Device for weaving a linked item and a pack of pliable material for use in weaving the linked item

Abstract

A portable device for weaving an item from a pliable member. The device includes a support frame defining a weaving area and having upper and lower surfaces, and a holder positionable on the support frame, adjacent the weaving area, and accessible from at least the upper surface of the support frame for releasably holding the pliable member across the weaving area. The holder includes first and second releasable holding members. The first and second holding members are spaced apart by the weaving area for holding the pliable member across the weaving area. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a pack of pliable material for weaving an item including at least two pliable members interconnected by a web.

1 . A portable device for weaving an item from a pliable member, comprising:
 a support frame defining a weaving area and having upper and lower surfaces, and   a holder positionable on the support frame, adjacent the weaving area, and accessible from at least the upper surface of the support frame for releasably holding the pliable member across the weaving area, wherein
 the holder includes first and second holding members that are releasable, and 
 the first and second holding members are spaced apart by the weaving area for holding the pliable member across the weaving area. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the first holding member is located on the upper surface of the support frame, and   the second holding member extends across the upper and lower surfaces.   
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of the support frame includes releasable attachment means for releasably attaching the support frame on a support surface. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the weaving area comprises an aperture that extends through the upper and lower surfaces of the support frame. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein
 the support frame comprises upper and lower frame parts,   each of the upper and lower frame parts has a through hole, upon assembling the upper and lower frame parts to form the support frame, and   the through holes align to form the aperture.   
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first holding member comprises a projection with a periphery over which the pliable member passes. 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the first holding member includes a retainer for retaining the pliable member on the periphery of the projection. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein
 the retainer is moveable between open and closed positions, and   the projection includes a free end closeable by the retainer and which is moved to the closed position to retain the pliable member on the periphery of the projection.   
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the retainer is resiliently biased toward the closed position. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second holding member comprises a gripper with first and second gripping members which are moveable, relatively, between open and closed positions. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first and second gripping members, at the closed position, are spaced apart by a gap which increases in magnitude when the first and second gripping members move to the open position. 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first and second gripping members are resiliently biased toward the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first and second gripping members are resiliently biased toward the closed position by inherent resilience of the first gripping member and are movable to the open position by deformation of the first gripping member. 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein
 the first and second holding members are located at opposite end portions of the support frame, which defines a first axis, and   the first and second gripping members of the second holding member are movable between the open and closed positions along a second axis which is transverse to the first axis.   
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein
 the first gripping member is situated in a seat restricting positioning of the first gripping member, and   the seat is located in a part of the support frame.   
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first gripping member has an L-shape. 
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the L-shape includes a free end for engaging a surface of the second gripping member. 
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein
 the first gripping member is situated in a seat restricting positioning of the first gripping member, and   the free end of the L-shaped formation extends beyond a side of the seat for engaging the surface of the second gripping member.   
     
     
         19 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the second holding member includes at least first and second grippers. 
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein
 the first and second gripping members are situated in respective seats in the support frame,   a part of the first gripping member extends beyond a side of the seat in which the first gripping member is situated, and   the second gripping member comprises a side of the seat in which the first gripping member is situated.   
     
     
         21 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first and second gripping members are situated in an upper part of the support frame. 
     
     
         22 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the releasable attachment means comprises a suction cup. 
     
     
         23 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support frame provides a handgrip. 
     
     
         24 . A pack of pliable members for use with the device as claimed in  claim 1  for weaving an item comprising at least two pliable members interconnected by a web. 
     
     
         25 . The pack as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the web is breakable by a shearing force separating two pliable members from one another. 
     
     
         26 . The pack as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the web integrally includes the at least two pliable members. 
     
     
         27 . The pack as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the pliable members and the web are shaped by one-step moulding. 
     
     
         28 . The pack as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the item is elastic.