GB2219859A

GB2219859A - Fabric length measuring device

Info

Publication number: GB2219859A
Application number: GB8814557A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-06-18
Filing date: 1988-06-18
Publication date: 1989-12-20
Also published as: GB2219859B; GB8814557D0

Abstract

In the retailing of household textiles such as curtaining, the invention provides an upright measuring frame having a material supply mounting means 18 to one side and vertically spaced measuring indicia to the other side and a horizontal sliding or rolling surface 24 at the upper edge to facilitate the transfer of material from the supply side to the measuring side. The fabric being measured can accumulate at shelf 16. <IMAGE>

Description

Fabric Length Measuring Device The invention relates to apparatus for use in withdrawing lengths of flexible web material from a supply, particularly but not exclusively lengths of household textiles or furnishing fabrics from a bolt or roll of material.

In the retailing of household textiles such as curtaining, custom if not law dictates that a brass standard measuring rod shall be used, commonly either three feet or one metre in length, and it has been the normal practice to recess such rods in a counter-top, and to measure successive yards or metres of fabric by unwinding a sufficient length from the supply and laying successive length portions over the measuring rod until the requisite length has been measured, and then cutting off the measured length from the remainder of the supply. The practice, however, has the disadvantage that the operation occupies a considerable length of counter and prevents the counter from being used by other staff to serve other customers at the same time and also limits the use of the counter for point-of-sale displays and the like.

In order to obviate the above mentioned disadvantage we provide, according to our invention, apparatus for withdrawing measured length portions of flexible web material from a supply comprising an upright flat frame having a horizontal sliding or rolling surface at the upper edge, vertically spaced length defining indicia at or on one face and web supply mounting means at the reverse face. Preferably the frame is inclined relative to the vertical, and the rolling surface is preferably provided by a transverse roller mounted at the upper edge of the frame.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation; and Fig. 2 is a side elevation.

As shown in the drawings, the apparatus comprises a flat, generally upright rectangular frame 2 comprising spaced uprights 4 and transverse members 6 over which is laid a smooth rectangular board 8 of smooth material.

The uprights 4 are inclined slightly to the vertical and are supported by struts 10 mounted on a common base 12 which is provided with castors 14 for ease of movement.

Below the board 8 is a forwardly projecting-shelf 16, whilst a basket or hopper 18 is secured to the frame on the reverse side.

The upper edge of the frame 2 and of the facing board 8 are covered by an inverted aluminium channel section 20 arranged transversely of the frame and with its down turned flanges recessed respectively into the uppermost transverse member 6 and the facing board 8.

Brackets 22 fixed to the outer edges of the uprights 4 to extend above the upper ends thereof are bored to provide a pivot for a transverse roller 24 of length corresponding substantially to the width of the frame 2.

A brass measuring rod 26 is inset into the facing board 8 along the right hand upright edge shown in Fig. 1, the upper edge abutting against the underside of the downward flange of the aluminium section 20.

In use of the apparatus a roll or bolt of fabric is placed in the basket 18 behind the frame, and the free edge of the fabric is drawn upwards and brought forwardly over the roller 24 and laid (under the influence of the slight backward tilt of the frame, on the board 8. When a specific length of fabric is to be sold, the free edge is drawn downwardly over the board 8 until it is in alignment with the bottom edge of the rule 26, the supply package rotating within the basket 18 to allow the necessary let-off of fabric, and the roller 24 facilitating the transfer of the fabric from the rear to the forward side of the frame.The operative then grips the fabric at each side in the vicinity of the upper edge of the rule 26 and draws the fabric downwardly until the gripped portions are in alignment with the lower edge of the rule, essentially re-producing in the near-vertical planes what is conventionally done on the horizontal counter top. As the fabric is brought downwardly over the board 8, it accumulates on the shelf 16 on which it can be folded back and forth so as not to interfere with the measuring operation.

When the fabric accumulated on the shelf 16 together with that overlying the board 8 represent the length ordered, the operative separates it from the supply by cutting with scissors along the upper edge of the frame as represented by the aluminium section 22 which provides a useful straight-edge resistant to damage by the scissors. With care, the operative can readily ensure that the remaining fabric does not run back over the roller 24 to the reverse side of the frame but can be pulled over the facing board 8 ready for the next order.

The invention as described is susceptible of various modifications. Thus whilst the present embodiment envisages a backward tilt of about 50 to the vertical, the angle may be varied according to experience and perhaps in accordance with the weight of fabric. The basket 1 8 may be replaced by bearing means for supporting a supply roller at its ends. Wood, plastics and metal may be suitable materials for the construction of the apparatus and the roller 24 may additionally be made of, or covered with, rubber. In another embodiment not shown the roller 24 may be replaced by a highly polished upwardly convex surface performing a function similar to that of the roller.

A rule such as rule 26 shown in Fig. 1 may be fitted to both sides of the board 8 or indeed the board may provided with markings across its width denoting distances from the channel section 22 or an alternative upper reference line.

The apparatus takes up very little floor space and by virtue of the castors 14 can be readily moved to a storage location when not in use. A roll of fabric can be left in the basket 18 or removed to store and replaced by the same or a different roll when the next purchase is to be made. The face of the board 8 provides a useful surface for a promotional message.

Claims

1. Apparatus for withdrawing measured length portions of fabric web material from a supply comprising an upright flat frame having a horizontal upper edge, vertically spaced length defining indicia at or on one face, and web supply mounting means at the reverse face.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the upper edge is provided with a sliding surface.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the upper edge is provided with a rolling surface.

4. Apparatus according to Claims 1 to 3 wherein the frame is inclined relative to the vertical.

5. Apparatus for withdrawing measured length portions of flexible web material from a supply subtantially as described with reference to the drawings.