U.S. patent application number 13/675782 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-16 for adjustable ironing board cabinet.
This patent application is currently assigned to HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Household Essentials, LLC. Invention is credited to James L. Glenn.
Application Number | 20130119839 13/675782 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48279918 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130119839 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glenn; James L. |
May 16, 2013 |
ADJUSTABLE IRONING BOARD CABINET
Abstract
An ironing board device having a housing and an ironing board
having a proximal end and a distal end. The ironing board is
moveably connected to the housing for movement between a
substantially vertical storage position wherein the ironing board
proximal end is above the ironing board distal end, to a
substantially horizontal operating position wherein the ironing
board proximal end is closer to the housing than the ironing board
distal end. A rod attaches to the proximal end of the ironing
board. The housing defines grooves shaped and sized to receive the
rod and provide securement at a plurality of elevations.
Inventors: |
Glenn; James L.; (St.
Albans, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Household Essentials, LLC; |
Hazelwood |
MO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS, LLC
Hazelwood
MO
|
Family ID: |
48279918 |
Appl. No.: |
13/675782 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61534215 |
Nov 10, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 77/10 20130101;
D06F 81/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/237 |
International
Class: |
A47B 77/10 20060101
A47B077/10 |
Claims
1. An ironing board device, comprising: a housing; an ironing board
having a proximal end and a distal end, the ironing board being
moveably connected to the housing for movement between a
substantially vertical storage position wherein the ironing board
proximal end is above the ironing board distal end, to a
substantially horizontal operating position wherein the ironing
board proximal end is closer to the housing than the ironing board
distal end; a rod moveably attached to the proximal end of the
ironing board; and wherein the housing defines grooves shaped and
sized to receive the rod and provide securement at and movement
between a plurality of elevations.
2. The ironing board device of claim 1, wherein the ironing board
is moveably mounted to the rod for movement between a plurality of
angular positions.
3. The ironing board device of claim 1, further comprising, a brace
attached between the housing and the ironing board for securement
of the ironing board in a generally horizontal position.
4. The ironing board device of claim 1, wherein each groove defines
arcuately shaped portions that extend between a plurality of
notches, the notches being positioned the plurality of elevations
and configured for securement of an end of the rod.
5. The ironing board device of claim 1, wherein the housing is
configured for mounting to a wall.
6. The ironing board device of claim 1, wherein the housing
includes a rear panel, sidewalls extending from the rear panel to
define a cavity for receiving the ironing board, and a door
moveably attached to the rear panel or the sidewalls for movement
between an open and closed position.
7. An ironing board cabinet, comprising: a housing; an ironing
board having a proximal end and a distal end, the ironing board
being moveably connected to the housing for movement between a
substantially vertical storage position wherein the ironing board
proximal end is above the ironing board distal end, to a
substantially horizontal operating position wherein the ironing
board proximal end is closer to the housing than the ironing board
distal end; and a support assembly operatively engaged with the
ironing board for movement and securement of the ironing board at a
plurality of elevations.
8. The ironing board cabinet of claim 7, wherein the support
assembly comprises: a rod moveably attached to the proximal end of
the ironing board; and wherein the housing defines grooves shaped
and sized to receive the rod and provide securement at and movement
between a plurality of elevations.
9. The ironing board cabinet of claim 7, wherein each groove
defines a plurality of arcuately shaped portions that extend
between a plurality of notches, the notches being positioned at the
plurality of elevations and configured for securement of an end of
the rod.
10. The ironing board cabinet of claim 7, wherein the support
assembly comprises, a support platform moveably mounted between the
ironing board and the rod for movement of the ironing board between
a plurality of angular positions.
11. The ironing board cabinet of claim 7, further comprising, a
brace attached between the housing and the support assembly for
securement of the ironing board in a generally horizontal
position.
12. The ironing board cabinet of claim 7, wherein the housing is
configured for mounting to a wall.
13. An ironing board device, comprising: a housing; an ironing
moveably connected to the housing for movement between a
substantially vertical storage position and a substantially
horizontal operating position; a rod moveably attached to the
ironing board; and wherein the housing defines a plurality of
arcuately shaped grooves extending between a plurality of notches,
the grooves and notches configured for movement between and
securement at a plurality of elevations.
14. The ironing board device of claim 13, wherein the ironing board
is moveably mounted to the rod for movement between a plurality of
angular positions.
15. The ironing board device of claim 13, further comprising, a
brace attached between the housing and the ironing board for
securement of the ironing board in a generally horizontal
position.
16. The ironing board device of claim 13, wherein the housing is
configured for mounting to a wall.
17. The ironing board device of claim 13, wherein the housing
includes a rear panel, sidewalls extending from the rear panel to
define a cavity for receiving the ironing board, and a door
moveably attached to the rear panel or the sidewalls for movement
between an open and closed position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Non-Provisional application claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/534,215 filed Nov. 10, 2011,
and which is incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This invention relates to ironing boards for use with an
iron to iron clothes, and more specifically to storage devices for
storing ironing boards. Ironing board storage devices have taken a
variety of constructions, but typically have been comprised of a
retractable ironing board movably mounted within a cabinet that is
concealed in an interior cavity of a wall. The cabinet is installed
at an appropriate height so that the ironing board can be rotated
downwardly to a generally horizontal operating position relative to
the floor. When not in use, the ironing board can be rotated
upwardly to a generally vertical position within the cabinet for
storage and a door closed to conceal the ironing board.
