US3889858A - Pleat-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a pleater device comprising a base with three spacers affixed to the base, a pleater arm with two spacers rotatably pivoted on an end of the base, said spacers interleafing with the base spacers so that fabric thrust between the spacers is folded into the standard three pleat drapery pattern; a projecting center pleater insures a center fold before the fabric is made to flow and conform to the remaining pleats. The use of low friction materials such as plastics together with molding of all engaging surfaces into curves does not crush or tear sheer fabrics used in residential draperies.

Description

United States Patent Hack I June 17, 1975 [54] PLEAT-FORMING DEVICE 2.669.955 2/1954 Gellman ll2/l36 E D M' h. [75] Inventor Vila L Hack ast. etroit 1c Primary Emminer Geo v Larkm Asslgnfifii gr" & fif lf ML Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James E Wells emens, 1c

[22] Filed: Oct. 4, 197] [57] ABSTRACT [2]] Appl. No.: 186,192 The invention discloses a pleater device comprising a base with three spacers affixed to the base, a pleater arm with two spacers rotatably pivoted on an end of the base, said spacers interleafing with the base spac- 58 d l ers so that fabric thrust between the spacers is folded l 1 le 0 /28 30 3246 into the standard three pleat drapery pattern; a projecting center pleater insures a center fold before the 56 R f S C d fabric is made to flow and conform to the remaining l e erence e pleats. The use of low friction materials such as plas- UNITED STATES PATENTS tics together with molding of all engaging surfaces into 294,309 2/1884 Campbell V. 223/36 curves does not crush or tear sheer fabrics used in res- WCff idential dra erics I,570,0l2 1/1926 Simmons 223/36 X p 2,l7l,356 8/1939 Florea 223/33 X 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJUN 3 7 ms SHEET INVENTOR.

V/L4 L. HQCK PLEAT-FORMING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in pleatforming devices. Heavy fixed commercial machines of the type disclosed in the invention of Abraham Gelman, US. Pat. No. 2,669,955 are available and are successful in factory settings but require skilled operators particularly when light fabrics such as sibonne, voila, batiste, and faille are used. Crushing, tearing or fraying of such materials is not unusual in such commercial machines.

SUMMARY It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a pleat-forming device which will allow the for mation of pleats in light fabrics without crushing such materials or otherwise abrading the materials, where unskilled operators in residential settings may use the device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pleat-forming device of the above type which will allow repetitive pleating with accuracy of spacing and intervals between pleats.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pleat-forming device of the above type which will facilitate and allow rapid formation of pleats in light drapery fabric while allowing marking the same for sewing or other fastening.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a pleat-forming device of the above type which has but a single moving part and capable of simple construction and is easy to use and efficient in operation even where sheer fabrics are used.

For further objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pleating device embodying the features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the device showing fabric material in place.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the device showing the fabric being formed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view taken on Line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring more in detail to the drawings in which similar reference numerals identify corresponding parts through the several views, there is shown pleat-forming device referred to collectively as 10, the base 12 has a rear portion 11 and a front portion 13; the base as may be seen from the drawings includes three vertical spacers l8, 19, 18 running longitudinally with said base. The middle of the three spacers 19 projects slightly above its fellow spacers as is shown in a cross section view, FIG. 2. The pleater arm 14 consists of two spacers 16 joined at the top 15 as substantially illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pleater arm 14 attaches to the base support 12 by means ofa rivet 22 and rotates about the base 12 pivoted on the rivet 22 for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear. It will be noted that the spacers 16 on the pleater arm 14 interleaf between the spacers I8 annexed to the base 12 and further interleaf with the center spacer so that one spacer I6 is on the side of the center spacer I9 and when the pleater arm 14 is rotated soas to fully engage the base I2, the spacers 16 on the pleater arm 14 rest in the rounded lower portions 20 on the base 12.

In operation the fabric 24 (shown in phantom lines in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) to be pleated is passed intermediately between the pleater arm 14 and the base 12. The pleater arm 14 is moved downward as shown in FIG. 4 by moving the pleater arm 14 by hand, providing three pleats in the fabric as is shown in FIG. 5. The manner of removing the material is shown in FIG. 6 where the operator 28 grasps the pleats 26 and then removes the same with the pleater arm 14 open or closed as the operator may desire. It is noteworthy that the rounded lower portions 20 of the spacers l8 and I9 allow free movement of the fabric 24 and the spacers I6, 18 and 19 have radii on all terminal edges as well as upon their ends so as to prevent snagging or undue friction with the fabric 24. It should be further noted that the projection of spacer 19 above the companion spacers 18 allows the center pleat to be formed first and therefore imposes less strain upon the material than forming all pleats at the same instant. This feature further uniformly establishes a base line for measuring intervals between pleats, which in practice has been found to require an interval of eight inches between said base lines prior to pleating. A stitch may be placed in the fabric 24 at the folds 26 thereby securing the same after removal or because of the relatively small size of the device a stitch may be placed in the pleats 26 in the space between the ends of the spacers 16, I8 and 19, and the limit of the front portion of the base 13 as depicted in FIG. 6.

RESUME In practice it has been found that large foot con trolled machines tend to tear or sever very light fabrics, particularly where the operator is relatively inexperienced. The present inventor has found that by constructing the spacers of materials having a low coefficient of friction with respect to contact with light drapery stock and where the spacers and all adjoining surfaces are curved surfaces, allowing the drapery material to move freely between the spacers then tearing, crushing or sheering action will not occur regardless of the deftness of the operators touch. The preferred material for construction of the device is high density polystyrene, although other plastics of similar physical characteristics and chromium plated metals will serve equally as well.

It should now be apparent that there has been provided a pleat-forming device which may be conveniently placed near a sewing machine and which will materially increase the production of pleated draperies by the sewing machine operator in a residential setting.

While various changes may be made in the detailed construction, it should be understood that such changes should be in the spirit and scope of the invention as been defined by the appended claim.

I claim:

1. A pleat-forming device comprising a rectangular base with three parallel horizontal spacers extending vertically therefrom, said spacers being of rectangular configuration, the top of the center spacer being slightly elevated above the tops of the two outward spacers, a pleater arm comprised of two connected pivotable parallel spacers, a horizontal pivot compris- 3 ,8 89,85 8 3 4 ing a rivet extending through the rear top corners of the spacer permitting accurate pleat spacing and free three lower spacers such that when lowered the upper movement of fabric prior to making further pleats spacers interdigitate with the lower spacers, so that fabtherein. ric to be pleated is first folded over the middle lower

Claims (1)

1. A pleat-forming device comprising a rectangular base with three parallel horizontal spacers extending vertically therefrom, said spacers being of rectangular configuration, the top of the center spacer being slightly elevated above the tops of the two outward spacers, a pleater arm comprised of two connected pivotable parallel spacers, a horizontal pivot comprising a rivet extending through the rear top corners of the three lower spacers such that when lowered the upper spacers interdigitate with the lower spacers, so that fabric to be pleated is first folded over the middle lower spacer permitting accurate pleat spacing and free movement of fabric prior to making further pleats therein. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

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