NEEDLE

Abstract

A needle preferably intended to penetrate fabric, includes a blunt nose portion (1) and a grip portion (5). The needle is distinguished in that the nose portion (1) is of oval cross-section, the ends of the nose portion (1) are defined by radii of curvature (R1 and R2 respectively) of different magnitudes, the radii of curvature (R1 and R2 respectively) are each situated in their respective longitudinal central plane (LP1 and LP2 respectively) of the needle (1), the intersection of the central planes (LP1 and LP2 respectively) coincides with the needle's longitudinal centreline (C-C) and the central planes (LP1 and LP2 respectively) intersect one another at right angles.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a needle which comprises a nose portion and a grip portion, the nose portion being blunt.

STATE OF THE ART

A sewing needle with two nose portions which is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,747 comprises also a grip portion which may be of oval cross-section. According to an embodiment, a conical nose portion of the needle is of circular cross-section. The point of the needle may be blunt.

A sewing needle known from CA 1210998 has an anchoring shaft which is of elliptical cross-section. In the region of its point, the needle is of flattened, but not specifically oval, cross-section. The needle has a pronounced point.

GB 185,052 relates to a needle which is of generally flattened cross-section close to its pointed end. The cross-section is not elliptical but rather rhombic. That needle likewise has a pronounced point.

A needle known from BE1009787 FIG. 3 has an intermediate corrugated portion presumably intended to provide the needle with flexibility/bendability, but the corrugated portion probably also serves as a grip portion.

OBJECT AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to propose a needle which easily penetrates a fabric without damaging the stitches of the fabric.

Another object of the present invention is that the user should be able to gain a satisfactory grip on the needle.

A further object of the present invention is that the needle should differ in rigidity in two mutually perpendicular directions.

At least the first object of the present invention is achieved by a device which has the features indicated in the independent claim 1 set out below. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a sewing needle according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the sewing needle according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an end view of the sewing needle's narrowing end, i.e. the end intended to penetrate a fabric or the like;

FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged perspective view of the sewing needle's narrowing end;

FIG. 5 depicts a plan view of the sewing needle's narrowing end, with the sewing needle so oriented that its greatest width is visible;

FIG. 6 depicts a plan view of the sewing needle's narrowing end, with the sewing needle rotated 90° from the position depicted in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a sewing needle of disposable type according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a pin according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a safety pin according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The sewing needle according to the present invention depicted in FIGS. 1-6 comprises a nose portion/forward end portion 1 with a transition portion 3 with transverse dimensions which increase away from the nose portion 1, a grip portion 5 of substantially constant cross-section along the sewing needle's longitudinal centreline C-C, and a rear end portion 7 which has running through it a hole 9 for the thread which is to be accommodated in the hole 9.

The nose portion 1 is generally blunt, i.e. its free end is rounded. The nose portion 1 extends from one free end of the needle to the transition portion 3, and the end of the nose portion 1 and the beginning of the transition portion 3 are marked by a first curved line 10 which extends round the needle's circumference and defines a first plane which is perpendicular to the needle's longitudinal centreline C-C. As seen in an end view of the sewing needle, FIG. 3, the curved line 10 forms a closed curve of oval shape.

The nose portion 1 comprises four curved surface segments 11, 12 in the form of identical opposite pairs. Thus the nose portion 1 comprises two first surface segments 11 which are defined by mutually intersecting curved lines 13 and by a first part 10A of the curved line 10. The nose portion 1 comprises also two second surface segments 12 defined by the intersecting curved lines 13 and by a second part 10B of the curved line 10. As seen in an end view of the sewing needle, see FIG. 3, the lines 13 intersect at an angle which is not a right angle. The first part 10A of the curved line 10 is longer than the second part 10B of the curved line 10.

