US2343289A - Apparatus for pressing shirts and the like - Google Patents

Description

March 7,1944. L D, RSE 2,343,289

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING SHIRTS AND THE LIKE vFiled oct. s, 1940 5 sheets-sheet 1 March 7,'11944v H. D. FQRSE 2,343,289

l I APPARATUS FOR PRESSING SHIRTS AND THE LIKE Filed oct. rs,v 1940 5 sheets-sheet 2 'P La.; 50 72 30 3l 20 ala IIHII mvmron HHK/v 7. fama.

March 7, vM D FQRSE APPARATUS FOR PRESSING SHIRTS AND THE LIKE Filed 061:. 3, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 7,1944. H, -QRSE 2,343,289

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING SHIRTS AND THE LIKE -Filed Oct. 3, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 1,1944. Q H, FRSE 2,343,289

APPARATUS FOR PRESS'ING SHIRTS AND THE LIKE Filed Occn,y 3, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet V Patented Mar. 7, 1944 v l UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs 2,343,289 APrAaA'rUs Foa mesmo sma'rs AND Hwy n. Fone, Anderson, ma. Appuoatmn october s, 1940, serial 10.359525 si claims, (ci. 223-51) This invention relates more particularly to a shirt and similar garment type press.

The chief object of the present invention is to provide a press for the pressing of wearing apparel such as shirts and the like whereby the unit time per shirt may be materially reduced and to approximately one-half that now required for pressing shirts. This reduction is obtained by reducing the number of operations and combining some of the operations whereby they are automatically eiected in succession for each handling of the article.

Another chief object of thev invention is to reduce the investment cost of shirt pressing machinery -by so arranging the parts of .the present invention so that a single machine now is arranged to duplicate the functions of from two to six machines now utilized in the shirt pressing art and the operating area is correspondingly reduced.

Another object of this invention is to require a smaller number of operators for ironing of shirts.

The present invention, as illustrated and hereinafter described, is a single machine arranged to accommodate and press an entire short except that portion of the sleeve from the gusset to the shoulder; and for pressing of that portion of the shirt, asleeve former machine well known in the laundry industry is utilized, wherefore, a further object of the invention is to provide an improved v'I'he chief feature of the present invention relates to a multiple buck and head arrangement whereby one buck and head when in associated and pressing relation is-adapted for pressing part of the shirt and the other bucks and heads, in disassociated relation, permit the operator, during the pressing interval required for pressing by the first mentioned buck and head, to properly position other shirt portions with said other bucks and heads for subsequent pressing thereby. During this latter interval the operator can remove the previously pressed portion of the shirt from the first mentioned bu'ck, etc., as hereinafter set forth.

This invention further is characterized by the successive pressing operations being automatically actuated for sequential operation, the latter operation being of multiple character so that the collar and the cuffs, including the4 gussets, are pressed simultaneously.

One feature of the invention is a bypass exhaust arrangement whereby the speed of press operation is materially increased.

Another feature consists in the form and construction of the body nnishing buck.

Another'feature of the invention consists in the peculiar construction and operation of the collar and/or the cuil and gusset buck and head struc ture. v

vAnother feature of the invention relates to the automatic and quick action control included in the press for supplying a pressure medium thereto and relieving such pressure from the several inflatable portions of the press.

A further feature of the invention is in the quick detachable cui! and gusset clamp associated with the cuff and gusset iniiatable bag buck.

A further feature of the invention consists in associating a buck and head structure for axial telescopic association with the garment therein in an enveloping relation.l

- Another feature of the invention is the use of auxiliary cuil.' pressing bucks for the pressing of the so-called French or double cuffs and for very small cuii's and gussets that do-not permit finishing on the tubular bucks.

Another feature consists of an arrangement whereby the operator can easily and quickly change air connection from tubular cuff bucks to the above mentioned auxiliary French cui! bucks depending on type of garment being iinished.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings, the following description and claims:

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view with parts of the housing removed of the'invention showing the body press in opened relation and the multiple press arrangement in pressing position, the

treadle for iiuid pressure control of the latter being shown in non-controlling position and the .handle control of the press being shown in the upper position.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat similar view of the aforesaid except that the body press is shown in pressing position and the multiple press is shown in non-pressing or extended relation, the handle control being shown in the lowered or down position, the treadle being shown in the non-controlling position, the dotted lines of the handle structure indicating the upper portion thereof and the dotted lines of the foot treadle indicating the actuating position thereof, parts of the body press being broken away to show the same in transverse section and parts of the multiple press arrangement being broken away to show a portion of the latter in longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a portion of the Vpress illustrating more particularly the relationship of the several pressing arrangements of the multiple press arrangement.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the collar press of the latter, parts being broken away to show the same and other parts in transverse section.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged londitudinal sectional view of the collar press portion of the multiple press arrangement showing the parts in extended or non-pressing position. y

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view ofthe inilating iluid pressure supply and selective control to the ymultiple press arrangement. v

Fig. 'I is a perspective view of a conventional cuil' applied to the cuil buck and a clip anchorage therebetween. A

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of a modiiied form of conventional cui! clip type anchorage and the associated portion of the cui! buck. Fig. 9 is a perspective view ci' the body'buck with two shirts laid tail'to tail. a body carried shirt clamping clip, and an associated collar supporting portion carried by said buck and the control mechanism for that portion. f

Fig. 10 isa front elevation of the latter arrangement.

Fig. l1 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and of a portion of a modified form of the invention including snubbers and a full automatic arrangement.

Fig. 12 is la side elevation of an air control for the body buck inilatable portions, the dotted lines corresponding to open press position, the full lines representing closed press and air supply position, other dotted lines indicated the deilating position.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of a cuff buck protector arrangement and, for simplicity, the cuil anchoring means shown in Fig. '1 or 8 have intentionally been omitted.

In the drawings, there is illustrated a simple, compact, shirt pressing unit upon which all shirt pressing operations can .be e'ccted except that commonly called sleeving," the latter usually being effected by sliding the sleeve upon a heated metallic cone about three feet or so in length.

The present invention includes, see Fig. 1, a base from which extends upwardly supporting portions as hereinafterpointed out. Pivoted at 2i on the base or portions carried by the base is aT ick support- 22. Pivotally supported a't 23 is a iluid pressure cylinder 24 having piston 25 therein carried by rod 25 pivotally connected :at 21 to support 22. A portion oi'v the.base frame structure 28 adjustably supports tension spring 29 connected therefore movable with support 22.

