US1781482A - Ironing machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 11, 1930. Q SWQBQDA 1,781,482

IRONING IACHINE Filed March 31, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 11, 1930. H. o. SWOBQDA 1,781,482

IRONING MACHINE Filed flax-ch31, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Z4 AM Nov. 11, 1930. H. o. SWOBODA 1110mm momma Filed llrch 31, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN OR Patented Nov. 1 1, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFK.

HANS O. SWOIBODA, OF EDGEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO B. O. SWOBODA, INO., OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA IRONIN G MACHINE Application filed March 31, 1927. Serial No. 179,861.

This invention relates to ironing machines and more particularly to ironing machines especially designed for domestic purposes, and is primarily for an automatic release for the ironing shoe. It relates further to means for providing both automatic engagement and disengagement of the ironing elements.

Domestic ironing machines are ordinarily provided with a padded roll and a concave shoe. The shoe is provided with heating means. Either the shoe or the roll is movable with respect to the other member. In most types of machines, the shoe is moved toward and away from the roll.

In some types of machines the shoe is moved toward and away from the roll by some kind of mechanical power-actuated means so that the o erator is not required to use any considera le amount of strength in working the machine. Such machines have the disadvantage that when, during the operation of the machine, the power fails, on account of which the motor stops, or the shoe becomes overheated, the clothes and the padding on the roll are apt to be burned.

In order to prevent this, it is necessary to provide means to eiiect a quick separation of the ironing elements.

In machines of this type where the ironing elements are moved,-one with respect to the other by mechanical power, there is provided a special device adapted to be manually operated for separating the elements. Such a release mechanism is shown, for instance, in the patent of Richards, 1,771,818, granted July 29, 1930.

According to the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for quickly and automatically separating the ironing elements in the event of the shoe becoming overheated or in the event of the supply of current being cut ofi' or failing.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate certain embodiments of my invention, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the present invention applied to a type of ironer wherein the shoe is movable with respect to the roll, and showing the shoe in contact with the roll;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showm the position of the parts upon re-' lease 0 the holding means;

Figure 3 is a detail view of a portion of an ironing machine of the type disclosed in the said Richards patent, having my invention applied thereto;

Figure 4 is aiview similar to Figure 3 of the mechanism at one end of the ironing roll wherein the usual pedal is eliminated and the operation of the ironer for engagement as well as disengagement of the ironing elements, is controlled entirely by a single electric switch; and

Figure 5 is a detail view representing a section in substantially the plane of V--V of Figure 4.

The nature of the invention may be best understood by reference to the diagrams in Figures 1 and 2. In these figures, 1 designates an ironing roll, 2 is the ironing shoe and 3 is a disk at the end of the ironing roll and movable independently with respect thereto. The ironing shoe 2 is supported on the vertical arm 4 of a bell crank lever pivot-all secured to the stationary structure at 5. T e horizontal arm 6 of this bell crank lever has its outer end pivotally connected at 7 to one end of a telescoping link 8. The other end of the telescoping link is pivotally connected to a crank 9 on the disk 3. A compression spring 10 is interposed between abutmen'ts 11 at opposite ends of the telescoping link. The tendency of the spring 10 is to spread the link.

The disk 3 is provided with a notch 12 in the periphery thereof. At 13 is a locking pin, one end of which is preferably larger than the other and is adapted to be projected into the notch 12 to normally hold the disk 3 against rotation. A tension spring 14 is connected with the larger end of the bolt and tends to pull the locking pin out of engagement with the notch in the disk 3. Surrounding theclocking pin 13, the larger end of which serves as a core, orotherwise suitably associated therewith, is an electromagnetic means such as a solenoid 15 for opposing the spring 14. The solenoid is adapted to be energized through wires 16 and 17 connecting with service wires 18, from which lead Wires 18 that supply current to the motor 18 for operating the ironing machine. In the wire 17 is shown a thermostat 19. In practice, the thermostat 19 would be located in the ironing shoe 2 so as to cause the circuit to open when the shoe reaches a predetermined temperature.

