US1565512A - Apparatus for stretching and drying laundered articles - Google Patents

Description

Dec; 1s, 192s. 1.565.512

A. O. SCHRAMM APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING AND DRYING LAUNDERED ARTICLES Filed April 17. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Het JJ 3.

X a I b l, i

Dec. l5 1925- 1.565.512

A. Q, scHRAMM l APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING AND DRYING LAUNDERED ARTILES Filed April 17. 19: 4 sheets-sheet 2 f1 Dec. 15 1925.

A. O. SCHRAMM APPARATUS Fon STRETCHING AND DRUNG LAUNDERED ARTICLES Filed April 17. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 15, 1925 1.565.512

A. o. scHhAMM y APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING AND DRI'ING` LAUNDERED ARTICLES 'Filed April 17 1924 4 sheets-sheet 4 I J l venting accidental movement oi' said mem-` Patented Dec. 15, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT O. SCI-IRAMM, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO SCHRAMM MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY. OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING AND DRYING LAUNDERED ARTICLES.

Application inea April 17, 1924. *serial No. 707,153.

To all whom if may conce/rn Be it known that I, Anissn'r O. iioi-InAiwmr,`

a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a new and use't'ul Apparatus for Stretching and Drying Laundered Articles, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to an apparatus for stretching and drying laundered articles.

An object 'of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for stretching and drying laundered articles of different widths and lengths including a drying cabinet, and means for .si retchino and supporting the articles across t ie top of the cabinet during the drying process.

Another object of the invention is to pro-- vide an improved frame for supporting the articles in the cabinet during the drying operation.

Another object is to provide an improved locking device for holding the frame in position, and means for releasingr the locking device from either .side of the cabinet.

Another object is to provide a device of the character mentioned including a pair of longitudinal members for engaging the side edges of the articles and having gear connection with stationary parts of the frame to hold said members in proper alinement during movement thereof to ditlerent adjusted positions, and locking means for prebers.

Other objects will appear from the iollowing description, referencebeing made to the drawings in which- Fie: 1 is a plan view of the invention.

Fi, 2 is a side elevation.

Fig. 3 a plan view of the device with the stretching frame positioned edgewise in the cabinet and showing the heating means and air ducts.

Fig. Ll is an end view of the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view Vof the frame on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

6 is an inverted plan view of one of the longitudinal-ly adjustable members.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the member shown in Fig. 6, taken on thev line T-Y of Fig. 1. n

Fig. S is a sectional view ,showing detalls of the invention, taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a detailed View showing one of the article engaging members and means for holding the same in different adjustments. f f

Fig. 11 is a view showing a diierent form of article engaging member and means for holding the same in diiierent adjustments.

vFig. 12 is a detailed view of the locking device for holding the rotary frame in a horizontal position.

Fig. 13 is a perspective View showing thel construction of the side members of the frame.

The cabinet comprises side and end walls 1 and a horizontal bottom wall 2. A number of air inlets 3 (Fig. 2) open through the side walls into transverse air ducts l provided with openings 5 permitting air to enter the cabinet near the bottom. A heating coil 6 is located within and near the bottom of the cabinet having an inlet connection 7 and an outlet connection 8. The cool air entering the cabinet through the air chiots 4- causes the heated air to rise in the cabinet into contact with the articles supported by the frame. l n

Each end wall of the cabinet has a bearing 9 (Figs. l: and 8) in which an axle 10 Ain the form of a tube or shaft is journaled for rotation.

v rlhe stretching and drying frame is supported by the axle 10 and, as shown7 comprises end members 11 (Figs. 5 and 8) in the a sectional view on the line 9--9 l formof channels having their side lianges extending outwardly. Each of the frame members 11 is rigidly connected with the axle 10 by a pair of clamp members 12 cmbracing the axle 1() between them and having flanges 13 bolted to the channel members 11. Additional rigidity of the connection is obtained by bolts 14 passing through each pair of clalnp members 11 and' through the axle 10.

