IES59473B2 - A collapsible ironing board assembly - Google Patents

Description

A Collapsible Ironing Board Assembly This invention relates to a collapsible ironing board assembly, and in particular to a combined wall cabinet and collapsible ironing board.

Conventional ironing boards tend to be of relatively light-weight construction to facilitate easy handling. However, because of this they can be relatively unstable in use. Particularly in a domestic situation where young children may be playing and running about in the vicinity of the ironing board they may pull down or topple the ironing board. A further disadvantage is that with electric irons which are commonly used the trailing power cord may be pulled or otherwise interfered with by a child which may lead to injury. Typically these ironing boards are often stowed in a cupboard out of sight when not in use and taking out and assembling the ironing board for use and subsequently dismantling and storing away the ironing board after use is generally considered to be somewhat inconvenient.

The present invention is directed towards overcoming these problems .

According to the invention there is provided a collapsible ironing board assembly, comprising a cabinet, an ironing board mounted on the cabinet and movable between a stored position on the cabinet and a substantially horizontal work position extending outwardly of the cabinet.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the ironing board is height-adjustable on the cabinet for supporting the board in a number of work positions. Thus advantageously, the board can be set at whatever height is suitable for the person carrying out the ironing. 859473 - 2 The ironing board is preferably pivotally mounted on the cabinet for movement between the stored position and the work position. Conveniently, the board may be pivotable outwardly through an associated opening in the cabinet. Ideally the board is pivoted intermediate its ends to the cabinet by a pivot mounting extending between the board and the cabinet.

In another embodiment stop means is provided in the cabinet engageable with the board to retain the board in the horizontal work position. Preferably the stop means is engageable with an upper surface of an inner end of the board spaced-apart from the pivot mounting.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention means is provided to pivot the board at a number of vertically spaced pivot positions on the cabinet. Conveniently, said means may comprise releasably interengageable formations on the board and on the cabinet.

In another embodiment the interengageable formations comprises a pair of pivot pins extending laterally outwardly of each side of the board, each pivot pin releasably engageable with complementary bearing sockets on a side of the cabinet.

In a further embodiment a slide plate is mounted at an outer end of each pivot pin, the slide plate slidably engaging a channel-section receiver on the cabinet side having a vertical outer slot through which the pivot pin passes to the slide plate retained behind the slot, one side of the slot having a number of spaced-apart sockets for reception of the pivot pin.

Preferably height-adjustable stop means is provided in the cabinet engageable with the board to retain the board in a horizontal work position at each pivot position. The stop means is preferably engageable with an upper surface of an inner end of the board spaced-apart from the pivot position. In a particularly preferred embodiment the stop means is a stop block releasably engageable with a complementary block support on a rear wall of the cabinet, a slidable latch pin on the block releasably engageable with associated vertically-spaced slots in the block support for height adjustment.

In another embodiment power supply means for an electric iron is provided within the cabinet. Typically the power supply means is an electric socket mounted within the cabinet and having means for connection to a power source, either directly or through a plug and socket connection. Ideally, the socket is mounted within the cabinet above the work position of the board. Thus advantageously, the power cable of an iron is led upwardly and away from the board in use. Conveniently an iron support shelf may be provided in the cabinet, preferably adjacent the socket. Additionally, other support shelving may also be provided within the cabinet.

In a further embodiment, a clothing rail is mounted on the cabinet. Preferably, the clothing rail is foldable between a retracted stored position within the cabinet and an extended in-use position. Ideally, the clothing rail is pivotally mounted on the cabinet for movement between the stored position and the extended in-use position.

In another embodiment, the clothing rail comprises a pair of spaced-apart arms, each arm having an inner end pivotally mounted to an inner side wall of the cabinet, and at least one bar extending between the arms adjacent an outer free end of the arms.

In another embodiment, a clothing rail is provided on the ironing board. Preferably, the clothing rail is mounted on an underside of the ironing board. Ideally, a pair of spaced-apart clothing rails are provided on an underside of the ironing board, each rail extending along a side of the ironing board.

In another embodiment, a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal strengthening members are mounted on an underside of the ironing board.

Preferably means is provided for attachment of the cabinet to a support such as a wall, for example, to retain the cabinet against the support.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a combined wall cabinet and ironing board according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a side view of the cabinet showing the ironing board in a working position, Fig. 3 is a front view of the cabinet, Fig. 4 is a side view similar to Fig. 2 of another combined wall cabinet and ironing board, Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of another combined wall cabinet and ironing board which includes vertical height adjustment for the ironing board, Fig. 6 is a detail side partially sectioned view of portion of the cabinet showing the pivot mounting for the board, Fig. 7 is a detail partially cut-away perspective view showing the pivot mounting for the board of Fig. 5, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another ironing board assembly, Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of a cabinet of the ironing board assembly, Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the cabinet, Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of the cabinet with doors of the cabinet in an open position, Fig. 12 is a side sectional view of the cabinet, Fig. 13 is an underneath perspective view of an ironing board of the assembly of Fig. 8 showing an underside of the ironing board, Fig. 14 is an end elevational view of the ironing board in the direction of Arrow XIV of Fig. 13, Fig. 15 is an end elevational view of the ironing board in the direction of Arrow XV of Fig. 13, Fig. 16 is a front elevational view of the assembly of Fig. 8 with the cabinet shown in an open position and the ironing board in an in-use position, Fig. 17 is a plan view of the assembly of Fig. 16, Fig. 18 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in Fig. 16, Fig. 19 is a front elevational view of the assembly with the cabinet open and the ironing board in a folded stored position, Fig. 20 is a plan view of the assembly shown in Fig. 19, Fig. 21 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in Fig. 19, Fig. 22 is a perspective view of another ironing board assembly, Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the ironing board assembly of Fig. 22 with a cabinet of the assembly shown in a closed position, Fig. 24 is a front elevational view of the cabinet shown in an open position, and Fig. 25 is a side elevational view of the cabinet shown in Fig. 24.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 3 thereof, there is illustrated a combined wall cabinet and collapsible ironing board according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, having a cabinet 2 within which is mounted an ironing board 3 which is movable between a stored position within the cabinet 2 and a substantially horizontal work position extending outwardly of the cabinet as shown in Fig. 2.

The cabinet 2 is generally rectangular in shape having a ground engaging base 5 with upstanding side walls 6 at each side of the base 5 bridged at their upper ends by a top 7. A rear of the cabinet 2 may be closed by a rear panel 8 extending between the sides 6. The ironing board 3 is pivotally mounted to the sides 6 by pivot pins 10 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between a substantially vertical stored position within the cabinet as indicated in broken outline in Fig. 2 and a substantially horizontal work position. A stop 11 extends between the sides 6 of the cabinet 2 and is engageable with an upper surface 12 of an inner end 13 of the board spaced-apart from the pivot pins 10. This prevents the board 3 from moving past the horizontal work position when it is pivoted downwardly from the raised stored position. A support member 14 extends between the sides 6 at a front of the cabinet 2 to support the board 3 in the work position, an underside 15 of the board 3 resting against the support 14.

Mounted within the cabinet 2 above the board work position is an electric socket 17 for connection via a cable (not shown) to a power supply. Above the socket 17 a shelf 18 is provided for supporting an electric iron which can be plugged into the socket 17 for use. Mounted below the ironing board 3 in a lower portion of the cabinet 2 a number of storage shelves 19 are provided. A pair of hinged doors 20, 21 close the front of the cabinet 2 to neatly conceal the ironing board 3 when it is in the stored position.

In use, the cabinet 2 is kitchen against a wall of secured by screws or bolts. mounted, for example, in a the kitchen to which it is To use the ironing board the top door 20 of the cabinet 2 is opened and the ironing board 3 swung down from the raised position shown in broken outline in Fig. 2 to the lowered horizontal work position shown in Fig. 2. An iron which can be conveniently stored on the shelf 18 is plugged into the socket 17 and ironing can be carried out in conventional fashion. When finished the ironing board 3 can be quickly folded back up into the stored position and concealed by closing the top door 20.

It will be appreciated that the cabinet 2 may be made in any suitable materials and be finished to blend in with the existing furniture of the room in which it is mounted.

Further, as the power cord for the iron is led upwardly and away from the board 3 to the socket 17 it is not trailing dangerously where it could be easily reached by young children, or indeed by the user. Preferably the socket 17 is provided with a power-on indication light. Cabling from the socket 17 can be led through the cabinet 2 via a hidden channel for connection to a power supply socket in the room or for direct connection to a power supply. It is envisaged that in some cases a power cutoff switch many be incorporated in the cabinet such that when the top door 20 is shut the power supply to the socket is automatically cut off. This would advantageously prevent any possibility of an iron which is stored within the cabinet being left connected to a power supply.

Advantageously also there are no legs on the ironing board which can be knocked to destabilise the ironing board. The ironing board 3 is rigidly supported on the cabinet 2 at all times.

It is envisaged that in some cases the pivot mounting for the ironing board may be height adjustable on the cabinet to allow positioning of the ironing board in the work position at a height suitable to the user.

It will be appreciated that the cabinet 2 is a selfcontained unit which can be easily fitted and matched to existing built-in kitchen units or the like. It can be readily easily fitted and secured to any type of support wall. Electric power supply can be easily routed to the cabinet, concealed if necessary behind skirting boards or the like.

It will further be appreciated that the cabinet 2 forms an attractive housing for the ironing board which can be integrated with the existing furniture in the room in which it is mounted, neatly storing away the ironing board which can be easily and quickly moved into and out of the work position.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is illustrated another combined wall cabinet and collapsible ironing board indicated generally by the reference numeral 30. This has a cabinet 32 which is generally similar to the cabinet described previously and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case an ironing board 33 is provided which is not connected to the cabinet 32. The ironing board 33 is moveable from a stored position within the cabinet 32, as shown in broken outline in Fig. 4, and a substantially horizontal work position as shown in the drawing. In the work position the board 33 rests on a support shelf 34, an upper surface of an inner end of the board 35 engaging the stop 11 as before. Mounted below the support 34 are a number of shallow shelves 36 behind which is a compartment 37 for reception of the board 33 in the stored position. A stop 38 adjacent the inner end 35 of the board 33 is engageable with an inner end of the support 34 in the work position to prevent removal of the board 33 from the cabinet 32, wedging it against the rear of the cabinet and underneath the stop 11. A handle 39 is provided on an underside of the board 33 for manoeuvring the board 33.

In use, the board 33 is lifted from within the cabinet 32 and moved to the horizontal work position as shown in Fig. 4. It can then be used in conventional fashion as previously described. When finished the board 33 is lifted and inserted into the compartment 37 and the cabinet door is closed to conceal the board 33.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 7, there is illustrated another combined wall cabinet and collapsible ironing board indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. This is generally similar to the device shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the cabinet 2 has mounted thereon a board 51 which is height adjustable in addition to being pivotally mounted on the cabinet 2. A height-adjustable pivot mounting 52 for the board 51 is shown in more detail in Figs. 6 and 7. The pivot mounting 52 comprises a pair of pivot pins 53 extending laterally outwardly of each side of the board 51. A slide plate 54 is mounted at an outer end of each pivot pin 53. The slide plate 54 is slidably engageable within a channel- section receiver 55 mounted on a side wall 6 of the cabinet 2. The receiver 55 has a vertical outer slot 56 through which the pivot pin 53 passes to the side plate 54 retained behind the slot 56. A forward side of the slot 56 has a number of spaced-apart sockets 57, each socket 57 for reception of the pivot pin 53 to pivotally mount the board 51 at a desired height on the cabinet 2. It will be noted that each slot 57 inclines forwardly and downwardly to retain the pivot pin 53 within the slot 57.

A height-adjustable stop means 60 is also provided and comprises a stop block 61 which extends between the side walls 6 of the cabinet 2 and is engageable with an upper surface 62 of an inner end 63 of the board 51 spaced-apart from the pivot position. The stop block 61 is releasably engageable with a complementary block support 65 mounted on the rear panel 8 of the cabinet 2. A slidable latch pin 66 on the block 61 is releasably engageable with associated vertically-spaced slots 67 in the block support 65 for height adjustment.

In use, the cabinet 2 and board 51 can be used as previously described. For height adjustment of the board 51, with the board 51 in an upright folded position the slide plate 54 can be moved on the receiver 55 in the direction of arrow X (Fig. 6) to release the pivot pins 53 from the sockets 57 of the receivers 55. The board 51 can then be moved up or down to engage any desired socket 57 in the receiver 55. When the board 51 is pivoted downwardly adjacent the horizontal work position the stop block 61 can be moved on the block support 65, the latch pin 66 being engaged with the appropriate slot 67 so that the stop block 61 supports the board in the horizontal work position.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 21, there is shown another ironing board assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 70. The assembly 70 comprises a cabinet 72 within which is mounted an ironing board 73 which is movable between a stored position within the cabinet 72 (as shown in Fig. 19) and a substantially horizontal work position extending outwardly of the cabinet 72 as shown in Fig. 8.

The cabinet 72 is generally rectangular in shape having a ground engaging base 75 with upstanding side walls 76 at each side of the base 75 interconnected at their upper ends by a top 77. A rear of the cabinet is closed by a rear panel 78 extending between the side walls 76. The cabinet 72 is divided into two sections, namely, an upper section 79 closed by a door 80 and a lower storage section 81 closed by a door 82. The ironing board 73 is pivotally mounted within the upper section 79. The ironing board 73 is pivotally mounted to the side walls 76 by pivot mountings having a first part 84 mounted on each side of the ironing board 73 adjacent an inner end of the ironing board 73 (as shown in Fig. 13) and a complimentary second part 85 (Fig. 12) secured to an inner face of each side wall 76. Thus, the ironing board 73 can be pivoted between a substantially vertical stored position (Fig. 19) within the cabinet 72 and a substantially horizontal work position (Fig. 8). A stop 91 extends between the side walls 76 within the cabinet 72 and is engageable with an upper surface 92 of an inner end 93 of the ironing board 73 spaced-apart from the pivot mountings. Thus, the ironing board is securely supported in a cantilevered work position for use. An underside of the ironing board 73 rests against a support member 94 extending between the side walls 76 at a front of the cabinet 72.

A top surface 95 of the stop 91 forms a heat-resistant shelf for supporting an iron. Mounted within the cabinet 72 above the board work position is an electric socket 97 for connection via cable (not shown) to a power supply as previously described.

Mounted adjacent the top of the cabinet 72 is a fold-out clothing rail 98. The rail 98 has a pair of arms 99 pivotally mounted on the side walls 76. A pair of spacedapart bars 100 extend between outer ends of the arms 99.

The bars 100 can conveniently be used for hanging clothes during use of the assembly 70. When not in use it can be pivoted back into the cabinet 72.

A top 105 of the ironing board is preferably covered in a flame retardant foam and an outer cotton cover. Further clothing rails are provided on an underside of the ironing board 73 as will be more clearly seen in Fig. 13. These clothing rails 106 extend along each side of the ironing board 73 for conveniently supporting clothing during use of the ironing board 73. It will be noted that a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal strengthening members 108 are provided on an underside of the board 73 to resist bending of the ironing board 73 during use. A pair of spacedapart cross members 109 are also provided on the underside of the ironing board 73 to further improve rigidity. It will be noted that a slot 110 formed between the cross member 109 and the underside of the ironing board 73 forms a hand grip for pulling down and raising the ironing board 73.

In use, the assembly 70 is used in similar fashion to the ironing board assembly of Figs. 1 to 3.

Referring now to Figs. 22 and 23, there is illustrated another ironing board assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 120. This is largely similar to the ironing board assembly of Figs. 8 to 21 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, a cabinet 122 is provided without the lower storage portion. In this way, a more compact cabinet is provided which may be mounted, for example, on wall above a radiator or other structure for example.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both - 14 construction and detail.

Claims (5)

1. A collapsible ironing board assembly, comprising a cabinet, an ironing board mounted on the cabinet and movable between a stored position on the cabinet and a substantially horizontal work position extending outwardly of the cabinet.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ironing board is pivotally mounted on the cabinet for movement between the stored position and the work position, the board being pivotable outwardly through an associated opening in the cabinet, the board being pivoted intermediate its ends to the cabinet by a pivot mounting extending between the board and the cabinet, and stop means being provided in the cabinet engageable with the board to retain the board in the horizontal work position, preferably the stop means being engageable with an upper surface of an inner end of the board spaced-apart from the pivot mounting.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the ironing board is height-adjustable on the cabinet for supporting the board in a number of work positions, preferably means is provided to pivot the board at a number of vertically spaced pivot positions on the cabinet, said means preferably comprising releasably interengageable formations on the board and on the cabinet which preferably comprise a pair of pivot pins extending laterally outwardly of each side of the board, each pivot pin releasably engageable with complementary bearing sockets on a side of the cabinet and optionally a slide plate is mounted at an outer end of each pivot pin, the slide plate slidably engaging a channel section receiver on the cabinet side having a vertical outer slot through which the pivot pin passes to the slide plate retained behind the slot, one side of the slot having a number of spaced-apart sockets for reception of the pivot pin, and preferably height-adjustable stop means is provided in the cabinet engageable with the board to retain the board in a horizontal work position at each pivot position, the stop means being engageable with an upper surface of an inner end of the board spacedapart from the pivot mounting, and most preferably the stop means is a stop block releasably engageable with a complementary block support on a rear wall of the cabinet, a slidable latch pin on the block releasably engageable with associated verticallyspaced slots in the block support for height adjustment. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein power supply means for an electric iron is provided within the cabinet, the power supply means being an electric socket mounted within the cabinet and having means for connection to a power source, either directly or through a plug and socket connection, the socket being mounted within the cabinet above the work position of the board, and preferably a heat resistant support shelf for an iron is provided in the cabinet, and preferably a clothing rail is mounted on the cabinet, the clothing rail being foldable between a retracted stored position within the cabinet and an extended in-use position, the clothing rail being pivotally mounted on the cabinet, the clothing rail comprising a pair of spaced-apart arms, each arm having an inner end pivotally mounted to an inner sidewall of the cabinet, and at least one bar extending between the arms adjacent an outer free - 17 end of the arms, and preferably also a pair of clothing rails are provided on an underside of the ironing board, each rail extending along a side of the ironing board.

4. 5

5. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.