GB2219972A

GB2219972A - Making decorative bows

Info

Publication number: GB2219972A
Application number: GB8815302A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chun Ping Law; Mee Chun Law
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-06-28
Filing date: 1988-06-28
Publication date: 1989-12-28
Also published as: GB8815302D0

Abstract

"A means for making a decorative bow of the kind specified comprising at least one elongate tension element 11 anchored at one end of a flexible elongate member 10 and restrained, at spaced positions longitudinally of said member, from movement away from the elongate member 10 in a direction transverse to the length thereof whilst movement of the tension element 11 relative to said member in their longitudinal directions is permitted whereby applying a tension force to the tension element to cause relative longitudinal movement between the tension element member and the elongate member at a location spaced from said one ends causes the one ends of the tension element and elongate member to move towards said location thereby forming element in the elongate member between each position of restraint. The distance between the positions increases in the direction away from said one end of the or each elongate member throughout the length of the or each elongate member." Collars C1-8 may be provided as restraints. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Decorative Bow.

Description of Invention This invention relates to a decorative bow, hereinafter referred to the kind specified, comprising a plurality of loops of elongate flexible material which radiate from a central region. The invention also relates to a means for and to a method of making a bow of the kind specified.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved bow of the kind specified and means for and a method of making a bow of the kind specified.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a means for making a decorative bow of the kind specified comprising an elongate tension element anchored at one end to one end of a flexible elongate member and restrained, at spaced positions longitudinally of said member, from movement away from the elongate member in a direction transverse to the length thereof whilst movement of the tension element relative to said member in their longitudinal directions is permitted whereby applying a tension force to the tension element to cause relative longitudinal movement between the tension element member and the elongate member at a location spaced from said one ends causes the one ends of the tension element and elongate member to move towards said location thereby forming loops in the elongate member between each position of restraint.

A second flexible elongate member may be disposed in side by side relationship with the first member, the tension element being restrained, at spaced positions longitudinally of the said second elongate member from movement away from the second elongate member in a direction transverse to the length thereof whilst movement of the tension element longitudinally relative to said second elongate member in their longitudinal directions is permitted whereby application of a tension force to the tension element to cause relative longitudinal movement between the tension member and the elongate members at a location spaced from the one ends of the tension member and elongate members causes the one ends of the elongate members to move towards said location thereby forming loops in each elongate member between each position of restraint.

Two tension elements in side by side relationship may be provided.

The distance between said positions may vary over at least a part of the length of the or each elongate member.

Preferably the distance between said positions increases in the direction away from said one end of the or each elongate member and preferably throughout the length of the or each elongate member.

The or each elongate member may comprise a strip having in each of said positions a pair of generally opposite "openings", as hereindefined, in the strip to provide a reduced width neck portion which is embraced by a collar which also embraces the or each tension element to provide said retainment of the or each tension element relative to the or each elongate member.

In this specification the term "opening" is used to refer generically to a recess in the generally parallel edges of the strip as well as to an aperture formed in the strip.

Accordingly, the openings may comprise a pair of generally opposite recesses in the generally parallel edges of the strip to provide said reduced width neck portion between the adjacent edges of the recesses.

Alternatively, the openings may comprise a pair of generally opposite apertures in the strip to provide said reduced width neck portion between the adjacent edges of the apertures.

The recesses may be of truncated triangular shape or alternatively they may be of part circular or other configuration.

The apertures may be oval, circular or of other configuration.

Where two strips are provided the openings in each strip may be longitudinally aligned.

At each of said positions one opening adjacent one edge of the strip may be slightly longitudinally offset relative to the other recess adjacent the opposite edge of the strip.

The openings of each pair at each of said positions may be longitudinally offset in opposite directions at each successive one of said positions longitudinally of the strip or strips so that the longitudinal axis of the neck portions are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the or each strip in opposite directions at successive ones of said positions and the collars are thereby constrained to be similarly alternately orientated.

Alternatively, at each of said positions, one opening adjacent one edge of the strip may be longitudinally aligned relative to the other opening adjacent the opposite edge of the strip, so that the longitudinal axis of the neck portions are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the or each strip at successive ones of said positions, and the collars are thereby constrained reorientated perpendicular to said axis of the or each strip.

The collars may comprise discs having an aperture through which the or each neck portion and the or each tension element extends.

Alternatively, the collars may comprise a ring of circular or other cross-section and the ring may be made of metal.

The aperture may be non-circular so as to prevent rotation of the collar relative to the or each elongate member.

The aperture may be of such width as to retain the elongate members closely adjacent each other-in side by side relationship when two elongate members are provided and to retain the or each tension element between the elongate members.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; FIGURE I is a plan view of a means for making a decorative bow embodying the invention, FIGURE 2 shows the means of Figure 1 at an intermediate stage in making a decorative bow, FIGURE 3 shows a completed bow made using the means of Figure I, FIGURE 4 is a plan view of another means of making a decorative bow embodying the invention, FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing part of a further means for making a decorative bow embodying the invention, and FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing part of a yet further means of making a decorative bow embodying the invention.

