EP0889987B1 - Ironing press - Google Patents

Abstract

An ironing press including a working board (1) supported on a lower base (2) to which a rear arm (4) supporting a heated plate (3) is pivotably connected about a relative pivot shaft (6). The pivot shaft (6) is located behind and below the working board (1). Resilient return means and pressing means are housed under the working board (1) and apply respective relative torques to the heated plate (3) to move it into the open position or the working position by exerting axial thrust on a connecting arm (8) of which the front end (10) is slidable back and forth on the lower base (2) of the working board, while its back end (11) is pivotable about a transverse intermediate shaft (9) on the rear arm (4) of the heated plate (3). A large space is thus provided for housing the resilient return means and the pressing means, which may optionally be mechanised and automated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ironing presses, and especially the compact presses that can be used in household applications.

Known ironing presses, as described for example in document CH-A-501 764, generally include a table substantially horizontal work carried by a lower table base of work, and a heated sole carried by a posterior arm of heated sole whose end is articulated along a transverse axis of relative articulation on the lower base of work table. The heated sole can pivot on the lower base of work table according to a relative rotational movement between an open position in which the heated soleplate is away from the work table to that the housewife can put the clothes to be ironed on the table work, and a working position in which the heated soleplate is resting on the work table to press the clothes between the heated sole and work table.

An anterior operating handle, integral with the sole heating, allows to drive in relative rotation the heating soleplate compared to the work table. Elastic return means stress the heating sole in relative rotation towards its position opened. These elastic return means are contained in the arm rear of heated sole, and act at the junction between the arm rear of heated sole and lower table base job. In order not to increase the size of the ironing press, we is thus led to use elastic return means of low size.

Pressing means make it possible to selectively produce, following upon actuation of a control member, pressure from the sole heated against the work table in the working position. The organ of control is a lever mounted movable on the upper sole portion heated, movable by pivoting or by translation between a inactive position (press open) generating no pressure, and a active position (press closed) generating sole pressure heated against the work table. Leverage acts on means elastic also arranged in the rear sole arm heating.

It is understandable that it is particularly difficult, and expensive, to accommodate the elastic return means and the pressing means in the arm posterior of heated sole, which constitutes a low housing volume.

We can blame these known ironing presses for a space insufficient useful rear, insufficient opening, angle insufficient opening and a tendency to produce radiation thermal forward when the heated soleplate is in position opened.

Document FR-A-1 335 253 describes an ironing press in which the elastic return means comprise a rear cylinder articulated at the end of an extension of the rear sole arm heating. A linkage lever is articulated between the extension of rear arm and a work table support trolley mounted at anteroposterior sliding. Thanks to the lever, the work table advance when the press opens. However, this structure significantly increases the size of the press towards the rear and towards the bottom. As a result, such very bulky presses are not not suitable for household applications.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

A first problem proposed by the present invention is to design a new ironing press structure allowing, for a given opening angle and without increasing the overall volume of the press, improve access to the work table when the press is in open position, while reducing the risk of contact with the sole heating.

Another problem alternately proposed here invention is to significantly increase the volume available for elastic return means and for the pressing means, so that these elastic return means and these pressing means can be produced using lower cost, more efficient and more reliable components.

A more specific advantage is that the increase in space available makes it possible to envisage a motorization of the pressing means, thus than their automatic order.

We are also looking to increase the opening of the press to iron, without reducing the accessibility of the handle anterior operation when the press is in the open position.

• une table de travail généralement horizontale est portée par une base inférieure de table de travail,
• une semelle chauffante est portée par un bras postérieur de semelle chauffante dont l'extrémité est articulée selon un axe transversal d'articulation relative sur la base inférieure de table de travail pour autoriser une rotation relative de la semelle chauffante et de la table de travail l'une par rapport à l'autre entre une position ouverte dans laquelle la semelle chauffante est à l'écart de la table de travail et une position de travail dans laquelle la semelle chauffante est en appui sur la table de travail,
• une poignée antérieure de manoeuvre est solidaire de la semelle chauffante, pour assurer ladite rotation relative de la semelle chauffante et de la table de travail,
• des moyens de rappel élastique sollicitent la semelle chauffante en rotation relative vers sa position ouverte,
• des moyens presseurs produisent sélectivement, suite à l'actionnement d'un organe de commande, une pression de la semelle chauffante contre la table de travail en position de travail,
• un bras de liaison est relié par coulissement antéro-postérieur selon son extrémité antérieure à la base inférieure de table de travail, et est articulé selon son extrémité postérieure sur un axe transversal disposé en une zone intermédiaire du bras postérieur de semelle chauffante et décalé au-dessus de l'axe d'articulation relative,
• le bras de liaison constitue l'élément support fixe supportant l'ensemble des autres éléments de la presse à repasser.

