US2969897A - Garment air steam finisher - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 31, 1961 A. F. PARIS GARMENT AIR STEAM FINISHER 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 27, 1956 INVENTOR. A ugusf E Paris BY 2 fi l-m1, -6

HIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 31, 1961 A. F. PARIS GARMENT AIR STEAM FINISHER Filed Feb. 27, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. August E Pan's gfim flftw' M H/5 A TTORNE Y5 Jan. 31, 1961 A. F. PARIS GARMENT AIR STEAM FINISHER Filed Feb. 27, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. August if Paris HIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 31, 1961 Filed Feb. 27, 1956 A. F. PARIS GARMENT AIR STEAM FINISHER 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 I75 Fri-q F5: 5 1 l I I I i i i F I I E l i i l I I I I72 T i I I i I64 I C I I I I l I I l I Q Fig. /0 I: T l l l i I: I I l I L, l LJ L-J I660 Fig, if

INVENTORZ August Paris HIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 31, 1961 A. F. PARIS GARMENT AIR STEAM FINISHER 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 27, 1956 INVENTOR. Augus/ E Par/s BY M firm 7;

HIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 31, 1961 Filed Feb. 27, 1956 .A. F. PARIS GARMENT AIR STEAM FINISHER 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. August I? Paris BY m flaw We [21M HIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 31, 1961 9 A. F. PARIS 2,969,897

GARMENT AIR STEAM FINISHER Filed Feb. 27, 1956 8 Sheets-Shet 7 I90 32b 32d E Fig. 27

F l g. 2 6 I INVENTOR.

A ugus/ E Par/s fuwn,

ms A rromvz rs Jan. 31, 1961 A. F'. PARIS 2,969,897

GARMENT AIR STEAM FINISHER Filed Feb. 2'7, 1956 a Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR: August 1-. Paris HIS A T TORNE Y5 United States FatentCf GARMENT AIR STEAM FINISHER August F. Paris, Oak St., Brockway, Pa.

Filed Feb. 27, 1956, Ser. No. 568,024

7 Claims. (Cl. 223-67) This invention pertains to apparatus or equipment for renovating, shaping, pressing, and finishing clothing or garments. It is of a type that may make use of a porous or permeable bag of an inflatable material of a suitable somewhat flexible fabric such as nylon, etc.

The bag, as employed, defines a chamber that vis,,for the most part, closed off so that air and dry steam may be forced through its porous walls to simultaneously condition, shape and press a garment mounted on the bag. That is, in accordance with the contemplated procedure,

a garment is positioned over the bag and is directly or indirectly subjected to inflation during the conditioning :and pressing operation.

In a co-pending application entitled Base and Heating Unit, Serial No. 567,996, filed February 27, 1956, now lPatentNo. 2,915,229, granted December 1, 1959, I have "shown a suitable base construction that may be employed with the shaping apparatus of this application. The pres.-

ent disclosure relates particularly to upright standard and associate equipment to be employed with a. .bag in accomplishing pressing and finishing operations.

An object of my present invention has been to devise improved equipment for conditioning garments and particularly, an improved upright structure for such a purpose;

Another object has been to devise equipment for garment conditioning and pressing that will be adaptable to various types of garments, including dress and sport shirts, sweaters, jackets, dresses, blouses, overcoats, suit coats, etc., and whether such garments are of natural,

vegetable or animal fibres, are of synthetic materials, or

are of a mixture of materials;

A further object has been to provide for the shaping of different types of collars for shirts, including sport shirts;

A still further object has been to provide improved procedure for conditioning and shaping clothing by means of a flexible-inflatable application of steam and air and to substantially all areas of the clothing;

These and many other objects of my invention will appear to those skilled in the art from herein illustrated featuresthereof. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front ,view in elevation of a complete pressing and finishing unit constructed in accordance with my invention. In this view, right and left-hand sleeve clamps are illustrated with one of them in an. open position and the other in a closed position; a front pressing clamp for front edges of the garment is also illustrated; a

Figure lA is a somewhat fragmental side elevation on thefs'ame scale as and taken at right angles to Figure 1; this figure,- the central cone-shaped structure for Patented Jan. 31,1961

dresses, overcoats, etc., of Figure 1 has been removed to illustrate the mounting of a central support member or column of the apparatus; in addition, a slightly modified type of upper end construction is shown;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side, view in elevation of the sleeve clamp shown in Figure 1 and with the members in an open or sleeve-receiving position;

Figure 3 is a front view in elevation on the same scale as and of the clamp apparatus of Figure 2;

Figure. 4 is a section through an adjustable joint provided for the sleeve holder of Figures 2 and 3 which makes use of pivotally mounted concentric cylindrical joint members provided with a series of holes for receiving a locking pin in a number of positions therethrough; 15

Figure 5 is a side elevation on a slightly enlarged scale of the front pressing clamp shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 5 showing a clamping-down plunger with a single clothing engaging clamping surface;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 of a fragment of a modified construction in which dual flaps or clamping surfaces are provided;

