GB2256877A

GB2256877A - Portable ironing board

Info

Publication number: GB2256877A
Application number: GB9210942A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Douglas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-06-20
Filing date: 1992-05-22
Publication date: 1992-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2012-05-22
Also published as: GB2256877B; GB9210942D0

Abstract

A portable ironing board comprises an ironing surface defined by first (10) and second (12) portions connected by interengaging formations (16, 18). The first and second portions are also connected by at least one hinge (14). Detachable legs (24) are connected to the underside of each portion and can remain folded underneath the portions for table-top use of the ironing board or can pivot downwardly from the portions for normal use of the ironing board. The portable ironing board can be folded into a compact size suitable for storage in small, confined spaces. The interengaging formations may alternatively be in the form of interlocking holes and pins. <IMAGE>

Description

PORTABLE IRONING BOARD This invention relates to a portable ironing board.

A major problem with conventional ironing boards is their size which leads to difficulty in storage and transportation. This is especially so where they are used in confined spaces such as caravans and small flats. To assemble conventional ironing boards, causes many problems especially for the elderly with the bulky size and lack of manoeuvrability of the ironing boards resulting in accidents occurring.

When travelling on holiday or other trips it is often desirable to take an ironing board. However, due to the size and shape of ironing boards this is not possible as with cars and other vehicles there is a problem of storage of the ironing board.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable ironing board comprising an ironing surface defined by a first portion and a second portion, said first and second portions having interengaging formations wherein said interengaging formations secure said first portion and said second portion together to form the ironing surface.

Preferably, said first and second portions are also connected by at least one hinge.

Preferably, the interengaging formations are in the form of a groove and a tongue, the first portion having the groove and the second portion having the tongue.

Alternatively, the interengaging formations are in the form of interlocking holes and pins, the first portion having the holes and the second portion having the pins.

Preferably, the ironing board also comprises hingeably connectable legs, wherein the said legs may be folded underneath the first and second portion to enable table top use.

Preferably, the legs are detachable.

Preferably, the ironing board also includes a detachable iron rest.

More preferably, one of said portions includes receiving means for receiving and holding the iron rest.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of the portable ironing board in a folded position in accordance with the present invention; Fig 2 is a perspective view of the portable ironing board showing the interengaging formations; Fig 3 is a perspective view of the assembled portable ironing board from above; Fig 4 is a perspective view of the assembled portable ironing board from below.

Fig 5 is a plan view of the iron rest.

Referring to the drawings, a portable ironing board 1 comprises an ironing surface defined by a first portion 10 and a second portion 12, said first and second portions 10, 12 connected by hinges 14 which are mounted one at either side of the first and second portions 10, 12 of the ironing board 1. The first and second portions 10, 12 have interengaging formations in the form of a groove 16 and a tongue 18, the first portion 10 having the groove 16 and the second portion 12 having the tongue 18. The ironing board 1 is formed from a lightweight, heat resistant material such as a heat resistant plastic.

On assembling the ironing board 1 the first and second portions 10, 12 are opened out from a folded position (see Fig 1) and the tongue 18 of the second portion 12 is inserted into the groove 16 of the first portion 10.

Studs 20, located on each side of the first and second portions 10, 12 engage a set of grooves 22 on each hinge 14 as the first and second portions 10, 12 of the ironing board 1 interengage thus ensuring that the first and second portions 10, 12 are secured in an interengaging arrangement.

Hingeably connectable legs 24 are located on each of the first and second portions 10, 12 of the ironing board 1. The legs 24 are inserted into an insert fixed to the first and second portions 10, 12 of the ironing board 1. The legs 24 may remain folded underneath the first and second portions 10, 12 where the ironing board 1 is required for table-top use. The legs 24 are adapted to pivot to rest in a position perpendicular to said first and second portions 10, 12 where the ironing board 1 is required for normal use. The legs 24 are also detachable for storage purposes.

A detachable iron rest 26 can be connected to the ironing board 1. One of the said portions includes receiving means (not shown) for receiving and holding the iron rest 26.

The portable ironing board 1 is large enough for conventional use in a house yet small enough for use in confined spaces such as caravans and small flats. As the portable ironing board 1 folds into a compact size it is suitable for travelling as it can fit into a suitcase or a car boot. It can also fit into a drawer, shelf or any other area which does not have a lot of storage space.

It can be used on a table-top or on a floor and is ideal for the elderly and infirm who have difficulty is assembling full size ironing boards.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

For examples, a series of pins and holes may form the interengaging formations of the first and second portions 10, 12.

Claims

1. A portable ironing board comprising an ironing surface defined by a first portion and a second portion, said first and second portions having interengaging formations wherein said interengaging formations secure said first portion and said second portion together to form the ironing surface.

2. A portable ironing board as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said first and second portions are also connected by at least one hinge.

3. A portable ironing board as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the interengaging formations are in the form of a groove and a tongue, the first portion having the groove and the second portion having the tongue.

4. A portable ironing board as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein the interengaging formations are in the form of interlocking holes and pins, the first portion having the holes and the second portion having the pins.

5. A portable ironing board as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the ironing board also comprises hingeably connectable legs, wherein the said legs may be folded underneath the first and second portions to enable table-top use.

6. A portable ironing board as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the legs are detachable.

7. A portable ironing board as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the portable ironing board also comprises a detachable iron rest.

8. A portable ironing board as claimed in Claim 7 wherein one of said portions includes receiving means for receiving and holding the iron rest.

9. A portable ironing board substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.