EP1980664A1

EP1980664A1 - An adjustable ironing board cover

Info

Publication number: EP1980664A1
Application number: EP07106195A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vicky Vidovic
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-11
Filing date: 2007-04-13
Publication date: 2008-10-15
Also published as: US20080250676A1; CN101307562A; JP2008259859A; NZ567435A; TW200928042A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustable ironing board cover (38) and in particular to an ironing board cover including a tensioning means to assist in keeping the cover taut over an ironing board and adjusting means so that the cover may accommodate ironing boards of different sizes.

Description

The present invention relates to an adjustable ironing board cover and in particular to an ironing board cover including a tensioning means to assist in keeping the cover taut over an ironing board and adjusting means so that the cover may accommodate ironing boards of different sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Domestic ironing boards generally include an ironing table mounted on a pair of pivoting legs that adjust the height of the table. The ironing table also includes a pad to assist in dissipating the heat from an iron, the pad itself covered by a suitable material cover. This cover usually not only extends over the surface of the table but also extends around the periphery of the table. A drawstring or an elastic binding is known to be used around the periphery to assist in keeping the cover in place. The problem with these is that they are not very effective in keeping the cover taut across the table especially in the longitudinal direction. Through use the cover generally moves or rotates requiring continuous adjustment.
The present applicant is the owner of a co-pending Australian patent application which relates to an ironing board including a plurality of sheets, the first of which extends over the surface and periphery of the ironing board table and the second of which extends underneath the table. The second sheet is elastic (suitably made of synthetic materials such as those used in wetsuits, where the material is homogeneous in its resilience in all directions) and thereby provides a tensioning force on the sheet to keep the cover taut over the ironing board table.
Although effective in providing a taut cover for the ironing board, the applicant has recognised that such covers are not capable of sufficiently accommodating ironing boards of different shapes and sizes. In particular, ironing boards are available in a variety of different widths and lengths and at present, significant time and material needs to be used to manufacture covers for accommodating such boards.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ironing board cover which overcomes this problem or at least provides the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed an ironing board cover for an ironing board having an ironing table, said cover including:

a first portion adapted to extend over said ironing table;
a second portion adapted to extend at least partially under said ironing table, the second sheet being elastic in all directions to provide tension to said first portion and including a means of adjusting at least one dimension thereof to accommodate ironing tables of different sizes.

Preferably said second portion is secured to the periphery of said first portion.
In preference said second portion includes a longitudinal opening defined partially by spaced apart side edges, said opening enabling the cover to be fitted over at least first and second leg assemblies supporting the table.
Preferably at least a portion of said opening is closeable by use of an insert of predetermined width fastened to said spaced apart side edges. Inserts of different width may be selected according to the width of the ironing table.
Preferably said insert is fastened using a zipper. Alternatively said insert is fastened using a hook and loop fastener.
In a further embodiment of the present invention said second portion includes a transverse opening defined partially by spaced apart side edges.
Preferably at least a portion of said opening is closeable by use of an insert of predetermined length fastened to said spaced apart side edges. Inserts of different length may be selected according to the width of the ironing table.
Preferably said insert is fastened using a zipper. Alternatively said insert is fastened using a hook and loop fastener.
In a further embodiment, said second portion includes a longitudinal opening defined by two flaps which are closeable by fastening means along internal edges thereof, one of said flaps including a plurality of further fastening means spaced outwardly from said side edge fastening means to thereby accommodate ironing tables of different width.
In preference said fastening means is a zipper. Alternatively said fastening means is a hook and loop fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

