Modular lateral heat press machine

A lightweight, portable lateral heat press machine that allows an operator to quickly and economically transfer graphic characters or images using an ink transfer paper process or a sublimation process, or vinyl onto the surface of a garment or an object. The device includes a vertical aligned sliding arm assembly perpendicularly aligned to a horizontally aligned chassis assembly. Attached to the chassis assembly is at least one workstation assembly and a console. The workstation assembly includes a pedestal with an exchangeable, horizontally aligned lower platen that may be selectively rotated and locked in portrait or landscape orientation and a height and pressure adjustment feature. The sliding arm assembly extends upward and forward and includes a heated, upper platen attached to a manually operated plunger. The console contains the controls for operating the heating element inside the upper platen and a timer. In a second embodiment, a second workstation assembly is provided which enables the operator to slide the arm assembly between workstations thereby enabling the operator to setup one workstation as the pressing procedure is being performed on the other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to heat presses and, more particularly, to heat presses that are easy to use and expandable for greater workloads.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hobbyists and small businesses have a need for heat press machines for transferring graphic images or characters on to garments or similar substrates that are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Ideally, such machines should be relatively compact, and capable of being easily setup and easily operated on a work support surface.

Heat presses are typically swing arm or clam-style presses that use an upper heat platen and lower substrate platen that are aligned, and pressed together over a garment or substrate when placed on the lower platen for the purpose of transferring graphic images or characters to the garment or substrate. It is common to exchange the type of heat press machine to accommodate different garments or substrates. Features on the press that allow the lower platens to be easily and quickly exchanged to maximize production are highly desirable.

The graphics and images are typically aligned in portrait or landscape orientation on garments or substrates. Presses that allow the operator to easily and quickly change the orientation of the platen to accommodate vertical or horizontal graphics or images on the garment or substrate to maximize production size requirements would also be highly desirable.

For many pressing projects, large quantities of garments or substrate articles are imprinted. Because the transfer process is permanent, a considerable effort and time is spent properly aligning the garment or substrate over the lower platen before pressing. Also, because the heat transfer process takes several seconds, a considerable amount of idle time is spent by the operator waiting for the heat transfer process to be completed. While heat presses with one set of upper and lower platens may be adequate for hobbyists or businesses with small imprinting projects, hobbyists or businesses with larger imprinting projects would find presses with multiple printing stations that allow the operator to setup one station while the heat transfer process is performed on the other station would be highly desirable.

Many businesses need heat presses that can be expanded to meet the growing needs of the business. Unfortunately, most heat presses available today are not expandable thereby forcing business owners to replace their small, fully functional heat presses with new, larger capacity heat presses or purchase a second or third machine like they already possess. Exchanging small heat presses for larger capacity heat presses is not only expensive but also inefficient because it requires operators to learn new press operations. Buying a second or third heat press identical to the first heat press also occupies more space and may require more than one person to simultaneously operate all of the heat presses.

What is needed is a compact, multipurpose heat press that is easy to learn, enables lower platens to be exchanged, allows pressing in both portrait and landscape orientations, and uses a modular design that can be easily expanded to increase its pressing capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable, multipurpose, easy to use heat press.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a heat press that enables the lower platen to be easily and quickly exchanged.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a heat press that allows the upper and lower platens to be adjusted for imprinting in either portrait or landscape orientations.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a heat press that has a modular design that can be easily expanded to increase the press's production capacity.

These and other objects of the invention that will become apparent are met by the improved heat press disclosed herein that includes a vertically aligned sliding arm assembly designed to slide laterally in opposite directions over a compact chassis assembly. The sliding arm assembly is perpendicularly aligned with the chassis assembly's elongated body and designed to extend upward and over the elongated body when assembled. Attached to the upper portion of the sliding arm assembly is a vertical neck with a moveable plunger located therein. A handle is coupled to the plunger that manually moves the plunger up and down inside the vertical neck.

