Ironing device comprising a pivotably mounted board

Abstract

The invention relates to an ironing device comprising an ironing board (2), the board (2) being pivotably mounted by means of an articulation device (5) for orienting the board (2), the articulation device (5) comprising a first portion (51) attached to a support (1, 10) that is intended to rest stably on the ground, and a second portion (55) attached to the board (2), characterised in that the articulation device comprises at least one front arm (52A) and one rear arm (52B), each having an upper end mounted so as to pivot about an upper axis (521) carried by the second portion (55) and a lower end mounted so as to pivot about a lower axis (520) carried by the first portion (51), the second portion (55) of the articulation device (5) being attached to a region of the board (2) located in the lower half of the board (2) when the latter is in a vertical position.

Description

Ironing appliance comprising a pivoting board.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ironing apparatus comprising an ironing board against which a garment to be ironed can be placed for treatment using steam and more particularly to apparatus comprising a board pivotally mounted by means of an articulation device making it possible to orient the board in at least one vertical position and one horizontal position. State of the art

[0002] It is known, from patent application EP3421658 filed by the applicant, an ironing apparatus comprising an ironing board which can be oriented vertically or horizontally depending on the user's needs.

[0003] However, such a device has the disadvantage of requiring adjustment of the board's height when moving from the vertical position to the horizontal position in order to benefit from good ergonomics of the board in both positions. Indeed, when the board is in the horizontal position, the board must be approximately at the height of the user's hip for the latter to have good ergonomics of use. However, when the board is tilted into the vertical position, the board is then located too low to offer optimized ergonomics of use. The user must then manually raise the board using the telescopic masts to improve the ergonomics of use of the board in the vertical position.

[0004] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback by proposing in particular an ironing appliance equipped with a hinge device which allows the board to tilt from the vertical position to the horizontal position while automatically adjusting the height of the board to provide optimized user ergonomics in both positions.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention relates to an ironing apparatus comprising an ironing board against which a garment to be ironed can be placed for treatment with steam, the board being pivotally mounted by means of an articulation device enabling the board to be oriented in at least one vertical position and one horizontal position, the articulation device comprising a first part fixed to a support intended to rest stably on the ground and a second part fixed to the board, characterized in that the articulation device comprises at least one front arm and one rear arm each having an upper end pivotally mounted about an upper axis carried by the second part and a lower end pivotally mounted about a lower axis carried by the first part,the second part of the articulation device being fixed to an area of ​​the board located in the lower half of the board when the latter occupies the vertical position.,

[0006] Thus, the majority of the board extends vertically above the level of the articulation device when the board occupies the vertical position. Such a feature makes it possible to obtain an ironing appliance which provides good ergonomics of use when the board is in the horizontal and vertical positions without the user having to manually adjust the height of the board when moving from one position to the other.

[0007] In addition, such an articulation device also ensures good support of the board and good centering of the masses in relation to the support in the horizontal and vertical positions.

[0008] The device may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

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

[0010] Such a feature has the advantage of reducing the manufacturing cost of the articulation device.

[0011] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the articulation device comprises a reinforcing member on which a first support element of the board rests when the latter occupies the horizontal position, the support element being arranged in the upper half of the board when the latter occupies the vertical position.

[0012] Such a feature has the advantage of increasing the stability and rigidity of the board when it is in a horizontal position.

[0013] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the articulation device and / or the support comprises a reinforcing member on which a second support element of the board rests when the latter occupies the vertical position, the second support element being arranged in the lower half of the board when the latter occupies the vertical position.

[0014] Such a feature has the advantage of increasing the stability and rigidity of the board when it is in a vertical position.

[0015] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the first support element comprises a groove intended to engage around the reinforcing member when the board occupies the horizontal position.

[0016] Such a feature allows to further improve the maintenance of the board in a horizontal position.

