ARTICLE AND METHOD FOR APPLYING A FRINGE TO AN ARTICLE

Abstract

An article and related method for creating custom and decorative fringes including an elongate and flexible template exhibiting an interior and linear extending slot. A yarn or ribbon is successively wrapped around the sides of the template in length progressing fashion as to overlay the slot. A stabilizer, including such as a hem tape, bias tape or ribbon, is aligned with the slot and sewn or otherwise secured to the yarn or ribbon, following which the lateral extending edges are sectioned to remove the finished item from the template and to permit subsequent application to an edge or other surface of an existing article.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to articles and related methods for creating custom and decorative fringes. More specifically, the present invention teaches an elongate and flexible template exhibiting an interior and linear extending slot. A yarn or ribbon is successively wrapped around the sides of the template in length progressing fashion as to overlay the slot. A stabilizer, including such as a bias tape, ribbon or hem tape, is aligned with the slot and sewn otherwise secured to the yarn or ribbon, following which the lateral extending edges are sectioned to remove the finished item from the template.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commercial made fringes and trims are known to be fairly expensive articles and, given such, are further known to be provided in limited sizes and colors. This is further most evident when attempting to match a specific type and color of fringe material for application to such as a cushion.

The prior art is further documented with examples of template styled articles for creating such as bows or tufts. A first example of this is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 2,317,914, issued to McIntyre and which teaches a tufting device having a template with an open accessible slot and along which is wrapped a yarn material. The slot includes an enlarged circular shaped central profile, at which a further length of material is knotted (FIG. 6) in order to pinch the wound tuft and prior the opposite edges being section by scissors. A similar arrangement to McIntyre is shown in the tapered board of Lofton U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,157 and which is slotted at both ends for providing a winding area for making yarn pom-poms.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses a kit assembly for creating a custom decorative fringe, and which includes an elongate and substantially planar shaped template exhibiting at least one widthwise extending hinge, and typically a pair of spaced apart hinges, such that multiple template sub-sections are foldable relative to another. A linear extending slot is defined within an interior of the template. A flexible and elongate decorative material is successively wrapped around sides of the template, and in side-by-side contacting and length progressing fashion, and so that the decorative material is caused to overlay the slot.

The stabilizer is aligned with the slot and applied there-along to fasten to the decorative material, the successive wraps of material subsequently being sectioned for removal of the finished item from the template and to permit subsequent application to an existing article. In any one of a number of preferred embodiments, the stabilizer can include any of ahem tape, bias tape, ribbon or an elongate strip of fabric sewn to the wound decorative material.

A notch can be formed in the template, along at least one side location, for engaging an initial winding of the decorative material. The template can be constructed of a flexible plastic and further such that the linear extending slot extends a substantial interior length of the template.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a decorative fringe created using the template article of the present invention and attached to a cushion;

FIG. 2 is partial illustration of a yarn material wound in a successive and length extending fashion about the template, and further showing the stabilizer secured to an intermediate extending location of the wound material aligning with the slot defined in the template;

FIG. 3 is an illustration similar to that shown in FIG. 2 of a ribbon material applied in a similar fashion to the template;

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of the template article according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a further view of the template illustrating its flexible/foldable construction to facilitate ease of use, such as with a sewing machine and when creating longer lengths of fringe material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustration is generally shown at 10 of a decorative fringe created using the template article of the present invention and attached to a cushion 12. The cushion 12 is intended to represent any one of a number of conventionally known articles and to which the custom and decorative fringe material is capable of being secured. As further previously described, the article, kit assembly and method of the present invention permit the quick and easy creation of any of a variety of elongate fringe articles, such as exhibiting any type of yarn or ribbon, and which provide the user with enhanced ability to create and apply such a customized fringe (using a pre-selected decorative material matching a color and/or consistency of the cushion or other article).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a partial illustration is shown of a yarn material, such as provided by a ball 2, to be wound in a successive and length extending fashion about a template 14. The template 14 can be constructed of a flexible or rigid plastic or other suitable (e.g. cardboard) material and exhibits an elongate and substantially planar shape. As further shown in each of FIGS. 4 and 5, the template 14 is generally rectangular shaped with first 16 and second 18 widthwise extending hinge, such that multiple, illustrated as first, second and third individual, template sub-sections 20, 22 and 24 are foldable relative to another.