Figure 8 is a side view in elevation on the scale of Figures 5, 6 and 7, illustrating a modified front pressing clamp construction having a collar finisher mounted at' its upper end;

Figure 9 is a front view in elevation of a clamping construction suitable for a flap of a long or heavy garment such as a mans overcoat; 30 j of Figure 9 in an open position;

Figure 10 is a side view in elevation showing the clamp Figure 11 is a horizontal section taken XIXI of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a side view in elevation of the scale' of Figures 6, 7 and 8 of'a sleeve clamp holder; the full lines represent it in its normal clamping relationship and the dot and dash lines represent it in a flexed or opened relationship; I

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the construction of Figure 12; o Figure 14 is a front view in elevation illustrating an adaptable part which may be used with the apparatus of my invention for expanding and forming sleeves;

Figure 15 is a fragmental and somewhatdiagrarnmatic side view showing another adaptable means which may be used with an inflatable garment bag having attached and inflatable sleeve portions which may be supported and engaged at their cuff'ends by the means of this figure;

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmental front view in elevation of a breastplate, shoulder and collar support form such as employed in the construction of Figure 1;

Figure 17 is a back view of the structure of Figure 16 illustrating heating coils that are positioned along the breastplate; in this figure, the flow holes or ports in the breastplate have been omitted;

Figure 18 is a vertical section taken along the line- XVIIIXVIII of Figure 17;

, Figure 19 is a horizontal section taken along the line XIX-XIX of Figure 17 and showing a shoulder expander in its fully closed position; 1 I

Figure ZO is a horizontal;- section taken along the same lines" as Figure 19 and showing the shoulder expander'in a maximum open position; Figure 21 is a top view of the breastplate witha collar attachment in position with-a collar cup or cap-to provide'a shirt collar of one form of shape; Figure 22 is a rearview in elevation of the structure of Figure 21 and Figure 23 is a vertical section along 'theline XXIII-XXIII of Figure 21;

Figure 24 is a fragmental front view in elevation, on

the scale of Figures 21 to 23 and illustrating'another "form of replaceable collar finishing attachment;

3 Figure 25 is a section in elevation taken along the line XXV-XXV of Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a top plan view of a third type of collar finisher-attachment and Figure 27 is a section. in elevation taken along the line XXVIIXXVII of Figure '26;

Figure 28 is a reduced View in elevation of the back portion of an expander bag of my invention and Figure .29 is a side view of the construction of Figure 28 showing it in a mounted relationship on a base stand or unit;

Figure 30 is a bottom view looking up along the form of Figure 28 showing it with a coat .in position thereon; this is a fragment for the purpose .of clarity;

Figure 31 is also a somewhat 'fragmental view taken in the direction of the line XXXIXXXI of Figure 29 and showing how support rods for the form are carried by a base rim 25.

Although for the purposes of simplicity in illustrating the frame or form structure of .my 'present invention I have not shown the nylon bags, it may be noted that the apparatus is adapted to make use of anyconventional type of bag or any improved type of bag, including bags having open as well as closed collar cap ends, those having connecting and inflatable sleeves, and those terminating at the arm pits and .being open thereat to supply the fluid directly, if desired, to arm portions of a garment. I also contemplate the use of so-called slide fasteners in adapting an inflatable bag or form to various sizes of garments; in this connection, I may use a slide fastener in an edge closing relationship to take in excessive material lengthwise along the body of the bag and separate the fastener when a larger body is required.

Referring particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings, I have devised a unit that maybe used as a fixed unit in a clothing factory production line or may be-used as a master unit with interchangeable parts for adapting it to the requirements of different types of garments in a cleaning and pressingshop. In the unit 10 illustrated vin Figure l, A generally represents a base and heating unit, such as disclosed in said co-pending application Serial No. 567,996; :B represents an upright support frame structure, C represents suitable means for hold- -ing extended and for processing or pressing sleeve portions of a garment, D represents a front presser clamp .for front edges of the garment (as .shown in Figure '8) and which may also be ,used for shaping the collars \of the garments, vE represents an adaptable shoulder sup- ;port or expander which is mounted on the .columnstr-ucture and is adjustable fordifierent sizes and types of gar smentshoulders, and F represents .a clamping means for a rear portion of a garment, such as its flap :or tail portion. Generally speaking, I contemplate mounting the sleeve and outf processing means or equipment on a bottom portion of the base of the heating unit A and to mount edge and collar finishing and flap clamping and handling means on an upper flange portion of the heat- .ing unit.

