Title: Needle threader
Abstract: A needle threader device includes: a loop support base; a threading loop connected to the loop support base; a needle holder base; a needle cradle located on the needle holder base; a loop passage guide located on the needle holder base and intersecting the needle cradle at a predetermined angle, and being biased toward one end of the needle cradle; and, a thread insertion hole located on the needle holder base, adjacent to and connected to the loop passage guide. The loop support base and the needle holder base and rotatably connected so that the threading loop may be inserted into the guide and extended into the thread insertion hole. A user may insert a needle into the needle cradle with the needle eye located at the intersection of the needle cradle and the loop passage guide, then move the loop support base toward the needle holder base so as to insert the threading loop into the loop passage guide, through the eye of the needle and into the thread insertion hole. The user may then insert thread through the thread insertion hole and the threading loop, and then move the loop support base away from the needle holder base so as to withdraw the threading loop from the thread insertion hole, from the eye of said needle, and from the loop passage guide so as to thread the needle.
Patent Number: 6,892,911 Issued on 05/17/2005 to Hamazaki
| Inventors:
|
Hamazaki; Koichi (Borough of Bedminster, County of Somerset, NJ)
|
| Assignee:
|
Around The House LLC (Bedminster, NJ)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
339682 |
| Filed:
|
January 9, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
223/99 |
| Intern'l Class: |
D05B 088/00 |
| Field of Search: |
223/99
7/135
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 1241427 | Sep., 1917 | Nielsen.
| |
| 1278995 | Sep., 1918 | Petro.
| |
| 2042403 | Feb., 1936 | Hrivnak.
| |
| 2059680 | Nov., 1936 | Carlson.
| |
| 2090678 | Aug., 1937 | Jauch.
| |
| 2411118 | Nov., 1946 | Schuster.
| |
| 2416260 | Feb., 1947 | Karle.
| |
| 2476872 | Jul., 1949 | Jamo.
| |
| 2507370 | May., 1950 | Edwards.
| |
| 2800262 | Jul., 1957 | Appel.
| |
| 4090649 | May., 1978 | Cichinski.
| |
| 4102478 | Jul., 1978 | Samoilov.
| |
| 4461409 | Jul., 1984 | Biemans.
| |
| 4667860 | May., 1987 | Feuerman.
| |
| 4930871 | Jun., 1990 | Tannahill.
| |
| 5988463 | Nov., 1999 | DiCarlo.
| |
Primary Examiner: Calvert; John J.
Assistant Examiner: Smith; James G
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Glynn; Kenneth P.
Claims
1. A needle threader, which comprises:
a pair of scissors having a first member and a second member rotatably connected
to one another at a pivot point, each member having a handle end and a cutting
end separated by said pivot point, said cutting end having a cooperating cutting
edge, wherein said scissors further includes:
(a). said first member handle end also being a loop support base;
(b). a threading, loop connected to said loop support base;
(c). said second member handle end also being a needle holder base;
(d). a needle cradle located on said needle holder base;
(e). a loop passage guide located on said needle holder base and intersecting
said needle cradle at a predetermined angle, and being biased toward one end of
said needle cradle; and,
(f). a thread insertion hole located on said needle holder base, adjacent to
and connected to said loop passage guide;
said loop support base and said needle holder base being moveably connected to
one another via said pivot point of said scissors so that said threading loop may
be inserted into said loop passage guide and extended into said thread insertion
hole by movement of said loop support base toward said needle holder base; and,
such that a user may insert a needle into said needle cradle with the needle
eye located at the intersection of said needle cradle and said loop passage guide,
the user may then move said loop support base toward said needle holder base by
closing said scissors handle ends so as to insert said threading loop into said
loop passage guide, through said eye of said needle and into said thread insertion
hole, the user may then insert thread through said thread insertion hole and through
said threading loop, and the user may then move said loop support base away from
said needle holder base by opening said scissors handle end so as to withdraw said
threading loop from said thread insertion hole, from said eye of said needle, and
from said loop passage guide so as to thread said needle with said thread.
2. The needle threader of claim 1 wherein said threading loop is connected to
said loop support base via a loop arm having a first end connected to said loop
support base, and having a second end connected to said threading loop.
3. The needle threader of claim 2 wherein said loop arm is rotatably connected
to said loop support base, so as to provide for movement of said loop arm and threading
loop to and from an open position and a closed position.
4. The needle threader of claim 3 wherein said loop support base includes a protective
sheath member to shield said threading loop when said loop arm and threading loop
are in said closed position.
