Patent GB-700563-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to power mechanism for garment presses
IPC: D06F71/06
Filed: 1951-04-12
Abstract: 700,563. Ironing-presses. UNITED STATES HOFFMAN MACHINERY CORPORATION. April 12, 1951 [Aug. 8, 1950], No. 8522/51. Class 138 (2) A garment press has power mechanism comprising a first feed line 99, 101 supplying fluid to one end of a cylinder 26 for moving its piston 28 to close the press head 20 upon a stationary buck 17, a manually operable normally closed intake valve 92 in the line 99, 101, a second feed line 100 for supplying fluid to the other end of the cylinder 26 to impose an equalizing pressure on the piston 28, a normally closed equalizing valve 93 in the line 100, and means actuated by the power mechanism to open the equalizing valve 93 at a predetermined point short of the closed position of the press whereby the closing movement of the press is arrested. The valves 92, 93 may be operated by means of solenoids E, D respectively. The cylinder 26 is pivoted on a shaft 27 and the piston rod 29 of its piston 28 is pivotally connected at 30 to the lower link 22 of a toggle linkage 22, 23. The lower link is also pivoted on a cross shaft 25 and the upper link is pivotally connected to a bifurcated lever 18 carrying the head 20. Tension springs 21, 31 aid in opening the press. The pressure exerted by the head on the buck may be adjusted by means of a bell crank lever 34 and a clevis 36 having a threaded connection with an adjusting rod 37 carrying a handwheel 38. Steam is admitted through the head 20 by means of a valve 44 operated by a solenoid C through a bell crank lever 47, a link 59, a bell crank lever 55 journalled on a stud 57, a link 53, a bell crank 50 pivoted at 32 and connected to the solenoid core 48 by an adjustable link 51. The solenoid C is energized at a predetermined point during the closing of the press to discharge steam or it may be excited at any time by a push button control. Suction may be applied to the garment through the buck 17, a conduit 65 and a valve 66, this valve being operated through a link 74, rock arms 75, 761 fast on a shaft 76 and a link 85 pivotally connected at 86 to a lever 84 which is loose on a shaft 82. A link 87 connects lever 84 to the core 89 of a solenoid F which is energized for a limited time during the opening movement of the press. The vacuum valve may also be opened at any time by operating a foot pedal (not shown) disposed at the forward end of a lever 81 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 82 and has a sideways extending arm 83 disposed to underlie the lever 84. Compressed air is supplied through a line 98 (Fig. 7), branch lines 99, 101, and valve 92 to a three-way pilot operated valve 103 comprising an actuating chamber 104, a valve chamber having a straight line connection between a branch 102 and cylinder 26, and a side connection for exhausting the forward end of the cylinder 26. When solenoid E is energized. the valve 92 opens to shift the normally closed valve 103 to open input position. Air is thus passed to cylinder 26 to operate piston 28 to effect closing of the press to a predetermined checking point, at which time solenoid D will operate valve 93 to admit air to the rear end of the cylinder 26 and check the closing of the press. 105, 106 are speed control valves. Limit switches 79 and 91 (Fig. 5), are operated by a foot pedal 77 and by the toggle link 22 through a lever 91<1> respectively. Operation. The press is operated by means of the four solenoids C, D, E, F, six push-button switches 1 ... 6 mounted in a row along the edge of a work table 14 (Fig. 2), and a network of relays Fig. 8 (not shown). (i) By depressing either push button 1 or 6, or foot pedal 77, the head is brought down to an adjustable distance from the buck and steam admitted to the head. (ii) If button 3 is now pressed the steam will be cut off and the press head will close completely. (iii) To bring the head down for pressing from fully open position without the admission of steam, button 3 is depressed and also button 1 or 6 or foot pedal 77, thereby eliminating the checking action of the equalizing valve 93. (iv) To admit steam at any time, button 4 is depressed. (v) An automatic cycle can be initiated directly after operation (i) by holding down button 1 or 6 or pedal 77, and depressing the two buttons 2, 5 momentarily. The press closes and, after a predetermined time an adjustable time delay relay operates to permit the head to open under the action of the springs 21, 31. Vacuum is automatically applied through the buck during part of the press opening movement. (vi) The automatic cycle can be started with the head in open position by depressing the two buttons 2 and 5, and holding them down until the limit switch 91 has been actuated. (vii) The operation of the vacuum may be stopped or the press opened during the automatic cycle by pressing button 3. (viii) Vacuum may be applied at any time by depressing a foot pedal (not shown). The timers are preferably of the pneumatic type adjusted by means of a needle valve. Specification 566,322 is referred to.