EP3828334A1

EP3828334A1 - Garment steamer comprising an ironing board and a telescopic pole assembly for pivoting the ironing board

Info

Publication number: EP3828334A1
Application number: EP19212003.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: See Chen GOH; Kok Wah Ma; Hee Poh Sin
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 2019-11-28
Filing date: 2019-11-28
Publication date: 2021-06-02
Also published as: KR102370032B1; PL3853406T3; CN113167012A; EP3853406B1; RU2769310C1; WO2021105363A1; EP3853406A1; KR20210082536A

Abstract

The invention relates to a garment steamer 100 for treating a garment. The garment steamer 100 comprises a base 101, a pole assembly 102 extending from the base 101. The pole assembly 102 comprises an upper pole section U and a middle pole section M. The garment steamer 100 also comprises a telescopic coupling for movably coupling the upper pole section U and the middle pole section M, an ironing board 103 for supporting the garment during treatment, a first pivoting coupling P1 for coupling the ironing board 103 and the upper pole section U, a linking arm 104 having a fixed length LN1 and being arranged between the ironing board 103 and the middle pole section M, a second pivoting coupling P2 for coupling a first end C of the linking arm 104 and the ironing board 103, and a third pivoting coupling P3 for coupling a second end A of the linking arm 104 and the middle pole section M.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a garment steamer.
The invention may be used in the field of garment care.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stand garment steamers with a pole assembly to which an ironing board is attached, are known. The ironing board is used to create a back support for the garments being steamed.
However, in those known devices, the ironing board is attached vertically, which may create some inconveniences when using is steaming a garment against the ironing board.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to propose an improved garment steamer for treating a garment that avoids or mitigates above-mentioned problems.
The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.
To this end, the garment steamer according to the invention comprises:

a base,
a pole assembly extending from the base, said pole assembly comprising an upper pole section and a middle pole section,
a telescopic coupling for movably coupling the upper pole section and the middle pole section,
an ironing board for supporting the garment during treatment,
a first pivoting coupling for coupling the ironing board and the upper pole section,
a linking arm having a fixed length and being arranged between the ironing board and the middle pole section,
a second pivoting coupling for coupling a first end of the linking arm and the ironing board,
a third pivoting coupling for coupling a second end of the linking arm and the middle pole section.

Since the arm element has a fixed length, the rotation of the ironing board around the first pivoting coupling results in that the height of the first pivoting coupling varies as long as the ironing board rotates. In other words, varying the height of the first pivoting coupling results in a rotation of the ironing board to different angles. The variation of this height is absorbed by the telescopic coupling.
This solution provides a simple, straightforward, intuitive, ironing board tilting experience, whereby user can conveniently adjust the ironing board angle.
In particular, the ironing board can be tilted up to reaching a horizontal position. This horizontal position for the ironing board bring the same high level of convenience of treating relatively long garments (e.g. pants and formal shirt with long sleeves) with a steam iron on a traditional horizontal ironing board, but here dealing with a stand garment steamer.
Preferably, the garment steamer further comprises a locking mechanism to fix the position of the upper pole section relatively to the middle pole section. This allows a firm locking of the ironing board in a given tilted position.
Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention will be given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner :

Fig.1A-Fig.1B-Fig.1C depict various three-dimensional views of a garment steamer according to the invention with a board taking different angular positions,
Fig.2A-Fig.2B-Fig.2C depict two-dimensional side-views of Fig.1A-Fig.1B-Fig.1C,
Fig.3 depicts a pin-locking mechanism in a garment steamer according to the invention,
Fig.3A depicts a zoomed-in view of the pin-locking mechanism in a non-actuated position,
Fig.3B depicts a zoomed-in view of the pin-locking mechanism in an actuated position,
Fig.4A depicts a cross-sectional view of the pin-locking mechanism in a non-actuated position,
Fig.4B depicts a cross-sectional view of the pin-locking mechanism in an actuated position,
Fig.5A depicts a partial rear view of a garment steamer according to the invention with an ironing board extending vertically,
Fig.5B depicts a zoomed-in view of Fig.5A,
Fig.6A depicts a partial rear view of a garment steamer according to the invention with an ironing board inclined with an angle of 30 degrees,
Fig.6B depicts a zoomed-in view of Fig.6A,
Fig.7A depicts a partial rear view of a garment steamer according to the invention with an ironing board extending horizontally,
Fig.7B depicts a zoomed-in view of Fig.7A,
Fig.8 depicts an exploded three-dimensional view of a garment steamer according to the invention,
Fig.9A depicts the setting of a garment steamer according to the invention,
Fig.9B depicts a zoomed-in view of Fig.9A,
Fig. 10 depicts a garment steamer according to the invention with a clamping mechanism according to a first embodiment,
Fig.11A-Fig.11B depict the clamping mechanism of Fig. 10 is a locked position and an open position, respectively,
Fig. 12 depicts a garment steamer according to the invention with a clamping mechanism according to a second embodiment,
Fig.13A-Fig.13B depict cross-sectional views of a garment steamer as depicted in Fig. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig.1A-Fig.1B-Fig.1C depict various three-dimensional views of a garment steamer according to the invention with a board taking different angular positions,
Fig.2A-Fig.2B-Fig.2C depict two-dimensional side-views of Fig.1A-Fig.1B-Fig.1C, respectively.
The garment steamer 100 is for treating a garment (not shown).
The garment steamer 100 comprises a base 101.
The garment steamer 100 also comprises a pole assembly 102 extending from the base 101.
The pole assembly 102 also comprises an upper pole section U and a middle pole section M.
The garment steamer 100 also comprises a telescopic coupling for movably coupling the upper pole section U and the middle pole section M.
The garment steamer 100 also comprises an ironing board 103 for supporting the garment during treatment.
The garment steamer 100 also comprises a first pivoting coupling P1 for coupling the ironing board 103 and the upper pole section U. The first pivoting coupling P1 allows a rotation around the horizontal axis A1.
The garment steamer 100 also comprises a linking arm 104 having a fixed length LN1 and being arranged between the ironing board 103 and the middle pole section M.
The garment steamer 100 also comprises a second pivoting coupling P2 for coupling a first end C of the linking arm 104 and the ironing board 103. The second pivoting coupling P2 allows a rotation around the horizontal axis A2.
The garment steamer 100 also comprises a third pivoting coupling P3 for coupling a second end A of the linking arm 104 and the middle pole section M. The third pivoting coupling P3 allows a rotation around the horizontal axis A3.
Preferably, the fixed length LN1 is in the range [60, 480] mm.
Preferably, the first end C of the linking arm 104 is arranged at a distance LN2 from the first pivoting coupling P1 being in the range [50, 350] mm.
The fixed length LN1 is in principle larger than LN2. For example, LN1 = 202 mm and LN2 = 160 mm.
The base 101 preferably contains a steam generator (not shown) and/or a water tank. The steam generator receives water from the water tank to generate steam. A hose cord 114 is connected to the base 101 to carry steam or water to a steamer head 115. The steamer head 115 is intended to apply steam over the garment being treated, using the ironing board 103 as a back support.
The upper pole section U is primarily used to control the angle of the ironing board, thanks to the telescopic coupling between the upper pole section U and the middle pole section M, constrained by the linking arm 104.
Preferably, the pole assembly 102 also comprises a lower pole section L arranged between the base 101 and the middle pole section M. The lower pole section L is fixed compared to the base 101. A telescopic coupling is arranged in between for movably coupling the lower pole section L and the middle pole section M.
The middle pole section M is primarily used to control the height of the ironing board, thanks to the telescopic coupling between the middle pole section M and the lower pole section L.
The ironing board 103 is pivoted to top end of the upper pole section U at point B, and pivoted to the connecting linking arm 104 at point C.
Preferably, the garment steamer comprises a user-actuatable mechanism to fix the upper pole section U and the middle pole section M in a given relative position.
Preferably, the user-actuatable mechanism comprises a pin-locking mechanism 106 arranged at an upper part of the middle pole section M, for locking the upper pole section U in said relative position.
For example a pin-locking mechanism comprises one movable pin arranged on the middle pole section M and cooperating with at least one hole arranged at different heights along the upper pole section U.
Preferably, the upper pole section U comprises a first upper pole section U1 and a second upper pole section U2 extending vertically and parallel to each other. Preferably, the middle pole section M comprises a first middle pole section M1 and a second middle pole section M2 extending vertically and parallel to each other.
Fig.3 depicts a pin-locking mechanism 106 in a garment steamer according to the invention.
The pin-locking mechanism 106 comprises:

