US1753877A - Garment-pressing machine - Google Patents

Description

April 8, 1930.

a. w. BROQZKETT GARMENT PRESSING MACHINE Filed N07. 17,1927 4' Sheets-Sheet 1 jTlPE/VTOR @fMMW Y Qttouuq April 8, 1930- B. w. BROCKETT 1,753,877

GARMENT PRESSING' MACHINE Filed Nov. 17, 1927 //6 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 8, 1930.

B. w. B ROCKETT 1,753,877

GARMENT PRESSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 1 1927 Patented Apr. 8, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE BLUFOBD W. BROCKE'IT, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, OF NOIBIWOOD, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO GARMENT-DRESSING MACHINE Application filed November 17, 1927. Serial No. 233,985.

This invention relates to garment pressing machines o f-the head and bed type and particularly to the provision of several pressing units, each including a head and bed member and all operated by or common to a single power pressure producing means.

As the result of the'developmentrof garment presses, it has been found that several pressing operations on the same or separate garments may be arranged or laid upon suitabie beds and power pressure applied thereto by one power mechanism all in the same machine. An instance of this ossibility is in the case of the cufis and neck and of a shirt. Here each cufi may be arranged upon two separate beds suitably located'and arranged.

upon either side of a central neckband bed which may receive the neckband. With one operator, a cuff is first applied to one bed, the other cuff is applied to the second culf bed and the neckband to the center bed. Since these parts of a shirt are small as compared with the remaining portion, it is necessary. that the cuffs be held in engagement with the beds, or, in other words, in pressing position and this requires that the heads cooperating with the cuff beds be capable of being closed upon the work while the neckband is being arranged upon its bed. This same type of press may also be used where different operations are performed on different artlcles but where the final pressure may be applied to all of them at the same time. There are also operations in the art of pressing garments where several articles may be laid upon separate beds without being clamped in place and Y all of the heads brought down to engagement with the" work and power pressure applied to the heads by a single power means.

In view of the foregoing, the present 1nvention relates to a garment pressing ma-.

chine wherein a plurality of bed units carried by the one machine has each of saidv units cooperating with its own separate head unit supported and mounted upon the same machine. The head units are so arranged that each may be'closed separately upon the work and thereafter final pressure means applied to all simultaneously where the key or final unit has been closed upon the work, it being until all are ready for the final pressure.

The invention also contemplates the pro- Vision of an apparatus for performing the above functions as well ,as the idea of having the several heads arranged so that they may all be brought down in unison and power pressure applied to the several press units by a single power means.

Other features of invention will be brought out in the following description, drawingsand claims.

In the dra'wings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine; Fig. 2 is a similar view with parts broken away and in section showing the press closed; Fig. 3 is a section upon the line 33', Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the upper part of the machine showing the heads closed upon the bed; Fig. 5 is a top plan view; Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the lock for holding the heads closed; Fig. 7 is a detail view of the driving control; Fig. 8 is a detail thereof showing the arrangement of the switch and its operating mechanism in cross section; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of this mechanism on the line 99,'Fig. 7, and on the impossible to apply pressure to any units line 9-9, Fig. 10; Fig. 10 is an end view of parts broken away; and Fig. 11 is a detail view of the multiple plunger arrangement for transmitting power pressure to the several head levers.

-In the embodiment shown in the drawings, 1 represents a suitable standard or base frame member provided with the usual upstanding .rear arm 2 and the usual bed support 3, which in this instance supports a single hollow steam heated bed member 4 carrying the two end ironing beds 5 and the central ironing bed 6. Each of these beds is provided with suitable padding 7. In the arrangement shown 'in the drawings, the three beds are of thetype used for pressing the cuffs andneckso andpull sleeve 9, Fig. 3, extending out on each side of the bearing 8 and adapted to receive, for

rocking movement thereon, the side arms 10 which constitute a head lever member or support for the central or neckband ironing head I 11. At the rear of the machine these lever members are provided with shaft sections 12 arranged in suitable bosses 13, as shown in Figs. 11 and 5. Between these bosses 13 the shaft sections receive a suitable thrust saddle 14 pivoted thereon and provided with a downwardly exending lever arm 15, Fig. 2. Between the spaced side members of this saddle member and on the shaft sections isa swivel block 16, Fig 5, having an opening therethrough for the reception of a pressure bar 17 adapted to slidefreely in the block .and at the proper time to enga e the saddle, when above it and create final pressure, as will appear.

