Improvements in and connected with Needle Threaders.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 14th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 4th Feb.,
1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Needle Threaders.
I, JOHN DARLING, of Gallowflats, Rutherglen, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in needle threaders for threading
sewing machine needles.
In carrying out my invention, I have a holder of any convenient shape and size
and to the upper end of which there is a base which may be in one piece with it
or connected to it in any convenient manner. In this case there is a plate having
a bottom edge and which is connected to a small rod or stem working in the centre
of the holder. Carried on the holder towards the upper end, and connected to
the plate by means of a flat bar of metal or other convenient means, there is a
ring or collar and to which also there is connected, or in one piece with it, two
small balls, knobs or projections for operating the threader by means of the
hand as will be hereafter described. On one side of this plate there is centred one
end of a lever the other end being fixed to a moveable cross bar to which the
threader is connected. On one side of the case, and forming part of it, there is a
projecting piece or plate so formed or shaped that it not only acts as a guide for
the threader, but the ends form a round hole or recess into which the needle to
be threaded passes, as will be hereafter described. Carried loosely over this
projecting piece there is a loose cover having two small holes or openings across
which the thread is placed. To this cover there is pivoted one end of a lever,
the other end being connected to the opposite side of the case.
Fixed to the
upper and lower ends of the plate inside the case and passing through a slot or
opening in the lever last referred to there is a wire spring.
The mode of threading the needle is as follows:-The thread is placed across
the two holes and the plate pushed up by means of the little balls or knobs. As
the plate rises the lever on the plate turns on its pivot and causes the bar, to
which the threader is attached, to move along until the threader comes in front
of the thread. The plate is still further raised when by the action of the lever
pivoted to the plate the cross bar is slightly drawn back and with it the threader
and the action of the wire spring on the lever connected to the cover at this point
brings forward the cover and with it the thread, which is now in front of the
threader, the point of the needle is then placed down through the hole already.
referred to until it protrudes about 1 inch or so. The balls or knobs are then
released and the needle withdrawn when it becomes automatically threaded, the
mechanism returning to its normal position, by means of a spring provided. for.
the purpose.
I might provide a guide for the needle if necessary.

page_text: Improvements in and connected with Needle Threaders.
:
I, JOHN DARLING, of Gallowflat, Rutherglen, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Engineer, 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 invention relates to improvements in needle threaders for threading
sewing machine needles.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect I have hereunto appended one sheet of drawings, of which,
Figure is a side elevation of the apparatus. ·
Figure 2 is a front elevation.
Figure, 3. is also a front elevation showing the first stage of the threading
operation.
Figure 4 is similar view in second stage of threading operation and with view
of hook.
Figure 5 is enlarged view of case shewing the threader after having passed
through eye of needle and caught thread.
Figure 6 is enlarged fragmental view shewing needle threader.
Figure is detached view shewing passage for threader.
Figure 8 is a part horizontal side view illustrating how the threading operation
is to be effect.
In carrying out my invention, I have a holder 1 of any convenient shape and
size and to the upper end of which there is a case 2, which may be in one piece
with it or connected to it in any convenient manner. In this case 2 there is a
cross bar 3, to which there is connected or in one piece with it and lying at right
angles to it another bar 4 which is connected to a small rod or stem 5 working
in the centre of the holder and on which there is carried a spiral spring 6 and
to which also there is connected a small ball or knob 18. The cross-bar 3 slides
on a wire spring or cam 11, one end 11" of which is connected to the side of the
case 2 while the other end 11b is connected to the top end of the case. Towards
the lower end of the case 2 there is centred at 7 one end of a lever 8 the other or
upper end having a turned-up piece 8", to which there is fixed a little pin 9 by
which the threader 10 is held in position. The lever 8 is connected to the cross-
bar 3 by means of the link 12. On one side of the case and forming part of the
top end there is a projecting piece or plate 13 so formed or shaped that it not
only acts as a guide for the threader, but the ends form a round hole or recess 14
into which the needle 15 to be threaded passes, as will be hereafter more fully
explained. On the outside end of the projecting piece or plate 13 there is a slit
or cut-out 16 across which the thread 17 is placed.
The mode of threading the needle is as follows:-The thread 17 is placed across
the slit 16 and the sliding bar 3 pulled down by means of the little ball or
knob 18 and this through the bend on the spring wire or cam 11 slightly raises the
projecting piece 13. The point of the needle 15 is then passed down through
the hole or recess 14 until it-protrudes about a ½ of an inch or so, the ball or knob
is then released and the machine gradually drawn down from the needle, when
by the re-action of the spring 6 the bar 3 rises, and it, being connected to the
lever 8 by means of the link 12, which turns on its pivot, causes the threader 10
to move along until it passes through the eye of the needle and comes in front of
the thread 17. The cross-bar 3 still continues, to rise, when by the bend on the
spring wire 11, the projecting piece 13 falls to its normal position and the

page_text: threader grips the thread. The cross-bar 3 still rising the lever 8 by the action
of the link 12 is slightly drawn back, and with it the threader and the thread,
when they return through the eye of the needle and the needle becomes automa-
tically threaded.
In releasing the thread, the knob or ball is simply pulled down when it becomes
disengaged.
Of course it is to be understood that slight variations in detail of construction
of the machine might be made without deviating from the principle of my
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
A sewing machine threader constructed substantially as described and illus-
trated on the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this 13th day of December 1898.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.