CN110846871A

CN110846871A - Ironing equipment

Info

Publication number: CN110846871A
Application number: CN201910733657.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯特凡·洛普雷特; 洛朗·德奥利维拉迪亚斯
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2018-08-20
Filing date: 2019-08-09
Publication date: 2020-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-09
Also published as: CN110846871B; FR3085046A1; FR3085046B1; EP3613894B1; EP3613894A1

Abstract

Ironing apparatus comprising an iron and a portable base comprising a location for placement of the iron, the base comprising a handle pivotally mounted about an axis X between a transport position and a retracted position, in the transport position, the handle extends over the site to allow transport of the entirety of the device through the handle, in the retracted position, the handle is disposed laterally of the site to allow access to the site, the base includes a locking device that allows the handle to be secured in the transport position, characterized in that the locking device comprises an unlocking button which is rotationally movable about a rotational axis R, which is parallel to the rotational axis X of the handle, which unlocking button can be brought from a locking position into an unlocking position by rotation about the axis R, in the locked position, the locking device secures the handle in the transport position, and the unlocked position allows unlocking the handle into the retracted position.

Description

Ironing equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an ironing appliance comprising an iron and a portable base comprising a location for placing the iron when the iron is not in use, and more particularly to an appliance comprising a handle pivotally mounted between a transport position in which the handle extends over the location to allow transport of the whole of the appliance through the handle, and a retracted position in which the handle is disposed laterally of the location to allow access to the location.

Background

From the devices marketed by the applicant an ironing device is known comprising a portable base equipped with an inclined plane suitable for placing an iron supplied with pressurized steam through the base, the device comprising a handle carried by an arch pivotably mounted between a transport position in which it extends above the inclined plane to allow transport of the whole of the device by the handle, and a retracted position in which the handle is disposed laterally to the inclined plane. Such a device is equipped with locking means allowing to fix the handle in the transport position and comprises an unlocking button which should be pressed by the user in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the arch in order to unlock the handle and bring it to the retracted position.

However, such a push-button type unlocking button has a disadvantage in that the unlocking operation of the handle is not so ergonomic, and the user must apply a force to the unlocking button in both an axial direction and a rotational moment to the handle in a direction perpendicular to the axial moving direction of the button.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome this drawback by providing an ironing apparatus comprising a retractable handle equipped with locking means for locking the handle in a transport position, wherein the ergonomics of the unlocking operation of the handle is improved.

To this end, the invention relates to an ironing apparatus comprising an iron and a portable base comprising a site for placing the iron, the base comprising a handle pivotally mounted about an axis X between a transport position, in which the handle extends above the site to allow transport of the whole of the apparatus by the handle, and a retracted position, in which the handle is disposed laterally to the site to allow access to the site, the base comprising locking means allowing the handle to be fixed in the transport position, characterized in that the locking means comprise an unlocking button which is rotatably movable about a rotation axis R, which is parallel to the rotation axis X of the handle, the unlocking button being brought from a locking position to an unlocking position by rotation about the axis R, in the locked position, the locking device secures the handle in the transport position, and the unlocked position allows unlocking of the handle to bring it to the retracted position.

An ironing apparatus equipped with such locking means has the advantage of having an unlocking button that should be operated by applying a torque in the same direction as the rotation direction of the handle or in the opposite direction, which makes the operation more natural and easier, the apparatus not having a tendency to move sideways during the operation of the button.

According to another advantageous feature of the ironing apparatus according to the present invention, the handle is unlocked by turning the unlocking button in the same direction of rotation as the one that allows bringing the handle from the transport position to the retracted position.

Thus, when the user manipulates the unlock button to unlock the handle, the user applies a torque to the unlock button that simultaneously tends to move the handle from the transport position to the retracted position. This configuration therefore has the advantage of allowing the user to unlock the handle and move the handle towards the retracted position with one hand in the same movement.

According to another advantageous feature of the ironing apparatus according to the present invention, said unlocking button is brought back to the locking position by a return mechanism.

This feature allows the unlock button to automatically return to the locked position when the user releases the unlock button.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the unlocking button comprises a gripping lug which protrudes at the edge of the unlocking button.

This feature allows the user to better grip the unlocking button with the hand, in particular for applying a rotational torque to the unlocking button.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the handle is carried by an arch, the ends of which are pivotably mounted on the two side surfaces of the base.

