CN113874577A - Support device for supporting a garment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a support device (2) comprising a hanger-like body (3) on which a garment can be placed and a tensioning member configured to tension the garment to facilitate ironing thereof. The tensioning member comprises a flexible strut (12, 13, 14, 15) and a control mechanism (11), the control mechanism (11) being configured to move the flexible strut (12, 13, 14, 15) between a rest position and a tensioned position in which the flexible strut is elastically deformed and exerts a tension on the garment.

Description

Support device for supporting a garment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of ironing apparatuses for ironing garments, such as coats, suspended vertically on a supporting means, and more particularly to a supporting means configured to be used in combination with an ironing apparatus, such as an ironing apparatus provided with an ironing head operable by a user, or an ironing apparatus provided with an ironing cabinet adapted to house the supporting means containing the garments to be ironed.

Background

Document CN208009116U describes a supporting device configured to support a garment, such as a coat, comprising a hanger-like body on which the garment can be placed and a tensioning member configured to tension the garment to facilitate its subsequent ironing. Specifically, the tensioning members include pull cords configured to be fastened to sleeves and lower portions of the garment supported by the support device to tension the garment.

However, placing the garment on such a support device is complicated and time consuming.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these disadvantages.

In particular, the technical problem underlying the present invention is that of providing a supporting device which ensures that the garment is tensioned without wrinkling or deforming the garment, while being simple to use and which subsequently enables satisfactory ironing of the garment by means of an ironing apparatus.

To this end, the invention relates to a support device for supporting a garment, such as a coat, comprising a hanger-like body on which the garment can be placed and a tensioning member configured to tension the garment to facilitate ironing thereof, characterized in that the tensioning member comprises a flexible stay and a control mechanism configured to move the flexible stay between a rest position and a tensioned position in which the flexible stay is elastically deformed and exerts a tension on the garment.

This configuration of the support device allows for tensioning of a garment located on the support device by simple actuation of the tensioning member by the user, which greatly simplifies the use of the support device according to the invention.

Furthermore, the presence of the flexible stay elastically deformable between the rest position and the tensioning position ensures that the garment can be tensioned without wrinkling or deformation.

The support device may also have one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each flexible strut is made of a composite material or a metal or plastic material.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism comprises a control rod movably mounted relative to the body between a first rod position and a second rod position, the control mechanism being configured such that movement of the control rod from the first rod position to the second rod position drives movement of the flexible strut from the rest position to the tensioning position, and such that movement of the control rod from the second rod position to the first rod position drives movement of the flexible strut from the tensioning position to the rest position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the control rod is slidably mounted with respect to the body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism comprises an actuating handle integrated with the control lever.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the flexible struts include first and second torso struts configured to extend within the torso portion of the garment and configured to apply tension to the torso portion of the garment when the first and second torso struts are in the tensioned position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second torso struts includes a first torso strut portion secured to the upper end of the control rod, a second torso strut portion secured to the lower end of the control rod, and a tensioning portion located between the respective first and second torso strut portions. The control mechanism is configured such that movement of the control lever from the first lever position to the second lever position drives movement of the first and second torso struts from the rest position to the tensioned position, and such that movement of the control lever from the second lever position to the first lever position drives movement of the first and second torso struts from the tensioned position to the rest position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuating handle is fastened to the upper end of the control rod.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second torso strut portion of each of the first and second torso struts is secured to a lower end of the control rod.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism is configured such that the second torso strut portion of each of the first and second torso struts is oriented at an inclination angle of between 30 ° and 60 °, for example about 45 °, to the vertical when the control lever is in the first lever position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism is configured such that the second strut portion of each of the first and second torso struts is oriented at an inclination angle of between 30 ° and 60 °, for example about 45 °, to the vertical when the control lever is in the second lever position.

