US3434590A - Spool and bobbin holder - Google Patents

Description

March 25, 1969 E. D. LAUGHLIN ET AL 3,434,590

7 SPOOL AND BOBBIN HOLDER Filed Feb. 15, 1967 Evan D. Laugh/in E d/fh M. Laugh/in INVENTORS United States Patent 3,434,590 SPOOL AND BOBBIN HOLDER Evan D. Laughlin and Edith M. Laughlin, both of 1112 Schweitzer Road, McKeesport, Pa. 15135 Filed Feb. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 616,340 Int. Cl. B65d 79/00 US. Cl. 20647 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A multipurpose holder for user of sewing machine comprises: A spindle with axial storing socket for inserta'ble needle and functioning primarily to store (1) a spool of thread of one color and (2) a sewing machine bobbin with thread of corresponding color and (3) an elastic strand or band with looped ends detachably connected to spindle and spanning and yieldingly retaining the spool and bobbin against accidental displacement from spindle.

Background of the invention This invention relates to a simple, practical and highly desirable holder which is expressly and satisfactorily constructed and designed to conveniently hold sewing accessories; more particularly, a holder which lends itself to use when the user desires to store a spool of thread, a sewing machine bobbin with corresponding thread thereon, and a readily applicable and removable needle.

Persons conversant with the field of invention to which the herein disclosed concept pertains are aware that holders for sewing accessories which function to aid those who sew are old and well-known and primarily relate to spool holders one of which, quite unlike the present invention, is disclosed in a patent to Rawlings 1,976,037.

Another holder which pertains, but only in a broad manner, to the invention herein disclosed is shown in a patent to Boye directed to a holder for balls and spools of strand material Patent 1,130,058. These patents are mentioned only to reveal the general state of the art to which the present invention relates.

Concerning the general problem, it is recognized that most women who sew have many different colors and shades of thread on spools (of many and varying sizes) and bobbins, also of different sizes, wound with thread of corresponding colors. Storage of companion spools and bobbins has always created a perplexing problem because the thread on the bobbin unwinds; the spool becomes separated from its matching bobbin, and the user is confronted with difficulties too numerous to mention. It follows that the object of the instant endeavor is to advance the art of holders in the category under advisement and, in so doing, to provide an adaptation which can be appropriately endorsed by manufacturers and retailers and which, as is more important, will serve as a real aid to anyone who uses a sewing machine.

Summary The herein disclosed solution of the problem is of the utmost in simplicity and feasibility. It is characterized by an elongated straight spindle having a head at one end and having its other end rounded and blunt. This spindle is inflexible and long enough to accommodate virtually all spools of thread of customary size. Experience has shown that it can be made of any material which the manufacturer may choose such as metal, commercial plastics, wood, hardened rubber and so on. The spindle is of a length and cross-section to accommodate at least one spool of thread and a complemental or companion sewing machine bobbin with thread of a corresponding color.

A needle, if desired, can be stored in a socket provided therefor in the spindle. A rubber or an equivalent elastic strand or an equivalent band has looped ends which are connected with end portions of the spindle and this band spans and provides yieldable pressure against the spool and bobbin respectively whereby to prevent accidental displacement of the same.

It will be evident from the foregoing that spools and bobbins grouped together in the manner herein shown and described can be effectually, and neatly stored in a drawer, sewing box or container and are accordingly accessible when needed for use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, Wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the improved holder with the needle, spool and bobbin omitted.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective based on FIG. 1 and showing how the holder comes into play to compactly and conveniently store the needle, spool and bobbin respectively.

And FIG. 3 is an enlarged central longitudinal sec tional view taken through the assemblage shown in FIG. 2.

