HAND-HELD PLEATS CREATION MAKING ASSISTIVE DEVICE FOR FABRICS

Abstract

A hand-held pleats creation making assistive device for fabrics, comprising an elongated body 101 possessing a handle 102 accessed by a user for acquiring a grip over the body 101, a U-shaped member 103 arranged on the body 101 positioned by the user near a fabric over which the user desires to make pleats, an imaging unit 104 installed on the body 101 to determine dimensions of the fabric, a ball and socket joint 105 for providing movement to the member 103 to position a folding arrangement 106 configured with the member 103 over the detected fabric, a sliding unit 107 integrated within the arrangement 106 for arranging multiple horizontally link rods 108 according to dimension of the fabric, multiple pneumatic pins 109 configured on the link rods 108 for supporting the fabric from edges and securely holding the fabric for making pleats of specific design with the fabric.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a hand-held pleats creation making assistive device for fabrics which is capable of assisting a user in creating pleats of specific design with a fabric with reduced human effort and also helps in the stitching the pleats without damaging the user's hand and fingers, thereby saves time and resource of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Pleating is a fascinating fabric manipulation technique that involves folding fabric into various shapes, creating differences in volume and texture to enhance the beauty of the fabric. The pleat (plait in older English) is a type of fold formed by doubling fabric back upon itself and securing it in place. It is commonly used in clothing and upholstery to gather a wide piece of fabric to a narrower circumference. In sewing processes that involve fabric pleating, achieving precise and uniform pleats is challenging and time-consuming.

[0003] Traditional methods rely on manual manipulation, which often results in inconsistencies in pleat size, alignment, and overall appearance. Additionally, adjusting pleats with the help of these device during sewing requires frequent interruptions and meticulous attention to detail, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors. When making such pleats by hand, the user required to measure the spacing between pleat groups and then very carefully fold the fabric into a three pleat group (for example). This is difficult as the depth of the pleat must be identical to the previous group of pleats and each pleat must be uniform to its adjacent pleat in the group and all pleats along the heading must be of the same length as well as depth.

[0004] US3889858A discloses about a pleater device comprising a base with three spacers affixed to the base, a pleater arm with two spacers rotatably pivoted on an end of the base, said spacers interleafing with the base spacers so that fabric thrust between the spacers is folded into the standard three pleat drapery pattern; a projecting center pleater insures a center fold before the fabric is made to flow and conform to the remaining pleats. The use of low friction materials such as plastics together with molding of all engaging surfaces into curves does not crush or tear sheer fabrics used in residential draperies. US'58A discloses about a pleater device used to create pleats on the fabric. However, the above mentioned invention also lacks in allowing handling and positioning of the device by the user to make the user desires pleats with the fabric without damaging the user's hand and fingers. The above mentioned invention lacks in detecting tension generated within the fabric while making pleats for making pleats over the fabric precisely without damaging the fabric itself.

[0005] US8177105B2 discloses about a portable hand-held pleating apparatus for fabric material consisting of two halves containing a total of ten to twenty fingers adapted to allow fabric material to be pleated into numerous uniform pleats, specifically accordion pleats. The pleating apparatus can hold fabric material to allow for pleating by any user weaving said material through said fingers and then being removed by a simple upward motion. The pleating apparatus can be adjusted to enable variable pleat widths in a facile way. US'58A discloses about US'5B2 discloses about a portable hand-held pleating apparatus for making numerous uniform pleats on a fabric. However, the above mentioned invention lacks in detecting tension generated within the fabric while making pleats for making pleats over the fabric precisely without damaging the fabric itself.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices available which are capable of assisting a user in creating pleats of specific design with a fabric with reduced human effort, but no devices available which are capable of helping in stitching the pleats without damaging the user's hand and fingers simultaneously. Additionally, no devices available which makes the pleats with the fabric without according to the tensile strength of the fabric to prevent the fabric from damage.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device which is capable of allowing a user to handle and position the device to assist in making user desires pleats with the fabric without damaging the user's hand and fingers and by stitching the pleats without damaging the user's hand and fingers. Also the proposed device is capable of stitching the pleats without damaging the user's hand and fingers.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device which is capable of assisting a user in creating multiple pleat of specific design with a fabric with reduced human effort to save the user's time and accordingly stitch the pleats for precisely making pleats on the fabric.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device which is capable of detecting tension generated within the fabric while making pleats and accordingly makes the pleats over the fabric precisely without damaging the fabric itself.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device which is capable of determining dimensions of the fabric and accordingly supports and holds the fabric from edges for making shape of pleats of specific design with the fabric in automatic manner.

