Patent Publication Number: US-2023151522-A1

Title: Needle threader and needle threading mechanism

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a needle threader and a needle threading mechanism for inserting a thread through the eye of a needle, such as a sewing needle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A conventional needle threader is disclosed in JP-B-3741673, for example. The needle threader includes a needle holding part, a pusher (a threading member) and an actuator mechanism. When a needle is set in the needle holding part and an operation lever of the actuator mechanism is operated, the tip of the pusher is advanced through the eye of the needle and pushes thread into the needle eye to form a loop (see FIG. 12 of JP-B-3741673). When the operation lever is moved back to its original position, the pusher retracts to a position away from the needle eye. Then, the needle is pulled out from the needle holding part, with the thread passing through the needle eye twice to form a loop. To complete the threading, the loop of thread needs to be pulled until a thread end comes out through the needle eye. Then, the needle is ready for sewing, with the thread running straight through the needle eye. 
     The loop of thread formed by the conventional needle threader extends as much as a few millimeters from the needle eye. Holding such a loop of thread with fingers to pull a thread end through the needle eye can be fiddly work. Moreover, the loop of thread may accidentally slip out of the needle during the work. If this happens, all the work needs to be repeated again, starting from setting the needle on the needle holding part, which is troublesome. 
     TECHNICAL REFERENCE 
     Patent Document 1: JP-A-2012-234955 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure has been conceived in view of the circumstances described above. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a needle threader configured to improve usability. 
     To handle the above issues, the present disclosure utilizes the following technical means. 
     A needle threader according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a needle holding part for holding a needle having a needle eye; a threading member reciprocally movable between a retracted position separated from the needle holding part and an advanced position for inserting a loop of thread through the needle eye by the threading member entering the needle eye; an actuator mechanism including an operation element and being configured to move the threading member to the retracted position when the operation element is in a first state to not operate the operation element and move to the advanced position when the operation element is in a second state to operate the operation element; and a thread pressing mechanism for pressing the loop of thread that is inserted through the needle eye by the threading member. The thread pressing mechanism includes a pressure receiving part, a pressing member that is reciprocally movable between a first position on or near the pressure receiving part and a second position separated from the pressure receiving part, and a biasing member that urges the pressing member toward the first position, and when the operation element is in the second state, the pressing member is moved to the second position, and when the operation element is switched from the second state to the first state, the pressing member is capable of pressing the loop of thread against the pressure receiving part. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the needle holding part includes a needle receiving hole having a needle supporting bottom surface, the needle receiving hole extending in a first direction that is along a longitudinal direction of the needle held by the needle holding part, the needle supporting bottom surface being offset in a first sense of the first direction, the threading member moves to the advanced position by entering the needle eye in a first sense of a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the pressing member includes a pressure applying tip for contacting the loop of thread, and the pressure applying tip extends in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pressure receiving part is disposed to face the pressure applying tip as viewed in the second direction. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pressing member has a first sloped portion that is connected to a center of the pressure applying tip in the third direction and inclined in the first sense of the first direction as it extends in the first sense of the second direction. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the needle threader further includes a first housing member and a second housing member supporting the actuator mechanism and being respectively offset in a first sense and a second sense of the third direction. The first housing member has a first abutting surface facing in the second sense of the third direction, and the second housing member has a second abutting surface facing in the first sense of the third direction and in contact with the first abutting surface, the first housing member includes a first protruding wall that protrudes from the first abutting surface in the second sense of the third direction, and the first protruding wall includes the pressure receiving part. 
     In a needle threader according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the needle receiving hole includes a first section offset in the first sense of the first direction, a second section separated from the first section in a second sense of the first direction, and a third section located between the first section and the first section, the needle holding part includes a movable member for pushing the needle in the first sense of the second direction, the third section is composed of the movable member, the needle holding part has a first slit, a second slit and a third slit that are respectively opened in the first section, the second section and the third section toward a side of each section in a second sense of the second direction, the second slit extends in the first direction as viewed in the second direction, the third slit extends in the first direction as viewed in the second direction and is connected to the first slit and the second slit, and the first slit includes a curved portion that is gently curved in the third direction from the first direction as viewed in the second direction. 
