US2898594A - Pleating and fastening device - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 11, 1959 Filed Dec. 14, 1956 S. LEVINSTEIN PLEATING AND FASTENING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 11, 1959 s. LEVINSTEIN PLEATING AND FASTENING DEVICE 'F' iled Dec. 14, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 11, 1959 s. LEVINSTEIN 2,398,594

PLEATING AND FASTENING DEVICE Filed Dec. 14. 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 14, 1956 mm a N ww AV Aug. 11, 1959 S.LEV|NSTE|N PLEATING AND FASTENING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 14, 1956 EOZMJOM m2: U( N 90233 2,898,594 Patented Aug. 11, 1959 United States Patent "Ofiice PLEATING AND FASTENING DEVICE Stanley Levinstein, Far Rockaway, N.Y., assignor to Home Curtain Corporation, Far Rockaway, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application December 14, 1956, Serial No. 628,451

3 Claims. (01. 1-118) This invention relates generally to the field of draperies, and more particularly to animproved form of pleating device adapted to simultaneously form a plurallty of pleats in a textile or synthetic resinous planar material, and maintain the same in pleated form prior toa sewing operation for permanently maintaining the pleat in position.

It is among the principal objects of the invention to provide a device of the class described'which materially simplifies the forming of the pleats and permits the Same to be produced at a very high rate. I

Another object of the inventionlies in the provision of a combination pleatingand fastening device adapted to form a plurality of pleats in a planar material, and to staple the same in position for sewing as a continuous cycle of operation.

Another object of the invention lies inthe provision of a device of the class described in which the cost of manufacture may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved pleating and fastening-device which may be easily and conveniently operated by those possessing only ordinary skill in the art, and which requires the exertion of little effort on the part of the user.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that the device possesses no component parts which might possibly damage the fabric being processed, despite a high rate of productivity.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

On the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference charactershave been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a fragmentary view in perspective showing an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary viewin perspective showing the side opposite that shown on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged viewin elevation corresponding to the upper portion of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view inperspective corresponding to the lower righthand portion of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view corresponding to Figure 6, but showing an alternate relative position of the component parts of the device.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view as seen from'the plane 6-45 on Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional view showing a completed staple pleat as produced 'bythe device.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the pleat forming element which comprises a part of the device.

Figure 9 is a'fragmentary end elevational view as seen from the right hand portion of Figure 8.

Figure 10 'is a fragmentary plan view of the pleat forming element as seen from the upper portion of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical central sectional view showing the device with a first relative position of certain moving parts thereof.

Figure 12 is a similar fragmentary central vertical sectional view showing .an altered relative position of the same component parts.

Figqire 13 is a'fragmentary enlarged view in perspective corresponding generally to that seen on Figure l, but showing the lower portion thereof in larger scale.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding to the central portion of Figure 11, during which time the parts aremoving in the positions indicated by the arrows above and below'the figure.

:Figure '15 is a similar view illustrating the relativeposition of thepivotally mounted cams during a return stroke.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary elevational view as seen from the plane 16- 16 on Figure 14.

Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing electrical and pneumatic systems comprising a part of the device, and their interconnection.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly; abase element 11, a pleat-forming element 13 and a fastener inserting device 14.

The base element 11 may comprise'part of a table or other suitable supporting means (not shown) for positioning the device upon a floor or other work surface, and includes a horizontally disposed support member 16, a work supporting surface 17, outer pleat-forming - walls 18 and 19, and inner pleat-forming walls 20 and '21. The walls 18-21 areprovided with cut-out iportions 22 to accommodate the fastener insertingdevice 14 during operation, the walls also forming elongated channels 23, 24 and 25, the purpose of which will become more clearly apparent in the progress of the disclosure. Side wall members 26 and 27 support across. member 28 upon which thefastener inserting device 14 is mounted.

The pleat-forming element 13 includes a fixed mountingmember 30 supported by the baseelement 11. The member 30comprises an end wall 31, a bottom Wall 32, side walls 33 and 34. Springs 36 interconnectthe side walls 33- 34 with a lower frame 52 mounted for reciprocal movement with respect thereto. Mounted rearwardly of-the-wall 31 is an air cylinder 37 fed by hoses 38 and 39. A piston rod -40 (see Figure 8) extends from the cylinder 37 and connects with an upper frame 41 which is mounted for horizontal reciprocationwithin the mounting member 30.

The upper frame-41 includes apluralityof cam drive members 42, 43-a nd-44, each of whichis provided with IBPP "or pulled without tearing or other damage.

rack 51 on a lower frame 52. Corresponding horizontal axis rollers 54 and vertical axis rollers 53 guide the .lower frame 52 for movement parallel to that of the upper frame 41 within the mounting member 30, and from a consideration of Figure 8, it will be apparent that motion imparted to the upper frame will be transmitted through the gear 50 to the lower frame in an opjposite direction.

