US2379788A - Ironing machine - Google Patents

Description

3, 1945. CLARK v v 2,379,788;

IRONING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 W g l/ mwill/011111111111III/11111111111 r BY a Q Q/k July 3, 1945. K. CLARK 2,379,788

IRONING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l i I I m INVENTOR' LJI Km uqm K. CLARK IRONING MACHINE "Jul 3,'-1945.

Filed May 21, 1958 s Shgets-Shpef s Kg'lbgl (mg,

'Paten'ted July 3, 1945 IRONIN G MACHINE Kendall Clark, South Bend, Ind. ApplicationMay 21, 1938, Serial No. 209,227

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an ironing machine. The ironing machine has many novel features that make it especially convenient for domestic and household use.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an ironer that can be used interchangeably and concurrently as either a power driven ironer or as a net bed ironer, thereby combining I the advantages of the mangle ironer for fiat work with the advantages of the fiat bed ironer for garments.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for controlling the speed at which garments and fabrics pass through the ironer, the speed at all times being controllable at the will of the operator during the actual ironing OPBl' ation.

at the will of the operator during the actual iron-'- ing operation.

An additional object is to provide a novel ironer heating element whereby the operator is pro- .tected from receiving burns from the iron by a heat insulating protective barrier.

Another object is a novel heat control for the ironer heating element, whereby a portion of the heating element may receive the entire electrical input available, with means for. disconnecting the remainder of the heating element, thereby preventing excessive current consumption.

- Stillanother object of the invention is to, provide novel means for quickly releasing the ironer heating element from the work in case of necessity or emergency. p The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from a ironer with the cabinet unfolded, as embodied in the present invention; a

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the ironer head and adjacent parts taken substantially through the section indicated at 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the mechanism taken substantially through the'section indicated at 3 in Fig. l, and showing the driving motor;

. the following detailed description when read in Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3, but with the motor removed, showing internal gearing;

' Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the roller drive mechanism taken substantially through the section indicated at 5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6' is a cross sectional view of the ironer pressure mechanism taken substantially through the section indicated at 6 in Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is an end view of the mechanism housing taken substantially as indicated at i in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a detailed view showing the base structure of the padded endless belt; I

Fig. 9 is a detailed view showing an alternative base structure of the padded endless belt:

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the electrical connections oi the ironer;

- Fig. 11 is a diagram showing alternative electrical connections for the ironer;

Fig. 12 is a detailed view showing the mechanism for limiting the vertical motion of the heated ironing element taken along the section line I? of Fig. 2; and

' Fig. 13 is a view taken along the line it of Fig. 12.

One embodiment of the present invention is ii lustrated in the drawings, by way of example, in the form of a domestic household ironing machine. The unit comprises a heated ironing element operating in conjunction with a resilient ironing pad. The resilient pad is arranged in an endless belt and passes around two rollers. Means is provided for driving one of the rollers at variable speed, thereby causing the surface of the resilient pad to move at a corresponding variable speed. Means is provided to bring the heated ironing element into contact with the ironing pad and also to vary the pressure between the ironing element and the ironing pad. The mechanism is mounted on a folding work table which becomes a cabinet enclosing the ironer when folded.

The ironer as shown in Figure'lis fastened to the top of the work table I. Additional working surface is provided by a front shelf extension 2. In a similarmanner the working surface is extended to the rear by the rear shelf 3. A side extension} is also provided. To prevent articles from'falling off the rear of the work table a vertical barrier 5 extends upward from the rear edge of the shaft 3. The table I is supported on legs 6 and 1 which carry a pedal base 8, having con trol pedals ,9 and II This cabinet may be folded into a compact case which rests on the base Ill.

The novel features of the cabinet are described and claimed in a copending application.

