Characteristics of device for folding thin flexible sheets into compact configuratio

Lanford, W. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Nov. 28, 1961 
Filed Feb. 11, 1960 
W. E. LANFORD 
FOLDING APPARATUS 
FIG. 2 
FIG 1 
JNVENlQR 
WADE E. LANFORD 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700023869 2020-03-17T01:31:53+00:00Z
NQV. 28, 1961 
Filed Feb. 11, 1960 
W. E. LANFORD 
FOLDING APPAaATUS 
FIG. 4 
13 I2 
3,810,372 
2 Sheets-Sheet 2 
WADE E. LANFBRB 
United States Patent Office 3,010,372 Patented Nov. 28, 1961 
3,010,372 
FOLDING APPARATUS 
Wade E. Lanford, Newport News, Va., assignor to the 
United States of America as represented by the Admin- 
idrator of National Aeronautirs and Space Adminis- 
w o n  
Filed Feb. 11,1960, Ser. No. 8,203 
7 Claims. (CI.%=- 
(Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), sec. 266) 
The invention described herein may be manufactured 
m d  used by or  for the Government of the United States 
of America for governmental purposes without the pay- 
ment of any royalties thereon or therefor.. 
This invention relates generally to a folding apparatus 
and, more particularly, to a device and method for fold- 
ing thin flexible sheets helically and vertically simul- 
taneously to f o m  a compact packaged configuration. 
I t  has been found that space satellites can be folded 
in a specified manner such as disclosed in applicant's CO- 
pending patent application, Serial Number 8,204, filed 
February 11, 1960, N.A.S.A. Case Number 138, to form 
a wmpaot package configuration capable of being readily 
extended, or expanded, by centrifugal force on being 
ejected in the upper regions of the earth's atmosphere. 
In order to accomplish this result, the packaged config- 
uration may be folded both helically and vertically about 
the center of the satellite to form a specific folded pat- 
tern. 
Heretofore, several methods and devices have been 
proposed for folding flexible materials. Examples of 
such prior art devices are paper folding machines which 
fold paper strips, or sheets, horizontally, vertically, or 
in combinations thereof, such as ticket folding machines, 
magazine folding machines, napkin folding machines 
and the like. Other prior aft folding machines have been 
devised to form overlapping pleats along a single plane 
to produce a folded article having a sawtooth edge such, 
for example, as an oil filter cartridge. Although these 
prior art devices have performed satisfactorily for their 
intended purposes none of them have been found en- 
tirely suitable for folding planar flexible material heli- 
ca!ly and vertically to form a compact folded codigura- 
tion. 
A(scordiiy, an object of the present invention is to 
provide a new and improved folding device. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a new 
and improved machine for lolding flexible sheets helically 
and vertically simultaneously. 
A further object of the instant invention is to provide 
a new and improved apparatus for forming a circular 
flexible sheet into a folded article having a sawtooth outer 
folded edge. 
A still further object of this invention is to provide a 
new and improved spirally folded compact packaged 
wnfiguration. 
A still another object of the present invention is to 
provide a new and improved device for folding a flexible 
disc into a packaged configuration capable of being ex- 
tended by centrifugal force. 
Another and still further object of this invention is to 
provide a simplified folding appliance which is adaptable 
to readily vary the frequency and amplitude of helical 
folds formed in the article during folding. 
One still further object of the present invention is to 
provide a new and improved method of compactly fold- 
ing a flexible planar sheet of material. 
Generally speaking, the foregoing objects, as well as 
others, are accomplished in accordance with this inven- 
tion by providing a peripheral outer frame member, a 
workpiece tensioning means positioned in an alternative 
sequence in a plurality of diverse parallel planes about 
2 
the frame member, and means mounted in the center of 
the frame for rotating the workpiece. 
A more complete understanding of the invention and 
many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily 
5 appreciated as the same becomes better understood ,by 
reference to the following detailed description when con- 
sidered in conneotion with the accompanying drawings 
wherein: 
FIG. 1 is a top view of the folding apparatus; 
10 FIG. 2 is a cross secbional view taken along line 2--2 
of FIG. 1; 
FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the tension directing 
means; 
FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the folding de- 
15 vice illustrating the sequence of steps during the folding 
operation; and 
FIG. 6 is a folded article produced by the device of 
the present invention. 
