Ironing device comprising pivotably mounted ironing plate

Abstract

The invention relates to an ironing device comprising an ironing plate (2) against which the laundry to be ironed can be placed for treatment by means of steam, the ironing plate being mounted so as to be pivotable by means of a hinge device (5) which allows the ironing plate to be oriented at least according to a vertical position and a horizontal position, the hinge device comprising a support (1, 2) fixed to a support (1, 2), 10) and a second part (55) fixed on the ironing board, the support is used for stably resting on the ground, and the hinge device at least comprises a front arm (52A) and a rear arm (52B), and the front arm (52A) and the rear arm (52B) are hinged to each other through the front arm (52A) and the rear arm (52B). The second portion (55) of the hinge device has an upper end mounted to be pivotable about an upper axis (521) carried by the second portion (55) and a lower end mounted to be pivotable about a lower axis (520) carried by said first portion (51), the second portion (55) of the hinge device being fixed to an area of the ironing plate located in the lower half of the ironing plate when the ironing plate is in the vertical position.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ironing equipment including an ironing board against which the clothes to be ironed are placed for treatment by means of steam, and more particularly to an equipment including an ironing board which is mounted to be pivotable by means of a hinging device allowing the ironing board to be oriented at least according to a vertical position and a horizontal position. Background Art

[0002] An ironing equipment is known from patent application EP3421658 filed by the present applicant, which includes an ironing board that can be oriented vertically or horizontally according to the needs of the user.

[0003] However, this equipment has the disadvantage that when moving from the vertical position to the horizontal position, it is necessary to adjust the height of the ironing board in order to benefit from good ergonomics of the ironing board in both positions. In fact, when the ironing board is in the horizontal position, the ironing board must be substantially at the height of the user's hips in order for the user to have good ergonomic use. However, when the ironing board swings to the vertical position, the position of the ironing board is too low to provide optimized ergonomic use. The user then has to manually lift the ironing board with the help of a telescopic rod to improve the ergonomic use of the ironing board in the vertical position. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome the above disadvantages by particularly proposing an ironing equipment equipped with a hinging device allowing the ironing board to swing from a vertical position to a horizontal position while automatically adjusting the height of the ironing board to provide optimized ergonomic use in both positions.

[0005] To this end, the present invention relates to an ironing equipment including an ironing board against which the clothes to be ironed can be placed for treatment by means of steam, the ironing board being mounted to be pivotable by means of a hinging device allowing the ironing board to be oriented at least according to a vertical position and a horizontal position, the hinging device including a first part fixed to a support and a second part fixed to the ironing board, the support being for stably resting on the ground, characterized in that the hinging device at least includes a front arm and a rear arm, the front arm and the rear arm each having an upper end mounted to be pivotable about an upper shaft carried by the second part and a lower end mounted to be pivotable about a lower shaft carried by the first part, and when the ironing board occupies the vertical position, the second part of the hinging device is fixed to a region provided in the lower half of the ironing board.

[0006] Thus, when the ironing board occupies the vertical position, most of the ironing board extends vertically above the level of the articulation means. This feature allows obtaining an ironing device that provides good ergonomic use when the ironing board is in the horizontal and vertical positions, without the user having to manually adjust the height of the ironing board when moving from one position to the other.

[0007] Furthermore, such an articulation means also allows ensuring good retention of the ironing board and good centering of the mass relative to the support in the horizontal and vertical positions.

[0008] The device may also have one or more of the following features, which may be used alone or in combination.

[0009] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the front connecting arm and the rear connecting arm are of the same length, and the distance between the upper axis and the lower axis is the same for each of the arms.

[0010] The advantage of this feature is to reduce the manufacturing cost of the articulation means.

[0011] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the articulation means includes a strengthening member on which a first support element of the ironing board rests when the ironing board occupies the horizontal position, and the first support element is located in the upper half of the ironing board when the ironing board occupies the vertical position.

