US2775020A - Conditioning apparatus for woven fabric and the like - Google Patents

Description

J. T. BOYES Dec. 25, 1956 CONDITIONING APPARATUS FOR WOVEN FABRIC AND THE LIKE Filed May 26, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.'- JOHN T. BOYES BYP- M Ma, amen/@9025 AT 'YS .1- T. BOYES Dec. 25, 1956 CONDITIONING APPARATUS FOR WOVEN FABRIC AND THE LIKE Filed May 26, 1953 heats-Sheet 2 INVENTORJ- JOH N T BOYES BY.- WM, @oox/ o ATT'YS J. T. BOYES Dec. 25, 1956 CONDITIONING APPARATUS FOR WOVEN FABRIC AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 26, 1955 oh Oh INVENTOR.' JOHN BOYES ATT'Ys United States PatentO CoNDITIoNiNG APPARATUS FOR WOVEN FABRIC AND THE LIKE John T. Boyes, Quincy, 111.

Application May 26, 1953, Serial No. 357,523

12 Claims. ((31. 2668) The present invention relates in general to the conditioning of curtains and draperies after dry-cleaning to restore the original size and shape thereof and to revive the original sheen or finish of the curtain or drapery material, the invention having more particular reference to improved apparatus for supporting, steaming, stretching, shaping, and aerating drapery and curtain material in order to recondition and rejuvenate the same following dry-cleaning thereof.

Drapery and curtain materials usually lose their original size, shape, and finish or sheen when subjected to dry-cleaning procedures, and an important object of the present invention is to provide for the restoration of drapery and curtain materials to desired size and shape, and the revival of the original finish thereof after drycleaning; a further object being to provide suitable apparatus operable to so recondition curtain and drapery materials; a still further'object being to provide improved apparatus in which drapery and curtain materials may be mounted and stretched to desired size and shape while being exposed to the action of live steam, and including means operable to dry the stretched material after the same has been steamed.

Another important object of the invention is to provide improved means for clamping panels of drapery or curtain material in conditioning mechanism of the character mentioned; a further object being to provide improved pneumatically operable clamping mechanism adapted to be quickly and easily disposed in clamping position and as readily retracted to inactive position entirely clear of the clamped material; a still further object being to provide a drapery clamp comprising a clamping bar disposed in position to clampingly engage an end of a panel of drapery or curtain material, pneumatically operable clamping means adapted quickly and easily to be disposed in position to clampingly press upon the clamping. bar and as readily to be retracted to inactive position, entirely clear of saidbar, and means for rockingly suspending the clamping bar so 'that it also may be rocked to inactive position outwardly of and entirely clear of material previously clamped thereby.

Another important object resides in providing a pair of spaced apart clamps suitably supported on a frame and adapted to clampingly engage the opposite ends of panels of drapery or curtain material, including means driving the pinion in order to shift said clamp on the frame.

Another important object is to provide improved means for applying live steam to panels of drapery or curtain material; a further object being to employ a plurality of spaced apart steam pipes having spaced apart outlet openings therein, 'said pipes extending-between" r 2,775,020 Patented Dec.-25, 1956 ICC 2 spaced apart headers interconnecting the opposite ends of the pipes, a layer of foraininous material overlying said pipes, the means for suspending drapery or curtain fmate'r'ial to'b'e treated above the screen to thereby expose the same substantially uniformly to steam delivered from said pipes through the screen.

Another important object is to provide apparatus of the character mentioned comprising an elongated, preferably rectangular frame, stationary clamping means mounted. on the frame at one end thereof, movable clamping means mounted on the frame for longitudinal movement thereon toward and away from the stationary clamping means, steam emitting means extending in said frame between the opposite ends thereof in position to apply steam upon fabric panels stre'tchingly secured to and extending between the stationary and movable clamping means; a further object being to provide means on the frame, preferably at one end thereof, in position to emit dry air longitudinally of the frame toward the opposite end thereof beneath drapery material secured to and stretched between the stationary and movable clamping means another object being to provide improved frame supporting pedestals at the opposite ends of the frame and on which the frame is tiltingly mounted; yet a further object being, to employ a single upright pedestal at each end of the frame, the pedestal providing pivotal support for mounting the frame for tilting movement about a pivot axle on one side of the center of gravity thereof, the frame providing also an upwardly facing support bearing spaced from said axle in position to engage the frame substantially at or adjacent the longitudinal axis through the center of gravity thereof and preferably on the side of said axis remote from said axle.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. his a top view of drapery forming apparatus embodying the present invention; and

Figs. 2 and 3 respectively are side and end views of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1'.

To illustrate the invention the drawings show apparatus for conditioning woven'fabric and the like, especially drapery fabric and curtain materials, by steaming, stretching, and drying the fabric in stretched condition, said apparatus comprising an elongated frame 11 of preferably rectangular configuration having spaced apart longitudinally extending side members 12 and 12, and transversely extending end members 13 and 13 respectively forming the front and rear sides and the head and foot ends of the frame. While the members 12, 12', 13, and 13"may have any suitable or preferred form, the same respectively may comprise longitudinally extending metal channels and transversely extending tubes,

thetubes extending between the opposite ends of the channels -and; being secured thereto in any suitable fashion, as by means of bolts 14 penetrating the webs of the channels and havingthreaded engagement in elongated steam headers 16 and '16 extending transversely substantially entirely across the frame between the longitudinal frame members 12 and 12'. The header 16 is preferably disposed inwardly of and closely adjacent the end member 13 at the head of the frame, while the header 16 may be disposed inwardly of the end member 13 at the foot of the frame, The opposite ends of the headers 16 and 16 may be provided with embossments 17 carrying threaded stems 18 fitted with nuts 19. Means 20 is provided for securing the stems 18 on the side members 12. The facing sides of the headers 16 and 16 may be provided with a plurality of spaced apart bosses 21 threaded for the reception of pipe couplings 22 whereby steam pipes 23 may be secured each at the opposite ends thereof respectively in registering bosses 21 of the headers 16 and 16'.

