US1967023A

US1967023A - Garment or ironing press

Info

Publication number: US1967023A
Application number: US467214A
Authority: US
Inventors: Davis Ernest
Original assignee: Prosperity Co Inc
Current assignee: Prosperity Co Inc
Priority date: 1930-07-11
Filing date: 1930-07-11
Publication date: 1934-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1951-07-17

Description

July 17, 1934. AV 1,967,023

' GARMENT on IRONING PRESS Original Filed July 11, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 S:- INVENTOR.

I 14 By f6 for O 449% m 9 L,

. a /5 ATTORNEY5.

July 17, 1934. E. DAVIS GARMENT 0R IRQNING PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 11, 1930 \\..liT.4l.Y.l..,/..d,. llllllll J3 K INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS July 17, 1934. DAV|5 1,967,023

GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed July 11, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ml T INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY5 M 17, 1934. DAV 1,967,023

GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS OriginalFiled July 11, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 17, 1934. E. DAvl 1,967,023

GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed July 11, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR.

A TTORNEY Patented July 17, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT DFFICE GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Application July 11, 1930, Serial No. 467,214 Renewed May 2, 1933 19 Claims.

This invention relates to pressing machines such as garment and laundry or ironing presses, of the type having a plurality of bucks and a single pressing head, the bucks being movable successively into position for cooperative pressing action with the head.

An object of the invention is to provide a pressing machine, particularly adaptable for use as a shirt press, having a plurality of bucks mounted on supporting means which are so connected to the pressing machine frame that the bucks will be always maintained in parallel positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide h pressing machine having a plurality of bucks arranged with their long dimensions extending forwardly and rearwardly so that the operator stands at one end of the bucks, instead of at the side as in the conventional pressing machine.

A further object is to provide a pressing machine having the bucks arranged with their long dimensions extending forwardly and rearwardly and with a neck band holding means arranged at the rear end of each buck, and means at the front end of each buck for operating the neck band holding means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pressing machine having a plurality of bucks which are movable successively into cooperative relation with a single pressing head, and to provide operating means for moving the bucks and operating the pressing head and control means so arranged that it is impossible to operate any of the parts when cooperative parts are not located in the correct positions.

' Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out and will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all .the views.

Figure l is a side view showing the relation of the head and buck in my improved pressing machine together with the operating mechanism for the pressing head.

Figure 2 is a top view of the pressing machine shown in Figure 1, illustrating the movement of the bucks.

Figure 3 is a front View of the bucks and buck supporting means of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail view showing the neck band clamp and the operating means therefor.

Figure 5 is a detail view of one form of safety mechanism to insure proper centering of the bucks under the pressing head.

Figure 6 is a detail view, partly in section, of a modified form of safety mechanism to insure proper centering of the bucks under the pressing head together with means for locking the bucks in centered position.

Figure '7 is a top plan View, partly in section, of the mechanism shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view showing the arrangement and relation of the various operating means controlled by devices in my improved pressing machine.

Figure 9 is a view showing a modified arrange ment of the operating means of the control devices such as shown in Figure 8.

General layout of press The general layout of my improved press is very similar, except for the arrangement of the bucks, to the conventional pressing machine of the type using a movable pressing head. A press head 1 is mounted on a yoke 2 which is pivoted at 3 to a back leg 4 of a pressing machine frame 5. The yoke is operated to open and close the press by suitable mechanism such as a link 6 pivoted to the yoke at 7 and to a lower link member 8 at 9. The link member 8 is operated by a connecting link 10 which is pivoted at 11 to the piston rod of a motor 12. Operation of the fluid motor moves the connecting link 10 which is guided by a pin 13, rigidly secured to the connecting link 10, and slidable in a cam slot 14. The link members 6 and 8 form a toggle which is straightened by the movement of the connecting link 10. A lever 15 is pivoted to the frame of the pressing machine at a midpoint and to the link member 8 at one end and at the other end to the member in which the cam slot 14 is formed. The operation of this link and cam assembly is to give the motor 12 an enormous mechanical advantage on the yoke 2. This operating mechanism forms no part per se of the present invention and any other suitable means may be used to operate the yoke 2 to open and close the press.

Two

bucks

20 and 21 are mounted on suitable supporting means designated generally as 23. These buck supporting means are pivoted to the pressing machine frame, are pivoted to the bucks, and are so constructed that the bucks will move or have a parallelogrammatic action so as to always occupy parallel positions. The construction of the buck supporting means will be described later.

A novel feature of my improved pressing machine is the mounting of the bucks in position with the long dimensions extending forwardly and rearwardly so that the operator stands at one end of the buck and in front of the machine instead of adjacent the long side of the buck, which is usually at the front of the machine in the conventional construction of press. My invention in its preferred embodiment is ashirt pressing machine and means designated generally as are provided for clamping the neck bands of shirts. A handle 26 at the end of each buck, within convenient reach of the operator, controls the neck band clamp in a manner later to be described.

