CA2190216A1 - Insulating structure for an iron - Google Patents

Insulating structure for an iron

Info

Publication number
CA2190216A1
CA2190216A1 CA 2190216 CA2190216A CA2190216A1 CA 2190216 A1 CA2190216 A1 CA 2190216A1 CA 2190216 CA2190216 CA 2190216 CA 2190216 A CA2190216 A CA 2190216A CA 2190216 A1 CA2190216 A1 CA 2190216A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
opening
housing
soleplate
iron
insulating structure
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
Application number
CA 2190216
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Keith J. Hensel
Richard L. Hoare
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sunbeam Corp Ltd
Sunbeam Products Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2190216A1 publication Critical patent/CA2190216A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

An insulating structure for an iron having a outer casing, a soleplate assembly and a housing positioned therebetween with at least one electric terminal extending through an opening in the housing. One end of the electric terminal is in heat transfer relationship with the soleplate and is connectable at its other end to an electrical lead of a power cord. The opening in the housing is proportioned such that the terminal passing extending therethrough completely filling the opening preventing the flow of air therethrough. The opening may include a beveled surface in order to facilitate the insertion of the electric terminal.

Description

~19021 6 INSULATING ~ KE FOR AN IRON

P~ O~ND OF THE lNV~. ~lON

Field of the Invention This invention relates to an insulating structure.
More particularly, this invention concerns a pressing iron having a housing, a soleplate assembly, and an electric term;n~l wherein the term;n~l extends through an opening in the housing and is in a heat transfer relationship with the soleplate assemblyO The electric terminals and housing openings are sized and proportioned such that air heated by the soleplate i5 substantially prevented from passing through the openings to other areas of the pressing iron.

Descriptio~ of the Related Art Conventional pressing irons generally comprise an outer casing having a handle which encases the pressing iron, a soleplate attached at the bottom of the iron, an interior housing separating the soleplate from other components of the iron, and at least one electric terminal extending from the soleplate through an aperture in the housing to the power cord for transferring heat to the soleplate. When designing a pressing iron, it is necessary to limit the transfer of heat from the soleplate to the other components of the iron. Other components of the iron may be adversely affected by the high temperatures which result from the heat generated by the soleplate. For instance, high temperatures may heat age and in extreme instances melt, the plastic components of the iron.
Further, the leads or the wires which are connected to the #223041 - _ 21902 ~

electric term; n~l S may be damaged from the heat generated by the soleplate.

Several approaches to solving this problem are known.
For example, expensive, high-temperature rated leads or wires can be connected near the soleplate and attached to a terminal block away from the high temperature portion of the ironO A lower cost lead or wire with a low-temperature rating can then be attached to the term;nAl block and used for the r~mA;n~er of the necessary lead length. Other conventional pressing irons provide an additional component or component~ which ~eal the gaps defined by the housing of the iron that the electric term;nAls pass through to commlln;cate with the soleplate. The disadvantage to the two above-mentioned solutions to the problem is that the cost of the design is high~

The conventional pressing irons do not provide an effective solution to the problem of insulating components of an iron from the heat generated by the soleplate assembly. Therefore, there is a need for a pressing iron having a structure which insulates components of the iron which are susceptible to damage from heat generated by the soleplate.

Summary of the Invention A preferred e-mbodiment of the present invention provides an insulating structure of an iron housing having an opening ~or a terminal to extend through which substantially prevents any heated air from passing through the opening. The opening has a width, a height, and a depth which is sized and proportioned such that the terminal extending therethrough completely fills the opening and prevents the passing of air therethrough.

