US2944710A

US2944710A - Pants pressing machine

Info

Publication number: US2944710A
Application number: US774697A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles L Bader
Original assignee: B B T AUTOMATIC Inc
Current assignee: B B T AUTOMATIC Inc
Priority date: 1958-11-18
Filing date: 1958-11-18
Publication date: 1960-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 1977-07-12

Description

y 12, 1950 c. B ADER 2,944,710

PANTS PRESSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Charles Lfiad'er ATTORNEYJ July 12, 1960 c. L. BADER 2,944,710

PANTS PRESSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 i M m: Kihq 3 zea INVENTOR Jmm."

wow/439W ATTORNEYS I C/arlasL.Bade) July 12, 1960 Filed Nov. 18, 1958 c. L. BADER PANTS PRESSING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q INVENTOR 5% C'fiarlesLBader MQ/M ATTORNEYS I y 1960 c. L. BADER 2,944,710

PANTS PRESSING MACHINE Filed'Nov. 1a, 1958 9 Sheets-Shae 4 INVENT OR Charles Lfiadd BY Mum ATTORNEYS July 12, 1960 c. 1.. BADER PANTS PRESSING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed NOV. 18, 1958 INV E NTOR WWW ATTORNEZi July 12, 1960 c. L. BADER PANTS PRESSING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 18. 1958 lNV EN TOR C/zarZesLBader M JM ' ATTORNEY;

July 12, 1960 c. L. BADER v PANTS PRESSING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Nov. 18, 1958 INVENTOR C'fiarleslficzder ATTORNEYS against the crease defining. members. a r

Charles L. Bader, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to B.B.T. Automatic, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Nov. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 774,697

32 Claims. (Cl. 223-73) r This invention relates to garment pressing .machines,

United States PatentO 7 ,terior of the pant legs, relative movement is initiated beand more particularly to automatic pants pressing machines. This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 644,510, filed March-7, 1957 and now abandoned. l V 1 v r we In the commercial press' g of pants,.{it is. common practice to press the pants in a number of separate lays between the platens of a conventional presser. The usual on the'presser. Only experienced operators are able to i do this work {satisfactorily and a long training period is required before an operator is able toperforrnthis operation quickly and correctly- The repeated handling nec- Patented July- 12, 1960 2 Y a may be clamped'a-gainst the exterior of the pant leg along opposite sides of each crease line formed in the pant leg. When the crease bars are clampedagainst the extween the crease bars and crease defining members in a manner such that the pant legs are disengaged from the crease defining members ,While the crease defined by the members is retained in clamped engagement between the crease bars. f

To assist in accomplishing this, the crease bars are covered with a relatively coarse material which exerts a greater frictional grip on the pants than a smooth covering disposed on the crease defining members.

Steam is then supplied to the crease bars and followed by air which expedites the cooling and drying of the pants. r V I V In operation of the machine, the operator first places the pants in position on the crease defining members and expands the members into engagement with thepant methodof pressing requires at least ten separate lays '1:

essary to arrange the pants uponthe. platen of the 'presser not only Wears the material of the pants but requires a substantial amount of time. Frequently, layslfmust be repeated or done over when the" ()perato1 v does not properly arrange the pants'on the platen with theresult that double creases or wrinkles are pressed into the pants;

' It is a major object of this invention to providea pants" pressing machine. on which a pair of pants may be'pr'essed in a single lay.)

' Anothr object of the inventionis to provide a'pants creases or wrinkles is eliminated.

Another object of the invention'is to'provi'de apants pressing Still another object'of the invention'is-to provide a Y pants pressing machine for pressing a pair of pants. with a minimum number of manual handling operationa Still another object of, the invention is ;to provide a pants pressingfmachine whichjwill rapidlyiand' satisfac- V ve y 1 torily press pants under the controleof rel skilledoperators I I i In the achievement of' thetoregoing and other-objects,

opposed crease defining members which are expandable from each other into engagement with the interior of the pant leg along the front and back crease line. When 7 the pants-are inplace upon thecreasedefining members,

machine adapted topress pants of various types and r pressing machine in which'theg formation of. double the line 6-6 of Fig.3; i

.the invention includes crease definingmernbers which are mounted to permit a pair ofvpantsto'be slipped-onto f the members. Each leg of the pants receives a-pair of 7 f a crease line .establishedby a crease defining memb'eris a f Fig. 7 is-a'detailview blytaken on section'line'7 -7 of Fig.3, with certain Fig. 8 is a partial cross sectionalview of istruc turegot thelower crease bar assembly taken 0 napsser-nigss; q

' Fig. 9 is a detail cross sectional-view-fof the upper creaseb-ar-fl l l Fi'g;i,l0. is --a detail-cross sectionalfyiewfot the upper i V crease bars and crease defining members taken-on" located'between the pair of crease bars. '"lhecrease bars g line 15 -15 of Fig 13;' I

legs. After the pants are satisfactorily positioned on the 'crease defining'members, theoper'ator initiates a pressing and drying cyclewhich is performed under the control of an automatic control system.

vfFigelfis a side elevational view ofia machine embodying the presentinvention; i

Fig. 2 is a front View of the ma chi'ne of Fig. l insome- What greater detail; r

Fig. 3 a cross'sectionalliviewof the machine taken on the line 13- 3 of Fig. 2; i 35 Fig. '4 is across sectional view of the machine taken 'on the line P4ofFig.-3; V I I i j Fig; 5 is a detail cross sectional view of the crease defining members takenion' the line 5- -15 of Fig. 3

'Fig. 6 is a detail erosssectional view'of the mounting structureof the upper crease defining members taken "on ofthe aper crease'barla parts broken away others omitted; v

mbly taken on line 9 9 of Fig; 7 g 1' crease bar assembly taken on ine 10 10 tiring. 7" r 171? is a' detail viewof the pressing side of g bar;

;Fig.' l2is a longitudinal cross sectional viewjtalcer 'n I the lifl 12'.1z0f Fig 11; i v i v V Fig.1?) is a side view of certain operative partsi ofithe machine in engagement with a pair'of pants during one stage of the operation 'of tthe machine;

, Fig; 14Ii's' a view'rsimilar to Fig.l3 showing a sulise f.

quent' step inthe 'oper'ation of thel machinej V a l ;:Fig.':l5 is acrosssectional view through one "se showing the relative position of the parts during the next subsequent step in the operation and taken on line 16 16 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of the control system of the machine; and

Fig. 18 is a cross sectional view of a valve employed in the control system of Fig. 17.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, a pants pressing machine embodying the present invention includes a main housing 20 and a base housing 22 extending outwardly from one side of main housing 20. A lower crease bar assembly designated generally 24 is supported, in a manner to be described below, for vertical movement toward and away from the upper surface of base housing 26. A lower crease defining assembly 26 is supported from main housing 20 by a yoke 28 which is connected within the interior of housing 20 to move lower crease defining assembly 26 upwardly and downwardly with respect to the housing. Immediately above lower crease defining assembly 26, an upper crease defining assembly 30 is rigidly supported from housing 20.

