(12) United States Patent
`Ng
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,622,441 B1
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`US008622441B1
`
`(54)
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`(71)
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`(72)
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`(73)
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`HAND HELD LINK MAKING DEVICE AND
`KIT
`
`Applicant: Cheong Ch00n Ng, Novi, MI (US)
`
`Inventor: Cheong Ch00n Ng, Novi, MI (US)
`
`Assignee: Ch00n’s Design LLC, Wixom, MI (US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`Appl. N0.: 14/018,542
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 5, 2013
`
`2/1905 Hubert
`782,657 A
`2/1907 Sander
`843,495 A
`9/1913 Freeman
`1,073,226 A
`1,318,465 A * 10/1919 Seifarth ............................ .. 66/4
`1,318,604 A * 10/1919 Schneider ......................... .. 66/4
`1,366,212 A
`1/1921 Pollard
`1,375,119 A
`4/1921 Stephen
`1,424,458 A
`8/1922 Fleisher
`1,500,383 A *
`7/1924 Gourie .............................. .. 66/4
`1,599,040 A
`9/1926 Clisby
`1,776,561 A 12/1927 La Croix
`1,994,659 A
`3/1935 Mascarenhas
`2,108,424 A
`2/1938 Bakely
`2,134,066 A 10/1938 Van Ness
`2,270,619 A
`1/1942 Bowyer
`2,318,018 A *
`5/1943 Semonsen ......................... .. 66/4
`2,360,416 A 10/1944 Gray
`(Continued)
`
`(21)
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`(22)
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`(63)
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`(60)
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`(51)
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`(52)
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`(58)
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`(56)
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Continuation of application No. 13/626,057, ?led on
`Sep. 25, 2012.
`Provisional application No. 61/846,270, ?led on Jul.
`15, 2013.
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`D03] 3/00
`US. Cl.
`USPC .......................................................... .. 289/17
`Field of Classi?cation Search
`USPC ................... .. 289/2,16.5,17, 18.1; D21/334;
`273/281, 288, 309; 66/4
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`222,937 A * 12/1879 Newcomb ......................... .. 66/4
`246,648 A *
`9/1881 Wilcox ............................. .. 66/4
`254,258 A
`2/1882 Barbour
`254,288 A
`2/1882 Dimmick
`289,578 A * 12/1883
`Stewart ............................. .. 66/ 4
`
`JP
`JP
`KR
`KR
`
`2003-520083
`2004-520910
`10-2001-0012609
`10-2006-0042108
`
`7/2003
`7/2004
`2/2001
`5/2006
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT Applica
`tion No. PCT/US2011/041553 mailed on Feb. 23, 2012.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner * Shaun R Hurley
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Carlson, Gaskey & Olds,
`PC.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A disclosed device for creating an item consisting of a series
`of links includes at least tWo posts spaced part from each other
`in a ?rst direction With each of the posts including a ?rst arm
`and a second arm and an access slot.
`
`16 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`0 /
`[15
`112
`
`U
`
`I
`
`Tristar Ex. 1001, pg. 1
`
`

`
`US 8,622,441 B1
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U_S_ PATENT DQCUMENTS
`
`2,457,064 A * 12/1948 Parisl ................................ .. 66/4
`2,545,409 A
`3/1951 McCall
`2,658,364 A * 11/1953 Carlson ............................. .. 66/4
`2,687,630 A *
`8/1954 Carlson ......................... .. 66/117
`2,703,482 A
`3/1955 Auran
`3,069,739 A 12/1962 Jorgenson et al.
`3,377,674 A
`4/1968 Brassaw et 31‘
`3,438,098 A
`4/1969 Grabner
`3,476,423 A 11/1969 Kent?eld
`3,636,987 A
`V1972 Forby
`3,648,484 A *
`3/1972 Gordon ............................. .. 66/4
`3,665,971 A
`5/1972 Heks
`3,672,679 A
`6/1972 Burns
`3,678,709 A
`7/1972 Nowicki et a1.
`3,688,357 A
`9/1972 Nielsen et a1.
`3,728,762 A
`4/1973 Hogg
`3,748,706 A
`7/1973 Doyel
`3,805,345 A
`4/1974 Amos
`4,032,179 A
`6/l977 GOSS
`4,114,892 A
`9/l978 Csoka
`4,179,129 A 12/1979 Loomis
`4,416,040 A * 11/1983 Towsley ........................ .. 28/152
`4,569,108 A
`2/1986 Schwab
`4,629,100 A 12/1986 Owens
`4,667,965 A
`5/1987 Helms, Jr.
