GB2451834A

GB2451834A - Thimble

Info

Publication number: GB2451834A
Application number: GB0715784A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Annie Leeves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-13
Filing date: 2007-08-13
Publication date: 2009-02-18
Also published as: GB0715784D0

Abstract

A sewing thimble 10 with two layers of polymer material, wherein the outer layer 14 is a relatively soft material, and the inner layer 16, whIch is harder and resistant to needle piercing, is embedded within the outer layer below the exterior surface. Preferably the two polymers are elastomeric and the thimble is manufactured by a two shot moulding process resulting in the two layers being permanently bonded and the thimble having smooth internal and external surfaces. Preferably the outer polymer is polyurethane and the inner polymer is polyurethane or other polymer, and the different polymers have different Shore hardness scale grades. The outer surface of the thimble is designed to prevent needle slippage.

Description

Thimble This invention relates to a thimble for sewing.

Conventional thimbles are made from metal but have the disadvantage that the metal does not conform to the shape of the users finger, and are therefore uncomfortable for long-term use.

An elastomenc thimble is known from US Patent 6,726068. The thimble described in this patent has a working surface which covers the fleshy portion of the finger and is thick enough to avoid penetration by a needle, and a compliant member which surrounds the remainder of the finger.

According to the present invention, there is provided a thimble manufactured from polymeric materials wherein the exterior surface of the thimble is all made from the same, first polymer, and embedded in the first polymer, below the outer surface thereof, is a layer of a second, harder polymer, resistant to needle :*. breakthrough.

By making the outer surface entirely of the same, relatively soft polymer, a uniform external appearance of the thimble is achieved. Furthermore there are no external edges or joint areas which can irritate adjacent fingers. The relative softness of the first polymer allows it to yield to trap the end of a needle which can be prevented from slipping on the needle surface by making an indentation in the polymer when pressure is applied between the thimble and the end of a needle.

Getting the hardnesses right for the two polymers is important to achieve the correct balance between comfort on the finger (determined primarily by the properties of the first polymer) and resistance to needle penetration (determined by the properties of the second polymer). It is anticipated that the first polymer should have a hardness of 50 Shore A to 90 Shore A and the second polymer should have a hardness of between 60 and 80 Shore D. The thimble is preferably manufactured in a single mould tool with tow cavities.

The layer of harder polymer is first moulded alone, and then that moulding is transferred into a second mould cavity into which the outer layer is injected, to surround and bond to the harder layer.

The materials used may both be polyurethane which is available in different hardness grades to meet the requirements of both portions of the thimble.

Alternatively, the outer polymer may be a polyurethane and the inner may be a nylon.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a thimble in accordance with the inventions; Figure 2 is a section through the thimble of Figure 1; and *e * * Figure 3 shows the interaction between a needle and the thimble. *** ****

: As can be seen form Figure 1, the thimble 10 has a smooth and uniform external surface, with a thickened base rim 12. Figure 2 shows the relative forms of the outer surface 14, formed from the first, softer polymer and the inner layer 16, formed from the second, harder polymer. The inner layer 16 will be moulded first, and then the outer layer will be moulded over the intertayer to produce a single integral product. The moulding will be controlled so that the region where the first polymer blends into the second polymer (at 18) is smooth and free from any step or discontinuity. If both polymers have the same pigment, the joining region 18 may be invisible.

When the thimble is used, the end of a needle 20 will make an indentation in the soft outer surface 14, as shown in Figure 3. This will prevent the needle from slipping on the surface of the thimble. However the needle will not be able to penetrate the harder inner layer 16. 2.

The material of the outer layer will be chosen so that the thimble can conform to the user's finger to a sufficient extent to avoid discomfort, and so that it enables a permanent bond to be produced between the layers without the need for adhesive or any interiayer between the two polymers. S. * S * *.* **.S * a 5.. 5*** * .e

S * . S *S*

Claims

Claims 1. A thimble manufactured from polymeric materials wherein the exterior surface of the thimble is all made from the same, first polymer, and embedded in the first polymer, below the outer surface thereof, is a layer of a second, harder polymer, resistant to needle breakthrough.
2. A thimble as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first polymer is elastomenc.
3. A thimble as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the second polymer is elastomeric.
4. A thimble as claimed in any wherein the thimble is manufactured by a two-shot moulding process, the second polymer being first moulded to a desired shape, and the first polymer than being moulded over the first polymer to produce a permanent bond.
5. A thimble as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the surface region where the two polymers meet is smooth such that the existence of the joint * S..

cannot be detected by touch. *5**
6. A thimble as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the external e. * surface of the thimble is smooth.
7. A thimble as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first polymer has a hardness of 50 Shore A to 90 Shore A.
8. A thimble as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second polymer has a hardness of between 60 and 80 Shore D.
9. A thimble as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the polymers are both polyurethane, of different hardness grades.
10. A thimble as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the outer polymer is a polyurethane and the inner polymer is a polymer other than polyurethane.
11. A thimble substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing. S. * . * SS* S... * * 5.. * S * ** I * . *IS