Buck supporting means Each of the bucks is supported by suitable buck supporting means which include preferably

parallel arms

30 and 31 pivoted at 32 and 33 respectively to the pressing machine frame. The

,

parallel arms

30, 31 are pivoted to the buck at 34 and 35 respectively. An important point in connection with the pivotal connections of the

parallel arms

30, 31 is the fact that the pivotal connections with the frame are spaced apart,

., and the pivotal connections with the buck, also spaced apart so that as the buck is moved and the parallel arms turned on their pivotal connections, they will always hold the buck in parallel positions. Any construction by which the parallelogrammatic action of the bucks may be obtained is contemplated.

A stop member 38 depending from one of the parallel arms, such as the parallel arm 30, strikes against abutments 39 to stop the buck when it moves into proper position under the pressing head for cooperative pressing action with the head 1.

The buck supporting means for both

bucks

20 and 21 are similar in construction. A tie bar 40 holds the buck supporting means for the buck 20 in a constantly spaced relation with respect to the buck supporting means for the buck 21. As a result of this tie-bar 40, the stop member 38, which is attached to the parallel arm 30, stops the travel of both of the bucks when they are moved to the right in Figure 2 and the stop member 38 comes into contact with the abutments 39. A stop member 41 on the buck supporting means for the buck 21 acts in a similar manner, when it comes against the abutments 39, to limit the travel of both bucks when they are moved to the left in Figure 2.

The

stop members

38 and 41 may be provided with abutment screws 42 (see Figure '7). The purposeof these abutment screws is to make the "position of the buck supporting means adjustable, when it comes into contact with the abutments 39. The adjustment is regulated so that the buck will be properly centered with respect to the pressing head when the abutment screws -42 of the

stop member

33 or 41 come into contact with the abutments 39. The abutments 39 may themselves be made adjustable instead of providing adjustable abutment screws 42 on the

stop members

38 and 41.

Neck band clamping means Each buck is provided with suitable neck band clampingmeans designated generally as 25. The

,- clamping means is of the conventional type and includes a band form at secured to the buck and a band clamp 51 movable into and out of clamping relation with the fixed form 50. The neck band clamping means is operated by a handle 26 located at the forward end of the buck. The handle 26 is of bell crank formation, here shown as mounted for vertical movement, and connects by means of a link 53 with a bell crank 54, which operates the band clamp 51 through the bell crank 55 and connecting link 56 shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. The particular linkage used to operate the neck band clamp is unimportant but the use of a handle located at the end of a buck, instead of at the side, has not previously been used on pressing machines.

Buck centering before pressing With a machine having movable bucks, it is highly important that the buck be properly centered under the pressing head before bringing the head into pressing contact. In the machine illustrated in the drawings, the control mechanism is so arranged that it is impossible to operate the actuating mechanism which brings the pressing head into contact With the buck unless the buck is properly centered with respect to the pressing head.

Figures 2 and 8 illustrate one method of constructing the control mechanism to obtain this result. A gear quadrant 60 rigidly secured to a portion of the buck supporting means, such as the parallel arm 31, meshes with a pinion gear 61. The pinion gear 61 is mounted on a shaft 62 which forms the spindle of a fluid supply valve 63. The valve 63 controls the supply of working fluid which operates the motor means to bring the pressing head into contact with a buck. The valve 63 is so positioned with respect to the pinion 61 and gear quadrant 60 that the valve will be in open position only when a buck is properly centered under the pressing head.

Figures 6 and '7 illustrate a modified form of control means to insure centering of a buck under the pressing head before closing the press. In this form of the invention, the parallel arms 31 are provided with cam surfaces 65 which operate followers 66. Two sliding blocks 67 are provided on the pressing machine frame. These blocks 67 are slidably mounted in suitable guides 68. Each of the sliding blocks 67 is provided with a link member 69 on which the cam follower 66 is mounted. The cam surfaces are so arranged that when the buck supporting means are swung so as to center the buck 21 under the pressing head, the one cam surface 65 will move the sliding blocks 67 in one direction, as shown in Figure 7. When the buck supporting means are swung the other way so as to center the buck 20 under the pressing head, the other cam surface, shown in Figure 7, will cause the sliding blocks 67 to move in the opposite direction. Each of the sliding blocks 67 is provided with a hole 70 therein.