The pipes 23, accordingly, will extend longitudinally of the frame 11 in spaced apart preferably parallel sideby-side relationship. Each of the steam pipes 23 at intervals therein may be formed with lateral perforations 24 providing nozzles through which steam may be emitted upwardly of the pipes. A steam condensate collecting pan 25 preferably of generally rectangular shape and sized to extend substantially between the headers 16 and 16 and between the side members 12 and 12 of the frame, may be secured at its opposite ends upon the headers 16 and 16' in position extending beneath the pipes 23. In this connection, the pan 25 may be provided with upstanding end walls 26 formed with perforations for receiving the couplings 22 whereby the end walls 26 may be secured to the headers 16 and 16 at the bosses 21 by the couplings 22. The pan 25 may also be formed with upstanding side walls 27 having extensions at the opposite ends thereof disposed in alinement with the end embossments 17 of the headers 16 and 16', said extensions of the walls 27 being perforated for the accommodation of the stems 18 whereby the opposite ends of the walls 27 may be clampingly secured to the headers 16 and 16' by and between the embossments 17 and the nuts 19.

The bottom of the pan 25 may be and preferably is slightly inclined downwardly toward a condensate drain 28 formed therein at any convenient location, said bottom, as shown, being thus inclined downwardly toward .the head end of the frame, adjacent the header 16, the pan bottom preferably being also downwardly inclined transversely of the frame as toward itsrearward member 12,; and the pan bottom may be provided with the drain 28 at the lowermost portion thereof, as at the pan-corner adjacent the header 16 and the frame member 12.

The headers 16 and 16' may also be provided with bottoms downwardly inclined toward one side of the frame. 11, the header bottoms being thus inclined downwardly toward the rear side 12 of the frame and provided with condensate drains 28. Suitable drainage valves or removable plugs may be provided for opening the drains 28 and 28 at desired intervals for; the removal of accumulated liquid. The upper edges: of the side walls 26 and 27 of the condensate pan 25 may lie substantially in acommon plane with-the tops-of the headers 16 and 16', and a sheet 29 of foraminous material may be applied in position covering the open top of the condensate pan, such sheet extending above and in position overlying the pipes 23. In order to strengthen and rigidity the pam 25, the. same may be provided with transversely extending rods 30 disposed in parallel spaced-apart relationship and secured at the opposite ends thereof tothe opposite side walls 27 of the pan, said rods 30-being secured to the upper edges of the pan side walls 27 in position extending above and resting upon the pipes 23, the medial portions of the foraminous layer 29 being supported on the transverse rods 30. The layer 29 may comprise any s t le o rr d ami usm t ria uchs Carpe w r m sh. r, s re m terial:

coveringthe foraminous layer 29. The cover sheet-31,

A. tQP cov r af wov tt bri heeti 3. .In v e pplie zin p i u if desired, may extend at its opposite ends in position overlying and enclosing the headers 16 and 16'.

A transversely extending dependant bracket 32 may be mounted on the frame 11, as on the longitudinal side members 12 and 12' thereof, at the head end of the frame, in position to support an air blower 33 beneath the medial portions of the header 16, the air blower having a fanlike discharge nozzle 34 extending between the frame member 13 and the header 16. .The nozzle 34 may open immediately above the header 16 in a direction facing in the longitudinal direction of the frame and away from the head end thereof. If desired, the intake side of the blower 33 may be connected with means for supplying heated air to the blower, in order to deliver warm air through the nozzle 34.

Suitable means 35 may be provided for mounting panels of drapery or curtain material upon the frame 11 in position extending above the steam structure 15 and above the air delivery nozzle 34, so that the so mounted material may be exposed to the action of steam and also to the action of air delivered through the nozzle 34-. In that connection the mounting means 35 may provide for clamping the opposite ends of the panels of curtain or drapery material and for stretching said panels on the frame 11 above the steaming table 15.

To these ends the mounting means 35 may comprise a pair of preferably identical clamping structures 36 and 36, the one mounted as at the head end of the frame adjacent the header 1.6, and the other mounted upon a shiftable carriage 37 supported on the frame 11 and movable longitudinally of the frame members 12 and 12. The carriage 37 may comprise a pair of brackets 38 and 38 respectively mountedupon the front and rear side members 12 and 12' of the frame. Each bracket may comprise a side plate portion 49 adapted to overlie the outwardly facing side ,of the longitudinal frame member 12 or 12' on, whichit is mounted and a top plate portion 41 adapted to overlie the upwardly facing side of such longitudinal frame member. Theplate portion 40 of each bracket may be formed with a pair of spaced apart brackets 42 carrying wheels 42.-adjacent the opposite ends of the bracket in position to rollingly engage track forming meanson the frame member, whereby to support the brackets 38 and 38' each for movement longitudinally of its corresponding frame members 12 and 12', said track forming means conveniently comprising the lowermost flanges of the channels forming the longitudinal frame members.

