Technical Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates generally to needle threaders, and is more particularly concerned
with a needle threader having means for retaining a needle in place on the needle
threader while yarn is engaged with the needle threader.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Needle threaders have long been known in the art, and needle threaders formed of
a generally flat sheet material for threading needlecraft needles have also long been
known in the art, The most common needle threader for needlecraft needles utilizes
a flat material formed into a narrow strip, and sometimes in a tapering shape that
terminates in a rounded or pointed end, The rounded end conventionally includes some
form of eye for receiving thread or yarn therethrough, The technique is, then, to
pass the tip through the eye of the needle, and to hold the needle threader and the
needle while passing a piece of yarn through the eye of the needle threader, Once
the yarn is through the eye of the needle threader, the needle threader is retracted
from the eye of the needle to pull the yarn through the eye of the needle.
[0003] While the above described needle threaders will generally perform the intended task,
use of such devices can be extremely difficult because one must hold the needle threader,
hold the needle on the needle threader, and simultaneously pass a piece of yarn through
the eye in the needle threader, This is necessary because, if the upper edge of the
needle threader is not held completely horizontally, the needle will slide to the
end of the threader and interfere with the threading of the needle.
[0004] An improvement to such a type of threader is disclosed in British Patent No, 184
411 in which some embodiments include a depression provided in the threading portion.
A needle can be placed into said depression when on the threader, in order to retain
it in position while the yarn is being placed over the hook. However, due to the compulsorily
small size of the device the needle may pass beyond said depression toward the handle
and interfere with the hand which holds the body of the threader and render the threading
operation longer and more difficult, Further, since the threader may extend far into
the needle eye, the wedged portion thereof may stick in the eye and damage the needle
when the enlarged portion of the handle enters the eye.
[0005] Therefore, while the basic needle threader is satisfactory, there is need for improvement
to render the device easier to use.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] The present invention utilizes a generally conventional needle threader for needlecraft
needles and the like, such needle threaders normally including relatively flat, or
sheet, material formed into a normal strip of uniform width, or tapering, the end
of the strip being pointed. A significant feature of the present invention is the
provision of needle holding and stopping means rearwardly of the eye of the needle
threader, as indicated in the characterizing part of claim 1.
[0007] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the needle holding means comprises
a notch provided in one edge of the needle threader. The needle holding means may
be in both edges of a needle holder, especially if the threader is of the type that
uses a hole for the eye of the threader, since there is no "top" or "bottom" of such
threaders. For a needle threader having an opening into the eye, it may be desirable
to use only one needle holding notch, and this may be placed on the edge considered
to be the "top". It will of course be understood by those skilled in the art that
a small protuberance from the edge of the needle threader will also hold the needle,
and is within the scope of the present invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
from consideration of the following specification when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a needle threader made in accordance with the
present invention;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 showing a slightly modified form of
the invention;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 2, the needle threader being
shown in conjunction with a yarn and a needle; and,
Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. 3 showing additional modified forms of the
invention.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
[0009] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and to that embodiment of the invention
shown in Fig. 1, it will be seen that the needle threader is generally indicated at
10 and includes a body portion 11 having a needle threading portion 12 extending from
the left hand end as shown in Fig. 1. Between the body 11 and the needle threading
portion 12, there are shoulders 14 and 15. These shoulders 14 and 15 will positively
stop a needle to protect the needle from becoming wedged on the threader.
[0010] The needle threading portion 12 has upper and lower edges 16 and 18 which generally
converge towards the rounded end 19 so that the needle threading portion 12 is generally
tapered from a minimum dimension at 19 to a maximum dimension at the shoulders 14
and 15.
[0011] There is an eye 20 in the needle threading portion 12 for receiving a yarn, and an
entrance opening 21 provides easy access to the eye 20.
[0012] With the structure thus far described, the rounded end 19 can be passed through the
eye of a needle until the shoulders 14 and 15 engage the needle. At this point, a
piece of yarn can be passed through the opening 21 and into the eye 20 of the needle
threader 10. With the yarn in place within the eye 20, the needle will be removed
from the needle threading portion 12, and the needle threading portion 12 will pull
the yarn through the eye of the needle.
[0013] It will be realized that, with the shoulders 14 and 15, the needle must be simply
held against the shoulders 14 and 15. Thus, one must hold the needle threader 10 and
the needle in one hand, and hold the yarn in the other hand, in order to accomplish
the threading of a needle. The important feature of the present invention is therefore
the needle holding means indicated at 22.