The hinges 16 and 18 are further understood to include such as living hinges, these providing the ability of the template subsections 20, 22 and 24 to be repetitively folded and unfolded without affecting the structurally integrity of the interconnection between the succeeding subsections. Although not shown, it is important the template 14 be capable of being repetitively manipulated (i.e. successively folded and unfolded), such as during use with a sewing machine (not shown) and in order to quickly and effectively apply the finished article to the conventional cushion 12 or other suitable known article.

A linear extending slot is defined within an interior of the template 14 and as best illustrated in FIG. 4 by inwardly facing side and end walls 26, 28, 30 and 32. The slot, as shown, extends a substantial interior length of the template 14 and corresponds with outwardly facing side 34 and 36 and interconnecting end 38 and 40 surfaces which collectively define the exterior perimeter of the template as collectively constructed by the flexibly interconnected sections 20, 22 and 24. Although not shown, a conventional sewing machine presser foot is dimensioned to seat in non-interfering fashion within the stabilizer slot.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the flexible and elongate decorative material again shown as a yarn 2, is successively wrapped around the sides 34 and 36 of the template (reference by initial hingedly connecting section 20), such as in a side-by-side contacting and length progressing fashion. According to one desired embodiment, the decorative material is caused to overlay the slot in a closely wound fashion, this corresponding to the creation of a tighter knit pattern associated with the generated trim.

A stabilizer element is provided, see as shown at 42, and which is aligned with the slot and applied there-along to fasten to the decorative material and to provide a firm edge to apply the fringe to the project (e.g., cushion 12) it will be decorating. The stabilizer 42 can include any of a ribbon, hem tape, bias tape or strip of fabric (as shown). It is also envisioned that other materials or compositions can be utilized as a stabilizer and which is used to attach the fringe to the decorative material.

The purpose of the stabilizer 42 is to secure the successive wraps of material, such as in non-interfering fashion with existing presser foot (not shown) of the sewing machine which stitches the stabilizer 42 to the yarn or ribbon via a reciprocating needle which sits in the middle of the presser foot, and prior to them being sectioned (such as by scissors 4 applied along each of the opposite side edges 34 and 36). At this point, the finished decorative item is removed from the template 14 and to permit subsequent application to an existing article.

A notch 44 can be formed in the template (such as shown along initial section 20), along at least one side location (see side 36), and for engaging an initial winding of the decorative material (see initial winding 2′ of yarn in FIG. 2). In this fashion, the notch 44 secures the yarn or ribbon to facilitate even and correct winding about the template in the manner shown.

FIG. 3 is an illustration similar to that shown in FIG. 2 of a ribbon material 6 applied in a similar fashion to the template 14. Although not shown, a suitable notch can also be provided in the template for securing an initial winding 6′ of the ribbon.

The template 14 can exhibit either or both a flexible (e.g. bendable) and/or foldable till plastic body and in order to be manipulated between the sewing machine and the operator.

The template, according to one non-limiting embodiment, can exhibit an overall length by example of forty inches by seven inches in width. As described previously, the slot can further include a one inch width to permit a sewing machine presser foot to fit into the slot, thereby attaching the stabilizer to the material being wound and can extend thirty six inches along the middle of the template interior and across the three bendable/hingedly interconnecting sections, thereby creating one yard of fringe at a time.

The yarn or ribbon is then progressively wound in the fashion described herein (and may further be double wound in instances where it is desired to achieve a particularly thick fringe trim). At this point, the template with attached yarn/ribbon is placed under the presser foot of the sewing machine (in one non-limiting variant) between which is the stabilizer and lie exposed surface of the cross wound decorative material. The decorative material is then sectioned in the manner illustrated (such as by incising with scissors) and in order to remove the completed fringe article and which exhibits a particularly thick pattern (owing to the windings extending along both opposite faces of the template in effect “doubling up” the number of individual fringes extending from the stabilizer).