The side plate portions 40 of the brackets 38 and 38' extend downwardly of the members 12 and 12' on which said brackets are mounted; and the brackets may be rigidly interconnected by. meansof transverse members extending therebetween and secured thereto above as well as below the members 12 and, 12f, so that the brackets 38. and 38' and the transverse members secured thereto may form a rigid frame structure comprising the carriage 37 longitudinally. movable on the frame. To this end, a transverse member 43 may be secured at its 0ppositeends uponthe top plate portions 41 of the brackets 38 and 38' in position extending transversely of the frame 11 above the steaming table 15. This transverse member 43 preferably comprises a metal channel secured on the brackets .38 and 38' in any suitable .or preferred fashion, as bymeans of. the bolts44; If desired, an additional transverse niember or 'm'embers'may be secured on the plate portions41iof thebracketsr3ls and 3.8. in position extending ahoyethe steaming table 15 in order to rigidity, the carriage structure .37, although in the illustrated embodiment, only a single transverse member 43 is shown in position extending above the steaming table structure.

The carriage structure 3.7,,h0wever may also include a Pair fdr ng l f s 4.5...au f46 xtending ran versely 9f a ihene th the-t am ll sai u hafts h ingsec at ei ppo i en s suitabl ljqurrials:fonne on th plate portions 40. of the brackets 38 and38'. The shaft together.

46 may carry a pair of gears 47 drivingly secured thereon, at the opposite ends thereof, in position to engage driving pinions secured on the shaft 45 in registration with the gears 47. One end of the shaft 45 may extend outwardly of the bracket 38, at the front side of the frame, and may carry a manually operable hand wheel 49, accessible from the front side of the frame, for the purpose of turning the shaft 45 and thus turn the shaft 46 through the pinions and gears 47. The shaft 46 may carry a pair of pinions 50 and 50 thereon in position each respectively disposed beneath a corresponding one of the frame members 12 and 12', said pinions being drivingly connected each with a corresponding rack 51 mounted on the under side of the associated frame members 12 and 12'. It will be seen that the shafts 45 and 46 comprise transverse frame members interconnecting the brackets 38 and 38' beneath the frame 11 and steam table structure 15, whereby to strengthen and rigidify the carriage structure 37. If desired, additional transverse members may be mounted between and interconnected with the plate portions 40 of the brackets 38 and 38.

It will be seen from the foregoing that, by manipulating the driving wheel 49, the carriage 37 may be moved longitudinally of the frame 11 by the powerful driving action of the gears, racks and pinions 47, 50 and 51. Accordingly, the spacement between the frame mounted clamping mechanism 36 and the carriage mounted, clamping mechanism 36' may be adjusted at will. As a consequence, panels of drapery or curtain material, secured at the opposite ends thereof in the clamping structures 36 and 36, may be stretched to any desired extent by adjusting the spaccment of the structures 36 and 36' by operation of the driving wheel 49. Manually operable carriage latching means may also be provided for securing the carriage in any desired adjusted position longitudinally of the frame 11. To this end a stub shaft 52 may be mounted in a suitable bearing formed in the plate portion 40 of the bracket 38 adjacent the driving wheel 49, said stub shaft being movable longitudinally in its bearing and carrying an operating knob in position exposed outwardly of the plate portion 40 at the front side of the frame 11. Inwardly of the plate portion 40 the stub shaft 52 may be formed for selective interlocking engagement with the teeth of the rack 51 so that, by operating the shaft mounted handle outwardly of the plate portion 40, the carriage structure 37 may be either anchored in longitudinally adjusted position on the frame 11, or may be released for movement longitudinally of the frame.

The clamping structures 36 and 36' may be of identical construction, the structure 36 being mounted and supported entirely upon the transversely extending carriage frame member 43. The clamping structure 36, however, may be mounted and supported upon the frame 11, as at the head end thereof. As shown, the clamping structure 36 may be mounted upon a transverse support member 43', which may comprise a metal channel identical to the member 43, the member 43' being mounted as by means of bolts 44' upon the frame members 12 at the head end of the frame 11, immediately above the. end member 13. Each of the structures 36 and 36' may comprise a clamping member 53 secured upon one of the transverse mounting members 43 or 43, said clamping member 53 preferably comprising an elongated bar of wood enclosed and enveloped preferably in padded fabric and secured upon the mounting member 43 or 43 as by means of fastening screws applied from the under side of and through the mounting member and into the member 53.

Each clamping structure 36 and 36' also may include a clamping member 54 adapted to extend vertically above its cooperating member 53 in position to clampingly secure panels of drapery or curtain material between the members 53 and 54 when the same are clampingly pressed The clamping member 54, like the member 53, may comprise a bar of wood enclosed in paddedfabric and movably mountedon a pair of spaced apart clamping elements 55. 7

Each clamping element 55 may comprise a preferably cylindrical upright support 56 secured at one end in a flanged support member 57, the member 57, in turn, being secured on a mounting bracket 58 fastened to the transverse mounting beam 43 or 43'. A mounting clamp 59 may be secured adjustably at a desired elevation upon the lower portions of the upright support 56, in each of the clamp srtuctures 55, the bracket 59 carrying a plate 60 secured thereto and formed with an -L-shaped slot 61. A pair of spaced apart brackets 62 may be fastened to the bar 54 inwardly of the opposite ends thereof. These brackets 62 may be formed each with a pin portion 63 in position extending in the slot 61 of a corresponding bracket plate 60. The clamp bar 54, accordingly, will be free for vertical movement with respect to the cooperating bar 53, such movement being guided. by the pins 63 moving in the vertical portions of the L-shaped slots 61. The bar 54 also may be rotated upwardly and away from the bar 53, while the pins 63 are disposed at the lower ends of the slots 61, into retracted position resting against the upright members 56. When in such position the bar 54 may be substantially latched by gravity action through movement of the pins 63 to the ends of the horizontal portions of the slots 61 remote from the uprights 56. When in such retracted position, the bar 54 of course will be disposed in outwardly offset position with respect to the lower clamping bar 53, thereby facilitating the application of drapery or curtain material upon the lower clamping bar 53. To aid in moving the shiftable clamp bar 54 between retracted and active positions, the same may be, and preferably is, provided with a pair of handles 64.

