US3738007A - Drapery manufacturing device - Google Patents

Drapery manufacturing device Download PDF

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US3738007A
US3738007A US00221528A US3738007DA US3738007A US 3738007 A US3738007 A US 3738007A US 00221528 A US00221528 A US 00221528A US 3738007D A US3738007D A US 3738007DA US 3738007 A US3738007 A US 3738007A
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trolley
frame
panel
carriage
movement
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M Tuskos
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06H—MARKING, INSPECTING, SEAMING OR SEVERING TEXTILE MATERIALS
    • D06H1/00—Marking textile materials; Marking in combination with metering or inspecting
    • D06H1/006—Marking frames for large sized textiles, e.g. for drapery pleat or length marking
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06H—MARKING, INSPECTING, SEAMING OR SEVERING TEXTILE MATERIALS
    • D06H7/00—Apparatus or processes for cutting, or otherwise severing, specially adapted for the cutting, or otherwise severing, of textile materials
    • D06H7/02—Apparatus or processes for cutting, or otherwise severing, specially adapted for the cutting, or otherwise severing, of textile materials transversely
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
    • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
    • D10B2503/00—Domestic or personal
    • D10B2503/02—Curtains

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT provides improvement in a drapery manufacturing device of the type including: an upstanding frame having first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guide tracks; a trolley transversely spanning the tracks and movably connected thereto for vertical movement with respect to the frame and including a transverse member; means on the transverse member of the trolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold the panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of the trolley with respect to the frame; drive means to move the trolley vertically with respect to the frame; and reference means defining a horizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of the frame.
  • the improvement provided by the present invention comprises combining with such a device marker means located adjacent to the lower end of its frame for movement relative to its reference means to mark a horizontal line on the drapery panel such that the panel can be subsequently removed from the device and then creased by means located remote from the device.
  • a device is preferably additionally improved by further combining the marker means with cutting means mounted therewith on carriage means for horizontal movement relative to the lower end of its frame across the space between the vertical frame guide tracks for simultaneously trimming the panel lower edge while the folding line is also being marked thereon by the marker means.
  • This invention relates to devices for manufacturing draperies and, more particularly, to a device which enables its operator to quickly and accurately determine the desired length of a panel to be formed into a drapery and to establish a hem folding line across the bottom of the panel.
  • the present invention is particularly concerned with improvement of a device such as that described in detail in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,438, issued Apr. 22, 1969.
  • the present invention provides improvement in a drapery manufacturing device of the type including: an upstanding frame having first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guide tracks; a trolley transversely spanning the tracks and movably connected thereto for vertical movement with respect to the frame and including a transverse member; means on the transverse member of the trolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold the panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of the trolley with respect to the frame; drive means to move the trolley vertically with respect to the frame; and reference means defining a horizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of the frame.
  • the improvement provided by the present invention comprises combining with such a device marker means located adjacent to the lower end of its frame for movement relative to its reference means to mark a horizontal line on the drapery panel such that the panel can be subsequently removed from the device and then creased by means located remote from the device.
  • the improved arrangement provided by the present invention is particularly advantageous over that described in my aforenoted U.S. Patent in that it eliminates the need that creasing means, such as an ironing board, be combined with the device. It is further advantageous over this previously patented device of mine since the improved arrangement frees such a device to operate on additional panels as soon as the marking operation is completed on one panel.
  • the improved device need not be tied up during the creasing or ironing operation, which is of a considerably longer period of time than that required for marking the folding line. As improved by the present invention, one such device can now be operated to supply marked panels to several ironers or other such creasing means remotely located from it.
  • such a device is preferably additionally improved by further combining the marker means with cutting means mounted therewith on carriage means driven by electrically powered drive means for horizontal movement relative to the lower end of its frame across the space between the vertical frame guide tracks for simultaneously trimming the panel lower edge while the folding line is also being marked thereon by the marker means.
  • Still more improvement can be provided in accordance with the present invention by further combining the marker means with control means for automatically deenergizing the trolley drive means following its movement to a predetermined distance above the reference means.
  • FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic front elevational view of an improved drapery manufacturing device that is provided in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a right end elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational perspective view of a presently preferred form of drive means for moving the trolley means of the device vertically with respect to its frame;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partly broken, fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partly broken, fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a presently preferred form of electric circuit that can be used to control the trolley drive means
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partly broken, fragmentary front elevational perspective view of carriage means provided in accordance with the present invention at the lower end of the device frame for horizontal movement relative thereto and of marker and cutting means carried thereby;
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a presently preferred form of drive means that can be employed to move the carriage means.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a presently preferred form of electric circuit that can be utilized to control the carriage drive means. 1
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a presently preferred form of an improved device 10 that is provided in accordance with the present invention for manufacturing draperies and the like. While it should be understood that the device 10 could obviously be utilized for other purposes, such as curtain manufacturing, etc., the description that follows will be confined to drapes for the sake of clarity and brevity.
  • the trolley 14 is generally rectangular in shape and is comprised of at least one transverse member 16, such as that forming its upper edge, which is provided with gripper means, such as a series of spring clamps 17, to grasp a panel 18 to be formed into a drapery and vertically position the lower end of the panel 18 with respect to reference means 19 defining a pair of vertically spaced horizontal reference planes 20h and 20t adjacent the lower end of the frame, upon upward movement of the trolley 14.
  • a drop box 21 is also provided which spans the lower end of the frame 11 to receive the lower end of the panel 18 and prevent it from coming into contact with the shop floor.
  • the vertical frame members 12 and 13 are spaced apart by a distance great enough to accommodate the widest panel 18 to be operated upon.
  • these vertical frame members .12 and 13 are sup ported by a generally horizontal base member 22 of the frame 11 and need not be fixed to a shop wall as was the case with my aforenoted patented device.
  • the generally rectangular shaped trolley 14 is vertically arranged on the front of the frame 1 l and preferably includes a second transverse member 25 which is spaced apart from and parallel to its other transverse member 16 and thus forms its lower edge.
  • the two transverse members 16 and 25 of the trolley are interconnected by a pair of side members 27 and 28 that respectively form its left and right edges.
  • Each of these side members 27 and 28 of the trolley is provided with rollers 29 that are engaged in the vertical tracks respectively provided by the members 27 and 28.
  • frame 11 is provided with an additional pair of vertical.
  • Each of these two rear vertical frame members, such as the member 30, has its lower end supported by the frame base member 22 and has its upper end connected to the vertical member 12 or 13 immediately in front of it by a horizontal frame member 31 that extends fore and aft of the device 10.
  • the fore and aft top members 31 are interconnected by another horizontal top member 32 which extends transversely between them.
  • Yet another vertical frame member 330 is provided that is centrally located between the two rear vertical frame members, such as the member 30, and has its lower end supported by the frame base member 22 and its upper end connected to the transverse top frame member 32.
  • the drive means 15 for the trolley 14 comprises a reversible rotary electric motor 33 that has its housing 34 fixed to a bracket member 35 which extends horizontally and rearwardly from the right rear vertical frame member 30 at a higher elevation than the reference means 19.