A method for creating and applying a decorative fringe includes the steps of providing an elongate and substantially planar shaped template exhibiting at least one widthwise extending hinge such that a first template sub-section is foldable relative to a second template sub-section and forming a linear extending slot within an interior of the template. Additional steps include winding a flexible and elongate decorative material in successively wrapped fashion around the template in side-by-side contacting and length progressing fashion and further such that the decorative material is caused to overlay the slot, aligning a stabilizer with the slot and applying there-along by sewing to fasten to the decorative material, and sectioning the successive wraps of material for removal from the template.

Additional method steps include applying the decorative fringe to an existing article, forming a notch in the template for securing thereto an initial winding associated with the decorative material, and forming first and second spaced apart hinges for establishing first, second and third foldable template subsections.

Having described my invention, other additional embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims:

Claims

1. An article for creating a custom decorative fringe, comprising:

a template having a flexible construction with first and second elongate extending sides and first and second interconnecting ends, a linear extending slot defined within an interior of said template such that a flexible and elongate decorative material successively wrapped around said sides of said template in length progressing fashion is caused to overlay the slot; and

a stabilizer aligned with the slot and applying there-along to fasten to the decorative material, the successive wraps of material are sectioned along said template sides to remove the finished item from said template and to permit subsequent application to an existing article.

2. The article as described in claim 1, said stabilizer further comprising at least one of a hem tape, bias tape, ribbon or strip of fabric.

3. The article as described in claim 1, said template further comprising a substantially planar and elongate rectangular shaped article.

4. The article as described hi claim 3, said template further comprising at least one widthwise extending hinge for permitting a first template sub-section to be folded relative to a second template sub-section.

5. The article as described in claim 4, said template further comprising first and second spaced apart hinges for establishing first, second and third foldable template subsections.

6. The article as described in claim 1, farther comprising a notch formed in said template along at least one side location for engaging an initial winding of the decorative material.

7. The article as described in claim 1, said template exhibiting a specified shape and size and being constructed of a flexible plastic.

8. The article as described in claim 1, said linear extending slot extending a substantial interior length of said template.

9. The article as described in claim 1, said stabilizer further comprising an elongate strip of fabric sewn to the wound decorative material.

10. The article as described in claim 1, said template having a specified shape and size, the decorative article further including at least one of a yarn or a ribbon.

11. A kit assembly for creating a custom decorative fringe, comprising:

an elongate and substantially planar shaped template exhibiting at least one widthwise extending hinge such that a first template sub-section is foldable relative to a second template sub-section;

a linear extending slot defined within an interior of said template such that a flexible and elongate decorative material successively wrapped around sides of said template in side-by-side contacting and length progressing fashion is caused to overlay the slot; and

a stabilizer aligned with the slot and applying there-along to fasten to the decorative material, the successive wraps of material subsequently being sectioned for removal of the finished item from said template and to permit subsequent application to an existing article.

12. The assembly as described in claim 11, said stabilizer further comprising at least one of a hem tape, bias tape, ribbon or an elongate strip of fabric sewn to the wound decorative material.

13. The assembly as described in claim 11, said template further comprising first and second spaced apart hinges for establishing first, second and third foldable template subsections.

14. The article as described in claim 11, further comprising a notch formed in said template along at least one side location for engaging an initial winding of the decorative material.

15. The article as described in claim 11, said template exhibiting a specified shape and size and being constructed of a flexible plastic.

16. The article as described in claim 11, said linear extending slot extending a substantial interior length of said template.

17. A method for creating and applying a decorative fringe, comprising the steps of:

providing an elongate and substantially planar shaped template exhibiting at least one widthwise extending hinge such that a first template sub-section is foldable relative to a second template sub-section;

forming a linear extending slot within an interior of the template;

winding a flexible and elongate decorative material in successively wrapped fashion around the template in side-by-side contacting and length progressing fashion and further such that the decorative material is caused to overlay the slot;

aligning a stabilizer with the slot and applying there-along to fasten to the decorative material; and

sectioning the successive wraps of material for removal from the template.

18. The method as described in claim 17, further comprising the step of applying said decorative fringe to an existing article.

19. The method as described in claim 17, further comprising the step of forming a notch in the template for securing thereto an initial winding associated with the decorative material.

20. The method as described in claim 17, further comprising the step of forming first and second spaced apart hinges for establishing first, second and third foldable template subsections.