EP3155162B1 - Device for locking a steam iron - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ironing system consisting of a base and an iron, which allows the user by means of a device for locking the steam iron on the base to safely transport and store the ironing station in the locked state.

Technical background

Ironing systems of the type mentioned above consist, as mentioned, of a base which contains the water tank and means for generating steam, and of the steam iron itself, which is connected to the iron via a hose through which the heated steam generated in the base is fed into the iron is. As a result, the iron itself can do without a water tank and the necessary for heating electrical and is easily maneuvered by the user on the ironing surface.

After the ironing process is completed, the user again turns off the iron on the base, for which purpose a corresponding support is provided on the upper side of the base, which has a slight incline towards the base in most cases, in order to drain residual water out of the iron , In particular, during the subsequent transport of the ironing system to its storage place, eg. In a closet, but also in the frequently encountered open storage, in which the ironing system is always in the same place, there is a risk that the iron falls from the base when it The support of the base is not kept or locked accordingly, with the corresponding risk of damage and injury. Accordingly, an appropriate to the weight and size of the iron bracket or locking is necessary to eliminate the risks mentioned. Here, however, immediately after Using the iron there is a risk that the user burns when locking the iron on the support of the base.

From the WO 2006/027464 A1 An ironing system is known in which the iron comprises a sole and a handle. On the other hand, the base comprises a device for fixing the iron to the base, the device engaging the back of the iron and the front of the tip of the iron by means of a bracket comprises. When putting on the bracket, which must be folded from the base up over the top of the iron, the user could burn himself on a possibly still hot soleplate. In addition, break with frequent use of the bracket.

From the WO 2008/146254 For example, an ironing system is known that includes an iron and a base with a pick-up area for the iron. On the base there is provided a locking device comprising a first front and a second rear engaging element which engage with the sole of the iron. In this case, for example, the front engagement element is displaceable in the direction away from the rear engagement element and biased toward the rear engagement element by a spring. If a user now wants to lock the iron on the receiving area of the base, he must first insert the tip of the iron in the front locking element, which is shaped according to the tip, push it forward against the spring force of the bias and then the rear part of the Align the sole of the iron with the rear locking element, ie place the rear part of the sole on the support so that it can be pushed backwards in order to bring the sole into engagement with the rear locking element. This push backward is done by the biasing spring of the front locking element as soon as the user no longer exerts force on the iron.

The disadvantage of this solution is that when inserting the tip into the front locking element, the longitudinal axis of the iron is not always aligned with the longitudinal axis of the receptacle and thus are often rotated back and forth when "hooking" the rear part of the soleplate in the rear locking element must be in order to engage correctly when pushing back the iron by the force of the biasing spring. If the user carelessly perform the insertion process, it may happen that the rear part of the soleplate is not properly aligned with the rear locking element and "jumps out" of the locking device during subsequent release by the force of the biasing spring.

From the EP 0 682 142 A2 an ironing system according to the preamble of claim 1 is known. Other ironing systems with locking mechanisms are from the writings WO 2008/120168 A2 and WO 2011/076545 A1 known.

Presentation of the invention

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ironing system and in particular a locking device provided thereon, which has an improved locking function, which makes the insertion of the iron into the locking device of the base even simpler and safer. This object is achieved by an ironing system with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, an ironing system comprises an iron and a base having a locking device for the iron, the locking device having first and second locking elements opposite the first with respect to the iron, for engaging a first and opposing second, respectively End of the iron are suitable, wherein the second locking element is in the unlocked position (in the unlocked state) out of engagement with the second end of the iron and is triggered upon depression of the iron on the locking device and in an interlocking position (locked state) is moved the second locking element is engaged with the second end of the iron. Thus, as soon as the user has engaged the first end (eg the rear end) of the iron with the first locking element and presses the iron on the locking device, it is ensured that the second end (for example the front end) of the iron (the soleplate) is brought into engagement with the second locking element and thus the possibility of slipping or incorrect locking the iron is locked. During this entire time, the user has only touched the handle of the iron, so runs no risk to burn when locking on hot parts. At the same time, no fine alignment is necessary to bring the second locking element in the locking position (to "lock"). In this case, the unlocked state or the unlocked position is a state or a position at which the iron is lifted off the locking device or is not pressed onto the locking device. In this state, the first end of the iron can be brought into engagement with the first locking element.

