FR2504161A1 - IRONING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

FOLDING COMPACT IRONING DEVICE HAVING A 23 BASE ALLOWING TO SUPPORT IT ON A SUPPORT SURFACE TO CARRY AN IRONING BOARD 32 AND HOLD AN IRON 1 ABOVE THE IRONING SURFACE OF THE BOARD. A FIRST VERTICAL ELEMENT EXTENDS UPWARD FROM THE BASE TO BRING THE IRONING BOARD TO ITS UPPER END. A SECOND VERTICAL ELEMENT 20 EXTENDS UPWARD FROM THE BASE AND AN IRON SUPPORT LINK 15, 17 IS PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO ONE OF ITS UPPER END OF THIS SECOND VERTICAL ELEMENT. THE LINK INCLUDES ARTICULATED ARMS 15, 17 WHICH CAN BE EXTENDED TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS ON THE IRONING SURFACE.

Description

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  The present invention relates generally to an ironing equipment and, more particularly, a compact folding ironing device comprising means for lifting

automatic iron.

  The invention constitutes an improvement to the ironing device described in patent US Pat. No. 3,303,591 and the application for

  Patent U S N O 255 888 of April 20, 1981.

  One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an ironing device which preferably comprises in a compact and unitary manner an iron, an support link for this iron and means for supporting and fixing an ironing board in conjunction. with the support link, and in which the iron is supported in a configuration allowing extremely handling

  easy during ironing operations.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ironing device which is of the folding type to provide an extremely compact configuration when folded, requiring

  a minimum of space outside its periods of use.

  Another object of the invention is to provide such a device.

  tif which includes an ironing board and support means for this board, which can be immediately transformed between E storage and use positions and which are of the folding type. Another object of the present invention is to provide a

  compact folding ironing device of the type set out above

  taking an ironing board easily adaptable between storage and use positions and which also includes a

  support assembly including legs that extend automatically-

  in response to the movement of the ironing board toward its

position of use.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ironing device which is light to allow easy handling even by a small person while

  providing installation, unfolding and mounting for use

  reading, and subsequent folding for storage, extremely simple. Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ironing device which comprises automatic iron support means so that, at the end of any ironing movement, for any purpose whatsoever such as changing the

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  ironing piece or its movement on the board, etc., the iron is placed in a raised position above the board which avoids the user the procedure until now boring and difficult to bring the iron in position rest and bring it back to work. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device for providing a lifting force for the iron during manual lifting of the iron, this lifting force facilitating the lifting of the iron from the surface of an ironing board on

  which it is placed during ironing.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ironing device which provides means for preventing the

  iron to move, float or slide if manually released

  ché when it is in a raised position above the board so that the iron remains in balance with respect to the workpiece as presented by the user ready to resume

ironing operations.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a

  such an ironing device which keeps the components in condi-

  operation to avoid inadvertent folding, accident

  dental or premature while arranging such components for a

  easy and selective return to the folded storage condition.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ironing device which comprises a device actuated by the foot to selectively release the mechanism to allow the

  movement between use and storage positions.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a

  such an ironing device which, when the operations are completed,

  ironing, allows the iron to be stored while it is

  still hot, safe for people and the appliance.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ironing device which is of a simple and economical construction, requiring only a few simple spare parts made of durable material to make the device resistant to breakdowns, which is economical to production, which is extremely reliable in use and which eliminates the previously accepted drawbacks associated with the storage of ironing boards and

irons.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ironing device which can be used in conjunction with a conventional ironing board without requiring

  modifications to this ironing board.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ironing device which can be used with virtually any chosen type of conventional dry or steam iron of the hand type, which can be easily attached to, and removed from, irons.

  from different manufacturers without requiring iron modifications.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ironing device comprising an ironing board which is held releasably in its storage position.

  until deliberately moved by the user.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide such an ironing device which can be easily transported when its components are in their folded storage position.

  from one place to another by rolling it over the surface of the ground.

  Other objects of the present invention will appear in

  the following description of a particular embodiment of

  the invention with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:

  FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a device

  ironing cloth comprising an ironing board, produced according to the present invention, constituting a first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation of this embodiment, along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, La FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ironing device according to the invention oriented for its use with certain support elements fixed to the device before the iron lifting members are unfolded from their storage position,

  Figure 4 is a similar perspective view of the device.

  positive with the iron lifting members unfolded for use

  tion and with an ironing board fixed in position ready for use, Figure 5 is a side view of some parts of the iron lifting mechanism taking a fastening device loaded by a spring which allows use with a standard steam iron of the conventional hand-held type, the iron being shown in its raised position,

  Figure 6 is a similar side view of such an arrangement.

  The iron being shown in the lowered position for its use.

  sation during an ironing operation, -4-: Figure 7 is a rear view of the spring loaded fixing device as it is fixed to the iron, Figure 8 is a sectional view of parts of the device of the Figure 7, along line 8-8 of Figure 7 showing its attachment to the handle of an iron shown in phantom, Figure 9 is a partial rear elevation view, partially in section along line 9-9 of the figure 8,

  FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of an arrangement

  fixing sitive along line 10-10 of Figure 9, Figure II is an end elevation partially in section along line 11-11 of Figure 9 of the opposite end of the fixing device, Figure 12 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention seen from the rear showing certain support elements of the iron in the storage position, FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of parts of the device and particularly of the support and lifting elements of the iron as unfolded for their use with the iron shown in the raised position, FIG. 14 is a vertical section of certain support elements of the device comprising an elbow,

  Figure 15 is a bottom view of some features.

  fixing characteristics of the ironing board according to the invention, FIG. 16 is a similar bottom view showing components of the fixing elements in a position for the cooperation of the device with an ironing board, FIG. 17 is a view in cross section along line 17-17 of FIG. 16, FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention configured to lift an iron and cooperating with a conventional ironing board,

  FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of an arrangement

  ironing set comprising an ironing board, this ironing board being shown in the storage position produced according to another embodiment of the present invention,

  FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of the device

  tif of Figure 19, Figure 21 is a side elevation view of the opposite side of the apparatus of Figure 19,

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  Figure 22 is a front perspective view of the new ironing device of Figure 19 showing the movements of the elements when they are first oriented for their use, Figure 23 is a similar perspective view of the device of Figure 19 when the elements are practically e position of use, Figure 24 is a front perspective view of

  the ironing apparatus of FIG. 19 oriented for its use

  tion, with certain iron support elements of the device shown

  felt in their position of use but before the iron is available for its use,

  Figure 25 is a perspective side view of the devices.

