GB362194A - Pressing machines for laundry and like use - Google Patents

Abstract

362,194. Ironing-machines. AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY CO., Norwood Station, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. Dec. 31, 1930, No. 39285. Convention date, Sept. 4. [Class 138 (ii).] A multiple ironing-press is provided with at least one pair of tucks and one more press head than there are pairs of bucks, and a space is left between adjacent heads wherein a buck may be loaded or unloaded. After loading the bucks in these spaces all the bucks are moved simultaneously to the left or right so that the newly loaded bucks register with the press heads whilst the other bucks move into the vacated spaces. The bucks are then stopped in these positions and the heads are lowered into pressing engagement with the bucks that regi ster therewith. On release of the pressure the bucks are moved in the reverse direction. The supports 2, Fig. 1, of the bucks 1 are linked together at 51 and are connected by chains 47, 48 to a carriage 55 which is provided with a depending rack 46. A pinion 44 carried by a link 43 engages both the rack 46 and a stationary rack 45 and the link is pivoted to a crank arm 42 on a shaft 39, Fig. 2, which is coaxial with a shaft 34. A shaft 16 is constantly driven in the same direction from a motor-driven worm-wheel 22 at one speed during the first half of each revolution and at another speed during the second half of each revolution, a clutch 27 being shifted by a strip lever 78 operated by cam discs 76, 89 on the shaft at the end of each half-revolution. During the first half-revolution the shaft 16 is driven through the train 23 .. 26 and the clutch 27 as shown, and the shaft drives the shaft 34 through bevel gear 28, 29 and a rack and pinion 31. A pawl 38 on the shaft 34 and a ratchet disc 40 on the shaft 39 transmit this movement of the shaft 34 to the shaft 39 but not the reverse movement of the shaft 34 which occurs during the second half-revolution of the shaft 16. The intermittent rotation of the shaft 39 therefore effects reciprocation of the rack 46 with a pause at each end of the stroke during the second half-revolution of the shaft 16. During the reciprocation of the rack the buck supports travel along tracks 53, Fig. 1, and the carriage 55 travels along suspended rollers 56. At each end of the stroke of the rack the train 23 .. 26 is thrown out by the clutch 27, Fig. 2. A train of gears 81 .. 84, Fig. 5, is carried by the frame 84 secured to a lever 83<1> and the pinion 81<1> is splined to the shaft 87, Fig. 2, of the gear wheel 24 so that the frame 84<1> may be moved along the shaft 87 to cause the pinion 84 to engage one of three different sized gears 85, 851 or 86 loose on the shaft 16 and having clutch teeth with which the clutch 27 engases when disconnected from the train 23 .. 26. The second half-revolution of the shaft 16 is therefore effected through the train 23, 24, 81 .. 84 and 85, 85<1> or 86 at one of three speeds any of which is slower than that of the first half-revolution. This half-revolution of the shaft 16 lowers the press heads into pressing engagement with the bucks registering therewith through a cam 9 and lever mechanism. The movement of the shaft 34 at this time is in the direction in which the drive is not transmitted to the shaft 39 so that the bucks remain stationary during the application of press sure which is released, and the bucks moved in the opposite direction, on the completion of the second half-revolution of the shaft 16 and the reclutching of the train 23 .. 26. The operation of the machine is initiated and maintained by closing a double pole switch 59, Fig. 11. To ensure that the motor 61, 62 driving the machine shall not stop at such times as a press head is in pressing engagement with a buck, there is provided in parallel with the switch 59 another switch 63 which is closed by the application of pressure between the press members and opened on the release of such pressure. After opening switch 59, therefore, the motor continues to operate until after the ironing pressure is released and the switch 63 automatically opened.