[0012] The advantage of this characteristic is to enhance the stability and stiffness of the ironing board when the ironing board occupies the horizontal position.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the articulation means and / or the support includes a strengthening member on which a second support element of the ironing board rests when the ironing board occupies the vertical position, and the second support element is located in the lower half of the ironing board when the ironing board occupies the vertical position.

[0014] The advantage of this characteristic is to enhance the stability and stiffness of the ironing board when the ironing board occupies the vertical position.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the first support element includes a groove for engaging around the strengthening member when the ironing board occupies the horizontal position.

[0016] This characteristic allows further improving the retention of the ironing board in the horizontal position.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the distance between the upper axes of the front arm and the rear arm is less than the distance between the lower axes of the front arm and the rear arm.

[0018] This feature allows restricting the dimensions of the fixing of the articulation device to the second part of the back of the ironing board, while allowing to ensure the movement characteristics of the ironing board rotating from the vertical position to the horizontal position.

[0019] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the distance between the upper axes is between 3 cm and 10 cm, preferably about 5 cm.

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the distance between the lower axes is between 7 cm and 20 cm, preferably about 13 cm.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the distance between the upper axis and the lower axis of the arm is between 15 cm and 30 cm, preferably about 22 cm.

[0022] This dimensional feature allows obtaining an articulation device whose strength and dimensions are particularly suitable for use on an ironing board.

[0023] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the lower rotation axis of the rear arm is located at a higher position than the lower rotation axis of the front arm, and the plane passing through the upper rotation axes of the front arm and the rear arm is inclined at an angle α between 30° and 60°, preferably about 45°, with respect to the ground.

[0024] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, when the ironing board occupies the vertical position, the upper rotation axes of the front arm and the rear arm are substantially aligned above each other.

[0025] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, when the ironing board occupies the horizontal position, the upper rotation axes of the front arm and the rear arm are arranged in the same horizontal plane.

[0026] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the articulation device includes a locking device that allows the ironing board to be held in at least the horizontal position, the vertical position, and an intermediate position between the vertical position and the horizontal position.

[0027] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the locking device includes a rack that cooperates with the locking rod to fix the articulation device in a desired position.

[0028] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the articulation device includes two components, a front arm and a rear arm, that connect the first part to the second part, and the two components are arranged parallel to each other.

[0029] According to another feature of the invention, the lower ends of the front arm and the rear arm of each component are fixed to an L-shaped support element which defines the first part of the articulation means.

[0030] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the support comprises a base for resting on the ground, the base comprising at least one rod extending vertically upwards from the base.

[0031] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the support comprises two telescopic rods extending vertically from the base.

[0032] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device comprises a base for generating steam provided on the base.

[0033] The invention also relates to an ironing device comprising an ironing board against which items of laundry to be ironed can be placed for treatment with steam, the ironing board being mounted so as to be pivotable by means of an articulation means which allows the ironing board to be fixed at different inclinations, the articulation means comprising a first part which rotates integrally with the ironing board, a second part fixed to a support structure for stable resting on the ground, and a connecting arm assembly connecting the first part to the second part, wherein the connecting arm assembly comprises at least a front arm and a rear arm, the front arm and the rear arm each having an upper end mounted so as to be pivotable about an upper axis carried by the first part and a lower end mounted so as to be pivotable about a lower axis carried by the second part, and wherein the front connecting arm and the rear connecting arm are of the same length and the axial distance between the upper axis and the lower axis is the same for each of the arms. Description of the Drawings

[0034] With reference to the drawings, the objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ironing device according to a specific embodiment of the invention, the ironing board being shown in the vertical position;

[0036] Figure 2 is the Figure 1 Another perspective view of the ironing board of the ironing device, the ironing board being shown in an intermediate inclined position;

[0037] Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 Perspective view, the ironing board being shown in the horizontal position;

[0038] Figure 4 is Figure 2 Another perspective view of the ironing board shown;

[0039] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross - sectional view of the ironing board in a vertical position;

[0040] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross - sectional view of the ironing board in a horizontal position;

[0041] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the hinge device of the ironing board when the ironing board is in a horizontal position. Detailed implementation mode

[0042] Only the elements necessary for understanding the present invention are shown. For ease of reading the drawings, the same elements in different drawings have the same reference numerals.

