Steaming device with moveable dock for supporting a steamer head

Abstract

Provided is a steaming device (100) having an ironing board (104), a dock (112) for supporting a steamer head (102), and a track (119). The steaming device comprises an arm (122) having a first extremity coupled to the track by a first coupling assembly, and a second extremity coupled to the dock. The first coupling assembly allows movement of the first extremity along the track, and thus allows movement of the dock along a course around the ironing board, the course being adjacent to the track.

Description

[0001] STEAMING DEVICE WITH MOVEABLE DOCK FOR SUPPORTING A STEAMER HEAD

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to a steaming device having an ironing board and a dock for supporting a steamer head. In particular, the dock is moveable so as to support the steamer head at different positions around the ironing board.

[0004] The invention may be used in the field of garment care.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Steaming devices are known to be used for ironing or steaming garments to remove creases through the use of heat and moisture from steam.

[0007] One type of steaming device is a so-called stand garment steamer that comprises a base, which base houses a water tank and optionally a steam generator. A steamer head is connected to the base by a flexible hose through which water and / or steam is delivered to the steamer head. The steamer head is provided with a treatment plate, also known as a soleplate, delimiting one or more steam vents through which steam is discharged onto a fabric being treated.

[0008] The garment may be hung on a hanger during treatment by the steaming device, with the user positioning the steamer head over the garment to remove creases.

[0009] Stand garment steamers tend to include a garment support feature and / or accessory, such as an ironing board or mat to assist the user to attain better and quicker de-wrinkling results. The ironing board is often mounted on a pole assembly.

[0010] In particular, such stand garment steamers can include a tiltable ironing board. Tilting of the ironing board enables garments to be orientated at different angles when being treated with steam. A horizontal orientation is often desired by the user because of the user being in the habit of ironing garments, especially long pants and formal shirts with long sleeves. When the user is not in the process of actively steaming a garment, the user often wishes to rest the steamer head on a dock, in other words a support device, by the side of the pole assembly or by the side of the ironing board.

[0011] Positioning such a dock so that the steamer head can be easily placed on and easily picked up from the dock can be challenging, particularly when the dock is to be used when the ironing board is tilted at different angular orientations, for example horizontal and vertical orientations.

[0012] For stand steamers and so-called “all-in-one” steamers currently on the market, the dock for the steamer head or iron is often fixed in one location regardless of whether the integrated ironing board is used in a vertical or horizontal orientation, or in a tilted orientation between the vertical and horizontal orientations. The fixed location of the dock is often convenient for resting the steaming device or iron in one particular position of the integrated ironing board, but not as convenient when the ironing board is changed to another position for use.

[0013] One potential solution to this problem is to provide a steaming device whose dock is detachable from a first position and re-attachable in another position different from the first position. However, the steps involved in this repositioning of the dock can be cumbersome and not particularly intuitive to the user.

[0014] Moreover, when the user wishes to store the steaming device, the dock tends to jut out from the product, making it inconvenient to store, especially when the steaming device is to be placed within a storage area of limited size.

[0015] OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] It is an object of the invention to address one or more of the above-mentioned challenges.

[0017] The invention is defined by the independent claim. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

[0018] To this end, the steaming device of the present invention comprises: a steamer head, an ironing board comprising a garment supporting side on which a garment is supportable, and an underside facing away from the garment supporting side, a track arranged at said underside and extending along a given path, a dock for supporting the steamer head, an arm extending along a longitudinal axis, the arm having a first extremity coupled to the track by a first coupling assembly, and a second extremity coupled to the dock by a second coupling assembly, the first coupling assembly being adapted to allow movement of the dock along a course adjacent to said path, the second coupling assembly being adapted to allow rotation of the dock about said longitudinal axis.

[0019] The movement of the dock enabled by coupling of the dock to the track can help to make the steaming device more convenient to use, since the dock can be moved to a position where the steamer head can be easily picked up from, and placed back onto, the dock.

