MANUALLY-ADVANCED CYLINDER, WITH AN ADJUSTABLE POINTER, FOR CONTINUOUS TRACKING OF TREADLING ON A WEAVING DRAFT WHEN WEAVING WITH A HAND-OPERATED LOOM

Abstract

The object of the invention is to enable the weaver to weave the design structure of fabric without having to remember where one is on the treadling draft (a diagrammatic representation of the treadling order). This invention not only enables the weaver to weave without mistakes but also to stop weaving for any time period and resume weaving without having to examine the previously woven cloth, thus ensuring that the pattern of the weaving continues as designed.

When any draft is taped onto the cylinder, the weaver is able to rotate the cylinder and thus the draft, keeping track of each treadling by the draft's alignment with the pointer.

This invention is designed to assist the weaver to always know where to begin the next treadling, based upon the pointer's position on the draft, thereby enabling the weaver to continue to weave, without mistakes, the prescribed design of woven fabric.

Claims

1. A weaving apparatus comprising: a rotating cylinder adapted to receive treadling draft; a frame supporting the rotating cylinder, wherein the frame comprises a face and a pair of sides connected to the face, wherein each side of the pair of sides has a pivot center permitting rotation of the rotating cylinder within the frame; and a friction device attached to the frame and contacting the rotating cylinder.

2. The weaving apparatus of claim 1, wherein the face has a height less than a diameter of the rotating cylinder to provide a weaver a clear view of a treadling draft attached to the rotating cylinder when placed in front of the weaver.

3. The weaving apparatus of claim 1: wherein a top edge of the face is disposed between the pivot center and an outer circumference of the rotating cylinder, and a top edge of a portion of each side of the pair of sides is disposed between the pivot center and the outer circumference of the rotating cylinder to allow a weaver easy finger access for turning the rotating cylinder.

4. (canceled)

5. The weaving apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pointer mounted with a screw to at least one side of the pair of sides, wherein the pointer has an elongated opening at an attachment point to the frame, wherein the pointer rotates on the attachment point through a 90 degree arc, so that the pointer is in front of or above a treadling draft attached to the rotating cylinder.

6. The weaving apparatus of claim 1, wherein the friction device comprises: a thumbscrew threaded through the frame; a piece of felt bearing against the rotating cylinder; and a tab of flexible plastic positioned between the thumbscrew and the piece of felt.

7. The weaving apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises: a back connected to the pair of sides, wherein a lower edge of the back is raised relative to lower edges of the pair of sides to form a raised slot spanning a width of the frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 of the present invention is a front perspective showing the cylinder 1, the pointer 3, and its adjustable attach point 7.

[0012] FIG. 2 of the present invention is a rear perspective showing the slot in the bottom rear 8 and the adjustable thumb screw 4.

[0013] FIG. 3 of the present invention is a perspective of the partial view of the right rear corner of the frame 2, showing detail of the friction device 13 (4, 5, 6).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The central part of the invention consists of a rotating cylinder 1, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, sized to accommodate the taping thereon of most treadling drafts. Because many hand-weavers have an affinity for classic weaving traditions, the structure of the invention is wood. Clear maple, or some other hardwood, is turned on a lathe to a diameter of 3 inches, although the precise size of the cylinder 1 and associated frame may be flexible. A light frame 2 of straight-grained non-warping wood, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, with an open bottom and top, houses the cylinder 1. The corners of the frame 2 are glued and nailed to provide long-term stability. The rear 12 of the frame 2 is raised above the base approximately inch, shown in FIG. 2 as a raised slot 8. The cylinder 1 rotates within the framework by way of wood screws 9 in FIG. 1 in its pivot centers. The flathead screws are countersunk into the sides 11, just below the surface of the frame 2, with sufficient tension to allow the cylinder 1 to rotate freely, and not so loose as to allow it to move side to side.

[0015] A heavy wire metal pointer 3, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, plated to prevent oxidation, is shaped in such a way that its position is easily adjustable at attach point 7, shown in FIG. 1, to the weaver's preference, thus accommodating the weaver's visual sighting of the treadling draft, regardless of where the apparatus is placed. A screw hole for its attachment is provided in both sides 11 of the frame 2. An easily adjustable friction device 13 (4, 5, 6) contacts either the side or the circumference of the cylinder 1. This adjustable friction device 13, shown in FIG. 3, consists of a thumb screw 4, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, threaded though the frame 2, with a tab of flexible plastic 5 between it and a tab of felt 6, which then bears against the cylinder 1.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0016] 1 cylinder [0017] 2 frame [0018] 3 pointer [0019] 4 thumbscrew [0020] 5 plastic [0021] 6 felt [0022] 7 adjustable pointer attach point [0023] 8 raised slot [0024] 9 pivot screw [0025] 10 face [0026] 11 sides [0027] 12 back [0028] 13 friction device