5. The needle threader of claim 1 wherein said loop passage guide intersects
said needle cradle at an angle of at least 45°.
6. The needle threader of claim 5 wherein said loop passage guide intersects
said needle cradle at an angle of about 75° to 105°.
7. The needle threader of claim 1 wherein said loop passage guide intersects
said needle cradle at approximately 90°.
8. The needle threader of claim 1 wherein said needle cradle includes a finger
cut out to enhance removal of a needle therefrom.
9. The needle threader of claim 1 wherein said needle cradle is magnetized to
aid in holding a needle.
10. A needle threader, which comprises:
(a) a loop support base;
(b) a threading loop connected to said loop support base;
(c) a needle holder base;
(d). a needle cradle located on said needle holder base;
(e). a loop passage guide located on said needle holder base and intersecting
said needle cradle at a predetermined angle, and being biased toward one end of
said needle cradle; and,
(f). a thread insertion hole located on said needle holder base, adjacent to
and connected to said loop passage guide;
said loop support base and said needle holder base being moveably connected to
one another so that said threading loop may be inserted into said loop passage
guide and extended into said thread insertion hole by movement of said loop support
base toward said needle holder base; and,
such that a user may insert a needle into said needle cradle with the needle
eye located at the intersection of said needle cradle and said loop passage guide,
the user may then move said loop support base toward said needle holder base so
as to insert said threading loop into said loop passage guide, through said eye
of said needle and into said thread insertion hole, the user may then insert thread
through said thread insertion hole and through said threading loop, and the user
may then move said loop support base away from said needle holder base so as to
withdraw said threading loop from said thread insertion hole, from said eye of
said needle, and from said loop passage guide so as to thread said needle with
said thread; and, further,
wherein said loop support base and said needle holder base are moveably connected
to one another at a single pivot point for rotational movement to and away from
each other in an arcuated fashion; and; wherein said loop support base and said
needle holder base are both elongated bases, each having a first end and a second
end, and are connected to each other at said second ends.
11. The needle threader of claim 10 wherein said first end of said loop support
base and said first end of said needle holder base include handle portions.
12. The needle threader of claim 10 wherein said threading loop is connected
to said loop support base via a loop arm having a first end connected to said loop
support base, and having a second end connected to said threading loop.
13. The needle threader of claim 12 wherein said loop arm is rotatably connected
to said loop support base, so as to provide for movement of said loop arm and threading
loop to and from an open position and a closed position.
14. The needle threader of claim 13 wherein said loop support base includes a
protective sheath member to shield said threading loop when said loop arm and threading
loop are in said closed position.
15. The needle threader of claim 10 wherein said loop passage guide intersects
said needle cradle at an angle of at least 45°.
16. The needle threader of claim 15 wherein said loop passage guide intersects
said needle cradle at an angle of about 75° to 105°.
17. The needle threader of claim 10 wherein said needle cradle includes a finger
cut out to enhance removal of a needle therefrom.
18. The needle threader of claim 10 wherein said needle cradle is magnetized
to aid in holding a needle.
19. A needle threader, which comprises:
(a) a loop support base;
(b) a threading loop connected to said loop support base;
(c) a needle holder base;
(d). a needle cradle located on said needle holder base, said needle cradle being
adapted to hold a needle by cradling it so as to receive both ends of the needle;
(e). a loop passage guide located on said needle holder base and intersecting
said needle cradle at a predetermined angle, and being biased toward one end of
said needle cradle; and,
(f). a thread insertion hole located on said needle holder base, adjacent to
and connected to said loop passage guide;
said loop support base and said needle holder base being moveably connected to
one another so that said threading loop may be inserted into said loop passage
guide and extended into said thread insertion hole by movement of said loop support
base toward said needle holder base; and,
such that a user may insert a needle into said needle cradle with the needle
eye located at the intersection of said needle cradle and said loop passage guide,
the user may then move said loop support base toward said needle holder base so
as to insert said threading loop into said loop passage guide, through said eye
of said needle and into said thread insertion hole, the user may then insert thread
through said thread insertion hole and through said threading loop, and the user
may then move said loop support base away from said needle holder base so as to
withdraw said threading loop from said thread insertion hole, from said eye of
said needle, and from said loop passage guide so as to thread said needle with
said thread.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to needle threaders, and more particularly, to
needle threaders that operate manually, but automatically, in that alignment and
motion are predefined. Further, the present invention needle threaders are easy
to use and provide for threader loop storage on the device itself to mitigate loop
damage. The present invention needle threaders are stand alone devices, or are
complementary to other functions, e.g., scissors, and are self-contained in a single
unit. The present invention devices eliminate needle holding, eliminate loop and