     A needle threading mechanism that includes: a needle receiving hole having a needle supporting bottom surface, the needle receiving hole extending in a first direction that is along a longitudinal direction of a needle held in the needle receiving hole, the needle supporting bottom surface being offset in a first sense of the first direction; and a threading member that can enter a needle eye of the needle held in the needle receiving hole, the needle threading mechanism being capable of inserting a loop of thread through the needle eye by the threading member entering the needle eye. The needle threading mechanism includes: a guide mechanism for guiding the needle into the needle receiving hole, wherein the needle receiving hole is formed with a slit that extends substantially across an entire length of the needle receiving hole in the first direction and that includes a curved portion gently curved from the first direction; and a thread pressing mechanism including a pressure receiving part and a pressing member that is reciprocally movable between a first position on or near the pressure receiving part and a second position separated from the pressure receiving part, wherein the pressing member is moved to the second position when the threading member enters the needle eye, and the pressing member is capable of pressing the loop of thread inserted through the needle eye against the pressure receiving part when the threading member retracts to a position away from the needle eye. 
     Other features and advantages of the needle threader according to the present disclosure will be more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing a needle threader according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view taken along line II-II of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is an enlarged view showing a portion of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the needle threader of  FIG.  1    (omitting a second housing member). 
         FIG.  5    is a fragmentary perspective view showing a first housing member. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic view of a first slit, a second slit and a third slit as viewed in an x direction. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view showing a pressing member. 
         FIG.  8    is an enlarged view showing a portion of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic view showing the relative positions of a first protruding wall and the pressing member as viewed in the x direction. 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line X-X of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  11    a sectional view similar to  FIG.  2    and showing an operation state of the needle threader of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  12    is an enlarged view showing a portion of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  13    a sectional view similar to  FIG.  12    and showing an operation state of the needle threader of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic view similar to  FIG.  9    and illustrating the operation shown in  FIG.  13   . 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view showing a needle being pulled up. 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view showing the needle being pulled up and completely threaded. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of a needle threader will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIGS.  1  to  4    show a needle threader according to one embodiment. The needle threader A 1  includes a housing  1 , a threading member  2 , an actuator mechanism  3 , a needle holding part  4  and a thread pressing mechanism  5 . 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing the needle threader A 1 .  FIG.  2    is a sectional view taken along line II-II of  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  3    is an enlarged view showing a portion of  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  4    is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the needle threader A 1 . For convenience, the upward and downward directions are defined with reference to the orientation shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     The housing  1  supports the threading member  2 , the actuator mechanism  3 , the needle holding part  4  and the thread pressing mechanism  5 . In one example, the housing  1  may be formed by molding synthetic resin. The housing  1  includes a first housing member  11  and a second housing member  12 . The first housing member  11  is offset in a y1 direction (a first sense of a third direction), and the second housing member  12  is offset in a y2 direction (a second sense of the third direction). The first housing member  11  and the second housing member  12  together define the interior space of the housing  1 . The interior space accommodates the threading member  2 , the actuator mechanism  3 , the needle holding part  4  and the thread pressing mechanism  5 . An upper part of the housing  1  is provided with a recess  14  and a cutting blade  15  for cutting thread T. To use the needle threader A 1 , a length of thread T is hooked over the bottom of the recess  14 . As later described, the first housing member  11  and the second housing member  12  (the housing  1 ) form portions of the needle holding part  4  and the thread pressing mechanism  5 . 
     The needle holding part  4  is provided for holding a needle  9  upright and includes a needle receiving hole  41  and a movable member  43 . The needle receiving hole  41  is open in the upper surface of the housing  1  and extends in a vertical direction i.e., a z direction (a first direction). The needle  9  is inserted into the needle receiving hole  41  with its head (the end where the needle eye  91  is formed) pointing downward. The needle  9  received in the needle receiving hole  41  has a longitudinal direction along the z direction. The internal diameter of the needle receiving hole  41  is large enough for receiving multiple types of needles commonly used for sewing. 
     The needle receiving hole  41  has a needle supporting bottom surface  411   a  at the bottom. The needle supporting bottom surface  411   a  is for supporting the head of the needle  9  and shaped as a concave surface. Generally, a needle is relatively flat around its head where an eye for threading is formed. The needle supporting bottom surface  411   a  is a concave surface shaped to closely receive such a flat head of a needle in a proper orientation. That is, when the head of the needle  9  is placed in contact with the needle supporting bottom surface  411   a , the needle  9  is properly oriented to have the needle eye  91  facing straight the threading member  2 . Details of the needle receiving hole  41  will be described later. 
