Device for stretching a cover over an ironing board
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for tensioning ironing board covers lack continuous adjustment capabilities and are either complex or imprecise, leading to issues with maintaining optimal tension.
Innovation Solution
A rotatably mounted winding body with a self-locking mechanism, anchored below the ironing board, featuring a manually accessible two-armed operating lever and a decentralized anchoring element, allowing for continuous and precise adjustment of tension by winding the tension band around a cylindrical surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ratchet mechanism is used for winding body tensioning, then the tension can be maintained after winding, but the device becomes complex and adjustment is limited to discrete steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ratchet mechanism entirely from the winding body, replacing it with a simple self-locking design where the winding body maintains tension through its own structural properties rather than an additional locking mechanism. This extracts the complex ratchet component while preserving the essential tension maintenance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The winding body is designed to be self-locking through its own structure, eliminating the need for external ratchet mechanisms. The winding body itself provides the locking function through its interaction with the cover edge, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a clamping disk with fixed diameter is used, then the structure is simple, but the tension adjustment is imprecise and cannot be continuously adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-diameter clamping disk into a dynamic winding body that can rotate and accumulate material. This allows the effective diameter to change continuously as layers are wound, enabling precise continuous tension adjustment while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the basic rotational mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds the dimension of rotational movement and layered accumulation to the simple clamping disk concept. By winding material in layers around the rotating body, the system gains continuous adjustment capability in the tension dimension while the base structure remains simple.
3Volume of moving object
If the winding body is arranged below the ironing board level, then the structure is compact, but manual operation becomes difficult and inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the winding body vertically above the ironing board level, creating a multi-level structure where the operational interface is accessible at a higher dimension while the anchoring remains below. This dimensional separation allows both compactness and ease of operation to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The winding body acts as an intermediary element that connects the below-board anchoring structure with the above-board operational interface. It transmits the winding action from the accessible upper region to the anchored lower region, resolving the accessibility conflict.
4Ease of operation
If a decentralized anchoring element is used, then the tension band can be easily accessed and manipulated, but the structural symmetry is broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent intentionally introduces asymmetry by placing the anchoring element decentralized on the winding body rather than at the center. This asymmetric configuration improves accessibility and manipulation of the tension band while the overall cylindrical symmetry of the winding body is maintained for functional purposes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous and precise adjustment of tension, ensuring the ironing board cover remains optimally tensioned without preferred locking positions, allowing for easy operation and optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
clamped in a frictional manner between the head of the metal screw or a washer which is inserted onto the shaft of the metal screw and supported directly or indirectly in the axial direction on its head, on the one hand, and a nut element screwed and locked onto the metal screw, on the other hand
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for stretching a cover (2) over an ironing board (3), comprising a rotatably mounted winding body for winding the tensioning band (11) of the cover (2) or another tensioning means which interacts with the cover (2) or with the tensioning band (11) thereof. The winding body is arranged below the plane of the ironing board (3), is provided with a manually accessible element, and is mounted in a rotatable manner in both directions but in a self-locking manner in that the winding body is plugged onto the shaft of a metal screw and is frictionally clamped between the head of the metal screw or a washer, which is plugged onto the shaft of the metal screw and which is directly or indirectly supported on the head of the screw in the axial direction, and a nut, which is screwed and locked onto the metal screw.