Heat press with self-adjusting clamp force

A heat press comprising:

• a base;
• a lower platen mounted to the base;
• an upper platen;
• a heating element;
• a linkage configured to move the upper platen relative to the lower platen along a clamping direction between a first platen position and a second platen position wherein the upper platen is spaced apart from the lower platen a lesser distance than when in the first platen position, the linkage including a first link member pivotably coupled to the base, and a first intermediate link member pivotably coupled to the first link member at a rotating joint and configured to rotate in a first rotational direction from a first rotational position to a second rotational position about the rotating joint in response to movement of the first link member;
• and
• a clutch including a first clutch member and a second clutch member, the first clutch member being coupled to the first intermediate link member, the second clutch member being mounted to the upper platen for movement in the clamping direction with the upper platen;
• wherein when the first intermediate link member is in the first rotational position, the clutch is disengaged to permit relative movement in the clamping direction between the first and second clutch members, and when the first intermediate link member is in the second rotational position, the clutch is engaged to inhibit relative movement in the clamping direction between the first and second clutch members.