A fixed pedestal 32 is supported upon main housing 20 to rigidly support in turn a fixed arm 34 which projects outwardly beyond housing 20 to overlie upper crease defining assembly 30. An upper crease bar assembly 36 is mounted at the outer end of arm 34 for vertical movement toward and away from the lower side of arm 34. A pleat clamp assembly 33 is mounted at the top of main housing 21) for pivotal movement toward and away from upper crease defining assembly 30. A steam diffuser 40 projects from'housi'ng 20 immediately below upper crease defining assembly 36 and a waistband stretching assembly 42 projects from housing'20 below steam diffuser 411. Waistband assembly 42 is supported from within housing 20 for vertical movement parallel to the front surface of housing 20.

The construction of upper crease bar assembly 36 is best shown in Figs. 2 and 7-12 of the drawings. Upper crease bar assembly 36 is suspended from the piston rod 44 of an air motor 46 mounted at the outer end of arm 34. Piston rod 44 is coupled to a main framemember 48 by a pin 50 which passes horizontally through rod 44 and

upstanding lugs

52, 54 and 56' integral with frame 48. Upper crease bar assembly 36.is guided in reciprocating vertical movement by a pair of verticallyv extending spaced guide rods 58 and 60 Whic'hare fixedly secured to frame 48 as by boltsw62 (Fig. 10) and project upwardly from the upper surface offrame 48 to be guided in suitably located sleeves (not shown) in the housing at the outer end of arm 34.

7 As best seen in Fig. 7, frame 48is formed with outwardly projecting lugs 64 at each corner, each of lugs '64 being bored as at 66 to rotatably receive clamp operating shafts 68, a shaft 68 extending longitudinally along each side of frame 48. Sheet metal housings 70 are mounted upon frame 48 and extend along each side .of frame 48 to enclose the respective shafts 68 in a .manner best shownin Fig. 10. V I

Each of shafts 68 is connected to operatea'pair of opposed crease bars 72A, 72B and 72C, 72D,rwhich are suspended below frame 43 .by stfucture to be described in greater detail below. Each, opposed pair of crease bars creases the front crease line of a pair of pants during the pressing operation, the pair of

crease bars

72A and 72B acting on the left pant leg while the pair .of

bars

72C and 72D operate on the right pant leg. Since the structure disclosed for operating each of the respective pairs'of crease bars is identical, only that structure associated with

crease bars

72C and 72D will be described in detail, it being understood that identical structure is employed in combination with the-

bars

72A and 72B.

teeth.

Crease bar 72D is supported from 48 by a pair of L-shaped supporting brackets 74, a bracket 74 being fixedly secured to crease bar 72D as by bolts 76 at each end of the bar. Each bracket 74 is supported upon the shanks of a pair of screws 78 and 80 which are threaded into the end surfaces of frame 48. As best seen in Fig. 9, each bracket 74 is formed with

elongated slots

82 and 84 through which the respective screws 78 and 80 pass so that bracket 74 may be moved across the end of frame 48 in a horizontal direction between limits defined by the opposite ends of the elongated slots.

An elongated central slot 86 is formed in each bracket 74 midway between

slots

82 and 84. The upper side of slot 86 is constructed with a plurality of gear teeth 88 which are adapted to mesh with gear teeth 90 formed in each end of shaft 68.

Crease bar 72C is similarly supported by a pair of brackets 92, a bracket 92 being secured to crease bar 720 at each end of frame 48. Brackets 92 are likewise supported from screws 78 and 80 by engagement of the screws within elongated slots 94 and 96. A central opening is formed in eachbracket 92 which is unnumbered since it is coextensive with the opening 86 in bracket 74 when the

brackets

92 and 74 are in the position shown in Fig. 9. The opening in bracket 92 differs from opening 86 in that gear teeth 98.are formed on the lower side'of the opening in bracket 92 to mesh with gear teeth 96 on shaft 63 at the lower side .of the a shaft as opposed to the meshing engagement between teeth 88 on bracket 74 with the upper side of the shaft. To seal openings 86, a cap such as 109 is bolted to the outer surface of each bracket 74 to thereby prevent lint and dust from being collected'on the respective gear Referring now to Fig. 9 it is believed apparent that a rotation of shaft 68 in a counterclockwisedirection will tend to drive bracket 74 and its associated clamping bar 72D to the left, while at the same time driving bracket 92 and itsclamping bar 72C to the right. r

Shaft 68 is rotated about its axis by an air motor 102 fixedly mounted upon frame 48 as by bracket 104. The piston rod 166 of motor 162 is pivotally connected to a link 103 which is pivotally connected. in turn to a crank lltifixedly secured to the right hand shaft 68 and a second crank 112 which is fixed to the left hand shaft 68 employed to operate clamping bars 72A and retracted position. Whenair is supplied to air motor 102, piston rod 106 moves to the left, thns causing link 108and cranks 110 and 112 to simultaneously rotate both shafts 68 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9. This action causes each of'claniping bars 72A-D to move toward the opposed member of its pair. The clamping bar pairs: are biased to their open position shown inFig. 9 byratension spring 114 which is connected between crank 112 and ,a pin 116 which is fixed to bracket 92. 'Each of clamping bars 72A-D is constructedwith a pair of

inner chambers

118 and 120. Tapped bores 122 and 124 pass through the Wall of the bar to form con- 'nect ions 'for steam conduits to chamber. 118; Steam is normally-suppliedto chamber 118 so that the metal of the clamp bar is continuously heated. Chamber 126 is provided along the pant leg engaging side with a plu-' locate its discharge opening 128 within the interior of chamber 120. Connection 127 is sealed both at the exterior of the clamping bar as by an 0-ring 1311 and also at the-wall between chambers 118 and as by.

a second O-ring 132; r

. f i is Ptcassary ha 5 gr a e a s ems s i In Fig. 9, piston rod 166 is shown in its fully i the material of the trousers, relativelycoarse nylon coverings 136 are placed over the opposed surfaces 'ot each 'pair of crease bars and held upon the crease bars as by lacing (not shown).

Referring now to Fig. 1, it will be seen that air motor 46 is not coupled directly to the frame of the machine but is instead fixedly secured to the cylinder of a second air motor 138 whose piston rod -140is connected to the frame 'ofthe machine. The purpose 'of this" mounting sides of upper right crease alignment blade 142R while crease bars 72C and 72D will be located on opposite sides of upper left crease alignment blade 1421.. The respective designations of right and left appear to be reversed in Fig. 2 but are employed to designate the respective pant leg which is supportedon the crease blade.

