IRONING BOARD WITH STORAGE UNIT

Description

[0001] This patent concerns ironing equipment and in particular it concerns a new folding ironing board on castors, with storage unit for boiler, iron and/or other accessories and objects.

[0002] A compact ironing apparatus incorporating the iron, the ironing board and a folding support structure for each of them as well as an external casing with reduced volume to store them is know from US 3862503 A. Frame means are fastened onto said casing to mount said support structures, which - while in operational position - position the ironing board in a horizontal position and with the iron placed above it. Said support structures are easily operated to move into said operational position from a folded or inactive position with the external casing closed for easy transportation or storage in a small space. Each support structure is built in a unique way with several junctions cooperating among each other and that can be engaged with said support structures when the equipment is not used.

[0003] From WO 2007/004126A1 is known an ironing board that can easily be stored and converted to a stable position for ironing, comprising a base having a variable length, and a body with a work surface. A column extends between the body and the base. An adjustment mechanism arranges for the base to be shorter in case the work surface is positioned vertically and the base to be longer in case the work surface is positioned horizontally. A system comprises such an ironing board and an iron for cooperation with the ironing board.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to build an ironing board with a storage unit made in a different way from those disclosed by the state of the art of US 3862503A and WO 2007/004126A1.

[0005] The new ironing board includes in its main parts at least one ironing surface that can be extended and/or folded, a storage unit for said ironing surface when in a closed position, at least one column or telescopic element generically extensible to support said ironing surface in a horizontal position. Said column is suitable to move said ironing surface by raising/lowering it, moving from a closed position, where said ironing surface is completely contained inside said unit, to an open position, where said ironing surface is in a position where it can be used at a suitable height. Said storage unit is provided with lockable castors to be moved around and internal compartments to host the steam generator with a water tank, the iron and other useful accessories.

[0006] On said ironing surface and/or on said column and/or on said unit there are electrical and/or steam connections for the power supply to the iron and the control panel to operate the iron itself.

[0007] surface is completely contained inside said unit, to an open position, where said ironing surface is in a position where it can be used at a suitable height. Said storage unit is provided with lockable castors to be moved around and internal compartments to host the steam generator with a water tank, the iron and other useful accessories.

[0008] On said ironing surface and/or on said column and/or on said unit there are electrical and /or steam connections for the power supply to the iron and the control panel to operate the iron itself.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment, said unit comprises at least one support surface for the boiler of the iron and power and/or steam connections from said boiler to said ironing surface, where preferably the joints and sockets to connect the iron and the control panel are situated.

[0010] In an alternative solution, said ironing surface might include, in addition to the control panel and the sockets for the iron, the boiler for the iron, preferably integrated into the ironing surface.

[0011] In its preferred embodiment, this storage unit has a box shape, i.e. with four vertical side walls that create one or more storage compartments, one bottom element or wall on which the castors and/or feet are mounted and an upper covering element. This covering element or lid is preferably hinged onto a side wall and fully tiltable from a horizontal closed position to a fully open position where it is parallel and close to a vertical side wall.

[0012] In order to open the ironing board it is sufficient to lift said lid, tilt it over and take out the ironing board from the upper opening of the storage unit and raise it to the desired height thanks to said telescopic support column. The ironing surface has now the two end sides collapsed onto the central part of the same surface thanks to the hinges and the end sides are then opened, thus forming a full very large ironing surface.

[0013] Another possible solution is that the two extensions of the surface can be extensible elements and not hinged onto the central part but sliding on it.

[0014] Both raising the ironing surface to the desired height and fully extending the ironing surface to the horizontal position can be automated operations so that the user, after opening the unit lid, can obtain such positioning by simply pressing a pushbutton and/or using a remote control.

[0015] The same automation can be applied to close the board into the storage unit and afterwards the hinged lid is closed manually.

[0016] In the preferred embodiment, said storage unit has the following base size: 60 x 60 cm or other modular dimensions.

[0017] Said storage unit is preferably a self-standing unit, i.e. with an external finish that makes it suitable to remain visible like a normal furniture unit and featuring at least a top surface formed by said lid. This unit can be provided with two doors on the operator's side to have access to the internal compartments.