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

[0018] Such a feature makes it possible to limit the size of the second part of the articulation device, which is fixed to the back of the board, while allowing kinematics ensuring the rotation of the board from the vertical position to the horizontal position.

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

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

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

[0022] Such sizing characteristics make it possible to obtain a hinge device whose strength and size are particularly suitable for use on an ironing board.

[0023] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the lower axis of rotation of the rear arm is located higher than the lower axis of rotation of the front arm, the plane passing through the upper axes of rotation of the front and rear arms being inclined relative to the ground by an angle α of between 30° and 60° and preferably of the order of 45°.

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

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

[0026] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the articulation device comprises locking means making it possible to maintain the ironing board in at least the horizontal position, the vertical position and an intermediate position arranged between the vertical position and the horizontal position.

[0027] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the locking means comprise a rack which cooperates with a locking bar to immobilize the articulation device in the desired position.

[0028] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the articulation device comprises two sets of front and rear arms connecting the first part to the second part, the two sets of front and rear arms being arranged parallel to each other.

[0029] According to another characteristic of the invention, the lower ends of the front and rear arms of each assembly are fixed to an L-shaped support element which defines the first part of the articulation device.

[0030] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the support comprises a base intended to rest on the ground comprising at least one mast extending vertically upwards from the base.

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

[0032] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the apparatus comprises a base for generating steam arranged on the base.

[0033] The invention also relates to an ironing apparatus comprising an ironing board against which a garment to be ironed can be placed for treatment with steam, said ironing board being pivotally mounted by means of a hinge device for immobilizing the ironing board at different inclinations, the hinge device comprising a first part integral in rotation with the board, a second part fixed to a support structure intended to rest stably on the ground, and a set of connecting arms connecting the first part to the second part, in which the set of connecting arms comprising at least one front arm and one rear arm each having an upper end pivotally mounted about an upper axis carried by the first part and a lower end pivotally mounted about a lower axis carried by the second part,and in which the front arm and the rear connecting arm are of the same length, the center distance between the upper axis and the lower axis being the same for each of the arms., Brief description of the figures

[0034] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

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

[0036] This is another perspective view of the ironing board fitted to the ironing device, the board being shown in an intermediate tilt position;

[0037] This is a perspective view, similar to the, with the plate shown in a horizontal position;

[0038] This is another perspective view of the plate illustrated in;

[0039] This is a longitudinal sectional view of the board in the vertical position;

[0040] This is a longitudinal sectional view of the board in a horizontal position;

[0041] This is a perspective view of the board's hinge device when the board is in a horizontal position.

[0042] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0043] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the ironing appliance refer to this appliance when it is resting flat on its base with the board in a vertical position.

[0044] Figures 1 to 4 show an ironing apparatus comprising a base 1 from which extend vertically two telescopic masts 10 supporting an ironing board 2, of generally rectangular shape. Preferably, the board 2 has a length of the order of 70 cm and a width of the order of 40 cm. The two telescopic masts 10 allow the height of the board 2 to be adjusted so that, in the horizontal position, it is located at a height of between 60 cm and 90 cm from the ground.

[0045] The base 1 comprises, in a manner known per se, a ballast to ensure good stability for the ironing device and it comprises an indentation 11 at the level of which rests, in a removable manner, a base 3 for the generation of steam which is connected by a flexible conduit, not shown in the figures, to an iron 4. The base 3 conventionally comprises a water reservoir supplying a boiling chamber, or a tank for the production of steam under pressure, not shown in the figures.

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

[0047] According to figures 1 to 4, the upper end of the masts 10 supports an articulation device 5, visible in isolation on the, on which the board 2 is fixed. The articulation device 5 makes it possible to orient the board 2 according to different inclinations and in particular a vertical position (illustrated in figures 1 and 5), a horizontal position (illustrated in figures 3 and 6), and an intermediate position (illustrated in figures 2 and 4).

