JP2008259859A - Adjustable ironing board cover - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an adjustable ironing board cover capable of sufficiently accommodating ironing boards of different shapes and sizes. <P>SOLUTION: The ironing board cover 38 includes a tension means to assist in keeping the cover taut over an ironing board 10, and an adjusting means so that the cover may accommodate the ironing boards of different sizes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

Domestic ironing boards typically include an ironing table mounted on a pair of swivel legs that adjust the height of the table. The ironing table helps to dissipate heat from the iron and includes a pad itself covered with a cover of suitable material. This cover usually extends not only on the table surface but also around the table periphery. It is known that drawstrings or elastic binders are used around to help keep the cover in place. The problem with these is that they are not very effective by keeping the covers particularly stretched across the table in the length direction. During use, the cover generally moves or rotates and requires constant adjustment.

This applicant is the owner of a co-pending Australian patent application, which relates to an ironing board that includes multiple sheets, the first sheet extending over the surface and periphery of the ironing board table, and the second sheet extending under the table. The second sheet is elastic (the material is suitably made of a synthetic material such as that used in a wetsuit whose elasticity is homogeneous in all directions), thereby keeping the cover stretched on the ironing board table Provide tension on the sheet.

While effective in providing a cover that tensions the ironing board, Applicants have recognized that such a cover can adequately accommodate ironing boards of different shapes and sizes. In particular, ironing boards are available in a variety of different widths and lengths, and currently much time and material is required to produce a cover for housing such a board.

The object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board cover that overcomes this problem or at least provides a useful alternative to the public.

Accordingly, an ironing board cover for an ironing board having an ironing table in one form of the invention is proposed, wherein the cover is configured to extend on the ironing table;
A second portion configured to extend at least partially under the ironing table;
A second sheet that is elastic in all directions to apply tension to the first part and includes means for adjusting at least one dimension thereof to accommodate an iron table of different dimensions.

Preferably, the second part is fixed around the first part.

Preferably, the second portion includes a longitudinal opening that is secured in part by spaced apart side edges, the opening being mounted on at least first and second leg assemblies that support the table. enable.

Preferably, at least a portion of the opening is closable by use of an insert of a predetermined width fixed to the spaced apart side edge. Different width inserts are selected depending on the width of the ironing table.

Preferably, the insert is secured using a zipper. The insert is secured using hooks and loop fasteners.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second portion is spaced apart and includes a lateral opening partially defined by a side edge.

Preferably, at least a portion of the opening can be closed by the use of a predetermined length insert fixed to the spaced apart side edge. Different length inserts are selected depending on the width of the ironing table.

Preferably, the insert is secured using a zipper. The insert is secured using hooks and loop fasteners.

In a further embodiment, the second part comprises a longitudinal opening defined by two flaps, which can be closed by a fastening means along its inner edge, one of the flaps being the side edge It includes a plurality of further fixing means spaced outward from the fixing means, thereby accommodating iron tables of different widths.

Preferably, the fixing means is a zipper. The fixing means is a hook and a loop fastener.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible and modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

With reference to the drawings, a conventional ironing board 10 comprising an ironing table or surface 12 supported by a pair of pivot leg assemblies 14 and 16 is shown in FIG. The ironing table extends from the inclined end or tip 18 to the other end or rear end 20 in the lengthwise direction. Leg assembly 14 is pivotably engaged with the ironing board closer to tip 18, while leg assembly 16 is slidably engaged with the ironing board near rear end 20. The ironing board is configured such that the leg assembly is folded into a stowed position that occupies a position that is substantially flush with the underside or surface 12 of the table. To accomplish this, the outer end 22 of the leg assembly 14 is folded upward 24, while the outer end 26 of the leg assembly 16 is folded upward 28. Since the leg assembly 16 is pivotally secured to the rear end 20, this folding action causes the inner end 30 of the leg assembly 14 to slide in the distal direction 32.

The ironing table 12 includes a peripheral edge 34 that is typically 'L' shaped. Various support structures are installed on the lower side 36 of the table 12 including support rails (not shown) that allow the table to be used for ironing purposes. The ironing board cover 38 of the present invention extends across the top surface of the table 12 around a peripheral edge 34 comprising the edge of the cover 38 placed near the 'L'-shaped peripheral edge 34.

Although not shown, the cover 38 preferably includes a first sheet extending on the table 12 around the edge 34 and the second sheet extends partially to the underside of the table 12 and suitable means (such as sewing). ) To the peripheral edge of the first sheet. In order to provide tension to the first sheet and thereby keep it tensioned on the ironing table 12, the second sheet is made from an elastic material. It has been found that even a relatively narrow surface area of elastic material provides sufficient tension to keep the cover in place. The use of such elastic materials forms the subject of co-pending patent applications owned by this inventor. Suitable materials for the underside of cover 38 include synthetic materials such as those used in wetsuits where the material is homogeneous in elasticity in all directions.

The opening 40 in the cover 38 allows it to be mounted on the table and allows the legs 14 to slide from the stowed position to the actuated position along the underside of the table. The opening 40 extends along the length of the lower side 36 and includes lateral slits 42 and 44 in a position that allows passage of the leg assemblies 14 and 16 when in the activated position. As mentioned in the introduction of the present invention, such a cover accommodates iron tables of different widths and lengths, thereby reducing the need to manufacture different sized covers for such tables. The need for such a cover to include means has been identified by the inventor.

2-3 illustrate the underside of the ironing board 10 including means for adjusting the width of the ironing board cover 38 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the opening 40 that allows the movement of the leg 14 includes two zipper portions 46 and 48 that extend along their inner opposing edges between the two leg assemblies 14 and 16. A corresponding length of insert 50 of zipper portions 46 and 48 is configured to be inserted therebetween. Insert 50 includes its own zipper portions 52 and 54 configured to engage zipper portions 46 and 48, respectively.

As one skilled in the art will recognize, for the engagement of two zipper parts, one part must include a slidable and movable zipper configured to engage a track on the other part. . For the purposes of this invention, which portion 46 or 52, or 48 or 54 contains a track or zipper as long as the zipper is placed on the outside of the cover so that the insert 38 can be easily installed and removed? Is not important. Furthermore, it is not important that the insert is attached between the openings using only a zipper. Any other suitable attachment means such as hooks and loop fasteners can be used equally well.

FIG. 4 illustrates multiple inserts 50 of different widths that can be selected for use depending on the width of the ironing board table. The use of insert 50 not only allows for width adjustment, but also maximizes tension and provides a good appearance. In determining which size insert 50 should be used, once attached, the underside of the cover 38 is not stretched too much or less, maintaining its elasticity, thereby keeping the cover tensioned on the ironing table. It is necessary to ensure that it is retained. Preferably, the dimensions of the inserts correspond to a standard ironing board table, so that when the user determines a particular table width, they simply select the corresponding insert.

FIG. 5 illustrates the underside of the ironing board 10 including the cover 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. However, the cover 60 includes an opening 40 between the leg assemblies 14 and 16, and the cover includes two opposing flap portions 62 and 64 that meet at a location within the opening 40. The flap 62 is narrower than the flap 64 and includes an engagement zipper 66, while the flap 64 includes a track 68. There are two additional tracks 70 and 72 positioned on the flap 64 that extend in parallel with the track 68, thereby providing the user the ability to select the appropriate track depending on the table width. FIG. 5 illustrates the cover 60 engaged at maximum width. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the same cover can be used for narrower tables in that it is coupled to one of the appropriate additional tracks 70 or 72 rather than coupling the zipper 66 to the track 68. .

As mentioned earlier, the cover can be configured not only to accommodate different width ironing boards, but also to accommodate different lengths. FIG. 6 illustrates a cover 80 that includes a longitudinal opening 40 and an insert 50 as previously described, but the cover 80 is further installed on the opposite side of the leg assembly 14 toward the tip of the platform. A lateral opening 82 formed therein. Opening 82 is configured to engage two inserts 84 and 86 on opposite sides of longitudinal opening 40. One skilled in the art will recognize that the length of the cover 80 can also be adjusted with the use of different width inserts in the opening 82. The features of the insert 84 and the attachment means between the edges of the opening 82 are basically the same as those of the insert 50 and will therefore not be described here again for the sake of brevity.

