Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title of the Invention
BEADS CONNECTING TOY AND BEADS CONNECTING METHOD
BACKGROUND of THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001]
The present invention relates to a beads connecting toy
which can be played with by making a beaded toy which is decorated
with a number of beads which are connected together and a beads
connecting method for connecting the beads.
Description of the Related Art
[0002]
Conventionally, there have been proposed toys with which
a beaded toy such as a bracelet or an accessory can be made by
beading a number of beads. For example, a beading apparatus
disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI)
No. 2003-213552 includes four held portions which are provided
on a beading shaft, holding devices which hold individually the
four held portions and a catching portion which is provided
below a lowermost held portion to catch a thread. The holding
devices include pairs of holding members which are provided
individually for the four held portions to hold the
corresponding held portions. These pairs of holding members
are opened and closed by a drive device.
[0003]
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When the beading apparatus configured as described above
is actuated, beads are put on the beading shaft from a beads
storage portion where a large number of beads are stored. Then,
the beads are guided along the beading shaft to be moved
sequentially from the upper held portion to the lower held
portion in association with opening and closing operations of
the holding members. Then, a bead at the lowermost held portion
is put on a thread which is caught by the catching portion when
the holding members at the lowermost held portion are opened.
In this way, a beaded toy can be made in which a large number
of beads are connected together.
[0004]
On the other hand, bracelets called wrap bracelets are
popular as accessories for adults in recent years. The wrap
bracelets are such that a large number of beads are disposed
between two strands which make up a base, so that the two base
strands and the beads are brought into engagement with each
other. The two base strands and the beads are engaged by passing
strands, which bring the base strands and the beads into
engagement, through holes in the beads which are arranged to
be oriented sideways so as to be at right angles to the two base
strands while wrapping the strands around the two base strands.
[0005]
Normally, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication (KOKAI) No. 2003-213552, a toy for making a beaded
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toy such as an accessory by connecting beads together cannot
provide much variety because beads are disposed simply in series
and a thread is only passed through the beads. Consequently,
a player is only allowed to enjoy a variety of designs of the
beaded toy made by changing arrangements of beads of many colors
or attaching a decorative thing to a retainer to which the thread
is fastened.
[0006]
Although children desire to make and wear copies of
accessories made for adults, wrap bracelets for adults are
complex in interweaving threads to bring beads into engagement
with two base strands, and it is difficult to apply how to weave
the threads as it stands to beaded toys for children.
SUMMARY OF THE IVENTION
[0007]
The invention provides a beads connecting method by which
even children can make a bracelet which is a copy of a wrap
bracelet for adults with a certain degree of difficulty which
is appropriate to children and a beads connecting toy which can
execute easily the beads connecting method.
[0008]
A beads connecting toy according to the invention has a
connecting toy main body which makes up a base for fabricating
a beaded toy which is based on a strand set member which has
a strand set locking portion formed at one end side and at the
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other end side thereof a beading strand on which a large number
of beads are put, two base strands and an engaging strand which
interweaves the beading strand, the two base strands and the
beads together for engagement, a one-end-side locking portion
which is provided at one end side of the connecting toy main
body and where the strand set locking portion is locked in place
and an other-end-side locking portion which is provided at the
other end side of the connecting toy main body and where the
two base strands and the beading strand are locked in place.
[0009]
The one-end-side locking portion where the strand set
locking portion which is formed into a ring-like shape is locked
is formed into a hook-like shape, and the other-end-side locking
portion is made up of base strand vertical grooves which are
each formed into a vertical groove shape at two locations so
that the other end sides of the two base strands are respectively
locked thereat and a beading strand vertical groove which is
formed into a vertical groove shape between the base strand
vertical grooves so that the other end side of the beading strand
is locked thereat.
[0010]
Part of a partition wall between each of the base strand
vertical grooves and the beading strand vertical groove is
formed so as to rotate freely about a vertical direction of each
of the vertical grooves as a rotation axis.
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[0011]
The connecting toy main body is formed into an elongated
shape and has at least an upper surface, an abutment projecting
portion is provide on the upper surface of the connecting toy
main body so as to project from the upper surface, and an upper
surface of the other end portion of the connecting toy main body
where the other-end-side locking portion is provided is formed
above the upper surface of the connecting toy main body.
[0012]
A catch hole portion where a pillar-shaped projection of
a catch which catches hold of the base strands, the beading
strand and the engaging strand is loosely fitted is provided
in the upper surface of the connecting toy main body which lies
between the abutment projecting portion and the other end
portion of the connecting toy main body.
[0013]
The connecting toy main body has dividing portions which
are formed in a width direction at two or more locations, and
an engaging portion at one of the dividing portions is formed
so as to be brought into engagement with an engaging portion
at the other of the dividing portions.