  • the motor 33 has its rotary output shaft 36 provided with a sheave 37 which is interconnected by a belt 38 to another sheave 39 that is mounted on the right end of a trolley drive shaft 40;
  • the trolley drive shaft 40 extends horizontally between the left and right vertical frame members 12 and 13 and is rotatably journaled in and connected thereto by bearing blocks 41 that are mounted on yet another pair of horizontal frame members, only one of which 42 is visible in the drawings, that extend fore and aft between the two pairs of front and rear vertical frame members.
  • the trolley drive shaft 40 is provided with sprockets 43L and 43R adjacent its opposite left and right ends, and these sprockets 43L and 43R are respectively connected by left and right trolley drive chains 44L and 44R to other sprockets 45L and 45R that are provided on the opposite left and right ends of a driven shaft 46.
  • the driven trolley shaft 46 extends across the top of the frame 11 and is rotatably journaled in additional bearing blocks 47 that are fastened to the transverse top frame member 32.
  • One end of each of the two trolley drive chains 44L and 44R is respectively connected to the left or right bottom corner of the trolley 14, while the opposite end of each chain 44L and 44R is respectively connected to the left or right top corner of the trolley 14.
  • the device 10 is provided with control means for de-energizing the trolley drive means 15 following movement of the trolley 14 to a predetermined distance above the reference means 16.
  • these trolley drive control means include an electric toggle switch 51 for energizing the trolley drive motor 33 to rotate its output shaft 36 in either of its two opposite directions and a pair of so called electric microswitches 52 and 53 for controlling de-energization of that same motor 33.
  • the toggle switch 51 is preferably physically mounted within a housing that is fixed to the right front vertical frame member 13 at the hand level of a typical operator, while the housing of one of the two microswitches 52 is fixed at a similar elevation on the front face of the right rear vertical frame member 30.
  • This one microswitch 52 has its actuator 52a arranged to extend forwardly for temporary engagement with a cam surface 54 that is fixed on the rear of the right side member 28 of the trolley 14 so as to limit downward movement of the trolley 14.
  • the other of these two microswitches 53 serves to limit upward movement of the trolley 14 by the trolley drive means 15 and is itself mounted for vertical movement relative to the frame 11 by manually operated uppe limit switch drive means 55.
  • the upper limit switch drive means 55 includes a horizontal drive shaft 56 that extends transversely to and is journaled for rotation in the right rear vertical frame member 30 at an elevation similar to that of the toggle switch 51.
  • This upper limit switch drive shaft 56 has a hand wheel 57 connected to its right end and carries a sprocket 58.
  • This sprocket 58 is connected by an endless chain 59 to another sprocket 60 carried by a driven shaft 61 that is rotatably journaled in the rear end of the right one of the fore and aft extending top frame members 31.
  • the upper limit switch 53 has its housing fixed to a front facing surface of the endless chain 59 with its actuator 53a arranged to extend forwardly for temporary engagement with the cam surface 54 that is fixed on the right rear side member 28 of the trolley 14 so as to limit upward movement of the trolley 14.
  • the elevation of the upper limit switch 53 can be readily varied through manual operation of its drive means 55 by hand rotation of its hand wheel 57. Manual rotation of the hand wheel by an operator in a first direction (clockwise as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) will cause upward movement of the upper limit switch 53 with respect to the frame 11 and the trolley 14, whereas rotation of the hand wheel in a second direction opposite to the first direction (counter-clockwise as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) will cause the upper limit switch 53 to be moved downwardly with respect to the frame 11 and the trolley 14.
  • the present invention provides the device with measuring means comprising a pair of retractable measuring tapes 64A and 64B.
  • Each of these measuring tapes 6 3A and 64B is housed in a casing, with the two casings 65A and 6513 being fixed side by side on the front surface of the right front vertical frame member 13 at an identical elevation above the reference means 19.
  • Both of these tapes 64A and 64B extend upwardly from their respective housings, with the distal end of one 64A being connected to the housing of the upper limit switch 53 by a first bracket 66A, while the distal end of the other tape 64B is connected to the upper right corner of the trolley 14 by another bracket 663.
  • the casings 65A and 655 for the two tapes 64A and 64B are respectively provided with windows 67A and 678, each having a horizontal indicator line provided thereon.
  • the hand wheel 57 is pushed against the spring 62 and rotated to cause the upper limit switch 53 and the distal end of the measuring tape 64A that is connected to it to be moved to a predetermined desired elevation above the reference means which will be indicated by the particular meter mark on that tape 64A which is matched up withthe indicator line on the window 67A of its casing 65A.
  • subsequent operation of the toggle switch 51 will energize the trolley drive motor 33 and cause upward movement of the trolley 14 by the trolley drive means 15 until the cam surface 54 carried by the trolley 14 engages the upper limit switch actuator 53a. This upward movement of the trolley 14 will cause simultaneous upward extension of the other measuring tape 643 that is attached to it by the bracket 66B.
  • the two tapes 64A and 64B are so interrelated to one another, the reference means 19, the trolley 14 and the upper limit switch drive chain 59 that, when upward movement of the trolley 14 is stopped by engage ment to its cam surface 54 with the upper limit switch actuator 53a, the meter mark on the trolley-attached tape 648 that is aligned with the indicator line on the window 67B of its casing 65B will be identical to the meter mark of the other tape 64A which was previously aligned with the indicator line on its casing window 67A through rotation of the hand wheel 57.
  • any metered tape length that is preset at the indicator line on the window 67A of the casing 65A of the upperlimit-switch-attached tape 64A through operation of the hand wheel 57 will be matched by the trolley drive means 15 and automatically stopped there by the trolley drive control means, with the equal actual matched length being indicated by the mark on the tape 648 that is then aligned with the indicator line on the window 67B of its casing 658.
  • the present invention further provides disc-type brake means 68 which are best shown in FIG. 5.
  • these brake means 68 include a disc 69 which surrounds and is fixed on the trolley drive shaft 40 between its belt driven sheave 39 and right drive sprocket 43R.
  • This disc 69 is normally engaged (and rotation of the trolley drive shaft 40 prevented) by brake shoe means (not shown in detail) held in contact therewith by one end of a lever 70 which is yieldably urged into its braking position by resilient means such as a tension spring 71 that connects the opposite end of the brake lever '70 to the right front vertical frame member 13.
  • the force of the tension spring 71 can, however, be
  • the reversible trolley drive means motor 33 includes a pair of windings 33U and 33D, one of which 33U is operable when energized to drive its rotary output shaft 36 in a first direction causing upward movement of the trolley 14 and the other of which 33D is operable when energized to cause its motor output shaft 36 to rotate in the opposite direction and cause the trolley 14 to be moved downward.
  • the power source for the trolley drive control means comprises a pair of electric power lines L1 and L2.
  • the motor down winding 33D is connected in electrical series with the lower limit switch 52 by a conductor 74, while the up winding 33U is connected in electrical series with the upper limit switch 53 by another conductor 75.
  • the seriesconnected down winding 33D and limit switch 52 are connected in electrical parallel with the series connected up winding 33D and the limit switch 53 by another conductor 76 to the first power line L1.
  • These two electrically paralleled circuits are respectively connected by conductors 77 and 78 to the two fixed poles 51D and SlU of the toggle switch 31, which also has its movable actuator 51A connected in electrical series with the braking solenoid 73 to the other power line L2 by conductors 79 and 80.
  • the trolley drive means 15 can only be energized by moving the toggle switch actuator 51A from its first or down position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 6), wherein it engages one of the two fixed poles 51D of the toggle switch 51, to its second or up position (shown in shadow lines in FIG. 6), wherein it is engaged with the other fixed pole 51U and is consequently disengaged from the first fixed pole 51D of the toggle switch 51.
  • the reference means 19 defines a pair of vertically spaced horizontal reference planes 20h and 20t adjacent the lower end of the frame 11 of the device 10, with respect to which the lower end of the panel 18 is vertically positioned by attaching the panel upper end to the top of the trolley 14 by gripper means such as the spring clamp 17. And, marker means 81 and cutting means 82 are combined with the device 10 for respective movement relative to these two horizontal reference planes 20h and 20!
  • the device 10 need not be tied up during the hem folding or creasing operation, which is of considerably longer period of time than-that required for marking the line 83 and trimming the bottom of the panel along the cut 84.
  • one such device 10 can now be operated to supply marked and trimmed panels to several ironers or other such creasing or folding means remotely located from it.
  • the marker means 81 and the cutting means 82 are both mounted on a single carriage 85 which is driven by electrically powered drive means 86 for horizontal movement relative to the reference means 19 at the lower end of its frame 11 across the space between the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and 24 for simultaneously trimming the panels lower edge with the cutting means 82 along the cut 84 while the hem line 83 is being marked thereon by the marker means 81.
