US3160335A - Machine for finishing trousers and the like - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 8, 1964 N. c. JACKSON 3,160,335

MACHINE FOR FINISHING TROUSERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 15, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l Wm. "WM nn INVENTOR. /V0/d/7 61 Jaasov by I Mme/v52.

Dec. 8, 1964 N. c. JACKSON 3,160,335

MACHINE FOR FINISHING TROUSERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 15, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. No/afl 6'. Jacksor Dec. 8, 1964 N. c. JACKSON MACHINE FOR FINISHING TROUSERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 15, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR /V0/a/7 6. Jaakson flTTORNE Dec. 8, 1964 N. c. JACKSON 3,160,335

MACHINE FOR FINISHING TROUSERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 15. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 3,160,335 MACHINE FGR FWISHENG 'I'RGUSERS AND THE LEKE Nolan C. Jackson, Wichita, Kane, assignor to Wichita Precision Tool Company, Inc, Wichita, Kane, :1 corporation of Kansas Filed May 15, 196i, Ser. No. 1ltl,tl95 Claims. ((31. 223-73) This invention relates to garment finishing machines of the type which may be utilized by laundries or drycleaning establishments for the reconditioning of pants, trousers, slacks or the like.

It is the most important object of this invention to provide a finishing machine capable of supplying steam and relatively cool air to a garment, followed by superheated air to dry the garment.

Another important object is to provide a machine which will automatically supply, in predetermined amounts, a flow of steam followed by a how of superheated air, or a fiow of steam and air followed by a flow of superheated air.

Yet another object is to provide a machine having spring-loaded means for keeping the trouser waist taut during the finishing process, yet being readily adjustable to facilitate mounting trousers of any size on the machine.

Another object is to provide a machine having heaters for causing the evaporation of condensate which collects on the outside of the machine.

A further object is to provide pleat-holding clamps which are readily movable to accommodate the pleats of various sized trousers.

A yet further object is to provide a machine shaped as an inverted J, presenting a down-turned leg from which trousers may be suspended, thereby allowing the trouser legs to be folded to trap the steam and air, causing them to permeate the trouser material.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying the preferred concepts of the present invention and showing a pair of trousers positioned on the machine in disposition to be finished;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the machine partially in vertical cross section to reveal details of construction;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective, partially exploded view, showing the portion of the machine adapted to support a pair of trousers during processing thereof, parts of the machine being broken away for clearness;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the steam assembly of the machine and certain of the components of such assembly separate from the remaining parts of he machine;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view illustrating a portion of one side of the upright support opposite to the side shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view of a clamp assembly employed on the machine;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram showing a representative electrical circuit for the machine.

A garment finishing machine embodying the preferred concepts of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings and broadly enumerated 19, with the main components including a base 12, an upright, hollow support 14 extending upwardly from the base, an elevated, tubular extension 16 projecting laterally from and carried by support 14, and a combination manifold and heater unit broadly designated 15 carried by the outer extremity of extension 16 and depending therefrom.

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Support 14 is defined by a front panel 18, a back panel 29, and a pair of opposed side walls 22 and 24. Blower apparatus 26 mounted within support 14 adjacent the lower extremity thereof, includes a spiral housing 27 spanning the distance between walls 22 and 24 and receiving a rotor 28 carried by horizontal axle 3t projecting outwardly from wall 22. Means for driving rotor 28 in cludes a motor 29 disposed above housing 27 and 0p erably coupled to axle 3t) through connector means within cover panel 33 on the outer face of side wall 22.

An upright partition 32, within support 14 and spanning the distance between side walls 22 and 24, extends upwardly from the upper margin of housing 27 and thereby presents a pair of opposed, upright compartments 34 and 36, with compartment 34 being closed at the upper extremity thereof, while compartment 36 communicates with the interior of housing 27 and the tubular extension 16 respectively.

