EP1934394A1

EP1934394A1 - Wireless flatiron custody box

Info

Publication number: EP1934394A1
Application number: EP06757642A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sung Baek Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-09
Filing date: 2006-05-04
Publication date: 2008-06-25
Also published as: WO2007029910A1; CN101258283A; KR200403190Y1; JP2009507555A

Abstract

Provided is a cordless iron storage case with a cover that reverses to double as a stand for a cordless iron and a power supply unit formed at the rear of the case to allow the iron to be used while seated on the case, and capable of safely storing the cordless iron within. The case forms a storage compartment for storing the cordless iron, a cord winder on a floor plate inside its lower end, and a power supply unit formed at the rear. The cover, for opening and closing the case, has a handle formed on its top and a sliding portion, a power connector, and a protruding portion formed on its bottom. The cordless iron storage case not only allows convenient use of the cordless iron, but also easy storage of the cordless iron on its heat resistant floor plate when its hot plate is still hot and easy stowage of its power cord due to its cord winder.

Description

WIRELESS FLATIRON CUSTODY BOX

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a cordless iron storage case, and more particularly, to a cordless iron storage case with a cover that reverses to double as a stand for a cordless iron and a power supply unit formed at the rear of the case to allow the iron to be used while seated on the case, and capable of safely storing the cordless iron within. Background Art

[2] In today's world, an iron is an indispensable tool used to remove creases in clothes and can be found in nearly every household. Despite it being a ubiquitous household appliance, however, the modern iron remains without a convenient and functional storage compartment.

[3] Irons can be generally divided into irons with and without cords. An iron with a cord has a cord for supplying it with power connected directly to its rear, while a cordless iron either has a built-in rechargeable battery that is charged by connecting a power connector formed at the rear of the iron to a power supply unit, or is heated only while it is connected to the power supply unit.

[4] An iron's hot plate is especially cumbersome to store immediately after use until it cools to a non-hazardous temperature.

[5] To obviate the above problem, a cordless iron storage case is disclosed in Korean

Patent Registration No. 10-0476759-0000, filed by the applicant of this invention and shown in Fig. 8, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[6] The iron storage case 20 is formed to accommodate the size of the iron within, and includes a storage space 21 within opened at the top and including a protruding portion 22 on the floor of the storage space 21 protruding to support the hot plate of the iron a predetermined distance from the floor, and silicon atop the protruding portion 22 a distance apart; and a cover 30 for opening and closing the top of the case 20, the cover including a handle 31 fixed on an upper portion thereof, an upper portion fixing groove

32 formed around the upper perimeter of the cover 30, a lower portion fixing groove

33 formed in the lower perimeter of the cover 30, a stand 34 installed at the center of the floor for supporting an iron that is being used at an incline, an inclined support 35 formed at one end of the stand 34 and including an inclined surface on its top whereupon silicon 37 is installed apart from one another and able to withstand heat for contacting a heated iron, and a rollback preventing ledge 36 formed to the rear of the inclined support 35 for preventing rollback of a supported iron.

[7] However, because the above iron storage case is made for an iron with a cord, however, it cannot be used with a cordless iron. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] To solve the above problem, the present invention provides an iron storage case with a cover that reverses to double as a stand for a cordless iron, allowing convenient use of the cordless iron and easy storage of the cordless iron and a power cord. Technical Solution

[9] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cordless iron storage case including a case and a cover for opening and closing the top of the storage compartment, the case having a housing with a size adequate for storing a cordless iron, a latch mechanism formed on an upper end thereof, and a storage compartment formed within that is open at a top thereof, the cover having a handle fixed on a top thereof, an upper portion fixing groove formed on a perimeter of the cover, and a fixing tab formed at a side of the upper portion fixing groove, characterized in that the case comprises: a stand formed on an opposite side to the handle for supporting the cordless iron at an incline thereon; a lower portion fixing groove formed on the perimeter of the cover on a side opposite to the upper portion fixing groove; a plurality of holes formed at a rear thereof; a power supply unit formed above the holes and connected to a cord; a floor plate made of a heat resistant material and pressed against a lower inner perimeter of the case, the floor plate having a plurality of supports formed to protrude upwards a predetermined distance therefrom; and a cord winder formed between the supports and connected to the cord for winding the cord, and the cover comprises: a sliding portion formed at an incline at a front portion of the stand; a power connector formed on the cover at a rear portion of the stand, for supplying power to the cordless iron; and a protruding electrode for inserting into a rear of the power supply unit in the upper portion fixing groove.

