Ironing board

Abstract

This invention concerns an ironing board which comprises a substantially flat working top surface, and optionally one or more reinforcement elements, a support and a device for adjusting the height of the working top surface. The working top surface may comprise one or more layers. The support can be a steam permeable grill, or a perforated plate, or a plank comprising one or more pieces of gas impermeable substance, or a plurality of reinforcement elements attached to the reinforcing frame or a combination thereof.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an ironing board which comprises a substantially flat working top surface, and optionally a support and a device for adjusting the height of the working top surface. The working top surface comprises one or more pieces of one or more foamed polymeric materials, and optionally one or more layers of other materials, some of which provide heat insulation. The working top surface may further comprise reinforcement elements, reinforcing frame, sliding rails and means or device for adjusting the height of the ironing board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ironing boards, like many other domestic and professional appliances used for this type purpose, have evolved over recent years. In the past, all ironing was actually done using only dry irons. These were followed by steam irons, and nowadays, the market is dominated by steam generated ironing units.

It has been generally assumed that to obtain a high quality ironing of garments and the like, the moisture occurring during the ironing or released in the form of water vapor while ironing, i.e., produced by a steam iron and/or from the residual moisture in the moist garments being ironed, should escape or be removed as much as possible. British Patent No. GB-A 1 017 572 disclosed an ironing board which contains an ironing board top made from a perforated metal plate which is covered by an ironing board cover and has a pad underneath.

European Patent Publication No. EP-1 002 895 describes two embodiments of an ironing board having an ironing board top which is impermeable to steam and thus enables the above-described advantageous ironing technique. In one embodiment, the ironing board top includes a sandwich or composite plate made of plastic and comprising a top plate, a bottom plate and a honeycomb system arranged between the top and bottom plates. A vapor retardant, or other type of vapor barrier or vapor-impervious member or material, and a pad are also provided in the sandwich plate. The honeycomb system could be replaced by a foam slab.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,450 B2 discloses an ironing board top made of a one-piece body of molded hard foam plastics material such as polypropylene. The hard foam plastics material may have a closed-cell structure.

U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/704,841 discloses an ironing board which comprises a substantially flat working top surface, and optionally one or more reinforcement elements, a support and a device for adjusting the height of the working top surface.

It is desirable to have an ironing board which can be made in a more flexible structure and assembly to satisfy different users and provide an easy and more economical manufacturing process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an ironing board which comprises a substantially flat working top surface, and optionally one or more reinforcement elements, a support and a device for adjusting the height of the working top surface. The support can be a steam permeable grill, or a perforated plate, or a plank comprising one or more pieces of gas impermeable substance, or a plurality of reinforcement elements attached to the reinforcing frame or a combination thereof. The ironing board may further comprise a device for adjusting the height of the working top surface or a stand with fixed height. Furthermore, the substantially flat working top comprises one or more layers selected from the group consisting of a foamed plastic or polymeric layer, a fiber material layer, an insulation layer, and combinations thereof.

It is another object to provide an ironing board which comprises a working top surface, a support, a device for adjusting the height of the working top surface, wherein the working top surface is substantially flat and comprises one or more pieces of a material selected from the group consisting of solid polystyrene, solid polypropylene, solid polyethylene, solid poly(propylene-ethylene) and mixtures thereof; and the support is selected from the group consisting of a steam permeable grill, a perforated plate, a plank comprising one or more piece of a gas impermeable substance, a plurality of reinforcement elements attached to a reinforcing frame, and a combination thereof

