Loopdedoo was a concept presented to Caliber by the Ann Williams Group- they were looking to create a craft product that utilized a mechanism to spin two captured hooks within an enclosure such that colored thread could be used to easily and quickly create wrapped threaded “frendship bracelets”. Creating this mechanism involved creating a mirrored gear assembly connected by a hidden driveshaft. Each large spur gear engaged two smaller spur gears per side and each smaller spur gear in turn engaged the same gear section. By using this arrangement at least one gear would always maintain both rotation and alignment of the hook gear despite a gap in the gear and the absence of gear teeth in that gap.
This delivered a smooth result and met the objective of having this gear with integrated hook with a gap to allow the thread to pass through uninterrupted. To simplify production, thin triangular flaps were located alongsides of the gap from the same gear material to ensure positive positioning and to secure threads during the rotating bracelet fabrication.
Following successful design and calculating of the prototype, 3d printed assembly and enclosure parts were created and optimized for manufacturing. A drawer for accessory and thread storage was also included with integrated stop and positioning tabs along with other fasters, bosses, and practical assembly features.
Finally a factory hand off phase included follow up discussions and CAD refinement to for the factory to manufacture. This item was sold in retail stores and online and can still be purchased or reviewed at the link here.