  Figure 19 positive with the elements in the same position as in Figure 24, Figure 26 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the base and support elements of the device of Figure 19 Figure 27 is a view partial enlarged perspective of another location representing certain characteristics of the base and of the support elements of the device of FIG. 19, FIG. 28 is a partial bottom view of certain

  mounting characteristics of the ironing board according to the invention

  tion along line 28-28 of Figure 24, Figure 29 is an enlarged partial perspective view of parts of the base and the support elements of the device 1,

  figure 19 with the feet retracted ,.

  Figure 30 is a perspective view similar to Figure 29 showing the legs extended, Figure 31 is an enlarged perspective view of the fixing of an iron support arm and the associated structure comprising a feature to ensure a suitable locking of the elements in the storage position,

  Figure 32 is a similar perspective view shown

  sensing other aspects of the elements of Figure 31, Figure 33 is a vertical section of parts of the bottom along line 33-33 of Figure 26,

  Figure 34 is a horizontal section of some elements

  base and support elements with partially exploded elements

  for better orientation generally taken along line 34-

34 of figure 27,

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  Figure 35 is a partially exploded vertical section of parts of the basic structure along line 35-35 of Figure 34, Figure 36 is a side elevational view of parts of an iron lifting mechanism according to l invention comprising a spring loaded fastening device which enables cooperation with a conventional hand held steam iron and the

  supporting structures thereof, the iron being shown in posi-

  raised, Figure 37 is a side elevation view of the iron and its support structure with the iron in the use position, Figure 38 is a rear view of a spring loaded fastener as attached to an iron, with the iron in the use position,

  Figure 39 is a view of part of another arrangement

  fixing tif, seen from a direction opposite to that of FIG. 38.

  Referring now to the drawings of the preferred embodiments of the invention, A denotes a first embodiment of an ironing device capable of being used with a conventional hand iron designated in a way

  general by 1 which can be one of the many steam irons available

  commercially available for domestic or commercial use.

  In FIGS. 1 and 2, the device A is shown in its compact folded state when it is not in use or during its storage with the iron 1 in its storage position until

  the device is ready to use.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the iron 1 has a usual base plate 2 and a body 3 having a handle 4 having at its front end a steam or

  spraying 6 and at the rear part forming a support 7 of thick

  increased sor Part 7 forms a base or heel 8 of the iron on which it can be placed if it is used conventionally without

  the new device which allows the lifting of the iron.

  Connected to the iron is a fixing device or terminal unit generally designated by 9, fixed by a rod 10 to a ball joint it comprising a sleeve 12 receiving a ball 13 at the upper end of the rod 10 The sleeve 12 is increased to

  the distal end of a tubular anterior arm 15.

  Referring now to FIG. 4, which represents the ironing device A in the configuration of use of the

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  iron 1 for ironing fabric articles, it can be seen that the front arm 15 is pivotally fixed by a unit 16 forming an elbow in articulation relation with a main support arm 17, also tubular, which is in turn fixed pivoting to a tubular extension 18 received telescopically in a main tubular support post or foot 20 There is thus provided an articulated connection pivotally connected at one end to the foot 20, and capable of tilting relative to this foot and pivotally connected by the fixing unit 9 at the other end to the iron 1 The foot 20 forms a pair with another foot designated by 21 The feet 20, 21 being parallel extend upwards from a base 23 having a pair of transverse tubular base elements 24, 25, each of rectangular section, connected by a third base element

  tubular 26 also of rectangular section.

  The base 23 includes an opening formed by one end of the element 26 to receive an elongated tube forming a foot 27 in alignment with the element 26 and having at its remote end

  from the base a support member 28 forming a sole or extended surface

  Likewise, a second leg 29 is provided which extends outwards.

  laughing from the base 23 at an angle to the base member 24 to form an obtuse angle with the foot 27 of

  way to provide a wide and stable support base for the provision

  sitive A The foot 29 similarly includes a sole 30 at its

far end of the base.

  In general, an ironing board 32 according to the invention is mounted on the post or foot 21 in the manner

  described below to provide a rectangular ironing surface

  area having parts which extend substantially equally

  distant on the opposite sides of the upper part 20 ′ of the foot 20, from which an extension 18 extends and can rotate and thus tilt relative to the longitudinal axis of the foot 20 The dimensions of the board 32 are adapted ( for example slightly more than a meter in length, unlike planks

  standard conventional ironing boards with a slight width

  more than substantially half the length) to allow the arm 17 its tilting and articulation movements to present the iron 1 in a supported manner for movement over substantially the entire upper surface of the ironing board 32 The latter is preferably covered by a usual heat-resistant cover and a resilient underlay, this

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  which provides a smooth, continuous and sensitive ironing surface 33

  definitely flat although slightly elastic.

  As will be seen in Figure 4, the longitudinal axis of the board 32 forms a angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connecting member 26 of the base as well as to the feet 27 which extend it, the angular relationship of the foot 29 relative to the base member 24 which receives it being such that it also defines an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the board 32, this angle being substantially comparable or equal to that formed between the axis

  longitudinal of the ironing board 32 and the foot 27.

  Using a mechanism that will be better understood - from

  the following description, the arm 17 and the anterior arm 15, by

  via the rod 10 and the fixing unit or device

  tion 9 which holds the iron 1, are arranged to provide a lifting force to keep the iron 1 in the raised position shown in Figure 4 when not in use or during the intermediate ironing steps and thus in an orientation allowing unobstructed access to the surface 33 of the ironing board to place on it various articles to be ironed, the iron being at the same time conventionally presented for immediate use by bringing it into contact with the article to be ironed When the iron is in an orientation where it is in contact with the surface of the

  ironing board 32, the articulated arm and anterior arm per-

  set the iron to move freely to selected positions on the surface of the ironing board as desired during ironing operations During such a movement, the arm 17

  is free to rotate around the longitudinal axis of foot 20.

  In order to fix the ironing board 32 to the appliance A, a bracket 35 with a cross-section is provided at the top of the support foot 21.

  L fixed at one of its ends to the upper end of the foot 21.

  This bracket comprises a horizontal base surface 36 and a vertical surface 37 Extending upward from the horizontal surface 36 (Figure 3), is a locking finger 38 arranged to pinch the lateral lip of a board to be ironed as described below. The surface 36 of the bracket can be provided with an opening 39 aligned with the inside of the foot 21 to receive a tubular member 39 'extending downward from

  the ironing board as will be described below.

  This arrangement does not only allow the fixing of the conventional conventional ironing board widely

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  used as described more fully below Such an ironing board is generally designated at 40 in FIG. 18 e: position of use fixed by the device for fixing

  bracket 35 to apparatus A, as described below.