The arrangement is such that when current is supplied to the motor for driving the ironing machine'through th service wires 18, the solenoid is simultaneously energized, tending to move the locking pin 13 which serves as a core, toward the disk3 against the-tension of the spring 14. At such time, the parts are in the position shown in Figure 2. As soon as the motor is energized, the roll 1 starts to revolve, and through an automatic clutch arrangement not shown in Figures 1 and 2, but hereinafter more fully referred to, the disk 3 is also rotated. The rotation of the disk 3 tends to collapse the telescoping link 8 and compress the spring 10. When the notch 12 has moved opposite the end of the locking pin 13, the pin will engage in the notch and the disk 3 be held against rotation. The clutch mechanism is such that when the disk 3 has been rotated the necessary distance, the disk will be operatively disengaged from the roll 1, and the roll will continue to revolve in the usual manner. As long as the locking pin is engaged in the slot 12 the disk 3 is prevented from rotating, and the spring 10 is held under compression to yieldably urge the ironing shoe 2 against the roll 1. Should the current supplied through the lines 18 be cut off or should the thermostat 19 open, the solenoid 15 would be instantaneously deenergized and the spring 14 would pull'the end of the locking pin out of engagement with the notch 12. The spring 10 would immediately expand to rotate the disk 3 in a clockwise direction, and at the same time, the shoe 2 moves by gravity out of engagement with the ironing roll. The parts would then be back in the position shown in Figure 2;

In this manner the shoe is instantaneously and automatically moved out of engagement with the roll when the current to the driving motor fails or is cut off, thereby preventing the shoe from scorching the roll. In the same way the shoe is prevented from scorching the roll by a thermostat in the event of its becoming too highly heated.

At 20 there is designated a fixed stop for cooperation with a stop member 21 on the locking pin 13 whereby the movement of the locking pin is limited;

The arrangement shown in Figure 3 illustrates one manner in which the invention is applied directly to one form of ironer. In this view, the general arrangement is similar to that shown in the said patent of Richards.

tened to said roll shaft 29. Mounted to turn with the wheel is one member 31 of a clutch. Slidable on the shaft 29, into and out of engagement with the member 31, is a clutch disk 32. This disk is operatively connected with the disk 26. At 33 is a yoke or feather for moving the disk 32 into and out of driving engagement with-the member 31. A spring 34 cooperates with the feather 33 for urging the disk member 32 to inoperative position. The member 33 is in the form of a bell crank pivotally supported to the frame at 36. The horizontal arm 37 of this bell crank is connected through a lost motion connection 38 to an operating rod 39 which is connected to a control pedal 40. On the rod 39 is a collar 41, which engages the top of a compression spring 42. The other end of the compression spring bears against the end of a switch operating lever 43, pivotally supported at 44. This lever is adapted to engage the push button of an electric. switch 46 of the well known type wherein successive operation of "the push button .alternately .opens and closes the switch. The switch 46 controls the flow of current from the service line 47 to the motor indicated diagrammatically at 48, as well as thermostat and electro-magnets 52.

The general construction of the ironer is similar to that described in the said Richards patent. According to the present invention,

there is associated with this mechanism, an

automatic release of the nature shown in Figures 1 and 2. This mechanism includes a reciprocable latch pin 49, one end of which is adapted to engage in a notch 50 in the disk 26. On the other end of the rod 49 is an armature 51. At 52 are magnet coils for effecting movement of the armature to latching position. The movement of the armature to latching position is opposed by a compression spring 53. The electromagnets 52 are energized through wires 54 connecting to the wires' which supply current to the motor. In one of the wires 54 may be a thermostat 55 for opening the circuit to the magnets when the shoe reaches a predetermined temperature. I

In Figure 3 the latch 49 is shown in engagement with the disk 26 at which time the ironing shoe, not shown, would be pressed against the ironing roll, as will be understood from Figures 1 and 2. Should the switch 46 be operated or should the current supply fail, the magnets 52 would be instantaneously deenergized and the spring 53 would move the armature away from the magnets 52, thereby moving the terminal of the pin 49 out of engagement with the notch in the disk 26. The spring 28 would thereupon function to rotate the disk 26 and simultaneously move the ironing shoe out of engagement with the cylinder, as explained in connection with Figures 1 and 2. In like manner, if the thermostat should open the circuit to the coils 52, the latch mechanism would release, whereby the shoe would be moved out of engagement with the roll.

In starting the machine, the pedal 40 is depressed, pulling down on the rod 39, rocking the switch actuating lever 43 to operate the switch 46. This starts the motor 48 and also energizes the magnets 52. The movement of the armature is prevented at this time by reason of the fact that the end of the locking pin 49 is hearing against the surface of the disk. As soon as the switch 46 is operated the motor 48 starts to drive the roll 25. Upon further downward movement of the pedal 40, the lost motion in the connection 38 is taken up and the clutch operating lever 33 is moved to the left, as viewed in Figure 3. thereby bringing the clutch member 32 into driving relation with the revolving member 31. When the disk 26 has been rotated to fully compress the spring 28, the notch 50 has been brought opposite the end of the locking pin 49 and the end of this pin snaps into the socket 50 to hold the disk 26 against reverse rotation. The spring 34 causes the clutch to disengage after the disk 26 has been rotated the necessary predetermined distance. This can be controlled in any suitable way, as described in said Richards patent.

The arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 5 which are more or less diagrammatic, is one wherein the pedal is dispensed with and the entire operation controlled by the movement of a single electric switch. In this construction, designates the ironing roll, 61 is the'gear through which the roll is driven and 62 is the crank disk rigidly carried at the outer end of the roll shaft 64. The disk 62 corresponds in function to the disk 26 of the machine shown in Figure 3 and the disk 3 of the diagram in Figures 1 and 2. Interposed between the disk 62 and the gear 61 is a clutch 65, by means of which motion may be transmitted from the gear 61 to the disk 62. The clutch 65 is operated by a shifting lever 66 pivotally supported at 67 and having a horizontally extending crank arm thereon. On the crank arm 68 is an armature 69 for cooperation with an electromagnet 70. Bearing against the lever 66, to act in opposition.to the magnet 70, is a compression spring 71. On the lever 66 is a pin 72 adapted to project into a socket 73 in the disk 62 to hold the disk against reverse rotation,

as hereinbefore described. On the disk 62 is a crank pin 74 to which the upper end of the telescoping link 75 is connected. The clutch 65 is of special construction which can be released in a certain predetermined position only, whereby the clutch can disengage only at the instant that the pin 72 is opposite the socket 73. This particular clutch construction forms no part of the present invention and further description thereof is not deemed necessary. At 76 is the compression spring corresponding to the spring 10, of Figures 1 and 2, through which the ironing shoe is yieldably held against the roll. The roll 60 is driven through the gear 61 by means of an electric motor diagrammatically illustrated at 77. This motor is supplied with current through wires 78. At 7 9 is a switch for controlling the operation of the motor. On the periphery of the disk 62 and extending only part way thereabout, is a contact strip 79. At 80 and 81 are brushes located side by side. Both of these brushes are adapted to bear against the strip 79. The brushes 80 and 81 are in series with the electromagnet 70, and the electromagnet is connected to the wires 78 which supply current to the motor through wires 82.

A thermostat 83, designed to be located in the ironing shoe, and diagrammatically indicated in Figure 4, is connected in series with theelectromagnet 7 0 through wires 84, so as to make and break the circuit through the magnet according to temperature conditions in the shoe.

When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 4, which is the normal operating position. the spring 76 is compressed and the disk 62 is locked against rotation by the pin 72 on the lever 66. In the event of the circuit through the wires 82 being broken, the magnet will be immediately deenergized, whereu on the spring 71 will move the lever 66 to dlsengage the pin 7 2 from the notch 73 and move the clutch 65 into operative position. Immediately upon the release of the disk 62, it will be rotated through an are by the spring 76. Then it has moved its limit, the brushes 80 and 81 will not contact with the strip 7 9, inasmuch as this strip does not extend entirely around the disk 62.

Starting with the parts in released position, the switch 79 is closed whereupon the circuit to the motor 77 is made and the motor starts to revolve the cylinder 60 through the gear 61. In view of the fact that the circuit from the brush 80 to the brush 81 is not completed at this time, the magnet 70 is not immediately energized. When the roll 1 starts to revolve, the clutch 65 is in operative position so that the disk 62 is also rotated. After the disk 62 has rotated a predetermined distance, the contact strip 79 closes the circuit between the brushes 80 and 81, whereupon the electromagnet 70 is energized. When the magnet is energized the armature 69 is attracted and the clutch 65 urged to move to inoperative position. When the arm 66 is permitted to move to shift the clutch, the pin 72 will be projected into the notch 7 3 to again lock the disk 62 against continued rotation. In this way the shoe will be held against the roll as long as the magnet 70 is energized,

but when the current supplied to the machine is broken or fails, the shoe will be moved out of engagement with the roll by the release of pin 72 from notch 73. The opening of the thermostatic switch 83 functions to open the circuit to the magnet 70.

The automatic release provided by the present invention will positively prevent the burning of clothes and the padding on the ironing roll in case of an overheated shoe or where the current supplied to the machine is cut ofi'. This automatic release therefore. not only prevents injury to clothes being ironed or to the machine, but eliminates a fire hazard. It can be added with very little cost to the ironer and its operation is simple and positive.