Attached to the lower end of the plunger is an upper platen assembly that includes a platen management plate, an insulation layer, and an upper heat platen. In the preferred embodiment, a rotation and locking means is provided that enables the upper platen assembly to easily rotate 90 degrees and lock in position over the end of the plunger thereby enabling the upper platen assembly to be placed in portrait or landscape orientations. Located in the upper platen is a heating element coupled to a control unit located in a central console attached to the chassis assembly.

The lower platen is supported by a workstation assembly attached and perpendicularly aligned on one end of the chassis assembly. The workstation assembly includes a workstation pedestal comprising a lower base, a forward extending strut member and an upper platform. The lower platen is supported by the upper platform which is cantilevered and extends forward from the elongated body so that garments and substrates may be easily ‘over or under loaded’ on the lower platen.

Disposed between the upper platform of the lower platen is a quick release locking plate that enables the lower platen to be easily rotated and locked in position between portrait and landscape orientations. The quick release locking plate also allows the lower platen to be exchanged with other lower platens designed to be used with other types of garments or substrates. The following four exchangeable lower platens are disclosed herein: a standard wide-style lower platen; a sleeve-style lower platen; a hat style lower platen; and a pocket-style lower platen. Because garments and substrates have different thickness, height adjustment means is also provided within the pedestal that allows the operator to control the height of the lower platen on the locking plate. In the preferred embodiment, a self-tensioning means is also provided between the upper platform and the lower platen that allows the lower platen to finely adjust its height for different types of garments and substrates.

Attached to the chassis assembly is a perpendicularly aligned, compact console that houses the main electrical components used to control the heating and timer circuits used in the press. In the preferred embodiment, the console is centrally located on the chassis assembly and within easy reach of the workstation assembly. When used with one workstation assembly, the console also helps to support the elongated body on a horizontal support surface. Conveniently mounted on the front surface of the console is a keypad with a plurality of keys used to operate the press. A power receptacle is also conveniently mounted on the rear surface of the console to supply electricity to other pieces of electrical equipment that may be used by the operator.

In the first embodiment, the press is described as having one workstation assembly located at one end of the chassis assembly. In a second embodiment, a second workstation pedestal is easily attached at the opposite end of the chassis assembly. When the second embodiment is used, the operator moves the sliding arm assembly over the chassis assembly between the two-workstation assemblies. As the sliding arm assembly is being used on one workstation assembly, the other workstation assembly can be setup.

A laser guided image alignment assembly is also provided that enables the worker to easily and consistently align the image to be imprinted on garments or substrates placed over the lower platen on each heat press thus making the pressing process faster and more accurate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the accompanyingFIGS. 1–4, there is shown a lateral heat press machine10disclosed herein that includes a lightweight chassis assembly12with at least one workstation assembly75attached at one end and a vertically aligned sliding arm assembly25that extends over the workstation assembly75to apply a downward pressing force on a garment or substrate (generally denoted as 3) placed between two platens66,140. Because the chassis assembly12is designed to be used with several workstation assemblies75,75′ as shown inFIGS. 20–22, the sliding arm assembly25is designed to slide laterally in opposite directions over a chassis assembly12to work with both workstation assemblies,75,75′.

The chassis assembly12includes a single piece, hollow elongated body13with a center cavity14and two removable end caps18,18′ located at its opposite ends. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, the elongated body13is an oval-shaped structure with parallel flat top and bottom surfaces16A,16B, respectively, and downward converging front and rear surfaces17A,17B, respectively. Formed on the rear surface17B is a fully extending slot15that is sufficiently wide to allow the horizontal segment on the sliding arm assembly25to extend into the center cavity14. Located inside the cavity14are two fully extending, longitudinally aligned rails23,24. The two rails23,24, which are circular in cross-section, are parallel and attached at their opposite ends to the inside surfaces of two end caps18,18′ attached over the opening ends of the elongated body13. Suitable threaded connectors11are used to attach the two end caps18,18′ to the elongated body13. Attached to the lower surface19,19′ of each end cap18,18′ are two rubber feet20,20′, respectively. Attached to the inside surface of each end cap18,18′ is a bumper21,21′ which protects the sliding arm assembly25from impacts with the end caps18,18′. Also, located inside the elongated body13is a longitudinally aligned cable cover22that covers a cable7that extends between the sliding arm assembly25and the console200discussed further below. The cable cover22protects the cable7from the sliding arm assembly25as it moves longitudinally over the elongated body13. The cable cover22also prevents accidental contacts with the cable7by objects extended into the slot15.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 6, the sliding arm assembly25includes a horizontally aligned, lower section26that extends through the slot15and into the cavity14. Formed on the lower section26are two spaced apart circular sections27,27′ with elongated bores28,28′ formed therein designed to receive the rails23,24. Located inside each bore28,28′ are ball bearing bushings29,29′ that reduce friction and binding on the rails23,24as the lower section26slides over the two rails23,24.