Here, it is preferred that the first locking element is a rear locking element and the second locking element is a front locking element, which are respectively suitable for engagement with the rear and the front end of the iron, as in this way the movements of the locking and unlocking better for the user visible at the top, ie at the front end of the iron (corresponding to the second, front locking element) run off.

According to the invention, the second locking element comprises a locking slide, which is biased by an elastic element in the direction of the locking position and is moved on depression of the iron on the support in the locking position. The bias can be done for example by a compression spring as an elastic element. Such a movable locking slide makes it possible to engage with the second end of the iron in a variety of ways, for example by positive engagement or by means of hooks, detents or the like, and set it so, to fix the entire iron firmly on the locking device, without to have to align the iron by hand before.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking device comprises a movable support which is in its upper position (unlocked state) in the range of movement of the second locking element, so that this is held in its unlocked position, and in its lower position (locked state) under the movement range of second locking element is located so that it is moved to the locking position, where it holds the support in its lower position. The support is thus held in its lower position as long as the second locking element is in the locking position (locked state). If this is moved from the locking position back to the unlocked position, the pad can return to its upper position.

For this purpose, in an advantageous embodiment, the support is biased by preferably at least one spring upwards. As a result, when the second locking element is displaced from the locking to the unlocked position, the support returns to its upper position. Finally, it is further preferred that the second locking element has a hand lever with which the user can move the second locking element, in particular against the action of the elastic element, in the unlocked position. In this way, the user can use the handle to push back the second locking element from the locked to the unlocked position, so it is also protected against accidentally coming into contact with the hot soleplate.

Preferably, the hand lever is pivotally mounted on the second locking element (32) and is tilted forward in the locked position. Further, a biased locking cylinder mounted on the support can be provided, which holds the hand lever in the tilted position with the second locking element moved into the locking position and holds it in the non-tilted position when the second locking element is moved into the unlocked position. The user must therefore, if he wants to operate the hand lever to bring the second locking element back into the unlocked position, actively pivot the hand lever against the bias of the locking cylinder, which is an additional safety mechanism.

Finally, according to an advantageous embodiment, the locking device comprises a signal field, which is covered in the unlocked state of the second locking element of this and released in the locked state of this and then the user indicates the locked state.

Brief description of the figures

• FIGS. 1a) and 1b ) are an overall perspective view of the ironing system and the support of the base, according to the invention;
• FIG. 2a ) is a vertical longitudinal cross section of the iron on the support, and FIGS. 2b) and 2c ) are each detail views in the vertical longitudinal cross section of the first (rear) and second (front) locking element of the ironing system according to the invention, in the unlocked state before the latching of the iron;
• FIGS. 3a) and 3c ) are the the FIGS. 2a) and 2c ) corresponding views, and FIG. 3b ) is an overall perspective view of the ironing system according to the invention, but now in each case in the locked state after the latching of the iron; and
• FIGS. 4a) and 4b ) are detailed views in the vertical longitudinal cross section of the second (front) locking element of the ironing system according to the invention, in each case in the unlocked state ( Fig. 4a ) and in the locking state ( Fig. 4b ).

Detailed description

In the Fig. 1a) and 1b ) is an overall view of the ironing system 1 according to the invention, consisting of iron 10 and base 20 shown. The iron comprises a sole 11 with a tapered front end 11a and a rear end 11b. The base 20 comprises, in addition to the water tank and the electrical connections (not shown here) a locking device for the iron explained in more detail below, by means of which it can be securely fixed on the base and the ironing system can be transported safely as a whole.

