(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0373966 A1
`Nedry et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 25, 2014
`
`US 20140373966A1
`
`(54) PLATFORM FOR WEAVING INTERLINKING
`BANDS
`
`(71) ApplicantszJessica Nedry, Pompano Beach, FL
`(US); Madeline Nedry, Pompano Beach,
`FL (US); Gregg Coningsby, Port
`Lauderdale, FL (US)
`
`(72) Inventors: Jessica Nedry, Pompano Beach, FL
`(US); Madeline Nedry, Pompano Beach,
`FL (US); Gregg Coningsby, Port
`Lauderdale, FL (US)
`
`(21) APPI- NOJ 14/315,098
`_
`(22) Flled:
`
`Jun“ 25’ 2014
`.
`.
`Related U's' Apphcatlon Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/838,952, ?led on Jun.
`25, 2013.
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`D03D 29/00
`D03D 1/00
`(52) US, Cl,
`CPC . D03D 29/00 (2013.01); D03D 1/00 (2013.01)
`USPC ............................................. .. 139/29; 28/152
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A platform for linking elastic hands together to form brace
`lets, anklets, necklaces and jewelry products has a circular
`platform having a plurality of substrate stations for retaining
`elastic bands in a semistretched con?guration. An interlink
`ing utensil allows a user to make cross-linked jewelry prod
`ucts which can be worn around a wrist or other area of the
`body. The substrate stations may be aligned in one or more
`I'OWS.
`
`Tristar Ex. 1013, pg. 1
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 25, 2014 Sheet 1 0f 4
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`US 2014/0373966 A1
`
`Tristar Ex. 1013, pg. 2
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 25, 2014 Sheet 2 0f 4
`
`US 2014/0373966 A1
`
`Tristar Ex. 1013, pg. 3
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 25, 2014 Sheet 3 0f 4
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`US 2014/0373966 A1
`
`s,
`s
`
`Tristar Ex. 1013, pg. 4
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 25, 2014 Sheet 4 0f 4
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`US 2014/0373966 A1
`
`Tristar Ex. 1013, pg. 5
`
`

`
`US 2014/0373966 A1
`
`Dec. 25, 2014
`
`PLATFORM FOR WEAVING INTERLINKING
`BANDS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims priority to US. Provisional
`Application Ser. No. 61/838,952 ?led on Jun. 25, 2014, the
`contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
`SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
`[0002] Not Applicable.
`
`NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH
`AGREEMENT
`
`[0003] Not Applicable
`
`REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A
`TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING
`APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC
`AND INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF
`THE MATERIAL
`[0004] Not Applicable.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0005] 1. Field of the Invention
`[0006] The present invention relates to a substrate for
`manufacturing customizable interlocked web products. More
`particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method
`for making bracelets and other products which are composed
`of elastic bands and may be customized by being interlinked
`in different patterns and by attaching charms to them.
`[0007] 2. Background Information
`[0008] Ornamental bands such as bracelets, anklets and
`necklaces made of interlinked elastic materials such as rubber
`bands and other related materials are popular accessories that
`people wear to represent school spirit, group associations and
`other symbolic forms of expressions. Bands can be worn on
`the arms and also on other areas of the body such as on the
`ankles. These bands are very dif?cult to manufacture by hand,
`as skill in the art and a great quantity of time is required,
`which many people do not have.
`[0009] Finding ready-made elastic jewelry products cus
`tomized to an individual’s needs can be very dif?cult, and
`also very expensive, as the need to purchase more jewelry
`increases.
`[0010] It is therefore desirable to provide a device which
`can easilyist any person wishing to sevl lined bands to form a
`braceletther device.
`[0011] It is also desirable to provide an easy method of
`creating such interlinked bands performable by anyone
`regardless of knowledge or skill
`[0012] It is also desirable to provide a device which allows
`an easy method of creating customizable elastic j ewelry prod
`ucts.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0013] The principles of the invention provide a device and
`method which allows the end user to conveniently cross link
`elastic materials such as rubber bands by providing an easy to
`use pin wheel guiding platform, and an interlocking utensil.
