US3805718A - Pleat forming device for sewing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A pleat forming mechanism adapted to be attached to and operated in conjunction with a lock stitch or chain stitch sewing machine to interconnect the conventional triple pleat formed at the upper edge of drapery fabrics at periodic intervals. The device includes a first pleat forming member including a hinged gripping portion adapted to clamp a manually formed first pleat, means for moving the first pleat forming means into position beneath the needle of the sewing machine, second and third pleat forming elements, and means for advancing the same in serial fashion to successively form the remaining pleats of the individual triple pleat from unfolded material adjacent the first formed pleat. Means are provided for clamping the second and third pleats subsequent to withdrawal of the pleat forming elements, as is means for moving the clamped pleats in planar motion perpendicular to the axis of the sewing machine needle as the clamped material is sewed.

Description

United States Patent [191 Levinstein Apr. 23, 1974 PLEAT FORMING DEVICE FOR SEWING Primary ExaminerH. Hampton Hunter MACHINES Attorney, Agent, or FirmCharles E. Temko [75] Inventor: Stanley Levinstem, Woodmere, NY. ABSTRACT Asslgneei Home Curtam Corporatlon! New A pleat forming mechanism adapted to be attached to Ym'k, and operated in conjunction with a lock stitch or [22] Filed; Aug 12, 1968 chain stitch sewing machine to interconnect the con- [52] US. Cl. 112/134 [51] Int. Cl. D05b 35/08 [58] Field of Search 112/134, 135, 132, 133, 112/262; 223/31, 30, 28

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,010,621 11/1961 Bonarrigo 223/31 2,708,059 5/1955 Petzal et a1. 223/30 2,818,038 12/1957 Levie 112/132 3,331,345 7/1967 Firestein et a1. 112/134 O O O ventional triple pleat formed at the upper edge of drapery fabrics at periodic intervals. The device includes a first pleat forming member including a hinged gripping portion adapted to clamp a manually formed first pleat, means for moving the first pleat forming means into position beneath the needle of the sewing machine, second and third pleat forming elements, and means for advancing the same in serial fashion to successively form the remaining pleats of the individual triple pleat from unfolded material adjacent the first formed pleat. Means are provided for clamping the second and third pleats subsequent to withdrawal of the pleat forming elements, as is means for moving the clamped pleats in planar motion perpendicular to the axis of the sewing machine needle as the clamped material is sewed.

5 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures FATENTED APR 23 I974 SHEET 2 [IF 3 PLEAT FORMING DEVICE FOR SEWING MACHINES In the manufacture of triple-pleated draperies on a massed produced basis, considerable time is lost in manually forming the triple pleats at periodic intervals, and holding the same in pleated condition while an L- shaped pattern of stitches is sewn along the rearward edge and base of the pleat. It is known in the art to form the pleats in a location away from the sewing machine, fastening the same by a staple or other mechanical packing, and to subsequently sew the stapled pleat on a conventional sewing machine, using pleat gripping means which will move the pleat with respect to the sewing machine needle in the well known L-shaped pattern to permanently secure the pleats in position. This procedure, while a great improvement over complete manual forming, still requires separate operations at separate locations, and the accompanying cost in production.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide a pleat forming device of the class described which may be attached directly to a sewing machine, so that the pleat may be both formed and sewn in a single continuous operation, and in which many of the steps comprising a single cycle are automatically performed.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved device of the class described, which may be incorporated into existing conventional sewing machines to achieve the above result.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of a substantially fully automatic pleat forming device which will serially form the individual three pleat portions which comprise a triple pleat, clamp the same in position for sewing, and complete the sewing operation to a point where the sewed pleat is automatically removed from sewing position on the sewing machine.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved device of the class described, in which the cost of fabrication thereof may be of a reasonably low order, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use. i

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved pleat forming device, possessed of the above advantages, which may be conveniently operated by those possessing onlyordinary sewing skills, and in which the sewing cycle is initiated by merely exerting'pressure upon a push button.

A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the fact that during the sewing operation thepleat is double stitched that is to say stitchedin both a forward and reversed direction for additional mechanicalstrength.