The spring 29 normally tends to position the body buck B, carried by the support 22, in nonpressing position. When pressure is applied to the bottom end of cylinder 24, the piston moves upward and the support 22 moves clockwise, arm 3| extending spring 29, andthe body buck B is thus positioned in pressing position.

A complementary pressing head H is adjustably supported as at -22 upon an oarm structure L22 pivoted at 34 upon upward extensions 20B of the frame. Arm 33 is extended at 'I5 and adjustably connected at 3B, is a tension spring 31, the lower end of which is anchored at 39 to a frame member. As shown in Fig.` 2, member 25 is a stop limiting clockwise tilting of buck support structure 22. u

Pivotally supported` at 39 upon the trame or base structure is another fluid pressure operable structure including cylinder 40 lwithin which is? piston 4| carried by Vrod '42 pivoted to arm 42 at 44. Said arm 43 is pivoted upon portion 20h of the frame at 45 and projects forwardly therexrom and is pivotally connectedat 48 to a link 41 inturn similarly connected at 48 to an arm 49 pivoted at one end at before-mentioned.

' The forward end of the arm 49 is connected at 55 at 30 to arm 2i carried by rock shaft 2l and The spring 31 normally constrains the arm 2l downwardly orin a counter-clockwise direction on pivot' 24, the same tending to elevate the head structure H and if not otherwise opposed, the

lhead will be positioned in the open position, as

shown in Fig. 1. The application of pressure to the lower end of cylinder 40 causes the piston 4I to elevate which elevates the 4piston rod '42, in

turn elevating the arm 43 or rather tilting the same counter-clockwise. This tilting is applied through the link 41 to the arm 49. Thus, it will be noted that the head structure H generally' is caused to move from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 in opposition to the tension constraint imposed by spring 21. The head and buck structures are positioned in open relation in Fig. 1. They are positioned in closed or pressing relation in Fig. 2.

I Pivotally supported at 52 is an arm structure 53 which extends forwardly and upwardly and terminates in a handle arrangement generally indicated by the numeral 54, the same being positioned forwardly with relation to the head structure H.

Carried by the arm 35 is a valve structure V. An air pressure supply line 55, see Figs. l and 2 and the lower right-hand portions thereof, is connected to a T-member 55a. One branch is connected by a flexible hose 56150 the valve structure V at 51. This is the power supply to the two power cylinders 24 and 40. When the handle structure 54--53 is depressed, the adjustable abutment 58 engages stem 59 of an intake valve in a chamber inthe valve structure V. This intake valve controls communication to the outlet 60, in turn connected by the flexible hose 6I to a T-connectlon 62. The same is shown immediately above T-55 in Figs. 1 and 2. A exible hose 53 is connected to said T-connection 62 and at 64 leads to the lower end of cylinder 24.

Y When valve 59 is depressed to open the supply line, pressure is applied to the cylinder 24 and piston 25 elevates, as previously described, until such time as said piston 25 uncovers a port in said cylinder 24,l which port leads to the connection B5. A flexible hose 66 connected thereto at one end is connected at its opposite end to T- member 61 immediately to the left of the T42. A ilexible pipe portion't from said T-1 leads to the lower end of the cylinder 40. Thus, when the piston 25 uncovers the port in the cylinder 24 providing 'communication from the cylinder to the conduit 66, pressure is then applied to the cylinder 4i. This is a timingl arrangement insuring that the buck B is caused to be moved clockwise under pressure before the head H is caused to be moved downwardly and counter-clockwise. Continued applicationof pressure positions the buck B as shown in Fig. 2. v This position. as stated, is limited by the end Ila oi arm Si movable with the support structure 22, as shown in Fig. 2. Continued application of pressure thereafter merely passes through the cylinder 2l and continues application of pressure to piston 4i in cylinder 40, finally lowering the head H in operative and pressing relation with respectv to the buck B as shown in Fig. 2.

Connecting the T42 and T41 is a check valve @9. This check valve prevents the application oi pressure directly from T-iixture t2 to T-fixture 61, but insures substantial equalization of pressure applied to both cylinders 2l and 4I. When the handle Si is actuated by being elevated, the intake valve controlled by stem 59 ele' fates and cuts oil' the application of pressure. The adjustable abutment carried by the han.- die control structure engages the stem 1i of a valve which is normally closed and is associated with the interior chamber in the valve V so that the pressure between the intake valve, controlled by stem 59, and the several cylinders, is released through the muiller 12 connected to said valve structure V. When this pressure is released, gravity acting on the buck B and assisted by the spring 29 and the force of spring I1 acting on the head structure support arrangement causes the press 'to'open and the air previously in the power cylinders escapes through the muiiier 12.

It will be appreciated that if the entire release were eiected in the reverse manner in which the pressure was applied that cylinder 40 might not completely release, being cut off from release as soon as the piston 25 covers the port t0 the discharge 85 on cylinder 24. The pressure of cylinder 40, however, is released after that covering action by venting through the check valve i9 to the'T-iitting l2 and by line 8i to the muiller. This arrangement insures complete release oi' air pressure in cylinder Il. This arrangement also insures quicker release because the pressure in cylinder 24 initially releases through line 6l as well as line I6, T41 and check valve I9. 'I'hus the opening movement of the press is accelerated, which is a further advantage of this check'controlled bypass inclusion.

Referring to the lower right-hand portions of Figs. 1 and 2, Vit will be noted that the T55a connects to a line 13 in turn connecting to a pressure regulator and reducer arrangement, indicated generally by the numeral 14, the low pressure discharge 15 of which constantly supplies low pressure air to a valve structure indicated generally by the letter W. This low pressure air supply is for inflation purposes.

Omitting temporarily a detailed description of the buck B, it is suillcient to state that low pressure air is supplied to inflatable portions thereof by means of the conduit 1i. This conduit at its lower end connects to the valve structure arrangement indicated generally by the letter W. which includes two valves, the stems of which are indicated by the numerals 11 and 1I and associated therewith is a muilier 1I.

