U.S. patent application number 10/352596 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for steamer attachment.
Invention is credited to Lee, Benny.
Application Number | 20040144140 10/352596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32736014 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040144140 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, Benny |
July 29, 2004 |
Steamer attachment
Abstract
A steamer attachment (10) allows a user to selectively dispense
steam from a steamer (12). The attachment (10) broadly comprises a
body (14), a first and second steam distributor (16,18) located in
a head (20) of the body (14), and a valve (22) located in a handle
(24) of the body (14). The first distributor (16) preferably
comprises a nozzle (52) to concentrate the steam and a brush (54).
The second distributor (18) preferably comprises a plurality of
holes (56) to disperse the steam. The second distributor (18) may
also include a detachable diffusor (58) to further disperse the
steam. The valve (22) preferably opens a first path toward the
first distributor (16) before closing a second path toward the
second distributor (18). Thus, the steam always has at least one
available path, in order to prevent pressure buildup within the
steamer (12).
Inventors: |
Lee, Benny; (Kansas City,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
2405 Grand, Suite 400
Kansas City
MO
64108
US
|
Family ID: |
32736014 |
Appl. No.: |
10/352596 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/222 ;
15/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 73/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/222 ;
015/320 |
International
Class: |
D06C 007/00 |
Claims
1. A steamer attachment operable to join with a hose of a steamer
to dispense steam from the steamer, the attachment comprising: a
first steam distributor operable to dispense the steam through a
nozzle; a second steam distributor operable to dispense the steam
through a plurality of holes; and a valve operable to selectively
direct steam toward either the first distributor or the second
distributor.
2. The attachment as set forth in claim 1, further including a
brush operable to join with the nozzle.
3. The attachment as set forth in claim 1, wherein the holes are
substantially linearly arranged.
4. The attachment as set forth in claim 1, wherein the holes are
substantially evenly spaced.
5. The attachment as set forth in claim 1, further including a
diffusor operable to cover the holes and diffuse the steam.
6. The attachment as set forth in claim 5, wherein the diffusor is
detachable.
7. The attachment as set forth in claim 1, wherein the valve opens
a first path toward the first distributor before closing a second
path toward the second distributor thereby preventing pressure
buildup.
8. The attachment as set forth in claim 1, further including a body
with a handle and a head.
9. The attachment as set forth in claim 8, wherein the valve is
located in the handle and the distributors are located in the
head.
10. A steamer attachment operable to join with a hose of a steamer
to dispense steam from the steamer, the attachment comprising: a
body having a handle and a head; a first steam distributor located
in the head and operable to dispense the steam through a nozzle; a
second steam distributor located in the head and operable to
dispense the steam through a plurality of holes; and a valve
located in the handle and operable to selectively direct steam
toward either the first distributor or the second distributor.
11. The attachment as set forth in claim 10, further including a
brush operable to join with the nozzle.
12. The attachment as set forth in claim 10, wherein the holes are
substantially linearly arranged and evenly spaced.
13. The attachment as set forth in claim 10, further including a
detachable diffusor operable cover the holes and diffuse the
steam.
14. The attachment as set forth in claim 10, wherein the valve
opens a first path toward the first distributor before closing a
second path toward the second distributor thereby preventing
pressure buildup.
15. A steamer attachment operable to join with a hose of a steamer
to dispense steam from the steamer, the attachment comprising: a
body having a handle and a head, wherein the head includes mounting
indentations; a first steam distributor located in the head and
operable to dispense the steam through a nozzle; a second steam
distributor located in the head operable to dispense the steam
through a plurality of substantially evenly spaced holes, wherein
the holes are substantially linearly arranged; a valve located in
the handle and operable to selectively direct steam toward either
the first distributor or the second distributor while preventing
pressure buildup; a brush operable to join with the nozzle; and a
diffusor operable to detachably engage the indentations and cover
the holes to diffuse the steam.
16. A steamer operable to dispense steam through a plurality of
apertures, the steamer comprising: a steam generator operable to
generate the steam; a hose connected to the generator and operable
to guide the steam from the generator; and an attachment operable
to join with the hose and including--a first steam distributor
operable to dispense the steam through a nozzle, a second steam
distributor operable to dispense the steam through a plurality of
holes, and a valve operable to selectively direct steam toward
either the first distributor or the second distributor.
17. The steamer as set forth in claim 16, further including a brush
operable to join with the nozzle.
18. The steamer as set forth in claim 16, wherein the holes are
substantially linearly arranged and evenly spaced.
19. The steamer as set forth in claim 16, further including a
detachable diffusor operable cover the holes and diffuse the
steam.
