Wire Bending Jig

Abstract

A wire bending jig is disclosed. The jig includes having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has at least one raised portion. The raised portion has a periphery, at least part of which is a form for bending wire. One or more pegs are permanently attached to the base and project upwardly from the upper surface and extend above the raised portion of the base. At least one or more of the plurality of pegs constitute a form for bending wire.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/894,516, filed on Oct. 23, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wire bending jig. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wire bending jig in which wire may be bent on a jig that creates an interesting and/or familiar shape or wire design. Various wire sizes or gauges may be used up to a recommended maximum wire diameter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need in the crafting industry for a simple, low cost jig that is useful for assisting persons with minimal wire skills in forming wire, round in cross section, into various shapes for use in jewelry, crafting and other purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has advantages in that it is easy to use.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it is economical.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it comes preassembled and ready to use.

Another advantage of the present invention is that there are no loose pieces such as multiple pins or pegs which need to be stored, kept and not lost if the jig is going to be useful.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it uses multiple modalities of bending the wire, such as around the periphery of raised portions of the base and/or around various pegs to produce a more versatile and usable wire bending jig.

Briefly and basically, in accordance with the present invention, a wire bending jig for bending round wire into a wire design includes a base. The base may be comprised preferably of a white acrylic composition. The base has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has at least one raised portion. The raised portion has a periphery portion, at least part of which is a form for bending wire. Further, the wire bending jig of the present invention includes a plurality of pegs permanently attached to the base and projecting upwardly from the upper surface and extending above the raised portion of the base. At least one or more of the plurality of pegs constitutes a form for bending wire. The present invention also includes a starting hole in the base. The starting hole has a diameter which will pass a wire of a predetermined maximum diameter, which is typically selected to be the largest gauge wire to be used with the jig. The raised portions on the base may be formed either integrally with the base or as a second piece of acrylic permanently adhered to or bonded to the base.

The wire bending jig of the present invention would be produced preferably as a separate or distinct jig for each wire design or for a limited number of wire designs to be formed by the bended wire, thereby being immediately ready for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating an embodiment of the wire bending jig which may be utilized to bend wire to form more than one wire design and the raised portions on the base are integrally formed with the base.

FIG. 1A is a view in perspective of another embodiment of the present invention wherein the wire bending jig is used to form only one wire design and the raised portions of the base are separate pieces permanently bonded to the base.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the invention taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 1A which corresponds to the view taken along the same cross sectional line which produced FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are partial broken away plan views illustrating the right hand portion of FIG. 1 using forms comprised of raised portions made of the base material and of permanently attached metal pegs for bending round wire into wire designs at two points in the process.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating forms for three wire designs made of raised portions of the base material and permanently attached metal pegs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B an embodiment of the present invention. There is shown a wire bending jig 10 for forming a wire design. Jig 10 has a base 12. Base 12 is preferably comprised of a strong lightweight material and is preferably comprised of a white acrylic composition which is opaque or translucent, but not transparent. Base 12 is provided with an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 16 best seen in FIG. 2.

Base 12 is provided with at least one raised portion 20. Raised portion 20 has a periphery 22, at least a part of which is a form for bending wire as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Raised portion 20 has a first diameter that extends along a first axis 21.

Base 12 has a second raised portion in the form of an elongate bar 20A extending along the first axis 21. Raised portion 20A has a periphery 22A which may be used as a form for bending wire. Periphery 22A includes a first side 24 extending a first distance vertically from the upper surface and a second, opposing side 26 extending the first distance vertically from the upper surface 14. The first side 24 extends parallel to the second side 26. Raised portion 20 may be integrally formed with the base as best illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, raised portions 20′ and 20A′ may be formed from a separate sheet of the base material and may be permanently bonded to base 12′ by suitable means such as adhesives or various bonding processes as illustrated in FIG. 2A.

Wire bending jig 10 is provided with one or more pegs or a plurality of pegs attached to base 12 and projecting upwardly from upper surface 14 and extending vertically above raised portion 20 of base 12. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one peg, or cylinder, 40 is cylindrical and has a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter, that extends along the first axis 21. At least one of these pegs is utilized as a form for bending round wire. The pegs 31 through 40 are preferably metal pins mounted to, into or through base 12 and permanently bonded thereto. However, it is understood that the pegs or pins may be made of any suitable rigid material which is bondable to material of base 12. Pegs or metal pins 31 through 39 on the left side of wire bending jig 10 shown on FIG. 1 are arranged as forms for forming wire in the form of a toggle. Pegs or metal pins 31, 34 and 37 are of a larger diameter than the remaining pins (32, 33, 35, 36, 38 and 39).

Wire bending jig 10 is also provided with a start or starting hole 42 in base 12. The starting hole 42 is provided with a diameter which will pass a wire of a predetermined maximum diameter, preferably, the maximum recommended diameter for use with the wire bending jig. Wire bending jig 10 is also provided with a raised portion, which in a preferred embodiment is a polygon, such as, for example, triangular in shape which is used for holding the wire at the end of the bending process prior to cutting.

