CA2116493A1 - Wall mounted clothes steamer - Google Patents
Wall mounted clothes steamerInfo
- Publication number
- CA2116493A1 CA2116493A1 CA002116493A CA2116493A CA2116493A1 CA 2116493 A1 CA2116493 A1 CA 2116493A1 CA 002116493 A CA002116493 A CA 002116493A CA 2116493 A CA2116493 A CA 2116493A CA 2116493 A1 CA2116493 A1 CA 2116493A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- heating element
- housing
- steam
- liquid reservoir
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A wall mounted clothes steamer 80 comprises a housing 82, a mounting plate 84 for mounting the housing 82 on a wall or the like, a liquid reservoir in the housing 82 having a liquid inlet and a steam outlet, an electrical heating element in the liquid reservoir for heating the liquid to produce steam, and a flexible hose 94 attached to the steam outlet of the liquid reservoir and attached to a nozzle 96, whereby steam generated in the liquid reservoir enters the hose 94 and emerges through the nozzle 96.
The steamer 80 includes an arm 106 moveable from a first position as illustrated, in which it is located in close proximity to the housing 82 and a second position in which it is at an angle to the housing 82 and designed to support an item of clothing or a hanger holding an item of clothing for steaming. The arm 106 is connected to a first switching mechanism for switching the heating element on and off so that when the arm 106 is in its first position, the heating element is switched off and when the arm 106 is in its second position the heating element is switched on, provided that the liquid in the liquid reservoir is above a predetermined level.
A wall mounted clothes steamer 80 comprises a housing 82, a mounting plate 84 for mounting the housing 82 on a wall or the like, a liquid reservoir in the housing 82 having a liquid inlet and a steam outlet, an electrical heating element in the liquid reservoir for heating the liquid to produce steam, and a flexible hose 94 attached to the steam outlet of the liquid reservoir and attached to a nozzle 96, whereby steam generated in the liquid reservoir enters the hose 94 and emerges through the nozzle 96.
The steamer 80 includes an arm 106 moveable from a first position as illustrated, in which it is located in close proximity to the housing 82 and a second position in which it is at an angle to the housing 82 and designed to support an item of clothing or a hanger holding an item of clothing for steaming. The arm 106 is connected to a first switching mechanism for switching the heating element on and off so that when the arm 106 is in its first position, the heating element is switched off and when the arm 106 is in its second position the heating element is switched on, provided that the liquid in the liquid reservoir is above a predetermined level.
Description
~ 1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a wall mounted clothes steamer for steaming an item of clothing or the like.
United States Patent No 5,123,266 discloses a clothes steamer which comprises a housing including means for mounting the housing on a vertical surface such as a wall, a closeable Eiller opening through which the housing may be filled with water, an electrical heating element in a lower part of the housing, and a flexible hose, one end of which is in communication with the interior of the housing, whereby steam generated in the housing enters the hose, there being a nozzle at the other end of the hose thsough which the steam generate(l in the housing emerges. The clothes steamer may inclu~le additional features such as a steam operated au(lible warning device, the housing being formed with means for supporting the nozzle in an inoperative position, a mouth of the nozzle coming into register with a flow path leading to the audible warning device as the nozzle is placed on the supporting means; a rheostat for controlling the current to the heating element and a thermostat for interrupting the electrical supply to the element in the event that the housing has insufficient water therein; and a sight glass which visually indicates the water level in the housing.
Although the clothes steamer of US Patent No 5,123,266 is effective for the steaming oE an item of clothing or the like, there is always a need for an improved clothes steamer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a wall mounted clothes steamer comprising a housing, mounting means for mounting the housing on a wall or the like, a liquid reservoir in the housing having a liquid inlet and a steam outlet, an electrical heating element in the liquid reservoir for heating the liquid to produce steam, a flexible hose, one end of the hose being in fluid communication with the steam outlet of the liquid reservoir, a no~zle attached to the other end of the hose, whereby steam generated in the liquid reservoir enters the hose and emerges through the nozzle, the steamer being characterized hI that it includes:
an arm moveable from a first position in which it is located in close proximity to the housing and a second position in which it is at an angle to the housing and adapted to support an item of clothing or a hanger holding an item of clothing for steaming, and a first switching mechanism for switching the heating element on and off, the arm being connected to the first switching mechanism so that when the arm is in its first position, the heating element is switched off and when the arm is in its second position, the heating element is switched on provided that the liquid in the liquid reservoir is above a predetermined level.
The arm may be located adjacent to the housing or may be located in a complementarily shaped groove in the housing.
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The first switching mechanism preferably includes a cut-out switch which only permits the heating element to be switched on when the liquid in the liqui(l reservoir is above the predetermined level and which switches the heating element off when the liqui(l in the liquid reservoir drops below the predetermined level.
The housing preferably includes a compartment for storage of the nozzlewhen the nozzle is not in use.
In this case, the housing preferably includes a steam chamber in fluid communication with the compartment, and a second switching mechanism in fluid communication with the steam chamber and connected to the first switching mechanism, the second switching mechanism being adapted to be switched on manually and to be switched off by steam pressure when the pressure of steam in the steam chamber excee(3s a predetermined level, such that when the second switching mechanism is switched on and the arm is in its second position and the liquid level in the liquid reservoir is above the predetermined level, the heating element is switched on, and when the heating element is on and the nozzle is left in its compartment, steam exits the nozzle, enters the compartment and thence the steam chamber and causes the second switching mechanism to switch off and thus to switch off the heating element.
Preferably, the nozzle includes one or more holes though which the steam exits and the compartment includes one or more holes adapted to be in register with the holes in the nozzle when the nozzle is in the compartrnent, the holes in the compartment leading into the steam chamber.