Secured to the sleeve 9, Fig. 3, and between the bearing 8 and the right hand lever member 10 is a two-armed lever consisting of a downwardly extending arm 18 connected by a link 19 with the saddle lever 15. This lever also includes an upwardly extending arm 20 connected to an operating rod 21, suitably supported, and thrust to the rear by a spring 22, as shownin Figs. 2 and 5. The forward end of this rod 21'engages an operating arm 23 mounted upon a shaft 24 supported in suitalbe bearings upon the top of the central or neckband ironing memberi The shaft 24 is provided with forwardly extending arms 25 connected by asuitable handle 26. To the left of the bearing 8, as shown in Fig. 3, the sleeve 9 is also provided with an upwardly extending lever 27 connected by a-link 28,.

Figs. 2, 3 and 5, to the upper arm 29 of a latch 30 pivoted at 31 on the head lever structure.

This and all similar latches are adapted to engage with a suitable keeper 32' extending laterally from each side of the frame member 2. The position ofthese latches and the keeper is shown in Fig. 1

From theforegoin it willbe seen, assuming am; the center ead and its associated lever are in the position shown in Fig. 1,

. that the wn upon it causing the latch 30 to be disengaged and the saddle 14 to be swung counter-clockwise, as 'shown in Fig. 1,

against the back pf the pressure bar 17. By

further downward pressure of the handle26,

this ironing head-may be brought down into engagement with the work when the saddle 14, which has been sliding up the back of the pressure bar, will ass over it and-final pressure 'applied, as wi 1 appear.

The oentralipressing head 11 is provided with lateral extensions 33, one on each side,

and these are for the purpose of engaging th'e their being in pressing ition when the central pressing head is side heads to insure rought down in ironing position, as will operator may grasp the handle 26 more fully appear. Each end of the sleeve 9 is provided with a longitudinally extending lug 34, Figs. 5 and 6, for a purpose to be described.

Within the sleeve 9 is a shaft 35 extending through the sleeve and beyond the ends thereof where it supports the two end head levers and since both end heads and their levers are substantially the same except for being rights and lefts, a description of one will suffice for both.

Surrounding the shaft 35 is a sleeve 36 of substantially the same size as the sleeve 9 and carrying at its end, adjacent thereto, 9. lug 37, Figs. 5 and 6, adapted to cooperate with the lugs 34 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. Surrounding this sleeve 36 is a hub 38 forming a part of the side head lever 39 having a forwardly extending portion 40 carrying a side head 41 and also carrying a faced portion 42 adapted at the proper time to be engaged by one of the lugs 33 of the center head. This lever also comprises a rearwardly extending portion 43 having a bifurcated end 44 adapted to receive a swivel block 45 similar to the swivel block 16 and adapted to slidably receive a pressure bar 46 similar to pressure bar 17 This swivel block is provided with trunnions or shaft portions 47 extending out beyond the bifurcated end 44 and receiving ears 48 of a saddle 49 similar in all respects to the saddle 14. This .saddle is also provided with a downwardly extending lever 50 connected by a link 51 to a downwardly extending lever 52 keyed to the slee've'36, as shown in Fig. 3.

Pivotally mounted upon a shaft 53 carried by the side lever rear portion 43 is a latch 54 similar to the latch 30 and engaging the keeper 32 which is extended out sufficientlly to accommodate-this engagement. This late 54 is also provided with an upwardly extending portion 55 connected by a rod 56 to a lever 57 mounted upon a' shaft 58 supported in suitable bearingson top of the side head member 41. This shaft is adapted to be actuated by a suitable hand lever 59. A spring 60,- engaging between a collar 61 on the rod 56 and a suitable boss 62 on the frame, serves to move this rod and latch toward latching position or one where it will freely engage the keeper 32. The side ironing member on the opposite side of the'central member 11 is of substantially the same construction and arrangement and its operation will be obvious from the one. already specificallydescribed.

