US3490159A

US3490159A - Garment pressing machine

Info

Publication number: US3490159A
Application number: US713751A
Authority: US
Inventors: David L Radford; Micheal G Beeley; Richard M Hanson
Original assignee: McGraw Edison Co
Current assignee: McGraw Edison Co
Priority date: 1968-03-18
Filing date: 1968-03-18
Publication date: 1970-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 1987-01-20

Description

1970 D. 1.. RADFCRD ET AL 3,490,159

GARMENT PRESSING MACHINE Filed March 18. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGS INVENTORS DAVID L. RADFORD MICHEAL G.BEELEY RICHARD M. HANSON BY ATTORNEY.

Jim. 20, 1970 L. RADFORD" ,ET'AL' 3,490,159

GARMENT PRESSING MACHINE I Filed March 18. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I40 ADJ. L. I49 42 I50 II- T- l8 m l 26 INVENTORS.

ATTORNEY:

United States Patent 3,490,159 GARMENT PRESSING MACHINE David L. Radford, Salt Lake City, Micheal G. Beeley, Bountiful, and Richard M. Hanson, Salt Lake City, Utah, assiguors to McGraw-Edison Company, Elgiu, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 18, 1968, Ser. No. 713,751 Int. Cl. D06f 71/08 U.S. Cl. 3835 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A garment pressing machine having a buck and a complementary head movably supported relative to the buck to swing initially upwardly from the buck and then rearwardly and vertically clear of the buck and including specifically a simple two arm support arrangement for the head, stops for limiting movement of the arms in proper respective operating positions, and actuating means including power cylinders to move the arms and head as desired and a control therefor.

This invention relates to a garment pressing machine having a head designed to move upwardly off and rearwardly from the cooperating buck, and more particularly to simplified head supporting and moving structure having a lift arm pivoted to the machine frame and a pressure arm pivoted to the lift arm and in turn supporting the head, and actuating means including power cylinders to move the arms and thus the head into the desired pressing cooperation with the buck and a control for the actuating means.

In the garment cleaning and pressing industries, a typical pressing machine has a pressure arm which pivots about a fixed point to move a press head carried thereby against a cooperating stationary buck or to a position spaced from the buck. A major drawback of this is that either the head is too close to and is vertically over the buck, even when elevated, to provide adequate safe clearance for an operator to dress a garment quickly on the buck; or the head is elevated almost 90 degrees off the buck, but whereat it radiates heat directly toward the operator and moreover requires additional cycle time because of the longer operating stroke. Various approaches or withdrawing the head rearwardly and out of vertical registry with the buck have been attempted, but such machines have been generally too costly, complicated and wanting in reliability to achieve commercial acceptance. It is noted that if the head were removed rearwardly from vertical registry with the buck, an operator could easily dress the garment on the buck and even use a hand iron on the dressed garment, and the Working conditions would be much cooler and improved.

Accordingly, a basic object of this invention is to provide a commercially acceptable garment pressing machine having a stationary buck and a cooperating head that is initially elevated upwardly from pressing contact with the buck and thereafter is moved rearwardly therefrom and out of vertical registry with the buck.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide structure for supporting the head to move relative to the buck according to the previous object, the structure including a pressure arm holding the head and a lift arm holding the pressure arm for swinging this arm and the head about a given axis, arm locating stops appropriately disposed to operatively align the head and buck as required, and actuating means to move the arms relative to one another and to control such movement automatically, safely and dependably.

These and other objects of this invention will be more fully appreciated and understood after reviewing the fol- 3,490,159 Patented Jan. 20, 1970 lowing specification, including the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pressing machine utilizing the subject invention;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are enlarged elevational views, as seen partly in section, of the machine shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a control suitable for operating the pressing machine disclosed in FIGS. 1-4.

Referring now to FIGS. 14, the subject pressing machine 10 includes a frame 12 that supports buck 14 and table 16 in vertically spaced relation, and an upper head 18 that moves relative to the frame and against the buck 14 in the pressing position (FIG. 4). The head 18 and buck 14 have cooperating pressing surfaces 19. The support for the head 18 includes a pressure arm 20 which is connected at its forward end to the head 18, and a lift arm 22 which is pivoted at its lower end at pin 24 to frame 12 and which is pivoted at its upper end at pin 26 to pressure arm 20. This linkage, when properly actuated, initially moves the head vertically from contact with the buck 14 (the position in FIG. 4 to that in FIG. 3) and thereafter carries the head rearwardly and downwardly to a position where it is out of vertical registry with the buck (FIG. 2).