[0020] Moreover, by arranging the track at the underside of the ironing board, the track can be provided in a relatively compact manner.

[0021] Furthermore, rotation of the dock about the longitudinal axis of the arm can assist the steamer head to be stably rested on the dock, since the dock can be rotated about the longitudinal axis to an angle at which the forces, including gravitational force, on the steamer head are balanced. This can lessen the risk of the steamer head becoming unintentionally dislodged from the dock.

[0022] The first coupling assembly, that couples the first extremity of the arm to the track, can have any suitable design. In some embodiments, the first coupling assembly comprises at least one track engagement element adapted to engage with, and move along, the track.

[0023] In some embodiments, the at least one track engagement element comprises at least one roller, the at least one roller being arranged to roll along a surface of the track during said movement of the dock along the course. Such roller(s) can help to lessen the force required to be exerted by the user to move the dock.

[0024] In some embodiments, the track comprises, e.g. is defined by, a groove defined in the underside of the ironing board. In such embodiments, the at least one roller can, for example, be at least partially receivable in the groove, with the surface of the track, along which the roller(s) is / are arranged to roll, comprising a surface delimiting the groove. This roller(s)-groove arrangement can provide a robust and spatially efficient way of moveably coupling the arm to the track.

[0025] In some embodiments, the steaming device, e.g. the first coupling assembly thereof, further comprises an intermediate element that is coupled to the at least one track engagement element and to the first extremity of the arm.

[0026] The intermediate element is preferably coupled to the first extremity by a pivot coupling arranged to allow rotation of the dock about an axis extending transverse, e.g. perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis. The rotation of the dock about the axis can, for example, enable the dock to be folded away when the steaming device is not being used.

[0027] In some embodiments, the pivot coupling is arranged to allow rotation of the dock about the axis between a first orientation, in which the dock protrudes from a longitudinal side portion of the ironing board, and a second orientation, in which the dock is pivoted towards the underside of the ironing board. The second orientation can enable the steaming device to be stored more compactly.

[0028] For example, in the second orientation the dock does not jut out from the periphery of the ironing board.

[0029] In some embodiments, the steaming device comprises a locking mechanism arranged to releasably secure the dock in at least one of the first orientation and the second orientation. Thus, the locking mechanism can secure the dock when the dock is protruding from the ironing board to support the steamer head and / or when the dock is folded away against the underside of the ironing board.

[0030] In some embodiments, the arm is permanently secured to the track. In such embodiments, the first coupling assembly can permanently couple the first extremity of the arm to the track. Such permanent securement of the arm to the track can alleviate burden on the user, since the user is not required to himself / herself couple the arm to the track, since the arm may be already coupled / mounted to the track in the factory.

[0031] In some embodiments, the ironing board comprises a right longitudinal side portion, a left longitudinal side portion and an end portion extending between the right longitudinal side portion and the left longitudinal side portion.

[0032] In such embodiments, the track preferably comprises curved portions between the right longitudinal side portion and the end portion, and between the left longitudinal side portion and the end portion.

[0033] Such curved portions of the track mean that the path of the track can extend from the right longitudinal side portion around to the left longitudinal side portion via the end portion.

[0034] In some embodiments, the track comprises linear section(s). For example, the track comprises linear section(s) in addition to the curved portions.

[0035] In some embodiments, the steaming device comprises a pivoting assembly for tilting the ironing board between different orientations. For example, the different orientations include a horizontal orientation in which the ironing board extends in a horizontal plane. When the ironing board is in the horizontal orientation, the garment to be ironed using the steaming device can rest on the horizontal garment-supporting side of the ironing board.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the different orientations of the ironing board can include a vertical orientation in which the ironing board extends in a vertical plane and / or intermediate orientation(s) in which the ironing board extends in an intermediate or tilted plane between the horizontal and vertical planes.