These arrangements allow the first and second torso struts to be oriented so as to increase the tension they exert on the garment in the vertically downward and horizontally outward directions when in the tensioned position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second torso struts extends at least partially through the body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second torso struts extends at least partially along the control rod.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a flexible brace includes a first sleeve brace and a second sleeve brace configured to extend in a first sleeve and a second sleeve of a garment, respectively, and configured to exert tension on the first sleeve and the second sleeve of the garment, respectively, when the first and second sleeve braces are in a tensioned position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control mechanism is configured such that movement of the control lever from the first lever position to the second lever position drives movement of the first and second sleeve struts from the rest position to the tensioned position, and such that movement of the control lever from the second lever position to the first lever position drives movement of the first and second sleeve struts from the tensioned position to the rest position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a control mechanism includes a first winder and a second winder, a first sleeve strut connected to the first winder and configured to be at least partially wound on the first winder, a second sleeve strut connected to the second winder and configured to be at least partially wound on the second winder, the control mechanism configured such that:

-rotation of the first winder in a first rotational direction drives the first sleeve strut to unwind from the first winder and the first sleeve strut moves from the rest position to the tensioned position, and rotation of the first winder in a second rotational direction drives the first sleeve strut to wind onto the first winder and the first sleeve strut moves from the tensioned position to the rest position, and

rotation of the second winder in a first drive direction drives the second sleeve strut to unwind from the second winder and the second sleeve strut moves from the rest position to the tensioned position, and rotation of the second winder in a second drive direction drives the second sleeve strut to wind onto the second winder and the second sleeve strut moves from the tensioned position to the rest position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the body comprises a first winder support and a second winder support, on which the first and second winder are respectively mounted with a rotary movement.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first sleeve strut extends mostly within the first winder support when the first sleeve strut is in the rest position, the first sleeve strut protrudes outside of the first winder support when the first sleeve strut is in the tensioned position, the second sleeve strut extends mostly within the second winder support when the second sleeve strut is in the rest position, and the second sleeve strut protrudes outside of the second winder support when the second sleeve strut is in the tensioned position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first winder support includes a first passage opening through which the first sleeve strut extends when the first sleeve strut is in the tensioned position, and the second winder support includes a second passage opening through which the second sleeve strut extends when the second sleeve strut is in the tensioned position. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first sleeve brace has a first sleeve brace portion fastened to the first winder and a second sleeve brace portion fastened to the first winder support, the second sleeve brace having a first sleeve brace portion fastened to the second winder and a second sleeve brace portion fastened to the second winder support.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism comprises a first drive means connecting the control lever to the first winder and a second drive means connecting the control lever to the second winder, the first and second drive means being configured such that a movement of the control lever from the first lever position to the second lever position drives a rotation of the first and second winder in the first rotational direction and the first drive direction, respectively, and such that a movement of the control lever from the second lever position to the first lever position drives a rotation of the first and second winder in the second rotational direction and the second drive direction, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first drive arrangement comprises a first drive cord comprising a first cord end secured to the upper end of the control rod and a second cord end secured to the first winder, and a second drive cord comprising a first cord end secured to the lower end of the control rod and a second cord end secured to the first winder, the first and second drive cords being configured to be at least partially wound on the first winder in two opposite winding directions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first drive arrangement is configured such that movement of the control lever from the first lever position to the second lever position drives the first drive line to be wound onto the first winder and the second drive line to be unwound from the first winder, and such that movement of the control lever from the second lever position to the first lever position drives the first drive line to be unwound from the first winder and the second drive line to be wound onto the first winder.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second drive cords extends at least partially into the first shoulder support.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second drive arrangement comprises a primary drive cord comprising a first cord end secured to the upper end of the control rod and a second cord end secured to the second winder, and a secondary drive cord comprising a first cord end secured to the lower end of the control rod and a second cord end secured to the second winder, the primary and secondary drive cords being configured to be at least partially wound on the second winder in two opposite winding directions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second drive arrangement is configured such that movement of the control lever from the first lever position to the second lever position drives the primary drive line to be wound onto the second winder and the secondary drive line to be unwound from the second winder, and such that movement of the control lever from the second lever position to the first lever position drives the primary drive line to be unwound from the second winder and the secondary drive line to be wound onto the second winder.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each of the primary and secondary drive cords extend at least partially into the second shoulder support.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the body comprises a main body portion, a first shoulder support adjustable and configured to support a first shoulder portion of the garment, and a second shoulder support adjustable and configured to support a second shoulder portion of the garment, each of the first and second shoulder supports being movably mounted relative to the main body portion between a retracted position and a deployed position, so as to enable the width of the upper portion of the body to be adapted, preferably manually, to different sizes of garments, for example, female XS to male XXL sizes. This configuration of the body enables efficient stretching and retention of garments of different sizes, shapes and contours.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body portion comprises a collar support portion configured to support a collar portion of a garment.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second shoulder supports is slidably mounted with respect to the main body portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first winder support is pivotally mounted to the first shoulder support about a first pivot and configured to extend at least partially into a first sleeve of the garment, and the second winder support is pivotally mounted to the second shoulder support about a second pivot and configured to extend at least partially into a second sleeve of the garment. This configuration of the main body allows folding the first and second sleeves of the garment to the back or front of the garment depending on the direction in which the garment is placed on the main body and thus improves subsequent ironing of the garment using the ironing device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first pivot axis is inclined with respect to the vertical direction from the bottom upwards and from the outside inwards by a first inclination angle of between 5 ° and 15 °, for example approximately 10 °, and the second pivot axis is inclined with respect to the vertical direction from the bottom upwards and from the outside inwards by a second inclination angle of between 5 ° and 15 °, for example approximately 10 °. These arrangements allow the pivot between the winder support and the shoulder support to be adapted to the seam between the shoulder and sleeve portions of the garment, thus limiting the bulk of the support device and facilitating ergonomics when subsequently ironing.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first winder support is movable between a folded position in which the first winder support extends at least partially relative to the first shoulder support and an unfolded position in which the first winder support extends in extension of the first shoulder support, and the second winder support is movable between a folded position in which the second winder support extends at least partially relative to the second shoulder support and an unfolded position in which the second winder support extends in extension of the second shoulder support.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the body comprises a first and a second retaining member configured to retain the first and the second winder support in their folded position, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body portion comprises a first guide portion configured to guide the tensioning portion of the first torso strut during movement of the control rod between the first and second rod positions and a second guide portion configured to guide the tensioning portion of the second torso strut during movement of the control rod between the first and second rod positions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body part comprises a guide channel in which the control rod is slidably mounted.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body portion comprises a first through hole leading to the guide channel through which the tensioning portion of the first torso strut extends, and a second through hole leading to the guide channel through which the tensioning portion of the second torso strut extends.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first winder comprises a first peripheral tooth and the first drive means comprise a first rack provided on and along the control rod and a first gear train housed in the body and mechanically connecting the first rack to the first peripheral tooth.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second winder comprises a second peripheral tooth and the second drive means comprise a second rack arranged on and along the control rod, and a second gear train housed in the body and mechanically connecting the second rack to the second peripheral tooth.