`D330,668 S
`11/1992 Nagamatsu
`5,163,946 A 11/1992 L1
`_
`2
`$333311; t al
`5,328,374 A
`7/1994 Stevens
`'
`5,437,459 A
`8/1995 Kirby
`5,459,905 A 10/1995 Voyre
`
`5,577,299 A 11/1996 Thompson et al.
`5,639,090 A
`6/1997 Stevens
`5,687,775 A 11/1997 Thompson et al.
`5,713,094 A
`2/1998 Markey et al.
`5,927,764 A
`7/1999 Hartman
`6,065,968 A
`5/2000 Corliss
`6,122,859 A
`9/2000 Lilla?
`6,129,551 A 10/2000 Mamn
`6,146,144 A 11/2000 Fowleretal.
`6,171,317 B1
`1/2001 1991691161111
`6,880,364 B1
`4/2005 V1d0l1n et al.
`6,923,026 B1
`8/2005 Clarke
`D570,923 S
`6/2008 Vazquez Gastellu
`7,506,524 B2
`3/2009 Gustin
`7,578,146 B2
`8/2009 Gustln
`7,909,609 B2
`3/2011 MOllIl
`8,316,894 B2 11/2012 Schaub
`~ 66/3
`8,402,794 132*
`3/2013 Sasur ~
`289/17
`8485565 132*
`7/2013 N8
`66/4
`2008/0156043 A1* 7/2008 Gustln ..
`2008/0223083 A1* 9/2008 Gustin .......................... .. 66/1A
`2009/0215013 A1
`8/2009 Molin
`2010/0019495 A1
`1/2010 Oliveto
`2011/0152946 A1
`6/2011 Friggetal.
`2012/0047960 A1* 3/2012 Sasur ............................ .. 66/1A
`2012/0112457 A1* 5/2012
`2013/0020802 A1* 1/2013
`2013/0300114 A1* 11/2013
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT Applica
`{10H N0.
`mailed May 16, 2013.
`'
`'
`* clted by examlner
`
`Tristar Ex. 1001, pg. 2
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 015
`
`US 8,622,441 B1
`
`Tristar Ex. 1001, pg. 3
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 0f 5
`
`US 8,622,441 B1
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`42
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`280
`30
`‘i4
`
`28b
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`42
`12
`32b
`42 /
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`320
`
`/-36
`
`//12
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`34b
`,/'38
`32b
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`340
`38\
`320
`
`40
`
`Fl 5
`
`42
`
`44
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`42
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`36
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`38
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`l
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`42
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`44
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`42
`/40
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`Tristar Ex. 1001, pg. 4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 015
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`US 8,622,441 B1
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`Tristar Ex. 1001, pg. 5
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`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of5
`
`US 8,622,441 B1
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`Tristar Ex. 1001, pg. 6
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 5 of5
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`US 8,622,441 B1
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`285
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`12
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`18AJ N FIG.9K
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`Tristar Ex. 1001, pg. 7
`
`

`
`US 8,622,441 B1
`
`1
`HAND HELD LINK MAKING DEVICE AND
`KIT
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of US. application Ser.
`No. 13/626,057 ?led Sep. 25, 2012, and claims priority to
`US. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/846,270 ?led on Jul.
`15, 2013.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`This disclosure generally relates to method and device for
`creating a linked item. More particularly, this disclosure
`relates to a method and device for creating a linked Wearable
`item from elastic bands.
`Kits that include materials for making a uniquely colored
`bracelet or necklace have alWays enjoyed some popularity.
`HoWever such kits usually just include the raW materials such
`as different colored threads and beads and rely on the indi
`vidual’s skill and talent to construct a usable and desirable
`item. Accordingly there is a need and desire for a kit that
`provides not only the materials for creating a unique Wearable
`item, but also that simpli?es construction to make it easy for
`people of many skill and artistic levels to successfully create
`a desirable and durable Wearable item.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop
`doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a
`chain. Elastic bands can be utiliZed to form such links in a
`desired manner. The example kit and device provides for
`creation of Brunnian and other linked articles. Moreover, the
`example kit provides for the successful creation of unique
`Wearable articles using Brunnian and other link assembly
`techniques.
`The example kit includes a template for mounting an initial
`band and a hook utiliZed for attaching additional bands to the
`initial bands placed on the template. The template includes
`pins that hold the initial band in place While additional bands
`are linked onto each other. The kit further includes a clip
`utiliZed to attach ends once the desired length is formed.
`These and other features disclosed herein can be best
`understood from the folloWing speci?cation and draWings,
`the folloWing of Which is a brief description.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 perspective vieW of an example kit for creating a
`linked article.
`FIG. 2 is schematic vieW of link article.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic vieW of a series of a series of Brunnian
`links.
`FIG. 4 is a side vieW of an example template.
