US2788769A

US2788769A - Air operated garment press having two different pressing pressures

Info

Publication number: US2788769A
Application number: US327524A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence A Ketchum
Original assignee: American Laundry Machinery Co
Current assignee: American Laundry Machinery Co
Priority date: 1952-12-23
Filing date: 1952-12-23
Publication date: 1957-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1974-04-16

Description

April 16, 1957 c. A. KETCHUM AIR OPERATED GARMENT PRESS HAVING TWO DIFFERENT PRESSING PRESSURES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 23, 1952 INVENTOR.

CLARENCE A. Ke'rcnun Apnl 16, 1957 c. A. KETCHUM 2,788,769

AIR OPERATED GARMENT PRESS HAVING TWO DIFFERENT PRESSING PRESSURES Filed Dec. 23. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. V CLARE/k6 A. Kart/10M BY @44 WM&%4-

United States Patent O AIR OPERATED GARMENT PRESS HAVING TWO DIFFERENT PRESSING PRESSURES Clarence A. Ketchum, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 23, 1952, Serial No. 327,524

11 Claims. (Cl. 121-38) This invention relates to improvements in a garment press and more particularly to a garment press having a closing and low pressing pressure means and an increased pressure pressing means.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a garment press having means for closing the press and exerting a relatively low pressing pressure and having means for exerting a higher pressing pressure when in the closed position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid pressure operated garment press with means for closing the press and exerting a relatively low pressing pressure by a low fluid pressure and means for exerting a higher pressing pressure by a high fluid pressure when the press is closed and means for preventing the closing of the press from its open position by only the high fluid pressure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid pressure operated garment press with means for closing the press and exerting a relatively low pressing pressure by a low fluid pressure and means for exerting a higher pressing pressure by a high fluid pressure when the press is being closed and means for preventing normal closing of the press by the low fluid pressure if the high fluid pressure is being used.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid pressure operated garment press with means for closing the press and exerting a relatively low pressing pressure by a low fluid pressure and means for exerting a higher pressing pressure by a high fluid pressure when the press is being closed and means permitting release of the first means when the high fluid pressure is being used and the press is closed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment press operated by fluid pressure and having the fluid pressure control characterized by its structural simplicity and ease of operation with safety under all conditions.

Other features of this invention reside in the arrangement and design of the parts for carrying out their appropriate functions.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and description and the essential features will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a fluid pressure operated garment press constructed according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the pressing head member; while Fig. 3 is a diagram of the fluid pressure control for the garment press in Fig. 1.

Before the garment press and its control here illustrated is specifically described, it is to be understood that the invention here involved is not limited to the structural details or arrangement of parts here shown since garment presses and controls embodying the present invention may take various forms. It also is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein employed is for purposes of description and not of limitation since the scope of the present invention is denoted by the appended claims.

The garment press in Fig. l broadly includes a pressing buck member 10, having a padded construction and be ing fixed to a frame 11, and includes a swingable pressing head member 12 secured to the distal end of a head lever 13 which in turn is pivotally mounted to the frame 11 at pivot 14. This pressing head member 12 is swingable between an idle, normal, or open first position spaced from the stationary buck member 10, as shown in Fig. 1 in the drawings, and a working or closed second position with the head member 12 exerting a pressing pressure against the stationary buck member 10.

A mechanism is provided for moving the head member 12 between these two positions. It includes a toggle wherein the lower toggle link is formed by a bell crank 17 and the upper toggle link is formed by toggle link 20 pivotally connected to the bell crank 17. The bell crank 17 is pivotally connected at 18 to the frame so that one arm of the bell crank is pivotally connected to the toggle link 20 at 22 while the other arm is pivotally connected to a power means, generally shown as 19, for moving the head member 12 from its idle, first position in Fig. 1 to a closed or working, second position exerting pres sure against the stationary buck member 10. The upper toggle link 20 is pivotally connected to the head lever 13 at pivot point 21. This pivot point 21 is adjustable with respect to head lever 13 to allow for varying the compression between the pressing members 10, 12 and for compensating for worn padding on the buck member or head member 10 or 12. Pivot point 21 is at the end of an adjustment lever 23 pivoted within the head lever 13 at pivot point 24 and is adjustable by means of screw 25 on the other end of adjustment lever 23 threaded into head lever 13.