[0014] The needle holding means 22 is here indicated as a notch formed in the edge 16 of
the needle threading portion 12. Specifically, the notch 22 has rounded shoulders
24 so the needle can easily be removed from the notch, though the notch 22 is sufficiently
deep that the needle will be easily retained therein. Through use of the needle retaining
notch 22 it will be understood that a needle can be received over the needle threading
portion 12, and the needle will fall easily into the notch 22. One can then hold the
needle threader 10 with one hand, and the needle will stay in position. With the needle
in position, a piece of yarn can be slipped into the eye 20 through the opening 21.
After the yarn is in place, one can grab the needle with one hand and the needle threader
10 with the other hand and complete the threading.
[0015] Looking at Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the needle threader is designated
at 10A. The only difference between the needle threader 10 shown in Fig. 1 and needle
threading portion 12A shown in Fig. 2 is that the needle threader 10A does not have
the shoulders 14 and 15. Since other aspects of the needle threader are the same,
the needle threader shown in Fig. 2 carries the same reference numerals but with an
A suffix. The operation is also the same, and will not be repeated. It should be pointed
out only that the needle threader shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings does not have the
shoulders 14 and 15 so that one must simply place the needle threader 10A through
the eye of the needle to the desired extent. While one would normally have to hold
both the needle and the needle threader 10A, through the use of the notch 22A the
needle can be retained in position in the notch 22A while the person holds the needle
threader 10A, and a piece of yarn can be passed through the opening 21A and into the
eye 20A of the needle threading portion 12A.
[0016] Looking next at Fig. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the needle threader
shown in Fig. 3 is the needle threader 10A which is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.
In Fig. 3 the needle threader 10A is shown with a needle 25 retained in the notch
22A, and a piece of yarn 26 passing through the opening 21A and into the eye 20A.
Therefore, Fig. 3 illustrates the simplicity of the present arrangement whereby one
can place the needle threading portion 12A through the eye 28 of the needle 25, and
the needle 25 can be placed within the notch 22A. At this point, one can grasp the
needle threader 10A without great concern for the position of the needle 25. Next,
the other hand can be used to select a yarn 26, and pass the yarn 26 through the opening
21A and into the eye 20A. With the yarn 26 in place, the needle 25 can be grasped
with one hand while the needle threader 10A is grasped with the other hand. Motion
of the needle threader 10A to remove the needle threading portion 12A from the eye
28 of the needle 25 will then pull the yarn 26 through the eye 28 to thread the needle.
[0017] Fig. 4 of the drawings shows a further modified form of needle threader designated
at 10B, the needle threader portion having upper and lower edges 30 and 31 parallel
to each other. The tip 32 of the threader is also substantially pointed rather than
simply rounded. It will of course be recognized that the tip 32 needs to be so formed
as to facilitate passage of the needle threader through the eye of a needle. The rounded
end as shown in Figs. 1--3 is frequently used and works quite well, and a pointed
end as shown in Fig. 4 will achieve the same result.
[0018] The threader 10B defines an eye 20B and an opening 21B into the eye 20B. The body
11B defines notches 34 in the upper edge 30 and 35 in the lower edge 31. With the
needle holding notches 34 and 35 in both upper and lower edges 30 and 31, it will
be understood that a needle can be retained in a notch regardless of the manner of
use of the needle threader. It will of course be realized that one person may consider
the edge 30 to be the "upper" edge, and hold the needle threader 10B as shown in the
drawings. Another person may consider the edge 31 to be the "upper" edge, and invert
the device for use. Thus, the terms "upper" and "lower" must be taken as relative,
though the terms are used herein to designate the respective edges as shown in the
drawings. No limitation should be understood by the use of such terms.
[0019] Looking finally at Fig. 5 of the drawings, the needle threader is designated at 10C
and has parallel upper and lower edges 38 and 39. The tip 40 is substantially pointed
for being received through the eye 41 of a needle 42. The eye 44 in the needle threader
10C is an opening defined in the body of the material, without a threading opening
as in the previously described embodiments of the present invention, and there are
needle holding notches 45 and 46 defined in the upper and lower edges 38 and 39 respectfully.
[0020] In the needle threader of the type shown in Figs. 4 and 5, it will be understood
that the height, or width between upper and lower edges is usually just sufficient
to be received within the eye of a needle to be threaded. The dimensional relationship
is shown in Fig. 5 which includes a needle 42 received within the needle holding notch
45. It will further be noticed with respect to Fig. 5 that there will be no difference
in the threader if the device is inverted from the position shown in the drawings.
[0021] It will therefore be seen that the present invention provides a very simple, yet
convenient holding means in combination with a needle threader. Through the use of
the present invention, the needle can be conveniently retained in place without requiring
extreme manual dexterity. Also, while a notch has been illustrated as the needle holding
means, it will be understood that a small protuberance or other well known means might
also be used to hold the needle in the selected position.
[0022] It will therefore be understood by those skilled in art that the particular embodiments
of the invention here presented are by way of illustration only, and are meant to
be in no way restrictive.
