US3592369A

US3592369A - Drapery pleating and folding apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3592369A
Application number: US35681A
Authority: US
Inventors: John H Hales
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-05-08
Filing date: 1970-05-08
Publication date: 1971-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-13

Abstract

An apparatus for pleating and stretching draperies after cleaning and when they are being folded and finished. The apparatus includes a pair of upright standards with an elongate horizontal drapery hanger bar extending between the standards and arranged for vertical travel along the standards. A plurality of drapery connectors are movable horizontally along the hanger bar and are arranged to suspend a drapery therefrom such that it can be positioned to be grasped by a pleater assembly that is also arranged to extend between the vertical standards. The pleater assembly is thus beneath the hanger bar and it is also mounted for vertical travel with respect to the upright standards. The pleater assembly includes a pair of interacting pleater members adapted to clamp the pleats in the lower portion of the drapery. For this purpose, one of the pleater members has inflatable fingers expandable into pressing engagement with respect to interacting fingers of the other pleater member, thereby clamping the positioned drapery pleats between the interacting fingers and holding them as the hanger bar is elevated to stretch the drapery.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor J Elks Aurora, Utah 84620 [2]] Appl. No 35.681 [22] Filed May 8, 1970 [4S] Patented July I3, 1971 {54) DRAPERY PLEA'ITNG AND FOLDING APPARATUS I0 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 223/32 [5|] Int. Cl Adlh43/00 D06] 1/00 [50] Field ofSearch 223/28- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.445.044 5/]969 Boyes 223/32 3 506, I 69 4/1970 Hales 22 3/32 Primary Examinerlordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-George V Larkin Au0rney B. Deon Criddle ABSTRACT: An apparatus for pleating and stretching draperies after cleaning and when they are being folded and finished. The apparatus includes a pair of upright standards with an elongate horizontal drapery hanger bar extending between the standards and arranged for vertical travel along the standards. A plurality of drapery connectors are movable horizontally along the hanger bar and are arranged to suspend a drapery therefrom such that it can be positioned to be grasped by a pleater assembly that is also arranged to extend between the vertical standards, The pleater assembly is thus beneath the hanger bar and it is also mounted for vertical travel with respect to the upright standards.

The pleater assembly includes a pair of interacting pleater members adapted to clamp the pleats in the lower portion of the drapery. For this purpose, one of the pleater members has inflatable fingers expandable into pressing engagement with respect to interacting fingers of the other pleater member, thereby clamping the positioned drapery pleats between the interacting fingers and holding them as the hanger bar is elevated to stretch the drapery.

Ila

PATENTEuJuuaosn 3592,2369

sum 2 BF 2 IN VENTOR. JOHN H HA L E S BY 610 we.

AT TORNE' Y DRAPERY PLEATING AND FOLDING APPARATUS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Prior Art This invention relates to apparatus for pleating and stretching draperies after cleaning and prior to at the time when they are being folded and finished. It is an improvement over the apparatus shown and described in my copending application for patent, Ser. No. 658,490, now Pat. No, 3,506,169 dated Apr. 14, I970, entitled Drapery Pleating and Folding Apparatus.

As noted, apparatus for pleating and stretching draperies between a pair of draperycngaging members vertically movable relative to each other has been proposed heretofore. While this previously known pleating and stretching apparatus has been found satisfactory in most respects, it has become apparent that means heretofore employed for clamping drapery pleats between interacting finger of relatively fixed and mova ble pleater members has not been entirely satisfactory. This is because the interacting fingers sometimes fail to positively grip the drapery so that it can be stretched, since only one side of the pleat is clamped; the drapery sometimes catches on the tips of the fingers and the pleating bar assemblies heretofore proposed have been relatively complex and costly to manufac ture and to maintain in operation BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly. it is an object ofthe present invention to provide an improved drapery pleating and stretching apparatus and more particularly to provide an improved pleater member of a pleater assembly for securely and safely clamping the lower end of a drapery in a pleated configuration. and for anchoring the lower end so that the drapery may be stretched by elevating its upper end.

Other objects are to provide an improved pleater assembly that is easy and relatively inexpensive to construct; one that is rapidly and easily used by even inexperienced persons; one that is safe to use, and one that will effectively clamp both sides ofa pleat.