:: -The housing preferably includes a first light connected to the first switchingmechanism and the secon(i switching mechanism such that the first light is switched on when the heating element is switched on and the first light is switched off when the heating element is switched off -The housing preferably includes a second light connected to the cut-out switch, indicating when the liquid in the liquid reservoir has dropped below lhe predelermille(l Icvel.
The housing may also include a sight glass in the housing for visually indicating the level of li(luid in the liquid reservoir.
The steam outlet preferably comprises a pipe, a first end of the pipe being located in the liquid reservoir above the maximum liquid level and a second end of the pipe being connected to the flexible hose.
The flexible hose preferably includes a liquid trap intermediate its first end and its second end to tn~p any liquid exiting the liquid reservoir.
The liquid trap preferably includes a tap for draining the liquid from the trap. - - - -.,~
The mounting means for mounting the steamer on the wall or the like may ~ -comprise a hole or holes in the housing or in a flange on the housing by -- -means of which the steamer may be attached to the wall with a suitable fastening mechanism such as a screw or the like. Alternatively, the mounting means may comprise a bracket adapted to be attached to the wall and into which the housing fits, or to which the housing is attached.
'' -BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWlNGS
Figure I is a perspective view of a first steamer according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the steamer of Figure 1 in a different posltion;
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Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the steamer of Figure I in a second position;
Figure 5 is a perspective front view of a second steamer according to the invention; and Figure 6 is a perspective rear view of the steamer of Figure 5.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS - - -Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings there is shown a wall mounted clothes steamer 10 which comprises a housing 12 with a liquid reservoir 14 - - -in the housing 12. The liquid reservoir 14 usually holds water, and the functioning of the steamer 10 will be described with reference to the use -of water. The liquid reservoir 14 has a water inlet 16 and a steam outlet comprising a pipe 18 having a first end 20 located above the maximum - -~
liquid level in the liquid reservoir 14 and a second end 22 for leading steam out of the liquid reservoir 14. ~ --The steamer also includes a nozzle 24 which is connected by a flexible hose 26 to the second end 22 of the steam pipe 18. The nozzle 24 includes a plurality of holes 28 from which steam is emitted for the steaming of an item of clothing or the like. The nozzle 24 is located in a suitably shaped compartment 30 in the housing 12. The compartment 30 also includes a plurality of holes 32 in register with the holes 28 in the nozzle 24, the holes 32 being connected to a whistle 34 I~ the nozzle 24 is in position in its compartment 30 with steam flowing, the steam will exit the holes 28, enter the holes 32 and activate the whistle 34 to alert a user.
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The steamer 10 also includes an arm 36 moveable between a first position, shown in Figure 1, where it is located in a complementarily-shape(l groove 38 in the housing 12 and a second position, shown in Figure 2, where the arm is at right angles to the housing 12. nle arm 36 is designed to hold a hanger 40 on wllich is located an item of clothing, or to support an item of clothing itself.
The housing 12 may also include a sight glass or water level indicator 42.
Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is located in the liquid reservoir 14 a heating element 44 and a first switching mechanism for switching the heating element 44 on and off. The switching mechanism consists of a float 46 attached to a first lever 48, a second lever 50 connected to the first lever 48 by means of a rigi(3 element 52 and a switching device 54 adapted to be contacted by an end 56 of the second lever 50. The switching device 54 includes a first switch 58 connected to a warning light 60 and a second switch 62 attached to the heating element 44. The rigid element 52 includes a stop 64 to prevent the levers 48, 50 from moving to a position where the float 46 might contact the heating element 44.
, The switching mechanism also includes a mechanical stop 66 connected by means not shown to the arm 36. ~-The functioning of the steamer 10 will now be described.
When the water level in the liquid reservoir 14 rises above a predetermined level (as illustrated in Figure 3) the float 46 floats and causes the first lever 48 to move towards the right which, through the rigid element 52 causes the second lever 50 also to move to the right so tllat the end 56 of the second lever 50 contacts the two switches 58, 62. In this position, the heating element 44 is turned on and the warning light 60 is turned off.
When the heating element 44 is turned on, it causes the water in the liquid reservoir 14 tv boil to create steam, The steam passes to the top of the ,"," ,",, , ,, " ;, ,, ",, , ~, , ,, .,: , , , "
liquid reservoir 14 and into the first end 20 of the steam outlet 18 and then through the pipe 18 into the flexible hose 26 to the nozzle 24 for use.
When tl1e water level in the liquid reservoir 14 drops to below the pre(letermined level (shown in Figure 4) the float 46 drops and pulls the first lever 48 and, through the rigid element 52 the second lever 50, to the left. Wllen this happens, firstly the switch 58 is activated and causes the warning light 60 to activate to indicate to a user that the water level is dropping to below the predetermined level. When the water level drops further, the second switch 62 is activated thus turning off the heating element 44, preventing the heating element 44 from burning out.
As stated above, the switching mechanism includes a mechanical stop 66 attached to the arm 36. This is designed so that when the arm 36 is located in its groove 38 in the housing 12 of the steamer 10, as illustrated in Figure 1, the mechanical stop 66 is in the position shown in Figure 4 In this position, even if the water level in the reservoir 14 rises above the predetermined level, the levers 48, 50 are prevented from moving to the right by the mechanical stop 66 and thus prevent contact with the switches 58, 62. Thus, the heating element 44 cannot be turned on and no steam is generated. When the arm 36 is moved to its second position, as illustrated in Figure 2, the mechanical stop 66 is moved out of contact with the lever 50, thus permitting the levers 48, 50 to move to the right to contact the switches 58, 62, provided that the water level in the liquid reservoir 14 is above the predetermined level. If the water level in the liquid reservoir 14 is not above the predetermined level, then the switch means will remain in the position shown in Figure 4 because of the action of the float 46. The steamer 10 is thus (lesigned so that it will only operate when the arm 36 is moved ~o its second position indicating that a user is ready to steam an item of clothing The use of the steamer 10 to steam an item of clothing will now be describe(l. Firstly, the arm 36 is pulled from its first position to its second ~', ~ i,j,, ~ "~ /", ~ ' J' ~ ;"' "~
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position. Secondly, an item of clothing on a hanger 40 or by itself, is hung on the arm 36. Thirdly, the nozzle 24 is moved from its compartment 30 in the housing 12 of the steamer 10 and is ready for use. The steam emitted from the holes 28 in the nozzle 24 may be used to steam the item of clothing to remove any crumples or wrinkles. When a user is finished steaming tlle item of clothing, the nozzle 24 snay be replaced in its compartment 30 in the housing 12 of the steamer lQ the item of clothing may be removed from the arm 36 and the arm 36 will, through a spring loading mechanism, return to its first position in its groove 38 in the housing 12. This will automatically switch off the heating element 44.
~eferring to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings there is shown a wall mounted clothes steamer 80 which comprises a housing 82 mounted on a mounting plate 84. The mounting plate 84 is designed to be attached to a vertical surface such as a wall by means of screws 86. The housing 82 may be mounted on the mounting plate 84 by any suitable means, such as for example by means of screws.
The housing 82 includes a liquid reservoir 88 which has a water inlet 90 and a steam outlet comprising a pipe having a first end located above the maximumi liquid level in the liquid reservoir 88 and a second end 92 for leading steam out of the liquid reservoir 88. The pipe in the liquid reservoir 88 is the same as the pipe 18 of the steamer 10 of Figures 1 to 4.
The steamer 80 also includes a f1exible hose 94, one end of the flexible hose 94 being connected to the second end 92 of the pipe in the liquid reservoir 88 and the other end of the flexible hose 94 being attached to a nozzle 96 The nozzle 96 includes a plurality of holes (not shown but equivalent to the holes 28 in the nozzle 24 of the steamer 10) from which steam is emitted for the steaming of an item of clothing or the like. The nuzzle 96 is located in a suitably shaped compartment 98 in the housing 82.
The compartment 98 also includes a plurality of holes in register with the ,:; ,,, ,, ,~,.",~,~"" , " ~ , " ~ , . . .
holes in the nozzle 96, the holes being connected to a steam chamber IOQ
The flexible hose 94 includes a liquid trap 102 between its first end and its second enu. The liquid trap 102 includes a tap 104 for draining liquid from the liquid trap 102. The l;qu;d trap 102 is designed to trap liquid exiting the l;quid reservoir 88 via the pipe and the flexible nozzle 94, to prevent that l;qu;d from ex;t;llg the no~zle 96~
The steamer 80 also ;ncludes an arm 106 carrying a hook 108, which arm 106 is moveable between a first position shown in Figure 5, where it is located adjacent the housing 82, and a second position, shown in dotted lines in F;gure 6, where the arm 106 is at an angle to the housing 82. The arm 106 is designed to hold a hanger on its hook 108 on which may be located an item of clothing to be steamed. The arm 106 may also support an item of clothing itself.
The housing 82 also includes a s;ght glass 110 for visually indicating the level of liquid in the liquid reservoir 88.
There is located in the l;quid reservoir 88 and a housing 82 a heating element unit (not shown but which may be a conventional kettle heating element unit). An end 112 of the heating element unit extends through the wall of the liquid reservoir 88 into the housing 82. A first switching mechanism for switching the heating element on and off is connected to the end 112 of the heating element unit.
The first switching mechanism includes a first lever 114 attached to the arm 106 and a second lever 116, the first lever 114 being located in and being moveable in a slot 118 in the second lever 116. An end 120 of the second lever 116 is connected to an arm 122 which may be moved to contact a switch to switch the heating element on and off.
When the arm 106 i5 in its first position, the first lever 114 is located at thebottom of the slot 118 so that the end 120 of the second lever 116 and the arm 122 are pulled away from the switch. When the arm 106 is moved from its first position to its second position, the first lever 114 moves upwards in the slot It8, against the action of a restraining spring 124, which in turn moves the second lever 116so that its end 120 and connected arm 122 moveto contact the switch to turn the heating element on. The spring 124 is designed to ensure that the arm 106 will always return to its first position unless it is held down by àn item of clothing to be steamed.
The first switching mechanism includes a cut-out switch which is formed as part of the heating element unit, which only permits the heating element to be switched on when the liquid in the liquid reservoir is above a predetermined level and which switches the heating element off when the Iiquid in the liquid reservoir drops below the predetermined level.
The heating element unit is a conventional heating element unit used in a kettle.
The steamer 80 includes a second switching mechanism associated with the steam chamber 100. The second switching mechanism includes a button 126 which may be manually depressed to contact a switch 128 which is also connected to the heating element.
As stated above, when the button 126 is depressed, the switch 128 is turned on and thus the heating element is turned on, provided that the arm 106 is in its second position and the liquid level in the liquid reservoir 88 is above the predetermined level. While the button 126 may be retracted manually to turn the switch 128 off, it is primarily designed to be retracted as follows. When the heating element is turned on so that steam is generated in the liquid reservoir 88, and the nozzle 96 is left in position in i~s compartment 98 as illustrated in Figure 5, any steam which exits the nozzle 96 through the holes therein, passes through the holes in the compartment 98 and into the steam chamber 100. When the pressure of -steam in the steam chamber 100 exceeds a predetermined level, the steam pressure forces the button 126 to retract to turn off the switch 128 and thus to turn o~f the heating element. This ensures that if the steamer 80 is turned on by a user who then forgets to use the steamer 80, after a period of time the heating element will be turned off to prevent burn-out of the steamer 80.