thread alignment problems, eliminate loop and needle alignment and loop and needle
insertion problems and are extremely simple and efficient to operate.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
The following patents illustrate the history and state-of-the-art of threading needles:
U.S. Pat. No. 1,241,427 describes a needle threader comprising a magnify glass,
a suitable holder for the glass to protect its surface from injury, and a foldable
member secured to the holder adapted to present a socket for a needle in a line
lying in the focal plane of the magnifying glass.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,278,995 describes the combination of a pair of shears having
a pair of handles adapted to be grasped in the hand, of a frame carried upon one
of the handles, and of a magnifying lens mounted in said frame. The frame extends
at an angle to the plane of the handles of the shears sufficient to aline the longitudinal
focal axis of the lens on an object held between the fingers supporting the shears.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,042,403 describes a needle threader comprising a hollow handle
having parallel side walls, said walls having longitudinally extending slots therein,
a double headed button having the shank portion extending through the slots and
slidable therein, a thin gage wire bent upon itself with the portion adjacent the
bight being parallel and adjacent each other, the remaining portions of the wire
being further spaced apart and parallel, with the free ends thereof secured to
the shank portion of the button, the wire and handle being relatively proportioned
whereby the wire may be entirely confined in the handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,059,680 describes a needle threader comprising a wire loop having
a central, relatively open part and a terminal bend, and a plate fastened to and
underlying said loop, said plate having a first aperture therein underlying said
central part of said loop and having a second aperture therein underlying said
bend in said loop.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,411,118 describes a needle threader and of the type known as
the wire loop threaders, comprising a suitable handle having a affixed to same
a fine spring metal flexible wire loop said loop consisting of a single piece of
wire and formed as a polygon providing when permanently attached to the handle
a closed loop with a centrally disposed open area; various length members forming
laterally two obtuse angles of unequal size but whose apices are not situated directly
opposite each other so that entering and again leaving a needle eye that apices
will smoothly follow one another and not attempt to pass through the eyes simultaneously,
thusly producing a device which will be more efficient in use, being stronger and
allowing the use of finer threads in the finer needle eyes.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,416,260 describes a device for use in conjunction with a surgical
stitching instrument comprising a rod-like member having, at one end, a needle
threading element adapted to thread the needle of the instrument and at its opposite
end a curved and tapered portion affording a hook having, on its cave side, a notch
adapted to engage and draw out from flesh tissue the free end of a limb of a thread-loop
passed through said tissue by the needle, and guard means on said member shiftable
to a position in which it prevents accidental contact with said needle-threading
element and constitutes an extended handle for said loop-engaging portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,476,872 describes a needle threader for use with a needle having
an eye near the point and a needle clamp for the other end of the needle, said
threader comprising a body member having a horizontal body portion and a vertically
extending horn at the forward end thereof, a plunger disposed in a horizontal bore
in the horizontal body portion, a vertical needle seat in the horn and the body
portion and extending from the upper end of the horn to the forward end of said
bore, said body member having a thread seat at the forward end of the bore extending
rearwardly of the needle seat and having downwardly flaring thread guides disposed
at the lower end of the horn for directing a thread into the thread seat, the upper
end of said horn being spaced from the path of the plunger a distance equal to
the distance from the clamp to the needle's eye so that contact of the upper end
of the horn with the needle clamp automatically positions the seated needle with
the eye thereof in the path of said plunger.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,649 describes a needle threader including a magnetic pin
which is used to find the eye of the needle and is inserted therein. The threader
also includes a hook like member which is of a magnetic material and which is pulled
through the eye of the needle by the magnetic pin. Once the threader is pulled
through the eye of the needle, a thread is inserted therein, and when the threader
is pulled out of the eye, the thread is caught in the eye, and the needle is threaded.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,478 describes an improved needle-threading device disclosed
wherein a wire loop, having a smaller loop disposed in the medial portion, is rigidly
sandwiched at double hook-shaped end portions between an outer support member and
an inner support member. The outer and inner support members are tubular with the
inner member fitting within the outer member and engaging the double hook-shaped
end portions of the wire loop, thereby holding the wire loop rigidly in place and
furnishing a convenient handle with which to hold the needle-threading apparatus
during use.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,409 describes a threader for a mounted sewing machine needle
having an eye adjacent the pointed lower end thereof includes a base plate adapted
to be received beneath the foot of the machine, and a housing providing a positioning
