US3287542A

US3287542A - Heated hanger presser

Info

Publication number: US3287542A
Application number: US506785A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dorothea M Weitzner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-11-08
Filing date: 1965-11-08
Publication date: 1966-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 1983-11-22

Description

Nov. Z2, 1966 D. M. wr-:lTzNER 3,287,542

HEATED HANGER PRES SER Filed NOV. 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 5 :T f l. Ig Yi? si orozhecz /`7. Ned2/1er lh dl D. M. WEITZNER HEATED HANGER PRESSER Nov. 22, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 8, 1965 INVENTOR United States Patent O 3,287,542 HEATED HANGER PRESSER Dorothea M. Weitzner, 8 E. 62nd St., New York, N.Y. Filed Nov. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 506,785 3 Claims. (Cl. 219-244) This invention is a continuation in part of my copending patent application, Ser. No. 306,103, filed Sept. 3, 1963, now Patent No. 3,217,137.

Heretofore electric irons carried by travelers have been bulky, heavy appliances which occupied excessive space in luggage. Travelers have felt a long standing need for an electric iron which would overcome the disadvantages of prior travel irons. The present invention fulfills this need by providing an electrically heated portable electric iron which can be used as a garment hanger when not otherwise used, and which can -be put to use :as a garment ironing or pressing device.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a compact, convenient, lightweight, inexpensive electric iron in the form of a garment hanger.

Other objects 4are to provide an electric iron which is easy and safe to use; which may be energized by internal rechargeable batteries or by an external power supply, which can be used to iron flat articles such as handkerchiefs, towels and the like, or garments such as trousers, skirts, blouses, shirts etc.; and which can be used without resting the article being ironed, again-st a supporting surface.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth. l

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a perspective View of a second device ernbodying the invention.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of an end portion of the device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the device of FIG. 3, shown in use.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a third device embodying the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth device embodying the invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical central sectional View taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a diagram of the electric circuit of the de- `vice of FIGS. 6-8.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth device embodying the invention.

, FIG. 9A is a diagram of the electric circuit of the device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sixth device embodying the invention.

FIG. 1l is an enlarged elevational View partially in section of a portion of the device of FIG. 10, and

FIG. l2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 1l.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a first device 20A having a tlat body 22 including a flat, arcuate bow 24. A tapered neck 25 extends upwardly from the center `of the upper edge 26 of the bow land terminates 3,287,542 Patented Nov. 22, 1966 ICC in a hook 2'8. A short crossbar 30 extends inwardly of the bow from one end 31. A second short crossbar 32 extends inwardly of the bow from the other end 33. The crossbars are axially aligned. Integral with the second crossbar 32 isa cylindrical stationary `shaft 34 which extends axially toward the free end of crossbar 30. Rotatably mounted on shaft 34 is -a cylindrical hollow roller 36. A bolt 38 engaged in the free end of shaft 34 engages flange 39 at one end of roller 36 and holds the roller on the shaft. An electrical resistance heater coil element 40 is wound around and secured to shaft 34. This element terminates at a plug 42 seated in a recess 44 in the end 33 of bow 24. Prongs 45 of the plug are exposed for connecting an electrical connector 46 thereto. Connector 46 is secured at one end of power supply cord 48. A plug 49 at the other end of the cord can be connected to a suitable power supply source.

The roller, bow and shaft are all made of suitable lightweight, strong, heat resistant electrically insulative, plastic material, of which many types are now generally available commercially. The device 20A can be used as a garment hanger with garments draped on the bow 24 and/or the crossbar assembly defined by cross bar 30, shaft 34 carrying roller 36, and crossbar 32. To use the device as an electric iron for pressing a garment, the hook 28 and neck 25 rcan be grasped for use as a handle and the roller 36 can be rolled over the garment which will rest on a supporting surface. Tubular parts of garments such as sleeves can be inserted through the space S between adjacent ends of crossbar 30 and the head of bolt 38, and then axially around roller '36. The electric cord 48 can remain attached to the device to keep it heated while the device is in use. When -the shaft and roller are suiciently heated, the electric Vcord can be removed. The plastic shaft and roller have high retentivity so that ironing of a garment can be performed for several minutes before the shaft and roller cool off.

