US3343901A

US3343901A - Dressmaker's device

Info

Publication number: US3343901A
Application number: US499704A
Authority: US
Inventors: Susan A Marcus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-10-21
Filing date: 1965-10-21
Publication date: 1967-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 1984-09-26

Description

3 p 1967 s. A. MARCUS 3,343,901

DRESSMAKERS DEVICE Filed 001;. 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l 19 M UM S usanA. Mar/"012s ATTORNEY Sept. 26, 1967 s. A. MARCUS DRESSMAKER'S DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001;. 21, 1965 it r'l lzvmwrag Siz sanA.Marcus BY DW ATTORNEY 3 ,3 43,901 Patented Sept..26, 1967 3,343,901 DRESSMAKERS DEVICE Susan A. Marcus, Brackenville Road, Hockessin, Del. 19707 Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 499,704 Claims. (Cl. 312235) This invention relates to a dressmakers device. More particularly, it relates to a device that is used in measuring and marking hems for dresses.

There have been quite a number of devices described for use by dressmakers to make the task of marking hem lines of dresses easier. These devices include movable scissors, rotating platforms and chalk marking devices, among others. However, the devices of the prior art usually place either the dressmaker or the person being fitted into uncomfortable positions, and there has been a longfelt need for a device that is convenient to the dressmaker doing the fitting and that also alldws the person being fitted to stand securely while the fitting is being done.

Accordingly, an objective of this invention is the provision of a dressmakers platform which allows the person being fitted to standstill while the hem line is being determined. A further aim is the provision of a device which allows the dressmaker to circle the person being fitted in a convenient and comfortable manner. A still further objective is the provision of a device which contains storage means for dressmakers tools. A still further purpose is the provision of a device of simple, effective design containing a retractable seat for the fitter. These and other goals will appear hereinafter.

The objectives of this invention are accomplished by the provision of a platform that contains tiers and contains one tier which is revolvable, the others remaining stationary. The device of this invention affords a slightly elevated platform which is stationary and on which the person being fitted stands. To reach this elevated platform there is a step up to the platform which step is stationary. Located between'the said step and the stationary top platform, which is the top tier, is a revolving member which contains a retractable seat for the fitter. This is in elfecta third tier or level and is between the step and the top platform.

" In using the device the person being fitted merely steps 'up to the top tier and stands there. The fitter pulls out the retractable seat and having been seated on it, the fitter merely pushes herself around the person being fitted with a foot or her feet and in going around the fitter, of course, pins or sets the hem line where desired. This invention will be further understood by reference to the description and the" figures below all of which is given for illustrative purposes only and is not lirnitative.

In the figures:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation showing a person being fitted and the dressmaker, both in the operative position on the device of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective of certain parts of the device;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the device of this invention;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 are small sectional views showing different types of bearings that may be used.

As can be seen in FIGURE 1 the person 10 being fitted is on the top tier 11, a stationary platform, of the device 12 of this invention. Seated on the support 13 is the fitter 14. The arrow 15 shows the direction in which the fitter is moving as she pushe herself around the person 10. As

she does so, the central element 16 rotates. The bottom section 17, which contains drawer 18, is stationary resting on floor 18 and presenting step 19 to afford a convenient way for the person 10 to get to platform 11. The bottom section 17 containing step 19 need not be a complete circle as shown in the drawings and may be only a part of the circle or even a square-shaped step that is integral with the device of this invention or is a separate step. However, it is preferred that the bottom member 17 be a complete circle around the device, because it affords a step down for person 10 in whatever direction she wishes to step from the platform 11.

In FIGURE 2 various parts are shown with certain connecting members. Thus, platform 11 is shown about to receive a locking means 20 which contains a disk 21 and a shaft 22. As can be seen in FIGURE 5 the disk 21 is locked into platform 11 by screws 23. Shaft 22 is secured to step 9 by means of a bolt and lock nut washer 24 whichbears on the underneath side of stationary step 9. The shaft 22 passes through a hole 25 in the top 26 and a similar hole in bottom 26a of central member 16. Shaft 22 also passes through cylinder 27, the bottom end of which rests on the inner portion 28 of step 9. As shown in FIGURE 5 the top of cylinder 27 is in contact with the underneath surface of disk 21. Located on the bottom side of inner member 16 or resting on step 9 is a bearing 29, and located on the top side of inner member 16 is asimila-r bearing 30. As explained below each of these hearings have co-acting counterparts.

The bottom plan view shown in FIGURE 3 shows the lock nut arrangement 24'which locks platform 11 and step 9 together. Also shown is the drawer 18 with its pull-out knob 31 and the retractable seat 13 with its pull-out knob 32.

FIGURE 4 shows in top plan these various elements with the dotted lines indicating the position of the various elements described above. The retractable seat 13 is shown capable of being slid into central member 16, there being guides 33 on either side to assure that the seat goes in smoothly and easily. These guides are fixed to the inner member 16 and when the fitter 14 pushes against the fioor, the sides ofv seat 13 will bear against these walls 33 and make inner member. 16 revolve. Also shown in FIGURE 4 are the walls or ribs 34 which act as guides for the drawer 18.