[0018] The advantage of this invention is that when it is closed the overall dimensions of the ironing board equal the size of the storage unit that can be very easily moved thanks to the castors and can be put into any compartment of a modular furniture unit devoted to this purpose, thus being aesthetically and visually integrated into the furniture unit.

[0019] A further advantage of this invention is that the storage unit has internal compartments to hold the boiler, the iron and accessories useful for ironing, clothes, etc., which do not need to be kept elsewhere while moving and opening/closing the ironing board, because said storage unit is made in such a way as to guarantee stability and prevent anything them falling out.

[0020] This new ironing board is easy and intuitive to use and it is extremely practical.

[0021] The table enclosed shows a practical illustration of how the invention could appear, but this is only an example and not ristrictive.

Figure 1 shows the cross section of the ironing board. The unit (1) is formed by a bottom (1/f), a lid (1/b) and by side walls (1/a). The ironing board is fully housed inside said unit (1) because the ironing surface (1/c) with its folded elements (1/r - 1/s) can be totally contained in the storage unit (1). The storage unit (1) is provided with castors (1/e) and with a hinged lid (1/b) that closes the ironing board unit completely inside and therefore it disappears. Said lid (1/b) is equipped with a hinge that allows opening it as well as its rotation so that it is foldable along the external vertical wall of the furniture unit onto which it is hinged. The telescopic column (1/d) is fastened and rigidly connected to the unit bottom (1/f) and the ironing surface (1/c). Inside said unit (1) there are several compartments (1/g) (1/h) to host the boiler and accessories necessary for ironing.
Figure (1/2) shows a cross section of the new ironing board in its open position ready for use, with the ironing surface (2) completely outside the storage unit and fully open.
The same figure also shows the following components: telescopic column (1/t) in its open position, boiler storage compartment (1/l), other compartments (1/m) to house the iron and other ironing accessories. In particular, it is foreseen that inside said hollow telescopic column (1/t) there is a flexible duct (1/o) that houses the steam pipe and the electric cables that connect the boiler (1/l) and the control panel (figure 1/2-2/f) integrated into the body of the ironing surface (figure 1/2 -2) on the operator's side and the iron socket (figure 1/2-2/g) on the ironing surface (2).
An alternative embodiment is configured in Figure 3 where the boiler (figure 3-3/a) is inside the compartment of the ironing surface (2) and directly connected to the control panel (figure 3- 3/b) and to the socket for the iron (figure 3 -3/f) through the duct (figure 3-3/c), the power supply will be provided by means of the electric cable (figure 3- 3/d) that runs inside the hollow telescopic column (figure 3- 3/g).

Figure 2 shows the ironing board while completely open, which consists of a central fixed element (2/a) and two side elements (2/b) and (2/c) to increase the ironing surface, said side elements (2/b and 2/c) are hinged on and/or hooked to the central fixed element (2/a) by means of the elements (2/1-2/m) so that they can be folded 90° downwards and/or 180° upwards over the fixed surface (2/a). Inside said ironing surface there is a chamber (2/h) communicating with the fixed surface (2/a) and the two side surfaces (2/b - 2/c) by means of the slots (2/d and 2/e) created between the elements (2/a and 2/b) and between the elements (2/a and 2/c) to allow air to circulate among them. Inside this chamber (2/h) one or more fan motors (2/o) are installed for air suction and blowing through the upper part of the pierced or net-like ironing surface (2/o). In contact with said surface of the upper ironing surface (2/o) one or more heating elements (2/n) can be placed to heat the ironing surface.
In a more complete variant of the new ironing board the addition of a steam function for the ironing surface can be provided: figure (2/1) shows the same ironing surface (2) where in addition to the heating element (figure 2/1-2/n) to heat the ironing surface and the fan motor (figure 2/1-2/o) for air suction and blowing, a pipe for steam circulation is provided (figure 2/1-2/p) with holes for the steam to come out (2/q) through the pierced surface (fig.2-2/o). Said steam circulation pipe (2/q) is connected to the control panel (figure 1/2 -2/g) and therefore through the joint to the steam supply coming from the boiler (figure 1/2-1/1) along the flexible duct (figure 1/2-1/o).
The air suction and blowing by means of the fan motor (2/o) in figure (2) and the connections between the elements (2/a -2/b and 2/c) in figure (2), the heating function of the ironing surface (2/a) in figure (2) by means of the heating element (2/n) in figure (2/1), the steam function performed by the steam circulation pipe (2/p) in figure (2/1) enable the construction of a really complete ironing board with an air suction and blowing function on its entire working surface, a heated ironing surface, and a steam function that make it similar to professional ironing boards.