[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device which is reliable in nature and is capable of handling and positioning by the user to make the user desires pleats with the fabric without damaging the user's hand and fingers.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to a hand-held pleats creation making assistive device for fabrics that is capable of creating multiple pleat of specific design with a fabric with reduced human effort by assisting the user. Additionally, the proposed device also stitches the pleats for precisely making pleats on the fabric.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a hand-held pleats creation making assistive device for fabrics comprises of an elongated body possessing a handle that is accessed by a user for acquiring a grip over the body, a free end of the body arranged with a U-shaped member that is positioned by the user in proximity to a fabric over which the user desires to make pleats, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the body and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the body to determine dimensions of the fabric, a microcontroller linked with the imaging unit actuates a motorized ball and socket joint arranged at junction of the body and member for providing movement to the member to position a folding arrangement configured with the member according to the detected dimensions and over the detected fabric, a motorized sliding unit integrated within the arrangement for arranging multiple horizontally link rods integrated within the arrangement according to dimension of the fabric, a tension sensor is mapped in the pins to detect tension generated within the fabric while making pleats, multiple pneumatic pins configured on the link rods to extend for supporting the fabric from edges and securely holding the fabric for making pleats of specific design with the fabric and an angle sensor integrated on the member for monitoring angle of the member with respect to the fabric, thereby aiding the user in stitching the pleats.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a hand-held pleats creation making assistive device for fabrics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a hand-held pleats creation making assistive device for fabrics that is capable of assisting a user in folding a fabric according to dimensions of the fabric to create pleats of specific design with the fabric without damaging the fabric itself. In addition, the proposed device also helps in the stitching the pleats without damaging the user's hand and fingers, thereby saves time and resource of the user.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a hand-held pleats creation making assistive device for fabrics is illustrated, comprising an elongated body 101 possessing a handle 102, a U-shaped member 103 arranged on the body 101, an imaging unit 104 installed on the body 101, a motorized ball and socket joint 105 arranged at junction of the body 101 and member 103, a folding arrangement 106 configured with the member 103, a motorized sliding unit 107 integrated within the arrangement 106 and equipped with multiple horizontally link rods 108 and multiple pneumatic pins 109 configured on the link rods 108.

[0023] The proposed device comprises of an elongated body 101 possessing a handle 102 that is accessed by a user for acquiring a grip over the body 101. The body 101 is made up of material not restricted to metal, alloy etc. that provides durability to the components and comfortably accommodate the components required to perform the specified operation. Herein, a free end of the body 101 is arranged with a U-shaped member 103 that is positioned by the user in proximity to a fabric over which the user desires to make pleats.

[0024] Upon positioning the member 103 in proximity to the fabric, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 installed on the body 101 and integrated with a processor is activated for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the body 101 to determine dimensions of the fabric. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 used herein incorporates AI protocols to enhance its functionality and capabilities to enables immediate responses and faster decision-making. The imaging unit 104 captures images or records videos in vicinity of the body 101 by the help of specialized lenses. The captured data is pre-processed and is fed into AI protocols for analysis which utilizes machine learning techniques, such as deep learning neural networks, to extract meaningful information from the visual data. This acquired data is processed by the processor and then a microcontroller linked with the imaging unit 104 analysed the processed data to detect dimensions of the fabric.

[0025] Further upon determining dimensions of the fabric, the microcontroller actuates a motorized ball and socket joint 105 arranged at junction of the body 101 and member 103 for providing movement to the member 103 to position a folding arrangement 106 configured with the member 103 over the detected fabric. The ball and socket joint 105 provides a rotation to the member 103 to turn at a desired angle. The ball and socket joint 105 is a coupling consisting of a ball joint securely locked within a socket joint 105, where the ball joint is able to move in a 360-dgree rotation within the socket thus, providing the required rotational motion to the member 103. The ball and socket joint 105 is powered by a DC (direct current) motor that is actuated by the microcontroller thus providing multidirectional movement to member 103 that positions the folding arrangement 106 over the detected fabric.

[0026] The folding arrangement 106 consists of multiple horizontally link rods 108 which are used to fold the fabric according to the user-desired size and shape. The folding arrangement 106 adjusts the multiple horizontally link rods 108 which are in the range of six to ten in number in such a manner that the multiple horizontally link rods 108 adjusts within the fabric and forced member to fold and hence the fabric is folded according to the required size and shape. After completion of the positioning of the folding arrangement 106 over the detected fabric, a motorized sliding unit 107 is integrated within the arrangement 106 for arranging multiple horizontally link rods 108 integrated within the arrangement 106 in accordance to dimension of the fabric.

[0027] The sliding unit 107 consists of a pair of sliding rail fabricated with grooves in which the wheel of a slider is positioned that is further connected with a bi-directional motor via a shaft. The microcontroller actuates the bi-directional motor to rotate in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction that aids in rotation of shaft, wherein the shaft converts the electrical energy into rotational energy for allowing movement of the wheel to translate over the sliding rail by a firm grip on the grooves. The movement of the slider results in translation of the horizontally link rods 108 for arrangement 106 in accordance to dimension of the fabric.