[0014]
A beads connecting method includes the following steps:
preparing a strand set member having a beading strand
on which beads are put, two base strands and an engaging strand
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which interweaves the beading strand, the two base strands and
the beads together for engagement and making up a base for a
beaded toy;
putting the beads on the beading strand;
positioning the beading strand on which the beads are put
between the two base strands; and
folding the engaging strand so as to wrap around one of
the base strands from a front side to a rear side, then causing
the engaging strand to pass a front side of the beading strand,
then folding the engaging strand so as to wrap around the other
of the base strands from a rear side to a front side, and then
causing the engaging strand to pass a rear side of the beading
strand to thereby interweave the two base strands, the beading
strand and the beads together for engagement.
[0015]
The preparation of the strand set member includes the
following steps:
making a knot on a rubber strand in a position lying near
a center between end portions thereof to form a ring-shaped
portion and making two strand-like portions, each of which has
the end portion, constitute the two base strands;
making a knot on a cord in a position lying closer to either
of end portions to form a ring-shaped portion and making a
shorter strand-like portion of the two strand-like portions,
each of which has the end portion, constitute the beading strand
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while making a longer strand-like portion of the two strand-like
portions constitute the engaging strand;
causing the ring-shaped portion on the cord to pass
through the ring-shaped portion on the rubber strand so as to
position the ring-shaped portion on the cord between the two
base strands; and
causing the beading strand and the engaging strand to pass
through the ring-shaped portion on the cord so as to make up
the strand set member.
[0016]
According to the beads connecting toy of the invention,
in fabricating the beaded toy which is based on the strand set
member having the two base strands, the beading strand and the
engaging strand, the strand set locking portion at the one end
of the strand set member can be locked by the one-end-side
locking portion of the connecting toy main body, while the other
end of the strand set member can be locked by the other-end-side
locking portion of the connecting toy. main body. Consequently,
in performing the interweaving and engaging work by the engaging
strand after the large number of beads are put on the beading
strand, the strand set member is stretched with an appropriate
degree of tension, and therefore, the interweaving and engaging
work is made easy to be performed.
[0017]
Consequently, children can fabricate the beaded toy,
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which copies the wrap bracelet for adults which takes the form
in which the large number of beads which are put on the beading
strand are brought into engagement with the two base strands,
with a certain degree of difficulty appropriate to children by
themselves. Thus, they can enjoy fabricating the beaded toy.
[0018]
The one-end-side locking portion of the connecting toy
main body is formed into the hook-like shape, and the strand
set locking portion which is locked by the one-end-side locking
portion is formed into the ring-like shape. The other-end-side
locking portion where the two base strands and the beading
strand are individually locked are formed into the vertical
groove-like shape. By adopting this configuration, the strand
set locking portion can be locked by the one-end-side locking
portion only by hooking it to the one-end-side locking portion,
and the two base strands and the beading strand can be locked
in such a way that they are fitted in the corresponding vertical
grooves in the other-end-side locking portion. Consequently,
the strand set member can easily be locked on the connecting
toy main body of the beads connecting toy.
[0019]
The part of the partition wall between each of the base
strand vertical grooves and the beading strand vertical groove
is formed so as to rotate freely about the vertical direction
of each of the vertical grooves as the rotation axis. By
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adopting this configuration, even in the event that for example,
the two base strands and the beading strand are formed by the
rubber strand and the cord which are different in diameter and
that the base strands are fitted in the base strand vertical
grooves while the cord is fitted in the beading strand vertical
groove, the strands and the cord can be locked in an ensured
fashion irrespective of the fact that they are different in
diameter.
[0020]
The connecting toy main body has at least the upper surface,
the abutment projection is provided on the upper surface of the
connecting toy main body, and the upper surface of the portion
where the other-end-side locking portion is provided is formed
above the upper surface of the connecting toy main body.
Consequently, the strand set member which is locked on the
connecting toy main body is brought into abutment with the upper
surface of the portion where the abutment projecting portion
and the other-end-side locking portion are provided, and
therefore, the base and engaging strands are locked on the
connecting toy main body in such a state that the base and
engaging strands are raised slightly upwards from the upper
surface of the connecting toy main body. Consequently, the
interweaving and engaging work by the engaging strand can be
performed more easily, whereby the player can enjoy the
interweaving work more easily.
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[0021]
The catch hole portion where the pillar-shaped projection
of the catch which catches hold of the base strands, the beading
strand and the engaging strand is loosely fitted is provided
in the upper surface of the connecting toy main body. By
adopting this configuration, in catching hold of the base,
beading and engaging strands by the use of the catch after the
completion of interweaving by the engaging strand, the catch
can be prevented from being moved easily by inserting the
pillar-shaped projection of the catch into the catch hole
portion. Consequently, the catching work of the base, beading
and engaging strands is made easy, whereby the player can enjoy
the fabrication of the beaded toy more.