Heater structure broadly designated 37 within compartment 36 immediately above the outlet of blower housing 27, includes a number of horizontal finned steam tubes 38 extending across compartment 36 and positioned immediately below air-flow control structure broadly designated 3%. Horizontal shaft 44 carried by opposed side walls 22 and 24, mounts a swingable vane member having a pair of coplanar vane sections 40 and 42 which are movable to and from a position across compartment 36 for blocking the flow of air therethrough. Combination stop and bafiie means 45', mounted on the inner surfaces of side walls 22 and 24, limit movement of vane sections 46 and 42 during swinging of the same from the upright disposition thereof, into substantially horizontal positions. Vane 40 is provided with a generally L-shaped element thereon including an outwardly projecting flange segment 46 which extends into the air stream passing upwardly through compartment 36.

Additional heater structure broadly designated 47, is provided Within compartment 36 above control structure 39 and thereby includes a number of finned steam tubes 48 adjacent the proximal surface of partition 32. Means for permitting complete enclosure of finned tubes 48 includes an upright baii'ie unit 50 extending between side walls 22 and 24 and having a pair of horizontal, parallel mounting pins 62 and 64 on the upper and lower extremities thereof which in turn mount swingable bathe plates 52 and 54 respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the bafile plates 52 and 54 are of sufiicient width to span the distance between unit Stl and the proximal surfaces of partition 32 and panel 20, and with the baffle plates being disposed at an angle with respect to unit 50 when in engagement with a corresponding upright surface of support 14 or the partition 32.

In order to simultaneously move bafile plates 52 and 54 into and out of positions closing finned tubes 33, a crank 56 is provided on the outer face of side wall 24 and includes a leg 58- secured to pin 64, as well as a longer leg 66 projecting downwardly toward pin 62. A link 66 is secured to the outer end of pin 62 externally of side Wall 24, and is pivotally connected to the lower extremity of leg 60. Solenoid 68, mounted on the outer face of wall 24 adjacent crank 56, has a reciprocable armature 70 which carries a rack 72 in intermeshing relationship with a pinion 74 secured to pin 62.

Means for rotating vane sections 40 and 42, comprises a solenoid 78 below pin 62 on the outer face of wall 24, and provided with a vertically reciprocable armature 80 extending downwardly from solenoid 78 and mounting a rack 82 which operably meshes with a pinion 84 on the outer end of shaft 44. Spring 86, secured to the outer face of wall 24 and to the lower extremity of rack 82, normally biases the latter into the lower position of the same.

Means for supplying processing steam to the various components of machine It), is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4 and includes a condensate collector 88 secured to partition 32 Within compartment 36 and adjacent extension 16, with a steam supply line 90 coupled to and communicating with collector 88 intermediate the ends thereof. A main steam supply line 96, extending longitudinally of extension 16 immediately above the bottom panel 91 thereof, is coupled to the upper end of condensate collector 88 and has a solenoid control valve broadly designated 92 interposed therein and located adjacent collector 88.

A performated steam discharge manifold 14, is connected to the outer extremity of line 96 and extends down wardly through panel 91, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, with the lowermost end thereof being closed to cause steam to be forced outwardly through the perforations therein. A semicylindrical backing member 1tl2which has a plurality of perforations therein, is secured to the under face 'of panel 91 in partial surrounding relationship tomanifold 94 through the provision of longitudinally arcuate mounting means 98.

4 r r r and serves as means'for slidably supporting trouser waistband support structure broadly designated 144. Track 142'includes a pair of parallel, opposed, spaced, generally Z-shaped members 146 and 148presenting an elongated slot 147 therebetween which slidably receives a generally T-shaped extension 156 on rectangular mounting member 152 which serves as means for carrying an upright pin 154 which in turn mounts a U-shaped bracket 156 facing toward support 14. Extensible leaf structure, broadly designated 158, is mounted on bracket 156 and includes a number of flexible, generally rectangular leaves 160 of varying transverse widths with the narrowest leaf being 7 located proximal to bracket 156, while the remaining As is evident from FIG. 3, mounting means 93 includes member 164. A somewhat narrower semicircular strap 1&6 is secured to the outer face of plate 10-9 and main tained in predetermined, spaced relationship therefrom by a plurality of interconnecting pins 1118, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The lower margin of backing 102 has leaves are progressively wider in a direction away from bracket 156. 7

