Patent Publication Number: US-2019168520-A1

Title: Textile pallet with adjustable frame

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/631,523 filed Jun. 23, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an expandable textile pallet for use in a textile printing operation having one or more adjustable extension elements; and more particularly, to a textile pallet (such as a T-shirt side holder pallet), with first and second adjustable side extensions (such as wire frames or plates) to enable adjustment of the width of the pallet for facilitating centering of larger than typical textiles on the pallet. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     A number of different pallets are used for textile printing. The pallets are designed to hold the textile (e.g., a garment) flat during a printing operation. The textiles also need to be properly centered on the pallet for printing of images or other graphics. 
     In typical situations, an operator can slide a textile, such as a T-shirt, over the pallet and center it in one motion because the shirt is close in size to the typical pallet (e.g., standard 16″ or 18″ wide pallets). However, it is more difficult to center the textile when it is much larger. For example, for shirts that are twice as larger (or even larger) than the pallet, the operator has to put the shirt on the pallet, step back to observe its position, then readjust, and repeat as necessary in order to get the garment properly centered. This can be time consuming and inefficient. 
     Attempts have been made to create pallets that do not require re-adjustment of the textile to reduce or eliminate folds or creases in the areas that require printing. Additionally, the pallets should prevent the textile from hanging down and dragging or snagging on the printing equipment. 
     The present invention described herein provides an improved textile pallet that can be used—for example—for holding an extra-large T-shirt. The width of the pallet can be adjusted to facilitate centering of different size textiles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a textile holder, e.g., a t-shirt side holder pallet, having adjustably extending side elements. The textile holder can be easily expanded which enables an operator to quickly center extra-large textiles. 
     That is, the side elements can be adjusted outward to expand the effective width of the pallet. This facilitates centering of larger than normal textiles (e.g., XXL T-shirts) and reduces set-up time. The side elements can be, for example, metal rods or wires having a plurality of spaced notches along the end portions. The spaced notches can be engaged by extension holders on a central pallet element to provide for specifically desired dimensions. Extendable plates or other similar structures can also be utilized. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a textile holder having adjustable side extensions is provided. The textile holder comprises a pallet having a first surface for supporting a textile and an opposing second surface, the pallet having a first side and an opposing second side, a first end and an opposing second end. An adjustable side extension in the form of a first wire and a first wire holder is provided. The first wire holder is connected to the second surface of the pallet. The first wire extends from the first side of the pallet and includes a first end adjustably connected to the first wire holder. 
     The first wire holder can include a wire engagement element. The wire engagement element in the first wire holder can be a locking pin or other similar locking structures. Additionally, tension can be used to hold the wire in place. 
     The textile holder can include a second wire holder connected to the second surface of the pallet spaced from the first wire holder. The first wire includes a second end adjustably connected to the second wire holder. Like the first wire holder, the second wire holder can include a wire engagement element, such as a locking pin, etc. 
     The first wire includes a first notch proximate the first end for engaging the locking pin in the first wire holder. Moreover, the first wire can include a first plurality of spaced notches proximate the first end for engaging the locking pin in the first wire holder and a second plurality of spaced notches proximate the second end for engaging the locking pin in the second wire holder. The spaced notches can be used to position a central part of the wire (that can run parallel to the side of the pallet) a particular distance from the side of the pallet. In this regard, the wire is generally U-shaped having the first end, the central part and the second end. 
     The textile holder can further comprise a third wire holder connected to the second surface of the pallet and a fourth wire holder connected to the second surface of the pallet spaced from the third wire holder. A second wire can extend from the second side of the pallet having a first end adjustably connected to the third wire holder and a second end adjustably connected to the fourth wire holder. 
     The textile holder can further comprise a mounting element connected to the second surface of the pallet. The mounting element enables the pallet to connect to a textile printing apparatus. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a textile holder with expansion elements is provided. The textile holder comprises a pallet having a first surface for supporting a textile and an opposing second surface. The pallet has a first side and an opposing second side, a first end and an opposing second end. A first side extension is adjustably connected to the pallet to extend outward from the first side for effectively modifying the width of the pallet. A second side extension can be adjustably connected to the pallet to extend outward from the second side for effectively modifying the width of the pallet. 