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference 
20 numerals designate identical o r  corresponding parts 
throu~hout the several views. and more ~articularlv to 
FIG.-I whereon the folding. apparatus, generally indi- 
cated by $he reference numeral 11, is shown as consist- 
ing essentially of an annular outer frame member 12 and 
26 a workpiece securing center section 13 rotatably mounted 
within the annular member. Center section 13 is rotat- 
ably mounted on cross members 14 which mutually in- 
terseet each other perpendicularly, and have their end 
portions securely attached as, for example, by welding or 
80 the like to the lower portion of annular member 12. 
Member 12 can be supported horizontally relative to the 
floor by affixing to the lower portion thereof legs 15. 
As shown on FIG. 2, center section 13 consists of an 
upper piece 16 and a lower platform 17. Upper piece 
85 16 is preferably a cylindrical body having one end closed 
by means of a plate 18. Plate 18 has an aperture 19 
formed centrally therein capable of receiving a bolt 21. 
The outer surface edge, or underside, of plate 18 assumes 
a superposed relationship with the top surface of rotata- 
40 ble platform 17. Rotatable platform 17 consists of a 
cylindrical member 22 having a substantially smooth 
planar top surface and a tap hole 23 formed centrally 
therein. Bolt 21 passes through aperture 19 and thread- 
edly engages tap hole 23 and securely attaches upper 
45 piece 16 to lower platform 17. A stem, or connecting 
rod, 24 is securely attached at one end to the underside 
of cylindrical member 22. The other end 25 of stem 24 
is tapered and rotatably supported by a socket member 
26. Socket member 26 is of a cylindrical configuration 
60 having an aperture formed on its top face for receiving 
tapered end member 25. The socket member 26 is ae 
curely positioned atop cross members 14 by any conven- 
tional means such, for example, as welding. I t  is to be 
understood that any conventional rotating means may 
55 be used in place of the tapered pin and socket means dis- 
closed in the present invention. 
Slits, or slots, 27 are equidistantly formed in two par- 
allel planes in an alternative sequence about annular 
member 12. Each slit 27 has a slidably adjustable mem- 
60 ber 28 positioned therein. As more clearly shown on 
FIG. 3, member 28 consists of a front plate 29 and a 
back plate 31 joined at the center thereof by a cylindrical 
connecting element 32 having a bore extending there- 
through. Apertures 33 are formed in the front and 
65 back plates coincident with the bore of element 32 to 
form a continuous passageway through member 28. A 
tap hole 34 is formed in the front plate for receiving a 
set screw 35. Member 28 may be selectively raised or  
lowered in slit 27 and securely positioned within the slit 
70 at predetermined positions by means of screw 35 for a 
purpose to be explained more fully hereinafter. 
A string, or filament, 36 is slidably disposed through 
8,01@,S7% 
3 a 
bore 34, as shown on FIG. 4. String 36 has a tbehd  frame member in an alternative squence and in a plu- 
at one end thereof a damp 37, such, for example, as an rality of diverse horizontal planes, inwardly extending 
alligator clamp and at the other end a weight 38. I t  is supporc means secured to the lower prtioii crf sdd frame 
Lo be understood that any conventional string or like member, a center section rotatably mounted on said iu- 
tension transferring means may be used in the present 5 wardly extending support means within said frame mern- 
invention. The string should "o strong enough to with- ber adapted t~ retain s: flexible sheet .;;ithin said frme 
stand the tension applied to the flexible sheet workpiece member, a tension producing element associated with 
39 during folding. String 36 should be at least as long each of said apertures, and means joining each of said 
as the radius of annular member 12 to provide tension tension producing elements to the periprheral edge of the 
to the workpiece 39 during the entire folding operation. 10 sheet thereby formingpleats therein. 
It is also pointed out that weights 38 must not rest on 2. A folding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein 
an object such, for example, as the floor, but must hang said center section comprises a cylindrical upper piece, 
free if they are to provide tension to workpiece 39. For a rotatable platform mounted on said inwardly extending 
this reason the maximum length of the string may be support means, and a fastening means for connecting said 
determined by the relative position of the folding device 15 upper piece to said rotatable platform. 
to the floor. Tension supplied to workpiece 39 by clamps 3. A folding apparatus comprising, in combination, an 
37 from the tension supplying means forms radial pleats outer frame member, a plurality of slits formed in an 
41 in the workpiece 39 which during the folding opera- alternative sequence in a plurality of horizontal planes 
tion are wound spirally about center section 13. It is on said frame member, slidably adjustable means having 
also to be understood that any conventional tension pro- 20 an aperture formed therein disposed in each of said slits, 
ducing means such, for example, as springs, rubber or tension producing means cooperating with said apertures, 
elastic filaments and the like may be used in place of the a plurality of mutually intersecting braces secured to the 
string and weights herein specifically described. lower podon of said frame member, and a center section 
In operation, bolt 21 is extracted from tap hole 22 and rotatably mounted on said braces within said frame mem- , 
upper piece 16 is removed from rotatable platform 17. 25 ber. 