Various wires connecting the first and second switching mechanisms and - -other electrical components of the steamer 80 are illustrated in Figure 6. ~
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The steamer 80 includes a first light 130 connected to the first and second -switching mechanisms such that the light 130 is switched on when the i - -heating element is switched on and the light 130 is switched off the heating element is switched off. -~ ,~
The steamer 80 also includes a second light 132, connected to the cut-out switch in the heating element unit, indicating when the liquid level in the liquid reservoir 88 has dropped below the predetermined level.
."-':~ ', ",, The steamer 80 also includes a first electrical connection unit 134 which is ~ - -~esigned to receive a conventional kettle plug for supplying electrical power to the steamer 80, and a second electrical connection unit 136 which is --designed to be directly wired to an electrical wiring system to supply --electrical power to the steamer 80. Either one or other of the connections 134, 136 may be utilized. In addition, the connection 134 may be sealed off with a sliding plate 138, if it is not in use, to prevent a person from receiving an electrical shock. The functioning of the steamer 80 will now be described.
When the water level in the liquid reservoir 88 is above the predetermined level and it is desired to switch the steamer 80 on, the arm 106 is moved from its first position to its second position as illustrated in Figure 6, which lZ
switches on the first switching mechanism, and the button 126 is depressed, which switches on the second switching mechanism. This in turn switches on the heating element. The first light 130 is also switched on. When the heating element in the liquid reservoir 88 is switched on, it causes the water in the liquid reservoir 88 to boil to create steam. The steam passes to the top of the liquid reservoir 88 and into the first end of the pipe and then through the second end 92 of the pipe into the flexible hose 94 to the nozzle 96 for use. When the ste~m begins to flow through the nozzle 96, it may be removed from its compartment 98 and used to steam an article of clothing hanging on the arm 106.
1f the nozzle 96 is left in its compartment 98 while steam is being generated, the heating element will be switched off by means of the second switching mechanism as described above.
If the water level in the liquid reservoir 88 drops below the predetermined level, the cut-out switcll in the heating element unit will come into operation and turn the heating element off. This prevents the heating element from burning out.
When steaming of the article of clothing is complete, it is removed from the arm 106, which will then automatically return to its first position under the action of the spring 124. This will cause the first lever 114 and thus the second lever 116 to move downwardly and thus to retract the ensl 120 of the second lever 116 and the attached arm 122 to switch the first switching mechanism off and thus the heating element off. Alternatively, the button 126 may be manually retracted to switch off the second switching mechanism and thus the heating element.
The steamer of the invention has the advantage that it includes several safety features to prevent the steamer frorn accidentally being left on and bùrning out, In addition, the steamer is very effective for the steaming of clothes ,'., -~"~ ",,,,",,~,,,,,~","~,~ ", ,,,., -" ~
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This invention relates to a wall mounted clothes steamer for steaming an item of clothing or the like.
United States Patent No 5,123,266 discloses a clothes steamer which comprises a housing including means for mounting the housing on a vertical surface such as a wall, a closeable Eiller opening through which the housing may be filled with water, an electrical heating element in a lower part of the housing, and a flexible hose, one end of which is in communication with the interior of the housing, whereby steam generated in the housing enters the hose, there being a nozzle at the other end of the hose thsough which the steam generate(l in the housing emerges. The clothes steamer may inclu~le additional features such as a steam operated au(lible warning device, the housing being formed with means for supporting the nozzle in an inoperative position, a mouth of the nozzle coming into register with a flow path leading to the audible warning device as the nozzle is placed on the supporting means; a rheostat for controlling the current to the heating element and a thermostat for interrupting the electrical supply to the element in the event that the housing has insufficient water therein; and a sight glass which visually indicates the water level in the housing.
Although the clothes steamer of US Patent No 5,123,266 is effective for the steaming oE an item of clothing or the like, there is always a need for an improved clothes steamer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a wall mounted clothes steamer comprising a housing, mounting means for mounting the housing on a wall or the like, a liquid reservoir in the housing having a liquid inlet and a steam outlet, an electrical heating element in the liquid reservoir for heating the liquid to produce steam, a flexible hose, one end of the hose being in fluid communication with the steam outlet of the liquid reservoir, a no~zle attached to the other end of the hose, whereby steam generated in the liquid reservoir enters the hose and emerges through the nozzle, the steamer being characterized hI that it includes:
an arm moveable from a first position in which it is located in close proximity to the housing and a second position in which it is at an angle to the housing and adapted to support an item of clothing or a hanger holding an item of clothing for steaming, and a first switching mechanism for switching the heating element on and off, the arm being connected to the first switching mechanism so that when the arm is in its first position, the heating element is switched off and when the arm is in its second position, the heating element is switched on provided that the liquid in the liquid reservoir is above a predetermined level.
The arm may be located adjacent to the housing or may be located in a complementarily shaped groove in the housing.
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The first switching mechanism preferably includes a cut-out switch which only permits the heating element to be switched on when the liquid in the liqui(l reservoir is above the predetermined level and which switches the heating element off when the liqui(l in the liquid reservoir drops below the predetermined level.
The housing preferably includes a compartment for storage of the nozzlewhen the nozzle is not in use.