     The first side extension can be a first wire having a first end, a central portion and a second end. The textile holder can include a first wire holder connected to the pallet for receiving the first end of the first wire and a second wire holder connected to the pallet for receiving the second end of the first wire. The first end of the first wire can include a plurality of spaced notches and the second end of the first wire includes a corresponding plurality of spaced notches. 
     The first wire holder can include a wire engagement element and the second wire holder can include a wire engagement element. The wire engagement elements can be locking pins. 
     The textile holder can include a mounting element connected to the second surface of the pallet to enable the pallet to connect to a textile printing apparatus. 
     The first side extension can be a first plate. Similarly, the second side extension can by a second plate. The first and second plates can each include a first slot (or more slots as necessary) and can be connected to the central portion of the pallet by a first post positioned in the first slot (a post for each slot). 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an expandable textile holder for use in a textile printing apparatus is provided. The textile holder is configured for facilitating centering of large textiles. The textile holder comprises a central pallet portion and an adjustable element connected to the central pallet portion. 
     Further aspects of the present invention are discussed herein and shown in the Figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a textile pallet with an adjustable wire frame in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the textile pallet with an adjustable wire frame of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is side view of an upside down textile pallet with an adjustable wire frame of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the textile pallet with an adjustable wire frame of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged bottom view of a holder support of the textile pallet with an adjustable wire frame of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a segment of the wire frame of the textile pallet with an adjustable wire frame of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the holder support of the textile pallet with an adjustable wire frame of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective bottom view of another textile pallet with an adjustable wire frame of the present invention with a smaller holder support; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a textile pallet with side extensions in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the textile pallet of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of an upside down textile pallet of  FIG. 9 ; and, 
         FIG. 12  is an end view of the textile pallet of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     An extendible textile pallet  10  in accordance with the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The pallet  10  includes a central portion having a first side  12 , an opposing second side  14 , a first end  16  and an opposing second end  18 . The pallet  10  includes a first upper, support surface  20  and a second, lower surface  22  (see e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) opposing the first surface  20 . 
     The pallet  10  includes extendable features (i.e., adjustable side extensions) to adjustably change the effective width of the system. The features can include metal wires (or other similar structure or materials) adjustably connected to the pallet by special holders. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a first adjustably connected side extension in the form of a first metal rod or wire  24  extends outward from the first side  12  of the pallet  10 . The first wire  24  includes a first end  26 , a central portion  28  and a second end  30 . The pallet  10  can also include a second adjustably connected side extension in the form of a second metal rod or wire  32  that extends outward from the second side  14  of the pallet  10 . The second wire  32  includes a first end  34 , a central portion  36  and a second end  38 . The first and second wires  24 ,  32  are generally U-shaped (with squared off corners). The first and second ends of the wires  24 ,  32  are used to connect the wires  24 ,  32  to the pallet  10 . The central portions  28 ,  36  of each wire  24 ,  32  run generally parallel to the sides  12 ,  14  of the pallet  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pallet  10  includes a first wire holder  40  and a second wire holder  42  connected to the second surface  22  of the pallet  10 . The first and second wire holders  40 ,  42  are secured to the second surface  22  proximate the first and second ends  16 ,  18  and the first side  12  by a plurality of screws  44  (or other similar fasteners). 
     The first end  26  of the first wire  24  is adjustably connected to the first wire holder  40  and the second end  30  of the first wire  24  is adjustably connected to the second wire holder  42 . Movement of the ends  26 ,  30  toward or away from the first and second wire holders  40 ,  42  adjusts the distance of the central portion  28  of the first wire  24  from the first side  12  of the pallet  10 . In this manner, the width of the pallet (i.e., including the first wire  24 ) can be adjusted as needed. 
     A third wire holder  46  and a fourth wire holder  48  are secured to the second surface  22  proximate the first and second ends  16 ,  18  and the second side  14  of the pallet  10 . The third and fourth wire holders  46 ,  48  are used to adjustably connect the first and second ends  34 ,  38  of the second wire  32  in the same manner as the first and second wire holders  40 ,  42 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 , a mounting element or bracket  50  is also secured to the bottom surface  22  of the pallet  10 . The mounting bracket  50  is utilized to secure the pallet  10  to a textile printing apparatus. 