[0048] For this purpose, the articulation device 5 comprises a first part 51 fixed to the upper end of the masts 10 and a second part 55 on which the ironing board 2 is fixed.

[0049] Preferably, the first part comprises two L-shaped support elements 51 which are respectively fitted to the upper end of the two masts 10, the two support elements 51 being connected to each other by a reinforcing bar 50 which extends horizontally.

[0050] The second part comprises a plate 55 which is fixed to the back of the board 2 and which has a width similar to the spacing between the two masts 10, the plate 55 comprising two lateral wings 550 which project from the rear face of the board 2 while extending perpendicular to the board 2.

[0051] According to figures 4 to 7, the articulation device 5 comprises a first set of two arms 52A, 52B which connects one of the two lateral wings 550 to one of the support elements 51 and a second set of two arms 52A, 52B which connects the other lateral wing 550 to the other support element 51. The two sets of arms 52A, 52B extend in two parallel planes and are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing between the two masts 10.

[0052] Each arm 52A, 52B comprises a first end pivotally mounted around a horizontal lower axis 520 carried by the support element 51 and a second end pivotally mounted around a horizontal upper axis 521 carried by the lateral wing 550.

[0053] The arms 52A, 52B are all identical, that is to say that their length as well as the center distance between the lower axis 520 and the upper axis 521 is the same for all the arms 52A, 52B of the articulation device 5.

[0054] Each set of arms 52A, 52B comprises a front arm 52A whose lower axis 520 of rotation is preferably arranged in line with one of the masts 10 and a rear arm 52B whose lower axis 520 is preferably offset both rearwardly and upwardly relative to the lower axis 520 of the front arm 52A.

[0055] In the particular embodiment illustrated, the offset between the lower axis 520 of rotation of the rear arm 52B and the lower axis of rotation 520 of the front arm 52A is of the order of 9 cm both in a horizontal direction D1 and in a vertical direction D2 (illustrated in the), the distance between the lower axes of rotation 520 of the front arms 52A and the rear arms 52B being of the order of 13 cm.

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

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

[0058] The board 2 advantageously comprises a locking device 6 making it possible to immobilize the board 2 in several positions and in particular in the vertical position, the horizontal position and at least one intermediate position.

[0059] The locking device 6 advantageously comprises a rack 60, one end of which is pivotally mounted around an axis 61 carried by a stud 20 projecting under the board 2, in the vicinity of a lower end of the latter. The locking device comprises a return spring, not visible in the figures, which brings the rack 60 back towards a locking bar 63 extending horizontally between the two front arms 52A of the articulation device 5.

[0060] The rack 60 comprises several notches which cooperate with the locking bar 63 to immobilize the board 2 at the desired inclination, the rack 60 being secured to a handle 62, arranged at the edge of the board 2, which, when actuated, allows the rack 60 to pivot against its return spring and to disengage the locking bar 63 from the notches of the rack.

[0061] The plate 55 of the articulation device 5 is advantageously fixed to an area of ​​the board 2 which is located in the lower half of the board 2 when the latter occupies the vertical position. Thus, when the board 2 occupies a vertical position, the center of the board 2 is located higher than the plane occupied by the board 2 when it occupies a horizontal position. This allows for very good ergonomics of use, whether the board 2 is in a horizontal or vertical position without needing to adjust the height of the board 2 using the telescopic masts 10.

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

[0063] In accordance with figures 3 and 6, the back of the board 2 advantageously comprises a support element 21 intended to rest on the reinforcement bar 50 when the board 2 occupies the horizontal position.

[0064] This support element 21 is arranged on an area of ​​the board 2 which is located in the upper half of the board 2 when the latter occupies the vertical position and makes it possible to reinforce the holding of the board 2 when the latter is in the horizontal position by forming an additional support point on the side of the board 2 opposite that receiving the plate 55 of the articulation device 5.

[0065] Preferably, the support element 21 comprises a U-shaped groove 210 which engages around the reinforcement bar 50 to reinforce the immobilization of the board 2 in a horizontal plane.