The operator regulates and con rols .1. speed at which garments and fabrics pass through the ironer by foot pressure on a speed control pedal II. Foot pressure on the pressure control pedal 9 regulates and controls the ironing pressure. The mechanisms governed by the control pedals are shown in Figures- 2 to 8 inclusive. v

Figure 2 shows a detailed cross section of the ironing mechanism. A resilient ironing pad I6 is formed in an endless belt and passes endlessly around two rollers I1 and I8. The rear roller I6 is driven by power and has several sprocket gears I9 spaced along its length. The teeth of the sprocket gears engage driving members in the endless belt (to be described in more detail later), thereby driving the padded belt and maintaining it in alignment. The upper surface of the end lessironing pad is given a slightly convex form by causing it to pass over the convex member 2 I. The convex member is given rigidity by welding it to the channel'member 22. This construction provides an ironing pad with a relatively flat upper surface. Hereinafter these associated parts will be referred to asthe lower buck 20.

- Mechanical motive power for the roller drive mechanism is provided by an electric motor 47, as seen in Figure 3. The motor is supported on a motor mounting plate 48.

A motor pinion gear 49, as seen in Figure 4. meshes with an intermediate gear 5| rotating shaft 52. The intermediate gear 5| is part of the roller drive mechanism (to be described in more detail later) and also meshes with a gear I3 rotating shaft 54. The gear 13 is a part of the ironing pressure mechanism to be described in more detail later). V

The intermediate mechanism between the speed control pedal II and the roller drive is shown in Figure 7. The rate of traverse of the endless padded belt I6 around the rollers I1 and I8 is controlled by the pull ,on a wire I02 which 1 is proportional to the operators foot pressure on and the upper end to spring 99. Spring 99 has i the speed control pedal II. The lower end of the wire I02 is fastened to the pedal mechanism,

a moderate prewound tension and normally acts as a rigid tension link. If for any reason an excessive pull is appliedto the mechanism, the spring 99 stretches and protects the mechanism from damage. The upper end of the spring 99 is fastened to a projection of a gear segment 93. The gear segment 93 meshes with a second gear segment 92, and together they rotate the stub shafts 59 to effect a change in the speed ratio of the variable speed transmission. Arm 94 rotates with the gear segment 92 and engages an arm 96 fastened to the clutch control shaft 61. The

initial movement of the gear segments and arm 94 permit the arm 96 and shaft 61 to be rotated by the pull of a tension spring I03. The rotation of shaft 61 engages the clutch mechanism. 'An increase in the pull on the wire rotates stub shafts 59, which act on the variable speed transmission to increase the rate of traverse of the endless belt around the rollers I1 and L A re-.

turn spring 98 returns the parts to their original positions and disengages the clutch when the pull on wire I02 is released.

The roller drive mechanism and the variable speed transmission are shown in detail in Figure 5. The gear 5| and a corresponding'gear 56 are parts of the variable speed transmission. Held in compression between the gears are a plurality 'of wheels 51 engaging and rolling on toroidal surfaces formed on the inner faces of the gears. The wheels 51 rotate on pins 50. The wheels 51 tact between the wheel and. the toroidal inner face of the gear. Rotation of the wheels 51 is in turn transmitted to the gear 56 by virtue of the frictional contact between the wheel and the toroidal inner face of the gear. In the arrangement shown in Figure 5 gear 56 rotates at a slower speed than gear 5| and in the opposite direction. As the axes of wheels 51 are inclined to the vertical by the rotation of the stub shafts 59, the speed of rotation of gear 56 is increased. Compression on the wheels 51 ismaintained by a spring washer 6 I acting through a thrust bearing 62. v I

Projecting teeth on a clutch member 63 are arranged to engage in a slot in the left face of the gear 56. The clutch member 63 is free to slide and rotate with respect to the bearing 66 and also to the shaft 52. An annular groove 64 is formed around the circumference of the clutch member63 and is arranged to engage with a projection on the clutch shifting shaft 61. Rotation of the shaft 61 causes an axial movement of the clutch member 63, and serves to engage or disengage the clutch member from the gear 56. The clutch member 63 is splined to an extensionfof a worm 68-and is free to slide axially on it. Thrust from the worm is taken up by a ball thrust 12. The worm 68 meshes with a worm gear 69 driving shaft II and the roller I8.

