GB2132232A - Ironing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Compact, collapsible ironing apparatus is disclosed having a base (222) providing a supporting surface for carrying an ironing board (202) and for supporting a hand iron (201) above the ironing surface of the ironing board. A first upright member (223) extends upwardly from the base for carrying at its upper end the ironing board. A second upright member (221) extends upwardly from the base and an iron support linkage (211) is swingably interconnected at one end to the upper end of this second upright member. The linkage comprises articulated arms (215, 216) which are extendable to positions over the ironing surface. An iron securement unit (209) pivotally interconnects the distal end of the support linkage with the iron for permitting movement of the iron between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with the ironing surface. The ironing board (202) is swingably mounted and the base includes folding leg members (229, 229'), movable between storage and use positions conjointly with swinging movement of the ironing board between its respective storage and use positions. <IMAGE>

Description

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GB 2 132 232 A 1

SPECIFICATION Ironing apparatus

The invention relates to an ironing apparatus.

The invention provides an ironing apparatus 5 comprising a base, a pair of support legs attached to the base and swingable between raised storage positions and extended use positions in which they project in opposite directions from the base to increase the effective area thereof, a post 10 extending upwardly from the base, an ironing board, means for securing the ironing board in a use position proximate the post, a hand iron and an articulated linkage one end of which is interengaged with the post and the other.end of 15 which is attached by pivotal securement means to the iron, the articulated linkage permitting movement of the iron between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with the ironing surface, the articulated linkage being 20 swingable about the post and providing articulation when the iron is in the first orientation for freely permitting relocation of the iron to desired positions over the ironing surface.

The invention is illustrated by the drawings, of 25 which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of an ironing apparatus according to the invention including an ironing board, in its collapsed position;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus 30 of Figure 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation, from the opposite side, of the apparatus of Figure 1;

FIGURE 4 is a front perspective view of the ironing apparatus of Figure 1 illustrating 35 movement of elements when first being oriented for use;

FIGURE 5 is a similar perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 when the elements are nearly in the use position;

40 FIGURE 6 is a front perspective view of the ironing apparatus of Figure 1 as oriented for use, certain iron support elements of the apparatus being shown prior to disposition of the iron for use.

45 FIGURE 7 is a perspective view, from the side, of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the elements in the same positions as depicted in Figure 6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of base and support elements of 50 the apparatus of Figure 1;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged perspective view,

again of a fragmentary nature but from another location, showing certain features of base and support elements of the apparatus of Figure 1; 55 FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary bottom view of certain ironing board mounting features being part of the apparatus of Figure 1, as taken along line 10—10 of Figure 6;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary 60 perspective view of portions of base and support elements of the apparatus of Figure 1, with leg members retracted;

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 11 but illustrating the leg members

65 extended;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment of an iron support arm and associated structure being parts of the apparatus of Figure 1;

70 FIGURE 14 is a perspective view illustrating further aspects of the elements shown in Figure 13;

FIGURE 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of portions of the base, as taken generally along line 75 15—15 of Figure 8;

FIGURE 16 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of certain base and support members with elements partly broken away for illustration, as taken generally along line 16—16 of Figure 9; 80 FIGURE 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view, partly broken away, of portions of certain base structure, as taken generally along line 17—17 of Figure 16;

FIGURE 18 is a side elevation of certain 85 portions of the iron and an iron lifting mechanism of the invention, being parts of the apparatus of Figure 1, the iron being shown in a lifted position;

FIGURE 19 is a side elevation of the iron and the iron lifting mechanism with the iron in a use 90 position;

FIGURE 20 is a rear view of the components illustrated in Figures 18 and 19; and

FIGURE 21 is a view of a portion of the iron lifting mechanism as seen from the direction 95 opposite from that of Figure 20.

With reference to the drawings, B designates generally an ironing apparatus of the invention. The apparatus B includes a commercially available hand steam iron 201, representative of many 100 domestic or commercial hand irons presently available.

In Figures 1 —3, the apparatus B is shown in a folded state for storage with all elements positioned to occupy minimum volumetric space 105 such as will permit the entire apparatus to be placed in a closet or other confined space. The apparatus B may easily be erected for use. In Figures 6 and 7, the apparatus B is shown with its various mechanisms reconfigured with all 110 elements deployed for initiating the ironing operation.

In addition to the iron 201, there is provided an ironing board generally designated 202 which is adapted to swing between a storage position 115 shown in Figures 1—3 and a use position shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Referring particularly to Figures 18—20, the iron 201 has the usual sole plate 203, body 204 and a hand grip 205 having a thicker rear portion 120 206 merging into a base or heel 207 on which the iron may be seated.