Means for moving structure 158 toward unit 15, in

orderthat a'pair of trousers may be disposed in encircling engagement with unit 15 and structure 158, includes a bifurcated foot lever 162 pivotally mounted on a horizontal pin 164 between side walls 22 and 24. Lever 162 extends outwardly from panel 18 immediately above base 12. a

A rack 168 mounted on, the outer face of side 24v proximal to rack 82, is coupled to lever 162 by a coupler 166 secured to lever 162 intermediate the ends thereof. A pinion 171i is engaged for rotational movement by rack 16% and is rigidly fastened to shaft 172 mounting a pulley 174. A flexible cable 176 has one end secured to pulley .174 for winding therearound when the latter is rotated an upwardly extending, generally V-shaped notch 114' A vapor permeable sock 107 .is mounted over the lower portion of manifold 94 and receives a coil spring 110 surrounding manifold 94 to thereby maintain sock 107 in spaced relationship from the discharge apertures in manifold 94. V-shaped notch 121} in thelower portion thereof, and of generally conical configuration when expanded, is tele scoped over backing 102 and has drawstring structure 122 around the upper margin thereof for releasably attaching the same to mounting means 98.

Structure for delivering heat to extension 16 and unit 15, includes a steam line 124 having an upright segment 124a connected directly to condensate collector '88, a hon'zontal stretch 124b extending along extensions1e, a lower arcuate segment 1240 extending complementally around the arcuate' end 16a of extension 16,- a second arcuate stretch 124d above stretch 124cand communicat ing therewith, a downwardly extending section 124a projecting downwardly through mounting means 98 into the interior of bag 118, an inverted V-shaped segment 124;.

within unit 15, an upwardly extending segment 124g returning to extension 16, and an L-shaped segment 124k coupled to the finned tubes 48 which are in-series relationship.

The outlet of heater structure 47 is connected to the steam inlet of heater structure 37 by line 126. The valve A steam permeable bag 118, having a 92 has a reciprocable stem 128 which is pivotally coupled to lever 131) rotatable about support member 132.] Solenoid 134, carried by bracket 136 on the upper end of collector 88, has an armature 138 coupled to lever 130 by linkage 14d. 7

An elongated track broadly designated 142, is mounted on the under face of panel 91 and extends rearwardly H from cross member 104 to a point adjacent support 14,

by reciprocation of rack .168. Means is provided to yieldably bias the element 158 away from the element 1112 whereby to hold the waist of a garment 236 taut and thereby suspend the garment'236 from its support. While pulley, cable and weight means has been found to be satisfactory for this purpose it is also possible to accomplish good results by use of a spring 178. The other end ofcable 176 is attachedtto the helical spring 178 having one'end secured to track 142 adjacent cross member 1114 of unit 15. In passing from pulley 174, cable 176 passes through a guide 189 secured to the inner facelof side 24, and over a pulley 182 mounted at the upper margin of support 14 adjacent extension 16 over a pulley 184 secured to extension 16 adjacent unit 15 and around a third pulley 186 located proximate to pulley 182. Cable 176 is so disposed around the respective pulleys 182, 184 and 186, that a stretch 176a thereof, extendingtbetween pulleys 184 and 186, is moved toward pulley 184 when lever162. is depressed. Mounting means 152 is secured to stretch 176a for movement therewith along track 42. Spring 178 biases cable 1'76 so that lever 162 is normally maintained in an elevated position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Pleat clamping structure on mounting means.%, includes a pair of clamps broadly designated 1% and each mounted on strap 1% for independent movement around the circumference thereof. Since the clamps 1% are of identical construction, only one of the same has been illustrated in FIG. 6 and will be described in detail. A pair oftoutwardly extending, parallel, horizontally spaced bracket plates 192 is secured to a U-shaped memher 194 mounting a roller 196 for rotation about a vertical axis and spanning strap 166 in disposition with the roller 196 engaging the outer face of strap 106. A second U-shaped member 198, received within U-shaped member 194 facing toward the latter, positioned between plate and strap 1%, also carries a vertically disposed tween the lattenhas a pair of outwardly projecting, in-