In Figure 1, the heating unit A as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7 of my Patent 2,417,838, is of metal construction and includes therein a heating coil system 'for heating air and a motor-driven circulating fan positioned ,or enclosed within the'cylindr'ical portion 11. Process ing air is drawn-in through a grillwork 12 which is reinforced by flanges 13 and 15 and by vertical .ribs 16. .Also, a so-called centrally located .steam..-supply unit 26 projects upwardly within andabove the enclosure 11 to,

as shown in Figure 1A,;support acentral .columnor tubular upright standard member 27 within its bore 26a. As shown, this .bore carries a ball for .the end of the rod and vertically spaced bearingportions 26b torotatably .mount .the column 27. Also, as .shown .in Figure 1A,

warm air is adapted to riseifrom the heating unit in the base A as indicated -by the arrowsa, and steam flows .from the steamer 26 as indicated by the arrows -b.

I-The equipment-1C is, as particularly shown inFigures 1, 2 and 3, adapted to be positioned on .mounts .car-

ried by the bottom portion of the heating unit A. In this connection, a mounting plate 18 is secured as by weld metal to connecting member 17 and reinforcing rib members 16, Figure 1. A bottom flange of an angle ring 13 is also secured to the mounting plate 18. On the other hand, an upper assembly 20 consisting of a rim and a flange and a reinforcing piece 19 is used for mounting flap clamps as *well as edge and collar finishing clamp means. i

As noted particularly in Figure 1A, the flange forming a part of assembly 20 is a part of the stationary base unit A. A-ciroular wheel or rim member 25 (Figures 1 and 1A) 'is mounted for engagement within an inside circular track of the aim and flange assembly 20 and is rotatable with respect thereto. Spokes projecting from the inside of the wheel or circular rim 25 mount and carry the steamer unit 26 as suspended therefrom Within the heating zone of the unit A. .The unit26 is open or has a grating at its top end to discharge steam, as indicated by arrows i into a garment bag. If desired, the column 27 maybe reinforced by diagonal braces or spokes 24 which are secured at one .end thereto and at their other ends to the wheel '25. 'If the upper support structure is relatively lightweight, the 'tie members 24 may be eliminated; in such an event the column 27 may be freely rotated with respect to the steamer 26 and also with respect to the wheel 25.

Referring particularly to Figures '16, 17 and 18, the upper end of the column 27 is shown secured as by weld metal w to a U-s'hape support "bracket 28 (Figure 17). The bracket has mounting feet 28a which may be secured, as shown in Figure 17, to project downwardly from the bottom side of a shoulder support part 30. As also shown in Figure 18, the shoulder part is substantially enclosed by 'a metal casing made'up of a collar cap part '32 and a breastplate part 33. The collar orcap part 32has a rounded front face 32a, see Figures 16 and 18. A top wall portion 320 slopes backwardly to provide a latching edge 32d and is connected to a substantially plane vertical back wall 32b. The breastplate '33 has a back shoulder portion 33a that denfies an open slot 33b with the back wall 32b of the cap. As shown, for example, in Figures 21 to 27, inclusive, the back wall 3212 carries a guide pin 31 projecting backwardly therefrom for guiding one of a series of collar adapter elements into position, see particularly Figure 22.

The breastplate member 33 has a series of ports or openings 33c therethrough to permit the discharge of air and steam upon the surrounding inflatable bag and, in turn, through it into the garment. The breastplate member 33 is heated by means of a steam heating coil system consisting of up-flowiline 45 and down-flow line 46. As utilized, the end portion 45a of the coil is connected .to the up-flow steam lines of the unit A and the outlet portion 46a is connected to an outlet line of the same vunit.

Referring particularly to Figures 18, 19 and 20, the shoulder expander unit E has a central support part 35 made up of a series of interconnected parts that are secured together by some suitable means, such as set screws 350. A vertical adjustment shaft 36 is operatively mounted to extend atitslower end within the part '35 .and is keyed, as shown, to-apinion 37 for operating a pair of racks 44-.and 44?. As shown "particularly in Figure 18,

- :the shaft 36'iproj'ects upwardly through an opening or bore in the shoulder part 30a and is journaled therein'by bearings 38a and 38b. The-pinion 37 has abearing and spacer piece 38*between it and the lower bearing 38a. The shaft 36 is supported'in the assembly-by a collar'38c which'is secured as by a-set screw or pin to the shaft to rest on the upper bearing'38b and support the shaft .36. The shaft-extends upwardly'through a hole in the top portion 320 of the cap 32 and has an operating lever '39 secured thereto'by pin36a. LItis thus apparent that a .rotationof .tl1ellever39 will rotate thepinion 37 and in bracket 40 to slidably engage telescopic members 41 and 43 of the expander unit E and the other bracket is provided with spaced slide apertures 40b, each of which receives one of the telescopic members 41 and 43'. A male and female slide part, such as 41 and 43, is secured to a cross connecting and rounded shoulder support member 42 and in the case of the members 41 and 43', by the part 42'. Racks 44 and 44' are actuated by a pinion 37.

It is thus apparent that when the pinion 37 is rotated, that the telescopic parts expand and contract to conform to the particular type or size of garment being supported. If

desired, graduations may be placed on the top portion 320 "of the cap 32 to indicate proper adjustments for certain sizes of garments.