`FIG. 5 is an end vieW of the example template.
`FIG. 6 is a top vieW of the example template.
`FIG. 7 is a plan vieW of an example clip for securing loose
`ends of a Brunnian linked article.
`FIG. 8 is perspective vieW illustrating elastic bands secured
`With the example clip.
`FIGS. 9A-9M are vieWs of an example method of creating
`a linked article using the example template and kit.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example kit is indicated at 1 0
`for creating linked items such as bracelets, necklaces and
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`other Wearable or decorative article as generally indicated in
`FIG. 2. The example kit 10 includes a template 12, a clip 16
`and a hook 14. The example kit 10 also includes a number of
`elastic members 18 that are used With the kit 10 to form links
`for the resulting Wearable article. The elastic members 18 are
`consumed as articles are fabricated, and are replaced and
`replenished With additional elastic members. Moreover, the
`example elastic members 18 are of a siZe corresponding With
`the example template 12. Further, although a single clip 16 is
`illustrated, the example kit 10 Will include many clips 16 to
`provide for the fabrication of many articles 26.
`Referring to FIG. 3, a Brunnian link 20 is formed from a
`continuous looped structure Without forming an actual knot.
`Several links 20 are formed in a chain to form a circular
`structure. Ends 22 of each elastic member 18 are secured and
`a durable Wearable article is created. In this example three
`links 20 are shoWn forming a single chain. Each link 20 is
`formed by capturing the ends 22 of one loop structure With a
`mid portion 24 of another loop structure in series. Each link
`20 depends on the previous and subsequent links 20 to main
`tain the desired shape and integrity. Removing one link 20
`results in all of the links becoming loose from each other.
`Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the example template 12
`includes tWo posts 28A, 28B spaced a distance 30 apart from
`each other. Each of the pins 28A, 28B includes a ?rst arm
`3211-19 and second arm 3411-!) supported on a base 36. The arms
`3211-19, 3411-19 de?nes an access slot 38 that extends across
`both of the posts 28A, 28B. The base 36 includes a link
`opening 40 for completed links of a linked article during
`fabrication. Each of the ?rst and second arms 3211-19, 3411-!)
`include upper and loWer tabs 42 that maintain a linked article
`Within a center section 44.
`Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the example clip 16 is generally
`C-shaped With inWardly facing ends 48. The inWardly facing
`ends 48 point inWardly to an open space 50 Where parts of the
`elastic members are kept 18. The inWardly facing ends 48
`prevent ends 22 from sliding out from the inner area 50 off of
`the clip 16.
`Referring to FIGS. 9A-M, the example template 12 is
`utiliZed for the formation of a linked article. As appreciated,
`elastic bands 18 can be dif?cult to manipulate and hold during
`the construction of a desired article. The example template 12
`provides for holding of an initial number of links 20 and
`subsequent connection of each link in the linked article. The
`template 12 includes the ?rst and second posts 28A, 28B
`along With the access slot 38 across both of the posts 28A-B.
`The speci?c linked con?guration can be a simple Brunnian
`link, but may also be more complex and intricate link struc
`tures such as a ?shbone type link structure. The template 12
`includes the link opening 40 to facilitate the ?shbone link
`structure Where the linked article groWs and extends from the
`template 12 through the link opening 40.
`The Figures illustrate formation of a ?shbone linked struc
`ture utiliZing the example template 12. The initial step illus
`trated in FIG. 9A includes assembling a ?rst elastic band 18A
`by crossing over itself to form a FIG. 8 pattern across the posts
`2811-19. A second elastic band 18B and third elastic band 18C
`is then assembled over the ?rst elastic band 18A Without
`crossing over as is shoWn in FIG. 9B. Three elastic bands are
`therefore supported across the posts 2811-!) With the ?rst band
`18A on the bottom beloW the second and third elastic bands
`18B, 18C.
`UtiliZing the hook tool 14, the bottom, loWer most, or ?rst
`elastic band 18A is pulled off of the posts 28A-B and looped
`over the second and third elastic bands 18B, 18C as is shoWn
`in FIGS. 9C and 9D. The ?rst elastic band 18A is positioned
`
`Tristar Ex. 1001, pg. 8
`
`

`
`US 8,622,441 B1
`
`3
`to loop around each of the second and third elastic bands 18B,
`18C and is not supported directly by the posts 28a-b.
`An additional elastic band 18D is then added above the
`second and third elastic bands 18B, 18C such that the second
`elastic band 18B is noW the loWer most elastic band as is
`shoWn in FIG. 9E. The loWer most elastic band 18B is then
`grasped With the hook tool 14 (FIG. 9F) by extending the
`hook tool 14 into the access slot 38 and grasping ends of the
`elastic band in sequence, pulling the ends aWay from the
`corresponding post (FIG. 9G) and looping each end over onto
`the and around the other links supported betWeen the ?rst and
`second posts as is shoWn in FIG. 9H.