In addition to the lower section26, the sliding arm assembly25includes an integrally formed hollow vertical segment30, a hollow diagonal segment31, a hollow upper horizontal segment32, and a hollow vertical neck33. Extending through the three segments30,31,32and the neck33is the electrical cable7(seeFIG. 6). The cable7includes five wires8A–E that connect at one end to a main PCB206located in a console200(shown inFIG. 9). The opposite ends of four wires8A–D connect to a heating element67, and to a resistive temperature device68. Also connected to an over-temperature cut-off switch69that is imbedded or attached to the upper platen66. The fourth wire8D connects to a timer switch44located in the upper horizontal segment32.

Attached to the vertical neck33is a movable L-shaped handle35. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, located on the upper end of the handle35is a cylindrical hub36. The hub36is attached to the neck33via a first transversely aligned pin37. Formed inside the handle35and adjacent to the hub36is a passageway38designed to receive a C-shaped pivot arm40. The upper head41of the pivot arm40is attached to the handle35at a point adjacent to the hub36. As the end of the handle35is rotated upward, the upper head41of the pivot arm40rotates around the hub36from approximately a 6 o'clock position to approximately a 12 o'clock position. As the pivot arm40is rotated around the hub36, the hub36fits into the C-shaped center void area42in the pivot arm40thereby temporarily holding the pivot arm40over the hub36. Formed on the rear surface of the handle35adjacent to the hub36is a curved surface39(shown more clearly inFIG. 6) which presses against a contact (not shown) on the timer switch44. During operation, as the handle35is lowered or raised on the sliding arm assembly25, the timer switch44is turned on and off respectively, which activates and deactivates a timer circuit built into the main PCB206discussed further below.

The lower end43of the pivot arm40is rotatably attached to a cylindrical plunger45. The plunger45is an inverted T-shaped structure comprising a vertically aligned post46and a horizontal aligned, lower conical-shaped hub50. Located on the upper end of the post46are two spaced apart, upward extending ears47,47′. The lower end43of the pivot arm40has a transversely aligned hole48formed therein. During assembly, the lower end43of the pivot arm40fits into the space between the two ears47,47′ and a second pin49is inserted through the space between the two ears47,47′ and the hole48to rotatably attach the pivot arm40to the post46.

Attached to the lower end of the post46is a rotating upper platen assembly52that includes a platen management plate53, a platen jacket62, an insulation layer65, and an upper platen66. As shown inFIG. 7, the platen management plate53is a raised cap structure that includes a central hole55that enables the post46to extend through. Formed between the plate53and the platen jacket62is a cavity64in which the hub50is disposed. The central hole55has a sufficiently small diameter to prevent the hub50from disengaging from the platen management plate53. Formed on the platen management plate53are four connection holes54A (only two shown) that receive four suitable connectors54B to connect the platen management plate53to the platen jacket62, the insulation layer65and the upper platen66. Also formed on the platen management plate53is a fifth hole56used to receive the connection rod60used on a quick connect knob assembly58. The quick connect knob assembly58includes a knob59, a connection rod60and a spring61. The knob59, connection rod60and the spring61are assembled on the plate53so that the connection rod60is biased in a downward direction when attached to the plate53.