Examination of FIG. 3 shows that in the embodiment depicted both the nose portion 1 and the grip portion 5 are of oval cross-section, which cross-sections in conventional practice are perpendicular to the needle's longitudinal centreline C-C. In this context it should be noted that such is the case irrespective of where the cross-section is situated along the centreline C-C.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict two plan views of the sewing needle's nose portion 1, FIG. 5 being a plan view in the direction of the arrow P1 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 being a plan view in the direction of the arrow P2 in FIG. 3. To define the bluntness of the nose portion 1, FIGS. 5 and 6 depict two auxiliary circles C1 and C2 respectively, the first auxiliary circle C1 being depicted in FIG. 5 and the second auxiliary circle C2 being depicted in FIG. 6. The first auxiliary circle C1 is situated in a first longitudinal central plane LP1 which extends perpendicularly towards the paper in FIG. 3, and the second auxiliary circle C2 is situated in a second longitudinal central plane LP2 which extends perpendicularly towards the paper in FIG. 3. The line defined by the mutual intersection of the central planes LP1 and LP2 constitutes the needle's longitudinal centreline C-C. The central planes LP1 and LP2 intersect preferably at right angles.

The first auxiliary circle C1 has a first radius R1 which constitutes the radius of curvature for the nose portion 1 when the latter is observed in plan view in the direction P1, see FIG. 3. The second auxiliary circle C2 has a second radius R2 which constitutes a radius of curvature for the nose portion 1 when the latter is observed in plan view in the direction P2, see FIG. 3.

The first radius of curvature R1 is larger than the second radius of curvature R2. The following relationship obtains between the radii R1 and R2: 2R2<R1<3R2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the needle defines a blunter nose portion 1 when the needle is observed in plan view in the direction of the arrow P1 than when the needle is observed in plan view in the direction of the arrow P2.

The fact that the nose portion 1 is of oval cross-section means that the needle can widen the aperture between crossing threads in which it is inserted, and this is effected by turning the needle. As the nose portion 1 is generally blunt, the needle will not damage the fibres of the threads when it is inserted in an aperture between crossing threads.

The fact that it is of generally oval cross-section means that the needle according to the present invention is more rigid in the direction of greatest width than in the direction of least width. This makes it easier for the needle according to the present invention to bend in the direction of lower rigidity.

The grip portion 5 of the needle according to FIGS. 1-4 comprises on one side a number of depressions 15 which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the needle. The depressions 15 are arranged at mutual spacing in the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 5. According to the embodiment depicted, the depressions 15 are provided on one of the sides of the needle which have the greatest width. The depressions 15 afford assurance that the user will gain a satisfactory grip on the needle when the latter is to be pushed in its longitudinal direction. The depressions 15 are also significant as regards the rigidity of the needle, i.e. the presence of the depressions 15 results in greater flexibility.

As indicated above, the needle's rear end portion 7 is provided with a hole 9 which accommodates a thread which the user uses to sew with when using the needle according to the present invention. The rear end portion 7 also has notches 16 which extend in the needle's longitudinal direction from the hole 9 to the needle's rear free end. The notches 16 are preferably provided on opposite sides of the needle. The notches 16 have the function of accommodating the thread between the hole 9 and the rear free end of the needle.

FIG. 7 depicts a sewing needle of disposable type according to the present invention in which the nose portion 1, the transition portion 3 and the grip portion 5 are identical with corresponding portions of the sewing needle described above according to FIGS. 1-4. For this reason, the respective portions in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1-4. The rear end portion 109 of the needle according to FIG. 7 is configured differently in that one end of a sewing thread 120 is permanently anchored to the rear end portion 109. The sewing thread 120 may preferably be embedded in the rear end portion 109.

FIG. 8 depicts a pin according to the present invention in which the nose portion 1, the transition portion 3 and the grip portion 5 are identical with corresponding portions of the sewing needle described above according to FIGS. 1-4. For this reason, the respective portions in FIG. 8 have been given the same reference notations as in FIGS. 1-4. The rear end portion 209 of the pin according to FIG. 8 is configured differently in that a pinhead 221 is integrated with the rear end portion 209.

FIG. 9 depicts a safety pin according to the present invention in which the nose portion 1, the transition portion 3 and the grip portion 5 are identical with corresponding portions of the sewing needle described above according to FIGS. 1-4. For this reason, the respective portions in FIG. 9 have been given the same reference notations as in FIGS. 1-4. A bow 322 is connected to the safety pin's rear end portion 309 via a U-shaped connecting portion 323 made of resilient material, i.e. when the safety pin is open a preferably acute angle is formed between the bow 322 and the rear end portion 309. The safety pin comprises also a clip 324 in which the nose portion 1 of the safety pin is accommodated when the safety pin is closed.