In juxtaposition to the two stems 11 and 18 is a control member pivoted at Il. 'Ihis cnntrol member'includes an adjustable abutment l2 and an adjustable abutment 83. The member l0 is connected at 84 to a rod Bland the same is constrained toward the clockwise tilted position by means of spring I6, see Figs. 1 and 2. This rod V85 at its upper end is hingedly associated with another rod'member 81 pivotally connected at 8l to an arm 89, also pivoted at 45 and carrying an abutment 0l. i

Carried by thc shaft l?. see the upper part of Figs. l. 2 and l2, is In arm Il. Slidably mounted in the i'ree end thereof is a rod l2 having enlax-ged portion at one end, the opposite end being associated with the pivotal connection Il between the rods Il and l1. A spring il is associated with this connection. Thus, the rod lI-ll is a toggle type structure and is controlled by the springs Il and 95, the abutment Il and the lever arm il. When the head is down or closed relative to the buck, as shown in Fig. 2, the member l0 depresses the stem 11 of the intakel valve so that low pressure air is applied to conduit 1| to inflate the inflatable portions of the buck. Thus, not only is there mechanical pressure application between the head H and the buck B, but there is applied to the garment therebetween an additional pressure incident to the application of low pressure fluid to the inflatable portions of the buck hereinafter to be described.

When the head is elevated into the position shown in Fig. 1, it will be observed that the tail portion Ilia of the member It engages the stem 'Il through the adjustable abutment Il and tht` intake valve stem 11 is not actuated, or rather is released so that the intake valve then automatically moves to the closed position, cutting oif the air supply to the inilatable portions of the buck. When the stem 1l of the exhaust valve is thus depressed as described, the air in the lniiatable Portions of the buck is released and vented through the muilier 19.

In Fig.^3 of the drawings, and the same is shown in elevation in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that positioned forwardly of the buck B is a multiple pressing arrangement and all of the same is carried by the support structure 22.

Referring to Fig. 3, C generally indicates the head structure of a collar press, D the cooperating buck structure. Positioned at each side thereof is a pressing structure for a conventional cuff. Herein, the head structure thereof is of tubular character and is indicated by the letter E and the buck portion thereof is indicated by F. Adjacent thereto and at each extreme end of the pressing element is a French cui! pressing structure, the head portion thereof being indicated by the letter J and the buck portion being indicated by K. The construction of the head and buck portions of the French cui! press portion is substantially similar except for shape and dimension as the collar pressing portion C-D, the detailed construction oi which will be hereinafter set forth more fully and which is illustrated in Adetail in Figs. 4 and 5.

'Ihe pressing arrangement E-F for conventional cuil's of a shirt is shown in detail in Fig. 2 and will be referred to more fully hereinafter. For the purpose of the present description, it is to be understood that the several heads in sequence, J, E, C, E and J are all relatively rigidly associated with the buck support structure 22 and are carried thereby and are movable therewith.

Each of the buck structures K, F, D, F and K is independently mounted upon` an elongated support such as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 by the numeral 98, each of the aforesaid being of tubular character and each of these elongated mem-I bers extends through the associated head structure, as hereinafter pointed out, and each is slidably supported and guided as at 91. The ends of the members $6, not connected to the respective bucks, are adJustably connected as at 98 to members carried by a shaft l0. This shaft Il is connected by a link arrangement to the frame as at |0|. This linkage arrangement is of such character that as., the support structure 22 is moved from the position shown in Fig. l to the position shown in Fis. 2 and in the reverse direction, the head and buck portions pviously designated by theletters C to F inclusive and J to K maintain longitudinal alignment.

vWhen the head H- and buck B are positioned inopen relation as shown in Fig. l, the several parallel support carried heads and bucks are in pressing position. When the head H and buck B are positioned, as shown in Fig. 2, the pressing position, said several heads and bucks are positioned in extended relation or in non-pressing position. y

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the valve structure W includes an intake control valve having stem |02 and an exhaust valve having stem |03'. 'I'here is also associated with the exhaust valve, the muiiier |04. Leading from the valve structure W and more especially the chamber arrangement controlled by the valves |2 and |03 is a supply line which will be referred to more fully herrelnafter.

Positioned adjacent the stems |02 and plvotally supported on the shaft |00 is the member 1x01 having the abutment portion |05 which mounts an adjustable abutment |00 for contact with stem |02. 'Member |01 also mounts the adjustable abutment i |0 which is operatively associated with the stem |03 at the p roper time. Pivotally connected at to the member |01 is the upper end of an adjustable rod ||2. The lower end thereof is pivotally connected to the rod portion ||3 at ||4. A spring ||5 is operatively associated therewith. The rod I |3 is pivotally mounted at IIB and the arm ,Ill is rigid with` the rock shaft IIB or forlnssl bell crank for the member ||3. The arm ||1 mounts the roller 0 adapted to engage the portion 3| b of the arm 3|.

When the support 22 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 2, or body press closed posi tion to body press open position, see Fig. l, the arm is, engaged and tilted clockwise to tilt member |01 clockwise to actuate intake valve |02 for supplying low pressure air to the line |05 and to the several inilatable portions of the buck structures of the multiple pressing arrangement previously described.

Pivotally mounted at 23, see the lower lefthand portions of Figs. 1 and 2, is a spring constrained foot pedal structure I I9 having a foot engageable portion and an opposite operating armportion |2I pivotally connected at |22 to an adjustable rod structure |23 pivotally connected to the junction ||4 of the pivotally connected rods ||2 and H3. When the partsof the press are in the position shown in Fig. 1, it will be remembered that air is supplied by line |05 to the inilatable portions of the several buck structures of the multiple pressing arrangement. When a suillcient pressing interval has elapsed, the operator by depressing pedal IIS-|20 in opposition to the spring breaks the joint between members ||2 and ||3 in opposition to the spring ||5 and tilts the member |01 counter-clockwise. This permits valve |02, or the intake valve to line |05, to close, cutting oil further' supply of air to said line, and then depresses stem |03 of the exhaust valve to open the same so that the pressure iiuid in the line |05 and the connected inflatable p0rtions of the bucks oi' the multiple pressing arrlxigement can be exhausted through the muiiler Reference will'now be had more particularly to Fig. 6, wherein there is diagrammatically illustrated air supply connections and control. In this figure. it will be noted that the line |05 leads directly to the collar buck structure D and a branch |24 thereof connects to a three-way valve v |25 in turn connectedv to two conduits |25 and to conduit |24. The majority oi' shirts, at the present time, are of the conventional cui! type. A few shirts are of the French or double cui! type. Also, there are a few shirts which have no cuiIs, but are cut short between the elbow and shoulder. l

When the operator encounters a French cuil.' shirt, the valve |25 is positioned so that uid pressure from line |05 is supplied to line |25. When the operator encounters a shirt which has no cuis, as before described, which is very unusual. valve |25 is positioned in the closed position so that neither conduit |23 nor |29 is sup- 'plied with iiuid pressure. Normally, valve |25 willbe positionedto supply fluid pressure from line |05 to lines |29, the conventional cud' bucks. Thus, selective control is possible and air pressure fluid is conserved or wastage is eliminated.

