EP4647544A1

EP4647544A1 - Garment steamer comprising pole(s)-supported ironing board

Info

Publication number: EP4647544A1
Application number: EP24175195.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Chin Hau LOH; Loo Ping LING
Original assignee: Versuni Holding BV
Current assignee: Versuni Holding BV
Priority date: 2024-05-10
Filing date: 2024-05-10
Publication date: 2025-11-12
Also published as: WO2025233130A1

Abstract

Provided is a garment steamer (100) comprising a support base (102), at least one pole (106) for upstanding from the support base, and an elongated ironing board (104) for being supported at a top part of the at least one pole. The elongated ironing board extends along a longitudinal axis (AA). The elongated ironing board is adapted to longitudinally extend in a horizontal plane (HP). The at least one pole has a cross-sectional outer periphery, taken in a plane parallel to said horizontal plane, being elongated along a longitudinal horizontal axis (BB). The longitudinal axis of the ironing board and the longitudinal horizontal axis of the at least one pole are parallel with each other in the same vertical plane (VP) when the ironing board extends in said horizontal plane.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a garment steamer comprising an ironing board, and in particular an ironing board supported by at least one pole.
The invention may be used in the field of garment care.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garment steamers are known to be used for ironing or steaming garments to remove creases through the use of heat and moisture from steam.
One type of garment steamer is a so-called "all-in-one" garment steamer that comprises a support base, which support base houses a water tank. A steamer head, which can be alternatively referred to as an ironing device or a handheld unit, is connected to the support base by a flexible hose through which steam and/or water is delivered from the support base to the steamer head. A steam generator is included in the support base and/or the steamer head. The steamer head is provided with a treatment plate, also known as a soleplate, delimiting one or more steam vents through which steam is discharged onto a fabric being treated.
The support base, in other words stand, can be used to support an ironing board. To this end, at least one pole upstands from the support base, and the ironing board is supported at a top part of the at least one pole. The support base assists to minimize the risk of the at least one pole and the ironing board toppling over during use.
A single pole upstanding from the support base to support the ironing board at a top part of the single pole is desirable, due to the single pole providing a more spatially efficient and lower cost design than, for example, a pair of spaced apart poles for supporting the ironing board.
However, supporting the ironing board using a single pole has been found to risk sturdiness of the ironing board-comprising garment steamer being compromised and, consequently, can potentially impact overall user experience and steaming outcome.
More generally, providing sturdy support for a garment steamer's ironing board, even when more than one pole is employed to support the ironing board, so as to provide a favourable user experience and steaming outcome, remains a challenge.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to propose a steaming device that avoids or mitigates one or more of the 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 support base,
at least one pole upstanding from the support base,
an elongated ironing board being supported at a top part of the at least one pole, the elongated ironing board extending along a longitudinal axis, the elongated ironing board being adapted to extend in a horizontal plane,

the at least one pole having a cross-sectional outer periphery, taken in a plane parallel to said horizontal plane, being elongated along a longitudinal horizontal axis,
the longitudinal axis of the ironing board and the longitudinal horizontal axis of the at least one pole being parallel with each other in a same vertical plane when the ironing board extends in said horizontal plane.