[0037] It is noted that different positions and / or orientations of the dock may be desired depending on which of the different orientations of the ironing board is selected via tilting of the ironing board. Rotation of the dock about the longitudinal axis of the arm can assist the steamer head to be stably rested on the dock at each of the different orientations of the ironing board. Moreover, the dock can be moved, via the track, to a convenient position according to which of the different orientations of the ironing board is selected.

[0038] In some embodiments, the steaming device comprises a fastening mechanism for releasably securing the dock at one or more positions around the track. The fastening mechanism can assist to keep the dock stable in the position to which it has been moved by the user. Alternatively or additionally, the fastening mechanism can provide audible and / or tactile feedback for indicating to the user when the dock has reached each of the one or more positions, e.g. position(s) designed for certain orientation(s) of the ironing board, such as the horizontal orientation and / or the vertical orientation.

[0039] In some embodiments, the one or more positions comprises one or more of: an end position arranged at said end portion of the ironing board, a right position arranged at said right longitudinal side portion, and a left position arranged at said left longitudinal side portion.

[0040] The fastening mechanism can be implemented in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism comprises a spring-loaded latch for securing the dock when the dock reaches each of said one or more positions around the track. Such a spring-loaded latch can provide a relatively straightforwardly manufacturable way of implementing the fastening mechanism.

[0041] In some embodiments, the steaming device comprises a pole assembly for supporting the ironing board. The pole assembly preferably upstands from a support base of the steaming device so that the ironing board is, in use, supported at a top part of the pole assembly.

[0042] In some embodiments, the pole assembly is a telescopic pole assembly being extendable and collapsable to vary a height of the ironing board. Thus, the height of the ironing board can be adjusted according to the user’ s height, thereby enhancing the adaptability of the steaming device for different users.

[0043] More generally, a steam generator included in the steaming device, for example included in the steamer head, can generate the steam provided by the steaming device. In some embodiments, the support base is arranged to receive a water tank, with the steaming device further comprising a hose cord connecting the support base to the steamer head.

[0044] In some embodiments, the steamer head includes a steam chamber for generating steam from water received from the support base via the hose cord, and / or for re-heating steam received from the support base via the hose cord.

[0045] Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention will be given below.

[0046] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Particular aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner:

[0048] Figs.1 A to 1C provide views of a garment supporting side and an underside of an ironing board of a steaming device according to an example,

[0049] Fig. ID depicts positions of a dock for supporting the steaming device’s steamer head,

[0050] Fig.2 shows a fastening mechanism for releasably securing the dock at position(s) around a track included in the ironing board,

[0051] Fig.3 A provides an enlarged view of the dock, as well as an arm that couples the dock to the track,

[0052] Fig.3B provides an exploded view of the dock and the arm shown in Fig.3 A,

[0053] Figs.4A and 4B provide views of the steamer head supported via the dock and arm shown in Figs.3A and 3B,

[0054] Fig.5 A shows stowing of the dock adjacent to the underside of the ironing board, and Fig.5B shows securing of the stowed dock via a locking mechanism.

[0055] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] Provided is a steaming device having an ironing board, a dock for supporting a steamer head, and a track. The steaming device comprises an arm having a first extremity coupled to the track by a first coupling assembly, and a second extremity coupled to the dock. The first coupling assembly allows movement of the first extremity along the track, and thus allows movement of the dock along a course around the ironing board, the course being adjacent to the track. Figs.1 A to ID depict a steaming device 100 according to an example. The steaming device 100 is suitable for steaming or ironing a garment.

[0057] The steaming device 100 comprises a steamer head 102. The steamer head 102 is moveable over the garment being steamed or ironed using the steaming device 100.

[0058] Referring to the inset of Fig.lC, the steamer head 102 can include a treatment plate 103 delimiting at least one steam vent through which steam is deliverable from the steaming device 100.

[0059] The treatment plate 103 can be formed from any suitable material. In some embodiments, the treatment plate 103 comprises a metal alloy and / or a metal, e.g. aluminum. For example, the metal alloy- and / or metal-comprising treatment plate 103 can be coated with a coating, such as a metal oxide coating.