The locking device comprises a support 21 on its upper side, which has a hinge 23 on the base is hinged and is movable (pivotable) between an upper and lower position. In the unlocked state, the support is biased by two springs 22 in their upper position (only one spring 22 is visible in the figure). In the embodiment shown, additional transverse webs 25 made of heat-resistant and poorly heat-conducting material are mounted on the support 21, which produce the actual contact of the support 21 with the soleplate 11. The transverse webs 25 prevent heat loss of the soleplate 11 by extensive contact with the support 21 and accordingly excessive heating of the support 21, which would constitute a risk of burns. At its front end, the locking device comprises a front (second) locking element 32 located at the front end of the support 21 and adapted to engage the front end 11a of the iron.

How closer in FIGS. 2a), 2b) and 2c ) is shown, at the rear end of the support a recess 31 is provided as a rear (first) locking element, in which the rear end 11 b of the iron (the sole plate 11) can be inserted or hooked. The front locking element 32 consists of a carriage 33 which is biased by means of a compression spring 35 in the direction of the rear end of the support. On the carriage 33 is pivotally mounted a hand lever 34, by means of which the carriage from the locked position ( Fig. 3c ) in the unlocked position ( Fig. 2c ) can be moved. The iron facing the end of the carriage 33 is the tip 11a of the iron correspondingly shaped so that it can engage with this form-fitting and this can set in vertical and lateral direction. Of course, other engagement mechanisms are conceivable.

The support 21 is in the unlocked state, that is, when the carriage 33 is in its retracted, unlocked position, in the range of movement of Slider 33 and prevents so that it can move by the force of the compression spring 35 in the locking position. In this case, the range of movement means that spatial area which is traversed by the carriage, in other words the projection of the carriage in the direction of movement. In Figure 2c ) it can be seen how in this unlocked state, the end face 26 of the support 21 is located in front of the end face 36 of the carriage 33 and prevents the method of the carriage in the locking position.

As already indicated, when the iron is placed on the support 21 of the base 20, the rear end 11b of the soleplate is inserted or hooked into the rear locking element 31 and thus engaged. The front locking element is still in the unlocked state ( Fig. 2c ). Then the iron 20 is pressed by the user on the support 21 ( Fig. 3a ), whereby the support 21 pivots about the hinge 23 downwards. In this case, the support 21 moves under the range of movement of the carriage 33, that is, the end face 26 of the support 21 is no longer in the way of the end face 36 of the carriage, so that the carriage 33, acted upon by the compression spring 35, from its unlocked position into its locking Position ( FIGS. 3b and 3c ) can proceed. The carriage 33, whose front end of the tip 11 a of the iron is shaped accordingly, so comes into engagement with the iron 10 and fixes it in its position on the base 20. Due to the position of the longitudinal section of the FIGS. 3a) and 3c ) This intervention is better in the FIG. 4b ) to see where the front end of the carriage 33 is visibly above the tip 11a of the soleplate 11 and thus fixes it vertically and laterally.

The design of the front end of the carriage 33 in the form of a substantially "V" -shaped recess, which corresponds to the tip of the iron, also has the function of the tip of the iron when moving the carriage on easy to center in the middle. The user must therefore when inserting the rear end 11 b of the iron into the recess 31 and the pressing down of the iron do not worry about the correct orientation of the iron on the support 21, as by the centering and engagement with the carriage 33 (front locking element 32) at any time a secure fixation is guaranteed, even if the user puts the iron after hooking behind "crooked" on the support.

