YARN FEEDER

Abstract

A portable yarn feeder that is attachable to an object and provides a secure and constricted environment in which yarn can be fed freely without the yarn tangling or becoming damaged. The feeder includes a housing that has an exterior sidewall with a first opening formed therein and interior walls that are contiguous to each other and an inner surface of the exterior wall and include a second opening formed therein that is offset from the first opening.

Claims

1. A yarn feeder, comprising: a housing delimited at an outer periphery thereof and including a first opening at the outer periphery and a second opening, offset from the first opening, formed in an interior space of the housing.

2. The yarn feeder of claim 1, wherein the housing that has an exterior sidewall that includes an inner and outer surface that is spaced from the inner surface with the first opening formed therein and a plurality of interior walls that are contiguous to each other and the inner surface of the exterior wall and include the second opening formed therein.

3. The yarn feeder of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a sidewall having an inner surface that is spaced from and mirror opposite an outer surface.

4. The yarn feeder of claim 1, wherein the housing is comprised of at least one of a metal, plastic and ceramic.

5. A method for feeding yarn comprising providing a housing delimited at an outer periphery thereof and including a first opening at the outer periphery and a second opening, offset from the first opening, formed in an interior space of the housing; feeding a piece of yarn through the first opening; and feeding the piece of yarn through the second opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known yarn bowl;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a known yarn ball;

[0010] FIG. 3A-3D are perspective views of known yarn bags;

[0011] FIG. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a feeder of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the feeder of FIGS. 4A and 4B arranged in a cutout of a material that can, for example, be part of a bag;

[0013] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the feeder of FIGS. 4A and 4B attached to a piece of material of a bag;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a the feeder of FIGS. 4A and 4B attached to cord that can be worn, for example, as a necklace or a bracelet; and

[0015] FIGS. 8A-8D depict exemplary embodiments of various feeder shapes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] With reference now to the drawings, embodiments of a yarn feeder 400 of the present invention will be described.

[0017] FIGS. 1-3D depict known yarn feeders 100, 200, 300A-300D. FIG. 1 illustrates a yarn bowl 100, in which yarn can be arranged and that includes a spiral cutout 102 through which the yarn can be fed. However, such yarn feeders are not easily portable because they are commonly heavy and/or bulky. FIG. 2 illustrates a yarn ball 200. Yarn balls typically include a friction-free area that is spaced from a ball of yarn and from a surface on which the ball may rest. Because of the space between the yarn ball and knitter, yarn can easily get caught on a rough surface. FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate yarn bags 300A, 300B, 300C, 300D, respectively, in which yarn can be housed. These bags 300A, 300B, 300C, 300D include a hole/rivet 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D through which yarn can be fed. However, once yarn has been threaded through the hole/rivet 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D, the yarn cannot be removed without cutting the yarn. Additionally, yarn bags 300A, 300B, 300C, 300D are not compact and in turn easily portable.

[0018] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict perspective views of an embodiment of a yarn feeder 400 of the present invention. The yarn feeder 400 can, for example, be circular, square or another shape and can include an exterior opening 402 with curved surfaces to allow yarn to easily be treaded therethrough and removed from the feeder 400, when desired, without having to cut or damage the yarn. The feeder 400 also has an interior shape 404 with an opening 406 offset from the exterior opening 402 through which the yarn is fed to maintain tension on the yarn.

[0019] As shown in embodiments in FIGS. 8A-8D, the shape 404 can be, for example, a heart, a swirl, a star a tree. However, the shape can be of any desired configuration that may be known or become known. The feeder can, for example, be made of a smooth, low-friction material such as metal, plastic or ceramic.

[0020] FIGS. 5A-6B are various views of the feeder 400 fixed directly to a piece of material, or flap. As shown in FIGS. 5A-6B, the feeder 400 can be arranged in a flap within, for example, a handbag or a backpack. Here, a ball of yarn can be arranged in the bag and fed, friction-free and a long a controlled and predictable path, through the feeder so as to not get caught or tangled in a zipper or other features of the bag. In use, the ball of yarn will remain securely arranged within the bag while the feeder 400 allows for the yarn to be feeder to a user outside of the bag. In an embodiment, the flap and or the feeder 400 can be removeable from the bag. For example, the flap can be zipped, buttoned, snapped or attached by VELCRO to the bag and/or the feeder 400 can be housed via a friction fit to the flap.

[0021] In use, yarn is first fed through the exterior opening 402 of the feeder 400 and then through the interior opening 406. When the yarn is pulled at an upward angle, the yarn catches (or is seated) in the top of the interior shape 404. Seating the yarn in the feeder 400 through the two openings 402, 406, allows the yarn to be pulled through the feeder 400 without slipping out of the feeder 400.

[0022] The placement of the feeder 400 should not be limited to bags and can incorporated into any portable object. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the feeder 400 is incorporated into a necklace, but is not substantially encompassed by or attached to a piece of material. Rather, the exterior of the feeder 400 is wholly exposed to the environment. As shown, in FIG. 7 the feeder 400 is fixed to a cord 702 and can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. Here, a yarn ball can rest is a user's lap and could then be threaded through the feeder 400 which also acts as a decorative pendant.

[0023] Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. In addition, while several variations of the embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, including, but not limited to, the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or parts, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.