US2703939A

US2703939A - Means for selectively or automatically controlling operation of garment press or similar apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2703939A
Application number: US178326A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence M Clarke
Original assignee: US Hoffman Machinery Corp
Current assignee: US Hoffman Machinery Corp
Priority date: 1950-08-08
Filing date: 1950-08-08
Publication date: 1955-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 1972-03-15

Description

March 15, 1955 c. M. CLARKE 2,703,939

' MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY OR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING OPERATION OF GARMENT PRESS OR SIMILAR APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR UZa renceM, Clarke D BY March 15, 1955 c. M. CLARKE 2,703,939

MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY OR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING OPERATION OF GARMENT PRESS OR SIMILAR APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 3 Clarence M. Clarke M ZZWLr- J Arm? 9 EYS March 15, 1955 c, CLARKE 2,703,939 MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY OR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING OPERATION OF GARMENT PRESS OR SIMILAR APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8, 1950' 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 15, 1955 M. CLARKE 2,703,939 MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY OR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING OPERATION OF GARMENT PRESS OR SIMILAR APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8, 1950 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Clarence M. Clarke ATTORN 54 s March 15, 1955 c. M, CLARKE 2,703,939

MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY OR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING OPERATION OF GARMENT PRESS OR SIMILAR APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 gi l 1v 94 1 A /5 3'. NVENTOR CZdren M. Clarke ATTOR S March 15, 1955 MEANS FOR SELE C M CLARKE CTIVELY (5R AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING OPERATION OF GARMENT PRESS 0R SIMILAR APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 8, 1950 KO O3 INVENTOR Clarence M C'larke United States Patent O MEANS FOR SELECTIV ELY OR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLLNG OPERATION OF GARMENT PRESS OR SIMILAR APPARATUS Clarence M. Clarke, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to United States Hoffman Machinery Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 8, 1950, Serial No. 178,326

12 Claims. (Cl. 38-41) The present invention relates to means for selectively or automatically controlling certain of the operations of an apparatus, such as a garment or similar press. A primary object is to provide means for attaining great versatility in the selection of manual or automatic operation. A second object is to provide means for automatically securing great accuracy in the initiation and duration of the operations and to eliminate, to a great extent, the human factor in performing the timed functions of the apparatus.

Another object is to provide, as far as possible, for the complete safety of the operator, whether the press be operated automatically or by manual selective control.

Experience has shown that in the operation of garment presses particularly, a period of automatic steaming of clothing or other similar articles treated in the press, should be timed to occur during a pause which takes place just prior to the complete closure of the pressing elements, and which should for eificient results be of predetermined duration. Again, it is important that the press be opened at a predetermined time interval after the actual pressing operation begins and further that the garment be subjected to a limited vacuum cooling operation timed to take place during the opening of the press elements, which vacuum cooling operation should also be of limited duration. The invention of the present application provides timing apparatus and other cooperating devices for automatically controlling these operations of the press.

While, in general, the timing of the present apparatus is performed in a manner similar to that disclosed in the patent granted to R. J. Randall, No. 2,306,566, dated December 29, 1942, the present invention attams certain specifically novel advantages and accomplishments, as suggested above, and which will be more fully described hereinafter.

Other objects and advantages of the invention w1ll become apparent from the following description of the specific embodiments of the invention disclosed In the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a well-known type of garment press with certain concealed parts indicated by broken lines;

Fig. 2 is a right side elevation, some parts being shown in section and others indicated by broken lines;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2, drawn to a larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a detailed elevation of certain control parts of the mechanism taken on line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 55 of Fig. 3, having parts broken away and sect1oned and others indicated by broken lines;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 66 of Figs. 3 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the power motor and its piping connections;

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control system.

