EP0659926A1

EP0659926A1 - Ironing board

Info

Publication number: EP0659926A1
Application number: EP94309559A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sorai Saito
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-24
Filing date: 1994-12-20
Publication date: 1995-06-28
Also published as: AU8159694A; JPH0737100U; CN1114373A; CN1063504C

Abstract

An ironing board (1) has an excellent strength, on which wearing apparel (W) can be easily set (in a state be in wear), with which a shoulder portion (W2) corresponding to the proximal portion of the sleeve of the wearing apparel can be easily ironed, and which has an arcuated ironing surface, so that the wearing apparel is set in an appropriately strained state with a light ironing operation without forming wrinkles, while a certain section modulus is maintained. This ironing board is used in combination with an iron having a flat bottom surface as an ironing surface, and includes a base portion (2) having long side edge portions (2a) and short side edge portions (2b,2c), a first projection (5) extending from a substantially central position of one of the short side edge portions (2c), and second projections (3,4) extending from right and left symmetrical positions of the long side edge portions (2a) near the one short side edge portion (2c) to form shoulder portions (3,4) corresponding to portions (W2) of wearing apparel extending from the proximal portions of sleeves to shoulders of the wearing apparel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ironing board suitable for ironing wearing apparel.
Conventionally, an ironing board is known which has, in addition to its main flat portion having a large area, a small-width portion to fit in a cylindrical portion, e.g., a sleeve portion of wearing apparel or children's trousers, thereby enabling ironing such a small, cylindrical portion.
An ironing board having an ironing surface with a special shape is proposed, e.g., as "an ironing board for shirts and dresses" disclosed in U.S.P. No. 2,803,897. The applicant of the present application previously proposed "an arcuated ironing board having a number of projections on its surface" in U.S.P. No. 4,903,421 and Reissued Patent Re. 34,450.
However, in the ironing boards described above, when ironing particularly the sleeve portions of wearing apparel, the proximal portions of the sleeve portions corresponding to the shoulders of a human body cannot be ironed, since the shoulder portions cannot be fitted on the ironing board. According to the "ironing board for shirts and dresses" of U.S.P. No. 2,803,897, the shoulder portions can be fitted on the ironing board. However, the shoulder portion of wearing apparel is slightly rounded in accordance with the shape of a human body. When ironing is to be performed, the wearing apparel is not uniformly stretched even by utilizing any portion of the ironing board. Thus, wrinkles are formed in the ironed wearing apparel, leading to an unsatisfactory result. Since the "ironing board for shirts and dresses" does not have a neck portion, the collar of wearing apparel cannot be ironed, and the wearing apparel cannot be set on the ironing board by using a neck portion as a guide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an ironing board having an excellent strength, on which wearing apparel can be easily set (in a state be in wear), with which a shoulder portion corresponding to the proximal portion of the sleeve of the wearing apparel can be easily ironed, and which has an arcuated ironing surface, so that the wearing apparel is set in an appropriately strained state with a light ironing operation without forming wrinkles, while a certain section modulus is maintained.
In addition to the above object, it is another object of the present invention to provide an ironing board with which the steam from an iron can sufficiently act on wearing apparel. In addition to the above object, it is still other object of the present invention to provide an ironing board with which the steam from an iron can sufficiently act on wearing apparel and which is lightweight, is easily to handle, and can be manufactured easily.
In order to solve the above problems and to achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided an ironing board used in combination with an iron having a flat bottom surface as an ironing surface, comprising a base portion having long side edge portions and short side edge portions, the base portion forming a predetermined curved surface to extend from a central portion thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof toward the long side edge portions such that the central portion projects toward the ironing surface, thereby being brought into substantially linear contact with the iron, a first projection extending from a substantially central position of one of the short side edge portions, and second projections extending from right and left symmetrical positions of the long side edge portions near the one short side edge portion to form shoulder portions corresponding to portions of wearing apparel extending from proximal portions of sleeves to shoulders of the wearing apparel.
Preferably, there is provided an ironing board used in combination with an iron having a flat bottom surface as an ironing surface, comprising a base portion having long side edge portions and short side edge portions, the base portion forming a predetermined curved surface to extend from a central portion thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof toward the long side edge portions such that the central portion projects toward the ironing surface, thereby being brought into substantially linear contact with the iron, and the base portion comprising a metal plate having a large number of pores, a first projection extending from a substantially central position of one of the short side edge portions, and second projections extending from right and left symmetrical positions of the long side edge portions near the one short side edge portion to form shoulder portions corresponding to portions of wearing apparel extending from proximal portions of sleeves to shoulders of the wearing apparel.
Preferably, there is provided an ironing board used in combination with an iron having a flat bottom surface as an ironing surface, comprising a base portion having long side edge portions and short side edge portions, the base portion forming a predetermined curved surface to extend from a central portion thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof toward the long side edge portions such that the central portion projects toward the ironing surface, thereby being brought into substantially linear contact with the iron, and the base portion being formed to have a number of projections on an ironing surface, a first projection extending from a substantially central position of one of the short side edge portions, and second projections extending from right and left symmetrical positions of the long side edge portions near the one short side edge portion to form shoulder portions corresponding to portions of wearing apparel extending from proximal portions of sleeves to shoulders of the wearing apparel.
