Hair Tapestry Weaving Tool

Abstract

A weaving tool comprising a first part and a second part, in which a first end of said first part is connected to a first end of said second part by a hinge, in which said first part comprises a first comb portion with first teeth extending away from said hinge, and in which said second part comprises a second comb portion with second teeth extending away from said hinge, in which said first part and said second part are movable about an axis of said hinge between a first position in which said first comb portion and said second comb portion are substantially parallel, and a second position in which said first comb portion and said second comb portion are displaced from one another about said axis.

Claims

1. A weaving tool comprising a first part and a second part, in which a first end of said first part is connected to a first end of said second part by a hinge, in which said first part comprises a first comb portion with first teeth extending away from said hinge, and in which said second part comprises a second comb portion with second teeth extending away from said hinge, in which said first part and said second part are movable about an axis of said hinge between a first position in which said first comb portion and said second comb portion are substantially parallel, and a second position in which said first comb portion and said second comb portion are displaced from one another about said axis.

2. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 1 in which said hinge comprises a stop mechanism which delimits rotation of said second part about said hinge beyond said second position, and in which in said second position said first comb portion and said second comb portion are substantially normal to one another.

3. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 1 in which said first comb portion comprises first blocks of resilient material in gaps between said first teeth, which first blocks of resilient material comprise cuts for receiving strands of warp material to be woven with which said tool is used.

4. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 3 in which said second comb portion comprises second blocks of resilient material in gaps between said second teeth, which second blocks of resilient material comprise cuts for receiving strands of warp material to be woven with which said tool is used.

5. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 1 in which said hinge comprises a pair of slots on said first part which are aligned with said axis and face outwardly from a centre point thereof in opposite directions, and a pair of arms on said second part, each of which faces towards said centre point and is disposed in one of said slots.

6. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 5 in which said slots are formed in first side walls of said first part, and in which said second part comprises second side walls overlaying said first side walls, from inside surfaces of which said arms extend.

7. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 4 in which said first part comprises a first outer member and a first inner member connected together, in which said first comb portion comprises a first outer comb portion provided on said first outer member and a first inner comb portion provided on said first inner member, in which said first outer comb portion comprises a first outer recess on an inner side thereof, and in which said first blocks of resilient material are disposed between said first outer member and said first inner member in a compartment formed by said first outer recess.

8. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 7 in which said second part comprises a second outer member and a second inner member connected together, in which said second comb portion comprises a second outer comb portion provided on said second outer member and a second inner comb portion provided on said second inner member, in which said second inner comb portion comprises a second inner recess on an outer side thereof, and in which said second blocks of resilient material are disposed between said second outer member and said second inner member in a compartment formed by said second inner recess.

9. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 1 in which said tool comprises a third part, in which an inner side of said third part is releasably connected to an outer side of said first part, and in which said third part comprises a third comb portion with teeth extending away from said hinge.

10. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 1 in which an inner side of said first part comprises a stylized face comprising a mouth aperture and two eye formations.

11. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 10 in which each of said eye formations comprises an annular socket provided with an annular protrusion extending from a base thereof.

12. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 11 in which said mouth aperture comprises a complex shape with teeth abutments extending from an outer periphery thereof towards a centre point thereof.

13. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 12 in which said second part comprises a recess formed in said first end thereof, which recess exposes said mouth aperture in said first position, and in which said second part comprises two eye apertures which overlay said eye formations in said first positon.

14. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 1 in which said first part comprises a foot part releasably connected to said first end thereof.

15. A weaving tool as claimed in claim 1 in which said first comb portion and said second comb portion are curved in a first plane, which first plane is parallel to a second plane in which said axis extends.

Description

[0024] The present invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a front view of a weaving tool according to the present invention in a first position;

[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the weaving tool as shown in FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the weaving tool as shown in FIG. 1 in a second position;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a front view of the weaving tool as shown in FIG. 1 in a second position;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a side view of the weaving tool as shown in FIG. 1 in a second position in a user's hand;

[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the weaving tool as shown in FIG. 1 in use in a first position;

[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the weaving tool as shown in FIG. 1 in use in a second position;

[0032] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the weaving tool as shown in FIG. 1 in use in a second position;

[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the weaving tool as shown in FIG. 1 in use in a second position; and

[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the weaving tool as shown in FIG. 1 in use in a second position.

