US2533761A

US2533761A - Garment finishing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2533761A
Application number: US735878A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert W Brenner; John R Peter
Original assignee: American Laundry Machinery Co
Current assignee: American Laundry Machinery Co
Priority date: 1947-03-20
Filing date: 1947-03-20
Publication date: 1950-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 1967-12-12

Description

Dec, 12, 1950 R. w. BRENNER ET AL GARMENT FINISHING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l F'iltd March 20, 1947 &

. INVENTORS ROBERT W. BRENNER BzloHN FZ. PETRE ATTORNEYS R. w. BRENNER ET AL GARMENT FINISHING APPARATUS Dec. 12, 1950 Filed March 20, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ROBERT W. BRENNER' & B(JOHN R. PETRE %%71( w flaw ATTORNEYS Dec. 12, 1950 R. w. BRENNER ET AL 2,533,761

GARMENT FINISHING APPARATUS Filed March 20, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 so :04 77 4 11 w .L' .g -.2s 63 I," 1:22:11; I 55 :23 a 2e 65 23 56 Ewoy V 47 g |9\ 58 |O3 25 I FIG-ll 22 99l 94 59 v II 32 1} 48 ll i: 98 24- 14 91 92 95 o 62 A F'eos i-yR T w ENNER a. 96 3O 60 BY JOHN R. PETRE FIG. 8 Afw ma 1% ATTORNEYS Dec. 12, 1950 w, BRENNER ET AL 2,533,761

GARMENT FINISHING APPARATUS Filed March 20, 1947 4 SheetsSheet 4 FIG? l2 INVENTORS ROBERT W BRENNER & JOHN R. PETRE BY ,7

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED'STATES PATENT OFFICE GARMENT FINISHING APPARATUS Robert 1 Brenner, Fosters, and John R. Petre, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignors to The American Laundry Machinery Company,

Cincinnati,

15 Claims.

This invention relates to garment finishing apparatus of that type in which the garment, such as a mans or a woman's coat, jacket or overcoat or other garment, is dressed upon a pervious but rigid form to which it is shaped while passing steam or air through it during the usual garment finishing treatment or process.

One object of the invention is to generally simplify and improve such apparatus by combining in one machine a tilting and rotatable divided form by means of which steam or air flow may be confined to one half of the garment with an efficient steamer and air heater, and unusually simple and convenient means for controlling and directing the flow of air or steam.

Another object is to provide such apparatus in which the controlling devices, which here are foot pedals, are all brought into close neighboring relation convenient for use by the operator at the control station without changing her position.

Another object is to shorten and straighten the air and steam passages, thus decreasing overall bulk and securing increased efficiency.

Still another object is to improve the supports or mounting for the form, thus holding it in place more solidly and firmly and avoiding any chance of its escape from the base, but yet enabling it to be freely, smoothly and easily adjusted to any desired position.

Another object is to simplify and improve the damper mechanism, and the operating means therefor, which controls the direction of air flow.

Another object is to provide simple, efficient and easily operated latches for certain of the control devices, enabling them to be easily operated by the foot, so that the operators hands may be employed entirely upon the garment itself and the form upon which it is supported.

A further object is to provide an improved apparatus of this kind capable of use interchangeably with various types or styles of form, such as a form for mens overcoats, one for womens jackets, a dress form, or any other style.

Further objects of the invention in part are obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter.

In the drawings, which represent one suitable embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken out and in section, part of the form being shown in dot and dash lines, and the damper operating parts being shown in blocking or by-pass position;

Figs. 2 and 3 are generally similar views, on a smaller scale, showing the same operating parts, respectively, in air suction and air pressure'positions;

Fig. 4 is a plan view, partly broken out and in section, the form being omitted;

Fig. 10 is a detail front elevation of the form I latching mechanism, with the form in tilted position;

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional elevation, on the line lll I, Fig. 1, showing the form registering devices;

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional elevation on the line l2--I2, Fig. 4;

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional plan view, on the line l3-l3, Fig. 12, certain covering parts being removed, and with the tilting member in an upright position;

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional plan View line l4-I4, Fig. 12; and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the form tilting and sealing devices, with gaskets omitted to clarify the illustration.