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 3 show perspective side and top views of an ironing board in accordance with the instant inventions depicting working top surface 1, sliding rail 2, an axle 10, a reinforcing frame 12, a lever 14, a pad 16 (better view in FIG. 5), front leg 20, rear leg 21, feet 22 and 23, optional caps 24, 25, 26 and 27, sliding block 30, and front leg axle 31.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the ironing board working top surface showing the general relationship between optional caps 24, 25, 26 and 27 reinforcing frame 12 when looking down from the top.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the bottom of a working top surface of an ironing board of the present invention. A preferred ironing board comprises a number of elements arranged as in the Figure, including working top surface 1, sliding rails 2, 3, reinforcement elements 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, part of a reinforcing frame 12, a lever sleeve 13 sheathing lever 14, a spring element 15, a clip 17, spacing blocks 18 and 19, front leg 20, rear leg 21, feet 22 and 23, optional caps 24, 25, 26, and 27, a sliding block axle 28, sliding blocks 29 and 30, and front leg axle 31. The working top surface may have a suitable length, width, and thickness.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a working top surface when the ironing board is folded. The Figure shows a preferred arrangement and relationship of a working top surface 1, an axle 10, a reinforcing frame 12, lever 14, an optional pad 16, front leg 20, rear leg 21, foot 22, foot 23, and optional caps 24, 25, 26, and 27, sliding block axle 28, and front leg axle 31.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing the relationship between a working top surface 1, a reinforcing frame 12, front leg 20, rear leg 21, foot 22, foot 23, and optional caps 24, 25, 26, and 27.

FIG. 7 shows the end and bottom views of a preferred embodiment of the instant invention. A preferred ironing board comprises a number of elements arranged as in the Figure, including working top surface 1, sliding rails 2, 3, reinforcement elements 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, part of a reinforcing frame 12, a lever sleeve 13 sheathing lever 14, a spring element 15, a clip 17, spacing blocks 18 and 19. Section AA and Section BB further show preferred shapes and one embodiment where there are three separate layers a foamed plastic or polymeric layer 1-1, a fiber/fiber product layer 1-2, and an insulation layer 1-3. The working top surface may have a suitable length, width, and thickness.

FIG. 8 is a side cross view of a working top surface of an ironing board of one embodiment of the present invention showing a working top surface 1 comprising three separate layers, a foamed plastic or polymeric layer 1-1, a fiber/fiber product layer 1-2, and an insulation layer 1-3, and the arrangements of sliding rails 2 and 3, a reinforcing frame 12, and a lever 14.

FIG. 9 shows a preferred shape of a working top surface of an ironing board of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a different embodiment of the bottom of a working top surface of an ironing board of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the arrangement of reinforcement elements 8 and 9 relative to reinforcement elements 11, and reinforcing frame 12.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show the top and side views of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the working top surface comprises three separate layers, a foamed plastic or polymeric or solid material layer 1-1, a fiber/fiber product layer 1-2, and an insulation layer 1-3. It is one embodiment of this invention that the insulation layer 1-3 is on top of the foamed plastic or polymeric layer or solid material layer 1-1 (i.e. in the middle), and the fiber/fiber product layer 1-2 is at the bottom. However, this invention is specifically not limited to this arrangement or just three layers. There may be several layers of the same category, but at different positions relative to one another.

DETAILS OF THE INVENTION

A few preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1-13. These drawings are for demonstrative purposes only and they are not limiting the scope or claims of the present invention.

A preferred ironing board comprises a number of elements arranged as shown in FIG. 4, including working top surface 1, sliding rails 2, 3, reinforcement elements 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, part of a reinforcing frame 12, a lever sleeve 13 sheathing lever 14, a spring element 15, a clip 17, spacing blocks 18 and 19, front leg 20, rear leg 21, feet 22 and 23, optional caps 24, 25, 26, and 27, a sliding block axle 28, sliding blocks 29 and 30, and front leg axle 31. The working top surface may have a suitable length, width, and thickness. The width of reinforcing frame 12 could be partial or complete compared to the thickness of the working top surface.

An ironing board of the present invention showing a working top surface 1 and the arrangements of sliding rails 2 and 3, a reinforcing frame 12, a lever 14, a spring like element 15, a pad 16, which can be made of suitable plastic or other materials, a clip 17, and spacing racks 18 and 19.