The elongated cross-sectional shape of the pole(s) can assist to improve the stability of the garment steamer when the user is exerting a downward force on the horizontal ironing board. In particular, the elongated cross-sectional shape of the pole(s) in combination with the longitudinal axis of the ironing board and the longitudinal horizontal axis of the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole being parallel with each other in the same vertical plane can help the ironing board to maintain stability when the user is exerting the downward force on the horizontal ironing board.
In some embodiments, an aspect ratio, length divided by width, of the cross-sectional outer periphery is at least 1.1, preferably at least 1.2, and most preferably at least 1.4.
Such a minimum aspect ratio can assist to enhance the above-described stabilizing effect associated with the longitudinal axis of the ironing board and the longitudinal horizontal axis of the pole(s) being parallel with each other in the same vertical plane.
Alternatively or additionally, the aspect ratio, length divided by width, of the cross-sectional outer periphery is 2.0 or less, preferably 1.9 or less, and most preferably 1.75 or less.
Such a maximum aspect ratio can assist to minimize destabilization of the ironing board across its width.
For example, the aspect ratio, length divided by width, of the cross-sectional outer periphery is in the range [1.1; 2.0], preferably [1.2; 2.0], more preferably [1.2; 1.9], even more preferably [1.2; 1.75], and most preferably [1.4; 1.75].
In some embodiments, the support base is elongated so that the support base has a longitudinal axis. For example, the longitudinal axis of the support base bisects the support base, so as to divide the support base into a pair of elongate halves of the support base.
In such embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the support base is preferably parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis of the pole(s). Thus, a longest dimension of the support base extends parallel with the length dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the pole(s) and parallel with the length dimension of the horizontal ironing board. This arrangement can assist to enhance stability of the ironing board.
In some embodiments, the cross-sectional outer periphery of the at least one pole has a shape selected from rectangular, in other words oblong, rounded rectangular, in other words rounded oblong, trapezoidal, rounded trapezoidal and elliptical. Such elongated shapes of the cross-sectional outer periphery of the pole(s) can help to stabilize the ironing board, and in some cases can also be useful for other purposes, such as assisting the user to correctly attach the pole(s) to the support base.
It is noted that the term "rounded" in "rounded rectangular" (in other words, "rounded oblong") and "rounded trapezoidal" means that vertices of the rectangle/oblong and vertices of the trapezium are replaced by curved sections.
The pole(s) is/are preferably supplied to the user detached from the support base, but is/are attachable to the support base so that the pole(s) upstand(s) from the support base.
Supplying the pole(s) detached from the support base in this manner can assist to make the garment steamer more compact for storage and transportation.
Alternatively or additionally, the pole(s) can be detachable from the support base.
In such embodiments, the user can detach the pole(s) to facilitate stowing of the garment steamer in a storage area after use.
In some embodiments, the support base comprises at least one recess for receiving the at least one pole, with each of the at least one recess having a cross-sectional shape that complements the cross-sectional outer periphery of the at least one pole.
For example, each of the at least one pole is removably receivable in one said recess.
In some embodiments, the cross-sectional outer periphery of the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole is selected so that the at least one pole is only receivable in the at least one recess when the at least one pole is at one defined angular orientation relative to the at least one recess. This can assist to ensure seamless and foolproof assembly of the garment steamer, since the shapes of the pole(s) and recess(es) ensure that the user can only receive the/each pole in the respective recess in the intended orientation. This can help to provide the user with a reliable and straightforward setup process.
In some embodiments, the garment steamer comprises a fastening assembly for detachably fastening a bottom part of the at least one pole to the support base.
Such a fastening assembly can assist to maintain stability of the pole(s) when received in the recess(es), and thus the stability of the ironing board during use.
In some embodiments, the fastening assembly is arranged to exert force on the at least one pole in a direction parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis when fastening the at least one pole to the support base. This direction along which the force is exerted by the fastening assembly can help to constrain movement of the pole(s), and thereby assist to stabilize the ironing board. In particular, the arrangement of the fastening assembly in these embodiments can alleviate wobbling at locations in the garment steamer that tend to be most prone to instability during ironing of a garment on the horizontal ironing board.
For example, the force may be selectively applied by the fastening assembly to one or both of the shorter end portions of the outer periphery of the at least one pole.
In some embodiments, the fastening assembly comprises at least one pushing member coupled to the support base, and at least one cam lever pivotable between a locking position in which the at least one cam lever exerts a force on the at least one pushing member that causes the at least one pushing member to push against the at least one pole, and a releasing position in which said force is released. This cam lever(s)-pushing member(s) arrangement can provide a relatively straightforwardly implementable way of fastening the pole(s) to the support base.
In some embodiments, the at least one pushing member is caused by the at least one cam lever to push against the at least one pole in a direction parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis when the at least one cam lever is in the locking position. In other words, the cam lever(s) is/are arranged to exert the force in the direction parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis when fastening the pole(s) to the support base.
The support base can have any suitable design. In some embodiments, the support base comprises a lower shell and an upper shell attached to the lower shell.
Alternatively or additionally, the support base can comprise a mounting bracket for mounting the pole(s) to the support base. For example, the mounting bracket is arranged to mount the pole(s) when the pole(s) is/are received in the recess(es) included in the support base.
In some embodiments, the mounting bracket is attached to the lower shell and/or to the upper shell. It has been found that wobbling of the pole(s) can be alleviated via assembly of the mounting bracket to at least one of the lower shell and the upper shell, and in particular to the upper shell.
In some embodiments, the at least one pole is telescopically extendable to vary a height at which the ironing board is supported above the support base. Thus, the height of the ironing board can be adjusted according to the user's height, thereby enhancing the adaptability of the garment steamer for different users.
In some embodiments, the at least one pole is in the form of a single pole upstanding from the support base to support the ironing board. In other words, the at least one pole that upstands from the support base to support the ironing board can consist of only one pole, e.g. only one telescopic pole.
Whilst supporting the ironing board using such a single pole can risk sturdiness of the ironing board-comprising garment steamer being compromised and, consequently, can potentially impact overall user experience and steaming outcome, these issues can be mitigated by the above-described stability-enhancing measures. In particular, the stability-enhancing measures can help to ensure a secure and functional assembly of a sturdy single pole integrated ironing board design, facilitating user-friendly operation and maintenance.
In some embodiments, the garment steamer comprises a pivoting assembly for tilting the ironing board between different orientations, including a horizontal orientation in which the ironing board extends in the horizontal plane. When the ironing board is in the horizontal orientation, a garment to be ironed using the garment steamer can rest on a horizontal garment-supporting side of the ironing board.
In some embodiments, the different orientations of the ironing board also include a vertical orientation in which the ironing board longitudinally extends in a vertical plane. Alternatively or in addition to the vertical orientation, the different orientations can include intermediate orientation(s) between the horizontal and vertical orientations.
In some embodiments, the garment steamer comprises a water tank arranged or arrangeable in the support base. Such a water tank can contain water used to generate the steam provided by the garment steamer.
In some embodiments, the garment steamer comprises a steam generator arranged in the support base.
In some embodiments, the garment steamer comprises a steamer head having a treatment plate delimiting at least one steam vent, and a hose cord for connecting the support base to the steamer head.
For example, the steamer head comprises a steam chamber for vaporizing water and/or heating steam received from the support base via the hose cord.
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:

Figs. 1A and 1B respectively depict a garment steamer whose ironing board is horizontally orientated and vertically orientated,
Fig. 1C illustrates longitudinal axes of an ironing board-supporting pole and the ironing board included in the garment steamer shown in Figs. 1A and 1B,
Fig.1D provides an exploded view of the garment steamer shown in Figs. 1A to 1C,
Fig.2A provides an enlarged view of a support base and part of the ironing board-supporting pole of the garment steamer shown in Figs. 1A to 1D,
Fig.2B shows a section X-X of Fig.2A,
Fig.3 provides a plan view of a pole according to an example,
Fig.4 provides an interior view of the support base,
Fig.5 provides a view of an underside of an upper shell included in the support base,
Fig.6 provides an enlarged view of a support base and a pair of ironing board-supporting poles of a garment steamer according to another example, and
Fig.7 provides graphs of moment of inertia vs. load orientation for various cross-sectional shapes of the ironing board-supporting pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Provided is a garment steamer comprising a support base, at least one pole for upstanding from the support base, and an elongated ironing board for being supported at a top part of the at least one pole. The elongated ironing board extends along a longitudinal axis. The elongated ironing board is adapted to longitudinally extend in a horizontal plane. The at least one pole has a cross-sectional outer periphery, taken in a plane parallel to said horizontal plane, being elongated along a longitudinal horizontal axis. The longitudinal axis of the ironing board and the longitudinal horizontal axis of the at least one pole are parallel with each other in the same vertical plane when the ironing board extends in said horizontal plane.
Figs. 1A to 1D depict a garment steamer 100 according to an example. The garment steamer 100 comprises a support base 102, in other words a stand. The support base 102 can rest on a floor surface and provide support for other components of the garment steamer 100.
The support base 102 preferably comprises ballast material (not visible in the Figures) to assist stability of the support base 102 on the floor surface.
It is noted, with reference to Fig.1D, that a housing 102A, 102B of the support base 102 can house parts included in the support base 102, including the ballast material.
For example, the housing 102A, 102B of the support base 102 includes a lower shell 102A and an upper shell 102B attached to the lower shell 102A.
The upper shell 102B with the lower shell 102A can facilitate manufacturing of the support base 102, and in particular can provide a convenient way of encapsulating parts included in the support base 102, e.g. the ballast material.
The garment steamer 100 comprises an elongated ironing board 104 for supporting a garment being steamed or ironed using the garment steamer 100. The ironing board 104 is, in use, supported at a top part of at least one pole 106 upstanding from the support base 102.
The terms "upstanding" and "upstands" mean in this context that the pole(s) 106 extend(s) upwardly away from the floor surface when the garment steamer 100 is orientated for use.
The pole(s) 106 is/are preferably supplied to the user detached from the support base 102, but is/are attachable to the support base 102 so that the pole(s) 106 upstand(s) from the support base 102. Supplying the pole(s) 106 detached from the support base 102 in this manner can assist to make the garment steamer 100 more compact for storage and transportation.
In some embodiments, the pole(s) 106 is/are detachable from the support base 102. In such embodiments, the user can detach the pole(s) 106 to facilitate stowing of the garment steamer 100 in a storage area after use.
In some embodiments, and referring to Fig.1D, the support base 102 comprises at least one recess 107 for receiving the at least one pole 106. The recess(es) 107 can be defined in an upward-facing part of the support base's 102 housing 102A, 102B, e.g. in an upward-facing part of the upper shell 102B.
The term "upward-facing" means in this context that the part of the support base's 102 housing 102A, 102B faces away from the floor surface when the support base 102 is orientated for use.
The, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 is preferably supplied to the user with the pole(s) 106 not being received in the recess(es) 107.
In some embodiments, each of the at least one pole 106 is removably receivable in one said recess 107.
In at least some embodiments, a water tank (not visible in the Figures) is arranged or arrangeable in the support base 102. Such a water tank can contain water used to generate the steam provided by the garment steamer 100.
For example, and referring to Figs. 1A and 1B, the support base 102 comprises, e.g. delimits, a cavity 108 for receiving at least part of the water tank.
The cavity 108 is, for instance, defined in the upward-facing part of the support base's 102 housing 102A, 102B, e.g. in the upward-facing part of the upper shell 102B.
In some embodiments, the water tank is detachably mountable to the support base 102, e.g. by being removably receivable in the cavity 108.
In such embodiments, the water tank can be detached from the support base 102 when the water tank is to be (re-)filled with water or emptied.
In some embodiments, the support base 102 includes a steam generator (not visible in the Figures) for generating steam from water received from the water tank.