A control handle 71, illustrated in Figure 6, must be operated before working fluid can be supplied to the motor means to operate the actuating means to close the press. The relation of the handle 71' to the other control mechanism will be later described, but for the purpose of understanding the buck centering operation sufficient structure is shown in Figure 6. Three cam members '72, 73 and '74 are pivotally mounted on brackets depending from the pressing machine frame. All of these cam members are pivotally attached at their lower ends to an operating bar 76. The operating bar 76 is attached by suitable means to the control handle 71 which is used to move the operating bar 76 to the right or left as viewed in Figure 6. A centering pin 77 is slidably mounted in the pressing machine frame and is provided at its lower end with a cam follower 78. A spring 79 normally holds the centering pin 77 in a lowered position with the cam follower 78 in contact with the cam member'72. The control handle 71 is operated to move the operating bar 76 to the left to cause the centering pin 77 to rise. Unless one of t-e sliding blocks 67 is in proper position so that the hole 70 therein registers with the centering pin 77, it will be impossible for the centering pin 77 to rise. Thus the handle 71 cannot be operated to move the operating bar 76 to the left unless one of the bucks is in proper position under the pressing head, at which time one of the sliding blocks 67 will be in position so that the hole 70 therein registers with the centering pin 77.

The stop member 41' as illustrated in Figures 6 and '7 is a modified form from that shown in the other figures of the drawings, and is provided with angle extensions 80, each having a hole 81 therein. Locking pins 82 are slidably mounted in the frame of the pressing machine, as shown in Figure 6. Each of these locking pins is provided with a cam follower 83 at its lower end and is normally held in lowered position by a spring 84. The cam follower 83 operates on the

cam members

73 and 74. When a buck is properly centered under the pressing head the holes 81 in the angle extensions will register with the looking pins 82. When the control handle 71 is operated to move the operating bar 76 to the left in Figure 6, the

cam members

73 and 74 will operate the cam followers 83 and cause the locking pins 82 to engage in the holes 81 of the angle extensions 80 and thus lock the buck supporting means in its centered position. The locking means include therefore cooperating engaging means carried upon each buck and in fixed position upon the frame which interengage when the buck has been moved into proper or aligned position with respect to the head.

In the modifications shown in Figures 6 and 7 adjustable abutment screws 42 are provided on the stop member 41 so that the stop member 41 will be stopped by the abutments 39 in exactly the proper position. If the control handle 71 is then operated to move the locking pins 82 into engagement with the holes 81 in the angle extensions 80 of the stop member 41', the buck supporting means is insured against displacement, and the buck is exactly centered for operation of the press.

Power control mechanism (Figure 9 modificatz'on) One form of power control mechanism for my improved pressing machine is shown in Figure 9. The opening and closing movement of the press is operated by the fluid motor 12. The swinging of the buck supporting means is operated by

fluid motors

90, 91. Working fluid is supplied from a supply line 93 through suitable connecting pipes, as shown in Figure 9, to the

valve casings

94, 95 and 96.

The valve casing 96 contains a normally closed intake valve 97 connected by a stem 98 to a normally open exhaust valve 99. A pipe 100 con.-

nects with the interior of the valve casing 96 at apoint midway between the

valves

97 and 99.

'The valves in the valve casing 9'5 are operated by a push button 101 through a bell crank 102 and rocker arm 103 which contacts with the stem 104 of the exhaust valve 99. The valves are locked in operated position by supplying air to the diaphragm chamber 105 to cause the diaphragm therein to hold the plunger 106 against the rocker arm 108 so as to hold it in operated position.

The

valve chambers

94 and 95 contain

intake valves

97 and 97 respectively, these valves being rigidly connected by stems 98 and 98 with

exhaust valves

99 and 99 respectively. A pipe 110 connects the valve casing 94, at a point intermediate the

valves

97 and 99 with the fluid motor 91. A pipe 11.1 connects the valve casing 95, at a point intermediate the

valves

97 and 99 with the fluid motor 90. The Valves in the

valve chambers

94 and 95 are operated by a control handle 112 which is pivoted at 113 to a suitable bracket 114. One end of the handle 112 is connected by

resilient link members

115 and 116 with the stem of the exhaust valves in the

valve chambers

95 and 94 respectively. When the control handle 112 is in the full line position shown in Figure 9. it will close the exhaust valve 99 and open the intake valve 97 in the valve chamber 95. The spring 117 in the valve casing 94 will normally hold the intake valve 97 closed and the exhaust valve 99 open. When the control handle 112 is locked into the dotted line position shown in Figure 9, the link memher 116 will force the exhaust valve 99 in the valve casing 94 closed and the intake valve 9''! open. Movement of the control handle'112 into the dotted line position will permit the spring 117 in the valve casing 95 to close the intake valve 97 and open the exhaust valve 99.

To obtain two hand control, that is, to force the operator to use both hands to close the press, the valve chamber 120 is provided. This valve chamber contains an exhaust valve 121 which may be moved into closed position by the push button 122 operating through the bell crank 123 and rocker arm 124 which contacts with the stem of the exhaust valve 121. The exhaust valve 121 may be locked in closed position by supplying air pressure behind the diaphragm in the diaphragm chamber 125 to hold the plunger 126 in contact with the rocker arm 124 to hold the rocker arm in operated position.