For this, according to an advantageous embodiment, the invention provides an ironing press in which:

• a generally horizontal work table is carried by a lower work table base,
• a heating sole is carried by a rear arm of the heating sole, the end of which is articulated along a transverse axis of relative articulation on the lower base of the work table to allow relative rotation of the heating sole and the work table l 'one with respect to the other between an open position in which the heated soleplate is away from the work table and a work position in which the heated soleplate is supported on the work table,
• a front operating handle is integral with the heating soleplate, to ensure said relative rotation of the heating soleplate and the work table,
• elastic return means urge the heating sole in relative rotation towards its open position,
• pressing means selectively produce, following the actuation of a control member, a pressure of the heating sole against the work table in the working position,
• a link arm is connected by anteroposterior sliding at its anterior end to the lower base of the work table, and is articulated at its posterior end on a transverse axis disposed in an intermediate zone of the posterior heating sole arm and offset to the above the relative articulation axis,
• the link arm constitutes the fixed support element supporting all the other elements of the ironing press.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the return means elastic and the pressing means are housed under the work table, functionally engaged between the lower work table base and the link arm, to produce couples on the heating sole respective relative rotation to the open position and to the position working by axial thrust action on the link arm.

Preferably, the link arm is bent, comprising a anterior branch generally parallel to the plane of the work table and connecting to an ascending posterior branch joining the zone middle of rear arm of heated sole.

The relative articulation axis can advantageously be in back of the work table and lowered below the work table job.

During the relative rotational movement between the open position and the working position, the heated base and the work table are both move: the heated soleplate moves in rotation around a lowered axis of rotation, and, simultaneously, the table work moves in an anteroposterior translational movement possibly accompanied by a slight rotation slightly tilting the work table forward in open position. So without increasing the rotational movement of the heated sole, i.e. without reduce the accessibility of the front operating handle, we increase significantly the opening capacity of the ironing press. It as a result, in the open position, access to the worktable surface is improved, the thermal radiation of the heating sole is decreased since it is distant, and the risk of burns to the user.

According to an alternative solution, also allowing to solve the problem of the volume available for the elastic return means and pressing means, the working base constitutes the fixed support element supporting all the other elements of the ironing press. In this case, the working base is fixed, in a traditional way, and only the heated sole moves in rotation and in anteroposterior translation compared to the work table.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• les figures 1 et 2 illustrent, en vue de côté, les positions respectives ouverte et fermée d'une presse à repasser selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 illustre, en vue de côté, la constitution et le fonctionnement d'un mode de réalisation particulier des moyens presseurs adaptés à une presse à repasser selon la présente invention ;
• la figure 4 illustre, en vue de côté, la cinématique de mouvement du mode de réalisation particulier des figures 1 et 2, entre les positions ouverte et fermée ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de face illustrant le mécanisme de moyens de rappel élastique et de moyens presseurs du mode de réalisation des figures 1 et 2 ;
• les figures 6 et 7 illustrent, en vue de côté, les positions respectives fermée et ouverte d'une presse à repasser selon une réalisation alternative ; et
• la figure 8 est une vue de côté d'un bras de liaison de presse à repasser selon le mode de réalisation des figures 1 et 2.

