EP0339233A1

EP0339233A1 - A power supply arrangement for heat storage flatirons of the cordless type

Info

Publication number: EP0339233A1
Application number: EP89104552A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe Giannelli
Original assignee: Micromax SpA
Current assignee: Micromax SpA
Priority date: 1988-04-28
Filing date: 1989-03-15
Publication date: 1989-11-02
Also published as: IT8820363A0; PT90392A; JPH01314600A; IT1217223B; CN1038848A

Abstract

The arrangement is designed for powering a heat storage flatiron (1) continuously, and comprises a current tap (25) attached to one end of an electric cable (26) and connectable releasably to a plug (6) mounted on the flatiron (1); the current tap (25) is carried on a tap base (21) which is releasably secured pickaback-fashion on a body (2) of the flatiron

Description

This invention relates to a power supply arrangement for heat storage flatirons, comprising a current tap attached to one end of an electric wiring harness for releasable connection to an electric plug mounted on said flatiron.
Flatirons of the above type, referred to in the art as cordless flatirons, are prized especially on account of the freedom of action that they can afford for the user. Such flatirons are supplied with a base incorporating a current tap connected to a power supply cable; the flatiron is provided, in turn, with a plug adapted to be engaged in the tap or socket as the flatiron is put down onto the base. During the ironing downtime intervals, with the flatiron left on the base, electric power is supplied to a resistance heater embedded in the flatiron ironing plate, as a result of the plug and tap having been engaged with each other.
The heat generated by the resistance heater in operation is stored up in the ironing plate for utilization during the next operative interval, with the flatiron removed from the base.
A first obviois drawback of such flatirons is their short ironing range due to the discontinuous form of heating provided through the resistance heater. In particular, where garments are to be ironed which require a high and constant application of heat, the flatiron must be put back onto the base at frequent intervals to power the resistance heater, thereby the working intervals for ironing are shortened.
Thus, the use of such flatirons is penalized in all those ironing operations which require a high and constant temperature of the plate or a consistent delivery of heat.
When one is unwilling to forgo the virtues of a cordless flatiron, but wants to avoid frequent pausing to heat up the ironing plate, a second flatiron of conventional design (with an electric cord or wiring harness) must be available for use in such cases.
This drawback has restrained thus far a wider acceptance by the market of heat storage flatirons, which are still much in demand for less exacting ironing operations of short duration.
The problem underlying this invention is to provide a power supply arrangement for flatirons of the cordless type, which can obviate the deficiencies of the cited prior art.
This problem is solved according to the invention by a power supply arrangement as indicated being characterized in that said current tap is carried on a tap base which is releasably attached pickaback-fashion to a body of the flatiron.
The features and advantages of this invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, to be taken by way of example and not of limitation in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cordless-type flatiron, a conventional base therefor, and a power supply arrangement embodying this invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the flatiron and power supply arrangement shown in the preceding Figure, as coupled to each other; and
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the power supply arrangement shown in the preceding Figures, as incorporating a base according to the invention.