Formed on the outer edge of the plunger's conical hub50are two semi-circular notches51. The notches51are radially aligned approximately 90 degrees apart, and extend outward and selectively engage the lower tip of a connection rod60used on the quick connect knob assembly58and limit rotation of the plate53around the hub50. The spring61forces the connection rod60downward to engage one of the notches51. When the knob59is pulled upward, the tip of the connection rod60disengages the notch51thereby enabling the platen management plate53to rotate 90 degrees around the post46. By selectively engaging and disengaging the quick connect knob assembly58from the hub50the operator is able to easily rotate the entire upper platen assembly52between portrait and landscape orientations. When the upper platen assembly52is oriented to the desired orientation, the knob59is released which automatically locks the upper platen assembly52in the new desired orientation.

In the preferred embodiment, the platen management plate53and the platen jacket62are made of lightweight plastic or metal. The insulation layer65is made of lightweight insulation material while the upper platen66is made of heat conductive aluminum or steel. The plate jacket62includes pendent sidewalls63that extend downward and partially cover the insulation layer65. Formed on the top surface of the jacket62is a recessed cavity64complimentary in shaped with the platen management plate53so that the platen management plate53may partially fit therein during assembly.

The upper platen66is located below the insulation layer64. Imbedded or formed inside the upper platen66are heating elements67which heat the upper platen66during the pressing operation. Attached to the upper platen66is a resistive temperature device68and an over-temperature cut-off switch69that are used to monitor and regulate the temperature of the upper platen66.

During operation, the handle35forces the plunger45downward that, in turn presses the upper platen66against a lower platen140supported by a workstation assembly75. As the handle35is forced downward, the timing switch44located on the sliding arm assembly25is moved to the ON position which, in turn, automatically activates the timer circuit232on the main PCB206(seeFIG. 25). When the handle35is lifted, the timer switch44is moved to the OFF position that de-activates the timer circuit232.

Perpendicularly aligned and attached to the chassis assembly12is at least one workstation assembly75designed to securely hold the lower platen140under the upper platen66. In the preferred embodiment, the workstation assembly75includes a pedestal76with a horizontal lower base77, a forward extending diagonal strut85, and a horizontally aligned upper platform87. Formed on the rear portion of the lower base77is a rear cavity78designed to receive the lower section of the elongated body13perpendicularly aligned thereto. Attached to the bottom surface of the lower base77are two rubber feet79,79′ that support the pedestal76on a flat support surface. Suitable threaded connectors80extend through holes81formed on the rear cavity78and connect to threaded holes (not shown) on the elongated body13to securely connect the pedestal76to the elongated body13.

Formed on the upper platform87is a vertically aligned cylindrical bore88with a vertically aligned keyway112formed on its inside surface. Extending downward below the bore88is a lower cylindrical portion90. Coaxially aligned and integrally formed on the lower portion90is a smaller cylindrical neck94with a center bore95formed therein that is coaxially aligned with the center axis of the larger cylindrical bore88formed in the upper platform87. A bushing101is longitudinally aligned and disposed into the center bore95and used to support shaft98discussed further below. The bushing101includes an upper wide collar102slightly wider in diameter than the bore95thereby allowing the bushing101nest inside the bore95.

Coaxially aligned and registered over the lower section of the large portion90and over the lower cylindrical neck94is a large turn knob105. During assembly, the shaft98extends through the bore88and the bushing101. The shaft98includes a circular shoulder99approximately located at the shaft's98mid-line axis. The upper portion100of the shaft98above the shoulder99is threaded. During assembly, the lower end of shaft98is inserted into the bushing101so that the shoulder99rests against the bushing's upper edge. The upper threaded portion100of the shaft98extends upward and receives an elevator bushing108attached to the quick release locking plate116discussed further below. During assembly, the turn knob105is attached to the end of the shaft98that extends through the bushing101. When the turn knob105is rotated, the shaft98rotates which lowers or raised raises the quick release locking plate116.