The several heating connections to the bucks and heads will be described more fully in connection with the specific description of the same unless obvious.

Reference will rst be had to Fig. 2 wherein the body or bosom buck and head is shown in transverse section. Then reference will be had to Fig. 3 wherein the conventional cuil buckand press is shown infront elevation. Then reference will be had to Figs. 4 `and 5 wherein the collar press is shown in elevation and central section respectively.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 2 and the buck B and head H in said figure. The head H includes a pressing face |40 and a chamber |4|, supplied with steam, serves to heat the same. Surrounding the face |40 is a skirt |42 of appreciable depth and the inner surface |43 thereof forms a continuation of pressing face |40. 'Ihe chamber i4| does not extend into the skirt but may do so whenever desired o'r required. The adjustable mounting of the head has been previously referred to and brieily described hereinbefore.

The buck B is adjustably supported at |44 upon support 22. The buck includes a rigid 'body portion |45 chambered at |46 for heating purposes. if desired. The outer surface, with modification. substantially .conforms to the pressing surface of head H but is appreciably smaller so that padding and inflatable portions may be interposed between the buckand head.

Herein, the lower portion of the buck body includes a depending skirt |41 terminating in an outwardy projecting ange |43 which' seats with- Y whether there be mechanical pressure exerted therebetween or not. Since the skirt arrangements are flared outwardly and downwardly to a slight degree, there will be such mechanical pressure exerted but of relatively minor character. The bag expansion insures adequate kpres- Y sure. 'Ihe skirt supported bag or bags can only expand outwardly and upwardly due to flange |49, thus insuring side pressingl and corner. or fillet pressing without rough drying" eiects. Y

The padding may be relieved where desired and an air bag included therein as indicated at |52. Over all bags and padding is the cover fabric |53. This bag |52 is of suillcient length to accommodate the pleats and of sufficient width to accommodate that' shirt pocket or; pockets. This bag when inflated naturally exerts a pressure in. addition to the vmechanical pressure between the elements and in this way the multiple thickness portions of the shirt front can be properly pressed. Bag |52 need not be longitudinally coextensive with the long dimensionof the buck unless desired.

Reference will now be had to the multiple press arrangement immediately below and forwardl of and movable with the buck B and supporte by structure 22. As previously briefly described, the multiple press arrangement includes two French cuipresses, two conventional cui presses and a collar press. The latter is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The conventional cuil' press is illustrated in Fig. 2 to which reference now will be had. s

A member 99 at opposite ends is connected to the ends of links |00 pivot'ed at |6| to the. frame of the machine. lEach ouf! press includes a bearing 99 pivotally mounted on shaft 99 parallel to the front of the machine. Threaded into the forward end of member 99 is the rear end of tube 96 plugged or sealed as at |55. An air connection |56 connects indirectly to 'supply line |65, as shown in Fig. 6.

Rigidly clamped to the support structure 22 is the anchorage |51 which adjustably mounts as at |58 the head structure E, same being tubular and hollow. The chamber |59 thereof is adapted to receive and discharge steam from ports |60 for drying purposes. The inner pressing face is tapered as at |6|.

The auxiliary support or anchorage |51 includes an elongated bearing 91 which is slidably associated with tube 96 and said tube extends through the tubular head E and when this press is open normally projects beyond same and supports at its outer free end, the conventional cuff buck F.

This cuff buck includes a rigid body portion |62 of light metal, wood or similar material rigidly secured to said tube 96. This body is enveloped by an inatable member |63, Clampling heads |64 and |65 secure the ends |66 to the body ends. One or more passages |61 exat |99. The heads are retained in clamping relation as at |19 and |1|. A combination guide |12, etc.. to facilitate cui! and gusset application to'buck F is threaded asl at |19 upon the free end of the tube 96.

As hereinafter set forth, the cuff is mounted on buck F when the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 2. When the buck F and head E are telescopically associated together, as shown in Fig. l, pressure is automatically applied to the bag portion and the cuff and gusset is dried and pressed. Then the pressure is released manually or automatically and the press opened as illustrated in Fig. V2. This sequence is desirable to facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of the cuff and prevent wrinkling thereof. Since the structure is of tapered character, for some purposes, the aforesaid cycle may be varied Slightly- Reference will now be had to Figs. i and 5 whereinv there is illustratedther details of the collar press. It is to be understood that since the French cuff press is similar thereto, that the following description of the collar press is substantially applicable to the French cuff press except as to modications of size and shape and air connections and individual control as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6.

Parts 99, 96, |51, |59 and |55 of the collar press are identical to parts previously described in the conventional cuff press. The collar head C is carried on support structure 22 by the portions |51|59 and includes an arch shaped arrangement having in this instance an arcuate interior pressing face |15. The head is reenforced as at |16 and the several chambers |11 communicate as at |19, |19 and |90 indicate the steam inlet and outlet, respectively, to the head for heating purposes.

Extending `through the head, in a manner similar to the conventional cuff press, is tube 96 and mounted on the forward `end thereof is the collar buck D. This collar buck is hollow, as at |9|, for lightness but is reenforced at |92.

'Ihe bottom includes the central ilat portion |93 downwardly and outwardly projecting portions l9l, and outwardly directed portions |95 parallel to portion |93. The outer ends of portions `|65 are connected to the arch shaped portion-|96, reenforced by members |62 and conforming to but spaced from surface |16 when the press is closed. The lower outer ends of member |96, or portions |95, are extended sidewardly as at |91 but terminate short of meeting engagement with surface |15 when the press is closed. Side plates |99 connect the superposed front and rear edges of the bottom and member |96 and project outwardly, as shown at |99, terminating short of surface |15 when the press is closed.

These outwardly and upwardly projecting portions with member |96 form a seat to receive an inflatable bag |99 connected as at |9| to tube 96 plugged or sealed as at |92. Means |93 locates the rear end of the buck D on tube 96. The washer and nut |94 retain the buck D on the end of tube 96.

