Patent US3661103A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3661103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic pleating machine
Assignee: LOUIS HAND Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-02
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-11-02
Abstract
Abstract This is an automatic pleating machine which is designed to automatically form a plurality of spaced pleats across the top of a piece of drapery or curtain material and to sew the pleats in place. A sewing machine is mounted on a stand and the automatic pleat forming device is mounted on an arm swung from beneath the stand in front of the sewing machine. A pair of jaws are pivoted to swing vertically into open position with a central tongue between them to form two separate sections. A C-shaped arm is designed to push the material into jaws on each side of the central tongue to form the pleat. A plurality of needles now swing upwardly through slots in the jaw to hold the pleat in position while the C-shaped device is removed. The jaws then close on the pleat and the entire jaw assembly moves forwardly to a point beneath the sewing machine needle. At this point the sewing machine clamp moves downwardly and clamps the pleat. The jaws are then withdrawn and opened up for the formation of another pleat. The second pleat is formed before the first pleat has been sewed by the machine. After the first pleat has been sewed the sewing machine clamp is raised and an arm comes downwardly to pull the material from beneath the needle of the sewing machine. The second pleat already completed in the jaws is then moved forwardly beneath the sewing machine clamp. This is repeated until the plurality of predetermined pleats in a predetermined spaced relation are formed on the material. The pleats are usually so arranged that the first and last pleats are approximately 3 inches from the edge of the material while the other pleats are approximately five inches apart. For this construction the apparatus is provided with an arm controlled by two cams. During the initial operation the first cam permits the arm to move downwardly to pull sufficient material to form the first pleat three inches from the edge. Thereafter during the operation of the device the second cam takes over and pulls more material for the formation of the pleat so that the pleats are now five inches apart. The various parts of the device the jaws and the pleat forming device are all operated by compressed air controlled by solenoid valves. The entire machine can then be programmed from a tape in the conventional manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Firestein
- 👤 Karl Tyas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:56
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B35/00; D05B35/08; D05D; D05D2207/00; D05D2207/02; D10; D10B; D10B2503/00; D10B2503/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A device for automatically forming and sewing a plurality of spaced pleats of a piece of textile material comprising a table, a sewing machine mounted on said table at right angles to the front edge, a support pivotally mounted on said table below said sewing machine and extending horizontally from said table, a guide plate mounted on said support for guiding a piece of textile material toward said sewing machine, means on said support below said guide plate for forming a pleat in the textile material, means for axially moving said pleat forming means to said sewing machine to position the pleat beneath the sewing needle, means on said sewing machine for clamping onto the pleat and for stripping the pleat from said forming means on withdrawal of said forming means from said sewing machine, means on said support for pulling a slack of material from said guide plate while said material is held by said clamping means, said pleat forming means forming a second pleat from the slack, and means on said sewing machine for moving said clamping means and pleat beneath the sewing needle during the sewing operation of said sewing machine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A device for automatically forming and sewing a plurality of spaced pleats of a piece of textile material comprising a table, a sewing machine mounted on said table at right angles to the front edge, a support pivotally mounted on said table below said sewing machine and extending horizontally from said table, a guide plate mounted on said support for guiding a piece of textile material toward said sewing machine, means on said support below said guide plate for forming a pleat in the textile material, means for axially moving said pleat forming means to said sewing machine to position the pleat beneath the sewing needle, means on said sewing machine for clamping onto the pleat and for stripping the pleat from said forming means on withdrawal of said forming means from said sewing machine, means on said support for pulling a slack of material from said guide plate while said material is held by said clamping means, said pleat forming means forming a second pleat from the slack, and means on said sewing machine for moving said clamping means and pleat beneath the sewing needle during the sewing operation of said sewing machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein means are mounted on said support for releasably locking the pleat in said pleat forming means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein means are mounted on said sewing machine for releasably locking the pleat beneath said sewing machine clamping means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein means are mounted on said table for pivoting said support during the sewing operation to align with the movement of said clamping means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said slack pulling means is adjustable to pull less slack on the first pleat and more slack on the succeeding pleats in the same sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said pleat forming means includes an elongated strip mounted for axial sliding movement toward and away from said sewing machine, a supporting block mounted on the front end of said strip, a flat rectangular plate extends from said block in alignment with said strip, said plate forming a central tongue, a flat rectangular jaw member pivotally mounted on spaced relation on each side of said tongue, said pivot mountings being at the rear edge of each jaw adjacent said block, a pair of spaced bowed leaf springs mounted on the upper and lower sides of said block and extending forwardly in contact with saiD jaws to resiliently bias said jaws toward each other and toward the said central tongue into closed position, and means for spreading said jaws into open position against the pressure of said leaf springs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as in claim 6, wherein said spreading means