Patent Grant
9212452
This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled: Ironing Board, Application No. 61/766,069 filed Feb. 18, 2013, in the name of Matthew Puckett, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The present invention relates to ironing boards, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an ironing board that is operable to provide increased lateral stability and further provide power cord management of a conventional clothes iron. Additionally, the ironing board of the present invention will provide a retention bracket for an iron that will not impede the ironing surface area.
As part of a normal caretaking routine, individuals routinely launder their clothes to maintain their cleanliness. During subsequent washing and drying of their clothes some fabrics may develop at least a certain amount of wrinkles Many individuals consider wrinkled clothes undesirable and will utilize an iron to substantially reduce the amount of wrinkles in the article of clothing. Most individuals will utilize a convention ironing board with an iron and manipulate the article of clothing in numerous positions to eliminate most of the wrinkles from the article of clothing.
There are numerous inherent problems with the conventional ironing board that has existed for decades. One major problem is the instability of a conventional ironing board. A conventional ironing board utilizes a pair of pivotal legs that are positioned in an angular manner with respect to each other in underneath and in general axial alignment with the ironing board. This design has shown to promote significant lateral instability. As the legs of a conventional ironing board do not extend beyond the perimeter edge of the board and with most ironing boards being at least four feet in height, the conventional design provides almost no lateral stability.
Another issue with conventional ironing boards is that they provide no cord management for the iron being used therewith. Typically a user will place the ironing board proximate an electrical outlet and plug in the iron. A conventional iron utilizes a power cord that provides power to the iron to heat the heating element. The cord presents a significant safety hazard to those using the ironing board or those walking proximate thereto. Users and/or those walking adjacent to the ironing board and iron often trip on the cord, which can cause significant injury to the individual who has become entangled with the cord. As a person trips on the cord the iron can fall off of the board and impact the person causing injuries ranging from burns to blunt trauma. Additionally, a falling iron can be a fire hazard and/or damage the flooring or nearby objects.
A further issue with a conventional ironing board is the lack of ability to maintain a controlled position of the iron superposed thereon. As a user manipulates the article of clothing being ironed the iron is typically placed on the opposite end of the board. As previously discussed, the inherent lack of lateral stability creates a scenario where the iron is routinely knocked off of the ironing board creating an additional safety hazard.
Accordingly, there is a need for an ironing board that has improved lateral stability, a power cord management system for an iron and a means to maintain the iron in a stable position when a user is manipulating an article of clothing on the ironing board or when the iron is left unattended.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an ironing board that provides lateral stability and further includes an integrated power supply.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board that provides lateral stability that includes a leg base wherein the leg base includes rotatably mounted members functioning to be positioned to provide enhanced lateral stability.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board that includes a leg base wherein one section of the leg base has a vertical support member perpendicularly mounted thereto.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board that includes a leg base wherein the leg base is operable to be folded for storage when the ironing board is not in use.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board including a vertical support member that is adjustable so as to adjust the height of the ironing board.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board that includes power cord management capabilities, wherein the power cord management capabilities are integrated into the vertical support member.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board wherein the power cord management capabilities allow a user to operably couple the power plug of an iron into one end of the vertical support member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board that includes a horizontal support member, wherein the horizontal support member is generally rod-shaped and is operably coupled to the vertical support member in a perpendicular manner.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board with improved lateral stability that includes a rod positioned longitudinally underneath the ironing board surface that is configured to receive items such as but not limited to clothes hangars.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board that includes an ironing surface, the ironing surface being planar in manner and rotatably coupled to the horizontal support member wherein the ironing surface is configured to be secured in a plurality of positions for use such as but not limited to a substantially horizontal position.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board that is operably coupled to a power outlet wherein a cord is coupled to the power management system disposed within the vertical support member proximate the leg base.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an ironing board that further includes an iron holding member, the iron holding member being pivotally mounted to the end of the vertical support member distal to the leg base and above the ironing surface and wherein the iron holding member is operable to retain the iron in a stable position as a user manipulates an article of clothing on the ironing surface.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated an ironing board 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
Referring in particular to