While I have illustrated certain preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular construction shown, but that it may be otherwise embodied with various types of ironing machines wherein one of the ironing elements is movable toward and away from the other. Various changes and modifications may be otherwise made within the spirit of my invention and under the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 5

1. In an ironing machine having a roll element and a shoe element, one of which is movable into and out of engagement with the other, an electric motor for effecting such movement, and electrically operated means and an electric circuit therefor for normally holding the elements in cooperative engagement so long as said circuit is energized;

2. In an ironing machine having a roll element and a shoe element, one of which is movable into and out of engagement with the other, an electric motor and circuit therefor for operating the machine and effecting movement of said, movable member into engagement with the other member, an operating connection between the motor and said movable member, and means in circuit with the motorfor holding the elements in cooperative relation only so long as the circuit including said means is energized.

3. In an ironing machine having a roll element and a shoe element, a motor for driving the roll, means operable upon energization of the motor for moving the elements into cooperative relation, a holding means for holding the elements in cooperative relation, electromagnetic means for holding the holding means in operative position, a circuit common to said motor and electromagnet Whereby the electromagnet is energized only when the electric circuit is energized, and means ing latch means for holding the elements in engagement with each other, an electro-magnet for holding the latch means against release, said magnet and said motor being included in a common circuit whereby the breaking of the common circuit will simultaneously deenergize the motor and deenergize the magnet to permit the latch to release.

5. In an ironing machine, a roll, a motor for driving the roll, a shoe, means including a clutch for moving the shoe into engagement with the roll, electromagnetic means for rendering the clutch inoperative, means associated with said electromagnetic means for holding the shoe engagement with the roll when the clutch has been moved to inoperative position, said electromagnetic means and the motor for driving the roll being in a common circuit whereby the opening of the circuit will simultaneously deenergize the motor and the electro-magnetic means.

6. The combination with an ironing machine having a roll and a shoe movable into and out of engagement with the roll, a means including a clutch and acrank for moving the shoe into engagement with the roll upon ro tation of the roll, and a motor for driving the roll, of an electromagnet, a clutch operating means actuated by the electromagnet for urging the clutch to inoperative position upon energization of the magnet, a locking pin associated with the clutch operating means for holding the crank against operation when the clutch is moved to inoperative position, said motor and electro-magnet being in a common circuit, and means'for moving the clutch operating means in the reverse direction upon deenergization of the magnet to bring the clutch into operative position and render said locking pin ineffective.

7. The combination with an ironing machine having a roll member and a shoe member, the shoe member of which is movable toward and away from the roll member, a motor for driving the roll member,'means including a clutch driven by the motor for efiecting movement of the shoe member toward the roll member, means. for holding the shoe member against the roll member, and an electromagnetic means for controlling the operation of said clutch and said holding means.

3. The combination with an ironing machine having a roll member and a shoe member, the shoe member being movable toward.

and away from the roll member and having a motor for operating the roll member, of an electromagnetic means controlling movement of the shoe toward the roll member when the member away from the roll member when the motor is de-energized, and a thermostat associated with the shoe in circuit with said electromagnetic means for de-energizing the same when the temperature of the shoe reaches a predetermined point.

10. In an ironing machine having a roll element and a shoe element one of which is movable into and out of contact with the other, an electric motor for effecting such movement, a branch motor circuit, a supply circuit for said branch circuit, means for normally holding the elements in contact, and electric means controlled by said'supply circuit for operating the holding means.

1 1.1. In an ironing'machine having a roll element and a shoe-element, means for moving one of the elements into and out of engagement with the other, said means includmg a motor, a locking means for holding the shoe and roll in cooperative relation, an electro-magnet for holding the locking means in operative position, means for moving the locking means to inoperative position, and a common control for said motor and said electro -magnet. J

12. The combination with an ironing machine having a roll element and a shoe element, of electric roll rotating means efiective for rotating the roll and for moving the roll element and shoe element into cooperative engagement, and electric means other than said roll rotating means for retaining the shoe element and roll element in cooperative engagement, and a circuit common to said roll rotating means and said electric retaining means whereby the electric retaining means is energized only when the circuit for the roll rotating means is energized.

13. The combination with an ironing machine having a roll element and a shoe element, of electric roll rotating means efiective for rotating the roll and for. moving the roll element and shoe element into cooperative engagement, and electric means other than said roll rotating means for retaining the shoe element and roll element in cooperative engagement, a circuit common to said roll rotating means and said electric retaining means whereby the electric retaining means is energized only when the roll rotating means is energized, and a thermostat in circuit wlth saidelectric means and adapted to open the circuit to said retaining means, said thermostat being in heat receiving relation to the shoe element and responsive to temperature conditions therein.

In testimonywhereof I have hereunto set in hand.

y HANS O. SWOBODA.

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