[0043] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "down", "up", "high", "low", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "lateral" used to describe the ironing device refer to the usage of the ironing device when it is horizontally placed on a working plane.

[0044] Figures 1 to 4 An ironing device including a base 1 is shown. Two telescopic rods 10 that support a generally rectangular ironing board 2 extend vertically from the base 1. Preferably, the ironing board 2 has a length of about 70 cm and a width of about 40 cm. The two telescopic rods 10 allow adjustment of the height of the ironing board 2 such that in the horizontal position, the ironing board 2 is at a height between 60 cm and 90 cm from the ground.

[0045] The base 1 includes ballast in a manner known per se, which allows ensuring good stability of the ironing device, and the base 1 includes a cavity 11 where a base 3 for generating steam is removably placed. The base 3 is connected to an iron 4 through a flexible conduit not shown in the figure. The base 3 generally includes a water reservoir for supplying water to a boiling chamber or a container for generating pressurized steam, and the water reservoir and the container are not shown in the figure.

[0046] Such a base 3 for generating steam is well - known to those skilled in the art and is, for example, technically similar to the base for generating steam described in detail in patent application EP3783145.

[0047] According to Figures 1 to 4 , the upper end of the rod 10 supports a hinge device 5, which is separately visible in Figure 7 , and the ironing board 2 is fixed to the hinge device 5. The hinge device 5 allows the ironing board 2 to be at different inclinations and especially in the vertical position ( Figure 1 and Figure 5 shown), the horizontal position ( Figure 3 and Figure 6as shown) and an intermediate position ( Figure 2 and Figure 4 as shown) orientation.

[0048] To this end, the hinge device 5 includes a first part 51 fixed to the upper end of the rod 10 and a second part 55 to which the ironing board 2 is fixed.

[0049] Preferably, the first part includes two L-shaped support elements 51 which are respectively fitted to the upper ends of the two rods 10, and the two support elements 51 are connected together by a reinforcing rod 50 extending horizontally.

[0050] The second part includes a plate 55 which is fixed to the back of the ironing board 2, and the plate 55 has a width similar to the spacing between the two rods 10. The plate 55 includes two side wings 550 which project from the back of the ironing board 2 by extending perpendicular to the ironing board 2.

[0051] According to Figures 4 to 7 , the hinge device 5 includes: a first set of two arms 52A, 52B which connect one of the two side wings 550 to one of the support elements 51; and a second set of two arms 52A, 52B which connect the other side wing 550 to the other support element 51. The two arms 52A, 52B assemblies extend in two parallel planes and are symmetrically arranged with respect to the vertical plane passing between the two rods 10.

[0052] Each arm 52A, 52B includes a first end mounted to pivot about a horizontal lower shaft 520 carried by the support element 51 and a second end mounted to pivot about a horizontal upper shaft 521 carried by the side wing 550.

[0053] The arms 52A, 52B are all the same, that is to say, their lengths and the axle distance between the lower shaft 520 and the upper shaft 521 are the same for all the arms 52A and 52B of the hinge device 5.

[0054] Each set of arms 52A, 52B includes a front arm 52A and a rear arm 52B. The lower rotation shaft 520 of the front arm 52A is preferably arranged perpendicular to one of the rods 10, and the lower shaft 520 of the rear arm 52B is preferably offset both backward and upward with respect to the lower shaft 520 of the front arm 52A.