Now referring to the drawings in which similar reference characters refer throughout to similar parts, it will be seen that the press comprises a base 10 having a pair of spaced upwardly extending

side frames

11, 12, integral therewith and carrying at their upper ends a buck support 13 and a working table 14. From a rear portion of base 10 rise a pair of upwardly projecting 2,703,939 Patented Mar. 15, 1955 "

ice frame members

15, 16, terminating at their upper ends in rearwardly spaced relation to the buck 17. A heavy bifurcated lever 18, pivoted about the axis of a shaft 19, supported by the upper ends of the

frame members

15, 16, carries a press head 20 at its forward end. An adjustable counterbalance spring 21 is connected at one end to the lever 18 at a point rearwardly of the shaft 19 and at its other end to a rod 32 extending between the side frames 11, 12 (see Figs. 3 and 5).

A forwardly breaking toggle mechanism, comprising a lower link 22 and an upper link 23, is pivotally con- 7 nected between the rearwardly extending portion of the lever 18 and the base 10, as by cross shaft 25. A power mechanism comprising a fluid pressure cylinder 26 pivoted adjacent the front of the frame upon a shaft 27, a piston 28 and a rod 29, the latter pivotally connected to the lower link 22 at a point near the toggle joint, as at 30, is provided for the purpose of closing the toggle links thereby to close the head upon buck, and in a predetermined position of the links, slightly short of straight, to begin to apply pressure to garments disposed upon the buek. A tension spring assembly 31, connected between the upper end of the lower toggle link 22 and the front portion of the base 10 and aided by the spring 21 effects the collapsing of the toggle and the opening of the press head.

After closing the press, fluid pressure in the front end of the cylinder 26 will hold the press closed until the said pressure is released, either automatically through the operation of timing mechanism or by manual operation on the part of the operator, when the press will immediately open.

As is well understood in the art, the upper end of the link 23 may be pivoted at 24 to one end of a bell crank lever 34, fulcrumed at adjacent the rear end of the lever 18 and having its other end connected to a clevis 36, which has a threaded connection (not shown) with an adjusting rod 37, the latter being connected at its forward end with a handwheel 38 journaled in a transverse web 39 carried by the lever 18. The handwheel serves to rock the bell crank 34 around its pivot 35 on lever 18, thereby causing the pivot point 35 to raise or lower due to pivot point 24 of lever 34 acting as a fulcrum point. Thus a clockwise rotation of bell crank 34 will raise point 35 and exert more pressure between head and buck while a counterclockwise rotation will decrease pressure between head and buck.

Steam under pressure from any suitable source is delivered by an inlet pipe 40 to the press head (see Fig. 2). A valve assembly 44 mounted on the head 20 controls the discharge of steam from the hollow interior thereof through the lower surface of the head, and through the padding, if any is used, to suitably moisten a garment supported by the buck 17. This valve assembly is well-known and its operation has been duly described in the above-mentioned Patent No. 2,306,566. Sufiice it to say here that the steam discharge is permitted when the valve stem 45 is raised by a counterclockwise movement of a bell crank lever 47 having a valve operating'end 46. The bell crank is rocked to open the valve and discharge steam, at a predetermined moment or point during the closing of the press head, by linkage operable by a solenoid C, or the solenoid may be excited at any time by an operator by means of push button or other manually operated switch, as will hereinafter be described.

By reference to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the solenoid core 48 is connected to the lower end 49 of a bell crank lever 50 by means of an adjustable link 51. The bell crank 50 is fulcrumed upon .the above-mentioned rod 32 and the short arm of the bell is connected, as at 52, with the lower end of a link 53, the upper end of which (see Fig. 2) is connected as at 54 to the short arm of a bell crank lever 55 journaled on a stud 57 which projects inwardly from the frame part 16. The upper end 58 of lever 55 is bent forwardly around the shaft 19 and is connected to the rear end of a horizontally disposed link 59, the forward end of which is operably connected to the above described bell crank lever 47. From the foregoing it will be clear that a retractive movement of the solenoid core 48 will cause a counter-clockwise oscillation of the bell crank 47 and the discharge of steam from the steam valve 44.

