Patent GB-621297-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to ironing machines
IPC: D06F71/04
Filed: 1947-02-14
Abstract: 621,297. Ironing-machines. BRITISH THOMSON-HOUSTON CO., Ltd. Feb. 14, 1947, No. 4364. Convention date, Feb. 21, 1946. [Class 138 (ii)] An ironing-machine comprises a shoe 2 connected to a shaft 21 which is driven by an electric motor 26 in such a way that the shoe is (a) first moved into position over a stationary buck 1 from one side, (b) then moved into pressing engagement with the buck, and (c) returned in the reverse order, the motor being controlled by manually-operated switch means 27 for initiating operations (a) and (b) and timeroperated switch means for effecting operation (c). Shoe and buck construction.-The shoe 2 is supported by an arm 6 which has two depending arms 8 forming bell-cranks which are pivotallyconnected to a rod 19 and by links 9, 11 and 13 to the machine frame 16. The rod 19 is pivoted to a crank 20 on the shaft 21, and, in the position shown in the drawing, the links 9 are held against a stop 23 by a spring 24. Clockwise rotation of the crank 20 through 90 degrees moves the shoe over the buck 1, the movement being limited by the links 13 coming into contact with a stop 22. Rotation of the crank 20 through a further 90 degrees lowers the shoe into contact with the resiliently-mounted top 4 of the buck. The shoe is returned to its initial position by a further 180 degrees rotation of the crank 20. Control system.-The motor 26 is included in a circuit with a switch 53 which is operated by a timing motor 42 through a pin 49. The pin 49 is carried by an arm 50 which is mounted on the shaft 46 of the motor 42 so that, when the shaft is rotated, the arm turns with the shaft by engagement of a pawl 48 on the arm with a ratchet wheel 47 on the shaft, and, when the shaft 46 is stationary, the arm can be rotated by engagement of the pin 49 with an arm 51 on the shaft 21. The switch 53 is mounted on a frictionally-held adjustable timing-dial 52 so that the switch may he positioned in relation to the pin 49 to give any desired delay. The shaft 21 carries a double cam 43, 43a to operate a change-over switch 37 twice in each revolution of the shaft, and a single cam 44 on the shaft 21 is adapted to close a switch 45 once in each revolution. One pair of contacts 38 of switch 37 is in parallel with the manual switch 27 in the main motor circuit, and the other pair 41 is in series with the switch 45 in the timing-motor circuit. A manually-operated switch 60 is also disposed in series in the timing-motor circuit to make the timer inoperative if desired. Operation.-The closing of switch 27 starts the motor 26, and the consequent rotation of shaft 21 moves the shoe over and into contact with the buck. The initial rotation of shaft 21 causes the cam 43 to close the contacts 38 of switch 37 so as to permit the release of the switch 27. After movement of shaft 21 through 180 degrees, the cam 43a changes over the switch 37, so as to break the circuit of motor 26; at this time, the buck and shoe are in contact. The change-over of switch 37 closes the contacts 41, and, since the cam 44 has operated switch 45, the timing motor 42 is then operated so as to move the arm 50 until the pin 49 causes switch 53 to close. Until the switch 53 closes and starts the motor 26, the shoe and buck remain in contact, the position of the switch 53 having been previously adjusted by rotation of the timing dial 52 to give the required delay. When the motor 26 restarts, the shoe returns to its original position, and the initial movement of the shaft 21 allows the switch 37 to change over so as to complete a circuit for motor 26 through contacts 38 and breaking the timing-motor circuit. The rotation of the motor 26 causes the arm 51 to contact the pin 49 and so return the arm 50 to its initial position. When the shaft 21 has moved through 360 degrees, the cam 43 opens the contacts 38 of switch 37 so as to stop the motor 26. If the timing-motor circuit is broken by means of the manual switch 60, the press may bo opened by closing the switch 27.