In this case, the housing preferably includes a steam chamber in fluid communication with the compartment, and a second switching mechanism in fluid communication with the steam chamber and connected to the first switching mechanism, the second switching mechanism being adapted to be switched on manually and to be switched off by steam pressure when the pressure of steam in the steam chamber excee(3s a predetermined level, such that when the second switching mechanism is switched on and the arm is in its second position and the liquid level in the liquid reservoir is above the predetermined level, the heating element is switched on, and when the heating element is on and the nozzle is left in its compartment, steam exits the nozzle, enters the compartment and thence the steam chamber and causes the second switching mechanism to switch off and thus to switch off the heating element.
Preferably, the nozzle includes one or more holes though which the steam exits and the compartment includes one or more holes adapted to be in register with the holes in the nozzle when the nozzle is in the compartrnent, the holes in the compartment leading into the steam chamber.
:: -The housing preferably includes a first light connected to the first switchingmechanism and the secon(i switching mechanism such that the first light is switched on when the heating element is switched on and the first light is switched off when the heating element is switched off -The housing preferably includes a second light connected to the cut-out switch, indicating when the liquid in the liquid reservoir has dropped below lhe predelermille(l Icvel.
The housing may also include a sight glass in the housing for visually indicating the level of li(luid in the liquid reservoir.
The steam outlet preferably comprises a pipe, a first end of the pipe being located in the liquid reservoir above the maximum liquid level and a second end of the pipe being connected to the flexible hose.
The flexible hose preferably includes a liquid trap intermediate its first end and its second end to tn~p any liquid exiting the liquid reservoir.
The liquid trap preferably includes a tap for draining the liquid from the trap. - - - -.,~
The mounting means for mounting the steamer on the wall or the like may ~ -comprise a hole or holes in the housing or in a flange on the housing by -- -means of which the steamer may be attached to the wall with a suitable fastening mechanism such as a screw or the like. Alternatively, the mounting means may comprise a bracket adapted to be attached to the wall and into which the housing fits, or to which the housing is attached.
'' -BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWlNGS
Figure I is a perspective view of a first steamer according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the steamer of Figure 1 in a different posltion;
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Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the steamer of Figure I in a second position;
Figure 5 is a perspective front view of a second steamer according to the invention; and Figure 6 is a perspective rear view of the steamer of Figure 5.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS - - -Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings there is shown a wall mounted clothes steamer 10 which comprises a housing 12 with a liquid reservoir 14 - - -in the housing 12. The liquid reservoir 14 usually holds water, and the functioning of the steamer 10 will be described with reference to the use -of water. The liquid reservoir 14 has a water inlet 16 and a steam outlet comprising a pipe 18 having a first end 20 located above the maximum - -~
liquid level in the liquid reservoir 14 and a second end 22 for leading steam out of the liquid reservoir 14. ~ --The steamer also includes a nozzle 24 which is connected by a flexible hose 26 to the second end 22 of the steam pipe 18. The nozzle 24 includes a plurality of holes 28 from which steam is emitted for the steaming of an item of clothing or the like. The nozzle 24 is located in a suitably shaped compartment 30 in the housing 12. The compartment 30 also includes a plurality of holes 32 in register with the holes 28 in the nozzle 24, the holes 32 being connected to a whistle 34 I~ the nozzle 24 is in position in its compartment 30 with steam flowing, the steam will exit the holes 28, enter the holes 32 and activate the whistle 34 to alert a user.
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The steamer 10 also includes an arm 36 moveable between a first position, shown in Figure 1, where it is located in a complementarily-shape(l groove 38 in the housing 12 and a second position, shown in Figure 2, where the arm is at right angles to the housing 12. nle arm 36 is designed to hold a hanger 40 on wllich is located an item of clothing, or to support an item of clothing itself.
The housing 12 may also include a sight glass or water level indicator 42.
Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is located in the liquid reservoir 14 a heating element 44 and a first switching mechanism for switching the heating element 44 on and off. The switching mechanism consists of a float 46 attached to a first lever 48, a second lever 50 connected to the first lever 48 by means of a rigi(3 element 52 and a switching device 54 adapted to be contacted by an end 56 of the second lever 50. The switching device 54 includes a first switch 58 connected to a warning light 60 and a second switch 62 attached to the heating element 44. The rigid element 52 includes a stop 64 to prevent the levers 48, 50 from moving to a position where the float 46 might contact the heating element 44.
, The switching mechanism also includes a mechanical stop 66 connected by means not shown to the arm 36. ~-The functioning of the steamer 10 will now be described.
When the water level in the liquid reservoir 14 rises above a predetermined level (as illustrated in Figure 3) the float 46 floats and causes the first lever 48 to move towards the right which, through the rigid element 52 causes the second lever 50 also to move to the right so tllat the end 56 of the second lever 50 contacts the two switches 58, 62. In this position, the heating element 44 is turned on and the warning light 60 is turned off.
When the heating element 44 is turned on, it causes the water in the liquid reservoir 14 tv boil to create steam, The steam passes to the top of the ,"," ,",, , ,, " ;, ,, ",, , ~, , ,, .,: , , , "
liquid reservoir 14 and into the first end 20 of the steam outlet 18 and then through the pipe 18 into the flexible hose 26 to the nozzle 24 for use.
When tl1e water level in the liquid reservoir 14 drops to below the pre(letermined level (shown in Figure 4) the float 46 drops and pulls the first lever 48 and, through the rigid element 52 the second lever 50, to the left. Wllen this happens, firstly the switch 58 is activated and causes the warning light 60 to activate to indicate to a user that the water level is dropping to below the predetermined level. When the water level drops further, the second switch 62 is activated thus turning off the heating element 44, preventing the heating element 44 from burning out.
