KUMIHIMO BRAIDING STAND

Abstract

A kumihimo braiding stand is provided. The stand includes a base formed to support the stand in an upright position. The present invention includes at least one dowel having a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end is secured to the base. A support ring includes a substantially flat upper surface. The lower surface of the support ring secures to the top end of the dowel. The support ring includes a circular outer edge and a circular inner edge forming an opening within. The opening is positioned to align with an opening of a kumihimo braiding disc. The present invention further includes a connector operable to releasably connect the kumihimo braiding disc to the upper surface of the support ring.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/990,489, filed May 8, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to braiding and, more particularly, to a kumihimo braiding stand.

Kumihimo is a Japanese form of braid-making. Cords and ribbons are made by interlacing strands. A braiding disc is a disc with a slotted edge that aids in the creation of the kumihimo braids. The kumihimo braiding cords get tangled when the braiding disk is laid down onto a tabletop. Marudai are used to aid with braiding. However, traditional marudai are not portable and do not retain the braiding disks.

As can be seen, there is a need for a portable elevated support used to aid in the preparation of kumihimo bracelets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a kumihimo braiding stand comprises: a substantially flat base formed to support the stand in an upright position; at least one dowel comprising a bottom end and a top end, wherein the bottom end is secured to the base; a support ring comprising a substantially flat upper surface and a lower surface secured to the at least one dowel, wherein the support ring comprises an inner edge forming an opening positioned to align with an opening of a kumihimo braiding disc; and a connector operable to releasably connect the kumihimo braiding disc to the upper surface of the support ring.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective detail view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective detail view of the present invention illustrating the connector of the cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a portable stand that holds kumihimo braiding disks and tools. The present invention is compact and portable. The present invention provides a place for the kumihimo braiding disk to rest, keeping the braiding cords untangled, as well as allowing the user to interchange braiding disks. The present invention also provides storage for tools and supplies and may include a built-in ruler along an edge of the base for easy measuring.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention includes a kumihimo braiding stand. The stand includes a base 10 formed to support the stand in an upright position. The present invention includes at least one dowel 14 having a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end is secured to the base 10. A support ring 12 includes a substantially flat upper surface. The lower surface of the support ring 12 secures to the top end of the dowel 14. The support ring 12 includes a circular outer edge and a circular inner edge forming an opening within. The opening is position to align with an opening of a kumihimo braiding disc 24. The present invention further includes a connector 26, 30 operable to releasably connect the kumihimo braiding disc 24 to the upper surface of the support ring 12.

The base 10 of the present invention may include a substantially flat bottom and a substantially flat top. The flat bottom may rest on a surface to support the stand in the upright position. The base 10 may be rectangular in shape so that a portion of the upper surface secures the support ring 12 and another portion of the upper surface may secure additional accessories. In certain embodiments, the base 10 may include a foam sheet 20 attached to the bottom surface. The foam sheet 20 prevents scratching and scuffing of both the stand and any surface the stand is resting on. Further, the foam sheet 20 prevents the stand from sliding on the surface.

In certain embodiments, a plurality of dowels 14, such as four dowels 14, may secure the supporting ring 12 to the base 10. The supporting ring 12 may include apertures 38 to receive the top ends of the dowels 14 and the base 10 may include apertures 36 to receive the bottom ends of the dowels 14. The dowels 14 may be standard wooden dowels that are secured on the base 10 in a vertical position. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a separate dowel 16 to hold accessories. In such embodiments, the separate dowel 16 is secured to the base 10 at a separate portion from the support ring 12, and is thereby separate from the support ring 12. A user may place and stack bobbins 32 onto the separate dowel 16.