a first pin-locking mechanism 106a arranged at an upper part of said first middle pole section M1, for locking the first upper pole section U1 in said relative position,
a second pin-locking mechanism 106b arranged at an upper part of said second middle pole section M2, for locking the second upper pole section U2 in said relative position.

The pin-locking mechanism 106 extends horizontally between the first middle pole section M1 and the second middle pole section M2.
The pin-locking mechanism 106 comprises a user-actuatable spring-loaded button 107 to actuate simultaneously said first pin-locking mechanism 106a and said second pin-locking mechanism 106b.
Fig.3A depicts a zoomed-in view of the pin-locking mechanism in a non-actuated position.
Fig.3B depicts a zoomed-in view of the pin-locking mechanism in an actuated position.
Fig.4A depicts a cross-sectional view of the pin-locking mechanism in a non-actuated position.
Fig.4B depicts a cross-sectional view of the pin-locking mechanism in an actuated position.
For example, the spring-loaded button 107 is connected to two shaft elements 113a, 113b via two sliders 116a, 116b.
Preferably, the third pivoting coupling P3 and the pin-locking mechanism 106 are arranged to have the same longitudinal axis A3.
The pin-locking mechanism 106 comprises at least one pin (109a, 109b) cooperating with a plurality of holes (H1, H2, H3) arranged at different heights along the first upper pole section U1 and the second upper pole section U2.
Matching the at least one pin with a given hole results in locking the ironing board in different inclinations.
Preferably, the plurality of holes (H1, H2, H3) comprises a first hole H1, a second hole H2 and a third hole H3, arranged at different heights along the upper pole section U in order to incline the ironing board at about 0, 30 or 90 degrees compared to the vertical direction, respectively.
For example, as illustrated in Fig.5B, if LN1 = 202 mm and LN2 = 160 mm:

the distance d1 between the point B and the first hole H1 is 356 mm,
the distance d2 between the point B and the second hole H2 is 281 mm,
the distance d3 between the point B and the third hole H3 is 85 mm.

The at least one pin (109a, 109b) and the plurality of holes (H1, H2, H3) create a sound and/or tactile information to user when the matching with a hole occurs.
The pin-locking mechanism 106 comprises a pipe wherein the two shaft elements 113a, 113b is are slide-ably housed. Each shaft comprises a pin at the end proximity to the pole which cooperate with holes along length of the upper pole section (U1, U2) to lock it in various position. To reduce the friction between the pin and the holes, a plastic cap made of low friction material (for example POM) is preferably provided over the pin. The cap is secured to the pin by screw. The opposite end of the shaft (away from the telescopic pole) is attached to a slider. The button 107 has a slope surface at its bottom end in sliding contact with a corresponding slope surface on the two sliders 116a, 116b, which causes the sliders to slide horizontally when the button is being pressed, and in turn pull the shaft to disengage the pin from a given hole arranged on the upper pole section. A spring is arranged between the sliders by being attached to the end of the shafts to return it to the lock position (i.e. a given pin at the end of the shaft engages with one hole on the upper pole section).
Fig.1A shows the ironing board 103 in vertical position (i.e. 0 degree compared to the vertical direction), the upper pole section U 1 is fully extended and the pin-locking mechanism on the middle pole section M locks the upper pole section U in its extended position.
Fig.1B shows the ironing board 103 inclined at an angle (for example 30 degree compared to the vertical direction) by lowering down the upper pole section U. The upper pole section U can be lowered/retracted by pressing the button 107 of the pin-locking mechanism to unlock it and subsequently lock in the lower position when the button is released.
Fig.1C shows the ironing board 103 in horizontal position (i.e. 90 degrees compared to the vertical direction), when the upper pole section U is further lowered in the same way by pressing the button 107 to unlock it and subsequently lock it in position by releasing the button.
Figs.2A-2B-2C show the interaction of pivot points A, B and C when the upper pole section U moves up or down for different angular orientations of the ironing board 103. It is noted that pivot point A always remains at the same height compared to the base 101.
Rotating the ironing board 103 from vertical to inclined/horizontal orientation works as follows:

1. With the ironing board in vertical state, the pin-lock mechanism locks the upper pole section U in its extended position.
2. One hand of user is holding the ironing board 103 while another hand of the user is pressing the button 107 of the pin-lock mechanism to activate the sliders to retract the shafts (pin at the end of the shaft) to unlock the upper pole section U.
3. The upper pole section U can now be freely moved down resulting in shifting the first hole H1 away from the shaft (pin at the end of the shaft).
4. When the button is released by user, the spring causes pin at the end of the shaft to contact the outer surface of the upper pole section U.
5. As the upper pole section U continues to move downwards, the pin at the end of the shaft will slot into the next hole (for example second hole H2) of the upper pole section U, resulting in that the ironing board 103 is locked in inclined orientation.
6. By repeating steps 2 to 5, the ironing board 103 can be tilted up to an horizontal orientation by having the upper pole section U moving down to the lowest position and the pin at the end of the shaft locking into the third hole H3 hole on the upper pole section U.

Rotating the ironing board from inclined/horizontal to vertical orientation works as follows:

1. One hand of user is holding the ironing board 103 while another hand is pressing the button 107 of the pin-locking mechanism to activate both the sliders to retract both side of the shafts (pin at the end of the shaft) to unlock the upper pole section U.
2. Push the bottom end of the ironing board 103 downwards which in turn moves up the upper pole section U.
3. When the button 107 is released, the spring causes pin at the end of the shaft to contact the outer surface of the upper pole section U.
4. As the upper pole section U continues to move upwards, and the pin at the end of the shaft will slot into to the next hole of the upper pole section U.
5. The ironing would now be in inclined orientation if it was in horizontal orientation previously or it would be in vertical orientation if it was in inclined orientation previously.

Fig.5A depicts a partial rear view of a garment steamer according to the invention with an ironing board extending vertically. Fig.5B depicts a zoomed-in view of Fig.5A,
It is noted that in Fig.5B, the first hole H1 is represented by transparency (in dotted line).
Fig.6A depicts a partial rear view of a garment steamer according to the invention with an ironing board inclined with an angle of 30 degrees compared to the vertical direction. Fig.6B depicts a zoomed-in view of Fig.6A.
It is noted that in Fig.6B, the first hole H1 and the second hole H2 are represented by transparency (in dotted line).
Fig.7A depicts a partial rear view of a garment steamer according to the invention with an ironing board extending horizontally. Fig.7B depicts a zoomed-in view of Fig.7A.
It is noted that in Fig.7B, the first hole H1, the second hole H2 and the third hole H3 are represented by transparency (in dotted line).
Fig.8 depicts an exploded three-dimensional view of a garment steamer according to the invention.
Preferably, the ironing board 103 comprises a first planar portion 103a and a second planar portion 103b detachably assembled to each other. The first pivoting coupling P1 is arranged on the first planar portion 103a, and the second pivoting coupling P2 is arranged on the second planar portion 103b.
Each pivoting coupling may comprise two pivot points linked together with a shaft for ease of assembly. Alternatively, each pivoting coupling can be constructed independently.
The bottom half of the ironing board 103 comprises the second pivoting coupling P2 to the linking arm 104. When assembled, the ironing board is locked to the top end of the upper pole section U at point B and pivoted to a supporting arm at the lower half (point C) of the ironing board.
Fig.9A depicts the setting of a garment steamer according to the invention.
At the top end of the upper pole U, a cam-lock is provided for securing the top pivot at point B of the ironing board 103. Alternatively, instead of a cam-lock, other means is also possible, for example a snap-fit mechanism or a clamping mechanism.
The bottom end of the lower pole section L is attached to the steamer base 101 and locked in place with a cam-lock provided (other means is also possible, for example snap-fit).
Another cam-lock is provided at the top end of the lower pole section L for the purpose of locking the middle pole section M to the lower pole section L at different position during adjustment of the overall height of the ironing board 103, to fit user's size.
A snap-fit mechanism 108 is provided at the top end of the middle pole section M for detachably mounting the pin-locking mechanism 106 to the upper part of the middle pole section M.
Fig.9B depicts a zoomed-in view of Fig.9A, with a zoom-in on the snap-fit mechanism 108.
The snap-fit mechanism 108 works as follows:

User inserts both protrusions PP in the cavity CC to mount the pin-locking mechanism 106 to the upper part of the middle pole section M.
User presses both protrusions PP in direction of each other and move the protrusions out from the cavity CC to detach the pin-locking mechanism 106 from the upper part of the middle pole section M.

The snap-fit mechanism 108 is for example used to set-up the garment steamer for the first time use.
Fig.10 depicts a garment steamer according to the invention with a clamping mechanism according to a first embodiment.
In this first embodiment, instead of implementing a user-actuatable mechanism corresponding to a pin-locking mechanism 106, the user-actuatable mechanism comprises:

a first clamping mechanism 105a arranged at an upper part of the first middle pole section M1, for locking the first upper pole section U1 in the relative position,
a second clamping mechanism 105b arranged at an upper part of the second middle pole section M2, for locking the second upper pole section U2 in the relative position.

Fig.11A-Fig.11B depict the clamping mechanism of Fig.10 is a locked position and an open position, respectively.
Fig.12 depicts a garment steamer according to the invention with a clamping mechanism according to a second embodiment.
This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment of Fig. 10 in that a linking element 110 is arranged for linking the first clamping mechanism 105a and the second clamping mechanism 105b.
The linking element 110 allows the first and second clamping mechanisms to have the same movement at the same time, when actuated by user. This provides convenience for user when locking the upper pole section U compared to the middle pole section M.
Preferably, a handle 111 is arranged along the linking element 110. For example, as illustrated, the handle is arranged in a middle part of the linking element.
Fig.13A-Fig.13B depict cross-sectional views of a garment steamer as depicted in Fig.12.
Preferably, an horizontal pole element 112 is arranged between the two middle pole section M1, M2. This improves the stability of the pole assembly 102.
Preferably, the upper part of the first middle pole section (M1) and the upper part of the second middle pole section (M2) comprise a first plunger (PG1) and a second plunger (PG2), adapted to cooperate with a first plurality of cavities (C1) and a second plurality of cavities (C2) arranged at different heights along the first upper pole section (U1) and the second upper pole section (U2), respectively.
The first and second plungers and the first and second plurality of cavities being shaped such that an audible and/or tactile user feedback information is generated when a given plunger matches with a given cavity.
It is noted that only one cavity is shown on each upper pole section, for sake of clarity.
For example, the first plunger and the second plunger are arranged at the extremity of the horizontal pole element 112.
The above embodiments as described are only illustrative, and not intended to limit the technique approaches of the present invention. Although the present invention is described in details referring to the preferable embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the technique approaches of the present invention can be modified or equally displaced without departing from the protective scope of the claims of the present invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