[0060] The steamer head 102 is, for example, in the form of an ironing head for ironing a garment. In such embodiments, the steamer head’s 102 treatment plate 103 can be pressed against the garment, as well as steam being delivered to the garment via the at least one steam vent.

[0061] More generally, a steam generator included in the steaming device 100, for example included in the steamer head 102, can generate the steam provided by the steaming device 100.

[0062] In some embodiments, the steaming device 100 comprises a support base, in other words a stand (not visible in the Figures). The support base can rest on a floor surface and provide support for other components of the steaming device 100.

[0063] The support base preferably comprises ballast material to assist stability of the support base on the floor surface.

[0064] In some embodiments, the support base is arranged to receive a water tank. Such a water tank can contain water used to generate the steam provided by the steaming device 100. For example, the support base comprises, e.g. delimits, a cavity for receiving at least part of the water tank. In some embodiments, the water tank is detachably mountable to the support base, e.g. by being removably receivable in the cavity. In such embodiments, the water tank can be detached from the support base when the water tank is to be (re-)filled with water or emptied.

[0065] In some embodiments, the support base includes a steam generator for generating steam from water received from the water tank.

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, the steaming device 100 can comprise a hose cord connecting the support base to the steamer head 102 to enable water and / or steam to be delivered to the steamer head 102 from the support base. In such embodiments, the steamer head 102 can include a steam chamber for generating steam from water received from the support base via the hose cord, and / or for re-heating steam received from the support base via the hose cord.

[0067] The steaming device 100 also includes an ironing board 104. Referring to Figs.1 A and ID, the ironing board 104 comprises a garment supporting side 104 A on which the garment being ironed or steamed is supportable. As shown in Figs. IB and 1C, the ironing board 104 also has an underside 104B that faces away from the garment supporting side 104 A.

[0068] The ironing board 104 can have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.lC and ID, the ironing board 104 comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions 106A, 106B that extend between a pair of end portions 108 A, 108B of the ironing board 104.

[0069] The ironing board 104 is, for example, shaped such that the ironing board 104 has a sharper end portion 108B and a wider end portion 108 A.

[0070] It is noted that the longitudinal side portions 106A, 106B can be regarded as right and left longitudinal side portions 106 A, 106B. Here the terms “right” and “left” can be regarded as merely labels for distinguishing the two longitudinal side portions 106A, 106B from one another. It is nonetheless noted that in the embodiment depicted in Figs.1 A to ID, the longitudinal side portion denoted by reference numeral 106A is the right longitudinal side portion, and the longitudinal side portion denoted by reference numeral 106B is the left longitudinal side portion when the ironing board 104 is viewed as shown in Fig.lA, with the garment-supporting side 104 A facing the viewer with the wider end portion 108 A being above the sharper end portion As shown in each of Figs.1 A to ID, the steaming device 100 comprises a dock 112 for supporting the steamer head 102. The steamer head 102 may be rested in / on the dock 112 when the steamer head 102 is not being used to actively steam a garment, in other words when the steamer head 102 is not being moved over such a garment. As explained in more detail herein below, the dock 112 is moveable to various positions in order to make it more convenient for the user to rest the steamer head 102 on the dock 112.

[0071] The dock 112 is preferably shaped such that the steamer head 102 can rest on the dock 112 easily and stably, but without hindering removal of the steamer head 102 from the dock 112 when the steamer head 102 is to be moved over the garment.

[0072] It is noted that the dock 112 and the ironing board 104 can each be made of any suitable mechanically and thermally robust material, such as an engineering thermoplastic.

[0073] In at least some embodiments, and referring to Figs. IB to ID, the steaming device 100 comprises a pole assembly 116 for supporting the ironing board 104. The pole assembly 116 preferably upstands from the support base so that the ironing board 104 is, in use, supported at a top part of the pole assembly 116.

[0074] The term “upstands” means in this context that the pole assembly 116 extends upwardly away from the floor surface on which the support base is resting, when the steaming device 100 is orientated for use.

