Apparatus for forming pleats and the like in fabric structures

A fabric-forming device for forming multiple non-parallel pleats within a fabric structure in which the fabric is folded upon itself, the device comprising:

• a generally planar baseplate, the baseplate having a first alignment edge disposed thereon, said baseplate further having a second alignment edge disposed thereon, the baseplate second alignment edge being disposed generally parallel to the baseplate first alignment edge, and
• a segmented forming member flexibly connected to said baseplate, the segmented forming member including a primary formplate and at least one secondary formplate, each of the primary formplate and the at least one secondary formplate having a distinct leading edge and a trailing edge, the primary formplate leading and trailing edges being separated by an alignment edge, the at least one secondary formplate leading and trailing edges being separated by a intervening alignment edge, said primary formplate being hingedly connected to said baseplate between said baseplate first alignment edge and said primary formplate leading edge, such that said primary formplate overlies a portion of said baseplate to thereby form a pocket between said baseplate and said primary formplate, the pocket being adapted to hold a predetermined amount of fabric in place therebetween, said at least one secondary formplate being hingedly connected to said primary formplate at said at least one secondary formplate leading edge such that at least one portion of said at least one secondary formplate overlies a portion of said primary formplate and another portion of said at least one secondary formplate overlies a portion of said baseplate, said at least one secondary formplate being hingedly connected to said primary formplate between said at least one secondary formplate leading edge and said primary formplate trailing edge to thereby form a second pocket between said primary formplate and said at least one secondary formplate adapted to receive a folded portion of a fabric therebetween, said at least one secondary formplate leading edge defining a line of reference along which to fold said fabric and thereby form a pleat in said fabric, said at least one secondary formplate alignment edge being generally aligned with said baseplate second alignment edge.

A method for forming pleats, folds, tucks and the like in fabrics, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a forming device having a baseplate and a series of forming templates hingedly interconnected to each other and to the baseplate;
• aligning an edge of a predetermined length of fabric with an alignment edge of said baseplate;
• folding a first template down over the fabric length to expose a guide edge of said first template;
• folding said fabric length up against the guide edge of said first template and further folding said fabric length upon itself to define a fabric first creaseline and aligning the creaseline with a hinged edge of a second template;
• folding the second template over said fabric length to expose a guide edge of said second template;
• and,
• folding said fabric length up against said second template guide edge and further folding said fabric length upon itself to define a fabric second creaseline and aligning the second creaseline with a reference point or said second template.