CA1188977A - Ironing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

IRONING APPARATUS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Compact, collapsible ironing apparatus is disclosed having a base (23, 222) providing supportive disposition upon a supporting surface for carrying an ironing board (32, 202) and for supporting a hand iron (1, 201) above the ironing surface of the ironing board. A first upright member (21, 223) extends upwardly from the base for carrying at its upper end the ironing board. A second upright member (20, 221) extends upwardly from the base and an iron support linkage (15, 17, 211) is swingably interconnected at one end to the upper end of this second upright member. The linkage comprises articulated arms (15, 17, 215, 216) which are extendable to positions over the ironing surface. An iron securement unit (9, 209) pivotally interconnects the distal end of the support linkage with the iron for permitting movement of the iron between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with the ironing surface. In one embodi-ment, the ironing board (202) is swingably mounted and the base includes folding leg members (229, 229') movable between storage and use positions conjointly with swinging movement of the ironing board between its respective storage and use positions.

Description

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IRONING APPARATUS
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This inven-tion relates in general to ironing equipment and, more particularly, to a compac-t, collapsible ironing apparatus including means Eor automatic iron lifting.
This invention constitutes an improvement of -the ironing apparatus set fort.h in Fos~er U. S. Paten-t No.
3,303,591, issued February 14, 1967v It is an objec-t of the present inven-tion to provide ironing apparatus which compactly and unitarily comprises an iron, support linkage therefor, and means for suppor-ting and securing an ironing board in conjunction with the support linkage and wherein the iron is supported in a configuration for providiny extremely facile handling during ironing operations.
It is another object of the invention to provide such ironing apparatus whi.ch is of a folding nature for p.rovidillg extremely compac-t configuration, wher- rolded, requirlng ~0 minimum stora~e space during disuse.
~ nother object of the invention i.s the provision of such apparatus which includes an i.roning board and support means therefor which are readily movable between storage and use orientations and are of collapsible configuration.
It is a furthex object of the present invention to provide compact, collapsible ironing apparatus of the -type stated including an ironing board easily movable between storage and use position, and which further includes a support arrangement including legs which extend au~o-matically in response to movement of the iron.ing board toits use position.

7~7 It is another object of the present invention to provide such ironing apparatus which is lightweight so as to be amenable to easy handling by even a small person, yet which provldes extremely simple installation, unfolding and set-up for ready use, and subsequent folding for storage.
Another object of the present invention is the pro-vision of such ironing apparatus which incorporates auto-matic iron supporting means so that, upon termination of any ironing movement for whatever purpose, such as for chanying the work, shifting same on the ~oard, etc., the iron is configurable in a position lifted above the board, thereby sparing the user the heretofore tedious and laborious procedure of carrying the iron to a resting place and returning same to the work.
A further objec-t of the invention is the provision of such apparatus for providing a lifting force for the iron for resort to heavy manual lifting of the iron, and which lifting force facilitates the raisiny of -the iron ~0 from an ironing board surface on which it is located during ixoning.
It is a Eurther object of the present invention to provide such ironing apparatus which includes provision for causing the iron to be restrained against movement, floating, or shifting if manually released when in a position lif-ted above the board, so that the iron will remain poised with relation to the work as presented by the user in readiness for resuming ironing operations~

A further object of the present invention is to provide such ironing apparatus which maintains components in operative condition to avoid any inadvertent, accidental or premature collapsing and yet disposing such components fox easy, selective return to collapsed, stored condition.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide such ironing apparatus which includes a foot-opexated arrangement for selectively releasiny the mechanism to permit movement between use and StGrag~ positions.
A further object of the invention is the provision of such ironing apparatus which, upon termination of ironing operations, allows the iron to be stored while still hot without danger to persons or apparatus.
Among further objects of the present invention are the pxovisions of such ironing apparatus which is of simplified, economical construction, providing but few simple parts fabriacted of durable materials to render the apparatus resistant to failure and breakdown; which is economical in production; which is extremely reliable in usage; and which eliminates the heretofore accepted inconvenience associated with the storing of ironing boards and ironers.
Yet another object of the invention is the provision of such ironing apparatus which may be used in conjunction with a conventional ironing board if desired, and without requiring modiflcation of the ironing board.
It i5 a still further objec-t of the present invention to provide such ironing apparatus which can be used with virtually any selected type of conventional dry or steam type iron of the hand-held variety; being amenable to ¢~7 7 facile securement to, and lifting of, irons o~ ~arious different manufacturers, yet without requiring modific-ation of the iron.
It is another object of the present invention ~o provide such lroning apparatus including an ironing board which is reliably maintalned in its storage position until moved deliberately therefrom by the user.
Another object of the invention is the provision oE
such ironing apparatus which is easily transported, when its components are in collapsed, sto~age orientation, from place to place by rolling across a floor surface.
In accordance with the principal object, the inven-tion contemplates a compact~ collapsible ironing apparatus for supporting a hand iron above the ironing surface of an ironing board, which comprises a base for supportive disposition upon a supporting surface and is characterized by at least one upright post member extending upwardly from the base. A means secures an ironing board in a use position proximate the post member with the ironing surface horizontally disposed for ironing thereon. An articulated linkage is swingably interengagecl at one end with the post member and is extendable by articu-lation to positions over the ironing surface. A securemen-t means pivotally interconnects -the other, post-remote end of the linkage with the iron for permitting movement of the iron between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with the ironing surface. The linkage is swingable about the post member and provides articulation when the iron is in the firs-t orientation for freely permit-ting relocation of the iron to desired positions over the linkage surface. A means associated with the linkage prevents arti~

culation when the iron is in the second orientation to main-tain the iron out of contact with the ironing surface.