Alternatively or additionally, and referring to Fig.2A, the garment steamer 100 can comprise a hose cord 110 and a steamer head (not visible in the Figures), which steamer head is moveable by a user over a garment being steamed using the garment steamer 100.
In such embodiments, the hose cord 110 connects the support base 102 to the steamer head, for example to enable water and/or steam to be delivered to the steamer head from the support base 102. The support base 102 includes, for instance, a connector 111 for connecting to the hose cord 110.
A treatment plate included in the steamer head can delimit one or more steam vents through which the steam is discharged to the garment being treated using the garment steamer 100.
The steamer head preferably includes a steam chamber for generating steam from water received from the support base 102 via the hose cord 110 and/or heating steam received from the support base 102 via the hose cord (in embodiments in which the support base 102 includes the steam generator).
Referring again to Figs.1A to 1D, the elongated ironing board 104 extends along a longitudinal axis AA. In other words, the longitudinal axis AA extends along the length of the elongated ironing board 104.
The longitudinal axis AA can bisect the elongated ironing board 104 so as to define a pair of elongated halves of the ironing board 104 on either side of the longitudinal axis AA.
The elongated ironing board 104 is, for example, shaped such that the ironing board 104 has a sharper end and a wider end, with the elongated ironing board 104 longitudinally extending from the sharper end to the wider end. In other words, the length dimension of the elongated ironing board 104 separates the sharper end and the wider end from each other.
Referring to Figs.1A and 1C, the elongated ironing board 104 is adapted, in other words is arranged or arrangeable, to longitudinally extend in a horizontal plane HP.
When the ironing board 104 extends in the horizontal plane HP, a garment to be ironed using the garment steamer 100 can rest on a horizontal garment-supporting side of the ironing board 104.
In some embodiments, and still referring to Figs.1A and 1C, the garment steamer 100 comprises a pivoting assembly for tilting the ironing board 104 between different orientations, including a horizontal orientation in which the ironing board 104 extends in the horizontal plane HP. When the ironing board 104 is in the horizontal orientation, the garment to be ironed using the garment steamer 100 can rest on the horizontal garment-supporting side of the ironing board 104.
In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.1B and 1C, the different orientations of the ironing board 104 also include a vertical orientation in which the ironing board 104 longitudinally extends in a vertical plane VP. Alternatively or in addition to the vertical orientation, the different orientations can include intermediate orientation(s) between the horizontal and vertical orientations.
More generally, and referring to Figs.2B and 3, the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 has a cross-sectional outer periphery 112, taken in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane HP, that is elongated along a longitudinal horizontal axis BB when the pole(s) 106 is/are upstanding from the support base 102.
In other words, the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 has an elongated cross-sectional shape lying in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane HP, with the longitudinal horizontal axis BB extending along the lengthways direction of the elongated cross-sectional shape.
The longitudinal horizontal axis BB can, for example, bisect the cross-sectional shape of the respective pole 106 so as to define a pair of elongated halves of the cross-sectional shape on either side of the longitudinal horizontal axis BB.
In some embodiments, the cross-sectional outer periphery 112 of the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 has a shape selected from rectangular, rounded rectangular, trapezoidal, rounded trapezoidal and elliptical.
It is noted that the term "rectangular" in this context is intended to mean oblong, and thus does not include square, with the term "rounded rectangular" correspondingly meaning rounded oblong.
In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 is selected from rectangular/oblong, rounded rectangular/oblong, trapezoidal, rounded trapezoidal and elliptical. In the non-limiting example shown in Figs.2B and 3, the pole 106 has a rounded trapezoidal shape.
It is noted that the term "rounded" in "rounded rectangular" (in other words, "rounded oblong") and "rounded trapezoidal" means that vertices of the rectangle/oblong and vertices of the trapezium are replaced by curved sections.
Irrespective of the precise shape selected for the elongated cross-sectional outer periphery 112, and referring now to Fig.1C, the longitudinal axis AA of the ironing board 104 and the longitudinal horizontal axis BB of the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 are parallel with each other in the same vertical plane VP when the ironing board 104 longitudinally extends in the horizontal plane HP.
The elongated cross-sectional shape of the pole(s) 106 can assist to improve the stability of the garment steamer 100 when the user is exerting a downward force on the horizontal ironing board 104. In particular, the elongated cross-sectional shape of the pole(s) 106 in combination with the longitudinal axis AA of the ironing board 104 and the longitudinal horizontal axis BB of the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 being parallel with each other in the same vertical plane VP can help the ironing board 104 to maintain stability when the user is exerting the downward force on the horizontal ironing board 104.