[0022]
The dividing portions are formed in the width direction
at two more locations in the connecting toy main body, and
therefore, the connecting toy main body can be divided into at
least three or more portions. Consequently, in storing the
beads connecting toy, the beads connecting toy can be made
compact in a neat fashion for storage. Further, the connecting
toy main body is formed so that one divided portion of the
connecting toy main body can be brought into engagement with
the other divided portions thereof, and therefore, the length
of the connecting toy main body can be changed. Consequently,
beaded toys of various lengths can be fabricated, and therefore,
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it is possible to fabricate various beaded toys such as a
necklace, a bracelet and the like.
[0023]
The beads connecting method is such that the engaging
strand is interweaved with the two base strands and the beading
strand from the front side to the rear side or vice versa in
an alternate fashion for engagement. Consequently, according
to this beads connecting method, children can fabricate the
beaded toy which copies a wrap bracelet while enjoying the
interweaving with a certain degree of difficulty which is
appropriate to children. Further, generally marketed beads
can be used without using specifically shaped beads, and
therefore, the player can enjoy the fabrication of the beaded
toy simply and easily by devising the arrangement of colored
beads.
[0024]
The strand set member is prepared by the combination of
the rubber strand and the cord. Consequently, the strand set
member can be formed by the use of generally marketed rubber
stings and cords, and therefore, children can fabricate beaded
toys simply and easily.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025]
Fig. 1 is an overall external view of a decorated toy
according to an embodiment of the invention.
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Fig. 2 is an overall external view of a strand set member
according to the embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a beads connecting toy
according to the embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the beads
connecting toy according to the embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a third main
body portion of the beads connecting toy according to the
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a catch of the
decorated toy according to the embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 7A, 7B show inner surfaces of the catch of the
decorated toy according to the embodiment of the invention, and
Fig. 7A shows an inner surface of a cover member and Fig. 7B
shows an inner surface of a catch main body.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the beads connecting toy according
to the embodiment of the invention with the strand set member
mounted on the beads connecting toy.
Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a one end side position of
the beads connecting toy according to the embodiment of the
invention so as to illustrate how interweaving is performed in
the beads connecting toy.
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a middle position and an other
end side position of the beads connecting toy according to the
embodiment of the invention so as to illustrate how interweaving
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is performed in the beads connecting toy.
Fig. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which a catch
main body is mounted on the beads connecting toy according to
the embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a side surface of the beads
connecting toy according to the embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be
described based on the drawings. Fig. 1 is an external view
of a bracelet 10 which is a beaded toy to be fabricated by a
beads connecting toy according to the invention. Fig. 2 is an
overall view of a strand set member 20 which makes up a base
for the bracelet 10. The bracelet 10 is formed by bringing a
large number of beads 30 into engagement with the strand set
member 20. The strand set member 20 includes two base strands
21, a beading strand 22 and an engaging strand 23. The beads
30 are put on the beading strand 22. The two base strands 21,
the beading strand 22 and the beads 30 are interweaved together
for engagement by the engaging strand 23. A ring-shaped strand
set locking portion 24 is formed at one end side (an upper end
side in Figs. 1 and 2) of the strand set member 20.
[0027]
Specifically speaking, the two base strands 21 of the
strand set member 20 and the ring-shaped strand set locking
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portion 24 are formed from one rubber strand. This rubber
strand has a substantially circular cross section and is
generally marketed. Further, the beading strand 22 and the
engaging strand 23 of the strand set member 20 is formed from
a cord, which is also generally marketed. A fabrication method
of the strand set member 20 will be described later.
[0028]
A catch 40 is provided at the other end side (a lower end
side in Fig. 1) of the bracelet 10, and end portions of the four
strands are caught hold of by the catch 40. A hexagonal
pillar-shaped projection 43 is formed on the catch 40 so as to
project therefrom. A heart-shaped decorative member 46 can be
attached to the pillar-shaped projection 43. In attaching the
decorative member 46 to the pillar-shaped projection 43, the
pillar-shaped projection 43 is inserted into a hole portion 46a
formed in the decorative member 46 through press fitting, or
an adhesive being applied to bond the decorative member 46 to
the pillar-shaped projection 43, whereby the decorative member
46 is fixed to the catch 40.
[0029]
The bracelet 10 is formed so as to have an overall length
of the order of 30 cm. In wearing the bracelet 10 on the wrist,
the ring-shaped strand set locking portion 24 is locked on the
decorative member 46 which is fixed to the catch 40 so as to
form the bracelet 10 into a ring-like shape. Then, the bracelet
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which is now formed into the ring-like shape is twisted once
to be formed into a double ring having a diameter of the order
of 5 cm, whereby the resulting bracelet 10 in the form of the
double ring can suitably be worn on the wrist of a child.