Drawings

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description of the accompanying schematic drawings, which show by way of non-limiting example embodiments of the support device.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a support device according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the flexible struts of the support device in a rest position.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the support device of fig. 1 with the flexible struts in a rest position.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the support device of fig. 1 with the flexible struts in a tensioned position.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the support device of fig. 1 with the flexible struts in a tensioned position.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the support device of fig. 1 with a garment resting thereon.

Fig. 6 is a partial rear view of the support device of fig. 1 showing the path of the various drive cords of the support device with the flexible struts in a tensioned position.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the support device of fig. 1 showing the path of the various drive cords of the support device with the flexible struts in a tensioned position.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the support device of fig. 1 showing the path of the various drive cords of the support device and corresponding to the position of the flexible struts in the rest position.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the support device of fig. 1, showing the path of the two torso struts of the support device.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the supporting device of fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a rear view of the support device of fig. 1 with the flexible stay in a rest position and the winder support in a folded position.

Fig. 12 is a front view of a winder with a winder support and support apparatus.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the winder shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a partial view of a support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 13 show a first embodiment of a support device 2 for supporting a garment 40, such as a coat, also referred to as an upper body garment, such as a gown, a jacket, a shirt, a blouse or even an undershirt.

The support means 2 comprise a hanger-like body 3 on which a garment can be placed.

The body 3 comprises a main body part 4, which main body part 4 may be formed, for example, by assembling a front shell 4.1 and a rear shell 4.2, and has a substantially flat shape. In particular, the main body portion 4 includes a collar support portion 5 configured to support a collar portion of a garment 40.

The body 3 further comprises a first shoulder support 6, which is adjustable and configured to support a first shoulder portion of the garment 40, and a second shoulder support 7, which is adjustable and configured to support a second shoulder portion of the garment 40. The first and second shoulder supports 6, 7 are advantageously slidably mounted in a first receiving housing 8.1 and a second receiving housing 8.2, respectively, defined by the main body portion 4, and are slidable between a retracted position and a deployed position, so as to enable the width of the upper portion of the body 3 to be adapted to garments of different sizes.