The lower surface of a heated ironing element 23, as shown in Figure 2, is given a concave form parallel to that of the padded upper surface of the lower buck 20. An electrical heating element electrical heating element 24 is clamped against the ironing element 23 by the member 26. The member 26 is divided into front and rear sections and is preferably made of a heatjnsulating substance such as a ceramic, although a high temperature Bakelite or brake lining material might be used. The clamping force holding the above items together is provided by a flat spring 21. The spring 21 is fastened by a screw 28 to a pillar 29. Pillar 29 is secured to the ironing element 23. A second clamping spring 3| holds the front and rear halves of the member 26 against the front and rear edges of the ironing element 23. The edgesof the members 26 have a slight undercut, and the edges of the, ironing element have a slight bevel to engage the undercut. Hereinafter, these associated parts will be. referred to as the upper buck 25. The intermediate mechanism between the pressure control pedal and the ironing pressure mechanism is shown in Figure I. The ironing pressure and the raising and lowering of the upper buck 25 are controlled by the pull on wire I08.

The lower end of the wire I08 is fastened to the pedal 9, and the upper end is fastened to a spring I01. Spring I01 has a moderate. amount of pretional to the pull on the wire I08. An initial pull on wire I08 causes the ironer pressure mechanism to go into action and results in the lowering of the upper buck to the surface of the lower buck sa are carried by the stub shafts a right. clutch member 18 to engage the gear 13, thereby crease the applied pressure between the upper buck and the lower buck. A release of the pull on the wire I08 first results in a release of the ironing pressure and then causes the upper buck to rise.

The vertical motion of the upper buck is adjusted as shown in Figures 12 and 13 by the lateral motion. of a sliding member I41. The sliding member I41 is normall held in a fixed position in the swinging arm 38 by the screw 85! and therefore normally moves with the shaft 4| and swinging arm 38. By releasing the' screw'lEl, the sliding member I41-may be moved laterally to align any one of its steps I43 with the stationary projection I48 on the support-arm 30. The various steps allow the sliding member I41 to move various distances'in an upward direction as viewed in Fig. 13 before its movement is stopped by the engagement of one of the steps with the projection I48. sliding member I41 with the swinging arm 38, the movement of the swinging arm'in its up-' ward direction is thereby limited to limit the maximum opening between the upper and the lower bucks 25 and 28.

Clockwise rotation. of a shaft 4!, as shown in Figure 2, by the ironing pressure mechanism rotates the arm 38 and lowers the upperbuck 25 to engage the lower buck 20. A clockwise torque subsequently applied to the shaft 41 by the ironing pressure mechanism develops ironing pressure between the upper buck and the lower buck.

The arm 38 is connected to the upper buck through an emergency release mechanism. The emergency release mechanism consists essentially of a locking toggle linkage actuated b lever 38. In the normal position, shown in Figure 2, th toggle acts as a rigid compression link to transmit any force applied by the arm 38 directly to the upper buck. However, should the occasion arise, the upper buck may also be raised by lifting on a handle 42 of the lever'36, even though the arm 38 is temporarily held in the engaging position. This action causes the lever 36 together with a crosspin 31 to rotate counterclockwise about a cross pin 39. Link 32 engaging the cross pin 31 is caused to rotate clockwise about a cross pin 33. The distance between cross pin 88 and cross pin 33 is thereby shrtened,and since the cross pin '39 engages the arm 38 which is tempo-I rarily held, the upper buck is lifted. A small link 43 pivoted on cross pin 44 in lever 38 and fastened to cross pin 33, maintains the upper buck in its proper position with respect to the lever 38.