A connection |95 is secured to the lower ends of head C and forms a support for spaced plates |96 supporting shaft I 91 upon which, between thev ears on plates |96, is mounted a roller |99. Said roller is engaged by bottom central portion |99 of the buck D when the press is being opened and closed and when closed.

When the press is closed, the bag |99 is infiated. Flanges |31 and |55 confine such expansion and direct same toward the pressing face of head C. A fabric |53 covers the buck pressing portion.. l

Reference will now be had to Fig. 'I and in said figure the conventional cuff buck F has shown applied thereto the cuff M with gusset N of a shirt sleeve 0. Encircling the tube 95 at the rear end of the buck is a spring wire or like looplll for mounting purposes. The extension 35| includes a lateral portion 352 terminating in an |.shaped free end 353-354, the latter having engagement with the connection of button P of the cui! for holding this end of the cuil to the buck and preventing dropping of the cuil therefrom since Fig. 7 is a view of the buck looking at the same approximately from the side. The aforesaid. therefore, indicates that the end of the cui! having buttonhole Q lies uppermost so no retention is desired therefor. This cui! retaining clip may be readily manipulated and only leaves a line impression in the cui! which is subsequently concealed when the cui! is buttoned.

In Fig. '1, the air bag is shown provided with a sealed in socket 3|5 and same is positioned approximately in alignment with the vjunction of the cuil M with the sleeve. Referring to Fig. 8, it will be noted that the sealed-in metallic socket 3|5 yieldingly receives the midportion 3H of a resilient flexible clip having oppositely directed portions 3|2 terminating in curved ends 3|3.

This clip may be forcibly and readily applied to x and detached from the socket 3|5. This clip can be swivelled in its socket or the free ends can be elevated as desired or required to apply the cuff to the buck and retain the cuff thereon for pressing purposes.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 9 and 10 wherein the body buck B is somewhat diagrammatically illustrated. This buck is centrally supported and on structure 22 so that shirts can be applied to the buck from either end. As previously mentioned, the width of the buck with side portions is such that at least half and preferably more than that amount ofv a shirt is pressed at one pressing application. Similarly, the bucklength is suiliclent, as shown in Fig. 9,

to accommodate simultaneously two average length shirts so that at one pressing operation,

lin effect, the entire body of ashirt is pressed.

It will be noted in Fig. 1 that the near end of the head H (the same as the right end in Fig. 9) is recessed to expose the collar portion of the right-hand shirt. The buck B is provided with a collar form at the right-hand end and same is suitably secured to the buck so that the collar is supported by the form in offset and depending relation for properly pressing the shirt back R.

Since another collar form is at the opposite end of buck B, but of more complicated form, no further description or illustration of the right end collar support form is believed necessary.

Mounted in the left half of vthe buck pressing face and approximately centrally thereof and closer to the middle ofthe buck than the left end is a flexible-clip 335, the midportion being carried by member 33|, yieldingly anchored by member 332 to the buck B.

A shirt is mounted on the buck from the left end and with the iront half, indicated by S, exposed. It has pleats T and a pocket U. The lay is made with the collar upon the left-hand collar form, hereinafter to be described. The front is stretched to the right with pleats parallel as shown.' The clip 335 lying longitudinal is escaneo then elevated and turned at right angles to over'- lie the two pleats as shown. This holds the shirt to the buck and prevents either side from dropping oi! or down from the buck tothe platform Z, not shown in Figs. l and 2 for clearness.

Reference will now be had to both Figs. 9 and 10 wherein the left-hand collar form and top bosom clip is illustrated in detail. Extending outwardly from the block 355, secured as at 35| to the buck B, is an inverted U-shaped frame having the midportion 352 and sides 353 extend ing downwardly and outwardly as at 354. A lever 355 having hand knob 355 at one end is mounted on shaft 351 mounted in sides 353. The other end of lever 355 is connected at 358 to a link 359 pivotally connected at 35| to an arm 355 pivoted on shaft 352 carried by the outer ends of ears 354.

^ The free end of arm 355 is directed rearwarddiateLv underlie the same, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 10. Note from Fig. 9, form 355 is U-shaped and inverted. Pivotally carried on shaft 363, in turn carried by the free end of arms 355 is a cross member 364. This'may have a suitable form. Herein, it has a straight formation. the same, however, may be curved upwardly at its outer ends, if desired.

When the collar Y of the shirt is mounted on the form and the bosom stretched as illustrated in Fig. 9 and clamped, the member 355 is elevated to dotted line position sufficient that gravity eilective upon link 359 and arms 365, is sufflcient to hold the lever 355 tilted upwardly and the member 354 in lowered position, the latter To prevent the collar dropping, etc., an additional clip is provided. This is a T-shaped member 315 secured at .one end at 31| to the midportion 352. 'I'he wings 312 extend laterally and are adapted to overlie the shirt at the collar portion and yieldingly retain the collar and shirt upon the form and buck respectively, the anchorage 31| lying below the overlapping tips of the unfolded collar Y., as shown in Fig. 9, and portion 315 extending through the opening or space formed when the tips but partially overlap. Member 31|-312 is resilient and yielding- 1y ciamps the shirt in position as iuustrad.'

Reference will now be had to Figs. 11 and l2. Reference to Fig. l2 is solely for the purpose of illustrating the operation of control 35 for the upper set of valves in valve structure W as same has been previously described in detail.

In Fig. 11there is illustrated two modiiications of the invention illustrated broadly in Figs. l and 2. It will be remembered the lower set of valves in valve structure W was operated by the foot treadle and arm 3|. In Fig. 11, like numerals indicate like parts. `In Fig. 11, arm 3| again operates rod ||2||3, asf previously described.

However, in the present form, the treadle air release is omitted and its equivalentis a handle operation. The mechanism includes an arm 555 carried by shaft 52 actuated by arm 53 of the handle structure. The end of arm 52 connects aseasso member lf2-U8. Abutment 606 is the other and operative end of bell crank 608.

When 63 is tilted downwardly, arm 600 tilts f upwardly and, therefore, the bell crank is tilted counter-clockwise to break the toggle by the abutment 606 in opposition .to spring ||6. When broken. spring |||a pulls down onrocker |01 for exhaust valve |08 opening. This abutment action is a push instead of a pull from the pedal as in Figs. 1 and A2. The effect kis the same. The proper timing is determined by the position of arm 680 on shaft 62 and arm v608 on shaft 604 plus a linear adjustment in rod 60| notshown for clearness. l

When the "Join is broken and the handle released, etc., the parts assume a convenient position of non-interfering character so that the valves operate as before described.