In some embodiments, and referring to Fig.3, an aspect ratio, defined by a (maximum) length L1 divided by a (maximum) width W1, of the cross-sectional outer periphery 112 of the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 is at least 1.1, preferably at least 1.2, and most preferably at least 1.4.
Such a minimum aspect ratio can assist to enhance the above-described stabilizing effect associated with the longitudinal axis AA of the ironing board 104 and the longitudinal horizontal axis BB of the pole(s) 106 being parallel with each other in the same vertical plane VP.
Alternatively or additionally, the aspect ratio of the cross-sectional outer periphery 112 of the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 is 2.0 or less, preferably 1.9 or less, and most preferably 1.75 or less.
Such a maximum aspect ratio can assist to minimize destabilization of the ironing board 104 across its width.
For example, the aspect ratio of the cross-sectional outer periphery 112 of the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 is in the range [1.1; 2.0], preferably [1.2; 2.0], more preferably [1.2; 1.9], even more preferably [1.2; 1.75], and most preferably [1.4; 1.75].
In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.1D, 2A and 4, the support base 102 is elongated so that the support base 102 has a longitudinal axis CC. For example, the longitudinal axis CC of the support base 102 bisects the support base 102, so as to divide the support base 102 into a pair of elongate halves of the support base 102.
In such embodiments, the longitudinal axis CC of the support base 102 is preferably parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis BB of the pole(s) 106. Thus, a longest dimension of the support base 102 extends parallel with the length dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the pole(s) 106 and parallel with the length dimension of the horizontal ironing board 104. This arrangement can assist to enhance stability of the ironing board 104.
In embodiments in which the pole(s) 106 is/are receivable in the recess(es) 107, the, e.g. each of the, at least one recess 107 has a cross-sectional shape that complements the cross-sectional outer periphery 112 of one said pole 106.
Such complementarily shaped recess(es) 107 and pole(s) 106 can assist to ensure that the ironing board 104 is stably supported via the support base 102 and the pole(s) 106.
In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.2B and 3, the shape of the cross-sectional outer periphery 112 is selected so that the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 is only receivable in the recess(es) 107 when the respective pole 106 is at one defined angular orientation relative to the respective recess 107.
This can assist to ensure seamless and foolproof assembly of the garment steamer 100, since the shapes of the pole(s) 106 and recess(es) 107 ensure that the user can only receive the/each pole 106 in the respective recess 107 in the intended orientation. This can help to provide the user with a reliable and straightforward setup process.
In the non-limiting example shown in Figs.2B and 3, the one defined orientation is realized via the rounded trapezoidal outer periphery 112 of the pole 106, and the rounded trapezoidal cross-sectional shape of the recess 107.
In some embodiments, such as shown in Figs. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B and 4, the garment steamer 100 comprises a fastening assembly 113 for detachably fastening a bottom part of the at least one pole 106 to the support base 102. Such a fastening assembly 113 can assist to maintain stability of the pole(s) 106 when received in the recess(es) 107, and thus the stability of the ironing board 104 during use.
In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.2B, 3 and 4, the fastening assembly 113 is arranged to exert a force F on the, e.g. each of the, at least one pole 106 in a direction parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis BB when fastening the pole(s) 106 to the support base 102. This direction along which the force F is exerted by the fastening assembly 113 can help to constrain movement of the pole(s) 106, and thereby assist to stabilize the ironing board 104. In particular, the arrangement of the fastening assembly 113 in these embodiments can alleviate wobbling at locations in the garment steamer 100 that tend to be most prone to instability during ironing of a garment on the horizontal ironing board 104.
For example, the force F may be selectively applied to one or both of the shorter end portions of the outer periphery 112 of the pole(s) 106.
The fastening assembly 113 can be of any suitable type provided that the fastening assembly 113 is capable of detachably fastening the bottom part of the pole(s) 106 to the support base 102. In some embodiments, and as best shown in Fig.2B, the fastening assembly 113 comprises at least one pushing member 114 coupled to the support base 102, and at least one cam lever 116 pivotable between a locking position in which the at least one cam lever 116 exerts a force F on the at least one pushing member 114 that causes the at least one pushing member 114 to push against the at least one pole 106, and a releasing position in which said force F is released.