Preferably, there is provided an ironing board used in combination with an iron having a flat bottom surface as an ironing surface, comprising a base portion having long side edge portions and short side edge portions, the base portion forming a predetermined curved surface to extend from a central portion thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof toward the long side edge portions such that the central portion projects toward the ironing surface, thereby being brought into substantially linear contact with the iron, and the base portion being blow molded using a resin material to form a number of projections on an ironing surface, a first projection extending from a substantially central position of one of the short side edge portions, and second projections extending from right and left symmetrical positions of the long side edge portions near the one short side edge portion to form shoulder portions corresponding to portions of wearing apparel extending from proximal portions of sleeves to shoulders of the wearing apparel.
Preferably, there is provided an ironing board used in combination with an iron having a flat bottom surface as an ironing surface, comprising a base portion having long side edge portions and short side edge portions, the base portion forming a predetermined curved surface to extend from a central portion thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof toward the long side edge portions such that the central portion projects toward the ironing surface, thereby being brought into substantially linear contact with the iron, and the base portion being blow molded using a parison consisting of a polypropylene resin to form a number of projections on an ironing surface, a first projection extending from a substantially central position of one of the short side edge portions, second projections extending from right and left symmetrical positions of the long side edge portions near the one short side edge portion to form shoulder portions corresponding to portions of wearing apparel extending from proximal portions of sleeves to shoulders of the wearing apparel, leg means provided to be foldable on a lower surface of the base portion, and a felt cushion member covering an entire surface of the base portion and a cover member to be put on the cushion member.
With the above arrangement, the curved surface, which is formed to extend from the central portion in the longitudinal direction toward the two sides such that the central portion projects toward the ironing surface, makes portions of wearing apparel including its shoulder portions to fit well on the ironing board, so that the contact surface of the ironing board with the iron having a flat bottom surface is decreased in area to reduce the required ironing force, and the strength is increased while maintaining a certain section modulus.
Since the core plate member of the ironing board is a metal plate formed with a large number of pores, the steam generated by the iron can smoothly flow through the core plate member, thereby increasing the ironing efficiency. Alternatively, the core plate member of the ironing board is obtained by blow molding a parison consisting of a predetermined resin material, and a number of projections are formed on the ironing surface. Then, the heat from the iron is absorbed and radiated by the projections, and the steam is trapped in the spaces among the projections. Thus, the steam can sufficiently act on wearing apparel to be ironed, thereby improving the ironing result.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the first embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line of arrows A - A of the first embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a front view of the first embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line of arrows B - B of the first embodiment;
Fig. 6 is an overall perspective view of an ironing board;
Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view of the core plate member of the second embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the core plate member of the second embodiment;
Fig. 9 is an outer appearance perspective view showing a state of use; and
Figs. 10A to 10H include views showing the steps of ironing a shirt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The arrangements of the ironing boards according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view of an ironing board together with wearing apparel W indicated by a broken line. Referring to Fig. 1, an ironing board 1 has a substantially rectangular shape with appropriate round corners. The ironing board 1 comprises a rectangular base portion 2 having long sides 2a and short sides 2b and 2c. Shoulder projections 3 and 4 are formed respectively near the end portions of the two long sides 2a, and a head projection 5 is formed at substantially the central position of one short side 2c.
Each projection is rounded as shown in Fig. 1. The shoulder projections 3 and 4 are formed to be similar to the outer shapes of portions of a human body extending from the proximal portions of arms to shoulders, and the head projection 5 is formed to be similar to the outer shape of the neck of the human body. The wearing apparel W is set as shown in Fig. 1 to dress the ironing board 1. Then, the back portion, a collar portion W1, and shoulder portions W2 of the wearing apparel W can be ironed without moving the wearing apparel W.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the ironing board 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the ironing board 1 forms a curved surface having, e.g., a radius R of curvature, to extend from its central portion in the longitudinal direction toward its edge portions, and curved surfaces having a radius r of curvature smaller than the radius R of curvature near the outer edge portions. Thus, the ironing board 1 has a shape similar to the outer shape of the trunk of the human body. The ironing board 1 has a small thickness while maintaining a sufficiently high strength capable of enduring an ironing force with a section modulus formed by the arcuated surface.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line of arrows A - A of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows the curved surface and the constituent elements of the ironing board 1. More specifically, referring to Fig. 3, a core plate member 6 comprises a resin plate member, a metal plate, or the like. In this embodiment, the core plate member 6 comprises a metal plate having a large number of pores, i.e., a punching metal or the like, so that steam from the iron can easily flow through it, and has the curved surface described above. A thick felt portion 8 covers the upper surface of the core plate member 6, and a cover member 7 made of cloth for covering the upper surface of the thick felt portion 8 covers the entire portion of the ironing board 1. The terminal end portions of the cover member 7 are folded to the lower surface of the ironing board 1 and are fixed with rubber bands 9.
Fig. 4 is a front view of the ironing board 1 shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line of arrows B - B of Fig. 1. In Figs. 1 to 5, the leg portions of the ironing board 1 are not shown to simplify the drawings. In the outer appearance perspective view of Fig. 6 showing the entire portion of the ironing board 1, X-shaped foldable leg portions 10 are provided to the ironing board 1. The structure of the leg portions 10 is known and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted.
In use of the ironing board 1 having the above arrangement, the leg portions 10 are set to the standing state. A comparatively wide portion of the wearing apparel W, e.g., the back portion, is ironed by using the base portion 2 as the main portion. Then, the shoulder portions, the proximal portions of the sleeves, and the like are ironed by using the shoulder projections 3 and 4 of the long sides 2a. In this case, as indicated by reference symbol W in Fig. 1, when ironing front-open wearing apparel, e.g., a shirt or a jacket, the collar portion W1 of the wearing apparel is put on the head projection 5, the shoulder portions are put on the shoulder projections 3 and 4, and the back portion is put on the main base portion 2. Thus, the respective portions of the wearing apparel fit on corresponding portions well with appropriate shapes. Upon moving the iron, the wearing apparel does not move with respect to the ironing board 1, and an appropriate tension acts. Therefore, no wrinkles are formed, and ironing can be performed at once.
As described above, the ironing board 1 forms a curved surface having, e.g., a radius R of curvature to extend from its central portion in the longitudinal direction toward the edge portions, and curved surfaces having a radius r of curvature near the outer edge portions, so that the ironing board 1 has a shape close to the outer shape of the trunk of the human body. Therefore, wearing apparel fits the ironing board 1 well. When the iron is moved, an appropriate tension is generated, so that the wearing apparel does not move with respect to the ironing board 1, and that the contact surface of the ironing board 1 with the iron having a flat bottom surface is decreased in area, thereby decreasing the required ironing force.
Figs. 7 and 8 show the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the core plate member 6 of the first embodiment is replaced by a hollow core plate member 11 obtained by blow molding. Other portions of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment. In the core plate member 11 of the second embodiment, a large number of projections 11a are formed on almost the entire surface of the front surface, i.e., the ironing surface. The steam generated from the steam iron fills the valley portions between the projections 11a, so that the steam sufficiently acts on wearing apparel.
Since the projections 11a serve as radiators, the core plate member 11 can be made of a resin material having a low heat resistance. Blow molding of a thermoplastic resin particularly used in blow molding, e.g., a polypropylene resin or the like, is enabled, and the lower side of the core plate member 11 is made hollow, thereby decreasing the weight of the core plate member 11.
Finally, Fig. 9 is an outer appearance perspective view showing a state in use. Fig. 9 shows a state wherein the ironing board 1 is set in the standing state, wearing apparel W is set such that its collar portion W1 indicated by a broken line is located at the central position between the shoulder projections 3 and 4, and the shoulder portions of the wearing apparel W are ironed. A cover having dyed vertical and horizontal lines 12 extending in the vertical and horizontal directions covers the ironing board 1, and ironing can be performed after the wearing apparel W is set by using the vertical and horizontal lines 12 as a guide. As shown in Fig. 9, when the upper portions of the shoulder portions of the wearing apparel W where shoulder pads are fixed, as in the jacket of a suit, are to be ironed, the shoulder portions of the wearing apparel W are set to be located at the shoulder projections 3 and 4. Then, the shoulder portions can be ironed to predetermined shapes.
Figs. 10A to 10H sequentially show the steps of ironing a shirt, which is ironed most frequently at home, by using the ironing board of the above embodiment. Referring to Figs. 10A to 10H, first, the cuff of a washed shirt is fitted on the head projection 5 inside out and ironed while moving the iron in the directions of arrows, as shown in Fig. 10A. The outside of the cuff is ironed similarly. The cuffs of the two arms are ironed in this manner.
As shown in Fig. 10B, a sleeve is placed on the ironing board 1 such that the seam is at an edge. The back side of the sleeve is ironed to form the upper line of the sleeve. The front side of the sleeve is ironed in the same manner. At this time, the tuck of the sleeve is not ironed. As shown in Fig. 10C, the cuff is folded at the center, and while pressing the cuff with the right hand, the shoulder portion is pulled with the left hand, thus forming the tuck. The tuck is then ironed in a neatly folded manner. Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 10D, the shirt is set on the ironing board 1 such that the inside of the collar is parallel to the vertical and horizontal lines 12. The inside of the collar is ironed by moving the iron as indicated by arrows.
The shirt is set on the ironing board 1 inside out such that one front part with buttons is located at the lower side in the drawing, and the insides of the front parts of the shirt are ironed. As shown in Fig. 10E, the left front part having a pocket is set on the ironing board 1, and its outside is ironed. At this time, the collar and the front parts need be ironed well as these portions stand out most.
In order to iron the back and shoulder portions, as shown in Fig. 10F, the collar is put on the head projection 5, and portions P1 and P2 are pinched and pulled toward the ironing person, thereby setting the shirt. Then, the shoulder portions of the shirt are fitted on the shoulder projections 3 and 4. Since the ironing board 1 is arcuated, wrinkles are naturally stretched. The back and shoulder portions are then ironed.
When portions P3 and P4 are pinched and pulled toward the ironing person, the shirt is set as shown in Fig. 10G. The outside of the right front part is ironed. The entire portion of the shirt is ironed in this manner. The first and third buttons are buttoned, as shown in Fig. 10H, and the shirt is entirely ironed again, thus completing ironing.
A female blouse can be ironed substantially in the same manner as in ironing the shirt described above. When ironing trousers, the hip portion is fitted on the head projection 5 inside out from the short side 2b on a side opposite to the head projection 5, and the inside of the hip portion is ironed. Then, the fly of the trousers is ironed on the head projection 5. Skirts, polo shirts, jumpers, sweaters, blanket cover, sheets, and the like can be ironed by following the above ironing procedures.
As described above, when ironing wearing apparel, the entire portion of the wearing apparel, including the proximal portions of the sleeves and shoulders which cannot be ironed easily due to wrinkles, can be efficiently and neatly ironed. A sufficient effect of the steam of the steam iron can be obtained. The ironing board can be constituted even by using a resin material having a low heat resistance, so that the weight of the ironing board can be decreased. Therefore, the ironing board can be easily handled particularly by powerless ladies.