The upper end of each support member 56 may also carry a clamp 65 which may be vertically adjustable thereon. Said clamp may carry a collar 66 turnably mounted thereon and supporting an outstanding arm 67. The arm 67, in turn, may carry preferably pneumatic clamping means comprising a cylinder 68 and enclosed piston connected with an axial stem 69, projecting outwardly of the cylinder, at the lower end thereof, in position to engage with the clamping bar 54 when the same is in active clamping position vertically above the cooperating clamp bar 53. By virtue of the turning action of the sleeve 66 on the clamp 65, it will be obvious that; the clamping means 68 may be disposed in active posi-- tion, in vertical alinement above the clamping bars 53 and 54, or may be swung to inactive position entirely offset with respect to said clamping bars.

The arrangement, whereby the clamping means 68, a well as the clamping bar 54, may be disposed in retracted position entirely offset with respect to the clamping bar 53, is an important feature of the present invention, since it allows complete freedom of access within the space above the lower clamping bar 53, when the upper bar 54 and the clamping means 68 are in retracted position, thereby greatly facilitating the disposition of drapery and curtain material in position to be clamped upon the lower clamping bar. After material to be clamped has thus been positioned, the upper clamping bar 54 and cooperating clamping device 68 may be quickly and easily projected to active clamping position.

A flexible air hose 70 may be provided for connecting each of the cylinder devices 68 with a suitable source of compressed air for the operation of the clamping means 55. To this end means may be provided for communicating the hose 70, through the hollow column 56,

the support collar 57 and the bracket 58, with an air supply pipe 70' which extends within the channel 43 or 43'. The supply pipe 70 may be connected with both of the flexible conduits 70- as at the junction of the brackets 58 with the channel members 43 or 4.3, supply pipe 70' extending thence to the end of the channel member at the front side of the frame... A manually operable valve 71 for controlling the operation of the clamping devices 55 may be connected in the supply pipe 70' in position readily accessible for operation at the front side of the frame 11. From the valve 71 the air supply pipe 70' may extend within the channel 43 or 43' to the opposite or back side of the frame, and may there be connected, as at 72, with suitable, preferably flexible, conduit means for supplying air under pressure for the operation of the clamps 55 under the control of the valve means 71.

In operation, a panel or panels of drapery or curtain material may first be arranged in position and clamped, at the opposite ends thereof, between the bar members 53 and 54 of the clamping structures 36 and 36, by operation of the clamp control valves 71. Steam may then be delivered into the headers 16 and 16' and the connected pipes 23 of the steam table, through a steam supply line 73 which may be connected with either of the headers, the supply line being preferably connected with the header 16 at the foot end of the frame 11. The supply line 73 may include a control valve 74 adapted for manual operation, as by means of a movable rod connected with the valve and extending thence to the front side of the frame 11, the rod being provided with a manually operable handle accessible to the operator of the equipment at the front side of the frame.

By operation of the valve 74, steam may be admitted to the pipes 23 and disseminated thence through the nozzle openings 24 and through the foraminous screen 29 and the screen cover 31, to thereby permeate the drapery or curtain fabric panels, mounted in the clamps 36 and 36', substantially uniformly with steam, and thus relax the fibers of the fabric to permit the same to be stretched. After the fabric material has been steamed during a desired interval, the handle 49 may be turned in order to move the carriage 37 in a direction to separate the clamp 36' from the clamp 36 and thus stretch the clamped drapery or curtain material to a desired extent.

After the clamped fabric material has thus been extended to a desired length between the clamps 36 and 36, the supply of steam to the headers and pipes 23 may be cut off by closing the valve 74, after which the blower 33 may be actuated, as by electrically energizing a blower connected driving motor through operation of a suitable switch in the motor energizing circuit. Opera.- tion of the blower, of course, will direct a current of dry and, if desired, warm air through the nozzle 34 and beneath the material, in stretched condition between the clamps 36 and 36, to thereby dry the steamed fibers of the material. When the material has become dry, operation of the blower 33 may be discontinued, the clamps 36 and 36 may be released, and the dried, stretched and reconditioned drapery material removed from the equipment.

Any suitable or preferred means may of course be provided for mounting and supporting the frame 11 and the apparatus mounted thereon in desired operating position. Since, however, the frame 11 is of relatively large area as compared with its thickness, and since the equipment is adapted to be used intermittently, the present invention contemplates the provision of relatively simple and inexpensive means for mounting the frame, at will, either in horizontal operating position or in an inactive position extending substantially in a vertical plane, so that the equipment will occupy a minimum of useful floor space when not in use.

