Patent ID: 7272958

Claim:
A latch needle for textile machines, comprising: a needle shank which has a needle breast and a needle back and in which a sawslot is formed, a latch which is supported in the sawslot for a pivotal motion between a closed position (I) and a reverse position (II), wherein the length of the sawslot measured in the length direction (L) of the shank decreases inward in a direction away from the needle back, the sawslot is bordered in the length direction (L) of the shank by at least one surface which adjoins the needle breast and which is oriented essentially perpendicularly or at an obtuse angle to the length direction (L) of the shank and which is facing away from the needle breast, and the distance (A) of the surface from the hook tip is at least as large as the distance (B) from the hook tip to the end of the latch spoon when the latch is in the reverse position.