US3430368A - Garment spreader - Google Patents

Description

March 4, 1969 N. L. WRIGHT, JR

,GARMENT SPREADER Sheet Filed Aug. 24, 1966 m m m m NATHANIEL LANCASTER WRIGHT, JR. BY v fiowne, ATTORNEYS March 4, 1969 N. L. WRIGHT, JR 3,430,368

GARMENT SPREADER Sheet Filed Aug. 24, 1966 PRESS ARM SWITCH SUPPLY EX H AUST VALVE RELlEF VALVE HHHHIHHH INVENTOR. NATHANIEL LANCASTER WRIGHLJR. BY

6201/0116, j ATTORN EYS Mam}! 1969 N. WRIGHT, JR 3,

v GARMENT; SPREADER Filed Aug. 24, 1966 Sheet 3 of a INVENTOR NATHANIEL LANCASTER WRIGHT, JR.

TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,430,368 GARMENT SPREADER Nathaniel Lancaster Wright, Jr., P.0. Box 489, Winder, Ga. 30680 Filed Aug. 24, 1966, Ser. No. 574,610 US. C]. 38-21 32 Claims Int. Cl. D06f 71/40, 71/08 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention involves a novel device for spreading garments incident to a pressing operation, it being particularly suitable for the pressing of trousers but need not be restricted thereto.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device for spreading a garment prior to pressing, which device is quickly and easily operable while providing highly effective and depend-able performance. Included herein is the provision of such a device which does not leave its imprint on the garment after pressing.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of such a garment spreader device which is adjustable to suit the size of the particular garment being pressed.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such garment spreader device which may be relatively economically manufactured and incorporated into both new or old presses without affecting performance of the press or unduly encumbering the same.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the associated drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment press incorporating one embodiment of the present invention;

' FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmental perspective view of the garment spreader device included in the press of FIG. 1 with a flow control system for its actuating mechanism schematically shown;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the garment spreader device in another position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a garment spreader device representing another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmental cross-sectional view taken along lines 66 of FIG. 5.

Referring in detail to the drawings and initially FIG. 1, there is shown for illustrative purposes only, a typical garment press including a base 10, a horizontal table 12 supporting a press pad 14 dimensioned to receive a garment such as the shown trousers 16. Cooperable with press pad 14 is a press head 20 movable in typical manner between a loading or open position shown in FIG. 1 and an operative or closed position overlying the press pad for pressing trousers. Foot pedals 22 are conventionally provided at the base to control the application of steam in the pressing operation.

Incorporated in the shown press is a cuff spreader device, generally designated 24, embodying the present invention. Cuff spreader 24 includes a platform 26 having mounted thereon a pair of cuff spreader elements 28 and 30 adapted to spread and tension trouser cuffs in preparation for pressing as will be subsequently described in detail. Platform 26 is provided by a rectangular metallic plate of any suitbale material such as steel, mounted in horizontal position generally on the back side of the press by a frame including two upright angle members 32 secured to longitudinally spaced portions of table 12 by two right angle members 34, the latter being bolted to the table. Mounted in upright frame members 32 in parallel are two slides shown as cylindrical bars 36 and 38, extending longitudinally of the table between upright frame members 32. Platform 26 is mounted for slideable movement along slides 36 and 38 by a bearing sleeve 40 which slideably receives upper slide 36. Bearing sleeve 40 is fixed to platform 26 by a vertical plate 42 welded across the ends of platform 26 and sleeve 40 with the latter extending below the platform. Any suitable bearing (not shown) may be provided between sleeve 40 and slide 36 to reduce friction. To guide and maintain platform 26 in horizontal position, a pair of rectangular plates 44 are fixed to opposite sides of sleeve 40 and project downwardly to closely straddle lower slide 38.