As stated above, the switching mechanism includes a mechanical stop 66 attached to the arm 36. This is designed so that when the arm 36 is located in its groove 38 in the housing 12 of the steamer 10, as illustrated in Figure 1, the mechanical stop 66 is in the position shown in Figure 4 In this position, even if the water level in the reservoir 14 rises above the predetermined level, the levers 48, 50 are prevented from moving to the right by the mechanical stop 66 and thus prevent contact with the switches 58, 62. Thus, the heating element 44 cannot be turned on and no steam is generated. When the arm 36 is moved to its second position, as illustrated in Figure 2, the mechanical stop 66 is moved out of contact with the lever 50, thus permitting the levers 48, 50 to move to the right to contact the switches 58, 62, provided that the water level in the liquid reservoir 14 is above the predetermined level. If the water level in the liquid reservoir 14 is not above the predetermined level, then the switch means will remain in the position shown in Figure 4 because of the action of the float 46. The steamer 10 is thus (lesigned so that it will only operate when the arm 36 is moved ~o its second position indicating that a user is ready to steam an item of clothing The use of the steamer 10 to steam an item of clothing will now be describe(l. Firstly, the arm 36 is pulled from its first position to its second ~', ~ i,j,, ~ "~ /", ~ ' J' ~ ;"' "~
~~
position. Secondly, an item of clothing on a hanger 40 or by itself, is hung on the arm 36. Thirdly, the nozzle 24 is moved from its compartment 30 in the housing 12 of the steamer 10 and is ready for use. The steam emitted from the holes 28 in the nozzle 24 may be used to steam the item of clothing to remove any crumples or wrinkles. When a user is finished steaming tlle item of clothing, the nozzle 24 snay be replaced in its compartment 30 in the housing 12 of the steamer lQ the item of clothing may be removed from the arm 36 and the arm 36 will, through a spring loading mechanism, return to its first position in its groove 38 in the housing 12. This will automatically switch off the heating element 44.
~eferring to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings there is shown a wall mounted clothes steamer 80 which comprises a housing 82 mounted on a mounting plate 84. The mounting plate 84 is designed to be attached to a vertical surface such as a wall by means of screws 86. The housing 82 may be mounted on the mounting plate 84 by any suitable means, such as for example by means of screws.
The housing 82 includes a liquid reservoir 88 which has a water inlet 90 and a steam outlet comprising a pipe having a first end located above the maximumi liquid level in the liquid reservoir 88 and a second end 92 for leading steam out of the liquid reservoir 88. The pipe in the liquid reservoir 88 is the same as the pipe 18 of the steamer 10 of Figures 1 to 4.
The steamer 80 also includes a f1exible hose 94, one end of the flexible hose 94 being connected to the second end 92 of the pipe in the liquid reservoir 88 and the other end of the flexible hose 94 being attached to a nozzle 96 The nozzle 96 includes a plurality of holes (not shown but equivalent to the holes 28 in the nozzle 24 of the steamer 10) from which steam is emitted for the steaming of an item of clothing or the like. The nuzzle 96 is located in a suitably shaped compartment 98 in the housing 82.
The compartment 98 also includes a plurality of holes in register with the ,:; ,,, ,, ,~,.",~,~"" , " ~ , " ~ , . . .
holes in the nozzle 96, the holes being connected to a steam chamber IOQ
The flexible hose 94 includes a liquid trap 102 between its first end and its second enu. The liquid trap 102 includes a tap 104 for draining liquid from the liquid trap 102. The l;qu;d trap 102 is designed to trap liquid exiting the l;quid reservoir 88 via the pipe and the flexible nozzle 94, to prevent that l;qu;d from ex;t;llg the no~zle 96~
The steamer 80 also ;ncludes an arm 106 carrying a hook 108, which arm 106 is moveable between a first position shown in Figure 5, where it is located adjacent the housing 82, and a second position, shown in dotted lines in F;gure 6, where the arm 106 is at an angle to the housing 82. The arm 106 is designed to hold a hanger on its hook 108 on which may be located an item of clothing to be steamed. The arm 106 may also support an item of clothing itself.
The housing 82 also includes a s;ght glass 110 for visually indicating the level of liquid in the liquid reservoir 88.
There is located in the l;quid reservoir 88 and a housing 82 a heating element unit (not shown but which may be a conventional kettle heating element unit). An end 112 of the heating element unit extends through the wall of the liquid reservoir 88 into the housing 82. A first switching mechanism for switching the heating element on and off is connected to the end 112 of the heating element unit.
The first switching mechanism includes a first lever 114 attached to the arm 106 and a second lever 116, the first lever 114 being located in and being moveable in a slot 118 in the second lever 116. An end 120 of the second lever 116 is connected to an arm 122 which may be moved to contact a switch to switch the heating element on and off.
When the arm 106 i5 in its first position, the first lever 114 is located at thebottom of the slot 118 so that the end 120 of the second lever 116 and the arm 122 are pulled away from the switch. When the arm 106 is moved from its first position to its second position, the first lever 114 moves upwards in the slot It8, against the action of a restraining spring 124, which in turn moves the second lever 116so that its end 120 and connected arm 122 moveto contact the switch to turn the heating element on. The spring 124 is designed to ensure that the arm 106 will always return to its first position unless it is held down by àn item of clothing to be steamed.
The first switching mechanism includes a cut-out switch which is formed as part of the heating element unit, which only permits the heating element to be switched on when the liquid in the liquid reservoir is above a predetermined level and which switches the heating element off when the Iiquid in the liquid reservoir drops below the predetermined level.
The heating element unit is a conventional heating element unit used in a kettle.
The steamer 80 includes a second switching mechanism associated with the steam chamber 100. The second switching mechanism includes a button 126 which may be manually depressed to contact a switch 128 which is also connected to the heating element.