Another modification, shown in Fig. 11 and briefly referred to hereinbefore, is for simplicity and clearnessillustrated in Fig. 11. 'I'his is the addition of snubbers for snubbing the movements of the buck B or head H or both. A snubber 6|0 shown below valve W in Fig. 11 is provided with operating arm 6H connected at 6|2 to rigid link 6|3 connected to connection 36. This is the head snubber.

Snubber 5M includes arm 5|6 connected at 6|6a to rigid link 5 I6 connected as at 5|'| to bell crank or arm 3|. This is the tiltable buck snubber. Each rigid link is, for simplicity, shown of non-adjustablelength but it is to be understood same preferably is of adjustable character, such' ually reduce and finally prevent proper expan-v sion when low pressure is applied to the expanslble orinatable element for pressing purposes. The present invention, therefore, contemplates providing an intermediate cover which is somewhat elastic yet which will have direct contact with the starched areas, and thus prevent starch clogging of the cover fabric |60 so that the latter will function properly together with the in' atable portion for innation and deation.

` Herein, the cuff buck F supported by the pipe 86 and covered by the fabric |68 is as before retained by the nut |10. Ahousing 603, apertured at 606, is mounted `on conduit 86. Encircling shaft 96 is the element, to-wit: the plate that retains the fabric and inflatable portion upon the rigid body of the buck at the right hand endthereof. Encircling this element in much the same manner as the clip shownA in Fig. 7 encircles such an anchorage, is Athe clip 600 herein, and two upwardly extending ends 60| project upwardly and outwardlythrough the opening 604 and thence are directed angularlyl of such extending portions as indicated at 602 in substantial parallel relation. This is a exible wire element. An expansible fabric sleeve-like member 605 is seamed' at two adjacent ends, forming hems 606 of loop character into which extend the free ends of the resilient wire arms 602. This fabric, as before stated, is of semi-elastic type in that it will expand and contract when the buck is expanded and contracted. Furthermore, the anchorage is of such character that the two arms 602 of the wire anchor arrangement can move apart or towards each other in the expansion and contraction of the buck.

It will be quite apparent that any starch which is transferred from the starched cuffs to the cui buck is transferred to this fabric 605 arranged vin sleeve formation upon the cuff buck. When sumcient starch has been accumulated so that the desired pressing is not effected, the fabric 606 may be readily slipped from the wires 602 andy a clean fabric or sleeve-like member replace the starch accumulated member.

Various other cuff buck protectors of quick detachable and replaceable character may be utilized in lieu of the foregoing. However, this form illustrated in Fig. 13 is arranged to expose the socket 8 |0 for use of the clip shown in Fig. 8 and,

also, there may be supported adjacent the connection of shaft 96 to the cuff buck in the manner shown in Fig. 7, the angular type cuff retainer illustrated in Fig. 7 and all without interference by the aforementioned cuff buck protector shown in Fig. 13.

As previously'stated, the primary purpose of this cuff buck protector is to insure the proper pressure application for pressing purposes and 0 the cuff protector prevents clogging -of the pores of the fabric |68 with starch, thereby insuring4 that the cuff buck will expand and contract, as previously described.

Operation and process The operation is as follows:

The press is normally open and air bags are in deflated condition. The operator pulls down the handle which closes body press and opens collar and cuff press. 'I'he operator makes lay of the collar and cuffs on number one shirt and then' raises the handle which opens the bosom head and closes collar and cuff heads. After allowing suilicient drying time, the operator depresses the foot pedal thereby'deflating collar and cuil bags and then pulls down on handle to close body head v andexpose the collar and cuff bucks for collar press and iniiating bags on the collar and and cuff removal. The lay of the collar and sus of the second shirt on collar and cuff buck is then made and the handle l pushed up to open the body head for again closing collar and cuff cuff press.

Operator now makes first lay of back of number one shirt at right end of body buck, by placing collar around vertical collar supporting block at lower center of right end of body buck and stretching shirt from right end towards center of buck. Operator now depresses pedal deflating collar and cuff press and pulls down on handle, thereby closing body head for pressing back of number one shirt and exposing the collar and cuffs of second shirt. Operator now removes second shirt and lays it aside but conveniently close and applies the collar and cuffs of a third shirt to the collar and cuil! press, then raising the handle to open body head. Operator now removes first shirt from right end of buck where back and part of'yoke have been pressed and transfers this shirt to the left end of the body buck with the pocket and pleat up for bosom pressing. rst placing the open ends of collar around collar supporting block vertically positioned at lower left center of body buck and thenV of buck where ends of shirt are clamped in stretched position for perfect finishing.

The operator then picks up the second shirt and makesy the back lay at right end of body buck as previously described. depresses foot pedal to deiiate the collar and cui! bags and' brings down the handle to close body head on first and second shirts and open the collar and cuil' press for third shirt exposure. The third shirt collar and cuffs are then removed and collar and cuffs of fourth shirt are then placed on collar and cuil buck.

The handle is again raised to open body press and close collar and cuff press on fourth shirt. Number one shirt is removed from left of the body press and passed to operator for sleeve iinishing and subsequent folding. Number two shirt is removed from right end of body press and positioned at left end of body press like number one shirt, as previously described. Number three shirt is now picked up and placed at right end of body press as previously described for the number one and number two shirts for back finishing.

The body press is of suilicient length to accommodate two average size shirts. Only in ex- .ceptional shirts will the tails of the shirts overlap at the center of the body press and this is not objectionable.

It has been ascertained that an average competent shirt folder can handle in excess of 100, and usually 125,.shirts per hour where no hand touch-up is required. Inasmuch as each sleeving operation, which is performed by sliding the sleeve over an elongated. vertically extending, tapered, heated form. requires two or three seconds. it will be obvious that the shirt folder will have plenty of time to remove each shirt from the left end of the body press and place the sleeves thereof on the sleeve former, which sleeve former is of double sleeve type. Following sleeving. the shirt folder removes the then finished shirt and folds the same provided touch-up is not required. The first operator, it will be noted. merely applies the collars and cuils to the collar and cuff press. transfers the shirt when so finished to the righthand end of the bosom press after having previ-- ously removed at the proper time the right-hand back pressed shirt to the left-hand portion of the body press for front pressing.

