Vertical Ironing Board

CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Non-Provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/920,208 filed March 26, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of devices used for ironing and/or steaming clothes and other material, and more particularly to vertical ironing boards and to their corresponding methods of use, whether commercial or residential.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A problem with existing ironing boards is the requirement to position the board horizontally, thereby taking up considerable floor space. Thus, existing horizontal boards are not suitable for use in limited spaces such as small apartments or hotel rooms and are not portable.

Furthermore, existing iron boards require a garment to be moved several times during the process of ironing, which is both time consuming and consumes more energy.

Therefore a need exists for a device for ironing that does not require much floor space for use, can be easily transported, and which reduces the time and energy consumed during use.

A device constructed according to the principles of the present invention addresses these deficiencies.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with principles of the present invention, a device for ironing fabric includes a hanger or other means for suspending the device and a rollable or foldable

ironing body wrapped around the hanger. The hanger has a hook rotatably connected to substantially the center of a pair of opposing shoulders. The ironing body includes a resilient pad or board or rigid insert and a fabric covering surrounding the resilient pad or board or rigid insert. The fabric covering has an opening for the hook at the top of the covering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 depicts a vertical ironing board in accordance with principles of the present invention;

Figures 2(a) and 2(b) illustrate examples of a vertical ironing board suspended from a door;

Figures 3-5 illustrate a vertical ironing board with articles of clothing in position for ironing or steaming;

Figures 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c) depict a vertical ironing board attached to a folding stand; and

Figures 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c) depict a vertical ironing board mounted in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a vertical ironing board in accordance with principles of the present invention. As depicted in Figure 1 , the vertical ironing board 1 comprises a hanger 2 for suspending the vertical ironing board 1 , typically in a

vertical position from a bracket, nail, door or other suitable point. The hanger 2 comprises a hook 3 and a pair of opposing shoulders 4. The hook 3 is connected to the center, i.e., mid-point, of the shoulders 4, and can be rotated with respect to the shoulders 4 such that the shoulders 4 may be reversed in their respective position to the hook 3.

An ironing body 5 is wrapped around the shoulders 4, and includes a resilient pad 6 and a fabric covering 7 surrounding the resilient pad 6. The fabric covering 7 has an opening 8 to allow the hook 3 to pass through. Due to the flexible nature of the fabric covering 7 and the resilient pad 6, the vertical ironing board is capable of being folded or rolled up.

Fig. 2(a) illustrates an embodiment of a vertical ironing board 1 suspended from a nail 20 in a door 21. Fig. 2(b) illustrates an embodiment of a vertical ironing board 1 suspended from a door bracket 25 hung over the top of a door 21.

Figure 3 illustrates a vertical ironing board 1 with a pair of slacks 22 on a slacks hanger 23 in position for ironing or steaming. The clothes hanger 23 is hooked around the hook 3, and thus, the slacks 22 hang vertically in front of the vertical ironing board 1. A person can iron or steam the slacks 22 using a conventional iron or steamer (not shown). The door 21 behind the vertical ironing board 1 provides the support required for proper operation of the iron or steamer, while the vertical ironing board 1 insulates the door 21 from the potentially damaging heat of the iron or steamer. When finished with one side of the slacks 22, the person can rotate the slacks 22 by rotating the hook 3 and shoulders 4 with respect to each other, in order to iron or steam the other side of the slacks 22. When the slacks 22 are positioned with inner seams together, steps are saved as creases are formed on the edges with one swipe of the iron or steamer.

Fig. 4 illustrates a vertical ironing board 1 suspended from a door bracket 20, with a shirt 24 wrapped around the shoulders 4 (not shown) of the vertical ironing board 1.

Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) illustrate a vertical ironing board 1 in use with a shirt 24, where the body 5 of the vertical ironing board 1 has been rotated to allow ironing or steaming of the back and front, respectively, of the shirt 24. Fig. 5(c) illustrates a vertical ironing board 1 in use with a shirt 24, where the sleeve of the shirt 24 is folded over the vertical ironing board 1 in position for ironing or steaming or adding a sleeve crease.

The vertical ironing board 1 thus addresses the problem that other ironing boards have of requiring considerable floor space during use. Furthermore, the vertical ironing board 1 is convenient for travel, since it may be folded or rolled up.

Another advantage of the vertical ironing board 1 is that its substantially vertical position, when in use, simplifies the process of ironing or steaming by allowing gravity to assist in releasing wrinkles.

A further advantage of the vertical ironing board 1 is that it eliminates the need to lift, turn and smooth out the garment, thereby saving time and reducing the energy consumed by an ironing or steaming appliance.

Fig. 6 depicts an alternate embodiment of a vertical ironing board 1 hung from a bracket attached to a portable folding stand 33. In Fig. 6(a), the folding stand is in position for ironing; in Fig. 6(b) the folding stand is partially folded, and in Fig. 6(c) the folding stand is fully closed and capable of being stored when not in use.

An alternate embodiment of the vertical ironing board 1 is permanently or temporarily mounted against a wall, door, its own stand or other suitable vertical piece. Fig. 7(a) depicts an alternate embodiment of a vertical ironing board 1 mounted by nails, screws or other suitable fasteners 30 to a wall. Fig. 7(b) depicts an alternate embodiment of a vertical ironing board 1 rotatably mounted on a free-standing floor- based support 31. Fig. 7(c) depicts an alternate embodiment of a vertical ironing board 1 mounted from a rotatable support 32 suspended from a ceiling. Another alternate embodiment of the vertical ironing board 1 has a rigid insert inside of the resilient pad 6. Such an embodiment can be leaned against a wall, door, or other suitable vertical

piece, and does not require hanging. Fig. 7(d) depicts such an embodiment of a vertical ironing board 1 leaning against a wall. The vertical ironing board 1 can also be hung in other ways, e.g., from a hook on a wall, piece of furniture, shower curtain rod or drapery rod. When hung from a drapery rod, the vertical ironing board 1 can be used to iron or steam drapes or curtains.

One skilled in the art understands that any garment (e.g., slacks, shirt, skirt, etc.) or other article of fabric can be ironed or pressed using the vertical ironing board.

While a particular form and use of the present invention has been described above, the invention is not limited to the specific arrangement of parts or manner of use described.

One skilled in the art understands that modifications to the construction and use of the present system may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly to include other variants and embodiments of the invention which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.