[0075] The pole assembly 116 is preferably supplied to the user detached from the support base, but is attachable to the support base so that the pole assembly 116 upstand(s) from the support base. Supplying the pole assembly detached from the support base in this manner can assist to make the steaming device 100 more compact for storage and transportation.

[0076] In some embodiments, the pole assembly 116 is detachable from the support base. In such embodiments, the user can detach the pole assembly 116 to facilitate stowing of the steaming device 100 in a storage area after use.

[0077] In some embodiments, the pole assembly 116 is a telescopic pole assembly 116 being extendable and collapsable to vary a height of the ironing board 104. Thus, the height of the ironing board 104 can be adjusted according to the user’s height, thereby enhancing the adaptability of the steaming device 100 for different users.

[0078] The pole assembly 116 can be made of any suitable material, such as a metal or metal alloy, and / or an engineering thermoplastic.

[0079] In some embodiments, and referring to Figs. IB and 1C, the steaming device 100 comprises a pivoting assembly 118 for tilting the ironing board 104 between different orientations.

[0080] For example, the different orientations include a horizontal orientation in which the ironing board 104 extends in a horizontal plane (see Fig. ID). When the ironing board 104 is in the horizontal orientation, the garment to be ironed using the steaming device 100 can rest on the horizontal garment-supporting side 104A of the ironing board 104.

[0081] Alternatively or additionally, the different orientations of the ironing board 104 can include a vertical orientation (see Figs.1 A to 1 C) in which the ironing board 104 extends in a vertical plane and / or intermediate orientation(s) in which the ironing board 104 extends in an intermediate or tilted plane between the horizontal and vertical planes.

[0082] It is noted at this point that positioning the dock 112 so that the steamer head 102 can be easily placed on and easily picked up from the dock 112 can be challenging, particularly when the dock 112 is to be used when the ironing board 104 is at said different orientations, for example the horizontal orientation (see Fig. ID) and the vertical orientation (see Figs.1 A to 1 C).

[0083] The steaming device 100 accordingly includes a track 119, with the dock 112 being moveable along the track 119, or more precisely being moveable along a course adjacent to a given path along which the track 119 extends. The movement of the dock 112 enabled by the track 119 can help to make the steaming device 100 more convenient to use, since the dock 112 can be moved to a position where the steamer head 102 can be easily picked up from, and placed back onto, the dock 112.

[0084] The track 119 can have any suitable design provided that the track 119 is capable of guiding movement of the dock 112 along the course. The track 119 can accordingly be regarded as a “guiding track”. In some embodiments, the track 119 comprises, e.g. is in the form of, a rail or guiding rail. In some embodiments, and referring to Fig.4A, the track 119 comprises a groove 132 defined in the underside 104B of the ironing board 104.

[0085] In some embodiments, and referring again to Figs. IB and 1C, the track 119 comprises a curved portion between the right longitudinal side portion 106 A and one of the end portions 108 A, 108B (e.g. the wider end portion 108 A in the depicted example) of the ironing board 104, and another curved portion between the left longitudinal side portion 106B and said one of the end portions 108 A, 108B.

[0086] Such curved portions of the track 119 mean that the path of the track 119 can extend from the right longitudinal side portion 106 A around to the left longitudinal side portion 106B via said one of the end portions 108 A, 108B, for example via the wider end portion 108 A.

[0087] The dock 112 can accordingly be moved from a right position at / adjacent to the right longitudinal side portion 106A (see the position on the left hand side of Fig. ID) to a left position at / adjacent to the left longitudinal side portion 106B (shown in phantom in Fig. ID), via an end position at / adjacent to said one of the end portions 108 A, 108B, for example the wider end portion 108 A (also shown in phantom in Fig. ID).

[0088] In some embodiments, and still referring to Figs. IB and 1C, the track 119 comprises linear section(s). For example, the track 119 comprises linear section(s) in addition to the curved portions.

