GB2353539A

GB2353539A - Self-levelling textile press head.

Info

Publication number: GB2353539A
Application number: GB9920132A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry James Freeman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-26
Filing date: 1999-08-26
Publication date: 2001-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-26
Also published as: GB9920132D0; GB2353539B

Abstract

A press head for garments or textiles that may move parallel to a press table or rotate about its axis comprises a press shaft 18 attached to a suspension plate 10, a heated sole plate 17 with a series of pins 20 attached to its upper surface in alignment with its central axis, springs 15 located over the pins with the pins subsequently located in holes in the suspension plate, and circlips 13 for keeping the pins and springs between the two plates. Lowering of the press shaft exerts pressure on the springs via the suspension plate, leading to pressure on the sole plate and the pins being able to protrude further through the holes in the suspension plate. Variations in thickness of the garment or textile fabric being pressed are accommodated by the flexibility in the angle of the sole plate relative to a press table (not shown) due to variations in the spring positions. The pressure on the sole plate may be varied by replacing the springs with springs of a different tension.

Description

2353539 PATENT APPLICATION SELF LEVELLING TEXTILE PRESS READ This

invention relates to a press head which is designed to be attached to some suitable mechanism which will allow it to be moved in any direction parallel to the garment or item being pressed whilst in its pressing position and also to rotate on its axis. The press head maintains an even pressure on the item by virtue of its self levelling mechanism. This self-levelling mechanism also provides a means of adjusting the pressure exerted by the press head on the surface of the item being pressed.

Garments and other textile items by their nature are of variable thickness. If a moveable press head is used to press a garment or other textile item and no levelling mechanism is used, the thicker parts of the item are over pressed, and the thinner parts of the item are under pressed. In order to create an evenly pressed finish to the garment or other textile item the press head requires some kind of self -levelling mechanism. In addition, button damage can occur by excessive pressure being placed upon them by virtue of them being proud of the surface of the garment.

According to the present invention there is a press head which is intended to be used by moving it in any direction parallel to the press table and to be rotated about its axis. The press head consists of two parallel plates, the lower one being the heated sole plate and the upper one the suspension plate. Between these two plates are a number of springs, which are so placed as to allow the sole plate to tilt in any direction, thereby, compensating for any variations in the thickness of the material. The cushioning effect of the springs also minimises damage to trimmings such as buttons. By varying the tension in the springs, the pressure exerted by the press head on the surface of the table can be adjusted.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig 1 shows a side view of the press head Fig 2 shows a plan view of the press head Fig 3 shows a side view of the press head with the sole plat tilted to accommodate an obstruction Fig 4 shows a front view of the press head Fig 5 shows a front view of the press head with the sole plate tilted to accommodate an obstruction The sole plate (17) of the press head has three pins (20) fixed perpendicular to its upper surface. The pins are located in a straight line along the central axis of the plate. Metal springs (15) are placed loosely over the pins. A second plate (10) has holes of larger diameter than the pins but smaller in diameter than the springs. The position of the holes corresponds to the position of the pins. The suspension plate is placed over the sole plate and the pins located in the holes. The suspension plate, attached to the press shaft (18) is pushed downwards placing the springs under tension between the two plates. The ends of the pins are prevented from returning through the holes by having circlips, domed nuts or some other suitable fixing (13) attached to them. Increased downward pressure on the suspension plate pushes the pins further up through the holes increasing the tension in the springs thereby increasing the downward pressure of the sole plate on the surface of the item being pressed. Releasing the pressure on the pressing shaft (18) allows the tension on the springs to push the suspension plate upwards again until the fixing (13) comes into contact with the upper surface of the suspension plate. This reduces the tension in the springs and thereby reduces the pressure on the item being pressed.

The downward pressure of the sole plate on the surface of the item being pressed can be varied by replacement of the springs with springs of a different tension. Alternatively by lowering the press shaft (18) which is attached to the suspension plate, to pre-determined levels the springs can he compressed to the desired tension.

2

Claims

1. A garment or textile press head, which incorporates a self-levelling mechanism.

2. As in Claim 1 wherein the self-levelling mechanism operates by means of springs held between the heated sole plate and a suspension plate above it.

3. As in Claims 1 and 2 above wherein the pressure of the sole plate on the item being pressed can be:gdjusted by varying the tension of the springs by some suitable method.

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