FIGS. 3, 3A and 4 show a second device 20B which is generally similar to device 20A and corresponding parts are identically numbered. In device 20B, stationary shaft 34b has short slotted

studs

50, 51 at opposite ends which are secured by set screws 52 to interfitted ends of

short crossbars

30b and 32b. An electrical receptacle 53 is fitted in one end of shaft 34h to which an electric cord can be detachably connected. Stud 50 has a threaded bolt 54 which is seated in one end of shaft 34b. This stud engages llange 39 of roller 36; see FIG. 3A. A cylindrically curved guide and pressure plate 55 has a tab 56 secured at its upper edge by rivet 458 to the neck 25b of the hanger body 22b. The bow 24b of the hanger body is at. The -concave side of plate 455 partially surrounds roller 36.

FIG. 4 shows how a flat garment or article G such as a necktie or handkerchief can be fed through the device .around roller 36 while the device is held vertical and moved along supporting surface S. The article will :be guided and smoothed between the edge 59 of plate 55 and the adjacent roller. The ironing of the article will be completed as it is pressed under the electrically heated roller -on surface S.

The device 20C shown in FIG. 5 is similar to devices 20A and 20B and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Roller 36C is rather barrel shaped and cylinydrically curved pressure plate 55e` is pivotally secured to the neck 25e of the hanger `body 22C by a screw 60. The plate has a tab 56e formed with a slot 62 through which the screw 60 extends. A coil spring 63 is provided in slot 62 bearing between the screw and ybottom of the slot. By this arrangement, thick, bulky garments and articles having curved contours such as wool socks and caps can be ironed between the roller and plate. The plate will pivot and yield so that -one portion of the plate will always be parallel to some adjacent portion of the roller as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5.

Device 20D shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, is generally similar to devices 20A and 20B and corresponding parts are identically numbered. In device 20D the cylindrically curved pressure plate is 55d secured t-o the hanger bow 24d 4by `an elongated tab or link 56d engaged by a screw or rivet 58d. In addition the plate has end flanges 66 engaged on stationary shaft 34d. Roller 36 is rotatably mounted on the shaft between the flanges 66. Bolt 54d is seated in threaded hole 68 in the engaged end of the shaft. The shaft has an axial bore or cavity 70 in which is a plurality of cylindrical batteries 72 arranged in series. A coil spring 73 is disposed between one end of one battery 72 and the adjacent end of bolt 54d. The positive terminal 74 of end battery 72 contacts a leaf spring 75 which is connected to coiled resistance heater element 40d. A three position switch 76 is mounted on end 77 of shaft 34d. A socket 78 is mounted in recess 79 at end 77 of shaft 34d which is secured in end 33d of the hanger bow 24d.

Device 20D can be hung on support S with the hanger body 22d in a vertical plane. A garment or other fabric article G' can be drawn around the rotatable roller 36 between the roller and the concave side of plate 55d as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 7. FIG. 8A shows circuit 100 ofthe device 20D.

lThe series connected batteries 72 shown in circuit 100 have positive terminal 74 connected to one terminal 80 in socket 78 and to one end of heater element 40d. Switch 76 has three operating positions and three

xed contacts

81, 82, 83. Fixed contact 81 is connected to the other end of element 40d. Contact 82 is open. Fixed contact 83 is connected to socket terminal 84. The switch has a movable contact 85 connected to the negative terminal 86 of the batteries, via conductor 88. In the center position of contact 85, the heater element is deenergized since its power supply is open. In the heating position of switch 76

contacts

81 and 85 are closed and the batteries energize the heating element 40d. In the recharge position of the switch,

contacts

82, 85 are closed and the heater element 40d is deenergized. A charging voltage can then be applied at terminals 80, 84 of socket 78 for recharging the batteries. The device 20D is usable without an attached electric cord since the heater element will be energized bythe batteries. When the batteries run down they can be recharged from an external power source. The batteries can be removed and inserted through threaded hole 68 in the end of shaft 34d.

In FIG. 9 is shown another device 20E with two

rollers

36e and 36e rotatably mounted on

stationary shafts

34e, 34e'. The rollers are spaced apart laterally of each other The rollers have

studs

50, 51 at opposite ends secured by screws 52 to bifurcated ends 90, 91 of hanger box 24e. The ends of the

heater elements

40e and 40e in the re- `spective shafts are connected to terminals 92, 93 of socket 94 as shown in circuit 100e of FIG. 9A. Socket 94 is disposed in a recess 95 formed in en-d 33e of bow 24e.