[0089] For example, the track 119 comprises a right linear section extending proximal to the right longitudinal side portion 106A, a first curved portion between the right longitudinal side portion 106 A and the end portion 108 A, an end linear section extending from an end of the first curved portion to an end of a second curved portion, the second curved portion between the end portion 108 A and the left longitudinal side portion 106B, and a left linear section extending proximal to the left longitudinal side portion 106B.

[0090] It is noted that the end position can be a convenient position for the dock 112 when the user wishes to iron a garment on the ironing board 104 orientated in the horizontal orientation. The right and left positions can be convenient when a garment is to be steamed with the ironing board 104 in the vertical orientation or the intermediate orientation(s). The right position can be used when, for example, the user is right-handed and the ironing board 104 is tilted so that the wider end portion 108 A of the ironing board 104 is above the narrow end portion 108B (as shown in Fig.lA).

[0091] In some embodiments, such as shown in Fig.2, the steaming device 100 comprises a fastening mechanism 120 for releasably securing the dock 112 at one or more positions around the track 119, for example the end position, the right position and / or the left position.

[0092] The fastening mechanism 120 can assist to keep the dock 112 stable in the position to which it has been moved by the user. Alternatively or additionally, the fastening mechanism 120 can provide audible and / or tactile feedback for indicating to the user when the dock 112 has reached each of the one or more positions.

[0093] The fastening mechanism 120 can be implemented in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, and referring to the inset of Fig.2, the fastening mechanism 120 comprises a spring-loaded latch 121 for securing the dock 112 when the dock 112 reaches each of said one or more positions around the track 119.

[0094] In such embodiments, the spring-loaded latch 121 is biased, via a biasing element 121A, e.g. spring, thereof, into engagement with a receiving element 123 to secure the dock 112 at the respective position around the track 119.

[0095] In some embodiments, such as shown in Fig.2, the spring-loaded latch 121 is moveable together with the dock 112, and the receiving element(s) 123 is / are provided at the ironing board 104. For example, the receiving element(s) 123 can be provided by a profiled surface of the track 119. In such an example, the spring-loaded latch 121 interfaces with the profiled surface of the track 119 at each of the one or more positions.

[0096] In some embodiments, a right receiving element is provided at the right longitudinal side portion 106A of the ironing board 104, a left receiving element is provided at the left longitudinal side portion 106B of the ironing board 104, and / or an end receiving element is provided at one or both of the end portions 108 A, 108B of the ironing board 104. As best shown in Figs.3 A and 3B, the dock 112 is coupled to the track 119 via an arm 122. The arm 122 has a first extremity 122A coupled to the track 119 by a first coupling assembly 126, and a second extremity 122B coupled to the dock 112 by a second coupling assembly 130.

[0097] The first coupling assembly 126 is adapted to allow movement of the first extremity 122A along the track 119, and thus allows movement of the dock 112 along its course alongside the track 119. The arm 122 provides separation between the track 119 and the dock 112, which means that the dock 112 moves along the course that is adjacent, for example parallel, to the path along which the track 119 extends.

[0098] In at least some embodiments, the arm 122 is permanently secured to the track 119. In such embodiments, the first coupling assembly 126 can permanently couple the first extremity 122 A of the arm 122 to the track 119.

[0099] Such permanent securement of the arm 122 to the track 119 can alleviate burden on the user, since the user is not required to himself / herself couple the arm 122 to the track 119, since the arm 122 may be already coupled / mounted to the track 119 in the factory.

[0100] It is noted, more generally, that the first coupling assembly 126 can have any suitable design. In some embodiments, and still referring to Figs.3A and 3B, the first coupling assembly 126 comprises at least one track engagement element 124 adapted to engage with, and move along, the track 119.

[0101] The track engagement element(s) 124 can be of any suitable type. In some embodiments, and referring to Fig.4A, the at least one track engagement element 124 comprises at least one roller, with the at least one roller being arranged to roll along a surface 131 of the track 119 during said movement of the dock 112 along the course. Such roller(s) can help to lessen the force required to be exerted by the user to move the dock 112.