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, given in relation to the attached figures, among which:

• Figures 1 and 2 illustrate, in side view, the respective open and closed positions of an ironing press according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 3 illustrates, in side view, the constitution and operation of a particular embodiment of the pressing means adapted to an ironing press according to the present invention;
• Figure 4 illustrates, in side view, the kinematics of movement of the particular embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, between the open and closed positions;
• Figure 5 is a front view illustrating the mechanism of elastic return means and pressing means of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2;
• Figures 6 and 7 illustrate, in side view, the respective closed and open positions of an ironing press according to an alternative embodiment; and
• FIG. 8 is a side view of an iron press connection arm according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In all the embodiments illustrated in the figures, an ironing press according to the invention comprises a work table 1, generally horizontal, carried by a lower base 2 of table work including a posterior extension 102. A heated sole 3 is carried by a rear arm 4 of the heated sole, of which the end 5 is articulated along a transverse axis of articulation relative 6 on the posterior extension 102 of the lower base 2 of worktable. An anterior operating handle 7, integral with the heated sole 3, allows to operate the heated sole 3 in its relative movements with respect to the work table 1 by rotation around the transverse axis of relative articulation 6.

As illustrated in the figures, the relative articulation axis 6 is behind the work table 1, and can advantageously be lowered below the working table 1.

A link arm 8 connects the lower base 2 of the table work at an intermediate articulation point 9 of the posterior arm 4 of heating sole. The link arm 8 has an anterior end 10 connected by antero-posterior sliding to the lower base 2 of work table, and is articulated according to its rear end 11 at rear arm 4 of the heating sole by the transverse axis 9 arranged in an intermediate zone of the posterior arm 4 and offset above the axis relative rotation 6.

Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the arm of connection 8 is bent, comprising an anterior branch 12 generally parallel to the plane of work table 1 and connected to a branch ascending 13 joining the intermediate zone of the posterior arm 4 of heating sole. We understand that this particular form of arm 8 completely frees up the useful rear space 14 located at the rear of the table work 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the link arm 8 constitutes the fixed support element supporting the assembly other elements of the ironing press. In this case, in position closed or working position as illustrated in figure 2, the table working 1 is generally horizontal, and the posterior extension 102 is generally parallel to the anterior branch 12 of the arm of connection 8. In the open position illustrated in FIG. 1, the sole heater 3 is pivoted upwards around the transverse axis 9 which is fixed, at the end of the fixed link arm 8, and the heating table 1 is also moved, by translation towards the front of the press iron and by a slight pivoting towards the front. As we can see in Figure 1, this embodiment promotes a large opening of the ironing press, i.e. maximum spacing between work table 1 and heated sole 3 in position open, without increasing the elevation of the operating handle 7.

As seen in Figure 4, the motion kinematics of such an ironing press is special and advantageous. During the opening, the work table 1 advances, thus moving away from the heated sole 3 to increase access space and reduce thermal rays. When closing, the recoil of the table work tends to favor a slight sliding of the ironing garment, improving the quality of ironing.

According to advantageous embodiments of the invention, the ironing press further comprises elastic return means and pressing means which are housed under the working table 1.

Elastic return means produce on the sole heating 3 a relative torque towards the open position, tending to bring the heating sole 3 back from the working position towards the open position. The pressing means act selectively when the ironing press is in working position, and then produce on the heating sole 3 a relative torque towards the position of job.

The elastic return means and the pressing means are functionally engaged between the lower base 2 of the work table 1 and the link arm 8, to act on the heating sole 3 by through the link arm 8, exercising on the link arm 8 an axial pushing force.

It is understood that the work table 1 is always raised by compared to the support surface of the ironing press, and this table work 1 always has a relatively large area. It results that the space below the work table 1 represents always a large volume which, according to the present invention, can be used to accommodate the elastic return means and the means pressers.

Figures 1, 2 and 5 illustrate an embodiment advantageous elastic return means. In this embodiment, the elastic return means comprise two spring cylinders of compression 15 and 16 parallel and offset laterally on both sides of the vertical vertical plane I-I of the ironing press. Each of the cylinders 15 and 16 is associated with similar elements, and, in the rest of the description, we will only describe a single series of elements, associated with cylinder 15.