In a further embodiment, the invention contemplates a compact, collapsible ironing apparatus for supporting a hand iron above the ironing surface of an ironing board which com-prises a base for supportive disposition upon a supporting surface and is characterized by at least one upright post member extending upwardly from ~he base. A means secures an ironing board in a use position proximate the post member with the ironing surface horizontally disposed for ironing thereonO An articulated linkage is swingably interengaged at one end with the post member and is extendable by articulation to positions over the ironing surface. A securement means pivotally interconnects the other, post-remote end o the linkage with the iron for permitting movement of the iron between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with the ironing surface. The linkage is swingable about the post member and provides articulation when the iron is in the firs-t orientation for freely permitting relocation of the iron to desired positions over the linkage surface. The base comprises folding support members movable between storage and use positions conjointly with swinging movement o the ironing hoard between its respective storage and use positions.
The folding support members of the base comprises leg members swingably affixed for movement between respective raised positions for storage and extended positions for use. The extended positions provide increased area of contact of the base with the supporting surface. The leg members are a~fixed at opposite sides of the base and when in respective extended positions project in opposite directions from the base.
Other objects will be in part apparent and in par-t pointed out hereinbelow -4a-BRIEF DESCRIPTI~N OF THE DRAWIN~S
FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of ironin~ apparatus, including an ironing board, constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention, constituting a first embodiment.
FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of such embodiment as taken along line 2--2 of FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of ironing apparatus of the invention as oriented for use and with certain support members secured -to the apparatus prior to iron lifting members being unfolded from their stored position.
FIGURE 4 is a similar perspective view of the apparatus with the iron lifting members unfolded and deployed for use and with an ironing board secured in a position of readiness for use.
FIGU~E 5 is a side view of certain portions of the iron lifting mechanism including a spring-loaded secure-ment device which provides interengagement with a standard steam iron of the conventional hand-held type, the iron being shown in a lifted position.
FIGURE 6 is a similar side view of such apparatus and the i.ron being demonstrated in a lowered position as for use during the ironing operat,ion.
FIGURE 7 is a rear view of the spring-loaded secure-ment device as attached to the iron.
FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of portions of the apparatus of FIGURE 7, as -taken along line 8--8 of FIGURE 7, demonstrating the securement thereof -to a handle member of the iron, such member being shown in phantom.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary rear elevational view, partly in cross-section, as taken along line 9--9 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a side elevation view of the securement device taken along line 10--10 of FIGURE 9.
FIGURE 11 is an end elevation, partly in cross-section, taken along line 11~-11 of FIGURE 9, of the opposite end of ~he securement device.
FIGURE 12 iS a perspective view of apparatus of the invention, as observed from the rear, demonstrating certain iron support components thereof in a stored position.
FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of portions of the apparatus and particularly of iron supporting or lifting elements as extended for use and with the iron being shown in a lifted position.
FIGURE 14 is a vertical cross-section of certain supporting elements of the apparatus, including an elbow thereof.
FIGURE 15 is a bottom view of certain ironing board securement features of the invention.
FIGURE 16 is a similar bottom view illustrating components of the securement features in a position for interengagement of the apparatus with an ironing board.
FIGURE 17 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 17--17 of FIGURE .~6.
FIGURE 18 is a perspec-tive view of apparatus of the invention, as configured for lifting an iron, and interengaged with a conventional ironing board, appearing with FIGURE 14, FIGURE 19 is a side elevation of ironing apparatus, including an ironing board, such ironing board being shown in stored position, as constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 20 is a front elevatior. oE the apparatus of FIGURE 19.

FIGURE 21 is a side elevation, from the opposite side, of apparatus of FIGURE 19, FIGURE 22 is a front perspecti~e view of the new ironing apparatus of FIGURE 19 illustrating movement of elements when first being oriented for use.
FIGURE 23 is a simiIar perspective view bf the apparatus of FIGURE 19 when the elements are nearly in use position~
FIGURE 24 is a front perspective view of ixoning apparatus of FIGURE 19 as oriented for use and with certain iron support elements of the apparatus being shown in their use position but prior to disposition of the iron for u~e.
FIGURE 25 is a perspective view, from the side, of the apparatus of FIGURE 19 with the elements in the same positions as depicted in FIGURE 24.
FIGURE 26 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective vi.ew of base and support elements of the FIGURÆ 1~ apparatus.
FIGURE 27 is an enlarged perspective vlew, again oE a fragmentary nature but from another location, showing certain features of base and support elements of the E'IGURE l9 apparatus.
FIGURE 28 is a fragmentary bottom view of certain ironing board mounting features of the invention, as taken along line 28--28 of FIGURE 24.
FIGURE 29 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of portions of base and support elements of the FIGURE 19 apparatus, and with leg members retracted.
FIGURE 30 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 29 but illustrating the leg members extended.

~7---~ t7 FIGURE 31 is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment of a certain iron support arm and associated structure including a feature for ensuring proper latching of components for storage.
FIGURE 32 iS a similar perspective view illustrating further aspects of the elements shown in FIGURE 310 FIGURE 33 is a vertical cross-section of portions of the base, as taken generally along line 33- 33 of FIGURE 26.
FIGURE 34 is a horizontal cross-section of certain base and support members with elements partly broken away for illustration, as taken generally along line 34--34 of FIGURE 27.
FIGURE 35 is a vertical cross-section, partly broken away, of portions of certain base structure, as taken generally along line 35--35 of FIGURE 34.
FIGURE 36 is a side view elevation of certain por-tions of an iron lifting mechanism of the invention, including a spring-loaded securement device which provides inter-engagement with a standard hand-held steam iron and support structure therefor, the iron being shown in a lifted position.
FIGURE 37 is a side elevation of the iron and support structure therefor, with the iron in a use position.
FIGURE 38 is a rear view of the spring-loaded secure-ment device as secured to the iron and with the iron in use position.
FIGURE 39 is a view of a portion of the alternative securement device as seen from the direction opposite from that o~ FIGURE 38.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

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DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIME~TS
Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention, A designates a first embodiment of ironing apparatus for use with a conventional hand type iron, generally designated 1, which may be a steam iron, and typical of numerous types of commercially available domestic or commercial hand irons which are presently available.
In FIGURES 1 and 2, apparatus A is shown in a compact, folded state, when not in use, or during storage, and with iron 1 being in a stored position until the apparatus is ready for use.
Referring particularly to FIGURES 5 and 6, iron 1 has the usual sole plate 2 and body 3 having a hand grip 4 having at the forward end a steam or spray nozzle 6 and at the rear a support portion 7 of increased thickness~ Portion 7 defines a base or heel 8 of the iron on which it is in-tended to be seated if used conventionally apart from the new apparatus, which provides lifting of the iron.
Connec~ed to iron 1 is a securement or terminal device or unit, designated generally 9, secured by a rod to a ball swivel joint 11 including a sleeve 12 clampingly engaging a ball 13 at the upper end of rod 10. Sleeve 12 is carried at the distal end of a tubular forearm member 15 .
Referring now to FIGURE 4, which displays the ironlng apparatus A in a configuration for use of iron 1 during ironing of articles of fabric~ forearm 15 is seen to be pivotally secured by an elbow unit 16 in articulating relationship to a main support arm 17, also of tubular configuration, in turn pivotally secured to a tubular ex~
tension 18 telescopingly received within a tubular main support post or leg member 20. There is, thus, provided an articulating linkage pivotally connected at one end to leg 20, and swingable relative thereto and pivotally connected by securement unit 9 at the other end to iron 1.
Leg member 20 is one of a paîr, the other being designated 21. Legs 20, 21, being parallel, extend upwardly from a base, generally 23, having a pair of transverse tubular base members 24, 25, each of rectangular cross-section and bridged by a third tubular base member 26, also of rect-angular cross-section.
Bas~ 23 includes an opening 28 defined by one end of member 26 for receiviny an elongated length of tubing constituting a foot 27 of rectangular tubular character having rectilinear alignment wit.h member 26 and having at its base-remote end a pad or enlarged surface support member 28. Similarly, there is provided a second foot 29 which extends outwardly from base 23 at an angle with .respect to base member 24 to provide an obtuse angular relationship with :Eoot 27 to provide a broad, stable base of support for apparatus A. Foot 29 similarly includes at its base-remote end a pad 30.
Generally, a specially conf.igured ironing board 32 of the inve.ntion .is clampingly interengaged with post or leg 21 in a manner described below to provide a rectangular ironing surface having portions which extend substantially equidistantly on opposite sides of the upper portion 20' of leg 20, from which upper portion extension 18 extends and is free to rotate therein and, thus, swing about the longitudinal axis of leg 20. The dimensions of board 32 are suitable ~e.g., slightly more than 40 inches in length, as contrasted with conventional "standard" ironing boards, and having a width of slightly more than substantially half '7~