     The movable member  43  is provided for positioning the needle  9  in place, by pressing the needle  9  against an inner wall of the needle receiving hole  41 . The movable member  43  may be made of synthetic resin, for example, and forms a portion of the needle receiving hole  41 . The movable member  43  reciprocates in a horizontal direction i.e., an x direction (a second direction) when an operation lever  31  is operated, as will be described later. Details of the movable member  43  will be described later. 
     The threading member  2  is provided for inserting the thread T through the needle eye  91  of the needle  9  and may be formed by stamping a thin metal plate into a prescribed shape. An end portion of the threading member  2  in an x1 direction (a first sense of the second direction) has a narrow elongated shape so that the end portion can pass through the needle eye  91  of the needle  9 . The threading member  2  is formed with a thread-engaging portion  21  at the tip of the end portion. The thread-engaging portion  21  is concavely recessed for preventing the thread T from easily slipping out when the threading member  2  pushes the thread T. 
     The actuator mechanism  3  is responsible for overall actuations of various cooperative parts, including reciprocation of the threading member  2 . The actuator mechanism  3  includes the operation lever  31 , an actuator plate  32 , a resilient member  321 , a shaft  322 , a swing arm  33 , a cam plate  34 , a guide  35 , a resilient member  36 , an actuating member  37  and a resilient member  38 . The operation lever  31  serves as an operation element for actuating the actuator mechanism  3  and protrudes in the x1 direction from the housing  1 . 
     The actuator plate  32  is secured to the operation lever  31 , enabling the actuator plate  32  and the operation lever  31  to integrally rotate about a shaft  71 . The guide  35  is provided for guiding the threading member  2  and has a slot  351  extending linearly in the x direction and a slider  352 . The threading member  2  is attached to the guide  35  to be reciprocally movable along the slot  351 . The swing arm  33  is provided for reciprocally moving the threading member  2  and is pivotable on the shaft  71 . Although not illustrated in detail, the swing arm  33  has a top portion configured to push the slider  352  of the guide  35 . By the swing arm  33  pushing the slider  352 , the threading member  2  moves back and force along the slot  351 . The resilient member  321  works as a cushion between the operation of the operation lever  31  and the pivotal movement of the swing arm  33 . The resilient member  321 , which may be a compression coil spring, is interposed between the swing arm  33  and the shaft  322 . The shaft  322  is substantially cylindrical and moves in an arcuate path about the shaft  71  in response to the operation of the operation lever  31 . The guide  35  is pivotable on a shaft  72 . The moving direction of the threading member  2  is changed by the pivotal movement of the guide  35 . The cam plate  34  is a substantially fan-shaped plate pivotally mounted on the shaft  71 . Although not illustrated in detail, the cam plate  34  has a peripheral surface that serves as a cum surface for pivoting the guide  35 . As shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , when the operation lever  31  is operated, the guide  35  is inclined such that the end of the slot  351  in the x1 direction is shifted slightly upward i.e., in a z2 direction (a second sense of the first direction). 
     The resilient member  36  provides the resilient force tending to urge the operation lever  31  upward (in the z2 direction). The resilient member  36 , which maybe a compression coil spring, is interposed between the bottom wall of the housing  1  and the lower portion of the operation lever  31 .  FIGS.  2  and  3    show a state where the operation lever  31  is not operated (a first state). When the operation lever  31  is not operated, the threading member  2  is in a retracted position away from the needle holding part  4  in an x2 direction (a second sense of the second direction).  FIGS.  11  and  12    show a state where the operation lever  31  is operated (a second state) by pressing the operation lever  31  down against the resilient force of the resilient member  36 . When the operation lever  31  is operated, the threading member  2  (the thread-engaging portion  21 ) moves to an advanced position by passing through the needle eye  91  in the x1 direction. When the threading member  2  (the thread-engaging portion  21 ) enters the needle eye  91 , the thread T is pushed into the needle eye  91  and forms a loop passing through the needle eye  91 . 
     When the operation lever  31  is released by the user, the operation lever  31  is moved upward by the resilient force of the resilient member  36  and the operation state switches back to the first state. At this time, the relevant parts of the actuator mechanism  3  move back to their original positions (as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   ), and the threading member  2  moves back to the retracted position. 
