US2401311A - Combined ironing board and stepladder - Google Patents

Description

June 4, i946. V.w MAYHUGH 2,401,315

COMBINED IRONING BOARD AND STEPLADDER Filed April 3, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4 Inbenfof June 4, 1946. J. W. MAYHUGH 2,401,311

COMBINED IRONING BOARD AND STEPLADDER I FiledApril 3, 1945 Z Sheets-Shet 2 m I I].

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Patented June 4, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED IRONING BOARD AND STEPLADDER 3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a combined ironing board and stepladder of that type wherein the ironing board proper serves as a support when the device is employed as a stepladder and wherein the stepladder serves as a support for the ironing board proper when the device is used as an ironing table.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device of the above kind which is comparatively simple and durable in construction, easy to convert, and constructed to surely remain in proper condition when set up for either use.

More specific objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the invention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout.

the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention, set up for use as an ironing table.

Figure 2 is an end elevation looking toward the right of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the device set up for use as a stepladder.

Figure 4 is an elevational view looking toward the right of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the device in completely collapsed condition.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the device conditioned as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 'l.--'| of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 4.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the illustrated embodiment of the present invention comprises a ladder portion A and an ironing board portion B. The ladder portion includes substantially similar sections 5 and 5a substantially centrally pivoted together, as at 6. Each ladder section includes spaced stiles l and 8, respectively, rigidly connected by steps 9 and Ill. The steps 9 of the section 5 are disposed to form lower steps of the ladder, as is also one of the steps 10, while the remaining steps ID of the section 5a are disposed to form the upper steps of the ladder. The stiles 8 of the section 511 are disposed at the inner sides of the stiles l of the section 5, and the sections are movable to aligned relation, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, with the stiles 8 of section 5a contacting the rear faces of the steps 9 of the section 5. The ladder sections are also movable to crossed relation, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the stiles 8 of section 5a contacting an edge of a step 9 of the section 5.

The ironing board portion B comprises a board ll having a transverse head block I2 secured on the under side thereof near one end of the same. Corresponding ends of the stiles l of the section 5 are pivoted to the ends of the head block H, as at I3. Also, corresponding ends of the section 5a are beveled and disposed to engage the head block l2, as shown in Figure 8, to limit increase in angular relation between the ladder and the ironing board portions when the ladder sections are aligned and the device is set up foruse asa ladder. A transverse'cleat I4 is secured on the under side of the board H near the other end of the latter, and this cleat has notches l5 in the ends thereof. Corresponding ends of the section 511 are engageable in the notches I5 and behind the ends of the cleat M to secure the ladder sections in crossed relation and to support the adjacent end of the board II when the device is setup for use as an ironing board.- Increase in angular relation between the section 5 and the board II, when the sections 5 and 5a are in crossed relation and the device is set up for use as an ironing board, is prevented by engagement of the pivoted ends of the stiles l with the under side of th board II, as at l6, these ends of stiles 1 being properly beveled for the purpose.

As shown in Figure 8, the head block I2 has an inclined inner face, and corresponding ends of the stiles 8 are beveled at I! to engage this inclined face of block l2 so as to prevent increase in angular relation between the ladder and the ironing board when the device is set up for use as a ladder. The arrangement is such, however, that when the device is completely collapsed, the ends of stiles 8 move away from the beveled face of block i2 and permit the section 5a to be swung so that the beveled ends l'l move outwardly past the block 12 and permit disposition of the parts for use as an ironing board, as shown in Figure 1. Also, the arrangement issuch that the section 5 is sprung slightly to snap the ends of stiles 8 behind the cleat [4. In this way, the device is securely retained in any condition which it is set up for use. No collapsible brace is needed between the ladder and ironing board portions, and no movable locking devices are needed between the stiles 8 and the board II, when the device is conditioned respectively for use as a ladder and for use as an ironing board.

Secured on the outer face of the head block I2 is a relatively wider board I8 which serves as a top step or shelf for the device when set up for use as a ladder.

In conditioning the device for use as a ladder, assuming that it is already conditioned for use a an ironing board, as shown in Figure 1, it is simply necessary to spring the section 5 slightly away from the board II and disengage the ends of the stiles 8 of section Set from behind the ends of cleat I4. Section 5a is thenswungabout the pivots 6 in the direction of the arrows a in Figure 1 and until the ladder sections are nearly aligned. The section 5 is then swung toward and. against the board I I, whereupon the section 511 is moved further until it is aligned with the section 5. The aligned sections 5 and 5a are then swung away from the board I l to the angular position of Figures'3 and 8. Assuming that the device is set up for use as a ladder, it may be changed for use as an ironing table by swinging the ladder section against th board II and then swinging section 541 into angular relation to the section 5 while simultaneously swinging section '5 away from the board I I. When the stiles 8 engage an edge of a step 9, the ladder sections are in proper crossed relation and it is simply necessary to spring the section 5 slightly away from the board I I so as to' snap the ends of the stiles't behind the ends of cleat :I4. I

From the foregoing description, it is believed that .the constructionand manner of use, as well as the advantages of the present invention, will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in ,the art. Minor changes in details of construction illustrated and described may be made, such as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

-l. A combined ironing table and stepladder comprising a ladder portion and an ironing .board portion, said ladder portion comprising substantially similar sections substantially centrally pivotally connected together, each section including spaced stiles rigidly connected by steps, the stiles of one section being disposed at the i11- ner sides of the stilesof the other section, the section being movable to aligned relation with the stiles of said one section contacting faces of the steps of the other section or to crossed relation with the stiles of said one section contacting an edge of a step of the. other section, said ironing board portion comprising a board having a transverse head block secured on the under side thereof near one end of the same, corresponding ends of the stiles of said other ladder section being pivoted to the ends of said head block, corresponding ends of the one ladder section being shaped and disposed to engage the head block and limit increase in angular relation between the ladder and ironing board portions when the ladder sections are aligned and the device is set up for use as a ladder, and means to prevent swinging of the ladder sections to aligned relation from crossed relation when the device is set up for use as an ironing board.

1 2. The construction defined in claim 1, wherein a transverse cleat is secured on the under side of the board near the other end of the latter and has notches in :the ends thereof, and wherein corresponding ends of said one ladder section are engageable in said notches to secure the ladder sections in crossed relation when the device is set up for use as an ironing board.

3. A combined ironing table and stepladder comprising a ladder portion and an ironing'board portion, said ladder portion comprising substantially similar sections substantially centrally pivotally connected together, each section including spaced stiles rigidly connected by steps, :the stiles of one section being disposed at the innersides of the stiles of the other section, the sections being movable to aligned relation with the stiles of said one section contacting faces of the steps of the other section or to crossed relation with the stiles of said one section contacting an edge of a step of the other section, said ironing board portion comprising aboard having a transverse head block secured on the under side thereof near one end of the same, corresponding ends of the stiles of said other ladder sectionbeing pivoted to the ends of said head block and beveled to contact the ironing board portion and limit increase in angular relation between the other ladder section and the ironing board portion when theladder sections are disposed in crossed relation and the device is set up for use as an ironing board,

-a transversecleat-secured-on-the under side of'the board near the other ended the latter-and having notches in the ends thereof, correspondingends of said one ladder section being forcibly engageable behind the cleat within said notches to secure 'the ladder sections in crossed relation after the stiles of said one section'contact the edge of the step of the other section-when the device is set up for use as an ironing'board. I

JOEL VI. MAY-HUGH.

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