tegral flange portions 2-08 rotatably mounted on bracket members 192 by. bolt means 216. Spring 212 around bolt 210, has an extension 212a engaging one of the bracket members 192, as well as an extension 21% against the rear face of the upper portion of support element 204 to bias the latter in a counterclockwise direction viewing FIG. 6. Structure for maintaining element 204 in predetermined disposition against the bias of spring 212, includes an L-shaped bracket 214 having an outwardly projecting leg pivotally mounting a block 216 receiving a manually operable adjustment member 218 threaded through block 216 and engaging a stop 220 pivotally secured to members 192 by bolt means 222 extending therebetween.

Bracket means 224 on the lower extremity of element 284, rotatably carries a pleat clamp plate 226 rotatable about the axis of pin means 228 on bracket means 224! Spring 230 coiled about pin means 228, has opposed extensions against element 234 and plate 226 respectively, for biasing the latter in a clockwise direction about the axis of pin means 228. As shown in FIG. 1, plate 226 includes an integral finger portion 226a of somewhat narrower width than the major portion of the plate for facilitating proper holding of the trouser pleats in place during the processing operation.

Support means for the lower extremities of the pants includes a U-shaped rod 232 secured to the outer faces of side walls 22 and 24 adjacent front panel 13, and projecting forwardly therefrom in direct overlying relationship to lever 162. A canvas or cloth panel 234 carried by rod 232, receives the lower extremities of a pmr of pants 236, as shown in FIG. 1 when the trousers are mounted on unit 15.

As an auxiliary steam source for supplying a handoperated gun or the like, a steam line 233 is coupled to condensate collector 88 and has a hand-operated valve 248 at the outer extremity thereof, permitting the flexible conduit of the hand gun to be coupled directly thereto.

It is also preferred that means be provided for keeping the motor operably coupled to blower 26 in a cool condition, notwithstanding the relatively ambient temperature surrounding machine 19 by virtue of the expulsion of considerable amounts of steam into the air. To this end, housing 27 has one or more apertures 242 in the upper portion thereof adjacent partition 32 for directing air into the interior of compartment 34. The front panel 18 has a series of slots 244 therein immediately above panel 234 for permitting the air to escape from compartment 34 after passing over the motor 29.

The electrical circuit for machine is illustrated schematically in FIG. 8, wherein it can be seen that the power terminal 246 is coupled to the pole 248 of a manually operable single-pole, single-throw switch 258 by a line 252. The contact 254 of switch 259 is joined to the field windings or the electric motor 29 by a line 255, with such motor in turn being coupled to another power terminal 256 by line 258.

A line 260 couples line 255 with the pole 262 of a single-pole, single-throw switch broadly designated 264, which is adapted to be operated by a timer 266. The contact 268 of switch 264 is joined to the coil of a relay 270 by line 272. The other side of the coil of relay 270 is connected to lead 274 which couples the pole 276 of a manually operated single-pole, double-throw switch broadly designated 278, to a contact 280 of a switch broadly designated 282 adapted to be operated by relay 271).

A movable pole 284 of relay 270 is coupled to line 258 by line 286. One contact 288 of switch 278 is electrically coupled to line 286, while the other contact 293 is coupled to one side of a coil in a second timer 292 by lead 294. A manually operated single-pole, double-throw switch broadly designated 296, has one contact 298 coupled to lead 294 by lead 3%. The other contact 302 of switch 396 is coupled through line 303 to a contact 304 of a single-pole, double-throw switch 3% having a pole 398 adapted to be operated by timer 292. Poie 308 is connected to lead 309 by a short lead 313. A lead 312 couples contact 314 of switch 3% to one side of the coils of respective solenoids 134 and 68. The other side of the 6 respective coils thereof is connected to line 255 by lead 316.