     The actuating member  37  operatively couples the operation lever  31 , the movable member  43  and the thread pressing mechanism  5 . The actuating member  37  has arms  371  and  372  and is pivotable on a shaft  73 . The arm  372  is inserted through a through hole formed at one end of the movable member  43 . The arm  372  is normally urged in the x2 direction by the resilient member  38  (such as an extension coil spring). This produces a torque urging the actuating member  37  to rotate clockwise as viewed in  FIG.  2   , so that the arm  371  is pressed against the upper surface of the operation lever  31 . Although not illustrated in detail, the upper surface of the operation lever  31  is configured as a cam surface. As shown in  FIG.  11   , this cam surface comes to push the arm  371  when the operation lever  31  is pressed downward. As a result, the arm  371  is raised in the z 2  direction to move the arm  372  in the x1 direction and consequently move the movable member  43  in the x1 direction. 
     When the movable member  43  is moved in the x1 direction, the needle  9  is pushed against the inner wall of the needle receiving hole  41  as shown in  FIG.  12   . The movable member  43  is guided by the housing  1  to reciprocate in the x direction and is configured to prevent making excessively large strokes. 
     In the present embodiment, the needle receiving hole  41  is formed partly in the housing  1  and partly in the movable member  43 . As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  6   , the needle receiving hole  41  has a first section  411 , a second section  412  and a third section  413 .  FIG.  6    is a schematic view, as viewed in the x1 direction from the recess  14  of the housing  1 . The first section  411  is located on the lower portion (in a z1 direction, i.e., a first sense of the first direction) and includes the needle supporting bottom surface  411   a . The second section  412  is located on the upper portion (in the z2 direction) of the first section  411 . The third section  413  is located between the first section  411  and the second section  412  and included in the movable member  43 . 
     In the present embodiment, the needle holding part  4  has a first slit  421 , a second slit  422  and a third slit  423  as shown in  FIG.  6   . The first, second and third slits  421 ,  422  and  423  are provided to allow the passage of the thread T that is inserted through the needle eye  91 , so that the needle  9  can be pulled up smoothly without the thread T being caught. The second slit  422  is open to the second section  412  on the side in the x2 direction and extends in the z direction as viewed in the x direction. The third slit  423  is open to the third section  413  on the side in the x2 direction and connected to the first slit  421  and the second slit  422 . The bottom portion of the first slit  421  is where the tip of the threading member  2  passes through. The first, second and third slits  421 ,  422  and  423  are connected together and extend substantially across the entire length of the needle receiving hole  41  in the z direction. When the needle  9  is pulled out of the needle receiving hole  41  after the thread T is passed through the needle eye  91 , the thread T is be smoothly pulled out sequentially through the first, second and third slits  421 ,  422  and  423  that are connected together. 
     The movable member  43  has a pair of projected portions  431  flanking the third slit  423 . When the movable member  43  is moved in the x1 direction, the projected portions  431  comes to push the needle  9  against the inner wall of the needle receiving hole  41  (in particular, the inner wall of the first section  411  and the second section  412 ). 
     According to the present embodiment, the first slit  421  includes a curved portion  421   a . The curved portion  421   a  gently curves in the y direction (the third direction) from the z direction as viewed in the x direction. When the needle  9  is inserted into the needle receiving hole  41 , the flat head of the needle  9  may be accidentally caught in the first slit  421 . In such a case, the needle  9  cannot be properly oriented. According to the present invention, however, the first slit  421  of the present embodiment is provided with the curved portion  421   a . The walls around the curved portion  421   a  serve to block the head of the needle  9  from sliding into the first slit  421 . This ensures that the needle  9  is properly oriented. Note that the curved portion  421   a  shown in the figures is an example, and the shape of the curved portion  421   a  is not limited to the arc shape. Alternatively, the curved portion  421   a  may be a portion of the first slit  421  bent at a gentle angle relative to the z direction. The location of the curved portion  421   a  in the first slit  421  needs to be close to the third slit  423  (in the z2 direction). 
     The thread pressing mechanism  5  shown in  FIGS.  2  to  4  and  11  to  13    is provided for holding the loop of the thread T inserted through the needle eye  91 . The thread pressing mechanism  5  includes a pressure receiving part  51 , a pressing member  52 , a lever  53  and a biasing member  54 . 
     The pressure receiving part  51  is disposed at an appropriate position on the housing  1  (at least in one of the first housing member  11  or the second housing member  12 ). According to the present embodiment, the pressure receiving part  51  is to be pressed by the pressing member  52  located below (in the z1 direction) the pressure receiving part  51  and has a surface facing in the z1 direction. Details of the pressure receiving part  51  will be described later. 
