US2671974A

US2671974A - Adjustable ironing board

Info

Publication number: US2671974A
Application number: US33856A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roxton C Mckinnie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-06-18
Filing date: 1948-06-18
Publication date: 1954-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1971-03-16

Description

March 1954 R. c. M KINNIE ADJUSTABLE IRONING BOARD 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 18, 1948 INVENTOR. flan-0N C. M /f/N/V/E, BY

March 1954 R. c. M KINNIE ADJUSTABLE IRONING BOARD 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 18, 1948 INVENTOR. farm/v C. MK/Mw:

firraeusn IGI March 1954 R. c. M KINNIE ADJUSTABLE IRONING BOARD 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 18, 1948 0: (QIYIIIIIIIIII III/I!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII JNVENTOR. flan-0N 6. MK/A/N/E,

Arron/er Patented Mar. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES i ATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE IRGNING BOARD Roxton 0. McKinnie, Santa Monica, Calif.

Application'June 18, 1948, Serial No. 33,856

3. Claims.

This invention relates to work-supportingment over those forming the subject matter of my co-pending applications, Serial Number 704,- 641, filed October 21, 1946, now abandoned and Serial Number 767,975, filed August 1 1947 now Patent No. 2,596,267, dated May 13,1952.

An object of my present invention is to providean ironing board-having folding legs as hereinabove indicated, and wherein certain of the legs are arranged so that when they occupy their operative position, they are spread apart, and when they assume their folded or retracted posi tion, they are disposed more closely together. Consequently, when the board is in use, it is possessed of a greater degree of lateral stability, and-yet when the board is folded, its legs do not occupy a space any wider than does the body of the ironing board.

A further objectof the invention is to provide means for automatically spreading the legs as they are unfolded or extended, and for automatically drawing them laterally inwards toward each other as they are folded, with the result that the operator is not required to devote any more attention or effort to adjust the legs to either their operative or their inoperative position than in the case of more conventionally constructed ironing boards not possessed of the I?- spreading legs feature.

Another object to incorporate the spreading leg feature of the character indicated, with a folding ironing board, the legs of which aremovable to any one of. a plurality of optionally selectable positions, so as to cause the board to be supported at the precise, selected height which will afford the greatest convenience toits user.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a folding ironing board of the general char.- acter indicated, which is simple'and inexpensive in construction and which is of relatively light weight, and yet which is possessed of ample strength and rigidity to afford full measure of convenience, during use.

The invention possesses. other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred forms of my inventionwhich are illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, a I may adopt variations of the preferred forms within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a folding ironing board incorporating the principles of the present invention and showing the ironing board,

viewed from below, in its extended or operating.

position.

Figure; 2 is an underneath plan view, showing the board in it folded position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail View in longitudinal vertical section, taken upon the line 3-3 of Figure 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure l is an enlarged detail View, taken in transverse section on the line 3-4 of Figure 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view in oblique vertical section, taken upon the line 55 of Figure 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1, show- I ing a modified form of folding ironing board in its extended or operative position, incorporating the principles of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the ironing board of Figure 6, with its supporting legs in their folded or retracted position.

Figure 8 is a transverse, vertical sectional View, with its plane of section indicated by the line 38 of Figure land the direction of View by the arrows, portions of the figure being broken away to-reduce its size.

Figure 9 is a detail view in longitudinal, vertical section, taken from the line 9-9 of Figure 8, with the direction of view as indicated. Portions of this figure also are broken away to reduce its size.

Figure 1c is an enlarged detail view in perspective of the latch for releasably and adjustably locking the legs together with the body of the board supported at selected elevation.

Figure 11 is another view similar to Figure 1, showing a still further modified form of folding ironing board in operative position, incorporating the principles of the present invention.

Figure 12. is. a bottom plan view of the ironing board of Figure 11, retracted to its folded position.

Figure 13. is a transverse, vertical sectional View taken on the line iii-43 oi'Figure 11, with the direction of view as indicated, portions of the figure being broken away to reduce its size.

Figure 14 is an enlarged detail view in longi tudinal vertical section, taken from the line |4|4 of Figure 13, with the direction of view as indicated. Portions of this figure also are broken away to reduce its size.

