Indexing mechanism for a mannequin carriage having a slidable, pivotable support and index bar moveable by a fluid cylinder for movement between a dressing position and a garment press

An indexing mechanism for use in a garment dressing and pressing machine having a support frame, at least one substantially horizontal guide rail secured to said support frame and a carriage supported by said at least one guide rail for linear movement between dressing and pressing positions comprising:

• an elongated indexing bar having a first end portion pivotally secured to said carriage for linear movement therewith, a second distal end portion extending away from the carriage, and a central portion between said end portions;
• bar guiding means attached to said support frame, said bar guiding means arranged to support said first end portion of said indexing bar for pivotal movement about a pivot axis and sliding movement along the length of the indexing bar;
• the distal end portion of said indexing bar supported by said bar guiding means;
• a telescoping fluid cylinder having relatively moveable portions including first and second ends, on e of said ends being pivotally secured to said support frame and the other end being pivotally secured to the central portion of said indexing bar such that linear extension and retraction of a moveable portion of said relatively moveable portions of said telescoping fluid cylinder results in pivotal movement of said indexing bar about said pivot axis and linear movement of said fist end of the bar with said carriage along said at least one guide rail, with the linear movement of said first end and carriage being greater than the linear movement of the moveable portion of said cylinder;
• said bar guiding means comprising spaced rollers mounted for pivotal movement together about said pivot axis;
• said distal end of said indexing bar extending between said rollers.