair of notches '71. Each tongue 65, 69 may have
`one or more dimples (not shown) for, in the assembled
`position, mating with depressions (also not shown) in
`the mating notches 67, 71, to form a unitary plate struc
`ture. However, as those skilled in the art will appreci
`ate, the tongue and notch locking arrangement is op
`tional and may be replaced with an alternate mechanism
`for holding plates 15 and 17 together, or dispensed with
`altogether.
`Also with reference to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 it can be seen
`that the pattern of openings 49 and openings 59 is a
`closed loop. The pattern formed by openings 61 is a
`straight line. As is also evident with reference to FIGS.
`4, 5, and 6, the number of plates held by base 13 can be
`varied to form the desired hole pattern (e. g. circle, oval,
`partial oval, semi-circle, or straight line) and the desired
`size. As should also be apparent to those skilled in the
`art, a single unitary plate having the desired hole pat
`tern or patterns could be used instead of a plurality of
`plates 151.2 and 171.4. Further, long plates could be used
`to link two or more base members 13.
`As is evident from FIGS. 2 and 3, each loom ?nger 19
`has symmetrical ends 731 and 732, symmetrical tapered
`portions 751, 752 and an elongated groove 77 running
`the entire length thereof, which results in a C-shaped
`cross-section. As is also evident From FIGS. 2 and 3,
`each loom ?nger is slidably received in a through open
`ing (49, 59 or 61, as the case may be) in plates 15 and/or
`17, with one of its ends 732 in contact with surface 31.
`Each loom ?nger 19 is formed of wood, plastic or
`metal.
`As an optional feature, loom 11 may also be provided
`with a storage tray 21 for loom ?ngers 19 and one or
`more hooks (such as illustrated in FIG. 8). Tray 21
`includes an elongated channel portion 81, having
`curved exterior sides 83 and 85, a top end portion 87 and
`a bottom end portion 89. Exterior surfaces 83 and 85
`and the bottom surface (not shown) are shaped and
`dimensioned to be slidable received within the channel
`formed by interior support surface 31 and surfaces 43
`and 44. Bottom end portion 89 includes a continuous lip
`91 which, when tray 79 is received within base 13, abuts
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 13
`
`

`

`10
`
`20
`
`5,231,742
`5
`6 .
`each loom ?nger 19 can quickly and easily be removed
`one of the end faces of base 13. Channel portion 81 has
`on an individual basis, rather than trying to remove all
`the same length as base 13 so when tray 79 is received
`loom ?ngers simultaneously, as required by Bacheller,
`in base 13, the exposed face (not shown) of top end
`U.S. Pat. No. 2,065,498.
`portion 87 is flush with other of the end faces of base 13.
`The ability to quickly and easily remove loom ?ngers
`Top end portion 87 also includes a handle 93 which can
`19 (together with the weft formation thereon) from
`be used for carrying or hanging up loom 11.
`plates 15 and/or 17 provides an additional unique ad
`Base 13, tray 79 and plates 151.2 and 171.4 are, prefera
`vantage of pennitting weaving from the center out. For
`bly, made of plastic. However, other materials such as
`instance, as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 9A and
`wood or aluminum, or combinations thereof, could also
`98, a diamond pattern is easily created, by ?rst weaving
`be used.
`a triangle as illustrated in FIG. 9A. Loom ?ngers
`In operation, with plates 15 and 17 assembled with
`191,2,3,4,5,6,7 are then separated from plates 17 in the
`base 13 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the desired plu
`manner set forth above, plates 17 reassembled with base
`rality of loom ?ngers 191,244," are slidably received in
`13 and loom ?ngers 191,235,557 reinserted such that
`openings 49, 59 and/or 61. For each loom ?nger 19, one
`of its symmetrical ends 73; touches and is supported by
`Opposite ends 73‘ now engage surface 31 of base 13.