The same description applies to the wire bending jig 10′ shown in FIG. 1A which is a wire bending jig for use in forming only a single wire design. The same numerals apply to FIG. 1A for the same, similar or corresponding elements as are applied to FIG. 1 except that a prime has been added to the numerals to indicate that they are a part of the single wire design wire bending jig as shown in FIG. 1A as contrasted to that shown in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, wire 44 passes through start hole 42, best seen in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3A, wire 44 is drawn through start hole 42 up along raised portion 20A, around and over pin 40 and partially around the periphery 22 of raised portion 20.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the wire continues around the periphery 22 of raised portion 20 to form a loop and behind and around stop or end point 60 which may also be formed as a raised portion of base 12, either integrally formed therewith or mounted thereto as a second layer and permanently bonded thereto.

The wire bending jigs of the present invention may preferably be utilized for bending of wire which is round and cross section. However, it is understood that the jigs of the present invention may be utilized to bend wire of any cross sectional shape.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown another arrangement or embodiment of the present invention which is usable for forming hooks and loops and elongated wires with loops. Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a base 112 having an upper surface 114. The base is made of a suitable durable opaque or translucent material such as the presently preferred white acrylic. Base 112 is illustrated having raised portions 120B, 120C and 120D. Each of these have a periphery, 122B, 122C and 122D, respectively, which peripheral surfaces act as forms for the bending of wire.

Raised portion 120D can be an elongate bar extending along an axis 124. Each is provided with a start hole 142B, 142C and 142D, respectively, which act as the start hole and as a gauge which allows the largest recommended wire gauge to pass through the start hole. Wire bending jig 110 is also provided with pegs 130, 132, 134 and 136 for bending wire. It is also provided with stops 160 and 162.

As described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B the wire may be bent by passing it through the start holes and between or around the pegs or pins and around the periphery of the raised portions of the base and onto the stops and beyond. The wire may then be cut to its desired length and the finishing of the wire form may be done. In the case of raised portion 120B a hook may be formed. In the case of raised portion 120C a loop may be formed. In the case of raised portion 120D, a long wire design may be formed and with the pins or pegs 171 through 180 that each extend along an axis 181 parallel to axis 124, loops may be formed along the length of the long wire. The wire is passed around the periphery of raised portion 122D, which is preferably made of white acrylic material and around each of the pins 171 through 180. A loop may also be formed around pin or peg 170. The surfaces 120B, 120C and 120D are raised as described with respect to the previous embodiment above, shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3A and 3B. These may be comprised of integrally formed raised portions or additional layers of the base material may be bonded thereto. This is more fully described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 2A.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A wire bending jig, comprising:

a base, said base having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having at least one raised portion, said raised portion having a periphery, at least part of which is a form for bending wire; and

one or more pegs permanently attached to said base and projecting upwardly from said upper surface and extending above said raised portion of said base, at least one or more of said plurality of pegs constituting a form for bending wire.

2. A wire bending jig in accordance with claim 1 including;

a starting hole in said base, said starting hole having a diameter which will pass wire of a predetermined maximum diameter.

3. A wire bending jig in accordance with claim 1 wherein said raised portion of said base is integrally formed from said base.

4. A wire bending jig in accordance with claim 1 wherein said raised portion of said base extending above said upper surface of said base is comprised of acrylic material having a shaped periphery and permanently adhered to said base.

5. A wire bending jig in accordance with claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of said raised portions.

6. A wire bending jig in accordance with claim 1 including more than one pin and said more than one pin are comprised of more than one diameter.

7. A wire bending jig in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base is comprised of a white acrylic composition.

8. A wire bending jig in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pegs are comprised of a metal.

9. A wire bending jig in accordance with claim 1 wherein said jig produces a single wire design.

10. A wire bending jig in accordance with claim 1 wherein said jig creates up to three wire designs.

11. A wire bending jig comprising:

a generally planar base having an upper surface and a lower surface;

at least one through-opening extending between the upper surface and a lower surface; and

a plurality of features extending outwardly from the upper surface.

12. The wire bending jig according to claim 11, wherein the at least one through-opening has a diameter sized to pass a wire of a predetermined maximum diameter.

13. The wire bending jig according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of features comprises an elongate bar extending along a first axis, the elongate bar having a first side extending a first distance vertically from the upper surface and a second, opposing side extending the first distance vertically from the upper surface, the first side extending parallel to the second side.

14. The wire bending jig according to claim 13, wherein an additional of the at least one of the plurality of features comprises a first cylinder having a first diameter extending along the first axis.

15. The wire bending jig according to claim 13, wherein the first cylinder extends a second distance vertically from the upper surface, the second distance being longer than the first distance.

16. The wire bending jig according to claim 14, wherein an additional of the at least one of the plurality features comprises a second cylinder having a second diameter extending along the first axis, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter.

17. The wire bending jig according to claim 16, wherein an additional of the at least one of the plurality of features comprises a plurality of cylinders, each of the plurality of cylinders having a diameter extending along a second axis parallel to the first axis, wherein the diameter of each of a first portion of the plurality of cylinders is a first dimension, and the diameter of each of a second portion of the plurality of cylinders is a second dimension, different from the first dimension.

18. The wire bending jig according to claim 13, where an additional of the at least one of the plurality features comprises a plurality of cylinders, each of the plurality of cylinders having a diameter extending along a second axis, the second axis being parallel to the first axis.

19. The wire bending jig according to claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of cylinders extends a second distance vertically from the upper surface, the second distance being longer than the first distance.

20. The wire bending jig according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of features comprises a polygon.