Timers 292 and 266 have coils connected to line 260 by respective leads 318 and 329. The other side of the coil of timer 266, is connected to line 303 by lead 322. Movable pole 324 of switch 296 is coupled with one contact 326 of a single-pole, double-throw, manually operable switch 328 by lead 338 and switch 328 has a second contact 330 coupled with line 286. The movable pole 332 of switch 328 is connected to one side of the coil of solenoid 78 by lead 334. The other side of the coil of solenoid 78 is coupled to line 255 by lead 336.

Timers 292 and 266 are of conventional construction and, therefore, the details thereof have not been illustrated. They may consist of a pneumatic time delay unit which is mechanically actuated by a magnetic contact or mechanism energized upon the passage of electricity through a coil.

Time delay is dependent upon the transfer of air through a restricted orifice and, therefore, the poles of p the respective switches 366 and 264, which are operated by timers 292 and 266, are not moved until a predetermined period of time has elapsed following the energizing of respective timer coils.

In operation, the operator first depresses lever 162 which is located near the floor and may be conveniently engaged by the foot. This pulls rack 168 downwardly, causing pulley 174 to be rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. The rotation of pulley 174 results in Windlass action winding cable 176 around the pulley 174. As cable 176 is drawn over pulley 182, leaf structure 158 secured to stretch 176a is shifted toward unit 15. The decreased distance between structure 158 and backing member 192, allows a pair of trousers 236, having a waist, a trunk portion and legs depending therefrom, to be slipped over the permeable bag 118. The operator may then release lever 162, allowing leaf structure 158 to be shifted toward support 14 under the bias of spring 178. The waist of trousers 236 impales member 102 and structure 158, the latter conforming generaly to the circular perimeter of the waist of trousers 236 due to its flexibility.

The clamps are then manually shifted on mounting means 98 to a position for securing the pleats of trousers 236. The operator may lift adjusting member 218 by grasping the knob thereof, thereby withdrawing plate 226 from engagement with trousers 236 for movement of the clamp 190. When properly positioned, adjusting member 218 is again depressed, causing plate 226 to be firmly pressed against the trousers 236.

If the operator chooses to provide a flow of steam to trousers 236, followed by a flow of air, pole 324 of switch 296 will be manually positioned to engage contact 382. Motor 29 is next energized by engaging pole 248 of switch 250 with contact 254. This causes motor 29 to drive blower apparatus 26 which is operated continuously throughout the trouser finishing process. It should be noted that vanes 40 and 42 of control structure 39, are in blocking position within compartment 36 at this time, thereby precluding a flow of air therethrough. The operator then momentarily depresses switch 278 which is preferably located on the floor and adapted to be operated with the foot, as shown in FIG. 1. This causes pole 276 to engage contact 288. The coil of relay 278 is thereby energized with current through a circuit comprising line 252, pole 248 and contact 254 of switch 250, line 260, pole 262 and contact 268 of switch 264, line 272, relay 270, lead 274, pole 276 and contact 288 of switch 278, line 286 and line 258. Switch 278 is then'released and pole 276, biased by spring means (not shown), is returned to a position engaging contact 293. The energi'zation of relay 271 causes pole 284 of switch 282, to engage contact 288, thereby maintaining the energizing circuit for relay-278 even though pole 276 of foot switch 278 moves out of engagement with contact 288.

- r 3,160,335 7 I g When pole 276 of foot switch 278 returns to engage contact 298, after relay 270 has been energized, a circuit energizing solenoids 134 and 68 may be traced through line 252, pole 248 and contact 254 of switch 258, lead 316,

lead 368, lead 294, contact 298, and pole 276 of foot switch 278, lead 274, contact 288 and pole 284 of relay switch 282, line 286 and line 258. V a

The energization of solenoid 134 causes armature 138m be shifted, thereby depressing lever 138 and stem 128 of valve 92, allowing steam from collector 88 to pass through line 96 and emanate from manifold 94. The steam will readily pass through sock 187, perforate backing 182, coating 116 and permeable bag 118 into trousers 236.