     The pressing member  52  can reciprocate vertically between the upper position (a first position) on or near the pressure receiving part  51  and the lower position (a second position) away from the pressure receiving part  51 . 
     The pressing member  52  may include a pressure applying tip  521 , a first sloped portion  522 , a sliding shaft  523 , an engaging portion  524  and a protrusion  525 . As shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  4 ,  7  and  8   , the pressure applying tip  521  is formed at the tip of the pressing member  52  in the z2 direction and for contacting the loop of the thread T. As can be seen from  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the pressure applying tip  521  extends in the y direction. According to the present embodiment, the pressing member  52  is broader in the y direction at a portion offset in the z2 direction. This broader portion includes the pressure applying tip  521 . As shown in  FIG.  10   , the broader portion of the pressing member  52  is guided along the channels  115  and  125  formed in the housing  1  (the first housing member  11  and the second housing member  12 ). This arrangement allows the pressing member  52  to reciprocate up and down. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the first sloped portion  522  is connected to the central portion of the pressure applying tip  521  in the y direction. The first sloped portion  522  is inclined in the z1 direction as it extends in the x1 direction. 
     The sliding shaft  523  is located in the middle of the pressing member  52  in the z direction and extends in the z direction. The engaging portion  524  is located at the end of the pressing member  52  in the z1 direction. The engaging portion  524  has an engaging hole  524   a  extending therethrough in the x direction for engagement with the lever  53 . 
     The protrusion  525  protrudes in the x2 direction from the broader portion that is located closer in the pressing member  52  to the side in the z2 direction. The protrusion  525  has an upper surface sloped in the z1 direction toward the side in the x2 direction. As described later, the thread T to be sandwiched between the pressure applying tip  521  and the pressure receiving part  51  tends to sag by gravity, especially when the thread T is relatively thick. The protrusion  525  prevents the thread T from sagging. The protrusion  525  and the broader portion are accommodated in channels  116  and  126  formed in the housing  1  (the first housing member  11  and the second housing member  12 ). 
     The pressure applying tip  521  shown in  FIGS.  9  and  10    is relatively long in the y direction (in a first dimension L 1 ). According to the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  10   , the first dimension L 1  of the pressure applying tip  521  (the broader portion of the pressing member  52 ) is greater than the total of the length of the protrusion  525  in the y direction (a second dimension L 2 ) combined with the gaps G 1  and G 2  left in the channels  116  and  126 . 
     The lever  53  has a first arm  531  and a second arm  532  and is pivotable on the shaft  74 . The second arm  532  passes through the engaging hole  524   a  of the pressing member  52 . The first arm  531  is in contact with the upper surface of the arm  371  of the actuating member  37 . 
     The biasing member  54 , which may be a compression coil spring, is disposed between the first arm  531  and the wall of the housing  1  located above (in the z2 direction) the first arm  531 . The first arm  531  is normally urged in the z1 direction by the biasing member  54 . This produces a torque urging the lever  53  to rotate counterclockwise in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , so that the pressing member  52  is urged upward (in the z2 direction) by the second arm  532 . Thus, as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the pressing member  52  is placed in the upper position (the first position) when the operation lever  31  is not operated (the first state). 
     When the operation lever  31  of the actuator mechanism  3  is pressed downward, the arm  371  is raised in the z1 direction as shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   . Consequently, the first arm  531  is pushed upward by compressing the biasing member  54  against the biasing force. As a result, the lever  53  is rotated clockwise to move the pressing member  52  to the lower position (the second position). When the pressing member  52  is in the lower position (the second position), the biasing member  54  is compressed against its biasing force. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  5 ,  8  and  9   , the following describes details of the pressure receiving part  51 , as well as the interaction between the pressure receiving part  51  and the pressing member  52  (the pressure applying tip  521 ). 
     According to the present embodiment, the pressure receiving part  51  is disposed to face the pressure applying tip  521  of the pressing member  52  as viewed in the x direction. The pressure receiving part  51  has a first portion  511  and a second portion  512 . The first portion  511  is formed in the first housing member  11 . The first housing member  11  has a first abutting surface  111  facing in the y2 direction and a first protruding wall  112  protruding from the first abutting surface  111  in the y2 direction. The second housing member  12  has a second protruding wall  122 . The second protruding wall  122  is adjacent to the first protruding wall  112  in the x2 direction and protrudes in the y1 direction. The second protruding wall  122  has an end face facing in the y1 direction, and this end face serves as a second abutting surface  121  that is disposed in surface contact with the first abutting surface  111  of the first housing member  11 . 