such length) for disposing arm 17 for swinging and ar-ticu-lating motions to present iron 1 in a supported relation-ship for movement over substantially all of the upper surface of ironing board 32. The latter is preferably covered by the usual heat-resistant cover and an underlying pad or resilient layer, thereby providing a smooth, continuous, substantially flat yet slightly resilient and conformal surface 33 for ironing.
~s will be apparent from FIGURE 4, the longitudinal axis of board 32 forms an angle relative to the longi tudinal axis of bridging member 26 of the base, as well as the foot 27 extending therefrom, and with the angular relationship o~ foot 29 relative to base member 2~ which receives it being such as to define an angle also relative to longitudinal axis of ironing board 32, which angle is substantially comparable if not equal to that formed wi-th the longitudinal axis of ironing board 32 and foot 27.
Through a mechanism more readily apparent from the following description, arm 17 and forearm 15, by means of rod 10 and the securement device or unit 9 which clamping:ly engage iro~ 1, are adapted for providing a lifting force :Eor maintaininc~ iron 1 in the lifted position demonstrated in FIGURE ~, when in disuse or intermediate ironing steps of the user and, thus, in an orientation providing un-encumbered access to surface 33 of the ironing board for placing thereon of various articles to be ironed and yet with the iron conventionally presented for immediate utilization by lowering into contact with an article to be ironed. When the iron is ln an orientation contacting the surface of ironing board 32, the articulating arm and forearm freely permit the iron to move to selected positions 7'~

upon the ironing board surface, as desired duriny ironing operations. During such movement, arm 17 is free to swing about the longitudinal axis of leg 20.
For purposes of securing ironing board 32 to apparatus A, there is provided at the top of support leg 21 a bracket 35 of L-shaped cross~section, as by being secured at one end thereof to the upper end of leg 21. Said bracket comprises a base flange 36 of horizontal disposition and a vertical, upright flange 37. Fxtending upwardly through horizontal flange 36 (FIGURE 3) is a locking dog or finger 38 adapted for clampingly engaging the side lip of an ironing board in a manner demonstrated shortly hereinbelow.
Bracket flange 36 may be provided with an aperture 39 aligning with the bore of leg 21 for receiving a downwardly projecting tubular member 39' of the ironing board, as later explained.
This arrangement permits securement not only of the re~tangular ironing board of conventional or "standard"
type such as widely utilized, as more fully set forth below. Such an ironing board is design~ted generally in its entirety at 40 in FIGURE 18 in disposition for use and secured by the clamping arrangement of bracket 35 to apparatus A, all as descrihed hereinbelow.
Before such discussion, the features of the arrange-ment for securement by unit 9 of iron 1 to apparatus ~
and the iron support features of the apparatus are more clearly revealed.
Thus, referring to FIGURES 7-11, device 9 for securing iron 1 at the lower end of rod 10. Referring specifically to FIGURFS 8 and 9, it is seen that rod 10 includes a lateral offset portion 42 (See FIGURE 12) but extends downwardly throughout the major portion of ~L~

its length until a point of bending rearwardly to provide a rearwardly offset portion 43 which in turn is bent at 44 in a direction forming substantially a right angle not only with offset portion 43 but also with the major portion of rod lO which ~xtends upwardly from offset portion 43, providing a transverse portion 45 of recti-linear character. Device 9 comprises a single piece of sheet metal 47 which is bent to provide a housing of U-shaped configuration, including an upper surface 48, bottom surface 49 and vertical wall surface 50. Member 47 also includes at its opposite sides plates 51, 51' which are apertured at 52, 52' for journalling of member 47 about -the longi-tudinal axis of rod portion 45.
The distal end 54 of rod portion 45 extends well beyond plate 51 and is provided with a sleeve 55 closed at one end and having a flange 56 on the other end. The flange dia-meter is greater than that of aperture 52 so that it will bear against the inner surface of plate 51 and with the rod end 54 being retain~d within sleeve 55. Further, rod end 54 is provided with a transverse slot 58 for receiving one end 59 of a coiled tension spring 60, having its othex end 61 provided with a hook 62 for enc3aging a lip defined by upper surface 48 of housing member 47, whereby torsional Eorce of the spring may be exerted upon rod relative to housinc3 member 47.
~ ousing upper surface 48 has a projection 62 extending laterally beyond rod lO for engaging rod lO to establish a stop which limits pi~otal movement of iron 1 when lowered to a use position. A lateral extension 65 of lower surface 49 similarly establishes a maximum position of ro-tation of the iron upward, i.e., counterclockwise as viewed in 7~
FIGUR~ 10, when rotated about the axis of rod portion 45.
Extension 65 engages the offset portion 43 of rod 10, so -that the overall angular extent of movement permitted by rotation of unit 9 about the axis of rod extension 45 is somewhat greater than 90 but much less than 180.
Accordingly, iron 1 i~ permitted to rotate about xod portion 45 between a raised position, shown in FIGURE 5 and a lowered position, shown in FIGURE 6.
For securement of unit 9 to iron 1, there is provided a flexible band 67, such as of wixe cable, having its ends swedged or otherwise secured within threaded fittings 68, 68'. The latter are screwed into threaded ferrules 69, 69l having enlarged diameter heads slotted for screwdriver tightening of band 67 about the handle portion 7 of the iron to grippingly secure unit 3 to the iron without any modifi-cation of the iron or damage to it. This arrangement is amenable for use with any of myriad different varieties and manufactures of irons which have an enlarged handle portion 7 by which the handle per se is affixed to the iron.
As configured for use, unit 9 is, thus, conveniently attached to the iron by the -tightening of ferrules 69, 69'.
Then, spring 60 is suitably pretensioned by depressing the outer, closed end of sleeve 55 to shift rod 10 to the right, as viewed in FIGURES 8 and 9, relative to housing 47. This permits the rod to clear extensions 64, 65, whereupon the iron is rotated a selected number of turns about the axis of rod portion 45 until a desired state of tension of spring 60 is achieved, preferably such as almost substantially to counterbalance the weight of iron 1 so that it will remain in the position shown in FIGURE 6 in the a~sence of any assistance by the user,but~ with only the slightest upward pressure by the fingertips of the &`~77 user, the iron can be caused to rotate upwardly as viewed in FIGURE 5, where it remains by virtue of the relocation of the center of gravity of the iron rela-tive to rod 10 and by engagement of tab 65 with rod portion 44. The sleeve 55, thus, permits pretensioning while allowing rod portion 45 to remain rotatably journalled within housing 47 at all times.
Referring now to FIGURES 13 and 14, i-t is seen that swivel unit 11 permits the free orientation of rod 10 relative to the longitudinal axis of forearm 15 and provides also a wide range of permissible movement of the iron relative to forearm 15 when the latter is not utilized for the supporting of the iron, as will be the case when the iron is in its lowered position (FIGURE 6~ for ironing of various articles of clothing, but permitting rod 10 to hang substantially vertically downward from swivel unit 11 when the iron is suppoxted, as demonstrated in FIGURE 13, and the iron being, accordingly, positioned relative to rod 10 as shown in FIGURE 5.
With reference specifically now to FIGURE 14, forearm 15 is of hollow, tubular character, being preferably of c.ircular cross-section~ It is secured at its proximal end to a sheave 71 journably .rotated upon a shaft 72 within a suitab.le housing 73. Th~ latter is in turn secured -to the di.stal end of main support arm 17 so that there is capability for the elbow 16 to permit articulating movemen-t of Eore-arm 15 with respect to support arm 17, which also is of tubular character and circular cross~section.
The proximal end of arm 17 is pivotally connected by ~30 a cross shaft or pin 75 extending transversely through tubular extension 18~ which is of larger diameter than '7~