This cam lever(s)-pushing member(s) arrangement 114, 116 can provide a relatively straightforwardly implementable way of fastening the pole(s) 106 to the support base 102.
In some embodiments, the, e.g. each of the, at least one pushing member 114 is caused by the cam lever(s) 116 to push against the respective pole 106 in a direction parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis BB when the cam lever(s) 116 is/are in the locking position. In other words, the cam lever(s) 116 is/are arranged to exert the force F in the direction parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis BB when fastening the pole(s) 106 to the support base 102.
For example, the force F may be selectively applied by the respective cam lever 116 and pushing member 114 to a shorter end portion of the outer periphery 112.
It is noted that Fig.2B depicts a non-limiting example in which the fastening assembly 113 securing the pole 106 to the support base 102 by the cam lever 116 being positioned such that a cam surface 117 of the cam lever 116 is contacting and forcing the pushing member 114 into the pole 106, so that the pole 106 is squeezed between the pushing member 114 and an opposing surface portion of the support base 102 that partly delimits the recess 107.
In some embodiments, and as best shown in Figs.4 and 5, the support base 102 comprises a mounting bracket 118 for mounting the at least one pole 106 to the support base 102. The mounting bracket 118 can assist to enhance stability of the pole(s) 106 and can thus help to stabilize the ironing board 104.
In such embodiments, the mounting bracket 118 is preferably attached to (at least) the upper shell 102B of the support base's 102 housing 102A, 102B.
It has been found that wobbling of the pole(s) 106 can be alleviated via assembly of the mounting bracket 118 to the upper shell 102B.
It is noted that as an alternative or in addition to the mounting bracket 118 being attached to the upper shell 102B, the mounting bracket 118 may be attached to the lower shell 102A.
In some embodiments, and as best shown in Fig.5, the mounting bracket 118 is attached to the support base's 102 housing 102A, 102B, for example to the upper shell 102B, via multiple mounting points 119. For instance, the number of mounting points 119 is three, four, five, six (as shown in Fig.5), or more.
Such multiple mounting points 119 can assist to ensure stable mounting of the mounting bracket 118 to the support base 102, and thus can help to provide robust support for the pole(s) 106 and the ironing board 104.
In some embodiments, and referring again to Fig.4, a bottom of the, e.g. each of, the at least one pole 106 interfaces with a bottom pole cover PC. The bottom pole cover PC can assist stable mounting of the respective pole 106 in the mounting bracket 118.
In some embodiments, and referring again to Figs.1A to 1D, the at least one pole 106 is telescopically extendable to vary a height at which the ironing board 104 is supported above the support base 102. Thus, the height of the ironing board 104 can be adjusted according to the user's height, thereby enhancing the adaptability of the garment steamer 100 for different users.
In such embodiments, the pole(s) 106 can each include a plurality of pole sections 120, 121 that are slidable into and out of each other to extend and collapse the respective pole 106.
It is noted that the aspect ratio, (maximum) length L1 divided by (maximum) width W1, of each of the cross-sectional outer peripheries of the pole sections 120, 121 can increase from the bottom pole section 120 to the higher pole section(s) 121, for example can increase from the bottom pole section 120 to a middle pole section 121 to an upper pole section of the respective telescopic pole 106.
In a non-limiting example, the bottom pole section 120 has a cross-sectional outer periphery whose width is 41.25 mm and whose length is 60.57 mm, giving an aspect ratio of the bottom pole section 120 of 1.47; the middle pole section 121 has a cross-sectional outer periphery whose width is 35.24 mm and whose length is 54.57 mm, giving an aspect ratio of the middle pole section 121 of 1.55; and the upper pole section has a cross-sectional outer periphery whose width is 29.24 mm and whose length is 48.57 mm, giving an aspect ratio of the upper pole section of 1.66.
More generally, in embodiments in which the pole(s) 106 is/are telescopic pole(s) 106, the aspect ratio of the at least one pole's cross-sectional outer periphery 112 is taken to correspond to the aspect ratio of the bottom pole section 120 (which in the above non-limiting example is 1.47).
A fastening system 122 can be employed to secure the pole sections 120, 121 to each other at a desired extension of the respective telescopic pole 106.
The fastening system 122 can be of any suitable type. In some embodiments, the fastening system 122 comprises a cam lever. In such embodiments, the fastening system 122 has a similar design to the cam lever-comprising fastening assembly 113 described above in relation to securing of the pole(s) 106 to the support base 102.
In some embodiments, such as shown in Figs.1A to 1D, 2A and 4, the at least one pole 106 is in the form of a single pole 106 upstanding from the support base 102 to support the ironing board 104. Such a single pole 106 construction can contribute to a simpler and neater overall product architecture compared to, for example, a garment steamer 100 having two poles 106.