To this end, the frame 11 may be mounted upon spaced pedestals 75, one at each of the opposite ends of the frame. The pedestals 75 may each comprise an upright tubular member fitted with a base plate 7d at one end, and a cap plate 77 at the other. I Suitable means may be provided for anchoring the base plate on a supporting structure, such as the floor on which the apparatus is mounted for use. The capplate, on one side of the upright member 75, may be formed with an upstanding bracket carrying a pivot pin 78. A mounting clamp 79 may be securely, yet detachably fastened upon each of the end members 13 and 13 of the frame 11. Each of the clamps 79 may thus be applied upon the member 13 or 13' on one side of the longitudinal center line 80 of the frame structure, which center line comprises .an axis extending substantially through the center of gravity of the structure. Each of the clamps 79 is pivotally mounted upon the pivot pin 78 of its corresponding pedestal 75 whereby the frame 11 may be swung on the pivot pins 78 to a vertical position by elevating the front side of the frame, while lowering the rear side thereof.

The cap plate 77, on the side of the upright 75, remote from the pin 78, may be provided with an upstanding pillow member 31, secured on the plate 77, in any suitable or preferred fashion, and providing an upwardly facing pocket adapted to bearingly receive the side of the associated end member 13 or 13', when the same is in horizontal position, to thereby support the frame 11 in horizontal operating position on the member 81 and the pivot pins it; of the spaced pedestals '75, the pillow members 81 and pins 78 being preferably disposed in position to engage the members 13 and 13 on opposite sides of the center line 80.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein disclosed being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. in a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material on said frame in position for exposure to a fabric conditioning medium, said carrying means including fabric clamping means on said frame, at one end thereof, for gripping fabric to be conditioned, a carriage shiftable on said frame toward and away from said clamping means, a fabric clamp on said carriage for clampingly gripping the fabric to be conditioned, fluid operated clamp actuating means on said carriage, including conduit and control valve means for supplying fluid under pressure for the operation of said actuating means, means for shifting said carriage on said frame to stretch said material between said fabric clamp and said clamping means during exposure thereof to the conditioning medium, and means operable to dry out the material after exposure thereof to said medium.

2. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said carrying means comprising an elongated clamping member supported transversely of the frame, a cooperating clamping bar, and support means selectively positionable to mount the bar in active position for parallel clamping movement, toward and away from said clamping member along a guided path, and to carry said bar in inactive position offset outwardly of said path, and thrust means operable upon said bar when in active position for pressing the same toward said clamping member.

3. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said carrying means comprising an elongated clamping member supported transversely of the frame, a cooperating clamping bar, and

, together.

46 may carry a pair of gears 47 drivingly secured thereon, at the opposite ends thereof, in position to engage driving pinions secured on the shaft 45 in registration with the gears 47. One end of the shaft 45 may extend outwardly of the bracket 38, at the front side of the frame, and may carry a manually operable hand wheel 49, accessible from the front side of the frame, for the purpose of turning the shaft 45 and thus turn the shaft 46 through the pinions and gears 47. The shaft 46 may carry a pair of pinions 50 and 50 thereon in position each respectively disposed beneath a corresponding one of the frame members 12 and 12, said pinions being drivingly connected each with a corresponding rack 51 mounted on the under side of the associated frame members 12 and 12. It will be seen that the shafts 45 and 46 comprise transverse frame members interconnecting the brackets 33 and 38' beneath the frame 11 and steam table structure 15, whereby to strengthen and rigidify the carriage structure 37. If desired, additional transverse members may be mounted between and interconnected with the plate porions 40 of the brackets 38 and 38.

It will be seen from the foregoing that, by manipulating the driving wheel 49, the carriage 37 may be moved longitudinally of the frame 11 by the powerful driving action of the gears, racks and pinions 47, 50 and 51. Accordingly, the spacement between the frame mounted clamping mechanism 36 and the carriage mounted clamping mechanism 36' may be adjusted at will. As a consequence, panels of drapery or curtain material, secured at the opposite ends thereof in the clamping structures 36 and 36, may be stretched to any desired extent by adjusting the spacement of the structures 36 and 36' by operation of the driving wheel 49. Manually operable carriage latching means may also be provided for securing the carriage in any desired adjusted position longitudinally of the frame 11. To this end a stub shaft 52 may be mounted in a suitable bearing formed in the plate portion 40 of the bracket 38 adjacent the driving wheel 49, said stub shaft being movable longitudinally in its bearing and carrying an operating knob in position exposed outwardly of the plate portion 40 at the front side of the frame 11. Inwardly of the plate portion 40 the stub shaft 52 may be formed for selective interlocking engagement with the teeth of the rack 51 so that, by operating the shaft mounted handle outwardly of the plate portion 40, the carriage structure 37 may be either anchored in longitudinally adjusted position on the frame 11, or may be released for movement longitudinally of the frame.

The clamping structures 36 and 36' may be of identical construction, the structure 36' being mounted and supported entirely upon the transversely extending carriage frame member 43. The clamping structure 36, however, may be mounted and supported upon the frame 11, as at the head end thereof. As shown, the clamping structure 36 may be mounted upon a transverse support member 43', which may comprise a metal channel identical to the member 43, the member 43' being mounted as by means of bolts 44' upon the frame members 12 at the head end of the frame 11, immediately above the end member 13. Each of the structures 36 and 36' may comprise a clamping member 53 secured upon one of the 'of and through the mounting member and into the member 53.

