Needle inserter for embroidery needles
OwnerMichael L. Baileyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A needle inserter comprising an elongated handle having a first end portion and a second end portion, a releasable support at the first end portion and an elongated element extending perpendicularly from the first end portion and includes a perpendicular extending distal end. The needle inserter operates such that an embroidery needle is supported on the needle inserter by the releasable support and by the distal end. The needle inserter further operates to allow a user to hold the needle inserter to move the embroidery needle such that the embroidery needle engages with the retaining member such that the embroidery needle is retained in its proper orientation and alignment and to allow the user to move the needle inserter such that the embroidery needle disengages from the needle inserter.
Claims7
A needle inserter for use by a user in inserting an embroidery needle having an elongated shaft with an eye and a longitudinally extending groove into a retaining member of an embroidery machine, the needle inserter comprising:
- an elongated handle having a first end portion and a second end portion;
- a releasable support at the first end portion;
- and
- an elongated element extending perpendicularly from the first end portion and having a perpendicular extending distal end;
- wherein said releasable support operates to engage with the elongated shaft of the embroidery needle;
- and
- wherein said distal end operates to engage with the eye of the elongated shaft and cooperates with said releasable support to support the embroidery needle on the needle inserter.
A method for replacing an embroidery needle having an elongated shaft with a upper shank portion and a lower section having an eye and a longitudinally extending groove, in an embroidery machine having a retaining member, the method comprising the steps of:
- removing the embroidery needle from the retaining member by sliding the embroidery needle downwardly until the embroidery needle disengages from the retaining member;
- discarding the embroidery needle;
- using a needle inserter by attaching a new embroidery needle into position on the needle inserter, the needle inserter comprising a releasable support and an elongated element having a distal end such that the new embroidery needle engages the releasable support and the distal end of the elongated element by inserting the distal end through the eye of the new embroidery needle thereby securing the new embroidery needle in position on the needle inserter;
- moving the needle inserter so that the new embroidery needle engages with the retaining member such that the new embroidery needle is in a proper orientation and alignment;
- tightening the retaining member so that the new embroidery needle is secured within the retaining member such that the new embroidery needle remains in the proper orientation and alignment;
- and
- moving the needle inserter such that the new embroidery needle is no longer supported on the needle inserter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.