Patent Application
20080052971
The present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:
Only the elements necessary for an understanding of the invention have been illustrated. To facilitate consideration of the drawings, the same elements are provided with the same reference numerals from one figure to another.
Cord 2 connecting base 1 to pressing iron 3 has a substantially oblong cross section and encloses a conduit for conveying steam, as well as electric wires for supplying electric power to a heating resistor that is in conductive thermal communication with the soleplate. By way of example, cord two has a length of the order of 150 cm and a transverse cross section having a width of the order of 8 mm and a height of the order of 14.5 mm. Base 1 of the pressing appliance has a lower shell 11 defining the bottom, or lower part, of the base and an upper shell 12 defining the upper part of the base. Upper shell 12 has a first part 12A, preferably of opaque plastic, providing an inclined planar surface on which the iron can rest during periods of inactivity, as well as a control panel 13 provided at the front of the base.
As shown in
Base 2 is supplied electrically be a separate electric cable, or cord, not shown in the drawings and is provided, in a manner known per se, with housing 10 for storage of the electric cable, or cord, which housing can be seen in
More particularly, according to the invention, base 1 has a cavity 15 presenting an elongated form and extending, in its length dimension, along the periphery of base 1. This cavity permits storage and maintenance of cord 2 disposed in the form of a loop, or buckle, with one bend, and having a substantial length. The cavity 15 has an opening 15A into which the loop of cord 2, obtained by folding the cord in two, is progressively introduced.
Cavity 15 has a transverse cross section with a reduced width so that cord 2 is guided by the walls of the cavity, so as to prevent twisting of cord 2. Thus, cord 2 retains its configuration in the form of an elongated loop.
By way of example, the transverse cross section of cavity 15 has a width of the order 1.5 cm and a height of the order 4.5 cm. With respect to the orientation of the appliance shown in the drawings, the width is in the horizontal direction and the height is in the vertical direction.
As shown in
In the example illustrated, sheath 16 is defined, in its upper half, by translucent second part 12B of upper shell 12 so that the position of cord 2 in cavity 15 can be observed.
In an advantageous manner, sheath 16 has an opening 15A at each of its ends, each opening 15A opening tangentially to the wall of base 1.
The presence of openings 15A at each end of sheath 16 presents the advantage of permitting introduction of cord 2 via either end of sheath 16.
Thus, when the user wishes to use the appliance, he withdraws cord 2 from sheath 16 by pulling on the end of cord 2 that is connected to iron 3 so that the user has available the entire length of cord 2 allowing iron 3 to be moved away from base 1.
Inversely, when the user desires to store the appliance, he folds cord 2 to form a loop, which he introduces progressively through one or the other of openings 15A of sheath 16. Cord 2, shown in broken lines within sheath 16, is then positioned with the two sides of the loop extending along the edges of cavity 15. When the extremity of the loop emerges from the other opening 15A, the user can then pull on that extremity in order to expedite the complete introduction of cord 2 into sheath 16 until there is no longer too much length of cord 2 to drag along a side of base 1.
Cord 2 is then perfectly maintained around base 1 and sheath 16 offers the advantage of protecting cord 2 over a long portion of its length.
Of course, the invention is not in any way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated herein, which has been provided only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, notably from the point of view of the construction of various elements or by substitution of equivalent elements or techniques, without departing from the framework of the resulting claims.
Thus, the length and orientation of the sheath for storing the cord can vary from one embodiment to another.
According to alternative embodiments, the storage sheath could extend around the periphery of the base, but within the outline of the base, rather than being visible at the outside of the base by projecting therefrom.
This application relates to subject matter disclosed in French Application number FR 06 07812, filed on Sep. 6, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR 06 07812 | Sep 2006 | FR | national |