Each clamping structure 36 and 36 also may include a clamping member 54 adapted to extend vertically above its cooperating member 53 in position to clampingly secure panels of drapery or curtain material between'the members 53 and 54 when the same are clampingly pressed The clamping member 54, like the member 53, may" comprise a bar of wood enclosedin paddedfabric and movably mounted on a pair of spaced apart clamping elements 55. I p

Each clamping element 55 may comprise a preferably cylindrical upright support 56 secured at one end in a flanged support member 57, the member 57, in turn, being secured on a mounting bracket 58 fastened to the transverse mounting beam 43 or 43'. A mounting clamp 59 may be secured adjustably at a desired elevation upon the lower portions of the upright support56, in each of the clamp srtuctures 55, the bracket 59 carrying a plate 6i) secured thereto and formed with an L-shaped slot 61. A pair of spaced apart brackets 62 may be fastened to the bar 54 inwardly of the opposite ends thereof. These brackets 62 may be formed each with a pin portion 63 in position extending in the slot 61 of a corresponding bracket plate 60. The clamp bar 54, accordingly, will be free for vertical movement with respect to the cooperating bar 53, such movement being guided by the pins 63 moving in the vertical portions of the L-shaped slots 61. The bar 54 also may be rotated upwardly and away from the bar 53, while the pins 63 are disposed at the lower ends of the slots 61, into retracted position resting against the upright members 56. When in such position the bar 54 may be substantially latched by gravity action through movement of the pins 63 to the ends of the horizontal portions of the slots 61 remote from the uprights 56. When in such retracted position, the bar 54 of course will be disposed in outwardly offset position with respect to the lower clamping bar 53, thereby facilitating the application of drapery or curtain material upon the lower clamping bar 53. To aid in moving the shiftable clamp bar 54 between retracted and active positions, the same may be, and preferably is, provided with a pair of handles 64.

The upper end of each support member 56 may also carry a clamp 65 which may. be vertically adjustable thereon. Said clamp may carry a collar 66 turnably mounted thereon and supporting an outstanding arm 67. The arm 67, in turn, may carry preferably pneumatic clamping means comprising a cylinder 68 and enclosed piston connected with an axial stem 69, projecting outwardly of the cylinder, at the lower end thereof, in position to engage with the clamping bar 54 when the same is in active clamping position vertically above the cooperating clamp bar 53. By virtue of the turning action of the sleeve 66 on the clamp 65, it will be obvious that the clamping means 68 may be disposed in active position, in vertical alinement above the clamping bars 53 and 54, or may be swung to inactive position entirely offset with respect to said clamping bars.

The arrangement, whereby the clamping means 68, as Well as the clamping bar 54, may be disposed in re-- tracted position entirely offset with respect to the clamping bar 53, is an important feature of the present invention, since it allows complete freedom of access within the space above the lower clamping bar 53, when the: upper bar 54 and the clamping means 68 are in retracted position, thereby greatly facilitating the disposition of drapery and curtain material in position to be clamped upon the lower clamping bar. After material to be clamped has thus been positioned, the upper clamping bar 54 and cooperating clamping device 68 may be quickly and easily projected to active clamping position.

A flexible air hose 70 may be provided for connecting each of the cylinder devices 68 with a suitable source of compressed air for the operation of the clamping means 55. To this end means may be provided for communicating the hose 70, through the hollow column 56,

the support collar 57 and the bracket 58, with an air supply pipe 70 which extends within the channel 43 or 43'. The supply pipe 70' may be connected with both of the flexible conduits 70 as at the junction of the brackets 58 with the channel members 43 or 43', supply pipe 70 extending thence to the end of the channel member at the frontside of the frame. A manually 7 operable valve 71 f r controlling the operation. of the clamping devices 55 may be connected in the supply pipe 70- in position readily accessible for operation at the front side of the frame 11. From the valve 71 the air supply pipe 70' may extend within the channel 43 or 43' to the opposite or back side of the frame, and may there be connected, as at 72, with suitable, preferably flexible, conduit means for supplying air under pressure for the operation of the clamps 55 under the control of the valve means 71.

In. operation, a panel or panels of drapery or curtain material may first be arranged in position and clamped, at the opposite ends thereof, between the bar members 53 and 54 of the clamping structures 36 and 36, by operation of the clamp control valves '71. Steam may then be delivered into the headers 16 and 16 and the connected pipes 23. of the steam table, through a steam supply line 73 which may be connected with either of the headers, the supply line being preferably connected with the header 16" at the foot end of the frame 11. line 73 may include a control valve 74 adapted for manual operation, as by means of a movable rod 7'5 connected with the valve and extending thence to the front side of the frame 11, the rod being provided with a manually operable handle accessible to the operator of the equipment at the front side of the frame.

By operation of the valve 74, steam may be admitted to the pipes 23 and disseminated thence through the nozzle openings 24 and through the foraminous screen 29 and the screen cover 31, to thereby permeate the drapery or curtain fabric panels, mounted in the clamps 36 and 36, substantially uniformly with steam, and thus relax the fibers of the fabric to permit the same to be stretched. After the fabric material has been steamed during a desired interval, the handle 49 may be turned 5 in order to move the carriage 37 in a direction to separate the clamp 36' from the clamp 36 and thus stretch the clamped drapery or curtain material to a desired extent.

After the clamped fabric material has thus been extended to a desired length between the clamps 36 and 36', the supply of steam to the headers and pipes 23 may be cut off by closing the valve 74, after which the blower 33 may be actuated, as by electrically energizing a blower connected driving motor through operation of a suitable switch in the motor energizing circuit. Operation of the blower, of course, will direct a current of dry and, if desired, warm air through the nozzle 34 and beneath the material, in stretched condition between the clamps 36 and 36, to thereby dry the steamed fibers of r the material. When the material has become dry, operation of the blower 33 may be discontinued, the clamps 36 and 36' may be released, and the dried, stretched and reconditioned drapery material removed from the equipment.