Description of the preferred embodiment The principal component herein designated as the spindle is denoted by the numeral 4 and is linearly straight and of a predetermined length, for example the length suggested in FIG. 2 which is suitable, as is evident, for storage of the spool of thread 6 and sewing machine bobbin 8. It may be reiterated that the spindle is long enough to accommodate all common size spools of thread which also means that the cross-section is such as to pass through the usual bore or passage of the spool in the manner disclosed. The spindle is usually made of a colorful commercial plastic material but may also be made of wood, hard rubber, aluminum or such material as is settled upon by the manufacturer. The right hand end portion in the views of the drawing is provided with head means 10 comprising integral enlarged correspondingly diametered flanges 12 and 14 which are spaced apart to provide an anchoring groove. The opposite or left hand end is convexly rounded and suitably blunt as at 16 to facilitate stringing the spool 6 and bobbin 8 on the spindle. The spindle is also provided with an axial socket which is closed at one end as at 18 in FIG. 3 and open at the opposite right hand end 20 to accommodate the shank 22 of an insertable and removable needle 24. The eye 26 of the needle is left exposed at the headed end for accessibility and also, if desired, to pass a free end portion 28 of the thread 30 therethrough. To conveniently assemble and store the spool 6 and bobbin 8 on the spindle simple and feasible means is employed and preferably takes the form of a length of elastic material which is designated as a retainer 34. This retainer has one end portion 36 provided with a loop 38 which is fitted in the groove between the headforming flanges 12 and 14. A similar loop 40 is provided at the opposite end and is slip-fitted and retained over the left hand end portion of the spindle in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is within the purview of the concept and desirable to provide the median portion of the elastic retainer element 34 with a permanently attached sleeve 42 of foam rubber or the like which lends itself to the manner of use illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Accordingly, it will be seen that said sleeve, being compressibly resilient, adapts itself to both the spool and bobbin and, in so doing, assists in preventing unwinding of the thread and undesirable displacement of the spool or bobbin.

In practice the spindle permits the spool and bobbin to be slipped on one end and, if desired, to come to rest against the head means at the other end or to simply retain the approximate stored position and relationship shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the spool 6 and bobbin 8 are in place the sleeve-equipped elastic retaining element (band or the like) comes into play and is applied and stretched so that the tension resulting presses the surfaces of the sleeve against the thread on the spool and bobbin to achieve the conveniently stored end result desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows 1. In combination, a spool of thread, a companion thread filled sewing machine bobbin, the thread on said spool and bobbin, respectively, corresponding in character and color for coordinate use in a customary manner, a spindle passing through the aligned bores in said spool and bobbin respectively with end portions projecting beyond corresponding ends of the spool and bobbin 9 whereby to thus removably string and store the spool and bobbin on said spindle, and elastic guard means having terminal end portions attached to corresponding end portions of said spindle and having its main body portion stretched across and contacting the spool and bobbin in a manner to temporarily store and prevent unintended displacement of the same from said spindle.

2. The combination according to claim 1 and wherein said spindle is provided at one end with head means, the other end being convexly rounded and blunt to facilitate piloting the same through the bores of the spool and bobbin, said guard means having a loop at one end detachably connectible with said head means, and having a loop at the other end slidingly and detachably connected with the corresponding blunt end of said spindle.

3. The combination according to claim 1 and wherein said spindle is provided at one end with head means, the

other end being convexly rounded and blunt to facilitate piloting the same through the bores of the spool and bobbin, said guard means having a loop at one end detacha bly connectible with said head means, and having a loop at the other end slidingly and detachably connected with the corresponding blunt end of said spindle, and a compressibly resilient sleeve on that portion of the guard means between the respective loops and adapted to conformingly contact thread which is wound on the spool and bobbin respectively in a manner to assist in preventing undesirable unwinding of the thread as well as accidental displacement of either the spool or the bobbin.

4. The combination defined in and according to claim 1 and wherein said spindle is straight, is of a predetermined length and a predetermined cross-section, said spindle having spaced parallel integrated flanges at one end providing head means having an encircling groove, the other end of said spindle being convexly rounded.

5. The combination defined in and according to claim 4 and wherein said guard means comprises an elastic band having attaching loops at its respective ends and is provided intermediate the loops with a compressibly resilient pressure-responsive sleeve.

6. The combination defined in and according to claim 5, and wherein said spindle is provided with an elongated axial socket closed at one end and opening at its opposite end through the flange-equipped end of said spindle, said socket being adapted to store an insertable and removable sewing needle with the eye of the needle accessibly exposed in a position adjacent but slightly beyond said head means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

JOHN M. CASKIE, Assistant Examiner.

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