This feature allows to obtain a handle that is fully accessible in the transport position.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the unlocking button is carried by an arm rotating integrally with the arch.

This feature allows to make the unlocking button clearly visible and to give the locking device great robustness.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the arm extends transversely to the arch, in proximity to one of the pivotably mounted ends of the arch.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the locking device comprises a latch which is movable in translation along the axis of rotation of the unlocking button, rotation of the unlocking button between the locking position and the unlocking position causing the latch to move axially from a blocking position, in which the end of the latch blocks the rotation of the arch, to a release position, in which the latch is retracted to allow the rotation of the arch.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the latch is movable in translation in a bore comprising at least one guide ramp cooperating with a finger carried by the latch to convert the rotational movement of the latch into a translational movement.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the latch rotates integrally with the unlocking button.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the latch is brought back to the blocking position by a spring.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the ironing apparatus comprises at least one protective flap which can assume an open position in which it is disposed laterally to the portion to allow access to the portion, and a closed position in which it covers the iron at least partially when it rests on the portion, the protective flap being brought to the closed position when the handle is in the transport position, and the protective flap being brought to the open position when the handle is in the retracted position.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the shutter comprises a connection mechanism between the different shutter elements, so that these shutter elements deploy substantially uniformly or retract automatically one from the other when acting on a single one of the shutter elements to close or open the shutter, respectively.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the portion for placing the iron is constituted by an inclined plane on which the soleplate of the iron rests.

This feature has the advantage of obtaining an optimized ergonomic use of the device by simultaneously providing excellent visibility of the site and a better position for gripping the iron.

According to another characteristic of the ironing apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus is a steam generator, the portable base houses a tank for generating steam under pressure, and the iron is supplied with steam from the tank.

Drawings

The objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention with the handle in a transport position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of the generator shown in isolation with the handle in a retracted position;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the base shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base with the arch supporting the handle and the protective guard removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the arch supporting the handle and the protective shield;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the locking device of the arch supporting the handle;

FIG. 7 is another exploded perspective view of the locking device of the arch supporting the handle;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the locking device with the unlock button in the unlocked position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the locking device with the unlock button in the locked position;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the locking device with the unlock button in the unlocked position;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the locking device with the unlock button in the locked position;

figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of an arm supporting the locking device.

Detailed Description

Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, like elements are labeled with like reference numerals from one figure to the next.

Fig. 1 shows an ironing apparatus of the steam generator type, which generally comprises an iron 1, which iron 1 rests on a portable base 2, which portable base 2 integrates a tank for generating steam under pressure, not shown in the figures.

The iron 1 is generally equipped with a heated soleplate and is connected to the base 2 by a flexible cord 3, which flexible cord 3 integrates a power cord for heating the soleplate and a steam supply conduit for the soleplate of the iron 1.

According to fig. 2 and 3, the base 2 comprises a flat lower surface 20 and above this surface, in side view, has a substantially circular profile, which is partially sectioned to define an inclined plane 21, this inclined plane 21 constituting a site for resting the iron 1.

Preferably, the inclined plane has three protruding pads 22, which three protruding pads 22 allow to thermally insulate the base 2 from the hot soleplate of the iron 1.

The base 2 comprises, at the bottom of the inclined plane 21, a stop 24, on which stop 24 the rear part of the iron rests when the iron 1 is placed on the inclined plane 21.

The base 2 also comprises a control panel 25 at the back of the stop 24 and a removable water tank 26 housed in the space located below the inclined plane 21, the water tank 26 being used to supply the tank of the generator with water.

More specifically, according to the invention, the base 2 comprises a transport handle 5 pivotably mounted about an axis X, the handle 5 being able to pivot between a transport position (shown in fig. 1), in which the handle 5 extends above an inclined plane 21 to allow the transport of the whole of the apparatus through the handle 5, and a retracted position (shown in fig. 1 and 2), in which the handle 5 is disposed laterally to the inclined plane 21 to allow access to the inclined plane 21.

The base 2 has an elongated shape in a top view in the longitudinal direction, and the pivot axis X of the handle 5 is advantageously arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the base 2.