[0030]
Next, a beads connecting toy 50 will be described. This
beads connecting toy 50 makes up a base for fabrication of the
bracelet 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the beads connecting toy 50
is formed into an elongated shape and has a connecting toy main
body 51 which makes up a base for fabrication of the bracelet
10. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the connecting toy main body
51 can be divided into three portions of a first main body portion
52, a second main body portion 53 and a third main body portion
54 at dividing portions 56, 57 which are formed in a width
direction. In the connecting toy main body 51 which is divided
into the three portions, an overall length of the first main
body portion 52 which is situated at one end side (an upper side
in Figs. 3 and 4) is the longest, and overall lengths of the
second main body portion 53 and the third main body portion 54
which are situated at the other end side (a lower side in Figs.
3 and 4) become shorter in that order.
[0031]
The first main body portion 52, the second main body
portion 53 and the third main body portion 54 are connected
together through sliding engagement at the dividing portions
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56, 57. Namely, a T-shaped groove portion 52a which is a
T-shaped groove when seen from a left or right side surface is
provided on an end surface at the other end side of the first
main body portion 52 so as to extend in the width direction.
Then, a T-shaped slide engaging projection 53b when seen from
the left or right side surface is formed on an end face at one
end side of the second main body portion 53 so as to be brought
into slide engagement with the T-shaped groove portion 52. When
the slide engaging projection 53b of the second main body 53
is brought into slide engagement with the groove of the T-shaped
groove portion 52a, the slide engaging projection 53b is slid
until it is brought into abutment with a restricting wall 52a1
which is formed at a terminating end portion of the T-shaped
groove portion 52a.
[0032]
Similarly, a T-shaped groove portion 53a is formed at an
end face at the other end side of the second main body portion
53, and a T-shaped slide engaging projection 54a is formed on
an end face at the other end side of the third main body portion
54. Then, a restricting wall 53a1 is formed at a terminating
end portion of the T-shaped groove portion 53. When the first
main body portion 52, the second main body portion 53 and the
third main body portion 54 which are formed in the way described
above are brought into slide engagement with one another, as
shown in Fig. 3, respective upper surfaces 52d, 53d, 54d of the
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first main body portion 52, the second main body portion 53 and
the fourth main body portion 54 are formed into an upper surface
which makes up a single plane via an abutment projecting portion
54f, which will be described later, and longitudinal side
surfaces are each formed into a continuous plane.
[0033]
A one-end-side locking portion 52c is provided on the
upper surface of the first main body portion 52 of the connecting
toy main body 51 at one end side thereof. The one-end-side
locking portion 52c is formed of two hook-like projections which
are aligned parallel to each other in a width direction of the
first main body portion 52, and the two hook-like projections
are formed, in turn, of vertical portions 52c1 which rise from
the upper surface of the first main body portion 52 and
horizontal portions 52c2 which extend horizontally in a
one-end-side direction.
[0034]
An other-end-side locking portion 54c is provided at the
other end side of the third main body portion 54 of the connecting
toy main body 51. The other-end-side locking portion is formed
of three vertical grooves. Left and right vertical grooves are
formed as base strand vertical grooves 54c1, and a vertical
groove lying between the base strand vertical grooves 54c1 is
formed as a beading strand vertical groove 54c2. The beading
strand vertical groove 54c2 is formed narrower in width than
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the base strand vertical grooves 54c1.
[0035]
The upper surface of the third main body portion 54 which
is situated near the other end thereof is made into an upper
surface 54e at the other end portion or other-end-portion upper
surface 54e. The other-end-portion upper surface 54e is
positioned above an upper surface 54d of the third main body
portion 54 and the respective upper surfaces 52d, 53d of the
first main body portion 52 and the second main body portion 53.
The abutment projecting portion 54f is formed on the upper
surface 54d at one end side of the third main body portion 54,
and this abutment projecting portion 54f extends in a width
direction of the third main body portion 54 from the upper
surface 54d at one end side of the third main body portion 54
so as to project into a wall-like shape. The other-end-portion
upper surface 54e and an upper surface of the abutment
projecting portion 54f are formed to have the same height from
the upper surface 54d of the third main body portion 54. Then,
a catch hole portion 54g is provided in the upper surface of
the third main body portion 54 in a position lying between the
abutment projecting portion 54f and the other-end-portion
locking portion 54c, and the pillar-shaped projection 43 of the
catch 40 is inserted into the catch hole portion 54g so provided.
[0036]
Here, the third main body portion 54 will be described
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in greater detail by reference to Fig. 5. The third main body
portion 54 is made up of a third main body portion main body
154 on which the upper surface 54d is formed, a fixing plate
155 and movable partition walls 156. The fixing plate 155 is
fixed to a lower surface of the other end portion 154h of the
third main body portion main body 154 which is formed into a
undercut portion when seen from a side. The fixing plate 155
is fixed to the lower surface of the other end portion 154h by
screwing screws 55 into corresponding screw holes, not shown,
which are formed in the lower surface of the other end portion
154h via hole portions 155a which are provided at two locations
on the fixing plate 155.