Figure 1: is a perspective view of a typical ironing board with an ironing board cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention attached;
Figure 2: is a perspective view of the underside of the ironing board of Figure 1, illustrating a width adjustment means of the cover in the form of an insert;
Figure 3: is a perspective view of the underside of the ironing board of Figure 1 illustrating the insert of Figure 2 attached;
Figure 4: is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the ironing board cover to which an insert may be attached, including inserts of various different widths;
Figure 5: is a perspective view of the underside of an ironing board illustrating an ironing board cover according to a second embodiment of the invention, including a width adjustment means in the form of a plurality of lengthwise zip tracks; and
Figure 6: is a perspective view of the underside of an ironing board illustrating an ironing board cover according to a third embodiment of the invention, including a means to accommodate ironing boards of different length.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.
Referring to the figures there is shown in Figure 1 an ironing board 10 of a conventional construction includes an ironing table or surface 12 supported by a pair of pivoted leg assemblies 14 and 16. The ironing table extends longitudinally from a tapered end or nose 18 to the other end or heel 20. The leg assembly 14 is pivotably engaged to the ironing board at a position nearer the nose 18, while leg assembly 16 is slidably engaged to the ironing board nearer the heel 20. The ironing board is adapted to be folded to a stored position in which the leg assemblies assume a position substantially flush against the underside of the table or surface 12. To achieve this, the outer end 22 of leg assembly 14 is folded upwards in direction 24 whilst the outer end 26 of leg assembly 16 is folded upwards in direction 28. Since the leg assembly 16 is pivotably fixed to the heel end 20, this folding action causes the inner end 30 of the leg assembly 14 to slide towards the nose in direction 32.
The ironing table 12 includes a peripheral edge 34 usually of an 'L' shape. Located on the underside 36 of the table 12 are various supporting structures that may include support rails (not shown) that enable the table to be used for ironing purposes. The ironing board cover 38 of the present invention extends across the top surface of the table 12, around the peripheral edge 34 with the edge of the cover 38 located close to the proximity of the 'L' shaped peripheral edge 34.
Although not shown, the cover 38 preferably includes a first sheet extending over the upper surface of table 12 around the edge 34, and a second sheet extending partially underneath the table 12 and secured by appropriate means (such as stitching) to the peripheral edge of the first sheet. The second sheet is manufactured from an elastic material to provide a tensioning force to the first sheet and thus keep it taut over the ironing table 12. It has been found that even a relatively small surface area of the elastic material provides sufficient tensioning to keep the cover taut in place. The use of such resilient material forms the subject matter of a co-pending patent application owned by the present inventor. Suitable materials for the underside of the cover 38 may include synthetic materials such as those used in wetsuits, where the material is homogeneous in its resilience in all directions.
An opening 40 in the cover 38 allows it to be fitted over the table and for the legs 14 to slidably move along the underside of the table from a storage to a working position. The opening 40 extends along the length of the underside 36 and includes transverse slits 42 and 44 at positions which allow the leg assemblies 14 and 16 to pass when in the working position. As mentioned in the preamble of the invention, a need has been recognised by the present inventor for such covers to include adjustment means in order to accommodate ironing tables of different widths and lengths, thereby alleviating the need to manufacture different sized covers for such tables.
Figures 2-3 illustrate the underside of the ironing board 10 including a means of adjusting the width of the ironing board cover 38 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the opening 40 which allows for movement of the legs 14 includes two zip portions 46 and 48 extending along internal opposed edges thereof between the two leg assemblies 14 and 16. An insert 50 of corresponding length to that of the zip portions 46 and 48 is adapted to be inserted therebetween. The insert 50 includes its own zip portions 52 and 54 configured to engage zip portions 46 and 48 respectively.
As those skilled in the art would realise, for two zip portions to engage, one portion must include a slideably moveable zipper adapted to engage a track on the other portion. For the purposes of the present invention, it is not essential which portion 46 or 52, or 48 or 54, includes the track or zipper, as long as the zipper is located on the outer side of the cover so that the insert 38 may be easily attached and removed. Furthermore, it is not essential that the insert be attached between the opening using only zips. Any other appropriate attachment means, such as hook and loop fasteners, could equally well be used.
Figure 4 illustrates a plurality of inserts 50 of different widths which can be selected for use according to the width of the ironing board table. The use of an insert 50 not only allows for width adjustability but maximises the tensioning force and provides a neat appearance. In determining which size insert 50 to use, one needs to ensure that once attached, the underside of the cover 38 is not stretched too much or too little and maintains its resilience, thereby keeping the cover taut over the ironing table. In preference the size of the inserts correspond with standard ironing board table widths so that when a user determined a particular table width, they may simply select a corresponding insert accordingly.
Figure 5 illustrates the underside of an ironing board 10 including a cover 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The cover 60 includes an opening 40, however, between the leg assemblies 14 and 16, the cover includes two opposed flap portions 62 and 64 which meet at a position inside the opening 40. Flap 62 is of less width to flap 64 and includes an engaging zip 66 while flap 64 includes a track 68. There are two further tracks 70 and 72 located on flap 64 which extend parallel with track 68 thereby providing a user with the ability to select an appropriate track according to the width of the table. Figure 5 illustrates the cover 60 engaged at maximum width. The skilled addressee would understand that the same cover could be used for a table of lesser width in that rather than joining zip 66 with track 68, it would be joined to one of the further tracks 70 or 72, whichever is appropriate.
As mentioned earlier, the cover could be configured not only to accommodate ironing boards of different width but also of different length. Figure 6 illustrates a cover 80 including a lengthwise opening 40 and insert 50 as previously described, however, the cover 80 also includes a transverse opening 82 located on the opposite side of leg assembly 14 further toward the nose of the board. The opening 82 is configured to allow for engagement with two inserts 84 and 86 on opposed sides of longitudinal opening 40. Those skilled in the art would realise that in using inserts of different width in opening 82, the length of the cover 80 can also be adjusted. The features of insert 84 and the means of attachment between edges of opening 82 are essentially the same as that of insert 50 and so will not be described here again for the purpose of brevity.
The skilled addressee should now appreciate how the present invention overcomes problems associated with fitting the applicant's improved ironing board cover to ironing boards of different shapes and sizes. It is to be understood that the cover embodied herein may include other features that are not essential to the invention but provide additional assisting features. For example, the cover may include an opening (not shown) allowing an iron holder to extend from the table.
Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. For example, further improvements to the invention may be the use of different types of elastic materials, such as ones where the elasticity is in one-dimension only.
Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.
In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