The elevator bushing108is coaxially aligned over the threaded portion of the shaft98. The elevator bushing108includes a small diameter central neck109with a threaded bore110formed therein. The threaded bore110is connected to the threaded upper portion100of the shaft98thereby connecting the elevator bushing108to the shaft98. Attached to the side of the elevator bushing108is a pin111that fits into the keyway112formed on the inside surface of the cylindrical bore88. During use, the head of the pin111extends outward and holds the elevator bushing108in a radially fixed position inside the cylindrical bore88. When the turn knob105and the shaft98are manually rotated, the elevator bushing108is lowered or raised on the upper platform87. This feature is important because it allows the height of the lower platen140to be adjusted which is important for varying the amount of pressure exerted against a garment or substrate positioned between the upper and lower platens,66,140, respectively. By varying the height, garments or substrates made of materials having different thickness may be used.

Formed on the side of the neck109are two holes113(one shown) with which are radially aligned with two slotted holes113,114formed on the elevator bushing108. During assembly, the holes113and114are aligned and registered and two screws115,115′ are inserted through them to securely attach the elevator bushing108to the neck109.

Located above the elevator bushing108is a quick release locking plate116. The locking plate116includes a rectangular-shaped body117with an integrally formed, downward extending, cylindrical neck118. The neck118is hollow and designed to nest into the elevator bushing108. Formed inside the upper portion of the elevator bushing108is a circular gutter115. Disposed inside the gutter115are a plurality of vertically aligned springs120A–E that press against the inside surface of the cylindrical neck118to support and bias the locking plate116in a suspended position over the elevator bushing108. One purpose of the springs120A–E is to provide resiliency or ‘give’ between the elevator bushing108and locking plate116which eliminates the need for the operator to finely adjust the height of the lower platen140with respect to the upper platen66.

Formed on the upper surface of the horizontal body117are two upper extending lugs122,123designed to engage two complimentary lug openings formed on the bottom surface of each of the exchangeable lower platens140,150,160, or180discussed further below. Integrally formed on one end of the horizontal base117is a narrow section125upon which a quick release knob assembly126is attached. The knob assembly126includes a knob127attached to a vertical pin128that extends upward through the section125. Disposed around the pin128is a spring129that biases the pin128in an upward direction. Formed on the upper end of the pin128is a wide tip that engages a hole also formed on the bottom surface of the lower platens140,150,160,180as discussed further below.

In the first embodiment shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, the lower platen140is a rectangular, planar structure with a flat top surface141and a flat bottom surface142. Formed on the bottom surface142is a centrally aligned x-shaped cavity143. The cavity143is made of two, intersecting small rectangular cavities144,145, each being complimentary in shape with the locking plate116used on the workstation assembly75. By inserting the locking plate116into one of the two cavities144,145, the lower platen140can be aligned in either a portrait or landscape orientation, respectively. Located inside each cavity144,145and near one end is a partially extending hole146and146′ respectively. During assembly, the upper end of the pin128that extends upward from the locking plate116is inserted one of the holes146or146′ to lock the lower platen140onto the locking plate116. Formed on the bottom surface142of the lower platen140inside each cavity144,145are two pairs of keyways147,148, and147′,148′, respectively. The keyways147,148and147′,148′ are complimentary in shape and orientation with the two raised nesting lugs122,123formed on the top surface of the horizontal base113. During operation, the two lugs118,120engage one pair of keyways147,148or147′,148′ to keep the lower platen140properly aligned on the locking plate116.

FIGS. 12 and 13show a second embodiment of the lower platen150, called a sleeve-style platen, that includes two large outer leg extensions152,158, respectively, and a shorter, center leg extension153. The leg extensions152,153,158are aligned parallel and spaced apart so that one or two shirt sleeves may be placed over the top surfaces of the two outer leg extensions152,158. Formed on the bottom surface154of the center leg extension153is a longitudinally aligned recessed cavity155complimentary in shape with the locking plate116. Also formed on the near the front edge of the cavity155is a partially extending hole156designed to receive the pin128on the knob assembly126. Two complementary-shaped keyways157,159are also formed inside the cavity155that receive the two raised nesting lugs122,123on the lock plate116.