As stated above, when the button 126 is depressed, the switch 128 is turned on and thus the heating element is turned on, provided that the arm 106 is in its second position and the liquid level in the liquid reservoir 88 is above the predetermined level. While the button 126 may be retracted manually to turn the switch 128 off, it is primarily designed to be retracted as follows. When the heating element is turned on so that steam is generated in the liquid reservoir 88, and the nozzle 96 is left in position in i~s compartment 98 as illustrated in Figure 5, any steam which exits the nozzle 96 through the holes therein, passes through the holes in the compartment 98 and into the steam chamber 100. When the pressure of -steam in the steam chamber 100 exceeds a predetermined level, the steam pressure forces the button 126 to retract to turn off the switch 128 and thus to turn o~f the heating element. This ensures that if the steamer 80 is turned on by a user who then forgets to use the steamer 80, after a period of time the heating element will be turned off to prevent burn-out of the steamer 80.
Various wires connecting the first and second switching mechanisms and - -other electrical components of the steamer 80 are illustrated in Figure 6. ~
--:
The steamer 80 includes a first light 130 connected to the first and second -switching mechanisms such that the light 130 is switched on when the i - -heating element is switched on and the light 130 is switched off the heating element is switched off. -~ ,~
The steamer 80 also includes a second light 132, connected to the cut-out switch in the heating element unit, indicating when the liquid level in the liquid reservoir 88 has dropped below the predetermined level.
."-':~ ', ",, The steamer 80 also includes a first electrical connection unit 134 which is ~ - -~esigned to receive a conventional kettle plug for supplying electrical power to the steamer 80, and a second electrical connection unit 136 which is --designed to be directly wired to an electrical wiring system to supply --electrical power to the steamer 80. Either one or other of the connections 134, 136 may be utilized. In addition, the connection 134 may be sealed off with a sliding plate 138, if it is not in use, to prevent a person from receiving an electrical shock. The functioning of the steamer 80 will now be described.
When the water level in the liquid reservoir 88 is above the predetermined level and it is desired to switch the steamer 80 on, the arm 106 is moved from its first position to its second position as illustrated in Figure 6, which lZ
switches on the first switching mechanism, and the button 126 is depressed, which switches on the second switching mechanism. This in turn switches on the heating element. The first light 130 is also switched on. When the heating element in the liquid reservoir 88 is switched on, it causes the water in the liquid reservoir 88 to boil to create steam. The steam passes to the top of the liquid reservoir 88 and into the first end of the pipe and then through the second end 92 of the pipe into the flexible hose 94 to the nozzle 96 for use. When the ste~m begins to flow through the nozzle 96, it may be removed from its compartment 98 and used to steam an article of clothing hanging on the arm 106.
1f the nozzle 96 is left in its compartment 98 while steam is being generated, the heating element will be switched off by means of the second switching mechanism as described above.
If the water level in the liquid reservoir 88 drops below the predetermined level, the cut-out switcll in the heating element unit will come into operation and turn the heating element off. This prevents the heating element from burning out.
When steaming of the article of clothing is complete, it is removed from the arm 106, which will then automatically return to its first position under the action of the spring 124. This will cause the first lever 114 and thus the second lever 116 to move downwardly and thus to retract the ensl 120 of the second lever 116 and the attached arm 122 to switch the first switching mechanism off and thus the heating element off. Alternatively, the button 126 may be manually retracted to switch off the second switching mechanism and thus the heating element.
The steamer of the invention has the advantage that it includes several safety features to prevent the steamer frorn accidentally being left on and bùrning out, In addition, the steamer is very effective for the steaming of clothes ,'., -~"~ ",,,,",,~,,,,,~","~,~ ", ,,,., -" ~
~", , , ~ i "," " ,,
Claims (11)
1.
A wall mounted clothes steamer comprising a housing, mounting means for mounting the housing on a wall or the like, a liquid reservoir in the housing having a liquid inlet and a steam outlet, an electrical heating element in the liquid reservoir for heating the liquid to produce steam, a flexible hose, one end of the hose being in fluid communication with the steam outlet of the liquid reservoir, a nozzle attached to the other end of the hose, whereby steam generated in the liquid reservoir enters the hose and emerges through the nozzle, is characterized in that the steamer includes:
an arm moveable from a first position in which it is located in close proximity to the housing and a second position in which it is at an angle to the housing and adapted to support an item of clothing or a hanger holding an item of clothing for steaming, and a first switching mechanism for switching the heating element on and off, the arm being connected to the first switching mechanism so that when the arm is in its first position, the heating element is switched off and when the arm is in its second position, the heating element is switched on provided that the liquid in the liquid reservoir is above a predetermined level.
A wall mounted clothes steamer comprising a housing, mounting means for mounting the housing on a wall or the like, a liquid reservoir in the housing having a liquid inlet and a steam outlet, an electrical heating element in the liquid reservoir for heating the liquid to produce steam, a flexible hose, one end of the hose being in fluid communication with the steam outlet of the liquid reservoir, a nozzle attached to the other end of the hose, whereby steam generated in the liquid reservoir enters the hose and emerges through the nozzle, is characterized in that the steamer includes:
an arm moveable from a first position in which it is located in close proximity to the housing and a second position in which it is at an angle to the housing and adapted to support an item of clothing or a hanger holding an item of clothing for steaming, and a first switching mechanism for switching the heating element on and off, the arm being connected to the first switching mechanism so that when the arm is in its first position, the heating element is switched off and when the arm is in its second position, the heating element is switched on provided that the liquid in the liquid reservoir is above a predetermined level.
2.