  • the device 10 is also preferably provided with control means, including another toggle switch 87 and another pair of normally-closed electric microswitches 88 and 89, for automatically de-energizing the carriage drive means 86 upon completion of each traverse of the space between the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and 24 by the carriage means 85.
  • the two horizontal reference planes 20h and 20t that are provided by the reference means 19 comprise a pair of angle irons 90h and 90! which are vertically spaced apart from one and other and horizontally connected to the lower front sides of the left and right vertical frame members 12 and 13, with their angles opening upwardly and forwardly.
  • the vertical spacing between the two horizontal reference plane forming angle irons 90h and 90! defines the length of the material of the panel 18 that is utilized to form the hem at its lower end.
  • the carriage 85 comprises a plate having one of its ends 85v hooked upwardly and provided with rollers 91 horizontally journaled thereon.
  • the rollers 91 are, in turn, mounted for rolling movement relative to carriage track means 92 that are formed on the lower interior of a hollow frame member 93 which is connected to and extends transversely between a pair of downwardly arched frame members 94 that are respectively connected to the bottoms of the left and right vertical frame members 12 and 13 and extend forwardly and upwardly therefrom to an elevation spaced between the two horizontal reference planes 20h and 20t.
  • These frame members 93 and 94 also provide a foundation for the aforedescribed drop box 21.
  • the carriage drive means 86 includes another reversible rotary electric motor 95 that has its housing 96fixed to a bracket member 97 which is, in turn, connected to the left end of the carriage track-formingv frame member 93.
  • the carriage drive motor 95 has its rotary output shaft 98 provided with a sheave 99 which is interconnected by a belt 100 to another sheave 101 that is mounted on one end of a carriage drive shaft 102 that is, in turn, horizontally journaled for rotation at the left end of the carriage track-forming frame member 93.
  • the carriage drive shaft 102 extends in a fore-and-aft direction with respect to the device and also mounts a drive pulley 103.
  • the carriage drive pulley 103 is, in turn, connected by a cable 104 to another pulley 105 which is mounted on a driven shaft 106 that is journaled similarly to the carriage drive shaft 102 but located at the opposite or right end of the frame member 93.
  • the carriage drive cable 104 has one of its ends draped around the carriage drive pulley 103 and connected to the left end of the upwardly hooked end 85v of the carriage plate 85 and has its opposite end draped around the driven pulley 105 of the carriage drive means 86 and connected to the right end of the upwardly hooked end 85v of the carriage plate 85.
  • the carriage plate 85 has another end 85h which extends generally horizontally rearwardly from its roller-provided, upwardly turned end 85v toward the reference means 19.
  • the marker means 81 are connected to the top of this carriage plate end 85h by an upright post 107 and preferably comprise a compressed air-operated nozzle 108 that is filled with a marking material of a type such that the hem line 83 that is marked on the panel thereby will be invisible unless viewed under ultraviolet lighting.
  • the compressed air is supplied to the marking nozzle 108 from a compressed air source (not shown) through a compressed air line 109 that is connected to the marking nozzle 108 through a normally closed valve 110 that is operated by an electric solenoid 111.
  • the cutting means 82 comprises an electrically powered scissors which includes an electric motor having a winding 112 that is contained within a housing 113 that is mounted on the bottom of the rearwardly extending 85h of the carriage 85.
  • the scissors further include blades 114 that are aligned with the lower horizontal reference plane t.
  • the carriage drive toggle switch 87 is preferably mounted on the front side of the right from vertical frame member 13 just below the trolley drive means toggle switch 51, and the two carriage drive microswitches 88 and 89 are respectively mounted adjacent the left and right ends of the carriage drive track-forming frame member 93 to form left and right limit switches.
  • the reversible carriage drive motor 95 includes a pair of windings 95L and 95R, one of which 95L is operable when energized to drive its rotary output shaft 98 in a first direction, causing leftward movement of the carriage 85 with respect to the frame 11 and reference means 19 and the other of which 95R is operable when energized to cause its motor output shaft 98 to rotate in the opposite direction and cuase the carriage to be moved rightwardly with respect to the frame 11 and reference means 19.
  • the power source for the carriage drive control means comprises another pair of electric power lines L3 and L4.
  • the motor right winding 95R is connected in electrical series with the right limit switch 89 by a conductor 115, while the left winding 95L is connected in electrical series with the left limit switch 88 by another conductor 116.
  • the series-connected right winding 95R and right limit switch 89 are connected in electrical parallel with the series connected left winding 95L and left limit switch 88 by another conductor 117 to the power line L3.
  • the carriage drive means 86 can only be energized and the marker means 81 and the cutter means 82 energized simultaneously therewith by moving the carriage toggle switch actuator 87A from its first or right position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 9), wherein it engages one of the two fixed poles 87R of the toggle switch 87, to its second or left position (shown in shadow lines in FIG. 9), wherein it is engaged with the other fixed pole 87L and consequently disengaged from the first fixed pole 87R of the carriage toggle switch 87.
  • the operator attaches the upper edge of the panel 18 that is to be marked for hemming and trimming to the upper'end 16 of the trolley 14 with the spring clamps 17 which are provided for that purpose.
  • the operator depresses the hand wheel 57 against the tension spring 62 and rotates it to set the desired length of the panel 18 from its upper edge to the hem line 83.
  • Rotation of the hand wheel 57 by the operator is ceased when this desired length is indicated by the alignment of that particular meter mark on the left tape 64A with the indicator line on the window 67A of its casing 65A, and the hand wheel 57 is then released by the operator to hold the upper limit switch 53 in that desired predetermined uppermost position.
  • the operator moves the trolley drive toggle switch actuator 51A to its up" position. This will cause energization of the trolley drive means and the upward movement of the trolley 14 until the trolley cam surface 54 engages and opens the actuator 53a of the upper limit switch 53, whereupon the meter mark on the trolley-attached right tape 64B that is then aligned with the indicator line on the window 673 of its casing 65B is identical to the meter mark on the left tape 64A which was aligned during the second step through operation of the hand wheel 57.
  • the operator moves the carriage drive toggle switch actuator 87A to its left position.
  • This will simultaneously cause energization of the marker means 81, the cutting means 82 and the carriage drive means 86 and the carriage will be moved from right to left in a complete traverse of the space between the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and 24, with the hem line 83 being marked across the entire width of the lower end of the panel 18 by the marker means 81 and the bottom edge of the panel 18 being trimmed across the entire width of the panel 18 by the cutting means 82 at the desired distances from the upper edge of the panel 18.
  • the leftward movement of the carriage 85 and the operation of the marking means 81 and the cutting means 82 will, of course, be simultaneously stopped when the left end of the upturned front end of the carriage 85v engages and opens the actuator 88a of the left limit switch 88.
  • the operator moves the trolley drive means toggle switch actuator 51A to its down" position. This will cause downward movement of the trolley 14 until its cam surface 54 engages and opens the actuator 52a of the lower limit switch 52 and returns the upper edge of the trolley to the hand level of the operator.
  • the operator detaches the upper edge of the marked and trimmed panel 18 from the clamps l7 and removes the panel 18 from the device 10.
  • the panel 18 can be transported to a source of ultraviolet lighting (not shown) that is remotely located from the device 10 where it can be folded or creased with respect to the hem line 83 and stitched without further tying up the device l0.
  • a drapery manufacturing device including: an upstanding frame having first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guide tracks; a trolley transversely spanning said tracks and movably connected thereto for vertical movement with respect to said frame and including a transverse member; means on said transverse member of said trolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold said panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of said trolley with respect to said frame; drive means to move said trolley vertically with respect to said frame; and reference means defining a horizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of said frame, an improvement comprising:
  • marker means mounted adjacent said lower end of said frame for movement relative to said reference means to mark a horizontal line on said panel such that said panel can be subsequently removed from said device and then creased along said line by means located remote from said device.
  • control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.
  • control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.
  • control means for automatically de-energizing said carriage drive means upon completion of a traverse of said space by said carriage means.
  • control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.
  • control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.