One end 17 of the jack 15 is articulated on an axis upper transverse 18 itself carried by the anterior portion of the arm 8. The other end 19 of the jack 15 is articulated on an axis lower transverse 20 carried by a lower carriage 120 integral with anteroposterior translation of the lower base 2 of the table work, the lower carriage 120 and the axis 20 moving on a cam curved eccentric 21 of the link arm 8. The curved cam 21 can by example be circular. The eccentric curved cam 21 is designed to compress the cylinder spring 15 when the ironing press passes from the open position to working position. Thus, in Figure 1, the press is shown in the open position, and the second end 19 of the cylinder 15 is at the first end 22 of cam 21. By cons, in working position of the ironing press, illustrated in FIG. 2, the second end 19 of the jack 15 is at the other end 23 of the cam 21. The cylinder 15, between these two positions, pivots about the transverse axis upper 18, which is offset from the center 24 of the curve forming the curved cam 21. Thus, passing from the open position of the figure 1 in the working position of FIG. 2, the spring of the jack 15 is compresses and tends to recall the heating sole 3 in the open position.

Figures 2, 3 and 5 illustrate an embodiment advantageous pressing means according to the invention. In this mode of embodiment, the pressing means comprise an upper carriage 25, which carries the upper transverse axis 18, and which is movably mounted on guides 26 provided in the front part of the link arm 8 according to a downward and forward movement. This movement allows, when the press is in the closed position, gradually tilt the cylinder 15 to push the link arm 8 towards the front of the work table 1 and thereby increasing the pressure exerted by the heating sole 3. According to a advantageous embodiment, the guides 26 constitute a guide path circular centered on the second end 23 of the circular cam 21, as illustrated in the figures. Means allow to move the upper carriage 25 in its movement on the guides 26 of the arm of link 8, in response to actuation of a control member.

This movement is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3: at the start, in Figure 2, the cylinder 15 is in the upright position that it takes end of closing movement of the ironing press, its end lower 19 being engaged at the second end 23 of the cam 21, its upper end 17 being at the first end 27 of the guides 26. By moving the upper carriage 25, it is possible to gradually tilt the actuator 15 into a lying position illustrated in FIG. 3, with its upper end 17 at the other end 28 of the guides 26. In this position, we understand that the cylinder 15 tends to push the table working 1 towards the rear of the link arm 8, the extension rear 102 basic 2 work table pushing back the end 5 of the arm 4 of the heating sole which then undergoes a torque biasing towards the working position, thus producing pressure exerted by the heating sole 3 on the work table 1.

According to a simplified embodiment, the displacement of the upper carriage 25, producing the inclination of the jack 15, can be provided by a user-actuable actuator, and connected to the upper carriage 25 by a cable or other non-connecting means shown, so that the operation of the operating member causes the movement of the carriage 25 along the guides 26.

Alternatively, according to the invention, the carriage can be moved upper 25 in both directions by means of an electric motor 29 in taken on transmission means acting on the upper carriage 25 to move it along the guides 26 of the link arm 8. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the body of the motor 29 is carried by the upper carriage 25, and is connected to the lower carriage 120 by a slider 129 and a rod 130 allowing variations spacing of the upper 25 and lower 120 carriages. The motor shaft 29 is coupled by gears to the upper transverse axis 18 which carries two pinions 118 and 218 meshing on racks 119 and 219 respectively parallel to guides 26 and 126. In this case, the control can be one or more electrical switches controlling the supply of the electric motor 29 and actuated by any known means suitable, for example by a button 70 placed in the handle 7.

In either embodiment of the means you can easily adjust the maximum pressure exerted by the heated sole 3 on work table 1 by adjusting the position limit of the upper carriage 25 along the guides 26 of the link arm 8.

It is advantageously possible to adapt spraying means 30, housed in the lower part of the front handle 7 of operation, to direct jets 31 of water spray towards the table work 1. We take advantage of the particular relative movement of the sole heater 3 and work table 1, according to the invention, during the rotation between the open position and the working position, to improve the smoothness of the entire table surface working 1 by the jets 31 of water spray.

