Needle changing device and method
Needle changing devices and methods of changing needles in stitching machines are provided. The devices can include a body having a plurality of substantially parallel channels formed therein. Each channel can be configured for holding a needle. The channels can have a top end portion beginning at a top surface and a bottom end portion beginning at a bottom surface of the body. The top end portions can have a greater width than the bottom end portions and can be recessed in the channels. With a plurality of needles held in the device, the needles can be positioned and secured in a stitching machine. Once the needles are secured, the device can be moved in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the needles in the direction of the needle point, such that the needles are no longer held by the needle changing device.
This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference, the entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/492,624, filed on Aug. 5, 2003.
BACKGROUND(1) Field
Disclosed herein are needle changing devices and methods of using needle changing devices that increase the efficiency of changing needles in stitching machines.
(2) Description of Relevant Art
Making adjustments and modifications to manufacturing equipment can slow down the manufacturing process and result in less efficient and more costly manufacturing operations. Changing needles in stitching machines can have this effect. Making such adjustments and modifications easier and more efficient can result in costs savings and increased competitiveness.
SUMMARYDisclosed herein are needle changing devices and methods of changing needles in stitching machines that can reduce the time that it takes to change needles in stitching machines.
In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for changing needles in a stitching machine can include a body having a top surface and a bottom surface. The body can have a plurality of substantially parallel channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The channels can be configured for holding a needle.
A portion of the each of the channels beginning at a top surface of the body has a greater width than abutting portions of the channel. The portions can have substantially circular cross-sections. The portions can extend from the top surface to the bottom surface, and can be positioned at respective bases of the channels. The width can decrease in a direction from the top surface to the bottom surface.
In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for changing needles in a stitching machine can include a body with a top surface and a bottom surface. The body can have a plurality of substantially parallel channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The channels can have a top end portion beginning at the top surface and a bottom end portion beginning at the bottom surface. Each of the top end portions can have a greater width than the bottom end portions. The top end portions can be recessed in the channels and configured for holding one or more needles.
The top end portions can have a substantially circular cross-section, and can be located in the deepest locations of the channels, or at the respective bases of the channels. The width of each top end portion can decrease in a direction towards the bottom end portion.
In another exemplary embodiment, a method for changing needles in a stitching machine can include the step of placing a plurality of needles into a needle changing device. The needles can each have a longitudinal axis and a needle point. The needle changing device can include a body having a top surface and a bottom surface. The body can have a plurality of substantially parallel channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. After placing the needles in the needle changing device the needles can reside in the channels. The method can include the steps of positioning the needles in a stitching machine, securing the needles in the stitching machine, and moving the needle changing device in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the needles in the direction of the needle point, and moving the needle changing device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the needles, whereby the needles no longer reside in the channels.
The channels can have a top end portion beginning at the top surface and a bottom end portion beginning at the bottom surface. Each top end portion can have a greater width than the bottom end portion, and can be recessed in the channel. The step of placing the needles in the needle changing device can include placing the needles in the top end portions.
Each of the channels can be configured to hold a needle, and the channel can be configured such that a portion of the channel beginning at the top surface has a greater width than abutting portions of the channels. The step of placing the needles in the needle changing device can include placing the needles in the portions of the channels having the greater width. The portions having the grater width can have substantially circular cross-sections.
In another exemplary embodiment, a method for changing needles in a stitching machine can include the step of placing a plurality of needles into a needle changing device. The needles can each have a longitudinal axis and a needle point. The needle changing device can include a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, with a plurality of substantially parallel channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. After placing the needles in the needle changing device the needles are held in the channels. The method can include the steps of positioning the needles in a stitching machine, securing the needles in the stitching machine, and moving the needle changing device in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the needles in the direction of the needle point, whereby the needles are no longer held in the channels.
After placing the needles in the needle changing device the needles reside in the channels. The step of moving can include moving the needle changing device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the needles, whereby the needles no longer reside in the channels. The channels can have a top end portion beginning at the top surface and a bottom end portion beginning at the bottom surface. Each top end portion can have a greater width than the bottom end portion, and can be recessed in the channel. The step of placing the needles in the needle changing device can include placing the needles in the top end portions.
Each of the channels can be configured such that a portion of the channel beginning at the top surface has a greater width than abutting portions of the channels. The step of placing the needles in the needle changing device can include placing the needles in the portions of the channels having the greater width. The portions having the grater width can have substantially circular cross-sections.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter in view of the specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the needle changing devices and methods of use disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the needle changing devices and methods of use disclosed herein can be adapted and modified to provide devices and methods for other applications and that other additions and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment or one drawing can be used on another embodiment or another drawing to yield yet another embodiment. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.
Apparatus:
An exemplary embodiment of a needle changing device is shown in
The body 101 can be made in a variety of shapes and from a variety of materials. The top surface 102 and the bottom surface 104 of the body 101 are preferably rectangular. However, they could be circular, triangular, or any of a variety of shapes. Their shape may be selected based on the type of stitching machine with which the needle changing device 100 is intended to be used. The body 101 is preferably made of solid aluminum. However, a variety of materials can be used, such as plastic, steel, wood or other materials.
The channels 106 are preferably substantially parallel to one another. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in
The channels 106 are preferably configured to hold a needle. As shown in
Preferably, the top portions 110 of the channels 106 are configured to hold a needle so that when a needle is placed in the channel a portion of the needle resides above the top surface 102 of the body 101 and a portion of the needle resides below the bottom surface 104 of the body 101.
An exemplary embodiment of a top portion 110 of a channel 106 is shown in
The top portion 110 can have a variety of shapes. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in
The cross-section of the top potion 110 could also be square, rectangular, oval, or another shape. Regardless of the cross-sectional shape of the top portion 110, the top portion 110 can be configured so that when a needle 114 is placed in the channel 106 there is a sufficient friction fit so that the needle 114 resides in the channel 106. Since needles are typically very light only a small frictional force is required to hold them in the channel 106, frictional contact between the top portion 110 and the needle need only occur in a small number of locations.
As shown in
However, the width w of the channels 106 can be configured to be less than a dimension of the portion of the needles 114 residing between the top surface 102 and bottom surface 104 of the body 101, when the needles 114 are held by the top portions 110 of the channels 106. In this configuration, the smaller width w of the channels 106 can prevent the needles 114 from moving in a direction along the axis of the depth of the channels 106 and can serve as a guide for inserting the needles 114 into the channels 106. For example, in the configuration of
Method:
An improved method of changing or securing needles in a stitching machine is disclosed herein, and a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in
The needles are then positioned and secured in the needle changing device 100. As shown in
As shown in
This method can be used in a wide variety of stitching machines with minor modifications made by those skilled in the art. For example, there are a wide variety of clamps and other securing devices for securing needles in stitching machines, and the invention described herein is not limited to any type of clamp or other securing device. Also, some machines, such as the one shown in
Many additional changes in the details, materials, and arrangement of parts, herein described and illustrated, can be made by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it will be understood that the following claims are not to be limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, can include practices otherwise than specifically described, and are to be interpreted as broadly as allowed under the law.
Claims
1. An apparatus for changing needles in a stitching machine, comprising a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, said body having a plurality of substantially parallel channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, said channels having a top end portion beginning at the top surface and a bottom end portion beginning at the bottom surface, each of said top end portions having a greater width than the bottom end portions, said top end portions being recessed in the channels.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said top end portions are configured for holding at least one needle.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top end portions have a substantially circular cross-section.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said channels have a deepest location, and said top end portions are located at the deepest locations of said channels.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said top end portions are located at respective bases of said channels.
6. The apparatus of claims 1, wherein the width of each of said top end portions decreases in a direction towards said bottom end portions.
7. An apparatus for changing needles in a stitching machine, comprising a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, said body having a plurality of substantially parallel channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, said channels being configured for holding a needle.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said channel configuration includes a portion of said channels beginning on the top surface of the body having a greater width than abutting portions of said channels.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said portions of said channels have substantially circular cross-sections.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said portions of said channels extend from said top surface to said bottom surface.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said portions are positioned at respective bases of said channels.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said width decreases in a direction from said top surface to said bottom surface.
13. A method for changing needles in a stitching machine, comprising the steps of:
- (A) placing a plurality of needles into a needle changing device, each needle having a longitudinal axis and a needle point, the needle changing device comprising a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, said body having a plurality of substantially parallel channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, whereby after placing the needles in the needle changing device the needles reside in said channels;
- (B) positioning the needles in a stitching machine;
- (C) securing the needles in the stitching machine;
- (D) moving the needle changing device in a direction substantially parallel to longitudinal axes of the needles in the direction of the needle point;
- (E) moving the needle changing device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the needles, whereby the needles no longer reside in the channels.
14. The method of claim 13,
- wherein said channels have a top end portion beginning at the top surface and a bottom end portion beginning at the bottom surface, each of said top end portions having a greater width than the bottom end portions, said top end portions being recessed in the channels, and
- the step of placing a plurality of needles into a needle changing device further includes placing said plurality of needles in said top end portions.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein each of said channels are configured for holding a needle.
16. The method of claim 15,
- wherein said channel configuration includes a portion of said channels beginning on the top surface of the body having a greater width than abutting portions of said channels, and
- the step of placing a plurality of needles into a needle changing device further includes placing said plurality of needles in said portions of said channels having greater widths.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said portions of said channels having greater widths have substantially circular cross-sections.
18. A method for changing needles in a stitching machine, comprising the steps of:
- (A) placing a plurality of needles into a needle changing device, each needle having a longitudinal axis and a needle point, the needle changing device comprising a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, said body having a plurality of substantially parallel channels extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, whereby after placing the needles in the needle changing device the needles are held in said channels;
- (B) positioning the needles in a stitching machine;
- (C) securing the needles in the stitching machine;
- (D) moving the needle changing device in a direction substantially parallel to longitudinal axes of the needles in the direction of the needle point, whereby the needles are no longer held by said channels.
19. The method of claim 18,
- wherein, after placing the needles in the needle changing device the needles reside in said channels, and
- the step of moving includes moving the needle changing device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the needles, whereby the needles no longer reside in the channels.
20. The method of claim 18,
- wherein said channels have a top end portion beginning at the top surface and a bottom end portion beginning at the bottom surface, each of said top end portions having a greater width than the bottom end portions, said top end portions being recessed in the channels, and
- the step of placing a plurality of needles into a needle changing device further includes placing said plurality of needles in said top end portions.
21. The method of claim 18,
- wherein said channel configuration includes a portion of said channels beginning on the top surface of the body having a greater width than abutting portions of said channels, and
- the step of placing a plurality of needles into a needle changing device further includes placing said plurality of needles in said portions of said channels having greater widths.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said portions of said channels having greater widths have substantially circular cross-sections.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 5, 2004
Publication Date: Mar 24, 2005
Inventors: Kenneth Shwartz (Mattapoisett, MA), Anthony Matias (New Bedford, MA)
Application Number: 10/911,972