Preferably, the handle 5 is carried by an arch 50, the ends of which arch 50 are pivotably mounted about two studs 6 (visible in fig. 5), the two studs 6 being inserted into bores 27 provided on both side surfaces of the base. When the iron 1 is arranged on an inclined plane 21 to enable the device to be transported by the handle 5 without generating a large overturning moment (couple dereversion) at the handle 5, the location of the bore 27 is selected such that the pivot axis X of the arch 50 passes in the immediate vicinity of a vertical plane containing the centre of gravity of the device.

According to fig. 2 and 5, the device comprises locking means for locking the handle 5 in the transport position, carried by an arm 51 integral with the arch 50, the arm 51 being arranged near the end of the arch 50 and extending substantially radially to the pivot axis X of the arch. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the arms 51 extend over a length of about 8cm while forming an angle of about 110 ° with respect to the arch 50.

The locking means comprise a latch 7, which latch 7 is able to project in the direction of the base 2 to be introduced into a complementary-shaped receptacle 70 (visible in fig. 4), which receptacle 70 is arranged on a side surface of the base 2. Preferably, the base 2 comprises a plastic housing, and the housing 70 is arranged in the centre of a circular rib 71, the circular rib 71 being arranged on the lateral surface of the base 2, the circular rib 71 being obtained by moulding with the plastic housing defining the lateral surface of the base 2.

According to fig. 6 and 7, the latch 7 comprises a main body having a first end for introduction into a housing 70, the housing 70 having the shape of a cylindrical pin of circular section and having opposite ends comprising two guide fingers 72 projecting laterally on the main body of the latch, the two guide fingers 72 being arranged at 180 ° from each other.

The latch 7 is mounted translatably in a bore 52, the bore 52 being arranged in a circular ring 53 carried by the end of the arm 51, the bore 52 extending along an axis R, which is substantially parallel to the axis X, and the bore 52 comprising an inner surface having two notches 54 symmetrically arranged, in which notches 54 two guide fingers 72 of the latch 7 engage.

The locking device further comprises an unlocking button 75 mounted rotatably movable about the axis R and a spring 73 axially arranged in the bore 52, the spring 73 having an end fitted on a centering pin 74 and an opposite end pushing the latch 7 towards the base 2, the centering pin 74 projecting on the inner surface of the unlocking button 75. The guide finger 72 thus abuts, under the thrust of the spring 73, against an edge 54A of the notch 54, which constitutes a guide ramp 54A (visible in fig. 12), which guide ramp 54A cooperates with the guide finger 72 to cause a translational movement of the latch 7 when the latch 7 rotates in the bore 52.

As can be seen in fig. 7, the unlocking button 75 comprises two projecting teeth 76, the two projecting teeth 76 being axially engaged in two axial grooves 77, the two axial grooves 77 being arranged at the end of the latch 7 supporting the guide finger 72, so that the latch 7 and the locking button 75 rotate integrally with each other, the engagement of the two teeth 76 in the grooves 77 permitting the axial movement of the latch 7 with respect to the unlocking button 75.

Preferably, the guide ramp 54A has a suitable shape so that the latch 7 translates towards the unlocking button 75 when the unlocking button 75 is turned in the same direction of rotation as the direction of rotation corresponding to the rotation of the arch 50 from the transport position to the retracted position.

The tooth 76 has a cylindrical outer surface of circular section able to pivot inside the bore 52, the unlocking button 75 able to rotate around the ring 53 and comprising two fixing posts 78, the two fixing posts 78 passing through arched recesses 55 arranged at the edge of the ring 53, at the ends of these arched recesses 55 there being fixed washers 79, the washers 79 axially retaining the unlocking button 75 on the arms 51.

The unlocking button 75 is rotatable within an angular range defined by the length of the groove 55, the unlocking button 75 being movable between a locking position (shown in fig. 9 and 11) in which the latch 7 is in a blocking position in which the latch 7 projects in the direction of the base 2 and its end is inserted into the accommodating portion 70, and an unlocking position (shown in fig. 8 and 10) in which the latch 7 is in a release position in which the latch 7 is retracted into the arm 51 and disengaged from the accommodating portion 70.

The unlocking button 75 is advantageously equipped with two lugs 75A, which lugs 75A improve the grip and facilitate the application of a rotational torque to the unlocking button 75 by the user.

As can be seen in fig. 4, the side surface of the base 2 comprises, at the edge of the circular rib 71, an inclined rib 71A, which inclined rib 71A is arranged on the path travelled by the latch 7 when the dome 50 is moved from the retracted position to the transport position, the inclined rib 71A allowing the latch 7 to be pushed automatically into the arm 51 so that the latch 7 can pass over the circular rib 71 and into the housing 70.