In presses of the present type means is sometimes provided for removing the steam and drawing air through the press buck, to cool garments pressed thereon, and set the seams thereof, said means comprising a conduit 65 (Figs. 2, 3 and leading from the buck through a valve casing 66 to a suitable source of suction, not shown. Within casing 66 a normally spring-closed vacuum valve (not shown) mounted on a horizontally reciprocable stem 67 is adapted to be opened to cause suction in pipe 65 and the flow of air through the buck. A lever 68 pivoted at 69 on a bracket 70 carried by the valve casing 66, has a forked end 71 straddling the valve stem 67 and positioned behind a cap 72 thereon. The other end 73 of the lever is connected to one end of a link 74, the other end of which is connected to a rock arm 75 fast on a shaft 76 rotatably mounted in that portion of the frame member which supports the table 14.

It will be seen by what follows that the vacuum valve may be automatically opened during the opening movement of the press head for a limited period of time, or may be opened at any time by operation of a foot pedal 80 disposed at the forward end of a lever 81 rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft 82 mounted at its ends in the

side frames

11 and 12. A leftwardly extending arm 83 of the lever 81 is disposed to underlie a rearwardly extending lever 84 which is loosely mounted to rotate about the shaft 82. A link 85 pivotally connects at its lower end with a relatively forward portion of lever 84 as at 86 and a link 87 pivots at its lower end with a rearward portion of lever 84, as at 88. Link 85 is pivotally connected at its upper end with a rock arm 76, fast on the said shaft 76 which actuates the vacuum valve stem 67. Link 87 is pivotally connected at its upper end to the core 89 of a solenoid F. The solenoid is supported for vertical movement of its core, from a frame bracket 90. It will readily be understood that an upward rocking of the lever 84, either by reason of solenoid F excitation or because of pressure on the foot pedal 80, will transmit a counter-clockwise rotation to the shaft 76 and rock arm 75 and this motion will be transmitted to the valve stem 67 in such a way as to open the vacuum valve to draw air through the buck and any garment being treated thereon.

With certain exceptions, the parts so far described are standard features of construction of presses of the type referred to above and are not by themselves part of the present invention, except insofar as they are combined with the elements of the invention now to be described.

As stated above, the closing and opening of the press is accomplished by operation of the fluid motor 26, the associated transmission mechanism and spring assemblies. Mention has also been made above to solenoids F and C which respectively furnish power to operate the vacuum and

steam valves

66 and 44. Other solenoids E and D operate respectively a main air valve 92 for admitting compressed air or other operating fluid to the forward end of cylinder 26 for closing the press head, and a pressure equalizing or balancing valve 93 for admitting the fluid to the rear of the cylinder for checking the movement of the piston 28 and thus preventing the closure of the press head toward the buck beyond a predetermined or preset point, distant for example /3 of an inch from the buck, beyond which point, if movement of the piston 28 be continued, high pressure will be transmitted by reason of the continued straightening of the

toggle members

22, 23.

All of the functions of the press are accomplished through the operation of the four solenoids E, C, D and F. As will appear some of these functions may be accomplished selectively at will through operator actuation of certain control means while other functions manually controlled are only possible of accomplishment after the press elements have closed to the above mentioned predetermined point when the press may be put into a timed automatic pressing cycle.

Reference may be had to the piping diagram of Fig. 7 for an understanding of the following description of the operation of the fluid motor 26, from which it will be seen that a main compressed air pipe line 94, leading successively through a pressure regulator 95, an air filter 96 and a lubricator 97, which are standard, delivers air at the required working pressure to line 98 which has two branches 99 and 100. Branch 99 also has two

branches

101, 102, the former leading through solenoid actuated valve E, 92 to actuate a three-way pilot operated valve 103 of standard construction and comprising an actuating chamber 104 and a valve chamber having a straight line connection between branch 102 and the forward end of the cylinder 26 and a side connection for exhausting air from the forward end of the cylinder. Line 102 may also contain a speed control valve 105 of standard construction. Branch pipe line of line 98 leads to the rear end of cylinder 26 through solenoid actuated balancing valve D, 93. This branch also may be provided with a speed control valve 106. A pressure gauge 107 may be connected to the main air line at a point beyond the pressure regulator. The operation is such that when solenoid E is energized main valve 92 puts the pressure chamber 104 of valve 103 in operative condition to shift the normally closed valve 103 to open input position, whereby air will be conducted to the cylinder for movement of the piston 28, to effect closing of the press to the predetermined checking point, at which time, as will appear, solenoid operated valve D, 93 will be operated to admit fluid pressure to the rear end of the cylinder to check the closing of the press.

It will be seen also that a check valve 108 connected to the rear end of cylinder 28, in the piping system, will admit air in the direction of the arrow to prevent a vacuum forming in that end of the cylinder, and thus interfere with the opening operation of the apparatus in the event that valve 93 fails to exhaust properly to atmosphere.

Now referring to Fig. 1 it will be noted that six push button

electric switches

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are mounted in a row parallel to and near the front edge of the work table 14. For reasons that will be mentioned later the push buttons of switches l and 6 are colored the same, in the present instance, green. Likewise their respectively adjacent switches 2 and 5 are colored alike, in the present instance, red.

Switch buttons

3 and 4 are here colored respectively black and yellow. These colorings are merely for convenience in operation, or the switches may be otherwise identified.

A right hand foot pedal 77 is shown in the drawings. This pedal, loosely mounted on the before-mentioned shaft 82, is connected forwardly of shaft 82 by means of a link 78 with a switch 79 of the limit switch type which, normally open, is closed when the pedal 77 is depressed. A limit switch 91 is mounted at the rear of the press with its operating lever 91' engageable by the lower toggle member 22 to close the switch when the toggle has closed the head 20 to the point where steam is to be applied, through the head to the buck and the closing movement of the press head checked.

By reference to Figs. 3 and 4 it will be seen that the equalizing valve 93 is operatively connected to the solenoid D by means of a lever 110, fulcrumed on the valve casing and pivotally connected to the core 111 of the solenoid D, as by means of the link 112 so as to open the normally closed valve 93 when the solenoid D is excited and retracts its core. It is to be understood that valve 93 is normally closed and will prevent the passage of air from line 100 to the rear end of the cylinder and is normally open to exhaust the air therefrom. The solenoid E operates the air valve 92 in a similar manner to actuate pilot valve 103, when the solenoid is excited, to admit fluid from 102 to the forward end of cylinder 26, and when unexcited, to hold the valve open to exhaust the cylinder through the side opening of the valve.

Now by reference to structures and instrumentalities hereinbefore described and to other instruments or devices incorporated in the electrical system as schematically shown in Fig. 8, the manner of operation of the press may be made clear. It will be seen that the normally open green button switches 1 and 6 and the normally open switch 79 operated by the foot pedal 77 are connected in parallel in respect to electric power lines L-l and L-2 in a

circuit

121, 124, 122 which also includes the solenoid coil E of the main air valve. Connected in an electrical network with the said circuit are the

other worktable switches

2, 3, 4 and 5 and also the limit switch 91, operated by the toggle lever 22. In addition there are three magnetic contactor relays, one having three contacts, two normally open and one normally closed, and a coil, all designated CR1; one having with and controls the energizing of the circuit containing the coil of TR2.

The sequence and manner of operation follows.

Manual (except automatic steaming):

l. T 0 bring down head to an adjustable distance from the buck and admit head steam: depress either

green push button

1 or 6 or foot pedal operated switch 79 This closes circuit 122-124 energizing solenoid E. This in turn opens main valve 92 to admit air to cylinder 26, forcing the piston 28 upward and starting the head 20 downward. When the preset position of the head travel is reached, limit switch 91 is closed, closing c1rcu1t 123-130, (circuits 122123 being normally closed by black button switch 3) and energizing contactor coll CR3, which elfects the closing of its own open contacts CR3, closing circuits 124-125 and 124-129-126 and energizing solenoids D and C. The steam valve 44 is thus opened to the head and the balancing or equalizing valve 93 opens admitting air or regulated pressure to the rear end of the cylinder 26 which prevents further movement of the head. This condition prevails as long as either green button or the right hand foot pedal 1s depressed.

If from this manual operation it is desired to:

2. Bring head all the way down under pressure for pressing: the operator depresses the black push button, which opens switch 3 and circuit 122-123, deenergizing CR3 coil, which opens circuits 124-125 and 124-126, deenergizing steam solenoid C and air equalizing solenoid D respectively. The press head will now close completely as the piston 28 finishes its rearwardly upward stroke.

3. Bring the head down for pressing from full open position: depress either green button and the black button, or push the right foot pedal, and depress the black button. The circuit 122-124 is the only one made since 122-123 is open. Thus only the main air solenoid E will be energized and the head will close completely without being checked by the opening of the balancing valve, at the preset position.

4. To admit steam at any time: depress the yellow push button closing normally open switch 4 and clrcult 122-125 to steam solenoid C.

Automatic cycle (press and vacuum):

5. This cycle can be initiated directly after operation No. 1: depress adjacent red push button with the same hand that is holding down the green button of

switch

1 or 6 and depress the other red button momentarily. This closes circuit 123-128-132127, energizing contactor CR1, coil, (TR1 contact in this circuit being normally closed) completing the circuit with line 121 which forms one side of the network. Energizing coil CR1 closes circuit 127-124, keeping the air solenoid E energized while opening circuit 124-129 to deenergize both of the steam and piston balancing solenoids C and D. It will be understood that CR3 contactor has been energized by the closing of the press, so its CR3 contacts have been closed, and that the two normally open contacts of CR1 and the one normally closed contact of CR1 will now have their position reversed. Also circuit 133-127 is closed and since 128-133 was closed by the previous operation No. 1, the maintaining circuit for CR1 coil is 128-133-127. The press timing cycle, controlled by the adjustable time delay relays TR1 and TR2, has started by the energization of TR1 coil which is connected in circuit 121-127. After the predetermined time for which the relay TR1 has been adjusted has elapsed, the contacts TR1 change over, the normally closed one in circuit 128 opening momentarily to open the circuit 123-128, thus deenergizing CR1 contactor which opens its own maintaining contact 133-127. Timer coil TR1 is also deenergized which returns its normally closed contact 123-128 to its normally closed position, ready for the next cyclic operation of the press.

Also circuit 132-127-124 has been opened which deenergizes air solenoid E, releasing the head and permitting it to open under action of the

springs

21 and 31. But when TR1 contact 123-128 opened momentarily its normally open contact 123-134 closed momentarily which energized CR2 coil through circuit 123-134-135, and maintained itself through its contact 123-134. Circuit 12.3-131 is now closed by the closing of its CR2 contact energizing the vacuum valve solenoid F which opens vacuum valve 66. Timer coil TR2 was energized through circuit 123-134 and after a preset time has elapsed the TR2 normally closed contact 134-135 opens, deenergizing CR2 coil, again opening its maintaining contact 123-134 and its other contact 123-131, thus ending the vacuum cycle. This deenergizes TR2 coil, whereupon its normally closed contact 134-135 returns to the normally closed position ready for the next cycle. Thus it will be seen that during the automatic portion of the press cycle, the press is held in closed position for a predetermined interval after which the press opens under spring action, the vacuum valve being operated to draw cooling air through the buck during a period of press opening movement.

6. The automatic cycle is started with head in open position as follows: depress the two red push buttons, both hands being necessary for this accomplishment. This closes circuit 123-128-132-127 energizing coils CR1 and TR1. Circuit 127-124 is made energizing air solenoid E, and opening circuit 124-129. When the head comes down to the position which actuated limit switch 91, as explained above in operation No. 1, both hands can be removed from the switch board, since the maintained circuit from CR1 is through 123-128- 133-127. The rest of the sequence is the same as in operation No. 5.