Those skilled in the art should now recognize how the present invention overcomes the problems associated with attaching Applicant's improved ironing board cover to ironing boards of different shapes and sizes. The cover embodied here comprises not only other features that are not fundamental to the invention, but also additional auxiliary features. For example, the cover includes an opening (not shown) that allows the iron holder to extend from the table.

Further advantages and improvements have been made to this invention very well without departing from its scope. For example, a further improvement to the present invention is the use of different types of elastic materials, such as those that are elastic in only one direction.

While the present invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that it can be started therefrom within the scope and spirit of the present invention. It should not be limited to the details described, but should include the full scope of the claims so as to encompass all equivalent devices and instruments.

In the following claims and summary of the invention, the phrase “comprising” “includes” unless the content is otherwise required for the expression language or the required meaning. Are used in the sense of "", that is, the specified features will be related to further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It is a perspective view of the typical ironing board provided with the ironing board cover by 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the ironing board of FIG. 1 illustrating the width adjustment means of the cover in the form of an insert. FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the ironing board of FIG. 1 illustrating the insert of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an ironing board cover portion with an insert attached, including inserts of various different widths. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the underside of the ironing board illustrating an ironing board cover according to a second embodiment of the invention including width adjusting means in the form of a plurality of longitudinal zipper tracks. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the underside of an ironing board for securing an ironing board cover according to a third embodiment of the present invention, including means for housing ironing boards of different lengths.

Explanation of symbols

10: Ironing board
12: Surface
14, 16: Leg assembly
18: Tip
20: Rear end
22, 26: Outer end
24, 28: Above
30: Inner edge
32: Forward
34: peripheral edge
36: Lower side
38, 80: Cover
40, 82: Opening
42, 44: Horizontal slit
46, 48, 52, 54, 66: Zipper part
50, 84, 86: Insert
62, 64: Flap part
68, 70, 72: Track

Claims (15)

An ironing board cover for an ironing board having an ironing table,
A first portion configured to extend on the ironing table;
At least a portion is configured to extend under the ironing table, is elastic in all directions to provide tension to the first portion, and has at least one dimension for accommodating different sized ironing tables. A cover including a second portion including means for adjusting. The ironing board cover according to claim 1, wherein the second part is fixed around the first part. The second portion includes a longitudinal opening defined in part by spaced apart side edges, the opening being mountable on at least first and second leg assemblies that support the table. The ironing board cover according to claim 1, wherein: The ironing board cover according to claim 3, wherein at least a part of the opening can be closed by using an insert having a predetermined width fixed to the separated side edge. The ironing board cover according to claim 4, wherein the insert is fixed using a zipper. The ironing board cover according to claim 4, wherein the insert is fixed using a hook and a loop fastener. The ironing board cover of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a lateral opening defined in part by spaced apart side edges. The ironing board cover according to claim 7, wherein at least a part of the opening can be closed by using an insert having a predetermined length fixed to the separated side edge. The ironing board cover according to claim 8, wherein the insert is fixed using a zipper. 9. The ironing board cover of claim 8, wherein the insert is secured using hooks and loop fasteners. The second part includes a longitudinal opening defined by two flaps that can be closed by securing means along its inner edge, one of the flaps thereby accommodating an iron table of different width The ironing board cover according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of further fixing means spaced outward from the side edge fixing means. The ironing board cover according to claim 11, wherein the fixing means is a zipper. The ironing board cover according to claim 11, wherein the fixing means is a hook and a loop fastener. An ironing board cover for an ironing board having an ironing table,
A first sheet configured to extend on the ironing table;
Configured to extend at least partially under the ironing table, elastic in all directions to provide tension to the first sheet, and variable in width to accommodate different sized ironing tables; And a second sheet comprising means for receiving an insert that is elastic in all directions, extending the second sheet completely across the lower portion of the ironing table. An ironing board cover that refers to the accompanying drawings, substantially as detailed above.

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