Connected to iron 201 is a securement unit generally designated 209 connected by a rod 210 by which the iron is to be supported and 125 interconnected with a support linkage generally designated 211. This linkage includes a downwardly depending hook 212 having a projection 213 over which is fitted a swivel eye 214 formed at the upper end of the rod 210 and

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permitting the rod 210 to freely swivel about two axes of rotation at right angles to each other and defined by the hook 212.

The iron support linkage 211 comprises 5 articulated first and second arm members 215 and 216 each swingable within a horizontal plane above the ironing surface 217 of the ironing board 202 when the latter is in the use position as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The arm 216 is 10 interconnected with the arm 215 by a swivel joint 218 including a tubular housing 218' having, for example, sleeve-type bearings therein to provide a strong, secure coupling having very low friction. The arm 215 is, however, interconnected at its 15 proximal end by a fixed connection 219 to a rotatable upright post 221 for permitting substantial weight to be applied by the arm 215 when the linkage is extended yet with extremely low friction.

20 The arms 215,216 are preferably of tubular construction, as of steel tubing having rectangular cross-section. The linkage 211 is carried at the upper end of the tubular upright post 221 which extends upwardly from the rear of a base 222. The 25 post 221 is vertically oriented in the preferred construction. Extending upwardly from the front of the base 222 is a shorter tubular upright post 223 which is curved slightly to the left, as seen in Figure 2, at its upper extremity with respect to the 30 vertical. Pivotally secured to the upper end of the post 223 is the ironing board 202. The base 222, its components, and the posts 221 and 223 are all preferably of steel tubing. Protective rubber or plastic caps 220 are fitted over the free ends of 35 the tubular base members. An arrangement permitting rotation of the post 221 about its axis of elongation is explained later.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the base 222 is formed primarily of two tubular support members 40 224 and 224' interconnected at the rear by a bracket-like member 225 and forwardly by a rod 226 (Figure 16), the latter extending through a beam 227 upon which stand the posts 221 and 223. The support members 224 and 224' extend 45 forwardly from the rod 226 to provide extensions beneath the ironing board 202 for stable support. The members 224, 224' can freely rotate in the bracket 225 and relative to the rod 226. At opposite ends of member 224' are rotatable 50 caster wheels 228 by which the apparatus when folded may be rolled easily across a floor surface.

Extending radially from the members 224 and 224' are respective feet 229 and 229' each swingable in a vertical plane on a horizontal 55 transversely oriented pivot axis defined by rotation of the members 224 and 224' between respective raised positions (Figures 1—3) for storage and extended positions (Figures 6 and 7) for use. In the extended positions, the feet 229 and 229' provide 60 a greatly widened area of contact of the base 222 with the floor or other supporting surface.

This movement of the feet 229 and 229' extends them in opposite directions from the base 222 and substantially aligned with the 65 longitudinal axis of the ironing board 217 while underlying the same. This enhances the side-to-side stability of the apparatus. The movement of the feet 229 and 229' is controlled by a swing control linkage 231 interconnected with the ironing board 202 by an arm 232 pivotally attached to the underside of the board 202. This linkage causes the legs to be extended upon movement of the ironing board 217 from its storage position to its use position. For this purpose, a sleeve 233 is slidable upon the post 223. The linkage 231 includes first and second links 234 and 234' interconnecting the sleeve 233 with the respective leg members 229,229'. Arm 232 interconnects link 234' with the ironing board 202 at a location radially spaced from a point of its pivotal securement to the upright member 223.

Referring to Figure 10, the upper end of the post 223 is connected to the ironing board 202 by a shaft 236 which extends between longitudinal ribs of the ironing board which is thereby free to rotate on an axis at right angles to the post 223 for movement between storage and use positions.

Referring now to Figures 8—12 and 1 5—17, the construction of the base and its various elements are more clearly revealed. The rod 226, is, in effect, a cross shaft for maintaining the members 224 and 224' in spaced relationship. It is threaded at its opposite ends into plastics plugs, as at 237 in Figure 16, which are secured to the shaft by set screws 238. Each plug 237 is free to rotate within the corresponding member 224 and 224'. Slots 240 are provided for this purpose in each of members 224 and 224'. Accordingly, the feet 229 and 229' may revolve through an angle of about 95°. Rockably affixed, relative to the rod 226, is a tension latch member 241 secured by welding to a U-shaped latch release member 243 extending rearwardly from the base for permitting the user to exert foot pressure to release the latch member 241. The release lever 243 is held in its level position prior to release by a spring wire 244 secured to the base member 225. The release lever 243 extends rearwardly from an L-section member 246 which conforms to the shaft 226 so that the release lever 243 may pivot around the axis of the shaft 226 to move the latch member 241 rearwardly as viewed in Figure 15.

At the rear of the base, secured to the bracket 225 is a tubular member 247 in which is rotatably mounted the post 221. Figures 16 and 17 show that the member 247 is welded to the lower end of the bracket 225. At its upper end, the member 247 has a sleeve bearing 248 for journalling the post 221 for rotation. A thrust bearing 250 is located within the member 247 at its lower end for receiving a seat upon the post 221. The bearing 250 has seated upon it a plug 252 fitted at the lower end of the post 221.

The plug 252 is arcuately slotted at 253 to receive a screw 254 seated within an extension 255 for limiting rotation of the post 221 within the member 247. Also provided in the plug 252 is a recess 257 for receiving a ball detent 258 located on the side opposite the screw 254. The

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ball 258 is seated in the recess 257 during storage movement of the ironing apparatus as described below. For this purpose, a plug 260 is fitted into the member 224' and defines, together 5 with a ring 261 affixed by a set screw 262, an inclined seat or recess 263 for camming the ball 258 into the recess 257 upon clockwise rotation of the member 224' as viewed in Figure 17.

When the ironing board is in the use position, 10 the sleeve 233 is locked in its lower position by the latch member 241. The links 232 and 234 and 234' are all connected to the sleeve 233 by a single stub shaft 265 (Figure 8). This sleeve also includes a latch pin 266 which the latch member 15 241 engages by a suitable shoulder. To permit the sleeve 233 to ride smoothly upon the post 223, an hourglass-shaped roller provides rolling engagement with member 223 (Figure 3). Downward movement of the sleeve 233 is limited 20 by a pin 269 (Figure 9) to orient precisely the sleeve 233 in its locked lower position for rigidly securing the feet 229 and 229' in their extended orientation.

When the user exerts foot pressure on the 25 release lever 243, the latch member 241 clears the pin 226 permitting sleeve 233 to be slid upwardly on the post 223 for movement of the ironing board to its storage position with corresponding rotation of the feet 229 and 229' 30 to their raised positions. Therefore, the operator need not bend over to reorient the ironing apparatus for storage, consistent with an overall design philosophy of facilitating the task of ironing in every possible way.

35 As viewed in Figure 6, the ironing board 202, when thus released, is rotated or swung counterclockwise. The ironing board 202 continues rotating counterclockwise until reaching a vertical position, there stopping on dead centre, 40 the feet 229 and 229' then being vertical. Further, for compact storage, the arms 215 and 216 are oriented as shown in Figure 3 proximate the bottom surface of the ironing board 202, with the iron 201 located proximate the upper end of the 45 post 221 while remaining suspended by the rod 210 and safely out of contact not only with the ironing board surface but also with any other structure. Accordingly, there is no fire hazard or danger of harmful contact of iron 201 with 50 adjacent materials or surfaces. This permits the apparatus to be configured for storage without waiting for the iron to cool.

As discussed previously, the rotation of the post 221 is limited by the slotted plug 252. Therefore, 55 the arm member 215 may be reoriented to a position shown in Figures 1—3 and with further movement being limited by the engagement of the screw 254 in the slot 253. The slot 253 limits rotation of the arm 216 during use of the iron, 60 stopping the arm from rotating before it comes into alignment with the arm 215 and, thus, preventing the arms from doubling back as would interfere with ironing and reorientation for storage.

When the ironing board is reoriented for 65 storage, the rotation of the base member 224'

cams the ball detent 258 into the recess 257, assuming that the arm 215 has been first moved to its storage position, as in Figures 1—3. The ball detent locks the post 221 against further rotation to prevent the iron support arms from swinging when the apparatus is tipped on its base and rolled on the rollers 228 to or from a storage location.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, there is illustrated a mechanism 271 for securely retaining the linkage in its storage position with the arms 215 and 216 folded back on one another as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Located atop the arm 215 near its connection 219 with the post 221 is a latch 273 pivotally connected as by a screw 275 to the upper surface of the arm 215. The latch 274 includes a finger 276 located for engaging the hook 212 when the arm 216 is swung back against the arm 215. A spring (not shown)

beneath the latch 274 suitably biases it for counterclockwise movement about the pivot 275 to maintain the finger 276 in contact with the shank of the hook 212. Further, a fitting providing a flange 277 having a pair of slots 278 is affixed to the arm 215 rearwardly of latch 274. The slots 278 are spaced for receiving the prongs 279 of the iron plug 280 for storage. The latch 274 is similarly provided with a flange 281 having corresponding slots 278'. The geometry of latch 274 is such that the slots 278 and 278' will come into registry only when the hook 212 is engaged by the finger 276. Thus, the plug 280 cannot be inserted for storage until the latch 274 is secured but, when so inserted, the plug 280 effectively locks the latch 274 in place. The latch 274 securely maintains the storage orientation of the arms of linkage 211 when the apparatus is being moved.

Referring now to Figures 18—21, there is illustrated the securement unit 209 by which the iron 201 is supported from the linkage 211 and interengaged with it. The unit 209 permits the iron to be moved between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with the ironing surface 217. In this regard, the iron is supported so that it can exert its weight when touching the surface for effective ironing when moved over the clothes to be ironed. Thus, the ironing is carried out partly by pressure and partly by steam and heat. However, the user may easily effect movement of the iron to its raised position, being assisted substantially. The unit 209 comprises a piece 282 of sheet metal bent to provide a channel section configuration providing an upper portion 282a and hingedly secured to a lower portion 2826 having side flanges 283 and 283' tapered to diminish in height toward the lower end for conformance with the conventionally tapered handle portion 206 of the iron. The flanges 283 and 283' extend forwardly at right angles from a flat rear wall 284 which is secured easily and simply to the handle portion 206 by a screw 285, which may take the place of one conventional part of the iron.

The lower end of the rod 210 is suitably affixed

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to the portion 282a which similarly includes a pair of forwardly extending flanges 286 and 286'

which are spaced just outwardly of the flanges 283 and 283' and are hingedly secured thereto by 5 a transverse pin 2?7 extending through all four flanges, whereby the rod 210 and the element 282 are pivoted to permit relative movement with the rod remaining always within a plane vertically bisecting the iron. It is noted that the unit 272, 10 and thus the rod 210, extends upwardly from the iron in near alignment with the power cord 289 without interference with the same.

The upper portion 282a has its upper end crimped and appropriately brazed or welded to the 15 lower end of the rod 210, as at 289. The pin 287 is horizontal and located above the iron handle 205 whereby the portions 282a and 2826 form an angular relationship depicted in Figure 18 when the iron is raised, with the portion 282a lying near 20 the top surface of the handle 205 but with sufficient space provided between it and the handle for insertion of the users' hand. The pin 287 is located such that when the iron 201 is lowered into position for ironing, the portions 25 282a and 2826 come into substantial alignment and with slightly over-centred relationship with a lower edge 291 of the portion 282a contacting the rear surface of the upper end of the portion 2826. The portions 282a and 2826 are 30 interconnected by a coiled tension spring 293 having one end hooked across a pin 294 at the iron-remote end of the member 282a and the other end hooked to a pin 294 located just below the pivot pin 287 whereby the axis of the spring 35 293 lies close to the pin 287 when the iron is lowered, yet can exert increased leverage for maintaining the iron in a raised position, as shown in Figure 11.

As the iron is lowered into contact with ironing 40 surface 217, the effective lever arm provided by the spring 293 becomes less and less, with the iron pressing with a substantial portion of its weight upon the articles being ironed and with additional weight being applicable by pressure of 45 the operator's hand. Thus, the iron securement unit shown in Figures 18—21 provides a significant advantage with respect to movement of the iron from its raised to its horizontal position and subsequent return to its raised position. Since 50 the axis of the spring 293 moves into alignment with the hinge axis defined by the pin 287, the weight of the iron is transferred to the articles undergoing ironing.

It is preferred that the height of the linkage and 55 length of rod 210 be such that the iron occupies its horizontal position a short distance, such as about 0.5 inch (1.2 cm), before touching the ironing surface 217 so that the iron will drop under its own weight the remaining small 60 incremental distance to the ironing surface, being thus no longer substantially under the influence of spring 293. To raise the iron, the user when lifting the iron handle will produce rotation about pin 287, rocking the iron upon its heel which thus 65 serves as a fulcrum enabling the iron to be lifted easily. As the iron sole plate 203 begins to form an angle to the horizontal, the spring 293, being pretensioned, begins increasingly to exert its influence by effective increase of the lever arm 70 relative to the pin 287, so that the iron seems to lift itself without substantial effort. This greatly minimizes the tiresome application of lifting forces and provides hitherto unachieved ease of ironing by making it possible to reposition the iron while it 75 is fully supported by the ironing apparatus.

