KR102611128B1 - Ironing board with hooking system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ironing board (1) comprising a rigid structure (11) having a front face (10) and a hooking system (12, 13) extending outside the front face (10). The hooking system has an arc shape.
The ironing board can be easily hung on a garment care system, allowing the garment to be ironed while the garment is suspended.

Description

Ironing board with hooking system {IRONING BOARD WITH HOOKING SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to the field of garment care, and more specifically to ironing boards.

Stand steamers are known for steaming and/or ironing clothing. In such a stand steamer, a piece of clothing is hung on a stand hanger. A separate ironing board can be used to aid in steaming clothing by providing a sufficiently hard surface on which the clothing can be placed and then pressed by a steamer head during the steaming process.

Ironing boards are typically made of one piece of plastic with mounting features onto the stand pole of the stand steamer and serve as a garment receiving surface to prevent garments from coming into direct contact with the plastic surface. It can be wrapped with a one-piece board cover. Some ironing boards are separate accessories that can be attached to a stand hanger. However, most of the known ironing boards are not always easy to attach to a clothes steamer stand.

It is an object of the present invention to propose an ironing board that avoids or alleviates the problems described above.

The invention is limited by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

For this purpose, the ironing board according to the invention comprises a rigid structure with a front surface and a hooking system extending outside the front surface. The hooking system is arc-shaped.

This solution allows for easy attachment (and detachment) of the ironing board to the clothes steamer. The arc-shaped hooking system can be easily hooked onto a hanger holder of the garment care system without damaging the hanger holder. Additionally, if the hooking system is shaped similarly to the outer surface of the hanger holder, the hooking system will be in optimal contact with the surface of the hanger holder, which will provide a suitable and secure attachment.

Preferably, the hooking system comprises two separate hooks arranged symmetrically on the sides of the rigid structure. This helps provide a much more stable hanging of the ironing board onto the hanger holder.

Preferably, the hooking system includes one hook extending along a side of the rigid structure. Depending on the shape and configuration of the hanger holder, only one hook may be needed. Hooks extending along the sides of the rigid structure may be of sufficient length to support the ironing board on their own.

Preferably, the hooking system has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 5 mm. These values create a relatively thin hooking system so that clothing will not be disturbed when hung onto the hanger holder provided with such an ironing board.

Preferably, the hooking system is molded in one piece with the rigid structure. This helps provide a secure attachment between the rigid structure and the hooking system.

Preferably, the rigid structure is manufactured as a multi-link structure. The multi-link structure uses less material (compared to known ironing boards, which are manufactured from a large piece of plastic surface with numerous drilled eyelets and reinforced ribs to strengthen the plate). Having a low weight, it helps define a relatively robust structure. Additionally, such structures may include a plurality of adjacent hollow cells, which is advantageous when ironing clothing using steam.

Preferably, the cells have a width (_w) in the range from 1 to 100 mm and the links forming the cells have a thickness (_th) in the range from 0.8 to 10 mm. These values provide the optimal balance between plate transparency and plate strength/stiffness.

Preferably, the depth (dLi) of the links is part, all or greater than the depth (dC) of the circumferential rib.

Preferably, the multi-link structure extends over most of the front surface. By having a multi-link structure that leaves no open ends, the load on the ironing board can be effectively distributed to the entire board.

Preferably, the ironing board further comprises a cover layer made of a soft material to cover the front surface of the rigid structure. Such a cover layer helps to smooth the support surface of the ironing board and provide sufficient support when the rigid structure has a very open link structure.

Preferably, the ironing board further comprises at least one snap-fit element arranged on the rear surface of the rigid structure. These snap-fit element(s) can be readily used to couple the ironing board to the pole(s) of the garment care system.

Preferably, the at least one snap-fit element comprises a set of snap-fit elements arranged along the same axis. When properly aligning the multiple snap-fit elements, they can be hooked onto one and the same pole, which will create an easy and secure attachment.

Preferably, the at least one snap-fit element comprises three snap-fit elements. This allows attaching the same ironing board to a clothes steamer with one (center) pole and to a clothes steamer with two (lateral) poles. It should be noted that other numbers are possible, such as more than 3 or less than 3.

The present invention also,

- a stand clothing steamer comprising a base, at least one pole connected to the base, and a clothing hanger holder arranged on the at least one pole,

- an ironing board as described above, wherein the hooking system is attachable to a clothing hanger holder.

It relates to a clothing management system, including.

A detailed description and other aspects of the invention will be given below.