A spring 28 extends between mount 30 on lift arm 22 and mount 32 on pressure arm 20 and tends to rotate the pressure arm clock-Wise relative to the lift arm to elevate the head 18 off the buck 14 (reference FIG. 3). Stop 33 is provided between the lift and pressure arms to limit this clock-wise rotation, the

stop including angles

34 and 36 secured to respective arms, and bumper element 38 on stud 39 secured adjustably to the angle 36. The bumper element engages angle 34 when the head is elevated sufficiently off the buck (FIG. 3) to permit rearward movement of the head by pivoting lift arm 22 clock-wise about pin 24 to the position shown in FIG. 2. Power cylinder 42 is mounted between the pin connection 44 on the lift arm 22 and pin connection 46 on the pressure arm 20 and acts when extended to overcome the force of the spring 28 to rotate the pressure arm and urge the head 18 against the buck 14 (FIG. 4).

A power cylinder 52 is connected between the frame at pin 54 and the lift arm 22 at pivot connection 56 and operates when extended to raise the lift arm from the position in FIG. 2 to the position in FIG. 3. The pivoting at pin 24 of the lift arm 22 vertically below the press head 18, and the pin connection 26 between the lift arm 22 and pressure arm 20 locate the center of mass of these components on the clockwise side of the picot pin 24 (relative to FIGS. 2-4) or rear side of the machine so that the arm 22 tends to rotate by gravity to its lowered position (FIG. 1) when power cylinder 52 is vented. A damper 58 is connected between the lift arm 22 and frame 12 to limit shock movements of the arm, the damper including a link 60 (only shown as a line for effect of simplicity) connected at pin 56 to the arm and a link 61 connected between link 60 and the damper. The upward movement of the lift arm 22 is restricted by an adjustable stop 66 that aligns the head in vertical registry over the buck, the

stop including angles

67 and 68 secured to the frame and arm, a stud 69 adjustably held in the angle 67, and a bumper 71 on the stud adapted to engage face 70 on angle 68. Similarly, the downward movement of the lift arm is restricted by a stop 74 including

angles

75 and 76 secured to the frame and arm, a stud 77 adjustably held in angle 75, and a bumper 79 on the stud adapted to engage the angle 76. Tension spring 8% is pivoted between pin 81 on the lift arm 22 and pin 82 on the frame and helps elevate the lift arm, pressure arm and head to vertical registry with the buck, thereby reducing the capacity required of the power cylinder 52.

It will be appreciated that the subject press operates in the following manner. The garment is initially dressed on the buck 14 (when the head is retracted as shown in FIG. 2) at which time the operator pressurizes the appropriate power cylinder 52 to elevate the lift arm to the position shown in FIG. 3 against stop 66 where the head 18 is vertically aligned over the buck 14. Cylinder 42 is then pressurized to rotate the pressure arm about pin 26 and move the head against the buck 14 (FIG. 4). After the garment has been pressed, the pressure cylinder 42 is vented to elevate the head 18 off the buck 14, at which time the lift cylinder 52 is vented to retract the head rearwardly to the position in FIG. 2. To time this properly and prevent head shear of the buck, a lever 86 is supported on lift arm 22 and engages plunger 87 of a control valve 194 supported on the pressure arm 20 only under certain conditions in a manner to be more fully explained later.

Suitable steam and vacuum systems are included in this pressing machine, but because they form no part of this invention, they are disclosed only schematically. For example, the buck pressing surface 19 is perforated and communicates through valve controls (not shown) with sources of vacuum and steam; and the head pressing surface 19 is perforated and communicates through a valve control (not shown) with a source of steam. By proper admission of steam from the head and buck, and of vacuum in the buck, the garment is conditioned, dried and pressed. Foot pedal 94 can control steam discharge from the buck and foot pedal 96 can control vacuum admission in the buck; and hand lever 98 can control steam discharge from the head.

A control suitable for operating the subject press will now be described, and is shown in a pneumatic schematic in FIG. 5. Inlet air line 100 is directed through a normally closed three-way valve 102 having a manual actuator control button 104, line 106, and shuttle valve 108 to open a normally closed three-way air actuated valve 110. Air is admitted from inlet line 112, through adjustable throttle valve 114, valve 110, line 116, and a check type quick exhaust valve 118 into expansi'ble chamber 119 of the lift cylinder 52. The lift cylinder 52 includes a rod 120 connected to piston 122 which fits within the cylinder and defines the expansible chamber 119 previously referred to. The line pressure air admitted to chamber 119 axially displaces the piston 122 and port 124 in the cylinder, is uncovered near the end of the piston stroke to direct air under pressure through

lines

126 and 127 to open normally closed three-way air actuated valve 128. The valve 128, connected by line 130 to the line 106 previously referred to, is operable when opened to communicate line pressure through line 132, shuttle valve 134, and line 136 to open the normally closed threeway air actuated valve 138. Air from inlet line 140 is admitted through the valve 138 and flow regulator 142, adjustable pressure regulator 144 and lines 146 and 148 to expansible chamber 149 defined in the pressure cylinder 42. The cylinder 42 includes a rod 150 connected to piston 152, and an adjustable bleed valve 154 vents air discharge from chamber 153 to dampen the piston advance at the extended end of the stroke.