[0055] In the specific embodiment shown, the offset between the lower rotation shaft 520 of the rear arm 52B and the lower rotation shaft 520 of the front arm 52A is about 9 cm both in the horizontal direction D1 and in the vertical direction D2 (as Figure 5 shown), and the distance between the lower rotation shafts 520 of the front arm 52A and the rear arm 52B is about 13 cm.

[0056] The upper rotation axis 521 of the front arm 52A and the rear arm 52B advantageously lies in a plane parallel to the ironing board 2. Thus, when the ironing board 2 occupies the vertical position, the upper rotation axes 521 of the front arm 52A and the rear arm 52B are located above each other.

[0057] Preferably, the distance D3 between the upper rotation axes 521 of the front arm 52A and the rear arm 52B is between 3 cm and 10 cm and is advantageously about 5 cm.

[0058] The ironing board 2 advantageously includes a locking device 6 that allows the ironing board 2 to be fixed in a plurality of positions and in particular in the vertical position, the horizontal position, and at least one intermediate position.

[0059] The locking device 6 advantageously includes a rack 60, one end of which is mounted to pivot about an axis 61 carried by a stud 20 protruding near the lower end of the ironing board 2 below the ironing board 2. The locking device includes a return spring (not shown in the figure) that returns the rack 60 in the direction of the locking lever 63, which extends horizontally between the two front arms 52A of the articulation device 5.

[0060] The rack 60 includes a plurality of notches that cooperate with the locking lever 63 to fix the ironing board 2 at a desired inclination. The rack 60 is integral with a handle 62 provided at the edge of the ironing board 2, and the handle 62 allows the rack 60 to pivot against its return spring when actuated and to disengage the locking lever 63 from the notch of the rack.

[0061] When the ironing board 2 occupies the vertical position, the plate 55 of the articulation device 5 is advantageously fixed to a region of the ironing board 2 located in the lower half of the ironing board 2. Thus, when the ironing board 2 occupies the vertical position, the center of the ironing board 2 is located at a position higher than the plane occupied by the ironing board 2 when the ironing board 2 occupies the horizontal position. This allows for very good ergonomic use whether the ironing board 2 is in the horizontal position or the vertical position, without the need to adjust the height of the ironing board 2 by means of the telescopic rod 10.

[0062] Preferably, the central axis between the upper rotation axes 521 of the front arm 52A and the rear arm 52B is at a distance L1 from the lower edge of the ironing board 2 in the vertical position, and this distance L1 represents between 25% and 35% of the total length of the ironing board 2.

[0063] According to Figure 3 and Figure 6 , the back of the ironing board 2 advantageously includes a support element 21 for resting on the reinforcing rod 50 when the ironing board 2 occupies the horizontal position.

[0064] When the ironing board 2 occupies a vertical position, the support element 21 is arranged on the area of the ironing board 2 in the upper half of the ironing board 2, and allows to strengthen the holding of the ironing board 2 by forming an additional support point on the side of the ironing board 2 opposite to the side of the plate 55 of the receiving hinge device 5 when the ironing board 2 is in a horizontal position.

[0065] Preferably, the support element 21 includes a U-shaped groove 210 which engages around the reinforcing rod 50 to strengthen the fixation of the ironing board 2 in the horizontal plane.

[0066] Now, the operation and advantages of the hinge device 5 of the ironing board 2 thus implemented will be described.

[0067] When the user desires to modify the inclination of the ironing 2, the user only needs to press the handle 62 to pivot the rack 60 and withdraw the locking rod 63 from the notch of the rack 60. Then, the ironing board 2 can be freely pivoted to the desired position among the vertical position, the horizontal position and different intermediate positions.

[0068] Due to the movement characteristics of the hinge device 5, the pivoting of the ironing board 2 from the vertical position to the horizontal position is accompanied by a downward displacement of the center of the ironing board 2.