Certain aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described and contemplated below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts or sub-steps are identified in like manner.
1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a clothing management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram showing an ironing board according to the present invention.
Fig. 3A is a front view of the ironing board of Fig. 2;
Figure 3b is a detailed view of a portion of the ironing board of Figure 3a.
4A, 4B and 4C are various cross-sectional views of portions of various ironing boards according to the present invention.
Figure 5a shows part of a clothing care system according to the invention with a single pole;
Figure 5b shows part of a clothing care system according to the invention with two poles.
Figures 6a and 6b show the rear surface of an ironing board according to the invention;
Figure 7 shows the front surface of a portion of a garment care system according to the invention;
Figure 8 illustrates the back surface of a portion of the garment care system of Figure 7;
Figure 9 shows the ironing board of Figures 7 and 8 in a very schematic manner;

1 shows an example of a clothing management system 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

For example, a clothing management system 20 corresponding to a stand clothing steamer may include a base 21, at least one pole 24 connected to the base 21, and a clothing hanger arranged on the at least one pole 24. It includes a stand clothes steamer including a holder (25). In this example, the garment care system 20 also includes an ironing tool 22 that receives steam from a steam engine arranged within the base 21 . Steam is provided to the ironing tool (22) via a flexible tube (23). The ironing tool 22 is intended to be used by the user to spray steam onto clothing hanging on the clothing hanger holder 25.

Clothing care system 20 also includes an ironing board 1. The ironing board (1) includes a rigid structure (11) having a front surface (10) and a hooking system (12, 13) extending outwardly of the front surface (10). The hooking system is attachable to the clothing hanger holder (25).

Rigid structure 11 includes a front surface 10 (see Figure 1) and a rear surface 16 (see Figure 2). As can be seen from Figure 2, the hooking system may include two hooks 12, 13. These hooks 12 , 13 extend from the front surface 10 in a direction not parallel to the plane defined by the front surface 10 . The front surface 10 of the rigid structure 11 may be flat, but alternatively it may be slightly curved.

The ironing board 1 may further comprise at least one snap-fit element 14 arranged on the rear surface 16 of the rigid structure 11 . Snap-fit elements 14 are used to further secure the ironing board 1 on the pole(s) of the clothes care system 20 . In the example of Figure 2, the ironing board 1 comprises six snap-fit elements 14.

Preferably, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 the rigid structure 11 is manufactured as a multi-link structure.

Figure 3A shows a front view of the embodiment of Figure 2; The ironing board 1 has a substantially rectangular shape, for example with a top side 31 and a bottom side 32 . The two hooks 12, 13 are both arranged on the upper side 31 in a symmetrical manner.

The ironing board 1 is formed inside the circumferential ribs 33 following an intended (rectangular) contour, so that the multi-link structure extends over the entire surface of the ironing board 1 and the inside of the circumferential ribs 33. terminated on the side. For example, a multi-link structure corresponds to a hexagonal structure, or a honeycomb structure.

By providing a multi-link structure that leaves no open ends, the load on the ironing board 1 can be effectively distributed to the entire board.

Figure 3b shows a detailed view of part of the multi-link structure of the ironing board 1. In one embodiment, the cell 34 has a width _w in the range of 1 to 100 mm and the links 35 forming the cell 34 have a thickness _th in the range of 0.8 to 10 mm.

Using a multi-link structure helps provide sufficient strength while having a lower weight for the ironing board 1. At the same time, it allows steam to easily pass through the ironing board 1, reducing condensation that occurs when steam is applied on clothes and which can ultimately wet the clothes. The ironing board 1 with such a multi-link structure can be formed by plastic injection, in which case the hooking system can preferably be formed simultaneously as an integral part of the ironing board 1 . Multi-link structures can also be manufactured by metallic materials.

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show various cross-sections of the ironing board 1 showing the possible relative depth d _Li of the links 35 compared to the depth d _C of the circumferential ribs 33.

The depth d _Li of the link 35 may be part of (d _L1 ), all (d _L2 ) or exceeding (d _L3 ) the depth d _C of the circumferential rib 33 . It should be noted that the deeper the multilink ribs 33, the stronger the plate 1 will be. Typically, an ironing board has the same rib depth throughout. However, under some circumstances, the height of the multilink ribs 33 may need to be locally reduced to prevent interference with adjacent features.

In one embodiment, ironing board 1 includes two pieces 11A and 11B shown in Figure 5A. In this way, the ironing board 1 can be separated into two pieces for smaller storage and packaging size. When used, the upper and lower plate elements 11A, 11B can be easily connected by catches or other fastening means. Hooking systems 12, 13 may be molded in a single piece with top plate element 11A to maintain the strength of hooking systems 12, 13. Hooking systems 12, 13 may also be separate pieces and fastened onto top plate element 11A. The hooking systems 12, 13 may be curved-shaped (i.e. have an arc-like shape) to provide ergonomic and intuitive placement on the hanger holder 25. The thickness of the hooking system can be relatively thin, typically 0.5 to 5 mm, so as not to create wrinkles on the garment. The hooking system can be made of plastic or metal materials.

The snap-fit element 14 may be molded in a single piece with the ironing board 1, or may be fastened separately on the ironing board (eg by using screws).

Preferably, the snap-fit elements 14 are a first set of snap-fit elements for attaching the plate to a single pole device and for attaching the plate to a double pole device. and a second set of snap-fit elements for: In the embodiment of Figure 2, a first set with a group of at least one (e.g. two as shown) snap-fit elements 14 is arranged along a single central axis 15a, forming the plate. is used to attach to a single pole device (having a single pole 24 as illustrated in Figure 5a). A second set of two other groups, each having at least one (e.g. two as shown) snap-fit elements 14, are located parallel to and lateral to the axis 15a. 15b, 15c), used to attach the plate to a double pole device (with two poles 54, 55 as illustrated in Figure 5b).