FIGS. 14,15and16show a third embodiment of the lower platen160, called a hat-style lower platen, used to press graphics or images on the surfaces of a hat. The lower platen160includes an irregular-shaped body162with two void areas164,166. Formed inside each void area164,166is a flat hat support surface,168,170respectively. Formed centrally on the lateral edge of the body162is a third hat support surface172. The top surfaces of the three hat support surfaces168,170,172are substantially level with the top surface of the body162. Formed on the bottom surface163of the main body162is a transversely aligned recessed cavity165. The locking plate116fits into the cavity165. Formed on the front end of the recessed cavity165is a partially extending hole174designed to receive the pin128used to lock the lock plate116into the cavity165. Also formed in the cavity165are two keyways171,173designed to receive the two lugs122,123formed on the locking plate116.

When the locking plate116is inserted into the cavity165, the lower platen160is aligned in a portrait orientation, with the third hat support surface172extending laterally to the right. One or two hats may be placed over the first and second hat support surfaces168,170, to press images or graphics on their front surfaces. The third hat support surface172may be used to press graphics or images on the back or side surface of the hat's crown.

FIGS. 17,18and19show a fourth embodiment of the lower platen180, called a pocket/universal-style lower platen180. The pocket/universal-style lower platen180includes a long central leg182and two short outer legs188,190. The outer legs188,190are spaced apart and parallel to the center leg182. During use, single pockets on two shirts or two pockets on one shirt may be placed on the top surfaces of the center leg182or on the two outer legs188,190and simultaneously imprinted. As shown inFIG. 19, the three arms182,188,190each have a converging front edge that allows them to be inserted into a pocket so that only the front surface of the pocket is imprinted.

Located on the bottom surface183of the center leg182is a recessed cavity184. Located on the bottom surface183on opposite ends of the recessed cavity184are two keyways185and186. Located in front of the front keyway185is a partially extending slot187. During assembly, the locking plate116is aligned in a portrait orientation on the workstation pedestal76. The lower platen180is then aligned and registered over the locking plate116so that locking plate116fits inside the recessed cavity184. The lugs120,122and shaft are inserted into the keyways.185,186, respectively and the pin128is inserted into the hole187.

During assembly, one of the four above described lower platens140,150,160, or180is selected and horizontally aligned over the workstation pedestal76. Only the first lower platen140may be used in either landscape or portrait orientation. The second, third, and fourth lower platens,150,160, and180are all used in portrait orientation. With all of the lower platens140,150,160, and180, the locking plate112and the lugs122,123and pin128are inserted into their keyways and holes, respectively, to securely lock the lower platens140,150,160, and180onto the workstation pedestal76. Because the workstation pedestal76is cantilevered and because it extends forward, the operator is able to ‘over’ or ‘under’ load the garment or substrate on the lower platen140,150,160,180. This feature allows the operator to expose and heat only one surface of the garment thereby preventing ‘ghost’ images from being produced on garment's opposite surface.

Attached to the chassis assembly12is a perpendicularly aligned console200. The console200contains the main electrical components used on the press10and also helps to support the elongated body13on a horizontal support surface. The console200, shown more clearly inFIG. 9, includes a low profile housing202designed to nest under and extend forward from the elongated body13. The housing202includes a front section203with a keypad204, a keypad PCB206and a main PCB205. Formed on the rear section208of the housing202is an upward extending, cutout area209designed to receive the lower surface of the elongated body13via threaded connectors210. Attached to the bottom surface of the housing202are two rubber feet212,214used to support the housing202on a flat support surface. An access panel215is also attached to the bottom surface of the housing202to gain access to the keypad PCB206and the main PCB205. Located inside the rear section208of the housing202is a 115 volts A.C. power module220, a fuse holder222, an electrical outlet receptacle224, a transformer226, and a solid state relay228. As shown inFIG. 2, the outlet electrical receptacle224and a main power switch225are mounted on the rear surface of the housing202. Attached to the power module220is a standard electrical cord221with a 115 A.C. volt male plug230connected at one end that connects to an external 115 volt electrical outlet to provide electricity to the press10. The main power switch225is mounted on the rear surface of the power module220. Wires (not shown) connect the power module220to the outlet electrical receptacle224, to the transformer226, and to the relay228. Wires (not shown) also extend from the transformer226to the main PCB206to provide low voltage D.C. electric current thereto. The keypad PCB206is connected to the main PCB205. As stated above, the cable7extends downward from the sliding arm assembly25and connects to connectors (not shown) located on the main PCB205.

