US1593896A - Electric steam pressing iron - Google Patents

Description

July 27,1926. 1,593,896

C. A. BREWER ELECTRIC STEAM I RESSING IRON Filed OCt. 24, 1924 y I N V EN TOR. afwfaf/ez;

. t2.00/ I 2m ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 27, 1926. Y

UNITED 'STATES PMaN'rf OFFICE.,

CHARLES A. BREWER, OF NOROTON HEIGHTS, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO CANNON ENGINEERING CO., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC STEAM PRESSING IRON.

Application led October 24, 1924. Serialv No. 745,592.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in electric-allyV heated steam pressing irons 4provided with means for automatically regulating and controlling the operation of the heating means.

The invention has for its principal ob'- ject to provide in combination with a pressing iron having means to extravasate steam from its pressing face, an electrical heating meansv provided with a thermostatic control for'"automaticallyy maintaining `the heat of the iron body at a desired predetermined temperature, whereby the Asteam delievered through the iron is guarded, on the one-v hand, againstvundue temperature drop likely to result in the formation of water by condensation, while, on the other hand, excessive temperature rises likely to result in superheating the steam and thus causing excessive pressure are likewise avoided.

The invention has for a further object to provide, in connection with an electrically heated steam iron of the-type having a combined water separator and secondary steamv the construction of said parts, all of which `,generator through which steam from a suitable primary source is passed prior to delivery into the main steam chamber ofthe iron, a separate or indepedent continuously operating electric heating means for uninterruptedly supplying heat Vto the combined water separator and secondary steam generator.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

With the various objects of this invention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the novel electricsteam pressing/iron hereinafter set forth; and the invention consists, furthermore, in the several novel arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of will be hereinafter more fully described in the following speciication,.and then vfinally-` embodied in the claims'appnded thereto.

The invention is clearly illustrated inthe. accompanying drawings, inI whiclrz- Figure 1 yis a vertical longitudinal section 'through the iron made according to and embodyingY the principles of the presentinvention; Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on dline 2,2 in Figure 1'; and Figure 3, is a wiring 4diagram illustrating the electrical circuits through the 'heating elements of the 1ron.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to said drawings, the reference character 1 indicates the main body of the pressing iron, the same beingcast from a suitable metal, so as to provide on its under side a smooth pressing face 2. The' body 1 of the iron is cored to provide an internal steam chamber 3 entering its heel or Y rear end and extending longitudinally forward toward the toe thereo The body of the iron, intermediate its pressing face 2 and the steam chamber 3,.is provided with a plurality of suitably spaced and disposed steam vents or openings 4 leading :from said steam chamber to the pressing face of the iron. The body 1 of the iron is further provided at its upper side or top, andabove said steam chamber 3, with a coutersunk seat or recess 5, preferably corresponding in shape to the peripheral outline of the iron. Disposed in said seat or recess 5 is an electrical heating unit 6 of any suitable construction, and provided with current con` ducting wires or other conductive elements 7 which are suitably imbedded therein. The heating unit 6 is retained in engagement with the bottom of the seat or recess 5 by means of a keeperplate 8 of any suitable construction, and suitably' secured to the Vbody of the iron by any desired form of fastening means, such e. g. as screws 9.

-To enclose the heating unit 6 and associate part-s, there is provided a top-casing .10, which is suit-ably shaped to conformto the outline shape of the iron, as well asto close over said heating unit and associate parts. The peripheral upper margin of the iron body 1 is provided with an inwardly ott-set peripheral shoulder 11 adapted to provide in conjunction therewith a peripheral seat 12. The marginal edge portions of the top-casing 10 are telescopically engaged over said peripheralshoulder 11, with the free edge of the former seated .upon or abutting-the peripheral seat 12, thus holding the top-casing against.l` lateral displacement. -The top-casing 10 is secured against separation or vertical displacement from assembled relation to the iron body-in any 'manner and by any means found'to be convenient or deslrable.

