Safety guard and deactivation device

In a press powered by a source of pneumatic power and having a press head wherein the operation of the press head between operative and inoperative positions is controlled by at least one independently actuatable valve in communication with a source of pneumatic power, the improvement comprising:

• an operator responsive mechanism responsive to the movement of the press head between its operative and inoperative positions and interposed between the press head and the independently actuatable valves;
• a deactivation device including a piston having a stationary end fixedly anchored relative to a structural member of the press and having a piston rod reciprocatingly extended and retracted from said piston and having a distal end thereof projecting outwardly of said piston rod;
• a bracket means affixed to said distal end of said piston rod for selective engagement with said operator responsive mechanism as a function of the extension or retraction of said piston rod within said piston;
• and
• a piston connecting means in fluid flow communication with the source of pneumatic power, said piston connecting means attached to said piston of said deactivation device whereupon the continued communication of pneumatic power to said piston effects non-engagement with said operator responsive mechanism of said bracket means affixed to said distal end of said piston rod, and cessation of communication of pneumatic power to said piston effects engagement of said bracket means affixed to said distal end of said piston rod with said operator responsive mechanism and consequential actuation of one or more of the independently actuatable valves to position the press head and said guard bar to its inoperative position.

A deactivation device for control of movement of a press head by a piston means of a garment finishing press powered by a source of pneumatic power wherein the operation of the press head between operative and inoperative positions is controlled by at least one independently actuatable valve responsive to movement by an operator of a guard bar connected to the press head, said deactivation device is activated upon interruption of pneumatic fluid flow to the garment finishing press, comprising:

• an activation device in pneumatic fluid flow communication with the source of pneumatic power, said activation device responsive to movement of the guard bar by a connecting means interposed to connect between the guard bar and the activation device, said activation device is reciprocated between a first position and a second position by said connecting means for control of pneumatic fluid flow to the press head piston means for movement of the press head when the guard bar is manipulated by the operator;
• and
• a deactivation device including a piston and cylinder having a base end fixedly anchored to a structural member of the press and proximal to said activation device, said piston and cylinder including a piston rod having an extendable end from said piston and cylinder, a flanged bracket attached to said extendable end, said flanged bracket disposed to contact said activation device when said piston rod is moved to a retracted position upon interruption of pneumatic fluid flow to the press, whereby the press head and the guard bar is maintained in the inoperative position during interruption of pneumatic fluid flow to the press, said flanged bracket and said extendable end of said piston and cylinder being moved to an extended position when pressurized air is re-supplied to the press, said flanged bracket and said extendable end of said piston and cylinder remain in said extended position until fluid flow communication is interrupted between the source of pneumatic power and the press.

A method of operation of a deactivation system for controlling movement of a press head in relation to a pressing surface of a garment press activated by pneumatic fluid flow provided by a source of pneumatic power, comprising the steps of:

• manipulating a guard bar encircling the press head, said manipulating step positioning said guard bar and the press head between an operative position and an inoperative position;
• reciprocating an activation system in pneumatic communication with the source of pneumatic power, said step of reciprocating linking the movement of said activation system to an activating position with the movement of said guard bar between said operative position and said inoperative position;
• actuating a deactivation device to an extended position when pneumatic power is provided to the garment press, said deactivation device is in pneumatic fluid flow communication with the source of pneumatic power, said deactivation device is maintained in said extended position while the garment press is supplied with pneumatic fluid flow from the source of pneumatic power;
• and
• repositioning said deactivation device to a retracted position for limiting movement of said activation system upon interruption of pneumatic fluid flow to said deactivation device and the garment press, said step of repositioning limits movement of said activation system by maintaining said deactivation device in said deactivating position for limiting movement of said activation system during interruption of pneumatic fluid flow to the garment press.