recess for aligning the needle threader with sewing machine needle eye. The housing
supports a pair of reciprocable thread pusher members at right angles to one another,
and when the device is aligned with the needle eye, the first pusher member is
displaceable from a retracted to an extended position to push a strand of thread
through the needle eye from one side thereof to the other. When the first pusher
member is returned to the retracted position, the second thread pusher member is
displaceable from a retracted to an extended position to engage a loop of thread
on the other side of the needle eye and to displace the thread laterally of the
needle to a position where it can be easily grasped by the user's fingers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,860 describes a sewing needle that has a closed loop of
resilient filament secured to its rear end. In unstressed condition the filament
has an open configuration allowing a sewing thread to be easily passed through
it. As the needle is pulled through fabric the loop collapses under the forces
imposed on its sides by the fabric.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,871 describes a needle threader for facilitating the insertion
of an end of a thread in the eye of a needle. In one embodiment the threader has
a magnifying lens mounted in a holder which is secured to a flexible mount having
a ring portion for a person's finger and a wax holder for holding wax to be applied
to the end of the thread. In another embodiment such a threader has a colored background
contrast member for making it easier to see the thread. This contrast member can
be secured to the lens holder or to the flexible mount. In another embodiment a
needle threader is provided which has a magnifying lens with a holder and a background
contrast member. A background contrast member for a magnifying lens is also provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,463 describes a needle threader for yarn or other bulky
materials that is used in needle work having a projecting loop provided with a
substantial planar surface to accommodate the strands of the yarn and thereby reducing
frictional resistance as the yarn is passed through the eye of the needle. The
needle threader is provided with a cutter for the yarn on the same handle utilized
by the threader.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught
nor rendered obvious thereby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a needle threader that involves two primary components
(bases) that are hingedly and rotatably connected to one another, i.e. they are
rotatable at least through an arc, relative to one another. The bases function
like a pocket knife and, in some preferred embodiments, like a pair of scissors.
In other embodiments, the device is actually embodied within a pair of scissors.
On one base is located a threading loop and, on the other, a needle holder or cradle.
There is also a threading loop passage guide located on the base with the needle
cradle, as well as a thread insertion hole.
Thus, the present invention needle threader device includes:
(a). a loop support base;
(b). a threading loop connected to the loop support base;
(c). a needle holder base;
(d). a needle cradle located on the needle holder base;
(e). a loop passage guide located on the needle holder base and intersecting
the needle cradle at a predetermined angle, and being biased toward one end of
the needle cradle; and,
(f). a thread insertion hole located on the needle holder base, adjacent to
and connected to the loop passage guide.
The loop support base and the needle holder base are moveably connected to one
another so that the threading loop may be inserted into the loop passage guide
and extended into the thread insertion hole by movement of the loop support base
toward the needle holder base.
A user may insert a needle into the needle cradle with the needle eye located
at
the intersection of the needle cradle and the loop passage guide, the user may
then move the loop support base toward the needle holder base so as to insert the
threading loop into the loop passage guide, through the eye of the needle and into
the thread insertion hole. The user may then insert thread through the thread insertion
hole and through the threading loop, and the user may then move the loop support
base away from the needle holder base so as to withdraw the threading loop from
the thread insertion hole, from the eye of the needle, and from the loop passage
guide so as to thread the needle with the thread.
In some embodiments, the loop support base and the needle holder base are moveably
connected to one another at a single pivot point for rotational movement to and
away from each other in an arcuated fashion, similar to a pocket knife or a pair
of scissors. The loop support base and the needle holder base are generally both
elongated bases, each having a first end and a second end, and are connected to
each other at their second ends. The first end of the loop support base and the
first end of the needle holder base include handle portions, and may have grips,
thumb/finger holes, etc.
Generally the threading loop is connected to the loop support base via
a loop arm having a first end connected to the loop support base, and having a
second end connected to the threading loop. The loop arm is preferably rotatably
connected to the loop support base, so as to provide for movement of the loop arm
and threading loop to and from an open position and a closed positions. Preferably,
the loop support base includes a protective sheath member to shield the threading
loop when the loop arm and threading loop are in the closed position, as well as
a recess to add further protection.
Loop passage guide may intersect the needle cradle at an angle of at least 45°,
and preferably at an angle of about 75° to 105°. Around 90° or so
is preferred.
There may be a finger cut out at the needle cradle to enhance insertion and
removal of a needle therefrom. Further, the needle cradle may be magnetized to
aid in holding a needle.