The means of Figure I comprises a pair of elongate flexible members only one of which is shown in Figure I and a pair of tension elements I 1.

The elongate members 10 comprise a strip of suitable flexible material such as paper ribbon or the like and, in the present example, is provided with two metalised gold bands 12 for decoration.

The strips may be made of any suitable material and provided with any suitable decoration.

In the present example, the two strips are made from a single length of material bent double about one end 13. The length of material has a plurality of part circular recesses 14, 15 in the parallel opposite edges 16, 17 respectively of the strips.

The recesses 14, 15 are arranged so as to be disposed at spaced positions, Pl - P9 along the length of the strips and the pair of recesses 14, 15 in each strip at each position Pl - P8 are arranged so that the recess 14 is longitudinally off set from the associated recess 15 so that a reduced width neck portion Nl - N8 between the recesses has a central axis which is inclined in opposite directions to the central longitudinal axis of the strips at each successive position PI - P8 lengthwise of the strip. A collar Cl - C9, embraces the neck portions NI - N8 of each strip at the positions P I - P8 and because of the different inclination of the neck portions NI - N8 the collars Cl - C8 are likewise orientated at opposite angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the strips.Each collar Cl - C8 comprises a plastic disc and has a central aperture 16 16 in the form of an elongate slot of such dimensions as to just receive the associated neck portion NI - N8 therebetween. A radially extending slot 17 permits feeding of the neck portions into the aperture 16.

At the end 13 the strips 10 are joined together, in the present example, as a result of being formed integrally with each other in a single length of material which is bent through 360 at the end 13. There are provided recesses 18, 19 which, at this position P9, are longitudinally aligned. A collar C9 identical to the collars Cl - C8 embraces the resultant neck portion N9.

The tension elements II are made of a single length of narrower strip material which may be of the same nature or different nature as the strips 10 and the tension elements I I are disposed between the elongate members 10 so as to poss through the aperture 16 of each collar Cl - C9.

In use, referring now to Figure 2, the collar CI at a location furthest from the one end 13 is for example, grasped between the thumb and first finger of a user whilst the elongate tension elements II are grasped in the users other hand. The tension elements 11 are then pulled to move the end thereof engaged with the collar C9 towards the collar CI and thus pull the end 13 of the elongate members 10 towards the collar Cl. As shown in Figure 2, this has the effect of causing the elongate members 10 to form a loop 20 between adjacent positions P 1 -P9 whereat the collars Cl -C9 are disposed.This is because the collars Cl-C9 restrain the tension elements 11 from movement transversely away from the elongate members 10 whilst permitting relative movement therebetween in the longitudinal direction.

When the tension elements 11 have been pulled sufficiently far to bring the one end 13 thereof as close as possible to the collar Cl the decorative bow is completed as shown in Figure 3. The tension element II con then be either used to tie the bow in position or a knot tied in them to secure the bow and the tails cut off and the bow used as desired.

If desired other means for retaining the tension elements from transverse movement relative to the eleongate members whilst permitting longitudinal movement therebetween may be provided and the elongate elements may be of other configuration than described hereinbefore and indeed the elongate members may comprise a strand of any suitable cross-section so long as appropriate means for restraining the tension elements are provided. Furthermore, a single tension element may be provided between the elongate members anchored by approriate means to the one end 13 thereof. If desired a single elongate element may be provided.

If desired, and as is preferred, the means shown in Figure I may have the positions P l-P9 disposed along a length of the strips so that the distance between said positions increases from the position P9 towards the position P 1. When such a means is formed into a decorative bow, then a more realistic flower is simulated because of the above mentioned decrease in the size of the loops away from the base of the flower.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the recesses 14, 15 are arranged so that the recess 14 is longitudinally aligned relative to the associated recess 15 so that the reduced width neck portion N I -N9 between the adjacent recesses has a central axis which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strips in each successive position Pl-P9 lengthwise in the strip. The collars Cl-C8 which embrace the neck portions Nl-N8 of each strip of the positions PlP8 are thus orientated so as to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strips.Although in Figure 4 the recesses 14, 15 are of truncated triangular shape with the truncated apex of the triangles defining the adjacent sides of the recesses, if desired, the recesses may be of other configuration, so long as the recesses 14, 15 of each pair are longitudinally aligned and of a configuration to maintain the collars perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strips.

At the position P9 in this embodiment no collar is provided, the tension elements being knotted to the next portion N9. If desired, a collar may be provided at this position in this embodiment as in the previously described embodiment, or the tension element may be knotted at this position in all embodiments.

In other respects, the means shown in Figure 4 is as described in connection with Figure I and the same reference numerals have been used in Figure 4 as are used in Figures I to 3 which refer to corresponding parts.