Whilst supporting the ironing board 104 using such a single pole 106 can risk sturdiness of the ironing board-comprising garment steamer 100 being compromised and, consequently, can potentially impact overall user experience and steaming outcome, these issues can be mitigated by the above-described stability-enhancing measures.
In other embodiments, and referring now to Fig.6, the at least one pole 106 comprises a plurality, e.g. a pair, of poles 106A, 106B that are spaced apart from each other.
In such embodiments, one or more, and preferably each, of the plurality of poles 106A, 106B has a cross-sectional outer periphery 112, taken in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane HP, that is elongated along a longitudinal horizontal axis BB, with the longitudinal axis AA of the ironing board 104 and the longitudinal horizontal axis BB being parallel with each other in the same vertical plane VP when the ironing board 104 extends in the horizontal plane HP.
In some embodiments, such as shown in Fig.6, the garment steamer 100 comprises a first fastening assembly 113A for detachably fastening a bottom part of a first pole 106A to the support base 102, and a second fastening assembly 113B for detachably fastening a bottom part of a second pole 106B to the support base 102.
The first fastening assembly 113A is preferably arranged to exert the force F on the first pole 106A in a direction parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis BB of the first pole 106A when fastening the first pole 106A to the support base 102.
Alternatively or additionally, the second fastening assembly 113B can be arranged to exert the force F on the second pole 106B in a direction parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis BB of the second pole 106B when fastening the second pole 106B to the support base 102.
In some embodiments, such as shown in Fig.6, the first fastening assembly 113A comprises a first pushing member coupled to the support base 102, and a first cam lever 116A pivotable between a locking position in which the first cam lever 116A exerts the force F on the first pushing member that causes the first pushing member to push against the first pole 106A, and a releasing position in which the force F is released.
Alternatively or additionally, the second fastening assembly 113B comprises a second pushing member coupled to the support base 102, and a second cam lever 116B pivotable between a locking position in which the second cam lever 116B exerts the force F on the second pushing member that causes the second pushing member to push against the second pole 106B, and a releasing position in which the force F is released.
In some embodiments, such as shown in Fig.6, each of the first pole 106A and the second pole 106B is telescopic. Evident in Fig.6 is a first lower pole section 120A of the telescopic first pole 106A and a second lower pole section 120B of the telescopic second pole 106B. Further evident in Fig.6 is a first fastening system 122A of the first telescopic pole 106A and a second fastening system 122B of the second telescopic pole 106B.
In some embodiments, such as shown in Figs.1A to 1C and 7, the support base 110 comprises a user interface 123, 124 for enabling the user to operate the garment steamer 100 and/or for communicating an operation status of the garment steamer 100. For example, the user interface 123, 124 includes a power switch 123 for turning the garment steamer 100 on and off, and/or a decalcification control switch 124 for allowing the user to control the garment steamer 100 to implement a decalcification operation of the garment steamer 100.
Fig.7 provides graphs of moment of inertia vs. load orientation for various cross-sectional shapes of the pole 106. The graph 130 is for a comparative pole with a circular cross-section, with a diameter of 48 mm, and the graph 132 is for a comparative pole with a circular cross-section whose diameter is 24 mm. The graph 134 is for a pole 106 having a hollow triangular cross-sectional shape, the graph 136 is for a pole 106 having a hollow diamond cross-sectional shape, the graph 138 is for a pole having the shape denoted by reference numeral 139, the graph 140 is for a pole 106 having a hollow rectangular cross-sectional shape, and graphs 142 and 144 are for poles 106 having a longer and shorter beam shape, respectively.
Fig.7 illustrates that for elongated cross-sectional shapes of the pole 106, the moment of inertia varies according to the load orientation. In particular, the orientation dependency shown in Fig.7 indicates the rationale behind arranging the garment steamer 100 such that the longitudinal axis AA of the ironing board 104 and the longitudinal horizontal axis BB of the at least one pole 106 are parallel with each other in the same vertical plane VP when the ironing board 104 extends in the horizontal plane HP.
It is noted that the pole 106 can experience the highest bending moment when the ironing board 104 is in the horizontal orientation and when the ironing stroke (in other words movement of the steamer head across the ironing board 104) reaches the end of the length of the ironing board 104, which in turn causes the highest bending/deflection along the ironing board's 104 length.
The elongated cross-section of the pole 106 being orientated in the longitudinal direction of the ironing board 104 can help to increase the moment of inertia of the cross-section, which in turn can reduce bending/deflection of the pole 106 subjected to the same bending moment.
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) comprising:
- a support base (102),