[0102] In some embodiments, and with continued reference to Fig.4A, the track 119 comprises the groove 132 defined in the underside 104B of the ironing board 104, in which groove 132 the at least one roller 124 is at least partially receivable. In such embodiments, the surface 131 of the track 119 along which the roller(s) is / are arranged to roll can comprise a surface delimiting the groove 132. This roller(s)-groove arrangement can provide a robust and spatially efficient way of moveably coupling the arm 122 to the track 119.

[0103] More generally, by arranging the track 119 at the underside 104B of the ironing board 104, the track 119 can be provided in a relatively compact manner, for example relative to a scenario in which the track 119 is instead arranged outside an outer periphery of the ironing board 104.

[0104] Referring again to Fig.3 A, the arm 122 extends along a longitudinal axis AA. The longitudinal axis AA of the arm 122 extends from the first extremity 122 A to the second extremity 122B of the arm 122. The second coupling assembly 130 shown in Figs.3A, 3B, 4A and 4B is adapted to allow rotation of the dock 112 about the longitudinal axis AA.

[0105] Such rotation of the dock 112 about the longitudinal axis AA of the arm 122 can assist the steamer head 102 to be stably rested on the dock 112, since the dock 112 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis AA to an angle at which the forces, including gravitational force, on the steamer head 102 are balanced. This can lessen the risk of the steamer head 102 becoming unintentionally dislodged from the dock 112.

[0106] In some embodiments, and as best shown in Fig.3A, the first coupling assembly 126 comprises an intermediate element 125 that is coupled to the at least one track engagement element 124, and is also coupled to the first extremity 122A by a pivot coupling 133 arranged to allow rotation of the dock 112 about an axis BB extending transverse, e.g. perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis AA. The rotation of the dock 112 about the axis BB can, for example, enable the dock 112 to be folded away when the steaming device 100 is not being used.

[0107] The pivot coupling 133 can have any suitable design. In some embodiments, and referring to Fig.3B, the pivot coupling 133 includes a pivot shaft 133 A that extends through aperture(s) 133B defined in a portion of the intermediate element 125 and through a hole delimited by the first extremity 122 A of the arm 122.

[0108] In some embodiments, the pivot coupling 133 is arranged to allow rotation of the dock 112 about the axis BB between a first orientation in which the dock 112 protrudes from one of the longitudinal side portions 106A, 106B of the ironing board 104 (see Figs. IB and 1C), and a second orientation in which the dock 112 is pivoted towards the underside 104B of the ironing board 104 (see Figs.5A and 5B). It is noted that the direction of pivoting of the dock 112 towards the underside 104B of the ironing board 104 is denoted in Figs.4B and 5 A by the arrow 134.

[0109] In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.4B, 5 A and 5B, the steaming device 100 comprises a locking mechanism 135 arranged to releasably secure the dock 112 in at least one of the first orientation and the second orientation. Thus, the locking mechanism 135 can secure the dock 112 when the dock 112 is protruding from the ironing board 104 to support the steamer head 102 and / or when the dock 112 is folded away against the underside 104B of the ironing board 104.

[0110] The locking mechanism 135 can be implemented in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, and referring to Fig.4B, the locking mechanism 135 comprises male element(s) 136 fixed relative to one of the dock 112 and the ironing board 104 and being arranged to engage first female element(s) 137A fixed relative to the other of the dock 112 and the ironing board 104, to secure the dock 112 in the first orientation.

[0111] Alternatively or additionally, the male element(s) 136, fixed relative to one of the dock 112 and the ironing board 104, can be arranged to engage second female element(s) 137B fixed relative to the other of the dock 112 and the ironing board 104, to secure the dock 112 in the second orientation.

[0112] The male element(s) 136 may be moved out of engagement with the first and / or second female element(s) 137A, 137B in order to enable rotation of the dock 112 about the axis BB. To this end, the locking mechanism 135 can include user-actuatable element(s) 138, e.g. button(s), moveable by the user to cause movement of the male element(s) 136 out of engagement with the female element(s) 137A, 137B (see Fig.5A).

[0113] The user-actuatable element(s) 138, e.g. button(s), may also be moveable by the user to cause movement of the male element(s) 136 into engagement with the female element(s) 137A, 137B, so as to secure the dock 112 in the respective orientation (see Fig.5B, which shows securing of the dock 112 in the second orientation).

[0114] The above embodiments as described are only illustrative, and not intended to limit the technique approaches of the present invention. Although the present invention is described in details referring to the preferable embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the technique approaches of the present invention can be modified or equally displaced without departing from the protective scope of the claims of the present invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A steaming device (100) comprising: a steamer head (102), an ironing board (104) comprising a garment supporting side (104A) on which a garment is supportable, and an underside (104B) facing away from the garment supporting side, a track (119) arranged at said underside and extending along a given path, a dock (112) for supporting the steamer head, an arm (122) extending along a longitudinal axis (AA), the arm having a first extremity (122A) coupled to the track by a first coupling assembly (126), and a second extremity (122B) coupled to the dock by a second coupling assembly (130), the first coupling assembly being adapted to allow movement of the dock along a course adjacent to said path, the second coupling assembly being adapted to allow rotation of the dock about said longitudinal axis.

2. The steaming device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling assembly (126) comprises at least one track engagement element (124) adapted to engage with, and move along, the track (119).

3. The steaming device (100) according to claim 2, further comprising an intermediate element (125) coupled to the at least one track engagement element (124), and coupled to the first extremity (122A) by a pivot coupling (133) arranged to allow rotation of the dock (112) about an axis (BB) extending transverse to the longitudinal axis (AA).

4. The steaming device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the pivot coupling (133) is arranged to allow rotation of the dock (112) about the axis (BB) between: a first orientation in which the dock protrudes from a longitudinal side portion (106A, 106B) of the ironing board (104), and a second orientation in which the dock is pivoted towards the underside (104B) of the ironing board.

5. The steaming device (100) according to claim 4, comprising a locking mechanism (135) arranged to releasably secure the dock (112) in at least one of the first orientation and the second orientation.

6. The steaming device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the at least one track engagement element (124) comprises at least one roller, the at least one roller being arranged to roll along a surface (131) of the track (119) during said movement of the dock (112) along the course.

7. The steaming device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the track (119) comprises a groove (132) defined in the underside (104B) of the ironing board (104), in which groove the at least one roller (124) is at least partially receivable, said surface (131) of the track comprising a surface delimiting the groove.

8. The steaming device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the arm (122) is permanently secured to the track (119).

9. The steaming device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ironing board (104) comprises a right longitudinal side portion (106A), a left longitudinal side portion (106B) and an end portion (108 A) extending between the right longitudinal side portion and the left longitudinal side portion, the track (119) comprising curved portions between:- the right longitudinal side portion and the end portion, and- the left longitudinal side portion and the end portion.

10. The steaming device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a fastening mechanism (120) for releasably securing the dock (112) at one or more positions around the track (119).

11. The steaming device (100) according to claim 10 as according to claim 9, wherein the one or more positions comprises one or more of: an end position arranged at said end portion (108A) of the ironing board (104), a right position arranged at said right longitudinal side portion (106 A), and a left position arranged at said left longitudinal side portion (106B).

12. The steaming device (100) according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the fastening mechanism (120) comprises a spring-loaded latch (121) for securing the dock (112) when the dock reaches each of said one or more positions.

13. The steaming device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a pivoting assembly (118) for tilting the ironing board (104) between different orientations.

14. The steaming device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: - a support base arranged to receive a water tank, and a hose cord connecting the support base to the steamer head (102).

15. The steaming device (100) according to claim 14, wherein the steamer head (102) includes a steam chamber for: - generating steam from water received from the support base via the hose cord, and / or re-heating steam received from the support base via the hose cord.

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