As seen on Figure '8, the rearward end 56 of the lower frame 52 is provided with a bracket pivotally supporting a plurality of pleat-forming members 58, 59 and 60 for axial movement thereabout. The pleat-forming members 58-60 are generally similar, each including a cam follower member 61 and a cam follower spring 62 which raises the members 58-60 to the position shown on Figure- 8. Tapered end portions 63 are positioned to move into the above mentioned channels 23, 24 and 25 when e the lower frame 52 is in the position shown on Figures 8 and 10.. As best seen on Figure 2 of the drawing, the

lower frame is adapted to close the circuit of a micro switch 64 .when the lower frame is in the position shown on-Figures 8 and 10, which provides means for governthe action of the fastening device 14, as will more fully "Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the fastener inserting device 14.includes a vertically mounted air cylinder 70 supported by a cylinder mounting plate 71 which is in turn bolted to the cross member 28. A piston rod 72 connects with an upper actuator bar 73 from which "depend actuating arms 74. The arms 74 are similar,

:the guide bar between the upper and lower actuator bars 73 and 80 respectively. A second guide bar 85 and spring 86 (see lefthand portion of Figure 3) is interconnected in a manner similar to that of the side rod 78, and functions in a similar manner.

Operation The 'operation of the device will be apparent from a. consideration of Figures 3 and 8.

The fabric to be pleated is placed upside down upon the work supporting surface 17, with a portion of the edge thereof overlying the pleat-forming walls 18-21. The cycle is commenced by closing an electrical circuit (not shown) which causes the air cylinder 37 to propel the upper frame -41 ina rightward direction. As seen on Figures 8 and 10 during the rightward stroke, the cams progressively strike the cam follower members 61 on each of the pleatforming members 58, 59 and 60. As seen on Figures .5 and 6, the action is such that the centrally disposed pleat-forming member 59 forms a first pleat 87, following which: the outer pleat-forming members 58 and 60 form pleats 88 and 89, respectively. By forming the pleats in this manner, the'material 100 may be stretched Continued movement of the upper frame 41 in a rightward direction results in movement of the lower frame 52 in a leftward direction, this action withdrawing the pleatforming members 5860 from the channels 23, 24 and 25. When the lower frame has reached its leftwardmost position as seen on Figure 8, the switch 64 (see position shown on Figure 3.

Figure 2) is closed, permitting actuation of a valve controlling the air cylinder 70 of the fastener inserting device 14 and starting a preset timer (not shown). The piston rod 72 moves downwardly causing both the upper actuating bar 73 and lower actuating bar to move downwardly until the stop collar 79 contacts the cross member 28. In this position, the stapler 82 is positioned as shown on Figure 6, and further downward movement of the upper actuating bar 73 causes the rollers 75 to coact with the cams 83 to force a staple 90 through the formed pleat 87, 88 and 89.

The preset timer then releases the controlling valve and permits the air pressure within the cylinder 70 to be reversed and start the fastener inserting element in an upward motion, opening the staple inserting device 82. During this motion, the springs 81 and 86 return the bar 80, which moves relative to the bar 73, to the The formed and stapled pleat is then removed from the channels 23, 24 and 25 by pulling forwardly on the material 100. The operator releases a foot operated air valve (not shown) permitting the spring 36 to return the lower frame 52 to its original position for the commencement of another cycle. Referring to Figure 7 on the drawing, a line of stitches indicated by reference character 92 is then placed as shown to completely secure the pleats in permanent orientation.

It may thus be seen that there has been invented novel and highly useful improvements in pleating and fastening devices which permits the forming of pleats in textile or other flexible planar material and the maintenance of the same prior to permanent stitching. The device, where desired, may be interconnected to operate in unison with similar devices, whereby an entire series of pleats may be formed as a single operation, the bank of devices being under control of a single operator. Although the device is primarily useful in the processing of textile fabrics, the same may also be employed in conjunction with sheet synthetic resinous materials without further adaptation.

It is to be understood that it is not considered that theinvention is limited to the specific details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for ob vious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to'which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. 'A device for forming pleats in curtains and similar articles comprising: a base member having a plurality of elongated channels therein; a pleat-forming element including first and second reciprocating frames mounted for movement in parallel planes; first and second rack means mounted upon said first and second frames, respectively, and interconnected through a gear having a fixed axis of rotation; said first frame having camming means thereon; said second frame having elongated pleat forming for movement in parallel planes; first and second rack means mounted upon said first and second frames, respectively, and interconnected through a gear having a fixed axis of rotation; said first frame having camming means thereon;'said second frame having elongated pleat forming members insertable within said channels in said base element, said pleat forming members having cam follower means thereon engageable with said camming means; and a fastener inserting device adapted to secure formed pleats in pleated condition, said fastener inserting device being activated by movement of said pleat-forming members.

3. A device for forming pleats in curtains and similar articles comprising: a base member having a plurality of elongated channels therein; a pleat-forming element including first and second reciprocating frames mounted for movement in parallel planes; first and second rack means mounted upon said first and second frames, respectively, and interconnected through a gear having a fixed axis of rotation; said first frame having camrning means thereon; said second frame having elongated pleatforming members insertable within said channels in said 10 2,232,051

base element, said pleat-forming members having cam follower means thereon engageable with said camming 6 means; and fastening means adapted to secure formed pleats in pleated condition, said fastening means including a staple setting device activated by movement of said pleat-forming members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,970 Howe Feb. 24, 1843 Cook et al. Feb. 18, 1941 2,551,808 Minns May 8, 1951 2,669,955 Gellman Feb. 23, 1954

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