As the cotrol has thus far been described, actuation of control button 104 admits air initially to the life cylinder 52 which elevates the lift arm 22 to bring head 18 into vertical registry over the buck 14. At this position when the cylinder port 124 is uncovered, line pressure is admitted to the pressure cylinder 42 to bias head 18 against the buck 14. Release of the button 104 would vent both cylinders and permit the lift and pressure arms to return to the retracted position of FIG. 2. To prevent the simultaneous movement of the arms, which might for example shear the head 18 against the buck as well as to lock the head closed, a locking control is included.

The locking control is connected to port take-off line 126 from the lift cylinder 52 and includes a three-way normally closed valve 162 having a manual actuating button 164 connected by lines and 166 with a one-way check valve 168. Upon depression of button 164, the pressure from port take-off line 126 is admitted through the oneway check valve 168 to cause a pressure buildup in line 170. This pressure in line 170 opens the three-way normally closed air actuated valve 172 to direct air from inlet line 174 through lines 176 and 136 and the opposite side of shuttle valve 134 to maintain valve 138 opened and the pressure arm power cylinder 42 extended. Similarly, line 170 connects through shuttle valve 180, line 182, one-way check valve 184, restriction 186, lines 188 and 190 and the opposite side of shuttle valve 108 to maintain the valve 110 opened and the lift arm power cylinder 52 extended.

In addition, line 192 from line 188 is directed through normally closed mechanically actuated valve 194 previously mentioned, which is held open by lever 86 in all positions except when head 18 is against or extremely close to the buck 14 incident to the actual pressing position. Since valve 194 is open until the press is closed, therecannot be a pressure buildup in the locking circuit to lock the press closed. In other words, if an obstacle such as an operators hand were confined between the press head 18 and the buck 14 to prohibit the complete closing of the press, the press would not be locked closed and the release of either

button

104 or 164 would separate the head and buck.

Normally closed relief valve 198 is provided in line 170 of the locking control and includes a manual actuating button 199. Upon depression of button 199, line 170 is vented to open valve 172 which in turn opens valve 136 and vents the pressuer arm power cylinder 42 to separate the press head from the buck. The one-way check 184 maintains pressure on valve 110 to holdthe lift arm raised until the head is elevated off the buck, at which time, valve 194 opens to vent lines 192 to .open the valve. 110 and vent lift arm power cylinder 52. However, because of the throttling effect that occurs in the valve 194, the lift arm power cylinder 52 will not be vented until there is suflicient separation of the head from the buck to preclude the possibility of shearing the head against the buck as the head is retracted.

While only a single embodiment has been disclosed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made therefrom without departing from the inventive concept.

What is claimed is:

1. A garment pressing machine comprising in combination a frame, a buck supported on the frame and presenting an upwardly disposed pressing surface, a lift arm pivoted to the frame along a horizontal axis disposed vertically below the buck, upper stop means between the frame and lift arm operable when engaged to orient the lift arm in an elevated position, a pressure arm pivoted to the lift arm at a location thereon when the lift arm is in the elevated position that is disposed in generally horizontal alignment with the buck, a head having a downwardly disposed pressing surface adapted to cooperate with the buck pressing surface and being secured to the pressure arm, said pressure arm being adapted, when the lift arm is in the elevated position, to pivot relative to the lift arm between a pressing position whereat the head pressing surface engages the buck pressing surface and a nonpressing position whereat the head is elevated above the buck with sufficient nominal clearance to pivot the lift arm rearwardly from the elevated position to a lowered position where the head is out of vertical registry with the buck, stops between the lift and pressure arms operable when engaged to orient the pressure arm in the nonpressing position relative to the lift arm, actuating means including a power cylinder disposed between the lift arm and frame operable to shift the lift arm between its lowered and elevated positions, and actuating means including a power cylinder disposed between the lift and pressure arms operable to shift the pressure arm between its pressing and nonpressing positions.

2. A garment pressing machine according to claim 1, wherein the upper stop is adjustable to provide for proper orientation of the head and buck in the pressing position.

3. A garment pressing machine according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means includes a control having a prevents the shifting of the pressure arm from its nonpressing position to its pressing position except when the lift arm is in its elevated position.

4. A garment pressing machine according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means includes a control that precludes the shifting of the lift arm from its elevated position to its lower position except when the pressure arm is in its nonpressing position.