Each side member of the frame includes a channel member (Figs. 10, 11 and 13) having its ends rigidly connect-ed with the end members 11. The flanges 15 of the side members extend inwardly andv have vertical extensions 16 bent to provide outwardly extended [langes 17. At properly spaced intervals holes 18 are formed through the vertical extensions 16 along their line of union with the flanges 17, and a sc'ale (Figs. and 11) formed upon the outer surfaces of the flanges designating the holes 18 and facilitating adjustment of the article engaging members for articles of different measurements.

One of the article engaging members comprises a rod 19 (Figs. 1 and 10) adapted to be passed through a loop of a curtain or other article. A reduced end 2O of said rod is arranged to pass through any one of the holes 18. The opposite end of the rod has a reduced portion 21 and inwardly therefrom is encircled by a coiled spring 22 of the expansion type, the inner end of which bears against a collar 23 on the rod. By reference to Fig. 10 it will be seen that when the rod has its reduced ends and 21 engaged in the holes 18 the spring 22 will retain the rod in such position.

Another article engaging member comprises a transverse channel bar 24C (Fig. 11) having a reduced extension 25 on one end and a pair of spaced reduced extended portions 26 on the opposite end designed and adapted to engage in a pair of spaced holes 18 to hold the channel bar from turning. Coiled springs 27 encircle the parts 26 and hold the channel bar in proper position. Yrrithin the channel of said bar a strip 2S of curtain wire bristles is secured. the upper end of which is somewhat above the lianges of the channel bar 2d; so that said wires will engage the curtain or article. By proper adjustment of the article engaging members 19 and 2+ a curtain or other article may be stretched longitudinally for dry ing.

Each-of the outwardly extended flanges of the end members 11 has a strip 29 attached thereto and each of said strips 29 supports a'longitudinal mass of curtain wire bristles 30 with which a curtain or other fabric may be engaged.

The end frame members 11 support channel bars 31 (Figs. 5 and 8) with Jtheir flanges extending inwardly. Upon each of the flanges of the bars B1 a transverse rack Y32 is secured by spot welding or otherwise,

and the longitinilinal laterally adjustable curtain engaging members are cooperatively connected with said racks. In the embodiment of the invention shown there are two longitudinal laterally adjustable fabric engaging members, each composed of an inverted channel bar 83 having clips or braclets 3st (Figs. and 7) in connection therewith extending under the flanges of the bars 31 to support said members in connect-ion with the frame when said frame is inverted. Each of the channel bars 31 supports device to prevent accidental rotation of each of the shafts 36 is provided, the same comprising a rod 3S (Figs. 6 and 7) supported l by the brackets and actuated into engagement with one of the pinions 37 on eacih shaft 86 by a spring 39. One or more handles -tO is attac-hed to each of the rods 8S and extend outwardly through the slots in the channel bars 3B for manual engagement and operation. TWhen it is desired -to adjust either of the bars it is necessary only to disengage the rod i8 from the pinions 37 and hold it disengaged during lateral movement of the bar 33. After the bar has been properly positioned it may be locked, by permitting the rod 38 to engage the pinion 3T. Each of the bars 33 supports a strip of curtain wire bristles 11.

rlhe frame includes a transverse tube or shaft L12 at each side of the axle 10, the outer ends of said shafts L12 being rigid with the side members of the frame, and the inner ends of said shafts being connected with the fitting L13 (Fig. 1) rigid with the axle 10.

Aangular bars 11 (Fig. 9) are attached to the axle l() and similar angle bars #i5 are attached to the shaft -12 (Fig. llates 11G have their inner edges attached to the angle bars 1st and 'Y1-5. and their outer edges attached to angle bars 17 in connection with the frame mcn'ibers. T he plates J16 prevent rapid escape ofi heat from "ithin the drying cabinet when the frame is turned to horizontal position to siujiport a laundered article in the cabinet for drying.