' sion 17, for purposes subsequently to be demesses A Avsuitable handle bail vor ar'ch'13, of anyA inthe outer end of saiddischarge orifice'.`

desiredv shape, issecured by rivets 14, or 25, or otherwise connected and supported in otherwise, to the top-casing 10 so as to be communication with the latter, is a hollow dis sed longitudinally of the iron. Said sfteam distributing member 29, which extends bai or arch 13 is provided with a suitable longitudinally forward 'through theqintehand-grip member 15.` Secured intermedirior of" the steam chamber 3 ofthe iron. ate the top-casing 10 an'd Ythe hand-grip Said steam distributing member 29 is permember 15,in-any suitable manner, is a forated at its underside to rovide a luheat resistant shield 16, adapted to interrality of steam. delivery ori ces 3Q. uit. cept heat radiated from the top of the iron, ably supported within saidsteam chamber and thus shieldthe handof the user from 3, so as to be -alined with, and so`as to enthe uncomfortable eifectsof radiated heat gclose said vsteam distributing member, is a when the iron is being manipulated. tubdlar water trap member 31 of enlarged The .top-casing 10 `is provided at Aits rear diameter, the same having steam discharge end, behind the bail and handgrip member, vents 32 in vits sides. The 'steam issuing with an upwardly projecting casing eXtenfrom the distributing member 29 first passes into the interior of the strap member 31, `scrlbed. andv thence issues through the dischargel The reference character 18 indicates `the vents 32 of the latter into thejsteam chamcombined water separator and secondary yber 3 of the iron body 1 for extravasation steam-generator with which the iron may be through the vents 4 to the pressing face of equipped, the same comprising a suitably the iron.` Any condensation of water from shaped metallic castin which is suitably the steam is caught in the bottom side of the secured to the heel of t e iron body 1 so as trap member 31, and is thus prevented from to extend upwardly therefrom. Said castaccompanying the steam; into ,the steam ing is cored to provide a substantially vertichamber 3 and thence 'thnough the vents 4 cal internal chamber 19, which serves both on to the goods being pressed.`bythe irn. l

as a'trap for condensed water and as a boiler chamber in which the trapped condensed water separator and secondary steam`genel. water is; reconverted into steam` subject to a'tor 18, is provided in its inner or forward delivery 'into the Vmain steam chamber 3 of wall with a recess or seat 33, which is located Said casting, which forms 'the combined" v the iron body. Provided in the upper free opposite thelower end of the chamber 19." A

i end of saidxcasting is an internally threaded Secured within this Qrecess or seat 33 is an.4

v charge orifice 25.-

opening leading into the upper end of said electric heating unit of any suitable. con combined trap vand boiler chamber 19, in struction, and provided with current conwhich is engaged a 'bushing 20 ada ted to ducting VWires or other conductive "elements support/a steam-intake pipe 21, which ex- 35. Said recess or seat 33. is closed 'byva tends downwardlywithin said'chamber 19 cover plate 36, which serves to retain the so as to terminate intermediate the upper heating' element or unit 34 in place. Ifl

and lower ends thereof.- Connected with desired, a heat-resistant sheet 37 of asbestos',

the outerend of said steam-intake pipe 20, or. other material, may be interposed bei by a suitable union device 22, i's one end tween the heating unit 34 and cover plate 36. of a iexible steam yconduit 23 which leads from a main'orl primary sorce of stea supply. Said chamber 19 is `closed at is terminals, comprising a positivey plug or' bottom end by a partition or-wall 24 which terminal 38 and a negative plug or terminal Connected with the free end of said casing extension 17, are male contact' plugs ori'ilm separates the interior of the chamber 19 39. The same .being each secured by bolts.-

from-a discharge orifice 25 with which the 40 and nuts 41,. the former of which extend lower` end ofthe casting is provided. EX- upwardlyl from the interior of said casing tendmg upwardly through 'said partiextension 17 through thefwall thereof iso, t1on or wall 24 is a steam discharge as to engage the bases of said plugs or ter-V pipe- 26, the open intake" end 27 of minals. An .open ended shield or enclosure,

which terminates within the upper end 42 maybe assembled 'with the-plugs or terof said chamber\19, while its -lower disminals to protectthe same from blows or' charge end communicates with said disthe like. The respective plugs orterminals 38 and 39 and theirffastenng bolts 40 are When the'casting which forms the combined water se'paratorand secondary steam casing extension 17 andthe shield orenclovgenerator 18 is :operatively assembled with sure 42 by means of Washers an'dtsleeves Vof y the heel lof the iron body 1, it closes the rearinsulation material 43. The inner .ends of ward Open end of the steam chamber 3 of the bolts 40 with their nuts 41, and assistedI the latter, andthe discharge orifice 25 of by metallic washers 44, serve also as bindtheiormeg 1s 4properly alined with said ingposts for attaching circuit wires opera# n Q'pen end of .the steam chamber 3. Suptively in connection withv the respective ported'by a bushing 28', whichl is engaged plugs or terminals. The positive" conductor" insulated against,l electricalcontact with the' for theseconda'ry steam generator heating unit 24, is connected between washers 44 on the boltv 40 connected with the-positive plug or terminal 38, and extends therefrom,

through an opening 46 in the rear wall of outwardly throughthe coverplate 36, thencel inwardly through the opening 46, for connection between washers 44 on the bolt 40 connected with the negative plug or terminal 39, thus coupling the electrical service circuit between the plugs or terminals 38 and 39 and said heating unit 34.

in any desired convenientmanner, is an automatic electrical thermostatic switch or cut-out, the. same comprising a pair of parallel contact, arms rigidly secured together at their rear ends in desired spaced apart relation by an intermediate spacing block 49 of insulating material. The contact arms and spacing block 49 are secured in supported connection `with said bracket piece '48 by a bolt and nut 50, which is electrically separated from electrical engagement with the respective contact arms by insulation 51.

One of said contactl arms, preferably the upper of the pair, constitutes an adjustable contact arm 52, provided adjacent toits free end with a contact button 53, and an upwardly extending threaded shank or adjusting screw54. The otherof said contact arms constitutes a thermostatic contact arm 55 consisting of superimposed `layers of metals having respectively 'different eoeil cients of expansion, whereby the same will flex or bend from a normal contact'making position when expanded by heat. The free end of said thermostatic contact arm is provided lwith a contact button 56 which normally engages, in circuit closing relation, with the contact button 53 of the adjustable contact arm 52. The means for adjusting said adjustable contact arm 52 comprises a bushing 57 of insulating material mounted in the end wall of the `casing extension 17 and in which is supported a rotatable internally screw threaded adjusting sleeve `or nut 58, which operatively engages the free end of said adjusting ,screw 54, and which may be turned to` produce an adjusting movement of the vfree end of said contact arm 52 either toward or away from the thrmostatic contact arm 55, as occasion may require. Threaded on the outer end of said bushing 57 is a cover cap-59, which both closes over said adjusting sleeve or nut. 58, and which may also serve, by frictionally engaging the head flange 58 of the latter against, the end' of the bushing -57,

to lock. the adjusting sleeve or nut 58 in position to which it has been turned.

Suitably supported within said top-casing 1Q, above the iron body, is an electrical condenser 59 of any suitable form.

The main heating unit 6, for heating the bodyy of the iron, is electrically connected through the condenser 59 and thermostatic switch or cut-out to the positive and negative plugs or terminals 38 and 39 as follows. Connected withthe positive plug or terminal. 38, by lengaging vone end between Washers 44 on the bolt 40 thereof, is a conductor 6() which leads to and is velectrically connected with the fixed end of said adjustablecontact arm 52, through which the current passes to the mutually engaged contact buttons 53 Supported bya bracket piece/ 48 secured to the top-casing 10, or otherwise supported Y and 56 into the thermostatic contact arm 55.

end of said thermostatic contact arm 55 is a conductor 61 which leads tc and is electrically connected withy the positive pole 62 of the condenser 59. Electrically' connected with the negative pole 63 of the condenser 59 is a conductor 64 which leads to and is electrically connected with the positive pole of the electric. heating unit 6. Connected with the negative pole of said electric heating unit 6 is a conductor 65 which leads toand which is electrically engaged `with the lnegative plug or terminal 39 by connecting its outer extremity between Washers 44 of the bolt 40 engaged with said negative' plug or terminal 39. The electrical circuits above described will be readily understood from an inspection of the wiring diagram shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, from which it will be clear. y

that the thermostatic switch orcut-out, con- 'denser,'and heating unit 6 are connected ih series betweeny the positive plug or terminal 38` andthe negative plug or terminal 39.

Thel iron is operatively connected with a source. of e ectrical energy by feed wires suitably engaged or coupled with the plugs or terminals 38 and-39 by any desired contact making or coupling means (not show-n) stantly or uninterruptedly operated `while the iron is in service` regardless of the in-l termittent delivery of current to the main heating element or unit 6, so that suilicient heat is constantly applied to saidvsecondary im steam generator at all times. Since it is del sirable that the heat applied tothe body -of the iron shouldnot lbecome excessive, but rather'should be maintained at steady temperature ,of an approximately fixed predethe thermostatic regulator or, control switch is such that the contact arms are normally engaged in circuit closing position, so that current is delivered throughl the heating bi-metal thermostatic contact arm 55, which- 4tion tending from circuit closing .engagement with the unit 6. In the event the heat of the iron exceeds the desired predetermined temperature, the excessive heat tends to expand the by reason of the different coetlicientsof expansion possessed by its metallic component parts, is ythereupon flexed or bent in a directo remove its contact button 56 contact'button 53 of the adjustable `contact arm 52, thus' breaking the circuit through.

the heating unit 6.' The supply of heat to the iron being thus interrupted, the temperature of the body of the iron, drops again to the desired degree, `and the Ithermostatic contact arm 52 contracts, and thusl returns to normal contact vmaking relation -to the regulatorV contact arm -52, again renewingthe supply of heat producing current through the heating unit 6, until the heat.

again becomes excessive, and a repetition of the above descrlbed operations ensues.

When the iron is in operation, steamis. .dellvered from a .suitable source of supply.

through the flexible steam conduit 23 to the `steam intake pipe 20, and thence into the chamber 19 of the combined watertrap and vdelivere intol .the chamber 19 vfinds .exit

' therefrom through the steam discharge pipe 26, discharge orifice 25 and thence into the steam' dlstributing'member 29, trap member 31, and steam chamber 3 of the iron body 1, whereupon, 4a's'the operator manipulates4v the iron to press goods, the steam fromthel [chamber 3`wi11 beextravasated through thev vents 4 in the pressin face of theiron in by the goods are sufficiently dampened-to assure rapid and complete smoothing out: of

, all wrinkles, etc., in a manner well understood by ythose familiar with such operations.. y

Any condensation of steam occurringin the steam conduit 23 will be ,trapped inthe lower end of thev chamber 19 of the com bined water trapand secondarysteam generator, and the continuously operating electric heating unit 34 connect d'with the latter provides uninterrupted ,hea suiiicient torre- 'convert the" trapped 'water l'to steam, .which 'steam generator. The',.steam thus nuoaaeeI will thereupon again join the Ilow .of live steam passing out of the chamber 19-through the discharge pi e 26, and thence, in t e manner abovey escribed, into `the steam tained at` an approximate pre etermined temperature, the steam delivered into the steam chamber 3 is guarded against undue `temperature dro so that condensation thereof within t e steam chamber 3 and `steam distributing means within the latter is prevented, while at the same time `excessive temperature rises likely" to superheat the steam is likewise prevented, andexcessive steam pressure both within the iron, and as to the steam extravasated are n ot permitted to occur. Such,prevention of condensation is important, since it obviates likelihood of water being discharged through the pressing face of the iron with consequent likelihood,

of staining. the goods to which the iron is applied. The .prevention of excessive steampressure is not only important from the standpoint of, safety,'fbut alsobecause if steam at excessive pressure is discharged through the vents 4 ofthe pressing face of vthe :iron it is quite likely vto perforate the goods being pressed to a ydamaging degree. It will be understood that when the iron 1s idle, any condensationin the steam -distrib- -uting member 29 will be lfcaught or trapped in the trap member 31, and there held until the` iron is again put in use, whereupon the heat imparted to the latter will reconvertthe condensation to steam, which will be discharged into'the steain chamber 3 as thel iron'is used.

It lwill be understood that in a.l simplel form of iron, the' combined Water trap and.

secondary steam generator above described,

for may b'e omitted, and steam from a pri-- mary source delivered directly through the and construction Aof thermostatically con-v contact with the goods eing pressed, 'wheretrolled electric heating unit to which attention has been directed, are in no Way effected, and I, therefore, deem this invention, as described and hereafter claimed, to include `within its scope an iron so constructed.

I am aware-that some changes, other than` the various devices and p'art s,'as well :as in 1go y those above indicated, may be made inthe' general arrangements and combinations of the details of the construction .of ,the same,

Atogether with the electric heating unit thereup invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts as set forth in the foregoing specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim 1. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an internal steam. chamber, said body having a plurality of steam vents leading from said steam chamber to the pressing face thereof, means for introducing ,steam into said steam chamber, an electrical heating means for' supplying heat to said iron body, an electrical thermostatic control means in circuit with said heating means, and means -for coupling said thermolstatiecontrol means and heating means with a source of electrical energy.

2. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an internal steam chamber, said body having a plurality of steam vents leading from said steam chamber to the pressing face thereof, means for introducing steam into said steam chamber, an electrical heating means engaged with said iron bodyto supply heat thereto, a normally closed electrical cut-out provided With a thermoexpansive circuit breaking contact in circuit with said heating means, and means vfor coupling said cut-out and heating means with a source of electrical energy.

3. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an vinternal steam chamber, said body having a plurality of steam vents leading from said steam chamber to the pressing face thereof, a combined water separator and secondary steam generator mounted on said iron t-o receive steam from a primary source and deliver the same .to said steam chamber, a main electrical heating means engaged with said ironl body to supply heat thereto, a second electrical heating means engaged with said combined water separator and secondary steam generator -to directly supply heat thereto, and means 'for coupling said respective heating means with a source of electrical energy.

4. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an internal steam chamber, -said bodyA having a pluralit)T of steam vents leading from said steam chamber to the'pressing face thereof, a combined water separator and secondary steam generator mountedon said iron to receive steam from a primary source fordelivery to said steam chamber, a second water separator means Within said steam chamber through which steam passes from said combined separator and generator into the interior of said steam chamber, a main electrical heating means engaged with said iron body to supply heat thereto, a second electrical heating means engaged with said combined water separator and secondary steam generator to direct1y-supply heat` thereto, and means for coupling said respective heating means With-a source of electrical energy.

5. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an internal steam chamber, said body having a plurality of steam vents leading from said steam chamber to the pressing face thereof, a combined water separator and sec ondary steam generator mounted on said iron to receive steam from-a primary source for delivery to said steam chamber, asecond Water separatormeans Within said. steam chamber through which steam passes from said combined separator and generator into the interior of said steamy chamber, a main electrical heating means engaged With said iron body to supply heat thereto, a normally closed electrical ,cut-out provided with a thermo-expansive circuit breaking Contact in circuit with said main heating means, a

second electrical heating means engaged Withl said combined Water separator and secondary steam generator to directly supply heat thereto, and means for couplingsaid cut-out and main heating means with la source of electrical energy, said second electricalheating means being electrically connected in shunt circuit with said coupling means.

6. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an internal steam chamber, said body having a plurality of-steam vents leading from said steam chamber to the pressing face thereof, means for introducing steam into said steam chamber, an' electrical heating means engaged With said iron body to supply heat thereto, a normally closed electrical cut-out in circuit with said'heating means comprising an adjustable contact and a thermo-expansive contact, means for adjusting said adjustable contact toward or away from said thermo-expansive contact, and means for coupling said cut-out and heating means with a source of electrical energy. y

7. In a pressin appliance, an iron body said thermo-expansive contact,h means fory coupling said cut-out and heating means with a source of electrical energy, and an electrical condenser in series between said heating meansand cut-out.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day'of October, 1924.

CHARLES A. BREWER.

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