The latter have their legs folded on panel 234 as is seen in FIG. 1. The steam tends to balloon the trunk and leg portion of trousers 236 and permeates the material.

Energization of solenoid 68, which occurs simultaneously with energization of solenoid 134, causes plates 52 and 54 of bafile unit 58, to be shifted to the positions enclosing heating structure 47 adjacent partition 32. This is caused by armature 7 0 being retractedwithin solenoid .68, thereby shifting rack 72 to rotate pinion 74 and link 68 in a counterclockwise direction about pin 62 as seen in FIG. 5. Leg 68 in turn rotates leg 58 about pin 64 in a clockwise direction. Plates 52 and 54 are rotated by pins 64 and 62 respectively, into the positions shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2. The purpose of the movement of baiiie unit 58,

closing heater 47 from compartment 36, will be explained later.

Timer 292 is energized along with solenoid 134 through a circuit comprising line 252, pole 248 and contact 254 of switch 250, line 268, lead 318, timer 222, contact 2% and pole 276 of foot switch 278, lead 274, contact 288, and pole 284 of relay switch 282, line 286 and line 258. After a preselected period of time (which may be set on the timers), timer 292 shifts pole 388 of switch 306 from engagement with contact 314 and into engagement with contact 384. This breaks the energizing circuit to solenoid 134, allowing valve 2 to return to its normally closed position and stops the flow of steam to trousers236.

The shifting of pole 388 of switch 386 by timer 292 not only closes to halt the flow of steam through valve 92, but also completes a circuit energizing the coil of solenoid 7 8. This circuit may be traced through line 252, pole 248 and contact 254 of switch 250, line 255, lead 336, solenoid 78, lead 334, pole 332 and contact 3260f switch 328, lead 338, pole 324 and contact 382 of switch 296, line 303, contact 384 and pole 388 of timer switch 306, lead 310, lead 300, lead 294, contact 290 and pole 2760f foot switch 278, lead 274, contact 288 and pole 28d of relay switch 282, line 286 and line 258. p

The energization of solenoid 78 causes rack 82 to be moved upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 5, thereby rotating pin 44 in a clockwise direction. This moves vanes 48 and 42 to the position shown-in FIG. 2, thereby allowing the flow of air from apparatus 26, over coils 38. Solenoid 68was de-energized at the same time theflow of steam was halted when timer 292 shifted pole 388 of timer switch 306 out of engagement with contact 314., This allowed plates 52 and'54 to return to theposition shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. Thus, air is allowed to flow around heater 47, as Well as heater 37. The coils of both heaters 47 and 37 are carrying steam, as previously described and cause the air to be heated as it passes therearound. The air flows through compartment 36 and tubular extension 16, passingout into permeable bag 118, thence into trousers 236' as did the steam. This heated air causes the moisture, which has conditioned the material of the trousers to be free from wrinkles, to dry.

Simultaneous with the energization of solenoid 78 to allow for the flow of air, the shifting of pole 388 of switch 386 by timer-292, also completes a circuit for energizing timer 266. This circuit may be traced through line 252, pole 248 and contact 254 of switch 258,1ine 26%, lead 328, timer 266, lead 322, linese's, contact 364 and pole .sss

of timer switch 296 and pole 276 of foot switch 278, lead 274, contact 28tiandv pole 284 of relay switch 282, line 286 and line 258.

After timer 266 has been energized for a selected period of time, it will shift pole 262 of switch 264 out of engagement with contact 268,.thereby breaking the circuit to relay 278, allowing pole 284 of relay switch 282 to disengage from contact 280. This breaks the energizing circuits to all of'the components except motor 29, which will continue to operate. The de-energization of solenoid 78 causes vanes 48 and 42 of baille unit 58, to return to their blocking position across compartment 36 through the action of spring 86. Trousers 236 may then be removed from the machine 18 by depressing lever 162 and retracting plates 226 by lifting the knobs of member 218.