Each of the first and second shoulder supports 6, 7 may, for example, have a substantially flat shape and be formed by assembling the front case 6.1, 7.1 and the rear case 6.2, 7.2.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 13, the first shoulder support 6 is hollow and comprises a first support opening 6.3 leading to the first receiving casing 8.1 and a second support opening 6.4 opposite the first support opening 6.3, the second shoulder support 7 is hollow and comprises a first support opening 7.3 leading to the second receiving casing 8.2 and a second support opening 7.4 opposite the respective first support opening 7.3.

The body 3 further comprises a first winder support 9 and a second winder support 10, the first winder support 9 being pivotally mounted on the first shoulder support 6 about a first pivot axis a and configured to extend at least partially into a first sleeve of a garment 40 supported by the support device 2, the second winder support 10 being pivotally mounted on the second shoulder support 7 about a second pivot axis B and configured to extend at least partially into a second sleeve of the garment 40. Advantageously, a first winder support 9 is pivotally mounted to the outer edge of the first shoulder support 6 opposite the main body portion 4, and a second winder support 10 is pivotally mounted to the outer edge of the second shoulder support 7 opposite the main body portion 4.

Each of the first and second winder supports 9, 10 may for example have a substantially flat shape and be formed by assembling the front and rear shells 9.1, 10.2, 9.2, 10.1.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 10, the first pivot axis a is inclined with respect to the vertical from the bottom upwards and from the outside inwards by a first inclination angle between 5 ° and 15 °, for example approximately 10 °, when the support device 2 is in use, and the second pivot axis B is inclined with respect to the vertical from the bottom upwards and from the outside inwards by a second inclination angle between 5 ° and 15 °, for example approximately 10 °, when the support device 2 is in use.

The first winder support 9 is movable between a folded position, in which the first winder support 9 extends at least partially opposite the first shoulder support 6 (see fig. 11), and an unfolded position, in which the first winder support 9 extends in the extension of the first shoulder support 6 (see fig. 3 and 4), and the second winder support 10 is also movable between a folded position, in which the second winder support 10 extends at least partially opposite the second shoulder support 7 (see fig. 11), and an unfolded position, in which the second winder support 10 extends in the extension of the second shoulder support 7 (see fig. 3 and 4).

Advantageously, the body 3 comprises first and second retaining members configured to retain the first and second winder supports 9, 10, respectively, in their folded positions. The first and second holding members may for example comprise a first magnetic system (e.g. provided with at least one magnet 30.1, visible in fig. 4 and 7) and a second magnetic system (e.g. provided with at least one magnet 30.2, visible in fig. 4 and 7), respectively.

The supporting device 2 further comprises a tensioning member configured to tension the garment 40 supported by the main body 3 in order to facilitate ironing thereof. More specifically, the tensioning member comprises a flexible stay, for example made of composite material or metal or plastic material, and a control mechanism 11, the control mechanism 11 being configured to move the flexible stay between a rest position and a tensioning position in which the flexible stay is elastically deformed and exerts a tension on the garment 40 supported by the main body 3.

Advantageously, the flexible struts include a first torso strut 12 and a second torso strut 13 configured to extend in a torso portion of a garment 40 supported by the body 3, and a first sleeve strut 14 and a second sleeve strut 15 configured to extend in a first sleeve and a second sleeve of the garment 40 supported by the body 3. More specifically, first and second torso struts 12, 13 are configured to expand in and apply tension to a torso portion of a garment 40 supported by body 3 when first and second torso struts 12, 13 are in a tensioned position, and first and second sleeve struts 14, 15 are configured to expand in and apply tension to first and second sleeves of a garment 40 supported by body 3 when first and second sleeve struts 13, 14 are in a tensioned position.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 10, the control mechanism 11 comprises a control rod 16, which control rod 16 is slidably mounted with respect to the main body 3 along a sliding axis, which is substantially vertical when the support device 2 is in the use condition, between a first rod position (see fig. 1, 2 and 8) and a second rod position (see fig. 3 to 7). Advantageously, the main body portion 4 comprises a guide channel 17, in which guide channel 17 the control rod 16 is slidably mounted, and the control rod 16 comprises an upper end 16.1 configured to protrude from the upper surface of the main body portion 4, and a lower end 16.2 configured to protrude from the lower surface of the main body portion 4.