In other embodiments, the present invention needle threader includes:
a pair of scissors having a first member and a second member rotatably connected
to one another at a pivot point. The pivot point is approximately in the middle,
and each member has a handle end and a cutting end separated by the pivot point.
The cutting ends each have a cooperating cutting edge, and the scissors further includes:
(a). the first member handle end also being a loop support base;
(b). a threading loop connected to the loop support base;
(c). the second member handle end also being a needle holder base;
(d). a needle cradle located on the needle holder base;
(e). a loop passage guide located on the needle holder base and intersecting
the needle cradle at a predetermined angle, and being biased toward one end of
the needle cradle; and,
(f). a thread insertion hole located on the needle holder base, adjacent to
and connected to the loop passage guide;
The loop support base and the needle holder base are moveably connected to one
another via the pivot point of the scissors so that the threading loop may be inserted
into the loop passage guide and extended into the thread insertion hole by movement
of the loop support base toward the needle holder base. The user proceeds as described
above in earlier embodiments, and, when the swing arm and loop are stored, has
the added advantage of a pair of scissors in hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention should be more fully understood when the specification
herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a top view of a present invention needle threader device that includes
scissors features;
FIGS. 2
a and 2
b show enlarged, partial cut top views of
the FIG. 1 device in operation;
FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show end cut views of the loop support base
and needle holder base shown in the above Figures, and
FIGS. 6 and 7 show partial side views thereof;
FIG. 8 shows a partial oblique vie w of the loop support base shown above and
FIG. 9 shows a partial oblique view of the needle holder base shown above;
FIG. 10 shows a top view of another present invention needle threader device
that is a stand alone device;
FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a present invention device similar to the
FIG. 10 device, with added features; and,
FIGS. 12 and 13 show a side view and an oblique view of an alternative present
invention device adapted for use with a sewing machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates one preferred embodiment present invention needle threader
device
1, in this case, a pair of scissors as well. Device
1 has
a loop support base
3 and a needle holder base
5. Loop support base
3 has a handle end
7 and a cutting end
13. Likewise, needle
holder base
5 has a handle end
9 and a cutting end
11. The
loop support base
3 and the needle holder base
5 are pivotally (rotatably)
connected to one another at a pivot point established by screw
15. Screw
15 could be a screw pin, a screw and nut, a rivet or any other hinging element
used for scissors.
In this embodiment, cutting ends
11 and
13 and the areas around
screw
15 up into handle ends
7 and
9 are formed of metal,
e.g. stainless steel, and the remainder of the handle ends are made of molded plastic.
Choice of materials of construction are within the purview of the artisan, and
any functional materials of construction are within the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 2
a shows a partial cut view of handle portions
7 of loop
support base
3 and handle portion
9 of needle holder base
5,
in the open position; and FIG. 2
b shows the same elements in the closed,
needle threading position. FIGS. 3 and 4 show end cut views of the handle ends
7 and
9 of the device
1, shown above, and FIG. 5 shows an
exploded view of the needle cradle and loop passage guide intersection shown in
FIG.
4. FIGS. 6 and 7 show partial side views of handle ends
7 and
9 of device
1, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective partial cut views
of handle ends
7 and
9. Reference is now made to FIGS. 1,
2a,
2b,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8, and
9 collectively, wherein identical elements are identically numbered.
Handle end
7 of loop support base
3 includes a threading loop
17 and swing arm
19, wherein loop
17 may be replaceable, either
by removing both the swing arm and its loop and attaching a new one, or by removing
loop
17 from swing arm
19 and replacing it. (This is an optional
feature that may be useful in the instances where the loop
17 is accidentally
bent beyond use or breaks.) Swing arm
19 and loop
17 are pivotally
connected to handle portion
7 via screw or pin
21. There is a nesting
recess
23, so that swing arm
19 with loop
17 may be stored
therein. Optional, but beneficial, loop sheath
27 is provided for concealing
and protecting threading loop
17 when not in use. When in use, arm
19
is swung out to stop
25, where it and loop
17 are properly positioned
for insertion of arm
19 and loop
17 into loop passage guide
33
of handle end
9 of needle holder base
5.