The swingable head pressing member 12 can be easily moved from its idle, normal, first position shown in Fig. 1 to its working position wherein it exerts a pressing pressure against buck member 10. A main spring 29 serves to normally hold the head member in or to move it to the open position shown in Fig. 1. Although the pressing head member 12 could be manually lowered to light pressing contact, the usual mode of obtaining an initial contact is by actuating handle 30 on the press head member, which actuation causes pressure to be exerted by the power means 19 for advancing the head member 12 toward the stationary buck member 10 and for exerting a low pressing pressure against the stationary buck member 10. Then, foot pedal 31 can be depressed to increase the pressing pressure exerted by the power means 19 as the head member 12 approaches pressing contact with the buck member 10. As the pressing position is approached, the toggle composed of bell crank 17 and toggle link 20 approaches a straightened position to exert a force between the two pressing members 10 and 12. The foraminous pressing portion of each of these members is always heated by steam to effect the pressing operation so that when the pressing members 10 and 12 are in their closed position pressing is performed. Inlet and outlet steam lines or pipes 32, 33 supply the buck member 10 While flexible steam lines 34, 35 supply and exhaust the head member 12. Also, treating steam may be admitted through the perforated or foraminous pressing portion of the buck member through steam line 38 and admitted through the perforated or foraminous pressing portion of the head member by means of a conventional head steam valve 36 in Fig. 2 that is operatable by means of a control lever 37 having finger bars 37a, 37b located behind and below the control handle 30 in Fig. 1.

When it is desired to steam part of a garment by holding it under the head member 12 when the press is in the Fig. 1 open position, the finger bar 37b may be used to avoid inadvertent operation of the control handle 30 to close the press. The steam to the buck member can be controlled by a foot operable pedal, similar to foot pedal 31, operable on the usual steam valve (not shown). The foraminous upper portion of the buck member 10 can communicate, if desired, through a line such as 38 with a source of vacuum under control of a conventional valve '(not shown).

When the power supply to the power means 19 is cut off, the head member moves from the closed position, wherein it exerts a pressing pressure against the buck member 10, back'to the idle or normal open position shown'in Fig. l. Spring 42 acts to start the opening movement by breaking the almost straight toggle formed by bell crank 17 and toggle link 20 while main spring 29 continues the clockwise movement of the head member 12 toward the open position and then holds the head member in this open position shown in Fig. l.

A snubber 43, pivotally connected at opposite ends to the toggle link 20 and bell crank 17 for controlling the movement of the press head member 12, provides quiet and smooth operation of the press.

The present invention relates primarily to the power means 19 and the controls therefore responsive to the manual actuation of handle 30 on the head member and foot pedal 31. These components provide not only means operatively elfective for advancing the head member 12 toward the operative or closed position and for exerting a low pressing pressure between pressing members 10 and 12 but also means operatively efiective for exerting a higher pressing pressure on the pressing members in their closed position after the head-member 12 approaches the closed position. Handle 30 provides a manual control for the first means while foot pedal 31 provides the manual control for the second means.

Power means 19 in the present disclosure takes the form of a fluid pressure operated power means operable by any type of'pressure fluid, such as, compressed air, hydraulic liquid, etc. The control in Fig. 3, however, is structurally set up for using air pressure, but it should be readily understood thatany other type pressure fluid can be used instead. Here, a single high air pressure source supplies air for both low and high pressure operation. The high air pressure source (notshown) can be connected to inlet air line 50, and then the air flow line branches off into a low air or fluid pressure line and a high air or fluid pressure line with the low air pressure line operable by the control handle 30 and the high'air pressure line operable by the foot pedal 31. On the low air pressure line, the air pressure from the source goes through a reducing valve 51, an air flow or needle valve 52 to be held by a normally closed valve 57, a branch line 53 having a flexible or rubber section 53a to permit relative movement between the upper and lower sections of air line 53 when the head member 12 swings between the closed and open positions, and is heldby normally closed pilot valve 58. The pressure in the low air pressure line is indicated by pressure gauge-55. In the high air pressure line, air under'full-line pressure goes by way of air line 59 to normally closed valve 60 where it is also held until actuation of foot pedal 31.

