US2715486A - Fast-threading needls with trailing flexible link - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 16, 1955 L. MARCOFF-MOGHADAM ETAL 2,

FAST-THREADING NEEDLE WITH TRAILINC FLEXIBLE LINK Filed NOV. 18, 1954 ATTORNEY United States Patent FAST-THREADING NEEDLE WITH TRAILING FLEXIBLE LINK Leon Marcolf-Moghadam and George N. Fedoroif, Washington, D. C.

Application November 18, 1954, Serial No. 469,696

3 Claims. (Cl. 223102) This invention relates to sewing implements and more particularly to a needle which is provided with means to adapt the needle for easy threading and for clampingly engaging the thread to prevent it from becoming disaligned during the sewing operation. This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Serial No. 453,067, filed August 30, 1954.

Heretofore, there have been provided various devices designed for the quick and easy threading of a needle. Such devices included the provision of a resilient wire which is passed through the eyelet of a needle and which forms an enlarged loop for the reception of thread. Such devices permitted the ready threading of the needle through this enlarged loop and this resilient loop contracted when it was passed through the material during the sewing operation. However, certain disadvantages have been attendant with devices of this nature. It has been found that the resilient wire does not maintain proper alignment with the needle and, in fact, this wire slips to a position wherein the eyelet is positioned along the length of the enlarged loop so that the device is rendered useless. Furthermore, it has been found that such prior art devices did not possess satisfactory clamping means for the thread, particularly nylon thread. It can be seen, therefore, that the difliculties encountered in connection with the use of the prior art devices made such devices unsatisfactory for all practical purposes.

The present invention overcomes all of the difficulties mentioned above by providing a device which is easily constructed of resilient wire and provides for the quick and easy threading of needles. According to the present invention there is provided a resilient wire having twisted end portions and an intermediate loop. One end is passed through the eyelet of a needle and forms, in effect, a pivotal connection between the needle and the resilient wire so that the wire may swing freely with respect to the needle. To thread the needle, thread is passed through the resilient loop and the thread is then grasped and pulled slightly so that that portion of the thread within the loop engages the twisted end portion of the loop. The thread is thus clamped in position and will not become dislodged during the sewing operation. The twisted end portion adjacent the needle serves to retain the device in proper alignment with the needle and yet permits the free swinging movement of the link which is necessary for ease in sewing.

Thus, it can be seen that the instant invention provides an attachment for sewing needles which permits the user to easily thread the same and which also serves to clampingly engage the thread. Furthermore, according to the present invention modifications are possible which permit the ready disassembly of the attachment from a needle.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a needle which permits the quick and easy threading of the needle and also serves to clampingly engage the thread to prevent dislodgment thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a resilient wire to be used in connection with needles which provides an enlarged loop so that the needle may be easily threaded and which has a twisted end portion to securely engage thread.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a sewing needle which is connected to the needle for free swinging movement but which is prevented from becoming misaligned with the needle.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following and detailed specification when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a needle with the instant invention attached thereto and showing the thread in its initial position,

Fig. 2 is a partial view in elevation showing the thread clampingly engaged,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the relationship of the needle and the presently described attachment,

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modification of the present invention,

Fig. 5 discloses another modification of the present invention, and

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the presently described invention used in connection with a so-called self-threading needle.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 1, there is shown at 1 a needle which is of the usual construction having an eyelet 2. Through the eyelet of this needle is pas ed a resilient wire 3. This wire is highly resilient and is of the type known as music wire. Various sizes of this wire will be used with the present invention depending upon the size of the needle but for ordinary sewing purposes and for use with No. 7 needles most conveniently this wire is of a diameter of .005 to .006 inch. As shown, the end portion of wire 3 is provided with a small loop 4 which passes through the eyelet 2. Adjacent loop 4 there is provided a plurality of twists 5 in the strands of the wire which insure that the wire will not become misaligned with the needle while sewing. There is shown at 6 the enlarged loop which permits the needle to be easily threaded. The strands of the end portion of the wire 3 are provided with a plurality of twists 7. A thread 8 is shown in the initial threading position when passed through loop 6.

In Fig. 2 thread 8 is shown in the final sewing position in which it is clampingly engaged by the twists 7 in the end portion of wire 3. It has been found that for the most successful clamping of the thread there should be provided approximately 22 to 28 twists to the inch when using wire of .005 inch diameter. If desired, the end portions of the wire may be soldered or brazed but this procedure is not necessary for the successful operation of the device.

In Fig. 3 is shown in section the attachment between the needle and the wire. It can be seen that the end portion 4 of the wire grips the needle so as to prevent misalignment of the wire with the needle and yet permitting the swivelling action of the wire with respect to the needle.

In Fig. 4 is shown a modification of the present invention in which the needle 9 is provided with an undercut end portion 10. Thus, the end portion 4 of the attachment will not increase the size of the needle and permits the smooth passage of the needle through the material sewed.

Fig. 5 discloses a modified form of attachment in which the end portion of the wire is provided with twists 11 and hook shaped ends 12 and 13 which engage the eyelet of the needle. This form of invention is particularly wellsuited in connection with large-sine needles. This construction permits the ready attachment and removal of the device from needles. In Fig. 6 is shown the invention used in connection with the so-called self-threading needle. It can be seen that needles of this type are provided with a slot so that the thread can, in effect, be sprung into the eyelet. Obviously, the portion 4 of the wire may be passed through this slot so as to effect the same result. 7

It can be seen that the present invention provides an attachment for needles which permits the needles to be readily threaded and yet does not in any way hamper the sewing operation. Furthermore, according to the present invention thread is retained within the twisted end portion 7 of the attachment so that it will not become dislodged. This is particularly useful when using present day nylon thread which slips through the eyelets of needles. By providing twists adjacent the connection of the attachment with a needle the wire is held by the needle so as to prevent misalignment which would otherwise occur.

One of the primary advantages of the present invention is its adaptability, for the presently disclosed attachment may be used with needles of varying sizes and types. For example, the attachment may be used with darning needles and surgical needles. Furthermore, the twists in the end portion of the attachment are adapted to clampingly engage thread, yarn, wire, cord, string, ribbon or surgical sutures. It is to be understood that the word thread" as used herein is intended to cover any of the foregoing materials.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. Instead of wire it is possible that other materials, such as, for example, plastic may be used in the construction of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described comprising a needle, a resilient wire forming an elong ted threading loop attached at one end thereof to said needle, the strands of the loop being twisted together at that end of the threading loop remote from the attachment to said needle providing means for engaging and clamping thread within the twists of the end portion.

2. An improved sewing needle comprising, in combination, a needle having an eyelet, a thin resilient member swivelly secured to said eyelet, said member being provided with an elongated threading collapsible loop, and the strands of the loop being twisted together at that end portion of the loop remote from said eyelet for clampingly engaging thread within the twists of said end portion.

3. An improved sewing needle comprising, in combination, a needle having an eyelet, a thin resilient member attached to said needle, said member comprising an intermediate elongated loop, the strands of the loop being twisted together at the end portions thereof, one of said twisted end portions maintaining one end of said loop in engagement with the eyelet of said needle to prevent misalignment of said needle and said loop, the other twisted end portion providing means to clamp a thread disposed within the twists of the end portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 183,173 Jenkins Oct. 10, 1876 386,723 Smith July 23, 1888 1,293,660 Armstrong Feb. 11, 1919 FOREIGN PATENTS 262,246 Great Britain Dec. 9, 1926

Images