Patent GB-741209-A (GB)
Title: A device for finishing tubular garment parts, especially shirt sleeves
Inventor: FORSE HARRY D
IPC: D06F71/28
Filed: 1953-10-21
Abstract: 741,209. Ironing. FORSE EQUIPMENT CORPORATION. Oct. 21, 1953, No. 29005/53. Class 138 (2). A device for finishing tubular garment parts having a cuff and a gusset portion, especially shirt sleeves, includes an expandable heatable sleeve form 1 or 2 comprising two component buck sections 1a, 1b or 2a, 2b which are suppoited by a frame so as to be tiltable in unison with each other from a loading position (as 2 in Fig. 4) to a pressing position (as 1 in Fig. 4), clamping means 47 or 48 arianged near the upper portion of the form being adapted in response to movement of the form from the loading to the pressing position automatically to move in a straight direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the form so as to lock the form in the pressing position while simultaneously clamping and pressing the gusset portion of a sleeve placed on the form. The section 1a is carried by an arm 3 welded to a sleeve 6 which is rotatable about a shaft 7. The section 1b is pivoted at 12 to a lever 11 pivotally mounted at 10 on the sleeve 6. The lever 11 is also connected to a cylinder 13 whose piston-rod 18 is pivoted to a bracket 6a on the sleeve 6. The sleeve form 1 is biased to the loading position by a spring 33 connected to an arm 26 fixed to the sleeve 6. Means are provided (Fig. 3, not shown) foi damping the retracting action of the spring 33. The form 2 is similarly arranged and mounted. The buck sections 1a, 2a are provided with knobs 38, 39 respectively for manual tilting of the forms 1, 2. Resilient spring wires 40, 40c take up any excess fullness in the sleeves, these wires being arranged between and attached to one or both of the respective buck sections. A double piston 44 is mounted on a support 42 and each end of the piston carries a cylinder 49 provided with a pressing shoe 47, 48. The shoes 47, 48 are pneumatically pressed against the gusset portion of the sleeve and also act to hold the respective sleeve form in the pressing position. A bleeder opening 52 in each shoe allows air to pass continuously through the shoe during the pressing operation to dispel moisture therein. The shoes 47, 48 are connected by springs 56, 57. Padded pistons 63, 64 in cylinders 61, 62 are adapted to engage the shoulder seam area of the sleeve. The pistons 63, 64 are preferably pneumatically operated against the action of returning springs 66, 67. The buck sections 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b are hollow and preferably steam heated (Fig. 6, not shown) though electric or gas heating may be used. The parts of the sleeves not contacted by the heated buck suctions 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b are treated by warm are supplied between the expanded sections and inside the sleeves thereon. The air is supplied by a motor-driven blower 87 to the fully enclosed frame 8 of the machine and passes through shrouds 90 flexibly secured to the sleeve forms and to openings in a work-supporting table 41. Resilient metal tabs 112a, 112b prevent escape of air through the open cuff portions. A spring-biased foot pedal 94 normally holds an inlet valve 92 in open position and an outlet valve 93 (Fig. 5) in closed position. Operation.-The sleeves are placed on the forms 1, 2 so that the gusset portions will face the respective shoes 47, 48 when the forms are tilted to pressing position. As the form 1 is tilted a valve 37 (Fig. 5) is opened by the arm 26 and air is supplied through a pipe 101, regulator 100, normally open valve 92 and pipes 106, 109, 110, 111 to the cylinders 49, 61, 13. The gusset shoe 47, shoulder clamp piston 63 and expander lever 11 are thereby operated simultaneously. The other form 2 is then operated in the same way, by means of a valve 37c. The heating means for the forms may be manually or thermostatically controlled. When the sleeves have been pressed, the operator depresses the pedal 94 thereby closing valve 92 and opening valve 93 (Fig. 3, not shown). The supply of air pressure is thus cut off and all the cylinders exhaust under spring bias through the valve 93.' The sleeve forms are returned by spring action to the unloading position.