The ironer pressure mechanism is shown in detail in Figure 6. Gears 13 and 14 rotate in opposite directions on shaft 54 and mesh respectively with gears and 5B of Figure 5. A frictional clutch member 16 is fastened to shaft 54 and is arranged to engage either gear 13 or gear 14 depending on the axial location of the. shaft. A worm 18 rotates with the shaft 54. The worm meshes with a worm gear segment 19, rotatable on shaft 1!. An arm 8| rotates with the .worm gear segment and through a mechanical system comprising cross pin 82, link 83, cross pin 84, and arm 86, causes a rotational movement of shaft 4|. The pressure control shaft 81 is cut halfway through to afford a bearing face for a ball thrust bearing 88. Clockwise rotation of the shaft 81 by the pedal 9 causes the ball 88 to thrust against the end of the shaft 54 and move it axially to the This movement causes the frictional imparting rotation to shaft 54. Gear 13 rotates Through the connection of the the shaft 4!.

. worm 18 accomplishes a double purpose.

clockwise as viewed from the right end of. Figure 6, and consequently shaft 54 rotates in the same direction. The worm 18 and the shaft 54 are free to move axially. The rotation of the First, through the above described mechanism, it serves to impart a rotational movement to shaft 4!, thereby supplying movement and pressure to the upper buck 25. Secondly, the rotation of the worm causes it to act as a screw against the worm gear segment as a nut, causing a reactive thrust against th thrust ball 88 and the shaft 81. This reaction is of a small magnitude until the motion of the shaft 4| is retarded by the upper buck engaging the lower buck 28. After the upper buck engages the lower buck, the intermediate mechanism, namely, the arm 38, shaft 4|, the arm 88, the link 83 and the arm 8| prevents any further rotation of the gear segment 19. Now, any further rotation of th worm will result in an increasing reaction thrust against the shaft 81 and an increasing clockwise torque on When the reaction thrust on the shaft 81 becomes greater than the original applied thrust, the shaft 81 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. The counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 81 is accompanied] by an axial movement of the shaft 54 and a disengagement of the frictional clutch member 16 from the gear 13. Any further increase in the original applied thrust results in an increased reacleft by the expansion of a spring 89 acting against a ball thrust bearing 9|. The axial movement of the shaft 54 to the left causes the frictional clutch member'18 to engage the gear 14 rotating in a counterclockwise direction. Counterclock wise rotation of the worm 18 acting through the mechanism described. above results in a release of the ironing pressure and lifts the upper buck from the lower buck. The lifting of the upper.

buck continues until the mechanism, namely the sliding member M1 strikes the adjustable stop. On striking the adjustable stop M9 (Fig. 13), the mechanism, namely, the shaft 4|, the arms 88 and 8i, the link 83, the worm gear 19 and the worm 18 builds up a reactive thrust on the shaft 54 until the reactive thrust overcomes the thrust from the spring 89. When the reactive thrust overcomes the spring thrust, the shaft 54 moves slightly to the right and 'd'isengages the frictional clutch member 18 from gear 14. A thrust-bearing 92 is provided to take the thrust from the clutch action.

The constructional details of the endless pad ded belt are shown in Figure 8. Parallel wires H4 are secured to a fabric backing H6. The

wires have a plurality of bends H1 engaging the sprocket gears IS on the roller [8. The bends. in the wires serve several purposes. 'They provide means for maintainingthe spacing of the wires. In engaging the sprocket teeth they maintain the endwise location of the belt on-the rollers. They also prevent the wires from shifting endwise with respect to each other. Padding is built up upon this wire and fabric base, and the assembly is covered with a plain cloth wrapper. An alternative belt base is shown in Figure. 9. Metal eyelets ll8 are fastenedto the fabric belt 8. The

eyelets. are'spaced to engage the teeth of the sprockets I9. I The tightening device for the endless padded belt is also shown in Fig. '7. The idling roller II is carried on a shaft I09. The end of shaft I09 bears in a bearing block III. The block III is threaded to take a tightening screw H2. The

head of screw H2 extends through a projection less padded belt I6.