Fach of the side walls 1 of the cabinet has a hole d'8 (Fig. 12) in which lock bolts i9 are pivoted. Each of the side frame members 15 has a hole 50 in which the inner ends of the lock bolts 49 engage to hold the frame in a horizontal position. Springs 51 actuate the lock bolts 419 into engagement with the frame. The lock bolts 49 are connected lwith releasing levers 52 supported by the side walls of the cabinet and the releasing levers are connected by a wire 53 so that operation of one of said levers to release the adjacent lock bolt f1-9 operates the other lever to release the other lock bolt 49.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention is a perfected device and obtains all of its intended objects and purposes in a highly efficient and convenient manner. It may be manipulated easily and without special training and is of strong and compact construction. The invention is capable of wide variation as to dimension and other details and I do not restrict myself unessentially in 'any such particulars.

That I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a cabinet, a frame supported for rotation on a horizontal axis near the top of the cabinet, means for locking the frame in horizontal position across the top of the cabinet, and a device for releasing said locking means to permit said frame to be rotated independently of said means.

2. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a cabinet, a frame supported for rotation on a horizontal axis near the top of the cabinet, means for locking the frame in horizontal position across the top of the cabinet, means for heating the interior of the cabinet,.a device for releasing said locking means to permit said frame to be rotated independently of said locking scribed, a frame comprising channel vend members having their flanges extending outwardly, channel bars attached to said end members and having their flanges extending inwardly, side frame members rigid with said' end members, racks upon the flanges of said channel bars adjacent to said end inembers, a longitudinal bar, a shaft vrotativ'elv connected with said longitudinal bar, pinions on said shaft meshing with said racks, and means for locking said pinions from rotation.

8. In an `apparatus of the character described, a frame comprising channel end members having their flanges extending outwardly, channel bars attached to said end members and having their flanges extending inwardly, side frame members rigid with said end members racks u on the flanges of said chziiineLLrsidjaaqentmto said`en-d'mbers, a longitndinc sli'ftwitatively MAW, Ms """M-w "M" w.. .M., ...J means, and means for admitting air into fnnect'l with said longitudinal bar, pimons the cabinet.

3. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a cabinet, a frame supported for rotation on a horizontal axis near the top of the cabinet, means for locking the frame in horizontal position across the top of the cabinet, means for heating the interior of the cabinet, a device for releasing said locking means to permit said frame to be rotated independently of said locking means, and means for admitting air into the cabinet below said heating means.

4f. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a cabinet open at the top, a frame supported for rotation-'on a horizontal axis near the open top of the cabinet, a locking device for locking said frame in a horizontal position, and means on each side of the cabinet for releasing said locking device to permit the frame to be turned on its axis.

5. An appara-tus of the character described, coinprising a cabinet having an open top, a frame supported within and near the pmtlie cabifmelif "ting laundered a1;ti.cl.es` (rn the frame, a heating device within the mclowaid frame, and means for ad,- mitting air into the cabinet below said heating device.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame comprising channel end members having their flanges extending` outwardly, channel bars attached to said end members and having their flanges extending inwardly, sidel frame members rigid j with said end members, racks upon the flanges of said channel bars adjacent to said end members, a longitudinal bar, a shaft rotatively connected with said longitudinal bar, and pinions on said shaft meshing with said racks.

i', In an apparatus of the Character deonsaid-shaft"meshing "with said racks, and ineansin" connection 'with said longitudinal bar eiiga'glng'both of said channel bars and holding--saidvlongitudinal bars in connecn tion wih'saidzfframe.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame comprising channel end members having their flanges extending ontwardiy, channel bars attached to said end members and having their flanges extending` inwardly, side frame .members rigid with said end members, racks upon the flanges of said channel bars adjacent to said end meinbers, a longitudinal bar, a shaft rotatively connected with said longitudinal bar, pinions on said shaft meshing with said racks, means in connection with said longitudinal bar engaging both of said channel bars and holding said longitudinal bars in connection with said frame, and means for locking said pinions fiom rotation.

1 l0. An apparatus ofthe character described, comprising a cabinet'having an open top, a fiame supported for rotation on a horizontal axis within the cabinet and near the open top thereof, means closing the space between the side and end members of said frame, and means for holding a fabric in connection with the frame.