In operating thepress thusfar described, the operator places thejarticle or cuff upon one ofthe side beds and grasps the hand lever 59 of the corresponding. side ironing head. Downward movement of this hand lever brings about arelease of the latch 54 and further downward movementbrings this side ironing member into engagement with the work, where it is held by a latch.mechanisin to be described. The operator then proceeds through a similar operation on the other side member and when these two ironing members 5 are latched in ironing position another artipole or neckband may e placed upon the cen- "tral ironing bed and the central press head moved down into pressing position, the lugs 33 serving to insure the side head members being down. The operator then proceeds to apply final pressure by actuating the power mechanism to be described, which applies up- 1 ward movement to the pressure bars 17 and 46.\ It must be borne in mind that there is no latch for the center ironing head mechanism and it must be held down by hand until power is applied. There is a tendency for all of the heads to swing open and this is brought about by the usual springs 63 secured to the rear 20 arms of the head levers and to the frame.

The latch mechanism for theside ironing heads is shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5 and it comprises a shaft 64 mounted in suitable bearings 65 upon the inside of the upstanding arm 2 of the frame. Each end of this shaft carries an upwardly extending latch lever 66, loose upon the shaft and provided with a forwardly extending latch lug 67 adapted to engage under a shoulder 68, Figs. 1 and 6, formed upon the hub 38 of the side head lever and at the rear, as shown. The-arrangement is such that when one of the side head members is moved to pressing position, its shoulder moves the corresponding latch lever 66 backward, when a spring 69, Fig. 1, secured to the frame and engaging an extension 70 of the latchlever 66, will move the latch lug 67 under the shoulder 68 and hold that particular side head member in ironing position. The latch levers 66 are loose upon the shaft 64, as stated, and they are withdrawn by arms 71 carried by collars 72 secured to the shaft. One of these collars is provided with a downward extension 73 connected to the power control, as will appear.

Power mechanism for applying final pressure to the pressure bars 17 and 46 will now be described. The pressure bar 17 is provided with a cross head 74, Figs. 2 and 11, and this cross head near each end 1s provided with a spherical socket 75 adapted to receive a ball 76 forming a part of one of the side pressure bars 46. This ball 76 is held in place ,by a suitable ring 77 provided with screws 8. The ball and socketjoint connection between thecross head 74 and the presure bars 46 provides means whereby the latter may swing forward with the closing movement of* the side head members. This is clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

The pressure bar 17, Fig. 2, extends downwardly beyond the cross head 74 and has a thread d end 79 threaded with a right-hand.

thread into an adjusting sleeve 80 in turn provided with a right hand thread upon its exterior as at 81, threaded into a suitable threaded socket provided at the upper end of the lower push rod member 82. The upper end of this push rod member is provided with the power lever 86 at 85 at a short distance from the ivot 87 arranged in the base or frame 1. his lever'extends diagonally upward, as shown in the drawings, and is provided at its upper end with a slot 88 adapted to receive a crank pin 89 operatively carried by a crank shaft'90. ,This crank shaft is also provided with a worm wheel 91, Fig. 7, engaged by a worm 92 mounted upon a motor shaft 93 anddriven by a motor 94.

It willbe seen from the foregoing when the press is open and the parts just described are as shown in Fig. 1,that the crank pin will move the power lever 86 in a counterclockwise direction resulting in a raising of the entire pressure bar mechanism thus far described, and if the heads are down and their saddles 14 and 49 are above the push rods, the power pressure'will be applied to the work.

Presses of this type are preferably arranged so that power is applied and released in part cycles determined by the operator.

That is to say, when'the press heads are closed the operator then starts the motor means to means, releasing the pressure and the machine itself stops the motor means and holds the power mechanism subject to another operation.