arm 17 and has a substantial semi-circular portion cut away proximate its upper end to define a half sleeve, in effect, designated at 76, against which arm 17 may lie to provide a coaxial relationship of extension 18 and arm 17 for storage purposes, but other~7ise permitting arm 17 to swing downwardly, as demonstrated in FIGURE 14, to form a substantial angle relative to the longitudinal axis of extension 18.
For limiting ~he such outward extending movement of arm 17 relative to exte.nsion 18 and also for fixing the angular relationship between arm 17 and forearm 15, there is provided a cable 78 which extends through the hollow bore 77 or arm 17, passes over sheave 71 in a groove 79 defined by flanges (as at 80, on opposite sides thereof) and is secured at one end to a suitable fitting 81 carried at the proximal end of forearm 15.
Proximate the lower end of arm 17, there is provided within its bore 77 a plug 83 of circular cross-section having formed therein a groove 84 providing a generally large radius of curvature over which cab].e 78 passes and then extends through an aperture 86 below the plug and thence outwardly for securement by means of a screw or other fitting 87 to tubular portion 7~.
It will be, therefore, appreciated that there is a :Eixed angular relationship provided at all times of arm 17 with respect to tubular extension 18 and for forearm 15 with respect to arm 17. If, for example, forearm 15 should be swung downwardly toward axm 17 to reduce the angle therebetween, cable 78 will be moved around sheave 71 to reduce the length of cable between securement point 87 and aperture 75 and thereby to reduce the angle between ~16-arm 17 and -the longitudinal axis o~ tubular extension 18.
Further, when the iron 1 is in its raised position, as depicted in FIGURES 13 and 18, the weight of the iron upon forearm 15, as transferred to -forearm 15 and arm 17 by means of rod 10, causes tensioning of the cable with resultant frictional force generated by cable 78 upon the surfaces of groove 84 within plug 83 to provide a braking movement fixedly maintaining the angular relationship of arm 17 with respect to tubular extension 18. Further, since the cable 78 is then locked, as it were, in position within bore 77 of arm 17, the angular orientation of sheave 71, and consequently of the axis o~ forearm 15, will remain fixed. In this way, forearm 15 can remain oriented in position to maintain iron 1 in the position in which i~
was last placed in its .raised orientation and with iron 1 then remaining suspended by arm 17 and forearm 15 in readiness for recommencing ironing operation.
The resultant lifting of iron 1 to a convenient position in readiness ~or being lowered again to the ironing board surface when desired by the user provides ~xtreme convenience and eliminates a very substantial fatigue factor which otherwise would be necessitated for the average user, such as the housewife, who when using a conventional iron would have to be constantly lifting~
carrying and transferring the iron at frequent and re-peated intervals through ironing operations. Moreover, since the tension on cable 78 is released as soon as the iron is returned to its normal position anywhere on -the board, the articulating movement of arm 17 with respect to tubular extension 18 and of forearm 15 with respect to arm 17 is once more freely permitted so that the iron may be readily transferred to any point within the reach of the articulations thus provided, as dependent upon the selected length of cable 78. Hence, cable 78 is pre-selected in dimension to provide for the ~reedom of move-ment requisite for iron 1 to be readily moved to any point on the ironing board surface.
Since at all times spring 60 maintains unit 9 in a pretensioned state providing a constant lifting ~orce upon iron 1, the user need only apply the slightest of pressure upward upon handle portion 4 to swing the iron from the position shown in FIGURE 6 to that demonstrated in FIGURE 5, at which point the heel 8 of the iron will be li~ted free of the ironing board surface and the iron will assume a suspended condition and with its weight tensioning cable 78, as explained above, to conveniently fix the position oE the iron in its suspended position at a point of readi-ness for once more being returned to a position of use upon the ironing board surface r such as after the user has reoriented an article of clothing or replaced an ironed article with one next to be ironed. Such upward pressure is much, much less than the weight of the iron, since spring 60 nearly, i.e., almost, fully compensates for the moment o~ the iron.
Apparatus of the invention is of a foldable character for providing compact, convenient storage when not in use.
For this purpose, tubular extension 18 is axially slidable in telescoping relationship within leg 20. For maintaining extension 18 in its raised position shown in FIGURE 14, it is provided with a spring button 89 extending through a hole 90 within extension 18 and biased outwardly, as by r77 means of a leaf spring 91 or the like and, thus, presenting a shoulder or surface 92 for ~earing against the lip of leg portion 20'.
Referrlng to FI~URE 13, iron 1 has a power cord 94 which is held at elbow 16 by a suitable clamp 95 affixed appropriately ~o housing 73~ Cord 94 is, thus, maintained conveniently out of the way during ironing operations.
Cord 94 is also secured to leg portion 20' by a further clamp 96 of suitable configuration. Accordingly, upon the arm 17 being raised from its stored position tele-scoping enclosed within leg 20, movement of arm 17 upwardly is permitted until the section of cord between clamps 95 and 96 becomes taut, limiting further upward movement and so precluding tubular extension 18 from being pulled upwardly out of the upper end 20' of the leg.
For storage of ironing apparatus A, spring button 89 is pressed inward to clear the lip 91 of leg portion 20' and arm 17, having been swung into axial alignment with tubular extension 18, may now be lowered telescopingly into leg 20 to a storage positi.on depicted in FIGURE 12 wherein leg 20 receives t~le entire length of arm 17 and with housing 73 now resting on lip 91 of the leg. Further, a.rm 15 extends downwardly from elbow 16 in a position presenting iron 1 substantially intermediate legs 20, 20' and maintaining the i.ron in a suspended condition, where it is safely not in contact with other structure. Hence, the apparatus may be folded for storage even though iron 1 is still hot.

