Patent GB-613869-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to garment presses
IPC: D06F71/20
Filed: 1946-03-12
Abstract: 613,869. Ironing-presses. PROSPERITY CO., Inc. March 12, 1946, No. 7649. Convention date, Oct. 23, 1945. [Class 138(ii)] An ironing-press comprises a frame 9, a form 1 on .which a garment is adapted to be dressed for pressing, and pressing elements 10, 16, 17, 24, 25 which press different portions of the garment on the form, and, in their joint operation, are arranged to press the entire body of the garment; the pressing elements are arranged in groups (preferably two), which are successively operable into pressing position, all the elements of each group being arranged to be in pressing relation at the same time, but no overlap occurring in the pressing operation of the different groups. The form 1, Figs. 1, 3 and 5, is rotatably mounted at its lower end on a rock arm 4 adapted to be swung about a vertical axis 7 on the base 8 of the frame 9. In operation, the form 1 is first swung with its rock arm 4 so as to be positioned outside the front of a cabinet C carried by the frame 9 for pressing by the elements 10, 16, 17, and is then swung into the cabinet for pressing by the elements 24, 25. The form 1 is mounted on the rock arm 4 so that it may be swivelled on its central axis when sufficient pressure is applied to overcome a friction locking element which normally holds the form in fixed position on the arm 4. The form may be of hollow elliptical crosssection, being built up from a covering of spring-padding with a fabric wrapping thereon; steam may be suplied to the interior of the form and pass through perforations in the form so as to damp the garments thereon. Arranged outside the front of the cabinet C is a yoke element 10, Figs. 1 and 3, which is adapted to press the shoulders and yoke of the garment and is carried by a lever 11 pivoted at 12 to an upright 13; this element may co-operate with a holder 15 on the form for use in pressing the collar of a garment. Each of two side pressing elements 16, 17, Fig. 1, is adapted to be adjusted vertically by a handle 23, being carried for this purpose by a pair of parallel links 18, 19 connected to a yoke 22, to which power for pressing is applied. The front and rear pressing elements 24, 25, Figs. 5 and 8, are arranged inside the cabinet, the front element 24 being carried on the end of a yoke arm 26 pivoted to an upright 27, and the rear element 25 being mounted on a slide 28 which is movable in an upright 29 under the action of a lever 31 pivoted to the frame. Operation of machine.-With the rock arm 4 swung so that the form 1 is disposed outside the front of the cabinet, the garment to be pressed is placed on the form, and a clamp 21, Fig. 1, is applied to hold the garment in position. The yoke element 10 is then swung by a handle 33 into contact with the garment, and a valve 35, Fig. 12, in a compressed air system is opened by a manual 34. Air, thus supplied to a cylinder 37, causes a roller on the piston rod 38 to act through the lever 11 to apply pressure to the element 10. After the side element 16 has been adjusted to correct height, a valve 43, Fig. 12, in the compressed air system is opened by a manual 42 so that air passes to a cylinder 44, the piston 45 of which operates through the yoke 22 of the parallel links 18, 19, Fig. 1, to apply pressure to the element. The opposite side element 17 is similarly operated by a manual 46 and valve 47 controlling the supply of air to a cylinder 48. The valves 35, 43, 47 are all of the type which is self-returning to normal exhaust position, and the manuals 34, 42, 46 thereof are associated with mechanism 41, which, after actuation of the manuals, locks them in position until released by further manuals 34a, 42, 46a. When the valve 47 is opened, air also passes to a timer 49, Fig. 12, which is adjusted so that, after a pre-determined time, the pressure therein operates a diaphragm in a chamber 50 so as to open a valve 51 and cause air to pass to diaphragm chambers 53, 54, 55 in order to trip the latches 41 and open the valves 35, 43, 47; this causes the elements 10, 16, 17 to return to open position. Operation of a manual 56 then opens a valve 57 so as to pass air to a cylinder 59, Figs. 5 and 12, the piston rod 60 of which acts through a link 61 to swing the form 1 into the cabinet; at the same time, a link 63 pivoted on the frame rotates the form 1 through a quarter-turn on its axis. The rising piston rod 60 also opens, through a lever 70, a valve 71 so as to pass air to the upper end of a cylinder 73. The piston rod 74 of this cylinder is thus caused to straighten a toggle linkage 75, 77, Fig. 8, and swing the element 24 into pressing position. The operation of a valve 86 by the movement of the link 75 then causes actuation of a diaphragm chamber 88 to open a valve 89 whereby the piston rod 91 of a cylinder 90 acts through the lever 31 to close the press element 25. The opening of the valve 89 also causes air to pass to a timer 94, which, after a pre-determined interval, operates a valve 97 so as to connect the diaphragm chamber 88 and valve 89 to exhaust and permit the press element 25 to open under the action of a spring 92. A valve 80, which is closed during the operation of the press elements 24, 25, is opened at this time so as to connect the main air supply with the lower end of the cylinder 73 and with a diaphragm chamber 84 controlling the valve 71. The press element 24 is then opened, as the upper end of the cylinder 73 is connected to exhaust through the valve 71. After a further interval, a second valve 98 is opened by the timer 94 so as to close the valve 57, whereby air passes through the valve 68 to the upper end of the cylinder 59 and is exhausted from the lower end thereof. The piston 60 then returns the rock arm 4 and form 1 to their initial position outside the cabinet. The sleeves of the garment are draped on supports B, Fig. 1, on the cabinet while pressing by the elements 10, 16, 17, and on a support H carried by the form 1 during pressing by the elements 24, 25.