[0004] These types of ironing board storage devices are installed
by making large openings in an existing wall and properly
supporting the storage device from support studs or the like, which
calls for the use of many tools and a great deal of manual labor.
For this reason, once the devices are installed they are rarely
removed, making the installation effectively permanent. In
addition, the location of the storage device is limited by the
location of the support studs in the wall. Therefore, these types
of ironing board storage devices are not moveable or adjustable in
either a vertical or horizontal position.
[0005] Therefore, there has been a need for an ironing board device
that is adjustable during operation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] In the accompanying drawings which form part of the
specification:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable ironing board
device in an operating position;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the adjustable ironing
board device in a storage position;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the adjustable ironing
board device with a door in an open position and the ironing board
in the storage position;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the adjustable ironing
board device in the operating position;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the adjustable ironing
board device in an adjusted position;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an adjustment assembly in a
bottom position;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an adjustment assembly in an
intermediate position; and
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an adjustment assembly in a
top position.
[0015] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following detailed description illustrates the claimed
invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The
description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use
the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations,
variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosure, including
what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the
claimed invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the
disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the
following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood
that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, an embodiment of the present
invention, generally referred to as an ironing board device 10,
includes an ironing board 12 with a distal end 32 and a proximal
end 34 moveably mounted, preferably pivotally, such as with a
hinge, within a housing 14, and an adjustable support assembly 16
operatively engaged with the ironing board 12 that provides for
movement of the ironing board 12 between a plurality of elevations
and angular positions. In addition, the support assembly 16 secures
the ironing board 12 in the operating position.
[0018] The housing 14 is a generally rectangular box having
sidewalls 20 extending from a rear panel 22 to define a cavity 26
for storing the ironing board 12. A door 28 is moveably mounted to
the housing 14 as with door hinges 30, drawer slides or the like,
so that the door 28 pivots between an open position and a closed
position. Although the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 discloses the door
28 mounted with hinges 30, those skilled in the art will recognize
that the door 28 can be also use any method known in the art, such
as slides. In alternate embodiments, the door can be removed
altogether or replaced with various coverings to visually hide the
interior of the housing, such as a collapsible screen or panel, a
retractable shade, bi-fold door, and the like.
[0019] The ironing board 12 is embodied as a typical ironing board
with a generally rectangular proximal portion 32 and a generally
narrowing nose distal portion 34, such as a narrowing nose, the
proximal portion 32 being moveably mounted, preferably pivotally,
at a lower end of the cavity 26 and supported by the adjustable
support assembly 16. However, those skilled in the art will
recognize that any shape of ironing board can be used. A cover 36
fits over the ironing board 12 and comprises a binding (not shown),
including but not limited to a bungee cord, elastic, or drawstring,
positioned around the perimeter of the cover 36 for securing the
cover 36 to the ironing board 12. The cover 36 can be made of
cotton as known in the art, or can be made from material with
burn/scorch resistant characteristics, such as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,566,481. In other embodiments, the cover 36 includes
multiple layers of materials, including but not limited to a layer
of foam padding.
[0020] A heat-resistant and waterproof panel can be secured to the
ironing board cover 36, such as the panel disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/221,069, hereby incorporated by reference,
for preventing damage to the cover 36 by an iron (not shown). When
the iron is placed with an ironing surface facing the panel, the
iron is supported by protuberances so that a gap is formed between
the ironing surface and the iron to allow steam to flow through the
gap about the protuberances and condense in the basin. Those
skilled in the art will recognize that other heat-resistant and/or
waterproof panels can be used. While the present embodiment shows a
generally rectangular shaped panel secured to a rear portion of the
cover 36, other shapes, including but not limited to circular,
trapezoidal, or oblong can be provided. Further, other sizes and
locations can be used. If desired, the ironing board device 10 can
be used without the waterproof panel.
[0021] The support assembly 16 includes a support platform 50
pivotally mounted, such as with a fastener, busing, or bearing, at
one end to the underside of the ironing board 12. The pivoting
connection allows the ironing board 12 to adjust angularly relative
to the housing 14. The opposite end of the platform 50 is attached
to a generally linear rod 52 that is shaped and sized for moveable
engagement with the housing 14. The inner face of the sidewalls 20
define a pair of grooves 54 shaped and sized to receive the linear
rod 52 and provided guidance of the linear rod 52 between different
elevations.
[0022] Each groove 54 includes an upper arc 56 and an overlapping
lower arc 58 which define three notches 60 sized and shaped to
receive the linear rod 52 for securement at a predetermined
elevation. Each end of the linear rod 52 engages a corresponding
groove 54 so that the linear rod 52 can move along the grooves 54
between the notches 60 for positioning at different elevations. The
linear rod 52 can pivot along a longitudinal axis within the
grooves 54 to pivot the ironing board between an open and closed
position. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number
of arcs and notches can be used to define any number of
elevations.
[0023] A brace 62 moveable attaches between a bottom sidewall 20 of
the housing 14, such as with a hinge, and to the support platform
50, such as with a hinge, to secure the ironing board 12 in a
generally horizontal position when in the open position.
[0024] Changes can be made in the above constructions without
departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
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