       FIG.  9    shows the relative position of the first protruding wall  112  and the pressing member  52  as viewed from the side in the x2 direction toward the side in the x1 direction. In  FIG.  9   , the second protruding wall  122  of the second housing member  12  is closer toward the front, and the first protruding wall  112  of the first housing member  11  is farther in the back. The first protruding wall  112  is disposed close enough to the pressure applying tip  521  for sandwiching the thread T between the lower end of the first protruding wall  112  and the pressure applying tip  521 . According to the present embodiment, the lower portion (in the z1 direction) of the first protruding wall  112  serves as the first portion  511 . That is, the first portion  511  is a portion of the pressure receiving part  51  and included in the first protruding wall  112 . 
     The lower end (in the z1 direction) of the second protruding wall  122  is located above (in the z2 direction) the lower end (the first portion  511 ) of the first protruding wall  112 . As shown in  FIG.  8   , in addition, the second protruding wall  122  is offset in the x2 direction from the first protruding wall  112 . That is, the second protruding wall  122  is located farther from the pressure applying tip  521  of the pressing member  52  than the first protruding wall  112  is. This configuration ensures that the thread T is not caught between the second protruding wall  122  and the pressure applying tip  521 . The second protruding wall  122  is not a part of the pressure receiving part  51 . 
     According to the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  8   , the second portion  512  is a surface adjacent to the first protruding wall  112  in the x1 direction and facing in the z1 direction. That is, the second portion  512  is located near the first protruding wall  112  and faces the pressure applying tip  521 . This configuration allows the second portion  512  and the pressure applying tip  521  to sandwich the thread T between them. In one example, the second portion  512  is included partly in the first housing member  11  and partly in the second housing member  12 . 
     The manner how the needle threader A 1  is used and how it works will be described. 
     First, as shown in  FIG.  2   , a user sets a needle  9  in the needle holding part  4  and places thread T over the recess  14 . Then, the user presses the operation lever  31  down against the resilient force of the resilient member  36 . In response, the actuating member  37  rotates as described above, and the movable member  43  moves in the x1 direction as the actuating member  37  rotates. As a result, the needle  9  is pushed against the inner wall of the needle receiving hole  41  (the first section  411  and the second section  412 ), ensuring that the axis of the needle  9  is positioned in front of the threading member  2 . 
     As the user presses the operation lever  31  further down, the various parts of the actuator mechanism  3  work to move the threading member  2  in the x1 direction as shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   . In this state where the operation lever  31  is operated (the second state), the threading member  2  (the thread-engaging portion  21 ) is moved to the advanced position through the needle eye  91  in the x1 direction. When the threading member  2  (the thread-engaging portion  21 ) enters the needle eye  91 , the thread T is pushed into the needle eye  91  to form a loop having two portions passing the needle eye  91 . The pressure receiving part  51  overlaps with the loop of the thread T as viewed in the z direction. 
     In response to the operation of the operation lever  31 , the thread pressing mechanism  5  works as described above. When the operation lever  31  is operated (the second state) as shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , the various parts of the thread pressing mechanism  5  cooperate to move the pressing member  52  to the lower position (the second position). Since the thread pressing mechanism  5  is operatively associated with the operation lever  31  (the actuator mechanism  3 ), the pressing member  52  is retracted to the lower position (the second position) away from the traveling path of the threading member  2  when the threading member  2  moves to the advanced position for pushing the thread T. This prevents the pressing member  52  from interfering with the travel of the threading member  2 . 
     Subsequently, when the user releases the operation lever  31 , the operation lever  31  is moved upward by the resilient force of the resilient member  36 , and the operation state is switched to the unoperated state (the first state). This causes the threading member  2  to move in the x2 direction to the original position (the retracted position) away from the needle holding part  4  in the x2 direction. 
