Hinged Ironing Board Leg Locking for Safer Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ironing boards with pivoting feet suffer from sudden movements due to return mechanisms, leading to potential injuries and ergonomic issues, such as finger pinching, and lack visibility of unlocking buttons, making them uncomfortable and difficult to use.

Innovation Solution

An ironing board with a joint system featuring two unlocking buttons on opposite sides, a locking mechanism for the unfolded position, and a design allowing the lower segment to fold parallel to the upper segment, with an axis of rotation at the foot's periphery, including a pivoting button with a hook for locking and a translating button for release, enhancing ergonomics and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If return means are provided in the hinge to maintain the lower segment in unfolded and folded positions, then the lower segment is prevented from moving when handling the board, but sudden movements of the foot occur under the effect of the return means which can lead to injury and pinching of fingers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of lower segment positionVSAvoidsudden movements causing injury and finger pinching

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The unlocking button is designed to be pressed in advance before folding the foot, which preliminarily deactivates the locking device and authorizes rotation. This preliminary action prevents sudden unexpected movements by giving the user control over when the locking mechanism engages or disengages, thereby avoiding finger pinching and injury while maintaining stable positioned when locked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a locking device with unlocking button is provided in the joint, then the lower segment can be locked in the unfolded position, but the locking button is not always visible to the user depending on his position with respect to the ironing board

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking of lower segment in unfolded positionVSAvoidvisibility and accessibility of unlocking button

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The unlocking mechanism is segmented into two separate buttons: a first unlocking button carried by the upper segment and a second unlocking button carried by the lower segment. This segmentation allows each button to be positioned in locations that are visible and accessible from different user positions. The first button is accessible when approaching from one side, while the second button is accessible when approaching from the opposite side, thereby resolving the visibility issue while maintaining reliable locking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If the lower segment is folded in the direction of the upper segment, then the ironing board achieves a compact storage position, but the foot may protrude and reduce storage efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage compactness of ironing boardVSAvoidprotrusion of foot in folded position

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of folding the lower segment upward toward the upper segment (conventional approach), the invention inverts the folding direction by allowing the lower segment to fold downward or outward in the opposite direction. This inverted folding approach allows the lower segment to nest within the space occupied by the upper segment or frame structure, eliminating protrusion and achieving a more compact storage shape without compromising volume reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

The solution provides greater visibility and ease of use, reduces the risk of accidental folding and finger pinching, and allows for a compact storage position without protruding legs, ensuring safety and ergonomic handling.

Implementation Method 1

a foot in two parts connected to each other by a hinge allowing the pivoting of a lower segment of the foot between an unfolded position and a folded position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

the first button is returned to the rest position by return means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic Recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentEP2666906B1Ironing board comprising one leg made up of two parts connected to one another by a hinge

Publication Date: 2014.10.22 SEB SA

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Figure 3~4

AI summary

The board has a plate (2) supported by a rigid leg (3) in parts connected together by an articulation (8). The articulation allows pivoting of a lower segment (32) of the leg between an unfolded position, in which the segment is placed in extension of an upper segment (31), and a folded position in which the lower segment is folded. A locking mechanism locks the lower segment in the unfolded position. The articulation has a release button (83) placed on opposite faces of the articulation to deactivate the mechanism for authorizing rotation of the lower segment towards the folded position.