In use of device 20E, a garment or other article G can be drawn `between the rollers lwhich will rotate in opposite directions while the device is held by hook 28 and neck 25 as a handle or support. Alternatively the device can be rolled along a yilat surface with both rollers rotating in the same direction. An electric cord can be connected to socket 94 for energizing both heater elements simultaneously since these elements are connected in parallel to the socket.

Device 20F shown in FIGS. 10-12 is similar to device 20A. A handle 102 is provided instead of hook 28 and a neck 2,5. Handle 102 has a rectangular C-shape. The

handle is pivotally mounted on the upper edge of bow 24f. by a pivot pin or rivet 104. Pins 106 biased upwardly by springs 107 are seated in slots 108 in the bow 24f. The handle has openings 110 spaced apart on opposite sides of pivot 104. The pins 106 can be Iretracted by knobs 111 against bias in springs 107 so that handle 102 can be turned to a plane perpendicular to the plane of flat body 24j. This provides a comfortable hand grip in use of the device for pressing an article supported on a horizontal surface. The pins 106 cooperate in holding the handle in the turned position of FIG. 10. The lateral opening 120 in the handle permits the handle to be used as a hook for hanging the device on a horizontal closet pole or other supports when the device is used as a hanger to carry a garment.

In all forms of the invention described, the device serves as a garment hanger which can also be used as an electrically heated garment presser. It is light in weight, compact in size, safe to use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrically heated device of the type described, comprising a generally ilat body having an arcuate lbow defining a support for a garment, a hook centrally located at one edge of said bow to serve as a support for said body, short crossbars extending inwardly of opposite ends of said bow toward each other in axial alignment, a cylindrical assembly carried by at least one of said crossbars to serve `as another support for another garment, said assembly comprising a rotatably hollow roller, an electrical resistance heater element located inside of said roller, electrical conductors connected to the heater element for applying electrical voltage to said element to heat the roller, whereby the roller can be used as a garment pressing means and -a cylindrically curved plate secured to said body with a concave side facing said roller to guide an article between the roller and plate for pressing said article.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1 and a stationary shaft secured to said one crossbar, ,a switch at an exposed end of said shaft connected to said heater element and said conductors for selectively turning on and olf power supplied to said element, batteries in said shaft connected in circuit with said switch and heater element for energizing the heater element, and an electrical connector at one end of the bow connected in circuit wi-th said switch and batteries for applying external power to the batteries to recharge the same.

3. A device as recited in claim 2, further comprising a cylindrically :curved plate secured to said body with a concave side facing said roller to guide an arti-cle between the roller and plate for pressing said article.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,455,842 5/1923 Kelly 219--240 1,596,181 8/1926 Hills 38-100 1,781,158 11/1930 Campbell 219-244 2,401,820 6/ 1946 Fairley 219-244 X RICHARD M. WOOD, Primary Examiner. ANTHONY BARTIS, Examiner. C, L, ALBRI'ITON, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. AN ELECTRICALLY HEATED DEVICE OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED, COMPRISING A GENERALLY FLAT BODY HAVING AN ARCUATE BOW DEFINING A SUPPORT FOR A GARMENT, A HOOK CENTRALLY LOCATED AT ONE EDGE OF SAID BOW TO SERVE AS A SUPPORT FOR SAID BODY, SHORT CROSSBARS EXTENDING INWARDLY OF OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID BOW TOWARD EACH OTHER IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT, A CYLINDRICAL ASSEMBLY CARRIED BY AT LEAST ONE OF SAID CROSSBARS TO SERVE AS ANOTHER SUPPORT FOR ANOTHER GARMENT, SAID ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A ROTATABLY HOLLOW ROLLER, AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE HEATER ELEMENT LOCATED INSIDE OF SAID ROLLER, ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS CONNECTED TO THE HEATER ELEMENT FOR APPLYING ELECTRICAL VOLTAGE TO SAID ELEMENT TO HEAT THE ROLLER, WHEREBY THE ROLLER CAN BE USED AS A GARMENT PRESSING MEANS AND A CYLINDRICALLY CURVED PLATE SECURED TO SAID BODY WITH A CONCAVE SIDE FACING SAID ROLLER TO GUIDE AN ARTICLE BETWEEN THE ROLLER AND PLATE FOR PRESSING SAID ARTICLE.