Abstract

The present invention provides improvement in a drapery manufacturing device of the type including: an upstanding frame having first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guide tracks; a trolley transversely spanning the tracks and movably connected thereto for vertical movement with respect to the frame and including a transverse member; means on the transverse member of the trolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold the panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of the trolley with respect to the frame; drive means to move the trolley vertically with respect to the frame; and reference means defining a horizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of the frame. Basically, the improvement provided by the present invention comprises combining with such a device marker means located adjacent to the lower end of its frame for movement relative to its reference means to mark a horizontal line on the drapery panel such that the panel can be subsequently removed from the device and then creased by means located remote from the device. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, such a device is preferably additionally improved by further combining the marker means with cutting means mounted therewith on carriage means for horizontal movement relative to the lower end of its frame across the space between the vertical frame guide tracks for simultaneously trimming the panel lower edge while the folding line is also being marked thereon by the marker means.

Description

United States Patent 1 Tuskos [11] 3,738,007 June 12, 1973 22 Filed:
[ DRAPERY MANUFACTURING DEVICE Jan. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 221,528
[52,] [1.8. CI 33/18 R, 118/35, 223/1.1, 38/104 [51] Int. Cl B431 13/00 [58] Field of Search 223/1, 1.1, 30, 32;
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,439,438 4/1969 Tuskos 38/104 3,548,502 12/1970 Baldwin 33/18 R 3,661,106 5/1972 Haddelston 121/262 2,347,644 5/1944 Sell 117/1 2,538,784 1/1951 Gosnell et al 117/1 X Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin Att0rneyl-1arry B. ODonnell, III
[57] ABSTRACT The present invention provides improvement in a drapery manufacturing device of the type including: an upstanding frame having first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guide tracks; a trolley transversely spanning the tracks and movably connected thereto for vertical movement with respect to the frame and including a transverse member; means on the transverse member of the trolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold the panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of the trolley with respect to the frame; drive means to move the trolley vertically with respect to the frame; and reference means defining a horizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of the frame. Basically, the improvement provided by the present invention comprises combining with such a device marker means located adjacent to the lower end of its frame for movement relative to its reference means to mark a horizontal line on the drapery panel such that the panel can be subsequently removed from the device and then creased by means located remote from the device. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, such a device is preferably additionally improved by further combining the marker means with cutting means mounted therewith on carriage means for horizontal movement relative to the lower end of its frame across the space between the vertical frame guide tracks for simultaneously trimming the panel lower edge while the folding line is also being marked thereon by the marker means.
10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures DRAPERY MANUFACTURING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to devices for manufacturing draperies and, more particularly, to a device which enables its operator to quickly and accurately determine the desired length of a panel to be formed into a drapery and to establish a hem folding line across the bottom of the panel.
The present invention is particularly concerned with improvement of a device such as that described in detail in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,438, issued Apr. 22, 1969.
The general procedure in manufacturing draperies is to attach side by side, as by sewing, a sufficient number of vertical panels of material to provide the desired overall width of a main drapery section and to finish the top edge and the two vertical side edges as required. In an ordinary installation draperies are suspended or hung from rods which are horizontally disposed on walls; and a proper visual effect requires that the bottom hem line look fitted to the room floor also.
Prior to the invention of my aforenoted patented device, it was common practice, called tabling, to lay a drapery panel flat on large tables and to make spaced measurements from the top edge of the drapery and to pin the hem in as the operator works from one side edge of the drapery to the other marginal side edge. Additional problems were involved with various types of material in this horizontal tabling procedure, due to uneven pulling and stretching of loose woven fabrics or the like.
While this tedious old horizontal tabling procedure can be obviated by use of my aforenoted patented device, I have since found that matters can be still further facilitated by using this patented device of mine as improved in accordance with the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides improvement in a drapery manufacturing device of the type including: an upstanding frame having first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guide tracks; a trolley transversely spanning the tracks and movably connected thereto for vertical movement with respect to the frame and including a transverse member; means on the transverse member of the trolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold the panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of the trolley with respect to the frame; drive means to move the trolley vertically with respect to the frame; and reference means defining a horizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of the frame. Basically, the improvement provided by the present invention comprises combining with such a device marker means located adjacent to the lower end of its frame for movement relative to its reference means to mark a horizontal line on the drapery panel such that the panel can be subsequently removed from the device and then creased by means located remote from the device.
The improved arrangement provided by the present invention is particularly advantageous over that described in my aforenoted U.S. Patent in that it eliminates the need that creasing means, such as an ironing board, be combined with the device. It is further advantageous over this previously patented device of mine since the improved arrangement frees such a device to operate on additional panels as soon as the marking operation is completed on one panel. The improved device need not be tied up during the creasing or ironing operation, which is of a considerably longer period of time than that required for marking the folding line. As improved by the present invention, one such device can now be operated to supply marked panels to several ironers or other such creasing means remotely located from it.
In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, such a device is preferably additionally improved by further combining the marker means with cutting means mounted therewith on carriage means driven by electrically powered drive means for horizontal movement relative to the lower end of its frame across the space between the vertical frame guide tracks for simultaneously trimming the panel lower edge while the folding line is also being marked thereon by the marker means. Still more improvement can be provided in accordance with the present invention by further combining the marker means with control means for automatically deenergizing the trolley drive means following its movement to a predetermined distance above the reference means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic front elevational view of an improved drapery manufacturing device that is provided in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a right end elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational perspective view of a presently preferred form of drive means for moving the trolley means of the device vertically with respect to its frame;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partly broken, fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partly broken, fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a presently preferred form of electric circuit that can be used to control the trolley drive means;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partly broken, fragmentary front elevational perspective view of carriage means provided in accordance with the present invention at the lower end of the device frame for horizontal movement relative thereto and of marker and cutting means carried thereby;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a presently preferred form of drive means that can be employed to move the carriage means; and
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a presently preferred form of electric circuit that can be utilized to control the carriage drive means. 1
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated a presently preferred form of an improved device 10 that is provided in accordance with the present invention for manufacturing draperies and the like. While it should be understood that the device 10 could obviously be utilized for other purposes, such as curtain manufacturing, etc., the description that follows will be confined to drapes for the sake of clarity and brevity.
-mounting members 12 and 13 and a trolley 14 which transversely spans the space between the vertical members 12 and 13 and is movably connected thereto for vertical movement with respect to the frame 11 by electrically powered drive means 15. The trolley 14 is generally rectangular in shape and is comprised of at least one transverse member 16, such as that forming its upper edge, which is provided with gripper means, such as a series of spring clamps 17, to grasp a panel 18 to be formed into a drapery and vertically position the lower end of the panel 18 with respect to reference means 19 defining a pair of vertically spaced horizontal reference planes 20h and 20t adjacent the lower end of the frame, upon upward movement of the trolley 14. A drop box 21 is also provided which spans the lower end of the frame 11 to receive the lower end of the panel 18 and prevent it from coming into contact with the shop floor.
The vertical frame members 12 and 13 are spaced apart by a distance great enough to accommodate the widest panel 18 to be operated upon. In accordance with an improvement provided by the present invention, these vertical frame members .12 and 13 are sup ported by a generally horizontal base member 22 of the frame 11 and need not be fixed to a shop wall as was the case with my aforenoted patented device.
