Interconnected strings of beads

Abstract

Articles fabricated from prefabricated strings of beads. The strings of beads are joined perpendicularly by applying pressure such that the cords cross and remain crossed due to the tension in the cords. The strings of beads are thus assembled into a mesh or fabric, two such fabrics being optionally interleaved to form a denser fabric; the strings are also assembled into items so as to fit a person's body or cover some other article. The strings of beads are also formed into loops, and formed into fringes to further adorn the articles. Many colors and styles of strings of beads are assembled, both singly and in combination, and designs are incorporated into the articles, producing multiple appearances. A great variety of articles are produced, including all manner of clothing, flags, bags, containers, novelties, wraps, etc.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A bead article comprising: 
 a plurality of prefabricated strings of beads, wherein each said prefabricated string of beads is joined to at least one of the other said prefabricated strings of beads;    wherein each join in said prefabricated strings of beads is effected by pressing an adjacent pair of beads on a first prefabricated strings of beads perpendicularly across an adjacent pair of beads on a second prefabricated strings of beads until the first prefabricated strings of beads and the second prefabricated strings of beads snap together;    whereby joining said plurality of prefabricated strings of beads forms a useful or decorative structure.    
     
     
         2 . The bead article of  claim 1 , wherein said prefabricated strings of beads are interconnected in a mesh two beads or more apart, whereby said prefabricated strings of beads form an open fabric.  
     
     
         3 . The bead article of  claim 1 , wherein a first prefabricated strings of beads mesh is interwoven with a second prefabricated strings of beads mesh, whereby said prefabricated strings of beads form a dense fabric.  
     
     
         4 . The bead article of  claim 1 , wherein said prefabricated strings of beads are interconnected so as to conform to the shape of a part of a person, whereby said prefabricated strings of beads form a garment.  
     
     
         5 . The bead article forming a garment of  claim 4 , wherein said prefabricated strings of beads are interconnected so as to form a seamless garment.  
     
     
         6 . The bead article forming a garment of  claim 4 , wherein a plurality of said prefabricated strings of beads extend from the body of said garment, whereby said plurality of strings provide straps for said garment.  
     
     
         7 . The bead article of  claim 4 , wherein a plurality of said prefabricated strings of beads extend from the body of said garment, whereby said plurality of strings provide a decorative fringe for said garment.  
     
     
         8 . The bead article of  claim 4 , wherein a plurality of said prefabricated strings of beads reenter the body of said garment in a perpendicular or parallel manner, whereby said plurality of strings provide decorative or functional loops for said garment.  
     
     
         9 . The bead article of  claim 1 , further including additional prefabricated strings of beads are joined onto the article, whereby said additional strings ornament said bead article.  
     
     
         10 . A bead garment comprising: 
 a plurality of prefabricated strings of beads, wherein each said prefabricated string of beads is joined to at least one of the other said prefabricated strings of beads;    wherein each join in said prefabricated strings of beads is effected by pressing an adjacent pair of beads on the first string perpendicularly across an adjacent pair of beads on the second string until the strings snap together;    whereby joining said prefabricated strings of beads forms a decorative article of clothing.    
     
     
         11 . The bead garment of  claim 10 , wherein said prefabricated strings of beads are interconnected in whole or part, in a mesh two beads or more apart, whereby said prefabricated strings of beads render said bead garment semi-transparent.  
     
     
         12 . The bead garment of  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of sets of said prefabricated strings of beads are interconnected in interwoven meshes two beads apart, whereby said prefabricated strings of beads render said bead garment wholly or partially opaque.  
     
     
         13 . The bead garment of  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of said prefabricated strings of beads extend from the body of said bead garment, whereby said plurality of strings provide straps for said bead garment.  
     
     
         14 . The bead garment of  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of said prefabricated strings of beads extend from the body of said bead garment, whereby said plurality of strings provide a decorative fringe for said bead garment.  
     
     
         15 . The bead garment of  claim 10 , further including additional prefabricated strings of beads joined onto said bead garment, whereby said additional prefabricated strings of beads ornament said bead garment.  
     
     
         16 . The bead garment of  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of said prefabricated strings of beads reenter the body of said garment in a perpendicular or parallel manner, whereby said plurality of strings provide decorative or functional loops for said garment.  
     
     
         17 . A method for joining a plurality of prefabricated strings of beads comprising the steps of: 
 (a) placing a first prefabricated string of beads perpendicularly across a second prefabricated string of beads, such that the gap between a pair of adjacent beads on the first prefabricated strings of beads is juxtaposed with the gap between a pair of adjacent beads on the second prefabricated strings of beads;    (b) applying pressure on the said adjacent pairs of beads until the strings snap together;    (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until a bead article with a desired structure has been formed.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the said prefabricated sets of beads are joined into an interconnected mesh, with the interconnections two or more beads apart, such that meshes are interwoven so as to form a loosely formed fabric.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein two distinct sets of said prefabricated sets of beads are each alternately joined into an interconnected mesh, with the interconnections two beads apart, such that meshes are interwoven so as to form a tightly formed fabric.