Provision is made for adjusting platform 26 along slides 36 and 38 to accommodate for example a particular trouser length, by an elongated screw 45 rotatably mounted in frame members 32 between and parallel to slides 36 and 38. Engaged on the threads of screw 45 is a vertical support bar 46 having a first passage 47 which is threaded to receive screw 45 and a second, non-threaded passage 49 which is dimensioned to freely receive upper slide 36. Vertical support bar 46 carries at its upper end a motor which is operatively connected to platform 26 to move the same along slides 36 and 38 during operation of the device as will be subsequently described. Rotation of screw 45 such as may be manually effected by the hand crank 45a formed on its end, moves vertical support bar 46 along screw 45 to thereby adjust the position of platform 26 along press pad 14.

Cuff spreader elements 28 and 30 are illustrated as planar blades having elongated main body portions 28a and 30a projecting laterally in parallel from platform 26, and end portions 28b and 30b projecting at right angles from the main body portions so as to be insertable into a trouser leg as shown in FIG. 2. Any suitable material such as stainless sheet steel may be employed in making cuff spreader blades 28 and 30.

To accommodate different cuff widths, blades 28 and 30 are adjustably mounted to platform 26 by means including elongated slots 50 and 51 formed in body portions 28a and 30a to slideably receive one or more upstanding guide pins 53 fixed on platform 26. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, inner blade 30 is adapted to be fixed in the desired adjusted position on platform 26 while outer blade 28 is free for rectilinear movement laterally of platform 26 for purposes of spreading and tensioning a cuff. Securement of inner blade 30 to platform 26 in the desired position is effected in the shown device by a threaded bolt 56 upstanding from the platform and a clamping, wing nut 58 threaded on bolt 56 for exerting pressure on blade 30 through a washer 59. To adjust the position of inner blade 30, wing nut 58 is loosened to free blade 30 for movement laterally of platform 26 as guided by pin 53.

Movement of outer blade 28 laterally of platform 26 to spread or release the trouser cuff is effected by means of a motor shown as a fluid air motor including a cylinder 60 mounted with respect to platform 26 by a right angle bracket 62 secured on the under side of platform 26. In cylinder 60 is a piston 64 having a drive rod 66 which projects from the cylinder and is connected to outer blade 28 by a link shown as a generally L-shaped crank 70. Crank 70 is mounted on platform 26 by pivot 72 for oscillatory pivotal movement in a horizontal plane. One arm 74, of crank 70 is pivotally connected at its end to motor drive rod 66 by means of a pin 76 while the opposite crank arm 78 is operatively connected to outer blade 28 by means including an elongated slot 80 formed in an upwardly offset portion 82 of arm 28. Slot 80 receives a threaded pivot pin 84 which also extends through an elongated slot 86 formed in crank arm portion 78. Completing the connection is a wing nut 88 threaded on pivot pin 84.

It will be seen that application of air into cylinder 60 will pivot crank 70 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in the drawings) to retract outer blade 28 inwardly towards platform 26 for purposes of releasing the trouser cuff. Extension of outer blade 28 to spread the cuff is achieved by a return spring 65 provided in cylinder 60 about drive rod 66 as shown in FIG. 4. In one satisfactory embodiment, the parts are chosen and arranged so that spring 65 will be effective to extend outer blade 28 a distance of approximately one inch for spreading a trouser cuff. It will be appreciated however that this distance may be varied depending on the size or type of garment being pressed and moreover the illustrated device may be adjusted to vary the stroke of blade 28. Additionally in certain instances where stretch fabric is to be pressed a fluid regulating valve schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 as 115 may be associated with cylinder 60 to sensitively regulate the pressure applied to the blades for spreading the garment.