Figures 4 and 5 show in detail two possible but not exhaustive solutions for the columns for raising/lowering the ironing surface (2).
Fig. 4 shows the telescopic column in a variant with a piston in its open position: (4/a) is the lower fixed part of the column, (4/c) is the mobile part of said telescopic column in its open position, (4/b) is the piston in its open position, (2) is the ironing surface in its raised position.
Figure (4/1) is a sectional view of the telescopic column in a variant with the piston in its closed position: (4/a) is the lower fixed part of said telescopic column, (4/e) is the mobile part of said telescopic column in its closed position, (4/f) is the piston in its closed position, (2) is the ironing surface in its lowered position.

[0022] Figure (5) shows the sectional view of the telescopic column in a worm screw variant in its raised position: (5/a) is the lower fixed part of said telescopic column, (5/b) is the upper mobile part of said telescopic column in its raised position, (5/c) is the worm screw in its raised position of said telescopic column, (5/d) is the electrical engine that operates the worm screw (5/c), (2) is the ironing surface upright rigidly connected to the worm screw (5/c) through the joint (5/e), (5/f) is the supporting hollow element on which the operating engine is fixed (5/d).

[0023] Figure (5/1) shows a sectional view of the telescopic column in a worm screw version in its lowered position: (5/g) is the lower fixed part of said telescopic column, (5/h) is the upper mobile part of said telescopic column in its lowered position, (5/i) is the worm screw in its lowered position, (2) is the ironing surface in its lowered position rigidly connected to the worm screw (5/i) through the joint (5/e), (5/m) is the engine that operates the worm screw (5/i), (5/o) is the supporting hollow element on which the operating engine is fixed (5/m).

[0024] The new ironing board also preferably includes an iron (Figure 6) where (6/a) is the iron body, (6/b) is the single pipe for the steam and power supply, (6/c) is the iron plug that will be inserted into the socket on the ironing surface (figure 1/2- 2/g).

[0025] These explanations are sufficient for an expert to build the invention and as a consequence there can be variations to the practical application without prejudice to the merit of this innovative idea. Therefore, with reference to the previous descriptions and to the tables enclosed, the following claims are stated.

Claims

1. Ironing board with storage unit comprising a storage unit (1), at least one ironing surface (2) that can be extended and/or folded, and support means for the latter to be held in a horizontal position, in which the unit (1) consists of a bottom (1/f), a foldable lid (1/b) and side walls (1/a), lockable castors (1/e) to move it, and several compartments (1/g, 1/h) to host a boiler (1/1), an iron (1/m) and or objects and accessories useful when ironing, the unit (1) being suitable to contain in its closed position the ironing surface (2) and the support means and also to be opened to take out the ironing surface (2) from the storage unit (1), by raising it to the desired height thanks to the fact that said support means can be raised and lowered, the unit further comprising power supply (3/d) to the boiler (1/1), and to a control panel (2/f) integrated into the ironing surface (2), and the iron socket (2/g), as well as a flexible duct (1/o) for the steam pipe and the electrical cable, said support means consisting of a hollow telescopic column (1/t), in which the steam pipe and the electrical cable for the power supply can run or of a piston-like telescopic column with a lower fixed part (4/a) and a mobile part (4/c), and a piston (4/b) that can be moved from an open position with the ironing surface (2) in its raised position to a closed position with the ironing board (2) in its lowered position or of a telescopic column with a worm screw (5/c) operated by an electrical engine (5/d), and rigidly connected by means of the joint (5/e) to the ironing surface (2t), the column having a fixed lower part (5/a) and a mobile upper part (5/b), and being movable from a lowered closed position with the ironing surface (2) in its lowered position to a raised position with the ironing surface (2) in its raised position, wherein said ironing surface (2) is formed by a central fixed element (2/a) and two side elements (2/b) and (2/c) suitable to increase the ironing surface, said side elements (2/b and 2/c) being hinged on and/or hooked to the central fixed element (2/a) by means of the elements (2/1-2/m), in order to be folded 90° downwards and/or 180° upwards above the fixed surface (2/a), and inside said ironing surface (2) there is a chamber (2/h), communicating with the fixed surface (2/a) and the two side elements (2/b - 2/c) by means of slots (2/d and 2/e), created between the elements (2/a and 2/b) and between the elements (2/a and 2/c), in order to allow air circulation among them, and inside this chamber (2/h) being installed one or more fan motors (2/o) for air suction and blowing through the upper wall of the ironing surface either pierced or net-like (2/o), and in contact with said surface of the upper surface can be housed one or more heating elements (2/n) to heat it.