The present invention provides for the insulating structure to be utilized in an electric pressing iron and preferably in a steam pressing iron. The insulating structure is a housing placed between the soleplate assembly and the other components of the pressing iron. An electric term; n~ 1 is connected at one end to a power cord and is in a heat transfer relationship with the soleplate at the other end thereof such that the electric term; n~ 1 extends through an opening in the housing. The heat given off by the soleplate is substantially prevented from passing through the opening by convection because the electric terminal completely seals the opening in the housing.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for the housing having a first wall portion, a second wall portion and side wall portions that are spaced apart from one another to define an opening, wherein the first wall portion is inclined, resulting in easy insertion of the electric term; n~ 1 through the opening. The edges of the first wall portion and the second wall portion are sized and proportioned such that they put pressure on the electric term; n~l providing for less chance of air gaps in the connection between the electric terminal and the housing.

Alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a second electric terminal and a third electric term; n~ 1 extending through a second opening and a third opening, respectively.

t223041 3 - 2190%3 6 The preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide that a surface of the second wall portion includes a bevel.

The electric terminal of the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be provided with at least one aperture resulting in the slowing of heat conduction through the electric terminal to the other iron components.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide for the housing structure to comprise a thermoplastic material~

Other detailsl objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a steam pressing iron having a housing which incorporates the insulating structure of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cutaway rear perspective view of the housing of the steam pressing iron of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the housing of the steam pressing iron shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the housing taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

#223041 4 219~216 Figure 5 is the cross-sectional view of the housing as shown in Figure 4 with an electric term; n~l partially inserted within the opening.

Figure 6 is the cross-sectional view of the housing of Figure 4 with the electric terminal fully inserted within the opening.

Figure 7 is a cutaway rear perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the insulating structure of the present invention.

Figure 8 is cross-sectional view of the insulating structure of Figure 7 taken along lines 8-8 with an electric terminal inserted within the opening.

DE~TT~n DESCRIPTION OF l~ PR~KK~v EMBODIMENTS

The insulating structure of the present invention is described below as being utilized in an electric steam pressing iron. The insulating structure of the present invention, however, can be utilized in any device wherein the prevention of heating or cooling by convection is required.

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of an electric steam pressing iron 10. The steam pressing iron 10 comprises a soleplate assembly 12, a housing 14, a tank 16, a pump assembly 18, a power cord assembly 22, and an outer casing having a handle portion 26, a top cover portion 28 and a heel rest 30. The housing 14 is connected to the soleplate assembly 12 by flanges 32; however, any conventional connection means may also be utilized. The ~223041 5 2~L9021 6 -soleplate assembly 12 substantially has a soleplate 34 generally comprising a metal material, and three electric t~rm;n~ls 36, 38, and 40 which are in a heat transfer relationship with the soleplate 34 at one end thereof. As illustrated on electric terminal 38, holes 39 are provided along the length of the terminals 36, 38 and 40 resulting in a substantial reduction of heat transfer from the soleplate through the terminals 36, 38 and 40 by conduction. During assembly of the iron 10, the housing 14 is slid over the term; n~l S 36, 38, and 40. The electric term;n~lc 36, 38, and 40 are inserted through the openings 48 of the housing 14 (not shown in Figure 1 and shown in greater detail in Figure~ 2-4) and are connected to the electrical leads 42 of the power cord assembly 22. It should be noted that in this present preferred embodiment only two of the electric term;n~ls 36, 38 and 40 are connected to leads 42. One of the electric term;n~ls is neutral.

The tank 16 rests on and is attached to the housing 14. The outer casing encases all three of the soleplate assembly 12, the housing 14, and the tank 16. Further, the pump assembly 18 fits between the handle portion 26 and the top cover 28. The power cord assembly 22 is pivotably attached to the heel rest 30 such that the electrical leads 42 extend between the heel rest 30 and the handle portion 26 of the outer casing.