- In the present instance, the control is -arranged 'in a casing 95 secured to the frame in a suitable position to house the end of the shaft 90, which is provided with a crank 96 having a roller 97 adapted to engage side arms 98'spaced and carried by a rack bar 99 slidably mounted in the casing and extending out through the side thereof and there provided with a clevis 100 pivotally attached to a control rod 101 extending up and slidably mounted in a bracket 102 on the underside of the'work board 103. The frontend of this rod is provided with a suitable knob 104 adapted for manipulation by the'o'per ator at the front of the machine. When the operator pushes .the knot F104 inward, the rack bar 99 is moved to the left in Fig.7'and to the right in Fig. 9. This rack bar 99 'en- 108 each of which is adapted to span contact members 109 in the circuit of the motor 94.

When the power mechanism is in the release position, as shown in Fig. 1, and the operator wishes to start the power means, the knob 104 is pushed inward and the rack bar 99 is moved to the left, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, with the result that the contact block 107 is moved to bring the right hand contact bridge 108 into engagement with the contacts 109, thus closing the motor circuit and starting its operation. When it has moved the crank pin sufficiently to apply final pressure, as shown in Fig. 2, the roller 97 engages one of the side arms 98 and shifts the rack bar 99 to the right causing the switch to move back to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 9 when the circuit to the motor will be broken and the press willbe held in pressure position. It is obvious when applying pressure in this way, that the crank pin has made a half revolution and in place of it being in the piston shown in Fig. 1, it is in the position shown in Fig. 2. To release the press the knob 104 is pulled outward causing the mack bar 99 to be moved to the right, Figs. 1

and 7, when the other bridge contact will be brought into engagement with the contacts 109 and the circuit to the motor will again be closed, causing the crank pin to move 180 and releasing the power pressure. Near the end of the stroke of the crank 96, the roller 97 engages the other side arm 98 and restores the switch mechanism to open position, thus stopping the press with final pressure relieved.

Heretofore in the description, the side press heads have been described as being provided with latches, including the lugs 67 and shoulders 68 for holding them closed until the center pressing member has been closed. Obviously, these latches must be released prior to the release of the power mechanism or the side press heads will not open and this is accomplished by harnessing or connecting the latch levers 66 to the power control. This mechanism includes a rod 110 for sliding movement in a bracket 111 on the underside of the work board 103 and connected to the rod 101 or to the knob 104. This rod 110 extends to the rear and is provided with a slot 112 engaging a pin 113 on the lower end of the extension 73 which is secured to the shaft 64 and operates the latch withdrawing arms 71.

In case the spring 69, for the side head latches, has sufiicient tension to move the rack bar 99 as well as the knob 104, when it is pulled out for the release operation, a suitable holding means may be provided and it comprises, Fig. 9, a spring 114 applied to the casing 95 and having a tit 115 adapted for engagement in a suitable recess 116 provided in the rack bar.

In operation the parts of the machine are substantially in the position shown in Fig. 1 except that all of the heads are up. The

operator places an article upon one ofthe side beds, closes the corresponding head upon it and one 'of the latch lugs 67 enters under the shoulder 68 and holds it in closed position. An article is then placed upon the other side head and the same latching effect is produced. The two side heads are then ready for final pressure and are held closed until released,

handle 26 moves this center head down to pressing position when the saddle 14 will move above the pressure bar and the entlre machine is ready for final pressure. This downward movement however, also brings the lugs 34, Fig. 5, into engagement with the lugs 37 carried by the sleeves 36 of the side press head members and moves their saddles 49 above their pressure bars 46 so that when pressure is applied to the press, through the power mechanism, all of the pressing unlts will be subjected to final pressure.