[0035] As shown in the Figures, a weaving tool 1 comprises a first part 2 and a second part 3, and a first end 4 of the first part 2 is connected to a first end 5 of the second part 3 by a hinge 6. The first part 2 comprises a first comb portion 7 with first teeth 8 extending away from the hinge 6, and the second part 3 comprises a second comb portion 9 with second teeth 10 extending away from the hinge 6. As explained further below, the first part 2 and the second part 3 are movable about an axis A-A of the hinge 6 between a first position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, in which the first comb portion 7 and the second comb portion 9 are substantially parallel, and a second position, as shown in FIGS. 2-5 and 7-10 in which the first comb portion 7 and the second comb portion 9 are displaced from one another about the axis A-A.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the tool 1 is constructed from six molded plastics components. In particular, the first part 2 comprise a first outer member 11 and a first inner member 12 which are connected together in a snap-fit arrangement to form the complex three dimensional shape of the first part 2. The first comb portion 7 comprises a first outer comb portion 13 provided on the first outer member 11 and a first inner comb portion 14 provided on the first inner member 12. These two comb portions 13 and 14 are connected together to form the first comb portion 7, with each of the first teeth 8 made up of a part of each.

[0037] The first outer comb portion 13 comprises a first outer recess 15 on an inner side 16 thereof, in which a first foam member 17 is disposed. It is held in place on the first outer recess 15 when the first outer member 11 and first inner member 12 are connected together.

[0038] As is clear from FIG. 2, the first outer comb portion 13 coincides with the first outer recess 15 such that the first foam member 17 is located between the first teeth 8. In this way the first foam member 17 forms first blocks of resilient material 18 located in first gaps 19 between the first teeth 8. The first foam member 17 comprises a row of first cuts 20 formed therein, each of which is located in the centre of one of the first gaps 19. In this way each of the first blocks of resilient material 18 comprises a first cut 20 for receiving warp strands of hair to be woven, as described further below.

[0039] The second part 3 is constructed in a likewise manner. Namely, it comprises a second outer member 21 and a second inner member 22 which are connected together in a snap-fit arrangement to form the complex three dimensional shape of the second part 3. The second comb portion 9 comprise a second outer comb portion 23 provided on the second outer member 21 and a second inner comb portion 24 provided on the second inner member 22. These two comb portions 23 and 24 are connected together to form the second comb portion 9, with each of the second teeth 10 made up of a part of each.

[0040] The second inner comb portion 24 comprises a second inner recess 25 on an outer side 26 thereof, in which a second foam member 27 is disposed. It is held in place in the second inner recess 25 when the second outer member 21 and the second inner member 22 are connected together.

[0041] As is clear from FIG. 2, the second inner comb portion 24 coincides with the second inner recess 25 such that the second foam member 27 is located between the second teeth 10. In this way the second foam member 27 forms second blocks of resilient material 28 located in second gaps 29 between the second teeth 10. The second foam member 27 comprises a row of second cuts 30 formed therein, each of which is located in the centre of one of the second gaps 29. In this way each of the second blocks of resilient material 28 comprises a second cut 30 for receiving warp strands of hair to be woven, as described further below.

[0042] The first part 2 comprises first side walls 31 and 31a in which are formed slots (not visible) which are aligned with the axis A-A and face outwardly from a center point 32 thereof in opposite directions. Each of the slots is formed by opposing recesses 33 and 34 formed in the first outer member 11 and first inner member 12 respectively. This is visible in FIG. 2, and the same arrangement is provided on the opposite side of the first part 2.

[0043] The second part 3 comprises second side walls 35 and 36, which overlay the first side walls 31 and 31a respectively. Extending from each second side wall 35 and 36 is an arm 37 and 38 respectively, each of which faces towards the center point 32 and is disposed in one of the slots (not visible) The slots and the arms 37 and 38 form the hinge 6.

[0044] Each of the recesses 34 on the first inner member 12 is provided with a radially inwardly extending surface 39. Each of the arms 37 and 38 is provided with a radially outwardly extending boss 40, visible in FIG. 2. As such, the second part 3 can only be rotated about the axis A-A until the bosses 40 comes into contact with the surfaces 39. This delimits rotation of the second part 3 beyond the second position. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the second position the first comb portion 7 and the second comb portion 9 are normal to one another.

[0045] The tool 1 comprises a third part 41, which is basically just a comb with a body part 42 and a third comb portion 43. An inner side 44 of the third part 41 is releasably connected to an outer side 45 of the first part 2. A protrusion 46 provided on the inner side 44 is a releasable friction fit in an outer side 47 of mouth aperture 48 formed in the first part 2. The third part 41 can be used to assist the weaving process, as described further below. It can be released from the first part 2 for use when needed, and stored thereon when not.

