EP2933371B1 - Household appliance comprising an ironing and/or smoothing device intended for being handheld and a portable base - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a household appliance comprising an ironing and / or steaming device intended to be held in the hand and a portable base comprising a surface for laying the ironing and / or steaming device, the base comprising at least one element blocking device movable in rotation between a folded position in which the ironing and / or anti-crease device can be extracted from the base and an immobilization position in which the ironing and / or anti-creasing device is immobilized on the base by the element blocking.

It is known from the patent application FR 2,874,628 filed by the applicant, an ironing apparatus comprising an iron and a portable steam generating base provided with a suitable location for placing the iron. In this document, the base comprises a hoop movable in rotation between a folded position in which the iron can be extracted from the base and an immobilization position in which the iron is secured to the base so that the apparatus can be carried by the iron handle.

However, such an apparatus has the disadvantage of having a locking device of the hoop in the immobilization position which is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition, such a locking device comprises an unlocking button so that the locking device can be damaged if the user forces on the rollbar to bring it into the folded position without having first actuated the unlocking button.

Also, an object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by providing an appliance having an ironing and / or steaming device to be held in the hand and a portable base comprising a surface for laying the ironing device and / or wrinkling, wherein the means for immobilizing the ironing device and / or wrinkling on the base are simple and economical to achieve. Another purpose of this The invention is to propose iron immobilization means that provide a great ergonomic use and in particular that can not be damaged by mishandling of the user.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a household appliance comprising an ironing and / or steaming device intended to be held in the hand and a portable base comprising a surface for laying the ironing and / or steaming device, the base comprising at least one locking element movable in rotation between a folded position in which the ironing and / or anti-creasing device can be extracted from the base and an immobilization position in which the ironing and / or anti-creasing device is immobilized on the base by the locking element, characterized in that the base comprises biasing means exerting a torque on the locking element whose direction reverses when passing from an intermediate position between the immobilization position and the position folded, the torque exerted by the return means tending to return the locking element to the folded position when the locking element is in a first angular range between the intermediate position and the folded position and tending to return the locking element to the immobilization position when the locking element is in a second angular range between the intermediate position and the position of immobilization.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to obtain an apparatus in which the blocking element of the ironing and / or ironing device on the base has a very good ergonomics of use, the return means tending to hold the blocking element in place. the immobilizing position when the blocking element is brought manually in the vicinity of this position, and in the folded position when the blocking element is brought manually in the vicinity of this position. In particular, such a feature makes it possible to dispense with any locking device of the locking element requiring the actuation of an unlocking button to move the locking element.

According to another characteristic of the apparatus according to the invention, the ironing and / or anti-creasing device comprises a gripping handle, the whole of the apparatus being able to be transported by the handle when the ironing and / or ironing device is immobilized on the base by the blocking element.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the locking element is kept in contact with the ironing device and / or straightening by the return means when the locking element is in the immobilization position.

Such a feature has the advantage of eliminating any clearance between the locking element and the ironing device and / or wrinkling for better maintenance of the latter on the base.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the locking element is disposed substantially in the plane of the surface to put the ironing device and / or wrinkle when it occupies the folded position.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to improve access to the surface when the blocking element is in the folded position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the return means are constituted by at least one spring.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the locking element is rotatably mounted about an axis, the spring being a helical torsion spring comprising a first end connected at a point of the base and a second end connected in a point of the locking element, the point of the blocking element being located between the point of the base and the axis, being aligned with them, when the locking element occupies the intermediate position.

Such return means have the advantage of being effective and simple and economical to achieve.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the locking element has the shape of a hoop.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the base comprises a bumper laterally immobilizing the rear part of the ironing and / or ironing device, the blocking element laterally immobilizing the front part of the ironing and / or ironing device when it is in the immobilization position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the ironing and / or ironing device is an iron having a sole surmounted by a body comprising a cantilevered part extending between the sole and a face. rear of the body, the stopper having an outgrowth being inserted into a complementary shaped cavity formed in a lower face of the cantilever portion of the iron.

