US2597314A - Steaming and pressing flatiron - Google Patents

Description

ay 20, 1952 H, GQRDON 2,597,314

STEAMING AND PRESSING FLATIRON Filed May 29, 195o 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 A Z7 2l Patented May 20, 1952 y UNITED 'STATES ATENT osFlcE My invention relates to steaming and pressing atirons of the type adapted for use by tailors and in pressing establishments as distinguished from the domestic atiron.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a steaming and pressing flatiron which is adapted for flexible connection to a remote source of steam to receive steam therefrom while in use, and so that such steam can be discharged directly onto a fabric being ironed, and which has therein an electrical heating element so associated with the course of travel of the steam through the flatiron as to superheat the steam in transit, thus permitting the application of such superheated steam to a fabric in the steaming and pressing thereof.

A number of advantages stem from the use of superheated steam in the steaming and pressing of fabrics as against the use of steam at ordinary temperatures. It is relatively dry, and, therefore, does not unnecessarily dampen the cloth or other fabric being ironed beyond what is actually required to effect thorough pressing thereof. Further, it permits a fabric to be pressed more rapidly than heretofore, and practically no moisture is left in the fabric. Particularly in the case of clothing is the garment left dry and ready for wear, and without losing the creases pressed therein as is the case with a damp pressed garment.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a atiron of the character above described which embodies an upper body and a lower body, the latter having an apertured sole plate from which the superheated steam is discharged onto the fabric being ironed. In the upper body is contained a steam chamber for receiving the steam from the source. and a passage leading from this chamber to the bottom of the body for discharging the steam from the apertures in the sole i plate. The electrical heating element is also carried by the upper body and is positioned about a passage and beneath the steam chamber to effect the afore described superheating of the steam traversing the two.

To avoid scorching or burning of any fabric being ironed resultant of inadvertently leaving the flat iron on the fabric without disrupting the supply of current to the electrical heating element, my flat iron is constructed to operate in the manner of the at iron disclosed in my copending, now abandoned application No. 752,105, led June 3, 1947. That is to say, the upper body of my present fiat iron is vertically movable to occupy lowered and elevated positions therein.

In the lowered position the electrical heating element is contiguous to the sole plate of the lower body so that the maximum heat of the element is transmitted to the sole plate for iron- 5 Claims. (Cl. 38-77) 2 ing. In the elevated position of the element it is sufiieiently spaced from the sole plate to prevent the latter from scorching or burning any fabric upon which it rests.

In the ilatiron of my aforesaid application, springs are located in the lower body for urging the upper body to elevated position so that manual pressure downward on the upper body is required to move it to a lowered position. In my present latiron I again employ springs, but instead of them being within the lower body where they are subject to the intense heat of the heating element, causing them soon to lose their tension, I locate the springs exteriorly of both bodies and remotely from the heating element as well as from the steam chamber of the upper body. As a consequence, the springs are not subjected to the maximum heat of either the heating element or the steam within the chamber, and, therefore, their tension is preserved to successfully urge the upper body to elevated position once it is relieved of downward pressure.

I will describe only one form of atiron embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view showing in perspective one form of flatiron embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 4, and showing the upper body in lowered position within the lower body.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the upper body in elevated position in the lower body.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the atiron with a portion thereof broken away.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4.

Referring specifically to the drawings, my invention in its present embodiment comprises a lower body, designated generally at A, having the conventional triangular form of a iiatiron, and comprising a rim or frame l5 formed on two of its lower edges with a tongue It which is coextensive in length therewith.

The frame I5 is spanned at its bottom by a shoe plate Il of triangular shape, and formed at its side edges with an upwardly extending ilange iS which is bent to form a groove or channel in which the tongue li is adapted to be received for securing the plate to the frame. Additional securing means may be provided in the form of screws 23 extending through the flange and into the tongue. This plate l1 is formed with a multiplicity of downwardly directed apertures 2l through which steam is adapted to be emitted as will be later described. The upper edge of the frame l5 is provided with a continuous lip 22, the function of which will be later described.

The atiron also includes an upper body designated generally at B, made in sections separable one from the other to facilitate assembly and disassembly for purposes of cleaning and repair. It comprises a carrying section 25 which is of triangular cupped form and of an area to be freely movable vertically in the frame I5 to occupy lowered and elevated positions, as will be later described herein.

This carrying section includes natriangular rim 26, spanned at its lower edge by a bottom wall 21 which is integral therewith. On the outer side of this wall is a continuous lip 28 which is adapted to abut the lip 22 when the carrying Y,section is in its uppermost position, thusdefiningthe elevated position of such section.

' Within the carrying section areA posts 29 'integral with the bottom walll 21. and connected by rods 29a formed of electrical insulating material. About these ,rods is coiled an electrical heating element 3i) in the form of a at metal Strip connected at its ends to,wires 3| contained ina flexible cable 32 which is adapted for connection to a source of current.

A member 33 is fixed to and rises centrally from the bottom wall 21, and it is bored to provide a passage SII/which leadsdownwardly to a perforated disk '35 suitably secured in the lower end of' the member. Adjacent its upper end the member. is. formed exteriorlyA with'an annular collar 36.

Formed on vthe inner side of the rim 26 is a continuous lip 31 which provides a sup-port for a plate 38 of triangular form. This plate is provided with an opening 39 `through lwhich the upper `endof the member 33 extends. A tray 40 of triangular' form is supported on the plate ,3 8, and YIit is provided with a collared opening 4| through which the upper end/ofl the member 33 extends so thatthe passage 34 is placed in communication with 'the interior ofthe tray. A gasket 42 .is interposed vbetween the tray and the collar .36 to form a steam-tghtjoint between the .tray and .the member.

The upper body B alsoincludes a cover sectionV 43 Oftriangular form, and including a top wall 44 and a depending flange 45, through which screws 46 `extend for securing the section to the rim 26 of the carrying section. ,Suitable openings are provided in the cover section and the plate 38 through which the cable 32 may be extended from the heating element 30. The area of the cover section is such that the flange 45 will abut the upperedge of the frame |5when the upper body is in'its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 2, so as to leave the wall 21 slightly spacedv from the shoe plate I1 in order that steam may be free to flow from the perforations inthe disk 35 and then outwardly of the apertures 2 I.

With the cover section secured on the Vcarrying section as above described, the wall 44 serves as a closure for the top of the tray 40 to form a steam receiving chamber S, the joint between the wall and the upper edge of the tray being sealed by a gasket 41. Steam is adapted to be supplied to the chamber S from any suitable source such as a boiler located at some remote point and connected to the flatiron through a exiblepipe 48.

Asbest shown in Fig. 6, this pipe 48 is -connected with a nozzle 49 carried by a'casing 50. This casing is mounted on the wall 44 by means of a head 5I which is screw-threadedinto the wall. This head is formed integral with the casing and the interior of the head provides a seat 52 for a valve 53. The valve is carried by a stem 54 movable axially in the casing and through a guideflange.- 55. The upper end of the stem projects from thecasing for manual operation to open the valve against the tension of a spring 56 arranged about the stem and between the flange and a shoulder 51 on the stem.

When the valve is open steam from the pipe 48 can .pass downwardly through the casing 50 and into the chamber S to flow downwardly .through the passage 34 and outwardly through the sole plate, as will be more fully described hereinafter. To reduce the possibility of condensation of the steam in its passage to the chamber S, both the seat 52 and the valve 53 Vare' made in steppedform as'illustrated. Such form gives them greater surface area so that when the two become heated by the steam, condensation of the steam is reduced to a minimum.

The upper body B is urged to the elevated position shown in Fig.` 3 by the provision of two or more springs 58 which are disposed exteriorly of the bodies A and B so that they are remotely disposed with respect to the heating element 30 as well as the steam chamber S. Thus they are not subject to the intense heat of I either and, as a consequence,'their tension is preserved to urge the upper body to elevated position as intended.

The springs' '58 are mounted on rods 59, secured at their lower ends in the bottom of cups 60 depending from ears 6I fixed to the outer sides of the frame I5. Sleeves 62 telescope withinthe cups 60 andv receive both the rods and the springs. The upper endsof these sleeves are closed and extend through ears 63 formed on thecover sectionv 43, collars 64 being -xed on the'sleeves to limit movement of the Alatter upwardly through the ears.

When and as desired in the use'of the atiron, the upper body B is adaptedto be secured in its lowermost position and against the tension of the springs 58 by means of a latch bar 65, pivoted on the top of the wall 44 by a screw 66. By means of a knob 61, the bar 65 can be rotated so that its ends engage or disengage keepers r68 formed on the upper ends of Vat'rodsl!! secured Vby screws 'I0 to the frame I5.

For the purpose of manipulating the atiron as well as to depress the upper body B toits lowermost position, a conventional handle 1| is secured atits endsin sockets 12 in the wall 44 by means of screws 13.

In the use of my flatiron, assuming that the cable 32 is connected toA a source of current, and thepipe 48 to a source of steam, downward pressure on the stem 54 opens the valve 53 to supply steam to the chamber S where it collects and then flows through the passage 34, the perforated disk 35 and then outwardly through the apertures 2| and against the fabric being ironed. Due to the intimate associationof the heating element 30 Vwith thev chamber S and the passage 3,4, the heat emanating therefrom raises the temperature of the steam so that when discharged through the sole plate it is superheatedto attain vthe rapid steaming and pressing of a fabric and in such manner as to leave thefabricsubstantially devoid of moisture.

These results are better produced When,.the upper body B is depressed to the lowered position shown in Fig. 2, since the superheated steam quickly reaches the sole plate, and the heating element is close to the fabric to assist in rapid drying of the fabric as it is being pressed.

Depressing and holding the body B in lowered position is easily effected by pressing down on the handle 1l, and since the combined tension of the springs 58 only slightly exceeds the weight of the body, only a light downward pressure is necessary to maintain it depressed. When the handle is relieved of downward pressure the springs force the body B upwardly to the elevated position shown in Fig. 3, wherein the heating element 30 is spaced sufficiently from the shoe plate I1 to eliminate all danger of scorching or burning the fabric being ironed. This avoids the necessity of lifting the flatiron from the fabric and placing it on a stand between ironing operations, and when the operator is not ironing he naturally releases the stem 54 to allow the valve 53 to close, thus discontinuing steam supply to the fiatiron.

If a prolonged ironing operation is to be performed the operator first forces the upper body B to lowered position, and then actuates the latch bar 65 to engage the keepers 68, when the body will be maintained in lowered position.

The convenient position of the valve stem 54 in relation to the handle 'H provides instant control of steam supply to the flatiron in steaming a fabric when and as required, and whether or not the heating element 30 is contiguous to the shoe plate.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of flatiron embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit of my invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A fiatiron including: a lower body having an apertured sole plate; an upper body having a steam receiving chamber therein, and a passage leading from the latter to the bottom ofthe lower body; an electrical heating element carried by the upper body; the lower body being hollow so as to receive the upper body in telescoping relation therewith to occupy an elevated position in which it is suficiently spaced from the sole plate to prevent the heat radiated from said element from scorching or burning the material being ironed, and a lowered position in which said element is contiguous to the sole plate; and springs disposed exteriorly of both bodies and operatively associated therewith for urging the upper body to elevated position in the lower body and coacting means on both bodies to determine the elevated position.

2. A fiatiron including: a lower body having an apertured sole plate; an upper body having a steam receiving chamber therein, and a passage leading from the latter to the bottom of the lower body; an electrical heating element carried by the upper body; the lower body being hollow so as to receive the upper body in telescoping relation therewith to occupy an elevated position in which it is suiiiciently spaced from the sole plate to prevent the heat radiated from said element from scorching or burning the material being ironed, and a lowered position in which said element is contiguous to the sole plate; springs disposed exteriorly of both bodies and operatively associated therewith for urging the upper body to elevated position in the lower body; coacting means on both bodies to determine the elevated position and means for latching the upper body in lowered position against the tension of the springs.

3. A flatiron having a lower body including a sole plate with downward directed apertures therein; an upper body, the lower body being hollow so as to receive the upper body in telescoping relation therewith to occupy lowered and elevated positions therein; a chamber in the upper body; a flexible pipe communicating with the chamber for supplying steam theretofrom a remote source; a passage within the upper body leading from the chamber to and through the bottom thereof to discharge steam into the lower body for nal discharge through said apertures; means exteriorly of said bodies and operatively associated therewith for urging the upper body to an elevated position in the lower body; and coacting members on said bodies for defining the elevated position of the upper body.

4. A fiatiron having a lower body including a sole plate with downward directed apertures therein; an upper body, the lower body being hollow so as to receive the upper body in telescoping relation therewith to occupy lowered and elevated positions therein; a chamber in the upper body; a fiexible pipe communicating with the chamber for supplying steam thereto from a remote source; a passage within the upper body leading from the chamber to and through the bottom thereof to discharge steam into the lower body for final discharge through said apertures; means exteriorly of said bodies and operatively associated therewith for urging the upper body to an elevated position in the lower body; an electrical heating element in the upper body below said chamber and about said passage; and coacting members on said bodies for defining the elevated position of the upper body.

5. A flatiron including: a lower body which is hollow; an apertured sole plate; a connection between said plate and said body; an upper body comprising a carrying section of cup form telescopically fitted in the lower section to occupy lowered and elevated positions therein; a tubular member xed to and rising from the bottom of said section, and providing a passage downwardly through the section; a plate fitted within said section; an electrical heating element in said section beneath said plate and around said member; a tray supported on said plate and into which the upper end of said member extends; a cover section secured to the carrying section and closing the top of said tray to coact therewith in forming a chamber; a valve in the cover section for controlling the supply of steam to the chamber from an exterior source; and means exteriorly on the lower body and the cover section for urging the carrying section to elevated position.

HARRY L. GORDON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 553,813 McCadden Jan. 28, 1896 964,043 Munson July 12, 1910 1,376,242 Ast Apr. 26, 1921 1,649,506 Brewer Nov. 15, 1927 1,905,804 Clark Apr. 25, 1933 1,965,804 Reed July 10, 1934 2,076,614 Bowman Apr. 13, 1937 2,161,009 Brave June 6, 1939 2,230,815 Sebo Feb. 4, 1941 2,434,136 Wolcott Jan. 6, 1948

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