       FIG. 5  shows a partial, close up view of a wire holder. Each wire holder is in the form of a block of material (e.g., aluminum) with an opening for receiving an end of the wire. The wire holder also includes a window  52  that shows the end of a wire in the holder. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the ends of the wire are provided with one or more spaced notches  54  formed by inclined surfaces on the face of the wire. The notches  54  interact with structure in the wire holder which engages the wire at the notch and prevents the wire from moving. The structure can be a locking pin  56  (see  FIG. 7 ) to secure the wire at precise positions (i.e., moving the central portion to specific distances from the side of the pallet). The locking pin  56  can be spring loaded or otherwise have some flexibility to move. The inclined surfaces forming the notches  54  can act as camming surfaces or mechanism to move the pin from the locking position when adjusting the position of the wire. This design allows the wire to be easily pulled out if any object gets trapped between the wire and the side of the pallet. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the wire holders  40 ,  42 ,  46  and  48  are secured to the second surface  22  of the pallet  10  by four screws  44  each. A smaller version of a wire holder  58  (needing only two screws  44 ) is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     The screws (in either version) can be used to adjust tension applied to the wires. Such tension can facilitate holding the wires in place in addition to or in the absence of the notches and/or a locking pin. 
     In addition to the pin structure shown in  FIG. 7 , other structures can be used to lock the ends of the wire in place. For example, the wire holder can include a ball plunger or spring loaded ball (or similar structure) that locks in a hole or groove in the wire. Alternatively, a frictional engagement can be used. In another example, the wire can be connected by a threaded mechanism or other friction or mechanical locking mechanism. 
     In addition to (or in the absence of) the notches, the wires can be provided with indicia or other markings to indicate the length the wire is extended. 
       FIGS. 9-12  show another extendible textile pallet  60  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the pallet  60  includes a central portion  62  having a first side  64 , an opposing second side  66 , a first end  68  and an opposing second end  70 . The pallet  60  includes a first upper, support surface  72  and a second, lower surface  74  (see e.g.,  FIG. 10 ) opposing the first surface  72 . 
     The pallet  10  includes a first extendible side plate  76  connected to the lower surface  74  of the central portion  62 . The first extendible side plate  76  can be adjustably extended from the first side  64  of the central portion  62 . The pallet  10  also includes a second extendible side plate  78  connected to the lower surface  74  of the central portion  62 . The second extendible side plate  78  can be adjustably extended from the second side  66  of the central portion  62 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the first extendible side plate  76  is connected to the lower surface  74  of the central portion by a first and second screws or posts  80 . Each post  80  is positioned in a slot  82  in the first plate  76 . The second extendible plate  78  is similarly connected to the lower surface  74  by screws or posts  80  positioned in slots  82 . While two posts/slots combinations are shown with respect to each plate, fewer or more can be provided as desired or needed (this may depend on the size of the pallet and plates or other related factors such as weight of components, materials etc.). 
     To adjust how far a plate extends outward, the plate is slid back or forth along the slots  82 , until it is in the desired position. The screws or posts  80  are then tightened to lock the plate in that position (or alternatively, other structure can be added to lock the plate in place once properly positioned). Loosening the screws or posts  80  (or other structure) allows an operator to slide the plate to a new position. Handle openings  84  can be provided to facilitate movement of the plate. Similarly, other handles or handle-like structure can be attached to or otherwise incorporated in the plate. 
     Additionally, the plates can include indicia, graphics or structure (e.g., a raised line, or groove) to provide specific points to align the plate with respect to the central pallet portion or the screws/posts with in the groove for specific size settings. This will enable an operator to easily set the plate at attain certain desired dimensions for the textile holder 
     In operation, for printing large textiles, the extension element (or both elements if there are two in the system) can be extended to provide a wider structure. This enables an operator to more quickly center the textile on the pallet and avoid downtime needed to make multiple readjustments. The extension element(s) can be returned to a contracted setting or removed completely for standard sized textiles. 
     Other embodiments within the scope of the present invention can be utilized. For example, the central pallet board can include elements that fold to an extended position, or telescope outward from the central portion. The central portion can be formed in multiple pieces and can be designed to expand in manner similar to a dining room table (with or without the leafs filling any central voids). 
     A large number of materials can be used to form the pallets and extensions. These include metal, plastic, graphite, glass, fiberboard or particle board, etc. 
     Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.