1. A needle threader for threading needlecraft needles, comprising a body (11, 11A) and
a threading portion (12, 12A) extending from said body, said threading portion having
a maximum width to be received through the eye of a needle, a tip (19, 19A, 32, 40)
at the extending end of said threading portion intended to be inserted into the eye
(28) of a neddle , and an eye (20, 20A, 20b, 44) in said threading portion for receiving
a yarn therethrough, said threading portion having an upper edge (16, 16A, 38) and
a lower edge (18, 18A, 31, 39), and including needle holding means (22, 22A, 34, 45),
characterized in that it further includes a pair of shoulders (14, 15) on said body
(11), said shoulders(14, 15) defining the inner end of said threading portion (12)
and being so dimensioned that the eye (28) of a needle cannot receive said shoulders,
said needle holding means (22) being located adjacent to the eye and between said
eye (20) in said threading portion (12) and said shoulders (14, 15).
2. A needle threader as claimed in claim 1, characterized by said needle holding means
being constituted by a notch (22, 34, 35) with rounded shoulders (24, 24A).
3. A needle threader as claimed in anyone of claims 1, 2, characterized by said needle
holding means being placed at least on one of said edges on the threading portion.
4. A needle threader as claimed in anyone of claims 1-3, characterized by said eye in
the threading portion being formed by an opening (44).
1. Einfädler für Handarbeitsnadeln mit einem Körper (11, 11A) und einem sich von diesem
Körper erstreckenden Einfädelabschnitt (12, 12A) mit einer maximalen Breite, welche
durch das Auge einer Nadel paßt, einer Spitze (19, 19A, 32, 40) am Ende der Erstreckung
des Einfädelabschnitts, der zum Einschieben in das Auge (28) einer Nadel bestimmt
ist, und einem Auge (20, 20A, 20B, 44) in dem Einfädelabschnitt, das einen hindurchgeführten
Faden aufnimmt, wobei der Einfädelabschnitt eine Oberkante (16, 16A, 38) und eine
Unterkante (18, 18A, 31, 39) und eine Nadelhaltevorrichtung (22, 22A, 34, 45) aufweist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß er außerdem am Körper (11) ein Paar von Schultern (14, 15) aufweist, welche
das innere Ende des Einfädelabschnitts (12) definieren und so bemessen sind, daß das
Auge (28) einer Nadel die Schultern nicht aufnehmen kann, wobei die Nadelhaltevorrichtung
(22) dem Auge benachbart und zwischen dem Auge (20) im Einfädelabschnitt (12) und
den Schultern (14, 15) angeordnet ist.
2. Einfädler nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Nadelhaltevorrichtung aus einer Kerbe (22, 34, 35) mit abgerundeten Schultern
(24, 24A) besteht.
3. Einfädler nach einem der Ansprüche 1, 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Nadelhaltevorrichtung an wenigstens einer der Kanten des Einfädelabschnitts
angeordnet ist.
4. Einfädler nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Auge im Einfädelabschnitt von einer Öffnung (44) gebildet ist.
1. Enfile-aiguilles destiné à l'enfilage d'aiguilles pour travaux d'aiguilles, comprenant
un corps (11, 11A) et une partie d'enfilage (12, 12A) dépassant du corps, la partie
d'enfilage ayant une largeur maximale lui permettant de passer dans le chas d'une
aiguille, un bout (19, 19A, 32, 40) placé à l'extrémité de la partie d'enfilage et
destiné à pénétrer dans le chas (28) d'une aiguille, et un chas (20, 20A, 20B, 44)
formé dans la partie d'enfilage et destiné au passage du fil, la partie d'enfilage
ayant un bord supérieur (16, 16A, 38) et un bord inférieur (18, 18A, 31, 39) et comprenant
un dispositif de maintien d'aiguille (22, 22A, 34, 45), caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte
en outre une paire d'épaulements (14, 15) formés sur le corps (11), les épaulements
(14, 15) délimitant l'extrémité interne de la partie d'enfilage (12) et ayant des
dimensions telles que le chas (28) d'une aiguille ne peut pas loger les épaulements,
le dispositif (22) de maintien d'aiguille étant placé près du chas et entre le chas
(20) de la partie d'enfilage (12) et les épaulements (14, 15).
2. Enfile-aiguilles selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de
maintien d'aiguille est constitué par une encoche (22, 34, 35) ayant des épaulements
arrondis (24, 24A).
3. Enfile-aiguilles selon l'une des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif
de maintien d'aiguille est placé au moins sur l'un des bords formés sur la partie
d'enfilage.
4. Enfile-aiguilles selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce
que le chas de la partie d'enfilage est formé par une ouverture (44).