[0069] Therefore, if the user adjusts the height of the telescopic rod 10 for the ergonomic use of the horizontal position, that is, the ironing board 2 is at the height of the user's hip, the pivoting provided by the hinge device 5 allows the useful surface of the ironing board 2 to be automatically brought to the height of the user's chest when the ironing board 2 occupies the vertical position, and the lower edge of the ironing board 2 is substantially at the height of the user's hip.

[0070] This allows to maintain a very good ergonomic use without modifying the height of the ironing board by means of the telescopic rod 10.

[0071] In addition, the hinge device 5 thus manufactured has the advantages of simple and economical implementation. In fact, the fact that the hinge device 5 uses the same arms 52A, 52B allows to reduce the manufacturing cost of the hinge device 5.

[0072] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the described and illustrated embodiments given only by way of example. Modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, especially from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by replacing technical equivalents.

[0073] Therefore, in an embodiment variant not shown, the support can include only a single telescopic rod instead of two telescopic rods.

[0074] Thus, in another embodiment variant (not shown), the articulation device and / or the support may include a member against which the second support element of the ironing board rests when the ironing board occupies the vertical position, in order to reinforce the holding of the ironing board in this position.

Claims

1. An ironing device, comprising an ironing board (2) against which a garment to be ironed can be placed for treatment with steam, the ironing board (2) being mounted so as to be pivotable by means of a hinge device (5), the hinge device (5) allowing the ironing board (2) to be oriented at least according to a vertical position and a horizontal position, the hinge device (5) comprising a first part (51) fixed to a support (1, 10) and a second part (55) fixed to the ironing board (2), the support (1, 10) being adapted to rest stably on the ground, characterized in that, The articulated device at least includes a front arm (52A) and a rear arm (52B). The front arm (52A) and the rear arm (52B) each have an upper end mounted to pivot about an upper shaft (521) carried by the second part (55) and a lower end mounted to pivot about a lower shaft (520) carried by the first part (51). When the ironing board (2) occupies the vertical position, the second part (55) of the articulated device (5) is fixed to an area provided in the lower half of the ironing board (2).

2. The ironing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front connecting arm (52A) and the rear connecting arm (52B) are of the same length, and the axial distance between the upper shaft (521) and the lower shaft (520) is the same for each of the arms (52A, 52B).

3. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that The articulated device (5) includes a strengthening member (50). When the ironing board (2) occupies the horizontal position, the first support element (21) of the ironing board (2) rests on the strengthening member (50). When the ironing board (2) occupies the vertical position, the first support element (21) is located in the upper half of the ironing board (2).

4. The ironing device according to claim 3, characterized in that The first support element (21) includes a groove (210) for engaging around the strengthening member (50) when the ironing board occupies the horizontal position.

5. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The axial distance between the upper shafts (521) of the front arm (52A) and the rear arm (52B) is less than the axial distance between the lower shafts (520) of the front arm (52A) and the rear arm (52B).

6. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The lower rotation shaft (520) of the rear arm (52B) is located at a higher position than the lower rotation shaft (520) of the front arm (52A). The plane passing through the upper rotation shafts (521) of the front arm (52A) and the rear arm (52B) is inclined at an angle α between 30° and 60° and preferably about 45° with respect to the ground.

7. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The articulated device (5) includes a locking device (6) that allows the ironing board (2) to be held at least in the horizontal position, the vertical position, and an intermediate position provided between the vertical position and the horizontal position.

8. The ironing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The locking device (6) includes a rack (60) that cooperates with a locking rod (63) to fix the articulated device (5) in a desired position.

9. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The articulated device (5) includes two components, a front arm (52A) and a rear arm (52B), that connect the first part (51) to the second part (55). The two connecting front arm (52A) and rear arm (52B) components are arranged parallel to each other.

10. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The support includes a base (1) for resting on the ground. The base (1) includes at least one rod (10) extending vertically upward from the base (1).

11. The ironing device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The ironing device includes a base (3) provided on the base (1) for generating steam.

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