Needle changing device and method

Abstract

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.

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.