FIG. 25is an electrical schematic diagram of the press. The main PCB205contains a heat control circuit (generally denoted as232) and a timer circuit (generally denoted as234). During use, the operator enters the amount of time for pressing into the keypad204. When the main power button225is activated, the heat control circuit232is automatically activated for a predetermined amount of time. (Note: inaccurate unless talking about auto off safety feature). When the handle35is moved downward to press the upper plate66against the lower platen140, the timer switch44in the swing arm assembly25automatically activates the timer circuit234. After the appropriate time has elapsed, an audio alarm circuit (generally denoted as236inFIG. 25) is activated. If the handle35is not lifted after a predetermined amount of time (i.e. 5 minutes), the heat control circuit232is automatically deactivated. In the preferred embodiment, the heating circuit232has a 1500 Watt maximum capacity with the over temperature cut-off switch69mounted on the upper platen66.

In the first embodiment shown inFIGS. 1–4, the press machine10includes one workstation assembly75. In a second embodiment, shown inFIGS. 20–22, the press, denoted10′, includes two perpendicular aligned workstation assemblies75,75′ attached to opposite ends of the elongated body13. Each workstation assembly75,75′ includes a workstation pedestal76,76′ that supports one en of the lower platens (platens140,140′ shown) discussed above. During operation, the sliding arm assembly25manually slides along the elongated body13between the two-workstation assemblies75,75′. As mentioned above, during setup, the upper and lower platens66,66′, and140,140′ are rotated into landscape or portrait orientation. Next, the desired amount of time is then entered into the keypad204. The position of the first lower platen140is then set so that the proper amount of force is exerted on the garment or substrate. When the handle35is forced downward, the heat is on continuously and timer circuits232,234are activated. When the desired amount of time has elapsed, the timer circuits232,234are automatically inactivated. The audio alarm circuit236may be used to audio alarm to the operator.

While the sliding arm assembly25is being used to press a garment or substrate at one workstation assembly75, a new garment or substrate is placed and aligned on the lower platen140′ on the second workstation assembly75′. Once the first garment or substrate has been imprinted, the sliding arm assembly25is then release and laterally moved and positioned over the second lower platen140′. By moving the sliding arm25assembly laterally between the two workstation assemblies75,75′, and setting up the unused lower platen140′ as the other first lower platen140is being used, the operator is able to quickly imprint a large number of garments or substrates at a rate comparable to a silk screening process.

A laser guided garment alignment assembly300is also provided that enables the operator to easily and consistently align the garments or substrates over the lower platen140,140′ thus making the pressing process faster and more accurate. As shown inFIGS. 23 and 24, the assembly300includes a vertically aligned curved arm302attached to the rear surface of the console200. Attached to the top surface of the arm302is a horizontal member303with three adjustable optical lasers306,308that produce reference points or lines (not shown) on the lower platens (plate140shown). During use, the garment or substrate are properly aligned on the lower platens140,140′. The lasers306,308are then adjusted so that the points or lines are properly positioned and maybe used as a reference line for subsequent garments or substrates placed on the lower platen140,140′ to be aligned against thereby ensuring quick and accurate imprinting when make large quantity of prints.

In summary, the above-described press10is a portable, structure that is easy to use and setup. Because the lower platen140,150,160, and180can be easily exchanged and adjusted in height, the operator can easily adjust the press for different garments and substrates. Also, because both the upper platen66and the lower platens140,150,160,180can be easily rotated, the operator can easily imprint in portrait or landscape orientations. Lastly, because the press machine10uses a sliding arm assembly25that slides over a low profile chassis assembly12capable of being used with one or more workstation assemblies75,75′, the operator is able to easily attach additional workstations to increase the presses'10imprinting capacity.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.