The control mechanism 11 also includes an actuation handle 18 integral with the control lever 16, the actuation handle 18 being configured to facilitate movement of the control lever 16 between the first and second lever positions. Advantageously, the actuating handle 18 is fastened to the upper end 16.1 of the control rod 16.

As shown more particularly in fig. 9, each of the first and second torso struts 12, 13 includes a first torso strut portion 12.1, 13.1 secured to an upper end 16.1 of the control rod 16, a second torso strut portion 12.2, 13.2 secured to a lower end 16.2 of the control rod 16, and a tensioning portion 12.3, 13.3 located between the respective first and second torso strut portions. Advantageously, the control mechanism 11 is configured such that movement of the control lever 16 from the first lever position to the second lever position drives movement of the first and second torso struts 12, 13 from the rest position to the tensioned position, and such that movement of the control lever 16 from the second lever position to the first lever position drives movement of the first and second torso struts 12, 13 from the tensioned position to the rest position. Depending on the travel of the control rod 16 in the guide channel 17, the tensioning portions 12.3, 13.3 are more or less spread out in the torso portion of the garment 40 supported by the support device 2.

As shown in fig. 1, 3 and 9, each of the first and second torso struts 12, 13 extend at least partially along the control rod 16, and the tensioning portions 12.3, 13.3 of the first and second torso struts 12, 13 extend at least partially outside of the body 3 regardless of the position of the control rod 16.

Advantageously, the main body portion 4 includes a first cord channel 19, the first cord channel 19 leading to the guide channel 17 and being configured to guide the tensioning portion 12.3 of the first torso strut 12 through the main body portion 4 during movement of the control lever 16 between the first and second lever positions. Similarly, the main body portion 4 includes a second cord channel 21, the second cord channel 21 leading to the guide channel 17 and being configured to guide the tension portion 13.3 of the second torso strut 13 through the main body portion 4 during movement of the control lever 16 between the first and second lever positions. Each of the first and second cord passages 19, 21 may be inclined, for example, at an angle of between 40 ° and 70 ° with respect to the direction of extension of the control lever 16.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1-10, the second torso strut portion 12.2, 13.2 of each of the first and second torso struts 12, 13 is secured to the lower end 16.2 of the control rod 16 and is oriented at an angle of inclination of between 30 ° and 60 °, for example about 45 °, to the vertical when the control rod 16 is in the first rod position.

As shown more specifically in fig. 6 to 8, the control mechanism 11 further includes a first winder 23 rotatably movably mounted on the first winder support 9 and a second winder 24 rotatably movably mounted on the second winder support 10, the first sleeve lever 14 being connected to the first winder 23 and the second sleeve lever 15 being connected to the second winder 24.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 13, first sleeve brace 14 comprises a first sleeve brace portion fastened to first winder 23 and a second sleeve brace portion fastened to first winder support 9 at position 9.3 (visible in fig. 6), and second sleeve brace 15 comprises a first sleeve brace portion fastened to second winder 24 and a second sleeve brace portion fastened to second winder support 10 at position 10.3.

The control mechanism 11 is advantageously configured such that:

rotation of first winder 23 in a first rotational direction drives first sleeve strut 14 to unwind from first winder 23 and first sleeve strut 14 moves from a rest position to a tensioned position, and rotation of first winder 23 in a second rotational direction drives first sleeve strut 14 to wind onto first winder 23 and first sleeve strut 14 moves from a tensioned position to a rest position, and

rotation of second winder 24 in a first drive direction drives second sleeve stay 15 to unwind from second winder 24 and second sleeve stay 15 moves from a rest position to a tensioned position, and rotation of second winder 24 in a second drive direction drives second sleeve stay 15 to wind onto second winder 24 and second sleeve stay 15 moves from a tensioned position to a rest position.

The first and second sleeve stays 14 and 15 are more or less spread in the first and second sleeves of the garment 40 supported by the support device 2 according to the moving stroke of the control lever 16 in the guide passage 17.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1-13, first sleeve strut 14 extends mostly and almost entirely within first winder support 9 when first sleeve strut 14 is in the rest position, first sleeve strut 14 protrudes outside of first winder support 9 when first sleeve strut 14 is in the tensioned position, and second sleeve strut 15 extends mostly and almost entirely within second winder support 10 when second sleeve strut 15 is in the rest position, and second sleeve strut 15 protrudes outside of second winder support 10 when second sleeve strut 15 is in the tensioned position.