A garment steamer (100) for treating a garment, the garment steamer (100) comprising:
a base (101),

a pole assembly (102) extending from the base (101), said pole assembly (102) comprising an upper pole section (U) and a middle pole section (M),

a telescopic coupling for movably coupling the upper pole section (U) and the middle pole section (M),

an ironing board (103) for supporting the garment during treatment,

a first pivoting coupling (P1) for coupling the ironing board (103) and the upper pole section (U),

a linking arm (104) having a fixed length (LN1) and being arranged between the ironing board (103) and the middle pole section (M),

a second pivoting coupling (P2) for coupling a first end (C) of the linking arm (104) and the ironing board (103),

a third pivoting coupling (P3) for coupling a second end (A) of the linking arm (104) and the middle pole section (M).
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a user-actuatable mechanism to fix the upper pole section (U) and the middle pole section (M) in a given relative position.
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
the upper pole section (U) comprises a first upper pole section (U1) and a second upper pole section (U2) extending vertically and parallel to each other,

the middle pole section (M) comprises a first middle pole section (M1) and a second middle pole section (M2) extending vertically and parallel to each other,
said user-actuatable mechanism comprising:
a first clamping mechanism (105 a) arranged at an upper part of said first middle pole section (M1), for locking the first upper pole section (U1) in said relative position,

a second clamping mechanism (105b) arranged at an upper part of said second middle pole section (M2), for locking the second upper pole section (U2) in said relative position.
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a linking element (110) for linking said first clamping mechanism (105a) and said second clamping mechanism (105b).
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a handle (111) arranged along said linking element (110).
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said upper part of said first middle pole section (M1) and said upper part of said second middle pole section (M2) comprise a first plunger (PG1) and a second plunger (PG2), adapted to cooperate with a first plurality of cavities (C1) and a second plurality of cavities (C2) arranged at different heights along the first upper pole section (U1) and the second upper pole section (U2), respectively, the first and second plungers and the first and second plurality of cavities being shaped such that an audible and/or tactile user feedback information is generated when a given plunger matches with a given cavity.
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said user-actuatable mechanism comprises a pin-locking mechanism (106) arranged at an upper part of said middle pole section (M), for locking the upper pole section (U) in said relative position.
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
the upper pole section (U) comprises a first upper pole section (U1) and a second upper pole section (U2) extending vertically and parallel to each other,

the middle pole section (M) comprises a first middle pole section (M1) and a second middle pole section (M2) extending vertically and parallel to each other,
said pin-locking mechanism (106) comprising:
a first pin-locking mechanism (106a) arranged at an upper part of said first middle pole section (M1), for locking the first upper pole section (U1) in said relative position,

a second pin-locking mechanism (106b) arranged at an upper part of said second middle pole section (M2), for locking the second upper pole section (U2) in said relative position.
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 8, wherein said pin-locking mechanism (106) extends horizontally between the first middle pole section (M1) and the second middle pole section (M2), and comprises a user-actuatable spring-loaded button (107) to actuate simultaneously said first pin-locking mechanism (106a) and said second pin-locking mechanism (106b).
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said third pivoting coupling (P3) and said pin-locking mechanism (106) are arranged to have the same longitudinal axis (A3).
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pin-locking mechanism (106) comprises at least one pin (109a, 109b) cooperating with a plurality of holes (H1, H2, H3) arranged at different heights along the first upper pole section (U1) and the second upper pole section (U2).
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 11, wherein said plurality of holes (H1, H2, H3) comprises a first hole (HI), a second hole (H2) and a third hole (H3), arranged at different heights along the upper pole section (U) in order to incline the ironing board at about 0, 30 or 90 degrees compared to the vertical direction, respectively.
The garment steamer as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a snap-fit mechanism (108) for detachably mounting said pin-locking mechanism (106) to said upper part of the middle pole section (M).
The garment steamer as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said ironing board (103) comprises a first planar portion (103a) and a second planar portion (103b) detachably assembled to each other, said first pivoting coupling (P1) being arranged on said first planar portion (103a), and said second pivoting coupling (P2) being arranged on said second planar portion (103b).
The garment steamer as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the pole assembly (102) further comprises:
- a lower pole section (L) arranged between the base (101) and the middle pole section (M), said lower pole section (L) being fixed compared to the base (101),

- a telescopic coupling for movably coupling the lower pole section (L) and the middle pole section (M).