The pipe 100 is provided with a branch 130v which connects with the valve casing 120. A second branch 181 connects the pipe 100 with the fluid motor 12. As long as the exhaust valve 121 remains open air from the pipe 100 is free to escape through the branch 130 and valve cas-. ing 120. Only when the exhaust valve 121 is closed will the pressure in the pipe 100 and branch 131 build up sufflciently to operate the fluid motor 12.

A pipe 132, connected with the inlet end of the fluid motor 12, communicates with the valve casing 133. This valve casing contains an exhaust valve 134, which is urged into closed position by a spring 135, but which is held in open position by the cam member 74, which contacts with the stem of the exhaust valve 134 to hold it open at all times except when the control handle 71 (see Figure 6) is operated to move the operating bar 76 to the left. From the previous description of the Buck centering before pressoperative engaging means of the locking means provided with an exhaust valve 134.

have interengaged which insures positive alignvment between the buck and head. The pipe 132 and valve casing 133 provide an escape for the working fluid, which will prevent suflicient pressure from building up in the cylinder of the fluid motor 12 to operate the same, unless a buck is properly centered under the pressing head and locked in position, so that the exhaust valve 134 may close. The exhaust valve 134 may therefore be viewed in two ways, namely, as a means controlled by the locking means when the latter are in disengaged position for controlling the actuation of the motor means and as a means associated with the locking means and the control means to prevent actuation of the motor means since the exhaust valve 134 is part of the motor control means which controls motor 12.

The fluid motor 12 includes a piston 140 operating in a cylinder 141. An orifice 142 is provided in the wall of the cylinder 141 at such a location that the piston will uncover the orifice at substantially the same time as the pressing head comes into contact with a buck. The orifice 142 communicates with the pipe 143 and branch pipe 144 leading to the diaphragm chambers 125 and respectively. Thus, when the piston 140 uncovers the orifice 142, the working fluid behind the piston will pass through the pipe 143 and into branch pipe 144 to operate the diaphragms in the

diaphragm chambers

125 and 105 respectively to lock the valves in the

valve casings

120 and 96 in their operated positions.

A pipe 150 communicating with the branch pipe 144, leads to a valve casing 151 which is This exhaust valve is urged into closed position by a spring 135 but is held in open position by the cam member '73 which contacts with the stem of the exhaust valve 134' to hold the valve open at all times except when the control handle '71 (see Figure 6) is operated to move the operating bar 76 to the left and thus rock the cam member 73 about its pivot point. From the previous description of the Buck centering before pressing, it is apparent that the exhaust valve 134' in the valve casing 151 will be open at all times except when a buck is properly centered under the pressing head. As long as the exhaust valve 134 in the valve casing 151 is open, working fluid is free to escape from the pipe 143 and branch pipe 144, through the pipe 150 and valve casing 151, thus preventing sufficient pressure from building up in the pipe 143 and branch pipe 144 to operate the diaphragms in the

diaphragm chambers

125 and 105 to lock the valves in the

valve casings

120 and 96 in operated position.

Operation of the press (Figure 9 modification) The operation of the press, as shown in Figure 9, is as follows- The operator moves the handle 112 to the right or left to operate the valves in the

valve casings

94 and 95 to supply working fluid to one of the

fluid motors

91 and 90. With the parts in the positions shown in Figure 9, the buck 21 will be under the pressing head. Assuming that a pressing operation has just been completed and that the operator wishes to move the buck 21 out from under the pressing head and move the buck 20 into position for the next pressing operation, he will move the control handle 112 from the full line position shown in Figure 9 to the dotted line position. This will cause the intake valve 97d in the valve casing 95 to close and the exhaust valve 99d to open. At the same time, the intake valve 970 in the valve casing 94 will be opened and the exhaust valve 990 in the valve casing 94 closed. Working fluid will now flow from the pipe 93 around the open intake valve 970 in the valve casing 94 and through the pipe to operate the fluid motor 91. The supporting means for the buck 21 will be operated by the fluid motor 91 to move the buck 21 to the right into the dotted line position shown in Figure 2. Due to the tie bar 40 which connects the buck supporting means, the movement of the buck supporting means for the buck 21 to the right will cause the buck supporting means for the buck 20 to also move to the right and operate the fluid motor 90 on its exhaust stroke. Working fluid will be exhausted through the pipe 111 and .valve casing 95, the exhaust valve 99d being open.

When. the fluid motor 91 has operated the buck supporting means sufficiently to bring the cross member 38 into contact with the abutments 39 (see Figure 2), the fluid motor 91 will necessarily stop and hold the buck supporting means in this position. Operation of the

push buttons

101 and 122 to close the press at this time will be of no avail, since the exhaust valve 134 in the valve casing 133 is open and will prevent suflicient pressure from building up in the cylinder 141 to operate the fluid motor 12.