Still other objects are to provide an expansible finger for use with pleater assemblies that will have a controlled lateral ex pansion to give a maximum gripping force and to make such fingers so that they are easily replaceable.

In the accomplishment of the foregoing objects, I provide as features of my invention, fingers for one of the pleater members that will expand into clamping engagement with interacting rigid fingers of the cooperating pleater member. The cxpansible fingers are preferably made of stretchable, gas-impervious material reinforced to cause lateral expansion when gas under pressure is introduced therein and including fittings whereby the expansible fingers can be readily secured to and removed from a header-forming part of their pleater member.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a front elevation of a drapery pleating and folding apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2, an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the pleater assembly portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3. a greatly enlarged vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4, a greatly enlarged, fragmentary section taken on the line 4-4 in FIG. 2, and showing the expansible fingers in their contracted condition;

FIG. 5, a similar view, but with the expansible fingers ex panded; and

FIG 6, a vertical section, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings:

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the improved drapery pleating and folding apparatus includes a pair of spaced vertical standards I0 and 11 having stabilizing legs Illa and I la, respectively, at the bottoms thereof to provide means for holding the standards in their upright condition. A hanger bar I2 extends between the upright standards and conven tional means (not shown in detail) are provided for moving the hanger bar up and down and for locking its position with respect to the standards I0 and II.

A pleater assembly, shown generally at I4, extends between the standards I0 and 1], below the hanger bar I1, and provides a means whereby the pleats ofa drapery suspended from the hanger rod can be clamped in place. Conventional means (not shown in detail) are provided to connect the pleater as sembly to the standards, whereby they are movable vertically therealong and can be locked thereto in any desired position.

With the apparatus as heretofore generally described, a drapery such as is shown at IS in FIG. I, is stretched to a desired length by lowering the hanger bar 12, hanging the top of the drapery thereon, raising the hanger bar upright slightly before clamping the pleats in the pleater assembly, and locking the pleater assembly in place. Thereafter, the hanger bar is raised to stretch the drapery to desired length and is locked in place.

The conventional means for attaching the hanger bar and pleater assembly to the standards and for locking them in place can be, for example, as shown and described in the aforementioned pending application for patent, Ser. No. 658,490, or of such other conventional type as may be suitable.

In any event, the attachment means for the pleater assembly will be fastened to side plates I9 and 20, forming part of the pleater assembly and a channel-shaped pleater bar I6 attached between the sideplates to be vertically movable with them.

As best shown in FIGS. 2,3 and 6, a relatively fixed pleater member 22 includes the pleater bar I6 which has a plurality of equally spaced apertures 23 extending therethrough, along its entire length. Also secured to the pleater bar and forming part of the fixed pleater member is a header or air duct member 24, FIG. 3. The interior of the air duct member is in communication with each of apertures 23 through the pleater bar.

Equally spaced, expansible fingerlike members 25 are disposed at right angles to the pleater bar and form another part of the fixed pleater member 22.

The expansible fingerlike members each include a rigid reinforcement band 26 of metal, plastic, heavy molded rubber or any other such material, and having a generally U-shaped configuration, with inturned opposed legs 26:: and 26a. Bolts 27 are then recessed into the

legs

26a and 26b and extend therethrough to be inserted through holes 28 provided therefor through the pleater bar I6. An opening 29 is formed between the ends of the opposed legs to allow for passage of air from the air duct member 24 through an aperture 23. The band 26 has a rounded outer end and an enlarged tip which is designed to prevent drapery from catching on the ends or corners of the projecting strips as the drapery folds are placed in between fingers of the fixed and movable pleater members, as will be more fully described. Inserted within the boundary formed by the band 26 and bonded or otherwise affixed thereto, is an inflatable, thick-walled rubber member 30 having an air aperture 31 aligned with the opening 29 formed between the ends in the pleater bar I9 of the

legs

26a and 26b. The opening 29 is thus arranged to be in communication with the interior of air duct members 24 when nuts 32 are threaded onto bolts 27 to secure the fingerlike member to the pleater bar.

One end of the air duct member 24 is connected by a flexible hose 3Ia to a source of compressed air 32. A flow control valve 33 of any suitable, known type is provided to regulate flow from the source, through the flexible hose to the air duct member. The source of compressed air may be a pump, a pressure tank, a compressor or any other such source or combination of sources. A conventional pressure gauge can be used in the air system, ifdesired.