The FIGS. 4a) and 4b ) represent longitudinal sections of the front locking element 32, which in a plane other than the cuts of the FIGS. 2a ) -c) and 3a), 3c) were taken to show the position of a locking cylinder 40 and its interaction with the carriage 33 and the lever 34, respectively. The hand lever is, as already mentioned, about a hinge 37 pivotally mounted (tiltable) on the carriage 33. The locking cylinder 40 is mounted relative to the carriage fixed to the support 21 and is biased by a compression spring (not shown) upwards. In unlocked state ( Fig. 4a ) the locking cylinder 40 is in its lower position and presses against the iron-side end of the hand lever 34 so that it remains in its horizontal, non-tilted position ( Fig. 4a ). When the carriage 33 is moved into the locking position, the hand lever 34 also moves, so that the locking cylinder 40 now reaches the other end of the hand lever and can move upwards by the compression spring, whereby the hand lever 34 tilts forward ( Fig. 4b ). In the forward tilted position of the hand lever optionally prevents a displacement of the carriage 33, for example by the locking cylinder 40 engages behind a corresponding edge 39 in the carriage 33.

In this locked state, therefore, the carriage 33 is held by the compression spring 35 in the locking position, so that the iron securely fixed on the base remains. At the same time, the locking cylinder now ensures that the front locking element 32 can not easily be pushed back into the unlocked position, as it pivots the hand lever into its forward (in Fig. 3c ) Position forces. Only when the user the lever 34 against the spring force of the locking cylinder 40 back to the "straight" position ( Fig. 2c ), the carriage 33 can be retracted to its unlocked position.

In unlocked state ( Fig. 2c ), the carriage 33 covers a display 50, for example a signal field, which is provided in the locking device on the base. But if the iron is placed and locked on the support 21, the carriage 33 of the front locking element 32 moves forward as described and releases the signal field 50, which can thus signal the locked state, for example by colored execution of the signal field 50 (FIG. Fig. 3b ). Alternatively, a light signal is conceivable as a display.

Of course, it is also possible to swap the front and the rear locking element with respect to the iron in their positions. Then, the rear locking element would have the carriage and the hand lever, while the front only serves to insert the front end of the iron and to engage with it.

While the present invention has heretofore been described and claimed with respect to an ironing system, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the locking device on an ironing board. In this case, the "ironing system" is a combination of iron and ironing board, the latter fulfilling the function of the base for picking up / putting down the iron.

Claims (7)

1. Ironing system (1) comprising a clothes iron (10), and a base (20) having a locking arrangement for the clothes iron, the locking arrangement having a first locking member (31) and a second locking member (32) in an opposite position from the first one relative to the clothes iron, which locking members (31, 32) are suitable for engagement with a first, or opposite second, end (11a, 11b) of the clothes iron (10),
   the second locking member (32) being out of engagement with the second end (11a) of the clothes iron in the unlocked position and, when the clothes iron (10) is pressed down onto the locking arrangement, being released and being moved into a locking position in which the second locking member (32) is in engagement with the second end (11a) of the clothes iron,
   characterised in that the second locking member (32) comprises a locking slider (33) which is preloaded towards the locking position by a resilient member (35) and which is moved into the locking position when the clothes iron is pressed down onto the locking arrangement.
2. Ironing system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the locking arrangement comprises a movable support (21) which, in its upper position, is situated within the range of movement of the second locking member (32), the latter thus being held in its unlocked position, and which, in its lower position, is situated below the range of movement of the second locking member (32), the latter thus being moved to the locking position, where it holds the support in the lower position.
3. Ironing system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the support (21) is preloaded upwards by at least one spring (22).
4. Ironing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second locking member (32) has a manual lever (34) with which the user is able to move the second locking member (32) to the unlocked position in opposition to the action of the resilient member (35).
5. Ironing system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the manual lever is pivotably mounted on the second locking member (32) and is tilted forward when the latter is in its locked position.
6. Ironing system according to claim 5, wherein there is also provided a preloaded holding cylinder (40) which is fastened to the support and which holds the manual lever in the tilted position when the second locking member (32) has been moved to the locking position, and holds it in the untilted position when the second locking member (32) has been moved to the unlocked position.
7. Ironing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking arrangement has an indicator (50) which is hidden by the second locking member (32) when the latter is in the unlocked state and which is exposed by the latter when in the locked state and then indicates the locked state to the user.

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