Claims

An ironing board used in combination with an iron having a flat bottom surface as an ironing surface, comprising:
a base portion having long side edge portions and short side edge portions, said base portion forming a predetermined curved surface to extend from a central portion thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof toward said long side edge portions such that said central portion projects toward said ironing surface, thereby being brought into substantially linear contact with the iron;
a first projection extending from a substantially central position of one of said short side edge portions; and
second projections extending from right and left symmetrical positions of said long side edge portions near said one short side edge portion to form shoulder portions corresponding to portions of wearing apparel extending from proximal portions of sleeves to shoulders of the wearing apparel.
An ironing board as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said predetermined curved surface has a smaller radius of curvature at portions thereof extending toward said long side edge portions of said base portion.
An ironing board as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that foldable leg means are disposed on a lower surface of said base portion.
An ironing board as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that there are provided a felt cushion member covering the entire surface of said base portion, and a cover member to be put on said cushion member.
An ironing board as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said cover member is formed with longitudinal and lateral lines extending in the longitudinal and lateral directions of said base portion.
An ironing board as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that said base portion comprises a metal plate having a large number of pores.
An ironing board as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said base portion comprises perforated metal having reinforced edges.
An ironing board as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that said base portion is formed to have a number of projections on an ironing surface.
An ironing board as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that said base portion being blow molded using a resin material to form a number of projections on an ironing surface.
An ironing board as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that said ironing board uses a parison consisting of a polypropylene resin as said resin material.
An ironing board as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that said base portion being blow molded using a parison consisting of a polypropylene resin to form a number of projections on an ironing surface.
An ironing board comprising:
a base portion (2) having long side edge portions and short side edge portions, said base portion having raised curved surface longitudinally of the board;
a first projection (5) extending from a substantially central position of one of said short side edge portions; and
second projections (3, 4) extending in opposite directions symmetrically of said long side edge portions near said one short side edge portion corresponding to the sleeves of a garment (W).