An ironing board cover for an ironing board having an ironing table, said cover including:
a first portion adapted to extend over said ironing table;

a second portion adapted to extend at least partially under said ironing table, the second sheet being elastic in all directions to provide tension to said first portion and

including a means of adjusting at least one dimension thereof to accommodate ironing tables of different sizes.
An ironing board cover as in claim 1 wherein said second portion is secured to the periphery of said first portion.
An ironing board cover as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said second portion includes a longitudinal opening defined partially by spaced apart side edges, said opening enabling the cover to be fitted over at least first and second leg assemblies supporting the table.
An ironing board cover as in claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said opening is closeable by use of an insert of predetermined width fastened to said spaced apart side edges.
An ironing board cover as in claim 4 wherein said insert is fastened using a zipper.
An ironing board cover as in claim 4 wherein said insert is fastened using a hook and loop fastener.
An ironing board cover as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said second portion includes a transverse opening defined partially by spaced apart side edges.
An ironing board cover as in claim 7 wherein at least a portion of said opening is closeable by use of an insert of predetermined length fastened to said spaced apart side edges.
An ironing board cover as in claim 8 wherein said insert is fastened using a zipper.
An ironing board cover as in claim 8 wherein said insert is fastened using a hook and loop fastener.
An ironing board cover as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said second portion includes a longitudinal opening defined by two flaps which are closeable by fastening means along internal edges thereof, one of said flaps including a plurality of further fastening means spaced outwardly from said side edge fastening means to thereby accommodate ironing tables of different width.
An ironing board cover as in claim 11 wherein said fastening means is a zipper.
An ironing board cover as in claim 11 wherein said fastening means is a hook and loop fastener.