5. A garment pressing machine according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means includes a control having a first valve that must be opened in order to pressurize both power cylinders and move the head into pressing engagement with the buck, and having a second valve that must simultaneously be opened with the first valve and having a limit device that must sense the pressing engagement of the head with the buck in .order to lock the head in said pressing engagement.

6. A garment pressing machine according to claim 5, wherein the limit device includes a valve located between lift and pressure arms which is actuated only when said head actually is within a predetermined distance of the buck and which otherwise is in the opposite condition.

7. A garment pressing machine comprising in combination a frame, a buck supported on the frame, a lift arm pivoted to the frame, upper stop means between the frame and lift arm operable when engaged to orient the lift arm in an elevated position, a pressure arm pivoted to the lift arm, a head secured to the pressure arm, said pressure arm being adapted, when the lift arm is in the elevated position, to pivot relative to the lift arm between a pressing position whereat the head engages the buck and a nonpressing position whereat the head is elevated off the buck with sutficient nominal clearance to pivot the lift arm from the elevated position to a lowered position where the head is out of registry with the buck, actuating means including a power cylinder disposed between the lift arm and frame operable to shift the lift arm between its lowered and elevated positions, and actuating means including a power cylinder disposed between the lift and pressure arms. operable to shift the pressure arm between its pressing and nonpressing positions.

8. A garment pressing machine according to claim 7, wherein second stop means are disposed between the lift and pressure arms operable when engaged to orient the pressure arm in the nonpressing position relative to the lift arm.

9. A garment pressing machine, comprising a frame, a buck supported on the frame, a lift arm pivoted to the frame, lift arm power cylinder means between the frame and the lift arm operable to move the lift arm between an elevated position and a lowered position, a pressure arm pivoted to the lift arm, a head adapted to cooperate with the buck and secured to the pressure arm, pressure arm power cylinder means between the lift and pressure arms operable to move the pressure arm between a pressing position and a nonpressing position, the head being in registry with the buck when the lift arm is in the elevated position and out of registry with the buck when the lift arm is in the lowered position and further the head engaging the buck when the lift arm is in the 7 elevated position and the pressure arm is in the pressing position and being spaced from the buck when the pressure arm is in the nonpressing position, and control means to operate the pressure arm power cylinder means for moving the pressure arm between the pressing and nonpressing positions only when the lift arm is in or proximate the elevated position and to operate the lift arm power cylinder means for moving the lift arm between the elevated and lowered positions only when the pressure arm is in or proximate the nonpressing position.

10. A garment pressing machine according to claim 9, wherein the pressure arm power cylinder means includes a piston and opposing expansible chambers defined on the opposite side thereof, and wherein an adjustable restricted outlet is provided from the deflating chamber for dampening the piston advance near the end of its stroke operable to minimize impact of the head against the buck.

11. A garment pressing machine according to claim 9, wherein a control is provided to hold the head in ressing engagement against the buck, said holding control including a button that must be manually depressed and a limit device that is actuated when the head is proximate the buck, and wherein the limit device and button must simultaneously be actuated before the button can be released in order to operate the holding control.

12. A garment pressing machine according to claim 9, wherein the lift arm power cylinder means includes a piston that traverses a port in the cylinder means wall when the lift arm is proximate the elevated position, and wherein means respond to the port being traversed to operate the pressure arm power cylinder means.

13. A garment pressing machine according to claim 9, wherein a shock absorbing mechanism is connected between the lift arm and frame and operates to eliminate shock of the lift arm as it approaches the elevated and lowered positions.

14. A garment pressing machine according to claim 9, wherein a spring connected between the lift and pressure arms normally biases the pressure arms to its nonpressing position.

15. A garment pressing machine according to claim 14, wherein stop means are located between the lift and pressure arms and determine when engaged the nonpressing position of the pressure arm.

16. A garment pressing machine according to claim 9, wherein upper stops means are formed between the frame and the lift arm to determine when engaged the elevated position of the lift arm for orienting the head in registry with the buck.

17. A garment pressing machine according to claim 16, wherein a spring connected between the lift arm and frame normally biases the lift arm toward its elevated position.

18. A garment pressing machine according to claim 16, wherein a control is provided to hold the head in pressing engagement against the buck, said holding control including a button that must be manually depressed and a valve that is closed when the head is proximate the buck, and wherein the valve must be closed and the button must simultaneously be actuated before the button can be released in order to operate the holding control.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,748,539 2/1930 Clarke 3835 1,763,648 6/1930 Davis 3835 1,865,238 6/1932 Davis 3835 2,728,152 12/1955 Campbell 3835 0 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,490,159 January 20, 1970 David L. Radford et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shovm below:

Column 5, line 9, "having a" should read that Signed and sealed this 23rd day of June 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, 1

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Pater Attesting Officer