These various elements are shown in assembled form in FIGURE 5 As explained, the.central member 16 has -a hole 25 in its top part 26 and has a similar hole, not shown, in its bottom part 26a. Thus, the cylinder 27 will be resting with its bottom part in direct contact with the step 9 and. with its top indirect contact with the underneath side ofdisk 21. It will also further be understood that the inside diameters of the holes in central section 16 correspond closely to the diameter of cylinder 27. Thus, central section 16 is fixed in place since it can not be moved horizontally in any direction for its top and its bottom will bear up against cylinder 27 which is fixed, as explained. Nor can revolvable central element 16 be raised or lowered, for top 11 and step 9 prevent such movements, respectively. Thus, the device of this invention is very sturdy. Yet, it is portable and can be easily moved from one place to another. If desired, the device can be equipped with spring-loaded casters, but the mobility of the device without them is very good. Further, it

rests very firmly on the floor and a person can step very easily and quickly from the floor to step 9 and from there to the top platform 11 and reverse these movements quickly in safety. The person being fitted can merely stand on platform 11 as though she were standing on the floor.

In FIGURE 5 there are also shown at 35 one of the ways in which the revolving of central element 16 can be effected. This comprises a pair of Teflon rings. Certain of these were shown in FIGURE 2 as

elements

29 and 30. One ring is positioned in the underneath side of stationary platform 11 and the other is positioned in the top side of central element 16. Similarly, another ring is positioned at 35a in the top side of step 9 and a fourth ring is positioned in the underneath side of central element 16. The respective sets of rings are, of course, aligned. The material Teflon (this being the trademark of the E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company) is a material which has a very low coefiicient of friction, being a fluorocarbon polymer known as poly(tetrafluoroethylene). Other materials may be used including other fluorocarbon polymers including tetrafluoroethylene copolymers and fiuorinated hydrocarbon polymers. Further, other bearings may be used including metal ball bearings and other synthetic plastics such as nylon, polyformaldehyde, polypropylene, among others. It is preferred to use the Teflon bearing since it has a long life and the surfaces move over each other very easily. In FIGURE 6 there is an enlarged view showing cross-sections of two

devices

36 and 37 in bearing relationship. In FIGURE 7 there is shown a similar bearing having a slightly different cut to allow for a greater surface cont-act, the bearings being indicated as

bearings

38 and 39, while in FIGURE 8 a still further bearing arrangement is shown using

bearings

40 and 41 which are in arcuate contact.

If desired the fitter can use any one of a number of measuring devices. One is shown in FIGURE 1 as element 42. It consists of a base 43 with a perpendicular rule 44 on which is adjustably mounted clamp 45. The fitter merely adjusts the clamp to the desired height, inserts the fabric, closes the clamp and then pins. Moving to the next location that is to be pinned, the fitter merely repeats the operation until she completes the pinning.

The various platforms, steps, walls and the like may be prepared from a large variety of materials, including wood, Masonite, fiber board and plastics. Whatever their composition, the various elements are readily constructed and quickly assembled. With their sturdy nature, the device of this invention has a long life and it affords safety to the users, the person being fitted and the fitter.

While the invention has been disclosed herein in connection with certain embodiments and certain structural and procedural details, it is clear that changes, modifications or equivalents can be used by those skilled in the art; accordingly, such changes within the principles of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the claims below.

I claim:

1. A support comprising a top stationary platform; a bottom stationary platform extending substantially beyond the outer edge of said top platform and thereby affording a step to the said top platform; and a revolvable member located between the said top and bottom Platforms and containing a platform which is revolvable with said member.

2. A support in accordance with claim 1 in which the said revolvable member moves in a horizontal circle.

3. A support in accordance with claim 1 in which said revolvable platform comprises a seat slidably mounted on the said revolvable member.

4. A support in accordance with claim 1 in which said bottom platform contains a drawer.

5. A support in accordance with claim 1 which contains a bearing between the top platform and the revolving member and a bearing between the bottom platform and the revolving member.

6. A support in accordance with claim 5 in which said bearings comprise poly(tetrafluoroethy1ene).

7. A support comprising a bottom, stationary platform adapted to rest on the floor; resting on the top surface of said platform and centrally disposed thereon a hollow upright stationary support; on the top surface of said upright support atop, stationary platform which has a shape com-parable to that of said bottom platform but is substantially smaller in width, whereby said bottom platform affords a step to said top platform; means for connecting said top platform to said bottom platform to hold them in fixed realtionship; and in between said top and said bottom platform a revolvable member containing a platform that revolves with said member.

8. A support in accordance with claim 7 in which said connecting means comprises a shaft positioned inside said hollow upright and fixed to the top platform and fixed to the bottom platform.

9. A support in accordance with claim 7 in which said revolvable platform is slidably mounted, in drawer fashion, on said revolvable member.

10. A support in accordance with claim 7 which contains bearings between said top platform and said revolvable member and between said bottom platform and said revolvable member.

References Cited CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A SUPPORT COMPRISING A TOP STATIONARY PLATFORM; A BOTTOM STATIONARY PLATFORM EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY BEYOND THE OUTER EDGE OF SAID TOP PLATFORM AND THEREBY AFFORDING A STEP TO THE SAID TOP PLATFORM; AND REVOLVABLE MEMBER LOCATED BETWEEN THE SAID TOP AND BOTTOM PLAT-