Combined Needle-threader and Thread-cutter Applicable to Sewing Machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Combined Needle-threader and Thread-cutter Applicable to Sewing
Machines.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM BARKER, of the Firm of Horn & Son, of 151 Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, (a communication to me from abroad by James
Cook and H. McHodge, both of Darlington, in the County of Darlington and State
of South Carolina, United States of America,) do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This my invention relates to an improvement in needle-threaders and thread cutters
for sewing-machines; and it consists in a pivoted needle threader which is adapted
to be attached to the presser-foot of any sewing-machine, and which is provided
with a small hook upon its free end, so as to pass through the eye of the needle
and catch the thread which is drawn through the eye as the threader is returned
to position, and a thread-cutter which is placed upon the clamping-screw of the clasp
of the needle-threader, as will be more fully described hereinafter.
The objects of my invention are to provide a needle-threader, by means of which a
person can easily and quickly thread the needle of a sewing-machine without the aid
of the eyesight or having to use both hands, and to attach to the threader a device for
cutting the thread, which is always in position and ready for use.
Fig. 1. represents a prespective of a device which embodies my invention complete
and in position ready for operation. Fig. 2. is an enlarged detail view of the hook
upon the threader. Fig. 3. is a plan view of my invention.
A, represents the presser-foot, B the needle bar, and the needle, of any of the
well-known forms of sewing-machines.
Passed over the rod of the presser-foot is the clasp D, which can be opened and
closed by the turning of the screw G, so as to adapt the clasp to be used upon any
size or form of presser-foot or rod that may be used. In order to prevent any
possibility of the clasp becoming displaced at any time, the screw H is passed through
the side of the clasp so as to bear against the rod of the presser-foot, and thus clamp
the clasp so tightly in position that if the ends of the clasp should become loosened by
the turning of the screw G the clasp will not become displaced.
Pivoted upon the screw G, in between the ends of the clasp is the needle-threader I,
which consist of a flat bar or plate of suitable length, size, and material, and which is
bent either into the form here shown or any other that may be preferred. The length
of the threader is such that when the needle-bar and needle are raised to their highest
point the lower end of the threader will sweep through a circle and have its lower end,
having the hook J attached thereto, come just opposite the eye of the needle. When
the threader is not in use, it is turned up out of the way; but when the needle is to
be threaded the threader is moved through half a circle.
Secured in any suitable manner to the lower end of this threader is a hook J, which
is made sufficiently small to freely pass through the eye of the needle, for the purpose
of catching the thread upon the other side of the needle and drawing the thread
through the eye as the threader is raised into position. When the needle is raised to
its highest position, it is only necessary to depress the threader, when the hook passes
through the eye of the needle and catches the thread, which is held up to the needle
for the purpose of drawing it through the eye, the parts being so proportioned
that no care, eyesight, or use of both bands is necessary, the mere depression of
the threader, when the needle is raised to its highest point, and the bringing of
the thread against the hook, being all that is necessary. Blind persons, or persons
in places too dark to see the eye of the needle, or persons having only one hand can
thread the needle as readily as a person having a good eyesight or the use of both
hands

page_text: For the purpose of protecting the hook, which is made very small for the purpose of
passing through the eye of the needle, a projection or extension O upon the end of
the threader is formed, and which projection or extension projects alongside of the
needle, but separated therefrom by a slight space, so as to prevent the hook from
being accidentally struck and injured or from catching in the goods that are being
sewed.
Placed on the screw G are two collars P, between which the thread-cutter R is
clamped. These collars and the thread-cutter are placed upon the screw before the
end of the screw is passed through the ends of the clamp and the end of the needle-
threader, and the collars are lock-nutted to clamp the thread-cutter with sufficient
force, so that the turning of the screw to tighten or loosen the clamp upon the presser-
foot rod will net unscrew the collars which clamp the thread-cutter in position. As
the screw is turned the thread cutter turns with it and is always brought back into
position when the screw is tightened.
The thread-cutter is always in position ready for use, alongside of the presser-
foot rod.
These two attachments-the needle-threader and thread cutter-may be used
together, or the needle threader may be used alone, just as may be proferred. Either
the needle-threader alone, or both the needle-threader and the thread-cutter, can be
kept in stock as separate and distinct attachments and can be sold to be applied to any
sewing-machine now in use.
The needle-threader herein described answers also for a needle-set, for the reason
that the hook enters the eye of the needle when the needle is at its highest point and is
properly in place. When a needle is to be set, it is only necessary to have the hook
engage the eye of the needle, and the needle will then be accurately set.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
The combination of the presser-foot rod and the clamp D, placed thereon, with the
screw G, the pivoted needle-threader I, placed upon the screw G and held between
the ends of the clamp, the hook J protected by projection 0 and secured to the
needle-threader I, the washers placed upon the screw, and the thread cutter which is
placed between the washers and held in any desired position, substantially as shown
and described.