As shown in Figure 1, the breastplate member 33 may, if desired, be supplemented by an interfitting vertical plate member 34 having ports 34a therethrough. This member may extend in an inclined relationship from the breastplate member 33 to, at its other end, be secured on the wheel or circular rim 25. The assembly may be reinforced by cross brace or bolts 23, as indicated in Figure 1A, which extend to the center column 27.

In Figures 1 and 5, I have illustrated a form of front edge pressing and clamping cover plate assembly. As shown, the assembly is secured as by welding to a reinforcing mounting piece 19 which is secured to the cylindrical shell 11 adjacent the rim assembly 20 of the unit A. .The front assembly includes a bifurcated angle bracket 55 which has a lower cross pin 57 extending through its fork portions or bifurcations to pivotally engage opposed ear portions 56a (Figure 5) of a cover channel member 56. An upper cross pin 58 (Figures 1 and 5) reinforces the fork portions of bracket 55 and provides a stop which limits the swing of the channel member 56 toward the surface of the conical members 5051. The channel member 56 is normally urged towards an in-swing position by a tension spring 59. The spring, as shown particularly in Figure 5, is connected at one end by a pin 60a to the mounting bracket 55 and at its upper or otherend by a pin 60b to the member 56.

A pair of strap-like side members 61 are secured, as

shown in Figure l, by bolt assemblies 62a and 62b to side flanges of the channel members 56 to extend therealong and slidably receive suitable garment pressing and stretching means shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7. A series of spaced apertures 61a is provided along each of the members 61 so that the means may be secured in an adjusted relationship and cooperate with set screws, such as 81 of Figure 6. A handle 65 (Figures 1, 5, and 8) is secured to the upper end of the member 56 to move the clamping assembly into and out of a pressing and cooperating relationship with the garment and generally in the direction of the line 50, 51 of Figure 5.

A front edge presser member 66 having a presser face 66a is carried by a pair of mounts 67 which are connected at one of two positions 67a and 67b to a mounting finger 68. Each mounting finger 68 is secured on a separate rectangular slide sleeve 69 corresponding to the sleeves 80 of Figure 6. Set screws 81 hold them in position with respect to the side members 61.

In Figure 5 and below the pressing plate 66, I have shown an adjustable clothing stretcher or tensioning device 70 which is also adapted t'oslide along members 61 and to be positioned in one or another of a number of apertures 61a along these members. An arm 71 projects :along one side of the device 70 and has a'counter-weighted end 72'. Its other end is secured as by bolt and nut assemblies74 to anangle piece 73;" The piece73 carries a suitable backing piece 75, a pad 77 and an abrasive survis adapted to extend into and through an aperture formed in one of the slide members 80 and into one of the apertures 61a of the proximal strap member 61, to thereby lock the tensioning device 70 in adjusted positions along the channel 56. In this way, the device 70 may be slid up and down and, as employed, will engage the front of the clothing ahead of the presser 66 and as the in-swing movement is continued, will by reason of its abrasive surface 77a, tend to force the front portion of the fabric downwardly and stretch and align it to receive the presser plate 66. i

In the embodiment of Figure 7, the L-shaped angle piece 73 for mounting the pressure block construction carries a pair of backing pieces 75, a pair of fabric pieces 77, having an approximation of a carding surface 77'a. The surfaces 77'a are employed instead of the abrasive surface 77a for heavier clothing, such as mens woolen coats, while the abrasive surface or traction cloth 7721 may be used for more delicate clothing, such as womens clothing. The principle of operation is the same in both cases in that the purpose is to stretch the front of the garment before the front presser plate comes into engagement therewith. As to Figure 7, so-called' weavers carding pad surface or wire carding brush 77'a with its fine needle-like bristles or splines pointed or inclining downwardly has been successfully used for the abrasive surface 77'a.

In Figure 8 of the drawings, I have shown a modified and simplified form of front presser clamp D. In'this form, the parts which are the same as those of the embodiment of Figure 5 have been given the same numerals, while those parts which are slightly modified or adapted have been'given prime suflixes. The front channel member 56' has a handle 65 secured thereto. A backing plate 82 is pivotally secured to the member 56' by a bolt 83. The plate '82 carries a pressing plate 84. A mount'86 fdr a collar presser and finisher is secured to therear face of the plate 84 at its upper end. The collar presser includes a plate support 87 pivotally secured to the mount 86 by a pivot pin'88. The support 87 carries at its free end a presser plate and is also provided with an operating handle 89 for swinging the plate 90 to different positions about the pin 88. i