To prevent imprinting of the garment with the shape of blade portions 28b and 30b, provision is made for withdrawing the blades from the trouser leg just prior to contact by press head 20. This is accomplished by movement of platform 26 along slides 36 and 38 away from the trouser leg just prior to engagement by press head 20. In the form of the invention illustrated, actuation of platform 26 is achieved by motor 90 which is also of the air fluid type including a cylinder mounted in the upper portion of vertical support bar 46 with an underlying diagonal brace 91 additionally supporting it with respect to bar 46. In cylinder 90 is a piston 92 having an operating rod 94 projecting from the cylinder and connected to the upper portion of plate 42 such as by the shown nuts 96 threaded on the end of operating rod 94. In this manner operating rod 94 is connected to platform 26 such that application of air in cylinder 90 will be effective to move platform 26 relative to support bar 46 along slides 36 and 38. In one embodiment it has been found that a two inch stroke of rod 94 and consequently platform 26 will produce satisfactory results. Return movement of platform 26 for the next pressing operation is effected by a return spring 98 provided in the cylinder about rod 94 as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 there is schematically illustrated an air distribution system for supplying and exhausting fluid motors 60 and 90 in a pressing operation. This system includes a supply source 100 communicable with fluid motors 60 and 90 through conduits 102 and 104 which branch from a main conduit 106 leading from supply source 100. Flow between supply source 100 and motors 60 and 90 is controlled by a conventional supplyexhaust valve 108 through a switch 110 which is actuated by an arm 112 fixed to press head 20 as shown in FIG. 1. When press head 20 is moved in operative pressing position, arm 112 will engage switch 110 to place valve 108 in supply position permitting flow of air from the source 100 to motors 60 and 90. When press head 20 is returned to its idle position shown in FIG. 1, press arm 112 will deactivate switch 110 to cause valve 108 to move into exhaust position permitting air from cylinder 90 to vent through valve 108 whereupon return spring 98 will become effective to move platform 26 back along slides 36 and 38 for the next pressing operation. However exhausting of motor 60 is not controlled by valve 108 but rather is effected through a relief valve 114, of any conventional construction, placed in conduit 102 downstream of valve 108. To prevent venting of conduit 102 through the valve 108 a check valve 116 is placed in conduit 102 between relief valve 114 and supply-exhaust valve 108. Check valve 116 thus only allows flow to motor 60 from conduit 106 but prevents return flow to conduit 106. Relief valve 114 is actuated by means of a foot switch which may be positioned adjacent pedals 22 for convenience as shown in FIG. 1. In this manner venting of motor 60 to cause extension of blade 28 for spreading the garment may be controlled by the operator of the press merely by depressing foot switch 118.

A typical operation will now be described. Assuming that platform 26 has been adjusted along slide 36, 38 to suit the inseam length of the trouser leg, and assuming that air pressure in motor 60 is holding outer blade 28 inwardly in retracted position, the trouser leg is placed on press pad 14 and the cuff fitted on blade portions 28a and 30a. Relief valve 114 is then actuated to vent the air in motor 60 thus allowing return spring to retract operating rod 66 thereby extending outer blade 28 to spread and tension the trouser leg into the desired position. This may also serve to anchor the bottom of the trouser leg so that the press operator can easily smooth out the remainder of the trouser leg without the latter creeping or moving along the press pad.

Having properly positioned and spread the trouser leg, press head 20 is brought downwardly toward press pad 14 and just prior to contacting the trouser, press head 20 reaches a position in which arm 112 actuates switch 110 to move valve 108 into supply position delivering air to motors 60 and through conduits 102, 104. This causes extension of motor operating rods 66 and 94 causing outer blade 28 to retract inwardly and platform 26 to move downwardly along slides 36 and 38 whereby blades 28 and 30 are withdrawn from the trouser leg just prior to contact by press head 20.

After the trouser leg has been pressed and press head 20 is returned upwardly for the next operation, arm 112 is disengaged from switch causing valve 108 to move into exhaust position venting air from motor 90. Return spring 98 in motor 90 then becomes effective to return platform 26 with blades 28 and 30 along the slide for the next operation. At this point air pressure is maintained in motor 60 which maintains outer blade 28 in retracted position until commencement of the next cuff spreading operation which is effected by depressing foot switch 118 to vent motor 60 as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is shown another embodiment of the present invention having a preferred frame construction including track 120 adapted to be mounted along one side of the press table by a pair of right angle members 122 provided with holes 124 for bolting to the table. Slideably mounted on track 120 is a slide 126 shown in the form of a channel, and vertically upstanding from opposite end portions of slide 126 is a pair of support members 128 and 130 which hold a slide rod 132 in parallel relation to track 120.