- at least one pole (106) upstanding from the support base,

- an elongated ironing board (104) being supported at a top part of the at least one pole, the elongated ironing board extending along a longitudinal axis (AA), the elongated ironing board being adapted to extend in a horizontal plane (HP),

the at least one pole having a cross-sectional outer periphery (112), taken in a plane parallel to said horizontal plane, being elongated along a longitudinal horizontal axis (BB),

the longitudinal axis of the ironing board and the longitudinal horizontal axis of the at least one pole being parallel with each other in a same vertical plane (VP) when the ironing board extends in said horizontal plane.
The garment steamer (100) according to claim 1, wherein the support base (102) is elongated so that the support base has a longitudinal axis (CC), the longitudinal axis of the support base being parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis (BB).
The garment steamer (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional outer periphery (112) has a shape selected from rectangular, rounded rectangular, trapezoidal, rounded trapezoidal and elliptical.
The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support base (102) comprises at least one recess (107) for receiving the at least one pole (106), each of the at least one recess having a cross-sectional shape that complements the cross-sectional outer periphery (112), the cross-sectional outer periphery being selected so that the at least one pole is only receivable in the at least one recess when the at least one pole is at one defined angular orientation relative to the at least one recess.
The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a fastening assembly (113) for detachably fastening a bottom part of the at least one pole (106) to the support base (102).
The garment steamer (100) according to claim 5, wherein the fastening assembly (113) is arranged to exert force (F) on the at least one pole (106) in a direction parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis (BB) when fastening the at least one pole to the support base (102).
The garment steamer (100) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the fastening assembly (113) comprises:
- at least one pushing member (114) coupled to the support base (102), and

- at least one cam lever (116) pivotable between a locking position in which the at least one cam lever exerts a force on the at least one pushing member that causes the at least one pushing member to push against the at least one pole (106), and a releasing position in which said force is released.
The garment steamer (100) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one pushing member (114) is caused by the at least one cam lever (116) to push against the at least one pole (106) in a direction parallel with the longitudinal horizontal axis (BB) when the at least one cam lever is in the locking position.
The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an aspect ratio, length (L1) divided by width (W1), of the cross-sectional outer periphery (112) is at least 1.1, preferably at least 1.2.
The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein:
- the support base (102) comprises a mounting bracket (118) for mounting the at least one pole (106) to the support base,

- the support base comprises a lower shell (102A) and an upper shell (102B) attached to the lower shell, and

- the mounting bracket is attached to the lower shell and/or to the upper shell.
The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one pole (106) is telescopically extendable to vary a height at which the ironing board (104) is supported above the support base (102).
The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one pole (106) is in the form of a single pole upstanding from the support base (102) to support the ironing board (104).
The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a pivoting assembly for tilting the ironing board (104) between different orientations, including a horizontal orientation in which the ironing board (104) extends in the horizontal plane (HP).
The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising:
- a water tank arranged or arrangeable in the support base (102); and/or

- a steam generator arranged in the support base.
The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising:
- a steamer head having a treatment plate delimiting at least one steam vent, and

- a hose cord (110) for connecting the support base (102) to the steamer head.