Referring now to figure 5, where there is shown part of a means which may have the positions P l-P9 equally spaced or variably spaced as described hereinbefore in connection with Figures I to 3 and Figure 4 respectively. The means in Figure 5 is the same as described in connection with the preceding figures except that the openings for the collars Cl-C8 comprise apertures 20, 21 formed in the strips. The apertures 20, 21 are disposed so as to be longitudinally offset in opposite directions at adjacent positions so that the collars may be alternatively inclined as in the Figure I - 3 embodiment. In other respects the means shown in Figure 5 is as the previously described embodiments.

Figure 6 shows a modification of the means shown in Figure 5 in which the apertures 20, 21 of each pair of apertures in each position P I -P8 are longitudinally aligned so that the collars CI-C8 are maintained perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the strips.

If desired, particularly in the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6, instead of the collars Cl-C8 and C9 if provided, comprising plastic discs, each collar may comprise a ring which is preferably of circular cross-section but can be of other cross-section and is preferably made of metal and is split to permit engagement of the ring with the strips.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawing, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a metal or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A means for making a decorative bow of the kind specified comprising at least one elongate tension element anchored at one end to one end of a flexible elongate member and restrained, at spaced positions longitudinally of said member, from movement away from the elongate member in a direction transverse to the length thereof whilst movement of the tension element relative to said member in their longitudinal directions is permitted whereby applying a tension force to the tension element to cause relative longitudinal movement between the tension element member and the elongate member at a location spaced from said one ends causes the one ends of the tension element and elongate member to move towards said location thereby forming loops in the elongate member between each position of restraint.

2. A means according to Claim I wherein the distance between said positions varies over at least a part of the length of the or each elongate member.

3. A means according to Claim 2 wherein the distance between said positions increases in the direction away from said one end of the or each elongate member.

4. A means according to Claim 3 wherein said distance increases throughout the length of the or each elongate member.

5. A means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each elongate member comprises a strip having in each of said positions a pair of generally opposite "openings", as hereindefined, in the strip to provide a reduced width neck portion which is embraced by a collar which also embraces the or each tension element to provide said retainment of the or each tension element relative to the or each elongate member.

6. A means according to Claim 5 wherein the openings comprise a pair of generally opposite recesses in the generally parallel edges of the strip to provide said reduced width neck portion between the adjacent edges of the recesses.

7. A means according to Claim 5 wherein the openings comprise a pair of generally opposite apertures in the strip to provide said reduced width neck portion between the adjacent edges of the apertures.

8. A means according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the recesses are of truncated triangular shape.

9. A means according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the recesses are of part circular configuration.

10. A means according to Claim 5 or Claim 7 wherein the apertures are of oval or circular configuration.

II. A means according to any one of Claims 5 to 10 wherein the means comprises two strips and the openings in each strip are longitudinally aligned.

12. A means according to any one of Claims 5 to 11 wherein at each of said positions one opening adjacent one edge of the or each strip is slightly longitudinally offset relative to the other recess adjacent the opposite edge of the or each strip.

13. A means according to Claim 12 wherein the openings of each pair at each of said positions are longitudinally offset in opposite directions at each successive one of said positions longitudinally of the strip or strips so that the longitudinal axis of the neck portions are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the or each strip in opposite directions at successive ones of said positions and the collars are thereby constrained to be similarly alternately orientated.

14. A means according to any one of Claims 5 to II wherein at each of said positions, one opening adjacent one edge of the or each strip is longitudinally aligned relative to the other opening adjacent the opposite edge of the or each strip, so that the longitudinal axis of the neck portions are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the or each strip at successive ones of said positions, and the collars are thereby constrained reorientated perpendicular to said axis of the or each strip.

15. A means according to any one of Claims 5 to 14 wherein the collars comprise discs having an aperture through which the or each neck portion and the or each tension element extends.

16. A means according to any one of Claims 5 to 14 wherein the collars each comprise a ring of circular or other shape.

17. A means according to Claim 16 wherein the ring is made of metal.

18. A means according to Claim 15 or Claim 16 or Claim 17 when dependent on Claim 15 wherein the aperture or ring shape is non-circular so as to prevent rotation of the collar relative to the or each elongate member.

19. A means according to Claim 15 or any one of Claims 16 to 18 when dependent on Claim 15 wherein the aperture or ring shape is of such width as to retain the elongate members closely adjacent each other in side by side relationship when two elongate members are provided and to retain the or each tension element between the elongate members.

20. A means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a second flexible elongate member is disposed in side by side relationship with the first member, the tension element being restrained, at said spaced positions from movement away from the second elongate member in a direction transverse to the length thereof whilst movement of the tension element longitudinally relative to said second elongate member in their longitudinal directions is permitted whereby application of a tension force to the tension element to cause relative longitudinal movement between the tension member and the elongate members at a location spaced from the one ends of the tension member and elongate members causes the one ends of the elongate members to move towards said location thereby forming loops in each elongate member between each position of restraint.

21. A means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein two tension elements in side by side relationship are provided.

22. A means for making a decorative bow substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures I to 3, or Figure 4, or Figure 5, or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

23. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.