The estimated time of shirt operation. after the initial cycle is completed on the ilrst shirt and the other shirts follow insuccession. isapproximately 40 seconds for the rst or main operator per shirt. The estimated shirt production per machine. therefore, is approximately f90 per hour or in the neighborhood of 40 to 45 per operator for one press unit per hour. Present methods average or less.` A few exceptional operators with the modern pressing machinery have been able to produce to 30 shirts per hour. The efliciency of the present machine. therefore, is approximately 200% compared to present standard modern machine etllciency or double the production rate thereof.

From the previous description and the drawings. it will also be observed that the floor' space required for the present machine is not excessive and is very materially less than the requirement for the aforesaid present modern machinery.

Furthermore.v the actual cost of the present invention calculated on its production basis is very materiallyless kthan that of the cost of present standard machines required to produce an equivalent number of shirts.

The present machine has the advantage. excluding the sleeve operation wherein dampening matassa is relatively unimportant. `that the 'rapidity of operations and the reduced number of operations is such that a dampened shirtcan be completely ironed. including sleeving. withoutv requiring any intermediate dampening, a customary lprocedure and normally required with present standard shirt pressing machinery.

High speed shirt pressing machinery at present employed requires four operators and from eight to eleven pressing operations. whereas from the preceding description. including the sleeving as one operation, only foury operations are required for complete ironing of a shirt. thereby f'reducing the number oi' operations by half or more. This accounts for the high production-rate mentioned hereinbefore.

With standard shirt pressing machinery. the speed of any unit is determined by the slowest operator .of the four. In the v'present invention. the speed of the unit is determined only by the number one. operator since the shirt folder has ample time to perform all her workand, in addition. can, if desired. assist the first operator such as making lthe bosom lay but more particularly in removing the bosom pressed shirt from the bodypress. v f

Herein, the 'terniy bosom and body have been used interchangeably in referring to that portion of the press upon which-the back and bosom of the shirt is pressed. v

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in thel foregoing descriptiOn. the same is to'be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein, as wellas others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled. in this art, are all conand means for moving both elements towards and away from each other. said elements when operatively engaged. a predetermined position and being arranged for pressing purposes and when in disengaged position the buck element isl positioned forwardly of and below that predetermined position for garment laying and removal purposes and the head element is then positioned rearwardly and upwardly of that predetermined position for operator clearance.

2. A press as defined by claim l characterized by one ofthe pressing elements being of infiatable surface pressing character. and means for inflating same when vthe elements are operatively engaged.

3. A press as defined by claim 1 characterized by one of the pressing elements being lof inflatable surface pressing character. and means for inilating same when the Velements are operatively engaged. one of the cooperating elements ben'g arranged to nest the other of the elements when said elements are operatively engaged and for limiting the extent of ination and insuring complete pressing contact of the'element presslng surfaces.

4. In a press adapted for laundry `service the combination of a base, a'pressing head element pivoted thereon. a support therebeneath and tmably mounted on the base, a pressing buck element carried by and movable with said support. operative engagement of the lelements et fecting pressing, a second pressing head element carried by and movable with the-support, a 'second pressing buck element carried by and movable with the support and movable upon the support into and out of operative engagement with the second mentioned head element, the operative engagement being of sequential'character.

5. A press as defined by claim 4, characterized by one element oi' each cooperating pair ot eiements being of inatable character, one element of the cooperating pair nesting the other element of the cooperating pair.

6. A press as defined by claim 1, characterized by one of the pressing elements being of innatable surface pressing character, means for innating same when the elements are operatively engaged, and means controlling inriation and denation, inflation automatically occurring when the elements are in registration.

7. A press as dened'byclaim 4, characterised by one element `of each cooperating pair of elements being of inatable character, one element of the cooperating pair nesting the other element of the cooperating pair, and means controlling the imiation and deation of each inflatable element, iniiation automatically occurring when the paired elements are in position for pressing.

8. A press as dened by claim 4, characterized by the addition of independent uid operable means for tilting the support and the first mentioned head element, and control means for the fluid pressure operable means.

9. A press as denned by claim 4, characterized by the addition of independent uid operable means for tilting the support and the first mentioned head element, control means for the fluid pressure operable means, and manually operable means for said control means. v

10. A press as dened by claim 4, characterized by the addition oi' independent iiuid operable means for tilting the support and the iirst mentioned head element, and control means for the iluid pressure operable means, one of said independent iiuld operable means having selective sequential connection to the other for timed operation therebetween.

11. A press as defined by claim 4, characterized by the addition of independent fluid operable means for tilting the support and the first f mentioned head element, control means f or the fluid pressure operable means, one of said independent uid operable means having selective sequential connection to the other for timed operation therebetween, and` a check controlled bypass around the first actuated duid operable means Iordirectly releasing the last ,actuated` uid operable means to secure initial release of the later prior to release of the iirst actuated pressure operable means.

12. A press as denned by claim 4, characterized by the addition of independent iluid operable .means for tilting the support and the rst mentioned head element, control means for the iluid pressure orable means, and independent yielding means normally opposing each duid pressure operable means.V

13. A pressasdeilned by claim 4, characterized by' the addition ot independent iluid .operable means for tilting the support and the nrst mentioned head element, control means for the fluid pressure operable means, independent yielding means normally opposing each iluid pressure operable means. and a snubber structure for each iluid operable means and associated yielding means for the purpose described.

14. A press as defined by claim4,characterized by one element oi each cooperating pair of eleoperable means operation, a pressure regulator reducing the source pressure for the inflation of the elements, independent controls for said innatable elements, and control means for the independent liuid operable means.

15. A press as defined by claim 4, character,- ized by one element of each cooperating pair oi elements being of inflatable character, one element of the cooperating pair nesting the other element of the cooperating pair, independent fluid operable means for tilting the support and the tiltable pressing head, aI common source of fluid pressure for inatable element iniiation and iluid operable means operation, a pressure regulator reducing the source pressure for theination of the elements, independent controls for said innatable elements, and control means for the independent fluid operable means, said independent control means having automatic sequential operation incident to first mentioned movable element and support movement.