Advantageous Effects

[10] An advantage of the cordless iron storage case is that it not only allows convenient use of the cordless iron, but also the safe storage of the cordless iron when its hot plate has been heated, and easy stowage of a power cord for added storage convenience. Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cordless iron storage case according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[12] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an opened cordless iron storage case according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[13] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a power supply unit of a cordless iron storage case according to an embodiment of the present invention; [14] Fig. 4 is a sectional view and an enlarged view of a portion of a cordless iron storage case according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[15] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a cordless iron storage case according to an embodiment of the present invention in operation;

[16] Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a cordless iron storage case according to an embodiment of the present invention storing a cordless iron;

[17] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an opened cordless iron storage case according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[18] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an opened cordless iron storage case according to the related art. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[19] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[20] Referring to Figs. 1 through 6, the storage compartment 210 according to the present invention, a cordless iron storage case includes a case 200 and a cover 300. The case 200 includes: a housing with a size adequate for storing a cordless iron 100, a latch mechanism 250 formed on an upper end thereof, a storage compartment 210 formed within that is open at a top thereof, a plurality of holes 240 formed at a rear thereof, a power supply unit 280 formed above the holes 240 and connected to a cord 295, a floor plate 260 made of a heat resistant material and pressed against a lower inner perimeter of the case 200, the floor plate 260 having a plurality of supports 220 formed to protrude upwards a predetermined distance therefrom and a cord winder (or reel) 230 formed thereon between the supports 220 and connected to the cord 295 for winding the cord 295. The cover 300 opens and closes the top of the storage compartment 210, and includes: a handle 310 fixed on a top thereof, an upper portion fixing groove 320 formed on a perimeter of the cover 300, a fixing tab 370 formed at a side of the upper portion fixing groove 320, a stand 350 formed on an opposite side to the handle 310 for supporting the cordless iron 100 at an incline thereon, a lower portion fixing groove 340 formed on the perimeter of the cover 300 on a side opposite to the upper portion fixing groove 320, a sliding portion 356 formed at an incline at a front portion of the stand 350, a power connector 352 formed on the cover 300 at a rear portion of the stand 350, for supplying power to the cordless iron 100, and a protruding electrode 330 for inserting into a rear of the power supply unit 280 in the upper portion fixing groove 320.

[21] The power supply unit 280 includes a shell 280a forming two insert holes 280b and a retaining rim 28Of formed around an upper inner surface of each insert hole 280b, a contacting electrode 28Od, and a spring 28Oe. [22] The insert holes 280b are open at tops and bottoms thereof for respectively receiving the contacting electrode 28Od, the spring 28Oe, and a resting portion 280c in sequence therein. [23] The resting portion 280c forms a through-hole at a center thereof for a wire of the cord 270 to pass through, after which an end of the wire is soldered to the contacting electrode 28Od to impart electrical conductivity to the contacting electrode 28Od. [24] The protruding electrode 330 is formed on an end at the rear of the upper portion fixing groove 320, so that when the cover 300 is reversed and the upper portion fixing groove 320 rests on the upper perimeter of the case 200, the protruding electrode 330 can correspondingly contact the power supply unit 280. [25] The protruding electrode 330 has portions formed to insert respectively into the two insert holes 280b, and ends of each portion formed for insertion are coupled to the power connector 352 to supplying power thereto. [26] The sliding portion 356 is formed to recline from the front to the rear when the cover 300 is reversed, and has two rotating mechanisms 356a - one at the front and another at the rear at the top of the sliding portion 356. [27] The rotating mechanisms 356a each have two rotating wheels 356b that are resistant to high heat, so that when the cordless iron 100 is placed on top of the sliding portion

356, the hot plate 100a contacts and slides downward along the rotating wheels 356b. [28] The holes 240 are to allow air to circulate within the inside of the storage compartment 210 to allow heat from a heated hot plate 100a of an iron 100 stored in the compartment to quickly dissipate. [29] The stand 220 prepares a space for the cord winder 230 to fit into, and is formed in the shape of protruding cylindrical columns. [30] The cord winder 230 has a clock-type spring (not shown) installed within that can automatically wind a cord 295, and the cord 295 receives power through a plug 290 and transmits the current to the contacting electrodes 28Od. [31] By pressing the winding button 232 that releases the clock spring, the chord 295 is wound on the cord winder 230. [32] The floor plate 260 is made from a high heat-resistant material and is formed by being pressed against the inner surface of the case 200, so that its outer surface is pressed along a predetermined height against the inner surface of the case 200. [33] The power connector 352 is formed corresponding to the power contacting portion at the rear of the cordless iron 100 to be inserted therein, and is electrically connected to the protruding electrodes 330. [34] Referring to Fig. 7, another embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the cord winder 230 and related mechanisms are deleted from the case 200, and the cord 295 is formed at the rear of the stand 350, so that power can be supplied to the power connector 352.