`Weaving or twining of the other half of the diamond,
`surface 31. While only four loom ?ngers 19 are illus
`such as illustrated by phantom lines 109 may now pro
`trated, it will be appreciated that, for instance, an elon
`ceed with, for instance, the same type and color mate
`gated straight line of loom ?ngers can be formed utiliz
`rial. The foregoing is in contrast with conventional
`ing all of openings 61. Altemately, a closed oval can be
`formed utilizing all of openings 49 and 59. With the
`weaving techniques where, to weave a diamond or
`other shape, one has to weave the background ?rst. For
`loom ?ngers 1913,14 positioned as illustrated in FIG. 3,
`many people, particularly novice weavers, this is con
`the weft can be applied with any conventional soft
`ceptually dif?cult.
`weaving material such as knits, bias fabrics, twines and
`With reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, alternate loom
`yarns, in any conventional manner. However, it is pre
`embodiment 111 is illustrated. Loom 111 includes a base
`ferred to use closed loop material made from fabric
`25
`113, a top 115, a master plate 117, and an intermediate
`which has some elasticity, such as closed loops made
`and reversible tray 119. For purpose of illustration the
`from T-shirt type material.
`width and breadth of loom 111 are reduced in scale.
`With reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D, the
`Wall thickness is also not to scale.
`preferred and what is believed to be a unique weaving
`Base 113 includes a bottom 121, having an exterior
`technique is illustrated. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and
`7B the closed loop weft 1011 is simultaneously wrapped
`surface 123 and a parallel interior surface 125, and a
`plurality of through loom ?nger receiving openings
`around opposite sides of each loom ?nger 191,2. When
`127. Openings 127 are evenly spaced along a line which
`the user reaches the end of a row, Weft 1011 is double
`bisects bottom 121. Base 113 also includes a continuous
`turned around loom ?nger 193, as illustrated in FIG.
`side having an interior surface 131, an exterior surface
`7C. Weaving or twining of weft 1011 can proceed from
`left-to-right and then back (i.e., from right-to-left),
`133 and a continuous lip 135.
`Top portion 115 includes: a top 139, having exterior
`which encourages the user to use opposite hands. Alter
`surface 141 and interior surface 143; and a continuous
`nately, the position of loom 11 can be rotated 180°, as
`side 145, which includes interior surface 147, exterior
`illustrated in FIG. 7C. The ending of weft 1011 is illus
`surface 149, and continuous shoulder 151. As illustrated
`trated in FIG. 7D, as is the starting of a second weft
`in FIG. 11, when assembled with base 113, lip 135 seals
`1012. The ?rst loop of the second weft 1012 always goes
`against shoulder 151; surfaces 133 and 149 form a con
`on the same loom ?nger 193 as the previous weft 1011
`tinuous exterior side surface; and surfaces 131 and 147
`ended on. This procedure eliminates two of the major
`chores of conventional weaving: knotting and burying
`form a smooth continuous interior side surface. As best
`illustrated in FIG. 10, top 139 includes a plurality of
`ends.
`loom ?nger receiving through openings 155, with three
`After the weft weaving or twining has been com
`in the middle and ‘the rest evenly distributed around
`pleted, it and loom ?ngers 191." can easily be removed
`four concentric circles. The three middle openings,
`from loom 11. Removal of a completed weft from appa
`together with opposing pairs on each of the concentric
`ratus such as disclosed in Bacheller, U.S. Pat. No.
`circles form a straight line of eleven openings.
`2,065,498, is likely to be slow as the weaving has to be
`50
`Reversible tray 119 includes a bottom 157, having
`carefully worked off the ?xed loom ?ngers of the comb
`interior surface 159 and exterior surface 161; and a con
`loom. Even if carefully worked off, this causes distor
`tinuous side 162, having interior surface 163, exterior
`tion of the weaving. In contrast, with loom 11 of the
`surface 165 and continuous top edge 167. Tray 119 is
`present invention, plates 15 and/or 17 are slidably re;
`dimensioned such that it ?ts, without too much lateral
`moved from base 13 and then quickly pushed off loom
`play, within both the interior of base 113 (as illustrated
`?ngers 19 by placing the ends 732, which were in
`in FIGS. 11 and 12) or, alternatively, within the interior
`contact with surface 31, onto a ?at surface and then
`of top portion 115. When received in top portion 115,
`pushing plates 15 and/or 17 toward such ?at surface,
`whereby the tapered end portions 752 of loom ?ngers
`exterior surface 161 is in contact with interior surface
`143.
