Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F73/00—Apparatus for smoothing or removing creases from garments or other textile articles by formers, cores, stretchers, or internal frames, with the application of heat or steam 
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F81/00—Ironing boards 
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F81/00—Ironing boards 
  • D06F81/02—Ironing boards  with collapsible underframe
  • D06F81/04—Ironing boards  with collapsible underframe with means for adjusting height
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F81/00—Ironing boards 
  • D06F81/08—Ironing boards  incorporating heating, steaming, or forced ventilation means

Definitions

• Garment steamer comprising an ironing board and a telescopic pole assembly for pivoting the ironing board
• the invention relates to a garment steamer.
• the invention may be used in the field of garment care.
• 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.
• the ironing board is attached vertically, which may create some inconveniences when using is steaming a garment against the ironing board.
• WO 2019/174363 A1 discloses an ironing board assembly and an ironing machine. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• the garment steamer 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Fig.lA-Fig.lB-Fig.lC 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.lA-Fig.lB-Fig.lC
• Fig.3 depicts a pin-locking mechanism in a garment steamer according to the invention
• Fig.3 A 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.5 A 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.11 A-Fig.1 IB 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.14 depicts an alternative embodiment of the garment steamer as depicted in Fig.12
• Fig.15A-Fig.15B depict an improved embodiment of a garment steamer according to the invention
• Fig.16 depicts an alternative embodiment of Fig.9B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Fig.lA-Fig.lB-Fig.lC 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.lA-Fig.lB-Fig.lC, 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.
• telescopic coupling may mean in the present context that concentric tubular portions of the upper pole section U and the middle pole section M are slidable one within the other thereby to shorten or lengthen the pole assembly 102.
• the garment steamer 100 also comprises a first pivoting coupling PI for coupling the ironing board 103 and the upper pole section U.
• the first pivoting coupling PI allows a rotation around the horizontal axis Al.
• 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.
• the fixed length LN1 is in the range [60, 480] mm.
• the first end C of the linking arm 104 is arranged at a distance LN2 from the first pivoting coupling PI being in the range [50, 350] mm.
• the fixed length LN1 is in principle larger than LN2.
• 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.
• 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 further 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 further 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Ml 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 Ml, 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 Ml 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.3 A 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.
• the spring-loaded button 107 is connected to two shaft elements 113a, 113b via two sliders 116a, 116b.
• 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 (HI, H2, H3) arranged at different heights along the first upper pole section U1 and the second upper pole section U2.
• the plurality of holes 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 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 (HI, 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 (Ul, U2) to lock it in various position.
• a plastic cap made of low friction material for example POM
• 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.lA 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. IB 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.
• the pin-lock mechanism locks the upper pole section U in its extended position.
• 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.
• the upper pole section U can now be freely moved down resulting in shifting the first hole HI away from the shaft (pin at the end of the shaft).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.5 A 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 compared to the vertical direction.
• 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.
• 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 PI is arranged on the first planar portion 103a
• 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.
• 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.
• the ironing board 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.
• a cam-lock is provided for securing the top pivot at point B of the ironing board 103.
• 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).
• 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:
• 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.
• the user-actuatable mechanism instead of implementing a user-actuatable mechanism corresponding to a pin-locking mechanism 106, the user-actuatable mechanism comprises:
• first clamping mechanism 105a arranged at an upper part of the first middle pole section Ml, 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.llA-Fig.llB 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.
• a handle 111 is arranged along the linking element 110.
• 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.
• an horizontal pole element 112 is arranged between the two middle pole section Ml, M2. This improves the stability of the pole assembly 102.
• the upper part of the first middle pole section (Ml) 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 (Cl) and a second plurality of cavities (C2) arranged at different heights along the first upper pole section (Ul) and the second upper pole section (U2), respectively.
• PG1 first plunger
• PG2 second plunger
• 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.
• first plunger and the second plunger are arranged at the extremity of the horizontal pole element 112.
• Fig.14 depicts an alternative embodiment of the garment steamer as depicted in Fig.12.
• the elements 105a, 105b, 110 and 111 are combined into one integrated linking element 117, for example by using plastic injecting mould.
• Fig.15A-Fig.15B depicts an improved embodiment of a garment steamer according to the invention, as depicted in anyone of the embodiments previously described.
• a first pair of roller R1 are arranged opposite on each side of the first middle pole section Ml.
• a second pair of rollers are arranged opposite on each side of the second middle pole section M2.
• Each pair of rollers ensures that the upper pole section (U1 or U2) can slide smoothly into the middle pole section (Ml or M2, respectively).
• Fig.16 depicts an alternative embodiment of Fig.9B.
• a single latch 108b is implemented, which can be actuated by pressing horizontally at only one point, as illustrated by the arrow.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Irons (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=68731761

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications Before (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2019
  • 2019-11-28 EP EP19212003.8A patent/EP3828334A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2020
  • 2020-11-27 KR KR1020217018604A patent/KR102370032B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2020-11-27 CN CN202080005203.3A patent/CN113167012A/zh active Pending
  • 2020-11-27 EP EP20815798.2A patent/EP3853406B1/de active Active
  • 2020-11-27 RU RU2021105863A patent/RU2769310C1/ru active
  • 2020-11-27 PL PL20815798.2T patent/PL3853406T3/pl unknown
  • 2020-11-27 WO PCT/EP2020/083633 patent/WO2021105363A1/en unknown

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