Another feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the complete safety offered to the-user during a'sewing operation.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends andv advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

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

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a second fragmentary perspective view thereof showing the interconnection of the same with a sewing machine head.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the device, corresponding to the central portion of FIG. 3, with certain of the component parts in altered relative position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view as seen from the plane 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in elevation as seen from the plane 66 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view as seen from the plane 77 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof as seen from the plane 88 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a View in elevation showing a portion of the cam Wheel which regulates movement of the device relative to the sewing machine needle, whereby a sewing pattern employed during the completion of a formed pleat is established.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the means shown in FIG. 9 as seen from the plane 10l 0 therein.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing a completed drapery incorporating a plurality of triple pleats.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view showing the end of a single formed triple pleat.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary veiw in elevation as seen from the plane I313 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view as seen from the plane 14-14 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a first stage in the formation of an individual pleat using the disclosed embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a second stage of formation of a given pleat.

FIG. 17 is a similar schematic view showing a third stage thereof.

FIG. 18 is a similar schematic view showing a fourth stage thereof in which the individual pleat forming elements have been withdrawn, and the now folded pleat has been clamped in position for subsequent sewing.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2', 3 and 4, in installed operative relation with a conventional lock stitch sewing machine 11 of well known type. The sewing machine is operated through a driven pulley l2 rotated by a belt 13. A second pulley 15 on a common shaft 15a drives a belt 16 interconnected with the main drive spindle in the sewing machine head. The conventional tensioning mechanism 17 which normally resiliently urges a pressure foot (not shown) downwardly against material being sewed is removed, the function being replaced'by elements to be'described hereinbelow. A base plate 18 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) is controlled-by cam means 19 whereby material being sewed may execute planar movement in a horizontal plane through an L-shaped pattern to form an individual triple pleat (see FIGS. 11 to 14, inclusive, as is well known in the art).

The device 10 comprises generally: a plurality of pivotally mounted fold retaining members 23 which are arranged for movement about an axis which is fixed with respect to sewing machine 11, a relatively movable first fold retaining element 24, second and third fold forming elements 25 and 26, respectively, actuating means 27, and control means 28.

The fold retaining members 23 are two in number, including an upper member 29 and a lower member 30. As best seen in FIG. 4, there are mounted upon a shaft 31 which provides an axis of rotation lying in a generally horizontal plane beneath the sewing machine head. Each of the members 29 and are movable between open and closed positions by small air cylinders 32 and 33 cooperating with resilient means (not shown). The air cylinders are provided with pistons 34 and 35 which coact with levers 36 and 37 (see FIG. 7) to effect movement, the cylinders being positioned by a mounting plate 38 secured to the sewing machine head. A clamping frame 39 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is mounted for rotation about a parallel axis on shafts 40 and 41, as is a fold retaining element holding member 42. The frame 39 and hold down member 42 are provided with actuating levers 43 and 44, and are moved by a plate 45 mounted on a bell crank 46 by an air cylinder 47 against the action of small coil springs (not shown).

The fold retaining element 24 includes a horizontal plate 50 mounting a vertical member 51, in turn mounting a shaft 52 which passes through a guide 53 fixed with. respect to the sewing machine head and actuated by an air cylinder 54.

Extending laterally from the plate 50 is a cloth guide 55, the function of which will be more fully explained hereinafter and a mounting member 56 upon which first and second clamping plates 57 and 58 are mounted by means of a common pintle 59.

The fold forming element 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) includes a blade 63 positioned parallel to the guide and mounted upon a member 64 extending outwardly of a housing 65 through a side wall 66 thereof which is provided with a slotted opening 67 (see FIG. 5). The mounting member 64 is provided with a central opening 68 slidably penetrated by a piston rod 69 connected to a piston 70 in a air cylinder 71.