[0046] The tool 1 is intended to appeal to children and young people, and comprises an anthropomorphic aesthetic design. Namely, as shown in FIG. 4, an inner side 49 of the first part 2 comprises a stylized face 50 comprising the mouth aperture 48 and two eye formations 51 and 52. The first comb portion 7 then has the appearance of hair above the face 50.

[0047] Each of the eye formations 51 and 52 comprises an annular socket 53 provided with an annular protrusion 54 extending from a base 55 thereof. As is clear from FIG. 4, the distance between centers 56 of the annular protrusions 54 is less than a distance between centers 57 of the annular sockets 53, and the centers 56 of the annular protrusions 54 are slightly above the centers 57 of the annular sockets 53. With this arrangement the face 50 has a forward staring expression.

[0048] The mouth aperture 48 comprises teeth abutments 58 extending from an outer periphery 59 thereof towards a centre point 60 thereof. As is clear from FIG. 4 the mouth aperture 48 gives the face 50 a roaring or open-mouthed expression. In combination, the eye formations 51 and 52 and the mouth aperture 48 combine to create an amusing stylized monster character, which children or young people will find appealing.

[0049] Referring back to FIG. 1, the second part 3 comprises a recess 61 formed in the first end 5 thereof, which recess 61 exposes the mouth aperture 48 in the first position. Further, the second part 3 also comprises two eye apertures 62 and 63 which overlay the eye formations 51 and 52 in the first positon. These features ensure that the stylized face 50 remains when the tool 1 is in the first position. In addition, it may also create the impression that the stylized character is wearing a mask over their face, in particular if the first part 2 and the second part 3 are made in different colours. This adds to the amusing and appealing nature of the stylized character.

[0050] The first part 2 comprise a foot part 64 releasably connected to the first end 4 thereof. The foot part 2 allows the tool 1 to be stood upright for storage or presentation, as shown in FIG. 1. It also adds yet another feature to the anthropomorphic characterization of the tool 1, by giving the stylized character the appearance of having feet, or of wearing footwear. The foot part 64 comprises a pair of spigots 65 and 66, which are releasably placable in a pair of slots (not visible) which are formed in the first end 4 of the first part 2. In particular, pairs of opposed recesses, only one of which 67 is visible in FIG. 2, are provided on the first outer member 11 and first inner member 12, which combine to form the slots (not visible) when the first outer member 11 and the first inner member 12 are connected together.

[0051] As is clear from the Figures, the first comb portion 7 and the second comb portion 9 are curved in a first plane, which first plane is parallel to a second plane in which the axis A-A extends. This provides a more ergonomic shape for use. The third comb portion 43 has the same shape.

[0052] The first teeth 8 extend further from the hinge 6 than the second teeth 10. However, to ensure that when the tool 1 is in the first position no ridge is formed by the ends 68 of the second teeth 10, the first teeth 8 each comprise an abutment 69 so when the tool 1 is in the first position the first teeth 8 and the second teeth 10 combine to form a smooth surface up to the ends 70 of the first teeth 8.

[0053] In use the weaving tool 1 can be used to create hair tapestries as follows. In a first step the foot part 64 and the third part 41 are removed from the first end 4 and outer side 45 respectively of the first part 2.

[0054] The tool 1 is then used in the first position as a comb to gather a subject's hair 71 into strands, as shown in FIG. 6. The first comb portion 7 and the second comb portion 9 are aligned with one another and form a single comb structure for this action. The tool 1 is arranged with the outer side 45 of the first part 2 outermost. As the strands of the subject's hair 71 are gathered between the first teeth 8 and the second teeth 10, it is then manipulated down the first gasps 19 and the second gaps 29 therebetween and into the first cuts 20 of the first blocks of resilient material 18 and the second cuts 30 of the second blocks of resilient material 28, which are aligned with each other. This action can be performed by means of the user holding the strands of the subject's hair 71 which protrude from the tool 1 and forcing the tool 1 in a upwards direction, or by doing the opposite and holding the tool 1 stationary and pulling the strands of the subject's hair 71 which protrude from the tool 1 in a downwards direction. The user performs this action such that a sufficient length of the subject's hair 71 protrudes from the tool 1 to form warp strands when the tool is then moved into the second position, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0055] Once the subject's hair has been captured in this way, the tool 1 is then manually moved into the second position, as shown in FIG. 7. When this action is carried out the first comb portion 7 travels down the strands of the subject's hair 71 into the position shown in FIG. 7, in which the strands of the subject's hair 71 are arranged as warp strands 72 between the first part 2 and the second part 3. The strands of the subject's hair 71 remain captured by the first comb portion 7 during this rotational movement from the fist to the second position due to it being held in the first cuts 20. Once the tool 1 reaches the second position the formed warp strands 72 are held taught between the first comb portion 7 and the second comb portion 9 because they are held in the first cuts 20 and the second cuts 30. It will be appreciated that the tension which is created will depend on the amount of the subject's hair 71 which is captured between each co-operating first and second cut 20 and 30, as well as the hair's density. However, it is not necessary for the tension of each warp strand 72 to be the same, or for the amount of hair to be equal. It is only necessary that warp strands 72 are formed with sufficient gaps between them to allow for the weaving process.