[35] The cord 295 can be neatly stored within the case 200 when the cover is closed, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced by omitting the cord winder 230 and related parts.

[36] An operating method of a cordless iron storage case according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[37] To use the cordless iron 100, the latch mechanism 250 on the case is unfastened, and the cover 300 is opened to remove the cordless iron 100. Then, the cover 300 is reversed so that the stand 350 is disposed on top, and the upper portion fixing groove 320 is mounted over the upper perimeter of the case 200 so that the protruding electrodes 330 formed on the upper portion fixing groove 320 of the cover 300 insert in the power supply unit 280 of the case 200 and press against the contacting electrodes 28Od to supply power to the power connector 352.

[38] Subsequently, when the cord 295 that is wound around the cord winder 230 formed at the bottom of the case 200 is pulled out to a suitable length for use, the plug 290 is plugged into an electrical socket. When the cordless iron 100 is placed on top of the sliding portion 356 of the stand 350, rotating wheels 356b rotate and slide the cordless iron 100 down so that the power contacting portion formed at the rear thereof inserts in the power connector 352.

[39] After the cordless iron 100 is used, the plug 290 is removed from the electrical socket, and the winding button 232 formed on the side of the case 200 is pressed to wind the cord 295 on the cord winder 230. After the cordless iron 100 with its heated hot plate 100a is placed on the floor plate 260 as is, the cover 300 is reversed so that the lower portion fixing groove 320 rests on the upper perimeter of the case 200, after which the latch mechanisms are fastened and the unit is stored.

[40] In the other embodiment of a cordless iron storage case according to the present invention, after the cordless iron 100 is inserted into the case 200, the cord 295 is stored above the iron and the cover 300 is closed for storage.

[41] While the present invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Industrial Applicability

[42] The cordless iron storage case according to the present invention not only allows convenient use of the cordless iron, but also the safe storage of the cordless iron when its hot plate is still hot, and easy stowage of its power cord, for a high industrial applicability.

Claims

[1] A cordless iron storage case including a case and a cover for opening and closing the top of the storage compartment, the case having a housing with a size adequate for storing a cordless iron, a latch mechanism formed on an upper end thereof, and a storage compartment formed within that is open at a top thereof, the cover having a handle fixed on a top thereof, an upper portion fixing groove formed on a perimeter of the cover, and a fixing tab formed at a side of the upper portion fixing groove, characterized in that the case comprises: a stand formed on an opposite side to the handle for supporting the cordless iron at an incline thereon; a lower portion fixing groove formed on the perimeter of the cover on a side opposite to the upper portion fixing groove; a plurality of holes formed at a rear thereof; a power supply unit formed above the holes and connected to a cord; a floor plate made of a heat resistant material and pressed against a lower inner perimeter of the case, the floor plate having a plurality of supports formed to protrude upwards a predetermined distance therefrom; and a cord winder formed between the supports and connected to the cord for winding the cord, and the cover comprises: a sliding portion formed at an incline at a front portion of the stand; a power connector formed on the cover at a rear portion of the stand, for supplying power to the cordless iron; and a protruding electrode for inserting into a rear of the power supply unit in the upper portion fixing groove.

[2] The cordless iron storage case of claim 1, wherein the power supply unit includes a shell forming two insert holes and a retaining rim formed around an upper inner surface of each insert hole, a contacting electrode, and a spring; the insert holes are open at tops and bottoms thereof for respectively receiving the contacting electrode, the spring, and a resting portion in sequence; and the resting portion forms a through-hole at a center thereof for a wire of the cord to pass through, after which an end of the wire is soldered to the contacting electrode to impart electrical conductivity to the contacting electrode.

[3] The cordless iron storage case of claim 2, wherein the protruding electrode has portions formed to insert respectively into the two insert holes, and ends of each portion formed for insertion are coupled to the power connector to supplying power thereto. [4] The cordless iron storage case of claim 1, wherein the power connector is formed opposite to a power contacting portion at a rear of the cordless iron, and is electrically connectable to the protruding electrode. [5] The cordless iron storage case of claim 1, wherein the cord, the cord winder, and the power supply unit are deleted from the case, and the cord is formed at a rear of the stand.