Pop-up auto-shutoff indicator for electric pressing irons

Abstract

A pop-up auto-shutoff indicator for a pressing iron includes a signal-activated pop-up switch adapted to provide power to a soleplate heater when the pop-up switch is depressed by the user. An auto-shutoff circuit is adapted to receive an input signal from a motion detector and provide an actuation signal to actuate the pop-up switch upon detecting no motion of the iron for a predetermined period of time and to disconnect power to the soleplate heater.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] 1. Field of the Disclosure [0002] This disclosure relates to an electromechanical pop-up indicator for a household pressing iron that provides a visual and audible signal to the user when power has been cut off to the soleplate. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] It is known in the art of pressing irons to provide an indicator that warns the user that the heated soleplate of the iron is still hot, such as is described in Rius et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,785 B1, issued Apr. 15, 2003, for a PRESSING IRON WITH RESIDUAL HEAT WARNING DEVICE. [0005] It is also known to provide irons with thermostats and various shut-off devices to prevent overheating of the soleplate. It is further known to use an integrated timer circuit to automatically shut off a pressing iron, as is disclosed in commonly assigned patent Contri, U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,685, issued Apr. 28, 1987, for an ELECTRIC PRESSING IRON. [0006] However, a problem can arise when the user...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] Also disclosed is a pop-up auto-shutoff indicator for a pressing iron, including a signal-activated pop-up switch adapted to provide power to a soleplate heater and to one or more DC power supplies when depressed by the user.

Problems solved by technology

However, a problem can arise when the user is not continually present to monitor any indicator.

One problem arises when the user leaves the iron on the fabric and then is distracted so as to move away from the appliance.

Another problem arises when the user stands the iron upright on its heel with its soleplate in a vertical plane, walks away, and the iron tips over back onto the fabric without the user's knowledge.

This can result in a scorched fabric.

Moreover, a need exists for a positive mechanical indication that power to the iron has been disconnected, as prior electric indicators, such as red lights, often confused the user by suggesting to the user that the iron was still “on” when in fact power to the soleplate heater was shut off.

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