`
`[0014] An object of the invention is to provide an easy
`method of making a customizable elastic jewelry products
`and one that is more economical for the average end user.
`[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a new
`and unique type of jewelry making device which allows the
`user to make customizable products which may not be avail
`able on the market.
`[0016] In one embodiment, a platform has a plurality of
`substrate stations. Each substrate stations have a pair of
`upwardly protruding, cylindrical stems. The stems each have
`a bulbous cap that may protrude more in one direction, such as
`away from each stem. The plurality of substrate stations may
`be arranged in one or more rows, and may be numbered
`and/or provided a beginning and end point for each row. The
`stems may protrude from a pedestal, or other base-like struc
`ture at the bottom of the substrate station.
`[0017] In use, elastic bands may be placed on each pin pair
`of each substrate station and subsequently interlinked with
`one another to produce a bracelet, necklace or other woven
`product. A utensil may be used to assist in interlinking the
`bands. The bands may be interlinked in a variety of different
`patterns. Charms or other objects may also be used to oma
`ment the web product.
`[0018] In another embodiment, a platform for weaving
`interlinking elastic bands comprises a platform having a top
`surface and a plurality of stations on the top surface. The
`stations are aligned into one or more rows.
`[0019] Each of the stations comprises a pedestal, two stems
`extending upward from the pedestal, each of the stems having
`a crown.
`[0020] In one embodiment, the stations are removably
`attached to the platform. The platform may further comprise
`one or more storage wells, and/or a clip for holding a weaving
`utensil and a weaving utensil.
`[0021] In another embodiment, the platform is circular. The
`crowns of the stems may be spherical or oblong. If they are
`oblong, they may face away from each other and/or be per
`pendicular to the direction of the rows.
`[0022] In another embodiment, the stations are removably
`attached to the platform and the platform may include one or
`more storage wells.
`[0023] Also disclosed is a method for weaving interlinking
`bands comprising the steps of a) stretching an elastic band
`between two or more stems of two or more stations of a
`platform having a plurality of stations aligned into one or
`more rows such that tension created by the stretching holds
`the band in place suspended between the two or more stems,
`b) stretching another elastic band between two or more stems
`of two or more stations of a platform having a plurality of
`stations aligned into one or more rows such that tension
`created by the stretching holds the band in place suspended
`between the two or more stems, c) pulling a portion of one of
`the elastic bands through the elastic band by means of a
`weaving utensil, d) attaching the portion of the elastic band
`pulled through another elastic band to at least one stem such
`that tension caused by stretching the elastic band holds the
`portion in place about the at least one stem; and repeating
`steps a-d to provide a plurality of interwoven elastic bands.
`[0024] The method for weaving interlinking elastic bands
`may use stems includes a spherical or oblong crowns, which
`may be perpendicular to the rows.
`[0025] These and other objects and advantages of the
`present invention will become apparent from a reading of the
`attached speci?cation and appended claims. There has thus
`
`Tristar Ex. 1013, pg. 6
`
`

`
`US 2014/0373966 A1
`
`Dec. 25, 2014
`
`been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of
`the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that
`follows may be better understood, and in order that the
`present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
`There are features of the invention that will be described
`hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the
`claims appended hereto.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0026] A more complete understanding of the present
`invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof,
`will be more readily understood by reference to the following
`detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings wherein:
`[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a circular platform
`for weaving interlinking elastic bands in accordance with the
`principles of the invention;
`[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a station in accor
`dance with the principles of the invention;
`[0029] FIG. 3 is top view of the circular platform for weav
`ing interlinking bands in accordance with the principles of the
`invention;
`[0030] FIG. 4 is a side view of a removably attachable
`station use with removable stations in accordance with the
`principles of the invention;
`[0031] FIG. 5 is an alternative top view of a circular plat
`form having a plurality of sockets for removable attachment
`of stations in accordance with the principles of the invention;
`[0032] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a circular
`platform having a plurality of sockets for removable attach
`ment of stations in accordance with the principles of the
`invention;
`[0033] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view ofa portion ofa cross
`sectional side view of a circular platform having a plurality of
`sockets for removable attachment of stations in accordance
`with the principles of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0034] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the
`invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
`not limited in its application to the details of construction and
`to the arrangements of the components set forth in the fol
`lowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The inven
`tion is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
`and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood
`that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for
`the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
`limiting.