20. The steamer as set forth in claim 16, wherein the valve opens a
first path toward the first distributor before closing a second
path toward the second distributor thereby preventing pressure
buildup.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to steamer attachments. More
particularly, the present invention provides a steamer attachment
that allows a user to selectively dispense steam from different
apertures of a steamer.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Steamers are frequently used in homes and businesses to
clean and/or remove wrinkles from clothes, drapes and other items.
However, tasks, such as removing spots and wrinkles, are generally
at odds and require different attachments. Specifically, removing
spots typically requires that steam is concentrated directly on the
spot. Conversely, efficiently removing wrinkles typically requires
that steam is dispersed over a wider surface area of clothes.
[0005] Therefore, people currently have to change attachments
between such tasks. In order to change attachments, the steamer
must be shut-off to avoid steam burns and other hazards. Once the
steamer has cooled down, the person may switch attachments and turn
the steamer back on. Finally, the user must wait for the steamer to
heat back up. Thus, switching attachments can be very time
consuming.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved steamer
attachment that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention overcomes the above-identified
problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of steamer
attachments. More particularly, the present invention provides a
steamer attachment that allows a user to selectively dispense steam
from different apertures of a steamer to remove both spots and
wrinkles with the same attachment. The steamer itself is
conventional and preferably includes a hose and an internal steam
generator. The steamer also preferably includes a telescoping
clothes support with a clothes hanging bracket. Thus, clothes may
be hung from the bracket while the user steams them using the
attachment. The steamer also preferably includes two front wheels
and two rear casters, thereby allowing the user to easily maneuver
the steamer without having to lift the steamer. The wheels and
casters become especially important when the steamer has been
filled with water and is especially heavy.
[0008] The attachment of the present invention broadly comprises a
body having a head portion and a handle portion, a first and second
steam distributor located in the head, and a valve located in the
handle. The head is preferably aligned perpendicularly to the
handle and includes a flange substantially centered along a top
arcuate surface of a substantially flat face. The flange is
preferably rounded and houses the first distributor. The face
preferably includes the top arcuate surface which meets a bottom
arcuate surface at opposing ends and houses the second distributor.
Thus, the head preferably forms an oblong shape with no sharp
corners, thereby making the head easy to manage and guide over the
clothes being steamed.
[0009] The handle preferably includes knurled surfaces on either
side and a contoured front surface, thereby providing a secure and
comfortable grip. The valve is preferably located near a top end of
the front surface, thereby allowing the user to operate the valve
without releasing the handle. The handle may be either permanently
joined to the hose of the steamer or secured to a fitting of the
hose.
[0010] The first distributor preferably comprises a nozzle
substantially centered within the flange and able to dispense steam
generated by the steam generator of the steamer. The nozzle
preferably concentrates the steam and may include a brush. The
nozzle and the brush have been found to be highly effective for
removing spots from the clothes.
[0011] The second distributor preferably comprises a plurality of
evenly spaced holes which are preferably linearly arranged
horizontally across the face in order to disperse the steam. The
second distributor may also include a detachable diffusor to
further disperse and actually diffuse the steam. The holes and the
diffusor have been found to be highly effective for general
steaming, such as wrinkle removal.
[0012] The valve preferably directs the steam from the steam
generator toward the first distributor, the second distributor, or
both. More specifically, the valve preferably opens a first path
toward the first distributor before closing a second path toward
the second distributor. Additionally, with the valve in a
mid-position, the steam may be directed to both distributors
through both paths simultaneously. Thus, the steam always has at
least one available path, in order to prevent pressure buildup
within the steamer.
[0013] In use, the user fills the steamer with water, secures the
attachment to the hose, turns the steamer on, and hangs the clothes
on the bracket. The user may select which distributor to use by
operation of the valve. For example, the user may select the first
distributor to concentrate the steam on a spot on the clothes. The
user may also secure the brush to the nozzle and use the brush to
scrub the spot.
[0014] Alternatively, the user may select the second distributor to
disperse the steam over the clothes, for general steaming. The user
may secure the diffusor over the holes to further disperse the
steam. In either case, the user may switch between distributors
without turning the steamer off or risking pressure buildup.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steamer attachment for use
with and shown connected to a steamer;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a closeup view of the attachment; and
[0018] FIG. 3 is a closeup view of a brush of the attachment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred steamer attachment 10
constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is illustrated attached to a steamer 12.
Referring also to FIG. 2 the attachment 10 broadly comprises a body
14, a first and second steam distributor 16,18 located in a head 20
of the body 14, and a valve 22 located in a handle 24 of the body
14.
