Patent GB-971523-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to ironing presses
IPC: A47G25/72
Filed: 1962-08-24
Abstract: 971, 523. Ironing presses. J. H. OELKERS. Aug. 24, 1962 [Aug. 26, 1961; March 19, 1962], No. 32543/62. Heading D1A. An ironing press for trousers includes a vertical padded former 1 which is situated between two press plates 13, receives almost the whole length of the trousers and is adapted to the shape of the crutch, the press having suspended holding means near the top of the former 1 to engage inside the bottoms of the trouser legs and to hold the legs in a transversely stretched position prior to pressing. Work-holding means. The suspended holding means may be four flat bars 31 as shown, two bars and one trouser leg being on each side of the former 1. In Figs. 1, 3, 6 each bar 31 hangs from a right-angled rod 26, the four rods 26 sliding at their ends into four tubes 27, 29 so as to surround the superstructure 24 of the former 1. The tubes 27, 29 are supported on pins spring-loaded into the superstructure 24, the bars 31 being thus urged outwards. Alternatively, the springs may be in the tubes 27, 29. In Fig. 6a, each side of the former 1 has a tube 101 containing two pins 100 from which hang the bars 31, the pins 100 being urged apart in the tube 101 by a spring 102. Each tube 101 is supported by three pins 105, 108 sliding in bores in the superstructure 24, the pin 105 being spring- loaded to urge the bar 101 outwards. In Fig. 24 (not shown), a pressure cylinder on each side of the former 1 holds two pistons, one fixed to each bar 31, and compressed air may be introduced into the pressure cylinder either between the pistons or on the other sides of each. Fig. 25 (not shown) shows alternative suspended holding means consisting of a plate on each side of the former 1, being of springy sheet steel or being otherwise displaceable relative to the former 1. In all embodiments, a pressure yoke 33 with a nylon or like cord 34 is also provided on each side at the bottom of the former 1 to grip the trouser top. General features. Holes in the former 1 and press plates 13 for steaming and (in the case of the former 1) applying suction are inclined outwardly upwards. The former 1 contains a coiled steam heating pipe 8. The press plates 13, which deliver an adjustable pressure, are spring-loaded on to pivoting arms 18,19 actuated by a single pressure cylinder 22 as in Fig. 1, or by toggles. The padding on the former 1 may be softer at the upper part of the former, may be of silicone foam rubber, and may be removable, having a plastic cord at the top or a zip-fastener. The press can be controlled by a time switch dial. Multiple working. In Figs. 7-12 (not shown) a plurality of formers are supported from a vertical column rotatable by a hydraulically-actuated rack and pinion, the single pair of press plates provided being mounted similarly to those in Fig. 1 except that the pivoting arms have return springs. Figs. 13-14, 20-21 (not shown) show embodiments differing from Figs. 7-12 in that the formers are mounted on trolleys running on rails on the floor or overhead, separate tracks, one for each trolley, joining into one track near the pressing position. Figs. 22-23 (not shown) have the trolleys connected together and running on a single continuous overhead track passing through the pressing position, steam and suction pipes for the formers being inside flexible tubes radiating from a column at the centre of the track system.