Vertical tracks are provided for the trolley 14 by respectively fixing a pair of channel- shaped members 23 and 24 to the vertical frame members 12 and 13, as by welding or other suitable fastening means, to extend downwardly from the tops thereof. The generally rectangular shaped trolley 14 is vertically arranged on the front of the frame 1 l and preferably includes a second transverse member 25 which is spaced apart from and parallel to its other transverse member 16 and thus forms its lower edge. The two transverse members 16 and 25 of the trolley are interconnected by a pair of side members 27 and 28 that respectively form its left and right edges. Each of these side members 27 and 28 of the trolley is provided with rollers 29 that are engaged in the vertical tracks respectively provided by the members 27 and 28.
In further accordance with the present invention, the
frame 11 is provided with an additional pair of vertical.
members, only one of which 30 is visible in the drawings, that are respectively spaced behind and in alignment with the two trolley track bearing vertical frame members 12 and 13. Each of these two rear vertical frame members, such as the member 30, has its lower end supported by the frame base member 22 and has its upper end connected to the vertical member 12 or 13 immediately in front of it by a horizontal frame member 31 that extends fore and aft of the device 10. The fore and aft top members 31 are interconnected by another horizontal top member 32 which extends transversely between them. Yet another vertical frame member 330 is provided that is centrally located between the two rear vertical frame members, such as the member 30, and has its lower end supported by the frame base member 22 and its upper end connected to the transverse top frame member 32.
As further shown in FlGS. l-3 and 5, the drive means 15 for the trolley 14 comprises a reversible rotary electric motor 33 that has its housing 34 fixed to a bracket member 35 which extends horizontally and rearwardly from the right rear vertical frame member 30 at a higher elevation than the reference means 19. The motor 33 has its rotary output shaft 36 provided with a sheave 37 which is interconnected by a belt 38 to another sheave 39 that is mounted on the right end of a trolley drive shaft 40; The trolley drive shaft 40 extends horizontally between the left and right vertical frame members 12 and 13 and is rotatably journaled in and connected thereto by bearing blocks 41 that are mounted on yet another pair of horizontal frame members, only one of which 42 is visible in the drawings, that extend fore and aft between the two pairs of front and rear vertical frame members. The trolley drive shaft 40 is provided with sprockets 43L and 43R adjacent its opposite left and right ends, and these sprockets 43L and 43R are respectively connected by left and right trolley drive chains 44L and 44R to other sprockets 45L and 45R that are provided on the opposite left and right ends of a driven shaft 46. The driven trolley shaft 46 extends across the top of the frame 11 and is rotatably journaled in additional bearing blocks 47 that are fastened to the transverse top frame member 32. One end of each of the two trolley drive chains 44L and 44R is respectively connected to the left or right bottom corner of the trolley 14, while the opposite end of each chain 44L and 44R is respectively connected to the left or right top corner of the trolley 14.
With this arrangement, rotation of the motor output shaft 36 in a first direction (clockwise as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5) will cause upward movement of the trolley 14 relative to the frame 11, whereas rotation of the motor output shaft 36 in an opposite direction (counter-clockwise as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5) will cause downward movement of the trolley 14. Upward movement of the trolley 14 is assisted by a counterweight 48 shown in shadow in FIG. 1 that is connected to the center of its upper transverse trolley member 16 by a cable 49 which is draped over pulley 50 that is connected centrally on the driven shaft 46.
In accordance with the present invention, the device 10 is provided with control means for de-energizing the trolley drive means 15 following movement of the trolley 14 to a predetermined distance above the reference means 16. As best shown in FIGS. 1-6, these trolley drive control means include an electric toggle switch 51 for energizing the trolley drive motor 33 to rotate its output shaft 36 in either of its two opposite directions and a pair of so called electric microswitches 52 and 53 for controlling de-energization of that same motor 33.
The toggle switch 51 is preferably physically mounted within a housing that is fixed to the right front vertical frame member 13 at the hand level of a typical operator, while the housing of one of the two microswitches 52 is fixed at a similar elevation on the front face of the right rear vertical frame member 30. This one microswitch 52 has its actuator 52a arranged to extend forwardly for temporary engagement with a cam surface 54 that is fixed on the rear of the right side member 28 of the trolley 14 so as to limit downward movement of the trolley 14. The other of these two microswitches 53 serves to limit upward movement of the trolley 14 by the trolley drive means 15 and is itself mounted for vertical movement relative to the frame 11 by manually operated uppe limit switch drive means 55. I
The upper limit switch drive means 55 includes a horizontal drive shaft 56 that extends transversely to and is journaled for rotation in the right rear vertical frame member 30 at an elevation similar to that of the toggle switch 51. This upper limit switch drive shaft 56 has a hand wheel 57 connected to its right end and carries a sprocket 58. This sprocket 58 is connected by an endless chain 59 to another sprocket 60 carried by a driven shaft 61 that is rotatably journaled in the rear end of the right one of the fore and aft extending top frame members 31.
As best shown in FIG. 3, the upper limit switch 53 has its housing fixed to a front facing surface of the endless chain 59 with its actuator 53a arranged to extend forwardly for temporary engagement with the cam surface 54 that is fixed on the right rear side member 28 of the trolley 14 so as to limit upward movement of the trolley 14. The elevation of the upper limit switch 53 can be readily varied through manual operation of its drive means 55 by hand rotation of its hand wheel 57. Manual rotation of the hand wheel by an operator in a first direction (clockwise as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) will cause upward movement of the upper limit switch 53 with respect to the frame 11 and the trolley 14, whereas rotation of the hand wheel in a second direction opposite to the first direction (counter-clockwise as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) will cause the upper limit switch 53 to be moved downwardly with respect to the frame 11 and the trolley 14.
As shown in detail in FIG. 4, inadvertent movement of the upper limit switch drive means 55 is prevented by the provision of a spring 62 which axially surrounds its drive shaft 56 and biases the drive sprocket 58 into engagement with a stop 63 fixed on the vertical frame member 30. The sprocket 58 can of course be readily disengaged from the stop 63 by pushing the handwheel against the force of the spring 62.
In order to facilitate accurate length measurement of the drapery panel 18 and the location of a hem at its lower end, the present invention provides the device with measuring means comprising a pair of retractable measuring tapes 64A and 64B. Each of these measuring tapes 6 3A and 64B is housed in a casing, with the two casings 65A and 6513 being fixed side by side on the front surface of the right front vertical frame member 13 at an identical elevation above the reference means 19. Both of these tapes 64A and 64B extend upwardly from their respective housings, with the distal end of one 64A being connected to the housing of the upper limit switch 53 by a first bracket 66A, while the distal end of the other tape 64B is connected to the upper right corner of the trolley 14 by another bracket 663. The casings 65A and 655 for the two tapes 64A and 64B are respectively provided with windows 67A and 678, each having a horizontal indicator line provided thereon.
In operation, the hand wheel 57 is pushed against the spring 62 and rotated to cause the upper limit switch 53 and the distal end of the measuring tape 64A that is connected to it to be moved to a predetermined desired elevation above the reference means which will be indicated by the particular meter mark on that tape 64A which is matched up withthe indicator line on the window 67A of its casing 65A. Then, subsequent operation of the toggle switch 51 will energize the trolley drive motor 33 and cause upward movement of the trolley 14 by the trolley drive means 15 until the cam surface 54 carried by the trolley 14 engages the upper limit switch actuator 53a. This upward movement of the trolley 14 will cause simultaneous upward extension of the other measuring tape 643 that is attached to it by the bracket 66B. The two tapes 64A and 64B are so interrelated to one another, the reference means 19, the trolley 14 and the upper limit switch drive chain 59 that, when upward movement of the trolley 14 is stopped by engage ment to its cam surface 54 with the upper limit switch actuator 53a, the meter mark on the trolley-attached tape 648 that is aligned with the indicator line on the window 67B of its casing 65B will be identical to the meter mark of the other tape 64A which was previously aligned with the indicator line on its casing window 67A through rotation of the hand wheel 57. Thus, any metered tape length that is preset at the indicator line on the window 67A of the casing 65A of the upperlimit-switch-attached tape 64A through operation of the hand wheel 57 will be matched by the trolley drive means 15 and automatically stopped there by the trolley drive control means, with the equal actual matched length being indicated by the mark on the tape 648 that is then aligned with the indicator line on the window 67B of its casing 658.
In order to avoid overriding of either of the two limit switches 52 or 53 by the trolley drive means 15, the present invention further provides disc-type brake means 68 which are best shown in FIG. 5. As illustrated, these brake means 68 include a disc 69 which surrounds and is fixed on the trolley drive shaft 40 between its belt driven sheave 39 and right drive sprocket 43R. This disc 69 is normally engaged (and rotation of the trolley drive shaft 40 prevented) by brake shoe means (not shown in detail) held in contact therewith by one end of a lever 70 which is yieldably urged into its braking position by resilient means such as a tension spring 71 that connects the opposite end of the brake lever '70 to the right front vertical frame member 13.