A novel arrangement for locking forearm 15 in the position demonstrated in FIGURE 12 is provided by a lever 98 having a notch 99 for accommodating the forearm and swingable about the axis of locking pin 38.
Referring to FIGURES 15-17, the configuration of lever 98 is more clearly seen. It includes a tab or flanye 101 providing a surface for convenient application of force for movement between the posi-tlons shown in FIGURES 15 and 16. For maintaining said arm 93 in position against the bottom surface of the horizontal flange 36 of bracket 35, there is provided a spriny wire 102 having one end connected to the brac]cet by a screw, rivet or other suitable fitting 103 and the other end being extended through an aperture 104 in the wall of leg 2L. Further, locking pin 38 is provided with a head 104 of generally rectangular configuration against which ~pring wire 102 is resiliently urged, tendiny to maintain arm 98 in a position either aligned with the longitudinal axis of bracket 35, as in FIGURE 16, or as ~as shown in FIGURE 121 in a position in which notch 9~ or arm 98 enyages forearm 15.
The mechanism for interengagement of an ironing board, as designated at 32 in FIGURES 3 and 4, to bracket 35 is now apparent. The tubular extension 39' of the ironing board is inserted in leg aperture 39, as will be seen in FIGURE 17. Ironiny board 32 is shown simplistically in FIGURE 17 as having merely an upper surface 107 and a vertical or side edge or flange 108, althouyh, as would be understood, a padding layer and cover are, in actuality, present. Dog or finger 38 is oriented relative to arm 98 so that it will be directed toward hori~ontal flanye (See FIGURE 17) when lever 98 is oriented substantially in line with bracket 35. However, for interengaging the bracket 35 and ironing board 32, arm 98 is oriented first as shown in FIGURE 15 with dog or finger 38 being then directed parallel to side edge 108. The side edge 108 is now adjacent vertical flange 37 of bracket 35.
Handle 98 is then swung from the positlon in FIGURE 15 to the position in FIGURE 16, thus, bringing locking finger 38 into engagement with wall 108 for clampingly engaging it between upright web 37 and the distal end of finger 38. Ironing board 32 is then locked in place and reliably maintained in the position demonstrated in FIGURE 4, providing a stable, convenient orientation permitting swinging of arm 17 about the longitudinal axis of leg 2Q to present iron 1 conveniently for being placed at any desired location on board 32 during ironing operations.
Such locking arrangement also makes possible the use of apparatus A with conventional ironing board 40, as FIGURE 18 has illustrated. Lever 98 is similarly turned to bring loc]cing finger 38 into engagement with the usual upright flange (not shown) of the conventlonal .ironing board, which, thus, presents a side edge 109 which is seated against bracket 35. Also, a conventional ironing board, as at 40, has the usual legs 111, 112 having elongated extensions 111', 112' at their extremities for providing a stable base of support for ironing board 40. Accordingly, when apparatus A is clampingly inter engaged in the above-described manner with ironing board 3Q 40, the use of feet 27, 29, as previously described, is obviated, as FIGURE 18 demonstrates.

t~

Referring now to FIGURES 19-38, B designates generally another embodiment of compact, collapsible ironing apparatus of the invention intended to provide nearly effortless ironing in domestic use yet allowing utilization of commercially available hand type steam irons, eOg., as generally designated 201, representative of many domestic or commercial hand irons presently available in the market.
In FIGURES 19-21, apparatus B is shown in a collapsed, compact ~olded state for storage with all elements posi-tioned to occupy minimum volumetric space such as will permit the entire apparatus to be placed in a closet or other confined space, but fully ready for being almost instanteously returned to a use position. In FIGURES 24 and 25, apparatus B is shown with its various mechanisms reconfigured with all elements deployed for initiating the ironing operation.
In addition to iron 201, there is provided an ironing board designated generally 202 which is adapted to swing between a storage position shown in FIGURES 19-21 and use position shown in FIGURES 24 and 25.
Referring particularly to FIGURES 36-38, iron 201 has the usual sole plate 203 and body 204 having a hand grip 205 having a thicker rear portion 206 merging into a base or heel 207 on which the iron may be seated.
Connected to iron 201 is a securement or terminal device, designated generally 209 connected by a rod 210 which may be termed a support arm extension by which the iron is to be supported and interconnected with a support 3Q linkage designated generally in its entirety at 211.
This linkage includes a downwardly depending hook 212 having a projection 213 over which is fitted a swivel ey~ 214 formed at the upper end of rod 210 and permitting rod 210 to freely swivel about two axes of rotation at right angles to each other and defined by hook member 212.
Iron support linkage 211 comprises articulated first and second arm members 215, 216 each swingable within a horizontal plane above the ironing surface 21~ of ironing board 2Q2 when the latter is in the use position as in FIGURES 24 and 25. For this purpose, arm 216 is interconnected with arm 215 by a swivel joint 218 in-cluding tubular housing 218l having, for example, sleeve-type bearings therein to provide a strong, secure coupling having very low friction. Arm 215 is, however, in~er-connected at its proximal end by a fixed connection 219 to a rotatable upright member 221 for permitting subs-tantial weight to be applied by arm 215 when the linkage is extended yet with extremely low friction.
Arms 215, 216 are preferably of tubular construction, as of steel tubing having rectangular cross section.
Linkage 211 is carried at the upper end of tubular up-ri~ht member 221 which extends upwardly from the rear o~ a base 222. Member 221 is vertically oriented according to the preferred construction. Extending upwardly from the ~ront of base 222 is a shorter tubular upright member 223 which is curved slightly to the left, as seen in FIGURE 20, at its upper extremity with respect to vertical.
Pivotally secured to the upper end of member 223 is ironing board 202. Base 222, its components, and members 221, 223 are all preferably of steel tubing. Protective rubber or plastic caps 220 are fitted over the free ends of tubular base members. An arrangement permitting rot-ation of member 221 about its axis of elongation is explained later.

Referring to FIGURES 24 and 25, base 222 is formed primarily of two tubular support members 224, 224' inter-connected at the rear by bracket-like member 225 and forwardly by a rod 226 ~FIGURE 34), the latter extending through a beam 227 upon which stand upright members 221, 223. Support members 224, 224' extend forwardly from rod 226 to provide extensions beneath ironing board 202 ~or stable support. Members 224, 224' can freely rotate in bracket 225 and relative to rod 226. At opposite ends of member 224' are rotatable caster wheels 228 by which the apparatus when folded may be rolled easily across a floor surface.
Extending radially from members 224, 224' are respective leg members or extensions 229, 229' each swingable in a vertical plane on a horizontal transversely oriented pivot axis defined by rotation of members 224, 224', permitting movement of extensions 229, 229' (which are thus swingably afixed), between respective raised positions (FIGURES 19-21) for storage and extended positions (FIGIJRES 24 and 25) for use. In the extended posltions, extensions 229, 229' provide greatly widenecl area of contact of base 222 with the Eloor or other supporting surface.
This movement of leg members 229, 229' extends them i31 opposite directions from base 222 and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of ironing board 217 while underlying the same. This enhances the side-to-side stability of the apparatus~ This movement of leg members 229, 229' is controlled by a swing control linkage 231 interconnected with ironing board 202 by an arm 232 pivotally attached to the underside of board 202. This linkage causes the legs to be extended upon movement o ironing board 217 from its storage positlon to its use 7~