According to fig. 1 and 2, the base 2 advantageously comprises a protective shutter 4, this protective shutter 4 comprising two

elements

41, 42 retractable one into the other, made of transparent plastic, for example plexiglas.

Each

element

41, 42 of the baffle 4 has the shape of a sector, the tapered end of which is pivotably mounted on the base about a stud.

The

elements

41, 42 of the protective shutter 4 thus constituted have a U-shaped cross section, and one of the two elements of the shutter, called the outer shutter element 41, is dimensioned slightly larger than the other element, called the inner shutter element 42, so that the outer shutter element 41 can be retracted onto the inner shutter element 42.

The inner baffle element 42 is sized to fit the inner baffle element 42 around the tank 26 to the outer contour of the base 2, the inner baffle element 42 being sized slightly larger than the outer contour. The inner flap element 42 can thus pivot about the tilting plane 21 and is located around the region of the base 2 in which the water tank 26 is integrated, the substantially circular outer contour of the base 2 being centered on the stud 6 here.

Preferably, the outer baffle element 41 rotates integrally with the arch 50 and therefore with the handle 5. To this end, the outer baffle element 41 comprises pins (not visible in the figures) on its outer surface, which engage in grooves provided on the inner surface of the arch 50.

Advantageously, each

shutter element

41, 42 covers a sector of about 30 ° angularly, so that when the protective shutter 4 is in the closed position (shown in fig. 1), the

shutter elements

41, 42 cover substantially the whole of the iron 1 arranged on the inclined plane 21, and when the protective shutter 4 is in the open position (shown in fig. 2 and 3), the

shutter elements

41, 42 are completely retracted onto the area of the base 2 where the water tank 26 is integrated.

As can be seen in fig. 4, the lateral surface of the base 2 also comprises a stop 28 against which stop 28 the inner and

outer shutter elements

41, 42 abut when the handle 5 is in the retracted position shown in fig. 2 and 3.

In a manner known per se, the outer and

inner shutter elements

41, 42 comprise stops (not visible in the figures) which cooperate with each other such that, when the outer shutter element 41 is manoeuvred in the closing direction, the inner shutter element 42 is driven in rotation by the outer shutter element 41 and there is little overlap between the two

shutter elements

41, 42.

The outer flap member 41 also includes an inwardly extending flange 43, which flange 43 cooperates with an edge of the inner flap member 42 to drive the inner flap member 42 to rotate and almost completely cover the inner flap member 42 when the handle 5, and thus the outer flap member 41, is manipulated in the opening direction.

Finally, the inner baffle element 42 is equipped with a stop 44 (visible in fig. 5), which stop 44 abuts against the end of the stop 28 to limit the rotational travel of the inner baffle element 42 in the direction of the inclined plane 21 when the handle 5 is brought into the transport position and the inner baffle element 42 is driven using the handle 5.

The device thus achieved has the advantage of obtaining a very good ergonomic use by allowing easy locking and unlocking of the handle 5 in the transport position. Indeed, when the user wishes to transport the apparatus, he simply grasps the handle 5 to bring it to the transport position shown in fig. 1, in which the arch 50 extends substantially vertically.

When the arch 50 occupies this position, the latch 7 is located opposite the housing 70, so that the latch 7 is automatically introduced into the housing 70 under the thrust of the spring 73, the unlocking button 75 then being in the locking position shown in fig. 9 and 11.

The protective shutter 4 is then in the closed position, preventing both the iron 1 from falling and anyone from touching the hot part of the iron.

When the user desires to use the device, he simply grasps the unlock button 75 and rotates the unlock button 75 in the same direction as the user desires to swing the arch 50 to bring the lock button 75 to the position shown in fig. 8 and 10, where the latch 7 is retracted within the arm 51. In fact, the latch 7 rotates integrally with the unlocking button 75, the rotation of the unlocking button 75 causing the rotation of the latch 7 and the sliding of the guiding finger 72 along the guiding ramp 54A, so that the latch 7 moves axially against the spring 73. When the end of the latch 7 leaves the housing 70, the rotation torque applied by the user to the unlocking button 75 simultaneously induces the rotation of the arch 50 and therefore of the handle 5 from the transport position to the retracted position.

