US2669374A

US2669374A - Trousers pressing machine

Info

Publication number: US2669374A
Application number: US113293A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur B Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-08-31
Filing date: 1949-08-31
Publication date: 1954-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 1971-02-16

Description

Feb. 16, 1954 A. B. JONES TROUSERS PRESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 31, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l ail MIA-.

Zinnentor Gltornegs A. B. JONES TROUSERS PRESSING MACHINE Feb. 16, 1954 Filed Aug. 31, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nventor attorneys Patented Feb. 16, 1954 I TED STATES PATEN OFFICE TROUSERS PRESSING MACHINE Arthur B. Jones, Detroit, Mich.

Application August '31, 1949,, Serial No. $113,293

BOIaimS. 1

This invention relates to pressing machine and, in particular, to trousers pressing machines.

Hitherto, pressing machines have been cons'tr-ucted with the pressing members horizontal, with the result that such machines occupy a large amount of door space, can only be used to press one leg of a pair of trousers at a time, and require careful arrangement of the trousers to prevent wrinkles and undesired folds. Furthermore, such machines have been wasteful of heat due to the natural tendency of heat to rise, and have also been wasteful of labor due to the necessity of pressing each leg separately and of carefully arranging the trousers before closing the machine to start pressing. In the use of prior pressing machines where the pressing members havebeen arranged vertically, the trousers have been held in an inverted position with the cuffs held above the pressing members or near the upper ends thereof and the waistband at the bottom thereof. Since there are two folds required on a large pair of trousers and at least one fold on a small pair of trousers, the operator of such prior machines always has had to stoop down to "make the folds at their proper positions. Such alternate stooping and rising required for pressing every pair of trousers is fatiguing to the operator and usually requires giving additional pay to the operator because of such fatigue.

One object of this invention is to provide a trousers pressing machine in which the trousers are held upright with the waistband portion thereof supported above the pressing members and with the legs hanging downward so that both sides-of both legs of the trousers are pressed simultaneously, thereby eliminating a series of operations previously necessary where the trousers legs have been pressed in separate operations and also eliminating the alternate stooping and rising in making the folds.

Another object is to provide a. trousers pressing machine of the foregoing character in which the trousers are held vertically whilethe pressing operations are carried out, thereby reducing to a minimum the floor space occupied by the machine, economizing on heat because of the natural tendency of heat to rise, and eliminating wrinkles occurring in horizontal types of machines.

Another object is to provide a "trousers pressing machine of the foregoing character in which the trousers are suspended from the waistband above the machine, with the legs -of the trousers extending downward into the machine.

In the drawings:

Figure l is aside elevation of a trousers pressing machine according to one form of the invention, with one of the outer pressing members broken away to disclose the steam connections to the inner member;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the trousers pressing machine show-n in Figure 1';

Figure 3 is a front elevation, partly in vertical section, of the trousers pressing machine shown in Figures 1 and 2;;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line 4-4 inFigure 1;

Figure is a diagrammatic perspective view of a pair of "trousers for a person of ordinary build, showing the manner of folding it prior to inserting it in-the machine; and

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the manner of folding a pair of trousers for a stout person.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 to 3 inclusive show a pressing machine, generally designated M, according to a preferred form :of the invention as .mounted'upon :a base II which is secured to the floor of the room in which it is to be used. Bolted or otherwise secured to the rearward portion of the Phase 1 l is a free-standing vertical poster standard 12 which is hollow and terminates at its upper end in a vertical bore l3 of square or rectangular cross-section and serves to receive an elongated bar 14 of similar crosseseiotion adjustably held in position by a thumb screw 15 threaded into a threaded transverse hoie 51-1 in the upper end of the post l2. Extending substantially horizontally forward from the bar M is a rod I-B carrying a pair of clamps 1.8 for holding the waist band of the trousers T. The clamps I are pivoted on the rod :18 and include a pair of opposed members 20 having jaws 211 on the lower side of the rod [I8 and handles .2! on the upper side thereof, a spring 213 iorcing :the handles 22 apart so as to close the jaws 2.1 unonthetrousersl.

Bolted orotherwisesecuned to the forward portion of the base H is a substantially vertical pedesta -1124 upon which is mounted a rice-standins elongated hollow inner or central pressing member, generally designated 25. The pressing member 25 fleeing free-standing, is thus supported wholly icy the base SI I without lateral braces, and consists of 'a vertically elongated hollow body 26 of metal or other suitable heat-conducting material, of approximately mectaneular cross-sec tion and havin a steam chamber 2.1 Figure of) with steam renter in theside walls thereof; Secured to the opposite sides of the pressing member 25 are pads 29 of porous mate rial, such as textile material, surrounded by an envelope or retaining sleeve 39 likewise preferably of porous material, such as textile material. By reason of the free-standing construction of the inner pressing member 25, it will be evident from Figures 1 and 3 that the envelope 39 can be and is drawn downwardly thereover, like pulling a sock on ones foot, since there are no braces, supporting arms or other projections to interfere. The body 26 of the inner pressing member 29 is preferably tapered near its upper end 3| and its length is preferably sumcient to accommodate the legs of the longest pair of trousers ordinarily encountered. The chamber 21 near the upper end 3| is closed by the top end portion 32 (Figure 3) and over this-is mounted an end pad 33. The envelope 39*is closed at its upper end like a stocking or bag and fits snugly down over the pads 29 and hollow body 25.

Steam is admitted to the central or inner pressing member 25 through ports 34 and 35 in vertically spaced inlet and exhaust bosses 39 and 31 (Figures 1 and 3) in the rearward edge wall of the body 26. Rising from the base II and bolted or otherwise secured thereto is a bracket 38 upon which are mounted steam intake and exhaust valves 39. and 49 located one above the other and having intake and exhaust pipes 4| and. 42 connected thereto. The

valves

39 and 49 are operated by valve levers or arms 43 and 44 interconnected by a link 45, oneof the valves, such as the valve 49, having an additional arm or lever 46 connected to the rotary valve member thereof (not shown) and having an operating rod 41 pivoted thereto at its rearward end, and extending forwardly to, a pivotal connection with a bell cranklever' 48. pivotally mounted as at 49 on a vertical bracket 59 which rises from and is bolted or otherwise secured to the base I I at the forward end thereof. The upper arm' of the bell crank lever 49 terminates in a pedal A pin 52 connected to the link 45 carries the upper end of a tension spring 53, the lower end of which is connected to an arm 54 which is bolted or otherwise secured to the rearward end of the base II. The spring 53 thus constantly urges the link 45 and the valve levers .43 and 44 downward to normally close the steam. inlet valve 39 and normally open the steam outlet or exhaust valve 49. When the operator stepson the pedal 5|, however, the valve levers 43 and 44 are swung upwardly to open the steam inlet valve 39 and close the exhaust valve 49. Steam inlet and exhaust pipes 55 and 56 run from the steam inlet and exhaust ports34 and 35 to the

valves

39 and 49 respectively. Inorder to carry away condensate from the inner or central pressing member 25, the hollow body 26 at its lower end is provided with a drain port 5! in a boss 58, from which'a drain pipe 59 .leads' to a suitable receiver or condensatepump;

Extending outwardly frornthe upper and lower portions of the standard I2 are upper and lower ears 99 and BI extending outward laterally in opposite directions (Figures 2 and 4). Pivotally mounted in the ears 69 and BI are upper and

lower pivot pins

62 and 93 connected to vertical members 64 forming the uprights of a pair of U-shaped brackets 65 mounted on opposite sides of the standard I2 and having upper and lower arm portions 66 and 91 (Figure 1) secured .as at 69 and 59 to swinging outer pressing members, generally designated- 19,--arranged on opposite sidesof the inner-or central pressing member 25. I

The outer pressing members 19 consist of elongated hollow bodies II likewise preferably of elongated rectangular cross-section and having steam vents T2 in their inner walls (Figure 4). The outer pressing members I9 are likewise provided with pads I3 preferably of porous textile material and this in turn is similarly covered by an envelope or cover I4 resembling the envelope 39 for the central pressing member 25. In actual practice, insulation is preferably applied to the outer walls of the outer members I9,but this is omitted to simplify the showing. The outer walls of the bodies II are provided with upper and lower bosses l5 and I6 containing steam intake and exhaust ports I! and 18 (Figure 3) to which are connected steam intake and exhaust pipes I9 and 89 having flexible portions BI and 82 respectively permitting the pressing members I9 to be swung outward and inward without interrupting the steam connections. Thelower ends of the bodies II are provided with partitions 93 with drain holes 34 opening into sumps 85, and drain ports 86 in bosses 3'? are provided at the lower ends of the sumps and have drain pipes 88 and flexible portions 89 connected thereto for carrying away the condensate.

Extending rearwardly from the standard I2 (Figure 1) is an arm' 99 to the rearward end of which a vertical bracket 9| is bolted or otherwise suitably secured. Mounted on'the upper and lower ends of the bracket 9| are steam in: take and

exhaust valves

92 and 93 respectively connected to steam intake and exhaust pipes 94 and 95. The

valves

92 and 93 are operated v by valve levers 99 and 91 pivotally interconnected by a link 98 which is constantly urged in an upward direction by a coil spring 99 attached at its lower end to a pin I99 on the link 99 and at its upper end to a pin |9| mounted on the bracket 9|. In a manner similar to the spring 53 of the

valves

39 and 49, the spring 99 constantly urges the valve levers 96 and 91 into a normallyclosed position for the steam intake valve 92 and a normally open position for the steamexhaust or outlet valve 93. An additional lever or arm I92 is connected to the valve lever 91 and in turn is pivotally connected to an operating rod I93, the forward end of which is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank lever I94 which is pivoted at I95 to the upper end of a bracket I96, the lower end of which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the base The other arm of the bell crank lever I94 terminates at its outer end in a pedal I91.

In order to open and close the outer pressing members I9 by swinging them outward and inward around the

pivot pins

92 and 93, a toggle linkage is provided wherein the lower arms 9'! of the -U-shaped brackets 65. are extended'as at I98 (Figure 4) beyond their pivots 93 and carrypivot pins I99 to which are pivotally connected the forward ends of links II9, the rearward ends of which are connected as at III to the cross bar of a T-member N2, the other bar of which carries the pivot pin I I3. Connected to the pivot pin 3 is a link II4, the opposite end of which is pivoted to a pivot pin I I5 carried by the upper 5 in their open position shown in Figure 4,. a tension spring ['20 is connected at its lower end to a pin 12! on the bent lever H8 and at its upper end to a pin i122 extending outward from one of the ears 9|.

Operation In the operation of the invention, let it be assumed that the inlet pipes li and s4 have been connected to a source of steam under pressure, and that the steam exhaust pipes 42 and 95 have been similarly connected to a steam outlet or receiver, also that suitable connections have been made to the condensate drain lines 59 and 89 to carry away the condensate. Let it also be assumed that the machine is in its open position (Figure 4) with the spring I21} holding it in this position. To press a pair of trousers T, the operator first grasps the waistband W and forms a fold F in the forward side thereof (Figure 5) if the trousers are for a person of ordinary girth. For a stout person, the operator folds the trousers T with an additional fold G at the rearward end of the waistband W (Figure 6). The folds F and G are not pressed into the trousers by the machine since they are outside the

pressing members

25 and 19. With the trousers T thus folded, the operator mounts the waistband W thereof in the clamps it with one clamp at the forward end and the other at the rearward end (Figure 1). While he is moving the waistband into the clamping position, he preferably at the same time inserts the trousers legs L on opposite sides of the central or inner pressing member 25 in the spaces between it and the now open outer pressing members It.

The operator then steps on the pedal H9 and thereby swings the outer pressings members 19 into engagement with the trousers legs and forces them against the central or inner pressing member 25. The bent lever I I8 is preferably provided with a conventional locking pawl (not shown) so that the operator may step off the pedal i is while leaving the machine in its closed position.

The operator then steps on the pedals 5i and l 01 to the extent necessary to apply steam to the inner and outer pressing members 25 and 10. This steam escapes through the vents 28 and 12 from the interior of the hollow bodies 26 and H and penetrates the pores of the pads 29 and 13 and covers or sleeves 3|] and 14, entering the interstices between the threads of the trouser legs, thereby moistening the material. The combination of heat and pressure in this manner simultaneously presses both sides and the forward and rearward creases of both trouser legs L in a single operation. When pressing has been completed, the operator releases the pedals 5|, I01 and H9 permitting the steam to exhaust from the pressing members 25 and i0 and at the same time swinging the latter open into the position shown in Figure 4.

What I claim is:

1. A trousers pressing machine for simultaneously pressing both legs of a pair of trousers in their right-side-up position, said machine comprising a supporting structure, a vertically-elongated hollow inner pressing member mounted vertically on said structure, a pair of verticallyelongated hollow outer pressing members movably vertically on said structure on opposite sides 70 of said inner pressing member, means connected to said outer pressing members for moving said outer pressing members into and out of close proximity to said inner pressing member, means for supplying heat to said pressing members, and a trousers support connected to said supporting structure and overhanging said inner pressing member, said trousers support having thereon trousers waistband grippers releasably engageable with the waistband portions of the verticallyfolded and vertically-hanging trousers near the forward and rearward edges of the trousers on opposite sides thereof whereby to press the legs of said trousers in the right-side-up position of said trousers.

2. A trousers pressing machine for simultaneously pressing both legs of a pair of trousers in their right-side-up position, said machine comprising a supporting structure, a vertically-elongated hollow inner pressing member mounted vertically on said structure, a pair of verticallyelongated hollow outer pressing members movably mounted vertically on said structure on opposite sides of said inner pressing member, means connected to said outer pressing members for moving said outer pressing members into and out of close proximity to said inner pressing member, means for supplying heat to said pressing member, and a trousers support connected to said supporting structure and overhanging said inner pressing member, said trousers support having thereon trousers waistband grippers releasably engageable with the waistband portions of the vertically-folded and vertically-hanging trousers near the forward and rearward edges of the trousers on opposite sides thereof, said trousers waistband grippers comprising horizontally-spaced waistband clamps depending from said trousers support above the forward and rearward portions of said inner pressing member whereby to press the legs of said trousers in the right-side-up position of said trousers.

3. A trousers pressing machine for simultaneously pressing both legs of a pair of trousers in their right-side-up position, said machine comprising a supporting structure, a vertically-elongated hollow inner pressing member mounted vertically on said structure, a pair of verticallyelongated hollow outer pressing members movably mounted vertically on said structure on opposite sides of said inner pressing member, means connected to said outer pressing members for moving said outer pressing members into and out of close proximity to said inner pressing member, means for supplying heat to said pressing members, and a trousers support connected to said supporting structure and overhanging said inner pressing member, said trouser support having thereon trousers waistband grippers releasably engageable with the waistband portions of the vertically-folded and vertically-hanging trousers near the forward and rearward edges of the trousers on opposite sides thereof, said pressing members being Wider at their upper ends than at their lower ends and having their forward and rearward edges tapering from their upper ends downwardly toward their narrower lower ends whereby to press the legs of said trousers in the right-side-up position of said trousers.

ARTHUR B. JONES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PA'I'ENI'S Number Name Date 2,065,235 Matthews Dec. 22, 1936 2,486,486 Lauzon Nov. 1, 1949 2,529,899 Bayler Nov. 14, 1950