Ansprüche

1. Bügelbrett mit Aufbewahrungsschrank bestehend aus einem Aufbewahrungsschrank (1), mindestens einer Bügelfläche (2), die auf- und/oder zugeklappt werden kann, und einer Tragvorrichtung, um letztere in horizontaler Lage zu halten, wobei der Schrank (1) aus einem Boden (1/f), einem klappbaren Oberteil (1/b) und Seitenwänden (1/a), Feststellrollen (1/e) für die Fortbewegung und mehreren Fächern (1/g,1/h) besteht, um einen Boiler (1/1), ein Bügeleisen (1/m) und/oder Gegenstände und Zubehöre unterzubringen, die beim Bügeln hilfreich sind, der Schrank (1) geeignet ist, um in seiner geschlossenen Stellung die Bügelfläche (2) und die Tragvorrichtung aufzunehmen und auch geöffnet werden kann, um die Bügelfläche (2) aus dem Aufbewahrungsschrank (1) herauszunehmen, indem sie auf die gewünschte Höhe angehoben wird dank der Tatsache, dass die genannte Tragvorrichtung nach oben und unten bewegt werden kann, der Schrank ferner die Stromversorgung (3/d) zum Boiler (1/1) und zu einem Bedienfeld (2/f) beinhaltet, das in die Bügelfläche (2) integriert ist, und die Steckdose für das Bügeleisen (2/g), sowie einen flexiblen Schlauch (1/o) für die Dampfleitung und das Stromkabel, die genannte Tragvorrichtung aus einer hohlen Teleskopsäule (1/t) besteht, in der die Dampfleitung und das Stromkabel für die Stromversorgung verlaufen können, oder aus einer kolbenähnlichen Teleskopsäule mit einem fest montierten Unterteil (4/a) und einem beweglichen Teil (4/c), und einem Kolben (4/b), der von einer geöffneten Stellung mit Bügelfläche (2) in ihrer angehobenen Stellung in eine geschlossene Stellung mit Bügelbrett (2) in seiner abgesenkten Stellung bewegt werden kann, oder aus einer Teleskopsäule mit einer Schnecke (5/c), die von einem Elektromotor (5/d) angetrieben wird und mithilfe des Verbindungsstücks (5/e) fest mit der Bügelfläche (2t) verbunden ist, die Säule ein fest montiertes Unterteil (5/a) und ein bewegliches Oberteil (5/b) hat, und von einer unteren geschlossenen Stellung mit Bügelfläche (2) in ihrer abgesenkten Stellung in eine angehobene Stellung mit Bügelfläche (2) in ihrer angehobenen Stellung bewegt werden kann, wobei die genannte Bügelfläche (2) aus einem mittleren fest montierten Element (2/a) und zwei Seitenelementen (2/b) und (2/c) gebildet wird, die geeignet sind, um die Bügelfläche zu vergrößern, die genannten Seitenelemente (2/b und 2/c) mittels der Elemente (2/1-2/m) auf das mittlere fest montierte Element (2/a) geklappt und/oder daran eingehängt werden können, um sie um 90° herunterzuklappen und/oder um 180° über die fest montierte Fläche (2/a) hochzuklappen, und in der genannten Bügelfläche (2) sich ein Raum (2/h) befindet, der mittels Schlitzen (2/d und 2/e), die zwischen den Elementen (2/a und 2/b) und zwischen den Elementen (2/a und 2/c) hergestellt wurden, mit der fest montierten Fläche (2/a) und den beiden Seitenelementen (2/b - 2/c) verbunden ist, um die Luftzirkulation zwischen ihnen zu ermöglichen, und in diesem Raum (2/h) ein oder mehrere Lüftermotoren (2/o) montiert sind, um die Luft durch die obere Wand der Bügelfläche, die entweder gelocht oder netzartig (2/o) sein kann, anzusaugen und auszublasen, und in Kontakt mit der genannten Fläche der oberen Fläche ein oder mehrere Heizelemente (2/n) eingebaut werden können, um sie zu beheizen.