`19 are only loosely received in openings 49, 59 and/or
`Master plate 117 includes a top surface 169, a bottom
`61 and can be easily removed from plates 15 and/or 17.
`surface 171, a continuous edge 173, and a plurality of
`With reference to FIG. 8, after removal of loom
`loom ?nger receiving openings 175. The pattern of
`?ngers 191.” from plates 15 and/or 17, warp thread 103
`openings 175 matches that of openings 155; eleven in a
`or other suitable material is inserted in the weft forma
`straight line in the middle, the rest evenly distributed
`tion by attaching such warp to a conventional hook 105
`around four concentric circles.
`which is passed through channels 77 of loom ?ngers 19.
`In operation, with loom 111 assembled as illustrated
`Preferably the hook portion 107 of hook 105 faces the
`in FIGS. 11 and 12, with plate 117 resting on top edge
`inside of channel 77. After the warp has been added,
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`45
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`35
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`40
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`55
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`65
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`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 14
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`10
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`20
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`30
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`35
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`45
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`7
`167. A plurality of loom ?ngers 191.n is then placed in
`openings 155 and matching openings 175 in the desired
`pattern, with the loom ?nger ends 732 resting on surface
`159 of tray 119. A straight line of up to eleven loom
`?ngers is one pattern option; a continuous circle using
`the openings in the outermost concentric circle is an
`other. After the weft is twined on loom ?ngers 191-",
`top portion 115 of loom 111 is separated from base 113.
`Because of the lateral forces placed on loom ?ngers
`191.” by the weft, loom ?ngers 191.“, top 115 and plate
`117 are held together. Tray 119 is then removed from
`base 113 and placed on a ?at surface with edge 167 in
`contact with such ?at surface. The ends 732 of loom
`?ngers 191-n are then placed in contact with surface 161
`and plate 117 and top 115 pushed in a downward direc
`tion to move such loom ?ngers 191.n upward to the
`point where the tapered portions 752 are loosely re
`ceived in openings 155 and 175 and can easily be re
`moved therefrom.
`If the user is a beginner, loom 111 can be flipped over
`so that the ?ve hole pattern of openings 127 is exposed.
`Internally, the positions of tray 119 and plate 117 are
`reversed. Tray 119 is also flipped over, such that inte
`rior surface 159 faces one of surfaces 169, 171 of plate
`117. The center ?ve openings 175 of plate 117 match the
`straight line pattern of holes 127 in base 113. The opera
`tion of twining, removing the loom ?ngers from the
`loom, inserting the warp and then removing the loom
`?ngers 191.5 is the same as described above.
`A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
`FIGS. 13 and 14. Loom 181 includes a base 183, a loom
`?nger positioning plate 185, a ring member 187 and a
`plurality of loom ?ngers 191.". Base 183 includes a bot
`tom portion 189 and a donut shaped side portion 191.
`Bottom portion has a flat exterior support surface 193
`and a ?at interior support surface 195. Side portion 191
`includes an interior cylindrical surface 197. Ring 187
`has an exterior cylindrical surface 199, a bottom surface
`201 and an annular notch 203. Ring 187 and base 183 are
`made of suitable materials, such as plastic and wood,
`with cylindrical surface 199 dimensioned to be slidably
`and rotatably received within cylindrical surface 197,
`without either binding or undue slop.
`Plate 185, which serves the same function as plates 15
`and/or 17, includes a top surface 207, a parallel bottom
`surface 209 and Ya plurality of loom ?nger receiving
`through holes 2111.5 and 2131.". Plate 185 also includes
`a cylindrical edge 215 which is dimensioned to slidably
`?t within notch 203 in ring 187. Openings 211 and 213
`all have the same diameter. Openings 211 are, however,
`each provided with a raised cylindrical collar 217 to
`make the line de?ned by these openings more visible to
`the user, particularly the visually impaired user. As with
`the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the distance between
`surfaces 207 and 209 and the diameter of openings 211
`and 213 is such that, when assembled, loom ?ngers 19
`are held in substantially parallel fashion. Top surface
`207 is also inscribed with a pattern of circular lines
`2191.4 and straight lines 2211.6 to identify potential loom
`?nger patterns for the user.