7. Stop the operation of vacuum or open the press during the automatic cycle: can be accomplished by depressing the black push button. This opens circuit 122-123 which interrupts either portion of the timing cycle, after which the timers reset themselves for the next operation.

8. Vaccum may be had at any time in the operation of the press by pushing down on the right foot pedal 77 to open the vacuum valve 66 in the same manner as if the solenoid F had been excited.

The time delay relays TR1 and TR2 need not be of any particular character but preferably are of the pneumatic timing type, which is mechanically actuated by magnetic contactor mechanism moving vertically. Time delay is dependent upon the transfer of air through a restricted orifice. Adjustment of the timing range is accomplished by positioning a needle valve to vary the degree of orifice restriction. By changing the relationship of the actuating magnet to the time delay assembly, contact action is obtained with delay after either energization or de-energization of the magnet. As employed in the present arrangement the delay occurs after energization of the magnet, so that changeover of the relay contacts occurs sometime after energization of its contactor coil. All of the relays and switches herein shown are standard, as are also the various magnetically operated, pilot operated and manually actuated valves.

Although the invention has been described with considerable particularity in the foregoing specification in reference to the accompanying drawings, it must be understood that the invention is not limited to these specific details, but covers all modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described, including a press head movable cooperatively toward and from a stationary buck, power operating means for actuating said head comprising, in combination, a fluid operated motor having a movable piston, power transmitting means cooperatively associated with said head and said motor piston, a first feed line for motive fiuid to one end of said motor for moving said piston to close said head upon said buck, a normally closed intake valve in said line, a second feed line for leading motive fluid to the other end of said motor to impose an equalizing pressure upon said piston, a normally closed equalizing valve in said second feed line, a manually operable means for elfecting the opening of said intake valve to cause said motor to close said head, and means associated with said power transmitting means adapted at a predetermined point short of the closed position of the press to engage and open said equalizing valve and thereby arrest said head from further closing movement.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which is provided a second manually operable means operable at will to prevent by its operation the opening of said equalizing valve by said means associated with said power transmitting means, thus permitting complete closure of said pressing head.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said equalizing valve is opened by actuating means included in an electrical circuit having therein a limit switch, and said power transmitting means includes a member operatively engageable with said limit switch.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 in which said actuating means for said valve is a solenoid.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which both of said valves are operated by solenoids disposed cooperatively in an electrical network, including a manual switch for energizing the intake valve solenoid and a limit switch controlled by the closing of said press head upon said buck to said predetermined point to energize the equalizing valve solenoid.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 in which a steam valve carried by said head is operated to admit steam between said head and buck by means of a solenoid cooperatively connected in said network with said equalizing valve and said limit switch to actuate said steam valve substantially in step with the opening of said equalizing valve, both said valves being under the control of said power transmitting means.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 in which independent manual means for actuating said steam valve is provided.

8. Apparatus as in claim 6, in which other manually actuated means is providedoperable at will to inhibit by its operation the opening of both said equalizing and said steam valves by means associated with said power transmitting means and thus permit complete closure of said press without the admission of steam.

9. An apparatus for controllng a garment press of the type comprising a buck, a movable head, fluid actuated power means for closing said head upon said buck, a main valve to admit fluid to said power means, a steam valve, solenoids connected in an electrical network for operating the respective valves, manual current control means for initially energizing the solenoid to said main valve to close said head, a first relay connected in said network to deliver current to energize the steam valve solenoid, a switch in said network, means associated with said power means and responsive to the closing movement of the head to close said switch and energize said first relay, a second relay in said network connected when energized, to deenergize said steam valve solenoid and maintain energization of said main valve solenoid, a second manual current control means for energizing said second relay, and a time delay relay connected in said network to have its operation initiated by the second relay after said first relay has been energized and to shift over after a predetermined time to deenergize itself and said second relay to deenergize said main valve solenoid and effect opening of said press, thereby deenergizing said first relay and its controlled circuits.

