ADJUSTABLE IRONING BOARD CABINET

Abstract

An ironing board device having a housing and an ironing board having a proximal end and a distal end. The ironing board is moveably connected to the housing for movement between a substantially vertical storage position wherein the ironing board proximal end is above the ironing board distal end, to a substantially horizontal operating position wherein the ironing board proximal end is closer to the housing than the ironing board distal end. A rod attaches to the proximal end of the ironing board. The housing defines grooves shaped and sized to receive the rod and provide securement at a plurality of elevations.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to ironing boards for use with an iron to iron clothes, and more specifically to storage devices for storing ironing boards. Ironing board storage devices have taken a variety of constructions, but typically have been comprised of a retractable ironing board movably mounted within a cabinet that is concealed in an interior cavity of a wall. The cabinet is installed at an appropriate height so that the ironing board can be rotated downwardly to a generally horizontal operating position relative to the floor. When not in use, the ironing board can be rotated upwardly to a generally vertical position within the cabinet for storage and a door closed to conceal the ironing board.

These types of ironing board storage devices are installed by making large openings in an existing wall and properly supporting the storage device from support studs or the like, which calls for the use of many tools and a great deal of manual labor. For this reason, once the devices are installed they are rarely removed, making the installation effectively permanent. In addition, the location of the storage device is limited by the location of the support studs in the wall. Therefore, these types of ironing board storage devices are not moveable or adjustable in either a vertical or horizontal position.

Therefore, there has been a need for an ironing board device that is adjustable during operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable ironing board device in an operating position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the adjustable ironing board device in a storage position;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the adjustable ironing board device with a door in an open position and the ironing board in the storage position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the adjustable ironing board device in the operating position;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the adjustable ironing board device in an adjusted position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an adjustment assembly in a bottom position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an adjustment assembly in an intermediate position; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an adjustment assembly in a top position.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, an embodiment of the present invention, generally referred to as an ironing board device 10, includes an ironing board 12 with a distal end 32 and a proximal end 34 moveably mounted, preferably pivotally, such as with a hinge, within a housing 14, and an adjustable support assembly 16 operatively engaged with the ironing board 12 that provides for movement of the ironing board 12 between a plurality of elevations and angular positions. In addition, the support assembly 16 secures the ironing board 12 in the operating position.

The housing 14 is a generally rectangular box having sidewalls 20 extending from a rear panel 22 to define a cavity 26 for storing the ironing board 12. A door 28 is moveably mounted to the housing 14 as with door hinges 30, drawer slides or the like, so that the door 28 pivots between an open position and a closed position. Although the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 discloses the door 28 mounted with hinges 30, those skilled in the art will recognize that the door 28 can be also use any method known in the art, such as slides. In alternate embodiments, the door can be removed altogether or replaced with various coverings to visually hide the interior of the housing, such as a collapsible screen or panel, a retractable shade, bi-fold door, and the like.

The ironing board 12 is embodied as a typical ironing board with a generally rectangular proximal portion 32 and a generally narrowing nose distal portion 34, such as a narrowing nose, the proximal portion 32 being moveably mounted, preferably pivotally, at a lower end of the cavity 26 and supported by the adjustable support assembly 16. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any shape of ironing board can be used. A cover 36 fits over the ironing board 12 and comprises a binding (not shown), including but not limited to a bungee cord, elastic, or drawstring, positioned around the perimeter of the cover 36 for securing the cover 36 to the ironing board 12. The cover 36 can be made of cotton as known in the art, or can be made from material with burn/scorch resistant characteristics, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,481. In other embodiments, the cover 36 includes multiple layers of materials, including but not limited to a layer of foam padding.

A heat-resistant and waterproof panel can be secured to the ironing board cover 36, such as the panel disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/221,069, hereby incorporated by reference, for preventing damage to the cover 36 by an iron (not shown). When the iron is placed with an ironing surface facing the panel, the iron is supported by protuberances so that a gap is formed between the ironing surface and the iron to allow steam to flow through the gap about the protuberances and condense in the basin. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other heat-resistant and/or waterproof panels can be used. While the present embodiment shows a generally rectangular shaped panel secured to a rear portion of the cover 36, other shapes, including but not limited to circular, trapezoidal, or oblong can be provided. Further, other sizes and locations can be used. If desired, the ironing board device 10 can be used without the waterproof panel.