Pad 16 may be made of a suitable material such as a polymeric, or metallic substance. Similarly, caps 24, 25, 26, and 27 may be made from any material suitable for the purpose of the present invention.

A different embodiment of the arrangement of the reinforcement elements is shown in FIG. 7, wherein an ironing board comprises a substantially flat working top surface and a number of elements arranged as in this FIG. 7, including working top surface 1, sliding rails 2, 3, reinforcement elements 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, part of a reinforcing frame 12, a lever sleeve 13 sheathing lever 14, a spring element 15, a clip 17, spacing blocks 18 and 19. Section A-A and Section B-B further show preferred shapes and the presence of three separate layers—a foamed plastic or polymeric layer 1-1, a fiber/fiber product dyer 1-2, and an insulation layer 1-3. There may be many different permutations of arrangements of these layers. Furthermore, this invention is not limited to just three layers as arranged and shown in the Figures. For instance, one or more solid material or polymer layer may be sandwiched in between two ore more fiber layers of the same or different compositions. It is still another preferred embodiment to have the insulation layer at the top of all these other layers. Another preferred embodiment has at least one fiber layer at the bottom. The working top surface may have a suitable length, width, and thickness. The reinforcement elements, the reinforcing frame, and the spacing blocks may have various dimensions to provide better support.

A device or mechanism or means for adjusting the height of the working top surface or the ironing board can be selected from many different types known to those skilled in the art. Examples of such a device or means are shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. A fixed-height or other types of stand may also be used in accordance with the instant invention.

Many solid materials may be used for the substantially flat working top surface of this invention. Some examples are polymer foams such as sponge-like materials; foamed and/or solid polystyrene, foamed and/or solid polymers such as polypropylene or polyethylene with reasonable hardness or sufficient density to retain a mostly flat surface under the conditions of use. Laminated materials can be used for the present invention too. Other polymers or copolymers, such as copolymers of ethylene and propylene, may also be used. Mixtures can be used too. In addition, one or more additives and/or fillers can be present in the polymers. For instance, one or more flame-retardant additives and/or one or more fibers and/or one or more fillers may be added to improve one or more properties. When the polymers are foams, closed cell foams are preferred.

Furthermore, a preferred working top surface comprises one or more layers. In addition to the layer described in the preceding paragraph, it is preferred that one or more additional layers also may be present. For the present invention, these layers may be simply stacked upon one another without permanently or temporarily attached to each other. They can be laminated. It is a preferred embodiment that these layers are completely or partially, permanently, semi-permanently, or temporarily (such by buttons or Velcro® type attachments or other means or methods) adhered to, by glues or adhesives, or mechanically attached or fastened to one or both sides of the of the flat working surface of the invention. Where applicable or technically possible, one or more of such layers can be sprayed onto the other too. It is preferred to have one or more fiber layers used in conjunction with one or more polymer layers for the substantially flat working top surface. If more than one layer is present, they can be made from the same or different materials or substances. It is more preferred to have one or more insulation layers made of the same or different insulation substances. It is more preferred to have at least one layer of a fiber material and at least one layer of an insulation substance in addition to the solid material layer as describe above. VELCRO is a registered trademark of VELCRO INDUSTRIES B.V. TEFLON is a registered trademark of E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY.

Materials suitable for such layers include, but are not limited to, for the fiber layer, wood or wood fiber or wood-fiber products; wood composite materials such as particle boards, natural fibers or other natural fiber products such as rice straw, wheat straw, cotton, cotton products; paper or paper products; polyester fibers or other synthetic fibers of similar properties; for the insulation layer, sheet form of polymers, film form of polymers, and other heat resistance/tolerance/insulation materials such as polyfluorohydrocarbon materials (such as Teflon® and the like) known to those skilled in the art. These layers, if present, may be arranged in a number of manners which may be suitable for the purposes of the present invention. A preferred, but not limiting, embodiment is shown in FIG. 13.