Preferably, in the tensioned position, the first sleeve strut 14 extends outside the winder support 9 at an angle of between 0 and 45 ° relative to the edge of the first winder support 9, for example about 20 °, such that the width of the first sleeve strut 14 in the tensioned position is greater than the width of the first winder support 9. Similarly, in the tensioned position, the second sleeve strut 15 preferably extends at an angle of between 0 and 45 ° relative to the edge of the second winder support 10, for example about 20 °, so that the width of the second sleeve strut 15 in the tensioned position is greater than the width of the second winder support 10.

Advantageously, first winder support 9 is hollow and has a first passage opening 25 through which first sleeve strut 14 extends when first sleeve strut 14 is in the tensioned position, and second winder support 10 is hollow and has a second passage opening 26 through which second sleeve strut 15 extends when second sleeve strut 15 is in the tensioned position.

The control mechanism 11 further comprises a first drive means 27 connecting the control lever 16 to the first winder 23, and a second drive means 28 connecting the control lever 16 to the second winder 24. The first and second driving means 27, 28 are configured such that a movement of the control lever 16 from the first lever position to the second lever position drives a rotation of the first and second winder 23, 24 in the first rotation direction and the first driving direction, respectively, and such that a movement of the control lever 16 from the second lever position to the first lever position drives a rotation of the first and second winder 23, 24 in the second rotation direction and the second driving direction, respectively.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1-13, the first drive device 27 is a wire drive device and includes a first drive wire 29 and a second drive wire 31, the first drive wire 29 including a first wire end secured to the upper end 16.1 of the control rod 16 and a second wire end secured to the first winder 23, the second drive wire 31 including a first wire end secured to the lower end 16.2 of the control rod 16 and a second wire end secured to the first winder 23. Advantageously, the first and second drive cords 29, 31 are configured to at least partially wind around the first winder 23 in two opposite winding directions.

Advantageously, the first drive cord 29 extends partly into the first shoulder support 6 (and in particular through the first support opening 6.3), through the first cord passage opening 32, and further along the control rod 16, the first cord passage opening 32 being provided on the main body portion 4 and leading on the one hand to the first receiving housing 8.1 and on the other hand to the guide channel 17; and the second drive cord 31 extends partly into the first shoulder support 6 (and in particular through the second support opening 6.4), through the second cord passage opening 33, and further along the control rod 16, the second cord passage opening 33 being provided in the main body portion 4 and leading on the one hand to the first receiving housing 8.1 and on the other hand to the guide channel 17.

As shown more particularly in fig. 12 and 13, the first drive arrangement 27 is more specifically configured such that movement of the control lever 16 from the first lever position to the second position drives a tension on the second drive wire 31, which then unwinds the second drive wire 31 from the first winder 23 and thereby drives rotation of the first winder 23 in a first rotational direction, which drives the first drive wire 29 to wind on the first winder 23. To this end, the winder 23 includes a first winding groove 23A in which the first drive wire 29 is wound in the first rotational direction and a second winding groove 23B in which the second drive wire 31 is wound in the second rotational direction, and the first sleeve stay 14 is wound in the storage groove 23C in the second rotational direction.

Conversely, movement of the control lever 16 from the second lever position to the first lever position drives a tension on the first drive wire 29, which first drive wire 29 is then unwound from the first winder 23 and thus drives rotation of the first winder 23 in a second rotational direction, which drives winding of the second drive wire 31 onto the first winder 23.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1-13, the second drive 28 is also a wire drive and includes a primary drive wire 34 and a secondary drive wire 35, the primary drive wire 34 including a first wire end secured to the upper end 16.1 of the control rod 16 and a second wire end secured to the second winder 24, the secondary drive wire 35 including a first wire end secured to the lower end 16.2 of the control rod 16 and a second wire end secured to the second winder 24. Advantageously, the primary and secondary drive cords 34, 35 are configured to at least partially wind around the second winder 24 in two opposite winding directions, the structure of the second winder 24 being similar to that of the first winder 23.