Revendications

1. Table à repasser avec unité de stockage qui comporte une unité de stockage (1), au moins une surface de repassage (2) qui peut être ouverte et/ou repliée, et des supports pour la maintenir en position horizontale, dans laquelle l'unité (1) comporte un fond (1/f), un couvercle rabattable (1/b) et des parois latérales (1/a), des roues verrouillables (1/e) pour la déplacer, et plusieurs compartiments (1/g,1/h) destinés à héberger une chaudière (1/1), un fer (1/m) et/ou des objets et des accessoires utiles pendant le repassage, l'unité (1) peut contenir la surface de repassage (2) en position fermée et les supports et peut être ouverte pour extraire la surface de repassage (2) de l'unité de stockage (1), en l'élévant à la hauteur souhaitée grâce au fait que lesdits supports peuvent être élevés et abaissés, l'unité comporte également l'alimentation (3/d) pour la chaudière (1/1), et un panneau de contrôle (2/f) integré à la surface de repassage (2), et la prise pour le fer (2/g), ainsi que le tube flexible (1/o) pour le tuyau de vapeur et le câble électrique, lesdits supports sont constitués d'une colonne téléscopique creuse (1/t), dans laquelle peuvent passer le tuyau de vapeur et le câble électrique pour l'alimentation ou d'une colonne téléscopique de type piston avec une partie inférieure fixe (4/a) et une partie mobile (4/c), et un piston (4/b) qui peut passer de la position ouverte avec la surface de repassage (2) en position élevée à la position fermée avec la table de repassage (2) en position abaissée ou d'une colonne téléscopique avec une vis sans fin (5/c) actionnée par un moteur électrique (5/d), et connectée rigidement par l'articulation (5/e) à la surface de repassage (2t), la colonne comporte une partie inférieure fixe (5/a) et une partie supérieure mobile (5/b), et peut être ajustée de la position abaissée fermée avec la surface de repassage (2) en position abaissée à la position élevée avec la surface de repassage (2) en position élevée, où ladite surface de repassage (2) est formée par un élément central fixe (2/a) et deux éléments latéraux (2/b) et (2/c) en mesure d'augmenter la surface de repassage, lesdits éléments latéraux (2/b and 2/c) sont articulés et/ou accrochés à l'élément fixe central (2/a) par des éléments (2/1-2/m), pour permettre une rotation de 90° vers le bas et/ou de 180° vers le haut au-dessus de la surface fixe (2/a), à l'intérieur de ladite surface de repassage (2) il y a une chambre (2/h), qui communique avec la surface fixe (2/a) et les deux éléments latéraux (2/b - 2/c) par le biais de fentes (2/d and 2/e), créées entre les éléments (2/a and 2/b) et entre les éléments (2/a and 2/c), pour permettre la circulation de l'air entre eux, dans cette chambre (2/h) un ou plusieurs moteurs de ventilation sont installés (2/o) pour l'aspiration et le soufflage de l'air à travers la paroi supérieure de la surface de repassage perforée ou réticulée (2/o), en contact avec ladite surface de la surface supérieure peuvent être placés un ou plusieurs éléments chauffants (2/n) pour la chauffer.

Drawing