Improvements in Apparatus for Pleating Fabrics.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 20th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 10th Oct., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Pleating Fabrics.
I, CHARLES GREY HILL, of Arnot Hill, Nottingham, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
In my improved apparatus for pleating fabrics I provide two pair of pleating
blades; they are set opposite to each other at the upper end of a trunk or passage
of suitable dimensions to receive the pleats. The upper blade of each pair is
rounded on the edge or operative part and it moves to and fro somewhat obliquely
over the top of the trunk or passage. The lower blades move at a lower level,
they pass through the walls of the trunk or passage.
To admit of this the lower
pleating blades are made comb like and in the walls of the trunk or passage are
openings to allow the comb like edges of the blades to pass and to permit the
necessary freedom.
The action is as follows:-The fabric, which may be drawn from a bobbin above
passes down into the trunk or passage and is held say by one of the comb like
blades which is in its forward position. Then the upper blade on the opposite side
advances and its rounded edge impinging upon the fabric draws down sufficient
material to form a pleat. The lower blade on the same side next advances into
the new pleat and holds it. By this time the lower pleat has been released and
the blade holding the new pleat makes a downward movement and presses the pleat
down in the trunk or passage. Then similarly a pleat is produced by the blades
on the opposite side and so the work goes on; an upper blade advancing forms the
pleat and then the lower blade on the same side takes the pleat from the upper
blade and presses it downwards in the trunk or passage.
Duted this 20th dow of November 1905
Improvements in Apparatus for Pleating Fabrics.
I, CHARLES GREY HILL, of Arnot Hill, Nottingham, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
In my improved apparatus for pleating fabrics I provide two pairs of pleating
blades, they are set opposite to each other at the upper end of a trunk or passage
of suitable dimensions to receive the pleats. Preferably this trunk is horizontal
not vertical as described in the Provisional Specification.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine (parts being omitted).
Figure 2 is a left hand side elevation and Figure 3 a section on the line 3-3
Figure 1.
Fi
Figure 4 is a full sized view of the blades and arms carrying them.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are diagram views of parts operating the upper pair of
blades.
Figures 8, 9 and 10 are full sized views of the cams, on the lower cam shaft their
positions being the same as in the other view.

page_text: Figures 11, 12 and 13 are similar views of the cams on the upper cam shaft.
Figure 14 is a full sized elevation of the upper blade a.
A is the main shaft acting also as the upper cam shaft. It is driven by a
belt pulley and drives the lower cam shaft B through bevel gear and the
vertical shaft C as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. D is the trunk in
which the work is collected. E is a table forming a continuation of the
trunk. F is a board free to slide upon the table and in the trunk with a
friction regulated by weights G guided by rods H. The object of the board F
is to resist the unfolding of the pleats. J is the guide through which the fabric
is fed; it is shown double as it is preferred to feed with the fabric a sheet
of paper which is pleated with it.
a and are the upper pleating blades. The blade a is formed like a
comb as is clearly shown at Figure 14 and its points pass through slots or
holes in the top of the trunk D. It is carried by a plate fixed to a square
rod whose ends are circular and form journals working in bearings at the
ends of the arms d fixed to the rocking shaft e which also has fixed to it the
slotted arm (Figures 2 and 5) g is a rod hung on springs (not shown) and
slotted to embrace the shaft B. It carries a roller bearing on the cam
fixed on the shaft and at its other end a pin entering the slot in the arm
In this manner an up and down motion is given to the blade a. It also has a
horizontal to and fro motion given to it in the manner best seen at Figures 3 and 7.
m is a lever pivotted at n having its upper end pivotted to the rod o which is also
pivotted to the plate carrying the blade a. The lower end of the lever m is pivotted
to the rod p which is slotted to embrace the shaft B and carries the roller q hearing
on the cam fixed on the shaft and held in contact with it by a spring which is not
shewn.
The blade is attached to the rods fixed to the ends of the arms t on the rocking
shaft u which also has fixed to it an arm v (Figure 6) slotted to receive a pin won
the end of the rode which is hung on springs (not shown) and whose lower end is
slotted to embrace the shaft B and carrying a roller y bearing on the cum z
Figure 6.
a and are the lower pleating blades they are worked by the cam shaft A in
exactly the same way as the blades a and b are worked by the cam shaft B as
above described and the parts c to 21 by which the motions are conveyed
correspond exactly to the parts c to z.
When the parts are in the positions shown the blade b is just about to rise and
the blade a¹ to descend and move to the right, and the blade a will then move to
the left. The blade 61 will rise, the blade a¹ will rise, the blade 6 will descend, the
blade a will rise and move to the right, the blade a' will move to the left, the blade b
will descend and lastly the blade a will descend completing the cycle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination of two pairs of blades, one blade of each pair forming the
pleat and the other retaining it.
2. Pleating apparatus substantially as described wherein one blade forms the
pleat which is then retained by another comb like blade entering through openings
in the receiving trunk.
3. In apparatus such as is referred to in the preceding claims moving the
retaining blade perpendicularly to its own plane as well as to and fro in that plane.
4. The combination of the blades a ba¹ substantially as described.
5. Apparatus for pleating fabrics substantially as described and shown in the
drawings.