Mounting the ironing board 1 to the clothes steamer system is performed as follows. After the hooking systems 12, 13 of the ironing board 1 are hooked onto the provided clothes hanger holder, the ironing board 1 is pressed against the pole(s) 24; 54, 55. The snap-fit element 14 on the rear surface of the ironing board 1 can simply be snapped onto the pawl(s), thus providing a complete and stable structure for the hooking system 12, 13, preventing it from falling. and the snap-fit element 14 holds the ironing board 1 in place.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 , 6A and 7 , a cover layer 61 made of soft (flexible) material is arranged on the front surface 10 of the ironing board 1 .

Figures 6a and 6b show the rear surface of the ironing board 1 according to one embodiment. Cover layer 61 includes a stretch band around the edge of the cover layer. These elongated bands can be wrapped around the edges of rigid structures 11A, 11B. Cover layer 61 may have one or more through holes (not shown) to receive hook systems 12, 13. Once the hook system 12, 13 is inserted into the through hole, the stretch band can be wrapped around the circumferential rib 33, as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 6b. Figure 6a also shows a detailed view of the rear surface of the ironing board, where flexible loops 62 are shown that capture the pins arranged on the rear surfaces of the rigid structures 11A, 11B. By connecting the cover layer 61 to the rigid structures 11A, 11B by one or more flexible loops 62, the cover layer 61 can be stretched and securely attached to the rigid structures 11A, 11B.

Figure 7 shows the front surface of a part of a clothing care system according to a further embodiment. The clothing care system includes a clothing hanger holder (71), two poles (85, 86) and an ironing board (1). In the example of Figure 7, the clothing hanger holder 71 is formed by a closed looped bar formed by an upper bar element and a lower bar element.

Figure 8 shows the rear surface of a portion of the garment care system of Figure 7; The ironing board comprises a rigid structure (11) hooked onto the lower bar element by a single hook (91). The rigid structure may be a multi-link structure as described with respect to the previously discussed embodiments. The hook 91 of this embodiment is preferably arc-shaped in such a way that it follows the outer surface of the lower bar element. This will provide a secure attachment to the clothing hanger holder 71. The ironing board also includes a plurality of snap-fit elements 83, 84 for snapping the ironing board onto the poles 85, 86 to prevent any unwanted sliding or movement of the ironing board 1.

Figure 9 shows the ironing board of Figures 7 and 8 separately and in a very schematic manner in order to show more clearly the possible configurations of the hooks 91.

The above embodiments as described are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the technical approach of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the technical approach of the present invention can be changed or equivalently replaced without departing from the protection scope of the claims of the present invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the singular forms (the indefinite articles "a" or "an") do not exclude the plural. Any reference signs within the claims should not be construed as limiting their scope.

Claims (14)

As an ironing board (1),
- a rigid structure (11) with a front surface (10),
- a hooking system (12, 13, 91) extending outside the front surface (10), said hooking system comprising said hooking system (12, 13, 91) being arc-shaped. ,
Ironing board, wherein the rigid structure (11) is made of a multi-link structure. Ironing board according to claim 1, wherein the hooking system comprises two separate hooks (12, 13) arranged symmetrically on the side (31) of the rigid structure (11). The ironing board of claim 1, wherein the hooking system (91) comprises a hook (91) extending along a side (92) of the rigid structure (11). Ironing board according to claim 1, wherein the hooking system (12, 13, 91) has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 5 mm. The ironing board according to claim 1, wherein the hooking system (12, 13, 91) is molded in one piece with the rigid structure (11). delete The ironing board of claim 1, wherein the multi-link structure is a structure comprising a plurality of adjacent hollow cells (34). 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cells (34) have a width (_w) in the range between 1 and 100 mm and the links (35) forming the cells (34) have a thickness in the range between 0.8 and 10 mm. Ironing board, with (_th). 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the depth (d _Li ) of the links (35) is a portion (d L1) or the entire (d _L1 ) of the depth (d _C ) of the circumferential rib (33) of the ironing board (1). d _L2 ) or over(d _L3 ), ironing board. 2. The ironing board of claim 1, wherein the multi-link structure extends across the front surface (10). 2. The ironing board of claim 1, further comprising a cover layer (61) made of a soft material to cover the front surface (10). 2. Ironing board according to claim 1, further comprising at least one snap-fit element (14) arranged on the rear surface (16) of the rigid structure (11). 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one snap-fit element (14) comprises a first set of snap-fit elements for attaching the plate to a single pole device, and a first set of snap-fit elements for attaching the plate to a single pole device. An ironing board, comprising a second set of snap-fit elements for attachment to a double pole device. As a garment care system (20),
- a base 21, at least one pole 24, 54, 55, 85, 86 connected to the base 21, arranged on the at least one pole 24, 54, 55, 85, 86 a stand garment steamer including a garment hanger holder (25, 71);
- An ironing board (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7 to 13, wherein the hooking system (12, 13, 91) is attached to the clothes hanger holder (25, 71). A clothing care system, possibly comprising the ironing board (1).

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