`In operation, the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 is
`the same as that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1—3. The
`pattern of openings 211 and 213 permits the formation
`of both rectangular and cylindrical woven articles. The
`use of ring 187 permits plate 185 to be rotated relative to
`base 183 for the convenience of the user, without undue
`wobbling of plate 185 relative to base 183.
`
`5,231,742
`Whereas the drawings and accompanying description
`have shown and described the preferred embodiment of
`the present invention, it should be apparent to those
`skilled in the art that various changes may be made in
`the form of the invention without affecting the scope
`thereof.
`What I claim is:
`1. A loom comprising:
`(a) a plurality of elongated loom ?nger elements, each
`of said elements having a ?rst and .a second end and
`an elongated groove therein, each said groove
`running the length of each said element;
`(b) a ?rst loom ?nger support means including ?rst
`and second surfaces interconnected by a plurality
`of openings, each of said openings adapted to slid
`ably receive one of said loom ?nger elements, said
`surfaces being spaced from each other a distance
`which, in conjunction with the diameter of said
`openings is sufficient to position said plurality of
`said loom ?nger elements in substantially parallel
`fashion;
`(c) a second loom ?nger support means, said second
`support mean including a third surface for support»
`ing one of said ?rst or second ends of each of said
`loom ?nger elements when said ?rst loom ?nger
`support means is assembled with said second loom
`?nger support means and when said loom ?nger
`elements are received in said openings of said ?rst
`loom ?nger support means; and
`(d) means provided on said ?rst and second loom
`?nger support means for detachably assembling
`said ?rst loom ?nger support means relative to said
`second loom ?nger support means, whereby said
`?rst and second surfaces are spaced altitudinaly
`with respect to said third surface, and whereby
`each of said loom finger elements passes through
`one of said openings in said ?rst loom ?nger sup
`port means has its said ?rst or second end in
`contact with said third surface, and whereby, when
`said means for detachably assembling are not posi
`tioning said ?rst loom ?nger support means relative
`to said second loom ?nger support means, said
`loom ?nger elements can be moved relative to said
`openings by moving said ?rst loom ?nger support
`means toward said ends which contacted said third
`surface.
`2. The loom as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ?rst
`loom ?nger support means comprises at least one plate
`like member, and said second loom finger support
`means includes at least one side portion, said means for
`detachably assembling being provided on said ?rst loom
`?nger support means and said side portion.
`3. The loom as set forth in claim 2, wherein said
`second ?nger support means includes two side portions
`which de?ne a generally U-shaped channel member,
`said means for detachably assembling being provided on
`said, ?rst loom ?nger support means and said side por
`tions.
`4. The loom as set forth in claim 3, wherein said side
`portions have a pair of elongated grooves therein and
`said plate-like member has a pair of tongues which are
`slidably received in said grooves, whereby said plate
`lilte member may be detached from said second loom
`?nger support means by a sliding motion to expose each
`of said one of said ?rst or second ends which had been
`in contact with said third surface.
`5. The loom as set forth in claim 3, wherein said ?rst
`loom ?nger support member comprises a plurality of
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`50
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`55
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`65
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`LaRose Exh. 1010, p. 15
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`

`

`plate-like members, each of said members having a pair
`of tongues and at least one said openings, which plate
`like members can be selectively added and/or inter
`changed to vary the number of said openings available
`for said loom ?nger elements.
`6. The loom as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of
`said plate-like members includes means for interlocking
`with an adjacent said plate-like member.
`7. The loom as set forth in claim 3, further including
`an elongated tray for the storage of said loom ?nger
`elements which is slidably received within said second
`loom ?nger support means.
`8. The loom as set forth in claim 2, wherein said side
`portion is a continuous closed perimeter which, in con
`junction with said third surface, de?nes a cavity, said
`third surface de?ning the bottom of said cavity.
`9. The loom as set forth in claim 8, wherein said _
`plate-like member has