Coopering – Basket-forming
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-31
2001-03-13
Husar, John M. (Department: 3725)
Coopering
Basket-forming
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199609
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an apparatus and a method for facilitating the construction of hand-woven baskets, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method including a guide, or form, for constructing the bottom of a basket. The present invention assists in accurately positioning the splints that comprise the basket bottom panel and in allowing for variations in side wall height from one basket to the next.
Hand-made baskets are typically fabricated in a two-stage process in which the basket bottom is formed separately from the side walls. The bottom panel is constructed in a first, or “forming” step, and the side panels are constructed, with the aid of a basket mold, in a second, or weaving step.
During the bottom-forming step, centrally located portions of a plurality of elongated strips or splints of wood or other material are arranged in a multi-layered or woven pattern (typically a symmetrical crossing pattern), with the elongated free ends of the splints projecting outwardly from the center. The multi-layered or woven center becomes the bottom of the basket, and the free ends of the splints projecting outwardly from the center become the upsplints, i.e., the generally vertically extending members of the basket's side walls.
Because bottom panel construction may affect both the strength of the basket and the framework for the basket side walls, defects in basket bottom panels are particularly likely to result in baskets of inferior quality. When such defects occur, the likelihood of successful repair depends, in part, upon timely detection of the error. If the error is not found for some time after the bottom panel is completed, the bottom panel components are likely to be drier and less flexible than they were immediately after the panel was made, and are therefore more likely to break during repair. If the error is not detected until after the bottom panel is incorporated into a finished basket, repair will be even more difficult, if not impossible.
Consumer expectations with respect to basket quality are high, particularly in connection with premium and collectible baskets. Subtle irregularities and slight variations from basket to basket are acceptable, and indeed are desirable because they give hand-made baskets their special character. However, a basket with excessive irregularities and variations may be cosmetically displeasing, and therefore unacceptable to consumers, even if it is structurally sound. In addition, excessive irregularities in bottom panels decrease production efficiency by, for example, requiring a weaver to spend more time fitting the bottom panel to a basket mold in preparation for construction of the basket side panels.
To achieve more uniform, higher quality baskets, guides or forms have been used in the past to assist in properly positioning the elongated splints and constructing the multi-layered or woven bottom of the basket. Heretofore, each of these prior art bottom forms was substantially limited to use with a single size and shape of basket. As may be readily understood, the cumulative time and cost of constructing and storing these forms increased every time a new basket model was introduced. Although it was possible for an exceptionally skilled craftsman to produce baskets with different side wall heights on a single form, construction time and the chances of error for the typical craftsman were increased. Accordingly, a separate bottom form was typically provided for each differently sized and shaped basket.
In light of the disadvantages of the prior art, an apparatus is needed that can assist the basket former in positioning and aligning the elongated splints during bottom panel construction and that will allow the use of a single guide apparatus to produce baskets having different side panel heights.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for forming a basket bottom having a predetermined number and configuration of angularly related sets of basket splints and comprises a working surface; stop means for positioning on the working surface one end of each of the basket splints in one of the angularly related sets, site means for providing at least two stop locating sites on the working surface and fastening means for releasably securing the stop means to the working surface at a selected one of said at least two sites.
The present invention is also a method of forming a basket bottom having a predetermined number and configuration of angularly related sets of basket splints and comprises the steps of: selecting one of at least two stop locating sites provided on the working surface by site means; releasably securing stop means at the selected one of said at least two sites on the working surface by fastening means; positioning one end of each of the basket splints in one of the angularly related sets at said stop means; and arranging the basket splints into the predetermined number and configuration of angularly related sets.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for forming a bottom panel for a basket having a selected side panel height and, with some adjustment, for forming a bottom panel for a basket having a different side panel height. This and further objects and advantages may be understood in view of the following drawings and detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 285053 (1883-09-01), Miller
patent: 450114 (1891-04-01), Snow
patent: 597624 (1898-01-01), Titus
patent: 1116820 (1914-11-01), Huke
patent: 1311086 (1919-07-01), O'Loughlin et al.
patent: 1491933 (1924-04-01), Sullivan
patent: 2360508 (1944-10-01), Mitchell
patent: 3563292 (1971-02-01), Gordon et al.
patent: 5799714 (1998-09-01), Teal et al.
Bice Duane
Corp Chris
Harper Tom
Hindel Jack
Lahna Vicki
Husar John M.
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
The Longaberger Company
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for forming a basket bottom does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for forming a basket bottom, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for forming a basket bottom will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2497026