The buck 20 now being in proper position under the pressing head, the operator will move the control handle '71 (see Figure 6) to move the op- 1 crating bar 76 to the left. The cam members '72, 73 and 74 will be rocked in a clockwise direction to cause the centering pin '77 to rise into the hole 70 in the sliding block 67, and the locking pins 82 to rise into the holes 81 in the angle extensions 80, thus locking the buck 20 in centered position under-the pressing head. This movement of the cam members 73 and '74 will permit the

springs

135 and 135 in the

valve casings

151 and 133 respectively to close the

exhaust valves

134 and 134 in the valve casings.

The

push buttons

101 and 122 may now be operated to permit working fluid to flow from the supply pipe 93 through the valve casing 96, pipe 100, and pipe 131 to the fluid motor 12. Since the exhaust valve 121 and the exhaust valve 134 in the valve casing 133 are closed, pressure will immediately build up in the pipe 131 and cylinder 141 to operate the piston 140. The fluid motor will now actuate the actuating means, illustrated in Figure 1, to bring the pressing head 1 into contact with the buck 20. At the time that the pressing head contacts with the buck, the piston 140 willuncover the orifice 142 in the wall of the cylinder and permit working fluid to enter the pipe 143 and pass through the pipe 143 and branch pipe 144 and operate the diaphragms in the

diaphragm chambers

125 and 105 to lock the valves in the valve casings and 96 in operated position. The operator may now remove his hands from the

push buttons

101 and 122 and the press will remain in closed position.

When the press is to be opened, the operator moves the control handle '71 (see Figure 6) so as to move the operating bar '76 to the right and cause the

cam members

73 and 74 to open the

exhaust valves

134 and 134 in the

valve casings

151 and 133 respectively. The opening of the exhaust valve 134 in the valve casing 151 releases the pressure behind the diaphragms in the diaphragm chambers and 105 so that the valves in the

valve casings

120 and 96 are free to return to their normal positions. When the

exhaust valves

121 and 99 in the

valve casings

120 and 96 motor 12 through the

pipes

131, and 100.

. the stern of the valve 161.

Power control mechanism (Figure 8) Figure 8 shows a slightly different arrangement of the operating and control mechanism from that shown in Figure 9. The operation of the

fluid motors

90 and 91 by the control handle 112 is exactly the same as described in connection with Figure 9 except for the source of working fluid which is supplied to the valve casings 9c, 95. Instead of supplying working fluid to these

valve casings

94, 95 directly from the supply line 93, the supply line 93 communicates with a valve casing 160 which contains a normally open intake valve 161. A pipe 162 leads from the valve casing 160 to the

valve casings

94 and 95 to supply them with working fluid. The valve casing 160 is provided with a diaphragm chamber 163 containing a diaphragm 164, which operates a head 165 secured to A spring 166 normally holds head 165 in raised position so that the valve 161 is open. When pressure is admitted to the diaphragm chamber 163 through a pipe 1'70 which connects the diaphragm chamber 163 with the intake line of the fluid motor 12, the diaphragm 164 will force the head 165 downward against the urge of the spring 166 and close the valve 161, thus cutting oil the supply of working fluid from the pipe 93 to the

valve chambers

94 and 95. The purpose of this valve casing 160 and the valve mechanism associated therewith is to render it impossible for the operator to supply working fluid to the

motors

90, 91 to shift the buck supporting means, when the fluid motor 12 is operated to bring the pressing head into contact with a buck. This safety valve mechanism provided in the valve casing 160 was not necessary with the modified operating mechanism shown in Figure 9 because of the fact that the buck supporting means were locked in centered position before the fluid motor 12 could be operated to close the press. The valve mechanism in the valve casing 160 is a substitute, from a safety point of view, for the locking means used with the modified mechanism shown in Figure 9.

The means provided to prevent the operation of the fluid motor 12 to close the press when a buck is not properly centered under the pressing head, include a valve 63 and

valve casings

63 and 63 together with the operating mechanism next to be described. The valve 63 and the mechanism in the

valve casings

63 and 63 are for the same purpose. It would be possible therefore to construct the control mechanism without the valve 63, or to employ this valve and omit the mechanism in the

valve casings

63 and 63 In the preferred embodiment of the invention all of these means are included however, since the valve 63 becomes partially open before the buck is in proper position, and the mechanism in the

valve casings

63 and 63 may become stuck in open position. The use of the valve 63 in combination with the mechanisms in the

valve casings

63 and 63* makes the proper control of air to the pipe 1'71 doubly secure.

