Patent GB-678602-A (GB)
Title: Garment presses
Inventor: GUDGEON RONALD PERCY
IPC: D06F71/34
Filed: 1950-11-02
Abstract: 678,602. Ironing presses. BROWN & GREEN, Ltd. Nov. 23, 1950 [Nov. 2, 1950], No. 26816/50. Class 138 (ii). The invention relates to garment presses of the type in which a plurality of tables are supported on respective arms 3, Fig. 1, secured to a rotatable supporting column 1, and are adapted to be moved in turn beneath, and then lifted into engagement with, a fixed press head (not shown). According to the invention, the supply of free steam to, and the evacuation of, each table is selectively effected by the operation of a single control, and the press comprises means for maintaining a table in pressing engagement with the press head for a predetermined period after which the table is automatically withdrawn, and pressure control means for controlling the lift of the tables. Means for applying vacuum and controlling supply of steam to press tables.-Each arm 3 carries at its end a member 5 to which a press table (not shown) is connected. The member 5 has a stem 4 which is adapted to be engaged by a ram (not shown in Fig. 1) when the arm 3 is in the position for pressing, in order to press the table upwardly against the press-head (not shown). The interior of the table is connected with a source of vacuum by a conduit 6 and with a steam pipe (not shown) in which is interposed a steam supply valve 8. The valve 8 is operated by the action of a tappet 33 on a stem 34 of the valve. The tappet 33 is carried by a lever 31 pivotally mounted on the table 5 and rigid with the lower limb of an L-shaped member 35. The upper end of the lever 35 is linked to a rack 36 which engages a pinion 37 rigid with a butterfly valve in the conduit 6. The outer end of the lever 31 has a cam surface 30 which engages a roller 29 carried by a rod 24. The latter is pivoted at one end to a bracket 25 rigid with the arm 3. The other end of the rod 24 is connected by linkage 23, 21 to a shoe 18 which in the clothes-loading position of the arm 3 is adapted to engage a roller 17. The roller 17 may be raised by depression of a foot pedal 9 acting through linkage 11, 12, 16. In operation, when the arm 3 is in the loading position for the member 5 shown, and its associated table (as is the case in Fig. 1), the respective shoe 18 is in engagement with the roller 17 and depression of the foot lever 9 causes the lever 24 to be moved anticlockwise, its roller 29 causing anticlockwise movement of lever 31, thus closing the vacuum valve and opening the steam valve 8. On release of the lever 9, springs 27 and 28 return the mechanism to its previous position. After rotation of the arm 3 to the pressing position for the same table, the ram automatically commences to raise the stem 4 to the table into pressing engagement with the head. The roller 29 remaining fixed, coacts with the cam surface 30 and the vacuum valve and steam valve are again respectively closed and opened. In a modification, the foot-lever 9 is dispensed with, and the roller 17 is mounted on a fixed part of the frame, so that it engages the shoe 18 when the respective table is in the loading position, in order to cut-off the vacuum, and supply steam to the table. The press-head is permanently connected to a source of vacuum. The press is particularly adapted for dealing with knitwear. Specification 373,712 is referred to. According to the Provisional Specification, the pedal 9 may be arranged so that on its depression the steam valve is closed and the vacuum valve is opened. Adjustment of degree of pressure between table and head.-The stroke of the ram 38 (Fig. 2) is limited by engagement with a threaded sleeve 46. The axial setting of the sleeve may be adjusted by rotation of a handle 52 which acts through gears 54, 55, shaft 49 and a gear 48, on a gear 47 rigid with the sleeve. An alternative method of pressure adjustment is shown in Fig. 3. The press table 57 rests on a stem 56 slidably mounted on the arm 3. A sleeve 59 threaded within the bore of the stem provides a bearing for a plunger 60 having a head 61 which is engaged by the ram when the arm 3 is in the pressing position for the respective table. The upper end of the plunger 60 acts through a spring 63 on the table 57. The degree of lostmotion is adjusted by rotation of the sleeve 59 in the stem 56 to vary the distance between the head 61 and the flange of the sleeve. Means for controlling duration of pressure between the table and head.-A cylinder 69, Fig. 4, is connected at 73 to the compressed air supply for operating the ram of the press. The other end of the cylinder is connected at 76 either to the ram air-supply or to atmosphere by a valve (not shown), which is operated by movement of the ram. The arrangement is such that when the ram moves upwardly, the port 76 is connected to atmosphere, but when the ram is in the lowered position the ram air supply is applied through the port 76 to the face of a piston 68 in the cylinder 69, thus urging the latter to the left. The rod 79 of the piston 68 has a bracket 80 having a boss slidable relative to a valve rod (Fig. 5, not shown) which is connected to a valve which controls supply of compressed air to the ram. In operation, on registration of the stem 4 with the ram (following rotation of the table support arm 3), the port 76 is opened to exhaust and the piston 68 moves to the right until it engages an adjustable stop 75. Just before the piston engages the stop 75, the boss on the valve rod engages a collar adjustably secured on the rod so as to move the rod and cut off the supply of air to the ram. The time during which the pressure is applied to the ram thus depends on the time of travel of the piston 68 and this may be adjusted by means of a needle valve 78 in the port 76.