[0066] The operation and advantages of the articulation device 5 of plate 2 thus produced will now be described.

[0067] When the user wishes to modify the inclination of the board 2, he simply has to press the handle 62 to pivot the rack 60 and release the locking bar 63 from the notches of the rack 60. He can then freely pivot the board 2 to the desired position among the vertical position, the horizontal position and the various intermediate positions.

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

[0069] Thus, if the user adjusts the height of the telescopic masts 10 for ergonomic use in a horizontal position, that is to say with the board 2 located approximately at the height of his hips, the pivoting provided by the articulation device 5 then makes it possible to automatically bring the useful surface of the board 2 to the height of the user's bust when the board 2 occupies the vertical position, the lower edge of the board 2 then being located substantially at the height of the user's hip.

[0070] This allows for very good user ergonomics without having to modify the height of the board using the telescopic 10 masts.

[0071] Furthermore, the articulation device 5 thus produced has the advantage of being simple and economical to implement. Indeed, the fact that the articulation device 5 uses identical arms 52A, 52B makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the articulation device 5.

[0072] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0073] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the support may only have one mast instead of the two telescopic masts.

[0074] Thus, in another variant embodiment not shown, the articulation device and / or the support may comprise a member on which a second support element for the board rests when the latter occupies the vertical position in order to reinforce the hold of the board in this position.

Claims

Ironing apparatus comprising an ironing board (2) against which a garment to be ironed can be placed for treatment with steam, said board (2) being pivotally mounted by means of an articulation device (5) making it possible to orient the board (2) in at least one vertical position and one horizontal position, the articulation device (5) comprising a first part (51) fixed on a support (1, 10) intended to rest stably on the ground and a second part (55) fixed on the board (2), characterized in that the articulation device comprises at least one front arm (52A) and one rear arm (52B) each having an upper end pivotally mounted about an upper axis (521) carried by the second part (55) and a lower end pivotally mounted about a lower axis (520) carried by the first part (51),the second part (55) of the articulation device (5) being fixed to an area of the board (2) located in the lower half of the board (2) when the latter occupies the vertical position., Ironing appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the front arm (52A) and the rear connecting arm (52B) are of the same length, the center distance between the upper axis (521) and the lower axis (520) being the same for each of the arms (52A, 52B). Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the articulation device (5) comprises a reinforcing member (50) on which a first support element (21) of the board (2) rests when the latter occupies the horizontal position, said first support element (21) being arranged in the upper half of the board (2) when the latter occupies the vertical position. Ironing appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that said first support element (21) comprises a groove (210) intended to engage around the reinforcing member (50) when the board occupies the horizontal position. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the center distance between the upper axes (521) of the front arm (52A) and the rear arm (52B) is less than the center distance between the lower axes (520) of said front arm (52A) and rear arm (52B). Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lower axis (520) of rotation of the rear arm (52B) is located higher than the lower axis (520) of rotation of the front arm (52A), the plane passing through the upper axes (521) of rotation of the front (52A) and rear (52B) arms being inclined relative to the ground by an angle α of between 30° and 60° and preferably of the order of 45°. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the articulation device (5) comprises locking means (6) making it possible to maintain the ironing board (2) in at least the horizontal position, the vertical position and an intermediate position arranged between the vertical position and the horizontal position. Ironing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking means (6) comprise a rack (60) which cooperates with a locking bar (63) to immobilize the articulation device (5) in the desired position. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the articulation device (5) comprises two sets of front arms (52A) and rear arms (52B) connecting the first part (51) to the second part (55), the two sets of front (52A) and rear (52B) connecting arms being arranged parallel to each other. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support comprises a base (1) intended to rest on the ground comprising at least one mast (10) extending vertically upwards from the base (1). Ironing appliance according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a base (3) for generating steam arranged on the base (1).

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