The support assembly 16 includes a support platform 50 pivotally mounted, such as with a fastener, busing, or bearing, at one end to the underside of the ironing board 12. The pivoting connection allows the ironing board 12 to adjust angularly relative to the housing 14. The opposite end of the platform 50 is attached to a generally linear rod 52 that is shaped and sized for moveable engagement with the housing 14. The inner face of the sidewalls 20 define a pair of grooves 54 shaped and sized to receive the linear rod 52 and provided guidance of the linear rod 52 between different elevations.

Each groove 54 includes an upper arc 56 and an overlapping lower arc 58 which define three notches 60 sized and shaped to receive the linear rod 52 for securement at a predetermined elevation. Each end of the linear rod 52 engages a corresponding groove 54 so that the linear rod 52 can move along the grooves 54 between the notches 60 for positioning at different elevations. The linear rod 52 can pivot along a longitudinal axis within the grooves 54 to pivot the ironing board between an open and closed position. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of arcs and notches can be used to define any number of elevations.

A brace 62 moveable attaches between a bottom sidewall 20 of the housing 14, such as with a hinge, and to the support platform 50, such as with a hinge, to secure the ironing board 12 in a generally horizontal position when in the open position.

Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. An ironing board device, comprising: a housing;an ironing board having a proximal end and a distal end, the ironing board being moveably connected to the housing for movement between a substantially vertical storage position wherein the ironing board proximal end is above the ironing board distal end, to a substantially horizontal operating position wherein the ironing board proximal end is closer to the housing than the ironing board distal end;a rod moveably attached to the proximal end of the ironing board; andwherein the housing defines grooves shaped and sized to receive the rod and provide securement at and movement between a plurality of elevations.

2. The ironing board device of claim 1, wherein the ironing board is moveably mounted to the rod for movement between a plurality of angular positions.

3. The ironing board device of claim 1, further comprising, a brace attached between the housing and the ironing board for securement of the ironing board in a generally horizontal position.

4. The ironing board device of claim 1, wherein each groove defines arcuately shaped portions that extend between a plurality of notches, the notches being positioned the plurality of elevations and configured for securement of an end of the rod.

5. The ironing board device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured for mounting to a wall.

6. The ironing board device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a rear panel, sidewalls extending from the rear panel to define a cavity for receiving the ironing board, and a door moveably attached to the rear panel or the sidewalls for movement between an open and closed position.

7. An ironing board cabinet, comprising: a housing;an ironing board having a proximal end and a distal end, the ironing board being moveably connected to the housing for movement between a substantially vertical storage position wherein the ironing board proximal end is above the ironing board distal end, to a substantially horizontal operating position wherein the ironing board proximal end is closer to the housing than the ironing board distal end; anda support assembly operatively engaged with the ironing board for movement and securement of the ironing board at a plurality of elevations.

8. The ironing board cabinet of claim 7, wherein the support assembly comprises: a rod moveably attached to the proximal end of the ironing board; andwherein the housing defines grooves shaped and sized to receive the rod and provide securement at and movement between a plurality of elevations.

9. The ironing board cabinet of claim 7, wherein each groove defines a plurality of arcuately shaped portions that extend between a plurality of notches, the notches being positioned at the plurality of elevations and configured for securement of an end of the rod.

10. The ironing board cabinet of claim 7, wherein the support assembly comprises, a support platform moveably mounted between the ironing board and the rod for movement of the ironing board between a plurality of angular positions.

11. The ironing board cabinet of claim 7, further comprising, a brace attached between the housing and the support assembly for securement of the ironing board in a generally horizontal position.

12. The ironing board cabinet of claim 7, wherein the housing is configured for mounting to a wall.

13. An ironing board device, comprising: a housing;an ironing moveably connected to the housing for movement between a substantially vertical storage position and a substantially horizontal operating position;a rod moveably attached to the ironing board; andwherein the housing defines a plurality of arcuately shaped grooves extending between a plurality of notches, the grooves and notches configured for movement between and securement at a plurality of elevations.

14. The ironing board device of claim 13, wherein the ironing board is moveably mounted to the rod for movement between a plurality of angular positions.

15. The ironing board device of claim 13, further comprising, a brace attached between the housing and the ironing board for securement of the ironing board in a generally horizontal position.

16. The ironing board device of claim 13, wherein the housing is configured for mounting to a wall.

17. The ironing board device of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a rear panel, sidewalls extending from the rear panel to define a cavity for receiving the ironing board, and a door moveably attached to the rear panel or the sidewalls for movement between an open and closed position.