US2315193A

US2315193A - Tensioned top ironing table

Info

Publication number: US2315193A
Application number: US378982A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horace B Fay
Original assignee: GRIDIRON STEEL Co
Current assignee: GRIDIRON STEEL Co
Priority date: 1941-02-14
Filing date: 1941-02-14
Publication date: 1943-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 1960-03-30

Description

Maljch 30, 1943'. H. B. FAY

TENsIoNED T01D IRONING TABLE Filed Feb. 14, 1941 Has.

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ENTOR. Horace E Fay. M 777 Patented Mar. 30, 1943 UNITED STATE TENSIONED TOP IRONIN G TABLE Horace B. Fay, Willoughby, Ohio, assignor to Gridiron Steel Company l Application February 14, 1941, Serial No. 378,982 s claims (ci. ca -137) The present invention relates to ironing` tables and more particularly to an all metal ironing table which is light in weight, inexpensive to manufacture and'one which aids in the elimina.- tion of the moisture content of the fabrics being ironed.

Heretofore in the ironing vof relatively wet fabrics on ironing tables with. wooden tops, the top itself has been somewhat absorbent of moisture which it gives up slowly duringthe time the board or table is not in use.

In the case of' a metal table top, the top'is of course completely non-absorbent and when ironing clothes and fabrics containing heavy water contents, some of such moisture collects on the' metal top and remains after the ironing operationy thus keeping the pad moistas it does not rapidly vaporize unless such moisture is ironed off.

Where the board is ventilated the moisture -is more rapidly dissipated but certain disadvantages are present due to the fact that if moisture is driven through the Ventilating openings in the board it tends to condense and accumulate either on the bottom surface of the board or on the relatively cool surfaces of the metal leg structure, from which, under certain conditions, it may actually drop off on the oor or be wiped of on the fabric being ironed, thereby causing spots and discoloration as the collected Water is liable to be dirty.

In the present invention I have provided means for Ventilating the top surface of the board and have at the same time provided a pan or collecting chamber which mayl afterwards be emptied if necessary and which prevents any water o r accumulation from being brought into soiling con` tact with the clothes or fabrics being ironed.

Such a pan also holds the heat and reflects it back through the pad, thus aiding in driving off the moisture in the form of water vapor and in certain instances it may be desirable to make the pan of high reflective material tov obtain the insulation effect thereof or to insert a sheet of reflective type insulation material therein for like purpose.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter` fully described and particularly pointed out in the `claims; the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such disclosed structure constituting,A

however, but one of various forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an ironing table embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same showing the tensioning means;

Fig. 3 is a modified type of frame construction with the covering removed;

Fig. 4 is a broken plan view with parts shown in section to show the envelope construction;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View on the line l 5 5 of Fig. 1 showing reflector material mounted y in the envelope; and

Fig. 6 is a figure similar to Fig. 5, but of a modied construction,

As best shown in Fig. 1, the present invention consists of an ironing table having a folding leg stand or structure 20 and a metal top or ironing board 2|. This top onboard consists of a transversely expansible frame 22A here shown as being formed -of a hollow rectangular tubing, but which, of course, can be formed of any suitable metal shape, the present form giving a great strength and rigidity for its weight.

This frame 22 is formed to the shape of a conventional ironing board, having the usual forward tapered portion 23 with a rounded nose 2d and a main substantially rectangular rear portion 25, the ends 26 of the tubing forming the rear and being provided with a snugly fitting plug 21 upon whichthe ends 26 may move slightly to obtain the required expansion of the frame.

The means for tensioning or expanding the frame may be varied to suit conditions and in Fig. 2 I have shown such means as a series ofA

double arms

28, 28a and 28h the number being, of course, determined by the length of the board and the movement and tension required. These double arms are pivotally connected together at their inner ends and are movably mounted in the tubular frame, being so arranged that movement rearwardly of their

pivots

29, 29a and 29h forces the side members of the frame apart, the angle between each pair of arms being such as to provide the necessary frame movement to properly tension the covering material.

To move the arms, they are connected by a rod or wire Si@ at the pivots and a rod 3i extends from the rear pivot 2gb through the plug 2l and has a threaded end 33 on which is mounted a nut 3ft by which the rod may be drawn rearwardly, thus moving each pair of arms to spread the frame.

Mounted over the frame is an envelope 35 of metal, which is preformed to the shape of the frame andV drawn over the latter when said frame is unexpanded. After this cover or envelope is in place the frame may be expanded to placel such cover or envelope under s'uilicient tension to form the top surface into a taut sheet which will support the weight of the iron and the ironing pressure without sagging.

The top surface 36 of such envelope is preferably preformed into an openwork sheet, and I have shown it cut away from the two side frame ymembers into a series of parallel spaced ribbons 31, spaced close enough to forma satisfactory ironing surface. It is, of course, obvious that any desired pattem'oi cut outs could be employed.'

, suitable manner. The envelope may be made of material such that the inner or upper surface of the bottom 38 may have a high reflective eiect and thus act as insulation for the area below the same and help to reflect the heat back through the openwork top as shown in Figure 6 or as best shown in Fig. a sheet I6 of reflector type insulation material may be mounted on the bottom 3l to accomplish the same result.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, I have shown a frame Il in which the expansion members l2, 42a and #2b are illustrated as being continuous and to obtain tensioning of the envelope I have made such expansion members of metal or metal alloy having a much greater coeicient of expansion than that of the sheet metal envelope and frame. In applying such envelope, it should be heated to expand it slightly and should have a snug iit in such heated condition. Then upon cooling it will tension itself and in use the heat applied to the board will cause the

members

42 and 42a, and 42h to expand more rapidly than the frame or the envelope, thus automatically increasing the tension exerted by the cross-members and maintaining the ironing surface. The leg` stand will be secured to the frame or to brackets 50 attached to the frame through suitable openings in the envelope so as to allow limited transverse movement, or the brackets may be applied after tensioning the frame to a maximum under heat so as to aid in maintaining the expanded condition of the frame and the tautness of the ironing surface.

In use the board, of course, will have the usual pad and shield applied over the upper surface of the board or top and as moisture and water vapor are forced downwardly through the open spaces between the vribbons or the openwork top portion of the envelope, any condensation or direct moisture will slowly accumulate in the pan,` from which it may afterwards be removed in any suitable manner. In employing an envelope of sheet metal which may be Welded or soldered together into an integral sheet, it is of course necessary to use very thin sheets so that suilicie'nt tension may be applied to obtain a iiat ironing surface which will notfsag under the ironing pressure. Such metal will preferably be of not more than .015 inch in thickness and with such thin sheets, a relatively large and thin tubular frame may be used to give longitudinal strength to the table. By using such materials a table top of light weight approximating that of a wooden top may be made.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination of an expansible frame and a thin metal envelope snugly iitting said frame and having the top surface provided with ventilating openings, and means for expanding said frame to tension said envelope to provide a taut non-sagging ironing surface.

2. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination Vof any expansible frame and a thin metal envelope snugly fitting said frame and having the top surface provided with Ventilating openings, the bottom portion of said envelope being solid to provide a moisture collecting pan, and means for expanding said frame to tension said envelope to provide a taut non-sagging ironing surface.'

3. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination of an expansible frame and a thin metal envelope snugly fitting said frame and having the top surface provided with Ventilating openings and means for expanding said frame consisting of a plurality of expansible cross arms mounted in said frame and adapted to expand said frame transversely to tension said envelope to provide a taut non-sagging ironing surface.

4. In an ironing table, the combination of a metal table top consisting of an expansible frame including side members and a thin sheet metal envelope snugly fitting thereover, means for expanding the side members of said frame transversely of the top to tension said envelope to form a taut ironing surface, and a folding stand for said frame, said stand being movably mounted on said frame through said envelope to allow expansion thereof.

5v5. In an ironing table, the Vcombination of a metal table top consisting of an expansible frame including side members and a thin sheet metal envelope snugly tting thereover, means for expanding the side members of said frame transversely of the top to tension said envelope to form a taut ironing surface, and a folding stand for said frame, said stand having folding legs and transversely mounted attaching brackets secured'to said frame through said envelope and capable of limited transverse movement with respect thereto to allow for the expansion of said frame.

6. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination of a frame of ironing board shape, a thin metal envelope snugly fitting said frame, the top l portion of such envelope being provided with ventilating openings, the upper surface of the bottom portion of said envelope being provided with an upwardly facing, heat reflecting surface.

. 7. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination of a frame of ironing board shape, a thin metal envelope snugly tting said frame, the top portion of such envelope being provided with Ventilating openings, and a sheet of reiiector type insulation material mounted on the upper surface'of the bottom sheet of said envelope.

8. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination of a frame of ironing-board shape, a thin metal envelope snugly surrounding said frame and including a top sheet and connected bottom sheet, the top sheet being provided with ventilating openings, and the lower sheet 'being provided with an upwardly facing, heat reflective surface.

HORACE B. FAY.