In the drawing views, the reference numeral 1 designates generally a heat storage flatiron of the cordless type. Defined on the flatiron 1 are a body 2 and an ironing plate 3.
On the body 2, there are defined a handgrip 4 and a rearward wall 5 which is substantially flat.
Associated with the plate 3 is an electric resistance heater, not shown because known per se. The resistance heater is connected to an electric plug 6 carried on the body 2 within a recessed seat 6a formed on the back of the rearward wall 5.
The flatiron 1 is further provided with a base 7, molded from a plastics material, which is formed with two walls 8, 9 converging substantially into a "V" so as to define a rest seat for the flatiron 1.
Located on the wall 9 are posts 10 on the free ends whereof the plate 3 is intended to rest with the flatiron placed on the base 7.
The posts 10 act as spacers for the plate 3 to avoid overheating the wall 9.
Also on the wall 9, close to the apex of the "V", there is mounted a current tap or socket 12 which comprises an insulating body 13 projecting from the wall plane, along with three connectors 14 which are embedded in the body 13. An electric cable 15 is connected conventionally to the connectors 14 of the current tap 12.
The current tap 12 is engaged with the plug 6 when the flatiron 1 rests on the base 7, thereby powering, via the electric cable 15, the resistance heater for the plate 3.
Generally designated 20 is a power supply arrangement for the flatiron 1. The arrangement 20 comprises a respective base 21 substantially L-shaped when viewed sideways.
The power supply base 21 has a first leg 22 of box-type construction which is basically frusto-pyramidal in shape, and a second sheet-like leg 23 which extends at right angles from the major base of the leg 22.
Supported on the leg 23 is a current tap or socket 25 similar to the tap 12 on the base 7; an electric power cord or cable 26 extends from the minor base of the leg 22 and is connected to the tap 25.
The leg 22 is formed with a wall 27, facing the leg 23, whose contour mates with the contour of the rearward wall 5 of the flatiron 1. From the wall 27, there extends a hook 28 engageable in an opening 29 provided at a corresponding location on the wall 5.
Also formed in the wall 27 are two openings 30 through which operating extensions 31 protrude for two microswitches 32.
The microswitches 32 intervene between the electric cable 26 and the tap 25 to hold the relating electric circuit in a normally open condition.
The electric circuit is closed to supply a voltage to the tap 25 on the extensions 31 being pushed in through the openings 29.
The arrangement 20 is attached releasably to the flatiron 1 when fabrics are to be ironed which require a substantially constant delivery of heat, high temperatures of the plate 3, or when ever one wants to keep on ironing without frequent breaks to place the flatiron 1 onto the base 7.
The base 21 is positioned with the wall 27 leaning against the rearward wall 5 of the flatiron, and with the tap 25 facing the plug provided in the recessed seat 6a.
By sliding then the arrangement 20 upwards relatively to the flatiron 1 along a parallel direction to the wall 5, the tap 25 is brought to engage with the plug 6, and the hook 28 to fit into the seat 29 in the wall 5, thereby firmly securing the arrangement 20 on the flatiron 1. In this position, the bottom portion of the wall 5 at the recessed seat 6a will interfere with the operating extensions 31 for the microswitches 32, pushing them in through the openings 30 so as to close the electric circuit between the cable 26 and the tap 25. This results in the flatiron 1 being powered continuously independently of the base 7.
In this operating position, the arrangement 20 is carried packaback- fashion on the flatiron 1 in continuation of the flatiron body 2 and will not hinder the ironing operations any more than the power cord of a conventional flatiron does.
In Figure 3, there is generally shown at 35 a base with which the flatiron 1 can be equipped when incorporating the arrangement 20 of this invention.
The base 35 serves all the functions of the base 7 of Figure 1, and has equivalent items thereof referenced with like numerals.
In the wall 36 of the base 35 confronting the wall 9 there is formed an impression 37 adapted to accommodate the base 21 in mating fit relationship.
The fit is such that the base 21 is retained within the impression 37 as the flatiron 1 is removed from the base 35 by a movement directed perpendicularly to the wall 9, and is released from the impression and stays with the flatiron 1 as the flatiron is removaed from the base 35 by a movement directed parallel to the wall 9.
A conventional snap-action or manually operated retainer means may be provided, where necessary, to lock the base of the arrangement 20 in said impression 37.
A major advantage accruing from the power supply arrangement of this invention is that cordless-type flatirons can be made more versatile and their usability significantly expanded.
With this arrangement, such flatirons would retain all of their valued conventional handy features, for ironing operations of a less exacting character, but still be able to perform a more severe service, such as ironing operations which require a high and/or constant temperature of the plate.

Claims

1. A power supply arrangement for heat storage flatirons, comprising a current tap (25) attached to one end of an electric wiring harness (26) for releasable connection to an electric plug (6) mounted on said flatiron, characterized in that said current tap (25) is carried on a tap base (21) which is releasably attached pickaback-fashion to a body (2) of the flatiron (1).

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the tap base (21) is connected to a rearward wall (5) of the flatiron and configured to be an extension of the flatiron body (2).

3. An arrangement according to either Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for fastening the flatiron (1) and tap base (21) together, at least one hook (28) is arranged to extend from the tap base (21) and a seat (29) is formed in the body (2) of the flatiron (1) for said hook (28) to engage releasably therein.

4. An arrangement according to Claim 3, characterized in that said tap base (21) has an L-like shape with first and second legs (22,23) substantially at right angles to each other, said current tap (25) and said hook (28) being located on confronting walls of said second and first leg (23,22), respectively.

5. An arrangement according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, in said tap base (21), at least one switch (32) interposed to said electric wiring harness (26) and said current tap (25), said switch (32) being normally open and operative to make the electrical connection between said wiring harness (26) and said tap (25) with said tap base (21) attached to said body (2).

6. An arrangement according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a rest base (35) for said flatiron (1) having an impression (37) formed therein, said tap base (21) fitting releasably in said impression (37).