NEEDLE THREADING DEVICE FOR HAIR EXTENSION FABRICATOR

Abstract

The invention is a needle threading device that is useful for automatically threading a needle for use in adding hair extensions. The needle threading device has a housing that houses the threading mechanism, a package of needles, and a plurality of spools of thread, preferably in common human hair colors such as black, brown, and blonde. The needle threading device has a needle loaded into a needle positioner portion of the threading mechanism. The needles that are loaded into the needle positioner portion of the threading mechanism will protrude out the top of the first housing half through an aperture.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority date of Provisional Application No. 62/286,484 filed on Jan. 25, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of hair styling and more specifically relates to hair extension preparation.

BACKGROUND

Many individuals enjoy having their hair styled. For example, changing the color, adding highlights, and extensions. People sometimes after a haircut may regret their decision to shorten their hair and want a long hair style again, without waiting for their hair to grow back, others with long hair may want even longer hair then they currently have. One (1) method of achieving a long hair look is to have hair extensions installed. A hair extension or hair weave is the integration of artificial hair into a person's existing hair thereby altering the appearance of natural hair already present or covering it completely. Weaves can consist of authentic human hair, as well as synthetic fiber. Either of these methods, when applied by an experienced hair stylist, can appear perfectly natural.

Hair stylists installing hair weaves and hair extensions often need assistants to help thread needles to be used for attaching the lengths of artificial hair needed to complete a hair weave procedure. Other stylists spend a significant amount of time threading needles themselves. These needles combined with thread, are then used for attaching extensions to a client's real hair. For a hair professional often finding reliable assistants can be difficult. Also when threading needles themselves, most often a session takes a longer time to complete, which can have a negative impact on clientele. It is therefore desirable to a suitable alternative.

Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in hair styling art. Among these are found in: U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,006 to Proxy G. Saunders et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,033,196 to Ta'Nisha Shanae Smith, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,882,804 to Matsumura Yoshitsugu. These prior art references are representative of hair extension preparation.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. Thus, a need exists for a reliable sew it up system, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a needle threading device that is useful for automatically threading a needle for use in adding hair extensions.

The needle threading device may comprise a housing that houses the threading mechanism, a package of needles, and a plurality of spools of thread, preferably in common human hair colors such as black, brown, and blonde.

The needle threading device has a needle loaded into a needle positioner portion of the threading mechanism. The needles that are loaded into the needle positioner portion of the threading mechanism will protrude out the top of the first housing half through an aperture.

The needle threading device stands vertically supported by at least one small stand on the underside of the second housing half or mounted to a tripod stand purchased separately to allow for desired placement in limited space environments.

It is an improvement over prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of a needle threading device 10 showing detailed mechanical inner workings, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the needle threading device 10;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the needle threading device 10 with a storage drawer in the front; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the needle threading device 10 with a storage drawer in the side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

• 10 needle threading device
• 15 first housing half
• 16 second housing half
• 20 stand
• 25 aperture
• 30 motor
• 35 shaft
• 36 spindle
• 40 power supply
• 50 circuit board
• 55 threading mechanism
• 95 spool of thread
• 100 needle

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a needle threading device 10 useful for automatically threading a needle 100 for use in adding hair extensions.

In one (1) embodiment of the present invention, the needle threading device 10 may comprise a housing 15, 16 housing the threading mechanism 55, a package of needles 100, and a plurality of spools of thread 95, preferably in common human hair colors such as black, brown, and blonde. Needles 100 and thread 95 required by the system are proprietary.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the needle threading device 10 having a needle 100 loaded into a needle positioner portion of the threading mechanism 55. The needles 100 that are loaded into the needle positioner portion of the threading mechanism 55 will protrude out the top of the first housing half 15 through an aperture 25. The needle threading device 10 stands vertically supported by at least one (1) small stand 20 on the underside of the second housing half 16 or mounted to a tripod stand purchased separately to allow for desired placement in limited space environments. It is understood that the needle 100 is specifically suited for use with the needle positioner portion of the threading mechanism 55. A conventional needle cannot be substituted for the required needle 100.

The loading aperture 25 allows for easy insertion and removal of needles 100. Thread 95 needed to complete an extension installation is first loaded onto a spindle 36 within the housing 15, 16 by a user. The spindle 36 is driven by the shaft 35 of a motor 30 in electrical communication with a circuit board 50 and powered by a power supply 40. A leading strand of the thread 95 of the spool is then unwound and moved to a ready position, then loaded through the eye of the needle 100 upon activation by the threading mechanism 55, which is controlled by the circuit board 50 and also powered by the power supply 40. When the desired length set by the user on an interface (not shown) with the circuit board 50 is measured by the threading mechanism 55, the motor 30 stops rotating the spool of thread 95, then the threading mechanism 55 knots the thread 95 and triggers the internal cutter which severs the thread 95 after the knot.

The circuit board 50 controls the measuring, knotting, and cutting of installed thread 95 so the stylist needs only to load a needle 100, set the length on the interface, and activate the device 10.

It is understood that the spool of thread 95 is specifically suited for use with the threading mechanism 55. A conventional spool of thread cannot be substituted for the required spool of thread 95.

The needle threading device 10 accommodates a stylist's preference for straight or curved needles 100. The needles 100 used incorporate a grooved or textured finish making them unique and required for the needle threading device 10 to function. The stylist may select a length of thread 95 needed by adjusting settings which then activates the threading mechanism 55 to thread the needle 100 to approximately forty to sixty inches (40-60 in.) on each side. This provides a completed threaded needle 100 ready for use.

The needle threading device 10 is electrically powered using a power supply 50 such as a standard power outlet, or an on-board supply such as rechargeable batteries. When plugged into the power outlet, a standard universal serial bus port may be included and can be used to charge other devices as needed. The needle threading device 10 may include one (1) starter package including the housing 15, 16 and threading mechanism 55, one (1) power supply 40, five (5) needles (straight or curved) 100, three (3) spools of thread 95 in multiple colors, and user instructions.

The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the sew it up system may vary upon manufacturing.

In the preferred embodiment, the base 10 is rectangular and may have a storage drawer 60 for the needles 100. The storage drawer 60 may be in the front of the base 10 as shown in FIG. 3 or the side as shown in FIG. 4.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A needle threading device, comprising:

a housing, having an aperture located on a first surface and at least one stand located on a second surface opposite said first surface, further defining an interior;

a power supply supported within said interior;

a circuit board supported within said interior, in electrical communication with said power supply;

an interface in electronic communication with said circuit board;

a motor supported in said interior and in electrical communication with said power supply and said circuit board;

a spindle attached to a shaft driven by said motor, capable of supporting and driving a spool of thread; and,

a threading mechanism supported in said interior and in electrical communication with said power supply and said circuit board;

wherein said aperture is capable of enabling insertion of a needle into said threading mechanism; and,

wherein said threading mechanism capable of receiving a leading end of thread of said spool, creating a knot within said needle with said thread; and severing extraneous lengths of said thread after said knot in said needle is created.

2. A needle threading device according to claim 1, comprising where the power supply is a battery.

3. A needle threading device according to claim 1, comprising where the base is rectangular in shape with a front, back and two sides.

4. A needle threading device according to claim 3, comprising where the base has a drawer.

5. A needle threading device according to claim 4, comprising where the drawer is located on the front of the base.

6. A needle threading device according to claim 4, comprising where the drawer is located on a side of the base.

7. A needle threading device according to claim 1, comprising where the power supply is a standard power outlet.

8. A needle threading device according to claim 1, comprising where the power supply is rechargeable batteries.

9. A needle threading device according to claim 7, further comprising having a standard universal serial bus port.

10. A needle threading device according to claim 1, comprising where the needles are straight.

11. A needle threading device according to claim 1, comprising where the needles are curved.

12. A needle threading device according to claim 1, comprising where the circuit board controls the measuring, knotting, and cutting of installed thread.