The valve casings 63" and 63 contain normally closed

intake valves

97 and 97 respectively, which are rigidly connected by stems 98 and 98 to normally

open exhaust valves

99 and 99 The valves 99= and 99 are exhaust valves of the same type-used in the other valve casings of the control mechanism. These valves are not used as exhaust valves in the control mechanism shown in Figure 8 but when the intake valve in either of the

valve casings

63 or 63 is opened the exhaust valve in that valve casing will be pressed firmly against its seat and will prevent the escape of working fluid out of the valve casing through the opening in which the valve stem operates. This makes it unnecessary to employ packing around the valve stem where it passes through the valve casing. The exhaust ports controlled by the

valves

99 and 99* are obviously unnecessary in Figure 8, the valve assembly shown being of conventional design adapted for use in other locations. The

valve casings

63 and 63 have pipes 171 and 1'71 communicating therewith at a point intermediate the valves in the respective valve casings. These

valve casings

63 and 63 contain check valves 1'72 and 172 to prevent back flow oi fluid from the pipes 1'71 and 171 respectively. The check valve 1'72 is obviously necessary to prevent working fluid supplied through. the valve casing 63 to the pipe 171 from passing down through the pipe 1'71", through the valve casing 63*, and out through the open exhaust valve 99 Each of the

stop members

38 and 41 functions also as a valve operating member in the press using the operating mechanism illustrated in Figure 8. The stop member 38 is shown in Figure 8 in contact with a Y-shaped lever 1'76 which is pivoted at 177 to a suitable supporting bracket 178. The Y-shaped lever 1'76 operates a link 1'79 with which it has slidable engagement, as shown in Figure 8. The link 179 is pivoted at 180 to a link 181 which is pivoted at its lower end to a bracket 182. The pivotal connection 180 is located between the valve casings 63 and 63 and when the Y-shaped lever 1'76 is rocked to the right in Figure 8, the connecting links 1'79 and 181 will move into contact with the stem of the exhaust valve 99 of the valve casing 63 to close the exhaust valve and open the intake valve 97 A spring 183 associated with the link 1'79 draws over center to hold the connecting links 179 and 181 in operated position against the stem of the exhaust valve 99 The spring 183 is not of suflicient strength, however, to hold the valves in the valve casings 63 and 63 against the compression of the springs 11'7 and 1l'7 Unless either the stop member 38 or 41 is in contact with the Y-shaped lever 1'76, the springs 11'7 and 11'7 will close the intake valves 9'7 and 97 and open the exhaust valves 99 and 99 The stop member 38 on one of the buck supporting means contacts with the Y-shaped lever 1'76 to operate the valves in the valve casing 63 and the corresponding stop member 41 on the other buck supportingmeans contacts with the other side of the Y-shapedlever 1'76 to operate the valves in the valve casing 63 Since it is necessary for the intake valve in either the valve casing 63 or the valve casing 63 to be open in order to obtain a supply of working fluid for the motor 12, it is evident that the motor 12 cannot be operated unless one or the bucks is centered under the pressing head so that either the stop member 38 or the stop member 41 is in contact with the Y-shaped lever 1'76.

. A valve 63 which is moved into open position by the revolution of the shaft 62 is so related with the operating mechanism of the shaft 62 that this valve 63 will be opened only when the parallel arm 30 is in the position which it occupies when a buck is properly centered under the press- .ing head.

The

push buttons

101 and 122 and the associated valve mechanism through which the operator controls the fluid motor 12 is essentially the same in the form shown in Figure 8 as in the modification described in connection with Figure 9. The only difference that should be noted in connection with this control is the method of relieving the pressure behind the diaphragms in the

diaphragm chambers

105 and 125. The valves in the

valve casings

120 and 96 are locked in operated position by the admission of pressure into the diaphragm chambers through the

pipes

143 and 144 when the piston 140 uncovers an orifice in the wall of the cylinder, exactly as described in connection with Figure 9. Pressure in these diaphragm chambers is relieved through a pipe 190 which leads from the pipe 143 to a valve casing 191 which contains a normally closed exhaust valve 192 held in position by a spring 193. This exhaust valve 192 is opened to relieve the pressure in the diaphragm chambers, by manipulating an operating handlle 195 which presses against the stem of the valve 192 to force it open against the compression of the spring 193.

Operation of the press (Figure 8) The operation of the press, used in the structure shown in Figure 8, is as follows:With the parts in their full line positions as shown in Figure 8, the buck 21 will be centered under the pressing head. Assuming that a pressing operationhas just been completed and that the operator wishes to move the buck 21 out from under the pressing head and into the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, he will move the control handle 112 into the dotted line position shown in Figure 8. Assuming that the press is in open position 1 and that there is, therefore, no pressure in the cylinder of the fluid motor 12 or in the pipe 170, the valve 161 in the valve casing 160 will be open. Working fluid may therefore pass through the pipe '93, valve casing 160, pipe 162, valve casing 94 and pipe 110 to the fluid motor 91. This operation and the consequent movement of the bucks will be exactly as described in connection with Figure 9.

Operation of the

push buttons

101 and 122 at any time before the buck 20 has had time to move into properly centered position under the pressing head will have no effect. This is because the intake valves in both the

valve casings

63 and 63 are closed and the valve 63 is also closed so that no working fluid can enter the pipe 171 which supplies the

valve casings

96 and 120.