FIG. 8 illustrates, in side view, an embodiment of the link arm 8. As illustrated in the figure, the anterior portion of the link arm 8, near its anterior end 10, has a increased height to accommodate the eccentric circular cam 21 and guides 26. Thus we find, on the front part of the arm of link 8, in the upper position, the first end 27 of the guides 26 constituting the housing of the upper transverse axis 18 of the cylinders 15 and 16 in their elastic return movements between the open position and the working position of the heated soleplate. The curved cam 21 occupies the lower part of the front part of the link arm 8, its two ends 23 and 22 being substantially at the same level. Drug curved 21 can be circular and centered on an upper center 24 offset forward relative to the first end 27 of the guides 26.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower base 2 of work table constitutes the fixed support element supporting all the other elements of the ironing press. In other words, in this embodiment, the ironing press rests on the floor or on a table by the lower base 2 of the work table. Thus, the work table 1 remains permanently fixed, and the sole heater 3 rotates in rotation relative to the work table 1 around of the relative articulation axis 6 which is also fixed. In position of work illustrated in FIG. 6, the anterior branch 12 of the arm of link 8 is at the upper edge of the posterior extension of the lower base 2 of the work table. In the open position illustrated in FIG. 7, the front branch 12 of the link arm 8 is lowered.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations contained in the field of claims below.

Claims (8)

1. Ironing press wherein :

   a generally horizontal ironing board (1) is carried by a lower ironing board base (2),

   a heated ironing platen (3) is carried by a rear heated ironing platen arm (4) the end (5) of which is hinged about a relative transverse hinge pin (6) to the lower ironing board base (2) to authorise relative rotation of the heated ironing platen (3) and the ironing board (1) relative to each other between an open position in which the heated ironing platen (3) is away from the ironing board (1) and a working position in which the heated ironing platen (3) bears on the ironing board (1),

   a front manoeuvring handle (7) is fastened to the heated ironing platen (3), to procure said relative rotation of the heated ironing platen (3) and the ironing board (1),

   return spring means urge the heated ironing platen (3) in relative rotation towards its open position,

   presser means selectively press the heated ironing platen (3) against the ironing board (1) in the working position, following actuation of an actuator member,

   characterised in that :

   a connecting arm (8) is connected by front-rear sliding at its front end (10) to the lower ironing board base (2), and is hinged at its rear end (11) about a transverse axis (9) disposed in an intermediate area of the rear heated ironing platen arm (4) and offset above the relative hinge pin (6),

   the connecting arm (8) constitutes the fixed support member supporting all the other components of the ironing press.
2. Ironing press according to claim 1, characterised in that the connecting arm (8) is cranked, including a front branch (12) generally parallel to the plane of the ironing board (1) and joined to an ascending rear branch (13) joined to the intermediate area of the rear heated ironing platen arm (4).
3. Ironing press according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the relative hinge pin (6) is below the ironing board (1) and to the rear of the ironing board (1).
4. Ironing press according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the return spring means and the presser means are accommodated under the ironing board (1) and functionally engaged between the lower base (2) of the ironing board (1) and the connecting arm (8), to produce on the heated ironing platen (3) respective relative rotation torques towards the open position and towards the working position by application of axial thrust to the connecting arm (8).
5. Ironing press according to claim 4, characterised in that the return spring means comprise at least one compression spring ram (15, 16) one end (17) of which is hinged about a transverse top axis (18) of the front portion of the connecting arm (8) and the other end (19) of which is hinged to a bottom carriage (120) fastened to the lower ironing board base (2) to move in front-rear translation therewith and moving over an eccentric curved cam (21) of the connecting arm (8) adapted to compress the spring of the ram (15) when the ironing press goes from the open position to the working position.
6. Ironing press according to claim 5, characterised in that the presser means comprise :

   a top carriage (25), carrying the transverse top axis (18), and mounted mobile on guides (26) on the front portion of the connecting arm (8) to move downwards and forwards, progressively inclining the ram (15) when the press is in the closed position to push the connecting arm (8) towards the front of the ironing board (1) and thereby to increase the pressure applied by the heated ironing platen (3),

   means for displacing said top carriage (25) on the guides (26) of the connecting arm (8) in response to actuation of the actuator member.
7. Ironing press according to claim 6, characterised in that the actuator member comprises electric switches controlling the power supply to an electric motor (29) coupled to transmission means acting on the top carriage (25), to move the top carriage (25) in both directions along the guides (26) of the connecting arm (8).
8. Ironing press according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that water sprayer means (30) are housed in a bottom part of the front manoeuvring handle (7), to direct jets (31) of sprayed water towards the ironing board (1) benefiting from the relative movement of the heated ironing platen (3) and the ironing board (1) on rotation between the open position and the working position to improve the regularity with which all of the surface of the ironing board (1) is swept by the jets (31).

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