The force of the tension spring 71 can, however, be
overcome and the lever 70 operated to release the brake shoe means from drive shaft brake disc 69 through operation of a linkage 72 by a solenoid 73 that is electrically connected in the control circuit for the trolley drive means 15, as shown in specific detail in FIG. 6. The electrical connection of the brake releasing solenoid 73 is such that it will be energized only when the trolley drive means motor 33 is also energized. Hence, as soon as either of the two limit switches 52 or 53 has its actuator 52a or 53a engaged by the trolley cam surface 54, both the trolley drive motor 33 and the brake releasing solenoid 73 will be simultaneously deenergized and there will be simultaneous reengagement of the brake shoe means with the brake disc 69 with the de-energization of the trolley drive means motor 33.
As shown in detail in the wiring diagram of FIG. 6, the reversible trolley drive means motor 33 includes a pair of windings 33U and 33D, one of which 33U is operable when energized to drive its rotary output shaft 36 in a first direction causing upward movement of the trolley 14 and the other of which 33D is operable when energized to cause its motor output shaft 36 to rotate in the opposite direction and cause the trolley 14 to be moved downward. As illustrated, the power source for the trolley drive control means comprises a pair of electric power lines L1 and L2. The motor down winding 33D is connected in electrical series with the lower limit switch 52 by a conductor 74, while the up winding 33U is connected in electrical series with the upper limit switch 53 by another conductor 75. The seriesconnected down winding 33D and limit switch 52 are connected in electrical parallel with the series connected up winding 33D and the limit switch 53 by another conductor 76 to the first power line L1. These two electrically paralleled circuits are respectively connected by conductors 77 and 78 to the two fixed poles 51D and SlU of the toggle switch 31, which also has its movable actuator 51A connected in electrical series with the braking solenoid 73 to the other power line L2 by conductors 79 and 80.
' Thus, assuming the trolley 14 is in its lowered position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 6, with the cam surface 54 engaging and opening the actuator 52a of the lower limit switch 52, the trolley drive means 15 can only be energized by moving the toggle switch actuator 51A from its first or down position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 6), wherein it engages one of the two fixed poles 51D of the toggle switch 51, to its second or up position (shown in shadow lines in FIG. 6), wherein it is engaged with the other fixed pole 51U and is consequently disengaged from the first fixed pole 51D of the toggle switch 51. This movement of the toggle switch actuator 51A to its up position will continue to cause energization of the trolley drive means 15 and upward movement of the trolley 14 until the trolley 14 reaches its desired uppermost position (shown in shadow lines in FIG. 6), with its cam surface 54, then engaging and opening the actuator 53a of the upper limit switch 53 and thus simultaneously de-energizing the trolley drive motor 33 and brake release solenoid 73. Then, the only way that operation of the trolley drive means 15 can be resumed is to return the toggle switch actuator 51A to its first or down position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 6) wherein it will be ire-engaged with the one fixed pole 51D and consequently disengaged from the other fixed pole IU of the toggle switch 51. This, in turn, will reenergize the trolley drive means to cause downward movement of the trolley 14 until the trolley 14 cam surface 54 re-engages and opens the switch actuator 52a of the lower limit switch 52 and causes simultaneous de-energization of the trolley drive motor 33 and the brake releasing solenoid 73.
In accordance with a particularly important aspect of the present invention and as best shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-9, the reference means 19 defines a pair of vertically spaced horizontal reference planes 20h and 20t adjacent the lower end of the frame 11 of the device 10, with respect to which the lower end of the panel 18 is vertically positioned by attaching the panel upper end to the top of the trolley 14 by gripper means such as the spring clamp 17. And, marker means 81 and cutting means 82 are combined with the device 10 for respective movement relative to these two horizontal reference planes 20h and 20! to simultaneously mark a horizontal hem line 83 on the panel 18 which is aligned with the first or upper of these two reference planes 2011 and to simultaneously trim the lower edge of the panel along a cut 84 that is aligned with the second or present invention is particularly advantageous over that described in my aforenoted US. Pat. No. 3,439,438 in that it eliminates the need that creasing means, such as an ironing board, be combinedwith the device 10 and permits the panel 18 to be removed from the device 10 following the marking thereon of the hem line 83 by the marker means 81 and the trimming of the panel 18 along with cut 84 by the cutting means 82 and to be subsequently creased and stitched by means (not shown) located remote from the device 10. As improved by the present invention, the device 10 need not be tied up during the hem folding or creasing operation, which is of considerably longer period of time than-that required for marking the line 83 and trimming the bottom of the panel along the cut 84. As improved by the present invention, one such device 10 can now be operated to supply marked and trimmed panels to several ironers or other such creasing or folding means remotely located from it.
As illustrated in FIGS. l-2 and 7-9, the marker means 81 and the cutting means 82 are both mounted on a single carriage 85 which is driven by electrically powered drive means 86 for horizontal movement relative to the reference means 19 at the lower end of its frame 11 across the space between the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and 24 for simultaneously trimming the panels lower edge with the cutting means 82 along the cut 84 while the hem line 83 is being marked thereon by the marker means 81. Furthermore, the device 10 is also preferably provided with control means, including another toggle switch 87 and another pair of normally-closed electric microswitches 88 and 89, for automatically de-energizing the carriage drive means 86 upon completion of each traverse of the space between the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and 24 by the carriage means 85.
Preferably, the two horizontal reference planes 20h and 20t that are provided by the reference means 19 comprise a pair of angle irons 90h and 90! which are vertically spaced apart from one and other and horizontally connected to the lower front sides of the left and right vertical frame members 12 and 13, with their angles opening upwardly and forwardly. The vertical spacing between the two horizontal reference plane forming angle irons 90h and 90! defines the length of the material of the panel 18 that is utilized to form the hem at its lower end.
As shown in detail in FIG. 7, the carriage 85 comprises a plate having one of its ends 85v hooked upwardly and provided with rollers 91 horizontally journaled thereon. The rollers 91 are, in turn, mounted for rolling movement relative to carriage track means 92 that are formed on the lower interior of a hollow frame member 93 which is connected to and extends transversely between a pair of downwardly arched frame members 94 that are respectively connected to the bottoms of the left and right vertical frame members 12 and 13 and extend forwardly and upwardly therefrom to an elevation spaced between the two horizontal reference planes 20h and 20t. These frame members 93 and 94 also provide a foundation for the aforedescribed drop box 21.
As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the carriage drive means 86 includes another reversible rotary electric motor 95 that has its housing 96fixed to a bracket member 97 which is, in turn, connected to the left end of the carriage track-formingv frame member 93. The carriage drive motor 95 has its rotary output shaft 98 provided with a sheave 99 which is interconnected by a belt 100 to another sheave 101 that is mounted on one end of a carriage drive shaft 102 that is, in turn, horizontally journaled for rotation at the left end of the carriage track-forming frame member 93. The carriage drive shaft 102 extends in a fore-and-aft direction with respect to the device and also mounts a drive pulley 103. The carriage drive pulley 103 is, in turn, connected by a cable 104 to another pulley 105 which is mounted on a driven shaft 106 that is journaled similarly to the carriage drive shaft 102 but located at the opposite or right end of the frame member 93. The carriage drive cable 104 has one of its ends draped around the carriage drive pulley 103 and connected to the left end of the upwardly hooked end 85v of the carriage plate 85 and has its opposite end draped around the driven pulley 105 of the carriage drive means 86 and connected to the right end of the upwardly hooked end 85v of the carriage plate 85.
With this arrangement, rotation of the carriage drive motor output shaft 98 in a first direction (counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 1 and 79) will cause the carriage 85 to be moved in a first direction, from right to left (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7-9), whereas rotation of the carriage drive motor output shaft 98 in a second direction opposite to the first (clockwise as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7-9) will cause the carriage 85 to be moved in an opposite direction with respect to the frame 11 and reference means 19 (from left to right as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7-9).
As further shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-9, the carriage plate 85 has another end 85h which extends generally horizontally rearwardly from its roller-provided, upwardly turned end 85v toward the reference means 19. The marker means 81 are connected to the top of this carriage plate end 85h by an upright post 107 and preferably comprise a compressed air-operated nozzle 108 that is filled with a marking material of a type such that the hem line 83 that is marked on the panel thereby will be invisible unless viewed under ultraviolet lighting. The compressed air is supplied to the marking nozzle 108 from a compressed air source (not shown) through a compressed air line 109 that is connected to the marking nozzle 108 through a normally closed valve 110 that is operated by an electric solenoid 111.