Handle end
9 includes a loop passage guide
33, a needle cradle
29, a cut out
31 for grasping the needle during insertion into and
removal from the needle cradle
29, and a threading hole
37. Needle
cradle
29 intersects loop passage guide
33 toward one end of needle
cradle
29, as shown, so that a needle inserted therein will have the needle
eye aligned with the loop inserted into the passage guide so as to effect the passage
of the loop
17 through a needle eye. Actual use is now described:
Needle
200 is inserted into cradle
29 with its eye at insertion
37. The contour of cradle
29 is formed to encourage needle eye alignment,
both axially and laterally. The area of the intersection and/or other portions
cradle are desirably magnetized, e.g., with magnet
53, to hold needle
200
in place after insertion. Swing arm
19 with loop
17 is swung open
to stop
25. Maintaining a normal finger hole hold view via finger nests
43 and
45, a user, next brings the handle ends
7 and
9
towards one another, so that loop
17 moves through loop passage guide
33,
wherein it is constricted, through the eye of needle
200 and into threading
hole
37. In threading hole
37, loop
17 opens up to its diamond
shape. Thread
210 is partially passed through loop
17 (FIG. 2
b)
and is rested therein. The user now opens (separates) handle ends
7 and
9 from one another. This automatically pulls loop
17 with thread
210 back through the eye of needle
200, to effectively thread the
needle. The needle
200 and its threaded thread
210 are removed from
cradle
29 for subsequent use. Arm
19 and loop
17 are swung
back into recess
23 and sheath
27 for storage. The device
1
may conveniently be used as a pair of scissors when arm
19 and loop
17
are stored.
Alternative embodiment present invention device
100 is shown in
FIG.
10. This threader device
100 has no cutting ends and is not
a scissor. It is a compact, stand alone device for easy hand use and convenient
storage with sewing supplies. It may be stored as is, or in a convenient cloth
or plastic case.
Device
100 includes a first member, being a loop support base
103,
and a second member, being a needle holder base
105. Loop support base has
first end
111 and a second end
107. Likewise, needle holder base
105 has a first end
113 and a second end
109. Device
100
has loop support base
103 and needle holder base
105 rotatably connected
to one another a first ends
111 and
113 via screw
115. Second
ends
107 and
109 act as handless to be brought together and apart
during use, as described below.
Loop support base
103 includes a threading loop
117 and swing
arm
119, wherein loop
117 may be replaceable, either by removing
both the swing arm and its loop and attaching a new one, or by removing loop
117
from swing arm
119 and replacing it. Swing arm
119 and loop
117
are pivotally connected to base
103 via screw or pin
121. There is
a nesting recess
123, so that swing arm
119 with loop
117
may be stored therein. Sheath
127 is provided for concealing and protecting
threading loop
117 when not in use. When in use, arm
119 is swung
out to stop
125, where it and loop
117 are properly positioned for
insertion of arm
119 and loop
117 into loop passage guide
133
of needle holder base
105.
Needle holder base
105 includes a loop passage guide
133, a
needle cradle
129, a cut out
131 for grasping the needle during insertion
into and removal from the needle cradle
129, and a threading hole
137.
Needle cradle
129 intersects loop passage guide
133 toward one end
of needle cradle
129, as shown, so that a needle inserted therein will have
the needle eye aligned with the loop inserted into the passage guide so as to effect
the passage of the loop
117 through a needle eye. Actual use is identical
to that described above with respect to FIGS. 1 through 9.
The needle cradles of the embodiments above and below are preferably magnetized,
as shown in FIG. 5 above. Also, the length of the needle cradle may be longer than
a typical sewing kit needle to accommodate different size needles.
FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the present invention device wherein it
is similar to device
100 above, with identical parts so numbered, but has
a first member base
203 with a wider body and circular pivot end
211
and a thumb nest hole
207, and has a second member base
205 with
a wider body and circular pivot
213 and a finger nest hole
209, as
shown. Since the other elements are the same as shown in FIG. 10 above, there description
and function need not be repeated. The only significant difference involves thumb
and finger insertions in this embodiment.
FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a present invention embodiment adapted for use with
sewing machines. Hence, threader device
300 has a first member
303
rotatably connected to a second member
305 via rivet
309. First member
303 includes a swing arm and loop similar to those described above, shown
generally as loop component
311. Second member
305 includes an extended
section
307 and includes a loop guide, needle cradle and threading orifice
similar to those shown above, shown generally as guide
313, needle cradle
317 and threading orifice
319. There is a flat support base
315
at the bottom of second member
305 for placement on a sewing machine base.
Sewing machine
400 is partially shown with needle
410 located within
needle cradle
317 for threading. The thread is taken from a spool into orifice
319 and the device
300 then works in a manner as described above
for the previous Figure devices.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention
are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood that within
the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than
as specifically described herein.
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