The second portion 19 of the leg base 15 is constructed similarly to the first portion 17 and functions identically thereto as described herein. The second portion 19 further includes first section 33 having first end 36 and second end 39 with both first end 36 and second end 39 being constructed similarly to first end 24 and second end 26 respectively. Second end 39 has journaled circumferentially therearound apertures 41 that are operable to receive spring pin or similar mechanical fastener so as to releasably secure the first section 33 to the second section 34. The first portion 17 and second portion 19 of the leg base are operably coupled to mounting sleeve 40 utilizing fastener 45. Fastener 45 includes bars 46,51, first rod 47 and second rod 48 operably coupled with first section 21 and first section 33 respectively. Bars 46,51 are secured to the mounting sleeve 40 utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to welding. The mounting sleeve 40 is surroundably mounted to the center support member 20 and slidably coupled thereto. Operably coupled to the mounting sleeve is knob 55 and rod 56 that function to allow the mounting sleeve to be moved intermediate its first position and its second position. The knob 55 and rod 56 are a conventional fastener that includes an inner portion such as but not limited to a nut that is operable to be biased against the interior of the center support member 20 so as to maintain the mounting sleeve 40 in its desired position. In its first position, the mounting sleeve 40 is proximate a support surface on which the ironing board 100 has been superposed and the first portion 17 and second portion 19 of the leg base 15 are in their deployed positions extending outward therefrom and generally perpendicular thereto, as shown in
The center support member 20 is substantially hollow and manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to metal tubing. The center support member 20 includes first end 71 and second end 72. Mounting sleeve 40 is operably coupled to the center support member 20 proximate the second end 72 as previously described herein. Slidably coupled with the center support member 20 proximate first end 71 is tube member 80. Tube member 80 engages the center support member 20 such that the tube member 80 slidably travels within the interior volume of the center support member 20. Tube member 80 is substantially hollow and includes channel 82. Surroundably mounted to the first end 71 of the center support member 20 is fastener 85. Fastener 85 includes a mounting sleeve 86, knob 87 and rod 88. The fastener 85 facilitates the releasable securing of the tube member 80 in a desired position. The tube member 80 is operable to adjust the height of the ironing surface 99. Knob 87 is operable to control the tension of rod 88 so as to allow the tube member 80 to be transitioned to a desired position and subsequently secured. While a fastener 85 has been illustrated and discussed herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that numerous types of conventional fasteners could be utilized to control the functional of the tube member 80 as described herein. The tube member 80 further includes electrical outlet 90. Electrical outlet 90 is secured within the tube member 80 utilizing suitable durable techniques and is operable to receive a conventional 120/220-volt plug from a conventional clothes iron. While not illustrated herein, the electrical outlet 90 has conventional wiring electrically coupled thereto that is disposed within the center support member 20 and propagating out therefrom proximate end 72. The electrical outlet 90 functions to provide a power source proximate the ironing surface 99 so as to reduce challenges and safety risks of utilizing a power source that is not operably integrated with the ironing board 100. Located above the electrical outlet 90 is mounting hole 95. The mounting hole 95 is journaled through the tube member 80 and is operable to receive the mounting rod 105 of the iron support member 101 as further described herein. Secured to the tube member 80 opposite the mounting hole 95 is support bar 115. Support bar 115 is secured to tube member 80 utilizing suitable durable techniques and is generally perpendicular thereto. The support bar 115 provides the structural required to support the ironing surface 99. While not particularly illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that an additional support member could be secured intermediate the support bar 115 and tube member 80. Support bar 115 has rotatably mounted therearound a sleeve 120. The sleeve 120 is surroundably mounted to the support bar 115 and has secured thereon a pair of brackets 117,118. The brackets 117,118 operably coupled the sleeve 120 to the ironing surface 99 so as to facilitate in the positioning thereof. The sleeve 120 is operable to facilitate the positioning of the ironing surface 99 intermediate a vertical position as shown in
Referring in particular to
The ironing surface 99 is a formed similarly to a conventional ironing surface having a first tapered end 198 and a flat end 199. The ironing surface 99 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal. Secured to the bottom side 170 of the ironing surface 99 is support bar 185. Support bar 185 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal and is secured utilizing suitable durable techniques intermediate tapered end 198 and flat end 199. The support bar 185 is secured such that a void 186 is present intermediate the bottom side 170 and the support bar 185. While no particular size of the void 186 is required, good results have been achieved having a void that is sufficient in size so as to accommodate a hook portion of a conventional clothes hangar. The support bar 185 provides support for a plurality of articles of clothing suspended on conventional clothes hangars. While the support bar 185 is illustrated herein as extending substantially the length of the ironing surface 99, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the support bar 185 could be manufactured in numerous different lengths.
Referring to the Figures herewith a description of the operation of the ironing board is as follows. In operation, a user will transition the ironing board 100 from its stored position, shown in
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150233046 A1 | Aug 2015 | US |
