BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ironing board assemblies, and in particular, t assemblies designed for stable mounting on a door.

Using collapsible ironing boards can be inconvenient because they must b retrieved from storage before unfolding. When the ironing board must be use repeatedly, the transporting and unfolding can be tedious. A more convenient foldin ironing board is hingedly attached in a recess in a wall or in a cabinet built upon wall. Such an ironing board can be lifted into the recess or cabinet and quickl stored. The stored board can be concealed by a door. While this known assembl is convenient to use, it is expensive to install and requires skilled carpentry.

An important consideration when designing a folding ironing board assembl is stabilizing it from shifting during use. Another important consideration is the eas of installation, but a simple and easily installed board assembly may not be able t avoid lateral shifting. Thus, if an ironing board assembly is attached to a wall or door, the board must either be rigidly attached or attached in such a way that th likelihood of lateral slippage is minimized. A disadvantage with known ironing boar assemblies is the difficulty in enhancing both the ease of installation and the later stability.

A known ironing board assembly has an inverted U- shaped frame with upp hooks that hold the frame to the top edge of a door. The ironing board can hingedly mounted on the lower prongs of the inverted U-shaped frame. (F example, U.S. Patent 4,976,205). Such an assembly unfortunately has a relative heavy frame that can be dislodged when the door supporting the frame is swun Furthermore, these known ironing board assemblies employ suction cups that ha proved unreliable for holding the assembly in a laterally stable position.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved ironing board assembly that is relatively compact, is easily installed and has good lateral stability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the illustrative embodiments, demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided an ironing board assembly arranged for mounting on a door. The assembly has a frame with a transverse member and an upright member. The upright member is attached centrally to the transverse member. The assembly has an upper gripper attached atop the frame and sized to hang from the top of the door. Also included is an ironing board hingedly attached to the transverse member. The assembly also includes a stabilizing means mounted on the frame below the upper gripper for laterally stabilizing the ironing board assembly.

In a related embodiment of the same invention, the ironing board assembly includes a spaced pair of upright members attached atop either end of a transverse member. A pair of upper grippers is attached atop corresponding ones of the upper members. Each of the grippers is sized to hang from the top of the door. Again, an ironing board is hingedly attached to the transverse member. A stabilizing means is also mounted on the frame below the upper grippers for laterally stabilizing the ironing board assembly.

In a further embodiment of the same invention, an ironing board assembly has a frame with a transverse member. This transverse member has a rear adhesive for securing the member to the door. An upper gripper is attached atop the frame and is sized to hang from the top of the door. Again, an ironing board is hingedly attached to the transverse member.

In still another embodiment of the same invention, an ironing board assembly has a frame with a transverse member. An upper gripper is attached atop the frame and is sized to hang from atop the door. A lower gripper is attached to the frame

and sized to grasp the bottom of the door. Again, an ironing board is hinged attached to the transverse member.

By employing apparatus of the foregoing type, an improved ironing boa assembly is achieved. In one preferred embodiment, an inverted T-shaped frame h an upper hook and a lower transverse member. The transverse member is, in o embodiment, adhesively secured to the door. Hingedly attached to the outside of t transverse member is a foldable ironing board. Under the bow of the ironing boar an adjustable leg can articulate to form an obtuse angle between the leg and t length of the board. This obtuse angle ensures that weight on the board tends push the board against the door to make the adhesive joint between the transver member and door more secure. This stabilizing effect is amplified by providing t angle between the board and the door is made slightly less than 90°, say 86°-8

This does not impair the function of the board. An advantage with the invert T-shape of the frame is that the size and weight of the frame is kept relatively sm

Thus there is no unnecessary weight that would tend to dislodge the frame when t door is used normally.

The preferred embodiment can have numerous features such as a heig adjustment by adjusting the hook position and adjusting the length of the leg. T leg can also be equipped with a locking mechanism, which locks the leg at an obtu angle for greater stability. Another feature in one preferred board assembly, is transverse iatch attached to the frame to hold the ironing board in a folded positi In an alternate embodiment, the upper hook can become a pair of spaced hoo mounted from a horizontal bar at the top of the frame.

In still another embodiment, the inverted T- shaped frame can be replaced w a pair of upright members having upper hooks for hanging a transverse mem from a door. As before, the ironing board can be hingedly attached to the transver member, whose rear face can be adhesively secured to a door.

Still another embodiment can employ an elongate frame with upper and lower hooks that grip the top and bottom of a door, respectively. In this embodiment, the upper and lower hooks can be brought together by a turnbuckle effect. For example, a threaded rod can connect the transverse member to either the upper or the lower hook. By turning the threaded rod, tension between the upper and lower hooks can be increased. This tension can be increased by the use of one or more spacers mounted on the back of the frame, so that the frame, under tension, is slightly bowed away from the door. This embodiment can also include a transverse member in the form of a hoop, bisected by a horizontal beam. The ironing board can be hingedly attached to the horizontal beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of an ironing board assembly attached to a door and folded into a stored position, in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the assembly of Figure 1 with the board deployed to a working position;

Figure 3 is a detailed, cross sectional view of the hinged joint of the assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of a fragment of the transverse member of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a front view of an assembly that is an alternate to that of Figure 1 ; Figure 6 is a front view of another assembly that is an alternate to that of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is detailed rear perspective view of a corner of the hoop of Figure and

Figure 8 is a detailed view of a latch that is an alternate to that of Figure 1.

5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1-4, an ironing board assembly employs a convention ironing board 10. Board 10 has a peripheral frame 12 supporting a metal grating 1 acting as a bed for supporting the work surface. A pair of parallel beams 16 and 1 run fore and aft below the board to provide additional support. Board 10 has a cov

10 15 of a conventional type.

A rod 20 is journaled between beams 16 and 18 to allow articulation of hollo leg 22. Leg 22 is fitted with a foot having a telescopically mounted rod 24. Rod has a plurality of diametric holes (not shown) and a lower brace 26 providing a stab

15 base. Rod 24 is held in position in leg 22 by means of a cross piece shown as wi bolt 28, which is fastened through a side aperture of leg 22 into one of the holes rod 24. The cross piece 28 can be unthreaded from the position shown so that r 24 can be adjusted within leg 22 to change the overall length. Once repositione the cross piece 28 can be rethreaded into a new hole.

20

A frame is shown as an upright member 30 in the form of a rectangular tub The upper end of tube 30 is bolted to an upper gripper, shown herein as upper ho 32. Hook 32 has an inside flat face bolted to tube 30, a horizontal piece resting at door D and a rear tab to prevent hook 32 from sliding off the top of door D. Ho

25 32 can be bolted at adjustable heights on tube 30 to change the working height ironing board 10.

A transverse member is shown herein as a pair of rectangular tubes 36 and (Figure 3 and 4). The lower end of upright member 30 is welded to the center 30 tube 36. Tube 38 is attached to rear tube 36 by means of bolt and nut 42.

A stabilizing means is shown herein as an adhesive backing 40 on the rear face of tube 36. Adhesive 40 can be any one of several adhesive layers. Preferably, adhesive 40 is a plastic foam having adhesive backing on opposite faces. Thus the foam can adhere to the rear face of tube 36 and to the face of door D. The foam allows a certain amount of give so that the adhesive bond is not broken by ordinary shocks.

In Figure 3, frame 12 of ironing board 10 is welded to the outer wing of hinge H. The inner wing of hinge H is welded to the outside face of tube 38. Accordingly, ironing board 10 can rotate around the axis of the hinge H to move from the folded position shown in Figures 1 and 3 to the extended position shown in Figure 2.

Leg 22 can have stops or other devices to limit the angle of rotation so that the leg is normally extended to the position illustrated in Figure 2; that is, at an obtuse angle to the length of board 10.

Perpendicularly welded from the side of the midsection of upright 30 is slider support bar 44. Bar 44 has a pair of studs that are slidably locked into a pair of slots in latch 46. Latch 46 is a flat slider having a hook-like catch 48 at its outer end with a finger grip for laterally sliding the catch by hand, as indicated by the double headed arrow. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ironing board 10 can be folded upwardly and the latch 46 can be secured around the edge of the ironing board to hold it in a folded position. Referring to Figure 5, previously illustrated ironing board 10 is hingedly attached to a transverse member 50. Transverse member 50 is structured the same as before (that is, as member 34 of Figures 1-4). In this embodiment, however, a pair of upright members 52 and 54 are separately welded to each end of transverse member 50. Each of the upright members 52 and 54 are bolted at adjustable positions on grippers, shown herein as upper hooks 56 and 58. Transverse member 50 has an adhesive backing as before to keep it laterally stable.

Referring to Figure 6, a frame is shown with an upright member 60 in the for of a rectangular tube. Welded atop tube 60 is a cross member 62 whose opposi ends support vertical tube segments 64 and 66. Bolted at adjustable positions segments 64 and 66 are a pair of upper grippers 68 and 70 in the form of hoo

5 similar to that previously illustrated.

A hoop 72 is shown with a generally rectangular perimeter and round corners. The vertical sides are drilled to provide mounting holes that support adjustable positions horizontal beam 74. Ironing board 10 is hingedly connected 10 beam 74 in a manner similar to that previously described.

A threaded rod or threaded bolt 76 connects between upright member 60 a hoop 72. Rod 76 can be screwed to bring upright member 60 closer to hoop 7 For example, rod 76 can be threaded into hoop 70 but mounted in upright memb

15 60 to rotate without threading. Alternatively, rod 76 can be threaded into uprig member 60, but mounted to rotate without threading in hoop 72. In so embodiments, rod 76 will extend to the top of upright member 60. The rod 76 c then be screwed by using a wrench or screwdriver at the lower or the upper end rod 76.

20

Attached centrally to the bottom of hoop 72 is rectangular tube 78, whose low end has a gripper, shown herein as a hook-shaped device 80. Device 80 can built similarly to upper hooks 68 and 70. A second threaded rod 176 (not sho can connect the lower horizonal member of hoop 72 with upright 78. Similar

25 second threaded rod 176 may be used in place of threaded rod 76.

Figure 7 shows elastomeric bumpers 82 on the rear of hoop 72. Bumpers are shown screwed to hoop 72 on opposite sides of each corner of the ho Alternatively, bumpers 82 can be replaced with an adhesive layer, similar to t 30 previously described.

8

The ironing board assembly of Figure 6 can be attached to door D by hanging the assembly, without rod 78, on the door from hooks 68 and 70 and 80 in the positions shown. Thereafter, 80 hook is slid under the door and rod 78 attached to hoop 72 via threaded rod or bolt 176 can be bolted to the assembly as illustrated in Figure 6. Next, rod 76 can be rotated to increase the tension between upright members 60 and 78. This causes hooks 68, 70 and 80 to positively grip door D and greatly enhance lateral stability. When mounted in this position, bumpers 82 (or alternatively an adhesive backing) also helps keep hoop 72 laterally stable.

Several variations of this system will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Convenience dictates that one vertical rod, suitably 78 is removable and at least one vertical rod is tensionable. Thus either rod 78 or 60 could, if desired, be welded to hoop 72 while the remaining rod is both removable and tensionable.

In Figure 8, an alternate latch 86 is slidably supported within a sleeve 88.

Sleeve 88 is a C-shaped member welded to previously illustrated upright member 60 (Figure 6). Latch 86 has a hook-shaped catch 87 with a finger grip 88. A rod 90 is attached behind catch 86 and slides in a block (not shown) to keep the latch 86 in position.

To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, the operation of the ironing board assembly will be described in connection with Figures 1-4. It will be appreciated that the operation of the other embodiments is substantially the same.

The assembly of Figure 2 is initially installed by placing the hook 32 over the top of the door D. The vertical position of upright member 30 can be adjusted by bolting hook 32 at a selected position. The adhesive backing 40 of tube 36 is now exposed.

Keeping member 30 plumb the adhesive backing 40 is pressed against the door D to hold the upright member 30 in a vertical position.

Ironing board 10 can be stored by folding it upwardly from the position sho in Figure 2 to that of Figure 1. Thereafter the catch 46 can be thrust inwardly to hol the board as shown.

When ironing board 10 is to be used, catch 46 is pulled outwardly. Thereafte board 10 is folded down and leg 22 is extended to the obtuse angle illustrated i Figure 2. At this time, the extension of foot 24 can be adjusted by using wing nut 2 so that the board 10 is horizontal. With leg 22 at an obtuse angle, the weight board 10 thrusts the board back against the door D. Thus, the adhesive backing transverse member 34 is more securely affixed to the door D. Consequently, boa 10 is laterally stable when in use. Furthermore, the frame comprising the uprig member 30 and transverse member 34 is relatively compact and light. Thus t swinging of door D does not easily dislodge the frame.

It is to be appreciated that various modifications may be implemented wi respect to the above described preferred embodiments. For example, the vario structural members can be formed of round tube, solid rod, flat bars or oth structures, depending upon the desired weight, strength, durability etc. Also, in so embodiments, the hooks may be replaced with other fastening devices such plates for screwing the device to the door. Additionally, the latch can be remov and the hinged joint for the ironing board can have a detent to lock the board in upright position. Alternatively, the latch can be placed at the top of the uprig member to hold the outer tip of the board. Also, the leg can be extended at vario angles, although it is preferably at an obtuse angle. In addition, the hei adjustment of the leg can be performed by various means including a jackscrew other means.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that wit the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described.