When the buck 20 comes into properly centered position under the pressing head, the gear quadrant segment 60 will have turned the pinion 61 and the connected shaft 62 sufficiently to open the valve 63. The valve operating member 175, associated with-the supporting means of the buck 20 will contact with the Y-shaped lever 176 and cause the connecting

levers

179 and 181 to operate the valves in the valve casing 63 to close the exhaust valve 99 and open the intake valve 97 to supply working fluid from the supply line 93 through the valve 63, valve casing 63 and pipe 1'71 to the valve casing 96.

Depression of the

push buttons

101 and 122 will now cause air to be supplied to the fluid motor 12 to operate the same and cause the closing movement of the press in exactly the same manner as described in Figure 9.

While the buck is not locked in centered position as was the case with the modification shown in Figures 6, 7 and 9, it is impossible for the operator to swing the buck out of proper position after the fluid motor 12 begins to close the press, since the pressure in the cylinder is transmitted through the pipe 170 to valve casing 160 and shuts off the supply of working fluid for the

fluid motors

90 and 91.

While I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention, and certain modifications thereof, various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A pressing machine including in combination a frame; a pressing head mounted on said frame; a buck movable into and out of position under said pressing head; a support for said buck including aplurality of arms of equal length pivoted at spaced apart points on the frame and pivotally connected at equally spaced apart points to the buck support to obtain a parallelogrammatic action when the buck is moved into and out of position under the pressing head.

2. A pressing machine including in combination a frame; a pressing head mounted on said frame; a buck movable into and out of position under said pressing head; a support for said buck including a plurality of arms of equal length pivoted at spaced apart points on the frame and pivotally connected at equally spaced apart points to the buck support to obtain a parallelogrammatic action when the buck is moved into and out of position under the pressing head; and means for locking the buck in position with respect to the pressing head for cooperative pressing action therewith.

3. A pressing machine including in combination a frame; a buck support including a plurality of arms of equal length pivoted at spaced apart points on the frame and pivotally connected at equally spaced apart points to a buck supporting member to obtain a parallelogrammatic action when the buck is moved with respect to the ing member to obtain a parallelogrammatic action when such buck is moved with respect to the frame; and a connecting link between said buck supporting means for transmitting motion of one of said supporting means to the other of said buck supporting means.

4. A pressing machine including in combination -a frame; a buck support including a plurality of arms of equal length pivoted at spaced apart points on the frame and pivotally connected at equally spaced apart points to a buck supporting member to obtain a parallelogrammatic' action when the buck is moved with respect to the frame; a second buck support including a plurality of arms of equal length pivoted at spaced apart points on the frame and pivotally connected at equally spaced apart points to a buck supporting member to obtain a parallelogrammatic action when such buck is moved with respect to the frameya connecting link between said buck supporting means for transmitting inoframe; a pressing head mounted on the frame; a plurality of bucks; supporting means for the bucks pivotally mounted on the frame and including means for holding each buck in parallel positions during movement; and means for moving each buck successively into cooperative relation with the pressing head.

6. In a pressing machine in combination, a frame; a pressing head mounted on the frame; a plurality of bucks; supporting means for the bucks movably mounted on the frame and including means for holding each buck in parallel positions during movement; means for moving each buck successively into position for cooperative pressing action with the pressing head; actuating means for moving the pressing head into contact with the cooperative buck; and means to prevent operation of the actuating means when there is no buck positioned for proper cooperative pressing action with the pressing head.

7. In a pressing machine in combination, a frame; a pressing head; a plurality of bucks; supporting means for the bucks pivotally mounted on the frame and including means for holding each in parallel positions throughout its range of movement; power means for moving the bucks successively into position under the pressing head; means for locking each buck in such position un der the pressing head; and means to prevent op eration of the locking means when the buck is not properly centered with respect to the pressing head.

8. In a pressing machine in combination, a frame; a pressing head; a plurality of bucks; supo porting means for the bucks pivotally mounted on the frame and including means for holding each in parallel positions throughout its range of movement; power means for moving the bucks successively into position under the pressing head; actuc'j ating means for moving the pressing head into contact with the cooperative buck; motor means for operating the actuating means; and means to prevent the effective flow of power to the motor means when a buck is not properly centered with j respect to the pressing head for cooperative pressing action therewith.

9. In a garment and laundry pressing machine, in combination, a frame; a movable head; a plurality of bucks arranged with their long dimensions extending forwardly and rearwardly so that one end of each buck is in front of the frame and toward the operator; buck supporting means pivotally mounted on the frame and operable to shift the bucks transversely to bring said bucks successively into central position with respect to the head; and means for actuating the head toward and from the buck in central position.

10. In a garment and laundry pressing machine, in combination, a frame; a movable head;

a plurality of bucks arranged with their long dimensions extending forwardly and rearwardlyso that one end of each buck is in front of the frame and toward the operator; buck supporting means pivotally mounted on the frame and operable to shift the bucks transversely to bring said bucks successively into central position with respect to the head; neck band holding means mounted on each buck at the rear end thereof and shiftable therewith; and means at the front end 50; of each buck for operating the neck band holding means.