16. A press as dened by claim 4, characterized by one element of each cooperating pair oi elements being -of inflatable character, one element of the cooperating pair nesting the other element of the cooperating pair. independent fluid operable means for tilting the support and the tiltabie pressing head. a common source of fluid pressure for inflatable element inflation and uid operable means operation, a pressure regu-y lator reducing the source pressure for the iniiation of the elements, independent controls for said inatable elements, control means for the independent fluid operable means, said independ control means having automatic sequential operation incident to rst mentioned movable element and support movement, and manually operable means for said control means.

17. In combination a support structure, a plurality of recessed pressing head elements supported thereby, and with the recesses arranged in parallel, a plurality of buck elements, complementary to and receivable by the head elements and in parallel relation, means for moving one of said last mentioned group of elements relative to the cooperating complementary member for nesting the buck in the head for pressing purposes, said means being connected to all elements of one group and arranged for alternate nesting operation, and inatable means on each of the elements of one group and arranged for selective inflation when the iniiatable element and the supportingveiement is nestingly associated with the complementary element.

18. In combination a support structure. a plurality of recessed pressing head elements supported thereby, and with the recesses arranged in parallel, a plurality of buck elements, complementary tol and receivable by the head elements and connected together in parallel relation. means for moving one group of. elements relative to the other for nesting the bucks in the heads for pressing purposes. including a corresponding number of elongated members, each supporting at one end a pressing buck element and connected together at the opposite end and extending through the cooperating head element.

19. A press as defined by claim 18, characterized by the addition vof a base upon which the support structure is pivotally supported, guide means upon the latter for the elongated members, and means connecting the connected ends of the elongated members `to the base. tilting movement of the support structure upon the base eii'ecting nesting and separation of the cooperative complementary elements.

20. A press as defined by claim 18, characterized by the addition oi' a base upon which the supportJ structure is pivotally supported, guide means upon the latter for the elongated members, means connecting the connected ends of the elongated members to the base, tilting movement of the support structure upon the base effecting nesting and separation of the cooperative complementary elements, and inflatable means on each of the elements of one group arranged for inflation when the groups are nestingly associated together.

21. In a press a head element having a pressing face of concave transverse outline, a buck element having a complementary pressing face, means supporting one element ior movement relative to the other element and longitudinally of the axis of said elements including roller means carried by one element for engagement by the other element for the support thereof when the complementary faces are in registering position for pressing.

22. In a press a head element having a pressing face of concave transverse outline, a buck element having a complementary pressing face, means supporting one element for movement relative to the other element and longitudinally of the axis of said elements including roller means carried by one element for engagement by the other element for the support thereof when the complementary faces are in registering position for pressing, and inflatable means carried by one element and inflatable when the faces are in registering position for pressing.

23. In a press a tubular head element, a buck element having a complementary conformation, said elements being arranged for telescopic association and disassociation, inflatable means carried by one element and inflatable when the elements are telescoped for pressing and, means supporting at one end the buck element and positioned within the tubular element, and means supporting the tubular` element, and guidingly supporting the last mentioned support means.

24. In a press the combination with a pressing head element, and a pressing buck element, one of said elements .having an inatable portion, the other member exerting an opposing pressure for limiting inflatable portion expansion and attaining pressing operation, of a combination press guard and manual control, means for bringing the elements vinto pressing positions and removing same therefrom and controlled by said control, and means controlled by the control andone of said elements for controlling thel time of inflation and deation of the liniia'atable portion in timed relation to relative positioning of said elements, said second 'mentioned means being of toggle type and normally constrained to aligned position and positively movable into angular position in opposition to the constraint.

25. In a press adapted for laundry service, the combination of a base, a'pressing head eleazi-:spec

ment pivoted thereon, a pressing buck element pivoted on'the base, means for moving both elements towards and away from each other for mechanical pressure pressing therebetween when operatively engaged, one of the pressing elements being of inflatable surface pressing character, means for inflating same when the elements are operatively engaged,4 and means controlling inflation and deflation, inflation automatically occurring when the elements are in registration, deation automatically occurring incident to initial operation 9i the mst-mentioned means.

26. -A press as defined by claim 4,characterxzed by one element of each cooperating pair of elements being of inflatable character, one element of the cooperating pair nesting the other element Vof the cooperating pair, means controlling the inflation and deflation of each inflatable element, inflation automatically occurring when the paired elements are in position for pressing, the control means for each inflatable element being independent oi each other and of singular character and manually operable in one direction and automatically operable in the opposite direction, movement in one direction being for iniiation and movement in the opposite direction being for deflation.

27. A press as denned by claim 4, lcharacter ized by one element of euch cooperating pair of elements being of inflatable character, one element of the cooperating pair nesting the other element of the cooperating pair, and control means oi' segmental automatic operable type for each cooperating pair of elements. and for automatically infiating and deilating the inflatable element of each cooperating pair.

28. A press as deilned by claim 4, characterized by the addition of independent bumper` structures for the support and the rst mentioned head element and operatively connected to the same for the purpose described.

29. In a pressing machine, adapted for laundry purposes having a recessed pressing element, the combination of a second pressing element substantially corresponding in outline and contour to the recess, said second element including inflatable portions' nested in the element confronting surface of the second element and confined against extreme expansion by the rst element, and resilient padding between the inflatable portions and supported by the second element and filling out the pressing surface thereof whereby said second element has a confronting resilient surface completely conforming to that of the-.rst element for' operative engagement therewith.

. 30. In a press a tubular head element, a buck element having a complementary conformation, said elements being arranged for telescopic association for pressing and disassociation for garment application and removal, inflatable means carried by one element, means for automaticallyinilating the inflatable means and only when the elements are telescoped, the other element opposing and limiting the expansion of the iniiatable means, the article to be pressed being at that time positioned between the inflatable and said other opposing means, means relatively stationarily supporting one element, other means supporting the other element. and means effective upon said last mentioned other means for enecting telescopic association and disassociation of said elements. y i

31. A shirt press including a pressing head member having a comparatively large area pressure surface for shirt bosom and" side pressing, a buck member having a complementary pressing surface, means moving at least one member into engagement with the other for 'exerting mechanical pressure between the surfaces, inatable means included in one of the members and forming a part of the pressing surfa'ce thereof, said iniiatable means having a position therein corresponding to shirt pleat and pocket portions of a shirt bosom when a shirt is laid between surface for pressing, and means for iniiating ythe inilatable means when the members are in pressing engagement for applying additional and inflation pressure application to the pleat and pocket portions of the shirt and deiiating the inatable means prior to termination oi' mechanical pressing engagement between members.

HARRY D. FORSE.

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