The application of final pressure to the machine is accomplished by pushin in upon the knob 104. This moves the rack ar 99 to the left in Fig. 1 and causes the contacts of the switch members to engage with the stationary contacts and complete the circuit through the motor which revolves the crank pin 89 around to the position shown in F 1g. 2, thus moving the lever 86 in a counterclockwise direction and applying final pressure to the push bar structure comprising the push rod 82 as well as the bars 17 and 46. Toward the end of the power pressure applying operation the roller 97 of the crank 96 engages the right hand side bar 98, as shown in Fig. 1, and moves the rack bar as well as the entire control including the knob 104 to the right with an accompanying movement of the switch member back to the position shown in Fig. 1, or to the circuit breaking position. The slot 112 in the rod 110 permits the movement of the controller without affect upon the latch levers 66 carrying the latch lugs 67 which hold the side heads. During the power applying operation, the pin 113 is in the right hand end of the slot 112, but when the controller is moved to neutral position, the slot and the pin stand in the position shown in Fig. 1. When final pressure is to be relieved, the operator pulls upon the knob 104 withdrawing the latch lug 67 from the shoulder 68 and moving the rack bar 99 withthe switch member to the right, as shown in Fig. 1, when the circuit will be again closed and. the power mechanism will be operated to release the pressing members, all of which will move up to full open latched llU position by reason of the tension upon the springs 63. The completion of the release operation of the power mechanism returns the switch mechanism to neutral position.

The press may be utilized as one where some of the heads, such as the side heads, are closed first with the remaining key or center head, closing thereafter and insuring the closing of the remaining heads, or, it may be advisible, to arrange the machine so thatall the heads, while inde endently movable for some operators, may e closed upon the several articles or parts of one article by the key or central head at one operation and in such an arrangement, each of the levers 57, Figs. 1, 4 and 5, actuated by the control lever 59 is provided'w'ith an upstanding arm or projection 117 adapted to be engaged by an arm 118 forming a lever and secured to the end of the shaft 24 of the central handle 26. By this arrangement it will be seen that the work may be laid upon the several beds of the several press units before any of them are closed upon the work and the operator may manipulate all of the beads by grasping the handle of the center head causing all of the latches of the several heads to be withdrawn and their several saddles 14: and 49 to be thrown up against the back of the pressure bars 17 and 46. Continued downward movement of the heads ultimately results in the saddles passing above the pressure bars and the heads being brought into pressing position. The operator may then push the knob 104 and thereby start the power mechanism in the application of final pressure as before: The release is accomplished in the same manner pursued in the other arrangement. Such a press might be useful in various places.

where different garments were being subjected to diiferent pressing treatments.

What I claim is:

1. A garment press comprising a frame, a plurality of bed units carried thereby, a plurality of independent head supports mounted upon the frame and each having movement independent of the others, apress head carried by each head support, a single power means operated from a suitable power source, and operative connections between said power means and all of said head sup ports for applying power pressure to said heads.

2. A pressing machine comprising a frame, work supporting means comprising a plural ity of bed portions, a plurality of press beads one for each bed portion and each supported upon the frame for individual closing movement, and power means opaated from a suitable source and operatively connected to all of said heads for" applying final pressure thereto. p

3. A pressing machine as in claim 2 wherein said connections include means actuated during the closing of the heads for rendering the power means effective to produce final connected to said push rod and to the heads for producing the final pressure.

5. A garment. press as lnclaim 1 wherein the heads and their supports are arranged,

supported and eifectively connected for individual and gang movement toward pressing position.

6. A garment 'press as in claim 1 wherein one of the press heads is provided with means for connecting the same to the other press hgads for bringing about the closing there o 7. A garment press as in claim 1 wherein the several heads are provided with latches for holding them open, and individual operating mechanism for said latches.

8. A garment press as in claim 1 wherein the several heads are provided with latches for holding them open, individual operating mechanism for said latches, means carried by one of said heads for releasing the latches of the remaining heads, and connections efi'ectively connecting said heads whereby all the press heads may be closed in a gang.

9. A garment press as in claim. 1 wherein the operative connections include a push rod, a. separate pressure bar for each head and guided in its support, a thrust member carried by each head support, and means for opcrating said saddles to bring them into position to be operated by their pressure bars.

10. A garment press as a claim 1 wherein the operative connections include a push rod, 21- separate pressure bar for each head and guided in its support, a thrust member carried by each head. support, and means for operating said saddles to bring them 'into position to be operated by their pressure bars, some of said pressure bars being connected to said push rod by universal connections.

11. A garment press comprising a frame, a plurality of bed units carried thereby, a plurality of independent head supports mounted upon the frame and each having movement independent of the others, a press head carried by each head support, a single power means, operative connections between said power means and said head supports for" nature.

' BLUFORD W. BROCKETT.

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