Patent ID: 6868995
Filing Date: 2005-03-22
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. A tensioning apparatus for tensioning a shoulder seam of at least one sleeve of an article of clothing during a pressing operation for at least one sleeve, comprising: means for mounting at least one sleeve of an article of clothing proximal to a working surface, said means for mounting supporting at least one sleeve in a first position extended above said working surface; means for positioning said working surface from said first position to a second position, with said at least one sleeve being supported by said means for mounting when said working surface is in said second position during the pressing operation for at least one sleeve; means for tensioning the shoulder seam of at least one sleeve when mounted on said working surface, said means for tensioning is extended against an outer clothing surface proximal of the shoulder seam when said working surface is in said second position concurrent with the pressing operation for at least one sleeve, said means for tensioning including: a piston positioned proximal of each respective outer clothing surface proximal to each respective shoulder seam, said piston having a piston rod having a pair of grip arms extendable against each respective outer clothing surface proximal of respective shoulder seams of either sleeve, each grip arm having a distal end extendable against and retractable from each respective outer clothing surface proximal of each shoulder seam when said means for mounting is positioned to said second position; and a timing control device for control of a rate of extension of each grip arm and distal end, said timing control device in communication with said piston for maintaining tension against each respective outer clothing surface proximal of each respective shoulder seam during actuation of the pressing operation for at least one sleeve while in said second position.