A movable pleater member, shown generally at 35 includes a second pleater bar 36 that extends parallel to pleater bar 16 and that is fixed to the ends of arms 37 and 3B, the other ends of which are pivotally connected to posts 40' and 40', rigidly upstanding from and movable with the sideplates l9 and 20.

Rigid flat fingers 39 are spaced along and project at right angles from the pleater bar 36 and the lengths of the

arms

37 and 38 are such that as they are pivoted. each of the spaced rigid fingers will move into or out of a position between ad jacent fingerlike members 25, fixed to the pleater bar [6 with the fiat faces of the fingers 39 then being opposite adjacent fingerlike members 25.

While all of the fingers and fingerlike members and both pleater members are vertically movable as part of the pleater assembly, on the standards 10 and H, the relative positions of the pleater members does not change and the pleater member 22 is fixed with respect to the movable pleater member 35.

In operation, when the rigid fingers 39 are positioned between adjacent fingerlike members 25 and control valve 33 is opened, compressed air is forced through the air duct 24 and openings 23, into the members 30.

The bands 26 limit the direction of expansion of the members 30, thereby forcing them to expand laterally into engagement with the flat surfaces of the rigid fingers 39. Naturally, if drapery pleats are first placed between the rigid fingers and the fingerlike members, the pleats will be securely clamped by the expansion.

Closing of the control valve after expansion will lock the pressurized air in the members 30 and will insure that the clamped pleats will be securely held.

The pressurized air can be released by turning control valve 33 to an exhaust position or another separate exhaust valve or other such system could as well be used. While not shown, a vacuum pump can be used to exhaust air from the expansible fingerlike members ifa more rapid exhaust is desired.

The clamping mechanism is easy to use, requiring only a simple valve operation. it provides a very effective clamp, but at the same time it is gentle to fabrics and safe to use.

Because the members 30 are flexible, even if a user should inadvertently position a finger or hand between pleating fingers when the clamping occurs there is not likely to be a serious injury suffered.

The amount of clamping pressure exerted may be set as desired and, if desired, a pressure relief valve 40 can be provided between the control valve 33 and the air duct 24 so that pressures above that desired, as determined by the setting of the relief valve will be prevented.

Although a preferred form of my invention has been herein disclosed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, which subject matter l regard as my invention,

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for pleating and stretching draperies comprising in combination a pair of upwardly extending spaced-apart standards;

a horizontal hanger bar vertically movable along and locka' ble to said standards;

a pleater assembly extending horizontally below said hanger bar and vertically movable with respect to and lockable to said standards, said pleater assembly including,

a relatively fixed pleater member having a first pleater bar with expansible. fingerlike members spaced therealong and projecting at right angles therefrom,

a relatively movable pleater member having a second pleater bar with rigid. flat projecting fingers extending at right angles therefrom and means for moving said second pleater bar with its projecting fingers to extend between adjacent projecting fingerlike members of said first pleater bar, and

means for expanding and contracting said expansible, fingerlike elements into engagement with the faces of rigid fingers adjacent thereto.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim l, wherein the expansible fingerlike members each include a generally Ushaped, substantially rigid band, each of which is secured at right angles to the first pleater bar.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the inflatable means is a thick-walled rubber member in' serted within the boundary formed by the generally U- shaped band.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first pleater bar has a plurality of aperture spaced longitudinally along its length;

an air channel secured thereto, with air opening in communication with said apertures; and

means mounting the expansible fingerlike elements on the said bar such that the interiors thereof are in communication with said apertures.

5. The apparatus of claim I, wherein the relatively movable pleater member is mounted to be pivoted with respect to the relatively fixed pleater member, the second pleater bar thus being travelled in an arc to and from a position where the fingers thereon are projecting into and between adjacent expansible, fingerlike members on the said first pleater bar.

6. A pleater bar for use in a pleater assembly comprising a bar;

a plurality of U-shaped, substantially rigid bands, said bands being attached to, longitudinally equally spaced along, and projecting at a right angle from one side of said bar to form finger members; and

an inflatable member inserted within the boundary formed by each of the U-shaped bands and said bar and expandable laterally on each side of said strap.