10. An apparatus for controlling a garment press of the type comprising a buck, a movable head, fluid actuated power means for closing said head upon said buck, a main valve to admit fluid to said power means, a steam valve and a vacuum valve. solenoids for operating the respective valves connected in an electrical network, manual current control means for initially energizing the solenoid to open said main valve to close said head, a first relay connected in said network to deliver current to energize the steam valve solenoid, a switch in said network, means associated with said power means and responsive to the closing movement of the head to close said switch and energize said first relay, a second relay connected in said network and having contacts operable to deenergize said steam valve solenoid and maintain energization of said main valve solenoid, a second manual current control means for energizing said second relay, a time delay relay connected in said network to have its operation initiated by the second relay after said first relay has been energized and to shift over after a predetermined time to deenergize itself and said second relay to deenergize said main valve solenoid and effect opening of said press, thereby deenergizing said first relay and its controlled circuits, a third relay connected in said network to deliver current to energize said vacuum valve, a second time delay relay interlocked by switch contacts with said first relay and connected to have its operation initiated by said shift-over of said first time delay relay and itself to shift over after a predetermined time to deenergize itself and the vacuum valve solenoid, whereby the vacuum valve becomes open for a timed period as the press opens due to the closing of the main valve.

11. An apparatus for controlling a garment press of the type comprising a buck, a movable head, fluid actuated head moving means for closing said head upon said buck, a main valve to effect operation of said head moving means, an equalizing valve to arrest the operation of said head moving means, a steam valve, solenoids for the respective valves, an operator-operated switch for initially energizing the solenoid to said main valve, a limit switch operated by said head moving means after predetermined movement of said head, a first relay connected by interlocking circuits to deliver current to energize simultaneously the steam and the equalizing valve solenoids and actuated by the operation of said limit switch, a second relay connected to said first relay by interlocking circuits to deenergize said steam valve and said equalizing valve solenoids and maintain energization of said main valve solenoid, a second operator-operated switch for energizing said second relay, a time delay relay connected in interlocking circuits to have its operation initiated by the second relay after the first relay has been energized and to shift over after a predetermined time to deenergize itself and said second relay to deenergize said main valve solenoid and effect opening of said press head, thereby to deenergize said first relay and the circuits controlled thereby.

12. An apparatus for controlling a garment press of the type comprising a buck, a movable head, fluid actuated head moving means for closing said head upon said buck, a main valve to effect operation of said head moving means, an equalizing valve to arrest the operation of said head moving means, a steam valve, a vacuum valve. solenoids for the respective valves, an operator-operated switch in a circuit for initially energizing the solenoid to said main valve, a limit switch operated by said head moving means after predetermined movement of said head. a first relay connected in interlocking circuits to deliver current to energize simultaneously the steam and the equalizing valve solenoids and actuated by the operation of said limit switch, a second relay connected in interlocking circuits to deenergize said steam valve and said equalizing valve solenoids and maintain energization of said main valve solenoid, a second operator-operated switch for energizing said second relay, a time delay relay connected in interlocking circuits to have its operation initiated by the second relay after the first relay has been energized and to shift over after a predetermined time to deenergize itself and said second relay to deenergize said main valve solenoid and effect opening of said press head, thereby to deenergize said first relay and the circuits controlled thereby, a third relay connected in interlocking circuits to deliver current to energize said vacuum valve. a second time delay relay connected in interlocking cir cuit relation with said third relay to have its operation initiated by said shift-over of said first time delay relay and itself to shift over after a predetermined time to deenergize itself and the vacuum valve solenoid, whereby the vacuum valve becomes open for a timed period as the press opens due to the closing of the main valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,306,566 Randall Dec. 29, 1942 2,341,689 Bryson Feb. 15, 1944 2,346,244 Yanchenke Apr. 11, 1944 2,369,243 Lechler Feb. 13, 1945