US2325017A - Electric iron - Google Patents

Description

July 20, 1943;

J. J. GOUGH ELECTRIC IRON .Original Filed Oct. 5l, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYE.

July 20, 1943. J. J. GOUGH ELEcTRIo IRON original Filed oct. s1, 1958 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVETOR. @WU

ATTORNEYA, n

Patented July 20, 1943 f .STAT

Es g PATENT OFFICE ,rinno'rmc IRON f James J. Gough, Chicago, 1u., assigner to 4ohicago Electric Manufacturing Company, Chi-y cago, Il1.,'a corporation of 'Illinois Original 'application october 31,1938, serial No. 237,910. Divided and this application January 4, 1940, Serial No. 312,319

4.olaims. (Ol. ss-ss) invention relatestoan electric iron andl particularlyl to an electric4 iron of the folc ling type. y

The present application is a division of the copending application of James J. Gough, Seria1 N0.v 237,910, `led October 3l, 1938', no'w Patent Number`2,215,959. s

. It is an-Object of thisinvention to provide al sturdy though inexpensive electric Yiron which may readily be folded'and when folded occupy a minimum of space.

Another Object ofthe invention is to provide 'an electric iron of which thehandle may be moved longitudinally of vthe'iron into a collapsed positionin closetting superposed relationto the base of the iron and to provide means for effectively securing or locking the handle in its err tended position andv in the collapsed position whereby to prevent inadverent. collapsing ofthe handle from its extended position and to protect the Yhandle against vibration and fracturing when in collapsed position and against overheating byv heat retained in the base. I

Applicants invention furtherv 'contemplates the provision of Aa relatively very thin iron having simple-but effective means for preventing the heating of the relatively thin cover plate by the heating element interposed between this cover s plate land the sole plate.

A further Object ofthe invention is to'provid in` such an iron a baSesuppOrting rest member which although secured to the base in heat conducting'relation, is kept relatively cool.

Other and further objects and advantages ofi' the' invention will 'be' apparentfrom the io llow'` ing description when taken' in connection with the yaccor'npanying drawings, wherein:

` Figl represents a' perspectiveview of an electric iron embodyingfthe invention, thehandle bein'g shown in extendedposition.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the handle in collapsed position.

Fig.'3. is an enlarged vertical section taken sub-A stantiallyl along the line 3 3 of Figfl.

the handle, illustrating the manner in which the handle may be unlocked for movement to the co1-l lapsed position of Fig. 2. 'f l y Fig. 5 is avertical section taken along the line Fig. 6'is a vertical section takenv along the line 1 6-6 of Fig. 2. f

Fig. 7 is a View in exploded perspective of the elements constituting the base of the iron.

Fig. '4 is a fragmentary view in section through 45 Fig. 8 is ay fragmentary vertical section taken.

substantiallyl along the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a. yview inexploded perspective of the handle latching means. Y

Fig..-10 is aperspective View taching element.

Fig. 1,1 is a view in elevationshowing the iron supported in vertical rest position.

Various structures have been devisedr for collapsibly supporting the handle of Yan electric iron of a handle atbut these have not been entirely satisfactory' bei to beallowe'd for cooling of the shell before the handle could be collapsed.

' An electric iron constructed in accordance with applicantsl invention avoids these defects and insufflciencies of the prior devices and provides an electric iron of the folding' type which, when the handle-is in collapsed position, occupies a mini#- mum amount of space; the danger of vibration and fracturingof the handle is reduced to aminimum and meansare provided for maintaining the shell Or cover plate at a sufciently low teni-V perature .so that the handle maybe moved to collapsed position immediately after use.

As shownin the drawings, an electric iron construction in accordance with applicants invention embodies a sole plate 2.having a cut out portion forming a channel 4 (Fig. 7) for receiving the heating element E which may be of any con- `venient conventional. structure, but preferably comprises the usual resistance coil wound on an insulating plate @which is interposed between upper and lower insulating plates I0 and I2. The heating .clement kli is clamped in position in the channel 4 bya relatively thin metal plate I4 also received in the channel 4, the plate I4 being of a shape similar tol the sole plate 2` and mounted within the upstanding rim or flange I 6 of the latter, The plate I4 is secured to the sole plate by cap screws I8 I(Figs. 3 and 6) passing through openings 20 (Fig. 7) in the plate I4 and received in threaded openingsZZ in the sole plate.

At a rear cornerA o f the plate I4 a portion 24 is cut'to form a slot for receiving the usual plug ceived in threaded openings 36 of the sole plateir The cover plate 36 is preferably of a shape similar to that of the sole plate 2 but is longerthan the sole plate so as to project rearwardly beyond the heel of the sole plate and is'provided with a depending rim or flange 38 adaptedto engage the rim or flange I6 of the sole plate. In order to permit circulation'of air between the position with the cover plate or shell without the danger of marring the handle or burning the fingers of the user.

The handle means 62 comprises the usual handle 64 of heat insulating material and front and rear handle supporting members 66 and 68. The front supporting member 66 preferably comprises a wire or rod of resilient material bent to provide .spaced legs 10, integrally connecting spaced feet 12, with an upper, horizontally extending handlerengaging portion 14, the spaced feet 12' being integrally joined by a lower, horizontally extending pivotV portion 16. As shown in Fig. 6, the feet cover plate or shell and the'heated clamping and sole plates I4 and 2, respectively, the depending rim or flange 38 is provided with a plurality of spaced notches, grooves or openings 4 0, andit will be evidentV that, by reason of a circulation of air through the openingsvjoverheating of the cover plate or shell will'b'e prevented.

A terminal housing 472; preferably of sheet metal, is received within anopening 44'in the cover plate or shell 36 and is secured; with the' strap 23, to the clamping plate I4 as by aj cap screw 46 passing through apeituredlugs 48'and 4,9of theterminal-housing and strap 28, respect'ively,'a ndV received within a threaded opening 50y inline clamping plate. lTfhe horizontal, outwardly'projecting lugs 5I and E2 formedon the housing 42' and the .strap 28 are yclamped be tween thecover plate or shell 370 and the'y clamping plate I4as shown in Fig. 5.

The depending rim Vor ilange 36 ofthe cover plate or shell'30is'partially cut away atthe rear portion thereofjto permit a vrestfrriember 54l to be interposed between the rear portion of the cover` plate and the clamping plate I4.' 'Ihe'restmember.54 rests upon the rim I6* of the sole plate and is providedwith an upwardly pressed or oilset portion liliV forming an opstanding shoulder or;

ridge 56 to engage the ange 38 and lock`- the rest member to the shell to hold the rest memberl This restmemher extendsfrearwardly beyond the rear edge ofthe` against.' relative movement.

cover plate or shell and is provided at itsrear edge with spaced projecting lugs 5,9jwhih are preferably bent upwardly so asproperly to en,.-

gage the flat supporting surface when the iron is in vertical position, as shown in Fig. 11.

Aforward edge of the `rest member is notched as at 58 to snuglyreceive the rear. edge of 'the terminal housing 42 to offer furtherVV support for the housing when the iron is in vertical position and in turn to utilize this housingV in supportng theiron in vertical position. The rest member isA also provided at its forward edges with a struckup'boss 59T engaging the cover plate to support the latter and aperture-d to receive the rear screw 3.2' by which the cover plate is secured to the sole plate so as to provide an additional spaced point of supporting engagement between then-rest,

memberand the soleplate. Openings 60 in the portion of the rest member lyingk beneath the rearwardly projecting heel portion of the cover plate or shell and thc rear edge ofthe sole plate further facilitate the circulation of airv between the' coverV platemor shell and the clamping and sole plates and withthe airlcirculating openings 40'in the rimof. the cover plate insurethe maintenance ofhthe cover plate or Vsliell ata sufficiently low temperature for satisfactory use andto permit folding of the handle into Close juxtav12A-converge from the pivot portion 16 so as snugly to receive the handle when in collapsed position andjresiliently latch the handle in that posiing means comprises a plate 88 (Fig. 9)r secured' to the handle in the end groove 90 (Fig. 3) asby a screw 92. A latching clip 94 (Fig. 9) is,V pivotally mounted on a resilientV plate or strip 96, secured to the handle by the screw 92 andoverlying the plate 88 (Figs. 3 and 4). The clip 94' passes vthrough a slot98 (Fig. 7) 'in the spring plate 96by the edges of which it is pivotally associated with said plate, and lbetween, the plate..

96`and the plate 88 the clipv is provided'with laterally extending lugs |00 substantially rectanguiarV in cross section, as shown in Figs. 3 and/4 sothat the clip will be retained inits latching position by the spring plate 96, as shown in Fig. 3, and also will be retainedin its non-latching or released position, as shown in Fig. 4.

The clip 94, exteriorly of the spring strip .96, is shaped to provide a. groove |02 (Figs. 4 and 7) andaI nger or operating portion |04, the groove- |02 receiving the handle engaging portion v141 of the handle supporting member 66. 'Ihelower edge portion |06 of, the spring strip-V 96 extendsY over the groove4 |02 when the clip 94is in latching.

position and bearsagainst the portionv 14of. the member Sito retain it in the groove |02 (Fig. 3).

It will be evident that byengaging the .-nger- |04.`

of the latch clip 94 the same will be raised from the position shown vin Fig. 3 tothe position shownin Fig. 4, thereby; to releasethe handle supportingmembeLBi from kthe handle.

The rear handle vs l-lpllorting member68 .preferably comprisesa wire.or lrod bent. to provide spaced feet |08 (Figs. 1 `and2 integrally con-l nected at their lower ends b'y va .horizontally eictending pivot portion I0 and integrally connected to a horizontally extending attaching porlaterally extending lugs 122 adapted to engage the legs |08 of the supporting member 68 at points spaced sufficiently from the center of the portion I l2 when the handle is in extended position so as to limit the movement of the handle relative to the supporting member 68 when brought to the position shown in Fig. 3.

It will be evident that upon movement of the latching clip 94 from the locking position of Fig. 3 to the releasing position of Fig. 4, the forward handle supporting member 66 may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction from the full line position of Fig. 3 to the dotted line position of said figure, or the full line position of Figs. 2 and 6, in which position the horizontally extending portion l2 of this member 65 rests upon the upper surface of the cover plate or shell 3U and thereupon the handle 64 may be moved in a forward direction longitudinally of the iron to a collapsed position in close tting relation to the base of the iron, as shown by the full lines of Figs. 2 and 6 and the dotted lines of Fig. 3.

In moving to this position the handle 64 will be forced between the spaced resilient legs lll and feet l2 of the front supporting member 65, as shown in Fig. 6, and resiliently held by this member against vibration when in collapsed position and resiliently latched in this collapsed position. The position which the handle occupies in relation to the base when collapsed and the latching i of the handle in this position protect thehandle against the dangers of fracturing during transportation or storage. v

It should be noted that the feet l2 and |08 of the front and rear handle supporting members 6B and 68, respectively, extend in opposite directions along the cover plate when the handle is in extended, operating position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and therefore absolutely prevent movement of the handle relative tothe base so long as the front Vsupporting member is latched to the handle.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that applicant has provided a sturdy and inexpensive, relatively very thin, collapsible iron wherein means are provided for preventing overheating of the cover plate; wherein the handle is movable longitudinally of the iron into a collapsed position in close tting superposed relation to the base; and wherein means are provided for eiectively locking the handle in its extended position. v

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the several parts Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacricing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the'purpose of illustrating the invention.

I claim:

1. In an electric iron, a base comprising a thin sole plate, a heating element uponsaid base, a thin, sheet metal clamping plate secured to said sole plate and overlying said heating element to clamp the latter to the sole plate, a thin, flat surfaced cover plate overlying said clamping plate and having a depending peripheral rim engaging the rim of the sole plate to space the top of the cover plate vertically from the clamping plate,

'and a flat, sheet metal rest member clamped between and secured to said cover plate and said sole plate and having integral laterally spaced feet extending upwardly at the rear end thereof to support the iron in vertical position.

2. In an electrically heated iron, an electrically heated base comprising a thin sole plate, a heating element on said plate, a sheet metal clamping plate secured to said sole plate and overlying said heating element to clamp the latter to the sole plate and a sheet metal, flat surfaced cover plate overlying said clamping plate and having a depending peripheral rim engaging the rim of the sole plate, and a sheet metal rest member interposed between a portion of said cover plate and said sole plate, said sheet metal rest member projecting beyond said sole plate and having spaced feet adapted to support the iron in vertical position, said rest member also having an upwardly offset portion beneath said cover plate, said offset portionr having a side wall shaped similarly to the depending rim of the cover plate and engaging the depending rim of said cover plate to hold said rest member in proper position relative to said cover plate.

3. In an iron, a base comprising a thin sole plate, a heating element on said sole plate, a flat surfaced cover plate secured to the sole plate in overlying relation to the heating element and having a depending peripheral rim engaging the sole plate and spacing the cover plate from the Vheating element, and a rest member extending longitudinally part way of the cover plate and interposed between a portion of the cover plate and the sole plate, said rest member projecting beyond said sole plate and cover plate to support the iron in vertical position, said rim and rest member having openings permitting a circulation of air between the cover-plate and the heating element and between the rest member and the cover plate.

4. In an electrically heated iron, an electrically heated base comprising a thin sole plate, a heating element on said plate, a sheet metal clamping plate secured to said sole plate and overlyingv said heating element to clamp the latter to the sole plate and a sheet metal, flat surfaced cover plate overlying said clamping plate and having a depending peripheral rim engaging the rim of the sole plate,fand a sheetv metal rest member interposed between a portion of said cover plate and said sole plate, said sheet metal rest member projecting beyond said sole plate and having spaced feet adapted to support the iron in vertical position, said rest member also having an upwardly offset portion beneath said coverplate, the dening side wall of said upwardly offset portion engaging the depending rim of said cover plate to hold said rest member in proper position relative to said cover plate, said cover plate and said rest member having openings therein for permitting a circulation of air between the rest member, theA cover plate and the heating element.

JAMES J. GOUGI-I.

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