Compact in-line heat press

A heat press for pressing textile substrates, the heat press comprising:

• a frame;
• a lower platen assembly supported on the frame and including a lower platen;
• and
• an upper platen assembly supported on the frame and including an upper platen;
• wherein the upper platen assembly is supported on the frame for movement in a first mode relative to the lower platen assembly to and between a closed position wherein the upper platen is in registration with the lower platen to clamp the substrate therebetween, and an open position wherein the upper platen is displaced vertically and rearwardly away from the lower platen while maintaining lateral alignment with the lower platen during the rearward displacement;
• wherein the frame comprises:
• a base,
• a pair of first linkages, each configured as four-bar linkages coupling the base and the upper platen assembly, and
• a pair of second linkages, each configured as three-bar linkages coupled with the pair of first linkages and the upper platen assembly.