"APPARATUS FOR IRONING"

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an apparatus for ironing comprising an ironing board able to fold with respect to a supporting structure, so that the apparatus itself can be selectively configured by the user in an operating condition, for ironing, in which the ironing board is substantially horizontal and allows normal ironing operations to be carried out, or in an inactive condition, or condition of non-use, in which the ironing board is disposed adjacent to the supporting structure so that the apparatus has a very limited overall bulk and can be put away easily even in relatively limited spaces. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Apparatuses for ironing are known, provided substantially with an ironing board or top, and with a supporting structure having a substantially vertical development and with which the ironing board is associated in articulated manner, so that it is possible to selectively configure the apparatus in an ironing condition in which the ironing board is substantially horizontal, or a condition of non- use in which the ironing board and the supporting structure are adjacent to each other so as to determine the minimum possible bulk.

To be more exact, an ironing apparatus is known in which the known supporting structure comprises a pair of uprights having a first end pivoted to a supporting base and a second end pivoted to the lower part of the ironing board, so as to form a substantially Z-shaped structure.

This known ironing apparatus, however, has the disadvantage of having the two uprights always in an inclined position and cantilevered with respect to the

supporting base. Consequently, the load exerted by the user on the ironing board during use generates a moment of flexion on the uprights and in particular in correspondence with the end pivoted to the supporting base. The moment of flexion is often the cause of sudden breakages of the apparatus which can also cause accidents for the user.

Another disadvantage of this known ironing apparatus is that, in order to allow the housing of the devices that clamp, release and regulate the inclination of the ironing board with respect to the uprights, the latter are pivoted on the lower part of the ironing board in a substantially central position, but this is a disadvantage for the balance of the whole apparatus .

Another disadvantage of known apparatuses is that the regulation in height of the ironing plane is effected by raising or lowering the ironing board directly or manually with respect to the floor which, since it requires a considerable force, entails the risk that the ironing board may slip downwards and cause accidents to the user. Ironing apparatuses are also known that, to facilitate transport from one place to another when they are in the position of non-use, are provided with wheels or other sliding members. The wheels are of substantially limited size so as to be able to also limit the overall bulk of the apparatus in its condition of non-use, and not to create an obstacle to the user in the ironing position.

However, the limited size of the wheels does not allow to easily overcome possible steps or differences in height of some tens of centimeters in the floor, so that the user is obliged to lift the ironing apparatus completely from the floor, in order to overcome them.

An ironing apparatus is known, comprising an ironing board provided on an upper surface with a plurality of

holes from which pressurized steam is made to exit, produced by a boiler stably associated with the ironing board itself.

An apparatus for ironing is also known which comprises, integrated therewith, a boiler able to generate steam and connected directly with an iron for steam ironing.

These known ironing apparatuses however can only be used in a determinate way, that is, with the boiler that produces steam for the ironing board, or with the boiler that produces steam for the iron.

This disadvantage entails the need to provide different and specific production lines, with a consequent increase in production costs.

One purpose of the present invention is to achieve an apparatus for ironing which has a very well balanced supporting structure and in which the uprights are not subjected to high flexion loads, so as to limit to a minimum the risk of breakages and upending.

Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve an apparatus for ironing in which the ironing board is easy to clamp, to unclamp, and is inclinable with respect to the supporting structure without compromising the balance of the apparatus in its operating condition.

Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve an ironing apparatus that allows to regulate, simply and efficiently, the positioning height of the ironing board, substantially without fatigue or danger for the user.

Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve an ironing apparatus that can be easily transported from one place to another, in its position of non-use, and can also overcome differences in the level of the floor such as steps, ridges or other, and without being necessary to lift the apparatus completely from the floor.

Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve an apparatus for ironing that can be used both without using steam and also with using steam.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, an apparatus for ironing according to the present invention comprises at least a supporting structure and an ironing board. In particular, the supporting structure comprises a lower and horizontal supporting base and two vertical uprights, each comprising a lower part fixed to the lower and horizontal supporting base. The ironing board comprises at least a central zone provided with two lateral edges and pivoted to the supporting structure, to allow the apparatus for ironing to be configured in at least a first operating condition, wherein the ironing board is substantially horizontal, and in a second inactive condition, or condition of non-use, wherein said ironing board is substantially vertical and adjacent to said two vertical uprights, so as to occupy the minimum space possible and to be put away easily, even in relatively limited spaces.

According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, each one of the two vertical uprights further comprises an upper part which is telescopically coupled to the corresponding lower part of the vertical uprights, for being selectively extended with respect to the

corresponding lower part, so as to vary the height from the floor of the ironing board.

Moreover, pivoting elements are provided on the lateral edges of the ironing board and are pivoted to the upper parts of the two vertical uprights.

According to an advantageous form of embodiment, the distance between the two uprights is substantially equal to the width of the ironing board.

In this way, the load applied by the user on the ironing board, during normal ironing operations when it is in the horizontal position, is well absorbed by the two vertical uprights. In fact, the load is distributed in a balanced fashion along the uprights themselves, thus preventing the formation of moments of flexion which would compromise the resistance and stability of the supporting structure.

Moreover, since the two uprights are pivoted to the sides of the ironing board, in a central zone of the latter a wider supporting base is created, which guarantees better stability and a greater balance of the whole apparatus. With the present invention, the inactive position of the apparatus is obtained by rotating the ironing board by about 90° with respect to the starting position and disposing it substantially parallel to the uprights.

In one form of embodiment, the clamping, release and regulation of the inclination of the ironing board with respect to the uprights is achieved by means of a manual drive means, such as for example at least a knob, disposed on at least one side of the supporting structure, able to define, in stable manner, the reciprocal angular positioning of the ironing board and the supporting structure at least in the two conditions, operating and inactive.

The manual drive means is associated with a single

pivoting element, such as for example a horizontal rod, around which the pivoting of the ironing board and the supporting structure is able to be effected.

In this way, the clamping, release and regulation of the inclination of the ironing board occurs by means of a simple and effective mechanism, consisting of a very limited number of components, compared with the state of the art, and with reduced costs of production, installation and maintenance. According to another embodiment of the present invention, helical springs are associated with the two uprights to urge them in a position of maximum extension. A graduated clamping means of the mechanical type is also associated with each of the uprights, which allow to stabilize, at a desired height, the height of the respective upright.

In this way, in order to regulate the height of the ironing board with respect to the floor, the user only has to lean on the upper surface of the ironing board, to deactivate a possible clamping member and, with his/her own weight, lower the ironing board until the desired height is reached. At this point, by means of the graduated clamping means, and by re-activating the possible clamping member, the desired height is fixed.

Advantageously, in another form of embodiment, automatic release means are provided, for example a pedal, disposed between the two uprights and able to allow the automatic release of the position in height set for the ironing board, so as to be able to effect a new regulation of the height. According to another characteristic feature of the present invention, the supporting base of the supporting structure comprises a stabilizer element, advantageously consisting of a footboard formed by a tubular element bent

substantially in a C shape, and able to be selectively positioned between a first resting position, in which it is outside the bulk of the supporting base and contacts the ground so as to stabilize the balance of the whole apparatus, advantageously when the ironing board is in its ironing position, and a second retracted position in which it is inside the bulk of the supporting base in order to reduce the overall bulk of the apparatus, when the ironing board is in its position of non-use. The stabilizer element comprises at least a sliding member, such as for example a castor wheel, which is disposed in such a manner as to protrude below the supporting base only in the second retracted position of the stabilizer element, and on the contrary to remain comprised in the bulk of the supporting structure in the first resting position of the stabilizer element.

In this way, when the apparatus is used for ironing, that is, when the ironing board is in the ironing position and the stabilizer element is in the resting position, total stability and balance of positioning is guaranteed, whereas when the apparatus is closed to be put away, that is, when the ironing board is in the position of non-use and the stabilizer element is in the retracted position, the sliding means of the latter guarantee an easy movement of the whole apparatus.

