US2425598A - Steam electric iron - Google Patents

Description

H. w. CLUM s wnu ELECTRIC IRON Filed lay 30. 1944.

Aug. 12, .1947.

2 Sheets-Shut 1 Q ON mm -of the soleplate.

Patented Aug. 12, 1947 STEAM anaem c mos Henry Walter Clum, Upper Darby, Pa., minorto Philco Corporatiomlhlladelphla, Pa a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 30, 1944, Serial No. 538,022

' 4 Claims. (c1, 38-" 1 This invention relates to steam irons.

I In the process of' ironing or pressing it is generally desirable first to uniformly dampen the work and then to remove the moisture by the application of heat. Except in the case of irons of the steam electric type, dampening is conventionally done by some direct application of water, such as by sprinkling, for example, and uniformity of dampening is seldom achieved. It is customary in fact, after such application of water to roll the work tightly, cover it, and allow it to I stand until the moisture has had an opportunity to spread throughout more or less uniformly, this requiring usually two hours or more, depending upon the nature of the material of which the work is composed. It is well known that steam is the best medium for uniform application of moisture for ironing purposes, and the steam electric hand iron has combined the dampening and pressing functions in one instrument. Heretoiore, such irons have been provided with a single group of steam outlets or jets through which the steam is emitted either continuously or in response to the manipulation of a valve by the operator, and such group of jets has been variously located in accordance with the individual preference of the manufacturer. In some irons, for example, the jets have been located at the front of the soleplate, in others at the sides, and in still others centrally It has been found desirable in to have the steamed portion of the work subjected immediately to. the action of as large an area as possible of the hot soleplate, to thereby remove the moisture and impart the desired ironed finish.

Those irons which emit steam solely from thefront or side edges of the soleplate usually leave in the work an inadequately dried area when the iron is moved in any direction but straight forward. The hot soleplate of the iron, or a sufiicient portion thereof, does not immediately pass over all of the dampened area of the work and thus fails to remove the moisture, with the result that the material is not properly dried .and set. On the other hand, those irons wherein the jets are placed centrally of the soleplate have only localized application of steam and cannot possibly distribute the steam over the entire area swept by the soleplate. 'With these types of iron the labor of the operator is either greatly increased,-

or the character ofthe work is poor.

lt'is an object of the present invention to provide an improved steam iron in which steam is emitted adjacent the leading edge of the ir n regardless of the direction in which the iron may be moved, whereby the dampened portions ofv the work are immediately subjected to the action of a substantial area of the hot soleplate.

Another object is to provide a steam iron having a plurality of Jet groups fromv which steam is emitted-selectively in accordance with the direction of movement of the iron.

The'invention also contemplates the provision of a steam iron wherein the foregoing operation is accomplished without specialmanipulation on the part of the operator. I

A further object is to provide an iron having a plurality of steam outlet apertures or jet groups which are individually operable to emit steam in response to forces exerted in the act of moving the iron.

Still further,-an object of the invention is to provide a steam iron of the aforesaid character having the, added characteristics. of structural simplicity, rugged design, and adaptability for economical mass production.

steam ironing In the attached drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a steam elec-. tric iron embodying the invention;-

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the iron on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 32 of Figure 2; 30,

Figure dis a top plan view of the soleplate detached from the rest of the iron;

Figures5, 6, '1 and 8 are diagrammatic views of the soleplate, each illustrating a separate jet group and 'itseii'ective operational characteristics;" and v Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of a modification of the invention.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of I the drawings, theiron comprises generally a base member or soleplate ID, a cover H suitably secured to the soleplate, and a handle i2 carriedby said cover,

More particularly, the soleplate It, as illustrated in Figure 4, is of conventional streamlined configuration and is provided with four groups of outlet apertures or jet groups l6, l1, l8 and is which together substantially surround the major area of the soleplate. Each jet group comprises a plurality of steam discharge apertures or jets 20 which communicate with channelsfll, 22, 22 and 24. respectively, formed in the upper surface 25 of said soleplate. It should be understoodthat, while it is considered preferable to have four jet groups this number may be increased or decreased, as desired.