[0037]
The two movable partition walls 156 are provided between
the lower surface of the other end portion 154h and the fixing
plate 155 in such a way as to be held by the lower surface of
the other end portion 154h and the fixing plate therebetween.
The movable partition walls 156 are each formed into a vertical
plate-like shape, and a boss 156b is formed on each of upper
and lower surfaces of a proximal portion 156a of each of the
movable partition walls 156 so as to project into a cylindrical
shape therefrom. Then, lower bosses 156b are inserted
individually in two lower boss support holes 155b which are
provided in the fixing plate 155 so as to rotate therein. On
the other hand, upper bosses 156b are inserted individually in
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two upper boss support holes 154k which are formed in the
other-end-portion upper surface 54e of the third main body 154
in a position lying substantially in a center in the width
direction and near a wall portion which rises from the upper
surface 54d to the other-end-portion upper surface 54e so as
to rotate therein.
[0038]
In the partition walls 156, movable wall plates 156c
extend from the proximal portions 156a towards end portion sides.
These movable wall plates 156c form partition walls between the
base strand vertical grooves 54c1 and the beading strand
vertical groove 54c2 together with upper wall plates 154m of
the third main body portion main body 154 and lower wall plates
155c of the fixing plate 155. The movable wall plates 156c,
the upper wall plates 154m and the lower wall plates 155c have
the same width.
[0039]
The movable partition walls 156 are supported rotatably
by the upper boss support holes 154k and the lower boss support
holes 155b, and therefore, the movable partition walls 156 can
individually rotate freely about the bosses 156b as vertical
rotational shafts. Consequently, the partition walls between
the base strand vertical grooves 54c1 and the beading strand
vertical groove 54c2 are made up of the upper wall plates 154m,
the movable wall plates 156c and the lower wall plates 115c and
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the movable wall plates 156c which are part of the upper wall
plates 154m and the lower wall plates 155c are formed so as to
rotate freely about vertical directions in the vertical grooves
54c1, 54c2 as rotational axes.
[0040]
Further, projecting portions 156d are provided on side
surfaces of the movable plates 156c of the movable partition
walls 156 so as to project in a horizontal direction which is
at right angles to the vertical directions of the base strand
vertical grooves 54c1 and the beading strand vertical groove
54c2. Similarly, projecting portions 154d are provided on wall
portions of the base strand vertical grooves 54c1 which are
situated on the third main body portion main body 154. The
projecting portions 156d, 154d are provided so as to face each
other.
[0041]
In the fabrication process of the bracelet 10 (refer to
Fig 1), the base strands 21, the beading strand 22 and the
engaging strand 23 are locked in the base strand vertical
grooves 54c1 and the beading strand vertical groove 54c2.
Specifically speaking, the base strands 21 are locked
individually in the base strand vertical grooves 54c1 in a
one-in-one fashion. The beading strand 22 is locked in the
beading strand vertical groove 54c2 when the interweaving and
engaging work is performed by the engaging strand 23, and
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further, the engaging strand 23 is brought into engagement with
the beading strand vertical groove 54c2 when the interweaving
and engaging work by the engaging strand 23 is completed.
[0042]
When the strands are brought into engagement with the
corresponding vertical grooves, the widths of the vertical
grooves 54c1, 54c2 are automatically partially adjusted by the
movable wall plates 156c which are supported rotatably, and
therefore, the strands can be locked in an ensured fashion.
Further, the projecting portions 156d, 154d are allowed to bite
into the corresponding strands, and therefore, it is difficult
for the strands which are locked to be pulled out of the
corresponding vertical grooves in the vertical direction.
However, the strands can be pulled out of the corresponding
vertical grooves in the horizontal direction easily.
[0043]
Nest, the catch 40 will be described based on Figs. 6 and
7A, 7B. The catch 40 is made up of two components, which are
a cover member 41 which is an upper side component and a catch
main body 42 which is a lower side component in Fig. 6. The
pillar-shaped projection 43 projects from a lower surface of
the lower catch main body 42. The pillar-shaped projection 43
has a cross section which is outlined into a regular hexagon.
[0044]
Catch locking portions 41a are formed at both end portions
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of the cover member 41 in a width direction thereof (a
left-to-right direction in Fig. 6) so as to extend downwards
from an upper surface of the cover member 41. Locking hole
portions 41a1 are formed individually in the catch locking
portion 41a. On the other hand, locking projections 42a are
formed at both end portions of the catch main body 42 in a width
direction thereof. As a result of the locking projections 42a
being locked by the locking hole portions 4 lal , the cover member
41 is locked and fixed to the catch main body 42.
[0045]
As shown Fig. 7B, two large grooves 44 and a small groove
45 are provided on the catch main body 42. The two base strands
21 are inserted individually through the large grooves 44, and
the beading strand 22 and the engaging strand 23 are inserted
through the small groove 45. In Figs. 7A, 7B, an upper side
is a side where a large number of beads 30 are positioned.
