US3760746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sewing machine attachment
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-14
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1991-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A sewing machine attachment wherein a pair of jaws are pneumatically closed to fold a cloth. Thereafter, a pneumatic clamp is moved against the cloth as the jaws are withdrawn to hold the folded cloth against a movable plate having a slot. The sewing machine moves the movable plate to bring the slot under the sewing machine needle to sew the fold, thereby providing a pleat. After the pleat has been sewn the pneumatic clamp releases the pleated cloth. The folding, clamping, and releasing operations are automatically and sequentially performed by a pneumatic system once the cycle is initiated by an operator.
Inventors
- 👤 M Portilla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:54
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B35/00; D05B35/08; D05D; D05D2207/00; D05D2207/02; D10; D10B; D10B2503/00; D10B2503/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A sewing machine attachment for making pleats, comprising: a. means for folding a cloth; b. clamping means for initially holding the folded cloth at a location spaced from the path of longitudinal movement of the needle of the sewing machine c. means for moving the clamping means to bring the clamped folded cloth into the path of longitudinal movement of the sewing machine needle; and d. means for moving the clamping means to advance the folded cloth during stitching of the cloth by the needle of the sewing machine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A sewing machine attachment for making pleats, comprising: a. means for folding a cloth; b. clamping means for initially holding the folded cloth at a location spaced from the path of longitudinal movement of the needle of the sewing machine c. means for moving the clamping means to bring the clamped folded cloth into the path of longitudinal movement of the sewing machine needle; and d. means for moving the clamping means to advance the folded cloth during stitching of the cloth by the needle of the sewing machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An attachment as defined in claim 1 wherein said means foR folding a cloth includes first and second jaws between which the cloth is placed, and means for moving said jaws toward and away from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
An attachment as defined in claim 2 wherein said first jaw includes first spaced-apart extending means; said second jaw includes second spaced-apart extending means; and further including means for moving the jaws with respect to each other so that the second extending means move against the cloth and into the spaces created by the first extending means, thereby folding the cloth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
An attachment as defined in claim 3 wherein the first extending means includes a first pair of parallel plates, resilient means coupled to the first jaw, and a plate coupled to the resilient means; the second extending means include a second pair of parallel plates; and wherein the relative motion of the jaws initially causes the plate to move the cloth against the second jaw, thereby holding it in place, and thereafter compresses the resilient means as the cloth is folded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An attachment as defined in claim 3 further including pneumatic means for moving the jaws with respect to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
An attachment as defined in claim 1 wherein the clamping means for holding the folded cloth includes: a base member; a clamping member movably mounted with respect to said base member; and means for moving the clamping member with respect to the base member, thereby engaging or releasing the folded cloth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
An attachment as defined in claim 6 wherein said base member has a slot adjacent to said clamping member when the latter is brought into engagement with said base member, said means (c) moving said clamping means with respect to the needle of the sewing machine to bring said slot into and out of alignment with the sewing machine needle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An attachment as defined in claim 7 wherein the means (d) for moving the clamping means includes a drive link coupling the sewing machine to the base member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
An attachment as defined in claim 8 wherein the slot is L-shaped and said link moves said base member along an L-shaped path with respect to the needle of the sewing machine whereby the latter sews in the L-shaped slot, thereby providing an L-shaped seam for holding the fold in place.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An attachment as defined in claim 1 further including control means for sequentially driving the means for folding the cloth, the clamping means, the means (c) and the means (d).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An attachment as defined in claim 10 wherein the control means includes a pneumatic control system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
An attachment as defined in claim 2 wherein the clamping means includes a base member, wherein said folding means includes a carriage, and wherein said jaws are pivotably coupled to the carriage to enable the loading of the first jaw with the cloth.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
An attachment as defined in claim 2 wherein the folding means includes a carriage, and the jaws are slidably coupled with respect to the carriage to enable the jaws to be moved out of the way of the clamping means before the cloth is advanced.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
An attachment as defined in claim 13 wherein the carriage is pivotably mounted with respect to the sewing machine to enable movement of the folding means out of the way of the clamping means.
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) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |