US2684190A - Pants stretcher and former - Google Patents

Description

July 20, 1954 Filed Jan. 2, 1952 W. C. GLOVER, JR

PANTS STRETCHER AND FORMER 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. W/W/a/W d/ol eg G k ATTORNEK July 20, 1954 w. c. GLOVER, JR 2,584,190

PANTS STRETCHERAND FORMER Filed Jan. 2, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Patented July 20, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE PANTS STR-ETCHER AND FORMER Application January 2, 1952, Serial No. 264,411

7 Claims.

This invention has to do with garment fin-- ishing machines and particularly devices for stretching and forming trousers, the primary ob iect being to provide a simple, inexpensive and easily operated ma hine having all of the necessary features for accomplishing the desired resuits, and usable by smaller operators unable to withstand the expense of the more complicated machines of this character now available on the open market.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide a trouser finisher in the nature of a steamer and including two pairs of opposed, horizontal arms for receiving the trouser legs, shaped to conform to the seat of the trousers and adapted to stretch the same in a direction transversely of the legs, as well as longitudinally thereof by a manual pulling action on the part of the operator.

Another object hereof relates to novel connection of the members for movement toward and away from each other and including spring means to yieldably hold one end of the members biased apart as the same are shifted relatively through use of extensible linkage pivotally interconnecting the members and serving as the sole means of j oinder therebetween.

Other objects relate to the way in which an absorbent webbing is provided to collect condensate; the way in which the webbing closes the ends of the trouser leg-receiving units; the manner of directing steam into the trouser legs and toward the flexible end closures; and many more minor objects including details of construction,

all of which will be made clear or become apparout as the following specification progresses.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a pants stretcher and former made pursuant to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view similar to Fig. 1 showing the units partially expanded and having a pair of trousers thereon.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, end elevational view, parts being broken away to reveal details of construction.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, cross-sectional view taken through one of the units for receiving the trouser legs.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on line VV of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on line VI--VI Of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed,

2 cross-sectional view taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 4.

A base it (Fig. 1) supports an upright standard or pedestal l2, that is preferably tubular, which pedestal l2 in turn supports a hollow head or casing I4. Casing M is open along one side thereof for receiving a pair of elongated, horizontal supports or arms H5, bolted or otherwise aiiixed to the casing i i and each including a pair of identical sections held apart by spacers 1%.

Supports it carry a pair of lowermost arms or stretching members 20 that are likewise each composed of a pair of identical sections held in spaced-relationship by spacers 22. The two stretching members 2!! are interconnected at one end thereof in any suitable manner such as by the utilization of tubula spacers 2d and transverse bolts 25. The two members 2B are supported solely by the arms It through the medium of linkage broadly designated by the numeral 28 and pivotally connecting each arm IS with the corresponding underlying arm 2!]. Linkage 28 each in cludes a link 38 pivotally secured to the corresponding center spacer I8 and a link 32 pivotally mounted on the centermost spacer 22. Link 39 is pivotally joined to the link 32 intermediate the ends of the latter and link 32 in turn carries a pair of rollers 3 on the uppermost end thereof. Plates 36 on each of the two sections of the supports is, provide tracks for the rollers ss as they reciprocate toward and awa from the case M as hereinafter made more clear. Each of the expansible linkages 28 is provided with an actuating rod 33 pivotally connected with the link 32 above the rollers 3t and extending between the spaced sections of the corresponding arms it toward the casing i4.

Casing l4 journals a horizontal shaft to that in turn is provided with a pair of laterally extending arms 42 pivotally connected with a corresponding rod 38 within the casing Hi as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The arms 12 are yieldably biased toward the linkages 25 by means of a spring 44 coiled about the shaft iii and having a pair of legs Ali in overlying engagement with the arms 42. The bight 48 of spring is bears against and/or is fastened to an upstanding bracket 58 within the casing i l. An elongated spring 52 for each linkage 28 respectively, connects with link 32 and the corresponding arm it between th sections of the latter, adjacent the outermost spacer l8 remote from casing 14, springs 52 cooperating with the spring is in holding the rollers 34 biased toward the outermost free ends of the support arms l6.

An operating handle 54 connecting with the shaft 40 exteriorly of the case I4 is provided with a toothed segment 56 that cooperates with a spring-loaded pawl 58 swingably mounted on the case M to releasably hold the handle 54 and accordingly, the linkages 28 in predetermined positions.

The arms [6 and are interconnected by a spring 60 secured to each arm 20 respectively at that end thereof adjacent casing I4 and to a corresponding link 39. A webbing of suitable absorbent material is attached to the uppermost surfaces of the arms 20 throughout the entire lengths thereof, each webbing 62 having a normally V-shaped extension 64 that connects with the corresponding overlying arm [6 adjacent the outermost spacer I8.

A T-shaped fastener 66 intermediate the ends of the webbing extension 64 receives a coil spring 68 that is in turn secured to the corresponding arm l6 inwardly of the free end thereof. Although the arms 20 are shown spaced away from the arms It in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, when the linkages 28 are completely retracted, the outermost free ends of the arms I 6 and 20 are together with the webbing extensions 84 therebetween.

The arms i5 are out-away as at it to receive the trousers T2 at the waist thereof and adjacent the fiy which is fastened after applying the trousers 72 to the arms I6 and 2d. Arms 2% in turn are provided with a downwardly arched portion 14 between the centermost spacer 22 and that end of the arms 28 adjacent the casing l4 to conform to the shape of the seat of the trousers 12 as shown in Fig. 2.

As an aid in holding the trousers 12 in a taut condition adjacent the waist and fly, there is provided a substantially L-shaped arm l6 swingable at one end thereof on the shaft (see Fig. 3 and movable along a slot 73 in the uppermost end of the casing 24. An elongated bar 89 is swingably secured to the arm 1% and rests upon the trousers i2 between the arms it as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings when placed in use. A spring catch 82 in the casing l4 releasably holds the arm it with the bar 86 at the uppermost end of its path of travel in the manner illustrated by Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings.

A pipe 84 connected with a suitable supply of steam not shown, extends into the hollow pedestal i2 and upwardly therethrough into the easing l l, whence it is continued in an angled portion 38 having a control valve 88 interposed therein; valve 33 is in turn operated by means of a foot treadle 98 on the base IE2 and connected with the valve 88 by means of a rod 92. The angled portion 85 of the pipe 84 carries a perforated head 9d immediately below the arms I8 therebetween and adjacent the open side of the casing M. A bafile plate 96 is adjustably carried by the head 94 and locked in an adjusted position by means of a nut 98. Condensate may be drained from the pedestal [2 by removal of a plug Hit or by connecting a drain pipe thereto. Artificial currents of air may be produced by means of a blower I62 having a contained prime mover, preferably an electric motor, controlled by a switch 34. The outlet end of the blower 582 communicates with the casing 14 and is disposed to direct the currents of air horizontally toward the head 94 and into the trousers l2 when the same are mounted as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

As above indicated, prior to threading of the legs of the trousers 12 upon the arms It and 20, the handle 54 is swung to the lowermost end of its path of travel by releasing pawl 58. After the trousers 12 are in place, the fly is fastened across the cut-away portions it of arms [6, and the handle 54 is thereupon raised slightly, pawl 58 automatically cooperating with the toothed segment 55 to hold the handle 54 in the selected position. Such upward swinging movement of the handle 54 swings the rods 38 toward the casing l4, through arms 42 and against the action of spring 44 and the two springs 52. The two pairs of rollers 3 thereupon ride along the wear plates 36 toward the casing 14 and, through linkage 28, the outermost free ends of the arms 20 adjacent the webbing extension 64 move away from the arms [6, thereby holding the cuffs of the trousers T2 taut. During this initial movement of the handle 54, the two springs 5i operate to maintain the arcuate portions M of the arms 20, out of tight engagement with the seat of the trousers 72. While the trousers l2 are still relatively loose on the arms 15 and 22 except at the cuffs of the legs, the operator steps on treadle to open valve 83 and direct steam into the trousers i2 toward the webbing portions 64 that serve as closures for the cuff ends of the trouser legs. Steam is therefore. directed through the fabric material from which the garment T2 is made, around the sides, top and bottom of all arms is and 2B. the same time, the operator grasps the cuffs of the trousers T2 to straighten the trousers longitudinally, whereupon handle 54 is raised to the position shown in Fig. l of the drawings to com-- pletely expand the linkages 28.

While the waist of the trousers i2 is held by the cut-away portions 58 and by the arcuate lengths M of the arms 26, the operator, pulling upon the trousers T2 at the cuffs thereof, stretches the legs longitudinally.

Finally, with bar 8! in place as shown in Fig. 2, additional steam is directed into the trousers by depressing treadle M baffie plate 96 serving to prevent a surge of steam toward the closures whereby the trousers 12 are completely saturated with steam throughout the entire length thereof. The extent of baffling of the steam emanating from the perforated head 96 may be varied by loosening lock nut 98 and adjusting baffle plate 96 toward and way from the head t l.

It is seen that by virtue of the flexible nature of the webbing 62 and further, by provision of the springs 58, arms 2!] are free to move toward and away from the arms it while the portions of the webbing 62 serve as a closure for the curl ends of the trousers i2, preventing escape of the steam from trousers 12 at the cuff ends thereof.

Such condensate that may tend to form on the arms 16, springs Bil, linkages 28 and springs and 63, will drip downwardly and be collected by the absorbent webbing 62 rather than continue to flow downwardly along the sides of the arms 20 and thence be absorbed by the trousers 752.

After the steaming operation, blower H32 may be placed in operation by closing of switch hit to remove the steam and partially or completely dry the trousers '32 as desired prior to removal of trousers '12 by release of pawl 58 and downward swinging movement of handle 54.

It is now seen that there has been provided completely efficient, relatively inexpensive ma chine that may be used by operators who are desirous of improving their service by increasing the amount of wet clean of garments of this character. It is well appreciated by those skilled in this field that dry cleaning is practiced to the greatest possible extent because of the fact that little finishing is required after treating the garments with the usual solvents. On the other hand, spotting or wet clean is oftentimes necessary and in most cases, desirable to efiectively clean the garment. Wet cleaning has the disadvantage of requiring removal of wrinkles and stretching prior to the pressing operation. By use of a machine of this character, it is possible for a small operator to wet clean to the extent that he may desire, whereupon the garment may be quickly and easily stretched and made ready for pressing by removal of wrinkles.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a trouser stretching device, an upright standard; a pair of elongated, horizontal supports extending from the standard; an elongated stretching member beneath each support re-- spectively; expansible linkage pivotally joining the supports and the members; means for biasing the members away from the supports at one end thereof as the linkage is expanded; and a flexible closure joining each support respectively with an underlying member at said one end thereof.

2. In a trouser stretching device, an upright standard; a pair of elongated, horizontal supports extending from the standard; an elongated stretching member beneath each support respectively; expansible linkage pivotally joining the supports and the members; means for biasing the members away from the supports at one end thereof as the linkage is expanded; a flexible closure joining each support respectively with an underlying member at said one end thereof; and yieldable means joining each support respectively with its closure.

3. In a trouser finishing machine, a pair of elongated, rigidly interconnected, horizontal supports; a pair of elongated, rigidly interconnected stretching members, there being a stretching member beneath each support respectively; expansible linkage depending from each support respectively intermediate the ends thereof and pivotally connected thereto; means pivotally connecting each linkage with a corresponding member; and spring means connecting each member at one end thereof with its overlying support for yieldably holding the members biased at the opposite end thereof away from the supports as the linkage is expanded.

4. In a trouser finishing machine, an upright standard; a pair of elongated, horizontal supports extending from the standard; a pair of elongated, rigidly interconnected stretching members, there being a stretching member beneath each support respectively; an expansible linkage between each support respectively and the corresponding member therebeneath, each of said linkages including a pair of elongated links, one of said links being pivotally connected at one end thereof to one of said members, the other of said links bein pivotally connected at one end thereor" to one of said supports, and at the opposite end thereof to said one link intermediate the ends of the latter, and roller means on the opposite end of said one link; and resilient means yieldably holding the rollers biased against the lowermost edges of the supports.

5. A trouser finishing machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein is provided a spring interconnecting one of the linkages adjacent its roller and the overlying support adjacent that end of the latter remote from the standard.

6. A trouser finshing machine as set forth in 5, wherein is provided spring means connecting one of the supports with its underlying member adjacent one end of the latter proximal to the standard.

7. A trouser finishing machine as set forth in claim 6, wherein is provided spring means connecting one of the supports with its underlying member adjacent one end of the latter remote from the standard.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,791,601 Ramsdell Feb. 10, 1931 1,855,544 Emery et al Apr. 26, 1932 2,092,278 Harvey Sept. 7, 1937 2,245,665 Hanson Dec. 17, 1941 2,423,509 Lendle July 8, 1947 2,531,599 Bader et a1 Nov. 28, 1950

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