The support ring 12 of the present invention may include a diameter slightly less than a standard kumihimo braiding disc 24. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a circular foam sheet 22. The foam sheet 22 may be secured to an upper surface of the support ring 12. In such embodiments, the connector 26, 30 is operable to releasably connect the kumihimo braiding disc 24 to the foam sheet 22. In certain embodiments, the connector 26, 30 may include hook fasteners 26 secured to the foam sheet 22 and loop fasteners 30 connected to the kumihimo braiding disc 24 or vice versa. However, the connector 26, 30 is not limited to a hook and loop fastener, and may include any connector 26, 30 operable to releasably secure the disc 24 to the foam sheet 22.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may further include a cup 18 connected to the upper surface of the base 10. The cup 18 may be used to house tools 34 within. In certain embodiments, the cup 18 is releasably attachable to the upper surface of the base 10. For example, the cup 18 may include a hook fastener 40 and the base 10 may include a loop fastener 28 or vice versa. The cup 18 may thereby releasably connect with the upper surface of the base 10.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. Using a power drill and a 2″ cut-out drill bit, drill out a 2″ hole in the center of the 5″ wooden circle. Drill four ¼″ deep holes with the power drill and 3/16″ paddle bit, spaced evenly into the underside of the 5″ wooden circle. Then drill four ¼″ deep holes with the power drill and 3/16″ paddle drill bit at one end of the wooden rectangle corresponding to the location of the four holes drilled into the 5″ wooden circle. The four 7½″ wooden dowels are glued into the pre-drilled holes in the wooden rectangle base and into the wood circle with wood glue to create the elevated circle on which to mount the braiding disk. Use the level to square up the wooden circle with the wooden rectangle base. Drill another ¼″ deep hole into the rectangle base in the lower right corner at 1″ in from both edges with the power drill and 3/16″ drill bit. Using the wood glue, glue the 6″ wooden dowel into the rectangular base to attach a dowel to hold the braiding bobbins. Use the level to square up this peg. Let the wood glue dry for 24 hours. Apply the golden oak wood stain to all wooden surfaces. Allow the stain to dry 2-3 hours. Glue the rectangular foam sheet with wood glue onto the bottom of the base. Glue the 5″ foam circle onto the top of the wooden circle with the wood glue. Peel the backs off the four heavy duty 1″ self-stick Velcro® rounds and place onto the foam covered wooden circle top at the four compass points. Peel the backs off both sides of the 2″ self-stick Velcro square and attach it to the wooden rectangle base and the bottom of the plastic container. The final step is to glue the 9″ tape measure to one of the 9″×⅜″ sides of the wooden rectangle using the wood glue.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. Tools and supplies can be immediately stored in the circular plastic container. The braiding bobbins can be stored on the single wooden dowel. The present invention produces kumihimo braids that can be made into bracelets, necklaces, earrings, lanyards, dog collars, headbands and any number of other round and flat braided items.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A kumihimo braiding stand comprising:

a base formed to support the stand in an upright position;

at least one dowel comprising a bottom end and a top end, wherein the bottom end is secured to the base;

a support ring comprising an upper surface and a lower surface secured to the at least one dowel, wherein the support ring comprises an inner edge forming an opening positioned to align with an opening of a kumihimo braiding disc; and

a connector operable to releasably connect the kumihimo braiding disc to the upper surface of the support ring.

2. The kumihimo braiding stand of claim 1, further comprising a foam sheet attached to the upper surface of the support ring, wherein the connector is operable to releasably connect the kumihimo braiding disc to the foam sheet.

3. The kumihimo braiding stand of claim 2, wherein the connector comprises a hook and loop fastener.

4. The kumihimo braiding stand of claim 1, further comprising a cup connected to an upper surface of the base.

5. The kumihimo braiding stand of claim 4, wherein the cup is releasably connected to the upper surface by a hook and loop fastener.

6. The kumihimo braiding stand of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of dowels securing the support ring to the base.

7. The kumihimo braiding stand of claim 1, further comprising a separate dowel secured to the base and separate from the support ring.

8. The kumihimo braiding stand of claim 1, further comprising a foam sheet attached to a bottom surface of the base.