Method and device for threading needles

Abstract

A method and device for inserting a strand of a selected thread or yarn through the eyelet of a needle, in which the device is made from an elongate, unitary non-metallic monofilament having end zones and an intermediate central zone forming a closed strand-carrying loophole; and the method including the steps of forming the device by bringing the end zones into a parallel relationship and bonding them together to form a threading stem and also form the central zone into the closed loophole, placing an end portion of the selected strand through the loophole, inserting the stem into the needle eyelet, and pulling the threading stem to draw the loophole and strand entirely through the needle eyelet.

1 . A threading device for threading the eyelet of a needle with selected thread or yarn, said threading device comprising a preselected length of non-metallic monofilament constructed and arranged with end zones bonded together in an elongate parallel relationship to form a threading stem, and a central zone of the strand intermediate of said end zones being formed into a loop for manipulating the selected thread or yarn through the needle eyelet. 
   
   
       2 . The threading device of  claim 1 , in which the bonded end zones are of substantial length extending away from the loop. 
   
   
       3 . The threading device of  claim 2 , in which the end zones are long enough to provide a finger curling end area for pulling the device. 
   
   
       4 . The threading device of  claim 2 , in which the end zones of the monofilament are substantially conterminous in length. 
   
   
       5 . The threading device of  claim 4 , in which the end zones have adjacent free ends that are bevel-cut to form a leading eyelet-entering edge on one of the free ends. 
   
   
       6 . The threading device of  claim 2 , in which one end zone of the monofilament extends beyond the other end zone whereby the one end zone has a leading needle-eye entering end and the other end zone closes the loop and provides additional linear rigidity to the one end zone. 
   
   
       7 . The threading device of  claim 2 , in which the bonded end zones are compressed together to form a tapered spike. 
   
   
       8 . The threading device of  claim 1  in which the end zones have a substantial length and are twisted together. 
   
   
       9 . The threading device of  claim 8 , in which the end zones have adjacent free ends that are bevel-cut across the stem to form a leading eyelet-entering edge thereon. 
   
   
       10 . A needle threading device useful for threading the eyelet of a needle with a selected sewing thread, the device comprising a unitary length of plastic monofilament having end portions and a central portion, the central portion being formed into a closed loop with the end portions being joined together to extend away from the loop and form an elongate threading spine having substantial linear rigidity relative to the sewing thread whereby the spine is adapted to be pushed into the eyelet of a needle without flexing, and the spine having a length to be grasped and pulled to draw the central loop portion through the eyelet of a needle and thereby carry the selected sewing thread therein into an operative threaded position. 
   
   
       11 . The needle threading device of  claim 10 , in which the length of said spine is sufficient to provide a finger curling end area adjacent to the end of the spine. 
   
   
       12 . The needle threading device of  claim 10 , in which the end portions have adjacent free ends that are cut at an angle to form a leading edge and a trailing edge. 
   
   
       13 . The method of threading a needle using a needle threading device comprising the steps of:
 (1) forming a needle threading device from single length of non-metallic monofilament by bonding the end portions together to make a semi-rigid end spike and forming the intermediate center portion into a closed loophole;   (2) placing a selected strand of thread/yarn through the closed loophole;   (3) inserting the end spike into and through the eyelet of a needle; and   (4) moving the end spike and thread-carrying loophole entirely through the needle eyelet to carry the thread/yarn therethrough into threaded orientation.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , including forming the end portions long enough to be grasped with a finger curl for controlled manipulation of the threading device in pulling the loophole through the needle eyelet.