If .it is desired to provide a flow of steam and air followed by a flow of air only in the conditioning process, the operator may place pole 324 of switch 296 in its alternate position in engagement with contact 298 prior to mounting trousers 236 in position. 7 Upon depressing switch 278, pole 276 momentarily engages contact 288, thereby energizing relay 270 through the circuit previously described. When pole 276 re-engages contact 298,

relay 270 remains energized with pole 284, engaging contact 288'. Solenoids 134 and 68 are then energized, thereby placing plates 52 and 54 in the blocking position around coils 48 as steam is emitted from manifold 94.

The circuit energizing solenoids 134 and 68 is identical to the circuit previously described with reference to the steam followed by air cycle. However, a simultaneous relay switch 282, line 286 and line 258.

The energizing of solenoid 78 moves vanes 40 and 42 to the vertical position, allowing air to pass through compartment 36. The air is heated by coils 38, but is bypassed around coils 48, thus providing a flow of relatively cooler air'along with the steam to trousers 236. This relatively cooler air allows the trouser tobe moistened with the steam without rapid evaporation which would occur from the superheated air.

Timer 292 is energized while the steam and air are flowing through the circuit described previously, and after a predetermined time, pole 308 of timer switch 306, is

. disengaged from contact 314 and engaged with contact 304, thereby de-energizing solenoids 134 and 68, stopping the steam through valve 92 and removing plates 52 and 54 from their by-passing position around coils 48.

The energizing circuit for solenoid 78 is unaffected by the shifting of switch 306 by timer 292. However, timer 266 is thereby energized through the circuit which was described previously in connection with the cycle of steam followed by air. The air flowing to trousers 236 is now superheated by passing over and through both coils 38 and 48 and, therefore, rapidly evaporates the 'moisture which has conditioned the trousers; After a preset length of time, timer 266 shifts pole 262 from engagement with contact 268 of timer switch 264, thereby de-energizing relay 270 and breaking contact with all of the electrical components except motor 29, as previously described.

' As may best be seen in FIG. 4, a constant supply of steam from collector 88 passes through line 124 and segments 124a-h, before reaching coils 48 and 38 which are in turn connected to a steam generator by a return line (mi shown).' This" supply of live steam through the circuit, keeps the surface of extension 16, as well as unit 15, heated to a point where moisture, which tends to collect from the condensation of the steam used in the finishing operation, ,will evaporate. Thus, the'collection of unwanted moisture is avoided.

If, at any time, either during one of the ,cycles de- 9 scribed or after the completion of a cycle, the operator desires to have additional air supplied to trousers 236, pole 332 of switch 328 may be shifted to engage contact 330, thereby energizing solenoid 78 and moving vanes 40 and 42 to the vertical position as shown in FIG. 2. This allows air from constantly operating apparatus 26 to flow through compartment 36. After sufficient air is thereby provided, pole 332 of switch 328 may be returned to engage contact 326 and the machine is again readied for automatic operation.

Both timers 266 and 276 are preferably provided with adjustable time settings as is conventional for controlling the duration of the flow of steam and air through each cycle. A control knob 340 is provided on panel 18 for adjusting timer 292, and knob 342 is provided for adjusting timer 266.

Flange 46 on vane 40 serves to assist solenoid78 to snap the vanes 40 and 42 from their blocking position to the open position. The additional surfaceof flange 46 is acted upon by the stream of air and tends to rotate vanes 40 and 42 on shaft 44. This provides instantaneous flow when solenoid 78 is energized.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a finisher for garments of the kind having a trunk provided with a Waist, an upright support having an elevated, tubular extension extending laterally therefrom; expansible structure carried by the extension therebeneath for receiving said waist'to hold the latter taut'and thereby also suspend the garment from the extension, said extension having an air discharge opening communicating with said trunk and a steam discharge manifold disposed within the trunk when the garment is suspended from the extension; steam supply conduit means coupled with said manifold; and apparatus for producing artificial currents of air and directing the same through said opening for flow into the garment, said apparatus being housed within the upright support, the latter having an air passage interconnecting the extension and said apparatus; means in said passage movable to and from a position blocking the flow of air to the extension; a first heater in said pas?) sage between said apparatus and said blocking means for raising the temperature of the air; a second heater in said passage between the blocking means and the extension for further raising the temperature of the air; and means provided with a laterally projecting horizontally disposed panel beneath the extension upon which a portion of the garment may be folded to close that end of the garment opposite to the waist and thereby force air and steam 3. The invention of claim 1, a rigid backing depending from the extension and disposed in the trunk when in said passage for bypassing the airflow in said passage the garment is suspended fiom the extension; clamp means exteriorly of the trunk for holding the latter against the backing; and a track on the extension shiftably support ing the clamp.