As further shown in detail in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-9, the cutting means 82 comprises an electrically powered scissors which includes an electric motor having a winding 112 that is contained within a housing 113 that is mounted on the bottom of the rearwardly extending 85h of the carriage 85. The scissors further include blades 114 that are aligned with the lower horizontal reference plane t.
As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-9, the carriage drive toggle switch 87 is preferably mounted on the front side of the right from vertical frame member 13 just below the trolley drive means toggle switch 51, and the two carriage drive microswitches 88 and 89 are respectively mounted adjacent the left and right ends of the carriage drive track-forming frame member 93 to form left and right limit switches.
As illustrated in detail in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9, the reversible carriage drive motor 95 includes a pair of windings 95L and 95R, one of which 95L is operable when energized to drive its rotary output shaft 98 in a first direction, causing leftward movement of the carriage 85 with respect to the frame 11 and reference means 19 and the other of which 95R is operable when energized to cause its motor output shaft 98 to rotate in the opposite direction and cuase the carriage to be moved rightwardly with respect to the frame 11 and reference means 19. As shown, the power source for the carriage drive control means comprises another pair of electric power lines L3 and L4. The motor right winding 95R is connected in electrical series with the right limit switch 89 by a conductor 115, while the left winding 95L is connected in electrical series with the left limit switch 88 by another conductor 116. The series-connected right winding 95R and right limit switch 89 are connected in electrical parallel with the series connected left winding 95L and left limit switch 88 by another conductor 117 to the power line L3. These two electric paralleled circuits are respectively connected by conductors 118 and 1 19 to the two fixed poles 87L and 87R of the carriage toggle switch 87, which also has its movable actuator 87A connected in electrical series with the cutting means motor coil 112 and the operating solenoid 1 l l for the compressed air inlet valve 110 of the marker means nozzle 108 to the other power line L4 by conductors 120, 121 and 122.
Thus, assuming the trolley 14 is in its desired uppermost position, as shown in FIG. 1, and the carriage is in its rightmost position, with the right end of its upturned front end 85v engaging and opening the actuator 89a of the right limit switch 89, the carriage drive means 86 can only be energized and the marker means 81 and the cutter means 82 energized simultaneously therewith by moving the carriage toggle switch actuator 87A from its first or right position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 9), wherein it engages one of the two fixed poles 87R of the toggle switch 87, to its second or left position (shown in shadow lines in FIG. 9), wherein it is engaged with the other fixed pole 87L and consequently disengaged from the first fixed pole 87R of the carriage toggle switch 87. This movement of the carriage toggle switch actuator 87A to its left position will continue to cause energization of the carriage drive means motor winding L, the marker means 81 and the cutter means 82 and leftward movement of the carriage 85 until the carriage 85 completes a traverse of the space between the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and 24. Then, the actuator 88a of the left limit switch 88 will be engaged and opened by the left end of the roller-provided end 85v of the carriage 85 (as shown in shadow lines in FIG. 9) to thus simultaneously de-energize the carriage drive motor 95, the cutting means motor winding 112 and the solenoid 111 for the compressed air supply valve of the marker means nozzle 108. Then, the only way that operation of the carriage drive means 86, the marker means 81 and the cutting means 82 can be resumed is to return the carriage toggle switch actuator 87A to its first or right position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 9) wherein it will be re-engaged with the one fixed pole 87R and consequently disengaged from the other fixed pole 87L of the carriage toggle switch 87. This, in turn, will energize the other carriage drive means motor winding 95R, the marking means 81 and the cutting means 82 and cause rightward movement of the carriage 85 until the right end of the upward turned end of the carriage 85v re-engages and opens the switch actuator 89a of the right limit switch 89 (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 9) and causes simultaneous de-energization of the carriage drive means 86, the marker means 81 and the cutting means 82.
OPERATION To operate the improved device that is provided in accordance with the present invention, an operator need perform only six simple steps.
First, the operator attaches the upper edge of the panel 18 that is to be marked for hemming and trimming to the upper'end 16 of the trolley 14 with the spring clamps 17 which are provided for that purpose.
Second, the operator depresses the hand wheel 57 against the tension spring 62 and rotates it to set the desired length of the panel 18 from its upper edge to the hem line 83. Rotation of the hand wheel 57 by the operator is ceased when this desired length is indicated by the alignment of that particular meter mark on the left tape 64A with the indicator line on the window 67A of its casing 65A, and the hand wheel 57 is then released by the operator to hold the upper limit switch 53 in that desired predetermined uppermost position.
Third, the operator moves the trolley drive toggle switch actuator 51A to its up" position. This will cause energization of the trolley drive means and the upward movement of the trolley 14 until the trolley cam surface 54 engages and opens the actuator 53a of the upper limit switch 53, whereupon the meter mark on the trolley-attached right tape 64B that is then aligned with the indicator line on the window 673 of its casing 65B is identical to the meter mark on the left tape 64A which was aligned during the second step through operation of the hand wheel 57.
Fourth, the operator moves the carriage drive toggle switch actuator 87A to its left position. This will simultaneously cause energization of the marker means 81, the cutting means 82 and the carriage drive means 86 and the carriage will be moved from right to left in a complete traverse of the space between the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and 24, with the hem line 83 being marked across the entire width of the lower end of the panel 18 by the marker means 81 and the bottom edge of the panel 18 being trimmed across the entire width of the panel 18 by the cutting means 82 at the desired distances from the upper edge of the panel 18. The leftward movement of the carriage 85 and the operation of the marking means 81 and the cutting means 82 will, of course, be simultaneously stopped when the left end of the upturned front end of the carriage 85v engages and opens the actuator 88a of the left limit switch 88.
Fifth, the operator moves the trolley drive means toggle switch actuator 51A to its down" position. This will cause downward movement of the trolley 14 until its cam surface 54 engages and opens the actuator 52a of the lower limit switch 52 and returns the upper edge of the trolley to the hand level of the operator.
Sixth, the operator detaches the upper edge of the marked and trimmed panel 18 from the clamps l7 and removes the panel 18 from the device 10. Now, the panel 18 can be transported to a source of ultraviolet lighting (not shown) that is remotely located from the device 10 where it can be folded or creased with respect to the hem line 83 and stitched without further tying up the device l0.
Obviously, a wide variety of lengths between its upper edge and hem line 83 can be respectively preset and automatically stopped for the panel 18 through operation of the hand wheel 57 and the automatic controls that are provided for the trolley drive means 15 in accordance with the present invention.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that while there has been described what presently is considered to be a presently preferred embodiment of this invention in accordance with the Patent Statues, changes may be made in the disclosed apparatus without actually departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications that may not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
What is claimed is:
1. In a drapery manufacturing device including: an upstanding frame having first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guide tracks; a trolley transversely spanning said tracks and movably connected thereto for vertical movement with respect to said frame and including a transverse member; means on said transverse member of said trolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold said panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of said trolley with respect to said frame; drive means to move said trolley vertically with respect to said frame; and reference means defining a horizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of said frame, an improvement comprising:
marker means mounted adjacent said lower end of said frame for movement relative to said reference means to mark a horizontal line on said panel such that said panel can be subsequently removed from said device and then creased along said line by means located remote from said device.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the line marked by said marker means is invisible unless viewed under ultraviolet lighting.
3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said marker means is carried by carriage means mounted on said lower end of said frame for horizontal movement relative thereto.
4. The invention of claim 3, further including cutting means. carried by said carriage means for simultaneously trimming the lower edge of said panel while said line is also being marked thereon by said marker means.
5. The invention of claim 4, further including control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.
6. The invention of claim 4, further including electrically powered drive means for moving said carriage means horizontally relative to said lower end of said frame across the space between said frame guide tracks.
7. The invention of claim 6, further including control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.
8. The invention of claim 6, further including control means for automatically de-energizing said carriage drive means upon completion of a traverse of said space by said carriage means.
9. The invention of claim 8, further including control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.
10. The invention of claim 1, further including control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.

