GB680079A - Improvements in and relating to automatic flatplate ironers - Google Patents

Abstract

680,079. Ironing-presses. BRITISH THOMSON-HOUSTON CO., Ltd. Nov. 27, 1950. [Dec. 2, 1949]. No. 28967/50. Class 138 (ii). An ironing-machine comprises a parallel linkage 14, 15, 16, a substantially U-shaped arm 8 carrying a shoe 6 and pivotally attached (at 17) to a movable element of the linkage, means 30 for driving the linkage in one direction relative to a fixed buck 5, fulcrum means 19 engaging the arm 8 at a point spaced from the pivot 17 for rotating the arm 8 upon movement of the linkage, and stop means 22 on the linkage which engages the shoe arm and prevents further rotation thereof when the shoe reaches a position Fig. 3 (not shown), in which it is parallel to, and spaced from, the buck, the fulcrum means 19 being arranged to yield upon further movement of the linkage so that the arm and shoe are moved normal to the plane of the buck and into pressing relation, Fig. 4 (not shown). The driving means 30 comprises an hydraulic motor (Fig. 5), the piston 33a of which is pivotally connected with the frame at 46. The cylinder 30a of the motor is connected to the parallel linkage at 32. Respective tension springs 24 are connected between the frame at 46 and the pivots 17 of the links 14. A pair of links 18 are pivoted to respective sides of the arm 8 at 19 and each have a pin-and-slot lost-motion connection with the frame at 21. A spring 26 is connected between each link 18 and an extension 23 of the respective link 16. The piston rod 33 is hollow and contains an electric motor 36 which is connected by a shaft 37 with an impeller 42 mounted in a chamber 39 within the piston 33a. On switching on the motor, liquid above the piston is pumped through piston ports 48 by the impeller causing the cylinder to be forced down relatively to the piston. The links 16 move with the cylinder but the fulcrum points 19 of the arm 8 tend to remain owing to the tension of the springs 19. Thus the arm 8 swings in a clockwise direction until the shoe 6 is directly above, and parallel with, the buck 5, Fig. , 3 (not shown). Further rotation of the arm 8 is prevented by a stop 22 on the extension 23, and on further downward movement of the cylinder 30a and links 16, the stop 22 draws the arm 8 and shoe 6 downwardly in a direction normal to the buck. This movement is permitted by the slots 21 in the links 18. When the motor 36 is switched off, the springs 24 and 26 return the parts to the position of Fig. 1. The shoe 6 may be electrically heated.