The fold forming element 26 is somewhat similar in construction, including a blade member 74extending laterally from a mounting member 75 fixed to the end of the piston rod 69. The rod 69 is provided with an enlargement 76 (FIG. 5) which contacts the surface 77 of the mounting member 64, and that segment of the rod 69 extending between the mounting member 64 and the mounting member 75 is surrounded by a coil spring 78. From a consideration of FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be apparent that when the rod 69 is moved upwardly as seen in FIG. 4, both the blade 63 and the blade 74 will move toward the sewing machine head until the surface 77 contacts the plate 73, at which point it is constrained from further movement. Owing to the compressibility of the spring 78, however, the rod 69 may continue to move, and bring the mounting member 78 into close proximity therewith. 7

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, there isillustrated a means for shifting the members 23-and element 24 which are clamped by the hold down member 42 during the sewing operation. This structure includes a cam wheeel 82 which is driven in synchronism with the crank mechanism (not shown) which actuates the sewing machine needle about a horizontal axis of rotation 83. The outer surface 84 of the wheel 82 coacts with a cam follower 85 riding in a track, the follower 85 moving an arm 86 in a horizontal plane. The arm 86 is provided with a slotted opening 87 coacting with a guide block 86 on the axis 83, and an opposite end 89 is interconnected with a clevis 90 on a shiftable member 91. The member 91 rides underneath a plate 92 (FIG. 3) to cause leftward and rightward movement, and in one position, an angularly disposed cam face 93 thereon contacts a corresponding face 94 on a shiftable member 95 also operating the plate 92 in a direction perpendicular to that of the motion imparted by the member 91. During this operation, the sewing machine needle 96 (FIG. 4) oscillates in the L-shaped slot 97 in the element 24.

Operation of the device during a complete cycle, is best understood from a consideration of FIGS. 15 through 18, inclusive, wherein the action is schematically illustrated.

At the commencement of a cycle, the component parts are in the position shown in FIG. 4, with the elements 24, 25 and 26 in retracted position, that is to say closest to the operator who would normally be seated at the left hand portion of FIG. 1. In this position, the upper and lower members 29 and 30 are spaced apart from each other under the action of the air cylinders 37 and 38. The operator then manually forms a first fold in a piece of goods 99, and places it between the first and second clamping plates 57 and 58. The air cylinders 54 is then actuated, causing the element 24 to move from the position shown in FIG. 2 to that seen in FIG. 3, and schematically illustrated in FIG. 15. During this operation, the lower segment 99 of the goods 100 is maintained below the guide 55.

Next, with the arrival of the element 24 at its leftwardmost position, the air cylinder 71 is actuated, causing the elements 25 and 26 to move in unison until the element 25 has reached the leftward limit of movement, as determined by the meeting of the surface 77 with the plate 73. This condition is illustrated in FIG. 16, and is followed by actuation of the cylinder 32 permitting the lower member 30 to fall to retain the second fold which has been formed.

The air cylinder 71 continues to operate, and the piston rod 69 causes the element 26 to form the third fold, as seen in FIG. 17, and immediately following this action, the air cylinder 33 is actuated to release the upper member 27 to clamp the now formed third fold.

When further leftward movement of the piston 69 is no longer possible, the action of the cylinder 71 is reversed, withdrawing the elements 25 and 26 to their original position, and at arrival of this position, the spring 78 has expanded, in readiness for a repeated cycle. The hold down member 42 and clamping frame 39 are then lowered by release of the actuating levers 43 and 44 by the plate 45 resulting from pivotal movement of thebell crank 46 under the action the air cylinder 47 (FIG. 8). The members 23 and element 24 are now clamped for movement independently of the elements 25 and 26 during the sewing operation. Actuation of the air cylinder 47 closes the switch toactuatethe sewing machine which also drives the cam wheel 82 through a complete revolution.