The ironer heatin element 24 has three heating resistances. The resistances are connected according to the.diagram shown in Figure 10. The maximum electrical current consumption of domestic ironing machines of this type is limited by the specifications of the electrical code. It is occasionally desirable to concentrate all the available heating capacity on a portion of the ironer element, such as the half adjacent to the open end (left half) of the ironer, see Figure 1. order to concentrate the heating capacity in one end of the element and still not exceed the limit on current consumption, it is found necessary to disconnect the other end of the element. The

' circuit shown in Figure 10 does this by means of a single pole double throw switch I26. With switch I26 thrown to the right, current flows through the heating resistance I2I located in" the left hand half of the ironer heating element, and current also flows through the heating resistance I23 in the left hand half of the ironer element. Thermostatic switches I29 and I28 control the temperatures of the respective right and left hand halves of the ironer element. When it is desirable to concentrate the heating capacity in the left half of the ironer element, the switch I26 is thrown to the left and energizes a third heating resistance I24, also located in the left hand by the two resistances is controlled by the thermostat I28.

A brief summary of the operation of the iron-- ing machine is now given.

The machine assembly as shown in Figure 6 is moved to the location where it is intended to be used. The operator then separates the upper cabinet mechanism from the right hand base by lifting on handle I5. When the upper section is raised to the position shown by the dotted lines in Figure 5, the left hand leg 6 is automatically released. Similarly a little further lifting on the handle I automatically releases the base section 8; The shelves 2 and 4 and the back and cover 3 and '5 are then unfolded. The appliance cord is then plugged into a convenient outlet, and. the machine is ready to iron as soon as the heating element is up to ironing temperature.

As soon as the motor is started the motor acting through-"the mechanism of the ironer automatically lifts the upper buck into the open position. During this operation the motor drives the motor pinion 49- and the gear 5| which is loose on the shaft 52. Gear 5| drives gear 53 which in turn drives the variable speed member 51 and gear 56. Gear 58 meshes with gear I4 which turns loosely on the'shaft 54. spring 89 .in the housing mechanism acting through the thrust bearing 9| forces the shaft 54 and the clutch member I6 into engagement with the mating clutch surface in the gear I4. The rotation of the gear I4 turns the clutch member I6 which in'turn drives the worm I8. The worn- I8 turns the worm gear 19 which lifts the upper buck through the medium of the linkage 8|, 83, 86, the shaft 4|, and the arm 38.

Let us suppose that the operator wishes to iron a partially pleated skirt. The operator would place the bottom of the skirt over the open end of the lower buck and would smooth out any ap parent wrinkles by stretching the skirt with her hands- Shewould then place the first pleat in position toward the front of the lower buck. A light pressure from the operator's left foot on the pressure control pedal 9 then forces the upper buck lightly against the pleat in the skirt where -the combined action of the heat and pressure presses the pleat in place.

/ The pressure of the operator's foot on the pressure control pedal 9 pulls wire I08 which rotates A stiff shaft 81.

The other end of shaft 81 is cut fiat along a diameter and acts as a cam against the thrust ball 88 to move the shaft 54 against the counterth'rust ball 9| and the counterthrust spring 89. The axial movement of the shaft 54 causes the clutch member I6, which is pinned to the shaft 54 to engage the corresponding clutch surface in the gear I3. The rotation of the clutch member I6 turns the shaft 54 and the worm 18 in a direction to screw the worm I8 through the teeth of the worm gear I9 and exert a pressure on the thrust ball 88 and the cammed end of the shaft 81. As long as the axial pressure on the shaft 54 due to the camming action from the shaft 81 is greater than the reaction of the worm "I8 as it tend to screw through the worm gear I9, the clutch member I6 will remain in engagement with the corresponding clutch surface in the gear-J3. The rotation of the shaft 54 during his phase of the operation will rotate the worm gear I9 and the arm 8| in a direction such that the linkage 83 and 86 will turn the shaft 4| to move the arm 84 and the upper buck into engagement with the lower buck. .As soon as the upper buck engages the lower buck,- a reaction to the rotation of the arm'8I is developed through the linkage 83, 84, cross shaft 4|, and arm 38. However, since the worm I8 is still turning, the

