Pattern loom for elastic bands

Abstract

A kit for forming an item from threads and beads. The kit includes a loom with a first part and a slider for holding a thread therebetween. The slider is movable to adjust a distance from the first part. A tray is supported within a base between the slider and the first part. The tray provides for storage of beads when creating an item and for threading beads onto ends of thread.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for forming a predefined shape from closed loop elastic bands, the kit comprising:
 a plurality of closed loop elastic bands; and   a loom comprising:
 a base comprising a front end, a rear end, a first side, a second side; and 
 a plurality of pins extending from the base, each of the plurality of pins include an outward extending flange for holding elastic bands during creation of a link and a slot that extends through the outwardly extending flange, wherein the plurality of pins are arranged on the base according to a predefined pattern that mimics a figure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pins are arranged to include at least two columns that extend parallel to a longitudinal length of the base that include a different number of pins. 
     
     
         3 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pins includes a first spacing between at least two of the plurality of pins and a second spacing between at least two pins of the plurality of pins that is different than the first spacing. 
     
     
         4 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pins are arranged according to at least two different patterns. 
     
     
         5 . The kit as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of pins in each of the at least two patterns are arranged in a different spacial relationship to each other to form different shapes. 
     
     
         6 . The kit as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the different spatial relationships include at least one of a triangular pattern, a rectangular pattern, and an irregularly shaped pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The kit as recited in  claim 4 , wherein that at least two different patterns comprise at least a first pattern that includes a first spacing between some of the plurality of pins and a second pattern that includes a second spacing between others of the plurality of pins that is different than the first spacing. 
     
     
         8 . The kit as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the at least two patterns include at least a first pattern that comprises at least two of the plurality of pins all with the slots facing in a common direction corresponding to a longitudinal length of the base. 
     
     
         9 . The kit as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the at least two patterns include a second pattern that comprises at least one of the plurality of pins with a slot facing at an angle relative to the longitudinal length of the base. 
     
     
         10 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pins are arranged on the base such that at least two of the plurality of pins include slots that face in different directions. 
     
     
         11 . The kit as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the slot on one of the at least two pins faces in a direction parallel to the longitudinal length of the base and the slot of the other of the two pins faces in a direction different than the direction parallel to the longitudinal length. 
     
     
         12 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base and the plurality of pins comprise a one-piece integral part. 
     
     
         13 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of pins are separately inserted into the base and some of the plurality of pins are integral to the base. 
     
     
         14 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one insert for assembly to an item formed from elastic bands on the loom. 
     
     
         15 . The kit as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a hook tool for manipulating elastic bands arranged across the plurality of pins for forming a link. 
     
     
         16 . A loom for forming a predefined shape from closed loop elastic bands, the loom comprising:
 a base including a top surface and a curvilinear periphery; and   a plurality of pins extending from the base, each of the plurality of pins including an outwardly extending top flange and a slot extending through the outwardly extending top flange, wherein the plurality of pins are arranged on the base according to at least one of a first pattern having a first orientation between a first group of the plurality of pins and a second pattern having a second orientation between a second group of the plurality of pins that is different than the first spacing.   
     
     
         17 . The loom as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the first pattern comprises pins all with the slots facing in a common direction corresponding to a longitudinal length of the base and the second pattern comprises pins with at least two pins that include the slots facing at an angle relative to the longitudinal length of the base. 
     
     
         18 . The loom as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the first orientation comprises a first spacing and the second orientation comprises a second spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of pins is greater than the first spacing. 
     
     
         19 . The loom as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of pins are arranged in a plurality of columns extending in a direction corresponding to a longitudinal length of the base and at least one of the plurality of columns include more of the plurality of pins than another of the plurality of columns. 
     
     
         20 . The loom as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the base and the plurality of pins are formed as a single integrated part. 
     
     
         21 . A kit for creating a figurine from closed loop elastic bands, the kit comprising:
 a plurality of closed loop elastic bands;   a loom including a plurality of pins each including an outwardly extending top flange and a slot extending through the outwardly extending top flange, wherein the plurality of pins are arranged to define at least two different paths for linking closed loop elastic bands together to define a portion of a figurine.   
     
     
         22 . The kit as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the slot for each of the pins in each of the at least two different paths face in a direction corresponding with a direction of a corresponding one of each of the at least two paths. 
     
     
         23 . The kit as recited in  claim 21 , wherein one of the at least two paths extend in a direction parallel with a longitudinal length of the loom and a second one of the at least two paths includes a portion that extends in a direction transvers to the longitudinal length. 
     
     
         24 . The kit as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the loom further comprises a base with a curvilinear outer periphery and at least some of the plurality of pins are aligned with the curvilinear outer periphery. 
     
     
         25 . The kit as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the curvilinear outer periphery includes a first curvilinear portion that is different than a second curvilinear portion to define portions of the figurine. 
     
     
         26 . The kit as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising an accessory item that is insertable into a plurality of links formed from the plurality of closed loop elastic bands.