[0056] As the tool 1 is moved from the first position to the second position about the axis A-A of the hinge 6, the arms 37 and 38 rotate on the axis A-A in the slots (not visible) on the first part 2. This movement happens until the radial bosses 40 come into contact with the radial surfaces 39, which delimits further rotational movement. As is clear from the Figures, when this occurs the first comb portion 7 and the second comb portion 9 are normal to one another. As such, when the tool 1 is placed in the second position in use this ensures that the warp strands 72 are arranged at 45 degrees to the first part 2 and the second part 3, as is clear from FIG. 7. This provides the maximum amount of space in which to perform the weaving action by hand. A greater angle between the first part 2 and the second part 3 would reduce the space underneath the warp strands 72, and a lesser angle would reduce the length of the warp strands 72, thereby reducing the weavable area.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 5, when the tool 1 is placed in the second position, the outer side 73 of the second part 3, the second side walls 35 and 36, the first end 4 of the first part 2 and the outer side 45 of the first part 2 all combine to form an ergonomic shape which is suitable for holding in the palm of the hand, as shown. This makes the tool 1 comfortable for the user to hold with one hand, while they then perform the weaving action with the other.

[0058] Once the warp strands 72 have been formed, the user then weaves a thread of material 74 between the warp strands 72 using a needle 75. The material 74 thereby forms waft strands 76 to the warp strands 72. Once the user has manually woven the waft strands as desired, they can secure their ends by tying them off to the warp strands 72. The user can create a woven hair tapestry using one thread of material 74, or they can make one using multiple threads of material, one after the other.

[0059] Once a thread of material 74 has been woven the user can then use the third part 41 to compress it on the warp strands 72 by using the third comb portion 43 to drive it up the warp strands 72 by placing the third teeth 77 between the warp strands 72 and moving the third part 41 towards the second part 3, as shown in FIG. 10. This allows a user to weave one thread of material 74, move it into place adjacent the second part 3 (or the first part 2 if preferred), and then begin weaving another thread of material 74 in the remaining space.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 9 is it also possible for a user to create a hair tapestry by simply wrapping a thread of material 78 around the warp strands 72. This is an easier process and may be preferred by younger users.

[0061] Once the desired hair tapestry has been completed, the user can remove the tool 1 from the subject's hair by just drawing it away from the warp strands 72.

[0062] The tool 1 can then be rotated about the hinge 6 back into the first position, and placed on the foot part 64 for storage or display. The third part 41 can also be reattached to the first part 2.

[0063] It will be appreciated that as the tool 1 has a stylized character the user can also simply play with it in the manner of a toy character. In addition, the tool 1 can be used in the first position as a comb to simply comb a subject's hair in the known manner.

[0064] The weaving tool of the present invention can be altered without departing from the scope of claim 1. For example, in alternative embodiments (not shown) in the second position the first comb portion and the second comb portion are arranged at greater and lesser angles than 45 degrees. In other alternative embodiments (not shown) the resilient blocks of material are not used, and instead the first teeth and the second teeth have tapering gaps between them and a sufficient resilience to retain a subject's hair when placed under extension thereby.

[0065] In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the tool is aimed at adults, and does not comprise any stylized character features. Instead the first part and the second part comprise simple parts with linear surfaces.

[0066] Therefore, the present invention provides a collapsible loom like device which can be used to readily create hair tapestries in a much easier manner than when using two separate combs or a frame with clamps. In addition, a weaving tool is provided which is fun to use and to play with due to it comprising a stylized play character.