worm I9 continues to try to turn and the reaction which prevents it from turning increases. Ultimately a point will bereached where the rotational reaction of the worm gear 18, due to the reaction on the arm 8|, equals the axial thrust on the shaft 54 due to the rotation of the cam on the end of shaft 81. At this point all the forces are in balance, and if there were no friction in the device, there would be no force tending to hold the driving surfaces of the clutch together. However, the friction present in the device permits a slight amount of overdrive to the point where the axial screw thrust overcomes the axial cam thrust, and the shaft 54 moves to disengage the clutch I6 from the gear I3.

It is interesting to note that as the force is increased on the pedal 9 a greater reaction is necessary to cause the clutch to disengage. This linkages.

the speed control pedal I I. The mechanism of the ironer will then advance the article bein ironed on the endlesspadded belt 20 under the heated surface of the upper buck 25, and the combined heat, pressure, and sliding friction will produce a lustrous sheen on the fabric.

When ironing a skirt or other pleated garment,

sleeves are ironed by pressing. The collar is ironed with the endless belt motion by having the collar only in contactwith the extreme left end the variable speed control permits the operator to restores the upper buck to the ironing position, and she can then proceed with the ironing.

A light pres-"f; sure of her foot again on the pressure control The speed control mechanism forthe endless moving belt consists of a variable speed drive and.

a clutch. When the operator wishes the belt to move, she presses on the speed control pedal H which pulls on the wire I02. The wire I02 pulls on the lever 91 which turns the shafts 58 and 59 through the intermediary of the gears 93 and 92. The shafts 58 and 59 vary the inclination of the idler wheels 51. The first motion of the shaft 58 permits the lever extension lit to move away from the lever 96 on the shaft 6!. Spring I03 pulling on the lever 96 rotates the shaft 81 which causes the clutch 66 to engage with the rear surface of the gear 56. The drive mechanism is then completed between the motor and endless padded belt through the intermediary of the motor pinion t9, gear 52, gear 53, idler wheel 5', gear 55, clutch 66, shaft 52, worm 68, worm wheel 69, cross shaft H, and sprockets iii. the operators foot on pedal ll causes the shafts 5B and 59 to turn the idler wheels 51! in a direction such that the speed of the gear 56 is increased with a corresponding increase in the speed of the endless padded belt. A release of the pressure of the operator's foot on the pedal of the lower buck, and the remainder of the coat resting on the table surfaces.

Sheets, pillow cases, and flat work are easily and rapidly ironed by using the power feed with the endless belt. Eancy work such as dresses and ruflles can easily be handled by the pressing method, and the more difficult parts can be ham dled on the extreme left end of the machine by either using it as a pressing machine or with the powered endless belt feed.

The alternative electrical hookup shown in Figure 11 is very similar to the hookup shown in Figure 10. The resistance |25 is tapped at I3l, and a wire run to the single pole double throw switch I26. With the switch thrown to the left a p0 tion of the resistance I23 is' bypassed. An increased current flows through the remainder of the resistance giving an increased heating effect.

While one illustrative embodiment of my invention has been described in detail, it is not my intention to be limited to this embodiment, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims. I

I claim: j

1. An ironing machine comprising an endless moving belt conveying articles to be ironed, a heated ironing element, power means, transmission means between said power means, belt and ironing element, controllable means responsive to motion of the operators foot for actuating said transmission means to cause said power means initially to move said ironing element at a rapid rate into engagement with said belt and Any further pressure of thereafter to apply avariable pressure proportionally to the pressure of the operators foot, and controllable means responsive to motion of the operators foot for actuating said transmission means to cause said power means to rotate said belt and to vary the speed of rotationof said belt in response to movement of the operators foot.