Referring first to Fig. 12, the garment finishing apparatus shown in the drawings includes a circular base l0 supporting a floor H and drumlike housing l2 which enclose an air heating chamber l3, within which is located the air heating and steam supplying pot or member, marked I4, bolted to the fioor and later described in detail. Rigid lateral parallel arms IE on the base support an electric or other form of motor or power unit l6 coupled to drive a suitable fan or blower ll. Steam pot M in turn supports the garment receiving form, marked generally l8, which may be of any desired shape or form, depending upon the style or character of the particular garments to be finished. One form may be used, for example for mens overcoats, and another, interchangeable with the first, for ladies jackets, another for ladies dresses, and so on, as will be readily understood.

on the The heater and steamer The steam pot l d, in general, is like that shown, described and claimed in a prior patent for Garment Finishing Apparatus, No. 2,421,203, granted May 27, 1947, to George W. Johnson, to which reference may be had if desirable or necessary, so that brief description thereof will sufiice. It

' includes outer and inner walls it, 28, the former having heat radiating fins or ribs 22, said walls enclosing a heating chamber 25 through which steam is circulated from the supply pipe 23 to the drain or exhaust pipe 2 (Figs. 12 and 8). From the chamber '25 steam may be caused to flow by way of pipe and whistle valve 25 to the discharge pipe 2?, which directs the steam against the hot bottom of the inner pail or wall member 20 (Fig. 12), thus preventing condensation and consequent water spotting of the garment. Valve 26 (spring biased to valve closed position has the usual operating lever 28 connected by link 29 to treadle 363, by which it may be opened to any desired amount, while a multiple notched latch lever 3!, foot operated and biased by spring 32, releasably holds the treadle 38 in any position to which it may be adjusted. Steam discharged into the pail member 23 rises, or is carried by the air stream, into the hollow Peri/ions form I 3, through the pervious wall of which it is distributed to and upon the garment dressed thereon, for the removal of wrinkles and otherwise to assist in shaping of the garment, as is usual.

The outer surface of the outer wall at of the steam pot, with its ribs 22, continually supplies heat to the air current flowin through chamber i3, so that, at any time, hot air may be likewise distributed over and passed through the garment.

The air flow system Upon a collar 33 at the inlet end of the fan, and upon the base extensions 55, is supported a conduit member 35, communicating openly, at its inner end, with the air chamber it through an opening in the housing or casing i 2. A center wall 35 divides the space within the conduit into two channels 3e, 37, each opening into the air chamber l3, as before stated, the channel 35 communicating with the air inlet to the fan and thechannel 3? with its outlet. (Figs. 1 to 7.) Each channel has a side opening 38 to atmosphere, shielded by a coarse screen 3%], that to channel 35 being provided with a slidable, manually adjustable cover it, Fi 1, by which it may be partially closed or opened to any amount to regulate the quantity of air flow, and that to channel 3! being provided with an external deflector 4|, Fig. 4, to deflect outflowing air away from the operator.

Airflow through

channels

35, 32 is controlled by two dampers 42, as, one opposite each opening 38.

Damper 62 is on a shaft All; having an arm t5 connected by link 46 to one arm i'i of a pivoted bell crank lever having a foot treadle 38. By depressing this treadle, damper 32 may be moved from the position shown in Fig. 6' to that shown in Fig. 5,

Damper 3 is on a shaft 69 having an arm 5% onn cted by link o ne a m 52 of a w armed lever mounted to turn on but not with shaft M, the other arm 53 of said lever being connected by link 5 to one arm 55 of a lever having a second arm 55 connected by link 5'? to one arm 58 of a bell crank lever having a foot treadle 59. By depressing foot treadle 59, damper 43 may be moved from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 6.

A third treadle as has its rear arm ti provided with a cross pin 62, the two ends of which,

respectively, lie beneath

treadle levers #

28, 59. By depressing treadle 'EiL'either or both of treadles 43, 59 (whichever may be down) may be elevated to return the damper which itoperates to its other position.

Fig. 7 illustrates the parts in their normal blocking or by pass position, resulting from depression of treadle $3. No air fiows to or from the garment form, but only from one opening 38 through the fan to the other. Steam, however, may be supplied to the form and garment by depressing treadle 3! In Fig. 5, the right hand suction or vacuum treadle as has been depressed, moving damper 42 to close the inlet opening 33. Suction is effective in the form and air is drawn in through the garment and discharged through the outlet opening 38.

In Fig. 6', the left hand blower or air supply treadle 59 has been depressed, closing damper 43 over the outlet openin 33. Air from atmosphere enters channel 35 and is forced through channel 37 by the fan, is heated in chamber !3 and then is forced outwardly through the garment.

Thus the operator, by appropriate operation of the several treadies, is enabled to either steam the garment without or with hot air, or subject it to inward flow of atmospheric air alone or outward flow of heated air alone, at will.