position. For this purpose, a sleeve 233 is slidable upon upright member 223. Linkage 231 includes first and seco~d links 234, 234' interconnecting sleeve 233 with the respective leg members 229, 229'. Arm 232 inter-connects link 234' with ironing board 202 at a location radially spaced from a point of its pivo-tal securement to upright member 223.
Referring to FIGURE 28, the upper end of ironing board support member 223 i5 connected to ironing board 202 by a shaft 236 which extends between longitudinal ribs of the ironing board which is thereby free to rotate on an axis at right angles to members 223 for movement between storage and use positions.
Referring now to FIGURES 26-30 and 33-35, the con-struction of the base and its various elements are more clearly revealed. Rod 226 is, in effec-t, a cross shaft for maintaining members 224, 224' in spaced rela~ionship.
This shaft is threaded at its opposite ends into plastic plugs, as at 237 in FIGURE 34, which are secured to the shaft by set screws, as at 238. Each plug 237 is free to rotate within the corresponding member 224, 224lo Slots, as at ~0, are provided for this purpose in each of members 224, 224'. Accordingly, legs 229, 229' may revolve through an angle of about 95. Rockably affixed, relative to shaft or rod 226, is a tension latch member 241 secured by welding to a U-shaped latch release member 243 extending rearwardly from the base for permitting the user to exert foot pressure for release of latch member 241. Release lever 243 is held in its level position 3Q prior to release by a spring wire 244 secured to base member 225. Release lever 243 extend~ rearwardly from an ~25-L-section member 246 which conforms to shaft 226 so that release lever 243 may pivot around the axis of shaft 226 ~or moving latch member 241 rearwardly as viewed in FIGURE 33.
A~' the rear of the base, secured to member 225 is a tubular member 247 in which is rotatably affixed tubular support 221. See FIGURES 34 and 35 showing that member 225 is of bracket-like angle material with tubular member 247 being welded to the lower end. At the upper end, member 247 has a sleeve bearing 248 for journaling member 221 for rotation. A thrust bearing 250 is located within member 247 at the lower end for receiving a seat upon member 221. Bearing 250 has seated upon it a plug 252 fitted at the lower end of member 221.
Plug 252 is arcuately slotted at 253 to receive a screw 254 seated within an extension 255 for limiting rotation of member 221 within member 247. Also provided in plug 252 is a recess 257 for receiving a ball detent 258 located on the side opposite screw 254. Ball 258 is seated in recess 257 during storage movement of the ironer as described below. For this purpose, a plug 260 is Eitt~d into member 224' and defines, together with a ring 2Gl affixed by a set screw 262, an inclined seat or recess 263 for camming ball 258 into recess 257 upor~ clockwise rotation of member 224' as viewed in FIGURE 35.
When the ironing board is in use position, sleeve 233 is locked in its lower position by la-tch member 241.
Links 232 and 234, 234' are all connected to sleeve 233 by a single stub shaft 265 (FIGURE 26). This sleeve in-cludes also a latch pin 266 which latch member 241 engages by a suitable shoulder. For permitting sleeve 233 to ride smoothly upon member 223, an hourglass-shaped roller 267 provides rolling engagement with member 223 (FIGURE 21).
Downward mo~ement of sleeve 233 is limited by a pin 269 to precisely orient sleeve 233 in its locked lower position for rigidly securing legs 229, 229' in extended orientation.
When the user exerts foot pressure on release lever or plate 243, latch member 241 clears pin 266 to permit sleeve 233 to slide upwardly on member 223 for movement of the ironing board to its storage position and with corresponding rotation of legs 229, 229l to their re-tracted positions. Therefore, the operator need not bend over to reorient the ironing apparatus for storage~
consistent with an o~erall design philosophy of facilita-ting the task oE ironing in every possible way.
As viewed in FIGURE 24, ironing board 202, when thus released, is rotated or swung counterclockwise. Ironing board 202 continues rotating counterclockwise until reaching a vertical position, there stopping on dead center, legs 229, 229' then being vertical. Further, for compact storage~ arms 215, 216 are oriented as shown in FIGURE 21 proximate the bottom surface of ironing board 202 and with iron 201 located proximate the upper end of upright member 221 while remaining suspencled by rod 210 and safely out of contact not only with the ironing board surface but also any other structure.
Accordingly, there is no fire hazard or danger of harmful contact of iron 201 with adjacent materials or surfaces.
This permits the apparatus to be configured for storage without waiting for the iron to cool off.
~s discussed pre~iously, rotation of member 231 is limited by slotted plug 252. Therefore, arm member 215

-2~-'?7 may be reoriented to a position shown in FIGURES 19-21 and with further movement being limited by the engagement of screw 254 in slot 253. Slot 253 limits rotatlon of arm 216 during use of the iron, stopping the arm from rotating before it comes into alignment with arm 215 and, thus, preventing the arms from doubling back as would interfere with ironing and reorientation for storage.
When the ironing board is reoriented for storage, rotation of base member 224' cams ball detent 258 into recess 257, assuming that arm 215 has been first moved to its storage positionl as in FIGURES 19-21. The ball detent locks member 221 against further rotation to prevent the iron support arms from swinging when the ironer is tipped on its base and rolled, by means of rollers 228, to or from a storage location.
Referring to FIGURES 37 and 38, there is illustrated a mechanism 271 for securely retaining linkage in its storage position with arms 215, 216 folded back on one another as shown in FIGURES 24 and 25. I,ocated atop arm 215 near its connection 219 with member 221 is a latch 273 pivotally connected as by a screw 275 to the upper surface o arm ~15. Latch 274 includes a finger 276 located for engaging hook 212 when arm 216 is swung back against arm 215. A spring (not shown) beneath latch 274 suitably biases it for counterclockwise movement about pivot 275 to maintain finger 276 in contact with the shank of hook 212.
Further, a fitting providing a flange 277 having a pair of slots 278 is affixed to arm 215 rearwardly of latch 274.
Slots 278 are spaced for receiving the prongs 279 of the iron plug 280 for storage. Latch 274 is similarly provided with a flange 281 having corresponding slots 278l. The geometry of latch 274 is such that slots 278, 278' will come into registry only when hook 212 is engaged by finger 276. Thus, plug 280 cannot be inserked for storage until latch 274 is secured but, when so inserted, plug 280 effectively locks latch 274 in place. Latch 274 securely maintains the storage orientation of the arms of linkage 211 when apparatus is being moved~
Referring now to FIGURES 36-39, illustrated are features of securement device or unit 209 by which iron 201 is supported from linkage 211 and interengaged with it.
Unit 209 permits the iron to be moved between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with the ironing surface 217. In this regard, the iron is supported so that it can exert its weight when touching the surface for effective ironing when moved over the clothes to be ironed. Thus, the ironing is carried out partly b~ pressure and partly by steam and heat. However, the user may easily effect movement of the iron to its raised posltion, being assisted substantially. Securement unit 209 comprises a piece 282 oE sheet metal formed as by bendin~ to provide a channel section configuration pro-viding an upper portion 282a o~ U--shaped cross section having side flanges 283, 283' and hingedly secured a lower portion 282b wherein the flanges are tapered to diminish in height toward the lower end for conformance with the conventionally tapered handle portion 206 of the iron. Flanges 283, 283' extend forwardly at right angles from a flat rear wall 284 which is secured easily and simply to handle portion 206 by a screw 285, which may take the place of one conventionally par-t of the iron.

The lower end of rod 210 is suitably affixed to portion 282a which similarly includes a pair of forwardly extending flanges 286, 286' which are spaced just outwardly of flanges 283, 283' and are hingedly secured thereto by a transverse pin 287 extending through all four flanges r whereby rod 210 and element 282 are pivoted to permlt re-lative movement with the rod remaining always within a plane vertically bisecting the iron. It is noted that unit 272, and thus rod 210, extends upwardly from the iron in near alignment with the power cord 289 without inter-ference with sameO
Fitting portion 282a is connected by a pin 287 to portion 282b and with portion 282a having its upper end crimped and appropriately brazed or welded, etc. to the lower end of rod 210, as at 289. Pin 287 is hori20ntal and located above iron handle 205 whereby portions 282a, 282b form an angular relationship depicted in FIGURE 36 when the iron is raised, with said fitting lying near the top surface of handle 205 and with sufficient space pro-vided between it and the handle for insertion oE the user's hand. Pin ~87 is located such that when iron 201 is lowered into position for ironing, portion 282a and 282b come into substantial aliynment and with slightly over-centered relationship with a lower edge 291 of portion 282_ contacting the rear surface of the upper end of fitting portion 282b. Portions 282a and 282b are inter-connected by coiled tension spring 293 having one end hooked across a pin 294 at the iron-remote end o member 289 and the other end hooked to a pin 294 located just below pivot pin 287 whereby the axis of spriny 293 lies close to pin 287 when the iron is lowered, yet can exert increased leverage for maintaining the iron in a raised position, as shown in FIGURE 29.