[0020] The steamer 12 is preferably conventional and preferably
includes a hose 26 and an internal steam generator. For example,
the steamer 12 may be similar to that disclosed in "GARMENT
STEAMING DEVICE WITH SAFETY NOZZLE", U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,047,
hereby incorporated into the present application by reference. The
steamer 12 also preferably includes a telescoping clothes support
28 with a clothes hanging bracket 30. Thus, clothes may be hung
from the bracket 30 while a user steams them using the attachment
10. Additionally, the clothes may remain hanging from the bracket
30 until the user wishes to wear them. Furthermore, the steamer 12
preferably includes two front wheels 32 and two rear casters 34,
thereby allowing the user to easily maneuver the steamer 12 without
having to lift the steamer 12. The wheels 32 and casters 34 become
especially important when the steamer 12 has been filled with water
and is especially heavy.
[0021] The body 14 is preferably made of plastic with the head 20
aligned perpendicularly to the handle 24. The head 20 is preferably
approximately two inches tall and approximately six inches wide.
The head 20 preferably includes a flange 36 substantially centered
along a top arcuate surface 38 of a substantially flat face 40. The
flange 36 is preferably rounded and houses the first distributor
16. The face 40 preferably includes the top arcuate surface 38
which meets a bottom arcuate surface 42 at opposing ends 44 and
houses the second distributor 18. Thus, the head 20 preferably
forms an oblong shape with no sharp corners, thereby making the
head 20 easy to manage and guide over the clothes being
steamed.
[0022] The handle 24 is preferably approximately six inches long
and approximately one and one half inches in diameter. The handle
24 preferably includes knurled surfaces 46 on either side and a
contoured front surface 48, thereby providing a secure and
comfortable grip. The valve 22 is preferably located near a top end
50 of the front surface 48, thereby allowing the user to operate
the valve 22 without releasing the handle 24. The handle 24 may be
either permanently joined to the hose 26 of the steamer 12,
threaded onto a threaded fitting of the hose 26, or secured to the
hose using another commonly used attachment mechanism.
[0023] The first distributor 16 preferably comprises a nozzle 52
substantially centered within the flange 36 and able to dispense
steam generated by the steam generator of the steamer 12. The
nozzle 52 preferably comprises an approximately one quarter inch
internal diameter which is operable to accept a brush 54. The brush
54 is preferably made of plastic and includes bristles that extend
outwardly approximately one inch. Thus, the nozzle 52 concentrates
the steam and is useful for lifting dirt from the clothes,
especially with the assistance of the brush 54. The nozzle 52 and
the brush 54 have been found to be highly effective for removing
spots from the clothes.
[0024] The second distributor 18 preferably comprises approximately
eleven evenly spaced holes 56 which are preferably linearly
arranged horizontally across the face 40. Thus, the holes 56
disperse the steam rather than concentrate the steam like the
nozzle 52. The second distributor 18 may also include a detachable
diffusor 58 to further disperse and actually diffuse the steam. The
diffusor 58 preferably comprises a cloth screen supported by a
plastic frame which preferably includes three legs that fit into
mounting indentations 60 in the face 40, thereby detachably
securing the diffusor 58 to the face 40. The holes 56 and the
diffusor 58 have been found to be highly effective for general
steaming, such as wrinkle removal.
[0025] The valve 22 preferably directs the steam from the steam
generator toward the first distributor 16, the second distributor
18, or both. More specifically, the valve 22 preferably opens a
first path toward the first distributor 16 before closing a second
path toward the second distributor 18. Additionally, with the valve
22 in a mid-position, the steam may be directed to both
distributors 16,18 through both paths simultaneously. Thus, the
steam always has at least one available path, in order to prevent
pressure buildup within the steamer 12.
[0026] While the present invention has been described above, it is
understood that other materials and/or dimensions can be
substituted. For example, the head 20 may be between one three
inches tall and between four and eight inches wide. These and other
minor modifications are within the scope of the present
invention.
[0027] In use, the userfills the steamer 12 with water, secures the
attachment to the hose 26, turns the steamer 12 on, and hangs the
clothes on the bracket 30. The user may select which distributor
16,18 to use by operation of the valve 22. For example, the user
may select the first distributor 16 to concentrate the steam on a
spot on the clothes. The user may also secure the brush 54 to the
nozzle 52 and use the brush 54 to scrub the spot.
[0028] Alternatively, the user may select the second distributor 18
to disperse the steam over the clothes, for general steaming. The
user may secure the diffusor 58 over the holes 56 to further
disperse the steam. In either case, the user may switch between
distributors 16,18 without turning the steamer 12 off or risking
pressure buildup.
[0029] Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the
invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by
Letters Patent includes the following:
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