In Figures 1, 2 and 3 I have shown a sleeve and cu presser or finisher C. This finisher is mounted for swing or pivot movement about the mounting bracket 18 by its mounting plate 92, somewhat flexibly between the bracket and vertically extending telescopic members 96 and 100, and is further adjustable pivotally mounted between its telescopic members and its inner support, see particularly Figures 2 and 4. More particularly, mounting plate 92" is pivotally secured on the angle shaped bracket 18 by"a pivot bolt 93. It also has a clamping bolt 94 which, when loosened, may be moved along slot 92a to move the plate 92 in a pivotal relationship about 93. The plate 92'may be then locked in such relationship by tightening the bolt 94. A male telescopic member 96 has 'a flattened lower A- vertically extending female or outertelescopic's'up porttube or member 100 slidably receives the inner member 96. The- members 96 and 100 are imovable with-re 'spect to each other to adjust'the vertical'operatifig heigljt of ithe rfunit' .C' 'so .thatzit :may hev employed for -garments having long :as well as short sleeves. The outer member .100 carries a locking -LCIHHIP ;screw 101 which vcmay be rturned toiloosen and tighten -it-with;respect torthe .metn'her 9510 in this mann r-.adjust'the members With'IIESPQCt'IO each other and, when adjusted, ;to securely hold them in :such a Ielationship.

' As shownparticularly in "Figures 2 rand 4, the upper :end of the outer sleeve member 100 has ;-a short length -cylinder or collar 102a secured thereto .as by "welding. Thezouter collarorsleove 102a is adapted :to receive there- ;in-assrnaller-or inner-sleeve 102b.' The lattenissccuredsat :its endzto and .is carried by a back mount or stand 103 whose base portion :103a is isecured by .screws 104 to :a rib portion .106 of a presser plate member 107. The in- "terfitting sleeves 102a and J2 have, as shown in Figure 4, --a series of holes that may :bealigned with each :otherto rprovidea desired-tilted relationship between the mounting stand 103 and the outer support member 100. .Such imembers areretained'in the desired tiltedrelationship by ;a pin 105 that may, as ishown in .Figure 2, be suspended :by a wire from the stand103.

The back clamping or resser plate 107 carries .a I

curved-plate'109 which servesas a.,deflection-plate to con- .-tact the sleeves of thegarment to be pressed. In :addi- .stion, a pair of spreader bars or rods 111 and 114 are ;-mounted on the inner side of the plate .107. The bar 111 is secured by means 11210 protect upwardly along one side of the plate 107. .Theslig'htly-curved means'114-is --secured atitslower end 115 to .theplate 107 and is adjust- ;able .as toits flexible positioning by :a spring means 118. .It will be noted:thatthesprirrg is secured'atoneend 118a -:to the expander rod 114 and at its other end to a turn buckle or spring pin 1-19. The tension of the spring 118 is adjusted by a thumb screw 120. It will be noted that ithe spring pin 119 is mounted at one end of a support :bracket 116 which projects from the backside of the plate 107. A strap clamp 11'3is secured-by means 113a on the inside of theplate member 107 to'confine the lower tend portion of the-spreader rod 114. .As shown by the -dot lines, this spreader rod 1141s movable isiideways with- ;in strapclamp 113 and is controlled by the :spring 118 ,anditspin 119. In-carrying out a pressing operation the --bar 111 and rod 114may be inserted within the cuif or sleeve to form acrease-andkeep the cuff orsleevespread *while the clamping plates are closed upon the cuff or sleeve.

The clamping assembly which includes the pressure plate 107 also includes a cooperating channel-shaped aclamppart 122 which is provided on its lateral edges and at or adjacent its lower end with a pair of spaced ears 1122a. ,Each of these ears is pivotally secured to one of asimilar pairof ears 107a formed on the clarnp part 107. A separate pivot pin 121 forms a means of connection between each ear :107a and a separate one of the ears 122a. Tensionsprings 123, shown in Figures 2 and 3, .are located on opposite sides of the clamp part 122. One end of one such spring is shown as secured to the clamp part 122 and the other endthereof is shown in Figure 2 .as-secured to one of the so-called ears 107:: which, ,as noted, is formed on the clamping part 107. A curved Jnember 12611 is pivotally secured to the part 122 by a pin 12'6b. One free end of the member 126a bears against the plate 107 Whereas the other end is provided with a 'handle portion 126. Lifting the handle portion causes the opposite end of the member 126a tomove downwardly along the clamp part 107 and to a point below :the pivot pin 1-21 and out of contact with part 107, thus permitting :the opposed clamping parts of the clamp .assemblycto move into clamping --engagement and impose finishing pressure on the lower end of a garment sleeve which is engaged by the bar 111 and the'spring impelled rod 114.

*TIf-hepressure plate 124 is providedon its rear face withan elongated reetan ularrib which-fitsinto ,theopen channel grace of the t clamp part 1122 and aispivotally Secured there- '10 by a vpin 125. If desired, -a-face plate '109ai-may :be positioned on and secured to the plate 124. In operation the plate 109a cooperates with a similar plate 109 on-the .cclamp :part .107 in the :pressing of a sleeve of a garment being processed zonIhepressingmachine. As shown, the .upper end .of each ;of the plates 109 .and 109a may be :forrnedxso thatc'they are curved outwardly with relation -to each other.

lfsair and steamare tobe directlysuppliedito the inside .of the sleeves or arms of the garment that is to be pressed through open armpits of the nylon bag orshaping form, then the-clampingmechanism C of Figures 2 and .3 will rserveto-close off the cuffs or ends ,of the sleeves as well .as to press them. As intimated before, thesleeve or cuff .expander elements 111 and 114 are first entered before :the opposed plate members .are closed .or are clamped together.

.In Figures 12, 13, 14 and. 151 havejshown other adapt- :able means rwhicbmay be used with apresser construction of my invention to adaptably meet the requirements '.-for various types of clothing as wellas somewhat varied :typesof procedure. In Figure 12 I have shown a swing- "ableand adjustable support rod construction similar to thatdescribed in connection with figures 3 and 4, except that the lower member 130 is .now the female member to receive the upper member 131 which is now a male :member. The .lower end 130a of the vmember 1301s flattened for mounting it on the right angle flange of :the mounting plate 92. The lower end portion of the in- :ner and upper vertical support member 131 has springlike fingers 132, as shown in Figure 12, and if desired, a locking orclamping swing nut 101 similar to the not .of the same number of Figures v2 and 3. The spring 132 acts as an entry guide when the two members and 131 are assembled and to also add stability .to the adjustment of the members 130 and 131.

As shown in Figure 13, the support structure for the clamp 1'39-141 is provided with a collar 133 adapted to slidingly receive the support member 131 shown .in Figure 12. This collar is provided with a thumb screw 142. for locking it in adjusted positions along the memher 131. On the side opposite the slide collar 133 the shaft 134 carries a bolt and nut assembly 136 and is provided with opposed washers arranged to hold the spirally-wound portion 137 of the clamping means in place on the shaft 134. The arranged portion 137 pro- 'vides a spring mounting which normally urges the two fingers 138 and 140 to close their clamping plates 139 :and 141 as shown by the full lines of Figure 12. The tongs may be opened to the dotted position of Figure 12 by applying squeezing pressure on the portions 138 and 140 against the resiliency of the coiled portion 137. It "will be noted that the telescopic support means of Figures 12 and 13 is given the designation C in Figure 12 to showthat it may be substituted for the support means C of other figures. This provides a simple form of clampj'ing' device for sleeves and cults and other means. It will he noted that the tongs are rotatable about the bolt and nut assembly 136 against the resiliency of the spring portion 137.

In Figure 14 I have shown a'simple form of a sleeve spreader for creasing a device which may take the place of or be used with the clamping device of Figure 12. It will be noted that the spring end portion will be mounted in the same manner as the spring portion 137 of the other clamp. Further, in the clamp of Figure 14 ithespring portion tends to urge its spreader plates 159 to. anoutward rather than an inward position with respect to each :other and :as opposed by a squeezing action on :the handles157. The end portions 158 of the side wire .members 156 are secured as by welding to the spreader 51 316 .159 and a pin 1. i mounted on each spreader .plate -,to receive a tension spring 161, having opposing abutmentendslfila and 161b.

,In Figure 15 Ihave shown somewhat diagrammatical- 1y an assembly which may be used with a fabric steamer bag whose sleeves are to be inflated and have closing means such as 149, 150 at their ends which carry a wire linkage 147. It is very important to have the arms of a garment under some tension during the steaming operation and in the proper relationship with respect to its other portions. Figure thus shows a simple type of device that may be used with the adjustable telescopic support rods of either Figure 3 or Figure 12 for the purpose outlined. In this connection a slide sleeve or collar 145 having a thumb screw 142 for securing it in position on the telescopic member 131 also has a hook portion 146 to latch through a loop of the linkage 147.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11 I have illustrated a flap presser and clamping unit generally indicated as F in Figure 1A. Such a unit may be pivotally or hingedly mounted at its lower end to project upwardly from the rim and flange assembly 20, see the box hinge means 177 of Figure 1A which is shown secured to the wheel port 25. This clamp has a strap metal slide member 165 extending therealong and provided with a lower stop 167 and an upper stop 168 for slide portions 166a of a slide 166. In this way the full clamping assembly may be moved vertically with respect to the member 165. The arrangement is maintained in a suitably adjusted relationship by a spring clip 164 which is secured to a bag presser plate 169 having fabric ribbing 169a along its opposite sides.

A presser plate 175 having a reinforcing ribbing 174 and a mount piece 172 is pivotally secured by a bolt and nut assembly 173 to a back channel member 171. The back channel member 171 is pivotally mounted at 170 to the member 166 for swinging movement with respect thereto as opposed by the normal tendency of opposed tension springs 162 which are connected betweensuc'h members. A handle member 176a provided with a hand grasp 176 is pivotally mounted on the channel member 171 and projects through an opening in the web portion of that member. The inner end of the member 176a slidably engages the adjacent surface of the member 166 for the purpose of controlling the relative positions of the pressure plates 175 and 169. As the hand grasp 176 is moved upwardly the opposite end of the member 176a moves downwardly along the surface of themember 166 and finally moves out of contact with that member, thus permitting the plate 175 to move into contact with the ribbing 169a on the plate 169.

In Figures 21 to 27, inclusive, I have illustrated three forms of collar-forming adaptors. I have shown one form in Figures 21 to 23, a second form in Figures 24 and and a third form in Figures 26 and 27. In these figures the holes or perforations or ports in the presser plate member 33 have been omitted for simplicity. Re ferring again to Figure 18, an assembly such as. shown in Figure 1 has a back opening 33b, see Figure 18, within which is adapted to fit a suitable collar shaping member such as 180 of Figures 21 to 23. The back face of the cap portion 32 has a projecting alignment pin 31 located below the opening 33b. Each of the adaptable collar shapers such as 180, 184 and 190, hasa centrally slotted back plate member that is adapted to fit over the alignment screw 131. As applied particularly to the embodiment of Figure 22, the collar shaper 180has a substantially planar back face portion which extends beyond the cap 32, and has curved-in ends 1804 to form a support collar, for example, with relatively sharp corners from its back side. The front face of the cap part 32 serves to form the front portion of a collar. As shown particularly in Figure 23, the back face 181 of thecollar shaper 180 slopes backwardly to form a shoulder and then slopes inwardly forwardly at 182 so that its bottom tab portions 182 serve as flexible clamps with the back portion 331: of the presser pate and with the projecting edge portion 32b of the cap part 32.

Ordinarily the fabric bag will have an opening therein along the slot or slit which is closed off by any one of the inside of the top closure wall portion 320.

adaptable collar shapers. The shaper 184 of Figures 2'4 and 25 has forward ear or Wing portions 185 thatrare convexly curved from its back portion'186 to provide a more conventional type of collar shape. As shown particularly in Figure 25, the back face 186 latches under the edge 32d and slopes backwardly to an offset and into a forwardly sloped clamping spring tab portion 187.

In the embodiment of Figures 26 and 27, the shaper 190 is constructed with a back face 193' that forms a continuation of the curvature of the cap 32 to thus provide a substantially circular or rounded shape of collar. Like the other embodiments, this one also has a back face portion 191 which latches with the edge 32d of the cap, and spring tab portions 192 which latch with and are guided by the pin 31.

With reference to the steam flow coil 46 for the chest or 'breastplate 33, see Figures 17 and 18, this maybe a copper pipe of about of an inch in diameter. The'end portions of the coil 46 are connected to suitable steam inlet and outlet lines from the base unit A of the'device, preferably by flexible rubber or plastic hose; This supplements the heating action of the steam and air flow from such base unit and enables the provision of relatively high temperature around the breastplate and collar portions'of the garment. Where the collar portion is to be specially processed, I have also employed a suitable electrical resistance unit such as a calrod and mount it around the Means may be also provided for controlling the amount of heat supplied by such a unit. 1

As shown particularly in Figure 1 ofthe drawingsfia cone-shaped form 50, 51 may be employed for relatively large size garments such as overcoats, long 'dresses,et c'.,

although the front plate 34 may be sufiicient in some cases. As will appear, the cone-shaped form has an upper rim 53, a ported or mesh type intermediate portion 51 to deliver the steam and heated air to the skirt portion of a garment supported on the machine, and a solid bottom band portion 50. The connection between the portions 50 and 51 is shown reinforced by tabs 52.- 'As will be apparent from a comparison with Figure '1, the cone-shaped member or form may be used or removed as desired and if used, rests upon the base rim 25 for movement therewith.

In Figures 28 to 31, inclusive, I have shown an improved form of permeable garment bag 200 which, as shown, is at its lower end mounted on the rim 25 of a base unit A; this bag may be of a permeable-flexible material, such as nylon cloth. This form has a back'fiap or bustle form 201 which defines a spacing 202 along the major portion of its vertical extent, but is connected at 203 to permit air and steam to pass from the main body .into theflap and extend both of them substantially simultaneously; The form 200 is' reinforced in its mounting by upwardly projecting aluminum-rods 46 and 48, see particularly Figures 28 and 31. The side rods 46 incline vertically upwardly and have lower lugs 47 to latch with- .in slot mounts 25b that project outwardly on fingers 25a from the rim 25. In a like manner, a central slot mount -49 projects outwardly from' the rim 25 to receive and support the central rod or rib 48 at its lower end.

In Figure 30 the broken line 207 indicates the position of the lining of an overcoat with relation to a form such as shown in Figure 29. The full linev 209 indicates the position of the tail flap of a garment positioned on the machine with the tail flap extending over the bustle portion 201 of the form as shown in Figure 29 while the 3 the mositionshown in :EigZS, the maximumsize ofiform is provided.