In one form of embodiment, the supporting structure comprises at least another pair of sliding members which have a greater diameter, that is, comprised between about 150 mm and about 250 mm, and are disposed at least partly inside the lateral bulk of the supporting structure. This pair of sliding members allows to easily overcome possible obstacles of medium-low height present on the floor, such as for example steps, ridges or other, without needing to

completely raise the apparatus from the floor.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the apparatus also comprises means to generate steam, associated and integrated with the supporting structure, which not only generate steam but are also able to selectively send the steam to an iron and/or an apparatus to take in and deliver steam, for example by means of valve means, through the ironing board.

In this way, the apparatus according to the present invention can be selectively configured both in a mode with simple steam ironing, and in a mode with ironing and the delivery or in-take of steam from the ironing board, and also in a combination of the two modes, and thus provides a single production line with a considerable economic saving in its production.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some preferential forms of embodiment, given as a non- restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of an ironing apparatus according to the present invention in an ironing condition; - fig. 2 is a lateral view of the apparatus in fig. 1;

- fig. 3 is a view from behind of the ironing apparatus in fig. 1;

- fig. 4 is a three-dimensional view of an ironing apparatus according to the present invention in a condition of non-use;

- fig. 5 is a lateral view of the ironing apparatus in fig. 4;

- fig. 6 shows an enlarged detail of the apparatus in fig.

l ;

- fig. 7 is a lateral view of a variant of the ironing apparatus according to the present invention in a first operating condition; - fig. 8 is a view from below of the apparatus in fig. 7;

- fig. 9 is a lateral view of the ironing apparatus in fig. 7 in a second operating condition;

- fig. 10 is a view from below of the apparatus in fig. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERENTIAL FORMS OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to the attached drawings, an apparatus for ironing 10 according to the present invention comprises an ironing board 11 and a supporting structure 12, reciprocally pivoted to each other so as to be able to selectively configure the apparatus 10 between an ironing condition (figs. 1, 2 and 3), in which the ironing board 11 is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the supporting structure 12 to allow ironing, and a condition of non-use (figs. 4 and 5), in which the ironing board 11 is substantially vertical and adjacent to the supporting structure 12 in order to reduce to a minimum the bulk of the apparatus 10 and allow it to be disposed simply, even in spaces of a relatively limited size.

The ironing board 11 comprises a shaped top 13, in a substantially traditional manner, having a rounded point 13a at the front, a flat edge 13b at the rear, and a substantially plane upper surface 13c on which a plurality of holes 15 or fissures are provided, to deliver/take in steam. The ironing board also comprises a central zone having a maximum width "L" equal to about 4500-500 mm.

The ironing board also comprises a plate 16 on which an iron 17 can be put; it is disposed sliding to retract on the side of the flat edge 13b, so that it can be

selectively positioned between an active position (figs. 1, 2 and 3), in which it protrudes from the flat edge 13b in order to allow the iron 17 to be positioned, and a passive position (figs. 4 and 5) in which it is completely comprised in the bulk of the top 13.

An apparatus 19 to take in and deliver steam is associated with the lower surface of the top 13, and allows to deliver/take in steam through the holes 15 during the ironing operations. In correspondence with the central zone of the top 13 two pivoting brackets 20 extend downwards, distanced from each other substantially by the width L and, as will be explained in more detail hereafter, with which the supporting structure 12 is associated. The supporting structure 12 comprises in its essential parts a supporting base 21 and two vertical uprights 22, substantially identical to each other and each of which is stably associated with a lower end to the supporting base 21, and pivoted with an upper end to a relative one of the pivoting brackets 20 disposed at the sides of the top 13.

To be more exact, each vertical upright 22 is selectively extendible telescopically and comprises a first part 22a stably associated with the supporting base 21, and a second part 22b pivoted to the respective pivoting bracket 20 and mounted coaxial and sliding inside the first part 22a, so as to be able to selectively regulate the distance, and hence the height, between the supporting base 21 and the ironing board 11.