`[0035] FIG. 1 shows a circular platform for weaving inter
`linking bands 10 in accordance with the principles of the
`invention. Platform 10 is comprised of a base 12 in the shape
`of a ?attened cylinder. The base 12 has a top surface. The top
`surface 14 may include two storage wells 20 that may be used
`to store elastic bands or other materials. Top surface 14 may
`also include a clip 22 for securing a weaving utensil 18 to the
`top surface 14 when not in use. In this embodiment, the
`weaving utensil 18 may be elongate having a handle 19 on one
`end and a weaving hook 17 on the opposite end.
`[0036] A large portion of top surface 14 may be covered by
`a plurality of stations 16. Each station 16 may be designed to
`accommodate one or more elastic bands during the weaving
`process. The stations 16 may be arranged in one or more rows.
`
`[0037] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a station 16. Stations
`16 may have a pedestal 30 serving as a base for the station 16.
`Two stems 32 may extend upward from the pedestal 30. Each
`of stems 32 may have a crown 34 at the top. Each crown 34
`may be spherical, oblong, parallelepiped or other shape. The
`crown may include a distal end 36 extending at least partially
`perpendicular to the stem 32. In this embodiment, the distal
`ends 36 of the oblong “egg-shaped” crowns 34 extend away
`from each other, may be substantially perpendicular to the
`stems 32 and may have rounded edges. In other embodiments,
`it may be desirable for the distal ends 36 of the crowns 34 to
`extend in the same direction, perpendicular to each other, or at
`an acute or obtuse angle relative to each other.
`[0038] Stems 32 may be substantially cylindrical and rigid.
`It is generally desirable for the stems 32 to be rigid in order to
`securely retain elastic bands in a semi-extended form, and
`held in place by tension resulting from the elastic bands being
`stretched over two or more stems. In some embodiments, it
`may not be desirable for stems 32 to be completely rigid. It
`may also be desirable for stems 32 to have an oval or polygo
`nal cross-section instead of being cylindrical. Similarly, in
`this embodiment, pedestal 30 is cylindrical. It may be desir
`able for pedestal 30 to be more prismatic or rectangular.
`Optionally, it may be desirable for the pedestal 30 to be
`rounded, or have a hemispherical shape. This embodiment of
`a station 16 has bilateral symmetry. Stations may optionally
`have other types of symmetry or none at all.
`[0039] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the circular platform 10.
`It may be seen that top surface 14 is substantially bilaterally
`symmetric. As a result, wells 20 may be symmetrical. The
`stations 16 may be generally aligned in rows as shown here.
`An outer row 40, central row 42 and inner row 40. are sub
`stantially parallel to each other. The top surface 14 may
`include numbering in order to designate each individual sub
`strate station 16 for ease of use.
`[0040] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a removably attachable
`station 50, designed as a unitary manufactured piece for inte
`gration with a separately manufactured platform shown in
`FIGS. 5-7. Removably attachable station 50 includes a ped
`estal 52 and two stems 54. As with substrate station 16 in
`FIGS. 1-3, pedestal 52 is a ?attened cylinder. Stems 54 are
`topped by crowns 56, each having an oblong shape. Station 50
`includes a bottom portion 60 having two downwardly pro
`truding ?ngers 62 each having a tab 64 that snaps into place
`when the station 50 is attached to a platform.