The substantially flat working top may be in one piece or two or more pieces joined together mechanically or by glues/adhesives or the various pieces can be assembled in other manners known to those skilled in the art. The working top surface may also be made from molding or injection molding with a suitable density and hardness or rigidity. In the alternative, the working top surface may be machined into a desired shape from a large piece of a suitable material, such as a polymer or plastic material. Other ways known in the art for making such a working top surface element are also within the scope of the present invention.

The sliding rails, reinforcement elements may be separate from the body and then connected and or assembled thereto. The body may include various indentations and/or protuberances formed on a lower surface for receiving components of the support or such the legs of the ironing stand.

In addition, one or more additional layers such as a thermal radiation-reflecting coating can be provided on the upper surface of the working top surface. Such a layer may be attached to, and/or glued to, and/or spray to the surface, depending on the material selected.

Another embodiment of the ironing board of the present invention may include the ironing board top and a stand or a device, mechanism, or means for adjusting the height of the ironing board. One example of a preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 in extended state, and FIG. 5 in a completely folded state.

The examples described above and the figures are used for illustration purposes only. They are not intended and should not be interpreted to limit either the scope or the spirit of this invention. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many other variations or substitutes can be used as equivalents for the purposes of this invention, which is defined by the written description and the following claims.

Claims

1. An ironing board comprising a working top surface and a support wherein the working top surface is substantially flat, wherein the working top surface comprises one or more layers wherein the layers are made from a material selected from the group consisting of a solid material, a fiber, an insulation substance, and combinations thereof.

2. The ironing board of claim 1 further comprising a stand of a fixed height or a device for adjusting the height of the working top surface.

3. The ironing board of claim 1, wherein the working top surface comprises one or more pieces of the solid material selected from polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(co-ethylene-propylene) and mixtures thereof.

4. The ironing board of claim 3, wherein the solid material further comprises one or more fillers, one or more flame retardants, one or more fibers and combinations thereof.

5. The ironing board of claim 1, wherein the support is selected from the group consisting of a steam permeable grill, a perforated plate, a plank comprising one or more piece of a gas impermeable substance, a plurality of reinforcement elements attached to a reinforcing frame, and a combination thereof.

6. The ironing board of claim 1, wherein the fiber is selected from the group consisting of wood, wood fiber, wood-fiber products, wood composite, particle board, natural fibers, rice straw, wheat straw, cotton, cotton products, paper, paper products; polymer foam, polyester fibers, other synthetic fibers and combinations thereof.

7. The ironing board of claim 1, wherein the insulation substance is selected from the group consisting of a sheet form of heat resistant/insulation polymers, a film form of heat resistant/insulation polymers, polyfluorohydrocarbon materials (such as Teflon®), and combinations thereof.

8. The ironing board of claim 1, wherein there are three or more layers and the insulation layer is at top.

9. An ironing board which comprising a working top surface, a support, a stand of a fixed height or a device for adjusting the height of the working top surface, wherein the working top surface is substantially flat and comprises at least three layers wherein the layers are made from a material selected from the group consisting of a solid material, a fiber, an insulation substance, and combinations thereof; the solid material comprises one or more pieces of a material selected from the group consisting of solid polystyrene, solid polypropylene, solid polyethylene, solid poly(propylene-ethylene) and mixtures thereof; the fiber is selected from the group consisting of wood, wood fiber, wood-fiber products, wood composite, particle board, natural fibers, rice straw, wheat straw, cotton, cotton products, paper, paper products; polymer fiber, polyester fibers, other synthetic fibers and combinations thereof; the insulation substance is selected from the group consisting of a sheet form of heat resistant/insulation polymers, a film form of heat resistant/insulation polymers, polyfluorohydrocarbon materials (such as Teflon®), and combinations thereof; at least one insulation layer is at top; and the support is selected from the group consisting of a steam permeable grill, a perforated plate, a plank comprising one or more piece of a gas impermeable substance, a plurality of reinforcement elements attached to a reinforcing frame, and a combination thereof.