[0046]
The large grooves 44 are formed to be bent in such a way
that a space between the large grooves 44 gets narrow as they
extend downwards so that a space between two base strands 21
gets narrower on a lower side than an upper side of Fig. 7B (in
other words, the space gets narrower as the base strands 21
extend towards their end portions). Two pins 44a are provided
so as to rise on each of the large grooves 44. Each pin 44a
has a circular conical shape, and a head portion of each pin
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44a is allowed to bite into the corresponding base strand 21.
[0047]
A wide rectangular recess portion 44b, which is wider than
the large groove 44, is formed between the two pins 44a of each
of the large grooves 44. The wide recess portions 4 4b are formed
so as to be inclined obliquely relative to the catch main body
42 so as to match the corresponding bent large grooves 44. On
the other hand, the small groove 45 is formed into a vertical
straight line in Fig. 7B. A wide recess portion 45a, having
the same shape as that of the wide recess portion 44b, is formed
at an upper side (in other words, a beads 30 side) of the small
groove 45.
[0048]
In Fig. 7A, on the cover member 41, wide projecting
portions 41b are provided on a lower surface (a surface shown
in Fig. 7A) of the cover member 41 in such a way as to correspond
to the wide recess portions 44b of the two large grooves 44.
The wide projecting portions 41b project from the lower surface
of the cover member 41 and are then inserted into the
corresponding wide recess portions 44b. In each of the wide
projecting portions 41b, a central portion is cut out, and a
fastening pin 41b1 is provided at the central portion so cut
out in such a way as to rise therefrom. As with the pins 44a
described above, the fastening pins 41b1 also each have a
circular conical shape and are formed so as to bite into the
24
= CA 02913340 2015-11-25
corresponding base strands 21.
[0049]
On the other hand, a wide projecting portion 41c is
provided on the lower surface (the surface shown in Fig. 7A)
of the cover member 41 in such a way as to correspond to the
wide recess portion 45a which is provided on the small groove
45. The wide projecting portion 41c projects from the lower
surface of the cover member 41 and is then inserted into the
wide recess portion 45a. The wide projecting portion 41c is
provided so as to rise from the lower surface of the cover member
41 in such a way as to straddle a reinforcement rig 41d which
is formed in a central portion of the cover member 41. Then,
a central portion of the wide projecting portion 41 is cut out.
[0050]
Next, a beads connecting method will be described by which
the bracelet 10 is fabricated by the use of the members that
have been described heretofore. Firstly, a strand set member
20 as shown in Fig. 2 is fabricated for preparation. In
fabricating the strand set member 20, a knot is made
substantially at a central portion of a rubber strand to form
a ring-shaped portion which is configured as the strand set
locking portion 24. Then, strand-like portions of the rubber
strand which results from making the knot at the central portion
of the rubber strand, extending from the central knot towards
respective end portions of the rubber strand constitute two base
= CA 02913340 2015-11-25
strands 21.
[0051]
Similarly, a knot is made on a cord to form a ring-shaped
portion 25. As this occurs, the knot is made on the cord in
such a position that one end side of the cord is shorter than
the other end side thereof. Of strand-like portions formed on
the one end side and the other end side of the cord as a result
of making the knot, a short strand-like portion constitutes a
beading strand 22, and a long strand-like portion constitutes
an engaging strand 23.
[0052]
Next, the ring-shaped portion 25 of the cord is passed
through the strand set locking portion 24 which is the
ring-shaped portion of the rubber strand, so that the
ring-shaped portion 25 is positioned between the two base
strands 21. Then, the beading strand 21 and the engaging strand
23 are passed through the ring-shaped portion 25. In this way,
the strand set member 20 is prepared. As this occurs, the length
of the beading strand 22 is made substantially the same as the
length of the base strands 21.
[0053]
Next, the strand set member 20 is set on the beads
connecting toy 50 so that a state shown in Fig. 8 is produced.
Specifically speaking, firstly, the strand set locking portion
24 is hooked on the one-end-side locking portion 52c so as to
26
CA 02913340 2015-11-25
be locked thereon. Then, the two base strands 21 are locked
individually in the two base strand vertical grooves 54c1. As
this occurs, the base strands 21 are locked in the base strand
vertical grooves 54c1 while the base strands 21 are stretched
with a slight tension so as not to deflect.
[0054]
After the strand set member 20 is set on the beads
connecting toy 50, a large number of preferred beads 30 are
sequentially put on the beading strand 22. The beads 30 are
put on the beading strand 22 full to the abutment projecting
portion 54f. As this occurs, it is preferable that a leading
bead 31 which is put first on the beading strand 22 and a bead
32 (refer to Fig. 1) which is put last on the beading strand
22 adopt a bead having a strand passage hole which is larger
in diameter than those of a large number of other beads 33. This
is because in interweaving and engaging work by the engaging
strand 23, which will be described later, in addition to the
beading strand 22, the engaging strand 23 is also inserted
through the strand passage holes of the leading bead 31 and the
bead 32 making the last of the series of beads.