The portion of the housing 14 concerning the presently preferred insulating structure is shown in greater detail in Figures 2 through 4. The insulating structure of the preferred embodiment of the invention is positioned at the distal portion of the housing 14. The housing 14 defines openings 48. The housing further comprises a first wall 1~223041 6 219~X16 portion 44 and a second wall portion 46 which are spaced apart from one another and a third wall portion 47. Each opening 48 has a width 50, a depth 52, and a height 54.
Preferably, the height 54 of each of the openings 48 is slightly less or equal to the thickness of the electric terminals 36, 38 and 40. In the presently preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1-8, the steam pressing iron 10 has three insulating structures 56, 58, and 60 to accommodate the three electrical term;n~ls 36, 38, and 40.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, during assembly the housing 14 is positioned over the soleplate assembly 12 such that the t~rm;n~ls 36, 38, and 40 extend through the openings 48. The electrical term;n~l 38 is positioned through the opening 48 of the insulating structure 58 of the housing 14. The lead connection end 62 of the electrical terminal 38 is positioned through the opening 48 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 5. The electrical term;na1 38 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 6, such that the electrical terminal 38 extends entirely across the width 50, the depth 52 and the height 54 of the opening 48 leaving no gaps for air to pass through. Because the height 54 of the openings 48 is smaller than or equal to the thickness 70 of the terminals 36, 38 and 40, a pressure is placed on the t~rm;nals 36, 38, and 40 which provides for a tight connection and no gaps. By completely filling the opening 48 air which is heated by the soleplate is prevented from passing through the opening and harming the plastic components of the iron.
Electric terminals 36 and 40 are inserted through openings 48 of insulating structures 56 and 60, respectively, in a similar manner.

#223041 7 -In operation, the electrical current passing through the power cord assembly 22 to the electrical term; n~ 1 S 36, 38, or 40 results in the resistance heating of the soleplate 34. Although it is desired to heat the soleplate 34 to high temperatures, the heat given off from the soleplate 34 can travel through electrical term;nAls 36, 38 and 40 and heat the air that passes through the opening.
The insulating structure of the present invention significantly reduces the transfer of heat through the openings 48 in the housing 14 by air. The height 54, width 50, and depth 52 of the opening 48 are sized and proportioned such that the respective electrical term; n~ 1 substantially fills the entire opening 48 when it is inserted therethroughO
~5 Figures 7 and 8 illustrate another preferred embodiment of the insulating structure of the present invention. This preferred embodiment of the insulating structure comprises a housing 14 defining openings 48 and having a first wall portion 44 and a second wall portion 46 spaced apart from one another. The opening 48 has a width 50, a depth 52, and a height 54. The second wall portion 46 is inclined and the openings 48 are separated from one another by partitions 66 positioned therebetween. The second wall portion 46 has a surface adjacent the opening 48 which includes a beveled portion 64. The beveled portion 64 facilitates the assembly of the electrical tPrm;n~ls 36, 38, and 40 through the housing 14. The beveled portion 64 guides the terminal through the opening 48.

~223041 8 021~

During assembly, the electric term; n~l 38 is inserted through the opening 48. The lead end 62 of the electric terminal 38 rides up the beveled portion 64 and then extends through the opening 48 until it is fully inserted therethrough as shown on Figure 8.

While we have described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims including all equivalents thereof.

i~223041 9

Claims (2)

1. An insulating structure for an iron comprising:
a housing disposed between a soleplate and an outer casing of an iron, the housing defining an opening;
a terminal electrically connecting a power supply cord of the iron with the soleplate;
wherein the opening is sealed when the terminal extends therethrough.
2. The insulating structure of Claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a beveled surface which partially defines the opening.
CA 2190216 1995-11-14 1996-11-13 Insulating structure for an iron Abandoned CA2190216A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US55752395A 1995-11-14 1995-11-14
US08/557,523 1995-11-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2190216A1 true CA2190216A1 (en) 1997-05-15

Family

ID=24225765

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2190216 Abandoned CA2190216A1 (en) 1995-11-14 1996-11-13 Insulating structure for an iron

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2190216A1 (en)
MX (1) MX9605572A (en)

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MX9605572A (en) 1997-08-30

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Dead

Effective date: 20060217