Platform 134 is movable along slide rod 132 by means of a depending strap or hanger member 136 fixed to a sleeve 138 received on slide rod 132. As in the abovedescribed embodiment, platform 134 is actuated along slide rod 136 by a motor shown as a fluid motor 140 supported in a right angle bracket 142 fixed on top of vertical support member 128. The actuating rod (not shown) of fluid motor 140 is connected to platform 134 through a right angle member 144 which receives the actuating rod and is fixed thereto in any suitable manner. Thus with the preferred frame of this embodiment, platform 134 with its cuff spreader elements 150, 152 may be manually adjusted along track 120 into the desired position for a given operation. For facilitating movement of slide 126 along track 126 rollers (not shown) may be incorporated in slide 126, and also Teflon, Nylon, or similar strips may be placed between track 120 and slide 126.

To fix platform 134 in the adjusted position of the frame, a releaseable lock means is provided such as that including the illustrated nut 145 fixed to slide 126 in overlying alignment with an aperture (not shown) in slide 126, and the rod 146 having threads 147 at its lower end engaged in nut 145. The opposite, upper end of rod 146 is received through an aperture 148 in bracket 142 and has a cranked portion 149 providing a handle for actuation. Rotation of rod 146 in one direction will cause advancement of its threads through nut 145 to engage the lower end of the rod against track 120 to lock the frame and platform 134 in position. Opposite rotation of rod 146 will of course disengage it from track 120 to allow manual adjustment of the device along track 120.

Another feature of the presently described embodiment is that the cufl spreader blades 150, 152 in spreading a garment are both moved and in opposite directions. In the illustrated form this is obtained by pivoting a link 154 intermediate its ends at 156 between cuff spreader elements 150, 152 for movement in a horizontal plane. The

opposite end portions of link 154 are pivotally connected to cuff spreader elements 150, 152 while one end of link 154 is extended and pivotally connected to a crank 158 which is pivotable in a horizontal plane by a fluid motor 160.

Upon application of pressure to fluid motor 160 crank 158 will move clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 5) causing counterclockwise rotation of link 154 which in turn will cause cuff spreader elements 150, 152 to move in opposite directions but towards each other for relaxing the garment. Upon exhausting fluid motor 160, its return spring will cause the opposite movement of crank 158, link 154 and blades 150, 152 to move the latter apart for spreading the garment. It will be appreciated that with this arrangement greater spreading or tensioning of the garment may be obtained for a given power input from motor 160. Another feature of the present embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein blades 150 and 152 are coated with a low friction material 153 such as nylon, Teflon or other similar substance.

Although in the embodiment illustrated, screws and wing nuts 162 have been employed to pivotally connect link 154 to slotted offset portions 164 of spreader blades 150, 151, other connectors may be employed to obtain the desired function. Additionally other linkage or motion transmitting mechanism may be employed to operatively connect motor 160 to the spreader blades, in place of that shown in either of the embodiments described above. Moreover the frame and track structure of the FIG. 5 embodiment may be employed with the blade structure and actuating linkage of the FIG. 1 embodiment.