Any suitable or preferred means may of course be provided for mounting and supporting the frame 11 and the apparatus mounted thereon in desired operating posi tion. Since, however, the frame 11 is of relatively large area as compared with its thickness, and since the equipment is adapted to be used intermittently, the present invention contemplates the provision of relatively simple and inexpensive means for mounting the frame, at will, either in horizontal operating position or in an inactive position extending substantially in a vertical plane, so that the equipment will occupy a minimum of useful floor space when not in use.

To this end, the frame 11 may be mounted upon spaced pedestals 75, one at each of the opposite ends of the frame. The pedestals 75 may each comprise an upright tubular member fitted with a base plate '76 at one end, anda cap plate 77 at the other. Suitable means may be provided for anchoring the base plate on a sup porting structure, such as the floor on which the apparatus is mounted" for use. The cap plate, on one side The supply of the upright member 75, may be formed with an upstanding bracket carrying a pivot pin '78. A mounting clamp 79 may be securely, yet detachably fastened upon each of the end members 13 and 13' of the frame 11. Each of the clamps 79 may thus be applied upon the member 13 or 13 on one side of the longitudinal center line 80 of the frame structure, which center line comprises .an axis extending substantially through the center of gravity of the structure. Each of the clamps 79 is pivotally mounted upon the pivot pin '73 of its corresponding pedestal 75 whereby the frame 11 may be swung on the pivot pins 78 to a vertical position by elevating the front side of the frame, while lowering the rear side thereof.

The cap plate 77, on the side of the upright 75, remote from the pin 78, may be provided with an upstanding pillow member 81, secured on the plate 77, in any suitable or preferred fashion, and providing an upwardly facing pocket adapted to bearingly receive the side of the associated end member 13 or 13', when the same is in horizontal position, to thereby support the frame 11 in horizontal operating position on the member 81 and the pivot pins 78 of the spaced pedestals 75, the pillow members 81 and pins 78 being preferably disposed in position to engage the members 13 and 13 on opposite sides of the center line 80.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein disclosed being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

T he invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. in a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material on said frame in position for exposure to a fabric conditioning medium, said carrying means including fabric clamping means on said frame, at one end thereof, for gripping fabric to be conditioned, a carriage shiftable on said frame toward and away from said clamping means, a fabric clamp on said carriage for clampingly gripping the fabric to be conditioned, fluid operated clamp actuating means on said carriage, including conduit and control valve means for supplying fluid under pressure for the operation of said actuating means, means for shifting said carriage on said frame to stretch said material between said fabric clamp and said clamping means during exposure thereof to the conditioning medium, and means operable to dry out the material after exposure thereof to said medium.

2. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said carrying means comprising an elongated clamping member supported transversely of the frame, a cooperating clamping bar, and support means selectively positionable to mount the bar in active position for parallel clamping movement, toward and away from said clamping member along a guided path, and to carry said bar in inactive position offset outwardly of said path, and thrust means operable upon said bar when in active position for pressing the same toward said clamping member.

3. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said carrying means comprising anelongated clamping member supported transversely of the frame,- a cooperating clamping bar, and

support means selectively positionable to mount the bar in active position for parallel clamping movement, toward and away from said clamping member along a guided path, and to carry said bar in inactive position ofiset outwardly of said path, and thrust means disposable in projected position to operate upon said bar when the same is in active position for pressing the same toward said clamping member, said thrust means being disposable in retracted position entirely oifset from said bar to permit the same to be shifted to inactive position offset with respect to the clamp member.

4. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said carrying means comprising a pair of clamping structures mounted on the frame, and means operable to adjust the spacement of said structures on said frame, said structures each comprising an elongated clamping member supported transversely of the frame, a cooperating clamping bar, and support means selectively positionable to mount the-bar in active position for parallel clamping movement, toward and away from said clamping member along a guided path, and to carry said bar in inactive position offset outwardly of said path, and thrust means operable upon said bar when in active position for pressing the same toward said clamping member.

5. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said carryingmeans comprising a pair of clamping structures mounted on the frame, and means operable to adjust the spacement of said structures on said frame, said structures each comprising an elon gated clamping member supported transversely of the frame, a cooperating clamping bar, and support means selectively positionable to mount the bar in active position for parallel clamping movement, toward and away from said clamping member along a guided path, and to carry said bar in inactive position offset outwardly of said path, thrust means operable upon said bar when in active position for pressing the same toward said clamping member, and a carriage supported and movable longitudinally of said frame, one of said structures being mounted upon the frame at one end thereof and the other being mounted upon said longitudinally movable carriage.

6. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said carrying means comprising a pair of clamping structures mounted on the frame, and means operable to adjust the spacement of said structures on said frame, said structures each comprising an elongated clamping member supported transversely of the frame, a cooperating clamping bar, and support means selectively positionable to mount the bar in active position for parallel clamping movement, toward and away from said clamping member along a guided path, and to carry said bar in inactive position offset outwardly of said path, thrust means operable upon said bar when in active position for pressing the same toward said clamping member, a carriage supported and movable longitudinally of said frame, one of said structures being mounted upon the frame at one end thereof and the other being mounted upon said longitudinally movable carriage, said frame being provided with a longitudinally extending rack, said carriage having a rack engaging pinion and a turnable drive wheel, and gear means drivingly connecting the wheel with the pinion.