2. An ironing machine comprising an ironing element, an ironing pad, a source of power, a clutch and an infinitely variable speed drive connecting said source of power and said ironing pad for moving the ironing pad across the surface of ators foot on 'thepressure control pedal brings A man's suit coat may be rapidly ironed by placing it over the lower buck with the bottom of .the 'coat toward the right side of the machine. The front of the coat is ironed by pressing, and the back is ironed by a combination of the pressthe ironing element at variable speeds, means for lowering and raising said ironing element into and out of contact with said ironing pad, and a twoway clutch means for connecting said last mentioned means to said source of power to raise ment toward each other, a source of power, an

operating element operable by the user while ironing for controlling said moving means, means tive to said'element by power'derived from said 4. An ironing machine comprising an orbitally moving ironing pad member, a shoe ironing member movable to and away from said pad member,

, power, means for moving said members, transmg and the motion r the endless belt. The by mission means connecting said power means and said ironing members. and. pedal meansoperable one direction controlling said transmission means to move said pad member orbitally at varying speedin response to motion of the operator's foot in said one direction and operable by sustained movement of the operator's foot in one I in one direction and operable while ironing conshoe ironing member away from said pad member.

power means for moving said members, transmission means connecting said power means and said ironing members, and pedal means operable by sustained movement of the operators foot in one direction controlling said transmission means to move said pad member orbitally and operable by sustained movement of the operators foot in one direction to cause said power means and transmission means to move said shoe ironing member to said pad member and to apply varying pressure by said shoe ironing member on said pad member in accordance with the pressure applied by the operator's foot, and operable by return movement of the operator's foot to cause said power means and transmission means to move said shoe ironing member away from said pad member.

6. Anrironing machine comprising an orbitally moving ironing paid member, ashoe ironing member movable to and away from said pad member, power means for moving said members, transmission means connecting said power means and said ironing members, and a unitary operator 5. An ironing machine comprising an orbitally trolling said transmission means to start and move said pad member orbitally at varying speed and movable in the opposite direction to stop said pad member, a unitary operator controlled device operable by sustained movement in one direction to control said transmission, to move said shoe ironing member to said pad member and to apply varying pressure on said pad member proportionally to the movement of said last named operator controlled device and movable in the opposite direction to move said ironing member away from said pad member.

8. An ironing machine comprising an orbitally moving ironing ad member, a shoe ironing member movable to and away from said pad member, power means for moving said members, transmission means connecting said power means and said ironing members, a clutch in said transmission means controlling the connection between said power means and said shoe ironing member, operator controlled means, operable while ironing, controlling said transmission means and clutch to move said pad member orbitally and to move said shoe ironing member to and away from said pad member, and means responsive to pressur of said shoe ironing member on said pad member to vary the operation of said clutch in proportion to the pressure applied to said operator concontrolled device operable by sustained movement in one direction and operable while-ironing controlling said transmission means to start and move said pad member orbitally at varying speed and movable in the opposite direction to stop said padmember, a unitary operator controlled device operable by sustained movement in one direction to control said transmission to move said shoe ironing member to said pad member and mov-,

.power means for moving said members, transmission means connecting said power means and said ironing members, and a unitary operator controlled device operable by sustained movement trolled means.

9. An ironing machine comprising a belt pad member, a pair of rollers supporting said pad member, a stationary support for the up er part of said pad member between said rollers, supporting means at one end of said rollers and stationary support providing a cantilever support for said pad member at one end and providing an open end for said pad member at the other end, a shoe ironing member movable to and away from said pad member, power means and transmission means to move said pad member orbitally and said shoe ironing member to and away from said pad member and pedal means operable by sustained movement of the operators foot in one direction controlling said transmission means to' move sai D d member orbitally at varying speed in response to motion of the operator's foot in said one direction and operable by sustained movement of the operators foot in one direction to cause said power means and transmission means to move said shoe ironing member to said pad member, and operable by return movement of the operator's foot to cause said power means and transmission means to move said shoe ironing member away from said pad member.

KENDALL CLARK.

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