11. A press including in combination, a frame;

a buck support pivotally connected to the frame;

a buck carried by the buck support; a second buck support pivotally connected to the frame; a buck carried by the second buck support; a press head pivotally mounted on the frame for press opening and closing movements; and means for lock-- ing said buck supporting means in position for cooperative pressing action of the respective buck with the press head.

12. A garment or ironing press comprising a frame, a pressing head mounted on the frame, a pair of spaced buck supports of equal length pivotally mounted on the frame and upon opposite sides of the head, the buck supports moving in parallel relation with each other and in the same direction, a buck pivotally mounted on each buck support, and means connected with said bucks to obtain a parallelogrammatic action of the bucks when they are moved into and out of position under the pressing head.

13. A garment or ironing press comprising a frame, a pressing head mounted on the frame, a pair of spaced buck supports of equal length pivotally mounted on the frame and upon opposite sides of the head, the buck supports moving in parallel relation with each other and in the same direction, a buck pivotally mounted on each buck support, means connected with said bucks to ob tain a parallelcgrammatic action of the bucks :hen they are moved into and out of position under the pressing head, locking means includ-' ing cooperating engagin means carried by each buck and by the frame in fixed position thereupon and interengaging only upon one of the bucks being positioned with respect to the pressing head for cooperative pressing action therewith;

14. A garment or ironing press comprising a frame, a pressing head mounted on the frame, a pair of spaced buck supports of equal length pivotally mounted on the frame and upon opposite sides of the head, a buck pivotally mounted on each buck support, means connected with said bucks to obtain a parallelogrammatic action of the bucks when they are moved into and out of position under the pressing head, locking means including cooperating engaging means carried by each buck and by the frame in fixed position thereupon and interengaging only upon one of the bucks being positioned with respect to the pressing head for cooperative pressing action therewith, motor means operatively connected with the pressing head to actuate the same, control means for connecting the motor means with a source of power, and means controlled by the locking means for controlling the actuation of the motor means.

15. A garment or ironing press comprising a frame, a pressing head mounted on the frame, a pair of spaced buck supports of equal length pivotally mounted on the frame and upon opposite sides of the head, a buck pivotally mounted on each buck support, means connected with said bucks to obtain a parallelogrammatic action when the bucks are moved into and out of position under the pressing head, locking means including cooperating engaging means carried by each buck. and by the frame in fixed position thereupon and interengaging only when one of the bucks is positioned with respect to the pressing head for cooperative pressing action therewith, motor means operatively connected with the pressing head to actuate the same, control means for connecting the motor means with a source of power, and means associated with the locking means and the control means to prevent actuation of the motor means so long as the locking means are disengaged.

16. A garment or ironing press comprising a frame, a pressing head mounted on the frame, a pair of spaced bucks mounted on the frame and movable into and out of pressing position under the press head, locking means including cooperating engaging means carried by each buck and by the frame in fixed position thereupon and interengaging only upon one of the bucks being positioned with respect to the pressing head for cooperative pressing action therewith, motor means operatively connected with the pressing head to actuate the same, control means for connecting the motor means with a source of power, and means controlled by the locking means for controlling the actuation of the motor means. 1'7. A garment or ironing press comprising a frame, a pressing head mounted on the frame, a pair of spaced buck supports of equal length pivotally mounted on the frame and upon opposite sides of the head, a buck pivotally mounted on each buck support, means connected with said bucks to obtain a parallelogrammatic action of the bucks when they are moved into and out of position under the pressing head, locking means including cooperating engaging means carried by each buck and by the frame in fixed position 18.'A garment or ironing press comprising a frame, a pressing head mounted on the frame, a pair of spaced bucks mounted on the frame and movable into and out of pressing position under the pressing head, locking means including cooperating engaging means carried by each buck and by the frame in fixed position thereupon and interengaging only upon one of the bucks being positioned with respect to the pressing head for cooperative pressing action therewith, motor means operatively connected with the pressing head to actuate the same, control means for connecting the motor means with a source of power, and means associated with the locking means and the control means to prevent actuation of the motor means so long as the locking means are disengaged.

19. A garment or ironing press comprising a frame, a pressing head mounted on the frame, a pair of spaced bucks mounted on the frame and movable into and out of pressing position under the pressing head, locking means including cooperating engaging means carried by each buck and by the frame in fixed position thereupon and interengaging only upon one of the bucks being positioned with respect to the pressing head for cooperative pressing action therewith, a fluid motor operatively connected with the pressing head to actuate the same, control means for connecting the motor with a source of fluid pressure, an exhaust valve connected with the motor, and means associated with the locking means and the exhaust valve to hold the latter open so long as the locking means are disengaged.

ERNEST DAVIS.