Brunnian link making device and kit

Abstract

A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. The example kit provides for the successful creation of unique wearable articles using Brunnian link assembly techniques and includes several pin bars that are supported in a desired special orientation by at least one base. The desired special orientation is dependent on the desired linked configuration of the completed article. The pins may be assembled in various combination and orientations to provide endless variation of completed link orientations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for creating an item with a series of elastic bands, the device comprising:
 at least two pins where at least one elastic band is stretched across and held to facilitate securement to another elastic band, each of the at least two pins include:
 a flanged top that extends about most of a circumference of a corresponding one of the at least two pins that prevents errant release of an elastic band during the creation of a link between at least two elastic bands; 
 a mid-portion where the at least one elastic band is initially placed during creation of the link; 
 a bottom portion that is flared radially outward from the mid portion to prevent the at least one elastic band from slipping downwardly away from the mid portion; and 
 a longitudinal groove that extends radially inward toward a center of each of the at least two pins and longitudinally through the bottom portion, the mid portion and the flanged top. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mid portion has a width that is less than both a width of the flanged top and a width of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         3 . The device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the flanged top expands radially outward to an outer edge that is greater than the width of the mid portion and is rounded. 
     
     
         4 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two pins are identically sized. 
     
     
         5 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two pins are part of an integral structure. 
     
     
         6 . A kit for creating an item with a series of elastic bands, the device comprising:
 a plurality of elastic bands;   a device for holding at least some of the elastic bands during creation of a link between at least two of the plurality of elastic bands, the device including at least two pins where at least one elastic band is stretched across and held to facilitate securement to another elastic band, each of the at least two pins include:
 a flanged top that extends about most of a circumference of a corresponding one of the at least two pins that prevents errant release of an elastic band during the creation of a link between at least two elastic bands; 
 a mid portion where the at least one elastic band is initially placed during creation of the link; 
 a bottom portion that is flared radially outward from the mid portion to prevent the at least one elastic band from slipping downwardly away from the mid portion; and 
 a longitudinal groove that extends radially inward toward a center of each of the at least two pins and longitudinally through the bottom portion, the mid portion and the flanged top; and 
   at least one connector configured to attach to at least one end of a series of links formed from at least some of the plurality of elastic bands.   
     
     
         7 . The kit as recited in  claim 6 , further including a hook for use in manipulating elastic bands during creation of a link. 
     
     
         8 . The kit as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the mid portion has a width that is less than both a width of the flanged top and a width of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         9 . The kit as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the flanged top expands radially outward to an outer edge that is greater than the width of the mid portion and is rounded. 
     
     
         10 . The kit as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the at least two pins are part of an integral structure. 
     
     
         11 . A kit for creating an item with a series of elastic bands, the device comprising:
 a plurality of elastic bands;   a device for holding at least some of the elastic bands during creation of a link between at least two of the plurality of elastic bands, the device including at least two pins where at least one elastic band is stretched across and held to facilitate securement to another elastic band, each of the at least two pins include:
 a top portion configured to prevent errant release of an elastic band during the creation of a link between at least two elastic bands; 
 a mid portion configured to have a width that is less than the top portion where an elastic band is initially located for creation of the link; 
 a bottom portion that configured to have a width that is greater than the mid portion to prevent the at least one elastic band from slipping downwardly away from the mid portion; and 
 a longitudinal groove positioned longitudinally through the bottom portion, the mid portion and the top portion; and 
   at least one connector configured to attach to at least one end of a series of links formed from at least some of the plurality of elastic bands.   
     
     
         12 . The kit as recited in  claim 11 , further including a hook for use in manipulating elastic bands during creation of a link. 
     
     
         13 . The kit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the mid portion has a width that is less than both a width of the top portion and a width of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         14 . The kit as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the at least two pins are part of an integral structure. 
     
     
         15 . The kit as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the link between each of the at least two of the plurality of elastic bands is a Brunnian link formed by capturing ends of one elastic band with a mid-portion of another elastic band.