  We will now describe in more detail the characteristics of the arrangement allowing the fixing by the unit 9 of the meal iron ser 1 to the appliance A and the characteristics of the iron support

iron from the appliance.

  Figures 7 to 11 describe the device 9 for fixing 1 L iron 1 to the lower end of a rod 10 We can see on the

  Figures 8 and 9 that the rod 10 has a laterally offset part

  42 (Figure 12) but extends downward over most of its length to a point of bend backward to provide a backward shifted portion 43 which, in turn, is bent at 44 in a direction forming substantially a right angle not only with the offset part 43 but also with the main part of the rod 10 which extends upwards from the offset part 43 providing a linear transverse part 45 The device 9 includes a single piece of sheet metal 47 which is curved

  to provide a U-shaped housing comprising a top surface

  upper 48, a lower surface 49 and green wall surfaces

  tical 50 The member 47 also includes on its opposite sides of: plates 51, 51 'which are open at 52, 52' for the pivoting of

  the member 47 around the longitudinal axis of the rod part 45.

  The distal end 54 of the rod portion 45 extends well beyond the plate 51 and is provided with a sleeve 55 closed at

  one of its ends and having a rim 56 at its other end

  The diameter of the rim is longer than that of the opening.

  52 so that it bears against the internal surface of the plate 51, the end 54 of the rod being retained in the sleeve 55 In addition the end 54 of the rod is provided with a transverse slot 58 which can receive a end 59 of a helical torsion spring, having its other end 61 provided with a hook 62 to cooperate with a lip formed by the upper surface 48 of the housing member 47 so that the torsional force of the spring can be

  exerted on the rod relative to the housing member 47.

  The upper surface 48 of the housing has an extension

  ment 62 extending laterally beyond the rod 10 to come in

  contact with the rod 10 to establish a stop which limits the movement

  ment of the pivoting of the iron 1 when it is lowered in its position of use A lateral extension 65 of the lower surface 49 similarly establishes a maximum position of rotation of the iron upwards, that is to say in the anti-clockwise, seen in FIG. 10 when it is turned around the axis of the rod part 45 The extension 65 comes into contact with the offset part 43 of the rod 10 so that the maximum angular extension of movement allowed by the rotation of the unit 9 around the axis of the rod extension 45 is a little greater than but less than 1800 Consequently, the iron 1 can rotate around the rod part 45 between a raised position shown

  in Figure 5 and a lowered position shown in Figure 6.

  For fixing the unit 9 to the iron 1, provision has been made for

  flexible strip 67 such as a metal cable having its ends

  mites crimped or fixed in any other way in threaded connections 68, 68 'These are screwed in threaded fittings 69, 69' having heads of larger diameter split for tightening with the screwdriver of the strip 67 around the part of handle 7

  of iron to retain the fixing unit 9 to the iron without any modification

  cation of the iron and without damaging it This arrangement is adaptable for use with a wide variety of irons which have an enlarged handle part 7 by which the handle itself

is attached to the iron.

  In the position of use, the unit 9 is thus suitably fixed to the iron by tightening the fittings 69, 69 ′.

  the spring 60 is suitably prestressed by pushing the end

  external closed part of the sleeve 55 to slide the rod 10 to the right as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, with respect to the housing 47 This allows the rod to release the extensions 64, the iron being able to be turned a number of chosen around the axis of the rod part 45 until a desired tension state of the

  spring 60, preferably so that it balances sensi-

  completely the weight of the iron 1 so that it remains in the position shown in Figure 6 in the absence of any assistance

  by the user but that, with only a slight pressure towards -

  at the top of the finger tip, the user can rotate the iron upwards as seen in FIG. 5 where it remains due to the replacement of the center of gravity of the iron relative to the rod 10 and by engagement of the tongue 65 with the rod part 44 Thus the sleeve 55 allows prestressing while allowing the rod part 45 to remain rotatably mounted in the housing 47 at all -10-

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  instant. It can be seen in Figures 13 and 14 that the pivot unit 11 allows the free rotation of the rod 10 relative to the longitudinal axis of the anterior arm 15 and also provides a wide range of permitted movements of the iron relative to the arm previous 15 when the latter is not used to support the iron as is the case when the iron is in its lowered position

  (Figure 6) for ironing different items while allowing

  as long as the rod 10 hangs substantially vertically downwards from the pivoting unit 11 when the iron is supported as shown in FIG. 13, the iron being consequently positioned by

  relative to the rod 10 as shown in Figure 5.

  If we now refer more particularly to FIG. 14, the front arm 15 is hollow, tubular in shape,

  preferably circular section It is fixed at its near end

  male to a sheave 71 rotatably mounted on an axis 72 in a suitable housing 73 The latter is, in turn, fixed to the distal end of the main support arm 17 so that the elbow 16 allows an articulation movement of the anterior arm 15 relative to the support arm 17 which is also tubular and of circular section. The proximal end of the arm 17 is pivotally connected by a transverse axis 75 extending transversely through the tubular extension 18 which is of larger diameter than the arm 17 and has a substantially semicircular part removed near its end upper to form a half-sleeve designated at 76 against which the arm 17 can rest to provide a coaxial relationship between the extension 18 and the arm 17 for storage purposes but while otherwise allowing the arm 17 to pivot

  down as shown in Figure 14, to form a sub-angle

  tantiel relative to the longitudinal axis of the extension 18.

  To limit such outward movement of the arm 17 relative to the extension 18 and also to fix the angular relationship between the arm 17 and the anterior arm 15, a cable 78 is provided which extends through the central recess 77 of the arm 17, passes over the sheave 71 in a groove 79 formed by flanges (such as on the edges of the latter) and is fixed at one end to a suitable connector 81 carried at the proximal end of the anterior arm

laughing 15.

  Near the lower end of the arm 17, is

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  finds in its hollow part 77, a plug 83 of circular cross section having a groove 84 forming a fairly wide radius of curvature through which the cable 78 passes which then extends through an opening 86 below the plug and then outside for its fixing by means of a screw or other means 87 to a part

tubular 76.

  It will therefore be understood that there is a fixed angular relationship provided at all times to the arm 17 relative to the tubular extension 18 and to the anterior arm 15 relative to the arm 17 If for example, the anterior arm 15 is tilted down towards the arm 17 to reduce the angle between them, the cable-78 is moved around the sheave 71 to reduce the length of the cable between the fixing point 87 and the opening 76 and thus to reduce the angle

  between the arm 17 and the longitudinal axis of the tubular extension 18.

  In addition, when the iron 1 is in its raised position,

  shown in Figures 13 and 18, the weight of the iron on the front arm

  laughing 15, transferred to the anterior arm 15 and to the arm 17 by means of

  the rod 10, causes the tension of the cable with a force of friction

  the resulting result generated by the cable 78 on the surfaces of the groove 84 in the plug 83 to provide braking now fixed

  the angular relationship of the arm 17 with respect to the tubular extension

  laire 18 Furthermore, because the cable 78 is then locked in position in the hollow part 77 of the arm 17, the angular rotation of the sheave 71, and consequently of the axis of the anterior arm 15, remains fixed in this way, the front arm 15 can remain oriented in position to maintain the iron 1 in the position in which it was lastly placed in its raised orientation and with the iron 1 then remaining suspended by the arm 17 and the front arm 15 ready

  to start an ironing operation.

  The resulting lifting of the iron 1 to a suitable position where it is ready to be lowered again towards the surface of the ironing board when desired by the user, is extremely practical and eliminates a factor of

  very noticeable fatigue which is otherwise necessary for use

  average torter such as a housewife who, when using a conventional iron, must constantly lift, carry and transfer the iron at frequently repeated intervals during an ironing operation In addition, because the cable tension 78 is released as soon as the iron is returned to its normal position anywhere on the board, the articulation movement of the arm 17 relative to the

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  tubular extension 18 and of the anterior arm 15 relative to the arm 17 is more free so that the iron can be immediately

  transferred to any point that can be reached by arti-

  culations according to the chosen length of the cable 78 Consequently, the cable 78 is preselected in size to allow the freedom of movement necessary for the iron 1 to be immediately brought to

  any point on the surface of the ironing board.

  Since at all times the spring 60 maintains,

  unit 9 in a pre-stressed state providing a lifting force

  constant change on the iron 1, the user only has to apply the slightest upward pressure on the handle part 4 to tilt the iron from the position represented in FIG. 6 to that represented in FIG. 5 in which the heel 8 of the iron can be lifted freely from the surface of the ironing board and the iron can take a suspended condition with its weight stretching the cable

  78 as explained above to suitably adapt

  nable the position of the iron in its position suspended at a point oi: is ready to be once again returned to the position of use on the surface of the ironing board, for example after, the user has redirected an article or replaced an article ironed by another to be ironed. Such an upward pressure is much less than the weight of the iron since the spring 60 compensates

  almost completely the weight of the iron.

  The device according to the invention is collapsible to provide practical compact storage when it is not in use. For this purpose, the tubular extension 18 is axially sliding telescopically relative to the foot 20 To maintain the extension 18 in its raised position shown in FIG. 14, a spring button 89 is provided, extending through a hole 90 in the extension 18 and pressed outwards, for example by means of a leaf spring 91 or equivalent, and thus, having a shoulder or surface 92 to bear against the lip of the part di

foot 20 '.

  Referring to FIG. 13, the iron 1 has a supply cord 94 which is held at the elbow 16 by a suitable fixing 95 mounted on the housing 73 The cord 94 is thus suitably kept outside the path of the ironing operations Cord 94 is also attached to foot section 20 '

  by another fixing 96 of suitable configuration.

  when the arm 17 is raised from its storage position

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  o it is telescopically enclosed in the foot 20, the movement of the arm 17 upwards is allowed until the part of the cord between the fasteners 95 and 96 becomes taut, thus limiting the upward movement and preventing the tubular extension 18 to be pulled out of the upper end 20 'of the foot. To store the ironing machine A, the spring button 89 is pressed to release the lip 91 from the foot portion 20 'and

  the arm 17, having been tilted in axial alignment with the extension

  tubular housing 18, can now be lowered telescopically in the foot 20 to a storage position shown in Figure 12 in which the foot 20 receives the entire length of the arm

  17 with the boot 73 now resting on the lip 91 of the foot.

  In addition, the arm 15 extends downward from the elbow 16 in a position presenting the iron 1 substantially between the feet 20, ', and maintaining the iron in its suspended position o, so

  safe, it is not in contact with another structure.

  quent, the device can be folded for storage even when the

iron 1 is still hot.

  A new arrangement for locking the front arm in the position shown in Figure 12 is achieved by a lever 98 having a notch 99 for receiving the front arm

  pivoting about the axis of the locking rod 38.

  If reference is made to FIGS. 15 to 17, the configuration of the lever 98 is shown more clearly. It comprises a tongue or flange 101 forming a surface for a suitable application of a force for its movement between the positions shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 To maintain said lever 98 in position against the lower surface of the horizontal edge 36 of the bracket 35, a wire spring 102 is provided having an end

  connected to the bracket by a screw, a rivet or other means of application

  suitable cation 103, the other end extending through a

  opening 104 in the wall of the foot 21 In addition, the locking rod

  lage 38 is provided with a head 104 of generally rectangular configuration against which the metal wire 102 is pressed elastically tending to maintain the arm 98 in a position is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bracket 35 as in the figure 6, or as shown in FIG. 12 in a position in which the notch 99 of the arm 98 comes into contact with the arm

anterior 15.

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250 416 1

  The mechanism for engaging the ironing board

  designated at 32 in Figures 3 and 4, and the bracket 35 is main-

  apparent The tubular extension 39 ′ of the ironing board is inserted into an opening 39 in the foot as can be seen in FIG. 17 The ironing board 32 is shown schematically in FIG. 17 as having only an upper surface 107 and a vertical lateral edge 108 although, as will be understood, a lower layer and a cover are actually present. A finger 38 is oriented relative to the arm 98 so that it is directed towards the horizontal edge (see

  Figure 17) when the lever 98 is oriented substantially in alignment-

  with the square 35 However, to bring the square and the ironing board 32 into contact, the arm 98 is oriented first

  as shown in Figure 15 with the finger 38 directed parallel-

  side edge 108 The side edge 108 is now adjacent to the vertical edge 37 of the bracket 35 The lever 98 is

  then switched from the position shown in Figure 15 to the posi-

  tion of Figure 16, which brings the locking finger 38 in

  engagement with the wall 108 to fix it between the vertical rib

  wedge 37 and the distal end of the finger 38 The ironing board 32 is then locked in position and held firmly in the position shown in FIG. 4 which provides a suitable stable orientation allowing the arm 17 to wobble around the longitudinal axis of foot 20 to present the iron 1 suitably to place it in any desired position on the

* board 32 during ironing operations.

  Such a locking arrangement also makes it possible

  using appliance A with an appropriate ironing board

  tional 40 as shown in Figure 18 The lever 98 is similarly rotated to bring the locking finger 38 into engagement with the usual vertical flange (not shown) of a conventional ironing board which, in turn, has a side edge 109 which is pressed against the bracket 35 Also, a conventional ironing board such as 40, has the usual feet 111, 112 having elongated extensions 111 ', 112' at their ends to provide a stable base of support for the ironing board 40 Consequently, when the appliance A is fixedly engaged in the position described above with an ironing board 40, the use of the feet 27, 29 such that

  described above is avoided as shown in Figure 18.