7. In a device for conditioning fabric material coin prising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said carrying means comprising a pair of clamping structures mounted on the frame, and means operable to adjust the spacement of said structures on said frame, said structures each comprising an elongated clamping member supported transversely of the frame, a cooperating clamping bar, and support means selectively positionable to mount the bar in active position for parallel clamping movement, toward and away from said clamping member along a guided path, and to carry said bar in inactive position offset outwardly of said path, thrust means operable upon said bar when in active position for pressing the same toward said clamping member, a carriage supported and movable longitudinally of said frame, one of said structures being mounted upon the frame at one end thereof and the other being mounted upon said longitudinally movable carriage, said frame being provided with a longitudinally extending rack, said carriage having a rack engaging pinion and a turnable drive wheel, gear means drivingly connecting the wheel with the pinion, and latch means on the carriage and selectively operable to release and engage said rack for anchoring the carriage in longitudinally adjusted position on said frame.

8. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said carrying means comprising an elongated clamping member supported transversely of the frame, a cooperating clamping bar, and support means selectively positionable to mount the bar in active position for clamping movement, toward and away from said clamping member along a guided path, and to carry said bar in inactive position ofiset outwardly of said path, thrust means operable upon said bar when in active position for pressing the same toward said clamping member, said thrust means comprising a fluid pressure actuated piston and cooperating cylinder, supply conduit means extending transversely of the frame beneath said elongated clamping member and adapted for connection with a source of fluid under pressure at one side of said frame, and a manually operable valve in said conduit at the opposite side of the frame, said conduit extending thence to and being connected with said cylinder medially of said frame.

9. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said carrying means comprising an elongated clamping member supported transversely of the frame, a cooperating clamping bar, and support means selectively positionable to mount the bar in active position for clamping movement, toward and away from said clamping member along a guided path, and to carry said bar in inactive position offset outwardly of said path, thrust means operable upon said bar when in active position for pressing the same toward said clamping member, said transverse clamping member comprising a channel bar, a bracket on and extending outwardly of said bar, an upstanding mounting member carried by said bracket in laterally offset relation with respect to said bar, said thrust means and shiftable clamping bar being supported on said upright member, said thrust means comprising a fluid pressure actuated piston and cooperating cylinder, supply conduit means extending transversely of the frame beneath said elongated clamping member and adapted for connection with a source of fluid under pressure at one side of said frame, and a manually operable valve in said conduit at the opposite side of the frame, said conduit extending thence to and being connected with said cylinder medially of said frame.

10. in a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emitting means, said frame comprising a pair of spaced apart longitudinally extending frame members, and transversely extending end members rigidly interconnecting the longitudinally extending members at the opposite ends of the frame, a carriage mounted on, extending between, and movable along the longitudinal frame members, said carrying means comprising a clamping structure mounted on the frame at one end thereof, a cooperating clamping structure mounted on and movable with said carriage, said longitudinal frame members forming tracks, said carriage comprising a pair of bracket plates provided with rollers and respectively supported each in position with its rollers engaging the track of a corresponding longitudinal frame member, shafts turnably mounted in and extending between said bracket plates beneath the frame, said movable clamp structure including a transversely extending clamp member secured to and extending between said bracket plates above said frame, rack means formed on said longitudinal frame members, and rack engaging pinions on said shaft in driving engagement with said racks.

11. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material in stretched condition on said frame, in position to be exposed to a selected conditioning medium adapted to be applied to the supported fabric material by associated medium emittin means, said frame comprising a pair of spaced apart longitudinally extending frame members, and transversely extending end members rigidly interconnecting the longitudinally extending members at the opposite ends of the frame, means for supporting said frame comprising a bracket clampingly secured upon each of the and members of the frame on one side and equally spaced with respect to a longitudinal axis through the center of gravity of the frame, an upright support pedestal at each end of the frame, and means pivotally connecting said brackets each on one side of a corresponding one of said pedestals, said pedestals each having an upwardly facing pillow bearing element spaced from said bracket pivot in position to laterally engage and support the end member of the frame at a bearing station spaced from the bracket.

12. In a device for conditioning fabric material comprising a frame, carrying means for supporting fabric material on said frame in position for exposure to a fabric conditioning medium, said carrying means including fabric clamping means on said frame, at one end thereof, for gripping fabric to be conditioned, a carriage shiftable on said frame toward and away from said clamping means, a fabric clamp on said carriage for clampingly gripping the fabric to be conditioned, fluid operated clamp actuating means on said carriage, including conduit and control valve means for supplying fluid under pressure for the operation of said actuating means, a rack and cooperating pinion means on said frame and carriage and operable to drivingly shift the carriage on the frame to stretch said material between said fabric clamp and said clamping means during exposure thereof to the conditioning medium, and means operable to dry out the material after exposure thereof to said medium.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,120,798 Duecker Dec. 15, 1914 1,565,513 Schramm Dec. 15, 1925 1,688,088 Nakashian Oct. 16, 1928 1,914,024 Kasanolf June 13, 1933 1,933,565 Pampaian Nov. 7, 1933 2,188,397 Waterhouse Jan. 30, 1940 2,214,923 Glover Sept. 17, 1940 2,216,244 Kutsche Oct. 1, 1940 2,223,462 Rosenthal Dec. 3, 1940 2,317,826 Templin Apr. 27, 1943 2,345,232 Boushelle Mar. 28, 1944 2,443,557 Fitpold June 15, 1948 2,453,730 Shaw Nov. 16, 1948 2,457,476 Kaplan Dec. 28, 1948 2,522,319 Tinley Sept. 12, 1950

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