Such a feature has the advantage of allowing to obtain a bulky buffer ensuring a perfect immobilization of the rear part of the iron. The apparatus thus produced has the advantage of being relatively compact and leaving the rear part of the iron visible. In addition, the cavity receiving the protrusion of the bumper has the advantage of being hidden by the rear part of the iron when the iron rests on its sole so that the visual appearance of the iron is preserved.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the base contains a tank and a tank for generating steam under pressure.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the apparatus comprises an abutment device limiting the stroke of the locking element beyond or at the height of the immobilization position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the surface for placing the iron is inclined with respect to the lower plane of the base.

Such inclination provides better ergonomics of use of the device.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un appareil de repassage selon un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention lorsque l'arceau de blocage est en position d'immobilisation du fer ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'appareil de la figure 1 avec le fer à repasser soulevé de la base ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective éclatée du sous-ensemble comprenant la surface pour poser le fer et l'arceau de blocage ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective agrandie du sous ensemble de la figure 3 avec l'arceau de blocage en position repliée ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus du sous-ensemble de la figure 3 ;
• Les figures 6, 7 et 8 sont des vues en coupe selon la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5 lorsque l'arceau de blocage est respectivement en position repliée, en position intermédiaire et en position d'immobilisation.

The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

• the figure 1 is a side view of an ironing apparatus according to a particular embodiment of the invention when the blocking bar is in the immobilization position of the iron;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of the device from the figure 1 with the iron raised from the base;
• the figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the subassembly comprising the surface for laying the iron and the locking arch;
• the figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the subset of the figure 3 with the locking bar in the folded position;
• the figure 5 is a top view of the subset of the figure 3 ;
• The Figures 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views along the line VI-VI of the figure 5 when the locking arch is respectively in the folded position, in the intermediate position and in the immobilized position.

Only the elements necessary for the understanding of the invention have been represented. To facilitate the reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

The figure 1 and 2 represent an ironing apparatus of the steam generator type, typically comprising an iron 1 resting on a portable base 2 incorporating, in a manner known per se, a vessel for producing steam under pressure, not shown in the figures, the base 2 being electrically powered by means of a cable 24.

The iron 1 comprises a heating soleplate surmounted by a one-piece plastic body incorporating a handle 11, the latter extending towards the rear of the iron by two arms 12 comprising a rear face constituting the heel of the iron, the body having a portion of cantilever extending between the sole 10 and the heel of the iron. The handle 11 is conventionally extended towards the front of the iron by a nose covering the front tip of the sole 10, the iron 1 being connected to the base 2 by a flexible cord 3 incorporating electrical supply wires of the heating soleplate 10 as well as a steam supply duct 10 of the iron soleplate.

The base 2 comprises a flat bottom surface intended to rest on a horizontal plane and has an inclined upper surface 21 comprising a recess constituting a location 21A for resting the iron 1, this location 21A comprising an inclined plane bottom of the order of 30 ° relative to the lower surface 20 and having pads 21B projecting to thermally isolate the base 2 of the sole 10 of the iron.

The upper surface 21 of the base 2 comprises, in front of the location 21A, a control panel 23 of the apparatus and encloses in the space under the location 21, a tank for supplying water to the tank for the production of steam, the tank being provided with a filler door 25.

In order to allow immobilization of the iron 1 on the base 2, the base 2 comprises, at the foot of the location 21A, a stopper 22 on which the heel of the iron comes to bear when the iron 1 is placed on the location 21A , the stopper 22 advantageously having an outgrowth 22A inserted into a cavity 13 formed on a lower face of the cantilevered portion located at the rear of the iron 1 so as to immobilize laterally and vertically the rear portion of the iron 1 in slot 21A.

The front part of the iron 1 is immobilized on the base 2 by means of a hoop 4 pivotally mounted at the portion of the location 21A receiving the front tip of the sole 10 of the iron, the hoop 4 having advantageously a triangular shape conforming to the contour of the front end of the location 21A.