1l. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a cabinet haviiig an open top, a frame supported for rotation on a horizontal axis within the cabinet and near the open top thereof, means closing the space between the side and end members of said frame, means for holding a fabric in connection with the frame, a device for heating the interior of the cabinet, and means for admitting air into thecabinet below said heating device.

l2. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame, a pair of parallel racks in Connection with said traine, bnr, means.

IOO

for holding said bar in connection with said frame, a. pair of pinions rotatively connected with said bar and meshing with said racks, and means in connection with said bar for engaging a fabric.

13. In an apparatus of the characterU described, a frame, a pair of parallel racks in connection with said frame, a bar, means for holding said bar in connection With said frame, a pair o-f ninions rotatively connected with said bar and meshing with said racks, means in connection With said bar for engaging a. fabric, and a locking device for engaging and preventing rotation of one of said pinions.

14.1111 apparatus of the character described, comprising a cabinet composed of a bottom Wall, side Walls and end walls, and said cabinet having an open top; in combination with a frame supported for rotation on a horizontal axis Within the cabinet and near the open top thereof; means for supporting fabrics in connectionwith opposite sides of the frame; a partition in the frame preventing the passa ge of air through the frame; and means for heating the interior of the cabinet below the frame,

15.13.11 apparatus of the character described, comprising a cabinet composed of a bottom Wall, side Walls and end Walls, and said cabinet having an open top; in combination with a frame supported for rotation on a horizontal axis Within the cabinet and near the open top thereof; means for supporting fabrics in connection with opposite sides of the frame; a partition in the frame preventing the passage of air through the frame; means for locking the frame in connection with the cabinet to prevent the frame from turning and with either side of the frame toward the interior of the cabinet; and means for heating the interior of the cabinet below the frame.

16. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a cabinet composed of a. bottom Wall, side Walls and end Walls, and said cabinet having an open top; in con'ibination with a frame supported for rotation on a horizontal axis Within the cabinet and near the open top thereof; means for supporting fabrics in connection with opposite sides of the frame; a partition in the frame preventing the passage of air through the frame; means for locking the frame in connection with the cabinet to prevent the frame from turning and with either side of the frame toward the interior of the cabinet; means for heating the interior ofthe cabinet below the frame; and means for admitting air into the cabinet below said heating means.

17. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a cabinet having an open top, a frame supported for rotation upon a horizontal axis Within the cabinet and near the open top thereof, means for locking the frame in connection with the cabinet in either one of tivo positions, a partition in the frame preventing passage of air therethrough, and means for supporting fabrics in connect-ion With the frame at opposite sides of said partition.

18. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a cabinet having an open top, a frame supported for rotation upon a horizontal axis Within the cabinet and near the open top thereof, means for locking the frame in connection With the cabinet in either one of tivo positions, a partition in the frame preventingpassage of air therethrough, means for supporting fabrics in connection with the frame at opposite sides of said partition, and devices for holding said supporting means in different adjusted positions on the frame.

19. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a frame including side members having holes therethrough, a rod for engaging one end of a fabric releasably engaged in said holes, a bar, projections on said bar releasably engaged in certain of said holes and spaced from said rod, springs foi-.holding said bar in position, and means in connection with said bar for engaging the fabric that is engaged with said rod.

20. An apparatus of' the character de scribed, comprising a frame including side members having holes therethrough, a rod for engaging one end of a fabric releasably engaged in said holes, a bar, projections on said bar releasably engaged in certain of said holes and spaced from said rod, springs for holding said bar in position, means in connection With said bar for engaging the fabric that is engaged With said rod, and devices supported at right angles to said bar and rod for engaging the side edges of the fabric.

21.. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a frame including side members having holes therethrough, a rod for engaging one end of a fabric releasably engaged in said holes, a bar, projections on said bar releasably engaged in certain of said holes and spaced from said rod, springs for holding said bar in position, means in connection With said bar for engaging the fabric that is engaged With said rod, devices supported at right angles to said bar and rod for engaging the side edges of the fabric, and means for holding said devices in diiferent adjusted positions.

ALBERT O. SCHRAMM.

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