The reciprocal axial positioning of the first part 22a and the second part 22b can be selectively constrained by means of a respective attachment tooth 23 provided on the first part 22a, and able to cooperate with a toothed rod 25 mounted on the second part 22b.

A pedal lever 26 is provided in association with the supporting base 21, which allows the user to release the attachment tooth 23 from the toothed rod 25 by pressure of the foot, and hence allow the axial sliding of the second part 22b with respect to the first part 22a, in order to regulate the height of the ironing board 11.

Each vertical upright 22 also comprises a spring 27, or other similar elastic element, connected both to the first part 22a and also to the second part 22b in order to keep the upright 22 normally in the position of maximum extension.

To be more exact, as shown in fig. 7, the spring 27 has an upper hooking head 27a attached to a first pin 28 made on the first part 22a, and a lower hooking head 27b attached to a second pin 34 made on the second part 22b.

The second pin 34 is able to slide inside a mating seating

38 made vertically on the first part 22a. The action of the spring 27 tends to bring the second pin 34 near the first pin 28, so as to make the second part 22b slide upwards with respect to the first part 22a and hence keep the upright 22 in the position of maximum extension.

In this way, in order to regulate the height of the ironing board 11, the user only has to lean with his/her arms on the ironing board 11 and exert a pressure downwards until the desired height is reached. This height is maintained by the attachment teeth 23 in cooperation with the toothed rod 25, until an intervention is made with the pedal lever 26.

The pivoting of the second parts 22a of the two uprights 22 and the relative pivoting brackets 20 is achieved by means of a single rod 29 (figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), which is provided at a first end with a drive knob 30.

The knob 30 is provided on its inner side with an angular

positioning mechanism, not visible in the attached figures, which by means of a spring and at least a pin cooperates with respective seatings provided on the respective pivoting bracket 20, so as to define in stable manner said ironing condition and said condition of non-use of the apparatus 10.

The supporting structure also comprises a first pair of larger wheels 31, that is, with a diameter comprised between about 150 mm and 250 mm, advantageously 200 mm, flattened in shape and at least partly comprised in the lateral bulk of the supporting structure 12.

Thanks to their larger size with respect to the ones normally used, the wheels 31 allow to overcome obstacles such as steps, ridges, covering rods or other present in the floor, without needing to lift the apparatus 10.

On the opposite side with respect to the larger wheels 31, a stabilizing footboard 32 is provided, substantially made with a tubular element bent substantially in a C shape and pivoted with both its ends on opposite lateral sides of the supporting structure 12, so as to be able to be selectively positioned between a resting position (figs. 1, 2 and 3) in which it contacts the ground and stabilizes the positioning of the entire apparatus 10, and a retracted position (figs. 4 and 5) in which it is inside the bulk of the supporting structure 12. In the resting position, the stabilizing footboard 32 protrudes from the supporting structure 12 in a direction substantially longitudinal to the top 13 of the ironing board 11.

Advantageously, the stabilizing footboard 32 is made to assume its resting position when the apparatus 10 is in the ironing condition, while it is taken to its retracted position when the apparatus 10 is in the condition of non- use.

The permanent positioning of the stabilizing footboard 32 in one or the other of its positions is achieved by means of a pedal mechanism 33 disposed laterally to the supporting structure 12 and easily driven by the user's foot .

The stabilizing footboard 32 also comprises three supporting rubbers, able to contact the ground in the resting position in order to increase friction, and a second wheel (fig. 5) of the castor type, which remains in the bulk of the supporting structure 12 when the stabilizing footboard 32 is in the resting position, and protrudes below from the supporting structure 12 when the stabilizing footboard 32 is in the retracted position.

In this way, with the stabilizing footboard 32 in the retracted position, the apparatus 10 rests on the first two wheels 31 and on the second wheel 36 and can be pushed easily by the user without necessarily having to be inclined or partly raised, or with the risk of ruining the floor. With reference to the embodiment shown in figs. 7 to 10, the apparatus for ironing 10 according to the present invention comprises a stabilizer device, in this case indicated in its entirety by the reference number 132, which substantially consists of two stabilizer bars 115, a movement kinematism 133 which connects the two stabilizer bars 115 to each other, and an actuator pedal 117 which allows the user to activate the movement kinematism 133 easily.