Rotation of the arch 50 is accompanied by opening of the protective shutter 4, the outer shutter element 41 first retracting on the inner shutter element 42 until the stop 44 of the outer shutter element 41 abuts on the edge opposite the inner shutter element 42, and then the whole of the inner and outer shutter elements is driven laterally on the area of the base 2 equipped with the water tank 26.

When the user releases the unlock button 75, the unlock button 75 automatically returns to the lock position (shown in fig. 9 and 11) by the urging force of the spring 73.

The steam generator thus realised has the advantage of having a transport handle equipped with locking means, while ensuring a very good ergonomic use, allowing unlocking the handle with one hand, with the rotational movement of the unlocking button, the rotational movement of the arch towards the retracted position.

Furthermore, such a device has the advantage of having a protective flap, while ensuring a very good covering of the iron in the closed position, preventing the iron from falling and reaching the soleplate, thus greatly limiting the risk of scalding caused by contact with the hot soleplate during transport and storage of the iron. On the other hand, the protective flap has the advantage of a small footprint and is completely integrated in alignment with the base in the open position.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the described and illustrated embodiments given by way of example. Modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, in particular from the construction of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents.

Thus, in one embodiment variant not shown, the device may not be equipped with a protective baffle and only comprise a transport handle at the end of the arch.

Thus, in another embodiment variant not shown, the device may comprise a single-piece protective shutter.

Thus, in another embodiment variant not shown, the rotation of the protective shutter can be independent of the rotation of the handle.

Claims

1. Ironing apparatus comprising an iron (1) and a portable base (2), said portable base (2) comprising a site (21) for placing the iron (1), said base (2) comprising a handle (5), said handle (5) being pivotably mounted about an axis X between a transport position, in which it extends above said site (21) to allow transport of the whole of the apparatus through said handle (5), and a retracted position, in which said handle (5) is disposed laterally to said site (21) to allow access to said site (21), said base (2) comprising locking means allowing to fix said handle (5) in said transport position, characterized in that said locking means comprise an unlocking button (75), said unlocking button (75) being rotatably movable about a rotation axis R, said axis R being parallel to the rotation axis X of the handle, the unlocking button being brought by rotation about said axis R from a locking position, in which the locking means fix the handle (5) in the transport position, to an unlocking position, which allows unlocking the handle (5) to bring it to the retracted position.

2. Ironing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said handle (5) is unlocked by turning said unlocking button (75) in the same direction of rotation as the direction of rotation allowing to bring said handle (5) from said transport position to said retracted position.

3. Ironing device according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that the unlocking button (75) is brought back to the locking position by a reset mechanism.

4. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said unlocking button (75) comprises a gripping ear (75A), said gripping ear (75A) protruding at the edge of said unlocking button (75).

5. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said handle (5) is carried by an arch (50), the ends of said arch (50) being pivotally mounted on two side surfaces of said base (2).

6. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said unlocking button (75) is carried by an arm (51) rotating integrally with said arch (50).

7. Ironing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said arm (51) extends transversely to said arch (50) in proximity to one of the pivotably mounted ends of said arch (50).

8. The ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said locking means comprise a latch (7), said latch (7) being movable in translation along a rotation axis of said unlocking button (75), rotation of said unlocking button (75) between said locking position and said unlocking position causing axial movement of said latch (7) from a blocking position, in which an end of said latch (7) blocks rotation of said arch (50), to a release position, in which said latch (7) is retracted to allow rotation of said arch.

9. Ironing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said latch (7) is movable in translation in a bore (52), said bore (52) comprising at least one guiding bevel (54A), said guiding bevel (54A) cooperating with a guiding finger (72) carried by said latch (7) to convert a rotational movement of said latch (7) into a translational movement.

10. The ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that said latch (7) rotates integrally with said unlocking button (75).

11. Ironing device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said latch (7) is brought back to said blocking position by a spring (73).

12. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one protective shutter (4), said shutter (4) occupying an open position, in which it is disposed laterally to said portion (21) to allow access to said portion (21), and a closed position, in which said shutter (4) at least partially covers said iron (1) when said iron (1) rests on said portion (21), said shutter (4) being brought to said closed position when said handle (5) is in said transport position, said shutter (4) being brought to said open position when said handle (5) is in said retracted position.