Since the trousers are supported upon the

blades

142R and 142L with the front facing upward in Fig. 2 and the waistband of the trousers openingaway from the observer, the designation of right and left is reversed. 'As stated above, each of crease blades 142R and 14-2L is fixedly supported from the trame of the machine within housing 20. As best seen in Figs. and 6, each bladeincludes an elongated body of generally oval shaped cross section having a vertically projecting fin 144R or144L extending longitudinally over substantially the entire upper surface of the respective blade. The fins terminate somewhat outwardly from housing while the body of each blade extends into housing 20 where it is clamped to a fixed frame'member 146 of the assembly as by lJ -bolts- 143. "Bars 142R and 142L engagelthe pants om'the inner sides of the legs." During operationsot the machine, it is necessary that the pantsibe lifted clear ofbladesjl tzk and 1421. by the upper crease .bars andjin order to assure this movement, theouter surfaces" of crease bl ades 142K and.

1.4-2L are covered with a. relativelyslick nylon cove-ring 150 so selected that the frictional'gresi'stance betweenth'e coarse nylon covering 1360f the crease bars and the pants is much greater than that exerted between the slick nylon covering 150 of the'crease blade and the pants; 1

Lower crease bar assemblyM-is substantially similar in construction to upper crease bar assembly 36; The

' primary distinctions between the upper and lower crease. bar assemblies is that the lower crease bars are bent as at 152 as compared to the straight bars employed 'inthe upper assemblies. ,Tliis difierence is dueto theifact that upper crease bar assembly 36 is intended to'operate on v the substantially straight front creaseilineoffthes-pants while lower crease barv assembly 24"is-in'tended to press the back crease line of the pants. -l n,order tovaecorrk" modate the bulge inthe seat portion of therpants; the crease bars of the low shown in'Fig. 1. f

Lower crease bar assembly 24 includesa main frame 154 which is coupled by a pivctalconnection' to the rod 156 of'an' air motor 158 mounted in'housing Z2. At'eithe-r side. of piston rod 56, verticahguide. rods 160 and .162

are pivotally connected to connecting pin 164 which" passes through rods 160 and 162., piston rod-156 and lugs 166 and 168 integral with frame 154 Aside. from the longitudinally bent configuration of the crease. bars, and the somewhat variant relationship of'the guide rods and piston rods, lower crease bar ass'emblyis substantial- 7 internal construction 'of creas e harsfiZA-DY er. crease bar assembly are bent. as

" As best seen in Fig. 3, air motor 158 is fixedlysecured "to the frame of ba'sehousing 22.

Guide rods

160 and 162 are guided in movement by their passage between aligned openings in frame plates 174 and 176. Each or guide rods 'ltland 162 extends downwardly beyond the lower end 'of'motor 158 and a cross plate 178 connects the lowerend of

rods

160 and 162. A cable 180 is hooked to crossplate 178 and passes upwardly over apulley 182. mountedfo'r rotation'upona fixed frame member 184. Cable180 passes over pulley 182. and is connected at its opposite end to a counterweight 186 having a mass sufiicient to counterbalance all except a small portion of the mass of lower crease bar assembly 24. When an is supplied to air motor 158, its piston rod is driven upwardly to elevate lower crease'bar assembly I 2 4, this action being assisted by counterweight 186. When motor 158 is vented, the mass of lower crease bar assembly 24 is sutlicient to drive the piston rodof motor 158 back into .the motor. The major portion of the mass of lower crease bar assembly 24 is counterbalanced by the mass of weight 186. Y i

Lower crease defining assembly 26 includes a pair of like crease alignment blades, each having a generally tubular body 188K and 1881;, respectively, which is bent midway in its length in the fashion shown in Fig. 3. a From the lower surface. of each tubular; member 188R and 188L, downwardly projecting fins'190R and 190L, respectively, extend along the entire lower surface of the tubular 1 members. Eachtubular member is pivotally connected to yoke assembly 28' by means of a rigidly attached lug 192 which ispinned to yoke 28-by a pin194- As .best

seen v irl Fig.{ 2,fins 190Rand 1901.. are, respectively aligned withithe openings between eachopposed pair' of lower creasebarsn-As in the ,caseof the: upper crease dev fi'ning'assembly 30,, the lower crease alignment blades; are

covered with slick nylon-coverings 196., T.

outer ends, eachof thearms-198R and -198L is formed with an opening which receives the; lugf192 on-the asso ciated crease defining member. The'inn'er endsof the :arms' 198K and 1981'. are both fixedly secured, as .by

welding, to a shaftltlil which is rotatably supported'at 7 each end'as in fra me

member

202 and 204 respectively. Arms-198R and 1981 maybe additionally braced by a cross-piece 206 welded between thejarms at the exterior or housing 20. ,A crank 208-is fixedly secured adjacent one end, ofshaft'ZOO and serves to couple shaft 200 to '.the;.p istonflrod 210 01? an air motor 212 which is pivotally pportedtrom theframe of the machine as at 214. 3 In 'Fig. 3, pistonrod-lltlisshown in itsv fully retracted position: When air is supplied to motor 212, piston rod 7 210 is extendedto rotate crank 20s and hence shaft 200 in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. '3. Sinee arms 198K and 193L are both fixedly secun'ed toshaft lfill,

this causesa rotation of the: arms 198R and IS SL- in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of shaft 200' I to thereby lower the lower crease alignment blades.

.As best seen in Fig. 3, pleat clamp assembly 3 8 is coupledlby suitable linkage to an air motor 216 mounted -Witi1iil the interior of pedestal 32. The linkage co necting the pants engaging portions of pleat clamp assembly 38 to air motor 216 is provided with a slotted lost V motion connection and is so constructed as to permit the pleat clamps to be manually engagedwith the pants and to be automatically retracted to the position shown in Fig. 3 upon actuation of air motor 216 tol'extend its piston;

rod 218. The slotted lost motion linkage is constructed to maintain the Fig. 3 position upon subsequent retraction jot piston rod 218.

munication with each other. 7 g 236 to a position where roller 2418 is supported on the 'rod 220 is normally maintained in its fully extended position shown in Fig. 3 by a spring (not shown) acting between the lower end of the cylinder of motor 222 and the piston.

Additional operative parts disposed Within housing 20 include a fan and heater assembly designatedrgenerally 224 which is located to discharge heated air through a duct 226 (see also, Fig. 4) having a discharge opening 228 (Fig. 2) in the front wall of housing 20- between upper crease defining assembly 30 and waistband stretching assembly 42. The fan of assembly 224 is driven by a motor 231 best seen in Fig. 4.

A steam tank 232 is also located within housing 20 to receive steam from an external source through steam inlet conduit 234.

Automatic control of a pressing operation by the machine is achieved by the control system shown in Fig. 17. The sequential operation of the various elements of the machine is controlled by a series of cams, designated C1 through C12 inclusive, all of which are mounted upon a common drive shaft 235 which is driven by a constant speed motor 233.

Cams C1 through C19 inclusive are employed to operate air pressure control valves V1 through V respectively. Each of valves V1 through V11; is identical, a cross-section of a typical valve V1 is shown in Fig. 18

1 as including a hollow housing 2% having an internal valve chamber within'which a valve piston 241 is mounted for reciprocatory movement. The wall of casing 240 is pierced at aligned locations to permit inlet duct 242 and outlet duct 243 to communicate with the internal chamber of the casing. Valve V1 is shown in its open position at which an internal passage 244 through piston 241 places ducts, 242 and 243 in communication with 240 to permit a roller 24% at the lower end of rod 247 to ride upon the surface of carn C1. Cam C1 has its peripheral surface divided into two sections, one lying at a large radius R1 from the axis of shaft 236 and the other section lying at a relatively small radius 1R2 from the axis of shaft of ass. In Fig. 18, roller 248 is ,supported upon the large radius section of cam C1 and hence piston 241 is located in its uppermost position in which passage 244 places ducts 242 and 2 incom- Upon rotation of shaft small radius section of cam C1, piston 241 is moved 243. In this position, piston 241 seals the inner end of duct 242 and places outlet duct 243 in communication with the upper portion of the chain er within housing 240 by means of a slot 249 out into piston 241. Spring 246 maintains the roller 2 53 in contact with the small radius portion of the cam. When in its lowermost position, duct 243 is vented through groove 24% and venting passage 245 in the upper portion of casing 24%.

It is believed apparent that by varying the relative circumferential extents of the large and small radius portions of the various cams and by properly orienting the cams upon shaft 236, the desired sequence of operation of valves V1 through V16 inclusive may be achieved.

Cams C11 and C12 are employed to operate electrical switches S1 and S2 respectively. Like the typical cam C1 of Fig. 18, cams C11 and C12 are formed with appropriately related large radius and small radius sections which engage cam followers on switches S1 and 5 downwardly to locate passage 244 below ducts 242 and '8 S2 to close the switches when the respective followers are in engagement with a large radius section of their associated cam and to open the switches when the follower is in engagement with a small radius, section of the cam. Switch S1 is connected to energize, When closed, cam shaft drive motor 238 while switch S2 is operable when closed to energize fan drive motor 230. As shown in Fig. 17, switch S1 is by-passed by a manually operated toot switch FS which is employed by the operator to initiate the control cycle.

In Fig. 17, the inlet duct of each of valves V1 through V10 inclusive is designated P to indicate that the inlet duct of all valves is commonly connected to a point P on a pressure supply conduit 250 which is connected to a schematically illustrated source of air under pressure PS. In the machine, valves V1 through V10 are connected to a manifold, for the sake of clarity in the diagram of Fig. 17, this manifold connection has been omitted.

Pressure source PS is connected by a conduit 251 to an inlet of a conventional three position four-way valve indicated schematically at 252. In addition to the connection to pressure line 251, valve 252 includes a venting outlet 253 and suitable connections to conduits 254 and 255, conduit 254 connecting valve 244 to the rod end of yoke operating motor 212 while conduit 255 connects valve 244 with the head end of motor 212. Valve 252 is a commercially available pilot operatedcenter neutral type valve which is normally maintained in the neutral position shown in Fig. 17 wherein thevalve blocks communication between ducts 254 and 255 and

ducts

251 and 253. Valve 252 is operated by supplying pressure to either of a pair of oppositely disposed pilots 256, 257. Whenpressure is supplied to pilot 256, valve 252 is actuated to a position in which the cross connections are. aligned to connect conduit 251 to conduit 255 and to connect conduit 254 to venting conduit 253. When in this position, pressure is supplied to the head end of motor. 212 to extendits piston rod while the rod end of motor'212 is vented through conduit 254 and the cross connection of the valve to conduit 253. When pressure is released from pilot-256, valve 252 as by springs, not shown, to the center neutral or blocking position shown in Fig. 17. When the pressure is operate one or more air motors employed in the machine.

In each case, only a single conduit connects the outlet 'duct of the various valves to the motor and it will be understood that the piston rod of the motor is returned when the motor is vented either by'the action of the mass of the Various parts connected to the piston rod or by a suitable return spring acting on the piston. In Fig. 17, the various conduits are shown as extending from the valve either to the head end or rod end of the respective motor, thereby indicating the direction in which the piston rod strokes when pressure is supplied to the motor. In the case where the conduit is connected to the head end,

supply of pressure extends the piston rod from the motor;

is biased,

stretcher motor 222, The 'outletfofvalve V4. is con nected by conduit 262 to-the' rod end of upper niotor 'l38 of the upper crease bar assembly, while conduit 264 connects the outlet of valve V-to the rod end of the lower motor of the upper crease bar assembly. Valve V6 is connected to the head end of pleat clamp motor 216'by conduit 266. Valve V7 is connected'to both upper and lower crease bar clamping motors 102'and 172 through" branched conduit 268.

Valves V8 and V9 are employed to supply pilot pressure to operate steam control valves V11 and V12. Valve V11 is connected in the steam circuit to permit flow of steam from conduit 270 into'conduit 272 when valve V11 is open and toblock communication between

conduits

270 and 272 when valve V11 is closed. Valve V11 is normally closed, but is opened when pressure is supplied to its pilot 276, pressure being supplied to pilot 276 when valve V8 is open to permit air under pressure toflow into conduit 278 which connects the outlet of valve V8 to the head end of pilot 276." Valve V12 is of construction identical with valve V11 and is connected to control flow of steam between conduit 280 and steam V-respective upper and lower crease bar assemblies, conduit 288 having an'upper branch 290 connecting conduit 288 to chambers 120 in the outermost crease bars of upper crease bar assembly 36. Conduit 290 is connected to the respective outerupper crease bars atconnection 127 (Fig. .12). A secondbranch conduit 292 isconnected in a similar fashion to, the chambers 1 2,0 .oh the outermost lower crease bars. A'oueway checkyalve29 lr is located inconduit 286 to prevent flow of fluid fromgconduit 288 im ij qnd 8 v .yl rw s orsni u p es ai under pressure into the 5 above 'mentioned chambers 120 itrom which the air isdischarged through orifices124 (Big.

12). du i yi opera on, Qne ayshc k valve 294 is necessary sinceiconduits 288, '290jandf2192lare. connected to steam conduit 272 to conduct ste'am'to the above-mentioned crease bars during the pressing "operatiou, A one-way check valve 296 is connected in conduit 272'to prevent flow of air through conduit 2 7 2"toward steam tank 232. 7

high temperature, steam is continuously supplied to chambers118-of the outermost upper and lower crease 1 bars through conduit 298 which connects steam tank252 to upperand lower branch conduits 300 and 302, re,spec.-

tively. Conduit 300 is connected. to: one of theouterrnost upper .creasfe bars by tapped. bore 122 (Fig.,. l2) a.Steam passing into chamber 118, from conduit .300iis conducted 1 fmm'the opposltelndpf chamber 118 byaflexlbhcon; 85" th'esestep f ib overl lt and tha t the time" duration alduit 304 which is connected between the tapped bdre'124 on the crease bar to which conduit-3001s connectedand thetapped bore 124 on the opposite outermost cfejasejbar cifupper crease barassembly 36.,'..Thetapped bore,122'

in this latter crease baris connected'by4condiiitj306f to the heater unit of fanandheater; assejmblyflZd Thus, steam from steam tank 232 flows successively through conduit 298, conduit -300,1chamber 118 :crease ban 72a,

conduit 364, chamber 118 of crease bar nd and thence, usually in the form of hot water; through conduit 306 to the heater. A: one-way check" valve 308 prevents reverse flow through conduit 306.; Branchconduit 302 is similarly connected to the inlet 122of chamber 118 of lower crease bar I70D'whose outlet iSJC QIm BCtGd bY a conduit 310 to the outer 'end of the chamber 118 in crease bar 170A and is'jdischarged fron r the opposite endcf the last mentioned chamber into, a conduit 312. connected to a drain. Again, a one-way check valve is connejcted in outlet conduit 312 toprevent reverse flowiof steamer I t V I e i e V i I 1 u operatiomthe condition of the various valves V1 through epnyrin To normally maintain thecreasebarsflat the desired "Ope i-aJiOn Insofar as the machine operator is concerned, there are basically four steps in the operationof the machine. In ..rhe first step, the operator manually positions the trousers to be pressed upon the machine. At this time, the various operative parts ofthe machine will be in the position 7 shown in Figs. 1 through 3. Thertrousers are placed on the machine with their front crease line'facing upwardly and the front creaselinesof the right and left legs of the trousers supported'on the fins on the respective right and left upper crease. defining members. A When the trousers are in position, the waistband is located closely adjacent the front coverof housing 20. In Fig. 3, a pair 15 of trousers designated T is shown in position in broken line. As a part ofthe positioning operation, the right and left elements of pleat clamp assembly 38 may be manual- 1y placed in position at this time,

In the second operative step, the operator depresses sure source PS. Pilot 256 then actuates valve 252 to place the cross connections in position to connect pressure line 251 to the head end of yoke operating motor 212 to extend piston rod 210 from the motor, thereby pivotingyoke '28 in a. counterclockwise direction about foot pedal Fl? depressed to cause piston rod 210 to stroke outwardly'until the fins ofgthe lower crease defining assembly 26' engage theback crease;.line of the trousers and stretch the trouser legs to the desired extent- This portiorr of the; operation is manually controlledin-order to compensate for various;siz esof trousers. When the trousers are stretched tothe; desired extent, the operator releases foot pedal EP to;release the-pressure from pilot 256, thereby permitting valve25-2-to returnito its center neutral position; blocking conduits 254 and 255 and thus rnaintaining piston rod 210 in the;position to;which it has ;b eenactuated ,At this'time; rtheqoperator will usually perform any further adjustments necessary to locate? the creaselines on the'front and-rear of the respective trouser {legs in alignment with the ,fins on the respective crease defin ng m s- 'When the"t-rouserslhavejbeen finally positioned, the V operdtorinitiates-thc automaticpressing operation by devpressing foot switch ES .to, energize cam shaft drive motor 238. As motor 238 begins to drive, cam C11 actuates switch-S1; to closjeitsr. contacts, thereby bypassing the foot switchand permitting; the operator to release the I switch. Cam C11 is soconstructed as-to maintain switch -,S1.close d fora complete revolution of'inotor'238 'andgto then openswitch sl' to stop the. motor.

-' The automatic'pressing cycle may be. conveniently divided into eleven steps l'wh'ich," for convenience, are listed below. It shouldbe understood that certain. of

"lotted. for anygivenstep is not necessarily equal .to the -time duration allotted to anyother step. The steps are "listed in their approximate sequence, although itshould fioitaneously. g

" (1) Stretch waistband a i (2)"Po'sitionupper, and'lower crease bars.

' (3) Clamp upper lower crease hars -be understood that certain steps may be performed simul- Inthe interest of simplify'ng' 'he descri tion of the foot pedal FP to connectpilQLlSQof valve 252 to presthe axis of shaft 200 (Fig. 3). The operator maintains a (4) Raise upper crease bars, yoke and pleat clamp as- V inclusive during the various steps outlined above is set forth below in tabular form.

12 assembly from the position shown in Figs. 13 and 15 to the position shown in Figs. 14 and 16. Simultaneously,

Valve number V V V V P V V V V V V V P V P V V V V V V P P V V V V V V V V P P V V V P V V Operative Step As Numbered 5 Y, g g g g g g v Abwe s v v P P v v P v v v V V P P V V P V V- P V V P P V V P V V V V V V P V V P V V V V V V P V V V V V V V V V V P V V V V V Motor Oontroled 158 222 138 46 216 Piston Rod Position When Valve Vented R E E E R R In the above table, the notation V indicates that the outlet conduit of the particular valve is vented, while the notation P indicates that the particular valve is in the position shown in Fig. 18 to supply pressure from pressure source PS to the outlet conduit. The operative step denominated Start in the above table shows that at the start of a cycle all valves with the exception of valve V5, are in their venting position. Valve V5 supplies air to the lower operating cylinder of upper crease bar assembly 36, the upper operating cylinder 138 being vented, to maintain theassembly in its elevated position. Tabulated below valves V2 through V7 is the motor controlled by the valve together with the piston rod position when the motor is vented, R indicating the piston rod is retracted; E indicating the piston rod is extended. It will be understood that when pressure is supplied through the valve the piston rods will move to the opposite position.

It is believed that the above description of the structural features of the control circuit and the foregoing table sufliciently inter-relate the operation of the various valves and motors, so the following description of the operation of the machine is set forth in terms of the direction in which the piston rods of the various 'air motors stroke during the cycle.

With yoke 28 positioned to stretch the trousers (see Fig. 13) and motor 238 energized to rotate the cams, the first step in the cycle finds waistband motor 222 being supplied with air to retract its piston rod 22%, thereby driving waistband stretching assembly 42 downwardly from the Fig. 3 position to stretch the waistband of the trousers as indicated in Fig. 13.