Figure 15 is an enlarged detail view in perspective of an alternative form of catch for releasably and adjustably locking the legs of the ironing board to each other so as to support the body at selected elevation.

Figure 16 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view, the plane of section being indicated by the line |6|6 of Figure 15, with the direction of view as indicated.

Referring first to that modification of my present invention which is illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, my improved folding and vertically adjustable ironing board comprises a body It of suitable rigid material, either wood or metal, and formed with a broad end I! and a narrow or substantially pointed end |8 in accordance with conventional practice.

The leg 2| is pivotally secured adjacent its upper end to the under surface of the body l6 preferably by means of a bracket plate 22 having a pair of downturned lugs 23 which are spaced apart by a distance which preferably is at least as great as one-half the width of the body IS. The leg 2| is preferably of compound construction, being formed of a pair of angle members, the lower portions 24 of which are joined together into a single, straight section. About midway of the leg 2| however, the two angle members are deflected outwards so that their upper portions 26 diverge at such an angle that their upper ends are separated by a distance substantially co-inciding with the over-all distance between the two lugs 23 of the mounting plate 22. Axially aligned pins 21 pivotally connect the upper ends of the portions 26 of the leg 2| to these lugs 23.

Two more legs 3| and 32 are disposed in opposition to each other and in a plane which is common to both and which is intersected by the downwardly inclined first-mentioned leg 2|. 5

These two legs 3| and 32 constitute a pair of legs, which is indicated at 33, which straddle the single leg 2 as is best shown in Figure 1.

The pair 33 of legs is pivotally connected to the single leg 2| for rotary movement with respect thereto about a transverse axis which is disposed substantially intermediate the ends of the single leg 2| and also intermediate the ends of each of the legs 3| and 32. This is accomplished by means of a transverse rod 36, to the opposite ends of which the legs 3| and 32 are secured, this rod being pivotally mounted for rotation about its own longitudinal axis as by means of a pair of laterally spaced brackets 3! through both of which the rod 3'5 extends freely. Each of these brackets 37 is carried rigidly by the upper, divergent portion 26 of one of the angle members of which the leg 2| is formed.

The means for connecting the rod 36 to the two legs 33 comprises a pivot pin 38 adjacent each end of the rod 35. These pins 33 extend perpendicularly to the axis of the rod 33 and through the inwardly extending flanges 3|, 32' respectively, of the associated legs 3| and 32, thus establishing a pivotal connection between the rod 35 and each of the legs 3| and 32, permitting rocking motion of each of the legs 3| and 32 about an axis perpendicular to the transverse plane which is common to both of the legs 3| and 32. This rocking motion of the two legs 3| and 32 within their said common plane is in addition to the pivotal motion of which both legs 3| and 32 partake about a transverse axis, i. e., about the axis of the rod 35; and permits the upper ends of the legs 3| and 32 to swing toward each other, and their lower ends to spread apart as the legs 2|, 3| and 32 are swung downwardly, away from the body |6. Conversely, the upper ends of the legs 3| and 32 move away from each other and their lower ends move toward each other, as the three legs 2|, 3|, and 32 are swung upwardly, toward the body It.

The upper ends of the pair 33 of legs are mounted upon the under side of the body it for longitudinal movement therealong so as to permit the leg 2| and the pair 33 of legs 3| and 32 to be moved optionally to their extended, operat ing position, as illustrated in Figure 1; or to their retracted or folded position, as illustrated in Figure 2; or to any of a plurality of optionally selectable intermediate positions so as to support the body l6 at any of a plurality of optionally selectable working positions. This is a feature in common between the ironing board of the present invention and those constituting the subjects matter of my aforesaid co-pending applications, and is one of material importance and convenience inasmuch as it makes it possible for the operator to use the ironing board at that particular elevation which will afford the greatest convenience.