comprises a rod mounted transversely across each of said jaws, the ends of said rods extending beyond the edges of said jaws, a wedge mounted on each side of said jaws and adapted to enter between said extended portions of said rods to spread said jaws, and means for actuating said wedges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said pleat forming means includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable in said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, means for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as in claim 9, wherein said lever is provided with a second cam, a second microswitch on said support, said second cam adapted to trip said second microswitch to provide for different reciprocating movements of said lever and slack rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as in claim 1, including control means for the elements of said device comprising individually operated air cylinders and pistons under air pressure, a solenoid controlled valve, a second microswitch on said support, said second cam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as in claim 2, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a supporting block, a plurality of needles extending upwardly from said block, and means for vertically reciprocating said block into said pleat forming means to pass said needles through the pleat to releasably lock the pleat in said pleat forming means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as in claim 3, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a block mounted on said sewing machine, a plurality of needles depending from said block, and means for vertically reciprocating said block to pass said needles through said clamp and into the pleat to releasably lock the pleat under said clamp means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 2, wherein means are mounted on said sewing machine for releasably locking the pleat beneath said sewing machine clamping means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as in claim 14, wherein means are mounted on said table for pivoting said support during the sewing operation to align with the movement of said clamping means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as in claim 14, wherein said slack pulling means is adjustable to pull less slack on the first pleat and more slack on the succeeding pleats in the same sequence.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as in claim 15, wherein said slack pulling means is adjustable to pull less slack on the first pleat and more slack on the succeeding pleats in the same sequence.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as in claim 6, wherein the front edges of said jaws and tongue are provided with slots, and means are mounted on said support for releasably locking the pleat in said pleat forming means through said slots.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as in claim 7, wherein the front edges of said jaws and tongue are provided with slots, and means are mounted on said support for releasably locking the pleat in said pleat forming means through said slots.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 19, wherein means are mounted on said sewing machine for releasably locking the pleat beneath said sewing machine clamping means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device as in claim 6, wherein said pleat forming means also includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable in said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, meanS for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device as in claim 7, wherein said pleat forming means also includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable on said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, means for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device as in claim 18, wherein said pleat forming means also includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable on said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, means for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device as in claim 19, wherein said pleat forming means also includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable on said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, means for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as in claim 6, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as in claim 7, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as in claim 21, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as in claim 22, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as in claim 24, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as in claim 29, wherein said lever is provided with a second cam, a second microswitch on said support, said second cam adapted to trip said second microswitch to provide for different reciprocating movements of said lever and slack rod.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as in claim 29, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a supporting block, a plurality of needles extending upwardly from said block, and means for vertically reciprocating said block into said pleat forming means to pass said needles through the pleat to releasably lock the pleat in said pleat forming means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as in claim 20, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a block mounted on said sewing machine, a plurality of needles depending from said bLock, and means for vertically reciprocating said block to pass said needles through said clamp and into the pleat to releasably lock the pleat under said clamp means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
74 words
A device as in claim 32, wherein said pleat forming means includes a C-shaped member mounted on said support, a vertical shaft mounted in said member, a block slidable on said shaft, means for moving said block on said shaft, means for pivotally turning said member and block, and a C-shaped arm extending horizontally from said block, said arm pushing the slack material into said pleat forming means on turning movement of said block.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as in claim 33, wherein said slack pulling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said support, a slack forming rod extending horizontally from one end of said lever, means for reciprocating said lever, a microswitch for reversing said reciprocating means, and an adjustable cam on said lever for tripping said microswitch.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as in claim 34, wherein said lever is provided with a second cam, a second microswitch on said support, said second cam adapted to trip said second microswitch to provide for different reciprocating movements of said lever and slack rod.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |