Ironing board with storage tray

Abstract

A tray for an ironing board, used for storing small items during ironing. The ironing board has two brackets, one of which has two legs, and the two brackets can be folded for storage and unfolded when in use. The tray includes a tray body, the tray body has three spaced compartments, wherein the spacing between two adjacent compartments of the three compartments is greater than the width or diameter of the two legs, wherein the tray is configured to be mounted on the ironing board so that when the two brackets are folded, the two legs are received in the spacing between the three compartments. The tray can be fixed on the iron tray of the ironing board.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 276,287, filed on Nov. 05, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an ironing board, and more particularly to a storage accessory of the ironing board and a foldable ironing board equipped with the storage accessory. Background Art

[0004] Ironing boards have long been a popular household appliance. Most of the ironing boards available on the market are of compact design, having a slender board and long swivel legs that can be folded to fold the ironing board for storage. In most commercially available ironing boards, the ironing board has a wider side and an opposite narrower side. An iron tray is mounted near the wider side, which can be used to place the hot iron during the ironing process.

[0005] Small items often need to be stored during the ironing process, and the person ironing clothes usually places these items on the ironing board, however, these items may be damaged by the hot iron. Pockets and pouches that can be hung on the ironing board rod are known in the art, and they can be used to store small-sized items, such as buttons, starch, and other sprays for ironing, sewing needles and other items such as mobile phones, TV remote controls, etc. However, using such hangable bags or pockets is usually uncomfortable, requires the person to bend over to reach the bag, and the bags or pockets are usually made of fabric, which makes them unstable. Therefore, there is a need for an ironing board storage accessory that is easy to use and stable. There is a need for an ironing board with a storage accessory that can be conveniently used to store small-sized items. Summary of the invention

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments.

[0007] This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, nor is it intended to describe the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description that is later described.

[0008] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a storage tray for an ironing board.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide easy access to the storage tray while ironing.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to enable a storage tray to be mounted securely and stably.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to have the storage tray not interfere with the folding mechanism of the ironing board.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to make the storage tray economical to manufacture.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to enable a storage tray to be easily secured to an ironing board.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to fold the ironing board without removing the storage tray.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention that the storage tray provides good storage space without significantly increasing the size of the ironing board.

[0016] In one aspect, a tray for an ironing board is disclosed, the ironing board having two supports, one of the two supports having two legs, the storage tray comprising a tray body, the tray body having three spaced-apart compartments, namely a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment, wherein a spacing between two adjacent compartments of the three compartments is greater than a width or diameter of the two legs, wherein the tray is configured to be mounted on the ironing board so that the two legs are received in the spacing between the three compartments when the supports are folded. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein, constitute a part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the specification and the accompanying drawings, they further explain the principles of the present invention and enable those skilled in the relevant art to make and use the present invention.

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ironing board storage tray according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 is a top view of a storage tray showing three compartments according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 is a side view of a storage tray showing support bars or rails according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 is a bottom view of a storage tray according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing rails extending along three sides of the tray.

[0022] Figure 5 A top view of an ironing board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a storage tray is mounted at the end of the ironing board.

[0023] Figure 6 is a bottom view of an ironing board in a folded state with two legs of a stand received in the spaces between three compartments of a storage tray according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The subject matter will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, certain exemplary embodiments. However, the subject matter may be embodied in a variety of different forms, and thus, the subject matter covered or claimed is intended to be construed as not limited to any exemplary embodiment described herein; the exemplary embodiments are provided for illustration only. Likewise, the scope of the subject matter claimed or covered should also be quite broad. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as a method, an apparatus, an assembly, or a system. Therefore, the following detailed description is not intended to be limiting.

[0025] The word "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term "embodiments of the invention" does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

[0026] The terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit embodiments of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context otherwise indicates. It should also be understood that when the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", and / or "includes" are used herein, the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components is specified, but the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof is not excluded.

[0027] The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode of carrying out the exemplary embodiment of the invention. This description should not be considered limiting but is merely intended to illustrate the general principles of the invention, as the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any patent arising therefrom.

[0028] The present invention discloses a storage tray for an ironing board that can be easily used to store small-sized items such as buttons, starch and other sprays used when ironing, sewing needles, and other items such as mobile phones and TV remote controls. In addition, an ironing board with a storage tray is disclosed. The tray is securely mounted on one side of an iron tray or a plate on which a hot iron is placed when ironing. The disclosed tray does not hinder the folding and unfolding of the ironing board. Reference Figures 1 to 4 ,in, Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a storage tray 100, Figure 2shows a top view, Figure 3 A side view is shown, and Figure 4 A bottom view of a storage tray 100 is shown. The storage tray 100 has a tray body 110, which may have three compartments in which small-sized items may be stored in an orderly manner. Items required during ironing may be easily stored in appropriate compartments of the tray. During ironing, people may access the storage tray at any time without bending over to reach the tray. Figure 2 Three compartments are shown, namely a first compartment 112, a second compartment 114, and a third compartment 116. The first compartment 112 and the third compartment 116 are shown as being of the same size and larger than the middle second compartment 114. It should be understood that the size and shape of the three compartments of the storage tray 100 can vary without departing from the scope of the present invention. The storage tray can be made of a durable material, such as plastic or sheet metal. However, any other type of material, such as silicone, is within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the storage tray can be large enough to store multiple small-sized items, while the storage tray does not interfere with the closing and opening mechanism of the ironing board.

[0029] The guide rail 120 (also referred to herein as a support rod) can mount the storage tray 100 to the frame of the ironing board. The rail 120 can be a rod-shaped structure that can surround the front, left, and right sides of the tray body 110, and the two ends of the rail can extend from the left and right sides of the tray body 110 in a direction away from the rear side. The extended portion of the rail can be fastened to the frame of the ironing board, such as Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , this figure is a bottom view of the storage tray 100, and it can be seen that the guide rails 120 extend along three sides of the tray body 110. Figure 3 The tray body 110 has a flange 118 along the top perimeter, and the flange 118 can rest over the rail to support the tray body 110 over the rail 120. Suitable fasteners (including adhesives) can fasten the tray body 110 to the rail 120.

[0030] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 ,in Figure 5 2 shows a top view of the disclosed ironing board 200, and Figure 6 A bottom view of the ironing board 200 is shown. Figure 5 and Figure 62 and 3. The ironing board 200 is shown folded. The ironing board 200 may have an elongated board 210, wherein the top surface of the elongated board 210 is an ironing surface. The elongated board 210 may have a wider side and a narrower side. Along the wider side of the elongated board 210, an iron tray 220 may be seen, which may be fastened to the frame 280 of the ironing board 200. This iron tray 220 may be used to place a hot iron during the ironing process. It is worth noting that the elongated board 210 and the iron tray 220 are known in the art. The iron tray 220 is usually made of metal and may be welded to the metal frame 280 of the ironing board 200.

[0031] exist Figure 6 The bottom view shows the frame 280 of the ironing board 200. The ironing board 200 may include two brackets, a first bracket 230 and a second bracket 240, which are pivotally coupled to the frame 280. The two brackets may be folded up for convenient storage of the ironing board and the folded ironing board 200 may be unfolded to an upright position for use. Figure 6 The two supports of the ironing board 200 are shown in a folded state. The first support 230 shown extending from the iron plate 220 may have two legs, namely a first leg 250 and a second leg 260. The second support 240 is shown as having a single leg 270. However, it should be understood that the second support 240 may have more than one leg without departing from the scope of the present invention. The frame and the two supports are known in the art, and the folding and unfolding of the two supports are also known. The track 120 of the storage tray 100 can be fastened to the iron tray 220. The bottom of the iron tray 220 may have suitable fasteners for fixing the two ends of the track. Alternatively, the two ends of the track 120 may also be welded to the iron tray 220. The space between the three compartments of the storage tray 100 can accommodate the two legs of the first support. Figure 6 As shown, the first leg is accommodated between the first two compartments, and the second leg can be accommodated between the second compartment and the third compartment, wherein the storage tray 100 does not interfere with the folding and unfolding of the two supports. The space between two adjacent compartments of the storage tray 100 can be proportional to the diameter or width of the first leg and the second leg. The spacing between the three compartments is essential to accommodate the two legs of the first support, and without the spacing, the compartments may not allow the ironing board 200 to be fully folded. It is understood that the rails of the storage tray can also be directly fastened to the frame of the ironing board, and the iron tray can be omitted, and the storage tray is directly fastened to the frame of the ironing board and it also belongs to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0032] In certain exemplary embodiments, the tray may include two compartments of a predetermined depth. The depth of the two compartments may be the same or different. Likewise, the length and width of the two compartments may be different. The space between the two compartments may be such that a leg of the ironing board stand may be accommodated in the space between the two compartments when the stand is folded. It is understood that stands with a single leg are known, and the tray may be designed to accommodate such a single-leg stand without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, two or more compartments also fall within the scope of the present invention as long as one or both legs of the ironing board can be accommodated between two adjacent compartments.

[0033] Although the above written description of the present invention enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention currently considered to be the best mode, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations and equivalents of the specific embodiments, methods and examples herein. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the above embodiments, methods and examples, but should be limited to all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. A tray for an ironing board, the ironing board having two brackets, a first bracket of the two brackets having a first leg and a second leg, the tray comprising: A tray body, the tray body comprising three spaced-apart compartments, namely a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment, wherein a first spacing is provided between the first compartment and the second compartment, a second spacing is provided between the second compartment and the third compartment, and the first spacing and the second spacing are used to accommodate a first leg and a second leg, respectively. The tray is used to be mounted on the frame of the ironing board, so that when the first bracket is folded, the first leg is accommodated in the first spacing, and the second leg is accommodated in the second spacing.

2. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that: Wherein the first compartment and the third compartment are larger than the second compartment.

3. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tray body further includes a flange extending from the top periphery of the three spaced-apart compartments, and the tray further includes a support rod having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the support rod surrounds two short sides and one long side of the tray body and is located below the flange, wherein the first end and the second end of the support rod extend parallel to each other and away from the tray body.

4. The pallet according to claim 3, characterized in that: Wherein the first end and the second end are configured to be fastened to a frame of an ironing board.

5. An ironing board, characterized in that: include: Horizontal frame; a first bracket, the first bracket having a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are pivotally connected to the horizontal frame so that the first bracket and the second bracket can be folded and unfolded; and a tray comprising: A tray body, the tray body comprising three spaced-apart compartments, namely a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment, wherein a first spacing is provided between the first compartment and the second compartment, a second spacing is provided between the second compartment and the third compartment, the first spacing and the second spacing are respectively greater than a width or a diameter of the first leg and the second leg, Wherein, the tray is mounted to the horizontal frame such that when the first bracket is folded, the first leg is accommodated within a first spacing and the second leg is accommodated within a second spacing.

6. The ironing board according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first compartment and the third compartment are larger than the second compartment.

7. The ironing board according to claim 5, characterized in that: The tray body further includes a flange extending from the top periphery of the three spaced-apart compartments, and the tray further includes a support rod having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the support rod surrounds two short sides and one long side of the tray body and is located below the flange, wherein the first end and the second end of the support rod extend parallel to each other and away from the tray body.

8. The ironing board according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first end and the second end are fastened to the horizontal frame.

9. The ironing board according to claim 8, characterized in that: The horizontal frame further comprises an ironing board, and the first end and the second end of the support rod are fastened to the ironing board.

10. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that The bottoms of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment are coplanar.

11. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top edge of the tray body is continuous and flat.

12. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment includes a bottom and a wall extending upward from the corresponding bottom to define an inner volume of each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment.

13. The pallet according to claim 12, characterized in that The first distance is located between adjacent walls of the first compartment and the second compartment, and the second distance is located between adjacent walls of the second compartment and the third compartment.

14. The pallet according to claim 12, characterized in that The adjacent walls between the first compartment and the second compartment and the adjacent walls between the second compartment and the third compartment divide the inner volume of the tray body into the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment.

15. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that The first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment have the same depth from the top edge of the tray body.

16. The ironing board according to claim 5, characterized in that: The bottoms of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment are coplanar.

17. The ironing board according to claim 5, characterized in that: The top edge of the tray body is continuous and flat.

18. The ironing board according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the first compartment, the second compartment, and the third compartment includes a bottom and a wall extending upward from the corresponding bottom to define an interior volume of each of the first compartment, the second compartment, and the third compartment.

19. The ironing board according to claim 18, characterized in that The first distance is located between adjacent walls of the first compartment and the second compartment, and the second distance is located between adjacent walls of the second compartment and the third compartment.

20. The ironing board according to claim 18, characterized in that The adjacent walls between the first compartment and the second compartment and the adjacent walls between the second compartment and the third compartment divide the inner volume of the tray body into the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment.

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