DECORATIVE KNOT SEQUENCE AND METHOD FOR ITS FORMATION
A method is provided for tying a continuous sequence of substantially identical overhand knots from a single piece of material. The sequence of knots is useful in the art of clothing design, accessory ornamentation, and decorative design, but may also be used for other aesthetic purposes.
This application relates to the field of tying knots. In particular, the application relates to the formation of decorative knots for use primarily in artistic designs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere is a considerable interest in forming knots from lace, line, string, rope, cable, ribbon, fabric, or any other kind of material known in the art of knot tying. While it is well known that knots can be used to bind and secure objects, knots are also often used in the artistic design of decorating clothing, small personal belongings, house interiors, and the like.
Knots have long been used in the clothing industry, the accessory industry, and decorative design. The kinds of knots used in these applications range from the structural to the ornamental, and in some cases, a knot can be both structural and ornamental (e.g., buttons). Ornamental knots, unlike structural knots, must be pleasing to the eye. There needs to be, therefore, a method of unvaryingly and efficiently tying a sequence of substantially identical knots. Efficiently tying substantially identical knots is particularly useful when the knots are to be arranged in a continuous matter or in close proximity. Using conventional knot-tying methods, however, can make this task quite daunting.
One advantage of the current invention is using the aforementioned principles in combination with a newly discovered knot-creating technique that enables the user to form a continuous, uniform sequence of knots from a single piece of material, such as fabric.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for tying a continuous sequence of substantially identical knots. The sequence of knots is useful in the art of clothing design, accessory ornamentation, and decorative design, but may also be used for other aesthetic purposes.
The term “designer” as used herein refers to a person or persons, as the case may be, who devises and/or executes designs related to knots, clothes, or other works in which knots may be used, whether alone or in one or more groups, whether in the same or various places, and whether at the same time or at various different times.
In certain embodiments, the knot may be constructed from a ribbon-like length of fabric. The ribbon-like length may be prepared from any type of fabric known in the art (e.g., acetate, acrylic, cotton, linen, nylon, polyester, rayon, silk, satin, velvet, denim, felt, flannel, microfiber, etc.).
In certain embodiments, the first step in the formation of the ribbon-like length of material is to fold over the end, or edge, of a piece of material as illustrated in
In the depicted embodiment of
In certain embodiments, an adhesive may be used between the layers or the folds to ensure that the ribbon-like length 400 does not unfold before, during, or after preparation. The adhesive or similar material may also be used to prevent the edges of the material from fraying.
In certain embodiments, the folding width in
Once the first overhand knot 408 is formed, the process, as seen in
In general, the embodiments described herein use fabric in the knot-tying process. However, it is entirely possible to apply the process of tying a continuous, uniform sequence of knots to other applications which involve flexible materials other than fabric. For example, in jewelry making, a designer could choose to use metal ribbon, strips or the like when making the metal equivalent of the ribbon-like fabric length 400. The final product could be used in a plurality of applications, including the fabrication of necklaces, rings, or bracelets, or it could be used merely as ornamentation.
Although various embodiments have been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these embodiments are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed, many other embodiments, modifications, and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
Claims
1. A sequence of knots, comprising:
- a single ribbon-like length of material having a working end and a standing part, wherein the single ribbon-like length is formed by folding a planar material one or more times; and
- a plurality of knots in physical contact with one another wherein each knot is tied by (1) forming a first loop element, defined by a cross-under area between the working end surface and the standing part surface of the ribbon-like length made responsive to one another, (2) penetrating said first loop with the working end and (3) adjusting the knot tightly against the standing part.
2. The sequence according to claim 1, wherein the material is acetate, acrylic, cotton, linen, nylon, polyester, rayon, silk, satin, velvet, denim, felt, flannel or microfiber.
3. The sequence according to claim 1, wherein the material is a metal or metal alloy.
4. A method of producing a sequence of knots, comprising the steps of:
- (1) providing a single ribbon-like length of material having a working end and a standing part, wherein the single ribbon-like length is formed by folding a planar material one or more times
- (2) holding the standing part in one hand and the working part in opposite hand;
- (3) passing the working end of the knot material underneath the standing part from right to left thereby forming an underhand loop wherein a cross-under area is formed where both parts of the knot material cross;
- (4) feeding the working end through the underhand loop;
- (5) pulling the working end while securing the standing part;
- (6) adjusting the knot tightly against the standing part;
- (7) repeating the method at step 2, wherein the newly formed knot becomes part of the standing part.
5. The sequence according to claim 4, wherein the material is acetate, acrylic, cotton, linen, nylon, polyester, rayon, silk, satin, velvet, denim, felt, flannel or microfiber.
6. The sequence according to claim 4, wherein the material is a metal or metal alloy.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 17, 2009
Publication Date: May 19, 2011
Inventor: CHARLOTTE KAPLAN (Wilmette, IL)
Application Number: 12/619,939
International Classification: D04G 5/00 (20060101); B65H 69/04 (20060101);