The hoop 4 can pivot between a folded position, illustrated on the figures 2 and 6 , in which the hoop 4 is engaged in a receiving groove formed at the edge of the location 21A, being arranged parallel to the upper surface 21 of the base, and a position of immobilization of the iron, illustrated on the figures 1 and 8 , in which the arch 4 bears against the upper surface of the nose of the iron 1, the arch 4 advantageously comprising a flexible portion 40 attached by overmolding in the hollow portion of the arch 4 coming into contact with the body of the iron 1 to iron when the arch 4 is in the immobilization position.

In accordance with Figures 3 to 4 , which represent in isolation the subassembly defining the upper surface 21 of the base, the arch 4 is preferably constituted by a plastic part comprising two branches, defining an inverted V, having a lower end passing through an opening 26 formed on the upper surface of the base 2 to be pivotally mounted on an axis 5 disposed inside the base 2, the axis 5 being carried by tabs 27 projecting under the upper surface of the base 2.

More particularly according to the invention, the base 2 comprises return means 6 exerting a return torque on the arch 4 whose direction reverses at transition from an intermediate position, illustrated on the figure 7 , located between the folded position and the immobilization position, the restoring torque bringing the hoop 4 to the folded position when the latter is in an angular position between the folded position and the intermediate position and bringing the hoop 4 to the immobilization position when the latter is in an angular position between the intermediate position and the immobilization position.

The return means are advantageously constituted by two helical torsion springs 6 arranged near the lower end of the branches of the arch 4, each spring 6 having a first curved end engaging in a hole 28A formed in a support stud 28 protruding under the upper surface 21 of the base and a second curved end engaging in a notch 41 formed at the edge of the leg of the arch 4.

In accordance with Figures 6 to 8 , the notch 41 is formed along the edge of the arch 4 so that the notch 41 is above the line passing through the orifice 28A and the axis 5 of rotation when the arch 4 is is in the folded position, illustrated on the figure 6 , and is below the line d when the arch 4 is in the immobilization position illustrated on the figure 8 , in which the arch 4 advantageously forms an angle of the order of 50 ° with respect to the bottom of the location 21A, the notch 41 being aligned with the line d when the arch 4 occupies an intermediate position, illustrated on the figure 7 , in which the arch advantageously forms an angle of the order of 20 ° with respect to the bottom of the location 21A.

Preferably, the arch 4 also comprises a stop 42 which abuts against an edge 26A of the opening 26 to limit the pivoting stroke of the arch 4 in a stop position, not shown in the figures, located slightly beyond the immobilization position.

The operation of the return means of the locking arch will now be described.

When the hoop 4 is located in the folded position illustrated on the figure 6 the spring 6 exerts a restoring torque applying in the direction R ₁ , which tends to maintain the arch 4 in the folded position.

If the user wishes to lock the iron 1 on the base 2, he places the iron 1 on the location 21A by resting the sole 10 on the pads 21B and engaging the protrusion 22A of the stopper 22 in the cavity 13 located at the rear of the iron, then manually grasped the arch 4 so as to raise it to the intermediate position illustrated on the figure 7 , by counteracting the return torque exerted by the springs 6, the return torque gradually decreasing to become zero when passing from the intermediate position. When the hoop 4 is brought manually above the intermediate position, the restoring torque exerted by the springs 6 is reversed, the springs 6 then exerting a restoring torque in the direction R ₂ which increases gradually as and when as the arch 4 approaches the blocking position in which it abuts against the nose of the iron 1 to iron.

Thus the user can release the hoop 4 when the latter is raised beyond the intermediate position, the springs 6 then automatically bring the hoop 4 against the nose of the iron 1.

In the locking position, the hoop 4 is applied against the upper face of the body of the iron 1, so that it results in a perfect immobilization, without deflection, the iron 1 on the base 2. The user can then transport the generator by grasping the handle 11 of the iron.

If the hoop 4 is raised beyond the intermediate position while the iron 1 is not disposed on the location, the hoop 4 pivots under the effect of the couple of springs 6 of return until the abutment 42 at the base of the arch 4 bears against the edge 26A of the opening 26, thus preventing the arch 4 from tilting too far towards the rear of the base 2.