What I claimi'is:

1. ,An improved apparatus for-finishing clothing which comprises, a flexible and permeable bag-like form, a .base unit having a base rim rotatably mounted thereon, a central post rotatably mounted on said base unitand having a shoulder support, said form being mounted on said shoulder support and said base rim, support rods mounted on said base rim and projecting upwardly therefl'OlTlxtO reinforce said form, said form having a bustle portion alongjits backside with an open slot along a substantial vertical extent thereof to receive theliningof anartic1e of clothing that is positioned on said form, said bustle portion being adapted to simultaneously receive a tail flap portion of the article, and slide fastener means along a portion of said form to increaseand decreaseits size.

2. In agarment pressing:apparatusabase unit; asteam supply unit mounted .onpsaid base :unit and positioned ,to deliver steam upwardly above said base unit; a hollow conical garment-positioning unit mounted ,on, axially aligned with an extending above said base unit and encirclingsaid steam supply unit; a support column mounted on andextending vertically above said base unit and axially aligned with said garment-positioning unit; a

.shoulder support mounted on said column above and spaced from said garment-positioning.unit; a vshouldenexpander assembly mounted on said column vbelowsaid shoulder support unit and above said positioning unitand including shoulder-engaging :members movable into and out of contact with the'shonlders-of a garment supported onsaid shoulder support; a pressing andclamping'assembly :pivotally mounted on said base unit and extending upwardly therefrom and movable toward and away zfrom said;.garment-positioning;unit; and a garment-:tensioning unit mounted on said assembly and movable therewith toward and away from said positioning unit and longitudinally thereof.

3. A garment finishing machine including an open top hollow base member; a hollow conical foraminous inter- ,mediate memberlmounted on and axially aligned with 'said base member; a verticallyextending support column mounted on said base member andaxially aligned therewith and with said intermediate member; .an apertured 'breastplate mounted on said columnabove and spaced :from said intermediate member; a clamping and pressing assembly pivotally mounted on and extendingabove :said base member and movable about itspivot supportto and from a position adjacent to and substantially parallel with ;the externalsurface of said intermediate member :and into and out of contact .with .said breastplate; and

means for delivering a-fiow of. fluidinto:andthroughtsaid intermediate member and along said breastplate :an'd

' through apertures ,formed therein.

4. A garment finishing machine-including an open top cylindrical base member; a garment support column mounted on and extendingvertically above said member; a hollow garment positioning unit mounted on and aligned with said member and surrounding said column;

a pressing and clamping assembly pivotally mounted on :said member and movable about its pivotal support toward-and away from saidlexternal surface of said unit;

and a tension :applying device mounted on and movable -relatively to said assembly and therewith toward and hollow base member; a ihollow conical forarninous intering assembly pivotally mounted adjacent the flower edge of said intermediate member and movable about its pivotal sup-Port into and out of contact with said breastplate and'theexternal surface of said intermediate member; ,a tensioning device mounted on and movable longitudinally of and with :said pressing assembly into and out of contact with the external surface of said intermediate member; and means for delivering a flow of fluid into and through said intermediate member'and along said breast plate.

6. In combination in a garment pressing apparatus includinga base unit; a base ring concentric with and secured to said unit; a vertically extending post centrally located relatively to and secured to said ring; .ashoulder support mounted on said post and spaced fromsaid ring; aflexible, permeable fabric bag-like form draped on said support with the lower edge thereof secured to said ring; a bag-like bustle portion extending upwardly from the lower edge of said form, with the interior thereof-inopen communication with the interior of said form; and means extending upwardly i o id f rrn for de iv i g infl tin fluid into thepinteriorof said form.

,7. A garment finishing machine including an open top base unit; a hollow conical intermediate garment positioning unit mounted on and axially aligned with and mo,vable relatively to said base unit; ,a vertically extending support column mounted on said base unit and ,extending upwardly through saidintermediate unit; a comlbined shoulder support and perforated breast plate mounted .on said column above said intennediate unit;

said intermediateunitand movable about its pivot point toward and away from said intermediate unit; and a garment tensioning device mounted on and movable with ..and;1ongitudinally of said pressing andclamping assembly.

References ited in the file of this I patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,273,743 Weinstein Feb. '17, 1942 2, 3 17,924 'Lendle Apr. 27, 1943 2353,741 Matthewset al. July 18, 1944 2,378,565 Locke et al June 19, 1945 2,412,172 Pettit Dee-3, 1946 2,425,194 Lendle Aug. 5, 1947 2,429,047 Bowen Oct. 14 ,1947 2,436,731 Richa 'Feb'.-24, 1948 2,453,488 Bowen Nov. 9, 1948 2,453,730 Shaw Nov. 16, 1948 2,454,977 Richaet al. --Nov. 30, 1948 2,460,732 I Brenner et-al. Feb. 1, 1949 2,513,427 "Richa et al. July 4, 1950 2,587,745 Maurer Man-4, 1952 2,667,291 Petrich Jan. 26, 1954 2,689,996 Glattes -Sept..28, 1954 '2;736,47'1 Jackson Feb. 28, 1956 2,740,566 Glover Apr. 3, 1956 FOREIGN PATIENTS 45,8111 'Holland, May V15, 1939

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