Air pressure operated power means .19 includes a cylinder 63 pivotally mounted at its upper end to frame 11 and includes a piston 64 reciprocably mounted therein and pivotally mounted at its lower end to the leftward extending arm of hell crank' 17 in Fig. l. The pressure fluid normally acts on the upper face of the piston in Fig. 3 which upper face serves as a working face. This piston reciprocates between a first position, as shown in Fig. 3 corresponding to the normal, idle, open position with the head member 12 spaced from the fixed buck member 10 in a manner shown in Fig. l, and a second position with the piston '64 at the lower end of the cylinder 63, corresponding to the closed, second or'working position with its pressing pressure being exerted against the buck member 10 by the pressing head member 12. However, when piston 64 reachesithe dot-dashline of Fig. 3, just past port 63a,the head 12 is substantially in engagement with the buck 10.

A low air'pressure line 65 is connected to one end of the cylinder 63 for fluid communication with the working face of piston 64 and a high air pressure line 66 is connected to the cylinder 63 by port 63a for fluid communication with the piston 64 therein. It should be readily apparent that the low air pressure line, whenair pressure exists therein, will advance the pressing head member 12 toward its operative closed position and will then cause head member 10 to exert a low pressing pressure on buck'member 10. The high air pressure line 66,

' being connected to the cylinder side wall at'port 63a intermediate between the extreme positions of the piston 64, cannot be used initially to advance the head member 12 to the closed position, but instead is used for exerting higher pressure on piston 64 only afterthe head member 12 approaches the closed or second position after piston 64 passes the inlet port 63a so that pressing members 10 and 12 are substantially in contact before the higher pressure can be exerted on piston 64. Thus, only low pressure is available until the head is safely closed and the higher pressing pressure can be exerted only when the press is closed.

The control means in Fig. 3 is operatively connected to both the low and high air pressure lines between the source of air pressure on air line and the press actuating cylinder 63. This control'means individually controls the air pressure flow between the 'high air pressure lines 59 and 66 and between the. low air pressure lines from reducing valve 51 to line responsive to the actuation respectively of control handle 30 and foot pedal 31 so as to 'oper atively connect either the low or the high air pressure source in fluid communication with power cylinder 63'at the proper time. p

The low air pressure flow is controlled by control handle 30 through a pilot air valve 58 to cause closing of the press. As the operator pulls down control handle 30, shaft and arm 71 secured thereto is rocked against the pull of spring 72 anchored at'its right end to head lever 13. This movement of arm 71 opens pilot valve 58 against the biasof its spring so that air from low air pressure line 53 is admitted to conduit 73 for moving diaphragm 74 downwardly to open normally closed valve 57 by a downward movement against the resilient bias of its spring. The small pilot valve 58 is operated by a very light touch which permits operation by'control handle 30 and does not tire the operator. In addition, the air exhausted from the press actuating cylinder 63 does not have .to travel all the way back to and through pilot valve 58 but only to valve 57 where it exhausts through exhaust port 57a therein, as will be brought out in more detail hereinafter. The exhaust from diaphragm 74 travels through line 73 to leave the pilot valve 58 through exhaust port 58a.

When the normally closed valve 57 is opened by the diaphragm 74, low pressure air travels from needle valve 52 through airline '75 to a slide piston type valve 76. The valve piston 76a, normally being held in the Fig. 3 position' byspring 77, permits the air to go from air line 75 a through the low air pressure valve ports 76e and 76b to low air pressure 'line' 65'a'nd the cylinder 63. Then, 'low 'air pressurenioves the piston 64 downwardly to advance pressing head member 12 from the open position in Fig. 1 to light pressing engagement with the buck member and the garment to be pressed thereon. When piston 64 passes downwardly below the port 63a as the press closes, low pressure air travels through line 66 to valve port 76c of slide piston type valve 76 wherein it is held since valve piston 76a is urged downwardly by spring 77 with its bottom seat blocking valve port 76d.

When it is desired to exert extra pressure on the work being pressed, foot pedal 31 is depressed to open the normally closed valve 66 against the resilient bias of its spring. Then, air under full line or high air pressure goes to the bottom inlet port 76d of slide piston type valve 76. The difference in pressure on the bottom and top faces of valve piston 76a causes the valve piston to move upwardly in Fig. 3 against the resistance of the low air pressure and of spring 77 to close the low air pressure inlet valve port 76e. This upward movement of the valve piston 76a uncovers the high air pressure valve port 766 so that high pressure air can travel from the line 59 through the open valve 69, through high air pressure valve ports 76d and 76c, line 66, through port 63a and into the cylinder 63 above the working face of piston 64. Although this high pressure air backs up through the low air pressure inlet line 65, it is held at the slide piston type valve 76 since the low air pressure inlet valve port 76c is now closed since the valve piston 76a firmly seals this port.

The opposite ends of the valve piston 76a provide individual flow closures, one for the high air pressure line and one for the low air pressure line, that are interlocked so that when either is closed the other is open but spring 77 normally keeps the low air pressure line closure open when no air is passing through the slide piston type valve 76. p

This control has several advantages. First, to assure safety during press operation the structure described prevents the advance of the head member 12 from the elevated open position in Fig. 1 toward the closed position when the high air pressure control pedal 31 is depressed. The press cannot be closed under high pressure by actuation of the foot pedal 31. When the foot pedal is depressed, high pressure air raises the valve piston 76a to enter the cylinder by the side port 63a below the piston 64 to thus hold the piston in its Fig. 3 position and to hold the press open while the air bleeds out through a vent at the bottom of the cylinder 63. The amount of venting, determined by the size of the vent, is such that the pressure on the bottom of the piston 64 is at least equal to that exerted on the top even though some venting occurs. This can be assured either by building up sufficient pressure below the piston 64 or by moving piston 76a upwardly to partially or completely close port 762. Second, to assure safety during press operation, it is also impossible to cause the press to close even by actuation of the low air pressure control handle 31 while the high air pressure control pedal 31 is depressed. The valve piston 76a is forced upwardly by the high pressure air to close the low air pressure inlet valve port 76c to prevent the admission of low pressure air to the top part of cylinder 63 above the piston 64. Therefore, the pressing head member 12 cannot be lowered out of its normal, idle, open position shown in Fig. 1. Third, the structure will keep the pressing head member 12 in the closed position in pressing contact with the buck member 10 when the low air pressure control handle 30 is released if the high air pressure control pedal 31 remains depressed. The control handle 39 may be released, if desired, because the low air pressure inlet valve port 76e is closed by valve piston 76a so that the low pressure air serves no useful function in holding the pressing members 10 and 12 together. The pressing head member 12 will be held closed under high pressure so-long as the foot pedal 31 is held in the depressed position. This is a desirable feature since it has been customary for press operators to thus release the control handle 30 on the head lever of the standard manual, foot operated press to momentarily rest their arms while the garment is held under high pressure. Fourth, the operator cannot insert his fingers between the pressing members during high pressure operation. It should be noted that head member 12 is substantially in contact with buck member 10 when piston 64 passes inlet port 63a so that the operator cannot insert his fingers between the pressing members at the time the higher pressure becomes eflective.

Release of the pressing head member 12 from the working position wherein it exerts a pressing pressure against the stationary buck member 10 for return to the idle or normal open position shown in Fig. 1 is easily accomplished by exhausting the air from within cylinder 63.

Springs

29 and 42, in elevating the pressing head member 12 to the normal open position shown in Fig. 1, also force the piston 64 upwardly to exhaust the air entrapped in the cylinder 63. If the press is being held closed under light pressure by only control handle 39, release of this handle allows the valve 57 to move to its normally closed position so that the air from cylinder 63 is exhausted through air line 65, slide piston type valve 76, air line 75 and out the exhaust port 57a of valve 57, which exhaust port is open when the valve is in its normal, closed position. However, if only the foot pedal 31 is being depressed, the release of the pedal with the consequent closing of valve 60 to its normal position causes a momentary exhaust of the air through its then open exhaust port 60a but when the valve piston 76a returns under the influence of spring 77 to its lower seat to close off high pressure inlet valve port 76d, the air in cylinder 63 is exhausted through the upper part of slide piston type valve 76 by air lines 65 and 75 to normally closed valve 57 and out its normally open exhaust port 57a.

It should be noted that the cylinder 63 exhausts through the same lines used for providing the cylinder with high and low pressure air but exhausting is operative only when the

flow controller valves

57 and 66 are both closed to cut of]? air flow pressure through both lines from the pressure source. A review of the foraging description will also reveal that the structure prevents the exhausting of cylinder 63 through one of the pressure lines, either the low pressure or high pressure line, when air pressure is admitted to the cylinder 63 by only the other of said lines. Therefore, piston 64 can be subjected to either low or high pressure without any retarding effect by the other pressure line.

It should now be apparent that the press of the present invention may be operated to exert either a low or high pressing pressure between the pressing members 10 and 12, whichever is desired. Both the high and low pressing pressures are exerted by a single cylinder 63 and a single piston 64 to provide a compact unit when the flow controller means comprising air valves 57 and 60, pilot valve 58 and slide piston type valve 76 are operated properly. However, it should be readily apparent that power means 19 can consist of either a cylinder means and piston means with one cylinder and one piston, as described heretofore, or a cylinder means and piston means with two cylinders and two pistons, one cylinder and piston unit for high pressure and the other unit for low pressure operation. The latter can be used after suitable modifications have been made in the control of the present invention. However, the present structure described heretofore with only one cylinder and piston is much simpler and is to be preferred.

Various changes in details and arrangement of parts can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing buck member, a head member mounted for movement from an idle first position spaced from said buck member to a working second position'exerting pressing pressure against said buck member, a first means on said press operatively efiective for advancing said head-member toward said second position and for exerting a low pressing pressure onsaid members, a second means on said press operatively ineffective for advancing said head member from said first position towardsaid second position but effective for exerting a higher pressing pressure on said members when said second position than'said low pressing pressure of said first mentioned means, means on said press for automatically deactivating said first means in response to activation of said second means and before said second means exerts a higher pressing pressure on said members and means on said press -for'keeping said head member in said second position when said first means is deactivated.

2. A press'for finishing garments comprising a pressing buck member, a head member mounted for movement from an idle first position spaced from said buck member to a working-second position exerting pressing pressure against said buck member, a fluid pressure operated means for moving said head member from said first to said second position, means for operatively connecting a low fluid pressure source in fluid communication with said fluid pressure operated means when said head member is in the first position for exerting a force for advancing said head member toward said second position and for exerting a low pressing pressure on said members, means for operatively connecting a high ,fluid'pressure' source in fluid communication with said fluid pressure operated means for exerting a higher pressing pressure on said members'when in said second position than'said low pressing pressure of said low fluid pressure source, means on said press for keeping said head member in said second position when said low pressure source is deactivated, and valve means on'said press operable by said'higher pressure for preventing the advance of said head member from said idle first position by said low fluid pressure when said high fluid pressure is activated.

3. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing buck member, a head member mounted for movement from an idle first position spaced from said buck member to a working second position exterting pressing pressure against said buck member, a fluid pressure operated cylinder means and piston means for moving said head member from said first to said second position withsaid piston means having a working face rcciprocable in said cylinder means between first andsecond positions corresponding to the first and second positions of said head member, a low fluid pressure line connected to said cylinder means in fluid communication with said piston means working face in the first position for exerting a force on said piston means for advancing said head member toward said second position and for exerting a low pressing pressure on said members, a high fiuid pressure line operatively connected to said cylinder means side wall in fluid communication with said piston means Working face when it is located between said first and second positions for exerting a higher pressure on said piston means working face after said head member approaches said's econd position so that a hi her pressing pressure is exerted between the members in the closed second position than said low pressing pressure, means on said press for keeping said head member in said second position when said low pres sure line is deactiated, and piston valve means 'on said press for preventing the advance of said head member from said first idle position by said low pressure when said high pressure is activated,and control-means for individually controlling thefiuid flow'in said high and low pressure lines.

4. A press for finishing garments comprising a-pressing buckmember, a head'member mounted for movement from an idle first position spaced from said buck member to a working second position exerting pressing pressure against said buck member, a fluid pressure operated cylinder and piston for moving said head member from said first to said second position with said piston having a working face reciprocable in said cylinder between first and second positions corresponding to the first and second positions or" said head member, a low fluid pressure line operatively connected to said cylinder in fluid communication with said piston Working face in the first position for exerting a force on said piston for advancing said head member toward said second position and for exerting a low pressing pressure on said members, a high fluid pressure line operatively connected to said cylinder side wall in fluid communication with said piston working face when it is located between said first and second positions for exerting a higher pressure on saidpiston working face after said head member approaches said second position so that a higher pressing pressure is exerted between the members in the closed second position than said low pressing pressure, and control means operatively connected to both the low and high pressure lines between the source of pressure for each line and the cylinder, said control means including a flow controller means for selectively and individually admitting or cutting ofl fluid flow pressure through each individual line to said cylinder, including'cylinder exhaust means operative only when said flow controller means cut an fluid flow pressure through both lines.

5. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing buck member, a head member mounted for movement from an idle firsttposition spaced from said buck member to a Working second position exerting pressing pressure against said buck member, a fluid pressure operated cylinder means and piston means for moving said head member from said first to said second position with said piston means having a working face recipro cable in said cylinder means between first and second positions corresponding to the first and second positions of said head member, a low fluid pressure line operatively connected to said cylinder means influid communication with said piston means working face in the first position for exerting a force on said piston'means for advancingsaid head member toward said second position and for exerting a low pressing pressure on said members, a high fluid pressure line operatively connected to said cylinder means in fluid communication with said piston means working face when it is located between said first and second positions for exerting a higher pressure on said piston means working face after said head member approaches-said second position so that a higher pressing pressure is exerted between the members in the closed second position than said low pressing pressure, means for keeping said head member in said second position when said low pressure line is deactivated, and means for preventing the advance of said head member from said first idle position by said low pressure when said higher pressure is activated, 'andcontrol means operatively connected to both the low and high pressure lines between the source of pressure for each line and the cylinder means for controlling pressure fluid flow to said cylinder means, said control means including a flow controller meansfor individually admitting or cutting ofl fluid flow pressure through each individual line to said cylinder means, including cylinder exhaust means operative only when said flow controller means cuts ofi fluid flow pressure through both lines.

6. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing buck member, a head member mounted for movement from an-idle first position-spaced from said buck member to a working second position exerting pressing pressure against said buck member, a 'fluid pressure operated means for moving said head member from said first to said second position, a lowfluid; pressureline operatively effective upon said fluid pressure operated means when said head member is in the first position for exerting a force for advancing said head member toward said second position and for exerting a low pressing pressure on said members, a high fluid pressure line operatively effective upon said pressure operated means for exerting a higher pressing pressure on said members when in said second position than said low pressing pres sure of said low fluid pressure line, and control means operatively connected to both the low and high pressure lines between the source of pressure for each line and the fluid pressure operated means, said control means including a flow controller means for individually admitting or cutting off fluid flow pressure through each individual line to said fluid pressure operated means, including exhaust means for said fluid pressure operated means for exhausting through said lines and operative only when said flow controller means cuts off fluid flow pressure through both lines, and including means for preventing exhausting of said fluid pressure operated means through one of said lines when fluid pressure is admitted to said fluid pressure operated means by only the other of said lines.

7. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing buck member, a head member mounted for movement from an idle first position spaced from said buck member to a working second position exerting pressing pressure against said buck member, a fluid pressure operated cylinder and piston for moving said head member from said first to said second position with said piston having a working face reciprocable in said cylinder between first and second positions corresponding to the first and second positions of said head member, a low fluid pressure line operatively connected to said cylinder in fluid communication with said piston working face in the first position for exerting a force on said piston for advancing said head member toward said second position and for exerting a low pressing pressure on said members, a high fluid pressure line operatively connected to said cylinder side wall in fluid communication with said piston working face when it is located between said first and second positions for exerting a higher pressure on said piston working face after said head member approaches said second position so that a higher pressing pressure is exerted between the members in the closed second position than said low pressing pressure, and control means operatively connected to both the low and high pressure lines between the source of pressure for each line and the cylinder, said control means including a flow controller means for individually admitting or cutting off fluid flow pressure through each individual line to said cylinder, including cylinder exhaust means through said lines operative only when said flow controller means cuts off fluid flow pressure through both lines, and including means for preventing exhausting of said cylinder through one of said lines when fluid pressure is being admitted to said cylinder by only the other of said lines.

8. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing buck member, a head member mounted for movement from an idle first position spaced from said buck member to a working second position exerting pressing pressure against said buck member, a fluid pressure operated cylinder and piston for moving said head member from said first to said second position with said piston having a working face reciprocable in said cylinder between first and second positions of said head member, a low fluid pressure line operatively connected to said cylinder in fluid communication with said piston working face in the first position for exerting a force on said piston for advancing said head member toward said second position and for exerting a low pressing pressure on said members, a high fluid pressure line operatively connected to said cylinder side wall in fluid communication with said piston working face when it is located be- V v V 10 tween said first and second positions" for exerting a higher pressure on said piston workingface after said head member approaches said second position so that a higher pressing pressure is exerted between the members in the closed second position than said low pressing pres sure, and control means operatively connected to both the low and high pressure lines between the source of pressure for each line and the cylinder, said control means including a flow controller means for individually admitting or cutting off fluid flow pressure through each individual line to said cylinder, said flow controller means including an individual flow closure for each pressure line and interlocking means operatively connecting said flow closures whereby when either flow closure is closed the other is open, said interlocking means being normally positioned so that the low pressure line flow closure is open.

9. In a pressing machine having relatively movable head and buck pressing members normally in open position and a cylinder and piston motor operatively connected between said members for causing relative closing movement of said members; the combination therewith of sources of higher and lower pressure fluid, conduit means connecting said lower pressure fluid source with the working face of said piston when said pressing members are in open position, a port through the wall of said cylinder uncovered to the working face of said piston only when said piston is in position corresponding to a substantially closed position of said pressing members, conduit means connecting said higher pressure fluid source with said port, a control valve in each of said conduit means, a piston valve having a chamber common to both of said conduit means, a valve piston reciprocable in said chamber, said conduit means connected with said two sources respectively communicating with opposite faces of said valve piston, and said valve piston having two positions where it respectively closes off one or the other of said sources while establishing communication with the source not stopped.

10. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing buck member, a head member mounted for move ment from an idle first position spaced from said buck member to a working second position exerting pressing pressure against said buck member, a fluid pressure operated cylinder means and piston means for moving said head member from said first to said second position with said piston means having a working face reciprocable in said cylinder means between first and second positions corresponding to the first and second positions of said head member, a low fluid pressure line connected to said cylinder means in fluid communication with said piston means working face in the first position for exerting a force on said piston means for advancing said head member toward said second position and for exerting a low pressing pressure on said members, a high fluid pressure line operatively connected to said cylinder means side wall in fluid communication with said piston means working face when it is located between said first and second positions for exerting a higher pressure on said piston means working face after said head member approaches said second position so that a higher pressing pressure is exerted between the members in the closed second position than said low pressing pressure, valve means for cutting off flow through said low fluid pressure line, and means for automatically closing said valve means in response to exertion of said higher pressure against said piston means.

11. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing buck member, a head member mounted for movement from an idle first position spaced from said buck member to a working second position exerting pressing pressure against said buck member, a fluid pressure operated means for moving said head member from said first to said second position, means for operatively connecting a low fluid pressure source in fluid communication with said fluid 11 pressure operated means when said head member is in the first position for exertingafo'rce for advancing said head member toward said second position and for exerting a low' pressing pressure on said members, means'for opera tively connecting a high fluid pressure source influid communication with said fluid pressure operated means for exerting a higher pressing pressure on-said members when in said second position than said low pressing pressure of said 10W fluid pressure source, and means for automatically cutting ofi said 10w fluid pressuresource'from said fluid pressure operated means in response to exertion of said higher pressing pressure-in saidfluid pressure operated means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Leach June 25, 1867 Vaile Nov. 26, 1889 Gregoire Sept. 9; 1930 Bausman Mar. 28, 1932 Davis Sept. 4, 1934 Davis 'Mar. 31, 1936 Davis "Apr. 26, 1938 Sinclair Apr. 18, 193