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  Referring now to Figures 19 to 38, B generally denotes another embodiment of a compact folding ironing apparatus according to the invention, designed to provide ironing

  practically effortless in domestic uses while allowing

  both a use of commercially available hand steam irons such as that generally represented in 201 which is

  characteristic of many domestic or commercial irons

cials on the market.

  In Figures 19 to 21, device B is shown in

  a compact folded state for its storage with all its elements

  tionned to occupy a minimum of space which allows the whole device to be placed in a cabinet or in another space

  confined but immediately ready to be brought almost immediately

  diat in its position of use In Figures 24 and 25,

  device B is shown with its various resting mechanisms

  with all the elements deployed to start an operation

ironing.

  Besides the iron 201, an ironing board is provided.

  generally hindered by 202, which is arranged to switch between a

  storage position shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 and a posi-

  tion of use shown in Figures 24 and 25.

  Referring more particularly to Figures 36 to 38, the iron 201 has the usual base plate 203 and a body 204 having a handle 205 having a thicker rear part 206

  joining a base or heel 207 on which the iron can be placed.

  Connected to the iron 201, is a fixing device generally designated by 209 connected by a rod 210 which can be considered as an extension of the support arm by which the iron can be carried and connected to a support link generally designated by 211 This link includes a hook hanging down 212 having an extension 213 on which is fixed a pivot eye 214 formed at the upper end of the rod 210 allowing the rod 210 to pivot freely around two axes of

  rotation at right angles and formed by the hook 212.

  The iron support link 211 comprises first and second articulated arms 215, 216 each pivoting in a horizontal plane above the ironing surface 217 of the

  ironing board 202 when the latter is in the use position

  sation as in Figures 24 and 25 For this purpose, the arm 216 is connected to the arm 215 by a pivot connection 218 comprising a

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  tubular housing 218 ′ having for example the sleeve type bearings to form a safe and resistant coupling having a very low friction The arm 215 is however connected at its proximal end by a fixed connection 219 to a vertical rotating member 221 to allow that a substantial load is applied by the arm 215 when the link is extended while causing only one

very low friction.

  The arms 215, 216 are preferably made so

  tubular for example in steel tube having a rectangular section

  gulaire The link 211 is carried at the upper end of the vertical tubular member 221 which extends upwards from the rear of a base 222 The element 221 is oriented vertically according to the preferred embodiment S extending up to

  from the front of the base 222 is a vertical tubular element

  shorter area 223 which is curved slightly to the left seen on

  Figure 20, at its upper end, with respect to the vertica-

  The ironing board 202 is pivotally attached to the upper end of the element 223 The base 222, its components, and the elements 221, 223 are preferably all made of steel tube A protective rubber or plastic plugs 220 are attached to the free ends of the tubular base elements The arrangement

  allowing the rotation of the element 221 around its longitu-

dinal is explained below.

  Referring to Figures 24 and 25, the base 222 is formed mainly by two tubular support elements 224, 224 'interconnected at the rear by a square-shaped element

  225 and forward by a rod 226 (Figure 34), the latter extends

  dant through a beam 227 on which there are vertical elements 221, 223 The support elements 224, 224 'extend forward from the rod 226 to form extensions below the ironing board 202 to provide stable support The elements 224, 224 'can rotate freely in the bracket 225 and with respect to the rod 226 At opposite ends of the element 224' are rotating rollers 228 by which the apparatus can be rolled easily on the ground surface

when folded.

  Extending radially from the elements 224, 224 'are respective feet or extensions 229, 229' each rocking in a vertical plane on a horizontal pivot axis oriented transversely defined by the rotation of the elements 224,

-18 2504161

  224 'allowing the movement of the extensions 229, 229' (which are thus tiltably mounted) between respective raised positions (Figures 19 to 21) for storage and extended (Figures 24 and 25) for use In extended positions, the extensions 229, 229 'provide a very enlarged contact surface of the

  base 222 with the ground or other support surface.

  This movement of the feet 229, 229 'extends them in the opposite direction from the base 222 and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the ironing board 217 when they are under it. This increases the lateral stability of the ce device

  movement of the feet 229, 229 'is controlled by a control link

  of tilting 231 interconnected with the ironing board 202

  by an arm 232 pivotally mounted under the board 202 This connection

  its causes the feet to be extended during the movement of the ironing board 217 from its storage position to its position of use For this purpose, a sleeve 233 is slidably mounted on the vertical element 223 The link 231 includes a first and second links 234, 234 'connecting the sleeve 233 to the respective feet 229, 229' The arm 232 connects the link 234 'to the ironing board 202 at a location radially spaced from a fixing point at

  pivoting to the vertical element 223.

  Referring to Figure 28, the upper end of the support member 223 of the ironing board is connected to the

  ironing board 202 by a shaft 236 which extends between ribs

  longitudinal res of the ironing board which is thus free to rotate around an axis perpendicular to the elements 223 for a

  movement between storage and use positions.

  Figures 26 to 30 and 33 to 35 show more clearly-

  the construction of the base and its various elements The rod 226 is actually a transverse shaft to keep the elements 224, 224 'spaced from each other This shaft is threaded at its opposite ends in plastic plugs as at 237 in FIG. 34 which are fixed to the shaft by assembly screws such as 238 Each plug 237 is free to rotate in the corresponding element 224, 224 'Slots such as 40 are provided in this purpose in each element 224, 224 'Consequently the feet 229, 229' can rotate by an angle of approximately 95 Tilted mounted

  relative to the shaft or rod 226, is a locking element

  tension beam 241 fixed by welding to a U-shaped unlocking element 243 extending rearwards from the base - to allow

-19 2504161

  the user to exert pressure on the foot to release the element

  locking 241 The unlocking lever 243 is kept bare in its level position before unlocking by a wire spring 244 fixed to the base element 225 The unlocking lever 243 extends rearwards from '' an L-shaped element

  246 which adapts to the shaft 226 so that the unlocking lever

  lage 243 can pivot around the axis of the shaft 226 to move

  the rear locking element 241 seen in FIG. 33.

  At the rear of the base, a tubular element 247 in which a tubular support 221 is rotatably attached is attached to the element 225 Figures 34 and 35 show that the element 225 forms an angle like a square with the tubular element 245 welded to the lower end At the upper end, the element 247 has a sleeve bearing 248 for receiving the element in rotation

  221 A thrust bearing 250 is fixed in the element 247 at the end

  lower part to receive a seat on the element 221 The bearing 250 receives a plug 252 fixed to the lower end of the element 221.

  The plug 252 is split in a curved fashion at 253 to receive

  see a screw 254 housed in an extension 255 to limit the rotation of the element 221 in the element 247 A recess 257 has also been provided in the plug 252 to receive a ball pawl 258 situated on the side opposite the screw 254 La ball 258 is housed in the recess 257 during the storage movement of the ironing apparatus as described below For this purpose, a plug 260 is fixed in the element 224 'and forms with a ring 261 fixed by a screw mounting 262 an inclined seat or recess 263 for a cam ball 258 in the recess 257 during a clockwise rotation of the element 224 as seen on

Figure 35.

  When the ironing board is in its use position

  sation, the sleeve 233 is locked in its lower position by the locking element 241 The links 232 and 234, 234 ′ are all connected to the sleeve 233 by a single shaft 265 (FIG. 26) This sleeve also includes a locking finger 266 who cooperates

  with the locking element 241 by a suitable shoulder.

  To allow the sleeve 233 to slide properly over the element

  ment 223, a roller 267 in the shape of a watch glass allows rolling contact with the element 223 (figure 21) The movement towards the

  bottom of the sleeve 233 is limited by a finger 269 to orientate

-20 2504161

  the sleeve 233 in its lower locked position for

  rigidly fix the feet 229, 229 'in their extended orientation.

  When the user exerts a pressure of the foot on the unlocking lever or plate 233, the locking element 241 releases the finger 266 to allow the sleeve 233 to slide upwards on the element 223 to move the ironing board towards its storage position with a corresponding rotation of

  feet 229, 229 'towards their retracted position Consequently, the ope-

  rator does not need to bend over to reorient the ironing device for its storage, which corresponds to the philosophy of

  overall concept which facilitates the work of meals-

wise by any means possible.

  As seen in Figure 24, the ironing board 202 when released enough is pivoted or tilted counterclockwise The ironing board 202 continues to rotate counterclockwise a watch until it reaches a vertical position where it stops in neutral, the feet 229, 229 'then being vertical In addition for compact storage, the arms 215, 216 are oriented as shown in FIG. 21 near the bottom surface of the board

  iron 202, with iron 201 located near the upper end

  of the vertical element 221 while remaining suspended by the rod 210 out of contact not only from the surface of the board

  iron but also of all the other structures By cons-

  quent, thus eliminating any risk of fire or any danger of contact of the iron 201 with adjacent materials or surfaces This allows the device to be put in place for its storage without waiting for its cooling.

  As explained above, the rotation of the element

  ment 231 is limited by the split plug 252 Consequently, the arm 215 can be redirected to a position shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, any subsequent movement being limited by the contact of the screw 254 in the slot 253 The slot 253 limits rotation of the shaft 216 during the use of the iron stopping the rotation of the arm before it comes into alignment with the arm 215 and thus preventing the arm from folding backwards which

  interfere with ironing and reorientation for storage.

  When the ironing board is reoriented for its ran-

  gement, the rotation of the base element 224 'brings the screw pawl 258 back into the recess 257 assuming that the arm 215 has been

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  first moved to its storage position as in figures 19 to 21 The ball pawl locks the element 221 to prevent any other rotation in order to prevent the iron support arms from tilting when the appliance is placed on its base and rolled by means of rollers 228 to or from a storage location. Figures 37 and 38 show a mechanism 271 for securely retaining the links in their storage position with the arms 215, 216 folded over one another as in Figures 24 and 25 Located on the arm 215 near its connection 219 with the element 221, is a lock 273 pivotally connected for example by a screw 275 to the upper surface of the arm 215 The lock 274 comprises a finger 276 located to come into contact with the

  hook 212 when the arm 216 is tilted against the arm 215.

  A spring (not shown) under the latch 274 the proper force-

  ment for a counterclockwise movement around the pivot 275 to keep the finger 276 in contact with the body of the hook 212 In addition, an arrangement providing a flange 277 having a pair of slots 278 is fixed to the arm 215 behind the lock 274 The slots 278 are spaced-to receive the forks 279 of the iron plug 280 for storage The lock

  274 is likewise provided with a flange 281 having corresponding slots.

  dantes 278 'The geometry of the lock 274 is such that the slots 278, 278' come into alignment only when the hook 212 is contacted by the finger 276 Thus, the plug 280 cannot be inserted for storage until that the lock 274 is fixed but when it is thus inserted, the plug 280 effectively locks the lock 274 in place The lock 274 securely maintains the storage orientation of the arms of the connections 211

when the device is moved.

  Figures 36 to 39 show the characteristics of the

  unit fixing device 209 to which the iron 201 is supported

  tee from link 211 and connected to it Unit 209 allows the iron to be moved between first and second orientations

  respectively in contact and out of contact with the meal surface-

  sage 217 For this purpose, the iron is supported so that it can exert its weight when it touches the surface to effectively iron when it is moved over the clothes to be ironed.

  ironing is carried out partially by pressure and partial-

  However, the user can

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  easily carry out the movement of the iron towards its raised position while being substantially assisted The fixing unit 209 comprises a piece of sheet metal 282 formed for example by bending to form a U-section providing an upper part 282 a of U-section having edges side 283, 283 'and, pivotally fixed, a lower part 282 b, the edges being tapered to decrease in height towards the lower end to conform to the handle parts 206 conventionally tapered of the iron Edges 283, 283' extend forward at right angles from a flat rear wall 284 which is easily and simply attached to the handle portion 206 by a screw 285 which can replace one

  which is conventionally part of iron. The lower end of the rod 210 is suitably fixed to the part

  282 a which, similarly, includes a pair

  of edges extending forward 286, 286 'which are spaced apart

  outside the flanges 283, 283 'and are pivotally mounted on them by a transverse axis 287 extending through the four flanges, so that the rod 210 and the element 282 are pivotally mounted to allow a relative movement with the rod always remaining in a plane cutting the iron vertically It will be noted that the units 272, and thus the rod 210 extends upwards from the iron substantially in alignment with the power cord 289

without meeting him.

  The adaptation part 282 a is connected by a pin 287 to the part 282 b with the part 282 a having its upper end embossed and brazed or suitably welded at the end

  lower part of the rod 210, for example at 289 The axis 287 is hori-

  zontal and located above the handle 205 of the iron so that the parts 282 a, 282 b form the angular arrangement represented in FIG. 36 when the iron is lifted with said adaptation resting on

  close to the upper surface of the handle 205 and with sufficient

  enough space between it and the handle to insert it

  tion of the user's hand The axis 287 is located so that when the iron 201 is lowered into the ironing position, the: parts 282 a and 282 b come substantially in alignment with a slight offset, a lower edge 291 of the part 282 a coming into contact with the surface behind the upper end of the

  adaptation part 282 b Parts 282 a and 282 b are interconnected

  nected by a tension coil spring 293 having one end hooked to a finger 294 at the end remote from the iron

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  the element 289, and the other end hooked to a finger 294 situated just below the pivot axis 287 so that the axis of the spring 293 rests close to the axis 287 when the iron is lowered completely by being able to exert an increased force to maintain the iron in a raised position as shown in FIG. 29. When the iron is lowered in contact with the ironing surface 217, the effective lever arm provided by the spring 293 decreases the iron pressing a substantial part of its weight on the articles to be ironed with an additional weight that can be applied by the operator's hand Thus the iron fixing unit presented in Figures 36 to 39 provides a significant advantage

  relative to the movement of the iron from its raised position to its posi-

  horizontal position and the subsequent return to its raised position.

  Since the axis of the spring 293 moves in alignment with

  the pivot axis formed by axis 287, the weight of the iron is trans-

  to items being ironed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the height of the

  link and the length of the rod 210 is such that the iron-

  ser occupies its horizontal position a short distance (for example 1.2 cm) before touching the ironing surface 217 so that the iron falls under its own weight over the short distance remaining towards the ironing surface, being substantially no longer under the influence of the spring 293 To raise the iron, the user, when he raises the handle of the iron, produces a rotation around the axis 287 which causes the iron to tilt on its heel which thus serves as a pivot, allowing the iron to be easily raised As the base plate of the iron 203 begins to form an angle with the horizontal, the spring 293

  being prestressed begins to exert an increased influence

  this due to the effective increase of the lever arm relative to the axis 287, so that the iron seems to lift itself without substantial effort This decreases to a large extent the application

  tiring of a lifting force and provides ease of meal-

  wise never obtained by making it possible to reposition the iron while it is fully supported by the new

ironing.

  This arrangement also leads to a reduced height allowing the whole device to be less high than would be possible while making the iron immediately accessible for movement between its raised and lowered positions without limiting the view of the user. on iron as it is

necessary for effective use.

-24 250 '4161

  Note that the ironing board 202 is pointed at a

  of its ends which is the one which would be to the left of the utility

  sator when the iron is in its position of use which is preferable if the user is right-handed The new iron support arrangement allows however to easily replace the iron from its position shown (or the iron also points to the left), towards an opposite direction that a left-handed individual would prefer Of course the device could be made with the elements inverted, or with an ironing board attached to it so that its pointed end would be to the right of the user for example

in the view of figure 24.

  The new device does not only provide the user

  Easy ironing never before obtained, but also allows the appliance to be taken out of its storage and quickly replaced for use. When ironing is finished, the user can quickly bring the device to its

  storage position even with the iron still hot Then the appliance

  reil can be easily rolled up to a closet or other storage location because it is very compact and occupies a storage location only slightly larger than what

  would be required for a conventional iron and ironing board-

separated.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above to which the various modifications and variants can be made without departing from its scope

nor of his mind.

-

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Claims (13)

  1 Compact folding ironing device for supporting a hand iron above the ironing surface of an ironing board comprising a base for supporting it on a support surface, characterized in that it comprises at least a vertical pole member extending upward from said base, means for securing an ironing board in a position of use near said pole, with said ironing surface arranged horizontally to iron on this   surface, an articulated connection pivotally cooperating at an end   mite with said post and being able to be extended by the articulation in positions above said ironing surface, fixing means pivotally connecting the other end of the connection remote from the post to said iron to allow movement   said iron between a first and a second orientation respectively   in contact and out of contact with said meal surface-   wise, said link being able to be tilted around said post and allowing articulation when said iron is in its first orientation to allow free replacement of the iron   in the desired positions on said ironing surface.   2 Device according to claiml, characterized by li   causes said bond to prevent articulation when said iron is   in this second orientation, to keep said iron out of contact with said ironing surface, and that it comprises an arm pivotally fixed out of the post to extend outward from said post at an angle, a anterior arm pivotally connected to said arm by an elbow, said elbow comprising a braking mechanism for preventing: the articulation of said anterior arm relative to said arm in response to the weight of said iron during said anterior arm he is in its second orientation.   3 Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said braking mechanism comprises a cable connecting said front arm and said post and arranged to be placed under tension in response to the weight of said iron during said front arm, said elbow comprising a sheave of cable rigidly fixed to said anterior arm and pivoting with respect to said arm, said cable passing at least partially around said sheave to provide friction preventing rotation of said sheave and therefore said   articulation during a tension of the cable. -26 2504161   4 Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said post is tubular, said arm also being tubular and having a first lower part received telescopically in said post for movement between storage and use positions, and a second upper part articulated on said first part and arranged to align with said first part and also received telescopically by said post for its storage but forming an angle with said   first part and said post in use.   Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises another vertical post element extending upwards from said base and spaced from said first element   of post, said means for fixing an ironing board including   nant a bracket carried transversely to the upper end of said other post and a locking device associated with said bracket to secure said bracket and a side edge of said ironing board.   6 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixing means comprise an adapter for connection to said iron, a transverse shaft cooperating in rotation with said adapter and an extension of the front arm connecting said shaft to the end of said connection away from the post, said iron being rotatable around said shaft for movement between its first and second orientations, said second orientation giving a vertical position to said iron, and a spring surrounded on said shaft to resiliently press said iron for movement from from said first orientation-to the second orientation,   said spring being prestressed to compensate for substantially complete   the movement of said iron normally keeping said iron in its first orientation so that said iron moves from its first to its second orientation under a slight upward force exerted by the user on said iron, this force being much less than the weight of said iron, said extension of the front arm being connected by a ball joint to the end of said connection away from said post.   7 Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said iron has a handle, said adapter comprising a member having a strip arranged to be fixed around said handle to put said handle in pivoting relation with respect to said tree. -27 250 416 1   8 Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said member has extensions to come into contact with the extension of the front arm to define the limits of movement of said iron in its first and second orientations, said transverse shaft being slidable relative audit or-   gane to allow play between said extensions and said pro-   along the anterior arm to thereby allow free rotation of said iron about the axis of said transverse shaft to prestress said spring _ 9 Device according to claim 1, characterized by the   causes said base to include movable folding support members   cables between storage and joint use positions -   ment with a tilting movement of said ironing board between its respective storage and use positions, said support of the folding support elements of said base comprising feet pivotally mounted for movement between respective positions raised for storage and scope for   use, said extended position giving a comfortable surface   enlarged tact of said base with said support surface, said feet being attached to opposite sides of said base and protruding in opposite directions from the base when in their respective extended position.   Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the said ironing board is tiltable on a horizontal pivot axis oriented transversely between vertical and horizontal orientations constituting the said position respectively   for storage and use, said pivot axis being   above said base and positioned laterally between said feet, said feet when extended lying below said ironing board and being substantially aligned with its longitudinal axis, said feet being each capable of being tilted in a   vertical plane on a transverse oriented horizontal pivot axis   dirty and each foot being connected by a control link of   tilting to said ironing board.   11 Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said base comprises a frame, a first and a second tubular support elements each pivotally mounted by means of said first and second vertical elements, said first and second tubular elements extending transversely compared to   the longitudinal axis of the said ironing board, each foot comprising -28 2504161   killing a radial extension of a respective tubular support member. 12 Device according to claim 11, characterized in that one of the vertical elements comprises a sleeve sliding on it, said tilting control link comprising a first and a second link connecting said sleeve to each of said feet for the movement of the latter with the sliding of said sleeve and a third link connecting one of the links with said ironing board to slide said sleeve during   tilting of said ironing board, and locking means   lage to lock said sleeve in a position in which said ironing board is arranged horizontally and said feet are each extended.   13 Device according to claim 12, characterized in that said base comprises latch control means actuated by the foot to selectively release said locking means to allow the tilting of said ironing board to a vertical position and the tilting of said feet to a raised position.   14 Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the said iron support link comprises a first and a second articulated arm which can each be tilted in a horizontal plane above the said ironing surface, the said first arm being fixed to and extending radially from the upper end of said second vertical member, said second vertical member being rotatably connected to said base, said second arm   being pivotally mounted to said first arm and having an end   distal mite supporting said iron, said first and second arms being able to be tilted into folded positions one on the other for storage with said iron supported near said second vertical element in its storage position, said first and second arms being adjacent to said ironing board when   is arranged vertically in this storage position.   Device according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises means responding to the folding of said folding support elements to block the rotation of said second vertical element and means for retaining said first and second arm in folded position.   16 Device according to Claim 14, characterized in that the said iron fixing means comprise a unit -29 2504161   for fixing the iron and a support arm extension connecting said unit to a distal end of said second arm, said iron being rotatable relative to said support arm extension, a movement between first and second orientations and a spring connecting said unit to said extension of the support arm, said spring being prestressed and oriented to exert a force   increased lift when said iron is moved from pre-sadite   to sadite second orientation and to maintain said iron in sadite second orientation.   17 Folding compact ironing device for supporting a hand iron above the ironing surface of an ironing board, characterized in that it comprises a base for supporting it on a support surface, at least a vertical pole member extending upward from said base, means for securing an ironing board in the use position near said pole with said ironing surface disposed horizontally for ironing thereon, a hinged connection connected tiltably at one end to said post and able to be articulated to positions above said ironing surface, fixing means pivotally connecting   the other end of said connection remote from the post to said iron-   to allow movement of said iron between its first and second orientations respectively in contact and out of contact with said ironing surface, said link being able to be tilted around said post and allowing articulation when   said iron is in its first orientation to allow free   ment the repositioning of said iron on the desired positions above said ironing surface, said connection preventing the articulation between said iron in this second orientation to maintain said iron out of contact with said ironing surface and said connection comprising an arm pivotally mounted on said post to extend outward from said post at an angle, a pivoting front arm connected to said arm articulated by means of an elbow, said elbow comprising a braking mechanism for preventing the articulation of said anterior arm relative to said arm in response to the weight of said iron during said anterior arm when it is in this second orientation, said fixing means comprising an adapter for fixing said iron, a transverse shaft rotatably mounted between said adapter and a   extension of the anterior arm connecting said shaft to said end -30 2504161   mated from said link remote from the post, said iron being rotatable around said shaft for movement between said first and second orientations, said second orientation providing a vertical arrangement of said iron, and a spring surrounded around said tree to resiliently press said iron to a movement from said first to said second orientation, said spring being prestressed to substantially compensate for the movement of said iron normally maintaining said iron in sadite first orientation, so that said iron moves in a first and 1 o a second orientations under the effect a slight vertical force exerted by the user on said iron, this force being very less than the weight of said iron.   18 Compact folding ironing device comprising a base for supporting it on said support surface for carrying a   ironing board and to support a hand iron   above the ironing surface of said ironing board, characterized in that said base comprises a first vertical element extending upwards from it and means   pivotally fixing said ironing board to the upper end   of said first vertical element for a rocking movement   lying around a pivot axis between storage and use positions, and a second vertical element extending towards the   high from said base, a tilted iron support link   lante connected at one end to the upper end of said second   vertical element which can be extended to positions above   above said ironing surface, and iron fixing means pivotally connecting the other end of said support link to said iron to allow the movement of said iron between the first and second orientations respectively in contact and out of contact with the surface ironing, said base comprising   folding feet that can tilt between a storage position   extended and a position of use retracted in conjunction with the tilting movement of said ironing board between its respective positions of storage and use, said feet being fixed to opposite sides of said base and projecting into their respective extended position in opposite directions from said base, said ironing board being susceptible   tilt on a horizontal pivot axis oriented transversely   badly between vertical and horizontal orientations respectively   vement, constituting said storage and use positions -31- 250 416 1   sation, said pivot axis being above said base   and positioned laterally between said feet, said feet when   that they are extended lying below said ironing board and being substantially aligned with its longitudinal axis, each of said feet being connected by a tilt control link to said ironing board, said iron support link comprising a first and second articulated arms, each tilting in a horizontal plane above said ironing surface, said first arm extending radially from the upper end of said second vertical element and being able to tilt therefrom, said second arm being pivotally mounted to tilt on said first arm and having a distal end supporting said iron, said fixing means   iron comprising a unit for fixing said iron and a prolong-   support arm bearing cooperating in rotation with said unit, said support arm extension providing the connection of said unit to the distal end of said second arm, said iron being able to rotate around said shaft part for movement   between said first and second orientations, said unit comprises   taking a first element for rigid attachment to said iron and a second element connected at one end to said first element in pivoting relation to allow said iron to pivot between its first and second orientations, said second element being connected at its other end by an element rod-shaped at the distal end of said first arm and a spring connecting said first and second elements, said spring exerting a lifting force between said first and second elements to maintain said iron in sadite second orientation said spring being arranged to provide a decreasing force to support said arms   when said iron is pivoted to its first orientation.