After the waistband has been stretched, upper crease bar motor 46 is vented to permit upper crease bar assembly 36 to move downwardly from the Fig. 3 position to the position shown in Fig. 13. Simultaneously, air is supplied to lower crease bar motor 158 to elevate lower crease bar assembly 24 from the, Fig. 3 position to the position shown in Fig. 13. Note that the pivotal mounting of lower crease bar assembly 24 upon the piston and guide rods associated with motor 158 permits the lower crease bar assembly to adapt itself to the position of the lower crease defining assembly 26. Reference to Fig. 15

shows the relative position of the crease bars and crease air is supplied to pilot 257 to operate valve 252 to cause the piston rod 219 of yoke drive motor 212 to be retracted, thereby pivoting yoke 28 in a clockwise direction from the Fig. 13 position to the Fig. 14 position. At the completion of this step, the respective pant legs are gripped along their front and rear crease lines by the respective upper and lower crease bar assemblies. The internal crease defining members are no longer present in the crease and hence an extremely sharp crease is imparted to the pants.

.With the pants gripped directly between the crease bars in the fashion described above, valve V11 isopened to admit steam from steam tank 232 into thecharnbers of the outermost crease bars. Steam-is ejected from the outermost crease bars through the openings 126 in these bars to set the crease in the pants. Steam is suppliedfor a pre-determined time interval which is selected by the design of the configurationof cam C8. Valve V12 is opened simultaneously with valve V11 to connect steam diifuser 40 to steam tank 232, thereby applying steam in the. region of the waistband to permit .any wrinkles which may be present in this. region to be stretched out of the pants by the stretching action of stretcher 42. a a

Upon completion of the steaming. operation, air is supplied to the aforementioned chambers 120 to assist in drying the material of the trousers. During this operation, carn'ClZ closes switch S2 to energize the fan drive motor 230 whereby-fan 224 discharges air into the body portion of the pants to assist in the drying operation. If desired, the steam and air cycles may overlap. While mean is flowing, waistband stretcher motor .222 may be vented so the return spring of the motor biases stretchingassembly 42 upwardly to the Fig. 3 position. Upper and lower clamping motors 102 and .172. are vented at this time to unclamp the crease bars wardly under the action of gravity. During this latter 'period, switch S2 opens to deenergize fan motor 230 and,

with the various valves and earns now returned to their original position, switch S1 opens to stop motor 238;

While I have disclosed but one embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art .that the disclosed embodiment may be modified. There fore the :foregoing description is to be considered exemplary rather than limiting and the true scope of my invention is that defined in the following claims.

I claim: i i 1. Apants pressing machine comprising an elongated crease defining member arranged to fit within a' pant leg along a crease line, a pair of elongated crease bars disposed along opposite sides 'ofsaidmember; meansfor clamping said crease bars'against the pant leg along oppo's ite sides of said member; and means for causing rela- Lktive movement between said crease defining member and sa'idcrease bars transversely of the crease :line to remove said member from the crease line while s'aid'ba'rs remain clamped along the pant leg. i

f 25A pants pressing machine comprising front crease defining members arranged to fit within'pantdegs along the front crease lines, backcrease defining members arranged to .fit within pant legs along'the back crease line's, :said front'and back defining members being mounted for" relative movement'to expand and contract within the pant'1egs,:ront crease bars disposed along opposite sides :of the respective front crease defining members, back creasebars disposed along opposite sides of the respective iback fcre'ase'defining'members; means forcla'mping said bars against the :Eiont and back crease lines of thepants aiong'opposite sides 'of the respective members, and

means for causing relative movement between said crease sdefining members and said crease bars to remove said members from the crease lines while said-bars remain clamped along the front andback crease lines of the pant glegsp" 13;; A pants pressing machinecomprisingan elongated horizontally disposed crease defining 'member" arranged to fitlswithin alpant :leg -a1ong a;crease' line; a pair of elongated crease bars disposed along opposite -sides of aidm m' mea s' or lampi 'g'said crease ar ain ths l pan i s ong-onpo s 'o a d m m ra '1 means sfo'r causing 'relatiyevertical. rncwement ibetween;

wa c ea fi ng memb r a a d creas a s while i th rantxleai mped ysa l a s;

- 1 .4- event p s s s m ch e r;, o p. ing h. z a yr gait and back crease lines g h r 1 98s :lcnao defining members and the respective crease bars to're move" said merii'be s fioni thefront.andxbackfcreas nest within a pant leg alongthe back crease 1 ine,lmeansfor causing vertical movement of said second crease defining tmember relative ,to said firstcrease defining member to disposedalong opposite sides' of saidfsecond crease defining e ber; eans, .f la p S id crease bars a a ns t ermnt'le 9 9PP$iteij 6 o t respective j members, andjmeans for .causing relative verticallmovee a m at-be een a d a e defining mb rs and, the re.

.7 srecti e rease ba tgremgve a m mbe s fromthe front and back crease lines whileithe pantfleg clamped ur aa s,

. 6. 'A pants machine comprising a first pair of horizontally disposed stationary crease defining members 7 arranged to fit within pant legs along the front crease mes, a'secondpa'i-r of crease defining members arranged amp-re p ed rf nk a e efi ns m ber r ai d 'fit T bin-r nt le a on the ont grease r es ac e se; sisfin ms b rs arranged o fi w npan l ase-10 's back crease lines, said front andaback ,crease defining members being mounted fort'r -elative vertical' movenrentfl to expand and contract within the pant leg, .;fronti crease bars disposed along oppositesides of the respeCtive front I crease defining members,lbackereasebars disposeda1ongf' sk lits s f .ih r rss mem r a n :m n f9: .causingrelative vertical movement betweensaid tcrease zontally disposed stationary cr'ease' defining'l 'member ar- "x and or c tra twithinthe p t e .a s p o r crease barsrdisposed along oppositesidesofssaid first grease defining memberra secondpair of crease bars.

1 .4 tofit vvithin' pant legs along the back crease lines, said second creasedefining members being mounted for vertical movement relative to said first crease defining men-rbersfto expand andcontract within the pant legs,-ineans "for causing verticalmovement of said second crease defining membersrelative to ,said first crease defining anembersij'for expansion" and contraction within the" pant legs, first-creasefbars disposed along opposite sides of each 'of th'e' respective first crease defining members, second xcrease bars-disposed along opposite sides of each-0f the respective second creasedefining members, means for ;clamping said crease zbars along'the front and back crease lines of the pant legs, andmeans for causing relative vertical movement between said crease defining members 1'5randtherespectiveiereaseIbars to remove said members from the crease lines while the pant legs are-clamped by saidbars. 7. A ipants pressing machine comprising a first' horizontally disposed stationary crease defining memberarr-anged -10 fitiwithin a :pant leg xalongith'e front crease line, a second icrease' defin'mgmember arranged within a pant -;legalong' the "backcreasedine', "said second crease 'defining member being mounted for vertical movement relative to said first crease defining member, means for-caus- 2 ing vertical movement of said second crease defining member relative to saidfirst crease'dcfining member, 'a first pair of erease'bars disposedalong opposite sides of said first'crease defining member, a second pair of crease bars disposed along'opposite sides of said second crease .de- 0 fining Fmember; and means for clamping said crease bars a 8 Aapantspressing machine comprisingta first pair of 7; 1 said second creasefdefining members eing mounted for enerti'cal. movement relative-to' :said' first crease defining meansi f or icaiising 'vertical movement j'of said second qcreasefdefining members relative to said first crease defin-' ing "members for expansion and contraction'withinithe '7 of each-of the respective first crease defining members,

"of the r'espeetivessecond crease defining members; and

backze-reaselinesiofthepantlegs.

-sides or said member} andrneans *for causing "relative flrneve'ment between said crease'defining member"and said crease 'b'arslt'ransversely of the creaseline toretain the,

crease line 'of the, pantleg' between the ,lcoarsecovers "fromithe' crease line of the pant leg; a a

"10; A pants pressing machine comprising a n elongated -crease"'defining member 'arranged to fitivithina pant leg along a crease line, a pair of elongated crease bars :disposedfalong'opposite sides of said membenmeans for cl'amping said crease bars against the pant leg'along 'opprositeisidesof said niemben'means'disposed onone -endof said creasedefining member forfse curi'ng'the-pants therjetgn and means for causing relative ,rnovement-between said crease defining membei anq said crease bars. to remove said member fro'mthe crease line'while said bars remain clamped along'the pant legs.

i ll pants pressing machine comprisinga first crease j defining 'niernber arranged to fit within the pant leg along 'the frontcrease lineQasecon'd crease defining member secondpairof-crease defininglmembers toiitflwithinithe pantlegs' along the back" crease lines,

menihers t ojexpand'and contract'within' the: pant legs,

pant -legs, first crease bars disposed" along opposite sides second crease bars" disposed along opposite sides-of each r r V A -rmeansii'forclamping saij crease barsal'ong the'front and l be rs,,.means for clampingfsaidcrease barsxagainst'ther r a 9.rA:pantspres'sing machine comprisingan 'elongated I I crease definingimemher arrangedito ifit fwithinf a pant 7' i'surface 'offs crease defining member,meanszfor' clamp-' ing saidi crease 'bars' against the :pant leg along opposite' onsaid bar s while the crease defining"rne'mber' is removed arranged tofit within a pant leg along the back crease line, said crease defining members being mounted for relative movement to expand and contract with the pant log, a first pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sides of said first crease defining member, a second pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sides of said sec- =ond crease defining member, means for clamping said crease bars against the pant leg along opposite sides of each of said members, and means for causing relative movement between said crease defining members and said crease bars to remove said members from the front and back crease lines while said bars remain clamped along the pant leg.

. 12. A pants pressing machine comprising a crease de- 'fin'ing member arranged to fit within a pant leg along a crease line, a pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sides of said member, means for clamping said crease bars against the pant leg along opposite sides of said member, means for causing relative movement between said crease defining member and said crease bars to remove said member from the crease line while said bars remain clamped along the pant leg, and means for distributing steam through said bars along the crease line of the pant leg.

13. A pants pressing machine comprising a crease defining member arranged to fit Within a pant leg along a crease line, a pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sides of said member, means for clamping said crease bars against the pant leg along opposite sides of said member, means for causing relative movement between said crease defining member and said crease bars to remove said member from the crease line While said bars remain-clamped along the pant leg, meansfor distributing steam through said bars 'alongythe length of the crease line. of the pant leg, and means .for distributing air through said bars along the crease line of the pant leg for cooling and drying the pant leg. 1

the respective members, means for causing relative movement between said crease defining members and sald crease bars to remove said members from the crease hne while said bars remain clamped along'the pant leg, and

means for. distributing steam through said bars along the crease lines of the pant leg.

17. A pants pressing machine comprising a first crease defining member arranged to fit within a pant leg along the front crease line, a second crease defining member arranged to fit within a pant leg along the back crease line, said crease defining members being mounted for relative movement torexpand and contract within the pant leg, a first pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sides. of said first crease defining member, a second pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sides of said second crease defining member, means for clamping said crease bars along the pant leg onopposite sides of the respective members, means for causing relative'movement between said crease defining members and said crease bars to remove said members from the front and back crease lines while said bars remain clamped along the front and back crease lines of the pant leg, means for distributing steam through said bars along the crease line of the pant leg, and means for distributing air through said bars along the length of the crease lines of the pant leg for cooling and drying the pant leg.

18. A pants pressing machine comprising a first crease defining member arranged to fit within a pant leg along the front crease line, a second crease defining member arranged'to fit Within a pant leg along the back crease line, said crease defining members being mounted for 14. A pants pressing machine comprising a crease defining member arranged to fit within the pant leg along a crease line, a pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sides of said member, means for clamping said crease bars against the pant leg along opposite sides of said member, means for causing relative movement between said crease defining member and said crease bars :to remove said member from thecrease line While said bars remain clamped along the pant leg, means for distributing steam through said bars along the crease line of the pant leg, and means for distributing steam .into the Waist por tion of the pants. l

' 15. A pants pressing machine comprising .a crease defining member arranged to fit within a plant leg along a crease-line, a pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sides of said member means for clampingsaid crease bars against the pantleg along opposite sides of said member, means for causing relative movement between said crease defining member and said crease bars to remove said member from the crease line while said bars I remain clamped along the pant leg, means for distributing steam through said bars along the crease line of the pant leg, means for distributing steam into the waist portion of the pants, means for distributing air through said bars along the crease lines for cooling and drying, and means for distributing air into the waist portion of the pants for cooling and drying.

16. A pants pressing machine comprising a first crease defining member arranged to fit Within a pant leg along the front crease line, a second crease defining member arranged to fit within a pant leg along the back crease line, said crease definingmembers being mounted for relative movement to expand and contract within the pant leg, a first pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sides of said firstcrease defining member, a second pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sides of said second crease defining member, means for clamping said crease bars against the pant leg along opposite sides of relative movement to expand and-contract'withinthe V pantleg, a first pair of crease bars disposed along'opp'osite sidesof said first creasedefining member, asecond pair of crease bars disposed along opposite sidesof said second crease defining member, means for clamping said crease bars along'the pant leg on opposite sides of the respective members, means for causing r'elative'movement between said crease defining members and said crease bars to remove said members from the. frontand back Jcrease lines while said bars remain clamped along 1 the'pant leg; means for distributingsteam through the the pants.

crease bars along the crease lineof the pant leg, and meanstor distributing steam into the waist portion of 19. A'pants pressing machine comprising a first crease defining member arranged to fit within a pant leg along theiront crease line, a second crease defining member arranged to .fit within a plant leg along the back crease line, said crease defining mmebers being mounted for relative movement to expand and contract within the pant leg a firstpair' of crease .bars disposed along opposite distributing steam through the crease bars along the crease sides of said firstcrease defining member, a second pair .offcrease bars disposed along opposite sides of said second crease defining member, means for clamping said crease bars along the pant leg on opposite sides of the respective members, means for causing relative movement between said crease defining, members and said crease bars to remove said members from the crease lines while said. bars remain clamped along the pant leg, means for lines of thepant leg, means for distributing, steam into the waistportion of the pants, means for distributing air through the crease bars along the crease lines for cooling and drying the pant leg,.and means for distributing ,air into the waist of the pants for cooling and drying.

204-A pants pressing machine comprising'a. pair of a elongated crease bars arranged to extend along opposite sides of a crease line of a pant leg and supported for relative movement between a pressing position clamping the crease line of the pant leg between the bars and a released position, means for locating the crease line of the pant leg between said bars while the bars are in released position, means for causing relative movement of said crease barsbetween saidreleased position and "117 said pressing position, and operative" .while, crease bars are in said pressing positionfor removing said locating means from the 'crease line,j v t 2 1. A pants pressing machine comprising a frame, an elongate crease defining member on said frame to he received within a pant leg, means for expanding a pant leg located on said member to tension said pant leg transversely againstvsaidfmember to establish a crease line in said pant leg, pressing means on said frame, means for moving said pressing means into clamping engagement with a pant l'eg'on said member along {opposite sides of the crease line established by said expanding meansQand means for causing relative movement of said pressing means and said member while maintaining the clamping engagement between said "pressing means and said pant leg 'torem'ove said member "from 'the crease bar -o'f said' to be received within a pant leg, means for expanding a pant leg located on said member to tension said pant leg transversely against said member to. establish a crease line in said pant leg, a pair of elongate crease bars in side by side relationship on said frame, means for moving said crease bars into clamping engagement with a pant leg on said member along opposite sides of the crease line established in said pant leg by said expanding means, and means for causing relative movement of said crease bars and said member while maintaining said crease bars in clamping engagement with said pant leg to withdraw said pant leg from said member while retaining said crease line clamped between said crease bars. I

23. A pants pressing machinercomprising a frame, an elongate crease defining member mounted on said frame and projecting horizontally from said frame to extend entirely through a pant leg, means for expanding a pant leg located on said member to tension said pant leg downwardly against said member to establish a crease line in said pant leg, pressing means movably mounted on said frame, means for moving said pressing means into clamping engagement with a pant leg on said member along opposite sides of the crease line establishedin said pant leg by said expanding means, and means for moving said pressing means upwardly away from said member while maintaining the clamping engagement between said pressing means and said pant leg to lift said pant leg from said crease defining member while retaining the crease line clamped within said pressing means.

24. A pants pressing machine comprising a frame, an elongate crease defining member mounted on said frame and projecting horizontally therefrom to extend entirely through a pant leg, means for expanding a pant leg located on said member to tension said pant leg downwardly against said member to establish a crease line in said pant leg, a pair of horizontally disposed elongate crease bars having a length substantially equal to the length of, said crease defining member and movably mounted in opposed sideby side relationship on said frame, meansfor moving said crease bars into clamping engagement with a pant leg on said member along opposite sides of the crease line established in said pant leg by said expanding means, and means for moving said crease bars upwardly away from said member while maintaining said crease bars in clamping engagement with said pant leg to lift said pant leg mmo ileg froml'said frame with" front and :back crease lines defined'insaid pant :leg, pressing means on said frame movable into-clamping engagement along opposite sides 'of the front and back crease lines defined in a pant leg supported on said alignment means, and means for disengaging said pant leg from said alignment means while maintaining said pressing. means in clamping engagement along said front-and, backcrease lines.

.27. A pants pressing'machine comprising a frame, alignment means mounted on said frame for supporting a pant leg fromsaidframe with front'and back crease lines defined in said pant "leg, pressing means on said frame comprising a pair of elongate front crease bars movable "into clamping engagement along opposite sides of the front "crease line defined in a ant leg supported on said alignment means and a pair of back "crease bars 'spac'ed from said from crease bars and movable into clamping engagement along opposite sides of the back crease hne support the pant leg from said frame with front and back crease lines defined in said pant leg, pressing meansron said frame movable into clamping engagement along opposite sides of the front and back crease lines defined in a pant leg supported on said alignment means, and

means for disengaging said pant leg from said alignment means while maintaining said pressing means in clamp,- ing engagement alo'ng said front and back crease lines.

29. A pants pressing machine comprising a frame, a

an elongate crease defining member on said frame to be received within a pant leg, means for expanding a pant leg located on said member to tension said pant leg transversely against said member to establish a crease from said member while retaining said crease line clamped line in said pant leg, pressing means on said frame, means for moving said pressing means into clamping engagement with a pant leg on said member along opposite sides of the crease line established by said expanding means, means for causing relative movement of said pressing means and said member while maintaining the clamping engagement between said pressing means and said pant leg to remove said member from the crease bar of said pant leg while retaining the crease line clamped within said pressing means, and means for distributing steam through said'pressing means along the site sides of the front and back crease lines defined in a pant leg supported on said alignment means, means for disengaging said pant leg from said alignment means A while maintaining said pressing means in clamping engagement along said front and back crease lines, and means for distributing steam through said pressing means along the entire length of the clamped crease line.

i 31. A pants pressingmachine comprising a frame, an

elongate crease defining member on said frame to be received within a pant leg, means for expanding a pant leg located on said member to tension said pant leg transversely against said member to establish a crease line in said pant leg, pressing means on said frame, means for moving said pressing means into clamping engagement with a pant leg on said member along opposite sides of the crease line established by said expanding means, means for causing relative movement vof said pressing means and said member while maintaining the clamping engagement between said pressing means and said pant leg to remove said member'from' the crease bar or said pant leg while retaining the crease line clamped within said pressing means, means for distributing steam thro'ugh said pressing means along theentire length of the clamped crease line, and means for distributing air through said pressing means along the entire length of the clamped crease line for cooling'and drying.

3 2. A pants pressing machine comprising a frame,

alignment means mounted on said frame for supporting a pant leg from said frame with front and back crease lines defined 'in said pant leg, pressing means on said frame movable into clamping engagement along oppdsite sides of the front and back crease lines defined in a for-distributing air through said;pressing means along the entire lengthof the clamped crease line for cooling and drying.

' References Cited in the file of this patent- UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,192,519 Hammond July 25, 1916 2,092,278 Harvey Sept. 7, 1937 2,516,054 Forseet a1. July 18, 1950 2,627,128 Jones Feb. 3, 1953 2,645,389 Raper July 14, 1953 2,687,241 Maxwell et a1. Aug. 24, 1954 2,727,661

Strike Dec. 20, 1955