`An additional link is added above the tWo remaining links
`18C, 18D across the tWo posts 2811-!) as is shoWn in FIG. 91
`and the process shoWn in FIGS. 9F through 9H is repeated
`With additional links to groW the length of the linked structure
`as is shoWn in FIGS. 9] and 9K until a desire length or number
`of links are connected to each other as is illustrated in FIG.
`9L.
`Once the desired length is achieved, as the example in FIG.
`9L illustrates a clip 16 is attached to the end elastic link. The
`remaining links on the posts 2811-!) can be removed and
`attached to the clip 16 to form the completed linked article as
`is shoWn in FIG. 9M. As appreciated although the ends are
`connected to form the example linked article. The linked
`article may have terminal ends that are separately terminated
`to provide a length of a linked article.
`Accordingly, the example kit and method provide for the
`creation of many different combinations and con?gurations
`of linked structures and articles for the creation of bracelets,
`necklaces, and other Wearable items. Moreover, the example
`kit is expandable to further create and expand the capabilities
`of potential linked structures and articles. Further, the
`example kit provides for the creation of such links and items
`in an easy manner alloWing persons of varying skill levels to
`be successful in creating unique Wearable items.
`Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a
`Worker of ordinary skill in this art Would recogniZe that cer
`tain modi?cations Would come Within the scope of this dis
`closure. For that reason, the folloWing claims should be stud
`ied to determine the scope and content of this invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A device for creating an item consisting of a series of
`links, the device comprising:
`at least tWo posts spaced part from each other in a ?rst
`direction, Wherein each of the posts include a ?rst arm
`and a second arm and an access slot disposed therebe
`tWeen, Wherein each of the ?rst arm and the second arm
`include upper and loWer tabs for holding the links on the
`corresponding ?rst arm and second arm.
`2. The device as recited in claim 1, including a base sup
`porting the at least tWo posts.
`3. The device as recited in claim 1, including a link opening
`disposed Within the base and betWeen the at least tWo posts
`providing a space for completed links during fabrication of a
`linked article.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`4
`4. The device as recited in claim 1, Wherein the access slot
`is aligned across the ?rst arm and the second arm.
`5. The device as recited in claim 1, Wherein the tabs are
`spaced horizontally apart from each other.
`6. A method of creating a linked item comprising the steps
`of:
`assembling a ?rst elastic band across at least tWo posts of a
`template;
`assembling at least one additional elastic band across the at
`least tWo posts above the ?rst elastic band;
`looping a ?rst and a second end of the ?rst elastic band over
`the at least one additional elastic band and off of the at
`least tWo posts;
`adding at least one additional elastic band;
`looping a ?rst end and a second end of the bottom elastic
`band over the added elastic band; and
`adding elastic bands and looping corresponding ?rst and
`second ends of the bottom band over the added elastic
`band to obtain a desired number of links.
`7. The method as recited in claim 6, Wherein looping com
`prises grasping one of the ?rst and second ends of the elastic
`bands With a hook tool and pulling the end over additional
`elastic bands.
`8. The method as recited in claim 7, including extending
`the hook tool into a space de?ned Within each of the at least
`tWo posts for grasping one of the ?rst and second ends of the
`elastic bands.
`9. The method as recited in claim 6, including extending
`linked ones of the elastic bands out an opening Within a base
`supporting the at least tWo posts.
`10. The method as recited in claim 7, including securing
`ends of the linked article With a clip by inserting ends of the
`elastic bands into a clip to form the linked item.
`11. A kit for creating an item consisting of a series of links,
`the kit comprising:
`a template including at least tWo posts spaced part from
`each other in a ?rst direction, Wherein each of the posts
`include an access slot de?ned betWeen a ?rst arm and a
`second arm; and
`at least one clip including inWard facing ends disposed on
`each side of an opening for securing ends of the series of
`links together.
`12. The kit as recited in claim 11, including a base support
`ing the at least tWo posts.
`13. The kit as recited in claim 11, including a link opening
`disposed Within the base and betWeen the at least tWo posts
`providing a space for completed links to during fabrication of
`a linked article.
`14. The kit as recited in claim 11, Wherein the clip com
`prises a C-shape and the inWard facing ends extend in a
`direction perpendicular to the opening.
`15. The kit as recited in claim 11, including a hook for
`manipulating elastic members relative to each other.
`16. The kit as recited in claim 11, including a plurality of
`elastic members for forming the series of links.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`Tristar Ex. 1001, pg. 9