GB2353047A

GB2353047A - Sewing needle

Info

Publication number: GB2353047A
Application number: GB9918934A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Sykes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-12
Filing date: 1999-08-12
Publication date: 2001-02-14
Also published as: GB9918934D0

Abstract

A sewing needle 11 having an eye 12 and a slot 14 in the needle on one side 12b of the eye to provide access to the eye for a thread 13. The slot may be inclined at an acute angle A to a line EP from the eye to the point of the needle. The slot may be formed by cutting one of the already formed side portions of the eye or in the eye stamping operation. The needle may be a hand or machine sewing needle.

Description

2353047 SEWING NEEDLE This invention relates to sewing needles.

Difficulties have clearly been experienced in threading sewing needles since biblical times at least.

Some solutions have been offered.

One involves using a device in the form of a piece of spring wire which can be passed through the eye to open out as a loop, larger than the eye, which can be easily threaded. The loop, with thread, is then pulled back through the eye. The device is small, and easily lost.

Another involves making a needle with a double eye split along the needle axis with a V-formation at the end. The thread is pulled into the inner eye, springing apart the two halves of the needle either side of the split. The thread, however, can as easily be pulled out of the double eye as it can be pulled in, and it is as well the needle can be relatively easily threaded, as it might have to be several times in even a simple button-sewing operation. This idea applies only to hand-sewing needles.

The present invention provides an easy-to-thread sewing needle that requires no auxiliary device and which holds the thread securely.

The invention comprises a sewing needle having an eye for receiving a sewing thread, the eye comprising an aperture bounded by side portions, one side portion having a slot for the insertion of thread.

The slot may be inclined with regard to the lengthwise axis of the needle. The slot may be inclined at an acute angle to the line from the edge to the point of the needle. Such an arrangement may be provided in a hand sewing needle.

The slot may, however, be perpendicular to the needle axis. Such an arrangement may be provided in a machine sewing needle or a hand sewing needle.

A needle according to the invention may be made by cutting a slot in an already formed side portion of a needle eye, or by forming a slot in the eye-stamping operation.

Sewing needles according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I is a view of the eye of a hand sewing needle, and Figure 2 is a view of the eye of a machine sewing needle.

The drawings illustrate sewing needles 11 having an eye 12 for receiving a sewing thread 13, the latter shown in each case in position on the needle eye, about to be threaded.

The eye 12 comprises an aperture 12a bounded by side portions 12b, 12c, one, 12b, of which has a slot 14 for the insertion of the thread 13.

In Figure 1, which is of a hand sewing needle 11, the slot 14 is inclined with regard to the lengthwise axis PE (Point to Eye) of the needle 11 and indeed inclined at an acute angle A thereto.

In Figure 2, which is of a sewing machine needle, the slot 14 is perpendicular to the needle axis PE.

In the hand sewing needle of Figure 1, the needle will pull the thread against the end of the aperture 12a remote from the point and the inclination of the slot 14 facilitates entry of the thread 13 but does not facilitate accidental slipping out.

In the machine sewing needle of Figure 2, the thread will be forced against the E end of the axis PE when the needle is punching through the fabric being sewn, and against the P end when being pulled out again. There would be a risk that, in between, the thread 13 could be caught in an inclined slot and accidentally come out of the eye 12.

Needles 11 according to the invention may be made by cutting, e.g. by means of a miniature cutting disc, a slot in an already formed needle eye or by stamping the slot at the same time as the eye is being formed.

It may, however, be found, depending upon how the needle is made, that an inclined slot will snag a little on the fabric being sewn, particularly with fine fabrics. A slot which is perpendicular to the needle axis has not exhibited any snagging, however, and this may turn out to be the preferred arrangement.

Claims

1. A sewing needle having an eye for receiving a sewing thread, the eye comprising an aperture bounded by side portions, one side portion having a slot for the insertion of thread.

2. A sewing needle according to claim 2, in which the slot is inclined with regard to the lengthwise axis of the needle.

3. A sewing needle according to claim 2, in which slot is inclined at an acute angle to the line from the eye to the point of the needle.

4. A sewing needle according to claim 3, being a hand sewing needle.

5. A sewing needle according to claim 1, in which the slot is perpendicular to the needle axis.

6. A sewing needle according to claim 5, being a machine sewing needle.

7. A method for making a sewing needle according to any one of claims I to 6, in which a slot is cut in an already formed side portion of a needle eye.

8. A method for making a sewing needle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which a slot is formed in the eye-stamping operation.