Reference is now made to FIGS. ll, l2, l3 and 14, which illustrate the finished pleat structure in a drapery. It will be understood that this pleat structure is entirely conventional, and is illustrated so that the operation of the embodiment may be followed. Each pleat, generally indicated by reference character 20 includes three individual folds 101, 102, and 103 held in position by a vertically oriented stitch 98, and a shorter horizontal stitch 99. The L-shaped pattern, defined by the slot 97 overlies the area in which the stitches will be made, and the stitch 98 is determined by the extent of leftward and rightward movement, as seen in FIG. 9, while the stitch 99 is formed when the arm 86 has reached its rightwardmost path of travel, and contacts the member 95 which imparts movement to the plate 92 in a direction at right angles to movement caused by the arm 86. Continued rotation of the cam wheel 82 returns it to its starting point, at which point switch means (not shown) is opened resulting in the stopping of the sewing operation with the needle 96 in raised position. The air cylinder 54 then returns the element 24 to starting position, and the now sewed pleat 20 may be removed, and an adjacent piece of material folded to be placed beneath the clamping plates 57 and 58, so that the cycle may be repeated.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art, that the serial actuation of the above mentioned air cylinders is accomplished by pressure sensitive switches which are disposed in the line of movement of moving elements, so that the completion of each of the described movements will automatically initiate the next serial movement. ln the alternative, where simplicity of circuitry is desired, switches controlling the air cylinders may be arranged for manual operation in serial fashion under the complete control of the operator, resulting in a somewhat slower time cycle.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A device for use in conjunction with a sewing machine for forming a plural pleat in piece goods along an edge thereof prior to a sewing operation permanently holding said formed plural pleat, comprising: a fold retaining element including a pair of clamping members, a plurality of fold retaining members mounted for pivotal movement about an axis fixed with respect to said sewing machine, and relatively movable about said axis from opened to closed positions to enclose and maintain a plurality of folds in pleated juxtaposed condition; a plurality of fold forming members arranged in mutually staggered relation, and means for serially moving said fold forming members into successive interstices formed by said fold retaining element and plurality of fold retaining members; means for successively closing said fold retaining members to retain folds of cloth placed therein, following the progressive formation thereof, and means for substantially simultaneously withdrawing said fold forming members after the completion of a formed pleat.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, said fold retaining element having an opening therein for the entry of a sewing machine needle of shape corresponding to a predetermined sewing pattern.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 1, including pneumatically operated means for moving said fold forming element.

4. The method of forming a pleat consisting of a plurality of folds which comprises the steps of: providing a fold retaining element including a plurality of movably associated fold retaining members movable between a mutually spaced condition defining a plurality of interstices therebetween and a closed position in which said fold retaining members are moved to abutted condition to grip therebetween a folded, piece of goods; providing a plurality of fold forming members slidably engageable between said interstices when said fold retaining members are in relatively opened condition; manually forming a first fold, and clamping the same between portions of said fold retaining element;

serially moving the fold forming members into successive interstices formed between the fold retaining members to form adjacent pleats from material disposed on one side of said fold retaining element; serially clamping said fold retaining members upon formed folds as said folds are formed; subsequently withdrawing said fold forming members, and sewing said folds to form a pleat.

5. The method in accordance with claim 4, further characterized in the provision of the final step of moving said fold retaining element and fold retaining members as a unit from sewing position with respect to the sewingmachine for subsequent manual removal therefrom.

Claims (5)

1. A device for use in conjunction with a sewing machine for forming a plural pleat in piece goods along an edge thereof prior to a sewing operation permanently holding said formed plural pleat, comprising: a fold retaining element including a pair of clamping members, a plurality of fold retaining members mounted for pivotal movement about an axis fixed with respect to said sewing machine, and relatively movable about said axis from opened to closed positions to enclose and maintain a plurality of folds in pleated juxtaposed condition; a plurality of fold forming members arranged in mutually staggered relation, and means for serially moving said fold forming members into successive interstices formed by said fold retaining element and plurality of fold retaining members; means for successively closing said fold retaining members to retain folds of cloth placed therein, following the progressive formation thereof, and means for substantially simultaneously withdrawing said fold forming members after the completion of a formed pleat.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, said fold retaining element having an opening therein for the entry of a sewing machine needle of shape corresponding to a predetermined sewing pattern.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 1, including pneumatically operated means for moving said fold forming element.

4. The method of forming a pleat consisting of a plurality of folds which comprises the steps of: providing a fold retaining element including a plurality of movably associated fold retaining members movable between a mutually spaced condition defining a plurality of interstices therebetween and a closed position in which said fold retaining members are moved to abutted condition to grip therebetween a folded piece of goods; providing a plurality of fold forming members slidably engageable between said interstices when said fold retaining members are in relatively opened condition; manually forming a first fold, and clamping the same between portions of said fold retaining element; serially moving the fold forming members into successive interstices formed between the fold retaining members to form adjacent pleats from material disposed on one side of said fold retaining element; serially clamping said fold retaining members upon formed folds as said folds are formed; subsequently withdrawing said fold forming members, and sewing said folds to form a pleat.

5. The method in accordance with claim 4, further characterized in the provision of the final step of moving said fold retaining element and fold retaining members as a unit from sewing position with respect to the sewing machine for subsequent manual removal therefrom.

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