Unlted States Patent [1 1 [I11 3,856,140
Fitts Dec. 24, 1974 YARN PALETTE l,484,6l3 2/1924 Carmel 206/l.7 2,827 247 3/1958 Kraemer i. 242/127 [76] Inventor: Jane W. Fltts, 4245 Brookdale St., 3 40l858 9 1968 l 0 Jackson Miss. 39206 rte eta. 2 6/72 22] i Apt 2, 1973 Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr.
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert G. McMorrow, Esq. [21] App]. No.: 346,937
r [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 206/388, 206/ 1.7, 206/49 A yarn palette for use by one engaged in needlepoint, [51] Int. Cl B65b 85/67, B65h 75/06 embrodiery, crewel, or like operations in which a plu- [58] Field of Search 206/388, 72, 1.7, .49; rality of strands of fibers are used together. A palette 242/ 127 body, preferably transparent, has a series of openings through which individual strands are extended and [56] References Cited then reverted back to an enlarged slot wherein they UNITED STATES PATENTS are held collectively 613,324 11/1898 Selcer 206/388 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures YARN PALETTE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to an accessory useful in decorative sewing operations to permit use of multiple strands of material without entanglement of the same.
2. Statment of the Prior Art Devices to maintain integrity of individual fiber strands have heretofore been proposed. Representative patents are as follows:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an inexpensive and uncomplicated accessory for use by thoseengaged in decorative sewing operations such as crewel, embrodiery, needlepoint, or the like. These endeavors involve in some instances the use of yarns or fibers of different colors, sometimes several in number, and it is very difficult to use these sequentially or randomly without entanglement of the rolls of material. Such entanglement greatly inconveniences the person attempting to sew, and reduces the efficiency of the operation. To overcome this, the invention provides a palette body with a series of openings through which the strands may be individually extended. Additionally, a combined finger hold and collecting slot is provided which renders all strands readily available for use.
In a preferred form of the invention, the palette body is fabricated from transparent material whereby the strands on either side may be readily observed during use.
Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1' is aperspective view showing a yarn palette according to this invention as used;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse cross sectional view, taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the palette.
DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENT surface 14 to thelower surface 16, and itsside walls 30 and 32 are substantially parallel in curvature to the adjacent portion of the peripheral edge '26. Thus, acurved hold section 34 is provided between the slot and the edge. The slot serves as a collecting section for the strands and also as a finger or thumb hold.
A plurality of generallycircular openings 36 are positioned in the body adjacent theouter side 20 thereof. These openings are uniformly spaced from one another and are also arranged equidistantly from theedge 26 of the body. A number sufficient to accommodate the individual strands is provided. I
In FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred manner of use is illustrated. Here it is seen that a number of strands S of yarn, each of a different color or shade is employed. The individual strands are extended through theopenings 36 and then reverted around theadjacent edge 26 of the body, lying in main extent across theupper surface 14 of the palette body. The user presses with the thumb against the collected strands, depressing them slightly into theslot 28 to an extent sufficient to maintain tension on the strands. With the strands thus separated, individual ones thereof may be readily selected and withdrawn for use.
I claim:
1. A strand separator for maintaining a plurality of strands of material in orderly condition during operations involving selected employment of different strands, the strand separator comprising:
a palette body of elongated, flat form having upper and lower surfaces, inner and outer sides, and ends;
the palette body being formed of a transparent material permitting viewing of the condition of the strands on both surfaces thereof;
the palette body having a peripheral edge extending about said sides and ends;
the palette body having an elongated finger and strand collecting slot formed therein and extending therethrough from its upper surface to its lower surface, the finger and strand collecting slot being located adjacent the peripheral edge of the inner side of the body;
the palette body having a plurality of individual strand openings therein adjacent the peripheral edge of the outer side thereof, said individual strand openings extending fully through the body, and individual strands being extended throughsaid openings and collected together at the finger and collecting slot;
the peripheral edge-being curvilinear;
the finger and collecting slot being curved and being centrally located with respect to the strand openings; and
the plurality of individual strand openings being arranged in a series equidistantly spaced from the adjacent peripheral edge and uniformly spaced from one another.