This arrangement also provides a reduced height permitting the overall apparatus to be lower than otherwise possible while still making the iron readily accessible for movement between 80 its raised and lowered positions yet without blocking the operator's view of the iron as requisite for most efficient use.

It is to be noted thai the ironing board 202 is pointed at only one end, being that which would 85 be to the left of the user when the iron is in the use position, as preferred if the user is right-handed. The iron support arrangement permits, however, the iron to be easily relocated from its position shown (wherein the iron also points to the left), to 90 an opposite direction, as a left-handed individual would prefer. Of course, the apparatus could be manufactured with the elements reversed or with the ironing board attached so that its pointed end would be to the right of the user, e.g., as viewed in 95 Figure 6.

The new apparatus not only provides the user with previously unobtainable ease of ironing but also permits the apparatus to be taken from storage and rapidly reoriented for use. Upon 100 completion of ironing, the user may just as quickly return the apparatus to its storage orientation, even while the iron is still hot. Then, the apparatus can be easily rolled for return to a closet or other storage location, being very compact and 105 occupying storage space scarcely more than would be required for a separate iron and conventional ironing board.

Claims (1)

1. An ironing apparatus comprising a base, a 110 pair of support legs attached to the base and swingable between raised storage positions and extended use positions in which they project in opposite directions from the base to increase the effective area thereof, a post extending upwardly 115 from the base, an ironing board, means for securing the ironing board in a use position proximate the post, a hand iron and an articulated linkage one end of which is interengaged with the post and the other end of which is attached by 120 pivotal securement means to the iron, the articulated linkage permitting movement of the iron between first and second orientations respectively in and out of contact with the ironing surface, the articulated linkage being swingable 125 about the post and providing articulation when the iron is in the first orientation for freely permitting relocation of the iron to desired positions over the ironing surface.

2. An ironing apparatus according to claim 1 in

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which the ironing board is swingable on a horizontal, transversely oriented pivot axis between vertical and horizontal orientations respectively constituting storage and use 5 positions, the pivot axis being above the base and positioned laterally between the support members, the support legs when in their extended use position underlying the ironing board being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 10 thereof, the support legs each being swingable in a vertical plane on a horizontal, transversely oriented pivot axis, and each support leg being interconnected by a swing control linkage with the ironing board.

15 3. An ironing apparatus according to claim 2 in which the base comprises first and second tubular members connected by a frame on which are mounted the first and a second post, the first and second tubular members extending transversely to 20 the longitudinal axis of the ironing board, each of the pair of support members legs constituting a radial extension of a respective tubular member.

4. An ironing apparatus according to claim 3 in which a sleeve is slidable on one of the posts, the 25 swing control linkage comprises first and second links interconnecting the sleeve with each of the pair of support legs for movement of the latter with sliding of the sleeve, and a third link interconnecting one of said links with the ironing 30 board for causing sliding of the sleeve with swinging of the ironing board, and further comprising latch means for latching the sleeve in a position in which said ironing board is horizontally disposed and the support legs are each extended. 35 5. An ironing apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising foot-operable latch control means for selectively releasing the latch means to permit swinging of the ironing board to a vertical disposition and swinging of the support legs to a

40 raised position.

6. An ironing apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the iron support linkage comprises articulated first and second arm members each swingable within a horizontal plane

45 above the ironing surface, the first arm member being secured to and radially extending from the upper end of the second post, the second post being rotatably connected to the base, the second arm member being swingably pivoted to the first 50 arm member and having a distal end supporting the iron, the first and second arm members being swingable into positions folded upon one another for storage with the iron supported proximate the second post in a stored position, and the first and 55 second arm members being adjacent the ironing board when vertically dispositioned in its storage position.

7. An ironing apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising means responsive to folding of

60 the support legs to lock rotation of the second upright post and means for retaining the first and second arm members in folded orientation.

8. An ironing apparatus according to claim 7 in which the iron securement means comprises a

65 unit for attachment to the iron, and a support arm extension providing interconnection of the unit and a distal end of the second arm member, the iron being rotatable with respect to the support arm extension for movement between the first and 70 second orientations, and spring means interengaging the unit and the support arm extension, the spring being pretensioned and oriented for exerting increasing leverage as the iron is moved from the first to the second 75 orientation and for maintaining the iron in the second orientation.

9. An ironing apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1984. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AV, from which copies may be obtained.