A workpiece of flexible sheet material 39, preferably hav- 4. A folding apparatus according to claim 3 wherein 
ing the wnfiguration of member 12, is placed on rotata- said tension producing means comprises a string slidably 
ble platform 17. Upper piece 16 is then placed on and disposed in said aperture, a weight affixed at one end of 
secured to lower rotatable platform 17 by means of bolt said string, and a clamp secured to the other end of 
21. Bolt 21 is passed through aperture 19 in upper piece 30 said string. 
16, perforating the center of the workpiece 39 and is 5. A folding apparatus comprising, in combination, an 
threadedly secured in tap hole 23. annular outer frame member, a plurality of mutually 
Clamps 37 are connected at equidistant points along intersecting braces secured to the lower extremity of said 
the peripheral edge of sheet 39. Clamps 37 are attached annular member, a center section rotatably mounted on 
in an alternative sequence with the tension forming means 35 said braces adapted to retain a flexible sheet within said 
of the upper and lower rows of slidably adjustable mem- frame member, tension producing means positioned about 
belg 28 positioned in slits 27. It is to be noted that the said annular member in an alternative sequence and in 
frequency, amplitude and pattern of pleats 41 formed in a plurality of diverse horizontal planes, and clamps join- 
the folded article 42 may be selectively varied by raising ing said tension means to the peripheral edge of the sheet 
and lowering slidable members 28 prior to folding. 40 thereby forming pleats therein. 
As shown in FIG. 5, center section 13 is rotated either 6. A folding apparatus according to claim 7 wherein 
manually or by means of a drive and during rotation said tension producing means comprises a string, and a 
forms spiral folds, or pleats, 41 of increasing amplitudes weight attached to the k - ~ ~ e r  end of said string- 
in the sheet 39 about the centerpiece 13. Rotation of 7. A folding apparatus comprising, an outer frame 
center section 13 is terminated when sheet 39 has been 45  ember having an annular configuration, a plurality of 
completely wound thereabout. Folded article 42 is then vertical slits formed in said frame member at equidistant 
removed from machine 11 by removing clamps 37 from intervals and in a pair of parallel planes, a slidably aper- 
peripheral edge of the satellite 42 and bolt 21 ex- twed member disposed in each of said slits, a plurality 
tracted from tap hole 23 enabling center section 16 to of intersecting members affixed to the underside of said 
be removed from lower rotatable 17 and re- 60 frame member, means rotatably mounted on said inter- 
leasing satellite 42 from the folding apparatus 11. secting members centrally of said frame member adapted 
polded article 42 as shown on FJG. 6 is an article hav- to clamp the center portion of a sheet of flexible material 
ing a planar center portion with helically within said frame member, tensioning means slidably dis- 
wrapped pleats 41 of increasing magnitude towards the Posed in each apertured member adapted to be attached 
peripheral edge thereof which are wrapped about the 66 to the periphery of the sheet thereby to form a plurality 
center portion. of radial pleats in the sheet which spirally wrap around 
Obviously numerous modifications and variations of said rotatable means upon rotation thereof. 
the present invention are possible in the light of the 
above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that References Cited in the file of this patent 
within the scope of the appended claims the invention 
may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. UNITED STATES PATEr.ITS 
M a t  is claimed as new and desired to be secured by 2,099,988 N o d s  ,----,----,,,,-,- Nov. 23, 1937 
Letters Patent of the United States is: 2,189,562 Doerr ---,,,----,-,----, Feb. 6, 1940 
1. A folding apparatus comprising, in combination, a 2,730,886 Castner -,,,----,-,--,,, Jan. 17, 1956 ' 
peripheral outer frame plember, aperlures formed in said bQ 2,942,794 Huso ,-,,,,----,,--,,,, June 28, 1960


Folding apparatus Patent

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