The tilting and turning form As before stated, the form is carried upon and by the steam pot, This firmly supports two brackets each carrying one of a pair of opposite alined pins or trunnions 64 on which is journailed a cylindrical or drum like form supporting member 135 having a central hub (it and four radiating walls or spokes Bl. Half only of on end openin 68 of the cylinder is closed by a cross wall In the hub 65 is mounted a bushing or bearing member it having a top flange ii seating on hub 65, and into which bushing depends a shaft or post 12 of the form it. This enables the form to be rotated about a vertical axis upon its support or to be taken out and replaced by another form with a like depending post but shaped to receive difierent garments.

The space Within the form is divided by a cross wall 73 into two separate chambers 14, Ma, said wall at its upper end supporting the neck block or form 15 and suitable shoulder supporting arms.

attached thereto (not shown). Wall 73, of course, is imperforate, being made of sheet metal, while the garment supporting member 15 of the form, on which the garment is dressed, is of porous material, comprising a relatively rigid mesh structure covered by a closely fitting, non-expandable cover.

Wall 73 is ri idly mounted upon a base including an outer collar or ring H and a hub 18 conn cted by radial spokes 19, two of which are in the same plane as wall E3. Shaft 72 is secured to the hub '53, while the skirt of form member 75 is fastened to ring '11 by a sleeve Ma. The lower edges of spokes 1e lie close to the upper edges of spokes 6"! and ring 5? has a flange 88 closely encircling the cylindrical wall of member 65 (Fig. 12),

Around the front of the apparatus, the form support is provided with 2. depending crescent shaped sealing flange or shell 8!, of spheroidal form. Its outer surface is polished and smooth and is in contact with the edge of a felt sealing gasket 32 fixedto the casing 12. A stop 83 on shell 85 engages the upper edge of the casing to prevent the form from tipping forwardly, or toward the operator, beyond the vertical. This sealed joint prevents escape of air or steam from the heating chamber around the front half of the machine.

The rear half of the device is similarly sealed. This time, however, the spheroidal shell member 84 is fixed to the casing, while the gasket 85 is mounted on and moves with the tilting form along th inner surface of the shell, thus sealing the joint around the rear half of the machine.

Cover plates

86, 87, one on the support 65 at the front, and the other on the casing at the back cover the sealin parts, protect garments from oil, grease, dirt, etc., and improve the appearance.

At the front (Fig. 12), support 65 is provided with a depending arm 88 on which hangs a latch bar 89 having a lateral arm 90 from which a tension spring 9| extends to a lug 92 on the machine base, thus biasing bar 89 to swing to the right (Fig. 8). This spring also is strong enough to hold the garment form firmly in upright or vertical position.

On the front of the steam pot M (Figs. 10 and 12), is a rectangular lug or boss 53, on which is pivoted a beilcrank tripping member 94, one arm of which is connected by link 95 to a treadle lever 96 pivoted on the base. The other arm is provided with a pin 9'! lying opposite the edge of lever 89 and cooperatin with a V-shaped notch or recess 93 therein. Lever 89 also has a rectangular notch 99 in its same edge.

Fig. 8 shows the parts in normal, upright position, in which they are yieldingly held by spring 9 I. When the operator tilts the form rearwardly (by hand pressure applied to it), latch bar 83 is carried upwardly. As it rises its sloping edge l to engages pin 91, I'OCklIlg lever 94 clockwise (Fig. 8) and lifting treadle e5. When the limit of tilt is reached, the rectangular notch 95 comes opposite lug 93 the bar snaps over to engage the lug in the notch, thus firmly, but releasably, looking the form in tilted position. Now, whenever treadle 96 is depressed, the pin Q! on bell crank lever 94 is swung to the left, bearing against the latch bar, and more particularly against the upper edge of the v-shaped notch 93 therein. The effect is to slightly lift the latch bar and reduce friction and wear at the rectangular notch, so that bar 89 is easily swung to the left, freeing the lock and permitting the form to move to up right vertical position under tension of spring 9! As before stated, form 18 is rotatable on its support about a vertical axis. Means is provided to definitely locate or register the form in either of two positions, in each of which the cross wall 13 extends transversely and is co-planar with the transverse cross ribs 5?. The means shown therefore in Fig. 11 includes two cups lfil, each containing a latching dog or ball 32 pressed upwardly by a spring Hi3 against the flange 8!! of the form base member and adapted to partially enter one of two oppositely disposed recesses H34 therein.