Claims (10)

1. In a drapery manufacturing device including: an upstanding frame having first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guide tracks; a trolley transversely spanning said tracks and movably connected thereto for vertical movement with respect to said frame and including a transverse member; means on said transverse member of said trolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold said panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of said trolley with respect to said frame; drive means to move said trolley vertically with respect to said frame; and reference means defining a horizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of said frame, an improvement comprising: marker means mounted adjacent said lower end of said frame for movement relative to said reference means to mark a horizontal line on said panel such that said panel can be subsequently removed from said device and then creased along said line by means located remote from said device.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the line marked by said marker means is invisible unless viewed under ultraviolet lighting.
3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said marker means is carried by carriage means mounted on said lower end of said frame for horizontal movement relative thereto.
4. The invention of claim 3, further including cutting means carried by said carriage means for simultaneously trimming the lower edge of said panel while said line is also being marked thereon by said marker means.
5. The invention of claim 4, further including control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.
6. The invention of claim 4, further including electrically powered drive means for moving said carriage means horizontally relative to said lower end of said frame across the space between said frame guide tracks.
7. The invention of claim 6, further including control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.
8. The invention of claim 6, further including control means for automatically de-energizing said carriage drive means upon completion of a traverse of said space by said carriage means.
9. The invention of claim 8, further including control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.
10. The invention of claim 1, further including control means for automatically deenergizing said trolley drive means fOllowing movement of said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.
US00221528A 1972-01-28 1972-01-28 Drapery manufacturing device Expired - Lifetime US3738007A (en)

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Cited By (9)

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US3802609A (en) * 1973-07-26 1974-04-09 J Benedetto Apparatus for forming a pleatable head on a drapery
US3908294A (en) * 1974-04-01 1975-09-30 Donald R Russel Device for tabling length of draperies
US4027394A (en) * 1975-11-12 1977-06-07 Herbert Morantz Drapery length marking device
US4120740A (en) * 1974-09-13 1978-10-17 Ronald Wade Morgan Tape applicator for drapery tabler
US4133111A (en) * 1977-07-22 1979-01-09 Gerber Scientific Inc. Apparatus for detecting limits of travel
US4231157A (en) * 1979-07-05 1980-11-04 Tuskos Michael E Drapery clamping device
NL1009420C2 (en) * 1998-06-16 2000-01-07 Eisenkolb Confectiemach Bv Cutting device e.g. for fabric, containing laser for heating hot melt adhesive used to secure reinforcing strip or band to the cut material
US20110117317A1 (en) * 2009-11-19 2011-05-19 Kress Designs, LLC Weighted ribbons and dumplings for curtains and other applications, and method of manufacture therefor
US20110113610A1 (en) * 2009-11-19 2011-05-19 Kress William D Weighted ribbons and dumplings for curtains and other applications, and method of manufacture therefor

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CN112107062A (en) * 2020-09-30 2020-12-22 安徽职业技术学院 Typewriting design auxiliary device for dress designing

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US2347644A (en) * 1941-10-08 1944-05-02 Nat Marking Mach Co Pencil for laundry marking
US2538784A (en) * 1946-04-12 1951-01-23 Morris S Kantrowitz Process for identifying normally invisible markings and composition therefor
US3439438A (en) * 1966-06-07 1969-04-22 Michael E Tuskos Drapery manufacturing device
US3548502A (en) * 1968-08-06 1970-12-22 Cincinnati Milacron Inc Marking device for material cutting machine
US3661106A (en) * 1969-08-21 1972-05-09 Oxford Industries Garment parts with detectable stitching

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2347644A (en) * 1941-10-08 1944-05-02 Nat Marking Mach Co Pencil for laundry marking
US2538784A (en) * 1946-04-12 1951-01-23 Morris S Kantrowitz Process for identifying normally invisible markings and composition therefor
US3439438A (en) * 1966-06-07 1969-04-22 Michael E Tuskos Drapery manufacturing device
US3548502A (en) * 1968-08-06 1970-12-22 Cincinnati Milacron Inc Marking device for material cutting machine
US3661106A (en) * 1969-08-21 1972-05-09 Oxford Industries Garment parts with detectable stitching

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3802609A (en) * 1973-07-26 1974-04-09 J Benedetto Apparatus for forming a pleatable head on a drapery
US3908294A (en) * 1974-04-01 1975-09-30 Donald R Russel Device for tabling length of draperies
US4120740A (en) * 1974-09-13 1978-10-17 Ronald Wade Morgan Tape applicator for drapery tabler
US4027394A (en) * 1975-11-12 1977-06-07 Herbert Morantz Drapery length marking device
US4133111A (en) * 1977-07-22 1979-01-09 Gerber Scientific Inc. Apparatus for detecting limits of travel
US4231157A (en) * 1979-07-05 1980-11-04 Tuskos Michael E Drapery clamping device
NL1009420C2 (en) * 1998-06-16 2000-01-07 Eisenkolb Confectiemach Bv Cutting device e.g. for fabric, containing laser for heating hot melt adhesive used to secure reinforcing strip or band to the cut material
US20110117317A1 (en) * 2009-11-19 2011-05-19 Kress Designs, LLC Weighted ribbons and dumplings for curtains and other applications, and method of manufacture therefor
US20110113610A1 (en) * 2009-11-19 2011-05-19 Kress William D Weighted ribbons and dumplings for curtains and other applications, and method of manufacture therefor
US8695194B2 (en) 2009-11-19 2014-04-15 Kress Designs, LLC Weighted ribbons and dumplings for curtains and other applications, and method of manufacture therefor
US8695193B2 (en) 2009-11-19 2014-04-15 Kress Design, LLC Weighted ribbons and dumplings for curtains and other applications, and method of manufacture therefor

Also Published As

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GB1415380A (en) 1975-11-26
DE2303758A1 (en) 1973-09-06
CA959644A (en) 1974-12-24

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