However, in theironing board of the present invention, the means mounting the upper ends of the legs 3| and 32 for movement longitudinally of the body |6 also guides the upper ends of the legs 3| and 32 in predetermined paths of movement. In the modification of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, this mounting and guiding means comprises an eye 4| preferably pivotally mounted upon the upper end of each leg 3|, 32, as by a transverse pivot pin 42. Each of the eyes 4| is slidable upon a guide rod 43 mounted rigidly upon the body 5 parallel to and spaced slightly below the under surface thereof by means of a mounting plate 44 having downturned end flanges 43 to which the corresponding ends of the associated guide rod 43 are rigidly secured. These mounting plates 44 are secured to the under surface of the body l6 by any suitable means and substantially midway between the mounting plate 22 for the single leg 2| and the pointed end I8 of the body It.

In the modification of the invention presently being described, these guide rods 35!, instead of being straight, are of substantially arcuate form, for a purpose to be explained in detail hereinbelow. The ends 4? of the rods 53 which are nearest the mounting plate 22 for the single leg 2| are substantially parallel to each other and relatively close together; whereas the opposite ends 48 of the rods 43 diverge in substantially arcuate paths, with the result that they are materially more widely separated than are the inner ends 41.

Thus it may be seen that if the lower end 24 of the single leg 2| is swung upwards toward the pointed end iii of the body if) from that position in which it is illustrated in Figure 1, this movement will occur about the axis of the aligned pins 21 and will carry the connecting rod 36 upwardly in an arcuate path toward the midportion of the body it. Hence, the intermediate portions of the two legs 3| and 32, to which the ends of the rod 31 are connected, will also be carried upwards in that same arcuate path, causing ae'r-neva l8 and consequently swingingthe lower ends of the two

legs

31 and 32 upwards toward the wider end of the board H at approximately the same rate as the lower end 24 of the single leg 2| moves upwards; This movement of the legs toward the body It may be continued until they all-lie in a common plane closely adjacent and parallel to the under surface of the body |6, as illustrated in Figure 2, permitting the folded ironing board to be stored away within a minimum of space.

Unfolding-or extending the legs 2|, 3%, and 32 to their operative position is accomplished in the opposite manner, i. e., with the ironing board standing erect-and supported upon the lower end of preferably one of the two legs SI, 32, the operator. may grasp the pointed end iii of the body in one hand and the upper end 24 of the single leg 2| in the other hand, and by moving the end 24 away from the body, theleg 2! is caused to rotate about the axis of the pins a? carrying the rod 3|; away from the board in an arcuate path. This draws the midportions of the legs 3i and 32 away from the board, but since their upper ends are restrained against movement away from the board and yet permitted longitudinal movement therealong toward the broad end ii, the lower ends of the legs 3|, 32 will be swung downwards atsubstantially the same rate that the lower endfl24 of the single leg 2! moves downwards.

Means are provided for. releasably retaining the legs 2|, 3| and 32 in selected position of angularity with respect to each other and consequently in any of a plurality of optionally selectable positions so as to make it possible for the operator to support the body It at whatever elevation might be most convenient. For this purpose, a 1

rod 56 is connected at one end to each of the legs 3|, 32 adjacent the lower end of the latter. The other ends of both of the rods 55 are connectedto a catch mechanism, indicated in its entirety at 5? and illustrated in detail in Figures and 16. Slidably mounted upon the leg 2| adjacent its lower. end are the two parts and 59 of the latch mechanism Each of these

parts

58, 58 comprises a plate the lateral edges 62 of which are bent downwards around the r laterally extending flanges d3 of the two cooperative angle members whose vertically extending. flanges 64. are secured together in, face-tofaceabutnient to define the lower end it of the leg 2|. tively. loosely fitted upon the flanges t3, however, so that both parts 58 and es are free to slide longitudinally along the lower end of the leg 25. The lower part 58 of the latch 5? is adapted to be releasably anchored in any of a plurality of optionally selectable positions by means of a pin carried at the outer end of a lever 6? which is mounted upon the latch part 53 for rocking movement in such a manner that the end of the lever ii? to which the pin is secured can be lowered away from the horizontal flange part of the leg 2| by pressing upwardly against the opposite end as of the lever 6'5. This mounting is easily attained by looseiy fitting the lever 61 upon, a pin 69 rigid with the latch part to and arranging a coil spring ii under compression between the lever El and the head '52 of the pin 69. The end of thelever which carries the pines extends from the latch part 5% toward the latch part 53; preferably so iar that the pin 66 isclear of-the-latch part 59 upon which-it The edges 62 of the plate 6! are relais mounted. The pin 66 may be extended through, any one of a plurality of holes 13 in one of the horizontal flanges of the leg 2|, the. spring 7.! serving for the releasable retention of the pin 65 in that hole until the operator, by depressing the end 58 of the lever til, Withdraws the pin 66 from that hole, thus enabling her to slide the latch part 59 along the leg 2| until the pin (56 is in registry with another of the holes--13. In this manner, the latch part 59 may be releasably anchored in any selected position along the lower part of the leg 2|.

The rods 55 are attached to downwardly extending tabs ill rigid with the other latch part 58, and upon the upper surface of the latch. part 58 a lever 82 is pivotally mounted as by a rivet or pin 83 extending upwards from the plate 6|. A coil spring at extending laterally from the inner end of the lever 82 and under tension between it and a pin 86 rigid with the plate 6| urgesthe lever to rotate clockwise, as viewed upon Figure 15, about its pivot pin 83. The other end i the lever 82 is provided with a notch 31 in one lateral edge withinwhich the upper end, of the pin es of the other latch part 5% is adapted to seat, the spring 84 serving to retain the lever 32 in that position Within which the pin 56 is seated in the notch S1. However, an upwardly extending tab 353 on the end of the lever 82 within which the notch i5! is provided, facilitates the lateral movement of the lever 82' about its pin which permits the lever to be released from the pin 35. Thus it may be seen that the. operator'may release the latch part 53 to which the rods 55 are connected from the latch part 59 so that the latch part- 58 may be slid along the leg 2i without releasing the latch part 59 from its selected position on the leg 2| below the latch part 53.

Consequently, when the operator desires to fold the ironing board, it is necessary merely to release the lever 82 from the pin 66, thus permitting the latch part 58 to slide upwardly along toward the body It. This, however, does notv release the lower latch part 59 and consequently does not alter the position of the pin 56, with the result that when the operator again desires to erect the board to its operative position, it is necessary merely to swing the-legs. away from the board, and the thrust which the legs 3! and 32 will thus exert upon the rods 56 will cause the latch part 58 to slide downwards along the leg 2| until the rounded end 9| of the lever 32. engages the pin 66, causing the lever 82 to move laterally and thereby permitting the spring as to engage the lever 82 upon-the pin E6 when its notch 37 comes. into registry therewith. Therefore, the board is caused to be erected at the same position as previously used unless, of course, the operator has in the meantime changed the position of the lower latch part 5! upon the leg.

Means are provided for spreading the lower ends of the legs 3i and 32 more widely apart as they are swung downwards to, their operating position, and for drawing them laterally inwards toward each other as they are folded toward their collapsed position; Another brace rod 50!.

is associated with each of the legs 3| and 32, the

lower end of the rod Nil being securedto the" associated leg adjacent its lower end. Each of these brace rods extends upwards and angularlyinwards from the associated leg 3 I, 32 so. that. its

upper end can be attached to the single leg 2|. An important consideration in this connection is that the point of attachment of each of the rods IN or the leg 2! is offset from the axis of the rod 36, the direction of such offsetting being from the pivot rod 36 toward the lower end 24 of the leg 2|. Because of this arrangement, as the leg 2| swings upward from that position in which it is illustrated in Figure 1, it imposes tension upon both brace rods I III, causing the lower ends of the legs 3| and 32 to be drawn laterally inwards as they move upwards toward the body I6. Inasmuch as the legs are pivotally connected intermediate their ends to the pivot rod 36, the upper ends of the legs 3| and 32 will move farther apart as they slide longitudinally along the body I6 toward the pointed end I8; and it is on this ac count that the tracks or guide rods 43 are given the arcuate divergent form described hereinabove.

Conversely, when the legs 2I, SI, and 32 move away from the board, i. e., from their folded toward their operating position, the leg 2I will impose compression upon both brace rods IDI, with the result that they will force the lower ends of both legs 3i and 32 apart as they swing downwards into their position illustrated in Figure 1.

Consequently,

when the ironing board is erected, i. e., in operative position, the legs 3! and 32 are widely spread, so efiectively increasing the area of the base of support of the device that it is possessed of an ample degree of lateral stability; and yet when the legs are folded, the lower ends of the legs 3I and 32 are much more closely adjacent each other, in fact, so closely adjacent that they do not require a space for their storage any wider than that required by any other part of the ironing board.

Since the lower ends of the legs 3| and 32 move laterally inwards and outwards as hereinabove described, and since the rods IOI partake of much the same type of movement, means are provided for permitting pivotal movement of the upper ends of the rods IIII about axes parallel to the single leg 2 I. However, in the modification presently being described, it is most convenient to attach the upper ends of the rods IIJI to the downwardly extending flange B4 of the associated part of the leg 2 I; and since this flange extends in the plane which includes the axis about which the upper end of the associated rod IBI must rotate as the associated leg 3|, 32 partakes of the described lateral movement, the necessary pivotal movement of the upper ends of the rods MI is most easily attained by the simple expedient of fitting an eye I02 at the upper end of each rod IIlI upon a pin I03 rigid with the flange 54, as best shown in Figure 3. However, the fit between each eye I02 and its associated pin I03 should be sufficiently loose to permit the necessary lateral pivotal movement of the rod IOI as its associated leg 3|, 32 moves laterally.

Figure 4 illustrates a convenient and inexpensive anti-friction foot for the lower end of the single leg 2 I. A pair of washers N6 of resilient material are secured to the outer faces of the downwardly extending flanges 64 of the two angle members which cooperate in defining the leg 2|. A rivet or other suitable pin ID'I extends through both washers I 33 and through the flanges 64. So closely adjacent the extreme lower end of the leg 2| are these washers I06 mounted, that they extend beyond the corner described by the end edges and the lower lateral edges of the flanges 8 84, with the result that the resilient material of which the washers I06 are formed serves as the supporting foot at the lower end of the leg 2|.

Referring now to the modification illustrated in Figures 6 to 10, inclusive, here again the body III is supported by means of a single leg II2 pivotally mounted as by a bracket H3 adjacent the broad end II4 of the body III, and by a pair of legs II 6, II! straddling the single leg H2 and mounted for longitudinal sliding movement along the under surface of the body III between the bracket I I3 and the opposite, pointed end II8 of the body. In this instance, however, the upper ends of the legs H6 and II! partake of straight line movement in paths parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body III; and consequently the tracks I2I by which the upper ends of the legs H6 and II! are connected to the board are straight rather than arcuate as in the previously described modification.

Each track I2I comprises a channel section, best illustrated in Figure 8, one flange I22 being secured to the under surface of the body I I I and the opposite flange I23 being maintained in spaced parallel relationship thereunder by the downwardly extending web portion I24 of the channel section. The two tracks I2I are mounted in opposition to each other with their open faces toward each other so that a rod I26 of round section can be slidably mounted under the board by having one end seated within each of the channel-shaped tracks I2I. A plate I21 is rigidly secured to the rod I25 as by welding, and

'- to this plate I21, preferably adjacent its ends and spaced inwardly only a slight distance from the associated track I2I, are pivotally secured the upper ends of the legs H6 and II I as by pins I28.

Inasmuch as the distance between the upper ends of the legs II 6 and II! does not vary as they move longitudinally along the board, in order to attain the lateral adjustment of the legs H3 and II! as they shift from one extreme position to the other, the present modification is arranged to permit the midportions of the legs H6 and I I! to move further apart as the legs are opened, and to move towards each other as the legs are collapsed. With this object in view, a relatively short rod I3I is pivoted as by a pin I32 to each leg H6 and II! at that point between the ends of the leg which permits the rod I3I to have its other end slidably disposed within a tube I33 which is rigidly secured to the single leg II2. Both of the rods I3I are free to rotate within the tube I33, and accordingly these rods I3I provide the pivotal interconnection of the mid section of each of the legs H6, II! to the mid section of the single leg H2, which is necessary to permit the legs H6 and I I! to partake of the pivotal movement with respect to the single leg II 2 which accomplishes the movement of the legs toward and away from the body I I I. However, since the two rods I3! are independent of each other and are also free to slide longitudinally with respect to the pivot tube I33, they also permit the legs IIB, H I to slide apart as they pivot away from the body and to draw toward each other as they move toward the body III. Moreover, since the pins I32 extend through the inwardly extending flanges of the legs IIS and H1, respectively, the axes of these pins are perpendicular to the plane within which both of the legs H6 and Hi lie. Consequently, this pivotal connection of the legs 9 "III; and II1 to the rods I32 permits "the legs IIS and M1 to partake of the rocking move- -ment within the said plane and about the axes of the pins I32 which coincides with the spread- =ing of the legs in pivotal movement about the axes of the pins I28 whereby the upper ends of the legs H6 and H1 are connected to the rod I26 (see Fig. 8), the ends of which slide within the opposed tracks I2I on the under surface of the body MI.

The means for attaining this lateral move- -ment of the legs H6, H1 preferably is 'the'saine as that described in the previously described modification, i. e.,'by means of a brace rod MI associated with each'leg H6, H1 and connected "atits lower end adjaoentthe lower end of the associated leg. The upper ends of'both'brace rods MI are connected to the single leg 1 Mat =a pointiofiset from the axis of the rods I3I and their pivot/tube I33, the direction of such offset- 'ting being towardthe lower end of the'leg H2, as in the previously described modification.

As best illustrated in Figure 10, a slightly modified form of catch is provided for the releasable :retention of the legs Hi3 and H1 in selected degree of angularity with respect to the single leg I'I2'so as to retain the body III of the ironing board at selected elevation. This catch, which is indicated in its entirety at I42, comprises a plate "I43,Ithe lateral edges I44 of which are bent so as to embrace the lateral edges of the horizontal flanges of the angle members defining the -leg H2 and thereby slidably retain the plate I43 upon the upper surface of the leg I H adjacent its lower end. 'Downturned. ears lor tabs I45 of the plate I43 havevthe associated ends 'of rods M1 pivotally connected thereto,'the other ends of these rods being pivotally connected to the legs H6 and H1 so as to maintain the legs Hi5 and H1 in selected position with respect to the leg II2 when the plate its is anchored to the latter.

A resiliently flexible strip 555 is pivotally mounted upon the upper surface of the plate it? as by a rivet I52; and an anchoring pin I53 extends downwards from the strip I5I through an arcuate slot I5 in the plate M3 so that it can be selectively seated within any of a plurality of holes I55 at spaced intervals along the leg I I2. The slot I55 is provided, rather than a hole, to which the pin I53 is more closely fitted, inasmuch as it permits the strip I5I to be rotated laterally about the rivet I52 after the pin I53 has been withdrawn from a hole E56, with the result that the latch I42 will be free to slide along the leg II2 without danger of its pin 553 becoming engaged in another hole I55 until the strip I5! is swung back to its latching position, as illustrated in Figure 1!).

Convenience is afforded in extending and collapsing the legs of the ironing board by an extension ESI rigid with the broad end H4 of the body I I I, of suficient length to support the folded ironing board standing on end with the lower ends of the folded legs I I6 and I I1 elevated above the supporting surface. Since the legs partake of a sliding movement as they are swung away from the body toward their open position, the board would have to be balanced on one of the legs H6, H1 as the opening movement occurs were it not for the presence of the extension I61.

Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, illustrate a still further modified form of vertically adjustable folding ironing board embodying the principles of the present invention. In this instance, also, the

straight and parallel. straddle the single leg Ill; and are pivotally con- "nected thereto as by a transverse'rod T21 having flanges I18 at its ends towhich the legs Ill and tions of the legs Ill and I12. although the legs HI and I12 from the'pivot-rod upperends ofthe pair of legs-HI and I12 traverse straight line path-parallel to each-other and parallel to the major axis of the body i153 of the ironing board. Hence, the tracks i'i i guiding the upper ends of the legs I1I and 112 are The legs i1: and I12 I12 are'pivotedas bypins I19. Hencethedistame-between the midportions of the legs Ill and I12 is invariable also, and thesliding of the lower ends of the legs, in accordance with the.

principles of the present invention, is attained as the result of the flexibility of the upper por- Consequently,

I 11 downwards are of angular section, as indicated at I8I, the transversely extending flanges I12 adjacent their lower'ends and the upperends of which are connected to the single leg I16 onset toward the lower end of the leg I16 from the axis of the pins Iie which constitute the'axis of pivotal movement of thelegs Ill and I12 with respect to the single leg I16.

A slightly modified form of interconnection between the spreading rods and the single leg is illustrated in'detail in Figure 14. The upper end of each rod I86 is pivotally connected to an angle bracket I81 by a pin I88, the axis of which is substantially parallel to the major axis of the leg I16. Both brackets I81 are pivotally connected as by a pin I83 common to both and extending through the vertical flanges of the angle members constituting the single leg I16. The pin I89, therefore, permits the rods I86 to move freely in the pivotal movement thereof which is necessary as the angle varies between the leg I16 and the plane occupied by the pair of legs HI and I12; and the pins I88 permit the rods I86 to pivot freely about axes parallel to the single leg I16 as the legs I'II and I12 spread apart and are drawn toward each other.

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a folding ironing board comprising a body, a leg pivotally mounted at its upper end adjacent one end of said body, a pair of legs extending in a plane intersected by said first-mentioned leg and arranged in straddling relation thereto, means spaced toward the other end of said body from the pivotal connection of said first-mentioned leg thereto and connecting the upper end of each of said legs of said pair of legs to said body for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a transverse axis and for movement longitudinally of said body in straight parallel paths extending longitudinally of said body, means connecting each of said legs of said pair intermediate its ends to said first-mentioned leg intermediate its ends for pivotal movement about a transverse axis and for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to said plane, said means for pivotally interconnecting said legs also being slidable in the direction of said transverse axis whereby the distance between the lower ends of the legs of said pair is variable, and a rod associated with each of said legs of said pair and pivoted thereto at one end of said rod for movement about an axis adjacent the lower end or that leg, and at the other end of said rod to said first-mentioned leg for movement about an axis parallel to and offset below said transverse axis of pivotal interconnection of said pair of legs to said first-mentioned leg, said other end of each of said rods also being pivotally connected to said first-mentioned leg for movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to said transverse axis of pivotal interconnection of said pair of legs to said first-mentioned leg.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a folding ironing board comprising a body, a leg pivotally mounted at its upper end adjacent one end of said body, a pair of legs extending in a plane intersected by said first-mentioned leg and arranged in straddling relation thereto, means spaced toward the other end of said body from the pivotal connection of said first-mentioned leg thereto and connecting the upper end of each of said legs of said pair of legs to said body for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a transverse axis and for movement longitudinally of said body in straight parallel paths extending longitudinally of said body, means connecting each of said legs of said pair intermediate its ends to said first-mentioned leg intermediate its ends for pivotal movement about a transverse axis and for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to said plane, said means for pivotally interconnecting said legs also being slidable in the direction of said transverse axis whereby the distance between the lower ends of the legs of said pair is variable, a rod associated with each of said legs of said pair and pivoted thereto at one end of said rod for movement about an axis adjacent the lower end of that leg, and at the other end of said rod to said first-mentioned leg for movement about an axis parallel to and oiTset below said transverse axis of pivotal interconnection of said pair of legs to said first-mentioned leg, said other end of each of said rods also being pivotally connected to said first-mentioned leg for movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to said transverse axis of pivotal interconnection of said pair of legs to said first-mentioned leg, and releasable means for locking the legs of said pair in any one of a plurality of optional positions of rotational adjustment about said transverse axis for releasably retaining said body at any one of a plurality of optional elevations.

3. In an ironing board having supports at least one of which constitutes a pair of legs which spread to give lateral stability as said legs are moved to supporting position, a connection between said board and said legs, and a telescoping rod and tube arrangement for providing interconnection between said legs to permit said legs to spread apart and retract.

ROXTON C. McKINNIE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,162,778 Hofiine Dec. 7, 1915 1,567,168 Olander Dec. 29, 1925 1,742,431 Williams Jan. 7, 1930 1,801,151 Gomber Apr. 14, 1931 1,927,685 Kalgren Sept. 19, 1933