Advantageously, the primary drive cord 34 extends partly into the second shoulder support 7 (in particular through the first support opening 7.3), through the first cord passage opening 36 and further along the control rod 16, the first cord passage opening 36 being provided on the main body portion 4 and leading on the one hand to the second receiving housing 8.2 and on the other hand to the guide channel 17, and the secondary drive cord 35 extends partly into the second shoulder support 7 (and in particular through the second support opening 7.4), through the second cord passage opening 37 and further along the control rod 16, the second cord passage opening 37 being provided on the main body portion 4 and leading on the one hand to the second receiving housing 8.2 and on the other hand to the guide channel 17.

The second drive arrangement 28 is more specifically configured such that movement of the control lever 16 from the first lever position to the second lever position drives the secondary drive wire 35 unwinding from the second winder 4, thereby driving the second winder 24 to rotate in the first drive direction and driving the primary drive wire 34 to wind onto the second winder 24.

Conversely, movement of the control lever 16 from the second lever position to the first lever position drives the secondary drive line 35 to wind onto the second winder 24 and thereby drive the second winder 24 to rotate in the second drive direction and drive the primary drive line 34 to unwind from the second winder 24.

A method of ironing clothes using the supporting device 2 according to the present invention is described below.

This ironing method comprises the following steps:

-placing the garment to be ironed on the body 3 of the support means 2 after or before manually adapting the width of the body 3 to the shoulder width of the garment by adjusting the first and second shoulder supports 6, 7,

-moving control lever 16 downwards, i.e. into the second lever position, so as to actuate the simultaneous deployment of first and second torso struts 12, 13 and first and second sleeve struts 14, 15 in the torso portion and sleeves of the garment,

folding the first and second winder supports 9, 10 to fold the sleeves of the garment over the back or front of the garment,

-the first and second winder supports 9, 10 are held in the folded position by first and second holding members,

-ironing the garment by means of an ironing device,

unwinding the first and second winder supports 9, 10,

moving control lever 16 upward, i.e. into the first lever position, to actuate simultaneous retraction and winding of first and second torso struts 12, 13 and first and second sleeve struts 14, 15, and

-removing the ironed garment from the support means 2.

The support means 2 as described above therefore allow the user to stretch the jacket with a single action, in particular in the position of the sleeves, shoulders and trunk, without wrinkles or deformations and with the possibility of folding the sleeves of the garment to the back, before the ironing treatment takes place in an ironing cabinet or by means of an ironing apparatus provided with an ironing head.

Fig. 14 shows a supporting device according to a second embodiment of the invention, which differs from the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 13 mainly in that the first and second winders 23, 24 comprise first peripheral teeth 41 and second peripheral teeth 42, respectively, in that the first driving means 27 comprise a first rack 43 provided on the control rod 16 and arranged along the control rod 16 and a first gear train 44 housed in the body 3 and mechanically connecting the first rack 43 to the first peripheral teeth 41, and in that the second driving means 28 comprise a second rack 45 provided on the control rod 16 and arranged along the control rod 16 and a second gear train 46 housed in the body 3 and mechanically connecting the second rack 45 to the second peripheral teeth 42.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, which are provided as examples only. Modifications are possible, particularly in respect of the construction of the various elements or by substitution of equivalent techniques, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. A support device (2) for supporting a garment, the support device (2) comprising a hanger-like body (3) on which a garment can be placed and a tensioning member configured to tension the garment to facilitate ironing thereof, the tensioning member comprising a flexible strut (12, 13, 14, 15) and a control mechanism (11) configured to move the flexible strut (12, 13, 14, 15) between a rest position and a tensioning position in which the flexible strut is elastically deformed and exerts a tension on the garment, wherein the flexible strut comprises first (14) and second (15) sleeve struts configured to extend in first and second sleeves of the garment, respectively, and configured to apply a tension when the first and second sleeves (14, 15) are engaged 15) -in the tensioning position, exerting a tension on a first sleeve and a second sleeve, respectively, of the garment, characterized in that the control mechanism (11) comprises a first winder (23) and a second winder (24), the first sleeve strut (14) being connected to the first winder and the first sleeve strut (14) being configured to be at least partially wound on the first winder, the second sleeve strut (15) being connected to the second winder and the second sleeve strut (15) being configured to be at least partially wound on the second winder, and the control mechanism (11) being configured such that:

-rotation of the first winder (23) in a first rotational direction drives the first sleeve stay (14) to unwind from the first winder (23) and the first sleeve stay (23) moves from the rest position to the tensioning position, and rotation of the first winder (23) in a second rotational direction drives the first sleeve stay (14) to wind onto the first winder (23) and the first sleeve stay (14) moves from the tensioning position to the rest position and

-rotation of the second winder (24) in a first drive direction drives the second sleeve stay (15) to unwind from the second winder (24) and the second sleeve stay (15) moves from the rest position to the tension position, and rotation of the second winder (24) in a second drive direction drives the second sleeve stay (15) to wind onto the second winder (24) and the second sleeve stay (15) moves from the tension position to the rest position.

2. The support device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism (11) comprises a control rod (16) movably mounted with respect to the body (3) between a first rod position and a second rod position, the control mechanism (11) being configured such that movement of the control rod (16) from the first rod position to the second rod position drives movement of the flexible strut (12, 13, 14, 15) from the rest position to the tensioning position, and such that movement of the control rod (16) from the second rod position to the first rod position drives movement of the flexible strut (12, 13, 14, 15) from the tensioning position to the rest position.

3. The support device (2) according to claim 2, wherein the control rod (16) is slidably mounted with respect to the body (3).

4. Support device (2) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said control mechanism (11) comprises an actuating handle (18) integral with said control rod (16).

5. The support device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible struts include a first torso strut (12) and a second torso strut (13) configured to extend in the torso portion of the garment and configured to exert tension on the torso portion of the garment when the first and second torso struts (12, 13) are in the tensioned position.

6. Support device (2) according to claim 5 in combination with claim 2, wherein each of said first and second torso struts (12, 13) comprises a first torso strut portion (12.1, 13.1) secured to the upper end (16.1) of said control rod (16), a second torso strut portion (12.2, 13.2) secured to the lower end (16.2) of said control rod (16), and a tensioning portion (12.3, 13.3) located between the respective first and second torso strut portions.

7. A support device (2) according to claim 5 or 6 wherein each of the first and second torso struts (12, 13) extends at least partially through the body (3).

8. Support device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said body (3) comprises a first winder support (9) and a second winder support (10), said first and second winders (23, 24) being rotatably mounted on said first and second winder supports, respectively.

9. The support device (2) according to claim 8, wherein the first sleeve brace (14) comprises a first sleeve brace portion fastened to the first winder (23) and a second sleeve brace portion fastened to the first winder support (9), and the second sleeve brace (15) comprises a first sleeve brace portion fastened to the second winder (24) and a second sleeve brace portion fastened to the second winder support (10).

10. The support device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in combination with claim 2, wherein the control mechanism (11) comprises a first drive means (27) connecting the control lever (16) to the first winder (23) and a second drive means (28) connecting the control lever (16) to the second winder (24), the first and second drive means (27, 28) being configured such that a movement of the control lever (16) from the first lever position to the second lever position drives the first and second winders (23, 24) in the first rotation direction and the first drive direction, respectively, and such that movement of the control lever (16) from the second lever position to the first lever position drives rotation of the first and second winders (23, 24) in the second rotation direction and the second driving direction, respectively.

11. Support device (2) according to claim 10, wherein the first drive means (27) comprises a first drive cord (29) comprising a first cord end fastened to the upper end (16.1) of the control rod (16) and a second cord end fastened to the first winder (23) and a second drive cord (31) comprising a first cord end fastened to the lower end (16.2) of the control rod (16) and a second cord end fastened to the first winder (23), the first drive cord (29) and the second drive cord (31) being configured to at least partially wind on the first winder (23) in two opposite winding directions.

12. Support device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the body (3) comprises a main body portion (4), a first shoulder support (6) adjustable and configured to support a first shoulder portion of the garment, and a second shoulder support (7) adjustable and configured to support a second shoulder portion of the garment, each of the first and second shoulder supports (6, 7) being movably mounted with respect to the main body portion (4) between a retracted position and a deployed position, so as to enable adaptation of the width of the upper portion of the body (3) to garments of different sizes.

13. Support device (2) according to claim 12 in combination with claim 10, wherein the first winder support (9) is pivotally mounted to the first shoulder support (6) about a first pivot axis (a) and the second winder support (10) is pivotally mounted to the second shoulder support (7) about a second pivot axis (B).

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