Other modifications and adaptations of the present invention readily apparent from the foregoing description and associated drawings, although not specfically mentioned herein, will nevertheless be included within the scope of the present invention as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a garment press having a surface for receiving garments to be pressed and a movable pressing head for pressing the garments on the surface; a device for spreading the garment prior to pressing including a mounting member positioned generally at one side of the pressing surface, a pair of spreader elements projecting laterally from the mounting member and over the pressing surface, the spreader elements including body portions extending laterally from the mounting member and end portions extending at an angle from the body portions for engagement with opposite portions of a garment,

one of said spreader elements being movable relative to the other element in a direction laterally of the mounting member to spread the garment, means supporting said mounting member for reciprocable movement along the press, and first and second actuating means for respectively moving the mounting means along the press and said one spreader element laterally of the press.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 further including means including a switch engageable by a member on the pressing head just prior to contacting the garment to be pressed for causing energization of said first and second actuating means to release the garment just prior to contact by the pressing head.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second actuating means each include first and second fluid motors each having a piston and a spring means biasing the piston in one direction, a fluid supply source, first and second fluid conduits between said fluid motors and the supply source respectively for conveying fluid to and from the fluid motors to move their pistons in directions opposite to said first direction, a check valve in the second conduit between the supply source and the second motor for maintaining the fluid pressure in the second conduit, and a relief valve in the second conduit for venting the second conduit and to permit return of the piston in the second fluid motor under the influence of its associated spring means.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 further including a foot switch for actuating the relief valve to vent the second conduit.

5. The combination defined in claim 3 further including a pressure regulating valve in the second conduit for controlling fluid pressure in the second motor.

6. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said means supporting said mounting member for reciprocable movement along the press includes a slide fixed along the back side of the press and the pressing surface and means fixed to the mounting member and slideably movable along the slide.

7. The combination defined in claim 6 further including a vertical support member, means for adjusting said support member along the press parallel to the slide, and means connecting said support member with said mounting member such that movement of said support member along the press will be effective to adjust said mounting member along the slide.

8. The combination defined in claim 7 wherein said first actuating means is a motor mounted on said support member and having a reciprocable operating rod forming said means connecting said support member to said mounting member, said operating rod also serving to move said mounting member relative to said support member upon actuation of said motor and wherein said second actuating means is supported by said mounting member for movement with the mounting member.

9. For use with a garment press or the like; a device for spreading portions of a garment prior to pressing, the device comprising a frame, a mounting member supported on the frame for reciprocable movement in one direction, actuating means including a first motor for moving the mounting member in said one direction, a pair of spreader elements for engaging opposite portions of a garment to be pressed, means mounting the spreader elements on the mounting member, and a second actuating means including a second motor for moving one of the spreader elements in a direction generally transverse to said first direction relative to the other spreader element for spreading and releasing the garment.

10. The device defined in claim 9 wherein said second actuating means includes a linkage operatively connected to said movable spreader element and the second motor.

11. The device defined in claim 10 wherein said linkage includes a crank having opposite ends respectively connected to said movable spreader element and the second motor, and means pivotally mounting the crank intermediate its ends to the mounting member for oscillatory movement in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the mounting member.

12. The device defined in claim 11 wherein said second motor is secured with respect to the mounting member for movement therewith.

13. The device defined in claim 9 wherein said first motor is secured with respect to the frame and has an operating rod operatively connected to the mounting member to move the same.

14. The device defined in claim 9 wherein said frame includes a slide extending in said one direction, and said mounting member has means fixed thereto and received on the slide for movement along the slide.

15. The device defined in claim 14 wherein the frame further includes an elongated screw mounted generally parallel to the slide, a vertical support member operatively connected to said support member and having threads engaged with the threads of the screw for adjusting the position of the mounting member along the slide upon rotation of the screw.

16. The device defined in claim 13 wherein said frame includes a track parallel to said slide, a vertical support member operatively connected to said mounting member, and a slide means engaged on the track for slideable movement along the track said slide means being fixed to said vertical support member for mounting same for movement along the track.

17. The device defined in claim 16 further including means for releasably locking said slide means against movement along the track.

18. The device defined in claim 17 wherein said lastrecited means includes a locking member normally mounted in said slide means for engagement and disengagement with said track.