     When the operation lever  31  is switched to the unoperated state (the first state), the thread pressing mechanism  5  is actuated by rotation of the actuating member  37  to push the pressing member  52  upward (in the z2 direction) as shown in  FIG.  13   . The pressing member  52  (the pressure applying tip  521 ) thus moved upward presses the loop of the thread T, which is located directly under the pressure receiving part  51 , against the pressure receiving part  51 . In this state, the pressing member  52  is urged by the resilient force of the biasing member  54  to the upper position (the first position) through the cooperation of the various parts of the thread pressing mechanism  5  described above. The loop TL of the thread T is therefore firmly sandwiched between the pressure receiving part  51  and the pressing member  52  (the pressure applying tip  521 ).  FIG.  14    is a schematic view similar to  FIG.  9    and shows the state where the loop TL is held between the pressure receiving part  51  and the pressing member  52  (the pressure applying tip  521 ). 
     Then, the user pulls the needle  9  upward (in the z2 direction) to remove the needle  9  from the needle holding part  4 . In this state, the loop TL of thread T passed through the needle eye  91  is still sandwiched between the pressure receiving part  51  and the pressing member  52 . Consequently, as the needle  9  is raised higher, the thread end TE of the loop TL is pulled toward the needle eye  91  as shown in  FIG.  15   . Eventually, the thread end TE is pulled out from the needle eye  91 , so that the single thread T runs through the needle eye  91  as shown in  FIG.  16   . Then, the user grips the head of the needle  9  (around the needle eye  91 ) with his/her fingers and gently pulls the head of the needle  9  together with the thread T passed through the needle eye  91 . In this way, the thread T is disengaged from the thread pressing mechanism  5  (from the position between the pressure receiving part  51  and the pressing member  52 ). 
     The needle threader A 1  is provided with the thread pressing mechanism  5 . The thread pressing mechanism  5  includes the pressure receiving part  51 , the pressing member  52  and the biasing member  54 . In response to the operation of the operation lever  31 , the pressing member  52  presses the loop TL (the thread T passed through the needle eye  91 ) against the pressure receiving part  51 . This configuration enables the thread end TE of the loop TL to be pulled out of the needle eye  91  to have the single thread T run straight through the needle eye  91 , by pulling the needle  9  out from the needle holding part  4  after operating the operation lever  31 . In other words, unlike the conventual needle threader, the threading operation is completed without requiring the user to go through the step of pulling the thread end TE of the loop of thread T out of the needle eye  91  after pulling the needle  9  out from the needle threader A 1 . In addition, the needle threader A 1  prevents the loop TL from accidentally slipping out of the needle eye  91  by holding holds the loop TL with the thread pressing mechanism  5 . 
     The pressing member  52  has the pressure applying tip  521  for contacting the loop TL. The pressure applying tip  521  extends in the y direction, which is perpendicular to the z direction along the longitudinal direction of the needle  9  held by the needle holding part  4  and also to the x direction in which the threading member  2  moves back and force. As will be understood from  FIGS.  13  and  14   , this configuration is effective for firmly holding two portions of the loop TL of the thread T. 
     The pressure receiving part  51  is disposed to face the pressure applying tip  521  as viewed in the x direction in which the threading member  2  moves back and force (see  FIG.  14   ). This positional relation enables the pressure applying tip  521 , which extends in the y direction, to reliably hold the loop TL of the thread T. 
     The pressing member  52  has the first sloped portion  522  (see  FIGS.  7  and  8   ). The first sloped portion  522  is connected to the central portion of the pressure applying tip  521  in the y direction and is inclined in the z1 direction toward the side in the x1 direction. With the first sloped portion  522 , the distance in the x direction along which the loop TL is pressed between the pressing member  52  and the pressure receiving part  51  is relatively short. The thread pressing mechanism  5  (the pressure receiving part  51  and the pressing member  52 ) can therefore press the loop TL of a thread T of a variety of thickness with an appropriate pressure, so that the usability of the needle threader A 1  is improved. 
     The first housing member  11  has the first protruding wall  112  that protrudes in the y2 direction from the first abutting surface  111  joined to the second abutting surface  121  of the second housing member  12 . The pressure receiving part  51  (the first portion  511 ) is included in the first protruding wall  112 . As will be understood from  FIG.  14   , this configuration allows the loop TL to be sandwiched at a location away from the first abutting surface  111  and the second abutting surface  121  where the first housing member  11  and the second housing member  12  are joined. This eliminates undesirable possibility of catching the thread T in the gap between the first housing member  11  and the second housing member  12  when the thread T is pulled out. 
     The needle threader of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above. Various changes may be made to the needle threader without departing from the scope of the claims.