7. A pleater bar as in claim 6, further including an air duct extending longitudinally along and fixed to the other side of the bar; and

spaced openings through the bar arranged to interconnect the interior of the air duct and the interior of the expansible members.

8. The pleater bar as defined in claim 6, wherein the inflatable members are ofa thick-walled expansible material.

9. Apparatus for pleating and stretching draperies having a pair of upwardly extending, spaced-apart standards;

a horizontal hanger bar vertically movable along and lockable to said standards, a vertically movable pleater bar assembly extending horizontally between said rigid members below said hanger bar and lockable to said standards, said pleater assembly including a relatively fixed member having a first pleater bar, and a second pleater bar with flat fingers extending therefrom and means for positioning said second pleater bar parallel and adjacent to the first pleater bar;

the improvement comprising expansible, fingerlike members, means for securing said fingerlike members in spaced relationship along the first pleater bar, whereby the fingers on the second pleater bar are movable between adjacent fingerlike members; and means to expand and contract the said expansible, fingerlike members.

ill. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the fingerlike members each include generally U-shaped substantially rigid band; and

an expansible thick-walled rubber member inserted within the boundary formed by the generally U-shaped strap and the said first pleater bar and affixed to the band.

Claims

1. Apparatus for pleating and stretching draperies comprising in combination a pair of upwardly extending spaced-apart standards; a horizontal hanger bar vertically movable along and lockable to said standards; a pleater assembly extending horizontally below said hanger bar and vertically movable with respect to and lockable to said standards, said pleater assembly including, a relatively fixed pleater member having a first pleater bar with expansible, fingerlike members spaced therealong and projecting at right angles therefrom, a relatively movable pleater member having a second pleater bar with rigid, flat projecting fingers extending at right angles therefrom and means for moving said second pleater bar with its projecting fingers to extend between adjacent projecting fingerlike members of said first pleater bar, and means for expanding and contracting said expansible, fingerlike elements into engagement with the faces of rigid fingers adjacent thereto.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the expansible fingerlike members each include a generally U-shaped, substantially rigid band, each of which is secured at right angles to the first pleater bar.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the inflatable means is a thick-walled rubber member inserted within the boundary formed by the generally U-shaped band.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first pleater bar has a plurality of aperture spaced longitudinally along its length; an air channel secured thereto, with air opening in communication with said apertures; and means mounting the expansible fingerlike elements on the said bar such that the interiors thereof are in communication with said apertures.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the relatively movable pleater member is mounted to be pivoted with respect to the relatively fixed pleater member, the second pleater bar thus being travelled in an arc to and from a position where the fingers thereon are projecting into and between adjacent expansible, fingerlike members on the said first pleater bar.

6. A pleater bar for use in a pleater assembly comprising a bar; a plurality of U-shaped, substantially rigid bands, said bands being attached to, longitudinally equally spaced along, and projecting at a right angle from one side of said bar to form finger members; and an inflatable member inserted within the boundary formed by each of the U-shaped bands and said bar and expandable laterally on each side of said strap.

7. A pleater bar as in claim 6, further including an air duct extending longitudinally along and fixed to the other side of the bar; and spaced openings through the bar arranged to interconnect the interior of the air duct and the interior of the expansible members.

8. The pleater bar as defined in claim 6, wherein the inflatable members are of a thick-walled expansible material.

9. Apparatus for pleating and stretching draperies having a pair of upwardly extending, spaced-apart standards; a horizontal hanger bar vertically movable along and lockable to said standards, a vertically movable pleater bar assembly extending horizontally between said rigid members below said hanger bar and lockable to said standards, said pleater assembly including a relatively fixed member having a first pleater bar, and a second pleater bar with flat fingers extending therefrom and means for positioning said second pLeater bar parallel and adjacent to the first pleater bar; the improvement comprising expansible, fingerlike members, means for securing said fingerlike members in spaced relationship along the first pleater bar, whereby the fingers on the second pleater bar are movable between adjacent fingerlike members; and means to expand and contract the said expansible, fingerlike members.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the fingerlike members each include generally U-shaped substantially rigid band; and an expansible thick-walled rubber member inserted within the boundary formed by the generally U-shaped strap and the said first pleater bar and affixed to the band.