In this case, each stabilizer bar 115 is defined by a tubular element, substantially J-shaped, and has a first end pivoted to the bottom surface of the supporting base 21, and a second end provided with a sliding wheel 136, with which it contacts the ground constantly.

Advantageously, the two stabilizer bars 115 are pivoted in diagonally opposite points of the bottom surface of the supporting base 21.

The movement kinematism 133 comprises a central body 120 pivoted in a median zone of the bottom surface of the supporting base 21 and provided on diametrically opposite sides with two radial fins 123. At the respective ends of the radial fins 123 respective connection levers 125 are hinged, which in turn are rotatably connected to the respective stabilizer bars 115.

The actuator pedal 117 is on one side connected radially to the central body 120 and on the other side protrudes from the supporting base 21 and has a segment curved upwards, easily actuated by the user's foot. In this way, by rotating the actuator pedal 117 with the foot, the user determines the rotation of the central body 120 and consequently the simultaneous rotation of the two stabilizer bars 115 around the respective pivoting points on the lower surface of the supporting base. The stabilizer bars are therefore able to be selectively positioned between a first retracted position (figs. 7 and 8) in which they are disposed completely inside the bulk of the supporting base 21, and a second operating condition (figs. 9 and 10), in which they extend laterally and on opposite sides with respect to the supporting base 21, in a direction substantially longitudinal to the development of the top 13 of the ironing board 11.

Advantageously, the stabilizer bars 115 are pivoted to the bottom surface of the supporting base 21 so that, during the movement from the first retracted position to the second operating position, their rotation develops a downward component which allows the supporting base 21 and the pair of wheels 31 to be completely raised from the

floor, so as to increase the efficiency of stabilization (fig. 9).

The positioning of the stabilizer bars 115 in the operating position thus allows an optimum stabilization of the balance of the whole ironing apparatus 10, especially during the ironing steps when the user exerts pressure on the top 13.

Each stabilizer bar 115 also comprises one or more supporting rubbers 135, able to contact the ground at least in the operating position, in order to increase the stability of positioning of the apparatus 10 in its ironing position.

A boiler to generate steam 37 is also associated, advantageously in removable manner, with the supporting structure 12, and is disposed between the two first parts 22a of the two vertical uprights 22 and connected by means of a flexible tube 39 to the iron 17, in order to deliver steam therefrom during ironing.

The apparatus 10 also comprises a command and control unit 40 associated with the supporting structure 12, which is able to command autonomously both the boiler 37 and the intake apparatus 19.

In this way, if a malfunction should occur in the boiler 37, the latter can be removed without compromising the correct functioning of the intake apparatus 19.

In the same way, if a malfunction should occur in the intake apparatus 19, the apparatus 10 would in any case guarantee the delivery of steam from the iron 17.

According to a variant, the boiler 37 is also connected to the intake apparatus 19 to allow the steam to be delivered from the holes 15 provided on the ironing board

11 too. In this embodiment, the boiler 37 comprises means, for example of the valve type, able to selectively direct

the steam towards the iron 17 and/or towards the intake apparatus 19, according to the type of ironing selected by the user.

The ironing apparatus 10 can also be equipped with a power point, not shown, in order to possibly connect its electric parts to an electricity supply network.

It is clear, however, that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the apparatus for ironing 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, it comes within the scope of the present invention to provide that the apparatus 10 is also provided with a low tension electric resistance, not shown, disposed below and directly in contact with the upper surface 13c of the top 13 of the ironing board 11, so as to heat the surface 13c.

It also comes within the scope of the present invention to provide that the knob 30 allows the stable disposition of the ironing board 11 with respect to the supporting structure 12 in a plurality of intermediate positions to those provided in the ironing condition and the condition of non-use of the apparatus 10.

According to another variant, two knobs 30 are provided, disposed on opposite sides of the supporting structure 12. It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of apparatus for ironing, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.