GB677210A - Improvements in or relating to garment presses and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

677,210. Ironing-presses. UNITED STATES HOFFMAN MACHINERY CORPORATION. Oct. 18, 1950 [Nov. 29, 1949], No. 25365/50. Class 138 (ii). A garment press having co-operative pressing elements comprises a garment supporting buck and a relatively movable head carried by a, yoke pivotally mounted with respect to the buck and operable through the intervention of a fluidactuated motor comprising a piston and cylinder, whereof the piston is movable in two distinct stages under different degrees of fluid pressure, first to close the elements to a predetermined nearness and then to complete the movement thereof to apply a heavy pressure to a treated garment, motion transmitting mechanism co-operatively connected to the piston and yoke for closing the elements, pressure control mechanism including a regulating valve which is normally conditioned to supply fluid from the pressure fluid source to a manually-closed intake valve for the motor at a predetermined reduced pressure to close the press to the predetermined point, and a locking device operable in response to the near approach of the elements to lock the intake valve in open position, and normally inoperable actuating mechanism for the pressure regulating mechanism which is manually operable after the operation of the locking means to supply fluid at a selected higher pressure to the intake valve and motor, whereby the final closing of the press is accomplished under heavy pressure. In the arrangement shown, a head lever is moved to close the press, by a pivotally connected link 16 having a cam roller 20 which is movable through a scroll cam 21 by means of a fluid motor 23. An adjustable pressure regulating valve 31 delivers air from a supply line 30 to valves 32 and 34, through lines 33 and 33<SP>1</SP> at a minimum adjusted pressure, corresponding to that required for the initial closing operation of the press. The valve 31 is normally locked in the adjusted position by means of a notch 47 on a rack 45, which engages a pin 48 on a handle 35 against a spring-loaded plunger 50 of an adjustment lock cylinder 51. The valve 32, which includes a normally closed intake port, a normally open exhaust port and a diaphragm chamber 28 acting to maintain the intake port open when the diaphragm is subjected to fluid pressure, is actuated by a handle 52 to operate the motor 23 from line 33 to substantially close the press. Valve 34, which is normally closed, is then opened, through movement of a rod 59 pivotally connected to the head lever to allow air from line 33<SP>1</SP> to flow through a needle valve 65 to chamber 28, to the lock valve 51 and to a normally closed exhaust valve 70. Valve 32 is then locked in the open position to allow the handle 52 to be released by the operator. The valve 51 operates to unlock the handle 35 and to engage the rack 45 with a pawl 69 to permit through downward movement of handle 35 by means of handle 36, a desired degree of opening of valve 31 and application of final pressure to the motor 23. The press is opened by a return spring, upon actuation of valve 70 which exhausts the chamber 28, valve 51 and motor 23.