Conceivable Modifications of the Invention

In the embodiments described above, the grip portion 5 is of oval cross-section, but it is conceivable within the scope of the present invention that the grip portion may be of non-oval cross-section. A non-limitative example cited is that the grip portion may be of circular cross-section, in which case the transition portion will define an oval cross-section at the end which connects to the nose portion and a circular cross-section at the end which connects to the grip portion.

As regards the material of the needle according to the present invention, plastic material seems preferable in that it allows the needle to be made by injection moulding, although other materials, e.g. metallic material, are also conceivable within the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiments described above, the needle comprises a transition portion 3 between the nose portion 1 and the grip portion 5, but it is possible within the scope of the invention to conceive of there being no transition portion, i.e. the grip portion may connect directly to the nose portion 1, in which case it is advantageous that the cross-section of the grip portion should increase away from the nose portion.

The needle according to the present invention is primarily intended to be used to penetrate fabric, but it is conceivable that the needle according to the present invention may also be used for other applications, a non-limitative example of which may be cited is that the needle according to the present invention may take the form of a so-called surgical needle.

Claims

1. A needle preferably intended to penetrate fabric, such that the needle comprises a nose portion (1) and a grip portion (5), and that the nose portion (1) is blunt, characterised in that the nose portion (1) is of oval cross-section, that the ends of the nose portion (1) are defined by radii of curvature (R1 and R2 respectively) of different magnitudes, that the radii of curvature (R1 and R2 respectively) are each situated in their respective longitudinal central plane (LP1 and LP2 respectively) of the needle (1), that the intersection of the central planes (LP1 and LP2 respectively) coincides with the needle's longitudinal centreline (C-C) and that the central planes (LP1 and LP2 respectively) intersect one another at right angles.

2. A needle according to claim 1, characterised in that a transition portion (3) extends between the nose portion (1) and the grip portion (5).

3. A needle according to claim 1, characterised in that the radii of curvature (R1, R2) have the following relationship: 2R2<R1<3R2.

4. A needle according to claim 1, characterised in that the grip portion (5) has depressions (15) which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the grip portion (5), and that the depressions (15) are separate from one another in the longitudinal direction of the grip portion (5).

5. A needle according to claim 1, characterised in that the needle is a sewing needle with a rear end portion (7) which has a hole (9) running through it.

6. A needle according to claim 1, characterised in that the needle is a disposable needle with a thread (120) which is integrated in a rear end portion (109) of the needle.

7. A needle according to claim 1 characterised in that the needle takes the form of a pin with a head (221) at its end which points away from the nose portion (1).

8. A needle according to claim 1, characterised in that the needle takes the form of a safety pin with a bow (322) which is connected to a rear end portion (309) of it via a U-shaped connecting portion (323), and that it comprises also a clip (324) in which the nose portion (1) of the safety pin is accommodated when the safety pin is closed.

9. A needle according to claim 2, characterised in that the radii of curvature (R1, R2) have the following relationship: 2R2<R1<3R2.

10. A needle according to claim 2, characterised in that the grip portion (5) has depressions (15) which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the grip portion (5), and that the depressions (15) are separate from one another in the longitudinal direction of the grip portion (5).

11. A needle according to claim 2, characterised in that the needle is a sewing needle with a rear end portion (7) which has a hole (9) running through it

12. A needle according to claim 2, characterised in that the needle is a disposable needle with a thread (120) which is integrated in a rear end portion (109) of the needle.

13. A needle according to claim 2, characterised in that the needle takes the form of a pin with a head (221) at its end which points away from the nose portion (1).

14. A needle according to claim 2, characterised in that the needle takes the form of a safety pin with a bow (322) which is connected to a rear end portion (309) of it via a U-shaped connecting portion (323), and that it comprises also a clip (324) in which the nose portion (1) of the safety pin is accommodated when the safety pin is closed.