As the iron is lowered into contact with ironi.ng surface 217, the effective lev~r arm provided by spring 293 becomes less and less and with the iron pressing with a substantial portion of its weight upon the articles being ironed and with additional weight being applicable by pressure of the operator's hand. Thus, the iron securement unit demonstrated in FIGURES 36-39 provides a significant advantage with respect to movement of the iron from its raised to its horizontal position and subsequent return to its raised position. Since the axis of spring 293 moves into alignment with the hinge axis defined by pin 287, the weight of the iron is transferred to the articles undergoing ironing.
It is preferred that the height of the linkage and length of rod 210 be such that the iron occupies its horizontal positi.on a short distance, such as about 0~5 inch (1.2 cm), before touching the iron.ing surface 217 so that the iron will drop under its own weight the re-maining small incremental dis-tance to the ironing surface, being thus no longer substantially under the influence of spring 293. For raising the iron, the user when lifting the iron handle will produce rotation about pin 287, rocking the iron upon its heel which thus serves as a fulcrum enabling the iron to be lifted easily. As the iron sole plate 203 begins to form an angle to the horizontal, spring 293, being pretensioned, begins increasingly to e~ert its influence by effective increase of the lever arm rel.ative to pin 287, so that the iron seems to lift itself wi.t~out substantial effort. This greatly minimizes the tiresome application of lifting forces and provides hitherto un-achieved ease of ironing by making it possible tG reposition the iron while it is fully supported by the new ironing apparatus.

This arrangement also provides a reduced height per-mi-tting the overall apparatus to be lower than otherwise possible while still making the iron readily accessible for movement between its raised and lowered positions yet without blocking the operator~s view of the iron as requisite for most effici nt use.
It is to be noted -that ironing board 202 is polnted at only one end, being that which would be to the left of the user when the iron is in use position as preferred if the user is right-handed. The new iron support arrangement permits, however, the iron to be easily re-located from its position shown (wherein the iron also points to the left), -to an opposite direction, as a left-handed individual would prefer~ Of course, the apparatus could be manufactured with the elements reversed or with the ironing board attached so tha-t its pointed end would be to the right of the user, e.g., as viewed in FI~URE 24.
The new appara-tus not only provides the user with previously unobtainable ease of ironing but also permits the apparatus to be taken from storage and rapidly re-oriente~ ~or use. Upon completion of ironing, the user may just as quic~ly return the apparatus to its storage orientation, even while the iron is still hot. Then, the apparatus can be easily rolled for re-turn to a closet or other storage location, being very compac-t and occupying storage space scarcely more than would be required for a separate iron and con~entional ironing board.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the various objects of the invention and other advan-tageous results are obtained.

Although the foregoing includes a description of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, various changes and modificatlons are contemplated.
Since it is understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the ironing apparatus of this in-vention may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principles of this invention, the descrip-tion, accordingly, lQ shall be intexpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.

Claims (19)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. Compact, collapsible ironing apparatus for supporting a hand iron above the ironing surface of an ironing board, comprising a base for supportive dis-position upon a supporting surface, characterized by at least one upright post member extending upwardly from said base, means for securing an ironing board in a use position proximate said post member with said ironing surface horizontally disposed for ironing thereon, an articulated linkage swingably interengaged at one end with said post member and extendable by articulation to positions over said ironing surface, securement means pivotally interconnecting the other, post-remote end of said linkage with said iron for permitting movement of said iron between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with said ironing surface, said linkage being swingable about said post member and pro-viding articulation when said iron is in said first orientation for freely permitting relocation of said iron to desired positions over said linkage surface, and means associated with said linkage for preventing articu-lation when said iron is in said second orientation to maintain said iron out of contact with said ironing surface.

2. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 1 and further characterized by said linkage comprising an arm pivotally secured to said post member for extending outward from said post member in angled relationship, a forearm pivotally connected to said arm in articulating relationship by means of an elbow, said elbow including a braking mechanism for preventing articulation of said fore-arm relative to said arm in response to the weight of said iron pulling down from said forearm when in said second orientation.

3. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 2 and further characterized by said braking mechanism comprising a cable interconnecting said forearm and said post member and disposed for being placed under increased tension in response to said weight of said iron pulling down from said forearm, said elbow including a cable sheave rigidly secured to said forearm and pivotal with respect to said arm, said cable passing at least partly around said sheave to provide friction preventing rotation of said sheave and thereby said articulation upon said cable tensioning.

4. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 2 and further characterized by said post member being of tubular con-figuration, said arm being also of tubular configuration and having a first lower portion telescopingly received by said post member for movement between storage and use positions, a second, upper portion hingedly affixed to said first portion and adapted for aligning with said first portion and also telescoping receivable by said post member for storage but forming an angle with said first portion and said post member for use.

5. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 4 and further characterized by a further upright post member extending upwardly from said base and spaced from the first-said post member, said means for securing an ironing board comprising a bracket transversely carried at the upper end of said further post member, and a locking device associated with said bracket for clampingly interengaging said bracket and a side edge of said ironing board.

6. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 1 and further characterized by said securement means comprising a fitting for attachment to said iron, a transverse shaft rotatably interengaging said fitting and a forearm extension inter-connecting said shaft with the post-remote end of said linkage, said iron being rotatable about said shaft for movement between said first and second orientations, said second orientation providing an upstanding disposition of said iron, and a spring wound about said shaft for re-siliently urging said iron for movement from the first to the second orientation, said spring being pretensioned to substantially nearly compensate for the moment of said iron normally maintaining said iron in said first orient-ation, whereby said iron will move from said first to said second orientation upon slight upward force exerted by the user on said iron which force is greatly less than the weight of said iron, said forearm extension being interconnected by a swivel with the post-remote end of said linkage.

7. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 6 and further characterized by said iron having a handle, said fitting including a bracket including a band adapted for being tightened to be clampingly secured about said handle thereby to grippingly secure said handle in pivotal relationship to said shaft.

8. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 7 and further characterized by said bracket having projections for engaging said forearm extension to define the limits of movement of said iron in said first and second orient-ations, said transverse shaft being shiftable relative to said bracket for permitting clearance between said pro-jections and said forearm extension for thereby permitting free rotation of said iron about the axis of said trans-verse shaft for pretensioning of said spring.

