Thread end holding device for a sewing machine

Abstract

A thread end holding device for a sewing machine comprises a needle thread catching puller which is swingably supported on the side of a sewing machine arm and is driven to swing between a thread catching position and a home position, and which comprises a hook portion at the tip end thereof for catching a needle thread extending from a needle when said needle thread catching puller is at its thread catching position and holds the needle thread at its home position and first and a second holding members which are respectively mounted on the side of the sewing machine arm and is disengaged from the both clamping portions when the needle thread catching puller is at its thread catching position and enters a gap between the both clamping portions at the hook portion thereof so as to elastically clamp the end of the needle thread between the clamping portions when the needle thread catching puller is at its home position. As a result, the needle thread catching puller and the first and second holding members can have simple shapes and high rigidity, and moreover can be accommodated in the side of the sewing machine arm so that the sewing machine may be compact in size. Moreover, they do not obstruct handling a cloth etc. on a needle throat.