19. For use with a garment press or similar apparatus, a device for spreading portions of a garment prior to pressing, the device comprising a frame, a mounting platform supported on the frame, a pair of spreader elements having body portions projecting laterally from the platform and end portions projecting angularly from the body portions to be received in the legs of trousers or the like to spread the same prior to pressing, first and second means associated respectively with said spreader elements adjustably mounting said spreader elements with respect to the platform, one of said means permitting movement of one spreader element laterally of the platform relative to the other spreader element for purposes of spreading and relaxing the trouser leg, and actuating means for moving said one spreader element laterally of the platform.

20. The device defined in claim 19 wherein said first and second means include a pair of elongated slots respectively formed in the body portions of said spreader elements and projecting members fixed on the platform and extending through the slots.

21. The device defined in claim 20 wherein said platform has an upstanding threaded member received through the slot in said other spreader element, and a clamping nut is received on said threaded member for securing said other spreader element on the platform against movement.

22. The device defined in claim 19 wherein said actuating means includes a motor and a link operatively connecting the motor to said one spreader element to transmit movement of the motor to said one spreader element to move the latter laterally of the platform relative to the other spreader element.

23. The device defined in claim 22 wherein said link is a crank having one end operatively connected to the motor and an opposite end operatively connected to said one spreader element, said crank having an intermediate portion pivotally mounted with respect to the platform for movement in a plane parallel to the platform.

24. The device defined in claim 23 wherein said motor has a reciprocable operating rod connected to said one end of said crank, and said motor includes a spring for moving said operating rod in one direction.

25. For use with a garment press or the like, a device for spreading opposite portions of a garment, the device including a frame, a mounting member supported on the frame for movement in one direction along the frame, a pair of garment spreader elements, means mounting said spreader elements on said mounting member such that one of the spreader elements is movable relative. to the other spreader element towards and away from the other spreader element in a direction transverse to said one direction between extended and retracted positions for spreading and relaxing a garment, and power means including a motor for moving said one spreader element into a retracted position and for moving said mounting member along the frame in said one direction for withdrawing the spreader elements from the garment.

26. The device defined in claim 25 wherein said motor is fixed with respect to said mounting member to be movable therewith, said motor having means for extending and retracting at least one of said spreader elements for spreading and relaxing a garment.

27. The device defined in claim 26 wherein said power means further includes a second motor fixed with respect to the frame and having an actuating member connected to the mounting member for moving said mounting member in said one direction.

28. The device defined in claim 27 further including means for adjustably positioning the mounting member and said second motor along the frame.

29. The device defined in claim 27 wherein said first and second motors are fluid motors each including a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, and spring means urging the piston in one direction, and wherein said power means further includes a motive fluid supply source for the cylinders, valve means for supplying and exhausting the cylinders, a check valve for maintaining motive fluid in the cylinder of the first motor, and a relief valve between said first valve means and the. cylinder of said first motor for venting motive fluid from the cylinder of said first motor.

30. The device defined in claim 25 wherein said power means is operable to move both of said spreader elements in opposite directions for spreading a garment and to move both of said spreader elements towards each other for relaxing a garment.

31. The device defined in claim 25 wherein the portions of said spreader elements which engage the garment are covered with polytetrafluoroethylene. 32. The device defined in claim 25 wherein said frame includes a slide and wherein there is further included means fixed with respect to the mounting member and movable along the slide.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,877,577 3/ 1959 Jacobson 38-66 2,426,431 8 1947 Blumenfeld 223-39 2,619,267 11/ 1952 Voigt 223-2 2,737,320 3/ 1956 Bowler 223-2 2,804,244 8/1957 Hunt 223-2 2,879,926 3/1959 Newton 223-2 2,853,214 9/1958 Faw 223-2 2,917,211 12/1959 Silverman 223-2 3,112,847 12/1963 Brumby 223-2 3,270,926 9/1966 Machota 223-70 HERBERT F. ROSS, Primary Examiner.

G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner.

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