[0028] In synchronous, the microcontroller actuates multiple pneumatic pins 109 configured on the link rods 108 to extend for supporting the fabric from edges and securely holding the fabric for making pleats of specific design with the fabric. The pins 109 employed herein are in the range of one hundred to two hundred in number and are connected to a pneumatic unit which includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston. The air compressor used herein extract the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air. The air compressor draws atmospheric air and compress to elevated pressure. The compressed air is then sent through a discharge tube into the cylinder across the valve. The compressed air in the cylinder tends to pushes out the piston to extend which extends the pins 109 for supporting the fabric from edges and securely holding the fabric for making pleats of specific design with the fabric.

[0029] After confirming the securely holding the fabric, an angle sensor integrated on the member 103 starts for monitoring angle of the member 103 with respect to the fabric. The angle sensor used herein is preferably an optical angle sensor that uses light beams and optical detectors for measuring changes in light reflection or transmission caused by the angle of the member 103 with respect to the fabric. As the angle changes, the amount of light reflected or transmitted varies, allowing the sensor to calculate the angle. The angle sensor provides an output signal corresponding to the required angle. The microcontroller processes the acquired signal and determines the angle of the member 103 with respect to the fabric.

[0030] In accordance to this angle, the microcontroller regulates the actuation of the ball and socket joint 105 for modulating shape of the member 103. The microcontroller actuates the DC motor to regulates the actuation of the ball and socket joint 105 for modulating shape of the member 103. Upon getting actuation command from the microcontroller, the motor starts rotating and provides the required power to the ball and socket joint 105. The ball and socket joint 105 uses this power and modulates the shape of the member 103 that results in adjustment of the pins 109 for precisely making pleats on the fabric, thereby aiding the user in stitching the pleats.

[0031] Moreover, a tension sensor is mapped in the pins 109 to detect tension generated within the fabric while making pleats. The tension sensor uses a strain gauge arrangement 106 that is strategically placed on the fabric from where the sensor is capable of sensing the force or tension applied on the fabric while making pleats. When a force or tension is applied to the fabric, it also applies a force to the tension sensor. This force causes the strain gauge to deform, leading to a change in the electrical resistance. The extend of this change in resistance is directly proportional to the magnitude of applied force on the fabric and this data is sent to the microcontroller in form of electrical signal. The microcontroller processed the acquired signal to detect the tension generated within the fabric while making pleats and accordingly regulates operation of the pins 109 for precisely making pleats over the fabric.

[0032] Lastly, a battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrodes named as a cathode and an anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0033] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the elongated body 101 as disclosed in the invention is possessing the handle 102 that is accessed by the user for acquiring a grip over the body 101. Herein, the free end of the body 101 is arranged with the U-shaped member 103 that is positioned by the user in proximity to the fabric over which the user desires to make pleats. Upon setting the body 101, the imaging unit 104 captures and processes the multiple images in vicinity of the body 101 to determine dimensions of the fabric. Then, the microcontroller actuates the motorized ball and socket joint 105 for providing movement to the member 103 to position the folding arrangement 106 configured with the member 103, over the detected fabric. After this, the motorized sliding unit 107 arranged the multiple horizontally link rods 108 integrated within the arrangement 106 according to dimension of the fabric, followed by actuation of multiple pneumatic pins 109 to extend for supporting the fabric from edges and securely holding the fabric for making pleats of specific design with the fabric. Thereafter, the angle sensor monitors the angle of the member 103 with respect to the fabric. In accordance to this, the microcontroller regulates actuation of the ball and socket joint 105 for modulating shape of the member 103, resulting in adjustment of the pins 109 for precisely making pleats on the fabric, thereby aiding the user in stitching the pleats. Moreover, the tension sensor detects the tension generated within the fabric while making pleats.

[0034] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to individuals skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A hand-held pleats creation making assistive device for fabrics, comprising:

i) an elongated body 101 having a handle 102 that is accessed by a user for acquiring a grip over said body 101, wherein a free end of said body 101 is arranged with a U-shaped member 103 that is positioned by said user in proximity to a fabric over which said user desires to make pleats;
ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 installed on said body 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said body 101, respectively to determine dimensions of said fabric, wherein a microcontroller linked with said imaging unit 104 actuates a motorized ball and socket joint 105 arranged at junction of said body 101 and member 103 for providing movement to said member 103 to position a folding arrangement 106 configured with said member 103, over said detected fabric;
iii) a motorized sliding unit 107 integrated within said arrangement 106 for arranging multiple horizontally link rods 108 integrated within said arrangement 106 according to dimension of said fabric followed by actuation of plurality of pneumatic pins 109 configured on said link rods 108 to extend for supporting said fabric from edges and securely holding said fabric for making pleats of specific design with said fabric; and
iv) an angle sensor integrated on said member 103 for monitoring angle of said member 103 with respect to said fabric, in accordance to which said microcontroller regulates actuation of said ball and socket joint 105 for modulating shape of said member 103, resulting in adjustment of said pins 109 for precisely making pleats on said fabric, thereby aiding said user in stitching said pleats.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tension sensor is mapped in said pins 109 to detect tension generated within said fabric while making pleats and accordingly regulates operation of said pins 109 for precisely making pleats over said fabric.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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