Friendship bracelet loom assembly

Abstract

A loom assembly includes a base including a storage area and a track, a first part disposed on one side of the base and a slider mounted to the track and spaced apart from the first part. The slider is movable along the track to set a distance between the first part. Each of the slider and the first part include features for holding multiple threads in place for the creation of beaded bracelets. The slider part further includes a top assembly including fingers that are disposed within slots to hold thread or string in place when forming a beaded or threaded item. The fingers are biased against an inner surface of a corresponding slot such that a thread placed within the slot is held between a finger and the wall of the slot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A loom assembly for creating a beaded bracelet, the loom comprising:
 a base including a storage area and a track;   a first part disposed on one side of the base; and   a slider adjustably mounted to the track and spaced apart from the first part, wherein the slider includes a top assembly including a plurality of fingers disposed within a corresponding plurality of slots, each of the plurality of fingers are biased against an inner surface of a corresponding one of slots such that an elongated member inserted into one of the slots is held in place between the finger and the inner surface.   
     
     
         2 . The loom assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a tray configured to fit within the storage area, tray including interior dividing walls with at least one slot configured to aid in assembly of a bead to an elongated member. 
     
     
         3 . The loom assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the tray includes peripheral walls spaced apart by corner openings, wherein a bottom surface of the tray inclines upward at each of the corner openings. 
     
     
         4 . The loom assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first part and the slider part includes a central groove open to a top side, the central groove narrowing in a direction away from the top side. 
     
     
         5 . The loom assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first part and the slider part includes flanges disposed above a first opening, the first opening including a tab extending along a bottom surface and a stopper is configured for assembly between the flanges and the tab for holding elongated members within the first opening. 
     
     
         6 . The loom assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the front part includes a round slot on one side of the central groove and an upper hook on a second side of the central groove. 
     
     
         7 . The loom assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the track includes a plurality of grooves and the slider part includes a tab configured to be received in a selected one of the plurality of grooves to hold the slider part a desired distance from the first part. 
     
     
         8 . The loom assembly as recited in  claim 7 , further including a stopper that is configured to fit between the slider part and the track for holding the slider part in a desired position on the track. 
     
     
         9 . The loom assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first part, the base and the slider are separate parts. 
     
     
         10 . The loom assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first part and the base are a single integral part. 
     
     
         11 . A kit for creating a bracelet comprising:
 a plurality of beads;   a quantity of thread; and   a loom assembly comprising a base including a storage area and a track;
 a first part disposed on one side of the base; and 
 a slider adjustably mounted to the track and spaced apart from the first part, wherein the slider includes a top assembly including a plurality of fingers disposed within a corresponding plurality of slots, each of the plurality of fingers are biased against an inner surface of a corresponding one of slots such that an elongated member inserted into one of the slots is held in place between the finger and the inner surface. 
   
     
     
         12 . The kit as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a tray configured to fit within the storage area, tray including interior dividing walls with at least one slot configured to aid in assembly of a bead to an elongated member. 
     
     
         13 . The kit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the tray includes peripheral walls spaced apart by corner openings, wherein a bottom surface of the tray inclines upward at each of the corner openings. 
     
     
         14 . The kit as recited in  claim 11 , wherein each of the first part and the slider include a central groove open to a top side, the central groove narrowing in a direction away from the top side. 
     
     
         15 . The kit as recited in  claim 14 , wherein each of the first part and the slider include flanges disposed above a first opening, the first opening including a tab extending along a bottom surface and a stopper is configured for assembly between the flanges and the tab for holding elongated members within the first opening. 
     
     
         16 . The kit as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the front part includes a round slot on one side of the central groove and an upper hook on a second side of the central groove. 
     
     
         17 . The kit as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the track includes a plurality of grooves and the slider includes a tab configured to be received in a selected one of the plurality of grooves to hold the slider a desired distance from the first part, and the loom assembly further comprises a stopper that is configured to fit between the slider and the track for holding the slider part in a desired position on the track. 
     
     
         18 . A method of creating a jewelry item, the method comprising:
 securing end portions of at least one thread between a first part and a slider, wherein at least one of the end portions is secured between a biasing finger and an inner surface of a slot defined on one of the first part and the slider; and   sliding at least one bead onto the at least one thread by inserting an end of the at least one thread through a bead and forcing the bead against a wall of a tray while inserting the end of the thread through an assembly slot in the wall; and   securing the bead onto the at least thread member.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , including attaching additional beads to the at least one thread by forcing a bead against a wall of the tray and extending an end through a slot in the wall. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , including defining a spacing between the first part and the slider part by securing the first part to a base and the slider part to a track, wherein the spacing is adjusted by moving the slider part along the track.