Brunnian link making device and kit
A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. The example kit provides for the successful creation of unique wearable articles using Brunnian link assembly techniques and includes several pin bars that are supported in a desired special orientation by at least one base. The desired special orientation is dependent on the desired linked configuration of the completed article. The pins may be assembled in various combination and orientations to provide endless variation of completed link orientations.
1. A device for creating an item consisting of a series of elastic links, the device comprising:
a base; and
a plurality of pins, wherein the plurality of pins comprises rows of offset pins extending side by side and spaced apart and extending upward from the base with each of the plurality of pins including a flanged top for holding an elastic link in a desired orientation and an opening on a common front side of each of the plurality of pins.
2. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises an access groove extending through the flanged top toward the base.
3. The device as recited in claim 2 , wherein the flanged top comprises an outwardly flared portion for holding an elastic link in place on at least one of the plurality of pins.
4. The device as recited in claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of pins includes a bottom outwardly flared portion spaced apart from the flanged top and a mid portion for holding a link.
5. The device as recited in claim 3 , wherein the base includes a mating feature for combining additional bases.
6. A kit for creating an item consisting of a series of elastic bands, the kit comprising:
a plurality of elastic bands;
a device including a plurality of pins including a flanged top for holding at least one of the plurality of elastic bands in a desired orientation and an opening on a common front side of each of the plurality of pins; and
at least one connector for connecting ends of the series of links, wherein the connector includes inward facing ends for trapping at least one of the plurality of elastic bands within an inner area of the connector.
7. The kit as recited in claim 6 , including a hook tool for manipulating at least one of the plurality of elastic bands held in a desired orientation on at least one of the plurality of pins.
8. The kit as recited in claim 6 , wherein the opening comprises an access groove extending through the flanged top toward the base.
9. The kit as recited in claim 6 , wherein the flanged top is for holding at least one of the plurality of elastic bands in place on at least one of the plurality of pins.
10. The device as recited in claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of pins includes a bottom flared portion spaced apart from the flanged top and a mid portion for holding at least one of the plurality of elastic bands.
11. The device as recited in claim 6 , wherein the plurality of pins comprises rows of offset pins spaced apart and extending upward from a base.
12. The device as recited in claim 11 , wherein the base includes a mating feature for combining additional bases.
13. A method of assembling a kit for creating a linked item comprising the steps of:
placing a plurality of pins to define a desired relationship between at least two adjacent pins;
providing an access opening on a common front side of each of the plurality of pins to provide access for a hook tool to grasp an elastic band supported on one of the plurality of pins;
providing a plurality of elastic bands for assembly to the plurality of pins according to a desired pattern; and
providing a clip for holding the elastic bands together once a desired pattern is completed.
14. The method as recited in claim 13 , including the step of providing a hook tool for insertion into the access opening for manipulating the elastic bands supported on the plurality of pins.
15. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pins and the base are separate components.
16. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the rows of offset pins comprises at least three rows.
17. The device as recited in claim 16 , wherein the at least three rows are spaced equally apart in a direction transverse to a length of the base defined parallel to the sides.
18. The device as recited in claim 17 , wherein the at least three rows comprises at least one intermediate row offset relative to adjacent rows.
19. The device as recited in claim 3 , wherein the opening extends through the outwardly flared portion.
20. The device as recited in claim 19 , including a bottom outwardly flared portion spaced apart from the flanged top outwardly flared portion and a mid portion disposed between the flanged top outwardly flared portion and bottom outwardly flared portion.
21. A device for creating an item from elastic bands, the device comprising:
a plurality of pins arranged in at least three rows, wherein each of the plurality of pins includes an outwardly flared top portion for holding an elastic band in a desired orientation and an access groove extending through the outwardly flared top portion.
22. The device as recited in claim 21 , wherein the plurality of pins extend upward from a base.
23. The device as recited in claim 22 , wherein the base and the plurality of pins are separate components.
24. The device as recited in claim 22 , wherein the base includes a mating feature for combining additional bases.
25. The device as recited in claim 21 , wherein the at least three rows are equally spaced apart.
26. The device as recited in claim 25 , wherein the at least three rows are equally spaced apart in a direction transverse to a length of the at least three rows.
27. The device as recited in claim 25 , wherein at least one of the at least three rows are offset relative to the other rows.
28. The device as recited in claim 25 , wherein each of the access grooves face in a common direction.
29. The device as recited in claim 28 , including a bottom outwardly flared portion spaced apart from the top outwardly flared portion and a mid portion disposed between the top outwardly flared portion and bottom outwardly flared portion.
30. A kit comprising:
a plurality of pins arranged in at least three rows extending side by side, each of the plurality of pins include an outwardly flared top and an access groove in each of the pins facing in a common direction; and
a plurality of elastic bands to be manipulated on said plurality of pins.
31. The kit as recited in claim 30 , including a clip for holding elastic bands together once a desired pattern is completed.
32. The kit as recited in claim 30 , wherein the common direction is parallel to a longitudinal length of the at least three rows.
33. The kit as recited in claim 30 , wherein the access groove extends through the outwardly flared top.
34. The kit as recited in claim 30 , wherein the at least three rows are disposed parallel to each other.
35. The kit as recited in claim 30 , wherein the at least three rows comprises at least 6 rows.