portion 42 ofsaid soleplate ill. The reservoir 40 i is preferably formed integrally with the cover ii and in the present instance entirely encircles the extension 33. A depressed portion 43 of the bottom wall 44 of the reservoir 43 is adapted to fit into a recess 43 in the upper surface of boss .42,

and is provided with an opening 41 through which is passed a valve seat fitting 43, said fitting having an aperture 43 therethrough which communicates with'the passage 4! and establishes communication between the passage and the reservoir 43. The fitting is threaded into the boss 42 and is of a character to firmly secure the reservoir. to the soleplate. Agasket is provided, between the header the fitting. and the opposed-surface of the depression 43 to make the connection watertight.

Regulation of the quantity. of water to pass V through the aperture 43 and passage 4| to steam chamber 33 is effected in the illustrated embodiment, through the medium of a needle valve."

having threaded connection with a raised boss 31 on thecover ll, said boss being located directly over the valve seat. The valv is provided with a knob 32 for regulating the rate of vfiow of the water to the chamber, or for completely shutting 5 oil the water supply to the steam chamber 33 when it is desired to iron dry, or during periods when the reservoir is being filled. A filler opening 53 is provided in the cover, which opening is normally closed by a removable plug 33.

4 The soleplate I0 is provided in the present instance with an armored electrical heaterelement 31 of well-known construction and comprising an outermetallic tube I53 having a, resistance'element 33 supported in concentric spaced relation thereto by means of. a suitable heat-conducting electrical insulating material 30. Electrical-energy for heating the. iron'is supplied through a cord 3i provided with conventional means for connection to an electrical outlet (not shown). 30

This cord comprises conductors 32 one of which is connected to an end of resistance element 53 and the other to one side of a manually adjustable thermostatic switch 33 mounted in recess 34 in cover II, the said element 53 and switch 63 being 55 connected together'to form a series circuit under control .01 the latter. A knob 63 is provided for manual adjustment of the thermostat.

A cover plate 33, suitably secured to the soleplate III, as byscrewsfl, encloses the channels 2|,22, 2-3 and 24, and 23, 23, 30 and 31 and forms therewith conduits for conducting the steam to the several jet groups l3, l1, l3 and i3, indi-- vidually, as determined by a valve l3, hereinafter more fully described. g.

The steam chamber is preferably of thef'flash" type; i. e., water from'the reservoir flows through passage 4i into contactwith the heated bottom wall .33 of the chamber and is immediately converted into steam.

. a 7 The upper edge of the chamber walls comprises va valveseat 33 for a hollow substantially. spherical valve member In havin its bottom'portion cut 7 away, as at H, to permit steam from the steam chamber to enter the interior ofitha Valve, A cap member 12 having an opening 13 (the surface of which is shaped to fit the spherical surface of the valve and to provide a snug fit therewith) is secured to the top of the extension 36, as by screws 14. Radialgrooves 11 in the lower surface of the cap member 12 register with radial grooves 18 in the top surface of extension 33 to provide radial extensions of the passages 32, 33, 34 and 35. Valve member Hi normally interrupts communication between these radial extensions and steam chamber 33, but is provided with horizontally slotted ports 13, 80, BI and 82 which are arranged to register respectively with the inner ends of the aforesaid extensions when the valve is turned in h the manner now to be explained.

The handle l2, which comprises forward and '7 rearward standards, 83 and 34, respectively, and

an intermediate grip portion 35, is slidably connected to the top surface of cover i I. To this end,

the forward standard 33 is provided with a depending stub shaft 86 which extends through an opening 81 oi larger diameter than the shaft to permit limited lateral movement of the handle in anydirection relative to the cover. Larger washera" are carried byshaft-33 on each side of the cover to prevent angular displacement of the handle relative to the cover, and provide bearing surfaces for the sliding movements. Th handle is connected with valve 13 through a ball and sleeve Joint 33 which includes a ball 30 on the top of valve member 73, and a sleeve 3i secured to the lower end of shaft 33 and into which the. ball snugly fits. To prevent relative rotation of the handle and valve, the ball is provided with a pair of radial pins 32 which fit'into slots 33 in opposite sides of the sleeve, said slots being sufficient in length to permit relative vertical movement of the pins and the-sleeve when the handle is moved. A pair of opposed springs 34 are attached respectively to the ends of pins 32 and to the walls of reservoir 40, and normally resiliently retain the valve in a central position, as illustrated. a To prevent horizontal rotational movement of the handle about the axis of the shaft 33, while still permitting the aforesaid lateral movements,

the rear standard 3401' the handle is provided with a short dependinglug 33 which extends through a slot 38 in cover H.

The rearward standard of the handle is also provided with an upwardly projecting portion 31 which cooperates with the heel 33 or the soleplate in providing a stable support for the iron when rested in an upright rest position upon a horizontal surface, as indicated by the broken line 33. 'When in this position ofv rest, the level :01 the water in reservoir 40 will be below the outlet aperture 43 of the valve seat 43, thereby precluding entrance of water into the steam chamber 33.

pperation of the iron is as follows:

Assume reservoir 40 to be substantially filled with water, needle valve set to the desiredposition. and thermostat 33 set for the degree of heating required for the particular material to be' pressed. Handle i2 is grasped by the operator and the iron is moved-over the material by applyingforce to the handle in the direction desired. This force first effects a slight movement of the handle with relation to the body of the f 0 iron in the direction 01'. applied force, thereby turning the valve i3 in a manner and to an extent to establish communication between the steam chamber and one or other of the Jet groups, depending upon the direction of force.

1 More specifically, let it be assumed that "the assuage force upon the handle is in the forward direction. It willbe seen by referenceto Figure 2 that the handle will move forwardly with-relation to cover ll until shaft" engages the wall of opening 81, this movement causing rotation of valve member HI sufficient to register port with the radial extension of passage 32, thus effecting communication between steam chamber 39 and the forward discharge apertures or jet group l8 through channels 23 and 2|. Steam generated; in the chamber will then be emitted from 'jet, group It so that the steamed area of the work may be immediately subjected to action of a major portion of the hot soleplate as the iron is advanced. In like manner a rearward-movement of the iron brings the port 8| ofthe valve into registration with the radial extension ofpassage 34 and permits steam to flow from steam chamber 39 through passage 30 and channel 23 to the jets 20 of the rearward jet group I8. Sidewise movement away from the viewer (as the iron is seen in Figure 2) rotatesvalve 10 to bring port 00 into'registration with the radial extension of passage 33 and'will effect communication between the steam chamber and jet group I1. Similarly, movement of the iron in an opposite sidewise direction brings the port 82 into registration with the radial extension of passage 35 and thereby permits steam to flow through passage 3i and channel 24 to the jets 20 of group i9.

As more clearly illustrated in the diagrammatic Figures 5, 6, '7 and 8, if the iron is moved forwardly in any direction encompassed by angle spring retainer has been depressed by the lug I! whereupon c-slight counter-clockwise rota-* tionel movement of the rearward end of the handle moves "the lug into the offset portion where it is held "by the spring retainer. The lug may "be released manually by-depressingthe rctainer directly or by exerting 'sumcient force through thehandle. in a clockwise direction ag'ainstthe retainer to cause it to move to its de- 1 -pressed-position so 'as to 'allow lug to return toslot I00.

A (Figure 5), the jet group I8 will be the'only group emitting steam, and, as indicated by lines A during such movement the 'steamed area will from jet group it, which area .is indicated by the shaded portion A". Similarly, when the iron is moved in any direction encompassed by angle 13 (Figure 6) jet group I1 will be the only group emitting steam, and parallel lines 3* indicate that .portion of the hot soleplate which overruns the area steamed by this group. As indicated by Figures 'l and 8, a corresponding condition exists with jet group I3, angle C, and linesC; and with jet group ll, angle D, and lines D.

Thus, the invention provides a steam iron from which steam is emittedin effect only from the leading edge of the iron 'irrespective'of the direction in which it may be moved, whereby the area dampened by the steam is immediately subject to the pressing and drying action of a substantial portion of the total area of the hot soleplate. In the present instance. the emission of steam is automatically responsive to forces applied in manipulating the iron.

Under certain conditions, such, for example. as when it is desired to iron pleats, gathers and other such portions of the garment being pressed, it is particularly advantageous to emit steam from the toe only of the iron. For this purpose, and with reference to Figure 9, the above described device may be modified as follows: The slot Hi0 corresponding to slot 88 in the aforedescribed embodiment is provided with an offset portion lfll and a spring retainer I 02. When it is desired to have steam emit only from the forward jet group, the body of the iron is held adjoining.

Whilea speciilc mechanism has been'illustrated to accomplish the Iobjectsset-forth'it is evident that variationsthercof are'possible with out departing-from the invention.

1. Ai steam iron comprising .a soleplate having a "front jet group, "opposite side jet groups; and a rear jet group, means for heating said soleplate,

.a source of steam, valve means for directing steam'from said source to the said jet groups, 1se-- lectively, a member for transmitting motion" to the iron in performance ofthe ironing function; said meinberlhaving lostmotion with respect to the sole'plate so that each movement of the'ji-ronf so transmfittedis precedediby a movement ofthe member in substantially the same directionand' with respect to said plate, and means for opera- ,tively associating the member with the valve means so that each saidpreceding movement of the member actuates the valve means to direct steam to a predetermined jet group, said member being movable from a neutral position, wherein the valve prevents passage of steam to any of said groups, into each of a plurality of open positions admitting steam respectively to said groups, and also from each of said open positions directly to the open positions immediately a adjoining.

2. A steam iron comprising a soleplate having a front jet group, opposite side jet groups, and a rear jet 'group, means for heating said soleplate, a source of steam connected to said jet groups, valve means interposed between said jet groups and said source for directing steam from the source to said groups, selectively, a member for transmitting motion to the iron in performance of the ironing function, said member having lost motion with respect to the sole plate so that each movement of the iron so transmitted is preceded by a movement of the member in substantially the same direction and with respect to said plate, and means for operatively connecting the member with the valve meansso that each said preceding movement of the member will actuate the valve means to direct steam to the jet group toward which the movement of the member occurs,

,said member being movable from a neutral position, wherein the valve prevents passage of steam to any of said groups, into each'of a plurality of open positions admitting steam respectively to said groupsmnd also fromeach of said open positions directly to the open positions immediately 3. A steam iron including a water said reservoir, a soleplate having a plurality of jet groups jointly substantially surrounding said soleplate, means connecting said jet groups to said chamber, :and unitary valve means interposed between said groups and said chamber for selectively controllingpassage of steam to said groups, a member for transmitting motion to the iron in performance of the ironing function, said while the handle is moved forwardly until the member having lost motion with respect to the supply reser -voir, a steam generating chamber connected to so transmitted is preceded by a movement of the member substantially in the same direction and with respect-to said plate,'andmeans for operamovements or the handle relative to said cover :will' actuate the valve means in a manner to ditively connecting the member with.- the 1 valve means so that each said preceding movement oi the member will actuate the valve unit to direct steam toithe Jet group toward which the movement of the member occurs, said valve unit havi'rom all oi. said jets 4th steamiron comprising a soleplate having four separate ietsroups for emitting steam, a

cover overlying-and secured to) said solepiate,

means for heating said soleplate, a steam gen e'rator carried by said soleplate, a water supply 1,0 95- reservoir carried by said cover, means including an adjustable valve for supplying water' from said reesrvoir to the steam generator; means connecting said jet groups to said generator, valvelmeans' interposed between said :Ietgroups and the senerator. a handle mounted on the cover, said handie ireeior limite movement-with respect,

to the cover in directions generally parallel to the plane'oi' said sole-plate amkbein: connected to the valve means by such construction that said --rect'steam to said Jet groups selectively inaccordance with the direction of movementot said I ironjresulting Irom pressure applied thereto by I ing a universal mounting permitting direct 10 way oisaidhandle. v

movement thereof between operative positions a a wherein steam is admitted respectively. to said Jet groups, and between each. 01' said-positions, and a neutral position wherein steam. i excluded a nnmr wan'ran ."nEFEm css CITED 1 i The following' references are oi record in the 15 flle'oi' thispatent:

s'ra'rasrarsis'rsj 'Number I 'Date" Germany 1a, 1928*

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