GB2438619A

GB2438619A - Iron with tilting handle

Info

Publication number: GB2438619A
Application number: GB0610855A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Mason; George Ralph Adkins; William Patrick Daniel Johnson
Original assignee: Morphy Richards Ltd; Morphy Richards NI Ltd
Current assignee: Morphy Richards Ltd; Morphy Richards NI Ltd
Priority date: 2006-06-02
Filing date: 2006-06-02
Publication date: 2007-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-02
Also published as: GB2438619B; GB0610855D0

Abstract

The iron 100 includes a handle 101, a sole plate 103, and movement means 104 and 305 configured to allow the handle to tilt from side to side relative to the sole plate. A bias means 306 is configured to apply a return force to the handle when tilted to either side. A skirt 102 may be positioned between the sole plate and the handle. The movement means may consist of pivot means positioned at the front and rear of the iron. The handle may also include an abutment means for abutting the bias means. The bias means may be an elastomer or a spring. The handle may be configured to tilt to either side of the sole plate in the range of 4 to 10 degrees.

Description

IRON WITH TILTING HANDLE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an iron having a handle and a sole plate in which the handle is capable of tilting from side to side relative to the sole plate.

Background to the Invention

Most modern fabric irons have a handle, typically in the form of moulded plastic, that sits on top of a thermally insulating skirt which in turn is secured to a heated sole plate. The plastic handle both provides a means of gripping the iron and a shroud for the internal working components mounted above the skirt.

Conventionally, the handle is secured to the skirt by plugs or screws and is not capable of independent movement relative to the skirt and/or sole plate.

Fabric ironing is often undertaken by an individual for time periods of, in some cases, over one or two hours. Using conventional irons this can result in finger, hand and/or wrist strain as the iron is maneuvered over the fabric by the user to remove unwanted creases. So as to guide the iron over the fabric in the desired direction a user is required to manipulate the wrist joint in addition to repeated regripping of the iron by the fingers which are positioned about the handle resulting in undesirable joint and tendon strain following extensive use.

The likelyhood of strain is further increases where the iron is a steam iron and is therefore generally heavier due to the presence of water housed within the iron and associated additional components. To maneuver this heavier iron, a user's hand and wrist is required to move and maintain unnatural positions which if repeated excessively pose significant risks of permanent joint, tendon and ligament damage.

What is required therefore is an iron that may be operated and controlled over the fabric without a user being required to repeatedly adopt unnatural hand and wrist positions which would otherwise result in injury.

Summary of the Invention

An iron having a tilting mechanism is provided. The iron comprises a handle which is configured to tilt from side to side relative to a sole plate so as to provide an iron that is more manoeuvreable and when used for extended periods is less likely to cause strain to a user's hand and wrist.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an iron comprising a handle; a sole plate; movement means configured to allow said handle to tilt relative to said sole plate in a direction from side to side about a longitudinal axis of said iron; and bias means configured to apply a return force to said handle when tilted to either a first and a second side.

The iron comprises a skirt positioned between the sole plate and the handle. The skirt may comprise any suitable thermally insulating material including all types of heat resistant plastics including high-pressure thermosetting plastics and phenolics.

Preferably, the movement means connects the handle to the skirt wherein the handle is capable of tilting relative to the skirt and sole plate. The sole plate is provided in substantially permanent fixed contact with the skirt via suitable affixing means such as screws and/or adhesives and the like.

Preferably, the movement means comprises at least one pivot means so as to enable the handle to pivot relative to the skirt and sole plate. Preferably, a first pivot means is provided and positioned towards a front region of the iron and a second pivot means is provided and positioned towards a rear portion of the iron such that the handle is pivotally mounted at the skirt by the pivot means.

The bias means is configured to allow the handle to pivot from side to side whilst providing a return force to the handle when pivoted to one side or the other thereby forcing the handle to return to a central rest position aligned with the iron's longitudinal axis. Preferably, the bias means comprises at least one elastomer.

The elastomer may comprise any type of material capable of compression and returning its original shape when a load is removed, for example natural rubber or a synthetic polymer. Preferably, the iron comprises a first elastomer positioned towards a first side of the longitudinal axis of the iron and a second elastomer positioned towards an opposite side of said longitudinal axis of said iron. The elastomer(s) may abut one or more regions of the handle during the tilting action or dedicated abutment means may be provided at the handle configured to contact the elastomer(s).

The iron may comprise a water storage tank and a heater, the water storage tank being connected to the handle and the heater being connected to the sole plate. The iron may further comprise a steam chamber formed between the sole plate and the skirt in to which water is fed and vapourised to form steam. The sole plate may further comprise steam outlet holes positioned in fluid communication with the steam chamber and capable of allowing steam to emerge at the sole plate from the steam chamber.

The skirt comprises a lower surface positioned in contact with the sole plate and an upper surface opposed to the lower surface and separated by side walls.

Preferably, the handle extends to cover the upper surface and a portion of the side walls thereby substantially encasing the skirt. Preferably a portion of the handle extends to define a hollow cavity of a suitable size sufficient to encase the upper surface and a portion of the side walls of the skirt so as to inhibit access by a user of the iron to the skirt and internal components of the iron. Preferably, the handle extends from the very uppermost region of the iron to substantially encase the internal components of the iron positioned above the sole plate. The handle may be regarded as both a means by with the iron may be grasped by a user and a shroud capable of encasing the internal components of the iron where the internal components include, for example, the water storage tank, electrical components including a thermostat, a PCB, wiring etc., and the steam chamber.

Alternatively, the handle may be substantially immovably affixed to the skirt whereby the movement means is positioned to connect the skirt and the sole plate such that the handle and the skirt are configured to tilt relative to the sole plate in a direction side to side about the longitudinal axis of the iron. Additional movement means may also be provided between the handle and skirt whereby the handle is configured to tilt from side to side relative to the skirt and the skirt is configured to independently tilt from side to side relative to the sole plate via movement means and bias means described herein.

Preferably, the range of side to side tilting movement of the handle relative to the sole plate is 4 to 100 either side about the longitudinal axis of the iron.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevated perspective view of an iron according to one aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is an underside perspective view of the iron of figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross sectional side elevation view of the iron of figure 2; Figure 4 is a partial cut-away side elevation view of the iron of figure 3.

Figure 5 illustrates the bias means according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a partial cut-away perspective view of the iron of figure 4; Figure 7 illustrates a front pivot means positioned at the iron of figure 6; Figure 8 illustrates a rear pivot means positioned at the iron of figure 6; Figure 9 illustrates a front elevation view of the iron of figure 6 in which the handle is pivoted over to one side relative to the sole plate; Figure 10 illustrates a rear elevation view of the iron of figure 9 in which the handle is pivoted over to one side relative to the sole plate.

Detailed Description

is There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to

unnecessarily obscure the description.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, the iron 100 comprises a handle 101 moveably connected to a skirt 102 and a sole plate 103. Handle 101 extends to form a shroud portion 105 being of a suitable size to substantially encase the internal components (not shown) of the iron and a portion of skirt 102. Handle 101 is secured to skirt 102 by a first pivot means 104 and second pivot means (not shown). Handle 101 comprises at least one cut-out section 106. A removable seal cap 107 provides a seal for an internal water storage tank (not shown).

Referring to figure 2, the iron sole plate 103 comprises a plurality of steam outlet holes 200.

Referring to figure 3, handle 101 comprises a elongate member 309 of sufficient length and thickness to be grasped by the fingers and hand of a user.

Handle 101 further comprises shroud portion 105 formed integrally with elongate member 309. Shroud portion 105 comprises an external wall 300 and at least one internal wall 301 defining a hollow cavity 302 extending between elongate member 309 and skirt 102. Internal cavity 302 is of a sufficient size to accommodate a plurality of internal components (not shown) including, for example, electrical components such as printed circuit boards (PCB5), a thermostat, electrical wiring and one or a plurality of water storage tanks.

Handle 101 interfaces with skirt 102 at a lowermost region of shroud portion 105. A portion of skirt 102 sits within the hollow cavity 302 so that access to the hollow cavity 302 between the shroud portion 105 and the skirt 102 is prevented by the overlap of handle 101 over a portion of skirt 102.

Handle 101 is moveably connected to skirt 102 by first pivot means 104 positioned towards a front portion 307 of iron 100 and second pivot means 305 positioned to a rear portion 308 of iron 100. Pivot means 104, 305 are aligned on the centre line of the iron along its longitudinal axis.

Sole plate 103 is substantially permanently affixed to skirt 102 using suitable securing means (not shown) including for example screws and/or adhesives. An internal steam chamber 303 is defined by sole plate 103 and skirt 102 and positioned in fluid communication with steam outlet holes 200. An internal water storage chamber 304 is shrouded by handle 101 and in particular shroud portion within hollow cavity 302. Water storage chamber 304 is positioned in fluid communication with steam chamber 303 and outlet holes 200.

Referring to figures 3, 4 and 5 the iron comprises bias means in the form of a first and second elastomer 306 positioned towards a left and right hand side of the iron 100 and towards a rear half of the iron between front portion 307 and rear portion 308.

Skirt 102 comprises a first upper surface 400 positioned opposed to a lower surface (not shown) in contact with the sole plate 103. The upper and lower surfaces of the skirt are separated by side walls 401.

Each elastomer 306 is formed as a cone and are secured to upper surface 400 of skirt 102. Handle 101 comprises a first and second shoulder 500 suspended over each elastomer cone 306 provided at each side of skirt 102.

Figure 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the front and rear pivot points in more detail. The front and rear pivot points each comprise respectively a mounting block 701, 801 secured to upper surface 400 of skirt 102. Each mounting block comprises a through-bore 703, 803. A shaft 700, 800 comprises a bent section in one half along its length. The bent section extends through bore 703, 803 and is rotateable from side to side within bore 703, 803. A second half of shaft 700, 800 is secured to handle 101 by a suitable mount 702, 802. The connection between handle 101 and skirt 102 is therefore provided via mount 702, 802, shaft 700, 800 and mounting block 701, 801.

In operation, as a user glides iron 100 over a fabric, handle 101 is capable of tilting to a left and a right hand side about the longitudinal axis extending through pivot means 104, 305 relative to skirt 102 and sole plate 103.

Figures 9 and 10 are front elevation and rear elevation views of iron 100 in which handle 101 is tilted to one side relative to skirt 102 and sole plate 103. The tilting of handle 101 including elongate member 309 and shroud portion 105 is provided by a rotation of shaft 700, 800 within the bore 703, 803 of mounting block 701, 801.

The degree of movement of handle 101 relative to skirt 102 and sole plate 103 is controlled by elastomers 306 which are contacted by shoulder 500 as handle 101 is displaced to a left or right side pivoting about movement means 104, 305. Handle 101, via shoulder 500, when tilted to one side contacts and compresses elastomer 306 which in turn provides a return force to handle 101 thereby controlling and preventing excessive sideways movement of the handle.

Preferably handle 101 is configured for displacement to either a left or right side from a centrally aligned rest position by approximately 4 to 100.

As handle 101 includes the lower shroud portion 105 which effectively covers the internal components of iron 100 and partially conceals skirt 102, a gap 900 is provided between the lower section 901 of shroud 105 so as to allow handle 101 to move freely over and about skirt 102 as illustrated in figures 9 and 10. Gap 900 is of a sufficient width to ensure handle 101 is capable of rocking from side to side about pivot means 104, 305 without contacting skirt 102.

The tilting action of handle of 101 whilst sole plate 103 maintains complete contact with the creased fabric significantly reduces a requirement for a user to adopt an unnatural hand and wrist portion when guiding iron 100 over the fabric.

The appropriate level of control of the sole plate 103 via handle 101 is achieved through the biasing elastomers 306 which control the extent of handle movement relative to skirt 102 and sole plate 103.

According to further specific embodiments, handle 101 may be substantially permanently affixed to skirt 102 with suitable pivot means 104, 305 provided between skirt 102 and sole plate 103. Accordingly handle 101 and skirt 102 will be configured to tilt relative to sole plate 103.

Claims

Claims: 1. An iron comprising: a handle; a sole plate; movement means

configured to allow said handle to tilt relative to said sole plate in a direction from side to side about a longitudinal axis of said iron; and bias means configured to apply a return force to said handle when tilted to either a first and a second side.

2. The iron as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a skirt positioned between said sole plate and said handle.

3. The iron as claimed in claim 2 wherein said movement means connects said handle to said skirt wherein said handle is configured to tilt relative to said sole plate and said skirt.

4. The iron as claimed in claim 3 wherein said movement means comprises first pivot means positioned towards a front of said iron and second pivot means positioned towards a rear of said iron.

5. The iron as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said bias means comprises at least one elastomer.

6. The iron as claimed in claim 5 further comprising abutment means provided at a region of said handle, said abutment means configured for abutting said bias means.

7. The iron as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bias means comprises at least one spring.

8. The iron as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein said bias means s comprises a first elastomer positioned at a first side of said longitudinal axis and a second elastomer positioned at a second side of said longitudinal axis.

9. The iron as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8 further comprising a water storage tank and a heater.

10. The iron as claimed in claim 9 wherein said water storage tank is connected to said handle and said heater is connected to said skirt.

11. The iron as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a steam chamber provided at a region between said sole plate and said skirt.

12. The iron as claimed in claim 11 wherein said sole plate comprises steam outlet holes positioned in fluid communication with said steam chamber.

13. The iron as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 12 wherein said skirt comprises a lower surface in contact with said sole plate and an upper surface opposed to said lower surface and separated by side walls wherein said handle extends to cover said upper surface and a portion of said side walls.

14. The iron as claimed in claim 13 wherein a portion of said handle extends to define a hollow cavity of a suitable size sufficient to encase said upper surface and a portion of said side walls of said skirt.

15. The iron as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a plurality of internal components mounted between said skirt and said handle wherein said hollow cavity is configured to substantially encase said internal components.

16. The iron as claimed in claim 2 wherein said handle is attached to said skirt and said movement means connects said sole plate to said skirt wherein said handle and said skirt are configured to tilt from side to side relative to said sole plate.

17. The iron as claimed in any preceding claims wherein said handle is configured to tilt to either side relative to said sole plate in the range 4 to 100.