Importance

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Abstract

A needle design and retention system in which the sewing needle is formed with a locator portion at the end of the shank that is substantially normal thereto. The locator portion may be parallel to the axis of the thread carrying eyelet and the sewing needle or may form a known angle with the plane including the needle axis and the axis of the thread carrying eyelet. The locator portion of the sewing needle extends through a transverse aperture in an enlarged end in a slabbed rod affixed to the sewing machine needle bar. The enlarged end is also grooved to accommodate a portion of the shank. A clamping sleeve is provided having an axially aligned aperture which surrounds the enlarged end of the slabbed rod and the sewing needle shank to retain the sewing needle affixed thereto. The clamping sleeve is provided with a counterbore which receives a coil spring which encircles the rod and is captured between the bottom of the needle bar and the ends of the counterbore. The clamping sleeve may be elevated against the pressure of the coil spring to enable insertion or removal of the sewing needle with the locator portion in the transverse aperture in the end of the rod and the shank in the groove therein. The clamping sleeve is automatically returned to a retaining position by the coil spring.

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First Claim