4. The invention of claim 1, and means for heating the extension to eliminate formation of condensate thereon as a consequence of flow of steam through the trunk and to the atmosphere.

5. In a finisher for garments of the kind having a waist, said finisher having a support, and means for suspending the garment from the support including a pair of elements carried by thesupport and adapted to be encompassed by the waist, one of the elements being rigid to the support and the other element being reciprocably carried by the support for movement toward and away from the one element, said other element comprising a plurality of superimposed, generally flat, flexible leaves extending normally transversely of the path of movement of said other element; spring and cable means coupled with the second element for yieldably biasing the second element away from the one element whereby to hold the waist taut and thereby suspend the garment from the support; and manual control means coupled with said other element for shifting the latter toward the one element against the action of said resilient means to release the waist from the suspending means and thereby release the garment from the support.

References Cited the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 620,007 Wood Feb. 21, 1899 v 769,477 Gray Sept. 6, 1904 7 1,427,580 Collins Aug. 29, 1922 2,284,232 Richa May 26, 1942 2,333,000 Gayring Oct. 26, 1943 2,521,297 Littell Sept. 5, 1950 2,595,663 Howland May .6, 1952 2,908,427 De Fino et a1. Oct. 13, 1959 2,931,546 Bruiner Apr. 5, 1960

Claims (1)

1. IN A FINISHER FOR GARMENTS OF THE KIND HAVING A TRUNK PROVIDED WITH A WAIST, AN UPRIGHT SUPPORT HAVING AN ELEVATED, TUBULAR EXTENSION EXTENDING LATERALLY THEREFORM; EXPANSIBLE STRUCTURE CARRIED BY THE EXTENSION THEREBENEATH FOR RECEIVING SAID WAIST TO HOLD THE LATTER TAUT AND THEREBY ALSO SUSPEND THE GARMENT FROM THE EXTENSION, SAID EXTENSION HAVING AN AIR DISCHARGE OPENING COMMUNICATING WITH SAID TRUNK AND A STEAM DISCHARGE MANIFOLD DISPOED WITHIN THE TRUNK WHEN THE GARMENT IS SUSPENDED FROM THE EXTENSION; STEAM SUPPLY CONDUIT MEANS COUPLED WITH SAID MANIFOLD; AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL CURRENTS OF AIR AND DIRECTING THE SAME THROUGH SAID OPENING FOR FLOW INTO THE GARMENT, SAID APPARATUS BEING HOUSED WITHIN THE UPRIGHT SUPPORT, THE LATTER HAVING AN AIR PASSAGE INTERCONNECTING THE EXTENSION AND SAID APPARATUS; MEANS IN SAID PASSAGE MOVABLE TO AND FROM A POSITION BLOCKING THE FLOW OF AIR TO THE EXTENSION; A FIRST HEATER IN SAID PASSAGE BETWEEN SAID APPARATUS AND SAID BLOCKING MEANS FOR RAISING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR; A SECOND HEATER IN SAID PASSAGE BETWEEN THE BLOCKING MEANS AND THE EXTENSION FOR FURTHER RAISING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR; AND MEANS IN SAID PASSAGE FOR BYPASSING THE AIRFLOW IN SAID PASSAGE AROUND THE SECOND HEATER WHEN THE BLOCKING MEANS IS OPENED.

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