Yarn Wheel

Abstract

Historically, when yarn is bought in the form of skeins, the skein would be unraveled and rewound, either mechanically or by hand, into a ball to prevent tangling. The Yarn Wheel alleviates this need by standing the skein on end such that the yarn may be pulled directly from the middle of the skein as the skein is designed to be used. The Yarn Wheel also eases yarn management when doing multi-color work by simply allowing the user to turn the deck and/or reposition skeins as needed. The Yarn Wheel keeps the several different colors of yarn off of the floor, and the height adjustment keeps the yarn always within easy reach whether the user prefers to work low to the floor, on the sofa or at a work table.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent Appl. No: 60/927,443

Filing Date: May 3, 2007

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Yarn Wheel addresses the problem of managing multiple skeins of yarn or yarn-like material while crocheting, knitting or doing other types of multi-color knotting work. It pertains to provisional patent application No. 60/927,443 filed with the USPTO on May 3, 2007.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Yarn Wheel was designed to hold multiple skeins of yarn-like material allowing the yarn to be fed easily to the work piece. This invention facilitates the use of multiple colors of yarn-like material simultaneously to create multi-color work pieces. Additionally, it can be utilized by more than one crocheting and/or knitting individual simultaneously. Yarn Wheel keeps the yarn-like material organized off the floor and alleviates the need to wind it into a ball. It provides easy access to and use of multiple colors simultaneously for creating multi-color designs while crocheting without having to cut and tie the material. Yarn Wheel also allows easy access to multiple colors while knitting and doing other types of knotting work. It significantly reduces knotting in the skein while working and aids detangling or “unbraiding” of yarn-like material during multi-color work.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the Yarn Wheel. It describes the overall adjustable height of 15″-25″, the deck angle of 45°, the deck diameter of 12″ and the weighted base of 14″ in diameter. It also shows the 6 post-and-ball assemblies, 6 notches around the edge of the deck and the axle at the center point of the deck.

FIG. 2 notes a side view of the Yarn Wheel. It describes the 6 notches around the edge of the deck, the 10″ posts with 1″ removable retention balls, the hinged latch and the adjustable height. It also shows the 45° angle of the deck and the axle at the center point of the deck.

FIG. 3 features a side view of the deck assembly and detail of the post-and-ball assemblies. It describes the 45° angle of the deck, the overall height of the post-and-ball assembly as 11″, the removable retention ball and the rounded post head. It also shows the post with the ball detached and how the skeins of yarn-like material would sit on the posts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Yarn Wheel will hold materials, keeping them separated and easy to use at all times. The product consists of a rotating deck measuring approximately 12″ in diameter which holds 6-10″ long by ½″ diameter posts permanently attached perpendicularly to the deck. Posts are equidistant from each other around the edge of the deck.

Each post holds 1 skein of yarn-like material by sliding the center of the skein down over the post. The top of each post holds a removable ball which is 1″ in diameter making the overall length of the post-and-ball assembly 11″. The ball acts to retain the skein on the post while the yarn-like material is pulled from the center of the skein and must be attachable in such a way as to allow the post-end to be smooth such that the skein slides easily onto the post. There can be no screw threads or roughness of any kind on the outer part of the entire post.

Between the posts are ½″ wide by ½″ deep notches in which a hinged latch may be engaged to hold the deck assembly in place or disengaged to allow the deck assembly to rotate. The total number of notches is 6, with one notch at the centerline between the various posts.

An axle, at the center point of the deck, attaches the deck and the post-and-ball assemblies to a pedestal at a 45° angle. The pedestal holds the hinged latch in such a manner that it may be engaged or disengaged from the various notches in order to rotate the deck or hold it in place. A height adjustment device is at the midpoint of the pedestal between the deck and the weighted base allowing the deck's highest point to be adjusted from 15″ to 25″.

The weighted base is 14″ in diameter and is approximately 10 lbs. in weight over and above the combined weight of the pedestal and deck assemblies. The construction should be of durable plastic or other lightweight material with metal axle, hinge, and height adjustment hardware. The color could be a medium-brown with wood grain finish such that it resembles a piece of furniture.

Claims

1. Yarn Wheel is designed to hold multiple skeins of yarn-like material allowing the yarn to be fed easily to the work piece.

2. Yarn Wheel facilitates the use of multiple colors of yarn-like material simultaneously to create multi-color work pieces.

3. Yarn Wheel can be utilized by more than one crocheting and/or knitting individual simultaneously.

4. Yarn Wheel alleviates the need to wind the yarn-like material into a ball.