[0055]
After the large number of beads 30 are completely put on
the beading strand 22, an end-portion side of the beading strand
22 is locked in the beading strand vertical groove 54c2 so that
the beading strand 22 on which the beads are put is positioned
27
= CA 02913340 2015-11-25
between the two base strands 21 (refer to Fig. 10). As this
occurs, the beading strand 22 is locked in the beading strand
vertical groove 54c2 while the beading strand 22 is stretched
with a slight tension so as not to deflect. Then, the beading
strand 22 on which the beads 30 are put on is brought into
abutment with the abutment projecting portion 54f and the
other-end-portion upper surface 54e. Because of this, the
beads 30 which are put on the beading strand 22 are slightly
raised upwards from the upper surface of the connecting toy main
body 51. This facilitates the interweaving of the two base
strands 21 with the beads 30 for engagement by the engaging
strand 23 in cooperation with the base strands 21 which are
locked while being stretched with a slight tension in such a
state that the base strands 21 are raised slightly upwards from
the upper surface of the connecting toy main body 51.
[0056]
Next, the engaging strand 23 performs interweaving and
engaging work. Firstly, the engaging strand 23 is passed
through the hole in the leading bead 31 once from one end side
(an upper side in Fig. 9) of the strand set member 20 so as to
produce a state shown in Fig. 9. Then, the engaging strand 23
which emerges from the hole at the other end side of the bead
31 is folded back to pass through the hole from one end side
of the bead 31 once again.
[0057]
28
CA 02913340 2015-11-25
In this way, the engaging strand 23 is wound around the
leading bead 31, whereby the bead 31 is prevented from moving
on the beading strand 22 to thereby be fixed in a predetermined
position. Then, an interweaving and engaging beading needle
60 is brought into engagement with a portion of the engaging
strand 23 which lies near an end portion thereof. The beading
needle 60 is a thin needle member which is formed into a curved
surface at a leading end thereof so as to facilitate the
interweaving and engaging work.
[0058]
In the interweaving and engaging work performed by the
engaging strand 23, as shown in Fig. 10, the engaging strand
23 is folded back so as to wrap around the base strand 21a from
a front side to a rear side, whereafter the engaging strand 23
is caused to pass a front side of the beading strand 22. Then,
the engaging strand 23 is folded back so as to wrap around the
other base strand 2 lb from a rear side to a front side, whereafter
the engaging strand 23 is caused to pass a rear side of the
beading strand 22, whereby the two base strands 21 and the beads
33 are interwoven and engaged together by the engaging strand
23. Namely, the engaging strand 23 which is folded back so as
to wrap around the base strand 21a from the front side to the
rear side is caused to pass the front side of the beading strand
22 in a position Si shown in Fig. 10. Then, the engaging strand
23 which is folded back so as to wrap around the other base strand
29
CA 02913340 2015-11-25
21b from the rear side to the front side is caused to pass the
rear side of the beading strand 22 as shown in a position S2.
[0059]
In performing the interweaving and engaging work in the
way described above, the upper surfaces 52d, 53d which are
formed long are formed on the connecting toy main body 51, and
therefore, the beading strand 22 on which the beads 30 are put
through is restricted from moving downwards, whereby the
beading strand 22 is prevented from falling more than required.
[0060]
In this way, the two base strands 21 and the large number
of beads 30 are interwoven and engaged with each other by the
engaging strand 23. Then, when the engaging strand 23 reaches
before the bead 32 at the terminating end, as shown in Fig. 10,
the engaging strand 23 is passed through the hole in the bead
32 at the terminating end from the one end side of the strand
set member 20. An end portion side of the engaging strand 23
which has passed through the hole in the bead 32 is brought into
engagement with the beading strand vertical groove 54c2.
[0061]
Next, a process of catching hold of the two base strands
21, the beading strand 22 and the engaging strand 23 by the catch
40 will be described. As shown in Fig. 11, with the end portion
side of the engaging strand 23 locked in the beading strand
vertical groove 54c2, the pillar-shaped projection 43 of the
CA 02913340 2015-11-25
catch main body 42 of the catch 40 is inserted in the catch hole
portion 54g of the connecting toy main body 51 (the third main
body portion 54) for loose fitting. The catch 40 is placed on
the upper surface 54d of the connecting toy main body 51 (the
third main body portion 54).
[0062]
As this occurs, the catch main body 42 is abutted to or
brought into contact with the abutment projecting portion 54f.