When the user wishes to use the iron 1 to iron, it is sufficient for him to grasp the arch 4 to move it away from the nose of the iron 1, exerting a force greater than the restoring torque exerted by the return springs 6, this effort gradually decreasing as the arch 4 approaches the intermediate position. When the hoop is below the intermediate position, the user can release the hoop 4, the latter being automatically returned by the return springs 6 in the folded position.

Such an iron locking device on the base of the generator thus has the advantage of being both simple design and very ergonomic use. In particular, the risk of damage to the locking device when the user forces on the rollbar to bring it from the locking position to the folded position is eliminated.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given by way of example. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the stop of the bow can be arranged in such a way that the stop position of the bow in which the stop abuts on the edge of the opening corresponds to at an immobilization position of the iron in which the hoop is in the immediate vicinity of the iron without affecting the latter.

Thus, in an embodiment variant not shown, the vessel for the generation of steam under pressure may be replaced by an instantaneous vaporization chamber, the latter may be arranged in the base or in the iron and be connected to a reservoir contained in the base by a water pipe.

Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the iron may be replaced by a steam brush.

Claims (11)

1. Household appliance comprising an ironing and/or wrinkle removing device (1) intended to be hand held and a portable base (2) comprising a surface (21) for placing said ironing and/or wrinkle removing device, the base (2) comprising at least one blocking element (4) rotatable between a folded position wherein said ironing and/or wrinkle removing device (1) can be extracted from the base (2) and an immobilised position wherein the ironing and/or wrinkle removing device (1) is immobilised on the base (2) by the blocking element (4), characterised in that the base (2) comprises return means (6) exerting a torque on said blocking element (4) of which the direction is inverted at the passage of an intermediate position located between the immobilised position and the folded position, said torque exerted by the return means (6) tending to return the blocking element to the folded position when the blocking element (4) is in a first angular range between the intermediate position and the folded position and tending to return the blocking element (4) to the immobilised position when the blocking element (4) is in a second angular range between the intermediate position and the immobilised position.
2. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the ironing and/or wrinkle removing device (1) comprises a gripping handle (11) and in that the entire appliance can be transported by the handle (11) when the ironing and/or wrinkle removing device (1) is immobilised on the base (2) by the blocking element (4).
3. Household appliance according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the blocking element (4) is maintained in contact with the ironing and/or wrinkle removing device (1) by the return means (6) when the blocking element (4) is in the immobilised position.
4. Household appliance according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said blocking element (4) is arranged substantially in the plane of the surface (21) in order to place the ironing and/or wrinkle removing device when it is in the folded position.
5. Household appliance according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the return means (6) are formed by at least one spring.
6. Household appliance according to claim 5, characterised in that the blocking element (4) is rotatably mounted about an axis (5) and in that the spring (6) is a torsion coil spring comprising a first end connected at one point (28A) of the base (2) and a second end connected at a point (41) of the blocking element (4), the point (41) of the blocking element located between the point (28A) of the base and the axis (5), by being aligned with the latter, when the blocking element (4) occupies the intermediate position.
7. Household appliance according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said blocking element has the shape of a hoop (4).
8. Household appliance according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the base comprises an abutment (22) that laterally immobilises the rear portion of the ironing and/or wrinkle removing device (1) and in that the blocking element (4) laterally immobilises the front portion of the ironing and/or wrinkle removing device (1) when it is in the immobilised position.
9. Household appliance according to claim 8, characterised in that the ironing and/or wrinkle removing device is an iron (1) comprising a soleplate (10) surmounted by a body comprising a cantilevered portion extending between the soleplate (1) and a rear face of the body and in that the abutment (22) comprises a protrusion (22A) that is inserted into a cavity (13) of complementary shape arranged in a lower face of the cantilevered portion of the iron (1).
10. Household appliance according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the base (2) encloses a reservoir and a tank for the generation of pressurised steam.
11. Household appliance according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it comprises an abutment device (42, 26A) that limits the travel of the blocking element (4) beyond or to the height of the immobilised position.

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