`[0041] FIG. 5 shows a circular platform 70 having a plural
`ity of substrate station sockets 76 arranged in three rows on
`the top surface 74 of platform 70. Storage wells 78 may be
`used to hold objects while clamp 80 may be used to hold a
`weaving utensil (not shown). A station 52, as shown in FIG. 4
`may be snapped into each of the station sockets 76. FIG. 6
`shows a cross-sectional view of platform 70 along axis A and
`FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view ofa portion ofFIG. 6. In both
`FIGS. 6 and 7 it may be seen that wells 78 and sockets 76 are
`cavities within platform 70. By providing removable attach
`ment of stations into sockets on a platform, the weaving
`platform in accordance with the principles of the invention
`allows simple repair and/or replacement of stations. Because
`the stems are relatively thin and are exposed to forces
`imparted by elastic bands stretched over them, they may be
`prone to breaking
`[0042] The platforms in the embodiments are circular hav
`ing three rows. Optionally, the platforms may be rectangular,
`
`Tristar Ex. 1013, pg. 7
`
`

`
`US 2014/0373966 A1
`
`Dec. 25, 2014
`
`ovoid, or any other shape and may have only one row, or may
`have more than three rows running parallel.
`[0043] In use, elastic bands are stretched over two or more
`stems, either on the same station or on neighboring stations.A
`weaving utensil may then be used to pull a portion of one of
`the elastic bands through another band. The stretched portion
`may then be attached to another stem. In this manner, a
`Brunnion link is formed, connecting the two bands. This
`process is continued for many elastic bands over many stems
`to form a long chain of elastic bands all interconnected by
`means of Brunnion links.
`[0044] Whereas, the present invention has been described
`in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be under
`stood that other and further modi?cations, apart from those
`shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and
`scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments
`shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or
`de?ning the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the
`claims unless such is explicitly indicated.
`[0045] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
`the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may
`readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other struc
`tures, methods and systems for carrying out the several pur
`poses of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
`the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construc
`tions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of
`the present invention.
`1. A platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands com
`prising:
`a platform having a top surface;
`a plurality of stations on the top surface;
`wherein the stations are aligned into one or more rows; and,
`wherein each of the stations comprises a pedestal, two
`stems extending upward from the pedestal, each of the
`stems having a crown.
`2. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 1 wherein the stations are removably attached to the
`platform.
`3. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 1 wherein the platform further comprises one or more
`storage wells.
`4. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 1 wherein the platform further comprises a clip for
`holding a weaving utensil.
`5. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 4 further comprising a weaving utensil.
`6. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 1 wherein the platform is circular.
`7. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 1 wherein the crowns are spherical.
`
`8. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 1 wherein the crowns are oblong.
`9. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 6 wherein the oblong crowns face away from each
`other.
`10. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 6 wherein the oblong crowns are perpendicular to the
`rows.
`11. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 8 wherein the stations are removably attached to the
`platform.
`12. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 9 wherein the platform further comprises one or more
`storage wells.
`13. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 10 wherein the platform further comprises a clip for
`holding a weaving utensil.
`14. The platform for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 11 wherein the platform is circular.
`15. A method for weaving interlinking bands comprising
`the steps:
`a) stretching an elastic band between two or more stems of
`two or more stations of a platform having a plurality of
`stations aligned into one or more rows such that tension
`created by the stretching holds the band in place sus
`pended between the two or more stems;
`b) stretching another elastic band between two or more
`stems of two or more stations of a platform having a
`plurality of stations aligned into one or more rows such
`that tension created by the stretching holds the band in
`place suspended between the two or more stems;
`c) pulling a portion of one of the elastic bands through the
`elastic band by means of a weaving utensil;
`d) attaching the portion of the elastic band pulled through
`another elastic band to at least one stem such that tension
`caused by stretching the elastic band holds the portion in
`place about the at least one stem; and,
`repeating steps a-d to provide a plurality of interwoven
`elastic bands.
`16. The method for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 15 wherein each of the stems includes a spherical
`crown.
`17. The method for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 15 wherein each of the stems includes an oblong crown.
`18. The method for weaving interlinking elastic bands of
`claim 17 wherein the oblong crowns are perpendicular to the
`rows.
`
`Tristar Ex. 1013, pg. 8