A steamer according to claim 1 wherein the first switching mechanism includes a cut-out switch which only permits the heating element to be switched on when the liquid in the liquid reservoir is above the predetermined level and which switches the heating element off when the liquid in the liquid reservoir drops below the predetermined level.
A steamer according to claim 1 wherein the first switching mechanism includes a cut-out switch which only permits the heating element to be switched on when the liquid in the liquid reservoir is above the predetermined level and which switches the heating element off when the liquid in the liquid reservoir drops below the predetermined level.
3.
A steamer according to claim I wherein the housing includes a compartment for storage of the nozzle when the nozzle is not in use.
A steamer according to claim I wherein the housing includes a compartment for storage of the nozzle when the nozzle is not in use.
4.
A steamer according to claims 3 wherein the housing includes a steam chamber in fluid communication with the compartment and a second switch mechanism in fluid communication with the steam chamber and connected to the first switch mechanism, the second switch mechanism being adapted to be switched on manually and to be switched off by steam pressure when the pressure of steam in the steam chamber exceeds a predetermined level, such that when the second switching mechanism is turned on and the arm is in its second position and the liquid level in the liquid reservoir is above the predetermined level, the heating element is switched on, and when the heating element is on and the nozzle is left in its compartment, steam exits the nozzle, enters the compartment and thence the steam chamber and causes the second switching mechanism to switch off and thus to switch off the heating element.
A steamer according to claims 3 wherein the housing includes a steam chamber in fluid communication with the compartment and a second switch mechanism in fluid communication with the steam chamber and connected to the first switch mechanism, the second switch mechanism being adapted to be switched on manually and to be switched off by steam pressure when the pressure of steam in the steam chamber exceeds a predetermined level, such that when the second switching mechanism is turned on and the arm is in its second position and the liquid level in the liquid reservoir is above the predetermined level, the heating element is switched on, and when the heating element is on and the nozzle is left in its compartment, steam exits the nozzle, enters the compartment and thence the steam chamber and causes the second switching mechanism to switch off and thus to switch off the heating element.
5.
A steamer according to claim 4 wherein the nozzle includes one or more holes through which the steam exits and the compartment includes one or more holes in register with the holes in the nozzle when the nozzle is in the compartment, the holes in the compartment leading into the steam chamber.
A steamer according to claim 4 wherein the nozzle includes one or more holes through which the steam exits and the compartment includes one or more holes in register with the holes in the nozzle when the nozzle is in the compartment, the holes in the compartment leading into the steam chamber.
6.
A steamer according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the housing includes a first light connected to the first switching mechanism and to the second switching mechanism such that the first light is switched on when the heating element is switched on and the first light is switched off when the heating element is switched off.
A steamer according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the housing includes a first light connected to the first switching mechanism and to the second switching mechanism such that the first light is switched on when the heating element is switched on and the first light is switched off when the heating element is switched off.
7.
A steamer according to claim 2 wherein the housing includes a second light connected to the cut-out switch, indicating when the liquid in the liquid reservoir has dropped below the predetermined level.
A steamer according to claim 2 wherein the housing includes a second light connected to the cut-out switch, indicating when the liquid in the liquid reservoir has dropped below the predetermined level.
8.
A steamer according to claim 1 wherein the housing includes a sight glass in the housing for visually indicating the level of the liquid in the liquid reservoir.
A steamer according to claim 1 wherein the housing includes a sight glass in the housing for visually indicating the level of the liquid in the liquid reservoir.
9.
A steamer according to claim 1 wherein the steam outlet comprises a pipe, a first end of the pipe being located in the liquid reservoir above the maximum liquid level and a second end of the pipe being connected to the flexible hose.
A steamer according to claim 1 wherein the steam outlet comprises a pipe, a first end of the pipe being located in the liquid reservoir above the maximum liquid level and a second end of the pipe being connected to the flexible hose.
10.
A steamer according to claim 1 wherein the flexible hose includes a liquid trap intermediate its first end and its second end to trap any liquid exiting the liquid reservoir.
A steamer according to claim 1 wherein the flexible hose includes a liquid trap intermediate its first end and its second end to trap any liquid exiting the liquid reservoir.
11.
A steamer according to claim 10 wherein the liquid trap includes a tap for draining the liquid from the trap.
A steamer according to claim 10 wherein the liquid trap includes a tap for draining the liquid from the trap.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA93/1386 | 1993-02-26 | ||
| ZA931386 | 1993-02-26 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2116493A1 true CA2116493A1 (en) | 1994-08-27 |
Family
ID=25582606
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002116493A Abandoned CA2116493A1 (en) | 1993-02-26 | 1994-02-25 | Wall mounted clothes steamer |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0788295A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU5646294A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2116493A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8968466B2 (en) | 2011-08-22 | 2015-03-03 | Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. | Sizing and rheology agents for gypsum stucco systems for water resistant panel production |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RU2652970C2 (en) * | 2012-08-21 | 2018-05-03 | Конинклейке Филипс Н.В. | Enclosure for steamer |
| CN110699936A (en) * | 2019-09-27 | 2020-01-17 | 大连理工大学 | A quick leveling device of clothing for public place |
| USD1023496S1 (en) * | 2022-09-21 | 2024-04-16 | Shenzhen Yuanrui Information Technology Co., Ltd | Iron |
-
1994
- 1994-02-25 CA CA002116493A patent/CA2116493A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-02-28 AU AU56462/94A patent/AU5646294A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-02-28 JP JP6029972A patent/JPH0788295A/en not_active Ceased
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8968466B2 (en) | 2011-08-22 | 2015-03-03 | Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. | Sizing and rheology agents for gypsum stucco systems for water resistant panel production |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU5646294A (en) | 1994-09-01 |
| JPH0788295A (en) | 1995-04-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |