US2777225A - Steam iron - Google Patents

Description

J. H. CONE STEAM IRON Jan. 15, 1957 Filed April 18, i951 2 Sheets-Sheet l nventor Jaya/0?#- 67 0/16 (Ittornegs 7%/ a v l, i.

J. H. CONE STEAM IRON Jan. 15, 1957 Filed April 18, i951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Imventor Josep?! fl C'U/e www' WL attorneys of the handle structure.

United States Patent O STEAM IRON v Joseph H. Cone, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to Casco Products Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application April 18, 1951, Serial No. 221,650 v Claims. (Cl. 38-77) This invention relates to steam atirons of the type having a tank or boiler, and in its more specic aspect rmore particularly to such irons having a hinged handle structure extending over the tank, providedwith stopper means to close a funnel-likevflling opening in the tank.

This invention is a modification of the invention disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 128,270, tiled November 19, 1949.

ln some irons of this type the filler opening or orifice is located at the bottom of a funnel which has a relatively wide mouth secured to the top wall of the tank, the funnel extending down into the tank. By such construction the filling of the tank is obviously made very easy, and the likelihood of spillage during the filling operation is minimized.

lt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved steam iron construction, particularly with regard to the closure for the filling opening and to the `latch means for the handle which makes allowances for the tolerances and variations present in mass production. This. is accomplished, for example, where the iron is constituted of separate sheet metal boiler and casing parts having superposed top walls possessing a certain degree of yieldability, the stopper mounting and latch therefor is mounted on the casing wall whereas the seal or funnel of the filler opening, which is engaged by the stopper, is mounted on the boiler wall. The yield of the rubberlike sealing member and of the casing and boiler walls enable the latch parts and stopper and ller opening to be positioned less critically and still maintain a constant force between the stopper and the seat therefore in said opening. v

Or, where the latch 'has spring means associated with it to prevent looseness, I rearrange the spring means to provide the latch with a limited amount of yield under pressure whereby in conjunction with a yieldable rubberlike stopper element it can function to accommodate a rigid simplied stopper mounting.

In another embodiment of the invention l incorporate a certain degree of yield in the funnel or seat itself, to allow for variations and tolerances in manufacture, and have found that this results in a desirable simplification and economy of the parts since the funnel yieldability can be provided in an extremely simple manner.

By utilizing the yieldability of various components of the iron as set forth above, the stopper member for the ller opening may comprise a simple sealing annulus or disk mounted on a rigid stud secured to the underside The sealing disk may be loosely carried by the end of the stud as illustrated in one embodiment of the invention, or it may be rigidly carried by the stud and adjustably positioned on the handle structure by the use of shims or spacer washers on the stud.

yStill another object of the invention is to provide an improved steam iron as above, which has relatively few Q, parts of simple structure, and which is economical to vfabricate and reliable in use.

Mice

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view partly in elevation and partly invertical section, of an improved steam iron made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a View somewhat similar to Fig. l, but showing the handle of the iron in raised position to enable the boiler to be lled.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in section, showing a rear corner of the iron and the hinge and latch mechanism thereof.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the rear of the iron and casing, showing the hinge and locking aperture for the pintle or hinge pin.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pintle or hinge pin.

Fig. 6 is a top or plan view of the stopper assembly.

Fig. 7 is a diametric section taken'on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through a novellatchi'ng mechanism of the iron, the latch being in locking position.

Fig. 9 is a view like Fig. 8, but with the latch in released position.

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the lfiller opening and funnel of the steam iron, showing a The steam iron embodying the present invention as shown in Figs. l and 2 comprises a sole-plate 2t) having 'an electric heating element 21' controlled by the usual thermostat (not shown) havingan adjusting shaft 22 and thermostat knob 23. The sole plate 2t) has disposed ou it a casing 24- in which a boiler 25 is mounted, said boiler being secured by means of a threaded sleeve 26 and steam tube 27 to a cover plate 28 of a steam chamber 29 located in the forward portion of the sole plate 20. The cover plate 28 is fastened to the sole plate Ztl by screws 30 as shown.

Steam is brought into the chamber 29 through the steam tube 27 which extends into a tapered steam dome 31 mounted on the top walls of the boiler 25 and casing 24. Baifles 32, 33 and 34 are provided around the tube 27 to prevent water in the boiler 25 from splashing into the tube and passing downward into the steam Achamber 29.

For the purpose of lling the boiler 25 a filler opening 35' is provided in the top walls of the boiler and casing. Secured to the edge portions of the filler opening is a funnel 36 having at its bottom an angularly and rearwardly extended deilector 37. The funnel 36 is of relatively large diameter to enable the boiler 25 to be easily and conveniently filled without spillage. `However, because the funnel 36 extends downward into the boiler 25 it prevents the boiler when' inverted from completely emptying itself of water. v

In accordance with the present invention novel means are provided on the boiler 25, providing an unobstructed discharge passage from the lowermost point of the boiler when the iron is inverted into emptying position, whereby substantially all the water in the boiler may run out. This means, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, includes the steam dome 31 and a dischargev tothe steam dome when the iron is inverted for emptying. Accordingly, by the present invention not only is it possible to easily and quickly iill the boiler 25, but it is also possible to easily and quicklyy completely empty the boiler of all its liquid content through the discharge opening 38 by the mere act of turning the iron upside down with the 'discharge opening unsealed. Accordingly a housewife `may `readily change from vsteam ironing *to dry ironing without being required to go through involved operations to completely empty the boiler 25.

The iron shown in Figs. l and 2is of the type having a handle structure which is hingedly mounted so it can occupy lan operative position as shown in Fig. 1 or a raised inoperative position as shown in Fig. 2, the latter being for the purpose of either filling or emptying the boiler 25.

The handle structure, indicated by the numeral 39, comprises a handle proper 40 carried by fron-t and rear posts 41 and 42, the latter being provided with a rearward extension 43 carrying hinge pins 44 which are received in apertures 45 in the rear portion of the casing 24. As shown in Figs. l through 4, the rear of the casing 24 is recessed to vreceive the rearward extension of the handle and to provide opposite inner walls 46 in which the apertures 45 are disposed.

The front 'post 4l of the handle ,structure has a recess 47 providing clearance for the steam dome 31 when the handle structure is in the operative position shown in Fig. l. Within the recess 47 there is mounted a stopper means for sealing the `discharge opening 38 of the steam dome,

said stopper means comprising an annulus 48 of yieldable rubber-like material, carried by a diskor plate 49 mounted on a stud 50 passing itno a transverse wall 51 in the post 41. The stud 50 has a head 52 engageable with a shouldered bushing 53 to limit downward movement of the stud, and a spring 54 is provided on the stud, engaging I the bushing and the disk 49 to yieldably hold the stopper assemblage in a lowered position against the top of the steam dome as `viewed in Fig. l.. The annulus 48 is arranged to engage the outer 4top rim portion of the steam dome 31 so as to seal the discharge opening 38 when the handle structure 39 is in operative position illustrated. Such engagement compresses the spring 54 slightly, enabling the spring to maintain a constant force between the `annulus 48 and the steam dome whereby an effective seal is maintained.

In accordance withthis invention a simplified stopper means is provided, carried by the handle structure 39, for closing the filler opening `35 when the handle is in op- `erativeposition. -Referringxto.Figs. l =and.`2,tthe handle structure 39includes .a baseiportion 55 ywhich is. generally flat and relatively broad, `extending between -the front and rear-posts 41 and :42. On the underside of the base portion 55 a depending bossf56 is provided, having-a bore to receive a drive screw 57 carrying a pair of disks 58 and 59 rigidly secured together `and having peripheral flanges 60 and 61 respectively between which a sealing annulus 62 is carried. The annulus62 istformed of rubber or rubber-like material and is adapted to engage the funnel.36 soas to seal the `filler opening 35 when the handle structure 39 is in the operative position of Fig. l.

It will be noted that the stopper assembly is 4extremely simple and economical to produce, being devoid of dernountable connections. and Vof `yieldable means such as springs and the like, since it consists only of fourparts, the drivetscrew 57, the disks 5S and `59, and the `annulus 62 as shown in Figs. l and 7. "Preferably, as illustrated, the disk 58 has an offset central portion which is dished upwardly and apertured to receive the shank of the drive screw '57, the head of said screw being'held captive between the dished portion of the ldiskSS and `the center portion of the disk 59.

In Fig. ll, I show a modified form of stopper for the filler opening. This stopper comprises a sealing annulus 62 carried by flanges 60a and 61a of disks 53a and 59a, said disks being secured together at their center by a stud l57awhich is threaded and screwed into a depending boss 56a of a handle structure similar to the structure 39 in Figs. l and 2. Between the .boss 56a andthe disk58a I provide shims or spacer washers 57 b whereby the stopper may be adjustably positioned on the handle structure to take care of'variations in the dimensions of the component parts of the iron.

I have found, as will hereinafter be brought out, that it is possible to utilize the yieldability of other parts of the iron separate from the stopper assembly in order to enable said assembly to maintain a constant force or pressure on the funnel 3,6 ,and an effective seal therewith, and thus the stopper may be simple and economically manufactured as above outlined.

.ln conjunction with the non-resilient stopper mounting described above, I arrange the stopper lassembly for the steam dome 31` to act as a-safety .valve whereby excess steam pressure in the boiler 25 will unseal the steam dome and allow steam to escape Linto the recess 47 of the front handle post 41. To accomplish this it is merely necessary to arrange the coil spring 54 to yield under a predetermined desired pressure exerted on it by the disk 49 in response to steam ,pressure on the underside of the disk. Thus'I utilize the resilient mounting'of the stopper for the steam dome to enable the stopper for the filler opening to be tnon-yieldably mounted.

In addition to this, I may utilize ythe inherent yieldability of the boiler and casing walls, or utilize resilient means associatedv with the latch mechanism for the handle structure or with the -mounting for the funnel 36 either singly or in various combinations, to enable a satisfactory and effective seal to `be obtained at lthe filler opening 35 while still using a stopper having a simplified rigid-type mounting.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, it will be noted that the handle structure 39 is hingedly secured to the casing 24 at the rear of the flatiron, ,at points which are remote from the funnel 36. `In conjunction with this I provide a latch mechanism on the base 55 of the handle structure, having cooperable parts on the casing 24 but not on-the boiler 25, and since the casing and Vboiler aresecured together at the steam dome which is remote from the filler funnel `36 any force exerted between the funnel and the vhandle through the stopper for the filler opening would involve the inherent yieldability of the top walls of the casing 24 and `boiler 25.

The latching mechanism, Figs. l and 2, comprises a knob 63 carried on a shaft 64 passing through the base 55 of the handle structure. At its lower end the shaft 64 has a crosshead 65 adapted to enter a slot 66 in a latching plate67'secured to the top wall 68 of the casing 24. The shaft-.'64 carriesia washer 64a adjacent the crosshead 65, and further carries a helical compression spring 70 engaging the washer `64a and theunderside of the base 55 of thehandle structure. Referring to Fig. 2, the knob 63 and latching mechanism are in released position Wherein the crosshead'65 may enter the'notch 66 if the handle structure 39 should `be lowered to operative position. Considering Fig. 1, when the handle-structure 39 is in its operative Aposition and the crosshead has passed through the notch-66 and occupies the space below the latching'plate67, the `knob 63 may be turned, as through 9() degrees,thereby locking-'fthe crosshead below the latch plate 67. Duringlsuch `latching operation slight downward pressure `is applied tothe handle structure 39, causing the compression spring to compress slightly and forcing ythe-stopper for the-fillertopening into and against thefunnel 36. Suchpressure may also cause a slight flexing of the top wall 69 of-the -boiler'25, all to the end that the crosshead 65 can extend below the latching plate 67 `whereupon `the crosshead may be rotated -for locking purposes. After the `handle structure 39 -has been latched 'and downward presure is removed therefromfthe compression spring 70 will expand to draw up the crosshead :65 against the underside` of the latch'plate 67. This action will be 4aided by the force exerted between the stopper 62.1and the lfunneland will be accompanied by a lessening of lthe tlexure of the top wall 5 69 of the boiler 25, and a slight flexing of the top wall 68 of the casing 24. Thus I am enabled .to use a simpliiied stopper for 'the iiller opening, having la -rigid mounting means, by utilizing the inherent yieldability of the top walls of rthe boiler and casing.

Referring to Fig. 10, I also provide a novel somewhat yieldable mounting for the funnel of the ller opening. The funnel 36a vshown in Fig. 10 is provided with a crimped portion 3617 in its side wall, providing partly the effect of a bellows in that the side wall has less rigidity than without the crimp. In Fig. l the thickness of the funnel wall has been exaggerated for clarity of illustration. it will be understood, however, that it may be made quite thin, to improve the yieldability. Accordingly, when the handle structure 39 is latched in its operative position the crimped portion 36h of Ithe funnel mounting will enable the funnel tto yield slightly. This improved funnel construction may be used in conjunction with the yieldable walls 68 and 69 of the casing 24 and boiler 25, or it may be used by itself, to act independently of yieldability of other par-ts of the iron.

In Figs. 8 and 9 there is illustrated a modified form of latching means wherein the resilient parts of the latch are so arranged and organized that 4they can yield under pressure exerted between the handle structure 39 and the body of the iron tending to separate these parts. Therefore the latching mechanism of Figs. 8 and 9 may be used to supplement the yieldable walls of the casing and boiler, and the yieldable mounting for the funnel 36, or the latching mechanism may be used independently of yieldability of said other parts.

As shown, the latch mechanism comprises a knob 71 having a stepped aperture 72 receiving a square portion 73 of a shank 74 carrying at its lower end a crosshead 75. The small portion of the aperture 72 is square to key the knob 7l to the shank 74, and the large pontion of the aperture contains a compression spring 76 engaging a head 74a on the top end of the shank 74. Through the shank 74 a cross pin 7'7 passes, engaging cam surfaces 78 of a depending flange 79 which is preferably integral with the base 55 of the handle structure 38.

Referring to Fig. 9, the latching mechanism is shown in released position. The cross pin 77 is engaging the high parts of the cam surfaces 78, thereby depressing the shank 74 with respect to the base portion 55 of the handle structure and compressing the spring 76 to the fullest eX- tent. This causes the crosshead 75 to project downwardly the greatest amount, enabling the crosshead to pass through the slot 66 in the latch plate 67 and to clear the underside of the latch plate. When the knob 71 is turned, the crosshead 7S will latch under the plate 67 at the beginning of movement, and as the movement progresses the engagement between the cross pin 77 and the cam surface 7S will be relieved or discontinued, enabling the spring 76 to expand thereby forcing the base portion 55 of the handle structure 39 downward. This will result vin the stopper for the filler opening being forcibly held against the iiller funnel at all times that the handle structure is in the operative position of Fig. l.

Release of the latch mechanism shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is obviously accomplished by merely turning the knob 77 from the position of Fig. 8 tto the position of Fig. 9, through 90 degrees, and .thereby again compressing the spring 76 and disposing the crosshead 79 longitudinally of the notch 68 whereby it may be released from the latch plate 67.

lt will be noted that by utilizing the resilient parts of the latch mechanism of the handle and the stopper mechanism .for the steam dome, and by utilizing the yieldability of the sheet metal walls of the casing and boiler l am enabled to provide a stopper for the ller opening having a simplified rigid type mounting which is less costly. Also, I may obtain 'this resul-t further by providing the extremely simple yieldable mounting for the 6 funnel 39a illustrated in Fig. 10, and it will be obvious that various combinations of the above structures may be employed as desired.

In accordance with this invention novel latch mean are provided in conjunction with the hinge between the handle structure 39 and the body of the iron whereby the handle structure may be locked in the open position shown in Fig. 2 to provide for easy and quick filling and emptying of the boiler whether the iron is hot or cold. Referring to Figs. l through 5, one of the hinge pins t4 is provided with pairs of oppositely projecting locking ears 8U adapted to extend into notches 81 in one of the apertures 45 in the casing 24. The hinge pin 44 having the ears 30 also has a transverse hole 82 receiving a pin 83 which passes through a slot 84 in the rear of the base of the handle structure 39, the outer end of the pin 33 having a knob 85. A compression spring 36 is mounted in back of the hinge pin 44 and normally urges the pin outwardly of its recess, and such movement is limited by the engagement between the transverse pin 83 and the wall of the slot 84.

By this construction the handle structure 39 is automatically latched in the open position shown in Fig. 2 whenever it is swung upward to said position. Upon attaining such position, the hinge pin 44 is shifted axially by the spring 86, causing the locking ears 80 to enter the notches 8l. in order to release the hinge latch it is only necessary to grasp the knob 85 and shif-t it to the right as viewed in Fig. 3, thereby retracting the hinge pm 44 and removing the ears Si? from the notches 81.

Variations and modifications may be'made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

i claim:

l. ln a steam iron, a boiler having a wall provided with a filler opening, said wall having a rim portion extending around said opening; a stopper; a funnel-like seat for the iiller opening, shaped for engagement by said stopper; means comprising crimped walls connecting the seat to the said rim portion of the boiler wall, yieldably mounting said seat on the wall laround the ller opening; and means mounting the stopper on the boiler for movement between open position removed from the seat and closed position engaging the seat.

2. l'n a steam iron, a boiler having a wall provided with a filler opening; a stopper for said opening; means hingedly mounting the stopper on the boiler for movement between positions sealing said opening and removed therefrom; and means carried by the last-named means for latching the stopper in position sealing said opening,

said latching means including a latch member and resilient means disposed between the latch member and means mounting the stopper for applying :continuous force to move the mounting means in the direction to cause the stopper to maintain the seal thereof.

3. In a steam iron, va sheet metal boiler having a top wall of relatively large area, provided in its central portion with a filler opening; a sheet metal casing overlying the top of the boiler, having an opening aligned with said filler opening; means securing said boiler `and casing to each other solely at points remote from said openings; a stopper for said filler opening; mean-s hingedly mounting the stopper on the casing for movement between a sealing position adjacent the ller opening and an unsealing posiy tion remote from the filler opening; means on said preceding means and on the top wall of the casing, fo-r latching the stopper in sealing position, said top boiler and casing walls having a degree of yieldability enabling the latching means to ex them in latching the stopper, to provide for continuous sealing forcebetween the stopper and the edge portions of the ller opening.

4. Ina steam iron, a boiler having 'a wall provided with a ller opening; a stopper for said opening; means hingedly mounting the stopper on the boiler for movement between positions sealing said opening and removed therefrom;

and means tcarriediby the last-named means for latching the stoppervin position segalngtsaid openng,.said 1atching means including a latch member and resilient means disposed biweenithe latohmember and means mounting the stopperffor applyingeontinuous forcelto move the mountingfmeanstin the direction to canse the stopper to main- `tain ,the seal thereof, said stopper mounting means including ra vmovablehandle structure for the iron and said latching `meanscomprising a pin movable axially in said lhandle structure and ,protruding therefrom toward the boiler, the saidresilient means comprising a spring carried byisaid lpin and normally urging lthe latter to a less-protruding position on the handle structure.

5. kln a `stenrniron, n boiler having a wall provided with 'a lfiller opening; a stopper for said opening; means hingeldly mounting the stopper on the boiler for movement between positionssealing said opening and removed therefrom; and means carried by the last-named means `for latching the stopper in position sealing said opening, .said latching meansrincluding a latch member and resilient means :disposed between [the latch member and means mouningfthefstpper, fior-.applying continuous force to ymove the mounting means ,in `the direction to cause the References Ctedin the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,189,709 Deems Feb. 6, 1940 2,322,593 `Riddington et al June 22, 1943 2,475,571 Schreyer July 5, 1949 2,475,572 Schreyer July 5, 1949 2,483,816 Edwards Oct. 4, 1949 y2,533,995 Chapin Dec. 12, 1950

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