9. Compact, collapsible ironing apparatus for supporting a hand iron above the ironing surface of an ironing board, comprising a base for supportive disposition upon a supporting surface, characterized by at least one upright post member extending upwardly from said base, means for securing an ironing board in a use position proximate said post member with said ironing surface horizontally disposed for ironing thereon, an articulated linkage swingably interengaged at one end with said post member and extendable by articulation to positions over said ironing surface, securement means pivotally inter-connecting the other, post-remote end of said linkage with said iron for permitting movement of said iron between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with said ironing surface, said linkage being swingable about said post member and providing articulation when said iron is in said first orientation for freely permitting relocation of said iron to desired positions over said linkage surface, said base comprising folding support members movable between storage and use positions conjointly with swinging movement of said ironing board between its respective storage and use positions, said folding support members of said base comprising leg members swingably affixed for movement between respective raised positions for storage and extended positions for use, said extended positions providing increased area of contact of said base with said supporting surface, said leg members being affixed at opposite sides of said base and when in respective extended positions projecting in opposite directions from base.

10. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 9 and further characterized by said ironing board being swingable on a horizontal, transversely oriented pivot axis between vertical and horizontal orientations, respectively, constituting said storage and use positions thereof, said pivot axis being above said base and positioned laterally between said leg members, said leg members when extended underlying said ironing board being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis thereof, said leg members each being swingable in a vertical plane on a horizontal, transversely oriented pivot axis, and each leg member being interconnected by a swing control linkage with said ironing board.

11. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 10 and further characterized by said base comprising a frame, first and second tubular support members each pivotally mounted by said first and second upright members, said first and second tubular members extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said ironing board, each leg member constituting a radial extension of a respective tubular support member.

12. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 10 and further characterized by one of said upright members in-cluding a sleeve slidable thereon, said swing control linkage comprising first and second links interconnecting said sleeve with each of said leg members for movement of the latter with sliding of said sleeve, and a third link interconnecting one of said links with said ironing board for causing sliding of said sleeve with swinging of said ironing board, and latch means for latching said sleeve in a position in which said ironing board is horizontally disposed and said leg members are each extended.

13. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 11 and further characterized by one of said upright members in-cluding a sleeve slidable thereon, said swing control linkage comprising first and second links interconnecting said sleeve with each of said leg members for movement of the latter with sliding of said sleeve, and a third link interconnecting one of said links with said ironing board for causing sliding of said sleeve with swinging of said ironing board, and latch means for latching said sleeve in a position in which said ironing board is horizontally disposed and said leg members are each extended.

14. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 12 or Claim 13 and further characterized by said base including foot-operated latch control means for selectively releasing said latch means to permit swinging of said ironing board to vertical disposition and swinging of said leg members to a raised position.

15. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 9 and further characterized by said iron support linkage comprising articulated first and second arm members each swingable within a horizontal plane above said ironing surface, said first arm member being secured to and radially extending from the upper end of said second upright member, said second upright member being rotatably connected to said base, said second arm member being swingably pivoted to said first arm member and having a distal end supporting said iron, said first and second arm members being swing-able into positions folded upon one another for storage with said iron supported proximate said second upright member in a stored position, with said first and second arm members adjacent said ironing board when vertically dispositioned for providing said storage position thereof.

16. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 15 and further characterized by means responsive to folding of said folding support members for locking rotation of second upright member, and means for retaining said first and second arm members in folded orientation.

17. Ironing apparatus according to Claim 15 and further characterized by said iron securement means com-prising a unit for attachment to said iron, and a support arm extension providing interconnection of said unit and a distal end of said second arm member, said iron being rotatable with respect to said support arm extension for movement between said first and second orientations, and spring means interengaging said unit and said support arm extension, said spring being pretensioned and oriented for exerting increasing leverage as said iron is moved from said first to said second orientation and for maintaining said iron in said second orientation.

18. Compact, collapsible ironing apparatus for supporting a hand iron above the ironing surface of an ironing board and characterized by a base for supportive disposition upon a supporting surface, at least one up-right post member extending upwardly from said base, means for securing an ironing board in a use position proximate said post member with said ironing surface horizontally disposed for ironing thereon, an articulated linkage swingably interengaged at one end with said post member and extendable by articulation to positions over said ironing surface, securement means pivotally interconnecting the other, post-remote end of said linkage with said iron for permitting movement of said iron between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with said ironing surface, said linkage being swingable about (Claim 18 - cont'd.) said post member and providing articulation when said iron is in said first orientation for freely permitting re-location of said iron to desired positions over said linkage surface, said linkage preventing articulation when said iron is in said second orientation to maintain said iron out of contact with said ironing surface, and said linkage including an arm pivotally secured to said post member for extending outward from said post member in angled relationship, a forearm pivotally connected to said arm in articulating relationship by means of an elbow, said elbow including a braking mechanism for preventing articulation of said forearm relative to said arm in response to the weight of said iron pulling down from said forearm when in said second orientation, said securement means including a fitting for attachment to said iron, a transverse shaft rotatably interengaging said fitting and a forearm ex-tension interconnecting said shaft with the post-remote end of said linkage, said iron being rotatable about said shaft for movement between first and second orientations, said second orientation providing an upstanding disposition of said iron, and a spring wound about said shaft for resiliently urging said iron for movement from the first to the second orientation, said spring being pretensioned to substantially nearly compensate for the moment of said iron normally maintaining said iron in said first orient-ation, whereby said iron will move from said first to said second orientation upon slight upward force exerted by the user on said iron which force is much, much less than the weight of said iron.

19. Compact, collapsible ironing apparatus comprising a base providing supportive disposition upon a supporting surface for carrying an ironing board and for supporting a hand iron above the ironing surface of said ironing board, characterized by said base comprising a first upright member extending upwardly therefrom and means pivotally securing said ironing board to the upper end of said first upright member for swingable movement upon a pivot axis between storage and use positions, and a second upright member extending upwardly from said base, an iron support linkage swingably interconnected at one end to the upper end of said second upright member and extendable to positions over said ironing surface, and iron securement means pivotally interconnecting the other end of said support linkage with said iron for permitting movement of said iron between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with said ironing surface, said base comprising folding leg members swingably movable between extended storage and retracted use positions con-jointly with swinging movement of said ironing board between its respective storage and use positions, said leg members being affixed at opposite sides of said base and when in respective extended positions projecting in opposite directions from said base, said ironing board being swing-able on a horizontal, transversely oriented pivot axis between vertical and horizontal orientations, respectively, constituting said storage and use positions thereof, said pivot axis being above said base and positioned laterally between said leg members, said leg members when extended underlying said ironing board being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis thereof, each said leg member being interconnected by a swing control linkage with said (Claim 19 - cont'd.) ironing board, said iron support linkage comprising articulated first and second arm members each swingable within a horizontal plane above said ironing surface, said first arm member radially extending from the upper end of said second upright member and swingable therefrom, said second arm member being swingably pivoted to said first arm member and having a distal end supporting said iron, said iron securement means comprising a unit for attachment to said iron, and a support arm extension rotatably interengaging said unit, said support arm ex-tension providing interconnection of said unit and a distal end of said second arm member, said iron being rotatable about said shaft portion for movement between said first and second orientations, said unit including a first member for rigid attachment to said iron and a second member connected at one end to said first member in pivotal relationship for permitting said iron to pivot between said first and second orientations, said second member being connected at its other end by a rod-like member with the distal end of said first arm member, and a spring interengaging said first and second members, said spring exerting leverage between said first and second members for maintaining said iron in said second orient-ation, said spring being disposed for providing decreasing leverage for support of said arm as said iron is pivoted toward said first orientation.