Then, of the two base strands 21, the left base strand 21 is
accommodated in the left large groove, while the right base
strand 21 is accommodated in the right large groove 44. The
beading strand 22 and the engaging strand 23 are both
accommodated in the small groove 45. In this state, the cover
member 41 of the catch 40 is fitted on the catch main body 42
from thereabove for attachment thereto.
[0063]
Then, a state shown in Fig. 12 is produced. In this way,
the two base strands 21, the beading strand 22 and the engaging
strand 23 are caught hold of by the catch 40. Then, the two
base strands 21, the beading strand 22 and the engaging strand
23 are cut at a portion P shown in Fig. 12, and the bracelet
is removed from the beads connecting toy 50. Thereafter,
the decorative member 46 having the hole portion 46a with which
the pillar-shaped projection 43 is brought into engagement is
fixed to the catch 40 through press fitting or with an adhesive.
31
= CA 02913340 2015-11-25
[0064]
Thus, as has been described heretofore, according to the
beads connecting toy 50 and the beads connecting method of the
invention, children can enjoy fabricating the bracelet 10 which
copies a wrap bracelet for adults with a certain degree of
difficulty which is appropriate to them by using generally
marketed rubber strands, cords and beads. Additionally,
children can also enjoy wearing the bracelet 10 which is
fabricated by themselves.
[0065]
The fabricated bracelet 10 can be stretched to some extent
because the rubber strand is used for the base strands 21.
Additionally, since the cord also has elasticity, the beading
strand 22 stretches according to the stretching of the base
strands 21. In the event of the base strands 21 stretching
further, with intervals of the large number of beads 30
remaining equal, the intervals are expanded due to the engaging
strand 23 which is interwoven with the large number of beads
30. Consequently, even in the event of the bracelet 10 being
stretched, the arrangement of the large number of beads 30
remains tidy, and therefore, the good external appearance of
the bracelet 10 can be maintained.
[0066]
The invention is not limited to the embodiment that has
been described heretofore but can be carried out in various
32
CA 02913340 2015-11-25
forms. In the embodiment, the first main body portion 52, the
second main body portion 53 and the third main body portion 54
are connected together through slide engagement for fabrication
of the bracelet 10. However, for example, with the second main
body portion 53 omitted, the first main body portion 52 and the
third main body portion 54 can be brought into slide engagement
with each other for fabrication of the bracelet 10. This
enables a bracelet 10 of a different length to be fabricated.
[0067]
The main body portions are described as being connected
together through slide engagement at the dividing portions 56,
57. However, the main body portions can be brought into
engagement with one another with screws or magnets at the
dividing portions 56, 57. Further, the connecting toy main body
51 can also be formed as a single unit without providing the
dividing portions 56, 57. Furthermore, a hinge mechanism can
replace the slide engagement at the dividing portions 56, 57
so that the connecting toy main body 51 can be configured so
as to be folded thereat.
[0068]
The connecting toy main body 51 is formed into the
elongated shape. However, other forms can also be adopted.
For example, the one-end-side locking portion 52c and the
other-end-side locking portion 54c can be formed so as to be
supported by a frame. However, as has been described before,
33
CA 02913340 2015-11-25
the beading strand 22 does not fall more than required by forming
the connecting toy main body 51 into the elongated shape and
providing the upper surface on at least the connecting toy main
body 51. This can facilitate not only the interweaving and
engaging work by the engaging strand 23 but also the attachment
of the catch 90. Further, the connecting toy main body 51 can
be given a circular shape or an anomalous shape when seen from
thereabove. However, in consideration of the dividing
structure and easy fabrication, it is preferable that the
connecting toy main body 51 is formed into the elongated shape
(in other words, a rod shape) as done in this embodiment.
[0069]
The connecting toy main body 51 is formed so as to be
divided into the three portions of the first main body portion
52, the second main body portion 53 and the third main body
portion 54. However, the invention is not limited thereto.
For example, the connecting toy main body 51 can be divided into
two halves or four portions. Alternatively, a hinge portion
is provided in the connecting toy main body 51, so that the
connecting toy main body 51 can be deployed to its full length
when in use, while the connecting toy main body 51 can be folded
when stored.
[0070]
Additionally, the beads connecting method according to
the invention of this patent application is a method which does
34
CA 02913340 2015-11-25
not always require the use of the beads connecting toy 50 for
easy fabrication of a beaded toy. However, using the beads
connecting toy 50 allows children to play by fabricating a
beaded toy while enjoying the beads connecting method according
to the invention of this patent application with a certain
degree of difficulty which is appropriate to them.
[0071]
While the invention has been described heretofore
based on the embodiment, the embodiment is described to
represent one of examples, and hence, the scope of invention
is not intended to be limited by the embodiment. This novel
embodiment can be carried out in other various forms, and hence,
various omissions, replacements and/or modifications can be
made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. The embodiment and its resulting modifications are
included in the spirit and scope of the invention, as well as
in the scope of inventions described in claims and equivalents
thereof.