This arrangement enables the form to be turned so that either its front (at the left in Fig. 9) or its back facesthe operator, enabling her to work on any part of the garment without changing her position. In either position of the form, air flow from the heating chamber to and through the form, or in the reverse direction, is permitted only through that half of the form (chamber H or Ma) nearest to the operator, flow through the other half being blocked by the cross wall or floor 69 of support 65. All joints between relatively movable parts are either sealed, as by

gaskets

32, 85 or are very close, as between flange 80 and the cylindrical wall of member 65, so that no hot air or steam escapes, except through the form and garment or from the fan outlet at deflector 4|.

By depression of the

appropriate treadle

48, 59 or 60 either steam alone, or steam and hot air, may be applied to the garment, or suction may be caused to draw air inwardly through it. By tilting the form the garment may be more closely fitted or applied to it.

The air vacuum system is very simple, with short straight passages, and with reduced overall bulk by location of the steam pot beneath the form; The treadle control mechanism is also very simple and easy to operate. Also, while the form is readily removed for replacement or repair, it is stable in position, with no chance of accidental escape from its support. Again, all latching and tripping mechanism is enclosed and protected and the machine has a pleasing external appearance.

It should also be noted that the form supporting member serves four distinct purposes, to wit, to rotatably support the form, to provide pivotal mounting therefore about a transverse horizontal axis, as an air seal, and to close ofi the back compartment of the form against air flow.

Other advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What we claim is:

l. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described, comprising a hollow, chambered base, a pervious hollow garment form mounted upon said base with the space therein open to the chamber of the base, an air heater in the basechamber, a blower at one side of the base, short, straight conduits connecting the inlet and outlet of the blower to the base chamber, each provided with an opening to atmosphere, and a damper for each opening.

2. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described, comprising a hollow, chambered base, a pervious hollow garment form mounted upon said base with the space therein open to the chamber of the base, an air heater in the base chamber, a blower at one side of the base,

-short, straight conduits connecting the inlet and outlet of the blower to the base chamber, each provided with an opening to atmosphere, and a damper for each opening mounted within its conduit and movable from a first position closing its opening to a second position closing its conduit from the base chamber.

3. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described, comprising a hollow, chambered base, a pervious hollow garment form mounted upon said base with the space therein open to the chamber of the base, an air heater in the base chamber, a blower at one side of the base,

short, straight conduits connecting the inlet and outlet of the blower to the base chamber, each provided with an opening to atmosphere, a damper for each opening mounted within its conduit and movable from a first position closing its opening to a second position closing its conduit from the base chamber, and means for independently actuating the two dampers.

4. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described, comprising a hollow, chambered base, a pervious hollow garment form mounted upon said base with the space therein open to the chamber of the base, an air heater in the base chamber, a blower at one side of the base, short, straight conduits connecting the inlet and outlet of the blower to the base chamber, each provided with an opening to atmosphere, a damper for each opening mounted within its conduit and movable from a first position closing its opening to a second position closing its conduit from the base chamber, and two foot treadles, one connected to each damper and adapted when depressed to move it to its first position.

5. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described, comprising a hollow, chambered base, a pervious hollow garment form mounted upon said base with the space therein open to the chamber of the base, an air heater in the base chamber, a blower at one side of the base, short, straight conduits connecting the inlet and outlet of the blower to the base chamber, each provided with an opening to atmosphere, a damper for each opening mounted within its conduit and movable from a first position closing its opening to a second position closing its conduit from the base chainbentwo foot treadles, one connected to each damper and adapted when depressed to move it to its first position, and a third foot treadle operatively associated with the said two foot treadles and adapted when depressed to elevate either or both thereof and thereby return their dampers to the second position.

6. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow, chambered casing having a circular top opening, means for causing the flow of air through said chamber and opening, a hollow pervious garment form provided with a wheel-like base having a rim, spokes and a hub, and a shaft depending from said hub, and a form supporting member pivotally mounted upon the base to turn upon a horizontal axis and extending across its top opening and having a cylindrical rim, spokes and hub, the last named hub being provided with a bearing bushing to receive said shaft and upon which the form base hub is supported.

'7. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow, chambered base having a circular top opening, means for causing the flow of air through said opening and chamber, a hollow pervious garment form provided with a wheel-like base having a rim, spokes and a hub, and a shaft depending from said hub, and a form supporting member mounted upon the base and extending across its top opening and having a cylindrical rim, spokes and a hub, said hub being provided with a bearing bushing to receive said shaft and upon which the form base hub is supported, and a semi circular horizontal fioor ci'oslng the space between certain of the spokes of the supporting member and thus shutting off air fiow through such space.

8. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow, chambered base having a circular top opening, means for causing the flow of air through said opening and chamber, a hollow pervious garment form provided with a wheel-like base having a rim, spokes and a hub, and a shaft depending from said hub, and a form supporting member mounted upon the base and extending across its top opening and having a cylindrical rim, spokes and a hub, said last named hub being provided with a bearing bushing to receive said shaft and upon which the form base hub is supported, said supporting member being pivoted on the base, and a spheroidal sealing shell of crescent form and a cooperating gasket, one on the base and the other on the supporting member, for preventing air leak between them.

9. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow, chambered base having a circular top opening, means for causing the fiow of air through said opening and chamber, a hollow pervious garment form provided with a wheel-like base having a rim, spokes and a hub, and a shaft depending from said hub, and a form supporting member mounted upon the base and extending across its top opening and having a cylindrical rim, spokes and a hub, said last named hub being provided with a bearing bushing to receive said shaft and upon which the form base hub is supported, said supporting member being pivoted upon the base upon an axis diametrical to and across said opening, and spheroidal sealing shells of generally crescent form, one on each side of the pivotal axis, for sealing the joint between the base and supporting member in various positions of the latter.

l0. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow, chambered base having a circular top opening, means for causing the flow of air through said opening and chamber, a hollow pervious garment form provided with a wheel-like base having a rim, spokes and a hub, and a shaft depending from said hub, and a form supporting member mounted upon the base and extending across its top opening and having a cylindrical rim, spokes and a hub, said last named hub being provided with a bearing bushing to receive said shaft and upon which the form base hub is supported, said supporting member being pivoted upon the base upon an axis diametrical to and across said opening, and spheroidal sealing shells of generally crescent form, one on each side of the pivotal axis, for sealing the joint between the base and supporting member in various positions of the latter, one of said shells being attached to the base and the other to the supporting member.

11. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow, chambered base, having a circular top opening, means for causing the fiow of air through said opening and chamber, a hollow pervious garment form provided with a wheel-like base having a rim, spokes and a hub, and a shaft depending from said hub, and a form supporting member mounted upon the base and extending across its top opening and having a cylindrical rim, spokes and a hub, said last named hub being provided with a bearing bushing to receive said shaft and upon which the form base hub is supported, said supporting member being pivoted upon the base upon an axis diametrical to and across said opening, and spheroidal sealing shells of generally crescent form, one on each side of the pivotal axis, for sealing the joint between the base and supporting member in various positions of the latter, one of said shells being attached to the base and the other to the supporting member, and a gasket for each shell.

12. Garment finishing apparatus, of the character described, comprising a hollow chambered base having a circular top opening, a supporting member pivotally mounted upon said base upon an axis diametrical to and across said opening, a hollow garment form mounted upon said supporting member, a latch bar depending from and mounted to swing upon said member and having a side notch, a fixed lug on the base cooperating with said notch, and a spring connected to said bar and biasing it toward said lug to interengage the two, and a spheroidal sealing shell of generally crescent shape mounted upon the supporting member and closing any gap between it and the base and also covering and concealing the latch bar mechanism.

l3. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described, comprising a hollow, chambered base having a circular top opening, a steam pot and air heater within the base below said opening, and a hollow garment supporting form pivotally mounted upon said steam pot upon a horizontal axis diametrical to and across said open- 14. Garment finishing apparatus of the character described, comprising a hollow, chambered base having a circular to opening, a steam pot and air heater within the base below said opening, a hollow garment supporting form pivotally mounted upon said steam pot upon a horizontal axis diametrical to and across said opening, and a spheroidal sealing shell of generally crescent shape for closing the gap between the base and form in various positions of the latter.

, 15. Garment finishing apparatus of the char acter described, comprising a hollow, chambered base having a circular top opening, a steam pot and air heater within the base below said opening, and a hollow garment supporting form pivotally mounted upon said steam pot upon a horizontal axis diametrical to and across said opening, and two spheroidal sealing shells of generally crescent shape, one on the base and the other connected to the form for closing any gap between base and form in various positions of the latter.

ROBERT W. BRENNER. JOHN R. PETRE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,585,387 Hulse May 18, 1926 2,214,923 Glover Sept. 17, 1940 2,338,776 Miller Jan. 11, 1944 2,410,485 Du Nah Nov. 5, 1946 2,453,730 Shaw Nov. 16, 1948